A potential ban on the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S. is causing concerns for its more than 150 million users and the influencers and brands that rely on the platform. Joshua Smith, an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, emphasized the significance of this issue, stating, "Everyone who has a stake in TikTok, be that in time, money or social capital, would be affected by an outright ban."Smith highlighted the impact a ban would have on individual users, noting that they would lose access to their network, social support, and memories...

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has taken action against three individuals, permanently prohibiting them from participating in the affairs of any federally insured depository institution. Sarah C. Conley, a former employee of Summit Federal Credit Union in Rochester, New York, Carlene Bartley, a former employee of Municipal Credit Union in New York, New York, and Esther A. Olson, a former employee of Educational Employees Credit Union in Fresno, California, are the individuals named in the prohibition notices and consent order issued by the NCUA in March...

The University of Rochester saw a vibrant array of activities and events in March 2024, captured in a series of captivating photos by J. Adam Fenster. From academic pursuits to cultural performances, the month was filled with diverse experiences for students and faculty alike.In the Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X in Carlson Library, a student was immersed in virtual reality, showcasing the integration of technology into educational settings. Meanwhile, visiting assistant professor Dmitry Bykov engaged students with recordings of Russian prison songs, shedding light on the...

WASHINGTON – Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, recognized four SBA Resource Partners of the Year awardees. The awardees – from Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, and Mississippi – will be honored at a ceremony during National Small Business Week, April 30-May 1, 2024."This year’s Resource Partner of the Year awardees are making a real difference in the lives of countless small business owners — connecting them with...

NEW YORK—The Federal Reserve Bank of New York today announced the appointment of Izzy Martins to the New York Fed’s Second District Advisory Council, effective immediately. Martins, who is the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Avis Budget Group, has a vast experience in the financial sector, having served in various roles within the company and prior to that at Deloitte & Touche.The Second District Advisory Council, consisting of senior business leaders, meets regularly to provide valuable insights on business and economic conditions in the Second...

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) disclosed its Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) Annual Report to Congress for fiscal year 2023, underscoring the agency’s dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. NCUA Chairman Todd M. Harper emphasized the agency's strong commitment, stating, "The NCUA has a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility." He further linked this commitment to the historical role of credit unions in serving marginalized communities.Key highlights from the OMWI 2023 Annual Report to...

The U.S. Small Business Administration has revealed the co-sponsors and educational session topics for the upcoming 2024 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Virtual Summit, set to take place from April 30 to May 1. The event aims to provide valuable resources and networking opportunities to small business owners across the nation.Han Nguyen, Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications and Public Liaison at the SBA, highlighted the significance of National Small Business Week, stating, “SBA’s National Small Business Week recognizes entrepreneurs and small...

Yale College has announced the admission of 2,146 applicants from a record applicant pool, marking a significant milestone in the institution's history. The newly admitted students, selected from the largest admissions pool in Yale's history, bring with them a diverse range of strengths, ambitions, and lived experiences.According to Jeremiah Quinlan, dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid, the Class of 2028 comprises students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories, and 62 countries. Quinlan highlighted the inspiring qualities seen...

Prominent history scholar, Edward Ayers, will be the keynote speaker at Virginia Commonwealth University's Memory Studies Lab's first public event on April 2. The event aims to introduce the lab and its work to the VCU community, according to Gabriel Reich, Ph.D., co-director of the lab. Reich stated, “We have created a rich intellectual community.”Ayers, a professor and president emeritus at the University of Richmond, has dedicated his career to making the past relevant to contemporary society and politics. He will draw from his new book, “American Visions: The United...

Virginia Commonwealth University is gearing up to launch its first-ever Innovation Month in April, a celebration of creators, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurship across the institution."Innovation is at the heart of every VCU education, and this Innovation Month recognition is a terrific way not only to celebrate what’s happening throughout VCU today but perhaps spark that next great idea," expressed Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.The month-long event aims to spotlight the creativity, ingenuity, and...

According to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, US banks increased their capital ratios well before the Basel III reforms required them to do so. Research economist Jan-Peter Siedlarek noted that banks preemptively raised their capital ratios rather than waiting for the rules to become binding.The report highlighted that larger and better-capitalized banks took the lead in increasing their capital ratios before smaller and less-well-capitalized banks. However, on average, banks of all sizes notably boosted their regulatory capital ratios between 2009...

Investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (“MSCP”) have successfully completed the sale of World 50 Parent LLC and its subsidiary companies to a single asset GP-led continuation fund investment vehicle. The continuation fund is backed by investments from Pantheon, Blue Owl Strategic Equity, Lexington, Norwest, Ares Management Funds, AltamarCAM, and Churchill.Adam Shaw, Managing Director and Head of Business Services at MSCP, expressed pride in the transformation of World 50, stating, “We believe World 50 is a unique business model with multiple levers...

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Consumer Finance Institute (CFI) has launched the Labor, Income, Finances, and Expectations (LIFE) Survey and today published the first report in the quarterly series, which summarizes the latest survey results.According to Bob Hunt, senior vice president and associate director of CFI, "The LIFE Survey is designed to be agile, so that CFI can gather timely information from consumers even when there are sudden, rapid, or unusual shifts in the economy."The survey, which gathers data every quarter from a large cross-section of...

The Yale Peabody Museum reopened its doors to the public after a four-year renovation, offering a transformative experience for visitors. Sofi Robles, a fifth grader, expressed her amazement upon seeing the Brontosaurus skeleton, saying, "I knew dinosaurs were big, but I didn’t know they were that big. I love it!"New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker highlighted the museum's importance in the community, stating, "It’s an awesome new space that is particularly inspiring because it’s so welcoming to the community." The museum, now offering free admission, aims to make its exhibits...

In a world where sifting through extensive government reports can be a time-consuming and daunting task, a group of students from Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, under the guidance of Professor Chris Goranson, has developed an innovative AI tool to streamline this process.The tool, named GovScan, aims to revolutionize the way government workers navigate through mountains of data in search of specific information. As described by team member Davis Craig, GovScan is likened to the 'Control F' search function on steroids,...

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine recently held its Match Day event, where graduating students eagerly learned which specialties and hospitals they had matched to for their residency training. The event was filled with excitement and celebration as the Class of 2024 awaited their results.Associate deans Nicole Deiorio, M.D., and Chris Woleben, M.D., shared some impressive statistics from this year's match, including a 99% overall placement rate for the class. Additionally, 59 students will stay in Virginia for their residencies, with 37 of them...

Columbia Nursing recently hosted an event titled “Art in the Time of Crisis: Still Rising,” where members of the community came together to explore the role of art in times of distress. The event was part of the Values in Action initiative launched by President Minouche Shafik and Interim Provost Dennis Mitchell, DDS, to reinforce the university's core values and mission.The original initiative, "Art in the Time of Crisis," was started by Janine Inez, DNP ’22, and Alden Bush, DNP ’22, to provide a platform for students and faculty to express their emotions and experiences...

A family of Pteranodon sternbergi, winged reptiles from the Late Cretaceous, has taken up permanent residence in the entrance lobby of the newly renovated Yale Peabody Museum. The life-sized models of these prehistoric creatures are set to welcome visitors when the museum reopens on March 26 after a four-year transformation.The decision to feature Pteranodon sternbergi in the museum's lobby was inspired by the fact that renowned Yale paleontologist and Peabody founder O.C. Marsh discovered the first Pteranodon fossils. According to Peabody Director David Skelly, "Given...

NBC White House correspondent and Virginia Commonwealth University alum, Aaron Gilchrist, recently shared his insights with students during a Q&A session at his alma mater. Gilchrist emphasized the importance of journalism, stating, “Our job is to watch people in power and make sure there’s an awareness about what’s going on.”During the session hosted by VCU’s Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture, Gilchrist spoke about the art of storytelling in journalism, highlighting the blend of science and art in the profession. He expressed his passion for meeting people...

New research from the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) has found that pregnancy may accelerate aging, but with a surprising twist. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, reveals that while pregnancy initially increases biological age, there is a significant reversal of this effect in the postpartum period.Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Assistant Professor Kieran O’Donnell, PhD, led the research team in utilizing epigenetic data from a unique pregnancy cohort to measure biological aging using 'epigenetic clocks.' O’Donnell explained, "From early to late pregnancy,...