casino slots background The school said Amelia, who was diagnosed with a hearing impairment at an early age and uses a cochlear implant, has shown incredible resilience in overcoming obstacles and has been an inspiration to both her peers and teachers. The Year 12 graduate received Band 6 marks in all her HSC courses, earning her the title of “Distinguished Achiever”. “As a school prefect, Amelia’s natural leadership and passion for community involvement have left a lasting impact,” a school spokesperson said. “She is frequently approached by younger students, who look up to her for her kindness, compassion and humility. “Her contributions extend beyond the classroom, as she has also been a long-term volunteer with St John’s Ambulance, demonstrating her commitment to helping others.” Amelia said her results were “a huge relief and very exciting”. “I wasn’t expecting such a result but it’s extremely validating,” she said. “The confirmation that my hard work was all for something in the end was overwhelming, and I’m so lucky to have been in a supportive environment when they came through. “The HSC was a challenge like no other, so it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders when the results came through; I cried!” Amelia has long been an advocate for improving educational experiences for students with disabilities. Her own hearing impairment has meant that she often needs to put in extra effort to ensure she keeps up with her studies. “My hearing impairment means that in order to get the same amount out of my classes as other students, I often have to go back over the content in my free time, ask more questions and so forth,” she said. “To achieve this, I have received the most incredible support from Hearing Australia and my itinerant hearing support (IST-H) teachers across the 13 years of my schooling. “Not only that, Henry Kendall’s amazing student services team was consistently amazing and I am so grateful for everyone that helped me along the way to ensure that in classes, I was getting the same amount of education and learning my classmates were. “Without that I would have fallen behind and not been able to do the extra work and effort at home that the HSC required.” Next year, Amelia will pursue her passion for writing and education, with plans to study communications (writing and publishing) and secondary education (English and society and culture) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). “I’m very excited to start,” she said.USDA Orders Testing of Milk Supply for Presence of Bird Flu VirusBeyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad

NoneBy Stephanie Lai and Hadriana Lowenkron, Bloomberg News Donald Trump says he is selecting venture capitalist David Sacks of Craft Ventures LLC to serve as his artificial intelligence and crypto czar, a newly created position that underscores the president-elect’s intent to boost two rapidly developing industries. “David will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness. David will focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas,” Trump said Thursday in a post on his Truth Social network. Trump said that Sacks would also lead the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology. In Sacks, Trump is tapping one of his most prominent Silicon Valley supporters and fundraisers for a prime position in his administration. Sacks played a key role in bolstering Trump’s fundraising among technology industry donors, including co-hosting an event at his San Francisco home in June, with tickets at $300,000 a head. He is also closely associated with Vice President-elect JD Vance, the investor-turned-Ohio senator. Sacks is a venture capitalist and part of Silicon Valley’s “PayPal Mafia.” He first made his name in the technology industry during a stint as the chief operating officer of PayPal, the payments company whose founders in the late 1990s included billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and investor Peter Thiel. After it was sold to eBay, Sacks turned to Hollywood, where he produced the 2005 satire Thank You for Smoking. Back in Silicon Valley, he founded workplace communications company Yammer, which was bought by Microsoft Corp. in 2012 for $1.2 billion. He founded his own venture capital firm, Craft Ventures, in 2017 and has invested in Musk-owned businesses, including SpaceX. Sacks said on a recent episode of his All-In podcast that a “key man” clause in the agreements of his venture firm’s legal documents would likely prevent him from taking a full-time position, but he might consider an advisory role in the new administration. A Craft spokeswoman said Sacks would not be leaving Craft. In his post, Trump said Sacks “will safeguard Free Speech online, and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship.” Protecting free speech is a keen interest of Sacks. He regularly speaks about “woke” interests that try to muzzle unpopular opinions and positions. The new post is expected to help spearhead the crypto industry deregulation Trump promised on the campaign trail. The role is expected to provide cryptocurrency advocates a direct line to the White House and serve as a liaison between Trump, Congress and the federal agencies that interface with digital assets, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Trump heavily campaigned on supporting crypto, after previously disparaging digital assets during his first White House term, saying their “value is highly volatile and based on thin air.” The president-elect on Thursday said Sacks would “work on a legal framework so the Crypto industry has the clarity it has been asking for, and can thrive in the U.S.” During the campaign, Trump spoke at a Bitcoin conference, accepted crypto campaign donations and met with executives from Bitcoin mining companies and crypto exchanges multiple times. Trump’s desire to give priority to the digital asset industry is also reflected in his close allies and cabinet selections, including his Commerce secretary pick, Howard Lutnick, and Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent. On the AI front, Sacks would help Trump put his imprint on an emerging technology whose popular use has exploded in recent years. Sacks is poised to be at the front lines in determining how the federal government both adopts AI and regulates its use as advances in the technology and adoption by consumers pose a wide array of benefits as well as risks touching on national security, privacy, jobs and other areas. The president-elect has expressed both awe at the power of AI technology as well as concern over the potential harms from its use. During his first term, he signed executive orders that sought to maintain US leadership in the field and directed the federal government to prioritize AI in research and development spending. As AI has become more mainstream in recent years and with Congress slow to act, President Joe Biden has sought to fill that void. Biden signed an executive order in 2023 that establishes security and privacy protections and requires developers to safety-test new models, casting the sweeping regulatory order as necessary to safeguard consumers. A number of technology giants have also agreed to adopt a set of voluntary safeguards which call for them to test AI systems for discriminatory tendencies or security flaws and to share those results. Trump has vowed to repeal Biden’s order. The Republican Party’s 2024 platform dismissed Biden’s executive order as one that “hinders AI Innovation, and imposes Radical Leftwing ideas on the development of this technology.” Sacks can be expected to work closely with Musk, the world’s richest person and one of the president-elect’s most prominent supporters. Musk is also a player in the AI space with his company xAI and a chatbot named Grok — efforts which pit him against Silicon Valley’s giants — and he stands to wield significant influence within the incoming administration. The appointment won’t require Sacks to divest or publicly disclose his assets. Like Musk, Sacks will be a special government employee. He can serve a maximum of 130 days per year, with or without compensation. However, conflict of interest rules apply to special government employees, meaning Sacks will have to recuse himself from matters that could impact his holdings. Sacks’s Craft Ventures is known more for enterprise software investing than for crypto, but it has made a few crypto investments, including BitGo and Bitwise. Still, Sacks has firm opinions on the sector. Speaking last month on All-In, Sacks praised a bill on crypto regulation that had passed in the U.S. House but not the Senate earlier this year. The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act would regulate certain types of digital assets as a commodity, regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. “The crypto industry basically wants a really clear line for knowing when they’re a commodity and they want commodities to be governed, like all other commodities, by the CFTC,” he said on the November podcast. He also disparaged some of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s positions on crypto under its chair, Gary Gensler. “The days of Gensler terrifying crypto companies,” he said. “Those days are about to be over.” Earlier this week, Trump nominated crypto advocate Paul Atkins to lead the SEC. With assistance from Zoe Ma, Bill Allison, Sarah McBride, Anne VanderMey and stacy-marie ishmael. ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czar

Justin Trudeau taking the time to reflect following Freeland departure( MENAFN - media OutReach Newswire) HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 December 2024 - LiveIn, Southeast Asia's leading long-stay provider dedicated to converting surplus properties into modern homes for young people, has formed a strategic alliance with JinJoo Home, Vietnam's pioneer in co-living for young professionals. Together, they aim to unify and strengthen Vietnam's co-living market by offering solutions for local operators that blend international standards and local relevance. Keek Wen Khai, CEO & Co-founder of LiveIn (left), and Jason Wong, CEO & Founder of JinJoo Home (right), at the alliance signing ceremony. Vietnam's urbanization rate is expected to surpass 50% by 2025, and with over 50% of the population being millennials and Gen Z, the demand for co-living spaces in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City is set to rise. However, the market remains fragmented, and local operators face challenges, such as high vacancies, maintenance costs, and inconsistent service. Keek Wen Khai, CEO & Co-founder of LiveIn, said: "Vietnam's long-stay market remains highly fragmented, but we see great potential in driving sustainable growth through collaboration. By forming a strategic alliance with JinJoo Home, we aim to bring operators together, address their challenges, and elevate standards to deliver a better living experience for the next generation." Jason Wong, CEO & Founder of JinJoo Home, said: "We're excited to join forces with LiveIn, a leading player in Southeast Asia. Our shared passion for improving young people's living experience makes this alliance a natural fit. Together, we can combine our strengths and create a more dynamic and high-quality co-living market in Vietnam." The strategic alliance comes at a time when Vietnam's residential real estate market is projected to reach USD 45.62 billion by 2029, with co-living playing a pivotal role. As many fragmented operators struggle to scale due to limited resources, LiveIn and JinJoo Home are focused on helping them seize this growth opportunity by combining LiveIn's international standards with JinJoo Home's extensive local expertise. LiveIn continually refines its product standards to address changing consumer preferences and ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements. With 10,500 rooms across 200 buildings in 4 Southeast Asian countries, LiveIn brings its proven regional expertise in technology, operational management, and demand generation. Meanwhile, JinJoo Home's deep local knowledge and strong presence in Ho Chi Minh City will help consolidate and support operators in adopting these best practices, tailored to meet the unique needs of the Vietnamese market. The strategic alliance with JinJoo Home builds on LiveIn's earlier strategic alliance with Hive, a regional leader in co-living renovations, to establish the LiveIn Global Renovation Division. Through this new division, LiveIn delivers thoughtfully designed homes that inspire growth and new experiences across all the markets it serves, including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Both synergies further cement LiveIn's position as a leading flexible housing provider in Southeast Asia. MENAFN17122024003551001712ID1109005181 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.The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in 2024 has reshaped our world in ways previously confined to science fiction. Virtual assistants now handle complex customer service queries with human-like understanding, while AI-powered chips process vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds. These technological breakthroughs have caught Wall Street's attention, driving the S&P 500 's ( ^GSPC 1.10% ) remarkable bull run since October 2022. The economic impact of this AI revolution promises to be transformative. PwC projects AI will add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. This isn't just about chatbots and automation anymore. AI fundamentally transforms how businesses operate, from restaurants using voice AI to handle drive-thru orders to data centers requiring increasingly sophisticated chips to power their AI operations. Many investors have already profited from AI's meteoric rise through industry giants like Nvidia ( NVDA 0.39% ) . However, the next wave of AI growth may come from companies that are only now beginning to flex their technological muscle. As we approach 2025, two companies stand out for their unique positions in the AI value chain , offering investors fresh opportunities to capitalize on this technological revolution. Voice AI: The future of customer interaction SoundHound AI ( SOUN -0.93% ) has quietly built an AI empire that's revolutionizing how businesses interact with customers. In November 2024, the company reported quarterly revenue of $25.1 million, representing an 89% year-over-year increase as more businesses adopt voice AI solutions. What makes SoundHound AI particularly intriguing is its rapid transformation from an automotive-focused company to a diversified AI powerhouse. The company now serves seven of the top 20 global quick-service restaurant chains, with its AI handling everything from drive-thru orders to phone reservations. Its expansion into financial services, healthcare, and insurance demonstrates the universal appeal of its technology platform. Major automotive manufacturers aren't being left behind. Stellantis has integrated SoundHound AI's technology across its luxury brands in Europe, while partnerships with next-generation vehicle manufacturers in the Middle East and India showcase global demand. With the AI voice generators market projected to grow at nearly 30% annually through 2030, SoundHound AI's first-mover advantage and proven technology make it a compelling play for investors seeking exposure to the future of human-machine interaction. Challenging the AI chip throne Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) ( AMD 1.36% ) has emerged as the dark horse in the AI chip race, offering performance that rivals Nvidia to a degree at more attractive price points. The numbers tell the story: AMD's data center revenue soared to $3.5 billion in its latest quarter , marking a staggering 122% year-over-year leap. The company's AI graphics processing units (GPUs) business has exploded from virtually nothing a year ago to over $1.5 billion in the most recent quarter. This growth stems in part from AMD's strategic partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and its innovative chiplet manufacturing approach -- a combination that allows for rapid product development and competitive pricing. The potential market opportunity is mind-boggling. Industry analysts project the AI accelerator market will reach $500 billion by 2028. While Nvidia currently dominates this space, customers and developers are actively seeking alternatives to prevent overreliance on a single supplier. AMD's competitive pricing, proven technology, and established reputation make it perfectly positioned to capture a significant share of this expanding market. The investment case The convergence of voice AI technology and semiconductor innovation represents two distinct paths to profit from the AI revolution . SoundHound AI offers pure-play exposure to the rapidly growing voice AI market, with its technology already proving transformative across multiple industries. Meanwhile, AMD provides investors access to the critical infrastructure powering the AI boom, with its competitive pricing strategy and technological capabilities challenging the status quo in AI chip manufacturing. As we enter 2025, these companies represent more than just potential growth stories -- they're actively reshaping how businesses operate and interact with customers. For investors seeking to capitalize on the next wave of AI innovation, SoundHound AI and AMD offer compelling opportunities to participate in this technological revolution while it's still in its early stages. Their unique market positions, proven technology, and massive addressable markets create a powerful combination that could deliver substantial returns as the AI revolution continues to unfold.PMF Finance 6 month profits soars 500%

The High Plains and Clearview library districts and the Loveland Public Library offer a variety of programs and activities for all ages. Here are some activities taking place at the respective locations through Dec. 6. To see a full list of events, go to mylibrary.us , clearviewlibrary.org and lovelandpubliclibrary.org . High Plains Library District Cards and Cocoa will take place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at LINC. Walk Indoors will take place from 11-11:30 a.m. Monday at Carbon Valley Regional Library. Crafty Teens will take place from 5-6 p.m. Monday at LINC. Knit & Crochet will take place from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at Farr Regional Library. Adult Book Club will meet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fort Lupton Public Library. Holiday Card Making will take place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Carbon Valley Regional Library. Art Club will meet from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Kersey Library. DIY Gifts will take place from 4-5:15 p.m. Wednesday at Erie Community Library. Sketch Club will meet from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday at Carbon Valley Regional Library. Kids Craft will take place from 11 a.m.-noon Thursday at Eaton Public Library. Roaming Readers Walking Club will meet from 1-2 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Library. Paws to Read will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at LINC. Afternoon Storytime will take place from 1-2 p.m. Friday at Grover Library. Beyond the Classroom will take place from 3-4 p.m. Friday at Centennial Park Library. Enchanted Masquerade will take place from 6-8 p.m. Friday at LINC. Clearview Library District Read, Rhyme, and Romp will take place from 10-10:30 a.m. Monday at Severance Library. Creation Station will take place from 3:15-4:15 p.m. Monday at Severance Library. The Bookmobile will stop from 3:30-4 p.m. Monday at Northern Lights Park, 550 Saratoga Way, Windsor. Homeschool Social Hour will take place from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at Windsor Library. Lego Explorers will take place from 3:15-4:15 p.m. Tuesday at Severance Library. Lunch and Learn will take place from noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Windsor Library. Family Bingo will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Windsor Library. Paws for Reading will take place from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Windsor Library. Good Tidings and Sweet Bites will take place from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Windsor Library. Teen Video Gaming will take place from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Windsor Library. Loveland Public Library Dungeons and Dragons open play will take place from 4:30-5:45 p.m. Monday at Loveland Public Library. Windows Basics class will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the library. Teen Advisory Board will meet from 4:45-5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the library. Wildlife Window with Kevin Cook will take place from 10:15-11:15 a.m. Wednesday at the library. Brickmasters will take place from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday at the library. Family Storytime will take place from 10:15-10:45 a.m. Thursday at the library. Digital Scrapbooking Tools will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday at the library. Teen Video Game Tournament will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday at the library.Whole Of Govt Approach Should Be Adopted To Achieve Socio-Economic Goals: LG Pays tribute to Vajpayee, Malaviya JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today paid tribute to former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya on the occasion of their birth anniversary. Addressing a commemorative event at Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya Inter College in Ghazipur, the Lieutenant Governor said, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee represent the conscience of Bharat. He said the vision of the two giant leaders paved the way for socio-economic transformation of the nation. “Mahamana’s relentless pursuit to public welfare and nation building had shaped the idea of self-reliant, modern and united India. The vision of Mahamana had opened up new frontiers in education, technology and industrial development of the country,” the Lieutenant Governor said. Paying homage to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Lieutenant Governor spoke on the lifelong campaigns of the former Prime Minister dedicated to nation building and public welfare. “Nation should be supreme for an individual. To ensure this Atal Ji gave us the principles of ‘Indianization’ and ‘Nation-First’. Every section of society should work together to make the country self-reliant with undivided loyalty,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor called upon the people, especially the youth to rededicate themselves to the ideals of Mahamana and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and strive to build a progressive society and work unitedly to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat. “We do not have to live in the past but we must take inspiration from history to build a brighter future,” he said. He highlighted that the Youth have a very important role to play in taking public services to the grassroots levels. To achieve this, we need to start shaping a new framework for Jan-Bhagidari and use new technologies for transparency and accountability at all levels, he added. “Unity is our greatest strength. Young generation must unite the society with determination. I want to see every hand working like a skilled sculptor to create a beautiful, victorious and prosperous India. I want to see a sense of responsibility, steadfastness towards duties and steely determination in every youth towards nation-building,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that our cultural ideals and values should be paramount for the new political and economic system. “Today is the opportunity for us to build a brighter tomorrow for the country and to ensure that societal attitude is changed towards responsibilities. Whole of Government Approach should be adopted to achieve socio-economic goals,” the Lieutenant Governor observed.

None

Massive Buyback Plan Announced – What You Need to Know

9 killed in Ethiopia Oromia region attackDrone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictionsNone

PLANO, 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/enUniversity of Nevada women's volleyball captain Sia Liilii joins ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to discuss the growing controversy with transgender athletes in sports. The Mountain West volleyball tournament final Saturday pits San Jose State and transgender player Blaire Fleming against Colorado State and its star, Malaya Jones. Fleming has been the subject of controversy, with two lawsuits objecting to Fleming's presence on the team as a transgender athlete. But Jones and her teammates introduced some controversy of their own . Jones and teammates Kennedy Stanford and Naeemah Weathers knelt during the national anthem ahead of Saturday's match for the second night in a row. The three players also knelt during the national anthem ahead of a semifinal match Friday night. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM After Friday's game, Colorado State head coach Emily Kohan told reporters the players have knelt before games for five seasons. "They've knelt since their freshman year, when the Black Lives Matter movement was going on, and, in this program, we raise critical thinkers to make decisions for what's important to them," Kohan said. "And, for those three, they're Black players, and it's been important to them for five years. And they've stood their ground for saying that this is something that they believe in, and we've all supported them." Questions arose whether the Spartans would even play Saturday's match after their semifinal opponent, Boise State, forfeited a playoff match amid the controversy. But Kohan insisted her team would play the game with Fleming on the court. SJSU TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL: TIMELINE OF ALLEGATIONS, POLITICAL IMPACT AND A RAGING CULTURE MOVEMENT "This has been far from a regular season. We get an opportunity to play for another championship tomorrow, but we also are showing some courage to be the team that says, ‘Hey, we’re going to go out there, and we’re gonna show courage in the way we play and that this can stop with us.’ "We're not going to pass these difficult conversations on to the NCAA committee or any other team to have those crying conversations in the hotel." Colorado State has been the best team in the conference this season, and San Jose State finished second. In their first match of the regular season Oct. 3, Spartans head coach Todd Kress thanked Kohan and her team for simply participating. At the time, San Jose State had just had three matches wiped off its schedule due to forfeit over the Fleming controversy. San Jose State University Spartans head coach Todd Kress speaks with reporters after a loss in an NCAA Mountain West women’s volleyball game against the Colorado State University Rams in Fort Collins, Colo., Oct. 3, 2024. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) "I walked up to Emily tonight, and I was like, ‘Should I say thank you for playing us?’ I seriously meant that because, of course, we're disappointed that we're losing opportunities to play, but it's not just us that are losing opportunities to play. It's the people choosing not to play us, and that's very unfortunate when it comes to these young women that have earned the right to step on the court and play," Kress said in a postgame press conference Oct. 3. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fleming's San Jose State teammate Brooke Slusser is involved in two separate lawsuits, citing her experience with Fleming as a teammate. Slusser has alleged she was made to share living and changing areas with Fleming despite having never been told Fleming is a biological male. Slusser's most recent lawsuit against the Mountain West alleges another San Jose State teammate was present for a meeting between Fleming and Jones in which they discussed a plan to throw the Oct. 3 match in favor of the Rams, while also planning to have Slusser spiked in the face by Jones. Those same allegations were included in a Title IX complaint by former Spartans assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose. The Mountain West has concluded an investigation into the allegations of the Title IX complaint without finding sufficient evidence to support the claims. Slusser's attorney provided a statement to Fox News Digital questioning the validity of the investigation. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.TikTok's future uncertain after appeals court rejects its bid to overturn possible US ban

Limited again, 49ers QB Brock Purdy still fighting sore shoulderSen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency’s plans to cut spending. Republicans have big plans for spending cuts next year, but some GOP lawmakers are doubting Congress can muster the momentum for significant changes. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, whom President-elect Trump tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory panel on cutting spending and the national debt, were on Capitol Hill Thursday for a series of meetings with lawmakers on how Congress and the White House can work together to achieve that goal. And while that advisory panel is chiefly aimed at what executive actions Trump could take, lawmakers are conceding that significant, lasting change must be achieved through legislation. And some Republicans are skeptical they can get there. "The problem’s in that room," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., referring to other GOP lawmakers who met with Musk and Ramaswamy. GOP SENATORS ‘VERY IMPRESSED’ WITH MUSK, RAMASWAMY DOGE FRAMEWORK AMID MEETINGS ON CAPITOL HILL Trump announced Nov. 12, 2024, that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy would be leading the Department of Government Efficiency. (Getty Images) "These guys, you know, they talk real tough," but they did not vote in ways he believed showed they were serious about cutting spending. "You don’t see a lot of that. Now, when is that going to start? Is it going to start just because Elon and Vivek [address us]?" Burchett asked. "I just worry about us losing steam. ... We’ve got to get some guts, and people have got to hold us accountable." REP. JARED MOSKOWITZ FIRST DEMOCRAT TO JOIN CONGRESSIONAL DOGE CAUCUS Retiring Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., told Fox News "a lot of members" stood up to suggest ways to "save money" during Thursday afternoon’s brainstorming session with Republicans and the DOGE duo. "One would think more of them would have been willing to vote, cast votes on the floor of the House in order to do those things early," Bishop added. The DOGE discussions have opened up longstanding wounds within the House GOP, whose members spent a significant amount of the 118th Congress battling among themselves over how to navigate government funding and other fiscal issues. The national debt recently surpassed $36 trillion. Rep. Chip Roy questioned whether fellow Republicans have the "spine" to pass spending overhauls. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) A senior House GOP aide expressed optimism about the new goal but added that Musk and Ramaswamy were "swinging for the fences." "The hard part is once they find the stuff to cut, I think it’s Congress who has to do the actual cutting, right?" the aide said. Another senior GOP aide said, "The mission of DOGE is worthy and absolutely necessary, but nothing is going to change . We aren’t going to cut spending like we [have to] to get our fiscal house in order, and we aren’t going to slash waste at any significant level." US NATIONAL DEBT HITS A NEW RECORD: $36 TRILLION Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, also skeptical, told Republicans at Thursday's meeting they needed to "grow a spine" to actually move meaningful spending cuts. "I've said to my colleagues, ‘If you can't print money, if, literally, it was banned today, what would you do?’ You would do what you do for your home budget. You would say, 'Well, we can't take a vacation here. I can't get a fancy new car because I need to get braces for my child,'" Roy told WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. "We don't ever do that, and, until we do, all of the DOGE waste-cutting in the world won't help. We’ve got to do both. We need the waste-cutting, but we need Congress to grow a spine." MIKE JOHNSON WINS REPUBLICAN SUPPORT TO BE HOUSE SPEAKER AGAIN AFTER TRUMP ENDORSEMENT President-elect Trump tapped Musk and Ramaswamy to lead DOGE. (Brandon Bell) Some Republicans are skeptical of having Musk and Ramaswamy lead the charge. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "They had no game plan — a wish list that they’re giving to Santa and the American people that will never be even remotely accomplished," one GOP lawmaker, granted anonymity to speak freely, told Fox News Digital of Thursday's meeting. The GOP lawmaker called DOGE a "magical department that has been erected out of thin air," and pointed out its logo was heavily inspired by a cryptocurrency known as "dogecoin" that Musk has backed. "They’re going to run into a brick wall called ‘members of Congress who know how to do our job,’" the lawmaker said. Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com

Recruiters say Wall Street firms are planning to hire more tech talent next year. Jobs at AI companies like Nvidia and OpenAI, or ones that work with their products, are highly sought after. Recruiters Ben Hodzic and Matt Stabile outline how jobseekers can stand out in the hiring process. It's been a tough year for software engineers on the job market, but one bright spot is starting to emerge on Wall Street for technologists looking for a new gig. Banks, hedge funds, and investment firms bullish on AI are expected to hire more tech talent in the new year, according to two headhunters who recruit engineers and data scientists for finance firms. That's good news for jobseekers in these sectors, which were long considered to be recession-proof careers but were hit this year with waves of layoffs , job freezes, and hiring cutbacks . Ben Hodzic, a managing director at recruitment firm Selby Jennings who finds talent for hedge funds and investment banks, told Business Insider there's "a lot of optimism" around AI in financial services. "Financial services institutions are slowly adopting their workflows and they've come to a reality where you need the right talent to actually build and implement and manage those products," he said. In some cases, the hiring spree is already happening. Jamie Dimon, the boss of America's biggest bank JPMorgan Chase, said earlier this year that he's anticipating adding thousands of jobs related to AI in the next few years. Hedge fund and proprietary-trading firms are shelling out as much as $350,000 in annual salaries for top-tier AI researchers and engineers. Meanwhile, private-equity firms have been "clamoring" to hire AI operating executives to improve their portfolio companies. Hodzic said the rosier outlook stems from a desire to build AI tools in-house and boost worker productivity in areas like wealth advisory , investment banking , and trading . More clarity on the direction of macroeconomic factors, like inflation and the impacts of the US election, is also providing tailwinds for banks looking to invest in human capital in 2025, he said. While AI is expected to drive an uptick in tech hiring, the technology is also changing what it takes to get a tech job on Wall Street. BI spoke with recruiters to find out how candidates should adapt and what they need to do to stand out. They outlined some of the industry's most in-demand skills, explained why having Big Tech experience might not get you that far anymore, and shared the companies that hiring managers want to see on resumes. They declined to disclose specific client activity due to privacy agreements. Here's what software engineers need to know to get hired on Wall StreetBrock Purdy participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers but the San Francisco starting quarterback was not on the field for the majority of the workout, casting doubt over his availability to play Sunday at Green Bay. Purdy is dealing with a right shoulder injury and the 49ers are also potentially without left tackle Trent Williams and Nick Bosa due to injuries. Bosa was listed as out of Thursday's practice with an oblique injury. Williams also didn't suit up Thursday. He played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable. Purdy's typical Thursday post-practice media session was scrapped until Friday as the 49ers did not make any quarterback available. Kyle Allen would step in for Purdy as the starter if he can't play against the Packers. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level Media