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In June, July, August, and September, the FPIs bought stocks worth Rs 26,565 crore, Rs 32,365 crore, Rs 7,320 crore, and Rs 57,724 crore, respectively. Mumbai: Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) sold equities worth Rs 21,612 crore in November, marking a significant decline in selling compared to Rs 94,017 crore in October, according to data released by the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL). Despite the overall outflows in November, the week from November 25-29 witnessed a positive shift, with net FPI investments in equities turning positive at Rs 4,921.5 crore.Market experts noted that the recent improvement reflects cautious optimism amid evolving global and domestic conditions. However, challenges remain. Analysts observed that foreign investments will be influenced by a combination of factors, including India's latest GDP data, which came in below expectations, and the continuing preference of investors for the US market. Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert noted that "There was talk of FPIs pivoting to net inflows finally this week but the US holiday shortened global trading week saw FPIs selling again the last two days. The US market remains the favoured market in terms of flows with EMs seeing outflows with a few bright spots like the turnaround Argentina market". He further noted that "With India GDP numbers, a lagged indicator, coming below airheads lowered expectations, a lot will now depend on counter cyclical fiscal and monetary measures by the government and the RBI respectively. Liquidity is tight age bank credit is also slowing down, Sine policy stimulus will be needed now". In June, July, August, and September, the FPIs bought stocks worth Rs 26,565 crore, Rs 32,365 crore, Rs 7,320 crore, and Rs 57,724 crore, respectively. As per definition, Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) involves an investor buying foreign financial assets. Recently after the US elections the Foreign investors become seller in Indian markets amid the strengthening of dollar and the surge in flows to the US markets.As global markets continue to influence investment trends, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the recent positive momentum in FPI investments can be sustained. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.By LOLITA C. BALDOR and MATTHEW LEE WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Related Articles National News | Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says National News | A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.
ATLANTA (AP) — Deliberations are underway in Atlanta after a year of testimony in the gang and racketeering trial that originally included the rapper Young Thug. Jurors are considering whether to convict Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, on gang, murder, drug and gun charges. The original indictment charged 28 people with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Opening statements in the trial for six of those defendants happened a year ago . Four of them, including Young Thug, pleaded guilty last month. The rapper was freed on probation. Stillwell and Kendrick rejected plea deals after more than a week of negotiations, and their lawyers chose not to present evidence or witnesses. Both seemed to be in good spirits Tuesday morning after closings wrapped the previous night. Kendrick was chatting and laughing with Stillwell and his lawyers before the jury arrived for instructions. The jury started deliberating Tuesday afternoon and was dismissed at 5 p.m. Jurors are expected to resume deliberations Wednesday morning. If they don’t reach a verdict by 3 p.m. Wednesday, the judge will send them home for the Thanksgiving weekend and they will return Monday morning. Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in the 2015 killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” in an Atlanta barbershop. Prosecutors painted Stillwell and Kendrick as members of a violent street gang called Young Slime Life, or YSL, co-founded in 2012 by Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. During closings on Monday, they pointed to tattoos, song lyrics and social media posts they said proved members, including Stillwell, admitted to killing people in rival gangs. Prosecutors say Thomas was in a rival gang. Stillwell was also charged in the 2022 killing of Shymel Drinks, which prosecutors said was in retaliation for the killing of two YSL associates days earlier. Defense attorneys Doug Weinstein and Max Schardt said the state presented unreliable witnesses, weak evidence and cherry-picked lyrics and social media posts to push a false narrative about Stillwell, Kendrick and the members of YSL. Schardt, Stillwell's attorney, reminded the jury that alleged YSL affiliates said during the trial that they had lied to police. Law enforcement played a “sick game” by promising they would escape long prison sentences if they said what police wanted them to say, Schardt said. He theorized that one of those witnesses could have killed Thomas. The truth is that their clients were just trying to escape poverty through music, Schardt said. “As a whole, we know the struggles that these communities have had,” Schardt said. “A sad, tacit acceptance that it’s either rap, prison or death.” Young Thug’s record label is also known as YSL, an acronym of Young Stoner Life. Kendrick was featured on two popular songs from the label’s compilation album Slime Language 2, “Take It to Trial" and “Slatty," which prosecutors presented as evidence in the trial. Weinstein, Kendrick’s defense attorney, said during closings it was wrong for prosecutors to target the defendants for their music and lyrics. Prosecutor Simone Hylton disagreed, and said surveillance footage and phone evidence supported her case. “They have the audacity to think they can just brag about killing somebody and nobody’s gonna hold them accountable,” Hylton said. The trial had more than its fair share of delays. Jury selection took nearly 10 months , and Stillwell was stabbed last year at the Fulton County jail, which paused trial proceedings. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker took over after Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case in July because he had a meeting with prosecutors and a state witness without defense attorneys present. Whitaker often lost patience with prosecutors over moves such as not sharing evidence with defense attorneys, once accusing them of “poor lawyering.” But the trial sped up under her watch. In October, four defendants, including Young Thug , pleaded guilty, with the rapper entering a non-negotiated or “blind” plea, meaning he didn't have a deal worked out with prosecutors. Nine people charged in the indictment, including rapper Gunna , accepted plea deals before the trial began. Charges against 12 others are pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon
But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”FG Trade/E+ via Getty Images Torrid Holdings Inc. ( NYSE: CURV ) released its Q3 2024 results , surprising the market very negatively, with the stock trading down about 30% on the day after the release. The main negative surprise was a significant fall Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Is Being Born Under the Rarest Zodiac Sign an Astrological Blessing?
US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office
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Stephen Strosnider has been named executive director of the Carroll County Arts Council, after serving as interim executive director since June. Before that, the 35-year-old New Windsor resident was the organization’s assistant director of programs and communications since October 2022. “Even during that interim position, the board was very supportive in letting me make decisions and guide us,” Strosnider said. “Now, in the full-time executor directive position, I’m very excited to lay out some more long-term plans, to get us back to the roots of our mission, where we are looking for ways to serve every citizen in the community.” The executive director should be passionate about connecting people with the arts, competent at handling grants, knowledgeable about technology, and skilled at teamwork and management, Lynn Wheeler, of New Windsor, said in June, and Strosnider has each of those traits. Wheeler was Carroll County Arts Council board of directors’ president at the time. “I will bring a great energy to the building, to our efforts and to the community,” Strosnider said. “We’ve had executive directors who were fine artists and musicians, and now there’s a theater person, and I think my background in performing arts brings a lot of resilience. It brings a lot of event and logistics knowledge and experience. “I think that theater artists and performing arts practitioners have a great ability to pivot and to assess current situations, and make executive decisions that are for the best interest of the whole. In theater and in performing arts, it is collaborative, it is a community, and the goal of the end product is community-based.” Lynne Griffith, the art council’s previous executive director, left the organization after two-and-a-half years, according to a June 12 news release. Wheeler said the board of directors and Griffith, “mutually agreed that we were going to pursue another direction.” Strosnider and Wheeler agreed that Griffith would be remembered for ushering in an era of more diverse programming while leading the Arts Council, including the inception of . Strosnider said he was considered for the role as part of the arts council’s internal candidate search. Prior to joining the arts council, Strosnider worked as a technical director and theater facilities coordinator at McDaniel College, Glenelg Country School and Carroll Community College. Throughout his career in education, he has taught courses in stagecraft, acting, and civil engineering and architecture. He also brings experience in acting and directing. Strosnider grew up in Sykesville and Keymar, and discovered his love for the arts as a young actor at Francis Scott Key High School. The Carroll Countian earned a bachelor’s of fine arts in acting from Shenandoah University, which he said prepared him well for his career. “We were trained in stage management, we were trained in bookkeeping and finances, we were trained in backstage,” Stosnider said. “I was able to learn the ropes in every possible career, and not just in a superficial way, but it was extremely hands-on. Without a doubt, those four years were instrumental in my being able to pursue things.” As the assistant director, Strosnider helped use technology to improve operations. In his role as interim executive director, Stosnider said he learned a lot about the council and its storied history, as well as hiring new staff and introducing a plan to close the arts center most days in January. A part-time program assistant and a part-time administrative assistant have been added, Strosnider said. Within the next six months, the arts council plans to hire a full-time visual arts professional and a full-time operations professional. The arts center will also be closed most days in January, Strosnider said, so staff can get on the same page about responsibilities and goals. The center will remain open on Fridays in January, which coincides with the council’s documentary series, before opening full-tilt with a Feb. 1 concert. January is always the council’s slowest month, Stosnider added. “We can regroup,” Strosnider said, “and we can look at roles and responsibilities, which is a very exciting thing. The most productive companies are the folks that know exactly what they’re supposed to be doing, where they can grow, and where they can look for for more opportunities, so that’s something that we’re very excited about. The adage for a lot of organizations is, ‘You’re putting the plane together while it’s in the air,’ so we all looked at each other and went, ‘You know what? Let’s just land the plane. Is there any reason why we can’t?’ So, we’re going to do it.” The director said he aims to maintain and strengthen ties with Carroll County Public Schools, Common Ground on the Hill, Carroll County’s Chamber of Commerce, municipal governments in Carroll County and the Greater Baltimore Committee. The council partners with the school system to bring arts-related programing to schools or bring students to events. Partnering with Common Ground on the Hill helps the council attract more high-profile acts and artists. “We have partnerships to bring in the big names and the big entertainment,” Stosnider said, “but we also need to find those places to serve the culture and the heritage that we have right here at home. Having that nice balance is going to, I think, continue to solidify why the Arts Council is so important for the community.” The council has a symbiotic relationship with county tourism, Strosnider said, as improving the quality of life in Carroll will attract more residents, which will result in more funds for the arts council. Improving quality of life by enhancing access to the arts is always worthwhile, he added. Strosnider is participating in the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Carroll program this year. The arts council’s mission is supporting artistic education and expression, based in Westminster’s Carroll Arts Center, at 91 W. Main St., a historic building constructed as a movie theater in 1933. The nonprofit is known for hosting the popular annual and fundraising events, hosting performances at the arts center, and contributing thousands of dollars each year to support the arts in Carroll County. PEEPshow is the county’s . The arts council had a fiscal 2023 operating budget of more than $1 million and receives major funding from The Maryland State Arts Council, Carroll County Department of Recreation & Parks and the City of Westminster, according to Strosnider. In the coming years, the organization will celebrate the 90th anniversary of t , the 60th anniversary of the Carroll County Arts Council and the 30th anniversary of Westminster’s ownership of the arts center. “You don’t need to be a fine arts person to enjoy our galleries, and you don’t need to be a musical theater kid to come and enjoy a performance in the theater,” Strosnider said. “Our goal is to curate and provide multiple, numerous and a broad spectrum of arts opportunities so that people can come and see what they love, or come and learn to love something new. That’s where we’re going to move forward with the goal, to go back to celebrating the local talent that we have. “Carroll County is teeming with a vibrant and talented arts community, and I interpret our mission to be celebrating that. It’s our goal to celebrate our own.”
Conservative group compiles list of 'woke' senior officers they want Pete Hegseth to fireVoting “FOR” ONLY the Board’s Four Nominees on the WHITE proxy Card Will Help Ensure that Shareholders Realize the Significant Value Expected from UDF IV’s Transaction with Ready Capital Troubling Pattern of Value Destruction at NexPoint-Managed Funds Should Raise Concerns for Shareholders Visit UDFForshareholders.com for Voting Instructions and Other Information IRVING, Texas, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Development Funding IV (“UDF IV” or the “Trust”) today reminds all shareholders to vote on the WHITE proxy card “FOR” the Board’s four highly qualified nominees - Steven J. Finkle, Lawrence S. Jones, J. Heath Malone and Phillip K. Marshall - in advance of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), which will be held on December 10, 2024. Shareholders are encouraged to visit UDFForShareholders.com for more information and voting instructions. As shareholders consider their vote, UDF IV reminds them that: On December 2, UDF IV announced that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Ready Capital Corporation (RC) (“Ready Capital”), a leading multi-strategy real estate finance company. UDF IV shareholders may receive up to $5.89 per share as a result of the transaction with Ready Capital through a combination of pre-closing distributions of UDF IV’s balance sheet cash up to $2.44 per share; 0.416 shares issued by Ready Capital at the transaction closing per UDF IV share, with an implied value of $3.07 per share based on Ready Capital’s closing share price on November 29, 2024; and contingent value rights issued by Ready Capital at the transaction closing to receive contingent consideration over time estimated to be up to $0.38 per UDF IV share. This consideration is more than five times the bargain basement price of $1.10 per share that NexPoint Real Estate Opportunities, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of NexPoint Diversified Real Estate Trust (NXDT, and collectively with its affiliates, “NexPoint”) offered UDF IV shareholders in its unsuccessful attempt to take control of the Trust just a few years ago. If NexPoint gains control of the Board and the Trust, NexPoint will be in a position to deprive shareholders of the value and liquidity you will receive from the Ready Capital transaction the current Board has negotiated and approved. Do not be misled – supporting NexPoint’s dissident trustees will enable NexPoint to continue to implement what we expect will be a self-serving, value destructive agenda. NexPoint has not presented a single viable plan that we believe would enhance value. NexPoint’s nominations for a controlling slate of dissident trustees at the Annual Meeting is part of an ongoing, self-interested campaign, which we believe is aimed at extracting the value of the Trust’s portfolio for its own benefit and to the detriment of all other shareholders. There is a troubling pattern of value destruction at funds managed by NexPoint. Shareholders are encouraged to read the full letter which outlines the recent poor performance and stock price declines at NexPoint-managed funds, including: NXDT, which continues to perform poorly, with losses of over $246 million since July 2022 and a 60% share price decline over the two year period ending November 21, 2024; and An affiliated NexPoint-managed fund, Highland Opportunities and Income Fund (HFRO), whose stock price similarly declined approximately 54% over the two year period ending November 21, 2024 and was recently trading near its all-time low. The Future of Your Investment in UDF IV is at Stake – Vote on the WHITE proxy card TODAY to Protect Your Investment Remember that only your latest dated proxy counts and that a vote on the green proxy card to “WITHHOLD” on the NexPoint nominees could revoke your votes “FOR” the UDF IV nominees on the WHITE proxy card. Please simply discard any green proxy card sent to you by NexPoint and vote every UDF IV WHITE proxy card you receive as you may hold your shares in multiple accounts. Shareholders have the opportunity to allow UDF IV to continue its work to protect and enhance shareholder value by reelecting the four independent Trustees - Steven J. Finkle, Lawrence S. Jones, J. Heath Malone and Phillip K. Marshall - who oversee our efforts to protect the value of your investment. We urge you to vote “FOR” ONLY the four nominees proposed by the Board of Trustees on the WHITE proxy card included in the enclosed UDF IV proxy materials. UDF IV shareholders with questions or who require assistance with respect to voting their shares are encouraged to contact UDF IV’s proxy solicitor: INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED Shareholders may call: 1 (877) 750-9496 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada) +1 (412) 232-3651 (from other countries) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION WITH READY CAPITAL The Ready Capital transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to the approval of UDF IV shareholders and other customary closing conditions. UDF IV expects to call a special meeting of its shareholders to approve the proposed transaction and to distribute a proxy statement and other documents to its shareholders in connection with the special meeting. Ready Capital expects to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, containing a prospectus and the UDF IV proxy statement, and other documents with respect to the proposed transaction. The Ready Capital prospectus and the UDF IV proxy statement will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. WE URGE YOU TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS AND THE UDF IV PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO EACH OF THEM) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY READY CAPITAL WITH THE SEC AND MADE AVAILABLE BY UDF IV CAREFULLY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT READY CAPITAL, UDF IV AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. You may obtain free copies of the registration statement, the prospectus and other relevant documents filed by Ready Capital with the SEC (if and when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Ready Capital with the SEC are also available free of charge on Ready Capital's website at www.readycapital.com. UDF IV shareholders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other relevant documents made available by UDF IV free of charge on www.udfonline.com. About United Development Funding IV United Development Funding IV is a Maryland real estate investment trust. UDF IV was formed primarily to generate current interest income by investing in secured loans and producing profits from investments in residential real estate. Additional information about UDF IV can be found on its website at www.udfiv.com. UDF IV may disseminate important information regarding its operations, including financial information, through social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the timing of the closing of the Ready Capital transaction, the estimated amount of the special dividend to be paid to UDF IV’s shareholders, the estimated contingent consideration expected to be paid and the potential future of UDF IV under NexPoint’s control. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or future events. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” or other similar words. Readers should be aware that there are various factors, many of which are beyond UDF IV’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this release including, among others, the results of the trustee elections at the Annual Meeting, the risk that the Ready Capital transaction will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the transaction agreement; the inability to obtain UDF IV shareholder approval of the transaction or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the transaction; risks that will affect the amount of the special dividend to UDF IV shareholders, including, among others, developments in litigation involving UDF IV; risks that will affect the amount of contingent consideration, if any, including, among others, the performance of specified UDF IV loans and developments in litigation involving UDF IV; risks related to disruption of management attention from the ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on the operating results and businesses generally of Ready Capital and UDF IV; the outcome of any legal proceedings relating to the transaction; and the ability to retain key personnel. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this letter. UDF IV undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Contact: Investor Relations 1-800-859-9338 investorrelations@umth.com Media Contact: Mahmoud Siddig / Lucas Pers / Dylan O’Keefe Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212) 895-8668
Somehow, the end of the year has returned, so we thought that now was the perfect time to take a look at the best movies of 2024. It’s been quite a year for cinema; there have been some awesome action movies , dynamic dramas, and sensational sequels. Horror and animation have both dominated the box office , while superhero movies (or one at least) have managed to cling on just about. But what were the best movies of the year? Well to work this out, we used popcorn to bribe each member of the TV and movies team into nominating ten movies from 2024 (based on US releases). After that, the senior team got to work refining the list, and after several intense hours of debate (which mostly involved yelling at each other), they emerged with a list of what they consider to be the most fantastic flicks of the year. Now, not all of our favorites are going to get their flowers (sorry , Trap fans) but if you didn’t get a ticket for these films when they were in theaters, you messed up. Note: We’re well aware that it’s November, and there are lots of movies still to be released – Mufasa, Sonic 3, and Kraven immediately spring to mind – so keep this list bookmarked, as we’ll be updating it throughout what’s left of 2024. 25. Dune: Part Two Director: Denis Villeneuve Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Stellan Skarsgård, Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem What it’s about: Following the Harkonnen attack on Arrakis, Paul must learn the ways of the Fremen in the hopes of uniting the tribes if he ever wants to take back his birthright. Related: Why we like it: If we were ranking the movies of 2024 by ambition, then Dune: Part Two would top the list. Everything about Villeneuve’s second trip to Arrakis is bigger and bolder than the first – from cinematographer Greig Fraser’s sweeping visuals to the grandiose action scenes and Hans Zimmer’s bombastic booming score. Yet arguably, what makes this film truly great is how Villeneuve confidently takes author Frank Herbert’s text and the labyrinthian lore of Dune and makes it into something everyone and anyone can understand. My favorite part, though? Austin Butler’s creepy Stellan Skarsgård impression. Read our Dune 2 review here. Words by Tom Percival 24. Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle Director: Susumu Mitsunaka Cast: Ayumu Murase, Kaito Ishikawa, Yuki Kaji (Japanese) / Bryson Baugus, Scott Gibbs, Clint Bickham (English) What it’s about: The Wildcats and the Crows finally face off in a match that epitomizes youthful competition and the beauty of our high school years. Why we like it: If there’s one game Haikyuu!! fans were waiting for, it’s this one, and the big screen gives everyone a chance to shine. The thrilling plays and dramatic strategizing are heightened through memories of how each player got here – a reminder that everyone has a story to tell on the court and off. Words by Anthony McGlynn Read our Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle review here. 23. Rebel Ridge Director: Jeremy Saulnier Cast: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, James Cromwell What it’s about: Terry Richmond, an ex-Marine, cycles to Shelby Springs to bail his cousin out of jail. When he’s rammed off the road by two cops, they detain his money and refuse to give it back, as ordered by their corrupt chief. He’s left with one option: “I gotta haunt these motherf**kers myself.” Why we like it: Rebel Ridge is one of the best movies Netflix has ever released: a smart, teeth-gnawingly tense, and cathartic actioner that feels like the 21st century’s first proper answer to First Blood, with an intelligent, no-less badass lead and Johnson at his smarmiest and best. Did I put too much sauce on that? “Nah.” Words by Cameron Frew 22. The Apprentice Director: Ali Abbasi Cast: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova What it’s about: The Apprentice is an origin story about Donald Trump’s ascension up New York’s property ladder, as well as his entry into high society, all with the help of notorious lawyer Roy Cohn. Why we like it: The Apprentice announces itself as a “classic American horror story” but the movie also manages to be a disturbing cautionary tale about the dark side of the American Dream. Sebastian Stan imbues Donald Trump with just enough charm and charisma to explain his success. However, the film also posits that Roy Cohn ultimately made the man we know today, drawing a line from his words, advice, and life lessons directly to the White House. Read our The Apprentice review here. Words by Chris Tilly 21. Kinds of Kindness Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Margaret Qualley, Willem Dafoe, Hunter Schafer What it’s about: A trilogy of stories woven into one overarching thread, a man tries to take his own life, a cop’s wife returns home a different person, and a woman looks for someone supernatural. Why we like it: If you’re a fan of Lanthimos’ earlier work like Dogtooth and The Lobster, you’re going to love Kinds of Kindness. Much more grounded in reality than The Favourite and Poor Things, this triptych of tales still isn’t for the faint of heart. I actually can’t pick a favorite of the three... Stone and Plemons have clearly studied at the Tilda Swinton school of chameleonic acting. Read our Kinds of Kindness review here. Words by Jasmine Valentine 20. Maria Director: Pablo Larraín Cast: Angelina Jolie, Haluk Bilginer, Alba Rohrwacher, Kodi Smit-McPhee What it’s about: Following the final days of opera singer Maria Callas before her death, a fictional camera crew recounts her life through a tour of 1970s Paris. Why we like it: I saw this a month before writing this piece, and I still feel like I’m crying. Jolie looks to be Mikey Madison’s stiffest competition in the race for Best Actress, thanks to her emotionally eviscerating portrayal of Maria Callas. The third in his 20th-century women trilogy, Larraín is an expert at choosing a moment in time and painfully unpicking it, and the results are arguably his best of the bunch. Words by Jasmine Valentine 19. Gladiator 2 Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal What it’s about: The son of Maximus returns to the arena a decade or so after his father’s death, ready to avenge his fallen wife and take down the Roman army, all while trying to survive under the watchful eye of gladiator showman Macrinus. Why we like it: Gladiator 2 was one of my personal most anticipated movies of the year, and it didn’t disappoint. It brought Ridley back onto the good side of many waning fans and brought in some of Hollywood’s hottest current talent to make the historical drama dramatic again. No, it’s not perfect, but with the bloody violence and scheming characters, there’s an element of opera to Gladiator 2 that can’t be ignored. And that’s all without mentioning Denzel Washington, who elevates the movie to dastardly heights. Come for Paul Mescal in a tunic; stay for flesh-hungry monkeys. Read our Gladiator 2 review here. Words by Jessica Cullen 18. Blink Twice Director: Zoë Kravitz Cast: Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Alia Shawkat, Christian Slater What it’s about: Tech billionaire Slater King invites cocktail waitress Frida to join a group of friends on his private island. But what starts out as a dream vacation soon turns into a nightmare when Frida notices strange occurrences, descending into a sinister struggle for survival. Why we like it: Kravitz strikes the perfect balance of social commentary and entertainment in her directorial debut. Ultimately, Blink Twice is about abuses of power and the female experience, but it’s never preachy, instead weaving these themes into a truly suspenseful, entertaining, and trippy ride. All of this culminates in an ending you won’t see coming but will find cathartic. If nothing else, it’s the most accurate portrayal of the phenomenon all smokers will know too well: keeping track of your lighter. Read our Blink Twice review here. Words by Daisy Phillipson 17. Hit Man Director: Richard Linklater Cast: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Sanjay Rao What it’s about: Based on the true story of Gary Johnson, Hit Man follows a shy college professor who goes undercover with the New Orleans police as a fake hitman. Along the way, though, he falls in love with a prospective client, and things get very complicated very quickly. Why we like it: Despite its relatively novel premise, Hit Man feels like a triumphant throwback to the character studies of the 90s. It’s a film that embraces the weird and wonderful without needing to resort to over-the-top action or silly spectacle. Instead, it relies on the natural charm of its leading man, Glen Powell – who’s clearly having a lot of fun stretching his acting muscles (instead of just his abs) – to tell a brilliantly dark story that’s got a surprising amount of depth for a Netflix comedy. Read our Hit Man review here. Words by Tom Percival 16. Conclave Director: Edward Berger Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Carlos Diehz What it’s about: When the Pope dies, Cardinal Lawrence organizes a papal conclave to elect a new pontiff. As days pass and votes mount, candidates rise and fall under the weight of their scandals and hunger for power – but they must choose a new Holy Father, whatever it takes. Why we like it: These wannabe popes are devious contradictions; as James 1:26 says, those who do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves and their religion. But that’s part of Conclave’s unique, brilliant alchemy: its drama is divine, as tasty as a whisper, and rich as any parable. Certainty may be a sin, but this is undoubtedly a banger. Words by Cameron Frew 15. Strange Darling Director: JT Mollner Cast: Kyle Gallner, Willa Fitzgerald, Barbara Hershey What it’s about: Following a twisted one-night stand, a sick serial killer hunts his prey in a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse. Why we like it: Strange Darling does for serial murder movies what Pulp Fiction did for the crime genre, messing with chronology and hopping back and forth in time to add twists, turns, and depth to what’s ultimately a quite simple story. Writer-director JT Mollner’s ingenious approach to the material is matched by a pair of star-making turns from his leads, with Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald delivering two of 2024’s very best performances. Read our Strange Darling review here. Words by Chris Tilly 14. I Saw the TV Glow Director: Jane Schoenbrun Cast: Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine What it’s about: In 1996, Owen is entranced by The Pink Oqaque, a hazy, late-night YA series. He befriends Maddy, a troubled teen and fellow fan, but as years pass by the line between reality and fiction starts to blur as much as their sense of self. Why we like it: One of the decade’s rare, true masterpieces; a movie that reckons with the flesh-and-heart-festering fears of a generation in horrifying, singular fashion. It’s also beautiful; a haunting balm for those who’ve sought refuge in a story, a fable for those who’ve lost touch with (or over-depended on) the comfort of that obsession. As the credits rolled, I couldn’t speak, nor could I move – as the tears dried into my face, I simply saw the TV’s glow fade to black. Words by Cameron Frew 13. The First Omen Director: Arkasha Stevenson Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, Sônia Braga What it’s about: An American nun travels to an orphanage in Rome where it’s increasingly clear the Devil is at work. Why we like it: The Omen might be usurped for the best installment of its own franchise. The mystery underpinning Stevenson’s prequel is engaging, becoming ever more so as the clues arrive. Visceral, erogenous imagery pops out like intrusive thoughts, dragging us into the seedy underbelly. Something wicked isn’t coming; it’s here. Read our The First Omen review here. Words by Anthony McGlynn 12. Furiosa Director: George Miller Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke What it’s about: Years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, a young Furiosa attempts to avenge her mother’s murder at the hands of the sadistic Dementus. Why we like it: Most people went into Furiosa hoping for two things. One: a killer villain performance from Chris Hemsworth and an action-packed ride through the wasteland. Furiosa delivered both in spades. Hemsworth is a scenery-chewing antagonist for the ages, screaming and kicking and smiling his way into our memories. Furiosa’s adrenaline-fuelled race through the desert is nothing short of spectacular, following perfectly from Mad Max’s blood soaked and sandy chaos. Read our Furiosa review here. Words by Jessica Cullen 11. Twisters Director: Lee Isaac Chung Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Sasha Lane What it’s about: Retired storm chaser Kate Carter is called back into action by her old friend, who’s working on groundbreaking technology that will allow meteorologists to predict dangerous tornadoes. However, when Kate meets charismatic social media star Tyler Owens, she realizes she might not be working for the good guys. Why we like it: Twisters or Twister$, as it’s come to be known in at least one group chat I’m in, blew audiences away when it roared into theaters this summer. While many expected a cheap cash-in (myself included. Sorry, I’m a cynic at heart), the naysayers were silenced by Isaac Chung’s category-5 movie, which balanced gale force spectacle with memorable characters and a tender romance. When you combine that with Edgar-Jones and Powell’s incredible chemistry, you’ve got the perfect conditions for the storm movie of the century. If we had one complaint, it’s that Spielberg denied us that kiss! I guess it proves everyone makes mistakes. Read our Twisters review here. Words by Tom Percival 10. The Wild Robot Director: Chris Sanders Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry What it’s about: ROZZUM Unit 7134 (“Roz” for short), a domestic service robot, crash-lands on an island inhabited exclusively by animals. She struggles to find a purpose until she accidentally crushes a goose nest, leaving a single egg. Together with a lone fox, she raises the young gosling until it’s time for the migration. Why we like it: The Wild Robot made me cry not once, not twice, but thrice – it may even be DreamWorks’ best film since Shrek 2. It has the studio’s magic sauce: a jaw-dropping voice ensemble (you won’t recognize them until the credits, and then you’ll shout, ‘That was them ?’), dazzling visuals, and an irresistibly emotional story that speaks two universal, all-ages languages: love and kindness. “Sometimes to survive, we must become more than we are programmed to be.” Words by Cameron Frew 9. Woman of the Hour Director: Anna Kendrick Cast: Anna Kendrick, Daniel Zovatto, Tony Hale What it’s about: Based on the real-life TV appearance of Rodney Alcala (aka the Dating Game Killer), the film follows Cheryl Bradshaw, a young woman who finds herself on a dating show and comes face to face with an undiscovered serial killer. Why we like it: As is the case with most years, true crime was a go-to throughout 2024, with a countless supply of documentaries and horror movies surrounding killers. But Woman of the Hour was one of the most earnest and careful explorations of a real-life case yet, and Anna Kendrick’s impressive directorial debut proved she really has something to say. The case of Rodney Alcala is a lengthy and truly awful example of human nature, but Kendrick perfectly examined his character through one main event: his real-life appearance on a dating show. It’s an intense journey from start to finish but truly succeeded in giving us the scariest scene of 2024 . Read our Woman of the Hour review here. Words by Jessica Cullen 8. Deadpool & Wolverine Director: Shawn Levy Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen. What it’s about: When Deadpool learns that the TVA plans on pruning his dying timeline, the Merc’ With A Mouth goes on the hunt for the only person in the multiverse who can help him save the day: Wolverine. Why we like it: The MCU’s been in a rough spot for a while now, and Kevin Feige turned to Marvel Jesus, aka Deadpool, to save the day. Did Deadpool deliver? Did he ever! Wild, irreverent, and profane, the Merc’ With A Mouth’s first foray into the wider Marvel Universe was a resounding success and every bit as filthy and violent as its predecessors. Even better, the film performed a miracle and gave us what we’d been waiting for for over two decades: Hugh Jackman’s derriere in yellow spandex. He might not convert non-believers to the church of Marvel, but Deadpool has risen, and he’s here to save the MCU from its sins. Read our Deadpool & Wolverine review here. Words by Tom Percival 7. Anora Director: Sean Baker Cast: Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelstein, Yuriy Borisov What it’s about: A sex worker from Brooklyn meets and marries the son of a Russian oligarch, but trouble brews when his family finds out and makes it their mission to get the union annulled. Why we like it: Through his movies about sex workers and figures on the sidelines of society, it feels like writer-director Sean Baker has been working towards Anora throughout his career. The result is his most complete work to date; a beguiling character study bursting out of a wild account of young love, and a film that’s funny, tense, sad, then ultimately profound via one of 2024’s most thought-provoking endings. Words by Chris Tilly 6. Love Lies Bleeding Director: Rose Glass Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brien, Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Jena Malone What it’s about: Gym manager Lou falls head over heels for bodybuilder Jackie when she mysteriously arrives in town. However, Lou’s criminal family grabs hold, leading to more violence than love. Why we like it: Be still my lesbian heart. Remember how Wachowski’s Bound managed to infuse life-threatening crime with a happy sapphic ending? Glass manages more of the same here, only upping the visual ante. It’s full of humor, gym sweats, and psychedelic hallucinations – and she doesn’t hold back on the gore either. Personally, it’s a K Stew performance I’ll never forget. Read our Love Lies Bleeding review here. Words by Jasmine Valentine 5. Wicked Director : Jon M. Chu Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum What it’s about: A prequel (of sorts) to the Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the story of Elphaba and reveals the real reason she became the Wicked Witch of the West. Why we like it: Adapting what’s widely considered the greatest stage musical of all time was always going to be a tall order, but Jon M. Chu proved he had the heart, brains, and courage to get the job done. Technically, it’s wonderful: the music is gorgeous, the choreography intricate, and the production design immaculate (although it doesn’t always look it). Yet what really makes Wicked sing (pun intended) is Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s magical double act. The pair just have such enchanting chemistry that it’s hard not to fall under their spell and that captivating charm bleeds into the rest of the film. If you’ve been putting off seeing it, don’t because I promise you you’ll be blown away like Dorothy’s house. Read our Wicked review here Words by Tom Percival 4. The Substance Director: Coralie Fargeat Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid What it’s about: Elisabeth Sparkle is 50 years old – in showbiz, she’s past her sell-by date. However, there may be a solution: the substance, a mysterious drug that births a younger, better version of herself who immediately finds all of the fame she lost. She (well, they) just has to remember one thing: “You are one.” Why we like it: Fargeat never respects the balance, and that’s the pumped-up, pulpy beauty of The Substance; diabolically funny, disgusting, and deeply tragic, with a career-best performance from Moore, a star-certifying turn from Qualley, and Quaid at his most exquisitely despicable. Here, self-loathing and narcissism are two sides of the same coin; it’s not about the (body-)horror of aging, but rather the fragility of one’s worth, in our eyes and theirs. Read our Substance review here. Words by Cameron Frew 3. Longlegs Director: Osgood Perkins Cast: Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Alicia Witt What it’s about: FBI agent Lee Harker uses her uncanny instincts to investigate an ongoing series of strange killings by the serial killer known as Longlegs. But as she digs deeper, she finds herself more connected to the case and killer than she could have ever imagined. Why we like it: Accusations of being “overhyped” and “not scary enough” are too harsh for a movie like Longlegs. Simply put, it’s terrifying, atmospheric, and original, and that should be enough to earn its place on any best-of-the-year list. Maika Monroe is magnetic as a put-upon FBI agent, and although Cage’s appearance as Longlegs might have been overused, he completely transformed. The craft behind the movie only served to make it more tense, more disturbing, and it truly worked. It raised a lot of questions it didn’t necessarily answer, but that just makes Longlegs one of the most enigmatic and unforgettable horror movies of the year, and earned Oz Perkins a place on everyone’s radar (if he wasn’t there already). Read our Longlegs review here. Words by Jessica Cullen 2. Challengers Director: Luca Guadagnino Cast: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist What it’s about: A tennis star whose career was cut short by injury tries to end her husband’s losing streak by seeking help from her ex, who just happens to be his former best friend. Why we like it: Challengers is one of the best sports movies ever made, thanks to some pulsating tennis that puts the audience slap-bang in the middle of the matches. That athletic action is underpinned by high drama, with games on the court fuelled by a love triangle off it, between rising stars Zendaya, John O’Conner, and Mike Faist. All three of whom the camera adores. The result is the sexiest film of the year, and one of director Luca Guadagnino’s very best. Read our Challengers review here. Words by Chris Tilly 1. Terrifier 3 Director: Damien Leone Cast: David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Elliott Fullam, Samantha Scaffidi What it’s about: After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother Jonathan attempt to recover, only to be thrust back into a nightmare when Art makes his return. To make matters worse, it’s Christmas... and Art’s got his accomplice, Vicky. Why we like it: Even if you’re not a horror fan (sorry for your loss), there’s no denying the artistry that goes into creating eye-wincingly gruesome, extravagant kills in the Terrifier movies. With a bigger budget to play with, Leone’s threequel takes things up a notch, resulting in some of the grisliest scenes ever to hit the big screen. But what elevates Terrifier 3 beyond the guts and gore (and glass shards) is the heart of this chaotic circus. Art is a villain of the ages, at once a demonic killer and loveable clown; a nightmare with a wink. Thornton’s performance reaches fever pitch in this installment, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with zero dialogue. It’s for all these reasons and more that Terrifier 3 is not only the best horror of 2024 but the best movie overall (and arguably even the best Christian flick if you squint hard enough). Read our Terrifier 3 review here. Words by Daisy PhillipsonHronsky scores 13 as Duquesne defeats Old Dominion 67-54
BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — Mark Gronowski ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more and two-time defending national champion South Dakota State dominated Montana 35-18 in a second-round FCS playoff game on Saturday. While Gronowski was leading an offense that piled up 399 yards, the third-seeded Jackrabbits' defense held the 14th-seeded Grizzlies to 306 yards — but 160 came on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives after the lead reached 35-3. Adam Bock contributed a 30-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.Storage News Ticker – 26 November