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Jaland Lowe flirted with a triple-double as Pitt improved to 6-0 with a 74-63 win over LSU on Friday afternoon at the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Lowe finished with a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists for the Panthers, who have won their first six games of a season for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. It would have been the second straight triple-double for Lowe, who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against VMI Monday. Ishmael Leggett chipped in 21 points and Cameron Corhen supplied 14, helping Pitt outshoot the Tigers (4-1) 44.4 percent to 37.3 percent overall. Vyctorius Miller and Jalen Reed recorded 14 points apiece for LSU, with Reed also snatching seven boards. Cam Carter contributed 11 points. Pitt took control in the first four-plus minutes of the second half, opening the period on a 13-0 run to build a 40-28 lead. The Tigers were held scoreless following the break until Carter converted a layup with 13:13 to go. It was still a 12-point game after Zack Austin hit a pair of free throws with 12:50 remaining, but LSU then rallied. Corey Chest, Reed and Jordan Sears each had a bucket down low for the Tigers during an 8-1 spurt that made it 43-38. However, Lowe stemmed the tide, answering with back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Panthers up 49-38 with 9:31 left. Miller did everything he could to keep LSU in contention, scoring eight points in a span of 1 minute, 23 seconds, with his four-point play getting the Tigers within 56-52 with 6:03 to play. But Pitt never let LSU get the upper hand, and it led by at least six for the final 5:05 of the contest. The Tigers had a 28-27 edge at intermission after ending the first half on an 8-2 run. LSU overcame a quick start by the Panthers, who raced out to a 12-6 advantage and led by as many as eight in the first 20 minutes of action. --Field Level MediaLOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (Nasdaq: FFIE) (“FF”, “Faraday Future”, or the “Company”), a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company, today announced that its first Faraday X (FX) prototype mules will arrive in Los Angeles at the end of this month. The first two FX mules will begin their product development and testing in the U.S. shortly thereafter at FF’s manufacturing facility in Hanford, CA, with a stop in Las Vegas, NV from January 5-7, which coincides with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). While in Las Vegas, the Company will provide updates on the progress of the FX strategy. The first prototype mules’ delivery and shipping route has taken them from FF’s Headquarters in Beijing to Los Angeles. The FX brand is accelerating its efforts to deliver "twice the performance at half the price" AIEV products to U.S. consumers and is advancing toward the goal of delivering performance and technology capable EV’s at an affordable price point. ABOUT FARADAY FUTURE Faraday Future is the pioneer of the Ultimate AI TechLuxury ultra spire market in the intelligent EV era, and the disruptor of the traditional ultra-luxury car civilization epitomized by Ferrari and Maybach. FF is not just an EV Company, but also a software-driven intelligent internet Company. Ultimately FF aims to become a User Company by offering a shared intelligent mobility ecosystem. FF remains dedicated to advancing electric vehicle technology to meet the evolving needs and preferences of users worldwide, driven by a pursuit of intelligent and AI-driven mobility. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding FX and the timing for public display of prototype mules, product development and testing, and accelerating development efforts, are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include, among others: potential unforeseen delays regarding the customs clearing process for the prototype mules; the Company’s ability to secure the necessary funding to execute on the FX strategy, which will be substantial; the Company’s ability to secure additional agreements with OEMs that are necessary to execute on the FX strategy; the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and improve its liquidity and financial position; the Company’s ability to pay its outstanding obligations; the Company's ability to remediate its material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and the risks related to the restatement of previously issued consolidated financial statements; the Company’s limited operating history and the significant barriers to growth it faces; the Company’s history of losses and expectation of continued losses; the success of the Company’s payroll expense reduction plan; the Company’s ability to execute on its plans to develop and market its vehicles and the timing of these development programs; the Company’s estimates of the size of the markets for its vehicles and cost to bring those vehicles to market; the rate and degree of market acceptance of the Company’s vehicles; the Company’s ability to cover future warranty claims; the success of other competing manufacturers; the performance and security of the Company’s vehicles; current and potential litigation involving the Company; the Company’s ability to receive funds from, satisfy the conditions precedent of and close on the various financings described elsewhere by the Company; the result of future financing efforts, the failure of any of which could result in the Company seeking protection under the Bankruptcy Code; the Company’s indebtedness; the Company’s ability to cover future warranty claims; the Company’s ability to use its “at-the-market” program; insurance coverage; general economic and market conditions impacting demand for the Company’s products; potential negative impacts of a reverse stock split; potential cost, headcount and salary reduction actions may not be sufficient or may not achieve their expected results; circumstances outside of the Company's control, such as natural disasters, climate change, health epidemics and pandemics, terrorist attacks, and civil unrest; risks related to the Company's operations in China; the success of the Company's remedial measures taken in response to the Special Committee findings; the Company’s dependence on its suppliers and contract manufacturer; the Company's ability to develop and protect its technologies; the Company's ability to protect against cybersecurity risks; and the ability of the Company to attract and retain employees, any adverse developments in existing legal proceedings or the initiation of new legal proceedings, and volatility of the Company’s stock price. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 28, 2024, as amended on May 30, 2024, and June 24, 2024, as updated by the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s first quarter 2024 Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 30, 2024, and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219985538/en/ CONTACT: Investors (English):ir@faradayfuture.com Investors (Chinese):cn-ir@faradayfuture.com Media:john.schilling@ff.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA NEVADA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY EV/ELECTRIC VEHICLES LUXURY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES/FUELS TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY AUTOMOTIVE TRAVEL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RETAIL AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:30 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:28 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219985538/en2025 is expected to be a robust year for mergers and acquisitions, and IPOs. Consequently, some investment banks are bulking up on hiring, industry recruiters say. Here's a look at which firms are staffing up and what sectors are seeing the most action. When John Weinberg, the chairman and CEO of the elite boutique investment bank Evercore , sat down for a fireside chat in December at an annual Goldman Sachs conference, he revealed that his firm has been ramping up hiring. Advertisement "Most of the time, you don't really do much recruiting in November or December," he told listeners — but this year has been different. "If you could see my schedule, you'd see that virtually every day I am speaking with and recruiting" new talent, he said. "You could probably anticipate that our recruiting efforts will increase, not decrease." Weinberg isn't the only Wall Street dealmaker for whom recruiting is top of mind. According to industry headhunters , hiring across the Street is expected to gain steam as 2025 gets underway. One headhunter said he's been so flooded with mandates as the end of the year approaches that his pipeline of work is up by as much as 70% over normal levels at this point in the year. Advertisement "We're probably up 60% to 70%," Kevin Mahoney, managing partner in the global financial-services practice at Christoph Zeiss Partners, told Business Insider. Next year is going to be "bonkers" in terms of hiring volumes, he said, adding: "We haven't been this busy in a long time." After several years of lackluster deal activity, Wall Street is finally starting to see signs of a thaw in mergers and public offerings . A cocktail of lower interest rates , pent-up demand, and expectations for a friendlier landscape under Trump has left many dealmakers across the Street feeling bullish about the 2025 prospects for 2025. Robert Stowe, head of Americas equity capital markets at Barclays, told BI that he predicts some $50 billion in IPO volumes in the US next year. That would be a roughly 20% increase from 2024's just over $41 billion worth of IPO volumes in the Americas, as recorded by the deal-tracking firm Dealogic. BI got an update on the latest investment-banking hiring trends from three top Wall Street headhunters: Mahoney; Meridith Dennes, managing director of recruiting at the firm Prospect Rock; and Brianne Sterling, head of the investment-banking recruiting practice at Selby Jennings. Advertisement Dennes said the industry's "musical chairs" will start to spike around January or February after bankers have received their bonuses. Many, she said, have gotten early hints about their bonus numbers this year and are privately grumbling. "Bonuses are not coming out as strong as we expected them to be, and I think the reason is because there's been so much hiring at the senior level and at the MD level," she explained. "A lot of that compensation pool may be spoken for." So, with moves on the way, which sectors will see the most activity? Here are a few key trends the headhunters say are worth watching in 2025. Advertisement The hot sectors Banks big and small are already dialing up recruiting for their technology, media, and telecommunications teams, known as TMT in Wall Street parlance. Related stories One reason, Mahoney said, is that those sectors are popular acquisition targets for financial sponsors. Indeed, private-equity firms are itching to deploy the billions they've raised from limited partners, but have been waiting for interest rates to decline. "Something that I think will be interesting within the tech space, as well, is how teams are looking at staffing and positioning" for AI deals , as well as deals for cryptocurrency and digital-assets companies that may consolidate over the next year, Sterling of Selby Jennings said. Advertisement Tech has been a major area for banker movement, said Dennes, who also named healthcare, restructuring, industrials, consumer retail, and financial institutions (FIG) as hot. According to some of the early findings of her firm Prospect Rock's annual compensation survey, bankers in tech and restructuring displayed the highest levels of dissatisfaction with pay. "Now, if they're not really paid," Dennes said, "they're going to want to jump — and there's opportunity for those folks to jump." Tech dealmakers on the move Union Square Advisors , a boutique technology-focused investment bank based in San Francisco, has onboarded a series of dealmakers recently, including tapping managing director Terry Jackson who previously worked at JPMorgan and Bank of America Securities. The firm also hired Todd Meadow to pitch in with sponsor coverage and brought on the banker Chris Appaneal to focus on software for governance, risk, and compliance. Advertisement Houlihan Lokey, a midsize firm long respected for its prowess in restructuring and distressed deals, has also been growing its wallet share in tech to win competitive M&A mandates. This spring, the bank appointed Ryan Lund as co-head of US technology. It's been deepening the granularity of its software coverage with subsequent hires, as well — like Nana Kyei, a managing director who joined from Jefferies this fall and focuses on education tech. Geoff Rhizor joined the tech team in San Francisco in late summer; his coverage, in part, intersects with the fintech group's. Barclays has also emphasized hiring managing directors focused on tech and healthcare deals, a company spokesperson told BI. Rob Patterson, who serves as head of data and information platforms coverage within tech investment banking, came over from Morgan Stanley. And the bank appointed David King, a former top-level banker at Bank of America, as global head of technology mergers and acquisitions this summer. Advertisement Big banks are staffing up Some banks have already initiated widespread recruiting plans for juniors. JPMorgan Chase , for instance, was engaged in a vigorous off-cycle recruiting spree for junior investment bankers as deal flow picked up speed this fall, according to industry sources and postings on its job board, as BI previously reported. Goldman Sachs' careers portal recently displayed roughly a dozen openings for junior bankers in New York, San Francisco, and London. Vacancies included analyst and associate positions in coverage groups like financial institutions, entertainment banking, TMT, and industrials, as well as product-focused functions like equity capital markets. Advertisement Bankers need fresh blood: 'Send them our way' The last time there was an M&A boom during the pandemic, many banks were caught unprepared and understaffed , resulting in complaints from overworked junior bankers. This time, Wall Street employers say they won't make the same mistake twice — and many are eyeing boosting their junior ranks in preparation, the recruiters said. Dennes expects an emphasis on associates and mid-level vice presidents to help juggle the ins and outs of executing the manifold deals coming down the pike. "Experienced bankers are always in demand," she said. "Anyone who has closed a couple of deals and is able to train junior staff is very valuable." Advertisement Dennes' firm, Prospect Rock, is currently working on filling four analyst roles, six associate roles, and two VP roles, postings on its website showed. Still, she doesn't see 2025 hiring following the same frenetic pattern it did during the pandemic-era M&A boom. "In 2021, you just needed bodies — more horsepower. This is very different," she said. Now, banks are markedly more vigilant in emphasizing quality over quantity. "Nobody wants a 2021, 2022 redo," she added. "A lot of those hires were not strong." Some senior dealmakers are already worried about short-staffing. A managing director at a Wall Street bank told BI he was confident that 2025 would deliver a volume of work comparable with 2021 levels, if perhaps not the same soaring valuations. Advertisement "Part of the conversation that we're going to have to think through is augmenting the team at the mid-level" to handle execution, he said. In this hiring market, though, "it's almost impossible" to find impressive associates or VPs, he cautioned. "Send them our way — because it's hard." Are you an investment-banking insider or do you have knowledge of industry moves on Wall Street? Get in touch with these reporters. Reed Alexander can be reached via email at ralexander@businessinsider.com or via the encrypted messaging app Signal at 561-247-5758 . Emmalyse Brownstein can be reached at ebrownstein@businessinsider.com or via Signal at 305-857-5516 .

AP Business SummaryBrief at 5:02 p.m. ESTIn a booster to Make in India, Dixon to form JV with Vivo India for manufacturing smartphones

Miami judge orders luxury real estate broker brothers be held in accused rape cases in Miami BeachPLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- Upbound Group, Inc. (“Upbound” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPBD), a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial products that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brigit, a leading financial health technology company, for total consideration of up to $460 million consisting of cash and shares of Upbound common stock. This transaction is a logical next step reflecting Upbound’s strategic focus on expanding its technology-driven financial solutions for consumers who are underserved by the traditional financial system. Brigit, which offers a subscription-based model, was launched nationally in 2019 to expand financial inclusion and help consumers build a brighter financial future. It is consistently ranked among the most downloaded financial health apps and is a recognized leader in innovation in the industry. Built on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning-powered cash flow data insights, Brigit’s core product is its direct-to-consumer Instant Cash advance product (earned wage access or EWA) which has saved its users approximately $1 billion in overdraft fees since inception 2. Brigit also offers a credit builder product that helps its subscribers build their credit history over time as they increase their savings, as well as financial wellness solutions and educational resources to help consumers better manage, save, and earn money. Brigit currently serves nearly two million monthly active customers, including over one million active paying subscribers and almost one million free subscribers. Their customers are highly engaged, with paid users logging in on average six times per month. The business is expected to generate revenues of approximately $215 million to $230 million in 2025 and approximately $350 million to $400 million in 2026. Brigit will expand Upbound’s offerings of innovative and flexible financial solutions, positioning the combined company to create an industry-leading technology platform for the financially underserved that meets the consumer wherever they are on their financial journey. In addition, Brigit’s proprietary data and sophisticated tech stack are expected to enhance Upbound’s existing brands, including Acima and Rent-A-Center (RAC), by improving risk management and fraud prevention, enabling more customer approvals while also mitigating net losses and enhancing account management. The combined company’s data-driven insights will create a more personalized customer experience with the ability to deliver, at the right time and through the right channels, a wider range of targeted solutions for consumers. Upbound expects these enhancements to boost conversion rates, lower churn, and increase customer loyalty and engagement. “We are thrilled to welcome Brigit, a company whose mission and target customer base are closely aligned with ours, into our family of brands,” said Upbound’s Chief Executive Officer Mitch Fadel. “Creating a financial solutions platform with Brigit as the backbone expands our addressable market and enables Upbound to innovate across even more product categories to improve the financial health of our customers. The ability to add new products for our customers beyond lease-to-own is an important part of our strategy and now we can offer liquidity solutions, budgeting, credit building, financial literacy and savings. We believe this transaction will position Upbound for accelerated growth, with greater scale and a more diversified financial profile, ultimately driving long-term value for our shareholders.” “Brigit has helped everyday Americans build a brighter financial future through a suite of innovative financial products that leverage cutting-edge cash flow technology,” said Brigit cofounder & CEO Zuben Mathews. “This transaction is a testament to our team’s continued passion for helping the underserved and our dedication to innovation. By combining forces with Upbound, we can accelerate our impact and better serve the millions of Americans who have been historically underserved by traditional financial institutions. Together, we are excited to widen our reach and bring financial freedom to even more people in need.” Brigit founders Zuben Mathews and Hamel Kothari will continue to lead the Brigit team as a business segment of Upbound. Brigit will continue to operate under its existing branding and will retain its headquarters in New York City, which is expected to serve as one of Upbound’s innovation hubs. Transaction Details Upbound is acquiring Brigit for up to $460 million, comprised of (1) $325 million payable at closing, 75% in cash and 25% in Upbound shares; (2) $75 million in deferred cash consideration over two years; and (3) a potential earnout of up to $60 million in cash based on achievement of certain financial performance metrics for the Brigit business in 2026. Upbound will fund the transaction through a combination of cash on hand, borrowing capacity under its $550 million revolving credit facility, and issuance of new shares of Upbound common stock to Brigit stockholders. The integration of Brigit’s all-digital, scalable platform is expected to expand Upbound’s addressable market outside of durable goods and enhance its strong financial profile while adding an additional complementary growth segment. With approximately 80% recurring subscription revenue, and an estimated total revenue growth in 2024 of 40% to 50% compared to 2023 with similar expectations in 2025, Upbound believes the transaction will accelerate its growth and is expected to be neutral to non-GAAP EPS in year one and meaningfully accretive to non-GAAP EPS in year two and beyond. Brigit will diversify Upbound’s revenue/Adjusted EBITDA mix; within the next four years, Upbound expects approximately two-thirds of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA 3 will be derived from virtual and digital platforms. Following the transaction, Upbound expects pro forma net leverage ratio of approximately 3x 4 and pro forma available liquidity of nearly $300 million 5. Upbound continues to target leverage of approximately 2x over the long-term. The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2025, subject to receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Advisors Greenhill & Co. Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Upbound, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Mayer Brown LLP are acting as its legal counsel. FT Partners is acting as financial advisor to Brigit and Cooley LLP and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP are acting as its legal counsel. Investor Conference Call Details Upbound will host a conference call on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 9:00 am (ET) to discuss this transaction. Interested parties can access a live webcast of the conference call via this link or through the Company's investor relations website. About Upbound Group, Inc. Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPBD), is a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial products that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers. The Company’s customer-facing operating units include industry-leading brands such as Rent-A-Center® and Acima® that facilitate consumer transactions across a wide range of store-based and digital retail channels, including over 2,300 company branded retail units across the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Upbound Group, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas. For additional information about the Company, please visit our website Upbound.com . About Brigit Brigit is a holistic financial health app that has helped millions of Americans budget better, get their earned wages early, build their credit through savings, protect themselves from identity theft, and find ways to earn and save money. Its mission is to help everyday Americans build a better financial future. Brigit is backed by Lightspeed, DCM, Nyca, Flourish Ventures, Hummingbird VC, DN Capital, Will Smith, Kevin Durant, and other prominent investors. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release and the associated investor presentation and webcast contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "predict," "continue," "should," "anticipate," "believe," or “confident,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology and include, among others, statements concerning (a) the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, (b) the anticipated impact of the proposed transaction on the combined company’s business and future financial and operating results, (c) the anticipated closing date for the proposed transaction, (d) other aspects of both companies’ operations and operating results, and (e) our goals, plans and projections with respect to our operations, financial position and business strategy. However, there can be no assurance that such expectations will occur. The Company's actual future performance could differ materially and adversely from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material and adverse differences include, but are not limited to: (1) risks relating to the proposed transaction, including (i) the inability to obtain regulatory approvals required to consummate the transaction with Brigit on the terms expected, at all or in a timely manner, (ii) the impact of the additional debt on the Company’s leverage ratio, interest expense and other business and financial impacts and restrictions due to the additional debt, (iii) the failure of conditions to closing the transaction and the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction on a timely basis or at all, (iv) the failure of the transaction to deliver the estimated value and benefits expected by the Company, (v) the incurrence of unexpected future costs, liabilities or obligations as a result of the transaction, (vi) the effect of the announcement of the transaction on the ability of the Company or Brigit to retain and hire necessary personnel and maintain relationships with material commercial counterparties, consumers and others with whom the Company and Brigit do business, (vii) the ability of the Company to successfully integrate Brigit’s operations over time, (viii) the ability of the Company to successfully implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to Brigit’s business after the closing and (ix) other risks and uncertainties inherent in a transaction of this size and nature, (2) the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences, demand, payment behaviors and spending; (3) factors affecting the disposable income available to the Company's and Brigit’s current and potential customers; (4) the appeal of the Company’s and Brigit’s offerings to consumers; (5) the Company's and Brigit’s ability to protect their proprietary intellectual property; (6) the impact of the competitive environment in the Company’s and Brigit’s industries; (7) the Company's and Brigit’s ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to their current and future targeted customer segments; (8) consumer preferences and perceptions of the Company's and Brigit’s brands; (9) the Company’s and Brigit’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the impact of active enforcement of those laws and regulations, including any changes with respect thereto or attempts to recharacterize their offerings as credit sales, (10) information technology and data security costs; (11) the impact of any breaches in data security or other disturbances to the Company's or Brigit’s information technology and other networks and the Company's and Brigit’s ability to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of its customers and employees; and (12) the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This release and the associated investor presentation and webcast contain certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including (1) Adjusted EBITDA (net earnings before interest, taxes, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for special items) on a consolidated and segment basis and (2) Net Leverage Ratio (total debt less unrestricted cash, divided by Adjusted EBITDA). “Special items” refers to certain gains and charges we view as extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring in nature or which we believe do not reflect our core business activities. Special items are reported as Other Gains and Charges in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Because of the inherent uncertainty related to these special items, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measures or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. These non-GAAP measures are additional tools intended to assist our management in comparing our performance on a more consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items management believes do not directly reflect our core operations. These measures are intended to assist management in evaluating operating performance and liquidity, comparing performance and liquidity across periods, planning and forecasting future business operations, helping determine levels of operating and capital investments and identifying and assessing additional trends potentially impacting our Company that may not be shown solely by comparisons of GAAP measures. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is also used as part of our incentive compensation program for our executive officers and others. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures also provide supplemental information that is useful to investors, analysts and other external users of our consolidated financial statements in understanding our financial results and evaluating our performance and liquidity from period to period. However, non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations and are not substitutes for, or superior to, GAAP financial measures, and they should be read together with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare such measures to the non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, even if they have the same or similar names. ______________________________ 1 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 2 Assumes all Brigit’s cash advances since inception have assisted customers with avoiding overdraft fees at an estimated $34/overdraft. 3 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 4 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 5 Pro forma net leverage ratio (total debt less unrestricted cash, divided by Adjusted EBITDA) and pro forma available liquidity (estimated available borrowings under the company’s revolving credit facility and unrestricted cash) assume the acquisition of Brigit is completed March 31, 2025 and the Company makes the closing date cash payment at that time. Above metrics reflect the Company’s estimates and are not reflective of actual amounts or indicative of future results. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212082702/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact Jeff Chesnut SVP, Strategy & Corporate Development 972-801-1108 jeff.chesnut@upbound.comMedia Contacts Kelly Kimberly 713-822-7538 Kelly.kimberly@fgsglobal.com Leah Polito 212-687-8080 Leah.polito@fgsglobal.com KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: APPS/APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FINANCE FINTECH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOFTWARE HEALTH DATA MANAGEMENT SOURCE: Upbound Group, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 05:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212082702/en

Vikings' passing attack is as potent as ever with Addison's surge as Bears prepare for a rematch

In an unprecedented diplomatic move, President-elect Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration on January 20. According to Trump's spokesperson, this gesture highlights his willingness to maintain open dialogues with global leaders, even those who are competitors or adversaries. Despite criticism during his first term for similar actions, Trump's team insists that dialogues like these are crucial for maintaining worldwide peace. Incoming White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitte emphasized that Trump places America's interests at the forefront of such international engagements, though it's unclear if Xi Jinping has accepted the invitation. The current administration, while withholding comments on the invitation, recognizes the progress made in US-China relations. White House representative John Kirby emphasized the significance of this bilateral relationship, acknowledging persistent disagreements but also the critical opportunities it presents for future US diplomacy. (With inputs from agencies.)After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details including where they system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.

Will Gustav Nyquist Score a Goal Against the Stars on December 12?Before the doors open to 2025, let’s take you on a ride down the memory lane, to revisit some of the wild, wonderful, and downright outrageous moments that defined 2024 for the Capital's beloved lifeline – Delhi Metro. From record-breaking number of commutes to debut of driverless trains and more importantly the viral reels and ghar ke kalesh (household conflicts while aboard), this journey had us all minding the gap! Futuristic innovations and record-breaking rides Delhi Metro leapt into the future, in July, with the launch of 29 fully driverless trains on the Magenta Line. Well, who needs drivers when technology knows how to keep things on track? Not to be outdone by tech, humans that is metro commuters broke a record of its own when on November 18 it was recorded that 78.67 lakh passenger journeys were covered in a single day! Viral, sensational, Insta-worthy Talking about some of the viral gems that came from Delhi Metro, one's memory goes right back to March during the time of Holi. The festival came alive when two youngsters were recorded colouring each other in a dramatic act on the Bollywood number, Lahu Muh Lag Gaya (from the 2013 movie, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela ) . The vibe that was thus created in blue hues, left the internet divided between gasps and giggles as the video went viral on with over 1.1 million views on X. Then in July 2024, the Naatu Naatu fever struck Delhiite Sachin Tomar, who turned a Blue Line coach into dance floor, to groove to the Oscar-winning beats. His reel amassed 30.1 million views and over 1.8 million likes, proving that the Metro isn’t just for getting places – it’s where viral sensations are born. A post shared by PRANKSTER SACHIN (@laughwithsachin) On track: High voltage drama Drama alert! On December 5, commuters on the Blue Line faced long delays due to a dramatic cable theft. With 43 incidents reported uptil December, as compared to 38 last year, the cable thefts hit an all-time high this year and became an annoying headache for the authorities (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) as well as the commuters who complained of a ‘high voltage’ problem that no one individual could actually deal with. What’s new and what’s old? In July, commuters welcomed the addition of a digital QR ticketing system, that brought much convenience to frequent riders of Delhi Metro. But, one must note that the physical metro cards aren’t going anywhere as as of now so you needn't discard the ones you possess. Come autumn and November brought some more good news for the passengers with the launch of Sheryds and Rydr, in an attempt to make the last-mile connectivity a less bumpy ride. A standout feature? Sheryds introduced women-driven bike taxis, exclusively for women, to ensure safety and convenience of female passengers of Delhi Metro. Three decades, and celebrations are in order The Delhi Metro completed three decades of its existence, on May 3, and the milestone was was marked with a grand birthday bash during 30th Foundation Day celebrations at the Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan). But what's a birthday without some fun? Keeping this in mind, a few ace entertainers and artistes were invited to lend their touch fulfill the need for entertainment. Among the performers were singer Kavita Krishnamurti and stand-up comedian-actor Sunil Grover. Their acts added to the celebrations that saw dignitaries such as Param Vir Chakra awardee Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav. As you take a walk down the memory lane, here's us giving Delhiites a chance to cheer for their lifeline. For more, follow @htcity.delhijunction

NEW DELHI, India Dec 15– India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) convened the 4th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, co-chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The high-level meeting aimed to expand the strategic partnership across a wide range of sectors, including defense, emerging technologies, nuclear energy, polar research, critical minerals, and renewable energy, according to a statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The dialogue, held on Thursday, also addressed regional and international issues of mutual interest, showcasing the deepening cooperation between the two nations. Broadening the Strategic Partnership The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue took place in Abu Dhabi in September 2022. The ongoing discussions in Delhi come ahead of the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), also co-chaired by Jaishankar and Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on December 13. The JCM aims to reinforce the outcomes of the Strategic Dialogue and advance collaboration in areas identified under the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar shared his thoughts on the dialogue in a post on X, stating: “Delighted to co-chair along with DPM & FM Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE the 4th India-UAE Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi. The Strategic Dialogue is an effective platform that helps translate our leadership guidance into reality. A very productive exchange on promising domains and key interests. Thank the delegations and look forward to co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting JCM today.” Similarly, the UAE Foreign Minister’s Office posted on X, highlighting the focus areas of the discussions: “Abdullah bin Zayed and @DrSJaishankar co-chair the 4th UAE–India Strategic Dialogue, focusing on trade, energy, technology, among other areas under the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership. They explored various avenues for cooperation to drive mutual growth and prosperity.” A Growing Partnership The India-UAE Strategic Dialogue has become a vital platform for translating leadership vision into actionable partnerships. Both countries continue to prioritize sectors that align with their shared interests, aiming to foster mutual growth and enhance prosperity. The dialogue underscores the strong bilateral relationship between India and the UAE, with both sides committed to exploring new opportunities for cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.