Universal

NEW REPORT: Election Manipulation and Armed Conflict Drove 18th Consecutive Year of Decline in Freedom

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Kremlin, Freedom House, Democrat, Violence, Multimedia, War, Torture, Authoritarianism, Government, Risk, Turkish coup d'état, Universal, Freedom in the World, Human rights, Death, Atrocity, UN, Democracy, Face, Pressure, Drug

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global freedom declined for an 18th consecutive year in 2023 as political rights and civil liberties deteriorated in 52 countries, representing a fifth of the world's population, according to a new report released today by Freedom House. The declines were both widespread and severe, eclipsing the improvements observed in 21 other countries.

Key Points: 
  • The new report, Freedom in the World 2024: The Mounting Damage of Flawed Elections and Armed Conflict , found that election manipulation, warfare, and attacks on pluralism—the peaceful coexistence of people with different political ideas, religions, or ethnic identities—were key drivers of the global decline.
  • "Global freedom took a big step backward in 2023," said Michael J. Abramowitz, president of Freedom House.
  • Key report findings include the following:
    Widespread problems with elections, including violence and manipulation, drove deterioration in rights and freedoms.
  • Freedom House is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to create a world where all are free.

Monumental Sports partners with Synamedia to power its newly launched sports network

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Ted Leonsis, NBC Sports Washington, NBA, NHL, DirecTV, Cox, Comcast, Growth, Washington Mystics, PowerVu, NBC Sports, Sport, Hulu, Universal, NBC, RCN, Verizon Communications, Ecosystem, HEVC, Washington Wizards, IP, WNBA, YouTube TV, Washington Capitals, Mediacom, Athlete, FuboTV, Mathematical optimization

They needed technology that could be integrated quickly and accurately into their media distribution platform, supporting their ambitious network launch plans.

Key Points: 
  • They needed technology that could be integrated quickly and accurately into their media distribution platform, supporting their ambitious network launch plans.
  • This technology is ideal for network expansions – like the one Monumental Sports Network is undergoing – due to its flexibility and compatibility.
  • "We initially chose Synamedia for its proven solutions and established leadership in the market," said Charlie Myers, Chief Technology Officer at Monumental Sports.
  • We are looking forward to exploring how both our new network and relationship with Synamedia will continue to evolve."

Market Research Leader Parks Associates Announces 2024 Executive Events Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, and Future of Video

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
SmartThings, SMB, Education, Marketing, AIG, Internet of things, Future, Universal Electronics, Health, Universal, Alarm.com, American International Group, Kwikset, CES, Consumer, Research

DALLAS, Feb. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International market research firm Parks Associates today announced the 2024 schedule for its executive events, which include a mix of in-person conferences and quarterly virtual sessions, providing ongoing research insights and networking opportunities. In 2023, Parks Associates brought thousands of technology executives together at its events around the firm's core coverage areas of broadband, connected devices, connected health, security and home automation, streaming and video distribution, multifamily solutions, and energy management.

Key Points: 
  • In 2023, Parks Associates brought thousands of technology executives together at its events around the firm's core coverage areas of broadband, connected devices, connected health, security and home automation, streaming and video distribution, multifamily solutions, and energy management.
  • "We love bringing the leading tech and service providers together to share our research and their insights," said Ashton Gambrell, Director of Sales, Sponsorships, Parks Associates.
  • Parks Associates hosted its first event of 2024, the 18th annual CONNECTIONS™ Summit , on January 9 at CES in Las Vegas.
  • Leading service and technology companies joined Parks Associates analysts to share insights on the future of connected homes.

RHEEM® FAMILY OF BRANDS FEATURES SMART, SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS AT THE 2024 NAHB INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS' SHOW®

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
HVAC, Acoustics, Furnace, Econet, Noise, Thermostat, Maximus, Series, Universal, Series 80, Family, Heat pump, Endeavour, Wi-Fi, HVACR, Water, IBS

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harnessing the strength of more than 50 brands, Rheem®, manufacturing giant of water heating and HVACR products, will present a range of sustainable, connected comfort solutions with exceptional performance at the 2024 NAHB International Builders' Show® (IBS) in Las Vegas from Tuesday, Feb. 27 – Thursday, Feb. 29.

Key Points: 
  • Beyond the unveiling of innovative technologies, Rheem is eager to engage with attendees and share valuable industry insights on sustainability and energy efficiency.
  • The unit features smart controls with the latest in sensor technology, an EcoNet® monitoring system and built-in Bluetooth® connectivity.
  • The unit features an industry-leading warranty and built-in Bluetooth® connectivity so users can receive alerts delivered directly to their phone with the EcoNet®1 app capabilities.
  • Additionally, efficient home comfort shouldn't be noisy and WP14AZ is designed with acoustics in mind and sound-dampening features to bring quiet comfort.

Mi5 Recordings Universal Music Group Enters Into A Strategic Partnership with Music City San Francisco

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Social media, Music, Strategic partnership, Tech, Work, Universal Music Group, Partnership, Learning, Universal, History, Heart, Imagination, SAN, Corporation, The Stranglers

Music City San Francisco, a west coast hub and creative space for music in the heart of San Francisco, is entering into a strategic partnership with Mi5 Recordings Universal Music Group and President Ted Mason (former member Modern English, Multi platinum music producer).

Key Points: 
  • Music City San Francisco, a west coast hub and creative space for music in the heart of San Francisco, is entering into a strategic partnership with Mi5 Recordings Universal Music Group and President Ted Mason (former member Modern English, Multi platinum music producer).
  • Music City SF/Mi5 Recordings Universal Music Group will be providing "Space" for the San Francisco/Northern California Music community to see their musical ambitions in music come to fruition, learn all aspects of the industry including recording, producing, business aspects and expectations of the industry and market, learn realistic ambition in music, interact with both local and international music artists and stars and work and communicate with the artists affiliated with Mi5 Recordings Universal Music Group in London, Paris, New York on a regular basis.
  • Universal Music Group, which finances and distributes Mi5 Recordings, is the biggest music label in the world, a 54 billion dollar world wide company owning a majority of today's contemporary artists and the legacy and history of past artists.
  • We intend to create a strategic platform to compete with the International Music Markets of Paris, New York and London.

Rheem® Introduces Endeavor™ Line Classic Plus® Series Universal Heat Pump

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
HVAC, Inflation, Tax, Noise, Universal, Energy, HVACR, Environment

ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rheem®, a leading global manufacturer of water heating and HVACR products, today announced the launch of its newest heat pump, Endeavor™ Line Classic Plus® Series Universal Heat Pump RD17AZ. The ENERGY STAR® certified1 Rheem RD17AZ was rated as 2024's most efficient, even in cold climates, and works with nearly any HVAC system option or as a Universal Replacement with minimal alterations required2.

Key Points: 
  • ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rheem ®, a leading global manufacturer of water heating and HVACR products, today announced the launch of its newest heat pump, Endeavor™ Line Classic Plus® Series Universal Heat Pump RD17AZ.
  • Rheem's Endeavor heat pump provides a more versatile solution for consistent comfort season after season.
  • Energy Efficient: Provides more energy savings and with households generating 72%3 of greenhouse gas emissions, switching to a heat pump can make a big difference for the environment and save on energy bills.
  • For additional information on Endeavor Line Classic Plus Series Universal Heat Pump RD17AZ, please visit www.rheem.com/endeavor .

A More Just World Is Possible with Just One Rule

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
International law, International, Mental health, Emergency, Poverty, Multimedia, Education, Social justice, Dream, Golden Rule, Golden, Social, Exercise, Hope, Business rules engine, Central African, Sport, Safety, Universal, War, Private sector, Human rights, United Nations, Famine, Tears, Atrocity, Teaching, Survival, UN, Child, Nightmare, Trauma, Marriage, International humanitarian law, ECW, Nursing

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its covenants would suffice to make our world a just world for all. Yet, the global community does not respect its commitments to these international legal frameworks. It is not complicated. 

Key Points: 
  • We just need to follow one rule underpinning them, the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
  • Unjust and inhumane wars and atrocities are raging in the Middle East, in Sudan and across sub-Saharan Africa, in Ukraine and beyond.
  • These are legally binding commitments, which can be truly simplified down to a single universal rule: the Golden Rule.
  • Increasingly, armed conflicts, atrocities and human rights violations are committed daily against vulnerable, innocent children and youth in nearly every region of the world.

A More Just World Is Possible with Just One Rule

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
International law, International, Mental health, Emergency, Poverty, Education, Social justice, Dream, Golden Rule, Golden, Social, Exercise, Hope, Business rules engine, Central African, Sport, Safety, Universal, War, Private sector, Human rights, United Nations, Famine, Tears, Atrocity, Teaching, Survival, UN, Child, Nightmare, Trauma, Marriage, International humanitarian law, ECW, Nursing

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its covenants would suffice to make our world a just world for all. Yet, the global community does not respect its commitments to these international legal frameworks. It is not complicated. 

Key Points: 
  • We just need to follow one rule underpinning them, the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
  • Unjust and inhumane wars and atrocities are raging in the Middle East, in Sudan and across sub-Saharan Africa, in Ukraine and beyond.
  • These are legally binding commitments, which can be truly simplified down to a single universal rule: the Golden Rule.
  • Increasingly, armed conflicts, atrocities and human rights violations are committed daily against vulnerable, innocent children and youth in nearly every region of the world.

Philip R. Lane: The banking channel of monetary policy

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024
Online, BSI, Specialization, BLS, Exercise, House, History, AnaCredit, NFPS, Policy, Imir, NII, ECB, T3, BVAR, CES, Housing, Composite, SHSS, Bank, Outlook, IRB, Eurozone, Total, Level, IBoxx, Supervision, Inventory, Deutsche Bundesbank, MFI, Universal, T2, Business, MIR, IHS Markit, Excess, QSA, Florence School, Insurance, Eurosystem, Household, G-SIB, Lombard, T+2, Observation, Rubric, Credit, ILM, Fused quartz

for rates, credit growth in deviation from the start of the cycle (t) in p.p.

Key Points: 
    • for rates, credit growth in deviation from the start of the cycle (t) in p.p.
    • Starting months correspond to the month immediately preceding the first hike or explicit announcement of the hike of the cycle.
    • The dotted lines shows counterfactuals for lending rates and lending volumes, taking December 2021 as the last observation and
      projecting volumes conditional on the path of monetary policy rates.
    • The one for lending volumes is based on the BVAR model in Altavilla,
      Giannone, and Lenza (2016).
    • Composite funding costs are a weighted average of deposit rates
      and average monthly bond yields, with outstanding amounts as weights.
    • Right chart shows
      the contributions of the components to the change in the composite bank funding cost
      between December 2021 and November 2023.
    • Latest observations: 8 February 2024 for bond yields; December 2023 for other series.
    • Notes: ?Others? include shares (listed and not listed as well as those issued by investment
      funds), and insurance and pension schemes.
    • Retail

      Specialised

      Universal

      10

      10

      8

      8

      6

      6

      4

      4

      2

      2

      0

      0

      -2

      -2

      -4
      Jan-20 Aug-20 Mar-21 Oct-21 May-22 Dec-22 Jul-23

      -4

      Sources: ECB (iBSI, iMIR) MPC Task Force on Banking Analysis and ECB calculations.

    • Investment refers to the net
      change in property plant and equipment over assets; cash refers to cash and cash
      equivalents over assets.
    • Households
      loans, credit standards and loan demand
      Rubric
      Changes in credit standards for
      loans to households, and
      contributing factors
      (net percentage)

      0

      30

      -40

      20

      Sources: ECB (BSI) and ECB calculations.

    • Low-income households are those in the bottom 20 per cent
      of the income distribution; high-income households are those in the top 20 per cent.

Universal Logistics Holdings Reports Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results; Declares Dividend

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Conference call, Intermodal transport, Transport, Conference, Ratio, Universal, Public expenditure, Statistics, Class 8, Face, Clothing

Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Revenues: $390.9 million, 14.8% decrease

Key Points: 
  • Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Revenues: $390.9 million, 14.8% decrease
    Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Income: $34.1 million, 29.2% decrease
    Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Per Share: $0.81 per share, 36.2% decrease
    WARREN, Mich., Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULH) today reported consolidated fourth quarter 2023 net income of $21.4 million, or $0.81 per basic and diluted share, on total operating revenues of $390.9 million.
  • Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Revenues: $201.3 million, 2.0% decrease
    Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Income: $32.1 million, 15.9% operating margin
    In the contract logistics segment, which includes our value-added and dedicated services, fourth quarter 2023 operating revenues decreased 2.0% to $201.3 million, compared to $205.5 million for the same period last year.
  • Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Revenues: $85.4 million, 30.6% decrease
    Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating (Loss): $(0.9) million, (1.1)% operating margin
    Operating revenues in the intermodal segment decreased 30.6% to $85.4 million in the fourth quarter 2023, compared to $123.1 million for the same period last year.
  • Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Revenues: $75.2 million, 15.5% decrease
    Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Income: $2.5 million, 3.3% operating margin
    In the trucking segment, fourth quarter 2023 operating revenues decreased 15.5% to $75.2 million, compared to $89.0 million for the same period last year.