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US stocks mostly rose Friday after a report showed a healthy jobs market, and Paris rallied as President Emmanuel Macron vowed to serve out his full term and end France's political crisis. Oil fell on concerns of oversupply and Bitcoin held at a level over $100,000 after hitting records Thursday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.US announces nearly $1 bn in new military aid for Ukraine
Preview: FC Twente vs. Union SG - prediction, team news, lineupsIdaho US senator says ‘jury’s still out’ on how to handle women serving in military combat
Warren Buffett Updates Plans To Give Away His $147 Billion Fortune: 'Father Time Always Wins'Alpine skiing-'Solid start' as Vonn returns to competition487 Tons of NOx Emissions Reduced, 93% to Benefit Environmental Justice Areas DIAMOND BAR, Calif. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) Governing Board approved more than $109 million to accelerate the development of zero-emission charging and hydrogen infrastructure. This funding will deliver heavy-duty electric chargers and hydrogen refueling stations along critical trade corridors, including the San Pedro Bay Ports and major freeways, with a strong focus on environmental justice communities. Once completed, the projects will reduce approximately 487 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and seven tons of particulate matter annually, improving air quality for the region's most impacted areas. Of the 30 projects, 12 are located within Assembly Bill (AB) 617 communities, with 93% of the emissions reductions directly benefiting underserved areas. Key infrastructure developments include 21 electric charging stations equipped with more than 800 connectors and fast chargers for heavy-duty trucks and seven hydrogen refueling stations, including a flagship location at California State University, Los Angeles , dedicated to workforce training and community education. "These investments provide critical support needed for heavy-duty vehicle fleet owners to embrace cleaner technologies," said Vanessa Delgado , South Coast AQMD's Governing Board Chair. "By prioritizing projects like these, we're not just addressing pollution, but also ensuring equitable access to the benefits of a zero-emission future." In December 2023 , South Coast AQMD launched a solicitation for zero-emission infrastructure proposals under its Carl Moyer Program and received nearly $400 million in applications, demonstrating the demand for zero emission heavy duty trucks and other equipment. Projects, in part, were selected based on their ability to deliver public access, cost-effectiveness and maximum impact on the South Coast Air Basin's air quality. Additionally, the initiative is fostering collaborations with school districts like Los Angeles Unified and Moreno Valley Unified to advance the adoption of zero-emission school buses. The California State University of Los Angeles hydrogen station will not only serve fuel cell vehicles but also educate and train the next generation on hydrogen technology. For more information on the awarded projects, please visit https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/Agendas/Governing-Board/2024/2024-dec6-004.pdf?sfvrsn=2 South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles , Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. For news, air quality alerts, event updates and more, please visit us at www.aqmd.gov , download our award-winning app, or follow us on Facebook , X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram . MEDIA CONTACT: Nahal Mogharabi , (909) 396-3773, Cell: (909) 837-2431 Connie Villanueva (909) 396-2409, Cell: (909) 215-5601 press@aqmd.gov View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/south-coast-aqmd-awards-109-million-to-advance-zero-emission-infrastructure-in-underserved-communities-302325264.html SOURCE SOUTH COAST AQMD © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Players Era Festival organizers betting big NIL is future of college tourneys
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Attorneys for Fox Corp. asked a Delaware judge Friday to dismiss a shareholder lawsuit seeking to hold current and former company officials personally liable for the financial fallout stemming from Fox News reports regarding alleged vote rigging in the 2020 election. Five New York City public employee pension funds, along with Oregon’s public employee retirement fund, allege that former chairman Rupert Murdoch and other Fox Corp. leaders deliberately turned a blind eye to liability risks posed by reporting false claims of vote rigging by election technology companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic USA. Smartmatic is suing Fox News for defamation in New York, alleging damages of $2.7 billion. It recently settled a lawsuit in the District of Columbia against One America News Network, another conservative outlet, over reports of vote fraud. Dominion also filed several defamation lawsuits against those who spread conspiracy theories blaming its election equipment for Donald Trump’s loss in 2020. Last year, Fox News settled a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion in Delaware for $787 million. The shareholder plaintiffs also allege that Fox corporate leaders ignored “red flags” about liability arising from a 2017 report suggesting that Seth Rich, a Democratic National Committee staffer, may have been killed because he had leaked Democratic party emails to Wikileaks during the 2016 presidential campaign. Rich, 27, was shot in 2016 in Washington, D.C., in what authorities have said was an attempted robbery. Fox News retracted the Seth Rich story a week after its initial broadcast, but Rich’s parents sued the network for falsely portraying their son as a criminal and traitor. Fox News settled the lawsuit in 2020 for “millions of dollars,” shortly before program hosts Lou Dobbs and Sean Hannity were to be deposed, according to the shareholder lawsuit. Joel Friedlander, an attorney for the institutional shareholders, argued that Fox officials waited until the company’s reporting about Rich became a national scandal before addressing the issue. Similarly, according to the shareholders, corporate officials, including Rupert Murdoch and his son, CEO Lachlan Murdoch, allowed Fox News to continue broadcasting false narratives about the 2020 election, despite internal communications suggesting that they knew there was no evidence to support the conspiracy theories. “The Murdochs could have minimized future monetary exposure, but they chose not to,” Friedlander said. Instead, he argued, they engaged in “bad-faith decision making” with other defendants in a profit-driven effort to retain viewers and remain in Trump’s good graces. “Decisions were made at the highest level to promote pro-Trump conspiracy theories without editorial control,” Friedlander said. Defense attorneys argue that the case should be dismissed because the plaintiffs filed their lawsuit without first demanding that the Fox Corp. board take action, as required under Delaware law. They say the plaintiffs also failed to demonstrate that a pre-suit demand on the Fox board would have been futile because at least half of the directors face a substantial likelihood of liability or are not independent of someone who does. Beyond the “demand futility” issue, defense attorneys also argue that allegations that Fox officials breached their fiduciary duties fail to meet the pleading standards under Delaware and therefore should be dismissed. Defense attorney William Savitt argued, for example, that neither the Rich settlement, which he described as “immaterial,” nor the allegedly defamatory statements about Dominion and Smartmatic constitute red flags putting directors on notice about the risk of defamation liability. Nor do they demonstrate that directors acted in bad faith or that Fox “utterly failed” to implement and monitor a system to report and mitigate legal risks, including defamation liability risk, according to the defendants. Savitt noted that the Rich article was promptly retracted, and that the settlement included no admission of liability. The Dominion and Smartmatic statements, meanwhile, gave rise themselves to the currently liability issues and therefore can not serve as red flags about future liability risks, according to the defendants. “A ‘red flag’ must be what the term commonly implies — warning of a risk of a liability-causing event that allows the directors to take action to avert the event, not notice that a liability-causing event has already occurred,” defense attorneys wrote in their motion to dismiss. Defense attorneys also say there are no factual allegations to support claims that Fox officials condoned illegal conduct in pursuit of corporate profits, or that they deliberately ignored their oversight responsibilities. They note that a “bad outcome” is not sufficient to demonstrate “bad faith.” Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster is expected to rule within 90 days.
Into the earthSupporters and members of Melbourne’s large Jewish population have gathered for a vigil at the site of a burnt out synagogue. The ultra-Orthodox temple was firebombed and significantly damaged about 4am on Friday by what police suspect was a trio of young men or possibly teenagers. Two worshippers were in the temple at the time; there were no major injuries but a Jewish man who fled when a window was smashed burnt his hand on a door. Millions of dollars of holy texts, handwritten Torah scrolls, artefacts and furniture were destroyed or badly damaged. Flowers and messages of support have been laid at the site in the days since the attack, and on Sunday morning a vigil was held. About 300 hundred people gathered in a park near the synagogue, with many people draped in Israel flags and many others wearing traditional clothing signifying their Judaism. Attending media report a relatively high spirit among the crowd - given the circumstances -including singing and chanting. Former federal Liberal Party deputy leader Josh Frydenberg was in attendance but did not speak to the crowd. Local federal Labor MP Josh Burns took to the stage and received some jeers, but was defended state Liberal MP David Southwick. After the 45-minute gathering, people continued to place flowers on the temporary fencing surrounding the badly burnt temple. In the wake of the attack on Friday, the Prime Minister said the “shocking” and “un-Australian” incident “should be unequivocally condemned”. “To attack a synagogue is an attack of anti-Semitism. It’s attacking the right that all Australians should have to practice their faith in peace and security,” the Prime Minister said. Despite the condemnation, Anthony Albanese was criticised by current and former political opponents for not calling the attack a terrorist act. On Sunday he labelled the firebombing as an act of terrorism. “If you want my personal view, quite clearly terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community and the atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community,” Mr Albanese told reporters. “And therefore, from my personal perspective, certainly fulfils that definition of terrorism.” ASIO and Victorian anti-terrorism police are investigating and have not yet ruled the attack as a terrorist incident. Victorian and federal police forces will meet on Monday to officially determine whether the arson attack was an act of terror. The firebombing happened at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne’s southeast. Ripponlea and the surrounding suburbs have a high concentration of Jewish Australians. The Adass Israel Synagogue is home to members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and is one of the busiest Jewish temples in the country. The male members of this sect are recognisable by their white collared shirts, long black coats, broadbrimmed black hats and circular fur hats - the latter called shtreimel. Melbourne’s Adass Israel community traces its origins to Holocaust survivors from countries such as Hungary and Czechoslovakia. The Adass’ are known to be particularly insular and highly observant of Jewish religious law. Originally published as Vigil held at Melbourne’s firebombed Adass Israel Synagogue after fire attackSouth Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s first Public Private Partnership emerged winner in the “Other” category at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2024 hosted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, an SAGT news release said. “Since launching its sustainability strategy in 2018, SAGT has been at the forefront of driving sustainable operations both within its terminal and the Port of Colombo. SAGT was the first and to date remains the only single operator terminal in the South Asia Region to publish an independently accredited annual sustainability report which charts the Company’s progressive journey in sustainable terminal operations,” it said. The release added that in pursuit of achieving net zero ahead of the 2050 IMO mandated target, SAGT continues to leverage energy efficient technology and innovation to drive down its carbon emissions. Following the successful hybrid conversion of its Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs), SAGT has achieved over 50% diesel saving per machine. Over the past five years (2019/20-2023/24) SAGT has reduced the Green House Gas (GHG) intensity of its operations by 28%. Accelerating progress towards decarbonization, SAGT continues to explore electrification and renewable energy to power relevant segments across all of its operations. “Employees are at the heart of SAGT’s business success. SAGT’s commitment continues to invest in the wellbeing and development of its employees. In 2024 SAGT redoubled its efforts to create a more diverse and equitable working environment and became the first port sector organization in Sri Lanka to introduce a paternity leave policy,” it continued. “Amidst the prevailing economic backdrop in the country SAGT continues to work towards the upliftment of its surrounding communities. During the period 2023/24 SAGT partially funded the restarting of the stalled Thriposha production by donating milk powder (a primary ingredient) to the value of USD 500,000.00 facilitating production of 3 million 750g packs reaching 1.5 million beneficiaries. Thriposha is the Government of Sri Lanka’s fortified nutritional program benefitting malnourished children (between 6 months-5 years) and pregnant and lactating mothers.” Commenting on the award, Udara Cumaratunga, Deputy General Manger – Commercial and Marketing stated “SAGT is committed to its sustainability aspirations that permeates through all aspects of our operations encompassing social, environmental and governance responsibilities. We are grateful to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the judging panel for recognizing our efforts in pioneering sustainable best practices in the Port of Colombo and the region”. South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s first Public Private Partnership container terminal commenced operations in 1999 with a vision to be the most trusted Gateway in the Indian ocean. Built on a foundation of Teamwork, Safety, Trust and Integrity, Customer Centricity & Excellence, SAGT presents the international trading community a competitive best in class service. A pioneer in sustainable terminal operations, SAGT continues to steer course for a sustainable future. Promoting “Ease of doing business” through digitalization and digitization is an integral part of SAGT’s DNA. SAGT is a recipient of multiple independent globally recognized “best practice” awards since inception. SAGT is a Board of Investment flagship company whose shareholders include – John Keells Holdings, Maersk/APM Terminals, SLPA and Evergreen Marine Corporation.
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Select Medical Holdings Corporation ("Select Medical," "we," "us," or "our") (NYSE: SEM ) today announced that we have completed our previously announced distribution (the "Distribution") of 104,093,503 shares of common stock of Concentra Group Holdings Parent, Inc. ("Concentra") (NYSE: CON ) owned by Select Medical Corporation ("SMC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Select Medical, representing approximately 81.7% of the outstanding shares of Concentra's common stock. After the completion of the Distribution, Select Medical no longer owns any shares of Concentra's common stock. The Distribution was made today to Select Medical's stockholders as of the close of business on the record date (the "Record Date") for the Distribution, November 18, 2024 . The Distribution took place in the form of a pro rata common stock distribution to each of Select Medical's stockholder on the Record Date. Based on the shares of Select Medical's common stock outstanding as of the Record Date, Select Medical's stockholders received 0.806971 shares of Concentra's common stock for every share of Select Medical's common stock held as of the Record Date. No fractional shares of Concentra's common stock were distributed. Instead, Select Medical's stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fraction of a share of Concentra's common stock that they otherwise would have received. On November 19, 2024 , Select Medical made available an information statement to its stockholders on the Record Date, which included details on the Distribution. The information statement is posted under the Investor Relations tab on Select Medical's website at www.selectmedical.com/investor-relations/ . J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisors to Select Medical in connection with the Distribution. Dechert LLP acted as legal advisor to Select Medical in connection with the Distribution. About Select Medical Select Medical is one of the largest operators of critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and occupational health centers in the United States based on number of facilities. Select Medical's reportable segments include the critical illness recovery hospital segment, the rehabilitation hospital segment, the outpatient rehabilitation segment, and the Concentra segment. As of September 30, 2024 , Select Medical operated 106 critical illness recovery hospitals in 29 states, 34 rehabilitation hospitals in 13 states, 1,925 outpatient rehabilitation clinics in 39 states and the District of Columbia , and 549 occupational health centers in 41 states. At September 30, 2024 , Select Medical had operations in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Select Medical is available at www.selectmedical.com . This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current management expectations. Numerous factors, including those related to market conditions and those detailed from time-to-time in Select Medical's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine Select Medical's future results are beyond the ability of Select Medical to control or predict. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and, therefore, actual results may differ materially. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date hereof. Select Medical undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor inquiries: Joel T. Veit Senior Vice President and Treasurer 717-972-1100 [email protected] SOURCE Select Medical Holdings Corporation
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Patterson's 25 help Northwestern State defeat Houston Christian 64-57
LAS VEGAS — Players Era Festival organizers have done what so many other have tried — bet their fortunes in this city that a big payoff is coming. Such bet are usually bad ones, which is why so many massive casino-resorts have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard. But it doesn't mean the organizers are wrong. They're counting on the minimum of $1 million in guaranteed name, image and likeness money that will go to each of the eight teams competing in the neutral-site tournament that begins Tuesday will create a precedent for other such events. EverWonder Studios CEO Ian Orefice, who co-founded Players with former AND1 CEO Seth Berger, compared this event to last year's inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament that played its semifinals and final in Las Vegas by saying it "did really well to reinvigorate the fan base at the beginning of the year." "We're excited that we're able to really change the paradigm in college basketball on the economics," Orefice said. "But for us, it's about the long term. How do we use the momentum that is launching with the 2024 Players Era Festival and be the catalyst not to change one event, but to change college basketball for the future." Orefice and Berger didn't disclose financial details, but said the event will come close to breaking even this year and that revenue is in eight figures. Orefice said the bulk of the revenue will come from relationships with MGM, TNT Sports and Publicis Sport & Entertainment as well as sponsors that will be announced later. Both organizers said they are so bullish on the tournament's prospects that they already are planning ahead. Money made from this year's event, Orefice said, goes right back into the company. "We're really in this for the long haul," Orefice said. "So we're not looking at it on a one-year basis." Rick Giles is president of the Gazelle Group, which also operates several similar events, including the College Basketball Invitational. He was skeptical the financial numbers would work. Giles said in addition to more than $8 million going to the players, there were other expenses such as the guarantees to the teams. He said he didn't know if the tournament would make up the difference with ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship money. The top bowl of the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be curtained off. "The math is highly challenging," Giles said. "Attendance and ticket revenues are not going to come anywhere close to covering that. They haven't announced any sponsors that I'm aware of. So it all sort of rests with their media deal with Turner and how much capital they want to commit to it to get these players paid." David Carter, a University of Southern California adjunct professor who also runs the Sports Business Group consultancy, said even if the Players isn't a financial success this year, the question is whether there will be enough interest to move forward. "If there is bandwidth for another tournament and if the TV or the streaming ratings are going to be there and people are going to want to attend and companies are going to want to sponsor, then, yeah, it's probably going to work," Carter said. "But it may take them time to gain that traction." Both founders said they initially were met with skepticism about putting together such an event, especially from teams they were interested in inviting. Houston was the first school to commit, first offering an oral pledge early in the year and then signing a contract in April. That created momentum for others to join, and including the No. 6 Cougars, half the field is ranked. "We have the relationships to operate a great event," Berger said. "We had to get coaches over those hurdles, and once they knew that we were real, schools got on board really quickly." The founders worked with the NCAA to make sure the tournament abided by that organization's rules, so players must appear at ancillary events in order to receive NIL money. Strict pay for play is not allowed, though there are incentives for performance. The champion, for example, will receive $1.5 million in NIL money. Now the pressure is on to pull off the event and not create the kind of headlines that can dog it for years to come. "I think everybody in the marketplace is watching what's going to happen (this) week and, more importantly, what happens afterwards," Giles said. "Do the players get paid on a timely basis? And if they do, that means that Turner or somebody has paid way more than the market dictates? And the question will be: Can that continue?" CREIGHTON: P oint guard Steven Ashworth likely won’t play in the No. 21 Bluejays’ game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday and coach Greg McDermott said afterward he didn’t know how long he would be out. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Anderson set for return, trying to help CBA win first State title