• Justin Bieber performed at an Ambani pre-wedding party for family and friends. Here’s a look at the exclusive guest list.

    Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant on July 5 at their sangeet.
    Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant on July 5 at their sangeet.

    • Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant held their sangeet, a pre-wedding celebration, on Friday.
    • The event featured a star-studded guest list and a performance by Justin Bieber.
    • The couple's wedding ceremony is from July 12 to July 14 in Mumbai, India.

    The wedding of the year has almost arrived.

    Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia's richest man, will marry on July 12 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Guests will be treated to a weekend of festivities, with activities on July 13 and the reception on July 14.

    The couple's upcoming nuptials hit social media in March when videos and photos surfaced of lavish pre-wedding festivities hosted by the Ambani family. The family's patriarch, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, has a net worth of $123.4 billion. His wife, Nita Ambani, is a philanthropist who serves as chairperson of the Reliance Foundation.

    The pre-wedding celebrations have been extravagant, like hiring Rihanna for a private performance in March, and the most recent event — a sangeet ceremony on Friday in Mumbai — was no exception.

    Anant and Radhika hosted the traditional musical celebration that unites the couple's families. The pair arrived in ensembles designed by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.

    Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant on July 5 at their sangeet.
    Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant will be married on July 12.

    As expected, the Ambanis went above and beyond with the performances and booked Justin Bieber. Paparazzi captured photos of Bieber arriving in Mumbai on Friday, and the singer shared several photos from the event on his Instagram account on Saturday.

    He posed with Merchant and Anant in several photos.

    Videos showing Bieber singing "Sorry" and other songs at the party have gained traction on Twitter and TikTok, including the official French outlet Le Parisien account.

    Representatives for Bieber did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

    The entire event was a star-studded affair.

    Celebrities and athletes showed off their style

    Several celebrities posed for photos at the sangeet, including actors Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra.

    Bollywood actors Kiara Advani (L) and Sidharth Malhotra at Anant Ambani and Radhika on July 5, 2024.
    Actors Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra at Anant Ambani and Radhika's sangeet.

    Actor Varun Dhawan also attended the event with his wife, Natasha Dalal, while Vidya Balan attended with her husband, Siddharth Roy Kapur.

    Bollywood actress Vidya Balan (R) poses for a photo with her husband producer Siddharth Roy Kapur on July 5 at the Ambani's sangeet.
    Actor Vidya Balan poses for a photo with her husband, producer Siddharth Roy Kapur.

    Other actors included Jaaved Jaaferi, Janhvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, and Khushi Kapoor.

    Actress Janhvi Kapoor on July 5 at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's sangeet ceremony.
    Actress Janhvi Kapoor on July 5 at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's sangeet ceremony.

    Several athletes posed for photos, too.

    Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his wife, Sakshi Dhoni, attended the event together.

    Indian cricketers Ishan Kishan (L) and Hardik Pandya (R) pose for a photograph during the Sangeet ceremony for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant.
    Cricketers Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya on July 5 in Mumbai.

    Photos also captured Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, and Hardik Pandya.

    The Ambanis are accustomed to hosting high-profile individuals — pre-wedding festivities in March brought out Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

    Contented looking man leans back in his chair at his desk and smiles.

    It has been another busy week for Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

    Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone:

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

    According to a note out of Macquarie, its analysts have retained their outperform rating and $330.00 price target on this biotechnology company’s shares. Macquarie has been looking at the impact that the US dollar could have on CSL’s financial performance. Although the broker suspects that it could act as a drag on its earnings in the immediate term, it believes it will give its earnings a boost from FY 2026. In the meantime, Macquarie continues to forecast CSL delivering double digit earnings growth over the next five years. This is thanks largely to the strength of its key plasma therapies business. In light of this, its analysts think that the company’s shares are attractively price at current levels. The CSL share price ended the week at $299.75.

    Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

    A note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have initiated coverage on this Mexican food-focused quick service restaurant operator’s shares with an add rating and $30.80 price target. Morgans is feeling upbeat about Guzman Y Gomez despite its sky high valuation. This is due to its strong long term growth potential and operating leverage. The broker believes that the company can achieve its aspirational target of 1,000 restaurants in Australia in the future. This is based on the assumption that it opens 30-40 restaurants each year. The Guzman Y Gomez share price was fetching $27.75 at Friday’s close.

    TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

    Analysts at Goldman Sachs have reiterated their buy rating on this enterprise software provider’s shares with an improved price target of $19.70. According to the note, the broker believes that the company has a significant long term opportunity in the UK market. Its analysts estimate that the opportunity could be three times larger than in Australia in key sectors. And with TechnologyOne only currently having minimal penetration, it notes that this creates a significant long-term growth runway. Especially given its confidence that TechnologyOne could displace the market leader in the education market. In light of this and with its valuation looking attractive, the broker believes that now is the time to snap up this tech stock. The TechnologyOne share price ended the week at $18.29.

    The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CSL right now?

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Goldman Sachs Group, Macquarie Group, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • These top 3 ASX 200 uranium shares went nuclear in FY24

    Three rockets heading to space

    ASX 200 uranium shares continue to benefit from the world’s nuclear embrace as many countries work on figuring out their green energy mix for the future.

    The United States and 20 other countries have announced plans to triple their nuclear power by 2050. More on that later. First, let’s check out these top-performing stocks.

    These 3 ASX 200 uranium shares outperformed

    Rising global demand for uranium pushed the commodity price higher in FY24. This supported ASX 200 uranium shares and kept their prices rising, even though they’d experienced a ramp-up in FY23.

    Here are the three best-performing ASX uranium shares for capital growth in FY24, according to data from S & P Global Market Intelligence.

    Deep Yellow Limited (ASX: DYL)

    Deep Yellow was the best-performing uranium stock on the ASX 200 last financial year. The Deep Yellow share price soared by 77.5% in FY24. This followed a 26.8% share price gain in FY23.

    The ASX 200 energy stock closed at $1.41 on Friday, down 0.71%.

    Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

    The second top-performing ASX 200 uranium stock in terms of share price growth was Paladin Energy. This is the biggest uranium company listed on the ASX. It has a market capitalisation of $3.93 billion.

    The Paladin Energy share price rose 71% in FY24. This built on a 25.9% share price gain in FY23.

    Paladin shares closed at $13.01 on Friday, down 1.21%.

    Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)

    Rounding out the top three ASX 200 uranium shares of FY24 is Boss Energy, up 33.2% over the 12 months. This capitalised on an impressive 75.2% share price gain in FY23.

    Boss Energy shares finished the week at $3.85 apiece on Friday, down 5.41%.

    What’s the latest news on nuclear energy?

    According to Trading Economics, 58 nuclear reactors are currently being built, 22 of which are in China.

    In May, United States President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation banning the importation of uranium products from Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine.

    Russia has previously provided 35% of the country’s nuclear fuel imports, according to the US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy.

    Dr Michael Goff, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy, described the legislation as “marking a monumental shift for our civil nuclear energy sector”. 

    Dr Goff said:

    This ban is essential to strengthening our nation’s energy security and supports the development of uranium conversion and enrichment services right here in the United States that will result in thousands of new jobs for Americans across the country.

    We’re restarting old reactors, building new ones, and working to deploy advanced reactors to help us meet our clean energy goals. 

    Meantime in Australia, the debate over nuclear energy is raging.

    The Coalition Federal Opposition is pushing a comprehensive nuclear energy plan that would see retired coal-fired power stations replaced with nuclear reactors owned by the government.

    Meanwhile, the Labor Federal Government is pushing ahead with its renewables agenda.

    The post These top 3 ASX 200 uranium shares went nuclear in FY24 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Boss Resources Limited right now?

    Before you buy Boss Resources Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Boss Resources Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Here’s the earnings forecast to 2029 for Liontown shares

    A male sharemarket analyst sits at his desk looking intently at his laptop with two other monitors next to him showing stock price movements

    Do you own Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares? If you do, you will no doubt be aware that it won’t be long until Liontown shifts from being a lithium developer to a lithium miner.

    The company is aiming to commence production in a matter of weeks. This means it could soon be generating revenue and maybe even some earnings.

    But just how profitable could Liontown be in the current environment of low lithium prices? Let’s see what Goldman Sachs is forecasting for the miner through to FY 2029.

    Liontown earnings estimates

    Firstly, it is worth noting that Goldman is among the most bearish brokers when it comes to lithium prices. So, its earnings estimates could prove short of the mark if prices improve quicker than it expects.

    Though, conversely, it is equally worth noting that the broker has been among the most accurate predictors of lithium prices in recent times. So, these forecasts could end up being more precise than others.

    Moving on. In FY 2025, Goldman is forecasting total spodumene production of 146kt. This is expected to underpin revenue of $143 million but an underlying loss of $162 million.

    In FY 2026, total spodumene production is expected to increase to 439kt. Goldman believes this will lead to revenue of $585 million and a maiden profit of $19 million.

    It will be onwards and upwards for the lithium miner from there. In FY 2027, Goldman expects spodumene production of 510kt, revenue of $794 million, and underlying earnings of $108 million.

    After which, in FY 2028, the broker is forecasting spodumene production of 578kt, revenue of $985 million, and underlying earnings of $152 million.

    Finally, in FY 2029, Goldman expects total spodumene production of 658kt. From this, the broker is forecasting Liontown to generate revenue of $1,326 million and underlying earnings of $330 million.

    In summary, Goldman expects the following for underlying earnings:

    • FY 2025 – $162 million loss
    • FY 2026 – $19 million profit
    • FY 2027 – $108 million profit
    • FY 2028 – $152 million profit
    • FY 2029 – $330 million profit

    Should you buy Liontown shares?

    Goldman thinks investors should keep their powder dry for the time being. It has a neutral rating and $1.15 price target on Liontown’s shares.

    While this implies potential upside of 25% for investors, it still isn’t enough for Goldman to be more positive. Though, it concedes there could be significant value on offer here when risks reduce. It commented:

    Though perceived funding risks are largely alleviated, and cost/ramp up risks appear increasingly priced in, we rate LTR a Neutral on: 1) Valuation, where LTR is trading at a modest discount to peers, though with significant potential valuation uplift from de-risking/valuation roll-forward and a high valuation sensitivity to our LT lithium pricing; 2) Ramp up/cost risks increasingly priced in; 3) Strong medium-term capacity outlook from large, high quality resource.

    The post Here’s the earnings forecast to 2029 for Liontown shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Liontown Resources right now?

    Before you buy Liontown Resources shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Liontown Resources wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Are Rio Tinto shares worth digging into amid the miner’s FY25 outlook?

    View from below of a man with a shovel standing by a hole he has dug in the garden, with blue sky in the background.

    The ASX mining share Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) saw plenty of volatility over the 12 months ending 30 June 2024. Rio Tinto shares rose by 3.75%, while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) increased by 7.8%.

    With China’s changing economic conditions, investors have had to accept an uncertain outlook for Rio Tinto shares.

    The ASX mining share produces a number of commodities, including iron ore, copper and aluminium. Iron ore usually generates the lion’s share of the company’s earnings.

    Things may be looking up for the miner after the iron ore price jumped to US$113 per tonne from around US$106 per tonne a week ago.

    According to Trading Economics, there are hopes that China will introduce more stimulus measures at the upcoming Third Plenum this month and announce plans for “comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization.” A rising iron ore price supports the Rio Tinto share price.

    The website said weak US data could also spur a rate cut, boost global demand, and support commodity prices.

    Rio Tinto’s financial calendar follows the calendar year, while it was the Australian tax year that just finished. Let’s remind ourselves what Rio Tinto has reported during 2024 and what the earnings outlook is for the business.

    Recent events

    In February 2024, the business reported its 2023 full-year result.

    It reported that operating cash flow dropped 6% to US$15.16 billion and free cash flow declined 15% to US$7.66 billion. Net profit after tax (NPAT) declined 19% to US$10 billion. In addition, the company cut the ordinary dividend by 12% to US$4.35 per share.

    In mid-April, the business reported its 2024 first-quarter production result. This showed Pilbara iron ore production of 77.9mt, down 2% year over year and 11% lower than the fourth quarter.

    Its first-quarter mined copper production was up 7% year over year to 156kt. Aluminium production was up 5% year over year to 826kt.

    Outlook on Rio Tinto shares

    The miner is working on a number of projects which could help future earnings.

    It’s ramping up underground copper production at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. Rio Tinto and its partners are building a mine and 600km of new rail at the Simandou mine in Guinea (Africa) to unlock “incredibly high-grade iron ore,” which will “unlock low-carbon steel making.”

    Finally, the Rincon lithium project in Argentina has seen progress in developing a small battery-grade lithium carbonate plant, where production is expected to start by the end of the year.

    According to the estimates by the broker UBS, in FY24 Rio Tinto is expected to generate US$52.3 billion of revenue, NPAT of US$12.1 billion and pay a dividend per share of US$4.48. The balance sheet is projected to be in a net debt position of US$1.5 billion at the end of FY24.

    In FY25, UBS predicts that Rio Tinto could generate US$52.5 billion of revenue, net profit of US$12.3 billion and pay a dividend per share of US$4.56. The balance sheet is projected to be in a net cash position of US$574 million at the end of FY25.

    The post Are Rio Tinto shares worth digging into amid the miner’s FY25 outlook? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Rio Tinto Limited right now?

    Before you buy Rio Tinto Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Rio Tinto Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • What is Project 2025? The conservative road map is raising a lot of eyebrows, on both sides of the aisle.

    Donald Trump
    Donald Trump.

    • Project 2025 is a road map for the next Republican president.
    • The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, authored the plan.
    • It calls for eliminating the Education Department, among some other surprising things.

    Well before the disastrous presidential debate during which President Joe Biden may have handed the keys to the White House back to former President Donald Trump, conservative thinkers were assembling a game plan.

    In January 2023, The Heritage Foundation began promoting Project 2025, a 922-page "playbook" assembled with input from dozens of other conservative organizations to guide the next Republican administration.

    "The time is short, and conservatives need a plan," reads the website for the right-wing presidential transition plan. "The project will create a playbook of actions to be taken in the first 180 days of the new Administration to bring quick relief to Americans suffering from the Left's devastating policies."

    Some of Project 2025's priorities include:

    • Slashing employment in the federal government and muzzling "woke propaganda at every level of government"
    • Eliminating the Department of Education and its "woke-dominated system of public schools"
    • Prohibiting the FBI from fighting misinformation and disinformation
    • Ending the "war on fossil fuels" and allowing further development on Native American lands
    • Ending active FBI investigations that are "contrary to the national interest"

    The plan is so extreme that even Trump has distanced himself from it, writing on Truth Social this week that he knows "nothing about Project 2025."

    "I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they're saying and some of the things they're saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them," Trump wrote.

    A spokesperson from Project 2025 told Business Insider that the playbook "does not speak for any candidate or campaign."

    "We are a coalition of more than 110 conservative groups advocating policy and personnel recommendations for the next conservative president. But it is ultimately up to that president, who we believe will be President Trump, to decide which recommendations to implement," the spokesperson said.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • 5 ASX dividend shares to buy next week

    Middle age caucasian man smiling confident drinking coffee at home.

    A new month is here, so what better time to consider making some new additions to your income portfolio.

    Five ASX dividend shares that could be worth considering in July are listed below. Here’s what you need to know about them:

    Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)

    The first ASX dividend share for income investors to consider buying is Aurizon. It transports more than 250 million tonnes of Australian commodities each year through its rail network.

    Ord Minnett is bullish on the company and has an accumulate rating and $4.70 price target on the company’s shares.

    As for income, it is forecasting partially franked dividends of 17.8 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 24.3 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the latest Aurizon share price of $3.60, this will mean dividend yields of 4.9% and 6.75%, respectively.

    Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

    Another ASX dividend share to look at is Centuria Industrial. It is Australia’s largest domestic pure play industrial property investment company.

    UBS is a fan of the company and has a buy rating and $3.50 price target on its shares.

    In respect to dividends, the broker is forecasting Centuria Industrial to pay dividends per share of 16 cents in both FY 2024 and in FY 2025. Based on the current Centuria Industrial share price of $3.04, this represents dividend yields of 5.25% in both years.

    Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

    A third ASX dividend share to look at is Super Retail. It is the retail conglomerate behind the BCF, Supercheap Auto, Macpac, and Rebel store brands.

    Goldman Sachs is positive on the company and has a buy rating and $17.80 price target on its shares.

    As for income, Goldman expects fully franked dividends per share of 67 cents in FY 2024 and 73 cents in FY 2025. Based on its current share price of $13.70, this will mean yields of 4.9% and 5.3%, respectively.

    Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

    Analysts at UBS think that Transurban could be an ASX dividend share to buy this month.

    The broker currently has a buy rating and $14.80 price target on its shares.

    Its analysts are forecasting dividends per share of 63 cents in FY 2024 and 66 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current Transurban share price of $12.38, this will mean yields of 5.1% and 5.3%, respectively.

    Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

    A fifth and final ASX dividend share that could be a buy is Universal Store. It is the youth fashion retailer behind the Universal Store, Perfect Stranger, and Thrills brands.

    Morgans is feeling bullish about the company and has an add rating and $6.50 price target on its shares.

    As well as major upside, the broker believes Universal Store is well-placed to pay big dividends in the coming years. It expects fully franked dividends per share of 26 cents in FY 2024 and then 29 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current Universal Store share price of $4.82, this will mean yields of 5.4% and 6%, respectively.

    The post 5 ASX dividend shares to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aurizon Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Aurizon Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Aurizon Holdings Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group, Super Retail Group, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aurizon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • A basic income program helped me get back on my feet. Now I am an activist in my community and can afford to give back.

    Hope Davis stands in a garden with a plant.
    A basic income allowed Hope Davis to get back on her feet and give back to her community.

    • Hope Davis is a 47-year-old mom and community activist in New Orleans.
    • She receives $1,000 monthly from the state ACLU's guaranteed monthly income program.
    • Framed as reparations, the program supports people who have been racially targeted by police.

    This is an As Told To essay based on a conversation with Hope Davis, a participant in the ACLU of Louisiana's guaranteed basic income program, which focuses on reparations for people who have experienced racist policing. It has been edited for length and clarity.

    I had never heard of the ACLU before in my life, but they ended up helping me with some legal troubles. With support from their staff, I felt like I had a family member on my side and like somebody actually cared.

    After deciding it was not in my best interest to seek restitution in the courts, they approached me with this new opportunity. They explained that two donors who had learned about their ancestors' history as enslavers donated $1 million to a program that would provide a guaranteed income and a number of other services to people who've suffered from unconstitutional policing.

    We set up a meeting, and the ACLU staff asked me and some others what we needed to be whole. We told them counseling, expungement services for unjust charges, and access to financial fitness courses. To this day, it's unbelievable they picked me. I never thought in a million years that I would be in a position where somebody is giving me $1,000 a month for a year, or reparations of any sort. It is overwhelming, and it also came at a very critical time in my life.

    I'm a mom and a widow. I am a certified chef, but I lost my job after reporting sexual harassment, so this program came at just the right time when the payments began in November. It's helping me pay a lot of personal bills, and it's helping me do activism work. This reality has inspired me and given me the strength to pour myself into my community.

    Working in a community is something new and different for me. I got our tenant organization up and running again, so the stress for me right now is getting people involved in rebuilding and redeveloping our community. We meet monthly, so I have to run copies and buy lunches, gifts, books, things like that. I feel good when I'm getting a gathering together and can give something back.

    The guaranteed monthly income program has really given me peace of mind. I am able to provide lunch for our community meetings and buy books and materials about Black history and systemic oppression so we can learn and study together. I provide rides to doctor appointments and support women and young mothers in learning about the resources available to them. I've also become a gardener and have taught families in the community how to grow food.

    Even when I worked, we still struggled. Sometimes, I had two jobs. It was hard. The rent was always high. I was evicted at one point, sleeping in my vehicle for four or five months while trying to find a place to live.

    I know people who lost their jobs and don't know how to apply for unemployment. I know women who are pregnant and don't know how to apply to get WIC. I went out into the neighborhood looking to see who I could help because I've seen situations like this all my life where people can't find help even when programs are out there. So that is my endeavor, that is my passion, to find those programs and bring them to the neighborhood. And I'm using the funds to help me do that. From here, I know I can build a life that I deserve and that uplifts the people around me.

    July 6, 2024: This story was updated with additional context about the ACLU of Louisiana program and Davis' experience.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Mark O’Hare became a billionaire after BlackRock acquired his data company. Now he’s turning his employees into millionaires.

    BlackRock logo
    BlackRock acquired Mark O'Hare's data company, Preqin.

    • Preqin employees are getting paid after BlackRock acquired the company for $3.2 billion.
    • Staffers will share about $650 million, making some of them millionaires.
    • Preqin founder Mark O'Hare and his wife will walk away with about $2 billion after taxes.

    Some Preqin employees are poised for a big payday after BlackRock acquired the data company for $3.2 billion.

    The acquisition, announced on June 30, has made Preqin founder Mark O'Hare and his wife billionaires.

    O'Hare owns nearly 80% of Preqin through Valhalla Venture and will gain about $2.6 billion from the acquisition, Fortune reported. The number shrinks to about $2 billion after taxes.

    The remaining wealth, about $653 million, will be shared among Preqin management and its 1,500 employees — making some of them millionaires.

    Preqin is a financial data and analytics provider focused on alternative investments. O'Hare founded the company in 2002. In a press release, Preqin said it had 30,000 private market investors, 60,000 fund managers, and 190,000 funds. The company expects to generate about $240 million in revenue in 2024.

    The acquisition has deepened O'Hare's pockets enough for him to surpass BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, whose net worth is $1.7 billion. As part of the acquisition, O'Hare will also join BlackRock as a vice chair.

    BlackRock CEO Larry Fink gestures with his hand as he sits in front of a blue background.
    BlackRock CEO Larry Fink.

    "BlackRock is known for excellence in both investment management and financial technology, and together we can accelerate our efforts to deliver better private markets data and analytics to all of our clients at scale," O'Hare said in the press release. "I look forward to joining BlackRock and continuing to play a role in the continued growth and success of Preqin and our customers."

    This is O'Hare's second major sale after Reuters purchased his equity owner database, Citywatch, in 1998.

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  • Biden has actually narrowed the gap with Trump in key swing states despite his disastrous debate, new polling shows

    Joe Biden and Donald Trump
    President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump remain locked in a competitive contest in swing states.

    • Biden continues to defend his candidacy after his poor debate performance against Trump.
    • But a new Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll showed that he has made up ground in swing states.
    • In the survey, Biden led in Michigan and Wisconsin and only narrowly trailed in other key states.

    President Joe Biden's widely panned debate sent his campaign reeling.

    But while some recent polls showed former President Donald Trump with wider leads than before the debate, a new Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll showed Biden making up ground in the most important places of all — swing states.

    Trump, in the latest survey, had a 47% to 45% overall advantage over Biden in swing states. That's the closest result between the two candidates since the tracking survey started last fall.

    Biden led Trump in both Michigan (48% to 43%) and Wisconsin (47% to 44%), two must-win states for the incumbent. The president trailed Trump but remained within the margin of error in Arizona (45% to 48%), Georgia (46% to 47%), Nevada (45% to 48%), and North Carolina (43% to 46%).

    It wasn't all good news for the president, however. Biden was behind by seven points in Pennsylvania, where he was born and spent significant time campaigning. Trump had a 51%-44% lead over Biden in the state, a major warning sign.

    The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult survey also found that 39% of swing-state voters — a number well short of a majority — felt as though Biden should "definitely" or "probably" continue his candidacy. Biden registered higher support among liberals. For Trump, 50% of respondents said the former president should "definitely" or "probably" stay in the race.

    Biden has faced several calls — from some sitting Democratic lawmakers and an array of donors — to step aside and allow the party to select a new standard-bearer ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.

    There have also been multiple reports in recent days of lawmakers looking to meet with Biden to discuss the viability of his campaign.

    The White House, for its part, has so far pushed back against reports that Biden is considering an exit.

    In a highly-anticipated ABC News interview on Friday, Biden told host George Stephanopoulos that he was "exhausted" and didn't follow his instincts ahead of the debate but insisted that he would remain in the presidential race.

    Read the original article on Business Insider