The allegations against Manchester City span a wide range of issues, from potential breaches of sponsorship deals to misleading financial statements. The club has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that they have always operated within the rules set out by governing bodies. However, the sheer volume of allegations has cast a shadow over their achievements in recent years.
The handshake battle between Trump and Macron has become a recurring spectacle in their interactions, serving as a symbol of their complex relationship. While Trump's aggressive handshake tactics may be seen as a power play, Macron's reactions reveal a mixture of discomfort and resignation to the theatrics of diplomatic protocol.NoneAurora City Council approves renovation of fourth floor of City Hall
Research is underway to find out what is holding back female participation in local councils, with recommendations to correct gender imbalance expected next year. Only 27 per cent of candidates in this year’s local council elections were female, with just over a quarter (28%) of those candidates elected, said Equality junior minister Rebecca Buttigieg and Local Government junior minister Alison Zerafa Civelli on Saturday. There are currently six localities that do not have any female councillors at all, Buttigieg noted while stressing the importance of female perspectives in local council discussions. The research, which is being carried out by University of Malta Pro-Rector for Student and Staff Affairs and Outreach Carmen Sammut, follows a recommendation earlier this year from a technical committee that evaluated candidacy in the local council elections. Sammut said the parliamentary gender corrective mechanism first seen in the general election two years ago could not necessarily be carried across to local council elections, with her research intended to find other methods of ensuring gender parity. Civelli said Sammut’s research – which is due to be concluded by next September – should be joined by “other activities that are encouraging the further increase of the visibility of women in political life”. Saturday’s press conference comes seven months after Equality Commissioner Renee Laiviera the government reform local councils to make them more gender inclusive. Speaking in April, Laiviera said: “Our biggest challenge is not that people don’t vote for female candidates but a lack of female candidates”. And while last May the government the idea of introducing a gender corrective mechanism for local councils as part of its 'National Strategic Vision for Local Governments', the change was not introduced in time for this year’s elections. Although more female councillors were this year than in 2019, the number of female mayors dropped by half, with only seven of Malta’s 68 local councils now led by a female mayor. Only Birkirkara, Għargħur, Mqabba, Santa Luċija, Xewkija, Żejtun and Żurrieq have a woman at the helm. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.China, a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, has recently achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the world leader in the number of intangible cultural heritage projects. With the successful inscription of the Spring Festival on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, China's cultural legacy has once again shone brightly on the world stage.In conclusion, The Holy Altar Duo's recognition as the Best Women's Doubles Pair of the Year is a well-deserved honor that highlights their exceptional talent, teamwork, and dedication. As they continue to make their mark on the world of badminton, we can only anticipate more glorious moments and achievements from this extraordinary pair. Congratulations to Liu Xuanxuan and Zhang Yuwei on their continued success, and may they inspire future generations of badminton players with their shining example of excellence.ZICC: Internet Experts Pay Attention to the Development of Artificial Intelligence
CARLSBAD, Calif. , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT ), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced that it has completed the divestiture of its Energy Services System Integration (SI) business to US-based private investment firm MAG Capital Partners. No further transaction details were announced. Gary Chase , Chief Financial Officer, Viasat said: "We are focused on taking strategic actions and continuously looking at ways to enhance our financial position and unlock value. This transaction is part of Viasat's strategy to actively manage our portfolio. While the SI business is a vibrant, stand-alone operation, it has minimal strategic synergies with our core growth businesses. "It made strong sense for the future of the SI business – its employees and customers – to find a new owner prioritizing large-scale telecoms project work to allow the business to reach its full potential. In MAG Capital Partners, we believe we have found an owner that will help the business continue to expand. We appreciate the many contributions of our SI colleagues and wish them continued success." SI, which was included in Viasat's acquisition of RigNet in 2021, provides engineering design, procurement services, shop assembly, factory acceptance testing, and "day 2" support for telecom systems installed on critical infrastructure projects. Approximately 80 employees currently engaged in the SI business will transfer to the new company, Nessco. The agreement includes the sale of the company's SI facility in Aberdeen, Scotland . No locations are expected to close as a result of the sale. Imperial Capital, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Viasat in connection with the sale of the SI business. About Viasat Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023 , Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com , the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , X or YouTube . Copyright © 2024 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered in the U.S and in other countries to Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that refer to the enhancement of financial performance and unlocking of value resulting from the active management of Viasat's portfolio; the number of employees expected to transfer to the new company; and the number of locations expected to close as a result of the sale. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of any existing or future satellite; unexpected expenses related to our satellite projects; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, launch, operational or deployment failure or degradation in satellite performance; increasing levels of competition in our target markets; our ability to successfully implement our business plan on our anticipated timeline or at all; changes in the global business environment and economic conditions; and our level of indebtedness and ability to comply with applicable debt covenants. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in our SEC filings available at www.sec.gov , including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason. SOURCE Viasat, Inc.Moreover, the introduction of tiered membership plans has also been a point of contention. While Tencent Video offers different subscription levels with varying benefits, some users have reported feeling pressured to upgrade to more expensive plans in order to access certain features or content. This has led to accusations of misleading marketing tactics and a lack of transparency regarding the true cost of membership.
From the moment he stepped onto the pitch wearing the iconic red jersey of Manchester United, Nani showcased a blend of flair, skill, and speed that set him apart from his peers. His dribbling ability and eye for goal quickly caught the attention of fans and critics alike, earning him comparisons to Ronaldo, who had left a lasting legacy at the club.New York City mayor meets with Trump's 'border czar' to discuss how to go after 'violent' criminalsGC Aesthetics® anuncia una década de evaluación clínica de los implantes mamarios PERLETM
In a move to humanize their opposition to President Bashar al-Assad, the anti-government forces have recently made public a collection of personal photos from Assad's private album. The photos, predominantly depicting Assad in intimate moments with his family, are aimed at shedding light on the Syrian leader's personal life, distinct from his public image as a dictator responsible for the ongoing civil war.DAN HODGES: Out of touch Starmer should be talking to furious farmers and freezing pensioners - NOT sucking up to big business By DAN HODGES Published: 16:56 GMT, 23 November 2024 | Updated: 16:57 GMT, 23 November 2024 e-mail 1 View comments So, Sir Keir Starmer has finally decided to grace us with his presence. After another week of globe-trotting – which encompassed a military parade in Paris, some greenwashing at the COP summit in Azerbaijan , and a round of sun-drenched glad-handing at the G20 in Brazil – he flew back to a sub-zero Britain. And to rebut the charge his habitual jet-setting is making him look dangerously aloof and out of touch, what did the Prime Minister do? Visit a farmer who’s deeply worried last month’s Budget would see their family ousted from land they have been ploughing for generations? Go to a housing estate to reassure tenants fearful about the impact of their winter fuel allowance being axed? Nope. He rolled up for a meeting with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, which has an estimated market value of $11.5trillion. Sitting opposite a smiling BlackRock CEO Larry Fink (personal wealth $1.2 billion), Starmer cheerily tweeted: ‘I’m determined to deliver growth, create wealth and put more money in people’s pockets. This can only be achieved by working in partnership with leading businesses, like BlackRock, to capitalise on the UK’s position as a world-leading hub for investment.’ As he did so, Labour MPs were heading back to their constituencies, and digesting figures that revealed up to 100,000 pensioners could be driven into poverty this winter as a result of their Government’s benefit cuts. On the surface, Starmer’s attempts to align himself with – actually, let’s be honest, suck up to – big business is sound politics. For any Labour leader it’s an important part of softening the party brand. And that’s especially true given that brand was so comprehensively tarnished by five years of undiluted Corbynism. 'These tax hikes are the Labour government’s chosen policy. So the Prime Minister and his Chancellor need to go out and sell it.' Pictured: Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer But the reality is business isn’t buying it. In the run-up to July’s General Election , Labour’s efforts to ingratiate themselves with corporate Britain were dubbed ‘the scrambled egg offensive’, as a series of breakfast meetings replaced the prawn cocktail lunches preferred by then Shadow Chancellor John Smith during his doomed effort to woo the City in the early 1990s. In response to Smith’s abortive attempts, Tory minister Michael Heseltine famously quipped: ‘Never have so many crustaceans died in vain.’ Chancellor Rachel Reeves must surely have been pondering how many eggs had been laid in vain after she saw the letter penned by 80 leading retailers last week, which condemned her Budget, and claimed it would lead to job losses, soaring prices and high-street closures. ‘The sheer scale of new costs and the speed with which they occur create a cumulative burden that will make job losses inevitable, and higher prices a certainty,’ the letter from British Retail Consortium members warned. Read More DAN HODGES: Globetrotting Starmer needs to get his posterior back into No10 as crises pile up But she shouldn’t be unduly surprised. This was always how the great Labour/Lobbyist love-in was destined to end. Not least because there never was any great love for Labour among the business community. The cavalcade of blue-chip managers who schlepped up to Liverpool to kiss Reeves’s ring at the party’s pre-election conference was a parade born of necessity, rather than belief. Business leaders had read the polls and knew the Tories were toast. They just wanted to get in some special pleading for their own companies and sectors before the inevitable Labour landslide reshaped the political landscape. It was pleading that was always destined to fall on deaf ears. As soon as Starmer and Reeves decided the bulk of their £40 billion tax rises should target corporate, rather than personal, taxation, a schism with business leaders was inevitable. So now the Prime Minister and his Chancellor may as well make the most of it. As I wrote on the day, the Budget was crude, old-fashioned, class war politics. But having launched his class war, Starmer might as well try to win it. For a start, he could point out that those companies warning of impending job losses are, in fact, cynically using the Budget as cover for a cull of workers that was already in the pipeline. BT has already said that 75,000 to 90,000 jobs will be axed by 2030 as part of plans for ‘a leaner business, with a brighter future’. Tesco recently announced 2,000 job losses to ensure it remains ‘focused on delivering value for our customers’. At the start of the year, Sainsbury’s declared 1,500 jobs would go as part of its ‘Save And Invest To Win’ strategy. Starmer could also highlight the profits being made by those companies now bemoaning an increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions and a rise in the National Minimum Wage. According to BT chief executive Allison Kirkby, the Budget will cost her company £100 million. ‘It’s a new inflationary pressure that we need to suffer in our business’ she wailed. Which sounds truly terrible, until you realise this year her company reported pre-tax profits of £1.2billion, and Kirkby herself takes home a salary of £1.2million, with the potential to triple it in bonuses and share options. 'As I wrote on the day, the Budget was crude, old-fashioned, class war politics. But having launched his class war, Starmer might as well try to win it' The Prime Minister might also like to remind the country that at a time when working people have been fighting to heat their homes and put food on the table, British business has been doing very nicely off the back of taxpayers: Covid support for business totalling £69billion. Help for energy costs of £18billion. Billions more to subsidise low wages through the tax credit system. Many analysts believe the decision by Starmer and Reeves to hike business taxes will prove their undoing. They predict a 1970s-style descent towards stagnant wages, rising dole queues and soaring prices. And they may be right. But these tax hikes are the Labour government’s chosen policy. So the Prime Minister and his Chancellor need to go out and sell it. And they won’t do that by being seen cosying up with the fat-cats of BlackRock. In the run-up to his 2019 Election victory, Boris Johnson was told business leaders were becoming alarmed at his Brexit proposals. His blunt response was to advise them to combine sex with travel. It wasn’t the sort of language you expect from a Prime Minister, and it flew in the face of a prevailing political orthodoxy that held corporate Britain had to be indulged. But it was music to the ears of voters tired of being told the needs of shareholders should always trump the needs of the nation. After Labour’s first Budget for more than 14 years, Sir Keir Starmer won’t fool anyone he’s on the side of business. His job now is to convince them he’s on the side of the people. Share or comment on this article: DAN HODGES: Out of touch Starmer should be talking to furious farmers and freezing pensioners - NOT sucking up to big business e-mail Add comment