Awards

Beyond The Treasurer’s Desk: Record volatility has moved FX-risk management to the center of corporate strategy.

The building blocks of the global FX market were shifting in 2025.

Between President Donald Trump’s erratic trade policies, which weighed on the US dollar; a Bank of Japan rate hike in January that pushed policy rates to a 17-year-high; and extreme uncertainty over rate expectations across both developing and G7 currencies, trading volumes and risks were arguably at their highest in decades. According to data from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), global FX volumes reached an all-time high of $9.6 trillion per day last April, coinciding with Trump’s “Liberation Day” global tariff announcements.

During that same period, interest rate derivatives surged even more dramatically, rising 59% to $7.9 trillion per day.

For corporates and treasurers, the volatility left no room for argument. Those looking to succeed in today’s macroeconomic environment need tailored solutions and higher technological capabilities that allow quicker, more-precise settlements.

Hedging Takes The Spotlight

More than four out of five companies (81%) now hedge at least part of their FX exposure, and a majority expect to either increase the proportion they hedge or extend their hedge horizons, a 2025 MillTechFX study of 750 senior finance leaders across North America, the UK, and Europe found.

“With currency volatility looking like it’s here to stay, corporate treasurers are under pressure to protect bottom lines from swings and dips in the currency market,” says Eric Huttman, CEO of MillTechFX. FX swaps—still the primary hedging and funding instrument for corporates—reached a record of around $4 trillion in daily turnover in April.

The jump in rate uncertainty also spilled into derivatives. Euro-denominated interest-rate contracts climbed to roughly $3 trillion per day, while sterling and yen contracts increased to $939 billion and $411 billion, respectively.

Those moves underscored how quickly treasurers need to adjust hedge timing and tenor as policy paths in Europe, the UK, and Japan became more volatile.

“Hedging currency risk is no longer seen as a nice-to-have but as essential for protecting companies’ bottom lines,” says Huttman. “Four in five corporates experienced rising hedging costs in the last year.”

FX Volatility Forces A Rethink Of Hedging Strategy

Against this backdrop, many companies are tightening their governance frameworks, emphasizing clearer decision-making around exposure measurement, hedge ratios, and hedge-accounting alignment. A growing number of corporates are also prioritizing cash-flow matching, adjusting hedge maturities to better track the timing of underlying receivables and payables: an approach that is becoming more important as policy surprises trigger abrupt forward-curve shifts.

Uncertainty around global trade is directly shaping hedging behavior, says Stephanie Larivière, managing director and global head of fixed income, currencies, and commodities sales at Scotiabank: “The outlook for exports into the US remains no less murky moving forward. As a result, client demand for structured FX solutions has only increased.”

The new environment is pushing companies to rethink not only how they hedge but also why, she adds. “Clients are focusing on cost management and incorporating flexibility into hedging programs via options-based solutions.”

Currency Demands Shift, But Dollar Remains King

Corporates are also progressively seeking more-comprehensive coverage across emerging-market and commodity-linked currencies. Over the three-year period from April 2022 to April 2025, BIS Triennial Central Bank Survey shows, turnover in South African rand contracts rose 176% to $86 billion per day, Thai baht activity climbed 134% to $114 billion, and Brazilian real contracts increased fivefold to $9.2 billion.

The appetite for emerging-market exposure reflects both shifting supply chains and sharper currency cycles in developing markets, particularly as the US dollar proves more volatile, says Marc Chandler, chief market strategist at Bannockburn Capital Markets.

“When the dollar was in an uptrend, many foreign companies would willingly accept dollars,” he notes. “However, the pronounced downtrend, especially in the first half of 2025, spurred exporters to the US to begin requesting payment in local currencies.”

Is The Dollar’s Role Beginning To Shift?

Rate volatility in advanced economies drove even larger moves in G7-linked derivatives. BIS reports that euro-denominated interest-rate contracts reached $3 trillion per day last April while sterling- and yen-denominated derivatives hit records of $939 billion and $411 billion, respectively.

“Foreigners have been buying long-dated Japanese government bonds at the fastest pace in 20 years and swapping the yen for dollars to earn better than US Treasuries,” Chandler says.

The increasing appetite for nondollar pairs has sparked debate as to whether the US dollar could see continued decline in demand.

Li Zhen, head of Foreign Exchange and Digital Assets, Global Financial Markets, at DBS Bank, anticipates “a more multipolar currency landscape as Asian economies deepen their capital markets and regional trade and investment links.” That does not imply “the end of dollar dominance, but it does point to a larger role for Asian currencies in trade invoicing, funding, and investment.”

Chandler agrees. “The dollar’s role in the world economy may be more a function of its store of value than as a means of exchange,” he suggests. In April, the dollar was on one side of 89% of all global FX transactions, and dollar-linked interest-rate derivatives reached $2.4 trillion per day, even as the share of overall dollar-denominated OTC rate activity declined, according to the BIS report.

Banks Rush to Meet Changing Client Demand

In an environment of relentlessly shifting client needs, banks spent the past year modernizing their FX architectures and technology infrastructure to narrow the gap between corporate expectations and demand. Strengthening automation, improving data accuracy, and removing long-standing operational friction that often slows hedging processes were focal points. Improving real-time digital FX platforms that enable corporates to stream prices, execute trades, and settle payments with greater precision was a significant part of this process.

Banks also stepped up their game in audit-ready reporting; hedge-performance dashboard clarity; and tools that support policy-driven execution, leveraging AI capabilities to deliver solutions via direct integration with treasury and ERP systems through APIs.

The scope of bank coverage also continued to expand, meeting demand for best-in-class offerings beyond the G7 bucket—particularly in nondeliverable forward and swap markets, which saw the highest liquidity demand. “Client demand for structured FX solutions has only increased,” says Larivière. “Clients have focused on cost management and incorporating flexibility into hedging programs via options-based solutions.”

Risks Soar Even Higher

Despite the improvements on the offering side, treasurers still face a more challenging hedging environment. Wider interest-rate differentials and elevated volatility are pushing the cost of protection higher than in recent years. Even so, many companies accept the added expense in exchange for greater budgeting stability.

That being the case, the focus is shifting to prioritization: identifying which exposures carry the highest earnings risk, determining the most efficient tenors, and sequencing hedges to mitigate market-timing risk. Rather than scaling back, corporates are becoming more selective and analytical, concentrating resources on targeted, scenario-based strategies designed to limit unexpected shocks.

As advanced FX risk management becomes essential rather than simply a competitive advantage, 2025 showed that banks are responding quickly, overhauling their operational frameworks to meet the surge in demand.   

Methodology

Global Finance selects its award winners based on objective factors such as transaction volume, market share, breadth of offerings, and global coverage, as detailed in public company documents and media reports.

We also include subjective factors such as reputation, thought leadership, customer service, and technological innovation. We use input from industry analysts, surveys, corporate executives, and others. Although entries are not required in order to win, submissions that provide additional insight may inform decision-making.

Home Awards Award Winners GW Platt Foreign Exchange Bank Awards 2026: Latin America

BTG Pactual delivers best-in-class FX execution across Latin America, driving volume growth through automation, platform upgrades, and regional expansion.

Latin America’s FX markets are shaped by persistent volatility, commodity-driven cycles, and complex cross-border flows, making execution quality and speed essential for corporates and investors.

Against this backdrop, certain firms have emerged as regional FX leaders, delivering best-in-class execution across Latin America.

Amid shifting market conditions, Global Finance’s regional winner has prioritized platform efficiency, regional connectivity, and automation to meet rising client demands. These investments strengthen its position as a key FX provider for corporates navigating Latin America’s complex and volatile markets.

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Best FX Bank In Latin America

BTG Pactual

Supported by a surge in client activity and an expanding regional footprint, BTG Pactual continues to provide best-in-class FX execution for corporate clients across Latin America.

In the first half of last year, even as total FX volumes contracted in its home market of Brazil, BTG increased traded volume by 5.5% and more than doubled its transaction count, achieving 103% growth channels, including institutional, corporate, wealth, retail, and small and midsize enterprises (SMEs).

The bank responded to this surge by increasing FX-desk allocation to $15 million—a 25% YoY increase—directing resources to automation, execution quality, and platform modernization.

In July, BTG announced its intention to expand its regional network with the acquisition of HSBC’s operations in Uruguay, adding 50,000 clients and roughly 7% market share in a strategically important market for South America’s Southern Cone and offshore flows.

On the tech side, BTG’s rebuilt FX interface, released early last year, made onboarding noticeably faster and simplified the regulatory steps clients face before trading. The firm also rolled out an automated approval engine that now signs off on roughly 30% of FX transactions instantly, cutting processing time and removing a large share of routine manual checks.

Separately, the recent introduction of BTG’s OneSettlement platform marked a step forward for cross-border payments in Latin America. The system gives clients immediate local-currency credit on inbound US dollar flows, a feature that helped push settlement times down from more than 1,100 minutes to under 500.

THE Golden Globes are set to bring the drama this year.

This year’s ceremony, which will happen on Sunday, January 11th, promises big names and some seating surprises.

Fans are excited about the Golden Globes seating chart, which was exposed in some sneak peak photos by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

The thoughtful seating arrangements might create some drama of its own.

Attendees include pop star Charli XCX, who is seated next to Heated Rivalry stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams.

A Reddit thread was quickly created, with fan theories dropping.

One commenter said, “Charlie XCX is so lucky.”

Another fan replied, “I just know she’s gonna love those boys.”

Their dynamic interactions are highly anticipated around the room, with notable presenters including close friends and co-stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

The Hollywood favorites will be joined by other presenters like Snoop Dogg, Colman Domingo, Amanda Seyfried, Ayo Edebiri, Miley Cyrus, Macaulay Culkin, and Kevin Hart.

Their seating will create exciting connections and conversations.

At George Clooney’s table will also be Jean Smart, Miley Cyrus, Chris Pine, and Queen Latifah.

“Miley Cyrus and Leonardo DiCaprio are sat at the table next to theirs,” one Reddit commenter stated.

Another fan replied: “Omg Connor can talk to her about dressing up as her in middle school!”

An A-list comedy table will seat Seth Rogen, Jeremy Allen White, and Kevin Hart.

A third table had a strange twist.

Famous redheads Emma Stone and Sarah Snook are seated directly next to each other.

Comedian Nikki Glaser is set to lead the event as host, and many think the star will also bring some heat to the night.

Between Nikki, the comedy table, and the steamy duo of Connor and Hudson, fans think this will be a dream team pairing at tables.

As the event approaches, memorable interactions and funny moments are expected.

This year’s ceremony is shaping up to be memorable, with many funny moments expected and some intriguing rivalries, too.

There was no mention of Timothée Chalamet or a certain Jenner sister.

The Golden Globe Awards are renowned for recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign.

Organized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), this awards show stands out because it celebrates both cinematic achievements and television programming in one event, unlike many other awards that focus solely on one medium.

The Globes are famous for their relaxed atmosphere, where winners often share heartfelt and humorous speeches, fostering a sense of camaraderie among stars.

Additionally, the Golden Globes often serve as a precursor to the Oscars, helping to shape the conversation around movies during awards season.

The Golden Globes have hosted some unforgettable celebrity moments over the years.

Besties Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift had fans running to lip-reading experts when they were caught whispering at their table in 2024.

In 2015, Jeremy Renner famously spent a little too much time “reading” the cue cards near Jennifer Lopez’s cleavage while they presented on stage.

A standout memory was Jennifer Lawrence tripping on her way to accept her award in 2013, showcasing her relatable, down-to-earth persona.

In 2009, host Ricky Gervais made headlines with his sharp humor, poking fun at several celebrities, including Mel Gibson, which led to mixed reactions.

The ceremony also often features fun interactions between stars, such as awkward encounters, playful banter, and heartfelt reunions, adding to its entertainment value.

Jan. 6 (UPI) — The Department of Energy has announced it would award $2.7 billion in funding to three companies to increase domestic uranium enrichment over the next decade.

The announcement by the Department of Energy comes as President Donald Trump has sought to reinvigorate the United States’ nuclear energy industry as it moves away from foreign sources of energy.

However, the funding authority for the awards originated under President Joe Biden‘s Investing in America agenda and related legislation that aimed to increase uranium enrichment capacity in the United States to bolster U.S. energy security and resilience, while reducing dependence on Russian energy.

With the announcement, American Centrifuge Operating, General Matter and Orano Federal Services will each receive an award of $900 million.

ACO and GM will be tasked with creating domestic high-assay, low-enriched uranium enrichment capacity, while OFS will expand U.S. domestic low-enriched uranium enrichment capacity.

The three companies were chosen from six that were permitted last year to bid on future work.

“President Trump is catalyzing a resurgence in the nation’s nuclear energy sector to strengthen American security and prosperity,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement.

“Today’s awards show that this administration is committed to restoring a secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain capable of producing nuclear fuels needed to power the reactors of today and the advanced reactors of tomorrow.”

Orano said the funding marks a “key milestone” in accelerating the development of its $5 billion facility in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

According to the company, the United States imports two-thirds of the LEU needed to power the U.S. nuclear fleet from foreign sources, including Russia, and its new IKE facility will help reduce the United States’ dependence on Moscow, especially after the ban on Russian imports begins in 2028.

“The decision by the U.S. Department of Energy is a great source of pride as it identifies Orano as a proven nuclear fuel supplier,” Orano CEO Nicolas Maes said in a statement.

General Matter said under its contract with the Department of Energy, it will build domestic enrichment capacity that will help fuel “the next generation of American nuclear power” and enable “American leadership in AI, manufacturing and other critical industries.”

“Rebuilding U.S. domestic enrichment capacity will reduce our reliance on foreign providers, strengthen our nuclear industrial base and lower energy costs for utilities and consumers,” it said in a social media post.

“American reactors need American uranium. In partnership with the Department of Energy, we will deliver it.”

On Saturday, Guillermo del Toro revealed that his older brother, Federico del Toro Gómez, had died last week.

The “Pan’s Labyrinth” director shared the news while receiving the Visionary Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards alongside Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth — the stars of his latest project, “Frankenstein.”

“I’ve come to believe that everybody’s born with one or two songs to sing,” Del Toro told the crowd at the Palm Springs Convention Center. “That’s it, and we keep repeating them and repeating them until we get them sort of right. And Frankenstein was the song I was born to sing.”

Del Toro spoke of his brother when touching on his recent film’s themes of fatherhood, forgiving and being forgiven.

“Three days ago, I lost my older brother, but I’m here because the film speaks about a condition that is purely human, that is proved by the final phase in the film, which says the heart may break and the broken live on,” he said. “Even a broken heart pumps the blood and keeps you going.”

The 61-year-old filmmaker would go on to note that there were several occasions when he and his brother played out the dynamics of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature in their own lives, and that they “granted each other love and granted each other peace” many years ago.

Del Toro did not share any details regarding his brother’s death and said that he may take time off during awards season due to his family’s loss.

“I may be absent at a few functions this [awards] season, but not this one,” he said. “I’m here because [the cast and crew of ‘Frankenstein’] is family. Life gives you a family on the way.”

The governor of Del Toro’s home state of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus Navarro, shared a message on X about the elder Del Toro’s death.

“I send my condolences to the Jalisco filmmaker @RealGDT
for the passing of his brother, Federico del Toro Gómez,” Lemus Navarro wrote. “To his family and loved ones, I hope that they soon find consolation. From the bottom of my heart, I’m sending a warm and strong hug. Rest in peace.”

The director’s alma mater, the University of Guadalajara, also paid their respects to Federico on X.

“We lament the passing of Federico del Toro Gómez, brother of Guillermo del Toro, the Tapatío filmmaker and alumnus of our academic institution,” the post read. “We extend our condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace.”

Elsewhere in his speech, the Oscar-winning director spoke of the importance of believing in and making art in deeply political times.

“At a time when people tell you art is not important, that is always the prelude to fascism,” Del Toro said. “When they tell you it doesn’t matter, when they tell you a f— app can do art, if it’s that easy, that unimportant, why the f— do they want it so bad? The answer is because they think they can debase everything that makes us a little better, a little more human.”

Political realities were also front and center at the awards show during Leonardo DiCaprio’s acceptance speech for his performance in “One Battle After Another.”

The 51-year-old actor was forced to accept his award via Zoom call because he was unable to leave the Caribbean island St. Barts due to air restrictions in the area after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and amid the increasingly turbulent political situation in Venezuela.

“Leonardo DiCaprio is unable to join us in person tonight due to unexpected travel disruptions and restricted airspace,” a spokesperson for the Palm Springs International Film Festival told Variety. “While we will miss celebrating with him in person, we are honored to recognize his exceptional work and lasting contributions to cinema. His talent and dedication to the craft continue to inspire, and we are delighted to celebrate him with the Desert Palm Achievement Award this evening.”

The Critics Choice Awards 2026 recognised the biggest films and TV series of the past year, with Netflix’s Adolescence dominating the TV categories

The Critics Choice Awards served as a grand stage for the year’s most celebrated films and TV series to receive their well-deserved accolades. With big-screen blockbusters and Netflix sensations vying for esteemed awards, the competition was fierce.

Among the nominated films were Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Wicked: For Good’, and Netflix’s fresh take on ‘Frankenstein’ by renowned director Guillermo del Toro. A-listers such as Timothée Chalamet and Emma Stone were also in the running for individual honours.

The star-studded ceremony acknowledged excellence in music, stunts, animation, and production design. Two titles reigned supreme, with Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ emerging as the top TV victor of the night.

In the film categories, ‘Frankenstein’ scooped up four awards, alongside Ryan Coogler’s redemption tale ‘Sinners’. The event drew a host of celebrities, including Kylie Jenner who attended in support of her beau, Chalamet.

Here’s a rundown of the winners and nominees from the Critics Choice Awards 2026.

Best Picture

Winner: One Battle After Another

Nominees:

Bugonia

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Jay Kelly

Marty Supreme

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Train Dreams

Wicked: For Good

Best Actor

Winner: Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme

Nominees:

Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another

Joel Edgerton, Train Dreams

Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon

Michael B. Jordan, Sinners

Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent

Best Actress

Winner: Jessie Buckley for Hamnet

Nominees:

Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another

Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value

Amanda Seyfried, The Testament of Ann Lee

Emma Stone, Bugonia

Best Director

Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another

Nominees:

Ryan Coogler, Sinners

Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein

Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

Chloé Zhao, Hamnet

Best Original Screenplay

Winner: Ryan Coogler for Sinners

Nominees:

Noah Baumbach, Emily Mortimer, Jay Kelly

Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Zach Cregger, Weapons

Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby

Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another

Nominees:

Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Train Dreams

Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-mi, Don Mckellar, Jahye Lee, No Other Choice

Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein

Will Tracy, Bugonia

Chloé Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet

Best Stunt Design

Winner: Wade Eastwood for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Nominees:

Stephen Dunlevy, Kyle Gardiner, Jackson Spidell, Jeremy Marinas, Jan Petina, Domonkos Párdányi, Kinga Kósa-Gavalda, Ballerina

Gary Powell, Luciano Bacheta, Craig Dolby, F1

Brian Machleit, One Battle After Another

Andy Gill, Sinners

Giedrius Nagys, Warfare

Best Score

Winner: Ludwig Göransson for Sinners

Nominees:

Hans Zimmer, F1

Alexandre Desplat, Frankenstein

Max Richter, Hamnet

Daniel Lopatin, Marty Supreme

Jonny Greenwood, One Battle After Another

Best Film Made for Television

Winner: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Nominees:

Deep Cover

The Gorge

Mountainhead

Nonnas

Summer of ’69

Best Variety Series

Winner: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Nominees:

Conan O’Brien Must Go

Saturday Night Live

Best Animated Feature

Winner: KPop Demon Hunters

Nominees:

Arco

Elio

In Your Dreams

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Zootopia 2

Best Song

Winner: “Golden” – Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, Teddy from KPop Demon Hunters

Nominees:

“Drive” – Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Blake Slatkin – F1

“I Lied to You” – Raphael Saadiq, Ludwig Göransson – Sinners

“Clothed by the Sun” – Daniel Blumberg – The Testament of Ann Lee

“Train Dreams” – Nick Cave, Bryce Dessner – Train Dreams

“The Girl in the Bubble” – Stephen Schwartz – Wicked: For Good

Best Drama Series

Winner: The Pitt

Nominees:

Alien: Earth

Andor

The Diplomat

Paradise

Pluribus

Severance

Task

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Winner: Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus

Nominees:

Kathy Bates, Matlock

Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age

Britt Lower, Severance

Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us

Keri Russell, The Diplomat

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Winner: Noah Wyle for The Pitt

Nominees:

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise

Diego Luna, Andor

Mark Ruffalo, Task

Adam Scott, Severance

Billy Bob Thornton, Landman

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Winner: Tramell Tillman for Severance

Nominees:

Patrick Ball, The Pitt

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Ato Essandoh, The Diplomat

Wood Harris, Forever

Tom Pelphrey, Task

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Winner: Katherine LaNasa for The Pitt

Nominees:

Nicole Beharie, The Morning Show

Denée Benton, The Gilded Age

Allison Janney, The Diplomat

Greta Lee, The Morning Show

Skye P. Marshall, Matlock

Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Amy Madigan for Weapons

Nominees:

Elle Fanning, Sentimental Value

Ariana Grande, Wicked: For Good

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value

Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners

Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another

Best Supporting Actor

Winner: Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein

Nominees:

Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another

Paul Mescal, Hamnet

Sean Penn, One Battle After Another

Adam Sandler, Jay Kelly

Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value

Best Comedy Series

Winner: The Studio

Nominees:

Abbott Elementary

Elsbeth

Ghosts

Hacks

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building

The Righteous Gemstones

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Winner: Jean Smart for Hacks

Nominees:

Kristen Bell, Nobody Wants This

Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face

Rose McIver, Ghosts

Edi Patterson, The Righteous Gemstones

Carrie Preston, Elsbeth

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Winner: Seth Rogen for The Studio

Nominees:

Adam Brody, Nobody Wants This

Ted Danson, A Man on the Inside

David Alan Grier, St. Denis Medical

Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones

Alexander Skarsgård, Murderbot

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Winner: Ike Barinholtz for The Studio

Nominees:

Paul W. Downs, Hacks

Asher Grodman, Ghosts

Oscar Nuñez, The Paper

Chris Perfetti, Abbott Elementary

Timothy Simons, Nobody Wants This

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Winner: Janelle James for Abbott Elementary

Nominees:

Danielle Brooks, Peacemaker

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

Justine Lupe, Nobody Wants This

Ego Nwodim, Saturday Night Live

Rebecca Wisocky, Ghosts

Best Talk Show

Winner: Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Nominees:

The Daily Show

Hot Ones

Late Night with Seth Meyers

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Best Casting and Ensemble

Winner: Francine Maisler for Sinners

Nominees:

Nina Gold, Hamnet

Douglas Aibel, Nina Gold, Jay Kelly

Jennifer Venditti, Marty Supreme

Cassandra Kulukundis, One Battle After Another

Tiffany Little Canfield, Bernard Telsey, Wicked: For Good

Best Limited Series

Winner: Adolescence

Nominees:

All Her Fault

Chief of War

Death by Lightning

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

Dope Thief

Dying for Sex

The Girlfriend

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

Winner: Sarah Snook for All Her Fault

Nominees:

Jessica Biel, The Better Sister

Meghann Fahy, Sirens

Michelle Williams, Dying for Sex

Robin Wright, The Girlfriend

Renée Zellweger, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

Winner: Stephen Graham for Adolescence

Nominees:

Michael Chernus, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

Brian Tyree Henry, Dope Thief

Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me

Michael Shannon, Death by Lightning

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

Winner: Owen Cooper, Adolescence

Nominees:

Wagner Moura, Dope Thief

Nick Offerman, Death by Lightning

Michael Peña, All Her Fault

Ashley Walters, Adolescence

Ramy Youssef, Mountainhead

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

Winner: Erin Doherty, Adolescence

Nominees:

Betty Gilpin, Death by Lightning

Marin Ireland, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

Sophia Lillis, All Her Fault

Julianne Moore, Sirens

Christine Tremarco, Adolescence

Best Young Actor / Actress

Winner: Miles Caton in Sinners

Nominees:

Everett Blunck, The Plague

Cary Christopher, Weapons

Shannon Mahina Gorman, Rental Family

Jacobi Jupe, Hamnet

Nina Ye, Left-Handed Girl

Best Foreign Language Film

Winner: The Secret Agent

Nominees:

It Was Just an Accident

Left-Handed Girl

No Other Choice

Sirt

Belé

Best Comedy

Winner: The Naked Gun

Nominees:

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Eternity

Friendship

The Phoenician Scheme

Splitsville

Best Foreign Language Series

Winner: Squid Game

Nominees:

Acapulco

Last Samurai Standing

Mussolini: Son of the Century

Red Alert

When No One Sees Us

Best Animated Series

Winner: South Park

Nominees:

Bob’s Burgers

Harley Quinn

Long Story Short

Marvel Zombies

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man

Best Cinematography

Winner: Adolpho Veloso for Train Dreams

Nominees:

Claudio Miranda, F1

Dan Laustsen, Frankenstein

Łukasz Żal, Hamnet

Michael Bauman, One Battle After Another

Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sinners

Best Comedy Special

Winner: SNL50: The Anniversary Special

Nominees:

Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life

Caleb Hearon: Model Comedian

Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things

Marc Maron: Panicked

Sarah Silverman: PostMortem

Best Production Design

Winner: Tamara Deverell, Shane Vieau for Frankenstein

Nominees:

Kasra Farahani, Jille Azis, The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Fiona Crombie, Alice Felton, Hamnet

Jack Fisk, Adam Willis, Marty Supreme

Hannah Beachler, Monique Champagne, Sinners

Nathan Crowley, Lee Sandales, Wicked: For Good

Best Editing

Winner: Stephen Mirrione for F1

Nominees:

Kirk Baxter, A House of Dynamite

Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Andy Jurgensen, One Battle After Another

Viridiana Lieberman, The Perfect Neighbour

Michael P. Shawver, Sinners

Best Costume Design

Winner: Kate Hawley for Frankenstein

Nominees:

Malgosia Turzanska, Hamnet

Lindsay Pugh, Hedda

Colleen Atwood, Christine Cantella, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Ruth E. Carter, Sinners

Paul Tazewell, Wicked: For Good

Best Hair and Makeup

Winner: Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, Cliona Furey for Frankenstein

Nominees:

Flora Moody, John Nolan, 28 Years Later

Siân Richards, Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine, Shunika Terry, Sinners

Kazu Hiro, Felix Fox, Mia Neal, The Smashing Machine

Leo Satkovich, Melizah Wheat, Jason Collins, Weapons

Frances Hannon, Mark Coulier, Laura Blount, Wicked: For Good

Best Visual Effects

Winner: Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett for Avatar: Fire and Ash

Nominees:

Ryan Tudhope, Nikeah Forde, Robert Harrington, Nicolas Chevallier, Eric Leven, Edward Price, Keith Dawson, F1

Dennis Berardi, Ayo Burgess, Ivan Busquets, José Granell, Frankenstein

Alex Wuttke, Ian Lowe, Jeff Sutherland, Kirstin Hall, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter, Donnie Dean, Sinners

Stephane Ceretti, Enrico Damm, Stéphane Nazé, Guy Williams, Superman

Best Sound

Winner: Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gareth John for F1

Nominees:

Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern, Greg Chapman – Frankenstein

Jose Antonio Garcia, Christopher Scarabosio, Tony Villaflor – One Battle After Another

Chris Welcker, Benny Burtt, Brandon Proctor, Steve Boeddeker, Felipe Pacheco, David V. Butler – Sinners

Laia Casanovas – Sirt

Mitch Low, Glenn Freemantle, Ben Barker, Howard Bargroff, Richard Spooner – Warfare

*For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website*

Dec. 29 (UPI) — The Trump administration on Monday announced it will distribute $50 billion dollars to expand access to rural healthcare across all 50 states with investments in growing the workforce, modernizing facilities and introducing new models of care delivery.

States are set to receive first-year awards next year of roughly $200 million under the Rural Health Transformation Program, which Congress authorized earlier this year as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a press release.

“More than 60 million Americans living in rural areas have the right to equal access to quality care,” said Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“This historic investment puts local hospitals, clinics and health workers in control of their communities’ health care,” Kennedy said.

The CMS is set to distribute the $50 billion dollars over the next five years, from 2026 through 2030, as part of the program established by the bill, which is more commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Each year, $5 billion will be distributed equally to each of the 50 states, while another $5 billion will be allocated based on the proportion of rural health facilities, situations at specific facilities in the state and other factors, the agency said on the program website.

The CMS announced each state’s 2026 allocation — Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories are not eligible for the funds — in the release, with the awards ranging from New Jersey’s $147 million to Texas’ $281 million.

The funds are meant to accomplish a range of goals to “make rural America healthy again,” including:

• expanding access to preventive, primary, maternal and behavioral health services;
• strengthening, growing and sustaining the clinical work force in rural areas;
• modernizing health infrastructure and technology;
• driving structural efficiency through streamlining operations and working to make more services available locally;
• and testing new primary care and value-based care models of delivery and payment.

The announcement comes after the American Hospital Association estimated earlier this year that rural hospitals could lose $50.4 billion in revenue from federal Medicaid funds over the next 10 years.

The reason is based on a Congressional Budget Office estimate earlier this year that the $1 trillion that was cut from Medicaid in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could result in more than 7.8 million more people across the country becoming uninsured.

This loss of Medicaid coverage for patients affects revenue for healthcare providers, and the effects will be felt most acutely in rural areas.

These areas of the country currently include an estimated 16.1 million people with Medicaid coverage. Sparsely populated states such as Montana, Wyoming and Alaska have more than 50% of Medicaid recipients living in rural areas, the American Hospital Association says.

For many rural health facilities, a mixture of Medicare and Medicaid patients help them stay open, Sarah Hohman, director of government affairs for the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, told UPI in July.

“If the coverage losses pan out as they are estimated, that would mean that they are treating fewer patients that are covered by insurance,” Hohman said. “The more you have uncompensated care and individuals not able to pay, your balance gets concerning pretty quickly. That really threatens the financial viability in these areas.”

In banking as in other industries, AI is rapidly becoming a core business driver. The biggest gains will come from a foundational rethink of operations, not marginal improvements.

The financial sector is undergoing a profound transformation, powered by AI. Banks’ strategic integration of AI is moving beyond simple efficiency gains to make the technology a core business driver, focused on hyper-personalization, augmentation of human talent, and robust governance.

The real opportunity, says Andy Schmidt, vice president and global industry lead for Banking at CGI, [our AI in Finance judging partner], lies not in simply applying AI to existing workflows, but in fundamentally rebuilding processes with AI at the core.

A key aspect of this transformation is the shift towards an ultra-personalized and predictive customer experience. AI is moving past rudimentary chatbots to become an “agentic, conversational assistant” that can proactively anticipate a customer’s needs: from preventing payment failures by automatically increasing card limits to providing tailored financial guidance and real-time product recommendations.

Going forward, this intensified focus on customer experience will be a significant component of return on investment (ROI), Schmidt predicts.

“The real value comes in improved customer experience,” he stresses. “Being able to onboard customers more quickly, being able to transition from opportunity to revenue more quickly, and optimizing the customer experience so that they remain satisfied and stay with the bank over time.”

Schmidt highlights success stories in wealth and personal finance where GenAI drives personalization recommendations. DBS Bank’s harnessing of AI, for example, has drastically accelerated customer journeys, demonstrating the potential for significant scale and opportunity.

Human-AI Augmentation

The case for AI adoption in banking centers on strategic augmentation, were AI becomes a co-pilot for human experts. The goal is to automate repetitive and low-value tasks, freeing up human capital to focus on such complex, high-value activities as strategic decision-making, advisory sales, and conflict resolution.

Further driving this internal empowerment is the democratization of GenAI tools across the workforce, accelerating research, analysis, and data synthesis. Crucially, banks must commit to the principle of human oversight, ensuring that for complex matters, a human being is always in the loop and remains the final decision-maker.

AI’s role in risk management is evolving from reactive analysis to real-time, predictive analytics. By continuously monitoring vast internal and external data streams, AI can anticipate potential risks and perform complex what-if scenario planning. This capability couples with enhanced fraud detection, where sophisticated AI, including neural networks, provides real-time surveillance and prevention across massive transaction volumes.

AI is also streamlining the traditionally costly and time-consuming realm of regulatory compliance. Schmidt emphasizes the value of AI in bringing “transparency, auditability, and repeatability to key processes, especially when it comes to compliancerelated processes like KYC [know your customer].” Relatedly, AI is automating tasks like credit report preparation and enhancing the rigor of due diligence on complex M&A transactions.

Maximizing ROI Gain

A significant lesson emerging from AI deployment is that the most substantial returns come from a foundational rethink of operations, not marginal improvements. The financial industry is recognizing that “adding AI to existing processes will make them marginally better,” Schmidt notes, but that “optimizing processes to leverage AI will make them dramatically better.” The best way to realize the benefits of AI transformation, he adds, is in “examining these long-standing processes, optimizing them, and fundamentally rebuilding them. The goal is to integrate AI at the core of the process, rather than sprinkling it on top as an afterthought.”

With every aspect of AI adoption, however, the best approach is to proceed in stages. For those beginning their AI journey, Schmidt suggests adopting large language models (LLMs) as a starting point before transitioning to more specialized, purpose-built models. The effective integration of AI requires continuous change management to sustain capabilities and maximize ROI over time.

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Methodology

The Global Finance AI In Finance award winners are chosen based on entries provided by financial institutions. Entrants are judged on the impact, adoption, and creativity that AI brings to both systems and services. Winners are chosen from entries submitted by banks and evaluated by a world-class panel of judges at CGI, a leading multinational IT and business consulting-services firm. CGI is a trusted AI expert that combines data science and machine slearning capabilities to generate new insights, experiences, and business models powered by AI. The editors of Global Finance are responsible for the final selection of all winners.

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Meet The Winners

Winner Insights

“To the fans, both club and country, your support doesn’t go unnoticed.

“We hear you cheering every single game loud and proud and it helps push us on to go and get the win for you all. So, thank you very much.”

Hampton and Donnarumma won the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or in September.

Hampton started every game at Euro 2025 – England beat Spain in a penalty shootout in the final – and all Chelsea‘s matches in an unbeaten Women’s Super League season.

She also won the Golden Glove award with 13 clean sheets.

Lizbeth Ovalle won the Marta Award for the best goal in women’s football with her scorpion kick for Tigres against Guadalajara in Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil in March.

Ovalle now plays for Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League in the US.

The winner of the Puskas Award, for the best goal in men’s football, was Independiente’s Santiago Montiel for his overhead kick from outside the box against Independiente Rivadavia in the Argentine Primera Division in May.

Dec. 16 (UPI) — President Donald Trump has awarded 13 soldiers and Marines the newly established Mexican Border Defense Medal for their contributions to safeguarding the U.S. southern border.

The service members are the first to receive the commendation, created Aug. 13 in a memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to honor those deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border.

The commander-in-chief awarded the medals to the service members at the White House.

“On day one of my administration, I signed an executive order making it [the] core mission of the United States military to protect and defend the homeland. And today, we’re here to honor our military men and women for their central role in the protection of our border,” Trump said during the ceremony.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has overseen crackdowns on immigration and crime that have included the deployment of troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

More than 10,000 U.S. military service members attached to Joint Task Force Southern Border have been deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border in support of the Department of Homeland Security, with the missions to secure the border, disrupt transnational criminal organizations and respond to national security threats.

Trump said Monday that more than 25,000 service members have served in this “incredible and historic operation,” which has overseen 13,000 patrols along the border.

“They’ve spent night and day enduring scorching hot and bitter cold, and they’ve given up their holidays and their weekends, working with the offices of Customs and Border Protection,” Trump said.

“And today, we give these great warriors the recognition that they have earned — and they have really earned it.”

The medal, according to the Department of Defense, is identical to the Mexican Border Service Medal awarded for service in 1916 and 1917 in the Mexican state of Chihuahua as well as the U.S.-Mexico border regions in New Mexico and Texas.

It is bronze with a sheathed Roman sword hanging on a tablet on the front, which bears an inscription that reads: “For Service on the Mexican Border.”

Those eligible for the award must have been permanently assigned to a designated Department of Defense military operation supporting CBP within the area of eligibility for at least 30 consecutive or non-consecutive days from Jan. 20 of this year.

“We’re proud of this mission,” Hegseth said during the White House event. “We’re proud to defend the American people and pinning these medals on is an example of how important it is to us.”

The Trump administration states that its crackdown has resulted in more than 2.5 million undocumented migrants removed from the United States and the lowest level of illegal border crossings since 1970.

Tesla’s board of directors has earned more than $3 billion through stock awards since 2004, an amount that dwarfs compensation at other major U.S. technology firms. CEO Elon Musk’s brother Kimbal has earned nearly $1 billion, while director Ira Ehrenpreis collected $869 million and board chair Robyn Denholm $650 million. Most of these windfalls came from stock options that appreciated dramatically as Tesla’s share price soared.

Why It Matters
The outsized compensation raises questions about corporate governance and board independence. Experts argue that such high pay could compromise directors’ ability to objectively oversee Tesla and Musk, as a large portion of their wealth is tied to stock performance rather than cash. Critics also note that Tesla is one of the few major firms where directors are paid predominantly in options rather than shares, magnifying upside potential with limited downside risk.

Stock Option Controversy
Tesla directors have received compensation primarily through stock options, rather than shares. This practice allows them to profit if Tesla’s stock rises without incurring losses if it falls, unlike restricted stock which better aligns interests with shareholders. Between 2018 and 2024, Tesla directors averaged $1.7 million annually despite suspending pay for four years, more than double the average of Meta directors, the next highest-paid among the “Magnificent Seven” tech companies.

Legal and Governance Issues
Tesla’s board suspended new stock grants in 2021 following a shareholder lawsuit alleging excessive pay. The board has also faced scrutiny in a Delaware court over Musk’s 2018 compensation package, with the judge ruling that excessive pay and personal ties compromised CEO-pay negotiations. The board proposed a new pay package for Musk in 2024 potentially worth $1 trillion in Tesla stock over the next decade.

Stakeholders include Tesla’s board members, CEO Elon Musk, shareholders, corporate-governance experts, and the wider investment community. Oversight and accountability are central concerns, as compensation structures can influence board decisions and shareholder trust.

Comparison With Tech Peers
Other major tech firms like Alphabet, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia (“Magnificent Seven”) have also seen stock-based wealth increases for directors, but none have granted awards as concentrated or directly tied to board service as Tesla. Lifetime earnings for Tesla directors far exceed peers when factoring in appreciated stock value.

What’s Next
Governance experts suggest reforms such as paying directors in restricted stock rather than options, and greater shareholder oversight of compensation plans. Tesla’s board must navigate the delicate balance of incentivising directors while maintaining independence in overseeing Musk and the company. Legal proceedings and shareholder scrutiny over Musk’s latest pay package are ongoing and may influence future board compensation practices.

Additional Considerations
The analysis raises broader questions about tech-sector governance, the risks of incentive structures tied to stock performance, and the potential misalignment between directors’ personal wealth and long-term shareholder interests. Tesla’s board, given its outsized compensation, will remain a focus for regulators and investors alike.

With information from an exclusive Reuters report.