In response to statements on recent verdicts by military courts, the Foreign Office (FO) on Tuesday said that the judgments were made under a law enacted by the parliament and in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. In a statement, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “Pakistan is fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations.” She said that Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law, including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). “It has remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guarantees promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.” The spokesperson added that Islamabad believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. “We remain fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus Scheme and core international human rights conventions.” The FO spokesperson said that they would continue to engage with their international partners including the European Union to uphold the international human rights law, without any discrimination and double standards. The military court last week sentenced 25 individuals involved in the attacks on state installations during the violent protests of May 9, 2023. The violent protests broke out after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was taken into custody in a graft case. In turn, scores of party workers were arrested and more than 100 civilians are facing military trials. However, the Khan-founded party maintained that it had no role in the incidents involving military installations, including the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ), and has called for a judicial probe into last year's events. Following the verdict, the European Union, United Kingdom and the United States expressed concerns over the recent sentencing of civilians by the military courts. Earlier today, the US expressed "deep concern" over the conviction of 25 civilians in a military tribunal in Pakistan, claiming the military courts lacked judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees. In a brief statement issued today, US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Washington continued to call on Pakistani authorities to "respect" the right to a fair trial and due process, as enshrined in the country's constitution. The UK also urged the federal government to uphold its obligations under the ICCPR. "Military courts lack transparency, independent scrutiny and undermine the right to a fair trial," a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said in a statement issued on Monday. However, the spokesperson said, the UK respects Pakistan’s sovereignty over its own legal proceedings. The EU was the first to react on the matter, expressing concern over the sentencing of 25 accused by a military court, saying that the verdicts were seen as inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the ICCPR. "In line with article 14 of ICCPR, every person is entitled to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and has the right to adequate and effective legal representation," said a statement issued by the EU's European External Action Service. Furthermore, it said, article 14 also stipulates that any "judgement rendered in a criminal case shall be made public". Under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, have voluntarily agreed to implement effectively 27 international core conventions — including the ICCPR — in order to continue benefitting from GSP+ status, the statement added.
Torsten Asmus Empire Petroleum ( NYSE: EP ) addressed its liquidity via its $10 million subscription rights offering and a $10 million increase to its revolving credit facility. This takes care of its working capital deficit (which was approximately $15 million at Free Trial Offer We are currently offering a free two-week trial to Distressed Value Investing . Join our community to receive exclusive research about various companies and other opportunities along with full access to my portfolio of historic research that now includes over 1,000 reports on over 100 companies. Note: The free trial offer is valid only for people who have not subscribed to Distressed Value Investing previously. Distressed Value Investing Learn more>> 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.
Who is Kash Patel, Trump's pick to lead the FBI?
By Joe Buscaglia, Tim Graham, Zack Rosenblatt and RJ Kraft The Buffalo Bills secured the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs with a 40-14 win over the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on Sunday. Quarterback Josh Allen had three touchdowns (one rushing and two passing) — the last of which was an across-the-field throw to rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, backup Mitchell Trubisky played for Allen, who sat for the entirety of the quarter with Buffalo in command of the game. Advertisement Running back James Cook added his league-leading 15th rushing touchdown in the blowout win. The Bills defense forced three turnovers, notched a safety and sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers four times. Rodgers had a forgettable game with season lows in passing yards (112) and QB rating (44.0) and was also flagged for unnecessary roughness on his second interception before giving way to backup Tyrod Taylor in the fourth quarter. Rodgers remains one touchdown short of 500 for his career. Defensive back Sauce Gardner did not return in the second half with a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson went over 1,000 receiving yards for the third straight season and is the first Jets player to have three such campaigns in his first three years. The Bills (13-3) travel to the New England Patriots to close the regular season, while the Jets (4-12) host the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. Josh Allen adds to MVP case Buffalo exploited a disintegrating opponent to break more team records in the 16th game, calibrating with Allen’s previous campaigns and the franchise’s great offenses of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Allen’s scrambly, gorgeous, 14-yard strike to leaping rookie Keon Coleman late in the third quarter gave the Bills a 33-0 lead and a record 61 touchdowns and 502 points this season, one more point than they scored four years ago. Before Allen arrived in 2018, the club scoring record was 458 points in 1991, Buffalo’s second of four straight Super Bowl seasons. By the game’s end Sunday, Buffalo had 62 touchdowns and 509 points for the season. Josh Allen throws across the field for the TD to Coleman! 📺: #NYJvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+ 📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/XEMD52SiS6 — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 Allen bolstered his MVP case, going 16-of-27 for 182 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions, fumbles or sacks. He ran five times for 17 yards and his 65th rushing TD tied Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas for most career rushing touchdowns in franchise history. Trubisky relieved Allen at the start of the fourth quarter and connected with practice-squad call-up Tyrell Shavers on a 69-yard touchdown. It marked Shavers’ first NFL touch and gave Buffalo its 13th touchdown catcher, an NFL record. — Tim Graham, senior writer Advertisement What securing the No. 2 seed means for Buffalo The Bills made it abundantly clear throughout the week of practice that they wanted to secure the AFC’s No. 2 seed this weekend. Although it was slow going in the first half, the Bills scored on four straight second-half possessions to go up 40-0. Now, with the No. 2 seed locked in for the postseason, the Bills have guaranteed themselves at least two home playoff games should they advance past the wild-card round while maintaining the best chance to host the AFC Championship Game should the No. 1-seeded Kansas City Chiefs falter in the divisional round. On top of that, the Bills will have the flexibility to rest several key starters in Week 18 when they face the Patriots. It would serve as a bye week of sorts heading into the wild-card round, which helps take some of the sting out of missing the AFC’s top spot. — Joe Buscaglia, Bills beat writer Bills’ defense makes a statement The Bills’ defense kept it interesting at times, but after three conspicuous games of struggles in a row, they offered a statement game against the Jets. Early in the game, it was all about their cliché bend-but-don’t-break style, pushing aside two solid Jets offensive drives that resulted in turnovers. The first was getting a stop on fourth-and-1 while in Bills territory, and the second was a tipped pass picked off by a standing-in-place defensive tackle. The ensuing Jets drive was a safety to give the Bills a 9-0 lead, and Buffalo disarmed New York’s offense the rest of the way. First career safety for @ajepenesa24 ! 📺: @paramountplus & @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/chxIbwv5VC — Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 29, 2024 In the second half, the Bills provided constant pressure, brought Rodgers down three times, got an interception from top cornerback Christian Benford and forced a Wilson fumble on the first play of a drive to put the Bills on the doorstep of points. The Bills’ defense certainly has lingering questions as they prepare to face more potent offenses in the playoffs, but this was the best feel-good performance they could have. — Buscaglia Advertisement Rest vs. rust debate ahead of postseason With Buffalo’s seeding secured, the Bills can rest players however they wish for next Sunday’s meaningless finale in Gillette Stadium. Allen might start to preserve his streak of 114 starts, including playoffs, but there’s no point in playing beyond that. Thus begins the annual rest versus rust debate. The Bills have some key players who have returned recently from injuries and could use some quality reps to prepare for the postseason, but will coach Sean McDermott risk it? Most notably, former All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano hasn’t looked crisp, although he did record five tackles, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery against the Jets. He suffered a biceps injury this summer while working back from last year’s broken leg. Buffalo’s secondary also has been playing with a revolving cast lately. While cornerback Rasul Douglas returned after missing two games with a knee injury, safety Damar Hamlin was sidelined a third straight time with a rib injury. — Graham Rough day for Aaron Rodgers Rodgers desperately wanted to get his 500th touchdown pass. Instead, he was benched to start the fourth quarter in one of the worst games of his career. He threw two interceptions, one on a tipped pass in the red zone targeting Davante Adams and another on a thrown ball targeting Allen Lazard. Rodgers finished 12-of-18 passing for 112 yards and zero touchdowns — a performance that will survive as a footnote to one of the most disappointing seasons in Jets history. It’s fair to wonder whether Rodgers should play in Week 18 — interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said after Sunday’s game that he anticipates Rodgers playing. Taylor, who might be the Jets starter in 2025, engineered two fourth-quarter touchdown drives. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets beat writer Jets’ disastrous season is nearly over The rest of the Jets appear to be already looking toward the offseason in one of the worst, low-effort performances they have had in recent memory. The league’s most penalized team added 16 more for 120 yards. The Jets mustered only 148 yards of offense before Rodgers was taken out of the game — and turned it over a third time on a bad fumble from Wilson. The Jets have just one more game left, and then the most positive development of their season will come to pass: It will be over. — Rosenblatt Required reading (Photo: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images )Q&A: Mina Kimes' 'Christmas gift' is talking NFL all day on Netflix — and hopefully no glitching
Oregon State inside linebacker Isaiah Chisom announced Tuesday that he’s transferring to UCLA. Chisom is the fourth Beaver from the 2024 roster to complete a transfer, and second headed to UCLA, joining cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. The four OSU transfers who have found new schools all landed at Power 4 programs – Chisom, Jordan, Melvin Jordan IV (Georgia Tech), Luka Vincic (Michigan State). Chisom, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, went into the transfer portal on December 13 . Chisom reportedly visited UCLA five days later. Chisom was Oregon State second-leading tackler, behind safety Skyler Thomas, with 75 tackles, including five for losses. Chisom posted a season-high 11 stops against Air Force on November 16. OSU lost its two starting inside linebackers to the transfer portal in Chisom and Melvin Jordan IV. Chisom started 11 games during the 2024 season. The top inside linebackers returning for Oregon State next season are Dexter Foster and Aiden Sullivan. The Beavers recently picked up USC transfer Raesjon Davis. Earlier in December, OSU signed incoming freshman Jeremiah Ioane. -- Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel . Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com .By Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse A recent survey conducted by the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey highlights the influence of the recent U.S. elections on Americans’ international travel plans for 2025. The findings show a mix of enthusiasm and caution among travelers regarding their future global itineraries. Approximately 30% of respondents indicated they expect to increase their international trips next year, while 7% foresee scaling back on foreign travel. However, the majority — 55% — anticipate no significant changes to their plans despite the election outcome. The reasons behind increased international travel are varied. Some respondents cited dissatisfaction with the election results as a driving factor, expressing a strong desire to spend more time abroad. One traveler remarked, “I want to spend as much time as possible outside the U.S. over the next four years.” For others, optimism about a potential post-election economic boost played a pivotal role. “The economy should show signs of improvement, and if the new administration can make peace deals around the world, then travel will be as good or better next year,” shared another participant. Related Articles Conversely, those who reported no change in their travel plans pointed to stable financial conditions. With inflation at its lowest point in three years, many travelers have already secured their 2025 travel arrangements. “I have a general feeling of being better off and secure. I anticipate increased disposable income available, and I’m already booked for 2025,” stated one respondent. Economic factors appear to be bolstering travel confidence overall. Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member, explained: “With inflation at a three-year low, fewer travelers are canceling or postponing trips. In 2024, travelers embarked on their long-postponed dreams of global travel, fueled by a stabilizing economy and a renewed focus on meaningful experiences over material possessions.” Still, a small proportion of respondents (7%) plan to travel less internationally in the coming year, citing personal safety concerns tied to the U.S. elections. “The change of U.S. administration makes me more apprehensive about being in a foreign country with the risk of anger and animosity toward Americans being higher,” one participant admitted. Others attributed their hesitance to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts and terrorist threats worldwide. ©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
That game had everything. Underdog Boise State took a 28-10 lead over one of college football's blue bloods that was followed by a 25-point Sooners run capped by what could have been a back-breaking interception return for a touchdown with 1:02 left. Then the Broncos used three trick plays that remain sensations to not only force overtime but win 43-42. And then there was the marriage proposal by Boise State running back Ian Johnson — shortly after scoring the winning two-point play — to cheerleader Chrissy Popadics that was accepted on national TV. That game put Broncos football on the national map for most fans, but looking back 18 years later, Petersen sees it differently. "Everybody wants to talk about that Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl game, which is great how it all worked out and all those things," Petersen said. "But we go back to play TCU (three years later) again on the big stage. It's not as flashy a game, but to me, that was an even better win." Going back to the Fiesta Bowl and winning, Petersen reasoned, showed the Broncos weren't a splash soon to fade away, that there was something longer lasting and more substantive happening on the famed blue turf. The winning has continued with few interruptions. No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for another trip to the Fiesta Bowl, this time in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year's Eve. That success has continued through a series of coaches, though with a lot more of a common thread than readily apparent. Dirk Koetter was hired from Oregon, where Petersen was the wide receivers coach. Not only did Koetter bring Petersen with him to Oregon, Petersen introduced him to Dan Hawkins, who also was hired for the staff. So the transition from Koetter to Hawkins to Petersen ensured at least some level of consistency. Koetter and Hawkins engineered double-digit victory seasons five times over a six-year span that led to power-conference jobs. Koetter went to Arizona State after three seasons and Hawkins to Colorado after five. Then when Petersen became the coach after the 2005 season, he led Boise State to double-digit wins his first seven seasons and made bowls all eight years. He resisted the temptation to leave for a power-conference program until Washington lured him away toward the end of the 2013 season. Then former Boise State quarterback and offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin took over and posted five double-digit victory seasons over his first six years. After going 5-2 during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he left for Auburn. "They just needed consistency of leadership," said Koetter, who is back as Boise State's offensive coordinator. "This program had always won at the junior-college level, the Division II level, the I-AA (now FCS) level." But Koetter referred to "an unfortunate chain of events" that made Boise State a reclamation project when he took over in 1998. Coach Pokey Allen led Boise State to the Division I-AA national championship game in 1994, but was diagnosed with cancer two days later. He died on Dec. 30, 1996, at 53. Allen coached the final two games that season, Boise State's first in Division I-A (now FBS). Houston Nutt became the coach in 1997, went 4-7 and headed to Arkansas. Then Koetter took over. "One coach dies and the other wasn't the right fit for this program," Koetter said. "Was a really good coach, did a lot of good things, but just wasn't a good fit for here." But because of Boise State's success at the lower levels, Koetter said the program was set up for success. "As Boise State has risen up the conference food chain, they've pretty much always been at the top from a player talent standpoint," Koetter said. "So it was fairly clear if we got things headed in the right direction and did a good job recruiting, we would be able to win within our conference for sure." Success didn't take long. He went 6-5 in 1998 and then won 10 games each of the following two seasons. Hawkins built on that winning and Petersen took it to another level. But there is one season, really one game, no really one half that still bugs Petersen. He thought his best team was in 2010, one that entered that late-November game at Nevada ranked No. 3 and had a legitimate chance to play for the national championship. The Colin Kaepernick-led Wolf Pack won 34-31. "I think the best team that I might've been a part of as the head coach was the team that lost one game to Nevada," Petersen said. "That team, to me, played one poor half of football on offense the entire season. We were winning by a bunch at half (24-7) and we came out and did nothing on offense in the second half and still had a chance to win. "That team would've done some damage." There aren't any what-ifs with this season's Boise State team. The Broncos are in the field of the first 12-team playoff, representing the Group of Five as its highest-ranked conference champion. That got Boise State a bye into the quarterfinals. Spencer Danielson has restored the championship-level play after taking over as the interim coach late last season during a rare downturn that led to Andy Avalos' dismissal. Danielson received the job full time after leading Boise State to the Mountain West championship. Now the Broncos are 12-1 with their only defeat to top-ranked and No. 1 seed Oregon on a last-second field goal. Running back Ashton Jeanty also was the runner-up to the Heisman Trophy. "Boise State has been built on the backs of years and years of success way before I got here," Danielson said. "So even this season is not because of me. It's because the group of young men wanted to leave a legacy, be different. We haven't been to the Fiesta Bowl in a decade. They said in January, 'We're going to get that done.' They went to work." As was the case with Danielson, Petersen and Koetter said attracting top talent is the primary reason Boise State has succeeded all these years. Winning, obviously, is the driving force, and with more entry points to the playoffs, the Broncos could make opportunities to keep returning to the postseason a selling point. But there's also something about the blue carpet. Petersen said he didn't get what it was about when he arrived as an assistant coach, and there was some talk about replacing it with more conventional green grass. A poll in the Idaho Statesman was completely against that idea, and Petersen has come to appreciate what that field means to the program. "It's a cumulative period of time where young kids see big-time games when they're in seventh and eighth and ninth and 10th grade and go, 'Oh, I know that blue turf. I want to go there,'" Petersen said.Nordstrom ( NYSE:JWN – Free Report ) had its price objective increased by UBS Group from $13.00 to $14.50 in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a sell rating on the specialty retailer’s stock. Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Barclays upgraded Nordstrom from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $18.00 to $23.00 in a report on Thursday, September 5th. KeyCorp cut shares of Nordstrom from an “overweight” rating to a “sector weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 26th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Nordstrom from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Nordstrom from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Nordstrom from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Nordstrom presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $21.29. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Nordstrom Nordstrom Price Performance Nordstrom ( NYSE:JWN – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 26th. The specialty retailer reported $0.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.11. Nordstrom had a negative net margin of 1.57% and a negative return on equity of 18.04%. The firm had revenue of $3.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.34 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.25 earnings per share. Nordstrom’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Nordstrom will post 1.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Nordstrom Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. Nordstrom’s payout ratio is presently 48.41%. Insider Activity In other Nordstrom news, COO Alexis Depree sold 20,000 shares of Nordstrom stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.20, for a total transaction of $464,000.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 169,331 shares in the company, valued at $3,928,479.20. The trade was a 10.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . 5.78% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nordstrom A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Nordstrom by 29.9% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 50,294 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $1,152,000 after purchasing an additional 11,583 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Nordstrom by 47.8% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 17,602 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $396,000 after purchasing an additional 5,690 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Nordstrom by 160.9% in the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 51,071 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,187,000 after purchasing an additional 31,498 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nordstrom in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $451,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Nordstrom by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,625,616 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $36,570,000 after buying an additional 5,407 shares during the period. 88.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Nordstrom Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Nordstrom, Inc, a fashion retailer, provides apparels, shoes, beauty, accessories, and home goods for women, men, young adults, and children. It offers a range of brand-name and private-label merchandise through various channels, such as Nordstrom branded stores and online at Nordstrom.com; Nordstrom.ca; Nordstrom stores; Nordstrom Rack stores; Nordstrom Locals; ASOS; Nordstromrack.com; mobile application; and clearance stores under the Last Chance name. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nordstrom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nordstrom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Cal Baptist makes cross-country trip to battle Darius Johnson, UCF
BENSALEM, Pa. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against WM Technology, Inc. ("WM Technology" or the "Company") MAPS . Class Period: May 25, 2021 – September 24, 2024 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: December 16, 2024 Investors suffering losses on their WM Technology investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 215-638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com . The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company, in allowing a key financial metric to be manipulated, did not maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting; and (2) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire , of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith , 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com , or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com . This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contacts Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Howard G. Smith, Esquire 215-638-4847 howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com www.howardsmithlaw.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maps-investors-have-opportunity-to-lead-wm-technology-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302319954.html SOURCE Law Offices of Howard G. Smith © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The former Picture Palace is the 26th historic building in Prescot town centre to benefit from restoration work as part of Knowsley Council’s wider regeneration programme for the town. The Grade II listed building is a rare example of its type and was one of the earliest cine-variety houses in the country. The expert restoration work focussed on the exterior of the building and was carried out by Knowsley Council with support from Purcell, specialist conservation-accredited architects. Historical photographs were used to help recreate some of the original design features, which were created in the flamboyant Edwardian Neo-Baroque style. This has all helped to bring the building back to its former splendour. READ > Works to major M62 junction to cause 'unavoidable delays' The work has been funded jointly by Historic England and Knowsley Council as part of the Prescot Heritage Action Zone project. The work includes: Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development said: “The restoration of the former Prescot Picture Palace building is the single biggest project the council has undertaken as part of our successful High Street Heritage Action Zone project here in Prescot. "The architectural heritage and cultural history of this iconic building is incomparable, and I am delighted that we have been able to safeguard this building and its heritage for many more years to come.” A picture taken inside Prescot Picture Palace in 2021 (Image: Stock) Associate Architect at Purcell, Jane Roylance added: “We are proud to have contributed to the conservation of the Grade II listed Prescot Picture Palace, a much-loved icon of Knowsley’s heritage, which has carefully restored the building’s original features. The works form the first phase of the building’s regeneration which will secure its future for generations to come.” Historic England’s Julie Griffiths said: “We’re delighted to see this historic gem in the heart of Prescot now fully restored and ready for a new use. This is testament to the hard work of Knowsley Council, local people and expert contractors who’ve worked together to make this happen.” The former Prescot Picture Palace Cinema at 8-14 Kemble Street was established in 1912. The Prescot Picture Palace Company Ltd purchased number 12 to 14 Kemble Street (a pair of amalgamated C19 town houses) and plans were approved by the Urban District Council for their conversion into a cine-variety theatre in September of that year. At its opening it was described as presenting a palatial appearance and ‘quite luxurious’ with the theatre seating 630 customers, which increased with the addition of a balcony around 1913. The U-shaped balcony, carried on ten pairs of columns, was accessed by a central L-shaped staircase off the foyer. The Picture Palace served as a picture-drome, music-hall and Variety Theatre. It was operated as part of the J F Emery Circuit by 1923, renamed ‘Palace Cinema’ in 1927, and equipped with a British Thomson-Houston (BTH) sound system by 1929. In 1957 the cinema closed, and the building became a carpet and furniture warehouse. The plan form remained unchanged until the mid-1970s, although the 1920s cinema seating was removed from the auditorium and stored in the upper floors. Around 1975 former shops (8-10 Kemble St) were purchased by Tudor Bingo and incorporated into the cinema building. Number 8 was a purpose-built early-C20 shop, with an Edwardian shopfront to the ground and first floor, and Number 10 a former C19 house converted to a shop. Both shop frontages were boarded up and modifications included the creation of internal access between the newly purchased buildings and the former cinema, and the removal of the cinema entrance entablature for a fascia sign. A flat roof extension was added to the rear of numbers 8-10 and another at the south end of the auditorium’s east elevation. Internally the east arm of the balcony was extended to the south end of the auditorium, over the stage and beneath the proscenium arch. Coral Bingo took over the bingo club in the late 1980s and established a social club, with the loss of the shop front to number 10 for the insertion of two ground floor windows. In 1995 the buildings were purchased by Prescot Community Church (an Elim Pentecostal Congregation), who remained in residence until 2021. Knowsley Council acquired the building in 2021, and the revival of the building is the single largest project of Prescot’s High Street Heritage Action Zone project, jointly funded by Knowsley Council and Historic England. Prescot was selected as one of the 68 high streets to benefit from the High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme in 2020. The £3.1 million heritage-led regeneration programme has seen major investment from Knowsley Council and Historic England into a number of key projects in Prescot town centre.
Tom Phillips, Hamilton Pullman Hotel and Te Kūiti baby death: The big stories of June 2024
Washington: Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as US president struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, the Carter Centre said. He was 100. Former US President Jimmy Carter in 1993. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” A Democrat, he served as president from January 1977 to January 1981 after defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 US election. Carter was swept from office four years later in an electoral landslide as voters embraced Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, the former actor and California governor. Carter lived longer after his term in office than any other US president. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a better former president than he was a president - a status he readily acknowledged. His one-term presidency was marked by the highs of the 1978 Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt, bringing some stability to the Middle East. But it was dogged by an economy in recession, persistent unpopularity and the embarrassment of the Iran hostage crisis that consumed his final 444 days in office. Former president Jimmy Carter celebrating his 85th birthday at the reopening of the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in 2009. Credit: David Whitley/The Carter Centre In recent years, Carter had experienced several health issues including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. Carter decided to receive hospice care in February 2023 instead of undergoing additional medical intervention. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on November 19, 2023, at age 96. He looked frail when he attended her memorial service and funeral in a wheelchair. Carter left office profoundly unpopular but worked energetically for decades on humanitarian causes. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in recognition of his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter had been a centrist as governor of Georgia with populist tendencies when he moved into the White House as the 39th US president. He was a Washington outsider at a time when America was still reeling from the Watergate scandal that led Republican Richard Nixon to resign as president in 1974 and elevated Ford from vice president. “I’m Jimmy Carter and I’m running for president. I will never lie to you,” Carter promised with an ear-to-ear smile. Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter pictured at an NFL football game in 2018. Credit: AP Asked to assess his presidency, Carter said in a 1991 documentary: “The biggest failure we had was a political failure. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a forceful and strong leader.” Despite his difficulties in office, Carter had few rivals for accomplishments as a former president. He gained global acclaim as a tireless human rights advocate, a voice for the disenfranchised and a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty, winning the respect that eluded him in the White House. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote human rights and resolve conflicts around the world, from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Bosnia and Haiti. His Carter Centre in Atlanta sent international election-monitoring delegations to polls around the world. A Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher since his teens, Carter brought a strong sense of morality to the presidency, speaking openly about his religious faith. He also sought to take some pomp out of an increasingly imperial presidency - walking, rather than riding in a limousine, in his 1977 inauguration parade. Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, left, President Jimmy Carter, center, and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat begin their second day of peace talks at Camp David, Maryland. Credit: AP The Middle East was the focus of Carter’s foreign policy. The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, based on the 1978 Camp David accords, ended a state of war between the two neighbours. Carter brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for talks. Later, as the accords seemed to be unravelling, Carter saved the day by flying to Cairo and Jerusalem for personal shuttle diplomacy. The treaty provided for Israeli withdrawal from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and establishment of diplomatic relations. Begin and Sadat each won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. By the 1980 election, the overriding issues were double-digit inflation, interest rates that exceeded 20 per cent and soaring petrol prices, as well as the Iran hostage crisis that brought humiliation to America. These issues marred Carter’s presidency and undermined his chances of winning a second term. Hostage crisis On November 4, 1979, revolutionaries devoted to Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, seized the Americans present and demanded the return of the ousted shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was backed by the United States and was being treated in a US hospital. The first day of occupation of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979 shows US hostages being paraded by their militant Iranian captors. Credit: Getty Images The American public initially rallied behind Carter. But his support faded in April 1980 when a commando raid failed to rescue the hostages, with eight US soldiers killed in an aircraft accident in the Iranian desert. Carter’s final ignominy was that Iran held the 52 hostages until minutes after Reagan took his oath of office on January 20, 1981, to replace Carter, then released the planes carrying them to freedom. In another crisis, Carter protested the former Soviet Union’s 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He also asked the US Senate to defer consideration of a major nuclear arms accord with Moscow. Unswayed, the Soviets remained in Afghanistan for a decade. Carter won narrow Senate approval in 1978 of a treaty to transfer the Panama Canal to the control of Panama despite critics who argued the waterway was vital to American security. He also completed negotiations on full US ties with China. Carter created two new US Cabinet departments - education and energy. Amid high petrol prices, he said America’s “energy crisis” was “the moral equivalent of war” and urged the country to embrace conservation. “Ours is the most wasteful nation on earth,” he told Americans in 1977. In 1979, Carter delivered what became known as his “malaise” speech to the nation, although he never used that word. “After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America,” he said in his televised address. “The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. “The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America.” As president, the strait-laced Carter was embarrassed by the behaviour of his hard-drinking younger brother, Billy Carter, who had boasted: “I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer.” Ronald Reagan Jimmy Carter withstood a challenge from Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination but was politically diminished heading into his general election battle against a vigorous Republican adversary. Reagan, the conservative who projected an image of strength, kept Carter off balance during their debates before the November 1980 election. Jimmy Carter, left, and Ronald Reagan shake hands before their presidential debate in 1980. Credit: AP Reagan dismissively told Carter, “There you go again,” when the Republican challenger felt the president had misrepresented Reagan’s views during one debate. Carter lost the 1980 election to Reagan, who won 44 of the 50 states and amassed an Electoral College landslide. From Georgia James Earl Carter Jr. was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, one of four children of a farmer and shopkeeper. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1946, served in the nuclear submarine program and left to manage the family peanut farming business. He married his wife, Rosalynn, in 1946, a union he called “the most important thing in my life.” They had three sons and a daughter. Carter became a millionaire, a Georgia state legislator and Georgia’s governor from 1971 to 1975. He mounted an underdog bid for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination, and out-hustled his rivals for the right to face Ford in the general election. With Walter Mondale as his vice presidential running mate, Carter was given a boost by a major Ford gaffe during one of their debates. Ford said that “there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and there never will be under a Ford administration,” despite decades of just such domination. Carter edged Ford in the election, even though Ford actually won more states - 27 to Carter’s 23. Not all of Carter’s post-presidential work was appreciated. Former president George W. Bush and his father, former president George H.W. Bush, both Republicans, were said to have been displeased by Carter’s freelance diplomacy in Iraq and elsewhere. Reuters Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Vale Jimmy Carter US politics Most Viewed in World Loading
CMS Releases CY 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Proposed RuleThe 37th Kerala Science Congress will be held at Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Vellanikkara, Thrissur, from February 7 to 10. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event at KAU on February 8. Organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment, the conclave will bring together scientists, researchers, academic experts, and policy makers to discuss the latest advances in science and technology and emerging trends. The theme of this year’s science congress is ‘Technological transformation for a green future.’ A science expo will be a highlight of the event. Minister for Revenue K. Rajan will inaugurate the expo on February 7. Nearly 100 stalls including those of the ISRO, Defence department’s research organisations, ICAR, and CSIR and other prominent industries, will be set up at the expo. Papers on problems and challenges faced by Thrissur district and scientific and technological interventions to address them will be presented at the congress. Prizes will be available for teams comprising youth from the State in the 15-25 age group. A host of lectures by eminent scientists will be another highlight. Lectures on the focal theme, a science forum for postgraduate students, an interaction with scientists for schoolchildren, an award ceremony and felicitation for start-ups and entrepreneurs, and a start-up conclave will be held as part of the science congress. For details on the event and registration, visit ksc.kerala.gov.in Published - November 30, 2024 06:54 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
Vance takes on a more visible transition role as he works to boost Trump's most controversial picksPaul Bradbury/OJO Images via Getty Images I discussed how Zebra Technologies Corporation's ( NASDAQ: ZBRA ) long-term growth drivers lie in digitalization and automation trends in my previous “Buy” rating in September 2024. Zebra delivered a strong Q3 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.