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2025-01-09   

baccarat logo Max Verstappen has been stripped of his pole position at the Qatar Grand Prix after he was penalised one place on the grid for an incident in the final part of Saturday's qualifying session. The stewards' decision means Mercedes driver George Russell will start from pole position for the second race weekend in a row, with Verstappen lining up second. Verstappen was penalised for "driving unnecessarily slowly", a breach of Article 33.4 of the sporting regulations, as he prepared for his pole position lap. By driving slowly on the racing line, he forced Russell to take evasive action as the Mercedes driver also prepared for his final Q3 attempt. Russell came across the slow-moving Red Bull in Turn 12 and dipped a wheel in one of the gravel strips as he adjusted his line to drive around the outside of Verstappen, who was on the racing line. In order to prevent big speed differentials between cars in qualifying, the race director at each event sets a maximum lap time delta that drivers must remain within, which Verstappen had exceeded. Neither driver was on their actual qualifying lap, but Russell was driving much faster than Verstappen in order to prepare his tyres for his flying lap, while the Red Bull driver was attempting to cool his tyres ahead of his run. "Car 1 [Verstappen] was on a different preparation strategy to that of Car 63 [Russell]," the stewards said in a statement. "Car 1 was well outside of the delta and the driver of Car 1 explained he had let Cars 4 [Lando Norris] and 14 [Fernando Alonso] past. "The driver of Car 63 claimed that he had adhered to the delta and did not expect Car 1 to be on the racing line. He stated that if a car was going slow in a high speed corner, it should not be on the racing line. "The stewards regard this case as a complicated one in that clearly Car 1 did not comply with the Race Director's Event Notes and clearly was driving, in our determination, unnecessarily slowly considering the circumstances. "It was obvious the driver of Car 1 was attempting to cool his tyres. He also could see Car 63 approaching as he looked in his mirror multiple times whilst on the small straight between Turns 11 and 12. "Unusually, this incident occurred when neither car was on a push lap. Had Car 63 been on a push lap, the penalty would have most likely been the usual three grid position penalty, however in mitigation of penalty, it was obvious that the driver of Car 63 had clear visibility of Car 1 and that neither car was on a push lap." Speaking after the session, Russell suspected the incident may have cost him a shot at pole position. "I ended up going through the gravel, all over the floor, through the floor," he said after the session. "So it felt like the floor was scraping over that kerb and through the gravel. "So I hope it didn't damage it. Maybe that's the reason why we didn't improve [on the final lap]. I don't know. "But it was a bit of a hairy one, two corners before we start the lap."NoneFan Luyuan's emphasis on promoting Alibaba's culture further underscores this potential mismatch. While corporate culture is essential for fostering cohesion and identity within an organization, an overly rigid or prescribed culture could stifle creativity and innovation, especially in a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry like gaming. If Lingxi Interactive Entertainment is influenced to conform too closely to Alibaba's culture, it may inadvertently hinder its ability to explore new ideas, experiment with unconventional concepts, and drive meaningful innovation.

The siblings, once burdened by uncertainty and stress, now found themselves surrounded by a network of caring individuals who had their backs. They were able to pursue their dreams and aspirations with renewed hope and confidence, knowing that they were not alone in their journey.In yet another bold move that has sent shockwaves through the international community, President Donald Trump has once again threatened to withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) unless member countries increase their financial contributions and share the burden of funding the alliance more fairly.Counterfeiting is a crime that undermines the integrity of the financial system and poses a threat to the stability of the economy. In this particular case, the man was found guilty of producing fake bills and attempting to pass them off as legitimate currency. His actions not only deceived unsuspecting individuals but also put the entire financial system at risk.

Buffalo Next: Chick-fil-A drops plans for Clarence and other retail newsNone

Trump aims to appoint son-in-law’s father as US ambassador to FranceBut it's not just the visuals that set "Wings of Abyss" apart – the game's combat system is equally impressive. Players can expect to unleash a variety of dazzling and powerful martial arts moves as they take on foes in fast-paced battles that will put their skills to the test. With a focus on fluid and dynamic combat mechanics, "Wings of Abyss" offers an exhilarating gameplay experience that is sure to keep players on the edge of their seats.

Sleepgate originated from the fusion of the words "sleep" and "gate," symbolizing a clandestine community dedicated to the art of rest and relaxation. At its core, Sleepgate represents a movement that celebrates the importance of self-care and the rejuvenating power of sleep. In a fast-paced world filled with constant demands and distractions, Sleepgate offers a sanctuary of calm, where individuals can recharge their mental and physical batteries.Undoubtedly, the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is one of the most passionate rivalries in college football. This weekend's game marks the 120th meeting of these two historic programs, dating back to 1897. Michigan leads the all-time series 61-51-6, winning the past three matchups against the Buckeyes. The Wolverines entered this weekend as 20.5-point underdogs after a disappointing 6-5 season under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore. Ohio State is looking to secure its spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, sitting at 10-1 overall and 7-1 in conference play. Before today's game, one Ohio State fan took the rivalry too far as he was caught spitting on Michigan players walking out of the locker room. Ohio State fan spitting on the Michigan players coming out of their locker room pic.twitter.com/sAlu96j4f2 Patrick Baron of MGoBlog photographed the fan, which drew plenty of harsh criticism from fans and media across the college football world. "Arrest him - also this photo is insane," Josh Pate tweeted . "Disgusting human. The college football community does not claim him," one fan posted . "No fan should ever spit on a player. This is disgusting behavior, ESPN's Emmett Golden tweeted . "So disgusting. He should be arrested," another fan posted . "This is disgusting and just plain unacceptable. Security needs to find this guy and remove him from the stadium," another fan tweeted . © Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Ohio State will secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game against No. 1 Oregon with a win. The Ducks defeated the Buckeyes 32-31 on Oct. 12 as kicker Atticus Sappington hit a game-winning field goal with 1:47 remaining. If Ohio State loses, the Big Ten championship race becomes wide open. Penn State will advance to the title game with a win over Maryland and an Ohio State loss, while Indiana will secure a spot with a win and Penn State and Ohio State loss. The Buckeyes and Wolverines are tied 10-10 with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Related: College Football Star Shedeur Sanders Made History Against Oklahoma State

Washington, Dec 7 (AP) President Joe Biden is weighing whether to issue sweeping pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly targeted by President-elect Donald Trump's administration, a preemptive move that would be a novel and risky use of the president's extraordinary constitutional power. The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with some senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes – and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden's team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. They fear that Trump and his allies, who have boasted of enemies lists and exacting “retribution”, could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for their targets even if they don't result in prosecutions. While the president's pardon power is absolute, Biden's use in this fashion would mark a significant expansion of how they are deployed, and some Biden aides fear it could lay the groundwork for an even more drastic usage by Trump. They also worry that issuing pardons would feed into claims by Trump and his allies that the individuals committed acts that necessitated immunity. Recipients could include infectious-disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was instrumental in combating the coronavirus pandemic and who has become a pariah to conservatives angry about mask mandates and vaccines. Others include witnesses in Trump's criminal or civil trials and Biden administration officials who have drawn the ire of the incoming president and his allies. Some fearful former officials have reached out to the Biden White House preemptively seeking some sort of protection from the future Trump administration, one of the people said. It follows Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter — not just for his convictions on federal gun and tax violations, but for any potential federal offense committed over an 11-year period, as the president feared that Trump allies would seek to prosecute his son for other offenses. That could serve as a model for other pardons Biden might issue to those who could find themselves in legal jeopardy under Trump. Biden is not the first to consider such pardons — Trump aides considered them for him and his supporters involved in his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election that culminated in a violent riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. But he could be the first to issue them since Trump's pardons never materialised before he left office nearly four years ago. Gerald Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” in 1974 to his predecessor, Richard Nixon, over the Watergate scandal. He believed a potential trial would “cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States", as written in the pardon proclamation. Politico was first to report that Biden was studying the use of preemptive pardons. On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his desire to seek revenge on those who prosecuted him or crossed him. Trump has talked about “enemies from within" and circulated social media posts that call for the jailing of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer. He also zeroed in on former Rep. Liz Cheney, a conservative Republican who campaigned for Harris and helped investigate January 6, and he promoted a social media post that suggested he wanted military tribunals for supposed treason. Kash Patel, whom Trump has announced as his nominee to be director of the FBI, has listed dozens of former government officials he wanted to “come after”. Richard Painter, a Trump critic who served as the top White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said he was reluctantly in support of having Biden issue sweeping pardons to people who could be targeted by Trump's administration. He said he hoped that would “clean the slate” for the incoming president and encourage him to focus on governing, not on punishing his political allies. “It's not an ideal situation at all,” Painter said. “We have a whole lot of bad options confronting us at this point.” While the Supreme Court this year ruled that the president enjoys broad immunity from prosecution for what could be considered official acts, his aides and allies enjoy no such shield. Some fear that Trump could use the promise of a blanket pardon to encourage his allies to take actions they might otherwise resist for fear of running afoul of the law. “There could be blatant illegal conduct over the next four years, and he can go out and pardon his people before he leaves office,” Painter said. "But if he's going to do that, he's going to do that anyway regardless of what Biden does." More conventional pardons from Biden, such as those for sentencing disparities for people convicted of federal crimes, are expected before the end of the year, the White House said. (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)None

Throughout the year, in our Women, Money, and Mindset columns , we have tackled some of life’s most pressing financial challenges. Every month, we have delved into a financial issue that touches the lives of our readers, offering, each week, a distinct insight from the differing viewpoints of a Certified Financial Planner, an attorney, a CPA, and an executive business coach. From navigating the financial markets and business strategies to estate planning and tools to cut taxes, our goal has always been to provide clear, practical, actionable advice to take to your trusted professionals so you take the next steps to grow your wealth and increase your financial security. In this final installment of the year, the issue is giving, and the topic this week is Charitable Gift Annuities. It is a strategy that can address multiple financial and tax planning issues while supporting the causes that matter most to you. Unlike giving away cash or assets and not receiving anything in return, with a CGA, if you donate to a 501(c)(3) qualified charity, in return, you receive two powerful benefits. First, you can qualify for an immediate tax deduction for part of the contribution. Second, you receive a dependable, fixed income from the charity for the rest of your life. The minimum contribution is usually only $5,000, so it is an accessible planning tool for most people. Before diving into more specifics, let’s see how a CGA can help with some specific financial and tax planning concerns you might have: —You want to give more to your house of worship or favorite charity but are concerned about not having enough income in the future. With a CGA, you can receive guaranteed income for life. —You need a last-minute tax deduction and have maxed out on your IRA or 401k plan contribution for the year. A CGA can act as an alternate retirement plan if you itemize deductions on your return. —You are interested in giving away more to charity but do not want the complications of setting up a charitable trust or naming a trustee. A CGA can be set up in days directly with the charity at no cost to you. —You intend to leave some or all of your estate to charity and would like to have all of your estate planning finalized now. CGAs are especially helpful if you would like to leave your estate to several charities because you can set up annuities with each charity. —You have adequate income now or are not yet retired, but you are concerned about costs later in life, like long-term care. You can receive a larger monthly payment later if you choose a deferred annuity and start the payments at a later date. —If you are concerned about paying capital gains taxes on assets you want to sell, you can avoid or defer taxes if you contribute the asset to the CGA. —If you would prefer your church or favorite charity to have access to some of your contribution now, a CGA is preferable to a charitable remainder trust or bequest that funds after you have died. —If you want to secure the financial future of your spouse, child, or another loved one, CGAs can be set up for the lives of two individuals. This could be especially helpful if you have a child in their 50s or older, and you are concerned about them not having enough guaranteed retirement income. —If you keep most of your funds in the bank but would like to earn a higher return, the charity invests your CGA funds (and generally considered safe) with usually a fixed rate of return that is higher than you would receive on a CD. —You would like to avoid paying taxes on a required minimum distribution, so you are planning on doing a Qualified Charitable Rollover (QCR). New rules will allow you to fund your CGA with a one-time $53,000 QCR. The QCR amount to your CGA will not be included as income on your return, but you can still receive the monthly income benefit from the CGA, and you can defer income further if you choose a deferred CGA. As you can see, a charitable gift annuity checks many financial and tax planning boxes, and it is easy and cost-effective to set up. Now to the specifics. First, you set up the CGA and donate the asset to the charity. The gift is set aside and invested by the charity. You (and also your spouse or other person if you choose a two-person annuity) will receive fixed monthly or quarterly payments for the rest of your lives. The charity can utilize the remaining funds after your death. How much is the tax deduction? The income tax deduction is equal to the amount of the contribution minus the present value of the payments that will be made to the donors during their lives. The charity will handle these calculations for you. How much income will you receive? Current suggested annuity rates range from 4.6-10.1% for those 50 and older, dependent primarily on your age. (In other words, you would receive $4,600 to $10,100 a year on a $100,000 contribution.) For recommended rates and how they are calculated, go to acga-web.org/current-gift-annuity-rates . The amount you would receive is generally fixed and will never fluctuate or adjust for inflation. But it’s also secured by the charity’s entire assets and will continue regardless of how the investments of the annuity perform. Here is an example. Dennis, 75, and Mary, 73, fund a $50,000 charitable gift annuity with appreciated stock that they originally bought for $20,000. They are eligible for an income tax charitable deduction of $17,584. They will then receive a payment rate of 6%, or $3,000 each year for the remainder of their lives. If you contact your church or charity, they will provide you with information regarding the minimum age, contribution requirements, and rates for their annuities. As you can see, a charitable gift annuity is more than just a financial tool-it’s a way to make a lasting difference while providing for yourself and your loved ones. As you plan for the year ahead, I hope this inspires you to take the next step. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year filled with peace and purpose! Michelle C. Herting is a CPA, accredited in business valuations, and an accredited estate planner specializing in succession planning and estate, gift, and trust taxes. She is also the past president of the Charitable Gift Planners of Inland Southern California.Moreover, the tax incentives for home buyers have also had a ripple effect on related industries such as construction, finance, and retail. The increased demand for housing has boosted construction activity, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Banks and financial institutions have also benefited from the surge in mortgage applications, leading to increased lending and investment in the real estate sector. Retail businesses have seen a rise in sales as homeowners invest in furnishing and renovating their new properties.

Sora, powered by OpenAI's state-of-the-art neural networks and machine learning algorithms, is designed to generate high-quality, realistic videos from text descriptions. By simply providing input in the form of written descriptions or scripts, users can now leverage Sora to automatically generate visually stunning videos that are indistinguishable from those created by human hands. This innovative approach to video production opens up a world of possibilities for content creators, filmmakers, marketers, and more, offering a fast and efficient way to bring ideas to life in a visually compelling manner.

Tweet Facebook Mail Never miss a breaking story: The 9News app gives you access to all the latest breaking news from a trusted team of journalists, with custom, localised alerts. Download the 9News App now from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store . Watch key livestreams, from police and emergency service updates to political media conferences. Get localised hour-by-hour weather forecasts, weather warnings and long-range seven-day summaries. Choose what alerts you receive - from breaking news and sport to entertainment and finance. And enable the News Near Me alert feature to receive key local alerts for your neighbourhood. 9NEWS has been covering Australia and the world for more than 60 years so you know it's a source you can rely on. You can follow 9News online, with the 9News app and on social media. (9News) OTHER WAYS TO FOLLOW 9NEWS Livestream our news bulletins: Catch up on any 9News bulletin or watch LIVE on 9Now here . Breaking newsletter: Subscribe to our breaking newsletter here for all the big headlines delivered straight to your inbox. 9News website: You can make the 9News website your home page or bookmark by visiting your browser settings. 9News app: Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store . Facebook: 9News Instagram: 9News YouTube: Watch our video content here TikTok: 9NewsMoreover, viewers have become increasingly fatigued by the repetitive nature of ancient puppetry dramas, with similar plots, character archetypes, and visual styles being used across different productions. The lack of diversity and fresh ideas in the genre has led to a sense of sameness and predictability, causing viewers to lose interest and seek out alternative forms of entertainment.

NoneThe excitement and anticipation are palpable as the Golden Dragon Index soars back to the 7000-point mark, marking a significant milestone in the world of stock trading. Investors and traders around the globe are eagerly awaiting the opening of the A-share market, eager to see the impact of this momentous occasion.

In conclusion, the upcoming FC Barcelona x Kobe Bryant away kit is a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in the world of sports. It is a symbol of the enduring passion and spirit that unite fans around the globe, transcending language, culture, and background. As a devoted follower of both FC Barcelona and Kobe Bryant, I am eagerly looking forward to donning this unique and meaningful jersey next season, proudly displaying my support for two giants of the sporting world.Exciting Book Reading Event With Popular Author At Neighborhood Hive in Salt Lake CityORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

As the newly appointed Secretary of the Party Group, Guan Zhiou will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of key policies and strategies related to natural resource management, environmental protection, and ecological conservation. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding the Ministry of Natural Resources towards achieving its goals of promoting green development, improving resource utilization efficiency, and protecting biodiversity.

While a stronger yuan can benefit Chinese consumers by reducing the cost of imported goods and services, it could also pose challenges for Chinese exporters who rely on a weaker currency to remain competitive in global markets. A higher yuan makes Chinese exports more expensive for foreign buyers, potentially impacting the competitiveness of Chinese goods in international markets.

Playing badminton late at night may seem like a surprising choice for someone as accomplished and celebrated as Gong Li, but it perfectly embodies her adventurous spirit and unapologetic approach to life. Instead of conforming to societal expectations of how a 58-year-old woman should behave, Gong Li chooses to embrace new challenges and experiences, unafraid to step out of her comfort zone and try something different.Title: Sora has Arrived, and Dreams Can Finally Breathe a Sigh of ReliefNigerians Nominate Obaseki For ThisDay ‘Governor Of The Year’ Award

Fitch has predicted an unfortunate outcome for the naira by 2028, according to its BMI Research report It said the persistent depreciation of the naira will drive up the cost of importing medical devices and diminish consumer purchasing power Despite government incentives, local manufacturing of medical devices in Nigeria still faces significant obstacles Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now! Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology and the Stock Market. Fitch Solutions, a financial intelligence provider, has forecasted that the naira may fall to around N1,993 per dollar by 2028, posing significant challenges for Nigeria’s pharm*ceutical industry in importing medical devices. In a recent report, BMI Research, a subsidiary of Fitch Solutions, noted that despite the anticipated economic recovery, Nigeria’s medical devices market would likely continue to encounter operational and demand-related difficulties in the short term. Fitch projects that Nigeria’s medical device market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8% from 2023 to 2028 in local currency terms and 9.6% in US dollar terms, reaching an estimated market value of NGN171.1 billion (USD344.7 million) by 2028. Read also NNPC shares pictures of petrol from pH refinery, says it is ‘top quality’, advises Nigerians PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! The report highlights that increasing healthcare spending focused on universal health coverage, alongside Nigeria's large population and the dual burden of chronic and infectious diseases, will sustain strong demand for medical devices, particularly diagnostics, consumables, and hospital equipment, in the short to medium term. Citing Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline as examples of companies that exited Nigeria due to naira devaluation, the report noted that the ongoing currency depreciation would drive up the cost of importing medical devices and diminish consumer purchasing power. Fitch’s subsidiary also indicated that, despite government incentives, significant obstacles still prevent local manufacturing of medical devices from gaining momentum in Nigeria. The report stated: “Continued weakness of the naira will increase medical device import costs and erode consumer purchasing power. Similar to other markets in sub-Sahara Africa, Nigeria heavily relies on medical device imports, with reliance of over 95%. We expect that the naira will end 2028 at NGN1993/USD from NGN306/USD in 2018." Read also Rewane advises CBN to stabilise Naira, tame money growth The report highlighted that as the naira depreciates, the cost of importing medical devices will keep rising, which will weaken both the healthcare system and patients' ability to afford essential medical technologies, particularly given the underfunding of the public health sector. However, on the export side, a weaker naira could boost the competitiveness of locally manufactured medical devices, supporting growth in the sector. Tinubu's attempt to manage the naira Years of economic mismanagement have left Nigeria facing a severe shortage of dollars. The country’s economy has long relied on oil exports while maintaining a high demand for imported goods, creating an unstable foundation. In an effort to address this issue, President Bola Tinubu relaxed long-standing foreign exchange controls shortly after assuming office in May 2023. As a result, the naira, previously maintained at an artificially strong rate against the dollar, has depreciated by around 70%. Tinubu aimed to attract foreign investment and enhance Nigeria’s appeal as an investment hub. Read also Report gives new naira prediction for 2024 as currency becomes worse-performing In the short term, however, this shift led to a spike in inflation , reaching a 28-year high, and intensified a cost-of-living crisis that sparked deadly protests in Africa’s most populous nation. Rewane advises CBN to stabilise naira In related news, Legit.ng reported that Bismarck Rewane has proffered solutions to the current state of the Nigerian economy The renowned economist called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to focus on stabilising the naira and controlling money supply growth to mitigate inflationary pressures. He also identified forex supply shortages, high energy costs, and poor policy coordination as key factors in economic instability. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngHowever, the proliferation of internet celebrities who engage in such provocative behavior has raised concerns about the impact of this trend on society as a whole. Critics argue that by glamorizing and promoting risky and inappropriate content, these influencers are normalizing harmful behaviors and eroding traditional values and moral standards. Moreover, the intense pressure to constantly push boundaries and shock audiences can lead to a race to the bottom, where shock value trumps substance, and sensationalism takes precedence over authenticity.

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