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AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Norway had spent its first 10 days at the 2023 World Cup enveloped by drama. It had teetered on the brink of crisis ever since an opening-night loss to New Zealand. It plunged in fully on Matchday 2. A Ballon d’Or winner pulled up injured. The team’s best player, who’d been benched, lashed out at the coach. They all entered Sunday’s Group A finale eyeing a flameout for the ages, with the world eagerly awaiting their combustion. But over 90 minutes here at Eden Park, they remembered that, drama aside, they are also a collection of world-class players. They beat the Philippines 6-0, advanced to the knockout rounds and eliminated two lovable underdogs in one fell swoop. New Zealand had seized the sport's attention with an upset of these same Norwegians last Thursday. The Philippines then stunned New Zealand, became the tournament's gripping Cinderella tale and relegated Norway to last place in the World Cup's weakest group. But Norway’s convincing win sent them through in second place, behind Switzerland and ahead of New Zealand, who played to a 0-0 stalemate. And the Norwegian protagonists, of course, were the injured star’s replacement, Sophie Román Haug, and the drama chief herself, Caroline Graham Hansen. Haug put Norway ahead with one of the goals of the tournament, a flying volley that looped over Philippines keeper Olivia McDaniel and skimmed in off the far post. NORWAY TAKES THE LEAD 💪🇳🇴 — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023 What a finish 🔥 pic.twitter.com/czvxhA35gM She soon doubled the lead with a header, peeling away from the Filipina center backs. And all the while, Graham Hansen took over. She toyed with the Philippines defense. She scored a brilliant goal of her own, and nearly set up Haug for another goal — but Haug’s point-blank back-flick was deflected just past the post. The dangerous Caroline Graham Hansen triples the lead for Norway! — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023 A truly masterclass of finishing from the Grasshoppers 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/ilsBBnt18w Graham Hansen skipped past fullbacks and danced around them, the ball seemingly tied to her foot on a string. She did precisely what she always does at Barcelona, where she became a two-time European champion and one of the premiere dribblers in the world. An audacious, crafty winger, she arrived in New Zealand at the apparent top of her game — but then everything went awry. She struggled in the opener. Players stalked through the mixed zone after their 1-0 loss, dumbfounded and frustrated, shaking their heads. “So poor,” midfielder Guro Reiten said of the overall performance. “I'm very disappointed.” Ahead of their second match, against Switzerland, head coach Hege Riise shuffled her lineup — and dropped Graham Hansen, who eventually played 33 minutes off the bench. With star striker Ada Hegerberg injured in warmups, Norway failed to score again, and settled for an unsatisfactory 0-0 draw. Speaking postgame, Graham Hansen let loose. "There's not much I can say, I feel like I'm standing here with my hands tied," she said. "I feel I have been stepped on for a whole year – everyone says all the time that we have to stand together as a team and as a nation, but I feel I've been on the receiving end [of a raw deal]." “Nothing comes for free in life,” she added, “but I thought I had earned a certain amount of respect. But maybe that wasn’t the case.” There was complicated history underneath the sudden spat. Graham Hansen stepped away from the national team last summer, not long after Riise had been appointed head coach. She had also allegedly been removed from the team’s leadership group. It’s unclear how that related to her decision to step away, or how any of this affected her relationship with Riise going forward. No matter the backstory, the post-match outburst seemed to unleash a crisis. But it didn’t detract from Graham Hansen’s skill. She publicly apologized the following day. Ahead of Sunday’s decisive match against the Philippines, Riise said: “We have talked it out and put it behind us.” Some 24 hours later, they put a shaky group stage behind them as well. They scored a fourth, an own goal, shortly after halftime. Reiten scored a fifth from the penalty spot five minutes later. In the 90th minute, Haug would get her hat trick to top things off. The Norwegians have cautioned the world, explicitly and implicitly, that they are not always the sum of their parts. But the parts are pretty darn good. They’ll advance to the Round of 16, where they’ll meet the Group C winner — either Japan or Spain — next Saturday, Aug. 5.
https://www.wftv.com/news/national/with-2-world-cups/DQU3CWDNMSMNR6VSDGLJBCDLGU/
2023-07-30T09:25:32
0
https://www.wftv.com/news/national/with-2-world-cups/DQU3CWDNMSMNR6VSDGLJBCDLGU/
Mona Andrews Founder & CEO Stay In The Game Mona Andrews, Esq., is the founder and CEO of Stay in the Game, which provides work opportunities for caregivers, and Executive Financial Enterprises, Inc., an international business process outsourcer named in the “Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses” by Diversity Business. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Southern California and admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of the State of California. Her experience includes conducting international political research in Rome, where she facilitated interactions between dignitaries, academics, and government officials. As a philanthropist, Andrews co-founded the Everychild Foundation, an esteemed group granting annual funds to children’s charities. She has held positions in the Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization, served on committees for Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and been a longstanding member of the Pacific Council on International Policy.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/mona-andrews
2023-07-30T09:25:32
0
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/mona-andrews
MOSCOW — (AP) — At least nine people — including three children — have died after high winds tore through central Russia, emergency services and a local official reported Sunday. Eight of the dead were part of a group of tourists camping close to Lake Yalchik in the Mari-El region when the storm hit Saturday, Russia’s emergencies ministry said. The strong winds caused a large number of trees to fall in the area, including where the group’s tents had been pitched on a stretch of wild beach, regional leader Yuri Zaitsev wrote on social media. He said that three children were among the dead. Across the wider Volga Federal District, 76 people were injured in the storm, with thousands of households losing power, emergency services said. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
https://www.wftv.com/news/world/9-die-including-3/WXXHBHYJQO3QCWYOXWM44VZHCE/
2023-07-30T09:25:38
0
https://www.wftv.com/news/world/9-die-including-3/WXXHBHYJQO3QCWYOXWM44VZHCE/
Nominee: Ali Firoozi Chief Financial Officer The PAC Group Throughout his 27-year career in finance, Ali Firoozi has consistently demonstrated impactful leadership. Starting at Washington Mutual (WaMu), he rose to the position of VP and initiated training programs for senior managers, emphasizing leadership development. Transitioning to The PAC Group, he assumed a leadership role, guiding an international team of finance professionals and supporting the company’s remarkable growth. Additionally, he serves on the advisory boards of Paladin Capital, Qvantum, and The PAC Group, leveraging his leadership skills and expertise to benefit these organizations. Within The PAC Group, Firoozi expanded his responsibilities to include overseeing technology projects, talent acquisition, HR, and administrative teams, streamlining operations and implementing a new BI reporting platform for enhanced visibility and expense management. All of this was achieved while managing global teams during challenging times.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-ali-firoozi
2023-07-30T09:25:39
0
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-ali-firoozi
Atlético Madrid faces Manchester City in a Club Friendly match on Sunday, July 30, 2023 (7/30/23) at Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea. The Club Friendly starts at 7 a.m. ET on CBS Sports. HOW TO WATCH: Fans can watch the match via a free trial to fuboTV or via a subscription to Paramount+. Here’s what you need to know: What: Club Friendly Who: Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester City When: Sunday, July 30, 2023 Time: 7 a.m. ET Where: Seoul World Cup Stadium TV: CBS Sports Channel finder: Verizon Fios, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV,Dish,Hulu, fuboTV, Sling. Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), Paramount+ ($5.99 a month) A recent AP soccer story: NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Lewis, the British billionaire whose family trust owns the Tottenham Hotspur soccer team, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty in New York to insider trading charges alleging that he fed corporate secrets to romantic partners, personal assistants, friends and his pilots, earning them millions of dollars illegally. He was then released on $300 million bail. Lewis and two of his pilots — Patrick O’Connor and Bryan ‘Marty’ Waugh — surrendered early in the morning to the FBI, a prosecutor said. The pilots also pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in Manhattan federal court. They were each released on $250,000 bail. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who announced the charges Tuesday night in a video, said Lewis was accused of “orchestrating a brazen insider trading scheme” that utilized his access to corporate boardrooms to feed inside tips to friends and lovers. “Those folks then traded on that inside information — and made millions of dollars in the stock market — because, thanks to Lewis, those bets were a sure thing,” Williams said. “That’s classic corporate corruption. It’s cheating. And it’s against the law — laws that apply to everyone, no matter who you are.” David M. Zornow, an attorney for Lewis, said his client had come to the U.S. “to answer these ill-conceived charges” and would fight them vigorously. “The government has made an egregious error in judgment in charging Mr. Lewis, an 86-year-old man of impeccable integrity and prodigious accomplishment,” Zornow said in a statement. Lawyers for the pilots did not immediately reply to messages seeking comment. At an arraignment Wednesday, Lewis wore a gray three-piece suit. When he was asked how he pleaded to the charges, he said: “Not guilty, your honor.” His $300 million bond was secured by a yacht and private aircraft that a prosecutor said was worth about $300 million. Lewis and the pilots must remain in the United States. Lewis was charged with 16 counts of securities fraud and three counts of conspiracy. O’Connor, 66, of Preston Hollow, New York, and Waugh, 64, of Lynchburg, Virginia, each face seven counts of securities fraud and a conspiracy count. Lewis has a fortune that Forbes estimates at $6.1 billion, with assets in real estate, biotechnology, energy and agriculture. He bought an interest in Tottenham Hotspur, one of England’s most storied soccer clubs, in 2001. Under his ownership, the Premier League club built a state-of-the-art stadium at an estimated cost of more than $1 billion. It features an NFL field below the moveable soccer pitch, as Tottenham has a long-term agreement with the NFL to stage regular-season games in London. Today, a trust benefiting members of Mr. Lewis’ family is the majority owner of ENIC, the holding company that owns the team. Lewis himself is not a beneficiary of that trust and relinquished operational control of the club last October, according to corporate filings. Lewis’ Tavistock Group has stakes in more than 200 companies around the world, according to its website, and his art collection boasts works by Picasso, Matisse, Degas and more. His business connections include Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Justin Timberlake, with whom he built a Bahamian oceanside resort that opened in 2010. According to the indictment, Lewis’ investments in various companies gave him control of board seats, where he placed associates who let him know what they learned behind the scenes. Prosecutors say Lewis improperly doled out that confidential information between 2019 and 2021 to his chosen recipients and urged them to profit off of it. At one point, according to the indictment, he even loaned his two private pilots $500,000 apiece to buy stock in a cancer drug company that he knew had gotten — but not yet publicly disclosed — encouraging results from a clinical trial. According to court papers, O’Connor texted a friend in connection with that loan to buy the stock, telling the friend the “Boss is helping us out and told us to get ASAP,” and assured the friend that “All conversations on app is encrypted so all good. No one can ever see.” Lewis also gave the tip to his girlfriend, his personal assistant, a poker buddy and a friend with whom he had a romance, the indictment said. After the company announced the clinical trial data, the stock gained nearly 17% in a day, and Lewis’ friends and employees all eventually sold at a profit. The pilots repaid the loans at Lewis’ request, according to the indictment. Another time, according to the filing, Lewis gleaned some closed-door information about a muscular dystrophy drug company in which he was a major investor. The information allegedly included a planned financial move and some clinical trial news. Lewis’ biotech hedge fund signed a confidentiality agreement that prohibited disclosing the information or trading on it. But according to the indictment, he told his girlfriend to buy the company’s stock, then told the pilots the same as they flew the couple to Massachusetts from Seoul, where the two had been staying. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.) Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Cayden Steele may be reached at CSteele@njadvancemedia.com
https://www.nj.com/sports/2023/07/atletico-madrid-vs-manchester-city-free-live-stream-73023-watch-club-friendly-2023-online-time-tv-channel.html
2023-07-30T09:25:39
0
https://www.nj.com/sports/2023/07/atletico-madrid-vs-manchester-city-free-live-stream-73023-watch-club-friendly-2023-online-time-tv-channel.html
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — (AP) — Sophie Roman Haug's hat trick kick-started Norway's dormant offense and sparked a 6-0 blowout win over the Philippines on Sunday that moved the Norwegians into to the knockout stage of the Women's World Cup. The Philippines’ debut run in the tournament came to an end as Norway scored early and often, netting three goals in the first 31 minutes. Norway's spot in the round of 16 was secured when Switzerland and New Zealand simultaneously played to a 0-0 draw and the Norwegians. Norway and New Zealand were tied in Group A but Norway advanced on goal differential. New Zealand became the first host country to be eliminated in the group stage in tournament history. Before the game, Norway had not scored in three consecutive Women’s World Cup matches dating to the quarterfinals of the 2019 tournament. But Roman Haug one-timed a ball into the net in the sixth minute, and scored again 11 minutes later. Caroline Graham Hansen added a long-distance shot in the 31st minute. Roman Haug completed the hat trick in injury time. In the second half, an Alicia Barker own goal in the 48th minute and Guro Reiten’s penalty kick in the 53rd minute extended Norway’s lead to 5-0. Filipina defender Sofia Harrison received a red card in the 67th minute for using excessive force, and the Philippines played the rest of the match a player down. Eden Park was turned into a makeshift home match for the Philippines, as the Filipina fans screamed in unison any time the Philippines touched the ball, even as the deficit grew. The Philippines were fresh off of a historic 1-0 win over co-host New Zealand that marked the first Women’s World Cup win for the debutantes. KEY MOMENTS Roman Haug got the Norwegians off to a hot start. The first of her two goals was a left-footed volley from inside the six-yard box in the sixth minute. Eleven minutes later, Roman Haug scored a header delivered by a Vilde Boe Risa cross. Roman Haug’s header flew over the reach of Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel. Graham Hansen scored on a long-distance strike that curled into the bottom left corner in the 31st minute to give Norway its third goal of the half. From that point on, Norway was in control. WHY IT MATTERS The win advances Norway to the knockout stage after the Norwegians found themselves in last place in Group A heading into the Philippines match. The Norwegians had yet to score in 2023 before their six-goal eruption. WHAT’S NEXT Norway will play either Japan or Spain in the round of 16 next Saturday, depending on the results of a game between those Group C teams on Monday. The inaugural tournament run ends for the Philippines, who needed at least a draw to have a chance of moving on. __ Zach Allen is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State. —- AP Women's World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
https://www.wftv.com/sports/norway-moves-into/GII2UV3AUOAHF7MHNYHX7TT7XU/
2023-07-30T09:25:45
1
https://www.wftv.com/sports/norway-moves-into/GII2UV3AUOAHF7MHNYHX7TT7XU/
Nominee: Anthony Domenici CFA Chief Financial Officer BASECAMP Consulting Group LLC Anthony Domenici, CFA, has nearly 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, and treasury and is a CFA charterholder. He began his career working in private equity in Los Angeles but has spent a majority of it in various finance roles in multiple billion-dollar companies. He co-founded BASECAMP over two years ago as CFO and has since scaled the company to eight employees, serving over 50 clients. Domenici provides CFO advisory to clients and manages BASECAMP’s finance and accounting practice and has recently supported several clients in acquiring working capital, whether that be a line of credit, series A, or a crowdfunding campaign. What he enjoys most is helping business owners realize their dreams!
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-anthony-domenici
2023-07-30T09:25:45
1
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-anthony-domenici
Nominee: Bonnie Forssell Chief Financial Officer Vitamin Angels Bonnie Forssell is a highly experienced CFO with a diverse background in finance and accounting. She has worked at KPMG, led finance teams for global organizations and healthcare tech start-ups, and established her own CFO services firm. Currently serving as CFO of Vitamin Angels, a public health nonprofit, she has led the organization through significant growth and a successful digital transformation. Forssell is a sought-after speaker on various finance- related topics and has received recognition for her achievements, including Sage’s Customer Success Award. As Vitamin Angels’ CFO, she oversees multiple departments and is responsible for expanding the organization’s international operations. Known for her collaborative and transparent leadership style, she is respected for her ability to make decisive actions that benefit the organization and its people.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-bonnie-forssell
2023-07-30T09:25:51
0
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-bonnie-forssell
Nominee: Charly Kevers Chief Financial Officer Carta Charly Kevers is the CFO at Carta, leading finance, accounting, treasury, risk, and investor relations teams. During his five-year tenure, he played a pivotal role in growing Carta from a Series C to a Series G company with a valuation of $7.4 billion. He also spearheaded the initial transactions on CartaX, the company’s private market listing venue. With over 20 years of experience, Kevers has held diverse roles in finance, investor relations, corporate development, and strategy across North America, Europe, and Asia. Prior to joining, he served as VP of finance at LendingClub, overseeing finance activities for new products and strategic initiatives. Kevers has also contributed to significant initiatives at Salesforce, Hewlett Packard, J.P. Morgan, and Samsung. Additionally, he holds a business degree from ESCP Business School and an MBA from INSEAD.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-charly-kevers
2023-07-30T09:25:57
1
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-charly-kevers
Nominee: Chris Allen Interim Chief Financial Officer Keck Medicine of USC Chris Allen, interim CFO for Keck Medicine of USC since February 2023, oversees financial operations for the entire health system, including strategic investments, revenue cycle management, and board reporting. He also manages USC Care Medical Group’s finances and collaborates on clinical practice operations with the CFO of the Keck School of Medicine. His expertise has driven improvements in revenue cycles, financial forecasting, and equity distribution alignment between the health system and USC. During the pandemic, Allen played a crucial role in securing CARES Act funding for hospitals and ensuring continued patient care. As a supportive and visionary leader, he fosters a culture of growth and innovation. Throughout his career, he has introduced new roles and processes, leaving a positive impact on organizations.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-chris-allen
2023-07-30T09:25:58
0
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-chris-allen
Nominee: Dale Brockmeyer Chief Financial Officer Dollar Shave Club Dale Brockmeyer is an experienced, strategic finance executive with a track record of driving performance and growth in dynamic environments. He has achieved success in roles of increasing responsibility at a leading food & beverage company and a global ice cream joint venture. He is known for creating value, simplifying processes, and building strong relationships with C-suite leaders and boards of directors. Previously, Brockmeyer led the transformation of the $2B+ Dreyer’s Ice Cream business, achieving the top market position in the U.S. through operational reorganization and increased profitability - overseeing a major route-to-market project and successfully transitioning from direct store delivery to a warehouse model while negotiating with retailers. He possesses extensive expertise in business development, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic investments.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-dale-brockmeyer
2023-07-30T09:26:05
1
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-dale-brockmeyer
Nominee: Dan Durn Chief Financial Officer & EVP Adobe Dan Durn was appointed as Adobe’s CFO and executive vice president in October 2021. He leads the finance, technology services, and operations organization, leveraging his extensive expertise in technology, finance, and global strategy. Under his leadership Adobe has achieved strong financial performance, surpassing revenue records and exceeding targets. Despite economic uncertainty, Durn’s disciplined approach and emphasis on financial fundamentals have enabled profitable growth and prevented mass layoffs. His strategic vision and focus on innovation have positioned Adobe for continued success. For instance, in the latest earnings report, Adobe reported $4.66 billion in revenue for the quarter, representing significant yearover- year growth. His ability to encourage the company to look around corners, understand where market inflections are and invest in its innovation engine is enabling the company to continue to grow its top and bottom line.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-dan-durn
2023-07-30T09:26:11
1
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-dan-durn
Nominee: Danielle Nagao Chief Financial Officer Project Access Danielle Nagao is an exceptional chief financial officer with a background in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Previously at Deloitte she joined Project Access, a nationwide organization supporting vulnerable communities, where she has served as CFO for over three years. Her expertise has brought transformational changes to the organization, enhancing business acumen, human capital, and technological capabilities. Despite the challenges posed by COVID, Nagao’s oversight of people operations and technology has enabled the company to adapt and meet the evolving needs of communities across the nation. She is an innovative thinker who embodies the qualities of a CFO, focusing not only on fiscal resilience but also on fostering human capital and community development. Nagao sets a commendable example for CFOs prioritizing both financial and altruistic resiliency.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-danielle-nagao
2023-07-30T09:26:17
0
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-danielle-nagao
Nominee: David Lich Chief Financial Officer Dynamic Real Estate Partners David Lich, CFO of Dynamic Real Estate Partners, possesses over 30 years of financial expertise in the real estate sector. With a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a juris doctor degree, he has held CFO positions at four real estate companies, overseeing financial operations and strategies. As CFO of Dynamic since 2012, he leads finance functions including accounting, project financing, loan administration, human resources, and IT. He ensures the alignment of budgets, cash flow and assets for each project, conducts feasibility projections, and maintains strong relationships with partners and industry professionals. Lich’s leadership drives growth, optimizes operational performance, and improves profitability. The industry has gone through many changes, but he continues to serve clients and stakeholders to ensure success.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-david-lich
2023-07-30T09:26:18
1
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-david-lich
Nominee: Ezra Bolds, Jr. Chief Financial Officer Innovative Housing Opportunities Ezra Bolds, Jr. is an accomplished CFO at Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO), a Santa Ana-based nonprofit developer specializing in high quality affordable housing. Since 2015, he has implemented advanced financial systems, improved audits, and provided clear financial information to the board and staff. Despite challenging times for nonprofits, his strategic guidance ensured IHO’s sustainability and remarkable growth in portfolio, performance, and operating reserves. As part of the executive leadership team, Bolds oversees budgeting, reporting, strategic planning, risk management, and asset portfolio management. His recent achievements include overseeing the $70 million sale of Woodbridge Manor and establishing the Housing Innovation Fund (HIFund) to accelerate affordable housing development. His expertise in finance and affordable housing operations contributes to IHO’s success in improving living conditions and fostering personal growth for residents.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-ezra-bolds-jr
2023-07-30T09:26:24
1
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-ezra-bolds-jr
Nominee: Howard R. Krauss Chief Financial Officer Pacific Neuroscience Institute Dr. Howard R. Krauss, one of the four founding physicians at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI) in Santa Monica, California, holds several key positions within the organization. As CFO of the PNI Medical Group (PNIMG) and the PNI Foundation (PNIF), he has played a crucial role in expanding the group to include 37 physicians and allied healthcare providers. Under his leadership, the PNIF has engaged in basic neuroscience research, numerous clinical trials, and community and professional education programs. Dr. Krauss is internationally recognized as a neuro- ophthalmic skull base surgeon and has been a pioneer in developing minimally invasive techniques. Apart from his clinical practice, he holds academic positions at UCLA and has held leadership positions in various medical associations and organizations. His background in engineering has contributed to his analytical approach to medical problem solving.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-howard-r-krauss
2023-07-30T09:26:31
0
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-howard-r-krauss
Nominee: Jake Howard Schreiber Chief Financial Officer Johnson-Peltier, Inc. Jake Schreiber is a seasoned finance professional and the CFO of Johnson-Peltier Inc. With over a decade of experience at the company and four years as CFO, he is known for his people-first leadership style and dedication to operational improvement and efficiency. In the past 24 months, he has led major initiatives at Johnson-Peltier, securing an SBA CDC/504 loan for business growth and overseeing large-scale construction projects. His strategic leadership has resulted in maintaining key customer relationships and achieving impressive financial results. Under Schreiber’s guidance, Johnson-Peltier has improved its closing processes, cash flow management, and received industry recognition with NECA Electrical Excellence Awards. He is known for his outstanding work ethic, deep understanding of the construction industry, and commitment to driving business growth while fostering a positive work culture.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-jake-howard-schreiber
2023-07-30T09:26:38
1
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-jake-howard-schreiber
Nominee: Kameel David Farag Chief Financial Officer Aspen Neuroscience, Inc. Kameel D. Farag is a highly accomplished CFO with a diverse background in business and finance. With a degree in business economics from UC Santa Barbara, his career began with humanitarian work abroad before joining Amgen, Inc. Over a decade he played a pivotal role in expanding the business in established and emerging markets. His contributions included overseeing acquisitions, launching medicines in new countries, and generating over $3 billion in annual revenue. Joining Ionis Pharmaceuticals in 2018, Farag improved financial processes and helped reshape the company’s image on Wall Street. In 2021, he became CFO of Aspen Neurosciences and successfully raised $150 million in Series B funding while securing a $40 million credit deal with SVB. He oversaw the company’s growth, including the establishment of a new manufacturing facility and a team expansion.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-kameel-david-farag
2023-07-30T09:26:44
1
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-kameel-david-farag
Nominee: Kelly Russell Director of Finance & Business Operations Kahn Media, Inc. After college Kelly Russell went to work in finance at Gold Mountain Media, an Encino-based media buying agency, where he wrote software from scratch to manage the company’s cash flow while juggling ad budgets to clients with pass through costs. He rose to a leadership role in finance at Gold Mountain for nearly a decade prior to moving to Activision/Blizzard as a team lead in finance before finally landing at Kahn Media, where he took over as only the second head of finance and operations in 14 years. Russell joined the team during the pandemic and immediately dove into creating new streamlined processes, helping clean up AR. He helped improve cash flow and led the company’s finance side to its biggest revenue year and most profitable year in company history.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-kelly-russell
2023-07-30T09:26:51
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-kelly-russell
Nominee: Mara Garcia Chief Financial Officer Phonexa Mara Garcia, the CFO of Phonexa, drives the financial growth and future expansion of the all-in-one marketing platform. She leads Phonexa’s tax, accounting, and finance teams, contributing to the company’s ongoing success. Recognized for her outstanding achievements, she was nominated for the CFO of the Year Award by the Los Angeles Business Journal, L.A. Times B2B Publishing Inspirational Women Leadership Award, and was named CFO to Watch by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. As a member of the Forbes Finance Council, Garcia brings valuable expertise to the industry. She joined Phonexa in 2020 as the VP of finance and accounting and oversaw many of Phonexa’s financial practices and procedures, including but not limited to supervision of internal and external expenses, budgeting, audit management, and tax preparation.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-mara-garcia
2023-07-30T09:26:57
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-mara-garcia
Nominee: Mark Partin Chief Financial Officer BlackLine Mark Partin has led the development of cloud-based solutions that revolutionize accounting and finance operations for global mid-market and enterprise organizations. BlackLine’s secure and scalable software automates critical financial processes, enhancing the integrity of financial reporting, increasing efficiency, and providing real-time visibility into results and operations. Unifying accounting systems, data, and processes has modernized operations and enabled continuous accounting. Their solutions integrate with over 30 ERP systems and various financial systems, ensuring compatibility and data accessibility. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, under Partin’s leadership BlackLine achieved 23% increase in total GAAP revenues from 2021, and a dollar-based net revenue retention rate of 107% by December 2022. Beyond his role at BlackLine, he is a founding partner of Meaningful Partners, investing in companies focused on societal impact.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-mark-partin
2023-07-30T09:27:03
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-mark-partin
Nominee: Matt Dunaj Chief Financial Officer Fly By Jing Matt Dunaj, CFO and COO of Fly By Jing, an Asian food company, has been instrumental in the company’s success. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara with degrees in accounting and psychology, he gained experience in public accounting before transitioning to corporate finance. Prior to joining Fly By Jing, he spent nine years at Follow Your Heart, a renowned plant-based food producer, where he held various leadership positions including CFO. Fly By Jing recently secured $12 million in Series B funding, allowing them to expand their wholesale business and partner with national retailers such as Kroger and Albertsons. With Dunaj’s financial leadership, the company aims to transform the grocery store “ethnic aisle” by introducing bold innovative flavors. In his threeyear tenure as CFO, he has overseen significant deals, including an acquisition and a major fund raise.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-matt-dunaj
2023-07-30T09:27:09
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-matt-dunaj
General Daily Insight for July 30, 2023 A lack of clarity can lead to hurt feelings. Perfectionist Venus scoffs at wispy Neptune in a messy quincunx at 12:25 pm EDT, making it difficult to know what's appropriate. As the Moon supports Mars, we at least have the courage to work past any misunderstandings and take ownership of our mistakes. Finally, the Moon agrees with Jupiter, showering us with luck and wisdom that should help us make sense of what was previously a confusing haze of emotion. We can find our way through. Get your FREE cosmic profile at Tarot.com. Aries March 21-April 19 You could get the sense that you're feeling your way through the dark. It's possible that a statement of yours won't land well with your audience, potentially because you weren't aware that they were sensitive to the topics that you were addressing. While this isn't completely unavoidable, there's nothing wrong with taking ownership of what you said and apologizing for your ignorance. They'll likely appreciate your willingness to grow from your mistakes, and you should be able to move past any awkwardness. Taurus April 20-May 20 Your friends may feel like you're avoiding them at the moment. While this probably isn't the case, you may have recently spent a while on your own, handling situations that you needed to take care of -- it might be time to reach out to your friends and remind them that you haven't cut them off out of the blue. We all have periods of our lives where we're not able to be as social, but a quick hello can make a big difference. Gemini May 21-June 20 Speak from the heart, not from the mind. You could be struggling with an authority figure, like a parent or a supervisor, whom you find difficult to understand. You are different people who have unique styles of communicating and thinking, so your methods may not make sense to each other. It's easy to dismiss someone's way of life when you don't know their story, but there's likely a reason they operate like this. Keep an open mind when puzzling things out with them. Cancer June 21-July 22 You might be avoiding learning something new. You could feel like you don't need help or advice at this time, but you're allowed to need a little boost getting to wherever you're going. Trying to do it on your own may lead you to do things wrong or to take a lot more time -- instead, make a point of listening to someone who knows tips and tricks to get you there much faster or more accurately. Don't shut yourself off from growth. Leo July 23-August 22 Your fears might distort what's actually happening. Speaking onstage could feel like everyone is just waiting for you to finish, when really they're engrossed in what you're saying. Auditioning for a part or requesting funding could feel like you gave the worst performance of anyone, when really you knocked it out of the park! It's understandable, since we all have insecurities, but try to see the people around you as being on your side rather than against you. Don't create an enemy in your head. Virgo August 23-September 22 Someone may be refusing to speak up. It's possible that a peer is dancing around specific topics with you, or avoiding speaking to you entirely, but seems as though they have something that they want to say. Perhaps they feel hurt but don't want to look weak, or a secret is weighing on them. Whatever they're keeping inside, they could be struggling to bring it to the surface. Give them the space to figure it out, and until then, that's all you can do. Libra September 23-October 22 Someone who currently claims to be your friend might not be what they seem. They may feel enamored with you for myriad reasons, but their intentions could be less simple than companionship -- what might they want from you? Whether this is love, money, influence, or just your kindness, you should be aware of the people that you're sharing your life with during this time. Make sure that those in your circle want the best for you, as you do for them. Scorpio October 23-November 21 You may not be sure what to say today. Someone could bring you shocking information, leaving you unsure whether to try and make them feel better with lighthearted humor or be serious and give them a shoulder to cry on. It might be best to ask them directly what would make them feel most supported or loved, and go from there, because attempting to figure it out through trial and error won't be fun. As long as they know you care, that's what matters. Sagittarius November 22-December 21 You might be torn between moving on and trying again. In particular, it could be almost easy to see a future where you go your separate ways from someone in your life that you have fallen out with or just drifted apart from, even if at one point in time you couldn't imagine your life without them in it. While it will take hard work to repair the relationship should you choose to try, preserving a meaningful connection with a friend may be worth it. Capricorn December 22-January 19 It's hard to know if you should speak up now -- especially if you want to talk to someone about a tough topic or say something that won't be easy for them to hear. You're possibly not sure if you should clam up and keep the information to yourself, or if they would want to know so that they can promptly address the subject. This decision is difficult, and there's probably no right answer. It's more about what you feel inside. So use your intuition. Aquarius January 20-February 18 Social risks may presently be dangerously uncertain. No matter how fun an acquaintance seems or how long you've been interested in getting to know them, listen to your gut. Set aside any shared interests and ask yourself why you haven't fully approached them yet. Does anything about them endanger your sense of security? While it might still feel tempting to try and form a bond, it's probably not worth the gamble you would be making. Not everyone has to be your friend. Pisces February 19-March 20 A current choice between the easy way and the hard way isn't as simple as it sounds. The easy way is potentially riskier or less aligned with your morals, while the hard way is challenging, but should be more stable and provide long-term benefits. Giving yourself an out and taking the simple path is enticing, but life might be more difficult later due to taking such shortcuts. Avoid punishing your future self and take the path that's more likely to fully satisfy you.
https://www.capitalgazette.com/horoscopes/sns-daily-horoscopes-07302023-20230730-vkc3mdvyebhydkoxyrh4ysmyea-story.html
2023-07-30T09:27:10
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https://www.capitalgazette.com/horoscopes/sns-daily-horoscopes-07302023-20230730-vkc3mdvyebhydkoxyrh4ysmyea-story.html
Nominee: Renee Marie Gaeta Chief Financial Officer Eko Health, Inc. As the current CFO of Eko Health, Inc., Renee Marie Gaeta has successfully transformed and optimized the company’s support operations, implementing cost-effective scaling strategies. Under her guidance, financial reporting capabilities were revamped, enabling completed audits and the establishment of financial planning and analysis expertise. She played a vital role in securing $30 million in equity funding and positioning the company for upcoming product launches and commercial expansion. Gaeta also oversees human capital and leads the company’s international expansion strategy. Prior to Eko Health, she held significant positions at Establishment Labs Holdings and Sientra, contributing to their successful IPOs and driving revenue growth. With a strong academic background and extensive experience in finance, she is a Certified Public Accountant and serves on the boards of SeaSpine Holdings Corporation and Candel Therapeutics, Inc.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-renee-marie-gaeta
2023-07-30T09:27:15
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-renee-marie-gaeta
Nominee: Ronald H. Dykhuizen Chief Financial Officer & COO Norton Simon Museum Ronald H. Dykhuizen is a highly respected chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO) who has been an integral part of the Norton Simon Museum, Norton Simon Foundation, and Norton Simon Art Foundation for 37 years. As CFO he oversees these three distinct entities founded by Norton Simon, focusing on their financial management, asset stewardship, and operational success. His tenure has witnessed significant transformations, including major architectural renovations and expanded community outreach efforts. Dykhuizen’s meticulous financial management has earned him a stellar reputation in the nonprofit and arts community. He is highly regarded for his expertise in accounting, financial records, and asset stewardship, and his exceptional work as CFO and management of a significant operation have contributed to the museum’s esteemed reputation.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-ronald-h-dykhuizen
2023-07-30T09:27:21
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-ronald-h-dykhuizen
Nominee: Samuel Leiaghat Chief Financial Officer & COO Pom Pom at Home Samuel Leiaghat, co-founder of Pom Pom at Home, skillfully merges his Belgian and American roots. Engaged in his community from a young age, he actively participated in high school clubs and ran for neighborhood council positions in Los Feliz and Hollywood Dell. After interning at ICM, he launched Armada Talent Management, representing college actors mainly from UCLA and USC. Following his successful bedding company Loomstead, featured in renowned publications, Leiaghat returned to the family business, Pom Pom at Home. In just over three years, he transformed the business from a traditional mom-and-pop establishment to a modern, automated company. Key achievements included transitioning to Netsuite, implementing a WMS system, automating many tasks including banking and reconciliations, and now building a sales team focused on growth and ROI.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-samuel-leiaghat
2023-07-30T09:27:28
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-samuel-leiaghat
Nominee: Scott Arnold Chief Financial Officer & EVP Certis Oncology Solutions, Inc. Scott Arnold, with a diverse background in accounting, operations, customer care, and IT, has held leadership positions at prominent companies such as General Dynamics, Gateway Computers, and Intuit. From 2005 to 2011, he led a global services business at Invitrogen/ Life Technologies. Since 2012, he has been a CFO/COO for various small businesses and currently serves as the executive vice president and CFO at Certis Oncology Solutions, Inc. Under his leadership at Certis, he implemented a successful business planning platform, facilitated revenue growth to $5M, addressed the community’s COVID testing needs, managed a facility move, and built a high-performing team of 48 professionals. Arnold’s accomplishments have been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal and is actively involved in consulting for organizations and serving on boards in the community.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-scott-arnold
2023-07-30T09:27:34
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-scott-arnold
Nominee: Scott Lai Chief Financial Officer Burst USA Inc. Scott Lai is a dynamic CFO with expertise in building great teams, finding creative solutions, and working effectively in multicultural environments. With experience spanning large OEM manufacturing, aerospace, hospitality technology, start-ups, and e-commerce CPG, he has a diverse background in finance and strategy. His achievements include leading cost-saving initiatives during the 2008 recession without resorting to layoffs, successfully completing audits for venture- backed companies, and negotiating crucial manufacturing agreements. Lai has demonstrated financial stewardship and collaboration in raising $76M in capital for Burst since 2017. His ability to secure bridge funding and negotiate favorable terms has extended the company’s runway. He utilizes his knowledge of finance as the foundation for analyzing and deciphering what the business situations truly are and then devising solutions with his team; Lai does not just hand over reports and wait for someone else to act.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-scott-lai
2023-07-30T09:27:40
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-scott-lai
Nominee: Tom Minichiello Chief Financial Officer Emcore Tom Minichiello is the Chief Financial Officer at Emcore. With his strong leadership, he has guided Emcore through difficult cash management periods, facilitated equity and debt financing transactions, managed real estate matters, and executed multiple acquisitions that have enhanced the company’s prospects for profitable growth. Before joining the company, Minichiello accumulated 24 years of experience in the telecom industry. Prior to that, he worked in various sectors including mining, construction, aerospace & defense, industrial and consumer products, and pharmaceuticals. He holds a CPA designation and earned an M.B.A. from DePaul University, an M.S. from the University of Hartford, and a B.A. from Villanova University.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-tom-minichiello
2023-07-30T09:27:46
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/nominee-tom-minichiello
Paul Edalat Chairman, Founder & CEO Vivera Pharmaceuticals Paul Edalat, as the CEO, chairman, and founding partner of Vivera Pharmaceuticals, is a visionary leader dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare for the benefit of patients and consumers. His mission is to challenge and improve the outdated healthcare industry, ensuring equal access to quality care for all individuals, regardless of social factors. He firmly believes in the potential of future-focused medicine to create equitable health opportunities. Collaborating with Vivera’s team of scientists, doctors, and advisors, the company is at the forefront of innovation, developing groundbreaking technologies like the patented ZICOH medication delivery device and TABMELT sublingual drug delivery system. Edalat advocates for a holistic approach to patient treatment recognizing the interplay between mental and physical health. Expanding into biopharma and technology, he aims to introduce fresh perspectives on achieving optimal patient care.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/paul-edalat
2023-07-30T09:27:52
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/paul-edalat
Piero Stillitano Chief Financial Officer CALSTART, Inc. Piero is CFO of CALSTART Inc., which works with its member companies and agencies to build a high-tech clean transportation industry that creates jobs, cuts air pollution and oil imports, and curbs climate change. When he joined CALSTART five years ago, the organization had 24 people on payroll and revenue of $31 million. He quickly went to work on creating a plan, processes, systems, and an organizational structure to manage growth and allow the organization to negotiate, accept larger contracts, and bring projects to their successful completion. Stillitano led the strategic modeling of the financial and operational aspects of the organization. In his five years, his analysis, execution, and leadership have helped grow the workforce in 2022 by 110 employees (up 358%) and revenue to $130 million (up 76%).
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/piero-stillitano
2023-07-30T09:27:59
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/piero-stillitano
Sean Breuner Founder & CEO AvantStay, Inc. Sean Breuner is a visionary entrepreneur and CEO of AvantStay, a leading next-generation hospitality company revolutionizing the travel experience. With a deep passion for travel and hospitality, he founded AvantStay in 2017, bridging the gap between hotels and vacation rentals with curated, technology-driven properties. Under his leadership, AvantStay has grown exponentially, offering upscale accommodations in desirable locations across the U.S. Breuner’s commitment to quality and attention to detail sets the company apart, while his strategic use of technology has optimized operations and enhanced guest experiences. Beyond AvantStay, he actively supports charitable initiatives aiming to make a positive impact on society. As AvantStay continues to flourish, Breuner remains dedicated to innovation, expanding the company’s reach as a trailblazer in the hospitality industry.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/sean-breuner
2023-07-30T09:28:05
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/sean-breuner
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Days after after mutinous soldiers ousted Niger's democratically elected president, uncertainty is mounting about the country's future and some are calling out the junta's reasons for seizing control. The mutineers said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France, because he wasn't able to secure the nation from growing jihadi violence. But some analysts and Nigeriens say that's just a pretext for a takeover that is more about internal power struggles than securing the nation. “Everybody is wondering why this coup? That’s because no one was expecting it. We couldn’t expect a coup in Niger because there’s no social, political or security situation that would justify that the military take the power,” Prof. Amad Hassane Boubacar, who teaches at the University of Niamey, told The Associated Press. He said Bazoum wanted to replace the head of the presidential guard, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who also goes by Omar and is now in charge of the country. Tchiani was loyal to Bazoum's predecessor and that sparked the problems, Boubacar said. The AP cannot independently verify his assessment. While Niger's security situation is dire, it's not as bad as neighboring Burkina Faso or Mali where all three countries have been battling an Islamic insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Last year Niger was the only one of the three to see a decline in violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Niger is seen as the last reliable partner for the West in efforts to battle the jihadists in Africa’s Sahel region, where Russia and Western countries have vied for influence in the fight against extremism. France has 1,500 soldiers in the country who conduct joint operations with the Nigeriens, and the United States and other European countries have helped train the nation’s troops. Conflict experts say out of all the countries, Niger has the most at stake, given the millions of dollars of military assistance the international community has poured in. On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the continued security and economic arrangements that Niger has with the U.S. hinged on the release of Bazoum — who remains under house arrest — and “the immediate restoration of the democratic order in Niger.” France on Saturday suspended all development aid and other financial aid for Niger, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “France demands an immediate return to constitutional order under President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected by the Nigeriens,” it said. Regional countries are trying to stem the fallout from the coup and reverse course. The African Union has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the country’s democratically elected government. On Sunday, the West African regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, is holding an emergency summit in Abuja, Nigeria. However, in a televised address Saturday, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Bazoum, accused the meeting of making a "plan of aggression" against Niger and said it would defend itself. Niger experts say it's too soon to know how things will play out. “Tensions with the military are still ongoing. There could be another coup after this one, or a stronger intervention from ECOWAS, potentially military force, even if it is difficult to foresee how specifically that may happen and what form that may take,” said Tatiana Smirnova, a researcher at the Centre FrancoPaix in conflict resolution and peace missions. “Many actors are also trying to negotiate, but the outcome is unclear,” she said. ___ Associated Press reporter Angela Charlton in Paris contributed Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AP
https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/as-regional-and-global-powers-decry-nigers-coup-the-countrys-future-remains-uncertain/SOV27GLCTNCHZEPJA76E2RMGCU/
2023-07-30T09:28:09
1
https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/as-regional-and-global-powers-decry-nigers-coup-the-countrys-future-remains-uncertain/SOV27GLCTNCHZEPJA76E2RMGCU/
Skyler Ditchfield CEO & Co-Founder GeoLinks Skyler Ditchfield is the co-founder and CEO of Geo- Links, a leading enterprise telecommunications company focused on closing the U.S. digital divide. Under his leadership, GeoLinks has acquired over $300 million in government funding for rural broadband expansion. Ditchfield serves on national boards such as the FCC’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee and the Schools Hospitals and Libraries Coalition’s Strategic Advisory Committee. He has played a crucial role in establishing partnerships and acquisitions, including TPX Network and Verizon’s fixed wireless spectrum. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Geo- Links experienced remarkable growth and was recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in America. Ditchfield’s commitment to the local economy and workforce is evident in the expansion of facilities and continuous hiring. Looking ahead, he is focused on network expansion and enhancing customer experience through automation.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/skyler-ditchfield
2023-07-30T09:28:11
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/skyler-ditchfield
Steve De Forest Chief Executive Officer Green Gorilla Steve De Forest, CEO of Green Gorilla, brings a wealth of experience to his role. Beginning his career with Whitehall Laboratories, a Fortune 500 company, he successfully launched Advil into the Western United States. His expertise spans private label and contract manufacturing, where he played a key role in developing and launching lifestyle products for major brands. Joining Green Gorilla in 2017, De Forest oversees all aspects of operations, including retail sales, marketing, product development, and regulatory compliance. He has spearheaded significant achievements, such as achieving Organic Certification for the company’s hemp farm and gaining approval for 22 products in the U.K. market. As CEO he continues to optimize operations, develop innovative strategies, and expand Green Gorilla’s presence domestically and globally.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/steve-de-forest
2023-07-30T09:28:17
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/steve-de-forest
Steven B. Dunn Founder, Chairman & CEO Munchkin, Inc. Steven B. Dunn is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Munchkin, a renowned company known for its innovative and creative products for parents. With over 30 years of experience, he has established Munchkin as a household name, offering more than 350 beautifully designed products that make parenting easier. The company’s commitment to innovation was recognized by Fortune Magazine, ranking the company number eight on its 2023 List of America’s Most Innovative Companies. Beyond business, Dunn and Munchkin prioritize corporate social responsibility, supporting initiatives related to planetary health, human justice, and animal preservation. They have planted over four million trees through Trees for the Future and are part of the United Nations Global Compact. Additionally, the company is expanding its reach with Curio Home Goods, a premium home brand that offers inspired household tools.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/steven-b-dunn
2023-07-30T09:28:23
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/steven-b-dunn
80% of C-Suiters Predict Positive Outlook on 2023 Revenues, Bolstered by Improving U.S. Economy A March 2023 survey of 500 CFOs, C-suite executives, and managers from a variety of industries shows that, compared to last quarter, business leaders are more confident in the U.S. economy, with more than half of executives agreeing it will expand this year and have a positive effect on their 2023 Q2 revenues and beyond. Almost all business leaders still face hiring challenges, although most hope investments in technology will mitigate workforce needs. Still, most executives predict their organizations will meet or exceed their goals, with 84% of CFOs expecting revenue to grow this year. Other key findings include: • Cost-cutting is still a core theme in 2023, as companies prioritize efficiency. However, spending is expected to increase in all areas of business, including production, sales, marketing, and technology. • Although most executives look to invest in technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) usage is expected to expand, opinions diverge with respect to evaluating such investments. There is wider agreement on the importance of factors such as compatibility with existing systems and ease of implementation. • Business leaders feel pressure from investors and the wider community to prioritize best environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. According to Wakefield survey respondents, most CFOs, C-suite executives, and managers appear confident heading into the second half of 2023 despite a potential recession later this year. More than four in five anticipate their companies will be able to meet or exceed key objectives. Fifty-three percent of executives still anticipate that the economy will expand this year, and a small minority (8%) anticipate the recession will be significant. The survey set out to gauge respondents’ reactions to critical hiring needs. Many anticipate that investments in technology may be part of the solution. More than four in five respondents say reducing human resources needs is an intention of such efforts. Only a smattering of executives strongly disagree that technology investments are meant to gradually reduce headcount “CFOs continue to push their companies forward, even amid economic headwinds,” said Andy Burt, managing director of cfo. com. “While the economy works to stabilize and recover, finance leaders are using this opportunity to balance workforce needs with the commensurate amount of technology, as well as get their arms around the next wave of AI.” Artificial intelligence (AI) and the rise of ChatGPT made headlines in the first half of 2023, which mirrors many respondents’ keen interest in AI application. More than two-thirds of executives believe their companies’ AI usage will increase this year. Other data points agree that executives expect generative AI to have a substantial impact on business. However, CFOs must continue to be aligned with their teams to not stifle innovation. The survey found that a solid majority of managers - more than three in five - believe executive leadership is hindering their innovative instincts. A third of managers strongly agree with this sentiment. This ultimately may have an impact on management retention. According to the survey, 50% of managers, despite being motivated in their roles, are looking to change jobs in 2023. “CFOs know that the next big idea in growth and operational efficiency can come from anywhere,” said Burt. “But it is still incumbent on finance chiefs to actively support and be open to innovation within their ranks, lest they miss the opportunity, and then lose their best talent.”
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/80-of-c-suiters-predict-positive-outlook-on-2023-revenues-bolstered-by-improving-u-s-economy
2023-07-30T09:28:30
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/80-of-c-suiters-predict-positive-outlook-on-2023-revenues-bolstered-by-improving-u-s-economy
A Growing Number of Supply Chain C-Suite Roles are Now Filled by Women Opportunities for Women Improve Overall, but Frontline Roles Continue to Lag in Recruitment and Retention Women have made a strong comeback to the supply chain workforce in 2023, with gains at nearly every level of leadership, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc. The advances were particularly prominent at the C-suite and executive level, where 26% of those roles (CSCO, SVP, EVP, CPO) are now filled by women, an all-time high and up from 19% in 2022. Gartner’s eighth annual “Women in Supply Chain Survey” was conducted from February to March of 2023 and surveyed 225 supply chain leaders. The survey showed that women now make up 41% of the supply chain workforce, up from 39% in 2022. However, frontline representation continues to lag with women filling just 31% of these roles. “It’s particularly encouraging to see women make gains at the senior executive level, as we know that when a woman holds the top supply chain position this has a positive correlation with more women in leadership and in all roles through that organization,” said Caroline Chumakov, director analyst in the Gartner Supply Chain practice. A Sustainable Comeback? An increase in organizational goals around gender equality since 2020, as well as growth in the number of supply-chain-owned initiatives are clearly having a measurably positive impact on women in supply chain roles. The data suggests a virtuous cycle is possible as more women reach top leadership roles in their supply chain organizations, with a clear finding this year that a woman in the senior-most role leads to more women in leadership and all roles within the organization. “This connection between female leaders and the effect on women in the workforce has positive implications for how supply chain leaders can better design their efforts to improve representation of women in the supply chain,” said Chumakov. Frontline Challenges Remain Chief Supply Chain Officers (CSCOs) routinely report challenges with attrition broadly at frontline roles in manufacturing and logistics, particularly when compared to roles at deskbased jobs. The ability to attract more women to frontline roles - and especially in leadership roles in the physical operations ranks - could form a material competitive advantage over those who are unable to do so. Providing flexibility was the most effective initiative in attracting and retaining women to frontline roles, significantly outperforming other areas such as benefits, employee engagement programs and even a focus on pay equity. However, only 41% of supply chain leaders had implemented an initiative dedicated to workplace flexibility at their organizations. “There remains a mismatch between employers’ fears of chaos and instability as a result of workplace flexibility policies and the realities of what we see in our research and case studies of successful supply chain organizations. What we see in our research is that flexibility is benefiting both the organization and their female employees,” said Chumakov. In addition to baseline data about the number of women at all levels of supply chain roles, Gartner asked questions about representation of women from underrepresented races and ethnicities, practices that increase the success of women in supply chain roles, pay equity and transparency, frontline engagement practices for women in on-site roles and attrition challenges specific to women. Gartner partnered on the survey with AWESOME, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on advancing women’s supply chain leadership and boom!, a U.K.-based global community formed to support and link women in the supply chain profession.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/a-growing-number-of-supply-chain-c-suite-roles-are-now-filled-by-women
2023-07-30T09:28:36
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/a-growing-number-of-supply-chain-c-suite-roles-are-now-filled-by-women
An Innovative Panel Discussion on How CFOs are Scaling and Transforming Businesses Prior to the CFO Leadership Awards presentation, guests were treated to a spirited discussion with visionary thought leaders in the executive finance sphere. Marsh McLennan Agency’s Brian Hegarty served as moderator with a panel of three luminaries: Belva Anakwenze of Abacus Financial, Ahmer Inam of Relanto, and Linh H. Le of MINDERA Health. The panel discussed an array of topics, with a throughline of how to best leverage modern technology to achieve prudent financial management without losing the human touch that makes CFOs more than mere number-crunchers and elevates them to trusted executive leaders. See the full discussion video here: Panelists Brian Hegarty is the managing director of the Los Angeles office for Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA). In addition to overseeing the firm’s rapid growth in the Los Angeles market, Brian specializes in employee benefits programs for mid-size to large companies. Since joining the firm in 2008, he has worked closely with many leading Los Angeles industries such as technology, entertainment, apparel, and hospitality, among others. Focusing on enhancing the experience for both employers and employees, he is very proficient at helping organizations that are expanding operations nationally and internationally. Brian is a thought leader who was instrumental in the development of the company’s technology trust, Benefits Tech Trust. Linh H. Le brings more than two decades of experience in the healthcare space, in sectors including molecular diagnostics, infectious diseases, and medical devices. He is the CFO & COO of Mindera Health(tm), the developer of Mind.Px(tm), the first precision medicine for psoriasis. Prior to that, he served as the CFO for Predicine, a company developing genomic profiling tests for cancer diagnostics and monitoring. He served as COO at Ambry Genetics and various positions at Medtronic Diabetes Group. Linh also held leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He began his career at KPMG, providing attestation services in healthcare and technology, earning his CPA designation. He was named an L.A. Times B2B Publishing CFO Honoree in 2022. Belva Anakwenze IS A California native and proud founder and principal of Abacus Financial Business Management. Belva handles the financial affairs of entertainment professionals, creative corporate executives, and their closely-held businesses. This includes the facilitation and management of her clients’ accounting & bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and nonprofit agencies. As the middle child of three siblings, she learned early on how to stand out and be different; her clients appreciate her ingenuity and aptness for managing financial matters. Ahmer Inam holds the position of chief data and artificial intelligence officer at Relanto, a global firm specializing in business process transformation and enterprise resiliency. With over two decades of experience, Ahmer has a proven track record of driving organizational transformation by implementing intelligent digital solutions. He also held leadership positions at Nike, PwC and Wells Fargo. His expertise extends beyond his professional roles. Ahmer also acts as a data & AI expert with the International Institute for Analytics, contributing knowledge and insights to the field. In addition, he is a founding member of the Decentralized Society Lab at MIT Media Labs, where he contributes to exploring the societal impacts of emerging technologies. Shared insights from the Event BASED ON THE YEAR SO FAR, HOW HAVE INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS? Linh Le: In the healthcare space, our primary focus is the customer. Anytime this technology that can really facilitate that, enable that, or really drive that to be a very more efficient perspective, that’s what we embrace. The turnaround time is a key operational factor, and with technology, it really enables that for us. You hear a lot of things about ChatGPT, AI, generative AI - right now, we’re absolutely embracing that. Ahmer Inam: In the pandemic and post-pandemic, there were a lot of fire drills trying to basically hold on to the business. Now, many of the CEOs are saying never again - we do not want to be surprised by any of the marketplace shifts anymore. So, can we harness essentially the power of AI and machine learning to essentially own our future instead of just continuously and constantly responding to the events of the past? Belva Anakwenze: As it relates to operations in the entertainment industry, AI is a moving target. It’s kind of wild, wild West right now. People are relying on ChatGPT and operationally, we see a change, but the key part for us is that there’s so much of what we do that’s interpersonal - it’s about relationships, and it’s about having oversight. We leverage technology, we leverage AI, but so much more is needed by humans to oversee it all. WHAT SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES ARE NOW ESSENTIAL FOR CFOS TO EFFECTIVELY NAVIGATE THE INTEGRATION OF AI TECHNOLOGIES, AND HOW CAN THEY ACQUIRE OR DEVELOP THESE SKILLS? Inam: We have to think about how AI can integrate into our business processes and transform and evolve it over time. Have a Chief AI Officer. A Chief AI Officer is not a CTO or CIO, It’s somebody who is out there looking at all of the AI technologies that are coming up into the market, what’s on the horizon, and how those technologies integrate with your specific problem set. WHAT ARE WAYS YOUR CLIENTS ARE ADAPTING AND APPROACHING THE CHANGES BROUGHT ON BY AI? Anakwenze: What I’m seeing from an AI perspective is that it is a tool: It should be used and it should be leveraged. We are doing that, but we are really spending our time on offering white-glove service to make ourselves relevant and important - this technology can do a lot of the backbone stuff, but what people need us for is for everything else. WHAT IS A SPECIFIC TECH OR AI-DRIVEN SOLUTION THAT HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON IMPROVING PATIENT CARE OR OPERATIONAL PROCESSES? Linh: We implemented a chat bot - It really works. It really does follow that 80/20 rule, where 80% of our customers’ questions are the same. Through natural language, it really learned all the different questions. So when the patient calls, most of the time those questions are answered automatically 24/7. HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR INDUSTRY CHANGING WITHIN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS? Anakwenze: I think that AI learning is going to really help solve the need for very small companies or individuals who need basic accounting and CFO services. I think that’s going to be great. The accounting industry is not “sexy,” and we’re not getting a lot of people into the industry right now. And so there’s a huge gap in terms of human capital and our time is very limited. Ahmer: Over the next 18 to 36 months we’re going to see two categories of companies evolving: those who have embraced AI and those who will be falling behind, essentially shutting shops down. It’s due to the pace of innovation that is happening so rapidly. Linh: If you regroup and think about all these new technologies, you no longer have to be the smartest person in the room. What that means is a shift to the “EQ” versus the IQ. So to CFOs out there, let’s just make sure that we fall back and think about the emotional side of running a company
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/an-innovative-panel-discussion-on-how-cfos-are-scaling-and-transforming-businesses
2023-07-30T09:28:42
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/an-innovative-panel-discussion-on-how-cfos-are-scaling-and-transforming-businesses
CEO Priorities and Attitudes Shift in 2023 Battling Inflation and Talent Retention Remain Top Priorities After Years Of Volatility; Technology - and Its Impact - Are Becoming Increasingly Important The 2023 Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey was conducted from July through December 2022, gathering data from over 400 CEOs and other senior business executives in North America, Europe, Asia/ Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and South Africa, across different industries, revenue, and company sizes. “When determining business priorities, CEOs are hesitant, but not frozen,” said Kristin Moyer, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner. “More than half of CEOs believe an economic downturn or recession in 2023 will be shallow and short, and the survey showed only a modest rise in cash flow, capital, and fundraising concerns.” Despite the impact of these economic headwinds, half of CEOs cited growth as the top strategic business priority for the next two years. Technology also remains a top focus area for CEOs, closely followed by workforce issues. “After three years of volatility, CEO priorities are stabilizing,” said Mark Raskino, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner. “Executive leaders are looking past the aftershocks of the omni-crisis period to a time when talent, sustainability, and next-level digital change will be the levers of competitive performance.” In fact, mentions of environmental sustainability rose 25% over the previous year’s survey, which was the first time sustainability ranked among CEOs’ top 10 priorities. Gartner predicts that by 2026, environmental sustainability will be a higher CEO strategic business priority than the technology-related category. AI Considered Most Impactful Tech The survey also revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) was the top technology that CEOs believe will significantly impact their industry over the next three years, cited by 21% of survey respondents. “Generative AI will profoundly impact business and operating models,” said Raskino . “However, fear of missing out is a powerful driver of technology markets. AI is reaching the tipping point where CEOs who are not yet invested become concerned that they are missing something competitively important.” Inflation Drives Shifts in Customer Behavior Inflation was ranked as the most damaging business risk by 22% of CEOs, and nearly a quarter cited greater price sensitivity as the biggest shift in customer expectations they anticipate this year. However, increasing prices is still the top action that CEOs are taking in response to inflation (44%), followed by cost optimization (36%) and productivity, efficiency, and automation (21%). “It’s concerning that CEOs do not yet seem to be focused on productivity as much as they should be in an inflationary period,” said Moyer. “This may be due to wishful thinking that inflation will not become a persistent feature of the economic landscape. CEOs must embrace automation to redesign methods, processes, and products for efficiency, rather than pushing cost increases onto customers.” Attracting and Retaining Talent Is the Top Workforce Priority When asked about the impact of various risks on the business, 26% of CEOs cited talent shortage as the most damaging risk for their organization. Attracting and retaining talent is, by far, CEOs’ top workforce priority. Concerns about compensation are the biggest shift in employee and prospective employee behavior that CEOs anticipate, followed by a desire for greater flexibility and remote or hybrid work. “The emphasis on pay is not surprising in an inflationary environment, but in prior economic cycles, unemployment would typically be undermining labor market power,” said Raskino.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/ceo-priorities-and-attitudes-shift-in-2023
2023-07-30T09:28:48
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/ceo-priorities-and-attitudes-shift-in-2023
Large Enterprise CIOs Expect to Grow Their IT Team to Meet Critical Demands in 2023 Eighty-one percent of large enterprise (LE) CIOs plan to increase their IT headcount in 2023, according to a recent survey by Gartner, Inc. Only 14% expect their IT staff to decrease and 5% expect their headcount to remain the same. “Attracting and retaining technology talent remain critical areas of concern for CIOs,” said Jose Ramirez, senior principal analyst at Gartner. “Even with advances in AI, Gartner predicts that the global job impact will be neutral in the next several years due to enterprise adoption lags, implementation times, and learning curves.” Only 4% of CIOs surveyed reported AI-augmented work as a resource producing technology work today. The Gartner survey was conducted from October through November of 2022 among 501 respondents, 182 of which were LE CIOs in North America, EMEA, and APAC region. The LE segment consists of enterprises with a total annual revenue of $1 billion or more. Why CIOs Plan to Increase IT Headcount in 2023 “Enterprises have undertaken various digital initiatives over the past two years, with operational excellence and customer or citizen experience being the most popular,” said Ramirez. “Still, these initiatives often do not meet enterprise needs quickly enough.” Sixty-seven percent of LE CIOs plan to grow their IT headcount in 2023 by at least 10% to support their enterprise’s digital initiatives. While CIOs are looking to expand their IT teams, many have faced roadblocks in hiring due to economic conditions. Due to prevailing economic volatility, 41% of LE CIOs report slow hiring for IT roles, 35% report decreasing overall IT budget, and 29% report an IT hiring freeze. “CIOs are taking proactive steps to combat economic volatility by relaxing geographic and role requirements to expand their IT talent pipeline,” said Ramirez. “Some organizations have found success by hiring early-career technologists and providing upskilling opportunities to fill critical technology needs.” The survey also found that full-time equivalents (FTEs) do the majority of tech work in the enterprise. Full-time IT employees perform 56% of the work, while technology advancements such as automation and AI-augmented work account for just over 9% of work today.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/large-enterprise-cios-expect-to-grow-their-it-team-to-meet-critical-demands-in-2023
2023-07-30T09:28:54
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/large-enterprise-cios-expect-to-grow-their-it-team-to-meet-critical-demands-in-2023
Limited Capital and Need For New, Innovative Revenue Solutions Are Among the Challenges Facing Many Biotechs Limited Capital Availability and Need For New, Innovative Revenue Solutions Are Among the Challenges Facing Many Biotechs The 33rd edition of the Ernst & Young LLP (EY U.S.) “Beyond Borders” report shows the biotech industry is facing a complex path forward as established big pharma companies are in need of addressing innovation deficits and in search of new revenues to offset the massive wave of looming patent expirations. Emerging biotechs, on the other hand, face a capital-constrained operating environment and are focused on getting to the next value inflection point with minimal cash burn. But nearly half of these companies are already cash-strapped. The report, which serves as a snapshot of biotech’s business performance, highlights the challenges faced by the industry in this unusual business environment and key considerations for leaders moving forward. As outlined by the report’s authors, streamlining operations and driving efficiencies from R&D through commercial is imperative, but biotech’s inherent strengths will allow for continued growth. Arda Ural, Ph.D, EY Americas industry markets leader: health sciences and wellness, said, “Biotechs are facing a complex path ahead. They need to prioritize their capital allocation to navigate distressed public and capital markets, increased regulatory scrutiny, and macroeconomic disruptions. The good news is that the innovation capacity of the industry remains strong in the long term.” Beyond Borders analyzes the state of the industry through a summary of U.S. and European public company revenues, financing, M&A activity, alliances, product approvals, and other factors. The report offers executives a deep dive into current affairs as well as a future-forward outlook. Ashwin Singhania, principal, EY-Parthenon, the company’s global strategy arm, says: “Innovation is the engine that drives the biotech industry. While the approaching patent cliff is an unavoidable challenge, the pipeline continues to be very robust and the pace of innovation continues to accelerate. If executives can prioritize streamlining processes and the ongoing investment in organic innovation and inorganic growth, they will set themselves up for future success.” Other key findings include: • Limited, but increasing, M&A appetite: Global macroeconomics, geopolitical tension, and the FDA’s increased dealmaking scrutiny are all potential factors for the limited M&A activity. The increasing regulatory scrutiny imposed by the FTC will cast a long shadow on the market and will disrupt the inorganic growth efforts in the foreseeable future. • Alliances are on the rise: In 2022, pharma alliance deals had a projected value of $132.1 billion - the third-highest total in the past decade. This reflects the industry’s recent preference toward accessing innovation through alliances and partnerships over straight-out acquisitions. However, one downside for biotech is that only 6% of the total potential value of alliances is in the form of guaranteed upfront payments. • Banking woes: Biotechs and investors are still recovering from the impact of bank failures, particularly Silicon Valley Bank. It was a stark reminder for early-stage biotechs to revisit their liquidity policies and diversify their banking strategies. • Decline in available capital: After skyrocketing capital levels in 2020 and 2021, 2022 witnessed a 54% decline in capital available to the sector. The $54.6 billion raised in 2022 represented the lowest annual industry investment since 2016. While this is in line with pre-pandemic norms, companies are still adjusting to these new conditions. What the IRA means for biotech: The IRA contains three key provisions from a biotech standpoint: 1) Medicare price negotiations (intended to reduce the price of high-cost single-source drugs); 2) inflationary rebates (manufacturers will need to provide rebates if their price increases exceed the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) inflation rate); and 3) Medicare Part D Redesign (this provision will place a $2,000 cap on the amount patients may pay out of pocket per year by January 2025). • Plunging IPOs: Debt financing is down 10% as interest rates rise, but the 63% drop in follow-on public offering capital raised and the 93% decrease in IPOs means smaller companies are struggling to gain access to capital to get to their next value- generating inflection point. Of the 223 companies taken public in 2020 and 2021, and were still publicly traded at the end of 2022, 91% of them saw their market value at IPO drop with an average decline of more than 50%. Although 2022’s 1% revenue growth is a stark contrast to 2021’s 35%, it can be traced back to the decreasing demand for COVID-19-related products. Factoring these products out of the portfolios of the five leading biotechs, the industry’s revenues increased a modest 3.7% in 2022, compared with 5.2% growth in 2021. This view illustrates that biotech’s fundamentals remain healthy, and continued innovation may stave off any threats posed by the imminent patent cliff. The industry should rely on a combination of homegrown innovation and outside transactions to sustain growth and replace impending lost revenue. However, there are concerns over the longterm viability for the wider sector, as 55% of public biotechs (excluding companies with more than $500 million in annual revenue) hold insufficient cash to tide them over for the next two years. A further sobering fact is that 29% of these biotechs have less than a year of cash on hand. With venture funding falling 29% in 2022 and investors pursuing products that can deliver clinical or commercial validation sooner, companies are facing a constrained financing environment. In this instance, M&A remains a viable strategy for biotechs; dealmaking slightly increased last year compared with 2021 although the overall number of deals fell. While challenges lie ahead for the industry, confidence can be found in the potential for a more efficient operating environment. This can be achieved by focusing on capital allocation strategies to secure future growth, optimizing tax management, building better financial and operational resilience, and utilizing artificial intelligence and other technologies to streamline commercial engagement models and more. “The biotech sector should expect challenges and transformations in the next few years as we prepare to scale the patent cliff,” said Rich Ramko, EY U.S. biotech leader. “Biotechs must rev up their innovation engines to pull ahead in this race and put themselves into a position of strength. Companies that can produce differentiated products will set themselves up for steady revenue streams and more stability. All this can be achieved while focusing on operational efficiency and financial discipline.” To read Beyond Borders, visit ey.com/ beyond-borders.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/limited-capital-and-need-for-new-innovative-revenue-solutions-are-among-the-challenges-facing-many-biotechs
2023-07-30T09:29:19
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/limited-capital-and-need-for-new-innovative-revenue-solutions-are-among-the-challenges-facing-many-biotechs
Majority of CFOs Plan to Fund Organic Growth at Same or Greater Level Than Last Year Rising prices and interest rates along with other economic factors beyond a company’s control are leading CFOs to show the most concern about profitable growth, inflation, and balance sheet health in 2023, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc. Yet nine out of 10 CFOs plan to fund organic growth in 2023 at the same level or greater levels than 2022. “Macroeconomic factors that companies can do little to nothing about have created an uncertain setting in 2023, and have also led to many sleepless nights among CFOs,” said Shannon Cole, senior director analyst in the Gartner Finance practice. “Borrowing has become more expensive, and inventory and fixed-asset values remain volatile, which inevitably leads to downstream income statement risk.” According to a Gartner survey of 110 CFOs conducted from November to December 2022, 82% of respondents cited profitable growth among the top five issues that keep them up at night. Seventy-three percent of CFOs picked inflation in their top five and 68% noted balance sheet health. “In the current environment, CFOs should look to aspects of the business that can be managed in a more cost-effective manner,” said Cole. “This can include achieving structural cost optimization by renegotiating with vendors and landlords, collaborating with the CIO to streamline IT spending, and partnering with the CHRO on an office location portfolio strategy.” Areas Where CFOs are Investing More in 2023 According to the Gartner survey, 57% of CFOs are more likely to use capital to fund organic growth compared to 2022. In addition, 80% of CFOs will hold at least the same amount of or more excess cash in 2023, which, for many, is a precursor to enabling organic growth investments. CFOs are also focusing on debt paydown in 2023, with 41% indicating they would pay down more than they did in 2022. In the current environment, Gartner experts state that reinvestment of operating profit is a less risky and less expensive source of funding. “CFOs often find themselves in a balancing act between satisfying shareholder returns in the short term and building the company’s longterm resilience,” said Cole. “We’re finding that CFOs are prioritizing incremental investments in organic growth and debt paydown, and they are more likely to allow cash to accumulate before deciding where best to deploy it.” Areas Where CFOs are Scaling Back in 2023 Fifty-five percent of CFOs are less likely to take on new debt, which not surprisingly is due to the rising cost of debt. Only 18% of CFOs expect to take on additional debt to a greater extent than in 2022. While 42% of CFOs will maintain their share repurchase strategy this year, 44% are less likely to use share repurchases to the same extent as in 2022. “The rising cost of debt is forcing many CFOs to scale back taking on new debt. However, CFOs can maximize flexibility for growth investments by fine-tuning their capital allocation strategy to address changing conditions in cost of capital and asset valuations,” said Cole. CFOs Express Concern About Rising Costs CFOs surveyed by Gartner expressed general cost nervousness and are most concerned about rising labor costs. Seventy-six percent of CFOs across 25 surveyed industries expressed the highest levels of concern over labor costs compared with non-labor input costs and G&A costs. “The scarcity of general labor availability driven by lower workforce participation rates, human-centric work policy expectations, and the high demand for digitally skilled workers have led to a job market where companies are competing aggressively on their open roles, and this naturally drives increases in labor rates,” said Cole.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/majority-of-cfos-plan-to-fund-organic-growth-at-same-or-greater-level-than-last-year
2023-07-30T09:29:25
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/majority-of-cfos-plan-to-fund-organic-growth-at-same-or-greater-level-than-last-year
Nature and EnvironmentUnited KingdomUK butterfly count aims to help save speciesTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 videoNature and EnvironmentUnited KingdomLauren Baker7 minutes ago7 minutes agoConservationists in the UK have launched the world's largest butterfly hunt and have asked private citizens to help collect data by simply counting butterflies. A recent report shows that 80% of butterflies in the UK have declined since the 1970s.https://p.dw.com/p/4UYTbAdvertisement
https://www.dw.com/en/uk-butterfly-count-aims-to-help-save-species/video-66387715
2023-07-30T09:29:28
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https://www.dw.com/en/uk-butterfly-count-aims-to-help-save-species/video-66387715
Tips for Tackling Your Insurance Program in 2023 When it comes to renewing your organization’s business insurance program, there are many things to consider: Do you have the right products in place? Do you have all your needs covered? Are you getting the best deal? During the past few years, the insurance market has experienced instability due to economic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in steady rate increases from year to year. In fact, the market saw 20 consecutive quarters of increased rates. In the last two years alone, Marsh McLennan Agency tracked average rate increases of 24%, with the number falling to an average increase of 5% across all lines of coverage in the final quarter of 2022. This brisk drop in rates makes now an ideal time to perform thorough due diligence on current programs. Combining data from market trend reports conducted by Marsh McLennan Agency, recent legislation, and market updates, we offer some key elements to consider when reviewing your current program. MICRA legislative changes The passage of California Assembly Bill 35 (AB 35) introduced significant changes to the state’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), with far-reaching implications for the future. AB 35, which became law earlier this year, amended key provisions of MICRA, leading to mixed reactions among insurance carriers. MICRA’s central element was a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, per plaintiff. However, AB 35 has increased these caps, with annual incremental increases going forward. For non-death cases, the cap has risen to $350,000, and for cases involving patient death, it now stands at $500,000. Additionally, AB 35 has raised attorney contingency fees. These changes have prompted insurance carriers to anticipate a surge in both the frequency and severity of claims. Plaintiffs and their attorneys can now pursue higher compensation, which incentivizes increased litigation. On the other hand, carriers are taking different approaches to address the potential impact. Some have imposed rate increases of up to 20%, while others are adopting more measured adjustments of 5-10%. Each carrier’s response also depends on various factors like specialty, loss experience, and geography. It is crucial for organizations to have early renewal discussions with their professional liability insurers to ascertain the carriers’ rate expectations at renewal and create a plan moving forward. For clients insured with carriers projecting double-digit rate increases, it is important to consider creative program structures and possibly even alternative insurance carrier options to mitigate rising costs. Insurance carriers are bracing themselves for an increase in claims activity, adjusting their rates accordingly, and encouraging clients to consider alternative insurance options to manage potential cost increases. Website tracking There is growing interest regarding website tracking and the ramifications for litigation. This can affect all classes of business, though hospitals seem to be among the most impacted. In its most recognized form, when you save login credentials to websites on your personal device, the tracking is stored in “cookies.” Cookies are a form of tracking that do not follow you from system to system. You can decline use of cookies and/or delete cookies when done with a website session. This is a key distinction to remember. In its more subtle form, tracking can be done via pixels or analytics - this form of tracking cannot be deleted nor declined. For example, this is how targeted advertising works. You’ll recognize this to be the case when you move from website to website and from system to system, and it seems that advertisements are very relevant and specific to you. This is usually (but not always) the result of pixels or analytics. If a website uses tracking, every time you click on links, select icons, or input information, it may be tracked in ways that you are unlikely to be made aware of. This tracking is not new, but due to increased focus from litigators and insurers on expanding privacy laws and regulations, it is now under more scrutiny. Therefore, some classes of business may be more impacted than others; think healthcare, or financial, or any other class of business using websites to capture or display Personally Identifiable Information, Payment Card Industry Data, or Personal Health information. The use of embedded pixels and analytics within websites is not a requirement for websites to work. As we are seeing a rise in claims around tracking, organizations may want to advise their website developer to disable, or better yet, remove this type of tracking from their websites to avoid litigation. Property coverage The property market continues to be challenged with rate hikes, despite rates falling for other lines of coverage. A major factor to consider here is wildfire scores - organizations with risk in CAT zones can expect to see above average rate increases, as well as carriers dropping the limit they are willing to take on, leading to a more diversified tower. In March 2023, rates increased 19.4%, slightly down from 20.1% in the month prior. It’s imperative that organizations carefully consider these items and act accordingly when it comes time to renew commercial insurance programs. It’s equally important that broker partners also consider the importance of these impending legislative changes and current state of the market to obtain the most competitive pricing for an organization’s program. Marsh McLennan Agency’s Business Insurance Trends report dives into additional risks that organizations should be tracking as they monitor potential exposures. If you have questions around these topics and how Marsh McLennan Agency can assist as a broker partner, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/tips-for-tackling-your-insurance-program-in-2023
2023-07-30T09:29:31
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/story/2023-07-30/tips-for-tackling-your-insurance-program-in-2023
RICHMOND, Va. -- Cooler and drier air will move into the region today, and it will be a little breezy with some gusts over 20 mph possible. We will see a mix of clouds and sunshine. It will turn less humid as the afternoon wears on. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s. A shower will be possible in far western VA. Tonight will be mild with some clouds and lows 65-70. A disturbance will increase the clouds for Monday, and there will be some scattered storms around. A few are possible in the morning, with a better chance later in the afternoon. It will be a little more humid with highs in the low to mid 80s. It will be less humid for Tuesday and Wednesday with partly to mostly sunny skies. Morning lows will be in the low to mid 60s, but some upper 50s will be possible in outlying areas. Highs will be in the low to mid 80s. An unsettled and more humid pattern will develop for Thursday through next weekend. Some scattered storms will be possible each day. Highs will be 85-90. In the tropics, a disturbance in the central Atlantic now has a high chance of development over the next several days. If it becomes a tropical storm, it will be named Emily. It is expected to curve to the north, and stay east of Bermuda. More info is in the CBS 6 Hurricane Tracker. Stay With CBS 6, The Weather Authority. STORM TRACKING LINKS: Weather Alerts Closings & Delays Interactive Radar Map Center 📱 Download the new and improved CBS 6 Weather App foriPhoneand Android.
https://www.wtvr.com/weather/todays-forecast/july-30-2023-richmond-virginia
2023-07-30T09:29:35
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https://www.wtvr.com/weather/todays-forecast/july-30-2023-richmond-virginia
Sunny Bhatia, MD, MMM, FACHE, FACC, FSCAI CEO & Chief Medical Officer Prime Healthcare BPM LLP Dr. Sunny Bhatia, CEO of Prime Healthcare Region I and Corporate Chief Medical Officer, is a quadruple board-certified interventional cardiologist. He has received recognition from prestigious organizations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives, American College of Cardiology, and the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. Under his leadership, Prime Healthcare’s hospitals, especially in Region I, have achieved exceptional recognition for quality and patient safety. He drives value-based initiatives resulting in significant financial impact systemwide and his urgent care partnership with Carbon Health aims to redefine healthcare delivery. Dr. Bhatia’s involvement in distressed hospital turnarounds has preserved vital acute care services and he is dedicated to mentorship, supporting medical students, and holds a faculty position. He is actively engaged in charitable causes and has exhibited outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/sunny-bhatia-md-mmm-fache-facc-fscai
2023-07-30T09:29:37
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/sunny-bhatia-md-mmm-fache-facc-fscai
Susan Dwyer Co-CEO & Managing Principal Hendy Susan Dwyer, co-CEO and managing principal at Hendy, is a dynamic leader overseeing day-to-day operations and guiding a team of architects, designers, and collaborators. With over 20 years of experience, she has an impressive portfolio of creating immersive and client-defined spaces for modern workplaces. Notable projects include 5.11 Tactical’s headquarters, Pacific Life, First American Title, Monster Energy, Jones Lang LaSalle, and INNOCEAN. Dwyer is committed to developing future leaders and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit within the firm. She dedicates time to staff training sessions and provides oneon- one mentorship. Her deep knowledge of local business environments and respect for city history and architecture contribute to her impactful work. She holds licenses in multiple states and has left a lasting impression on the communities she has served.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/susan-dwyer
2023-07-30T09:29:44
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/susan-dwyer
Tim Britt Founder & CEO Synoptek Tim Britt, the founder and CEO of Synoptek, is an entrepreneur at heart who grew up in Wyoming, cherishing a childhood filled with outdoor activities. His early entrepreneurial ventures, including paper routes and a lawn-mowing business, revealed his passion for building companies. Over the past 22 years, he has successfully developed Synoptek into an award-winning global IT management firm, despite initial doubts about the market. Through his extensive background in management and IT consulting, Britt recognized the market’s needs and continuously adapted Synoptek’s services to deliver superior value to clients. His leadership approach follows a “lead by example” philosophy, setting high standards for himself and taking accountability for the organization’s performance. His dedication to self-reflection and continuous improvement drives Synoptek’s success.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/tim-britt
2023-07-30T09:29:50
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/tim-britt
WASHINGTON — North Dakota’s governor was exasperated. North Korean hackers were targeting the families of soldiers who guard the Minuteman missile silos in the state, fishing for information. Gov. Doug Burgum asked the Pentagon for help and was told that the Defense Department’s cybersecurity personnel were stretched to their capacities. He has the impatience of someone not only knowledgeable about cyber things but whose mental processes orient him toward a future that can be, he believes, glittering — if we will just get out of our own way: “innovation, not regulation.” If he ever was a child, as that is commonly understood, the now-66-year-old must have been a handful. By the time he was a teenager, he had started a number of businesses, including a neighborhood newspaper. Later, hearing that he could make $40 cleaning a chimney in an hour, he avoided a minimum-wage job, bought a black coat and top hat and became a Dickensian chimney sweep. After Stanford business school, there was a stint at the McKinsey consulting firm, where he had an epiphany: He saw an Apple II computer — and the future. He says he “bet the farm” (a small one bequeathed by his father), mortgaging it to help launch Great Plains Software, staffed mostly by young North Dakotans. Great Plains prospered, and Microsoft bought it for $1.1 billion. (Don’t call him a billionaire; he says he owned only 10 percent of the firm.) Microsoft hired him, and he reported directly to Chief Executive Steve Ballmer. Elected governor in 2016, he was easily reelected in 2020. His state of 780,000 produces three barrels of oil per resident every two days. While the Biden administration begs foreign dictatorships to pump more oil, it blocks pipelines that could transport North Dakota’s oil to the West Coast, which would result in Japan signing a 20-year contract for it. Discussing governance with Burgum is like conversing with a Gatling gun. It involves a rapid-fire fusillade of his achievements (e.g., cutting $1.7 billion from his state’s $6 billion general fund) and aspirations (e.g., ending irrational immigration policies that enable Canada to poach high-skilled immigrants whose U.S. visas have expired). The 2024 presidential election will, he thinks, be decided in 20 counties in seven swing states. Rural areas are red, metropolitan areas are blue, and the decisive demographic will be college-educated suburban women. North Dakota, however, might be the most pro-life state: The state Senate has 43 Republicans, all pro-life, and four Democrats, one of whom is pro-life. A bipartisan “trigger law,” adopted in 2007, which banned abortions except in rare cases, went into effect when Roe v. Wade was overturned. A court blocked this; the legislature modified it. Burgum, a self-described “10th Amendment guy,” would support no federal abortion statute. If wokeness survives Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s hourly onslaughts (which DeSantis might not survive; talking smack about Bud Light is unpresidential), a President Burgum would not regard fighting it as part of his job description. He would be a presidential rarity, acknowledging the 10th Amendment. (“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution . . . are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.”) Cultural issues are, he says, irrelevant to presidential duties. Governors, too, should tread lightly. Burgum says that if there are offensive or age-inappropriate books in a library, people should talk to the librarian or the library board. Unleash a library police force, and you will soon have a shortage of librarians. When the Republican presidential aspirants have their first debate Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Burgum will surely be the only participant prepared to speak about molecular biology. He has read Walter Isaacson’s book “The Code Breaker,” about DNA, gene-editing and the possibility of pharmacological and other medical wonders. These might, Burgum surmises, eliminate entire categories of diseases, which would mean an immeasurable reduction of suffering — and a fiscal crisis. Longevity is a great social achievement and a threat to Social Security and Medicare. His past — executive success in the private and public sectors — marks him as unusually qualified for the presidency. His focus on the future — on the far horizon, not on stroking the nominating electorate’s erogenous zones — explains his regrets about today’s plebiscitary nominating process. The Democratic Party initiated this after Vice President Hubert Humphrey won its 1968 nomination without competing in any primary, and the GOP soon conformed to the proliferation of primaries. He is sufficiently unlike the other candidates. He might be noticed in Milwaukee and gain the national attention he merits. But don’t bet the farm on it.
https://www.normantranscript.com/opinion/national-column-meet-the-unusually-qualified-presidential-candidate-youve-never-heard-of/article_2d557f0e-2d5a-11ee-852b-ff32d897eb1a.html
2023-07-30T09:29:53
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https://www.normantranscript.com/opinion/national-column-meet-the-unusually-qualified-presidential-candidate-youve-never-heard-of/article_2d557f0e-2d5a-11ee-852b-ff32d897eb1a.html
CHENGDU, China, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the beginning of the grand opening ceremony of the 31st World University Games in Chengdu on Friday night, Jihao Youguo, a girl hailing from the mountainous Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, led representatives of the 56 ethnic groups of China to sing "Beautiful National Flag" and "Ode to the Motherland." Youguo firstly became known to the public in February 2018 when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited her family, a poverty-stricken household in Sanhe village, while on an inspection tour to learn about the progress of poverty eradication in the village. To welcome Xi's visit at the family's dilapidated abode, the then 10-year-old Youguo sang the same song "Beautiful National Flag" and won the applause from Xi. One year later, all the 29 Sanhe households, including Youguo's family, were relocated to a newly built tile-roofed and brick-walled building which includes a series of apartments measuring about 100 square meters each, thanks to the local poverty eradication program. Youguo said in 2019 that she wished President Xi would come back and visit her new spacious house. Youguo's father told the media that they opened a grocery store in one extra room of their new house. The store spared the villagers' 30-minute trip to the township for grocery shopping. The store itself brought the family an income of 3,000 yuan ($419) a month, roughly covering the monthly expenses of their three kids attending a boarding school in Liangshan. Youguo's father also keeps some livestock and 30 beehives, making a total income of about 60,000 yuan a year. Wang Liyuan, an organizer for the opening ceremony of the Chengdu Games, told media that they contacted the Liangshan education authorities and invited Youguo and five other children in the region to sing at the event. "The children are always smiling and enthusiastic, giving a true feeling of sincerity." Dream of becoming music teacher With the help of a private education service provider, Youguo, her sister and brother were enrolled into the Liangshan Xichang Tianli School in 2020. Thanks to a dedicated charity fund, they were able to attend the school tuition-free. Zhang Tao, Youguo's lead teacher, told the Global Times that Youguo has developed good habits living in the school and has made great academic progress since her enrollment. "She is humble, friendly and gets along well with her classmates. Her English has improved a lot since coming to the school. Her favorite subjects are standard Chinese, English and music," said Zhang. Youguo is athletic and loves to take part in extra-curricular activities including singing, basketball and running. She is also the champion shot-putter of the school, Zhang said. "Once during a talk after school, she told me that she dreamed of becoming a music teacher in the future," Zhang told the Global Times. "It's a great way to realize her potential. I encourage her to pursue her dream and give back to the community." Regarding her progress at school, Youguo said that she has become more confident and open-minded. "I used to be nervous when singing on stage. But I've learned a lot from my classmates and I've grown confident," she said. Part of big story The experience of Youguo's family is part of the story of the country's historic achievement in poverty eradication. Liangshan is home to the largest ethnic Yi community in China and is about 2,000 kilometers from Beijing. When President Xi visited Sanhe village in February 2018, it was one of the most destitute villages in Liangshan. Deep in the Daliang Mountains, local people lived in dark mud huts, suffering from limited transportation and low crop yields caused by the harsh natural conditions. Most villagers grew corn and potatoes for a living. Given the difficulty of building roads in the mountainous area, the local government opted to relocate the villagers out of the mountain. By September 2020, 353,200 people from 74,400 households in Liangshan had been relocated and started their new lives in their new homes. Local villagers also came up with innovative ways to improve their living. In Zhaojue county, where Sanhe village is located, locals developed plantations of strawberries. After a year of development, the plantation covered an area of 1,800 mu (120 hectares). Thanks to this new business, in a five-month period in 2019, more than 20,000 local workers were employed, each earning 9,000 yuan on average. From then on, some 165 modern plantations have mushroomed in Liangshan. After years of national and local efforts, Liangshan witnessed the eradication of poverty, with more than 1.05 million people lifted out of absolute poverty and 11 counties and 2,072 villages removed from the list of impoverished areas. Sanhe village has established a unique development model that combines breeding, plantation and rural tourism to increase the villagers' income. Currently, the villager's net income per capita has reached over 18,000 yuan, which is more than 10 times higher than the amount before the anti-poverty campaign, Sichuan Daily reported. In February 2021, China announced victory in its fight against poverty, eradicating absolute poverty in the country. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
2023-07-30T09:29:54
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https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
Tom Buttgenbach Founder & CEO Avantus Tom Buttgenbach, Ph.D., is a physicist, former McKinsey consultant, and cleantech founder known for developing the first solar plant to outperform fossil fuel prices in 2016. With over a decade of experience in the energy transition, he leads Avantus, a company utilizing patented technology to revolutionize clean energy infrastructure and provide affordable, renewable power to 30 million people day and night. Growing up in Germany, Buttgenbach’s passion for science and building led him to earn PhDs in physics and astronomy from Caltech. He later founded 8minute Solar Energy in 2009, driven by his dedication to address climate change. Now rebranded as Avantus, the company offers a comprehensive range of clean energy products and services, delivering reliable, emission-free energy at a lower cost than fossil fuels.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/tom-buttgenbach
2023-07-30T09:29:56
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https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/tom-buttgenbach
Scientists have discovered a worm that managed to stretch its short life expectancy — by tens of thousands of years. A tiny roundworm was revived after it was frozen in Siberian permafrost 46,000 years ago, when Neanderthals still walked the Earth. The worm, a previously unknown species of nematode, survived after entering a dormant state known as cryptobiosis, during which the animal doesn't eat and lacks a metabolism. The finding was detailed in a recent study published in the journal PLOS Genetics. The most stunning part of the discovery was the length of time the worm had endured cryptobiosis, said Philipp Schiffer, one of the study's authors and a group leader at the Institute of Zoology at the University of Cologne in Germany. Nematodes are among the planet's most ubiquitous life forms. Scientists had known that some could survive long periods of suspended animation in subzero environments. One Antarctic species spent over 25 years in frozen moss before resuscitation, the previous longest record of cryptobiosis recorded for a nematode. "Nobody had thought that this process could be for millennia, for 40,000 years — or even longer," Schiffer said. "It's just amazing that life can start again after such a long time, in the stage between life and death." Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine that the soil from the permafrost sample was 46,000 years old. Some nematodes are also known to survive parched climates, like in Chile's Atacama Desert, the driest nonpolar desert on Earth. One species was revived after spending nearly 40 years desiccated in a dry herbarium. "Everything seems to be possible for these animals and that's what makes them so fascinating," the scientist said. Schiffer says his worm lab in Cologne was able to analyze and identify the novel worm, which researchers named Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, using genome sequencing. The nematode was found about 130 feet deep within the permafrost inside a burrow once home to Arctic gophers. After the chunk of frozen sediment was taken to the lab to thaw, the resurrected nematode crawled out and started making babies. The nematode, a female-only species, reproduces asexually, after about eight to 12 days. The original worm, found five years ago, has died. Scientists are using its descendants to continue their research on the species, which will primarily involve investigating the genetic machinery behind these organisms to learn how these worms evolve to adapt in extreme environments. That work could reveal how other animals might harbor the genetic superpowers to adapt to extreme environments today, as climate change drives more frequent heat waves and uninhabitable environments, Schiffer says. "You might learn a lot about how and what's happening right now on Earth, and maybe even inform protection of endangered species," he said. One challenge in researching the DNA sequences of this particular species, he adds, is how quickly the nematode evolves during its short life. The lifespan of Panagrolaimus kolymaensis is just one to two months. Unless, of course, it happens to get frozen in time. Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists
2023-07-30T09:30:00
1
https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists
Slackline World Champion Jaan Roose pushes the limits: "Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever" DOHA, Qatar, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world's longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar's newest and most iconic architectural landmarks. The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled "Sparkline," at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City. Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan's second-highest walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide. Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented: "When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I'm proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I'm always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline. The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It's like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board." "The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar," Roose added. The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each other in beautifully imposing structures shaped like scimitar swords. The towers are some of the latest to be added to Lusail City's expanding list of architectural marvels and create a distinct silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Featuring the world's tallest chandelier, the Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, while the suite-only Raffles Doha showcases a spell-binding entrance, a personal butler service and fine-dining delights by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa. Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, Christian Hirt, expressed his excitement about the event being hosted at the Iconic Towers, saying "Raffles and Fairmont Doha have always celebrated the extraordinary, and this event embodies that spirit. The project serves to underline our commitment to showcasing high-calibre talents that defy the impossible. As this daring athlete 'Sparklines' across our towers, we hope it captivates the world and inspires others to push their boundaries." Katara Hospitality's leadership commented: "We are proud of this activation, working alongside Qatar Tourism and Red Bull, as it exemplifies Katara Hospitality's commitment to utilizing the Iconic Towers as a powerful asset to promote tourism and enhance the destination's appeal. Through this event, we aim to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Iconic Towers and position them as a symbol of Qatar's excellence in hospitality and entertainment." Commenting on the project with Jaan Roose, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: "Qatar has built a sporting legacy for itself and is now a true hub for international sporting events. We're delighted to support the exhilarating slackline walk event and champion renowned athletes. By fostering a culture of athleticism, we strive to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and reach new heights in their athletic careers. In addition to its world-class sporting facilities, Qatar is home to a fresh and diverse suite of incredible hotels that make Qatar a global destination of choice for all travellers." The Sparkline walk took place as part of an action-packed calendar of global events in Qatar. With several key sporting events expected to take place in 2023, including Qatar MotoGP, AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, and Geneva International Motor Show, visitors can expect extraordinary sporting experiences in Qatar all year round. To know more about Jaan Roose, visit www.redbull.com For imagery and video, please download via this link. For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism's Press Office on: +974 3392 4466 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa For athlete-related media inquiries, please contact Red Bull Qatar: About Qatar Tourism Qatar Tourism's mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. Web: www.visitqatar.qa About Raffles Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is where heritage meets modern hotelcraft. Raffles hotels, resorts, and residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At landmark addresses around the world, Raffles' well-travelled guests and residents enjoy experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh, and Bali; with flagship openings upcoming in London, Boston and Macau. Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality as part of Accor, Raffles benefits from a world-class infrastructure and is a participating brand in the Group's lifestyle loyalty and guest recognition programme, ALL - Accor Live Limitless. raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com About Fairmont Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivalled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha
https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
2023-07-30T09:30:00
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https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
Zac Brandenberg Co-Founder & CEO DRINKS Zac Brandenberg is a serial entrepreneur driving digital disruption in industries lacking innovative technology solutions. In 2003 he founded Hydra, a multichannel digital ad platform that achieved remarkable success and ranked in the Top 10 of the INC 500. Currently, Zac serves as the co-founder and CEO of DRINKS Holdings, Inc. (drinks.com), leading the company through the pandemic and expanding its ship-to-home alcohol category with strategic partnerships. Despite remote work during the pandemic, Zac fostered a digital-first culture, utilizing tools like Zoom and Slack to enhance communication and transparency. DRINKS’ culture has received widespread recognition, earning multiple Best Places to Work awards and Forbes America’s Best Start-up Employers accolades. Brandenberg’s visionary leadership has propelled his ventures to success and positioned him as a driving force in the industry.
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/zac-brandenberg
2023-07-30T09:30:02
0
https://www.latimes.com/2023-c-suite-trends-updates-and-the-cfo-leadership-awards-recap/zac-brandenberg
Seventy years ago, the Korean War ended with a cease-fire, not a victory or a peace deal, and veterans marked the occasion Thursday at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., with some even joining activists pushing for a formal end to the war. But as most Korean War vets are well into their 90s, they still struggle with America's perceptions of what has been called "the Forgotten War." "We don't call it the Forgotten War, we call it the forgotten victory," said retired U.S. Marine Col. Warren Wiedhahn. "We saved South Korea from becoming a communist country." Wiedhahn said it might not have been clear at the time, but it sure is now. South Korea is democratic and among the world's leading economies, while the North is an impoverished, brutal dictatorship. Wiedhahn just wishes the United Nations force, led by the U.S., had held on to more of the Korean peninsula before the cease-fire. At a certain point they had driven North Korean forces all the way to the Chinese border before being pushed south again. "Now don't get me wrong. The [cease-fire] was welcomed because that meant that the Marines and soldiers were not getting killed anymore. But to me, to us who had fought in the beginning, it was kind of an anti-climactic," he said. At 94, Wiedhahn is president of the Chosin Few, a group of vets who fought at Chosin Reservior, a freezing 17-day battle with the Chinese army. Membership is now being gradually passed on to the next generation. "I actually had no idea my dad was involved with the Chosin Reservoir. He didn't say one word about it," said Nancy Weigle, whose father, Gerald, was a Navy corpsman who died in 2018. Like many Korea vets he didn't talk about it much for the first few decades, Weigle said. "The World War II vets had obviously been celebrated. There was a clear victory. And when these guys came back, nobody even knew what Korea was," she said. That came later, as Korean products and culture spread across the globe. Her dad was one of many Korean War vets who were invited by South Korea to visit Seoul. Weigle is now a legacy member of the Chosin Few, carrying on their stories. Robert Grier, 90, served in Korea just a few years after the U.S. military desegregated, a memory that stood out for him even as he finds it harder to recall many other details of his service. "Black soldiers didn't get promoted very much back then. It was always in the lower ranks," he said. Grier eventually made captain. He has just one memory of the armistice in 1953. "We were not happy," he said. "[We] didn't like to lose things. We thought that we lost that." Korea was the first of many wars after World War II with, at best, ambiguous endings that most Americans didn't see as success. That includes Afghanistan and Iraq. "I sympathize with the Korean War vets," said Welton Chang, who served two tours in Iraq. "Their experience was much more intense, and certainly the casualties were higher," he adds. Before Iraq, Chang also deployed to Korea for a year, during which North Korea detonated its first nuclear weapon and tested intercontinental ballistic missiles. His time there showed him the value of what Americans and others did for South Korea. "Older Koreans are still very thankful for U.S. involvement and were often the ones who would come up to us on the street or hiking a mountain somewhere and shake our hands and say 'thank you,' " Chang said. "It was always super awkward because you kind of have to remind them that, like, I wasn't even born when any of this stuff happened," he said. "But they saw it as this long, unbroken line of U.S. commitment in Asia." Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-30/as-living-memories-of-the-korean-war-fade-its-consequences-become-clearer
2023-07-30T09:30:06
1
https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-30/as-living-memories-of-the-korean-war-fade-its-consequences-become-clearer
L.A. Times B2B Publishing is proud to present the inaugural “Top 30 Accounting and Business Advisory Firms,” a list of the 30 leading firms in Los Angeles County. The list is ranked by the number of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Los Angeles County offices. To compile the list, B2B Publishing surveyed local, regional and national firms and asked them to provide information about the number of CPAs, accounting professionals and total employees in their local offices. Participation was voluntary and there were no fees attached. Some firms may have qualified for the list, but declined to provide information. These leading accounting firms employ more than 3,000 CPAs in their local offices and total employment exceeds 9,000. All efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of the list, but errors and omissions are possible due to the constantly shifting nature of the industry.
https://www.latimes.com/b2bpublishing/top-accounting-and-business-advisory-firms-2023
2023-07-30T09:30:08
1
https://www.latimes.com/b2bpublishing/top-accounting-and-business-advisory-firms-2023
As the hour creeps past three in the afternoon, New Orleans' streets are devoid of tourists and locals alike. The heat index is over 105 degrees. At the city's ambulance depot, the concrete parking lot seems to magnify the sweltering heat, circulating the air like a convection oven. New Orleans Emergency Medical Services has been busy this summer, responding to heat-related emergency calls and rushing patients to nearby hospitals. Capt. Janick Lewis and Lt. Titus Carriere demonstrate how they can load a stretcher into an ambulance using an automated loading system. Lewis wipes sweat from his brow as the loading arm whirs and hums, raising the stretcher into the ambulance — "unit" in official terminology. But the mechanical assistance isn't the best thing about the new vehicle. "The nicest thing about being assigned a brand new unit, is it's a brand-new air conditioning system," Lewis says. The new AC is much more than just a luxury for the hard-working crews. These days they need the extra cooling power to help save lives. "The number one thing you do take care of somebody is get them out of the heat, get them somewhere cool," Lewis says. "So the number one thing we spend our time worrying about in the summertime is keeping the truck cool." Like much of the country, New Orleans has been embroiled in an almost relentless heat wave for weeks. As a result, more people are falling ill with heat-related conditions than ever before. Just last week, EMS responded to 29 heat-related calls — more than triple compared to the same period last year. As the city's emergency medical systems deal with the influx of patients, scientists say these dangerous heat levels — and the increasing stress they put on human bodies and medical systems — may be the new norm. At the same time, New Orleans EMS has struggled with funding and staffing challenges. It's currently operating with only 60% of its needed staff. The city's chief of EMS has called for increased funding for higher wages to attract more workers. Lewis says they're making do with the resources they have, and prioritizing one-time expenses like new ambulances to help them meet the challenges they're facing. "We're going to provide the care everybody needs, regardless of how hot it gets," Lewis says. "We'd love to have all the help in the world, but we're getting the job done with what we have right now." Health dangers above 100℉ When a human being is exposed to high levels of heat for too long, it starts to raise the core body temperature. Once that exceeds 100 degrees, hyperthermia can develop. That can prompt an escalating cascade of health problems if it isn't quickly addressed. The first stage is heat exhaustion, Lt. Carriere explains: "That means you're hot, you may have an elevated temp, but you also have what's called diaphoresis, which means your body is sweating, is still trying to compensate and cool yourself off." You'll also likely have other symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and headache. Carriere says that if you can quickly get out of the heat and into some AC, generally you'll recover from heat exhaustion on your own. But if you don't, your core temperature will continue to rise. Near 104° the dangers escalate If internal body temperature approaches 104 degrees, you could succumb to the next stage — heat stroke. "Once you move to heat stroke, your body stops compensating," Carriere says. "You stop sweating. You're hot. You're dry, and your organs are basically like frying themselves from the inside out." When you stop sweating, it becomes even harder for your body to cool itself down. During heat stroke, you may also experience other severe symptoms like an altered state of mind, confusion, and a rapid, erratic pulse. You may even lose consciousness. Heat illness can develop after unrelieved exposure to incessant heat, but high humidity compounds the problem by making it harder for the body to cool itself by sweating. Working outdoors, dehydration, alcohol or drug use, and sunburn all increase the risk. The very old, children under 4, and those who are obese or have certain medical conditions are particularly vulnerable. Without medical intervention, heat stroke can be deadly. EMS starts treatment immediately after they arrive on the scene. "We'll get them on a gurney, get them into the unit, start removing their clothing and put ice packs wherever applicable to try to cool them down," says Carriere. Saving lives in the ER with ice, fluids, and medical support Once you're loaded into the ambulance, they'll race you to a nearby hospital, Carriere says. At University Medical Center (UMC), the city's largest hospital, doctors and nurses will continue efforts to quickly lower body temperature, and replace fluids by IV if necessary.. "When the patient ends up at the hospital, we're going to continue that cooling process," Elder says. "We're going to put them in an ice water bath," says Dr. Jeffrey Elder, the Medical Director for Emergency Management at UMC. "We may use some misting fans and some cold fluids to get their body temperature down to a reasonable temperature while we're supporting all the other bodily functions." Getting your core temperature down as quickly as possible is the highest priority, Elder explains, and is what will ultimately save your life. One way they can speed that along is by burying you in ice. In other parts of the country, doctors actually place patients inside body bags pre-packed with pounds of ice. Body bags are useful in these cases because they're waterproof and are designed to closely fit the human form. They don't use body bags at UMC's emergency room, but during the summer, staffers do keep bags of ice ready to go at all times. "On the stretcher, we'll use some of the sheets as kind of a barrier," Elder says. "And while they're on the stretcher, we'll just put the ice on them right then and there." Hospital staff will continue to work to cool you down until your temperature gets back below 100. That's when you're considered to be in the medical safe zone. Elder admits that while it always gets hot in New Orleans during the summer, his emergency room has been treating more heat-related illness in 2023 than ever before. A few patients have died from the heat. Like many other hospital systems, UMC is struggling with staffing challenges since the pandemic. But UMC has prioritized staffing of the emergency department in order to handle things like an influx of patients from heat-related illness, Elder says. Burden on health infrastructure heats up Across the country, meteorological events like heat waves and heat domes will become more frequent and intense in the future, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Extreme summer heat is increasing in the United States," says Claudia Brown, a health scientist with the CDC's Climate and Health Program. "And climate projections are indicating that extreme heat events will be more frequent and intense in the coming decades." Health infrastructure will be challenged to keep up in order to treat patients suffering from extreme heat exposure. In New Orleans, both first responders and doctors say they expect to see more patients with heat-related illness. July is merely the halfway point of a Louisiana summer. "We haven't even gotten to the hottest part yet, which is typically August to September," says EMS Lt. Titus Carriere. "So I'm expecting it to get pretty bad." Copyright 2023 Gulf States Newsroom. To see more, visit .
https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke
2023-07-30T09:30:13
1
https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke
No. 4 - Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt 11444 W. Olympic Blvd. 11th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90064 Headcount in Los Angeles County - Total number of CPAs: 218 - Total number of accounting professionals (including CPAs): 372 - Total number of employees: 526 Headquarters: Los Angeles Year established: 1991 Offices firmwide: 13 Accounting services offered: Audit, Tax, Advisory, Business Management, M&A, Estate Planning, Valuation, Employee Benefit Plan Audit, Fractional Accounting & Advisory Services, Revenue Recognition Industries served: Entertainment, Healthcare, Hospitality, Legal, Manufacturing, Nonprofit, Real Estate, Retail, Tech, High-Net-Worth Individuals & Family Offices, Affordable Housing, Private Equity, Professional Services Top Local Executive: Vicken Haleblian, CEO and Managing Partner
https://www.latimes.com/top-accounting-firms-2023/no-4-holthouse-carlin-van-trigt
2023-07-30T09:30:14
0
https://www.latimes.com/top-accounting-firms-2023/no-4-holthouse-carlin-van-trigt
No. 5 - KPMG 550 S. Hope St. Suite 1500, Los Angeles, CA 90071 Headcount in Los Angeles County - Total number of CPAs: 197 - Total number of accounting professionals (including CPAs): 1,266 - Total number of employees: 1,409 Headquarters: New York Year established: 1897 Accounting services offered: Audit, Tax, Advisory, M&A, Internal Audit Industries served: Entertainment, Financial, Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail, Tech Top Local Executive: Michelle Wroan, Los Angeles office managing partner
https://www.latimes.com/top-accounting-firms-2023/no-5-kpmg
2023-07-30T09:30:21
0
https://www.latimes.com/top-accounting-firms-2023/no-5-kpmg
No. 7 - Grant Thornton LLP 444 S. Flower St. Suite 3100, Los Angeles, CA 90071 Headcount in Los Angeles County - Total number of CPAs: 123 - Total number of accounting professionals (including CPAs): 233 - Total number of employees: 331 Headquarters: Chicago Year established: 1924 Offices firmwide: 50 Accounting services offered: Audit, Tax, Advisory, Business Management, M&A, Internal Audit, Estate Planning Industries served: Entertainment, Financial, Healthcare, Hospitality, Legal, Manufacturing, Nonprofit, Real Estate, Retail, Tech Top Local Executive: Cathy Hyodo, Office Managing Partner
https://www.latimes.com/top-accounting-firms-2023/no-7-grant-thornton-llp
2023-07-30T09:30:27
0
https://www.latimes.com/top-accounting-firms-2023/no-7-grant-thornton-llp
No. 9 - Gursey Schneider LLP 2121 Avenue of the Stars Suite 1300, Los Angeles, CA 90067 Headcount in Los Angeles County - Total number of CPAs: 114 - Total number of accounting professionals (including CPAs): 188 - Total number of employees: 248 Headquarters: Los Angeles Year established: 1979 Offices firmwide: 5 Accounting services offered: Audit, Tax, Advisory, Business Management, Internal Audit, Estate Planning, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuation Industries served: Entertainment, Financial, Legal, Nonprofit, Real Estate, Retail, Tech Top Local Executive: Stephan Wasserman, Managing Partner
https://www.latimes.com/top-accounting-firms-2023/no-9-gursey-schneider-llp
2023-07-30T09:30:33
1
https://www.latimes.com/top-accounting-firms-2023/no-9-gursey-schneider-llp
CHENGDU, China, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the beginning of the grand opening ceremony of the 31st World University Games in Chengdu on Friday night, Jihao Youguo, a girl hailing from the mountainous Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, led representatives of the 56 ethnic groups of China to sing "Beautiful National Flag" and "Ode to the Motherland." Youguo firstly became known to the public in February 2018 when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited her family, a poverty-stricken household in Sanhe village, while on an inspection tour to learn about the progress of poverty eradication in the village. To welcome Xi's visit at the family's dilapidated abode, the then 10-year-old Youguo sang the same song "Beautiful National Flag" and won the applause from Xi. One year later, all the 29 Sanhe households, including Youguo's family, were relocated to a newly built tile-roofed and brick-walled building which includes a series of apartments measuring about 100 square meters each, thanks to the local poverty eradication program. Youguo said in 2019 that she wished President Xi would come back and visit her new spacious house. Youguo's father told the media that they opened a grocery store in one extra room of their new house. The store spared the villagers' 30-minute trip to the township for grocery shopping. The store itself brought the family an income of 3,000 yuan ($419) a month, roughly covering the monthly expenses of their three kids attending a boarding school in Liangshan. Youguo's father also keeps some livestock and 30 beehives, making a total income of about 60,000 yuan a year. Wang Liyuan, an organizer for the opening ceremony of the Chengdu Games, told media that they contacted the Liangshan education authorities and invited Youguo and five other children in the region to sing at the event. "The children are always smiling and enthusiastic, giving a true feeling of sincerity." Dream of becoming music teacher With the help of a private education service provider, Youguo, her sister and brother were enrolled into the Liangshan Xichang Tianli School in 2020. Thanks to a dedicated charity fund, they were able to attend the school tuition-free. Zhang Tao, Youguo's lead teacher, told the Global Times that Youguo has developed good habits living in the school and has made great academic progress since her enrollment. "She is humble, friendly and gets along well with her classmates. Her English has improved a lot since coming to the school. Her favorite subjects are standard Chinese, English and music," said Zhang. Youguo is athletic and loves to take part in extra-curricular activities including singing, basketball and running. She is also the champion shot-putter of the school, Zhang said. "Once during a talk after school, she told me that she dreamed of becoming a music teacher in the future," Zhang told the Global Times. "It's a great way to realize her potential. I encourage her to pursue her dream and give back to the community." Regarding her progress at school, Youguo said that she has become more confident and open-minded. "I used to be nervous when singing on stage. But I've learned a lot from my classmates and I've grown confident," she said. Part of big story The experience of Youguo's family is part of the story of the country's historic achievement in poverty eradication. Liangshan is home to the largest ethnic Yi community in China and is about 2,000 kilometers from Beijing. When President Xi visited Sanhe village in February 2018, it was one of the most destitute villages in Liangshan. Deep in the Daliang Mountains, local people lived in dark mud huts, suffering from limited transportation and low crop yields caused by the harsh natural conditions. Most villagers grew corn and potatoes for a living. Given the difficulty of building roads in the mountainous area, the local government opted to relocate the villagers out of the mountain. By September 2020, 353,200 people from 74,400 households in Liangshan had been relocated and started their new lives in their new homes. Local villagers also came up with innovative ways to improve their living. In Zhaojue county, where Sanhe village is located, locals developed plantations of strawberries. After a year of development, the plantation covered an area of 1,800 mu (120 hectares). Thanks to this new business, in a five-month period in 2019, more than 20,000 local workers were employed, each earning 9,000 yuan on average. From then on, some 165 modern plantations have mushroomed in Liangshan. After years of national and local efforts, Liangshan witnessed the eradication of poverty, with more than 1.05 million people lifted out of absolute poverty and 11 counties and 2,072 villages removed from the list of impoverished areas. Sanhe village has established a unique development model that combines breeding, plantation and rural tourism to increase the villagers' income. Currently, the villager's net income per capita has reached over 18,000 yuan, which is more than 10 times higher than the amount before the anti-poverty campaign, Sichuan Daily reported. In February 2021, China announced victory in its fight against poverty, eradicating absolute poverty in the country. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
2023-07-30T09:32:53
0
https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The dreaded Heat Advisory has returned! It'll feel like it's between 105-110 degrees out there today so stay hydrated, stay in the air conditioning, and limit your outdoor activities especially during the peak heating of the day. A few cooling storms will arrive later today but until then it'll be hot and steamy! The best chance for widespread showers & storms this week will be Tuesday and Wednesday with a tropical wave moving in off the ocean, otherwise it'll be a typical summer forecast with high heat and humidity and scattered mainly afternoon storms each day. A disturbance in the Atlantic has a high chance of becoming "Emily" this week but is likely to curve well east of Bermuda. MORE WEATHER: Radar |Alerts | 7-Day Forecast | Hourly Forecast TODAY: Heat Advisory from 12PM-8PM, scattered PM storms. Highs: Mid 90s Winds: SSE 10 TONIGHT: Clearing, warm. Lows: Upper 70s Winds: S 5 TOMORROW: Hot and humid, scattered storms. Highs: Mid 90s Winds: SSE 10
https://www.wptv.com/weather/heat-advisories-have-returned-to-wrap-up-the-weekend
2023-07-30T09:33:18
1
https://www.wptv.com/weather/heat-advisories-have-returned-to-wrap-up-the-weekend
An alternative to weekly mowing during summer months Here we are, the middle of summer and grateful that we are not having the extreme temperatures that other parts of the world are seeing and grateful for the occasional thunderstorms that will keep this area moist enough to hopefully avoid any wildfires. But this is the time of year that our very nice lawn starts to brown out… the heat, humidity and sun take its toll on the grass. This will be the time that we (you) can do some research on alternatives to the green lawns that most of the South is known for. Many parts of the world are moving away from typical grass lawns and are considering less intensive options. On a recent scan of articles about options for grass lawns, National Geographic had an article on July 20, 2023 about the switch to white clover lawns instead of Fescue or Bermuda grasses. Upon further investigation, this is not a brand-new idea… folks in the UK and other countries afflicted with drought of other extreme weather have already adjusted their outdoor environments. Seems as though, a green grass lawn is labor intensive (weekly mowing and edging), requires fertilizing (at the wrong time contributing to excessive nutrients in our waterways) and is a single “crop” leading to a loss of biodiversity. Many times we read about the acres and acres of farmland that is nothing but wheat or corn and how that depletes the soil; the mom and pop farms of mixed use: animals, multiple kinds of planted vegetables and crops, and better farming practices lead to balanced and sustainable soils, vegetables and foods. And you are not just limited to white clover. Many internet searches show beautiful wildflower gardens, tall sedge grasses and mosses that require less maintenance and water. Just this past spring, Keep Gastonia Beautiful, with the help of our local firefighters, Board volunteers and the blessing of the powers in the city, planted open areas at the fire stations with wildflowers. The results were picturesque wildflowers blooming in an area that previously need to be mowed by the firefighters, an increase in local insects (bees and butterflies) and a tranquil sight for our firefighters to enjoy. Kings College, part of Cambridge University in England, did a study. They turned their 250 year-old lawn, once a beautiful green grass lawn, manicured and perfectly maintained into a wildflower and now wildlife garden. Researchers there planted over 50 different species of wildflowers and native plants in about half of the lawn. What occurred in the next four years was a wonderful result. The planted meadow spread over almost the entire lawn. The increase in native plants (that had not been originally planted) was significant. Their original biodiversity was returning along with 3.6 times more plants and insects than were originally in the manicured lawns. What we do know about any ecological system is that there is a need for producers, consumers and decomposers and this experiment was proof that if given the chance, nature can rebalance itself and be sustaining. Here in the U.S., there is a “No Mow May,” allowing locals to have an excuse to allow nature to grow. This is a special time when the bees and other pollinators are in search of nectar and pollen. Remember, without our pollinators, we can run the risk of limited foods. We depend on these animals to spread pollen for our foods to develop. So, just to be clear, not all plants depend on pollinators: many crops like corn, rice, soybeans and wheat are either wind or self-pollinating. Leafy greens and root vegetables also need no pollinators (although seed production does require pollination). But what a boring culinary life we would have eating just these crops. We depend on bees, butterflies, bats and some birds to spread pollen for other wonderful foods like watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, pumpkin, zucchini, blueberry, apple, mango, plum, peach, okra, cherry, pear, raspberry and blackberry just to name a few. As we head into the fall season, take the time this hot summer and think about shifting some (not all for those of you who still enjoy mowing a lawn) of your green space to wild space. Nan Kirlin is the recycling coordinator for Gaston County.
https://www.gastongazette.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/07/30/an-alternative-to-weekly-mowing-during-summer-months/70471650007/
2023-07-30T09:34:21
0
https://www.gastongazette.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/07/30/an-alternative-to-weekly-mowing-during-summer-months/70471650007/
Slackline World Champion Jaan Roose pushes the limits: "Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever" DOHA, Qatar, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world's longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar's newest and most iconic architectural landmarks. The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled "Sparkline," at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City. Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan's second-highest walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide. Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented: "When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I'm proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I'm always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline. The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It's like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board." "The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar," Roose added. The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each other in beautifully imposing structures shaped like scimitar swords. The towers are some of the latest to be added to Lusail City's expanding list of architectural marvels and create a distinct silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Featuring the world's tallest chandelier, the Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, while the suite-only Raffles Doha showcases a spell-binding entrance, a personal butler service and fine-dining delights by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa. Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, Christian Hirt, expressed his excitement about the event being hosted at the Iconic Towers, saying "Raffles and Fairmont Doha have always celebrated the extraordinary, and this event embodies that spirit. The project serves to underline our commitment to showcasing high-calibre talents that defy the impossible. As this daring athlete 'Sparklines' across our towers, we hope it captivates the world and inspires others to push their boundaries." Katara Hospitality's leadership commented: "We are proud of this activation, working alongside Qatar Tourism and Red Bull, as it exemplifies Katara Hospitality's commitment to utilizing the Iconic Towers as a powerful asset to promote tourism and enhance the destination's appeal. Through this event, we aim to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Iconic Towers and position them as a symbol of Qatar's excellence in hospitality and entertainment." Commenting on the project with Jaan Roose, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: "Qatar has built a sporting legacy for itself and is now a true hub for international sporting events. We're delighted to support the exhilarating slackline walk event and champion renowned athletes. By fostering a culture of athleticism, we strive to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and reach new heights in their athletic careers. In addition to its world-class sporting facilities, Qatar is home to a fresh and diverse suite of incredible hotels that make Qatar a global destination of choice for all travellers." The Sparkline walk took place as part of an action-packed calendar of global events in Qatar. With several key sporting events expected to take place in 2023, including Qatar MotoGP, AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, and Geneva International Motor Show, visitors can expect extraordinary sporting experiences in Qatar all year round. To know more about Jaan Roose, visit www.redbull.com For imagery and video, please download via this link. For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism's Press Office on: +974 3392 4466 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa For athlete-related media inquiries, please contact Red Bull Qatar: About Qatar Tourism Qatar Tourism's mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. Web: www.visitqatar.qa About Raffles Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is where heritage meets modern hotelcraft. Raffles hotels, resorts, and residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At landmark addresses around the world, Raffles' well-travelled guests and residents enjoy experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh, and Bali; with flagship openings upcoming in London, Boston and Macau. Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality as part of Accor, Raffles benefits from a world-class infrastructure and is a participating brand in the Group's lifestyle loyalty and guest recognition programme, ALL - Accor Live Limitless. raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com About Fairmont Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivalled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha
https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
2023-07-30T09:36:45
0
https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics: Betting Trends, Record ATS, Home/Road Splits Allisha Gray's Atlanta Dream (13-11) play at home against Natasha Cloud and the Washington Mystics (12-12) at Gateway Center Arena on Sunday, July 30. The game tips off at 3:00 PM ET. Atlanta fell to New York 95-84 in its last game. Gray led the way with 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists, followed by Aari McDonald with 18 points and five assists. Washington enters this matchup having lost to Dallas in their last game 90-62. They were led by Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (14 PTS, 50 FG%, 2-4 from 3PT) and Brittney Sykes (12 PTS, 5 STL, 33.3 FG%). Check out the latest odds on this matchup and place your bets with BetMGM Sportsbook. New to BetMGM? Use our link and promo code GNPLAY for a bonus offer for first-time players! Dream vs. Mystics Game Time and Info - Who's the favorite?: Dream (-250 to win) - Who's the underdog?: Mystics (+200 to win) - What's the spread?: Dream (-6.5) - What's the over/under?: 164.5 - When: Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 3:00 PM ET - Where: Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia - TV: ESPN3, NBCS-DC, Monumental, and BSSO Watch the WNBA live, along with tons of other live sports and TV, with a free trial to Fubo. Dream Season Stats - So far this year, the Dream are posting 85 points per game (fourth-ranked in WNBA) and giving up 85.1 points per contest (ninth-ranked). - Atlanta ranks third-best in the WNBA with 37 rebounds per game. On the other hand, it ranks third-worst in the league with 35.9 rebounds allowed per contest. - The Dream rank ninth in the WNBA with 18.7 dimes per contest. - While Atlanta ranks in the bottom five in the WNBA in turnovers per game with 14.3 (second-worst), it ranks sixth in the league with 13.2 forced turnovers per game. - The Dream are sinking 7.1 treys per game (seventh-ranked in league). They have a 35.5% shooting percentage (fourth-ranked) from downtown. - Atlanta is allowing 7.5 threes per game (seventh-ranked in WNBA) this year, while allowing a 32.7% three-point percentage (fourth-ranked). Ready to put your picks to the test? Use code GNPLAY at this link to get a bonus offer for new players at BetMGM. Dream Home/Away Splits - The Dream have scored at a higher clip at home than away from home in the 2023 season (85.5 at home versus 84.4 on the road), and have also given up more points in home games than away from home (85.3 opponent points per home game versus 84.8 on the road). - At home, Atlanta averages 0.6 fewer rebounds per game than on the road (36.7 at home, 37.3 on the road), while it lets its opponents grab 1.3 more boards in home games than in road games (36.6 at home, 35.3 on the road). The Dream average 17.7 assists per home contest, two less than their average on the road in 2023 (19.7). - The 2023 WNBA campaign has seen Atlanta turn the ball over more at home (14.6 per game) than on the road (14). It has forced fewer turnovers at home (13.2 per game) than on the road (13.3). - In 2023 the Dream average 7.4 made three-pointers at home and 6.8 away, making 37.6% from distance at home compared to 33.5% away. - Atlanta gives up 0.1999999999999993 more three-pointers when playing at home (7.6 per game) than on the road (7.4). It also allows a higher three-point shooting percentage at home (32.9% in home games compared to 32.6% on the road). Dream Moneyline and ATS Records - The Dream have gone 5-2 in games they were favored on the moneyline (winning 71.4% of those games). - The Dream have gone 3-1 in games they have played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -250 or shorter (75%). - Atlanta has beaten the spread 13 times in 23 games. - Against the spread as 6.5-point favorites or more, Atlanta is 3-1. - Based on this matchup's moneyline, the Dream's implied win probability is 71.4%. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER. © 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved.
https://www.wbrc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/atlanta-dream-vs-washington-mystics-wnba-betting-trends-stats/
2023-07-30T09:37:39
0
https://www.wbrc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/atlanta-dream-vs-washington-mystics-wnba-betting-trends-stats/
Spain vs. Japan: Live Stream, TV Channel & Game Info - July 31 Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 2:45 AM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago Spain will meet Japan in Wellington, New Zealand, in the last round of group-stage games at the 2023 Women's World Cup, on July 31 at 3:00 AM ET. Want to watch this matchup? You can find it on FOX US. Watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on Fubo! Sign up for a free trial and start watching live sports without cable today! How to Watch Spain vs. Japan - Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023 - Game Time: 3:00 AM ET - TV Channel: FOX US - Location: Wellington, New Zealand - Venue: Westpac Stadium Sign up for a Fubo free trial now to watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and more live sports! Spain Group Stage Schedule Spain's Recent Performance - Spain played Zambia in its last game and was victorious by a final score of 5-0. The victorious Spain side took 16 shots, outshooting by 12. - Spain were led by Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo, who scored two goals each, in that match against . - Hermoso's statline through two Women's World Cup appearances includes two goals and one assist for Spain. - Redondo has tallied two goals for Spain in Women's World Cup so far. - During Women's World Cup play, Eva Navarro has picked up two assists (but no goals). Get your 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup gear at Fanatics! Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup Roster - Misa Rodriguez #1 - Ona Batlle #2 - Teresa Abilleira Duenas #3 - Irene Paredes #4 - Ivana Andres #5 - Aitana Bonmati #6 - Irene Guerrero #7 - Mariona #8 - Esther Gonzalez #9 - Jennifer Hermoso #10 - Alexia Putellas #11 - Oihane Hernandez #12 - Enith Salon #13 - Laia Codina #14 - Eva Navarro #15 - Maria Perez #16 - Alba Redondo #17 - Salma Paralluelo #18 - Olga Carmona #19 - Rocio Galvez #20 - Claudia Zornoza Sanchez #21 - Athenea Del Castillo #22 - Cata Coll #23 Japan Group Stage Schedule Japan's Recent Performance - In its last outing on July 26, Japan claimed a 2-0 win against Costa Rica. Japan outshot Costa Rica 23 to six. - For Japan, Aoba Fujino and Hikaru Naomoto both scored a goal. - Mina Tanaka has one goal and three assists so far for Japan in Women's World Cup (two matches). - In two Women's World Cup matches, Jun Endo has one goal and one assist. - Hinata Miyazawa has recorded two goals for Japan so far in Women's World Cup. Japan's 2023 Women's World Cup Roster - Ayaka Yamashita #1 - Risa Shimizu #2 - Moeka Minami #3 - Saki Kumagai #4 - Shiori Miyake #5 - Hina Sugita #6 - Hinata Miyazawa #7 - Hikaru Naomoto #8 - Riko Ueki #9 - Fuka Nagano #10 - Mina Tanaka #11 - Hana Takahashi #12 - Jun Endo #13 - Yui Hasegawa #14 - Aoba Fujino #15 - Honoka Hayashi #16 - Kiko Seike #17 - Momoko Tanaka #18 - Miyabi Moriya #19 - Maika Hamano #20 - Chika Hirao #21 - Remina Chiba #22 - Rion Ishikawa #23 © 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved.
https://www.wbrc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/2023-womens-world-cup-spain-japan-live-stream-tv/
2023-07-30T09:37:46
0
https://www.wbrc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/2023-womens-world-cup-spain-japan-live-stream-tv/
CHENGDU, China, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the beginning of the grand opening ceremony of the 31st World University Games in Chengdu on Friday night, Jihao Youguo, a girl hailing from the mountainous Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, led representatives of the 56 ethnic groups of China to sing "Beautiful National Flag" and "Ode to the Motherland." Youguo firstly became known to the public in February 2018 when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited her family, a poverty-stricken household in Sanhe village, while on an inspection tour to learn about the progress of poverty eradication in the village. To welcome Xi's visit at the family's dilapidated abode, the then 10-year-old Youguo sang the same song "Beautiful National Flag" and won the applause from Xi. One year later, all the 29 Sanhe households, including Youguo's family, were relocated to a newly built tile-roofed and brick-walled building which includes a series of apartments measuring about 100 square meters each, thanks to the local poverty eradication program. Youguo said in 2019 that she wished President Xi would come back and visit her new spacious house. Youguo's father told the media that they opened a grocery store in one extra room of their new house. The store spared the villagers' 30-minute trip to the township for grocery shopping. The store itself brought the family an income of 3,000 yuan ($419) a month, roughly covering the monthly expenses of their three kids attending a boarding school in Liangshan. Youguo's father also keeps some livestock and 30 beehives, making a total income of about 60,000 yuan a year. Wang Liyuan, an organizer for the opening ceremony of the Chengdu Games, told media that they contacted the Liangshan education authorities and invited Youguo and five other children in the region to sing at the event. "The children are always smiling and enthusiastic, giving a true feeling of sincerity." Dream of becoming music teacher With the help of a private education service provider, Youguo, her sister and brother were enrolled into the Liangshan Xichang Tianli School in 2020. Thanks to a dedicated charity fund, they were able to attend the school tuition-free. Zhang Tao, Youguo's lead teacher, told the Global Times that Youguo has developed good habits living in the school and has made great academic progress since her enrollment. "She is humble, friendly and gets along well with her classmates. Her English has improved a lot since coming to the school. Her favorite subjects are standard Chinese, English and music," said Zhang. Youguo is athletic and loves to take part in extra-curricular activities including singing, basketball and running. She is also the champion shot-putter of the school, Zhang said. "Once during a talk after school, she told me that she dreamed of becoming a music teacher in the future," Zhang told the Global Times. "It's a great way to realize her potential. I encourage her to pursue her dream and give back to the community." Regarding her progress at school, Youguo said that she has become more confident and open-minded. "I used to be nervous when singing on stage. But I've learned a lot from my classmates and I've grown confident," she said. Part of big story The experience of Youguo's family is part of the story of the country's historic achievement in poverty eradication. Liangshan is home to the largest ethnic Yi community in China and is about 2,000 kilometers from Beijing. When President Xi visited Sanhe village in February 2018, it was one of the most destitute villages in Liangshan. Deep in the Daliang Mountains, local people lived in dark mud huts, suffering from limited transportation and low crop yields caused by the harsh natural conditions. Most villagers grew corn and potatoes for a living. Given the difficulty of building roads in the mountainous area, the local government opted to relocate the villagers out of the mountain. By September 2020, 353,200 people from 74,400 households in Liangshan had been relocated and started their new lives in their new homes. Local villagers also came up with innovative ways to improve their living. In Zhaojue county, where Sanhe village is located, locals developed plantations of strawberries. After a year of development, the plantation covered an area of 1,800 mu (120 hectares). Thanks to this new business, in a five-month period in 2019, more than 20,000 local workers were employed, each earning 9,000 yuan on average. From then on, some 165 modern plantations have mushroomed in Liangshan. After years of national and local efforts, Liangshan witnessed the eradication of poverty, with more than 1.05 million people lifted out of absolute poverty and 11 counties and 2,072 villages removed from the list of impoverished areas. Sanhe village has established a unique development model that combines breeding, plantation and rural tourism to increase the villagers' income. Currently, the villager's net income per capita has reached over 18,000 yuan, which is more than 10 times higher than the amount before the anti-poverty campaign, Sichuan Daily reported. In February 2021, China announced victory in its fight against poverty, eradicating absolute poverty in the country. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
2023-07-30T09:40:01
1
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
Slackline World Champion Jaan Roose pushes the limits: "Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever" DOHA, Qatar, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world's longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar's newest and most iconic architectural landmarks. The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled "Sparkline," at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City. Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan's second-highest walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide. Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented: "When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I'm proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I'm always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline. The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It's like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board." "The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar," Roose added. The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each other in beautifully imposing structures shaped like scimitar swords. The towers are some of the latest to be added to Lusail City's expanding list of architectural marvels and create a distinct silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Featuring the world's tallest chandelier, the Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, while the suite-only Raffles Doha showcases a spell-binding entrance, a personal butler service and fine-dining delights by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa. Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, Christian Hirt, expressed his excitement about the event being hosted at the Iconic Towers, saying "Raffles and Fairmont Doha have always celebrated the extraordinary, and this event embodies that spirit. The project serves to underline our commitment to showcasing high-calibre talents that defy the impossible. As this daring athlete 'Sparklines' across our towers, we hope it captivates the world and inspires others to push their boundaries." Katara Hospitality's leadership commented: "We are proud of this activation, working alongside Qatar Tourism and Red Bull, as it exemplifies Katara Hospitality's commitment to utilizing the Iconic Towers as a powerful asset to promote tourism and enhance the destination's appeal. Through this event, we aim to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Iconic Towers and position them as a symbol of Qatar's excellence in hospitality and entertainment." Commenting on the project with Jaan Roose, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: "Qatar has built a sporting legacy for itself and is now a true hub for international sporting events. We're delighted to support the exhilarating slackline walk event and champion renowned athletes. By fostering a culture of athleticism, we strive to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and reach new heights in their athletic careers. In addition to its world-class sporting facilities, Qatar is home to a fresh and diverse suite of incredible hotels that make Qatar a global destination of choice for all travellers." The Sparkline walk took place as part of an action-packed calendar of global events in Qatar. With several key sporting events expected to take place in 2023, including Qatar MotoGP, AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, and Geneva International Motor Show, visitors can expect extraordinary sporting experiences in Qatar all year round. To know more about Jaan Roose, visit www.redbull.com For imagery and video, please download via this link. For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism's Press Office on: +974 3392 4466 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa For athlete-related media inquiries, please contact Red Bull Qatar: About Qatar Tourism Qatar Tourism's mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. Web: www.visitqatar.qa About Raffles Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is where heritage meets modern hotelcraft. Raffles hotels, resorts, and residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At landmark addresses around the world, Raffles' well-travelled guests and residents enjoy experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh, and Bali; with flagship openings upcoming in London, Boston and Macau. Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality as part of Accor, Raffles benefits from a world-class infrastructure and is a participating brand in the Group's lifestyle loyalty and guest recognition programme, ALL - Accor Live Limitless. raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com About Fairmont Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivalled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
2023-07-30T09:40:08
1
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
Spain vs. Japan: Live Stream, TV Channel & Game Info - July 31 Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 3:45 AM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago Spain will meet Japan in Wellington, New Zealand, in the last round of group-stage games at the 2023 Women's World Cup, on July 31 at 3:00 AM ET. Want to watch this matchup? You can find it on FOX US. Watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on Fubo! Sign up for a free trial and start watching live sports without cable today! How to Watch Spain vs. Japan - Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023 - Game Time: 3:00 AM ET - TV Channel: FOX US - Location: Wellington, New Zealand - Venue: Westpac Stadium Sign up for a Fubo free trial now to watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and more live sports! Spain Group Stage Schedule Spain's Recent Performance - Spain played Zambia in its last game and was victorious by a final score of 5-0. The victorious Spain side took 16 shots, outshooting by 12. - Spain were led by Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo, who scored two goals each, in that match against . - Hermoso's statline through two Women's World Cup appearances includes two goals and one assist for Spain. - Redondo has tallied two goals for Spain in Women's World Cup so far. - During Women's World Cup play, Eva Navarro has picked up two assists (but no goals). Get your 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup gear at Fanatics! Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup Roster - Misa Rodriguez #1 - Ona Batlle #2 - Teresa Abilleira Duenas #3 - Irene Paredes #4 - Ivana Andres #5 - Aitana Bonmati #6 - Irene Guerrero #7 - Mariona #8 - Esther Gonzalez #9 - Jennifer Hermoso #10 - Alexia Putellas #11 - Oihane Hernandez #12 - Enith Salon #13 - Laia Codina #14 - Eva Navarro #15 - Maria Perez #16 - Alba Redondo #17 - Salma Paralluelo #18 - Olga Carmona #19 - Rocio Galvez #20 - Claudia Zornoza Sanchez #21 - Athenea Del Castillo #22 - Cata Coll #23 Japan Group Stage Schedule Japan's Recent Performance - In its last outing on July 26, Japan claimed a 2-0 win against Costa Rica. Japan outshot Costa Rica 23 to six. - For Japan, Aoba Fujino and Hikaru Naomoto both scored a goal. - Mina Tanaka has one goal and three assists so far for Japan in Women's World Cup (two matches). - In two Women's World Cup matches, Jun Endo has one goal and one assist. - Hinata Miyazawa has recorded two goals for Japan so far in Women's World Cup. Japan's 2023 Women's World Cup Roster - Ayaka Yamashita #1 - Risa Shimizu #2 - Moeka Minami #3 - Saki Kumagai #4 - Shiori Miyake #5 - Hina Sugita #6 - Hinata Miyazawa #7 - Hikaru Naomoto #8 - Riko Ueki #9 - Fuka Nagano #10 - Mina Tanaka #11 - Hana Takahashi #12 - Jun Endo #13 - Yui Hasegawa #14 - Aoba Fujino #15 - Honoka Hayashi #16 - Kiko Seike #17 - Momoko Tanaka #18 - Miyabi Moriya #19 - Maika Hamano #20 - Chika Hirao #21 - Remina Chiba #22 - Rion Ishikawa #23 © 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved.
https://www.wnem.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/2023-womens-world-cup-spain-japan-live-stream-tv/
2023-07-30T09:40:51
0
https://www.wnem.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/2023-womens-world-cup-spain-japan-live-stream-tv/
Lynx vs. Sun Injury Report, Betting Odds - July 30 The Minnesota Lynx (12-13) are monitoring three players on the injury report heading into a Sunday, July 30 game against the Connecticut Sun (18-6) at Mohegan Sun Arena, which begins at 1:00 PM ET. Watch live WNBA games without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to Fubo! The Lynx are coming off of an 88-83 win against the Liberty in their last game on Friday. Rep your team with officially licensed Lynx gear! Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, and much more. Minnesota Lynx Injury Report Today Start playing daily fantasy basketball today at FanDuel. Sign up with our link for a first-time deposit bonus! Connecticut Sun Injury Report Today Lynx vs. Sun Game Info - Game Day: Sunday, July 30, 2023 - Game Time: 1:00 PM ET - TV Channel: CBS Sports Network and NBCS-BOS - Location: Uncasville, Connecticut - Arena: Mohegan Sun Arena Use our link to sign up for a free trial of Fubo, and start watching live sports without cable today! Lynx Player Leaders - Kayla McBride is averaging 12.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest, making 41.2% of her shots from the field and 34.1% from beyond the arc, with 2 treys per contest (eighth in league). - Dorka Juhasz gives the Lynx 5.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2 assists per contest. She also posts 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocked shots. - Diamond Miller is posting 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest, making 41.7% of her shots from the field. - Lindsay Allen tops the Lynx in assists (4.2 per game), and averages 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds. She also averages 0.5 steals and 0.1 blocked shots. Lynx vs. Sun Betting Info Check out the latest odds and place your bets on the Sun or Lynx with BetMGM Sportsbook. Use our link for the best new user offer, no promo code required! Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER. © 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved.
https://www.kttc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/lynx-vs-sun-wnba-injury-report/
2023-07-30T09:41:06
1
https://www.kttc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/lynx-vs-sun-wnba-injury-report/
Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun: Betting Trends, Record ATS, Home/Road Splits DeWanna Bonner and the Connecticut Sun (18-6) take on Kayla McBride and the Minnesota Lynx (12-13) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on Sunday, July 30 at 1:00 PM ET. Connecticut enters this matchup after an 88-83 win against Dallas. The Sun's leading scorer was Bonner, who wound up with 32 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Led by McBride (26 PTS, 78.6 FG%, 4-7 from 3PT) and Diamond Miller (22 PTS, 40 FG%, 2-5 from 3PT), Minnesota ended its last matchup winning 88-83 against New York. Check out the latest odds on this matchup and place your bets with BetMGM Sportsbook. New to BetMGM? Use our link and promo code GNPLAY for a bonus offer for first-time players! Sun vs. Lynx Game Time and Info - Who's the favorite?: Sun (-900 to win) - Who's the underdog?: Lynx (+600 to win) - What's the spread?: Sun (-11.5) - What's the over/under?: 160.5 - When: Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM ET - Where: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut - TV: CBS Sports Network and NBCS-BOS Watch the WNBA live, along with tons of other live sports and TV, with a free trial to Fubo. Lynx Season Stats - The Lynx are eighth in the WNBA in points scored (80.2 per game) and third-worst in points allowed (85.4). - Minnesota grabs 34.6 rebounds per game and concede 34.6 boards, ranking sixth and fifth, respectively, in the WNBA. - With 18.8 assists per game, the Lynx are eighth in the league. - In terms of turnovers, Minnesota is sixth in the WNBA in committing them (13.1 per game). It is ninth in forcing them (12.8 per game). - Beyond the arc, the Lynx are ninth in the league in 3-pointers made per game (6.6). They are second-worst in 3-point percentage at 31.4%. - Defensively, Minnesota is worst in the WNBA in 3-pointers allowed per game at 9.4. It is ninth in 3-point percentage conceded at 35.9%. Ready to put your picks to the test? Use code GNPLAY at this link to get a bonus offer for new players at BetMGM. Lynx Home/Away Splits - The Lynx average 80.8 points per game at home, 1.3 more than on the road (79.5). Defensively they allow 86.8 per game, 3.2 more than away (83.6). - At home, Minnesota pulls down 34.2 rebounds per game, one fewer than on the road (35.2). The team allows 33.5 rebounds per game at home, 2.6 fewer than on the road (36.1). - This year the Lynx are picking up more assists at home (19.5 per game) than away (17.9). - Minnesota commits more turnovers per game at home (13.6) than on the road (12.5), and forces fewer turnoovers at home (12.7) than on the road (12.8). - At home the Lynx make 6.5 treys per game, 0.2 less than away (6.7). They shoot 31.6% from beyond the arc at home, 0.4% higher than on the road (31.2%). - Minnesota gives up fewer 3-pointers per game at home (8.8) than on the road (10.3), and allows the same 3-point percentage at home as on the road (35.9%). Lynx Moneyline and ATS Records - The Lynx have been underdogs in 17 games this season and won seven (41.2%) of those contests. - This season, the Lynx have won one of their four games when they're the underdog by at least +600 on the moneyline. - Minnesota's record against the spread is 12-12-0. - Minnesota has won once ATS (1-4) as a 11.5-point underdog or more this season. - The sportsbooks' moneyline implies a 14.3% chance of a victory for the Lynx. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER. © 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved.
https://www.kttc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/minnesota-lynx-vs-connecticut-sun-wnba-betting-trends-stats/
2023-07-30T09:41:13
1
https://www.kttc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/minnesota-lynx-vs-connecticut-sun-wnba-betting-trends-stats/
Spain vs. Japan: Live Stream, TV Channel & Game Info - July 31 Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 2:45 AM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago Spain will meet Japan in Wellington, New Zealand, in the last round of group-stage games at the 2023 Women's World Cup, on July 31 at 3:00 AM ET. Want to watch this matchup? You can find it on FOX US. Watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on Fubo! Sign up for a free trial and start watching live sports without cable today! How to Watch Spain vs. Japan - Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023 - Game Time: 3:00 AM ET - TV Channel: FOX US - Location: Wellington, New Zealand - Venue: Westpac Stadium Sign up for a Fubo free trial now to watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and more live sports! Spain Group Stage Schedule Spain's Recent Performance - Spain played Zambia in its last game and was victorious by a final score of 5-0. The victorious Spain side took 16 shots, outshooting by 12. - Spain were led by Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo, who scored two goals each, in that match against . - Hermoso's statline through two Women's World Cup appearances includes two goals and one assist for Spain. - Redondo has tallied two goals for Spain in Women's World Cup so far. - During Women's World Cup play, Eva Navarro has picked up two assists (but no goals). Get your 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup gear at Fanatics! Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup Roster - Misa Rodriguez #1 - Ona Batlle #2 - Teresa Abilleira Duenas #3 - Irene Paredes #4 - Ivana Andres #5 - Aitana Bonmati #6 - Irene Guerrero #7 - Mariona #8 - Esther Gonzalez #9 - Jennifer Hermoso #10 - Alexia Putellas #11 - Oihane Hernandez #12 - Enith Salon #13 - Laia Codina #14 - Eva Navarro #15 - Maria Perez #16 - Alba Redondo #17 - Salma Paralluelo #18 - Olga Carmona #19 - Rocio Galvez #20 - Claudia Zornoza Sanchez #21 - Athenea Del Castillo #22 - Cata Coll #23 Japan Group Stage Schedule Japan's Recent Performance - In its last outing on July 26, Japan claimed a 2-0 win against Costa Rica. Japan outshot Costa Rica 23 to six. - For Japan, Aoba Fujino and Hikaru Naomoto both scored a goal. - Mina Tanaka has one goal and three assists so far for Japan in Women's World Cup (two matches). - In two Women's World Cup matches, Jun Endo has one goal and one assist. - Hinata Miyazawa has recorded two goals for Japan so far in Women's World Cup. Japan's 2023 Women's World Cup Roster - Ayaka Yamashita #1 - Risa Shimizu #2 - Moeka Minami #3 - Saki Kumagai #4 - Shiori Miyake #5 - Hina Sugita #6 - Hinata Miyazawa #7 - Hikaru Naomoto #8 - Riko Ueki #9 - Fuka Nagano #10 - Mina Tanaka #11 - Hana Takahashi #12 - Jun Endo #13 - Yui Hasegawa #14 - Aoba Fujino #15 - Honoka Hayashi #16 - Kiko Seike #17 - Momoko Tanaka #18 - Miyabi Moriya #19 - Maika Hamano #20 - Chika Hirao #21 - Remina Chiba #22 - Rion Ishikawa #23 © 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved.
https://www.kttc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/2023-womens-world-cup-spain-japan-live-stream-tv/
2023-07-30T09:41:19
0
https://www.kttc.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/2023-womens-world-cup-spain-japan-live-stream-tv/
CHENGDU, China, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the beginning of the grand opening ceremony of the 31st World University Games in Chengdu on Friday night, Jihao Youguo, a girl hailing from the mountainous Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, led representatives of the 56 ethnic groups of China to sing "Beautiful National Flag" and "Ode to the Motherland." Youguo firstly became known to the public in February 2018 when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited her family, a poverty-stricken household in Sanhe village, while on an inspection tour to learn about the progress of poverty eradication in the village. To welcome Xi's visit at the family's dilapidated abode, the then 10-year-old Youguo sang the same song "Beautiful National Flag" and won the applause from Xi. One year later, all the 29 Sanhe households, including Youguo's family, were relocated to a newly built tile-roofed and brick-walled building which includes a series of apartments measuring about 100 square meters each, thanks to the local poverty eradication program. Youguo said in 2019 that she wished President Xi would come back and visit her new spacious house. Youguo's father told the media that they opened a grocery store in one extra room of their new house. The store spared the villagers' 30-minute trip to the township for grocery shopping. The store itself brought the family an income of 3,000 yuan ($419) a month, roughly covering the monthly expenses of their three kids attending a boarding school in Liangshan. Youguo's father also keeps some livestock and 30 beehives, making a total income of about 60,000 yuan a year. Wang Liyuan, an organizer for the opening ceremony of the Chengdu Games, told media that they contacted the Liangshan education authorities and invited Youguo and five other children in the region to sing at the event. "The children are always smiling and enthusiastic, giving a true feeling of sincerity." Dream of becoming music teacher With the help of a private education service provider, Youguo, her sister and brother were enrolled into the Liangshan Xichang Tianli School in 2020. Thanks to a dedicated charity fund, they were able to attend the school tuition-free. Zhang Tao, Youguo's lead teacher, told the Global Times that Youguo has developed good habits living in the school and has made great academic progress since her enrollment. "She is humble, friendly and gets along well with her classmates. Her English has improved a lot since coming to the school. Her favorite subjects are standard Chinese, English and music," said Zhang. Youguo is athletic and loves to take part in extra-curricular activities including singing, basketball and running. She is also the champion shot-putter of the school, Zhang said. "Once during a talk after school, she told me that she dreamed of becoming a music teacher in the future," Zhang told the Global Times. "It's a great way to realize her potential. I encourage her to pursue her dream and give back to the community." Regarding her progress at school, Youguo said that she has become more confident and open-minded. "I used to be nervous when singing on stage. But I've learned a lot from my classmates and I've grown confident," she said. Part of big story The experience of Youguo's family is part of the story of the country's historic achievement in poverty eradication. Liangshan is home to the largest ethnic Yi community in China and is about 2,000 kilometers from Beijing. When President Xi visited Sanhe village in February 2018, it was one of the most destitute villages in Liangshan. Deep in the Daliang Mountains, local people lived in dark mud huts, suffering from limited transportation and low crop yields caused by the harsh natural conditions. Most villagers grew corn and potatoes for a living. Given the difficulty of building roads in the mountainous area, the local government opted to relocate the villagers out of the mountain. By September 2020, 353,200 people from 74,400 households in Liangshan had been relocated and started their new lives in their new homes. Local villagers also came up with innovative ways to improve their living. In Zhaojue county, where Sanhe village is located, locals developed plantations of strawberries. After a year of development, the plantation covered an area of 1,800 mu (120 hectares). Thanks to this new business, in a five-month period in 2019, more than 20,000 local workers were employed, each earning 9,000 yuan on average. From then on, some 165 modern plantations have mushroomed in Liangshan. After years of national and local efforts, Liangshan witnessed the eradication of poverty, with more than 1.05 million people lifted out of absolute poverty and 11 counties and 2,072 villages removed from the list of impoverished areas. Sanhe village has established a unique development model that combines breeding, plantation and rural tourism to increase the villagers' income. Currently, the villager's net income per capita has reached over 18,000 yuan, which is more than 10 times higher than the amount before the anti-poverty campaign, Sichuan Daily reported. In February 2021, China announced victory in its fight against poverty, eradicating absolute poverty in the country. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
2023-07-30T09:42:54
0
https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
Slackline World Champion Jaan Roose pushes the limits: "Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever" DOHA, Qatar, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world's longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar's newest and most iconic architectural landmarks. The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled "Sparkline," at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City. Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan's second-highest walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide. Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented: "When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I'm proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I'm always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline. The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It's like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board." "The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar," Roose added. The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each other in beautifully imposing structures shaped like scimitar swords. The towers are some of the latest to be added to Lusail City's expanding list of architectural marvels and create a distinct silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Featuring the world's tallest chandelier, the Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, while the suite-only Raffles Doha showcases a spell-binding entrance, a personal butler service and fine-dining delights by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa. Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, Christian Hirt, expressed his excitement about the event being hosted at the Iconic Towers, saying "Raffles and Fairmont Doha have always celebrated the extraordinary, and this event embodies that spirit. The project serves to underline our commitment to showcasing high-calibre talents that defy the impossible. As this daring athlete 'Sparklines' across our towers, we hope it captivates the world and inspires others to push their boundaries." Katara Hospitality's leadership commented: "We are proud of this activation, working alongside Qatar Tourism and Red Bull, as it exemplifies Katara Hospitality's commitment to utilizing the Iconic Towers as a powerful asset to promote tourism and enhance the destination's appeal. Through this event, we aim to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Iconic Towers and position them as a symbol of Qatar's excellence in hospitality and entertainment." Commenting on the project with Jaan Roose, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: "Qatar has built a sporting legacy for itself and is now a true hub for international sporting events. We're delighted to support the exhilarating slackline walk event and champion renowned athletes. By fostering a culture of athleticism, we strive to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and reach new heights in their athletic careers. In addition to its world-class sporting facilities, Qatar is home to a fresh and diverse suite of incredible hotels that make Qatar a global destination of choice for all travellers." The Sparkline walk took place as part of an action-packed calendar of global events in Qatar. With several key sporting events expected to take place in 2023, including Qatar MotoGP, AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, and Geneva International Motor Show, visitors can expect extraordinary sporting experiences in Qatar all year round. To know more about Jaan Roose, visit www.redbull.com For imagery and video, please download via this link. For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism's Press Office on: +974 3392 4466 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa For athlete-related media inquiries, please contact Red Bull Qatar: About Qatar Tourism Qatar Tourism's mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. Web: www.visitqatar.qa About Raffles Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is where heritage meets modern hotelcraft. Raffles hotels, resorts, and residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At landmark addresses around the world, Raffles' well-travelled guests and residents enjoy experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh, and Bali; with flagship openings upcoming in London, Boston and Macau. Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality as part of Accor, Raffles benefits from a world-class infrastructure and is a participating brand in the Group's lifestyle loyalty and guest recognition programme, ALL - Accor Live Limitless. raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com About Fairmont Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivalled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha
https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
2023-07-30T09:43:01
0
https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
Crunch Fitness is preparing to open another New Jersey gym. The chain of fitness clubs recently announced its plans to come to Livingston via an Instagram post. Crunch will occupy about 35,000 square feet of space at the site of a former Big Lots store. The site is located at 585 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave. Crunch Fitness of Livingston is expected to open in the fall although an exact date has yet to be announced. “With memberships starting at $9.99/mo, we’ve got Miles of Cardio, Tons of Free Weights (up to 120lbs), Multiple Turf Areas, Ride Studio, Olympic Platforms, Unlimited Tanning, over 50 Classes/week, Hydromassage, HIITZone, & more! All under one roof!” Crunch said in the post. The company also shared a sneak peak of Livingston’s new Crunch Fitness. The location’s first 500 members will receive a discounted down payment of $1 and one month free. There are currently 24 Crunch Fitness locations in New Jersey and over 400 locations nationwide. RELATED STORIES ABOUT RETAIL AND SHOPPING: Trader Joe’s set to open in supermarket-less N.J. shopping center Entertainment center with 3,000-square-foot arcade replaces former N.J. Kmart Historic Jersey Shore movie theater gets new owners Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisBurch856. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tip
https://www.nj.com/business/2023/07/crunch-fitness-announces-plans-to-replace-a-shuttered-big-lots-in-nj.html
2023-07-30T09:43:04
1
https://www.nj.com/business/2023/07/crunch-fitness-announces-plans-to-replace-a-shuttered-big-lots-in-nj.html
This week, Canada and parts of the United States have confronted unprecedented declines in air quality due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, but people elsewhere in the world have long had to adjust and adapt to living with hazardous pollution levels. In some cases, those levels have improved over time. NPR correspondents Anthony Kuhn and Eyder Peralta and freelance reporters Shalu Yadav and Kate Bartlett share what it's like in Beijing, Seoul, New Delhi, Mexico City and Johannesburg. From Beijing to Seoul I first visited Beijing in 1982, and lived there much of the time between 1992 and 2018. In most of my years there, the pollution was terrible, especially in winter, although we didn't have ways to measure it. The air had an acrid, sulfurous smell, and soot was everywhere. To me, it was simply the cost of covering — and living — an epic story. People were less aware than they are now of the difference between weather and pollution, fog and smog. Ahead of the 2008 Olympics, Beijing started to get rid of the coal stoves commonly used in the courtyard dwellings ("siheyuan" in Chinese) of Beijing's old city, and coal-fired heating plants, to help clean up the air ahead of the Games. Factories were moved farther and farther out of the city center. Coal-burning stoves in the courtyards were slowly replaced by electric heat. While air quality in Beijing has improved in recent years, even now, occasional dust storms blow in from the Gobi desert, turning Beijing's skies yellow in spring and covering everything in gritty dust. AQI readings of 500 or worse are still occasional facts of life. When I moved to Seoul in 2018, I cheerfully assumed I'd be leaving the air pollution behind. But it has followed me. In China, we usually spoke of PM2.5, particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs. In Seoul, people call it "fine dust." Much of it blows eastward from northern China over the Korean peninsula. But South Korea's automobiles and heavy industry add their own smog to the miasma — as does, reportedly, North Korea. The pollution is one reason South Koreans were already quite accustomed to wearing face masks, even before COVID. South Korean and Chinese environmental officials have met numerous times to try to find a joint solution, but with little immediate or visible result. There are plenty of days of AQI over 100 or 150. There's little I can do but cancel outdoor activities, and wait until the air clears. --Anthony Kuhn, NPR Seoul correspondent New Delhi My beloved city is famous for its heritage and Mughlai food — and infamous for its horrid pollution, which reaches AQI levels of 500 to 600 in the winter. When it's that time of the year, my mornings start with opening my AQI app to check the level of pollution outside. That level decides whether I go for an outdoor run or find a safe indoor space in a gym where air purifiers are showcased as a premium facility. But some days I don't need my AQI app. It's so bad that my eyes burn as soon as I wake up, I can taste the pollutants in my mouth and my lungs feel like an overworked machine that needs a break! The pollution is so bad that some studies suggest that breathing it in is as dangerous as smoking about two dozen cigarettes a day. "Craving a smoke? Come to Delhi!" is an overused joke that circulates in WhatsApp groups here, to share a light moment amid the gloom overcasting the sky and our lives in the city. Jokes apart, it's a very serious health issue. An estimated 1.7 million Indians died of pollution-related disease in 2019. It has in fact become a big factor in making my future decisions. My husband and I have been intently discussing if we should plan our first baby and raise her in this city or move to another city. It's a scary thought — seeing our future kid gasping for breath, and suffering breathing problems like so many other kids in Delhi. --Shalu Yadav, freelance reporter Mexico City Mexico City was once known as the most polluted city in the world. The air quality here is still bad — on Thursday, the AQI reached 123, which is unhealthy for people with respiratory problems. And you feel it — your eyes get watery, your throat scratchy and the sky looks hazy. But in the 1990s and early 2000s, air quality would routinely hit the 200s. So, how did it get better? Essentially, the government got tough on pollution with a complex system of countermeasures. Less efficient cars are allowed limited time on the road. And as soon as the air quality gets bad — either too high a concentration of ozone or particulate matter — the government orders even newer, more efficient cars off the streets. They order factories to reduce their output, food vendors are prohibited from using charcoal and road work stops. If the air quality doesn't improve, the countermeasures get tougher. It often means residents can't drive to work or school, for example, so they have to walk, bike or take public transportation. If it gets bad enough, government offices shut down. All of this has made a difference. In the 1990s, measures like these were put in place every month. Mexicans used to joke the air was so bad, so often, that birds would die mid-flight. These days, really bad days are rare. We have only a handful of environmental contingencies a year. --Eyder Peralta, NPR Mexico City correspondent Johannesburg Africa is well known for its stunning sunsets and wide open skies – Paul Simon even sung about them in his song "Under African Skies." So when I moved to Johannesburg as a correspondent, after previously working in heavily polluted Hong Kong, I found the fresh air in my leafy suburb a welcome change. But in South Africa, one of the world's most unequal countries, air quality depends a lot on where you live. According to the 2022 World Air Quality Report, the wealthy city of Cape Town had some of the best air quality in the country, while Thabazimbi, an iron mining town in northern Limpopo province had some of the worst. Such disparities led environmental groups to sue the government last year in a groundbreaking case in which the judge ruled the unsafe levels of air pollution in the coal mining region of Mpumulanga were in breach of residents' constitutional rights to clean air. Elsewhere on the continent, things are a mixed bag, with countries like Chad, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Egypt all showing high levels of pollution, while Angola and Kenya had relatively low levels. One of the main impediments to monitoring air quality in Africa is the limited availability of reliable data, according to IQAir, with only 19 countries across the continent monitored. Chad was found to be the most polluted of those, actually topping the global list as the country with the worst air quality in the world in 2022 – beating New Delhi. IQAir credited the country's regular dust storms as one of the reasons behind the poor levels of air quality. --Kate Bartlett, freelance reporter Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
https://www.wvasfm.org/2023-06-09/heres-how-npr-reporters-around-the-world-are-dealing-with-air-pollution
2023-07-30T09:43:04
0
https://www.wvasfm.org/2023-06-09/heres-how-npr-reporters-around-the-world-are-dealing-with-air-pollution
Spain vs. Japan: Live Stream, TV Channel & Game Info - July 31 Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 2:45 AM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago Spain will meet Japan in Wellington, New Zealand, in the last round of group-stage games at the 2023 Women's World Cup, on July 31 at 3:00 AM ET. Want to watch this matchup? You can find it on FOX US. Watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on Fubo! Sign up for a free trial and start watching live sports without cable today! How to Watch Spain vs. Japan - Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023 - Game Time: 3:00 AM ET - TV Channel: FOX US - Location: Wellington, New Zealand - Venue: Westpac Stadium Sign up for a Fubo free trial now to watch the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and more live sports! Spain Group Stage Schedule Spain's Recent Performance - Spain played Zambia in its last game and was victorious by a final score of 5-0. The victorious Spain side took 16 shots, outshooting by 12. - Spain were led by Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo, who scored two goals each, in that match against . - Hermoso's statline through two Women's World Cup appearances includes two goals and one assist for Spain. - Redondo has tallied two goals for Spain in Women's World Cup so far. - During Women's World Cup play, Eva Navarro has picked up two assists (but no goals). Get your 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup gear at Fanatics! Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup Roster - Misa Rodriguez #1 - Ona Batlle #2 - Teresa Abilleira Duenas #3 - Irene Paredes #4 - Ivana Andres #5 - Aitana Bonmati #6 - Irene Guerrero #7 - Mariona #8 - Esther Gonzalez #9 - Jennifer Hermoso #10 - Alexia Putellas #11 - Oihane Hernandez #12 - Enith Salon #13 - Laia Codina #14 - Eva Navarro #15 - Maria Perez #16 - Alba Redondo #17 - Salma Paralluelo #18 - Olga Carmona #19 - Rocio Galvez #20 - Claudia Zornoza Sanchez #21 - Athenea Del Castillo #22 - Cata Coll #23 Japan Group Stage Schedule Japan's Recent Performance - In its last outing on July 26, Japan claimed a 2-0 win against Costa Rica. Japan outshot Costa Rica 23 to six. - For Japan, Aoba Fujino and Hikaru Naomoto both scored a goal. - Mina Tanaka has one goal and three assists so far for Japan in Women's World Cup (two matches). - In two Women's World Cup matches, Jun Endo has one goal and one assist. - Hinata Miyazawa has recorded two goals for Japan so far in Women's World Cup. Japan's 2023 Women's World Cup Roster - Ayaka Yamashita #1 - Risa Shimizu #2 - Moeka Minami #3 - Saki Kumagai #4 - Shiori Miyake #5 - Hina Sugita #6 - Hinata Miyazawa #7 - Hikaru Naomoto #8 - Riko Ueki #9 - Fuka Nagano #10 - Mina Tanaka #11 - Hana Takahashi #12 - Jun Endo #13 - Yui Hasegawa #14 - Aoba Fujino #15 - Honoka Hayashi #16 - Kiko Seike #17 - Momoko Tanaka #18 - Miyabi Moriya #19 - Maika Hamano #20 - Chika Hirao #21 - Remina Chiba #22 - Rion Ishikawa #23 © 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved.
https://www.wibw.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/2023-womens-world-cup-spain-japan-live-stream-tv/
2023-07-30T09:43:08
1
https://www.wibw.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/2023-womens-world-cup-spain-japan-live-stream-tv/
CHENGDU, China, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the beginning of the grand opening ceremony of the 31st World University Games in Chengdu on Friday night, Jihao Youguo, a girl hailing from the mountainous Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, led representatives of the 56 ethnic groups of China to sing "Beautiful National Flag" and "Ode to the Motherland." Youguo firstly became known to the public in February 2018 when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited her family, a poverty-stricken household in Sanhe village, while on an inspection tour to learn about the progress of poverty eradication in the village. To welcome Xi's visit at the family's dilapidated abode, the then 10-year-old Youguo sang the same song "Beautiful National Flag" and won the applause from Xi. One year later, all the 29 Sanhe households, including Youguo's family, were relocated to a newly built tile-roofed and brick-walled building which includes a series of apartments measuring about 100 square meters each, thanks to the local poverty eradication program. Youguo said in 2019 that she wished President Xi would come back and visit her new spacious house. Youguo's father told the media that they opened a grocery store in one extra room of their new house. The store spared the villagers' 30-minute trip to the township for grocery shopping. The store itself brought the family an income of 3,000 yuan ($419) a month, roughly covering the monthly expenses of their three kids attending a boarding school in Liangshan. Youguo's father also keeps some livestock and 30 beehives, making a total income of about 60,000 yuan a year. Wang Liyuan, an organizer for the opening ceremony of the Chengdu Games, told media that they contacted the Liangshan education authorities and invited Youguo and five other children in the region to sing at the event. "The children are always smiling and enthusiastic, giving a true feeling of sincerity." Dream of becoming music teacher With the help of a private education service provider, Youguo, her sister and brother were enrolled into the Liangshan Xichang Tianli School in 2020. Thanks to a dedicated charity fund, they were able to attend the school tuition-free. Zhang Tao, Youguo's lead teacher, told the Global Times that Youguo has developed good habits living in the school and has made great academic progress since her enrollment. "She is humble, friendly and gets along well with her classmates. Her English has improved a lot since coming to the school. Her favorite subjects are standard Chinese, English and music," said Zhang. Youguo is athletic and loves to take part in extra-curricular activities including singing, basketball and running. She is also the champion shot-putter of the school, Zhang said. "Once during a talk after school, she told me that she dreamed of becoming a music teacher in the future," Zhang told the Global Times. "It's a great way to realize her potential. I encourage her to pursue her dream and give back to the community." Regarding her progress at school, Youguo said that she has become more confident and open-minded. "I used to be nervous when singing on stage. But I've learned a lot from my classmates and I've grown confident," she said. Part of big story The experience of Youguo's family is part of the story of the country's historic achievement in poverty eradication. Liangshan is home to the largest ethnic Yi community in China and is about 2,000 kilometers from Beijing. When President Xi visited Sanhe village in February 2018, it was one of the most destitute villages in Liangshan. Deep in the Daliang Mountains, local people lived in dark mud huts, suffering from limited transportation and low crop yields caused by the harsh natural conditions. Most villagers grew corn and potatoes for a living. Given the difficulty of building roads in the mountainous area, the local government opted to relocate the villagers out of the mountain. By September 2020, 353,200 people from 74,400 households in Liangshan had been relocated and started their new lives in their new homes. Local villagers also came up with innovative ways to improve their living. In Zhaojue county, where Sanhe village is located, locals developed plantations of strawberries. After a year of development, the plantation covered an area of 1,800 mu (120 hectares). Thanks to this new business, in a five-month period in 2019, more than 20,000 local workers were employed, each earning 9,000 yuan on average. From then on, some 165 modern plantations have mushroomed in Liangshan. After years of national and local efforts, Liangshan witnessed the eradication of poverty, with more than 1.05 million people lifted out of absolute poverty and 11 counties and 2,072 villages removed from the list of impoverished areas. Sanhe village has established a unique development model that combines breeding, plantation and rural tourism to increase the villagers' income. Currently, the villager's net income per capita has reached over 18,000 yuan, which is more than 10 times higher than the amount before the anti-poverty campaign, Sichuan Daily reported. In February 2021, China announced victory in its fight against poverty, eradicating absolute poverty in the country. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
2023-07-30T09:44:13
1
https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/global-times-impoverished-mountain-village-global-center-stage/
The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.05 billion Friday night, only the fifth time in the history of the game that the grand prize has reached into the billions. No one managed to beat the massive odds and match all six numbers for Friday's estimated $940 million jackpot. The numbers drawn were: 5, 10, 28, 52, 63 and the gold ball 18. There have been 29 straight draws without a Mega Millions jackpot winner since the last grand prize ticket on April 18. The $1.05 billion prize up for grabs in the next drawing Tuesday night would be for a sole winner choosing to be paid through an annuity, with annual payments over 30 years. Jackpot winners almost always opt for a lump sum payment, which for Tuesday's drawing would be an estimated $527.9 million. The potential jackpot is the fourth-largest in the game and the fifth over $1 billion, Mega Millions said in a statement early Saturday. Although there were no jackpot winners, one ticket in Pennsylvania was worth $5 million and another in the state connected for $1 million. There also were $1 million winners in Arizona, California and New York, Mega Millions said. It has been less than two weeks since someone in Los Angeles won a $1.08 billion Powerball prize that ranked as the sixth-largest in U.S. history. The winner of the prize is still a mystery. Lottery jackpots grow so large because the odds of winning are so small. For Mega Millions, the odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 302.6 million. Winners also would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings. Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
https://www.tdtnews.com/article_469680da-2e27-11ee-8d26-074a265a999d.html
2023-07-30T09:45:12
0
https://www.tdtnews.com/article_469680da-2e27-11ee-8d26-074a265a999d.html
Bethel I.M. Church program Bethel I.M. Church, 707 S. 22nd St. in Temple, will hold a Fifth Sunday Mission program at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Rev. D.L. Jackson and the congregation from Bountiful Blessings Ministry in Harker Heights will be the special guests. The program is open to the public. First Christian Church Temple First Christian Church, 300 N. Fifth St. in Temple, has announced several upcoming activities. A worship service will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Horace Miller, pastor of Crestview Christian Church in Temple. The Praise Team led by David Perez-Guerra, Music Director and Pianist, along with guitarists John Friesner and Brent Mathesen, and vocalists Melissa Lohr and Kaiya Fowler will lead the congregation in music. Holy Communion will be served. Two study groups will meet 9-9:45 a.m. on Sunday. The Wednesday study group will resume meetings 6-6:45 p.m. in Aug. 9. The Wednesday study group’s topic is “Imagine God’s Limitless Love, A Covenant Conversation with Disciples.” This study will acquaint participants with the Disciples of Christ denomination. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, volunteers are needed to pack supplies for the Backpack Buddies project for Temple ISD students. FCC has participated in this program since its inception. The church will hold a game night 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19. All are invited to bring a snack and join in playing card, games, dominoes, board games, and bingo with prizes. For information about any of the events call the church office at 254-773-9061. Hopewell Baptist Church seeks pianist Hopewell Baptist Church is seeking someone interested in playing piano every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the availability to also perform some afternoon programs at 3 p.m. Anyone interested in this position may contact 254-721-0098 for information. Operation Christmas Child workshop A project leader workshop for Operation Christmas Child will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1401 W. Central Ave. in Temple. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to “Grow Your Shoeboxes” as part of the Operation Christmas Child program. Each year, the program sends shoebox gifts to children in need around the world. For information contact Laurie Bailey at 254-421-2485. ‘Going Beyond’ simulcast Canyon Creek Baptist Church, 4306 S. 31st St. in Temple, will hold “Going Beyond,” a Priscilla Shirer simulcast event, on Aug. 26. Tickets are $20 each and includes a light breakfast, lunch and door prizes. Tickets may be purchased online at creekfamily.org./simulcast or at the church office from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For information call Martha Chandler at 254-228-7444 or Mary in the church office at 254-773-6084. Community Bible study The Temple-Belton Community Bible Study adult class is registering members for a 30-week, in-depth interdenominational Bible study of Ruth, Samuel and Ephesians. Beginning the week of Sept. 11, the class will meet weekly. There are three options to participate: in person Monday night (open to men, women and co-ed groups); Wednesday morning in person (open to women only); and on the Zoom online meeting platform. All in-person meetings take place at Immanuel Prince of Peace, 1215 S. Wall St. in Belton. Each week participants will receive a reading commentary on the previous week’s topic and a set of questions to work on each day covering the next week’s reading. The questions are discussed in small groups of about 15. Following the small group discussions, there is a short teaching over the same section of scripture. The class will break for Christmas for three weeks and spring break for one week and finish the week of May 6, 2024. For information or to register, visit templebeltoneve.cbsclass.org or call the class coordinator at 254-718-6104 after 5:30 p.m. or to reach out during work hours call 254-231-2393. ‘Rooted in Faith’ Bible study Helping Hands Ministry invites the public to attend its “Rooted in Faith” Bible study sessions at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays in the chapel at the ministry at 2210 Holland Road in Belton. The second and fourth Wednesday of the month the program is offered in English and the first and third Wednesday of the month the program is offered in Spanish. The public also is invited to join the ministry in prayer on the last Friday of the month at 8 a.m. in the ministry’s chapel. For information about Helping Hands Ministry, visit www.helpinghandsbelton.org. Offering assistance Are you in need of food or clothing? Breads and Threads food and clothing pantry is located at the rear of Keys Valley Baptist Church located at 4393 U.S. Highway 190 in Belton. The pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second and fourth Saturday of each month. It offers nonperishable food items, clothing for various ages and sizes, as well as a limited supply of personal hygiene items.
https://www.tdtnews.com/life/faith/article_117a717a-2cb2-11ee-8172-17228c29cf2d.html
2023-07-30T09:45:18
1
https://www.tdtnews.com/life/faith/article_117a717a-2cb2-11ee-8172-17228c29cf2d.html
“Houston, we have a problem!” Forget Houston! “America, we have a problem!” There is a massive problem in our society today: identity crisis! Never have we been confronted with the perplexing and confusing issue of what gender a person is. God made a man and a woman, Adam, and Eve, and they brought forth either a male or female child. Amazingly, that process has not changed in all human history. Gender identity has to do with the fact of being who or what a person is and displaying the characteristics of their anatomy at birth, being a male or female. “God is not the author of confusion!” However, there are some confused people on this planet who have been manipulated by the “god of this world” - Satan, (2 Corinthians 4:4) who has blinded their minds with lies and deception to destroy them and to rob them of their God-ordained identity and destiny. When a husband and wife are joined together in marriage, and begin to raise a family, they will produce either a male child or a female child, called a son or a daughter. God has a divine purpose for every child. He has encoded that child with a specific DNA, an identity, and a destiny. Our journey in this life on earth is to search out, find our identity, and fulfill God’s plan for our lives. Identity and destiny go hand in hand. Unless a person has a solid identity as to who they are and what their God-given purpose is, they will live frustrated and empty lives, going to their graves having wasted the gifts and treasures that God put in them in their mother’s womb. According to the Bible, “God formed my inward parts and crafted me in my mother’s womb; I am mysteriously and wonderfully made. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed; and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when there were none of them. How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God, they are more in number than the sand.” (Psalm 139:13-18) There is only one you, created in the image of God and loved by God! You are unique and there is no one quite like you. Who better than you can be you? “God has great plans for you, to give you a living hope and a great future, and an eternity in Heaven.” (Jeremiah 29:11) The first step in finding one’s identity is to be reconciled to God through His Son Jesus Christ. “We must be born-again” and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Once we have been born-again, the Spirit of Truth will guide us into all truth, (Reality). Secondly, we must study the Word of God, the Bible, which is absolute Truth. We progressively begin to understand the love of God, and our new freedom in Jesus Christ, who is He in us, and who we are in Him! “If anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, all things have become new.” (2Cor 5:17) Having been born again and reconciled to God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we then begin our journey to fulfill our destiny. We must daily surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and direct our lives according to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself daily, take up his cross, and follow Me. Whoever desires to hold onto his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt 16:25) Biblical truth is contra-distinctive; when you lose your life, you find it – (Matt 16:25); when you are weak, you become strong – (2 Cor 12:9); when you humble yourself, the Lord will lift you up – (1 Peter 5:5). One final word: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13) God’s mercy is new every morning! Receive it! Freely give it out wherever you go and to whomever you meet, regardless of gender! Enjoy life!
https://www.tdtnews.com/life/faith/article_360d65c4-2cb2-11ee-8c2d-678902ed8fca.html
2023-07-30T09:45:24
1
https://www.tdtnews.com/life/faith/article_360d65c4-2cb2-11ee-8c2d-678902ed8fca.html
COPPERAS COVE — Armor of God Radio, KOOV, 106.9 FM — based in Copperas Cove — is celebrating its fifth year on the air in Central Texas with a special banquet. The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 at Saint Paul Chong Hasang in Harker Heights, with dinner service beginning at 7:30 p.m. “We are proud to have served Central Texas over these last five years, and want to celebrate this accomplishment with all of our friends and family,” said Robin Spencer, Armor of God Radio’s president of the board. “And we are especially blessed to have Dr. Ray Guarendi joining us as our keynote speaker.” Guarendi is a Catholic father of 10 adopted children, a clinical psychologist, author, professional speaker, and national radio and television host. His radio show, “The Dr. Is In” can be heard on weekdays at noon on Armor of God Radio or streamed through the website: armorofgodradio.com. Guarendi has obtained wide variety of experience through more than 40 years of working with parents, families, educators, substance abuse programs, in-patient psychiatric centers, juvenile courts, and private practice. He has witnessed the common time-tested factors that consistently contribute to success in marriages and families. Guarendi’s in-depth experience has led to his discovery that the so-called “experts” are undermining parental authority and preventing parents from following their God-given instincts to raise their kids for Heaven. “Armor of God Radio is Central Texas’ home for Catholic radio and is proud to provide the voice of reason to the more than 425,000 people in its listening area,” the radio program said in a news release. The station’s programs include a variety of live call-in shows and interviews on many different topics involving spirituality, marriage, family and personal well-being, and the Daily Mass; as well as pre-recorded shows featuring Bible studies, news, and cultural programs. “Earlier this year, we launched our own morning show, ‘CENTEX Rising,’ which airs every Friday morning beginning at 6 a.m. We plan to expand the show this fall, so be sure and pay attention to our programming guide on our website,” said Tom McNew, executive director and host of CENTEX Rising. “The station has become a home for many of our listeners, and we would not be celebrating our fifth year on the air without them. We are truly a family and want to celebrate with our Central Texas family.” McNew further added. Individual tickets and table sponsorships for the Aug. 12 banquet are available at the station’s website www.armorofgodradio.com. Each table sponsor will receive a special gift as well as an opportunity to highlight a local business or event through the benefit of complimentary radio spots.
https://www.tdtnews.com/life/faith/article_a8ebd414-2cb1-11ee-badd-677db8c0bf72.html
2023-07-30T09:45:30
0
https://www.tdtnews.com/life/faith/article_a8ebd414-2cb1-11ee-badd-677db8c0bf72.html
The Supreme Court’s authority and reputation rest upon the perception that the rulings are just, fair, and their best interpretation of the law. Unfortunately it has recently come to light that at least three of the court members have received monetary gifts, free transportation, and free lodging, all from people who had or are yet to have cases before the court. And none of this remuneration was reported on those justices’ tax forms. As the saying goes, Caesar’s wife must be above reproach. And then there is the so-called “Shadow Docket” which has come to light. Normally the court allows cases to work their way through the system up to the High Court, but it is now clear that the court has gone looking for cases to review with the assumed goal of changing the law to a more conservative bent. To my knowledge this practice has never been done before. Caesar’s wife is doing fine. The Supreme Court not so much. Ben Liles Salado
https://www.tdtnews.com/news/letters_to_the_editor/article_b92e721e-2d92-11ee-8ee7-afac781d3303.html
2023-07-30T09:45:37
1
https://www.tdtnews.com/news/letters_to_the_editor/article_b92e721e-2d92-11ee-8ee7-afac781d3303.html
Michael Glenn Rossman Michael Glenn Rossman, 55, of College Station, Texas, passed away at his home on July 20, 2023. He leaves behind a loving family and a legacy of selfless service through both his military and medical careers. Michael was born January 18, 1968 in Bremerhaven, Germany, where his father was stationed for active-duty service. After his family returned to the United States, Michael graduated from Pine Tree High School in Longview, Texas in 1986. He went on to earn a BA in Biology from Baylor University (1990) and an MD from Texas A&M College of Medicine (1994). After graduation, Michael followed his father into active military duty. He served in the US Army for 21 years and was stationed with his family in Washington, Kansas, Washington D.C., and Germany. Michael excelled as a physician and rose to numerous leadership roles in military medicine. After he completed residency in Internal Medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, he served for sixteen years as an Internal Medicine physician and later Flight Surgeon, Brigade Surgeon, and Chief of Primary Care and Internal Medicine. In 2008, Michael completed a fellowship in Rheumatology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and then returned to Germany to serve as Chief of Rheumatology Services at the Landstuhl Army Medical Center. He was later appointed Chief of Medicine and finally Deputy Commander of Clinical Services in Afghanistan, where he was deployed from 2013 to 2014. Michael served additional deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq. Colonel Rossman retired from the US Army in 2015. He and his family moved to College Station, Texas, where Michael carried his dedication to medical service into civilian life. He worked as a Rheumatologist at Baylor Scott & White and served as Chief of Rheumatology and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine, where he had begun his medical training twenty years before. Michael was known among his colleagues, patients, and students for both his compassion and exceptional work ethic. Shortly before his passing, he had accepted an appointment to serve as Division Director of Medicine at Baylor Scott & White. Michael was a man of deep faith. He and his wife Lucia became pillars of the Christian community wherever they were stationed, leading Bible Studies and volunteering at military churches across Germany and the United States. In College Station, they co-led the high school senior Life Group class at Central Church for five years. Michael’s faith in God sustained him through the long years of military deployments and medical service. His love for Christ and faithfulness to his calling was a light for all the lives he touched. Above all, Michael was a loving husband to his wife, Lucia, and a devoted father to his two daughters, Rachel and Rebekah, and to his son, Richard. He was an avid fan of Aggie sports. The Rossman’s could often be found on the front row of section 9 at Aggie soccer games. He also loved cheering on the Aggies with Lucia at the SEC men’s basketball tournament each year. From the hospital room to Reed Arena, Michael’s joyful service to the College Station community will be deeply missed. Michael is preceded in death by his father, Roy Smith Rossman. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Lucia Camille Rossman, and his children Rachel (27), who is continuing her career in banking; Rebekah (23), who will be attending law school in the fall; and Richard (21), who is following his father’s steps in military service. Michael is also survived by his mother Barbara Bedair Rossman; his brothers Roy B. “Dair” Rossman and John G. Rossman and his wife Heather; in-laws Richard Herschler and wife Gayla; cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and colleagues as indebted to his service as they are inspired by his memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Michael Rossman Scholarship for Medical Education, a scholarship to the Texas A&M University School of Medicine endowed in Michael’s honor. It is our hope that the scholarship enables aspiring physicians to follow Michael’s legacy of lifelong service to his faith, country, and community. Gifts can be made out to Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. Please indicate Michael Rossman ’94 Memorial on the memo line. Internment at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a later date. Paid Obituary
https://www.tdtnews.com/obituaries/article_9d411964-2d68-11ee-afa3-b7da5914d685.html
2023-07-30T09:45:43
1
https://www.tdtnews.com/obituaries/article_9d411964-2d68-11ee-afa3-b7da5914d685.html
Slackline World Champion Jaan Roose pushes the limits: "Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever" DOHA, Qatar, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world's longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar's newest and most iconic architectural landmarks. The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled "Sparkline," at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City. Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan's second-highest walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide. Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented: "When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I'm proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I'm always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline. The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It's like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board." "The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar," Roose added. The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each other in beautifully imposing structures shaped like scimitar swords. The towers are some of the latest to be added to Lusail City's expanding list of architectural marvels and create a distinct silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Featuring the world's tallest chandelier, the Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, while the suite-only Raffles Doha showcases a spell-binding entrance, a personal butler service and fine-dining delights by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa. Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, Christian Hirt, expressed his excitement about the event being hosted at the Iconic Towers, saying "Raffles and Fairmont Doha have always celebrated the extraordinary, and this event embodies that spirit. The project serves to underline our commitment to showcasing high-calibre talents that defy the impossible. As this daring athlete 'Sparklines' across our towers, we hope it captivates the world and inspires others to push their boundaries." Katara Hospitality's leadership commented: "We are proud of this activation, working alongside Qatar Tourism and Red Bull, as it exemplifies Katara Hospitality's commitment to utilizing the Iconic Towers as a powerful asset to promote tourism and enhance the destination's appeal. Through this event, we aim to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Iconic Towers and position them as a symbol of Qatar's excellence in hospitality and entertainment." Commenting on the project with Jaan Roose, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: "Qatar has built a sporting legacy for itself and is now a true hub for international sporting events. We're delighted to support the exhilarating slackline walk event and champion renowned athletes. By fostering a culture of athleticism, we strive to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and reach new heights in their athletic careers. In addition to its world-class sporting facilities, Qatar is home to a fresh and diverse suite of incredible hotels that make Qatar a global destination of choice for all travellers." The Sparkline walk took place as part of an action-packed calendar of global events in Qatar. With several key sporting events expected to take place in 2023, including Qatar MotoGP, AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, and Geneva International Motor Show, visitors can expect extraordinary sporting experiences in Qatar all year round. To know more about Jaan Roose, visit www.redbull.com For imagery and video, please download via this link. For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism's Press Office on: +974 3392 4466 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa For athlete-related media inquiries, please contact Red Bull Qatar: About Qatar Tourism Qatar Tourism's mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. Web: www.visitqatar.qa About Raffles Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is where heritage meets modern hotelcraft. Raffles hotels, resorts, and residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At landmark addresses around the world, Raffles' well-travelled guests and residents enjoy experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh, and Bali; with flagship openings upcoming in London, Boston and Macau. Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality as part of Accor, Raffles benefits from a world-class infrastructure and is a participating brand in the Group's lifestyle loyalty and guest recognition programme, ALL - Accor Live Limitless. raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com About Fairmont Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivalled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha
https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
2023-07-30T09:45:53
1
https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Shawn Steik and his wife were forced from a long-term motel room onto the streets of Anchorage after their rent shot up to $800 a month. Now they live in a tent encampment by a train depot, and as an Alaska winter looms they are growing desperate and fearful of what lies ahead. A proposal last week by Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson to buy one-way plane tickets out of Alaska’s biggest city for its homeless residents gave Steik a much-needed glimmer of hope. He would move to the relative warmth of Seattle. “I heard it’s probably warmer than this place,” said Steik, who is Aleut. But the mayor’s unfunded idea also came under immediate attack as a Band-Aid solution glossing over the tremendous, and still unaddressed, crisis facing Anchorage as a swelling homeless population struggles to survive in a unique and extreme environment. Frigid temperatures stalk the homeless in the winter and bears infiltrate homeless encampments in the summer. A record eight people died of exposure while living outside last winter and this year promises to be worse after the city closed an arena that housed 500 people during the winter months. Bickering between the city’s liberal assembly and its conservative mayor about how to address the crisis, and a lack of state funding, have further stymied efforts to find a solution. With winter fast approaching in Alaska, it’s “past time for state and local leaders to address the underlying causes of homelessness — airplane tickets are a distraction, not a solution,” the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska said in a statement to The Associated Press. About 43% of Anchorage’s more than 3,000 unsheltered residents are Alaska Natives, and Bronson’s proposal also drew harsh criticism from those who called it culturally insensitive. “The reality is there is no place to send these people because this is their land. Any policy that we make has to pay credence to that simple fact. This is Dena’ina land, this is Native land,” said Christopher Constant, chair of the Anchorage Assembly. “And so we cannot be supporting policies that would take people and displace them from their home, even if their home is not what you or I would call home.” Bronson’s airfare proposal caps a turbulent few years as Anchorage, like many cities in the U.S. West, struggles to deal with a burgeoning homeless population. In May, the city shut down the 500-bed homeless shelter in the city’s arena so it could once more be used for concerts and hockey games after neighbors complained about open drug use, trespassing, violence and litter. A plan to build a large shelter and navigation center fell through when Bronson approved a contract without approval from the Anchorage Assembly. That leaves a gaping hole in the city’s ability to house the thousands of homeless people who have to contend with temperatures well below zero for days at a time and unrelenting winds blasting off Cook Inlet. At the end of June, Anchorage was estimated to have a little more than 3,150 homeless people, according to the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness. Last week, there were only 614 beds at shelters citywide, with no vacancies. New tent cities have sprung up across Anchorage this summer: on a slope facing the city’s historic railroad depot, on a busy road near the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson and near soup kitchens and shelters downtown. Assembly members are slated to consider a winter stop-gap option in August falling far short of the need: a large, warmed, tent-like structure for 150 people. Summer brings its own challenges: hungry bears last year roamed a city-owned campground where homeless people were resettled after the arena closed. Wildlife officials killed four bears after they broke into tents. Bronson said he prefers to spend a few hundred dollars per person for a plane ticket rather than spending about $100 daily to shelter and feed them. He said he doesn’t care where they want to go; his job is to “make sure they don’t die on Anchorage streets.” It’s not clear if his proposal will move forward. There is not yet a plan or a funding source. Dr. Ted Mala, an Inupiaq who in 1990 became the first Alaska Native to serve as the state’s health commissioner, said Anchorage should be working with social workers and law enforcement to discover people’s individual reasons for homelessness and connect them with resources. Buying the unsheltered a ticket to another city is a political game that’s been around for years. A number of U.S. cities struggling with homelessness, including San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, have also offered bus or plane tickets to homeless residents. “People are not pawns, they’re human beings,” Mala said. The mayor’s proposal, while focused on warmer cities, also would fund tickets to other Alaska locations for those who want them. Clarita Clark became homeless after her medical team wanted her to move from Point Hope to Anchorage for cancer treatment because Anchorage is warmer. The medical facility wouldn’t allow her husband to stay with her, so they pitched a tent in a sprawling camp to stay together. Having recently found the body of a dead teenager who overdosed in a portable toilet, Clark yearns to return to the Chukchi Sea coastal village of Point Hope, where her three grandchildren live. “I got a family that loves me,” she said, adding she would use the ticket and seek treatment closer to home. Danny Parish also is leaving Alaska, but for another reason: He’s fed up. Parish is selling his home of 29 years because it sits directly across the street from Sullivan Arena. Bad acts by some homeless people — including harassment, throwing vodka bottles in his yard, poisoning his dog and using his driveway as a toilet — made his life “a holy hell,” he said. Parish is convinced the arena will be used again this winter since there isn’t another plan. He, too, hopes to move to the contiguous U.S. — Oregon, for starters — but not before asking Anchorage leaders for his own plane ticket out. “If they’re going to give them to everybody else,” Parish said, “then they need to give me one.”
https://www.wfla.com/community/health/ap-health/ap-anchorage-homeless-face-cold-and-bears-a-plan-to-offer-one-way-airfare-out-reveals-a-bigger-crisis/
2023-07-30T09:46:39
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https://www.wfla.com/community/health/ap-health/ap-anchorage-homeless-face-cold-and-bears-a-plan-to-offer-one-way-airfare-out-reveals-a-bigger-crisis/
NEW YORK (AP) — Six straight days of 12-hour driving. Single digit paychecks. The complaints come from workers in vastly different industries: UPS delivery drivers and Hollywood actors and writers. But they point to an underlying factor driving a surge of labor unrest: The cost to workers whose jobs have changed drastically as companies scramble to meet customer expectations for speed and convenience in industries transformed by technology. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated those changes, pushing retailers to shift online and intensifying the streaming competition among entertainment companies. Now, from the picket lines, workers are trying to give consumers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a show that can be binged any time or get dog food delivered to their doorstep with a phone swipe. Overworked and underpaid employees is an enduring complaint across industries — from delivery drivers to Starbucks baristas and airline pilots — where surges in consumer demand have collided with persistent labor shortages. Workers are pushing back against forced overtime, punishing schedules or company reliance on lower-paid, part-time or contract forces. At issue for Hollywood screenwriters and actors staging their first simultaneous strikes in 40 years is the way streaming has upended entertainment economics, slashing pay and forcing showrunners to produce content faster with smaller teams. “This seems to happen to many places when the tech companies come in. Who are we crushing? It doesn’t matter,” said Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, a screenwriter and showrunner on the negotiating team for the Writers Guild of America, whose members have been on strike since May. Earlier this month, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined the writers’ union on the picket line. Actors and writers have long relied on residuals, or long-term payments, for reruns and other airings of films and televisions shows. But reruns aren’t a thing on streaming services, where series and films simply land and stay with no easy way, such as box office returns or ratings, to determine their popularity. Consequently, whatever residuals streaming companies do pay often amount to a pittance, and screenwriters have been sharing tales of receiving single digit checks. Adam Shapiro, an actor known for the Netflix hit “Never Have I Ever,” said many actors were initially content to accept lower pay for the plethora of roles that streaming suddenly offered. But the need for a more sustainable compensation model gained urgency when it became clear streaming is not a sideshow, but rather the future of the business, he said. “Over the past 10 years, we realized: ‘Oh, that’s now how Hollywood works. Everything is streaming,’” Shapiro said during a recent union event. Shapiro, who has been acting for 25 years, said he agreed to a contract offering 20% of his normal rate for “Never Have I Ever” because it seemed like “a great opportunity, and it’s going to be all over the world. And it was. It really was. Unfortunately, we’re all starting to realize that if we keep doing this we’re not going to be able to pay our bills.” Then there’s the rising use of “mini rooms,” in which a handful of writers are hired to work only during pre-production, sometimes for a series that may take a year to be greenlit, or never get picked up at all. Sanchez-Witzel, co-creator of the recently released Netflix series “Survival of the Thickest,” said television shows traditionally hire robust writing teams for the duration of production. But Netflix refused to allow her to keep her team of five writers past pre-production, forcing round-the-clock work on rewrites with just one other writer. “It’s not sustainable and I’ll never do that again,” she said. Sanchez-Witzel said she was struck by the similarities between her experience and those of UPS drivers, some of whom joined the WGA for protests as they threatened their own potentially crippling strike. UPS and the Teamsters last week reached a tentative contract staving off the strike. Jeffrey Palmerino, a full-time UPS driver near Albany, New York, said forced overtime emerged as a top issue during the pandemic as drivers coped with a crush of orders on par with the holiday season. Drivers never knew what time they would get home or if they could count on two days off each week, while 14-hour days in trucks without air conditioning became the norm. “It was basically like Christmas on steroids for two straight years. A lot of us were forced to work six days a week, and that is not any way to live your life,” said Palmerino, a Teamsters shop steward. Along with pay raises and air conditioning, the Teamsters won concessions that Palmerino hopes will ease overwork. UPS agreed to end forced overtime on days off and eliminate a lower-paid category of drivers who work shifts that include weekends, converting them to full-time drivers. Union members have yet to ratify the deal. The Teamsters and labor activists hailed the tentative deal as a game-changer that would pressure other companies facing labor unrest to raise their standards. But similar outcomes are far from certain in industries lacking the sheer economic indispensability of UPS or the clout of its 340,000-member union. Efforts to organize at Starbucks and Amazon stalled as both companies aggressively fought against unionization. Still, labor protests will likely gain momentum following the UPS contract, said Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of the Worker Institute at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, which released a report this year that found the number of labor strikes rose 52% in 2022. “The whole idea that consumer convenience is above everything broke down during the pandemic. We started to think, ‘I’m at home ordering, but there is actually a worker who has to go the grocery store, who has to cook this for me so that I can be comfortable,’” Campos-Medina said. ___ Associated Press video journalist Leslie Ambriz contributed from Los Angeles.
https://www.wfla.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-consumer-demand-for-speed-and-convenience-drives-labor-unrest-among-workers-in-hollywood-and-at-ups/
2023-07-30T09:46:47
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https://www.wfla.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-consumer-demand-for-speed-and-convenience-drives-labor-unrest-among-workers-in-hollywood-and-at-ups/
MOSCOW (AP) — At least nine people — including three children — have died after high winds tore through central Russia, emergency services and a local official reported Sunday. Eight of the dead were part of a group of tourists camping close to Lake Yalchik in the Mari-El region when the storm hit Saturday, Russia’s emergencies ministry said. The strong winds caused a large number of trees to fall in the area, including where the group’s tents had been pitched on a stretch of wild beach, regional leader Yuri Zaitsev wrote on social media. He said that three children were among the dead. Across the wider Volga Federal District, 76 people were injured in the storm, with thousands of households losing power, emergency services said.
https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-9-die-including-3-children-as-strong-winds-hit-tourist-camp-in-central-russia-officials-say/
2023-07-30T09:46:53
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https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-9-die-including-3-children-as-strong-winds-hit-tourist-camp-in-central-russia-officials-say/
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — African leaders are leaving two days of meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin with little to show for their requests to resume a deal that kept grain flowing from Ukraine and to find a path to end the war there. Putin in a press conference late Saturday following the Russia-Africa summit said Russia’s termination of the grain deal earlier this month caused a rise in grain prices that benefits Russian companies. He added that Moscow would share some of those revenues with the “poorest nations.” That commitment, with no details, follows Putin’s promise to start shipping 25,000 to 50,000 tons of grain for free to each of six African nations in the next three to four months — an amount dwarfed by the 725,000 tons shipped by the U.N. World Food Program to several hungry countries, African and otherwise, under the grain deal. Russia plans to send the free grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and Central African Republic. Fewer than 20 of Africa’s 54 heads of state or government attended the Russia summit, while 43 attended the previous gathering in 2019, reflecting concerns over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine even as Moscow seeks more allies on the African continent of 1.3 billion people. Putin praised Africa as a rising center of power in the world, while the Kremlin blamed “outrageous” Western pressure for discouraging some African countries from showing up. The presidents of Egypt and South Africa were among the most outspoken on the need to resume the grain deal. “We would like the Black Sea initiative to be implemented and that the Black Sea should be open,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said. “We are not here to plead for donations for the African continent.” Putin also said Russia would analyze African leaders’ peace proposal for Ukraine, whose details have not been publicly shared. But the Russian leader asked: “Why do you ask us to pause fire? We can’t pause fire while we’re being attacked.” The next significant step in peace efforts instead appears to be a Ukrainian-organized peace summit hosted by Saudi Arabia in August. Russia is not invited. Africa’s nations make up the largest voting bloc at the United Nations and have been more divided than any other region on General Assembly resolutions criticizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Delegations at the summit in St. Petersburg roamed exhibits of weapons, a reminder of Russia’s role as the top arms supplier to the African continent. Putin in his remarks on Saturday also downplayed his absence from the BRICS economic summit in South Africa next month amid a controversy over an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court. His presence there, Putin said, is not “more important than my presence here, in Russia.”
https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-african-leaders-leave-russia-summit-without-grain-deal-or-a-path-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine/
2023-07-30T09:47:00
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https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-african-leaders-leave-russia-summit-without-grain-deal-or-a-path-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine/
Scientists have discovered a worm that managed to stretch its short life expectancy — by tens of thousands of years. A tiny roundworm was revived after it was frozen in Siberian permafrost 46,000 years ago, when Neanderthals still walked the Earth. The worm, a previously unknown species of nematode, survived after entering a dormant state known as cryptobiosis, during which the animal doesn't eat and lacks a metabolism. The finding was detailed in a recent study published in the journal PLOS Genetics. The most stunning part of the discovery was the length of time the worm had endured cryptobiosis, said Philipp Schiffer, one of the study's authors and a group leader at the Institute of Zoology at the University of Cologne in Germany. Nematodes are among the planet's most ubiquitous life forms. Scientists had known that some could survive long periods of suspended animation in subzero environments. One Antarctic species spent over 25 years in frozen moss before resuscitation, the previous longest record of cryptobiosis recorded for a nematode. "Nobody had thought that this process could be for millennia, for 40,000 years — or even longer," Schiffer said. "It's just amazing that life can start again after such a long time, in the stage between life and death." Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine that the soil from the permafrost sample was 46,000 years old. Some nematodes are also known to survive parched climates, like in Chile's Atacama Desert, the driest nonpolar desert on Earth. One species was revived after spending nearly 40 years desiccated in a dry herbarium. "Everything seems to be possible for these animals and that's what makes them so fascinating," the scientist said. Schiffer says his worm lab in Cologne was able to analyze and identify the novel worm, which researchers named Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, using genome sequencing. The nematode was found about 130 feet deep within the permafrost inside a burrow once home to Arctic gophers. After the chunk of frozen sediment was taken to the lab to thaw, the resurrected nematode crawled out and started making babies. The nematode, a female-only species, reproduces asexually, after about eight to 12 days. The original worm, found five years ago, has died. Scientists are using its descendants to continue their research on the species, which will primarily involve investigating the genetic machinery behind these organisms to learn how these worms evolve to adapt in extreme environments. That work could reveal how other animals might harbor the genetic superpowers to adapt to extreme environments today, as climate change drives more frequent heat waves and uninhabitable environments, Schiffer says. "You might learn a lot about how and what's happening right now on Earth, and maybe even inform protection of endangered species," he said. One challenge in researching the DNA sequences of this particular species, he adds, is how quickly the nematode evolves during its short life. The lifespan of Panagrolaimus kolymaensis is just one to two months. Unless, of course, it happens to get frozen in time. Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
https://www.wvia.org/news/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists
2023-07-30T09:47:05
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https://www.wvia.org/news/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists
As the hour creeps past three in the afternoon, New Orleans' streets are devoid of tourists and locals alike. The heat index is over 105 degrees. At the city's ambulance depot, the concrete parking lot seems to magnify the sweltering heat, circulating the air like a convection oven. New Orleans Emergency Medical Services has been busy this summer, responding to heat-related emergency calls and rushing patients to nearby hospitals. Capt. Janick Lewis and Lt. Titus Carriere demonstrate how they can load a stretcher into an ambulance using an automated loading system. Lewis wipes sweat from his brow as the loading arm whirs and hums, raising the stretcher into the ambulance — "unit" in official terminology. But the mechanical assistance isn't the best thing about the new vehicle. "The nicest thing about being assigned a brand new unit, is it's a brand-new air conditioning system," Lewis says. The new AC is much more than just a luxury for the hard-working crews. These days they need the extra cooling power to help save lives. "The number one thing you do take care of somebody is get them out of the heat, get them somewhere cool," Lewis says. "So the number one thing we spend our time worrying about in the summertime is keeping the truck cool." Like much of the country, New Orleans has been embroiled in an almost relentless heat wave for weeks. As a result, more people are falling ill with heat-related conditions than ever before. Just last week, EMS responded to 29 heat-related calls — more than triple compared to the same period last year. As the city's emergency medical systems deal with the influx of patients, scientists say these dangerous heat levels — and the increasing stress they put on human bodies and medical systems — may be the new norm. At the same time, New Orleans EMS has struggled with funding and staffing challenges. It's currently operating with only 60% of its needed staff. The city's chief of EMS has called for increased funding for higher wages to attract more workers. Lewis says they're making do with the resources they have, and prioritizing one-time expenses like new ambulances to help them meet the challenges they're facing. "We're going to provide the care everybody needs, regardless of how hot it gets," Lewis says. "We'd love to have all the help in the world, but we're getting the job done with what we have right now." Health dangers above 100℉ When a human being is exposed to high levels of heat for too long, it starts to raise the core body temperature. Once that exceeds 100 degrees, hyperthermia can develop. That can prompt an escalating cascade of health problems if it isn't quickly addressed. The first stage is heat exhaustion, Lt. Carriere explains: "That means you're hot, you may have an elevated temp, but you also have what's called diaphoresis, which means your body is sweating, is still trying to compensate and cool yourself off." You'll also likely have other symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and headache. Carriere says that if you can quickly get out of the heat and into some AC, generally you'll recover from heat exhaustion on your own. But if you don't, your core temperature will continue to rise. Near 104° the dangers escalate If internal body temperature approaches 104 degrees, you could succumb to the next stage — heat stroke. "Once you move to heat stroke, your body stops compensating," Carriere says. "You stop sweating. You're hot. You're dry, and your organs are basically like frying themselves from the inside out." When you stop sweating, it becomes even harder for your body to cool itself down. During heat stroke, you may also experience other severe symptoms like an altered state of mind, confusion, and a rapid, erratic pulse. You may even lose consciousness. Heat illness can develop after unrelieved exposure to incessant heat, but high humidity compounds the problem by making it harder for the body to cool itself by sweating. Working outdoors, dehydration, alcohol or drug use, and sunburn all increase the risk. The very old, children under 4, and those who are obese or have certain medical conditions are particularly vulnerable. Without medical intervention, heat stroke can be deadly. EMS starts treatment immediately after they arrive on the scene. "We'll get them on a gurney, get them into the unit, start removing their clothing and put ice packs wherever applicable to try to cool them down," says Carriere. Saving lives in the ER with ice, fluids, and medical support Once you're loaded into the ambulance, they'll race you to a nearby hospital, Carriere says. At University Medical Center (UMC), the city's largest hospital, doctors and nurses will continue efforts to quickly lower body temperature, and replace fluids by IV if necessary.. "When the patient ends up at the hospital, we're going to continue that cooling process," Elder says. "We're going to put them in an ice water bath," says Dr. Jeffrey Elder, the Medical Director for Emergency Management at UMC. "We may use some misting fans and some cold fluids to get their body temperature down to a reasonable temperature while we're supporting all the other bodily functions." Getting your core temperature down as quickly as possible is the highest priority, Elder explains, and is what will ultimately save your life. One way they can speed that along is by burying you in ice. In other parts of the country, doctors actually place patients inside body bags pre-packed with pounds of ice. Body bags are useful in these cases because they're waterproof and are designed to closely fit the human form. They don't use body bags at UMC's emergency room, but during the summer, staffers do keep bags of ice ready to go at all times. "On the stretcher, we'll use some of the sheets as kind of a barrier," Elder says. "And while they're on the stretcher, we'll just put the ice on them right then and there." Hospital staff will continue to work to cool you down until your temperature gets back below 100. That's when you're considered to be in the medical safe zone. Elder admits that while it always gets hot in New Orleans during the summer, his emergency room has been treating more heat-related illness in 2023 than ever before. A few patients have died from the heat. Like many other hospital systems, UMC is struggling with staffing challenges since the pandemic. But UMC has prioritized staffing of the emergency department in order to handle things like an influx of patients from heat-related illness, Elder says. Burden on health infrastructure heats up Across the country, meteorological events like heat waves and heat domes will become more frequent and intense in the future, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Extreme summer heat is increasing in the United States," says Claudia Brown, a health scientist with the CDC's Climate and Health Program. "And climate projections are indicating that extreme heat events will be more frequent and intense in the coming decades." Health infrastructure will be challenged to keep up in order to treat patients suffering from extreme heat exposure. In New Orleans, both first responders and doctors say they expect to see more patients with heat-related illness. July is merely the halfway point of a Louisiana summer. "We haven't even gotten to the hottest part yet, which is typically August to September," says EMS Lt. Titus Carriere. "So I'm expecting it to get pretty bad." Copyright 2023 Gulf States Newsroom. To see more, visit .
https://www.wvia.org/news/health/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke
2023-07-30T09:47:06
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https://www.wvia.org/news/health/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke
BEIJING (AP) — The French finance minister said Sunday he pressed Chinese leaders to open their markets wider to foreign companies and lobbied for investment in France’s electric car industry, as the European Union’s second-largest economy followed Washington in reviving post-COVID economic talks amid tension over Beijing’s surging trade surpluses. Bruno Le Maire also defended Paris’s controls on foreign access to technology after authorities said two Chinese citizens are under investigation for what news reports say is possible smuggling of French-made processor chips with military uses to China and Russia. Le Maire met Saturday with Vice Premier He Lifeng, Beijing’s top envoy on economic issues. He followed Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who visited Beijing on July 9-10 as part of U.S. efforts to revive frosty relations with China. Chinese officials gave Le Maire and Yellen a warm welcome as part of efforts to reverse an economic slump by reviving foreign investor interest. But Beijing has given no indication of possible changes in technology and other policies that its trading partners say violate Chinese market-opening commitments. Officials of the 27-nation European Union are trying to narrow a trade deficit with China that swelled to 396 billion euros ($432 billion) last year. Le Maire cited cosmetics, aerospace and agriculture as possible areas for more French exports. “There is a need to improve access to the Chinese market. I think that it was at the core of our discussions,” Le Maire said in an interview at the French Embassy. “We want to have a stronger economic relationship between Europe and China, between France and China, which means to get access for all European goods.” Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government has looked to Europe as an alternative market and source of technology since Washington tightened controls on access to U.S. processor chips and other high-tech goods and hiked tariffs on imports from China in a feud over its industry development ambitions. Le Maire and Chinese officials pledged to cooperate on climate change, financing for developing countries and nuclear power. They announced plans to set up a group to settle a dispute over access to China’s market for cosmetics, a major French export. Le Maire also lobbied for investment from China’s fast-growing electric car industry. He was due to fly to the southern city of Shenzhen to meet Wang Chuanfu, founder of BYD Auto, one of the world’s biggest electric vehicle producers. BYD Auto and other Chinese brands are starting to sell in developed markets including Europe and Japan. Chinese battery supplier CATL has set up a factory in Germany to supply automaker BMW. “We want China to make investments in France in electric vehicles,” Le Maire said. “In the climate transition, there is a place for Chinese investment in France, which allows us to reinforce our economic relations and also speed up action against global warming.” The talks were overshadowed by Russia’s war against Ukraine and complaints China might be helping Moscow evade Western sanctions, but Le Maire said he didn’t discuss the war with Chinese officials. However, he said it was in Beijing’s interest to end the 17-month-old war. President Emmanuel Macron’s security adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, said this month China was delivering “military equipment” to Russia but gave no details. “I want to make very clear that we want this war to go to an end as soon as possible,” Le Maire said. “Indeed, (it is) in the interest of China, it is in the interests of the global growth to have peace as soon as possible.” Le Maire also defended French controls on technology exports and foreign investment in high-tech industry. French authorities are investigating two Chinese citizens associated with chip producer Ommic who the newspaper Le Parisien said face possible charges of exporting chips to a Chinese armaments maker using forged documents. French counter-espionage officials believe a Chinese investor who bought control of Ommic in 2018 was trying to transfer chip manufacturing technology to China, according to the newspaper. The ruling Communist Party is trying to develop its own chip industry, but Washington has blocked access to advanced manufacturing tools and persuaded allies Japan and the Netherlands to impose their own restrictions. Chinese authorities complain their companies are unfairly targeted by restrictions on access to foreign technology. They have warned curbs on access to semiconductors will disrupt smartphone and other industries. “Everybody can understand that France wants to protect its key technologies,” Le Maire said. “We don’t want any foreign country to get access to those French sovereign technologies.”
https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-frances-le-maire-presses-china-on-market-access-and-lobbies-for-electric-car-investment/
2023-07-30T09:47:06
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https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-frances-le-maire-presses-china-on-market-access-and-lobbies-for-electric-car-investment/
Seventy years ago, the Korean War ended with a cease-fire, not a victory or a peace deal, and veterans marked the occasion Thursday at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., with some even joining activists pushing for a formal end to the war. But as most Korean War vets are well into their 90s, they still struggle with America's perceptions of what has been called "the Forgotten War." "We don't call it the Forgotten War, we call it the forgotten victory," said retired U.S. Marine Col. Warren Wiedhahn. "We saved South Korea from becoming a communist country." Wiedhahn said it might not have been clear at the time, but it sure is now. South Korea is democratic and among the world's leading economies, while the North is an impoverished, brutal dictatorship. Wiedhahn just wishes the United Nations force, led by the U.S., had held on to more of the Korean peninsula before the cease-fire. At a certain point they had driven North Korean forces all the way to the Chinese border before being pushed south again. "Now don't get me wrong. The [cease-fire] was welcomed because that meant that the Marines and soldiers were not getting killed anymore. But to me, to us who had fought in the beginning, it was kind of an anti-climactic," he said. At 94, Wiedhahn is president of the Chosin Few, a group of vets who fought at Chosin Reservior, a freezing 17-day battle with the Chinese army. Membership is now being gradually passed on to the next generation. "I actually had no idea my dad was involved with the Chosin Reservoir. He didn't say one word about it," said Nancy Weigle, whose father, Gerald, was a Navy corpsman who died in 2018. Like many Korea vets he didn't talk about it much for the first few decades, Weigle said. "The World War II vets had obviously been celebrated. There was a clear victory. And when these guys came back, nobody even knew what Korea was," she said. That came later, as Korean products and culture spread across the globe. Her dad was one of many Korean War vets who were invited by South Korea to visit Seoul. Weigle is now a legacy member of the Chosin Few, carrying on their stories. Robert Grier, 90, served in Korea just a few years after the U.S. military desegregated, a memory that stood out for him even as he finds it harder to recall many other details of his service. "Black soldiers didn't get promoted very much back then. It was always in the lower ranks," he said. Grier eventually made captain. He has just one memory of the armistice in 1953. "We were not happy," he said. "[We] didn't like to lose things. We thought that we lost that." Korea was the first of many wars after World War II with, at best, ambiguous endings that most Americans didn't see as success. That includes Afghanistan and Iraq. "I sympathize with the Korean War vets," said Welton Chang, who served two tours in Iraq. "Their experience was much more intense, and certainly the casualties were higher," he adds. Before Iraq, Chang also deployed to Korea for a year, during which North Korea detonated its first nuclear weapon and tested intercontinental ballistic missiles. His time there showed him the value of what Americans and others did for South Korea. "Older Koreans are still very thankful for U.S. involvement and were often the ones who would come up to us on the street or hiking a mountain somewhere and shake our hands and say 'thank you,' " Chang said. "It was always super awkward because you kind of have to remind them that, like, I wasn't even born when any of this stuff happened," he said. "But they saw it as this long, unbroken line of U.S. commitment in Asia." Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
https://www.wvia.org/news/politics/2023-07-30/as-living-memories-of-the-korean-war-fade-its-consequences-become-clearer
2023-07-30T09:47:11
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https://www.wvia.org/news/politics/2023-07-30/as-living-memories-of-the-korean-war-fade-its-consequences-become-clearer
SANTA MARIA DE JESUS, Guatemala (AP) — Presidential candidate Bernardo Arévalo stood before a few hundred residents of this small Indigenous community on the slopes of the Agua Volcano and told them they could be the seeds of a brighter, more corruption-free spring in Guatemala. The metaphor fits neatly with his political party, the Seed Movement, and allows the 64-year-old academic and former diplomat to riff on themes of renewal and growth. But it also alludes to Guatemala’s “democratic spring,” considered a more inclusive period in the country’s history during the presidency in the 1940s and early 1950s of his late father, Juan José Arévalo. Bernardo Arévalo won just 11% of the vote in the presidential election’s first round June 25, but it was enough to give him the surprise second slot in the Aug. 20 runoff ballot. He will face Sandra Torres, a conservative and former first lady who was the leading vote-getter in the first round and is making her third bid for the presidency. Arévalo’s recent speech in Santa Maria de Jesus was similar to those he has given in Guatemala’s capital, but the imagery could be especially important in rural Indigenous communities as he seeks to rapidly expand his largely urban, youthful base before the runoff. He won in Guatemala City and other important cities, including Sacatepequez and Quetzaltenango. It remains to be seen whether he can convince people in rural communities that he can address their daily problems. The delayed certification of the first round results shortened the already small window that Arévalo has to reintroduce himself to much of the country as his opponents rush to paint their own negative picture. “Do you feel what is happening?” Arévalo told the crowd in Santa Maria de Jesus. “The new spring is arriving, that’s what you feel, and you all are the seeds of that new spring.” “A new spring that is going to bring us well-being, the water we lack, the education they owe us, the health that they have denied us thanks to those corrupt contracts that serve few,” Arévalo said, standing in front of an old, damaged Roman Catholic church, in a wide-brimmed hat and untucked shirt against the tropical heat. Among those listening was Juana Orón, a 67-year-old homemaker of the Kaqchikel people. She is one of the older voters who remember hearing about Arévalo’s father, one of only two leftist presidents in Guatemala’s democratic era. The elder Arévalo, who governed from 1945 to 1951, is credited with establishing key social programs that remain in place today, including Guatemala’s labor code and social security. Guatemala’s democratic spring was cut short in 1954 by the CIA-backed overthrow of his successor, President Jacobo Arbenz. Under Juan José Arévalo, the state advocated for rights for Indigenous peoples and others beyond the country’s small elite. “I remember I was little and (my parents) said he had done good things,” said Orón whose first language as a child was Kaqchikel. If his father was good, Arévalo could be a good president, too, she said. Opponents have tried to frame Arévalo’s candidacy as a step toward some of the region’s more notorious leftist regimes, such as Cuba and Nicaragua. They warn that the progressive candidate will bring expropriations, abortion and same-sex marriage to the conservative country. Arévalo has been the election’s surprise. In the days before the June 25 vote, he was polling below 3% and trailing at least seven of the other 21 candidates. But his anti-corruption message resonated in the country where gains against corruption have been erased and the justice system reoriented to pursue the prosecutors and judges who formerly led that fight. In the month since that initial result, the Attorney General’s Office announced an investigation into his party and had a judge suspend its legal status until the Constitutional Court stepped in to block that move. In Santa Maria de Jesus, people wanted to compare Arévalo in person to what they were hearing about him. Some handed him flowers, posed for photos or reached out to touch him as he made his way through the throng. Arévalo pushed back against attempts to frame him as a left-wing radical — he has said private property rights are not up for discussion — and pounded the issue of corruption. “Let us work, let us get ahead on our own effort, let’s get rid of the corrupt once and for all,” he said. For Francisco Jiménez, a political scientist at Rafael Landivar University, Arévalo will need concrete proposals to make inroads with the base of Torres, who has spent two decades assembling it. “He will have to make governing proposals with a social agenda, where the people see that he is going to have an impact on their lives and communities,” Jiménez said. “The other part is continuing to present himself as the different model. That has been his success, someone totally different from the other candidates.” Evangelical churches in Guatemala have painted Arévalo as an existential threat to the family. Gladys Sunun, a 35-year-old Kaqchikel vendor from an evangelical family, said she came to hear Arévalo for herself. She said she had heard that Arévalo would convert Guatemala into another Cuba or Nicaragua, but left feeling that might not be true, though she wants to investigate more. “He came to tell us not to worry,” she said. “It sounds real, but we don’t know.” Her sister July Sunun said she wanted to hear more about Arévalo’s positions on gender ideology. “As a mother I’m afraid, because we’ve grown up with a Christian background. I don’t want to marry my daughter with another woman,” she said. July Sunun acknowledged that Arévalo said he would respect the identities and decisions of the people, “but what he hasn’t said is that he won’t allow (same-sex marriage) to happen here.”
https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-guatemala-presidential-candidate-rushes-to-expand-base-beyond-urban-youth/
2023-07-30T09:47:14
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https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-guatemala-presidential-candidate-rushes-to-expand-base-beyond-urban-youth/
Scientists have discovered a worm that managed to stretch its short life expectancy — by tens of thousands of years. A tiny roundworm was revived after it was frozen in Siberian permafrost 46,000 years ago, when Neanderthals still walked the Earth. The worm, a previously unknown species of nematode, survived after entering a dormant state known as cryptobiosis, during which the animal doesn't eat and lacks a metabolism. The finding was detailed in a recent study published in the journal PLOS Genetics. The most stunning part of the discovery was the length of time the worm had endured cryptobiosis, said Philipp Schiffer, one of the study's authors and a group leader at the Institute of Zoology at the University of Cologne in Germany. Nematodes are among the planet's most ubiquitous life forms. Scientists had known that some could survive long periods of suspended animation in subzero environments. One Antarctic species spent over 25 years in frozen moss before resuscitation, the previous longest record of cryptobiosis recorded for a nematode. "Nobody had thought that this process could be for millennia, for 40,000 years — or even longer," Schiffer said. "It's just amazing that life can start again after such a long time, in the stage between life and death." Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine that the soil from the permafrost sample was 46,000 years old. Some nematodes are also known to survive parched climates, like in Chile's Atacama Desert, the driest nonpolar desert on Earth. One species was revived after spending nearly 40 years desiccated in a dry herbarium. "Everything seems to be possible for these animals and that's what makes them so fascinating," the scientist said. Schiffer says his worm lab in Cologne was able to analyze and identify the novel worm, which researchers named Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, using genome sequencing. The nematode was found about 130 feet deep within the permafrost inside a burrow once home to Arctic gophers. After the chunk of frozen sediment was taken to the lab to thaw, the resurrected nematode crawled out and started making babies. The nematode, a female-only species, reproduces asexually, after about eight to 12 days. The original worm, found five years ago, has died. Scientists are using its descendants to continue their research on the species, which will primarily involve investigating the genetic machinery behind these organisms to learn how these worms evolve to adapt in extreme environments. That work could reveal how other animals might harbor the genetic superpowers to adapt to extreme environments today, as climate change drives more frequent heat waves and uninhabitable environments, Schiffer says. "You might learn a lot about how and what's happening right now on Earth, and maybe even inform protection of endangered species," he said. One challenge in researching the DNA sequences of this particular species, he adds, is how quickly the nematode evolves during its short life. The lifespan of Panagrolaimus kolymaensis is just one to two months. Unless, of course, it happens to get frozen in time. Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
https://www.kasu.org/environment-infrastructure/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists
2023-07-30T09:47:20
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https://www.kasu.org/environment-infrastructure/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia will host a Ukrainian-organized peace summit in early August seeking to find a way to start negotiations over Russia’s war on the country, an official said Saturday night. The kingdom and Kyiv did not immediately acknowledge the planned talks. The summit will be held in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as no authorization had been given to publicly discuss the summit. Those taking part in the summit will include Ukraine, as well as Brazil, India, South Africa and several other countries, the official said. A high-level official from U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration also is expected to attend, the official said. Planning for the event is being overseen by Kyiv and Russia is not invited, the official said. Details regarding the summit, however, remain in flux and the official did not offer dates for the talks. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the summit, said the talks would take place Aug. 5 and 6 with some 30 countries attending, citing “diplomats involved in the discussion.” Saudi officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press, nor did Ukraine’s Embassy in Riyadh. News of the summit comes after U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan visited the kingdom on Thursday. The official who spoke to the AP said the summit would be the next step after talks that took place in Copenhagen in June. Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the talks come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in May attended an Arab League summit in Jeddah to press those nations to back Kyiv. Arab nations largely have remained neutral since Russia launched the war on Ukraine in February 2022, in part over their military and economic ties to Moscow. Saudi Arabia also has maintained a close relationship with Russia as part of the OPEC+ group. The organization’s oil production cuts, even as Moscow’s war on Ukraine boosted energy prices, have angered Biden and American lawmakers. But hosting such talks also help raise the profile of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to reach a détente with Iran and push for a peace in the kingdom’s yearslong war in Yemen. However, ties also remain strained between Riyadh and the West over the 2018 killing and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, which U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Prince Mohammed ordered. ___ Madhani reported from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-official-tells-ap-that-saudi-arabia-will-host-ukrainian-organized-peace-summit-in-august/
2023-07-30T09:47:20
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https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-official-tells-ap-that-saudi-arabia-will-host-ukrainian-organized-peace-summit-in-august/
As the hour creeps past three in the afternoon, New Orleans' streets are devoid of tourists and locals alike. The heat index is over 105 degrees. At the city's ambulance depot, the concrete parking lot seems to magnify the sweltering heat, circulating the air like a convection oven. New Orleans Emergency Medical Services has been busy this summer, responding to heat-related emergency calls and rushing patients to nearby hospitals. Capt. Janick Lewis and Lt. Titus Carriere demonstrate how they can load a stretcher into an ambulance using an automated loading system. Lewis wipes sweat from his brow as the loading arm whirs and hums, raising the stretcher into the ambulance — "unit" in official terminology. But the mechanical assistance isn't the best thing about the new vehicle. "The nicest thing about being assigned a brand new unit, is it's a brand-new air conditioning system," Lewis says. The new AC is much more than just a luxury for the hard-working crews. These days they need the extra cooling power to help save lives. "The number one thing you do take care of somebody is get them out of the heat, get them somewhere cool," Lewis says. "So the number one thing we spend our time worrying about in the summertime is keeping the truck cool." Like much of the country, New Orleans has been embroiled in an almost relentless heat wave for weeks. As a result, more people are falling ill with heat-related conditions than ever before. Just last week, EMS responded to 29 heat-related calls — more than triple compared to the same period last year. As the city's emergency medical systems deal with the influx of patients, scientists say these dangerous heat levels — and the increasing stress they put on human bodies and medical systems — may be the new norm. At the same time, New Orleans EMS has struggled with funding and staffing challenges. It's currently operating with only 60% of its needed staff. The city's chief of EMS has called for increased funding for higher wages to attract more workers. Lewis says they're making do with the resources they have, and prioritizing one-time expenses like new ambulances to help them meet the challenges they're facing. "We're going to provide the care everybody needs, regardless of how hot it gets," Lewis says. "We'd love to have all the help in the world, but we're getting the job done with what we have right now." Health dangers above 100℉ When a human being is exposed to high levels of heat for too long, it starts to raise the core body temperature. Once that exceeds 100 degrees, hyperthermia can develop. That can prompt an escalating cascade of health problems if it isn't quickly addressed. The first stage is heat exhaustion, Lt. Carriere explains: "That means you're hot, you may have an elevated temp, but you also have what's called diaphoresis, which means your body is sweating, is still trying to compensate and cool yourself off." You'll also likely have other symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and headache. Carriere says that if you can quickly get out of the heat and into some AC, generally you'll recover from heat exhaustion on your own. But if you don't, your core temperature will continue to rise. Near 104° the dangers escalate If internal body temperature approaches 104 degrees, you could succumb to the next stage — heat stroke. "Once you move to heat stroke, your body stops compensating," Carriere says. "You stop sweating. You're hot. You're dry, and your organs are basically like frying themselves from the inside out." When you stop sweating, it becomes even harder for your body to cool itself down. During heat stroke, you may also experience other severe symptoms like an altered state of mind, confusion, and a rapid, erratic pulse. You may even lose consciousness. Heat illness can develop after unrelieved exposure to incessant heat, but high humidity compounds the problem by making it harder for the body to cool itself by sweating. Working outdoors, dehydration, alcohol or drug use, and sunburn all increase the risk. The very old, children under 4, and those who are obese or have certain medical conditions are particularly vulnerable. Without medical intervention, heat stroke can be deadly. EMS starts treatment immediately after they arrive on the scene. "We'll get them on a gurney, get them into the unit, start removing their clothing and put ice packs wherever applicable to try to cool them down," says Carriere. Saving lives in the ER with ice, fluids, and medical support Once you're loaded into the ambulance, they'll race you to a nearby hospital, Carriere says. At University Medical Center (UMC), the city's largest hospital, doctors and nurses will continue efforts to quickly lower body temperature, and replace fluids by IV if necessary.. "When the patient ends up at the hospital, we're going to continue that cooling process," Elder says. "We're going to put them in an ice water bath," says Dr. Jeffrey Elder, the Medical Director for Emergency Management at UMC. "We may use some misting fans and some cold fluids to get their body temperature down to a reasonable temperature while we're supporting all the other bodily functions." Getting your core temperature down as quickly as possible is the highest priority, Elder explains, and is what will ultimately save your life. One way they can speed that along is by burying you in ice. In other parts of the country, doctors actually place patients inside body bags pre-packed with pounds of ice. Body bags are useful in these cases because they're waterproof and are designed to closely fit the human form. They don't use body bags at UMC's emergency room, but during the summer, staffers do keep bags of ice ready to go at all times. "On the stretcher, we'll use some of the sheets as kind of a barrier," Elder says. "And while they're on the stretcher, we'll just put the ice on them right then and there." Hospital staff will continue to work to cool you down until your temperature gets back below 100. That's when you're considered to be in the medical safe zone. Elder admits that while it always gets hot in New Orleans during the summer, his emergency room has been treating more heat-related illness in 2023 than ever before. A few patients have died from the heat. Like many other hospital systems, UMC is struggling with staffing challenges since the pandemic. But UMC has prioritized staffing of the emergency department in order to handle things like an influx of patients from heat-related illness, Elder says. Burden on health infrastructure heats up Across the country, meteorological events like heat waves and heat domes will become more frequent and intense in the future, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Extreme summer heat is increasing in the United States," says Claudia Brown, a health scientist with the CDC's Climate and Health Program. "And climate projections are indicating that extreme heat events will be more frequent and intense in the coming decades." Health infrastructure will be challenged to keep up in order to treat patients suffering from extreme heat exposure. In New Orleans, both first responders and doctors say they expect to see more patients with heat-related illness. July is merely the halfway point of a Louisiana summer. "We haven't even gotten to the hottest part yet, which is typically August to September," says EMS Lt. Titus Carriere. "So I'm expecting it to get pretty bad." Copyright 2023 Gulf States Newsroom. To see more, visit .
https://www.kasu.org/health-science/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke
2023-07-30T09:47:26
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https://www.kasu.org/health-science/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke
Russian authorities say three Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow in the early hours on Sunday, injuring one person and prompting a temporary closure for traffic of one of four airports around the Russian capital. It was the fourth such attempt at a strike on the capital region this month and the third this week, fueling concerns about Moscow’s vulnerability to attacks as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month. The Russian Defense Ministry referred to the incident as an “attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime” and said three drones targeted the city. One was shot down in the surrounding Moscow region by air defense systems and two others were jammed. Those two crashed into the Moscow City business district in the capital. Photos from the site of the crash showed the facade of a skyscraper damaged on one floor. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the attack “insignificantly damaged” the outsides of two buildings in the Moscow City district. A security guard was injured, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials. No flights went into or out of the Vnukovo airport on the southern outskirts of the city for about an hour, according to Tass, and the air space over Moscow and the outlying regions was temporarily closed for any aircraft. Those restrictions have since been lifted. Moscow authorities have also closed a street for traffic near the site of the crash in the Moscow City area. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials, who rarely if ever take responsibility for attacks on Russian soil. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported shooting down a Ukrainian drone outside Moscow on Friday. Two more drones struck the Russian capital on Monday, one of them falling in the center of the city near the Defense Ministry’s headquarters along the Moscow River about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the Kremlin. The other drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting several upper floors. In another attack on July 4, the Russian military said four drones were downed by air defenses on the outskirts of Moscow and a fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down.
https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-prompts-temporary-airport-closure/
2023-07-30T09:47:28
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https://www.wfla.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-prompts-temporary-airport-closure/