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Graney: Las Vegas Bowl director eyes CFP game at Allegiant StadiumKISSIMMEE, Fla., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ECD Automotive Design, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECDA) ("ECA Auto Design” or the "Company”), an industry leader in delivering restored, modified and electrified Land Rover Defenders, Jaguars, Ford Mustangs, and Toyota FJs, received a notice (the "Notice”) from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that, because the Company is delinquent in filing its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company no longer complies with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the "Listing Rule”), which requires companies with securities listed on Nasdaq to timely file all required periodic reports with the SEC. The Notice provided that the Company shall have 60 calendar days to submit a plan to regain compliance with the Listing Rule, and if Nasdaq accepts the Company's plan, Nasdaq can grant the Company an exception of up to 180 calendar days from the Filing's due date, or until May 19, 2025, to regain compliance with the Listing Rule. The Company is diligently working to complete its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and the Company expects to complete and file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 with the SEC to regain compliance with the Listing Rule prior to the expiration of the 60 day period. About ECD Auto Design ECD, a public company trading under the symbol ECDA on the Nasdaq Stock Market, is a creator of restored luxury vehicles that combines classic English beauty with modern performance. Currently, ECD restores Land Rovers Defenders, Land Rover Series IIA, the Range Rover Classic, the Jaguar E-Type and we have recently added the Ford Mustang and Toyota FJs. Each vehicle produced by ECD is fully bespoke, a one-off that is designed by the client through an immersive luxury design experience and hand-built from the ground up in 2,200 hours by master-certified Automotive Service Excellence ("ASE”) craftsmen. The company was founded in 2013 by three British "gear heads” whose passion for classic vehicles is the driving force behind exceptionally high standards for quality, custom luxury vehicles. ECD's global headquarters, known as the "Rover Dome,” is a 100,000-square-foot facility located in Kissimmee, Florida that is home to 90 talented craftsmen and technicians, who hold a combined 61 ASE and five master level certifications. ECD has an affiliated logistics center in the U.K. where its seven employees work to source and transport 25-year-old work vehicles back to the U.S. for restoration. For more information, visit www.ecdautodesign.com . Investor Contact: Brian M. Prenoveau, CFA MZ Group - MZ North America [email protected] +561 489 5315 SOURCE: ECD Automotive Design, Inc.
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12 injured in triple vehicle collisionAn Italian war correspondent was arrested in Iran and has been held at an infamous Tehran prison for more than a week, Italian officials said. Cecilia Sala, 29, was arrested on Dec. 19, according to Italy’s foreign ministry, but her arrest was only made public on Friday. Officials did not provide a reason for her arrest. The prominent Italian journalist works for Il Foglio newspaper and hosts “Stories,” a daily podcast on Chora Media. In a statement, Chora Media said Sala was being held in solitary confinement at the Evin prison in Tehran, infamous for its mistreatment of political prisoners since the 1970s. Sala left Rome for Iran on Dec. 12 with a valid journalist’s visa, according to Chora Media. During her time in Tehran, she produced three episodes of her podcast and published several stories. Her reporting said many women were no longer wearing the hijab to protest the country’s leaders. While in Tehran, she also interviewed an Iranian stand-up comedian who had been jailed in the country. Sala was supposed to board a return flight to Italy on Dec. 20, but never made it to the airport, Italian officials said. She stopped sending messages from her phone on Dec. 19, according to Chora Media. Iranian officials did not immediately confirm the arrest. “Cecilia was in Iran, with a valid visa, to cover a country she knows and loves — a country where information is stifled through repression, threats, intimidation, violence, and detentions, often targeting journalists themselves,” Il Foglio said in a statement . “Journalism is not a crime,” the paper added. Last week, Iran had summoned a senior Italian diplomat over the arrest of an Iranian national, Reuters reported, based on Iranian media. The day before Sala’s arrest, Italian police said they arrested an Iranian man accused of providing drone parts to Iran’s military. The 38-year-old man faces extradition to the US, Italian officials said in a statement.
OWINGS MILLS, MD, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maryland Public Television (MPT) has launched its new Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education (Center). The initiative and its mission were introduced during a livestreamed event on November 19 at the statewide public TV network’s Irene and Edward H. Kaplan Production Studio in Owings Mills, Maryland. The event recording is available for viewing at mpt.org/media-literacy . A major expansion of MPT’s long-standing Education Division, the Center will address the challenges and impacts of today’s media-saturated society and support the well-being of Maryland citizens. Its programs and resources on a variety of topics will empower individuals of all ages to navigate media in a complex digital world. The Center’s website is MarylandMediaLiteracy.org . Major funding support for the Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education is being provided by the Sherman Family Foundation. Media literacy at every age is vital, notes the Center’s leadership. Social media is cited as a top source of news and information for adults and teenagers, with nearly half of teens ages 13-17 saying they are online “almost constantly.” In addition, research revealed that 55% of students are not confident in their ability to recognize false information online, 94% of teens say they want their schools to teach media literacy, and 69% of parents fear their children are sharing private information on social media without realizing it. On top of these findings, older adults reported losing more than $1.9 billion in online scams and digital fraud in 2023. “Over more than five decades, MPT’s education team has been a trusted partner in learning and convener in Maryland, which is why we’re well-positioned to spearhead this effort. We recognize media’s power to influence our perceptions, beliefs, and actions, and it’s more important than ever that everyone – from our youngest learners to our seniors – is equipped with healthy media habits,” explained Betsy Peisach, vice president, Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education. “We’re committing the resources, expertise, and leadership over the long term to advance media literacy.” Serving as hosts for the Center’s November 19 launch event were Frank Sesno , former CNN anchor, correspondent, and Washington bureau chief, and current director of strategic initiatives and professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, and Kelsey Russell , a Gen Z national media literacy advocate and influencer with 100,000 TikTok followers. The program featured Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore , who spoke to the audience about the need for essential media literacy skills and the necessity for awareness of children’s digital media use. “For the past 55 years, MPT has helped build strong citizens from childhood to adulthood, and the Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education will build on that legacy. I’m proud this new Center will be a guiding light for our kids and adults,” said Moore. “As first lady, the wellbeing of our children is one of my top priorities – and that’s why I will continue to work in partnership with MPT to uplift the future generations of Marylanders.” FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez and Sheppard Pratt President and CEO Dr. Harsh K. Trivedi took part in a conversation with Frank Sesno about the intersection of media literacy, technology, and mental health, and their impacts on individuals, families, and communities. “If you’re on social media more than three hours a day, that’s specifically correlated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. We’re seeing unprecedented mental health issues and problems from too much social media,” said Dr. Trivedi. “It’s really about making information accessible – like the wonderful things MPT does and this coalition can do – and coming out with tangible things that parents, kids, and educators can use to help to teach skills, change behavior, and impact mental health.” “What MPT is doing today to promote media literacy is important to make sure people can discern what is true and what is misinformation, disinformation, or mal-information,” said Gomez. “Remember, this is both a mental health issue and a public safety issue.” The one-hour program integrated videos about social media use and media literacy topics of importance to students at several grade levels. These videos were produced by students from Benjamin Tasker Middle School in Bowie, Maryland, the DC International School in Washington, D.C., and Stevenson University in Owings Mills. The Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education’s staff, advisors, and partners are developing and curating tools and resources to promote media literacy knowledge and best practices. This team will also create effective learning opportunities that teach media literacy and support informed choices. Among the Center’s initial primary resources and continuing professional development assets are – Media STEPs frameworks and curated partner resources specific to early learners , tweens and teens , and adults and seniors . Early Learning Media Ambassadors , who model best practices for teaching and learning with educational media in the early years. MPT uses a "train the trainers" model to develop media literacy ambassadors, equipping them with the tools to help children develop healthy habits to last a lifetime. In partnership with public libraries, ambassadors host free events, sharing media literacy tips and resources with families and educators in their communities. Maryland State Department of Education-approved media literacy courses for early childhood educators. A network of nine dedicated education professionals is instrumental in guiding the Center’s media literacy initiatives and advancing the movement statewide and beyond. The list of advisors is available at marylandmedialiteracy.org/advisors . (Statistic sources: Pew Research Center, 2022; News Literacy Project, 2022; C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll, 2021; News Literacy Project, May 2024; FTC Annual Report to Congress, 2024) # # # About Maryland Public Television Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service member offering entertaining, educational, and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices. A state agency, it operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission. MPT creates and distributes local, regional, and national content and is a frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards. MPT’s commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through its Maryland Center for Media Literacy and Education and Thinkport.org . MPT’s year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources on a wide range of topics. For more information visit mpt.org. Attachments Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore at MPT Interview during MPT's Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education launch event
Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateOTTAWA—The Liberals plan to dole out $250 cheques to Canadians is now facing pressure from one of their own, with MP Chad Collins saying he won’t support the measure unless more people are included. Collins, who is in his first term as the MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, said the $250 cheque proposal the government announced last week must also be available to seniors and people with disabilities. The measure is currently limited to people who worked in 2023 and made less than $150,000. “We cannot leave out a large portion of our population who cannot supplement their income through employment. Seniors and people with disabilities face the same economic challenges as working Canadians. They deserve our support,” he said in a statement. Collins said he advised the government of his view this weekend and believes he is not alone among the Liberal caucus in looking for this change. “On Saturday evening I advised the government that I cannot support an affordability package that does not include support for seniors and people with disabilities. Two opposition parties are also demanding similar changes leaving the government’s affordability package in limbo. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh signalled Monday he wants to see eligibility for the cheques extended beyond working Canadians to include seniors, people with disabilities, those receiving unemployment benefits and anyone — particularly students — who joined the workforce for the first time last year. He wasn’t the only leader to push for more to secure the swift passage of the measure: the Bloc Québécois’ Yves-François Blanchet told reporters in French that those “who have actually worked all their lives” must be included, describing the cash handouts as a crude move to win votes. The demands come as Justin Trudeau’s rivals seek to leverage last week’s unveiling of a multibillion-dollar affordability package for their own political gain. The GST cut would be applied to children’s clothes, toys, diapers and car seats. The Liberals have pledged to introduce a two-month GST cut on a number of grocery and holiday essentials, among other items. They would also send $250 to Canadians who worked in 2023, filed their tax return for that year by the end of 2024, and earned up to $150,000. All told, the measures would cost $6.3 billion. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday justified the measures, in part, as a way to combat what she called a “vibecession,” or the “disconnect” between Canadians’ feelings about the economy and broader, positive economic signals. “Canadians aren’t feeling it, and that is shaping their economic behaviour in ways that are not great for the Canadian economy,” she told reporters. But the Liberals need opposition support to pass the package of pledges — and to pause a that has brought most parliamentary business to a standstill. Singh said Monday he was prepared to back the Trudeau government’s planned GST holiday, after he proposed a more comprehensive version of the tax cut one week earlier. “We want to see the GST holiday happen right away. We know that people are feeling squeezed. They need a break this winter. So let’s pass the GST holiday. And the Liberals need to fix the cheques,” he said. Singh stopped short of stating whether he would block the passage of rebates if the government introduces that portion of the legislation unchanged. But a senior NDP source who spoke to the Star on the condition they not be named said the Liberals won’t be able to force the NDP to back the measure until it meets the party’s expectations. The New Democrats have said they would introduce a so-called “programming” motion to temporarily suspend a Conservative-led effort to stall House of Commons proceedings. Begun in late September, it is a bid to compel the Liberals to release more documents related to a scandal-riddled — and now-defunct — green technology funding agency. The pause would theoretically allow the Liberals’ legislation to be debated and passed in a single day. The NDP source said the party may not even move forward with such a motion until their demands are met, saying “there’s no possibility, really, of this going to a vote until they get that part repaired.” Two senior Liberal sources with knowledge of discussions between the government and the NDP said talks are ongoing and that the GST pause and the $250 payments could be contained in one piece of legislation or two. It could also be separate from other legislation that may come out of the fall economic statement. One insider, on the condition of anonymity, said “it depends on how any agreement comes together, including on who all is included” in the measures. The Conservatives’ filibuster has prevented the Liberals from scheduling the presentation of its economic update, and allowing MPs to vote on the government’s supplementary estimates, which requires parliament’s approval for more than $21 billion in spending on a range of measures. Freeland said Monday that the government is having “energetic conversations” with other parties, but did not say when the legislation to enact the affordability package will be tabled. Trudeau, in a TVA interview in Montreal on Monday, defended the decision to offer GST cuts that he insisted will benefit everyone, and to send $250 cheques to certain Canadians. Trudeau said his government has already done a lot for seniors, listing enhanced old-age payments for those over 75, and the extension of publicly-paid dental care to all seniors. He also said child-care supports have helped families, and noted the government has not extended free dental care to “40-year-old workers” who also didn’t have access to other government supports but will now receive a bit of relief to “help them with ... the cost of living.” The prime minister said Ottawa can afford the measures because Canada’s economic indicators are “hyper-positive” vis-à-vis G7 partners, with Canada having the lowest deficit, and receiving higher direct foreign investment than its peers. But, he added, many Canadians are still feeling squeezed. Both Freeland and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Monday the one-time, temporary measures will not create any new “structural” deficit, meaning it won’t add year-over-year spending to the annual budget which is already in the red. In a statement to the Star, Freeland’s office said the $250 payments will be “clearly labelled” as the affordability measure they are intended to be, whether delivered via direct deposit or by cheque. It may also go to those whose income comes from working or from investment income, the statement said. “The $250 rebate is for all Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned up to $150,000 in net income. That means revenue from all sources, minus your allowable deductions,” said Freeland spokesperson Katherine Cuplinskas.
Political interest vs. interest ratesNone
By LOLITA C. BALDOR and MATTHEW LEE WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Related Articles National News | Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says National News | A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal win