Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Finalize Divorce; She Keeps the $5M Engagement Ring

By Nikki Reese | January 09, 2025
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Resilience & Mindset Mastery
Egypt's Banking Sector Shows Resilience, Says CBE Financial Soundness Indicators

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has affirmed that the most recent Financial Soundness Indicators (FSIs) demonstrate the resilience and strength of the country’s banking sector, which remains a critical pillar for ensuring economic, financial, and monetary stability. These indicators highlight the banking sector’s ability to foster national economic growth, attract investment, and create employment opportunities for citizens.

As of the third quarter of 2024, the banking sector has shown notable strength. The capital adequacy ratio stood at a robust 19.1%, well above the minimum regulatory threshold of 12.5%. This strong capital base enables Egyptian banks to continue supporting key economic sectors, driving higher GDP growth and contributing to job creation.

The quality of assets in Egypt’s banks has also improved. The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) dropped to 2.4% of total loans, indicating effective credit risk management. Additionally, the provisions coverage ratio for NPLs reached 87.4%, underscoring that banks are well-prepared for potential risks.

In terms of liquidity, the sector has maintained high and stable levels. The liquidity ratio for local currency was 32.1%, and for foreign currencies, it stood at 77.7%, both significantly above the minimum regulatory requirements of 20% and 25%, respectively. These strong liquidity positions ensure that banks can meet their obligations and continue supporting economic activity.

Health
Assessing Chemical Risks: A Groundbreaking Framework for Protecting Child Health

According to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine by experts from the Consortium for Children's Environmental Health, nations must begin testing and regulating chemicals and chemical products as rigorously as prescription drugs to prevent rising rates of chronic illnesses among children. Without such measures, the risks of environmental pollution and exposure to harmful substances will continue to increase.

The global inventory of chemicals includes an estimated 350,000 products, such as synthetic chemicals, chemical mixtures, and plastics. Despite the well-documented risks they pose to both the environment and human health, the production of these chemicals remains largely unregulated, with minimal legal or policy constraints in place.

The report’s co-authors, including Boston College epidemiologist Dr. Philip Landrigan, environmental law expert David Wirth, biologist Thomas Chiles, and epidemiologist Kurt Straif, argue that this regulatory gap must be addressed with new laws prioritizing health protection over unchecked chemical production.

“Under new regulations, chemicals should not be assumed harmless until proven harmful,” the authors state. “Instead, chemicals and chemical-based products should only be allowed to enter and remain on the market if their manufacturers can demonstrate, through rigorous, independent premarket testing, that they are not toxic at anticipated exposure levels.”

Additionally, the authors suggest that chemical manufacturers and the brands marketing chemical products should be required to monitor their products post-market, similar to how prescription drugs are monitored, to evaluate long-term health effects.

This call to action stems from a two-year project involving independent scientists from 17 renowned scientific institutions across the U.S. and Europe. The aim is to foster a coordinated approach to combat the rising levels of chronic diseases affecting children worldwide.

The authors highlight that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Their incidence is growing, with emerging research linking many of these diseases to synthetic chemicals.

In the past 50 years, NCDs in children have risen dramatically:

• Childhood cancer rates have increased by 35%

• Birth defects related to male reproductive health have doubled

• One in six children now suffers from neurodevelopmental disorders, with autism diagnosed in one in 36

• Pediatric asthma rates have tripled

• The prevalence of pediatric obesity has nearly quadrupled, leading to a sharp increase in type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents

• Exposure to certain chemicals has contributed to a reduction in IQ, causing significant economic losses

The report underscores the urgent need for stronger regulations to protect children’s health and reduce the growing burden of chronic diseases linked to chemical exposure.

Entertainment
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Finalize Divorce; She Keeps the $5M Engagement Ring

Jennifer Lopez will retain her iconic $5 million green diamond engagement ring and personal assets, while Ben Affleck will keep his production company and the profits from their shared Beverly Hills mansion, according to their finalized divorce settlement.

On January 8, 2025, it was confirmed that Lopez will keep the 8.5-carat rare green diamond ring, which was gifted to her by Affleck. This stunning piece, engraved with the words "not.going.anywhere." as a symbol of their rekindled romance, is valued at over $5 million due to its size and rarity. The couple, who married in 2022, officially cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their separation, which is dated back to April 26, 2024.

Divorce Settlement Breakdown: As outlined in court documents obtained by Page Six, Jennifer Lopez will retain:

• Personal assets, including clothing, jewelry, and any earnings post-separation.

• Half of the funds from their shared City National Bank accounts.

• Rights to her Social Security benefits and future earnings.