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super ace 888 Eric Watkins of Abstrakt Highlights the Challenges of Building Internal SDR TeamsNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Darren Rizzi would be an unconventional choice to take over the New Orleans Saints’ head coaching job on a permanent basis. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. The Saints (4-7) had been on a seven-game skid when Rizzi, the club’s special teams coordinator, was promoted. They’ve since won two straight, and as the club entered its Week 12 bye, prominent players were already discussing their desire to continue improving Rizzi’s resume. Before the Saints’ demoralizing defeat at Carolina precipitated the firing of third-year coach Dennis Allen , Rizzi had never been a head coach at the NFL or major college level. The north New Jersey native and former Rhode Island tight end got his first head coaching job at Division II New Haven in 1999.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management Announces Liquidation of Three Exchange-Traded FundsWASHINGTON (AP) — She’s an Iraq War combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who has advocated for years to improve how the military handles claims of sexual misconduct. But when Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, appeared initially cool to the nomination of President-elect Donald Trump ’s choice of Pete Hegseth to serve as defense secretary — a man who once said women should not serve in combat and who has himself been accused of sexual assault — she faced an onslaught of criticism from within her own party, including threats of a potential primary challenge in 2026. “The American people spoke,” said Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the Family Leader and a conservative activist in Ernst’s home state. “When you sign up for this job, it’s a big boy and big girl job, and she’s feeling the pressure of people vocalizing their disappointment, their concern with how she’s handling this.” The pressure campaign against Ernst, once a rising member of the GOP leadership, shows there is little room in Trump’s party for those who can’t get to yes on Hegseth or any of his other picks for his incoming administration It underscores the power Trump is expected to wield on Capitol Hill in a second term and serves as a warning to other lawmakers who may be harboring their own concerns about other Trump selections, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary and Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. “If the king wants a different senator from Iowa, we’ll have one. If he doesn’t, we won’t,” said Iowa talk show host Steve Deace, suggesting on his show Monday that he would be willing to jump in against Ernst if Trump wanted a challenger. “I think someone’s got to be made an example out of, whether it’s Joni or someone else.” People close to Ernst, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, stress her mettle and say her eventual decision will depend on her assessment of Hegseth, a former “Fox & Friends Weekend” host and veteran, and nothing else. “Has there been Twitter pressure? Sure. But Joni’s a combat veteran. She’s not easily pressured,” said David Kochel, an Iowa Republican strategist and longtime Ernst friend and adviser. Ernst has worked steadily to shore up her relationship with Trump after declining to endorse him before the Iowa caucuses that kicked off this year’s campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. During a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida club, she met with Trump and billionaire Elon Musk with ideas for their budget-slashing Department of Government Efficiency. She heads up a newly formed DOGE caucus in the Senate. Trump has not tried personallty to pressure Ernst to back Hegseth, according to a person familiar with their conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose them. And he has not targeted her — or any potential holdouts — publicly in social media posts. He also hasn’t had to. The response to Ernst built quickly, first in whispers following her initially cool remarks after meeting with Hegseth, then into a pile-on from powerful figures in the “Make America Great Again” movement. Only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of Hegseth’s nomination, according to Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs polling . About one-third of Republicans approve of him as a pick, and 16% disapprove. Another 1 in 10 Republicans, roughly, are neutral and say they neither approve nor disapprove. Trump allies had been concerned that a successful effort to derail Hegseth’s candidacy would empower opposition to other nominees, undermining his projections of complete dominance of the party. In the narrowly held Senate, with a 53-47 GOP majority in the new year, any Trump nominee can only afford a few Republican “no” votes if all Democrats are opposed. Those piling on included Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who warned that Ernst’s political career was “in serious jeopardy” and that primary challengers stood at the ready. One social media post from the CEO of The Federalist featured side-by-side photos comparing Ernst to ousted Rep. Liz Cheney , R-Wyo., whom Trump recently said deserves to be jailed, along with other members of the House committee that investigated the Capitol riot. Building America’s Future, a conservative nonprofit, announced plans to spend half a million dollars supporting Trump’s pick of Hegseth, the Daily Caller first reported . The group has already spent thousands on Facebook and Instagram ads featuring Ernst’s photo and is running a commercial urging viewers to call their senators to back him. Criticism mounted at home, too. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who quickly endeared herself to Trump when she became the highest-ranking state official to endorse him ahead of this year’s caucuses, wrote an op-ed for the conservative Breitbart news site that was seen as a not-so-subtle warning. “What we’re witnessing in Washington right now is a Deep State attempt to undermine the will of the people,” she wrote. Local Republican groups also encouraged Iowans to call Ernst’s office and urged her to back Trump’s picks. While incumbents have particular staying power in Iowa, Trump has a track record of ending the careers of those who cross him. Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller defended the tactics. “Right now, this is President Trump’s party,” he said Tuesday at The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Summit in Washington. “I think voters want to see the president being able to put in his people.” Ernst has gradually appeared to soften on Hegseth. By Monday, after meeting with him once again, she issued a statement saying they had had “encouraging conversations.” Ernst said Hegseth committed “to completing a full audit of the Pentagon” and to hire a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks.” “As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” she said. But for many Republican senators who have found themselves on the wrong side of Trump, it was hard not to see the campaign against Ernst as a warning. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Alaska Republican who also met with Hegseth this week, said the attacks seemed “a little more intense than usual,” while acknowledging that she is “no stranger” to similar MAGA-led campaigns. She was reelected in 2022 after beating a Trump-endorsed challenger. Murkowski said the potential attacks don’t weigh into her decision-making, but added, “I’m sure that it factors into Sen. Ernst’s.”

Nebraska has landed one of its most high-profile transfers of the portal era in a former five-star prospect who fills an immediate team need. Ex-Missouri defensive end Williams Nwaneri committed to the Huskers on Thursday afternoon after entering the portal earlier that morning. He has four years of eligibility remaining after redshirting his first college season — he appeared in four games and logged 38 defensive snaps and two tackles this fall. The 6-foot-7, 255-pounder from the Kansas City area held offers from most top schools in college football as the nation’s No. 1 edge rusher in the 2024 class. Nebraska’s connection begins with senior football assistant Jamar Mozee, who was Nwaneri’s high school coach at Lee’s Summit North. Mozee convinced the teenager to play football as a freshman and his stock soared soon after while playing for one of the area’s top programs. Nwaneri as a prep senior logged 50 tackles (13 for loss) in 11 games with 23 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. Mozee — who once went through the recruiting process as a K.C. high-school star running back and was part of Oklahoma’s 2000 national-title team — served as one of Nwaneri’s central advisors during his recruitment. Georgia and Oklahoma were the prospect’s other finalists then. Being close to home and an extensive family of supporters was key in his evaluation. “I feel like he wasn’t biased in any way,” Nwaneri said of Mozee a year ago when he signed with Missouri. “He was coming from a place of caring about me. I thank him a lot.” Mozee celebrated with Nwaneri at the time before leaving to join UCF in February 2024 as an off-field staffer. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule hired Mozee in July. At Nwaneri’s signing ceremony last year, Mozee said the player had “pro talent” he flashed daily. “You’ve got to be careful to say that as a high school coach but there’s just not many kids like him, just being honest,” Mozee said. “Physically, the way he’s made, the way he’s built. He’s different than everybody I’ve ever seen.” Nwaneri also played multiple seasons at Lee’s Summit North with incoming Nebraska receiver Isaiah Mozee, Jamar’s son. The younger Mozee has said he leaned on Nwaneri at times during his own recruiting process that included navigating 40-plus offers. Nwaneri drew national headlines as a prep senior when the state of Missouri passed a law allowing high schoolers to earn name-image-likeness benefits once they’ve signed with a school. The legislation applies only to Missouri residents. Rhule this month praised Nebraska’s formidable financial resources made available through its 1890 collective and what’s coming with revenue sharing. It allows the Huskers to be competitive with anyone for any player, he said. That includes Nwaneri, who arrives as the Huskers reset their defensive line with a new position coach and different starters for the entire front. “We are officially now a ‘have,’” Rhule said. “We’re going to have more (resources) than most people in college football.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!Pennycuick announces new law criminalizing AI-generated deepfake child pornography

Cal staves off Sacramento State for third straight win

NoneIt has taken new Michigan coach Dusty May just nine games to guide the Wolverines into the Top 25. May and the Wolverines enter the poll at No. 14 and strive to continue their strong start when they face Arkansas in the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday night in New York. Michigan (8-1) has reeled off seven straight wins to crack the rankings for the first time in nearly 25 months. "All this stuff doesn't matter to me," May said of the rankings. "It does change the complexion of what we think about and things like that. Overall, I like where we are. We have guys who work well together and they put in the time." The Wolverines look to remain hot against the Razorbacks (7-2). John Calipari's first Arkansas squad has won its past two games. Calipari spent the previous 15 seasons as coach of Kentucky and claims he's excited to be in Arkansas. "I'm not bitter about anything. I'm not," Calipari said. "This is the first page of the first chapter of a new book. The timing for me and my career and my life, this is perfect. And I appreciate the fans and everybody giving me the opportunity to do that." The Razorbacks will be searching for their initial milestone victory under Calipari during their first visit to Madison Square Garden since 1997. Their losses this season are to then-No. 8 Baylor and Illinois on neutral courts. Calipari grabbed several players out of the transfer portal in the offseason, including guard Johnell Davis, one of the stars of the Florida Atlantic team that reached the 2023 Final Four. That squad was coached by May. One of the other Florida Atlantic starters was center Vladislav Goldin, who followed May to Michigan after the coach was hired in the offseason. Goldin has strung together three straight solid games, including a season-best 24 points in a 67-64 road win over then-No. 11 Wisconsin on Dec. 3. He followed that up with 20 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in Saturday's 85-83 home win over Iowa. "He's just been a guy that you can see when he's really locked in and focused there's a different level of play," said May, "and I think now he's finding that level of play." Goldin is part of a balanced attack. Roddy Gayle Jr. averages a team-best 12.2 points per game, followed by Tre Donaldson and Danny Wolf at 12.1 and Goldin at 12.0. Wolf averages a team-best 10 rebounds per game. Arkansas is coming off a 75-60 home victory over UTSA on Saturday. Adou Thiero excelled by matching his career high of 26 points to go with 10 rebounds. Thiero scored 17 points in the second half when the Razorbacks overcame a five-point halftime deficit to outscore the Roadrunners by 20. "We've been seeing that the whole summer," Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile said of Thiero's strong play. "Him dominating. Dominating in practice and (Calipari) pushing him. This is just a reflection of the work he's done this summer and him trusting the coaches." Thiero leads the Razorbacks with averages of 18.6 points and 6.1 rebounds. Boogie Fland is averaging 15 points and Zvonimir Ivisic is scoring 12 per game. Davis (9.3) started slow with just two double-digit outings in the first seven games before averaging 12.5 over the last two games. Michigan holds a 4-3 edge in the all-time series. The Wolverines recorded an 80-67 home victory on Dec. 8, 2012 in the most recent meeting. --Field Level MediaPutin says Russia will keep testing new missile in combat

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on GE Vernova GEV . And retail traders should know. We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga. Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with GEV, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen. So how do we know what these investors just did? Today, Benzinga 's options scanner spotted 16 uncommon options trades for GE Vernova. This isn't normal. The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 25% bullish and 56%, bearish. Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $127,307, and 14 are calls, for a total amount of $429,405. Predicted Price Range Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $200.0 to $360.0 for GE Vernova over the last 3 months. Insights into Volume & Open Interest In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of GE Vernova stands at 697.71, with a total volume reaching 846.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in GE Vernova, situated within the strike price corridor from $200.0 to $360.0, throughout the last 30 days. GE Vernova Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days Biggest Options Spotted: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume GEV CALL TRADE NEUTRAL 01/17/25 $142.0 $138.6 $140.25 $200.00 $70.1K 920 5 GEV PUT SWEEP BULLISH 01/17/25 $10.1 $9.5 $9.4 $320.00 $65.8K 1.3K 129 GEV PUT TRADE NEUTRAL 01/17/25 $12.8 $11.9 $12.3 $320.00 $61.5K 1.3K 53 GEV CALL SWEEP BULLISH 04/17/25 $33.1 $30.9 $32.0 $350.00 $32.0K 373 12 GEV CALL TRADE BULLISH 01/17/25 $10.4 $9.9 $10.4 $360.00 $31.2K 1.6K 185 About GE Vernova GE Vernova is a global leader in the electric power industry, with products and services that generate, transfer, convert, and store electricity. The company has three business segments: power, wind, and electrification. Power includes gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, and steam technologies, providing dispatchable power. The wind segment includes wind generation technologies, inclusive of onshore and offshore wind turbines and blades. Electrification includes grid solutions, power conversion, electrification software, and solar and storage solutions technologies required for the transmission, distribution, conversion, and storage of electricity from the point of generation to point of consumption. In light of the recent options history for GE Vernova, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance. Present Market Standing of GE Vernova Currently trading with a volume of 1,029,283, the GEV's price is up by 3.03%, now at $342.61. RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold. Anticipated earnings release is in 11 days. Expert Opinions on GE Vernova 5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $373.8. Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days? 20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. Click here for access .* An analyst from Truist Securities has decided to maintain their Buy rating on GE Vernova, which currently sits at a price target of $400. * An analyst from Citigroup persists with their Neutral rating on GE Vernova, maintaining a target price of $361. * An analyst from RBC Capital persists with their Outperform rating on GE Vernova, maintaining a target price of $376. * An analyst from JP Morgan persists with their Overweight rating on GE Vernova, maintaining a target price of $356. * An analyst from RBC Capital downgraded its action to Outperform with a price target of $376. Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for GE Vernova with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Believe it or not, Cowboys might have hope yet after chaotic win at Washington

Travis Patron convicted of impersonating police while harassing woman in SaskatoonNEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global TV and Movie merchandise market size is estimated to grow by USD 103.5 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.45% during the forecast period. Growth of e-commerce platforms is driving market growth, with a trend towards entertainment companies capitalizing on merchandise sales. However, uncertain economic conditions poses a challenge.Key market players include 41 Entertainment LLC, Aardman Animations Ltd., Amazon.com Inc., AT and T, Banijay Group, Charter Communications Inc., Comcast Corp., Grindstore Ltd., Hasbro Inc., iMPACTFUL Group Inc., LEGO System AS, Mattel Inc., Netflix Inc., Paramount Global, RTL Group SA, Sony Group Corp., Striker Entertainment LLC, The Walt Disney Co., WildBrain Ltd., and World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Application (Offline retail and Online retail), Product (Apparel, Toys, Accessories, Video games, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled 41 Entertainment LLC, Aardman Animations Ltd., Amazon.com Inc., AT and T, Banijay Group, Charter Communications Inc., Comcast Corp., Grindstore Ltd., Hasbro Inc., iMPACTFUL Group Inc., LEGO System AS, Mattel Inc., Netflix Inc., Paramount Global, RTL Group SA, Sony Group Corp., Striker Entertainment LLC, The Walt Disney Co., WildBrain Ltd., and World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. The TV and movie merchandise market is booming, with trends including toys, apparel, collectibles, comic books, action figures, artwork, home décor, accessories, video games, and more. Both kids and adults are driving demand for these products, fueled by streaming services, social media, and ecommerce. Nostalgia-driven merchandise is a significant trend, with collectibles leading the way. However, challenges such as counterfeiting, high marketing costs, and oversaturation persist. Costumes, movie scripts, and licensed sellers are also part of the mix. Consumers prefer online shopping for convenience, but offline retailers still hold appeal for fan interaction and celebrity endorsement. Purchasing habits vary, with community engagement and viral sensations influencing sales. Product quality, health, and environmental concerns are also important factors. E-commerce expansion continues, with fast delivery options and smart home products gaining popularity. Entertainment companies have shifted their focus from relying solely on ticket sales to generating revenue through merchandise. With declining DVD sales and a stagnant global box office, studios like Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe are turning to merchandise as an alternative revenue stream. Consumer products now significantly impact moviemaking decisions, leading to sequels and franchises. Notably, some films have earned more revenue from merchandise sales than box office collections. This trend underscores the importance of merchandise in the entertainment industry. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! • The TV and movie merchandise market is a thriving industry, catering to the demands of kids and adults alike. Toys, apparel, collectibles, comic books, action figures, artwork, home décor, accessories, video games, and more, all generate significant revenue. However, challenges abound. Counterfeiting is a major concern, leading to high marketing costs to ensure authenticity. Nostalgia-driven merchandise continues to be popular, but oversaturation and storage constraints can limit growth. Purchasing habits vary between online shopping websites and offline retailers, with fan interaction and celebrity endorsement driving sales. E-commerce expansion is crucial, but product quality, health, and environmental concerns must be addressed. Smart home products, wearables, and fast delivery options are key trends. Collectors seek authenticity, while cultural phenomena and viral sensations create sudden demand. Overall, the market requires careful management to navigate these challenges and capitalize on opportunities. • The economic instability in various countries could negatively impact the TV and movie merchandise market. Vendors, advertisers, affiliates, suppliers, retailers, insurers, and theater operators may experience reduced sales due to weak or uncertain economic conditions in key markets like China , India , and Brazil . Volatility in the global economy, caused by governmental actions in countries such as Russia and Venezuela , further complicates the situation. These economic uncertainties could potentially hinder the growth and profitability of businesses in this sector. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report This tv and movie merchandise market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Offline retail 1.2 Online retail Product 2.1 Apparel 2.2 Toys 2.3 Accessories 2.4 Video games 2.5 Others Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Offline retail- The offline retail sector continues to be a significant player in the global TV and movie merchandise market. Consumers preferring a tactile shopping experience account for a substantial portion of sales. Offline retail formats such as specialty stores, hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, clubhouse stores, and department stores dominate merchandise sales. The benefits of offline retail include immediate product customization and inspection. Despite the revenue decline due to online shopping trends, retailers are expanding their physical stores in local and regional markets to boost customer participation. Additionally, the rise of personalized gift outlets in shopping malls and hypermarkets is fueling sales of photo products and merchandise. The supply chain network enhancements enable offline retail to act as a catalyst for market growth. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) The TV and movie merchandise market is a vibrant and expansive industry, encompassing a wide range of products that cater to fans of all ages. From toys and action figures to apparel, collectibles, comic books, and artwork, there's something for every fan. Home décor and accessories are also popular choices, allowing fans to bring the magic of their favorite shows and movies into their homes. Kids can enjoy dressed up in costumes or playing with video games, while licensed sellers offer official merchandise on both online shopping websites and offline retailers. The market is constantly expanding with e-commerce growth, ensuring fans have easy access to their desired products. Product quality, health, and environmental protection are increasingly important considerations, with some companies offering plant-based products and eco-friendly packaging. Movie/show scripts are also available for fans who want to delve deeper into their favorite stories. The TV and movie merchandise market is a dynamic and expansive industry encompassing various product categories such as Toys, Apparel, Collectibles, Comic books, Action figures, Artwork, Home décor, Accessories, Video games, and more. Catering to both Kids and Adults, this marketplace thrives on the popularity of streaming services, social media, and ecommerce platforms. Nostalgia-driven merchandise continues to be in high demand, fueled by the collectibles market and fans' desire for authenticity. Counterfeiting poses a challenge, while marketing costs remain high. Costumes, movie/show scripts, and licensed sellers are integral components, with online shopping websites and offline retailers catering to diverse purchasing habits. Fan interaction, celebrity endorsement, and community engagement drive sales, but oversaturation, storage constraints, and preservation requirements are challenges. Authenticity skepticism, viral sensations, and cultural phenomena influence buying trends, with collectors embracing e-commerce expansion and prioritizing product quality, health, and environmental protection. Smart home products, wearables, and fast delivery options further enhance the shopping experience. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Offline Retail Online Retail Product Apparel Toys Accessories Video Games Others Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tv-and-movie-merchandise-market-to-grow-by-usd-103-5-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-e-commerce-platform-growth-ai-redefining-market-landscape---technavio-302314065.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Commerce Department said on Friday it was finalizing an award of up to $4.745 billion to South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and up to $1.61 billion for Texas Instruments to expand chips production. The department also finalized an award of up to $407 million to help fund Amkor Technology planned $2 billion advanced semiconductor packaging facility in Arizona, which is set to be the largest of its kind in the U.S. The Samsung award is about $1.7 billion smaller than the preliminary award announced in April of up to $6.4 billion and reflects its revised smaller investment plans, the department said. A Commerce spokesperson said the department “changed this award to align with market conditions and the scope of the investment the company is making.” A Samsung spokesperson said its “mid-to-long-term investment plan has been partially revised to optimize overall investment efficiency” but declined to disclose details of its agreement with the Commerce Department. In April, administration officials said Samsung planned to invest roughly $45 billion to build two chip production facilities, a research center and a packaging facility by 2030. On Friday, Commerce said Samsung plans to invest $37 billion and complete the projects by the end of the decade. Texas Instruments has pledged to investment more than $18 billion through 2029 in two new factories in Texas and one in Utah, which are expected to create 2,000 manufacturing jobs. The company is getting $900 million for its Texas operations and $700 million. Amkor’s Arizona plant when fully operational will package and test millions of chips for autonomous vehicles, 5G/6G and data centers. Apple will be its first and largest customer with the chips produced at a nearby Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC facility. Congress in August 2022 approved a $39 billion subsidy program for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and related components along with $75 billion in government lending authority. Last month, Commerce finalized an award of up to $7.86 billion for Intel down from $8.5 billion announced in March after the California-based chips maker won a separate $3 billion award from the Pentagon. Commerce has now finalized the largest awards it offered earlier this year including this week, finalizing up to $458 million for SK Hynix in Indiana. In total, Commerce has finalized over $33 billion of the over $36 billion in proposed incentives funding. “With this investment in Samsung, the U.S. is now officially the only country on the planet that is home to all five leading-edge semiconductor manufacturers,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, David Gregorio and Diane Craft) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

Strategic hire underscores Assembly's commitment to bolstering its leadership team to deliver best-in-class services and results for its clients. NEW YORK , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Assembly, a leading global marketing agency within the Stagwell (STGW) network, today announced the appointment of Josh Berman as Executive Vice President, Assembly Lead. Earlier this year, Assembly unveiled a new operating structure with teams organized into 'Assemblies' based on geography and industry sector. Based in New York , Berman will co-lead Assembly East, focusing on deepening brand relationships, driving innovation, and providing more rigor, expertise, and growth for clients. Berman brings 15 years of media industry experience to Assembly. Most recently, as Managing Partner and Client Lead at Wavemaker, he led media planning and buying for a major Church & Dwight brand and contributed to global product development initiatives, leveraging data and technology to craft effective marketing solutions. Over his career, Josh has partnered with marquee brands across various industries, including Citi, Campbell's , IKEA, Tiffany & Co., Amgen, Marriott, and AT&T. Berman's appointment is part of Assembly's ongoing growth efforts, ensuring that the agency remains at the forefront of the industry and continues to meet clients' evolving needs. "Our clients get the best of both worlds—an agency big enough to lead yet small enough to care—which means each client receives the attention, dedicated leadership, and prioritization the industry and clients are demanding," said Rick Acampora , Global CEO of Assembly. "Josh's extensive experience in media strategy, analytics, client leadership, and innovation, coupled with his ability to fuse media and creative to unlock and accelerate brand performance, will be instrumental as we continue to elevate and find the change that fuels growth for our clients. We are thrilled to have him join our team." Berman's role is effective immediately. ABOUT ASSEMBLY Assembly is a leading global omnichannel media agency that merges data, talent, and technology to catalyze growth for the world's most esteemed brands. Our holistic approach weaves together compelling brand narratives with a comprehensive suite of global media capabilities, driving performance and fostering significant business expansion. Our initiatives are powered by STAGE, our proprietary operating system, and executed by a dedicated global team of over 2,300 professionals across 35 offices worldwide. Committed to purposeful action, Assembly leads the way in social and environmental impact within the agency realm. As a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network designed to revolutionize marketing, Assembly continues to set new standards of excellence. For more information, please visit assemblyglobal.com . Contact Mariana Delacqua mariana.delacqua@assemblyglobal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/josh-berman-joins-assembly-as-evp-assembly-lead-in-north-america-302337752.html SOURCE Assembly

High-End Bicycle Market size is set to grow by USD 5.03 billion from 2024-2028, growing adoption of e-bikes in developing countries boost the market- Technavio

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- Upbound Group, Inc. (“Upbound” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPBD), a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial products that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brigit, a leading financial health technology company, for total consideration of up to $460 million consisting of cash and shares of Upbound common stock. This transaction is a logical next step reflecting Upbound’s strategic focus on expanding its technology-driven financial solutions for consumers who are underserved by the traditional financial system. Brigit, which offers a subscription-based model, was launched nationally in 2019 to expand financial inclusion and help consumers build a brighter financial future. It is consistently ranked among the most downloaded financial health apps and is a recognized leader in innovation in the industry. Built on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning-powered cash flow data insights, Brigit’s core product is its direct-to-consumer Instant Cash advance product (earned wage access or EWA) which has saved its users approximately $1 billion in overdraft fees since inception 2. Brigit also offers a credit builder product that helps its subscribers build their credit history over time as they increase their savings, as well as financial wellness solutions and educational resources to help consumers better manage, save, and earn money. Brigit currently serves nearly two million monthly active customers, including over one million active paying subscribers and almost one million free subscribers. Their customers are highly engaged, with paid users logging in on average six times per month. The business is expected to generate revenues of approximately $215 million to $230 million in 2025 and approximately $350 million to $400 million in 2026. Brigit will expand Upbound’s offerings of innovative and flexible financial solutions, positioning the combined company to create an industry-leading technology platform for the financially underserved that meets the consumer wherever they are on their financial journey. In addition, Brigit’s proprietary data and sophisticated tech stack are expected to enhance Upbound’s existing brands, including Acima and Rent-A-Center (RAC), by improving risk management and fraud prevention, enabling more customer approvals while also mitigating net losses and enhancing account management. The combined company’s data-driven insights will create a more personalized customer experience with the ability to deliver, at the right time and through the right channels, a wider range of targeted solutions for consumers. Upbound expects these enhancements to boost conversion rates, lower churn, and increase customer loyalty and engagement. “We are thrilled to welcome Brigit, a company whose mission and target customer base are closely aligned with ours, into our family of brands,” said Upbound’s Chief Executive Officer Mitch Fadel. “Creating a financial solutions platform with Brigit as the backbone expands our addressable market and enables Upbound to innovate across even more product categories to improve the financial health of our customers. The ability to add new products for our customers beyond lease-to-own is an important part of our strategy and now we can offer liquidity solutions, budgeting, credit building, financial literacy and savings. We believe this transaction will position Upbound for accelerated growth, with greater scale and a more diversified financial profile, ultimately driving long-term value for our shareholders.” “Brigit has helped everyday Americans build a brighter financial future through a suite of innovative financial products that leverage cutting-edge cash flow technology,” said Brigit cofounder & CEO Zuben Mathews. “This transaction is a testament to our team’s continued passion for helping the underserved and our dedication to innovation. By combining forces with Upbound, we can accelerate our impact and better serve the millions of Americans who have been historically underserved by traditional financial institutions. Together, we are excited to widen our reach and bring financial freedom to even more people in need.” Brigit founders Zuben Mathews and Hamel Kothari will continue to lead the Brigit team as a business segment of Upbound. Brigit will continue to operate under its existing branding and will retain its headquarters in New York City, which is expected to serve as one of Upbound’s innovation hubs. Transaction Details Upbound is acquiring Brigit for up to $460 million, comprised of (1) $325 million payable at closing, 75% in cash and 25% in Upbound shares; (2) $75 million in deferred cash consideration over two years; and (3) a potential earnout of up to $60 million in cash based on achievement of certain financial performance metrics for the Brigit business in 2026. Upbound will fund the transaction through a combination of cash on hand, borrowing capacity under its $550 million revolving credit facility, and issuance of new shares of Upbound common stock to Brigit stockholders. The integration of Brigit’s all-digital, scalable platform is expected to expand Upbound’s addressable market outside of durable goods and enhance its strong financial profile while adding an additional complementary growth segment. With approximately 80% recurring subscription revenue, and an estimated total revenue growth in 2024 of 40% to 50% compared to 2023 with similar expectations in 2025, Upbound believes the transaction will accelerate its growth and is expected to be neutral to non-GAAP EPS in year one and meaningfully accretive to non-GAAP EPS in year two and beyond. Brigit will diversify Upbound’s revenue/Adjusted EBITDA mix; within the next four years, Upbound expects approximately two-thirds of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA 3 will be derived from virtual and digital platforms. Following the transaction, Upbound expects pro forma net leverage ratio of approximately 3x 4 and pro forma available liquidity of nearly $300 million 5. Upbound continues to target leverage of approximately 2x over the long-term. The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2025, subject to receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Advisors Greenhill & Co. Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Upbound, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Mayer Brown LLP are acting as its legal counsel. FT Partners is acting as financial advisor to Brigit and Cooley LLP and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP are acting as its legal counsel. Investor Conference Call Details Upbound will host a conference call on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 9:00 am (ET) to discuss this transaction. Interested parties can access a live webcast of the conference call via this link or through the Company's investor relations website. About Upbound Group, Inc. Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPBD), is a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial products that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers. The Company’s customer-facing operating units include industry-leading brands such as Rent-A-Center® and Acima® that facilitate consumer transactions across a wide range of store-based and digital retail channels, including over 2,300 company branded retail units across the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Upbound Group, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas. For additional information about the Company, please visit our website Upbound.com . About Brigit Brigit is a holistic financial health app that has helped millions of Americans budget better, get their earned wages early, build their credit through savings, protect themselves from identity theft, and find ways to earn and save money. Its mission is to help everyday Americans build a better financial future. Brigit is backed by Lightspeed, DCM, Nyca, Flourish Ventures, Hummingbird VC, DN Capital, Will Smith, Kevin Durant, and other prominent investors. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release and the associated investor presentation and webcast contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "predict," "continue," "should," "anticipate," "believe," or “confident,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology and include, among others, statements concerning (a) the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, (b) the anticipated impact of the proposed transaction on the combined company’s business and future financial and operating results, (c) the anticipated closing date for the proposed transaction, (d) other aspects of both companies’ operations and operating results, and (e) our goals, plans and projections with respect to our operations, financial position and business strategy. However, there can be no assurance that such expectations will occur. The Company's actual future performance could differ materially and adversely from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material and adverse differences include, but are not limited to: (1) risks relating to the proposed transaction, including (i) the inability to obtain regulatory approvals required to consummate the transaction with Brigit on the terms expected, at all or in a timely manner, (ii) the impact of the additional debt on the Company’s leverage ratio, interest expense and other business and financial impacts and restrictions due to the additional debt, (iii) the failure of conditions to closing the transaction and the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction on a timely basis or at all, (iv) the failure of the transaction to deliver the estimated value and benefits expected by the Company, (v) the incurrence of unexpected future costs, liabilities or obligations as a result of the transaction, (vi) the effect of the announcement of the transaction on the ability of the Company or Brigit to retain and hire necessary personnel and maintain relationships with material commercial counterparties, consumers and others with whom the Company and Brigit do business, (vii) the ability of the Company to successfully integrate Brigit’s operations over time, (viii) the ability of the Company to successfully implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to Brigit’s business after the closing and (ix) other risks and uncertainties inherent in a transaction of this size and nature, (2) the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences, demand, payment behaviors and spending; (3) factors affecting the disposable income available to the Company's and Brigit’s current and potential customers; (4) the appeal of the Company’s and Brigit’s offerings to consumers; (5) the Company's and Brigit’s ability to protect their proprietary intellectual property; (6) the impact of the competitive environment in the Company’s and Brigit’s industries; (7) the Company's and Brigit’s ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to their current and future targeted customer segments; (8) consumer preferences and perceptions of the Company's and Brigit’s brands; (9) the Company’s and Brigit’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the impact of active enforcement of those laws and regulations, including any changes with respect thereto or attempts to recharacterize their offerings as credit sales, (10) information technology and data security costs; (11) the impact of any breaches in data security or other disturbances to the Company's or Brigit’s information technology and other networks and the Company's and Brigit’s ability to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of its customers and employees; and (12) the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This release and the associated investor presentation and webcast contain certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including (1) Adjusted EBITDA (net earnings before interest, taxes, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for special items) on a consolidated and segment basis and (2) Net Leverage Ratio (total debt less unrestricted cash, divided by Adjusted EBITDA). “Special items” refers to certain gains and charges we view as extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring in nature or which we believe do not reflect our core business activities. Special items are reported as Other Gains and Charges in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Because of the inherent uncertainty related to these special items, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measures or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. These non-GAAP measures are additional tools intended to assist our management in comparing our performance on a more consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items management believes do not directly reflect our core operations. These measures are intended to assist management in evaluating operating performance and liquidity, comparing performance and liquidity across periods, planning and forecasting future business operations, helping determine levels of operating and capital investments and identifying and assessing additional trends potentially impacting our Company that may not be shown solely by comparisons of GAAP measures. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is also used as part of our incentive compensation program for our executive officers and others. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures also provide supplemental information that is useful to investors, analysts and other external users of our consolidated financial statements in understanding our financial results and evaluating our performance and liquidity from period to period. However, non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations and are not substitutes for, or superior to, GAAP financial measures, and they should be read together with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare such measures to the non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, even if they have the same or similar names. ______________________________ 1 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 2 Assumes all Brigit’s cash advances since inception have assisted customers with avoiding overdraft fees at an estimated $34/overdraft. 3 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 4 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 5 Pro forma net leverage ratio (total debt less unrestricted cash, divided by Adjusted EBITDA) and pro forma available liquidity (estimated available borrowings under the company’s revolving credit facility and unrestricted cash) assume the acquisition of Brigit is completed March 31, 2025 and the Company makes the closing date cash payment at that time. Above metrics reflect the Company’s estimates and are not reflective of actual amounts or indicative of future results. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212082702/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact Jeff Chesnut SVP, Strategy & Corporate Development 972-801-1108 jeff.chesnut@upbound.comMedia Contacts Kelly Kimberly 713-822-7538 Kelly.kimberly@fgsglobal.com Leah Polito 212-687-8080 Leah.polito@fgsglobal.com KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: APPS/APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FINANCE FINTECH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOFTWARE HEALTH DATA MANAGEMENT SOURCE: Upbound Group, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 05:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212082702/en

Niagara College’s research and innovation team has earned a consecutive No. 1 ranking for research funding among Canadian colleges. In a report released earlier this month, Research Infosource Inc. announced Canada’s top 50 research colleges based on total research funding numbers for 2023, with Niagara coming out with the top spot. It is the third time in five years Niagara College has been ranked No. 1 and the 10th year in a row it has been in the top 10. “It’s incredibly exciting and we’re very, very proud,” said president Sean Kennedy. “One of the things that is so important for us is always to ensure that we’re supporting the growth and development of local industry and at the same time supporting the growth and learning of all students — and No. 1 in Canada in applied research ranking really speaks to both of those.” In a media release, the college said it earned its ranking by attracting more than $40 million in research support to conduct innovative projects with industry partners in advanced manufacturing, business and commercializing, food and beverage, health, horticulture and the environment. Niagara finished second in the category of completed research projects at a mid-size college with a total of 178. The college also reached the top spot for industry research income, with more At a time when Ontario’s colleges are adjusting to financial challenges tied to government policy on international student enrolment and work-study permits, Kennedy said the top ranking plays a “substantial role” in creating opportunities for the college. “We have a very well-established brand and reputation that really showcases that students can come to Niagara College (and) have the opportunity to work with amazing faculty in amazing facilities,” he said. “They have the chance to be involved in applied research projects, so it really is a differentiator for us in terms of our brand and boosts our student recruitment efforts, and it’s one of the things that we’ll continue to build on. We have amazing momentum at Niagara College, and we want to continue to build on that in the years to come.” In the release, research infosource chief executive officer Ron Freedman said placing in the top spot for a second year in a row is an “impressive feat” and a “testament to the quality of work from their staff, students, faculty and researchers.” Lambton College secured the second spot in the national top 10 list, followed by Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Humber Polytechnic. Rounding out the list are Cégep de Trois-Rivières, Mohawk College, College of the North Atlantic, Cégep de La Pocatière and Lethbridge Polytechnic.

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