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The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada — known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, Mountain Standard Time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.A New Study Around Dementia Has Researchers Calling The Findings "Surprising" — Here's What You Need To KnowHurricane Helene Recovery In North Carolina Town Fueled By Devoted Locals
HUMA Stockholders with Large Losses Should Contact Shareholder Rights Law Firm Robbins LLP for Information About the Humacyte, Inc. Class Action
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In the wake of the San Francisco 49ers' blowout win over the Chicago Bears, wide receiver Deebo Samuel felt the need to defend himself against apparent criticism regarding a drop-off in his performances. The star wide receiver posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!" Unsurprisingly, both head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy were asked about that post during their press conferences ahead of Thursday's must-win divisional matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Purdy was particularly supportive of Samuel, indicating he agreed with the assessment of the 2021 first-team All-Pro. "Deebo and I talk all the time, and he's like one of my best friends on this team," Purdy said of Samuel. "I absolutely love Deebo and what he's done for me and helping me out. "I think he's right. He's doing great right now with what we ask of him in the offense, and he's not struggling.... There's just moments, I guess, throughout seasons where guys just don't get the ball, just depending on scheme or what the defensive scheme is, and them taking guys away. "I want to get Deebo the ball every play if I could. I want to have him break all the records as best as possible. I want Deebo to do Deebo things, and we all do in this building. So, that's just how the games have gone. But I love my guy, and I'm going to do everything I can to give him the ball." Earlier, Shanahan was similarly supportive of Samuel as he expressed a desire to get him more touches. "Deebo and I talk every day. I understand Deebo saying that," said Shanahan. "The only way he helps us out is by getting the ball more. We’d like to get it to him more, and we’ll continue to work at that." He added: "We'd always love things to stay in-house. That's probably why I don't mess with social media. I'm sure I'd get worked up and stuff, too, if I was reading stuff about myself all the time. Then, I'd maybe make a tweet or something. But is it a distraction in our building? No. We gotta answer questions about it. It's the first time I've talked about it is right here. "But Deebo and I see each other every day and talk about stuff every day, so my advice is to not let outside [noise] frustrate you because just answering those things isn't gonna help you in any way. It usually only hurts you. But as far as what we deal with in our relationships and our team, it's water under the bridge." Samuel had eight touches in the 38-13 win over the Bears, hist most since the Week 10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, they amounted to just 35 scrimmage yards, though that is also the most he has had since the Bucs game. Targets in Samuel's direction resulted in minus 0.19 Expected Points Added per play, while rushes averaged minus 0.18. Samuel's frustration in only having 10 touches in the three games prior to the win over Chicago is understandable, but the reality is his touches are not having the same transformative impact they once did. If he can change that against the Rams and keep the 49ers in the NFC West race, his tweet will be long forgotten. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
SAN DIEGO , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins LLP reminds investors of the class action filed on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Humacyte, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUMA) securities between May 10, 2024 and October 17, 2024 . Humacyte and its consolidated subsidiaries develop and manufacture off-the-shelf, implantable, and bioengineered human tissues. For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr. , or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Humacyte, Inc (HUMA) Misled Investors Regarding its Manufacturing Practices According to the complaint, Humacyte is currently engaged in engineering and manufacturing Acellular Tissue Engineered Vessel ("ATEV"), also known as "Human Acellular Vessel," which is a lab-grown blood vessel implant that can act as a replacement for an injured or damaged blood vessel. On August 9, 2024 , Humacyte issued a press release announcing that the FDA "will require additional time to complete its review of its Biologic License Application (BLA) for the acellular tissue engineered vessel (ATEV) in the vascular trauma indication." The press release disclosed in part, that, "[d]uring the course of the BLA review, the FDA has conducted inspections of our manufacturing facilities and clinical sites and has actively engaged with us in multiple discussions regarding our BLA filing[.]" On this news, the Company's stock price declined $1.29 , or 16.4%, to close at $6.62 per share on August 12, 2024 . The complaint further alleges that on October 17, 2024 , the FDA released a Form 483 concerning Humacyte's Durham, North Carolina facility, which revealed violations, including "no microbial quality assurance," "no microbial testing," and inadequate "quality oversight." On this news, the Company's stock price declined $0.95 , or 16.35%, to close at $4.86 per share on October 17, 2024 . Plaintiff alleges that during the class period, defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that the Company's Durham, North Carolina facility failed to comply with good manufacturing practices, including quality assurance and microbial testing; (2) that the FDA's review of the BLA would be delayed while Humacyte remediated these deficiencies; and (3) that, as a result, there was a substantial risk to FDA approval of ATEV for vascular trauma. What Now : You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Humacyte, Inc. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by January 17, 2025 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP : Some law firms issuing releases about this matter do not actually litigate securities class actions; Robbins LLP does. A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against Humacyte, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huma-stockholders-with-large-losses-should-contact-shareholder-rights-law-firm-robbins-llp-for-information-about-the-humacyte-inc-class-action-302328207.html SOURCE Robbins LLP
Terns Pharmaceuticals Reports Inducement Grant to New Employee Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(C)(4)( MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Nov 30 (KUNA) -- Media delegations covering the GCC summit on Saturday visited Kuwait International book Fair and the GCC secretariat general pavilion at Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center. They examined the technologies used to organize the fair, displayed cultural products sent in by publishing houses from various countries. At the GCC secretariat general pavilion, they examined photos depicting history of the council. (end) kt MENAFN30112024000071011013ID1108941509 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Larson Financial Group LLC Has $54,000 Stake in Invesco Solar ETF (NYSEARCA:TAN)
Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in Tractor Supply ( NASDAQ:TSCO – Free Report ) by 29.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 286 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Tractor Supply were worth $83,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of TSCO. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in Tractor Supply by 10.9% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,123,280 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $303,278,000 after acquiring an additional 110,342 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 3.7% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 830,193 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $241,528,000 after buying an additional 29,730 shares during the last quarter. Provident Trust Co. grew its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Provident Trust Co. now owns 679,701 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $197,745,000 after buying an additional 11,139 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Tractor Supply by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 631,406 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $183,695,000 after acquiring an additional 8,142 shares in the last quarter. Finally, King Luther Capital Management Corp lifted its position in Tractor Supply by 0.4% during the third quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 454,290 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $132,166,000 after acquiring an additional 2,018 shares during the last quarter. 98.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird set a $320.00 price target on Tractor Supply in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Citigroup lowered Tractor Supply from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on Tractor Supply from $300.00 to $332.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 14th. Mizuho boosted their price target on Tractor Supply from $250.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Loop Capital lifted their target price on shares of Tractor Supply from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $282.59. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CFO Kurt D. Barton sold 23,532 shares of Tractor Supply stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.64, for a total value of $6,957,000.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 9,683 shares in the company, valued at $2,862,682.12. The trade was a 70.85 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Insiders own 0.24% of the company’s stock. Tractor Supply Price Performance NASDAQ:TSCO opened at $283.67 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 0.17. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $284.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $275.83. Tractor Supply has a 1-year low of $197.91 and a 1-year high of $307.64. The firm has a market cap of $30.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.82. Tractor Supply Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.55%. Tractor Supply’s payout ratio is 42.80%. Tractor Supply Company Profile ( Free Report ) Tractor Supply Company operates as a rural lifestyle retailer in the United States. The company offers various merchandise, including livestock and equine feed and equipment, poultry, fencing, and sprayers and chemicals; food, treats, and equipment for dogs, cats, and other small animals, as well as dog wellness products; seasonal and recreation products comprising tractors and riders, lawn and garden, bird feeding, power equipment, and other recreational products; truck, tool, and hardware products, such as truck accessories, trailers, generators, lubricants, batteries, and hardware and tools; and clothing, gift, and décor products consist of clothing, footwear, toys, snacks, and decorative merchandise. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSCO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Tractor Supply ( NASDAQ:TSCO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Tractor Supply Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tractor Supply and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Police became convinced they were investigating a crime in the disappearance of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee when they interviewed the man now on trial in his death, a top officer testified Tuesday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Police became convinced they were investigating a crime in the disappearance of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee when they interviewed the man now on trial in his death, a top officer testified Tuesday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Police became convinced they were investigating a crime in the disappearance of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee when they interviewed the man now on trial in his death, a top officer testified Tuesday. Lee had been missing for two weeks when officers arrested Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr. on July 22, 2022, said Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen. Authorities interviewed Herington twice that day, and he gave conflicting information about the hours before Lee vanished, the chief said. “From the moment that we gave Tim Herrington the opportunity to tell the truth and he couldn’t and he lied and we backed that up, we knew then,” McCutchen said. Herrington, 24, is being tried on a capital murder charge in the death of Lee, 20, a gay man who was well known in the LGBTQ+ community at Ole Miss and in Oxford. Lee disappeared in Oxford, where Herrington’s trial is in its second week. Prosecutors and the defense both called their final witnesses Tuesday, and Herrington did not testify. Closing arguments are set for Wednesday. Lee’s body has never been found, but a judge has declared him dead. Herrington maintains his innocence and his attorney, Kevin Horan, told jurors last week that prosecutors have “zero” proof Lee was killed. Lee has not contacted friends or family, and his financial transactions and once-prolific social media posts have stopped since the day he went missing, investigators testified. Before officers interviewed Herrington, they had already obtained sexually explicit text messages exchanged between social media accounts belonging to Herrington and Lee in the early hours of July 8, 2022, when Herrington disappeared in Oxford, McCutchen said. Lee communicated with his mother daily, and sent his last message to her hours before he vanished to wish her happy birthday, according to earlier testimony. Google records obtained through a warrant showed that Herrington searched “how long does it take to strangle someone” at 5:56 a.m., University Police Department Sgt. Benjamin Douglas testified last week. The final text message from Lee’s phone was sent to a social media account belonging to Herrington at 6:03 a.m. from a spot near Herrington’s apartment, and cellphone tower in another part of Oxford last located any signal from Lee’s phone at 7:28 a.m., McCutchen said Tuesday. A security camera showed Herrington jogging at about 7:30 a.m. out of a parking lot where Lee’s car was abandoned, investigators testified earlier. “We’ve been looking for Jay Lee’s body for two years, and we’re not going to stop ’til we find it,” McCutchen said in court Tuesday. On the day Lee vanished, Herrington was also seen on security cameras buying duct tape in Oxford and driving to his own hometown of about an hour away, police have testified. Herrington is from an affluent family in Grenada, Mississippi, about 52 miles (83.7 kilometers) southwest of Oxford, testified Ryan Baker, an Oxford Police Department intelligence officer who was a detective when he helped investigated the case. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Herrington’s grandfather is bishop of a church in Grenada, other family members work at the church and Herrington himself taught youth Sunday school classes there, Baker said. Herrington “was not portraying himself as gay” to family or friends, Baker said. During testimony Tuesday, Herrington’s father and grandfather both said Herrington had never spoken about having boyfriends. Herrington operated a furniture moving business with another man while they were students at the University of Mississippi, and they had a white box truck that Herrington drove to Grenada, Baker said. Security cameras at several businesses and a neighbor’s house showed Herrington and the truck in Grenada hours after Lee disappeared, Baker said. During McCutchen’s testimony Tuesday, Horan asked whether DNA tests on items taken from Herrington’s apartment and the truck showed “any trace evidence at all implicating my client.” McCutchen said they did not, but police first searched Herrington’s apartment two weeks after Lee vanished and they searched the box truck a few days after the apartment. Both Herrington and Lee had graduated from the University of Mississippi. Lee was pursuing a master’s degree. He was known for his creative expression through fashion and makeup and often performed in drag shows in Oxford, according to a support group called Justice for Jay Lee. Prosecutors have announced they do not intend to pursue the death penalty, meaning Herrington could get a life sentence if convicted. Mississippi law defines capital murder as a killing committed along with another felony — in this case, kidnapping. Advertisement Advertisement
Former first round pick Emmanuel Forbes is out of the picture after less than two full seasons with the Washington Commanders . Per the Commanders themselves, they waived the 16th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday. Forbes never got close to living up to his first round draft billing and with the rise of rookie Mike Sainristil and the trade for Marshon Lattimore, it became more and more clear that Forbes was on borrowed time. #Commanders waive former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes. https://t.co/jlkBkUOdrs However, to see him waived at this point in the season is quite the surprise when considering the overall makeup of the Commanders cornerback group. Even if defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. recently said they've been pleased with the play of veteran Michael Davis. Forbes appeared in 20 games over the last two seasons and racked up two interceptions and 12 pass breakups. His size was a big question coming into the league and it became an even bigger question when Dan Quinn came to town. Primarily because he, along with Whitt Jr., prefers bigger corners that can hold up in press man coverage - something Forbes struggles with. Commanders also place veteran running back Austin Ekeler on IR Ekeler suffered his second concussion of the season after he took a scary hit at the end of the Cowboys loss. It was scary enough to the point where he was sent to the hospital as a precaution, so it makes sense for the team to play it very safe with him, moving forward. Ekeler will now miss the next four games, not the next four weeks. Therefore, he could return for the season finale against the Cowboys in Week 18 as long as he passes through the league's protocol. He was already ruled out ahead of the Titans matchup, but it's a big blow for the offense moving forward. Ekeler has played a very effective role in 2024 on both offense and special teams. He's been a great change of pace to leading rusher Brian Robinson Jr. Now, it'll be up to Jeremy McNichols to step in when Robinson Jr. needs a break. Coming into Week 13, Ekeler ran for 355 yards and four touchdowns on 74 carries and he also caught 33 balls for 346 yards. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.Disney and Universal Gear Up for Innovative Theme Park Experiences with New Ride System Patents
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No. 16 South Carolina 17, No. 12 Clemson 14HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 10, 2024-- The glittering lights of Downtown Houston shone even brighter on Saturday, December 7, 2024, as ZT Corporate hosted its highly anticipated Chairman’s Gala at the Hilton Americas. With over 1,000 of Houston’s most distinguished guests in attendance, the event not only celebrated the company’s remarkable achievements but also set the stage for a bold future, unveiling ZT Corporate’s visionary roadmap for 2030. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210034150/en/ ZT Corporate’s 27th Annual Chairman’s Gala: Taseer Badar & Robin Thicke (Photo: Business Wire) The night was a dazzling celebration of ZT’s growth and success, underscored by a commitment to philanthropy and community. ZT Corporate’s Founder and CEO, Taseer Badar , expressed his gratitude, saying, “This year’s milestones were made possible by the passion, dedication, and innovation of our team. We’ve achieved exceptional growth across our healthcare and automotive portfolios, and with the continued confidence of our investors and the tireless efforts of our people, the future is incredibly bright. Our roadmap for the next five years is bold, ambitious, and driven by the ‘ZT Way’—a blend of strategy, excellence, and vision.” A Night to Remember: Luxury, Entertainment, and Giving Back This year’s Gala took opulence to a whole new level, offering guests an evening packed with entertainment, luxury, and excitement. The highlight of the night was an electrifying performance by Robin Thicke , the five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated superstar and The Masked Singer judge. Thicke’s smooth, soulful hits and commanding stage presence set the tone for a night full of unforgettable moments, leaving the crowd dancing long into the night. But the excitement didn’t stop there. DJ Esther Anaya , a singer/songwriter, music producer, and classically trained violinist whose unique sounds and imaginative performances captivate audiences worldwide. She had guests on their feet as she spun an unforgettable set that kept the energy flowing throughout the evening. Chester Pitts , the original Houston Texan and community leader, teamed up with the dazzling Miss Universe 2022, R’Bonney Gabriel , as co-hosts, guiding the event with charisma and flair. The duo’s infectious energy had the audience on the edge of their seats as they navigated through the evening’s many thrilling moments. Exclusive Auctions and Unmatched Generosity Guests had the chance to bid on auction items that was donated from luxury brands including Prada, Maison Margiela, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, and more. The live auction, led by Pitts and Gabriel, featured once-in-a-lifetime experiences that had the crowd buzzing with excitement. The Bruno Mars meet-and-greet experience in Las Vegas, donated by Richard and Michelle Knoll , was so hot and in such high demand that the bidding quickly got heated . The couple, clearly moved by the fierce generosity in the room, decided to sweeten the deal —donating an additional Bruno Mars package , giving even more lucky guests the chance to experience the ultimate VIP encounter with the superstar. This gesture sent the crowd into a frenzy, and the auction raised even more for the night’s philanthropic efforts. Other high-end auction items included a Napa Valley wine experience at The French Laundry (donated by Dr. Doug Yarris and The French Laundry) and a VIP Houston Texans & Mastro’s experience paired with wines from Wine Spectator Grand Award wine list (courtesy of Chester Pitts, The Texans Organization, and Landry’s Inc.) offering guests a chance to indulge in exclusive, world-class experiences. In total, over $100,000 was raised from the auction items for the ZT Baseball Foundation, a cause close to the heart of Taseer Badar and the entire ZT Corporate family. The foundation’s mission is to ensure that young athletes have access to the tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed in baseball, no matter their financial background. A heartwarming moment of the night came when over 20 ZT Baseball players, back-to-back Gold Medalists at USA Baseball & Champions of the Perfect Game Invitational, were honored for their exceptional achievements on the field and in the classroom, showcasing the power of hard work and determination. Looking Toward the Future As the evening concluded, the anticipation for ZT Corporate’s future was palpable. The Gala not only celebrated the past year’s incredible achievements but also set the stage for a bold new era of growth and impact. With a clear vision for the next five years, ZT Corporate is poised to continue its legacy of excellence, leadership, and community impact—both in business and beyond, the ZT Way. A Champion Mindset for 2025 In his keynote address, Badar unveiled a bold five-year vision for ZT Corporate. Celebrating past milestones, he outlined a forward-thinking path, emphasizing focus and strategic growth as key drivers of the firm's future. Badar outlined how the ZT Way will unite and propel the business forward into 2025, defining its future through core areas of entrepreneurship, a champion mindset, community and doing the right thing. These pillars were on display throughout the Chairman’s Gala as ZT recapped another dynamic year. Special recognition was spotlighted on the 2024 growth of the healthcare portfolio through diversification as well as transformation of the automotive business through expansion into new markets and boosting retail unit sales . “We are not afraid to take calculated risks, innovate and push boundaries. At ZT, we thrive on creating possibilities not just for ourselves, but for our investors, our community and most importantly, our team,” said Badar. “As much as we grow with new corporate structures and create processes and management teams, will never lose the essence of who we are. We empower our employees to think like entrepreneurs – it’s in our DNA.” Badar highlighted the firm’s commitment to staying one step ahead and delivering continuous improvement in an ever-evolving landscape. By emphasizing the importance of action alongside outcomes, he inspired and motivated guests, reinforcing ZT Corporate’s dedication to forging a path toward future successes. About ZT Corporate Established in 1997, ZT Corporate is a Houston-based private equity firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles. The firm focuses on healthcare and auto dealerships as core investment verticals. ZT Corporate’s investment team collaborates with its operators to support the day-to-day operations of the firm’s portfolio investments. This close collaboration drives value creation by developing stronger operator-investor relationships, cross-functional expertise, and a deeper understanding of the target industries. Since its founding, ZT Corporate has successfully completed more than 60+ investments, including platform companies and follow-on opportunities with multiple liquidity events for its investors. For more information: www.ztcorporate.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210034150/en/ CONTACT: Thuylan Chang, ZT Corporate thuylan@ztcorporate.com KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER HEALTH OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AUTOMOTIVE OTHER ENTERTAINMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT MUSIC FINANCE CONSULTING BANKING ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTERTAINMENT PERSONAL FINANCE HEALTH EVENTS/CONCERTS OTHER AUTOMOTIVE GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITY SOURCE: ZT Corporate Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/10/2024 06:01 PM/DISC: 12/10/2024 06:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210034150/en
Supreme Court Denies Facebook’s Appeal to Halt Cambridge Analytica Lawsuit From Jilted Investors
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