711 dapitan Compounding Buck's struggles was the emergence of a new generation of writers, fresh-faced and hungry for success, who seemed to effortlessly command the attention and admiration that had once been his alone. As his star faded and his relevance waned, Buck found himself relegated to the sidelines, a has-been in an industry that prized youth and novelty above all else. His once-loyal readers drifted away, seeking out new voices and fresh perspectives, leaving Buck to wallow in the bitter taste of his own irrelevance.United Airlines travelers with lost luggage have a new tool to track their bags. If the lost bag has an Apple AirTag in it, that information can now be passed directly to United, the airline announced Thursday. The new feature, called Share Item Location, allows travelers with an AirTag or other Find My network accessory to share the location with the airline’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event it’s misplaced. United says more than 99% of its customers pick up their luggage without a hitch. The feature is now available with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 or macOS 15.2. “Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer. Travelers on United whose bags do not arrive at their destination can file a delayed baggage report with United and share the link to the item’s location either through the United app or via text message. After the report has been submitted, customer service agents will be able to locate the item on an interactive map alongside a timestamp of a recent update. The shared location will be disabled after a customer has the bag, and customers can also stop sharing the location of the item at any time on their own. The location link will also automatically expire after seven days. Using AirTags or other tracking devices on luggage is increasingly popular among frequent travelers, with a significant boom following the 2022 Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown , which displaced thousands of travelers over Christmas and into 2023, alongside much of their belongings. United says lost bags are rare, with more than 99% of its customers arriving with their bags. It says the new technology will help those with lost bags to recover them more quickly because the airline will have more information about them. Apple previously announced the new service will also be integrated at other air carriers, including Delta Air Lines. Others include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

Caprock Group LLC lifted its holdings in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF ( NASDAQ:CIBR – Free Report ) by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,044 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF were worth $713,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Fairfield Financial Advisors LTD acquired a new position in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Signaturefd LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF during the second quarter worth $37,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. acquired a new position in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Eastern Bank purchased a new position in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $39,000. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Trading Up 0.6 % CIBR stock opened at $63.61 on Friday. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF has a one year low of $48.36 and a one year high of $65.29. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $60.94 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.17 billion, a PE ratio of 34.35 and a beta of 1.00. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Cuts Dividend About First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF ( Free Report ) The First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity index. The fund tracks a liquidity-weighted index that targets companies engaged in the cybersecurity industry. CIBR was launched on Jul 7, 2015 and is managed by First Trust. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

If you're looking for a good place to invest your money in the consumer goods sector, you've probably considered investing in either Amazon ( AMZN -0.64% ) or Home Depot ( HD 2.33% ) . While they have very different businesses, shares of both companies have accelerated over the past year. (Home Depot stock is up 33%, and Amazon has gained 38%, as of this writing, Nov. 19.) Here's the case for both of these consumer goods juggernauts, and why one looks like the better stock to buy right now. The case for Amazon Amazon holds a commanding 40% of the U.S. e-commerce market, leaps and bounds ahead of fellow retail competitor Walmart 's 7.4%. The company's latest quarter highlights its impressive position. Amazon's North American sales popped 11% in the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30, to $95.5 billion. Investors wondering if the company can continue to fend off rivals need to look no further than Amazon's new launch of its ultra-cheap products through Amazon Haul. The mobile-only marketplace competes with the low-priced marketplaces Shein and Temu, and all prices are under $20. Of course, there's far more to Amazon than just its retail sales. The company's cloud computing business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), is the leading cloud company, with 31% of the market. Cloud computing was already a fast-growing market, but it's being supercharged by artificial intelligence (AI). Goldman Sachs estimates cloud computing will grow into a $2 trillion market by 2030, thanks to AI. AWS sales increased 19% in the third quarter to $27.5 billion. With AI fueling more investments in cloud computing, Amazon should continue to benefit. The case for Home Depot Home Depot is just coming off a solid third quarter, ended Oct. 27, where revenue and earnings beat Wall Street's expectations. Sales rose 6.6% to $40.2 billion, ahead of analysts' consensus estimates of $39.3 billion. Similarly, the company's diluted GAAP earnings per share of $3.67 outpaced the consensus estimate of $3.64. The company is in a strong position in the home improvement space, with an estimated 28% of the market in 2023, compared to just 17% for Lowe's . Home Depot also has impressive margins: Its operating margin is 13.5%, with $5.4 billion in operating income. Home Depot's management says there's pent-up demand for home renovations, which could boost the company's growth whenever it comes. Speaking about its customers' desire to work on projects, Home Depot CFO Richard McPhail told CNBC recently: "There is demand for remodeling, and they are putting it on hold until they see a more favorable financing environment. And so the demand is there; the question is when it's unlocked." That's the current drawback for Home Depot. With mortgage rates and borrowing costs for home equity loans still elevated, Home Depot customers remain cautious about spending. If interest rates fall next year, it will likely spur a surge of renovations and home sales (both great for Home Depot), but it's not here just yet. The verdict: Buy Amazon Amazon's shares currently have a price-to-earnings ratio of 43, compared to 27 for Home Depot. That makes Home Depot technically cheaper right now than Amazon -- but that doesn't necessarily make it the better buy. The Federal Reserve has already cut the federal funds rate twice over the past few months, and mortgage rates have actually increased . That's because mortgage rates aren't directly tied to the federal funds rate and are also influenced by bond yields, which have gone up, taking rates with them. Even if more rate cuts come next year, it's not guaranteed to solve high borrowing costs. Home Depot needs consumers to feel comfortable spending on big home improvement projects again, and there's no telling when that will happen. Meanwhile, Amazon is already benefiting from its e-commerce lead, and the demand for AI cloud computing is expanding the company's opportunities. All of these factors make the company's stock more attractive right now.Additionally, the Chinese government has rolled out targeted policies to support key industries such as technology, healthcare, and new energy vehicles. By prioritizing these sectors, China aims to enhance its competitiveness in the global market and foster sustainable growth in the long run. These initiatives have resonated positively with investors, leading to increased confidence in the A-share market.Liberals’ holiday tax break and cash giveaway has winners and losers

Left-hander Max Fried agrees to $218 million, 8-year contract with Yankees, AP source says DALLAS (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Max Fried and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $218 million, eight-year contract, the largest deal for a left-handed pitcher in baseball history. New York made the move two days after outfielder Juan Soto left for a pending $765 million, 15-year contract with the rival Mets. Fried, who turns 31 in January, gets the fourth-highest contract among pitchers behind the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole and Washington’s Stephen Strasburg. Fried broke the mark for lefties set by David Price at $217 million. Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham on target as Real Madrid beats Atalanta 3-2. Liverpool wins again Real Madrid’s big stars turned on the style to revive the Spanish giant’s faltering Champions League title defense. Galacticos Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham all scored in a 3-2 win at Italian league leader Atalanta. It was only Madrid’s third win in the competition’s revamped league phase and leaves the 15-time champion in the unseeded playoff positions in 18th place. In contrast Liverpool leads the way after maintaining its perfect record in Europe this season after a 1-0 win against Girona. Mohamed Salah scored his 50th Champions League goal to seal it for Liverpool. Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter, with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that’s the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. The way it’s going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn’t seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. Joe Burrow's home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro-athlete home invasion ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AP) — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home was broken into during Monday Night Football in the latest home invasion of a pro athlete in the U.S. Authorities said Tuesday no one was injured in the break-in, but the home was ransacked. Deputies weren’t immediately able to determine what items were stolen. Both the NFL and NBA issued alerts to players following prior break-ins, urging them to take precautions. The homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into in October. In the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. had their homes broken into. Scottie Scheffler in a landslide to win PGA Tour player of the year for third straight time Scottie Scheffler is the PGA Tour player of the year in a vote that had about as much drama as some of his victories. Scheffler earned 91% of the vote in winning the Jack Nicklaus Award for the third straight season. He joins Tiger Woods as the only players to win three straight times. Woods won it five times in a row, and three straight times on another occasion. Scheffler won seven times on the PGA Tour against only the strongest fields. He also won the FedEx Cup. He also won the Masters green jacket and an Olympic gold medal. MLB investigated to ensure no early Sasaki deal in place, pitcher likely to pick team mid-January DALLAS (AP) — Major League Baseball investigated to ensure no team had an advance deal in place for Roki Sasaki, and the agent for the Japanese pitcher says picking a club will be “like the draft in reverse.” On the first day of Sasaki’s 45-day window to sign with an MLB team, agent Joel Wolfe says the 23-year-old right-hander likely will sign shortly after the 2025 international signing pool window opens on Jan. 15 and wouldn’t wait until the Jan. 23 deadline. Sasaki helped Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic and has a fastball clocked at 102.5 mph. Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg says cancer has returned, spread CHICAGO (AP) — Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg says the prostate cancer he thought had been eliminated by radiation has returned and spread. The Chicago Cubs great made the announcement on Instagram on Tuesday. Sandberg announced in January that he had metastatic prostate cancer and in August said he was cancer-free after chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Sandberg was the National League MVP in 1984 and a 10-time All-Star during 15 seasons for the Cubs from 1982 to 1997, with 282 home runs and 344 stolen bases. After his playing career, he served as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to 2015, going 119-159. Nolan Arenado open to switch from third base to first and leaving Cardinals for a team he approves DALLAS (AP) — Nolan Arenado is open to a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, at age 33 wanting to be on a World Series contender. Agent Joel Wolfe says “it’s like his biological clock is ticking and if the team’s not winning it’s driving him crazy every day.” An eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove third baseman, Arenado is open to a switch to first base. He hit .272 with 16 homers and 71 RBIs this year, his poorest season in a decade. St. Louis acquired Arenado from Colorado ahead of the 2021 season. Washington Nationals win lottery for No. 1 pick in next amateur baseball draft, Angels No. 2 DALLAS (AP) — The Washington Nationals will have the No. 1 overall pick in the amateur draft next summer. The Nationals won the draft lottery through a drawing of ping-pong balls at the winter meetings in Dallas. Unlike last year, when the Nationals were ineligible after initially coming out with the top spot, they will get to make the first pick in July in Atlanta during All-Star Game festivities. The Los Angeles Angels got the second overall pick for next summer. Seattle, Colorado, St. Louis and Pittsburgh round out the six lottery picks. Athletes in $2.8 billion college lawsuit tell judge they want to create a players' association The athletes whose lawsuit against the NCAA is primed to pave the way for schools to pay them directly also want a players’ association to represent them in the complex contract negotiations that have overtaken the industry. Grant House, Sedona Prince and Nya Harrison wrote to the judge overseeing what’s known as the House Settlement, saying that although they are generally happy with the terms of the proposed settlement “there still remains a critical need for structural changes to protect athletes and prevent the failures of the past.”

NITDA flags TikTok, X over tax fillings in Nigeria

Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant known for its smartphones, smart home devices, and other innovative technology products, recently announced the launch of its second new car model, YU7. This news has generated a significant amount of excitement among both tech enthusiasts and automotive industry watchers. However, amidst the buzz surrounding the launch, there is also some controversy brewing as it has been revealed that certain trademarks related to the new car model have already been snatched by opportunistic individuals.

Money raised for Luigi Mangione 's defense against charges of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO may end up going to what his supporters are calling "other political prisoners." A fundraiser for Mangione, who is currently in custody, has raised over $45,000, but his attorney is not sure he'll accept the funds. At a press conference Tuesday, Mangione's lawyer Thomas Dickey said "I don't know," when asked if he would accept public donations from individuals seeking to fund his client's defense. Brian Thompson, 50, was killed outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4. The suspect fled the scene following the shooting. Luigi Mangione, 26, was taken into custody at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Monday in connection with the shooting. He was later charged with second-degree murder in New York, and is also facing charges for alleged gun and fraud offenses in Pennsylvania. His lawyer has indicated he will plead not guilty and that he will fight an extradition request from New York. The fundraiser for Mangione's legal fund posted on GiveSendGo states: "We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation." The page states that if Mangione rejects the funds, they will instead go to "other U.S. political prisoners." The term "political prisoner" refers to people who are being held in custody for political beliefs or actions. In the U.S, prisoners are rarely held for political purposes due to freedom of speech, but the term has been used to describe individuals who appear to be taking a stance against perceived corruption. Mangione has gained support for his perceived fight against what has been described as corruption within the health care industry. Newsweek reached out to Dickey and GiveSendGo for further comment. In an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg referred to comments praising Mangione's alleged offenses, saying celebrating murder is "abhorrent." "I sit across the table from families who've had a loved one killed. And to think of people celebrating that ... is beyond comprehension to me," Bragg said. Dickey maintained his client's innocence during his press conference. "I haven't seen any evidence that says that he's the shooter," Dickey said. He emphasized that the burden of proof rests on the government. "They're going to have to produce some evidence, and we're anxious to see it," Dickey said. On Wednesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that Mangione's fingerprints match those on items near the crime scene. Tisch also said the 3D-printed gun found on Mangione matched three shell casings at the scene. Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania court for an extradition hearing on Tuesday. He intends to fight extradition and was given 14 days to file a writ of habeas corpus. He is currently being held at the Huntingdon State Correctional Institution after being denied bail. Bragg said Mangione may face additional charges as prosecutors "learn more about motives and other things like that." "We intend to learn more, and we have a lot of things to do. As things go forward, there may be additional charges to bring," Bragg said. Newsweek reached out to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for comment. Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.Despite the absence of Antonio, Brandt, and Antony, Shakhtar will be looking to put up a strong performance against Barcelona. Scolari will need to rely on his depth and tactical acumen to navigate through this challenging period without some of his key players. The team will need to show resilience and teamwork to overcome the absence of their star players and compete against one of the top teams in Europe.

The yuan's surge has been fueled by a combination of factors, including China's strong economic recovery, increased foreign investment inflows, and a more favorable global outlook for the Chinese currency. The Chinese economy has rebounded strongly from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with robust growth in industrial production, retail sales, and export orders. This strong economic performance has boosted confidence in the yuan and attracted foreign investors looking for higher returns.Report blames US Labor Department's statistical leadership for data misstepsPitt quarterback Eli Holstein leaves game with left leg injury against Louisville

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay's surest path to the NFL playoffs is a division championship. The Buccaneers will need help to repeat in the NFC South , but only if they first and foremost give themselves a chance. That means winning their remaining games at home against Carolina and New Orleans, while the Atlanta Falcons lose at least once in the final two weeks of the regular season. The Bucs (8-7) and Falcons share the best record in the division, however Atlanta holds the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams. Tampa Bay, which has won three consecutive division titles, is the only NFC team that has made the playoffs each of the past four seasons. “We’ve got to take care of business or else we’ve got no shot,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said after a 26-24 loss at Dallas cost the Bucs control of the NFC South race. “This one, we've got to take it on the chin,” Mayfield added. “It's a short week. It's Christmas week. We've got to focus on Carolina and figure out a way to win.” If Atlanta is able to maintain its lead, Tampa Bay could make the postseason as a wild card if the Bucs win out and the Commanders lose twice. Coach Todd Bowles sounds confident that his players understand the challenge ahead and will clean up mistakes that contributed to the end of their four-game win streak. “We’ve got to win a ballgame (this week). If we don’t win a ballgame, we don’t give ourselves a chance,” Bowles said Monday. “We have to focus on us like we’ve been doing,” the coach added. “We have to correct the mistakes, and we have to go out and win Sunday, and we’ve got to win the next week, and then we’ll see what happens after that.” What's working The offense, which ranks third in the NFL at 389.8 yards per game, isn't a fluke. Despite losing to the Cowboys, Tampa Bay finished with 410 yards total offense. It was the team's fifth straight game — as well as an NFL-high ninth overall — with 400-plus yards. The Bucs are seventh in rushing (143.7 yards per game) after ranking 32nd each of the past two seasons. What needs helps The defense yielded 292 yards passing against the Cowboys, 226 of it in the first half when Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Bowles said shoddy tackling was the biggest issue — not poor coverage. Lamb had one reception for 5 yards after halftime. Stock up Mayfield's chemistry with rookie WR Jalen McMillan, who has 27 receptions for 336 yards and five TDs, continues to grow. McMillan had five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown — his fourth in the past three games — against Dallas. He was also the intended receiver on Mayfield's deep throw that CB Jourdan Lewis intercepted in the end zone to help the Cowboys hold off the Bucs in the closing minutes. Stock down Turnovers were costly against Dallas. The end-zone interception stopped the Bucs from cutting into a 26-17 deficit with 6:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. Rachaad White's fumble with 1:31 left ended any hope for a last-minute victory. On both plays, defenders ripped the ball out of the grasp of the offensive player. “We knew they were going to rake at the ball going into the ballgame," Bowles said. "We just have to have two hands on the ball, and we have to fight for it. We have to take better care of the football. That’s priority No. 1.” Injuries Bowles said it's too early to project the status of several starters for coming games, including S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee), who has missed the past two games. TE Cade Otton (knee) and LB K.J. Britt (ankle) were inactive against the Cowboys, while reserve WR Sterling Shepard left during the game with a hamstring injury. Key number 80. Bucky Irving leads all NFL rookie RBs with 920 yards rushing. He needs 80 over the next two games to reach 1,000. He scored his seventh rushing touchdown against Dallas. That tied Errict Rhett and Lars Tate for the second-most rushing TDs by a rookie running back in franchise history. Doug Martin set the record of 11 in 2012. Next up Host Carolina on Sunday. NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflThe Dallas Cowboys ruled out right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs with injuries on Saturday, one day prior to a road game against the Washington Commanders. Martin has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries and didn't practice at all this week before initially being listed as doubtful to play on Friday. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texans. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Diggs has been dealing with groin and knee injuries. He was listed as questionable on Friday before being downgraded Saturday. Diggs, 26, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl pick led the NFL with 11 picks in 2021 and has 20 in 57 games. The Cowboys elected not to activate receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for the game. He returned to practice earlier this week and he was listed as questionable on Friday. Dallas activated offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) off injured reserve Saturday, placed safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) on IR and released defensive end KJ Henry. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was previously ruled out. Tight end Princeton Fant was elevated from the practice squad to replace him. Cornerback Kemon Hall also was elevated from the practice squad. --Field Level MediaBill Belichick, the former NFL head coach who led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins, will be the new head coach of the University of North Carolina's football program. The school announced the news on social media Wednesday night. He's agreed to a five-year deal with the Tar Heels, which is pending approval from the university's board of trustees and board of governors. A press conference was held at the school on Thursday to formally announce Belichick as the new head coach, which he described as a dream come true. UNC Chancellor Lee H. Roberts and Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham jokingly gifted Belichick a Tar Heels sweatshirt with his trademark short sleeves. RELATED STORY | Bill Belichick 'moves on' from coaching New England Patriots "I grew up in college football with my dad," Belichick said, showing off one of his father's old sweatshirts from when he was an assistant coach at the school for a couple of years before he went on to coach at the U.S. Naval Academy for over three decades. He said Carolina was home and his family always joked when he was growing up that his first words were "beat Duke" — the Tar Heels' rival school. Belichick won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants before continuing his career with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. But he's known for his career with the Patriots, where he was the head coach for 24 seasons and won 13 AFC championship titles and made nine Super Bowl appearances. He retired from the NFL as the second-winningest coach in NFL history.

Title: Zhengzhou Reports Multiple People Feeling "Faint" at Bath Centers: Suspected Carbon Monoxide PoisoningThe 30-year-old midfielder understands the importance of playing regularly and competing at the highest level, and he is not willing to risk being left in limbo without the assurance of being able to represent his new club on the pitch. Barcelona's ongoing financial woes and the impending departure of key players have added a layer of complexity to N'Golo Kante's potential move, raising questions about the feasibility of the transfer.

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.Nearly three-quarters (73%) of U.S. small business owners are optimistic about their economic viability in 2025, according to NEXT Insurance research. Despite challenges like rising business costs and shifting consumer trends, the economic outlook paints a complex picture of adaptability and vulnerability. NEXT surveyed 1,500 small business owners aged 18–64 across industries and regions in late October and November 2024 to reveal how economic factors are shaping business in the new year. The NEXT economic survey reveals a complex view of the economy. 57% of respondents state the economy is weaker than it was a year ago. This mood highlights ongoing challenges such as inflation, unemployment, and unpredictable market conditions that affect businesses nationwide. At the same time, the data shows diverse perspectives about the viability of their small business among owners. While 27% are not optimistic at all about the future of their business, about 3/4 of entrepreneurs report they are very optimistic (23%), optimistic (26%), or cautiously optimistic (25%) about their business's viability in the coming year. NEXT saw similar upward thinking about business owners' expected profits in the first six months of 2024. NEXT's survey highlights several challenges that may be shaping a business's outlook for the future. Rising costs have forced 17% of businesses to increase prices in the last six months. Another 15% reduced operating costs. Some industries, such as technology and health care , have shown resilience due to the demand for innovation and essential services. But others, such as retail and hospitality, are more vulnerable to fluctuating consumer spending and labor shortages. For example, an Intuit holiday shopping report reveals that 23% of consumers are reducing their holiday spending due to the rising costs of essentials like groceries and gas. This holiday season, consumers plan to spend an average of $294 at small businesses, compared to last year's $485—a 40% decrease. While NEXT data found that 12% of respondents closed all or part of their business, these closures were outweighed by growth. 10% say they've expanded their products or services, and another 7% opened a second location for their business. Despite difficulties, many business owners are holding steady: 17% expect no major changes in the next six months. And as planning for the first half of 2025 planning begins, business owners are thinking about growth. Some entrepreneurs will focus on expansion, with 14% planning to launch new products or services and 8% preparing to open second locations. These proactive efforts indicate confidence in the economy and market potential. Cost management will also play an important part, with 12% of businesses increasing prices to offset rising expenses and 11% expecting to cut costs in the coming months. However, not all businesses are as confident in their resilience; 12% are concerned about possible closure due to persistent financial difficulties. Regardless of the economic climate, businesses can focus on innovation strategies to propel them forward, such as adopting emerging AI technologies , diversifying products and services , and protecting their investment with business insurance to help mitigate the risks of growing a business. Small businesses can weather economic challenges long-term if they stay flexible and prepare for the unexpected to build a solid foundation for success. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.