Author: MAK Gojar

A new law put into effect in January will provide higher Social Security benefits to more than 3.2 million individuals who also have pension income.A new law put into effect in January will provide higher Social Security benefits to more than 3.2 million individuals who also have pension income.    President Joe Biden after he signed the Social Security Fairness Act at the White House on Jan. 5 in Washington, D.C.  Kent Nishimura | Getty Images News | Getty Images The biggest changes to Social Security in years were signed into law on Jan. 5. For more than 3.2 million individuals,…

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Crypto scam revenue is estimated to have hit record levels last year as cybercriminals leverage new technologies like AI and become more organized.Crypto scam revenue is estimated to have hit record levels last year as cybercriminals leverage new technologies like AI and become more organized.    Chainalysis said that crypto wallets linked to scams received $9.9 billion in cryptocurrency in 2024, according to its initial estimates Boonchai Wedmakawand | Moment | Getty Images Crypto fraud revenue is estimated to have hit record levels last year amid a surge in so-called romance scams as cybercriminals leverage artificial intelligence and become more organized,…

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The U.S. State Department said it has made a routine update to the Taiwan section of its website amidst changes in wordings regarding Taiwan’s independence.The U.S. State Department said it has made a routine update to the Taiwan section of its website amidst changes in wordings regarding Taiwan’s independence.    The United States Department of State logo on a smartphone screen. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images The U.S. State Department said it has made a routine update to the Taiwan section of its website, after the removal of previous wording saying it did not support Taiwan’s formal independence, among other changes that cheered the government in Taipei. The fact sheet on Taiwan, updated last…

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“They associate the ringing phone with fear,” Liz Baxter, a career advisor at Nottingham College in the U.K. said of Gen Z students.”They associate the ringing phone with fear,” Liz Baxter, a career advisor at Nottingham College in the U.K. said of Gen Z students.    Nottingham College in the U.K. is offering a telephobia course to help students with phone call anxiety. Jamie Grill | Photodisc | Getty Images There was once a time when picking up a phone call was the main mode of communication, but now with endless choices available, some tech-savvy Gen Z are consumed with anxiety…

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On a year-on-year basis, Japan’s economy grew 1.2% in the fourth quarter, compared with the 0.6% rise in the third quarter.On a year-on-year basis, Japan’s economy grew 1.2% in the fourth quarter, compared with the 0.6% rise in the third quarter.    Commercial and residential buildings at dusk in the Minato district of Tokyo, Japan. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Japan’s economic expansion in the fourth quarter beat analysts’ expectations for quarter-on-quarter and annualized growth, boosted by a jump in exports. Preliminary government data showed Monday that GDP grew 0.7% quarter on quarter, more than the 0.3% rise expected by…

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Investors say repeated interventions — even to boost stock prices — have eroded their ability to make long-term investment decisions.Investors say repeated interventions — even to boost stock prices — have eroded their ability to make long-term investment decisions.   Professional investors have stayed away from China’s stock markets despite several attempts by the country’s government to revive investment sentiment. An analysis of fund data reveals portfolio managers have steadily lowered their allocation toward China equities since mid-2020 when Beijing intervened in its property sector with the “three red lines” rule to address concerns of a bubble. Many blame Beijing’s repeated interventions…

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The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to permit the firing of the head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers.The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to permit the firing of the head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers.    A supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stands outside the U.S. Supreme Court, in Washington, U.S., January 17, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Carlos Barria | Reuters The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to permit the firing of the head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers, according to documents obtained Sunday that would mark the first…

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On a year-on-year basis, Japan’s economy grew 1.2% in the fourth quarter, compared with the 0.6% rise in the third quarter.On a year-on-year basis, Japan’s economy grew 1.2% in the fourth quarter, compared with the 0.6% rise in the third quarter.    Commercial and residential buildings at dusk in the Minato district of Tokyo, Japan. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Japan’s economic expansion in the fourth quarter beat analysts’ expectations for quarter-on-quarter and annualized growth, boosted by a jump in exports. Preliminary government data showed Monday that GDP grew 0.7% quarter on quarter, more than the 0.3% rise expected by…

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The meeting sends a “very clear signal of top-level support” to entrepreneurs, Peiqian Liu, Asia economist at Fidelity International, told CNBC.The meeting sends a “very clear signal of top-level support” to entrepreneurs, Peiqian Liu, Asia economist at Fidelity International, told CNBC.    BEIJING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 6: Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) speaks during a bilateral meeting with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People on February 6, 2025 in Beijing, China.   Andres Martinez Casares | Getty Images News | Getty Images Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a symposium with prominent entrepreneurs…

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European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Monday.European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Monday.    European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Monday. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 1 point lower at 8,718, Germany’s DAX up 40 points at 22,513, France’s CAC up 8 points at 8,181 and Italy’s FTSE MIB 19 points lower at 38,044, according to data from IG. There are no major earnings or data releases Monday. Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Europe are likely to be a focus for European markets this week as U.S. officials…

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Investors say repeated interventions — even to boost stock prices — have eroded their ability to make long-term investment decisions.Investors say repeated interventions — even to boost stock prices — have eroded their ability to make long-term investment decisions.   Professional investors have stayed away from China’s stock markets despite several attempts by the country’s government to revive investment sentiment. An analysis of fund data reveals portfolio managers have steadily lowered their allocation toward China equities since mid-2020 when Beijing intervened in its property sector with the “three red lines” rule to address concerns of a bubble. Many blame Beijing’s repeated interventions…

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