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Plasson Industries Ltd provides solutions for connecting PE pipes. It offers ElectroFusion & Mechanical Fittings, Adjustable Elbow, Controllers, and PE Ball Valve, among others to municipal water distribution and gas conveyance systems, among others.

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Saylor Academy, a non-profit organization providing free and open online education material, introduced a new AI-powered course, &#8220;What is Money?&#8221; to help students grasp the philosophical aspects of the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) ecosystem.&nbsp;
What happened: The academy, set up by Michael Saylor—known for his strong advocacy and investments in the leading cryptocurrency—is based around the famous talks between Saylor himself and Robert Breedlove on a podcast with the same name.
"This course is designed to facilitate a deep and reflective dive into the intersecting themes of energy, technology, and anthropology," a description of the course on the academy's website read.&nbsp;
Saylor deemed it a "timely course" for the Bitcoin age, in an X post on Sunday.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Learn the fundamentals of money with <a href="https://twitter.com/saylordotorg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@saylordotorg</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/OpenAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OpenAI</a>—a timely course for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> age. <a href="https://t.co/B8OnqymafL">https://t.co/B8OnqymafL</a>
&mdash; Michael Saylor&#x26a1;&#xFE0F; (@saylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/saylor/status/1843009483343106274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41199931/shiba-inus-shytoshi-kusama-calls-this-nation-crypto-capital-after-it-makes-digital-asset-t">Shiba Inu&#8217;s Shytoshi Kusama Calls This Nation &#8216;Crypto Capital&#8217; After It Makes Digital Asset Transactions Tax Free</a>
Why It Matters: Established in 1999 by Saylor, the non-profit initiative helps students earn free, verifiable course completion certificates, although they don't carry any specific endorsement.
One of the most influential Bitcoin advocates today, Saylor is known for his unwavering faith in the cryptocurrency, a stance that has resulted in MicroStrategy—the software company founded by him—becoming a Bitcoin proxy.
As of this writing, MicroStrategy is the world's largest corporate owner of Bitcoin, with a stash worth more than $16 billion, <a href="https://bitcointreasuries.net/">according</a> to bitcointreasuries.net.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $63,472.10, up 2.69% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 
Image via Michael
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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Michael Saylor's Non-Profit Academy Launches Bitcoin Course Placing King Crypto At The Intersection Of Energy, Technology, And Anthropology

The Federal Communications Commission or FCC has temporarily authorized&nbsp;Elon Musk-led SpaceX&nbsp;and&nbsp;T-Mobile U.S. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>)&nbsp;to provide direct-to-cell service via Starlink satellites in areas <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/41105907/hurricane-helene-shutters-baxter-internationals-key-manufacturing-hub-in-north-caro">impacted by Hurricane Helene</a>.
What Happened: Over the weekend, SpaceX&#8217;s official handle on X, formerly Twitter, said that the Starlink satellites have started transmitting emergency alerts to all mobile networks in North Carolina.
The company also said that SpaceX and T-Mobile are contemplating the trial of basic texting capabilities for most mobile&nbsp;phones on the T-Mobile network&nbsp;in the same state.
Moreover, due to the partial deployment of SpaceX&#8217;s direct-to-cell constellation, all services will be offered&nbsp;on a best-effort basis.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41084112/mark-zuckerberg-says-orion-is-probably-going-to-be-the-next-major-platform-after-phones-metas-new-ar?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg Says, Orion &#8216;Is Probably Going To Be The Next Major Platform After Phones&#8217; — Meta&#8217;s New AR Wearables Real-Life Tony Stark Glasses In The Making?</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We remain committed to helping with recovery efforts in states affected by Hurricane Helene. We stand ready to do all that is necessary to return connectivity to hard-hit areas and save lives. <a href="https://t.co/i8psUSg9yF">https://t.co/i8psUSg9yF</a>
&mdash; The FCC (@FCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCC/status/1843008045816926298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: The&nbsp;severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene resulted in widespread &#8220;blackout zones,&#8221; especially in North Carolina, severely disrupting communication in&nbsp;the southeast region of the&nbsp;U.S.
This approval comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41195370/elon-musk-said-his-blood-was-boiling-after-fema-allegedly-didnt-allow-spacex-engineers-to-deliver-st">SpaceX&#8217;s alleged struggle</a>&nbsp;to deliver Starlink terminals and supplies to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina.
Musk had previously expressed his frustration over FEMA&#8217;s alleged refusal to allow SpaceX engineers to assist in the relief efforts.
However, the situation took a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41199978/mark-cuban-highlights-friendly-exchange-between-elon-musk-and-pete-buttigieg-on-spacex-hurricane-hel">positive turn when</a>&nbsp;Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg expedited approval&nbsp;for support flights. This move has paved the way for SpaceX and T-Mobile to provide communication services in the hurricane-hit areas.
SpaceX and T-Mobile launched their first <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/08/28643154/musks-spacex-collaborates-with-t-mobile-to-put-an-end-to-cell-phone-dead-zones">direct-to-cell satellites in January</a>, despite opposition from companies like AT&amp;T and Verizon, who voiced concerns to the FCC about potential interference with their cellular networks.
Photo by Fedor Selivanov on Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

TMUS

SpaceX And T-Mobile's Direct-To-Cell Satellite Service For Hurricane-Hit Areas Green Lighted By FCC: 'Already Been Enabled And Started Broadcasting Emergency Alerts To Cell Phones On All Networks'

ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood painted a bullish picture for Tesla Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) future in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41198872/teslas-we-robot-event-will-likely-feature-robotaxi-25k-ev-and-optimus-updates-says-">autonomous vehicle market</a>, while also sharing insights on the booming artificial intelligence sector and the potential for companies like OpenAI to go public.
What Happened: Wood, known for her optimistic tech forecasts and her company&#8217;s flagship ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>), sees a &#8220;winner-takes-most&#8221; scenario unfolding in the autonomous driving space. Wood in an <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/video/cathie-wood-talks-openai-investment-222429812.html">interview</a> with Yahoo Finance predicts this could translate into a staggering &#8220;trillion-dollar-plus revenue opportunity for Tesla in the next five years.&#8221;
&#8220;The company that gets people from point A to point B the fastest, safest, and with the least wait time is going to dominate the market,&#8221; Wood explained, emphasizing the high stakes in the race for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41184957/ahead-of-tesla-robotaxi-event-alphabets-waymo-partners-with-hyundai-for-autonomous-taxi-expansion">autonomous technology supremacy</a>.
Her comments come as OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, raised $6.6 billion in a recent funding round, achieving a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41149788/openai-valuation-soars-to-157b-in-latest-funding-round">valuation of approximately $157 billion</a>. ARK Invest has been among the firms investing in OpenAI, signaling Wood&#8217;s broader bet on the AI sector.
Wood identified OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, Alphabet Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Google, and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) as companies &#8220;stealing the march&#8221; in the AI space. 
She expressed optimism about the development of agentic AI, which she believes will pave the way for increased profitability as companies can charge premium rates for more advanced AI capabilities.
Tesla&#8217;s "We, Robot" event&nbsp;is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41198872/teslas-we-robot-event-will-likely-feature-robotaxi-25k-ev-and-optimus-updates-says-">scheduled for Thursday at 10 p.m. EDT</a>, with investors hoping that the event will give a lift to the stock.&nbsp;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41195370/elon-musk-said-his-blood-was-boiling-after-fema-allegedly-didnt-allow-spacex-engineers-to-deliver-st?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Said His Blood Was &#8216;Boiling&#8217; After FEMA Allegedly Didn&#8217;t Allow SpaceX Engineers To Deliver Starlink Terminals And Supplies To Hurricane Helene Victims, But Now They&#8217;ve Received Approval</a>
Why It Matters:&nbsp;Addressing concerns about OpenAI&#8217;s recent executive departures, Wood praised the leadership of CEO Sam Altman and CFO Sarah Friar. She noted that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41078848/openai-execs-feared-chatgpt-parent-would-collapse-after-departure-of-ilya-sutskever-tried-to-woo-him">rapid growth often necessitates management changes</a>, stating, &#8220;What we witness in companies that are growing very quickly from startup into scaling is you need a different kind of management team.&#8221;
On the topic of AI companies potentially going public, Wood observed a trend of firms staying private longer. She cited regulatory burdens and short-term investor mindsets in public markets as deterrents. However, she suggested that lower interest rates and increased investor patience for long-term strategies could make public offerings more attractive in the future.
Turning back to Tesla, Wood addressed the company&#8217;s long-promised autonomous driving capabilities. &#8220;It&#8217;s no longer a question of if, but when, for Tesla,&#8221; she said, pointing to Google-owned Waymo&#8217;s progress as evidence that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41184957/ahead-of-tesla-robotaxi-event-alphabets-waymo-partners-with-hyundai-for-autonomous-taxi-expansion">autonomous driving is becoming a reality</a>.
Wood&#8217;s firm has published a model on its website and GitHub, allowing investors to explore various scenarios for the autonomous vehicle market&#8217;s growth. According to their research, the platform opportunity for companies hosting autonomous networks could represent a &#8220;$4 to $5 trillion revenue opportunity over the next 5 to 10 years.&#8221;
The ARK Venture Fund agreed to invest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/10/41156606/cathie-wood-led-ark-venture-fund-agrees-to-invest-at-least-250m-in-openais-historic-funding-round-ch">at least $250 million</a> in OpenAI&#8217;s historic funding round. This investment marks ARK&#8217;s second in the AI firm, which has been pivotal in the generative AI space since launching ChatGPT.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41177884/mark-cuban-an-ardent-kamala-harris-supporter-isnt-keen-on-elizabeth-warren-as-he-is-on-her?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban, An Ardent Kamala Harris Supporter, Isn&#8217;t Keen On Elizabeth Warren As He Is On Her Pro-Crypto GOP Rival: Here&#8217;s Why</a></li>
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Image via Ark Invest
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

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TSLA

Cathie Wood Predicts Trillion Dollar Revenue Opportunity For Tesla In Autonomous Vehicles: 'Winner-Takes-Most' In AI And Driving Tech

September proved to be an unseasonably strong month for the market, with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41113340/us-stocks-set-for-shaky-start-ahead-of-jolts-data-nike-earnings-strategist-says-these-3-structural-">S&amp;P 500, a measure of broader market performance, ending the month up 2.02%. </a>Trading volume on full-range brokerage services provider Charles Schwab Corporation&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHW#NYSE">SCHW</a>) platforms, however, dipped.
What Happened: The Schwab Trading Activity Index, or STAX, fell from 53.15 in August to 47.10 in September, a release from the Charles Schwab on Monday showed. The STAX is calculated using a sampling method, drawing data from the firm&#8217;s client base of millions of funded accounts, including those accounts that completed a trade in the month.
The index indicates what traders were doing and how they were positioned in the market that month.
The September reading of 47.10 would rank as a &#8220;moderate low&#8221; compared to historical averages, the firm said.
What Drove Trading Action: Investor actions were either proactive or reactive as they positioned themselves for a slew of economic data that dropped during the month. &#8220;In September there was no shortage of market-affecting economic data, and Schwab's clients responded in kind by de-risking and taking profit opportunities," said Joe Mazzola, Head Trading &amp; Derivatives Strategist at Charles Schwab.
The market has factored in an aggressive Federal Reserve and Charles Schwab&#8217;s clients were largely optimistic about the economic activity. 
The firm highlighted the divergence between the market performance and the STAX score, calling it one of the biggest divergences in the history of its analysis. &#8220;The extent of the rate cut in September caught many by surprise and, taken in combination with all the other economic data swirling during the month, it make sense that clients pulled back a bit even as the markets soared,&#8221; it said.
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), an exchange-traded fund that tracks the S&amp;P 500 Index started September on a negative note but bottomed at $547.71 (intraday) on Sept. 9 and at $538.71 (closing) on Sept. 6. The ETF rebounded thereafter and closed the month at an all-time high of $573.76. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="446" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06220301/image-2-12-1024x446.png" alt="" class="wp-image-582402" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06220301/image-2-12-1024x446.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06220301/image-2-12-300x131.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06220301/image-2-12-768x335.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06220301/image-2-12-1536x670.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06220301/image-2-12.png 1915w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Source: Benzinga Pro data
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-value-stocks">Best Value Stocks </a>
The S&amp;P 500 and the Dow Industrials also clocked record highs in the final session of September, as they ended at 5,762.48 and 42,330.15, respectively. On an intraday basis, these two indices scored records of 5,767.37 on Sept. 26 and 42,628.32 on Sept. 27.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index ended September at 18,189.17, marking a 2-1/2 high month but shy off its all-time closing high of 18,647.45 (July 10). The index&#8217;s intra-high is 18,671.07 (July 11).
Stock Statistics: Early movers into artificial intelligence and a beaten-down chip stock were among the popular names bought by Charles Schwab&#8217;s clients. On the other hand, the firm&#8217;s clients were net sellers of some high-profile tech stocks, a telecom company and a couple of China-based companies.
<ul>
<li>Stocks In Favor
<ul>
<li>Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)</li>
<li>Palantir Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>)</li>
<li>Intel Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NYSE">INTC</a>)</li>
<li>Alphabet, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)</li>
<li>Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Stocks Out Of Favor
<ul>
<li>Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)</li>
<li>Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>)</li>
<li>Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>)</li>
<li>AT&amp;T, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>)</li>
<li>Nio, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Underperforming chip stock Intel found some bounce in September amid rumors concerning a stake sale and spin-off. The stock ended September up over 6%. The interest in Palantir does not come as a surprise given the kind of retail interest and the company&#8217;s inclusion in the S&amp;P 500 Index.
Interestingly, Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), which has been a high-flier in October, does not feature in the top six most-bought list of Charles Schwab.
Although traders were net sellers of Alibaba and Nio in September, these two stocks have been on fire since China announced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41182930/china-was-tipping-into-a-japan-style-lost-decade-of-deflation-and-stagnation-before-late-septemb">stimulus measures announced in late-September. </a>
The SPY ended Friday&#8217;s session up 0.91% at 572.98, according to<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174"> Benzinga Pro data.</a>
Image via Flickr
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MSFT

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SCHW

Schwab Trading Activity Falls In September Despite Market Strength: Nvidia, Palantir Among Most Sought-After Stocks But These 5 Fell Out Of Favor

Memecoins erupted Sunday, with major coins topping the daily cryptocurrency gainers list.
What happened: Dog-themed token dogwifhat soared more than 16%, becoming the second-best performing cryptocurrency in the last 24 hours. The Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based coin spiked to its highest level since July 23, witnessing a significant 75% jump in trading volume.
Cat-themed Popcat followed suit, gaining more than 15% to set a new all-time high. The cryptocurrency surged more than 40% in the last week and has been the market&#8217;s top gainer this year, with a staggering 15398% increase.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 10:45 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>dogwifhat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>)</td>
<td>+16.82%</td>
<td>$2.66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popcat (POPCAT)</td>
<td>+15.61%</td>
<td>$1.41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bonk (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">BONK</a>)</td>
<td>+12.79%</td>
<td>$0.00002323</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Yet another Solana-based memecoin, Bonk, rose 12.79%, moving up to fifth place among top market performers.
Blue-chip coins like Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) surged 4.47% and 6.63%, respectively, as the overall meme coin market capitalization spiked more than 9% in the last 24 hours.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41199931/shiba-inus-shytoshi-kusama-calls-this-nation-crypto-capital-after-it-makes-digital-asset-t">Shiba Inu&#8217;s Shytoshi Kusama Calls This Nation &#8216;Crypto Capital&#8217; After It Makes Digital Asset Transactions Tax Free</a>
Why It Matters: The jump followed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41199806/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-spike-as-market-stays-upbeat-after-better-than-expected-jobs-rep">a broader market rally</a> that saw bellwethers like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) make significant advances overnight.&nbsp;
The optimism could be attributable to Friday&#8217;s better-than-expected jobs report, indicating a healthy economy and allaying fears of a recession. 
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41195876/michael-saylor-once-said-bitcoins-days-are-numbered-now-he-holds-more-than-a-billion-worth">Michael Saylor Once Said &#8216;Bitcoin&#8217;s Days Are Numbered.&#8217; Now He Holds More Than A Billion Worth Of King Crypto: Here&#8217;s What Changed For One Of Crypto&#8217;s Biggest Advocates</a></li>
</ul>

Movers

$BONK

$DOGE

$ETH

$SHIB

$SOL

$WIF

Popcat, Dogwifhat Chart Toppers In Memecoin Tsunami; Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Rise As Broader Sentiment Improves

In a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/04/38346345/chinese-hackers-may-control-your-water-and-are-laying-in-wait-fbi-warns-3-startups-to-watch">cyberattack linked to the</a> Chinese government, major U.S. broadband providers have reportedly been breached, potentially compromising systems used for court-authorized wiretapping requests.
What Happened: The hackers, known as Salt Typhoon, may have had access to these networks for months, posing a significant national security risk. The breach also extended to other sections of internet traffic, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/cybersecurity/u-s-wiretap-systems-targeted-in-china-linked-hack-327fc63b">reported</a> The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.
AT&amp;T&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>),&nbsp;Verizon Communications&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>), and&nbsp;Lumen Technologies&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUMN#NYSE">LUMN</a>)&nbsp;are among the companies whose&nbsp;networks were compromised in this intrusion.
The attack,&nbsp;considered a potentially catastrophic security&nbsp;breach, was primarily aimed at intelligence collection. The extent of the breach and the amount of data observed and exfiltrated by the hackers is still under investigation.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41181916/mark-cuban-offers-to-help-elon-musk-boost-x-revenue-says-tesla-ceo-is-concerned-about-declining-user?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Offers To Help Elon Musk Boost X Revenue, Says Tesla CEO Is Concerned About Declining Users: &#8216;I Wish He Would Call Me&#8217;</a>
The surveillance systems in question are used to comply with requests for domestic information in connection with criminal and national security investigations, the report noted.
Federal law mandates that telecommunications and broadband companies grant authorities access to intercept electronic data through court orders.
An individual with knowledge of the attack stated that the U.S. government views the breaches as highly significant and concerning from a historical perspective.
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Why It Matters: This cyberattack is the latest in a series of breaches linked to Chinese hackers. In April earlier this year,&nbsp;FBI Director Christopher Wray warned&nbsp;of China-linked hackers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38330156/fbi-chief-warns-xi-jinpings-ccp-linked-chinese-hackers-are-planning-to-physically-wreak-havoc-on-us">infiltrating U.S. critical infrastructure</a>, including telecommunications, energy, and water sectors.
In May, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38659657/major-hacking-incident-exposes-data-of-military-personnel-in-uk-ministry-of-defence-breach-is-china">U.K. Ministry of Defence suffered a major data breach</a>, with the sensitive details of active military personnel compromised. The Chinese state was suspected to be behind the cyberattack.
By August, concerns about the security of the upcoming elections rose after&nbsp;Donald Trump's presidential campaign fell victim to a cyberattack, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40305575/after-trump-campaign-blames-foreign-sources-hostile-to-the-us-for-cyberattack-ex-white-house-officia">foreign sources hostile to the U.S.</a> blamed for the intrusion.
The Salt Typhoon group, active since 2020, is a China-based nation-state hacking group focusing&nbsp;on espionage and data theft,&nbsp;particularly capturing network traffic.&nbsp;
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) is currently investigating the Salt Typhoon intrusion along with other cybersecurity companies.
Image via Unsplash
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41084112/mark-zuckerberg-says-orion-is-probably-going-to-be-the-next-major-platform-after-phones-metas-new-ar?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg Says, Orion &#8216;Is Probably Going To Be The Next Major Platform After Phones&#8217; — Meta&#8217;s New AR Wearables Real-Life Tony Stark Glasses In The Making?</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

LUMN

Chinese Hackers Breach AT&T, Verizon Networks In Major Wiretap Data Theft Putting US National Security At Risk: Report

Mark Cuban, the renowned entrepreneur, recently <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1842350122899739050">shared</a> an exchange between Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
What Happened: On a Thursday, Cuban shared the post that saw Musk express his appreciation for Secretary Buttigieg&#8217;s swift action. Musk said, &#8220;Thanks for expediting approval for support flights. Just wanted to note that Sec Buttigieg is on the ball.&#8221; 
Secretary Buttigieg responded, &#8220;Glad we could address —thanks for engaging.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Glad we could address —thanks for engaging.
&mdash; Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretaryPete/status/1842351494646886882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41176745/drivers-cannot-be-penalized-for-cannabis-use-if-theyre-not-impaired-arizona-court-rules?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drivers Cannot Be Penalized For Cannabis Use If They&#8217;re Not Impaired, Arizona Court Rules</a>
Why It Matters: This exchange comes in the wake of a series of events involving SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and its efforts to provide aid to areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Musk had previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41195370/elon-musk-said-his-blood-was-boiling-after-fema-allegedly-didnt-allow-spacex-engineers-to-deliver-st">expressed his frustration</a> with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for allegedly preventing SpaceX engineers from delivering Starlink terminals and supplies to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina.
Buttigieg <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41195165/pete-buttigieg-and-elon-musk-clash-over-hurricane-aid-flight-claims">pushed back</a> against Musk&#8217;s claims that the FAA was obstructing rescue flights for Hurricane Helene relief. Musk had criticized the government&#8217;s response, but after a private conversation, he thanked Buttigieg and expressed hopes for resolving the issue.
Former President Donald Trump had also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41110218/trump-says-he-spoke-with-elon-musk-for-starlink-deployment-to-aid-hurricane-helene-affected-areas-bu">claimed credit</a> for the deployment of Starlink satellites to aid communication restoration in the hurricane-affected areas, a claim that was contradicted by FEMA.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Politics

General

Mark Cuban Highlights Friendly Exchange Between Elon Musk And Pete Buttigieg On SpaceX Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts: 'Glad We Could Address'

The United States may have reached a turning point in its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41137681/eli-lilly-nears-first-trillion-pharma-title-but-investors-caution-amid-sky-high-valuation?itm_source=parsely-api">decades-long battle against obesity</a>. Recent data suggests that 2020 could mark the year when obesity rates in America not only peaked but began to decline, echoing the historic moment in 1963 when cigarette sales in the U.S. hit their apex before falling.
What Happened:&nbsp;Renowned economist Justin Wolfers highlighted this significant shift on social media platform X, stating, &#8220;From the Department of Things Really Are Getting Better: The U.S. obesity rate may have peaked, and for the first time in a long time, it fell last year.&#8221; Wolfers attributes this change to new weight loss drugs, adding, &#8220;Chalk up another one to progress.&#8221;
John Burn-Murdoch, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/21bd0b9c-a3c4-4c7c-bc6e-7bb6c3556a56">writing</a> an opinion piece for the Financial Times, suggests that one in eight U.S. adults have used these drugs, with 6% currently taking them.
The potential catalyst for this unprecedented decline? A new generation of diabetes and weight loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications, which have shown remarkable results in clinical trials, are now being used by a significant portion of the U.S. population. 
As the U.S. leads this potential obesity decline, other countries are likely to follow suit. In Denmark, home to Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), the creator of Ozempic and Wegovy, 3% of adults were using these drugs by the end of 2023, coinciding with a slowdown in obesity rate increases.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">From the Department of Things Really Are Getting Better: The U.S. obesity rate may have peaked, and for the first time in a long time, it fell last year. And yes, it&#39;s the new weight loss drugs, which really work. Chalk up another one to progress.<a href="https://t.co/jFxoPNYsIW">https://t.co/jFxoPNYsIW</a> <a href="https://t.co/icLjvfR57u">pic.twitter.com/icLjvfR57u</a>
&mdash; Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinWolfers/status/1842554331767431512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41137681/eli-lilly-nears-first-trillion-pharma-title-but-investors-caution-amid-sky-high-valuation?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eli Lilly Nears First Trillion Dollar Pharma Title, But Investors Caution Amid Sky-High Valuation</a>
Why It Matters: The decline in obesity rates is significant in the context of recent developments in the pharmaceutical industry. Roche Holdings AG (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHHBY#OTC">RHHBY</a>) has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/09/41097630/roche-fast-tracks-obesity-drug-development-eyes-over-3b-sales-potential">fast-tracked its obesity drug development</a>, aiming for over $3 billion in sales potential. This move underscores the growing market for effective weight loss treatments.
Additionally, Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) is exploring broader <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41118751/eli-lilly-eyes-new-trials-for-weight-loss-drugs-in-non-obese-patients">applications for its weight-loss drugs</a>, Mounjaro and Zepbound, targeting individuals with a lower BMI. 
Despite the promising results, a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41168351/popular-weight-loss-drugs-like-ozempic-show-gap-between-clinical-trial-promises-and-real-world-us">recent study</a> reveals a gap between clinical trial promises and real-world outcomes for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. 
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Image Via Shutterstock 
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

Health Care

RHHBY

Economist Justin Wolfers Points To Obesity Rate Decline As Ozempic And Wegovy Spur Historic Shift In Fight Against Obesity — Has US Reached A Turning Point?

Shytoshi Kusama, the mysterious lead developer at the helm of the Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) ecosystem, praised the UAE administration for exempting cryptocurrency transactions from value-added tax (VAT).
What happened: In an X post on Sunday, Kusama responded to news of the exemption with a GIF of Vegeta, a character in the popular anime series Dragon Ball. The pseudonymous personality dubbed the UAE the "cryptocurrency capital."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cryptocapital?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cryptocapital</a> <a href="https://t.co/DEYRzhrizZ">https://t.co/DEYRzhrizZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/xtT7Uw8OzE">pic.twitter.com/xtT7Uw8OzE</a>
&mdash; Shytoshi Kusama&#x2122; (@ShytoshiKusama) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShytoshiKusama/status/1842946614773862591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Last week, the UAE&#8217;s Federal Tax Authority amended the country&#8217;s VAT laws, which, according to accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), will <a href="https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/services/tax/me-tax-legal-news/2024/uae-vat-executive-regulation-amendments.html">eliminate </a>taxes on the transfer and conversion of virtual assets. 
Pwc added that the exemptions would be applied retroactively from Jan.1, 2018.
Note that the UAE does not levy federal-level income tax on individuals. However, it levies a 5 % value-added tax on the purchase of goods and services.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41172369/bitcoin-not-a-safe-haven-but-rising-trump-odds-could-fuel-a-rally-standard-chartered">Bitcoin &#8216;Not A Safe Haven&#8217; But Rising Trump Odds Could Fuel A Rally: Standard Chartered</a>
Why It Matters: The exemption was the latest in a series of active steps taken by the UAE administration to pitch the country as a cryptocurrency-friendly destination.
Earlier this year, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bnb/usd">BNB</a>) secured a full regulatory license in Dubai, paving the way for the juggernaut to offer virtual asset-related services to a broader range of customers.&nbsp;
Last week, Ripple Labs (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41125099/ripple-receives-dubai-approval-for-blockchain-payment-services">got an in-principle approval</a> to offer blockchain-enabled payment services from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Interestingly, Kusama has been i<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39176549/shiba-inu-lead-developer-shytoshi-kusama-ignites-excitement-with-cryptic-middle-east-post-">mpressed by the UAE&#8217;s cryptocurrency landscape</a> in the past and expressed admiration for the culture and his connections there.
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$BNB

$XRP

Shiba Inu's Shytoshi Kusama Calls This Nation 'Crypto Capital' After It Makes Digital Asset Transactions Tax Free

John Bolton, former National Security Advisor during the Donald Trump administration, has stressed that a regime change in Iran is crucial for peace in the Middle East in a recent column in The Telegraph.
What Happened: Bolton criticized the attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas, instigated by Iran, on October 7, 2023, as acts of terrorism. He also condemned the Western media and think-tanks for denying Iran&#8217;s central role in the attacks. Bolton further highlighted that Iran&#8217;s barrage of over 180 ballistic missiles against Israel on October 1, 2024, indicated that civilian Iranian officials were not part of the decision-making process, reported The Telegraph.
Bolton also shared his opinion piece on X saying that what Hamas did to innocent Israeli civilians on October 7 is infamous for its &#8220;outright barbarity and savagery.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">What Hamas did to innocent Israeli civilians on October 7th and every day after is infamous for its outright barbarity and savagery. It&#39;s the very definition of terrorism. Sadly, one year later, many Westerners still fail to grasp the full implications of the Iran-Hamas…
&mdash; John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton/status/1843046524252491846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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He criticized the failure of Israeli and other intelligence agencies to uncover an Iran-to-Hamas &#8220;execute order.&#8221; He concluded his piece by expressing hope that Israel&#8217;s next move would encourage the people of Iran to overthrow Tehran&#8217;s mullahs, stating that the only durable outcome for Iran is ousting the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
&#8220;We can only wish Jerusalem the best, hoping it encourages the people of Iran to take their fate into their hands, beginning the overthrow of Tehran's mullahs,&#8221; wrote Bolton.
&#8220;Whatever Israel does now, the only durable outcome for Iran is ousting the Islamic Revolution of 1979.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41177884/mark-cuban-an-ardent-kamala-harris-supporter-isnt-keen-on-elizabeth-warren-as-he-is-on-her?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban, An Ardent Kamala Harris Supporter, Isn&#8217;t Keen On Elizabeth Warren As He Is On Her Pro-Crypto GOP Rival: Here&#8217;s Why</a>
Why It Matters: The Middle East has been a hotspot of escalating tensions. On October 1, 2024, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/10/41126038/iran-attacks-israel-with-missiles-middle-east-tensions-escalates-s-p-500-stocks-bitcoin-fall-as-oil">Iran launched a missile attack against Israel</a> following the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. 
This led to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41133292/netanyahu-promises-retaliation-for-missile-attack-on-israel-iran-responds-by-promising-vast-destruct">promising retaliation</a> against Iran, which in turn warned of "vast destruction" if Israel retaliated.
Amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, Donald Trump proposed that Israel <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41196317/trump-urges-israel-to-target-iran-nuke-sites-hit-nuclear-first-and-worry-about-the-rest-later">should focus on Iran's nuclear facilities</a>. His statements were made at a town hall gathering in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Trump-Era NSA John Bolton Calls For Regime Change In Iran: Hope Israel's Actions Are Beginning Of The 'Overthrow Of Tehran's Mullahs'

A Russian YouTuber is said to have tested Apple Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) unannounced M4 MacBook Pro, which is anticipated to be launched in November.
What Happened: Over the weekend, Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman took to X, formerly Twitter, and shared this unboxing video of the M4 MacBook Pro by Russian YouTuber Wylsacom.
The video, posted on the same day, suggests that the M4 MacBook Pro comes with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. 
It also includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SD card slot, and MagSafe. The M4 chip reportedly has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, a step up from the M3 chip&#8217;s 8-core CPU design.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41156902/elon-musk-says-openai-is-evil-after-chatgpt-parent-reportedly-asked-investors-not-to-invest-in-rival?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Says &#8216;OpenAI Is Evil&#8217; After ChatGPT-Parent Reportedly Asked Investors Not To Invest In Rivals, Including xAI: Ark&#8217;s Cathie Wood Says It&#8217;s &#8216;Not True&#8217;</a>
While sharing the video Gurman noted, &#8220;We've seen prototypes leak early but never a full retail Apple device weeks in advance.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Unconfirmed but looks fairly legitimate: a Russian YouTube channel claims to have the yet to be announced M4 MacBook Pro and gave it a full unboxing and hands-on. We've seen prototypes leak early but never a full retail Apple device weeks in advance. <a href="https://t.co/LYrt68ZmEn">https://t.co/LYrt68ZmEn</a>
&mdash; Mark Gurman (@markgurman) <a href="https://twitter.com/markgurman/status/1843042812599972303?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The YouTuber also performed a Geekbench test, possibly offering the first look at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38211401/apple-in-ai-arms-race-looks-to-revamp-lagging-mac-sales-report">the M4 chip&#8217;s performance</a>. The results on Geekbench&#8217;s website identify the machine as &#8220;Mac 16,1.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The "Mac 16,1" label the machine registers as on Geekbench is legitimate and does represent an M4 Mac. But those can be easily guessed. <a href="https://t.co/ivDKyOJNcd">https://t.co/ivDKyOJNcd</a>
&mdash; Mark Gurman (@markgurman) <a href="https://twitter.com/markgurman/status/1843045208046665735?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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ShrimpApplePro, a reliable source for Apple leaks, also shared some images and said that the device is real and is reportedly on sale in a &#8220;private Facebook group.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">More photos of it confirmed it's real. Apparently it is on sale in a private Facebook group lmao <a href="https://t.co/eSoXY5NHg9">https://t.co/eSoXY5NHg9</a> <a href="https://t.co/lxW9rbilSE">pic.twitter.com/lxW9rbilSE</a>
&mdash; ShrimpApplePro &#x1f364; ずっと真夜中でいいのに (@VNchocoTaco) <a href="https://twitter.com/VNchocoTaco/status/1840807198223712347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Apple did not immediately respond to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment.
Why It Matters: Apple is expected to announce its first M4 Macs on Nov. 1, said Gurman in his latest weekly &#8220;Power On&#8221; newsletter.
Apple&#8217;s upcoming product lineup is expected to include: a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip, higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Pro and M4 Max.
 There&#8217;s also a refreshed iMac with M4, a revamped Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro, and a new iPad mini.
In the first half of 2025, Apple could release 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs with M4, a new iPhone SE, 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Airs, new Magic Keyboards for iPad Air, and a refreshed AirTag.
Mac Studio and Mac Pro models with M4 chips are also in development, with the former expected mid-year and Mac Pro later in 2025.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

AAPL

Unreleased M4 MacBook Pro Shown Off By Russian YouTuber: 'We've Seen Prototypes Leak Early But Never A Full Retail Apple Device Weeks In Advance,' Says Expert

Leading cryptocurrencies rallied Sunday overnight as investors remained optimistic following a healthy employment report.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:45 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+2.51%</td>
<td>$63,448.35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+3.17%</td>
<td>$2,485.32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+3.53%</td>
<td>$0.113</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin steadily inched upward throughout the day, before a sharp breakout to nearly $64,000 late evening. The world&#8217;s largest cryptocurrency attempted to recover from last week&#8217;s losses, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41172781/oil-prices-rally-biden-confirms-us-discussions-with-israel-about-striking-iran-facilities">exacerbated by geopolitical tensions</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The late-hour surge also saw Ethereum spike to $2,490, up from a loss of more than 5% the previous week.
Total cryptocurrency liquidations hit nearly $112 million in the last 24 hours, with downside bets getting the most affected.
Bitcoin's Open Interest soared 5.83% in the last 24 hours, indicating a sharp surge in speculative interest for the leading cryptocurrency.&nbsp;
The Cryptocurrency Fear &amp; Greed entered the "Neutral" zone after languishing in "Fear" last week.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:45 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popcat (POPCAT)</td>
<td>+18.22%</td>
<td>$1.44</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>dogwifhat (WIF)</td>
<td>+16.52%</td>
<td>$2.60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BIttensor (TAO)</td>
<td>+15.41%</td>
<td>$645.02</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency stood at $2.2 trillion, following an increase of 2.35% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures were little changed overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures fell 6 points, or 0.01%, as of 8:50 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 were down 0.06%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures lost 0.1%.
Major averages ended last week on a high after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/10/41184080/us-economy-adds-254-000-new-jobs-in-september-smashes-expectations-unemployment-f">healthy labor market signs emerged from the September jobs report</a> released Friday. Nonfarm payrolls rose from 159,000 in August to 254,000 in September, bettering economists' forecasts.
This week, investors would watch for the minutes of FOMC from September's policy meeting, due for release on Wednesday, and the Consumer Price Index data, slated for Thursday.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Widely-followed cryptocurrency analyst Kyle Chassé attributed Bitcoin's latest rally to whale demand, noting a sharp surge in accumulation by wealthy investors.
"This is proof of demand. We know the supply is starting to dwindle. This is how it starts," the analyst stated.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">NEW WHALES SPIKE <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> DEMAND There has been a sharp increase in new whales accumulating <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a>. THIS IS PROOF OF DEMAND WE KNOW THE SUPPLY IS STARTING TO DWINDLE. THIS IS HOW IT STARTS! <a href="https://t.co/xafTBXSw2d">pic.twitter.com/xafTBXSw2d</a>
&mdash; Kyle Chassé / DD&#x1f438; (@kyle_chasse) <a href="https://twitter.com/kyle_chasse/status/1843070841099305255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Another noted cryptocurrency researcher, 0xNobler, drew attention to the historical tendency of a Bitcoin bull run in October.
"The next target for $BTC is ~$260,000 and many altcoins will follow the lead. Every $100 today = $10,000 in Q1 2025," the analyst predicted.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Historically, every major Bull Run started in October &#x1f525; The next target for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> is ~$260,000 and many alts will follow the lead. Every $100 today = $10,000 in Q1 2025. Here are 10 lowcaps that will 50-100x this cycle&#x1f447;&#x1f9f5; <a href="https://t.co/VCyk6ZKsfi">pic.twitter.com/VCyk6ZKsfi</a>
&mdash; 0xNobler (@CryptoNobler) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoNobler/status/1843012311176691830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock
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Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Spike As Market Stays Upbeat After Better-Than-Expected Jobs Report: Analyst Says Every Bull Run Started In October — Will 2024 Follow The Trend?

Activist investor Starboard Value has invested approximately $1 billion in Pfizer Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>). This strategic move occurs as the pharmaceutical giant grapples with a downturn in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41112790/pfizer-divests-3-3b-stake-in-sensodyne-toothpaste-and-panadol-painkiller-maker-haleon">demand for its COVID-19 vaccines and treatments</a>.
What Happened: Starboard has engaged former Pfizer executives, Ian Read and Frank D'Amelio, to assist in revitalizing the company&#8217;s performance, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/health/pharma/activist-starboard-value-takes-1-billion-stake-in-pfizer-89591cb6?mod=breakingnews">reported</a>, citing people familiar with the matter.
Pfizer&#8217;s market value was approximately $162 billion as of Friday, with its shares having halved since their peak in late 2021. The company&#8217;s stock performance has been relatively stagnant this year, in contrast to the S&amp;P 500&#8217;s 21% rise. 
Under pressure from investors, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla is tasked with steering the company back on track after overestimating the demand for pandemic-related products. The company has also faced competition from lower-priced alternatives for key products like Eliquis and Xeljanz.
Starboard, led by Jeff Smith, is known for its active investments across various sectors, including technology and pharmaceuticals. The firm has previously engaged with companies like Salesforce and Bristol-Myers Squibb, showcasing its influence in corporate strategy and governance.
Pfizer and Starboard Value did not immediately respond to&nbsp;<a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a>'s request for comment.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41163698/grammy-nominated-rapper-logic-invested-6m-in-bitcoin-nearly-4-years-ago-this-is-how-much-h?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grammy-Nominated Rapper Logic Invested $6M In Bitcoin Nearly 4 Years Ago: This Is How Much His Stash Would Be Worth Today</a>
Why It Matters: Pfizer&#8217;s recent divestment of a $3.3 billion stake in Haleon, reducing its shareholding from 22.6% to 15%, indicates a strategic shift. This move comes as Pfizer remains Haleon&#8217;s l<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41112790/pfizer-divests-3-3b-stake-in-sensodyne-toothpaste-and-panadol-painkiller-maker-haleon">argest shareholder, despite the sale</a>. The company&#8217;s financial maneuvers are critical as it navigates the challenges posed by declining vaccine demand.
Starboard Value&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39785537/tinder-parent-match-group-soars-nearly-9-in-after-hours-trading-as-activist-hedge-fund-starboard">investment history</a>, such as its stake in Match Group and investment in Autodesk, highlights its strategy of pushing for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39349265/autocad-maker-autodesk-receives-500m-investment-from-starboard-value-activist-investor-demands-c">corporate changes to enhance value</a>. 
Price Action: Pfizer Inc. closed at $28.58 on Friday, up 0.85% for the day. In after-hours trading, the stock edged up 0.14%. Year to date, Pfizer&#8217;s stock has declined by 3.87%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Image Via Shutterstock 
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

Amid Pfizer's Struggles With Declining Demand For COVID-19 Treatments, Activist Investor Starboard Value Invests $1B In Pharma Giant: Report

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">New Polish And Portuguese Hemp Partnership</h3>
Hemp&amp;Health (WSE: HMP), a Polish medical cannabis company, agreed to acquire a 5% stake in the Portuguese company Hibisco Discreto, which owns the Voyager Genetics brand, <a href="https://businessofcannabis.com/polands-hemphealth-acquires-shares-in-portuguese-medical-marijuana-crossbreeding-and-genetics-company/">reported</a> Business of Cannabis. The shares were bought for €20,000 ($22,065).
Under the deal, Hemp&amp;Health, which is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has the option to acquire an additional 5% of the shares for the same price within six months following the date of the transaction.
Voyager Genetics focuses on researching innovative genetics, crossbreeding medical cannabis to create new strains, and collaborating with licensed pharmaceutical growers to supply clones to other licensees.
Meanwhile, the Polish Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS) recently revealed that 73.4% of Poles support the decriminalization of cannabis. Moreover, a significant rise in the demand for medicinal cannabis has been evidenced over the past few years.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="970" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/04121337/ccc-oct-24-banner__1_-10.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-581221" /></a></figure>
In 2019, only 2,909 cannabis prescriptions were issued, but this number rose to 276,807 in 2023, marking a 9,420% increase <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39435550/polands-medicinal-cannabis-boom-prescriptions-up-9-420-dispensation-up-13-942-in-just-4-years">over the period.</a>
Last month, Poland's Ministry of Health recently implemented stringent regulations on medical cannabis prescriptions, now requiring in-person consultations and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/09/40877465/poland-tightens-medical-cannabis-rules-bans-telehealth-prescriptions">sidelining teleconsultations.</a>
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/09/40693857/two-european-marijuana-companies-team-up-to-bring-cannabis-based-solutions-to-poland">Two European Marijuana Companies Team Up To Bring Cannabis-Based Solutions To Poland</a>
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<li>Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter <a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you're serious about the business, you can't afford to miss out.</li>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Greece's Big Cannabis Bust</h3>
Law enforcement agents in Greece eradicated over 8,300 illegally grown cannabis plants previously discovered on a corn farm in central parts of the country. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greek-police-destroy-more-than-8000-illegal-cannabis-plants-corn-farm-2024-10-04/">According</a> to Reuters, this was one of the largest seizures of cannabis in the Mediterranean nation.
Authorities removed approximately 1,300 plants and destroyed an additional 7,000, some reaching heights of 3.5 meters (138 inches). The larger plants were removed because their roots had become intertwined with corn.
The farm owner who was allegedly part of a criminal group, which planned to sell the weed for a profit of 15 million euros, was arrested for illegal cultivation and trafficking cannabis.
Early in 2024, adults with prescriptions finally <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/37311963/medical-marijuana-now-available-in-pharmacies-across-greece-first-patient-with-arthritis-feels-r">got access to medical marijuana in pharmacies,</a> some seven years after Greece legalized the plant for medicinal use.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">UK Scientific Research Org Gets Funding For Medical Cannabis Research</h3>
Scotland-based James Hutton Institute received £350,000 ($460,383) to undertake several advanced agricultural research projects.
Led by the UK independent scientific research organization, the project is focused on standardizing medical cannabis products to meet stringent pharmaceutical requirements, <a href="https://businessofcannabis.com/350k-funding-awarded-for-uk-medical-cannabis-study-to-optimize-pharmaceutical-grade-plants/">reported</a> Business of Cannabis.
Titled Exploiting Controlled Environments for the Development of Optimised Cannabis Sativa Phenotypes for Pharmaceutical Applications (or CE-CannPharm), the three-year project is from James Hutton Institute's Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC). 
It's one of three that are financed by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). 
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Cannabis

Government

Regulations

Eurozone

Cannabis In Europe: From Marijuana Busts To New Industry Partnerships, Here's What's New In Poland, Greece And UK

Elon Musk-founded PAC America has taken to X to rally support for constitutional rights, offering a financial incentive to those who refer signatories from swing states. The tech mogul amplified the message through his account, which has a 200 million strong following. 
What Happened: On Sunday, Musk shared a call to action, urging followers to sign a petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms. 
America PAC offered a $47 reward for each person referred to sign the petition, provided they reside in a swing state. The goal, according to Musk, is to gather one million signatures from voters in these key states which reflect support for &#8220;free speech &amp; right to bear arms.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Sign our petition to support the Constitution! Also earn $47 for every person you refer to sign the petition if they're in a swing state. Goal is to get 1M voters in swing states to show support for free speech &amp; right to bear arms. <a href="https://t.co/2cjdY7pnj9">https://t.co/2cjdY7pnj9</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1843011773567578166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
This move comes amidst scrutiny of Musk&#8217;s political action committee, America PAC, which has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40154553/elon-musk-backed-america-pac-under-scrutiny-for-voter-data-collection-in-michigan-after-tesla-ceo-de">under investigation</a> for its voter data collection activities in Michigan and other swing states. The PAC was established and funded by Musk to support former President Donald Trump.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41148843/much-wow-how-elon-musk-went-from-promising-to-eat-a-happy-meal-if-mcdonalds-adopts-dogecoi?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Much Wow! How Elon Musk Went From Promising To Eat A Happy Meal If McDonald&#8217;s Adopts Dogecoin To Promotin</a>
Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s recent post and the financial incentive offered may be seen as an attempt to rally support amidst ongoing criticism of his political affiliations. The tech CEO has been publicly endorsing Trump, even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41198624/elon-musk-urges-rally-crowd-vote-for-trump-to-save-democracy">appearing at a rally</a> in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he urged attendees to vote for the former president.
Musk has reportedly been secretly funding the conservative political group Building America's Future since 2022, with donations <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41156605/elon-musks-earlier-independent-status-in-doubt-as-reports-surface-of-donations-to-right-wing-group-t">amounting to millions</a>. This non-profit, which is not required to disclose its donors, has been critical of the Biden administration and progressive policies.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Elon Musk-Founded PAC Offers $47 For Every Successful Referral To Petition: 'Show Support For Free Speech & Right To Bear Arms' — Tech Mogul Reveals His Goal

As the 2024 Presidential Election draws near, former President Donald Trump has called for a &#8220;mandate&#8221; from the voters.
What Happened: Trump made this appeal during a rally in Juneau, Wisconsin on Sunday. He urged his supporters in this crucial battleground state and across the nation to turn out &#8220;in record numbers,&#8221; <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4918724-donald-trump-mandate-presidential-race/">reported</a> The Hill.
&#8220;We need a mandate in the vote, and we're going to get it,&#8221; said Trump.
Trump stressed the importance of a decisive victory, given the closely divided federal government. The Senate is currently held by the Democrats with a slim 51-49 majority, while the Republicans control the House by a narrow margin.
Nationwide polls and those in key swing states indicate a close race between Trump and Vice President Harris. The main Senate races, also closely contested, will determine the Senate&#8217;s composition.
Trump repeated his claim of receiving more votes in 2020 than any sitting president before, arguing that several issues, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Hamas's attack on Israel, and high inflation, would not have happened under his presidency.
Both Trump and Harris are hoping for a clear victory that would give them a mandate and help their party gain control of both houses of Congress, enabling them to more easily implement their legislative agenda.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41176745/drivers-cannot-be-penalized-for-cannabis-use-if-theyre-not-impaired-arizona-court-rules?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drivers Cannot Be Penalized For Cannabis Use If They&#8217;re Not Impaired, Arizona Court Rules</a>
Why It Matters: Recent polls suggest a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41196906/polls-suggest-this-candidate-holds-slim-lead-in-presidential-race-with-one-month-to-go">slim lead for Harris over Trump</a>. However, the race is extremely tight, with both candidates having a 49% chance of winning, as per <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41170754/donald-trump-is-now-level-with-kamala-harris-at-49-5-election-odds-after-september-rollerc">Polymarket data</a>. 
Election betting odds for the 2024 U.S. Presidential race show Donald Trump and Kamala Harris tied at 49.6% each, according to Polymarket. With over $1.18 billion in total trading volume, Trump slightly leads in trading activity.
Harris&#8217; chances in the 2024 Presidential election have improved, with The Economist giving her a 3 in 5 chance of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41080153/trump-vs-harris-this-candidate-skyrockets-in-election-forecast-poised-to-secure-victory-in-four-swin">winning the Electoral College</a>, compared to Trump's 2 in 5 odds. Harris is expected to win 281 Electoral College votes, boosted by gains in key swing states. Her rise in polls is attributed to her focus on healthcare, climate change, and social justice, despite continued criticism from Trump's campaign.
Image via Flickr
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Trump Says 'We Need A Mandate In The Vote, And We're Going To Get It' As 2024 Election Draws Near

Kevin O'Leary, known as &#8220;Mr. Wonderful&#8221; from Shark Tank, is famous for his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/09/41050230/hire-slowly-fire-quickly-says-kevin-oleary-shares-theres-a-lot-of-infighting-in-his-companies-but-he">sharp business skills and blunt attitude</a>. However, he has newfound respect for people who enter the political sphere.
In a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFCfU9cBIRA">interview</a>, O&#8217;Leary discussed political figures such as Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and explained why politics is a completely different challenge than business.
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While Kevin O'Leary doesn't shy away from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/41027068/kevin-oleary-says-we-need-answers-not-kumbaya-politics-takes-aim-at-harris-for-offering-no-real-">criticizing political policies</a>, especially when they threaten capitalism, he's got respect for people like Trump, AOC and Elizabeth Warren. "I have a lot of respect for them," O&#8217;Leary said. "Because I know what that&#8217;s like – it's brutal. It&#8217;s unbelievably brutal."
O&#8217;Leary, who once considered running for Prime Minister in Canada, quickly realized that politics is not for the weak. He admits that the political world is way tougher than most people think. &#8220;In politics, 50% of the population hate you, and some of them want to kill you,&#8221; he said. &#8220;That's the difference.&#8221;
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Politics takes criticism to a new level for someone like O'Leary, who's no stranger to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/09/40839130/were-looking-for-a-real-a-e-and-youre-in-kevin-oleary-on-how-he-got-his-infamous-shark-tank-role">being criticized for his blunt approach</a>. "In celebrity, some people don&#8217;t like you. In politics, 50% of the population hate you," O'Leary explained. And it&#8217;s not just disliking you – they'll try to undermine your every move.
O&#8217;Leary can&#8217;t help but admire politicians for their tenacity and hard work despite political differences. He understands that working in this field puts you under constant strain and that everything you say and do is scrutinized, attacked, or supported depending on the day and the audience. "You don't know it until you're in it, and then you realize, ‘Whoa, this is crazy.'"
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"Anybody thinking about doing that should really do some soul-searching about is this what I want to do," O'Leary said, acknowledging the toll politics takes on a person's life. And even though he said of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, &#8220;I don't like that guy,&#8221; he added, "You've got to respect the success he's had."
Recalling that he wasn&#8217;t ready for the political world, O&#8217;Leary remarks, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know what the hell I was thinking.&#8221; His wife&#8217;s response when he revealed his political aspirations was also less than thrilled: &#8220;Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind?" So, although he might be skilled in business, O&#8217;Leary saw that politics required a very different approach.
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Personal Finance

Kevin O'Leary Respects AOC and Elizabeth Warren. Says, 'Business Is Tough, But Politics? That's A Whole New Level Of Insanity'

In an analysis by The New York Times published over the weekend, Donald Trump&#8216;s speech patterns and cognitive abilities have shown a significant shift, prompting questions <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/23/10/35523531/donald-trump-keeps-attacking-joe-biden-for-being-too-old-for-office-but-old-age-is-starting-to-t">about the former president&#8217;s mental fitness</a>.
What Happened: Trump&#8217;s speeches have become longer, more negative, and less focused. The duration of his rally speeches has almost doubled since 2016, now averaging 82 minutes. 
The report also highlighted a 13% increase in the use of absolute terms such as &#8220;always&#8221; and &#8220;never,&#8221; which some experts interpret as a sign of advancing age.
Trump&#8217;s speeches now contain 32% more negative words than positive ones, a significant increase from 21% in 2016. Furthermore, his use of swear words has spiked by 69% compared to when he first ran for office. 
These trends could be indicative of disinhibition, a potential sign of cognitive change, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/06/us/politics/trump-speeches-age-cognitive-decline.html">reports</a> the Times.
At 78, Trump is the oldest major-party nominee for president in history. If he wins and completes another term, he would be the oldest president ever at 82 by the time he leaves office.
Despite these changes, Trump maintains that he has passed cognitive tests and dismisses any concerns about his mental fitness.
However, some individuals who have known him for years, such as former Trump ally Anthony Scaramucci, have noticed a change. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37054062/democrats-are-reportedly-worried-about-the-narrative-around-joe-bidens-memory-lapses">Democrats Are Reportedly Worried About The Narrative Around Joe Biden&#8217;s Memory Lapses</a>
&#8220;He&#8217;s not competing at the level he was competing at eight years ago, no question about it,&#8221; Scaramucci, who will be a headline speaker at Benzinga&#8217;s upcoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a> event on Nov. 19, said. &#8220;He&#8217;s lost a step. He&#8217;s lost an ability to put powerful sentences together.&#8221;
Trump&#8217;s campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, rejected suggestions that the former president has declined with age, describing him as &#8220;the strongest and most capable candidate.&#8221;
Why It Matters: The change in Trump&#8217;s speech patterns could potentially impact his political career, especially considering his age. The increase in negativity and use of absolute terms in his speeches may affect his public image and voter perception. 
Furthermore, the observations made by those who have known him for years could potentially influence public opinion. 
However, the dismissal of these concerns by Trump&#8217;s campaign communications director suggests that the campaign does not view these changes as a significant issue.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39874154/bidens-exit-from-presidential-race-sparks-massive-reactions-from-first-lady-gavin-newsom-marjorie-ta">Biden&#8217;s Exit From Presidential Race Sparks Massive Reactions From First Lady, Gavin Newsom, Marjorie Taylor Greene And More — Read The Reactions Here</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Trump's Rambling Speeches Spark Renewed Concerns About His Age

Kevin O&#8217;Leary, a prominent figure on &#8220;Shark Tank,&#8221; recently ignited a discussion on the balance between personal relationships and business pursuits.
What Happened: O&#8217;Leary suggested a student should prioritize his thriving business over his relationship, leading to a broader conversation on personal finance and relationships. 
O&#8217;Leary was instructing a class when a student expressed his struggle to choose between his software business and his fiancée. The business, run from his dorm room, was generating a remarkable $5 million in annual free cash flow.
According to the report <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shark-tank-kevin-oleary-personal-finance-dating-relationships-startups-college-2024-10">by</a> Business Insider, the student&#8217;s fiancée was frustrated due to his lack of time for her family, as he was constantly occupied with his business and academic commitments. O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s response was to challenge the student to consider which would be easier to replace: the fiancée or the business?
&#8220;My fiancée came to me today and said that she&#8217;s going to leave me,&#8221; the student said. She was upset because he wasn&#8217;t spending any time with her family and wasn&#8217;t free on weekends, he explained. &#8220;I just can&#8217;t because I&#8217;m so busy and I&#8217;ve got to keep my business going, I&#8217;ve got to graduate my degree. What do I do?&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41196871/kevin-oleary-says-port-automation-wont-hurt-wages">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says Port Automation Won&#8217;t Hurt Wages</a>
O&#8217;Leary said, &#8220;Wow. OK. I&#8217;m not Dr Phil, but let me give you some advice here: Which one is easier to replace: the girlfriend or the business?&#8221;
O&#8217;Leary further argued that if the student&#8217;s partner was not supportive of his entrepreneurial journey, she may not be the right person for him. He stressed that entrepreneurs should look for partners who comprehend and back their business pursuits.
He said the student had to ask himself that question as he was &#8220;making $5 million and every woman in this class now knows this. I&#8217;m going to guess that if you can&#8217;t work this out, you&#8217;re going to just do fine.&#8221;
&#8220;She&#8217;s not the right person if she&#8217;s not&nbsp;supportive&nbsp;of this journey you&#8217;re on. You&#8217;re obviously going to be wildly successful, you&#8217;re going to&nbsp;get somebody else,&#8221; O&#8217;Leary added. 
O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s advice sparked an extensive debate on personal values and time management. The &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; star also expressed an interest in the student&#8217;s future progress.
Why It Matters: O&#8217;Leary, also known as &#8220;Mr. Wonderful,&#8221; is renowned for his unforgettable advice on personal finance and relationships.
He has previously cautioned against merging finances in a relationship, lending money to family members, and postponing marriage and parenthood. 
His latest advice underscores the challenges entrepreneurs face in balancing their personal lives with their business ambitions, a topic that continues to be a point of contention.
Read Next
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This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Social Media

Psychology

Kevin O'Leary Told Student To Pick Business Over Fiancée: 'She's Easier To Replace'

Maye Musk, mother of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, is facing significant backlash over a social media post that appears to encourage voter fraud. The incident has led to widespread criticism and demands for an FBI investigation.
What Happened: The controversy was sparked over the weekend when Maye Musk suggested on X that her followers could commit voter fraud in the upcoming elections. Her post was in response to her son&#8217;s message, encouraging people to register to vote in Georgia.
The contentious post by Maye Musk read, "The Democrats have given us another option. You don't have to register to vote. On Election Day, have 10 fake names, go to 10 polling booths and vote 10 times. That's 100 votes, and it's not illegal. Maybe we should work the system too."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Democrats have given us another option. You don't have to register to vote. On Election Day, have 10 fake names, go to 10 polling booths and vote 10 times. That's 100 votes, and it's not illegal. Maybe we should work the system too. <a href="https://t.co/GZ5DlaoFPs">https://t.co/GZ5DlaoFPs</a>
&mdash; Maye Musk (@mayemusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/mayemusk/status/1842637728946544839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This is just Shameful! Elon Musk&#39;s mother is telling MAGA to commit VOTER FRAUD! &quot;Washington Post&quot; &quot;George Conway&quot; &quot;Musk and Trump&quot; Shame &quot;Watching Trump&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KamalaShowsUpForUs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KamalaShowsUpForUs</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpRally?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpRally</a> <a href="https://t.co/jQMNYwK1II">pic.twitter.com/jQMNYwK1II</a>
&mdash; BLACKS AGAINST TRUMP (@Mompreneur_of_3) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mompreneur_of_3/status/1842752319428898989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The post quickly gained traction, with numerous social media users accusing her of advocating illegal activity. Civil rights attorney Andrew C. Laufer responded to the post, stating, "That is illegal," and questioned the validity of Maye Musk&#8217;s claims.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/22/08/28661279/elon-musks-mother-maye-says-she-sleeps-in-a-garage-when-she-visits-him-1">Elon Musk&#8217;s Mom Says She Sleeps In His &#8216;Garage&#8217; When She Visits The Tesla CEO</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">That is illegal. Do you have any credible evidence Democrats are engaging in that practice?
&mdash; Andrew C Laufer, Esq (@lauferlaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/lauferlaw/status/1842722398518251575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">FBI and DOJ, if you&#39;re listening.
&mdash; Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) <a href="https://twitter.com/leftcoastbabe/status/1842732705504747686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Despite the controversy, Elon Musk, who has endorsed Donald Trump, has not publicly addressed his mother&#8217;s controversial post. This incident has further complicated his public image.
The call for voter registration in Georgia by Elon Musk was overshadowed by his mother&#8217;s contentious post, shifting the attention to a potentially illegal suggestion. 
The repercussions of Maye Musk's post are still developing, with the Musk family facing criticism for endorsing actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Why It Matters: The incident has raised serious questions about the influence of high-profile individuals on public discourse and the potential for misinformation to spread rapidly on social media platforms. 
The controversy also underscores the need for clear and accurate information about voting procedures and the legal consequences of voter fraud. 
The Musk family&#8217;s involvement in this controversy could have far-reaching implications for their public image and future endeavors.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/07/39657381/elon-musks-mother-recounts-time-her-children-used-to-ask-for-food-she-couldnt-afford-after-">Elon Musk&#8217;s Mother Recounts Time Her Children Used To Ask For Food She Couldn&#8217;t Afford After Her Divorce: &#8216;If They Complained, I Didn&#8217;t Listen&#8217;</a>

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