Author: Vickie Helm
Market Moves: Key Companies Making Waves Before the Opening Bell As the trading day approaches, several notable companies are making headlines with significant impacts on their stock prices. Apple Takes a Hit Apple’s shares dropped nearly 2% after Jefferies downgraded the tech giant from a hold rating to underperform. Analyst Edison Lee expressed concerns over Apple’s AI prospects, labeling their outlook as "subdued." He anticipates that the company will fall short of its fiscal first-quarter revenue growth forecast of 5%, which will be revealed in their upcoming earnings report. Qorvo’s Upsurge In a contrasting move, Qorvo’s stock rose by 2%…
The convergence of fashion and politics has become a significant domain for cultural expression and representation, particularly led by Black women who are transforming the political arena with their purposeful style decisions. As the 2025 political cycle progresses, these fashion choices embody more than mere aesthetics; they serve as a conscious approach to elevate Black voices and honor cultural heritage within influential spaces. The Transformation of Political Fashion Over the last decade, the interplay between political engagement and personal style has undergone substantial evolution. Black women in leadership roles have transcended traditional norms regarding political attire, carving out a new…
Story Links CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Olivia Babcock, a junior right side hitter for the University of Pittsburgh, has been honored with the 2025 Honda Sport Award for Volleyball, as announced on Saturday, January 18, by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA). Babcock has made significant contributions to the Panthers, leading the team to an impressive overall record of 33-2 and a conference record of 19-1 this season. Her efforts culminated in Pitt’s fourth consecutive appearance at the national semifinals. In the 2024 season, she boasted an impressive hitting percentage of .323, tallying 538 kills and contributing 71 aces to…
Navigating Uncertainty: The Power of Diversification in Investing In the ever-evolving landscape of investment, undervalued sectors may emerge as leaders in the upcoming cycle, yet diversification remains essential for success. Embracing Change and Uncertainty As the political arena adjusts following last year’s elections, 2025 is poised to be a year defined by change and unpredictability. This environment heightens the likelihood of extreme events, often referred to as "fat tails." Justin Onuekwusi, Chief Investment Officer at St James’s Place, emphasizes that the best strategy to navigate this uncertain terrain is through diversification. “Fat tails challenge the norms of investment and demand…
Unrivaled Basketball League: A Game-Changer for Women’s Sports Medley, Fla. – Angel Reese Thrives in the New League Angel Reese is truly enjoying her experience in the newly launched Unrivaled basketball league. In a recent social media post, she expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We get to work out, use the weight room, create new bonds and friendships, enjoy treatments, get massages, utilize the sauna, and even have two meals a day followed by a facial before I leave for the day? Yeah, I love it here!” Unrivaled: A New Era for Women’s Basketball While these perks may seem standard for…
### Pete Hegseth’s Controversial Views on Women in Combat In the lead-up to his confirmation as Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth’s views on women in combat were already well-documented. In his 2024 book, *The War on Warriors*, Hegseth expressed a belief that women, being “life-givers,” should not serve in military combat roles. He stated, “Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially not in combat units.” During a November appearance on *The Shawn Ryan Show*, he reiterated this stance, saying, “I’m straight up just…
VanEck Unveils New Onchain Economy ETF to Support Digital Asset Infrastructure VanEck has announced the launch of a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on companies dedicated to developing the infrastructure for digital assets, rather than direct cryptocurrency investments. This innovative financial product is named the Onchain Economy ETF. Investment Focus and Strategy The Onchain Economy ETF plans to allocate a minimum of 80% of its assets to “Digital Transformation Companies” and various digital asset instruments. These companies encompass a range of sectors, including cryptocurrency exchanges, payment processors, mining operations, and other key providers of essential infrastructure services for the…
Rutgers Places Women’s Gymnastics Coach on Leave Amid Investigation Rutgers University has placed its women’s gymnastics head coach, Umme Salim-Beasley, on paid administrative leave following the results of an investigation that described the gymnastics program as “divided and dysfunctional.” The announcement was made on Friday, shortly after the external investigation’s findings were disclosed. The investigation, initiated by several complaints from Rutgers gymnasts, indicated that Salim-Beasley, who has led the team since May 2018, “lost control” over her squad and was seemingly unaware of the impact her behavior had on her athletes. The report cast light on significant issues within the…
Virginia GOP Leaders Advocate for Restrictions on Transgender Women in Sports On Wednesday, top Republican officials in Virginia rallied together, urging the General Assembly to enact measures that would exclude transgender women—referred to by them as “biological males”—from participating in women’s sports. This issue resonated deeply during President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, particularly highlighted during a rally in Salem, where he praised the Roanoke College women’s swim team for their opposition to a transgender woman joining their ranks in 2023. Attorney General Jason Miyares addresses the crowd while joined by Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and activist Riley Gaines…
The investment landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the past several decades, largely thanks to the rise of index and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These financial instruments have democratized access to markets, enabling millions of investors to find accessible and effective investment solutions. In this age of rapid technological and financial innovations, the next frontier appears to be the tokenization of these funds. Research and initiatives from esteemed global organizations, including the World Economic Forum and financial institutions like Franklin Templeton and Deutsche Börse, strongly suggest that tokenization is on the verge of becoming a prominent advancement in finance, a…