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Austin Corbin has joined investment banking firm Marriott & Co. as an Analyst. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
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Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci The Richmond, VA law firm of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci is pleased to announce that Anne McDonnell, former Executiv… | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/austin-corbin/article_451db0af-40d2-5f36-b698-eb7d8157d0eb.html | 2023-07-31T06:13:51 | 1 | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/austin-corbin/article_451db0af-40d2-5f36-b698-eb7d8157d0eb.html |
ROME, N.Y. -- As cold and wet as it was outside, it didn't stop people from coming out to the Livi Strong Foundation's Cornhole Bash.
Functioning as a fundraiser for the Livi Strong Foundation, the money earned from this event is being put towards animal care and local youth sports.
Alivia Moylan, the young girl the Livi Strong foundation was made in honor of, was a big fan of cornhole, so out of the foundation's three sport-centered fundraisers, the second official inaugural event is a cornhole bash.
"I know she's up there and she would just be so happy about her dad, her sister and I just carrying her memory alive," Moylan said.
The third sporting event created by the Livi Strong Foundation is a basketball bash.
You can also support the Moylan family from their website at livistrong.com | https://www.wktv.com/news/livi-strong-foundation-inaugural-cornhole-bash/article_839ff762-2e5a-11ee-9011-87b22e37f306.html | 2023-07-31T06:13:56 | 1 | https://www.wktv.com/news/livi-strong-foundation-inaugural-cornhole-bash/article_839ff762-2e5a-11ee-9011-87b22e37f306.html |
Virginia Cardiovascular Specialist, PC (VCS) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Sudeep Kuchibhotla. Dr. Kuchibhotla trained in Interventional Cardiology at Texas Heart Institute. He has extensive training in complex coronary and peripheral vascular interventions. He has additional interest in preventive cardiology and particularly enjoys the aspect of patient and family education on cardiovascular disease prevention, progression and treatment options. Dr. Kuchibhotla will be based out of our Forest Office 7611 Forest Ave, Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23229. You can schedule an appointment by calling 804-288-4827.
Dr. Sudeep Kuchibhotla
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Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci The Richmond, VA law firm of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci is pleased to announce that Anne McDonnell, former Executiv… | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/dr-sudeep-kuchibhotla/article_b03d94fe-a8a4-5581-ab72-e97fa90bae5e.html | 2023-07-31T06:13:57 | 0 | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/dr-sudeep-kuchibhotla/article_b03d94fe-a8a4-5581-ab72-e97fa90bae5e.html |
UTICA, N.Y. -- The shooting happened at 11 p.m. on Deborah Drive at the Park Edge Townhouses.
Police say someone was throwing a large party when several unknown people walked up and opened fire into the crowd there.
They say a 17-year-old girl was shot in the stomach, and a 20-year-old-man was hit in the arm and the hand.
The girl was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. She is in critical but stable condition.
The 20-year-old-man, meantime, was dropped off and walked into the emergency room. He is expected to be OK.
Police have no suspects in custody and are asking anyone who was in the area or may have seen anything to call the Utica Police Department at 315-223-3461. | https://www.wktv.com/news/north-utica-shooting-2-people-shot-police-investigating/article_ddde7b48-2e11-11ee-95f6-9b2c8d9891b0.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:02 | 0 | https://www.wktv.com/news/north-utica-shooting-2-people-shot-police-investigating/article_ddde7b48-2e11-11ee-95f6-9b2c8d9891b0.html |
Grayson Brown has been promoted to Senior Analyst at investment banking firm Marriott & Co. He joined the firm in 2022 and is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
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Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci The Richmond, VA law firm of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci is pleased to announce that Anne McDonnell, former Executiv… | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/grayson-brown/article_3b55da97-7d7a-5d7b-b0bf-22f3c16bd043.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:03 | 1 | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/grayson-brown/article_3b55da97-7d7a-5d7b-b0bf-22f3c16bd043.html |
ROME, N.Y. -- The Rome Honor America Days Parade was set to happen rain or shine...and boy, did it rain.
Luckily, it cleared up a bit at the start.
But even when it did begin to rain, it didn't deter many. If you left early, you were sure to miss plenty of the yet-to-be-shown parade floats coming down the side streets of North James Street.
As we followed the parade route, we came across a group prepared for the weather, and they weren't going to miss the parade for anything.
Among them was Marge Vanslyke, a very proud mother and aunt.
"I've been a fan of this for a very long time," Vanslyke said. "My nephew is the RFA alumni band director, and my daughter and my granddaughter were marching in the Color guard... Today's my daughter's birthday and I said she couldn't have had a better birthday present than to be in the alumni band."
There is an Honor America Days Carnival at Franklyn's Field, but as for the fireworks and the Symphoria Symphony Orchestra POPS Concert that was set to be tonight, it has been postponed until July 30th at 8 p.m. due to the weather. | https://www.wktv.com/news/rainy-start-to-this-years-honor-america-days-parade-in-rome/article_d982f392-2e59-11ee-a114-3b759393ee8e.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:08 | 0 | https://www.wktv.com/news/rainy-start-to-this-years-honor-america-days-parade-in-rome/article_d982f392-2e59-11ee-a114-3b759393ee8e.html |
Dermatology Associates of Virginia congratulates Dr. Laura Pratt on her retirement from practice. Dr. Pratt joined DAV in 2003 and for the past 20 years has provided exceptional medical care to patients at our Colonial Heights and Midlothian offices. She will be missed by our staff and all those she dedicated her career to serving!
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Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci The Richmond, VA law firm of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci is pleased to announce that Anne McDonnell, former Executiv… | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/laura-k-pratt-md/article_da3e7645-87fa-5a40-a1e7-3d9fe0663372.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:09 | 1 | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/laura-k-pratt-md/article_da3e7645-87fa-5a40-a1e7-3d9fe0663372.html |
Utica, N.Y. -- It's clear that lately Utica feels a little less safe.
Whether it's the shooting on Kossuth Ave, a stabbing on Rutger Street, or the most recent act, the shooting on Deborah Drive.
To make matters worse, the area was 72 days strong without reported shots fired according to Save Our Streets Director Roosevelt Patterson.
"I am just as in awe as you are about this whole thing," Patterson said. "We had a 72 maybe even more day with no shots fired, no bullet to body, these last few weeks has just been...traumatic to the city of Utica."
It's somewhat ironic in the sickest sense possible that this all comes after an incredibly positive event built around avoiding violence in the city of Utica... Hoops and Dreams.
"In this park just three weeks ago we had the Hoops and Dreams basketball event," Patterson said. "There were people from all over the community. We had the highest rate in attendance in the 21 years of Hoops and Dreams. So, for an event to go that well, that successful, the last thing we expected was for violence to erupt in the City of Utica."
Patterson said he's had minimal sleep lately doing everything he and the organization Save our Streets can to settle the recent violence streak in Utica.
"What we have been doing is reaching out to the gang members that we know of high-risk gun users that we know of and speaking to them and asking them to please cease the fire," Patterson said. "We know that when it gets hot tensions flare, but there are other alternatives to violence."
Patterson had a message to the parents watching.
"To the mothers who know that your children are out here with these guns, please talk to them and ask them to put the guns down. If there is an issue as to where you can't get through to them for them to put the gun down, you can contact me. I'll take the opportunity to speak with them. Also, I can have the gun removed from your house... no questions asked. It'll save your son's life as well as someone else's life. That's what we want to do here in the City of Utica. We want to save our streets; we want to save the lives of our youths."
To contact Patterson, you can call 315-790-2631. | https://www.wktv.com/news/save-our-streets-director-reacts-to-recent-violence-spike-in-utica/article_4441defe-2e5b-11ee-840b-a3c7c917996e.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:14 | 1 | https://www.wktv.com/news/save-our-streets-director-reacts-to-recent-violence-spike-in-utica/article_4441defe-2e5b-11ee-840b-a3c7c917996e.html |
Matt Improta has been promoted to Managing Director at investment banking firm Marriott & Co. Matt has over 13 years of investment banking experience at the firm. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond.
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Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci The Richmond, VA law firm of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci is pleased to announce that Anne McDonnell, former Executiv… | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/matt-improta/article_5ab8fa25-ccca-57cb-a2b7-2e9e7ec8dfa3.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:15 | 1 | https://richmond.com/business/on-the-move/matt-improta/article_5ab8fa25-ccca-57cb-a2b7-2e9e7ec8dfa3.html |
WHITESBORO, N.Y. -- A man taking pictures of trains in Whitesboro was struck and killed on the tracks near Redfield Avenue Thursday evening.
The Oneida County Sheriff's Office says the man in his late 20s or early 30s did not have any identification. He was wearing a blue shirt and shorts and a light blue baseball cap.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oneida County Sheriff's Office at 315-765-2226.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. | https://www.wktv.com/news/top-stories/updated-man-killed-after-being-struck-by-train-in-whitesboro-name-released/article_d4220ae6-2cec-11ee-ac43-83e1041128a0.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:20 | 1 | https://www.wktv.com/news/top-stories/updated-man-killed-after-being-struck-by-train-in-whitesboro-name-released/article_d4220ae6-2cec-11ee-ac43-83e1041128a0.html |
UTICA, N.Y. -- Seven people are being assisted by the Red Cross and one firefighter was injured in a fire Saturday night on James Street in Utica.
The fire happened around 11 p.m. last night as firefighters arrived to heavy flames coming from the front of the building on the first and second floor.
Firefighters searched the structure for occupants and determined all occupants had safely exited.
Utica fire officials say the one firefighter injured suffered a minor electrical burn to the leg. He was transported to St. Elizabeth's Hospital and has been treated and released.
The seven people who live in the building are receiving assistance from the Red Cross.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. | https://www.wktv.com/news/utica-firefighter-injured-in-james-street-fire/article_5e302e8a-2ed6-11ee-8ac0-934bdcc82d4d.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:26 | 1 | https://www.wktv.com/news/utica-firefighter-injured-in-james-street-fire/article_5e302e8a-2ed6-11ee-8ac0-934bdcc82d4d.html |
After a pretty active day for weather, things are shaping up beautifully to wrap up the weekend this Sunday! All the rain pushed out the heat and humidity for New York State and especially CNY. Clouds make way for sunshine today with highs expected to climb into the upper 60s to lower 70s so if you delayed any outdoor plans yesterday, today will be the perfect day to reschedule!
Partly cloudy tonight with a chance for lake-effect (yes you heard correctly) clouds and light drizzle in northern Oneida County before we continue the day mostly dry with an isolated shower or storm possible in the evening. Beyond Monday though, the middle of the week is looking dry with plenty of sunshine and low humidity which is expected to slowly return by the end of the workweek. | https://www.wktv.com/weather/beautiful-weather-this-sunday/article_deec6120-2ed5-11ee-a42c-fb38350318af.html | 2023-07-31T06:14:32 | 1 | https://www.wktv.com/weather/beautiful-weather-this-sunday/article_deec6120-2ed5-11ee-a42c-fb38350318af.html |
22-month-old girl dies after being trapped under dresser
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said a 22-month-old girl from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, died Sunday after a dresser overturned on her.
The victim was identified by the coroner’s office as Jalaya Bryant.
Anderson County officials said Bryant was at her grandparents’ house in Williamston, South Carolina, when she was discovered by a family member underneath the furniture that fell.
According to Anderson County Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown, it appeared the child was trying to climb the dresser when it fell over and trapped her.
Bryant was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries shortly after noon.
The coroner’s office said Bryant died from asphyxiation and there appears to be no signs of foul play.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ | 2023-07-31T06:14:40 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ |
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese factory activity contracted in July as export orders shrank, a survey showed Monday, adding to pressure on the ruling Communist Party to reverse an economic slowdown.
A purchasing managers’ index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group improved to 49.3 from June’s 49 on a 100-point scale but was below the 50-point level that shows activity contracting.
“China’s manufacturing PMI remained in contraction, albeit a softer pace, as the drag from the external sector deepened,” Erin Xin of HSBC said in a report. That puts “more pressure on Beijing to support growth through both fiscal and monetary measures.”
Chinese leaders are trying to revive economic activity by promising to support entrepreneurs who generate jobs and wealth. But they have yet to give details possible tax cuts or spending and have avoided announcing a large-scale stimulus.
Demand for Chinese exports weakened after U.S. and European interest rates were raised to cool record-breaking inflation. At home, consumers are uneasy about possible job losses and are putting off big purchases. Real estate sales, an economic engine, are weak after the government tightened control on the industry’s use of debt.
An index of export orders weakened to 46.3 from June’s 46.4, well below the 50-point contraction level, according to the statistics bureau and the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing.
Economic growth slid to 0.8% over the previous quarter in the three months ending in June from 2.2% in the January-March period. That is equal to annual growth of 3.2%, which would be among China’s weakest in decades. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-factory-activity-shrinks-in-july-adding-to-pressure-to-reverse-economic-slump/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-07-31T06:14:39 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-factory-activity-shrinks-in-july-adding-to-pressure-to-reverse-economic-slump/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest.
Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years, but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children.
“It’s more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and we’ll mobilize all our means to resist it,” Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul.
Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. It’s neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There’s increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image.
The anti-dog meat campaign recently received a big boost when the country’s first lady expressed her support for a ban and two lawmakers submitted bills to eliminate the dog meat trade.
“Foreigners think South Korea is a cultural powerhouse. But the more K-culture increases its international standing, the bigger shock foreigners experience over our dog meat consumption,” said Han Jeoungae, an opposition lawmaker who submitted legislation to outlaw the dog meat industry last month.
Prospects for passage of an anti-dog meat law are unclear because of protests by farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry. Surveys suggest that one in three South Koreans opposes such a ban, though most people don’t eat dog meat anymore.
Dogs are also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea and some African countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria.
Earlier this month, Indonesian authorities announced the end of dog and cat slaughter at an animal market on the island of Sulawesi following a yearslong campaign by local activists and world celebrities. The Tomohon Extreme Market will become the first such market in Indonesia to go dog and cat meat-free, according to the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International.
South Korea’s dog meat industry receives more international attention because of its reputation as a wealthy, ultra-modern democracy. It is also the only nation with industrial-scale farms. Most farms in South Korea have more than 500 dogs, according to a dog farmers’ association.
During a recent visit, Kim’s farm, one of the country’s largest with 7,000 dogs, appeared relatively clean but there was a strong stench in some areas. All dogs are kept in elevated cages and are fed with food waste and ground chicken. They are rarely released for exercise and typically are sold for meat one year after they are born.
Kim said two of his children, age 29 and 31, are running the farm with him, and that business has been going pretty well. He said the dogs bred for their meat are different from pets, an idea opposed by activists.
It’s difficult now to find dog meat restaurants in Seoul’s bustling downtown, though many still exit in the countryside.
“I only earn one-third of the money I used to make. Young people don’t come here. Only ailing old people come for lunch,” said Yoon Chu-wol, 77, the owner of a dog meat restaurant in Seoul’s Kyungdong traditional market. “I tell my elderly customers to come and eat my food more frequently before it’s banned.”
Farmers also face growing scrutiny from officials and increasingly negative public opinion. They complain that officials visit them repeatedly in response to complaints filed by activists and citizens over alleged animal abuse and other wrongdoing. Kim said more than 90 such petitions were filed against his farm during a recent four-month span.
Son Won Hak, general secretary of the dog farmers’ association, said many farms have collapsed in recent years because of falling dog meat prices and weaker demand. He thinks that’s a result of activist campaigns and unfair media reports focusing on farms with inferior conditions. Some observers, however, say consumption of dog meat was already declining, with younger people staying away from it.
“Quite honestly, I’d like to quit my job tomorrow. We can’t confidently tell our children that we’re raising dogs,” Son said. “When my friends called me, they said ‘Hey, are you still running a dog meat farm? Isn’t it illegal?’”
The number of farms across South Korea has dropped by half from a few years ago to about 3,000 to 4,000, and about 700,000 to 1 million dogs are slaughtered each year, a decline from several million 10 to 20 years ago, according to the dog farmers’ association. Some activists argue that the farmers’ estimates are an exaggeration meant to show their industry is too big to destroy.
In late 2021, South Korea launched a government-civilian task force to consider outlawing dog meat at the suggestion of then-President Moon Jae-in, a pet lover. The committee, whose members include farmers and animal rights activists, has met more than 20 times but hasn’t reached any agreement, apparently because of disputes over compensation issues.
Agriculture officials refused to disclose the discussions in the closed-door meetings. They said the government wants to end dog meat consumption based on a public consensus.
In April, first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of current President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in a meeting with activists that she hopes for an end to dog meat consumption. Famers responded with rallies and formal complaints against Kim for allegedly hurting their livelihoods.
Han, the lawmaker, said she “highly positively appraises” influential figures speaking out against dog meat consumption.
Han said her bill offers support programs for farmers who agree to close their farms. They would be entitled to money to dismantle their facilities, vocational training, employment assistance and other benefits, she said.
Ju Yeongbong, an official of the farmers’ association, said farmers want to continue for about 20 more years until older people, their main customers, die, allowing the industry to naturally disappear. Observers say most farmers are also in their 60s to 70s.
Borami Seo, a director of the South Korea office of the Humane Society International, said she opposes the continued killing of millions of dogs for such a prolonged period. “Letting this silent cruelty to (dogs) be committed in South Korea doesn’t make sense,” Seo said.
“(Dog meat consumption) is too anachronistic, has elements of cruelty to animals and hinders our national growth,” said Cheon JinKyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/south-korean-dog-meat-farmers-push-back-against-growing-moves-to-outlaw-their-industry/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-07-31T06:14:46 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/south-korean-dog-meat-farmers-push-back-against-growing-moves-to-outlaw-their-industry/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
BANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Monday after Wall Street got back to climbing following more encouraging profit reports and the latest signal that inflation is loosening its chokehold on the economy.
Sentiment also has been boosted by revived hopes for more stimulus from Beijing for the sluggish Chinese economy. Chinese factory activity contracted in July as export orders shrank, a survey showed, adding to pressure on the ruling Communist Party to reverse an economic slowdown.
A purchasing managers’ index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group improved to 49.3 from June’s 49 on a 100-point scale but was below the 50-point level that shows activity contracting.
“The PMI surveys suggest that China’s economic recovery continued to lose momentum in July,” Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a commentary. “Looking forward, policy support is needed to prevent China’s economy from slipping into a recession, not least because external headwinds look set to persist for a while longer.”
The Hang Seng in Hong Kong rose 1.5% to 20,208.78 while the Shanghai Composite index advanced 0.6% to 3,296.58.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index was up 1.1% at 33,133.39. In Seoul, the Kospi climbed 0.7% to 2,626.86.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% lower, to 7,399.00 and the SET in Bangkok was up 0.6%. The Sensex in India was little changed.
On Friday, the S&P 500 rose 1% to 4,582.23, closing out its ninth winning week in the last 11. The Dow added 0.5% to 35,459.29 and the Nasdaq climbed 1.9% to 14,316.66 as Big Tech stocks led the market.
Stocks have been rising recently on hopes high inflation is cooling enough to get the Federal Reserve to stop hiking interest rates. That in turn could allow the economy to continue growing and avoid a long-predicted recession.
A report on Friday bolstered those hopes, saying the inflation measure the Fed prefers to use slowed last month by a touch more than expected. Perhaps just as importantly, data also showed that total compensation for workers rose less than expected during the spring. While that’s discouraging for workers looking for bigger raises, investors see it adding less upward pressure on inflation.
The hope among traders is that the slowdown in inflation means Wednesday’s hike to interest rates on by the Federal Reserve will be the final one of this cycle. The federal funds rate has leaped to a level between 5.25% and 5.50%, up from virtually zero early last year. High interest rates work to lower inflation by slowing the entire economy and hurting prices for stocks and other investments.
Though critics say the stock market’s rally may have gone too far, too fast, hopes for a halt to rate hikes helped technology stocks and others seen as big beneficiaries from easier rates to rally and lead the market Friday.
Microsoft, Apple and Amazon each rose at least 1.4% and were the three strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500.
Companies also continued to deliver stronger profits for the spring than analysts expected. Roughly halfway through the earnings season, more companies than usual are topping profit forecasts, according to FactSet.
Intel rose 6.6% after reporting a profit for the latest quarter, when analysts were expecting a loss.
Food giant Mondelez International climbed 3.7% after reporting stronger results for the spring than expected. The company behind Oreo and Ritz also raised its forecasts for financial results for the full year.
In other trading on Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil gave up 42 cents to $80.16 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It gained 49 cents to $80.58 on Friday.
Brent crude, the international standard, shed 47 cents to $83.94 a barrel.
The U.S. dollar rose to 141.87 Japanese yen from Friday’s 141.01 yen. The euro slipped to $1.1012 from $1.1019. ___
AP Business Writer Joe McDonald in Beijing contributed. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/stock-market-today-asia-shares-gain-after-wall-st-rally-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-china-stimulus/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-07-31T06:14:48 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/stock-market-today-asia-shares-gain-after-wall-st-rally-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-china-stimulus/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (AP) — Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell faces up to life in prison without parole Monday as she is sentenced in the murders of her two youngest children and a romantic rival in a case that included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a goddess sent to usher in the Biblical apocalypse.
Vallow Daybell was found guilty in May of killing her two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husband’s previous wife.
The husband, Chad Daybell, is awaiting trial on the same murder charges. Vallow Daybell also faces two other cases in Arizona — one on a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and one of conspiring to kill her niece’s ex-husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed in 2019, but her niece’s ex survived an attempt later that year.
Monday’s sentencing will take place at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho. Judge Steven W. Boyce is expected to hear testimony from several representatives of the victims, including Vallow Daybell’s only surviving son, Colby Ryan.
The case began in July 2019, when Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police he acted in self defense. He was never charged in the case and died later that year of what authorities determined were natural causes.
Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, a self-published author who wrote doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings. She moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him.
The children were last seen alive in September 2019. Police discovered they were missing a month later after an extended family member became worried. Their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell’s yard the following summer.
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married in November 2019, about two weeks after Daybell’s previous wife, Tammy, was killed. Tammy Daybell initially was described as having died of natural causes, but an autopsy later showed she had been asphyxiated, authorities said.
Defense attorney Jim Archibald argued during the trial that there was no evidence tying Vallow Daybell to the killings, but plenty showing she was a loving, protective mother whose life took a sharp turn when she met Chad Daybell and fell for his “weird” apocalyptic religious claims. He suggested that Daybell and Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, were responsible for the deaths.
Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a “sexual goddess” who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return, Archibald said.
Vallow Daybell’s former friend Melanie Gibb testified during the trial that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into “zombies,” including JJ and Tylee. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/idaho-mom-lori-vallow-daybell-faces-sentencing-in-deaths-of-2-children-and-her-romantic-rival/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-07-31T06:14:48 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/idaho-mom-lori-vallow-daybell-faces-sentencing-in-deaths-of-2-children-and-her-romantic-rival/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus on Friday jointly appealed for information that could lead to the buried remains of people who vanished amid violence and war decades ago, a task with increasing urgency as eyewitnesses die.
Cyprus’ Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar, the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots, made the appeal in a symbolic move aiming to show that the purely humanitarian issue should stay above the complex and often bitter politics of the nearly half-century ethnic split.
It also sought to inject some fresh urgency into efforts to resume deadlocked peace talks. A deal has eluded Cypriot leaders since a 1974 coup aiming at union with Greece triggered a Turkish invasion that entrenched that division.
Both Christodoulides and Tatar toured the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) that has, since 2006, been tasked with locating, unearthing and identifying the remains of individuals who vanished during clashes in the early 1960s and the 1974 invasion.
“This is a humanitarian issue, therefore this is something which is outside politics,” Tatar told reporters. “What ever we can do to improve, as I saw the discovery of missing persons is something that we owe to the families.”
Christodoulides echoed a shared commitment to collect more information, but added that progress on this issue would also send a “clear political message” about building trust between the two sides that haven’t engaged in direct talks in six years.
Information is now at a premium, said Paul-Henri Arni, the U.N. appointed member of the tripartite committee that also includes a Greek and Turkish Cypriot representative.
Arni told The Associated Press that the CMP has found, identified and returned to relatives the remains of 51.5% of all missing persons.
But having the leaders nudge anyone with information to step forward is essential to resolving the most difficult remaining cases, in which individuals were killed at one spot and buried elsewhere without witnesses.
According to CMP figures, of 1,510 Greek Cypriots and 492 Turkish Cypriots who are missing, 769 and 200 respectively have not been found.
“The issue is access to new information at the moment where witnesses are passing away,” Arni said. “And so we’ve discussed with the leaders ways they could help us through the own networks, also with specific former combatants.”
Work is slow as the chances of finding remains at excavated sites currently stands at 10% -- far below the 50% when the CMP began work in earnest in 2006.
Arni said another key source of information are archived witness accounts which have been digitized for easer access, as well as sifting through 900,000 pages of U.N., U.K. and International Committee of the Red Cross archives which produced 3,740 documents of actionable data.
Christodoulides told reporters following the visit to the CMP premises that access to Turkey military archives is still restricted.
Some 80% of the CMP’s 3.2 million euro ($3.5 million) annual budget is funded by the EU and Arni said additional funding would enable the committee to augment is current number of seven excavation teams to speed up work on 65 new sites.
Christodoulides said it would be a “shame” for more information becoming available but without additional teams to act on them, adding that he would formally ask the EU for more funding.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/ap-top-news/2023/07/28/divided-cyprus-rival-leaders-appeal-for-information-on-the-missing-as-eyewitnesses-die | 2023-07-31T06:14:49 | 1 | https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/ap-top-news/2023/07/28/divided-cyprus-rival-leaders-appeal-for-information-on-the-missing-as-eyewitnesses-die |
MIAMI (AP) — An employee of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Carlos De Oliveira, is expected to make his first court appearance Monday on charges accusing him of scheming with the former president to hide security footage from investigators probing Trump’s hoarding of classified documents.
De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago’s property manager, was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the former president’s valet, Walt Nauta, in the federal case alleging a plot to illegally keep top-secret records at Trump’s Florida estate and thwart government efforts to retrieve them.
De Oliveira faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators. He’s scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge in Miami nearly two months after Trump pleaded not guilty in the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
The developments in the classified documents case come as Trump braces for possible charges in another federal investigation into his efforts to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump has received a letter from Smith indicating that he is a target of that investigation, and Trump’s lawyers met with Smith’s team last week.
An attorney for De Oliveira declined last week to comment on the allegations. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform last week that he was told the tapes were not “deleted in any way, shape or form.”
Prosecutors have not alleged that security footage was actually deleted or kept from investigators.
Nauta has also pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta to begin in May, and it’s unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira to the case may impact the case’s timeline.
The latest indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Trump tried to have security footage deleted after investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents Trump took with him after he left the White House.
Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts — including willful retention of notional defense information — stemming from allegations that he mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. Experts have said the new allegations bolster the special counsel’s case and deepen the former president’s legal jeopardy.
Video from Mar-a-Lago would ultimately become vital to the government’s case because, prosecutors said, it shows Nauta moving boxes in and out of a storage room — an act alleged to have been done at Trump’s direction and in effort to hide records not only only from investigators but Trump’s own lawyers.
Days after the Justice Department sent a subpoena for video footage at Mar-a-Lago to the Trump Organization in June 2022, prosecutors say De Oliveira asked a information technology staffer how long the server retained footage and told the employee “the boss” wanted it deleted. When the employee said he didn’t believe he was able to do that, De Oliveira insisted the “boss” wanted it done, asking, “What are we going to do?”
Shortly after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago and found classified records in the storage room and Trump’s office, prosecutors say Nauta called a Trump employee and said words to the effect of, “someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good.” The indictment says the employee responded that De Oliveira was loyal and wouldn’t do anything to affect his relationship with Trump. That same day, the indictment alleges, Trump called De Oliveira directly to say that he would get De Oliveira an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira later lied in interviews with investigators, falsely claiming that he hadn’t even seen boxes moved into Mar-a-Lago after Trump left the White House.
____
Richer reported from Boston. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-in-trumps-classified-documents-case-to-make-first-court-appearance/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-07-31T06:14:51 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-in-trumps-classified-documents-case-to-make-first-court-appearance/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia prosecutor is expected to seek a grand jury indictment in the coming weeks in her investigation into efforts by Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the former president’s 2020 election loss.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis began investigating more than two years ago, shortly after a recording was released of a January 2021 phone call Trump made to Georgia’s secretary of state.
Willis has strongly hinted that any indictment would come between July 31 and August 18. One of two grand juries seated July 11 is expected to hear the case.
If Trump is indicted by a Georgia grand jury, it would add to a growing list of legal troubles as he campaigns for president. Trump is set to go to trial in New York in March to face state charges related to hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. And he has another trial scheduled for May on federal charges related to his handling of classified documents. He has pleaded not guilty in those cases.
The Justice Department is also investigating Trump’s role in trying to halt the certification of 2020 election results in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Trump said he’s been told he’s a target of that investigation, which likely has some overlap with the one in Georgia.
Details of the Georgia investigation that have become public have fed speculation that Willis is building a case under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which would allow her to charge numerous people in a potentially wide-ranging scheme.
Here are six investigative threads Willis and her team have explored:
THE PHONE CALLS
The Georgia investigation was prompted by the Jan. 2, 2021 phone call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Trump suggested the state’s top elections official could help “find” the votes needed to put him ahead of Democrat Joe Biden in the state.
“All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have,” Trump is heard saying on a recording of the call, which was leaked to news outlets. “Because we won the state.”
Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong and has repeatedly said the call was “perfect.”
Trump also called other top state officials in his quest to overturn his 2020 election loss, including Gov. Brian Kemp, then-House Speaker David Ralston, Attorney General Chris Carr and the top investigator in the secretary of state’s office.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, also called Raffensperger shortly after the November election. Raffensperger said at the time that Graham asked whether he had the power to reject certain absentee ballots, which Raffensperger has said he interpreted as a suggestion to toss out legally cast votes.
Graham has denied wrongdoing, saying he just wanted to learn about the signature verification process.
FAKE ELECTORS
Biden won Georgia by a margin of fewer than 12,000 votes. Just over a month after the election, on Dec. 14, 2020, a group 16 Georgia Democratic electors met in the Senate chamber at the state Capitol to cast the state’s Electoral College votes for him. They each marked paper ballots that were counted and confirmed by a voice roll call.
That same day, in a committee meeting room at the Capitol, 16 prominent Georgia Republicans — a lawmaker, activists and party officials — met to sign a certificate falsely stating that Trump had won and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors. They sent that certificate to the National Archives and the U.S. Senate.
Georgia was one of seven battleground states that Trump lost where Republican fake electors signed and submitted similar certificates. Trump allies in the U.S. House and Senate used those certificates to argue for delaying or blocking the certification of the election during a joint session of Congress.
Prosecutors in Fulton County have said in court filings that they believe Trump associates worked with state Republicans to coordinate and execute the plan.
The multi-state effort was ultimately unsuccessful. Despite public pressure from Trump and his supporters, then-Vice President Mike Pence refused on Jan. 6, 2021, to introduce the unofficial pro-Trump electors. After the attack on the U.S. Capitol put a violent halt to the certification process, lawmakers certified Biden’s win in the early hours of Jan. 7, 2021.
At least eight of the fake electors have since reached immunity deals with Willis’ team. And a judge last summer barred Willis from prosecuting another one, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, because of a conflict of interest.
FALSE CLAIMS OF ELECTION FRAUD
Republican state lawmakers held several hearings at the Georgia Capitol in December 2020 to examine alleged problems with the November election. During those meetings, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and other Trump allies made unproven claims of widespread election fraud.
They alleged that election workers tallying absentee ballots at State Farm Arena in Atlanta had told outside observers to leave and then pulled out “suitcases” of unlawful ballots and began scanning them. The Trump allies played clips of surveillance video from the arena to support their allegations. State and federal officials investigated and said there was no evidence of election fraud at the site.
Some Trump allies also said thousands of people who were ineligible — including people convicted of felonies, people under the age of 18, people who had voted in another state — had cast votes in Georgia. The secretary of state’s office has debunked those claims.
ALLEGED ATTEMPTS TO PRESSURE ELECTION WORKER
Two of the election workers seen in the State Farm Arena surveillance video, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, said they faced relentless harassment online and in person as a result of the allegations made by Trump and his allies.
Giuliani last week conceded that statements he made about the two election workers were false.
In a bizarre episode detailed by prosecutors in court filings, a woman traveled from Chicago to Georgia and met with Freeman on Jan. 4, 2021. The woman initially said she wanted to help Freeman but then warned that Freeman could go to prison and tried to pressure her into falsely confessing to committing election fraud, prosecutors wrote in court filings last year.
ELECTION EQUIPMENT ACCESSED
Trump-allied lawyer Sidney Powell and others hired a computer forensics team to copy data and software on election equipment in Coffee County, some 200 miles southeast of Atlanta, according to invoices, emails, security video and deposition testimony produced in response to subpoenas in a long-running lawsuit.
The county Republican Party chair at the time — who also served as a fake elector — greeted them when they arrived at the local elections office on Jan. 7, 2021, and some county elections officials were also on hand during the daylong visit. The secretary of state’s office has said this amounted to “alleged unauthorized access” of election equipment and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into it at the secretary of state’s request.
Two other men who have been active in efforts to question the 2020 election results also visited Coffee County later that month and spent hours inside.
U.S. ATTORNEY RESIGNATION
U.S. Attorney BJay Pak, the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta, abruptly resigned two days after Trump called Raffensperger and a day after a recording of that call was made public. During that conversation, Trump called Pak a “never-Trumper,” implying that he didn’t support the president.
In December 2020, then-U.S. Attorney General William Barr asked Pak to investigate allegations by Giuliani and other Trump allies of widespread election fraud. Pak, who had been appointed by Trump in 2017, reported back that he had found no evidence of such fraud.
In August 2021, Pak told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which was investigating Trump’s post-election actions, that he resigned on Jan. 4, 2021, after learning from Department of Justice officials that Trump did not believe enough was being done to investigate allegations of election fraud and wanted him gone as U.S. attorney. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-in-georgia-heres-a-look-at-that-investigation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-07-31T06:15:00 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-in-georgia-heres-a-look-at-that-investigation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
Hunter Biden’s partner testifies: Congress must not skip one crucial question
James Comer’s committee needs to find out whether there really is a Biden corruption investigation
As we approach Monday’s much-anticipated closed-door congressional testimony of Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s longtime friend and business partner, here’s my theme for the week: obstruction of injustice.
In a normal universe, we would be considering questions members of the House Oversight Committee ought to be asking Archer about Biden family corruption. For example, what was the extent of President Biden’s participation in the business of cashing in on his political influence?
The president’s ne’er-do-well son Hunter appears to have steered that business, with copious assistance from Archer and such other confederates as the president’s brother Jim Biden, and business partners James Bulger, Rob Walker, James Gilliar and Eric Scherwin, among others.
Why do business with agents of corrupt and anti-American governments?
If the business was legitimate, why does it appear that these foreign regimes, so anxious to pay the Bidens, do not appear to have gotten comparable value in exchange… unless you count access to Joe Biden (both while he was vice president and as he was planning his 2020 presidential run)?
If the business was legitimate, why not have straight payments – money directly exchanged for goods and services? Why, instead, did the Biden business structure payments in the manner of money launderers: parsing multimillion-dollar foreign transfers into smaller slices – the better to draw less attention – which were routed through a labyrinth of transfer channels, bank accounts and business entities that appear to have existed almost exclusively to collect money rather than produce value?
Why set up 20 limited liability companies? Why payments to no fewer than nine Biden family members – including grandchildren and others who can have had nothing to do with the relevant business transactions?
That is all straightforward enough, or at least it would be if this were a normal corruption investigation.
But there’s nothing normal about it. That’s because, as we saw in connection with Hunter Biden’s Delaware debacle last week – the collapse of his sweetheart plea deal – the Biden Justice Department is not really investigating the Bidens. It is protecting the Bidens – particularly the president.
Indeed, the first question to ask Devon Archer is: Why are you here?
If there were a real criminal investigation, the Justice Department would not be allowing Archer to testify in a congressional hearing.
In a normal situation, federal prosecutors tightly control access to essential witnesses until they can testify in court. They fight against any grandstanding attempts by Congress to question their witnesses until the criminal investigation and prosecution are complete.
In a free-wheeling congressional hearing, witnesses are insufficiently prepared for the questioning. (By contrast, prosecutors prep witnesses for days on end, walking them through the evidence to ensure the accuracy of eventual trial testimony.)
In a House committee hearing, members rush through five-minute interrogation rounds, asking loaded questions or badgering and interrupting the witness. There is no presiding judge, as there is in criminal trials, to sustain objections to the politicians’ poorly formed, error-ridden, and argumentative questions. This leads to errors, half-baked explanations and misimpressions that are not – or at least not primarily – the witness’ fault.
IRS WHISTLEBLOWERS REVEAL WHO'S REALLY TO BLAME FOR SHOCKING BIDEN CORRUPTION
Yet, they would become the witness’ problem, and the prosecution’s. Testimony at congressional hearings can later be used to cross-examine the witness at criminal trials. The witness may have been trying to be truthful, accurate and complete. But committee testimony comes out garbled in spots, enabling skilled defense lawyers to paint the witness as a liar – or, at least, as an unreliable source whose version of events at trial is at odds with what he said in Congress.
It's an unusual problem. Most of the time, members of Congress respect the criminal process. They do not want to be seen as obstructing it. Just as prosecutors typically object that premature congressional testimony would compromise the government’s active criminal investigations, congressional committee members usually fret about being accused of undermining a potential prosecution. Congress thus customarily defers to DOJ and refrains from forcing the witnesses to testify until their cooperation with prosecutors is complete.
In the Biden case, however, we have immense reason to believe there is no real investigation. Last week’s Hunter Biden plea hearing blew up because the Biden Justice Department tried to sew up the case on pleas to two trivial misdemeanors. Before that, whistleblower IRS agents testified that they had been forbidden from asking questions that could implicate President Biden in Hunter’s lucrative overseas business dealings.
The Justice Department says it is investigating, but its every action – beginning with Attorney General Merrick Garland’s long-standing refusal to appoint a special counsel from outside the Biden DOJ – shows that it is actually protecting the president.
If there were a real, aggressive DOJ investigation, Devon Archer would not be testifying before Congress. But here, the Biden DOJ does not appear to be fighting his appearance. Prosecutors seem unconcerned about hurting "the ongoing Biden investigation." That’s undoubtedly because the ongoing investigation exists in name only. It is just a pretext allowing Garland to stonewall congressional demands for information.
So what should the committee ask Archer, besides, "Why are you here?" Members should get to the bottom of what the Justice Department, the FBI and the IRS have been asking Archer: How hard have you been pressed on President Biden’s role in the business?"
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Have you been given subpoenas asking specifically about President Biden?
Were you asked about the meeting you had with then-Vice President Biden just before you and Hunter were appointed to the board of Burisma and paid millions of dollars?
Have you been asked about the Georgetown dinner in 2015, when you and Hunter arranged for several of your business partners, including Burisma’s CFO, to meet the then-vice president – right around the time Burisma’s founder told an FBI informant he bribed Vice President Biden, and before Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in U.S. funding from Ukraine unless it fired the prosecutor who happened to be investigating Burisma?
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If Republicans ask such questions, committee Democrats and Biden Justice Department officials will accuse them of obstructing the Biden investigation.
But in this highly suspicious situation, Chairman James Comer’s committee needs to find out whether there really is a Biden corruption investigation. They need to obstruct injustice – i.e., the failure of the Biden DOJ to pursue justice in the Hunter Biden case and the broader Biden corruption scandal. | https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/hunter-biden-partner-testifies-congress-must-not-skip-one-crucial-question | 2023-07-31T06:16:14 | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/hunter-biden-partner-testifies-congress-must-not-skip-one-crucial-question |
Expert warns of courtroom chaos as new tech could unleash bogus info
Law firm was hit with a $5,000 penalty when its AI-generated legal briefs included bogus cases
Hallucinating artificial intelligence can tank a court case by creating fake case citations that leave the lawyers open to sanctions or the proceeding itself vulnerable to being overturned, a former litigator said.
Last month, a judge handed down a $5,000 penalty on a law firm representing Colombian airline Avianca Inc., which used ChatGPT to write its legal brief, but the AI included fabricated judicial decisions.
A similar case happened in South Africa, and the judge and magistrate overseeing the cases ripped the law firms in their decisions.
"There is potential harm to the reputation of judges and courts whose names are falsely invoked as authors of the bogus opinions and to the reputation of a party attributed with fictional conduct," the judge presiding over the Avianca case wrote. "It promotes cynicism about the legal profession and the American judicial system."
Jacqueline Schafer, CEO and founder of Clearbrief, an AI-powered platform that essentially fact-checks legal briefs, said this issue will continue to happen because of the time pressure that lawyers face.
"There's a big temptation to use things that can just write it for you," Schafer told Fox News Digital during a Zoom interview.
NY POLICE USED AI TO TRACK DRIVER ON HIGHWAYS AS ATTORNEY QUESTIONS LEGALITY
"We're likely to see these stories continue to pop up. That's why it's critical for law firms to thoroughly review all of their pleadings before filing, even if they think they have banned ChatGPT in their firm."
Schafer, who began her career as a litigator in New York before becoming an assistant attorney general for the states of Alaska and Washington, created Clearbrief in 2020 to catch mistakes or bogus cases in AI-written briefs.
WATCH: SCAFER EXPLAINS HOW CLEARBRIEF WORKS
"The challenge we have with generative AI like ChatGPT that creates instant written work is that it will do things like completely make up fake case citations and invent facts," she said.
"A user can, for example, ask AI to write them a legal analysis of Arizona law, and ChatGPT will write something that seems elegantly written, and it may even include citations that look totally real."
FOX NEWS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE: CRUZ SHOOTS DOWN SCHUMER EFFORT TO REGULATE AI: ‘MORE HARM THAN GOOD’
It can trick even the most experienced lawyers if they don't "take the time to painstakingly check over every case and statute and look it up manually," Schafer said.
In the South African ruling, the presiding magistrate essentially said the same thing in his ruling: "When it comes to legal research, the efficiency of modern technology still needs to be infused with a dose of good old-fashioned independent reading."
Issues arise when legal professionals secretly use AI-powered programs like ChatGPT, Schafer said.
"Ironically, we need AI to help us detect the AI hallucinations," according to Schafer, who said that's the genesis behind Clearbrief.
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"I meet with major law firms every day who are dealing with two problems," she said. "They are terrified of using generative AI that writes the whole document for you if it introduces embarrassing errors that will get the firm sanctioned.
"But they also are facing pressure from their clients to use AI technology to be more efficient and cut down their bills. So the legal industry is doing a lot of work right now to identify tech that can solve both problems." | https://www.foxnews.com/us/expert-warns-courtroom-chaos-new-tech-could-unleash-bogus-info | 2023-07-31T06:16:20 | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/expert-warns-courtroom-chaos-new-tech-could-unleash-bogus-info |
Washington girl, 8, attacked by cougar during family camping trip at Olympic National Park
The girl was treated for minor injuries and transported to a hospital for further evaluation
An eight-year-old girl was camping with her family at Olympic National Park in Port Angeles, Washington, over the weekend when she was attacked by a cougar, officials said.
The National Park Service said the attack happened at Lake Angeles about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The cougar fled the area after the girl's mother screamed at it, FOX Seattle reported.
Park staff quickly responded to the area and treated the girl for minor injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, the service said. The area was also temporarily closed to the public.
"Due to the extreme nature of this incident, we are closing the Lake Angeles area and several trails in the vicinity," Olympic National Park Wildlife Biologist Tom Kay said in the release. "Out of an abundance of caution, the Lake Angeles Trail, Heather Park Trail, Switchback Trail, and the entire Klahhane Ridge Trail are closed until further notice."
26-YEAR-OLD WASHINGTON MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO MURDER IN CONNECTION WITH ROAD-RAGE SHOOTING
Park law enforcement and wildlife personnel specializing in cougar tracking were sent to the area the cougar was last seen in search of the animal, FOX 13 reported.
If found, the cougar will be euthanized and removed from the park for a necropsy. Officials said this may provide clues for why the attack occurred since cougars are rarely seen and attacks against humans are rare.
SEATTLE WOMAN OCCUPIES TREE SCHEDULED TO BE CUT DOWN FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS
According to the National Park Service, Olympic National Park has extensive protocols in place for wildlife observations, interactions and attacks, including the lethal removal of the cougar.
Olympic National Park is considered cougar territory and visitors are urged not to hike or jog alone. Officials also recommend keeping children within sight and for guests to leave pets at home.
Should a guest encounter a cougar, officials say not to run because it could trigger the animal's attack instinct. Instead, people should group together, appear as large as possible, keep eyes on the animal, make lots of noise and shout loudly. | https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-girl-attacked-cougar-during-family-camping-trip-olympic-national-park | 2023-07-31T06:16:26 | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-girl-attacked-cougar-during-family-camping-trip-olympic-national-park |
ROCHESTER, Minn.-The last day of this year's Olmsted County Fair featured a miniature horse and pony show. This is the first year that True North Miniature Horse Club has held a show at this fair. More than 30 miniature horses and ponies were part of this show. One of the big parts of the show involved judging miniature horses and ponies based on things like walking abilities as well as their looks. The top finishers received ribbons. Ronald Henry, the club's vice president, said that miniature horses appeal to a wide range of people.
“There’s individuals eighties-nine-I know an individual, ninety-years-old, from Oklahoma that shows every year at the Iowa State Fair, so no matter what age you are, you can do it. I have a granddaughter that’s gonna be showing today and she’s only three-years-old, so it’s good for all people and it’s a fun thing," Henry said.
Another big part of the show involved judging how well little kids could ride the miniature horses and ponies. The club will have another show like this one in Lake Elmo on August 6th. | https://www.kimt.com/news/miniature-horse-and-pony-show/article_717ada78-2f5b-11ee-8986-97c095ddd1af.html | 2023-07-31T06:16:49 | 0 | https://www.kimt.com/news/miniature-horse-and-pony-show/article_717ada78-2f5b-11ee-8986-97c095ddd1af.html |
22-month-old girl dies after being trapped under dresser
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said a 22-month-old girl from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, died Sunday after a dresser overturned on her.
The victim was identified by the coroner’s office as Jalaya Bryant.
Anderson County officials said Bryant was at her grandparents’ house in Williamston, South Carolina, when she was discovered by a family member underneath the furniture that fell.
According to Anderson County Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown, it appeared the child was trying to climb the dresser when it fell over and trapped her.
Bryant was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries shortly after noon.
The coroner’s office said Bryant died from asphyxiation and there appears to be no signs of foul play.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ | 2023-07-31T06:16:49 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ |
ROCHESTER, Minn.-The Olmsted County Fair was a positive experience for multiple food vendors, like Jersey Jo's, this year. Jessica Phillips, one of the owners of Jersey Jo's, said that the high temps, though, reduced the number of people that decided to go up to their trailer and purchase their hot food. Business picked up, though, later in the day when things got cooler. Their cheesesteaks were one of their most sought-after food items at this year's fair. She said she likes it when things get hectic.
“As a food business, you want it to be busy because that’s how you make your money, and this year we did breakfast, so we were here from six to nine every morning, so you add in six to nine and then going straight in to lunch until midnight every night, it’s busy, but we make it happen. We’re used to the busyness," Phillips said.
Jersey Jo's will also be at this year's Steele County Free Fair. | https://www.kimt.com/news/vendors-reflect-on-their-experience-at-the-olmsted-county-fair/article_62d9c19a-2f5c-11ee-9058-b3522529cdc5.html | 2023-07-31T06:16:55 | 0 | https://www.kimt.com/news/vendors-reflect-on-their-experience-at-the-olmsted-county-fair/article_62d9c19a-2f5c-11ee-9058-b3522529cdc5.html |
HONG KONG, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Akeso Inc. ("Akeso", the "Company"; 9926.HK), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing first-in-class and best-in-class innovative medicines globally, today announced that it is expected that the Company will record a profit of not less than RMB2.3 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2023. This is the first time for the Company to achieve half-year profits.
The turnaround from loss to profit during the Reporting Period was mainly attributable to:
- In respect of Ivonescimab (AK112, PD-1/VEGF) independently developed by the Company, the Company has entered into the collaborative and licensing agreement with Summit Therapeutics (details of which are set out in the announcement of the Company dated December 6, 2022). The Company has received the total upfront payment equivalent to US$500 million in full during the first quarter of 2023 (details of which are set out in the announcements of the Company dated January 26, 2023 and March 6, 2023). Part of such upfront payment was recognized as licensing fee income which significantly contributed to the revenue of the Company for the Reporting Period, and amounted to approximately RMB2.9 billion. The revenue recognition of the remaining portion of the upfront payment will be recognized as revenue in batches going forward.
- In respect of the Company's innovative product 开坦尼® (cadonilimab, PD-1/CTLA-4), since its launch in June 2022, it has recorded significant increase of the patients as well as product sales, which reflects the excellent clinical value of cadonilimab. In addition, 安尼可®(penpulimab, PD-1) also continued to contribute to the growth in the Company's product sales revenue during the Reporting Period.
- The Company has continued to optimise its cost management capabilities in a scientific and efficient way and has achieved better results in cost control while accelerating innovative products development and pipelines advancement.
About Akeso
Akeso (HKEX: 09926) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative medicines with high unmet medical needs worldwide. Founded in 2012, the Company has established a comprehensive in-house drug development platform (ACE Platform) and know-how, including R&D, clinical development, CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls), and commercialization capabilities.
With fully integrated multi-functional platform, Akeso is internally working on a robust pipeline of over 30 innovative assets in the fields of cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disease, and other major therapeutic areas. 19 assets have entered clinical stage. Leveraging in-house developed bispecific platform technology ("Tetrabody technology"), the Company has advanced four potential first-in-class bispecific antibody drugs into market or clinical development, including cadonilimab (PD-1/CTLA-4), ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF), PD-1/LAG-3, TIGIT/TGF-Beta bispecific antibodies. In June 2022, cadonilimab was approved by the NMPA and became the first commercialized PD-1 based bispecific drug globally. Another Akeso internally discovered and developed oncology product, penpulimab (a PD-1 antibody), was granted marketing approval in China in August 2021. In December 2022, the Company out-licensed breakthrough bispecific antibody, ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF bi-specific antibody, AK112), with up to US$5 Billion total potential deal value to Summit Therapeutics for development and commercialization in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan.
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SOURCE Akeso, Inc. | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/akeso-inc-published-2023-interim-results-positive-profit-alert/ | 2023-07-31T06:16:56 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/akeso-inc-published-2023-interim-results-positive-profit-alert/ |
SEOUL, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- J INTS BIO announced the successful dosing of the first patient in its global multi-center Phase 1/2 clinical study of 'JIN-A02' on 31st July at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
More clinical sites will follow suit, including seven more hospitals in Korea (National Cancer Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, Asan Medical Center), two in the United States, and one in Thailand.
This global phase 1/2 clinical trial seeks to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity of "JIN-A02" in advanced NSCLC patients carrying EGFR mutations.
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI, which is highly selective for and strongly inhibits NSCLC with C797S double or triple mutations, showing efficacy even against intracranial tumors by exhibiting high blood-brain barrier penetrance.
Anna Jo, CEO of J INTS BIO, said, "We expect the positive results of 'JIN-A02' in the pre-clinical studies to translate to positive outcomes for patients in the clinical trial" adding that, "We hope also to proceed with the application for designation of orphan drug, and thereby quickly occupy the global NSCLC therapy market through conditional use."
About J INTS BIO
J INTS BIO is a bio company specialized in developing innovative anti-cancer and orphan drugs to realize the goal of changing lives and improving health for patients around the world. J INTS BIO's teams have prior multi-year experience in multinational pharmaceutical companies and CROs and track records in medical, regulatory affairs, drug discovery and development.
About 'JIN-A02'
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI targeting C797S mutations in NSCLC. Although 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs have been used with some success, recurrence occurs in most patients including those on 3rd Generation TKIs such as Osimertinib. Currently, there are no approved therapies for patients who developed EGFR C797S mutations due to the use of 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs and with the high propensity of these cancers to metastasize to the brain, there is an urgent need to develop an effective drug with high blood-brain barrier permeability as well. 'JIN-A02', a novel oral EGFR TKI, which is effective against C797S double and triple mutations and have a high brain penetrance, is therefore expected to become the most promising Best-in-Class 4th-generation EGFR TKI in NSCLC patients with limited or no viable treatment options.
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SOURCE J INTS BIO | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ | 2023-07-31T06:17:03 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ |
DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagad, a popular mobile money carrier based in Bangladesh, has emerged as a unicorn startup only in four years of its journey – the fastest in Bangladesh to reach this remarkable feat.
In recognition of the achievement, Tanvir A Mishuk, founder and managing director of Nagad Ltd., received the "Fastest to Unicorn Award" from Honourable Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day "Bangladesh Startup Summit 2023" in Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on 29 July 2023, hosted by Startup Bangladesh Ltd., the flagship venture capital company of the Government of Bangladesh's ICT Division.
Nagad has reshaped the country's MFS industry with one after another disruptive innovation and inspired confidence among people to embrace its products and services that are convenient and affordable. In this way, the state-owned mobile money carrier has established itself as the fastest unicorn startup in Bangladesh.
Presenting a keynote at the startup summit, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak lauded Nagad's contribution to building a smart economy in Bangladesh.
Founder and Managing Director of Nagad Ltd. Tanvir A Mishuk said, "The way Digital Bangladesh is marching ahead we should have achieved the unicorn status much earlier. Now, our challenge is to take our company's valuation to USD 2 billion."
Increasing the valuation is not Nagad's main target, rather, it has embarked on its journey mainly to bring unbanked people under financial inclusion and get them used to digital payments, he also, adding, "We have already come a long way in meeting our target."
The way payments continue to evolve in keeping with people's changing lifestyle, there is no denying the fact that cashless is the future. Bangladesh government has taken many initiatives to attract people to digital payments. To complement the country's digital vision, Nagad is also working relentlessly to introduce new products and services required to accelerate the country's transition to a cashless society.
To grow into a complete financial solution, the MFS provider is going to establish a digital bank that will make available all financial services on a single platform. The mobile money carrier has already prepared itself accordingly.
"If we get the licence for digital bank, we will introduce collateral-free loans for small informal businesses who now take loans from moneylenders at 40% interest rate per day," said the Nagad MD.
If everything continues to go in the right direction, Bangladesh will emerge as a Smart Nation by 2041, envisioned by PM Sheikh Hasina.
About Nagad Ltd (https://www.nagad.com.bd/)
Nagad Limited is one of the leading MFS operators in Bangladesh's payment industry with 80 million registered customers and an average daily transaction of about USD 112 million. The digital payment platform, known as a successful public-private partnership between Bangladesh Postal Department and the private sector, was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
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SOURCE Nagad Limited | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ | 2023-07-31T06:17:09 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ |
HANOI, Vietnam, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SeABank's stock (SSB) has been officially selected by the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE) to be included in the VN30-Index basket - an index representing the top 30 stocks with the highest market capitalization and liquidity listed on the HOSE.
At the end of the trading session on July 28, 2023, the closing price of SSB's stock was 29,700 VND per share, bringing SeABank's market capitalization to over 72,875 billion VND, equivalent to nearly 3.07 billion USD.
According to the press release, on July 17, 2023, HOSE announced the portfolio of stocks included in the VN30 and VN-Finlead indexes, which would be effective from August 7, 2023. SSB was chosen to be included in the VN30 basket as it met the requirements set by the HOSE Index Rules. With an average market capitalization of nearly 65,000 billion Vietnamese dongs over the past six months, SSB is one of the largest capitalized stocks among those not included in the previous VN30 basket.
Throughout its operations, SeABank prioritizes transparency by providing information to shareholders, partners, and customers, complying with legal regulations, and following the directives of the Government and the State Bank of Vietnam to stabilize the market, ensure smooth operations, and promote business activities, thereby contributing to the country's socio-economic development.
SeABank's stock (SSB) was officially listed on the HOSE on March 24, 2021, with a reference price of 16,800 Vietnamese dongs per share on its first trading day. It has consistently experienced stable growth since then. In June 2023, SeABank successfully issued shares for dividend payment and additional capital from shareholder funds (bonus shares) with a total ratio of 20.3% to increase its charter capital to 24,537 billion Vietnamese dong.
Previously, SSB was also added to the Morgan Stanley Capital Index (MSCI) Frontier Markets Index starting from March 1, 2023. According to experts, stocks included in the MSCI Frontier Markets Index may be targeted by ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) funds that track frontier market stocks. Some funds use this index as a reference for investment or replicate its portfolio.
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SOURCE SeABank | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seabanks-stock-ssb-has-been-selected-by-hose-be-included-vn30-index-basket/ | 2023-07-31T06:17:16 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/seabanks-stock-ssb-has-been-selected-by-hose-be-included-vn30-index-basket/ |
YONGIN, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma (006280.KS), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to specialty plasma-derived therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Company's resubmission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for its GC5107B (Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) for patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI).
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is January 13, 2024. If approved, GC Biopharma would be able to provide more treatment options for patients with PI in the U.S.
GC Biopharma aims to enter the U.S. market in the second half of 2024 if GC5107B is approved by the FDA as anticipated.
While the U.S. immunoglobulin market size is estimated at about US$ 10.4 billion in 2022 (as per MRB[1] 2022), there have been sporadic shortages as there are only a small number of immunoglobulin manufacturers considering the need for a massive investment in facility and sophisticated production know-hows.
About GC5107B
GC5107B is a liquid solution containing 10% immunoglobulin G (100 mg/mL) for intravenous infusion, manufactured from pooled human plasma from US donors. The manufacturing process includes three steps to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The steps are "Fractionation I+III, solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment, and Nanofiltration."
About Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency
Primary humoral immunodeficiency disease comprises a large, heterogenous group of disorders resulting from inborn errors of immunity. Patients with PI are unable to mount an immune response to pathogens and can experience recurrent bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections as a result. Global estimates project that up to 6 million people may be living with PI, but only 650,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed[2],[3],[4].
About GC Biopharma
GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers life-saving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma's management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule.
GC Biopharma Contacts (Media)
Sohee Kim
shkim20@gccorp.com
Yelin Jun
yelin@gccorp.com
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SOURCE GC Biopharma | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ | 2023-07-31T06:17:23 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ |
FAYETTEVILLE -- The city's Arts Council has agreed on a design for a mural to be painted on the basketball courts at Walker Park after asking the artist for changes.
The council voted 6-0 on Wednesday to support a design by Springdale artist Jeremy Navarrette. The work is sponsored by clothing brand AND1 and Walmart, which sells AND1 products. The companies also are paying to refurbish the courts and have a backpack giveaway for children Saturday at the park. Total investment on the project is about $200,000.
Walker Park has one full-sized court with two goals and two half courts with a goal each. Refurbishing work will include resurfacing the courts, replacing goals and adding seating.
Navarrette's piece depicts a generic basketball player covering most of the two smaller courts with a leg stretching to the full-sized courts. A cardinal and blue jay fly within the full-sized court. Colorful foliage and hills make up the background, along with a vibrant blue sky and clouds. The words "born to ball" sit with graffiti-style lettering just above half-court. The AND1 logo sits in the lower left corner, and "Fayetteville, AR," also in graffiti-style lettering, sits on the lower right corner.
The resident-led Arts Council first saw some mock-ups of the piece during its June 19 meeting. Members asked Navarrette to make the AND1 logo smaller and less prominent in the piece. Some versions included depictions of Old Main and the Razorback logo. Arts council members expressed concern over whether the University of Arkansas would allow use of its imagery for the piece.
The revised piece the council selected Wednesday had a smaller AND1 logo and removed any reference to the university.
Some members of the City Council in April were hesitant to accept the deal from the companies to put the mural on the court.
Sonia Harvey, who served on the Arts Council and the City Council representing the south part of town, said she was worried the piece would amount to a giant advertisement on one of the city's most popular parks. Harvey has since resigned because she moved out of the ward.
The council ended up accepting the deal in May with a 7-1 vote. Harvey voted against.
Arts Council member Emily Miller said Wednesday she appreciated the piece's nature theme. She also liked it used a graffiti style for the letters. The city is planning to create a sanctioned wall for graffiti art on Poplar Street southeast of Chestnut Avenue, and the style in the Walker Park piece bodes well for that effort, she said.
"I think it shifts the appeal a little more, maybe, to a youthful basketball crowd, which might be nice," Miller said.
Navarrette told the Arts Council on Wednesday he listened to the group's feedback with the revised piece. He added clouds in the sky and the birds in place of where Old Main was on the original concepts.
"The first thing that comes to mind when I drive into Fayetteville that I've always loved is all the hills and the trees," he said. "So I added a few more layers of the trees and made a little bit of a hill there."
Navarrette began work on the piece Friday.
The project is part of AND1's 30th anniversary celebration. A few other cities have accepted similar arrangements with AND1. Each court features city-specific elements.
For example, an outdoor basketball court at Cordelia Park in Charlotte, N.C., is painted blue and purple for the Charlotte Hornets, the city's NBA team. A court at DeFremery Park in Oakland, Calif., features the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
Joanna Bell, the city's arts and culture director, said she appreciated how Navarrette weaved together the city's urban vibrancy with its natural charm on the forefront.
"This piece is a great addition to our park," she said. "Jeremy has combined a youthful energy and dynamism often found in street art with the natural splendor of the Ozarks."
[] | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/31/piece-selected-for-mural-on-walker-parks/ | 2023-07-31T06:18:06 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/31/piece-selected-for-mural-on-walker-parks/ |
22-month-old girl dies after being trapped under dresser
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said a 22-month-old girl from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, died Sunday after a dresser overturned on her.
The victim was identified by the coroner’s office as Jalaya Bryant.
Anderson County officials said Bryant was at her grandparents’ house in Williamston, South Carolina, when she was discovered by a family member underneath the furniture that fell.
According to Anderson County Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown, it appeared the child was trying to climb the dresser when it fell over and trapped her.
Bryant was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries shortly after noon.
The coroner’s office said Bryant died from asphyxiation and there appears to be no signs of foul play.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wsaz.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ | 2023-07-31T06:19:01 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ |
South Korean dog meat farmers push back against growing moves to outlaw their industry
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest.
Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years, but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children.
“It’s more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and we’ll mobilize all our means to resist it,” Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul.
Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. It’s neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There’s increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image.
The anti-dog meat campaign recently received a big boost when the country’s first lady expressed her support for a ban and two lawmakers submitted bills to eliminate the dog meat trade.
“Foreigners think South Korea is a cultural powerhouse. But the more K-culture increases its international standing, the bigger shock foreigners experience over our dog meat consumption,” said Han Jeoungae, an opposition lawmaker who submitted legislation to outlaw the dog meat industry last month.
Prospects for passage of an anti-dog meat law are unclear because of protests by farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry. Surveys suggest that one in three South Koreans opposes such a ban, though most people don’t eat dog meat anymore.
Dogs are also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea and some African countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria.
Earlier this month, Indonesian authorities announced the end of dog and cat slaughter at an animal market on the island of Sulawesi following a yearslong campaign by local activists and world celebrities. The Tomohon Extreme Market will become the first such market in Indonesia to go dog and cat meat-free, according to the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International.
South Korea’s dog meat industry receives more international attention because of its reputation as a wealthy, ultra-modern democracy. It is also the only nation with industrial-scale farms. Most farms in South Korea have more than 500 dogs, according to a dog farmers’ association.
During a recent visit, Kim’s farm, one of the country’s largest with 7,000 dogs, appeared relatively clean but there was a strong stench in some areas. All dogs are kept in elevated cages and are fed with food waste and ground chicken. They are rarely released for exercise and typically are sold for meat one year after they are born.
Kim said two of his children, age 29 and 31, are running the farm with him, and that business has been going pretty well. He said the dogs bred for their meat are different from pets, an idea opposed by activists.
It’s difficult now to find dog meat restaurants in Seoul’s bustling downtown, though many still exit in the countryside.
“I only earn one-third of the money I used to make. Young people don’t come here. Only ailing old people come for lunch,” said Yoon Chu-wol, 77, the owner of a dog meat restaurant in Seoul’s Kyungdong traditional market. “I tell my elderly customers to come and eat my food more frequently before it’s banned.”
Farmers also face growing scrutiny from officials and increasingly negative public opinion. They complain that officials visit them repeatedly in response to complaints filed by activists and citizens over alleged animal abuse and other wrongdoing. Kim said more than 90 such petitions were filed against his farm during a recent four-month span.
Son Won Hak, general secretary of the dog farmers’ association, said many farms have collapsed in recent years because of falling dog meat prices and weaker demand. He thinks that’s a result of activist campaigns and unfair media reports focusing on farms with inferior conditions. Some observers, however, say consumption of dog meat was already declining, with younger people staying away from it.
“Quite honestly, I’d like to quit my job tomorrow. We can’t confidently tell our children that we’re raising dogs,” Son said. “When my friends called me, they said ‘Hey, are you still running a dog meat farm? Isn’t it illegal?’”
The number of farms across South Korea has dropped by half from a few years ago to about 3,000 to 4,000, and about 700,000 to 1 million dogs are slaughtered each year, a decline from several million 10 to 20 years ago, according to the dog farmers’ association. Some activists argue that the farmers’ estimates are an exaggeration meant to show their industry is too big to destroy.
In late 2021, South Korea launched a government-civilian task force to consider outlawing dog meat at the suggestion of then-President Moon Jae-in, a pet lover. The committee, whose members include farmers and animal rights activists, has met more than 20 times but hasn’t reached any agreement, apparently because of disputes over compensation issues.
Agriculture officials refused to disclose the discussions in the closed-door meetings. They said the government wants to end dog meat consumption based on a public consensus.
In April, first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of current President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in a meeting with activists that she hopes for an end to dog meat consumption. Famers responded with rallies and formal complaints against Kim for allegedly hurting their livelihoods.
Han, the lawmaker, said she “highly positively appraises” influential figures speaking out against dog meat consumption.
Han said her bill offers support programs for farmers who agree to close their farms. They would be entitled to money to dismantle their facilities, vocational training, employment assistance and other benefits, she said.
Ju Yeongbong, an official of the farmers’ association, said farmers want to continue for about 20 more years until older people, their main customers, die, allowing the industry to naturally disappear. Observers say most farmers are also in their 60s to 70s.
Borami Seo, a director of the South Korea office of the Humane Society International, said she opposes the continued killing of millions of dogs for such a prolonged period. “Letting this silent cruelty to (dogs) be committed in South Korea doesn’t make sense,” Seo said.
“(Dog meat consumption) is too anachronistic, has elements of cruelty to animals and hinders our national growth,” said Cheon JinKyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.kaaltv.com/news/business-news/south-korean-dog-meat-farmers-push-back-against-growing-moves-to-outlaw-their-industry/ | 2023-07-31T06:19:18 | 0 | https://www.kaaltv.com/news/business-news/south-korean-dog-meat-farmers-push-back-against-growing-moves-to-outlaw-their-industry/ |
LOOK! Sweetgreen at The Promenade in Marlton, NJ Reveals Opening Date!
If you're looking forward to this new healthy food spot coming to Marlton, the wait is almost over!
Sweetgreen, a fast causal restaurant specializing in healthy eats and salads, now has an opening date for their new location at The Promenade at Sagemore! According to Facebook community page 'A View from Evesham', they're set to open on August 22!
The new Sweet Green will occupy the space of the former home of Clarks, which closed in Dec 2019. This will be Sweetgreen's first South Jersey location! Right now there's one in Philly and three in North Jersey.
If you're not familiar with Sweetgreen, they're an up-and-coming casual restaurant similar to Chopt. Started by three college students who were looking for a healthier way to eat, their mission is "Building healthier communities by connecting people to real food" according to their website.
Their menu features warm bowls and salads packed with grains, proteins, and fresh veggies, which rotate on their menu depending on which seasonal ingredients are available. Real, honest, healthy food!
I simply cannot wait to try this place! It's good to see another eatery open. It'll be a welcome addition to The Promenade since other health-food eateries such as Zöe's Kitchen and B. Good both have closed down in recent years.
Are you looking forward to Sweet Green? Let us know in the comments! You can also check them out on their Instagram @sweetgreen. | https://nj1015.com/ixp/942/p/sweet-green-marlton-new-jersey-opening/ | 2023-07-31T06:23:22 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/ixp/942/p/sweet-green-marlton-new-jersey-opening/ |
22-month-old girl dies after being trapped under dresser
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said a 22-month-old girl from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, died Sunday after a dresser overturned on her.
The victim was identified by the coroner’s office as Jalaya Bryant.
Anderson County officials said Bryant was at her grandparents’ house in Williamston, South Carolina, when she was discovered by a family member underneath the furniture that fell.
According to Anderson County Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown, it appeared the child was trying to climb the dresser when it fell over and trapped her.
Bryant was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries shortly after noon.
The coroner’s office said Bryant died from asphyxiation and there appears to be no signs of foul play.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbay.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ | 2023-07-31T06:24:21 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ |
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flutter Entertainment plc ("Flutter") (London Stock Exchange/Euronext Dublin: FLTR) and Fox Corporation ("FOX") (Nasdaq: FOX, FOXA), announce today the decision to close sports betting platform FOX Bet. A phased closure of FOX Bet's operations will take place between July 31 and August 31, 2023.
Flutter operated FOX Bet as part of The Stars Group US ("TSG US") along with the US facing operations of PokerStars. Flutter will retain ownership of PokerStars, in addition to US sports betting market leader FanDuel. FOX will retain future use of the FOX and FOX Bet brands, including FOX Bet Super 6, and intends to launch an all-new FOX Super 6 game later this summer.
FOX will continue to hold its option to acquire 18.6% of FanDuel and in addition holds a 2.5% stake in Flutter.
Notes to Editors
About FOX Bet: FOX Bet, a sports betting platform available in Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, was launched in 2019 by FOX and TSG. TSG was acquired and operated by Flutter as of May 2020.
About Fox Corporation: Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including Fox News Media, Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment, Fox Television Stations and Tubi Media Group. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develop deeper consumer relationships, and create more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives. For more information about Fox Corporation, please visit www.FoxCorporation.com.
About Flutter Entertainment plc: Changing the Game – Flutter is a global betting and gaming group with an ambition to drive positive and sustainable change in our industry. Flutter's brand portfolio includes America's number one sportsbook FanDuel, along with PokerStars, Sky Betting and Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair, Tombola, Sportsbet, Sisal, Adjarabet and Junglee. Through these world class brands, we excite and entertain customers, while leading the way in responsible play. Our strength is the Flutter Edge, optimising the advantages of our global scale to drive business performance and positive impact for our customers, colleagues and communities. For more information about Flutter Entertainment plc, its brands and reporting divisions, please visit www.flutter.com.
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SOURCE Fox Corporation | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/flutter-entertainment-plc-fox-corporation-announce-close-fox-bet/ | 2023-07-31T06:24:27 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/flutter-entertainment-plc-fox-corporation-announce-close-fox-bet/ |
SEOUL, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- J INTS BIO announced the successful dosing of the first patient in its global multi-center Phase 1/2 clinical study of 'JIN-A02' on 31st July at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
More clinical sites will follow suit, including seven more hospitals in Korea (National Cancer Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, Asan Medical Center), two in the United States, and one in Thailand.
This global phase 1/2 clinical trial seeks to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity of "JIN-A02" in advanced NSCLC patients carrying EGFR mutations.
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI, which is highly selective for and strongly inhibits NSCLC with C797S double or triple mutations, showing efficacy even against intracranial tumors by exhibiting high blood-brain barrier penetrance.
Anna Jo, CEO of J INTS BIO, said, "We expect the positive results of 'JIN-A02' in the pre-clinical studies to translate to positive outcomes for patients in the clinical trial" adding that, "We hope also to proceed with the application for designation of orphan drug, and thereby quickly occupy the global NSCLC therapy market through conditional use."
About J INTS BIO
J INTS BIO is a bio company specialized in developing innovative anti-cancer and orphan drugs to realize the goal of changing lives and improving health for patients around the world. J INTS BIO's teams have prior multi-year experience in multinational pharmaceutical companies and CROs and track records in medical, regulatory affairs, drug discovery and development.
About 'JIN-A02'
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI targeting C797S mutations in NSCLC. Although 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs have been used with some success, recurrence occurs in most patients including those on 3rd Generation TKIs such as Osimertinib. Currently, there are no approved therapies for patients who developed EGFR C797S mutations due to the use of 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs and with the high propensity of these cancers to metastasize to the brain, there is an urgent need to develop an effective drug with high blood-brain barrier permeability as well. 'JIN-A02', a novel oral EGFR TKI, which is effective against C797S double and triple mutations and have a high brain penetrance, is therefore expected to become the most promising Best-in-Class 4th-generation EGFR TKI in NSCLC patients with limited or no viable treatment options.
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SOURCE J INTS BIO | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ | 2023-07-31T06:24:34 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ |
Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter ELVIN BISHOP joins forces with Blues Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-Winning Harmonica Master, Singer & Songwriter CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE to present their 2022 GRAMMY® Award Nominated album '100 Years of Blues'. Tickets for Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, NH on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster.com and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club Features Legendary Blues Musicians ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M. Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, singer and songwriter Elvin Bishop and Blues Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-Winning harmonica master, singer and songwriter Charlie Musselwhite present their 2022 GRAMMY® Award Nominated album 100 Years of Blues ("Best Traditional Blues Album"). The album also won the 2021 "Album of the Year" at the Blues Music Awards.
"This entire 12-track release is just two good-old-blues-boys sitting together and jamming. It's absolutely brilliant."
— AMERICAN BLUES SCENE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review).
"The simple sound of these two masters in a room playing together is absolutely joyous."
— ROCK & BLUES MUSE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review)
"Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite, both a few years shy of 80, are deserving of accolades."
— DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review)
Legendary blues musicians Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite are fellow blues travelers and living blues giants. The two history-making musicians—both Blues Hall of Famers—have over 100 years of professional musicianship between them. They are among the most famous bluesmen in the world. Although they've known each other since the early 1960s, this was the first time that they ever teamed up to make an album together. 100 Years of Blues, released on Alligator Records, is blues at its deepest, warmest and most engaging.
Elvin Bishop is a Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer, a 4x-GRAMMY® Award Nominee, and a 5x-Blues Music Award-Winner. ROLLING STONE calls Bishop "a legendary guitarist" whose playing is "impeccable and spirited…a distinguished American player".
Charlie Musselwhite is a Blues Hall of Famer, a GRAMMY® Award-Winner, a 15x-GRAMMY® Award Nominee, and a 33x-Blues Music Award-Winner. Musselwhite has had 14 blues albums Nominated for GRAMMY® Awards, including the 2023 GRAMMY® Award Nomination for his most recent album Mississippi Son. Musselwhite also has 20 Blues Music Awards for "Harmonica Player of the Year." LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE claims Musselwhite "plays magnificent harp with superb dexterity and phrasing" and the "results are amazing."
The stories of Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite—rich as they already are—are still being written, and this album is a new chapter. Their subtle, soulful musicianship and relaxed, conversational vocals fuel every song. Infused with their deep understanding of the blues tradition and the good-time spirit these two old pals stir up, 100 Years Of Blues is one of the finest, most memorable album recordings of either artist's career.
ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE Tickets & Current Schedule of Shows
Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club's 2023 Schedule of Shows now includes 9 NEA Jazz Masters, 47 GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artists, 40 Blues Music Award-Winners, and a comprehensive list of talented musicians with 435+ GRAMMY® Award Nominations amongst them. Tickets for ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
ABOUT JIMMY'S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB
The mission of Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience featuring serious jazz and blues music served with exceptional cuisine. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club features a spectacular and visually breathtaking environment engineered to deliver the highest quality acoustics while utilizing state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is located within a beautifully restored 1905 building at 135 Congress Street in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information visit www.jimmysoncongress.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JimmysJazzBlues and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/. Sign-up for Jimmy's Email Newsletter to stay informed on Upcoming Shows, New Artist Announcements, Promotional Offers, Ticket On-Sale Dates, Special Performances, and Jimmy's Sunday Jazz Brunch. In June 2023, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club was given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its' outstanding Wine List.
PRIVATE EVENTS AT JIMMY'S
An architecturally breathtaking center of arts and culture in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club offers a rare and spectacular venue to host important corporate functions, weddings, intimate or large-scale social gatherings, private parties, and memorable celebrations. The team at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club put heart and soul into creating a stunning full-service event space with new state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies delivered with outstanding next-level culinary experiences. Our high-touch approach, provided by professional and experienced event staff, ensures that everything is tailored to exceed your expectations. To start a conversation about hosting your event at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club, please call us at 888-603-5299, or fill out Jimmy's Private Event Request Form.
JOIN THE TEAM AT THE LABRIE GROUP FAMILY OF RESTAURANTS
Motivated by a commitment to culinary and hospitality excellence, founders Michael and Peter Labrie and their leadership team understand it is essential to seek out talented team members for each of The Labrie Group family of restaurants — Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, The Atlantic Grill, The River House, and Rio Tequila Cantina — all in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Career opportunities and current job openings can be found at www.TheLabrieGroup.com.
Website:
http://www.jimmysoncongress.com
Contact:
Suzanne Bresette
suzanne@jimmysoncongress.com
888-603-JAZZ
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SOURCE Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/jimmys-jazz-amp-blues-club-features-legendary-blues-musicians-elvin-bishop-charlie-musselwhite-thursday-august-17-730-pm/ | 2023-07-31T06:24:40 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/jimmys-jazz-amp-blues-club-features-legendary-blues-musicians-elvin-bishop-charlie-musselwhite-thursday-august-17-730-pm/ |
DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagad, a popular mobile money carrier based in Bangladesh, has emerged as a unicorn startup only in four years of its journey – the fastest in Bangladesh to reach this remarkable feat.
In recognition of the achievement, Tanvir A Mishuk, founder and managing director of Nagad Ltd., received the "Fastest to Unicorn Award" from Honourable Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day "Bangladesh Startup Summit 2023" in Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on 29 July 2023, hosted by Startup Bangladesh Ltd., the flagship venture capital company of the Government of Bangladesh's ICT Division.
Nagad has reshaped the country's MFS industry with one after another disruptive innovation and inspired confidence among people to embrace its products and services that are convenient and affordable. In this way, the state-owned mobile money carrier has established itself as the fastest unicorn startup in Bangladesh.
Presenting a keynote at the startup summit, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak lauded Nagad's contribution to building a smart economy in Bangladesh.
Founder and Managing Director of Nagad Ltd. Tanvir A Mishuk said, "The way Digital Bangladesh is marching ahead we should have achieved the unicorn status much earlier. Now, our challenge is to take our company's valuation to USD 2 billion."
Increasing the valuation is not Nagad's main target, rather, it has embarked on its journey mainly to bring unbanked people under financial inclusion and get them used to digital payments, he also, adding, "We have already come a long way in meeting our target."
The way payments continue to evolve in keeping with people's changing lifestyle, there is no denying the fact that cashless is the future. Bangladesh government has taken many initiatives to attract people to digital payments. To complement the country's digital vision, Nagad is also working relentlessly to introduce new products and services required to accelerate the country's transition to a cashless society.
To grow into a complete financial solution, the MFS provider is going to establish a digital bank that will make available all financial services on a single platform. The mobile money carrier has already prepared itself accordingly.
"If we get the licence for digital bank, we will introduce collateral-free loans for small informal businesses who now take loans from moneylenders at 40% interest rate per day," said the Nagad MD.
If everything continues to go in the right direction, Bangladesh will emerge as a Smart Nation by 2041, envisioned by PM Sheikh Hasina.
About Nagad Ltd (https://www.nagad.com.bd/)
Nagad Limited is one of the leading MFS operators in Bangladesh's payment industry with 80 million registered customers and an average daily transaction of about USD 112 million. The digital payment platform, known as a successful public-private partnership between Bangladesh Postal Department and the private sector, was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
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SOURCE Nagad Limited | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ | 2023-07-31T06:24:46 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ |
YONGIN, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma (006280.KS), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to specialty plasma-derived therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Company's resubmission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for its GC5107B (Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) for patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI).
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is January 13, 2024. If approved, GC Biopharma would be able to provide more treatment options for patients with PI in the U.S.
GC Biopharma aims to enter the U.S. market in the second half of 2024 if GC5107B is approved by the FDA as anticipated.
While the U.S. immunoglobulin market size is estimated at about US$ 10.4 billion in 2022 (as per MRB[1] 2022), there have been sporadic shortages as there are only a small number of immunoglobulin manufacturers considering the need for a massive investment in facility and sophisticated production know-hows.
About GC5107B
GC5107B is a liquid solution containing 10% immunoglobulin G (100 mg/mL) for intravenous infusion, manufactured from pooled human plasma from US donors. The manufacturing process includes three steps to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The steps are "Fractionation I+III, solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment, and Nanofiltration."
About Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency
Primary humoral immunodeficiency disease comprises a large, heterogenous group of disorders resulting from inborn errors of immunity. Patients with PI are unable to mount an immune response to pathogens and can experience recurrent bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections as a result. Global estimates project that up to 6 million people may be living with PI, but only 650,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed[2],[3],[4].
About GC Biopharma
GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers life-saving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma's management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule.
GC Biopharma Contacts (Media)
Sohee Kim
shkim20@gccorp.com
Yelin Jun
yelin@gccorp.com
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SOURCE GC Biopharma | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ | 2023-07-31T06:24:53 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ |
MANCHESTER, Conn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DIANT® Pharma Inc. is excited to announce the US Food and Drug Administration's recent acquisition of the DIANT® LiFT system. The DIANT® LiFT system (https://diantpharma.com/the-diant-lift-system/ ) is GMP-capable equipment designed for the continuous manufacturing of lipid and polymer-based nanoparticles. In addition to providing the FDA with a high-throughput nanoparticle processing system that is scalable from R&D to commercial manufacturing, the DIANT® equipment also comes with integrated inline/online PAT that can monitor and control the process. DIANT's goal with PAT integration is to advance both the analytical and output standards across future forms of continuous manufacturing.
DIANT® technology was originally designed to synthesize liposomes and load small molecules at high throughput. However, in 2020 at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, the DIANT® technology was adapted to meet the growing and future demands that will be present in nucleic acid therapy via lipid nanoparticle delivery.
The FDA will install and operate this piece of equipment in their Beltsville, MD facility.
About
DIANT® Pharma Inc. (Manchester, CT USA) was founded in 2019 and has developed continuous processing technology for nanoparticles. DIANT® is dedicated to bringing advanced, continuous manufacturing technology to the market and to providing R&D services. Their proprietary, continuous manufacturing system for nanoparticles has a wide array of applications within the pharmaceutical space. (https://diantpharma.com/)
DIANT® provides a continuous manufacturing platform as a turnkey solution for the development and production of nanoparticles for therapeutics and vaccines.
Media Contact:
Gosia Lankosz
Marketing Manager, DIANT Pharma Inc.
Lankosz@diantpharma.com
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SOURCE DIANT Pharma Inc. | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-food-drug-administration-fda-purchase-lift-system-diant-pharma-inc/ | 2023-07-31T06:24:59 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-food-drug-administration-fda-purchase-lift-system-diant-pharma-inc/ |
(KRON) — A suspect was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a hit-and-run crash overnight Sunday, the Santa Rosa Police Department announced. An officer was flagged down by a driver who was victim to a crash near Railroad Street and Third Street.
Police then searched for the suspect vehicle and eventually found it in a parking lot near Fifth Street and Wilson Street. The suspect vehicle’s driver showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol, police said.
The driver, identified as 34-year-old Santa Rosa resident Alfredo Gonzalez-Gutierrez, was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail on two felony charges: DUI causing injury and hit-and-run with injury, authorities said.
Gonzalez-Gutierrez’s bail is set at $200,000. Police did not say whether or not the suspect suffered any injuries from the incident.
The victim was taken to the hospital with “significant injuries,” police said. However, the injured driver is expected to recover from their injuries.
Earlier on Sunday, KRON4 reported another incident of DUI suspicion in the North Bay. A Petaluma man was arrested after a three-vehicle collision late Saturday night. | https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/santa-rosa-man-arrested-on-dui-suspicion-after-hit-and-run/ | 2023-07-31T06:25:35 | 0 | https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/santa-rosa-man-arrested-on-dui-suspicion-after-hit-and-run/ |
Mar-a-Lago worker charged in Trump’s classified documents case to make first court appearance
MIAMI (AP) — An employee of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Carlos De Oliveira, is expected to make his first court appearance Monday on charges accusing him of scheming with the former president to hide security footage from investigators probing Trump’s hoarding of classified documents.
De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago’s property manager, was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the former president’s valet, Walt Nauta, in the federal case alleging a plot to illegally keep top-secret records at Trump’s Florida estate and thwart government efforts to retrieve them.
De Oliveira faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators. He’s scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge in Miami nearly two months after Trump pleaded not guilty in the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
The developments in the classified documents case come as Trump braces for possible charges in another federal investigation into his efforts to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump has received a letter from Smith indicating that he is a target of that investigation, and Trump’s lawyers met with Smith’s team last week.
An attorney for De Oliveira declined last week to comment on the allegations. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform last week that he was told the tapes were not “deleted in any way, shape or form.”
Prosecutors have not alleged that security footage was actually deleted or kept from investigators.
Nauta has also pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta to begin in May, and it’s unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira to the case may impact the case’s timeline.
The latest indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Trump tried to have security footage deleted after investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents Trump took with him after he left the White House.
Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts — including willful retention of notional defense information — stemming from allegations that he mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. Experts have said the new allegations bolster the special counsel’s case and deepen the former president’s legal jeopardy.
Video from Mar-a-Lago would ultimately become vital to the government’s case because, prosecutors said, it shows Nauta moving boxes in and out of a storage room — an act alleged to have been done at Trump’s direction and in effort to hide records not only only from investigators but Trump’s own lawyers.
Days after the Justice Department sent a subpoena for video footage at Mar-a-Lago to the Trump Organization in June 2022, prosecutors say De Oliveira asked a information technology staffer how long the server retained footage and told the employee “the boss” wanted it deleted. When the employee said he didn’t believe he was able to do that, De Oliveira insisted the “boss” wanted it done, asking, “What are we going to do?”
Shortly after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago and found classified records in the storage room and Trump’s office, prosecutors say Nauta called a Trump employee and said words to the effect of, “someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good.” The indictment says the employee responded that De Oliveira was loyal and wouldn’t do anything to affect his relationship with Trump. That same day, the indictment alleges, Trump called De Oliveira directly to say that he would get De Oliveira an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira later lied in interviews with investigators, falsely claiming that he hadn’t even seen boxes moved into Mar-a-Lago after Trump left the White House.
____
Richer reported from Boston.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kait8.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ | 2023-07-31T06:25:35 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ |
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flutter Entertainment plc ("Flutter") (London Stock Exchange/Euronext Dublin: FLTR) and Fox Corporation ("FOX") (Nasdaq: FOX, FOXA), announce today the decision to close sports betting platform FOX Bet. A phased closure of FOX Bet's operations will take place between July 31 and August 31, 2023.
Flutter operated FOX Bet as part of The Stars Group US ("TSG US") along with the US facing operations of PokerStars. Flutter will retain ownership of PokerStars, in addition to US sports betting market leader FanDuel. FOX will retain future use of the FOX and FOX Bet brands, including FOX Bet Super 6, and intends to launch an all-new FOX Super 6 game later this summer.
FOX will continue to hold its option to acquire 18.6% of FanDuel and in addition holds a 2.5% stake in Flutter.
Notes to Editors
About FOX Bet: FOX Bet, a sports betting platform available in Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, was launched in 2019 by FOX and TSG. TSG was acquired and operated by Flutter as of May 2020.
About Fox Corporation: Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including Fox News Media, Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment, Fox Television Stations and Tubi Media Group. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develop deeper consumer relationships, and create more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives. For more information about Fox Corporation, please visit www.FoxCorporation.com.
About Flutter Entertainment plc: Changing the Game – Flutter is a global betting and gaming group with an ambition to drive positive and sustainable change in our industry. Flutter's brand portfolio includes America's number one sportsbook FanDuel, along with PokerStars, Sky Betting and Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair, Tombola, Sportsbet, Sisal, Adjarabet and Junglee. Through these world class brands, we excite and entertain customers, while leading the way in responsible play. Our strength is the Flutter Edge, optimising the advantages of our global scale to drive business performance and positive impact for our customers, colleagues and communities. For more information about Flutter Entertainment plc, its brands and reporting divisions, please visit www.flutter.com.
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SOURCE Fox Corporation | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/flutter-entertainment-plc-fox-corporation-announce-close-fox-bet/ | 2023-07-31T06:25:41 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/flutter-entertainment-plc-fox-corporation-announce-close-fox-bet/ |
SEOUL, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- J INTS BIO announced the successful dosing of the first patient in its global multi-center Phase 1/2 clinical study of 'JIN-A02' on 31st July at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
More clinical sites will follow suit, including seven more hospitals in Korea (National Cancer Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, Asan Medical Center), two in the United States, and one in Thailand.
This global phase 1/2 clinical trial seeks to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity of "JIN-A02" in advanced NSCLC patients carrying EGFR mutations.
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI, which is highly selective for and strongly inhibits NSCLC with C797S double or triple mutations, showing efficacy even against intracranial tumors by exhibiting high blood-brain barrier penetrance.
Anna Jo, CEO of J INTS BIO, said, "We expect the positive results of 'JIN-A02' in the pre-clinical studies to translate to positive outcomes for patients in the clinical trial" adding that, "We hope also to proceed with the application for designation of orphan drug, and thereby quickly occupy the global NSCLC therapy market through conditional use."
About J INTS BIO
J INTS BIO is a bio company specialized in developing innovative anti-cancer and orphan drugs to realize the goal of changing lives and improving health for patients around the world. J INTS BIO's teams have prior multi-year experience in multinational pharmaceutical companies and CROs and track records in medical, regulatory affairs, drug discovery and development.
About 'JIN-A02'
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI targeting C797S mutations in NSCLC. Although 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs have been used with some success, recurrence occurs in most patients including those on 3rd Generation TKIs such as Osimertinib. Currently, there are no approved therapies for patients who developed EGFR C797S mutations due to the use of 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs and with the high propensity of these cancers to metastasize to the brain, there is an urgent need to develop an effective drug with high blood-brain barrier permeability as well. 'JIN-A02', a novel oral EGFR TKI, which is effective against C797S double and triple mutations and have a high brain penetrance, is therefore expected to become the most promising Best-in-Class 4th-generation EGFR TKI in NSCLC patients with limited or no viable treatment options.
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SOURCE J INTS BIO | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ | 2023-07-31T06:25:47 | 0 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ |
Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter ELVIN BISHOP joins forces with Blues Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-Winning Harmonica Master, Singer & Songwriter CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE to present their 2022 GRAMMY® Award Nominated album '100 Years of Blues'. Tickets for Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, NH on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster.com and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club Features Legendary Blues Musicians ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M. Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, singer and songwriter Elvin Bishop and Blues Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-Winning harmonica master, singer and songwriter Charlie Musselwhite present their 2022 GRAMMY® Award Nominated album 100 Years of Blues ("Best Traditional Blues Album"). The album also won the 2021 "Album of the Year" at the Blues Music Awards.
"This entire 12-track release is just two good-old-blues-boys sitting together and jamming. It's absolutely brilliant."
— AMERICAN BLUES SCENE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review).
"The simple sound of these two masters in a room playing together is absolutely joyous."
— ROCK & BLUES MUSE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review)
"Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite, both a few years shy of 80, are deserving of accolades."
— DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review)
Legendary blues musicians Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite are fellow blues travelers and living blues giants. The two history-making musicians—both Blues Hall of Famers—have over 100 years of professional musicianship between them. They are among the most famous bluesmen in the world. Although they've known each other since the early 1960s, this was the first time that they ever teamed up to make an album together. 100 Years of Blues, released on Alligator Records, is blues at its deepest, warmest and most engaging.
Elvin Bishop is a Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer, a 4x-GRAMMY® Award Nominee, and a 5x-Blues Music Award-Winner. ROLLING STONE calls Bishop "a legendary guitarist" whose playing is "impeccable and spirited…a distinguished American player".
Charlie Musselwhite is a Blues Hall of Famer, a GRAMMY® Award-Winner, a 15x-GRAMMY® Award Nominee, and a 33x-Blues Music Award-Winner. Musselwhite has had 14 blues albums Nominated for GRAMMY® Awards, including the 2023 GRAMMY® Award Nomination for his most recent album Mississippi Son. Musselwhite also has 20 Blues Music Awards for "Harmonica Player of the Year." LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE claims Musselwhite "plays magnificent harp with superb dexterity and phrasing" and the "results are amazing."
The stories of Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite—rich as they already are—are still being written, and this album is a new chapter. Their subtle, soulful musicianship and relaxed, conversational vocals fuel every song. Infused with their deep understanding of the blues tradition and the good-time spirit these two old pals stir up, 100 Years Of Blues is one of the finest, most memorable album recordings of either artist's career.
ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE Tickets & Current Schedule of Shows
Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club's 2023 Schedule of Shows now includes 9 NEA Jazz Masters, 47 GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artists, 40 Blues Music Award-Winners, and a comprehensive list of talented musicians with 435+ GRAMMY® Award Nominations amongst them. Tickets for ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
ABOUT JIMMY'S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB
The mission of Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience featuring serious jazz and blues music served with exceptional cuisine. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club features a spectacular and visually breathtaking environment engineered to deliver the highest quality acoustics while utilizing state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is located within a beautifully restored 1905 building at 135 Congress Street in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information visit www.jimmysoncongress.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JimmysJazzBlues and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/. Sign-up for Jimmy's Email Newsletter to stay informed on Upcoming Shows, New Artist Announcements, Promotional Offers, Ticket On-Sale Dates, Special Performances, and Jimmy's Sunday Jazz Brunch. In June 2023, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club was given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its' outstanding Wine List.
PRIVATE EVENTS AT JIMMY'S
An architecturally breathtaking center of arts and culture in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club offers a rare and spectacular venue to host important corporate functions, weddings, intimate or large-scale social gatherings, private parties, and memorable celebrations. The team at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club put heart and soul into creating a stunning full-service event space with new state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies delivered with outstanding next-level culinary experiences. Our high-touch approach, provided by professional and experienced event staff, ensures that everything is tailored to exceed your expectations. To start a conversation about hosting your event at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club, please call us at 888-603-5299, or fill out Jimmy's Private Event Request Form.
JOIN THE TEAM AT THE LABRIE GROUP FAMILY OF RESTAURANTS
Motivated by a commitment to culinary and hospitality excellence, founders Michael and Peter Labrie and their leadership team understand it is essential to seek out talented team members for each of The Labrie Group family of restaurants — Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, The Atlantic Grill, The River House, and Rio Tequila Cantina — all in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Career opportunities and current job openings can be found at www.TheLabrieGroup.com.
Website:
http://www.jimmysoncongress.com
Contact:
Suzanne Bresette
suzanne@jimmysoncongress.com
888-603-JAZZ
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SOURCE Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/jimmys-jazz-amp-blues-club-features-legendary-blues-musicians-elvin-bishop-charlie-musselwhite-thursday-august-17-730-pm/ | 2023-07-31T06:25:54 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/jimmys-jazz-amp-blues-club-features-legendary-blues-musicians-elvin-bishop-charlie-musselwhite-thursday-august-17-730-pm/ |
DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagad, a popular mobile money carrier based in Bangladesh, has emerged as a unicorn startup only in four years of its journey – the fastest in Bangladesh to reach this remarkable feat.
In recognition of the achievement, Tanvir A Mishuk, founder and managing director of Nagad Ltd., received the "Fastest to Unicorn Award" from Honourable Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day "Bangladesh Startup Summit 2023" in Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on 29 July 2023, hosted by Startup Bangladesh Ltd., the flagship venture capital company of the Government of Bangladesh's ICT Division.
Nagad has reshaped the country's MFS industry with one after another disruptive innovation and inspired confidence among people to embrace its products and services that are convenient and affordable. In this way, the state-owned mobile money carrier has established itself as the fastest unicorn startup in Bangladesh.
Presenting a keynote at the startup summit, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak lauded Nagad's contribution to building a smart economy in Bangladesh.
Founder and Managing Director of Nagad Ltd. Tanvir A Mishuk said, "The way Digital Bangladesh is marching ahead we should have achieved the unicorn status much earlier. Now, our challenge is to take our company's valuation to USD 2 billion."
Increasing the valuation is not Nagad's main target, rather, it has embarked on its journey mainly to bring unbanked people under financial inclusion and get them used to digital payments, he also, adding, "We have already come a long way in meeting our target."
The way payments continue to evolve in keeping with people's changing lifestyle, there is no denying the fact that cashless is the future. Bangladesh government has taken many initiatives to attract people to digital payments. To complement the country's digital vision, Nagad is also working relentlessly to introduce new products and services required to accelerate the country's transition to a cashless society.
To grow into a complete financial solution, the MFS provider is going to establish a digital bank that will make available all financial services on a single platform. The mobile money carrier has already prepared itself accordingly.
"If we get the licence for digital bank, we will introduce collateral-free loans for small informal businesses who now take loans from moneylenders at 40% interest rate per day," said the Nagad MD.
If everything continues to go in the right direction, Bangladesh will emerge as a Smart Nation by 2041, envisioned by PM Sheikh Hasina.
About Nagad Ltd (https://www.nagad.com.bd/)
Nagad Limited is one of the leading MFS operators in Bangladesh's payment industry with 80 million registered customers and an average daily transaction of about USD 112 million. The digital payment platform, known as a successful public-private partnership between Bangladesh Postal Department and the private sector, was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
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SOURCE Nagad Limited | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ | 2023-07-31T06:26:00 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ |
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- One Rock Capital Partners, LLC ("One Rock") today announced one of its affiliates has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Constantia Flexibles ("Constantia" or the "Company"), a leading global packaging manufacturer, from Wendel (Euronext: MF.FP), one of Europe's leading listed investment firms.
Constantia is the partner of choice for flexible packaging to more than 4,000 pharmaceutical, food and consumer goods customers. With a team of over 7,000 employees, the Company manufactures and provides custom packaging solutions across the globe.
"Constantia has grown through acquisition and innovation to be a leader serving its food and pharma customers," said Telmo Valido, Partner at One Rock. "We look forward to partnering with Constantia's management team to continue innovating to solve for the evolving packaging needs and sustainability requirements of the Company's customers."
"We are very pleased to welcome Constantia Flexibles to the One Rock family," added Kurt Beyer, Partner at One Rock. "We believe our strategic and operational resources will complement management's efforts to pursue Constantia's growth initiatives while maintaining the standards of quality and service valued by its customers."
"In recent years under Wendel's ownership, Constantia Flexibles transformed its business performance, developed an innovative pipeline of more sustainable products and completed multiple acquisitions," said Pim Vervaat, CEO at Constantia. "With diverse geographic and end market presence, the Company is well-positioned to continue expanding its suite of packaging solutions amidst regulatory developments and a changing climate, and we look forward to partnering with One Rock during this next chapter."
J.P. Morgan served as lead financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to One Rock on the transaction. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP served as legal advisor and Evercore served as financial advisor to Constantia.
ABOUT ONE ROCK CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
One Rock makes controlling investments in companies with potential for growth and operational improvement using a rigorous approach that utilizes highly experienced Operating Partners to identify, acquire and enhance businesses in select industries. The involvement of these Operating Partners affords One Rock the ability to conduct due diligence and consummate acquisitions and investments in all types of situations, regardless of complexity. One Rock works collaboratively with company management and its Operating Partners to develop a comprehensive business plan focused on growing the enterprise and its profitability to enhance long-term value. For more information, visit www.onerockcapital.com.
ABOUT CONSTANTIA FLEXIBLES
Constantia is the world's third-largest producer of flexible packaging. Based on the guiding principle of 'People, Passion, Packaging', some 7,650 employees manufacture tailor-made packaging solutions at 30 sites in 16 countries. Many international companies and local market leaders from the consumer and pharma industries choose the sustainable and innovative products of Constantia Flexibles. Sustainability is a top priority in product development at Constantia Flexibles: the company was rated Level A- by Climate Change Leadership (CDP) and Gold by EcoVadis in 2022. For more information, visit www.cflex.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Julia Kaufman
Prosek Partners
pro-onerock@prosek.com
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SOURCE One Rock Capital Partners, LLC | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/one-rock-capital-partners-announces-acquisition-constantia-flexibles-wendel/ | 2023-07-31T06:26:06 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/one-rock-capital-partners-announces-acquisition-constantia-flexibles-wendel/ |
YONGIN, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma (006280.KS), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to specialty plasma-derived therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Company's resubmission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for its GC5107B (Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) for patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI).
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is January 13, 2024. If approved, GC Biopharma would be able to provide more treatment options for patients with PI in the U.S.
GC Biopharma aims to enter the U.S. market in the second half of 2024 if GC5107B is approved by the FDA as anticipated.
While the U.S. immunoglobulin market size is estimated at about US$ 10.4 billion in 2022 (as per MRB[1] 2022), there have been sporadic shortages as there are only a small number of immunoglobulin manufacturers considering the need for a massive investment in facility and sophisticated production know-hows.
About GC5107B
GC5107B is a liquid solution containing 10% immunoglobulin G (100 mg/mL) for intravenous infusion, manufactured from pooled human plasma from US donors. The manufacturing process includes three steps to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The steps are "Fractionation I+III, solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment, and Nanofiltration."
About Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency
Primary humoral immunodeficiency disease comprises a large, heterogenous group of disorders resulting from inborn errors of immunity. Patients with PI are unable to mount an immune response to pathogens and can experience recurrent bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections as a result. Global estimates project that up to 6 million people may be living with PI, but only 650,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed[2],[3],[4].
About GC Biopharma
GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers life-saving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma's management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule.
GC Biopharma Contacts (Media)
Sohee Kim
shkim20@gccorp.com
Yelin Jun
yelin@gccorp.com
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SOURCE GC Biopharma | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ | 2023-07-31T06:26:12 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ |
MANCHESTER, Conn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DIANT® Pharma Inc. is excited to announce the US Food and Drug Administration's recent acquisition of the DIANT® LiFT system. The DIANT® LiFT system (https://diantpharma.com/the-diant-lift-system/ ) is GMP-capable equipment designed for the continuous manufacturing of lipid and polymer-based nanoparticles. In addition to providing the FDA with a high-throughput nanoparticle processing system that is scalable from R&D to commercial manufacturing, the DIANT® equipment also comes with integrated inline/online PAT that can monitor and control the process. DIANT's goal with PAT integration is to advance both the analytical and output standards across future forms of continuous manufacturing.
DIANT® technology was originally designed to synthesize liposomes and load small molecules at high throughput. However, in 2020 at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, the DIANT® technology was adapted to meet the growing and future demands that will be present in nucleic acid therapy via lipid nanoparticle delivery.
The FDA will install and operate this piece of equipment in their Beltsville, MD facility.
About
DIANT® Pharma Inc. (Manchester, CT USA) was founded in 2019 and has developed continuous processing technology for nanoparticles. DIANT® is dedicated to bringing advanced, continuous manufacturing technology to the market and to providing R&D services. Their proprietary, continuous manufacturing system for nanoparticles has a wide array of applications within the pharmaceutical space. (https://diantpharma.com/)
DIANT® provides a continuous manufacturing platform as a turnkey solution for the development and production of nanoparticles for therapeutics and vaccines.
Media Contact:
Gosia Lankosz
Marketing Manager, DIANT Pharma Inc.
Lankosz@diantpharma.com
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SOURCE DIANT Pharma Inc. | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-food-drug-administration-fda-purchase-lift-system-diant-pharma-inc/ | 2023-07-31T06:26:19 | 0 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-food-drug-administration-fda-purchase-lift-system-diant-pharma-inc/ |
(CNN) — One lucky winner could nab a massive $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot that’s up for grabs in Tuesday night’s drawing.
If won, the mammoth jackpot would equal the fourth-largest prize in Mega Millions’ history, the lottery said in a news release Saturday.
A grand prize winner could choose to spread it in annual payments over 29 years, or take a lump-sum option of an estimated $527.9 million,Mega Millions said.
The jackpot soared past a billion dollars after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night. Tuesday’s drawing will be the 30th since the jackpot was last won in New York on April 18, according to Mega Millions.
Although no one scored the jackpot Friday, there were still big winners. One ticket sold in Pennsylvania won $5 million by matching the first five numbers and activating the optional Megaplier, which is available in most states with an extra $1 purchase.
Another four tickets sold in Arizona, California, New York and Pennsylvania matched the first five numbers to win $1 million.
The top Mega Millions jackpot to date was $1.537 billion won in South Carolina in 2018. It’s followed by a $1.348 billion ticket that was sold in Maine in January and a $1.337 billion prize last July.
In fourth place on Mega Millions’ list is a $1.05 billion prize won by a ticket sold in Michigan in 2021.
Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing for the massive prize comes after a Powerball ticket sold at a convenience store in Los Angeles matched all numbers to win a $1.08 billion prize – the third-largest Powerball jackpot.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlfi.com/news/national/a-massive-1-05-billion-mega-millions-jackpot-is-up-for-grabs-in-tuesday-s/article_2e30c697-941c-5f83-8fe4-9b7b2fe99a29.html | 2023-07-31T06:26:55 | 0 | https://www.wlfi.com/news/national/a-massive-1-05-billion-mega-millions-jackpot-is-up-for-grabs-in-tuesday-s/article_2e30c697-941c-5f83-8fe4-9b7b2fe99a29.html |
Mar-a-Lago worker charged in Trump’s classified documents case to make first court appearance
MIAMI (AP) — An employee of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Carlos De Oliveira, is expected to make his first court appearance Monday on charges accusing him of scheming with the former president to hide security footage from investigators probing Trump’s hoarding of classified documents.
De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago’s property manager, was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the former president’s valet, Walt Nauta, in the federal case alleging a plot to illegally keep top-secret records at Trump’s Florida estate and thwart government efforts to retrieve them.
De Oliveira faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators. He’s scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge in Miami nearly two months after Trump pleaded not guilty in the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
The developments in the classified documents case come as Trump braces for possible charges in another federal investigation into his efforts to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump has received a letter from Smith indicating that he is a target of that investigation, and Trump’s lawyers met with Smith’s team last week.
An attorney for De Oliveira declined last week to comment on the allegations. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform last week that he was told the tapes were not “deleted in any way, shape or form.”
Prosecutors have not alleged that security footage was actually deleted or kept from investigators.
Nauta has also pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta to begin in May, and it’s unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira to the case may impact the case’s timeline.
The latest indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Trump tried to have security footage deleted after investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents Trump took with him after he left the White House.
Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts — including willful retention of notional defense information — stemming from allegations that he mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. Experts have said the new allegations bolster the special counsel’s case and deepen the former president’s legal jeopardy.
Video from Mar-a-Lago would ultimately become vital to the government’s case because, prosecutors said, it shows Nauta moving boxes in and out of a storage room — an act alleged to have been done at Trump’s direction and in effort to hide records not only only from investigators but Trump’s own lawyers.
Days after the Justice Department sent a subpoena for video footage at Mar-a-Lago to the Trump Organization in June 2022, prosecutors say De Oliveira asked a information technology staffer how long the server retained footage and told the employee “the boss” wanted it deleted. When the employee said he didn’t believe he was able to do that, De Oliveira insisted the “boss” wanted it done, asking, “What are we going to do?”
Shortly after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago and found classified records in the storage room and Trump’s office, prosecutors say Nauta called a Trump employee and said words to the effect of, “someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good.” The indictment says the employee responded that De Oliveira was loyal and wouldn’t do anything to affect his relationship with Trump. That same day, the indictment alleges, Trump called De Oliveira directly to say that he would get De Oliveira an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira later lied in interviews with investigators, falsely claiming that he hadn’t even seen boxes moved into Mar-a-Lago after Trump left the White House.
____
Richer reported from Boston.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ | 2023-07-31T06:26:56 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ |
(CNN) — A mother is suing the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, the city’s police chief and four officers, alleging police stood by for 13 minutes as her 30-year-old son drowned in a river last year.
Kimberly Williams-Clabo claims in the suit that police – who had responded to calls that her son, Mika Wheeler Clabo, was “acting erratically” – also prohibited private citizens from trying to rescue him from the Tennessee River.
“Mika deserved better that day,” said Lance Baker, the family’s attorney. “He deserved officers that operated like first responders and what he received were officers that operated like bystanders.”
The wrongful death suit was filed Tuesday in US District Court, one year after Clabo’s death.
The Knoxville Police Department responded to the suit in a Friday statement on social media.
“While Mika Clabo’s death was undoubtedly tragic, the KPD officer involved did not respond inappropriately, and the City will vigorously defend this lawsuit,” said the statement. “The officers immediately called for assistance from additional specialized resources, and any suggestion that they prevented reasonable or safe attempts to rescue Mr. Clabo is not supported by the facts.”
Clabo is described in the suit as having been a “master arborist” with a love for nature, who became addicted to opioids as a teenager. The 30-year-old participated in a court-sponsored rehabilitation program and eventually moved to a halfway house in Knoxville, the lawsuit states.
After spending the weekend of July 15, 2022, with his mother in a nearby county, the lawsuit says Clabo returned to Knoxville. On July 21, his mother reported him as missing to Knoxville police, according to the lawsuit.
Four days later, on July 25, Clabo was spotted on a street in Knoxville, according to the lawsuit. He was behaving unusually, prompting multiple people to call authorities, according to police and the lawsuit. A police incident report mentioned multiple calls about Clabo “rolling around” in the street.
Clabo appeared to be scared and was wearing only black underwear and a t-shirt, according to the lawsuit.
The police officer who filed the incident report found Clabo shortly after 10 a.m. walking on railroad tracks near the Tennessee River. According to the lawsuit, the officer approached Clabo and asked him, what’s “going on over here?” Clabo walked away, and then the officer asked, “hey, whatcha doin?”
Clabo began running toward the Tennessee River, the lawsuit alleges, citing body-camera footage as evidence. The responding officer then told Clabo to “come on back here when you’re done,” the lawsuit says.
Clabo continued toward the river until he ran “down a steep embankment that was covered in brush,”and fell into the river at 10:14 a.m., according to the police report and the lawsuit.
That’s when the officer called for a rescue boat from the Knoxville Fire Department, according to the lawsuit and the police report.
The officer “repeatedly” told Clabo to swim to a nearby dock, according to the lawsuit.
The officer said over the radio that Clabo was “attempting to get back to shore but I cannot get to him,” according to the lawsuit, which, citing body-cam footage, alleges that the officer never tried to do so.
The officer later told Clabo to relax while they waited for the boat to arrive, the lawsuit says.
Clabo was struggling to stay afloat and to grab hold of vines and tree limbs on the river bank, according to the lawsuit.
Other officers began arriving at 10:21 a.m. and debated trying to get Clabo out of the water, the lawsuit says. “I’m not going down there, cause he’ll drown my ass,” said one of the officers, according to the lawsuit.
“Victim would not acknowledge us and refused to communicate with anyone on scene,” said the report filed by police.
Eventually, four officers, in addition to at least one EMT, were present at the scene, and despite Clabo’s proximity to the shore, the lawsuit alleges that “none of the four officers tried to reach him with their hands, a baton, a rope, a tow-strap, a flotation device, or anything.”
Police offered assistance to Clabo and continued to urge him to swim out of the river, but never rendered any actual help, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that in two instances, the officers stopped private citizens from helping.
“At least two would-be citizen-heroes wanted to try to save Mika themselves,” says the lawsuit.
One person, an employee of a nearby establishment, allegedly “pleaded” with one officer to use a tow strap to rescue Clabo, according to the lawsuit, but the officer said that it wasn’t safe because he might drown the employee as well.
The employee persisted, according to the lawsuit, telling officers that he could get keys to a gate underneath the establishment “where flotation devices or even a small boat were stored, to throw one or more to Mika or at least try to reach him.”
“No, he’s got to cooperate and that’s not going to happen,” replied an officer, according to the lawsuit.
Clabo “disappears” in the water at 10:27 a.m., according to the lawsuit. The police report states that Clabo was last seen above water at 10:28 a.m. and that the rescue boat arrived “shortly after.”
The lawsuit states that divers found Clabo’s body “and pulled him out of the river at approximately 12:40 p.m,” adding that his “feet and neck were entangled with vines.”
The Knox County medical examiner ruled Clabo’s death “an accidental drowning,” according to the lawsuit.
CNN has reached out to the City of Knoxville for a comment on the lawsuit.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlfi.com/news/national/a-mother-s-lawsuit-says-police-stood-by-for-13-minutes-as-her-30-year/article_c5d87be1-f92c-5e6e-bd8c-79907bc7c3e4.html | 2023-07-31T06:27:01 | 1 | https://www.wlfi.com/news/national/a-mother-s-lawsuit-says-police-stood-by-for-13-minutes-as-her-30-year/article_c5d87be1-f92c-5e6e-bd8c-79907bc7c3e4.html |
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flutter Entertainment plc ("Flutter") (London Stock Exchange/Euronext Dublin: FLTR) and Fox Corporation ("FOX") (Nasdaq: FOX, FOXA), announce today the decision to close sports betting platform FOX Bet. A phased closure of FOX Bet's operations will take place between July 31 and August 31, 2023.
Flutter operated FOX Bet as part of The Stars Group US ("TSG US") along with the US facing operations of PokerStars. Flutter will retain ownership of PokerStars, in addition to US sports betting market leader FanDuel. FOX will retain future use of the FOX and FOX Bet brands, including FOX Bet Super 6, and intends to launch an all-new FOX Super 6 game later this summer.
FOX will continue to hold its option to acquire 18.6% of FanDuel and in addition holds a 2.5% stake in Flutter.
Notes to Editors
About FOX Bet: FOX Bet, a sports betting platform available in Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, was launched in 2019 by FOX and TSG. TSG was acquired and operated by Flutter as of May 2020.
About Fox Corporation: Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including Fox News Media, Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment, Fox Television Stations and Tubi Media Group. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develop deeper consumer relationships, and create more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives. For more information about Fox Corporation, please visit www.FoxCorporation.com.
About Flutter Entertainment plc: Changing the Game – Flutter is a global betting and gaming group with an ambition to drive positive and sustainable change in our industry. Flutter's brand portfolio includes America's number one sportsbook FanDuel, along with PokerStars, Sky Betting and Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair, Tombola, Sportsbet, Sisal, Adjarabet and Junglee. Through these world class brands, we excite and entertain customers, while leading the way in responsible play. Our strength is the Flutter Edge, optimising the advantages of our global scale to drive business performance and positive impact for our customers, colleagues and communities. For more information about Flutter Entertainment plc, its brands and reporting divisions, please visit www.flutter.com.
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SOURCE Fox Corporation | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/flutter-entertainment-plc-fox-corporation-announce-close-fox-bet/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:02 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/flutter-entertainment-plc-fox-corporation-announce-close-fox-bet/ |
SEOUL, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- J INTS BIO announced the successful dosing of the first patient in its global multi-center Phase 1/2 clinical study of 'JIN-A02' on 31st July at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
More clinical sites will follow suit, including seven more hospitals in Korea (National Cancer Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, Asan Medical Center), two in the United States, and one in Thailand.
This global phase 1/2 clinical trial seeks to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity of "JIN-A02" in advanced NSCLC patients carrying EGFR mutations.
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI, which is highly selective for and strongly inhibits NSCLC with C797S double or triple mutations, showing efficacy even against intracranial tumors by exhibiting high blood-brain barrier penetrance.
Anna Jo, CEO of J INTS BIO, said, "We expect the positive results of 'JIN-A02' in the pre-clinical studies to translate to positive outcomes for patients in the clinical trial" adding that, "We hope also to proceed with the application for designation of orphan drug, and thereby quickly occupy the global NSCLC therapy market through conditional use."
About J INTS BIO
J INTS BIO is a bio company specialized in developing innovative anti-cancer and orphan drugs to realize the goal of changing lives and improving health for patients around the world. J INTS BIO's teams have prior multi-year experience in multinational pharmaceutical companies and CROs and track records in medical, regulatory affairs, drug discovery and development.
About 'JIN-A02'
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI targeting C797S mutations in NSCLC. Although 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs have been used with some success, recurrence occurs in most patients including those on 3rd Generation TKIs such as Osimertinib. Currently, there are no approved therapies for patients who developed EGFR C797S mutations due to the use of 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs and with the high propensity of these cancers to metastasize to the brain, there is an urgent need to develop an effective drug with high blood-brain barrier permeability as well. 'JIN-A02', a novel oral EGFR TKI, which is effective against C797S double and triple mutations and have a high brain penetrance, is therefore expected to become the most promising Best-in-Class 4th-generation EGFR TKI in NSCLC patients with limited or no viable treatment options.
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SOURCE J INTS BIO | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:16 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ |
Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter ELVIN BISHOP joins forces with Blues Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-Winning Harmonica Master, Singer & Songwriter CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE to present their 2022 GRAMMY® Award Nominated album '100 Years of Blues'. Tickets for Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, NH on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster.com and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club Features Legendary Blues Musicians ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M. Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, singer and songwriter Elvin Bishop and Blues Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-Winning harmonica master, singer and songwriter Charlie Musselwhite present their 2022 GRAMMY® Award Nominated album 100 Years of Blues ("Best Traditional Blues Album"). The album also won the 2021 "Album of the Year" at the Blues Music Awards.
"This entire 12-track release is just two good-old-blues-boys sitting together and jamming. It's absolutely brilliant."
— AMERICAN BLUES SCENE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review).
"The simple sound of these two masters in a room playing together is absolutely joyous."
— ROCK & BLUES MUSE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review)
"Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite, both a few years shy of 80, are deserving of accolades."
— DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review)
Legendary blues musicians Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite are fellow blues travelers and living blues giants. The two history-making musicians—both Blues Hall of Famers—have over 100 years of professional musicianship between them. They are among the most famous bluesmen in the world. Although they've known each other since the early 1960s, this was the first time that they ever teamed up to make an album together. 100 Years of Blues, released on Alligator Records, is blues at its deepest, warmest and most engaging.
Elvin Bishop is a Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer, a 4x-GRAMMY® Award Nominee, and a 5x-Blues Music Award-Winner. ROLLING STONE calls Bishop "a legendary guitarist" whose playing is "impeccable and spirited…a distinguished American player".
Charlie Musselwhite is a Blues Hall of Famer, a GRAMMY® Award-Winner, a 15x-GRAMMY® Award Nominee, and a 33x-Blues Music Award-Winner. Musselwhite has had 14 blues albums Nominated for GRAMMY® Awards, including the 2023 GRAMMY® Award Nomination for his most recent album Mississippi Son. Musselwhite also has 20 Blues Music Awards for "Harmonica Player of the Year." LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE claims Musselwhite "plays magnificent harp with superb dexterity and phrasing" and the "results are amazing."
The stories of Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite—rich as they already are—are still being written, and this album is a new chapter. Their subtle, soulful musicianship and relaxed, conversational vocals fuel every song. Infused with their deep understanding of the blues tradition and the good-time spirit these two old pals stir up, 100 Years Of Blues is one of the finest, most memorable album recordings of either artist's career.
ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE Tickets & Current Schedule of Shows
Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club's 2023 Schedule of Shows now includes 9 NEA Jazz Masters, 47 GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artists, 40 Blues Music Award-Winners, and a comprehensive list of talented musicians with 435+ GRAMMY® Award Nominations amongst them. Tickets for ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
ABOUT JIMMY'S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB
The mission of Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience featuring serious jazz and blues music served with exceptional cuisine. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club features a spectacular and visually breathtaking environment engineered to deliver the highest quality acoustics while utilizing state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is located within a beautifully restored 1905 building at 135 Congress Street in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information visit www.jimmysoncongress.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JimmysJazzBlues and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/. Sign-up for Jimmy's Email Newsletter to stay informed on Upcoming Shows, New Artist Announcements, Promotional Offers, Ticket On-Sale Dates, Special Performances, and Jimmy's Sunday Jazz Brunch. In June 2023, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club was given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its' outstanding Wine List.
PRIVATE EVENTS AT JIMMY'S
An architecturally breathtaking center of arts and culture in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club offers a rare and spectacular venue to host important corporate functions, weddings, intimate or large-scale social gatherings, private parties, and memorable celebrations. The team at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club put heart and soul into creating a stunning full-service event space with new state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies delivered with outstanding next-level culinary experiences. Our high-touch approach, provided by professional and experienced event staff, ensures that everything is tailored to exceed your expectations. To start a conversation about hosting your event at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club, please call us at 888-603-5299, or fill out Jimmy's Private Event Request Form.
JOIN THE TEAM AT THE LABRIE GROUP FAMILY OF RESTAURANTS
Motivated by a commitment to culinary and hospitality excellence, founders Michael and Peter Labrie and their leadership team understand it is essential to seek out talented team members for each of The Labrie Group family of restaurants — Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, The Atlantic Grill, The River House, and Rio Tequila Cantina — all in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Career opportunities and current job openings can be found at www.TheLabrieGroup.com.
Website:
http://www.jimmysoncongress.com
Contact:
Suzanne Bresette
suzanne@jimmysoncongress.com
888-603-JAZZ
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SOURCE Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/jimmys-jazz-amp-blues-club-features-legendary-blues-musicians-elvin-bishop-charlie-musselwhite-thursday-august-17-730-pm/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:17 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/jimmys-jazz-amp-blues-club-features-legendary-blues-musicians-elvin-bishop-charlie-musselwhite-thursday-august-17-730-pm/ |
DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagad, a popular mobile money carrier based in Bangladesh, has emerged as a unicorn startup only in four years of its journey – the fastest in Bangladesh to reach this remarkable feat.
In recognition of the achievement, Tanvir A Mishuk, founder and managing director of Nagad Ltd., received the "Fastest to Unicorn Award" from Honourable Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day "Bangladesh Startup Summit 2023" in Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on 29 July 2023, hosted by Startup Bangladesh Ltd., the flagship venture capital company of the Government of Bangladesh's ICT Division.
Nagad has reshaped the country's MFS industry with one after another disruptive innovation and inspired confidence among people to embrace its products and services that are convenient and affordable. In this way, the state-owned mobile money carrier has established itself as the fastest unicorn startup in Bangladesh.
Presenting a keynote at the startup summit, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak lauded Nagad's contribution to building a smart economy in Bangladesh.
Founder and Managing Director of Nagad Ltd. Tanvir A Mishuk said, "The way Digital Bangladesh is marching ahead we should have achieved the unicorn status much earlier. Now, our challenge is to take our company's valuation to USD 2 billion."
Increasing the valuation is not Nagad's main target, rather, it has embarked on its journey mainly to bring unbanked people under financial inclusion and get them used to digital payments, he also, adding, "We have already come a long way in meeting our target."
The way payments continue to evolve in keeping with people's changing lifestyle, there is no denying the fact that cashless is the future. Bangladesh government has taken many initiatives to attract people to digital payments. To complement the country's digital vision, Nagad is also working relentlessly to introduce new products and services required to accelerate the country's transition to a cashless society.
To grow into a complete financial solution, the MFS provider is going to establish a digital bank that will make available all financial services on a single platform. The mobile money carrier has already prepared itself accordingly.
"If we get the licence for digital bank, we will introduce collateral-free loans for small informal businesses who now take loans from moneylenders at 40% interest rate per day," said the Nagad MD.
If everything continues to go in the right direction, Bangladesh will emerge as a Smart Nation by 2041, envisioned by PM Sheikh Hasina.
About Nagad Ltd (https://www.nagad.com.bd/)
Nagad Limited is one of the leading MFS operators in Bangladesh's payment industry with 80 million registered customers and an average daily transaction of about USD 112 million. The digital payment platform, known as a successful public-private partnership between Bangladesh Postal Department and the private sector, was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
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SOURCE Nagad Limited | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:18 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ |
YONGIN, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma (006280.KS), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to specialty plasma-derived therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Company's resubmission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for its GC5107B (Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) for patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI).
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is January 13, 2024. If approved, GC Biopharma would be able to provide more treatment options for patients with PI in the U.S.
GC Biopharma aims to enter the U.S. market in the second half of 2024 if GC5107B is approved by the FDA as anticipated.
While the U.S. immunoglobulin market size is estimated at about US$ 10.4 billion in 2022 (as per MRB[1] 2022), there have been sporadic shortages as there are only a small number of immunoglobulin manufacturers considering the need for a massive investment in facility and sophisticated production know-hows.
About GC5107B
GC5107B is a liquid solution containing 10% immunoglobulin G (100 mg/mL) for intravenous infusion, manufactured from pooled human plasma from US donors. The manufacturing process includes three steps to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The steps are "Fractionation I+III, solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment, and Nanofiltration."
About Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency
Primary humoral immunodeficiency disease comprises a large, heterogenous group of disorders resulting from inborn errors of immunity. Patients with PI are unable to mount an immune response to pathogens and can experience recurrent bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections as a result. Global estimates project that up to 6 million people may be living with PI, but only 650,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed[2],[3],[4].
About GC Biopharma
GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers life-saving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma's management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule.
GC Biopharma Contacts (Media)
Sohee Kim
shkim20@gccorp.com
Yelin Jun
yelin@gccorp.com
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SOURCE GC Biopharma | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:24 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — A week later, the “Barbenheimer” boom has not abated.
Seven days after Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” conspired to set box office records, the two films held unusually strongly in theaters. “Barbie” took in a massive $93 million in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Oppenheimer” stayed in second with a robust $46.2 million. Sales for the two movies dipped 43% and 44%, respectably — well shy of the usual week-two drops.
“Barbenheimer” has proven to be not a one-weekend phenomenon but an ongoing box-office bonanza. The two movies combined have already surpassed $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore, call it “a touchstone moment for movies, moviegoers and movie theaters.”
“Having two movies from rival studios linked in this way and both boosting each other’s fortunes — both box-office wise and it terms of their profile — I don’t know if there’s a comp for this in the annals of box-office history,” said Dergarabedian. “There’s really no comparison for this.”
Following its year-best $162 million opening, the pink-infused pop sensation of “Barbie” saw remarkably sustained business through the week and into the weekend. The film outpaced Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” to have the best first 11 days in theaters of any Warner Bros. release ever.
“Barbie” has rapidly accumulated $351.4 million in U.S. and Canadian theaters, a rate that will soon make it the biggest box-office hit of the summer. Every day it’s played, “Barbie” has made at least $20 million.
And the “Barbie” effect isn’t just in North America. The film made $122.2 million internationally over the weekend. Its global tally has reached $775 million. It’s the kind of business that astounds even veteran studio executives.
“That’s a crazy number,” said Jeff Goldstein, distribution chief for Warner Bros. “There’s just a built-in audience that wants to be part of the zeitgeist of the moment. Wherever you go, people are wearing pink. Pink is taking over the world.”
Amid the frenzy, “Barbie” is already attracting a lot of repeat moviegoers. Goldstein estimates that 12% of sales are people going back with friends or family to see it again.
For a movie industry that has been trying to regain its pre-pandemic footing — and that now finds itself largely shuttered due to actors and screenwriters strikes — the sensations of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” have showed what’s possible when everything lines up just right.
“Post-pandemic, there’s no ceiling and there’s no floor,” Goldstein said. “The movies that miss really miss big time, and the movies that work really work big time.”
Universal Pictures’ “Oppenheimer,” meanwhile, is performing more like a superhero movie than a three-hour film about scientists talking.
Nolan’s drama starring Cillian Murphy as atomic bomb physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer has accrued $174.1 million domestically thus far. With an additional $72.4 million in international cinemas, “Oppenheimer” has already surpassed $400 million globally.
Showings in IMAX have typically been sold out. “Oppenheimer” has made $80 million worldwide on IMAX. The large-format exhibitor said Sunday that it will extend the film’s run through Aug. 13.
The week’s top new release, Walt Disney Co.’s “Haunted Mansion,” an adaptation of the Disney theme park attraction, was easily overshadowed by the “Barbenheimer” blitz. The film, which cost about $150 million, debuted with $24 million domestically and $9 million in overseas sales. “Haunted Mansion,” directed by Justin Simien (“Dear White People,” “Bad Hair”) and starring an ensemble of LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito and Rosario Dawson, struggled to overcome mediocre reviews.
“Talk to Me,” the A24 supernatural horror film, fared better. It debuted with $10 million. The film, directed by Australian filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou and starring Sophie Wilde, was a midnight premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January and received terrific reviews from critics (95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). It was made for a modest $4.5 million.
While theaters being flush with moviegoers has been a huge boon to the film industry, it’s been tougher sledding for Tom Cruise, the so-called savior of the movies last summer with “Top Gun: Maverick.” “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I,” which debuted the week before the arrival of “Barbenheimer,” grossed $10.7 million in its third weekend. The film starring Cruise and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, has grossed $139.2 million domestically and $309.3 million oveseas.
Instead, the sleeper hit “Sound of Freedom” has been the best performing non-“Barbenheimer” release in theaters. The Angel Studios’ release, which is counting crowdfunding pay-it-forward sales in its box office totals, made $12.4 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its haul thus far to nearly $150 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Barbie,” $93 million.
2. “Opppenheimer,” $46.2 million.
3. “Haunted Mansion,” $24.2 million.
4. “Sound of Freedom,” $12.4 million.
5. “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” $10.7 million.
6. “Talk to Me,” $10 million.
7. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” $4 million.
8. “Elemental,” $3.4 million.
9. “Insidious: The Red Door,” $3.2 million.
10. “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani,” $1.6 million.
___
Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP | https://www.kark.com/entertainment-news/ap-the-barbie-bonanza-continues-at-the-box-office-oppenheimer-holds-the-no-2-spot/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:31 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/entertainment-news/ap-the-barbie-bonanza-continues-at-the-box-office-oppenheimer-holds-the-no-2-spot/ |
MANCHESTER, Conn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DIANT® Pharma Inc. is excited to announce the US Food and Drug Administration's recent acquisition of the DIANT® LiFT system. The DIANT® LiFT system (https://diantpharma.com/the-diant-lift-system/ ) is GMP-capable equipment designed for the continuous manufacturing of lipid and polymer-based nanoparticles. In addition to providing the FDA with a high-throughput nanoparticle processing system that is scalable from R&D to commercial manufacturing, the DIANT® equipment also comes with integrated inline/online PAT that can monitor and control the process. DIANT's goal with PAT integration is to advance both the analytical and output standards across future forms of continuous manufacturing.
DIANT® technology was originally designed to synthesize liposomes and load small molecules at high throughput. However, in 2020 at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, the DIANT® technology was adapted to meet the growing and future demands that will be present in nucleic acid therapy via lipid nanoparticle delivery.
The FDA will install and operate this piece of equipment in their Beltsville, MD facility.
About
DIANT® Pharma Inc. (Manchester, CT USA) was founded in 2019 and has developed continuous processing technology for nanoparticles. DIANT® is dedicated to bringing advanced, continuous manufacturing technology to the market and to providing R&D services. Their proprietary, continuous manufacturing system for nanoparticles has a wide array of applications within the pharmaceutical space. (https://diantpharma.com/)
DIANT® provides a continuous manufacturing platform as a turnkey solution for the development and production of nanoparticles for therapeutics and vaccines.
Media Contact:
Gosia Lankosz
Marketing Manager, DIANT Pharma Inc.
Lankosz@diantpharma.com
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SOURCE DIANT Pharma Inc. | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-food-drug-administration-fda-purchase-lift-system-diant-pharma-inc/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:37 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-food-drug-administration-fda-purchase-lift-system-diant-pharma-inc/ |
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Thousands of people backing the coup in Niger marched through the streets of the capital denouncing France, the country’s former colonial power, waving Russian flags, and setting a door at the French Embassy ablaze on Sunday before the army broke up the crowd.
Demonstrators in Niger are openly resentful of France, and Russia is seen by some as a powerful alternative. The nature of Russia’s involvement in the rallies, if any, isn’t clear but some protesters have carried Russian flags, along with signs reading “Down with France” and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian mercenary group Wagner is operating in neighboring Mali, and under Putin Russia has expanded its influence in West Africa. The new junta’s leaders have not said whether they intend to ally themselves with Moscow or stick with Niger’s Western partners.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that attacks on France and its interests would not be tolerated and anyone who attacks French citizens will see an immediate response.
Niger, a French colony until 1960, had been seen as the West’s last reliable partner battling jihadists in Africa’s Sahel region. France has 1,500 soldiers in the country who conduct joint operations with the Nigeriens. The United States and other European countries have helped train the nation’s troops.
At an emergency meeting Sunday, the West African bloc known as ECOWAS said that it was suspending relations with Niger, and authorized the use of force if President Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated within a week. The African Union has issued its own 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the democratically elected government.
Shortly after the ECOWAS meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, Chadian President Mahamat Deby arrived in Niger to lead mediation efforts, according to the Chad state radio station.
ECOWAS has struggled to make a definitive impact on the region’s political crises in the past but Bazoum was democratically elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence from France in 1960.
Members of the Niger military announced on Wednesday that they had deposed Bazoum and on Friday named Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani as the country’s new leader, adding Niger to a growing list of military regimes in West Africa’s Sahel region.
Some leaders of the mutiny said they overthrew Bazoum because he wasn’t able to secure the nation against growing jihadi violence. But some analysts and Nigeriens say that was a pretext for a takeover driven by internal power struggles.
“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, Tchiani. Tchiani, who also goes by Omar, was loyal to Bazoum’s predecessor, and that sparked the problems, Boubacar said.
Niger’s dire security situation is not as bad as that in neighboring Burkina Faso or Mali, which have also 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.
Some taking part in Sunday’s rally warned outside bodies to stay away.
“I would like also to say to the European Union, African Union and ECOWAS, please, please stay out of our business,” Oumar Barou Moussa said at the demonstration. “It’s time for us to take our lives, to work for ourselves. It’s time for us to talk about our freedom and liberty.”
Niger has the most at stake of any country in the Sahel if it turns away from the West, given the millions of dollars of military assistance it has received from abroad.
On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the continued security and economic cooperation with the U.S. hinges on the release of Bazoum — who remains under house arrest — and “the immediate restoration of the democratic order in Niger.”
Macron said he’d spoken to Bazoum and his predecessor on Sunday. On Saturday France suspended all development and financial aid to Niger.
The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc has unsuccessfully tried to restore democracies in nations where the military took power in recent years. Four nations are run by military regimes in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020.
While the bloc has struggled to have much impact, the measures placed on Niger Sunday show the gravity of the situation, said Andrew Lebovich, a research fellow with the Clingendael Institute.
“The strenuous measures they have put in place or threatened to put in place show not only how seriously they are taking this crisis, but also the urgency the regional body and larger international community feel in trying to force a return to normal that will likely prove elusive,” he said.
The response from the bloc towards Niger differs from how it dealt with recent coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, which did not involve the threat of force if constitutional rule wasn’t reinstated.
In the last few decades it has sent troops into member countries a handful of times.
In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war. In 2017 it intervened in The Gambia to prevent the new president’s predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Approximately 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis on peace and security issues.
Economic sanctions could have a deep impact on Nigeriens, who live in the third-poorest country in the world, according to the latest U.N. data. The country relies on imports from Nigeria for up to 90% of its power, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. The sanctions would suspend all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger.
In a televised address Saturday, Col. Major Amadou Abdramane, one of the soldiers who ousted Bazoum, accused the meeting of making a “plan of aggression” against Niger and said the country would defend itself.
“Tensions with the military are still ongoing. There could be another coup after this one, or a stronger intervention from ECOWAS, potentially military force,” said Tatiana Smirnova, a researcher in conflict resolution and peace missions at the Centre FrancoPaix. “Many actors are also trying to negotiate, but the outcome is unclear.”
___
Associated Press reporters Angela Charlton in Paris and Chinedu Asadu in Abuja, Nigeria and Edouard Takadji in N’Djamena, Chad contributed. | https://www.kark.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-as-regional-and-global-powers-decry-nigers-coup-the-countrys-future-remains-uncertain/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:39 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-as-regional-and-global-powers-decry-nigers-coup-the-countrys-future-remains-uncertain/ |
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flutter Entertainment plc ("Flutter") (London Stock Exchange/Euronext Dublin: FLTR) and Fox Corporation ("FOX") (Nasdaq: FOX, FOXA), announce today the decision to close sports betting platform FOX Bet. A phased closure of FOX Bet's operations will take place between July 31 and August 31, 2023.
Flutter operated FOX Bet as part of The Stars Group US ("TSG US") along with the US facing operations of PokerStars. Flutter will retain ownership of PokerStars, in addition to US sports betting market leader FanDuel. FOX will retain future use of the FOX and FOX Bet brands, including FOX Bet Super 6, and intends to launch an all-new FOX Super 6 game later this summer.
FOX will continue to hold its option to acquire 18.6% of FanDuel and in addition holds a 2.5% stake in Flutter.
Notes to Editors
About FOX Bet: FOX Bet, a sports betting platform available in Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, was launched in 2019 by FOX and TSG. TSG was acquired and operated by Flutter as of May 2020.
About Fox Corporation: Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including Fox News Media, Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment, Fox Television Stations and Tubi Media Group. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develop deeper consumer relationships, and create more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives. For more information about Fox Corporation, please visit www.FoxCorporation.com.
About Flutter Entertainment plc: Changing the Game – Flutter is a global betting and gaming group with an ambition to drive positive and sustainable change in our industry. Flutter's brand portfolio includes America's number one sportsbook FanDuel, along with PokerStars, Sky Betting and Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair, Tombola, Sportsbet, Sisal, Adjarabet and Junglee. Through these world class brands, we excite and entertain customers, while leading the way in responsible play. Our strength is the Flutter Edge, optimising the advantages of our global scale to drive business performance and positive impact for our customers, colleagues and communities. For more information about Flutter Entertainment plc, its brands and reporting divisions, please visit www.flutter.com.
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SOURCE Fox Corporation | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/flutter-entertainment-plc-fox-corporation-announce-close-fox-bet/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:43 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/flutter-entertainment-plc-fox-corporation-announce-close-fox-bet/ |
BANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Monday after Wall Street got back to climbing following more encouraging profit reports and the latest signal that inflation is loosening its chokehold on the economy.
Sentiment also has been boosted by revived hopes for more stimulus from Beijing for the sluggish Chinese economy. Chinese factory activity contracted in July as export orders shrank, a survey showed, adding to pressure on the ruling Communist Party to reverse an economic slowdown.
A purchasing managers’ index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group improved to 49.3 from June’s 49 on a 100-point scale but was below the 50-point level that shows activity contracting.
“The PMI surveys suggest that China’s economic recovery continued to lose momentum in July,” Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a commentary. “Looking forward, policy support is needed to prevent China’s economy from slipping into a recession, not least because external headwinds look set to persist for a while longer.”
The Hang Seng in Hong Kong rose 1.5% to 20,208.78 while the Shanghai Composite index advanced 0.6% to 3,296.58.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index was up 1.1% at 33,133.39. In Seoul, the Kospi climbed 0.7% to 2,626.86.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% lower, to 7,399.00 and the SET in Bangkok was up 0.6%. The Sensex in India was little changed.
On Friday, the S&P 500 rose 1% to 4,582.23, closing out its ninth winning week in the last 11. The Dow added 0.5% to 35,459.29 and the Nasdaq climbed 1.9% to 14,316.66 as Big Tech stocks led the market.
Stocks have been rising recently on hopes high inflation is cooling enough to get the Federal Reserve to stop hiking interest rates. That in turn could allow the economy to continue growing and avoid a long-predicted recession.
A report on Friday bolstered those hopes, saying the inflation measure the Fed prefers to use slowed last month by a touch more than expected. Perhaps just as importantly, data also showed that total compensation for workers rose less than expected during the spring. While that’s discouraging for workers looking for bigger raises, investors see it adding less upward pressure on inflation.
The hope among traders is that the slowdown in inflation means Wednesday’s hike to interest rates on by the Federal Reserve will be the final one of this cycle. The federal funds rate has leaped to a level between 5.25% and 5.50%, up from virtually zero early last year. High interest rates work to lower inflation by slowing the entire economy and hurting prices for stocks and other investments.
Though critics say the stock market’s rally may have gone too far, too fast, hopes for a halt to rate hikes helped technology stocks and others seen as big beneficiaries from easier rates to rally and lead the market Friday.
Microsoft, Apple and Amazon each rose at least 1.4% and were the three strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500.
Companies also continued to deliver stronger profits for the spring than analysts expected. Roughly halfway through the earnings season, more companies than usual are topping profit forecasts, according to FactSet.
Intel rose 6.6% after reporting a profit for the latest quarter, when analysts were expecting a loss.
Food giant Mondelez International climbed 3.7% after reporting stronger results for the spring than expected. The company behind Oreo and Ritz also raised its forecasts for financial results for the full year.
In other trading on Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil gave up 42 cents to $80.16 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It gained 49 cents to $80.58 on Friday.
Brent crude, the international standard, shed 47 cents to $83.94 a barrel.
The U.S. dollar rose to 141.87 Japanese yen from Friday’s 141.01 yen. The euro slipped to $1.1012 from $1.1019. ___
AP Business Writer Joe McDonald in Beijing contributed. | https://www.kark.com/news/business/ap-stock-market-today-asia-shares-gain-after-wall-st-rally-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-china-stimulus/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:46 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/business/ap-stock-market-today-asia-shares-gain-after-wall-st-rally-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-china-stimulus/ |
SEOUL, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- J INTS BIO announced the successful dosing of the first patient in its global multi-center Phase 1/2 clinical study of 'JIN-A02' on 31st July at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
More clinical sites will follow suit, including seven more hospitals in Korea (National Cancer Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, Asan Medical Center), two in the United States, and one in Thailand.
This global phase 1/2 clinical trial seeks to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity of "JIN-A02" in advanced NSCLC patients carrying EGFR mutations.
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI, which is highly selective for and strongly inhibits NSCLC with C797S double or triple mutations, showing efficacy even against intracranial tumors by exhibiting high blood-brain barrier penetrance.
Anna Jo, CEO of J INTS BIO, said, "We expect the positive results of 'JIN-A02' in the pre-clinical studies to translate to positive outcomes for patients in the clinical trial" adding that, "We hope also to proceed with the application for designation of orphan drug, and thereby quickly occupy the global NSCLC therapy market through conditional use."
About J INTS BIO
J INTS BIO is a bio company specialized in developing innovative anti-cancer and orphan drugs to realize the goal of changing lives and improving health for patients around the world. J INTS BIO's teams have prior multi-year experience in multinational pharmaceutical companies and CROs and track records in medical, regulatory affairs, drug discovery and development.
About 'JIN-A02'
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI targeting C797S mutations in NSCLC. Although 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs have been used with some success, recurrence occurs in most patients including those on 3rd Generation TKIs such as Osimertinib. Currently, there are no approved therapies for patients who developed EGFR C797S mutations due to the use of 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs and with the high propensity of these cancers to metastasize to the brain, there is an urgent need to develop an effective drug with high blood-brain barrier permeability as well. 'JIN-A02', a novel oral EGFR TKI, which is effective against C797S double and triple mutations and have a high brain penetrance, is therefore expected to become the most promising Best-in-Class 4th-generation EGFR TKI in NSCLC patients with limited or no viable treatment options.
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SOURCE J INTS BIO | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:49 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/j-ints-bio-novel-oral-4th-generation-egfr-tki-jin-a02-dosing-first-patient-global-multi-center-phase-12-clinical-study-began/ |
BRIGHTON, Iowa (AP) — You-pick farms are struggling through heat, drought and haze as customers cancel picking appointments and crops across Iowa refuse to grow.
These farms offer visitors the chance to harvest their own produce straight from the tree, bush or ground.
But this summer marks Iowa’s third year in a row of drought. And that is hurting farmers who grow water-intensive crops like blueberries and strawberries that are particularly sensitive to heat and drought, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported.
Kim Anderson told The Gazette that her well started faltering during last summer’s heat and drought at her 5-acre Blueberry Bottom Farm near Brighton in southeastern Iowa.
Many of her blueberry bushes became parched. And recently, for the first time in the farm’s five-season history, she had to cancel a day of picking appointments because there weren’t enough ripe berries.
“I just never anticipated something like this, that the well wouldn’t have enough water,” she said.
Similarly, Dean Henry told The Gazette that these are the worst conditions he has seen in his 56 years of operating the Berry Patch Farm in Nevada in central Iowa.
Henry said the Iowa Department of Natural Resources restricted his well water usage from 20 acres a day to 1 acre a day. But his strawberry plants need lots of water.
This year, his entire crop failed.
The heat has affected customers too. Some you-pick farms reported a decrease in customer visits, according to The Gazette. If people do come, they aren’t staying as long as normal to take in the entertainment at the farms, like picnic tables or games.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires also caused Iowa skies to grow hazy and air quality to be poor several times this summer. Customers canceled their appointments on especially hazy days, Anderson said. | https://www.kark.com/news/business/ap-you-pick-farms-lose-customers-and-crops-through-heat-drought-and-haze-in-iowa/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:52 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/business/ap-you-pick-farms-lose-customers-and-crops-through-heat-drought-and-haze-in-iowa/ |
Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter ELVIN BISHOP joins forces with Blues Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-Winning Harmonica Master, Singer & Songwriter CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE to present their 2022 GRAMMY® Award Nominated album '100 Years of Blues'. Tickets for Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, NH on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster.com and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club Features Legendary Blues Musicians ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M. Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, singer and songwriter Elvin Bishop and Blues Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-Winning harmonica master, singer and songwriter Charlie Musselwhite present their 2022 GRAMMY® Award Nominated album 100 Years of Blues ("Best Traditional Blues Album"). The album also won the 2021 "Album of the Year" at the Blues Music Awards.
"This entire 12-track release is just two good-old-blues-boys sitting together and jamming. It's absolutely brilliant."
— AMERICAN BLUES SCENE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review).
"The simple sound of these two masters in a room playing together is absolutely joyous."
— ROCK & BLUES MUSE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review)
"Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite, both a few years shy of 80, are deserving of accolades."
— DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE ('100 Years of Blues' Album Review)
Legendary blues musicians Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite are fellow blues travelers and living blues giants. The two history-making musicians—both Blues Hall of Famers—have over 100 years of professional musicianship between them. They are among the most famous bluesmen in the world. Although they've known each other since the early 1960s, this was the first time that they ever teamed up to make an album together. 100 Years of Blues, released on Alligator Records, is blues at its deepest, warmest and most engaging.
Elvin Bishop is a Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer, a 4x-GRAMMY® Award Nominee, and a 5x-Blues Music Award-Winner. ROLLING STONE calls Bishop "a legendary guitarist" whose playing is "impeccable and spirited…a distinguished American player".
Charlie Musselwhite is a Blues Hall of Famer, a GRAMMY® Award-Winner, a 15x-GRAMMY® Award Nominee, and a 33x-Blues Music Award-Winner. Musselwhite has had 14 blues albums Nominated for GRAMMY® Awards, including the 2023 GRAMMY® Award Nomination for his most recent album Mississippi Son. Musselwhite also has 20 Blues Music Awards for "Harmonica Player of the Year." LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE claims Musselwhite "plays magnificent harp with superb dexterity and phrasing" and the "results are amazing."
The stories of Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite—rich as they already are—are still being written, and this album is a new chapter. Their subtle, soulful musicianship and relaxed, conversational vocals fuel every song. Infused with their deep understanding of the blues tradition and the good-time spirit these two old pals stir up, 100 Years Of Blues is one of the finest, most memorable album recordings of either artist's career.
ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE Tickets & Current Schedule of Shows
Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club's 2023 Schedule of Shows now includes 9 NEA Jazz Masters, 47 GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artists, 40 Blues Music Award-Winners, and a comprehensive list of talented musicians with 435+ GRAMMY® Award Nominations amongst them. Tickets for ELVIN BISHOP and CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Thursday August 17 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.
ABOUT JIMMY'S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB
The mission of Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience featuring serious jazz and blues music served with exceptional cuisine. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club features a spectacular and visually breathtaking environment engineered to deliver the highest quality acoustics while utilizing state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is located within a beautifully restored 1905 building at 135 Congress Street in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information visit www.jimmysoncongress.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JimmysJazzBlues and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/. Sign-up for Jimmy's Email Newsletter to stay informed on Upcoming Shows, New Artist Announcements, Promotional Offers, Ticket On-Sale Dates, Special Performances, and Jimmy's Sunday Jazz Brunch. In June 2023, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club was given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its' outstanding Wine List.
PRIVATE EVENTS AT JIMMY'S
An architecturally breathtaking center of arts and culture in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club offers a rare and spectacular venue to host important corporate functions, weddings, intimate or large-scale social gatherings, private parties, and memorable celebrations. The team at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club put heart and soul into creating a stunning full-service event space with new state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies delivered with outstanding next-level culinary experiences. Our high-touch approach, provided by professional and experienced event staff, ensures that everything is tailored to exceed your expectations. To start a conversation about hosting your event at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club, please call us at 888-603-5299, or fill out Jimmy's Private Event Request Form.
JOIN THE TEAM AT THE LABRIE GROUP FAMILY OF RESTAURANTS
Motivated by a commitment to culinary and hospitality excellence, founders Michael and Peter Labrie and their leadership team understand it is essential to seek out talented team members for each of The Labrie Group family of restaurants — Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, The Atlantic Grill, The River House, and Rio Tequila Cantina — all in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Career opportunities and current job openings can be found at www.TheLabrieGroup.com.
Website:
http://www.jimmysoncongress.com
Contact:
Suzanne Bresette
suzanne@jimmysoncongress.com
888-603-JAZZ
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SOURCE Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/jimmys-jazz-amp-blues-club-features-legendary-blues-musicians-elvin-bishop-charlie-musselwhite-thursday-august-17-730-pm/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:56 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/jimmys-jazz-amp-blues-club-features-legendary-blues-musicians-elvin-bishop-charlie-musselwhite-thursday-august-17-730-pm/ |
BEIRUT (AP) — Fighting raged Sunday in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp near the southern port city of Sidon, killing at least five people and wounding seven, Palestinian officials said.
UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, put the death toll at six, and Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said two children were among those wounded.
The Palestinian officials, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the fighting broke out after an unknown gunman tried to kill Islamist militant Mahmoud Khalil, killing a companion of his instead.
Later, Islamist militants shot and killed a Palestinian military general from the Fatah group and three escorts as they were walking through a parking lot, another Palestinian official told AP.
Ein el-Hilweh is notorious for its lawlessness and violence is not uncommon. The U.N. says about 55,000 people live in the camp, which was established in 1948 to house Palestinians displaced by Israeli forces during the establishment of Israel.
On Sunday, factions blazed away with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers and lobbed hand grenades in the camp as ambulances zoomed through its narrow streets to take the wounded to the hospital.
The fighting stopped for several hours in the morning, though state media said there was still sporadic sniper fire, but fighting erupted again after the killing of the Palestinian general and his escorts.
Some residents in Sidon neighborhoods near the camp fled their homes as stray bullets hit buildings and shattered windows and storefronts. The public Sidon General Hospital evacuated its staff and patients.
The Lebanese army said in a statement that a mortar shell hit a military barracks outside the camp and wounded one soldier, whose condition is stable. Military commandos deployed near the camp’s entrances as clashes continued into the night.
UNRWA said two of its schools that serve some 2,000 students were damaged in the fighting. It said it suspended all its operations in Ein el-Hilweh.
Fatah in a statement condemned the killing of its security official, saying the attack was part of a “bloody scheme that targets the security and stability of our camps.” It vowed to hold the “perpetrators accountable.”
In Ramallah, the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement decrying violence in a camp for Palestinian refugees.
“No one is allowed to intimidate our people and tamper with their security,” it said. “We support what the Lebanese government is doing to impose law and order, and we affirm our commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, including the Palestinian refugee camps, and maintaining security and the rule of law.”
Late in the day, the factions said in a joint statement that they had agreed to a ceasefire during a mediation meeting hosted by the Lebanese Shiite Amal movement and militant Hezbollah group in Sidon. But local media said fighting continued. A spokesperson from the Palestinian militant group Hamas told AP that the groups were working to implement the truce.
Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the clashes. “We call on the Palestinian leadership to cooperate with the army to control the security situation and hand over those meddling with security to the Lebanese authorities,” Mikati said in his statement.
Palestinian factions in the camp for years have cracked down on militant Islamist groups and fugitives seeking shelter in the camp’s overcrowded neighborhoods. In 2017, Palestinian factions engaged in almost a week of fierce clashes with a militant organization affiliated with the extremist Islamic State group.
___
Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-1-killed-6-wounded-in-overnight-clashes-in-crowded-palestinian-refugee-camp-in-lebanon/ | 2023-07-31T06:27:58 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-1-killed-6-wounded-in-overnight-clashes-in-crowded-palestinian-refugee-camp-in-lebanon/ |
DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagad, a popular mobile money carrier based in Bangladesh, has emerged as a unicorn startup only in four years of its journey – the fastest in Bangladesh to reach this remarkable feat.
In recognition of the achievement, Tanvir A Mishuk, founder and managing director of Nagad Ltd., received the "Fastest to Unicorn Award" from Honourable Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day "Bangladesh Startup Summit 2023" in Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on 29 July 2023, hosted by Startup Bangladesh Ltd., the flagship venture capital company of the Government of Bangladesh's ICT Division.
Nagad has reshaped the country's MFS industry with one after another disruptive innovation and inspired confidence among people to embrace its products and services that are convenient and affordable. In this way, the state-owned mobile money carrier has established itself as the fastest unicorn startup in Bangladesh.
Presenting a keynote at the startup summit, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak lauded Nagad's contribution to building a smart economy in Bangladesh.
Founder and Managing Director of Nagad Ltd. Tanvir A Mishuk said, "The way Digital Bangladesh is marching ahead we should have achieved the unicorn status much earlier. Now, our challenge is to take our company's valuation to USD 2 billion."
Increasing the valuation is not Nagad's main target, rather, it has embarked on its journey mainly to bring unbanked people under financial inclusion and get them used to digital payments, he also, adding, "We have already come a long way in meeting our target."
The way payments continue to evolve in keeping with people's changing lifestyle, there is no denying the fact that cashless is the future. Bangladesh government has taken many initiatives to attract people to digital payments. To complement the country's digital vision, Nagad is also working relentlessly to introduce new products and services required to accelerate the country's transition to a cashless society.
To grow into a complete financial solution, the MFS provider is going to establish a digital bank that will make available all financial services on a single platform. The mobile money carrier has already prepared itself accordingly.
"If we get the licence for digital bank, we will introduce collateral-free loans for small informal businesses who now take loans from moneylenders at 40% interest rate per day," said the Nagad MD.
If everything continues to go in the right direction, Bangladesh will emerge as a Smart Nation by 2041, envisioned by PM Sheikh Hasina.
About Nagad Ltd (https://www.nagad.com.bd/)
Nagad Limited is one of the leading MFS operators in Bangladesh's payment industry with 80 million registered customers and an average daily transaction of about USD 112 million. The digital payment platform, known as a successful public-private partnership between Bangladesh Postal Department and the private sector, was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
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SOURCE Nagad Limited | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:02 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nagad-becomes-bangladeshs-fastest-unicorn/ |
MOSCOW (AP) — Ten people — including three children — 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 inside the Mariy Chodra National Park, regional leader Yuri Zaitsev wrote on social media. He said that three children were among the dead. Russia’s investigative committee has opened a criminal case to determine whether unsafe or sub-standard services provided by the park’s management company contributed to the deaths.
Across the wider Volga Federal District, 76 people were injured in the storm, with thousands of households losing power, emergency services said. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-9-die-including-3-children-as-strong-winds-hit-tourist-camp-in-central-russia-officials-say/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:05 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-9-die-including-3-children-as-strong-winds-hit-tourist-camp-in-central-russia-officials-say/ |
YONGIN, South Korea, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma (006280.KS), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to specialty plasma-derived therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Company's resubmission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for its GC5107B (Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) for patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI).
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is January 13, 2024. If approved, GC Biopharma would be able to provide more treatment options for patients with PI in the U.S.
GC Biopharma aims to enter the U.S. market in the second half of 2024 if GC5107B is approved by the FDA as anticipated.
While the U.S. immunoglobulin market size is estimated at about US$ 10.4 billion in 2022 (as per MRB[1] 2022), there have been sporadic shortages as there are only a small number of immunoglobulin manufacturers considering the need for a massive investment in facility and sophisticated production know-hows.
About GC5107B
GC5107B is a liquid solution containing 10% immunoglobulin G (100 mg/mL) for intravenous infusion, manufactured from pooled human plasma from US donors. The manufacturing process includes three steps to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The steps are "Fractionation I+III, solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment, and Nanofiltration."
About Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency
Primary humoral immunodeficiency disease comprises a large, heterogenous group of disorders resulting from inborn errors of immunity. Patients with PI are unable to mount an immune response to pathogens and can experience recurrent bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections as a result. Global estimates project that up to 6 million people may be living with PI, but only 650,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed[2],[3],[4].
About GC Biopharma
GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers life-saving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma's management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule.
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SOURCE GC Biopharma | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:08 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-fda-accepts-biologics-license-application-gc-biopharmas-gc5107b-immune-globulin-intravenous-human-10-liquid/ |
KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — A suicide bomber blew himself up at a political rally in a former stronghold of militants in northwest Pakistan bordering Afghanistan on Sunday, killing at least 44 people and wounding nearly 200 in an attack that a senior leader said was meant to weaken Pakistani Islamists.
The Bajur district near the Afghan border was a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban — a close ally of Afghanistan’s Taliban government — before the Pakistani army drove the militants out of the area. Supporters of hard-line Pakistani cleric and political party leader Fazlur Rehman, whose Jamiat Ulema Islam generally supports regional Islamists, were meeting in Bajur in a hall close to a market outside the district capital. Party officials said Rehman was not at the rally but organizers added tents because so many supporters showed up, and party volunteers with batons were helping control the crowd.
Officials were announcing the arrival of Abdul Rasheed, a leader of the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, when the bomb went off in one of Pakistan’s bloodiest attacks in recent years.
Provincial police said in a statement that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who detonated his explosives vest close to the stage where several senior leaders of the party were sitting. It said initial investigations suggested the Islamic State group — which operates in Afghanistan and is an enemy of the Afghan Taliban — could be behind the attack, and officers were still investigating.
“There was dust and smoke around, and I was under some injured people from where I could hardly stand up, only to see chaos and some scattered limbs,” said Adam Khan, 45, who was knocked to the ground by the blast around 4 p.m. and hit by splinters in his leg and both hands.
The Pakistan Taliban, or TTP, said in a statement sent to The Associated Press that the bombing was aimed at setting Islamists against each other. Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that “such crimes cannot be justified in any way.”
The Afghan Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan in mid-August 2021 emboldened the TTP. They unilaterally ended a cease-fire agreement with the Pakistani government in November, and have stepped up attacks across the country.
The bombing came hours before the arrival of Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Islamabad, where he was to participate in an event to mark a decade of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, a sprawling package under which Beijing has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan.
In recent months, China has helped Pakistan avoid a default on sovereign payments. However, some Chinese nationals have also been targeted by militants in northwestern Pakistan and elsewhere.
Feroz Jamal, the provincial information minister, told The Associated Press that so far 44 people had been “martyred” and nearly 200 wounded in the bombing.
The bombing was one of the four worst attacks in the northwest since 2014, when 147 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar. In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. n February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a bombing at a mosque inside a high-security compound housing Peshawar police headquarters.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi condemned the attack and asked officials to provide all possible assistance to the wounded and the bereaved families. Sharif later, in a phone call to Rehman, the head of the JUI, conveyed his condolences to him and assured him that those who orchestrated the attack would be punished.
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad also condemned the attack. In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, it expressed its condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims killed in the attack..
Maulana Ziaullah, the local chief of Rehman’s party, was among the dead. JUI leaders Rasheed and former lawmaker Maulana Jamaluddin were also on the stage but escaped unhurt.
Rasheed, the regional chief of the party, said the attack was an attempt to remove JUI from the field before parliamentary elections in November, but he said such tactics would not work. The bombing drew nationwide condemnation, with the ruling and opposition parties extending condolences to the families of those who died in the attack.
Rehman is considered to be a pro-Taliban cleric and his political party is part of the coalition government in Islamabad. Meetings are being organized across the country to mobilize supporters for the upcoming elections.
“Many of our fellows lost their lives and many more wounded in this incident. I will ask the federal and provincial administrations to fully investigate this incident and provide due compensation and medical facilities to the affected ones,” Rasheed said.
Mohammad Wali, another attendant at the rally, said he was listening to a speaker address the crowd when the huge explosion temporarily deafened him.
“I was near the water dispenser to fetch a glass of water when the bomb exploded, throwing me to the ground,” he said. “We came to the meeting with enthusiasm but ended up at the hospital seeing crying, wounded people and sobbing relatives taking the bodies of their loved ones.”
___
Riaz Khan reported from Peshawar. Associated Press writer Munir Ahmad contributed from Islamabad. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-a-bomb-at-a-political-rally-in-northwest-pakistan-kills-10-people-and-wounds-more-than-50/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:12 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-a-bomb-at-a-political-rally-in-northwest-pakistan-kills-10-people-and-wounds-more-than-50/ |
MANCHESTER, Conn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DIANT® Pharma Inc. is excited to announce the US Food and Drug Administration's recent acquisition of the DIANT® LiFT system. The DIANT® LiFT system (https://diantpharma.com/the-diant-lift-system/ ) is GMP-capable equipment designed for the continuous manufacturing of lipid and polymer-based nanoparticles. In addition to providing the FDA with a high-throughput nanoparticle processing system that is scalable from R&D to commercial manufacturing, the DIANT® equipment also comes with integrated inline/online PAT that can monitor and control the process. DIANT's goal with PAT integration is to advance both the analytical and output standards across future forms of continuous manufacturing.
DIANT® technology was originally designed to synthesize liposomes and load small molecules at high throughput. However, in 2020 at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, the DIANT® technology was adapted to meet the growing and future demands that will be present in nucleic acid therapy via lipid nanoparticle delivery.
The FDA will install and operate this piece of equipment in their Beltsville, MD facility.
About
DIANT® Pharma Inc. (Manchester, CT USA) was founded in 2019 and has developed continuous processing technology for nanoparticles. DIANT® is dedicated to bringing advanced, continuous manufacturing technology to the market and to providing R&D services. Their proprietary, continuous manufacturing system for nanoparticles has a wide array of applications within the pharmaceutical space. (https://diantpharma.com/)
DIANT® provides a continuous manufacturing platform as a turnkey solution for the development and production of nanoparticles for therapeutics and vaccines.
Media Contact:
Gosia Lankosz
Marketing Manager, DIANT Pharma Inc.
Lankosz@diantpharma.com
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SOURCE DIANT Pharma Inc. | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-food-drug-administration-fda-purchase-lift-system-diant-pharma-inc/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:14 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/us-food-drug-administration-fda-purchase-lift-system-diant-pharma-inc/ |
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — African leaders have left 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.”
African leaders also called clearly for peace.
“This war must end and it can only end on the basis of justice and reason,” said the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. “The disturbances that it causes in the supply of energy and grain must cease immediately” for the benefit of all, especially Africans.
Putin 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.
But African nations need more concrete results from such meetings, the AU Commission head told the summit.
“The trade balance between Russia and Africa, very unbalanced in favor of the first party, must be improved,” Mahamat said. At the first Russia-Africa Summit in 2019, Putin vowed to double Russia’s trade with the continent within five years. Instead, it has stalled at around $18 billion a year.
In addition, “the strengthening of cooperation on peace and security and the fight against terrorism calls for more deeds and fewer declarations of intent,” Mahamat said, while he and other African leaders were rushing to respond to a coup in Niger that could upend the regional response to a growing threat from Islamic extremist groups.
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.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-african-leaders-leave-russia-summit-without-grain-deal-or-a-path-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:18 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-african-leaders-leave-russia-summit-without-grain-deal-or-a-path-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine/ |
22-month-old girl dies after being trapped under dresser
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said a 22-month-old girl from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, died Sunday after a dresser overturned on her.
The victim was identified by the coroner’s office as Jalaya Bryant.
Anderson County officials said Bryant was at her grandparents’ house in Williamston, South Carolina, when she was discovered by a family member underneath the furniture that fell.
According to Anderson County Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown, it appeared the child was trying to climb the dresser when it fell over and trapped her.
Bryant was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries shortly after noon.
The coroner’s office said Bryant died from asphyxiation and there appears to be no signs of foul play.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:20 | 1 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ |
22-month-old girl dies after being trapped under dresser
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said a 22-month-old girl from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, died Sunday after a dresser overturned on her.
The victim was identified by the coroner’s office as Jalaya Bryant.
Anderson County officials said Bryant was at her grandparents’ house in Williamston, South Carolina, when she was discovered by a family member underneath the furniture that fell.
According to Anderson County Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown, it appeared the child was trying to climb the dresser when it fell over and trapped her.
Bryant was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries shortly after noon.
The coroner’s office said Bryant died from asphyxiation and there appears to be no signs of foul play.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:20 | 1 | https://www.wkyt.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ |
22-month-old girl dies after being trapped under dresser
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said a 22-month-old girl from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, died Sunday after a dresser overturned on her.
The victim was identified by the coroner’s office as Jalaya Bryant.
Anderson County officials said Bryant was at her grandparents’ house in Williamston, South Carolina, when she was discovered by a family member underneath the furniture that fell.
According to Anderson County Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown, it appeared the child was trying to climb the dresser when it fell over and trapped her.
Bryant was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries shortly after noon.
The coroner’s office said Bryant died from asphyxiation and there appears to be no signs of foul play.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:20 | 1 | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/22-month-old-girl-dies-after-being-trapped-under-dresser/ |
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — The Central African Republic went to the polls Sunday in a highly anticipated vote on a new constitution, which would remove presidential term limits.
President Faustin Archange Touadera wants to extend presidential terms from five to seven years and remove the previous two-term limit, enabling him to run again in 2025.
The new constitution would replace the one adopted at Touadera’s inauguration in 2016, when the country was in a civil war and 80% of it was not under state control. If the new constitution is passed, it could entrench the ruling party’s power indefinitely, analysts say.
“This referendum basically confirms the fears of authoritarian drift (in CAR),” said Enrica Picco, Central Africa project director with the International Crisis Group. The new constitution would weaken checks on the executive by opposition parties, closing the space for Central Africans to participate in democratic decision-making, she said.
The proposed changes also would lift requirements that executive decisions be debated by the legislative and permit Central Africans with dual nationalities to vote.
The mineral-rich but impoverished nation has faced intercommunal fighting since 2013, when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power and forced then-President Francois Bozize from office. Mostly Christian militias later fought back, also targeting civilians in the streets. The United Nations, which has a peacekeeping mission in the country, estimates the fighting had killed thousands and displaced over a million people, one fifth of the country’s population.
When Touadera won re-election in 2020, barely a third of Central Africans made it to the polls, largely due to threats of violence by rebel groups. Touadera’s government has relied on support from UN peacekeepers, soldiers from neighboring Rwanda and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group to keep rebels out of the capital Bangui.
“Now that there is peace … the time has come for us to take action,” said Fidel Gouandjika, a presidential advisor.
Opposition groups accuse the ruling party of making a draft of the new constitution publicly available too late for people to make informed decisions, less than three weeks before the referendum, said Picco.
Together with opposition parties they are calling on Central Africans to vote against the proposed constitution, or abstain from the referendum.
“Touadera wants to see himself as an emperor, and he wants to make our country what he wants, not what Central Africans want,” said former Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-constitutional-referendum-to-remove-presidential-term-limits-divides-central-african-republic/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:26 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-constitutional-referendum-to-remove-presidential-term-limits-divides-central-african-republic/ |
Mar-a-Lago worker charged in Trump’s classified documents case to make first court appearance
MIAMI (AP) — An employee of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Carlos De Oliveira, is expected to make his first court appearance Monday on charges accusing him of scheming with the former president to hide security footage from investigators probing Trump’s hoarding of classified documents.
De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago’s property manager, was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the former president’s valet, Walt Nauta, in the federal case alleging a plot to illegally keep top-secret records at Trump’s Florida estate and thwart government efforts to retrieve them.
De Oliveira faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators. He’s scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge in Miami nearly two months after Trump pleaded not guilty in the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
The developments in the classified documents case come as Trump braces for possible charges in another federal investigation into his efforts to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump has received a letter from Smith indicating that he is a target of that investigation, and Trump’s lawyers met with Smith’s team last week.
An attorney for De Oliveira declined last week to comment on the allegations. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform last week that he was told the tapes were not “deleted in any way, shape or form.”
Prosecutors have not alleged that security footage was actually deleted or kept from investigators.
Nauta has also pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta to begin in May, and it’s unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira to the case may impact the case’s timeline.
The latest indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Trump tried to have security footage deleted after investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents Trump took with him after he left the White House.
Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts — including willful retention of notional defense information — stemming from allegations that he mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. Experts have said the new allegations bolster the special counsel’s case and deepen the former president’s legal jeopardy.
Video from Mar-a-Lago would ultimately become vital to the government’s case because, prosecutors said, it shows Nauta moving boxes in and out of a storage room — an act alleged to have been done at Trump’s direction and in effort to hide records not only only from investigators but Trump’s own lawyers.
Days after the Justice Department sent a subpoena for video footage at Mar-a-Lago to the Trump Organization in June 2022, prosecutors say De Oliveira asked a information technology staffer how long the server retained footage and told the employee “the boss” wanted it deleted. When the employee said he didn’t believe he was able to do that, De Oliveira insisted the “boss” wanted it done, asking, “What are we going to do?”
Shortly after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago and found classified records in the storage room and Trump’s office, prosecutors say Nauta called a Trump employee and said words to the effect of, “someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good.” The indictment says the employee responded that De Oliveira was loyal and wouldn’t do anything to affect his relationship with Trump. That same day, the indictment alleges, Trump called De Oliveira directly to say that he would get De Oliveira an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira later lied in interviews with investigators, falsely claiming that he hadn’t even seen boxes moved into Mar-a-Lago after Trump left the White House.
____
Richer reported from Boston.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:27 | 1 | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ |
Mar-a-Lago worker charged in Trump’s classified documents case to make first court appearance
MIAMI (AP) — An employee of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Carlos De Oliveira, is expected to make his first court appearance Monday on charges accusing him of scheming with the former president to hide security footage from investigators probing Trump’s hoarding of classified documents.
De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago’s property manager, was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the former president’s valet, Walt Nauta, in the federal case alleging a plot to illegally keep top-secret records at Trump’s Florida estate and thwart government efforts to retrieve them.
De Oliveira faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators. He’s scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge in Miami nearly two months after Trump pleaded not guilty in the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
The developments in the classified documents case come as Trump braces for possible charges in another federal investigation into his efforts to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump has received a letter from Smith indicating that he is a target of that investigation, and Trump’s lawyers met with Smith’s team last week.
An attorney for De Oliveira declined last week to comment on the allegations. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform last week that he was told the tapes were not “deleted in any way, shape or form.”
Prosecutors have not alleged that security footage was actually deleted or kept from investigators.
Nauta has also pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta to begin in May, and it’s unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira to the case may impact the case’s timeline.
The latest indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Trump tried to have security footage deleted after investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents Trump took with him after he left the White House.
Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts — including willful retention of notional defense information — stemming from allegations that he mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. Experts have said the new allegations bolster the special counsel’s case and deepen the former president’s legal jeopardy.
Video from Mar-a-Lago would ultimately become vital to the government’s case because, prosecutors said, it shows Nauta moving boxes in and out of a storage room — an act alleged to have been done at Trump’s direction and in effort to hide records not only only from investigators but Trump’s own lawyers.
Days after the Justice Department sent a subpoena for video footage at Mar-a-Lago to the Trump Organization in June 2022, prosecutors say De Oliveira asked a information technology staffer how long the server retained footage and told the employee “the boss” wanted it deleted. When the employee said he didn’t believe he was able to do that, De Oliveira insisted the “boss” wanted it done, asking, “What are we going to do?”
Shortly after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago and found classified records in the storage room and Trump’s office, prosecutors say Nauta called a Trump employee and said words to the effect of, “someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good.” The indictment says the employee responded that De Oliveira was loyal and wouldn’t do anything to affect his relationship with Trump. That same day, the indictment alleges, Trump called De Oliveira directly to say that he would get De Oliveira an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira later lied in interviews with investigators, falsely claiming that he hadn’t even seen boxes moved into Mar-a-Lago after Trump left the White House.
____
Richer reported from Boston.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:27 | 0 | https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ |
Mar-a-Lago worker charged in Trump’s classified documents case to make first court appearance
MIAMI (AP) — An employee of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Carlos De Oliveira, is expected to make his first court appearance Monday on charges accusing him of scheming with the former president to hide security footage from investigators probing Trump’s hoarding of classified documents.
De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago’s property manager, was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the former president’s valet, Walt Nauta, in the federal case alleging a plot to illegally keep top-secret records at Trump’s Florida estate and thwart government efforts to retrieve them.
De Oliveira faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators. He’s scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge in Miami nearly two months after Trump pleaded not guilty in the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
The developments in the classified documents case come as Trump braces for possible charges in another federal investigation into his efforts to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump has received a letter from Smith indicating that he is a target of that investigation, and Trump’s lawyers met with Smith’s team last week.
An attorney for De Oliveira declined last week to comment on the allegations. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said the Mar-a-Lago security tapes were voluntarily handed over to investigators. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform last week that he was told the tapes were not “deleted in any way, shape or form.”
Prosecutors have not alleged that security footage was actually deleted or kept from investigators.
Nauta has also pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously scheduled the trial of Trump and Nauta to begin in May, and it’s unclear whether the addition of De Oliveira to the case may impact the case’s timeline.
The latest indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Trump tried to have security footage deleted after investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents Trump took with him after he left the White House.
Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts — including willful retention of notional defense information — stemming from allegations that he mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. Experts have said the new allegations bolster the special counsel’s case and deepen the former president’s legal jeopardy.
Video from Mar-a-Lago would ultimately become vital to the government’s case because, prosecutors said, it shows Nauta moving boxes in and out of a storage room — an act alleged to have been done at Trump’s direction and in effort to hide records not only only from investigators but Trump’s own lawyers.
Days after the Justice Department sent a subpoena for video footage at Mar-a-Lago to the Trump Organization in June 2022, prosecutors say De Oliveira asked a information technology staffer how long the server retained footage and told the employee “the boss” wanted it deleted. When the employee said he didn’t believe he was able to do that, De Oliveira insisted the “boss” wanted it done, asking, “What are we going to do?”
Shortly after the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago and found classified records in the storage room and Trump’s office, prosecutors say Nauta called a Trump employee and said words to the effect of, “someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good.” The indictment says the employee responded that De Oliveira was loyal and wouldn’t do anything to affect his relationship with Trump. That same day, the indictment alleges, Trump called De Oliveira directly to say that he would get De Oliveira an attorney.
Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira later lied in interviews with investigators, falsely claiming that he hadn’t even seen boxes moved into Mar-a-Lago after Trump left the White House.
____
Richer reported from Boston.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:27 | 1 | https://www.wkyt.com/2023/07/31/mar-a-lago-worker-charged-trumps-classified-documents-case-make-first-court-appearance/ |
Northern Arizona family searching for 16-year-old son missing for nearly a month
JOSEPH CITY, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - The parents of 16-year-old Jarrett Brooks are trying to remain optimistic as they search for him since going missing on July 4, 2023. An anonymous donor is offering $50,000 for information in helping find Jarrett safe.
Laura and Brian Brooks said Jarrett has six other siblings, three younger than him. “He is outgoing, caring, loving, the life of the party and the life of the family,” said Laura, Jarrett’s mother.
For the past 26 days, Jarrett has been missing. His parents have not heard from him since July 4. “Unimaginable. Every minute of every day, you try to find those minutes when you’re not thinking about it cause they’re far and few between,” said Brian.
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office said Jarrett was last seen on Boyce Road in Joseph City around 6:30 a.m. on July 4. A private investigator hired by the family, James Harter, said Jarrett was just a few miles from his home.
That morning, Laura said Jarrett asked if he was grounded after breaking a vehicle he took off-roading when he wasn’t supposed to. She told him he was grounded but didn’t think much about it. She said that was around 6:15 a.m.
Laura thought Jarrett had gone outside to walk the dog before going to a 4th of July parade, but she never saw him again. “This is so uncharacteristic of him that we do question whether or not he’s safe,” said Laura. Brian added, “You run all the thoughts through your head. Is he safe? Is he alive? Is he still in this state?”
Two weeks after Jarrett went missing, the family hired Harter. “We currently have boots on the ground in the White Mountains, and we are running leads at this time. Anytime we get a lead, we don’t leave any stone unturned. We work the lead,” he said.
Harter said his team has received tips from all across the Southwest, but many calls are made days after. He said if anyone spots Jarrett, call Harter Investigations, LLC at (480)904-2628 right away or the Sheriff’s Office at (928) 524-4050.
Harter asked that witnesses take pictures or video of Jarrett if he is spotted. He also asks Jarrett to call him if he’s able to. Harter and Jarrett’s family want to know he’s safe. “You need to be home where you’re loved. You’re not in any trouble, bud. Just come home. We love you,” said Jarrett’s parents.
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Copyright 2023 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved. | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/northern-arizona-family-searching-16-year-old-son-missing-nearly-month/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:33 | 1 | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/northern-arizona-family-searching-16-year-old-son-missing-nearly-month/ |
HELSINKI (AP) — Denmark’s foreign minister said Sunday the government will seek to make it illegal to desecrate the Quran or other religious holy books in front of foreign embassies in the Nordic country.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in an interview with the Danish public broadcaster DR that the burning of holy scriptures “only serves the purpose of creating division in a world that actually needs unity.”
“That is why we have decided in the government that we will look at how, in very special situations, we can put an end to mockery of other countries, which is in direct conflict with Danish interests and the safety of the Danes,” he said.
A recent string of public Quran desecrations by a handful of anti-Islam activists in Denmark and neighboring Sweden have sparked angry demonstrations in Muslim countries.
Løkke Rasmussen said the Cabinet of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is determined to find “a legal tool” to prohibit such acts without compromising freedom of expression, but he acknowledged that would not be easy.
“There must be room for religious criticism, and we have no thoughts of reintroducing a blasphemy clause,” he told DR. “But when you stand up in front of a foreign embassy and burn a Quran or burn the Torah scroll in front of the Israeli embassy, it serves no other purpose than to mock.”
His comments followed a statement issued late Sunday by the Danish government saying freedom of expression is one of the most important values in Danish society.
But, it added, the descreation of the Muslim holy book in Denmark has resulted in the nation being viewed in many places around the world “as a country that facilitates insult and denigration of the cultures, religions, and traditions of other countries.”
The government repeated its condemnation of such descecrations, say they are “deeply offensive and reckless acts committed by few individuals” and “do not represent the values the Danish society is built on.”
In Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sunday on Instagram that his government is analyzing the legal situation regarding desecration of the Quran and other holy books, given the animosity such acts are stirring up against Sweden.
“We are in the most serious security policy situation since the Second World War,” Kristersson said.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has called an emergency remote meeting Monday to discuss the Quran burnings in Sweden and Denmark. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-denmark-seeks-to-legally-prevent-burnings-of-quran-or-other-religious-scriptures/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:33 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-denmark-seeks-to-legally-prevent-burnings-of-quran-or-other-religious-scriptures/ |
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.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-frances-le-maire-presses-china-on-market-access-and-lobbies-for-electric-car-investment/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:40 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-frances-le-maire-presses-china-on-market-access-and-lobbies-for-electric-car-investment/ |
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Salvage crews started towing a burning cargo ship loaded with thousands of cars to a temporary anchorage location off the northern Dutch coast on Sunday after smoke pouring from the stricken vessel eased, authorities said.
On Saturday night, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management had said the Fremantle Highway was unlikely to be moved because of a southeasterly wind blowing smoke from the days-old fire over tugboats.
But that changed Sunday.
“The smoke from the cargo ship subsided considerably this afternoon and the salvage combination Multraship/Smit Salvage immediately made use of this,” the ministry said in a statement referring to two salvage companies involved in the operation.
The ship was being slowly towed by two tugs to a temporary anchor point about 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of the Dutch islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland.
Experts are continuously monitoring the ship’s stability and a specialized boat used to clean up oil is nearby in case there is a spill, the ministry added.
The salvage teams ultimately want to tow the stricken ship to a port but it is not yet clear where or when that will happen.
The crews on Saturday attached a second towing cable to the ship, which was transporting 3,783 new vehicles, including 498 electric vehicles, from the German port of Bremerhaven to Singapore.
The ship has been burning since Tuesday. Firefighters decided not to douse the flames with water for fear of making the nearly 200-meter (219-yard) ship unstable as it floats close to North Sea shipping lanes and a world-renowned migratory bird habitat.
One crew member died and others were injured after the fire broke out. The crew was evacuated in the early hours of Wednesday.
The cause of the fire has not been determined. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-high-winds-stall-efforts-to-tow-a-burning-cargo-ship-packed-with-cars-off-northern-dutch-coast/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:47 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-high-winds-stall-efforts-to-tow-a-burning-cargo-ship-packed-with-cars-off-northern-dutch-coast/ |
Ukraine brought the war far from the front line into the heart of Russia again Sunday in drone penetrations that Russian authorities said damaged two office buildings a few miles (kilometers) from the Kremlin and a pig breeding complex on the countries’ border.
The attacks, which Ukraine didn’t acknowledge in keeping with its security policy, reflected a pattern of more frequent and deeper cross-border strikes the Kyiv government has launched since starting a counteroffensive against Russian forces in June. A precursor and the most dramatic of the strikes happenned in May on the Kremlin itself, the seat of power in the capital, Moscow.
Sunday’s was the fourth such strike on the capital region this month and the third this week, showing Moscow’s vulnerability as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month.
The Russian Defense Ministry said three drones targeted the city in an “attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime.” Air defenses shot down one drone in Odintsovo in the surrounding Moscow region, while two others were jammed and crashed into the Moscow City business district.
Photos and video showed that a drone had ripped off part of the facade of a modern skyscraper, IQ-Quarter, located 7.2 kms (4.5 miles) from the Kremlin. When the drone hit, sparks, flames and smoke spewed from the building, with debris falling on the sidewalk and street. Windows were blown out, and metal window frames were mangled. A security guard was injured, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials. Russia’s Ria-Novosti news agency reported the building’s tenants included several government agencies.
Flights were temporarily suspended at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, and the airspace over Moscow and the outlying regions was temporarily closed.
President Vladimir Putin, who was in his hometown of St. Petersburg at the time of the attempted attacks for meetings with African leaders and a naval celebration, was briefed, his spokesman said.
Ukrainian officials didn’t acknowledge the attacks but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address: “Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia — to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process.”
A Ukrainian air force spokesman also didn’t claim responsibility but said the Russian people were seeing the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“All of the people who think the war ‘doesn’t concern them’ — it’s already touching them,” spokesperson Yurii Ihnat told journalists Sunday.
“There’s already a certain mood in Russia: that something is flying in, and loudly,” he said. “There’s no discussion of peace or calm in the Russian interior any more. They got what they wanted.”
Ihnat also referenced an early Sunday drone attack on Crimea, Ukrainian territory which Russia occupied and illegally annexed in 2014. The Russian Defense Ministry announced it had shot down 16 Ukrainian drones and neutralized eight others through electronic jamming. No casualties were reported.
Zelenskyy has vowed to take back all land Russian forces have occupied, including Crimea, and his efforts have been strengthened by the receipt and deployment of increasingly advanced Western weapons.
In the earlier attacks on Moscow, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported shooting down a Ukrainian drone outside the city on Friday. Four days earlier, two drones struck the Russian capital, 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 air defenses downed four drones on Moscow’s outskirts and jammed a fifth that was forced down.
Russia has also blamed Ukrainian forces for attacking border areas, and on Sunday, the governor of one such region, Bryansk, said a Ukrainian strike damaged a pig breeding complex and injured three people.
In Ukraine, the air force reported Sunday it had destroyed four Russian drones above the Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Information on the attacks could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike late Saturday killed two people and wounded 20 in the city of Sumy in northeast Ukraine. A four-story vocational college building was hit, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said. Local authorities said that dormitories and teaching buildings were damaged in the blast and a fire that followed.
While the attacks continued on the war front, so did the war of words. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, issued his latest nuclear war threat in a Telegram post Sunday. In it, he claimed Russian forces were preventing a nuclear war. He contended that if Ukraine, with NATO countries’ support, succeeded in its counteroffensive, including if “they seized part of our land,” then Russia would “go for the use of nuclear weapons.” Western leaders have repeatedly warned of the dangers of making such statements.
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Associated Press writer Andrew Katell in New York contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-prompts-temporary-airport-closure/ | 2023-07-31T06:28:55 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-prompts-temporary-airport-closure/ |
CAIRO (AP) — Palestinian factions met Sunday in Egypt to discuss reconciliation efforts as violence in the occupied West Bank surged between Israel and Palestinian militants.
The main groups, Hamas and Fatah, have been split since 2007 and repeated reconciliation attempts having failed, so expectations for the one-day meeting were low.
Participants at the closed-door meeting gave no indication of what was discussed. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who initiated the session in the Egyptian city of el-Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea, said at its conclusion only that the meeting was a “first and significant step” in efforts to end the long-running division.
It came amid soaring violence in the West Bank, where Abbas and his Fatah group are based and exert limited self-rule. Israel has been staging near-nightly raids in Palestinian areas of the territory in what it says is an attempt to stamp out militancy, especially in areas where Abbas’ security forces have less of a foothold.
Those raids have led to some of the worst fighting in nearly two decades in the West Bank. Palestinians also say the Israeli raids undermine their own security forces and weaken their leadership.
The meeting in Egypt was chaired by Abbas, presenting the aging and longtime Palestinian leader with a chance to portray an image of control and statesmanship to both Palestinians and the international community at a time when he is deeply unpopular at home and his room for maneuver is constrained by the Israeli incursions.
The meeting was attended by other Palestinian leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip. Fatah and Hamas have been rivals since Hamas violently routed forces loyal to Abbas in Gaza in 2007, taking over the impoverished coastal enclave. Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on the territory.
For Hamas, joining the meeting was an opportunity to show Gazans that it is making an effort to mend the rift, even if nothing changes as a result.
Another key group playing a central role in the fighting with Israel, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, boycotted the gathering to protest the detentions by the Palestinian Authority of its members, said to the group’s leader, Ziyad al-Nakhala.
Egypt has for years acted as a mediator in trying to end the infighting between Palestinian factions. It also helped broker truces in multiple rounds of fighting between Israel and Hamas. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-palestinian-factions-meet-in-egypt-to-try-to-reconcile-as-violence-surges-in-the-west-bank/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:02 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-palestinian-factions-meet-in-egypt-to-try-to-reconcile-as-violence-surges-in-the-west-bank/ |
PAVLIVKA, Ukraine (AP) — The summer winds carried the smell of burned grain across the southern Ukrainian steppe and away from the shards of three Russian cruise missiles that struck the unassuming metal hangars.
The agricultural company Ivushka applied for accreditation to export grain this year, but the strike in mid-July destroyed a large portion of the stock, days after Russia abandoned the grain deal that would have allowed the shipments across the Black Sea without fear of attack.
Men shirtless and barefoot, with blackened soles from ash, swept unburnt grain into piles and awaited the loader, whose driver deftly steered around twisted metal shrapnel, bits of missile and craters despite his shattered windshield.
They hoped to beat the next rain to rescue what was left of the crop. According to the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office, Russia struck the facility July 21 with three Kalibr- and Onyx-class cruise missiles.
“We don’t have a clue why they did it,” explained Olha Romanova, the head of Ivushka. Romanova, who worked in the debris alongside the others, wore a red headscarf and an exhausted expression and was too frazzled to even estimate her losses.
She cannot comprehend why the Russians targeted Ivushka, as there are no nearby military facilities and the frontlines are far from the village in the Odesa region.
“They spent so much money on us,” she said, puzzled. The missiles that ruined the silos are worth millions of dollars — far more than the crop they destroyed.
But Ivushka wasn’t the only target in Odesa. The main port also was struck, leaving Black Sea shipping companies that relied upon the grain deal to keep them safe and food supplies flowing to the world at a standstill.
The Black Sea handled about 95% of Ukrainian grain exports before Russia’s invasion and the U.N.-brokered initiative allowed Ukraine to ship much of what farmers harvested in 2021 and 2022, said Joseph Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Ukraine, a major supplier of corn, wheat, barley and vegetable oil, shipped 32.9 million metric tons (36.2 million U.S. tons) of grain under the nearly yearlong deal designed to ease a global food crisis. It has been able to export an additional 2 million to 2.5 million metric tons (2.2 to 2.7 million U.S. tons) monthly by the Danube River, road and rail through Europe.
Those are now the only routes to ship grain, but have stirred divisions among nearby European countries and generated higher costs to be absorbed by Ukrainian farmers, said Glauber, former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Russian missiles strikes against the Danube port last Monday also raised questions about how much longer that route will remain viable.
That’s a disincentive to keep planting fields already threatened by missiles and strewn with explosive mines. Corn and wheat production in agriculture-dependent Ukraine is down nearly 40% this year from prewar levels, analysts say.
From the first of July last year until June 30 this year, Ukraine exported 68 million tons of grain, according to data from Mykola Horbachov, the president of the Ukrainian Grain Association. Ukrainian farmers shipped 11.2 million tons via railways, 5.5 million tons by road transport and around 18 million tons through Danube ports. Additionally, nearly half of the total exported grain, 33 million tons, was delivered through seaports under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Ihor Osmachko, the general director of Agroprosperis Group, was unsurprised by Russia’s withdrawal from the deal leading to its collapse. His company had never considered it a reliable or permanent solution during wartime.
He said Russians frequently stymied the deal, even while it was functioning, by delaying ship inspections until the cargos were sent back, leading to $30 million in losses for his company alone. Now, they are once again forced to pay to reroute 100,000 tons of grain trapped in ports that are no longer safe, Osmachko said.
“We have been preparing for this whole time,” Osmachko said. “We haven’t stopped. We are moving forward.”
Osmachko estimated around 80% to 90% of the approximately 3.2 million tons of grain Agroprosperis exported to China, Europe and African countries during the past year went through the grain corridor.
“The most significant problem today is the cost of logistics,” explained Mykola Horbachov, president of the Ukrainian Grain Association. Before the war, farmers paid approximately $20 to $25 per ton to transport grain to the Odesa ports. Now, logistics costs have tripled as they are forced to pay more than $100 to transport a single ton via alternative routes through the Danube port to Constanta, Romania.
“If we were to go on the Danube with the grain corridor closed, practically all our production would be unprofitable,” Osmachko said.
The Danube ports can’t handle the same volume as seaports. The most Agroprosperis has sent through this route is 75,000 tons per month, compared with a monthly average of 250,000 tons through Black Sea ports.
The Ukrainian harvest this year is the lowest in a decade, according to a July report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Horbachov said shipping costs to export around the world and uncertainty about the length of the war will last could quickly make new planting unprofitable for Ukrainian farmers.
Ukraine currently produces three times more grain than it consumes, while global prices will inevitably rise if the country’s exports decrease.
“I think you’re looking at a diminished Ukraine for at least the next couple of years and maybe longer,” said Glauber, the former U.S. agricultural official. “That’s something the rest of the world just needs to make up.”
The war from all sides poses risks for Agroprosperis.
In the Sumy region on the Russian border, farmers harvest their crops wearing body armor. Sometimes they must stop their combines in the middle of the wheat fields to pick up shrapnel from Russian projectiles.
“It can get tough at times,” Osmachko acknowledged. “But there are responsibilities — some have duties on the front. Some must grow food and ensure the country’s and world’s security.”
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Volodymyr Yurchuk in Lviv, Ukraine, and Courtney Bonnell in London contributed.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-russian-missile-attacks-leave-few-options-for-ukrainian-farmers-looking-to-export-grain/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:09 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-russian-missile-attacks-leave-few-options-for-ukrainian-farmers-looking-to-export-grain/ |
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest.
Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years, but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children.
“It’s more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and we’ll mobilize all our means to resist it,” Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul.
Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. It’s neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There’s increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image.
The anti-dog meat campaign recently received a big boost when the country’s first lady expressed her support for a ban and two lawmakers submitted bills to eliminate the dog meat trade.
“Foreigners think South Korea is a cultural powerhouse. But the more K-culture increases its international standing, the bigger shock foreigners experience over our dog meat consumption,” said Han Jeoungae, an opposition lawmaker who submitted legislation to outlaw the dog meat industry last month.
Prospects for passage of an anti-dog meat law are unclear because of protests by farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry. Surveys suggest that one in three South Koreans opposes such a ban, though most people don’t eat dog meat anymore.
Dogs are also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea and some African countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria.
Earlier this month, Indonesian authorities announced the end of dog and cat slaughter at an animal market on the island of Sulawesi following a yearslong campaign by local activists and world celebrities. The Tomohon Extreme Market will become the first such market in Indonesia to go dog and cat meat-free, according to the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International.
South Korea’s dog meat industry receives more international attention because of its reputation as a wealthy, ultra-modern democracy. It is also the only nation with industrial-scale farms. Most farms in South Korea have more than 500 dogs, according to a dog farmers’ association.
During a recent visit, Kim’s farm, one of the country’s largest with 7,000 dogs, appeared relatively clean but there was a strong stench in some areas. All dogs are kept in elevated cages and are fed with food waste and ground chicken. They are rarely released for exercise and typically are sold for meat one year after they are born.
Kim said two of his children, age 29 and 31, are running the farm with him, and that business has been going pretty well. He said the dogs bred for their meat are different from pets, an idea opposed by activists.
It’s difficult now to find dog meat restaurants in Seoul’s bustling downtown, though many still exit in the countryside.
“I only earn one-third of the money I used to make. Young people don’t come here. Only ailing old people come for lunch,” said Yoon Chu-wol, 77, the owner of a dog meat restaurant in Seoul’s Kyungdong traditional market. “I tell my elderly customers to come and eat my food more frequently before it’s banned.”
Farmers also face growing scrutiny from officials and increasingly negative public opinion. They complain that officials visit them repeatedly in response to complaints filed by activists and citizens over alleged animal abuse and other wrongdoing. Kim said more than 90 such petitions were filed against his farm during a recent four-month span.
Son Won Hak, general secretary of the dog farmers’ association, said many farms have collapsed in recent years because of falling dog meat prices and weaker demand. He thinks that’s a result of activist campaigns and unfair media reports focusing on farms with inferior conditions. Some observers, however, say consumption of dog meat was already declining, with younger people staying away from it.
“Quite honestly, I’d like to quit my job tomorrow. We can’t confidently tell our children that we’re raising dogs,” Son said. “When my friends called me, they said ‘Hey, are you still running a dog meat farm? Isn’t it illegal?’”
The number of farms across South Korea has dropped by half from a few years ago to about 3,000 to 4,000, and about 700,000 to 1 million dogs are slaughtered each year, a decline from several million 10 to 20 years ago, according to the dog farmers’ association. Some activists argue that the farmers’ estimates are an exaggeration meant to show their industry is too big to destroy.
In late 2021, South Korea launched a government-civilian task force to consider outlawing dog meat at the suggestion of then-President Moon Jae-in, a pet lover. The committee, whose members include farmers and animal rights activists, has met more than 20 times but hasn’t reached any agreement, apparently because of disputes over compensation issues.
Agriculture officials refused to disclose the discussions in the closed-door meetings. They said the government wants to end dog meat consumption based on a public consensus.
In April, first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of current President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in a meeting with activists that she hopes for an end to dog meat consumption. Famers responded with rallies and formal complaints against Kim for allegedly hurting their livelihoods.
Han, the lawmaker, said she “highly positively appraises” influential figures speaking out against dog meat consumption.
Han said her bill offers support programs for farmers who agree to close their farms. They would be entitled to money to dismantle their facilities, vocational training, employment assistance and other benefits, she said.
Ju Yeongbong, an official of the farmers’ association, said farmers want to continue for about 20 more years until older people, their main customers, die, allowing the industry to naturally disappear. Observers say most farmers are also in their 60s to 70s.
Borami Seo, a director of the South Korea office of the Humane Society International, said she opposes the continued killing of millions of dogs for such a prolonged period. “Letting this silent cruelty to (dogs) be committed in South Korea doesn’t make sense,” Seo said.
“(Dog meat consumption) is too anachronistic, has elements of cruelty to animals and hinders our national growth,” said Cheon JinKyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-south-korean-dog-meat-farmers-push-back-against-growing-moves-to-outlaw-their-industry/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:17 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-south-korean-dog-meat-farmers-push-back-against-growing-moves-to-outlaw-their-industry/ |
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish government researchers said Sunday they had identified 357 foreign fighters who went missing during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the conflict that foreshadowed World War II.
Researchers confirmed the names of 212 fighters from Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, according to a statement from the government Sunday. Some 102 are of German origin, 70 Austrian and 40 Dutch. It gave no information on how many people of other nationalities had been identified.
The identified combatants fought within the International Brigades, military units set up by the Communist International to fight against General Francisco Franco’s fascist forces. Some 40,000 foreign men and women joined up as volunteers, fighting alongside the forces of the democratic Second Spanish Republic and against the rise of fascism in Europe in late 1930s.
The findings are based on a year of research in records held in documentary archives in Spain and Russia. Researchers combed through the daily lists of casualties and missing soldiers compiled by officers in the International Brigades.
The names of private soldiers were frequently omitted from the lists, making the research process more difficult. These lists are held in the Russian State Archive of Socio-Political History, in Moscow. Researchers also dipped into the main archives on the Spanish Civil War located in Spain.
By cross-referencing documents, researchers were also able to identify the likely area where the soldiers died or were badly wounded. It is an important step toward locating their remains inside mass graves scattered across the country.
This research provides “very valuable information that gives us the opportunity to contact the families of the missing combatants and, in the future, to intervene in the mass graves that have been located,” said Alfons Aragoneses, head of the project.
All those identified were part of the Thälmann Brigade, a Communist unit made up largely of anti-Nazi Germans. The battalion was active on the Ebro River front in northeastern Spain between March and September 1938, the site of the longest and deadliest battle of the war.
The research is ongoing and it is funded by Catalan regional government, with the aim of contributing to the country’s historical memory. The second phase of the project will try to identify missing militiamen from Great Britain, Ireland, Canada and the United States. The final step would require opening the graves in search of bodies.
Historians estimate nearly 10,000 foreign volunteers died in combat on Spanish soil during the war. How many are still unidentified, buried inside graves, remains unknown.
The Spanish Civil War served as a testing ground for Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy prior to World War II. This triggered an international outcry to try to save the Republic’s democratic government, which eventually succumbed to Franco in 1939. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-spain-identifies-212-german-austrian-and-dutch-fighters-who-went-missing-during-spanish-civil-war/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:23 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-spain-identifies-212-german-austrian-and-dutch-fighters-who-went-missing-during-spanish-civil-war/ |
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Several thousand people briefly took to the streets across the Gaza Strip on Sunday to protest chronic power outages and difficult living conditions, providing a rare public show of discontent with the territory’s Hamas government. Hamas security forces quickly dispersed the gatherings.
Marches took place in Gaza City, the southern town of Khan Younis and other locations, chanting “what a shame” and in one place burning Hamas flags, before police moved in and broke up the protests.
Police destroyed mobile phones of people who were filming in Khan Younis, and witnesses said there were several arrests. Dozens of young supporters and opponents of Hamas briefly faced off, throwing stones at one another.
The demonstrations were organized by a grassroots online movement called “alvirus alsakher,” or “the mocking virus.” It was not immediately known who is behind the movement.
Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist, barring most demonstrations and quickly stamping out public displays of dissent.
The Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007 from the forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, prompting Israel and Egypt to impose a crippling blockade on the territory. Israel says the closure is needed to prevent Hamas, which does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, from building up its military capabilities.
The closure has devastated Gaza’s economy, sent unemployment skyrocketing and led to frequent power outages. During the current heat wave, people have been receiving four to six hours of power a day due to heavy demand.
“Where is the electricity and where is the gas?” the crowds shouted in Khan Younis. “What a shame. What a shame.”
Protesters also criticized Hamas for deducting a roughly $15 fee from monthly $100 stipends given to Gaza’s poorest families by the wealthy Gulf state of Qatar.
There was no immediate comment from the Hamas authorities. | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-thousands-take-to-streets-in-gaza-in-rare-public-display-of-discontent-with-hamas/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:30 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-thousands-take-to-streets-in-gaza-in-rare-public-display-of-discontent-with-hamas/ |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — When viewed through a wide lens, renters across the U.S. finally appear to be getting some relief, thanks in part to the biggest apartment construction boom in decades.
Median rent rose just 0.5% in June, year over year, after falling in May for the first time since the pandemic hit the U.S. Some economists project U.S. rents will be down modestly this year after soaring nearly 25% over the past four years.
A closer look, however, shows the trend will likely be little comfort for many U.S. renters who’ve had to put an increasing share of their income toward their monthly payment. Renters in cities such as Cincinnati and Indianapolis are still getting hit with increases of 5% or more. Much of the new construction is located in just a few metro areas, and many of the new units are luxury apartments, which rent for well north of $2,000.
Median U.S. rent has risen to $2,029 this June from $1,629 in June 2019, according to rental listings company Rent, which tracks rents in 50 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas. Demand for apartments exploded during the pandemic as people who could work remotely sought more space or decided to relocate to another part of the country.
The steep rent increases have left tenants like Melissa Lombana, a high school teacher who lives in the South Florida city of Miramar, with progressively less income to spend on other needs.
The rent on her one-bedroom apartment jumped 13% last year to $1,700. It climbed another 6% to $1,800 this month when she renewed her lease.
“Even the $1,700 was a stretch for me,” said Lombana, 43, who supplements her teaching income with a side job doing educational testing. “In a year, I will not be able to afford living here at all.”
Lombana’s rent is now gobbling up nearly half her monthly income. That puts her in a category referred to as “cost-burdened” by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, denoting households that pay 30% or more of their income toward rent. Last year, the average rent-to-income ratio per household rose to 30%. This March, it was 29.6%.
Lombana hasn’t had any luck finding a more affordable apartment. While South Florida is one of the metropolitan areas seeing a rise in apartment construction, the units are mostly high-end and not a viable option.
That scenario is playing out across the nation. Developers are rushing to complete projects that were green-lit during the pandemic-era surge in demand for rentals or left in limbo by delays in supplies of fixtures and building materials. Nearly 1.1 million apartments are currently under construction, according to the commercial real estate tracker CoStar, a pace not seen since the 1970s.
Increasing the supply of apartments tends to moderate rent increases over time and can give tenants more options on where to live. But more than 40% of the new rentals to be completed this year will be concentrated in about 10 high job growth metropolitan areas, including Austin, Nashville, Denver, Atlanta and New York, according to Marcus & Millichap. In many areas, the boost to overall inventory will be barely noticeable.
Even within metros where there’ll be a notable increase in available apartments, such as Nashville, most of it will be in the luxury category, where rents average $2,270, nationally. Some 70% of the new rental inventory will be the luxury class, said Jay Lybik, national director of multifamily analytics at CoStar.
That will leave most tenants unlikely to see a big enough reduction in rent to make a difference, industry experts and economists say.
“I think we’re in a period of rent flattening for 12 or 18 months, but it’s certainly not a big rent decline,” said Hessam Nadji, CEO of commercial real estate firm Marcus & Millichap.
“We’re building a multi-decade record number of units,” Nadji said. “It’s going to cause some softening and some pockets of overbuilding, but it’s not going to fundamentally resolve the housing shortage or the affordability problem for renters across the U.S.”
The surge in rents has made it difficult for workers to keep up with inflation despite solid wage gains the past few years and exacerbated a long-term trend. Between 1999 and 2022, U.S. rents soared 135%, while income grew 77%, according to data from Moody’s Analytics.
Realtor.com is forecasting that rents will drop an average of 0.9% this year. But while down nationally, rents are still rising in many markets around the country, especially those where hiring remains robust.
In the New York metro area, the median rent climbed 4.7% in June from a year earlier to $2,899, according to Realtor.com. In the Midwest, rents surged 5.6% in the Cincinnati metro area to $1,188, and 6.9% to $1,350 in the Indianapolis metro area.
The current spike in apartment construction alone isn’t going to be enough to address how costly renting has become for many Americans.
“For the rest of the 2020s rents will continue to grow because millennials are such a big generation and we’re very much in the hole in terms of building housing for that generation,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin. “It will take many good years of new construction to build adequate housing for millennials.”
The bigger challenge is building more work force housing, because the cost of land, labor and navigating the government approval process incentivize developers to put up luxury apartments buildings.
Expanding the supply of modestly priced rentals would help alleviate the strain from so many new apartments targeting renters with high incomes, “although additional subsidies will be needed to make housing affordable to households with the lowest incomes,” researchers at Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies wrote in a recent report.
Despite the overall pullback in U.S. rents, Joey Di Girolamo, in Pembroke Pines, Florida, worries that he’ll face more sharp rent increases in coming years.
Last year, the web designer left a two-bedroom, two-bath townhome he rented for $2,200 a month to avoid a $600 a month increase. This year, his rent went up by $200, a nearly 10% jump.
“That blew me away,” said Di Girolamo, 50. “I’m just kind of dreading what it’s going to be like next year, but especially 3 or 4 years from now.” | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-a-boom-in-apartment-construction-is-helping-to-curb-rents-but-not-all-renters-will-benefit/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:37 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-a-boom-in-apartment-construction-is-helping-to-curb-rents-but-not-all-renters-will-benefit/ |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border — a process that won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives.
But in some ways, removing the dams is the easy part. The hard part will come over the next decade as workers, partnering with Native American tribes, plant and monitor nearly 17 billion seeds as they try to restore the Klamath River and the surrounding land to what it looked like before the dams started to go up more than a century ago.
The demolition is part of a national movement to return the natural flow of the nation’s rivers and restore habitat for fish and the ecosystems that sustain other wildlife. More than 2,000 dams have been removed in the U.S. as of February, with the bulk of those having come down within the last 25 years, according to the advocacy group American Rivers.
The removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River is the movement’s greatest triumph and its greatest challenge. When demolition is completed by the end of next year, more than 400 miles (644 kilometers) of river will have opened for threatened species of fish and other wildlife. By comparison, the 65 dams removed in the U.S. last year combined to reconnect 430 miles (692 kilometers) of river.
The project will empty three reservoirs over about 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers) near the California-Oregon border, exposing soil to sunlight in some places for the first time in more than a century.
For the past five years, Native American tribes have gathered seeds by hand and sent them to nurseries with plans to sow the seeds along the banks of the newly wild river. Helicopters will bring in hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs to plant along the banks, including wads of tree roots to create habitat for fish.
This growth usually takes decades to happen naturally. But officials are pressing nature’s fast-forward button because they hope to repel an invasion of foreign plants, such as starthistle, which dominate the landscape at the expense of native plants.
“Why not just let nature take its course? Well, nature didn’t take its course when dams got put in. We can’t pretend this gigantic change in the landscape has not happened and we can’t just ignore the fact that invasive species are a big problem in the west and in California,” said Dave Meurer, director of community affairs for Resource Environmental Solutions, the company leading the restoration project. “Our goal is to give nature a head start.”
A power company, known today as PacifiCorp, built the dams starting in 1918 to generate electricity. The dams halted the natural flow of the river and disrupted the lifecycle of salmon, a fish that spends most of its life in the Pacific Ocean but returns to the chilly mountain streams to lay eggs. The fish are culturally and spiritually significant to a number of Native American tribes, who historically survived by fishing the massive runs of salmon that would come back to the rivers each year.
A combination of low water levels and warm temperatures in 2002 led to a bacterial outbreak that killed more than 34,000 fish, mostly Chinook salmon. The loss jumpstarted decades of advocacy from Native American tribes and environmental groups, culminating last year when federal regulators approved a plan to remove the dams.
“The river is our church, the salmon is our cross. That’s how it relates to the people. So it’s very sacred to us,” said Kenneth Brink, vice chairman of the Karuk Tribe. “The river is not just a place we go to swim. It’s life. It creates everything for our people.”
The project will cost $500 million, paid for by taxpayers and PacifiCorps ratepayers. Crews have mostly removed the smallest of the four dams, known as Copco No. 2. The other three dams are expected to come down next year after the reservoirs behind them are drained. That will leave some homeowners in the area without the picturesque lake they have lived on for years.
The Siskiyou County Water Users Association, which formed about a decade ago to stop the dam removal project, filed a federal lawsuit. But so far they have been unable to stop the demolition.
“I think it’s a huge mistake,” association President Richard Marshall said. “Unfortunately it’s a mistake you can’t turn back from.”
The water level in the lakes will drop between 3 feet and 5 feet (1 meter to 1.5 meters) per day over the first few months of next year. Crews will follow that water line, taking advantage of the moisture in the soil to plant seeds from more than 98 native plant species including wooly sunflower, Idaho fescue and Blue bunch wheat grass.
Tribes have been invested in the process from the start. Resource Environmental Solutions hired tribal members to gather seeds from native plants by hand. The Yurok Tribe even hired a restoration botanist.
Each species has a role to play. Some, like lupine, grow quickly and prepare the soil for other plants. Others, like oak trees, take years to fully mature and provide shade for other plants.
“It’s a wonderful marriage of tribal traditional ecological knowledge and western science,” said Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, the nonprofit entity created to oversee the project.
The previous largest dam removal project was on Washington state’s Elwha River, which flows out of Olympic National Park into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Congress in 1992 approved the demolition of the two dams on the river constructed in the early 1900s. After two decades of planning, workers finished removing them in 2014, opening about 70 miles (113 kilometers) of habitat for salmon and steelhead.
Biologists say it will take at least a generation for the river to recover, but within months of the dams being removed, salmon were already recolonizing sections of the river they had not accessed in more than a century. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, which has been closely involved in restoration work, is opening a limited subsistence fishery this fall for coho salmon, its first since the dams came down.
Brink, the Karuk Tribe vice chair, hopes similar success will happen on the Klamath River. Multiple times per year, Brink and other tribal members participate in ceremonial salmon fishing using handheld nets. In many years, there have been no fish to catch, he said.
“When the river gets to flow freely again, the people can also begin to worship freely again,” he said.
___
Associated Press writer Eugene Johnson in Seattle contributed. | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-as-work-begins-on-the-largest-us-dam-removal-project-tribes-look-to-a-future-of-growth/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:44 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-as-work-begins-on-the-largest-us-dam-removal-project-tribes-look-to-a-future-of-growth/ |
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The discovery of four dead women in a drainage ditch just outside Atlantic City was shocking news in 2006.
International media flocked to the seaside gambling resort. More than 100 detectives and prosecutors were assigned to investigate. Casino guests worried about safety, and the victims’ fellow sex workers began carrying hidden knives.
But as the years passed, the public’s attention and fear faded, and the case of the “Eastbound Strangler” – so named for the direction the victims’ heads were facing – remained unsolved.
The arrest earlier this month of a man charged with killing three women whose remains were found on a Long Island beach in 2010 has breathed fresh life into another long-dormant case with obvious parallels; the Gilgo Beach serial killings involve a total of 11 victims, most of whom were young, female sex workers. Yet the recent breakthrough, and the rekindling of public interest, only highlights a painful truth: Many similar cases – like the one in Atlantic City — remain open.
The FBI would not say how many killings of sex workers in the U.S. remain unsolved. Media accounts and statements from local authorities show a long trail of open cases, from nine women whose bodies were found along highways in Massachusetts, to 11 found dead in New Mexico, and eight more found amid the crawfish farms and swamps of southern Louisiana. The killings of other sex workers in Chicago, New Haven, Connecticut and Ohio, among other places, also remain mysteries.
From the days of London’s Jack The Ripper in the 1880s, serial killers, particularly those preying on sex workers, have often gotten away with it, in part because their victims were easy targets living on the margins of society.
Gary Ridgway, the so-called Green River killer convicted of 49 killings in Washington state, said at during a 2003 court hearing in which he pleaded guilty that he chose sex workers as victims because he knew they would not be missed quickly, if at all.
“I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught,” he said.
Two women were out for an afternoon walk near Atlantic City in November 2006 when they found a body in a ditch. They called police, who quickly found three others nearby.
The $15-a-night motel in Egg Harbor Township behind which the four bodies were found is long gone. It was torn down in an attempt to clear a seedy area known for crime, drugs and disturbances – and the murders of Barbara Breidor, 42, Molly Jean Dilts, 20, Kim Raffo, 35, and Tracy Ann Roberts, 23.
Because it is near the ocean, like Gilgo Beach, the location has prompted much speculation by amateur detectives about a single killer, but some other online sleuths have pointed out that oceanside areas are often the remotest locations after hours on the densely packed East Coast. Gilgo Beach is about 3.5 hours drive from Atlantic City.
Gone in New Jersey are the four small wooden crosses someone erected on the site, along with the folded-up paper note bearing a Biblical quote promising justice that someone left there on one of the anniversaries of the discovery of the bodies.
For families left behind, each new day without word in the case of their loved one brings fresh pain.
“I kind of lost hope that anyone was even searching for the killer anymore,” said Joyce Roberts, whose daughter Tracy Ann was one of the four Atlantic City-area victims. “The first six months, the prosecutor did get on the phone with me and told me they were working on it.
“Then it just fell off the radar,” she said. “It was like nobody cared anymore.”
That is a sentiment echoed by Phoenix Calida, a former sex worker from Chicago who now advocates for them through the Sex Workers Outreach Project.
“Police departments often refer to it as an ‘NHI’ case: No humans involved,” she said. ”You feel like the only way you’ll be remembered is when they catch the serial killer who killed you, and then they’ll make five movies about him and no one will remember your name.”
Massachusetts State Police are investigating “nine unsolved homicides possibly committed by the same person,” said David Procopio, a spokesperson for the agency. He said two additional missing persons cases may be homicides related to the other nine.
Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said the New Mexico cases remain actively investigated, with “multiple detectives” working them. The 11 victims were all involved in drugs and prostitution, police said.
A reward of $100,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case, which involved two victims who were just 15 years old.
Despite the decade-long efforts of a local, state and federal task force, Louisiana has at least eight unsolved apparent homicide cases involving sex workers between the ages of 17 and 30. Their bodies were found in marshy areas in Jennings, a small town in the area known as Cajun Country, between 2005 and 2009.
Prosecutors in New York’s Suffolk County investigating the Gilgo Beach cases have been in touch with multiple law enforcement agencies, but District Attorney Ray Tierney would not say which ones.
“Everything is being examined and looked at, and this is an active investigation,” said Anthony Carter, Suffolk County’s deputy police commissioner. He would not say if his agency was investigating any connection between Heuermann and the Atlantic City murders.
Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said the four cases from the drainage ditch outside Atlantic City remain active, with detectives assigned to them, but would not say how many. He declined comment on the Long Island case “as we are not involved.”
Joyce Roberts, the victim’s mother, said no one from law enforcement has called her since the arrest was made in the Long Island cases.
Police in Las Vegas, where Heuermann owns a time share, said they are investigating whether Heuermann may be involved in cases involving the killings of sex workers there.
In the months immediately after the bodies’ discovery near Atlantic City, the local prosecutor’s office and a dozen other law enforcement agencies had 140 people assigned to the cases, Ted Housel, who was prosecutor at the time, said in 2008. By the first anniversary, the total had fallen to 85, and those investigators were also working other cases.
Calida, the former sex worker from Chicago, said women involved the sex trade are frequently robbed by people who know they’re carrying cash, and are sometimes coerced into sexual activity by police in return for not being arrested.
She said an attacker “knows you can’t or won’t report it. You’re an easy target and they know it.”
Three of her friends who were also sex workers in Chicago also turned up dead.
“You see someone, you become friends with them and then one day they’re suddenly just not there,” she said. “We’d all go out asking around and looking for them, and then a few days later a body would be found. There’s always this specific fear that it’s a serial killer. Sometimes we never even get a body back to bury. And we wonder: Will law enforcement take it seriously because it’s ‘just another sex worker?’”
___
AP writers Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque; Steve LeBlanc in Boston; Julie Walker and Robert Bumsted in Suffolk County, New York; Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this story.
Follow Wayne Parry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-breakthrough-in-long-island-serial-killings-shines-light-on-the-many-unsolved-murders-of-sex-workers/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:50 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-breakthrough-in-long-island-serial-killings-shines-light-on-the-many-unsolved-murders-of-sex-workers/ |
Bob Schuh's Manitowoc outdoors report has news from Larrabee Sportsman's Club, Wisconsin DNR and more
Bob Schuh's 'Scoping the Great Outdoors' has the latest outdoors news from throughout Manitowoc County and the state.
Larrabee Sportsman's Club honored its 2023 scholarship recipients, Austin Novak and Alexandra Nowak, during its meeting July 18.
Also attending the meeting were Nel Spangler and Sarah Schmidt of the Maribel Youth Trap Program. The Larrabee club made a donation to the program to offset costs for the young shooters.
The club also decided during its meeting to have a pancake and porkie breakfast fundraiser Aug. 13 to support the Mishicot FFA Trap Program.
Wisconsin DNR seeks applicants for County Deer Advisory Council seats
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people with a passion for conservation to apply for a seat on a County Deer Advisory Council.
Each County Deer Advisory Council includes representatives from the hunting community as well as from a variety of stakeholder groups with interest in hunting and deer management.
The application period for each county is open until Aug. 15.
Trap team competes at nationals:Mishicot trap team finishes 135th in nation, in Bob Schuh’s weekly outdoors report
Council members meet annually to review deer management data, gather public input and provide recommendations to the DNR and the Natural Resources Board regarding deer management decisions in their county.
Applicants must have experience or involvement with at least one of these seven stakeholder categories: agriculture, forestry, tourism, transportation, hunting, land management and local government.
“All council seats are open to new applicants,” said Jeff Pritzl, DNR deer program specialist, in a news release. “County Deer Advisory Councils are provided an in-depth look at deer management issues and meet with DNR staff as representatives of their community. Those selected will serve for three years and, during that time, will reach out to the stakeholders they represent as they develop recommendations for the fall season framework each year.”
County Deer Advisory Councils were established in 2014 and continue to provide an open venue to develop county-specific deer population objectives and herd management strategies through public involvement. In doing so, council members review and consider a variety of metrics on deer herd trends, impacts to habitat and various human-deer interactions.
For more about the councils and to find the application, visit the DNR’s CDAC webpage.
Thanks to readers for sharing lost recipe
I knew I could count on the readers of this column!
Two weeks ago, I had a story about someone wanting the recipe that Syd Herman published many years ago for pickling northern pike.
The reader said they taste just like herring.
That started a flurry of emails to me, and most people gave me the same result.
The recipe in question was on page 157 in the cookbook “Sparks from the Kitchen,” by Syd and Florence Herman. This cookbook was published back in the mid-1980s but many people still have it in their collection.
Thanks to everyone who responded to the request.
Wisconsin DNR announces elk hunt winners
The Wisconsin DNR announced four Wisconsin residents won a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hunt elk during the 2023 elk season, which opens Oct. 14.
The DNR randomly selected these hunters from more than 21,300 applicants. The drawing is random, with all applicants having an equal chance to be selected.
All four hunters have been contacted by the DNR and are from Cedarburg, Green Bay, Sparta and Mount Horeb.
“The winners are excited to pursue elk right here in their home state and create memories with family and friends – something they will hold onto for the remainder of their lives,” said Josh Spiegel, DNR wildlife biologist, in a news release. “We wish them the best of luck.”
In May, the DNR presented the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board the eight-bull harvest quota within the northern elk management zone, the same quota that was approved for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Of the eight-bull quota, the DNR awarded four licenses to state hunters.
The Ojibwe tribes have declared the remaining four elk, per their treaty rights within the Ceded Territory.
Corporate award winners announced:Crow Bar of Mishicot, Schuh Factory of Valders earn awards, and more in Bob Schuh's outdoors report
The 2023 elk hunting season will take place only in Wisconsin’s northern elk zone, which covers portions of Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Rusk and Sawyer counties. This area includes the 1995 reintroduction effort, which began with 25 elk from Michigan.
The northern elk herd population is projected to reach 355 animals this year. The central elk herd is estimated near 155 elk this year, bringing the statewide post-calving population above 500 elk.
The DNR thanks everyone who applied for this year’s elk permits. Those applications contribute directly to the future of the state’s elk population. For each $10 application fee, $7 goes to elk management, habitat restoration and research. In 2023, some applicants chose to give amounts above the $10 fee, and their additional donations totaled more than $8,000.
That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.
Outdoors columnist Bob Schuh’s “Scoping the Great Outdoors” column appears each Sunday in the Herald Times Reporter. He can be reached at 920-682-3106 or bobschuh@lsol.net. | https://www.htrnews.com/story/sports/outdoors/2023/07/30/manitowoc-outdoors-report-larrabee-updates-news-from-wisconsin-dnr/70459709007/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:52 | 0 | https://www.htrnews.com/story/sports/outdoors/2023/07/30/manitowoc-outdoors-report-larrabee-updates-news-from-wisconsin-dnr/70459709007/ |
MESA — A quick look at the sky above Mesa on Sunday serves as a sudden reminder to residents of what happened earlier in the week.
"A storm that has not been seen, it was really strong, it was really strong. It did not [start] slowly. It started hard,” said Pedro.
On Sunday, Pedro was preparing as storms threatened again.
"If another storm comes, or whatever comes, the only thing it is going to do is take the whole trailer,” said Pedro.
In the same mobile home park, Reggie Lacefield lives with his family. He was inside with his wife and daughter when the storm hit Wednesday night.
"It was just a big rainstorm. I swear it happened maybe 15-20 minutes after we got the alert,” said Lacefield.
Lacefield remembers the winds were high and swift.
"The next thing, you know, we heard a big bang and my daughter came running and banging on our door. She was just hysterical. She watched the whole carport just lift off and smash down on the car,” said Lacefield.
Lacefield, like others who experienced damage, is thankful it wasn't worse.
"I was at home and putting stuff under the carport when the carport ripped off and hit me in the head,” said Kelsey Ricketts.
Ricketts showed ABC5 her injury; an ear sliced in two places inside and out and stitched in four places.
With the threat of more storms ahead, she too, remains hopeful.
"Just hoping nothing else gets damaged and that includes myself,” said Ricketts. | https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/mesa/mesa-residents-prepare-for-upcoming-storms-after-previous-storms-destruction | 2023-07-31T06:29:55 | 0 | https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/mesa/mesa-residents-prepare-for-upcoming-storms-after-previous-storms-destruction |
MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, Calif. (AP) — A massive wildfire burning out of control in California’s Mojave National Preserve was spreading rapidly amid erratic winds, while firefighters reported progress against another major blaze to the southwest that prompted evacuations.
The York Fire that erupted Friday near the remote Caruthers Canyon area of the vast wildland preserve crossed the state line into Nevada on Sunday and sent smoke further east into the Las Vegas Valley.
Wind-driven flames 20 feet (6 meters) high in some spots charred more than 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper and Joshua tree woodland, according to an incident update. There was zero containment.
“The dry fuel acts as a ready ignition source, and when paired with those weather conditions it resulted in long-distance fire run and high flames, leading to extreme fire behavior,” the update said. No structures were threatened.
To the southwest, the Bonny Fire was holding steady at about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in rugged hills of Riverside County. More than 1,300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes Saturday near the community of Aguanga that is home to horse ranches and wineries.
Gusty winds and the chance of thunderstorms into Monday will heighten the risk of renewed growth, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a statement.
One firefighter was injured in the blaze, which was 5% contained. | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-erratic-winds-challenge-firefighters-battling-two-major-california-blazes/ | 2023-07-31T06:29:58 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-erratic-winds-challenge-firefighters-battling-two-major-california-blazes/ |
PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix sizzled through its 31st consecutive day of at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) and other parts of the country grappled Sunday with record temperatures after a week that saw significant portions of the U.S. population subject to extreme heat.
The National Weather Service said Phoenix climbed to a high of 111 F (43.8 Celsius) before the day was through.
July has been so steamy thus far that scientists calculate it will be the hottest month ever recorded and likely the warmest human civilization has seen. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service on Thursday proclaimed July beyond record-smashing.
The historic heat began blasting the lower Southwest U.S. in late June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California’s desert.
On Sunday, a massive wildfire burning out of control in California’s Mojave National Preserve spread rapidly amid erratic winds, while firefighters reported progress against another major blaze to the south that prompted evacuations.
The York Fire that erupted Friday near the remote Caruthers Canyon area of the preserve sent up a huge plume of smoke visible nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) away across the state line in Nevada.
Flames 20 feet (6 meters) high in some spots have charred more than 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper and Joshua tree woodland, according to a Sunday update.
“The dry fuel acts as a ready ignition source, and when paired with those weather conditions it resulted in long-distance fire run and high flames, leading to extreme fire behavior,” authorities said. No structures were threatened, but there was also no containment.
To the southwest, the Bonny Fire was holding steady at about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in rugged hills of Riverside County. More than 1,300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes Saturday near the remote community of Aguanga, California.
Triple-digit heat was expected in parts of the central San Joaquin Valley through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
And in Burbank, California, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, the summer heat may have been responsible for some unusual behavior in the animal kingdom: Police in the city responded to a report of a bear sighting in a residential neighborhood and found the animal sitting in a Jacuzzi behind one of the homes.
As climate change brings hotter and longer heat waves, record temperatures across the U.S. have killed dozens of people, and the poorest Americans suffer the most. Air conditioning, once a luxury, is now a matter of survival.
Last year, all 86 heat-related deaths indoors were in uncooled environments.
“To explain it fairly simply: Heat kills,” said Kristie Ebi, a University of Washington professor who researches heat and health. “Once the heat wave starts, mortality starts in about 24 hours.”
It’s the poorest and people of color, from Kansas City to Detroit to New York City and beyond, who are far more likely to face grueling heat without air conditioning, according to a Boston University analysis of 115 U.S. metro areas.
Back in Phoenix, slight relief may be on the way as expected seasonal thunderstorms could drop temperatures Monday and Tuesday.
“It should be around 108 degrees, so we break that 110 streak,” meteorologist Tom Frieders said. “Increasing cloud cover will put temperatures in a downward trend.”
The relief could be short-lived, however. Highs are expected to creep back to 110 F (43.3 C) Wednesday with temperatures reaching 115 F (46.1 C) by the end of the week.
Phoenix has also sweated through a record 16 consecutive nights when the lows temperature didn’t dip below 90 F (32.2 C), making it hard for people to cool off after sunset.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas continues to flirt with its hottest July ever. The city is closing in on its 2010 record for the average of the high and low each day for July, which stands at 96.2 F (35.5 C).
The extreme heat is also hitting the eastern U.S, as soaring temperatures moved from the Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where some places recorded their warmest days so far this year. | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-july-keeps-sizzling-as-phoenix-hits-another-110-degree-day-and-wildfires-spread-in-california/ | 2023-07-31T06:30:05 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-july-keeps-sizzling-as-phoenix-hits-another-110-degree-day-and-wildfires-spread-in-california/ |
MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — A “mass shooting” at a large party in Indiana early Sunday morning left one person dead, police said. A hospital said 19 people were being treated for injuries at its facility.
Muncie police responded to multiple reports of gunfire on the city’s east side just after 1 a.m., The Star Press reported. Police said in a news release that there was no active threat to the community and that “multiple” victims were injured, including some critically.
“Due to the number of victims and nature of the incident, multiple agencies were contacted to assist,” Muncie Deputy Police Chief Melissa Criswell said in a statement sent to The Star Press.
Many police officers from the nearby town of Eaton were among those who provided assistance, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. Eaton Police Chief Jay Turner called the incident a “mass shooting.”
Police did not say how many people were injured, but officials at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie told The Associated Press that 19 victims were treated in their emergency department for injuries related to the shooting, and 13 remained at the hospital in stabilized condition Sunday morning. Criswell said some victims sustained critical injuries and were transferred by medical helicopter to other facilities.
Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene identified the man who died as 30-year-old Joseph E. Bonner III, The Star Press reported. | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-one-person-is-dead-and-multiple-were-wounded-in-indiana-shooting-police-say/ | 2023-07-31T06:30:13 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-one-person-is-dead-and-multiple-were-wounded-in-indiana-shooting-police-say/ |
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Voting rights activists are returning to court to fight Alabama’s redrawn congressional districts, saying state Republicans failed to follow federal court orders to create a district that is fair to Black voters.
Plaintiffs in the high-profile redistricting case filed a written objection Friday to oppose Alabama’s new redistricting plan. They accused state Republicans of flouting a judicial mandate to create a second majority-Black district or “something quite close to it” and enacting a map that continues to discriminate against Black voters in the state.
A special three-judge panel in 2022 blocked use of the the state’s existing districts and said any new congressional map should include two districts where “Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority” or something close. That panel’s decision was appealed by the state but upheld in June in a surprise ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which concurred that having only one Black-majority district out of seven — in a state where more than one in four residents is Black — likely violated federal law.
The plaintiffs in the case, represented by the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund and other groups, asked the three-judge panel to step in and draw new lines for the state.
“Alabama’s new congressional map ignores this court’s preliminary injunction order and instead perpetuates the Voting Rights Act violation that was the very reason that the Legislature redrew the map,” lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the case wrote.
The new map enacted by the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature maintained one-majority Black district but boosted the percentage of Black voters in the majority-white 2nd Congressional District, now represented by Republican Rep. Barry Moore, from about 30% to 39.9%
Lawyers representing plaintiffs in the case wrote Friday that the revamped district “does not provide Black voters a realistic opportunity to elect their preferred candidates in any but the most extreme situations.” They accused state Republicans of ignoring the courts’ directive to prioritize a district that would stay under GOP control “pleasing national leaders whose objective is to maintain the Republican Party’s slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Alabama has maintained the new plan complies with the Voting Rights Act, and state leaders are wagering that the panel will accept their proposal or that the state will prevail in a second round of appeals to the Supreme Court. Republicans argued that the map meets the court’s directive and draws compact districts that comply with redistricting guidelines.
The state must file its defense of the map by Aug. 4. The three judges have scheduled an Aug. 14 hearing in the case as the fight over the map shifts back to federal court.
The outcome could have consequences across the country as the case again weighs the requirements of the Voting Rights Act in redistricting. It could also impact the partisan leanings of one Alabama congressional district in the 2024 elections with control of the U.S House of Representatives at stake.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said in a statement that Alabama’s new map is a “brazen defiance” of the courts.
“The result is a shameful display that would have made George Wallace—another Alabama governor who defied the courts—proud,” Holder said in a statement. | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-plaintiffs-in-voting-rights-case-urge-judges-to-toss-alabamas-new-congressional-map/ | 2023-07-31T06:30:20 | 1 | https://www.kark.com/news/national/ap-plaintiffs-in-voting-rights-case-urge-judges-to-toss-alabamas-new-congressional-map/ |