Customers Bancorp, Inc. Stockholder Notice: Shareholder Rights Law Firm Robbins LLP Reminds ...By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the Jan. 6, 2021 , U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s move on Monday to abandon the federal election interference case against Trump means jurors will likely never decide whether the president-elect is criminally responsible for his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 campaign. The decision to walk away from the election charges and the separate classified documents case against Trump marks an abrupt end of the Justice Department’s unprecedented legal effort that once threatened his liberty but appears only to have galvanized his supporters. The abandonment of the cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats he was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump’s political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. “We always knew that the rich and powerful had an advantage, but I don’t think we would have ever believed that somebody could walk away from everything,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. “If there ever was a Teflon defendant, that’s Donald Trump.” While prosecutors left the door open to the possibility that federal charges could be re-filed against Trump after he leaves office, that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s presidential victory has thrown into question the future of the two state criminal cases against him in New York and Georgia. Trump was supposed to be sentenced on Tuesday after his conviction on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money case , but it’s possible the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office, and the defense is pushing to dismiss the case altogether. Smith’s team stressed that their decision to abandon the federal cases was not a reflection of the merit of the charges, but an acknowledgement that they could not move forward under longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Trump’s presidential victory set “at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: On the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Trump accused prosecutors of bringing the charges in a bid to keep him out of the White House, and he promised revenge on his perceived enemies if he won a second term. “If Donald J. Trump had lost an election, he may very well have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Vice President-elect JD Vance, wrote in a social media post on Monday. “These prosecutions were always political. Now it’s time to ensure what happened to President Trump never happens in this country again.” After the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters that left more than 100 police officers injured, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and several other Republicans who voted to acquit Trump during his Senate impeachment trial said it was up to the justice system to hold Trump accountable. The Jan. 6 case brought last year in Washington alleged an increasingly desperate criminal conspiracy to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s 2020 loss, accusing Trump of using the angry mob of supporters that attacked the Capitol as “a tool” in his campaign to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence and obstruct the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. Hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters — many of whom have said they felt called to Washington by Trump — have pleaded guilty or been convicted by juries of federal charges at the same courthouse where Trump was supposed to stand trial last year. As the trial date neared, officials at the courthouse that sits within view of the Capitol were busy making plans for the crush of reporters expected to cover the historic case. But Trump’s argument that he enjoyed absolute immunity from prosecution quickly tied up the case in appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. The high court ruled in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution , and sent the case back to the trial court to decide which allegations could move forward. But the case was dismissed before the trial court could get a chance to do so. Related Articles National Politics | After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff National Politics | Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke National Politics | With Trump as president, can TikTok in the US survive? National Politics | Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration National Politics | Expecting challenges, blue states vow to create ‘firewall’ of abortion protections The other indictment brought in Florida accused Trump of improperly storing at his Mar-a-Lago estate sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities, enlisting aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showing off a Pentagon “plan of attack” and classified map. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July on grounds that Smith was illegally appointed . Smith appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but abandoned that appeal on Monday. Smith’s team said it would continue its fight in the appeals court to revive charges against Trump’s two co-defendants because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” In New York, jurors spent weeks last spring hearing evidence in a state case alleging a Trump scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. New York prosecutors recently expressed openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term, while Trump’s lawyers are fighting to have the conviction dismissed altogether. In Georgia, a trial while Trump is in office seems unlikely in a state case charging him and more than a dozen others with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The case has been on hold since an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed.
The grand 'Chhavni Pravesh' procession marked a ceremonial beginning for the next year's Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Under the guidance of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Arun Giri Ji, the procession celebrated the entry of saints into the fairgrounds with grandeur. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took stock of the arrangements for the Khichdi Mela in Gorakhpur, emphasizing its cultural and religious importance. His directives focused on ensuring security and convenience for attendees, aiming to uphold the event's traditional significance. Apart from that, Adityanath reviewed Gorakhpur's development projects, advocating for improved urban transport and coordinated parking solutions. These initiatives are expected to contribute to the city's development as a smart city ahead of the festivities. (With inputs from agencies.)Even with technology taking over much of our day-to-day lives, board games still offer quality entertainment that can’t be beaten. Of course, the popular board games of today are a far cry from the games your parents grew up playing. Board games are perfect for encouraging your family to work together or for bringing your group of friends around the table for an evening. If you’d like to start up a weekly game night, let this helpful list of the most popular board games be your guide. Utter Nonsense Ages 8+ This game will have every player rolling in stitches with each ridiculous phrase that’s uttered. Combine crazy accents and hilarious phrases to impress the Nonsense Judge and win the round. The player with the highest number of wins ultimately wins the game, but the true fun of this card game is listening to your fellow players trying to say some of the most entertaining phrases of all time. This game is perfect for game nights or parties. Speak Out Ages 8+ This hilarious game is perfect if you have teenagers or are hosting a party with all adults. To play, you insert a mouthpiece that alters the sound of your speech, making every word sound silly. Set the timer and read one of the phrases on the cards and try to help your teammate guess what you’re saying. Speak Out easily provides hours of fun that even grandparents will love. Escape Room in a Box Ages 13+ What’s the next best thing to trying to break out of a room? Escape Room in a Box, of course. This thrilling, immersive game involves solving 2D and 3D puzzles in order to prevent a mad scientist from turning you and your friends or family into werewolves. Work together to escape your fate and use Amazon Alexa to enhance the experience. Codenames Ages 14+ This fun strategy game is perfect for anyone with teenagers. Form two teams and select a spymaster on each team. Using clues, spymasters try to help their teammates find all 25 of the agents they’re in contact with, hopefully without selecting the other team’s agents or running into the deadly assassin. This innovative game offers a challenging and rewarding time working together. Harry Potter Clue Ages 9+ Excite your kids on game night with this modern twist on a classic. Play as six recognizable Hogwarts characters — Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny or Neville — to solve the mystery behind a fellow student’s disappearance. It’s up to you to figure out who attacked the student, what bewitching spell they used and where it occurred. Watch out for the Dark Mark, moving staircases and secret passages as you travel along in this magical family game. Pandemic Ages 8+ If you’ve ever wanted to save humanity from a deadly outbreak, you’ll love spending an hour playing Pandemic. You and your teammates must fight to contain four deadly diseases threatening the human race. Players must learn to work with their teammates to control outbreak hotspots and treat diseases. Win the game by curing all diseases without wiping out humanity first. Catan Ages 10+ This tactical 60-minute game will push your imagination to its limits as you embark on a journey across Catan. Acquire crucial resources as you travel, build roads, buildings, and cities, and be wary of the ruthless robber and other players halting you on your own road. Through careful trading and clever decisions, you can lead your travelers to victory in this role-playing game of limitless possibilities. Play again and again. Every game is different. Ticket to Ride Ages 8+ Train lovers will enjoy this innovative board game which has won numerous awards. This cross-country train adventure game mimics the concept of traveling around the world in 80 days. Collect train cars and claim railways across the country. Players earn the most points by establishing long train routes and connecting distant cities. Each game takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and every adventure is different. 5 Second Rule Ages 10+ This quick-paced game gives each player five seconds to name items on a certain topic. Although the topics are objectively easy —“Name 3 Mountains,” “Name 3 Types of Hats” or “Name 3 Super Heroes,” the pressure of the time crunch is likely to put you on edge. Race the clock and remain composed to win this game. You can even make up your own topics if you prefer. Half the fun is just hearing what other people blurt out, whether it’s relevant to the topic or not. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. 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PASSENGERS flying from Birmingham Airport can now travel back in time to the era of a beloved Birmingham-based TV series, with the opening of a new Peaky Blinders-inspired bar and restaurant. The ‘Shelby & Co. Bar and Restaurant’, or ‘Shelby’s’ for short, is the first of its kind in a travel location and will form a key part of Birmingham’s departure lounge with space for 290 diners, the airport has said. In keeping with the era of the popular show, the bar displays the 1920s throughout its design and offers an extensive food and drinks menu that showcases local breweries and gins, providing an authentic taste of Birmingham. The restaurant, which is operated by the SSP Group, has an extensive menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering dishes such as burgers, fish and chips, breakfast classics and bespoke, Brummie-inspired cocktails. The newest food and drink spot at the airport offers both waiter service as well as order-at-table technology, allowing customers short on time to dine quickly. Cathy Granby, Business Development Director for SSP UK & Ireland, said: “Over the past 12 months, one of our key focus areas has been expanding our bespoke airport bar and restaurant concepts. “Shelby & Co. really does bring this hugely popular show to life. “What better way to celebrate all this city has to offer than bringing a flavour of Peaky Blinders to Birmingham Airport.” Richard Gill, Commercial Director of Birmingham Airport, added: “We are delighted to be the first airport to welcome Shelby & Co. “This bespoke, innovative bar and restaurant is a fantastic addition to our departure lounge, ensuring our passengers have a unique chance to sample Shelby’s first-hand when travelling through Birmingham Airport.” It opened earlier this month, on December 18, and aims to provide passengers with “an authentic Peaky Blinder’s experience”.
Drama surrounds final three F1 races of seasonNonePURCHASE, N.Y., Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Townsquare Media, Inc. (NYSE: TSQ) (“Townsquare,” or the “Company”) announced today that Bill Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Rosenstein, Chief Financial Officer, and Claire Yenicay, Executive Vice President, Investor Relations, will participate in upcoming investor conferences. BofA Securities Leveraged Finance Conference Bill Wilson, Stuart Rosenstein, and Claire Yenicay will present at BofA Securities’ Leveraged Finance Conference at The Boca Raton Hotel in Boca Raton, FL. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Eastern Time. Management will also be available for one-on-one and group meetings with investors. The presentation will be webcast live on the investor relations section of Townsquare’s website at www.townsquaremedia.com/equity-investors/events . Noble Investment Conference Stuart Rosenstein and Claire Yenicay will present at NobleCon20 - Noble Capital Markets’ Twentieth Annual Emerging Growth Equity Conference at Florida Atlantic University, Executive Education Complex, in Boca Raton, FL., on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 10:30 AM Eastern Time. Management will also be available for one-on-one and group meetings with investors. A high-definition video webcast of the presentation will be available the following day on the Company's website www.townsquaremedia.com/equity-investors/events , and as part of a complete catalog of presentations available at Noble Capital Markets’ Conference website: www.nobleconference.com and on Channelchek, www.channelchek.com , the investor portal created by Noble. The webcast will be archived on the Company's website, the NobleCon website, and on Channelchek.com for 90 days following the event. About Townsquare Media, Inc. Townsquare is a community-focused digital media and digital marketing solutions company with market leading local radio stations, principally focused outside the top 50 markets in the U.S. Our assets include a subscription digital marketing services business, Townsquare Interactive, providing website design, creation and hosting, search engine optimization, social media and online reputation management as well as other digital monthly services for SMBs; a robust digital advertising division, Townsquare Ignite , a powerful combination of a) an owned and operated portfolio of more than 400 local news and entertainment websites and mobile apps along with a network of leading national music and entertainment brands, collecting valuable first party data and b) a proprietary digital programmatic advertising technology stack with an in-house demand and data management platform; and a portfolio of 349 local terrestrial radio stations in 74 U.S. markets strategically situated outside the Top 50 markets in the United States. Our portfolio includes local media brands such as WYRK.com , WJON.com and NJ101.5.com , and premier national music brands such as XXLmag.com , TasteofCountry.com, UltimateClassicRock.com , and Loudwire.com . For more information, please visit www.townsquaremedia.com , www.townsquareinteractive.com , and www.townsquareignite.com . Investor Relations Claire Yenicay (203) 900-5555 investors@townsquaremedia.com
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CLINTON, S.C. (AP) — Will Sydnor, Devin Dinkins and Jaden Winston scored 18 points apiece to help Manhattan defeat Presbyterian 86-81 in overtime on Saturday. Sydnor added eight rebounds and three blocks for the Jaspers (6-5). Winston added six rebounds. Dinkins shot 4 of 8 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 8 for 8 from the line for his 18 points. Carl Parrish finished with 23 points and nine rebounds for the Blue Hose (7-7). Kory Mincy added 18 points, seven assists and two steals for Presbyterian. Jamahri Harvey also put up 13 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .After the hawkish stance of the US Federal Reserve last week, investors on Wall Street in the holiday-shortened week ahead will face a largely uneventful economic calendar. On Wednesday, markets will remain shut due to Christmas holiday, while Tuesday will see a truncated trading session. As the year 2024 is nearing its end, investors will be hoping for Santa Claus rally. This phenomenon occurs when stocks rise on the last five trading sessions of December and the first two trading sessions of January. The US Federal Reserve reduced its interest rates by 25 basis points, but its forward guidance for 2025 softened. The threat of higher inflation was one of the reasons Fed Chair Jerome Powell gave last week when the central bank hinted it may deliver fewer rate cuts in 2025 than it earlier expected. Economic calendar On December 23 (Monday), a report on consumer confidence for December will be released. On December 24 (Tuesday), separate reports on durable goods orders for November and new home sales November will be released. On December 26 (Thursday), data on initial jobless claims for week ended December 21 will be released. On December 27 (Friday), separate reports on advanced US trade balance in goods for November and advanced retail inventories for November will be released. Markets last week US stock indices surged on Friday on better than expected inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 498.82 points, or 1.18 per cent, to 42,841.06, the S&P 500 gained 63.82 points, or 1.09 per cent, to 5,930.90 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 199.83 points, or 1.03 per cent, to 19,572.60. For the week, the S&P 500 fell 1.99 per cent, the Nasdaq declined 1.78 per cent, and the Dow dropped 2.25 per cent. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.52 per cent from 4.57 per cent. Crude oil posted a weekly loss as investors weighed the Fed’s slower approach to cutting rates and President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on EU countries unless they buy more US oil and gas. Brent futures settled little changed near $73 a barrel to cement a 2.1 per cent drop for the week. West Texas Intermediate held steady above $69 a barrel, with the February contract down 1.9 per cent.
