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Dec. 4 (UPI) -- President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Securities and Exchange Commissioner Paul Atkins to replace current SEC Chairman Gary Gensler after he leaves the position on Jan. 20. "Paul is a proven leader for common-sense regulations," Trump said Wednesday in a post on Truth Social . "He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of investor and that provide capital to make our economy the best in the world."None
UCF football transfer tracker: Knights prepare for plenty of offseason movesCulinary Arts Key Club students help lead ‘Operation Turkey’ in Spa CityCommemorative Candlelight Vigil: Together against Gender-Based ViolenceThe future of the Democratic Party: Prospective new DNC chair weighs in
monday.com Ltd. (NASDAQ:MNDY) Shares Sold by Advisors Asset Management Inc.NoneAdvisors Asset Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Ventas, Inc. ( NYSE:VTR – Free Report ) by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,988 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after selling 254 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Ventas were worth $127,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Signaturefd LLC raised its stake in shares of Ventas by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 8,120 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $521,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Profund Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Ventas by 3.3% in the second quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 6,270 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $321,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares during the period. Bleakley Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Ventas by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 5,639 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $362,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ventas by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 5,832 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $374,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Roman Butler Fullerton & Co. grew its position in Ventas by 4.5% during the third quarter. Roman Butler Fullerton & Co. now owns 5,434 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $349,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the period. 94.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Insider Activity at Ventas In other news, CEO Debra A. Cafaro sold 6,004 shares of Ventas stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.11, for a total transaction of $396,924.44. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 986,717 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $65,231,860.87. The trade was a 0.60 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, CEO Peter J. Bulgarelli sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total value of $389,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 90,795 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,900,767.05. The trade was a 6.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders sold 140,079 shares of company stock valued at $9,241,311. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Ventas Stock Performance Ventas Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 1st. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.81%. Ventas’s payout ratio is -1,058.82%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Ventas from $52.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. StockNews.com raised shares of Ventas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Ventas from $59.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 11th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Ventas from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised Ventas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $63.63. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Ventas About Ventas ( Free Report ) Ventas Inc (NYSE: VTR) is a leading S&P 500 real estate investment trust focused on delivering strong, sustainable shareholder returns by enabling exceptional environments that benefit a large and growing aging population. The Company's growth is fueled by its senior housing communities, which provide valuable services to residents and enable them to thrive in supported environments. Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Ventas What is the Nasdaq? Complete Overview with History The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing Using the MarketBeat Dividend Yield Calculator 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 Stock Dividend Cuts Happen Are You Ready? FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Receive News & Ratings for Ventas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ventas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Thermo Fisher: M&A And Innovation To Drive Sales GrowthThe long sports-filled Thanksgiving weekend is a time when many Americans enjoy gathering with friends and family for good food, good company and hopefully not too much political conversation. Also on the menu — all the NFL and college sports you can handle. Here's a roadmap to one of the biggest sports weekends of the year, with a look at marquee games over the holiday and how to watch. All times are in EST. All odds are by BetMGM Sportsbook. —NFL: There is a triple-header lined up for pro football fans. Chicago at Detroit, 12:30 p.m., CBS: Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears go against the Lions, who are one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl in February. Lions favored by 10. New York at Dallas, 4:30 p.m., Fox: The Giants and Cowboys are both suffering through miserable seasons and are now using backup quarterbacks for different reasons. But if Dallas can figure out a way to win , it will still be on the fringe of the playoff race. Cowboys favored by 3 1/2. Miami at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m., NBC/Peacock: The Packers stumbled slightly out of the gate but have won six of their past seven games . They'll need a win against Miami to try to keep pace in the NFC North. Packers favored by 3. —College Football: Memphis at No. 18 Tulane, 7:30 p.m., ESPN. If college football is your jam, this is a good warmup for a big weekend. The Tigers try to ruin the Green Wave’s perfect record in the American Athletic Conference. Tulane is favored by 14. —NFL: A rare Friday showdown features the league-leading Chiefs. Las Vegas at Kansas City, 3 p.m. Prime Video: The Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are 12-point favorites over the Raiders. —College Basketball: Some of the top programs meet in holiday tournaments around the country. Battle 4 Atlantis championship, 5:30 p.m., ESPN: One of the premier early season tournaments, the eight-team field includes No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 14 Indiana and No. 24 Arizona. Rady Children's Invitational, 6 p.m., Fox: It's the championship game for a four-team field that includes No. 13 Purdue and No. 23 Mississippi. —College Football: There is a full slate of college games to dig into. Oregon State at No. 11 Boise State, noon, Fox: The Broncos try to stay in the College Football Playoff hunt when they host the Beavers. Boise State favored by 19 1/2. Oklahoma State at No. 23 Colorado, noon, ABC: The Buffaloes and Coach Prime are still in the hunt for the Big 12 championship game when they host the Cowboys. Colorado favored by 16 1/2. Georgia Tech at No. 6 Georgia, 7:30 p.m., ABC: The Bulldogs are on pace for a spot in the CFP but host what could be a tricky game against rival Georgia Tech. Georgia favored by 19 1/2. —NBA. After taking Thanksgiving off, pro basketball returns. Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m., ESPN: The Thunder look like one of the best teams in the NBA's Western Conference. They'll host Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers. —College Football. There are more matchups with playoff implications. Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State, noon, Fox: The Wolverines are struggling one season after winning the national title. They could make their fan base a whole lot happier with an upset of the Buckeyes . Ohio State favored by 21. No. 7 Tennessee at Vanderbilt, noon, ABC: The Volunteers are a fairly big favorite and have dominated this series, but the Commodores have been a tough team this season and already have achieved a monumental upset over Alabama . Tennessee favored by 11. No. 16 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson, noon, ESPN: The Palmetto State rivals are both hanging on the edge of the CFP playoff race. A win — particularly for Clemson — would go a long way toward clinching its spot in the field. Clemson favored by 2 1/2. No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. ABC: The Aggies host their in-state rival for the first time since 2011 after the Longhorns joined the SEC. Texas favored by 5 1/2. Washington at No. 1 Oregon, 7:30 p.m., NBC: The top-ranked Ducks have been one of the nation’s best teams all season. They’ll face the Huskies, who would love a marquee win in coach Jedd Fisch’s first season. Oregon favored by 19 1/2. —NBA: A star-studded clash is part of the league's lineup. Golden State at Phoenix, 9 p.m., NBA TV: Steph Curry and the Warriors are set to face the Suns' Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. —NFL: It's Sunday, that says it all. Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 1 p.m., CBS: Joe Burrow is having a great season for the Bengals , who are struggling in other areas. They need a win to stay in the playoff race, hosting a Steelers team that's 8-3 and won five of their past six. Bengals favored by 3. Arizona at Minnesota, 1 p.m., Fox: The Cardinals are tied for the top of the NFC West while the Vikings are 9-2 and have been one of the biggest surprises of the season with journeyman Sam Darnold under center. Vikings favored by 3 1/2. Philadelphia at Baltimore, 4:25 p.m., CBS: Two of the league's most electric players will be on the field when Saquon Barkley and the Eagles travel to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Ravens favored by 3. San Francisco at Buffalo, 8:20 p.m. NBC/Peacock: The 49ers try to get back to .500 against the Bills , who have won six straight. Bills favored by 7. —NBA. The best teams in the Eastern Conference meet in a statement game. Boston at Cleveland, 6 p.m., NBA TV: The defending champion Celtics travel to face the Cavs , who won their first 15 games to start the season. —Premier League: English soccer fans have a marquee matchup. Manchester City at Liverpool, 11 a.m., USA Network/Telemundo. The two top teams meet with Manchester City trying to shake off recent struggles. —Auto Racing: The F1 season nears its conclusion. F1 Qatar Grand Prix, 11 a.m., ESPN2 – It's the penultimate race of the season. Max Verstappen already has clinched his fourth consecutive season championship . AP sports: https://apnews.com/sportsElon Musk says he’ll use AI to ‘make games great again’ after anti-woke tirade
Not long ago, someone asked about the Rialto Theater that once stood at the southeast corner of Walnut and Pine streets in Lockport. It was recently featured on the Niagara History Center Facebook page. While looking into the history of a property, it is always interesting to learn what was on the site before and after a particular structure was there. On the 1851 map of the village of Lockport, the earliest one that includes names, the southeast corner of Walnut and Pine is occupied by Dr. C. Hill. A quick check of the 1856 Lockport Directory reveals his first name as “Caleb.” He was born in Orwell, Vermont, in 1802 and graduated from the Vermont Academy of Medicine in 1827. Dr. Hill was still living in Vermont in 1830 at about which time he married Fannie Bacon; their son and only child, Linnaeus, was born in 1832. In 1840, the family was residing in Ridgeway in Orleans County. When Dr. Hill moved to Lockport is unclear, but he was there by 1850. In an 1890 reminiscence in the Lockport Daily Journal, it is stated that, “Dr. Hill, formerly in company with Dr. J. H. Helmer, lived here for some years and built the home now occupied by James Jackson, Jr....” Not much could be learned about Dr. Hill’s tenure in Lockport. At least one local physician, Dr. Peter Faling of Gasport, wrote that he had studied under Dr. Hill in Lockport in the 1850s. One lasting connection the Hills had to this area was their daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Van Horn. She was the daughter of John Van Horn and granddaughter of James Van Horn of Newfane. Linnaeus and Elizabeth married in 1856 and moved to Brooklyn. Dr. and Mrs. Hill sold the house at Walnut and Pine a year later and also moved to Brooklyn where Dr. Hill died in 1863 at the age of 61. Before Dr. Hill left Lockport, his house and property were purchased for $7,000 by his partner, Dr. Josiah H. Helmer, who, within a short time, sold it to Dr. Samuel S. Thorn for the same amount (about $270,000 in 2024). In 1860, Dr. Thorn sued Dr. Helmer for selling him the property “above its estimated value.” Thorn won a $1,000 ($38,500) judgment against Helmer. Dr. Thorn did not keep the property for very long and soon moved to Toledo, Ohio. The next owner of the house was James Jackson, Jr. The address was 33 Walnut Street (later changed to 106 Walnut) and Jackson would reside there for 30 years until his death in 1891. He was born January 26, 1825 in Medina, where he also married Lizzie Gurden, in 1845, and his only child, J. Carl, was born a year later. The family moved to Lockport in about 1855 and Jackson opened his first lumber yard at Clinton and Mill streets a few years later. Lizzie died in 1861 and Jackson later married Emily Fitch. By the mid-1860s, Jackson was involved in the political life of the village. He was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Democrat representing Lockport for one term in 1864. Three years later he was elected Mayor of Lockport for one term. He ran for the 29th New York District in the U.S. Congress in 1868 and was defeated. In 1873, Jackson was elected a New York State Canal Commissioner for a three-year term. He re-entered politics in 1886 when he ran again for Congress, this time in the 33rd District. His opponent was Civil War hero Col. John B. Weber of Buffalo, who won the election. Following this defeat, Jackson retired from politics and concentrated on his business and community activities. In 1872, Jackson acquired the Van Valkenburgh lumber mill on East Market Street, about where Widewaters is today. This greatly increased his business as well as his assets; the 1870s was a good decade for him. He improved and expanded both of his lumber mills as well as his home and property at Walnut and Pine streets. A sketch of Jackson’s house in the 1878 Illustrated History of Niagara County shows a quaint Gothic-style home with gingerbread trim. The home and property were the scene of many social and charity events. By the 1870s, Jackson had turned the mill businesses over to his son, J. Carl, but he retained offices in several other companies including president of the Farmers’ & Mechanics’ Bank, treasurer of the Merchant’s Gargling Oil Company, vice-president of the Lockport Pulp Company, as well as member of the boards of the Holly Manufacturing Company, the Union Printing & Publishing Company and several others. Jackson died suddenly of a stroke on March 6, 1891, at the age of 66, in the Gilsey House Hotel while on a business trip to New York City. His body was brought back to Lockport for burial in Cold Spring Cemetery. Following Jackson’s death, his wife Emily remained in the home for a few years but later moved just across Walnut Street to the Blackley Flats Apartments. There were reports in the newspapers that the Jackson property was being considered for development including an apartment building in 1895, and the new Federal Building/Post Office in 1899. Neither project came to fruition and the home was turned into a boarding house. In 1912, the property was sold at public auction for back taxes. Emily Jackson died the following year, on January 14, 1913, at the age of 72. Six months later the house was heavily damaged in a fire caused by a flying ember from another fire on Buffalo Street. This ended the story of the nearly 65-year-old, once beautiful home. By the end of 1913, Lockport entertainment mogul Henry Thurston, who already owned the Temple Theater on Walnut Street, announced plans to build an open “Airdome” on the former Jackson property, primarily to hold sporting events. A few years later, he enclosed the arena, calling it Thurston’s “Auditorium.” With the growing popularity of motion pictures, Thurston once again transformed his venue at Walnut and Pine streets, this time into the Rialto Theater. The business was operated by the Schine Corporation. The new theater opened on November 11, 1924 to two sold out shows, with 1,500 people for each show, and a crowd of at least that number waiting to get into each performance. Gloria Swanson in “Wages of Virture” was the first movie presented there. A novelty of the new theater was the chance for the audience to see themselves on the big screen in the “Civic and Industrial Review of Lockport,” which featured films of the city’s business, industrial, retail and public places. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, even with competition from the Hi-Art and the Palace, the Rialto continued to attract a crowd with first-run movies and short features. The theater was remodeled and updated over the years and the main entrance was moved from Pine Street to the Walnut Street side. The last year the Rialto was in operation was in 1957. It was torn down in 1962 for a parking lot for the nearby M & T Bank. Later a small branch bank was built on the site.Five Below, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Financial Results
Carucci Take 2: Bills are poised to win their 5th consecutive AFC East crownThe injury report for the Memphis Grizzlies (13-7) ahead of their game against the Indiana Pacers (9-11) currently includes three players. The Pacers have five injured players listed on the report. The matchup is slated for 3:30 PM ET on Sunday, December 1. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. The Grizzlies are coming off of a 120-109 win over the Pelicans in their last game on Friday. Ja Morant recorded 27 points, three rebounds and seven assists for the Grizzlies. The Pacers are coming off of a 130-106 loss to the Pistons in their most recent game on Friday. The Pacers got a team-leading 21 points from Pascal Siakam in the loss. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get live and on-demand access to NBA games. Get tickets for any NBA game this season at StubHub. Catch NBA action all season long on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .
Mr Nicholas Tan founded the label Aupen in Singapore in November 2022. SINGAPORE – Securing an interview with Mr Nicholas Tan, the Singaporean founder of Aupen, is no easy feat. After weeks of back-and-forth e-mails, the stars finally aligned for a Friday night Zoom call on Nov 29. I first met the Paris-based 35-year-old at a yacht party in Singapore in September. At the time, his identity as the man behind the viral online-only bag brand was still a topic of speculation. But I knew exactly who he was. Watching him effortlessly navigate the room, it was clear that the same air of purpose and quiet confidence driving Aupen were also deeply woven into his personality. Mr Tan appeared on my screen promptly at 8pm, exuding a sharp focus and a more reserved demeanour compared with the relaxed charm he displayed at that party. Tonight, he is all business, ready to dive into the story of Aupen – a label that has taken the fashion world by storm. “It’s funny,” he says, leaning into the camera. “Everyone thinks Taylor Swift launched us when she carried our bag (while out) with Travis Kelce. But that wasn’t even the first time.” The moment he is referring to – a paparazzi shot from October 2023 of the American pop star leaving a New York City restaurant with her American football star-boyfriend Kelce – went viral, with Swift clutching Aupen’s US$420 (S$560) black Nirvana bag. An October 2023 photo of American pop star Taylor Swift carrying an Aupen bag while out with her boyfriend, footballer Travis Kelce. PHOTO: AUPEN That single photo ignited a frenzy, catapulting searches for Aupen to new heights. However, Mr Tan is quick to set the record straight. “The first time Taylor carried the bag was actually to (American producer-songwriter) Jack Antonoff’s wedding in August,” he says, a smile breaking across his face at the memory. “I saw it on her Instagram and was so happy,” he adds, admitting that he is a Swiftie. He clarifies that Swift’s use of the bag was not a planned placement, nor are the sightings on a slew of Hollywood actresses. And that, according to him, is exactly what makes Aupen stand out. “These celebrities genuinely use it. It’s not just a one-off thing for the cameras,” he stresses. “Selena Gomez has carried our bags four or five times. Jennifer Lawrence, the same. Emma Stone has worn our designs on multiple occasions. It warms my heart to know that the bag is a real part of their wardrobe.” Founded in Singapore in November 2022, Aupen has achieved what few home-grown brands have: stratospheric fame on a global scale. Its designs have struck a chord with both fashion insiders and everyday consumers. But, for Mr Tan, Aupen’s appeal lies in more than just aesthetics. “I think what Aupen is doing today in the fashion industry is really disrupting and breaking some traditional systems,” he says. Unlike heritage fashion houses that adhere to a rigid calendar – showcasing autumn collections in February and spring lines in September – Aupen chooses a freer approach. New styles are occasionally showcased on its Instagram page (@aupenofficial), which has more than 63,000 followers. Aupen’s newest collection, launched in late November as its first collaboration with LVMH Metiers d’Art, introduces five festive interpretations of the Nirvana bag, including designs in brown shearling and metallic finishes. PHOTO: AUPEN “With social media, there’s this constant churn of new products, new trends. Everyone’s asking, ‘What’s next?’ But we’re not interested in being part of that cycle,” he says. Instead, Aupen releases products on its own schedule, unveiling new styles only when they are fully ready. “We produce things in limited quantities and when they sell out, they sell out,” he says. This philosophy extends to the brand’s pricing. With designs that rarely exceed $600 in price, Aupen positions itself as an accessible luxury brand, offering products that combine premium craftsmanship with a price point that feels attainable. This ethos has not only won over the hearts of consumers, but also earned the recognition of industry giants like LVMH Metiers d’Art, a division of the French luxury conglomerate dedicated to preserving artisanal craftsmanship. The partnership, announced in July, is a groundbreaking first for a local company and a significant milestone for Aupen. It elevates the brand’s craftsmanship to the prestigious “Made in France” quality synonymous with the luxury sector – a momentous achievement, especially in today’s competitive fashion landscape. Mr Tan reveals that he initially reached out to LVMH in 2023, drawn by their shared commitment to quality and innovation. Once it became clear that their values were aligned, the collaboration took shape, granting Aupen access to LVMH’s renowned network of ateliers, including Tanneries Roux and Jade Groupe. “They’ve taught us so much about quality control,” Mr Tan says. “For example, testing leather for colour fastness, scratch resistance and thickness – these are things they’ve helped us refine. And for hardware, they’ve shown us how to test for durability across all the different materials used,” he says, adding that LVMH’s expertise brought a new level of precision and sophistication to their processes. From humble beginnings to Hollywood Aupen’s founder Nicholas Tan grew up with a middle-class background and is close to his grandmother. PHOTO: AUPEN I had been advised beforehand to steer clear of personal questions – a boundary Mr Tan fiercely guards as part of his desire to maintain privacy and keep the spotlight firmly on his work. But, after some gentle persuasion, the bachelor opens up about his personal story. His journey to founding Aupen began in Clementi, where he grew up. The middle child in a family of five, Tan had a close relationship with his grandmother, who played a pivotal role in his upbringing. His father, now 69, was a university lecturer, while his mother, 68, worked as an accountant. His two sisters, aged 37 and 31, pursued their own paths outside the fashion world, leaving Mr Tan as the outlier with a passion for design. “My late grandfather was a truck driver who shovelled sand to build Singapore during its early years,” he says. “It was a milestone when my dad became the first university graduate in our family. And now, I’m proud to say I’m the first entrepreneur.” When asked if he has the so-called “middle child syndrome”, he waves off the suggestion and insists he enjoyed a normal upbringing. But, from an outsider’s perspective, it is easy to see how traits often associated with middle children – self-reliance and independence – may have played a role in shaping his ambitious, driven nature. His tenacity was evident even before he entered the fashion world. A competitive swimmer during his school years at Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College, he trained rigorously – up to 10 times a week. “I’ve always been ambitious and competitive, whether it was in the pool or now with Aupen,” he reflects. “That energy and discipline I had as an athlete are things I still channel into my work today.” Former national swimmer Nicholas Tan swims the butterfly leg of the 4X100m medley relay final at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, on Nov 18, 2010. ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI After completing his national service in the Republic of Singapore Navy and graduating with a biology degree from Harvard University in the United States, he ventured into the world of fashion with no formal training. In 2014, he had his first brush with the global fashion spotlight, as one of seven international models handpicked by Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana for an advertising campaign. This moment might have been a career pinnacle for many, but for Mr Tan – then 25 – it was simply another stepping stone in an eclectic professional journey that would later include tech IPOs and entrepreneurship. “My interests have always been varied,” he says. “I want to inspire people to be open-minded and not pigeonhole themselves or their identities. With determination and curiosity, you can embrace new interests or careers, no matter where life takes you.” That same year, he became an early team member at Garena – now Shopee – Singapore’s leading e-commerce platform. He then returned to fashion, opening a showroom in 2018 that introduced the works of acclaimed designers such as Belgium’s Dries van Noten and French-American Joseph Altuzarra to the Asian market. “I was managing all these other brands, but at a certain point, I realised I didn’t want to be the backup singer any more,” he says. “I wanted to be the lead.” With that resolve, he closed his showroom and founded Aupen in 2022, creating a brand that would reflect his own vision. However, his journey to success was far from smooth. “When I pitched my plans for Aupen to people in Singapore, they were rejected for not being ‘holistic’. I remember friends of mine – even a chief editor at a fashion magazine – told me I was never going to make it because I didn’t have the right qualifications,” he says. “I hope Singapore will realise we have talent in our own backyard.” For the first two years, he operated out of his grandmother’s home, with her serving as the stock controller. He personally designed the bags and sold them directly through his website. “I didn’t like seeing her alone after my grandfather passed, so I asked if she wanted to help me with my business. It gave her a sense of purpose and allowed us to spend more time together,” he recalls fondly. For him, Aupen – a portmanteau of “authentic” and “open” and pronounced as “open” – embodies a departure from traditional or trend-driven accessory design. “I’m inspired by sculptures. I don’t think many bags are envisioned as sculptures first when they’re designed. Often, bags are engineered around trends or practicality – what can you fit inside? “For us, it’s a completely different approach. We start with form and artistry, creating something that’s visually striking but still functional,” he says. This sculptural perspective has become Aupen’s hallmark, as have its minimalist yet architectural designs. One of the earliest celebrities spotted with an Aupen bag was American model Hailey Bieber. Mr Tan recalls the surreal moment he came across a 2023 photo of her at Coachella, carrying the Aupen Purpose Bag. “I thought I was dreaming,” he says. “I had to look at the photo again to make sure it was real and not a dream. She even did a series of Instagram posts with the bag.” Aupen continued growing and what began as a one-man operation has since grown into a dynamic team of more than 10 people today. Unlike many luxury brands with a single, visionary creative director at the helm, Aupen takes a collaborative approach to design. “I contribute to the designs, but we also have other talented designers in the company,” says Mr Tan. Aupen’s newest collection, launched in late November as its first collaboration with LVMH Metiers d’Art, introduces five festive interpretations of the Nirvana bag, including designs in brown shearling and metallic finishes. They are retailing for $458 each on aupen.com Mr Tan says: “The Nirvana has been spotted on so many pop stars recently, including Charlie XCX, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift. With this collection, we wanted to play with textures to create this beautiful juxtaposition that complements a girl’s outfit.” A post shared by AUPEN (@aupenofficial) A post shared by AUPEN (@aupenofficial) A post shared by AUPEN (@aupenofficial) Today, Aupen’s primary markets are in America and Europe, where the brand’s aesthetic and accessible luxury ethos have resonated deeply. According to Mr Tan, there are no plans to establish a physical retail presence, at least for now. “The true story of Aupen is that it was the West that picked us,” he says, adding that he is still in the midst of looking for an office space in Paris – a city that has become a wellspring of inspiration for him. “Paris is the epicentre of fashion,” he continues. “Being in the city exposes me to so many different brands, collections, museum exhibits and fashion events. It’s an environment that helps me understand where luxury fashion is headed.” Mr Tan also spends much of his time flying among fashion capitals, where he finds inspiration in how deeply rooted heritage brands are in their respective cultures. “When I’m in Paris, I see so many Parisians proudly carrying Louis Vuitton and Chanel because those brands are French. In Milan, I see Italians carrying Prada and Gucci with the same pride. It’s a reflection of their cultural identity.” His aspiration? To see Singaporeans embrace Aupen in the same way. “I hope that one day, as I walk down the streets of Singapore, I’ll see girls carrying Aupen bags with the same pride,” he says. “Right now, our brand awareness in Singapore isn’t as high as it is overseas.” As our conversation winds down, I ask Mr Tan what advice he would give to his younger self. “I would tell myself to not set limits, to dare to think big and dream big,” he says. “It’s something I’ve learnt gradually over time. “In Singapore, there’s often a tendency for society to impose limitations or stereotype you into certain professions. But I hope my journey – and what we’ve built with Aupen – shows that it’s possible to break free from those expectations. If you truly believe in yourself and set your mind to it, you can achieve anything.” Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now
W hen the cathedral of Notre Dame went up in flames in 2019, few people believed Emmanuel Macron could fulfill his promise to restore it by the end of this year. Yet he succeeded in mobilising donors, and a small army of restorers and craftsmen to put back together in five years a medieval masterpiece that had taken almost centuries to originally complete. Today’s re-opening ceremony should have been a triumph for Macron comparable only to de Gaulle’s te deum in Notre Dame at the liberation in August, 1944, or Napoleon’s self-crowning there in December, 1804. France’s youngest head of state since Napoleon III expected his own apotheosis today. Instead the former whizz-kid banker finds he has developed a perverse Midas touch: everything he handles these days turns to soot and ashes in his mouth. Over the last six months, Macron has blundered from one set back to another defeat, culminating in the current paralysis in France’s political system. Poor results for his Renaissance Party in the European Parliament elections in June triggered him into calling early elections for France’s own National Assembly. His supporters promptly lost their majority and France. The hard left and the hard right can’t agree on anything except stymieing Macron by voting down his hand-picked prime minister, Michel Barnier , and his austerity measures - which were meant to reignite French entrepreneurship and cut the state’s huge deficit, projected to exceed 6 per cent of GDP. So instead of de Gaulle’s vision of the French president as the guarantor of the Fifth Republic’s stability, Macron has become the embodiment of systemic failure and chaos. France is obviously too important as our major neighbour for its agonies to be ignored - and Britain, or France’s neighbours, like Germany , cannot overlook how much our woes have in common with Emmanuel Macron’s. Across Europe , conventional parties of centre-left and centre-right are no longer able to win enough votes to form a government on their own or at the head of a coherent coalition. Germany’s odd thrupple coalition of Social Democrats, Greens and free market Liberals has just collapsed, in the wake of the roaring success of the nationalist AfD party in recent, regional elections. This was as much a reflection of the country’s sharp economic downturn as the AfD’s playing up anti-immigration policies - and suggests it will be hard for the centre-right Christian Democrats to form a classic coalition in Berlin after next February’s election. Across Europe to the east, Romania’s own political crisis reared after its Constitutional Court cancelled the country’s presidential election as a nationalist, anti-EU, and anti-NATO jack-in-a-box candidate looked likely to win. At first sight, Labour’s thumping majority in our general election in July bucked the trend in the EU. But with the nosedive in Sir Keir Starmer’s personal ratings since then - and Labour’s rapidly sinking poll numbers - post-Brexit Britain seems to align with the EU’s members in a sour public mood about our country’s governance. In fact, all of Western Europe’s once industrialised economies are suffering similar symptoms, including the haemorrhaging highly-skilled jobs at the same time migrations from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East risk their lives to get here. Waning affluence is the key to public attitudes to immigration shifting in the West European states, which still remain magnets for people from the Global South. In reality, Europe, including Britain, is trapped as the world’s third-ranking economic unit between the top two: the USA and China. This is a face evident in the ways we handle the race to decarbonise the global economy. The shift to a net-zero economy is taking a huge toll on German carmakers as well as any other energy-intensive industry. It is one thing for governments to promote “green” alternatives but quite another for European companies to actually design and manufacture cars people want and can afford to buy, for instance. Compare this to China and the US: Whatever Donald Trump’s climate scepticism, his Number One booster, Elon Musk, has made his Tesla into the signature Western-manufactured electric car. China might be pumping vast amounts of CO 2 into the atmosphere but its manufacturers are churning out solar panels and electric vehicles that have cut the swathes through European markets. Meanwhile the EU and Britain remain faithful to the free trade shibboleths of the increasingly redundant Washington Consensus, ahead of threatened tariffs under Trump 2.0. Trying to mix free trade with net zero regulation is a real contradiction which is becoming a living nightmare for European societies squeezed by the kind of external competitive and technological challenges which they haven’t experienced before and still haven’t thought through. The challenges are many, and the paths through unclear. President Macron is today’s high-profile European leader battered by these surging problems besetting France. In some ways his triumphant restoration of Notre Dame is symbolic of our general crisis across Europe . Just as King Charles’ coronation was masterpiece of public theatre so reopening a pristine Notre Dame shows how good we Europeans are at the past! For all that I welcome the return of Notre Dame as the spiritual centre of Paris, its reconstruction is a tribute to former glories rather than a sign that France in particular, or Europe in general, is about to enjoy a renaissance. Today’s ceremonies are a wake for an old France, maybe for old Europe too.
(TNS) — Between state and federal programs aiming to get all New Mexicans reliable, high-speed Internet access, there are still about 95,000 households left out of the mix. State broadband officials are looking for legislatively allocated dollars to fill the gap. And how would they use the money to fill the gap? Satellite technology. Nearly 100,000 households aren't eligible for federal broadband programs, a gap that state-provided vouchers and subsidies for satellite high-speed Internet services could help address, said Drew Lovelace, acting director of the state's Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. His office on Tuesday asked for $70 million before the Legislative Finance Committee to accelerate the Connect New Mexico Fund, which aims to enhance connectivity for all New Mexicans. Satellite Internet technology would particularly boost access in rural and hard-to-reach areas of New Mexico while the state waits for more reliable broadband technology deployment, according to the broadband office. The office would prioritize unserved areas — locations with 25 megabits per second, or mbps, download and 3 mbps upload speeds or less — and underserved areas — locations with between 25 mbps/3mbps and 100 mbps download and 20 mbps upload speeds. Lovelace proposed household vouchers for necessary hardware for satellite Internet services and $30 monthly subsidies for low-income households to ease their $120 monthly Internet bills. The broadband office's one-time expenditure ask of $70 million would make sure "New Mexicans don't get left behind in the digital divide today" while also still looking toward the future, Lovelace said. The satellite vouchers and subsidies, if the appropriation request is approved in the 2025 Legislature and by the governor, would likely start at the earliest next year. The overall budget request for the broadband office for fiscal year 2026 is just over $3 million, which is a $650,0000 increase from the previous fiscal year, according to the broadband office. Overall, Lovelace said, broadband is infrastructure and needs to be funded longer term. "My big ask coming out of this is that we no longer get one- and two-year appropriations, that we look at three- to five-year appropriations and make sure that we can do the entire grant cycle," he said. ©
Daily Dose of Social Media: Who has the most aura? Shapovalov, Kokkinakis, and Thiem weigh in Big-3 debateThe former Tory chancellor, now chairman of the British Museum, suggested Sir Keir Starmer had contributed to a warmer spirit of the negotiations over the famous ancient artworks. Greece has long called for the return of the Marbles, also known as the Parthenon sculptures, and maintains they were illegally removed from Athens’ acropolis during a period of foreign occupation. The British Museum – where they are currently on display – is forbidden by law from giving away any of its artefacts, and the Government has no plans to change the law to permit a permanent move. But under Mr Osborne’s leadership, the museum is negotiating the possibility of a long-term loan of the sculptures, in exchange for rolling exhibitions of famous artworks. No 10 has indicated the Prime Minister is unlikely to stand in the way of such a deal. Speaking on Political Currency, the podcast he hosts alongside former Labour politician Ed Balls, Mr Osborne said the museum was “looking to see if we can come to some arrangement where at some point some of the sculptures are in Athens, where, of course, they were originally sited”. He added: “And in return, Greece lends us some of its treasures, and we made a lot of progress on that, but we’re still some distance from any kind of agreement.” The Greek government has suggested negotiations with the museum have taken a warmer tone since Labour came to power in the summer. Mr Osborne appeared to concur with this view and praised Sir Keir’s hands-off approach, adding: “It is not the same as Rishi Sunak, who refused to see the Greek prime minister, if you remember, he sort of stood him up. “So it seems to me a more sensible and diplomatic way to proceed.” Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek premier, discussed the Elgin Marbles with Sir Keir when they met on Tuesday morning at Downing Street, he said after returning to Athens. Mr Mitsotakis has signalled his government is awaiting developments on the negotiations. A diplomatic spat between the Greek leader and Mr Sunak emerged last year when the then-prime minister refused to meet his counterpart. Mr Mitsotakis had compared splitting the Elgin Marbles from those still in Athens to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. The marble statues came from friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and have been displayed at the British Museum for more than 200 years. They were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Some of the remaining temple statues are on display in the purpose-built Acropolis Museum in Athens, and Greece has called for the collections to be reunited.Things to watch this week in the Southeastern Conference. No. 7 Alabama (No. 7 CFP) at Oklahoma, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC) It's the first regular-season meeting since 2003 between traditional college football heavyweights who have combined for 25 national titles and usually face off in January bowl games with championship implications. Another fun fact: They've only played once each on the other's home field in six lifetime matchups, with the Sooners winning that showdown 20-13 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama won the most recent postseason meeting, 45-34, at the Orange Bowl in the 2018 College Football Playoff semifinal before falling to Clemson in the championship. Another berth in the 12-team playoff is at stake for the visiting Crimson Tide (8-2, 4-2 SEC, No. 7 CFP), which trails No. 3 Texas and No. 15 Texas A&M by a game in the standings and is among four two-loss teams trying to stay within reach and possibly get to next month's championship in Atlanta. Alabama has won three in a row overall including last week's 52-7 rout of Mercer, rolling up 508 yards on offense. Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Milroe passed for 186 of his 229 yards from scrimmage and two of his three touchdowns. Milroe's 32 total TDs lead the SEC and he's second with 17 rushing scores. Rather than contending as hoped, SEC newcomer Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) is instead playing spoiler after four losses in five games, against ranked league foes Texas, No. 19 South Carolina and No. 9 Ole Miss. The Sooners scored two late fourth-quarter touchdown to lead Missouri 23-16 two weeks ago before the host Tigers scored two TDs in the final 1:07 seconds for a 30-23 victory. Alabama is a 14-point favorite according to BetMGM. No. 9 Ole Miss (8-4, 4-2, No. 9 CFP) at Florida (5-5, 3-4), Saturday, Noon ET (ABC) The Rebels have won three in a row since falling at LSU and four of five overall. They're coming off a bye after beating then-No. 3 Georgia 28-10 on Nov. 9 and look to stay within reach of first place and remain in the CFP discussion. Florida upended No. 21 LSU 27-16 on Saturday to earn a signature win for embattled coach Billy Napier and reach the cusp of bowl eligibility after finishing 5-7 last fall. Also worth a look: Vanderbilt (6-4, 3-3) at LSU (6-4, 3-3). Both are bowl eligible, but the Commodores can clinch their first .500 SEC finish since going 4-4 in 2013 and help coach Clark Lea match his win total for the past two seasons combined. The Tigers look to regroup from the Florida loss. No. 15 Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed. Reed is 4-1 as a starter for an Aggies team that visits Auburn hoping to stay in the playoff hunt before the regular season finale against in-state rival Texas. Reed has passed for 1,129 yards and nine touchdowns against two interceptions. He has run for 375 yards and six scores. The Tigers have had some struggles against dual-threat quarterbacks like Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia and Arkansas' Taylen Green. Vanderbilt will play in LSU's Tiger Stadium for the first time since 2009, having played in Nashville three times since. The Commodores' last win over LSU came in 1990 and they haven't won in Baton Rouge since 1951. ... First-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is 34-2 in the month of November, including a 10-0 mark since 2022. ... Kentucky's 107th-ranked offense (340.5 yards per game) faces Texas's No. 1-ranked defense, which is giving up just 249 yards a game. ... Texas A&M has held opponents to 100 or fewer rushing yards in five of the last seven games, including holding LSU to 24 yards on 23 attempts. ... Auburn QB Payton Thorne has only three touchdown passes in his last four SEC games. ... Mississippi State's Isaac Smith leads the SEC and is tied for seventh nationally with 101 total tackles. ... Kentucky is 3-0 in nonconference games after shellacking in-state foe Murray State 48-3, which followed four SEC home losses. AP Sports Writer John Zenor contributed to this report. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Daily Dose of Social Media: Who has the most aura? Shapovalov, Kokkinakis, and Thiem weigh in Big-3 debateElon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to meet with House Republicans this week to discuss DOGE
Imphal: The Manipur government extended the ban on mobile data services in nine restive districts till December 9, according to an order issued by the Home Department on Saturday. The decision was taken after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation in Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl and Jiribam districts and its co-relation with internet services, the order said. Mobile internet and mobile data services, including VSATs and VPN, will remain suspended till 5.15 pm on December 9 in public interest, it added. However, exemption was granted to “cases allowed by the state government”, it said. Internet services were suspended in these districts on November 16 after violence broke out in the state following the recovery of the bodies of three women and three children in the Jiri and Barak rivers. The government lifted the suspension on broadband services on November 19, considering the problems faced by healthcare facilities, educational institutions and various offices. However, Wifi or sharing of hotspots was not allowed.
New On The Block Dental supply maker Patterson Companies Inc PDCO announced Thursday that it is exploring strategic options, including a sale or merger, to boost shareholder value. The company disclosed the deal process as part of its second-quarter financial report . Updates From The Block EasyHotel is close to being sold. A billionaire-backed firm called London & Regional Properties is bidding against a fund managed by Tristan Capital Partners . The auction process is in its final stages, according to Bloomberg . Ubisoft Entertainment SA UBSFF is in talks with Tencent Holdings ADR TCEHY over a potential buyout . According to Reuters, the deal would allow Ubisoft’s founders, the Guillemot family, to retain control if the company goes private. This development follows a difficult year for Ubisoft , marked by staff layoffs, disappointing sales, and the closure of several studios. Ubisoft’s stock jumped 14% after news of the buyout discussions emerged, as per Benzinga Pro. Lightspeed Commerce Inc. LSPD is reorganizing. A majority of the restructuring charges will be incurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. The focus remains on “reducing the complexity of our business,” said Lightspeed founder and CEO Dax Dasilva said . An analyst told Payments Dive that the intent is to set Lightspeed up for a sale. JPMorgan and RBC are advising the process, according to Bloomberg . See Also: NASA Mission To Land Humans On Moon Delayed – Artemis 3 Now Slated For... Off The Block Novavax, Inc. NVAX agreed to sell its Bohumil, Czech Republic manufacturing facility to Novo Nordisk A/S NVO for $200 million . The deal includes transferring assets, including a 150,000-square-foot factory and the existing workforce . Schneider National, Inc. SNDR disclosed that it has agreed to acquire Cowan Systems, LLC and its affiliates for approximately $390 million in cash, subject to adjustments . The deal also includes a separate purchase of related real estate assets for $31 million . Renewi , a London-listed waste management company, agreed to a preliminary takeover offer from Macquarie Asset Management that values it at 700.9 million pounds ($888.8 million). Renewi had been exploring the sale of certain assets (i.e. its UK Municipal division ) in order to reduce debt and focus on its core recycling business in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Portugal. Bankruptcy Block Eegee's , a beloved drive-through restaurant chain founded in Tucson in 1971, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed five locations—four in Tucson and one in Phoenix. Despite challenges, Eegee's continues to operate over 20 locations in Tucson and Phoenix. Local media reported that the company owes significant debts, including over $1.2 million to Sysco and hundreds of thousands more to other vendors, with total liabilities ranging between $10 million and $50 million. CEO Chris Westcott cited various pressures as reasons for the restructuring, but local residents blamed 39 North Capital , Eegee's owner since 2018. Trucking company Kal Freight filed for bankruptcy protection, saying its financial condition has been hurt by unprofitable efforts to become a vertically integrated business and a now-questionable investment in additional vehicles during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The closely held company also faces litigation, including foreclosure actions, according to the Wall Street Journal citing a filing Thursday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston. Proma Group has acquired Germany’s Recaro Automotive GmbH , enabling the company to exit bankruptcy and resume operations across Europe starting January 2025. Recaro's aftermarket seats will return to the market in January, with OEM production shifting to Italy where Proma is based. Several employees from Recaro’s Sales and Technology departments will remain in the Stuttgart area to ensure a smooth transition and customer support. Recaro’s operations in North America and Japan remain unaffected. Proma Group CEO Luca Pino praised the partnership as a blend of German industrial and Italian manufacturing excellence. Notes From The Block Bain & Company did a swell job putting M&A telecom trends into perspective this week. Here’s what we learned: Global deal value “surged” from about $24 billion in the first three quarters of 2023 to $90 billion in the same period in 2024, the firm noted. The Americas accounted for 63% of the global total. Financial investors are acquiring tower and fixed assets. This trend underscores confidence in digital infrastructure's business fundamentals despite headwinds. The $20.3 billion deal between Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. FYBR and Verizon Communications Inc. VZ is the year's largest transaction so far. Scale deals accounted for nearly half of global deal value year to date; infrastructure divestments accounted for 22% of deal value through the first nine months of 2024 (36% of all deal value over the past five years); mobile and fixed divestments made up about 20% during that period. For the full report, click here . For last week’s Deal Dispatch , click here . Now Read : Bitcoin Flash Crash: Classic Bull Market Shakeout? © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.