
Detroit-area library says Chicago man can keep overdue baseball book — 50 years later
Jefferson keeps seeing double as Vikings aim to stay focused on overall offensive productionMarvel Rivals Storms the Charts: NetEase and Disney’s Superhero Smash HitAllo has secured a $100 million bitcoin-backed credit facility to expand its platform that helps institutions and individuals participate in crypto lending. The company’s solution bridges traditional finance with blockchain technology, Allo said in a Tuesday (Dec. 23) press release . “Bolstering its position in the bitcoin ecosystem, Allo has staked over 544 BTC (valued at $50M+) through the Babylon Bitcoin Staking Protocol ,” the company said in the release. “This positions Allo as a key player in enabling bitcoin-secured networks, with its BTC staking solution minting the $alloBTC token featured prominently on DeFiLlama .” Allo also highlighted in the release other recent developments, including its inclusion in the Binance Labs and BNB Chain MVB Accelerator program, its preparations to launch its native $RWA cryptocurrency, and its efforts in tokenizing real-world assets. The company’s financing round was facilitated by a consortium of lenders that includes Greengage , per the release. “We’re excited to support this much-needed new venture and look forward to seeing great things to come,” Greengage CEO Sean Kiernan said in the release. PYMNTS reported in October 2023 that crypto lending was making a comeback, with several exchanges debuting new offerings. Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase rolled out a digital asset lending program for its institutional Prime clients in September 2023, saying it allows for lending “under standardized terms in a product that qualifies for a Regulation D exemption.” “Coinbase is working to update the financial system that was built over 100 years ago, leveraging crypto to provide people with more economic freedom and opportunity,” a company spokesperson told PYMNTS at the time. “To advance this purpose, Coinbase is building the most trusted crypto products and services, and supporting other builders to bring 1 billion people into crypto.” In July 2023, crypto lender Aave debuted its first stablecoin, GHO , saying the coin was live on the ethereum network. “GHO was developed with the same goal as the Aave Protocol: to enable a people-powered financial ecosystem, accessible to all, that everyone can benefit from,” the company said at the time. “With the Aave Protocol and GHO, people around the world have equal access to the same financial tools that are based on transparent and decentralized technology.”
Bank of America signs again with FIFA for US-hosted Club World Cup that still has no TV deals
Sam Barrott's meteoric rise through the refereeing ranks has continued with promotion to the international lists of FIFA and UEFA just five months after being elevated to the Select Group 1 of Premier League officials. Barrott, 31, was added to the list of EFL referees in 2020 and took charge of his first Championship game in November 2022. Since then, he has been one of the key beneficiaries of PGMOL's new fast-track programme to identify the best young referees and move them quickly through the levels, a process which would previously have taken years. Editor's Picks The VAR Review: Estupiñán missed red card, Pickford penalty 1d Dale Johnson How VAR decisions have affected every Premier League club in 2024-25 1d Dale Johnson The former Halifax Town youth player, who was forced to retire as a teenager through injury, was promoted to the Select Group 2 list, who primarily referee in the Championship, in the summer of 2023. His first Premier League game came in October 2023, after officiating only 10 games in the second tier. Barrott took charge of 15 Premier League fixtures in 2023-24, and such was the level of his performances that he was permanently promoted to Select Group 1 in the summer of 2024. This month, he was appointed to Big Six fixtures for the first time, refereeing Arsenal vs. Manchester United and Sunday's clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool . His elevation to the FIFA and UEFA lists had been signposted by his appointment to several European matches in the first half of the season as a fourth official, but now -- after just 26 Premier League matches in total -- he is eligible to take charge of games himself. Barrott replaces Craig Pawson, who had been reducing his involvement in international football, in the "Second" category of UEFA officials. Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver are England's two representatives in the "Elite" category, though France, Germany, Italy and Spain each have three at the top level. John Brooks and Chris Kavanagh appear in the "First" list for England. Since PGMOL introduced the fast-track programme, seven referees from outside the Select Group 1 have taken charge of Premier League games: Barrott, Sunny Singh Gill, Sam Allison, Bobby Madley, Josh Smith, Rebecca Welch and Lewis Smith. It's designed to keep more promising young officials in the system by offering clearly mapped out career progression, while also attracting new officials -- including former players .None
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