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fb777 net Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Here's the latest: District attorney says Mangione contesting extradition will create ‘extra hoops’ to jump through But Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says it won’t be a substantial barrier to returning Mangione to New York. He noted that defendants contest extradition “all the time,” including in simple retail theft cases. In court, Mangione said he understood his rights Dickey, his defense lawyer, questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it. Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon. Defense lawyer Thomas Dickey told the court Mangione wants a hearing on the extradition issue He has 14 days to challenge the detention. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York. Mangione’s demeanor in court Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was quieted by his lawyer. Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO is contesting his extradition back to New York Luigi Mangione, 26, has also been denied bail at a brief court hearing in western Pennsylvania. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision. An account on X that appears to belong to Mangione was still up as of Tuesday That’s with some intervention from owner Elon Musk. The account, which hasn’t posted since June, was briefly suspended by X. But after a user inquired about it in a post Monday, Musk responded “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.” The account was later reinstated. Other social media companies such as Meta have removed his accounts. According to X rules, the platform removes “any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.” Mangione is not accused of perpetrating a terrorist or mass attack — he has been charged with murder — and his account doesn’t appear to share any writings about the case. Mangione shouted and struggled with officers as he arrived in court He shouted something that was partly unintelligible, but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” He’s there for an arraignment on local charges stemming from his arrest Monday. Mangione arrives at court in Pennsylvania He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as officers led him from a vehicle into the courthouse. Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey is expected to represent the 26-year-old at a Tuesday afternoon hearing at the Blair County Courthouse. Dickey declined comment before the hearing. Mangione could have the Pennsylvania charges read aloud to him and may be asked to enter a plea. They include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. In New York, he was charged late Monday with murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. Bulletin says Mangione likely motivated by anger toward ‘parasitic’ health insurance companies Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. Police say they found ‘written admissions about the crime’ in Luigi Mangione’s belongings A felony warrant filed in New York cites Altoona Officer Christy Wasser as saying she found the writings along with a semi-automatic pistol and an apparent silencer. The filing echoes earlier statements from NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny who said Mangione had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.” Mangione is now charged in Pennsylvania with being a fugitive of justice. McDonald’s customer: ‘My one friend thought he looked like the shooter’ A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested said one of his friends had commented beforehand that the man looked like the suspect wanted for the shooting in New York City. “It started out almost a little bit like a joke, my one friend thought he looked like the shooter,” said the customer, who declined to give his full name, on Tuesday. “It wasn’t really a joke, but we laughed about it,” he added. Manhattan prosecutors have obtained a warrant for Mangione’s arrest The warrant on murder and other charges is a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. In court papers made public Tuesday, a New York City police detective reiterated key findings in the investigation he said tied Mangione to the killing, including surveillance footage and a fake ID he used to check into a Manhattan hostel on Nov. 24. Police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, found that ID when they arrested Mangione on Monday. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione doesn’t yet have a lawyer who can speak on his behalf, court officials said. Pennsylvania authorities release photos of Luigi Mangione at McDonald’s and in cell Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and ski cap. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. The suspect’s cousin, a Maryland lawmaker, is postponing a fundraiser Mangione’s cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione, announced Tuesday morning that he’s postponing a fundraiser planned later this week at the Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore, which was purchased by the Mangione family in 1986. “Because of the nature of this terrible situation involving my Cousin I do not believe it is appropriate to hold my fundraising event scheduled for this Thursday at Hayfields,” Nino Mangione said in a social media post. “I want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. My family and I are heartbroken and ask that you remember the family of Mr. Thompson in your prayers. Thank you.” The search for the suspect involved dogs, drones and scuba divers Officers used New York City’s muscular surveillance system . Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door to door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later , those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian’s instincts. A customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos New York police had publicized. Suspect is expected to be eventually be extradited to New York He remains jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late Monday evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. It’s unclear whether Luigi Nicholas Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday’s arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.”WWMVIP is Redefining Financial Contract Management and TradingMeta seeks government intervention to block OpenAI's for-profit dreamsThe cryptocurrency landscape constantly evolves, driven by groundbreaking projects and innovations that redefine how we perceive and interact with digital assets. Whether you’re an investor looking for the Top 4 cryptocurrencies to buy now or simply exploring the tech, this listicle delves into four standout projects: Qubetics , Arweave, Artificial Super Intelligence Alliance, and Ondo. Each project brings unique value to the blockchain ecosystem, making it worthy of your attention. 1. Qubetics: The Future of Comprehensive Crypto Wallets Crypto wallets are the essential interface between users and the blockchain, providing the tools to manage, store, and transact digital assets. As cryptocurrency adoption grows, the demand for secure and versatile wallet solutions rises. The Qubetics Wallet , part of the Qubetics Network, is a game-changer. Here’s why Qubetics stands out as one of the Top 4 cryptocurrencies to buy now: The Qubetics Wallet is designed to redefine user interaction with cryptocurrencies. Built for accessibility, it will launch on iOS, Android, and desktop platforms, making it convenient for all users. Its seamless and intuitive interface ensures that users can effortlessly manage their $TICS tokens and other assets. Qubetics is collaborating with Visa and Mastercard to bridge traditional and digital finance for debit card integration. This feature will also ensure compatibility with popular payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay, allowing users to use their digital assets in everyday transactions. Virtual cards are another innovative offering by Qubetics. Users can generate virtual cards within the wallet, adding convenience and security for online purchases. This feature empowers users with unparalleled control over their finances, solidifying Qubetics’ place as one of the Top 4 cryptocurrencies to buy now. Qubetics is advancing through Presale Phase 12, where weekly price increases of 10% lead to a final-stage jump of 20%. Currently, $TICS tokens are priced at $0.031. With over $6 million raised, 9,400+ holders, and 324 million tokens sold, time is of the essence. With the next phase nearing and a post-presale target of $0.25, early investors can enjoy a remarkable 703.5% ROI opportunity. Experts anticipate $TICS reaching $10 to $15 following the mainnet launch. 2. Arweave: Revolutionizing Data Storage on the Blockchain Arweave is a decentralized storage network that tackles one of the internet’s most pressing challenges: data permanence. As a blockchain-based solution for long-term data storage, Arweave ensures that information is never lost. This innovative approach has propelled it into the spotlight as a must-consider cryptocurrency. Arweave’s Permaweb is a new layer of the internet where data is stored permanently and accessed seamlessly. Unlike traditional cloud storage, which requires recurring fees, Arweave allows users to pay once for perpetual storage, making it highly economical and efficient. 3. Artificial Super Intelligence Alliance: Redefining Blockchain AI The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s happening now. The Artificial Super Intelligence Alliance (ASIA) is at the forefront of this movement, combining cutting-edge AI capabilities with the transparency and security of blockchain. ASIA leverages blockchain to create a decentralised AI model training and deployment platform. This democratised approach removes the traditional barriers of centralisation, ensuring fair access to AI resources and fostering innovation. 4. Ondo: Innovating the DeFi Ecosystem As decentralised finance (DeFi) continues to disrupt traditional financial systems, Ondo is leading the way with unique liquidity provisioning and yield generation solutions. By addressing DeFi inefficiencies, Ondo earns its spot as one of the Top four cryptocurrencies to buy now. Ondo provides structured products that make it easy for users to participate in liquidity pools. These offerings minimise risk while maximising returns, appealing to new and experienced DeFi participants. Ondo collaborates with institutions to bring traditional financial assets onto the blockchain. This integration bridges the gap between DeFi and traditional finance, opening new avenues for growth and adoption. Why These Cryptocurrencies Are a Must-Watch? Whether you’re new to the crypto space or a seasoned investor, these projects represent the forefront of blockchain innovation. With the growing adoption of blockchain technology, exploring these cryptocurrencies could provide significant opportunities for both financial gains and technological engagement. As the cryptocurrency market evolves, it is crucial to stay informed about emerging projects and their unique value propositions. By considering these Top 4 cryptocurrencies to buy now , you position yourself at the cutting edge of the digital asset revolution. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://x.com/qubetics

Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. Israeli attorney general orders probe into report that alleged Netanyahu's wife harassed opponents JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Israeli leader’s corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a terse message late Thursday., saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the “Uvda” investigative program into Sara Netanyahu. The program uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs. Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organize protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. Earlier Thursday, Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies.” The US says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern. WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza. The internationally Famine Early Warning System Network issued the warning this week. The new report had warned that starvation deaths in north Gaza could reach famine levels as soon as next month. It cited what it called Israel's “near-total blockade” of food and water. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, criticized the finding as inaccurate and irresponsible. The U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds the famine-monitoring group, told the AP it had asked for and gotten the report's retraction. USAID officials tell The Associated Press that it had asked the group for greater review of discrepancies in some of the data. Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. Aviation experts say Russia's air defense fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns Aviation experts say that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Azerbaijan is observing a nationwide day of mourning on Thursday for the victims of the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons yet unclear and crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan. Cellphone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies aged 92 NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. The hospital said Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to “sudden loss of consciousness at home." He was “being treated for age-related medical conditions,” the statement added. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and earned a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy battlefield losses KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses in Russia's Kursk region and face logistical difficulties as a result of Ukrainian attacks. The intelligence agency said Thursday that Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka inflicted heavy casualties on North Korean units. Ukraine's president said earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in the Kursk region. It marked the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties several weeks after Kyiv announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost 3-year war. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose.

China and Hong Kong markets experienced minimal changes on Wednesday, with investors eagerly anticipating the Central Economic Work Conference to gain insights into potential policy shifts for the coming year. By midday, the Shanghai Composite index had recorded a slight increase of 0.22%, whereas the blue-chip CSI 300 index saw a minor decline, slipping 0.04%. Notably, food and beverage stocks were among the top performers, gaining 1.2%. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index also nudged up 0.08%. Investor attention remains fixed on forthcoming governmental announcements, expected to clarify on monetary easing measures and fiscal policies crucial for fostering economic growth. (With inputs from agencies.)‘Fight, fight, fight’: Trump markets the smell of victory

New York, NY, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Launch Two Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: LPBBU) (the “ Company ”) announced today that, commencing November 29, 2024, holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and warrants included in the units. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. The Class A ordinary shares and warrants that are separated will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “LPBB” and “LPBBW,” respectively. Those units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “LPBBU.” This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Launch Two Acquisition Corp. Launch Two Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business or industry or at any stage of its corporate evolution. The Company’s primary focus, however, will be on technology and software infrastructure companies whose products and services target financial services, real estate and asset management companies. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. Company Contact: Launch Two Acquisition Corp. Jurgen van de Vyver jurgen@launchpad.vc (510) 692-9600

Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling

Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) have been ruled out. Neither player practiced this week after being hurt against the Texans. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) practiced in full this week and will make his season debut. He was injured in August. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was a full practice participant on Friday and is good to go. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) are among six players listed as questionable. The others are offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). --Field Level MediaFrom Plates To Plants: A Vegetarian's Journey

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Chase Forte scored 21 points as South Dakota beat Western Illinois 89-66 on Saturday. Forte added six rebounds and five assists for the Coyotes (9-4). Cameron Fens added 17 points while going 5 of 8 and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line while grabbing six rebounds. Isaac Bruns had 13 points and shot 4 for 10 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Marko Maletic led the Leathernecks (6-5) in scoring, finishing with 24 points. Julius Rollins added 13 points for Western Illinois. Sean Smith had 11 points. South Dakota's next game is Thursday against Utah Tech on the road. Western Illinois hosts Tennessee Tech on Tuesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Qatar Chamber recently participated in the ‘5th France-Arab Countries Economic Summit’, which was held in Paris under the theme ‘Increasing France’s Place in the Arab World’. The event was jointly organised by the Arab-French Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Arab Chambers, and the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CPME), with support from ICE-FRANCE, the International Chamber of Commerce-France, International Medef, and Business France. The delegation from Doha was led by Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani and included board member Dr Khaled bin Klefeekh al-Hajri. The summit was attended by more than 400 high-level economic figures and featured three round table discussions which focused on the Maghreb countries, the Arab Levant countries, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. On the sidelines of the summit, Sheikh Khalifa met with Aurelien Le Chevalier, director of the Office of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in the attendance of Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to France. During the meeting, both sides discussed economic and commercial relations and explored ways to enhance cooperation between the Qatari and French private sectors. They also emphasised the importance of fostering mutual investments and partnerships between the business sectors of both nations. Speaking during the third working session, al-Hajri highlighted Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and its management of the post-World Cup phase. He noted that Qatar recently launched the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030) and the launch of the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Strategy (2024-2030) as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030. He said the strategy aims to position Qatar as a global leader in innovation and scientific research in the Middle East region, enhance the business sector’s involvement in innovative activities, develop qualified domestic talent, and increase the sector’s contribution to the state’s GDP. He also highlighted the state’s efforts to advance innovation by fostering partnerships and cooperation with international technology leaders, such as Microsoft, Google Cloud, NVIDIA, among others, including the launch of 5G networks. Al-Hajri said Qatar ranked second globally in terms of 5G speed and ranked first in mobile Internet speed. Al-Hajri said Qatar aims to attract $100bn in direct investments in the manufacturing, logistics, education, financial services, food, agriculture, and healthcare sectors. He added that the national economy is expected to grow by 4% annually until 2030, driven by the expansion of gas production. Related Story Qatar participates in Arab League's consultative meeting Ministerial committee meeting demands end to Gaza killings

Most markets gained yesterday after a bounce on Wall Street, while bitcoin continued its march higher to move within touching distance of the $100,000 mark. Rising geopolitical tensions tempered the atmosphere and lifted oil again after Russia hit Ukraine with a new-generation intermediate-range missile and sent a warning to the West. Bitcoin, meanwhile, set a new record high of $99,505.44. While it later eased back slightly, there is a broad expectation that it will soon burst through $100,000 as investors grow increasingly hopeful that Trump will pass measures to deregulate the crypto sector. Bets on an easier environment for digital units in a Trump White House have seen bitcoin soar more than 40 percent since his election victory this month, while it has more than doubled since the turn of the year. The gains in equities followed a retreat in most regional bourses Thursday after a forecast-topping earnings report from chip titan Nvidia still fell short of investors’ hopes and sparked worries that a tech-fueled surge in markets may have run its course. Missile alarm According to Luis Limlingan, managing director at local brokerage house Regina Capital Development Corp., markets remain weak as a result of the persistent missile strikes between Russia and Ukraine. Investors shifted to cyclical stocks, while technology shares, including Nvidia, saw mixed action. Nvidia gained 0.5 percent after reporting strong third-quarter results and guidance, though concerns over slowing revenue growth tempered earlier gains. All three main indexes on Wall Street ended on a positive note with observers saying traders had dialed back their gloom over Nvidia as they digested pledges by the firm over production of its keenly anticipated Blackwell line-up. Investors also took heart from comments by Chicago Federal Reserve chief Austan Goolsbee, who said he saw interest rates coming down more as the US central bank makes progress in bringing inflation down to its two percent target. He pointed out that regarding the jobs market and prices “things are getting close to where we want to settle,” adding that “it follows that we will probably need to move rates to where we think they should settle, too.” “If we look out over the next year or so, it feels to me like rates will end up a fair bit lower than where they are today,” he said. The remarks helped temper recent worries that the Fed will have to scale back its rate plans if US President-elect Donald Trump pushes through his promised tax cuts and import tariffs, which some warn could reignite inflation. The gains in New York filtered through to Asia. Tokyo climbed as the government prepared to announce a $140 billion stimulus package to kickstart the country’s stuttering economy, while Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Mumbai, Bangkok, Taipei and Jakarta also rose. However, Hong Kong and Shanghai sank on a sell-off in tech firms caused by weak earnings from firms including PDD and Baidu. Manila also slipped. London and Paris opened higher while Frankfurt also advanced even after data showed Germany’s economy grew less than initially thought in the third quarter. Adding to the positive vibes was news that Securities and Exchange Commission chair Gary Gensler — who oversaw measures to rein in cryptocurrencies — intends to leave when Trump takes office on January 20, Bloomberg reported. Oil prices extended the previous day’s gains on rising Ukraine worries after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the conflict had characteristics of a “global” war and did not rule out strikes on Western countries. His comments came after Moscow test-fired a new missile at its neighbor, which Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called a major ramping up of the “scale and brutality” of the war. Both main crude contracts extended the two percent gains seen Thursday when natural gas prices also hit their highest level in a year.Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on MongoDB MDB . And retail traders should know. We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga. Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MDB, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen. So how do we know what these investors just did? Today, Benzinga 's options scanner spotted 90 uncommon options trades for MongoDB. This isn't normal. The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 36% bullish and 50%, bearish. Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 36 are puts, for a total amount of $2,455,164, and 54 are calls, for a total amount of $2,930,042. Projected Price Targets Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $230.0 to $400.0 for MongoDB over the recent three months. Analyzing Volume & Open Interest Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for MongoDB's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across MongoDB's significant trades, within a strike price range of $230.0 to $400.0, over the past month. MongoDB Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days Significant Options Trades Detected: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume MDB CALL SWEEP BULLISH 12/27/24 $6.4 $5.85 $6.2 $315.00 $140.4K 3 905 MDB CALL SWEEP BEARISH 03/21/25 $25.55 $25.4 $25.44 $320.00 $132.1K 183 413 MDB PUT SWEEP BEARISH 12/13/24 $37.35 $35.9 $37.35 $335.00 $112.0K 1.9K 1.4K MDB CALL TRADE NEUTRAL 12/18/26 $99.75 $95.75 $97.78 $310.00 $97.7K 17 10 MDB CALL SWEEP BULLISH 04/17/25 $39.45 $37.85 $38.95 $290.00 $93.4K 12 70 About MongoDB Founded in 2007, MongoDB is a document-oriented database with nearly 33,000 paying customers and well past 1.5 million free users. MongoDB provides both licenses as well as subscriptions as a service for its NoSQL database. MongoDB's database is compatible with all major programming languages and is capable of being deployed for a variety of use cases. Having examined the options trading patterns of MongoDB, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance MongoDB's Current Market Status Currently trading with a volume of 8,390,670, the MDB's price is down by -16.28%, now at $293.12. RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold. Anticipated earnings release is in 86 days. What The Experts Say On MongoDB In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $369.0. Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days? 20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. Click here for access .* An analyst from RBC Capital persists with their Outperform rating on MongoDB, maintaining a target price of $400. * An analyst from Piper Sandler has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on MongoDB, which currently sits at a price target of $425. * Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Overweight rating on MongoDB with a target price of $350. * An analyst from Scotiabank persists with their Sector Perform rating on MongoDB, maintaining a target price of $350. * Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Mizuho keeps a Neutral rating on MongoDB with a target price of $320. Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely. If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for MongoDB, Benzinga Pro gives you real-time options trades alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

After a career that included gold-plated defense and championships with his hometown San Francisco Giants and then a finish surrounded by family with the Cardinals, Brandon Crawford announced his retirement Wednesday evening. "It's time for the next chapter," Crawford wrote in a post on his Instagram page . Crawford, 37, played 14 seasons in the majors and all but 28 games of his 1,682-game career came with the Giants, the team he grew up cheering for and dreamed about playing for. Those 28 games came this past season with the Cardinals, who signed the veteran shortstop during spring training to be both a backup for and a mentor to rookie shortstop Masyn Winn. Although limited when it came to playing time on the field and production at the plate, Crawford was regularly lauded for what he provided the young infielders in the clubhouse. Winn said several elements of his pregame routine and preparation came directly from watching or talking to Crawford, and one of Winn's representatives praised Crawford for the guidance he offered Winn. Crawford was one of the first to predict how Winn would earn consideration for the Gold Glove Award; Winn was a finalist. For Crawford, the offer from the Cardinals gave his youngest child a chance to see him play, and his family was a constant presence around the club. "To the Cardinals, thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue my career for one more season," Crawford wrote on the Instagram message. "This opportunity gave me a chance to experience a different role for the first time in my career. It also gave Jazlyn a chance to watch me play — even if she won't remember it, we've got plenty of pictures to look back on — and created unforgettable moments on the field and in the clubhouse with my other four kids. ... I genuinely enjoyed my final season playing for another historic franchise." As part of the Cardinals' early signal of a shift toward youth and change in the roster, they released Crawford toward the end of August. In 13 years with the Giants, Crawford won four Rawlings Gold Glove Awards as one of the most reliable and smooth shortstops in the National League. He was selected for three All-Star Games, and in 2021, at age 34, he finished fourth in the voting for the National League MVP. He is the club's all-time leader in games at shortstop. A Bay Area native drafted out of UCLA by San Francisco in 2008, Crawford was the Giants starting shortstop for World Series championships in 2012 and 2014. Each of those years, Crawford and the Giants ousted the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series to claim the pennant and advanced to the World Series. "I definitely pretended to win a World Series in my backyard — but winning two?" Crawford wrote on Instagram. "That was beyond my wildest dreams." Shortly after Crawford posted his retirement to the social media site, the Giants announced they would honor him and his career April 26 at Oracle Park.General Motors announced a strategic shift in its autonomous driving endeavors, emphasizing advancements for personal vehicles. The company plans to integrate the capabilities of Cruise LLC and its technical teams to propel autonomous and assisted driving technologies forward, focusing exclusively on individual consumer needs. This move includes halting investments in the robotaxi initiative, increasing GM's ownership stake in Cruise, and restructuring to cut annual expenditures by over $1 billion by the first half of 2025. (With inputs from agencies.)NYPD’s new commish appoints Ryan Merola to chief of staff, making him highest-ranking gay member of dept

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