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IMF: Financial and Regulatory Reform Agenda Contributed to Accelerating Saudi Economy’s Growth

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 4, 2024 /CNW/ — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a positive report on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the conclusion of the Article IV consultations with Saudi Arabia. The IMF report confirmed that Saudi Arabia’s financial and regulatory reform agenda contributed to accelerating the Saudi economy’s growth, containing inflation, and reducing the unemployment rate to its lowest levels ever. The IMF praised the ongoing economic transformation and efforts to diversify the economy under the Saudi Vision 2030.

The IMF Article IV Consultation report commended the macroeconomic policies and transformational changes implemented by the Kingdom, which contributed to enhancing the growth of non-oil activities. The report also noted that Saudi reforms led to rising employment, which now exceeds pre-Covid figures, and that the rate of women’s participation in the labor market rose to more than 35%, exceeding the Saudi Vision 2030 target of 30%.

The IMF welcomed Saudi Arabia’s measures of conducting the long-term financing planning that supports the implementation of the initiatives, programs, and projects of Vision 2030; while mitigating the risks of overheating. The report also stressed that the Kingdom’s fiscal space is strong, and that sovereign debt risks are low, adding that the abundance of financial reserves in Saudi Arabia has limited the impact of global and regional challenges.

The IMF report stressed that the ongoing reforms in the Kingdom—including ensuring the effective implementation of regulations, streamlining fees, enhancing human capital, increasing the participation of Saudi women in the labor market, facilitating access to land and financing, and improving governance—have contributed to enhancing private sector growth and attracting more foreign direct investment, in addition to the significant progress in the field of digital transformation and artificial intelligence that support these efforts.

The IMF Executive Directors commended Saudi’s leadership role in multilateral fora, including its chairmanship of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) in the IMF, contributing to efforts to address global challenges.

The report also noted the increased activity in the services sector—including transportation, trade, tourism and finance—as the growth in consumption that reached 5.7%.

The IMF said that foreign investment license applications reached record levels in 2023, as they approximately doubled from 2022, including the 330 companies applying for licenses to establish their regional headquarters in the Kingdom.

The report reviewed the banking sector developments in the Kingdom, stressing its strong levels of solvency and liquidity, and its flexibility to shocks. The IMF noted that the banking sector is on strong footing, and also noted the efficiency of banking mediation, according to indicators of profitability, infrastructure, and competitiveness.

The IMF report also noted the rise in the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) index of 14.2% in 2023, surpassing the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Index of 7%, while noting the progress in the technical environment enabling investment, and the licensing of three digital banks. The IMF stressed their contribution to enhancing financial inclusion and competitiveness as these banks are characterized by flexibility and innovation.

The IMF noted the Kingdom’s containment of risks resulting from the rapid growth of real estate lending, through diverse government support, the strength of banks, full recourse mortgages, and other supportive measures. It also highlighted improvements in automating the national assessment matrix for money laundering and terrorist financing risks, and enhancing the accuracy of data analysis related to risks received from reporting entities, including fintech companies.

The IMF report noted that the increase in non-oil revenues reflects the effectiveness of existing reforms, which directly contributed to enhancing compliance, praising the alignment of customs procedures with international best practices.

The IMF expected the non-oil sector (which includes government activities) to grow by 3.5% in 2024, supported by strong domestic demand. The IMF also stated that it is probable the inflation rate in the Kingdom remains stable at around 2% over the medium term, supported by the Saudi Riyals peg to the US dollar, and local policies consistent with Saudi Vision 2030.

The IMF confirmed that the Kingdom has one of the lowest carbon intensity levels among all major producers, due to ongoing environmental reforms and the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve net zero by 2060. The report noted the Kingdom’s success in securing a 30-year purchase agreement for the green hydrogen project in NEOM, to achieve its efforts to utilize renewable energy sources.

In order to sequester approximately 44 million tons annually by 2035, the IMF noted that the Saudi government intends to build one of the largest carbon capture and storage plants in the world, which will be operational by 2027, with a capacity of 9 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. The IMF noted the Kingdom’s current efforts to sequester 1.3 million tons of carbon annually through the SABIC Plant and Uthmaniyah Gas Plant Department.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/imf-financial-and-regulatory-reform-agenda-contributed-to-accelerating-saudi-economys-growth-302238395.html

SOURCE Saudi Press Agency

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ADT Inc. Data Breach: Edelson Lechtzin LLP Launches Investigation Into Exposure of Personal Information

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April 28, 2026

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National class action firm offering free case evaluations to individuals impacted by the ADT Inc. cybersecurity incident

BOCA RATON, Fla., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Edelson Lechtzin LLP, a national class action law firm, is investigating data privacy claims arising from the ADT Inc. data breach. ADT Inc. learned of the cybersecurity incident on April 20, 2026.

What Happened

On or about April 20, 2026, ADT learned of a data breach incident that compromised customers’ personal information. The hacker group ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Information Exposed

Affected personal data includes names, phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, and the last four digits of some customers’ Social Security numbers.

Who May Be Impacted

Individuals who received a data breach notification from ADT Inc. may face an increased risk of identity theft and fraud.

Your Legal Options

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a potential class action to pursue legal remedies on behalf of individuals whose sensitive personal data may have been compromised in the ADT Inc. breach. The firm will evaluate your rights and potential claims at no cost.

Recommended Protective Steps

Review account statements and credit reports regularly and remain vigilant for suspicious activity. Confirm whether your information was involved in the ADT Inc. incident and preserve any letters or emails you received about the breach. Consider placing fraud alerts and credit monitoring.

Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation

Speak confidentially with a data privacy attorney today: Marc Edelson, Esq., Edelson Lechtzin LLP, 411 S. State Street, Suite N-300, Newtown, PA 18940; Phone: 844-696-7492 ext. 2; Email: medelson@edelson-law.com; Web: www.edelson-law.com. Or click HERE to request a free consultation.

About ADT Inc.

Based in Boca Raton, Florida, ADT Inc. is the nation’s largest home security company, providing monitored and self-install systems, smart home features, and fire safety services.

About Edelson Lechtzin LLP

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to data breach litigation, the firm handles class and collective actions involving securities and investment fraud, federal antitrust violations, ERISA employee benefit plans, wage theft, and consumer fraud

Media and Partnership Inquiries: Use the contact information above to connect with our team regarding interviews, co-counsel opportunities, and referral partnerships.

Legal Notice: This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adt-inc-data-breach-edelson-lechtzin-llp-launches-investigation-into-exposure-of-personal-information-302755096.html

SOURCE Edelson Lechtzin LLP

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Make It Easy to Connect Your Switch to a Larger Screen — HAILESI S123E Enters the Japanese Portable Monitor Market, Ranking Among Amazon Japan’s Top 5 Bestsellers

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April 28, 2026

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SHENZHEN, China, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Known for its high quality standards, Japan’s consumer electronics market has recently seen a portable monitor from Shenzhen gain increasing attention. The HAILESI S123E portable monitor has ranked among the top 5 best-selling portable monitors on Amazon Japan and holds the No.1 position in the 12.3-inch category. This achievement reflects not only strong sales growth, but also positive recognition of its quality and performance among Japanese users. (Data source: Amazon monitor category ranking, March 2026)

 

Developed under the concept of “no Switch 2 dock required”, the S123E offers a more convenient and flexible connection experience. With just a single Type-C cable, users can directly connect their gaming console to a larger screen, without relying on a traditional dock. One Japanese user commented: “This is one of the most user-friendly external monitors I’ve used. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, so I can use it anytime and anywhere. It also feels more cost-effective than buying an official dock.”

In terms of display performance, it features a 12.3-inch screen with a 1920×1280 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio. Compared to conventional 16:9 displays, it provides a larger viewing area, helping improve productivity for work and study. With 100% sRGB color gamut, 300 nits of brightness, and HDR support, it delivers natural and immersive visual performance across various use cases.

Touch functionality is another key highlight. The S123E adopts a fully laminated touch panel and supports AES 1.0/2.0 styluses, enabling precise input and smooth interaction, suitable for note-taking, drawing, and other creative tasks. With OTG support, users can also connect a keyboard and mouse directly, making it easy to set up a mobile workstation.

Designed to balance portability and practicality, the device features a lightweight body and an integrated adjustable stand for flexible viewing angles. Built-in dual speakers support everyday audio and video needs, making it suitable for a wide range of scenarios including gaming, work, study, and in-vehicle use.

About HAILESI

HAILESI is a technology brand specializing in display devices, with in-house R&D capabilities and a global presence. Focusing on user experience and ease of use, the company is committed to providing high-quality visual experiences and reliable services to customers worldwide.

For more details, please visit: www.hailesi.net

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SOURCE HAILESI

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Creator Authority Joins LinkedIn Marketing Partner Program to Help B2B Brands Launch Influencer Campaigns

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26 minutes ago

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April 28, 2026

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LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Creator Authority, a B2B-focused influencer marketing agency, has joined the LinkedIn Marketing Partner Program, bringing its expertise, proprietary data, and full-service campaign capabilities to help brands leverage LinkedIn’s professional audience.

Creator Authority works with brands including SAP, Notion, Dropbox, HubSpot, Webflow, Upwork, Amazon, and Canva. The agency handles everything from strategy and creative direction to creator sourcing, paid amplification, compliance, and reporting.

The timing reflects a significant market shift. Investment in creator marketing has seen a 171% year-over-year increase, and 61% of B2B marketing leaders plan to increase their creator content spend. According to LinkedIn’s research, 87% of B2B buyers refer to thought leaders when making purchase decisions and 82% say creator content directly influences them.

Brendan Gahan, CEO and founder of Creator Authority, said: “We built Creator Authority because we saw what was coming. LinkedIn plays a critical role in B2B buying decisions, and creators are becoming the most trusted voices in that environment. Being part of the LinkedIn Marketing Partner Program means we can help our clients move faster, with better tools and closer collaboration with the platform.”

LinkedIn represents a unique opportunity in B2B marketing. The platform’s audience carries twice the buying power of the average web user. Thought Leader Ads deliver 252% higher CTR than conventional single-image ads. Creator-led campaigns reduce cost-per-lead by 23%. For Fortune 100 brands, creator content generates 20x the Earned Media Value of brand-owned channels.

The market is moving fast. Most B2B budgets haven’t caught up. Leading B2B brands are recognizing that success on LinkedIn isn’t about being the loudest voice, it’s about amplifying the right voices.

Jonathan Hunt, VP of HubSpot Media, said: “Creator Authority has been an incredible partner. They’ve helped HubSpot Media uncover emerging creator opportunities on LinkedIn and maximize those relationships. Their understanding of the space is unmatched, and their ability to turn that insight into a smart, scalable strategy is why we work with them.”

About Creator Authority
Creator Authority helps B2B and enterprise brands run end-to-end influencer campaigns on LinkedIn and is a member of the LinkedIn Marketing Partner Program specializing in influencer marketing. Clients include SAP, Notion, Dropbox, HubSpot, Webflow, Upwork, Amazon, and Canva.

Creator Authority was founded in 2023 by Brendan Gahan, a creator economy veteran recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 who has been doing influencer marketing since 2006. Gahan previously built and sold Epic Signal to Mekanism, where he served as Partner and Chief Social Officer. Mekanism was later acquired by Plus Company.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/creator-authority-joins-linkedin-marketing-partner-program-to-help-b2b-brands-launch-influencer-campaigns-302753194.html

SOURCE Creator Authority

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