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They grow up so fast, don’t they, Kourtney Kardashian ? The Kardashians star offered a new glimpse of son Rocky Thirteen Barker —whom she shares with husband Travis Barker —already sporting a full head of hair in a carousel of recent photos shared on social media. In the pic, posted Nov. 25 on Instagram , Rocky, 12 months, showed off his brown locks as he channeled his dad’s rock music roots in black onesie adorned with the word “punk.” And ever the burgeoning bookworm, the toddler had his head buried between the pages of an Inside Out 2 picture book as he knelt in front of a bookshelf of children’s literature. Rocky is certainly building up quite a reading list , as the Pixar book isn’t the only item in his collection. He also recently received a personalized letter from Sylvester Stallone . The note, handwritten by the Rocky star himself, was a gift from grandma Kris Jenner in honor of the little one’s first birthday Nov. 1. “Dear Rocky,” the actor wrote, “My name is Rocky too. Your name is very special and is identified with wonderful things.” In the letter, the actor shared words of wisdom for Rocky to live by as he grows up. “Life has many challenges you will face,” he warned. “You will need to show dedication and determination! You must never give up on your dreams, never! Now most importantly, you must always value family, friendship and loyalty over fame and fortune!” Indeed, his parents are already leading by example on that front. As Travis and Kourtney—who wed in 2022—continue to shield Rocky from the public eye , the Blink-182 drummer addressed a recently-leaked paparazzi photo of his youngest child. “Unfortunately, someone finally got a photo of him,” he told the Wall Street Journal in September, “but we’d rather keep him out of the spotlight.” In fact, Travis—who shares kids Alabama Barker , 18, Landon Barker , 21, and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya , 25, with ex Shanna Moakler and is stepdad to Kourtney’s kids Mason Disick , 14, Penelope Disick , 12, and Reign Disick , 9—said he wished he’d adopted the practice with his elder kids. “I think it’s weird,” he continued, “to grow up and you’re 15 or 12, and you’re like, ‘Mom, you posted this of me?’” But that doesn’t mean they’ve kept Rocky completely off the grid. For a look at what Kourtney and Travis have chosen to share of their baby boy’s upbringing, keep reading. Little Learner Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker' s son Rocky Thirteen Barker was deep in a book, reading all about the Pixar movie Inside Out 2 in November 2024. Catching Some Rays Kourtney took her son for a beach walk, as seen in an Instagram photo she shared in November 2024. Around the World Rocky played with some unique toys, embracing a globe bouncy ball and a skeleton prop ahead of Halloween. Bat Baby For Rocky's first Halloween, Kourtney and Travis dressed him in a sweet bat onesie. Spook-tacular At 11 months, Rocky also sported a skeleton outfit for Halloween 2024. Beach Bound The couple took Rocky to the ocean in an October 2024 snap. Growing Up Fast He took in the views in September 2024. Spot the Tot The reality star bundled up in a cheetah print coat as she carried Rocky in this snapshot shared by Travis in September 2024. Miss You The Blink-182 drummer kissed his baby boy on the cheek in this September 2024 picture. Mother-Son Selfie Say cheese! Kourtney snapped a breastfeeding selfie with Rocky in September 2024. Tour Life In August 2024, Kourtney shared photos from the road as the family joined Travis on Blink-182's summer tour, including this snapshot of herself nursing Rocky backstage. Aliens Exist Rocky had a blast riding on an UFO buggy backstage at a Blink-182 show. Father's Day Tribute "Happy Father’s Day @travisbarker !!" Kourtney wrote to Travis on Instagram on Father's Day 2024, sharing never-before-seen pics of her husband with their son. "Beyond grateful for the Dad that you are to our baby boy, and all of our kids." Kisses for Baby Kourtney continued, " You keep us safe and protected and take care of us. Having a family with you is heaven. Happy to celebrate you!" Beach Day Fun Kourtney also included this pic of Travis and Rocky in her Father's Day tribute. The Parenting Show Travis' daughter Alabama shared this photo of the couple with baby Rocky in June 2024. Sky's the Limit Travis played with his baby boy on a private plane. All the Small Things The Poosh founder and the rocker shared a sweet kiss while holding their son Rocky, who they welcomed on Nov. 1, 2023. Mother's Day Travis commemorated Kourtney's first Mother's Day with Rocky, writing on Instagram in May 2024, "Happy Mother’s Day to my best friend and partner." Baby Joy "Our children are so lucky to have you," the musician—who is also dad to step-daughter Atiana de la Hoya , son Landon Barker and daughter Alabama Barker with ex Shanna Moakler —continued in his tribute to Kourtney. "Thank you for filling our home with love, laughter, and joy." Family Forever Sharing photos of Kourtney and Rocky, Travis added in his Mother's Day message, "I love you forever and ever my wife @kourtneykardash." Rock Me to Sleep Rocky fell asleep during this tender moment with Kourtney, who also shares kids Mason , Penelope and Reign with ex Scott Disick . Mom Life Travis shared a sweet look at life with their baby boy, captioning this mother-son photo on Instagram in April 2024, "I love our life together. Thank you for being the most amazing wife a person could ask for." Light It Up The Kardashians star celebrated her 45th birthday alongside Travis and Rocky in April 2024, with the family ringing in the milestone with a firework display. Come Fly With Me Rocky took his first international flight when the family flew down to Australia for Travis' Blink-182 tour in March 2024. Beach Baby Travis splashed around the gentle waves with his son during a family vacation in the Bahamas. Dreaming of You Kourtney and Rocky shared a bed in this sweet snap posted by Travis on Mother's Day 2024. Fell in Love at the Rock Show The drummer's baby boy joined him behind the kit. Take a Dip Kourtney and baby Rocky kicked back by the pool during a tropical vacation in April 2024. Your Hand in Mine Travis shared this adorable photo of Rocky and his mama on Kourtney's 45th birthday in April 2024.Philadelphia, surrounding counties, certify the 2024 election
Hugh Grant Has Always Played the VillainMissing teen believed to be with 'unknown male' she met on SnapchatNEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M) resulting from allegations that Macy’s may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Macy’s securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31645 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. What is this about: On November 25, 2024, The New York Times published an article entitled “Macy’s Discovers Employee Hid Millions in Delivery Expenses.” This article stated that “Macy’s said on Monday that an employee had “intentionally” misstated and hidden up to $154 million in delivery expenses over the past few years, forcing the retailer to delay a much-anticipated earnings report that Wall Street uses to gauge the strength of holiday shopping.” On this news, the price of Macy’s, Inc. stock fell 2.2% on November 25, 2024. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125862473/en/ CONTACT: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 06:40 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 06:40 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125862473/enPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown’s troubles connecting on the field have yet to blow into a family feud inside the locker room — honest, both Philadelphia Eagles stars said. Between Hurts and Brown, it’s all good in Philly. “Me and Jalen are good,” Brown said. Added Hurts, “We’re good, we’re good.” So there will be no sit-ups in the driveway, no apologies on the front lawn, and certainly, it seems, no rift between Hurts and his No. 1 receiver. Hurts and Brown each downplayed any hint of a fissure Wednesday between the two after defensive end Brandon Graham appeared this week on a Philadelphia sports radio station and suggested there was friction between the Pro Bowl duo. The two were close friends long before they became teammates and Hurts is the godfather for Brown’s daughter. Graham's comments — in which he noted “ things have changed ,” between the two, without offering specifics — exploded into tabloid and fan fodder this week in Philadelphia. His insinuations that the duo were not on the same page came on the heels of Brown's quote after a sluggish win over Carolina that the “ offense ” wasn’t playing up to standard, even with the Eagles at 11-2. “BG knows he spoke out of place,” Hurts said. Graham, who is sidelined with a triceps injury, clarified his comments later to an ESPN reporter, saying he made the wrong assumption about the relationship between Hurts and Brown and planned to apologize to both players. Brown, with 109 yards receiving combined the last two games, said his beef with the offense wasn't directed at Hurts. It was everything from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's play calling to execution to all the ingredients in a successful offense that make a team a Super Bowl contender. The usually pass-happy Eagles have leaned more on running back Saquon Barkley, who set the franchise season rushing record of 1,623 yards against the Panthers and is chasing Eric Dickerson for the NFL mark. “Obviously, it's not about running the ball,” Brown told reporters. “He's about to win MVP. Clearly. What other things can we do on offense? We have to pass the ball. That can go into protection, that can go into picking up the block, that goes to us getting open quicker. Getting on the same page.” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he never witnessed any issues between Hurts and Brown and only saw two players who worked hard together, even working on routes after practice and seemed to have a deep personal connection on and off the field. “You guys get to see three hours every Sunday where emotions can play as high as they’re going to play,” Sirianni said. “I get to see these guys every single day, how they go about their business and interact with each other.” Brown, who was coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, wasn't necessarily wrong in his frustration with the recent stagnation of the passing game. Hurts, who signed a contract extension ahead of the 2023 season that was worth $179.3 million guaranteed , has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in three straight games. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith — who also complained Sunday about the offense — was also coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons but has yet to break 100 yards in a game this season. Brown has four 100-yard games, well off last season’s run when he topped 100 yards in six straight games and seven times overall. Hurts has been more efficient than explosive this season but has still thrown 12 touchdown passes to just one interception — and rushed for 11 more scores — during the Eagles' nine-game winning streak that has them on the brink of clinching the NFC East. Maybe playing the Steelers on Sunday at home can snap the Eagles out of their offensive malaise. Hurts threw three TD passes to Brown in a 35-13 win in 2022. “Do we all have things to get better at in the passing game? Yeah, I think that’s obvious,” Sirianni said. “I think that’s what we’ve been talking about. We all have things that we’ve got to get better at, coaches, players. But this is why this is the greatest team sport there is. It takes everybody. It takes every single person being together, every single person for the success to happen. It’s just not a one-person thing.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
I'm not sure people realize the importance of Washington winning its latest lawsuit against Meta, the social media titan that owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Potentially at stake are laws enabling the public to know who is influencing elections in Washington and other states. Rather than comply with Washington's law requiring disclosure of political ad spending, Meta chose to attack the transparency law's legitimacy. Fortunately Meta keeps losing. A resounding defeat in the state Court of Appeals, which eviscerated Meta's case in a ruling published last Monday , should be the end of it. But Meta can be pugilistic when told to follow the rules, as we've seen in places that ordered the company to compensate news publishers for the use of their stories. Instead of complying with Canada's Online News Act, Meta last year blocked Canadians' access to news on Facebook and Instagram, hurting both customers and online publishers who built their companies on its platforms. Meta could continue fighting Washington all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, potentially undermining the state's Fair Campaign Practices Act and similar laws in other states. All because Meta thinks it's a hassle to share details of what political campaigns are spending on its sites, as the law requires. "Their defense was challenging the constitutionality of the law ... and once you're doing that, you know, you are opening a big can of worms," Washington Attorney General and Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson said in an interview. This began as a straightforward case, forcing Meta to follow standard rules requiring media to disclose campaign ad sales. Violations of these rules happen all the time, often unintentionally. Usually rule-breakers say oops, correct the mistake and move on. Meta did that initially. After Ferguson sued in 2018, Meta paid a $200,000 penalty and said it would comply by ceasing to sell political ads in Washington. Then the company went back on its word and willfully violated the law, again and again. Around 1,600 political ads were sold on its platforms in Washington in 2019 and the company again failed to share details of this campaign spending with the public, as required. When Ferguson brought Meta to court, the company and its attorneys chose a nuclear option. They not only argued that Meta was innocent, they attacked the legal underpinnings of the law. They argued, among other things, that it infringed on Meta's First Amendment rights and that the company was immunized by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. In other words, Meta chose to blow up the state's campaign transparency law rather than follow it. Ferguson said Meta is entitled to its defense but it's frustrating that a sophisticated company and its top-shelf attorneys made that choice. "I just never really understood what Meta was trying to accomplish here," he said. "I mean, rather than working with us to, you know, find a solution, it was literally attack the constitutionality of an important law that supports transparency in our elections." Fortunately the Court of Appeals recognized what's at stake, saw through the arguments and blew up Meta's case instead. The ruling, penned by Judge J. Michael Diaz, opens with a quote from a federal case: “(A) well-informed electorate is as vital to the survival of a democracy as air is to the survival of human life.” It repeatedly made this point, directly and with other citations. The court also upheld what the state Public Disclosure Commission described as the largest fine in U.S. history for campaign violations: $24.6 million in penalties plus $10.5 million for the state's legal fees, after trebling for intentional violations. The penalties could be lowered, however. The previous record penalty, $18 million against the Grocery Manufacturers Association that Ferguson sued in 2013 for campaign reporting violations, was reduced in a 2022 settlement. Ferguson agreed to a $9 million fine and the association dropped its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Meta did not make a representative available for an interview but shared a statement suggesting that it may keep fighting: "We disagree with this ruling and are assessing next steps. We offer more transparency into political advertising than TV, radio or any other digital advertising platform." That's cleverly worded. The issue isn't the quantity of what Meta discloses, it's whether Meta shares what's required, and as required, by state law. The law requires companies running political ads to keep timely, detailed records of the ad spending and make them available within a day or two if someone wants to see them. Other media companies, with far fewer resources, have followed these rules and borne the paperwork costs for decades. But Meta, which is now valued at $1.5 trillion, argued that this is too much of a burden. The court was unconvinced. It also agreed with the state that there's substantial government interest in "the need to timely inform the electorate about who is expending money to influence an election in our state and how that money is being spent." By strongly affirming the need for the public to have prompt access to these records, the ruling also helps make the case for a separate issue Ferguson's office is handling. A coalition of media companies asked it to update model public-records rules to make clear that state law requires prompt, timely disclosure. I asked Ferguson if the ruling also strengthens the state's Public Records and Open Public Meetings acts, or sends a message to those would challenge them. "It does two things: Reinforce those laws, but also serve as a deterrent to those who want to violate them," he said. The case is also an example of how news organizations need government intervention to help level the playing field with dominant tech companies. It's hard to compete with giants but not impossible, unless they ignore the rules. Ferguson noted this in our interview and a news release announcing the ruling. "I think that whether you are a small town newspaper or you're a big corporation, Meta, you've got to play by the same rules," he said. "Because guess what, that small town newspaper, to your point, has the cost and needs to keep those records available and make them available to the public when asked." Ferguson said newspapers are complying, as evidenced by the lack of complaints so far to his office and the Public Disclosure Commission, while "the biggest corporation, with the most resources, it's just too arrogant to follow the rules." "Newspapers are trying to get by right now, right?" he continued. "Meta's got all the resources in the world. Instead of putting those resources to follow the law, they spend millions of dollars trying to have the law declared unconstitutional. It drives me crazy." Me too. Instead of pursuing a Phyrrhic victory that would raise serious questions about Meta's values and corporate citizenship, the company should negotiate a settlement and end this tortured case. Unrepentant, repeat offenders don't deserve a generous break. But a lower penalty is preferable to the risk, however small, of weakening transparency laws and making citizens less informed about who is influencing their elections.With a talented cast, a visionary director, and a gripping story, "Sinister Curse" is poised to become a standout entry in the horror genre. Fans of the genre can look forward to a film that will not only chill them to the bone but also leave them questioning the nature of fear and the boundaries of reality.
In the competitive landscape of virtual reality, Sora's open beta has emerged as a game-changer, offering a dynamic and engaging platform for creators and viewers alike. As users explore the vast array of content available on Sora, they are drawn into a world of endless possibilities, where every video is a gateway to new experiences and adventures. Whether you're a casual viewer looking for entertainment or a dedicated creator seeking to make your mark, Sora offers a vibrant community and a wealth of opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.
From a fan's perspective, the prospect of relegation is a nightmare scenario. Manchester City supporters have been riding high on a wave of success in recent years, with multiple league titles and domestic cup triumphs under their belts. The thought of plummeting down the league standings and facing off against lesser opposition is a bitter pill to swallow.PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN), a leading lifestyle products and services company which operates a portfolio of global consumer brands including the Anthropologie, Free People, FP Movement, Urban Outfitters and Nuuly brands, today announced record third quarter net income of $102.9 million and earnings per diluted share of $1.10 for the three months ended October 31, 2024. For the nine months ended October 31, 2024, net income was $282.2 million and earnings per diluted share were $2.99. Total Company net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2024, increased 6.3% to a record $1.36 billion. Total Retail segment net sales increased 3.2%, with comparable Retail segment net sales increasing 1.5%. The increase in Retail segment comparable net sales was driven by low single-digit positive growth in both digital channel sales and retail store sales. Comparable Retail segment net sales increased 5.8% at Anthropologie and 5.3% at Free People and decreased 8.9% at Urban Outfitters. Nuuly segment net sales increased by 48.4% primarily driven by a 51% increase in average active subscribers in the current quarter versus the prior year quarter. Wholesale segment net sales increased 17.4% driven by a 20.3% increase in Free People wholesale sales due to an increase in sales to specialty customers and department stores, partially offset by a decrease in Urban Outfitters wholesale sales. For the nine months ended October 31, 2024, total Company net sales increased 6.7% to a record $3.91 billion. Total Retail segment net sales increased 4.0%, with comparable Retail segment net sales increasing 2.6%. The increase in Retail segment comparable net sales was driven by mid single-digit positive growth in digital channel sales and low single-digit positive growth in retail store sales. Comparable Retail segment net sales increased 9.3% at Free People and 7.5% at Anthropologie and decreased 10.6% at Urban Outfitters. Nuuly segment net sales increased by 53.9% primarily driven by a 50% increase in average active subscribers in the current period versus the prior year period. Wholesale segment net sales increased 12.3% driven by a 15.1% increase in Free People wholesale sales due to an increase in sales to specialty customers and department stores, partially offset by a decrease in Urban Outfitters wholesale sales. “We are pleased to announce record third quarter sales and earnings, both of which exceeded our expectations. These results were driven by outperformance across all three business segments – Retail, Subscription and Wholesale,” said Richard A. Hayne, Chief Executive Officer. “Additionally, we're optimistic about the outlook for Holiday demand and believe total comparable sales could be similar to our third quarter results,” finished Mr. Hayne. Net sales by brand and segment for the three and nine-month periods were as follows: (1) Anthropologie includes the Anthropologie and Terrain brands. (2) Free People includes the Free People and FP Movement brands. For the three months ended October 31, 2024, the gross profit rate increased by 105 basis points compared to the three months ended October 31, 2023. Gross profit dollars increased 9.4% to $497.3 million from $454.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2023. The increase in gross profit rate for the three months ended October 31, 2024 was primarily due to higher initial merchandise markups for all segments primarily driven by Company cross-functional initiatives. Additionally, Retail segment merchandise markdowns improved driven by lower merchandise markdowns at Urban Outfitters, which were partially offset by an increase at Free People. For the nine months ended October 31, 2024, the gross profit rate increased by 80 basis points compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2023. Gross profit dollars increased 9.2% to $1.40 billion from $1.28 billion in the nine months ended October 31, 2023. The increase in gross profit rate for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 was primarily due to higher initial merchandise markups for all segments primarily driven by Company cross-functional initiatives. The increase in gross profit dollars for both periods was due to higher net sales and the improved gross profit rate. As of October 31, 2024, total inventory increased by $72.3 million, or 10.0%, compared to total inventory as of October 31, 2023. Total Retail segment inventory increased 8.1% due to a Retail segment comparable inventory increase of 3.7% and planned early receipts of holiday merchandise. Wholesale segment inventory increased by 41.6% due to the timing of receipts and to support increased sales. For the three months ended October 31, 2024, selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $23.2 million, or 6.7%, compared to the three months ended October 31, 2023, and expressed as a percentage of net sales, deleveraged 11 basis points. For the nine months ended October 31, 2024, selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $81.8 million, or 8.4%, compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2023, and expressed as a percentage of net sales, deleveraged 42 basis points. The deleverage in selling, general and administrative expenses as a rate to net sales for both periods was primarily related to increased marketing expenses to support customer growth and increased sales in the Retail and Nuuly segments. The dollar growth in selling, general and administrative expenses for both periods was primarily related to increased marketing expenses to support customer growth and increased sales in the Retail and Nuuly segments, as well as increased store payroll expenses to support the Retail segment stores comparable net sales growth. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2024 was 24.2%, compared to 24.3% in the three months ended October 31, 2023. The Company's effective tax rate for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 was 23.6%, compared to 24.5% in the nine months ended October 31, 2023. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2024 was primarily due to the favorable impact of equity vestings in the current year. Net income for the three months ended October 31, 2024 was a record $102.9 million or $1.10 per diluted share. Net income for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 was $282.2 million or $2.99 per diluted share. On June 4, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 20 million common shares under a share repurchase program. During the nine months ended October 31, 2024, the Company repurchased and subsequently retired 1.2 million shares for approximately $52 million. As of October 31, 2024, 18.0 million common shares were remaining under the program. During the nine months ended October 31, 2024, the Company opened a total of 36 new retail locations including: 20 Free People stores (including 12 FP Movement stores), 9 Anthropologie stores and 7 Urban Outfitters stores; and closed 11 retail locations including: 5 Urban Outfitters stores, 4 Anthropologie stores and 2 Free People stores. Urban Outfitters, Inc. offers lifestyle-oriented general merchandise and consumer products and services through a portfolio of global consumer brands comprised of 264 Urban Outfitters stores in the United States, Canada and Europe and websites; 242 Anthropologie stores in the United States, Canada and Europe, catalogs and websites; 216 Free People stores (including 50 FP Movement stores) in the United States, Canada and Europe, catalogs and websites, 9 Menus & Venues restaurants, 7 Urban Outfitters franchisee-owned stores and 2 Anthropologie franchisee-owned stores as of October 31, 2024. Free People, FP Movement and Urban Outfitters wholesale sell their products through department and specialty stores worldwide, digital businesses and the Company’s Retail segment. Nuuly is a women's apparel subscription rental service which offers a wide selection of rental product from the Company's own brands, third-party brands and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. A conference call will be held today to discuss third quarter results and will be webcast at 5:15 pm. ET at: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/9zt6ekqe/. As used in this document, unless otherwise defined, "Anthropologie" refers to the Company's Anthropologie and Terrain brands and "Free People" refers to the Company's Free People and FP Movement brands. This news release is being made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain matters contained in this release may contain forward-looking statements. When used in this release, the words “project,” “believe,” “plan,” “will,” “anticipate,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any one, or all, of the following factors could cause actual financial results to differ materially from those financial results mentioned in the forward-looking statements: overall economic and market conditions (including current levels of inflation) and worldwide political events and the resultant impact on consumer spending patterns and our pricing power, the difficulty in predicting and responding to shifts in fashion trends, changes in the level of competitive pricing and promotional activity and other industry factors, the effects of the implementation of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from membership in the European Union (commonly referred to as “Brexit”), including currency fluctuations, economic conditions and legal or regulatory changes, any effects of war, including geopolitical instability, impacts of the conflict in the Middle East and impacts of the war between Russia and Ukraine and from related sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom and others, terrorism and civil unrest, natural disasters, severe or unseasonable weather conditions (including as a result of climate change) or public health crises (such as the coronavirus (COVID-19)), labor shortages and increases in labor costs, raw material costs and transportation costs, availability of suitable retail space for expansion, timing of store openings, risks associated with international expansion, seasonal fluctuations in gross sales, response to new concepts, our ability to integrate acquisitions, risks associated with digital sales, our ability to maintain and expand our digital sales channels, any material disruptions or security breaches with respect to our technology systems, the departure of one or more key senior executives, import risks (including any shortage of transportation capacities or delays at ports), changes to U.S. and foreign trade policies (including the enactment of tariffs, border adjustment taxes or increases in duties or quotas), the unexpected closing or disruption of, or any damage to, any of our distribution centers, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights, failure of our manufacturers and third-party vendors to comply with our social compliance program, risks related to environmental, social and governance activities, changes in our effective income tax rate, changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, regulatory changes and legal matters and other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that actual results may differ materially from any projected results expressed or implied therein. (Tables follow)
However, the news is not as positive for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, who continue to be sidelined with unspecified injuries. The absence of these experienced defenders has been noticeable in recent matches, highlighting the importance of having a fully fit squad heading into the business end of the season.
One of the main reasons for Inter's struggles has been their inability to cope with the departure of key players, most notably Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi. The absence of these stars has left a significant void in the team, with new signings struggling to fill the gap and establish themselves in the squad. This lack of cohesion and chemistry has reflected in their on-field performances, with Inter failing to hit the heights of last season.
The demographic dividend refers to the economic benefits that arise from a favorable age distribution within a population. When a large proportion of the population is in the working-age group, with fewer dependents to support, there is a potential for increased productivity, higher savings rates, and greater investment in education and infrastructure. This can lead to accelerated economic growth and improved living standards for the population.Welcome to Week 15 of the NFL season, a week that is synonymous with the start of Fantasy football postseasons. Fortunately for you, we've got a rundown of every team's injury report so you know who to start ahead of this week's games. Even if you're not a Fantasy football player (or unfortunately did not make your league's postseason), there are still a litany of injuries to keep an eye on this week. The Buffalo Bills are monitoring the statuses of wideout Keon Coleman (wrist) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee). In Pittsburgh, the Steelers are continuing to monitor George Pickens ' hamstring injury that will likely keep him out of Sunday's in-state showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles. And the Los Angeles Chargers are dealing with a new injury to quarterback Justin Herbert , who, according to coach Jim Harbaugh, will be "doing everything and anything in his power to play on Sunday." The Bengals also limited quarterback Joe Burrow (right wrist/knee) on Wednesday ahead of their matchup at Tennessee on Sunday. Here's a rundown of each team's Wednesday injury report. We'll be updating this throughout the evening as more injury reports come in. Rams at 49ers (Thursday) 49ers: OT Trent Williams (ankle), G Ben Bartch (ankles), S Malik Mustapha (chest/shoulder) OUT; DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique), RB Isaac Guerendo (foot), LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), DT Khalil Davis (knee) QUESTIONABLE Rams: CB Cobie Durant (chest), TE Tyler Higbee (knee) OUT; DE Tyler Davis (calf), WR Jordan Whittington (shoulder), TE Davis Allen (shoulder), WR Demarcus Robinson (shoulder), OL Beaux Limmer (knee), OL Alaric Jackson (knee) QUESTIONABLE Bosa and Guerendo will both listed as limited during Wednesday's walkthrough. The 49ers will have to activate Greenlaw to the 53-man roster if he is going to play Thursday night. Greenlaw, who hasn't played since sustaining his injury in last year's Super Bowl , was a full participant during Wednesday's walkthrough. With Durant out, the Rams will likely activate Emmanuel Forbes , the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft who was recently claimed off of waivers after being released by Washington. Bengals at Titans Running back Tony Pollard (hamstring) and kicker Nick Folk (groin) were among the six Titans players who did not practice Wednesday . Linebacker Otis Reese (ankle) was limited. Four Bengals didn't practice in Cincinnati on Wednsday: offensive tackle Orlando Brown (fibula), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (illness), wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin) and linebacker Joe Bachie (groin). Three key offensive starters were limited: quarterback Joe Burrow (right wrist/knee), wide receiver Tee Higgins (vet rest day) and offensive tackle Amarius Mims (rest day). Commanders at Saints For the Commanders, wideout Noah Brown (kidney), tight end Zach Ertz (hamstring, rest) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee, rest) did not practice on Wednesday. Kicker Zane Gonzalez (left foot) and safety Quan Martin (shoulder) were limited. The Commanders claimed veteran wideout K.J. Osborn off waivers as Brown is expected to be out for the remainder of the season. The Saints haven't put quarterback Derek Carr on injured reserve yet despite him fracturing his left hand on Sunday at the Giants, so he was listed as one of three New Orleans players who didn't practice on Wednesday. Running back Alvin Kamara (illness) and linebacker D'Marco Jackson (ankle) also didn't practice. Two players were limited: tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) and wide receiver Bub Means (ankle). Ravens at Giants The Giants had a slew of players on Wednesday's injury report. Quarterback Drew Lock (heel, left elbow) and offensive tackle Evan Neal (hip, ankle) were among the six Giants players who did not practice . Wideout Malik Nabers (hip) was limited. Regarding lock, Giants coach Brian Daboll said earlier in the day that Tommy DeVito will start in place of Lock this Sunday. Only one Baltimore Raven didn't practice fully on Wednesday: backup safety Sanoussi Kane , who didn't participate while dealing with a hamstring injury. Cowboys at Panthers Running back Raheem Blackshear (chest) and linebacker Trevin Wallace (shoulder) were the only Panthers who did not practice Wednesday for injury-related reasons. Three Panthers, including running back Chuba Hubbard , were given veteran's days off. Carolina had several defensive players practice in a limited capacity, including linebackers Josey Jewell (hamstring) and D.J. Wonnum (knee) and defensive backs Jaycee Horn (groin) and Lonnie Johnson (neck). The Dallas Cowboys had a walkthrough on Wednesday after playing on Monday night, and four players were limited: CB Trevon Diggs (knee), CB C.J Goodwin (hamstring), WR CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and CB Jourdan Lewis (hamstring). Center Cooper Beebe (concussion) didn't practice after going in and out of Monday night's game against the Bengals. Linebacker Eric Kendricks also didn't participate because of a personal reason and a shoulder injury. Jets at Jaguars The Jets had four players who didn't practice Wednesday, including running back Breece Hall (knee), linebacker Haason Reddick (illness) and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle). Fellow offensive lineman Morgan Moses (wrist) and cornerback D.J. Reed (groin) were among the Jets players limited. In Jacksonville, tight end Evan Engram (shoulder) was the only player that did not practice. Guard Ezra Cleveland (knee), tight end Josiah Deguara (shoulder) and guard Brandon Scherff (knee, shoulder) were limited. Dolphins at Texans A dozen Dolphins either did not practice or were limited. Among those who did not practice were tackles Terron Armstead (knee) and Kendall Lamm (back). Wideouts Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (hamstring), fullback Alec Ingold (ankle) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) were among Miami's limited participants. Safety Jalen Pitre (shoulder) and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs (foot) were the only Texans players who didn't practice due to injury. Defensive end Denico Autry (knee) and guard Kenyon Green (shoulder) were among Houston's limited players. Colts at Broncos The Colts, who are coming off of their bye week, had two players not practice: right tackle Braden Smith (personal) and wideout Ashton Dulin (ankle). Wideout Josh Downs (shoulder) and center Ryan Kelly (knee) were limited. The Broncos had just two players on Wednesday's injury report. Defensive back Riley Moss (knee) did not practice, while fellow defensive back Brandon James (abdomen) was limited. Bills at Lions Buffalo got some good news with wideout Keon Coleman (wrist) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) being full practice participants. Defensive backs Rasul Douglas (knee) and Taylor Rapp (neck, shoulder) were the only Bills players who did not practice. Defensive end Casey Toohill (ribs) was Buffalo's only limited participant during Wednesday's walkthrough. Detroit is close to full strength entering this marquee matchup with Buffalo. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader (shoulder) was the only player who didn't practice Wednesday. Defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and Joshua Paschal (knee) were the Lions' only limited participants. Steelers at Eagles As expected, Steelers receiver George Pickens did not practice due to his hamstring injury. Safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (groin) were also held out of practice. Pittsburgh had a slew of veterans taking a rest day as the Steelers are bracing to play three games in an 11-day span. Defensive back Sydney Brown (knee) was the only Eagles player who missed practice due to an injury. Safety Reed Blankenship (concussion), defensive lineman Jalen Carter (shoulder), wideout Britain Covey (neck) and defensive back Cooper DeJean (rest) were limited. Chiefs at Browns A big reason for the Chiefs' 12-1 start has been health. That continues to be the case, as tackle D.J. Humphries (hamstring) was the only player that did not practice Wednesday. Kicker Harrison Butker (left knee) and tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) were the only Chiefs players who were limited. It was a different story in Cleveland as 10 players either did not practice or were limited. Defensive end Myles Garrett (personal), tight end David Njoku (hamstring) and guard Joel Bitonio (back) were the three Browns players who did not practice. Guard Wyatt Teller (glute) and wideout Cedric Tillman (concussion) were among Cleveland's limited practice participants. Patriots at Cardinals Defensive backs Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) were two of 10 Patriots players limited . Wideout Javon Baker (concussion) and cornerback Marcus Jones (illness) did not practice for New England. Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (knee) was limited during Wednesday's practice. McBride's status is obviously something to monitor this week as he has received double-digit targets in each of Arizona's last three games. Buccaneers at Chargers Injuries continues to play a significant role in the Buccaneers' season. Among Tampa's players who didn't practice are wideout Mike Evans (hamstring), running back Bucky Irving (back/hip), safety Antoine Winfield Jr . (knee) and tackle Tristan Wirfs (foot, knee). Winfield is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert did not practice and was listed with ankle and thigh injuries. Earlier in the day, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh informed reporters that Herbert is dealing with a leg contusion and ankle injury. Herbert, who labeled himself Wednesday as day-to-day , has yet to miss a game this season despite battling through various injuries. Linebackers Joey Bosa (hip) and tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) also did not practice. Packers at Seahawks Safety Javon Bullard (ankle) was the only Packers player who did not practice. Tight end Luke Musgrave , who is still within the team's 21-day practice window, was a limited participant as he continues to work through his ankle injury. Cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was a full practice participant. In Seattle, running back Kenneth Walker III did not practice as he continues to deal with his injured calf. Wideout DK Metcalf (shoulder) was a full practice participant. Bears at Vikings (Monday) TBA Falcons at Raiders (Monday) TBA
In a surprising turn of events, former Manchester United's Head of Elite Performance, Tony Ashworth, has reportedly emerged as a top candidate for the role of Sporting Director at Arsenal. This news comes shortly after Ashworth's departure from his position at the renowned football club.In conclusion, Erik ten Hag's success at Ajax and in Europe can be attributed to his clear direction, tactical acumen, and ability to instill a winning mentality in his players. By setting out a clear vision for his team, implementing a tactical philosophy that emphasized attractive football, and inspiring his players to exceed their limits, Ten Hag achieved remarkable success and solidified his reputation as one of the top coaches in European football. His legacy at Ajax will be remembered for years to come, as a testament to the power of clear direction and effective leadership in achieving success in football.A Missouri judge says a law banning surgery, medications for transgender minors is constitutional
One of the key driving forces behind the success of Guangyu Ming Island is its strong commitment to fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government. By creating a vibrant ecosystem that encourages knowledge sharing, talent exchange, and technological innovation, Guangyu Ming Island has been able to attract top-tier companies and research institutions from around the world.MTN launches $137 5G smartphone in South Africa
Italian outfit Inter Milan will also be in action as they go head-to-head against Borussia Monchengladbach in a crucial match-up. Inter Milan, managed by the charismatic Antonio Conte, will be looking to build on their impressive run in last season's competition and make a deep impact this time around. With a star-studded lineup including Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez, and Achraf Hakimi, Inter Milan will be aiming to challenge for the top honors in Europe.In conclusion, the anticipation for the first Lao Wa Cup is palpable, with Chen Meng's video outlook serving as a catalyst for excitement and enthusiasm. As fans and supporters of table tennis, let us embrace the upcoming tournament with open hearts and minds, ready to be dazzled by the talent and passion on display. Together, we can make the first Lao Wa Cup a resounding success and a memorable milestone in the world of table tennis. Let's unite in our anticipation and celebrate the spirit of sport that brings us all together.Election victories for Donald Trump and other candidates whose campaigns demeaned transgender people reinforced a widespread backlash against trans rights. For America’s LGBTQ-rights movement, it adds up to one of the most sustained setbacks in its history. For transgender Americans, it’s personal: There is palpable fear of potential Trump administration steps to further marginalize them. But there is also a spirit of resilience — a determination to persevere in seeking acceptance and understanding. “I just went through an election where I couldn’t watch a sports event on TV without seeing a commercial where trans people were portrayed as monsters,” said Jennifer Finney Boylan, a transgender author who teaches at Barnard College in New York. “This hurts more than any other moment I can remember. We’ve been knocked down before. We’ll be knocked down again. All we can do is fight.” Anti-trans momentum has been growing for several years, with Republican-governed states enacting dozens of laws restricting trans people’s options for medical care, sports participation and public restroom access. Activists fear the movement will grow, with the Trump administration taking power as many Americans question the trans-rights agenda. Overall, 55% of voters — and 85% of Trump backers — said support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 people who cast ballots nationwide. “There is an urgent need to show the American people the reality of transgender lives — the ordinary people for whom being trans is not the center of their lives,” said Shannon Minter, a transgender civil rights lawyer with the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “This is a frightening moment for transgender people and their families. There is a very real possibility that the new administration may adopt policies that cause them devastating harm.” Trump won the presidential contest over Vice President Kamala Harris after a campaign that included pervasive TV advertising mocking her support for trans rights. “Kamala is for they/them,” an ad that ran over 15,000 times asserted. “President Trump is for you.” Other Democratic candidates also were targeted with anti-trans ads. On an array of issues, Trump — and other Republicans who now hold majorities in both the House and Senate — have threatened to roll back protections and civil liberties for trans people. Education: Trump has pledged to impose wide-ranging restrictions on transgender students. His administration could swiftly move to exclude them from Title IX protections, which affect school policies on students’ use of preferred pronouns, bathrooms and locker rooms. Health care: At least 26 states have adopted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for trans minors. In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton is filing civil lawsuits against doctors he alleges were prescribing such treatments. Trump says any doctor or hospital providing gender-affirming care should be barred from Medicaid and Medicare. Sports: Trump and other Republicans embraced the anti-trans mantra opposing “boys in girls’ sports.” At least 24 states already have laws on the books barring trans women and girls from participating in certain women’s or girls’ sports competitions. In March, 16 college athletes filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing transgender woman Lia Thomas to compete at the 2022 national championships, where she won the 500-yard freestyle. Military: Trans-rights activists worry that Trump may reimpose a ban on trans people serving openly in the military or — as an alternative — bar any future recruiting of trans people and curtail the availability of gender-affirming medical care for service members and veterans. Trans-rights organizations are calling for coalition-building and renewed efforts to increase public understanding. They celebrated some notable victories. Sarah McBride won Delaware’s lone seat in the House of Representatives to become the first openly trans person elected to Congress. In Montana, transgender state Rep. Zooey Zephyr won reelection and will be able to return to the House floor nearly two years after she was silenced and sanctioned by her Republican colleagues. But nationwide, anger and anxiety were dominant emotions among trans activists. “This election season has been brutal,” the leaders of Advocates for Transgender Equality wrote to their supporters. “Trump targeted trans people since his campaign launch. He targeted our existence. He targeted our rights. He promised he would continue to target trans people if he won — and we know he will keep his promise.” Shelby Chestnut, executive director of the Transgender Law Center, said trans people “have become the pawn for political groups that don’t understand our communities.” “It’s a very precarious time,” Chestnut said. “We will get through this, but we have to step up and support each other. ... How do we see the long game, not just the immediate narrow view? Because it is very daunting right now. Where do we want to be in 15 years?” Public opinion on trans rights issues isn’t uniform. According to AP VoteCast, slightly more than half of voters in the 2024 election strongly or somewhat opposed laws that ban gender-affirming medical treatment, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy, for minors. Slightly less than half of voters somewhat or strongly favored them. And according to a Gallup poll conducted last year, 69% of Americans say transgender athletes should be allowed to compete only on sports teams that conform with their birth gender. Over the past 25 years, arguably the most daunting previous phase of the LGBTQ-rights movement started in 2004, after Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. Between 2004 and 2008, voters in 26 states approved ballot measures defining marriage as between one man and one woman — in effect outlawing same-sex marriage. By 2012, however, public opinion was swinging in favor of same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court legalized it nationwide in 2015, and it has had the support of most Americans ever since. Boylan recalled how that long-bitter debate tilted in favor of legalization when supporters of same-sex marriage popularized the phrase “Love is love.” “That opened doors and opened hearts,” Boylan said. “The challenge for trans people is we don’t have a phrase like that. ... The issues are more complex.” Boylan noted that the anti-trans campaign seemed to make headway with issues that are not among the core concerns of most trans people: “The primary thing we’re fighting for is not the right to play with other women on a soccer team. We’re fighting for dignity, for respect, for the right to be left alone.” Maxwell Kuzma, a transgender man working as a film editor and writer in rural Ohio, said he was “worn out” by the relentless targeting of trans people and blamed Trump for perpetuating it. Looking ahead, he said life as a trans person “has forced me to learn a resiliency that I will lean on as I continue to speak out against prejudice and discrimination.” Christine Zuba, a transgender woman from New Jersey, described a recent surge of Zoom meetings enabling trans people to express their concerns and determine next steps. “One of the best recommendations I have heard throughout this discussion is to not isolate yourself; rather surround yourself with your support group — the people you love and who love you,” she said. “Do not despair. There are a lot of people who will work with you and for you.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!
It is important to note that while the shift towards a more accommodative monetary policy stance is a positive development, it must be implemented carefully to avoid potential risks and imbalances. The government will need to closely monitor the impact of its policy measures on inflation, asset prices, and financial stability to ensure that they are in line with the overall objectives of sustainable and balanced growth.
Visually, the Tiger Vanguard's design is as impressive as ever, with its sleek black fur, glowing eyes, and razor-sharp claws making it a truly intimidating opponent. The attention to detail and fluid animations further enhance the immersion, drawing players into the heart-pounding action of each encounter.
In the realm of e-commerce, AI-powered solutions can drive personalized recommendations, optimize supply chain management, and improve customer service. With Amazon's extensive customer base and Perplexity's advanced algorithms, the shopping experience could become more tailored, efficient, and engaging. By leveraging AI to predict consumer behavior, streamline inventory management, and enhance product search algorithms, Amazon stands to solidify its position as a leader in online retail.WILLMAR — The Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission on Monday approved offering the Willmar Municipal Utilities general manager position to Jeron Smith. Smith, Willmar Municipal Utilities staff electrical engineer, is the third person to be offered the position after Joel Lemke, director of public utilities and transportation at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and Rick Wicklund, utilities manager at Sun Prairies Utilities in Wisconsin, each turned down the position after it was offered to them. In the weeks that have passed since Wicklund turned down the position, the negotiating committee has been meeting to discuss which of the two remaining finalists should be offered the position — Smith or Willmar Municipal Utilities director of administration Janell Johnson. Johnson has been serving as interim general manager since John Harren’s Sept. 20 retirement. “It's a sensitive topic, obviously, and we have internal candidates,” Commission Chair Shawn Mueske said, noting that commissioners have different views about who should be offered the position. “ ... However, regardless of when this process ends, it will be very important that the commission supports the final person that gets the job. We talked about that for the success of the utility, and I think that that needs to be said yet again.” Commissioner Dave Baumgart made the motion to offer the position to Smith and Commissioner John Kennedy III seconded the motion. Baumgart, Kennedy, Mueske and commissioners Terry Sieck and Patricia Elizondo voted in favor of the motion. Commissioner Carol Laumer abstained from the vote and Commissioner Bruce DeBlieck was absent from the meeting. Laumer did not speak about her abstention. “I would like to extend a thank you to all of the commissioners and all the candidates for that position,” Mueske said. “You put in a lot of time and a lot of extra time, and specifically, the negotiating committee has put in an awful lot of time in that process. I will thank you personally and on behalf of the commission, thank you for your time and effort, because it's been a very long process.” Should Smith accept the position, which is expected, he may have a bit of work to do to bring staff together under his leadership considering some concerns that were exposed during the interview process. After Smith’s first interview for the general manager's position, commissioners praised his skills and knowledge as an electrical engineer, but were concerned with his lack of administrative experience. However, that concern was alleviated during the second interview and by an email Smith submitted to the commission reviewing his managerial experience. Prior to being the electrical engineer for Willmar Municipal Utilities, Smith served as the Utilities' assistant electrical engineer for four years. He worked in information technology with Rambow Inc. for one year and was a controls engineer with Relco LLC for one year. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. After Johnson’s first interview for general manager, commissioners noted her administrative experience, but lack of technical knowledge regarding the electric portion of the utility. There was also concern raised about Johnson’s personal interactions with other staff and city officials with whom she works, based on some of the comments collected anonymously from stakeholders as part of the search process, some of whom were Willmar Municipal Utilities staff. Stakeholders also included city staff and people from various organizations and businesses throughout the city. Following the Oct. 21 interview, Mueske spoke about the negative comments coming from the stakeholders. “I, for one, would like her to rise and fall on the merits of what she's sharing with us, and not necessarily what other things are going on. I realize that with internal candidates, you'll have the politics of internal candidates. ... I am trying to understand what's going on there, because whoever gets this position, this is an issue that's going to have to be worked out in this organization.” Due to some of the comments that were made, commissioners wondered why something had not been done if things were so bad in the Municipal Utilities workplace. Laumer shared a theory on what was going on during the commission's discussion on Oct. 21. “Number one ... I am going to say it out loud — remember, we have a good old boys club here,” she stated, noting that Johnson has a good rapport and has done a good job leading the office staff. “ ... Number two, holding people always accountable for what they need to do, what they're not doing, they don't like it. And that's what I've heard, in some comments and calls I've had.” Laumer noted that Johnson, in her human resources position, is responsible for holding people accountable for doing their jobs properly. However, employee discipline is confidential and cannot be shared. She noted some employees do not like to be held accountable and end up quitting and then complaining. “I won’t say that's in defense of Janell, but in defense of the position,” Laumer added. “And I believe that she's a very black-and-white person, you know — this is the way it is, and this is what we're going to do, and that comes across very strongly, I believe, with her.”
ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!Francesco Totti, a true icon of AS Roma and Italian football, is one of the players who have achieved the remarkable milestone of 600 Serie A appearances. Totti's loyalty and unwavering commitment to Roma set him apart from many others, as he spent his entire career at the club he loved. Known for his vision, creativity, and technical ability, Totti's impact on Italian football transcended the pitch, making him a beloved figure both in Rome and beyond.But perhaps what sets Huang Xiaoming apart as a philanthropist is his hands-on approach to charity. Rather than simply being a figurehead for charitable organizations, he actively participates in the work on the ground, whether it's visiting schools, volunteering at community centers, or engaging with beneficiaries directly. This hands-on involvement not only gives him a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those he seeks to help but also serves as a source of inspiration for others to get involved in giving back.
In a groundbreaking development, the European Union regulatory agency has taken decisive action against tech giants Google and Meta for their clandestine advertising deal. The move comes after months of investigation into the companies’ suspected anti-competitive practices and violation of EU regulations.