tjili casino Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright have announced they are expecting their first child together Michelle Keegan and her husband Mark Wright have announced they are expecting their first child together. The former Coronation Street star, 37, and the TOWIE favourite, who married in May 2015, shared the joyous news on Instagram on Sunday night. "2025 is going to be a special one for us... [baby emoji. love heart emoji]," read the caption of a post featuring a picture of Michelle showing off her baby bump on the beach, with Mark looking on lovingly. Among the first to congratulate the couple was Mark's best friend James Argent, who commented: "I love you and I'm so happy for you both," adding that he couldn't wait to become an uncle. This announcement comes after years of speculation about when the successful pair would start a family. In 2020, Michelle revealed that her family had finally stopped asking her about plans for a baby. "I get asked about children whereas Mark wouldn't for example," she explained to Women's Health. "Why haven't I had a child? When am I going to have a child? ' I don't know what they want me to say. I don't know what the right or wrong answer is." Laughing off the family inquiries, she told them: "Not any more! ... People don't mean any harm by it, but they know what the answer's going to be.", reports the Mirror . The Fool Me Once star has voiced her objection to being constantly questioned about her plans for starting a family, describing such probes as 'horrible'. In conversation with The Mirror on the topic of baby plans, she remarked: "It's horrible. People don't know if we're trying. They don't know the background of what's happening. In this day and age, you shouldn't be asking questions like that. I'm asked purely because I'm a woman. But I'm immune to it now – it's like a reaction, and as soon as I hear it I brush it off as it's no one else's business." Back in 2018, she expressed to Women's Health her desire for a large family: "I've always been broody. I love kids, and I want four, so hopefully in the near future." Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright have been open about their family planning choices, with Michelle previously stating: "With kids, I used to want three or four. But now, I'm 31, we're not having kids any time before 32. I think we could have two or three. Twins would be great because you're getting two out of the way at once." However, in April 2023, the couple faced a wave of invasive comments on social media after sharing a photo of themselves with their premature nephew, Dustin Wright. The commentary reportedly left Michelle "furious" and "incredibly angry". The couple first met in Dubai at the end of 2012 and confirmed their relationship at the 2013 National Television Awards. Just nine months later, Mark proposed to Michelle during a trip back to Dubai. Mark Wright shared his emotions with The Mirror following his engagement, saying: "I've got now, for the first time in my life, what I've always wanted and what every boy dreams of – affection in a relationship, love, best friend, a girl I fancy... everything rolled into one." The couple then proceeded to have a fairy-tale wedding at St Mary's Church in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, celebrating afterwards at the grand Hengrave Hall. Following their opulent wedding, Michelle Keegan joined the cast of Our Girl, which took her to various exotic locations such as South East Asia and South Africa. This required the newlyweds to endure a long-distance relationship. Mark Wright, known from TOWIE, landed his ‘dream’ job in America on E!, resulting in him shuttling between Essex and Los Angeles. On the Jonathan Ross show, Michelle Keegan spoke about the struggles they faced being apart: "We were apart for about four months. It was really tough. People said how did you deal with it and stuff. Thank god for FaceTime and things like that. You're on a countdown the whole time just to get home. I had six months off when I went home, so I went to America." Having left Our Girl and the States behind in 2019, the pair settled back in Essex, spending considerable time creating their dream home before moving into their luxurious mansion. Now, the pair are welcoming their next chapter as parents in 2025.NoBroker Hosts 'Property Carnival' in Chennai for Homebuyers

The emergence of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) is redefining how decentralized finance (DeFi) projects interact with the physical world. DePIN leverages blockchain technology to build and manage real-world infrastructure projects using public ledgers and cryptocurrencies. This approach creates networks from decentralized connections, contrasting traditional hierarchical systems used by large corporations or government bodies. Participants can contribute to these networks through personal or specialized hardware for tasks ranging from data storage to providing weather information. Max Thake, co-founder of peaq, highlights DePIN’s role in utilizing tokens to incentivize the use of connected hardware, providing services through platforms like Roam Network where data gathered on smartphones is acquired by telecom companies via Web3 marketplaces. DePIN projects fall into two categories: Physical Resource Networks, which offer location-specific hardware resources, and Digital Resource Networks, where resources depend on function rather than location. DePIN’s potential to revolutionize infrastructure management through blockchain and smart contracts enhances system efficiency and transparency. This structure allows communities to control infrastructure independently, akin to an “industrial DAO,” promoting equitable opportunities and pricing. However, DePIN faces challenges such as vulnerability to cyber threats, token volatility, and the technical expertise required for maintenance. Despite these obstacles, DePIN connects blockchain with real-world applications, supporting sustainable industry growth. Experts foresee more decentralized infrastructure development, especially in Asia, with meme tokens fueling adoption through initiatives like the BONK airdrop for Solana devices. Since its inception a decade ago, DePIN has grown significantly, with market capitalization exceeding $20 billion excluding RWA and blockchain oracles. By integrating with decentralized grids, especially in green energy sectors, DePIN promises diverse profitable applications. Still in its early stages within both cryptocurrency and broader markets, DePIN may require time to address its challenges before achieving widespread implementation. The anticipation of DePIN’s impact on future infrastructure systems remains high, with predictions of its pivotal role in transforming traditional models through decentralized solutions.( MENAFN - IANS) New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) On the joyous occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt greetings on Wednesday, emphasising the values of compassion, peace, and unity. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi shared his warm wishes and reflected on the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ. In his post, he wrote: "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity." PM Modi also shared a video from his recent visit to the Christmas programme organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). In the video, he highlighted the enduring significance of Jesus Christ's teachings: "Jesus Christ showed the path of compassion and selfless service to the world. We celebrate and remember Jesus so that we can imbibe these values in our lives. I believe this is our personal responsibility, a social obligation, and also our duty as a nation." "Today, the country is taking this spirit forward through the resolve of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas.' The teachings of the Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony, and brotherhood. It is important that we all work together to make this spirit stronger," said PM Modi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his Christmas greetings, focusing on the ideals of forgiveness, service, and compassion. In his post on X, he wrote: "To my fellow citizens, I extend warm wishes on Christmas, which embodies the ideals of forgiveness, peace, and unity. The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ underscores the need to follow the ideals of sacrifice, service, redemption, and amity. The values of compassion for all living beings and concern for those in need imbue this joyous occasion with a unique spirit of sharing," said Kharge adding "May these festivities usher in a new era of hope, happiness, and prosperity for all. Merry Christmas!" MENAFN24122024000231011071ID1109028850 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.

Hannukah this year starts on Christmas Day in rare occurrence

Iran Lifts Ban On WhatsApp, Google PlayWhales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Core Scientific . Looking at options history for Core Scientific CORZ we detected 14 trades. If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 64% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 28% with bearish. From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $201,500 and 12, calls, for a total amount of $1,064,776. What's The Price Target? Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $6.0 to $22.0 for Core Scientific over the last 3 months. Insights into Volume & Open Interest Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Core Scientific's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Core Scientific's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $6.0 to $22.0 over the preceding 30 days. Core Scientific 30-Day Option Volume & Interest Snapshot Biggest Options Spotted: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume CORZ PUT SWEEP BEARISH 12/27/24 $0.55 $0.35 $0.35 $14.50 $175.5K 10 2.3K CORZ CALL TRADE NEUTRAL 11/29/24 $0.35 $0.25 $0.3 $18.50 $149.8K 148 5.0K CORZ CALL SWEEP BULLISH 12/20/24 $3.5 $3.4 $3.4 $14.00 $139.7K 26.0K 2.0K CORZ CALL TRADE BEARISH 12/20/24 $3.5 $3.4 $3.4 $14.00 $129.8K 26.0K 915 CORZ CALL SWEEP BULLISH 03/21/25 $2.35 $2.2 $2.35 $20.00 $116.7K 11.6K 528 About Core Scientific Core Scientific Inc is engaged in Blockchain and AI Infrastructure, Digital Asset Self-Mining, Premium Hosting, Blockchain Technology, and Artificial Intelligence related services. The business operates in two segments being; Equipment Sales and Hosting which consists of blockchain infrastructure, third-party hosting business and equipment sales to customers. Mining segment consists of digital asset mining for its account. The blockchain business generates revenue from the sale of consumption-based contracts and by providing hosting services. The digital asset mining segment earns revenue from operating a firm's owned computer equipment as part of a pool of users that process transactions conducted on one or more blockchain networks. In exchange, it receives digital currency assets. Present Market Standing of Core Scientific Trading volume stands at 3,607,522, with CORZ's price down by -0.26%, positioned at $17.5. RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought. Earnings announcement expected in 109 days. Expert Opinions on Core Scientific 5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $18.0. 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 .* Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Needham continues to hold a Buy rating for Core Scientific, targeting a price of $18. * In a cautious move, an analyst from Jefferies downgraded its rating to Buy, setting a price target of $19. * Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from B. Riley Securities keeps a Buy rating on Core Scientific with a target price of $17. * Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Canaccord Genuity continues to hold a Buy rating for Core Scientific, targeting a price of $17. * An analyst from BTIG has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Core Scientific, which currently sits at a price target of $19. 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 Core Scientific, Benzinga Pro gives you real-time options trades alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Trump's tariff policy could depreciate CNY by 10% -15%

VANCOUVER — Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Data show the problem spiked during COVID-19 when children began spending more time online — but rates did not wane as police anticipated after lockdowns ended. In B.C., they soared, almost quadrupling from 2021 to 2023. Const. Solana Pare is now warning exploitation of children is likely here to stay, as a technological race between police and predators gains momentum. “Technology is becoming more and more available, and online platforms and social media sites are being used by children younger and younger, which provides an opportunity for predators to connect with them,” Pare said in an interview. Police say child exploitation cases in B.C. went from about 4,600 in 2021 to 9,600 in 2022 to 15,920 reports last year. The upwards trend is seen nationally, too. Statistics Canada says the rate of online child sexual exploitation reported to police rose by 58 per cent from 2019 to 2022, and police data show cases have continued to rise. The RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre reported that from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, it received 118,162 reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation offences — a 15 per cent increase compared with the previous year. Online child sexual exploitation, Pare explained, includes offences such as sextortion, child luring and the creation or distribution of sexually explicit images of a minor. “We don’t see these types of reports going away,” Pare said. “We only see them increasing because the use of electronic devices and social media, and kids being online earlier and earlier is becoming more common. There’s going to be more opportunity for predators to target children online.” Monique St. Germain, general counsel for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, said the most common type of child luring is communicating with a youth online in order get them to produce sexual abuse material. She said “the pandemic accelerated those types of cases, and it hasn’t slowed down.” “The tools (Canadian authorities) have to deal with this type of behaviour are inadequate for the scope and the scale of what’s going on,” she said. THE RISE OF ‘SEXTORTION’ Online exploitation gained international attention in 2015 in the case of Port Coquitlam, B.C., teenager, Amanda Todd, who died by suicide after being blackmailed and harassed online by a man for years, starting when she was 12. The month before the 15-year-old died, she uploaded a nine-minute video using a series of flash cards detailing the abuse she experienced by the stranger and how it had affected her life. It’s been viewed millions of times. Dutch national Aydin Coban was extradited to Canada for trial and, in October 2022, he was convicted of charges including the extortion and harassment of Todd. Since then, the term “sextortion” has made its way into the vernacular as more cases come to light. Among them was Carson Cleland, a 12-year-old Prince George, B.C., boy who died by suicide in October 2023 after falling victim to the crime. In New Brunswick that same month, 16-year-old William Doiron took his own life after falling victim to a global sextortion scheme. Mounties across Canada have issued news releases warning of increased cases in their communities, noting that the consequences for the victims can include self-harm and suicide. St. Germain said technology, such as artificial intelligence, is also becoming more user-friendly. “The existence of that technology and its ease of use and ready accessibility is a problem, and it is going to be an increasingly large problem as we move forward,” she said. Pare said police are also adapting to technological advancements in order to keep up with the ever-changing online landscape. “Police are constantly obtaining training on digital technologies to increase our knowledge and understanding of all the intricacies involving their use and how to capture any digital evidence,” she said. Pare said the true rates of the crime are impossible to determine, but pointed to increased social awareness and legislation across North America around mandatory reporting of child abuse material from social media companies as a potential reason for the increase. It’s not going undetected any longer, she said. “Additionally, there’s been a lot of use in artificial intelligence to detect child exploitation materials within those platforms.” Pare said “it’s up to each individual platform” to ensure there is no child sexual abuse material on their sites or apps. “With mandatory reporting, it’s putting the onus back on the electronic service providers to ensure they have measures in place to prevent this from happening, and if it is happening that it is being reported,” she said. “That being said, there are times when things don’t get located.” That is why the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has been advocating for the adoption of the Online Harms Bill that the federal government introduced in February, St. Germain said. “It’s shocking that up until now, we’ve relied on companies to self regulate, meaning we’ve just relied on them to do the right thing,” she said. “What we are seeing in terms of the number of offences and in terms of all the harm that is happening in society as a result of online platforms is completely tied to the decision not to regulate. We need to have rules in any sector, and this sector is no different.” ‘CANADA IS REALLY BEHIND’ The Online Harms Bill covers seven types of harms, from non-consensual sharing of intimate images to content that can be used to bully a child. Earlier this month, Justice Minister Arif Virani announced the Liberal government will split the bill into two parts: dealing with keeping children safe online, and combating predators and issues related to revenge pornography. “We are putting our emphasis and prioritization and our time and efforts on the first portion of the bill,” Virani told reporters on Dec. 5. Such measures would include a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada, which would compel social media companies to outline how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, particularly minors. It would have the power to levy fines and evaluate companies’ digital safety plans. St. Germain said such a split “makes sense,” noting that most objections to the bill are related to changes to the Criminal Code and not measures around curbing harms to children. “There obviously are differences of opinion in terms of what is the best way forward, and what kind of regulatory approach makes sense, and who should the regulator be, but there does seem to be consensus on the idea that we need to do more in terms of protecting children online,” she said, adding that the organization is still in support of the second half of the bill. She said the United Kingdom previously passed its own Online Safety Act that will come into effect in 2025, which includes requiring social media firms to protect children from content such as self-harm material, pornography and violent content. Failure to do so will result in fines. “Canada is really behind,” she said. “The amount of information that has come out of the U.K., the amount of time and care and attention that their legislatures have paid to this issue is really quite remarkable, and we really hope that Canada steps up and does something for Canadian children soon.” In the absence of national legislation, province’s have filled the void. In January, B.C. enacted the Intimate Images Protection Act, providing a path for victims to have online photos, videos or deep fakes expeditiously removed. Individuals are fined up to $500 per day and websites up to $5,000 a day if they don’t comply with orders to stop distributing images that are posted without consent. B.C.’s Ministry of the Attorney General said that as of Dec. 11, the Civil Resolution Tribunal had received a total of 199 disputes under the Intimate Images Protection Act. It said the Intimate Images Protection Service had served more than 240 clients impacted by the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, adding that four awards of $5,000 each and one for $3,000 had been supplied as of mid-December. Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta and Saskatchewan have also enacted legislation targeting unauthorized distribution of intimate images. St. Germain said the use of provincial powers is also necessary, but it’s not enough. “A piece of provincial legislation is going to be very difficult to be effective against multiple actors in multiple countries,” she said, noting that the online crime is borderless. “We need something bigger — more comprehensive. We need to use all tools in the tool box.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2024. Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian PressA new strain of COVID-19 known as XEC is gaining traction in Chicago, just as the holidays approach and seasonal respiratory virus season gets underway. The COVID-19 virus remains a public health challenge that must be met with continued vigilance, particularly among members of Chicago’s Hispanic and Latino community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos have experienced the highest COVID-19 mortality rate of all minority groups in the United States. This year, we are fortunate to be approaching the season from a position of knowledge and strength. We know that getting an updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine lowers our risk of serious illness and hospitalization. We hold the power to determine whether COVID-19 will be a minor inconvenience or a major health incident this year. Protection from prior vaccinations wanes over time, which is why the CDC recommends getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Current vaccines are formulated to protect against the latest strains of the virus, including the prevalent JN.1 strain, to which most circulating variants — including XEC — are related. Most insurance plans cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost, and free vaccination clinics are hosted regularly by the Chicago Department of Public Health across the city. This season, Chicagoans have the added option of choosing between the mRNA-based vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna or the protein-based vaccine developed by Novavax, which is built on the same technology as many flu shots. Both are widely available in pharmacies across the Chicago area. Regardless of which vaccine you choose, when you get vaccinated, you are making an intentional choice to help protect yourself, those closest to you and the broader Hispanic-Latino community in Chicago. — Esther E. Sciammarella, Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition, Chicago Thanks for the article “EPA adding methane fee to oil, gas rule violations” (in print Nov. 13). The new fee is intended to encourage the fossil fuel industry to adopt best practices that reduce methane emissions in oil and natural gas mining and transport. Methane is a climate super pollutant, far more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. The industry will fight these rules, and the Environmental Protection Agency during the next administration is expected to weaken enforcement. The larger issue is whether fossil fuel companies should be paying for the additional extreme-weather damage caused by using their products. That damage includes more frequent and more intense wildfires, droughts and storm damage. Today, they pay nothing, and taxpayers foot those bills. As a society, we need to decide whether these companies should be allowed to freely emit climate-damaging emissions into the atmosphere. If these polluters are forced to pay for the harm that is caused by using their products, such as through carbon pricing, the transition to cheaper and less damaging clean energy will happen much faster. A more livable world would be the outcome. — Andrew Panelli, Homer Glen I am concerned after reading the Nov. 17 article “Nuclear plants in Illinois are caught in the crosshairs.” The implications for ratepayers are alarming. The article states that “data centers’ seemingly insatiable appetite for energy ... could also increase residents’ electric bills.” That’s the problem. Why must it be inevitable that building more power capacity for the benefit of tech firms results in higher costs for everyone else? If tech firms plan to make money from new, energy-intensive ventures that are unrelated to basic heating, cooking and keep-the-lights-on needs, then why should everyday users be responsible for the resulting increased costs? Why can’t the rate structure be revised to put the increased cost burden on the entities that will be responsible for incurring those increased costs — i.e., the tech firms themselves? Evidently, the existing rate structure equally spreads capacity costs among all ratepayers. If some entity wants more energy, then, under current thinking, that entity pays for its extra watts. That arrangement is indeed fair, but only under the assumption that the amount of generating capacity is equally needed by all ratepayers in the first place. It would appear that this “normal” scenario is assumed to hold even in the new situation in which the demand for vast amounts of additional power are coming from a distinct subset of the ratepayer population, namely the tech firms. The rest of the ratepayer population does not directly benefit from the increased capacity. Can a new payment arrangement be devised/proposed so that the segment of the ratepayer population that is demanding the new generating capacity will then be responsible for the bulk, if not all, of the costs required to build that new generating capacity? Is there some way to think outside the status-quo payment mechanisms so that all ratepayers are not, in fact, subsidizing the demand by tech firms for more capacity — capacity that only the tech firms benefit from? Illinois should ensure that the existing cost-allocation methods don’t become just a convenient tool in a tech firm lead play for more power. The matter should be rethought before these costs become locked in the usual bureaucratic arthritis. — Fred R. Garzino, Chicago The “Wicked” movie has hit theaters, welcoming old and new audiences alike to the land of Oz. Many may not know that “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the novel that started it all (movies, plays, musicals and more), was written right here in Chicago. Author L. Frank Baum wrote “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” from his home in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood in 1899. So the legend goes, Baum’s idea for Oz’s Emerald City was inspired by his numerous visits to the White City of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago — a brightly lit, beautiful city but filled with skeletons of temporary buildings covered in painted plaster. Although the Baum family home in Humboldt Park no longer stands, the block’s sidewalk was dug up in 2019 and repaved with yellow bricks to honor the birthplace of America’s great fairy tale. A colorful Oz-themed mural was also commissioned on the site. And less than 4 miles to the east of Chicago’s own yellow brick road is Oz Park. Yes, that “Oz.” Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Oz Park celebrates all things “Wizard of Oz.” According to the Chicago Park District, areas of the 14-acre park include Dorothy’s Playlot and the Emerald City Gardens. Surrounding these areas are statues of the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and everyone’s favorite, Dorothy and Toto. Another Chicago connection: Chicago’s own Quincy Jones produced the soundtrack for “The Wiz,” the 1978 musical adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” featuring a star-studded cast of all-Black actors, including Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. I think Chicago historian Shermann Dilla Thomas sums this whole thing up best: “Everything dope about America comes from Chicago.” — Marty Malone, Chicago On Nov. 9, I became blissfully wrapped up in Lyric Opera’s gratifying production of “The Marriage of Figaro.” While it played out, stressful current events didn’t exist. Reading Chris Jones’ grumpy, prudish review ( “‘Figaro’ by Lyric Opera leans into comedy of a tricky story,” Nov. 13), I found myself wishing once again that he could resist trying to punish centuries-old classics for not fitting 2024 political correctness. Worse, he takes directors to task for not doing so. His comment that you can hear in Gordon Bintner’s voice his difficulties with the production’s choices is one of the most risible opinions I’ve read in serious music criticism. I think modern audiences can deal with letting Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sublime work play out as originally conceived. — Lee Kingsmill, Munster, Indiana Note to readers: As part of our annual holiday tradition, we’d like to hear from you about what is making you feel thankful this year. Sincere thoughts only, please. Email us a letter of no more than 400 words to letters@chicagotribune.com. Be sure to include your full name and your city or town. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com .

When Comcast swallowed NBC and Universal Studios 14 years ago, the sibling cable channels USA Network, Bravo and CNBC were considered diamonds in the rough. USA Network had gained traction with its "Blue Skies" programming strategy: sunny and upbeat TV programs infused with a buoyant energy and natural light. The cable channels were NBCUniversal's equivalent of blue skies, routinely delivering three-quarters of the company's profit. In 2012, cable networks threw off a robust $3.3 billion in cash flow. Times have changed.Comcast this week announced its plans to jettison all but one cable channel into a separate, stand-alone publicly traded company that will take shape over the next year. "This is a reminder that the cable television network business is yesterday's news," analyst Craig Moffett said Wednesday in an interview. "If it feels like Comcast is shedding itself of an albatross — that's because it is." For now, Comcast's cable channels remain a viable business by generating $7 billion in annual revenue. But you have only to look at the properties the Philadelphia cable giant is keeping to see how the top brass has picked future winners and losers in a fast-changing media landscape. Comcast will hold on to the NBC broadcast network, with its NBC News and NBC Sports units, along with its prolific Los Angeles-based Universal film and television studios, Universal Studios theme parks, local TV stations, including KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, and streaming service Peacock, which now has 36 million subscribers. The lone cable outlet set to remain within NBCUniversal is Bravo, which has a bold brand, cultural cachet and the "Real Housewives" franchises.Company executives reviewed data that showed NBC and Bravo shows had strong viewership on Peacock, insiders said. The spinoff company will be composed of the remainder of the cable channels, including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, Syfy, E! and the Golf Channel as well as digital properties, including Rotten Tomatoes, Fandango and SportsEngine. Comcast's move is the strongest sign yet of alarm reverberating throughout Hollywood's traditional companies. Cable channels have long been a key economic pillar by generating billions of dollars in cable distribution fees that more than covered up the misses when big-budget movies flopped or during advertising recessions. No more. Rampant cord-cutting has roiled the television business and linear cable channels — once a mighty draw for couch-potato viewing — have become endangered species. Industry executives privately acknowledge that they unintentionally contributed to the erosion by making cable channels less appealing — stuffed with endless sitcom reruns, dated movies and extended commercial breaks, contributing to the rise of on-demand streaming services. Millions of consumers have switched to streaming platforms that offer fewer commercials, or none at all, and lower subscription prices. In the first six months of the year, an additional 4 million customer homes dropped pay-TV, according to a recent MoffettNathanson report. That's a 30% decline since 2012, when there were more than 100 million pay-TV homes in the U.S. Consumers also can cancel streaming services with a click of a button — without haggling with a customer service representative at a pay-TV company call center. The toll has been enormous. Thousands of entertainment company workers have been laid off in the last four years in seemingly endless waves of restructuring. Traditional media companies have struggled to shore up their slumping stock prices. In August, Warner Bros. Discovery took a $9-billion writedown on the value of its basic cable portfolio, which includes CNN, TBS, TNT and Cartoon Network. That same month, Paramount Global wrote down $6 billion in value for its cable channels, including MTV, Nickelodeon, VH-1 and Comedy Central. Pay-TV channel blackouts have become more common. And pioneering satellite TV company DirecTV two months ago announced its plan to buy competing Dish Networks for $1. That merger is expected to face regulators' scrutiny. More separations and roll-ups may be coming. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Our dial-a-quote saviours

China’s central government has urged local authorities to provide financial aid to people facing high living costs, particularly in the lead-up to the New Year and Lunar New Year festivals. Municipalities that can afford it are encouraged to offer subsidies, temporarily reduce prices, and link social assistance to price levels, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This initiative is part of broader efforts to stimulate private consumption, which is seen as key to revitalizing the economy. With potential U.S. tariffs looming, China is also shifting its policy focus toward boosting consumption and increasing public spending in 2025. While cash subsidies during festivals like Lunar New Year are common, the government took the unusual step of distributing funds ahead of the October 1 National Day Holiday to encourage private spending. *** At the margin this should be a tailwind for 'China proxy' trades such as AUD, and also for China stocks. The hapless AUD has been pummeled against the strong US dollar.A financial expert, Dr. Kingsley Chibuzor Aguoru, has voiced his support for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to prioritise the eNaira over decentralised cryptocurrencies. Dr. Aguoru, an expert in technology and digital security with extensive experience in financial systems, including the development of the 3WiDentity authentication system, pointed out that approving cryptocurrency for national use would contravene Nigeria’s existing financial regulations, as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin operate as unregulated, decentralised assets. He emphasised that the eNaira offers a safer and more reliable digital currency option for Nigerians Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Dr. Aguoru noted that unlike traditional currencies, cryptocurrencies were not backed by any government authority, which introduces unique financial risks. The eNaira, by contrast, is backed and regulated by the CBN, providing Nigerians with a digital currency that aligns with national financial standards and ensures stability. “The eNaira functions as a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), which provides Nigerians with the benefits of digital payments while adhering to regulatory frameworks. Its value is pegged to the naira, making it a stable and secure means of transaction,” Dr. Aguoru explained. “Cryptocurrencies, while innovative, exhibit high volatility and unpredictable value swings. For instance, Bitcoin and other decentralised currencies have demonstrated price fluctuations that limit their effectiveness as a reliable store of value.” Aguoru also highlighted critical challenges in using cryptocurrencies as a standard currency, saying effective currency must function as a store of value, a unit of account, and a medium of exchange. “In order for a currency to fulfil these functions, it must have a stable value, consistent pricing metrics, and facilitate efficient transactions. Cryptocurrencies struggle to meet these standards,” Dr. Aguoru stated. “For example, Bitcoin’s high volatility makes it difficult for Nigerians to use it as a dependable medium for valuing goods and services. Slow transaction speeds and high fees also hinder its effectiveness as a practical payment method.” However, Dr. Aguoru acknowledged that one significant reason why many Nigerians were turning to cryptocurrencies is the perception of the Nigerian naira as an isolated currency. “At present, it is challenging for Nigerians to move funds directly from naira to other currencies and across borders, with many encountering difficulties in making transactions to Europe, the Americas, or even other African countries. This restriction, while protecting Nigeria from some sophisticated international fraud schemes, also limits financial flexibility and ease of cross-border transactions. “The difficulty of moving naira across borders creates a bottleneck, leading some Nigerians to turn to cryptocurrencies as an alternative for cross-border transactions,” Dr. Aguoru explained. “Cryptocurrencies offer a form of borderless money that traditional banking infrastructure has not yet achieved with the naira. Many Nigerians see crypto as a workaround for the barriers imposed by current systems.” He stressed that while there were security risks involved in enabling seamless currency transfers, the CBN could take steps to develop a regulated framework that allows Nigerians to transfer naira internationally. “The CBN should explore options to facilitate international naira transfers in a secure way, perhaps through controlled partnerships or technological advancements that protect against fraud,” he suggested. “If the CBN can offer a secure pathway for Nigerians to transfer funds across borders, it would reduce reliance on cryptocurrencies for this purpose, allowing users to operate within a regulated, safer financial ecosystem.” In contrast, the eNaira offers a regulated, efficient digital payment option with CBN backing, granting users the same level of confidence as they would have with cash. The CBN’s involvement provides both stability and a recourse mechanism, should issues arise with transactions or security, thus protecting consumers within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, Dr. Aguoru explained. According to him,he is in support of the CBN’s decision to pursue a central bank digital currency in the form of the eNaira, which aligns Nigeria with global trends in financial innovation while securing national interests. “The eNaira is designed to enhance financial inclusion, facilitate digital transactions, and contribute to Nigeria’s evolving digital economy. By focusing on a central bank-backed digital currency, the CBN provides Nigerians with a secure and practical digital payment solution that safeguards their interests,” he remarked. He commended the CBN’s proactive approach to maintaining Nigeria’s economic stability through the eNaira, an inclusive, secure, and legally compliant digital currency.