Harris Dickinson toys with ambiguity in ‘Babygirl,’ and keeps a secret from Nicole Kidman
A young Jimmy Carter was no stranger to gospel music growing up in the small rural town of Plains, Georgia during the ’20s and early ’30’. He heard it sung by Black tenant farmers working on his father’s land. He heard it too during 24-hour gospel sings that occurred every fifth Sunday, where quartets, local and distant gospel groups, different denominations and communities came together to rejoice around prayer, all-day-singing, and a meal. This love of gospel music, along with a deep religiosity, was implanted in Carter’s heart at a young age and stayed with him throughout his lifetime. And you could tell by the way the late president’s face would light up that his connection to not only gospel music, but also rock, folk, country, jazz, and rhythm and blues ran through the deepest parts of his soul. Jimmy Carter’s deep connection to music, especially gospel, was more than just a personal joy — it was a reflection of his broader worldview and presidency. Music served as both solace and strategy, uniting Americans across divides of race, region and politics. Carter used music as a powerful tool to embody and promote his vision of unity, human rights, and healing — a vision that resonates even more poignantly as the nation reflects on his legacy following his death on Sunday at 100. In the late summer of 1979, partway through his third year as president, Jimmy Carter hosted an afternoon of gospel music at the White House. Blankets covered the grass on the South Lawn as over 800 attendees ate fried chicken, potato salad and coleslaw on paper plates. “Gospel music is really rural music from the country. It has both Black and white derivations; it’s not a racial kind of music,” President Carter said to the crowd. “But I think it’s important to recognize that gospel music is derived from deep within the heart of human beings — it’s a music of pain, a music of longing, a music of searching, a music of hope, and a music of faith.” Since he entered hospice care in February 2023, a lot has been shared about his life. The first president to be born in a hospital was a man of many anomalies. He grew up without electricity and running water in the segregated south, yet most of his friends before he left for the Naval Academy in 1943 were African Americans. He was a peanut farmer, a nuclear engineer, a carpenter and a poet whose simple writing illuminated the historical reckoning and soul of America. One of his first official acts as governor of Georgia in 1971 was to refute the segregationist pride of his predecessor Lester Maddox, the former Georgia governor and Democratic populist, by displaying a portrait of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the capitol and by stating “the time for racial discrimination is over.” This surprised many Georgians who voted for Carter. During his presidency, he was a champion for the environment, installing solar panels at the White House. He was a staunch advocate for women’s rights, civil rights and human rights, and was a pivotal figure in the progressive New South movement, looking to modernize social attitudes ingrained in the culture of the Old South. Though arguably one of the most pietistic, genuine and well-intentioned presidents of the 20th century, Carter’s presidency was clouded by challenges, many of which were out of his control. In 1979, Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days. “I would play Willie Nelson music primarily,” Carter said, of the time that he spent alone, in his study, “so I could think about my problems and say a few prayers.” A failed rescue attempt was also a significant blow to his presidency, ultimately stymieing his reelection. Fuel shortages created high oil prices. Carter struggled to effectively address high inflation, high unemployment and slow economic growth that came to be known as “stagflation.” Also, the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan marked a setback in the Cold War. “Music was a way Carter could insulate himself from the political noise,” says Iwan Morgan, emeritus professor of U.S. Studies at University College London. Morgan was in the United States, doing an exchange teaching job from August 1979 to September 1980 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He recalled that the hostages were the most fundamental thing on people’s minds ultimately blighting the final years of Carter’s presidency. “Music was a way of touching the soul, probably the closest man has to do that. And music was a comfort for Carter,” Morgan says. “I’m not saying it helped him make good decisions. By any standard the attempted rescue of the Iranian hostages was a longshot highly likely to end in failure and gave Carter no real chance thereafter of negotiating the release of the hostages.” Chuck Leavell, the keyboardist for the Allman Brothers Band during the band’s rise to fame in the 1970s, came to know Jimmy Carter when he was governor of Georgia. They’d been friends ever since. Leavell would visit the Carters in Plains or Jimmy and Rosalyn would visit Leavell’s homeplace at the Charlane Woodlands and Preserve in Dry Branch, Georgia for hunting trips. Carter would always ask Leavell to play something on the piano. “I played ‘Georgia on My Mind’ for him and probably did the Allman Brothers song ‘Statesboro Blues’,” Leavell told me. “And again, just, you know, the smile that would get on his face and his eyes would light up. And, you know, it’s not like he was jumping around and dancing. Don’t get me wrong. You know, he wasn’t that kind of guy. He didn’t react in that way, but he was listening, always listening intently. You could just see it. And, you know, even though he didn’t play an instrument himself, I think he had something in his DNA that felt the music, not only heard it, but felt it.” Carter wasn’t initially well-known outside of Georgia, and an endorsement from the Allman Brothers Band in 1975, some three months before the Iowa caucuses, helped increase his candidacy, particularly among young Americans. There was a feeling at the time that young people were in charge. 1972 was the first year that 18-to-21-year-olds could cast a ballot, making the youth vote more important than ever before. So Carter both naturally and strategically aligned himself with musicians to give him a crucial boost during the Democratic primaries. A major strategy for Carter’s presidential campaign was to put on concerts on the campaign trail. It started with the Marshall Tucker Band headlining a concert at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on Oct. 31, 1975, then the Allman Brothers Band on Nov. 25 at Providence Civic Center in Providence Rhode Island, and Charlie Daniels at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on Jan. 14, 1976. Jimmy Buffett put on a benefit for Carter in Portland, Oregon. These concerts not only brought notoriety to the Carter campaign, they also brought in a lot of money that could be matched by the federal government. “Musicians don’t always feel safe with somebody except other musicians,” says Chris Farrell, lead producer of the documentary “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.” “His authenticity definitely played a great role in his ability to connect with musicians.” The music of change at that time was rock and roll. When Gregg Allman was arrested for trying to acquire pharmaceutical grade cocaine, and testified to get out of serving a prison sentence, Jimmy never turned on Allman. He could have said, “this is too big of a risk for me” and ended his association with the Allman Brothers. “But he didn’t judge people,” Farrell says. “He just cared about who you were as an individual and that’s very spiritual in a very Christian sort of view of the world. And I think that carried over into politics; he didn’t care if you were a Republican or a Democrat. If you’re trying to do the right thing, then why can’t we all do this together? So I think it was not political expediency or effectiveness or, you know, a gimmick. I think that’s just who he was.” Carter won the presidency in 1976, and was inaugurated in 1977. The cowboy-Western film star John Wayne spoke at the inaugural ball. As a conservative, he still wished Carter well. Paul Simon sang. So did Charlie Daniels. Aretha Franklin sang “God Bless America.” Coming out of Watergate, there was a sense too that America needed to heal together. Through music, but also through unifying Republicans and Democrats alike. “John Wayne worked with President Carter to give the Panama Canal back to the Panamanian people,” says Mary Wharton, director of “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.” “It’s that old line about people who forget about history are doomed to repeat it. And unfortunately, we’re repeating the things in history that we didn’t pay attention to.” When he was president, dozens of musicians came to the White House for themed music nights. In April, 1978 Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, and Conway Twitty were invited to an evening devoted to celebrating country music. Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Dexter Gordon, George Benson, Ron Carter and Tony Williams played a jazz event. It was an honor for Carter to bring jazz musicians who hadn’t been recognized by the government to the White House. He used music as a way for people to see a common humanity among different races, religions and cultural backgrounds. He felt jazz helped break down the racial divide in the country. Cecil Taylor, Chick Correa — their presence wasn’t just for performance. Their inclusion was a statement against racial prejudice, a reminder of music’s potential to dissolve barriers. Carter felt deeply that jazz and country music represented America. Carter also used music to entertain and educate members of Congress. He held a Nascar event, where country singer Willie Nelson performed on the South Lawn. It’s as if Carter used music as a reflective mindfulness practice, decades before the mainstream was aware of what mindfulness is. The Carter administration never dropped a bomb, fired a missile or shot a bullet to kill another person. After his presidency, the Carter Center helped eradicate Guinea worm disease. For 35 years, he spent at least a week every year building houses for Habitat for Humanity. In the days and weeks to come, I imagine a revisionist history about Carter’s presidency will begin to unravel. This began in 2020, with the release of the documentary “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President,” and will continue, especially now during a time where the world seems more divided than ever. Carter was a president with a lot of faith and a lot of soul. He cried when thinking of his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn. The man was calculated and believed in the power of music. Scholars and historians will remember that Carter wanted to represent America’s value system by making human rights the center of his foreign policy. He helped broker the Camp David Accords, a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, marking the first time an Arab country recognized Israel. When I remember Carter, I will think of a man listening to the painful ballads of Willie Nelson when trying to be mindful and make sense of complex problems. I will also think of Jan Williams, the pianist at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. “Carter said he couldn’t sing,” she told me. “But I liked his voice.” The late president first attended Maranatha Baptist Church in 1981 and started teaching Sunday School there until 2015. “His favorite song was always ‘When I Get To Heaven’,” Williams says, thinking of Jimmy reunited with his Rosalynn again.NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart's sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world's biggest retailer followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump's incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches -- the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President -- are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the November survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associated at Pew called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI," Glasgow said. "The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Last fiscal year, Walmart said it spent more than $13 billion on minority, women or veteran-owned good and service suppliers. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America's top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart's announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart's need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company no longer has explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer's ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart." Walmart's announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” He said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have “record participation” of more than 1,400 companies in 2025." Alexandra Olson And Cathy Bussewitz, The Associated Press
ANGELA Rayner yesterday struggled to explain how Labour’s housing plans will cope with the 2.5 million migrants expected to arrive in Britain. The Deputy PM contradicted herself when grilled on how her pledge to build 1.5 million homes would address both the housing crisis and record immigration levels . She told Sky News there is “plenty of housing” already – despite Labour’s repeated warnings about shortages. Presenter Sir Trevor Phillips challenged her claim, insisting it didn’t make any “sense”. But she doubled down, adding: “There is plenty of housing Trevor, but there’s not enough for the people who desperately need it. “So the homes, especially under our social affordable housing, they will be there for people who desperately need them.” Read More on Politics Her comments come as Labour will this week unveil detailed plans for mandatory house-building targets in every area of England and Wales. Ms Rayner, who is also the Housing Secretary, will also set out where councils can build on underused “grey belt” land in the green belt while prioritising brownfield sites.WASHINGTON (AP) — Micah Peavy's 24 points helped Georgetown defeat Albany (NY) 100-68 on Saturday night. Peavy added eight assists, four steals, and three blocks for the Hoyas (6-1). Malik Mack scored 16 points while shooting 6 for 8, including 3 for 4 from beyond the arc. Thomas Sorber had 14 points and finished 6 of 9 from the field. Amar'e Marshall led the Great Danes (5-3) in scoring, finishing with 17 points and four steals. Kheni Briggs added 17 points. Justin Neely finished with 12 points. Georgetown took the lead with 9:05 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 49-35 at halftime, with Peavy racking up 17 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
To experience an onsen (hot spring) getaway that offers a true escape from the big city, head to Tottori — Japan’s least-populated prefecture. Famous for delectable local food , the hometowns of classic manga artists and Japan’s largest sand dunes , Tottori offers countless activities for travelers who want to sightsee in between enjoying hot springs. Those whose main aim is to relax, meanwhile, can retreat to laid-back, uncrowded hot spring towns that are rich in natural beauty and cultural connections. Regular domestic flights and express trains offer access to Tottori from Japan’s major urban hubs. Local trains and buses, meanwhile, whisk visitors to must-see sightseeing spots and the most famous hot spring resorts. Read on for a quick guide to the prefecture’s top three hot spring destinations. Kaike Onsen is a seaside hot spring resort with over a dozen hotels and ryokan (traditional-style inns) accommodating day visitors and overnight guests. Simply enjoying hotel facilities and strolling along Kaike Onsen Beach makes for a good trip. However, Kaike Onsen’s location in the city of Yonago also ensures that visitors can easily access western Tottori’s most famous sights. Mount Daisen — the highest mountain in Japan’s Chugoku Region — is accessible by bus from Yonago station (check the Yonago City Tourist Information Center located in the station for current bus timetables). After the snow falls, skiing and snowboarding at Daisen White Resort is the mountain’s most popular attraction. Yonago station also operates regular shuttle buses to Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park — famous for its winter illumination displays — and trains to Mizuki Shigeru Road. A must-see for fans of manga and Japanese folklore, this street celebrates the late manga artist Mizuki Shigeru and his famous supernatural series Gegege no Kitaro. Yonago is accessible by plane from Tokyo via Yonago Kitaro Airport. The city is also accessible by train via the Sunrise Express from Tokyo or the Yakumo limited express from Okayama . From Yonago station, buses and taxis can take visitors to Kaike Onsen. Travelers planning to visit both eastern and western Tottori can break up their journey with an overnight stay at Hawai Onsen or Togo Onsen, which are located in the prefecture’s center. Nestled on the shores of Lake Togo and removed from the largest local cities, these adjacent resorts provide respite. A must-see attraction for guests at either resort is a group of seven hot spring foot baths spread out over about four kilometers between Togo Onsen and Hawai Onsen. Each of these uniquely-designed foot baths is named after one of the Shichifukujin (Seven gods of fortune) — deities who have been venerated in Japan for centuries. By walking to each of these foot baths, visitors can become acquainted with the local townscape and beautiful lakeside views. Togo Onsen is the easiest resort to access by train as many accommodations are located within walking distance of JR Matsuzaki station. Attractions such as Chinese Garden Enchoen — one of the largest authentic Chinese gardens in Japan — are also accessible from Togo Onsen on foot. Guests heading to Hawai Onsen, meanwhile, should stop at Kurayoshi station. Hawai Onsen is accessible from here by local bus or taxi in about ten to twenty minutes, and certain hotels and ryokan operate shuttle buses from Kurayoshi station. Both Kurayoshi station and Matsuzaki station are accessible via local trains. Kurayoshi is also a stop along the Super Hakuto limited express’s route, which provides fast transportation from Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji and Tottori City . Legend claims that spending three mornings bathing at Misasa Onsen has the power to cure any ailment. This is just one of the stories connected to this hot spring area. Allegedly, Misasa Onsen was discovered over 800 years ago after being revealed in a dream to a samurai who had chosen to spare the life of a white wolf he encountered. After this, the springs became popular with pilgrims who planned to climb the nearby Mount Mitoku. Today, Misasa Onsen is recognized as a Japan Heritage site by the government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, acknowledging the area’s rich legacy. The waters of Misasa Onsen are unique because they contain trace amounts of radon. Modern studies say that the springs are safe to bathe in, however, because they contain less radiation than technologies such as x-rays. Instead, it is believed that exposure to the springs’ small quantities of radon can have health benefits such as boosting immunity. Taxis from Kurayoshi station can reach Misasa Onsen in about fifteen minutes while local buses can transport visitors in twenty to thirty minutes. This makes it possible to enjoy Misasa Onsen as an overnight visitor or on a day trip from Kurayoshi . Day visitors are welcome at hot spring foot baths and day-use springs such as Kabuyu Public Bath — said to be the spring discovered by the samurai centuries before. Every hot spring facility in Tottori has its own rules, but it is currently common for local hot springs to not allow guests with tattoos into the main baths. However, tattooed visitors can possibly be accommodated in kashikiri buro (private rental) baths. Often used by couples or families, kashikiri can usually be reserved for time periods of about 45 minutes to one hour upon checking in to an accommodation (day visitors can sometimes rent them, but this depends on the facility). Not every hotel or ryokan has kashikiri, so make sure to confirm your desired accommodation has one ahead of time. Alternatively, many hotels and ryokan offer guest rooms that come with private hot spring baths. Tottori is a hidden gem that offers the best of rural Japan without sacrificing accessibility. There are a myriad of things to see and do throughout the year, and winter months are a particularly inviting time to experience local hot springs. When the desire to get away arises, Japan’s most peaceful prefecture is waiting for you.Southwest states certify election results after the process led to controversy in previous years
On a rare two-game skid, No. 24 Arizona faces Davidson
PHILADELPHIA and PERTH, Australia , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadium Lithium plc (NYSE: ALTM, ASX: LTM, "Arcadium Lithium"), a leading global lithium chemicals producer, today announced that it has obtained all requisite shareholder approvals in connection with the proposed acquisition by Rio Tinto previously announced on October 9 , 2024. "Today's vote of support by our shareholders confirms our shared belief that with Rio Tinto, we will be a stronger global leader in lithium chemicals production. Together, we enhance our capabilities to successfully develop and operate our assets while supporting the clean energy transition. We are confident that this transaction will provide future benefit to our customers, employees and the communities in which we operate, and I am excited by the path ahead," said Paul Graves , president and chief executive officer of Arcadium Lithium. The final voting results of Arcadium Lithium's special meetings will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a Form 8-K and will also be available at https://ir.arcadiumlithium.com . Regulatory Update As of this release, merger control clearance has been satisfied or waived in Australia , Canada , China , the United Kingdom and the United States (Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976). Additionally, investment screening approval has been satisfied in the United Kingdom . The proposed transaction is still expected to close in mid-2025, subject to the receipt of remaining regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Arcadium Lithium Contacts Investors: Daniel Rosen +1 215 299 6208 daniel.rosen@arcadiumlithium.com Phoebe Lee +61 413 557 780 phoebe.lee@arcadiumlithium.com Media: Karen Vizental +54 9 114 414 4702 karen.vizental@arcadiumlithium.com About Arcadium Lithium Arcadium Lithium is a leading global lithium chemicals producer committed to safely and responsibly harnessing the power of lithium to improve people's lives and accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. We collaborate with our customers to drive innovation and power a more sustainable world in which lithium enables exciting possibilities for renewable energy, electric transportation and modern life. Arcadium Lithium is vertically integrated, with industry-leading capabilities across lithium extraction processes, including hard-rock mining, conventional brine extraction and direct lithium extraction (DLE), and in lithium chemicals manufacturing for high performance applications. We have operations around the world, with facilities and projects in Argentina , Australia , Canada , China , Japan , the United Kingdom and the United States . For more information, please visit us at www.ArcadiumLithium.com . Important Information and Legal Disclaimer: Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, we have identified forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as "will likely result," "is confident that," "expect," "expects," "should," "could," "may," "will continue to," "believe," "believes," "anticipates," "predicts," "forecasts," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "intends" or similar expressions identifying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the negative of those words and phrases. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for Arcadium Lithium based on currently available information. There are important factors that could cause Arcadium Lithium's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the completion of the transaction on anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the transaction; potential litigation relating to the transaction that could be instituted by or against Arcadium Lithium or its affiliates, directors or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; the risk that disruptions from the transaction will harm Arcadium Lithium's business, including current plans and operations; the ability of Arcadium Lithium to retain and hire key personnel; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or governmental relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; certain restrictions during the pendency of the transaction that may impact Arcadium Lithium's ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; significant transaction costs associated with the transaction; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the transaction, including in circumstances requiring Arcadium Lithium to pay a termination fee or other expenses; competitive responses to the transaction; the supply and demand in the market for our products as well as pricing for lithium and high-performance lithium compounds; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the integration of the businesses of Livent and Allkem or of any future acquisitions; our ability to acquire or develop additional reserves that are economically viable; the existence, availability and profitability of mineral resources and mineral and ore reserves; the success of our production expansion efforts, research and development efforts and the development of our facilities; our ability to retain existing customers; the competition that we face in our business; the development and adoption of new battery technologies; additional funding or capital that may be required for our operations and expansion plans; political, financial and operational risks that our lithium extraction and production operations, particularly in Argentina , expose us to; physical and other risks that our operations and suppliers are subject to; our ability to satisfy customer qualification processes or customer or government quality standards; global economic conditions, including inflation, fluctuations in the price of energy and certain raw materials; the ability of our joint ventures, affiliated entities and contract manufacturers to operate according to their business plans and to fulfill their obligations; severe weather events and the effects of climate change; extensive and dynamic environmental and other laws and regulations; our ability to obtain and comply with required licenses, permits and other approvals; and other factors described under the caption entitled "Risk Factors" in Arcadium Lithium's 2023 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 , as well as Arcadium Lithium's other SEC filings and public communications. Although Arcadium Lithium believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Arcadium Lithium cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither Arcadium Lithium nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Arcadium Lithium is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this news release to conform its prior statements to actual results or revised expectations . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcadium-lithium-announces-shareholder-approval-of-proposed-rio-tinto-transaction-and-provides-regulatory-update-302338409.html SOURCE Arcadium Lithium PLC
Harris Dickinson toys with ambiguity in ‘Babygirl,’ and keeps a secret from Nicole KidmanThree leading Egyptian banks—the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), Banque Misr, and QNB AlAhli—have extended joint financing worth EGP 4.235bn to Al-Zahi Group. This financing aims to support key development projects, with NBE serving as the lead arranger, financing marketer, financing agent, and document bank within the alliance. Banque Misr acts as an initial main arranger, financing marketer, and account bank, while QNB AlAhli fulfills the role of an initial main arranger. The funding will be directed toward various projects, including facility design, land reclamation, infrastructure development, agricultural land leveling, establishing irrigation and drainage systems, and executing electrical and mechanical works. The signing ceremony was attended by prominent banking and business leaders, including Yehia Abou El-Fotouh, Deputy CEO of NBE; Sherif Riad, CEO of Corporate Banking Credit and Syndicated Loans at NBE; Mohamed Khairat, Head of Corporate Credit and Syndicated Loans at Banque Misr; Abdel Rahman Talaat, Head of Corporate Finance and Investment at QNB AlAhli; and Ahmed El Zahi, Chairman of Al-Zahi Group. Yehia Abou El-Fotouh highlighted that the financing aligns with NBE’s strategy to support vital economic sectors, fostering growth across industries and value chains. He commended the efforts of the bank’s team in conducting comprehensive studies and facilitating cooperation that culminated in this financing deal. Sherif Riad emphasized NBE’s commitment to backing large-scale development projects in Egypt, particularly those that enhance food security and contribute to economic stability. He underscored the importance of expanding agricultural land and production, which reduces imports, improves trade balances, and creates job opportunities by leveraging modern technological methods. Mohamed Khairat reiterated Banque Misr’s dedication to financing vital projects across diverse sectors to stimulate economic growth and enhance Egypt’s competitiveness. He noted that this partnership reflects the bank’s strategic goals of supporting the national economy, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for sustainable development. Khairat also praised the collaboration among the participating banks, highlighting the shared commitment to advancing the national economy. QNB’s Abdel Rahman Talaat stressed the importance of the banking sector’s role in financing projects with significant economic and social impacts. He emphasized QNB Egypt’s focus on supporting agricultural development to achieve food security, create thousands of jobs, and contribute to sustainable development goals. Talaat also noted QNB Egypt’s growing influence in fostering major national projects through its strong relationships with international financial institutions. Ahmed El Zahi expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Egypt’s leading banks, underscoring the importance of such partnerships in driving the nation’s development. He highlighted Al-Zahi Group’s diverse expertise in integrated general contracting, including river works, sidewalk construction, dredging, thermal and hydropower stations, roads and bridges, dams, and water and sewage networks. The company also specializes in complementary activities such as ready-mix concrete production, insulation, and polyethylene works. This joint financing underscores the critical role of Egypt’s banking sector in fostering economic growth and supporting sustainable development across the nation.
Drake lawsuits blame Big Tech for the L he took from Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical beatdown
The 32 things we learned from Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season: The number of TD receptions by Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride, who scored on his 98th catch of the season. Had he not found the end zone via reception, McBride would – by far – have had the most snags in a single campaign without a receiving touchdown in the history of the league. The number of times Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has thrown five touchdown passes in a game, though Sunday was the first time he'd done it for the Bucs. He needs one more to become the 12th player to ever post 40 in a season. Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow became the 11th on Saturday. The number of kicks blocked this season by Los Angeles Rams LB Michael Hoecht. Costing the Cardinals an extra point Saturday night was a huge assist in a game LA won 13-9. The number of consecutive seasons the Buccaneers have made the playoffs, the longest active streak in the NFC. Sunday's 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers keeps the Bucs alive and kicking for both the NFC South crown and the conference's final wild-card berth – and they'll get help one way or another when the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders meet Sunday night. The number of consecutive seasons in which Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen has accounted for at least 40 touchdowns, an NFL record. 6. Allen passed for two more TDs in Sunday's shellacking of the New York Jets and ran for another, pushing him past 40 combined for 2024. Will it be enough to earn him his first MVP award even though he's had more impressive statistical seasons? The jersey number of Philadelphia Eagles backup QB Kenny Pickett. Unclear why the team is letting a digit made famous by the likes of QBs Ron Jaworski and Michael Vick remain in circulation ... aside from special circumstances. Maybe. Kenny Pickett wut — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) The number of consecutive games that Burrow has thrown for at least 250 yards and three TDs, an extension of his own NFL record after his huge performance in Saturday's win over the Denver Broncos. Maybe Burrow should be the MVP. The number of NFL players – ever – to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards after . (And it should be noted that Barkley only needed 16 games to reach the hallowed benchmark.) Standing ovation for reaching 2,000 yards 🔥💚 — NFL (@NFL) Now with a league-high 2,005 yards, Barkley needs 101 to overtake , which was set by the Hall of Famer with the Rams in 1984. And maybe Barkley should be the MVP given he piled up 167 yards on the ground Sunday despite playing with Pickett and QB3 Tanner McKee all day. The number of consecutive seasons Hall of Famer Jerry Rice posted 1,000 receiving yards, an NFL record. Bucs WR Mike Evans needs 85 yards in Week 18 to match Rice's mark. Notable this year given Evans missed three games with a bad hamstring. Unlucky No. 13? Eh, anyone becoming an interim coach is, by definition, behind the power curve. This year's trio is now a collective 5-17 after getting swept in Week 17. The Jets' Jeff Ulbrich is 2-9, the Saints' Darren Rizzi 3-4, and the Bears' Thomas Brown is 0-4. The number of sacks Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett has had in each of the past four seasons, the first player in league history with such a run ever since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. Speaking of sacks, Jets QB Aaron Rodgers has now been bagged 568 times in his career, overtaking Tom Brady (565) on Sunday for the most times any quarterback has gone down since 1982. "I got Tom in that," Rodgers said with a wry smile after New York's 40-14 loss at Buffalo. While Rodgers set that dubious mark Sunday, he didn't manage to throw a TD pass, keeping him stuck on 499 during the regular season over the course of his 20-year career. The Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers set two records Sunday, – he now has 1,144, surpassing Mike Ditka's 1,076 (in 14 games in 1961) – and the overall rookie record for receptions (108). But look out for the New York Giants' Malik Nabers, who's up to 104 catches (in 14 games) and could certainly overtake 2024 first-round draftmate Bowers in Week 18. The rookie receptions record has now changed hands three times in the past four seasons, the Miami Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle (2021) and Rams' Puka Nacua (2023) briefly holding it as well. Anquan Boldin is the only other player to hit the century mark, which he did way back in 2003. Back to the Giants, it's suddenly less clear who will be throwing passes to Nabers in 2025 after New York won its first home game of 2024 ... but to No. 4. Now ? How about the New England Patriots, who picked QB Drake Maye third overall earlier this year. That should allow the Pats to incite a bidding war between the Giants, Browns and Tennessee Titans, who would all seemingly be in the market to take or at the top of the board four months from now. Also paying the price for the Giants' one-day revival were the Indianapolis Colts, who were eliminated from the playoff race due to their loss at MetLife Stadium. Who had undrafted Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle, who'd never started before this season, rushing for 1,000 yards? Who had Bucs rookie RB Bucky Irving, who started twice this season, rushing for 1,000 yards? So, if you're the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, would you rather win the AFC North and likely host the surging Los Angeles Chargers, or get a wild card and visit the AFC South "champion" Houston Texans in the opening round of the postseason? The Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold is the first NFL quarterback to notch 14 wins in his first season with a team after Sunday's defeat of the Green Bay Packers. The Vikes are one win shy of the franchise regular-season record of 15 wins – which occurred in a 16-game season back in 1998 ... when they also lost a heartbreaking NFC championship game to Atlanta. The Packers seemed to sleepwalk through most of their game in the Twin Cities ... but don't forget, they had nothing to play for but seeding. The Detroit Lions could be forgiven for sleepwalking through Monday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers, given it will have no impact on what's become a winner-take-all game for the NFC's No. 1 seed between the Lions and Vikings in Week 18. The best NFL-related video we've since Christmas involved Darnold. THAT’S OUR FREAKING QUARTERBACK — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) The second-best NFL-related video we've since Christmas involved, well, focus on Bolts DB Derwin James. WHO'S GOT IT BETTER THAN US? — Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) The second-best NFL-related video we saw on Christmas? Andy Reid, y'all. "For the present, you get home field advantage." Santa Reid giving the best gift of all. 😂🎅 — NFL (@NFL) But the best NFL-related video we saw on Christmas? Leave it to Beyoncé to salvage of pro football. . Bey and Blue 💙 — NFL (@NFL) ***Miguel Tomley scores 28 to lead Weber State over Pepperdine 68-53 at Arizona Tip-OffNone
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