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Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challengesConsumer IAM Market: $12.85B in 2022, Forecast to Reach $31.05B by 2031 12-05-2024 09:18 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Consumer IAM Market Scope: Key Insights : Consumer IAM Market size was valued at USD 12.85 billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 14.17 billion in 2023 to USD 31.05 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.3% in the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/consumer-iam-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/consumer-iam-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Consumer IAM Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Consumer IAM market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Consumer IAM Market Research Report: IBM Corporation Microsoft Corporation Okta, Inc. Salesforce.com, Inc. Transmit Security Akamai Technologies, Inc. SAP SE Ubisecure LoginRadius Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Consumer IAM market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Consumer IAM market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Consumer IAM market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Consumer IAM segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Consumer IAM market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Consumer IAM market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Consumer IAM market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/consumer-iam-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.
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Last month, I returned to Bangladesh for three weeks. It was my first time back in my home country after over six years in exile. November 7, the date of my arrival there, holds a special meaning to me, as it was on this day in 2017 that agents of Sheikh Hasina’s regime abducted me and subjected me to torture in a case of enforced disappearance . For 44 agonizing days that November and December, I became one of the 3,500 individuals who were forcibly disappeared under Hasina’s reign. My hands were cuffed, my eyes were blindfolded, and time to time my captors would put a black hood over my blindfold to completely terrorize me. I still remember the voice of one of the captors, who said, “You are our slave now.” The objective of that whole illegal operation was to completely break my free agency and human dignity . They succeeded – for a while. However, unlike the many other Bangladeshis who never returned, I was fortunate to have been released – thanks in part to mounting national and international pressure – on the condition that I remain silent about who abducted me, tell the media a false story that I was abducted by some miscreants, and refrain from any “anti-state” research and writing. Soon after my release, I left home, traveling first to the United States, then Norway, and finally Australia, which I am now proud to call my new home. For the past seven years, I have carried the trauma of those torturous experiences. The desperate cries of other illegally detained individuals still echo in my mind, and the pain of being forcibly separated from my family only deepened my sense of isolation. Yet during my exile, I continued to write and speak out against Hasina’s brutal regime. However, every article I wrote, every conference I spoke at, and every media interview I gave, I had to go through a constant internal negotiation – as if, despite my body is being free, I was living in a mental prison . Despite my continued dilemma, I persisted and resisted Hasina’s authoritarian regime, as did many others. This resilience against authoritarian oppression transformed me from a victim into a survivor. I was far from alone in suffering at the hands of the Hasina regime. After forming a government through free and participatory elections in 2008, Hasina did not permit any free elections over the next 16 years. Her regime was marked by gross acts of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances that prompted the United States to levy human rights sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a specialized security force. Hundreds and thousands were imprisoned by her government, and various intelligence agencies were encouraged to build chains of illegal secret prisons across the country. Hasina reigned by promoting a culture of fear and intimidation. Political opponents , academics , journalists , cartoonists , and critics – none of them was spared. On the other hand, with a persistent narrative of growth and stability, Hasina’s rule helped to generate wealth for a few oligarchs who have questionable ties with her family. The dark days of Hasina’s rule came to an abrupt end on August 5, 2024. On that day, Hasina fled to neighboring India against the backdrop of a student-led mass uprising. Today, Bangladesh is ruled by an interim government helmed by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. My return to Bangladesh served as a powerful reminder of the countless lives sacrificed in pursuit of freedom. With Hasina no longer in power, I wanted to see if, and to what extent, the country’s political and social landscapes had truly changed. Freedom of Speech and Democratic Resilience Prevail, But Surveillance Persists Dhaka, the capital, is now alive with public events: forums, seminars, and discussions are devoted to analyzing the crimes of the past regime and shaping the future of Bangladesh. I participated in several such gatherings as a speaker, including one organized by my alma mater, the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka. There, I shared a platform with two prominent Bangladeshi journalists, Shahidul Alam and Tasneem Khalil. Alam, once imprisoned by Hasina’s regime, was later profiled as a Time Magazine Person of the Year. Khalil, editor-in-chief of the Sweden-based investigative news outlet Netra News, endured torture by Bangladesh’s military intelligence agency DGFI in 2007 and has lived in exile ever since. Khalil’s recent return, like mine, symbolizes both a personal milestone and a broader shift in the country’s political climate. The event’s audience was primarily made up of journalism students, yet two men who did not appear to be students quietly entered, took photos, and made notes. When I asked the organizers about these unfamiliar faces, I learned they were intelligence agents. Their presence slightly unsettled me. I wondered why a public event titled “Free Thinking in Exile,” held at a public university, required state surveillance. What national security interest could possibly be at stake in such open discourse? This was not an isolated experience. At another public event at the national museum, survivors of enforced disappearances spoke openly. Organized by the Diaspora Alliance for Democracy and the Bangladesh Research Analysis & Information Network (BRAIN), the event featured co-panelists including the press secretary of Yunus, head of the interim government, and a prominent analyst. The front rows were filled with children holding photos of their disappeared fathers, now part of “Mayer Daak” (Mothers’ Call), a forum for the families of the missing. Before we took the stage, one co-panelist confided that several intelligence agents had called him, inviting him to “have tea with their bosses.” Even at the event itself, someone claiming to represent an intelligence agency approached him, saying, “Our sir wants to have coffee with you. We really like your analysis.” These anecdotal experiences highlight the pervasive and insidious state surveillance that continues to infiltrate even public forums dedicated to free thought and open dialogue. Under Hasina, the state’s surveillance apparatus had become deeply institutionalized. Although the interim government led by Yunus undertook some reforms, the sprawling intelligence networks – crucial enablers of past human rights abuses – remained largely untouched. Nevertheless, there is a growing, vocal resistance that is pushing for the gradual liberalization of the former brutal authoritarian political climate in the country. Activists are openly discussing the DGFI’s notorious role in bolstering Hasina’s authoritarian rule. At the main gate of Dhaka University’s Arts Faculty, and on the wall of the the historic Madhur Canteen , one now sees written messages calling for the banning of the RAB and the abolition of the DGFI – an act that would have been unthinkable just months ago. These scenes capture both the persistence of arbitrary overreach of the state and the simmering resistance against it. Journalism Is Freer Now, But Challenges Remain Under the previous government, critical news outlets like Netra News and the U.S.-based BenarNews were blocked. Access required proxy servers. Today, both platforms are not only unblocked but can hold public events in Dhaka, signaling a freer environment for journalism. Netra News even established a bureau in Dhaka, and at its launch, several high-ranking government officials, including an adviser and the press secretary to Yunus, were present. BenarNews hosted a public event called “What Do You Want in New Bangladesh?” that was attended by hundreds. On television talk shows and in news reports, journalists, and analysts now freely debate previously taboo subjects. Still, challenges persist despite this relatively freer atmosphere for journalism. Much reporting simply delivers backlash against perceived supporters of the previous regime, rather than offering in-depth, investigative coverage. Legitimate topics like nepotism in the selection of political advisers or the appointment of members to reform commissions remain largely unexamined. Meanwhile, a reporter friend from The Daily Star, the largest English-language daily, told me that some of her colleagues now receive informal “green lights” from intelligence agencies before traveling abroad, assuring them smoother passage. As I was writing this article, a protest broke out in Savar, close to Dhaka, where a political activist was picked up and taken away blindfolded by the security forces only to be released several hours later. Another activist called Sejuti Hossain said that unidentified people in civilian clothes kept knocking and telling him to open his door. These are reminders that the authoritarian practices of the Hasina regime still persist in the state agencies. The editor of the Daily New Age, Nurul Kabir, publicly said that intelligence agents stopped and questioned him at the airport about attending an international media conference. On Facebook, he expressed surprise that such intimidation – common under the old regime – continued. However, the new government’s quick response to address his concerns offers a glimmer of hope for gradual change. After all no one has been forcefully disappeared or extrajudicially killed under the new government so far. Uncertain Times, But Not Without Hope Many people I spoke with feel uncertain about the current government’s stability. This uncertainty has two main sources. First, during the July-August uprising, Hasina ordered police to fire on student protesters, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and leaving hundreds more blinded. When she fled, protesters retaliated by torching police stations. According to official figures, 44 officers were killed in these attacks. This brief but brutal period left trust between police and the public in tatters. Although the police are returning to fuller operations – with the Army now holding magistracy power to restore law and order – public trust remains fragile. The second source of uncertainty is economic. Under previous governments, businesses often navigated a known, if unofficial, patronage network. Now, the rules of the game have changed. Without clear lines of authority, business owners face confusion about whom to approach for security and protection. A friend who runs a restaurant in Dhaka lamented that after Hasina’s fall, multiple groups have claimed their “territory,” driving up his costs. A journalist explained that under Hasina, businesses knew where to find green lights and where to expect red lines. Now, all is blurred. Despite these difficulties, the people of Bangladesh are undeniably happier. They can speak freely, and the fear of immediate reprisal has loosened its grip. When I left Bangladesh at the end of my visit, my emotions were mixed. I felt joy at returning home without fear, yet lingering unease at the deep-rooted forces still at play. At least one activist was taken away blindfolded by the security forces in unsettling reminder of dark state practices commonplace during Hasina’s time. Surveillance in the civilian spaces remains persistent, although there is pushback. I also felt immense hope. The activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens I met are seizing the moment to reclaim their voices and public spaces, laying the groundwork for a more open, democratic future. The next challenge for Bangladesh’s current government would be to see the country through a democratic transition by holding a free and fair elections. After all one needs to remember that the country plunged into a dark authoritarian state because of the lack of free and fair elections, a basic democratic practice.US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary'
The intersection of faith and governance is not only a global phenomenon but also a deeply personal one for many of us in the vastness of 13 islands we call the Cook Islands. Let alone the 94 thousand living in Aotearoa or 21 thousand in Australia. Especially now as our government must consider our Christian nation status. It is vital we look at the broader context of religious restrictions and governments around the world and move beyond calls of hate or preference. A 2019 Pew Foundation report highlighted this dynamic with profound insights. With over a decade of tracking, the report revealed increasing global government preference toward specific religious groups, particularly in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In these areas, Islam is predominantly preferred, often enshrined in their state constitutions, laws, and societal norms. For instance, 19 of the 20 countries in the MENA region officially recognize Islam, with legal systems often deferring to Islamic law. In Egypt, for example family law is dictated by the religion of the spouses, defaulting to Islamic law when there is a disparity. Their governments have no problem declaring and enforcing Islam as their state religion and its flow into their laws and practices. Across Asia, Africa, and even Europe, governments have shown increasing preference toward dominant religious groups. In Thailand, constitutional amendments have elevated Theravada Buddhism, while in Europe, countries like Greece and Iceland maintain close ties between state and Christian denominations. Even in secular states such as Fiji, constitutional provisions ensure equality of religion while recognizing the predominant influence of Christianity on their cultural fabric. Watch a game of Rugby and hear them sing hymns before and after the game, giving thanks to God for their safety and participation. Closer to home, Pacific nations like Samoa and Tonga explicitly declare their Christian identities within their constitutions. Samoa, for instance, amended its constitution in 2017 to affirm itself as a Christian nation, while Tonga’s constitution upholds the sanctity of Sunday and requires its monarch to be Protestant. As we deliberate on the Cook Islands’ identity as a Christian nation, these global and regional precedents offer valuable lessons. They illustrate how nations both Islam, Buddhist or Christian have balanced their religious heritage with their self-determined principles of inclusion and freedom of religion if that is their choice. But each is free to determine that as they see fit. At its heart, this is not just a legal or constitutional question but a deeply spiritual, deeply moral and deeply cultural one. Christianity has been central to the Cook Islands’ identity since prophecies of its arrival by Taunga in Rarotonga and Enuamanu, and the arrival of its message and gospel. It shapes our values, our community spirit, and the very fabric of our society, our traditional leaders and government. It would be remiss of me to suggest that the God of the Bible is not singular in his desire for worship and honour, clearly stating there are no other Gods before him. Or that if Jesus is God, then he is not as Islam states merely a prophet of God. This distinction in each other’s scripture is more than just a difference of opinion, it is a crossroad that sends both faiths in opposing directions and on roads that never cross again. Ultimately, the question of the Cook Islands as a Christian nation and religious diversity is not just about constitutional amendments or legal frameworks. It is about what kind of society we aspire to be, our identity and our laws, our values and the basis of our internal and external moral code within the diversity of the world we now live in. A leader who knew diversity was King Solomon, who in the Hebrew book of proverbs inscribed, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” In this simple verse, a rule, or standard, composed of two alternatives, there is no middle ground, and there are two causes and each with its own effect. Therefore, we pray for our leaders the wisdom to discern, courage to choose and conviction to lead our nation.
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Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Announces Its Exploration of Potential Strategic Alternatives and Reduction of Operating CostsDodgers urged to sign 2.92 ERA starter predicted to get $217M deal | Sporting NewsCHARLESTON – As workers were picking up the pieces of the Capitol Christmas Tree Thursday morning after it was toppled by high winds, lawmakers and legislative staff were trying to determine how to conduct a proposed last-minute special session as new lawmakers prepare to take their seats. Lawmakers first took to social media Wednesday night after a letter was sent to members alerting them to a possible special session to be called by Gov. Jim Justice for Saturday, Dec. 7. Members of the state Senate and House of Delegates provided further confirmation Thursday morning, though the Governor’s Office declined to comment. “We were notified on yesterday evening to prepare for the possibility of being called into an extraordinary session by the Governor this weekend,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, in a statement. “As with all extraordinary sessions, the Legislature may only convene outside of regular session upon the Governor’s proclamation.” “There was a letter that went out that suggests that there may be a special session starting approximately 6 o'clock (Saturday),” said House Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood, by phone Thursday. According to Criss, the proposed special session will be to consider a bill making changes to the Certified Industrial Business Expansion Development program on behalf of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) Renewables and Precision Castparts Corp. (TIMET) titanium melt facility/solar microgrid project being built in Jackson County, though he was not aware of the specifics of the bill. The Certified Industrial Business Expansion Development program, created by Senate Bill 4001 in a special session in September 2022, is meant to incentivize investment and construction of high-impact industrial plants and facilities that require access to renewable energy. BHE Renewables and TIMET purchased more than 2,000 acres at the former Century Aluminum site in Jackson County to build a modern titanium melt facility powered by a solar energy microgrid, a $500 million investment. A request for comment from representatives of BHE Renewables/TIMET was not returned for this story. SB 4001 created no more than two 2,250-acre certified high-impact industrial business development districts that must be on land sold or leased by the state. Any renewable energy project in these districts would not be subject to approval by the Public Service Commission as far as rates, obtaining a certificate of convenience and necessity, conditions of service or complaints. The bill being discussed for a special session could allow for an additional district, or a maximum of six districts with approval of the Department of Economic Development, though no more than three districts can be within the same service territory of an investor-owned electric utility in the state. “The Berkshire Hathaway Energy District in the Ravenswood area needs to be modified for some kind of an investment,” Criss said. “I don't know the details other than that's the concept and hopefully we'll hear more or actually see the call later today.” According to a draft bill being circulated for the possible special session, the legislation would remove the requirement that certified high-impact industrial business development districts be on land sold or leased by the state. It would increase the acreage from 2,250 acres to no greater than 5,000 acres as long as it was large enough to support between 500 megawatts and 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy generation. The draft bill would require completion of economic development projects in a certified high-impact business development district within five years. It would also allow electric-generating units in these districts to be taxed at salvage value for property tax purposes, or lower than the fair market value. West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman and Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, criticized Justice for creating confusion by proposing the last-minute special session and for wasting taxpayer dollars. Special sessions held outside of coinciding legislative interim meetings can cost as much as $35,000 per day. “Governor Justice is squandering taxpayer dollars to hold a special session to pass a sweetheart deal for a special interest, out-of-state corporation,” Pushkin said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “This is an outrageous abuse of power and a blatant disregard for the people of West Virginia, who deserve a government that prioritizes their needs—not backroom deals for corporate cronies.” The bill is also being opposed by at least some on the conservative right. A group called West Virginia Constitutional Conservatives, sent out an email Wednesday urging fellow conservatives to oppose the bill and pressure Justice not to call a special session. “West Virginians shouldn’t have to foot the bill for political stunts that prioritize special interests over hardworking families,” wrote Laura Anders, wife of incoming Delegate S. Chris Anders, R-Berkeley. “Our tax dollars should be used responsibly, not squandered on projects that increase costs and threaten the livelihoods of those in traditional energy sectors.” A possible special session creates a new set of problems. The 100-member House of Delegates will get 14 new members, including 13 Republicans and one Democratic lawmaker. In the 34-member Senate, there will be seven new members, including six Republicans and one Democratic lawmaker. According to the state Constitution, Article 4, Chapter 7, terms for new lawmakers begin on the first day of December. Over the years, legislators have had informal swearing-in ceremonies in December, with a formal ceremony when the Legislature first convenes in January. During a year when a new governor takes office, the Legislature convenes on the second Wednesday in January (Jan. 8) to elect leadership and open election returns delivered by the secretary of state. The Legislature then adjourns until the second Wednesday in February (Feb. 12) to begin the regular 60-day legislative session. But with a special session potentially being called by Justice for Saturday, the question for the staff of the House and Senate clerks’ offices is who participates? Is it considered a lame-duck session with current members of the 86th Legislature participating, or are new members of the incoming 87th Legislature seated? According to the Secretary of State’s Office, the only times special sessions were called after an election and prior to the start of the next regular legislative session were in 1913 and 1936. In a statement, Deputy Secretary of State and Chief of Staff Donald “Deak” Kersey said state code was amended after 1913 requiring the secretary of state to deliver the election returns to the Legislature of the first session following the election. “In 1936, a special session was called after the election but before the regular session, and the secretary of state, following the amended law, delivered the certificates to the Legislature at the start of the special session,” Kersey said. “This is still the case today under current law.” “Therefore, if there is a (special) session, the secretary of state is to deliver the certificates of election to the Legislature at the next ensuing session, which would be the (special) session and the newly elected legislators from the 2024 general election would take office (so long as they’re in attendance and take the oath),” Kersey said. County clerks had until 30 days following the end of the Nov. 5 general election, or Thursday, to transmit certificates of election results to the Secretary of State’s Office. Joey Garcia, the two-term Democratic delegate representing Marion County, won election in November to represent parts of Marion and Monongalia County in the 13th Senatorial District for a four-year term. Garcia said the current 11-member House Democratic caucus found out indirectly about the special session. “I'm honestly a little bit disappointed in the lack of communication that we've received from, I think, House leadership because we found out about this through an email that didn't come to any of our members,” Garcia said. If it is decided that new lawmakers will be seated for the possible special session, that may not mean that members will need to decide on the leadership of both bodies until January. The state Constitution states that in odd-numbered years, each body will elect its officers when it convenes on Jan. 8. According to state Republican Party Chairman Matt Herridge, the GOP members of both bodies are scheduled to have caucuses Sunday afternoon to elect their nominees for House speaker and Senate president, who will be voted on by the respective chambers next month. House members are expected to reelect Delegate Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, as speaker. But with Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, losing his GOP primary in May, there is a race for the Senate president’s gavel. Known candidates include Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha; Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Chairman Randy Smith, R-Tucker; and Tarr. “I don’t know yet,” said Tarr when asked whether a proposed special session could speed up the timetable for selection of a new Senate president. “I’m trying to get definitive answers on that as well.” Garcia, who took his ceremonial oath of office Wednesday, said it was important for legislative staff to get to the bottom of these issues, otherwise it could lead to possible litigation if someone believes the state Constitution was not being followed. “Whether I would be involved in this as a House member or a Senate (member), I expected that I was going to come into the Senate on Jan. 8 and take my oath of office then,” Garcia said. “Either way, we really need to know. They need to work this out, and then I'm ready to do whatever needs to be done.” “If it's good policy, if it's good legislation, if it needs to be done now, it needs to be done later: whatever that may be, I'm here to try to make sure we do what's right for the State of West Virginia,” Garcia continued.
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Gabriel injury concern as late substitution switch explained
CECO Environmental Announces Expiration of HSR Waiting PeriodThe Occupied Territories Bill was blocked by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael because the US Democratic Party told them to, a Green Party minister has claimed. Junior Public Expenditure Minister Ossian Smyth made the claim on a podcast hosted by students of secondary school Blackrock College. “I think that the Occupied Territories Bill was blocked by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail because the Democratic Party in America asked them to block it. That's the reason,” Mr Smyth said. “Ireland has a lot of investment from American companies, who spend a lot of money here and employ a lot of people, and I don’t think Fianna Fail and Fine Gael want to upset them. “I think that is the reason the Occupied Territories Bill didn’t proceed, along with the fact they had advice from their Attorney General, their main lawyer in the country who advises the government, who told them there were problems with the Bill and it couldn’t proceed.” The Government had previously contended that the bill would breach EU law, but is now working to alter and progress the original bill after receiving updated legal advice and has now removed a technical obstacle known as a ‘money message’. The Government has said that a recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank allowed for a review of the Occupied Territories Bill. Independent Senator Frances Black tabled the draft legislation in 2018 that would ban the import into Ireland of goods and services originating in illegal settlements in lands deemed as occupied under international law. Following receipt of the revised legal advice from Attorney General Rossa Fanning, the Government signalled a desire to support the Bill, arguing the ICJ ruling had significantly changed the context. However, the bill was not progressed in the last Dáil.
Appalachian State hires South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains as head coachDALLAS, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) (“Ben” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled platform providing exit opportunities and primary capital solutions and related trust and custody services to holders of alternative assets through its proprietary online platform AltAccess, announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Mercantile Bank International Corp. (“Mercantile Bank”), a Puerto Rico-based International Financial Entity (“IFE”), in exchange for an aggregate purchase price of $1.5 million, which is payable in up to approximately 2.1 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock and cash. “We are very excited about the potential avenues for revenue growth that would be facilitated through this acquisition,” said Beneficient. “Acquiring Mercantile Bank would enable the Company to offer an expanded range of companion custody and other fee-based services that complement our existing businesses on a broader scale with the potential to generate additional cash flow in the near term. Our objective is to deliver additional alternative asset custody services to customers with the potential to generate higher fee rates than are generally available for traditional custody services. We also believe the acquisition has the potential to enhance and broaden our current offerings in ways that may open new international opportunities, allowing us to further democratize the market for illiquid alternative assets.” IFEs are licensed and regulated by the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Puerto Rico (the “OCIF”) and may provide specific banking and other financial activity from Puerto Rico for persons, entities, and organizations around the globe that are non-residents of Puerto Rico. An IFE’s authorized activities may include custody, clearing, and payments and related traditional and digital products and services and, as approved by the OCIF, traditional banking services, such as deposits, lending, investments, and trusts. Upon closing of the acquisition, the Company, which has primarily focused on meeting the needs of individual investors and small-to-midsized institutions, expects to expand its offering of custody services to also address the current needs of large institutional investors and the growing needs of third-party alternative trading systems and foreign securities exchanges. The acquisition would position Ben to offer alternative asset custody services that include, among other potential items, a companion line of business focused on issuing depositary receipts to assist holders of foreign investments gain access to the capital markets of additional international jurisdictions. The Company believes these alternative asset custody services may yield higher fee assessments than more traditional custody offerings. The Company expects this companion business line to begin generating custody and depositary receipt issuance fee-based revenue and cash flow during calendar year 2025 that it would deploy to fund Ben’s ongoing operations and ultimately our core alternative asset liquidity product offerings. The acquisition reflects Beneficient’s execution on its objective of expanding its alternative asset custody fee-based service offerings to third parties and institutional investors. Closing of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among other things, approval by OCIF, and is anticipated to be completed in the second calendar quarter of 2025. About Beneficient Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions and General Partners seeking exit options, anchor commitments and valued-added services for their funds− with solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuoteTM tool provides customers with a range of potential exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to explore opportunities and receive proposals in a secure online environment. Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner. For more information, visit www.trustben.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Contacts Matt Kreps: 214-597-8200, mkreps@darrowir.com Michael Wetherington: 214-284-1199, mwetherington@darrowir.com Investor Relations: investors@beneficient.com Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can be generally identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements relating to the anticipated timing of closing the acquisition, benefits of the acquisition and the Company’s anticipated product and service offerings following the closing of the acquisition. These forward-looking statements reflect our views with respect to future events as of the date of this document and are based on our management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, assumptions, beliefs and information. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this document. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the ultimate outcome of the acquisition; the Company’s ability to consummate the acquisition in a timely manner or at all; the ability of the parties to satisfy the closing conditions to the acquisition; the possibility that the Company may be unable to successfully integrate Mercantile Bank’s operations with those of the Company or realize the expected benefits of the acquisition; the possibility that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming, or costly than expected; the risk that operating costs, customer loss, and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, contractors, and customers) may be greater than expected following the acquisition or the public announcement of the acquisition; the Company’s ability to retain certain key employees of Mercantile Bank; the ability to launch and receive market acceptance for new products and services; and risks related to the entry into a new line of business; the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this document and in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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Disgraced K-Pop artist Seungri might be keeping a low profile after his conviction in the infamous “ Burning Sun ” scandal and consequent imprisonment, but his fans have occasionally put him in the spotlight with their loud and proud support, despite all circumstances. On December 12, Seungri’s fans started a tag on X (formerly Twitter), “Seungri Shines Brighter,” to show their support for the former idol on his birthday. The tag got enough posts to eventually make it to the trending page. As the tag started accumulating more attention, K-pop fans took notice and started criticizing people still supporting Seungri, given his involvement in one of the most alarming prostitution and drug scandal cases in K-Pop. Consequently, the tag got inundated with posts from netizens expressing their frustration and trolling. "seungri shines brighter" this is how he finna shine if yall keep trending tags like this one I'm so serious STFU pic.twitter.com/Ap38J60YBS — samyaza ☆⋆。𖦹°‧★ (@misandrinn) December 11, 2024 “SEUNGRI SHINES BRIGHTER” is proof that men can get away with anything as long as they’re considered attractive pic.twitter.com/OPf8ojgDuA — blu7 (@icubluu) December 11, 2024 “SEUNGRI SHINES BRIGHTER” ... in hell. pic.twitter.com/U0Fz8sITHN — ✦ (@oncist) December 11, 2024 "SEUNGRI SHINES BRIGHTER" the only shine hes seeing is from the flames when he d**s and goes to hell pic.twitter.com/Lla8wY8rZn — ah! love (@svtmaxxing) December 11, 2024 Meanwhile, BIGBANG recently cleared up Seungri’s status in the group. Read more about it here .
LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) — Leo Colimerio had 15 points in Queens' 81-78 win against VMI on Saturday. Colimerio had seven rebounds and five assists for the Royals (4-5). Jaxon Pollard scored 13 points while finishing 6 of 8 from the floor and added eight rebounds. Yoav Berman had 12 points and shot 4 of 7 from the field, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 1 for 4 from the line. A 3-pointer by TJ Johnson got VMI within 77-76 with 8 seconds remaining, but Nasir Mann's layup gave Queens an important three-point lead with 6 seconds left. Rickey Bradley, Jr. led the way for the Keydets (5-6) with 19 points and four steals. TJ Johnson added 17 points, six rebounds and three steals for VMI. Augustinas Kiudulas also put up 15 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . The Associated Press
Single heat wave wiped out millions of Alaska's dominant seabird