Next Social Security payment to reach only some retirees on Tuesday, December 3
Please enable JavaScript to read this content. Former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka and other opposition leaders at the SKM Command Centre in Nairobi on Nov 30, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Former Limuru lawmaker Peter Mwathi has now says he lied that he “loved” President William Ruto’s government to escape death in the hands of his alleged abductors. Mwathi says he spent several horrific hours with the abductors who are yet to be arrested. Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi yesterday, Mwathi said the abductors’ questions revolved around his perception about Ruto’s administration. He said he was abducted on his way home after fleeing for his life following chaos that erupted at a funeral he had attended in Limuru in the company of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. “My taxi car was intercepted by two unmarked vehicles on my way to Flyover. One of the vehicles of a Subaru make askewed my taxi from the front and another blocked us from behind,” Mwathi said. “Two guys came out and pulled me from the taxi and bundled me into the car in front. I was then sandwiched between two hooded and masked men who had short guns. The guy in front had a walkie-talkie.” Upon reaching Flyover, Mwathi said he was driven to a thicket in Thika where he was further questioned on what he posts on social media. “I post normally as other Kenyans and general issues they discuss,” the former MP says he responded to abductors, insisting that he has never made any controversial post on his social media accounts that undermines the State. “When they asked: You like the government? I said yes. I lied to save my life . I tried to convince them that I hold nothing against the government,” he said. From there, Mwathi said, the vehicle took off towards Narok and once again stopped at a thicket where he was told “hapa ndiyo mwisho,” (this is the end). Here, he narrated that his heart palpitated to levels he had never experienced “I did not know whether we got to the end of the road or the end of my life. I tried to plead with them to spare my life but I was shut down. They said they were at work and that I had no freedom to speak,” he said, adding he knew his life was over after the abductors took the Ngong Forest route. All this while, Mwathi says, the abductors used coded language to communicate with the last word he heard being “yes sir, copied.” The former MP said he was dropped on the Southern Bypass at the wee hours of the night where he luckily got a bodaboda to Kilimani and picked a taxi to his home. The police, however , denied responsibility for the abduction saying, “we wish to clarify that the National Police Service did not arrest Hon Peter Mwathi, and he is not a person of interest to the police.” Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter According to Mwathi, his role in championing for a political coalition between Gachagua and other opposition parties was the reason behind his abduction. The former lawmaker said the goons attacked the VIP tent immediately he mentioned that he was spearheading talks that would see an emergence of a “formidable” force to face President William Ruto in 2027 polls. He hinted that the talks would involve Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who was present at the press briefing yesterday, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. Mwathi says he was abducted together with Bibirioni ward MCA Christopher Ireri on Thursday after chaos broke out, forcing mourners to scamper for safety.
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s second term could bring big changes to Main Street, but small business advocacy groups have mixed views about his agenda. It comes as the National Federation of Independent Business’ measure of uncertainty is at its highest level on record, according to a newly released survey taken before the election. In addition to the shifting political environment, many business owners are grappling with inflation and workforce shortages. “With the election over, small business owners will begin to feel less uncertain about future business conditions,” said NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Although optimism is on the rise on Main Street, small business owners are still facing unprecedented economic adversity.” It comes as some small business owners are bracing for the impact of increased tariffs. On Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that one of his first executive orders will impose a 25% tax on all products coming into the United States from Mexico and Canada. “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem,” Trump furthered. Ris Lacoste, a restaurant owner in Washington, D.C., is concerned prices for some ingredients could go up. “We do get some produce from the warmer climates, and that includes Mexico, so I think that's going to affect us, especially over the winter,” Lacoste said. “I think it's going to be difficult. I’m hoping not. I'm hoping that a lot of these things don't happen.” She's not the only one with concerns. "Small business owners are already hunkering down to weather the painful impact of a potential trade war. They're stocking up on inventory. They're even thinking of moving operations offshore to manufacture for the export market, if they're able to do that," said John Arensmeyer, the founder and CEO of Small Business Majority. NFIB’s vice president of federal government relations, Jeff Brabant, said they're not taking a formal stance on Trump’s tariffs proposal at this point, but, generally, their members are optimistic about his re-election. "They're hopeful there will be less burdensome regulations, and they're hopeful that they're not going to see a massive tax increase at the end of next year,” Brabant said. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed during Trump’s first term, allowed eligible small business owners to deduct up to 20 percent of their business income. Supporters say the provision, also called the pass-through deduction, leveled the playing field with big corporations. “It was a resounding success, but unfortunately, a lot of those provisions are about to expire,” Brabant said. Brabant believes Congress, which will soon be controlled by Republicans, is well-positioned to extend the policy or make it permanent. However, critics of the pass-through deduction argue it disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Americans and excludes some small businesses. They are calling for a different approach to help Main Street. “We've proposed a $25,000 standard deduction to small business income that would be from the bottom up so that those smaller businesses would be actually getting a bigger percentage benefit than those larger businesses,” Arensmeyer said. As lawmakers prepare to revisit that tax debate next year, it’s still unclear who will lead the Small Business Administration during Trump’s second term. As of Saturday morning, Trump had not announced his pick to lead the agency, but it’s likely to be a new face. Trump has already tapped his former SBA administrator, Linda McMahon, to lead the Department of Education. Molly Day, vice president of public affairs for the National Small Business Association, said the choice will be a chance for Trump to signal his priorities for the agency. “The pick for SBA administrator should support a fully staffed SBA Office of Advocacy which has been absent a chief counsel for years. This small office plays a major role in protecting small businesses when it comes to regulations, and they need someone with robust legal and small business experience. The next SBA administrator should also be committed to maintaining SBA’s strong lending programs as well as increasing the federal government’s federal contracting goal from 23 percent to 30 percent,” Day wrote in a statement.If there is anything the parties involved in the public records request against the Douglas County School District and four school board trustees agree on, it’s that the matter should have been resolved long ago. What’s not agreed is whether the work warrants $150,000 in legal fees, which four trustees disagree they should have to pay. In October, Douglas County District Court Judge Thomas Gregory issued a 41-page ruling after hearing testimony on Sept. 17-18 from the trustees and other witnesses. The ruling found that the four trustees and the school district are liable for court costs. Following the order, the petitioners had to submit their costs. Then both parties had seven days to argue for the fees before the judge renders his final decision. In a response to the costs filed on Nov. 12, the trustees Susan Jansen, David Burns, Katherine Dickerson and Doug Englekirk claim that it would be unreasonable for them to be liable for any attorney fees and costs because third parties rejected the settlement back in April and any fees thereafter are “punishing” the trustees. “The reason Petitioners seek an amendment of the order is because they belatedly realize that their request for nearly $150,000 in legal fees, $86,000 of which was incurred after the parties reached a settlement, is entirely unreasonable without a substantive basis,” according to the respondents. A settlement was reached March 27, which ordered that a search be performed for the school district by then Douglas County School District IT Director Michael Roth and that the trustees perform another thorough search from a mutual agreed third party. It was also ordered that the trustees receive training on Nevada’s Open Record laws and the district be responsible for financial obligations. The school board is expected to receive a presentation on Nevada Public Record Requests from a member of the Nevada Attorney General’s Office during the school board meeting on Tuesday. The settlement was brought before the April 9 school board meeting where the four accused trustees abstained from comment and voting due to perceived conflict of interest. The remaining three trustees Yvonne Wagstaff, Carey Kangas, and Linda Gilkerson voted to deny the settlement and have attorneys negotiate more favorable terms for the district, with the underlying term being whether the school district and taxpayers should be responsible for the majority’s legal bills. “At the time of the settlement, the Douglas County School District agreed to pay all of the petitioners’ fees up to that date and the Trustees agreed to turn over all their electronic devices to a third party discovery vendor to search,” according to the respondents. “The nonparty trustees rejected the settlement for their own political motivations, and to personally punish the individual Trustees.” The petitioners said their whole goal was to obtain the public records to which they were entitled, and had the trustees satisfied that legal obligation forthright, there would not have been any further litigation and fees. The litigation was brought forward after the trustees failed to produce documents respondent to a May 2023 and July 2023 NRS 239 public records requests. “The Petitioners should not be burdened with fees and costs that arose due to the respondent trustees’ false claims, dishonest tactics, and outright refusal to comply with the law.” Gregory has yet to issued a decision in response to the parties’ arguments.
Sabrina Carpenter's ex Barry Keoghan deactivates Instagram, asks for 'respect' amid cheating rumors
Gus Malzahn will no longer be the head football coach at UCF. Malzahn resigned from the Knights and has accepted an offensive coordinator job under FSU’s Mike Norvell in Tallahassee, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel . “Sources: UCF head coach Gus Malzahn is resigning to become the new offensive coordinator at Florida State, sources told ESPN. His UCF tenure will end after four years at 28-24. Malzahn will be FSU’s primary play caller, a role held by Mike Norvell. So this marks a distinct shift for Norvell, who has shaken up his staff in the wake of a 2-9 season that concludes tonight against Florida. The move comes in the wake of two uneven seasons for Malzahn at UCF, as they went 6-7 last year and struggled this season in going 4-8,” Thamel tweeted. Malzahn’s resignation comes a day after UCF lost to Utah in Week 14 to move to 4-8 in 2024. While Malzahn wasn’t likely to be fired just yet, the 59-year-old may just be traumatized after being let go, perhaps prematurely, by Auburn. The Orlando Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi relayed that Malzahn was likely going to be on the hot seat throughout the 2024 season but still expected him to return . “Unless there is a sudden change of heart from Malzahn himself or UCF’s administration, I’m assuming the coach will get one more season to fix a broken program that is moving in the wrong direction,” Bianchi wrote. “UCF lost eight of its last nine games this season and has a 5-13 conference record in two seasons since joining the Big 12, The Gus Bus is obviously stuck in reverse, and the question is can Malzahn get it into gear and move it forward in 2025? “Athletic Director Terry Mohajir has publicly supported him, but such endorsements often come with a quick expiration date. If UCF doesn’t show significant improvement next year, Mohajir will have no choice but to make a change. The financial stakes – in the form of booster donations, NIL contributions and ticket sales – are too high to keep losing.” Things change quickly in college football. Malzahn knows that, and he found himself a lower-pressure job with a more decorated program.
Mr Biden told African leaders the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long”. “But not anymore,” Mr Biden added. “Africa is the future.” Mr Biden used the third and final day of a visit to Angola – his long-awaited, first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president – to travel to the coastal city of Lobito and tour an Atlantic port terminal that’s part of the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment. Mr Biden described it as the largest US investment in a train project outside America. The US and allies are investing heavily in the project that will refurbish nearly 1,200 miles of train lines connecting to the mineral-rich areas of Congo and Zambia in central Africa. The corridor, which likely will take years to complete, gives the US better access to cobalt, copper and other critical minerals in Congo and Zambia that are used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies that Mr Biden said would power the future. China is dominant in mining in Congo and Zambia. The US investment has strategic implications for US-China economic competition, which went up a notch this week as they traded blows over access to key materials and technologies. The African leaders who met with Mr Biden on Wednesday said the railway corridor offered their countries a much faster route for minerals and goods – and a convenient outlet to Western markets. “This is a project that is full of hope for our countries and our region,” said Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, whose country has more than 70% of the word’s cobalt. “This is not just a logistical project. It is a driving force for economic and social transformation for millions of our people.” The leaders said the corridor should spur private-sector investment and improve a myriad of related areas like roads, communication networks, agriculture and clean energy technologies. For the African countries, it could create a wave of new jobs for a burgeoning young population. Cargo that once took 45 days to get to the US – usually involving trucks via South Africa – would now take around 45 hours, Mr Biden said. He predicted the project could transform the region from a food importer to exporter. It’s “something that if done right will outlast all of us and keep delivering for our people for generations to come,” he said. The announcement of an additional $600 million took the U.S.’s investment in the Lobito Corridor to 4.0 billion dollars (£3.15 billion).The Manitoba Legislative Building was turned into a winter wonderland on Saturday, as the annual Holiday Open House kicked off the festive season. Premier Wab Kinew invited the public to celebrate the holidays. “We have so much to be thankful for, celebrating Hannukah and Christmas and Quanza and the Solstice, and my birthday, that we’re just so so overjoyed that you could be here to celebrate with us,” said Premier Kinew. “I just want to say, welcome to your building. This building belongs to you the people of Manitoba, so we are so happy to be able to open it up to you to come celebrate the best time of year.” The Legislature halls were decked with boughs of holly, the carolers, holiday treats, and even the big man himself (Santa) made an appearance. It’s the second year in a row the Holiday Open House was held, after being suspended in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic, and again in 2022 due to safety concerns. And now it’s clear, the return of the event is a welcome sight to the public. “I think its very self-educating, and we enjoyed ourselves. Hopefully, everyone else is doing the same” said one Winnipegger CityNews spoke to. Another saying, “I’m a huge fan of the legislature building. I love bringing my kids and getting them interested in politics as best I can, so It’s a great day here.” Before the premier wrapped up his speech, he left Manitobans with a heartfelt message, this holiday season. “Let’s remember that the thing that unites us as Manitobans this time of year, and every single day of the year, is generosity. So let’s be kind, let’s be happy, and let’s be generous. Sound good?”
LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by UNESCO on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts after the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was officially named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. Japanese sake, a nominee for UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, are displayed on Japan's delegation table, during a UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. Japanese breweries also expressed hope the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts as the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition. A tasting party is all about sampling different wines and evaluating and hopefully enjoying them—and there are a variety of ways to do that. Would you like to host a playful gathering where each guest brings a mystery bottle of wine within a certain price range—a BYOB affair? Or would it be better to have more control over which wines are featured by curating and supplying all the wines as a host? This decision sets the tone—a tasting where guests contribute wine can be a bit of a free-for-all, whereas one where you select wines you supply allows guests to sit back and simply enjoy. And you don't have to break the bank to buy excellent wines—there are lots of wine experts ready to share their affordable picks. How much folks know about wine differs—and that's a good thing. Tastings are group learning experiences. Expertise isn't necessary to host or attend a tasting, but it is helpful to think about what will keep guests comfortable and having fun. Decide whether the vibe will be relaxed and laid-back, like friends sipping wine fireside, or more upbeat and formal. Think about elements like the atmosphere and the location, and consider whether folks will be seated or standing. Will you have a spirited playlist (couldn't resist) or live music? Do you want an expert to introduce each wine, or will you be that expert? Consider how guests will share their thoughts on what they are tasting. Do you want to just talk about them or do something more organized, like take notes or give ratings? Then supply notebooks or notecards and pencils, with categories or questions established ahead of time—all of which can reflect your evening's tone as well. How many people to invite is a question largely informed by the answers to tip #1: Are you having a big, formal affair or an intimate catch-up with close friends? Or something in between? Whatever the case, an RSVP is essential because not only do you need to plan the setup of the space, but you must also make sure there's enough wine for everyone to taste, including each of the wines featured. There's nothing worse than a tasting that runs dry! The math to determine how much wine you need considers the size of the tasting pours—a full glass of wine at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces, which yields around five glasses of wine from a standard bottle. For tastings, you'll want to do less, depending on how many wines you are featuring—say, 2 ounces if you'll be trying a lot of different wines. Experts agree, having more wine than you need is always a good idea—that way you can send guests home with a bottle should there be a prize at the end of the night. Picking a theme is essential to curating the selection of wines—it's the organizing principle behind your selections. Otherwise, your tasting might as well be just walking down the wine aisle at the grocery store and taking sips from random bottles. There's too much wine out there not to be strategic about this. Plus, a theme helps you to tell the story of each wine better—it's the plot line of the night, if you will. Common themes are types of wine, regions they are from, or even price points—really, one can get as creative as they wish. For inspiration, check out local wine shops and see what they do for tastings. Often, they will follow seasonality and group wines in novel ways for their own in-house tastings. Don't let food be an afterthought for the festivities—after all, food can enhance particular qualities of wine and vice versa. There are many rules around what foods to pair with which wines, but consider this simple advice from Alder Yarrow's Vinography : "Stick with eating good food and drinking good wine." Since the focus is on the wines, allow the drinks to determine what food makes sense, but don't overthink it. Food is a supporting character here—at the very least, guests will need something to soak up all the alcohol (unless you are spitting it out). Eating foods that contain a mixture of protein, fats, and carbs when drinking helps increase the rate of alcohol elimination . Whether it's a full meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful noshes are necessary. The crisp autumn air ushers in more than just pumpkin spice latte season. Consider cozying up inside with friends for a wine tasting and sharing delicious food and drinks with more complex flavors than cinnamon and sugar. Perhaps once thought of as stuffy affairs only for wine connoisseurs, today a tasting can be as casual as pouring a few bottles while doing another activity—say, bar games like darts or art activities like painting. The tasting can also be more traditional, especially if held at a winery or local wine shop, which is a great way to learn about what wines you might like to later serve at home. To host the ultimate wine tasting, it pays to do some R&D. One of the best aspects of hosting a wine tasting at home is that you get to establish the mood, tone, and guest list for the gathering—you can't pick a playlist when you sample wines at a bar or wine shop or make the dress code loungewear. So whether the mood is serious or playful, sophisticated or laid-back, the key to a successful tasting is enjoying and appreciating the wine and having fun with friends and family. Of course, there are a few other things to figure out along the way. Peerspace put together a few tips for hosting your wine-tasting party. The bottom line is, however you do it, hosting the ultimate wine tasting should be fun. Wine can feel intimidating to many people, but most wine experts are passionate, inspired folks who want to share what they know and help you find wines you like. So visit your local wine store or winemaker and ask questions. There are good guides specifically concerning how to taste wine. Dig a little, taste a lot, and have fun. It's all research for your next ultimate wine tasting. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Peerspace and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!5 Stocks and Shares ISA mistakes to avoid
Daniel Penny doesn’t testify as his defense rests in subway chokehold trialVoting "FOR” ONLY the Board's Four Nominees on the WHITE proxy Card Will Help Ensure that Shareholders Realize the Significant Value Expected from UDF IV's Transaction with Ready Capital Troubling Pattern of Value Destruction at NexPoint-Managed Funds Should Raise Concerns for Shareholders Visit UDFForshareholders.com for Voting Instructions and Other Information IRVING, Texas, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Development Funding IV ("UDF IV” or the "Trust”) today reminds all shareholders to vote on the WHITE proxy card "FOR” the Board's four highly qualified nominees - Steven J. Finkle, Lawrence S. Jones, J. Heath Malone and Phillip K. Marshall - in advance of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting”), which will be held on December 10, 2024. Shareholders are encouraged to visit UDFForShareholders.com for more information and voting instructions. As shareholders consider their vote, UDF IV reminds them that: If NexPoint gains control of the Board and the Trust, NexPoint will be in a position to deprive shareholders of the value and liquidity you will receive from the Ready Capital transaction the current Board has negotiated and approved. Do not be misled - supporting NexPoint's dissident trustees will enable NexPoint to continue to implement what we expect will be a self-serving, value destructive agenda. Remember that only your latest dated proxy counts and that a vote on the green proxy card to "WITHHOLD” on the NexPoint nominees could revoke your votes "FOR” the UDF IV nominees on the WHITE proxy card. Please simply discard any green proxy card sent to you by NexPoint and vote every UDF IV WHITE proxy card you receive as you may hold your shares in multiple accounts. Shareholders have the opportunity to allow UDF IV to continue its work to protect and enhance shareholder value by reelecting the four independent Trustees - Steven J. Finkle, Lawrence S. Jones, J. Heath Malone and Phillip K. Marshall - who oversee our efforts to protect the value of your investment. We urge you to vote "FOR” ONLY the four nominees proposed by the Board of Trustees on the WHITE proxy card included in the enclosed UDF IV proxy materials. UDF IV shareholders with questions or who require assistance with respect to voting their shares are encouraged to contact UDF IV's proxy solicitor: INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED Shareholders may call: 1 (877) 750-9496 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada) +1 (412) 232-3651 (from other countries) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION WITH READY CAPITAL The Ready Capital transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to the approval of UDF IV shareholders and other customary closing conditions. UDF IV expects to call a special meeting of its shareholders to approve the proposed transaction and to distribute a proxy statement and other documents to its shareholders in connection with the special meeting. Ready Capital expects to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, containing a prospectus and the UDF IV proxy statement, and other documents with respect to the proposed transaction. The Ready Capital prospectus and the UDF IV proxy statement will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. WE URGE YOU TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS AND THE UDF IV PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO EACH OF THEM) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY READY CAPITAL WITH THE SEC AND MADE AVAILABLE BY UDF IV CAREFULLY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT READY CAPITAL, UDF IV AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. You may obtain free copies of the registration statement, the prospectus and other relevant documents filed by Ready Capital with the SEC (if and when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Ready Capital with the SEC are also available free of charge on Ready Capital's website at www.readycapital.com. UDF IV shareholders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other relevant documents made available by UDF IV free of charge on www.udfonline.com. About United Development Funding IV United Development Funding IV is a Maryland real estate investment trust. UDF IV was formed primarily to generate current interest income by investing in secured loans and producing profits from investments in residential real estate. Additional information about UDF IV can be found on its website at www.udfiv.com. UDF IV may disseminate important information regarding its operations, including financial information, through social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the timing of the closing of the Ready Capital transaction, the estimated amount of the special dividend to be paid to UDF IV's shareholders, the estimated contingent consideration expected to be paid and the potential future of UDF IV under NexPoint's control. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or future events. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by our use of forward-looking terminology such as "may,” "will,” "expect,” "intend,” "anticipate,” "estimate,” "believe,” or other similar words. Readers should be aware that there are various factors, many of which are beyond UDF IV's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this release including, among others, the results of the trustee elections at the Annual Meeting, the risk that the Ready Capital transaction will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the transaction agreement; the inability to obtain UDF IV shareholder approval of the transaction or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the transaction; risks that will affect the amount of the special dividend to UDF IV shareholders, including, among others, developments in litigation involving UDF IV; risks that will affect the amount of contingent consideration, if any, including, among others, the performance of specified UDF IV loans and developments in litigation involving UDF IV; risks related to disruption of management attention from the ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on the operating results and businesses generally of Ready Capital and UDF IV; the outcome of any legal proceedings relating to the transaction; and the ability to retain key personnel. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this letter. UDF IV undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Contact: Investor Relations 1-800-859-9338 [email protected] Media Contact: Mahmoud Siddig / Lucas Pers / Dylan O'Keefe Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212) 895-8668
Iran determined to actively contribute to anti-corruption efforts: OfficialDemand for imported used cars rises in Oman
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. is back on the menu for Thanksgiving weekend 2024. The take on the in what will serve as a de facto SEC championship semifinal game. It's the first matchup between Texas-Texas A&M since 2011, with the winner moving on to play Georgia in the SEC Championship Game next weekend. Texas is coming off a 31-14 win over Kentucky last week, while Texas A&M is coming off a 43-41 loss to Auburn in four overtimes last week. Texas leads the all-time series 76-37-5, including a 27-25 win over Texas A&M in 2011. The teams square off at 6:30 p.m. CT from Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Follow along here for score updates, highlights and more from the return of the infamous Texas-Texas A&M football matchup: ― ― ― ― ― ― ― ― ― ― Famous Texas alum and actor Matthew McConaughey has arrived at Kyle Field for the matchup between Texas and Texas A&M. McConaughey is the "Minister of Culture" at UT. Here in College Station for the Texas A&M ' long-awaited rivalry showdown with the Texas . An hour remains until kickoff over here, and Texas' esteemed guest has officially arrived. Here's Matthew McConaughey taking Kyle Field. "Hey hey," he said before posing. — Matt Guzman (@mattgzman) Texas A&M specialists have taken the field against Texas: Texas A&M specialists coming onto the field: — Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) On ESPN’s “College GameDay” this morning, three out of the five analysts pick Texas A&M to prevail at home over rival Texas. It would mark the Aggies’ first win over the since 2010. Texas A&M Texas Texas A&M Texas A&M Texas Abstained (calling game for ABC) Saturday, Nov. 30 6:30 p.m. CT College Station, Texas ABC | | ESPN app Texas vs. Texas A&M will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game from the booth at Kyle Field, with Holly Rowe reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include , which offers a free trial to new subscribers, the ESPN app and ESPN+. 76-37-5 2011 (27-25 in College Station) 2010 (24-17 in Austin) " " , : Texas 31, Texas A&M 24 " : Texas A&M 24, Texas 21 " " Game lines and odds from as of Saturday: Texas (-4.5) : 48.5 Texas (-200); Texas A&M (+165) Injury updates from mandatory : QB Quinn Ewers ― probable RB CJ Baxter ― Out RB Christian Clark ― Out RB Velton Gardner ― Out DB Dexter Williams ― Out WR Cyrus Allen ― Out DB Tyreek Chappel ― Out RB Le'Veon Moss ― Out OL Mark Nabou Jr. ― Out RB Rueben Owens ― Questionable DB Jaydon Hill ― Questionable QB Jaylen Henderson ― Questionable DB Will Lee II ― Questionable OL Chase Bisonti ― Probable vs. Colorado State (W, 52-0) at No. 10 Michigan (W, 31-12) vs. UTSA (W, 56-7) vs. UL Monroe (W, 51-3) vs. Mississippi State* (W, 35-13) BYE vs. No. 18 Oklahoma* (W, 34-3) vs. No. 5 Georgia* (L, 30-15) at No. 25 Vanderbilt* (W, 27-24) BYE vs. Florida* (W, 49-17) at Arkansas* (W, 20-10) vs. Kentucky* (W, 31-14) at No. 19 Texas A&M* | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN ( ) 10-1, 6-1 SEC vs. No. 7 Notre Dame (L, 23-13) vs. McNeese (W, 52-10) vs. Florida* (W, 33-20) vs. Bowling Green (W, 26-20) vs. Arkansas* (W, 21-17) vs. No. 9 Missouri* (W, 41-10) BYE at Mississippi State* (W, 34-24) at No. 8 LSU* (W, 38-23) at South Carolina* (L, 44-20) BYE vs. New Mexico State (W, 38-3) at Auburn* (L, 43-41, 4 OT) vs. No. 3 Texas* | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN ( ) 8-3, 5-2 SEC
