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He will always be remembered as kind person, learned economist: PM New Delhi: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in a video message from New Delhi today. He remarked that Dr. Singh’s demise is a significant loss for the nation. The Prime Minister said that achieving success in every field of life is not an ordinary feat and Dr. Singh was an achiever despite having lost much after he came to India during the partition. He added that Dr. Singh’s life teaches future generations how to rise above adversity and achieve great heights. Shri Modi emphasized that Dr. Singh will always be remembered as a kind person, a learned economist, and a leader dedicated to reforms and highlighted Dr. Singh’s numerous contributions to the Indian government at various levels as an economist. The Prime Minister lauded Dr. Singh’s role as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India during challenging times. The Prime Minister noted that as Finance Minister in the government of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao, Dr. Manmohan Singh guided the country out of a financial crisis and onto a new economic path. He emphasized that Dr. Singh’s contributions to the nation’s development and progress as Prime Minister will always be remembered. He added that Dr. Singh’s commitment to the people and the country’s development was always held in high regard. Shri Modi underscored that Dr. Singh’s life was a reflection of his honesty and simplicity. He highlighted Dr. Singh’s distinguished parliamentary career was marked by his humility, gentleness, and intellect. The Prime Minister recalled that even at the end of Dr. Singh’s tenure in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, he had praised Dr. Singh’s dedication as an inspiration to all. Despite his physical challenges, Dr. Singh attended important sessions in a wheelchair, fulfilling his parliamentary duties. The Prime Minister remarked that despite receiving education from prestigious global institutions and holding top government positions, Dr. Singh never forgot the values of his humble background. He added that Dr. Singh always rose above party politics, maintaining contact with individuals from all parties and being easily accessible to everyone. The Prime Minister fondly remembered his open discussions with Dr. Singh on national and international issues during his tenure as Chief Minister and later in Delhi. He expressed his condolences to Dr. Singh’s family and paid tribute to him on behalf of all citizens.US sanctions Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of Georgia ruling political party
Ahead of Delhi assembly polls, AAP and BJP clash over voter 'manipulation'South Carolina looks to steady ship against South Carolina Upstate
By MICHELLE L. PRICE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift. His presidential transition team did not respond to questions about positions on visas for highly skilled workers or the debate between his supporters online. Instead, his team instead sent a link to a post on X by longtime adviser and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller that was a transcript of a speech Trump gave in 2020 at Mount Rushmore in which he praised figures and moments from American history. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.DRESSED as sunflowers in yellow petals and green tutus, the six Dutchmen had been boozing since 5.30am in preparation for their Ally Pally initiation. Now, 3,500 bladdered darts fans — also in fancy dress — were bellowing at them: “Have you seen a flower down a pint?” Bottoms up went the beers, with Rotterdam corn trader Willem Alderliesten, 29, telling me: “It’s crazy here. We love it!” Amid the dark, gloomy days of winter a shining star has reappeared in the sporting firmament — the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Long a hallowed British institution, darts was propelled into a different league last Christmas with the emergence of a bona fide superstar, Runcorn teenager Luke Littler . Now a bucket-list event, all 90,000 tickets for this year’s tournament sold out within 15 minutes in July. READ MORE ON DARTS Even Prince Harry has been to the arrows — although that was back in 2014 when he was fun. Ed Sheeran (the real one, not a fancy dress stooge) came the week before Christmas, downing a pint when the crowd demanded it. The Tractor Boys fan was also serenaded with a raucous: “Ipswich get battered everywhere they go.” Organisers the Professional Darts Corporation tweeted: “Multi-platinum award-winning artist Ed Sheeran in the house — and he’s watching a window clean- er take on a caravan salesman. You can’t beat the darts.” Most read in Darts So, dressed as a Christmas tree, clutching a 180 scorecard and giant foam hand, I trekked to Ally Pally to see if they’re right. Frothy lager Emerging from Wood Green Tube station at 11am, I joined the sloshed and surreal comet’s tail of humanity on the mile-long climb to the Palace. Lord Nelson, Donald Trump , the Toy Story cast, hordes of Mario Brothers, two Harry Potters and some Santas wove unsteadily through the genteel North London streets. With 90 minutes still to go before the darts afternoon session began, most seemed to have indulged in a morning session of their own. Opened as the “Palace of the People” in 1873, Ally Pally was once home to the BBC and hosted 1967’s 14 Hour Technicolor Dream, headlined by Pink Floyd. The LSD-soaked hippies watching must have thought they had witnessed the most far-out scenes ever seen on this North London hill. But that was before the darts. Entering the Palace’s Great Hall, I was greeted by a cacophonous Technicolor dream of my own. Thousands in the most ludicrous fancy dress and brandishing pitchers of frothy lager were belting out: “Stand up if you love the darts.” Everybody does. And then we all sing it again every few minutes throughout the session. It’s as if 500 stag and hen dos converged at a giant pub with quality darts a few feet away. The occasion is a potent mix of that most endearing of British traits — not taking ourselves too seriously — and our propensity for a roistering alcohol binge. Organisers expect as many as 250,000 pints to be sunk over the course of the 16-day tournament, which finishes on January 3. I’ve come as Captain Kirk for my 60th. What better way to celebrate your birthday? It’s now a firmly entrenched part of the festive calendar, and I met many family groups celebrating there. Retired City trader Rob Elston, from Orpington, Kent , and his children Richard, 31, Georgia , 28, Rianna, 23, and Sasha, 19, were all decked out in Star Trek costumes. Millwall fan Rob said: “I’ve come as Captain Kirk for my 60th. What better way to celebrate your birthday?” Inside the hall, there was a distinct fans’ hierarchy. Those people in the cheaper stands (around £55 a seat) continuously bantered with others who had managed to snaffle table seats (about £65 each). “Boring, boring tables,” was countered with “Feed the stands, let them know it’s Christmas, too” to the tune of Band Aid. Then there was the VIP seating area where, bizarrely, fancy dress is banned. Hospitality packages there begin at just under £400 a head. Two Michelin-starred chefs have conceived three-course meals and you can sip Taittinger champagne while listening to the banter in the cheap seats. When I visited, the only person ejected for misbehaviour was from the VIP seating. A security guard told me: “He was having a row with another table, then had a pop at our guys and got himself removed. What a waste of £400.” The table and stands — for once with one voice — serenaded the miscreant with chants of “W****r! W****r! W****r!” Then the hall echoed with another perennial darts singalong about the two footballing Toure brothers from the Ivory Coast, who played for Manchester City together. No one I spoke to at Ally Pally seemed to know why this footballing ditty has become part of the darts experience. In the bar area, sisters Lisa and Kairen Sotheron, from Colchester , Essex , gave me a rendition. In their Ninja Turtle outfits, they first chanted Yaya Toure’s name with their hands in the air, then as his brother Kolo’s name got an airing, their hands reached for the floor. Nurse Lisa, 44, told me: “I just love the atmosphere and the buzz. I’ve got a jug of beer and Kairen’s got a jug of vodka. And I actually like watching the darts.” Oh, yes, the darts. Sometimes it does feel like a giant beano with a sports event attached, rather than the other way round. I just love the atmosphere and the buzz I was once lucky enough to interview the late commentator Sid Waddell — a bard of darts, who did much to increase its popularity. He told me Ally Pally is “a cross between the Munich Beer Festival and Rome’s Colosseum when the Christians were on the menu. The crowd here are rock ’n’ roll. They are more important to the whole experience than any other sport. “Darts players need to be extroverts and big-headed. It’s a very aggressive and flashy sport.” Each match begins with a boxing-style walk-on, with players glad-handing their devoted fans. A good walk-on tune with some exuberant fist bumps and perhaps some provocative bottom-wiggling can win over the Pally. Nathan Aspinall’s walk-on to The Killers’ Mr Brightside is a sure-fire singalong, as is Joe Cullen’s Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis . With his long locks flowing, Ryan “Heavy Metal” Searle’s entrance to Black Sabbath’s Paranoid normally unleashes a few air guitarists in the crowd. Once on stage, the players are greeted by an incredible wall of noise, even when on the oche. There’s no Wimbledon-style “Quiet, please”. Each throw can be punctuated by roars and boos, the Toure song and banter between stands and tables. The best players seem to enter a Zen-like state, poker-faced. Then the crowd’s screams disappear, replaced by the regular thud of an arrow hitting the treble 20. Yet even the best pros can get the jitters. On his opening match at the Pally this year, Luke Littler admitted: “In the hours before the game, I was perfectly fine — then it was game on, and the bottom’s gone. It fell out. I didn’t know what to do with myself.” The players’ powers of arithmetic — charting routes to the favoured double 16 in nanoseconds — are astonishing and seemingly innate. Roars and boos Darts has come a long way since the first world championship in 1978 was televised on the BBC. Players sank pints and smoked on the oche, reflecting the sport’s birth in pubs and working men’s clubs. Killjoy governing body the British Darts Organisation banned booze in 1989, and the game drifted towards oblivion. Then, when top players engineered a breakaway from the BDO in 1992, the Professional Darts Corporation was born, with wily boxing and snooker promoter Barry Hearn eventually becoming chair. He ramped up the razzmatazz and in 2007 moved the championship, initially held at the Circus Tavern near the Dartford flyover in Kent, to the Ally Pally. So why is darts now more popular than ever? Dressed as a banana, Tom Arnold, 50, from West Malling, Kent, who works in sales, said: “It’s the Luke Littler effect — he’s given the whole thing a new lease of life and made it accessible to a new generation.” Littler, 17 — pipped by Luke Humphries in the final last year — is the reason thousands of kids unwrapped pristine dartboards on Christmas morning. It’s the Luke Littler effect — he’s given the whole thing a new lease of life and made it accessible to a new generation Only the Princess of Wales and Donald Trump had more Google searches in the UK in 2024. Littler is the spearhead of a sport going global. This year’s world championship began with dart players from 28 nations, including India , Japan , the Bahamas, South Africa and the Philippines. England had the most representatives with 26, followed by the Netherlands with 16. And Ally Pally is now a regular pilgrimage for darts fans from Germany, Belgium and Netherlands . Dressed in a blazer in the colours of the Dutch flag, Tom Beumer, 36, from Arnhem, told me: “We love the party, the beer and the fancy dress. The British create a crazy atmosphere but the Dutch are crazy, too.” There is even talk that the Saudis are interested in snaffling this most drunken of occasions. PDC supremo Barry Hearn said recently: “The Saudis asked me for darts and I asked them a simple question — ‘Can we have alcohol?’. READ MORE SUN STORIES “And they said no. I said, ‘Well then you can’t have the darts’.” This festive cocktail of elite sport and British silliness is safe for now.
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Bitcoin proxy MicroStrategy to join the Nasdaq 100 and heavily traded ‘QQQ' ETFTEHRAN – The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced operations deep inside occupied Palestine and in the Arabian Sea as part of their ongoing support for Gaza and in response to the Israeli aggression against Yemen. The spokesperson for the armed forces, Yahya Saree, stated that a precision operation was carried out against “the Israeli-occupied Ben Gurion Airport using a ballistic missile of the Palestine 2 type”. Saree emphasized that “the missile successfully reached its target despite the Israeli occupation’s censorship,” announcing that the operation resulted in casualties and the suspension of air traffic at the airport. Additionally, the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted “a vital facility in the occupied Jaffa area with a drone.” Saree confirmed that the operation successfully achieved its objective. The military spokesman further announced that the Yemeni Air Force conducted a military operation targeting the ship Santa Ursula in the Arabian Sea, east of Socotra Island, using several drones, resulting in a direct hit. He explained that the targeting of the ship was due to the owning company’s violation of the decision to prohibit vessels from sailing to “ports in occupied Palestine.” Saree also stated, “The armed forces possess capabilities that enable them to expand their target list within occupied Palestine to include additional vital facilities belonging to the enemy,” reiterating that their operations will not cease until the aggression against Gaza ends and the siege is lifted. Touching on the recent Israeli airstrikes on Yemen, Saree revealed that the regime carried out several airstrikes on civilian facilities in Sanaa, which included its airport, and the port city of Hodeidah, resulting in casualties, injuries, and material damage. He stressed that the aggression, waged on Thursday night, would only strengthen the determination of the Yemeni people to continue supporting the Palestinian people and fulfilling their religious, moral, and humanitarian duties. According to the Hebrew newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, the Israeli attack did not prevent the Yemenis from continuing to launch missiles last night, forcing hundreds of thousands of Israelis to seek shelter in protected areas. The paper added that “deterrence against the Houthis is not achieved by merely disabling an airport. The Israeli public must understand that the Yemenis have the capability to continue firing daily, and it is expected that they will do so.” Also on Friday, the Israeli Maariv newspaper said that “Israel is struggling to reduce the Houthis’ offensive capabilities against it.” The leader of Yemen’s Ansarallah movement, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, affirmed that Yemen’s continued drone and missile strikes toward the Israeli regime, including Tel Aviv, demonstrate the failure of the Israeli occupation. He highlighted the Israeli losses due to Yemeni operations, pointing out that the Israeli stock market indices dropped, and the Israeli currency diminished in value last Thursday following Yemeni missile strikes on Tel Aviv. The Ansarallah leader also revealed that Yemeni forces “targeted the aircraft carrier Truman at the same time as America sought to carry out a major aggressive operation against our country.” Regular attacks by the United States, Britain, and the Israelis have failed to deter the Sanaa government’s military support front in solidarity with Gaza, which has seen Israeli interests targeted in the sea and on land. Yemeni officials have repeatedly said they will halt military operations as soon as there is a ceasefire in Gaza and the siege on the enclave is lifted.
Australia news LIVE: Climate projections put Australia almost on target; Netanyahu backs ceasefire deal with HezbollahOn Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here . Getting benched may have been the best thing that happened to Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson. Both second-year quarterbacks are playing well since returning to the starting lineup. Young has steadily improved after coming back in Week 8. He’s displayed the skills that earned him a Heisman Trophy at Alabama and convinced the Carolina Panthers to draft him ahead of C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023. Young had his best game on Sunday, nearly leading Carolina to an overtime win over Tampa Bay if it weren’t for Chuba Hubbard’s fumble in field-goal range. He threw for 298 yards and a go-ahead touchdown pass in the final minute of a 26-23 loss . Young almost led the Panthers to a win over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs a week earlier only to see Patrick Mahomes drive Kansas City into position for a winning field goal as time expired. Rookie coach Dave Canales benched Young for veteran Andy Dalton after just two games in which he had a 44.1 passer rating. The 23-year-old has completed 60.4% of his passes for 1,062 yards, six TDs and three interceptions — none in the past three games — while going 2-3 in the five starts since Young got another opportunity to lead the Panthers (3-9). Richardson has led Indianapolis to a pair of comeback wins late in the fourth quarter in three starts after he regained his starting job. The Colts (6-7) selected Richardson No. 4 last year and he started just 10 games before coach Shane Steichen benched him for Joe Flacco in Week 9. Richardson completed only 44.4% of his passes with four TDs and seven picks in his first six starts. He’s improved to 52.4% with three TDs and two picks since coming back. The 22-year-old tossed a 3-yard TD pass to Alec Pierce on fourth-and-goal with 12 seconds remaining and then ran in for a 2-point conversion to lift the Colts to a 25-24 win over New England on Sunday. Young and Richardson both have a long way to go to prove they can be franchise quarterbacks. But there’s far more optimism now that they’re not busts. Young is on his third head coach and second offensive coordinator in two seasons. Canales is known for getting the best out of quarterbacks, helping Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield revive their careers. He made a bold decision to bench Young after just two games but that allowed him to watch, grow and learn without the pressure of having to perform. Now it appears Young might have a future in Carolina when that seemed unlikely in September. Richardson just needs more experience. He threw only 393 passes in college and started four games as a rookie before he was injured. Steichen’s decision to bench him for Flacco didn’t work out. Flacco, who was the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year last year after leading Cleveland to the playoffs by going 4-1 in five starts, struggled in two games. Still, that gave Richardson a chance to reset after tapping out for a play in the game before he was benched. Quarterbacks need time to develop. They can’t be judged fairly after one or two seasons, especially when they were high draft picks who joined bad teams that lacked talent. Matt Eberflus lost his job as Chicago’s head coach a day after he watched the offense run out of time with a timeout in hand, missing an opportunity to push Detroit to overtime on Thanksgiving. But Antonio Pierce made an even worse decision on Black Friday that cost the Raiders a chance to beat the Chiefs. Aidan O’Donnell drove Las Vegas to the Chiefs 32 with 15 seconds left. Instead of trying for a game-winning field goal down 19-17, Pierce wanted O’Donnell to take the snap, allow more time to tick and throw the ball away. But O’Donnell wasn’t ready for the snap, the Chiefs recovered the fumble and escaped with the win. aManaging the clock shouldn’t be this difficult for NFL head coaches. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is having the worst season of his 13-year career. If he wasn’t one of the best kickers in NFL history, Baltimore would’ve made a switch already. But coach John Harbaugh has too much respect for Tucker, who began the season as the most accurate kicker in league history. Tucker has missed a career-high eight field-goal attempts, including two in a 24-19 loss to Philadelphia. Harbaugh, a former special teams coach, isn’t planning to replace Tucker. But the Ravens (8-5) have Super Bowl aspirations and Tucker needs to straighten things out. One solution would be to place him on injured reserve to work on his technique. In this case, Tucker has earned the right not to be released. Plus, he’s signed through 2027. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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BURLINGTON — Iowa’s state gambling regulators will hear arguments on a petition filed seeking to scuttle efforts to build a new casino in Cedar Rapids, but will not pause its review and decision on granting a Linn County casino license. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission met Thursday morning in Burlington at Catfish Bend Casino. The commissioners unanimously directed racing and gaming staff to set a briefing schedule and hear arguments on a petition filed by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, the nonprofit affiliate and gaming license holder for the casino, seeking a declaratory order stating the state gaming commission lacks authority to issue a new license for a Cedar Rapids casino. The petition challenges the validity of the 2021 public referendum that authorized gambling in Linn County, which could prevent Linn County receiving a casino license. The petition was filed Nov. 8, and the commission had 30 days to respond under Iowa Code, with options including answering, declining or setting a schedule for further information. Commissioners ultimately agreed to set a schedule for hearing legal arguments from both sides before making a decision. Additionally, the commissioners rejected a request by Riverside Casino to pause the process on a Linn County casino license while the commission considers the petition. Commissioners cited insufficient grounds and procedural requirements, and stated it’s their intent to hear legal arguments from both sides before its Feb. 6 meeting, when the commission expects to vote on the Linn County license. “We ultimately have to decide whether the various criteria to issue a license had been done,” Commissioner Alan Ostergren said. “And so we can't avoid this question, which is going to have to be decided in one format or another, one time frame or another, and I have the preference of setting a briefing schedule so that we ensure that we give the Linn County folks the full opportunity, if they choose to participate in the process, to present the best legal arguments that they have,” he said. “And then to allow our petitioner to provide a reply document. There may be other parties who want to submit legal arguments to us.” In 2013 and 2021, Linn County residents passed referendums authorizing gaming in the county. The 2021 vote permanently authorizes gaming in the county. Des Moines attorney Mark Weinhardt, on behalf of Riverside Casino and its nonprofit affiliate, contends the 2021 ballot measure contained language that failed to comply with Iowa Code. Weinhardt, in his petition to the state gaming commission, argues the 2021 public measure approved by Linn County voters didn’t authorize the commencement of gambling, but instead simply extended gaming provisions from a 2013 referendum. The ballot measure stated: “If approved by a majority of voters, operation of gambling games with no wager or loss limits may continue.” The state, though, has never licensed gambling games in Linn County. “Accordingly, there were no games that the voters could authorize to ‘continue,' ” the petition states. “A proposition requiring approval or defeat of the continuation of gambling games is not a proposition that authorizes the origination of gambling games in the county,” according to the petition. It also argues the public referendum did not seek approval of all gambling games, but rather a subset of them — games “with no wager or loss limits.” Weinhardt, in his filing, argues that does not comply with statutory language that requires voters to approve “gambling games” without any voter-imposed limits. “And because there has not been compliance with Iowa Code 99F.7, the IRGC is prohibited from issuing any license for gambling games in Linn County,” according to the petition. Asked why Riverside Casino and its nonprofit affiliate are challenging the validity of the 2021 referendum now, as opposed to when it was approved three years go, he said, “The licensing decision is the appropriate time to talk about whether the license is appropriate and valid.” Anne Parmley is president of the Linn County Gaming Association, the charitable arm of the Cedar Rapids Development Group, the proposed developers of the Cedar Crossing Casino. Parmley and other backers of the proposed Cedar Rapids casino say the petition is a delay tactic to prevent Linn County from benefiting from a gaming operation, which would support the city and county through taxes and betterment funds, and provide $6.3 million annually to nonprofits. Parmley, speaking to The Gazette, said she was pleased with the commission’s decision. “We understand their need and desire to reflect on the information in front of them,” Parmley said. “ ... I am confident, personally, that Linn County voters knew exactly what they were voting for and voted to support a second time around gaming in Linn County — and have come out in droves yesterday to explain why it is so important to Linn County to have this opportunity.” Delaying the commission’s vote, she said, would have given those opposed to the casino more time to push through legislation to reimpose a ban on new casino licenses in the state. Some lawmakers have said they intend to file a casino moratorium bill that would block new gaming licenses when the Iowa Legislature convenes Jan. 13. Iowa lawmakers in 2022 passed a two-year moratorium blocking new gaming licenses but failed to extend the pause this year before the legislative session adjourned in April. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the Cedar Crossing Casino in early February, giving lawmakers little time — roughly 18 days — to pass and have Gov. Kim Reynolds sign the moratorium before the racing and gaming commissioner plan to vote on a Cedar Rapids casino license. This rendering shows the Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center proposed for the former Cooper’s Mill site in northwest Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is considering whether to issue a gaming license so the casino can be built. (Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, Linn County Gaming Association) Gaming commissioners heard from more than 100 speakers on Wednesday voice their support and opposition to a Linn County casino license during a public hearing in Cedar Rapids. Most spoke in favor of the casino. Opponents warned a new facility would cannibalize revenues from other Iowa casinos and dilute, not increase, the state’s gambling market. Casino operators and business, government and nonprofit leaders from Davenport, Dubuque, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Riverside and the Meskwaki Nation said Iowa’s gaming market is saturated. Wes Ehrecke, president of the Iowa Gaming Association — which represents Iowa’s 19 licensed casinos — said all the Iowa casinos support a moratorium on new casino licenses in the state. Supporters, including local nonprofits, businesses and union members, argued that the proposed casino would boost the local economy, create jobs, support community projects and enhance the quality of life by attracting more tourists and providing more entertainment options. Iowans for Common Sense, which promotes itself as a grassroots coalition, has launched a campaign asking Iowans to oppose the casino, inviting residents to sign a petition supporting a statewide moratorium on new casinos. Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell questioned the grassroots nature of the effort and suspects Iowa casino operators are behind it. “This is a well-funded campaign that is, really, not surprisingly backed very well by rich casino operators playing out their case against what they call cannibalization,” O’Donnell told state gaming commissioners Wednesday during a site visit to the proposed Cedar Rapids casino location. “The rest of us call it competition.” O’Donnell on Wednesday asked the commissioners for a “fair shot” at opening a casino, arguing Linn County residents “want this,” as evidenced by their passage of gambling referendums in 2013 and 2021. In between Dave & Buster's screen-lit aisles and makeshift arenas, it's not unusual to see groups of friends competing with each other. At each of the arcade chain's more than 222 franchises throughout the country, there's just about every kind of friendly physical and virtual game—Hot Shots basketball, Skee-Ball, air hockey, billiards, virtual car racing, and shooting—to master. And that is just the beginning. ATS.io mapped how gambling is entering arcades across the United States and the implications for these two industries. In a partnership with technology company Lucra, Dave & Buster's announced in April 2024 that it plans to allow customers to bet on its arcade games through a social wagering channel on its app. The gamification software will accommodate peer-to-peer digital cash bets on "skill-based" games, otherwise defined as "recreational activities for which the outcome is largely or entirely dependent on the knowledge, ability, strength, speed, endurance, intelligence of the participants and is subject to the control of those participants," Lucra chief operating officer Michael Madding told the New York Times . In the process, loyalty members will be able to digitally wager on each other's recreational abilities, earn various rewards, and unlock exclusive perks, effectively merging sports betting and arcade fandom together. "This new partnership gives our loyalty members real-time, unrivaled gaming experiences, and reinforces our commitment to continuing to elevate our customer experience through innovative, cutting-edge technology," Simon Murray, senior vice president of entertainment and attractions at Dave & Buster's, said in the company's initial press release. The decision to enter the betting fray is the latest example of an arcade or casino investing in gamification to capitalize on the exponential growth of gambling. As of May 2024, close to 40 states have legalized sports betting, which achieved record revenues ($10.9 billion) in 2023, according to the American Gaming Association, thanks to maturation across existing and newer markets, such as Massachusetts and Ohio. In the same year, more traditional and regulated casino slots and table games at brick-and-mortar establishments grossed a record $49.4 billion in revenue. That doesn't even mention the soaring estimations for the fantasy sports market, which projects to reach $56.36 billion in 2030 , according to a report by Grand View Research. "A lot of these new skill games are riding the wave of the sports betting and fantasy sports boom," Daniel Wallach, a gaming law and sports betting attorney, told ATS.io. "If fantasy sports is a legal game of skill, and it falls outside the gambling prohibitions under state law, then that could potentially apply to myriad other skill games. That's what Dave & Buster's is banking on." Still, there are potential consequences and uphill battles. Over the last couple of years, numerous "adult arcades" attempting to circumvent state laws with gambling games have been raided by authorities—namely in Florida, where slot machines are illegal unless they're at casinos or pari-mutuels. Depending on the state and how Dave & Buster's plans to operate its social wagering, the chain may also face legal hurdles. But according to Wallach, as long as an arcade isn't acting as "the house" and setting odds, "in most jurisdictions, the peer-to-peer product is, legally, the path of least resistance." In a post-pandemic world, finding new ways to attract and retain customers has become paramount for big entertainment venues. Until about a decade ago, publications were still delivering eulogies for the arcade, which struggled to compete with home video game consoles. In a 2013 story for The Verge , author Laura June argued: "The economics aren't there anymore, the community support never was, and, of course, gaming companies make a killing in the home—almost none are even producing cabinets anymore." To reinvent themselves, many arcades have introduced more hospitality elements and virtual/augmented reality opportunities, hoping newer social technology might lure customers back. Along with casinos installing slots that incorporate video game elements like storytelling and competition, they've also taken hints from sports betting companies like DraftKings and FanDuel, gamifying their mobile experiences by presenting various "challenges" or "missions" or "bonuses" that can incentivize players to stay active on an app and increase their chances to win prizes. Some arcades, like Galloping Ghost Arcade, based in Brookfield, Illinois, have pivoted the other direction, leaning into nostalgia to fuel their niche customer base. According to owner Doc Mack, the venue—which hosts about 80,000 customers a year—doesn't supply any food or beverage service, has close to 900 different games, and charges a $25 flat rate so customers don't pinch their quarters. "We have tried to really go with an old-school approach to it. Our games kind of speak for themselves," Mack told ATS.io. "You don't have to pitch anything else to make these games iconic or make people want to play them." Unlike Dave & Buster's, he says, which phases old games out, Galloping Ghost prides itself on classic arcade options that don't cater to online opportunities. Considering the scope and intention of his business, gamification only makes sense for a certain size operation looking to draw in more casual customers. "I think it's great to try to innovate and bring new things to it," Mack said. "If you operate that big at this point, maybe you just try to do anything you can to figure out a new revenue opportunity." Considering Dave & Buster's is one of many arcade entertainment franchises that cater to families, underage gambling has become a concern. Legislators such as Illinois state Rep. Daniel Didech have spoken out about the lack of safeguards preventing kids and teenagers from betting themselves. Lucra says its betting services are only intended for adults 18 and up, and that the average contest size is around $5 or $10. But without being regulated—a reason the American Gaming Association declined to comment for this story—the chain opens itself up to more scrutiny. "State regulation can provide an important consumer protection element that would otherwise be missing from unregulated albeit legal activity," Wallach said. "Maybe the answer is to regulate rather than prohibit." Whether or not it finds initial success, Wallach believes this venture into arcade peer-to-peer betting is likely to gain imitators. Consider venues such as Topgolf and PingPod (a fully automated table tennis space), which have already gamified some of their experiences and contain inherent head-to-head competitions. Meanwhile, on Lucra's list of clients is a pickleball ratings system and a tennis app that allows players to compete against each other for real money. According to Lucra, its app has created 1 million unique contests and collected more than $20 million of handle. It seems like just the beginning. "There's much more skill gaming out there at commercial venues than you may even realize," Wallach said. "There's no reason why this concept can't be imported to those types of recreational activities." Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Mega Millions ticket prices to increase to $5 in April, with improved odds and bigger jackpots promised. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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Investor confidence was still recovering from recent stock market manipulations when a high-profile investment scam involving Dr Boon Vanasin, an 86-year-old hospital veteran, sent shockwaves throughout Thailand's business arena, causing damages of nearly 8 billion baht. Dr Boon, founder and former chairman of SET-listed Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG), became headline news after being accused of embezzling a massive amount of money through medical investment projects as a means to deceive the public. Police revealed that between December 2023 and October this year, 247 complaints were lodged against him at the Huai Khwang police station by victims who could not cash checks he issued. Dr Boon has fled the country, reportedly to China, while police have charged him and eight others on several counts, with damages initially estimated 7.5 billion baht. The suspects are accused of misleading people into investing in medical businesses promoted by Dr Boon, which police said did not exist. WHO IS DR BOON AND HOW DID HE BUILD HIS HOSPITAL EMPIRE? Dr Boon and his 79-year-old wife come from a prominent family. The doctor established THG in 1977 and continually expanded the business, making him well-known in medical and investment circles. Dr Boon earned the trust of his victims and the public after successfully listing the business on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in 2017. He was often quoted in news and regularly addressed public events. THG operates seven hospitals in Thailand and two overseas. According to the company's website, the group has 1,100 registered beds and a combined capacity to service 9,700 outpatients daily, making the group one of the leading healthcare providers in Thailand. Dr Boon was keen to articulate the narrative of Thailand becoming an aged society, with the global trend opening a vast opportunity for healthcare and well-being services and residences for senior clients. His standing enabled him to convince many investors to back his proposed projects. Dr Boon envisioned projects such as a cancer centre and a wellness centre in Bangkok, a condo on the banks of the Chao Phraya River for seniors, hospitals in Laos and Vietnam, and a medical intelligence project in Chon Buri province. According to police, the fraud was not the work of a single individual, but involves a network that includes family members and brokers who collaborated in the scheme. HOW WAS THE FRAUD EXECUTED? Dr Boon and his associates leveraged their social status and reputation in the medical business to persuade investors to join seemingly credible projects. He offered loan agreements with attractive interest rates to investors, issuing post-dated checks to cover principal and interest payments. However, these checks could not be cashed, leaving investors without the returns they were promised. Initially, Dr Boon paid the loan interest as promised to build confidence among investors. However, when the larger payments were due, he failed to do so, resulting in massive financial losses for investors. Finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit, who is also a board member of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said Dr Boon engaged in off-market fundraising by inviting lenders to invest, offering attractive interest rates and claiming the borrowed funds would be invested in various projects. To secure these loans, Dr Boon used shares of Thonburi Hospital, where he was a major shareholder, as collateral. For example, for a loan of 100 baht, he pledged 4 shares of Thonburi Hospital, which were valued at 25 baht per share at the time. As the hospital's share price increased, the number of shares required as collateral decreased proportionally. According to the SET, Dr Boon is the 17th-largest shareholder in THG, holding 5.8 million shares, equivalent to 0.68% of the company, valued at 90 million baht. Victims reported that Dr Boon and his family offered high-return investments with advance interest payments. However, when the principal and interest came due in 2023, there were payment problems, and many checks issued to investors could not be cashed, leading to widespread complaints to the authorities. WHO ARE THE VICTIMS? According to the police, there are several groups of victims, including private lenders who demanded off-market shares as collateral. These lenders provided loans to Dr Boon in exchange for high interest rates of 8-9%. They did not receive repayments as promised in agreements, and many were forced to sell their debts at a discount to minimise losses. Another group comprises major investors in the capital market, including business executives and wealthy individuals who invested in THG shares or projects that were non-existent. Other victims include medical industry leaders, such as doctors managing Thonburi hospitals. They were reportedly lured into investing tens of millions of baht in these projects. Also ensnared were business tycoons and members from high-profile families, including political families, as some shifted into business ventures and were encouraged to invest, according to the police. In addition, the owners of construction materials, telecom and real estate firms were listed as victims, lending significant sums to Dr Boon, noted the authorities. The final group of victims is retail investors, including THG shareholders. Retail shareholders who trusted the company and invested in THG shares suffered indirect losses from the financial damage and reputational harm caused by the scandal. The scandal also shook confidence in the already fragile Thai capital market, particularly regarding transactions involving off-market shares and the use of assets as collateral. WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGES? The initial damages claimed in lawsuits are estimated at 7.5 billion baht. However, total damages are estimated to reach 20-40 billion baht. The number of victims is currently 500-600 people, with more expected as investigations progress. There is speculation Dr Boon used his personal THG shares as collateral to secure loans amounting to roughly 2 billion baht. This may have been linked to his financial liquidity issues, possibly arising from unsuccessful large-scale investments. It is believed he sought additional funds to stabilise his personal finances. However, Dr Boon denied these allegations, asserting that no such pledging of shares took place. General investors are concerned because the activities involving THG shares led to questions about the company's financial stability. Stock prices have been volatile as investors want to know about past transactions, investments, and the allocation of funds for large projects that have yet to yield clear returns. HOW ARE THE INVESTIGATIONS PROGRESSING? THG's board of directors has initiated a thorough investigation into Dr Boon's past transactions and management practices, aiming to restore investor confidence and stabilise the company's future regarding large-scale projects and the management of working capital. Authorities said this case serves as a critical example of the risks associated with using personal assets to manage organisational finances, potentially impacting shareholders and investors on a broad scale. The police issued arrest warrants for two more individuals linked to Dr Boon's network, charging conspiracy to commit fraud and soliciting fraudulent loans from the public. The warrants were issued after victims revealed new evidence that both individuals acted as brokers or intermediaries, encouraging others to invest in the fraudulent schemes. In addition, an arrest warrant was issued for Nawara Vanasin, Dr Boon's former daughter-in-law who previously claimed her signature was forged. However, an investigation into her financial transactions revealed links to Dr Boon. Authorities are examining the authenticity of her signature. Dr Boon's network involved three main groups: Dr Boon and his family; company employees and document witnesses; and brokers or intermediaries. The police emphasised that any further implicated individuals will face legal action without exception. According to Mr Lavaron, the SEC is drafting regulations to control the behaviour of major shareholders in the market, aiming to prevent similar incidents. "To protect minor shareholders in the market, the SEC is preparing a draft regulation to control the actions of major shareholders if they intend to use their shares as collateral for loans, as in the case of Dr Boon," he said. Major shareholders will be required to notify the SET, which will allow authorities to monitor whether such actions might affect other shareholders. The measure is meant to enhance transparency for investors, said Mr Lavaron.
There's always something new at Disneyland to enjoy, but when the 70th anniversary starts next year, the highlights will be things we've seen before. If there is one thing that Disneyland knows how to do well, it’s throw a party. The Disney 100 celebration almost two years ago included some excellent new entertainment, and with 2025 marking the 70th anniversary of the iconic park, expectations were high since the park’s 60th and 50th-anniversary celebrations were both high caliber. Fans were not disappointed. The lineup of major entertainment offerings for the 70th anniversary, which will start in May 2025, is an impressive list of events. Having said that, I am one fan who is personally a little disappointed, because considering everything we are getting, there are a few items that would have fit perfectly among them that I wish we could have seen as well. Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Is A Greatest Hits Of Modern Classics If you’ve been to Disneyland Resort in the last 10 years, then you’re likely to appreciate what the 70th anniversary of Disneyland has to offer. It’s a combination of brand-new entertainment, as well as some recent classics. The highlight for me has to be the return of the Paint the Night parade . This spiritual successor to the Main Street Electrical Parade is an amazing nighttime parade with great music and incredible floats. It debuted a decade ago as part of the park’s 60th anniversary and has only made a couple of small return appearances. More recently, as part of the Disney 100 celebration, Disneyland Park got a brand-new fireworks show, Wondrous Journeys. The show had an incredible piece of original music, Baymax flying above Sleeping Beauty Castle , and included projection map sequences from every Walt Disney animation movie ever made. After closing for the holiday season at the end of August 2022, the show only made a brief return in the spring of 2023, so seeing it get a longer run is very welcome. This past summer, Disneyland Resort ran Pixar Fest , and the highlight of that, in my opinion, was Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration, a spiritual successor to one of my other favorite parades, the Pixar Play Parade at Disney California Adventure. It’s great to hear it will make a return soon. CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News Two Of Disneyland’s New Additions Could Become All-Time Classics In addition to bringing back some fan-favorite shows, two brand new attractions will also arrive. Disney California Adventure’s nighttime spectacular World of Color will see a new edition, World of Color - Happy. Since there has never been a bad version of World of Color, odds are the new version will be as good as the others. The biggest new addition to Disneyland isn't technically part of the 70th anniversary, but it will fittingly debut on the first day of the celebration. Walt Disney - A Magical Life will include a fully functional, and technologically advanced audio-animatronic of Walt Disney himself. Needless to say, such a thing is a huge swing for Walt Disney Imagineering. It’s a controversial decision, but one that could be truly special. If that’s all that will come with the Disneyland 70th anniversary, it’s a pretty impressive lineup, all things considered. It's very much the lineup I was expecting to see. However, there were also a couple of other additions I was expecting, and I'm a little bummed didn’t get announced. Bring Back Mickey And The Magical Map When the global pandemic closed Disneyland for a year, we lost a lot. Live entertainment was one of the areas that was hardest hit, so when the fantastic Disneyland stage show Mickey and the Magical Map didn’t reopen with the park, it was understandable, if still disappointing. However, the show never returned at all, and save for a run of less than 18 months for the Tale of the Lion King show, the Fantasyland Theater has been criminally underused. Starting in April, the theater space was used for Pixar Fest character meet and greets, and it’s currently home to Santa Claus, but it hasn’t been a theater with a show in far too long. Mickey and the Magical Map was an amazing show that brought together numerous Disney characters to perform a medley of popular songs. It also included some truly impressive stage effects. Bringing the show back for a special engagement for the 70th anniversary, even if only for a year, would have been the perfect way to celebrate it. The Mad T Party Tease From D23 Needs To Be Realized This past August, I was seated in the ninth row of the Honda Center for the Disney Experiences presentation at D23. Considering the announcements we were all expecting, it was sure to be the highlight of the weekend for me, and it absolutely was. However, the first thing to blow me away happened before the show officially started. On a secondary stage in the middle of the Honda Center, the Mad T Party band appeared and played a complete set, just as they once did at Disney California Adventure. The band, made up of Disneyland Cast Members dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland (the Tim Burton live-action version), performed classic rock and contemporary pop music starting back in 2012, but they hadn’t been seen in the park since Disneyland’s 60th anniversary celebration ended in 2015. So what were they doing performing, in full costume, at D23 nearly a decade after they were last seen? Surely this was the lead-up to an announcement. Obviously Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro was going to walk out on stage and open the show with the announcement that the Mad T Party Band would be making a return, perhaps for the 70th anniversary celebration. Not so much. The 70th anniversary of Disneyland was mentioned that night, but without any specifics regarding what it would entail. Maybe this was just a special one-off performance after all, a little something extra for the crowd of diehard Disney fans who would appreciate it. But I held out hope that when DIsneyland’s 70th anniversary lineup was officially announced, it would include the return of the Mad T Party. Thus far, my hopes have been dashed. It’s technically possible that these shows are still forthcoming. Disneyland’s official reveal of the 70th anniversary does state that there is still more to announce. But it seems unlikely that these particular attractions wouldn’t have been included in the announcements we got if they were happening. I will continue to hold out hope; Disneyland is where dreams come true, after all.The Shale Giant Showdown: 2 Oil Stocks to Watch in 20253 Unstoppable Metal Stocks to Buy Right Now for Less Than $1,000
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 13, 2024-- On December 10, 2024, Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (the “Company”) received a letter from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) stating that the staff of NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist the Company’s class A common stock, units, and redeemable warrants (collectively, the “Company Securities”), pursuant to Sections 119(b) and 119(f) of the NYSE American Company Guide because the Company failed to consummate a business combination within 36 months of the effectiveness of its initial public offering registration statement, or such shorter period that the Company specified in its registration statement. As a result of the determination, trading of the Company Securities on NYSE American has been suspended. As indicated in the letter from NYSE American, the Company has a right to a review of the delisting determination by the Listings Qualifications Panel of the Committee for Review of the Board of Directors of the Exchange, provided that the Company submits a written request for such review no later than December 17, 2024. The Company is working towards consummating its previously announced business combination with Ace Green Recycling, Inc. If the Company Securities are delisted from NYSE American, the Company intends to seek a listing of the Company Securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC in connection with the consummation of the Company’s proposed initial business combination. About Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE American: ATEK.U, ATEK, ATEK WS), incorporated in Delaware, is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. ATEK is the third SPAC founded by Isabelle Freidheim, who also serves as its Chief Executive Officer, with Kirthiga Reddy as President and Jennifer Calabrese as Chief Financial Officer. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are not historical facts but may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the “safe harbor” provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” “intend,” or continue or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology or expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s ability to consummate its previously announced business combination and to list the Company Securities on Nasdaq in connection with the consummation of the proposed business combination. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general economic, political and business conditions; the number of redemption requests made by the Company’s stockholders in connection with a potential business combination; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; the risk that the approval of the Company’s stockholders for a potential transaction is not obtained; expectations related to the timing of a potential business combination; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of a business combination; the risk that a business combination may not be completed by the Company’s business combination deadline; costs related to a business combination; and other risks that will be detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on September 27, 2024 and in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. There may be additional risks that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. And while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Nothing herein should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that the results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213050198/en/ CONTACT: Bevel PR Athena@bevelpr.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/13/2024 03:56 PM/DISC: 12/13/2024 03:57 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213050198/enSouth Carolina is off to an uneven start, but that hasn't obscured the steady rise of Collin Murray-Boyles. The 6-foot-7 sophomore will be the player to watch when South Carolina (6-3) hosts South Carolina Upstate (4-8) Saturday afternoon in Columbia. Murray-Boyles leads the Gamecocks in points (16.2), rebounds (9.4), steals (1.2) and blocks (1.1) per game. As South Carolina struggled to a 75-68 victory over East Carolina on Saturday, Murray-Boyles carried the Gamecocks, making all 10 of his shots from the floor and finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds. "He's been working on pivoting towards the basket and getting on balance and then making a strong move through some contact," South Carolina coach Lamont Paris said. The Gamecocks have been highly dependent on Murray-Boyles. In the two games in which he has fouled out, South Carolina lost to Xavier and Indiana. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are unbeaten in the six games in which he has collected at least eight rebounds. "He's still growing and it's exciting to see," Paris said. "He's got phenomenal natural touch." Also emerging lately have been Norfolk State transfer Jamarii Thomas, who had season highs of 22 points and seven assists against East Carolina, and Morris Ugusuk, who has hit 10 of 14 shots from 3-point range in the last three games. South Carolina Upstate has been sparked by a pair of guards who each have won multiple Big South freshman of the week awards. Carmelo Adkins had 31 points and 12 rebounds in wins last week over Division III Brevard and at Western Carolina, while Mister Dean leads the Spartans in points (15.7), rebounds (5.6) and steals (2.0) per game. "He sparks runs because he'll make a dynamic dunk," Spartans coach Marty Richter said of Dean. "He brings energy with how he scores the basketball, in a hurry. He can score in bunches." The Spartans enter on a high as the win over Western Carolina was Richter's first over a Division I team. South Carolina Upstate is 1-8 all-time against South Carolina. This year, the Spartans are winless in four games against power conference schools. In an 85-80 loss a month ago at Wake Forest, however, they led for much of the second half. --Field Level Media