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Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
U. S. Steel Named Title Sponsor of 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--USA Curling, the Curl Mesabi Foundation, and World Curling are pleased to announce that the United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel) will serve as the title sponsor of the Pan Continental Curling Championships 2025, taking place from 19–26 October, at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia, Minnesota, and Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, Minnesota. This prestigious international event will bring together top curling teams from across the Americas and Pacific-Asia regions, competing for qualification to the World Curling Championships 2026. The Iron Range of Minnesota, known for both its mining industry and curling tradition, is ready to welcome countries from around the globe who will compete in the A-Division in Virginia and the B-Division in Eveleth. Nations that will send representatives include the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, India, Kenya, China, Korea, Nigeria, Brazil, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, and Chinese Taipei. 'U. S. Steel is honored to support this world-class event in the heart of Minnesota's Iron Range,' said John Gordon, Senior Vice President — Raw Materials & Sustainable Resources. 'As a company with a long-standing presence in the region, we are proud to help showcase the spirit, resilience, and hospitality of these communities on the global stage.' World Curling President, Beau Welling, said, 'World Curling are thrilled to have U.S. Steel on board as the title sponsor of the Pan Continental Curling Championships 2025. 'Their support will be instrumental in elevating this world-class event, and we look forward to working together to grow the sport of curling and deliver another exciting edition of this championship.' The Pan Continental Curling Championships, established in 2022, serve as the pathway for teams aiming to compete at the World Curling Championships. The LGT World Men's Curling Championship 2026 will be in Ogden, Utah from 28 March–5 April, while the BKT World Women's Curling Championship 2026 will be in Calgary, Canada, from 14–22 March. 'We are thrilled to welcome U. S. Steel as the title sponsor of this World Curling event,' said USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. 'Their generous support not only elevates the championship but also reinforces the strong connection between curling and the Iron Range's proud industrial heritage.' Gemmell added, 'We are also grateful to Ida Rukavina and her team at the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board. Their strong initial support of this event made it possible to take the necessary steps to bring this championship to the area, and the Curl Mesabi Foundation has been an excellent partner as well.' About U. S. Steel Founded in 1901, U. S. Steel delivers profitable and sustainable steel solutions. Propelled by its talented employees and an unwavering focus on safety, U. S. Steel serves the automotive, construction, appliance, energy, containers, and packaging industries with high value-added steel products. Steel production begins with our competitively advantaged iron ore production capabilities which fuel our integrated steelmaking facilities and investments in electric arc furnaces. To help our customers create the best products with the fewest emissions, we are committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. U. S. Steel is at the forefront of creating steels that are stronger, lighter, and better for the environment. This includes our proprietary XG3® advanced high-strength steel, verdeX® steel produced with 70-80% lower CO2 emissions with a recycled content of up to 90%, and ultra-thin lightweight InduX™ steel for electric vehicles, generators, and transformers. U. S. Steel maintains operations across the United States and in Central Europe and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit and follow U. S. Steel on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X. About USA Curling Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling, with close to 200 Member Clubs across 48 states. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, the Dale's family of beers, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Ice, Sports & Solar (ISS), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of World Curling and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit
BreakingNews.ie
02-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
McGregor appeal material to be referred to DPP amid perjury concern
The Court of Appeal has said it will refer claims by witnesses Conor McGregor pulled from his appeal to the director of public prosecutions (DPP), after concerns about perjury arose. It came after a request by the lawyer of Nikita Hand, 35, who successfully sued McGregor in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have 'brutally raped and battered' her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018. Advertisement McGregor, who told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand, launched an appeal after a jury of eight women and four men found him civilly liable for assault. That appeal was expected to contain fresh evidence following an affidavit from a former neighbour of Ms Hand, Samantha O'Reilly, who said she had witnessed a physical row between Ms Hand and her then-partner at about the same time of the incident at the Beacon hotel. Ms Hand denies any altercation with her former partner and the court heard she characterised the claims from Ms O'Reilly and Ms O'Reilly's partner Steven Cummins as 'lies'. On Tuesday, McGregor's legal team dramatically withdrew that ground of appeal, saying it would no longer be relying on the material. Advertisement Conor McGregor outside the High Court in Dublin in 2024 (Brian Lawless/PA) On Wednesday, Ms Hand's lawyer John Gordon SC said she had been disadvantaged by 'highly disparaging and unfair criticisms' in 'widely published' claims from the affidavits, adding that she did not have a chance to reply to them in court before they were withdrawn. Mr Gordon said the application to introduce the witnesses was not just to produce further evidence, but also to 'undermine my client's reputation', including by stating she had lied. Mark Mulholland KC, for McGregor, had raised concerns that the request was an attempt to get the matter on the record for the media, adding that this would be 'wholly inappropriate'. Mr Gordon said Ms Hand was 'put through the wringer yet again' and expressed a desire to cross examine Mr Cummins and Ms O'Reilly. Advertisement He asked the Court of Appeal to use its powers to refer matters to the DPP, citing concerns around perjury. The three judges of the court, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore and Mr Justice Patrick MacGrath, said they would do so. After a day and a half of representations, they also said they would reserve their judgment on the appeal matters to a later date, adding that decisions relating to costs that arose during deliberations would be decided at that point also. Ms Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, was awarded 248,603.60 euro in damages and McGregor was also ordered to pay about 1.3 million euro in legal costs following November's trial. Advertisement Nikita Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, leaving the Court of Appeal in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) McGregor's appeal proceeded on other grounds, largely relating to the circumstances under which his 'no comment' answers to gardai were allowed to enter the trial. Remy Farrell SC, also for McGregor, said on Tuesday that an 'enormous amount of no comment material' had been entered into the hearings to no actual proper end. He said this occurred under cross-examination by Mr Gordon and was based on an 'entirely incorrect' paraphrasing of what the appellant had actually said. Mr Farrell said his client had made a comment about wanting to seek the best advice from his solicitors and accused Ms Hand's side of incorrectly interpreting the same comments as a suggestion that McGregor had sought to present himself as someone who was being fully co-operative with gardai. Advertisement Ray Boland SC, for Ms Hand, said it was clear from a holistic consideration of McGregor's evidence that he was putting forward that he wanted to be as co-operative as possible with the investigation. He said it was appropriate for the line of questioning on the no-comment answers to be admissible. Meanwhile, McGregor's co-defendant has also appealed against the trial judge's decision not to award him his legal costs. During the same trial in November, the jury did not find James Lawrence had assaulted Ms Hand at the hotel. However, trial judge Mr Justice Alexander Owens decided that Ms Hand would not have to pay Mr Lawrence's costs arising out of the proceedings. His legal team is challenging whether that decision was correct and reasonable, arguing that Ms Hand should have to pay as the jury did not find he had assaulted her. Mr Boland said the success of Mr Lawrence's appeal would present 'grubby realities' where McGregor would effectively 'snaffle' back money he had to pay in damages. He told the court that it had been confirmed that McGregor was paying Mr Lawrence's legal costs. He said that the legal bill for Mr Lawrence, which would be due to be paid by Ms Hand if his appeal is successful, is likely to exceed the award of damages to be paid by McGregor. Mr Boland said this would set the jury's verdict on damages 'at nought' when McGregor was 'preparing to pay over the balance' of all costs relating to the matters. He said that McGregor would 'snaffle' back the money he is paying for damages if the appeal of 'his avatar' meant that Ms Hand had to pay Mr Lawrence's costs instead. He said this would not be in the interests of justice. John Fitzgerald SC, for Mr Lawrence, said Mr Owens made the decision not to award costs based on an incorrect interpretation of the jury's verdict and that his client had an entitlement to costs. The Irish Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment in relation to the appeals of McGregor and Lawrence and will give its decisions at a later date.
Axios
30-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
What a Bojangles sale could mean for the restaurant's future
A rumored $1.5 billion Bojangles sale could signal a new direction for the fried chicken-and-biscuits restaurant long seen as an exclusive staple of the South. Why it matters: Bojangles is the place North Carolinians tell visitors they "have to try" while in the state. It's often the first stop for natives returning home, hungry and craving a taste of nostalgia. In recent years, the brand has increasingly been meeting fans where they are, by opening more than 200 restaurants in other regions across the country, from Las Vegas to Dallas to Columbus, Ohio. A sale as big as it's rumored to be would require Bojangles to rev up that growth, industry experts say. Driving the news: The Wall Street Journal, citing "people familiar with the matter," first reported that the Charlotte-based company was working with investment bankers on a potential $1.5 billion sale. That's triple the $590 million private-equity firms Durational Capital Management and TJC paid for Bojangles in 2019, when they took the company private. Reality check: Industry experts say the number may just be Bojangles shooting high. "Bojangles "resonates strongly with its core audience," Billy Roberts, senior analyst with CoBank, says. "For it to support that valuation, it would have to continue a similar performance as it expanded nationally — even more nationally than it already is." While Bojangles is popular in the South, it doesn't have the same national following as, say, a Whataburger. John Gordon, principal at Pacific Management Consulting Group, says the $1.5 billion figure is inflated. "These numbers are strictly marketing numbers that the book runner — which is the firm that's trying to get other investors interested in this — they come up with." Bojangles has declined to comment on the potential sale, saying it does not address rumors or speculation. The Wall Street Journal also noted that Bojangles may ultimately decide not to sell. By the numbers: Bojangles, founded in 1977, now has more than 830 restaurants in 20 states, up from over 600 stores in 12 states in 2019. The chain has expanded to Texas and metros like Phoenix. Opening a Bojangles costs between $2.6 million to $3.4 million, according to a 2023 franchise disclosure document. Gordon says that's a very high cost per store. What they're saying: "Many North and South Carolinians have moved to other states, and when we come, they celebrate that Bojangles has made it to the new town," Bojangles CEO Jose Armario told Axios during a recent interview at the company's new south Charlotte headquarters. Armario, who took the helm in 2019, says Bojangles has seen "tremendous success" in all its new markets. "Last year, we outpaced our competition by 400 basis points," he adds. Yes, but: Bojangles has expanded in the past with mixed results. For example, in 2016, a franchisee closed eight restaurants in Orlando after just a year. The big picture: With the state of the chicken industry and the restaurant M&A world, it tracks that Bojangles would want to at least consider a sale now. "The headline almost writes itself: Brands are striking while the iron — and the chicken — is hot," Roberts says. U.S. chicken sales have been growing for two decades, outpacing beef due to its cheaper costs and versatility. "Our founders were smart enough to know chicken was always going to be in demand," Armario says. Zoom out: Dave's Hot Chicken shook the restaurant world recently when Roark Capital agreed to buy the fast-casual chain for around $1 billion. The restaurant, which started as a California parking lot pop-up and has expanded to Charlotte, is considered a leader in the nationwide hot chicken craze. The average Dave's location does $3.1 million in sales annually, according to Nation's Restaurant News, citing Technomic. Bojangles tend to do over $2 million. Other restaurants are hopping on the chicken trend. Taco Bell, for one, recently added nuggets to its menu. What's next: As the market becomes saturated, analysts suggest Bojangles may need to follow the lead of Wingstop and Raising Cane's by innovating its menu. Bojangles regularly introduces new products, like chicken and waffles, as well as its limited-time Bo-Rito breakfast wrap. "If they don't come up with sauces and rubs and all that kind of thing in order to make it distinctive, then they're going to have a very slow way to go," Gordon says.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
McDonald's shuts down standalone beverage concept amid strategy shift
McDonald's Corporation has announced it will be closing all five of its CosMc's stores, a beverage-focused spinoff brand launched in 2023. The fast-food giant confirmed on Friday that the closures will begin in late June, marking the end of its standalone experiment in the rapidly growing specialty drink the Waters of the Drink SegmentAs reported by Reuters, The CosMc's locations, including one in San Antonio, Texas, were opened to test innovative beverage flavours and new technologies without interfering with operations at existing McDonald's outlets. According to the company, the purpose was to explore opportunities in the booming beverage sector — an area McDonald's believes it is well-positioned to succeed CosMc's-Inspired Drinks Headed to McDonald's MenuWhile the CosMc's stores will be shutting down, McDonald's said it will not abandon the concept entirely. Select "CosMc's-inspired" beverages will be rolled out at hundreds of McDonald's locations across the United States. The company operates over 14,000 restaurants in the U.S. and intends to use this wider platform to gauge customer interest in these new this year, McDonald's revealed plans to form an internal team focused solely on beverage innovation. This move signals the company's intent to compete more aggressively in a space traditionally dominated by brands offering complex, high-margin drink to Be DiscontinuedAs part of the shutdown, the CosMc's app — used for ordering and promotions — will also be deactivated in the coming weeks. The closures will take place gradually, with all locations expected to cease operations by industry consultant John Gordon noted that McDonald's has been relatively quiet in the specialty beverage space compared to competitors. However, he acknowledged that drinks offer higher profit margins than many food items and said McDonald's interest in expanding this segment is a strategic move.( With inputs from Reuters)ALSO READ: Trump signs executive orders to boost domestic nuclear power
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's to close standalone beverage concept
By Waylon Cunningham (Reuters) -McDonald's Corp is shutting down the five beverage-centered CosMc's stores it opened in 2023, but said some drinks from the standalone concept would be tested in McDonald's restaurants. The company said on Friday it had opened the stores as a test to learn more about the 'fast-growing beverage space,' which it said it had a 'right to win.' It said the standalone stores – in markets including San Antonio, Texas – allowed it to test new flavor and technologies without impacting existing McDonald's restaurants. The company said it will test 'CosMc's-inspired' drinks to its main menu at hundreds of U.S. stores. The company has more than 14,000 locations in the U.S. In March, McDonald's announced it would be establishing a new internal team to develop new beverages. The company said all CosMc's would be closed on a rolling basis beginning in late June. The CosMc's app will also be discontinued. Restaurant consultant John Gordon said McDonald's has historically been 'very quiet' in the beverage space compared with other restaurant chains, which have experimented with complicated drinks that typically carry a higher profit margin than food items. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
