LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Thomas Brown insists he’s focused on the job at hand and not the one he might have down the line. His immediate task as the interim coach of the Chicago Bears is helping the team finish strong over the final five games, starting this weekend at San Francisco. The rest of his life can wait. “I think about just the moment. ... I obviously understand the role that I’m in, understand what might come with it,” he said Wednesday. “But I also understand that we make most situations bigger than what it has to be because of the outside noise, what everybody else puts a value on it.” The Bears are in a moment unlike any other in the history of the founding NFL franchise. They fired a head coach for the first time during a season when they let Matt Eberflus go on Friday with a 4-8 record and the team in a six-game losing streak marked by head-scratching decisions. They promoted Brown, who in a span of three weeks went from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator and now the person in charge. The tipping point was a 23-20 loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving, when the Bears let the clock run down rather than call a timeout following a sack. It led to Caleb Williams throwing an incomplete pass from the Lions 41 as time expired when Chicago should have been able to run more than one play. RELATED COVERAGE Titans coach says WR Treylon Burks recently had surgery to fix partially torn ACL Falcons QB Cousins is looking to avoid interceptions, have bounce-back game in Minnesota homecoming Vikings defense has had a big boost this season from the indefatigable Jonathan Greenard Star cornerback Jaylon Johnson interrupted Eberflus’ postgame speech and made his feelings clear. Other players had gone public in recent weeks with their frustrations over the coaching decisions, and they didn’t exactly hide their emotions following the Detroit game. On Wednesday, defensive end DeMarcus Walker said he sensed a change was coming after the loss to the Lions. The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . “You guys just look at the whole turnaround, how everything had been going, we just knew some changes were going to be made,” he said. The 38-year-old Brown now has a huge opportunity. He spent last season as Carolina’s offensive coordinator and the previous three on Sean McVay’s staff with the Los Angeles Rams — the final two as assistant head coach. Prior to that, he spent nine years as a college assistant, including stops at Wisconsin, Georgia, Miami and South Carolina. It’s his job to help right a team that came into the season thinking a playoff spot was in reach. Williams’ development obviously will be front and center. To that end, the No. 1 overall draft pick has looked more comfortable in the three games since Brown took over for the fired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, completing 75 of 117 passes for 827 yards with five touchdowns, no interceptions and a rating of 99.2. Though Brown will continue to call plays, the Bears have another new offensive coordinator in wide receivers coach Chris Beatty. “I think it is a stepping stone actually with my development because I think down the line I’ll have different OCs or different head coaches or whatever the case may be,” Williams said. “And so being able to handle it my first year, handle a new playbook, handle all these different changes, handle all of this I think it definitely will help the development instead of hurting it or anything like that.” Beyond the development of the prized quarterback, Brown also will be judged during his audition for the regular job on his preparation, decisions during games and command of the locker room. He said he reached out to each player individually on Friday and Saturday and tried to set a tone when the team met on Monday. “I want them to be excellent,” Brown said. “I can nitpick at every single play and tell a guy how he wasn’t perfect. And, so, perfection’s not the goal. It’s to excel at your craft.” Notes: The Bears had a lengthy injury report on Wednesday. WRs Keenan Allen (ankle) and DJ Moore (quad), RBs D’Andre Swift (quad) and Roschon Johnson (concussion), DB Elijah Hicks (ankle) and OL Ryan Bates (concussion) all missed practice. S Kevin Byard (shoulder) and OLs Darnnell Wright (knee) and Coleman Shelton (knee) were limited. ___ AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLCOLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims' families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions shared a range of emotions on Monday, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences . Biden converted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people who were convicted in the slayings of police, military officers and federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row: Dylann Roof , convicted of the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the 2013 Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they'd long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump , a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move as an assault to common decency just weeks before the president-elect takes office. Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by an inmate whose death sentence was commuted, said the execution of “the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace.” “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.” Heather Turner, whose mother, Donna Major, was killed in a bank robbery in South Carolina in 2017, called Biden's commutation of the killer's sentence a “clear gross abuse of power” in a Facebook post, adding that the weeks she spent in court with the hope of justice were now “just a waste of time.” “At no point did the president consider the victims,” Turner wrote. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” There has always been a broad range of opinions on what punishment Roof should face from the families of the nine people killed and the survivors of the massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church. Many forgave him, but some say they can’t forget and their forgiveness doesn’t mean they don’t want to see him put to death for what he did. Felicia Sanders survived the shooting shielding her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son, Tywanza, and her aunt, Susie Jackson. Sanders brought her bullet-torn bloodstained Bible to his sentencing and said then she can’t even close her eyes to pray because Roof started firing during the closing prayer of Bible study that night. In a text message to her lawyer, Andy Savage, Sanders called Biden’s decision to not spare Roof’s life a wonderful Christmas gift. Michael Graham, whose sister, Cynthia Hurd, was killed, told The Associated Press that Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the country means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people," Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” But the Rev. Sharon Richer, who was Tywanza Sanders’ cousin and whose mother, Ethel Lance, was killed, criticized Biden for not sparing Roof and clearing out all of death row. She said every time Roof’s case comes up through numerous appeals it is like reliving the massacre all over again. “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims' families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal,” Richer said in a statement. Richer, a board member of Death Penalty Action, which seeks to abolish capital punishment, was driven to tears by conflicting emotions during a Zoom news conference Monday. “The families are left to be hostages for the years and years of appeals that are to come,” Richer said. “I’ve got to stay away from the news today. I’ve got to turn the TV off — because whose face am I going to see?” Biden is giving more attention to the three inmates he chose not to spare, something they all wanted as a part of what drove them to kill, said Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action’s executive director. “These three racists and terrorists who have been left on death row came to their crimes from political motivations. When Donald Trump gets to execute them what will really be happening is they will be given a global platform for their agenda of hatred,” Bonowitz said. Biden had faced pressure from advocacy organizations to commute federal death sentences, and several praised him for taking action in his final month in office. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that Biden “has shown our country — and the rest of the world — that the brutal and inhumane policies of our past do not belong in our future.” Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, on the other hand, criticized the move — and argued its moral ground was shaky given the three exceptions. “Once again, Democrats side with depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency,” Cotton wrote on X. “Democrats can’t even defend Biden’s outrageous decision as some kind of principled, across-the-board opposition to the death penalty since he didn’t commute the three most politically toxic cases.” Liz Murrill, Louisiana's Republican attorney general, criticized the commuted sentence of Len Davis, a former New Orleans policeman convicted of orchestrating the killing of a woman who had filed a complaint against him. “We can’t trust the Feds to get justice for victims of heinous crimes, so it’s long past time for the state to get it done,” the tough-on-crime Republican said in a written statement to the AP. Two men whose sentences were commuted were Norris Holder and Billie Jerome Allen, on death row for opening fire with assault rifles during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, killing a guard, 46-year-old Richard Heflin. Holder’s attorney, Madeline Cohen, said in an email that Holder, who is Black, was sentenced to death by an all-white jury. She said his case “reflects many of the system’s flaws,” and thanked Biden for commuting his sentence. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. “Norris has always been deeply remorseful for the pain his actions caused, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure to Richard Heflin’s family.” Swenson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, and Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report.
Most baby boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — are now in retirement. While many have enjoyed successful careers and comfortable lifestyles, others find themselves in a less-than-ideal financial situation. A common regret among this generation is not saving more for their golden years. According to Bankrate’s 2024 Financial Regrets survey , 37 percent of baby boomers (ages 60-78) say their biggest financial regret is not saving enough for retirement. Of participants in the survey, it was the most commonly cited regret by far. By examining the financial regrets and successes of baby boomers, younger generations can learn from their good habits — and steer clear of their bad ones. Here are the five biggest lessons younger generations can learn from baby boomers — and how to implement these good habits into your own life. 1. Start saving early If boomers could go back and do one thing differently, many would start saving for retirement earlier. Saving for retirement might not be top of mind when you’re just starting out in your career, but thanks to the power of compound interest , it pays to start early. Every dollar you save today has the potential to grow exponentially over time. A simple compound interest calculator reveals how small but consistent contributions magnify over the years. Imagine you start saving when you’re 25 years old. You make an initial $1,000 deposit, and contribution $100 a month for 10 years. You’re earning a 3 percent return in your high-yield savings account that compounds monthly. In 10 years, you’ll have saved $15,323! Not bad for $100 a month. Now imagine you stretched that timeline to 40 years. When you’re 65, you’ll have $95,921 saved — and only have contributed $49,000. Now imagine your friend, Mark, starts saving 10 years after you, when he’s 35. He makes the same $1,000 deposit and contributes $100 a month, earning 3 percent interest compounded monthly. In 30 years, when he’s also 65, he’ll have just $60,730 — less than two-thirds of what you’ve saved — and have contributed $37,000. That’s the power of compound interest and consistent saving. Invest in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs While saving money is great, investing your cash in assets such as stocks, mutual funds and ETFs is a tried-and-true way to build wealth for retirement. About two-thirds (63 percent) of U.S. adults age 65 and older owned equity through individual stocks, mutual funds or retirement savings accounts, according to an April 2023 survey by Gallup. While short-term stock fluctuations are common, stocks have the potential to generate substantial returns over the long run. The S&P 500 , a widely tracked index, has historically delivered an average annual return of about 10 percent. Compare that to even the best high-yield savings accounts , which fetched a return of about 5 percent in November 2024. Successful investing isn’t a one-time event. Regular contributions to your investments, known as dollar-cost averaging , can help reduce market timing risk. By spreading out your purchases, you’re less likely to buy at peak prices, allowing your wealth to grow over time. Plus, investing is easier and more accessible for younger generations than it was for baby boomers. Here are some simple steps you can take to start growing your portfolio. Start with your employer’s retirement plan: If you have access to a 401(k) or similar retirement plan at work, investing is as easy as filling out a couple forms, picking your funds and putting your contributions on auto-pilot. Aim to contribute at least enough to get the employer match, if your company offers one — it’s essentially free money. Open an IRA: If your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k), you can open an IRA on your own through an online brokerage company like Fidelity or Charles Schwab. These accounts don’t charge annual fees, and like a 401(k), offer great tax benefits. Start with ETFs and index funds: These investments give you ownership in a diversified basket of stocks and/or bonds, which can reduce risk and offer steady growth over time. 2. Live within your means Boomers grew up during some prosperous times, and many enjoyed strong salaries and career stability — but overspending can catch up with anyone. It’s easy to let lifestyle creep set in , where each raise goes to nicer cars, bigger houses and fancier vacations instead of your bank account. Learning how to live below your means today can help you save more money for tomorrow. The first step is getting a handle on where your money is going. To effectively manage your finances, consider the 50/30/20 rule . This approach suggests allocating 50 percent of your after-tax income to needs, 30 percent to wants and 20 percent to savings or debt. Budgeting apps can help you track your spending, identify areas to cut and stay on track with your financial goals. Here are other tips to help you live within your means. Set no-spend days or weekends: Pick one day a week or one weekend a month to avoid spending any money beyond absolute essentials. This small change can keep you on track and make spending feel more intentional. Cancel unused subscriptions: Do a monthly audit of your subscriptions — streaming services, news apps, old gym memberships, etc. Canceling even a couple can add up to noticeable monthly savings. Eat at home: Restaurant and takeout costs can add up fast. Older generations saved a lot of money by eating at home, and so can you. Set a weekly cooking schedule to avoid the temptation to eat out, and consider prepping ingredients on your day off to make cooking easier throughout the week. Use cash for discretionary spending: For “fun” expenses, consider using cash instead of your card. It gives you a set budget for the month, and physically handing over cash can make you think twice before making a purchase. 3. Pay off debt Since the 1990s, older Americans have increasingly carried debt, according to 2023 research from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. While mortgage debt accounts for a large portion of this increase, other forms of non-secured debt — such as student loans , medical debt and credit cards — have also risen among older adults. This trend is especially concerning for financially vulnerable households. And when it comes to financial regrets, 13 percent of baby boomers say they regret taking on too much credit card debt, according to Bankrate’s Financial Regrets survey . Credit card debt was the second most commonly cited regret by boomers behind not saving earlier for retirement. Eliminating high-interest debt before retirement can put more wiggle room in your budget, especially when you’re on a fixed income. Here are some things you can do to pay off credit card debt. Use the debt snowball or avalanche method: The snowball method starts by paying off small balances first, while the avalanche method tackles high-interest debts first. Pick the debt payoff strategy that works for you to build momentum and save on interest. 4. Take your health seriously Health care costs have hit many baby boomers hard, especially as they’ve gotten older. Many learned (sometimes too late) that skipping routine care and insurance and not planning for long-term care can be costly mistakes. Fidelity estimates that a 65-year-old retiring in 2024 will spend an average of $165,000 on health care costs in retirement . While Medicare , the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, covers many of your health care costs in retirement, it doesn’t cover everything. It isn’t free either. So planning ahead for medical expenses now can protect your nest egg down the road. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for medical costs in retirement. Contribute to an HSA: If you have a high-deductible health plan, consider contributing extra money to your health savings account (HSA). Contributions are tax-deductible, and they grow tax-free, giving you a leg up on future health costs. Plus you can withdraw money tax-free for any reason after age 65 — right when you’re likely to need that money most. Invest in your HSA: Once you’ve built up a few thousand dollars for immediate health needs, consider investing a portion of your HSA funds — some HSAs offer investment options such as ETFs and mutual funds. Look into long-term care insurance: Long-term care insurance can help cover the high costs of assisted living and nursing home expenses. Premiums tend to be lower if you buy a policy in your 40s, so it’s smart to consider it earlier rather than later. Keep up with preventive care: Maintaining good physical health now can help lower your risk of chronic conditions later. Regular check-ups, exercise and a balanced diet are long-term investments in lower health care costs. 5. Bottom line Baby boomers’ biggest financial regrets offer valuable lessons for younger generations. By saving early, investing wisely and living within your means, you can build a strong financial foundation and enjoy a fulfilling retirement.
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Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probeHumans of Rodrigues : Michel Samoisy, a man of his timeVANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Lithium Corp. ("American Lithium” or the "Company”) (TSX-V:LI | Nasdaq:AMLI | Frankfurt:5LA1) is announcing that its Board of Directors has approved the voluntary delisting of its common shares ("American Lithium Shares”) from the Nasdaq Capital Market ("Nasdaq”) and the deregistration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC”). American Lithium has notified Nasdaq of its intention to voluntarily delist the American Lithium Shares. The Company currently anticipates that it will file with the SEC a Form 25, Notification of Removal of Listing and/or Registration under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act”), relating to the delisting and deregistration on or about December 20, 2024, with the delisting of American Lithium Shares taking effect ten calendar days thereafter. As a result, the last trading day of the American Lithium Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market will be December 27, 2024. The American Lithium Shares will continue their listing on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In addition, American Lithium has applied for the American Lithium Shares to be quoted on the OTCQX Markets in the United States, operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. The Company anticipates transferring their shares on to the OTCQX Best® Market immediately following the Nasdaq delist. American Lithium will continue to provide information to its shareholders and take such actions to enable a trading market in the American Lithium Shares to exist in the United States. Following satisfaction of the relevant deregistration conditions under the applicable U.S. federal securities laws, the Form 25 will also terminate the Company's reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. The Company expects that its reporting obligations will be suspended upon filing of the Form 25. The Board of Directors of the Company believes that the decision to delist the American Lithium Shares from Nasdaq and to terminate its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. The Board has determined that the burdens associated with operating as a company listed on the Nasdaq outweigh any advantages to the Company and its shareholders at this time. The Board's decision was based on careful review of numerous factors, including the following: Ab out American Lithium American Lithium is developing two of the world's largest, advanced-stage lithium projects, along with the largest undeveloped uranium project in Latin America. They include the TLC claystone lithium project in Nevada, the Falchani hard rock lithium project and the Macusani uranium deposit, both in southern Peru. All three projects have been through robust preliminary economic assessments, exhibit significant expansion potential and enjoy strong community support. For more information, please contact the Company at [email protected] or visit our website at www.americanlithiumcorp.com . Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn . On behalf of the Board of Directors of American Lithium Corp. "Alex Tsakumis” Interim CEO Tel: 604 428 6128 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the business plans, expectations and objectives of American Lithium ; the voluntary delisting of the American Lithium Shares from the Nasdaq Capital Market; the deregistration with the SEC; the quotation on the OTC Markets in the United States; and continued listing on the TSX Venture Exchange. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "indicate”, "scheduled”, "target”, "goal”, "potential”, "subject”, "efforts”, "option” and similar words, or the negative connotations thereof, referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management and are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Although American Lithium believes that the current opinions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available at the time, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since American Lithium can provide no assurance that such opinions and expectations will prove to be correct. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to: American Lithium's ability to achieve its stated goals, which could have a material adverse impact on many aspects of American Lithium's businesses including but not limited to: the ability to access mineral properties for indeterminate amounts of time, the health of the employees or consultants resulting in delays or diminished capacity, social or political instability in Peru which in turn could impact American Lithium's ability to maintain the continuity of its business operating requirements, may result in the reduced availability or failures of various local administration and critical infrastructure, reduced demand for the American Lithium's potential products, availability of materials, global travel restrictions, and the availability of insurance and the associated costs; the ongoing ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including but not limited to local communities and all levels of government; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that any future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with our expectations; risks that permits will not be obtained as planned or delays in obtaining permits; mining and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes (including work stoppages, strikes and loss of personnel) or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; risks related to commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; risks related to foreign operations; the cyclical nature of the industry in which American Lithium operates; risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms or delays in obtaining governmental approvals; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the uncertain global economic environment and the effects upon the global market generally, any of which could continue to negatively affect global financial markets, including the trading price of American Lithium's shares and could negatively affect American Lithium's ability to raise capital and may also result in additional and unknown risks or liabilities to American Lithium. Other risks and uncertainties related to prospects, properties and business strategy of American Lithium are identified in the "Risk Factors” section of American Lithium's Management's Discussion and Analysis filed on October 15, 2024, and in recent securities filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. American Lithium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cautionary Note Regarding 32 Concessions Thirty-two of the one-hundred-seventy-four concessions comprising the Falchani and Macusani Projects are currently subject to Administrative and Judicial processes in Peru to overturn resolutions issued by INGEMMET and the Mining Council of MINEM in February 2019 and July 2019, respectively, which declared title to thirty-two concessions invalid due to late receipt of the annual validity payments. On November 2, 2021, American Lithium was awarded a favorable ruling in regard to title to the concessions, but on November 26, 2021, appeals of the judicial ruling were lodged by INGEMMET and MINEM. A three-judge tribunal of Peru's Superior Court unanimously upheld the ruling in a decision reported in November 2023. American Lithium was subsequently notified that INGEMMET and MINEM have filed petitions to the Supreme Court of Peru to assume jurisdiction in the proceedings. Given the precedent of the original ruling it is hoped that the Supreme Court will not assume jurisdiction; however, there is no assurance of the outcome at this time.
Norway-based maritime technology business, Shipnet, has launched a new podcast titled ‘Talking Ship’ as it looks to make topical industry discussions more digestible and open the doors of Shipnet to wider audiences. Available on Apple and Spotify, Shipnet’s first episode ‘Data-driven shipping efficiency’ features head of customer experience John Wills and marketing director Jenny Duffy, who join the podcast host and 20-year broadcaster, Zoe Hanson, to discuss how integral shipping is to our daily lives and how the industry is recognising the need to digitise. John said: “Shipping is going through the curve that other industries went through ten years ago and teamed with digital-first graduates it’s a really interesting time. We have a lot to say about the industry and a podcast is the perfect place to allow people into our world, engage with us about what we’re discussing and get people talking more about digitising the industry. There’s a lot of data available to shipping organisations but a lot of businesses are not utilising it to improve their decision making and operations yet.” The second episode ‘Breaking down the secrecy of shipping’ sees product management director Niall Jack and John discuss how delayed the shipping industry is to digitisation due to the secrecy that surrounds the industry. They also share an integral element of Shipnet’s DNA – that so many key team members are former mariners so they have the on-the-ground experience to bring to development and ultimately benefit customers. Niall said: “I started working at sea in 2015 but it’s only been in the last two-three years that there’s been an awakening to digitisation. Whereas the internet opened up accessing information on every other industry, shipping is notoriously quite secretive but businesses are getting wise to how effective data can positively drive decisions. Users of our product are people at sea and our motivation is to build products that allow them to work more safely and efficiently. The podcast, initially in production for six episodes, will release one per month, with the first available now. To listen to the podcast on Spotify, click . To listen to the podcast on Apple, click . To watch the podcast on YouTube, click . Source: ShipnetGREAT FALLS, Va. & AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 10, 2024-- Coincheck Group N.V. (“Coincheck”), a Dutch public limited liability company and a holding company of a cryptocurrency trading service company, and Thunder Bridge Capital Partners IV, Inc. (Nasdaq: THCP, THCPU & THCPW) (“Thunder Bridge IV”), a special purpose acquisition company, announced today the consummation of their previously announced business combination. As a result, the ordinary shares and warrants of Coincheck will commence trading on Nasdaq on December 11, 2024 under the new ticker symbols “CNCK” and “CNCKW,” respectively. The business combination was approved at a special meeting of the shareholders of Thunder Bridge IV on December 5, 2024. “The completion of our business combination with Thunder Bridge IV marks an extraordinary milestone for Coincheck,” said Oki Matsumoto, Representative Executive Officer and Chairman of Monex Group, Inc., and Executive Chairman of Coincheck. “Coincheck was created through the fusion of a robust business foundation built in Japan, combined with the strengths of the U.S. capital markets through the close collaboration of exceptional business and capital markets talent in both Japan and the U.S. We are incredibly proud and excited to become a Nasdaq listed company and for what the future holds for the Coincheck group companies and our shareholders.” “We are pleased to announce the closing of our merger with the entire Coincheck team,” said Gary Simanson, President and CEO of Thunder Bridge IV. “As a member of the board of directors and CEO of Coincheck, I look forward to partnering with Oki and his team to build one of the preeminent global crypto and Web3 companies in the world.” Coincheck Group N.V. (“CNCK” and “CNCKW”), is a global holding company, headquartered in the Netherlands, operating in the crypto asset and Web3 domains, and is the parent company of Coincheck, Inc. (“Coincheck Japan”), which operates the regulated crypto asset trading service “Coincheck” in Japan. Coincheck Japan is the leading crypto asset exchange in Japan and is one of the most established and trusted names in crypto. Coincheck Japan has been recognized as Japan’s No.1* most downloaded trading app for five consecutive years. Coincheck is on a mission to “Make Exchange of New Value Easier” by utilizing crypto assets and blockchain technology. Coincheck Group N.V. is one of only two publicly listed companies on NASDAQ having a crypto asset exchange as its core business. As a newly listed NASDAQ company, and “Your Trusted Global Partner in the Digital World,” Coincheck is well-positioned to further solidify the group’s dominant position in Japan’s crypto asset trading industry and to establish the group as a global player in the crypto and Web3 industry worldwide. The business combination resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $31.6 million to the combined company, including funds held in a restricted account pursuant to the terms of the previously announced non-redemption agreement, and net of Thunder Bridge IV shareholder redemptions. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as sole financial advisor to Monex Group, Inc., Coincheck Japan’s former direct parent company and now the parent company of Coincheck, in connection with the business combination. Galaxy Digital Partners LLC served as financial advisor to Thunder Bridge IV and Barclays Capital Inc, BTIG, LLC, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Inc, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., a Stifel Company, and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. served as capital markets advisors to Thunder Bridge IV in connection with the business combination. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, Littler Mendelson P.C. and Allen & Overy LLP served as legal advisors to Thunder Bridge IV and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V. served as legal advisors to Coincheck and Monex Group, Inc. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about trading, future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations, products and services; and other statements identified by words such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “outlook” or words of similar meaning or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Coincheck’s trading, industry and market sizes, future opportunities for Coincheck , Coincheck Japan and Thunder Bridge IV, Coincheck’s estimated future results and the business combination between Thunder Bridge IV and Coincheck.. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated including (i) a delay or failure to realize the expected benefits from the business combination, (ii) risks related to disruption of management’s time from ongoing business operations due to the business combination, (iii) changes in the cryptocurrency and digital asset markets in which Coincheck competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes, (iv) changes in domestic and global general economic conditions, (v) risk that Coincheck may not be able to execute its growth strategies, including identifying and executing acquisitions, (vi) risk that Coincheck may not be able to develop and maintain effective internal controls and (vii) and other risks and uncertainties discussed in Coincheck’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Coincheck undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as required by law. About Coincheck Group N.V. Coincheck Group N.V. is a Dutch public limited liability company and a holding company of Coincheck, Inc., , which operates the “Coincheck” cryptocurrency trading service, and has achieved the highest number of app downloads in Japan for 5 consecutive years*. With the mission of “Making Exchange of New Value Easier,” Coincheck, Inc. aims to create better services that allow people to feel the value of new exchanges created by cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies, through the latest technology and advanced security. *Target: Cryptocurrency trading app in Japan, Period: January 2019-December 2023, Data cooperation: App Tweak View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210703460/en/ CONTACT: Coincheck Group N.V. Media Relations For inquiries from the press regarding this release, please contact: Coincheck Group N.V. Public RelationscoincheckIR@icrinc.comCoincheck Group N.V. Investor Relations For inquiries from the press regarding this release, please contact: coincheckIR@icrinc.com KEYWORD: VIRGINIA NETHERLANDS NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES ASIA PACIFIC EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: APPS/APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FINANCE FINTECH PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BLOCKCHAIN SOFTWARE INTERNET CRYPTOCURRENCY SOURCE: Coincheck Group N.V. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/10/2024 05:52 PM/DISC: 12/10/2024 05:50 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210703460/en
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas won the Big 12 title in 2023 on its way out the door to the Southeastern Conference. It was still swinging open when Arizona State waltzed in and won the league title in its debut season. And now the old Big 12 champs meet the new Big 12 champs on the path toward a potential national title. The fifth-seeded Longhorns and fourth-seeded Sun Devils play News Years Day in the Peach Bowl in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff . Both had their doubters they could get here. Texas (12-2) still had to prove is was “ready” for the SEC. Arizona State (11-2) was picked to finish last in the Big 12. But the Sun Devils quickly started winning and having fun in some new road environments in college towns smaller than some of their stops in the more cosmopolitan old Pac-12. All-American running back Cam Skattebo led the barnstorming tour. “We were not used to getting tortillas thrown at us at Texas Tech. You're not used to some of these environments," Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham said Monday. “When you're in the Pac-12, you're playing in Seattle, you're playing in L.A., you're playing in Salt Lake City. We got to face a lot more small college town football with really, really great environments. ... It was definitely fun to join a new league," Dillingham said. And Dillingham laid down some Texas roots. The Sun Devils are recruiting Texas players out of high school, and the current roster has six transfers who started their college careers in burnt orange in Austin. “The guys we’ve gotten from Texas and coach (Steve Sarkisian's) program have been unbelievable,” Dillingham said. “We know what we’re getting when we’re getting a guy from that program, and that’s a guy who has worked really hard, competed and been pushed. Those are the things that we like to bring in.” Safety Xavion Alford was named All-Big 12 . Defensive end Prince Dorbah is another Sun Devils starter. Defensive lineman Zac Swanson, who has two sacks this season, is another former Longhorn who said he relished a chance to beat his former team. Recruited by Texas out of Phoenix, Swanson was a reserve in 2022 and 2023 behind future NFL draft picks T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy. “That's a team who kicked me out and said I'd never I was never going to be good enough to play there,” Swanson said last week. “That's something that has been on my agenda for a while.” Dillingham joked he'd like to get more Texas transfers this week. Sarkisian simply noted that he wished he'd signed Skattebo, a Californian who transferred from Sacramento State after the 2022 season. “I was unaware, so kudos to them. They found him, he's a heckuva player,” said Sarkisian, who also is a California native. Sarkisian said he was impressed by the Sun Devil's first-year success in the Big 12. “We were in that Big 12, what, for 27 years? We won four. This is their first year in and they won a Big 12 Championship. It’s a really hard thing to do,” Sarkisian said. “They’re playing with a ton of confidence right now. The last two months, I think they’re playing as good a football as anybody in the country.” Despite wining that last Big 12 title and a playoff appearance in 2023, Texas still faced skeptics that the Longhorns would take their lumps in the SEC this year. Texas was more than ready for the league and the Longhorns made it to the SEC championship game. Their only two losses have been to Georgia, the No. 2 seed in the playoff. Sarkisian still remembers his 5-7 Texas debut in 2021. The program wasn't ready for the SEC and the playoff back then, but it certainly is now. Texas is the only one of last year's four playoff teams to make the expanded 12-team field this year. “There’s a lot to be proud of, but mostly I’m proud of our veterans, our leaders, our seniors, because those guys went from 5-7 in year one, they went through 8-5 in year two, and they didn’t jump ship. They hung in there with us. They believed in what they were doing,” Sarkisian said. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Embattled Trump nominees Hegseth, Gabbard visit Senate seeking supportNone
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown could miss the 2025 season recovering from the right knee injury sustained in a loss to Cincinnati, coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday. McCarthy said Overshown has a “long road of rehab in front of him.” The second-year player tore multiple ligaments when a Bengals lineman crashed into his leg in the Cowboys' 27-20 loss Monday night. Overshown missed all of his rookie year in 2023 after tearing the ACL in his left knee in a preseason game. The latest injury came in his first game since a spectacular 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 27-20 victory over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving. “DeMarvion is getting ready to have a big surgery in front of him,” McCarthy said of the procedure planned this week. “His physical and football talent speaks for itself. He’s such a bright light. He’s got a great, infectious personality — a tough young man. He is definitely going to be missed.” The former Texas standout, drafted in the third round last year, was second on the team to star pass rusher Micah Parsons with five sacks when he went down. The December timing of Overshown's injury means rehab is likely to extend past training camp and into the regular season next year, after he turns 25. Parsons was emotional when asked about Overshown after the Cincinnati game. “I cried,” he said. “It’s like my little bro, bro. He doesn’t deserve that either. Just to understand what he’s going to go through and to be there for him physically, mentally. It’s just so challenging because of the year he was having. I really just don’t think that’s fair either.” The loss of Overshown comes with defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence close to return from a foot injury that has sidelined him since Week 4. But the Cowboys (5-8) are all but out of the playoffs as they prepare to visit Carolina (3-10) on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Florida requires teaching Black history. Some don't trust schools to do it justice‘s publicist at the heart of the scandal surrounding the filmmaker’s alleged smear campaign against his star is explaining her side of the story. Jennifer Abel’s text exchanges with crisis management expert Melissa Nathan were leaked as part of Lively’s against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. The actress has accused Baldoni of repeatedly crossing the line both on and off camera, while the director and co-star has denied the charges and maintains that Lively caused problems during filmmaking and deliberately set out to tarnish his reputation. Abel posted a defense of her crisis team exchanges (detailed below) on Facebook, saying they largely amounted to joking about how fans were reacting to the Lively-Baldoni feud during the marketing campaign and did not show that Baldoni’s team ever took specific action against Lively. (The Facebook posts have since been deleted, but has confirmed their legitimacy.) “What the cherry picked messages don’t include, although not shockingly as it doesn’t fit the narrative, is that there was no ‘smear’ implemented,” Abel wrote. “No negative press was ever facilitated, no social combat plan, although we were prepared for it as it’s our job to be ready for any scenario. But we didn’t have to implement anything because the internet was doing the work for us. Sure we talked about it, contemplated if we needed certain things, flagged accounts that we needed to monitor, worked with a social team to help us stay on top of the narrative so we could act quickly if needed, and yes, we rejoiced and joked in the fact that fans were recognizing our clients heart and work without us having to do anything but keep our heads down and focus on positive interviews for our client.” Continued Abel, “As the texts show, we sophomorically reveled and again, joked, privately to each other about the internets feedback to the woman whose team was making our lives incredibly difficult over the course of the campaign. I’m human. The long hours, months of preparation, on top of my day to day scope ... it felt good to see that although we were prepared, we didn’t have to do anything over the top to protect our client.” Abel then explained what she meant by claiming Lively’s team was making their lives “incredibly difficult.” “I was notified at the start of the [marketing] campaign that the opposing team had been planting horrible stories about my client as a ‘fail safe’ if my client did not comply with the demands set forth for the campaign,” she wrote. “Which is why we brought on [a crisis team], as it’s not something that I do. My sole job was to put together interviews, screening opportunities and speaking opportunities for my client in support of the film, a standard scope of work. I did my job. Now what kind of woman would work against another woman who was a victim of all the things being claimed? Thanks for asking. After reviewing the evidence, facts, hard proof that countered every single thing that was being claimed and demanded at the start of production, I made a choice to stand by my client of almost 5 years, who had dedicated his life to the equal treatment of others, especially women. Who had no incidents of negative treatment of others, and who had a wonderful community and team at wayfarer who all held the same moral fortitude and lived their life accordingly. As representatives, we all have to make that choice. So I did that to the best of my ability, and felt good about our efforts.” Also on Monday, attorney Bryan Freedman — who reps Baldoni, along with Abel and Nathan — started to go on the attack: “TAG PR operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources. The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on. It’s ironic that , through their effort to ‘uncover’ an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively’s own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context – the very same tactics she’s accusing the firm of implementing.” The messages between Abel and Nathan included a key exchange where Abel pushes the crisis team, “I think you guys need to be tough and show the strength of what you guys can do in these scenarios. [Baldoni] wants to feel like she can be buried.” To which Nathan replied, “Of course — but you know when we send over documents we can’t send over the work we will or could do because that could get us in a lot of trouble. We can’t write we will destroy her. Imagine if a document saying all the things that he wants ends up in the wrong hands. You know we can bury anyone.” As far as how these messages became public, Abel notes they were not subpoenaed, and says, “I had recently left my previous firm [Jonesworks], at which I was still with during this campaign (with a team who all participated in the campaign and a boss who oversaw) and who had access to my work emails and work phone, so you can deduce from that what you will.” Freedman had some fiery words to say about the leaked texts as well: “Jonesworks was the PR company contractually responsible to promote and protect Wayfarer and Justin. Our investigation has determined that on August 21st, Jonesworks utilized a lawyer and security guard to take possession of Wayfarers confidential information through confiscation of Jen Abel’s phone. We are continuing to investigate the use of that confidential information but demands are being made to Stephanie Jones and Leslie Sloan and once we obtain the evidence, anyone actively involved in any possible connection with this abhorrent conduct will be sued into oblivion.” Added Abel, “I never thought the day would come when I needed to defend myself with my own peers, but this certainly has been an interesting, and devastating quite frankly, couple of days.” In her filing, Lively claims things got so bad on set that there was a meeting with Lively, Sony Pictures, Baldoni and Jamey Heath from Wayfarer Studios, producers on the film, publicists for the film and more to address some of the “inappropriate conduct” that took place on the set. The actress and her team brought forth demands for Baldoni and his team in order to begin production again after the actors strike. Some of the 30 demands included: “No more showing nude videos of women, including producer’s wife, to BL and/or her employees”; “No more mention of Mr. Baldoni’s or Mr. Heath’s previous ‘pornography addiction’ or BL’s lack of pornography consumption to BL or to other crew members”; “No more descriptions of their own genitalia to BL”; and “No more improvising of kissing.” In a , Lively said, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.” Freedman previously released a lengthy statement denying the claims in the filing. “It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, as yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film; interviews and press activities that were observed publicly, in real time and unedited, which allowed for the Internet to generate their own views and opinions. These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.” Since news of the lawsuit broke over the weekend, Baldoni by his representatives at WME. . THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter
Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) have been ruled out. Neither player practiced this week after being hurt against the Texans. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) practiced in full this week and will make his season debut. He was injured in August. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was a full practice participant on Friday and is good to go. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) are among six players listed as questionable. The others are offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). --Field Level Media