Ex-Colorado footballer Bloom dedicates time to fulfilling wishes for older adultsIn conclusion, the 183.5 yuan Luckin Coffee co-branded cup's inability to hold hot water highlights the importance of diligence and attention to detail in product development. While the brand has taken steps to address the issue, the incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of overlooking key functionalities in collaborative product releases. By learning from this experience and prioritizing quality control, Luckin Coffee can regain the trust of its customers and strengthen its position in the competitive retail landscape.
On one hand, supporters of Rockstar's decision argue that it is crucial to approach the representation of LGBT+ characters with nuance and sensitivity. Given the long history of negative stereotypes and harmful portrayals of marginalized groups in media, it is understandable that the company would want to avoid perpetuating harmful tropes. By encouraging the writers to be mindful of their treatment of LGBT+ characters, Rockstar is taking a step towards promoting more inclusive and respectful representation in gaming.Avendra International Acquires Spanish-Based QuantumIn a press conference held in Kyiv earlier this week, Zelensky expressed skepticism towards Trump's assertions, noting that the former president's current remarks should be viewed as speculative rather than concrete plans. Zelensky emphasized that it is still too early to consider Trump as a serious contender for the presidency, especially given the uncertainties and complexities of the political landscape in the United States.
Should California offer its own rebate for EVs?
Southfield, Michigan, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Credit Acceptance Corporation (Nasdaq: CACC) (referred to as the “Company”, “Credit Acceptance”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) has been named one of the Best Places to Work in IT by Computerworld for the 10 th year. Credit Acceptance ranked #8 among midsize companies. This award recognizes companies with comprehensive tech-led strategies that foster an inclusive, supportive, and growth-oriented workplace. “Our Engineering team continues to be at the forefront of many key initiatives. Together, team members have shown incredible effort, dedication, and collaboration while driving change to modernize the way we work,” said Ravi Mohan, Chief Technology Officer. “As we strengthen our foundational technologies, maximize the use of automation, and bring new ideas to life, we are providing value to our customers faster and fueling business growth in service of our mission to make car ownership possible for everyone.” The contributions of Credit Acceptance’s Engineering team are deeply embedded in the Company’s focus on collaboration and day-to-day improvements that benefit everyone we serve. One example of this is the “Test Drive” program, which provides potential dealers firsthand experience with Credit Acceptance’s software, boosting dealer engagement, and expanding reach across communities. Additionally, the team continues to innovate in support of the Company’s remote-first working environment, bringing new tools and technologies forward to better enable the productivity of team members. Credit Acceptance is consistently recognized as one of the best places to work by team members. This year, the Company has received four honors from Great Place to Work ® and Fortune : we have been ranked 39 th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For ® (the tenth time we have been included on this list), 29 th in Best Workplaces for Women (the sixth time we’ve been included), 50 th in the Best Workplaces for Millennials (the eighth time we have been included), and 13 th in the 2024 Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance (the tenth time we have been included). In addition, Credit Acceptance has been named a Top Workplaces USA award winner for the fourth consecutive year, a Most Loved Workplace ® for 2024 in several categories by the Best Practice Institute, and a Newsweek America’s Top 200 Most Loved Workplace ® for 2024, among many others. About Credit Acceptance We make vehicle ownership possible by providing innovative financing solutions that enable automobile dealers to sell vehicles to consumers regardless of their credit history. Our financing programs are offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our financing programs, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing. Without our financing programs, consumers are often unable to purchase vehicles, or they purchase unreliable ones. Further, as we report to the three national credit reporting agencies, an important ancillary benefit of our programs is that we provide consumers with an opportunity to improve their lives by improving their credit score and move on to more traditional sources of financing. Credit Acceptance is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CACC. For more information, visit creditacceptance.com. About Computerworld Computerworld is the leading technology media brand empowering enterprise users and their managers, helping them create business advantage by skillfully exploiting today's abundantly powerful web, mobile and desktop applications. Computerworld also offers guidance to IT managers tasked with optimizing client systems—and helps businesses revolutionize the customer and employee experience with new collaboration platforms. Computerworld's award-winning website ( www.computerworld.com ), strategic marketing solutions and research forms the hub of the world's largest global IT media network and provides opportunities for IT vendors to engage this audience. Computerworld is published by Foundry.LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lendmark Financial Services today announced Bret Hyler has been promoted to President & Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Joe Burgamy, Chief Business Officer and Mark Lawrence, Chief Privacy and Information Security Officer, will be retiring from Lendmark January 15, 2025. Hyler will be responsible for leading comprehensive strategies to maximize the organization’s value and enrich the culture for its approximately 2,400 employees. By creating market differentiation, advancing expansion opportunities and driving operational excellence across 515+ branch locations, Hyler will ensure Lendmark’s diverse product offerings meet the needs of its ~500,000 customers, 3,700 retail sales finance dealers, and nearly 19,000 direct automobile dealer merchants. “Bret is a seasoned servant leader who has the breadth of consumer lending expertise required to carry Lendmark into the next phase of our unprecedented growth strategy,” said Bobby Aiken, founder and CEO. “Bret started his 20-year career on the front line, rising through the ranks and learning our business inside and out with each successive assignment. I am confident he’s ready to take on responsibility for leading business operations for the entire organization.” Hyler will continue demonstrating his business acumen and exceptional people leadership abilities in this new role, creating even more value for all of our employees, customers, partners and key stakeholders. Aiken will focus specifically on driving key strategic and administrative initiatives and fostering financial and investment growth opportunities. Hyler will continue reporting to Bobby Aiken, founder and CEO. Most recently, Hyler served as Chief Operating Officer and was instrumental in expanding the business to amplify the company’s annual operating and capital budgets. He led all branch operations, strategic growth and planning initiatives, and financial and credit management programming. Hyler holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Averett University. C-Suite Retirements “Joe Burgamy is one of the organization’s original employees of our 28-year-old company, and his fingerprints are on everything,” said Bobby Aiken, founder and CEO. “He has the highest level of integrity and commitment, and he has made an indelible mark on Lendmark. We will miss him tremendously.” “Mark Lawrence is one of the finest people I’ve ever worked with,” said Bobby Aiken, founder and CEO. “He has been instrumental in establishing and expanding our rock-solid technology practice and we wish him the very best as he embarks on his retirement.” About Lendmark Financial Services Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 515 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com . Media Contacts Lisa Burby Vice President, Corporate Communications O: 678-913-1720 C: 407-921-7775 lburby@lendmarkfinancial.com Jeff Hamilton Senior Manager, Corporate Communications O: 678-625-3128 jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a83c4a1-d43c-4870-b047-3b695f1a40f9The competition will be spread across four main zones, each offering its own unique atmosphere and challenges. The Alpine Zone will showcase the heart-pounding action of alpine skiing, snowboarding, and freestyle skiing events. Athletes will navigate steep slopes, sharp turns, and challenging obstacles as they battle for Olympic glory in disciplines like downhill, slalom, and snowboard cross. Spectators can expect edge-of-the-seat excitement and breathtaking displays of skill and courage in this zone.
After the game, Ralf Rangnick praised his players for their effort and determination, highlighting their resilience in the face of a strong City side. He acknowledged that while they had the opportunities to win the game, he was ultimately satisfied with the performance and the result. The draw against a top team like Manchester City was a positive outcome for United, showcasing their ability to compete with the best teams in the league.
In a groundbreaking move that has stirred up excitement in the Chinese film and television industry, the first-ever AIGC Director Collaborative Initiative has officially launched its campus tour across various universities in China. The initiative, spearheaded by the innovative "Keling AI" technology, aims to revolutionize the way directors approach storytelling and filmmaking.The Onion's rejected purchase of Infowars in an auction bid supported by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting dealt them a new setback Wednesday and clouded the future of Alex Jones' conspiracy theory platform, which is now poised to remain in his control for at least the near future. What's next for Infowars and Sandy Hook families' long-sought efforts to hold Jones accountable over calling one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history a hoax was unclear, after a federal judge in Houston late Tuesday rejected The Onion's winning bid for the site. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston said he did not want another auction but offered no roadmap over how to proceed. One possibility includes ultimately allowing Sandy Hook families — who comprise most of Jones' creditors — to return to state courts in Connecticut and Texas to collect on the nearly $1.5 billion in defamation and emotional distress lawsuit judgments that Jones was ordered to pay them. "Our hope is that when this process ends, and it will end, and it will end sooner rather than later, is that all assets that Alex Jones has available are paid to the families, and that includes Infowars, and that as a result of that process Alex Jones is deprived of the ownership and control of the platform that he's used to hurt so many people," Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the Sandy Hook families, said in a phone interview Wednesday. The families, meanwhile, were preparing the mark the 12th anniversary of the Dec. 14 shooting. Why was The Onion bid rejected? The sale of Infowars is part of Jones' personal bankruptcy case, which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay the $1.5 billion. Jones was sued for repeatedly saying on his show that the 2012 massacre of 20 first graders and six educators was staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control. Lopez said there was a lack of transparency in the bidding process and too much confusion about The Onion's bid. He also said the amount of money offered in the only two bids was too low and there needed to be more effort to try to raise as much money possible from the selling of Infowars' assets. The Onion's parent company, Global Tetrahedron, submitted a $1.75 million cash offer with plans to kick Jones out and relaunch Infowars in January as a parody. The bid also included a deal with many of the Sandy Hook families for them to forgo $750,000 of their auction proceeds and give it to other creditors. Lopez called it a complex arrangement that led to different interpretations of the bid's actual value as well as last-minute changes to a proposed sale order. The other bidder was First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones' name that sells nutritional supplements and planned to let Jones stay on the Infowars platforms. It offered $3.5 million in cash and later, with Jones, alleged fraud and collusion in the bidding process. Lopez rejected the allegations, saying that while mistakes were made there was no wrongdoing. Christopher Murray, the trustee who oversaw the auction, said he picked The Onion and its deal with the Sandy Hook families because it would have provided more money to Jones' other creditors. What happens next? The next steps remained unclear Wednesday. The judge directed Murray to come up with a new plan to move forward. Murray and representatives of The Onion did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The judge said there was a possibility there could be a trial in 2025 to settle Jones' bankruptcy. He said Murray could try to sell the equity in Infowars' parent company. He also said Murray could abandon the efforts, which could allow the Sandy Hook families to return to the state courts where they won their lawsuits against Jones and begin collection proceedings against him. The judge said he wanted to hear back from Murray and others involved in the bankruptcy within 30 days on a plan to move forward. Mattei, who represented the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut lawsuit, said everyone is waiting to see what plan the trustee comes up with. Jones, meanwhile, continued to allege fraud and collusion on his show Wednesday and threatened legal action over what he called an attempted "rigged auction." On the social media platform X, he called the judge's ruling a "Major Victory For Freedom Of The Press & Due Process." "I don't want to have to go after these people, lawsuit-wise, but we have to because if you don't then you're aiding and abetting and they do it to other people. They made some big mistakes," he said. Sandy Hook families to mark shooting anniversary It's a solemn and heartbreaking week for relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The 12th anniversary is Saturday, and some of the victims' relatives were traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence on Wednesday evening. The families usually mark the anniversary out of the public eye. Many of the families said their lawsuits against Jones bought back the unbearable pain of losing their loved ones, as well as the trauma of being harassed and threatened by believers of Jones' hoax conspiracy. Relatives said they have been confronted in public by hoax believers and received death and rape threats. Robbie Parker, whose 6-year-old daughter Emilie was killed, testified at the Connecticut lawsuit trial in 2022 that the decade of abuse his family suffered made them move across the country to Washington state, and even there he was accosted in person. The families have not received any money from Jones since winning the trials. Jones has been appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments, and has since conceded that the shooting did happen. Last week, a Connecticut appeals court upheld most of the judgment in that state but reduced it by $150 million.
One of the most glaring misses for Arsenal was the failed pursuit of a top-quality central midfielder. With a glaring gap in the midfield, Arteta had identified a talented playmaker who could provide creativity, vision, and control in the middle of the park. Negotiations seemed promising, with reports suggesting that a deal was close to being finalized. However, issues with the player's agent and demands for exorbitant wages ultimately derailed the transfer, leaving Arsenal empty-handed and without a crucial midfield reinforcement.NEW YORK and LONDON , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc. (NYSE: PDCC) (the "Company") has commenced an underwritten public offering of its Series A Preferred Stock Due 2029. Certain financial and other terms of the Series A Preferred Stock are to be determined by negotiations between the Company and the underwriters. Shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are rated 'BBB' by Egan-Jones Ratings Company, an independent rating agency. In addition, the Company plans to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the same terms and conditions. Shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and to trade thereon within 30 days of the original issue date under the ticker symbol "PDPA."
Sempra Named Among Newsweek's 'Most Responsible Companies' Sempra Logo (PRNewsfoto/Sempra) Sempra Named Among Newsweek's 'Most Responsible Companies' Sempra Logo (PRNewsfoto/Sempra) SAN DIEGO , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempra (NYSE: SRE) (BMV: SRE) today announced it has been recognized by Newsweek as one of "America's Most Responsible Companies" for 2025, earning this distinction for the sixth consecutive year. The annual list ranks companies based on their commitment to corporate responsibility in the areas of corporate governance and responsible social and environmental practices. Sempra has been included since the list's inception. "At Sempra, we believe our responsible business practices improve the value of our franchise. By strengthening governance and risk management and improving the safety and resiliency of our business operations, it allows us to better meet the needs and expectations of our customers, while also adding scale to our business," said Lisa Larroque Alexander , senior vice president of corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer for Sempra. "We will continue to approach global energy challenges with an entrepreneurial mindset, steadfast optimism and confidence in our vision of delivering energy with purpose." Newsweek's recognition of Sempra as one of "America's Most Responsible Companies" is based on publicly available key performance indicators derived from the company's Corporate Sustainability Report and an independent survey that asked U.S. citizens about their perception of Sempra's commitment to corporate social responsibility. Details of Sempra's approach to responsible stakeholder engagement and corporate governance can be found in the company's most recent Corporate Sustainability Report, which is available here . In addition to being recognized on Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies list, Sempra is included in the FTSE4Good Index and JUST 100 list, has been named one of TIME Magazine's World's Best Companies and one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies , and earned a perfect score on the CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability , among other accolades. About Sempra Sempra (NYSE: SRE ) is a leading North American energy infrastructure company focused on delivering energy to nearly 40 million consumers. As owner of one of the largest energy networks on the continent, Sempra is electrifying and improving the energy resilience of some of the world's most significant economic markets, including California , Texas , Mexico and global energy markets. The company is recognized as a leader in sustainable business practices and for its high-performance culture focused on safety and operational excellence, as demonstrated by Sempra's inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America and in The Wall Street Journal's Best Managed Companies. More information about Sempra is available at sempra.com and on social media @Sempra . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sempra-named-among-newsweeks-most-responsible-companies-302324298.html SOURCE Sempra