Author: Vickie Helm

Women Fight Back Against Discrimination in Andhra Pradesh Vijayawada, India – When Meda Ramana was elected as the head of the Garapadu village council in Andhra Pradesh, numerous villagers came to her with concerns about being unjustly denied access to government welfare programs. In early 2021, around 50 residents, predominantly women from Dalit, indigenous, and religious-minority communities, reported that their annual welfare benefits—which ranged from 10,000 rupees ($119) to 120,000 rupees ($1,430)—had suddenly been terminated by the state government. Initially, Ramana suspected it was a simple clerical mistake. However, upon investigation, she learned from village secretariat staff that these residents…

The Evolution of the Women’s Rights Movement in the United States Achievements of the Women’s Rights Movement Despite internal disagreements within its leadership and among grassroots participants, the women’s rights movement made significant strides in a relatively short timeframe. With the support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (established in 1965), women gained unprecedented access to employment across various sectors of the U.S. economy. Longstanding discriminatory practices were challenged, requiring employers to outline plans to increase the number of women in their workforce. This movement also led to liberalized divorce laws, prohibitions against firing pregnant women, and the establishment of…

Banco Santander Lowers Asset Sale Projections Amid Intensifying Competition (Bloomberg) — Banco Santander SA, a significant player in Europe’s banking sector known for its aggressive asset and risk sales, is adjusting its targets for the upcoming year. This change comes as the competition among financial institutions to attract private credit investors, including industry giants like Apollo Global Management Inc. and Blackstone Inc., continues to escalate. Anticipated Asset Removal and Market Dynamics Due to robust demand for bank assets, Spain’s largest bank is poised to divest €60 billion ($63 billion) in risk-weighted assets from its balance sheet this year, according to…

JuJu Watkins: USC’s Trailblazing Star Embraces Investment and Opportunity USC Trojans’ Rising Star JuJu Watkins, a sophomore guard for the USC Trojans, is making headlines in the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) following her standout career as the top recruit from Sierra Canyon High School in the 2023 cycle. She has already secured high-profile endorsement deals, including making history as the first female athlete to join Klutch Sports Agency. At just 19 years old, Watkins is further diversifying her portfolio by venturing into investments. Support for Women’s Basketball Through Investment Watkins is channeling her business acumen into the…

Midday Market Movements: Key Companies Making Headlines U.S. Banks on the Rise Despite Legal Challenges In midday trading, three major U.S. banks—JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo—saw their shares increase by around 2%. This uptick occurred even as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against them, addressing concerns over payment fraud related to the Zelle payments network. Cryptocurrency Stocks Experience Gains Cryptocurrency-related stocks also enjoyed a positive turn, with MicroStrategy shares soaring by 12%, Coinbase climbing 2%, and Robinhood rising by 4%. These companies had faced declines earlier in the day, mirroring the drop in Bitcoin values.…

The Emergence of Second-Wave Feminism: A Break from Tradition The women’s movement that blossomed in the 1960s and ’70s, known as the "second wave" of feminism, marked a significant shift from the serene suburban lifestyle often depicted in American media. This new wave of rebellion was deeply rooted in the frustrations of college-educated mothers, whose discontent inspired their daughters to pursue a different trajectory. While the first-wave feminists found their motivation in the abolition movement, the new generation was galvanized by the civil rights movement, which highlighted principles of equality and justice, as well as the tumultuous protests against the…

Introduction of Specialised Investment Funds by SEBI The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has unveiled a new investment option designed to bridge the gap between mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS). This innovative product, known as ‘Specialised Investment Funds’ (SIF), requires a minimum investment of Rs 10 lakh, offering investors access to more sophisticated investment strategies. Diverse Investment Strategies Specialised Investment Funds will provide a variety of investment strategies, including exposure to equities, debt instruments, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and derivatives such as futures and options (F&O). Depending on the specific strategy adopted by the asset…

Mount St. Mary’s Women Shine in Dual-Meet Against Rider EMMITSBURG, Md. – On December 16, 2024, Mount St. Mary’s swimming and diving team hosted Rider in their dual-meet home opener. The women’s team delivered an outstanding performance, sweeping the competition with a decisive 189-104 victory, while the men’s team faced a tough challenge, falling 156.5-122.5. Women’s Dominance The women’s squad displayed remarkable talent by winning every race they entered, finishing first in all 13 events. Their triumph began with the 200-Meter Medley relay, where the dynamic team of Hanna Aggen, Christina Lazari, Theodora Kanellopoulou, and Madison Murphy clocked a winning…

Market Movements Before the Bell: Key Players in Focus As the market opens, several companies are making headlines due to significant stock movements influenced by earnings reports and operational announcements. Novo Nordisk Faces Setback Novo Nordisk’s shares took a substantial hit, plummeting over 19% after the Danish pharmaceutical titan released discouraging late-stage trial results for its new weight loss drug, CagriSema. In contrast, competitor Eli Lilly saw its stock rise by more than 6% thanks to this development. FedEx Reports Strong Earnings FedEx’s stock surged 8.5% following the announcement of a spinoff of its freight business. The logistics giant reported…

By Anugrah Kumar The Texas State Capitol on September 20, 2021, in Austin, Texas. | The Texas State Capitol on September 20, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Texas Attorney General Takes Action Against Physician Over Abortion Drugs In a significant legal development, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a lawsuit against Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter, a New York physician. The lawsuit accuses Carpenter of unlawfully providing abortion-inducing medications to Texas residents via telehealth and mail services. Allegations of Illegal Prescriptions According to Paxton’s civil complaint, Dr. Carpenter provided abortion pills to a resident of Collin County, Texas, resulting in the…