7 11 height
2025-01-12   

7 11 height Why Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) Is the Best Fuel Stock to Buy Now?None

Making 2024 count economically After years of economic turmoil, Pakistan’s stabilisation efforts began yielding tangible results A man counts dollars and other currency notes. — AFP/File A pivotal year which may become a turning point for Pakistan’s economy, 2024 saw significant progress in achieving macroeconomic stabilisation. The country made strides in controlling inflation, reducing interest rates, and achieving a historic current account surplus. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); These achievements were bolstered by a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrangement that averted a financial crisis and stabilised the balance of payments. However, systemic and structural flaws – excessive taxation, high energy costs, mismanagement in key sectors like agriculture, poor governance of social services, and government-imposed restrictions on the digital economy – continued to undermine sustainable growth and investment. After years of economic turmoil, Pakistan’s stabilization efforts began yielding tangible results. Inflation, which had peaked at 29 per cent in FY 22-23 and 20 per cent in FY 23-24, dropped below 5.0 per cent by November 2024, surpassing the government’s target of 12 per cent. This decline provided significant relief for businesses and consumers. Complementing these improvements, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) implemented aggressive monetary easing, reducing the policy rate from 22 per cent to 13 per cent and lowering interest rates to 12 per cent. These measures are expected to save the government over Rs1.2 trillion in interest costs, easing fiscal pressures and creating space for development initiatives. A noteworthy achievement in 2024 was the government’s decision to avoid budgetary borrowing in the first half of the fiscal year, instead retiring Rs2.03 trillion in debt. This unprecedented step, supported by the SBP’s record profit of Rs3.42 trillion, eased fiscal pressures and unleashed excess liquidity into the banking system. This liquidity, combined with lower interest rates, has created an opportunity to channel funds into productive sectors such as industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. However, realising the potential of this progress depends on decisive government policies and actions to drive job creation and sustainable economic momentum. The current account surplus reached over $730 million in November, marking the fourth consecutive month of surpluses and the largest in nearly a decade. Projections for FY24-25 suggest the surplus could exceed $2 billion, fueled by rising remittances, improved exports, and a stable rupee. These developments spurred significant investment in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the KSE index surging by 80 per cent during the year and market capitalisation expanding substantially. Despite these positive developments, several systemic challenges persist. Excessive taxation remains a significant obstacle. Instead of broadening the tax base or improving compliance, the FY25 budget further increased tax rates, disproportionately burdening businesses and households. This approach discourages investment in the formal sector, stifles economic activity, and fails to address underlying inefficiencies in the revenue system. Similarly, Pakistan’s energy costs remain among the highest globally, making the cost of doing business prohibitively expensive. This undermines the competitiveness of Pakistani goods in international markets and deters foreign and domestic investment. Repeated coercive renegotiations of power purchase agreements have further eroded investor confidence, discouraging the long-term investments needed to address circular debt and energy insecurity. Agriculture, a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, also faced significant challenges. Early in 2024, increased wheat production was initially a positive development. However, poor procurement policies (more specifically federal and Punjab governments reluctance to purchase at price they had guaranteed to the farmer) led to a collapse in wheat prices, falling below Rs3000 per maund against the committed minimum price of Rs3900. This caused substantial losses for farmers, many of whom are now expected to shift to alternative crops. Such failures highlight the urgent need for better planning, fair procurement practices, and investments in agricultural technology to ensure food security and protect the livelihoods of rural communities. The digital economy, a vital driver of innovation and growth, was hindered by government-imposed restrictions on internet access and social media platforms. These measures disrupted entrepreneurial activity, discouraged investment, and weakened Pakistan’s position in the global digital economy. In an era defined by technological transformation, such actions have significantly limited the country’s potential to harness digital tools for economic resilience and innovation. Poor governance in social sectors like education, healthcare, and skill development further undermines Pakistan’s long-term growth potential. A lack of investment in these areas has left the country with a workforce ill-equipped to meet the demands of a globalised economy. Education, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, lags behind, restricting opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. In the same way, inadequate healthcare and insufficient vocational training programmes exacerbate inequality and limit productivity. Political instability and security challenges compound these economic issues. Post-election disputes, allegations of rigging, and controversial constitutional amendments eroded public trust in democratic institutions, creating an environment of uncertainty unattractive to investors. Security concerns, including insurgent violence and militant activities, further disrupt economic activity, particularly in vulnerable regions, and deter foreign direct investment. To transition from stabilisation to sustainable growth, Pakistan must implement bold and comprehensive reforms. Governance reform is crucial for improving efficiency, reducing bureaucracy, and fostering transparency. Streamlining government operations, cutting redundant departments, and ensuring accountability for outcomes will create a more business-friendly environment and restore investor confidence. The tax system must be overhauled to broaden the base, improve compliance, and reduce reliance on high tax rates. Expanding the tax net to include under-taxed sectors and addressing exemptions for influential groups can create a fairer and more effective revenue system. The energy sector requires immediate reform, including major privatisation of generation, transmission and distribution sub-sectors to reduce the role of the public sector, and enhance efficiency and productivity through competition. Transparent, long-term policies must replace ad-hoc measures, encouraging investments in renewable energy and domestic resources like coal. Modernising the power grid and privatising utilities to enhance competition will reduce costs and improve efficiency. Investing in human capital is essential. Prioritising education, vocational training and healthcare will equip Pakistan’s population with the skills needed to compete in a global economy. Special emphasis on STEM education can foster innovation and entrepreneurship, preparing the workforce for the digital transformation of industries. The digital economy offers immense potential for growth. Removing restrictions on internet access and social media platforms is a necessary first step. Beyond this, the government must invest in digital infrastructure and foster public-private partnerships to create a thriving ecosystem for tech-enabled entrepreneurship. Supporting startups with seed funding, incubators, and reduced regulatory hurdles will stimulate innovation and diversify the economy. A strategic focus on adopting artificial intelligence (AI) can further enhance productivity and competitiveness. Agricultural modernisation is also critical. Policies ensuring fair prices to the farmer mainly through market mechanisms, investing in technology, and improving supply chain logistics can stabilise the sector and maximise its potential. Addressing inefficiencies in agriculture will enhance food security and contribute to rural development. While the IMF programme has helped Pakistan in achieving much needed stabilisation, it is important to appreciate that such programmes address immediate crises but fail to tackle systemic issues in governance, taxation, energy policy, and human capital development. Without meaningful structural reforms, the progress achieved in 2024 risks being short-lived. By fostering innovation, investing in its people, and embracing structural reforms, Pakistan can transition from stabilisation to enduring growth. The choices made today will determine whether 2024 becomes a fleeting moment of relief or a foundation for long-term resilience. The stakes have never been higher. The writer is a former managing partner of a leading professional services firm and has done extensive work on governance in the public and private sectors. He tweets/posts @Asad_AshahSunshine Gold dethrones Black Gold

Ituka scores 18 off the bench, Jacksonville State downs East Carolina 86-78

Using research insights from Info-Tech's recent blueprint, child welfare agencies can tackle the complex challenges of software selection and modernization. This new resource provides solutions to common hurdles, including misleading vendor pitches, intricate RFPs, and lengthy decision-making timelines. By empowering IT leaders to make informed, data-driven decisions, the global research and advisory firm's framework will streamline processes, improve service delivery, and ultimately foster better outcomes for youth and families in need. TORONTO , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Child welfare agencies are at a critical juncture where outdated systems, fragmented platforms, and the rising costs of modernization threaten their ability to meet compliance demands and provide effective services. To address these pressing challenges, Info-Tech Research Group has published its blueprint, Leverage a Rapid Application Selection Framework to Support Youth and Family Services Agencies , offering a step-by-step framework designed to streamline operations, modernize technology, and improve service delivery. By implementing these practical strategies, IT leaders in the agencies can drive meaningful outcomes and better support youth and families in need. "The integration of advanced technologies in child welfare services presents significant opportunities for improving outcomes for youth, families, and the foster care population," says Neal Rosenblatt , principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Addressing the ongoing challenges and making targeted investments in technology are crucial steps toward realizing this potential." Info-Tech's newly published blueprint emphasizes that with no universal solution available to meet the diverse needs of child welfare agencies, identifying technology tailored to specific organizational requirements while addressing broader system modernization challenges is a critical priority. The firm's resource provides valuable insights into emerging trends, key challenges, and strategic technology investments, along with a rapid application selection framework designed to guide agencies through the complexities of legacy system modernization. The potential integration of advanced technologies in child welfare services presents significant opportunities for improving outcomes for youth, families, and the foster care population. The firm advises that addressing the ongoing challenges and making targeted investments in technology are crucial steps toward realizing this potential. Selecting the right software to support critical operations has long been a significant hurdle. In its Leverage a Rapid Application Selection Framework to Support Youth and Family Services Agencies blueprint, Info-Tech outlines the software selection challenges IT leaders in child welfare agencies can face. These challenges, which can delay progress and reduce impact for children and families, include the following: Vendors put on dog and pony shows: Vendors often captivate audiences with glossy presentations and persuasive sales tactics that obscure the real capabilities or limitations of their software. This approach can mislead decision-makers, resulting in solutions that fail to deliver on key requirements after implementation. RFP overload kills momentum: The traditionally exhaustive approach to request for proposals (RFPs) involves creating lengthy lists of standard must-have features. While these documents are designed to be thorough, they frequently become overly intricate, slowing down the process and diverting precious time and resources away from high-level strategic decisions. Selection takes forever: Conventional software selection processes can be lengthy, stretching for months or even years. This delays the adoption of modern technologies that could address operational challenges and improve outcomes. Stakeholders aren't satisfied: After lengthy and costly implementations, stakeholders find that the selected solution falls short of meeting critical expectations and organizational needs. This can lead to dissatisfaction, wasted investments, and a continuation of inefficient practices. Decisions aren't data-driven: Decision-making within the software selection process is frequently guided by instinct or intuition rather than objective data. This lack of a structured, data-driven approach increases the likelihood of choosing systems that inadequately serve the organization's goals. Negotiations are a weak link: Contract negotiations can be another stumbling block, as agencies without seasoned negotiators may leave money, value, or key deliverables on the table during vendor agreements. This often results in subpar deals that don't maximize financial and operational benefits. By adopting Info-Tech's Rapid Application Selection Framework, youth and family services agencies can overcome these challenges and streamline their software selection process. The structured approach detailed in the blueprint can accelerate decision-making, ensure alignment with organizational needs, and help agencies avoid common pitfalls. For exclusive and timely commentary from Neal Rosenblatt , an expert in public health research science, or to access to the complete Leverage a Rapid Application Selection Framework to Support Youth and Family Services Agencies blueprint , please contact [email protected] . About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected] . For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X . SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

Trump Selects Brooke Rollins to Serve as the Secretary of AgricultureMan Utd fans have a lot to say about Alejandro Garnacho after performance vs Arsenal, ‘very obvious’ point is clear

Luigi Mangione’s face is now familiar worldwide, following his arrest for allegedly killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in Manhattan. But new details on the life and background of the Ivy League-educated 26-year-old are still emerging by the hour. Mangione, in custody in Pennsylvania following a five-day manhunt and facing a second-degree murder charge in New York, struggled with police and yelled out as he entered an extradition hearing on Tuesday. Those who knew Mangione are now trying to reconcile the friendly computer science major with the suspect who allegedly shot and killed Thompson and was arrested carrying a short manifesto criticizing health insurance companies for putting profits above care and specifically singling out UnitedHealthcare, according to the New York Times and CNN. Well-known family Mangione was born in 1998 to Louis and Kathleen Mangione, and was part of a well-known family in Maryland that owned a wide range of businesses. Luigi’s grandfather, Nick Mangione Sr., and his wife purchased a golf course and country club in Howard County in the 1970s. It included a 220-room hotel, a 10,000-square-foot ballroom and an 85-seat amphitheater, according to the Washington Post. They had five daughters and five sons, including Luigi’s father Louis. They later bought another country club and a radio station in the 1980s. Mangione Sr. died in 2008, but his children have continued to run the family businesses. Thomas J. Maronick Jr., a lawyer and radio host who knew Mangione Sr., praised the family, describing them as “incredibly generous.” He said they were generous with charities. Maronick Jr. said he was shocked that Luigi Mangione has been named as the shooter. “Given the family, and how generous and supportive of charity they are, and the esteem their name carries in Maryland, it’s the last person you’d expect,” he said. Promising childhood before disappearance Former classmates at the Gilman School, an all-boys, $37,000 a year private school in Baltimore, told the New York Times that Luigi Mangione was intelligent. They said he made mobile apps before college, and participated in clubs including model U.N. and robotics. Mangione was also an athlete, and was on the wrestling team. Former classmate Aaron Cranston told the Times he became friends with Mangione in high school, describing him as perhaps the “smartest” at the elite private school. “He was a big believer in the power of technology to change the world,” Cranston told the paper. In his senior yearbook page, Mangione thanked his parents for sending him to Gilman, saying the school was “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” “Thanks for dealing with me these past 18 years,” Mangione wrote to his parents. “I cannot thank you enough for supporting me along the way.” The yearbook page shows he fulfilled his community service requirement at the Maryland nursing home company Lorien Health Services, which his father was an owner of, according to the Times. After graduating and giving the valedictorian speech at Gilman in 2016, Mangione attended the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in computer science. He later got his master’s in computer and information science. Mangione was interested in video game development, and his LinkedIn profile states that he fixed 300 bugs as an intern for the company Firaxis Games in the video game “Civilization VI.” His LinkedIn page shows Mangione worked as a software engineer for the California-based company TrueCar for several years starting in 2020. In recent years, those who knew him said Mangione was dealing with significant back pain. He lived for six months in Honolulu, moving into a “co-living” space called Surfbreak that caters to remote workers. Surfbreak’s founder, R.J. Martin, told the Times that Mangione was a smart, accomplished and upbeat engineer. Fellow Surfbreak resident Jackie Wexler told the Honolulu Civil Beat that Mangione was “just such a thoughtful and deeply compassionate person at everything he did.” He didn’t complain about his back pain, but it had a major impact on his life, Martin said. “He knew that dating and being physically intimate with his back condition wasn’t possible,” Martin told the Times. “I remember him telling me that, and my heart just breaks.” The now-charged suspect’s GoodReads account paints a complex picture. It includes praise for a the book “Industrial Society and Its Future” by Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber. His reading history included several books on dealing with chronic back pain, and his X profile shows an X-ray image of a spinal fusion surgery, though it’s unconfirmed if the image actually depicts Mangione. Friiends told the Times that Mangione’s family was unaware of his whereabouts before his arrest on Monday. His mother, Kathleen, reported to San Francisco police that her son was missing on Nov. 18, the San Francisco Standard reported . Public records suggest Mangione may have relatives in San Francisco, the Standard added.Savion Williams rushed for two touchdowns and Josh Hoover threw for 252 yards as TCU pulled away from Arizona in the second half, winning 49-28 on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. The Horned Frogs (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions, starting late in the first half after the Wildcats (4-7, 2-6) pulled within 14-13. Williams carried nine times for 80 yards, scoring on runs of 1 and 20 yards in the first half. Hoover completed 19 of 26 passes, with one touchdown and one interception, before being pulled midway through the fourth quarter when the Frogs were up by 21. TCU took control after leading 21-13 at halftime, going up 35-13 on a 38-yard reception to JP Richardson midway through the third. Arizona kept its hopes alive, ending a 15-play, 75-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hunter on fourth down on the first play of the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion made it 35-21. But the Horned Frogs responded with another TD drive, capped by a 6-yard run by Cam Cook for a 42-21 advantage. Arizona added a 70-yard fumble return touchdown with one minute to go for the game's final score. Tetairoa McMillan caught nine passes for 115 yards to become the Arizona career leader in receiving yardage with 3,355. He surpassed his receivers coach, Bobby Wade (3,351), at the top spot. The Wildcats' Noah Fifita completed 29 of 44 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, which happened on the game's first snap. TCU promptly scored on a 4-yard run by Trent Battle, and Williams added a 1-yard TD run late in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead. But the Wildcats fought back, getting a 17-yard touchdown reception by Hunter and field goals of 53 and 43 yards from Tyler Loop to climb within 14-13 with 1:55 go before halftime. That's almost how the half ended, but the Horned Frogs converted third-and-18 on the ensuing drive and then gained 24 yards on third-and-25 to the Arizona 20. That set up a 20-yard run by Williams on fourth-and-1 with 13 seconds left for a 21-13 lead. --Field Level MediaWWE Announces Current Champion Out With Injury

Set-pieces changed the game - AmorimMembers of South Korea's opposition, which controls the National Assembly , have submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after his ill-fated decision to impose martial law. If Yoon quits or is removed from office then, under the constitution, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will step in to perform presidential duties. Yoon, a conservative, came into office after winning the 2022 presidential election by a threadbare margin and appointed Han as the prime minister that year. It marked Han's second time in that job; he had served under President Roh Moo-hyun, a liberal, from April 2007 to February 2008. Han began his career as a civil servant in the early 1970s, working on trade and industrial policy for decades. He received a doctorate in economics from Harvard University in 1984. From 2009 to 2012, Han was South Korea's ambassador to the United States. Yoon has been in a bitter standoff with the opposition, led by the progressive Democratic Party, for almost his entire tenure as president. The Democratic Party inflicted a crushing defeat on his People Power Party in the parliamentary elections held in April, leaving him on the verge of being a lame duck. Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Future of Marketing & Branding Masterclass By - Dr. David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, Author | Speaker | Thought Leader | Branding Consultant View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy for Non-Finance Executives By - CA Raja, Chartered Accountant | Financial Management Educator | Former AVP - Credit, SBI View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development Master RESTful APIs with Python and Django REST Framework: Web API Development By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Web Development Django & PostgreSQL Mastery: Build Professional Web Applications By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Design Microsoft Designer Guide: The Ultimate AI Design Tool By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Entrepreneurship From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Entrepreneurship Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Web Development Advanced Java Mastery: Object-Oriented Programming Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Crafting a Powerful Startup Value Proposition By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The Democratic Party has said it would begin impeachment proceedings if Yoon does not step down immediately. The president is impeached if two-thirds of the 300-member legislature vote in favor of doing so. Han would act as the president until impeachment proceedings conclude. How long he would need to serve in that interim capacity is unclear. Under South Korean law, once the National Assembly has impeached the president, the matter could go to the Constitutional Court. If the court upholds the impeachment, the president would be removed from office. If Yoon is removed or steps down, a successor would need to be elected within 60 days. (This article originally appeared in The New York Times) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Paris, Dec 5 (AP) France's far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together Wednesday in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign, a first since 1962. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. Also Read | Earthquake in Japan: Quake of Magnitude 4.3 on Richter Scale Rocks Ibaraki. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July's legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. Also Read | Israel-Gaza Conflict: At Least 21 People Killed in Israeli Air Strike on Tent Camp in Khan Younis. A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France's modern Republic. “I can tell you that it will remain an honor for me to have served France and the French with dignity,” Barnier said in his final speech before the vote. “This no-confidence motion... will make everything more serious and more difficult. That's what I'm sure of,” he said. Opposition to Barnier's proposed budget Wednesday's crucial vote rose from fierce opposition to Barnier's proposed budget. The National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament, is deeply fractured, with no single party holding a majority. It comprises three major blocs: Macron's centrist allies, the left-wing coalition New Popular Front, and the far-right National Rally. Both opposition blocs, typically at odds, are uniting against Barnier, accusing him of imposing austerity measures and failing to address citizens' needs. Speaking on TF1 television after the vote, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen said “we had a choice to make, and our choice is to protect the French” from a “toxic” budget. Le Pen also accused Macron of being “largely responsible for the current situation,” adding that “the pressure on the President of the Republic will get stronger and stronger.” Speaking at the National Assembly ahead of the vote, hard-left lawmaker Eric Coquerel had called on the government to “stop pretending the lights will go out,” noting the possibility of an emergency law to levy taxes from Jan. 1, based on this year's rules. “The special law will prevent a shutdown. It will allow us to get through the end of the year by delaying the budget by a few weeks,” Coquerel said. Macron to pick a new prime minister Macron must appoint a new prime minister, but the fragmented parliament remains unchanged. No new legislative elections can be held until at least July, creating a potential stalemate for policymakers. Macron said discussions about him potentially resigning were “make-believe politics” during a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week, according to French media reports. “I'm here because I've been elected twice by the French people,” Macron said. He was also reported as saying: “We must not scare people with such things. We have a strong economy.” Impact on financial markets While France is not at risk of a U.S.-style government shutdown, political instability could spook financial markets. France is under pressure from the European Union to reduce its colossal debt. The country's deficit is estimated to reach 6% of gross domestic product this year and analysts say it could rise to 7% next year without drastic adjustments. The political instability could push up French interest rates, digging the debt even further. Carsten Brzeski, global chief of macro at ING Bank, said uncertainty over France's future government and finances is deterring investment and growth. “The impact of France not having a government would clearly be negative for the growth of France and hence the Eurozone,” Brzeski said. France has seen bond market borrowing costs rise, bringing back ugly memories of the Greek debt crisis and default in 2010-2012. Analysts say France is far from a similar crisis because much of its outstanding debt does not come due for years, and because its bonds remain in demand due to a shortage of German government bonds. Additionally, the European Central Bank could intervene to lower French borrowing costs in case of extreme market turmoil, though the bar for that remains high. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

Circa Sports bettor wagers $3M on Eagles to defeat Panthers

Related hot word search:

Previous: 567bets.com
Next: 711 casino no deposit bonus