Spain's monarch pays tribute to the victims of Valencia floods in his Christmas Eve speechBig Money Joins the LendingClub
Romania braces for parliamentary vote after far right's poll upset
LAS VEGAS — Players Era Festival organizers have done what so many other have tried — bet their fortunes in this city that a big payoff is coming. Such bet are usually bad ones, which is why so many massive casino-resorts have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard. But it doesn't mean the organizers are wrong. They're counting on the minimum of $1 million in guaranteed name, image and likeness money that will go to each of the eight teams competing in the neutral-site tournament that begins Tuesday will create a precedent for other such events. EverWonder Studios CEO Ian Orefice, who co-founded Players with former AND1 CEO Seth Berger, compared this event to last year's inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament that played its semifinals and final in Las Vegas by saying it "did really well to reinvigorate the fan base at the beginning of the year." "We're excited that we're able to really change the paradigm in college basketball on the economics," Orefice said. "But for us, it's about the long term. How do we use the momentum that is launching with the 2024 Players Era Festival and be the catalyst not to change one event, but to change college basketball for the future." Orefice and Berger didn't disclose financial details, but said the event will come close to breaking even this year and that revenue is in eight figures. Orefice said the bulk of the revenue will come from relationships with MGM, TNT Sports and Publicis Sport & Entertainment as well as sponsors that will be announced later. Both organizers said they are so bullish on the tournament's prospects that they already are planning ahead. Money made from this year's event, Orefice said, goes right back into the company. "We're really in this for the long haul," Orefice said. "So we're not looking at it on a one-year basis." Rick Giles is president of the Gazelle Group, which also operates several similar events, including the College Basketball Invitational. He was skeptical the financial numbers would work. Giles said in addition to more than $8 million going to the players, there were other expenses such as the guarantees to the teams. He said he didn't know if the tournament would make up the difference with ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship money. The top bowl of the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be curtained off. "The math is highly challenging," Giles said. "Attendance and ticket revenues are not going to come anywhere close to covering that. They haven't announced any sponsors that I'm aware of. So it all sort of rests with their media deal with Turner and how much capital they want to commit to it to get these players paid." David Carter, a University of Southern California adjunct professor who also runs the Sports Business Group consultancy, said even if the Players isn't a financial success this year, the question is whether there will be enough interest to move forward. "If there is bandwidth for another tournament and if the TV or the streaming ratings are going to be there and people are going to want to attend and companies are going to want to sponsor, then, yeah, it's probably going to work," Carter said. "But it may take them time to gain that traction." Both founders said they initially were met with skepticism about putting together such an event, especially from teams they were interested in inviting. Houston was the first school to commit, first offering an oral pledge early in the year and then signing a contract in April. That created momentum for others to join, and including the No. 6 Cougars, half the field is ranked. "We have the relationships to operate a great event," Berger said. "We had to get coaches over those hurdles, and once they knew that we were real, schools got on board really quickly." The founders worked with the NCAA to make sure the tournament abided by that organization's rules, so players must appear at ancillary events in order to receive NIL money. Strict pay for play is not allowed, though there are incentives for performance. The champion, for example, will receive $1.5 million in NIL money. Now the pressure is on to pull off the event and not create the kind of headlines that can dog it for years to come. "I think everybody in the marketplace is watching what's going to happen (this) week and, more importantly, what happens afterwards," Giles said. "Do the players get paid on a timely basis? And if they do, that means that Turner or somebody has paid way more than the market dictates? And the question will be: Can that continue?" CREIGHTON: P oint guard Steven Ashworth likely won’t play in the No. 21 Bluejays’ game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday and coach Greg McDermott said afterward he didn’t know how long he would be out. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Shoppers in Brockville, Ont. enjoying stress-free last-minute shopping
BASEBALL Major League Baseball National League ATLANTA BRAVES — Agreed to terms with RHP Connor Gillispie on a one-year contract BASKETBALL Women's National Basketball Association MINNESOTA LYNX — Named Eric Thibault associate head coach and Lindsay Whalen as assistant coach. FOOTBALL National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed RB James Conner to a two-year contract. CLEVELAND BROWNS — Placed TE Geoff Swaim on injured reserve. Signed TE Blake Whiteheart to the active roster from the practice squad. HOUSTON TEXANS — Elevated T Irv Smith Jr. and WR Jared Wayne from the practice squad to the active roster. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Elevated G Mark Glowinski and WR Laquon Treadwill from the practice squad to the active roster. Sigend G Atonio Mafi to the active roster. Waived LB Liam Anderson. HOCKEY National Hockey League ANAHEIM DUCKS — Assigned D Tyson Hinds to San Diego (AHL). COLORADO AVALANCHE — Acquired G Scott Wedgewood from Nashville in exchange for G Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft. Reassigned LW Chase Bradley to Colorado (AHL). Recalled C Nikita Prishchepov from Colorado. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS — Reassigned G Jet Greaves to Cleveland (AHL). TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Recalled F Conor Sheary from Syracuse (AHL). Reassigned G Matt Tomkins to Syracuse. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Placed C Bobby McMann on injured reserve. Reassigned C Alex Steeves to Toronto (AHL). UTAH HOCKEY CLUB — Recalled Maksymilian Szuber from Tucson (AHL).Inside Coleen Rooney's £20m mansion with on-site football pitch, as star opens up on I'm A Celebrity
( MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Nov 30 (KUNA) -- Media delegations covering the GCC summit on Saturday visited Kuwait International book Fair and the GCC secretariat general pavilion at Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center. They examined the technologies used to organize the fair, displayed cultural products sent in by publishing houses from various countries. At the GCC secretariat general pavilion, they examined photos depicting history of the council. (end) kt MENAFN30112024000071011013ID1108941509 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.ALPHARETTA, Ga. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arclin, a leading material science company, officially launched its new brand on November 12, 2024 . This modern rebranding reflects the company's evolution as a material science provider with a focus on protective and mission-critical products and its expanded presence as a global leader across key market sectors. To better align its brand with its evolving vision, Arclin embarked on a year-long research, strategy, and creative development process. The initial months focused on gathering insights from internal stakeholders, existing customers, and industry experts to identify key strengths, value propositions, and areas for growth. "The research phase was pivotal in helping us sharpen our focus and align internally so that we could better represent our true value and potential to different internal and external audiences," said Mark Glaspey , Arclin's Chief Operating Officer. A key partner in this transformation has been Matchstic, a brand identity firm based in Atlanta, GA. Collaborating closely with the Arclin team, Matchstic helped transform the company's narrative from a chemical and applications company to that of a global leader in formulated technologies that are essential to meeting worldwide demand. As part of its overall rebranding effort, Arclin also worked with Whiteboard, a Chattanooga, TN , based company, to completely overhaul its website onto a more robust, easier-to-navigate platform that more clearly represents the depth and breadth of the company's offerings. Inspired by the Arclin out-of-the-box approach to thinking and innovating, the new brand symbol is a nod to a deconstructed cube. The shape of the panels implies movement and momentum that speaks to the company's continued innovation and commitment to bringing life-changing products to the world. "The selection of a vibrant orange as our primary color represents a bold departure from our previous brand," said Jana Wright , Arclin's Vice President of Brand & Marketing. "This change signals a confident transition, positioning Arclin as a leading material science company. Our new logo reflects our philosophy of technological precision and innovation." The stenciled wordmark visualizes the relationship between the seen and the unseen with intentional gaps inside the letterforms. This idea highlights the seemingly invisible science that is the backbone of Arclin products—technologies that are vital and found in essential protective products across numerous industries, enhancing our lives in ways that many people do not realize. "We've been around for many years, but never have we been able to fully articulate or capture what we do," stated Bradley Bolduc , Arclin's President and Chief Executive Officer. "It's a complex process, producing polymers and materials that touch so many products and areas of life. We've always taken a back seat in that story. But now is the time to change that, highlighting our transformation over the past five years, by making a bold change in how we present ourselves to our employees, customers and industry as a whole." About Arclin Arclin is a leading materials science company and manufacturer of polymer technologies, engineered products and specialized materials for the construction, agriculture, transportation infrastructure, weather & fire protection, pharmaceutical, nutrition, electronics, design, and other industries. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia , Arclin has offices and manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S., Canada , and U.K. and manufactures for customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.arclin.com . Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2222683/Arclin_Logo.jpg View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/arclin-unveils-striking-new-brand-that-stands-out-in-the-material-science-industry-with-exacting-precision-and-a-bold-new-look-302315761.htmlNo. 16 South Carolina 17, No. 12 Clemson 14
A victory by the Los Angeles Chargers over the Atlanta Falcons is our computer model projection for these teams’ upcoming game, on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. ET (at Mercedes-Benz Stadium). For a full breakdown, including the spread, over/under and final score, see below. Looking for NFL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live. The Chargers are compiling 322.6 yards per game on offense (21st in NFL), and they rank 12th defensively with 323.6 yards allowed per game. In terms of total offense, the Falcons rank eighth in the NFL (361.5 total yards per game) and 25th on the other side of the ball (357 total yards allowed per game). BetMGM is one of the most trusted Sportsbooks in the nation. Start with as little as $1 and place your bets today . Ready to make your pick? Head to BetMGM using our link and start betting today. Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply) Rep your favorite NFL players with officially licensed gear. Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more. Catch every NFL touchdown with NFL RedZone on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Brittany Mahomes and Patrick Mahomes are getting into the holiday spirit. The couple took their 3-year-old daughter, Sterling Skye, and 2-year-old son, Bronze, to take photos with Santa Claus, per photos posted to Instagram Tuesday. The family of four was seen posing in front of a Christmas tree as Santa discretely snuck up behind them. Sterling, who wore a green dress, sat on the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s lap, while Bronze, who looked adorable in a green flannel and tan pants, cuddled up to Brittany. Patrick, 29, sported a red button-up shirt and khakis, while the expectant mother stunned in an all-white set. “Merry Christmas🎄❤️,” Brittany, 29, captioned the snaps. The retired soccer pro and her little ones will likely spend Christmas Day supporting Patrick and the Kansas City Chiefs as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The big match will take place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, though it’s unclear if Brittany’s BFF Taylor Swift will be there to support her beau, Travis Kelce. The 14-time Grammy winner notoriously skips away games. “If she is going to a place that isn’t Arrowhead, there are security concerns ,” an insider revealed to Page Six in September. Swift, 35, and Brittany were recently spotted partying together at the singer’s Eras Tour wrap party earlier this month. The duo cuddled up in several photos and their partners joined them for the epic festivities. Kelce, 35, showed up to the party wearing the same black tuxedo and top hat he wore during a surprise appearance at the London show over the summer. In June, the tight end shocked fans when he joined the “Lover” songstress on stage for her “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” skit. Kelce, meanwhile, was all smiles at the party while posing in his costume alongside his record-breaking girlfriend.
Gov. Sani commissions 10 projects in Kaduna
MADRID (AP) — Spanish King Felipe VI used his traditional Christmas Eve speech to remember the victims of the catastrophic Valencia flash floods , and urged the country to remain calm despite public debates around hot-button issues such as immigration and housing affordability. In a pre-recorded speech that usually reviews the year's most relevant issues, Felipe said Spain “must never forget the pain and sadness" the flood have caused. The Oct. 29 floods killed more than 225 people in eastern Spain, damaging countless homes and leaving graveyards of cars piled on top of each other. In some towns, the heavy downpours that caused the floods dropped as much as a year's worth of rain in just eight hours. In early November, as Spaniards' shock at the wreckage turned into frustration, a political blame game began, directed especially at regional authorities who failed to send timely emergency alerts to cell phones on the day of the floods. The frustration of residents in hard-hit Paiporta near Valencia was on display when people tossed mud and shouted insults at the king and government officials in early November when they made their first visit to the town. “We have seen — and understood — the frustration, the pain, the impatience, the demands for greater and more effective coordination," Felipe said about how the disaster was managed, adding that he had asked that aid be sent to everyone who needed it. He also addressed the country's housing crunch and high rents, which have become a leading concern in this European Union country that is the eurozone's fourth-largest economy. Fast-rising rents are especially acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where incomes have failed to keep up, especially for younger people in a country with chronically high unemployment. Felipe urged that “all the actors involved reflect” and "listen to each other” so that they facilitate bringing access to housing under “affordable conditions.” Spain's immigration debate should keep in mind the country's European partners and immigrants' countries of origin, Felipe said, warning that “the way in which we are able to address immigration ... will say a lot in the future about our principles and the quality of our democracy.” Felipe said Spain need to remain calm in the public sphere, even in the face of a “sometimes thunderous” contest in its politics.
Kodak Stock Is Trading At 52-Week Highs: What's Going On?By DEVNA BOSE One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy. “To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.” Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used “physician work time values,” which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it’s unclear how CMS derives those values. In mid-November, the American Society for Anesthesiologists called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It’s not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were posted in Virginia and Colorado . Related Articles National News | The next census will gather more racial, ethnic information National News | As data centers proliferate, conflict with local communities follows National News | NASA’s stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to go National News | Imprisoned Proud Boys leader balks at answering a prosecutor’s questions about Capitol attack National News | 7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warning People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged. Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.” “It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. “If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.” Prior to Anthem’s announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn’t affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened. The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare , another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City.