Author: Eric Mawuli DJIRACKOR

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Key Points
Artificial intelligence (AI) captured the attention of the investing world like few things that have come before. The excitement around the technology thrust companies once known mostly to tech enthusiasts into the mainstream, while firms across Silicon Valley have seen their stocks rocket up to historic highs on the promise of AI.
It’s still early days for AI, and there can certainly be a danger in getting ahead of ourselves. However, you don’t have to subscribe to the loftiest predictions surrounding AI — and there are many — to see that it has the power to be truly transformative to the world’s economy.
Here are just a few predictions from some reputable sources:
One of the best ways to invest is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). They offer an easy way to gain exposure to a collection of stocks (and other assets) by purchasing just one security. ETFs are a lot like mutual funds, except that you can buy and sell them the same way you would an individual stock, and they typically have lower fees.
Many of the most popular are broad-market ETFs that track an index like the S&P 500, such as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. Many ETFs have a narrower target, however, investing in a specific industry or sector of an industry, like AI.
So, where should you invest your $500? Well, ETFs are hugely popular, and no sector has as much buzz as AI, so there are plenty of options. There are currently about 40 offerings, but here are the top five by assets under management (AUM).
You’ll notice a lot of overlap here with the larger technology industry. There are more granular options, focusing on smaller AI-native companies. But I think a more broad-based offering is the better option: The more concentrated an ETF becomes, the riskier it becomes.
While the Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF is the lowest cost, with an expense ratio of just 0.08%, for my money, the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF is the best option and where I would invest the $500.
At just 0.4%, it is still has a relatively low cost — $40 annually per $10,000 invested. But it has performed slightly better than Fidelity’s option over the past few years, making up for the slight increase in cost. In fact, this year, the Expanded Tech Sector ETF outperformed all of these AI ETFs and the Nasdaq as a whole.
I also like the makeup of its holdings better. Fidelity is much more heavily concentrated at the top, with its top three positions accounting for about 44% of the fund’s value. In contrast, the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF has about 25% invested in its top three.
Furthermore, Meta Platforms (META 2.50%) is one of the iShares ETF’s top holdings, but is conspicuously absent from Fidelity’s fund — FTEC holds 296 equities, but Meta isn’t among the list. I think Meta is one of the strongest AI plays among big tech and I’m not alone in this: Meta is one of the top 5 holdings of many of the premier hedge funds on Wall Street.
The firm continues to deliver in core business: it currently operates the first-, third-, fourth-, and seventh-most popular social media platforms in the world, reaching an incredible 3.29 billion people a day. This influence makes its ad space immensely valuable, leading Meta to deliver double-digit revenue growth quarter after quarter since Q1 2023.
And now the company’s AI efforts are paying off, helping to compound its success in advertising by boosting efficiency and enhancing targeting algorithms and the successful release of its flagship product, Meta AI, proves that the company can create an AI platform people actually like, something even Apple is struggling with. I believe these early successes are just a taste of what’s to come; Meta’s long commitment to AI research will lead to products that will greatly enhance, if not outright transform, its business.
Whether you have $500 or $500,000, you could do worse than investing in the companies fueling an AI revolution. An ETF fund like the iShares Expanded Tech Sector fund is an excellent way to do so quickly, simply, and cheaply.
Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Top 3 Airdrops to Watch for the Christmas Week  BeInCrypto
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Steven Hatzakis, Global Director of Online Broker Research, Partner at ForexBrokers.com (Reink Media Group), joined Finance Magnates’ Jonathan Fine for an interview during the Finance Magnates London Summit 2024 (FMLS:24).
Key industry trends were discussed, including innovations in platform technology, the growing importance of educational resources for traders, and the rise of advanced financial products. The need for strong regulation to build client trust and the role of transparency in helping traders make informed decisions were also emphasised. Additionally, the integration of AI tools and the adoption of dynamic review models were highlighted as strategies for staying competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Hatzakis moderated a panel featuring representatives from Interactive Brokers, OANDA, Cboe, and Scope Markets. Reflecting on this opportunity, he said, "I’m keen to hear about innovations in platform technology, whether developed in-house or through third parties. Expanding product offerings, including new markets and asset classes, continues to be a focal point for brokers.”
When asked about strategies that help brokers succeed, Hatzakis pointed to the value of educational content. “Immersive, interactive courses with quizzes and progress tracking are essential for attracting and retaining both beginner and advanced traders,” he noted. He added that such resources could enhance client engagement and promote better trading practices.
Hatzakis also discussed sophisticated financial products gaining traction in the industry. He mentioned tools such as custom portfolios, multi-legged trades, and prediction markets as areas of focus.
“These products cater to more experienced traders, but education is crucial to ensure they are used responsibly,” he cautioned. His comments underscored the need for brokers to balance innovation with client understanding.
On the topic of regulation, Hatzakis emphasised its role in fostering trust. “While some clients might initially overlook regulatory details, brokers need to ensure robust practices and fund protection. Trust and execution quality are paramount,” he stated. His remarks highlighted the growing importance of compliance as a competitive advantage in the sector.
Hatzakis also elaborated on ForexBrokers.com’s evolving approach to broker reviews. “We continuously update our broker reviews and rankings throughout the year, culminating in an annual awards event. We’re also seeing exciting trends, like brokers integrating consumer-facing AI tools,” he explained. This dynamic review model aims to provide timely and relevant information to users directing the broker landscape.
Concluding the interview, Hatzakis stressed the importance of transparency in the brokerage industry. “Our goal is to provide readers with a clear view of both the strengths and weaknesses of brokers, helping them make informed decisions,” he said.
Steven Hatzakis, Global Director of Online Broker Research, Partner at ForexBrokers.com (Reink Media Group), joined Finance Magnates’ Jonathan Fine for an interview during the Finance Magnates London Summit 2024 (FMLS:24).
Key industry trends were discussed, including innovations in platform technology, the growing importance of educational resources for traders, and the rise of advanced financial products. The need for strong regulation to build client trust and the role of transparency in helping traders make informed decisions were also emphasised. Additionally, the integration of AI tools and the adoption of dynamic review models were highlighted as strategies for staying competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Hatzakis moderated a panel featuring representatives from Interactive Brokers, OANDA, Cboe, and Scope Markets. Reflecting on this opportunity, he said, "I’m keen to hear about innovations in platform technology, whether developed in-house or through third parties. Expanding product offerings, including new markets and asset classes, continues to be a focal point for brokers.”
When asked about strategies that help brokers succeed, Hatzakis pointed to the value of educational content. “Immersive, interactive courses with quizzes and progress tracking are essential for attracting and retaining both beginner and advanced traders,” he noted. He added that such resources could enhance client engagement and promote better trading practices.
Hatzakis also discussed sophisticated financial products gaining traction in the industry. He mentioned tools such as custom portfolios, multi-legged trades, and prediction markets as areas of focus.
“These products cater to more experienced traders, but education is crucial to ensure they are used responsibly,” he cautioned. His comments underscored the need for brokers to balance innovation with client understanding.
On the topic of regulation, Hatzakis emphasised its role in fostering trust. “While some clients might initially overlook regulatory details, brokers need to ensure robust practices and fund protection. Trust and execution quality are paramount,” he stated. His remarks highlighted the growing importance of compliance as a competitive advantage in the sector.
Hatzakis also elaborated on ForexBrokers.com’s evolving approach to broker reviews. “We continuously update our broker reviews and rankings throughout the year, culminating in an annual awards event. We’re also seeing exciting trends, like brokers integrating consumer-facing AI tools,” he explained. This dynamic review model aims to provide timely and relevant information to users directing the broker landscape.
Concluding the interview, Hatzakis stressed the importance of transparency in the brokerage industry. “Our goal is to provide readers with a clear view of both the strengths and weaknesses of brokers, helping them make informed decisions,” he said.
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Voya Global Advantage And Premium Opportunity Fund Q3 2024 Commentary  Seeking Alpha
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The Illinois Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 23, 2024, results for each game:
22-42-44-57-64, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 8-6-0, Fireball: 8
Evening: 3-7-7, Fireball: 3
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 0-8-7-3, Fireball: 9
Evening: 6-7-2-2, Fireball: 2
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 01-11-15-17-44
Evening: 08-16-20-27-36
Check LuckyDay Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
10-17-18-19-27-47, Extra Shot: 09
Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Illinois editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Luxembourg signs historic partnership agreement with WHO to support global health  News-Medical.Net
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With so many Pokemon to catch in Pokemon Go, you can bolster your inventory and grab useful freebies with the latest redeemable promo codes — as ardent Trainers will always need a few more helpful items to further their quest.
Codes in-game provide a range of freebies, from special Pokeballs to clothing and accessories. However, they can only be used once, as stated on the Niantic website: “Niantic offers a limited number of one-time use codes during special events or sponsored partnerships.”
So hurry, and snatch them before they’re gone!
There’s currently one active code to claim in-game, which we’ve checked and have confirmed to be active as of December 16, 2024:
The code — which provides Trainers with a sleek Fendi hoodie for their avatars to wear — has been active for over six months at this point and will remain available until January 4, 2025 — so if you’ve not claimed it yet and are after some stylish gear, you’ve still got a couple of weeks left to redeem it!
Previously, players could redeem 250 Max Particles with the ‘LJRAMRU3RYCMC’ code, but this has now expired. It was released to celebrate the start of the Go Big event, giving players a head start on collecting Max Particles, which are used to join Max Battles and strengthen Dynamax Pokemon.
Pokemon Go’s Dual Destiny season kicked off in December, and for those hoping to save money and enjoy some free rewards, there are plenty to be found in the next upcoming event.
The Holiday Part 1 event which runs from December 17 to December 22, 2024, provides plenty of bonuses to take note of. During its run, Trainers can also earn 2x XP from catching ‘mon, and there’s also a 1/2 hatch distance for Eggs placed in incubators. Collection Challenges will also provide Poke Balls and Stardust.
However, the in-game Pokemon Go shop has some free Daily Boxes that you can claim to make your life a little easier, providing you with handy rewards for filling up your Pokedex.
If you’ve missed out on your chance to grab some of the free items for Pokemon Go but still want to see what was offered, check out our list below:
Some codes in our expired list state that “this offer code is not available for your redemption (already redeemed or belonging to another account)” upon trying to claim them on the redemption site, and for this reason, they have been moved into the above list,
To redeem codes on an Android and iPhone, you’ll first need to visit the official Niantic Offer Redemption website. You’ll be given three options to log in with – Google, Facebook, or Niantic Kids.
The credentials will be the same as those used to log in to the Pokemon Go app. The next page to load will allow you to enter the promo code, and if accepted, a message will display telling you the items have been added to your inventory.
However, there isn’t an option to log in with Pokemon Trainer Club. This means iPhone users who only have a Pokemon Trainer Club credential aren’t currently able to redeem any codes.
Fortunately, you can link your Pokemon Go account with Google and Facebook and resolve this problem quickly. If you were to lose your login or get hacked, both options have two-factor authentication for security.
If you’ve been playing Pokemon Go on an Android mobile device, you may have noticed the space to enter codes at the bottom of the shop has been removed.
You can no longer claim offer codes from the app as you now have to follow the route of iPhone users instead, i.e., through a web browser. Niantic changed the way to enter promo codes on Android devices starting February 13, 2024.
If you’ve used all the current promo codes and still want to get your hands on some additional goodies, as mentioned, Pokemon Go’s Daily Free Box gives players a handful of free items.
To find it, head to the Shop and scroll down until you see the Daily Free Box. Click on it and then tap ‘Exchange’ to earn some free items, which usually include Poke Balls, with Potions and Berries occasionally appearing too.
If you’re new to the game, Pokemon Go promo codes usually provide rewards like free Poke Balls, Star Pieces, and some rare items, all the way to exclusive clothing collaborations with brands like North Face and the current Fendi collaboration. Pokemon are less common, but there have been occasional timed research that can be redeemed which provides encounters with the likes of Regirock.
That’s all you need to know about unlocking exclusive items in Pokemon Go. To help you stay on top of your game, be sure to check out tips on how to play Pokemon Go and our counter guides for Arlo, Cliff, Giovanni, and Sierra.
Ava is Dexerto’s Evergreen Manager, based in England. With a BA (Hons) in Media and Communications, and a passion for RPGs, The Sims, Pokemon, and Dead by Daylight, she primarily covers tips, guides, and reviews. You can contact Ava at: avathompsonpowell@dexerto.com.
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An in-game economy will be made available to all plays of WorldShards in December. A huge step ahead of the TGE event in early 2025.
WorldShards, the Sandbox MMORPG released on the Open Loot platform alongside other successful web3 titles, has announced the launch of its complete in-game economy, set to roll out in December 2024.
This milestone marks a pivotal step toward the game’s Token Generation Event (TGE) in early 2025, building on the significant momentum achieved since the Early Access release in February 2024.
Since its launch, WorldShards has attracted tens of thousands of players and over 300,000 active community members, achieving more than $4 million in sales in 2024 across various offerings, including Artifact Boxes, Mystery Island Boxes, and Founder’s Lootboxes — many of which sold out quickly, demonstrating strong community interest.
Below you can find what’s on the horizon for WorldShards.
The upcoming launch of the in-game economy will include the introduction of Proxy Tokens, which will be introduced in mid-December. These tokens will be obtainable while actively engaging various gameplay mechanics and will play a key role in the player’s journey, serving as the primary currency for NFT crafting and upgrades, and will be fully convertible to game tokens at a 1:1 ratio when the TGE takes place in early 2025.
To make the game even more accessible, WorldShards is lifting access code requirements in December, allowing everyone to try out the game with 30-day trial access for all users, with the option to convert the trial to permanent access if in-game activity criteria are met.
Aside from all the events planned during Phase 2, every active player, including those who have only trial access, will participate in the airdrop campaign. Player activity serves as the main metric of the campaign, so even those who don’t own or use collectible NFTs will be eligible for the airdrop.
All users who already had full access to the game are granted welcome bundles they can gift to their friends, granting them full game access and 30$ in premium currency called gems. Also, all users who purchase Welcome Bundles in the future will get a +1 bonus Welcome Bundle for their friends.
WorldShards plans to continue its growth in the competitive web3 market by adding even more innovative features to both gameplay and economy further down the line.
WorldShards is a cross-platform MMORPG, developed by Lowkick Studio in partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming. LowKick is a studio founded by experienced veterans behind World of Tanks, Allods Online, Lineage 2, and other successful video games. The project was launched in partnership with the Open Loot platform, the creators of Big Time and $OL token. 
For more information, users can visit www.worldshards.online or follow WorldShards on Discord and X.

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