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MANY financial changes are coming in 2025 which could affect how much money you have in your pocket. Bus and rail fares will rise, the minimum wage will increase and stamp duty thresholds will be updated. Plus, it’s important to remember yearly money dates including the deadline to submit a tax return or when the new financial year begins. Here we explain all the key dates you need in your diary for the New Year. January 1 - energy price cap On January 1 the new energy price cap comes into effect. Households will now pay an average of £1,738 per year for their energy, up from £1,717. Read more on benefits The price cap is used to show how much a typical family with a dual fuel tariff who pays via direct debit could expect to spend on their energy bill each year. But the exact amount you will pay each month will depend on your usage and can be higher or lower than the cap. What to do: There are several things you can do to ease the pain of a price cap rise. The first is to look around for a fixed rate that might be cheaper than the standard variable tariffs based on the cap. Most read in Money The second is to look for ways to minimise your energy usage, which can bring down your overall bills. This could be things like turning the thermostat down a degree, keeping your curtains drawn, and even blocking drafts from chimneys. Longer term, insulation is expensive but can save you thousands of pounds on your bills. Emily Seymour, Which? energy editor, said: "It's still worth shopping around for energy deals - look out for any that might be cheaper than the January price cap when it comes into effect. "You should compare what your monthly payments would be on a fixed deal with what you'd expect them to be if you remain with the price-capped variable tariff to see what the best option is for you. "As a rule of thumb, we'd recommend looking for deals cheaper than the price cap, not longer than 12 months and without significant exit fees. "If you're worried about affording your bills this winter, don't suffer in silence. "Speak to your energy company - they are obliged to help you if you're struggling to pay your bills." January 1 - bus fares rise On January 1 the bus fare cap will also increase from £2 to £3. The government announced the changes to travel costs in its Budget. The cap will mean that no single bus fare on routes included in the scheme will exceed £3. Meanwhile, routes where fares are less than £3 will only be allowed to increase in line with inflation . What to do: You'll need to factor this change into your monthly budget and check to see if there is a travel card that might make it cheaper for you. January 29 - Winter Fuel Payment deadline Thousands of pensioners who receive certain benefits will get a Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300 this year. Most payments will be made automatically in November or December. If you are eligible you should receive a letter telling you how much you’ll get and which bank account it will be paid into. This is usually the same account as your Pension Credit or other benefits. Consumer reporter Sam Walker explains all you need to know about the payment. The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free benefit designed to help cover the cost of heating through the colder months. Most who are eligible receive the payment automatically. Those who qualify are usually told via a letter sent in October or November each year. If you do meet the criteria but don't automatically get the Winter Fuel Payment, you will have to apply on the government's website. You'll qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter if: you were born on or before September 23, 1958 you lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 16 to 22, 2024, known as the "qualifying week" you receive Pension Credit , Universal Credit , ESA, JSA, Income Support, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit If you did not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both the following apply: you live in Switzerland or a EEA country you have a "genuine and sufficient" link with the UK social security system, such as having lived or worked in the UK and having a family in the UK But there are exclusions - you can’t get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France , Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain . This is because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK. You will also not qualify if you: are in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave states that you can not claim public funds were in prison for the whole "qualifying week" lived in a care home for the whole time between 26 June to 24 September 2023, and got Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance Payments are usually made between November and December, with some made up until the end of January the following year. What to do: If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29 then you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160. You will need to provide personal details such as your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number. The deadline for you to claim for this winter is March 31, 2025. January 31 - Self-assessment tax return deadline Hundreds of thousands of people need to file a self-assessment tax return before January 31 or face a hefty penalty. You may need to do a tax return for several reasons, including if you are self-employed or earn money from savings, tips or commissions. The deadline to submit a paper tax return has passed but you can still complete the forms online. You can find more information about completing a tax return on the Government’s website. If you owe any tax then you need to pay it by midnight on the same day. You can do this online, via the HMRC app, through your bank’s app or using online banking. It can take a few days for payments to reach HMRC so try and pay your bill at least a few days ahead of the deadline. There’s usually a second payment deadline of July 31 if you make advance payments towards your bill. This is known as “payments on account”. You will also need to pay a penalty if you are late. What to do: You can check if you need to file a tax return by using the online tool on the GOV.UK website. Complete the paperwork online well before the deadline to avoid any mishaps. Pay any tax you owe now to avoid being slapped with a hefty fine. February 1 - Alcohol duty freeze ends The freeze on alcohol duty rates was extended until February 1 in the Spring Budget. After this date, alcohol duty rates on all non-draught products will rise in line with the retail price index measure of inflation. This means that the price of some alcohol will increase. Draught products, such as beer, which are served in pubs will be exempt to help control prices. What to do: Stock up on your favourite beverages ahead of this deadline to avoid being affected by price rises. February 6 - Bank of England base rate In February the Bank of England’s rate-setting committee will meet for the first time to decide whether to cut interest rates. If the Bank decides to cut interest rates then it could mean that savings rates fall and mortgages get less expensive. Interest rates were cut twice this year, in August and November. It is expected that interest rates will fall even further in 2025 but they are unlikely to return to the levels seen for more than a decade. What to do: If experts think the base rate is likely to increase, then you should consider whether you’re getting the best mortgage deal. You can apply for and hold a mortgage rate for up to six months. If you have a fix coming to an end or you’re on a standard variable rate, it’s worth speaking to a broker before any MPC decision and securing a rate. You can always shop around for another one if rates fall. It's also a good time to check whether your savings, and any debts are in the best place possible. Check whether you can find lower interest for credit cards, or higher paying savings accounts depending on what the MPC announces. February 25 - Energy price cap published The next energy price cap will be published on February 25. This will control how much an energy supplier can charge for every unit of energy used between April 1 to June 30. There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by. If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter. This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period. If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal . Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills. But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances. For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000. British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund. EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too. Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). The service helps support vulnerable households , such as those who are elderly or ill. Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts , free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling. Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply. The cap has risen the last two times it has been reviewed and could rise again in February. As a result, energy bills could become more expensive. What to do: Check if you would be better off locking into a fixed energy deal if you are on a variable tariff. March 2 - train fares rise by 4.6% Rail fares are set to increase by 4.6% in March after the government revealed the plans in its Budget document. The cost of most railcards will also rise by £5, which is equal to almost 17%. What to do: As train travel gets more expensive, railcards are likely to become better value for money, particularly if you’re a regular traveller. National Rail has plenty available including for young people up to 30, disabled people, family and friends, network rail, seniors, veterans and two people travelling together. Currently, most cost £30 for one year or £70 for three, so it’s worth buying now before prices rise. If you’re a commuter, it might also be worth checking whether an annual ticket might be cheaper, if you don’t have one already. March 31 - Household support fund applications close Struggling households have until March 31 to apply for the Household Support Fund which can help them to make ends meet. The government has provided £421 million of funding to local authorities to help hard-up families and pensioners. The money will help to pay for gas , electricity or food. Payments will be made in cash or vouchers. The amount you will get depends on your local authority and what support is available. If you think you are eligible then apply as soon as possible. Councils only have a certain amount of money to give out to residents and once it is gone you will miss out. What to do: Check if you are eligible for help and apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out. April 1 - household bills increase The cost of several household bills will rise from April 1. Council tax bills in England will rise by up to 5% from April, which will add an extra £100 to a typical bill. The exact amount your bill will rise depends on where you live and what band your property is in. Water regulator Ofwat has forecast that bills will rise by £27.40 next year, pushing up the average household water bill to £473. Meanwhile, the cost of a TV licence will increase by £5 to £174.50 , the Government announced in December. What to do: Most of the changes will happen automatically and there’s not much you can do, but you can plan in advance. Start thinking now about how you can cut costs to accommodate rising bills. For anything where you can choose your provider, such as mobile phones and broadband, it’s worth shopping around to make sure you’ll be getting the best deal. April 1 - minimum wage rise and National Living Wage Meanwhile, the National Living Wage is also set to increase on the same day. The living wage for those aged over 21 will rise by 77p to £12.21 an hour from April 1. The rate for 18-20-year-olds will increase by £1.40 to £10. Apprentices will get £7.55 an hour, a £1.15 increase. The Government wants to eventually introduce a single minimum wage for all ages. What to do: Rises will come in automatically for those who earn the national living or minimum wages and you don’t need to do anything. For anyone on a higher salary, this could be a good opportunity to negotiate an increase with your employer. If you do get a pay rise, it often makes sense to increase your pension contributions. After all, if you’ve never had the money, you won’t miss it. Equally, diverting more money to savings at the beginning of the month can help you save for emergencies or big spends such as holidays. April 5 - end of the tax year Unlike the calendar year, the tax year runs from April to April each year. This can be important if you want to save a lot of money in an Individual Savings Account (ISA) or junior version. You can pay up to £20,000 into an Isa each year. Meanwhile, Junior Isas have a limit of £9,000 a year. You cannot roll over any unused allowance to the next tax year. What to do: If you have an ISA, this is the last chance to use up any of the 2024/2025 allowance. It’s also when your annual pension allowance ends, so a good opportunity to get any last minute payments in if you think you might reach the limit next year. April 5 - deadline to top up state pension One important date is April 5, when the rules about filling historic gaps your NI record change. Currently, you can buy national insurance years going back to 2006 to top up your record, but from April this will change to just 6 years. Your national insurance record determines how much state pension you get, and you need 35 years of contributions or credits to get the full amount. What to do: Check your state pension record and see if there are any gaps. Use HMRC’s new online tool which tells you how much it would cost to fill different years and what effect that would have on your pension. April 5 - tax credits finish Universal Credit is replacing tax credits in 2025. After April 5 tax credits will end and no further payments will be made. Those who are eligible will be moved over to Universal Credit . They will get a letter from the Government to tell them that they need to switch. If you do not claim by the deadline in that letter then your existing tax credit payments will stop, even if you just renewed your claim. If you claim tax credits and are over the state pension age then you will be asked to apply for Universal Credit or Pension Credit, depending on your situation. What to do: If you need to apply for new benefits then you should do so before this deadline. You could miss out on some money if you apply after this date. There should be information on how to apply in the Government letter. April 6 - state pension rises The state pension will rise by £472 a year for millions of pensioners on April 6 as part of the triple lock guarantee. This ensures that payments rise in line with wages, inflation or 2.5% - whichever is highest. AT the moment the current state pension is paid to both men and women from age 66 - but it's due to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046. The state pension is a recurring payment from the government most Brits start getting when they reach State Pension age. But not everyone gets the same amount, and you are awarded depending on your National Insurance record. For most pensioners, it forms only part of their retirement income , as they could have other pots from a workplace pension, earning and savings. The new state pension is based on people's National Insurance records. Workers must have 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to get the maximum amount of the new state pension. You earn National Insurance qualifying years through work, or by getting credits, for instance when you are looking after children and claiming child benefit . If you have gaps, you can top up your record by paying in voluntary National Insurance contributions. To get the old, full basic state pension, you will need 30 years of contributions or credits. You will need at least 10 years on your NI record to get any state pension. Those on the basic and new state pension will see their payments rise by 4.1%. From next year pensioners on the full new state pension will get £230.25 a week. Meanwhile, retirees on the full old basic state pension will receive £176.45 a week. What to do: Make sure that your contact details are up to date. Check what day of the week your state pension should be paid . April 6 - Help to Save scheme expanded On the same day, the Help to Save scheme will be expanded to anyone who works and claims Universal Credit. Help to Save is a savings account which can be opened by people who are entitled to Working Tax Credit or receive Universal Credit and meet certain criteria. Those with the account get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over four years. They can save between £1 and £50 every calendar month and do not have to pay in money every month. Currently, those who get Universal Credit must earn £793.17 or more each month to be eligible. But anyone earning at least £1 a month who claims Universal Credit will be able to apply from April. What to do: If you want to join Help to Save then you can apply through the Government Gateway. You do not need to submit any paperwork as HMRC will assess whether you are eligible. If you have problems applying then you can call the Help to Save service on 0300 322 7093. May 1 - NHS prescription charges could rise The NHS increased prescription charges from May 1, 2024. The cost of a single prescription rose by 25p to £9.90. Meanwhile, the cost of a prepayment certificate rose by £2.90 to £114.50. The Government may decide to do the same in 2025. It is not yet clear how much prescription costs could rise by next year. What to do: If you get lots of prescriptions, consider a Prescription Prepayment Certificate. These cover all your NHS prescriptions for a set price. The NHS says you will save money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or 11 items in 12 months. The prescription charge in England is currently £9.90. A PPC costs: £32.05 for 3 months £114.50 for 12 months If you’re on benefits or a low income you might be eligible for free prescriptions. You can use the eligibility checker here to find out. May 26 - energy price cap published By May 26 the energy regulator Ofwat will announce the energy price cap for July 1 to September 30. This will decide how much households will pay for their gas and electricity during the summer months. What to do: Check how much you are spending on your gas and electricity each month. Compare it to how much you would pay if you locked into a fixed tariff to see whether you could save money. June 30 - Radio Teleswitch service turned off The Radio Teleswitch Service uses radio signals to tell some electricity meters to switch between peak and off-peak rates. It will be shut down and the service which uses it will end on June 30, 2025. Homes which use this service for their heating and hot water could be impacted if they are not upgraded. What to do: If you think you could be affected then contact your energy supplier to check if your meter needs replacing. June 30 - Mortgage guarantee scheme closes The mortgage guarantee scheme allows lenders to offer 95% deals for first-time buyers and people who want to move home. To be eligible they must have a deposit of between 5% and 9.99%. GETTING on the property ladder can feel like a daunting task but there are schemes out there to help first-time buyers have their own home. Help to Buy Isa - It's a tax-free savings account where for every £200 you save, the Government will add an extra £50. But there's a maximum limit of £3,000 which is paid to your solicitor when you move. These accounts have now closed to new applicants but those who already hold one have until November 2029 to use it. Help to Buy equity loan - The Government will lend you up to 20% of the home's value - or 40% in London - after you've put down a 5% deposit. The loan is on top of a normal mortgage but it can only be used to buy a new build property. Lifetime Isa - This is another Government scheme that gives anyone aged 18 to 39 the chance to save tax-free and get a bonus of up to £32,000 towards their first home. You can save up to £4,000 a year and the Government will add 25% on top. Shared ownership - Co-owning with a housing association means you can buy a part of the property and pay rent on the remaining amount. You can buy anything from 25% to 75% of the property but you're restricted to specific ones. Mortgage guarantee scheme - The scheme opens to new 95% mortgages from April 19 2021. Applicants can buy their first home with a 5% deposit, it's eligible for homes up to £600,000. The scheme allows lenders to offer more mortgages with smaller deposits, helping thousands of people to get on the property ladder. But it will close to applicants on June 30, 2025. What to do: This may see some lenders stopping 95% mortgages or making them more expensive, so if you’re planning to buy, do so before the scheme ends. You can hold a mortgage offer for up to six months, so it’s worth applying even if you won’t be ready to move for a couple of months after the deadline. July 1 - Energy price cap updated The energy price cap for July 1 to September 30 will come into force on this day. British Gas estimates that on this day the price cap will fall from £1,810 to £1,775. If true, the decrease would save customers £35 a year. What to do: Take a meter reading before the new price cap comes into force. This will ensure that you are charged accurately for the energy you used before prices changed. Every supplier has their own policy on when you can submit a meter reading after the new cap comes in. Check with yours how long you have to take one and submit it. July 31 - Payment on account deadline The deadline to make a second payment on account is July 31. Payments on account help you to spread the cost of your tax bill by splitting it into instalments. Each payment is half of the tax you owed last year. They must be paid by midnight on January 31 and July 31. What to do: You can check how much you owe and make payments through your online government account. There is also an HMRC tool which you can use to check if you need to pay. August 1 - Student fees rise The maximum fees that universities can charge will rise from £9,250 to £9,535 a year. This will be the first increase since a freeze introduced in 2017. What to do: You can get a student loan to cover your fees. August 20 - July inflation figures released Inflation figures for July will be published on August 20, 2025. This figures are used to calculate how much rail fares will increase by the following year. The exact amount that rail fares will increase by is usually confirmed around the time the government publishes its Budget . What to do: Keep an eye out for announcements around how this will impact prices in 2026. September 15 - First day to claim Winter Fuel Payment To get the Winter Fuel Payment you must have received certain benefits such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit between September 16 and 22. This is known as the “qualifying week”. If the same rules apply next year then the qualifying week will begin on September 15. What to do: Apply for any benefits which would make you eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment well ahead of September. If you already receive a qualifying benefit then ensure you will receive it during the qualifying week. September 16 - Wage figures published On this date the government will publish its September labour market figures, which are used to calculate state pension rates . The state pension increases every April in line with September wage figures, inflation or 2.5%, whichever is highest. In 2024 the state pension was increased in line with wages, which rose by 4.1%. What to do: Wait until the Government confirms how much the state pension will rise in 2026. Check how much you could be entitled to so you can manage your budget the following year. October 1 - Energy price cap updated The energy price cap for the October 1 to December 31 period will come into effect on this day. The amount that a typical family can expect to pay during this period will be published on August 27. What to do: Take a meter reading and send it to your energy supplier before the new price cap comes in. October 5 - Deadline to register for self-assessment If you need to file a tax return then the deadline to register with HMRC is October 5. You may need to do a tax return if you are self-employed and earned more than £1,000 last year or if you are in a business partnership. To register visit the Gov.uk website. What to do: To register, follow the instructions on the government’s website . October 22 - September inflation figure published On October 22 the inflation figure for September will be published. This is important because it is used to calculate how much benefits, the state pension and tax credits will rise. The September inflation figure is used as part of the triple lock guarantee. If it is higher than the wage figures published on September 16 and 2.5% then it will be used in the calculations. The government usually confirms the exact amount that the state pension will rise at a later date. What to do: Check the figures announced to understand how your payments from April 6, 2026 might be affected. October 31 - Paper tax return deadline The deadline to submit a paper tax return is usually midnight on October 31 every year. These forms can be downloaded from the Government website or you can request them by telephone. They are then posted to the tax office, where they are registered. It can take a few days for the tax office to receive your paper tax return in the post. Submit it a few days ahead of this deadline to make sure it arrives on time. What to do: You can download the form here or ring HMRC and ask them to send you one. If you miss the deadline, you should submit as soon as possible. If you’re able to file digitally, there is a later deadline of January 31. November - Budget We don't know when the Budget will be, but it's likely to be November. What to do: Keep an eye on the Sun’s money pages throughout Autumn, where we will update you on the date of the budget and all the experts’ predictions for what it will include. November 28 - Black Friday Black Friday will start on November 28 and will end on December 1 in 2025. READ MORE SUN STORIES Although it was originally an American celebration, it has now become a worldwide shopping event. What to do: Keep an eye out for deals and discounts in the run-up to Black Friday as some shops launch their offers early to entice shoppers. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk . Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications. Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy week Stock indexes closed mixed on Wall Street at the end of a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 ended little changed Friday. The benchmark index reached its latest in a string of records a week ago. It lost ground for the week following three weeks of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite edged up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged after raising its revenue forecast. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. Next Week: Retail sales, Fed policy update, existing home sales The Commerce Department releases its monthly snapshot of U.S. retail sales Tuesday. Federal Reserve officials wrap up a two-day meeting and issue an interest rate policy update Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors issues its latest update on U.S. home sales Thursday.Texas, Arizona State to meet in CFP clash of old vs. new Big 12 champs

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MONTREAL, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stingray (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B), an industry leader in music and video content distribution, business services, and advertising solutions, today announced the acquisition of Loupe Art, a leading visual art streaming service on Smart TVs and Digital Signage. This strategic acquisition aims to expand Stingray's presence on Connected TVs and significantly enhance its offering for businesses, particularly in digital signage. Founded in 2016, Loupe Art's platform includes over 10,000 original artworks from more than 750 artists across 50 countries. It offers expertly curated art collections and themed episodes that combine visual art with music, providing an unparalleled ambient entertainment experience. Loupe Art reaches audiences worldwide through partnerships with major platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon, Google TV, Samsung, LG, Comcast, LocalNow, Freecast, WhaleTV+ and others. The acquisition will enable Stingray to leverage Loupe's patented technology and extensive content catalog to enhance its FAST channels on Connected TVs. It will also bolster Stingray Business by integrating Loupe's tailored art displays into its digital signage solutions, offering businesses a flexible and customized visual experience across their locations. "By integrating Loupe Art's groundbreaking platform with Stingray's extensive expertly curated music catalog and robust distribution network, we are poised to revolutionize the way art and music are experienced in homes and businesses worldwide," said Eric Boyko, President, Co-founder, and CEO of Stingray. "This acquisition not only broadens our content offerings but also strengthens our position as a leader in the digital media landscape." "Joining forces with Stingray opens up exciting new possibilities for Loupe," said Michele Tobin, CEO of Loupe Art. "We are eager to expand the reach of our artists' work, bringing their creative expressions to a broader audience through Stingray's impressive distribution channels. Together, we look forward to transforming how art is experienced in everyday life, enriching public and private spaces alike. " With this acquisition, Stingray continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and growth in the digital media sector. By combining Loupe Art's cutting-edge technology and rich artistic content with Stingray's extensive reach and expertise, the company is well-positioned to deliver enhanced value to its customers and partners globally. Stingray remains dedicated to providing exceptional entertainment experiences that seamlessly integrate art and music, enriching environments across both residential and commercial spaces. About Stingray Stingray (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B), a global music, media, and technology company, is an industry leader in TV broadcasting, streaming, radio, business services, and advertising. Stingray provides an array of global music, digital, and advertising services to enterprise brands worldwide, including audio and video channels, over 100 radio stations, subscription video-on-demand content, FAST channels, karaoke products and music apps, and in-car and on-board infotainment content. Stingray Business, a division of Stingray, provides commercial solutions in music, in-store advertising solutions, digital signage, and AI-driven consumer insights and feedback. Stingray Advertising is North America's largest retail audio advertising network, delivering digital audio messaging to more than 30,000 major retail locations. Stingray has close to 1000 employees worldwide and reaches 540 million consumers in 160 countries. For more information, visit www.stingray.com . About Loupe Art Loupe Art is an innovative patented streaming art platform that transforms connected TVs and digital signage into customized art galleries. Loupe expertly curates original artworks from a wide range of diverse global artists to deliver unique, immersive art experiences. Loupe for Business offers Public Art solutions ranging from remotely programmable art streams that reflect mood, daypart, season, style, color and brand attributes to bespoke curation services for Real Estate, Workplace, Hospitality and Healthcare customers. Loupe Art is available to consumers in-home on Samsung TV Plus, Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV, LG, Comcast, LocalNow, Freecast and WhaleTV+. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information with respect to Stingray's goals, beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. Forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "may", "would", "should", "could", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "plan", "foresee", "believe", and "continue", or the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions. Please note, however, that not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. Forward-looking information is based upon a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Stingray's control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified in Stingray's Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2024, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Consequently, all of the forward-looking information contained herein is qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements, and there can be no guarantee that the results or developments that Stingray anticipates will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or effects on Stingray's business, financial condition or results of operation. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained herein is provided as of the date hereof, and Stingray does not undertake to update or amend such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.Bryan sets record for hotel revenue in November

Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy weekBryce Thompson scored 17 points and achieved a milestone as Oklahoma State defeated Miami 80-74 on Friday afternoon in a Charleston Classic consolation game in Charleston, S.C. Thompson made 6-of-14 shots from the floor, surpassing 1,000 points for his career at Oklahoma State (4-1), which also got 15 points from Marchelus Avery. The Cowboys won in large part thanks to their impressive 3-point shooting (10-for-22, 45.5 percent). Oklahoma State backup guard Arturo Dean, a Miami native, posted eight points and one steal. He led the nation in steals last season while playing for Florida International. Miami (3-2) has lost two straight games in Charleston, failing to take a lead at any point. They will play on Sunday against either Nevada or VCU. The Hurricanes on Friday were led by Nijel Pack, who had a game-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson had a double-double for Miami with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Cleveland scored 11 points and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet added 10 points apiece for Miami. Miami, which fell behind 7-0 in Thursday's loss to Drake, got behind 9-0 on Friday as Abou Ousmane scored six of his eight points. Oklahoma State stretched its lead to 18 before settling for a 43-27 advantage at the break. Pack led all first-half scorers with 10 points, but Miami shot just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 3-of-13 on 3-pointers (23.1). Oklahoma State shot 48.4 percent, including 8-for-15 on 3-pointers (53.3 percent) before intermission. The Cowboys also had a 14-8 edge in paint points. In the second half, Miami closed its 20-point deficit to 55-42 with 12:12 left. Miami got a bit closer as two straight short jumpers by Kidd, trimming the deficit to 73-62 with 3:25 to play. The Hurricanes cut it to 77-70 on Pack's 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining, but the Cowboys hit their free throws to close out the win. --Field Level Media

Ranked play is live in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer. And Activision has decided to explain how it works when it comes to Ranked Play matchmaking, which is different from non-ranked, or standard matchmaking . Ranked Play arrived as part of Season 01, accessible to all players who have achieved 50 total match wins in multiplayer. Ranked Play Matchmaking While Activision’s Call of Duty team previously shared more details and a technical white paper about how matchmaking works in Call of Duty multiplayer, Ranked Play matchmaking employs some unique mechanisms to take a player’s rank and skill rating into account while searching for the best possible connection. Ranked Play considers three major search parameters when matchmaking: A player’s connection quality, search time, and relative skill to the rest of the available player population. When forming Ranked Play matches, Activision purposefully allows for longer search times to improve the match quality. Competitive Integrity Restrictions These features comprise all the ways the devs preserve competitive integrity in Ranked Play. Restrictions are placed to ensure a fair and competitive experience for all players. In-game features like loadout restrictions are designed to even the playing field, while matchmaking restrictions help balance lobbies before the game. Connection – As previously shared, connection is a critical factor in the matchmaking process. Rank, Skill, Performance – Players can progress through eight ranks. Ranked matchmaking attempts to group players of the same or similar rank. The range of eligible ranks will expand if there are not enough players available to create a high-quality match in the current target range. Each player’s individual skill rating plays an important role in Ranked Play matchmaking. The team begins its Ranked Play match searches with a small target skill rating disparity between players and expand the range of what is acceptable over time. Matching players of similar skill levels in Ranked Play gives everyone the chance to have an impact in the match. Time to Match – This factor is to ensure players spend more time playing the game and less time waiting for matches to start. Ranked Play lobbies prioritize competitive integrity, sometimes resulting in longer match search times in order to build lobbies with appropriately matched players. New to Black Ops 6 The core tenets of Ranked Play remain the same: Play competitive multiplayer matches using the same settings, maps, modes, and weapon restrictions as the Call of Duty League. Black Ops 6 Ranked Play comes with several streamlined features, innovations, and updates: Cross-Play: For Ranked Play in Black Ops 6, cross-play is active for all players. This allows for the largest player population possible to maximize matching players with others of similar rank and skill rating. The devs are continuing to gather community feedback, and are working closely across all aspects, including addressing reports of cheating with Ricochet, the anti-cheat technology. Matchmaking: Ranked Play at Launch Rank matchmaking will continue to put high skill division rank players in matches appropriate for their skill. As more players reach higher Ranks, we will gradually begin tightening our matchmaking parameters. Full Parties of four can now play together in Ranked Play regardless of their individual ranks. However, skill matchmaking will be based on the highest rank player in the party. Party skill restrictions still apply to parties made up of two or three players. Updated Rank System The 1-50 rank and skill division system seen in previous versions of Ranked Play have been combined into a single Rank system. Earn SR and progress through 8 ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Crimson, Iridescent, and Top 250. The progressive rank and Victory Stars system seen in previous Ranked Play installments have been removed to streamline the experience and focus on skill. What is SR? Skill rating: Progress through Ranks by earning SR by winning Ranked Play matches. SR is awarded after each Ranked Play win and the amount earned is determined by the player’s distance away from their projected Rank, their match performance, and the margin of victory. SR is deducted after losses. SR determines your rank. Update: Loss Forgiveness: No matter what your rank, each player’s first loss of the day will be forgiven and not deduct SR. This does not stack. Additionally, the three games of loss forgiveness that are granted when you’re promoted to a new rank or at the start of the season now only count down after Losses. Other New Features Map and mode veto: Before each ranked match, three map and mode combinations are presented in the lobby and Ranked Play teams, who can independently vote to veto one of the presented options. This gives players some control over what they play in Ranked Play and gives players and teams an opportunity to veto map and mode combinations they might not be as proficient at or otherwise want to avoid. After both teams make their veto pick, the remaining option is selected. If both teams veto the same option, the match’s map/mode will be randomly selected out of the two non-vetoed options. UPDATE: Seasonal Setback: The end-of-season skill rating setback has been adjusted in Black Ops 6 Ranked Play to reduce the impact felt by players early in their Rank journey. Each new season, your Rank may be reset based on where you ended the previous season, as follows: Bronze or Silver Ranked players are not impacted by the Seasonal setback and will be able to pick up where they ended each Season with no skill rating deduction. Gold or Platinum players will start the next Season in Tier I of Gold or Platinum respectively. Diamond and above players will start the next Season at Diamond I. Ranked Play rewards: Ranked Play features a variety of exclusive rewards players can earn to show off their skill and engagement with the mode, including Rank Skins earned by achieving Gold Rank or higher in a season, rewards earned for reaching certain Career Win milestones, seasonal challenge rewards, and a Top 250 Competitor and #1 overall Champion Skin. Coming soon: Forfeit: Later this season, vote with your team to end a match early if your team is getting blown out, or you’ve lost a teammate. All teammates must vote for the forfeit for it to pass and end the match. Forfeited matches count as a standard loss and do not result in skill rating penalties or suspensions. When live, Forfeit will be available in the Options Menu at a designated point in each mode: Hardpoint: Winning Team reaches 100 Points Control: After 1st Round Search & Destroy: After 3rd Round If you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has you covered. We give you the inside scoop on what companies are doing with generative AI, from regulatory shifts to practical deployments, so you can share insights for maximum ROI. Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here . An error occured.Iran's culture ministry denies claims of TRT Persian Channel license

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- Roland Corporation , a global leader in professional music products, has announced bold carbon reduction targets as part of its commitment to building a decarbonized society where artistic culture can flourish. In alignment with the Paris Agreement international treaty on climate change, Roland aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and value chain—paving the way for a sustainable future that supports creativity, music, and artistic expression. Reduction Targets Reduction targets are set in line with the concept of SBT*, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality as declared in the Paris Agreement in mind. *SBT (Science Based Targets): Corporate greenhouse gas emission reduction targets consistent with the levels required by the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015. Current Progress and Results Total CO2 emissions in FY2023 were reduced by 12% from the previous year, and Roland will continue its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions further. Roland is dedicated to transparency in its ESG initiatives. Comprehensive ESG data is publicly available, showcasing Roland’s progress and commitment. Roland has also disclosed data on the content of its environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) initiatives. For more information, see " ESG Data " in Roland's Sustainability section below. https://www.roland.com/global/sustainability/ Roland is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and leading by example in the music industry. Through these efforts, Roland aims to nurture a sustainable world where creativity, music, and artistic culture can continue to thrive. To learn more, visit Roland.com . About Roland Corporation For more than 50 years, Roland’s innovative electronic musical instruments and multimedia products have fueled inspiration in artists and creators around the world. Embraced by hobbyists and professionals alike, the company’s trendsetting gear spans multiple categories, from pianos, synthesizers, guitar products, drum and percussion products, DJ controllers, audio/video solutions, gaming mixers, livestreaming products, and more. As technology evolves, Roland and its expanding family of brands, including Roland Cloud, BOSS, V-MODA, Drum Workshop (DW), PDP, Latin Percussion (LP), and Slingerland, continue to lead the way for music makers and creators, providing modern solutions and seamless creative workflows between hardware products, computers, and mobile devices. For more information, visit Roland.com or see your local Roland dealer. Follow Roland on Facebook , Twitter ( @RolandGlobal ), and Instagram ( @RolandGlobal ). View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223420756/en/ CONTACT: Press: Farrah Monroe Max Borges Agency 240-483-6671 roland@maxborgesagency.com Company: Rebecca Genel Media Relations Manager Roland Corporation +1 (323) 890-3718 rebecca.genel@roland.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTERTAINMENT ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY MUSIC CLIMATE CHANGE SOURCE: Roland Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 01:00 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 01:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223420756/en

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey gambling regulators have handed out $40,000 in fines to two sportsbooks and a tech company for violations that included taking bets on unauthorized events, and on games that had already ended. In information made public Monday, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement fined DraftKings $20,000. It also levied $10,000 fines on Rush Street Interactive NJ and the sports betting technology company Kambi. According to documents released by the state, Rush Street accepted 16 bets worth $1,523 in Nov. 2021 on a college basketball game between the University of North Carolina-Asheville and Tennessee Tech University after the game had already concluded with a UNC victory. Kambi told the enforcement division that a trader had failed to manually remove that game from its betting markets, saying it had stopped receiving messages from its own sports data provider due to a network connectivity error. Kambi said it has updated its guidelines and retrained its traders to prevent a recurrence. Kambi, which is based in Malta, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday. Rush Street declined comment, and DraftKings had no immediate comment Monday. DraftKings stopped using Kambi in 2021. RELATED COVERAGE Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it Flood gates are dropped from a plan to protect the Jersey Shore’s back bays from catastrophic storms In March 2022 Rush Street took seven bets totaling just under $2,900 on three Magic City Jai Alai games after the results were already known. Kambi told the division it experienced a connectivity issue that allowed the bets to be accepted after the games were over. An explanation of what Kambi did to address the situation was blacked out in documents released by the division. A month earlier Rush Street took 13 wagers worth $8,150 with pre-match odds on a Professional Golf Association match after the event had already begun. In this case, Kambi told the division a newly hired trader failed to enter the correct closing time time for bets on the event. The trader and a supervisor underwent retraining. DraftKings was fined for taking bets on unapproved events including Russian basketball for nine months in 2020 and 2021. It eventually voided over $61,000 in bets and returned the money to customers after being directed to do so by the state. In this case, Kambi told the division it misidentified this particular Russian basketball league as one that was approved for wagering in New Jersey. DraftKings told the state it did not catch the error, either. In 2020, DraftKings accepted 484 wagers on unapproved table tennis matches. Kambi incorrectly enabled the events for wagering without conditions required by the state, the division said. In Feb. 2022, the division said DraftKings took pre-season NFL bets involving specific players but did not give the state specific information on what information was to be included in the bets, drawing 182 wagers worth nearly $7,000 that were later voided and refunded to customers. ___ Follow Wayne Parry on X at www.twitter.com/WayneParryACTORONTO — Canada's main stock index fell more than 100 points Friday, led by losses in base metal and telecom stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed ahead of next week's interest rate decision from the U.S. Federal Reserve. This week, the Bank of Canada announced another outsized interest rate cut of half a percentage point while also signalling it plans to slow the pace of cuts going forward. Allan Small, senior investment adviser at iA Private Wealth, said the central bank is juggling a lot of balls heading into the new year, including a faltering economy, a housing market that’s poised to heat up, and a U.S. Fed likely to cut much slower next year. “If (the Bank of Canada) continues to cut when the U.S. doesn’t, where does that leave our dollar?” asked Small. “They’re flying by the seat of their pants.” The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 136.41 points at 25,274.30. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 86.06 points at 43,828.06. The S&P 500 index was down 0.16 points at 6,051.09, while the Nasdaq composite was up 23.88 points at 19,926.72. The Fed has done a better job of tamping down inflation while not harming the economy too much, said Small. The Fed is expected to cut by a quarter-percentage point next week, and its path is clearer than the Bank of Canada’s, said Small. “I don’t think they have much room to cut more,” he said, noting this week saw U.S. inflation data tick up from the month before. “Most people think they’ll go 25 (basis points) and pause for a little while,” said Small. “Would I be surprised to see them not cut at all? No, but I think the market would take that negatively.” Heading into the last few weeks of the year, Small said if there’s a so-called Santa Claus rally, it may be more muted than usual. “It's quite possible we've taken some gains that we normally would have had in December, brought them forward into November, and now December might not be as strong as we normally see,” he said. On Wall St., the Nasdaq did a little better than its U.S. peers as semiconductor company Broadcom saw its stock gain more than 24 per cent after reporting earnings. “I think the commentary on the conference call really caused the stock to shoot up," said Small. The company gave a bright forecast for investors on the back of expected growth in artificial intelligence. This week, Broadcom and Apple also announced a deal to develop a chip for AI. The Canadian dollar traded for 70.27 cents US compared with 70.48 cents US on Thursday. The January crude oil contract was up US$1.27 at US$71.29 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was down 18 cents at US$3.28 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$33.60 at US$2,675.80 an ounce and the March copper contract was down five cents at US$4.15 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press