— Enhanced liquidity through issuance of Second Lien Notes — Obtained amendment to credit agreement and extended note payable — Fourth quarter fiscal 2024 revenue down 7.3% to $130.4 million — Full year fiscal 2024 revenue down 14.3% to $490.7 million — Conference call begins today at 4:30 pm ET WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inotiv, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOTV) (the “Company”), a leading contract research organization specializing in nonclinical and analytical drug discovery and development services and research models and related products and services, today announced financial results for the three months (“Q4 FY 2024”) and twelve months ("FY 2024") ended September 30, 2024. Revenue by Segment (in millions of USD) Management Commentary Robert Leasure Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The fourth quarter was productive for Inotiv, including completing previously announced site optimization plans, some recovery of NHP sales with existing and new customers, raising capital and amending our credit agreement. Going forward, we are planning further integration and cost reduction initiatives, we will continue to focus on improving the customer experience, and we will continue to evaluate opportunities to improve our balance sheet. We look forward to seeing results from initiatives we have implemented during the last two years. Moreover, addressing the challenges we have faced over the past two years has made many aspects of our business stronger. "Overall, with the exception of the volatility we saw in the NHP business in 2024, we have seen financial improvements in some other aspects of our business. In addition to improving our financial performance, our goals for 2025 include reducing volatility in our NHP business and a continued focus on the customer, compliance and animal welfare. We will continue our customer-driven strategy that has a strong scientific foundation and fuels innovation as One Inotiv. We’ve grown stronger, adding key partners and building new services and products that have expanded our scientific expertise, services, and offerings. By integrating these efforts over the last two years, we’re streamlining our systems and processes to create a more unified customer driven approach across our global footprint." Highlights Q4 FY 2024 Highlights Revenue was $130.4 million in Q4 FY 2024, a decrease of $10.3 million or 7.3%, compared to $140.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 (“Q4 FY 2023”), primarily driven by a $5.6 million, or 11.2%, decrease in Discovery and Safety Assessment ("DSA") revenue and a decrease of $4.7 million, or 5.2%, in Research Models and Services (“RMS”) revenue. Revenue of $130.4 million in Q4 FY 2024 was an increase of $24.6 million, or 23.3%, compared to revenue of $105.8 million in the sequential prior quarter of Q3 FY 2024 2 . Consolidated net loss for Q4 FY 2024 was $18.9 million, or 14.5% of total revenue, compared to consolidated net loss of $8.7 million, or 6.2% of total revenue, in Q4 FY 2023. Consolidated net loss for Q4 FY 2024 was $18.9 million, or 14.5% of total revenue, compared to consolidated net loss of $26.1 million, or 24.7% of total revenue, in the sequential prior quarter of Q3 FY 2024. Adjusted EBITDA 1 in Q4 FY 2024 was $5.4 million, or 4.1% of total revenue, compared to $23.7 million, or 16.8% of total revenue, in Q4 FY 2023. Book-to-bill ratio for Q4 FY 2024 was 0.78x for the DSA services business. DSA backlog was $129.9 million at September 30, 2024, down from $132.1 million at September 30, 2023. FY 2024 Highlights Revenue was $490.7 million during FY 2024, a decrease of $81.7 million, or 14.3%, compared to $572.4 million during the twelve months ended September 30, 2023 ("FY 2023"), primarily driven by a $76.7 million, or 19.8%, decrease in RMS revenue and a $5.0 million, or 2.7%, decrease in DSA revenue. Consolidated net loss for FY 2024 was $108.9 million, or 22.2% of total revenue, compared to consolidated net loss of $104.9 million, or 18.3% of total revenue, for FY 2023. Consolidated net loss for FY 2024 included a $28.5 million charge related to the Resolution Agreement (the “Resolution Agreement”) the Company and its related entities entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia (“USAO-WDV”) and the Plea Agreement (the “Plea Agreement”) Envigo RMS, LLC and Envigo Global Services, Inc. entered into with the DOJ and the USAO-WDV. Each of the Resolution Agreement and the Plea Agreement were entered into on June 3, 2024 in connection with the resolution of a previously-announced criminal investigation into the Company’s shuttered canine breeding facility located in Cumberland, Virginia. Consolidated net loss for FY 2023 included a $66.4 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to the RMS segment. Adjusted EBITDA 1 in FY 2024 was $18.2 million, or 3.7% of total revenue, compared to $65.8 million, or 11.5% of total revenue, in FY 2023. Book-to-bill ratio for FY 2024 was 0.99x for the DSA services business. 1 This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to “Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this release for further information. 2 "Q3 FY 2024" refers to the three months ended June 30, 2024. Operational and Capital Resources Highlights The consolidation of operating activities from the Company's Blackthorn, U.K. facility into its Hillcrest, U.K. site have been completed and the Company exited the leased facility by the end of September 2024. On September 13, 2024, the Company entered into a Seventh Amendment to the Company's Credit Agreement. The Seventh Amendment, among other changes, permitted the incurrence of the issuance by the Company of Second Lien Notes (as defined below) in an aggregate amount of approximately $22.6 million, made certain changes to the component definitions of the financial covenants, including the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, and increased the cash netting capability in the Secured Leverage Ratio covenant. The Seventh Amendment included the addition of a maximum capital expenditure limit and a minimum EBITDA test effective September 13, 2024, waived the existing financial covenants from the date of the Seventh Amendment until June 30, 2025, and established additional new financial covenants for the fiscal quarters starting June 30, 2025 and thereafter. On September 13, 2024, certain investors acquired $22.0 million principal amount of the 15.00% Senior Secured Second Lien PIK Notes due 2027 (the "Second Lien Notes") and warrants to purchase 3,946,250 of the Company’s common shares for consideration comprised of (i) $17.0 million in cash and (ii) the cancellation of approximately $8.3 million of the Company’s 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027. In connection with this transaction, the Company also issued to the structuring agent approximately $0.6 million principal amount of the Second Lien Notes and warrants to purchase 200,000 of the Company's common shares as compensation for its services as structuring agent. Announcement In fiscal 2025, the Company intends to initiate the next phase of our site optimization program to further improve and consolidate additional RMS facilities in the U.S. This next phase is another important program, which the Company projects will eliminate approximately $4.0 million to $5.0 million in operating expenses and further improve RMS margins when completed. Most of these financial benefits are not expected until fiscal 2026. The Company expects to incur additional immaterial capital expenditures, which are included in our capital plan, and immaterial expenses in connection with the next phase of our site optimization program. The Company also believes it can achieve another $0.5 million to $1.0 million in cost reductions from the continued integration of its North American transportation and distribution system. Subsequent Event On October 24, 2024, the Company and Orient BioResource Center entered into a Third Amendment to extend the maturity date of the Seller Payable to January 27, 2026. Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Financial Results (Three Months Ended September 30, 2024) Revenue decreased 7.3% to $130.4 million in Q4 FY 2024 as compared to $140.7 million in Q4 FY 2023. The lower total revenue in the fourth quarter was driven by a $5.6 million decrease in DSA revenue and a $4.7 million decrease in RMS revenue. DSA revenues decreased primarily due to a decrease in safety assessment services of $3.4 million, which was primarily due to decreased revenue from general toxicology services as a result of a change in the mix of studies conducted, and a decrease in discovery service revenue of $2.0 million as a result of the decline in overall biotech activity in the market. The decrease in RMS revenue was due to the lower non-human primate ("NHP") related product and service revenue of $1.6 million mainly as a result of lower pricing for NHPs. Additionally, in Q4 FY 2024, there was a decrease of $1.7 million in RMS revenue as a result of the sale of our Israeli businesses in Q4 FY 2023. The remaining decrease in RMS revenue in Q4 FY 2024 was primarily due to a decline in small animal model sales. Operating loss was $13.2 million in Q4 FY 2024 as compared to operating income of $2.5 million in Q4 FY 2023. RMS operating income decreased by $10.7 million, or 91.1%, driven by the decrease in revenue discussed above and an increase in cost of revenue of $6.8 million. The increased RMS cost of revenue was primarily due to increased costs associated with NHP-related product and service revenue of $10.4 million, partially offset by decreases from the impact of the sale of our Israeli business of $1.2 million, as well as decreases in restructuring costs, transportation costs and costs related to sites closed in connection with our optimization plan. DSA operating income decreased by $4.8 million, or 71.5%, primarily due to the decrease in revenue noted above. Full Year Fiscal 2024 Financial Results (Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2024) Revenue decreased 14.3% to $490.7 million in FY 2024 as compared to $572.4 million in FY 2023. The lower total revenue in FY 2024 was primarily driven by a $76.7 million decrease in RMS revenue and a decrease in DSA revenue of $5.0 million. The decrease in RMS revenue was due primarily to the negative impact of lower NHP sales of $60.4 million. Additionally, there was a decrease of $10.6 million in RMS revenue as a result of the sale of our Israeli businesses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. The remaining decrease in RMS revenue in FY 2024 was due primarily to decreases in small animal model sales and RMS services in the U.S., partially offset by an increase in diet, bedding and enrichment product sales and an increase in small animal model sales outside of the U.S. and RMS services outside of the U.S. The decrease in DSA revenue in FY 2024 was primarily driven by a $5.0 million decrease in discovery services revenue as a result of the decline in overall biotech activity in the market. Operating loss was $86.4 million in FY 2024 as compared to $81.5 million in FY 2023. The higher total operating loss in FY 2024 was due to an increase in RMS operating loss of $7.0 million and a decrease in DSA operating income of $6.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in unallocated corporate expenses of $8.6 million. The increase in RMS operating loss was primarily driven by the negative margin impact resulting from the decrease in RMS revenue noted above and included the $28.5 million charge incurred during FY 2024 related to the Resolution Agreement and Plea Agreement, partially offset by the $66.4 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to our RMS segment in FY 2023 that did not recur in FY 2024. DSA operating income decreased primarily due to the decreased revenue noted above. Unallocated corporate expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in professional fees, acquisition and integration costs, stock compensation expense and compensation and benefits expense, partially offset by an increase in information technology expenses. Cash and cash equivalents of $21.4 million at September 30, 2024, compares to $35.5 million at September 30, 2023. Cash used by operating activities was $6.8 million for FY 2024, which included payments of $6.5 million related to the Resolution Agreement and the Plea Agreement, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $27.9 million for FY 2023. For FY 2024, capital expenditures totaled $22.3 million compared to $27.5 million for FY 2023. Total debt, net of debt issuance costs, as of September 30, 2024, was $393.3 million. As of September 30, 2024, there were no borrowings on the Company’s $15.0 million revolving credit facility. Webcast and Conference Call Management will host a conference call on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 4:30 pm ET to discuss fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2024 results. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing: (800) 267-6316 (Domestic) (203) 518-9783 (International) "Inotiv" (Conference ID) The live conference call webcast will be accessible in the Investors section of the Company’s web site and directly via the following link: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1697836&tp_key=5c08e65813 For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an online replay will be available in the Investors section of Inotiv’s web site at: https://ir.inotiv.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx . Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release contains financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), including Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and selected business segment information for those periods. Adjusted EBITDA as reported herein refers to a financial measure that excludes from consolidated net loss, statements of operations line items interest expense and income tax benefit/provision, as well as non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization of intangible assets, stock compensation expense, acquisition and integration costs, startup costs, restructuring costs, unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss, amortization of inventory step up, (gain) loss on disposition of assets, other unusual, third party costs, the charge in connection with the Resolution and Plea Agreements, gain on sale of subsidiary, gain on extinguishment of debt, and goodwill impairment loss. The adjusted business segment information excludes from operating loss and unallocated corporate operating expenses for these same expenses. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in this press release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors. Among other things, they may help investors evaluate the Company’s ongoing operations. They can assist in making meaningful period-over-period comparisons and in identifying operating trends that would otherwise be masked or distorted by the items subject to the adjustments. Management uses these non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate the performance of the business, including to allocate resources. Investors should consider these non-GAAP measures as supplemental and in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management has chosen to provide this supplemental information to investors, analysts, and other interested parties to enable them to perform additional analyses of our results and to illustrate our results giving effect to the non-GAAP adjustments. Management strongly encourages investors to review the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and cautions investors that the non-GAAP measures used by the Company may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. About the Company Inotiv, Inc. is a leading contract research organization dedicated to providing nonclinical and analytical drug discovery and development services and research models and related products and services. The Company’s products and services focus on bringing new drugs and medical devices through the discovery and preclinical phases of development, all while increasing efficiency, improving data, and reducing the cost of taking new drugs and medical devices to market. Inotiv is committed to supporting discovery and development objectives as well as helping researchers realize the full potential of their critical research and development projects, all while working together to build a healthier and safer world. Further information about Inotiv can be found here: https://www.inotiv.com/ . This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to ( i) our strategic plans; (ii) trends in the demand for our services and products; (iii) trends in the industries that consume our services and products; (iv) market and company-specific impacts of NHP supply and demand matters; (v) compliance with the Resolution Agreement and Plea Agreement and the expected impacts on the Company related to the compliance plan and compliance monitor, and the expected amounts, timing and expense treatment of cash payments and other investments thereunder; (vi) our ability to service our outstanding indebtedness and to comply or regain compliance with financial covenants, including those established by the Seventh Amendment to our Credit Agreement; (vii) our current and forecasted cash position; (viii) our ability to make capital expenditures, fund our operations and satisfy our obligations; (ix) our ability to manage recurring and unusual costs; (x) our ability to realize the expected benefits related to our restructuring and site optimization plans; (xi) our expectations regarding the volume of new bookings, pricing, operating income or losses and liquidity; (xii) our ability to effectively fill the recent expanded capacity or any future expansion or acquisition initiatives undertaken by us; (xiii) our ability to develop and build infrastructure and teams to manage growth and projects; (xiv) our ability to continue to retain and hire key talent; (xv) our ability to market our services and products under our corporate name and relevant brand names; (xvi) our ability to develop new services and products; (xvii) our ability to negotiate amendments to the Credit Agreement or obtain waivers related to the financial covenants defined within the Credit Agreement, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Further discussion of these risks, uncertainties, and other matters can be found in the Risk Factors detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on December 12, 2023, as well as other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission.mega most winning numbers 。

Professor Guo Tiancai's Response to Being Called "Guo Xiao Mai" Gains the Most Approval from FarmersReflecting on both 2004 and 2024, it's clear that the journey of technological advancement has been nothing short of remarkable. What began as a seed of innovation in the past has blossomed into a tree of progress in the present, with branches reaching into every aspect of our lives. As we move forward into the next era of technological development, it's essential to remember the lessons and the growth that have brought us to where we are today.

( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) NEW YORK, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized stockholder rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc. (“Evolv” or the“Company”) (NASDAQ: EVLV) in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Evolv securities between August 19, 2022 and October 30, 2024, both dates inclusive (the“Class Period”). Investors have until December 31, 2024 to apply to the Court to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. Click here to participate in the action. The Complaint alleges that on October 25, 2024, the Company announced that its financial statements issued between the second quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2024 should not be relied upon due to material misstatements impacting revenue recognition and other previously reported metrics that are a function of revenue. The Company revealed that“certain sales, including sales to one of its largest channel partners, were subject to extra-contractual terms and conditions” not shared with the Company's accounting personnel“and that certain Company personnel engaged in misconduct in connection with those transactions.” The Company also announced that it“expects to report one or more additional material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting,” was delaying filing its upcoming quarterly report for the third quarter of 2024, and that it has“self-reported these issues” to the Division of Enforcement of the SEC. On this news, the price of the Company stock declined roughly 40%, from $4.10 per share on October 24, 2024, to $2.47 per share on October 25, 2024. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Evolv shares and suffered a loss, are a long-term stockholder, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore by email at ... , telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form . There is no cost or obligation to you. About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, California, and South Carolina. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact Information: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Brandon Walker, Esq. Marion Passmore, Esq. (212) 355-4648 ... MENAFN26122024004107003653ID1109033713 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.LOS ANGELES, California — Nathan Hochman took office Tuesday as the new District Attorney of Los Angeles County, replacing George Soros-backed left-wing radical George Gascón. He was sworn in by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Hollywood action movie star and anti-Trump Republican who is also the last member of the GOP to have been elected to major statewide office, leaving under a cloud of personal scandal and fiscal mismanagement in 2010. Hochman, a Republican-turned-independent who endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race and backed the prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump, took the oath of office at the Los Angeles Hall of Justice. He delivered a speech in which he thanked his family and his campaign staff. Unlike Gascón, who used his inaugural speech to launch radical “criminal justice reforms,” Hochman promised to support line prosecutors and police. He said that he opposed “extreme policies” on “both ends of the political pendulum,” including defunding police on the left, and “mass incarceration” on the right. He said that he would focus on deterrence, rather than incarceration. He announced the reversal of previous “blanket extreme policies” that prevented prosecutors from seeking sentence enhancements or accompanying victims of crime to parole board hearings, vowing a focus on the facts and the law. Hochman also said that he would form task forces to deal with specific areas of crime, such as home break-ins, and that he would form partnerships with community groups to enhance public safety and trust in law enforcement. Hochman’s victory was one of several in California and nationwide in which Soros-backed prosecutors were defeated or replaced by “tough on crime” prosecutors. There were 21 such replacements since 2022, according to one report . Soros was said to have backed 75 prosecutors, many of them defeating incumbent Democrats, over the past decade in an effort to back the Black Lives Matter movement and change criminal justice, leading to a nationwide crime wave. Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days , available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency , now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak .

In today's digital-first business landscape, Praveen Sivathapandi stands out as a leader in solutions architecture, bringing over 18 years of experience across finance, healthcare, and logistics. Known for his technical expertise and commitment to transformative solutions, Praveen has shaped how enterprises structure their technology infrastructure, emphasizing adaptability, efficiency, and resilience. A Foundation in Architecture and Development Praveen's journey as a Senior Solutions Architect is rooted in a solid understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), where he has managed projects from conception through implementation. Leveraging his expertise in frameworks like TOGAF and Zachman, he has guided teams in defining the roadmaps, technical frameworks, and processes needed for effective enterprise transformation. His ability to blend strategic insight with technical precision has helped numerous organizations streamline processes and adopt agile, scalable solutions. Innovating with Cloud and Microservices Architecture Praveen's work in cloud computing and microservices has been integral to his success in driving organizational growth and efficiency. Skilled in AWS, Azure, and TANZU, he has led high-stakes cloud migration and optimization projects, transforming traditional infrastructures into flexible, modern systems. Praveen's mastery of microservices and containerized architectures enables organizations to achieve both scalability and operational flexibility, particularly crucial in high-demand sectors like finance and healthcare. One standout achievement was his role in an extensive architecture overhaul at a major healthcare provider, where he developed a cohesive strategy to enhance electronic data interchange (EDI) processes. This project, which required seamless integration and data interoperability, exemplified Praveen's approach to solutions architecture: meeting complex technical requirements while delivering practical, impactful results. Leadership and Mentorship Beyond his technical skills, Praveen is recognized for his collaborative leadership and mentorship. He actively promotes cross-functional alignment, ensuring that teams work in harmony toward unified goals. By guiding junior engineers and architects, he fosters an environment of continuous learning and innovation, encouraging his teams to think critically and creatively. This dedication to mentorship has left a lasting impact on his colleagues, contributing to a culture of growth and technical excellence. Recognition and Accolades Praveen's work has earned him significant recognition, including an early "Best Developer of the Year" award. His numerous certifications, including TOGAF and AWS Cloud Practitioner, highlight his commitment to professional development and staying at the forefront of industry advancements. Praveen is also Microsoft Certified - Azure Solutions Architect Expert. These credentials, paired with his real-world achievements, reinforce his status as a trusted leader in the field. Praveen Sivathapandi was honored with the Technical Professional of the Year award at the Titan Awards for his exceptional contributions to healthcare modernization and digital transformation. He has played a pivotal role in large-scale projects like the New Mexico Medicaid Management Information System Replacement and modernizing claims processing systems for Health Management Systems (HMS). His expertise in cloud architecture, data integration, and regulatory compliance has driven operational efficiencies, reduced processing times, and enhanced scalability, solidifying his reputation as a leader in technological innovation within healthcare and finance sectors. Vision for AI and Predictive Enterprise Architecture Looking to the future, Praveen envisions enterprise architecture enhanced by AI and machine learning, enabling real-time insights and predictive capabilities. His current focus is on data-driven strategies that help enterprises become more agile, responsive, and efficient. By integrating AI with solutions architecture, he aims to support hyper-efficiency and rapid adaptation to industry changes. Praveen's forward-thinking approach aligns with the demands of an evolving tech environment, where the ability to respond dynamically to data insights is paramount. Legacy of Innovation and Excellence Praveen Sivathapandi's career is a testament to his role as a transformative force in solutions architecture. From optimizing cloud environments to mentoring future technology leaders, his work consistently raises the bar for excellence. Each project reflects his dedication to innovation, strategic thinking, and collaboration, solidifying his influence across multiple industries. As Praveen continues to lead the way in enterprise solutions, his journey inspires a new generation of architects to approach technology with both vision and precision, shaping a more resilient and adaptable future.

As the borrower drives away in their new car, they are blissfully unaware of the danger that lies ahead. The inflated loan amount, coupled with the exorbitant interest rates, quickly snowballs into an insurmountable debt that they are unable to repay. This is where the true extent of the scam becomes apparent, as the borrower is left with a depreciating asset and a mountain of debt that threatens to ruin their financial future.Monroe Capital Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter Distribution of $0.25 Per Share

By ALICIA RANCILIO, Associated Press Stepping onto the set of “Squid Game” season two, Lee Jung-jae felt like he had never left. “Including promotion, I’d been living with Gi-hun for about two years,” said Lee in a recent interview. “I really felt like I was him,” he said in a recent interview. “Squid Game” follows an underground competition in Korea that recruits people in debt to participate in childlike games for money. Once the games begin, the contestants realize there are deadly consequences. The show was a global hit when it was released in 2021, becoming Netflix’s most-watched series. It also won numerous accolades including Primetime Emmy Awards for acting for Lee Jung-jae and directing for Hwang Dong-hyuk. Lee’s career catapulted, taking him to the Cannes Film Festival and giving him his first English-language role in the “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte” for Disney+. Lee says when Netflix ordered a second season of “Squid Game,” he questioned the timeline because it took Hwang years to work on the first one. “I wondered, ‘How many years will it take him to write season two,’” said Lee. Hwang, in turn, surprised everyone — including himself — by taking just six months to write season two and a third and final season. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to write something that fast again,” he said. Lee Byung-hun, from left, Yang Dong-geun, Hwang Dong-hyuk, Jo Yu-ri, Im Si-wan, Kang Ae-sim, Lee Seo-hwan and Lee Jung-jae pose for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Kang Ae-sim poses for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Lee Byung-hun poses for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Yang Dong-geun poses for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Jo Yu-ri poses for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Im Si-wan poses for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Hwang Dong-hyuk poses for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Lee Jung-jae poses for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Lee Seo-hwan poses for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Lee Byung-hun, from left, Yang Dong-geun, Hwang Dong-hyuk, Jo Yu-ri, Im Si-wan, Kang Ae-sim, Lee Seo-hwan and Lee Jung-jae pose for a portrait to promote the second season of “Squid Game” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Creating new characters and their individual stories came easily. The biggest, challenge, Hwang said, was deciding what should happen with Gi-hun. Lee says when he read the scripts he thought Hwang “really is a genius.” It’s rare for even successful TV shows in Korea to have more than one season so it was a big swing, even for the new cast. “There’s a Korean phrase, ‘there’s not a sequel that does better than its prequel,’ said actor Yang Dong-geong, whose character debuts in season two. “I’ve been careful because we aren’t really sure what the reaction will be.” The outlook is positive. Season two has already been nominated in the best drama series category at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards. The opportunity to work on a project with worldwide appeal is a dream come true for a performer. Lee Byung-hun, who reprises his villain role from season one, has appeared in big budget English-language films like “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra” with Channing Tatum and Dennis Quaid and “Red 2” with Bruce Willis. It’s “Squid Game” that he credits for taking his career to another level. “I’ve been an actor for over three decades and ... maybe most people outside of Korea have never seen anything that I’ve been in. If anyone through ‘Squid Game’ wishes to see more of me or becomes more curious about my previous works, as an actor, nothing would be more rewarding or bring me greater joy.” The audition process moved slowly. Jo Yu-ri recalls waiting two months between the first and second-round. When she finally got the part Jo says, “I actually remember crying.” The actors were asked to not speak publicly about their casting to wait for Netflix to make an announcement. “There were a couple of close friends that popped champagne for me when they found out,” said Yang. Netflix’s “Squid Game” universe is also growing. A second season of a reality competition show based on the series has been ordered and an English version is in development. Season three of the original has also completed filming and is in post-production. Season two is not without controversy. The new episodes feature a transgender character played by Park Sung-hoon. Hwang says he understands why hiring a trans actor would have been ideal, but that the casting is a reflection of how the LGBTQ community and gender identity is viewed in Korea. “To be honest with you, in Korea, when it comes to the LGBTQ and gender minority community and culture compared to the Western worlds, it’s not as widely socially accepted yet. Unfortunately, a lot of the groups are marginalized and neglected from society, which is heartbreaking,” said Hwang. “We don’t have a very large pool of actors that allow for authentic casting when it comes to transgender characters. We did our research. We tried to find someone who we thought could be the best fit. However, we weren’t able to.” Hwang also went on to say that Park’s talent and approach to the character ended up making him “the perfect fit.” Leslie Ambriz in Los Angeles contributed to this report.Palantir Technologies Are On The Rise Today: What's Going On?China Barter Trade Service Platform Signing Ceremony Launched in BeijingAlibaba Group acknowledges the seriousness of the fire incident at the data center and expresses its deep regret for any inconvenience and impact caused to customers and users. The safety and security of data center facilities are of utmost importance to the company, and every effort is being made to investigate the cause of the fire and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

To mitigate the risks of infighting among anti-government armed groups, experts recommend a series of measures aimed at promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and conflict resolution among the various factions. This includes efforts to build trust and cooperation among the groups, establish mechanisms for dispute resolution, and foster a sense of shared purpose and common goals. In addition, external actors are urged to refrain from exacerbating tensions and conflicts among the armed groups, and instead to support efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.In 2024, the word "贪" (tān, which means greed) was selected as the Representative Word of the Year in Taiwan. This decision sparked a nationwide conversation about the significance and implications of this word in the context of Taiwan's society, culture, and politics.

2. Service Recovery Plan: Alibaba Cloud Computing is working tirelessly to restore services and minimize disruptions for affected customers. A comprehensive service recovery plan has been activated to restore normal operations and ensure data center functionality is restored as quickly as possible.Tight race for the North Carolina Supreme Court is heading to another recount

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