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The Fund is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of other large, broad-based ETFs that the Sub-Adviser (Orcam Financial Group, LLC d/b/a Discipline Funds) believes can reduce the Funds relative stock and bond risks when compared to a traditional diversified market cap-weighted index fund. The Fund will provide a globally diversified portfolio, which will be systematically reallocated depending on the Sub-Advisers assessment of the risks in the then-current market environment. The Fund will seek long-term growth of capital with reduced investment volatility.

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In a recent development, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has voiced concerns about the age and mental sharpness of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, placing him in contrast to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. This follows the withdrawal of Joe Biden from the presidential race.
What Happened: Buttigieg, during his appearance on &#8220;Fox News Sunday,&#8221; suggested that Trump, currently the oldest presidential nominee in U.S. history, would have preferred to compete against Biden. He indicated that voters are apprehensive about Trump&#8217;s age and mental acuity, particularly when compared to Harris, who is almost 20 years younger, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/28/buttigieg-voters-trump-age-00171533">reported</a> Politico.
&#8220;I'm pretty sure voters are worried about the age and acuity of President Trump compared to Kamala Harris,&#8221; said Buttigieg.
Buttigieg also took a jab at the &#8220;personality cult&#8221; surrounding Trump, criticizing his long-winded speeches and the GOP&#8217;s depiction of him as a strong leader. He commended Biden&#8217;s choice to step down from the race, calling it an &#8220;extraordinary, historic, selfless choice.&#8221;
Trump&#8217;s campaign defended the former president, with Communications Director Steven Cheung stating that Trump has &#8220;more energy and stamina than anyone in politics.&#8221; Cheung also took a swipe at Buttigieg&#8217;s performance in the 2020 Democratic primary.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39996908/trump-vs-harris-new-poll-shows-ex-president-leading-democratic-candidate-by-a-narrow-margin-but-vice?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Vs. Harris: New Poll Shows Ex-President Leading Democratic Candidate By A Narrow Margin, But Vice President&#8217;s Favorability Is Faring Better Than Biden</a>
The Democratic Party has rallied around Harris, who has managed to close Biden&#8217;s polling gap with Trump. She is currently outperforming Biden among independents, people of color, women, and voters under 35.
Buttigieg, rumored to be a potential vice presidential contender for Harris, has been actively campaigning and praising the Harris campaign, while criticizing Trump and his running mate, JD Vance.
Why It Matters Following Biden&#8217;s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, Harris has secured <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39919247/who-will-kamala-harris-pick-for-vice-president-crypto-bettors-have-4-favorites-for-democra">enough delegates</a> to win the party&#8217;s nomination, setting up a direct battle against Trump in the 2024 election.
Recent polls show a close race, with Trump leading Harris by a narrow margin. However, Harris&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39996908/trump-vs-harris-new-poll-shows-ex-president-leading-democratic-candidate-by-a-narrow-margin-but-vicehttps://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39920146/harris-vs-trump-vice-president-trails-former-president-by-2-points-gains-independent-voters-59-o">favorability among registered voters</a> has seen a significant rise, jumping 11 points to 46%.
As Harris prepares to select a vice-presidential candidate, Buttigieg is seen as a potential pick, tying for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40002910/mark-kelly-favored-by-voters-as-vp-pick-for-kamala-harris-shows-poll-shapiro-beshear-buttigieg-tied">second place</a> in favorability ratings among potential Democratic VP candidates, according to a new poll.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39998398/kamala-harris-admits-i-inhaled-marijuana-and-now-pushes-for-legalization-what-this-means-for-202?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kamala Harris Admits &#8216;I Inhaled&#8217; Marijuana And Now Pushes For Legalization: What This Means For 2024 Elections</a></li>
</ul>
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>

News

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Potential Kamala Harris VP Pick Pete Buttigieg Says 'Voters Are Worried About Age And Acuity Of President Trump'

As Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) -owned YouTube&#8217;s contentious policy change on gun-related content sparks concerns, actor James Woods has publicly praised&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;for his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39113352/elon-musks-44b-twitter-purchase-saved-american-free-speech-says-patrick-bet-david-you-have-to-give-c">commitment to free speech</a>.
What Happened: Woods, renowned for his powerful performances in film and theatre, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, and said, &#8220;This makes me appreciate Elon Musk even more&#8230;&nbsp;He is a champion of&nbsp;free speech.&#8221;
He went on to add, &#8220;The other&nbsp;platforms are sadly squeezing the&nbsp;life out of social communication&nbsp;more and more every day.&#8221; Woods&#8217; positive words for Musk came despite being blocked by him on the social media platform.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39984404/apple-joins-meta-and-google-pledges-support-for-bidens-ai-regulations?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Joins Meta And Google, Pledges Support For Biden&#8217;s AI Regulations</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This makes me appreciate <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> even more. And I say this even though he blocks me. He is a champion of free speech, while the other platforms are sadly squeezing the life out of social communication more and more every day. Sadly he'll never see this, but bravo, sir. <a href="https://t.co/IHJKGIdKKA">https://t.co/IHJKGIdKKA</a>
&mdash; James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealJamesWoods/status/1817675395388637528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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YouTube&#8217;s latest policy changes concerning the sale and promotion of firearms, took effect on June 18, 2024. The policy has raised concerns among YouTubers who focus on firearms content, including the popular YouTube channel hickok45, run by Greg and his son John.
In a video titled &#8220;Bad News,&#8221; which was posted earlier this month, the pair disclosed that their channel was in danger of being shut down due to the policy changes. 
&#8220;Essentially the new policy&#8230;&nbsp;is that all sponsorships from&nbsp;companies that are either firearms&nbsp;companies or companies that deal&nbsp;in firearms accessories are a&nbsp;complete violation of YouTube&#8217;s policies,&#8221; John explained.
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.
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Bad News" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-KWxaOmVNBE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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YouTube&#8217;s new &#8220;Firearms policy&#8221; bans content&nbsp;intended to sell firearms, instruct&nbsp;viewers on how to make&nbsp;firearms, ammunition, and certain accessories,&nbsp;or&nbsp;instruct viewers on how to&nbsp;install those accessories.
Why It Matters: Last year in August, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/08/33955905/elon-musk-tells-james-wood-to-delete-your-account-after-actor-calls-x-com-owner-a-greedy-capitalist">Musk removed the &#8220;block&#8221; feature</a> from X, sparking a heated exchange with Woods, who voiced concerns about the impact on users willing to share their real identities.
The tech billionaire later blocked the &#8220;Vampires&#8221; actor amid his crusade against &#8220;people who complain that blocking is going away.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I'm having a good time blocking people who complain that blocking is going away &#x1f602;
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1693218807160934400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Musk&#8217;s statements about free speech have been a recurring theme. Last month, after his social media platform emerged victorious in a legal battle with the Australian government, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39184541/elon-musk-says-freedom-of-speech-is-worth-fighting-for-after-australia-drops-legal-battle-against-x">the tech mogul said</a>, &#8220;Freedom of speech is worth fighting for.&#8221;
This month, Musk revealed that the European Commission had offered X an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39759841/elon-musk-reveals-european-commission-offered-x-illegal-secret-deal-to-censor-free-speech-as-thierry">&#8220;illegal secret deal&#8221;</a> to censor free speech. His statement came after Thierry Breton accused blue checkmarks saying they deceive users.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Photo Courtesy: Bart Sherkow On Shutterstock.com
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39976337/elon-musk-and-stephen-king-entangle-again-on-x-this-time-horror-king-challenges-techno-king-to-a-jok?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk And Stephen King Entangle Again On X: This Time Horror King Challenges Techno King To A Joke-Off</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Social Media

Tech

GOOG

GOOGL

Elon Musk Blocked 'Vampires' Fame James Wood For Slamming His Blocking Ban, Now The Actor Can't Stop Singing Praises Of The X Owner: 'He Is A Champion Of Free Speech'

Gold has emerged as the top choice for investors looking to hedge their portfolios in the event of a potential second term for Donald Trump.
What Happened: The precious metal has been identified as the best hedge against a possible Trump presidency, according to a Bloomberg Markets Live Pulse survey. The <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-29/gold-is-the-besttrump-trade-survey-shows">survey</a>, conducted from Jul. 22 to Jul. 26, included 480 respondents.
Over 60% of the participants believe that the U.S. dollar would weaken if Trump secures another term. This view is supported by the historical performance of the dollar, which slid over 10% while the price of gold surged over 50% during Trump&#8217;s previous tenure.
Trump&#8217;s proposed policies, such as tax cuts, tariffs, and reduced regulations, are seen as inflationary by Wall Street and could potentially prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. A Republican victory in the November elections, granting Trump more leeway to implement his economic policies, could further drive up gold prices.
JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. analyst Gregory Shearer noted that geopolitical tensions, the growing U.S. deficit, and inflation hedging have driven gold prices higher. These factors could be magnified under a Trump presidency or a Republican-controlled Congress.
Survey respondents echoed this sentiment, with one stating, "All I can see are severe disruptions to markets and trade, and rapid increases" in the U.S. national debt.
"When the US is creating its own risk premium due to a potentially disorderly election, the fiscal implications of a Trump presidency, that makes the dollar in 2025 a risk," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39999062/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-tesla-amc-meta-and-crypto-analyst-predicts-dogecoin-will-follow-h?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla, AMC, Meta And Crypto Analyst Predicts Dogecoin Will Follow Historical Pattern: Benzinga Bulls And Bears</a>
Why It Matters: The 2024 presidential race has been thrown into uncertainty following President Joe Biden's decision to step down, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. This has led to speculation about the future of the "Trump trade," a term referring to market strategies that would benefit from a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39883677/investors-anticipate-unraveling-of-trump-trade-as-biden-exits-presidential-race-but-analyst-says-its">potential Trump return</a> to the White House.
Former President Trump has criticized the current <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/12/36279965/trump-says-record-high-stock-market-just-making-rich-people-richer-blasts-bidens-inflation-catas">economic state under Biden</a>, blaming the administration for inflation issues and claiming that the stock market is only enriching the wealthy.
With the upcoming election, defense stocks are also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/07/39987732/harris-or-trump-defense-stocks-are-winning-tech-battle-personal-income-drops-trump-crypto-push">seeing significant attention</a>, as investors weigh the potential impacts of a Harris or Trump presidency on various sectors.
Price Action: Gold Spot prices rose by 0.23% to $2,392.61, reflecting an increase of $5.54. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index saw a slight decline on Friday&#8217;s market close, dropping 0.11% to $104.20, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39979140/dogecoin-killer-shiba-inu-sees-76-surge-in-q2-orders-on-crypto-payments-platform-coingate?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Dogecoin Killer&#8217; Shiba Inu Sees 76% Surge In Q2 Orders On Crypto Payments Platform CoinGate</a></li>
</ul>
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>

Gaming

Commodities

Markets

Top 'Trump Trade' Isn't The Dollar But Gold As Survey Participants Foresee 'Severe Disruptions To Markets And Trade'

Leading cryptocurrencies held on to their gains Sunday as presidential nominee Donald Trump made big promises to safeguard the industry's interests.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded 9 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+0.66%</td>
<td>$68,417.06</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>+0.94%</td>
<td>$3,274.63.</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>-0.18%</td>
<td>$0.1307</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin nearly touched $69,000 on the day, recouping some of the losses incurred yesterday overnight. However, it pulled back to the $68,000 zone later in the day. Ethereum also retraced to $3,270 following a brief stay over $3,300.
Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/40001426/trump-aims-to-make-us-crypto-capital-of-the-planet-well-get-it-done">amped up his pro-cryptocurrency rhetoric</a> at the recent Bitcoin 2024 conference, championing a national Bitcoin stockpile for the U.S.&nbsp;
Both Bitcoin and Ethereum recorded an appreciable rise in futures Open Interest. Typically, when the price moves sideways while OI increases, it signals a potential upside breakout.
Bullish bets for Bitcoin also rose sharply in comparison to downside bets in the last 24 hours.
The Cryptocurrency Fear &amp; Greed Index increased from 71 to 74 in the last 24 hours, signaling an optimistic mood in the market.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 9 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin Cash (BCH)</td>
<td>+6.22%</td>
<td>$420.03</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brett (Based) (BRETT)</td>
<td>+4.12%</td>
<td>$0.1307</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maker (MKR)</td>
<td>+2.19%</td>
<td>$2, 681.17</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market stood at $2.44 trillion, gaining 0.73% in the last 24 hours.
Stock market futures edged slightly higher Sunday overnight The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures rose 0.44% as of 9 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 are up 0.45%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.61%.
Investors brace for a week of big tech earnings, with giants like&nbsp; Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) ready to report their second-quarter performance.
Additionally, the Federal Reserve will hold the FOMC meeting later this week. According to the CME FedWatch tool, investors are not expecting any interest rate cuts.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Prominent on-chain researcher Ali Martinez observed a "heavy accumulation" of Bitcoin by large holders, a pattern which could support a rally in the days ahead.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> Accumulation Trend Score is at 1, showing that larger entities are heavily accumulating <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/KN2mQlPUdY">pic.twitter.com/KN2mQlPUdY</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1817537230291743066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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In another post, he predicted King Crypto will move toward $69,200 if it managed to break the $68,080 resistance. 
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<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">If <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> can break the $68,080 resistance, it could surge toward $69,200! <a href="https://t.co/7Q9Y9d4PkY">pic.twitter.com/7Q9Y9d4PkY</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1817620946393637020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Another widely followed cryptocurrency analyst, The Crypto Dog, stated that longing Bitcoin could be a good option, predicting that altcoins won't have much to offer.
"Leave position alone for next weeks, maybe months. Don&#8217;t TP, use trailing SL. Don&#8217;t size so big you will close on a dip," the trader remarked.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Recommend longing <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>, soon, if you don&#39;t have serious exposure. You don&#39;t want to be all in alts with limpdick gains/going sideways during a historic pump. Leave position alone for next weeks, maybe months. Don&#39;t TP, use trailing SL. Don&#39;t size so big you will close on a dip.
&mdash; The Crypto Dog &#x1f4c8; (@TheCryptoDog) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCryptoDog/status/1817694148738338846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by Avi Rozen on Shutterstock
Read Next:    
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/40001633/scaramucci-i-agree-with-every-single-thing-trump-has-said-on-bitcoin">Scaramucci: &#8216;I Agree With Every Single Thing&#8217; Trump Has Said On Bitcoin</a></li>
</ul>

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Move Sideways As Trump Raises Pro-Crypto Pitch - Why Does This Analyst Think Longing King Crypto Could Soon Be A Good Option?

In a recent poll, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has emerged as the top choice among potential Democratic VP candidates for Vice President Kamala Harris.
What Happened: An ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted on July 26-27, 2024, as reported by <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4797349-mark-kelly-seen-most-favorably-of-potential-vp-picks-followed-by-shapiro-beshear-buttigieg-poll/">The Hill</a>, revealed that Kelly holds a 10-point net favorability rating among Americans. However, a significant number of voters either don&#8217;t know or don&#8217;t hold the opinion of most of the potential VP contenders.
Following Kelly, three Democrats tied for second place with positive 4-point net favorability ratings: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg.
Buttigieg and California Gov. Gavin Newsom were the only Democrats known to a majority of respondents. However, Newsom had a negative 12-point rating, with more respondents viewing him unfavorably.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39996908/trump-vs-harris-new-poll-shows-ex-president-leading-democratic-candidate-by-a-narrow-margin-but-vice?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Vs. Harris: New Poll Shows Ex-President Leading Democratic Candidate By A Narrow Margin, But Vice President&#8217;s Favorability Is Faring Better Than Biden</a>
In the same poll, Harris&#8217;s favorability increased by 8 points from the previous week. She also outperformed former President Donald Trump&#8217;s and President Joe Biden&#8217;s negative favorability ratings.
The poll comes as Harris solidifies her position as the party&#8217;s presumptive nominee, with no serious challenger and increasing endorsements from Democrats.
Why It Matters: Harris&#8217;s potential VP pick has been a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39919247/who-will-kamala-harris-pick-for-vice-president-crypto-bettors-have-4-favorites-for-democra">topic of speculation</a> since she secured enough delegates to win the Democratic Party&#8217;s nomination, as reported by Benzinga. The VP pick could play a crucial role in drumming up additional support from Democratic and Independent voters.
Shapiro&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39997572/josh-shapiro-emerges-as-potential-vp-candidate-at-kamala-harris-endorsement-event-he-would-look-good">name emerged</a> as a potential VP candidate at a Harris endorsement event earlier as well, according to a prior report. The event saw several influential figures endorsing Shapiro as a potential vice presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, Harris has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40001853/trump-vs-harris-harris-leading-trump-in-maine-has-edge-with-gen-z-nationally">leading Trump</a> in Democratic-leaning Maine by 8 points, according to a poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire, as reported by Benzinga.
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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>

Mark Kelly Favored By Voters As VP Pick For Kamala Harris, Shows Poll — Shapiro, Beshear, Buttigieg Tied As Second Favorites

The rapid increase in the number of new energy vehicles in China has led to a financial conundrum for the country&#8217;s insurers. The insurers are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/01/36787463/how-evs-high-tech-vehicles-are-fueling-surge-in-insurance-stocks">finding it challenging to make a profit</a> from insuring these vehicles, despite charging higher premiums.
What Happened: The surge in NEV ownership in China has led to a surge in insurance premiums, but insurers are still struggling to turn a profit. The insurers&#8217; loss ratio for NEVs is higher than for traditional vehicles, making it difficult for them to make money from insuring NEVs, <a href="https://www.caixinglobal.com/2024-07-26/electric-cars-are-draining-the-batteries-of-chinas-insurers-102220215.html">reported</a> Caixin.
China&#8217;s NEV market has been growing rapidly, with the number of insured NEVs increasing from around 7 million in 2021 to over 20 million in 2023. Despite this, insurers are generally losing money when they insure NEVs, with the combined ratio for household NEVs typically standing between 105% and 110%, and that for ride-hailing NEVs roughly between 120% and 130%.
Xiaomi Corp.&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACF#OTC">XIACF</a>)&nbsp; first new energy vehicle, the SU7, is priced at 215,900 yuan ($29,735). Despite its competitive retail price, the cost of insuring the SU7 is nearly as high as that of a combustion-engine vehicle that is more than twice its price.
This is fairly typical, as NEV owners are approximately twice as likely to file a claim, according to data from LexisNexis Risk Solutions.
Liu Shulin, president of the CIRI Auto Technology Institute, attributes this to several factors. NEVs accelerate faster, with a Tesla Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) Model 3 reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, nearly twice as fast as a comparable BMW (OTC: BMWYY. NEVs&#8217; expensive batteries are costly to repair, often requiring manufacturer service. 
Additionally, widespread NEV use in the ride-hailing industry results in higher mileage, increasing risk. Some NEV owners face insurance renewal issues after exceeding 20,000 kilometers in a year.
Insurers typically avoid unprofitable deals, but government support for the NEV industry complicates this. The National Financial Regulatory Administration&#8217;s (NFRA) April guidelines require insurers to cover NEVs to support China&#8217;s carbon goals for 2030 and 2060.
One solution is raising premiums, but current rules prevent this. Insurance premiums in China are influenced by an autonomous pricing coefficient, capped by regulators, which limits profitability for NEV coverage, according to the report.
The NFRA has proposed reforms to allow greater flexibility in setting these coefficients, potentially lowering premiums for low-risk NEVs and raising them for high-risk ones, like those used in ride-hailing.
A car insurance industry insiders told Caixin that premiums for XPeng (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>) and BYD (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDF#OTC">BYDDF</a>) models might increase due to high loss ratios and ride-hailing use. However, some industry insiders warn the new limits may still not cover all high-risk vehicles, suggesting the cap be removed to prevent insurers from losing money and to ensure NEV owners can renew their plans.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39953071/tesla-ford-gm-and-other-automakers-trade-lower-in-premarket-after-elon-musk-and-jim-farleys-team-fai?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla, Ford, GM And Other Automakers Trade Lower In Premarket After Elon Musk And Jim Farley&#8217;s Team Fail To Soothe Investors</a>
Why It Matters: The surge in NEV adoption has been a global trend, with China being a significant driver of this shift. In 2023, NIO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/penny-stocks/23/10/35240644/nio-inc-entered-the-ev-insurance-business-late-last-year-according-to-new-filing">entered the insurance business</a> alongside other Chinese EV manufacturers, further highlighting the industry&#8217;s potential for growth.
This trend has also had a significant impact on the global insurance market. In January, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/01/36787463/how-evs-high-tech-vehicles-are-fueling-surge-in-insurance-stocks">insurance company stocks outperformed</a> the S&amp;P 500 index, driven by the surge in EV and high-tech vehicle sales. This trend was particularly evident in China, where <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39473004/tesla-chinas-weekly-insurance-registrations-hit-highest-since-start-of-2024-bull-ga">Tesla&#8217;s weekly insurance registrations</a> hit a record high in June.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39947663/peter-schiff-says-americans-are-broke-points-to-fords-dismal-q2-profit-they-cant-afford-to-buy-n?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Schiff Says &#8216;Americans Are Broke&#8217; — Points To Ford&#8217;s Dismal Q2 Profit: &#8216;They Can&#8217;t Afford To Buy New Cars&#8217; Due To Interest Rates</a>
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>

Global

Insurance

BYDDF

BYDDY

TSLA

XIACF

XPEV

Electric Vehicles Are Bleeding Insurers Money In This Key Market For Tesla And Other Auto Giants: Here's Why

The U.S. Justice Department has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39150865/tiktok-parent-bytedance-appoints-former-warner-bros-lawyer-as-general-counsel-amid-ongoing-legal-bat">leveled accusations against</a> TikTok, alleging that the social media platform has been collecting data on its users&#8217; views on sensitive topics&nbsp;such as gun control, abortion, and religion.
What Happened: On Friday, making its most forceful case to date, the Justice Department made these allegations in response to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39103767/tiktok-denies-report-about-splitting-code-to-create-a-us-only-algorithm-qualified-divestiture-needed">federal&nbsp;lawsuit filed by TikTok</a> in May.
The department also claims that TikTok has been censoring content under&nbsp;the direction of its China-based&nbsp;parent company,&nbsp;ByteDance, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/tiktok-collected-u-s-users-views-on-gun-control-abortion-and-religion-u-s-says-4fcf19f6?mod=tech_trendingnow_article_pos2">reported</a> the Wall Street Journal.
&#8220;The collection of data from Americans is not a protected activity,&#8221; a senior Justice Department official explained in the filings, many of which remain classified, the report noted.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40000541/apples-market-share-drops-in-china-a18-chip-integration-to-bring-ai-features-to-iphone-16-and-more-t?itm_source=parsely-api">Apple&#8217;s Market Share Drops In China, A18 Chip Integration To Bring AI Features To iPhone 16 And More: This Week In Appleverse</a>
The filings also revealed a software tool that allows&nbsp;U.S. employees of TikTok and&nbsp;ByteDance to&nbsp;collect user information based on&nbsp;content, including views on sensitive topics.
&#8220;Intelligence reporting further demonstrates that ByteDance and TikTok Global have taken action in response to PRC demands to censor content outside of China,&#8221; Casey Blackburn, a senior U.S. intelligence official, wrote in a filing supporting the government's stance.
A spokesperson for TikTok defended the company, stating that&nbsp;a TikTok ban would violate&nbsp;the First Amendment rights of its 170 million users and expressed confidence in prevailing in court.
TikTok has previously said that its U.S. algorithm is stored with its American partner, Oracle. However, the Justice Department argues that TikTok&#8217;s plan to store U.S. user data on domestic servers is inadequate.
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 latest revelations come at a time when the platform has gained <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39128716/trump-gains-3m-followers-on-tiktok-amid-ufc-themed-debut-heres-how-bidens-super-bowl-themed-arrival">significant popularity among</a> high-profile U.S. figures. Last month, former President Donald Trump joined TikTok, the platform&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39103767/tiktok-denies-report-about-splitting-code-to-create-a-us-only-algorithm-qualified-divestiture-needed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he once sought to ban</a>.
This month, Vice President Kamala Harris also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39975556/kamala-harris-hops-on-the-tiktok-bandwagon-recently-ive-been-on-the-for-you-page-so-i-thought">launched her own TikTok account</a>, following President Joe Biden&#8217;s sudden exit from the 2024 presidential race and her announcement to run for the presidency.
The U.S. government has said that the TikTok algorithm <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37688964/tiktok-ban-could-take-out-billions-of-dollars-out-of-creators-pockets-and-put-over-300k-american-job">poses a national security risk</a>, warning of possible exploitation by the Chinese government for large-scale influence operations in the U.S.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38508391/after-biden-signs-tiktok-ban-into-law-top-eu-leader-says-not-ruling-out-action-against-chinese-platf">suggested the possibility</a> of a TikTok ban within the EU.
Photo by XanderSt 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:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

TikTok Tracks Views Of US Users On Gun Control, Abortion And Religion, Says Justice Department: 'Collection Of Data From Americans Is Not A Protected Activity'

Text messages from Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance have been brought to light, showcasing his past criticisms of police, former President Donald Trump, and more. These messages were disclosed by a former classmate of Vance&#8217;s.
What Happened: According to a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/27/us/jd-vance-emails-transgender-classmate-highlights.html">report</a> by<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/27/us/jd-vance-emails-transgender-classmate-highlights.html"> </a>The New York Times, about a series of texts that were shared by Sofia Nelson, a Detroit-based transgender public defender and a former close associate of Vance. These messages were exchanged between the years 2014 and 2017, during which Vance was recognized for his outspoken opposition to Trump, who is now his running mate.
One of the disclosed texts has Vance stating, &#8220;I hate the police. Given the number of negative experiences I've had in the past few years, I can't imagine what a black guy goes through.&#8221; In an email from 2015, he described Trump as a &#8220;demagogue&#8221; and a &#8220;morally reprehensible human being.&#8221;
A representative for Vance downplayed the messages, stating, "Senator Vance values his friendships with individuals across the political spectrum. He has been open about the fact that some of his views from a decade ago began to change after becoming a dad and starting a family, and he has thoroughly explained why he changed his mind on President Trump. Despite their disagreements, Senator Vance cares for Sofia and wishes Sofia the very best."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39999519/trump-vs-harris-latest-survey-indicates-positive-signs-for-this-candidate">Trump Vs. Harris: Latest Survey Indicates Positive Signs For This Candidate</a>
The unearthing of these texts has sparked a debate among conservative commentators, with some, such as Ben Shapiro, questioning Trump&#8217;s selection of Vance as his vice presidential candidate.
Why It Matters: The revelation of these messages could potentially impact Vance&#8217;s standing within the Republican party and among conservative voters. 
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39979544/can-trump-replace-jd-vance-amid-kamala-harris-picking-pace-experts-warn-that-could-be-extraordinaril">His past views on Trump, who is now his running mate, might raise questions</a> about his current political alignment and the sincerity of his support for the Trump administration.
Furthermore, his expressed disdain for the police could potentially alienate a portion of the Republican base that strongly supports law enforcement. 
As the election approaches, how Vance addresses these revelations and navigates the ensuing controversy could <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39916075/j-d-vance-venture-capital-background-under-scrutiny-it-never-seemed-like-he-was-even-working-it-">significantly influence his political future.</a>
Photos/Shutterstock.com
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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.

Secret Texts Reveal Republican VP Candidate JD Vance's Past Views On Trump, Police, And GOP: Called Ex-President 'Morally Reprehensible Human Being'

In a show of massive political support for the cryptocurrency demographic, former President Donald Trump said that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) would skyrocket like "never before" if he came back to power and promised to fire current SEC Chair Gary Gensler on Day 1 of his tenure.
What Happened: The Republican presidential nominees delivered one of the most hotly anticipated keynote addresses at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville.
About 30 minutes into the address, Trump declared, &#8220;Bitcoin and crypto will skyrocket like never before, even beyond your expectations, and you are the people doing it,&#8221; to wild applause from the audience. "When America is prospering, Bitcoin is soaring and it&#8217;ll go up with it."
The presidential hopeful highlighted how King Crypto exploded by 900%, from $898 to $35,000 during his four years in office, much higher than how it has during the Joe Biden administration.
Trump also announced that he would sack SEC Chair Gensler, seen as hostile to the cause of cryptocurrencies, on Day 1 of assuming office. "I will appoint a new SEC chairman who believes America should build the future and not block the future."
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39359780/dogecoin-shiba-inu-floki-are-dino-coins-says-trader-he-likes-these-3-other-meme-coins-as-b?itm_source=parsely-api"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39976626/jersey-city-pension-fund-to-follow-wisconsins-lead-with-bitcoin-etf-investment-ive-been-a-">Jersey City Pension Fund To Follow Wisconsin&#8217;s Lead With Bitcoin ETF Investment: &#8216;I&#8217;ve Been A Long Time Believer In Crypto,&#8217; Says Mayor Fulop</a>
Why It Matters: Trump's promises have already been making waves, at least in the cryptocurrency circles.&nbsp;
The former president <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/40001426/trump-aims-to-make-us-crypto-capital-of-the-planet-well-get-it-done">advocated for a strategic national cryptocurrency</a> stockpile at the event and laid out his plans to make the U.S. the cryptocurrency capital of the planet.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $68,693.74, up 0.89% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. Trump-themed Maga Coin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) was up 0.26%.
Image via Shutterstock
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$TRUMP

Trump Says Bitcoin Will 'Skyrocket Like Never Before' If He Returns To The White House, Promises To Fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler On Day 1

Vice President and presumptive Democratic Nominee For 2024 Presidential Elections, Kamala Harris, has voiced her support for the Venezuelan people in the wake of their landmark presidential election, amidst rising concerns about potential electoral fraud.
What Happened: Harris took to X on Sunday to say that the United States &#8220;stands with&#8221; the people of Venezuela. She said that the &#8220;will of the Venezuelan people must be respected.&#8221;
<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">The United States stands with the people of Venezuela who expressed their voice in today's historic presidential election. The will of the Venezuelan people must be respected. Despite the many challenges, we will continue to work toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure…
&mdash; Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/1817687288056303648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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As reported by Reuters, the Venezuelan election, the most consequential in 25 years of socialist party governance, saw President Nicolas Maduro, whose 2018 re-election is widely deemed fraudulent, express confidence in his victory. Despite being barred from holding public office, Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been a key figure in the coalition campaign.
Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat, is the opposition&#8217;s candidate. Despite gaining support from former ruling party supporters, the fairness of the election has been called into question by the opposition and observers, citing decisions by electoral authorities and arrests of opposition staff as potential hindrances.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39992709/kamala-harris-will-certify-2024-election-results-shes-not-going-to-burn-the-system-down-in-order?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kamala Harris Will Certify 2024 Election Results: &#8216;She&#8217;s Not Going To Burn The System Down In Order To Save It&#8217;</a>
According to Attorney General Tarek Saab, the voting was largely peaceful, barring a few isolated incidents. The results were anticipated on Sunday night.
Maduro&#8217;s administration has presided over an economic collapse, mass migration, and a significant decline in diplomatic relations, with sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and others. If re-elected, Maduro has pledged peace and economic growth, aiming to lessen Venezuela&#8217;s reliance on oil income.
Opposition leaders Gonzalez and Machado have promised major changes and believe a fresh start may motivate Venezuelan migrants to return. They also expect the military to uphold the election results.
Why It Matters: The US has been closely monitoring the Venezuelan election, given the history of alleged electoral fraud and the impact of the country&#8217;s economic collapse. According to a Benzinga report from April 2024, the Biden administration was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38290486/team-biden-considers-reinstating-oil-sanctions-on-venezuela-over-election-concerns-report">contemplating reinstating oil sanctions</a> on Venezuela due to concerns over the fairness of the election. 
The report highlighted that President Maduro had allegedly not fulfilled his commitments regarding free and fair elections, leading to the potential reintroduction of punitive measures on Venezuela's oil and gas sector.
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>

Kamala Harris: 'The Will Of The Venezuelan People Must Be Respected' As Socialist Nicolás Maduro Faces Toughest Test At The Ballot In Decades

In the wake of heavy rainfall, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected flood-stricken areas near the border with China, according to state media KCNA. The deluge has impacted approximately 5,000 residents in the region.
What Happened: A Reuters report revealed that Kim Jong Un visited the flood-impacted regions of Sinuiju and surrounding areas on Sunday. These regions, situated near the Chinese border, were hit by record rainfall on Saturday, leaving around 5,000 people isolated.
The North Korean military was quick to respond, deploying approximately 10 aircraft to carry out around 20 rescue missions each. Within half a day, they were able to rescue 4,200 people, KCNA reported.
Kim praised the military&#8217;s rescue efforts, stating that they saved 5,000 lives. However, he criticized officials for their lack of preparedness in crisis response measures to mitigate damage from heavy rain, floods, and typhoons.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39999465/trump-raises-eyebrows-with-controversial-remark-at-florida-event-in-four-years-you-dont-have-to-vote?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Raises Eyebrows With Controversial Remark At Florida Event: &#8216;In Four Years, You Don&#8217;t Have To Vote</a>
The region has been severely affected by heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Gaemi, which triggered a landslide in southern China, causing 12 fatalities and flash floods in other areas.
Why It Matters: This incident comes as North Korea&#8217;s economy, already battered by COVID-19, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/06/27875776/kim-jong-uns-covid-battered-economy-is-now-bracing-up-for-potential-floods">braced for potential floods</a> due to early monsoons, as reported by Benzinga in June 2022. The country&#8217;s food crisis, already at a critical stage, is likely to worsen due to these floods. In January 2024, Kim emphasized the urgent need to address the country&#8217;s food shortages, calling it a &#8220;serious political issue.&#8221;
Despite these challenges, North Korea&#8217;s economy experienced significant growth in 2023, after three consecutive years of contraction. This growth was attributed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39981434/kim-jong-un-steers-north-korea-to-growth-in-2023-after-3-years-of-decline-trade-with-china-russia-ba">increased trade with China</a>, relaxed COVID-19 border controls, and favorable weather conditions.
However, the country&#8217;s relationship with the United States remains tense, with North Korea asserting its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39925959/kim-jong-un-rejects-donald-trumps-friendship-claims-north-korea-says-we-do-not-care-expresses-nuclea">nuclear readiness</a> amid rising tension.
Photo by Alexander Khitrov on Shutterstock
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39998398/kamala-harris-admits-i-inhaled-marijuana-and-now-pushes-for-legalization-what-this-means-for-202?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kamala Harris Admits &#8216;I Inhaled&#8217; Marijuana And Now Pushes For Legalization: What This Means For 2024 Elections</a></li>
</ul>
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>

Kim Jong Un Praises His Military For Flood Rescue Efforts, Visits Areas On Chinese Border Battered By Typhoon Gaemi

Kamala Harris&#8216;s presidential campaign has raised a whopping $200 million and added 170,000 new volunteers in the week since she became the Democratic Party&#8217;s candidate.
What Happened: On Sunday last week, President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed Harris for the November 5 vote against Republican former President Donald Trump. Harris&#8217;s deputy campaign manager, Rob Flaherty, revealed the fundraising details on social media, reported Reuters.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">There's 100 days til Election Day, so here's a fun one: In the week since we got started, <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a> has raised $200 million dollars. 66% of that is from new donors. We've signed up 170,000 new volunteers. A people-powered campaign for a people-powered presidency!
&mdash; Rob Flaherty (@Rob_Flaherty) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rob_Flaherty/status/1817533449688809937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Recent polls, including a Reuters/Ipsos one, show Harris and Trump essentially tied, indicating a closely contested campaign with 100 days left until the election. Trump&#8217;s campaign had earlier reported raising $331 million in the second quarter.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39975168/nikki-haley-says-democrats-are-very-smart-to-put-in-a-younger-candidate-against-trump-but-kamala-har?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nikki Haley Says &#8216;Democrats Are Very Smart To Put In A Younger Candidate&#8217; Against Trump But Kamala Harris</a>
Harris has secured support from a majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, making her the likely party&#8217;s nominee for president next month. Biden withdrew from the race amid questions about his age and health, pledging to remain in office as president until his term ends on January 20, 2025.
Harris&#8217;s entry has revitalized a campaign that had faltered amid Democrats&#8217; doubts about Biden&#8217;s chances of defeating Trump. Republican attacks on Harris, the first woman and first Black and South Asian person to serve as U.S. vice president, have intensified since she became the Democrats&#8217; likely presidential nominee.
Why It Matters: Harris&#8217;s campaign has faced legal challenges since Biden&#8217;s withdrawal. The Trump campaign <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39903457/kamala-harris-presidential-run-to-remain-unbothered-by-gops-legal-shenanigans-say-experts-an-express">filed a complaint</a> with the Federal Election Commission, accusing Harris&#8217;s campaign of improperly acquiring funds from Biden&#8217;s campaign. Despite these allegations, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39903457/kamala-harris-presidential-run-to-remain-unbothered-by-gops-legal-shenanigans-say-experts-an-express">legal experts are confident</a> that these lawsuits will not succeed.
Furthermore, Harris has received the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39905133/kamala-harris-has-majority-support-from-democrats-to-run-against-trump-in-2024-presidential-race-pola">majority of Democratic delegate support</a>, positioning her as the party's nominee against Trump. This move is seen as an attempt to quell weeks of internal party disputes and unite in the mission to defeat Trump with just over 100 days until Election Day.
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>

Kamala Harris Raises $200M In A Week, 66% Of That Money Is From Donors, Reveals Campaign Manager: 'A People-Powered Campaign'

- <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=SxjTJ9GbqAKx2VamE9fThROVzkBSRqkHmTmK8kNmNXqsrnPyRVeoJpKn01OfZx1VSf_YKuCtX58mrY_FtvmxHg==">Longeveron Inc.</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LGVN#NASDAQ">LGVN</a>), a clinical stage regenerative medicine biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for life-threatening and chronic aging-related conditions, announced that its positive Phase 2a clinical trial data and biomarker results were featured in two presentations, including a Featured Research Session oral presentation, at the Alzheimer&rsquo;s Association International Conference&reg; (AAIC), taking place July 28 &ndash; August 1, 2024, in Philadelphia and online.
&ldquo;As a medicinal signaling cell therapy that has multiple potential mechanisms of action to address inflammatory responses in the brain, Lomecel-B&trade; offers potential to address the underlying pathology of Alzheimer&rsquo;s Disease without the limitations of previous therapies,&rdquo; said <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=mbkW5AdmogKgnA5dwt3EzNTyciWePy-nGiRurR8Oy8VvLkxUulLO0XPNWYIKM6XiYk-l0LlE_AHlpneKQ5qgLm7gUe-hWQAmcRXcuEgKEhdcPxg8-OylakJffZNqj6gu">Wa&rsquo;el Hashad</a>, Chief Executive Officer at Longeveron. &ldquo;We are very encouraged by the safety profile and efficacy evidence that support the differentiated therapeutic potential of Lomecel-B&trade; and lay the foundation for its future clinical development. We&rsquo;re pleased to connect with the Alzheimer&rsquo;s community at AAIC 2024 and contribute to the growing body of evidence that fuels the continued development of novel therapeutics for this devastating disease.&rdquo;

Events

LGVN

Longeveron Announced Study Results from CLEAR MIND Phase 2a Clinical Trial of Lomecel-B In Mild Alzheimer's Disease;  Study Meets Its Key Objectives To Advance Data Supporting Favorable Benefit/Risk Profile

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (&ldquo;Anavex&rdquo; or the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVXL#NASDAQ">AVXL</a>), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and neuropsychiatric disorders including Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, Parkinson&rsquo;s disease, Rett syndrome, schizophrenia, and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, today presented comprehensive results from the Phase IIb/III study showing that blarcamesine (ANAVEX&reg;2-73), once daily orally, significantly slowed clinical decline in people with early Alzheimer&#39;s disease (AD). The data were presented by Marwan Noel Sabbagh, MD, Professor of Neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board at the 2024 Alzheimer&#39;s Association International Conference (AAIC).
Blarcamesine significantly slowed clinical progression by 38.5% and 34.6% at 48 weeks in 50 mg and 30 mg groups vs. placebo, respectively, on the prespecified primary cognitive endpoint ADAS-Cog13. As specified in the March 2024 FDA Guidance for Early AD, a sole cognitive measure can serve as the primary endpoint for early Alzheimer&rsquo;s trials.1 The protocol was designed with ADAS-Cog13 and ADCS-ADL as co-primary endpoints. The functional co-primary endpoint, ADCS-ADL, was trending positive but did not reach significance at Week 48. A possible explanation is that the ADCS-ADL scale is designed for AD with overt dementia and is less sensitive for early AD.2 The prespecified key secondary composite endpoint CDR-SB, also recommended as an alternative primary endpoint for early AD in the new FDA guidance, is significant at both 30 mg and 50 mg at Week 48. The findings are supported by biomarkers from the A/T/N spectrum, including plasma A&beta;42/40-ratio and reduction of brain atrophy. Blarcamesine significantly slowed brain atrophy in key regions of interest, including the whole brain by 37.6%, total grey matter by 63.5%, and lateral ventricles by 25.1%.

AVXL

Anavex Life Sciences Earlier Announced Oral, Once Daily Blarcamesine Significantly Slowed Clinical Decline For Early Alzheimer's Disease Patients; Functional Co-primary Endpoint, ADCS-ADL, Was Trending Positive But Did Not Reach Significance At Week 48

Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTLE#NYSE">VTLE</a>) (&quot;Vital Energy&quot; or the &quot;Company&quot;) today announced the signing of a definitive joint purchase and sale agreement to acquire the assets of Point Energy Partners (&quot;Point&quot;), a Vortus Investments portfolio company. The transaction will significantly increase the Company&rsquo;s operational scale and footprint in the Delaware Basin and add high-value development inventory.
The agreement was signed in partnership with Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOG#NYSE">NOG</a>) (&quot;NOG&quot;). Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will acquire Point Energy&rsquo;s assets in an all-cash transaction for total consideration of $1.1 billion. Vital Energy agreed to acquire 80% of Point&rsquo;s assets, with NOG acquiring the remaining 20%. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2024 with an effective date of April 1, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.
Closing price adjustments are expected to total approximately $75 million, reducing total consideration to approximately $1.025 billion. Vital Energy expects to fund its $820 million portion, net of expected purchase price adjustments, through the use of its credit facility, which was recently expanded to $1.5 billion. Wells Fargo, National Association has committed to the increased elected commitment upon closing of the transaction.
Vital Energy plans to host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 a.m. CT on Monday, July 29, 2024. Supplemental slides have been posted to the Company&rsquo;s website.

VTLE

Vital Energy, Northern Oil and Gas To Acquire Point Energy's Delaware Basin Assets for $1,1B In Cash

When you think of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-industries-to-invest-in">booming industries</a>, you might jump to tech giants, pharmaceuticals, or renewable energy. But some of America&#8217;s biggest and most surprising moneymakers come from places you might not expect. Here are five unexpected sectors that are thriving and the reasons behind their success.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Baked Goods: A Tasty $82 Billion Industry</h2>
Yes, you read that right. The humble baked goods industry in the U.S. was worth a staggering $82 billion in 2022. From artisanal bread to decadent pastries, Americans love their baked treats.&nbsp;
This boom is partly because people are increasingly interested in high-quality, freshly baked products. The rise of health-conscious and specialty diets has also contributed, with gluten-free, organic, and vegan options taking a big slice of the market.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Used Luxury Watches: Time Is Money With A $4 Billion Market</h2>
Luxury watches are another booming market. The demand is very high, and supply is relatively low, so the market for used watches is exploding. In 2022, the U.S. luxury watch market, including pre-owned timepieces, was valued at $4 billion, and the global luxury watch market is projected to reach $37 billion by 2032, according to a CNBC report.&nbsp;
This growth can be attributed to the increasing appreciation of watches as investment pieces, despite Jean-Frédéric Dufour, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38138323/rolex-ceo-does-not-like-treating-luxury-watches-as-stock-investments-this-sends-the-wrong-">the CEO of Rolex, saying</a>, &#8220;I don&#8217;t like it when people compare watches with stocks. This sends the wrong message and is dangerous.&#8221;&nbsp;
Nevertheless, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-invest-in-watches">collectors and enthusiasts are willing to spend big</a> on rare and vintage models, driving up demand and prices. Brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, the Swiss watch industry leaders, witnessed a price surge for pre-owned watches in 2021 and early 2022.
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
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<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Phone Repairs: Keeping Us Connected For $8.3 Billion</h2>
Smartphones are essential. There&#8217;s no getting around that fact. So, it's no surprise that we need them fixed fast when they break. In 2023, Americans spent a whopping $8.3 billion on smartphone repairs. With the high cost of new phones, many people prefer repairing rather than replacing their devices. A growing number of repair shops and services popping up has made it more convenient and affordable to get phones fixed quickly.
The right-to-repair movement has also made a big impact as it pushes for consumers to have easier access to parts and info needed to fix their devices, helping people keep their smartphones working longer. For example, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/03/37975666/apple-device-repairs-might-soon-get-cheaper-and-easier-oregons-historic-righ-to-repair-law-to-ban-pa">Oregon recently passed a right-to-repair bill</a> that outlaws the controversial practice of parts pairing in repairs.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hot Sauce: Heating Up A $1.5 Billion Market</h2>
America&#8217;s love affair with hot sauce is hotter than ever. According to Business Insider, the market reached $1.5 billion and is set to surpass $15 billion globally by 2031, according to Transparency Market Research.
From the classic Tabasco to artisanal, small-batch brands, the variety and quality of hot sauces have exploded. The increasing interest in diverse and spicy cuisines and a growing number of hot sauce enthusiasts and collectors have spiced up this market significantly.
While these industries could be seen as surprising by some, or even many, their success shows just how diverse and changing American tastes are. Nevertheless, we all must remember that things can change and that these and many other sectors won&#8217;t keep growing forever. Economic changes, shifting consumer preferences, and new regulations can all affect these booming markets. Like any industry, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/04/38254603/warren-buffett-says-the-key-to-success-isnt-having-the-greatest-business-idea-in-the-world-the-test">staying successful will require constant innovation and adaptation</a>.
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Startups

These Surprising, Billion-Dollar American Industries Will Blow Your Mind. Find Out Which Unexpected Sectors Are Booming And Why

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris&#8217;s</a> infectious laughter has been a topic of discussion in political circles since she assumed office as Joe Biden's VP in January 2021. And now, her laugh has practically gone viral among critics, led by her main competitor <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump">Donald Trump,</a> who seems to be making her easy laugh a campaign issue, which he's already exploiting.
"I call her Laughing Kamala. You ever watch her laugh?… She's crazy. She's nuts," the former president said at a recent rally in Michigan.
While Harris's laugh is apparently viewed positively by supporters as the natural expression of her personality, which is usually the case with laughter, the Trump campaign and its friend <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/sean-hannity-says-adversaries-like-russia-and-china-will-snub-kamala-because-of-her-laugh">Sean Hannity at Fox News</a> are piling on to undermine her. They are calling her laugh a liability and much much more as they veer into racist and sexist territory.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NY Times Comedy Columnist Begs To Differ</h2>
"Far from a liability, her laugh is one of her most effective weapons," <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/arts/kamala-harris-laugh.html">says</a> New York Times Jason Zinoman who writes a comedy column. "Only in an era when everything gets politicized would a campaign come out aggressively against boisterous laughter."
Harris herself has addressed the origins of her laugh, attributing it to familial traits and personal joy. On more than one occasion, Harris <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39998398/kamala-harris-admits-i-inhaled-marijuana-and-now-pushes-for-legalization-what-this-means-for-202">has said, while laughing</a>, that cannabis "gives a lot of people joy, and we need more joy in the world." Amen to that.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40001853/trump-vs-harris-harris-leading-trump-in-maine-has-edge-with-gen-z-nationally">Trump Vs. Harris: Harris Leading Trump In Maine, Has Edge With Gen Z Nationally</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Is Trump And His Supporters Bothered By Harris's Laugh?</h2>
The Atlantic posits that the Trump campaign was caught off guard by the dizzying speed with which Harris became the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee following <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39874209/joe-biden-drops-out-what-would-happen-with-cannabis-legalization-under-kamala-harris-or-donald-t">Biden's announcement</a> to leave the race. Due to Harris's ever-increasing support, Trump had to quickly come up with some new snarky attack lines against her. It seems he's going with "Laughing Kamala" or is it "Cackling Kamala"?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Does Genuinely Laughing Say About A Person?</h2>
That he or she is human. "In a divided country, it's something we all do and enjoy. And as anyone who has hung out with friends late into the night knows, it's contagious. That's a powerful political tool," said NYT's Zinoman. "As the poet Ella Wilcox wrote, ‘Laugh and the world laughs with you.'"
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Photo: Shutterstock

Cannabis

Government

Kamala Harris's Hearty Laugh: Why Does It Bother Donald Trump And His Followers So Much?

Provista Health, a Dallas-based hospice provider, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/07/39865874/financial-crime-weekly-davita-agrees-to-pay-34-5m-for-kickbacks-hospice-provider-doles-out-19-4m-for">has been ordered</a> to pay $26.3 million for billing Medicare for a variety of medically unnecessary respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) tests that were given to nursing homes during the pandemic, the Department of Justice announced on Thursday.
On July 18, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland entered default judgments totaling the aforementioned amount against Provista and other laboratory companies owned by Patrick Britton-Harr for violating the False Claims Act. 
In a July 2023 complaint, the U.S. alleged that the RPP tests were not medically necessary because the beneficiaries had no symptoms of a respiratory illness and because the tests were for uncommon respiratory pathogens.
The complaint also alleged that Britton-Harr and Provista submitted claims for RPP tests that were never ordered by physicians and sometimes for RPP tests that were never performed, including over 300 claims for nasal swab test samples that were supposedly collected from beneficiaries who had already died.
Three Individuals Sentenced To Jail For Selling Pirated Business Telephone Software 
A married couple and a third individual have been sentenced to jail for selling tens of thousands of pirated business telephone system software licenses with a retail value of over $88 million, the DOJ said.
Raymond Bradley "Brad" Pearce, 48, of Tuttle, Oklahoma, a computer system administrator, was sentenced on Thursday to four years in prison and ordered to pay $4 million. In June, Dusti O. Pearce, 46, his wife who also lives in Tuttle, was sentenced to one year and a day in prison and was ordered to pay $4 million. 
Jason M. Hines, 44, of Caldwell, New Jersey, received an 18-month prison sentence and another 18 months of home confinement and was ordered to pay $2 million.
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The trio, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2023, will also pay restitution as follows: $17 million for Brad Pearce, $10 million for Dusti Pearce and more than $5 million for Hines. 
The Pearces conspired with Hines to commit wire fraud in a scheme that involved making and selling unauthorized Avaya Direct International (ADI) software licenses used to unlock functionalities of the IP Office telephone system. 
Avaya Holdings Corporation, a California-based international business communications company that sold IP Office, also sold software licenses that unlocked IP Office&#8217;s functions.
Brad Pearce, a customer service employee at Avaya, used his system administrator privileges to generate tens of thousands of ADI software license keys that he illegally sold to Hines and other customers, who in turn sold them to resellers and end users worldwide.
He also hijacked the accounts of former Avaya employees to make more license keys, concealing the overall scheme by changing information on the accounts, while Dusti Pearce served as the illegal operation&#8217;s accountant.
Doctor Faces Years In Prison For Illegally Distributing Controlled Substances, Defrauding Health Care Benefit Programs
A federal jury convicted a Louisiana physician yesterday for conspiring to illegally distribute over 1.8 million doses of Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone and morphine, and for defrauding health care benefit programs of more than $5.4 million, the DOJ said on Tuesday.
According to court documents, Adrian Dexter Talbot, 58, owned and operated Medex Clinical Consultants in Slidell, Louisiana, that accepted cash payments for controlled substances.
Talbot ignored signs that individuals frequenting Medex were drug-seeking or abusing the drugs prescribed. 
In 2015, he left pre-signed prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances at his clinic so that individuals who never saw him could acquire the drugs while he was working a full-time job in Pineville.
In 2016, he hired another practitioner who also pre-signed prescriptions to be distributed in the same manner at the Slidell clinic in exchange for cash deposited into the Medex account.
Talbot falsified patient records to cover up the scheme, in which individuals used insurance benefits to fill prescriptions. This resulted in fraudulent billing to health care benefit programs because prescriptions were written without a proper patient examination or determination of medical necessity.
He faces up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 20 years in prison for the other counts. 
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Health Care

Financial Crime Weekly: Hospice Provider Fined $26.3M For False Covid Claims, Trio Sent To Jail For Selling $88M In Pirated Business Telephone Software

Jeremy from Tulsa, Oklahoma, received some eye-opening advice from personal finance expert <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39938702/dave-ramsey-says-the-fire-movement-isnt-sustainable-to-caller-who-spent-5-years-working-3-jobs-t">Dave Ramsey</a> during an episode of the popular Ramsey Show. Here's what went down during the exchange.&nbsp;
Ramsey is known for his blunt and honest advice, which caller Jeremy experienced firsthand when he asked the finance guru whether he should buy rental properties as an investment while still in debt. Jeremy explained his situation to Ramsey, saying that he and his wife are currently in massive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39955016/norwegians-did-it-in-the-70s-we-could-do-it-today-says-kevin-oleary-about-using-gas-and-oil-to-p">debt</a> from student loans. He explains, "My wife and I are both recent graduates. We have an astronomical debt of $290,000 in student loans."&nbsp;
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Ramsey's first response to that eye-watering debt was to ask who the doctor was. Jeremy tells Ramsey that both he and his wife are well-educated. His wife has a doctorate in physical therapy, and he has a master&#8217;s in environmental safety. This situation reflects what many people in the U.S. encounter when pursuing higher education. On average, the total costs per year for a doctoral program are around $40,900, so studying for a Ph.D., which can take 4-8 years, can set you back by $163,600-$327,200. By the end of 2023, 43.2 million Americans had federal student loans, with a national balance of $1.6 trillion.&nbsp;
With his current financial situation revealed, Jeremy then asked Ramsey if buying rental properties as an investment is a good idea. If you've ever listened to Ramsey before, you know his stance on debt and spending. So, before Jeremy could finish his question, Ramsey exclaimed in disbelief that it was a bad idea for someone with close to $300,000 in debt to purchase rental properties as an investment. Ramsey tells Jeremy that this is a bad idea and that no, he should not buy rental properties. Instead, Ramsey&#8217;s advice is to work harder than he's ever worked before to clear his debt.
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
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<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
Jeremy and his family acknowledge their financial troubles, and thanks to Ramsey's advice, they have sold their home because they could not afford it. So far, they have paid off $10,000 in debt with $35,000 from selling the house, and their current rental house costs $800 per month. With this in mind, Jeremy thinks they can buy a $60,000 house with a $400,000 mortgage to help pay off debt, which Ramsey feels is risky.&nbsp;
While Ramsey may believe investing in debt is not advisable, others disagree, such as Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, an expert in financial education and author of the bestselling book, "Say Yes to No Debt." Additionally, SmartAsset reported that debt can be a powerful tool for building wealth if used correctly, which Jeremy plans to do by utilizing his debt to invest in property, potentially generating income to clear his debt. Investing in real estate is a time-tested method for building long-term wealth because it involves acquiring valuable assets, and using a mortgage is a common way to gain equity.&nbsp;
See Also: Will the surge continue or decline on real estate prices?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/realbricks"> People are finding out about risk-free real estate investing that lets you cash out whenever you want.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was Ramsey's final piece of advice for Jeremy?&nbsp;</h2>
He told Jeremy seriously, "You have $300,000 in student loan debt, dude. Don't talk to me about buying a rental house." Instead, he urged Jeremy to get out of debt first and keep his life simple. His final advice for the indebted couple was, "Quit trying to borrow your way through all of your dreams. You're turning them into nightmares."&nbsp;
While Ramsey feels this way, Katie Ross, executive vice president for the nonprofit national financial education organization American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC), believes that investing while in debt is not necessarily a bad thing; it's more of a balancing act. Ross admits that you'll have less money for investment while paying off debt, but it is possible to both invest and pay down debt. To do this, Ross suggests creating a debt management plan to invest and pay off debt.&nbsp;
Read Next:
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<li>Warren Buffett flipped his neighbor's $67,000 life savings into a $50 million fortune —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/advisor-adv-warren-buffett"> How much is that worth today?</a></li>
<li>How much money will a $200,000 annuity pay out each month?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/200k-annuities-adv"> The numbers may shock you.</a></li>
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Personal Finance

Dave Ramsey Tells Man $300,000 In Debt That He Needs To Stop Trying To 'Borrow His Way Through All Of His Dreams'

Vice President Kamala Harris leads former President Donald Trump in Democratic-leaning Maine by 8 points, with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39999337/survey-reveals-how-americans-feel-about-a-potential-female-president-and-what-it-means-for-kamala-ha">November election just 100 days away</a>.
What Happened: A poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire on Friday shows Harris in the lead with 48% of Maine voters&#8217; support, while Trump trails behind with 40%.
Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is at 4%, while Libertarian Chase Oliver, Green Party nominee Jill Stein, and independent Cornel West each draw 1% support.
Despite Harris&#8217; lead, she may not be able to count on Maine&#8217;s four electoral votes. Maine is one of two states that awards electors by congressional district, and while Harris leads overall and in the southern 1st District, which leans left, Trump is ahead by 4 points in the more conservative 2nd District. Trump won that district in both 2016 and 2020, taking one of the state&#8217;s electoral votes.
Neither Harris nor Trump has a net favorable rating in the poll. 42% of respondents have a favorable view of Harris, while 46% hold an unfavorable view. Trump was viewed favorably by 36% of respondents, with 58% viewing him unfavorably. Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance is viewed favorably by just 31% of respondents, with 46% unfavorable.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39999519/trump-vs-harris-latest-survey-indicates-positive-signs-for-this-candidate">Trump Vs. Harris: Latest Survey Indicates Positive Signs For This Candidate</a>
Fox News Poll
A Fox News <a href="https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/Fox_July-22-24-2024_Pennsylvania_Topline_July-26-Release.pdf">poll</a> released on Friday reveals that a majority of voters in Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin support President Joe Biden&#8216;s decision to step down from the presidential race.
The polls, conducted from July 22 to 24, display a neck-and-neck race between Harris and Trump, echoing the Biden-Trump contest in April.
In Michigan and Pennsylvania, Harris and Trump are neck-and-neck. Trump has a slight lead in Wisconsin, while Harris has a six-point lead in Minnesota.
Gen Z Voters Prefer Kamala Harris Over Trump
A recent <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/25/poll-harris-biden-trump-young-voters">poll</a> conducted by Axios/Generation Lab, has revealed that Harris is more favored than Trump among the youngest voters in America, those aged between 18 and 34.
The poll reveals that 60% of Gen Z voters and younger millennials would choose Harris over Trump in a head-to-head matchup, with Trump at 40%.
When the same question was asked with Biden as the Democratic nominee, Trump&#8217;s support among young voters increased to 47%. This poll was conducted soon after Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race and publicly endorsed Harris.
Since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, Harris has seen a surge in popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, where she gained over 1 million followers just hours after posting her first video.
Why It Matters: The results of these polls are significant as they come with the election entering a new phase and its final stretch.
Furthermore, the positive trend for Harris&#8217; campaign highlights shifting political dynamics and voter preferences.
Read Next
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39657200/ex-trump-staffer-shares-texts-to-prove-that-ex-presidents-campaign-settled-to-keep-discrimination-an" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ex-Trump Staffer Shares Texts To Prove That Ex-President's Campaign Settled To Keep Discrimination And Sexual Harassment Lawsuits Quiet</a></li>
</ul>
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