Latest news with #ECAT
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
ISS Recommends ECAT Shareholders Vote to Support Nine out of Ten Board Nominees and Against Saba's Termination Proposal
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackRock Advisors LLC ('BlackRock') announced today that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ('ISS'), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, recommended that shareholders of BlackRock ESG Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: ECAT) (the 'Fund') vote on the WHITE card FOR nine out of ten of the incumbent Board nominees and AGAINST the proposal put forth by a dissident shareholder to terminate BlackRock as investment adviser ahead of the Fund's annual meeting on June 26, 2025. In making its recommendation, ISS rejected the dissident's full slate of eight nominees. ISS joins Glass Lewis, which recommended in favor of all incumbent nominees and against the proposal put forth by the dissident. Important statements by ISS in issuing its voting recommendations include 1: 'The dissident has not presented a compelling case for change.' 'It would therefore appear that the board's actions have had a positive impact on the discount since the 2024 AGM.' '…it is important to recognize that ECAT outperforms both peer groups from inception to present.' As previously announced, Glass Lewis recommended shareholders vote on the WHITE proxy card FOR all of the Board nominees and AGAINST the termination proposal, and that they do NOT vote on the dissident's gold proxy card. VOTE FOR ALL BOARD NOMINEES AND AGAINST TERMINATION ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY Only your latest dated proxy will count at the meeting. Please do NOT send back any proxy card other than the one you receive from BlackRock as this will cancel your prior vote for the Board nominees. If you have already sent back a gold proxy card, you can still change your vote by: (1) using the website provided on the WHITE proxy card; (2) calling the toll-free number provided on the WHITE proxy card; or (3) promptly completing, signing, dating and returning the WHITE proxy card. Any of these actions will replace the proxy card you previously completed. If you have any questions about the nominees or proposal(s) to be voted on, please call Georgeson LLC, the firm assisting us in the solicitation of proxies, toll free at (866) 441-6128. The Fund's letters, proxy statement and proxy card for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 26, 2025 are available at More information about ECAT may be found here:
The Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Irish embassies contact passport holders in Israel and Iran as evacuation plans considered
LAST UPDATE | 40 mins ago IRISH EMBASSIES IN Iran and Israel have been in touch with Irish passport holders residing in both countries as it considers evacuation plans following the escalation between the two countries. Iran and Israel have been arch-foes for decades but are now actively attacking each other after Israel launched attacks on Iran on Friday. According to figures released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office yesterday, a total of 24 people have been killed in Israel since the first Iranian shots fired in response to the Israeli strikes on Friday. Iran's health ministry reported at least 224 people killed and more than 1,200 wounded in Israeli attacks in the same time frame. It is understood that as of today, there are no plans for the Irish government to launch a rescue of Irish citizens currently residing in either country, nor are there plans to sent an Emergency Consular Assistance Team (ECAT) to either country. An ECAT would be comprised of an Army Ranger Wing Team and diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is also understood that there is a scoping exercise ongoing between Ireland and a number of other European countries to assess the situation. Meeting with EU Foreign Ministers This morning, Tánaiste Simon Harris attended a meeting of EU foreign ministers to discuss the conflict between Israel and Iran and EU efforts 'to de-escalate the situation'. Harris, who attended the emergency conference by video link, confirmed the number of Irish citizens known to be in either country. Speaking to media this morning, Harris said that he will 'call for a de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy' at the meeting and for 'the European Union to stand ready to assist in any way that it possibly can'. 'There has to be a focus on how we can evacuate our citizens, including Irish citizens, who want to leave Iran and want to leave Israel,' he said. Advertisement 'This morning, I spoke with our ambassador in Tel Aviv and our ambassador in Iran to get an update on the number of Irish citizens seeking assistance. 'We now have around 30 people registered in Iran as Irish citizens – many of them are long-term residents in Iran – and in Israel we have around 200 people on our citizens' register there. 'I think it's so important that Europe today considers how we can much better co-ordinate in terms of how we get our citizens out of Israel and out of Iran if and when it's safe to do or if and when routes become available.' Citizens of Poland and Austria assemble at a hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel, for evacuation amid heavy strikes on Israel by Iran. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Yesterday, several Irish MEPs slammed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for publicly supporting Israel and placing blame on Iran in the escalating Middle East conflict, accusing her of acting without the consensus or mandate of EU member states. In a statement on Sunday evening, following a call with Netanyahu, von der Leyen claimed that Iran 'is the main source of regional instability' in the Middle East and implied that the nation was at fault for the ongoing conflict with Israel. In the statement following her call with Netanyahu, von der Leyen pointed to the UN nuclear watchdog's finding earlier in the week that Iran was not in compliance with its obligations. 'In this context, I underlined that Israel has the right to defend itself,' she said. 'Europe has always been clear: Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon. There is an urgent need for a negotiated solution,' she said. Harris said earlier that Irish embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv are in 'close contact' with Irish citizens on the ground. 'Any Irish citizens in the region are advised to remain in close contact with their nearest Embassy, to be vigilant, and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place. We continue to advise against all travel to Iran and Israel for Irish citizens.' Additional reporting by Niall O'Connor and Lauren Boland Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Glass Lewis Recommends Shareholders Vote for ECAT Board Nominees and Against Saba's Proposal to Terminate BlackRock as Investment Adviser at Upcoming Annual Meeting
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackRock Advisors LLC ('BlackRock') announced today that Glass Lewis, a leading independent proxy advisory firm, recommended that shareholders vote on the WHITE proxy card FOR all of the Board nominees of BlackRock ESG Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: ECAT) (the 'Fund') and AGAINST the proposal put forth by a dissident shareholder to terminate BlackRock as investment adviser ahead of the Fund's annual meeting on June 26, 2025. In issuing its report, Glass Lewis rejected all of the nominees and the termination proposal put forth by the dissident, and recommended that shareholders do NOT vote on the dissident's gold proxy card. Important statements by Glass Lewis in issuing its voting recommendation include 1: 'Put simply, if the fundamental aim is board-level responsiveness centered on enhanced value for shareholders, it seems difficult to argue incremental board turnover – much less near-complete reshaping in favor of nominees seeming to offer little in the way of relevant expertise and substantially no plan for the Trust – is well warranted here.' 'We continue to believe it is difficult to suggest the foregoing performance framework, cast against ECAT's relatively brief trading history (the fund was created in September 2021), is particularly consistent with the need to turn over the substantial entirety of the sitting board.' ECAT's Board of Trustees and BlackRock have continued to take shareholder-friendly actions to enhance long-term value, including increasing distribution rates significantly since inception and implementing discount management and share repurchase programs. As a result, ECAT was the top performing Fund in its peer group in 2023 2 and continues to deliver superior shareholder returns, outperforming its peers and benchmark 3. VOTE FOR ALL BOARD NOMINEES AND AGAINST TERMINATION ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY Only your latest dated proxy will count at the meeting. Please do NOT send back any proxy card other than the one you receive from BlackRock as this will cancel your prior vote for the Board nominees. If you have already sent back a gold proxy card, you can still change your vote by (1) using the website provided on the WHITE proxy card; (2) calling the toll-free number provided on the WHITE proxy card; or (3) promptly completing, signing, dating and returning the WHITE proxy card. Any of these actions will replace the proxy card you previously completed. If you have any questions about the nominees or proposal(s) to be voted on, please call Georgeson LLC, the firm assisting us in the solicitation of proxies, toll free at (866) 441-6128. The Fund's letters, proxy statement and proxy card for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 26, 2025 are available at More information about ECAT may be found here: 1 Permission to use quotes was neither sought nor obtained. 2 Morningstar data as of March 31, 2024. 3 Morningstar data as of March 31, 2025. Reflects cumulative market price return. Peer group is comprised of funds in the Morningstar Closed-End Tactical Allocation category, excluding BlackRock funds.
Associated Press
04-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Hospital ECAT Win Enables Lovell to Broaden Access to Critical Equipment Across VA and DoD
Lovell Government Services wins ECAT 'This award allows us to rapidly equip federal providers with the reliable tools they need, whether at a VA hospital, DoD facility, or in response to an emergency deployment.'— Chris Lovell, CEO of Lovell Government Services PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES, June 4, 2025 / / -- Lovell Government Services (Lovell), a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), has been awarded a Hospital ECAT (Electronic Catalog) contract by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The award enhances Lovell's ability to deliver essential medical and surgical equipment to federal health care agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD). The award strengthens Lovell's mission to streamline access to patient-ready solutions that support timely, high-quality care for veterans and service members across the country. 'Securing a Hospital ECAT contract is a major step forward in our mission to serve those who serve,' said Chris Lovell, CEO of Lovell Government Services. 'This award allows us to rapidly equip federal providers with the reliable tools they need, whether at a VA hospital, DoD facility, or in response to an emergency deployment.' Through this contract, federal buyers will now have streamlined access to a wide range of equipment and services. The equipment includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Hospital Supply Division Equipment: • Examination tables/surgical tables • Hospital beds/chairs/stretchers • Laboratory analyzers • Repair parts for medical equipment • Litters • Sterilizers • Medical refrigerators and other medical storage systems • Ophthalmic equipment • Dental equipment • Medical simulation equipment that is used for training purposes 2. Capital Equipment Division Equipment: • Pulse oximeters • Aspirators • Infusion pumps • Suction apparatus • Resuscitators • Medical lasers • Dental X-Ray systems (Digital) • Robotic surgery systems This development broadens Lovell's role in supporting healthcare providers nationwide, helping to ensure that critical medical equipment is accessible wherever and whenever it is needed most. The ECAT program is a web-based ordering platform managed by the DLA to simplify the acquisition of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and supplies for government purchasers. Lovell's award supports federal procurement goals while offering agencies the benefits of SDVOSB contracting and high-quality vendor partnerships. For more information, visit ________________________________________ About Lovell Government Services Lovell Government Services has been a trusted SDVOSB vendor since 2013 with a proven track record of successfully introducing suppliers to the government market. Lovell is a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree and a leader in the federal space. They partner with medical and pharmaceutical companies looking to better serve Veteran and military patient populations, increase their federal revenue stream, and win government contracts. Learn more at Jeff McKay Lovell Government Services +1 850-912-4680 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content '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 author above.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers prepare community garden for summer
A community garden on Erie's east side has a refreshed new look to go into the summer season. Volunteers woke up early Saturday morning to replant a plot located at the corner of East 6th and East Avenue, across the street from the ECAT building. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), along with some volunteers from the neighborhood, put new perennials in the ground to beautify the area. Giant Eagle acquiring Rite Aid prescriptions in new agreement Organizers said this project is all about community and making an impact wherever they can. 'It's really nice as you come down. This is actually the entrance to the city from the east side when you think about it, because the Bayfront road is right down there, so we have a lot of people that go by it in the day and beep their horns,' said Tom Chandley, garden steward for the WPC. County, metro all-stars gather at media night ahead of 87th Save-An-Eye game next month 'We're really close to a gym, a school. There's a lot of traffic that comes by here from points of the day, and people really slow down to take a look at the garden,' said Matt Jenkins, the Operations Coordinator for the WPC. The conservancy has 130 community gardens that spread across western Pennsylvania. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
