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, /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) announced today it will release its fourth quarter 2024 earnings on , after the stock market close via PR Newswire and the company's website . The company will host a webcast conference call on , at that is open to the public via internet broadcast and telephone. At this time, management will provide commentary on the results from the fourth quarter and full year 2024, guidance for the first quarter and full year 2025, as well as an update on the three-year outlook and the company's strategy. The call time has been extended to 90 minutes from the usual 60 minutes to accommodate the number of topics and Q&A adequately. Internet broadcast: (Local): +1 404 975 4839 ( ): +1 833 470 1428 Global Dial-In Numbers: Access Code: 338624 Pre-Registration Link: A replay of the call will be available via the internet and telephone from on , until . Internet replay: (Local): 1 929 458 6194 ( ): 1 866 813 9403 Access Code: 793208 FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population while adapting to a changing environment. FMC's innovative crop protection solutions – including biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture – enable growers and crop advisers to address their toughest challenges economically while protecting the environment. With approximately 5,800 employees at more than 100 sites worldwide, FMC is committed to discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet. Visit to learn more and follow us on . View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE FMC CorporationHow to Watch Top 25 College Basketball Games – Monday, November 25
A Place In The Sun made me want to move abroad – but when I got there it made me want to cryNanjing, China, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ostin Technology Group Co., Ltd. ("the Company") (Nasdaq: OST), a leading supplier of display modules and polarizers based in China, today announced that it has resolved to effect a reverse share split of the Company’s ordinary shares, with the split ratio set at 1-for-10 (the “The Reverse Share Split”). The Reverse Share Split was approved by the Company’s shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting held on November 25, 2024. The Company’s Class A ordinary shares will begin trading on an adjusted basis, reflecting the Reverse Share Split, on December 26, 2024, under the existing ticker symbol “OST.” The new CUSIP number for the Company’s Class A ordinary shares will be G67927114. Upon the effectiveness of the Reverse Share Split, every ten shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares as of the effective date will automatically be combined into one Class A ordinary share. This adjustment will reduce the total number of outstanding Class A ordinary shares of the Company from approximately 18.1 million to approximately 1.81 million. In conjunction with the Reverse Share Split, the Company also amended its Memorandum of Association to proportionately reduce the number of authorized shares for issuance and to adjust the par value of the post-reverse share split ordinary shares to $0.001 per share. The Reverse Share Split is part of the Company’s efforts to regain compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2) related to the minimum bid price of at least $1.00 per share of the Company’s ordinary shares. No fractional shares will be issued; instead, shareholders who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share will have their entitlement rounded up to the nearest whole share. Further details regarding the reverse share split and the associated changes to the Company’s share capital can be found in the Company’s notice of extraordinary general meeting, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2024. About Ostin Technology Group Co., Ltd. Founded in 2010, the Company is a supplier of display modules and polarizers in China. The Company designs, develops, and manufactures TFT-LCD display modules in a wide range of sizes and customized sizes which are mainly used in consumer electronics, outdoor LCD displays, and automotive displays. The Company also manufactures polarizers used in the TFT-LCD display modules. For more information, please visit http://ostin-technology.com/index.html Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, underlying assumptions, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's forecast on market trends; the Company's future business development; the demand for and market acceptance for new products; expectation to receive customer orders for new products; the anticipated timing for the marketing and sales of new products; changes in technology; the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled professionals; client concentration; and general economic conditions affecting the Company's industry and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov . The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. For more information, please contact: Ostin Technology Group Co., Ltd. ir@austinelec.com Investor Relations: Janice Wang Wealth Financial Services LLC Phone: +86 13811768599 +1 628 283 9214 Email: services@wealthfsllc.com
Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in Chegg, Inc. ( NYSE:CHGG – Free Report ) by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 372,434 shares of the technology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 18,894 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC owned 0.36% of Chegg worth $659,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in CHGG. Gladius Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Chegg during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Adero Partners LLC bought a new stake in Chegg in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC bought a new position in Chegg during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $60,000. Aspire Wealth Management Corp acquired a new position in shares of Chegg in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $69,000. Finally, Royce & Associates LP bought a new stake in shares of Chegg in the 3rd quarter valued at $91,000. 95.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CHGG. Craig Hallum dropped their price objective on Chegg from $3.00 to $1.50 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of Chegg from $2.00 to $1.50 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of Chegg in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Northland Securities dropped their price objective on shares of Chegg from $4.00 to $3.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Chegg from $3.75 to $1.75 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $4.69. Chegg Trading Up 11.7 % Shares of CHGG opened at $2.01 on Friday. Chegg, Inc. has a 1-year low of $1.34 and a 1-year high of $11.48. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $1.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $209.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.25, a PEG ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.32. Chegg ( NYSE:CHGG – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 12th. The technology company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.03. Chegg had a positive return on equity of 2.36% and a negative net margin of 124.05%. The business had revenue of $136.59 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $134.12 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.07) EPS. The business’s revenue was down 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Chegg, Inc. will post 0.13 EPS for the current year. About Chegg ( Free Report ) Chegg, Inc operates a direct-to-student learning platform that helps learners build essential life and job skills to accelerate their path from learning programs in the United States and internationally. Its subscription services include Chegg Study, which offers personalized step-by-step learning support from AI, computational engines, and subject matter experts, as well as Tinger Gold and DashPash Student services; Chegg Writing that provides students with a suite of tools, such as plagiarism detection scans, grammar and writing fluency checking, expert personalized writing feedback, and premium citation generation; Chegg Math, a step-by-step math problem solver and calculator that helps students to solve problems; Chegg Study Pack, a bundle of various subscription product offerings, including Chegg Study, Chegg Writing, and Chegg Math services; and Busuu, an online language learning platform that offers comprehensive support through self-paced lessons, live classes with expert tutors, and a community of members to practice alongside. See Also Five stocks we like better than Chegg What is the Euro STOXX 50 Index? Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot What Do S&P 500 Stocks Tell Investors About the Market? MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 What does consumer price index measure? 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Receive News & Ratings for Chegg Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chegg and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022 voting . He didn’t pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Ohtani joined Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues. He was the first player to twice become an unanimous MVP. He had combined with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023 for the first year both MVPs were unanimous. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title , playing the final three games with a torn labrum in his left shoulder . “The ultimate goal from the beginning was to win a World Series, which we are able to accomplish,” he said through a translator. “The next goal is for me to do it again and so right now I’m in the middle of rehab and working out and getting stronger.” When Ohtani returns to the mound, could he win MVP and the Cy Young Award in the same year? “That would obviously be great, but right now my focus is just to get to get back healthy, come back stronger, get back on the mound and show everybody what I can do,” Ohtani said. Ohtani became the first primary DH to win an MVP in a season that started with the revelation his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, had stolen nearly $17 million from the star to fund gambling. Ohtani is the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each). Balloting was conducted before the postseason. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. Judge had discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, the NL winner in 2015 and ’21. “I was telling him, `Man, I’m going to try to catch up to you with these MVPs here, man,’” Judge recalled. “He’d say, hopefully, he could stay a couple ahead of me, which I think he’ll do.” When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. He is the Yankees' 22nd MVP winner, four more than any other team. Judge was hitting .207 with six homers and 18 RBIs through April, then batted .352 with 52 homers and 126 RBIs in 127 games. “March and April were not my friend this year.” Judge said. “Just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can’t mope. You can’t feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York, nobody’s going to feel sorry for you. So you just got to go out there and put up the numbers?” ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB Ronald Blum, The Associated Press
Share Tweet Share Share Email Have you heard about the exciting developments in the crypto space lately? Solana is on a remarkable 2,100% rebound since its earlier lows, and Celestia is breaking new ground with its modular blockchain approach. These projects are gaining traction, but there’s another name you can’t ignore— Qubetics ($TICS) . With over 10,800 token holders and more than 359 million tokens sold, Qubetics is making waves with its Real World Asset Tokenization and a well-structured presale. The Qubetics presale is currently in its 13th stage, and the clock is ticking. In just three days, the price will rise as the next stage begins, offering a 10% price increase. This is your chance to capitalise on what analysts are predicting as one of the best cryptos to invest in now, thanks to its innovative approach and practical applications. Let’s explore how Qubetics, Solana, and Celestia stack up in the crypto landscape. Qubetics Presale Offers a Limited Window for Big Returns Qubetics is reshaping how assets are managed and traded by tokenising physical and digital assets into digital tokens. This approach makes high-value investments more accessible while enhancing liquidity in the market. With over 10,800 token holders and more than 359 million $TICS tokens sold, Qubetics has become a hot topic among savvy investors. Imagine a scenario where a real estate developer tokenises properties, allowing small-scale investors to own shares of high-value projects. Or think about a small business owner who can tokenize equipment to raise capital without traditional bank loans. This process creates new opportunities and solves liquidity issues that have long plagued traditional markets. The Qubetics presale is in its 13th stage, with tokens currently priced at $0.0342. Each stage lasts seven days, and every Sunday at midnight, the price increases by 10%. Analysts predict $TICS could reach $0.25 by the end of the presale, offering a 630.19% ROI. Post-mainnet launch, the projections are even more astonishing, with $TICS potentially hitting $10, translating to a 29107.82% ROI. For instance, an investment of $5,440,000 at the current price would yield approximately 159,064,516 $TICS tokens. If $TICS climbs to $10, this could grow into a staggering $1.59 billion. Qubetics is also the world’s first Web3 aggregator, uniting major blockchains for seamless interoperability. This unique feature enhances efficiency for developers and businesses alike, positioning it as one of the best cryptos to invest in now. To dive deeper into how Qubetics is transforming the space, you can watch this video. Solana Bounces Back with a 2,100% Rebound Solana has made an incredible comeback, recovering 2,100% since its lows following the FTX fallout. This isn’t just about market hype; it’s about solid technological foundations and a growing ecosystem. Analysts suggest that Solana’s scalability and ultra-low transaction costs make it a preferred choice for developers building decentralised applications. With projects ranging from DeFi platforms to NFTs, Solana has become a hub for innovation in the crypto world. Institutional interest is also on the rise, with several funds investing in Solana-based projects. Some predictions indicate that Solana could even hit $1,000 by 2025 if it continues on this trajectory. Solana’s comeback and potential make it a strong contender among the best cryptos to invest in now. Its ability to deliver fast, cost-effective transactions ensures it remains relevant in an increasingly competitive market. Celestia Disrupts Blockchain with Modular Architecture Celestia is gaining momentum with its unique approach to blockchain scalability. The platform recently unveiled plans to increase block sizes to 1 gigabyte, potentially processing more transactions per second than even Visa. This ambitious goal sets it apart in the blockchain space. The Celestia Foundation also secured $100 million in additional funding, bringing its total to $155 million. This financial boost underscores the confidence investors have in Celestia’s vision and technical capabilities. Celestia’s modular blockchain allows developers to build customised solutions without the limitations of traditional monolithic blockchains. Its TIA token has seen a 17.5% increase following these announcements, highlighting the market’s optimism. With a focus on scalability, cost-efficiency, and developer-friendly tools, Celestia is carving out its place among the best cryptos to invest in now. Its ability to adapt to changing market demands makes it a project to watch closely. Conclusion: Three Crypto Powerhouses to Watch Now As the crypto world continues to evolve, Qubetics, Solana, and Celestia are proving their worth. Solana’s remarkable rebound showcases its resilience and scalability, while Celestia’s modular blockchain offers groundbreaking solutions for developers. However, Qubetics stands out for its real-world applications and structured presale. With just three days left before the price increases by 10%, now is the time to act. With over 10,800 token holders and 359 million $TICS tokens sold, Qubetics offers unmatched potential among the best cryptos to invest in now. Whether you’re an experienced investor or new to the crypto scene, these three projects represent exciting opportunities for long-term growth and innovation. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com/ Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://twitter.com/qubetics Related Items: Blockchain , Qubetic Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Top 4 Crypto Coins For 2025: BlockDAG, Chainlink, Arbitrum & Bitcoin Cash—Who Will Spearhead the Next Bull Run? How Blockchain Is Empowering the Internet of Things (IoT) Weekend Crypto Adventure: 6 Best New Meme Coins to Buy This Weekend For Explosive ROI Comments
Baltimore (7-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN/ABC BetMGM NFL odds: Ravens by 3. Against the spread: Ravens 5-5-1; Chargers 7-3. Series record: Ravens lead 9-5. Last meeting: Ravens beat Chargers 20-10 in Inglewood, Calif., on Nov. 26, 2023. Last week: Ravens lost to Pittsburgh 18-16; Chargers beat Cincinnati 34-27. Ravens offense: overall (1), rush (2), pass (3), scoring (2). Ravens defense: overall (3), rush (26), pass (2), scoring (23). Chargers offense: overall (18), rush (12), pass (19), scoring (18). Chargers defense: overall (11), rush (11), pass (12), scoring (1). Turnover differential: Ravens plus-2; Chargers plus-8. K Justin Tucker missed two field goals last week and is under pressure after spending most of his career beyond reproach. He’s missed six field goals on the season and is 4 for 12 from 50-plus yards since the start of last season. WR Ladd McConkey had a career-high 123 yards on six receptions against Cincinnati. The rookie came up with clutch catches of 28 and 27 yards to set up the game-winning touchdown. Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins vs. Ravens’ run defense. Dobbins showed promise during his time in Baltimore, but he never was able to live up to that potential because of injuries. Now in Los Angeles on a one-year “prove it” contract, Dobbins has nearly matched his most productive season as a professional with 726 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games. After seeing Pittsburgh run the ball 34 times last week, the Chargers will be glad to copy that bruising approach with Dobbins. The Ravens are allowing 77.5 rushing yards per game, but even the sturdiest defense can buckle against that volume of work, so getting off the field will be critical. Baltimore’s defense has one significant injury concern, with LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) questionable to go this week after he was hurt against the Steelers. The good news is S Kyle Hamilton does not have an injury designation. He has been nursing an ankle problem, although he played against Pittsburgh. ... Chargers OLB Khalil Mack (groin) is questionable after the veteran pass rusher didn’t play against Cincinnati. ... McConkey is also questionable because of a shoulder injury. The Ravens have won four straight over the Chargers in the regular season, but Los Angeles did earn a 23-17 AFC wild-card round upset in January 2019. ... Baltimore cruised to a 34-6 win over the Chargers in its first visit to SoFi Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021. Ravens RB Derrick Henry leads the NFL with 1,185 yards rushing and 15 total TDs (13 rushing and two receiving). He’s also run for a league-high 52 first downs. ... Henry is one rushing TD shy of the Ravens’ single-season record, set by Jamal Lewis in 2003. ... Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson is 6-2 on “Monday Night Football” with 20 TD passes and no interceptions. ... Henry is one of four players in the Super Bowl era to score a TD in each of the first 11 games of a season. The others are O.J. Simpson (1975), John Riggins (1983) and Jerry Rice (1987). ... The Ravens have scored touchdowns on a league-best 77.8% of their red zone trips. ... Jackson needs 124 yards passing and 16 yards rushing for a second consecutive season with 3,000 passing and 600 rushing. Since the AFL-NFL merger, only Randall Cunningham (1988-1990), Cam Newton (2011-12), Josh Allen (2021-22) and Jalen Hurts (2021-23) have accomplished that feat. ... Dobbins ran for two touchdowns against Cincinnati, giving him multiple scores in two of his past three games. He did it twice in 24 games as a Raven. ... OLB Tuli Tuipulotu had 1 1/2 sacks of Bengals QB Joe Burrow, his third straight game with more than one. All seven of Tuipulotu’s sacks this season have come in the past four games, and six of his eight tackles for loss have come in that span. ... The Chargers allowed a season-worst 27 points to Cincinnati after holding each of their previous nine opponents to 20 points or fewer. ... QB Justin Herbert has thrown one interception in 277 attempts this season. That lone pick came in Week 2 at Carolina. ... The Chargers lost their fifth turnover of the season when Herbert fumbled to start the fourth quarter. It was their first turnover at home. ... Los Angeles does not have a takeaway in its past two games. Herbert has heated up after a slow start in terms of fantasy production, having thrown for multiple touchdowns in three of his past four games. He is likely to keep that success going this week. Baltimore has allowed 22 scores through the air, which is tied with Houston for second most in the league, and Herbert should have plenty of chances to add to that total in what could be another high-scoring matchup. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Market Outlook: Q2 GDP, FIIs data and global cues key triggers fornext week
MISSOULA — The Montana women's basketball team ran into a buzzsaw Sunday in defensive-minded Big Ten foe Minnesota. The Golden Gophers held the Lady Griz to a season-low seven points in the first quarter in racing to a 22-point lead. From there Minnesota cruised to an 84-45 win at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Montana had a two-game win streak snapped in falling to 3-3. Minnesota, who held UMass-Lowell and Oregon State in the 30s in wins earlier this season, improved to 7-0. The Gophers are coached by former South Dakota skipper Dawn Plitzuweit, whose emphasis on defense has been well-received. Minnesota finished 20-16 in her first season and is off to an impressive start this year. Not only did Montana lose the game, the team may have lost redshirt freshman guard Macy Donarski for a while. She left the game in the first quarter with what looked to be a significant left leg injury. Donarski did not play last season due to a knee injury. Montana was befuddled from the start by the Gophers' defense. Minnesota stresses team defense with active rotations and an emphasis on forcing turnovers. The Lady Griz had 16 turnovers in the game Montana hit just 3 of 12 shots in the first quarter in spotting the hosts a gaudy 29-7 lead. Minnesota was 9 for 19 with two triples. The Gophers stretched their lead to 52-22 by halftime. The Lady Griz were 7 for 23 from the floor. Mack Konig and Adria Lincoln were bright spots with nine points apiece in the first 20 minutes. Minnesota continued to add to its lead in the second half. The Gophers led by as many as 40 points in the fourth quarter before settling for their 39-point victory. Montana's seven points in first quarter were a season low. The Lady Griz had the same total in the fourth frame.
FMC Corporation announces date for fourth quarter 2024 earnings release and webcast conference callWhen Tyrone Mings suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the opening game of last season, nobody needed to tell him that it would be a long road back. Unfortunately, the Aston Villa and England defender has experienced it before. It was not pretty. It was at Bournemouth, soon after becoming their club record signing, that Mings damaged his anterior and medial ligaments minutes into his Premier League debut. That was almost a decade ago now and it sent Mings spiralling into a dark place. He has since spoken of how he sought comfort in alcohol, was consumed by the feeling that he had lost everything, the thought of a life without a football threatening his whole identity. He has told the tale of how he broke down in tears in Eddie Howe's office. Nottingham Forest Aston Villa This time around, older and wiser, he was always going to approach the challenge very differently. "It has been different. I would not say it has been easier. It is just that I have a little more perspective. I have kids now so that always helps," Mings tells Sky Sports . "When I was at Bournemouth, it was a very uncertain time. I was still trying to make my way in the game and trying to prove to the fans that I would be a good signing. So the timing of it was really difficult to take. This time has been difficult for different reasons. Trending "I felt like I was playing well when I got injured. I felt like I was trying to establish myself in the manager's idea and the team were doing well. So it was a tough time to sit out and see other people build on all the work we had put in together over the previous years." Mings has a routine now, one that includes speaking to his therapist regularly, keeping him in the right head space. The days when his extra-curricular activities were counter-productive are over. That energy has been successfully channelled in a positive way. Also See: Stream Sky Sports with NOW Live on Sky this weekend Watch Premier League highlights Premier League fixtures "Every waking minute was spent trying to figure out how I'm going to get my knee better," he stresses. But there is his involvement with the Tyrone Mings Academy in Bristol, helping to provide fun opportunities for children in the region. And new interests too. Through the PFA, he has taken a global football business management course. "I have really learned about what it means to be a sporting director or a CEO so they will not be new things when I retire. I am certainly not scared of what comes after football." Nor should he be. Mings has always been an articulate spokesman, whether explaining the reasons for players taking the knee in opposition to racism or countering the claims of then health secretary Matt Hancock that footballers needed to give back more. Now 31, he cuts a confident and measured figure. Success will come post-retirement. But there are still ambitions to fulfil on the pitch and he is fortunate that while he was out with injury, Villa continued to go from strength to strength under Unai Emery. The team he returns to is one not only competing in the Champions League but thriving in it, while continuing to claim their spot towards the top end of the Premier League table. As a result, the motivation for Mings is easy. New opportunities keep coming up. "People are always looking for new ideas, new stimuli, so the Champions League has certainly given a different feeling around the club. You see it for the fans at Villa Park or at away games. It is certainly a different feeling and the players feel that as well. "It did not really drive me through rehab as it felt so far away from where I was at the time. I still had a lot of hurdles to overcome to get back on the football pitch. But now I am here and part of it, it is a special time in the club's history and it adds something." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player For Mings, released by Southampton as a youngster, his mother writing to every club in the Football League in the hope of kickstarting his career only for him to progress the hard way via spells at Yate and Chippenham, it has been an amazing journey. Maybe that makes it that bit more special for him when the Champions League music plays. He has won 18 caps for England, featuring at Euro 2020, but Europe's premier club competition still represents another high, another marker on his route to the top. It is true of a number of Villa's senior players. Ollie Watkins came through Exeter City's academy, making his Premier League debut at 24. Emiliano Martinez was still playing for Reading at the age of 26. One wonders whether it is one of the secrets of their success. "There are a few players with quite a lot of Champions League experience but it is new as a team, it is new as a group, it is new that we are doing it together. Quite a lot of the players also have bought into the journey that we have been on for so long now." He talks of winning a trophy with Villa. "Big on everybody's to-do list here." And the feeling that they can "achieve something special together" - calling this as an "exciting time" and speaking of wanting to replicate Villa's glorious successes of the past. Last month, he made his Champions League debut. It was an inauspicious one, picking up the ball in error to concede the penalty from which Club Brugge scored the only goal of the game. Emery called it one of the worst errors that he has seen made in football. A serious injury on his Premier League debut. A serious error on his Champions League debut. Life keeps throwing things at him. "If there is something that is going to happen, it is usually going to happen to me," he says, insisting that the error did not affect him. "I do not participate in the extreme highs or extreme lows of the emotions in the game. I am fairly level-headed and I am fairly unflappable, I think, in terms of riding those emotions." He then says something particularly revealing about the way he thinks now. "I was not frustrated at what happened itself because mistakes happen. And I think if that was going to happen to anybody, I am happy that it happened to me because I am fairly sure I can cope with it. My next game after that was Brentford I think." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player He had to wait a month, being an unused substitute for the next four games. But when he made his Premier League return after 16 months out, he was named player of the match in a 3-1 home victory over Brentford that ended a run of eight without a win. "The thing about the Bruges game is that I never came away from that game feeling any differently than what I did when I played against Brentford and got man on the match." It is surely a product of the long hours of work put into shaping his own mentality. "The guy I use has been paid a monthly retainer since 2015," he says of his therapist. "It is less to do with football now, more just about my well-being and about life in general. One of the learnings of my career is to be very calm when things happen in football." He adds: "When the Bruges incident happened, some people did not even bother texting me because they knew I would be fine. I can promise that regardless of whether we win 3-0 or lose 3-0, I will be the same person when the next game comes around." Mings on the challenge of getting back up to speed “I am still in the last 20 per cent of my rehab. Although when players come back from long-term knee injuries, the first game back everybody presumes that you are now back, there are certain things in rehab that you cannot replicate,” he explains. “That is a lot to do with the speed of the game, the decision-making, positioning on the pitch, the repercussions of what happens if you do make that tackle or block that shot. Those are split-second decisions in-game. That is what the final 20 per cent of rehab is. “You can get yourself as fit and as strong and as sharp as possible without games. But this part now that I am in, I think my performances have been good for how long I have been out and I am really enjoying the opportunities when they come.” Every team needs players like that. As for Villa, they are fifth in the Champions League table. One more win would surely take them to the last 16. Beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday and they will move above Man City into fourth spot in the Premier League too. "The most impressive thing last season was balancing the European football to allow us to get Champions League this year. The big challenge again is: how do you balance Champions League games without it affecting your Premier League form? "I think teams historically who have broken into the Champions League have struggled with that due to squad size and emotions and travelling so I think the fact that we have been able to rotate the squad and the manager is very calm as well has helped. "There was a period where we had a few bad results and it felt like everything was going against us but it is time to be calm and see the bigger picture. I think we can be proud of where we sit right now, both in the Champions League and the Premier League." Like the lows, Mings intends to take the highs in his stride. But he has come too far and worked too hard not to enjoy it. "There is a good feeling here. Being back and part of it is just as impressive and wholesome before. I was loving it before and I am loving it now." Watch Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa live on Sky Sports Premier League this Saturday from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm Tom from Southampton became a millionaire for free with Super 6! Could you be the next jackpot winner? 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Hello Kitty is famously the height of just five apples. But these days, the more striking statistic is that she’s worth more than ¥1 trillion — or $6.5 billion. Stock in Japan’s Sanrio Co. hit that milestone for the first time recently, just weeks before the company’s feline star turned 50. Kitty White was born on Nov. 1, 1974, when she first appeared on a vinyl coin purse that quickly helped her became a national sensation in Japan. Half a century later, she’s not just big business in Sanrio’s home country: Hello Kitty is the second highest-grossing media franchise in the world, according to TitleMax, earning more than the likes of Harry Potter or Star Wars. Sanrio was one of the pioneers of content licensing, placing Kitty on everything from Pez dispensers to computer mice, and tying up with brands from Nike to Gucci. You can find her everywhere: throwing out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game earlier this year as part of a special Kitty-themed night, no doubt to piggyback off the achievements of superstar Shohei Ohtani; or appearing on official Japanese government videos explaining the country’s net zero carbon-reduction goals. Designed by Yuko Shimizu, a then-24-year-old illustrator who left Sanrio just two years later, Kitty was instantly a tremendous success. But her broader appeal is more recent. After a decline in the brand in the late 1980s, Sanrio shifted its strategy to appeal to a wider age group, including adults — helping her become the international face of kawaii, the Japanese concept of cuteness that has since become a global trend. Pop stars from Lady Gaga to Bruno Mars have embraced this movement, as well as Kitty herself. When I first came to Japan in the early 2000s, kawaii was omnipresent but still little understood overseas. The internet has since supercharged it, helping both kawaii and Kitty reach a far broader audience. Kitty’s appeal is often attributed to her expressionless, mouth-free face, which is said to allow fans to project their own feelings onto her. Dutch author and illustrator Dick Bruna thought it a rip-off of his similarly inscrutable bunny Miffy, and once sued Sanrio. Biographies describe her as having been born and raised in London, a glamorous location for Japanese people in the 1970s, where she lived with her family, including her often-overlooked twin sister, Mimmy, and her pet cat, Charmmy Kitty. (No, that’s not a typo.) And when she grows up, Kitty wants to become a poet or a pianist. How about a movie star? That’s next on Kitty’s lands to conquer, after Sanrio’s 2019 announcement of a partnership with Warner Bros. for a motion picture based on the brand, described as a “hybrid of live action and anime.” Sanrio confirmed earlier this month that the movie is still in its plans, though hasn't given a release date. That could be the key to diversifying Kitty’s revenue stream — and making her the most valuable media property in the world. Pokémon, the only franchise valued higher by TitleMax, has a far more varied stream of contributions, including games, live-action and animated movies as well as TV series. Kitty, by comparison, is limited almost exclusively to merchandise. A film to match the success of what the 2023 Barbie movie did for Mattel Inc., or The Super Mario Bros. Movie has for Nintendo Co., would change that. The movie deal also includes other Sanrio characters, such as My Melody and Gudetama, that remain less well-known outside Japan. Nonetheless, they are increasingly contributing, along with the likes of Aggretsuko, the long-suffering metal-music-enjoying red panda featured in a popular Netflix Inc. series, reducing Sanrio’s dependency on the half-centenarian icon. Nearly 15 years ago, the New York Times fretted Kitty “may be running out of product lives,” and while that prediction was wide of the mark, it’s true the company has long struggled with a succession of booms followed by busts. Just as Nintendo is seeking to escape the peaks and troughs of the console cycle, so too is Sanrio trying to smooth out its fortunes. Questions were asked when Sanrio appointed Tomokuni Tsuji, the grandson of founder Shintaro Tsuji, as chief executive officer at just 31 — some 14 years younger than Kitty herself, and then the youngest head of a major Japanese listed company. Tomokuni’s father, Kunihiko, had been groomed to take over but died unexpectedly in 2013. While Shintaro was a visionary, by the 2010s he was in his 80s, and the company was languishing with six successive years of declining sales. The younger Tsuji has turned around those fortunes in a remarkably brief time, importing dozens of new hires from outside the company, lowering the average age of Sanrio’s management, and embracing digitalization through video games and apps using its intellectual property. That has helped the company’s stock rise more than 10 times from the Covid-era low of March 2020. As much as the business is diversifying, none of that would be possible without its most famous asset. But it would be remiss of me to fail to address the most long-standing debate over Kitty, which crops up every few years: Is she a cat or, in fact, as executives sometimes say, a little girl? Fans seem to react badly to the suggestion Kitty’s not feline. The company now appears to be reaching for strategic ambivalence, with Tsuji recently telling the BBC that “Hello Kitty is Hello Kitty and she can be whoever you want her to be” — even your mother or yourself. Maybe then she simultaneously is and isn’t a feline — Schrödinger’s Kitty, perhaps? Regardless, she’s not only still pretty at 50 — she’s more vital than ever. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Gearoid Reidy is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Japan and the Koreas. He previously led the breaking news team in North Asia, and was the Tokyo deputy bureau chief. ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com/opinion. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), an Alaska Native regional corporation, announced the purchase of OSC Edge (OSC), a leading provider of IT engineering, integration and testing and data management services to government and private-sector businesses. “I applaud the Board’s decision to move forward with this acquisition. It reflects our shared commitment to growth, innovation and creating long-term value for our Shareholders,” CIRI CEO Swami Iyer said. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, OSC Edge provides expert solutions in Enterprise IT to the government and commercial organizations. OSC’s staff, comprising over 300 team members spanning 27 U.S. states, multiple countries, and 3 continents, is committed to providing the highest quality IT engineering, integration and testing, and data-management services. OSC Edge is a graduated 8(a) company. As a CIRI subsidiary, OSC will gain access to new networks, enhanced operational capabilities and the potential for increased scalability, positioning the company for greater success in a competitive environment. Co-founder Tiffany Bailey will remain as OSC’s president and CEO. “I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter and the opportunities that come with being part of the CIRI family,” Bailey said. “This acquisition marks a significant milestone for our company and I truly believe it will fuel our growth and success.” OSC adds to CIRI’s diverse and strategic business portfolio that currently exceeds $1 billion in assets. The acquisition aligns with CIRI’s long-term business strategy. Cook Inlet Region, Inc., also known as CIRI, is one of 12 land-based Alaska Native regional corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). CIRI’s regional boundaries roughly follow the traditional Dena’ina territory of Southcentral Alaska. CIRI was incorporated on June 8, 1972, and is owned today by a diverse group of more than 9,400 Shareholders who live in Alaska and throughout the world. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219707075/en/ CONTACT: Lori Nelson 907-263-5131 media@ciri.com KEYWORD: ALASKA GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY SECURITY OTHER TECHNOLOGY PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT SOFTWARE NETWORKS INTERNET HARDWARE DATA MANAGEMENT OTHER POLICY ISSUES SOURCE: Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:30 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:30 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219707075/enAndy Murray is set to take up a surprise role as coach for long-time rival Novak Djokovic , the duo confirmed in a blockbuster announcement on Saturday. Murray, who ended his illustrious 19-year tennis playing career following the Olympic Games in Paris in August, is set to join Djokovic’s team as he prepares for the new season and the first Grand Slam of 2025 at the Australian Open in January. Djokovic - who split from previous coach Goran Ivanisevic back in March - made the shock announcement in a video posted to his official social media channels that was captioned: “He never liked retirement anyway.” The record 24-time Grand Slam winner said in a dramatic voiceover played over images of his many battles with Murray down the years: "We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of being rivals, of pushing each other beyond our limits. “We had some of the most epic battles in in our sport. They called us gamechangers, risk-takers, history-makers. "I thought our story may be over. Turns out it has one final chapter. It's time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome aboard, coach Andy Murray. "I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach. "Looking forward to the start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil." Murray also confirmed then news, saying: "I'm going to be joining Novak's team in the off-season, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open. "I'm really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals." Murray and Djokovic have both a lasting friendship and rivalry, having played each other as juniors and throughout their respective high-level senior careers. They met 36 times in total on the ATP Tour across 18 years before Murray’s retirement, with Djokovic boasting 25 wins to Murray’s 11 - including 14 of the last 17 and their final meeting in the final of the 2017 Qatar Open in Doha. They were supposed to meet again in the last 16 of the 2022 Madrid Open, only for Murray to suffer from illness and hand Djokovic a walkover. Many of their most memorable contests occurred in Grand Slams, where Djokovic held a dominant 8-2 record over Murray. They clashed in a total of seven Grand Slam finals, with Djokovic winning all four in the final of the Australian Open in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 to go along with an epic semi-final showdown in 2012. Djokovic also defeated Murray in the French Open final at Roland Garros in 2016, though got the better of him to win his first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2012 and maiden Wimbledon title in 2013.