Indiana 73, No. 18 Baylor 65The Timeless Modernist: Encapsulating M F Hussain's artistry'More will die if Belfast roads aren't made a lot safer for cyclists'
Caprock Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sprott Inc. ( NYSE:SII – Free Report ) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 7,125 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $309,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Regal Partners Ltd bought a new position in shares of Sprott during the third quarter valued at approximately $2,875,000. Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new stake in Sprott in the third quarter worth $308,000. Arcus Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Sprott in the third quarter worth $214,000. CWA Asset Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in Sprott in the third quarter worth $9,843,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in Sprott in the third quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors own 28.30% of the company’s stock. Sprott Price Performance Shares of SII stock opened at $44.42 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $1.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.41 and a beta of 1.09. The business’s fifty day moving average is $44.15 and its 200 day moving average is $43.20. Sprott Inc. has a twelve month low of $31.00 and a twelve month high of $48.00. The company has a quick ratio of 3.30, a current ratio of 3.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. Sprott Increases Dividend About Sprott ( Free Report ) Sprott Inc is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides asset management, portfolio management, wealth management, fund management, and administrative and consulting services to its clients. It offers mutual funds, hedge funds, and offshore funds, along with managed accounts. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SII? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sprott Inc. ( NYSE:SII – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Sprott Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sprott and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Asia Distillates-Thin spot activity prevails; January negotiations awaited
The murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO in New York on Wednesday has ignited a firestorm of fury online about the health insurance industry. Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning, but many social media users have exhibited a morbid indifference or even cheerfulness in reacting to his death. "Of course I would have been happy to send my condolences after the United Healthcare CEO was killed," one person posted in a video on TikTok. "Unfortunately, sympathy requires a prior authorization, and I have to deny that request." One person commented on previous Scripps News reporting saying, "Private health insurance is evil so... this doesn't concern me 1 bit." RELATED STORY | 'Depose,' 'Deny,' 'Defend' reportedly written on shell casings in slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Many other online users posted about their challenging experiences with UnitedHealthcare, including stories of being denied coverage by the provider. The words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were written on ammunition the shooter used, according to law enforcement. Those words caused some on social media to draw a connection to a 2010 book with a similar title, "Delay, Deny, Defend," about insurance companies failing to pay claims. Denial of health insurance claims have been increasing across the board, according to a U.S. Senate Investigative report found by Scripps News. It found UnitedHealthcare's denial rate for post-acute care climbed from almost 11% in 2020 to nearly 23% in 2022, and Humana's denial rate for long-term post-acute care grew by 54% during that same time span. A new survey from The Commonwealth Fund found nearly one in four older U.S. adults spent at least $2,000 out of pocket on health care last year. The online response to Thompson's murder isn't a surprise to Stephan Meier, the chair of the management division at Columbia Business School, given the industry in which the CEO worked. "It's not so surprising if you look at, you know, surveys about what industries are liked or not, are trusted or not, and health insurers are not at the top of that list, to put it mildly," Meier said. There are signs the industry is taking notice of the backlash. CVS Health has taken down photos of its executives posted to its website, as security concerns grow for industry leaders.
Several years ago, we were having a discussion with some friends, and someone was trying to come up with the first name of someone we’d all seen on television. “You know, he was in that show with the woman who was a ballerina in that other show,” someone said. Then Johno piped up, emphatically: “Now, let’s not start the name game,” he said. It was more command than comment, so we moved on. I understand his frustration with that. As I cram more and more into this watermelon on my shoulders, I tend to have a bit of trouble connecting the dots. My mind was once nimble, and I had immediate recall. The accuracy of that recall is another story. Last week, an old colleague sent me a photograph of a yellowed newspaper clipping. “Look what I found,” he wrote. It was an Op-Ed page with three essays about an incident that once happened at a movie theater when I joined him and his wife for an afternoon film. The clipping wasn’t familiar, so I read each piece before responding — including the one I wrote long ago. Finally I fessed up: “Neat find,” I said. “Of course, I have absolutely no memory of any of it.” I can’t say that I’m surprised. For years I have heard members of my family recite stories from the Perkins/Fuller lore that I’d swear they were making up on the spot to gaslight me. But considering I’ve spent most of my existence lost in thought and not really paying attention to what’s being said, I know these stories must be true. I’m reminded of a song by one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Bob Schneider, and one particular lyric resonated. The narrator talks about a conversation he had with a guy he met in a bar. The stranger had told him he could remember the names of everyone he’d ever met, and though it may be a gift, he thought it “more of a curse, I must confess.” In the next line, our narrator asks him to name everybody in his first-grade class, and reports: “... and he did — I guess.” That would be impressive – assuming he did it accurately. Our narrator would never know unless he knew all the names already. And how would he? That’s the weird thing about memory — people tend to remember things differently. Like many local folks, I follow a Facebook page called Old Dothan Memories, and I am amused by some of the threads that point this out. They most always revolve around the locations where some business or building long gone and lost to time once stood, living now only in the memories of those who recall. It tickles me to read how someone is firmly convinced that something was on this corner, when everyone knows it was on that one. More often than not, the outlier is correct and everyone else is wrong. As an exercise, I thought I’d make a list of all the phone numbers I have had. I started with the home phone number I grew up with. Simple enough; done. The next would be the first number after moving away from home. I have no idea. College? Don’t remember that one either, but I’m pretty sure it had some 1s in it. I had a land line for years after moving back to town until I had it disconnected about a decade ago. I don’t remember that number, either. I remember only two of countless email addresses I no longer use, although there have surely been more. One is connected to an account through which I bought some digital music from Apple iTunes, but I can’t remember the password. That’s frustrating. Once when I was a child, I heard an adult recite a short string of numbers without reading them from paper. I was tremendously impressed. Wow, all those numbers. How in the world could she remember all that? But now it’s not so impressive. I know my Social Security number, driver license number, Delta Skymiles number, bank account number, routing number, various PIN numbers, my Wheel of Fortune Spin ID, the first three digits of pi, the street address of the Fountain Pen Hospital, the sequence of steps to reset the clock on the microwave, the number of scoops required for a pot of coffee, the year of the Norman Invasion, and Archie Campbell’s license plate number. I never get them confused – although it turns out that what I remember as Archie’s license plate, BR-549, is actually Junior Samples’ telephone number on Hee-Haw. The things I can’t remember start with my jacket size and go on to encompass an entire constellation of things I would be better off remembering. I think I may have remarked to someone recently that I tend to believe that if I cannot remember something, it must not have happened. I don’t know if I said it out loud or just thought it, or whether I was kidding if I did utter it. It’s disconcerting to run into someone I haven’t seen in many years, and in the course of reminiscing, discover that something they remember my having said or done is completely foreign to me. Have I forgotten, or are they remembering it wrong? One thing I know with great certainty: I do not share the gift – or curse – of Bob Schneider’s stranger in the bar. I have seen the class photographs from multiple school years, and while I can name a good third of them, the rest of those kids are absolute strangers to me. I don’t remember them, so they must not have really been there. Bill Perkins Bill Perkins is editorial page editor of the Dothan Eagle and can be reached at bperkins@dothaneagle.com or 334-712-7901. Support the work of Eagle journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at dothaneagle.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Editorial Page Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Several years ago, we were having a discussion with some friends, and someone was trying to come up with the first name of someone we’d all seen on television. “You know, he was in that show with the woman who was a ballerina in that other show,” someone said. Then Johno piped up, emphatically: “Now, let’s not start the name game,” he said. It was more command than comment, so we moved on. I understand his frustration with that. As I cram more and more into this watermelon on my shoulders, I tend to have a bit of trouble connecting the dots. My mind was once nimble, and I had immediate recall. The accuracy of that recall is another story. Last week, an old colleague sent me a photograph of a yellowed newspaper clipping. “Look what I found,” he wrote. It was an Op-Ed page with three essays about an incident that once happened at a movie theater when I joined him and his wife for an afternoon film. The clipping wasn’t familiar, so I read each piece before responding — including the one I wrote long ago. Finally I fessed up: “Neat find,” I said. “Of course, I have absolutely no memory of any of it.” I can’t say that I’m surprised. For years I have heard members of my family recite stories from the Perkins/Fuller lore that I’d swear they were making up on the spot to gaslight me. But considering I’ve spent most of my existence lost in thought and not really paying attention to what’s being said, I know these stories must be true. I’m reminded of a song by one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Bob Schneider, and one particular lyric resonated. The narrator talks about a conversation he had with a guy he met in a bar. The stranger had told him he could remember the names of everyone he’d ever met, and though it may be a gift, he thought it “more of a curse, I must confess.” In the next line, our narrator asks him to name everybody in his first-grade class, and reports: “... and he did — I guess.” That would be impressive – assuming he did it accurately. Our narrator would never know unless he knew all the names already. And how would he? That’s the weird thing about memory — people tend to remember things differently. Like many local folks, I follow a Facebook page called Old Dothan Memories, and I am amused by some of the threads that point this out. They most always revolve around the locations where some business or building long gone and lost to time once stood, living now only in the memories of those who recall. It tickles me to read how someone is firmly convinced that something was on this corner, when everyone knows it was on that one. More often than not, the outlier is correct and everyone else is wrong. As an exercise, I thought I’d make a list of all the phone numbers I have had. I started with the home phone number I grew up with. Simple enough; done. The next would be the first number after moving away from home. I have no idea. College? Don’t remember that one either, but I’m pretty sure it had some 1s in it. I had a land line for years after moving back to town until I had it disconnected about a decade ago. I don’t remember that number, either. I remember only two of countless email addresses I no longer use, although there have surely been more. One is connected to an account through which I bought some digital music from Apple iTunes, but I can’t remember the password. That’s frustrating. Once when I was a child, I heard an adult recite a short string of numbers without reading them from paper. I was tremendously impressed. Wow, all those numbers. How in the world could she remember all that? But now it’s not so impressive. I know my Social Security number, driver license number, Delta Skymiles number, bank account number, routing number, various PIN numbers, my Wheel of Fortune Spin ID, the first three digits of pi, the street address of the Fountain Pen Hospital, the sequence of steps to reset the clock on the microwave, the number of scoops required for a pot of coffee, the year of the Norman Invasion, and Archie Campbell’s license plate number. I never get them confused – although it turns out that what I remember as Archie’s license plate, BR-549, is actually Junior Samples’ telephone number on Hee-Haw. The things I can’t remember start with my jacket size and go on to encompass an entire constellation of things I would be better off remembering. I think I may have remarked to someone recently that I tend to believe that if I cannot remember something, it must not have happened. I don’t know if I said it out loud or just thought it, or whether I was kidding if I did utter it. It’s disconcerting to run into someone I haven’t seen in many years, and in the course of reminiscing, discover that something they remember my having said or done is completely foreign to me. Have I forgotten, or are they remembering it wrong? One thing I know with great certainty: I do not share the gift – or curse – of Bob Schneider’s stranger in the bar. I have seen the class photographs from multiple school years, and while I can name a good third of them, the rest of those kids are absolute strangers to me. I don’t remember them, so they must not have really been there. Bill Perkins Bill Perkins is editorial page editor of the Dothan Eagle and can be reached at bperkins@dothaneagle.com or 334-712-7901. Support the work of Eagle journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at dothaneagle.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Editorial Page Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.HICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Brian Callanan , Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Liberty Strategic Capital ("Liberty"), to its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024 . Commenting on the appointment, Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO said, "I'm pleased to have Brian join our Board. His proven track record and expertise in financial services, along with his strategic insights will be instrumental as we continue to execute on our transformation and long-term vision. Brian's perspectives will provide valuable guidance, and his leadership will play a critical role in driving sustainable growth, ensuring we achieve long-term success and maximize the value we deliver to our shareholders, employees, and clients." Callanan is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience in financial regulation, regulatory compliance, and financial technology. At Liberty, Callanan leads the firm's legal function, serves on its Investment Committee, and focuses on financial sector investments. Prior to joining Liberty, he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing 2,000 lawyers across the department. As Chief General Counsel, he played a key role in major initiatives such as economic rescue programs during COVID-19, the design of new economic sanctions, and the implementation of tax reform. While serving as Deputy General Counsel, Callanan managed major litigation and advised on regulatory reform efforts, among other responsibilities. For his service, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the department's highest honor. This appointment aligns with the $1.05 billion equity investment in March 2024 , which stipulated that two Board seats would be granted to lead investor Liberty Strategic Capital. With Callanan's addition, the Company's Board of Directors, which was reconstituted earlier in 2024, expands to nine members, including Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph M. Otting , Milton Berlinski , Alessandro P. DiNello , Alan Frank , Marshall Lux , Lead Independent Director Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin , Allen Puwalski , and Jennifer Whip. About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Nicole Yelland (248) 219-9234 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flagstar-financial-inc-appoints-brian-callanan-to-board-of-directors-302331692.html SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.
The family of Austin Tice, a freelance journalist held in Syria since 2012, said they have new confirmation that he remains alive and well. In a news conference, the family also expressed deep frustration with the Biden administration for telling them in a meeting Friday that it is waiting to see how the rapidly unfolding events in Syria resolve before being able to do more to try to free Tice. “He is being cared for, and he is well,” said Austin’s mother Debra Tice at a news conference at the National Press Club, citing what she called a “significant source that has already been vetted all over our government.” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre would not comment on the source referred to by the Tice family. “I don’t have anything to share about conversation on this particular matter,” said Jean-Pierre at a press briefing at the White House. A source familiar with what the Biden administration knows says there is no change in the administration’s assessment of Austin Tice, and they have no new information. Bill McCarren, director of the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club, emphatically insisted the Biden administration is “lying” about what they know about Tice. In August, the State Department marked 12 years since Tice was taken, saying: “We know the Syrian government has held Austin, and we have repeatedly offered to find a way to bring him home.” Members of the Biden administration in the past have said they believe Tice is alive but have not been definitive in an assessment. The Syrian government has not acknowledged that they are holding Tice nor offered any proof of life. Despite no longer having diplomatic relations, in the past few years, the US government has engaged with Syrian officials on the issue of Tice, including a visit to Damascus by the State Department’s top official for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens. Tice’s case is complicated by the rapid advances made by Syrian rebel forces across the country over the past two weeks, taking key cities and potentially endangering dictator Bashar Assad’s regime. The changing dynamics in Syria could both open up new opportunities for Tice’s potential release or complicate it. Austin’s brother, Jacob Tice, said that he asked White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan for a commitment that the US would talk directly to Assad about freeing Austin, but that Sullivan would not give the family such a commitment. “I found that to be a striking response, given what we have heard from the president himself about the ceaseless efforts he has encouraged his administration to take in order to free Austin,” Jacob Tice said. A National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement that Sullivan did meet with the family, adding that “Sullivan has regularly met with the families of wrongfully detained Americans, and the Biden-Harris Administration continues to work to bring these Americans home to their families.” Debra Tice slammed the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leading the latest rebel offensive, calling them “terrorists” who are “tearing up Aleppo.” “When I think about war, I never have a happy moment. I don’t really understand what’s happening in Syria,” said Debra Tice, who later acknowledged that “it’s possible this could (mean) Austin’s release.” Austin’s sister, Meagan Tice, said that she was told the Biden administration is “waiting to see how all of these pieces play out over the next week before we can do anything definitive,” referring to the recent rebel offensive. “Our larger question was, how can we use this disruption to leverage something for Austin during this time?” she said. “And unfortunately they didn’t have much answer to that at all.” The now-43-year-old Tice traveled as a freelance journalist to Syria in the summer of 2012 to report on the war there. He was detained at a checkpoint near Damascus on August 14, 2012, just three days after his 31st birthday. Austin’s father, Marc Tice, said that the family met with the State Department on Thursday, but that the meeting was not productive. “There were complaints and finger-pointing about who is preventing things from happening and who’s responsible for doing what,” Marc Tice said. Debra Tice also praised President-elect Donald Trump for his interest in her son’s case during his first term, calling it an “obsession” of Trump’s. “When Donald Trump was elected, that was the first thing on my mind, was to remind him of how much he loved Austin and how much he wanted (him) home,” she said. Austin’s younger sister, Naomi Tice, became emotional recounting “how different our lives are from what I think we had kind of planned and hoped and dreamed for” since Austin was imprisoned. “He went there with this passion and conviction and I would love to see that our government has the same passion and conviction to bring him home,” she said. CNN’s Jennifer Hansler and Samantha Waldenberg contributed to this report.We've finally gotten our first proper look at The Witcher 4 , and while Ciri's place as the RPG's protagonist answered a lot of prayers among series fans, there are an equal number wondering how established lore will allow her to be a Witcher. Luckily, it turns out that The Witcher 4 itself will answer that very question. "Dear, if you're wondering how Ciri may be on the path as a witcher, well, there's the story of the Witcher IV to tell that tale," CD Projekt boss Adam Badowski says on Twitter . "A huge thank you for the respect and love for the lore created by Andrzej Sapkowski. Hugs!" There are, indeed, a number of lore questions that need to be answered about Ciri taking on the mantle of a Witcher, not the least of which is whether we're getting a specific Witcher 3 ending canonized . While a tiny detail in the new trailer certainly suggests one ending stands above the others, lore master Cian Maher tells IGN that the new game won't "break any canon or even offend any canon." In that same interview, CDPR also confirms that Ciri has undergone the Trial of the Grasses - something that typically only young boys are able to survive. Given the timeline of The Witcher 3, Ciri would have to be an adult woman by the time she undergoes the trial, making for a doubly low survival rate - or so the arguments from those annoyed about her role in the new game go. But honestly, her Elder Blood powers are probably reason enough to handwave any issue on that front. "For good and for bad, she wants to become a Witcher," game director Sebastian Kalemba explains in a video breaking down the new trailer. "And the word 'become'... There is a journey, and I want people to experience this journey." Geralt will return in The Witcher 4, confirms CD Projekt Red - and yes, that's his voice you hear at the end of the RPG's new trailer.
Delaware Court Rejects Musk's Pay Package For Second TimeBiden commutes sentence of disgraced ‘Kids for Cash’ judge Michael Conahan
From entrepreneurs opening a flagship location to franchisees helping national brands grow, Austin-area business owners met on , to discuss their plans and share progress. The latest installment of What Now Media Group’s Austin event occurred at the recently opened at , located within The Domain. More than a dozen representatives from businesses featured on What Now Austin, including restaurants and retail concepts and industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners, were in attendance. Guests mingled while enjoying bites and beverages. opened earlier this year with over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The new restaurant transports guests to wine country with vineyard-inspired shareable bites and entrées, perfectly paired with 60 wines on tap. Sixty Vines offers pours by the flight, half glass, full glass, or bottle. During a presentation led by , Founder and CEO of What Now Media Group, entrepreneurs shared their stories, updated attendees on their progress, and reflected on the significance of their businesses. Some key takeaways included the idea that passion is essential for success, knowing how to pivot effectively and the transformative power of connecting with others in the community. One important topic we discussed was sales tax automation. Managing taxes is a monthly task that takes up valuable time and resources, and any mistakes can be expensive. Our partners at by Avalara provide a robust solution that automates the entire sales tax process, including collection, filing, and payment. It integrates smoothly with your POS system, so you won’t have to do anything further once it’s set up. DAVO simplifies sales tax management with a one-time setup process. Once you complete this simple setup, DAVO handles everything for you. They collect and set aside sales tax daily, using data from your POS system, so you don’t have to worry about having enough cash at the end of the month. Additionally, DAVO automatically files your state sales tax on time, guaranteed. Did you know that ? If you’re interested in learning how to eliminate the stress of sales tax, or contact them directly for more information. This is the type of essential service that restaurant owners can learn about at Accelerate events, where they can connect with service providers and experts who can solve their problems or questions. A handful of eager business owners attended this event, including and of . The two provided updates on their business and how the independent ice cream shop has been received since opening. “There were many reasons to open,” Abusaada told What Now Austin earlier this year. “There are no ice cream stores in the area; people love ice cream, and the location is near a school.” Also in attendance were and , the co-owner and general manager of the upcoming , which was initially scheduled to open in late 2024. With the brewery still not close to opening, the owner took the time to provide updates on the new business coming to Hutto. CEO Caleb Spivak addressed key business topics, including managing delays, having an exit plan, and effectively managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. Following the discussion, Caleb and the guests exchanged valuable tips, insights, and concerns. As a result, everyone became increasingly interested in learning more about each other’s businesses and how they could support one another. To help solve potential business issues, What Now Media Group welcomed a handful of their network of Preferred Partners, such as and of . This company provides professional work uniform rental services, laundry and cleaning programs, cleanroom services, and facility supplies. Also, they are there to help with any problems with and of . This Austin-based company is a reputable social media agency. The two helped answer any questions regarding social media and how to navigate it better so that your business gains more traction. What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 31 cities across the U.S., breaking news and providing timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 31 cities annually. The industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow. Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2024. For more details, see the Accelerate page . Related PostsHICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Brian Callanan , Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Liberty Strategic Capital ("Liberty"), to its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024 . Commenting on the appointment, Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO said, "I'm pleased to have Brian join our Board. His proven track record and expertise in financial services, along with his strategic insights will be instrumental as we continue to execute on our transformation and long-term vision. Brian's perspectives will provide valuable guidance, and his leadership will play a critical role in driving sustainable growth, ensuring we achieve long-term success and maximize the value we deliver to our shareholders, employees, and clients." Callanan is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience in financial regulation, regulatory compliance, and financial technology. At Liberty, Callanan leads the firm's legal function, serves on its Investment Committee, and focuses on financial sector investments. Prior to joining Liberty, he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing 2,000 lawyers across the department. As Chief General Counsel, he played a key role in major initiatives such as economic rescue programs during COVID-19, the design of new economic sanctions, and the implementation of tax reform. While serving as Deputy General Counsel, Callanan managed major litigation and advised on regulatory reform efforts, among other responsibilities. For his service, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the department's highest honor. This appointment aligns with the $1.05 billion equity investment in March 2024 , which stipulated that two Board seats would be granted to lead investor Liberty Strategic Capital. With Callanan's addition, the Company's Board of Directors, which was reconstituted earlier in 2024, expands to nine members, including Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph M. Otting , Milton Berlinski , Alessandro P. DiNello , Alan Frank , Marshall Lux , Lead Independent Director Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin , Allen Puwalski , and Jennifer Whip. About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Nicole Yelland (248) 219-9234 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flagstar-financial-inc-appoints-brian-callanan-to-board-of-directors-302331692.html SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.MAI Capital Management cut its stake in Sony Group Co. ( NYSE:SONY – Free Report ) by 25.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,058 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,043 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management’s holdings in Sony Group were worth $585,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Sony Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in Sony Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new stake in Sony Group in the second quarter worth approximately $44,000. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC bought a new position in Sony Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Finally, Hexagon Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sony Group by 38.6% in the 3rd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 836 shares of the company’s stock worth $81,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 14.05% of the company’s stock. Sony Group Price Performance NYSE SONY opened at $19.07 on Friday. Sony Group Co. has a 1 year low of $15.02 and a 1 year high of $20.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $115.30 billion, a PE ratio of 15.60, a PEG ratio of 11.98 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.49. The business’s 50-day moving average is $15.59 and its 200 day moving average is $7.68. Analyst Ratings Changes Read Our Latest Analysis on SONY About Sony Group ( Free Report ) Sony Group Corporation designs, develops, produces, and sells electronic equipment, instruments, and devices for the consumer, professional, and industrial markets in Japan, the United States, Europe, China, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company distributes software titles and add-on content through digital networks; network services related to game, video, and music content; and home gaming consoles, packaged and game software, and peripheral devices. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SONY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sony Group Co. ( NYSE:SONY – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Sony Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sony Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Avior Wealth Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF ( NYSEARCA:RSST – Free Report ) by 12.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,014 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,507 shares during the quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF were worth $270,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Separately, Farther Finance Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF Stock Performance RSST opened at $24.19 on Friday. Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF has a fifty-two week low of $19.10 and a fifty-two week high of $26.30. The company’s 50-day moving average is $23.78 and its 200 day moving average is $23.87. About Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF The Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in global macro alternatives. The fund is an actively managed fund that uses leverage to stack total returns from two strategies. The fund manages a portfolio of large-cap U.S RSST was launched on Sep 6, 2023 and is issued by Return Stacked. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RSST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF ( NYSEARCA:RSST – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .EXCLUSIVE Rachel Reeves: We can't boost the UK's defence spending without making cuts elsewhere By JASON GROVES Published: 22:01 GMT, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 22:06 GMT, 6 December 2024 e-mail 63 View comments Raising defence spending will mean squeezing other parts of government, Rachel Reeves has warned. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail yesterday, the Chancellor also revealed she will launch the biggest audit of government spending in almost two decades in a drive to slash waste and drive up efficiency. The review, which will not be completed until June, will involve a ‘line-by-line’ examination of every item of Whitehall spending, with whole projects set to be axed to focus cash on Labour ’s priorities. It will also set out a timetable for achieving the party’s ambition of raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, which could cost an extra £20 billion a year by 2030. But Ms Reeves warned that any extra cash for the military would have to come out of the same ‘spending envelope’ as other priorities, such as schools, hospitals and the police. She declined to say whether the defence target, which is viewed by military experts as the bare minimum required to keep Britain safe, would even be hit by the end of this decade. The Chancellor did, however, tell the Ministry of Defence it had to ‘get a proper grip’ of its existing budget – and acknowledged that its record on major procurement projects was ‘a disaster zone’. Asked whether defence spending would get special treatment because of the fragile global situation, she said: ‘There is not some magic pot for any area of government spending – it has to come out of this (spending) envelope. Rachel Reeves has said that any increase in defence spending would have to come out of the same 'spending envelope' as other priorities The Chancellor presenting her tax rising Budget in October, which also outlined £70 billion in extra public spending ‘We’re doing the defence review at the moment, being led by George Robertson, former head of Nato, and that will be reporting next year. And then we’ll set out the trajectory for defence spending alongside that.’ Ms Reeves declined to say whether the 2.5 per cent target will be hit by 2030, adding: ‘It’s not just about money. It’s also about making sure we’re getting value from what’s spent and those projects are properly delivered.’ The Mail’s Don’t Leave Britain Defenceless campaign has called for significant increases in Armed Forces investment, to meet the growing threat. The Chancellor defended her record on the military, saying she raised defence spending by £3 billion in the Budget and found an extra £2.3 billion for Ukraine by using profits from frozen Russian assets. Read More Keir Starmer says there COULD be more tax rises to come after Budget mega-raid But she warned that other areas of government would have to be squeezed to fund the commitment, saying: ‘If you spend money on one thing, you can’t spend it elsewhere. There’s not a magic money tree.’ Her comments suggest Defence Secretary John Healey faces a major Whitehall battle to hold Labour to its pre-election spending commitment. At the Budget, Ms Reeves set a one-year spending review to cover departmental funding next year. The new review will cover three years, effectively nailing down Labour’s priorities for the rest of the parliament. It will be the first ‘zero-based’ exercise since 2007 – starting from scratch with every expense to be justified. It is a gap Ms Reeves described as ‘shocking’. ‘It’s a good process, because we’ll go through line by line, every spending item of every department, and then we will also use outside people to challenge that and look at that,’ she said. Ms Reeves with Daily Mail political editor Jason Groves. She warned that there is no 'magic money tree', with spending in one department potentially costing another The Chancellor's comments suggest Defence Secretary John Healey faces a major battle to hold Labour to its pre-election spending commitment Ms Reeves signed off an eye-watering £70 billion in extra public spending at the Budget, but much of this is front- loaded for the next two years . Economic think-tanks have warned she will have to raise taxes again in the second half of the parliament to avoid spending cuts. She denied this, saying departments have to learn to ‘live within their means’. A 2 per cent efficiency target imposed on the NHS by the last government will be extended to all government departments. Public sector unions have also been warned that they cannot expect another round of inflation-busting pay rises unless they sign up to productivity reforms designed to save money. ‘This spending review is going to be tough,’ she said. ‘We’ve set the spending envelope, it is tight. I’ve said that we’re not going to be coming back with more borrowing or more taxes, and obviously there’s not going to be another Budget before the spending review. We’re going to have to be ruthlessly prioritising and targeted.’ NATO Rachel Reeves Ukraine Labour Share or comment on this article: Rachel Reeves: We can't boost the UK's defence spending without making cuts elsewhere e-mail Add comment