Peering Into Bitdeer Technologies's Recent Short Interest
( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Founder Glenn Thomas talks Boogie Chillen and what's to come in 2025 Boogie Chillen' Bourbon makes a great cocktail Raise a glass to the blues legend. John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits' Boogie Chillen Bourbon. Boogie Chillen Bourbon celebrates a sold-out first year, major distribution wins, and industry awards. SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, December 29, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- As 2024 draws to a close, John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits is raising a glass to a remarkable year marked by the successful launch of its flagship Boogie Chillen' Bourbon "1948" , significant market expansion, and industry acclaim. The brand, inspired by the enduring legacy of blues icon John Lee Hooker, has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the craft spirits world. A Launch That Resonated Boogie Chillen' Bourbon "1948" debuted in April of 2024 with an online launch that exceeded all expectations. The bourbon sold out not once, but twice on the company's website, a testament to the deep connection consumers felt with the brand and its namesake. Rapid Expansion and Market Penetration In June, John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits secured placement in Total Wine & More stores across eight states, with initial activations in California, Florida, New York, and Georgia. The momentum continued with a successful launch in California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Georgia in the third quarter of 2024. The brand is poised for further growth in January 2025, expanding into Tennessee and Connecticut. A Year of Accolades The industry has taken note of Boogie Chillen' Bourbon "1948" exceptional quality and unique brand story. The bourbon has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including: * Platinum Medal for Design: Ascot Awards * Gold Medals for Taste: LA Spirits Awards, Ascot Awards, John Barleycorn Awards, PR%F Awards * Gold Medal for Design: PR%F Awards * Silver Medals: American Distilling Institute, NY International Spirits Competition, San Francisco World Spirits Competition This level of recognition is virtually unheard of for a new brand, especially one operating independently without the backing of a major beverage corporation or distributor. Connecting with the Community John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits has prioritized building a strong community around the brand. The company has actively engaged with consumers through events, tastings, and a robust social media presence. Furthermore, the team has shared the story of John Lee Hooker's legacy through numerous podcasts and interviews, fostering a deeper connection with fans old and new. We have loved getting to meet our community and share our story. A Message from the Founder In a recent reflection on the year, Founder and CEO Glenn Thomas shared his insights and excitement for the future: Q: Looking back at this whirlwind year, what's been the most surprising or unexpected moment for you personally on this journey with Boogie Chillen' Bourbon "1948"? Glenn Thomas: "Honestly, the most surprising moment for me was seeing the outpouring of love for John Lee Hooker from fans around the world. The speed at which we sold out was incredible, but what truly moved me were the messages and stories people shared. It became clear that we weren't just selling bourbon; we were connecting with a community that deeply cherished John Lee's music and his legacy. It was a powerful reminder of the impact he had, and it fueled my determination to honor him in everything we do." Q: Beyond the awards and sales, what's been the most rewarding aspect of bringing John Lee Hooker's legacy to life through this brand? Glenn Thomas: "Beyond the awards and the sales figures, the most rewarding aspect has been connecting with John Lee Hooker's fans and delving deeper into his life story. Every conversation, every email, every social media interaction teaches me something new about the man, the music, and the era he defined. It's a continuous learning process, and it's incredibly fulfilling to see how much he means to so many people. Sharing his legacy through Boogie Chillen' Bourbon isn't just a business; it's a privilege. We get stories from his life long fans about when they met him or what his music has meant to them. There is not a day that goes by that I don't learn something new about his career or life." Q: What are you most excited about for the future of John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits, and what can our community look forward to in the coming year? Glenn Thomas: "I'm most excited about continuing to build this incredible community around John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits and to keep his legacy burning bright. We've got some amazing projects in the works that will allow us to connect with fans on an even deeper level, including four special single barrel releases, each representing a unique chapter in John Lee's life and career. We're also expanding our product line in 2025, but at the heart of it all is our commitment to honoring the Boogie Man's legacy. Every bottle we create, every event we host, every story we share is a tribute to his enduring influence. 2025 is going to be another big year, and I can't wait to continue this journey with our incredible Boogie Chillen' family!" Strategic Partnerships John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits extends its gratitude to its distribution partners, Park Street Imports and Savannah Distributing (Georgia), for their invaluable support. The company is also thrilled to welcome Athens Distributing (Tennessee) and Mina Foods (Connecticut) to its growing network in 2025. Looking Ahead John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits is poised for continued success in 2025. The company is developing four exclusive single barrel releases, each representing a different point in John Lee Hooker's career and life. Additionally, two new products are slated for release in Q2 and Q3 of 2025. About John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits is a craft spirits company dedicated to honoring the life, legacy, and music of blues legend John Lee Hooker. Founded by Glenn Thomas, the company's mission is to introduce new generations to Hooker's profound impact on music and culture. Its flagship product, Boogie Chillen' Bourbon "1948", is a premium bourbon that embodies the spirit of Hooker's music: bold, authentic, and unforgettable. Through its spirits, events, and community engagement, John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits strives to keep the Boogie Man's legacy alive and thriving. Quineen Shelton John Lee Hooker Spirits Company +1 678-813-3213 ... Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube John Lee Hooker's founder Glenn Thomas, talks about why he started the brand to honor his grandfather Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. MENAFN29122024003118003196ID1109039965 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.'Squopping and squidging': Who invented tiddlywinks?None
:: The Game May Be Set in Springfield, but the Production Team Is in Bristol Although the real-life game will be in Dallas and the animated game will be in Springfield, nearly all production operations for tonight’s will be located at ESPN’s home campus in Bristol, CT. We not only have to tell the story of the football game but envision what that looks like if it were in universe,” says . “Creative calls from our directing and production staff make that happen.” ESPN Studio Operations team will essentially serve as the “live game unit” for tonight’s broadcast, with all virtual cameras cut in Bristol. The majority of the crew producing the altcast, including the front bench and replay team, will be located in Bristol. Live data tracking sent from onsite servers is used by gaming PCs to render the virtual environment. Essentially, data feeds are sent from the stadium, and ESPN’s Studio Operations team puts everything together in Bristol — the only exception being the natural audio, which is mixed at the site before being sent to Bristol. ESPN will send live natural audio down its transmission paths to be tracked as well as adding “sounds of the game” from ’ universe. “For our team,” says , “this is an incredible and exciting production to be a part of. Creative storytelling and innovation are core values of our company; it’s part of the ESPN culture of success. Having the opportunity to be scheduled for this unique production challenges our talented team to think about and deliver the most effective way to present this vision, along with an open space for calculated creative risks.” A crew of more than 40 will contribute to tonight’s broadcast: announcers, graphics, production, directing staff, technical operators, edit team, full media replay team, and support staff. Included as well is the four-person Beyond Sports team, who traveled in from Netherlands this week. “Time is always our greatest challenge when producing these broadcasts, says , a veteran of multiple ESPN animated broadcasts. “The amount of work that goes into creating storylines, animating the environment and characters, roll-ins, specialty game animations, plus testing and rehearsals, is time-consuming, and a relatively small group is charged with these productions. That being said, it’s our fourth animated broadcast, and we’ve learned a great deal, which has allowed us to skip the ‘learning’ stages of certain areas.” Inside the control room, Nelson’s front bench and the rest of the production team must have a very different mindset from that for a traditional game production. Although the action on the field is certainly critical, integrating humor and fun into the broadcast is equally important. “One of the fun challenges for our team is stepping away from their experience of a traditional broadcast and getting their minds into the universe,” says McMeekin. “While it may seem logical on a traditional broadcast to show a replay of what just happened during the game, it may make more sense during to show Bart’s or Homer’s antics from the sidelines of Atoms Stadium.” , , and will be on hand in Bristol, calling the action from voiceover booths. They will wear Oculus Quest or Meta Quest Pro headsets, transported into the immersive graphic representation of the stadium, field, and players. ESPN is also deploying the Meta headsets for hand and facial tracking, which will allow the trio themselves to be animated within the broadcast. “[By having them wear] the headset,” McMeekin explains, “we will actually be able to see them in the virtual world, to the point where they can go on to the field and be amongst the players. That is super exciting.” ESPN has adjusted the workflow for announcers calling the action. Instead of being in a studio (as was the case for and ), ESPN isolates Kimes, Orlovsky, and Carter in new voiceover booths in Bristol. “The VO booths allow us to prevent talent from passing into each other’s ‘virtual space’ without having to redesign our larger studios with pipe and drape,” says Menard. “The VO booths allow more-accurate ‘game call’ audio, talkback, and talent-preferred IFB mixing.” A bonus is that the technology-management staff has connectivity directly to the broadcast router, internet, multiviewers, etc. to provide a custom setup for talent and Beyond Sports support staff. “The use of our new VO booths is a great example of work smarter not harder,” says Menard. “We are better able to grasp the needs of a production like this and think more creatively and efficiently about how to fit it into our working plant. We continue to provide an improved product every time we take on one of these unique broadcasts.” One major workflow challenge is how to deal with talent’s calling a game broadcast that can be delayed up to a minute by the animation rendering. To resolve it, ESPN will offer both a live version and a delayed version of the broadcast for announcers to call the game. The Studio Operations team works hand in hand with ESPN Creative Studio and the production staff to execute their vision. This includes coordinating with the onsite team on things like transmission-path layout and backup audio needs. “The creative energy in the early planning meetings and prep days set the tone for this production,” notes McMeekin. “There has been a great mix of big ideas, realistic needs, and an overall positive vibe for how the production will look on Monday night.” One prime example of the collaboration between the Studio Ops and Creative Studio teams is inclusion of a submix room for -related sound design. The operator, , who created the sound design for this production, has an A1 background,” McMeekin explains. “We were able to work with his team and have him available for this production This creates an incredible opportunity to both develop the sound design and have creative freedom to incorporate it into the production.” marks the fourth chapter in ESPN’s animated-altcast odyssey, following in the footsteps of in September 2023 and a pair of altcasts in March 2023 and 2024. ESPN ops leaders have consciously strived to maintain continuity on these broadcasts, creating a stable of experienced operators for whatever the future might bring in terms of future cartooncasts. “Every time we get to do one of these broadcasts,” says Menard, “it is a new adventure. We have become a very cohesive team as the crew has largely stayed the same over the years. Seeing new animations come to life in the sports world is so much fun. Seeing the broadcast we prepared for as a team hit air is what this business is all about.” Of course, is just the first of ESPN’s animated-broadcast efforts this month. The Studio Operations team in Bristol will be back at it two weeks later for the Mickey and Minnie–themed NBA altcast on Christmas Day. “A trait of our team is that we get better after each of these productions,” says McMeekin. “We learn so much and are great at identifying efficiencies and implementing them for the next production. Having the productions about two weeks apart allows this group to carry over the creative momentum from and immediately apply their takeaways to .” For the first time in its short animated-broadcast history, ESPN’s Bristol crew will be able leave in place the specialized infrastructure necessary to produce such a show. With two animated broadcasts this month, ESPN is able to explore the new workflows required for live animated broadcasts without a full lift-and-shift of its infrastructure in Bristol. “Hopefully,” says Menard, “ will be the most technology-efficient endeavor we’ve participated in.”Arsenal make Mikel Arteta proud after smashing Sporting Lisbon
NEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against Capri Holdings Limited CPRI , Tapestry, Inc., and certain of Capri and Tapestry's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in Capri, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/capri-holdings-limited . Investors have until February 21, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Capri stock or sold Capri puts. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware and is captioned Hurwitz v. Capri Holdings Limited, et al. , No. 24-cv-1410. Why was Capri Sued for Securities Fraud? Capri is a fashion firm that owns several fashion brands, such as Michael Kors. Tapestry is also a fashion firm, and it owns fashion brands including Coach and Kate Spade. On August 10, 2023, Capri and Tapestry jointly announced that Tapestry would purchase Capri for $57 per share in cash. During the relevant period, Capri and Tapestry stated that the acquisition would not stifle competition, and that they expected to obtain antitrust approval for the acquisition and for the deal to close in 2024. On April 22, 2024, the FTC brought an action to enjoin the acquisition given its anticompetitive effects. Capri and Tapestry, however, strongly disputed the FTC's allegations and insisted that the acquisition would be "pro-consumer" and have no negative effects on competition. The Stock Declines as the Truth is Revealed On October 24, 2024, the court granted the FTC's motion for preliminary injunction and blocked the Capri acquisition. In its order, the court cited to hundreds of pages of internal documents revealing that defendants secretly understood that their brands were close competitors within a well-defined "accessible luxury handbag market" and that the Capri acquisition would decrease competition. According to the court, defendants' statements to the investing public did not fit with the "commercial realities" to which defendants themselves were keenly attuned. On this news, the price of Capri stock fell nearly 50%, from a closing price of $41.60 per share on October 24, 2024 to $21.26 per share on October 25, 2024. Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/capri-holdings-limited . What Can You Do? If you invested in Capri you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/capri-holdings-limited Or contact: Ross Shikowitz ross@bfalaw.com 212-789-3619 Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com . https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/capri-holdings-limited Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Global Launch Of “Chinese Visual Key Input Method” Successfully Held In Dubai
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Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there's a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here's a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create fabricated images or videos in political ads. In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification. The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Many states have passed laws limiting or protecting abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible, copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with "binary triggers" that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use marijuana for medical purposes. To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved by voters in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn't banned texting while driving, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay tax on their monthly rent, thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona's nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is cutting individual income taxes by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. "I think it's very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens," Young said. Associated Press writers Trân Nguyễn in Sacramento, California; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Randall Chase in Dover, Delaware; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky; Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; Summer Ballentine in Jefferson City, Missouri; Gabriel Sandoval in Phoenix; Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed.CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Will Riley scored his 19 points in the second half and No. 25 Illinois beat Maryland Eastern Shore 87-40 on Saturday. Kylan Boswell added 13 points, Tomislav Ivisic had 11 and Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Illini (4-1), who shot 25% (10 for 40) from 3-point range but committed just nine turnovers. Tre White grabbed 11 rebounds and Kasparas Jakucionis seven for Illinois, which outrebounded the Hawks 59-38. Jalen Ware scored 10 points and Christopher Flippin had 10 rebounds for Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6), which had its lowest point total of the season. The team’s previous low came in 102-63 loss to Vanderbilt on Nov. 4. Illinois is unbeaten in four home games. Maryland Eastern Shore is winless in six road games. Takeaways Illinois: Coming off a 100-87 loss Wednesday to No. 8 Alabama, the Illini had no trouble dominating the overmatched Hawks. They led 35-15 at halftime and extended the lead to as many as 52 points in the second half. Maryland Eastern Shore: The Hawks couldn’t match Illinois’ height and depth and were slowed by 15 turnovers. Key moment After struggling at the start of the game, the Illini went on a 17-0 run over a seven-minute stretch to move in front 25-8 with 5:15 to go in the first half. Key stat Maryland Eastern Shore struggled from the field, shooting 22% (15 for 68), including 5 for 20 on 3-pointers. Up next Illinois hosts Little Rock on Monday. Maryland Eastern Shore plays at No. 20 Arkansas on Monday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college basketball: and
Alexander Lukashenko, the authoritarian leader of Belarus, has granted pardons to 20 individuals described by rights activists as political prisoners, according to a statement released on his website this Saturday. This decision occurs amidst ongoing political repression in anticipation of presidential elections next month, which are expected to further consolidate Lukashenko's long-standing rule. The individuals' identities remain undisclosed, but all were convicted of 'crimes of an extremist nature', the statement reveals. Pavel Sapelka, a Viasna activist, contends that while Lukashenko sends mixed signals to the West by intermittently releasing prisoners, the overall climate of political repression intensifies. As Belarus braces for its upcoming elections, the regime continues its crackdown on any opposition, harshly treating those who dissent. (With inputs from agencies.)