Month: August 2024

Aug
22
2024
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By Lily Chang
Online sports betting boom alters investment behaviors

Online sports betting boom alters investment behaviors

Investments and Business
The rapid growth of online sports betting, following its legalization in several states, has significantly affected the dynamics of personal finances, especially among economically vulnerable groups. Study insights A recent analysis titled “Gambling Away Stability: The Financial Repercussions of Sports Betting on At-Risk Families” highlights the dramatic increase in sports betting following the 2018 Supreme Court decision overturning a nationwide ban. With 38 states now allowing the activity, the industry has boasted more than $120 billion in wagers and generated revenues of more than $11 billion in 2023. This influx of funds has benefited government budgets but has placed significant…
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Aug
22
2024
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By Lily Chang
A week in the artistic life of Violaine Huisman at the cultural forefront of New York City.

A week in the artistic life of Violaine Huisman at the cultural forefront of New York City.

Culture and Entertainment
This year’s Bastille Day festivities in New York had a different feel, noted Violaine Huisman, artistic director of the prestigious Crossing the Line festival. Held at L’Alliance, the French cultural center in Midtown, the celebration came just a week after an unexpected snap election that left both President Emmanuel Macron and the nation reeling. Huisman, recently returned from France, noted the unique expression of this year’s festival attendees as they marched with empty signs. The gesture, he explained, was a tribute to an iconic 1960s demonstration conceptualized by choreographer Anna Halprin in the heat of the civil rights and anti-war…
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Aug
22
2024
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By Lily Chang
The multibillion-dollar startups of 2024: A glimpse into the future of innovation

The multibillion-dollar startups of 2024: A glimpse into the future of innovation

Science and Technology
As we move further into 2024, the startup ecosystem continues to thrive, bringing forth innovations that promise to redefine the market landscape. Forbes, in partnership with TrueBridge Capital Partners, recently highlighted the next generation of billion-dollar startups, or “unicorns,” that are poised to dominate their respective industries. Here’s an in-depth look at the emerging giants and the trends shaping their paths. The Billion Dollar Prediction This year, Forbes’ annual forecast identified more than 100 startups that have reached or are on the verge of reaching a billion-dollar valuation. This impressive list includes companies from a variety of industries, including cybersecurity,…
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Aug
22
2024
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By Lily Chang
UK homebuyers take advantage of lower mortgage rates following BOE rate cut

UK homebuyers take advantage of lower mortgage rates following BOE rate cut

Social Responsibility
LONDON — In response to the Bank of England’s recent decision to lower interest rates for the first time in four years, the UK’s major banks have cut mortgage rates, significantly reviving the housing market. Lenders such as Barclays, Halifax, HSBC and NatWest are now offering five-year fixed-rate mortgages at rates below 4%, which is below the BOE’s 5% prime rate. The most competitive of these offers is a five-year fixed rate of 3.83% for homebuyers who can put down a 40% deposit, the latest Rightmove report revealed. This rate is the lowest since the economic fallout from the UK’s…
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