This RGB-IR In-Cabin camera module is a component designed for installation inside vehicles and can be mounted in various locations, such as on the rearview mirror or above the front of the passenger seat. It can detect various aspects of the driver's condition, such as drowsiness or inattention, and enables real-time monitoring of the conditions of passengers as well, such as whether seat belts are being used in the front and second rows. The key to autonomous driving is ensuring the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Alongside exterior components, such as camera modules for Autonomous Driving (AD) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) systems, the industry is increasingly focusing on In-Cabin cameras to monitor passengers. Of particular note is that Europe has mandated the installation of Driver Monitoring Systems (DMSs) in vehicles starting in 2025, and other major countries, including the United States and Japan , are considering similar requirements. As a result, global automakers are increasingly adopting In-Cabin cameras. In contrast, "LG Innotek's RGB-IR In-Cabin camera module" can perform various functions with a single camera. Installed with a high-resolution RGB-IR sensor, it captures red, green, and blue visible light as well as infrared wavelengths, offering a wider viewing angle through the company's unique wide-angle technology. With a resolution of five megapixels, five times higher than conventional cameras, "LG Innotek's RGB-IR In-Cabin camera module" delivers clearer images for more accurate occupant monitoring. It also supports entertainment features such as video calls and conferencing, which are expected to become more relevant as autonomous driving advances. Additionally, its ability to detect infrared rays allows it to clearly recognize subjects in dark environments, enabling accurate monitoring of occupants even at night, when identifying driver drowsiness is most needed. The "RGB-IR In-Cabin camera module" also boasts a Horizontal Field Of View (HFOV) that is more than double that of earlier models. LG Innotek has applied its proprietary wide-angle technology to support a HFOV of 143 ̊, expanding the scope of monitoring. This offers visibility of both front-row and second-row seats from various angles. The company applied the "wedge bonding" process to minimize the size of the product. Wedge bonding is a technology that uses ultrasonic energy to attach chips and substrates. In the past, the chips used in the module had to be secured to Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) by applying heat to the joint, with a "heating block" added to the bottom of the PCB board to keep it heated. Wedge bonding eliminates the need for such components and reduces the size of the module by eliminating the need for space for the heating block. Looking ahead, LG Innotek will continue to introduce, based on its world-leading optical technology, high-value products such as an "all-weather high-performance camera module" with high-performance heating and cleaning functions. By offering exclusive customer value, the company plans to accelerate its seizure of market leadership. LG Innotek CEO Moon Hyuksoo said , "The vehicle sensing solutions business, including camera modules and LiDAR, is a core pillar of LG Innotek's business in autonomous driving components." He went on to add, "We are committed to growing our vehicle sensing solutions business to USD 1.4 billion business by 2030." According to market research firm S&P Global, the global automotive camera module market is projected to grow from approximately USD 6.923 billion in 2023 to USD 10.769 billion by 2030, showing an average annual growth rate of 7%. LG Innotek will unveil its "RGB-IR In-Cabin camera module", along with its latest innovations, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas in January next year. LG Innotek's high-performance in-cabin camera module LG Innotek employees demonstrate the high-performance in-cabin camera module LG Innotek employees demonstrate the high-performance in-cabin camera moduleWhen you consider things to do for New Year's Eve, you might picture the usual: giant parties, long lines to get to the bathroom, and crowds gathered every way you turn. But just because New Year's is known as a major night to go out doesn't mean you have to buy into all the hype. In fact, staying in might be way more fun. There are a ton of festive things you can do at home on New Year's Eve, from trying Nara Smith recipes with your friends to playing a sex game with your significant other . And when you stay in on Dec. 31, you don't have to deal with the super-expensive bar tabs, the challenge of keeping track of your friends in a crowd, or the misery of trying to get ahold of an overpriced Uber ride home. Whether you're celebrating alone, with close family, with roommates or friends, or with your partner, there are plenty of ways to make this countdown to midnight one to remember, and it may even help you start new traditions . Keep reading for more things to do for New Year's Eve if you want to celebrate at home this year. — Additional reporting by Kelsey Hurwitz Finally, a Sparkly New Year's Eve Manicure You Can DIY Prepare the Perfect Cocktails Celebrating at home means you won't have to wait in line for an overpriced drink (a major win)! Instead, stock up on all your favorite spirits, beer, wine, and mixers so you'll have plenty of options when the day rolls around. Then whip up some festive cocktails or mix your go-to drink. If you aren't drinking, make a tasty mocktail instead. Bottom line: always have a delicious drink on hand for the night. Enjoy the Snack Boards of Your Dreams Tasty food is a must on New Year's Eve, even if you aren't cooking for a lot of people. Make these party appetizers to last all night or serve holiday appetizers for two . One thing you can never go wrong with? A charcuterie board, either sweet or savory. Dress Up In a Sparkly New Outfit Your home is now your runway. If you feel better in sweatpants, go for it! But if you want to get in the holiday spirit, you can't go wrong with a sparkly new party dress . Who cares if you're alone? Watch Funny Movies or TV Shows Watching funny movies or TV shows is one of the best ways to spend New Year's Eve. Laughter is the best medicine, and the voices of your favorite characters from classics like "Friends", "Sister, Sister", "The Office", or "Girlfriends" will keep you company long into the night. Pull Out All the Board Games An at-home New Year's Eve celebration is not complete without board games. Everything from Monopoly to Medium to Twister should be on the table here. Nothing is too childish, too silly, or too long to play on New Year's Eve. Plus, it's the fastest way to get the laughs rolling with your roommates or partner. Have a Dance Party Turn up the music, turn down the lights, and have a dance party right in your living room. Sure, it's not like a club, but you have space to have fun, let loose, and sing at the top of your lungs with no one or just your closest friends around to care. It's fun, and it relieves stress, so there's no excuse not to do it. Host a Murder Mystery Party Invite over a few friends, look up a murder mystery dinner script (or make up your own), and have fun trying to determine who "killed" the victim. You can even all dress up as your characters for extra fun. 15 Last-Minute Gifts That'll Arrive by Christmas — and Cost Less Than $25 Play Video Games Challenging your partner or your friends virtually to a video game will be your new favorite tradition. There are plenty of options on your phone or laptop if you don't have a game console. The night will go by in a flash. Journal About the Past Year Whether you've had an amazing or challenging year (or more likely a combination of both), it's no small feat that you made it through the year. Celebrate it! Spend some quiet time this New Year's Eve journaling, meditating, and reflecting on all that happened in 2024. It's therapeutic, plus it'll be a good way to keep a record for you to look back on someday. Write Your Resolutions Down Set your resolutions, goals, or intentions for 2025. Yes, it's cheesy, but planning ahead is also motivating, and clarifying. It's a time to reflect on your values and your actions, to make sure you're living the life you want. If you're not sure what to manifest in 2025, look to your zodiac sign . Bake and Decorate a Cake Baking sweets can make everything better, so spend some time on New Year's Eve trying out a new recipe for cookies, brownies, pie, or cake. Then decorate it and eat it! It's calming, fun, and totally delicious. Have a Sleepover in the Living Room You may not be at a glamorous hotel this New Year's Eve, but you can still sleep somewhere new. Bring all your coziest pillows and blankets to the living room to have a sleepover with your roommates, partner, besties, or pets. You can stay up late watching a movie and drinking, then simply pass out wherever you are. Donate to a Good Cause Start off 2025 right by donating to a cause you're passionate about. It's a good way to help those in need and feel good about the new year. Pop a Bottle of Bubbly at Midnight The beginning of a new year is definitely a cause for celebration. Make sure you have at least one bottle of Champagne or the sparkling non-alcoholic drink of your choice on hand to pop at midnight. Even if you're celebrating solo, the bubbles tickling your throat always feels like a festive way to cap off a night. 26 Holiday Nail-Art Designs That Are Festive but Not Cheesy Clean House OK, this one might require some explaining, but if you get it, you get it. First, in some cultures, cleaning your house is a traditional New Year activity — what better way to usher in a fresh slate than by cleansing your most private place? Second, cleaning can be fun. Scroll through some Clean Tok videos on TikTok ahead of the big day, order some fresh new cleaning supplies and organizational tools, and use what you've learned to scrub every last bit of dust and grime out of your corners. We promise, you'll feel bright and light and free going into 2025. Enjoy a Quiet Brunch The best part about celebrating New Year's Eve at home is that there's no end time. Want to go to sleep at 12:01 a.m.? Go for it! Want to stay up drinking, playing games, and watching movies until 5 a.m.? Totally OK, too! No matter how late you stay up, you can sleep in, then make yourself pancakes for brunch the next morning (and maybe some mimosas, too?). It's cozy, with no frenzied Uber rides to have to worry about. Create a Scrapbook You know all those photos you take and promptly forget about? Give them the display they deserve by creating a scrapbook to commemorate your year. You'll be amazed how good you feel seeing all the highlights of your 2024 spread out in front of you; plus, this is a fun, creative project that will help you feel inspired to make more memories. Read Through Your Journals From the Past Year The new year is always an important time of self reflection. See how far you've come and how your life has changed and evolved over the last year by taking the time to read through your journals. This isn't a time to judge your past self, but rather to appreciate how every small step you took over the course of the year led you to where you are. Take a Relaxing Bath Few things are as wonderfully relaxing as a long, hot bath. Sync your music to a Bluetooth speaker, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils, and, of course, don't forget the bubbles. Allow yourself to leave the stress of 2024 in the past as you relax your way into the new year. 10 Easy but Impactful Ways to Refresh Your Home in the New Year Sydni Ellis is a PS contributor with her master's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. She loves talking about her passions, including writing, shopping, and reading murder mysteries. Kelsey Hurwitz was a former assistant editor at PS.
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:47 p.m. EST
Power Corp. unit backs Constellation Software copycat Valsoft in US$150-million deal
Billionaire Bill Ackman Is Betting Big on Nike. Down 57%, Is the Sportswear Stock Ready for a Comeback?
What is Paytm Gold and how to invest?NoneNone
A Power Corporation of Canada POW-T unit has co-led a US$150-million equity investment into Valsoft Corp., a rapidly growing Montreal-based software rollup play that is aiming to emulate the success of acquisition machine Constellation Software Inc. Portage Capital Solutions, a growth equity arm within Power’s Sagard alternative asset-management business, is co-leading the deal with past backer Viking Global Investors, a U.S. fund-management giant, and Toronto-based Propelr Growth. All of the money is going to Valsoft, unlike many recent large tech financings that have largely been used to buy out investors and employees. The deal values Valsoft at more than US$2-billion. Valsoft is one of several companies, including Toronto-managed Banyan Software, that have sought to emulate Constellation’s strategy by buying up small, modestly growing software companies that focus on specific customer niches such as hotels, and face little to no competition or customer churn. Valsoft has amassed 107 companies, which collectively employ more than 3,500 people, generate more than US$550-million in revenue and US$125-million-plus in operating earnings. Like Constellation, it has split itself into multiple divisions that each pursue their own acquisitions. The company, which has 60 mergers and acquisitions dealmakers, typically buys small companies with less than US$10-million in revenue. It aims to pay one to two times revenues, although competition for deals has been heating up as flush private-equity firms look to deploy capital. Valsoft then works to expand its acquired companies’ revenues and profits by adding heft to their sales efforts. Like Toronto-based Constellation, Valsoft’s goal is to buy and hold, although it has divested two companies to date. Valsoft sold a minority stake to Viking in 2022 for US$150-million and this year raised US$170-million in debt from Viking and Coatue Management LLC to fund deals. It also has a nine-figure line of credit with Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Montreal and National Bank of Canada. The company is “one of the top IPO candidates in the country” given its mix of size, revenue growth and profitability and the fact that it has “an established model that public market investors in Canada and globally have become extremely comfortable with,” said Propelr managing partner Sanjiv Samant. Valsoft chief executive Sam Youssef said in an interview that he hopes to “eventually” take Valsoft public, but not until revenue reaches US$1-billion. In the past two years, Valsoft has built up a payments-processing unit called Valpay used by 10 to 15 of its companies that now generates US$20-million-plus in annualized operating earnings, Mr. Youssef said. He credited Viking with the idea of building a financial-services offering for its companies. Valsoft is also building artificial-intelligence applications its companies can use to better serve customers and expand revenue. Both initiatives are of particular interest to Portage, which typically backs financial-technology companies. “For nearly a decade, Valsoft has proven itself to be a best-in-class acquirer and operator of software companies globally,” Dan Ballen, co-head of Portage Capital Solutions, said in a statement. “We are excited to help Valsoft pursue growth opportunities in its core software market and, as fintech-focused investors, through the launch of new products and monetization channels, such as embedded financial services and AI-powered customer tools.” Mr. Youssef and Valsoft co-founder Steph Manos graduated from Concordia University with computer engineering degrees in 2004 and built an affiliated online marketing business together. After discovering that pornography sold better than travel products and supplements, they became founding investors of Pornhub, now the world’s largest porn video site. They sold out in 2010, a year after the U.S. Secret Service seized US$6.4-million from accounts controlled by their personal holding company and long before the controversies that have dogged the business, now called Aylo Holdings SARL, in recent years. Mr. Youssef, an entrepreneur since he cut grass and shovelled driveways in his teens, decided to get out of the adult-entertainment business in the late 2000s because he started a family and “my moral compass changed,” he once told The Globe and Mail. “I’m very happy we got out of it, I’m very happy this is not my story and I’ve got a chance at writing another chapter.” Mr. Samant said that past foray “has nothing to do” with Valsoft, and that the founders “have had nothing to do with that other business for years.” In the early 2010s, Mr. Youssef immersed himself in the world of investing, devouring books by Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch and attending the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Mr. Youssef put his money to work in the stock market. One of the companies he bought into was Constellation. He loved Constellation’s model and figured that buying modest niche software companies with few or no competitors was better than playing the markets as it offered high returns for shrewd acquirers. Valsoft bought its first company in 2016, three the following year and eight the next. It now buys about 20 to 25 companies annually. Mr. Youssef and Mr. Manos and a group of other investors oversee two other companies: Valnet Inc., a consolidator of digital-content sites that cater to movie buffs, celebrity watchers, gamers and others, and Valsoft spinoff Valstone Corp., which sells software to industrial companies.The Eagles are looking to clinch the NFC East title while completing a rare sweep of the rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Philadelphia. The Eagles (12-3) will have to play without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who sustained a concussion during last weekend's 36-33 loss at Washington that snapped their team-record 10-game winning streak. He was ruled out on Friday after missing practice all week. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett suffered a rib injury against the Commanders, but he was a full participant at Thursday's practice and was limited on Friday. Pickett is expected to start, with Tanner McKee his backup on Sunday as Philadelphia tries to sweep Dallas for the first time since 2011. Meanwhile, the Cowboys (7-8) are clicking with their own QB2 at the controls. Cooper Rush has guided Dallas to wins in four of the last five games, throwing nine touchdown passes and just one interception in that span. The Cowboys are in the unfamiliar position of playing spoiler, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Two more wins would give Dallas its fourth straight winning season under fifth-year coach Mike McCarthy. "It's hard to win games in this league. It's definitely an end goal just to have a winning season," Cowboys right guard Brock Hoffman said. "... But definitely where we've been at on this journey, take it week by week, win these last two games, have a winning season, and it's definitely a big boost going into next season." The Eagles cruised to a 34-6 win over the Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, in the first meeting in Week 10, with Hurts throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for two scores. Rush finished with just 45 yards on 13-of-23 passing. Pickett replaced a woozy Hurts in the first quarter against Washington and finished the drive with a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown. "I thought it was so cool for our guys to have the confidence in (Pickett) to just hop in there and handle a third down, handle another completion, throw a third-down touchdown in the red zone," Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said Tuesday. "I thought that was a really cool moment." A sixth-round pick out of Stanford in 2023, McKee has yet to appear in a regular-season game. "I feel like I've always been preparing to be the starter and preparing to play, and so my preparation is going to stay the same," McKee said Tuesday. "And you know, I'm obviously excited for any opportunity that I do get, but we're going to take it day by day for those guys." No matter who plays QB, the Eagles likely will lean heavily on Saquon Barkley. With a league-leading 1,838 rushing yards, he needs 268 in the last two games to break Eric Dickerson's 1984 NFL single-season record of 2,105. Philadelphia's injury report Friday also included the team ruling out wide receiver Britain Covey (neck), who also returns punts, and running back Will Shipley (concussion), a contributor on kickoff return duty. Linebacker Nakobe Dean (abdomen) is doubtful after limited participation on Friday, while defensive end Bryce Huff (wrist) was a full participant and listed as questionable. He would need to be activated from injured reserve to play on Sunday. The Cowboys have shut down star wideout CeeDee Lamb for the rest of the season because of a sprained right shoulder. Also ruled out for Sunday are cornerbacks Kemon Hall (hamstring) and Amani Oruwariye (foot). Guard TJ Bass (thigh) is doubtful, while those with questionable status are wide receivers Jalen Brooks (knee) and Jalen Tolbert (finger), offensive tackles Chuma Edoga (toe) and Asim Richards (ankle), linebackers Eric Kendricks (calf) and Nick Vigil (foot), and safety Donovan Wilson (knee). --Field Level Media
Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) official Lindy Li shocked NewsNation host Markie Martin on Friday when she said she supported Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump 's embattled pick for defense secretary. Hegseth and Republican backers have made a full court offensive to try and charm senators and shore up support for his nomination, which has remained under intense scrutiny due to a growing list of controversies surrounding him. This week, however, he received a vote of confidence from an unlikely source. "I think you were maybe looking for someone to oppose his nomination, but I've had personal interactions with—because I've been on Fox & Friends— I've met Pete, he's my fellow Princetonian. I actually think he's a pretty good guy," Li said during her appearance on Morning in America . Martin responded: "Wow, I was not expecting this from you Lindy." Li, a Democratic strategist who is also on the DNC's finance committee, added: "I know, but fair is fair, right? I'm not here to gaslight anybody. I'm just here to present the facts as I know it. I know a lot of people are saying his nomination is in trouble, we'll see. He's definitely a fighter. As he told Megyn Kelly, he said Trump told him to be 'tough as blank ,' and he's certainly that way." Li highlighted Senator Joni Ernst , an Iowa Republican, as the "lynchpin" for Hegseth's U.S. Senate confirmation, saying, "We'll just see if Joni Ernst can come around." Li later added that America is "the country of second chances" and urged senators to "keep an open mind" if Hegseth is really "a changed man." "This has never happened before when a nominee's mom is going there to make the case for her son to say that he's different, he's changed, he's committed to his family, he's doubled down on his faith," she said. "I think we should maybe extend a little bit of grace." Li, who has made several appearances on Fox & Friends following this year's presidential election, made headlines for criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris ' campaign as a "$1 billion disaster " and for saying that the Harris campaign took a "self-congratulatory" tone during a call with top donors last month. "I'm just frankly stunned that there was no sort of post-mortem or analysis of how we can do better," as a party, Li said during a previous NewsNation appearance. "It was really just patting each other on the back, congratulating each other for, I'm not sure what." Newsweek has reached out by email on Saturday morning to the DNC for comment. Hegseth Faces Multiple Allegations When Trump announced that Hegseth, a former Fox News host and veteran, would lead the Department of Defense, initial criticism focused on Hegseth's perceived lack of experience to hold one of the most significant roles in the country, if not the world. Hegseth and his supporters have defended his resume, which includes degrees from Princeton and Harvard and intermittent service over 20 years in the Army National Guard, which included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, achieving the rank of major, and advocating for veterans. However, Hegseth quickly found himself facing challenges to his character, starting with the revelation of a 2017 sexual assault allegation. Police never brought charges against Hegseth, and he has vigorously denied the allegations, but the further revelation that he paid the woman a settlement in 2020 over concerns that the allegation could cost him his job has only complicated the issue for him. The New York Times then published an email that Hegseth received from his mother in 2018 that criticized his treatment of women. In the letter, Penelope Hegseth told her son that he needed to "get some help and take an honest look at yourself," writing "on behalf of all women (and I know it's many) you have abused in some way." This week, Penelope Hegseth spoke with Fox News' Steve Doocy and defended her son, saying he is "a new person. He's redeemed, forgiven, changed" and that he's "not that man he was seven years ago." "And I hope people will hear that story today and the truth of that story," his mother added. However, this week also saw reports that Hegseth had a problem with excessive drinking, with 10 current and former Fox employees expressing concerns that included claims that "everyone would be talking about it behind the scenes" and that Hegseth would sometimes show up to work smelling of alcohol. Hegseth again denied those allegations and promised to "fight like hell" to achieve confirmation, even as reports started to circulate that Trump was considering alternatives for the defense secretary nomination, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis . That changed somewhat on Friday as Trump came out in vocal support of Hegseth, writing on Truth Social that "Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" In a clip released ahead of his first post-election network interview , which will air Sunday on NBC News' Meet the Press , Trump dismissed concerns about Hegseth's reported drinking problems, telling host Kristen Welker he had received calls from senators to tell him they thought Hegseth was "fantastic." One of his final hurdles remains the support of senators, however. Trump admitted to Welker that he had received no assurances from any senators they would support Hegseth. Ernst, a former U.S. Army National Guard member and retired lieutenant colonel, has made combating sexual harassment in the military a primary focus during her time on Capitol Hill, and indicated Thursday that she isn't ready yet to support Hegseth for defense secretary. "As Senator Ernst has said, she is not seeking to be secretary of defense, there is no 'campaign' against Pete, and is continuing the vetting process,' a spokesperson for Ernst told Newsweek earlier this week.
Boise State offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter cut straight to the point when asked about it Thursday afternoon: Too much is being made of the rest running back Ashton Jeanty has been getting prior to the Broncos’ Fiesta Bowl matchup against Penn State on Tuesday. By the time Boise State takes the field in Glendale, Arizona for their first-ever College Football Playoff game, it will have been 25 days since the Broncos (12-1) beat UNLV 21-7 in the Mountain West Championship game. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions (12-2) played and beat SMU on Dec. 21 in their first-round game. For former Idaho State player Koetter, who has a coaching career spanning more than 40 years, including at Highland High School, there’s not really an advantage to having the extra time off. “I don’t think there is (an advantage),” Koetter said. “I think most teams this time of the year that are playing well, which I think if you’re winning games, you’re playing well, would rather play than rest. The time off scares me more than it helps us.” Koetter admits that the time off does help players like offensive lineman Mason Randolph, who suffered a bicep injury in the season opener that kept him out nearly three months. But generally, he would always rather get back on the field as opposed to waiting nearly a month between games. “Going against your scout team every day is different than going against a real team, let alone a team that’s as good as Penn State,” Koetter said. “There’s a speed difference. With the time off, it’s been a really good schedule that Coach (Spencer) Danielson put together as far as giving guys time off for Christmas, giving guys time off to get their bodies back. But me personally, I’d rather keep playing. But that’s just me.” After spending the last three weeks getting ready for their College Football Playoff game, with three days off for Christmas on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Boise State is scheduled to fly to Arizona on Saturday for two days of pregame media availabilities and a couple of more practices before game day. All that being said, the Broncos feel like the preparation has kept them ready to face the Nittany Lions. Jeanty, who had more than 30 carries in seven of Boise State’s last eight games said Thursday that the elbow injury which has nagged at him over the second half of the season has healed. “I feel really good about it,” Jeanty said about the rest. “Football is a very physical sport, and our offense, we pride ourselves on physicality. I think it will do us all well, having this time off. It’s been a little while since we’ve played football, but I’m confident in our preparation with how we’ve been working. We’re all back now, so we can put some more work in and get ready.” Jeanty pointed to the last time he had multiple weeks to prepare for an opponent as what he can do when fresh. In the season opener at Georgia Southern, Jeanty had 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns, both school records. It jumpstarted a season that sees him enter the Fiesta Bowl with 2,497 rushing yards, just 131 yards short of the single-season NCAA record set by Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State, who hit the mark in 11 games. “Georgia Southern, week one, after that you don’t really get this much time off. It’s been a blessing to have this much time off, but last time I was feeling super fresh, you saw what I did. So, hopefully it’s not just me but the whole offense and defense, we can all play our best game.”Nigel Farage said he is weighing up what action to take if the Conservatives do not apologise for accusing Reform UK of “fakery” over its membership numbers. The Reform UK leader pushed back against reports suggesting that legal action would be the next step, saying he would make a decision in the next couple of days about his response if there is no apology for the “crazy conspiracy theory”. Mr Farage also said the party has “opened up our systems” to media outlets, including The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, in the interests of “full transparency to verify that our numbers are correct”. His remarks came after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Farage of “fakery” in response to Reform claiming they had surpassed the Tories in signed-up members. Mrs Badenoch said Reform’s counter was “coded to tick up automatically”. A digital counter on the Reform website showed a membership tally before lunchtime on Boxing Day ticking past the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservative Party during its leadership election earlier this year. Mr Farage, on whether he was threatening legal action or not, told the PA news agency: “I haven’t threatened anything. I’ve just said that unless I get an apology, I will take some action. “I haven’t said whether it’s legal or anything.” He added: “All I’ve said is I want an apology. If I don’t get an apology, I will take action. “I will decide in the next couple of days what that is. So I’ve not specified what it is.” Mr Farage, on the move to make membership data available to media organisations, said: “We feel our arguments are fully validated. “She (Mrs Badenoch) has put out this crazy conspiracy theory and she needs to apologise.” The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me yesterday were disgraceful. Today we opened up our systems to The Telegraph, Spectator, Sky News & FT in the interests of full transparency to verify that our data is correct. I am now demanding apologises. — Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) On why Mrs Badenoch had reacted as she did, Mr Farage said: “I would imagine she was at home without anybody advising her and was just angry.” Mr Farage, in a statement issued on social media site X, also said: “The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me yesterday were disgraceful. “Today we opened up our systems to The Telegraph, Spectator, Sky News and FT in the interests of full transparency to verify that our data is correct. “I am now demanding Kemi Badenoch apologises.” A Conservative Party source claimed Mr Farage was “rattled” that his Boxing Day “publicity stunt is facing serious questions”. They added: “Like most normal people around the UK, Kemi is enjoying Christmas with her family and looking forward to taking on the challenges of renewing the Conservative Party in the New Year.” Mrs Badenoch, in a series of messages posted on X on Thursday, said: “Farage doesn’t understand the digital age. This kind of fakery gets found out pretty quickly, although not before many are fooled.” There were 131,680 Conservative members eligible to vote during the party’s leadership election to replace Rishi Sunak in the autumn. Mrs Badenoch claimed in her thread that “the Conservative Party has gained thousands of new members since the leadership election”. Elsewhere, Mr Farage described Elon Musk as a “bloody hero” and said he believes the US billionaire can help attract younger voters to Reform. Tech entrepreneur Mr Musk met Mr Farage earlier this month at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, amid rumours of a possible donation to either Mr Farage or Reform. Mr Farage told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “The shades, the bomber jacket, the whole vibe. Elon makes us cool – Elon is a huge help to us with the young generation, and that will be the case going on and, frankly, that’s only just starting. “Reform only wins the next election if it gets the youth vote. The youth vote is the key. Of course, you need voters of all ages, but if you get a wave of youth enthusiasm you can change everything. “And I think we’re beginning to get into that zone – we were anyway, but Elon makes the whole task much, much easier. And the idea that politics can be cool, politics can be fun, politics can be real – Elon helps us with that mission enormously.”HICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Brian Callanan , Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Liberty Strategic Capital ("Liberty"), to its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024 . Commenting on the appointment, Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO said, "I'm pleased to have Brian join our Board. His proven track record and expertise in financial services, along with his strategic insights will be instrumental as we continue to execute on our transformation and long-term vision. Brian's perspectives will provide valuable guidance, and his leadership will play a critical role in driving sustainable growth, ensuring we achieve long-term success and maximize the value we deliver to our shareholders, employees, and clients." Callanan is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience in financial regulation, regulatory compliance, and financial technology. At Liberty, Callanan leads the firm's legal function, serves on its Investment Committee, and focuses on financial sector investments. Prior to joining Liberty, he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing 2,000 lawyers across the department. As Chief General Counsel, he played a key role in major initiatives such as economic rescue programs during COVID-19, the design of new economic sanctions, and the implementation of tax reform. While serving as Deputy General Counsel, Callanan managed major litigation and advised on regulatory reform efforts, among other responsibilities. For his service, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the department's highest honor. This appointment aligns with the $1.05 billion equity investment in March 2024 , which stipulated that two Board seats would be granted to lead investor Liberty Strategic Capital. With Callanan's addition, the Company's Board of Directors, which was reconstituted earlier in 2024, expands to nine members, including Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph M. Otting , Milton Berlinski , Alessandro P. DiNello , Alan Frank , Marshall Lux , Lead Independent Director Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin , Allen Puwalski , and Jennifer Whip. About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Nicole Yelland (248) 219-9234 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flagstar-financial-inc-appoints-brian-callanan-to-board-of-directors-302331692.html SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.
Topical pain Relief Market Increasing Demand, Growth Analysis and Future Outlook by 2031 12-02-2024 09:15 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Orion Market Research The global topical pain relief market is anticipated to grow at a considerable CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period (2024-2031). The rising prevalence of arthritis in many regions of the world has led to a surge in demand for topical pain relievers. Companies in the worldwide topical pain relief market will be able to generate income as a result of this factor. Additionally, the industry is expected to gain promising pathways as the number of people living with additional joint diseases rises. Different bone-related disorders are more common in the elderly population. As a result, the global expansion in this population is likely to benefit the growth of the topical pain relief market over the forecast period. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in public knowledge of non-opioid side effects. Furthermore, the number of persons suffering from chronic pain is rising. These factors are propelling the global topical pain relief market forward. For instance, in 2021, AdvaCare offers Diclofenac cream is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication used to treat pain and other symptoms of arthritis of the joints (e.g. osteoarthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Diclofenac cream is a topical solution used to treat pain and swelling caused by osteoarthritis of the knees. For instance, in 2020 FDA approves GSK's Advil Dual Action with Acetaminophen for over-the-counter use in the US. It is a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen for pain relief, the benefits of both active ingredients when safely treating their headaches, muscle aches, backaches, arthritis, and other joint pain. Get Free Sample link @ https://www.omrglobal.com/request-sample/topical-pain-relief-gel-market-share Segment Covered- By Formulation By Distribution Channel Regions Covered- North America Europe Asia-Pacific Rest of the World Competitive Landscape- including AdvaCare Pharma, Cipla Health Ltd., Exzell Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline Plc. Novartis AG, and Others. Full report of Topical pain Relief Market available @ https://www.omrglobal.com/industry-reports/topical-pain-relief-gel-market-share Key questions addressed by the report What is the market growth rate? Which segment and region dominate the market in the base year? Which segment and region will project the fastest growth in the market? How COVID-19 impacted the market? o Deviation from the pre-COVID-19 forecast o Most affected region and segment Who is the leader in the market? How are players addressing challenges to sustain growth? Where is the investment opportunity? Global Topical pain Relief Market Report Segment By Formulation Cream Gel Spray Others (Patch) By Distribution Channel Online Offline Reasons to Buying From us - 1. We cover more than 15 major industries, further segmented into more than 90 sectors. 2. More than 120 countries are for analysis. 3. Over 100+ paid data sources mined for investigation. 4. Our expert research analysts answer all your questions before and after purchasing your report. For More Customized Data, Request for Report Customization @ https://www.omrglobal.com/report-customization/topical-pain-relief-gel-market-share About Orion Market Research Orion Market Research (OMR) is a market research and consulting company known for its crisp and concise reports. The company is equipped with an experienced team of analysts and consultants. OMR offers quality syndicated research reports, customized research reports, consulting and other research-based services. The company also offers Digital Marketing services through its subsidiary OMR Digital and Software development and Consulting Services through another subsidiary Encanto Technologies. Media Contact: Contact Person: Mr. Anurag Tiwari Email: anurag@omrglobal.com Contact no: +91 780-304-0404 Company Name: Orion Market Research This release was published on openPR.