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Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas, speaks to reporters on Friday about the civil rights' organization's strategy to contend with President-elect Donald Trump's second term. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector) Civil rights activists in Kansas are staffing up and engaging with local officials to prepare for a second Donald Trump presidency, the ACLU of Kansas said Friday. Executive director Micah Kubic told reporters the organization has a three-part strategy for Trump’s second term, including attempting to expand civil rights protections at the local level, preparing for ultra-conservative bills in the Kansas Legislature and filing strategic lawsuits to stop “extremist” policies. Working proactively at the local level to expand voting rights and other civil liberties, Kubic said, will be more effective than simply reacting to Trump policies the ACLU opposes. “It really does show folks that we need not live in a defensive crouch,” Kubic said. “We need not be despondent about attacks that we may see from Washington, but instead that we have some control over our own destiny, we can make lives better here.” That will let “those in power know to not collaborate in the extremism,” Kubic said. Kubic said he anticipates that Trump’s second term, which begins in January, will bring “more attacks on civil liberties and civil rights ... than any of us have seen in our lifetimes,” including policies about immigration, voting, LGBTQ rights and abortion access. Working at the local level, Kubic said, will help if the federal government seeks to compel local officials to assist with policies like mass deportations. “When the Trump administration comes calling,” Kubic said, “we want there to be a firewall in place at the local level from elected officials who know that is not something that their own voters, their own constituents, the residents of their places want them to do.” At the same time, Kubic said, the ACLU will keep working to mobilize state lawmakers to block legislation the organization opposes. He said the organization had success defeating “attacks on voting rights” and a proposed ban on gender-affirming healthcare. Kubic said he also expected abortion rights to be an issue in the Kansas Legislature, despite the state’s 2022 vote to keep abortion enshrined in the Kansas Constitution. “We’re able to defeat them because there is a large number of Kansans who don’t want that stuff. ... Regardless of how they voted on Election Day, we know that Kansans don’t want bodily autonomy to be restricted,” he said. The ACLU of Kansas’ fledgling political action committee, Kansans United for Civil Liberties, will continue, Kubic said. The ACLU spent money educating voters in opposition to candidates in 10 legislative races in November, but only one of those candidates was defeated. The ACLU’s most prominent work, its litigation efforts, will also continue, he said. “We will sue anybody who needs suing when the time comes,” Kubic said. “ ... We have been preparing for the Trump administration in particular for a very long time.” While the ACLU’s views on those issues often align with those of Democrats, Kubic said the organization has worked to pursue its priorities no matter who is in power. He noted the ACLU criticized Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, for signing legislation stopping Wyandotte County from issuing identification cards to undocumented immigrants.

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impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn’t stopped people from trying to make “Glicked” — or even “Babyratu” — happen. The counterprogramming of and in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office. This combination of images shows promotional art for "Gladiator II," left, and "Wicked." And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, ). This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the opens Friday against the chest-thumping Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: “Wickiator,” “Wadiator,” “Gladwick” and even the eyebrow raising “Gladicked” have all been suggested. “'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more,” actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening this week. “I think we should all band around ‘Glicked.’ It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it.” As with “Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, “Glicked” also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging muscles. Both films topped Fandango’s most anticipated holiday movie survey, where 65% of respondents said that they were interested in the “Glicked” double feature. Theaters big and small are also pulling out the stops with movie-themed tie-ins. B&B Theaters will have Roman guards tearing tickets at some locations and Maximus popcorn tubs. Marcus Theaters is doing Oz photo ops and friendship bracelet-making. Alamo Drafthouse is leaning into the singalong aspect (beware, though, not all theaters are embracing this) and the punny drinks like “Defying Gravi-Tea.” This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande in a scene from the film "Wicked." “Rather than it being in competition, I think they’re in conversation,” “Gladiator II” star Paul Mescal said. “This industry needs a shot in the arm. Those films gave it last year. We hope to do it this year.” And the hope is that audiences will flock to theaters to be part of this moment as well. It's a sorely needed influx of could-be blockbusters into a marketplace that's still at an 11% deficit from last year and down 27.2% from 2019, according to data from Comscore. “Competition is good for the marketplace. It’s good for consumers,” said Michael O'Leary, the president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “Having two great movies coming out at the same time is simply a multiplier effect.” “Glicked” is currently tracking for a combined North American debut in the $165 million range, with “Wicked” forecast to earn around $100 million (up from the $80 million estimates a few weeks ago) and “Gladiator II” pegged for the $65 million range. its projections last July. Going into that weekend, “Barbie” had been pegged for $90 million and “Oppenheimer” around $40 million. Ultimately, in that first outing, and nearly $2.4 billion by the end of their runs. It’s possible “Glicked” will exceed expectations, too. And it has the advantage of another behemoth coming close behind: which opens just five days later on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday. “Glickedana” triple feature anyone? This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Pedro Pascal, left, and Paul Mescal in a scene from "Gladiator II." “These are 10 important days,” O'Leary said. “It’s going to show the moviegoing audience that there’s a lot of compelling stuff out there for them to see.” There are infinite caveats to the imperfect comparison to “Barbenheimer,” as well. “Wicked” Musicals carry their own baggage with moviegoers, even those based on wildly successful productions (ahem, “Cats”). “Gladiator II” got a head start and opened internationally last weekend. In fact, in the U.K. it played alongside “Paddington in Peru,” where that double was pegged “Gladdington.” “Gladiator” reviews, while positive, are a little more divided than the others. And neither directors Ridley Scott nor Jon M. Chu has the built-in box office cache that Christopher Nolan’s name alone carries at the moment. The new films also cost more than “Barbie” ($145 million) and “Oppenheimer” ($100 million). According to reports, “Gladiator II” had a $250 million price tag; “Wicked” reportedly cost $150 million to produce (and that does not include the cost of the second film, due next year). The narrative, though, has shifted away from “who will win the weekend.” Earlier this year, that he loves that this is a moment where “we can root for all movies all the time.” Close behind are a bevy of Christmas releases with double feature potential, but those feel a little more niche. There’s the remake of “Nosferatu,” the and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” The internet can’t even seem to decide on its angle for that batch of contenders, and none exactly screams blockbuster. Sometimes the joy is just in the game, however. Some are sticking with the one-name mashup (“Babyratu”); others are suggesting that the fact that two of the movies feature real-life exes (Timothée Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp) is enough reason for a double feature. And getting people talking is half the battle. When in doubt, or lacking a catchy name, there’s always the default: “This is my Barbenheimer.” Last summer, Malibu's iconic blonde faced off against Cillian Murphy and the hydrogen bomb in the unforgettable "Barbenheimer" double feature. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Cotabato City–On Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, Sen. Robinhood Padilla filed Senate Bill No. 2879, which aimed to establish another autonomous region to be composed of three island provinces–Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi or the BaSulTa region. Upon hearing this news, top leaders of the current Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) expressed their dismay that one of their ”idols” and perceived champion in the Senate has dropped another bombshell to an already beleaguered region. Many of them consider this move as “ill-advised” and insensitive to the current problems the region is facing due to the Supreme Court decision last Sept. 9 removing Sulu as a component province of the region. To recall, the Supreme Court announced its final and executory ruling that the province of Sulu is no longer part of the fledgling BARMM, to be implemented after it was announced. This news spread like wildfire, making all functionaries and leaders in the region, and several civil society organizations confused and bewildered at this sudden turn of events in the already checkered brief history of the transitional BARMM government. Padilla’s new bill is a complicated proposal to address the already complex problems faced by the region as well as its constituencies. This proposed legislation is another political “mistake” on top of another one–the exit of Sulu from the BARMM. SB 2879 is not only “ill-advised,” it is fueling another firestorm already generating powerful flames of division in the region. Such divisive national-based policies and decisions hark back to the reign of our two main colonizers–Spain and the United States of America–and these are all referred to as “divide and rule” policy. The two colonizers easily instigated divisions among clan-based communities in Mindanao and its islands many of which have been Islamized starting in 1380 AD, long before the Spaniards came here in the early 16th century. By filing this bill, Padilla is manifesting his cluelessness of the entire range of dynamics–political, social, and cultural–that gave rise to what the BARMM is now. He may be a Muslim by conversion, but he has not embedded himself in the communities of the Bangsamoro, especially those who are leading the region now as the government of the day–the leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He has not seen the suffering of the communities left behind by their heads who had to answer the call for the struggle for self-determination. He has not known how it is to be fighting a war of attrition for more than four decades without being assured of victory at the end. He has not known war on a personal level, since he has not been a part of the Bangsamoro history of struggle. He has only known war as part of his make-believe world as an actor on the big screen. He may be an effective and charismatic actor. Unfortunately, these are not the main traits required of a legislator, and a national one at that. He may be effective in playing his roles on the reel, make-believe world on the silver screen, but he has not gone through the needed training and experience of how to craft legislation, even at the barangay level. I would like to believe that as a Muslim convert, he is concerned with the dismal quality of life of many Bangsamoro Muslims in the region. He claimed this during his campaign sorties that convinced Bangsamoro voters to give their vote of confidence to him. Many of these voters have become part of the BARMM bureaucracy and consider him their champion in promoting more favorable legal instruments to benefit them in the region. The proposed BaSulTa region is not new; it is an arbitrary creation among nongovernment and religious-based organizations to come up with a way to delineate their respective initiatives by location, to distinguish the unique contexts of island communities vis-à-vis the “mainland” provinces of Lanao del Sur and now, the two Maguindanao provinces. But making it another autonomous region will raise a host of various problems, making it another set of kindling wood to an already existing conflagration that started with the exit of Sulu from the BARMM. First, the proposal will run counter to the 1987 Constitution that allows for only two autonomous regions–the ARMM, now BARMM, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region. While several sectors have advocated for reconsideration to reinstate Sulu as part of the BARMM, here is a proposal to divide the region once again. This has also raised questions on Padilla’s motives and his avowed concern and empathy for the Bangsamoro. This bill proves otherwise. Most of all, it is a proposal that spells another figurative firestorm in the region. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . [email protected]

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NEW YORK , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: AWF ), a closed‐end management investment company, declared on this date, December 6, 2024 , a one-time special income distribution of $0.0156 per share of Common Stock. The total distribution of $0.0156 is payable on January 17, 2025 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 19, 2024 . Ex‐date will be December 19, 2024 . The distribution, which is deemed to be received by shareholders in 2024 for federal income tax purposes, represents a one-time special income distribution of $0.0156 so as to enable the Fund to comply with the Internal Revenue Code's minimum distribution requirements for the current year. AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc. is managed by AllianceBernstein L.P. SOURCE AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc.

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Swiss National Bank decreased its holdings in Nova Ltd. ( NASDAQ:NVMI – Free Report ) by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 57,052 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after selling 476 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank owned 0.20% of Nova worth $11,975,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in Nova in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $68,000. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Nova during the 2nd quarter worth $79,000. Signaturefd LLC increased its holdings in Nova by 15.9% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 767 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $180,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its position in Nova by 46.2% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,038 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $184,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. Finally, OLD National Bancorp IN purchased a new position in shares of Nova in the 2nd quarter valued at about $205,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.99% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently weighed in on NVMI shares. Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of Nova in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Citigroup lowered shares of Nova from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $273.00 to $224.00 in a report on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Benchmark lifted their price objective on shares of Nova from $240.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Nova presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $227.80. Nova Price Performance Shares of NVMI opened at $179.76 on Friday. Nova Ltd. has a 1-year low of $123.44 and a 1-year high of $247.21. The stock has a market cap of $5.22 billion, a PE ratio of 33.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.47. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $194.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $208.69. Nova Profile ( Free Report ) Nova Ltd. designs, develops, produces, and sells process control systems used in the manufacture of semiconductors in Israel, Taiwan, the United States, China, Korea, and internationally. Its product portfolio includes a set of metrology platforms for dimensional, films, and materials and chemical metrology measurements for process control for various semiconductor manufacturing process steps, including lithography, etch, chemical mechanical planarization, deposition, electrochemical plating, and advanced packaging. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVMI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Nova Ltd. ( NASDAQ:NVMI – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Nova Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nova and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Former Temple standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe

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ATA Creativity Global (NASDAQ:AACG) Sees Large Drop in Short InterestProspera Financial Services Inc lessened its stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF ( NYSEARCA:HEZU – Free Report ) by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 16,724 shares of the company’s stock after selling 34,827 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc owned approximately 0.14% of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF worth $615,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Evolution Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF during the second quarter valued at $7,258,000. Blue Trust Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF in the second quarter worth about $697,000. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF by 163.9% in the second quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 18,212 shares of the company’s stock worth $661,000 after acquiring an additional 11,312 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF in the second quarter worth about $6,567,000. Finally, Barings LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF by 24.1% in the second quarter. Barings LLC now owns 272,761 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,896,000 after purchasing an additional 53,056 shares during the last quarter. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of NYSEARCA:HEZU opened at $35.53 on Friday. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF has a 52-week low of $31.98 and a 52-week high of $37.81. The stock has a market cap of $421.03 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.44 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $36.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $36.12. About iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap securities from the eurozone, while hedging out its exposure to the euro currency relative to the US dollar. HEZU was launched on Jul 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .