OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance — AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) to “a-” (Excellent) from “a” (Excellent) of Farm Bureau County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas and Texas Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company (together known as Texas Farm Bureau Casualty Group).   The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative. At the same time, AM Best has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long ..read more

“Baahubali” star Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media has teamed with Tinkle Comics to launch a graphic novel featuring Indian superhero Minnal Murali at the Mumbai Comic-Con.   “Minnal Murali” is a 2021 Malayalam-language film directed by Basil Joseph, produced by Sophia Paul’s Weekend Blockbusters and starring Tovino Thomas as the eponymous superhero.   Set in a village in Kerala, the film follows a tailor with dreams of emigrating to the U.S. and a social outcast who simultaneously get superpowers when struck by lightning (minnal means lightning in Malayalam) with the former using them ..read more

The directors and producers of the groundbreaking 1999 horror film release a separate statement in support: ‘We believe the actors deserve to be celebrated for their enduring association with the franchise’     Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams, stars of the seminal horror film “The Blair Witch Project,” released a public letter to Lionsgate on Saturday asking for more robust compensation for their work on the 1999 blockbuster, as well as “meaningful consultation” on any future “Blair Witch” projects that use their names or likenesses.   The statement comes ..read more

— TikTok has changed America   New York Times:     —  Has there ever been an app more American seeming than TikTok, with its messy democratic creativity, exhibitionism, utter lack of limits and vast variety of hustlers?   And yet, of course, TikTok is not American, which is the whole reason that in March, the House of Representatives passed a bill with broad bipartisan support that would force the Chinese owners of the video-app juggernaut to either sell to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban. Lawmakers say it’s a national security threat, and that the Chinese governme ..read more

Bangladeshi filmmakers Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Nusrat Imrose Tisha‘s “Something Like an Autobiography” has been acquired for U.K. broadcast by Channel 4.   The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival, where was in the prestigious Jiseok competition. It was also a part of the South Asian icon strand at the 2023 Mumbai Film Festival.   The film follows Dhaka-based married couple, the filmmaker Farhan (Farooki) and actor Tithi (Tisha), who are under societal pressure to have a baby. Tithi conceives and towards the end of her pregnancy term an incid ..read more

TRENTON, N.J. –- The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) announces Schnearia Ashley, Senior Vice President, Truist, CRA Community Development Manager, Truist – PA and NJ, as Vice Chair of the AACCNJ Community Board of Directors. “I am deeply honored to serve as vice chair of the community board of directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce New Jersey”, said Schnearia Ashley, Senior Vice President, Truist, CRA Community Development Manager, Truist – PA and NJ. “I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of our vibrant community.” “Having ..read more

Mercer County Board of Elections will have a presentation at the County Library in Lawrence on May 21 to educate the public about the three ways to vote in N.J. for the upcoming Primary and General Elections, and to demonstrate  the safeguards that are  in place to protect county elections. They will also  provide a demonstration of the Dominion Voting Machines. With a Presidential Election year underway, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, Superintendent of Elections Walker M. Worthy, Jr., and Board of Elections Chair Jill Moyer invite constituents to a comprehensive pr ..read more

In a triumphant night for Spain, J.A. Bayona’s Oscar-nominated “Society of the Snow” swept the top prizes at Platino Xcaret, named after the venue of the annual Platino Awards this year, which took place at the Xcaret Park, Riviera Maya, Mexico.   Argentina cinema’s plight, exacerbated by far-right president Javier Milei’s closure of its film institute, INCAA, was also on many people’s minds.   Courtesy of Netflix Citing veteran Argentine filmmaker Adolfo Aristarain as one of his inspirations, Bayona said upon receiving his best director award: “Argentina, we are here standing by ..read more

CHICAGO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE: AZEK) (“AZEK” or the “Company”), the industry-leading manufacturer of beautiful, low-maintenance and environmentally sustainable outdoor living products, including TimberTech® decking and railing, Versatex® and AZEK® Trim, and StruXure® pergolas, is proud to announce that the new TimberTech Composite Terrain+ CollectionTM has been recognized for its innovative design and performance characteristics as well as its sustainability attributes, receiving Green Builder’s 2024 Sustainable Product of the Year Award and being named to HGTV Magazi ..read more

TEANECK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Phibro Animal Health Corporation (Nasdaq: PAHC) expects to announce its third quarter financial results on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, after the market closes. Phibro management will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.   Interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting https://investors.pahc.com. The discussion will also be available by dialing +1 (888) 330-2022 in the U.S. and Canada, or +1 (365) 977-0051 for international callers. Provide the conf ..read more