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RICHMOND, Va. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) ("Universal" or the "Company"), a global business-to-business agriproducts company, today announced that, as expected, on November 19, 2024 , it received a notice (the "NYSE Notice") from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") that the Company is not in compliance with Section 802.01E of the NYSE Listed Company Manual as a result of its failure to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024 (the "Form 10-Q") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") prior to November 18, 2024 , the end of the extension period provided by Rule 12b -25 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The NYSE Notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company's common stock on the NYSE. The NYSE Notice informed the Company that, under NYSE rules, the Company has six months from November 18, 2024 , to regain compliance with the NYSE listing standards by filing the Form 10-Q with the SEC. If the Company fails to file the Form 10-Q within the six-month period, the NYSE may grant, in its sole discretion, an extension of up to six additional months for the Company to regain compliance, depending on the specific circumstances. The NYSE Notice also noted that the NYSE may nevertheless, in its own discretion, commence delisting proceedings at any time during such period. As previously disclosed in the Company's Notification of Late Filing on Form 12b-25, filed on November 12, 2024 (the "Form 12b-25") with the SEC, the Company was unable to file the Form 10-Q on a timely basis due to an ongoing internal investigation. As a result of the additional time required to complete its internal investigation, the process of finalizing financial statements for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 could not be completed on a timely basis. The Company is committed to completing a deliberate, thorough investigation while diligently working to fulfill all reporting obligations and currently expects to file the Form 10-Q within the six-month period granted by the NYSE Notice; however, there can be no assurance that the Form 10-Q will be filed within such period. About Universal Corporation Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) is a global agricultural company with over 100 years of experience supplying products and innovative solutions to meet our customers' evolving needs and precise specifications. Through our diverse network of farmers and partners across more than 30 countries on five continents, we are a trusted provider of high-quality, traceable products. We leverage our extensive supply chain expertise, global reach, integrated processing capabilities, and commitment to sustainability to provide a range of products and services designed to drive efficiency and deliver value to our customers. For more information, visit www.universalcorp.com . CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Among other things, these statements include statements regarding expectations about the Company's filing of its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 . These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as we "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "could," "should," "may," "plan," "will," "predict," "estimate," and similar expressions or words of similar import. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current knowledge and assumptions about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, prospects, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the uncertainty of the ultimate findings of the ongoing internal investigation, as well as the timing of its completion and costs and expenses arising out of the ongoing internal investigation process and its results; the impact of the ongoing internal investigation on us, our management and operations, including financial impact as well as any litigation or regulatory action that may arise from the ongoing internal investigation; the impact of the internal investigation on our conclusions regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures; our ability to regain compliance with NYSE listing requirements; success in pursuing strategic investments or acquisitions and integration of new businesses and the impact of these new businesses on future results; product purchased not meeting quality and quantity requirements; our reliance on a few large customers; our ability to maintain effective information technology systems and safeguard confidential information; anticipated levels of demand for and supply of our products and services; costs incurred in providing these products and services including increased transportation costs and delays attributed to global supply chain challenges; timing of shipments to customers; higher inflation rates; changes in market structure; government regulation and other stakeholder expectations; economic and political conditions in the countries in which we and our customers operate, including the ongoing impacts from international conflicts; product taxation; industry consolidation and evolution; changes in exchange rates and interest rates; impacts of regulation and litigation on its customers; industry-specific risks related to its plant-based ingredient businesses; exposure to certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change; changes in estimates and assumptions underlying our critical accounting policies; the promulgation and adoption of new accounting standards, new government regulations and interpretation of existing standards and regulations; and general economic, political, market, and weather conditions. Actual results, therefore, could vary from those expected. Please also refer to such other factors as discussed in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Universal's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 , and related disclosures in other filings which have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . All risk factors and uncertainties described herein and therein should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and all of the forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein and therein. Universal cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as these statements speak only as of the date when made, and it undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made, except as required by law. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/universal-corporation-receives-nyse-notice-regarding-filing-of-form-10-q-for-the-fiscal-quarter-ended-september-30-2024-302314579.html SOURCE Universal CorporationShare Tweet Share Share Email The housing market is advancing, and with it, the methods of financing homeownership and property improvement. Traditional mortgages are no longer the sole route for aspiring homeowners or those looking to enhance their current homes. Innovative financing solutions have emerged, offering flexibility, accessibility, and creativity. These methods are reshaping how people approach homeownership and property investment. Rent-to-Own Agreements: Bridging the Gap to Ownership Rent-to-own agreements are gaining traction as a flexible option for those unable to secure a mortgage immediately. This arrangement allows individuals to rent a property with the option to purchase it later. A portion of the rent typically goes toward the down payment, enabling renters to build equity while living in their future home. Benefits of Rent-to-Own Provides a pathway for buyers with limited savings or poor credit. Allows tenants to “test-drive” the property before committing. Helps sellers find committed buyers in competitive markets. This approach is especially beneficial in high-demand areas where housing prices can be prohibitive. By locking in a purchase price upfront, renters can avoid the impact of rapid property value appreciation. Shared Equity Programs: Partnering for Homeownership Shared equity programs involve partnering with an investor or organization to purchase a property. These programs are often spearheaded by government agencies or private companies. In exchange for contributing a portion of the down payment, the partner shares in the property’s future appreciation or depreciation. Key Features of Shared Equity Lowers the initial financial burden for buyers. Reduces the risk of market fluctuations. Encourages responsible homeownership. This option is ideal for first-time buyers or individuals in high-cost areas. It balances affordability with the benefits of owning property, making it an appealing alternative to traditional mortgages. Crowdfunding Real Estate: Leveraging Community Support Crowdfunding has moved beyond tech startups and into the realm of real estate. Platforms now allow individuals to raise funds for property purchases or improvements by soliciting small contributions from a large number of people. These contributions may come in the form of donations, loans, or equity investments. Advantages of Real Estate Crowdfunding Expands access to capital for buyers and renovators. Engages the community in property projects. Offers investors opportunities to diversify portfolios. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a property flipper, crowdfunding can provide the financial boost needed to achieve your goals. Home Equity Sharing: A Modern Twist on Co-Ownership Home equity sharing involves selling a portion of your home’s equity to an investor in exchange for cash. Unlike traditional home equity loans, this method does not require monthly payments. Instead, the investor earns a share of the home’s appreciation when it’s sold. How Home Equity Sharing Works Homeowners receive funds without incurring additional debt. Investors gain exposure to real estate markets. Eliminates the need for high-interest loans. This approach is particularly useful for homeowners needing funds for renovations or debt consolidation. It provides liquidity without the financial strain of loan repayments. Green Mortgages: Financing Sustainability Green mortgages, also known as energy-efficient mortgages (EEMs), are designed for buyers investing in eco-friendly properties or upgrades. These loans often feature favorable terms to encourage sustainable living. Benefits of Green Mortgages Lower interest rates and extended repayment periods. Incentives for energy-efficient improvements. Reduced long-term utility costs. Green mortgages align financial incentives with environmental responsibility, making them a smart choice for eco-conscious buyers. Blockchain in Real Estate: Streamlining Transactions Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the way property transactions are conducted. By creating transparent, tamper-proof digital records, blockchain reduces the need for intermediaries and simplifies the buying process. Applications of Blockchain Smart contracts for automated transactions. Tokenized real estate investments. Enhanced security and fraud prevention. This innovation is particularly beneficial for international buyers and sellers, who often face complex legal and logistical hurdles. Micro-Mortgages: Unlocking Smaller Opportunities Micro-mortgages cater to buyers interested in affordable homes or tiny houses. These loans are smaller than traditional mortgages, making them accessible to low-income individuals and underserved communities. Advantages of Micro-Mortgages Promotes homeownership in lower-income brackets. Encourages investment in small or alternative housing. Reduces barriers to entry in the housing market. Micro-mortgages are a practical solution for addressing housing affordability challenges while promoting financial inclusion. Community Land Trusts: Preserving Affordability Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations that acquire and manage land for long-term affordable housing. Homeowners purchase the structure while leasing the land, significantly lowering costs . How CLTs Work Keeps housing affordable for future generations. Shields properties from market volatility. Fosters community-driven development. CLTs are a proven method for maintaining affordability in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods, ensuring equitable access to housing. Digital Platforms for Mortgage Comparison The rise of digital platforms has transformed the way buyers shop for mortgages. Online tools now allow users to compare interest rates, terms, and lenders with ease. Benefits of Digital Mortgage Platforms Saves time and simplifies decision-making. Offers transparency in loan terms. Provides access to a wider range of lenders. These platforms empower buyers to make informed choices, ensuring they secure the best financing option for their needs. Flexible Mortgage Products: Tailored Solutions Innovative mortgage products, such as interest-only loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), cater to diverse financial situations. These options offer flexibility but require careful consideration. Pros of Flexible Mortgages Lower initial monthly payments. Opportunities to refinance as circumstances change. Suitability for short-term ownership plans. By understanding the risks and benefits, buyers can leverage these products to their advantage. Conclusion The world of home financing is undergoing a profound transformation. New methods, from rent-to-own agreements to blockchain technology, are breaking down barriers to ownership and improvement. These innovations not only make housing more accessible but also encourage creativity and sustainability in property investments. Hence, it’s essential for buyers and homeowners to stay informed about these emerging trends. By exploring these innovative financing options, individuals can find the perfect fit for their needs and take confident steps toward achieving their property goals . Related Items: Home Financing Innovations , Property Investment , real estate crowdfunding Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you What Is Real Estate Crowdfunding? – How Investors Are Changing Property Markets Real Estate Crowdfunding: How Investors Are Changing Property Markets Long-term Investment for Expats: Property Investment Opportunities in Qatar Comments
Caprock Group LLC lifted its holdings in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF ( NASDAQ:CIBR – Free Report ) by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,044 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF were worth $713,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Fairfield Financial Advisors LTD acquired a new position in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Signaturefd LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF during the second quarter worth $37,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. acquired a new position in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Eastern Bank purchased a new position in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $39,000. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Trading Up 0.6 % CIBR stock opened at $63.61 on Friday. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF has a one year low of $48.36 and a one year high of $65.29. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $60.94 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.17 billion, a PE ratio of 34.35 and a beta of 1.00. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Cuts Dividend About First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF ( Free Report ) The First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity index. The fund tracks a liquidity-weighted index that targets companies engaged in the cybersecurity industry. CIBR was launched on Jul 7, 2015 and is managed by First Trust. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." A look at some of the issues covered: Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens - although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." ___ Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report. The video in the player above is from a previous report.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has called for a thorough revamp of Nigeria’s education system to bridge the gap between academic institutions and the demands of the industrial sector. The governor made the call in a statement issued on Saturday in Maiduguri by his spokesman, Dauda Iliya, following a courtesy visit by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, at the Government House. Zulum expressed deep concern over the rising number of graduates lacking the critical skills needed to drive innovation and technological progress. He emphasised the urgent need for reforms to empower graduates with practical abilities that promote self-reliance and reduce dependency on limited job opportunities. “We have two major problems in our educational system: the mismatch between educational institutions and industries, as they do not communicate effectively, and the mismatch between the labour market and graduates, many of whom are unprepared to work in the industries,” Zulum said. The governor urged NELFUND to play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by supporting entrepreneurship, technical education, and vocational training. “Beyond offering loans, I urge you to explore ways to support entrepreneurship education and promote technical and vocational training to reduce the reluctance toward these critical areas of study,” he added. Related News Customs blame insecurity for fuel smuggling in Borno Governors, lawmakers commit to constitutional amendment, education reforms Borno, UNICEF begin campaign to end open defecation Commending President Bola Tinubu for establishing NELFUND, Zulum highlighted its potential to significantly reduce illiteracy, particularly in the North East. He also pledged to involve local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders in raising awareness about the fund, emphasising its value for underprivileged students pursuing higher education. “I have held discussions with heads of tertiary institutions since you assumed office, and reports indicate that a significant number of students who applied for NELFUND loans received them with ease,” Zulum said. Earlier, Sawyerr outlined the mission of NELFUND, stressing its commitment to tackling the financial difficulties forcing many students to drop out of school. He noted that the fund offers interest-free loans, with repayment set at 10 per cent of the recipient’s income once they secure employment. (NAN)REFORM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge ruled that the family of former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr., who died in law enforcement custody in Alabama, can pursue a lawsuit alleging his death was the result of excessive force. Foster, a former New Orleans Saints defensive end, died on Dec. 6, 2021, three days after being arrested and taken to jail in rural Pickens County for alleged speeding and attempting to elude police. A judge ordered Foster taken to a medical facility in Tuscaloosa for a mental evaluation. Foster was found unresponsive in the back of a law enforcement vehicle when he arrived at the facility. He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later. His widow, Pamela Foster, filed a lawsuit against officers at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and jail saying Foster had been beaten, shocked with a Taser and strangled while at the jail. The defendants then asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon ruled Thursday refused to dismiss allegations of excessive force and failure to intervene. Axon dismissed other portions of the lawsuit. The ruling came a day before the third anniversary of Foster’s death. Foster appeared in 17 games for the Saints in 2013 and 2014.One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy. “To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.” Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used "physician work time values," which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it's unclear how CMS derives those values. In mid-November, the American Society for Anesthesiologists called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It's not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were posted in Virginia and Colorado . People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged. Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.” “It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. "If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.” Prior to Anthem's announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn't affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened. The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare , another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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For most art-world buyers, a work unsubtly called “Comedian” lacked a certain a-peel. It’s little wonder: “Comedian” is actually just a banana duct-taped to a wall. Created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, the piece debuted at the 2019 Art Basel fair in Miami, where it caused a sensation but also earned as many chuckles as critical plaudits. But on Wednesday, Cattelan got the last laugh as “Comedian” sold for $6.24 million, including $1 million in fees . The buyer was soon revealed to be Justin Sun, a 34-year old cryptocurrency platform founder from China and based in Switzerland. Sun confirmed the purchase on his X feed , writing that it represented “a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.” “I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history,” Sun wrote, adding he would personally eat the banana “as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture.” A Sotheby’s executive, meanwhile, hailed the purchase as emblematic of someone seeking to address art’s biggest questions. “How do you value what, for me at least, is one of the most brilliant ideas in the history of conceptual art,” David Galperin, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art for the Americas, said in a release. “And what better place to ask that question than in our salesroom, where tonight the answer came in at a resounding $6.2 million.” Yet in much of the broader art world, Sun’s winning bid was met with a shrug. Continuing a recent trend, 2024 has seen some of the worst sales in decades , and the purchase of “Comedian” is unlikely to move the needle one way or the other, said Alex Glauber, founder of AWG Art Advisory and president of the Association of Professional Art Advisors. “I don’t think it’s an indication of anything,” Glauber said of the “Comedian” sale. He compared it to the purchase in 2017 of Leonardo d a Vinci ’ s “ Salvatore Mundi ” for a then-record $450 million, which occurred at a time when the demand for “old masters,” or classic, traditional artworks, was waning in favor of contemporary works. Likewise, “Comedian” is being considered something of a one-off, Glauber said. While $6.24 million might seem like an eye-watering price for such a work, its very absurdity goes hand-in-hand with the nature of the piece and does not necessarily speak to wider purchasing trends. “It’s about holding a mirror up to the art market, while channeling a legacy of conceptual art going back to Duchamp,” Glauber said, referring to artist Marcel Duchamp, whose submission of a urinal he dubbed “Fountain” to an art exhibition in 1917 is considered a foundational moment in conceptual art. “So in a way this work is self-reflexive — and the more it sold for, the more it proved its own concept.” The rest of Sotheby’s Wednesday auction is arguably more indicative of the art market’s doldrums: Sotheby’s “Now” portion of the evening, which showcases art produced in the last 20 years, saw $16.5 million in total sales, beating estimates but coming in far below the $72.9 million seen for the equivalent “Now” auction in 2022, according to The New York Times. In a recent paper, Jianping Mei and Michael Moses of JP Mei & MA Moses Art Market Consultancy found that the average return on art sold in the first of half 2024 was just 0.1%, the lowest yield since 2000 — with half the works selling at a loss. “How bad is it? It’s as bad as it gets,” Moses told NBC News. “It’s been a difficult period for the art market.” One big reason is simply that other investments, like stocks and gold, have seen far greater returns this century, Moses said. And while some who have capitalized on those assets will inevitably purchase art, artworks themselves have their own rates of return that depend more on evolutions in taste that don’t correlate with wider macroeconomic trends. What “Comedian” may signal instead is an expansion of the kinds of goods that cryptocurrencies can buy, as those financial instruments continue to witness stunning price increases. This year, the price of bitcoin has more than doubled , and is now approaching $100,000. Sun, the “Comedian” buyer, used his own cryptocurrency, TRX, to make the purchase, Sotheby’s said. According to CoinMarketCap, the market value of all outstanding TRX coins as the sale occurred equated to more than $12 billion, with Sun himself boasting a net worth of $1.5 billion. According to the Robb Report , cryptocurrency use in high-end purchases for everything from real estate to yachts to jewelry has increased in turn. Yet even those purchases may not represent the norm. Robert Allen, a South Florida-based attorney who specializes in yacht deals, said people who are newly wealthy from cryptocurrency price increases appear to be prioritizing financial goals that were once previously attainable but which several years of soaring consumer prices and high interest rates have made more difficult. “Inflation has taken the American dream away from millennials and younger generations,” he said. “But for a certain sector that has invested in crypto, when it makes a hit, they’re making down payments on houses, maybe taking a trip to Europe or around South America. I don’t think there’s going to be an explosion in high-end luxury yet.”
“One of the most universal cravings of our time is a hunger for compelling and creative leadership,” wrote one of our mentors, political scientist James MacGregor Burns. Yet, nowadays, leaders nearly everywhere are having a rough time. Syrians have tossed out their brutal dictator and are scrambling to put together provisional leadership. South Koreans have impeached their president, who briefly declared martial law. Several incumbent African leaders have been defeated or replaced. Canadians are calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign. Germans have passed a vote of no confidence in their leader. The leaders of Japan, France and the United Kingdom are under fire. College presidents have been fired or are resigning in record numbers. Corporate CEOs and many big-city mayors are in trouble. An excellent FBI director, appointed by Donald Trump nearly eight years ago, is being ill-advisedly forced to resign. U.S. voters this year rejected President Joe Biden's administration. Biden earned about 57% approval in early 2021 is now leaving the White House with a 37% rating. And even though former President Donald Trump boasts of being one of the greatest presidents of all time, his Gallup approval ratings during his first term averaged a modest 41%. He left the White House with a 34% approval rating. Why are leaders today having such a hard time? And what does this mean for the U.S. in the next few years? Effective leadership remains in many ways the most baffling of the performing arts. There is often an element of mystery about it. Intuition, passion, flair and stagecraft come into play, along with strategic reasoning and problem solving. Stagecraft — or the lack of it — has been front and center in recent times. Biden, while credited with important accomplishments, lacked stagecraft. His limited communication and inspirational skills, combined with his health challenges, proved a major handicap. A curious contrast is the currently popular Argentinean President Javier Milei. A Trump admirer, Milei is even more libertarian and anti-government, and even more of a theatrical and operatic showman, than Trump. So far, "chainsaw" Milei, who is trying to fight inflation, is popular. Argentina, however, is known to be rough on its leaders, so time will tell. Leadership in these polarized times is complicated. The U.S. has witnessed a hardening of party loyalties for Democrats and Republicans. This is occurring even while most U.S. voters tell pollsters they are moderate and increasing numbers are registering to vote as independent or unaffiliated. There are now sizable activist voting groups who view political leaders through highly critical political party lenses. In their eyes, only their own party has the correct philosophy and the right programs. These activists are quick to blame the opposition party for policies they deem weird or wrongheaded. Obamacare, Trump's tax cuts, COVID shutdowns, electric vehicle mandates — these are all examples of policies that the opposition party blamed on leadership overreach. Today's instant internet communications trigger nationwide feuds. Even if the political mood of the country was less polarized than it is today, leadership is hard because of many inherent paradoxes. For example, we want a strong, bold leader, yet we are suspicious of a leader becoming autocratic or violating constitutional norms. After the Watergate scandal in 1972, President Richard Nixon famously commented "If the president does it, it's not illegal." Nixon, of course, was forced to resign in 1974, and most Americans were appalled at his claim. Another paradox is that we simultaneously want visionary, leadership that brings out the best in us, yet we also want incremental, pragmatic policy changes. In the past election, for example, Democrats were blamed for being too aggressive on “woke-ism” and not bold enough on border security and illegal immigration. President John Quincy Adams had a succinct definition of a leader: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” Leadership is a collective enterprise. It is an ongoing, subtle, and often complicated interplay between widely shared common desires and a leader's capacity to understand and respond to those desires. President-elect Trump is in an unusual position. He already has experience as president. His party has narrow control of the Senate, the House and the Supreme Court. The Republican Party is more unified now than when he moved into the White House in 2017. And, at least for now, Trump enjoys support by big business and the working class. But he does not have an electoral mandate from voters. While he won the 2024 election, the election was relatively close. Biden won by a bigger margin in 2020. And more than a third of eligible voters didn't bother to vote in November. During his first term, Trump enjoyed strong stock market increases until the pandemic came along. His allies say that Trump is inclined to consider how the stock market does as akin to a national poll. Thus, the performance of the market might, in some ways, limit Trump’s popularity, providing guardrails in his second term. Trump likes to compare himself to President Abraham Lincoln, and there are several opportunities for Trump to win more public support. Americans yearn to see a sensible ending of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Trump wants to be a negotiator in these areas, and he could be a successful peacemaker. He should join with our allies and help rebuild a viable Syria — though his much-talked-about department to cut government spending and his isolationist views may undercut such efforts. Americans want more effective border control but do not favor the huge mass deportations that Trump has proposed. Trump should win approval for a more limited and nuanced solution to border control and the illegal immigration issue. This will be tricky, because Trump has made virtually impossible claims as to what he will do at the border and all at once. He must find an acceptable moderate balance on the immigration issue, and this will be a daunting challenge for him. Trump will earn applause for sensible efforts to lessen waste in government operations. Nobody favors waste, but few favor government shutdowns. Some agencies could be consolidated. Some regulations can surely be reduced. And some programs can be postponed or delivered over a longer time span. The soaring national debt is a major problem. Trump faces tough leadership decisions on both tax cuts and government spending reductions. But Trump will face a huge backlash if he and his super-wealthy advisers go after the most popular programs like Social Security, Medicare or veterans’ entitlements. Trump is trying to win approval by joining the movement to end daylight saving time. Most presidents have feuded with the media, yet Trump has taken criticism of the media to the next level. But Trump as president needs and basks in media attention. The media needs him. Leadership and intimidation don't mix well for very long. Trump and some of his supporters have expressed their desire to get “revenge” on his political opponents. He would be well-advised to control these impulses and concentrate on improving the economy. His models should be Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant — not Lear and Othello. As a letter writer to The New York Times said recently about Trump: “Imagine a presidency in which the president seeks to uplift the most vulnerable and implement programs that benefit all Americans, not just those who vote for him.” Leaders are lifters. Trump is a gifted campaigner, a good storyteller, and he is an accomplished showman, as was former President Ronald Reagan. But even though he is inheriting a strong national economy, Trump has set high expectations for himself. He has made countless promises, and he will be presiding over a country that has become even more skeptical of national leaders and national institutions. He won the presidency in good part because inflation was high, and groceries were expensive. But inflation is not coming down as fast as we would like, and additional tariffs may well be inflationary. American voters seem to want what former President Warren G. Harding promised in 1920 — “A Return to Normalcy.” That is a promise that will be hard to achieve in this time of constant change. His decisions about the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol will continue to be controversial. His TikTok decisions will divide. His deference to Elon Musk could prove problematic. We yearn for leaders to unite us as well as help us solve problems. Opportunities are always there for a new presidential administration, and the hopes for Trump’s presidency are high in many places. But exercising effective leadership is hard to do.
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Trans Rights Activists Stage Protest In Bathroom Next To Mike Johnson’s OfficeMy love of movie scoundrels has been sorely tested this year. When I was young, I daydreamed of exotic heists, slick con artists and lovable crooks I’d seen on screen. For most of my moviegoing life, I’ve been a sucker for larceny done well. Most of us are, probably. Related Articles Movies | ‘Nightbitch’ review: Amy Adams goes feral in a cautionary tale of love and parental imbalance Movies | Review: Angelina Jolie glides through ‘Maria’ like an iceberg, but a chilly Callas isn’t enough Movies | ‘Sweethearts’ review: Breakup-focused romcom is largely engaging Movies | Making ‘Queer’ required openness. Daniel Craig was ready Movies | 18 most anticipated movies in holiday season 2024 But now it’s late 2024. Mood is wrong. In the real world, in America, it’s scoundrel time all the time. Maybe Charles Dickens was right. In “American Notes for General Circulation” (1842), the English literary superstar chronicled his travels and detected a widespread, peculiarly American “love of ‘smart’ dealing” across the land. In business and in politics, Dickens observed, slavish admiration of the con men among them “gilds over many a swindle and gross breach of trust.” And here we are. It’ll pass, this scoundrel reprieve of mine. In fact it just did. All it took was thinking about the conspicuous, roguish outlier on my best-of-2024 list: “Challengers.” It’s what this year needed and didn’t know it: a tricky story of lying, duplicitous weasels on and off the court. The best films this year showed me things I hadn’t seen, following familiar character dynamics into fresh territory. Some were more visually distinctive than others; all made eloquent cases for how, and where, their stories unfolded. “All We Imagine as Light,” recently at the Gene Siskel Film Center, works like a poem, or a sustained exhalation of breath, in its simply designed narrative of three Mumbai hospital workers. Fluid, subtly political, filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s achievement is very nearly perfect. So is cowriter-director RaMell Ross’ adaptation of the Colson Whitehead novel “The Nickel Boys,” arriving in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 3, 2025. “Nickel Boys,” the film, loses the “the” in Whitehead’s title but gains an astonishingly realized visual perspective. If Ross never makes another movie, he’ll have an American masterpiece to his credit. The following top 10 movies of 2024 are in alphabetical order. Both a mosaic of urban ebb and flow, and a delicate revelation of character, director and writer Payal Kapadia’s Mumbai story is hypnotic, patient and in its more traditional story progression, a second feature every bit as good as Kapadia’s first, 2021’s “A Night of Knowing Nothing.” Mikey Madison gives one of the year’s funniest, saddest, truest performances as a Brooklyn exotic dancer who takes a shine to the gangly son of a Russian oligarch, and he to her. Their transactional courtship and dizzying Vegas marriage, followed by violently escalating complications, add up to filmmaker Sean Baker’s triumph, capped by an ending full of exquisite mysteries of the human heart. As played by Adrien Brody, the title character is a visionary architect and Hungarian Jewish emigre arriving in America in 1947 after the Holocaust. (That said, the title refers to more than one character.) His patron, and his nemesis, is the Philadelphia blueblood industrialist played by Guy Pearce. Director/co-writer Brady Corbet’s thrillingly ambitious epic, imperfect but loaded with rewarding risks, was shot mostly in widescreen VistaVision. Worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find. Opens in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 10, 2025. Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor play games with each other, on the tennis court and in beds, while director Luca Guadagnino builds to a match-point climax that can’t possibly work, and doesn’t quite — but I saw the thing twice anyway. In Bucharest, production assistant Angela zigzags around the city interviewing people for her employer’s workplace safety video. If that sounds less than promising, even for a deadpan Romanian slice-of-life tragicomedy, go ahead and make the mistake of skipping this one. llinca Manolache is terrific as Angela. Like “Do Not Expect Too Much,” director Agnieszka Holland’s harrowing slice of recent history was a 2023 release, making it to Chicago in early 2024. Set along the densely forested Poland/Belarus border, this is a model of well-dramatized fiction honoring what refugees have always known: the fully justified, ever-present fear of the unknown. A quiet marvel of a feature debut from writer-director Annie Baker, this is a mother/daughter tale rich in ambiguities and wry humor, set in a lovely, slightly forlorn corner of rural Massachusetts. Julianne Nicholson, never better; Zoe Ziegler as young, hawk-eyed Lacy, equally memorable. I love this year’s nicest surprise. The premise: A teenager’s future 39-year-old self appears to her, magically, via a strong dose of mushrooms. The surprise: Writer-director Megan Park gradually deepens her scenario and sticks a powerfully emotional landing. Wonderful work from Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella, Maria Dizzia and everybody, really. From the horrific true story of a Florida reform school and its decades of abuse, neglect and enraging injustice toward its Black residents, novelist Colson Whitehead’s fictionalized novel makes a remarkable jump to the screen thanks to co-writer/director RaMell Ross’s feature debut. Cousins, not as close as they once were, reunite for a Holocaust heritage tour in Poland and their own search for their late grandmother’s childhood home. They’re the rootless Benji (Kieran Culkin) and tightly sprung David (Jesse Eisenberg, who wrote and directed). Small but very sure, this movie’s themes of genocidal trauma and Jewish legacy support the narrative every step of the way. Culkin is marvelous; so is the perpetually undervalued Eisenberg. To the above, I’ll add 10 more runners-up, again in alphabetical order: “Blink Twice,” directed by Zoe Kravitz. “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger. “Dune: Part Two ,” directed by Denis Villeneuve. “Good One ,” directed by India Donaldson. “Hit Man,” directed by Richard Linklater. “Joker: Folie a Deux,” directed by Todd Phillips. “Nosferatu,” directed by Robert Eggers, opens in Chicago-area theaters on Dec. 25. “The Outrun,” directed by Nora Fingscheidt. “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” directed by Johan Grimonprez. “Tuesday,” directed by Daina O. Pusić. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.
Lara Trump steps down as RNC co-chair and addresses speculation about Florida Senate seatRiley Allenspach, Trey Fort lead Samford past Austin Peay 72-47
Specified Technologies Inc. Unveils Firestop Clash Management and Locator UpdatesBEND, OREGON (AP) — Eliza Wilson is a little nervous as she draws the microphone close, but she is determined to share her life story. “My father was a disabled veteran,” she says. “I first experienced homelessness when I was 5 years old.” Wilson, who’s 36, leads programs focused on unhoused youth. On a recent Saturday, she is addressing a citizen assembly, a grassroots gathering seeking solutions to tough local challenges. Her audience consists of 30 ordinary Oregonians. They are acupuncturists and elk hunters; house cleaners and retired riverboat pilots. None are public policy experts. All the same, these participants have been asked to recommend new strategies for combating youth homelessness — a major problem in this affluent Oregon city and the surrounding rural areas of Deschutes County. This unusual experiment in small-D democracy is underwritten by more than $250,000 in grants from backers such as the Rockefeller Foundation and Omidyar Network. As a key early presenter, Wilson wins rapt attention, clicking through data-rich slides and sharing her story of crisis and recovery. That’s how citizen assemblies should work, says Kevin O’Neil, an innovation specialist at the Rockefeller Foundation. His research shows Americans are frustrated with what they perceive as aloofness and gridlock within civic institutions. “People want to be directly involved in decision-making,” O’Neil says. “They recognize the value of expertise, but they don’t want to delegate decision-making to experts.” Assemblies can help “overcome polarization and strengthen societal cohesion,” says Claudia Chwalisz, founder of DemocracyNext . Her nonprofit, launched in Paris in 2022, champions such assemblies worldwide, hoping they can “create the democratic spaces for everyday people to grapple with the complexity of policy issues, listen to one another, and find common ground.” At least, that’s the theory. To succeed, citizen assemblies can’t settle for a few days of harmonious dialogue among well-intentioned strangers. They need to inspire policy changes or new programs from government and other civic institutions. In Europe, such wins abound. In the United States, results are spottier. The most fruitful U.S. effort to date was a 2021 people’s assembly in Washington State that produced 148 ideas — including more solar canopies and food composting — to combat climate change. More often, progress is challenging. An assembly in 2022 in Petaluma, California, spun up ideas to repurpose a long-time county fairground site. Two years later, the fair still operates under short-term leases; its long-term destiny remains in limbo. In Colorado’s Montrose County , enacting an assembly’s bold ideas for improving rural day care has been “more of a marathon than a sprint,” says organizer Morgan Lasher. Can central Oregon do better? It may take years to know, but evidence so far shows both the assembly system’s opportunities and the challenges. Bend’s local economy is strong, with a jobless rate of just 4.2% and median household income of more than $80,000. As housing costs have skyrocketed, though, the spectacle of people living in tent and trailer encampments has become more common. A January count found more than 1,800 people were homeless in Deschutes County, up from 913 in 2020. In 2023, DemocracyNext and Healthy Democracy , a Portland, Oregon, nonprofit, connected with Bend officials interested in bringing the assembly idea to central Oregon. Josh Burgess, an Air Force veteran, who moved to Bend and became the proverbial “advance man” for DemocracyNext. Operating in a county evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, Burgess built rapport with both liberal and conservative members on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. “It took four or five meetings to get there,” Burgess recalls. Organizers decided to focus on homelessness among ages 14 to 24, where opportunities for progress seemed greatest. To pick citizens for the assembly, organizers contacted 12,000 county residents before selecting just 30. Everything was balanced by age, race, gender, and geography – a slow, costly requirement. Even so, advocates such as Michelle Barsa of Omidyar Network says assemblies’ big edge comes from using “an actual representative sample of the community, not just the people who always show up at town-hall meetings and yell into a microphone for three minutes.” At the northern edge of Oregon State’s Bend campus, a few hundred yards from the Deschutes River, is the McGrath Family atrium, a sunlight-drenched space with panoramic woodland views. It feels almost like a spa. As the Bend assembly gets started, black tablecloths at a huge, U-shaped table convey gravity. Name tags identify attendees as “Noelle,” “Dave,” “Alex.” The first few hours go slowly, but everything perks up after lunch. Eliza Wilson takes command, introducing herself as director of runaway and homeless youth services at J Bar J , a social-services organization. Her voice is unfailingly steady, but emotions race fast across her face: hope, frustration, empathy, resolve, and more. “Teens get really good at hiding their homelessness,” Wilson explains. “We don’t share family business outside of the family. I was really fortunate that a high-school counselor pointed me, at age 15, to the first youth shelter that had just opened in Bend. I stayed there for three years, until I graduated from high school. I finally got on my feet at age 21.” As Wilson finishes, questions stream in. “Are there any programs advocating for children to get back to their parents?” one woman wants to know. “Is there open communication between you guys and the school district?” a man asks. Wilson and other presenters respond with a road map of what exists today. They point out how homeless youth are in a precarious but not hopeless situation, counting on allies for a couch to sleep on. Less than 20 percent live outside in encampments. Practically everyone in the audience takes notes. The next day, assembly members strike up conversations with young adults who were once homeless. Chronic problems — and glimmers of ideas about how to address them — tumble forth. Flaws in the foster parent system. The risk of sexual abuse. The unique challenges that LGBTQ youth face. Attendees — who shared their thoughts with the Chronicle on the condition they be identified only by their first name — regarded those conversations as eye-opening breakthroughs in their hunt for policy recommendations. “I’m coming away with a whole different point of view,” Ken told me. He had arrived believing that poor parenting and drug abuse led to homelessness, and that affected families should personally address such challenges. Now, he said, he was interested in broader solutions. Several local officials stopped by to watch the assembly proceedings. Phil Chang, a Deschutes County commissioner, said the broad-based assembly creates “social license for us to do things that the community wants.” Conservative county commissioner Tony DeBone worries that Oregon’s rollback of drug-offense laws has worsened social problems; he also believes that an economic upturn would do the most good. Still, he says, he’s willing to see what the assembly can offer. Ultimately, the assembly’s effectiveness will depend on whether its recommendations can overcome bureaucratic inertia, says Tammy Baney, executive director of the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council . Proposed changes in police interactions with homeless youth could be acted on within a month or two if local law enforcement is receptive, she says. Improving Oregon’s gridlocked foster-care system might be much harder. “It all depends on how much political will there is,” Baney says. George Anders is editor-at-large at the Chronicle of Philanthropy, where you can read the full article . This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as part of a partnership to cover philanthropy and nonprofits supported by the Lilly Endowment. The Chronicle is solely responsible for the content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy .
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