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BALTIMORE, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Opteev Technologies, Inc., a pioneering technology company at the forefront of diagnostics, has filed a patent (Patent Application #63/513,007) for a revolutionary multiplex biochip for respiratory infection diagnostics. The groundbreaking polymer-based biochip offers the potential to test multiple pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and Influenza, and precisely identify the specific virus or bacteria in under 1 minute. This game-changing technology paves the way for an ultra-rapid, portable, and accurate syndromic diagnostic device to empower healthcare providers with immediate results at their fingertips.
The tiny biochip can directly detect whole viruses in real-time in both processed and unprocessed samples such as saliva or nasal swab and has demonstrated an unprecedented accuracy rate of 99.49% with an impressive limit of detection in its analytical performance evaluation. Furthermore, the biosensor achieves fine-tuned specificity by carefully selecting specific virus-binding peptides, enabling accurate identification of target viruses in complex samples. To ensure precise and reliable virus detection, the biochip utilizes artificial intelligence to optimize the frequency range effectively mitigating the impact of interfering noise signals.
Unlike conventional respiratory panels that cost tens of thousands of dollars and take days to provide results, Opteev's multiplex biochip will offer healthcare providers affordable syndromic testing with the ability to process samples at the point of care, allowing for the simultaneous detection and specific identification of multiple pathogens instantaneously. This breakthrough technology will eliminate the need for speculation by providing healthcare providers with the critical information needed to deliver the most effective treatment options at the point of care.
"With the development of our multiplex biochip, we are revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics," said Dr. Mesfin Meshesha, Vice President of Virology & Diagnostics at Opteev Technologies. "The potential of this technology to transform patient care, streamline operations, and reduce costs is truly remarkable."
As Opteev Technologies continues to push the boundaries of point-of-care diagnostics, the company welcomes potential collaborations and partnerships to further develop and commercialize its multiplex biochip. "Together, we can shape the future of diagnostics and unlock the massive potential of our game-changing multiplex biochip," said Conrad Bessemer, Opteev's Chairman and Co-founder.
For more information about Opteev Technologies and its groundbreaking multiplex biochip, please visit www.opteev.com.
Opteev Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, is a pioneering technology company at the forefront of diagnostics. With a strong focus on respiratory pathogen detection, Opteev is committed to developing innovative solutions that revolutionize the field of point-of-care diagnostics. As a subsidiary of Novatec, Inc., a trusted manufacturer and supplier of machinery and sensor technology, Opteev leverages decades of experience to drive advancements in healthcare.
Media Contact:
Dana Gardner
Vice President
dgardner@opteev.com
Phone: 443-457-5214
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SOURCE Opteev Technologies, Inc | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/opteev-develops-worlds-first-multiplex-biochip-that-precisely-identifies-covid-flu-rsv-respiratory-pathogens-under-1-minute/ | 2023-07-31T10:46:43 | 1 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/opteev-develops-worlds-first-multiplex-biochip-that-precisely-identifies-covid-flu-rsv-respiratory-pathogens-under-1-minute/ |
Just 34 percent of Americans diagnosed with the most common type of hepatitis — hepatitis C — are being cured of the liver infection, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report notes that the current cure rate falls far short of the national goal of at least 80 percent by 2030. That gap exists despite the presence, for nearly a decade, of medication (direct-acting antiviral tablets) that the report describes as “highly effective hepatitis C treatments.”
Hepatitis C is a liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis C virus. It can be short-lived, but for most people it becomes chronic, sometimes lifelong, and can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer. It also can be fatal.
At a news briefing in June, CDC officials said more than 2 million U.S. residents have the disease and nearly 15,000 die each year from it.
People contract hepatitis C through contact with the blood of someone who has the disease, which can occur through sharing needles, being tattooed or pierced with tools or inks that had not been sterilized after previous usage, or having unprotected sex with a person who has the disease.
Early in the disease, most people with hepatitis C have no symptoms and do not know they have the disease. Chronic cases, though, may produce such signs as fatigue, fever, nausea, abdominal pain or jaundice, although these symptoms may take decades to develop. Vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B, but no vaccine has been developed for hepatitis C.
This article is part of The Post’s “Big Number” series, which takes a brief look at the statistical aspect of health issues. Additional information and relevant research are available through the hyperlinks. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/31/hepatitis-low-cure-rate/ | 2023-07-31T10:46:47 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/31/hepatitis-low-cure-rate/ |
Mobile Visual Processing Solutions Coupled with Dedicated Game Tuning Services Take Mobile Gaming Experience to a Brand-New Level
SHANGHAI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pixelworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: PXLW), a leading provider of innovative visual processing solutions, today announced the official launch of its new IRX gaming experience brand. As a brand targeted at smartphone users, IRX is grounded on Pixelworks' mobile visual processing solutions and coupled with in-depth game tuning services. This combination leverages Pixelworks' expertise to achieve ultra-smooth gaming experience and the highest picture quality for different types of games on mobile devices. In addition, it exercises effective control of power consumption, latency and other performance variables to ensure stable and long-lasting gaming with optimal visual performance, providing end users with unparalleled mobile gaming experiences.
The IRX gaming experience is enabled by a portfolio of technology advantages and product application experiences based on the Company's innovative distributed rendering architecture. More specifically, Pixelworks' ultra-low latency MotionEngine® technology, low power super-resolution technology, AI Always-on HDR and other technologies bring optimized rendering capabilities to smartphones that exceed what can be achieved by a traditional chipset. Together with Pixelworks' profound tuning experience for different games on various mobile devices the result is a meaningfully enriched visual experience for smartphone users, which is the core foundation for the IRX gaming experience.
The IRX gaming experience brand will be supported by a certification program for mobile devices that incorporates Pixelworks visual processors. The certification program will be backed by a suite of visual quality evaluation systems agreed upon with smartphone manufacturers to ensure that Pixelworks powered smartphones provide the most outstanding gaming performance and utmost visual quality for consumers.
The IRX branded certification program is comprised of both device certification and game tuning services. Pixelworks will optimize the rendering capabilities and display quality of top games on mobile devices based on its visual processors' capabilities as well as the devices' performance characteristics. Smartphones that meet the technical requirements as well as Pixelworks' visual processing standards will be granted the IRX branded certification, and games that meet Pixelworks' visual quality requirements will be included in the IRX-supported game list. To date, there are 20 top games being enlisted on the IRX-supported game list, which can be found on Pixelworks' official IRX gaming experience website. Furthermore, Pixelworks plans to establish expanded communication channels with consumers to help further educate end users on the benefits of the IRX gaming experience.
"IRX is a gaming experience brand from Pixelworks targeted directly towards mobile device users." said Ting Xiong, President of Pixelworks China. "Pixelworks would like to empower smartphone manufacturers to break the ceiling of mobile gaming experience from content optimization to performance enhancement with its innovative rendering technologies and years of game tuning and optimization experience. Additionally, we are also aiming to develop and promote consumer awareness around how to better evaluate visual display quality and the mobile gaming experience, enabling them to make smarter choices when purchasing a smartphone. By utilizing professional technologies and services to build more links across both products and users, we hope to drive mutual growth through in-depth interactions while bringing display performance and the mobile gaming experience to a brand-new level."
About Pixelworks
Pixelworks provides industry-leading content creation, video delivery and display processing solutions and technology that enable highly authentic viewing experiences with superior visual quality, across all screens – from cinema to smartphone and beyond. The Company has more than 20 years of history delivering image processing innovation to leading providers of consumer electronics, professional displays and video streaming services.
For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.pixelworks.com.
Note: Pixelworks, MotionEngine and the Pixelworks logo are trademarks of Pixelworks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Pixelworks, Inc. | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pixelworks-announces-launch-irx-gaming-experience-brand/ | 2023-07-31T10:46:50 | 1 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pixelworks-announces-launch-irx-gaming-experience-brand/ |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sparked by the young guy and the old man, the Cincinnati Reds took over sole possession of first place in the NL Central.
Elly De La Cruz, the 21-year-old sensation, and Joey Votto, who turns 40 in September, helped the Reds rout the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-0 on Sunday. They won home and road series against the NL West-leading Dodgers this season.
“It’s big-time for us,” winning pitcher Graham Ashcraft said. “It keeps us going and gives us that edge to keep fighting.”
De La Cruz hit a two-run homer and went 4 for 5 in his third game of the season with four hits. He also scored twice as the Reds rapped out 14 hits in handing the Dodgers their worst loss since a 15-0 defeat to San Francisco on June 17.
De La Cruz broke out of the struggles he’s had since the All-Star break, while Votto shook off his offensive funk with a two-run shot. Votto went 2 for 5 with three RBIs.
“He knows how to come out of those slumps. He gives us ideas and tips on how we can get out of there too,” De La Cruz said. “He helps me and if there’s something I can help him out with, I’ll tell him, too.”
Votto respects the equanimity shown by his much younger teammates.
“During the rough spells, these guys have been the exact same people every day,” he said. “It’s a very young team. The energy is consistent. That’s the really charming part about it. Every single day from spring training, the optimism has been there.”
Ashcraft (6-7) scattered five hits over six innings and struck out two.
The Dodgers hit into three double plays on Friday and three more Sunday. They managed just two hits in a 3-2 loss Saturday. They didn’t get a runner past second base over the final five innings in the finale.
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas made his first career pitching appearance in the ninth. He nearly hit Votto before the designated hitter answered with an RBI double that made it 9-0. Rojas then hit Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
Dodgers starter Michael Grove (2-3) got hit hard over the first three innings. Three pitches into the game, the Reds led 1-0 on TJ Friedl’s RBI double. Friedl scored on a throwing error by center fielder James Outman, and Matt McLain hustled home on Spencer Steer’s groundout to third.
“Too many pitches to hit with guys on base. I got to shore that up,” Grove said. “My attack plan wasn’t great early and I just got put on defense to start with and had to adjust. I got punished cause I was leaving pitches over the plate.”
De La Cruz’s solo shot traveled 411 feet into the right-field pavilion with two outs in the second. It was De La Cruz’s seventh homer.
McLain hit his 11th homer into the Dodgers bullpen in left leading off the third. Votto’s 418-foot shot into the Reds bullpen in right field scored Jake Fraley, who singled, and extended the lead to 7-0.
Votto was robbed of a potential second homer on Outman’s leaping catch at the top of the wall in right-center in the fifth.
The Reds led 8-0 on Friedl’s RBI double with two outs in the sixth.
Grove gave up eight runs and 10 hits in six innings. The rookie right-hander struck out a career-best 10 and walked one on a career-high 96 pitches.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: INF Jonathan India went on the IL with left heel pain.
Dodgers: DH J.D. Martinez left after the first inning with left hamstring tightness. … C Will Smith left the game in the top of the fourth with a left elbow contusion after getting hit by a pitch. X-rays were negative. … OF Mookie Betts (right ankle soreness) was out of the lineup for the second straight day. He got hurt in the batter’s box trying to avoid a pitch on Friday, but is expected back Tuesday. … LHP Julio Urías is having his next start pushed back a couple days while he deals with a nail issue. … LHP Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) played catch.
UP NEXT
Reds: LHP Andrew Abbott (6-2, 1.90 ERA) starts Monday night in the opener of a four-game series at the Chicago Cubs.
Dodgers: RHP Lance Lynn (6-9, 6.47 ERA) makes his Dodgers debut Tuesday in an interleague series opener against Oakland.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-reds-beat-dodgers-9-0-on-homers-by-de-la-cruz-and-votto-grab-nl-central-lead-over-brewers/ | 2023-07-31T10:46:50 | 0 | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-reds-beat-dodgers-9-0-on-homers-by-de-la-cruz-and-votto-grab-nl-central-lead-over-brewers/ |
Q: I have embarrassing leakage of stool from time to time. Is this common? Is there any way to stop it?
It’s more common than you think: One study based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found fecal incontinence affects about 8 percent of U.S. adults.
Since people often don’t bring it up on their own, I’ve made it a point to ask my patients directly about it because effective treatments are available.
Increasing fiber in the diet is one of the first things I recommend. Three of my colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital were part of a group that researched this: In a study involving about 60,000 older women, they found that a high-fiber diet was associated with a reduced risk of fecal incontinence.
It sounds counterintuitive, but fiber is useful to bulk up looser stool and promote water absorption by the colon. It’s also helpful for constipation, which is a common cause of fecal incontinence due to overflow diarrhea.
An analysis of the same cohort also found that eating more pro-inflammatory foods, such as processed meats or sugary sodas, was associated with a higher risk of fecal incontinence. The authors hypothesized that pro-inflammatory foods could have negative interactions with the gut microbiome and diminish the function of the muscles and nerves of the pelvic floor.
Of everything you’ve heard about these foods, this is quite a motivating reason to minimize eating them.
Why is this happening?
Beyond constipation, fecal incontinence can be caused by common underlying issues such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance. It can also be a sign of certain health conditions, like diabetes and even neurological problems.
But it’s possible there’s no underlying “diagnosis” driving the fecal incontinence. Sometimes the triggers are things we’re doing inadvertently — like side effects of medications (including antibiotics) or dietary aggravators like artificial sweeteners that lead to looser, more urgent stool that is hard to control.
The odds of having accidental bowel leakage increase as you age. Some of that risk is related to muscular and neurological changes that occur with aging that make it harder to notice when stool is present and to keep it contained. Among the elderly, dementia and poor mobility increase the chances of experiencing fecal incontinence, while higher levels of physical activity can lower them.
All this said, I wouldn’t consider frequent fecal incontinence “normal,” no matter your age.
There has been a lot of back and forth in medical literature about whether childbirth-related injuries raise your risk, but several studies have shown fecal incontinence actually affects men and women similarly.
It’s a bit confusing, because we know women are more likely than men to seek care for their bowel leakage from a physician, and some women, especially those with tearing or requiring forceps for delivery, do experience it in the first few months following childbirth. However, the data are not clear that childbirth-related injuries could lead to fecal incontinence 20 or 30 years later.
Menopausal hormone therapy has been shown to modestly increase the risk of fecal incontinence with higher chances the longer you’re on therapy, potentially due to the effect of estrogens on the pelvic floor. (My colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital also formed part of this research group.)
Getting a diagnosis
When a patient comes to me about this, I ask them questions about their pattern of incontinence, which can shed light on two common reasons this happens: problems with the muscles and nerves of the pelvic floor and problems with stool quality.
Does your bowel leakage happen passively, sometimes without you even realizing it? That could suggest a pelvic floor issue that could be treated by a specialist.
Does it occur with a sense of urgency, feeling like you need the bathroom right now, but then not making you it in time? That could be related to a bowel disturbance like diarrhea that may respond to medication.
Depending on your history, your physician may want to pursue additional testing for disorders that can change your stool quality and raise the risk of incontinence. They may also do a physical exam or specialized tests like anorectal manometry or an MRI exam to better assess your pelvic floor.
Your doctor may identify other issues with the pelvic floor leading to your leakage such as a prolapse, which may need surgery to fix. Sometimes, dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles may benefit from biofeedback, a specialized physical therapy that involves inserting a probe inside the anal canal and analyzing how the pelvic muscles move during defecation.
I know, I know. But pelvic floor physical therapy is more weird than it is uncomfortable — and it works well!
What I want my patients to know
The social consequences of fecal incontinence can be devastating. It’s why initiating a conversation about it is the hardest — but most important — step toward not just figuring out what’s going on, but also improving your quality of life.
Meet the doctor: Trisha S. Pasricha is a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and a medical journalist. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/31/pooped-pants-treatment-cause/ | 2023-07-31T10:46:53 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/31/pooped-pants-treatment-cause/ |
LONDON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Talking Tom and MrBeast just announced a unique collaboration for Talking Tom's 10th birthday party! Starting today, players of My Talking Tom 2, the popular virtual pet game, can unwrap an exclusive surprise from MrBeast himself — a one-of-a-kind outfit. Additionally, Talking Tom and MrBeast are also joining forces with a contribution to the Tebow CURE Hospital for underprivileged children in the Philippines.
"Our collaboration with MrBeast for Talking Tom's 10th anniversary demonstrates our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences to our players," said Xinyu Qian, CEO of Outfit7. "By offering an exclusive MrBeast outfit and extending our support to the Tebow CURE Hospital, we aim not only to enhance the excitement within the game but also to make a meaningful difference in the lives of underprivileged children."
For a limited time of two weeks, the exclusive MrBeast outfit for Tom can be found in the bedroom wardrobe, or claimed through a pop-up gift box, either on the porch or in the bathroom. As part of the 10th birthday celebration, Tom has also given users a generous gift of 100,000 in-game gold coins, which are still attainable in the game.
In addition to the in-game collaboration, Talking Tom and MrBeast have joined forces to support the Tebow CURE Hospital, which provides assistance to underprivileged children in the Philippines. Together they will support the hospital's activities for a month, enabling them to carry out over 150 surgeries. To ensure sustainable care for the children, the hospital will also receive a year's supply of essential orthopaedic supplies.
Download My Talking Tom 2 now and claim the exclusive MrBeast outfit! It will be available for free in My Talking Tom 2 for a limited time, from July 30 to August 13, 2023.
ABOUT OUTFIT7: Outfit7 Limited is a dynamic force in mobile gaming, reaching a global audience of billions with its award-winning games. Powered by creativity and industry-leading expertise, the company's talented international team of around 400 people pushes the boundaries of the possible every day. Outfit7's 20+ games have now been downloaded worldwide over 21 billion times and up to 470 million fans play with them every month. Its portfolio also includes numerous chart-topping animated series, theme parks, and a licensing program. You can find more information at www.outfit7.com.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2164951/Outfit7.jpg
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SOURCE Outfit7 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/talking-tom-mrbeast-celebrate-toms-birthday-with-an-exclusive-outfit-contribute-hospital-underprivileged-children/ | 2023-07-31T10:46:56 | 1 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/talking-tom-mrbeast-celebrate-toms-birthday-with-an-exclusive-outfit-contribute-hospital-underprivileged-children/ |
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — Defending Formula One champion Max Verstappen enters the mid-season break in unstoppable form, after emphatically winning the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday for an eighth straight win and 10th overall of a crushingly dominant season.
Despite starting from sixth place he finished 22.3 seconds ahead of teammate Sergio Perez to give Red Bull an easy 1-2. It moved Verstappen ominously closer to a third straight world title and his own F1 record of 15 wins from last year.
Verstappen is 125 points ahead of Perez after just 12 races, and his next target is matching Sebastian Vettel’s F1 record of nine straight wins with a victory at the Dutch GP when the lopsided season resumes on Aug. 27.
“I just want to have a nice time now, have a bit of time with family and friends,” Verstappen said.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc finished in third spot for a third podium of the season, with Lewis Hamilton in fourth for Mercedes ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
George Russell was sixth for Mercedes, with Lando Norris (McLaren), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) completing the top 10.
Leclerc started on pole ahead of Perez, with Hamilton and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. behind them. McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri was on the next row alongside Verstappen — who was fastest in Friday’s qualifying but took a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change and had to avoid early traffic.
“It was just about surviving turn one. I could see it was all getting really tight,” Verstappen said. “I’ve been in that position before myself so I am just going to stay out of that and it worked out. From there onwards I made the right overtakes.”
Last year Verstappen won from 14th, and once he overtook Perez on Lap 17 of 44 his 45th career win was seemingly inevitable.
“Really enjoyable to drive once I got in the lead,” Verstappen said. “It was again a great race.“
Red Bull extended its record to 13 straight wins, including the final race of last season.
Hamilton came in on the penultimate lap for a tire change and the move paid off as he took the bonus point for fastest lap from Verstappen — a very minor blip for the dominant Dutchman.
It was yet another stellar weekend for Verstappen, who also won Saturday’s sprint race. The only issue was some more bickering with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase over radio, as they continued their spat from Friday’s qualifying.
“Don’t forget Max, use your head, please,” Lambiase told Verstappen when he questioned why Perez was making his first tire change on Lap 14.
Verstappen defused any talk of tension with Lambiase.
“It’s fine. We know each other very well and we have a very good relationship,” he said. “I think it’s really important.”
With some rain forecast, Verstappen boxed on the next lap and came out about 2 seconds behind Perez. Just minutes later he cruised past Perez and, as so often this season, the rest was just about control.
Perez, meanwhile, pledged to stay on the podium for the rest of the season.
“It’s been a bit of a rough patch,” the 33-year-old Mexican said. “I really need this summer break, it’s been really intense. I’ll come back really strong for Zandvoort.”
Conditions were dry for the race start, in stark contrast to the two previous days, which were impacted by heavy rain at the 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Leclerc, who won his first F1 race here in 2019, made a solid start but Perez’s extra pace soon put him in front.
“I knew it was quite crucial for my race to get Charles on Lap 1,” Perez said.
Verstappen rose two places to fourth after Sainz bumped into Piastri on the first corner.
Piastri had to retire, while Verstappen overtook Hamilton on Lap 6, Leclerc three laps later and made short work of Perez just before some rain fell briefly.
Some good overtaking from Ocon moved the Frenchman up from 10th to eighth in the closing stages.
It was an early end for Piastri, who had impressed with a second place in Saturday’s sprint race.
A bad day for Sainz saw him retiring on Lap 25 and Leclerc moving above him in the standings.
“Of course the race was good on my side, a shame for Carlos as we had good pace,” Leclerc said. “When you look at the Red Bulls we still have a lot of work to do … This was the best we could achieve today, no doubt.”
After the F1 break there will be 10 races left, but most of the competition for places will be behind Verstappen.
Alonso is one point ahead of Hamilton in third overall, with Leclerc and Russell level and Sainz seven points behind them.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-verstappen-wins-belgian-gp-to-extend-huge-f1-lead-red-bull-teammate-perez-2nd/ | 2023-07-31T10:46:57 | 1 | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-verstappen-wins-belgian-gp-to-extend-huge-f1-lead-red-bull-teammate-perez-2nd/ |
NICOSIA, Cyprus — A Cyprus court on Monday sentenced a British man who killed his ailing wife in their retirement home to two years in prison, rejecting a defense request to hand down a suspended sentence after convicting him earlier of manslaughter.
Hadjikyrou told The Associated Press the court took into account that Hunter, 76, acted “out of love” to save his wife, who was suffering from a blood ailment when he closed her mouth and nose with his hands as she sat in a recliner in their Paphos home.
It also took into consideration Hunter’s advanced age and that he had no previous criminal record.
Justice Abroad, a group that defends Britons facing legal troubles in foreign countries, said in a statement that Hunter could be released by Aug. 18 after already having spent more than 18 months in custody.
“This has been a tragic case and difficult for all of those involved with it, but today’s decision was the right one and allows David and his family to grieve together,” said Michael Polak from Justice Abroad.
Hunter had faced a charge of premeditated murder, but the court found in its July 21 ruling that the prosecution didn’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there was premeditation in his actions.
The court had accepted witness testimony that Janice feared her blood ailment would develop into full-blown leukemia and had repeatedly pleaded with her husband to take her life because she didn’t want to share the fate of her sister, who died of the disease.
Hunter attempted to take his own life by consuming a large amount of pills after suffocating his wife, but medical staff saved his life.
The court cited expert testimony that Janice Hunter suffered from myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of blood cancer which “to a large degree” — as much as 45% — could turn into leukemia, although there was no proof that she had indeed developed the disease because no definitive tests were conducted.
But the court said both husband and wife believed that Janice would develop it because of her sister’s fate.
David Hunter’s earlier assurances to Janice that he would help her fulfill her wish to end her life and not suffer anymore didn’t indicate any premeditation, the court said.
Hadjikyrou said defense lawyers had rejected a plea deal in December 2022 for the defendant to plead guilty to manslaughter because they insisted the facts of the case include an agreement Hunter and his wife allegedly made for him to take her life.
The state prosecutor said the court didn’t accept that such an agreement had indeed been made. He said the Cyprus attorney-general has 10 days to decide whether to appeal the sentence. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/31/cyprus-briton-manslaughter-prison-suffocation-ailing-wife/4c14cbc0-2f85-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-31T10:47:00 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/31/cyprus-briton-manslaughter-prison-suffocation-ailing-wife/4c14cbc0-2f85-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
16TH annual event features turtles named after characters in Disney's frighteningly fun adventure movie, "Haunted Mansion," now playing in theaters.
VERO BEACH, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the weekend at Disney's Vero Beach Resort, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation released two sea turtles as part of the 16th annual Tour de Turtles "migration marathon." Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational event that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding grounds and, ultimately, provides scientific data on how best to protect their species.
The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and Disney Cruise Line are each sponsoring a turtle this year, whose names, Madame Leota and Harriet, are the names of characters in Disney's frighteningly fun adventure movie "Haunted Mansion," now playing in theaters. Not unlike Gabbie, another character in the film who enlists a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters – Tour de Turtles brings together a team of researchers from the STC and Disney Conservation annually to undertake a daunting mission - using satellite telemetry to track two female turtles to determine where and how far they swim during the migration season.
Each turtle swims to raise awareness about various threats to sea turtle survival. The turtle to swim the furthest distance will win the Tour de Turtles race.
"Disney's commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1.5 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean," said Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney's Animals, Science and Environment. "Southeast Florida hosts one of the largest nesting aggregations of loggerhead sea turtles, making up to 40 percent of the global loggerhead population. The team has recorded more than 20,000 sea turtle nests on our survey route since the program began."
The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation and management. Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have collaborated to study 29 sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Continuing its commitment to strengthen youth education programs in port communities around the world, Disney Cruise Line proudly supported local students from Club Esteem from Melbourne, Florida, to participate in this year's event. DCF also has directed more than $5.1 million to support global sea turtle conservation efforts.
"Disney is a fantastic collaborator," said David Godfrey, STC Executive Director. "Disney's commitment to conservation, passion for environmental education, and effectiveness at communicating with audiences have made the Tour de Turtles a fun and successful program since it was launched over a decade ago."
In addition to Tour de Turtles, the Disney Conservation team has dedicated nearly 19,000 hours to studying and monitoring sea turtle nests during the summer nesting season along the five-mile coastline at Disney's Vero Beach Resort. From approximately May to October, Disney Vacation Club members and resort guests also have the opportunity to assist the team by joining outings to observe real-time sea turtle research while learning how they can take action to protect sea turtles. So far this year, the Disney Conservation team has a record-breaking number of nests along their survey route – nearly 2,000 by August, well above the average 1,500 normally counted in an entire season.
Tour de Turtles is a research and education program of the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Disney's support is just one example of bringing Disney Planet Possible to life by taking action to make a happier, healthier planet possible for all. To learn more and follow the turtles' migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at www.tourdeturtles.org
ABOUT DISNEY'S VERO BEACH RESORT
Disney's Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, offers spacious vacation villas along the pristine Atlantic coastline. The resort is located less than a two-hour drive from the Walt Disney World Resort, and its design reflects the Treasure Coast region where it is situated. Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world.
ABOUT DISNEY'S "HAUNTED MANSION"
Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, Disney's "Haunted Mansion" is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.
Directed by Justin Simien, the film features an all-star cast ensemble including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Daniel Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost. The film's producers are Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, with Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman serving as executive producers.
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SOURCE Walt Disney World | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/tour-de-turtles-celebrates-sea-turtles-supernatural-science-disneys-vero-beach-resort/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:03 | 1 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/tour-de-turtles-celebrates-sea-turtles-supernatural-science-disneys-vero-beach-resort/ |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have given outside linebacker Danielle Hunter a hefty pay raise, paving the way for the team’s best pass rusher to participate in practice after a months-long contract stalemate.
The Vikings announced Sunday on their website that they reached a new deal with Hunter, the three-time Pro Bowl pick with 71 sacks who will turn 29 in three months.
Hunter reported to training camp last week on schedule after skipping the offseason program and mandatory minicamp, but he has yet to join his teammates on the field. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Saturday that Hunter has been “in the building” and that they’ve been in “daily dialogue” about his physical and mental preparation.
“Danielle Hunter is a very special player, and as soon as we can get him out here, you guys will see him out here,” O’Connell said.
Hunter’s previous contract called for a $4.9 million base salary. According to NFL Network, he’ll make $17 million guaranteed this year with an opportunity to earn an additional $3 million in incentives. Hunter will still hit the free agent market after the season, unless he and the team strike a deal on an extension in the meantime.
Hunter’s presence will be vital for a Vikings defense that has been one of the NFL’s worst over the past three years. They allowed the second-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league in 2022, despite decent production by their primary edge rushers. Hunter had 10 1/2 sacks, Za’Darius Smith had 10 sacks and backups D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones had four sacks apiece.
Smith was since traded to Cleveland in a cost-cutting move, leaving Hunter as the only proven pass rusher on the roster. Marcus Davenport was signed as a free agent to push for a starting spot, but this remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the team this season.
“I think Danielle’s a phenomenal player,” said defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who was hired to replace the fired Ed Donatell. “I look forward to working with him.”
Under Donatell, Hunter often found himself as a standup rusher in a three-point stance. The Vikings with Flores are aiming to get back to turning Hunter loose with his hand in the ground more often.
“Veteran players, they’ve seen a lot of defense, coverages, fronts, stunts. I think terminology will probably be the one thing that’s a little bit different, maybe, but some of it, there’s some crossover from some things he’s heard in the past so I don’t think it’ll take long for him to get up to speed,” Flores said. “At the end of the day, we’re telling him to go get the quarterback. There’s really not much to that. So I think he’ll be just fine.”
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-vikings-end-stalemate-with-danielle-hunter-by-giving-edge-rusher-a-big-pay-raise/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:04 | 1 | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-vikings-end-stalemate-with-danielle-hunter-by-giving-edge-rusher-a-big-pay-raise/ |
HONG KONG — A French man is believed to have fallen to his death from a high-rise residential building in Hong Kong last week, police said on Monday, with local media outlets identifying him as daredevil Remi Lucidi.
Officers conducted an initial investigation and said he apparently fell from a rooftop. No suicide note was found at the scene, they said. The cause of his death would have to be verified by an autopsy, they added.
Local media, including the South China Morning Post, said the man was Lucidi, 30. The Post cited an unnamed source saying he was last seen alive knocking on a penthouse window on the 68th floor of a residential tower on Thursday evening. The Associated Press has not been able to verify his identity.
Lucidi, who used the name “Remi Enigma” on social media, last posted a photo of Hong Kong’s night view a week ago on Instagram and tagged the location as Times Square in shopping district Causeway Bay. The photo appeared to be taken from above.
Supporters mourned him on social media.
Lucidi posted to Instagram as he climbed various tall structures around the world and took selfies, including one he captioned, “Above the Sky, 425m” and tagged Dubai as the location. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/31/hong-kong-daredevil-death-remi-lucidi-fall/202a2798-2f8b-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-31T10:47:06 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/31/hong-kong-daredevil-death-remi-lucidi-fall/202a2798-2f8b-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
The Nation's Largest Network for Affordable Housing Protects Consumers from Unfair Fees and Costs
BOCA RATON, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AffordableHousing.com today announced it will join the White House and a compendium of government agencies and other private sector companies in large-scale efforts to end junk fees and ensure that Americans are provided with honest, transparent pricing. More than 100 million property searches per year are performed on AffordableHousing.com–the largest platform for affordable housing in the nation.
"For decades, families have relied on us to help them find affordable housing," says Richard Cupelli, CEO at AffordableHousing.com. "We take pride in advocating for these families, so it was a natural fit for us to join forces with the Administration and other socially responsible companies to help protect consumers in our industry."
On July 19, 2023, the White House published a Fact Sheet announcing its crack-down on junk fees in the rental market, highlighting private-sector commitments supporting this initiative made by the three major rental housing platforms: AffordableHousing.com, Zillow, and Apartments.com.
Late last year, the President called on federal agencies, Congress, and private companies to take action to address junk fees across the economy. The initiative aims to ensure Americans are provided with honest, transparent pricing. By February 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced proposed rules limiting credit card late fees. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finalized a rule requiring cable and internet providers to list fees up front. And the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed a requirement for airlines and booking services show the full price of a plane ticket, including baggage and other fees.
In March, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge released an open letter to housing providers and state and local governments, encouraging them to adopt policies promoting greater fairness and transparency of fees faced by renters. Substantial research shows such fees obstruct comparison shopping, impede competition, and lead to consumers paying more.
A long-standing resource for families seeking affordable housing, AffordableHousing.com has policies in place supporting this transparency and protecting its customers from unfair fees.
Renters can search available properties free on AffordableHousing.com, and property owners are required to be upfront about all refundable and non-refundable rental fees and costs. AffordableHousing.com also does not charge rental application fees.
"Our socially responsible technology platform has allowed us to establish the largest network of affordable housing in the nation," says Cupelli. "We understand the accountability that comes with our standing in the industry and the trust that our customers place in us."
As a hub for housing agencies across the nation, AffordableHousing.com also allows state and local governments to have their own customized website that serves their local community, enforces their specific regulatory requirements, centralizes all affordable housing, and simplifies the application and approval process.
"We are working with AffordableHousing.com to implement the Vermont Affordable Housing Hub, which will allow families to easily find and apply to all affordable housing in the state," says Kathleen Berk, Executive Director at Vermont State Housing Authority. "By utilizing AffordableHousing.com's custom housing hub to build our state-specific site, we can streamline compliance with state laws, which have strict application fee guidelines. We can also add safeguards to protect our families by providing the Clear and Fair Lease template for property owners to use. These leases will also comply with affordable housing programs, like Section 8."
AffordableHousing.com also rewards reputable property owners. Those with a history of good standing can qualify for a Trusted Owner Badge, which ensures their credibility to prospective renters on the site and increases consumer confidence. Trusted Owners also receive prominent listing status.
Earning and maintaining status as a Trusted Owner requires providing various levels of documentation to verify qualifications and authenticity, adhering to all relevant federal, state, and local laws, and complying with the site's reasonable fee guidelines.
Together with its research partner, Learning Collider (www.learningcollider.org), AffordableHousing.com is conducting research into the real cost of administrative fees, the impact of fee transparency in rental listings, and the effectiveness of platform features like the common application for rental and government programs—an endeavor that the company has been urging agencies to adopt for years.
"Our research partnership with AffordableHousing.com has allowed us to analyze the impacts of rental fees on low-income families in real-time," says Peter Bergman, Professor at UT Austin and Director of the Learning Collider research lab. "Together, we are advancing research to identify junk fees and establish transparent fee practices, easing the path to affordable rentals for families across the U.S."
The President announced in latest White House Fact Sheet, released on July 27, 2023, further plans to protect renters, naming AffordableHousing.com as an ally in the initiative and endorsing the site's plans to deploy additional consumer protection tools by the end of the year, including "Clear and Fair" digital leases, which will align with the principles outlined in the White House Blueprint for a Renter Bill of Rights. Property owners who use these "Clear and Fair" digital leases will be acknowledged on AffordableHousing.com.
About AffordableHousing.com: For more than 20 years, AffordableHousing.com has provided innovative technology and real solutions that help solve some of the most complex challenges impacting the availability of affordable housing in the United States. By simplifying access to available resources, AffordableHousing.com boosts participation in government programs, increasing the much-needed supply of affordable housing nationwide, and providing more homes to more families.
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SOURCE AffordableHousing.com | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/white-house-announces-partnership-with-affordablehousingcom-end-junk-fees/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:09 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/white-house-announces-partnership-with-affordablehousingcom-end-junk-fees/ |
TOKYO — A Japanese court sentenced a man to 23 years in prison on Monday for stabbing a passenger and setting a fire on a Tokyo express train while dressed in a Joker costume on Halloween two years ago, officials said.
During the trial, Hattori told the court he was so shocked when he learned that his girlfriend had married someone else only six months after they broke up that he decided to carry out the attack so he could end his life by receiving the death penalty, NHK public television reported.
In the ruling, Judge Yu Takeshita said the attack was an “indiscriminate crime with a selfish motive that targeted many passengers who happened to be on the train.”
Prosecutors sought 25 years in prison, arguing that the attack was premeditated and that Hattori had deliberately chosen a special express train that makes fewer stops so passengers would have less chance of escaping. Witnesses said he wore an outfit like the Joker villain in Batman comics.
Defense lawyers asked for 12 years, saying the attack did not constitute attempted murder because most passengers were out of reach when Hattori set the fire.
Gun-related crime is rare in Japan because of strict gun control laws, but there has been a series of high-profile knife attacks in recent years on subways and elsewhere, and there is growing concern about homemade guns and explosives.
Train operators in major cities have stepped up safety measures, including installing security cameras in train cars and conducting more frequent safety drills.
In August 2021, on the day before the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, a 36-year-old man stabbed 10 passengers on a commuter train in Tokyo in a random attack. The man later told police that he wanted to attack women who looked happy.
The previous month, a 37-year-old man stabbed three passengers with a knife on an airport train in Osaka. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/31/japan-stabbing-attack-ruling-train-joker/701b3a7c-2f8a-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-31T10:47:12 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/31/japan-stabbing-attack-ruling-train-joker/701b3a7c-2f8a-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
- Revenue of RMB9,908 Million in the Second Quarter, Up 6.7% Year-over-Year;
Excluding COVID-19 Commercial Projects, Up 39.5% - Revenue of RMB18,871 Million in the First Half, Up 6.3% Year-over-Year;
Excluding COVID-19 Commercial Projects, Up 27.9% - Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company for the First Half Increased 14.6% to RMB 5,313 Million
- Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) for the First Half Increased 20.9% to RMB1.79
- Adjusted Non-IFRS Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company for the First Half Increased 18.5% to RMB5,095 Million
- Adjusted Non-IFRS Diluted EPS for the First Half Increased 18.5% to RMB1.73[1]
- Free Cash Flow Achieved RMB2,926 Million for the First Half, Turned Positive and Grew Strongly
SHANGHAI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi AppTec (stock code: 603259.SH / 2359.HK), a global company that provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients, is pleased to announce its financial results for the first half ending June 30, 2023 ("Reporting Period").
This release provides a summary of the results and is not intended to be a comprehensive report. For additional information, please refer to the 2023 Interim Report and other relevant announcements published on the websites of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (www.sse.com.cn) and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (www.hkexnews.hk), and the designated media for dissemination of the relevant information. Investors are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the investment risks in trading Company shares.
All financial information disclosed in this press release is prepared based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), in currency of RMB.
The 2023 Interim Report of the Company has not been audited.
Second Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights
Revenue grew 6.7% year-over-year to RMB9,908 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 39.5%. This is primarily attributable to the Company's continued excellent execution of our unique Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) business model to achieve strong synergy and continuous growth:
- WuXi Chemistry revenue grew 2.6% year-over-year to RMB7,034 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 51.6%. Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 12.9% year-over-year to RMB3,216 million, with a gross profit margin of 45.7%.
- WuXi Testing revenue grew 23.6% year-over-year to RMB1,638 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 36.2% year-over-year to RMB640 million, with a gross profit margin of 39.1%.
- WuXi Biology revenue grew 17.5% year-over-year to RMB656 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 21.3% year-over-year to RMB 271 million, with a gross profit margin of 41.4%.
- WuXi ATU revenue grew 22.9% year-over-year to RMB389 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit was RMB(16) million, with a gross profit margin of (4.2)%
- WuXi DDSU revenue declined 17.9% year-over-year to RMB176 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew year-over-year 5.2% to RMB63 million, with a gross profit margin of 35.8%. Meanwhile, we received the first royalty income from customers in the second quarter, which is a breakthrough for DDSU.
Unit: RMB million
- IFRS gross profit increased 18.1% year-over-year to RMB4,030 million. Gross profit margin was 40.7%[2]
- Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit increased 16.4% year-over-year to RM4,177 million. Adjusted non-IFRS gross margin was 42.2%.
- Net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 5.1% year-over-year to RMB3,145 million.
- Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 22.4% year-over-year to RMB2,753 million.
First-Half 2023 Financial Highlights
Revenue grew 6.3% year-over-year to RMB18,871 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 27.9%. This is primarily attributable to the Company's continued excellent execution of our unique Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) business model to achieve strong synergy and continuous growth:
- WuXi Chemistry revenue grew 3.8% year-over-year to RMB13,467 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 36.1%. Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 14.9% year-over-year to RMB6,103 million, with a gross profit margin of 45.3%.
- WuXi Testing revenue grew 18.7% year-over-year to RMB3,091 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 26.1% year-over-year to RMB1,168 million, with a gross profit margin of 37.8%.
- WuXi Biology revenue grew 13.0% year-over-year to RMB1,233 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 15.1% year-over-year to RMB511 million, with a gross profit margin of 41.5%.
- WuXi ATU revenue grew 16.0% year-over-year to RMB714 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit was RMB(40) million, with a gross profit margin of (5.7)%.
- WuXi DDSU revenue declined 24.9% year-over-year to RMB342 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit declined 26.2% year-over-year to RMB103 million, with a gross profit margin of 30.1%. Meanwhile, DDSU achieved a breakthrough in receiving the first royalty income from customers.
Unit: RMB million
- IFRS gross profit increased 17.6% year-over-year to RMB7,556 million. Gross profit margin was 40.0%[3].
- Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit increased 15.7% year-over-year to RMB7,855 million. Adjusted non-IFRS gross margin was 41.6%.
- Net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 14.6% year-over-year to RMB 5,313 million.
- Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 18.5% year-over-year to RMB5,095 million.
- Diluted EPS increased 20.9% year-over-year to RMB1.79, while adjusted diluted non-IFRS EPS increased by 18.5% year-over-year to RMB1.73.
- Free cash flow achieved RMB2,926 million, turned positive and grew strongly year-over-year.
First-Half 2023 Business Operation Highlights
- As an industry innovation enabler, we grow together with our customers. In the first half of 2023, we added over 600 new customers, and in total we served more than 6,000 active customers over the past 12 months. Backlog grew 25% year-over-year excluding COVID-19 commercial projects. We continued to optimize our cross-platform synergies to better serve our customers worldwide, strengthen our unique competitive advantage as a fully integrated Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) and Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CTDMO) platform, and provide one-stop services for our customers from discovery to development and manufacturing. The diversified revenue streams from customers across regions ensure the stability and resilience of the Company's financial performance.
- WuXi Chemistry: Integrated CRDMO Business Model Drives Steady Growth, with Continued Expansion in New Modalities (WuXi TIDES)
- In the past 12 months, we successfully synthesized and delivered more than 420,000 new compounds to customers, which grew 20% year-over-year. Through our chemistry drug discovery services, we enabled our customers to accelerate their research while generating opportunities for our downstream business units. In the past 12 months, 120 molecules have transitioned from R to D&M, representing a year-on-year growth of 21%. Through our "follow-the-customer" and "follow-the-molecule" strategies, we established trusted partnerships with our global customers, supporting the sustainable growth of our CRDMO business.
- We continued executing our "long-tail" strategy. Demand from "long-tail" customers in discovery services of small molecule and new modalities continued to grow, with the number of new customers growing 17% year-over-year.
- In the first half of 2023, D&M services revenue grew 2.1% year-over-year to RMB9.67 billion. Excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, D&M services revenue grew strongly by 54.5%.
- In the first half of 2023, we added 583 molecules to our D&M pipeline. To date, our D&M pipeline consists of 2,819 molecules, including 56 commercial projects, 59 in phase III, 301 in phase II and 2,403 in phase I and pre-clinical stages, among which, 8 commercial and phase III projects were added in the first half of 2023.
- In the first half of 2023, TIDES revenue grew 37.9% year-over-year to RMB1.33 billion. As of June 30, 2023, backlog of TIDES grew strongly by 188% year-over-year. We expect revenue growth from TIDES business to exceed 70% in 2023.
- The number of TIDES D&M customers increased 25% year-over-year to 121, and the number of TIDES molecules increased 46% year-over-year to 207.
- WuXi Testing: Lab Testing Services Drive Steady Growth, Clinical Business Fully Recovered
- The Company provides a full range of laboratory testing services for our customers, including drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), toxicology, and bioanalysis for drug development testing, as well as medical device testing. We provide customers with high-quality services, realize "one report for global submission," and enable customers to save time, reduce costs and increase efficiency.
- H1 2023 revenue from drug safety evaluation services grew 24% year-over-year. We maintained our industry leadership position in Asia Pacific for drug safety evaluation services that meet global regulatory requirements. In the first half of 2023, new lab testing facilities in Qidong and Suzhou began operations as scheduled, ensuring the business growth to accelerate in the second half of 2023.
- Moreover, we continued to enhance capabilities related to new modalities, with comprehensive coverage such as target protein degradation, nucleic acids, conjugates, and cell and gene therapies (CGT), etc.
- SMO revenue grew strongly by 53.9% in Q2 2023 and 34.3% in H1 2023, maintaining a leadership position in China. In the first half of 2023, SMO supported 25 new drug approvals for customers.
- In the first half of 2023, clinical CRO enabled our customers to obtain 8 IND approvals and submit 3 NDA filings.
- WuXi Biology: Strong Contribution from New Modalities; Early Discovery Screening Platform Continued to Generate Downstream Opportunities
- WuXi ATU: CTDMO Business Model Drives Growth
- WuXi DDSU: the First Year to Receive New Drug Application (NDA) Approval of New Drugs Developed for Customers; Breakthrough to Receive the First Royalty Income
Our Commitment to ESG
As an industry innovation enabler, a trusted partner and a contributor to the global healthcare industry, the Company is committed to environmental protection and sustainability, and to being a good global corporate citizenship.
Our outstanding ESG performance has been recognized by major global ESG rating agencies, including MSCI, S&P Global, Sustainalytics, CDP and EcoVadis. In June 2023, we received the fourth "Silver" medal recognition from EcoVadis for our Couvet site in Switzerland.
By the first half of 2023, our carbon emission intensity, energy consumption intensity and water use intensity reduced by 20.1%, 18.4%, and 31.6%, respectively, as compared to the baseline year 2020.
As we continue to advance our sustainability strategy, we embrace our shared responsibility to be good stewards of the environment.
Management Comment
Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi AppTec, said, "We continued to achieve steady growth of revenue, net profit, and free cash flow in the first half of 2023. Our revenue increased 6.3% year-over-year to RMB18.87 billion, or 27.9% if excluding COVID-19 commercial projects. Our adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 18.5% year-over-year, outpacing the revenue growth rate, and our free cash flow achieved RMB2.93 billion, as a result of the Company's pursuit of operational excellence and productivity."
"The Company's performance in the first half of 2023 demonstrated that WuXi AppTec's unique CRDMO and CTDMO business models can effectively meet the growing demands from customers worldwide and continue to drive solid growth for the Company. In 2023, we aim to deliver a 5-7% revenue growth, increase adjusted non-IFRS gross profit by 13-14%, and expand free cash flow by 750-850%. We remain committed to prioritizing our customers' needs and enhancing our capacity and capabilities as we support our customers' efforts to bring groundbreaking therapies to patients around the world. Together, we can realize our vision that 'every drug can be made and every disease can be treated'."
About WuXi AppTec
As a global company with operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable the global pharmaceutical and healthcare industry to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients. Through its unique business models, WuXi AppTec's integrated, end-to-end services include chemistry drug CRDMO (Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization), biology discovery, preclinical testing and clinical research services, cell and gene therapies CTDMO (Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization), helping customers improve the productivity of advancing healthcare products through cost-effective and efficient solutions. WuXi AppTec received an AA ESG rating from MSCI in 2022 and its open-access platform is enabling more than 6,000 customers from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need – and to realize the vision that "every drug can be made and every disease can be treated." Please visit: http://www.wuxiapptec.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" which are not historical facts, but instead are predictions about future events based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. Although we believe that our predictions are reasonable, future events are inherently uncertain and our forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks relating to, among other things, the ability of our service offerings to compete effectively, our ability to meet timelines for the expansion of our service offerings, our ability to protect our customers' intellectual property, unforeseeable international tension, competition, the impact of emergencies and other force majeure. Our forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law or listing rules. Accordingly, you are strongly cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by reference to the cautionary statements set forth in this section. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
Use of Non-IFRS and Adjusted Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We provide non-IFRS gross profit and non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, issuance expenses of convertible bonds, fair value gain or loss from derivative component of convertible bonds, foreign exchange-related gains or losses, amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations, non-financial assets impairment, etc. We also provide adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company and earnings per share, which further exclude realized and unrealized gains or losses from our venture capital investments and joint ventures. Neither is required by, or presented in accordance with IFRS.
We believe that the adjusted financial measures used in this press release are useful for understanding and assessing our core business performance and operating trends, and we believe that management and investors may benefit from referring to these adjusted financial measures in assessing our financial performance by eliminating the impact of certain unusual, non-recurring, non-cash and non-operating items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our core business. Such adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company, the management of the Company believes, is widely accepted and adopted in the industry the Company is operating in. However, the presentation of these adjusted non-IFRS financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. You should not view adjusted results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under IFRS, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Ruijia Tang (for investors)
IR Director
Email: tang_ruijia@wuxiapptec.com
Mr. Davy Wu (for media)
PR Director
Email: davy_wu@wuxiapptec.com
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SOURCE WuXi AppTec | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/wuxi-apptec-announced-strong-results-second-quarter-first-half-2023-top-an-exceptionally-strong-year-2022/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:16 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/wuxi-apptec-announced-strong-results-second-quarter-first-half-2023-top-an-exceptionally-strong-year-2022/ |
SIDON, Lebanon — Clashes continued for a third day in a Palestinian camp in Lebanon on Monday between members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah group and Islamist factions there.
Despite attempts by Lebanese parties and some of the Palestinian factions to broker a cease-fire, “the shooting and shelling have not stopped in the camp until this moment,” said Adnan Rifai, a member of the popular committee that serves as a governing body in the camp.
The Lebanese army mans a checkpoint outside and typically does not enter the camp, which is under the control of the Palestinian factions.
The clashes erupted on Sunday after Islamic militants shot and killed a Palestinian military general from the Fatah group, Abu Ashraf al Armoushi, and three escorts as they were walking through a parking lot, according to another Palestinian. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to the media.
On Saturday, an unknown gunman had tried to kill militant Mahmoud Khalil but instead fatally shot his companion.
Later on Sunday, Palestinian factions said in a joint statement that they had agreed to a cease-fire during a mediation meeting hosted by the Lebanese Shiite Amal movement and militant Hezbollah group in the city Sidon. But the cease-fire did not hold.
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.
A Fatah 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.”
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Abbas both issued statements Sunday decrying the violence.
Lebanese lawmaker Osama Saad, who represents the Sidon area where the camp is located, told The Associated Press that officials are “making extraordinary efforts to find serious, effective, lasting and stable solutions to the situation inside the camp.”
Saad said he and other Lebanese officials and security forces would meet with the Palestinian factions on Monday to push for a cease-fire.
___
Sewell reported from Beirut. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/31/lebanon-palestinian-camp-clashes/9c524f7e-2f83-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-31T10:47:18 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/31/lebanon-palestinian-camp-clashes/9c524f7e-2f83-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
Buccaneers Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
At +15000, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the third-worst odds of winning the Super Bowl as of December 31.
Watch the Buccaneers this season on Fubo!
Buccaneers Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the NFC South: +750
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +15000
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Tampa Bay Betting Insights
- Tampa Bay went 4-12-1 ATS last season.
- A total of six Buccaneers games last season went over the point total.
- On offense, Tampa Bay ranked 15th in the with 346.7 yards per game last season. Meanwhile, it ranked ninth in total defense (324.3 yards allowed per contest).
- Last year the Buccaneers were 5-4 at home and 3-5 away.
- When the underdog, Tampa Bay was winless (0-3). But as the favorite put together a 8-6 record.
- The Buccaneers were 8-4 in the NFC, including 4-2 in the NFC South.
Buccaneers Impact Players
- In 15 games last year, Mike Evans had 77 receptions for 1,124 yards (74.9 per game) and six touchdowns.
- In 12 games, Baker Mayfield passed for 2,163 yards (180.3 per game), with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and a completion percentage of 60.0%.
- In addition, Mayfield rushed for 89 yards and one TD.
- Chris Godwin had 104 receptions for 1,023 yards (68.2 per game) and three touchdowns in 15 games a season ago.
- On the ground, Rachaad White scored one touchdown and picked up 481 yards (28.3 per game).
- Devin White had 124 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks, and five passes defended last year.
Bet on Buccaneers to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Buccaneers NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 31 at 5:24 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/buccaneers-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:22 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/buccaneers-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
How D'Andre Swift's 'unique ability' is making Jalen Hurts a better quarterback
PHILADELPHIA − So there was D'Andre Swift lined up in the backfield, running a wheel route down the field, using his speed to get in behind linebacker Nicholas Morrow as Jalen Hurts lofted a pass over Morrow's head and Swift's shoulder.
Swift dove for the ball about 35 yards down the field, grabbing it with one arm just before he hit the ground as Morrow held the other arm. At the same time, safety Terrell Edmunds also dove for the ball. But Swift held on, easily making the best and most acrobatic catch through the first three practices of Eagles' training camp.
"Jalen (Hurts) made a check,” Swift said nonchalantly. “Seen the alignment, the linebacker. (Hurts) threw the ball up there, and I just went up and got it."
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GREEN WITH ENVY:Eagles unveil kelly green alternate uniforms, helmets. When will they wear them in a game?
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni described Swift as having "a unique ability" as a receiver out of the backfield.
Swift, whom the Eagles traded for on draft day with the Detroit Lions, is a major reason why the Eagles don't expect to miss a beat offensively after Miles Sanders, who had a career-high 1,269 yards rushing, left in free agency.
The Eagles haven't had a running back who was as much of a threat as a receiver since Darren Sproles' first three seasons with the Eagles from 2014-16. During that span, Sproles averaged 49 catches for 401 yards each season.
The difference is that Swift, the Lions' second-round pick in 2020, is also an early-down running back. Sproles was primarily used in third-down passing situations.
But it's not just Swift. The Eagles want to use all of their running backs as receivers in order to take advantage of Hurts' ability as a passer and runner. Rashaad Penny, who signed with the Eagles as a free agent during the spring, said he was stunned to see how much he could potentially be used in the passing game.
"To see this many route trees for a running back is honestly kind of cool because I never got to experience something like this," said Penny, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. "For us to be in empty a lot, and to showcase our abilities to catching the ball and being like a receiver."
Penny only has 27 catches for 222 yards in 42 career games, and never more than 9 catches in a season. But he insists that he can be a factor in the passing game, citing Hurts' ability as a runner and passer.
"I think any running back can really come in and thrive in this system just because of the weapons they have, and Jalen," Penny said. "I definitely think it’s easier − execution, playing fast, and just doing what you have to do."
It's not that the Eagles are changing their offensive philosophy.
It's just that there are different ways to replace Sanders' yardage. Sanders was not much of a receiver out of the backfield. He had just 20 catches for 78 yards in 2022. Even Kenny Gainwell, known as more of a third-down receiving back, had just 23 receptions for 169 yards last season.
Swift, on the other hand, had a career-high 62 catches for 452 yards, to go along with 617 yards rushing in 2021 with the Lions. That's a total of 1,069 yards. His numbers dipped a bit last season to 48 catches for 389 yards, with 542 yards rushing, for 931 total yards.
Penny, meanwhile, played in only five games for the Seahawks last season before breaking his leg. He had 346 yards rushing and averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
But he was impressed with Swift as a receiver.
"That’s his game," Penny said. "He’s special. I feel like he can do it all."
To Sirianni, it doesn't matter if those yards from the running backs come as rushers or receivers.
"Your offense is based off of your skill, first of all, and the players that you have," Sirianni said. "It's foolish for us to do something that our guys can't do. With that being said, you have these different boxes that you want to be able to check ... that are important to attack a defense.
"Those can be supplemented in a lot of different ways as far as the way your backs get touches, the way your tight ends get touches ... You're harder to defend when you have a lot of guys in different positions that can do (different things), so you can be in these different personnel groups and still running similar plays for your quarterback."
All of that benefits Hurts.
Make no mistake, the offense still runs through receivers A.J. Brown, who set a franchise record with 1,496 yards receiving last season, and DeVonta Smith, who had 1,196 yards. Tight end Dallas Goedert, who had 702 yards receiving despite missing five games, is also a big factor in the passing game.
But Hurts, who threw for 3,701 yards, can also run, adding 760 yards. Swift's ability as a dual threat gives Hurts more options, both in read-option plays and the screen game. Penny can do the same as a runner, benefitting when the defense shadows Hurts.
"They’re very great players with the ball in their hands," Hurts said about Swift and Penny. "I’m excited to just see them more, get a feel for them and how they play the game. They’re obviously great assets for us."
Swift, for one, can't wait.
"Looking at the scheme of the offense and everything, and all the opportunities that we have as a running back group, there’s gonna be opportunities to make plays for the team," he said. "It's great because (Hurts) brings the element of the game that a natural specific quarterback doesn't do. He’s able to do a lot more, so it just opens up a lot of different stuff."
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/nfl/eagles/2023/07/31/eagles-dandre-swifts-unique-ability-rashaad-penny-miles-sanders-make-jalen-hurts-better-quarterback/70459781007/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:27 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/nfl/eagles/2023/07/31/eagles-dandre-swifts-unique-ability-rashaad-penny-miles-sanders-make-jalen-hurts-better-quarterback/70459781007/ |
Jaguars Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
As of December 31 the Jacksonville Jaguars' odds of winning the Super Bowl are listed at +2500.
Watch the Jaguars this season on Fubo!
Jaguars Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the AFC South: -155
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +2500
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Jacksonville Betting Insights
- Jacksonville covered eight times in 17 games with a spread last season.
- Last season, the combined scoring went over the point total eight times in Jaguars games.
- Jacksonville ranked 10th in total offense (357.4 yards per game) and 24th in total defense (353.3 yards allowed per game) last season.
- The Jaguars had a 5-3 record at home and were 4-5 away last year.
- When favored last season Jacksonville had just two wins (2-3). As the underdog the Jaguars posted a record of 7-5.
- The Jaguars were 8-4 in the AFC, including 4-2 in the AFC South.
Jaguars Impact Players
- Trevor Lawrence had 25 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in 17 games last year, completing 66.3% of his throws for 4,113 yards (241.9 per game).
- Lawrence also ran for 291 yards and five TDs.
- On the ground, Travis Etienne scored five touchdowns and picked up 1,125 yards (66.2 per game).
- In the passing game, Etienne scored zero touchdowns, with 35 catches for 316 yards.
- In the passing game a season ago, Christian Kirk scored eight TDs, catching 84 balls for 1,108 yards (65.2 per game).
- Zay Jones had 82 catches for 823 yards (51.4 per game) and five touchdowns in 16 games.
- On defense last year, Foyesade Oluokun helped keep opposing offenses in check with 184 tackles, 11.0 TFL, two sacks, and five passes defended in 17 games.
Bet on Jaguars to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Jaguars NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 31 at 5:26 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/jaguars-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:28 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/jaguars-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Home sales in Delaware healthier than national figures, and prices continue to climb
Using home sales and prices as indicators of the strength of the economy and inflation, both measures are rising in Delaware.
Home sales in the First State climbed more than 5% in June compared with May, while the median sales price increased more than 2%.
“These figures tell me that the real estate market in Delaware is still thriving,” said Chrissy Steele, president of the Delaware Association of Realtors. “Despite higher interest rates, consumers feel confident buying and investing in Delaware.”
Sales in June totaled 1,302, up 5.17% from 1,238 in May.
However, compared with June 2022, sales dipped 12.38% from 1,486.
Steele said 2021 and most of 2022 were "abnormal” years for Delaware real estate.
“They were the best we’ve seen in almost two decades," she said. "I attribute the sales activity during the pandemic to pent-up demand from buyers."
Delaware has fared better than the national figures.
In the U.S., home sales slipped 3.3% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.16 million compared with 4.30 million in May, according to the National Association of Realtors. Year over year, sales fell 18.9%, down from 5.13 million in June 2022.
“Fewer Americans were on the move despite the usual life-changing circumstances,” said National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.
However, he predicted a rise in sales with two caveats: “The pent-up demand will surely be realized soon, especially if mortgage rates and inventory move favorably.”
The effect of higher interest rates
After the pandemic, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates to slow inflation and cool the market.
“It worked,” Steele said. “As rates increased, buyer demand subsided slightly.”
Sales are usually closed with mortgage rates that have been locked in one to two months earlier. The average rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage in April ranged from 6.14% to 6.75% according to Mortgage News Daily. In May, the rate range was 6.45% to 6.75% most of the month before surging to 7.14% on May 26. One year earlier on May 26, 2022, the average rate was 5.25%.
The Federal Reserve has increased rates 11 times since March 2022.
The latest quarter-point hike on July 26 brought the fed funds rate to a range of 5.25% to 5.5%. That’s what banks charge each other for overnight lending, and it affects rates on mortgages, credit cards, car loans, personal loans and other consumer debt.
Median sales price comparison mostly higher
In Delaware, the median home sales price climbed 2.71% to $372,833 compared with $363,000 in May and was also 1.88% higher than the June 2022 figure of $365,958.
Nationally, the median home price in June was $410,200, up 3.56% from $396,100 in May, but down 0.88% from $413,800 in June 2022.
“Limited supply is still leading to multiple-offer situations, with one-third of homes getting sold above the list price in the latest month," Yun said.
Inventory of homes for sale higher in Delaware, lower nationwide
In the U.S., the inventory of homes for sale at the end of June was 1.08 million units, identical to May but down 13.6% from 1.25 million one year ago.
“There are simply not enough homes for sale,” Yun said. “The market can easily absorb a doubling of inventory.”
In Delaware, inventory of homes for sale rose in June by 2.69% to 2,711 compared with 2,640 in May. It was also 3.39% higher compared with the June 2022 inventory of 2,622.
But Steele said there are still not enough homes on the market to meet the demand of buyers.
“Low inventory, especially when paired with increasing sales prices, ensures a sellers’ market,” she said.
Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate and development news. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/real-estate/2023/07/31/home-sales-in-delaware-healthier-than-national-figures-while-prices-continue-to-climb/70477018007/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:33 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/real-estate/2023/07/31/home-sales-in-delaware-healthier-than-national-figures-while-prices-continue-to-climb/70477018007/ |
What Delaware's $1.6M rental assistance clawback means for renters and landlords
- The Delaware State Housing Authority is attempting to claw back about $1.6M in overpaymenrts of emergency rental assistance doled out during the pandemic.
- The overpayments amount to about 1.2% of the more than $135 million in rental assistance provided.
- The state has recouped $171,899 so far since starting its efforts in May.
- Delaware landlords are warning of evictions as a result, and so far 171 of them have appealed the state's request to return the overpayments.
As Delaware attempts to claw back about $1.6 million in overpayments of emergency rental assistance, landlords are preparing to push back and warning that evictions will rise as a result.
The Delaware Housing Assistance Program, managed through the state housing authority, doled out more than $135 million in emergency rental assistance during the pandemic to help keep people in their homes.
The money was made available by the federal government and had limitations in its use, one of them being that a household was eligible for up to 18 months of rental assistance.
Laurie Stovall, director of public relations for the Delaware State Housing Authority, said the authority had a process for catching overpayments that was “98% effective.” The amount Delaware is seeking to be returned is only 1.2% of the total funding handed out by the rental assistance program.
“We were giving out over $2 million a week because we understood the emergency. During that time, these overpayments occurred,” Stovall said. “When you look at the program as a whole, the funds being recouped now is 1% of the funds actually distributed.”
PROGRAM BACKGROUND:Why Delaware rental assistance program can be slow to dole out aid as evictions rise
But Delaware’s landlords aren’t convinced, and some have warned that eviction filings and debt collections will follow as property owners attempt to recuperate the overpayments from tenants.
The Delaware Apartment Association earlier this month requested its members fill out a survey on how they are responding to the housing authority’s clawbacks and determine whether the lobby group should take an official stance.
Reached Wednesday, association President Annemarie Hobson said members want to work with the state housing authority "in coming to a better solution than us just throwing money back at DEHAP.
"I can tell you we have received the requests, and in some cases the requests are inaccurate," Hobson said. "We have provided details for those where they were not overpaid and those appeal requests were denied."
How landlords are responding
Rental property owners can appeal the state’s request to return overpayments in writing to the state housing authority.
Stovall said 171 landlords so far have submitted appeals.
But landlords say the state's requests aren't always accurate, and when they've tried to appeal the request, it's denied.
Hobson said she contacted state officials throughout the pandemic for reassurance that adequate oversight was being performed to ensure overpayments did not occur. To have received letters seeking to claw back the money has been frustrating, she said.
While the majority of rental assistance payments went directly to landlords, the property owners indicated they’ll seek the money from their tenants.
"When we pay back to DEHAP we are going to have to immediately charge it back to the resident who is going to be immediately at risk for eviction," she said.
The clawback first began in May with letters sent to landlords the state found received overpayments. So far, Delaware has recouped $171,899, Stovall said.
What can renters do?
If a renter is facing eviction due to the clawbacks, Stovall said there are programs that can assist.
The Eviction Defense Project, which is also funded by federal emergency rental assistance dollars, provides eviction resources and connections to pro bono lawyers to help with cases.
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The Housing Outreach and Stability Services program, which will launch in August, connects renters to community outreach partners who can help families maintain or obtain housing, among other resources.
Tenants can also reach out to the Delaware State Housing Authority for more information.
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The housing authority has alerted the Justice of the Peace Court − where evictions take place − to the overpayment clawbacks, Stovall said, and is working with the federal government and community partners on potential alternative resolutions.
“We are exploring all options,” she said.
What’s the status of the rental assistance program?
The rental assistance program closed to new applications in early January, unless a case was submitted by a community navigator, Stovall said. The latter avenue closed June 30.
Delaware will continue outreach to landlords through the summer, and the housing authority aims to collect as much in overpayments before September 2025, when the federal rental assistance program ends, Stovall said.
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-598-5507. Follow her on Twitter at @mandy_fries. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/07/31/delaware-emergency-rental-assistance-overpayments-renters-eviction/70468851007/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:39 | 1 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/07/31/delaware-emergency-rental-assistance-overpayments-renters-eviction/70468851007/ |
Supermoon is on its way Tuesday. How best to view in Delaware, and another lunar alert
The month of August is starting off with a bang — at least for those enjoy a gaze at a full moon.
Tuesday will feature 2023's eighth full moon, and the second of four "supermoons," a term that denotes when a full moon appears brighter than normal due to being closer to Earth than normal.
There are only 13 opportunities to see a full moon throughout 2023, and Tuesday is one of those days. It is coined the sturgeon moon, named for the large fish in the Great Lakes, which were easiest to catch during this time of year.
It will reach peak illumination at 2:32 p.m., according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Viewers in Delaware should look to the southeast after sunset to view the spectacle. Sunset is at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday night.
What makes a supermoon unique?
If you notice that Tuesday's full moon is a bit brighter than usual, it's for a reason.
"A supermoon exceeds the disk size of an average-sized Moon by up to 8% and the brightness of an average-sized full Moon by some 16%," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. "You may not perceive the difference in size, but a supermoon will appear brighter in the sky."
According to EarthSky.org, there are four supermoons in 2023. And funnily enough, all four occur consecutively.
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The first supermoon came back on July 3, and the after Tuesday's, the next two will come on August 30 and September 29.
With a hopeful weather radar on Tuesday, Delawareans may be able to spot the moon's slight increase in size and brightness.
How will the weather be during the full moon?
Viewers should have mostly clear skies up and down the state, according to current forecasts from the National Weather Service.
The NWS does list a slight chance of showers — around 20% — up and down the state Tuesday night. But skies that night are predicted to be "mostly clear," according to the weather service, despite the small chance for rain. Temperatures will drop to the 60s as the full moon shows itself.
Places to see the full moon in Delaware
If you're looking to catch a glimpse of the full moon away from your home, try these state parks. State parks close at sunset, however, so make sure to arrive before sunset to watch the supermoon become more and more visible leading up to the 8:15 p.m. sunset.
All parks have a $4 entrance fee.
- Trap Pond State Park: Laurel is home to one of the darkest places on the Delmarva Peninsula to stargaze, according to the Delaware Stargazer Society.
- Killen's Pond State Park: Located in Felton, this state park has plenty of activities to enjoy in the lead-up to the supermoon's appearance, including hiking, kayaking and a waterpark.
- Bellevue State Park: Up in Wilmington, this park is a popular spot for picnics, hiking around the former DuPont estate and fishing in the pond.
The Delaware Astronomical Society is holding a 3-hour event Tuesday night at the Mt. Cuba Observatory just went of Greenville. It's perfect timing, as the workshop is from 7 to 10 p.m., right when the supermoon will begin to become visible as the sun sets.
Look out for "blue moon" later this month
While Tuesday's full moon also will be considered a supermoon, there's another special moniker for the next full moon this summer.
Wednesday, Aug. 30 will be the ninth full moon of the calendar year, and will be considered a "blue moon," though it's not blue in color. Blue moons are the second full moon of a month, or the fifth full moon of a season.
Where to kayak in Delaware:Best spots to paddle, how to stay safe
No other month this year will have two full moons, so Aug. 30 will be the only blue moon of 2023. This one-off blue moon also will be a supermoon, making it the first super blue moon since December 2009.
Don't miss out, as the next super blue moon will be a nine-year wait, in August 2032.
Janet Loehrke and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, contributed to this story.
Sources: NASA; EarthSky.org; Old Farmer's Almanac; USA TODAY research
Contact Konner Metz at kmetz@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @konner_metz. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/07/31/full-moon-tuesday-supermoon-delaware-stargazing-2023-next-full-moon/70494403007/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:45 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/07/31/full-moon-tuesday-supermoon-delaware-stargazing-2023-next-full-moon/70494403007/ |
Everything to know about human trafficking in Delaware, from recent cases to statistics
- The US Department of Homeland Security defines human trafficking as modern-day slavery, an act that "involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act."
- Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking, but certain risk factors increase the likelihood of a trafficker targeting an individual.
- A multi-billion dollar criminal industry, human trafficking has been a hot-button issue worldwide as of late, and Delaware is not immune to the threat.
In June, an Elsmere father pleaded guilty to one count of human trafficking against his own immigrant son for making him work seven days a week in construction for no pay, according to an arrest warrant.
Before that, the U.S. Department of Justice charged a Lewes couple with nine counts of sex trafficking and six counts of forced labor in April. And in May, an illicit massage parlor was shut down after police suspected several trafficking victims were being forced to provide patrons with sex.
A multibillion-dollar criminal industry, human trafficking has been a hot-button issue worldwide as of late, and Delaware is not immune to the threat.
What is human trafficking?
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines human trafficking as modern-day slavery and an act that "involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act."
According to the U.S. Department of State, there are two types of human trafficking: forced labor and sex trafficking.
Forced labor "encompasses the range of activities involved when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to exploit the labor or services of another person."
The State Department says forced labor trafficking can occur in any setting, including agricultural fields, restaurants, hotels, massage parlors, retail stores and drug trafficking operations. The primary types of forced labor trafficking are domestic servitude in a private residence and forced child labor.
As for sex trafficking, it occurs when someone "uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to engage in a commercial sex act or causes a child to engage in a commercial sex act."
Sex trafficking can occur in private homes, massage parlors and hotels, among other places, according to the U.S. State Department.
Risk factors
Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking, but certain risk factors increase the likelihood of a trafficker targeting an individual.
These risk factors include, but are not limited to, substance abuse concerns, unstable housing, mental health concerns and recent relocation, according to Polaris, a nonprofit organization that works to combat and prevent human trafficking. Traffickers will use these vulnerabilities to create and exploit a dependency, Polaris says.
These tactics were used by the Lewes duo charged with trafficking earlier this year, as they purposely targeted and exploited victims with vulnerabilities, including drug addiction, poverty and homelessness, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
HOW LEWES COUPLE TRAFFICKED FOR YEARS:Lewes duo charged with sex trafficking targeted, assaulted drug-addicted women: Court docs
Delaware's numbers compared with the U.S.
Funded by Congress, Polaris is partnered with law enforcement agencies nationwide and has built the largest known dataset on human trafficking in North America.
Polaris has operated the National Human Trafficking Hotline since 2007, according to the organization's website, and identified 31 human trafficking cases against 40 victims in Delaware in 2021, the most recent year of public data. From 2017-2021, the hotline identified 158 cases against 352 victims in Delaware.
Based on the U.S. Census estimated population totals and Polaris' 2021 data, Delaware had the 10th most human trafficking cases per capita in 2021 among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., at 3.09 cases per 100,000 people.
Delaware's hosptials make an effort:This is how Delaware hospitals plan to combat (and diagnose) victims of human trafficking
Mississippi had the highest number of trafficking cases per capita, with nearly eight cases per 100,000 people, and Massachusetts had the lowest number at 1.33 per 100,000.
In terms of the number of trafficking victims, Delaware was in the middle of the pack with 3.98 trafficking victims per 100,000, the 22nd least number of victims. Connecticut had the least number of victims with 1.8 victims per 100,000 people, and New Mexico had the highest number of victims with 12.61 victims per 100,000.
Why the data may not tell the whole story
The National Human Trafficking Hotline allows victims and survivors to reach out and seek help. But the hotline's partnership with law enforcement isn't as cohesive as some officials want, and the number of human trafficking cases and victims is likely higher in Delaware and the rest of the country than Polaris' data suggests.
In a 2020 University of Delaware study, researchers estimated that the number of trafficking victims identified in Delaware in 2019 could have been as high as 113. Conversely, Polaris publicly identified 79 victims in Delaware for that year. Based on the study, researchers also said there may be anywhere from 521-771 at-risk victims across the state.
One of the reasons Polaris' data may not tell the whole story is that the hotline reports only adult cases to law enforcement with the consent of the victims or survivors. While the hotline is required by law to report all situations involving children, many cases against adults may not be identified and passed along to law enforcement. There are also many cases that may go completely unreported.
In an effort to change these policies, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and 33 other attorneys general cosigned a letter to congressional leadership earlier this year urging Congress to ensure Polaris provides the most accurate data possible.
"It appears to us that the Hotline is not performing the services it is already funded to perform," the letter says. "Without changes to Polaris’s operating procedures, our state anti-trafficking initiatives gain little from participation in the National Hotline."
In response to these concerns, Polaris issued a press release in March and clarified its mission, saying the hotline "must have the trust of victims and survivors we serve."
"This is important because traffickers take consent, choice, and freedom away from victims. To effectively support survivors is to return to them control over their own lives and choices," Polaris said. "When and if victims and survivors choose to involve law enforcement, the Trafficking Hotline supports the process every step of the way."
In April, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House that would require the hotline to provide law enforcement with the information communicated during calls on request.
New Delaware trafficking unit produces results
In an effort to combat human trafficking, Jennings and the Delaware Department of Justice established the Human Trafficking Unit in February 2022, aiming to eradicate trafficking in the First State through education, prevention and prosecution, as well as to raise awareness and engage in community outreach.
Within the first month of operation, the unit shut down three illicit massage parlors − two in Wilmington and one in Dover, Jennings said in March 2022.
“These investigations highlight a continuing pattern that we’ve seen time and time again: Human trafficking often happens in plain sight,” Jennings said. “These were businesses that hundreds of people passed by each day without realizing the abuse that was happening behind their doors. In many cases, the defendants are fly-by-night serial business owners who will set up a new front as soon as one is shut down."
TRAFFICKING IN NEWARK:Illegal massage business in Newark shut down after police find human trafficking victims
This year, the unit has helped arrest multiple suspected traffickers, including three New Castle County residents who were indicted on trafficking charges in March.
In the five years prior to the unit's creation, Jennings said, Delaware officials and law enforcement had been involved in more than 50 trafficking-related arrests.
How to identify potential victims and find help
There are multiple indicators of someone potentially being a trafficking victim, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Here are a few:
- Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations or houses of worship?
- Has a child stopped attending school?
- Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
- Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
- Is the person disoriented or confused or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
- Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
- Is the person fearful, timid or submissive?
- Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep or medical care?
- Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
- Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
- Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
- Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
- Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
As the department points out, not all indicators are present in every trafficking case, and the indicators do not prove that someone is a victim.
If you are a victim of human trafficking or would like to report a tip, here is the contact info for the National Human Trafficking Hotline:
Phone: (888) 373-7888
Text: (233) 733-HUMA
Chat: humantraffickinghotline.org/chat | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2023/07/31/human-trafficking-delaware-sex-child-labor/70433246007/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:51 | 1 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2023/07/31/human-trafficking-delaware-sex-child-labor/70433246007/ |
Trump could be indicted soon in Georgia. Here’s a look at that investigation
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:54 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ |
Trump could be indicted soon in Georgia. Here’s a look at that investigation
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:55 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ |
$10M is on its way to Delaware organizations tackling the opioid crisis. Is it enough?
- The state reported that 136 organizations applied for the money, with their requests totaling over $74.3 million.
- The selected organizations said they needed more than $21.2 million to fund their work. But the commission only had $10 million to give.
- The current round of grant recipients represent businesses and nonprofits statewide, with the majority of county-specific services focused in New Castle.
The Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission opened its July 10 meeting with a grim statistic: That week, at least 17 Delawareans died from drug overdoses.
But as Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long began to go through the meeting’s agenda, it was with the knowledge that the commission had the ability to once again bolster the state’s response to the ever-worsening crisis through a new round of grants.
The state reported that 136 organizations applied for the money, with their requests totaling over $74.3 million. A review process narrowed the recipients to just 46 that the committee determined could have the greatest impact.
The selected organizations said they needed more than $21.2 million to fund their work. But the commission had only $10 million to give.
OPIOID CRISIS:From patent to Percocet: How this powerful opioid got its start in Delaware
The money comes from settlements with major drug manufacturers and distributors like Purdue Pharma, Walgreens and Endo Pharmaceutical for their misleading marketing and over-prescription of addictive painkillers, which experts consider the impetus of the current nationwide crisis.
Many states have similar commissions set up to allocate settlement funds to address the issues and reduce the harm of the opioid epidemic. Delaware — which consistently has one of the highest overdose rates in the nation — was one of the first states to begin actually allocating their funds.
The current round of grant recipients represent businesses and nonprofits statewide, with the majority of county-specific services focused in New Castle. Awardees ranged from state-sponsored programs like the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to nonprofits like atTAcK Addiction and the Food Bank of Delaware.
All of these organizations have pledged to use the money on efforts related to harm reduction, recovery support, treatment or prevention and awareness campaigns.
How were the recipients chosen?
The Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission's executive director, Susan Holloway, said 38 applications were disqualified off the bat, with most lacking the required business license. Others did not fill out the application properly or include all the necessary information.
She said she recognized that not all organizations have the means or experience to effectively write a grant application, a point that advocates and commission members raised concerns over.
To address this gap, Holloway said that the commission hosted virtual information sessions on how to apply and offered one-on-one help filling out the applications. And though some potential applicants did not know about the assistance — or the application process in general — the commission said they are welcome to apply for the next round of grants.
Of the grants that were considered, Holloway said they were reviewed using the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model, a guide to making informed and effective decisions in health care.
ALCOHOL:The legal side of substance use disorder: How Delaware helps people misusing alcohol
She said there are five key parts to implementing the model when it comes to the opioid crisis: The money must be used to save lives, invested in youth prevention, focused on racial equity, guided by evidence and transparently divided.
In some cases, only part of the grant was approved, often because the other proposed uses for the funding were already adequately covered by other organizations. This allowed more organizations to get funding and better fill in the gaps in coverage.
Holloway pointed to Addiction Recovery Systems in New Castle County, which originally applied for over $1 million in grant funds. While the organization does important work in areas such as counseling and medication-assisted treatment, Holloway said the county is already saturated with those services.
But one of the services outlined in Addiction Recovery Systems’ application would fill an ever-widening gap in opioid use disorder treatment and harm reduction: a wound care clinic.
WOUND CARE:'Tranq dope' is becoming more prevalent in Delaware. Can this outreach help?
The necessity of these clinics has increased rapidly as xylazine — also known as “tranq” — spreads across the First State. The animal tranquilizer, which is often mixed with fentanyl, causes lesions in the skin that can become infected if left untreated.
It’s yet another reason why funding addiction outreach and treatment is more critical than ever before, Hall-Long said.
Widening impact
After the list of proposed grant recipients was approved by the Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission, it was brought to a vote before the Behavioral Health Consortium.
All but one of the consortium members in attendance voted to approve the proposed grants.
Republican Sen. Eric Buckson wrote in the Zoom chat that while he supports the settlement funds being given out and the work being done, he did not feel it was fair that fewer Kent County- and Sussex County-specific programs were awarded grants.
While addiction resources downstate have historically been less available than those based in New Castle County — not to mention rising overdose rates in more rural areas — Hall-Long emphasized that many of the grant recipients will use the funds for programming statewide.
HARM REDUCTION:Why Delaware believes schools, parents are key to preventing more overdoses among kids
Sixteen of the 38 grants awarded are designated as working statewide, totaling about $4.16 million.
The second-largest grant — a total of $500,000 — was also awarded to a Kent County-specific initiative aimed at expanding Code Purple in the area.
The largest grant was awarded to DSAMH to fund its Prescription Opioid Impact Fee scholarship program, which helps Delawareans recovering from addiction pay for transportation, food, health care, child support and, perhaps most importantly, housing.
The program was previously paused in late April after funds ran out, leaving advocates scrambling to fill the gaps in care to ensure no one would end up without a roof over their head.
MORE:Activists work to fill gaps after substance abuse scholarship fund runs out
Members of the Behavioral Health Consortium also expressed concerns over the grant slated to be awarded to Our Youth Inc. to pay for housing in Wilmington for people transitioning out of inpatient treatment.
The nonprofit, which was created by former Wilmington City Council member Norman Oliver, is under scrutiny for receiving grants from Oliver’s sister Zanthia, who is on the City Council.
Consortium members agreed that they would wait to give the money to Our Youth Inc. until the situation was resolved by the Delaware Department of Justice and Office of Management and Budget, though some attendees pointed out that the decision would prevent the $450,000 awarded to the business from being used by other grant applicants to help people in the meantime.
BACKGROUND:Why Wilmington City Council declined to censure one of its own over ethics violation
Distribution of funds to the other selected organizations has already begun.
Advancing equity in the fight to end addiction
The Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission was not the only state body awarding grants to help tackle the addiction crisis in July.
Eight local organizations were selected by DSAMH to receive up to $50,000 in mini-grants as part of the division’s new Health Equity Advancement Project, which aims to bolster efforts to collect more data on substance use disorder in minority communities and implement culturally specific engagement strategies.
Reports from the Division of Forensic Science show that overdoses are climbing at unprecedented rates in the Black community, rising by almost 21% in 2022. Black Delawareans now account for at least 29% of reported fatal overdoses in the state.
REPORTS:2022 overdose deaths follow troubling pattern as state, advocates struggle to catch up
“Rather than the state coming in and trying to impose a framework, we really wanted to invite some of the nontraditional partners who may not be eligible for some of the larger grants to be able to participate in this and be part of the conversation,” DSAMH Director Joanna Champney said.
Equity was also raised as an issue in the meetings leading up to the final approval of opioid settlement fund grants, with some calling into question why seemingly larger organizations like ChristianaCare were awarded grants over smaller community-based ones.
Some of the organizations that were denied grants from the settlement fund were approved for the DSAMH mini-grant, though for a considerably smaller sum of money. These grant recipients also represented a larger swath of community advocates and organizations – ones that can often reach populations that bigger, more established organizations can’t.
The grant recipients included everyone from a physical therapy and wellness center in Middletown to the National Pan-Hellenic Council of New Castle County. Each organization opens new avenues for communicating with often underserved demographics, Champney said, and gathers information about community needs that the state has historically struggled to reach.
RECOVERY:How a Delaware farm aims to help parenting, pregnant women recover from addiction
Beyond providing a more accurate measure of substance use in minority communities, Champney said she hopes that the funding will empower these organizations – including grassroots ones – to help people in need overcome barriers to treatment.
“They’re a trusted messenger,” Champney said. “So (these organizations) going to their membership to have these critical conversations changes the paradigm from the state trying to solve the problem to enlisting help.”
The mini-grants will expire in September, at which point recipients will present their findings and progress at a Health Equity Summit. Champney said DSAMH hopes to continue to work with the organizations – as well as the seven that applied but were not selected – going forward.
“We're in this together,” Champney said, “and we need all hands on deck to figure out what we're going to do to change these really startling statistics.”
How to find help
Delaware Hope Line: 833-9-HOPEDE for free 24/7 counseling, coaching and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction and crisis services. Resources also can be found on the Help is Here website.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
SAMHSA National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357) for free 24/7 substance abuse disorder treatment referral services. Treatment service locators also are available online at findtreatment.samhsa.gov or via text message by sending your ZIP code to 435748.
Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/health/2023/07/31/delaware-addiction-services-opioid-crisis-settlement-grants/70427872007/ | 2023-07-31T10:47:57 | 1 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/health/2023/07/31/delaware-addiction-services-opioid-crisis-settlement-grants/70427872007/ |
What it was like watching Hunter Biden's plea deal unravel: The Press Room
Welcome to The Press Room, a weekly roundup of the major stories and happenings in Delaware politics.
We’re in the “off-season” as the Legislature is in the midst of its six-month break. But that doesn’t mean news isn’t happening. We’ll be experimenting with The Press Room (and its format) in the coming weeks.
This week’s edition focuses on the shocking twist of the Hunter Biden plea deal, Eugene Young entering Delaware’s congressional race and the state’s attempt to have Amazon expand its presence.
As always, send story tips, feedback, ideas or gossip to me at mnewman@delawareonline.com.
Behind the scenes of covering Hunter Biden’s plea hearing gone wrong
When Hunter Biden, the president’s son, walked into the courtroom, my colleague Xerxes Wilson and I were sitting in the second row, just behind members of his legal team.
We were surrounded by a couple dozen other reporters, some of whom had (rumor has it) paid University of Delaware students to wait outside in the early morning to guarantee a spot in the courtroom. The federal courthouse is small and now forbids any technology inside.
So, it meant that in order to know what was going on, you had to be in the courthouse. And if we left the courtroom to update our editors, we could not return. Instead, we would relocate to the courthouse’s overflow room, where it was being livestreamed.
READ:Here's how Hunter Biden's expected plea deal fell apart, leading to his not guilty plea
Before the judge entered the courtroom that morning, we watched Biden shake hands with federal prosecutors, including U.S. Attorney David Weiss. He has spent the past five years leading the criminal investigation into Biden’s finances.
And then, we saw Biden and the prosecutors sign a document that appeared to be the proposed plea deal. Hours later, it all fell apart.
It became clear that the two sides had different interpretations of the agreement – and that Judge Maryellen Noreika had significant concerns. At times, she described it as potentially "unconstitutional" and lacking "legal precedent."
Many, including some on Biden’s legal team, initially thought the entire hearing would take about an hour. The president’s son was even expected to make a statement afterward. It would have been one of the rare times he would directly address the press.
Ultimately, the judge did not sign off on the plea deal, forcing Biden to plead not guilty to the two federal tax misdemeanors. She ordered both defense attorneys and federal prosecutors to submit briefs explaining the legal legitimacy of the plea deal. She also told them to clarify language that could grant Biden immunity from possible future prosecution relating to his foreign investments and consulting work, which has led him to earn millions of dollars.
Throughout the hourslong hearing, moments grew tense. There were multiple recesses, in which attorneys were heard disagreeing. At one point, the judge told the two sides to figure out their differences in a short break.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo Wise pointed to a paper on the prosecution's desk telling Biden's primary attorney, Christopher Clark, "We can't get around this."
"We will rip it up then," Clark replied.
By the end of the hearing, I watched from the overflow room. When Biden pleaded not guilty, a shocking turn from his intention to plead guilty that day, some reporters gasped.
Eugene Young jumps into Delaware congressional race
Eugene Young, director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, entered the race for Delaware’s at-large U.S. congressional seat last week.
If elected, Young would be the first Black man to represent Delaware in Washington. Many have viewed him as a rising political star, following his narrow defeat in the 2016 Wilmington mayoral Democratic primary.
READ:Eugene Young, state housing director, announces bid for Delaware's congressional seat
“I have a deep, abiding sense of commitment to the state and the people of this state because the state's done so much for me,” Young said in an interview. “So for me, it's about how I serve those men and women and families that make up this wonderful state.”
He joins state Sen. Sarah McBride and state Treasurer Colleen Davis, both of whom announced this month. Young, in a campaign email, said he raised $100,000 in the first 24 hours of his campaign.
McBride, also seen as a rising star, previously said she raised $414,000 in the first five days of her campaign. Davis’ campaign has not released any donation information.
Delaware developers continue to try to lure Amazon to expand presence
My colleague Brandon Holveck had an intriguing scoop last week: The state and real estate developer are trying to convince Amazon to use a warehouse near New Castle.
Construction on this site, south of the Wilmington Airport near Route 40 and Route 273, began more than a year ago. At a state transportation infrastructure meeting last week, a representative for Stoltz Real Estate Partners revealed it is targeting Amazon.
READ:Backed with state money, a developer is trying to attract Amazon to new warehouse
"We are engaged with Amazon," Stoltz's Mike Hagan said. "We'd love to see something happen with Amazon. It may not happen."
The e-commerce giant already has a mega presence in Delaware, with it being the state’s fourth-largest employer. Its presence expanded significantly in the First State during the height of the pandemic. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/31/hunter-biden-plea-deal-unravels-delaware-politics-press-room/70483929007/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:03 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/31/hunter-biden-plea-deal-unravels-delaware-politics-press-room/70483929007/ |
SHANGHAI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 111, Inc. (NASDAQ: YI) ("111" or the "Company"), a leading tech-enabled healthcare platform company committed to digitally connecting patients with medicine and healthcare services in China, today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, before the U.S. market opens on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
111's management team will host an earnings conference call at 7:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 24, 2023 (7:30 PM Beijing Time on the same day).
Details for the conference call are as follows:
Conference Topic: 111, Inc. Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call
Registration Link: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10032701-ygfhis.html
All participants must use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers, the Direct Event passcode, and a unique Registration ID, which can be used to join the conference call.
Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the Direct Event passcode and unique Registration ID you have received upon registering to join the call.
A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call until August 31, 2023
United States: +1 855 883 1031
Mainland China: 4001 209 216
Hong Kong: 800 930 639
International: +61 7 3107 6325
Conference ID: 10032701
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the website at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/iw7ck9oc
About 111, Inc.
111, Inc. (NASDAQ: YI) ("111" or the "Company") is a leading tech-enabled healthcare platform company committed to digitally connecting patients with medicine and healthcare services in China. The Company provides consumers with better access to pharmaceutical products and healthcare services directly through its online retail pharmacy, 1 Pharmacy, and indirectly through its offline virtual pharmacy network. The Company also offers online healthcare services through its internet hospital, 1 Clinic, which provides consumers with cost-effective and convenient online consultation, electronic prescription service, and patient management service. In addition, the Company's online platform, 1 Medicine Marketplace, serves as a one-stop shop for pharmacies to source a vast selection of pharmaceutical products. With the largest virtual pharmacy network in China, 111 enables offline pharmacies to better serve their customers with cloud-based services. 111 also provides an omni-channel drug commercialization platform to its strategic partners, which includes services such as digital marketing, patient education, data analytics, and pricing monitoring.
For more information on 111, please visit: http://ir.111.com.cn/.
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SOURCE 111, Inc. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/111-announce-second-quarter-2023-unaudited-financial-results-august-24-2023-conference-call-follow/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:03 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/111-announce-second-quarter-2023-unaudited-financial-results-august-24-2023-conference-call-follow/ |
Counting down Delaware's top 125 coaches through the years. Here's 125 to 101
Delaware has a splendid sports history.
During the last two years, Delaware Online/The News Journal has capsulized the First State's prolific past with two epic lists.
Last year, we published a collection of Delaware's all-time 100 greatest teams, a compendium of winners who left the most indelible marks on teammates, fans and followers.
That followed our 2021 recognition of the state's 100 most accomplished athletes. It was a tribute to more than a century's worth of icons who graced our landscape by excelling at their games, scoring victories, stirring emotions and instilling memories.
Those athletes and teams, of course, needed coaches. Now, we have assembled an honor roll for them. Many guided the athletes and teams on our previous lists.
We learned that 100 names was not enough and expanded this list to 125, though it certainly could have been larger.
They have been divided into five sections of 25. Here are the 101st through 125th all-time greatest Delaware coaches:
125: Feffie Barnhill
A Tatnall School graduate, Barnhill was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2006 after coaching at William & Mary and on the staff for the U.S. Women's Lacrosse World Cup winning team. She later returned home and served on the Tower Hill staff before becoming head coach at Ursuline, where she remains.
124: Jimmy Hagan
Hagan was 118-26 in seven years as basketball coach at his alma mater, Salesianum. He then steered Conrad for six years, with a Blue Hen Conference Flight A title and state-runner-up finish in 1969, when Conrad was 19-3 and Hagan was voted state Coach of the Year.
123: Lou DiMascio
DiMascio steered Ursuline to the first four Division II cross country titles from 1984-87 but made most of his headlines after he took over as coach of the Raiders’ basketball team. Ursuline went 85-10 under DiMascio from 1982-86 with three title-game appearances and 1985 and ’86 titles. He later assisted for Wilmington’s 1987 state championship boys team and led Caravel and Delcastle boys teams.
122: Bill Doyle
Doyle served a pair of stints as football coach at Archmere Academy, from 1975-82 and 1988-2000. He was voted state coach of the year in 1977 and 1998 as his Auks went 138-80-3, won 1979, 1980 and 1982 Division II state championships and reached five other title games.
121: Curtis Brock
Brock served a long stint as baseball coach at the Delaware Technical & Community College’s Georgetown campus through 2017, providing many First State players with a competitive post-secondary opportunity. His teams won nearly 600 games, several NJCAA Region 19 championships and the 2001 national title.
120: Bob Dowd
The football stadium at Seaford High bears the name of Dowd, who coached Seaford teams to a 84-31-1 mark from 1946-1960. He was 1955 state coach of the year after the Blue Jays’ 9-0 season.
119: Jim Wentworth
Wentworth was basketball coach at Wesley College for 40 years, a span covering its 1980s transition from a junior college to a 4-year school. His teams won 502 games, with the 1965-66 squad going 24-3 and being ranked 10th nationally. The Wolverines were Eastern States Athletic Conference Tournament winners in 1987 and 1988.
118: George Schollenberger
The football coach at Laurel High from 1929 through 1965, Schollenberger had five unbeaten teams in those 37 seasons. He was state Coach of the Year in 1957 when the Bulldogs outscored foes 222-12 while going 7-0. He coached Delaware’s only athlete inducted to the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Hall of Fame, Ron Waller.
117: Frank Coveleski
Before the consolidation of Sussex County schools in 1969, Coveleski coached football, basketball and track at Rehoboth High before moving to the new Cape Henlopen to be athletic director. He was 91-68-14 as Rehoboth football coach, his boys basketball teams went 152-48 and he also guided the girls basketball squad to a 91-31 mark. He also coached the track team to the Henlopen Conference title in 1964.
116: Jim Sherman
The former William Penn High and UD standout coached the University of Delaware baseball team to a 606-532 record from 2001-22. Sherman's Blue Hens were 2001 America East champs before moving to the Colonial Athletic Association. Delaware shared the 2007 regular-season title and won the 2017 CAA Tournament. Sherman also coached what was then Wilmington College to a 218-128 record from 1987-94 and two NAIA World Series berths.
115: Ralph Baird
The former P.S. du Pont High basketball standout coached his alma mater to the 1971 state finals before moving to Cape Henlopen, where he steered the Vikings to the 1975 and ’76 state championships and return title-game trips in 1979 and ‘80. His teams went 187-44 at Cape.
114: Marty Apostolico
The former Wilmington High and University of Delaware sports star returned home after a stellar stint coaching Pittsburgh Central Catholic High teams in 1967 to become Dickinson football coach. He led the Rams to a 92-45 record through 1981 and was state Coach of the Year in 1972 and 1980, when Dickinson was Division I state champ.
113: Roy Rigby
Rigby coached Milford to a 44-6-1 dual-meet wrestling record from 1977-81 and was state coach of the year three of those four seasons. The Buccaneers were state champions in 1980 and 1981, with the latter winning individual titles in six of the 12 weight classes.
112: Barb Viera
Viera was University of Delaware women’s volleyball coach for 27 years and logged a 682-429-4 record. Her teams reached the AIAW nationals twice and the National Invitational Volleyball Championships two other times. The 1979 Blue Hens were Eastern AIAW champs. Viera was a 4-time conference coach of the year and a 2003 American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee.
111: Mel Gardner
Gardner coached William Penn’s baseball team for 30 seasons from 1981-2010. The Colonials went 370-208 and reached five state championship games, winning the 1991 title. Gardner was a nine-time Flight A Coach of the Year and the 2006 Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year.
110: Laura Capodanno
Capodanno made Ursuline Academy the basketball powerhouse it has remained at the inception of girls sports, going 195-40 in 11 years as coach and winning the 1974 and 75 state titles. The Raiders also won five straight titles in the rugged Catholic Conference from 1972-76.
109: Jerry Kobasa
Kobasa was two-time Henlopen Conference and two-time state boys basketball coach of the year while guiding Smyrna and Sussex Tech teams to a 222-111 record and several Henlopen Conference championships. He became Wesley College coach in 2005-06 and, over 10 seasons, guided the Wolverines to four NCAA Division III Tournament berths and the 2009 Capital Athletic Conference title.
108: Vinnie Scott
After starring in several sports at Salesianum and football at the University of Maryland, Scott was a fixture on the First State coaching scene for years. He was 111-81-3 as football coach at Delcastle (1982, 1986-90) and St. Mark’s (1992-2004), guiding Delcastle to the Flight A title in 1987 and St. Mark’s to three state championship games. He also coached the basketball teams at Salesianum, Conrad, Glasgow and McKean and was state Coach of the Year in 1972 at Conrad.
107: Edgar Johnson
Before beginning a 25-year stint as University of Delaware athletic director in 1984, Johnson had great success as UD swim coach, especially leading the women’s team from 1979-84. The Blue Hens won 42 straight meets and placed ninth at 1981 AIAW national championships. He was also men’s cross country coach from 1971-79.
106: Albert B. “Buddy” Clark, Jr.
The Wilmington High grad returned home after a U.S. Marine Corps stint and attending Lafayette College to become a premier basketball coach. He started at Sanford before landing at Wilmington’s P.S. du Pont, which he steered to three Blue Hen Conference titles and was twice state Coach of the Year. He then moved to Mount Pleasant which he guided to the first state tournament title and a 20-1 record in 1967.
105: Fran Fulghum
Fulghum coached Newark baseball teams to a 233-114-1 record from 1967 through 1987. The Yellowjackets won the first two state baseball tournaments in 1970 and 1971, two others in 1974 and 1984 and also reached the 1978 final. He had players chosen for the All-State team 21 times.
104: Jules “Ace” Hoffstein
Hoffstein brought national attention to Goldey Beacom, then a junior college, in the 1950s while going 86-14 in basketball. He moved to St. Elizabeth High and was state coach of the year in 1965 while going 138-28 over 11 years through 1966. He then coached on college and professional teams and eventually became a nationally prominent shooting coach.
103: Bob Behr
Behr was Tower Hill School track and field and cross country coach from 1962 to 1981. He also coached Delaware Track & Field Club teams that excelled regionally and nationally and had four Olympic Trials qualifiers. His Hillers set eight state track records, including J.D. Carroll’s 6-11¼ high jump that remains, by far, the oldest state mark. His foursomes won four Penn Relays titles. Tower Hill won three state titles each in track and cross country under Behr with more than 60 individuals champs and went 160-28-2 in dual meets.
102: Rick McCall
McCall may be Delaware’s most distinguished golf coach, having guided many of the state’s best during 40-plus years at Maple Dale Country Club. He coached Wesley College to seven conference championships, with Chris Noll winning the 2002 NCAA Division III title. McCall was 2003 NCAA Division III Coach of the Year. His Maple Dale Junior teams won 23 Delmarva Peninsula Championships in 25 years. His pupils stocked the Dover High teams that won 17 state titles from 1979 to 2003. He also guided NCAA All-American and LPGA pro Heather Bowie.
101: Jackie Pitts
The Sanford School graduate who later taught and coached there was a long-time starter on the U.S. national women’s lacrosse team and also served 10 years as its coach, including guiding the Americans to the title at the first world championships in Nottingham, England, in 1982, with a 10-7 overtime finals win against Australia.
Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/2023/07/31/delawares-greatest-125-coaches-125-to-101/70390887007/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:09 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/2023/07/31/delawares-greatest-125-coaches-125-to-101/70390887007/ |
NEWARK, N.J. and NANJING, China, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biosion USA, Inc. (Biosion), a global clinical-stage R&D biotechnology company, today announced the phase 2 study initiation for the evaluation of BSI-045B, an anti-TLSP mAb, in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) .
"We are pleased to have initiated this important Phase 2 trial, which brings us closer to delivering a new treatment option for patients with atopic dermatitis," said Hugh M. Davis, Ph.D. Chief Business and Development Officer & President, Biosion USA. "This marks another important clinical milestone for Biosion in our effort to develop more high value treatment options for patients."
The phase I study of BSI-045B demonstrated its potential to be a first-in-class treatment for AD due to its single dose activity in a cohort of AD patients, excellent PK and favorable safety profile. The phase II study is designed to assess the efficacy of BSI-045B as monotherapy as well as in combination therapy with Dupixent® to further increase therapeutic effectiveness for patients who are suffering from AD.
For additional information on this trial (NCT05114889), please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov
About BSI-045B
BSI-045B is a high-affinity, humanized monoclonal antibody, targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine that is implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, asthma and other eosinophilic and Th2 immune-related diseases. Biosion's collaboration partner - CTTQ, a China-based pharmaceutical company with rights to BSI-045B (TQC2731) for China development and commercialization, is currently conducting a Phase II clinical trial of BSI-045B in China for the treatment of severe uncontrolled asthma.
About Biosion
Biosion is a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to developing antibody-based therapies to improve patient outcomes for the treatment of immune and oncologic diseases. Established in 2017, Biosion has built a pipeline of innovative biologics through its internally derived proprietary technologies including the H³ antibody discovery platform, SynTracer® high-throughput endocytosis platform, and Flexibody® bispecific platform. Biosion's lead asset, BSI-045B (anti-TSLP mAb), is currently in phase-II for severe asthma and phase-I for atopic dermatitis. Biosion and partners have plans to progress the immune-oncology and antibody drug conjugate-based portfolio into clinical trials for oncology indications over the next year. Biosion has operations in the US, Australia, and China.To learn more about Biosion, please go to www.biosion.com.
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SOURCE Biosion, Inc. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/biosion-announces-phase-ii-study-start-anti-tslp-mab-bsi-045b-atopic-dermatitis-adamant/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:10 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/biosion-announces-phase-ii-study-start-anti-tslp-mab-bsi-045b-atopic-dermatitis-adamant/ |
Hotel, restaurants, apartments planned for Avon property near Newark
A long-planned project at the former Avon Products distribution facility near Newark is moving forward.
The Bear-based Reybold Venture Group has proposed constructing three apartment buildings, a four-story hotel and multiple retail and restaurant spaces. A two-story office building that will use the facade of the Avon building is also in the plans as submitted to New Castle County earlier this month.
The 45-acre site is along Route 273 just outside the Newark city limits. It includes the space the Avon building occupied along the roadway and a field and paved area behind it that extends to the railroad. The property is bordered by Lowe's to the west and a forested area to the east.
Crews are moving dirt at the site to prepare it for construction.
Reybold has spent much of the last decade trying to develop the property. The county approved a rezoning from industrial to commercial regional in 2015. It approved subsequent development plans in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The most recent plan is similar to the previous ones, but substitutes some retail space for the four-story, 66-room hotel.
When asked why the time to move forward is now, Reybold Executive Manager Jerome S. Heisler Jr. said that "during COVID was the time," but that marketplace is now "at a good point."
DELAWARE DEVELOPMENT: Backed with state money, a developer is trying to attract Amazon to new warehouse
"Newark is a growing market," Heisler said.
The city has a strong demand for rental housing, which is the first phase of Reybold's project. There will be three apartment buildings constructed in the northeast corner of the property — two four-story buildings and one three-story buildings each built over parking. They will supply a combined 220 units.
Heisler expects work on the apartments to begin within about the next six months. He said they will be marketed to non-university students and leased at "market rate." Amenities will include a pool, gym and a clubhouse.
Heisler said he isn't sure what part of the project will come next. Plans submitted to the county indicate a two-story, 93,400-square-foot office building, a two-story retail space and a restaurant will come in the later stages of the first phase. The second phase includes the hotel and a retail space.
Plans also include a cluster of small retail sites next to the office building at the entrance to the development and a three-story parking garage.
The project promises to extend commercial development further down Route 273, an area that was once a mix of industrial space and farmland. It also adds to the list of residential projects targeting young professionals on the periphery of the University of Delaware campus, joining Fusco Management's nearby redevelopment of College Square and the Buccini/Pollin Group's STAR Campus project off South College Avenue, among others.
Avon started operating on the property in 1958. It closed in 2009. The facility employed more than 700 people at its peak.
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Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2023/07/31/avon-facility-in-newark-to-get-new-life-starting-with-apartments/70465297007/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:15 | 1 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2023/07/31/avon-facility-in-newark-to-get-new-life-starting-with-apartments/70465297007/ |
STAMFORD, Conn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Emeren Group Ltd ("Emeren" or the "Company") (www.emeren.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading global solar project developer, owner, and operator, recently announced the successful sale of an 11.5 MWp PV project to the Swiss-based energy company MET Group. The project was sold at the Ready-to-Build ("RTB") stage and MET Group will complete the construction and operate the power plant. This is the first project developed to RTB stage by Emeren Germany GmbH, the Berlin-based subsidiary of Emeren Group, since its entry into the market in early 2021. Capcora, a German consulting company, acted as the exclusive sell-side M&A advisor to Emeren.
The new PV power plant will be located in Kentzlin nestled in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the commercial operations are expected to start in the second half of 2024.
Yumin Liu, CEO of Emeren Group, commented, "This project is an important milestone for our business in Germany and represents our commitment to developing renewable energy infrastructure in the region. We look forward to continuing to work with our local partners to build a more sustainable future."
Bernd Wollwerth-Carl, Director of Emeren Germany GmbH, added, "We are delighted to have sold our first RTB project in Germany. Starting from scratch in 2021, we managed to grow quickly in a competitive German PV market, establishing partnerships and building a pipeline of medium and large-scale ground mounted PV plants. With MET, we found a reliable and competent partner and we look forward to further expanding our cooperation."
Christian Hürlimann, Renewables CEO of MET Group, commented, "The Kentzlin project fits well into MET's strategic vision to enter the highly competitive German renewables market, as well as to further expand its renewables portfolio across Europe and particularly in Western Europe. Emeren Group's expertise in renewable energy was instrumental in achieving this milestone, and we anticipate future collaboration on additional projects."
Henning Prigge, Director at Capcora, adds: "We are delighted to have played a pivotal role in Emeren's successful project sale to MET Group, a prominent integrated European energy company. Our long-standing partnership with Emeren has allowed us to witness their growth and success, and we couldn't be happier to have been a part of this milestone. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to providing top-notch support and solutions to our valued clients."
About Emeren Group Ltd
Emeren Group Ltd (NYSE: SOL) is a leading global solar project developer, owner, and operator with a pipeline of projects and IPP assets totaling over 3 GW, as well as a storage pipeline of over 6 GWh across Europe, North America, and Asia. The Company focuses on solar power project development, construction management and project financing services with local professional teams across multiple countries. For more information, go to www.emeren.com.
About MET Group
MET Group is an integrated European energy company, headquartered in Switzerland, with activities and assets in natural gas and power markets. MET is present in 14 countries through subsidiaries, 30 national gas markets, and 22 international trading hubs. MET has extensive experience in operating green (renewable) and flexible (conventional) energy assets, thus providing the widest possible support to energy transition. In 2022, MET Group's consolidated sales revenue amounted to EUR 41.5 billion, the total traded volume of natural gas was 109 BCM including futures, total traded electricity 67 TWh including futures.
About Capcora
Capcora is an independent financial advisory boutique specializing in M&A and project finance services to accelerate the energy transition in Europe. Founded in 2015, the Frankfurt-based company helps its clients succeed in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors by advising them on sell-side and buy-side transactions, and by raising mezzanine, unitranche or senior debt.
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SOURCE Emeren Group Ltd | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/emeren-group-announces-sale-first-rtb-solar-power-project-germany/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:17 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/emeren-group-announces-sale-first-rtb-solar-power-project-germany/ |
BEIJING, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc. ("GEHI" or the "Company") (NYSE: GEHI), a leading early childhood education service provider in China, today announced that it will hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the "EGM") at 3/F, No. 28 Building, Fangguyuan Section 1, Fangzhuang Fengtai District, Beijing 100078, People's Republic of China, at 10:00 a.m. (Beijing time) on September 11, 2023, for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, approving the transactions contemplated in the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated April 18, 2023, by and among the Company, Bright Sunlight Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Merger Sub"), Best Assistant Education Online Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company ("Best Assistant") and a controlled subsidiary of NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKEX: 0777, "NetDragon"), a Cayman Islands exempted company, and solely for purposes of certain named sections thereof, NetDragon. It is contemplated that Best Assistant will transfer the education business of NetDragon outside of the PRC to Elmtree Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares ("eLMTree") and currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Assistant. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into eLMTree with eLMTree continuing as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger").
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each ordinary share of eLMTree issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding the Dissenting Shares and the Excluded Shares, each as defined in the Merger Agreement) will be cancelled in exchange for the right to receive a number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable ordinary shares of the Company in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933.
Shareholders of the Company will also be asked to consider and vote on certain additional Merger-related proposals at the EGM, including, among others:
- that, subject to and conditional upon the Merger becoming effective, the fifth amended and restated memorandum and article of association of the Company be amended and restated by their deletion in their entirety and the substitution of in their place of the sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the "A&R MAA") effective immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger;
- that, subject to and conditional upon the Merger becoming effective, the name of the Company be changed from "Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc." to "Mynd.ai, Inc." effective immediately prior to the Effective Time;
- that, subject to and conditional upon the Merger becoming effective, immediately prior to the Effective Time, the authorized share capital of the Company be varied as follows: (a) the authorized share capital of the Company shall be varied to US$1,000,000 divided into 1,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 990,000,000 ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.001 each (each a "ListCo Ordinary Share") and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with the A&R MAA, and (b) all Class A ordinary shares of the Company prior to the adoption of the A&R MAA, par value US$0.001 per share ("ListCo Class A Ordinary Shares") and all Class B ordinary shares of the Company prior to the adoption of the A&R MAA, par value US$0.001 per share ("ListCo Class B Ordinary Shares") in the authorized share capital of the Company (including all issued and outstanding ListCo Class A Ordinary Shares and ListCo Class B Ordinary Shares, and all authorized but unissued ListCo Class A Ordinary Shares and ListCo Class B Ordinary Shares) shall be re-designated as ListCo Ordinary Shares.
Holders of the Company's ordinary shares whose names are on the register of members of the Company at the close of business in the Cayman Islands on August 7, 2023, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the EGM or any adjournment or postponement thereof in person. Holders of the Company's American depositary shares ("ADSs") at the close of business in New York City on August 7, 2023, are entitled to exercise their voting rights for the underlying ordinary shares and must act through Citibank, N.A., the depositary of the Company's ADS program.
The notice of the EGM, which contains the detailed proposals to be presented at the EGM, and the proxy statement related to the EGM, are being filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and can be obtained without charge from the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). These documents are also available in the "Financial Information" section of the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.geh.com.cn/. In addition, the proxy materials (including the proxy statement) will be mailed to the Company's shareholders and holders of ADSs.
SHAREHOLDERS AND ADS HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE PROXY MATERIALS AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY CONTAIN VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, ELMTREE, THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS.
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the transactions described above and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of eLMTree or the Company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements." These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the pending transactions described herein, and the parties' perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Merger, including the equity values, the benefits of the Merger, expected revenue opportunities, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates for growth, the expected management and governance of the combined company, and the expected timing of the transactions. The words "will," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and shareholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are hard to predict or control, that may cause the actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) risks related to the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Merger, including the risk that the transaction may not close due to one or more closing conditions to the transaction not being satisfied or waived, such as regulatory approvals not being obtained, on a timely basis or otherwise, or that a governmental entity prohibited, delayed or refused to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction or required certain conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the applicable transaction agreements; (iii) the risk that there may be a material adverse change with respect to the financial position, performance, operations or prospects of the Company or eLMTree; (iv) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Merger; (v) the risk that any announcements relating to the Merger could have adverse effects on the market price of the Company's securities; (vi) the risk that the Merger and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of eLMTree to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; (vii) any changes in the business or operating prospects of eLMTree or its businesses; (viii) changes in applicable laws and regulations; and (ix) risks relating to the combined company's ability to enhance its services and products, execute its business strategy, expand its customer base and maintain stable relationship with its business partners.
A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC by the Company in connection with the Merger, and other documents that the parties may file with or furnish to the SEC, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and eLMTree, the Company and their subsidiaries and affiliates undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
The Company will file with the SEC and mail to its shareholders and ADS holders a proxy statement in connection with the Merger. Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement when it becomes available because it will contain voting instructions and important information regarding the proposed arrangement. You may access the proxy statement (when available) and other related documents filed by the Company with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You also may obtain the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC relating to the proposed arrangement for free by accessing the Company's website at https://ir.geh.com.cn/ by clicking on the link for "Financial Information," and then clicking on the link for "SEC Filings."
CONTACT: Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc., Investor Relations, E-mail: ir@geh.com.cn
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SOURCE Gravitas Education Holdings Inc. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/gehi-hold-extraordinary-general-meeting-shareholders-september-11-2023/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:23 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/gehi-hold-extraordinary-general-meeting-shareholders-september-11-2023/ |
Recruiting Season Is in Full Swing for Professional Football Players to Join Virtual Fan Engagement Channel
NAPLES, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Notable Live is announcing that it has added three more Pro Football Hall of Fame players to the Notable Live line-up for the upcoming season. In addition to existing players Emmitt Smith and Ray Lewis, Notable Live is excited to add Cris Carter, Champ Bailey and Ed Reed to the Notable Live team. This comes as a fast follow to Notable Live's recent multi-year commercial agreement with eBay and its Series A financing round led by eBay Ventures.
Notable Live is a tech-enabled virtual engagement platform that connects fans to teams, leagues and players in a way they have always dreamed about through an immersive experience. Notable Live, co-founded in 2018 by Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and entrepreneurial veteran Mike Antonucci, helps players monetize their image and personal brands not just on game day, but every day.
Through one set of login credentials, the Notable Live platform unlocks an expansive catalog of one-to-many engagement experiences, including live events and on-demand content. On the platform's commerce-enabled exchange, players, teams and leagues can activate live auction or marketplace functions to sell physical memorabilia, digital content, in-person experiences or other unique offerings. All items offered on the Notable Live platform and its associated channels can be authentically bought and sold across the growing and loyal community of Notable Live fans.
"The multi-billion annual sports memorabilia market is rapidly evolving to include new digital experiences, and Notable Live continues to grow its comprehensive platform for both the college and professional sports markets. We are pleased to announce the continued expansion of our roster of NFL athletes on our platform," said Mike Antonucci, co-founder and CEO of Notable Live.
"The fans bring their passion for the game and for their favorite players, ensuring the memorabilia space remains more about the fans than about the athletes," added Emmitt Smith, co-founder of Notable Live. "We are excited to continue expanding our platform with fellow Hall of Famers and other athletes."
About Notable Live
Notable Live was co-founded in 2018 by avid sports fan Mike Antonucci and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith to create a unique platform providing sports fans with unparalleled access to their favorite notables via virtual interactive events. Notable Live, a mobile app available on the App Store and Google Play, grants fans real access to notables by putting them "in the room" together for memorable virtual experiences. Connect with Notable Live at www.notable.live or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Threads for iOS and Threads for Google Play.
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SOURCE Notable Live | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/notable-live-adds-three-gold-jackets/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:30 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/notable-live-adds-three-gold-jackets/ |
HOUSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutex Health Inc. ("Nutex Health" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: NUTX), a physician-led, technology-enabled integrated healthcare delivery system comprised of 21 state-of-the-art micro hospitals in 8 states and primary care-centric, risk-bearing physician networks, today announced that its Clinigence Health advanced population health analytics platform has been selected by Varmed Management, a Puerto Rico-based medical management company, to enhance its population health capabilities and patient care.
Clinigence Health's partnership with Varmed Management honors the company's commitment to improving quality of life and health outcomes through implementing advanced analytics and cutting-edge technology. Together, they aim to deliver unparalleled solutions to patients, ensuring seamless, whole-person care while reducing costs.
Clinigence Health is thrilled to assist Varmed Management in its mission. Sophisticated population health management requires a platform like Clinigence Health that helps organizations enhance the care delivered to their patients by identifying opportunities to engage its physicians and its patients with data to drive continued quality improvement.
"The partnership creates an environment where high-quality care is accessible and affordable to everyone in our community. By integrating Clinigence Health's advanced analytics into our population health management strategy, we can provide even more personalized patient care," stated José J. Vargas, Chief Executive Officer of Varmed Management.
"The healthcare industry continues to experience the loss of billions of premium dollars to overutilization and inappropriate use of services to the detriment of patient care. The transition to value-based care models requires organizations to understand the patterns of care and best medical practices that allow quality care to be delivered cost-effectively," stated Lawrence Schimmel, M.D., Chief Medical Information Officer of Nutex Health, Inc.
"Clinigence is a pioneer in clinical data integration, clinical quality reporting and population health analytics. Our scalable, purpose-built cloud-based platform has clinical and claims data on over 3 million patients and is in use by multiple independent practice associations ("IPAs"), medical groups, accountable care organizations ("ACOs"), hospitals and physicians. We look forward to partnering with the talented team at Varmed," stated Warren Hosseinion, M.D., President of Nutex Health.
For more information, visit Clinigence Health at www.clinigencehealth.com or email info@clinigence.com for personalized information requests.
About Nutex Health Inc.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas and founded in 2011, Nutex Health Inc. (NASDAQ: NUTX) is a healthcare management and operations company with two divisions: a Hospital Division and a Population Health Management Division.
The Hospital Division owns, develops and operates innovative health care models, including micro-hospitals, specialty hospitals, and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). This division owns and operates 21 facilities in 8 states.
The Population Health Management division owns and operates provider networks such as Independent Physician Associations (IPAs). Through our Management Services Organization (MSO), we provide management, administrative and other support services to our affiliated hospitals and physician groups. Our cloud-based proprietary technology platform aggregates clinical and claims data across multiple settings, information systems and sources to create a holistic view of patients and providers, allowing us to deliver greater quality care more efficiently.
About Varmed Management
Varmed Management is a fully integrated healthcare solutions provider. As a population health management organization, we are committed to providing cutting-edge solutions to our clients, improving quality of life through patient empowerment, improving healthcare outcomes and reducing costs. www.varmedmanagement.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words or phrases "will", "will likely result," "expected to," "will continue," "anticipated," "estimate," "projected," "intend," "goal," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks, known and unknown, and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy, changes in laws or regulations, including the interim final and final rules implemented under the No Surprises Act , economic conditions, dependence on management, dilution to stockholders, lack of capital, the effects of rapid growth upon the Company and the ability of management to effectively respond to the growth and demand for products and services of the Company, newly developing technologies, the Company's ability to compete, conflicts of interest in related party transactions, regulatory matters, protection of technology, lack of industry standards, the effects of competition and the ability of the Company to obtain future financing. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the Current Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023 under the heading "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item IA thereof, and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors could materially adversely affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed within this press release.
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SOURCE Nutex Health, Inc. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nutex-health-announces-that-its-advanced-population-health-analytics-platform-has-been-selected-by-varmed-management-enhance-patient-care/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:37 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nutex-health-announces-that-its-advanced-population-health-analytics-platform-has-been-selected-by-varmed-management-enhance-patient-care/ |
BALTIMORE, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Opteev Technologies, Inc., a pioneering technology company at the forefront of diagnostics, has filed a patent (Patent Application #63/513,007) for a revolutionary multiplex biochip for respiratory infection diagnostics. The groundbreaking polymer-based biochip offers the potential to test multiple pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and Influenza, and precisely identify the specific virus or bacteria in under 1 minute. This game-changing technology paves the way for an ultra-rapid, portable, and accurate syndromic diagnostic device to empower healthcare providers with immediate results at their fingertips.
The tiny biochip can directly detect whole viruses in real-time in both processed and unprocessed samples such as saliva or nasal swab and has demonstrated an unprecedented accuracy rate of 99.49% with an impressive limit of detection in its analytical performance evaluation. Furthermore, the biosensor achieves fine-tuned specificity by carefully selecting specific virus-binding peptides, enabling accurate identification of target viruses in complex samples. To ensure precise and reliable virus detection, the biochip utilizes artificial intelligence to optimize the frequency range effectively mitigating the impact of interfering noise signals.
Unlike conventional respiratory panels that cost tens of thousands of dollars and take days to provide results, Opteev's multiplex biochip will offer healthcare providers affordable syndromic testing with the ability to process samples at the point of care, allowing for the simultaneous detection and specific identification of multiple pathogens instantaneously. This breakthrough technology will eliminate the need for speculation by providing healthcare providers with the critical information needed to deliver the most effective treatment options at the point of care.
"With the development of our multiplex biochip, we are revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics," said Dr. Mesfin Meshesha, Vice President of Virology & Diagnostics at Opteev Technologies. "The potential of this technology to transform patient care, streamline operations, and reduce costs is truly remarkable."
As Opteev Technologies continues to push the boundaries of point-of-care diagnostics, the company welcomes potential collaborations and partnerships to further develop and commercialize its multiplex biochip. "Together, we can shape the future of diagnostics and unlock the massive potential of our game-changing multiplex biochip," said Conrad Bessemer, Opteev's Chairman and Co-founder.
For more information about Opteev Technologies and its groundbreaking multiplex biochip, please visit www.opteev.com.
Opteev Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, is a pioneering technology company at the forefront of diagnostics. With a strong focus on respiratory pathogen detection, Opteev is committed to developing innovative solutions that revolutionize the field of point-of-care diagnostics. As a subsidiary of Novatec, Inc., a trusted manufacturer and supplier of machinery and sensor technology, Opteev leverages decades of experience to drive advancements in healthcare.
Media Contact:
Dana Gardner
Vice President
dgardner@opteev.com
Phone: 443-457-5214
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SOURCE Opteev Technologies, Inc | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/opteev-develops-worlds-first-multiplex-biochip-that-precisely-identifies-covid-flu-rsv-respiratory-pathogens-under-1-minute/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:43 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/opteev-develops-worlds-first-multiplex-biochip-that-precisely-identifies-covid-flu-rsv-respiratory-pathogens-under-1-minute/ |
Mobile Visual Processing Solutions Coupled with Dedicated Game Tuning Services Take Mobile Gaming Experience to a Brand-New Level
SHANGHAI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pixelworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: PXLW), a leading provider of innovative visual processing solutions, today announced the official launch of its new IRX gaming experience brand. As a brand targeted at smartphone users, IRX is grounded on Pixelworks' mobile visual processing solutions and coupled with in-depth game tuning services. This combination leverages Pixelworks' expertise to achieve ultra-smooth gaming experience and the highest picture quality for different types of games on mobile devices. In addition, it exercises effective control of power consumption, latency and other performance variables to ensure stable and long-lasting gaming with optimal visual performance, providing end users with unparalleled mobile gaming experiences.
The IRX gaming experience is enabled by a portfolio of technology advantages and product application experiences based on the Company's innovative distributed rendering architecture. More specifically, Pixelworks' ultra-low latency MotionEngine® technology, low power super-resolution technology, AI Always-on HDR and other technologies bring optimized rendering capabilities to smartphones that exceed what can be achieved by a traditional chipset. Together with Pixelworks' profound tuning experience for different games on various mobile devices the result is a meaningfully enriched visual experience for smartphone users, which is the core foundation for the IRX gaming experience.
The IRX gaming experience brand will be supported by a certification program for mobile devices that incorporates Pixelworks visual processors. The certification program will be backed by a suite of visual quality evaluation systems agreed upon with smartphone manufacturers to ensure that Pixelworks powered smartphones provide the most outstanding gaming performance and utmost visual quality for consumers.
The IRX branded certification program is comprised of both device certification and game tuning services. Pixelworks will optimize the rendering capabilities and display quality of top games on mobile devices based on its visual processors' capabilities as well as the devices' performance characteristics. Smartphones that meet the technical requirements as well as Pixelworks' visual processing standards will be granted the IRX branded certification, and games that meet Pixelworks' visual quality requirements will be included in the IRX-supported game list. To date, there are 20 top games being enlisted on the IRX-supported game list, which can be found on Pixelworks' official IRX gaming experience website. Furthermore, Pixelworks plans to establish expanded communication channels with consumers to help further educate end users on the benefits of the IRX gaming experience.
"IRX is a gaming experience brand from Pixelworks targeted directly towards mobile device users." said Ting Xiong, President of Pixelworks China. "Pixelworks would like to empower smartphone manufacturers to break the ceiling of mobile gaming experience from content optimization to performance enhancement with its innovative rendering technologies and years of game tuning and optimization experience. Additionally, we are also aiming to develop and promote consumer awareness around how to better evaluate visual display quality and the mobile gaming experience, enabling them to make smarter choices when purchasing a smartphone. By utilizing professional technologies and services to build more links across both products and users, we hope to drive mutual growth through in-depth interactions while bringing display performance and the mobile gaming experience to a brand-new level."
About Pixelworks
Pixelworks provides industry-leading content creation, video delivery and display processing solutions and technology that enable highly authentic viewing experiences with superior visual quality, across all screens – from cinema to smartphone and beyond. The Company has more than 20 years of history delivering image processing innovation to leading providers of consumer electronics, professional displays and video streaming services.
For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.pixelworks.com.
Note: Pixelworks, MotionEngine and the Pixelworks logo are trademarks of Pixelworks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Pixelworks, Inc. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pixelworks-announces-launch-irx-gaming-experience-brand/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:50 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pixelworks-announces-launch-irx-gaming-experience-brand/ |
CONSUMER REPORTS: Sunburn care and prevention
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Fun in the sun can come to a screeching—or scorching—halt with a nasty sunburn. If you’ve ever had one, you know how unpleasant they are. But there’s some good news: Consumer Reports has some tips to help alleviate sunburn pain.
Getting a sunburn is never fun; your skin feels like it’s on fire and anything that touches you hurts, not to mention the potential long-term health effects. Every time you get a sunburn, it ages your skin and increases your risk for skin cancer.
Preventing sunburn should be priority one by wearing sunscreen and covering up. But for those times when you may have forgotten to apply sunscreen or reapply it after a swim or working out and ended up getting a wicked burn, there are things you can do for relief. Like taking frequent cool baths or showers.
As soon as you’re done bathing, pat yourself dry; don’t rub the towel against your skin. You want to leave your skin a little damp and then apply a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or soy.
Because getting burned inflames the skin, taking an anti-inflammatory like aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
Be sure to also keep hydrated, even drinking more water than you usually do.
If your skin forms blisters, don’t pop or peel them. Allow them to heal.
And when you go outside again, wear clothes that cover the burned areas, and stay in the shade as much as possible.
And to help prevent getting a sunburn in the first place, wear sunscreen!
A top-performing sunscreen with a perfect score that’s also a CR Smart Buy is Coppertone Water Babies Lotion SPF 50. Despite its name, it can be used by adults as well. Be sure to use a teaspoon per body part or area that’s not covered up by clothing.
If you’re using a spray, hold the nozzle about an inch from your skin and spray until your skin
glistens, then rub it in. And for all types of sunscreen, reapply every 2 hours and after swimming.
If the burn is severe, be sure to see a doctor, especially if you feel unwell, have chills, a fever, or nausea.
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Copyright 2023 WAFB. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/2023/07/31/consumer-reports-sunburn-care-prevention/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:52 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/2023/07/31/consumer-reports-sunburn-care-prevention/ |
TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese court sentenced a man to 23 years in prison on Monday for stabbing a passenger and setting a fire on a Tokyo express train while dressed in a Joker costume on Halloween two years ago, officials said.
The Tachikawa branch of Tokyo District Court found Kyota Hattori, 26, guilty of attempted murder for stabbing and seriously injuring a male passenger in his 70s and of spraying lighter fluid in the train car and then lighting it to try to kill others. Twelve people were injured by the fire, most of them not seriously.
During the trial, Hattori told the court he was so shocked when he learned that his girlfriend had married someone else only six months after they broke up that he decided to carry out the attack so he could end his life by receiving the death penalty, NHK public television reported.
In the ruling, Judge Yu Takeshita said the attack was an “indiscriminate crime with a selfish motive that targeted many passengers who happened to be on the train.”
Prosecutors sought 25 years in prison, arguing that the attack was premeditated and that Hattori had deliberately chosen a special express train that makes fewer stops so passengers would have less chance of escaping. Witnesses said he wore an outfit like the Joker villain in Batman comics.
Defense lawyers asked for 12 years, saying the attack did not constitute attempted murder because most passengers were out of reach when Hattori set the fire.
Gun-related crime is rare in Japan because of strict gun control laws, but there has been a series of high-profile knife attacks in recent years on subways and elsewhere, and there is growing concern about homemade guns and explosives.
Train operators in major cities have stepped up safety measures, including installing security cameras in train cars and conducting more frequent safety drills.
In August 2021, on the day before the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, a 36-year-old man stabbed 10 passengers on a commuter train in Tokyo in a random attack. The man later told police that he wanted to attack women who looked happy.
The previous month, a 37-year-old man stabbed three passengers with a knife on an airport train in Osaka. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/japanese-court-sentences-joker-to-23-years-for-stabbing-passenger-setting-a-fire-on-a-tokyo-train/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-07-31T10:48:52 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/japanese-court-sentences-joker-to-23-years-for-stabbing-passenger-setting-a-fire-on-a-tokyo-train/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
LONDON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Talking Tom and MrBeast just announced a unique collaboration for Talking Tom's 10th birthday party! Starting today, players of My Talking Tom 2, the popular virtual pet game, can unwrap an exclusive surprise from MrBeast himself — a one-of-a-kind outfit. Additionally, Talking Tom and MrBeast are also joining forces with a contribution to the Tebow CURE Hospital for underprivileged children in the Philippines.
"Our collaboration with MrBeast for Talking Tom's 10th anniversary demonstrates our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences to our players," said Xinyu Qian, CEO of Outfit7. "By offering an exclusive MrBeast outfit and extending our support to the Tebow CURE Hospital, we aim not only to enhance the excitement within the game but also to make a meaningful difference in the lives of underprivileged children."
For a limited time of two weeks, the exclusive MrBeast outfit for Tom can be found in the bedroom wardrobe, or claimed through a pop-up gift box, either on the porch or in the bathroom. As part of the 10th birthday celebration, Tom has also given users a generous gift of 100,000 in-game gold coins, which are still attainable in the game.
In addition to the in-game collaboration, Talking Tom and MrBeast have joined forces to support the Tebow CURE Hospital, which provides assistance to underprivileged children in the Philippines. Together they will support the hospital's activities for a month, enabling them to carry out over 150 surgeries. To ensure sustainable care for the children, the hospital will also receive a year's supply of essential orthopaedic supplies.
Download My Talking Tom 2 now and claim the exclusive MrBeast outfit! It will be available for free in My Talking Tom 2 for a limited time, from July 30 to August 13, 2023.
ABOUT OUTFIT7: Outfit7 Limited is a dynamic force in mobile gaming, reaching a global audience of billions with its award-winning games. Powered by creativity and industry-leading expertise, the company's talented international team of around 400 people pushes the boundaries of the possible every day. Outfit7's 20+ games have now been downloaded worldwide over 21 billion times and up to 470 million fans play with them every month. Its portfolio also includes numerous chart-topping animated series, theme parks, and a licensing program. You can find more information at www.outfit7.com.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2164951/Outfit7.jpg
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SOURCE Outfit7 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/talking-tom-mrbeast-celebrate-toms-birthday-with-an-exclusive-outfit-contribute-hospital-underprivileged-children/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:57 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/talking-tom-mrbeast-celebrate-toms-birthday-with-an-exclusive-outfit-contribute-hospital-underprivileged-children/ |
Trump could be indicted soon in Georgia. Here’s a look at that investigation
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T10:48:58 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missiles slammed into the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, killing two people, wounding at least 20 others and trapping up to seven beneath rubble, Ukraine’s interior minister said Monday.
The two missiles struck an apartment building, destroying a section of it between the fourth and ninth floors, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Part of a four-story university building also was destroyed, he said.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian artillery strike on partially occupied Donetsk province killed two people and wounded six in the regional capital, according to Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-installed leader of the llegally annexed province.
A bus was also hit as Ukrainian forces shelled the city of Donetsk multiple times Monday, Pushilin said.
Neither side’s claims could be independently verified.
In Kryvyi Rih, video showed rescue crews working through the wreckage from the part of the university building that was demolished. .
Black smoke billowed from corner apartments in the apartment building. Outside, debris was strewn across the tree-lined street. Parked cars were burned out or damaged.
The governor of Dnipropetrovsk province, Serhii Lysak, said the morning attack wounded 31 people, including four children. It was not possible to reconcile different casualty figures.
Kryvyi Rih is the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Kremlin’s forces have occasionally targeted the city since they invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Bombarding populated areas with missiles, artillery and drones has been a hallmark of Moscow’s tactics during the war, with some aerial attacks hitting civilian areas. The strategy has continued during a Ukrainian counteroffensive that is trying to drive Russian forces out of occupied areas.
Russian officials insist they only take aim at legitimate military targets.
Commenting on Monday’s attack, Ukraine’s president said that “in recent days, the enemy has been stubbornly attacking cities, city centers, shelling civilian objects and housing.”
“But this terror will not frighten us or break us,” Zelenskyy said in a social media statement.
In the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, Russian shelling killed another civilian Monday, local authorities said. Several others were reported to be wounded.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has sought to take the war deep into Russia, reportedly using drones to hit targets as far away as Moscow. The latest strike, on Sunday, damaged two office buildings a few miles (kilometers) from the Kremlin.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia and Moscow-annexed territory, especially Crimea, have become more frequent recently.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/ukraine-says-russian-missiles-hit-another-apartment-building-and-likely-trapped-people-under-rubble/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-07-31T10:48:58 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/ukraine-says-russian-missiles-hit-another-apartment-building-and-likely-trapped-people-under-rubble/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
16TH annual event features turtles named after characters in Disney's frighteningly fun adventure movie, "Haunted Mansion," now playing in theaters.
VERO BEACH, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the weekend at Disney's Vero Beach Resort, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation released two sea turtles as part of the 16th annual Tour de Turtles "migration marathon." Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational event that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding grounds and, ultimately, provides scientific data on how best to protect their species.
The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and Disney Cruise Line are each sponsoring a turtle this year, whose names, Madame Leota and Harriet, are the names of characters in Disney's frighteningly fun adventure movie "Haunted Mansion," now playing in theaters. Not unlike Gabbie, another character in the film who enlists a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters – Tour de Turtles brings together a team of researchers from the STC and Disney Conservation annually to undertake a daunting mission - using satellite telemetry to track two female turtles to determine where and how far they swim during the migration season.
Each turtle swims to raise awareness about various threats to sea turtle survival. The turtle to swim the furthest distance will win the Tour de Turtles race.
"Disney's commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1.5 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean," said Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney's Animals, Science and Environment. "Southeast Florida hosts one of the largest nesting aggregations of loggerhead sea turtles, making up to 40 percent of the global loggerhead population. The team has recorded more than 20,000 sea turtle nests on our survey route since the program began."
The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation and management. Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have collaborated to study 29 sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Continuing its commitment to strengthen youth education programs in port communities around the world, Disney Cruise Line proudly supported local students from Club Esteem from Melbourne, Florida, to participate in this year's event. DCF also has directed more than $5.1 million to support global sea turtle conservation efforts.
"Disney is a fantastic collaborator," said David Godfrey, STC Executive Director. "Disney's commitment to conservation, passion for environmental education, and effectiveness at communicating with audiences have made the Tour de Turtles a fun and successful program since it was launched over a decade ago."
In addition to Tour de Turtles, the Disney Conservation team has dedicated nearly 19,000 hours to studying and monitoring sea turtle nests during the summer nesting season along the five-mile coastline at Disney's Vero Beach Resort. From approximately May to October, Disney Vacation Club members and resort guests also have the opportunity to assist the team by joining outings to observe real-time sea turtle research while learning how they can take action to protect sea turtles. So far this year, the Disney Conservation team has a record-breaking number of nests along their survey route – nearly 2,000 by August, well above the average 1,500 normally counted in an entire season.
Tour de Turtles is a research and education program of the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Disney's support is just one example of bringing Disney Planet Possible to life by taking action to make a happier, healthier planet possible for all. To learn more and follow the turtles' migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at www.tourdeturtles.org
ABOUT DISNEY'S VERO BEACH RESORT
Disney's Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, offers spacious vacation villas along the pristine Atlantic coastline. The resort is located less than a two-hour drive from the Walt Disney World Resort, and its design reflects the Treasure Coast region where it is situated. Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world.
ABOUT DISNEY'S "HAUNTED MANSION"
Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, Disney's "Haunted Mansion" is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.
Directed by Justin Simien, the film features an all-star cast ensemble including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Daniel Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost. The film's producers are Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, with Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman serving as executive producers.
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SOURCE Walt Disney World | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/tour-de-turtles-celebrates-sea-turtles-supernatural-science-disneys-vero-beach-resort/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:04 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/tour-de-turtles-celebrates-sea-turtles-supernatural-science-disneys-vero-beach-resort/ |
Vacant house fire on Alliquippa Street leads to arson investigation
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 5:00 AM CDT|Updated: 25 minutes ago
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A vacant house fire is under investigation as arson, according to the Baton Rouge Fire Department.
It happened Sunday, July 30 around 7:30 p.m. in the 4000 block of Alliquippa Street near Weller Avenue.
After a preliminary assessment, fire investigators were asked to determine the cause and origin of the fire. Their investigation revealed the fire was intentionally set.
A spokesman with BRFD said investigators are actively pursuing leads to identify the person responsible.
If you know anything that can help or notice any suspicious activity around the area, you are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP (7867).
Click here to report a typo.
Copyright 2023 WAFB. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/2023/07/31/vacant-house-fire-alliquippa-street-leads-arson-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:04 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/2023/07/31/vacant-house-fire-alliquippa-street-leads-arson-investigation/ |
The Nation's Largest Network for Affordable Housing Protects Consumers from Unfair Fees and Costs
BOCA RATON, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AffordableHousing.com today announced it will join the White House and a compendium of government agencies and other private sector companies in large-scale efforts to end junk fees and ensure that Americans are provided with honest, transparent pricing. More than 100 million property searches per year are performed on AffordableHousing.com–the largest platform for affordable housing in the nation.
"For decades, families have relied on us to help them find affordable housing," says Richard Cupelli, CEO at AffordableHousing.com. "We take pride in advocating for these families, so it was a natural fit for us to join forces with the Administration and other socially responsible companies to help protect consumers in our industry."
On July 19, 2023, the White House published a Fact Sheet announcing its crack-down on junk fees in the rental market, highlighting private-sector commitments supporting this initiative made by the three major rental housing platforms: AffordableHousing.com, Zillow, and Apartments.com.
Late last year, the President called on federal agencies, Congress, and private companies to take action to address junk fees across the economy. The initiative aims to ensure Americans are provided with honest, transparent pricing. By February 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced proposed rules limiting credit card late fees. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finalized a rule requiring cable and internet providers to list fees up front. And the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed a requirement for airlines and booking services show the full price of a plane ticket, including baggage and other fees.
In March, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge released an open letter to housing providers and state and local governments, encouraging them to adopt policies promoting greater fairness and transparency of fees faced by renters. Substantial research shows such fees obstruct comparison shopping, impede competition, and lead to consumers paying more.
A long-standing resource for families seeking affordable housing, AffordableHousing.com has policies in place supporting this transparency and protecting its customers from unfair fees.
Renters can search available properties free on AffordableHousing.com, and property owners are required to be upfront about all refundable and non-refundable rental fees and costs. AffordableHousing.com also does not charge rental application fees.
"Our socially responsible technology platform has allowed us to establish the largest network of affordable housing in the nation," says Cupelli. "We understand the accountability that comes with our standing in the industry and the trust that our customers place in us."
As a hub for housing agencies across the nation, AffordableHousing.com also allows state and local governments to have their own customized website that serves their local community, enforces their specific regulatory requirements, centralizes all affordable housing, and simplifies the application and approval process.
"We are working with AffordableHousing.com to implement the Vermont Affordable Housing Hub, which will allow families to easily find and apply to all affordable housing in the state," says Kathleen Berk, Executive Director at Vermont State Housing Authority. "By utilizing AffordableHousing.com's custom housing hub to build our state-specific site, we can streamline compliance with state laws, which have strict application fee guidelines. We can also add safeguards to protect our families by providing the Clear and Fair Lease template for property owners to use. These leases will also comply with affordable housing programs, like Section 8."
AffordableHousing.com also rewards reputable property owners. Those with a history of good standing can qualify for a Trusted Owner Badge, which ensures their credibility to prospective renters on the site and increases consumer confidence. Trusted Owners also receive prominent listing status.
Earning and maintaining status as a Trusted Owner requires providing various levels of documentation to verify qualifications and authenticity, adhering to all relevant federal, state, and local laws, and complying with the site's reasonable fee guidelines.
Together with its research partner, Learning Collider (www.learningcollider.org), AffordableHousing.com is conducting research into the real cost of administrative fees, the impact of fee transparency in rental listings, and the effectiveness of platform features like the common application for rental and government programs—an endeavor that the company has been urging agencies to adopt for years.
"Our research partnership with AffordableHousing.com has allowed us to analyze the impacts of rental fees on low-income families in real-time," says Peter Bergman, Professor at UT Austin and Director of the Learning Collider research lab. "Together, we are advancing research to identify junk fees and establish transparent fee practices, easing the path to affordable rentals for families across the U.S."
The President announced in latest White House Fact Sheet, released on July 27, 2023, further plans to protect renters, naming AffordableHousing.com as an ally in the initiative and endorsing the site's plans to deploy additional consumer protection tools by the end of the year, including "Clear and Fair" digital leases, which will align with the principles outlined in the White House Blueprint for a Renter Bill of Rights. Property owners who use these "Clear and Fair" digital leases will be acknowledged on AffordableHousing.com.
About AffordableHousing.com: For more than 20 years, AffordableHousing.com has provided innovative technology and real solutions that help solve some of the most complex challenges impacting the availability of affordable housing in the United States. By simplifying access to available resources, AffordableHousing.com boosts participation in government programs, increasing the much-needed supply of affordable housing nationwide, and providing more homes to more families.
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SOURCE AffordableHousing.com | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/white-house-announces-partnership-with-affordablehousingcom-end-junk-fees/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:10 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/white-house-announces-partnership-with-affordablehousingcom-end-junk-fees/ |
Alex Bregman Player Prop Bets: Astros vs. Guardians - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:32 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
On Monday, Alex Bregman (hitting .324 in his past 10 games) and the Houston Astros play the Cleveland Guardians, whose starting pitcher will be Noah Syndergaard. First pitch is at 8:10 PM ET.
In his last game he had a one-hit showing (1-for-4) against the Rays.
Alex Bregman Game Info & Props vs. the Guardians
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Minute Maid Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Guardians Starter: Noah Syndergaard
- TV Channel: SportsNet SW
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -250)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +450)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +125)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: -110)
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Explore More About This Game
Alex Bregman At The Plate
- Bregman is batting .254 with 14 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs and 56 walks.
- Among qualifying hitters in baseball, he ranks 80th in batting average, 44th in on-base percentage, and 73rd in slugging.
- Bregman has recorded a hit in 68 of 105 games this year (64.8%), including 26 multi-hit games (24.8%).
- In 17.1% of his games this season, he has hit a long ball, and 3.9% of his trips to the plate.
- Bregman has driven in a run in 43 games this year (41.0%), including 17 games with more than one RBI (16.2%). He has also driven home three or more of his team's runs in six contests.
- He has scored in 51 games this season (48.6%), including 11 multi-run games (10.5%).
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Alex Bregman Home/Away Batting Splits
Guardians Pitching Rankings
- The Guardians pitching staff is 28th in MLB with a collective eight strikeouts per nine innings.
- The Guardians have the fifth-ranked team ERA across all league pitching staffs (3.84).
- Guardians pitchers combine to give up 108 home runs (one per game), the second-fewest in the league.
- Syndergaard makes the start for the Guardians, his 13th of the season. He is 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA and 38 strikeouts through 55 1/3 innings pitched.
- In his last time out -- while pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers -- the righty tossed three innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, June 7, giving up six earned runs while surrendering seven hits.
- The 30-year-old has an ERA of 7.16, with 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings, in 12 games this season. Opponents have a .313 batting average against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/alex-bregman-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:11 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/alex-bregman-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Chas McCormick Player Prop Bets: Astros vs. Guardians - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:28 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
The Houston Astros and Chas McCormick, who went 1-for-4 last time in action, take on Noah Syndergaard and the Cleveland Guardians at Minute Maid Park, Monday at 8:10 PM ET.
In his previous game he had a one-hit showing (1-for-4) against the Rays.
Chas McCormick Game Info & Props vs. the Guardians
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Minute Maid Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Guardians Starter: Noah Syndergaard
- TV Channel: SportsNet SW
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -208)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +500)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +185)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +115)
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Explore More About This Game
Chas McCormick At The Plate
- McCormick has 12 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs and 26 walks while hitting .285.
- In 42 of 66 games this year (63.6%) McCormick has picked up a hit, and in 19 of those games he had more than one (28.8%).
- In 12 games this season, he has gone deep (18.2%, and 5.0% of his trips to the dish).
- In 33.3% of his games this year, McCormick has driven in at least one run. In 14 of those games (21.2%) he recorded more than one RBI, while accounting for three or more of his team's runs in four contests.
- In 27 of 66 games this season, he has scored, and five of those games included multiple runs.
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Chas McCormick Home/Away Batting Splits
Guardians Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Guardians has a collective 8.0 K/9, the third-worst in the league.
- The Guardians have a 3.84 team ERA that ranks fifth across all MLB pitching staffs.
- The Guardians give up the second-fewest home runs in baseball (108 total, 1.0 per game).
- Syndergaard (1-4) gets the starting nod for the Guardians in his 13th start of the season. He's put together a 7.16 ERA in 55 1/3 innings pitched, with 38 strikeouts.
- His most recent time out was for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, June 7 when the right-hander tossed three innings against the Cincinnati Reds, surrendering six earned runs while allowing seven hits.
- The 30-year-old has put up an ERA of 7.16, with 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings, in 12 games this season. Opponents are hitting .313 against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/chas-mccormick-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:17 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/chas-mccormick-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
- Revenue of RMB9,908 Million in the Second Quarter, Up 6.7% Year-over-Year;
Excluding COVID-19 Commercial Projects, Up 39.5% - Revenue of RMB18,871 Million in the First Half, Up 6.3% Year-over-Year;
Excluding COVID-19 Commercial Projects, Up 27.9% - Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company for the First Half Increased 14.6% to RMB 5,313 Million
- Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) for the First Half Increased 20.9% to RMB1.79
- Adjusted Non-IFRS Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company for the First Half Increased 18.5% to RMB5,095 Million
- Adjusted Non-IFRS Diluted EPS for the First Half Increased 18.5% to RMB1.73[1]
- Free Cash Flow Achieved RMB2,926 Million for the First Half, Turned Positive and Grew Strongly
SHANGHAI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi AppTec (stock code: 603259.SH / 2359.HK), a global company that provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients, is pleased to announce its financial results for the first half ending June 30, 2023 ("Reporting Period").
This release provides a summary of the results and is not intended to be a comprehensive report. For additional information, please refer to the 2023 Interim Report and other relevant announcements published on the websites of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (www.sse.com.cn) and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (www.hkexnews.hk), and the designated media for dissemination of the relevant information. Investors are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the investment risks in trading Company shares.
All financial information disclosed in this press release is prepared based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), in currency of RMB.
The 2023 Interim Report of the Company has not been audited.
Second Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights
Revenue grew 6.7% year-over-year to RMB9,908 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 39.5%. This is primarily attributable to the Company's continued excellent execution of our unique Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) business model to achieve strong synergy and continuous growth:
- WuXi Chemistry revenue grew 2.6% year-over-year to RMB7,034 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 51.6%. Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 12.9% year-over-year to RMB3,216 million, with a gross profit margin of 45.7%.
- WuXi Testing revenue grew 23.6% year-over-year to RMB1,638 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 36.2% year-over-year to RMB640 million, with a gross profit margin of 39.1%.
- WuXi Biology revenue grew 17.5% year-over-year to RMB656 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 21.3% year-over-year to RMB 271 million, with a gross profit margin of 41.4%.
- WuXi ATU revenue grew 22.9% year-over-year to RMB389 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit was RMB(16) million, with a gross profit margin of (4.2)%
- WuXi DDSU revenue declined 17.9% year-over-year to RMB176 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew year-over-year 5.2% to RMB63 million, with a gross profit margin of 35.8%. Meanwhile, we received the first royalty income from customers in the second quarter, which is a breakthrough for DDSU.
Unit: RMB million
- IFRS gross profit increased 18.1% year-over-year to RMB4,030 million. Gross profit margin was 40.7%[2]
- Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit increased 16.4% year-over-year to RM4,177 million. Adjusted non-IFRS gross margin was 42.2%.
- Net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 5.1% year-over-year to RMB3,145 million.
- Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 22.4% year-over-year to RMB2,753 million.
First-Half 2023 Financial Highlights
Revenue grew 6.3% year-over-year to RMB18,871 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 27.9%. This is primarily attributable to the Company's continued excellent execution of our unique Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) business model to achieve strong synergy and continuous growth:
- WuXi Chemistry revenue grew 3.8% year-over-year to RMB13,467 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 36.1%. Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 14.9% year-over-year to RMB6,103 million, with a gross profit margin of 45.3%.
- WuXi Testing revenue grew 18.7% year-over-year to RMB3,091 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 26.1% year-over-year to RMB1,168 million, with a gross profit margin of 37.8%.
- WuXi Biology revenue grew 13.0% year-over-year to RMB1,233 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 15.1% year-over-year to RMB511 million, with a gross profit margin of 41.5%.
- WuXi ATU revenue grew 16.0% year-over-year to RMB714 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit was RMB(40) million, with a gross profit margin of (5.7)%.
- WuXi DDSU revenue declined 24.9% year-over-year to RMB342 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit declined 26.2% year-over-year to RMB103 million, with a gross profit margin of 30.1%. Meanwhile, DDSU achieved a breakthrough in receiving the first royalty income from customers.
Unit: RMB million
- IFRS gross profit increased 17.6% year-over-year to RMB7,556 million. Gross profit margin was 40.0%[3].
- Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit increased 15.7% year-over-year to RMB7,855 million. Adjusted non-IFRS gross margin was 41.6%.
- Net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 14.6% year-over-year to RMB 5,313 million.
- Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 18.5% year-over-year to RMB5,095 million.
- Diluted EPS increased 20.9% year-over-year to RMB1.79, while adjusted diluted non-IFRS EPS increased by 18.5% year-over-year to RMB1.73.
- Free cash flow achieved RMB2,926 million, turned positive and grew strongly year-over-year.
First-Half 2023 Business Operation Highlights
- As an industry innovation enabler, we grow together with our customers. In the first half of 2023, we added over 600 new customers, and in total we served more than 6,000 active customers over the past 12 months. Backlog grew 25% year-over-year excluding COVID-19 commercial projects. We continued to optimize our cross-platform synergies to better serve our customers worldwide, strengthen our unique competitive advantage as a fully integrated Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) and Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CTDMO) platform, and provide one-stop services for our customers from discovery to development and manufacturing. The diversified revenue streams from customers across regions ensure the stability and resilience of the Company's financial performance.
- WuXi Chemistry: Integrated CRDMO Business Model Drives Steady Growth, with Continued Expansion in New Modalities (WuXi TIDES)
- In the past 12 months, we successfully synthesized and delivered more than 420,000 new compounds to customers, which grew 20% year-over-year. Through our chemistry drug discovery services, we enabled our customers to accelerate their research while generating opportunities for our downstream business units. In the past 12 months, 120 molecules have transitioned from R to D&M, representing a year-on-year growth of 21%. Through our "follow-the-customer" and "follow-the-molecule" strategies, we established trusted partnerships with our global customers, supporting the sustainable growth of our CRDMO business.
- We continued executing our "long-tail" strategy. Demand from "long-tail" customers in discovery services of small molecule and new modalities continued to grow, with the number of new customers growing 17% year-over-year.
- In the first half of 2023, D&M services revenue grew 2.1% year-over-year to RMB9.67 billion. Excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, D&M services revenue grew strongly by 54.5%.
- In the first half of 2023, we added 583 molecules to our D&M pipeline. To date, our D&M pipeline consists of 2,819 molecules, including 56 commercial projects, 59 in phase III, 301 in phase II and 2,403 in phase I and pre-clinical stages, among which, 8 commercial and phase III projects were added in the first half of 2023.
- In the first half of 2023, TIDES revenue grew 37.9% year-over-year to RMB1.33 billion. As of June 30, 2023, backlog of TIDES grew strongly by 188% year-over-year. We expect revenue growth from TIDES business to exceed 70% in 2023.
- The number of TIDES D&M customers increased 25% year-over-year to 121, and the number of TIDES molecules increased 46% year-over-year to 207.
- WuXi Testing: Lab Testing Services Drive Steady Growth, Clinical Business Fully Recovered
- The Company provides a full range of laboratory testing services for our customers, including drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), toxicology, and bioanalysis for drug development testing, as well as medical device testing. We provide customers with high-quality services, realize "one report for global submission," and enable customers to save time, reduce costs and increase efficiency.
- H1 2023 revenue from drug safety evaluation services grew 24% year-over-year. We maintained our industry leadership position in Asia Pacific for drug safety evaluation services that meet global regulatory requirements. In the first half of 2023, new lab testing facilities in Qidong and Suzhou began operations as scheduled, ensuring the business growth to accelerate in the second half of 2023.
- Moreover, we continued to enhance capabilities related to new modalities, with comprehensive coverage such as target protein degradation, nucleic acids, conjugates, and cell and gene therapies (CGT), etc.
- SMO revenue grew strongly by 53.9% in Q2 2023 and 34.3% in H1 2023, maintaining a leadership position in China. In the first half of 2023, SMO supported 25 new drug approvals for customers.
- In the first half of 2023, clinical CRO enabled our customers to obtain 8 IND approvals and submit 3 NDA filings.
- WuXi Biology: Strong Contribution from New Modalities; Early Discovery Screening Platform Continued to Generate Downstream Opportunities
- WuXi ATU: CTDMO Business Model Drives Growth
- WuXi DDSU: the First Year to Receive New Drug Application (NDA) Approval of New Drugs Developed for Customers; Breakthrough to Receive the First Royalty Income
Our Commitment to ESG
As an industry innovation enabler, a trusted partner and a contributor to the global healthcare industry, the Company is committed to environmental protection and sustainability, and to being a good global corporate citizenship.
Our outstanding ESG performance has been recognized by major global ESG rating agencies, including MSCI, S&P Global, Sustainalytics, CDP and EcoVadis. In June 2023, we received the fourth "Silver" medal recognition from EcoVadis for our Couvet site in Switzerland.
By the first half of 2023, our carbon emission intensity, energy consumption intensity and water use intensity reduced by 20.1%, 18.4%, and 31.6%, respectively, as compared to the baseline year 2020.
As we continue to advance our sustainability strategy, we embrace our shared responsibility to be good stewards of the environment.
Management Comment
Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi AppTec, said, "We continued to achieve steady growth of revenue, net profit, and free cash flow in the first half of 2023. Our revenue increased 6.3% year-over-year to RMB18.87 billion, or 27.9% if excluding COVID-19 commercial projects. Our adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 18.5% year-over-year, outpacing the revenue growth rate, and our free cash flow achieved RMB2.93 billion, as a result of the Company's pursuit of operational excellence and productivity."
"The Company's performance in the first half of 2023 demonstrated that WuXi AppTec's unique CRDMO and CTDMO business models can effectively meet the growing demands from customers worldwide and continue to drive solid growth for the Company. In 2023, we aim to deliver a 5-7% revenue growth, increase adjusted non-IFRS gross profit by 13-14%, and expand free cash flow by 750-850%. We remain committed to prioritizing our customers' needs and enhancing our capacity and capabilities as we support our customers' efforts to bring groundbreaking therapies to patients around the world. Together, we can realize our vision that 'every drug can be made and every disease can be treated'."
About WuXi AppTec
As a global company with operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable the global pharmaceutical and healthcare industry to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients. Through its unique business models, WuXi AppTec's integrated, end-to-end services include chemistry drug CRDMO (Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization), biology discovery, preclinical testing and clinical research services, cell and gene therapies CTDMO (Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization), helping customers improve the productivity of advancing healthcare products through cost-effective and efficient solutions. WuXi AppTec received an AA ESG rating from MSCI in 2022 and its open-access platform is enabling more than 6,000 customers from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need – and to realize the vision that "every drug can be made and every disease can be treated." Please visit: http://www.wuxiapptec.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" which are not historical facts, but instead are predictions about future events based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. Although we believe that our predictions are reasonable, future events are inherently uncertain and our forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks relating to, among other things, the ability of our service offerings to compete effectively, our ability to meet timelines for the expansion of our service offerings, our ability to protect our customers' intellectual property, unforeseeable international tension, competition, the impact of emergencies and other force majeure. Our forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law or listing rules. Accordingly, you are strongly cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by reference to the cautionary statements set forth in this section. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
Use of Non-IFRS and Adjusted Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We provide non-IFRS gross profit and non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, issuance expenses of convertible bonds, fair value gain or loss from derivative component of convertible bonds, foreign exchange-related gains or losses, amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations, non-financial assets impairment, etc. We also provide adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company and earnings per share, which further exclude realized and unrealized gains or losses from our venture capital investments and joint ventures. Neither is required by, or presented in accordance with IFRS.
We believe that the adjusted financial measures used in this press release are useful for understanding and assessing our core business performance and operating trends, and we believe that management and investors may benefit from referring to these adjusted financial measures in assessing our financial performance by eliminating the impact of certain unusual, non-recurring, non-cash and non-operating items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our core business. Such adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company, the management of the Company believes, is widely accepted and adopted in the industry the Company is operating in. However, the presentation of these adjusted non-IFRS financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. You should not view adjusted results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under IFRS, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Ruijia Tang (for investors)
IR Director
Email: tang_ruijia@wuxiapptec.com
Mr. Davy Wu (for media)
PR Director
Email: davy_wu@wuxiapptec.com
View original content:
SOURCE WuXi AppTec | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/wuxi-apptec-announced-strong-results-second-quarter-first-half-2023-top-an-exceptionally-strong-year-2022/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:17 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/wuxi-apptec-announced-strong-results-second-quarter-first-half-2023-top-an-exceptionally-strong-year-2022/ |
Jeremy Pena Player Prop Bets: Astros vs. Guardians - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:28 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
The Houston Astros, including Jeremy Pena (.325 slugging percentage in past 10 games, including no homers), take on starter Noah Syndergaard and the Cleveland Guardians at Minute Maid Park, Monday at 8:10 PM ET.
He strung together two hits (going 2-for-4) in his most recent appearance against the Rays.
Jeremy Pena Game Info & Props vs. the Guardians
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Minute Maid Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Guardians Starter: Noah Syndergaard
- TV Channel: SportsNet SW
- Hits Prop: Over/under 1.5 hits (Over odds: +185)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +500)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +185)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: -118)
Looking to place a prop bet on Jeremy Pena? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Read More About This Game
Jeremy Pena At The Plate
- Pena has 18 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 20 walks while hitting .245.
- Pena enters this game on a five-game hitting streak. In his last games, he's hitting .364.
- Pena has picked up a hit in 62 of 94 games this season, with multiple hits 24 times.
- In 10 games this season, he has hit a long ball (10.6%, and 2.5% of his trips to the plate).
- Pena has driven in a run in 26 games this season (27.7%), including 10 games with more than one RBI (10.6%). He has also driven in three or more of his team's runs in two contests.
- He has scored in 39 games this year (41.5%), including nine multi-run games (9.6%).
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Jeremy Pena Home/Away Batting Splits
Guardians Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Guardians has a collective eight K/9, the third-worst in MLB.
- The Guardians' 3.84 team ERA ranks fifth among all league pitching staffs.
- Guardians pitchers combine to allow the second-fewest home runs in baseball (108 total, one per game).
- Syndergaard makes the start for the Guardians, his 13th of the season. He is 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings pitched.
- In his most recent appearance -- while pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers -- the right-hander tossed three innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, June 7, giving up six earned runs while surrendering seven hits.
- In 12 games this season, the 30-year-old has amassed a 7.16 ERA and 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings, while allowing a batting average of .313 to opposing batters.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/jeremy-pena-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:23 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/jeremy-pena-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Vikings Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:27 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Right now the Minnesota Vikings have been given +4000 odds of winning the Super Bowl.
Watch the Vikings this season on Fubo!
Vikings Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the NFC North: +280
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +4000
Looking to place a futures bet on the Vikings to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Minnesota Betting Insights
- Minnesota won seven games against the spread last season, failing to cover or pushing nine times.
- The Vikings and their opponents combined to go over the point total 11 out of 17 times last season.
- With 388.7 yards allowed per game on defense, which ranked second-worst in the , Minnesota had to lean on its seventh-ranked offense (361.5 yards per contest) to keep it in games last season.
- The Vikings had an 8-1 record at home and were 5-3 on the road last year.
- When favored, Minnesota won every game (11-0) last season, but finished just 1-4 as the underdog.
- The Vikings were 8-4 in the NFC, including 4-2 in the NFC North.
Vikings Impact Players
- Kirk Cousins had 29 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in 17 games last year, completing 65.9% of his throws for 4,547 yards (267.5 per game).
- In addition, Cousins ran for 97 yards and two TDs.
- Justin Jefferson had 128 catches for 1,809 yards (106.4 per game) and eight touchdowns in 17 games.
- T.J. Hockenson had 86 catches for 914 yards (53.8 per game) and six touchdowns in 17 games a season ago.
- K.J. Osborn had 60 receptions for 650 yards (38.2 per game) and five touchdowns in 17 games.
- Jordan Hicks posted one interception to go with 130 tackles, 2.0 TFL, three sacks, and 10 passes defended in 17 games last year.
Bet on Vikings to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Vikings NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 31 at 5:27 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/vikings-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:24 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/vikings-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
For almost two years, in a small corner of the internet, a kind of revolt has been brewing.
Members of Body Liberation Baltimore, a community organization run through a private Facebook page, reject the notion that thin bodies are the only good bodies. Through virtual support groups and in-person gatherings for people who have been harmed by anti-fat bias, they spread what co-founder Emma Kaufman jokingly calls the “Good News”: Weight loss and diet culture don’t have to rule your life.
While moderators of the online community make clear they are pro-body autonomy and won’t criticize anyone for trying to lose weight, they don’t allow diet talk in support groups or on the Facebook page. They screen out posts that include calorie counts, macro-grams, pounds or other information that could be triggering for people recovering from eating disorders — which includes many of the group’s more than 200 members.
Followers of body liberation, a movement that sprang from activism in the late 1960s and ‘70s against weight-based discrimination and bias, believe all bodies are worthy of respect and dignity. Body Liberation Baltimore strives to provide community to people who believe that body liberation is for everyone, said Alicia Castaneda Hatfield, a member of group’s leadership team.
“That doesn’t just mean folks in bigger bodies, but folks who have different abilities, folks with eating disorder histories,” she said. “We want people to feel really unashamed and joyful within the bodies that they get to live this life through.”
In recent years — amplified by popular podcasts like Maintenance Phase and books like Sabrina Strings’ “Fearing The Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia” — there’s been a growing understanding of weight-based discrimination and the harm it can cause.
People who are fat (a term many prefer over medicalized descriptions like “overweight” or euphemisms such as “curvy” or “plus-sized”) face bias in every area of their lives. They’re hired less, promoted less and paid less — and no federal laws bar weight discrimination in the workplace. Doctors spend less time with their fat patients, and many people report being misdiagnosed, with their symptoms attributed to their weight without the consideration of other possible causes.
There have been some recent wins for the body acceptance movement. In May, after months of lobbying from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) and other advocates, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed into law a ban on weight-based discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation. Lawmakers in New Jersey and Massachusetts are considering similar measures, and weight discrimination is prohibited in Michigan and Washington state, along with some cities.
A “Health At Every Size” medical framework — one in which doctors accept and respect the inherent diversity of body shapes and sizes, and encourage intuitive eating, a nondieting approach that includes listening to one’s body when deciding when and what to eat — also is growing in popularity, including in Baltimore.
Health Care for the Homeless, a nonprofit that provides medical and behavioral health services to people experiencing housing instability, aims to eventually train all of its staff on the approach, said Arie Hayre-Somuah, the organization’s racial equity and inclusion health specialist.
In June, the American Medical Association recognized the limitations of doctors using the body mass index, although it didn’t throw the measure out entirely. The index, a calculation based on a person’s weight and height, has faced criticism for not being relevant to the bodies of women and people of color and for not taking into account muscle mass, lifestyle or other health-related factors. It was designed in the 1830s using a sample of white, European men.
However, even as awareness of anti-fat bias increases, so does the size of the diet industry. The global weight loss and weight management market, valued at an estimated $175.4 billion in 2022, is expected to grow to $282.5 billion by 2028. Ozempic, a drug from manufacturer Novo Nordisk that helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels, has dominated headlines this year as people scramble to obtain it for weight loss.
The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated challenges faced by people at risk for developing eating disorders and those already struggling with one. As stress, isolation and body shaming soared, so too did hospital stays and emergency department visits for eating disorders.
But a year into the outbreak, Kaufman’s recovery from a severe eating disorder was starting to finally stick after 13 years of struggling and going in and out of treatment. She’d recently had an epiphany: She could either embrace the body she had, or eventually die from her eating disorder.
The choice was easy, she said. Immediately, she began inundating herself with podcasts, books and YouTube videos hosted by fat activists and people who had found body liberation as a way out of their own eating disorders.
“Having justice be the through-line for my recovery has been a really sustainable way for me to stay on track,” Kaufman said. “I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy. And if there’s any way I can save someone their time, their money, their life — I lost 13 years. So I’m trying to make sure everyone has as much of their life that they can live with joy as possible.”
While searching for a community of like-minded people, Kaufman came across a body positivity Facebook page that Dundalk resident Destiny DiMattei created before the pandemic.
By the time DiMattei met with Kaufman at a Starbucks in September 2021, that group had fizzled out. But DiMattei, who uses they/them and she/her pronouns, was ready to try again. Nearly two years later, they said they’ve found as much comfort in Body Liberation Baltimore as they’ve provided as a support group leader.
“I’ve gotten so much support from this group,” DiMattei said.
Body Liberation Baltimore hosts two virtual support groups per month — one for everyone and one just for people in larger bodies. The group also hosts support groups on holidays, like Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving, when people might need extra encouragement or a way to vent. Members also meet in person once per month at a restaurant, a market or, most recently, a pool party.
The number of fat activism and body acceptance groups around the country has grown in recent years, said Tigress Osborn, board chair for NAAFA, the fat acceptance group that pushed for New York to pass its ban on weight discrimination.
On Facebook, there’s the 1,000-member DMV Fat-Positive Community, which Jay McCrossin — who helps lead Body Liberation Baltimore — runs with their partner, Mycroft Masada Holmes. Erin Foxworthy, another leader with Body Liberation Baltimore, helps run the local chapter of Fat Girls Hiking, which organizes outdoor meet-ups for people in larger bodies and gives tips on where to find plus-size hiking and other athletic gear.
While NAAFA used to have local chapters, it now focuses on providing virtual support to people who don’t have a community group near them, Osborn said. The national organization has existed since 1969, but even before that, Osborn said, fat people were gathering around kitchen tables and other informal settings to talk body liberation.
“As long as people have been shaming bodies, there have been fat people who were sort of, ‘Middle fingers up to your body shaming. I’m going to live my life,’” she said.
The body acceptance movement has evolved over the years, becoming more inclusive of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Activists point to studies that show most diets fail and that weight is a poor proxy for health.
Now there’s a better understanding that everyone — regardless of how healthy they are — deserves dignity and respect, said Rosie Young, another Body Liberation Baltimore leader.
Similar to Kaufman, Young started learning about body liberation while recovering from an eating disorder. But she continued to struggle, even after discovering the movement. The missing ingredient, she learned, was community, which she found first while living in California, and later in Body Liberation Baltimore, after moving to Maryland.
“When you’re going against the mainstream culture of diet culture, it’s really swimming upstream,” she said. “You need other people around you to give you strength.” | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bs-hs-body-liberation-baltimore-20230731-5hscram5nneijb2cpevrxkgsjm-story.html | 2023-07-31T10:49:32 | 0 | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bs-hs-body-liberation-baltimore-20230731-5hscram5nneijb2cpevrxkgsjm-story.html |
Donald Lawson, a sailor training for an ambitious attempt to break multiple sailing world records this fall, went missing in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Mexico around July 13.
Mexican Navy authorities located and searched his capsized sailboat Friday but did not find Lawson. Here’s what we know about the missing captain:
Latest developments
At this point, any hope for Lawson’s survival likely hinges on him being on a life raft.
The Defiant was equipped with a life raft, survival suit and other emergency gear, Lawson said last year. Mexican search crews found the survival suit, which would have kept him dry, on the sailboat Friday. A life raft that was on board when Lawson left Acapulco has not been found, said Ray Feldmann, a family spokesperson.
On Sunday, Lawson’s wife, Jacqueline, who also goes by Tori, said the missing life raft was “encouraging news,” noting she believes her husband used the raft and “is still out there somewhere.”
Defiant also had a small green dinghy attached to it, which was located by the Navy on Friday and found empty.
Who is searching for him?
Lawson’s 60-foot trimaran, Defiant, was found about 360 miles from the Mexican shore. The high-speed sailboat is prone to capsizing.
The Mexican authorities, who are in charge of the search for Lawson because of his last-known location in the Pacific, started searching July 21. They continued their efforts Sunday, according to a spokesperson for the Lawson family. A Mexican plane spotted what appeared to be a capsized sailboat July 23 but couldn’t locate it again or approach it until Thursday night. Jacqueline Lawson identified the boat as the Defiant.
Mexican authorities asked the U.S. Coast Guard to join the search Thursday. Coast Guard cutter Active deployed Thursday and searched the ocean Friday for any signs of Lawson. It suspended its efforts Friday evening.
Why was Lawson near Acapulco?
Lawson, 41, a Baltimore native who grew up in Woodlawn, was headed for Baltimore when he set out from Acapulco, Mexico. He planned to travel through the Panama Canal but lost engine power a few days into the journey.
He had spent months in Mexico repairing the ORMA 60 sailboat he acquired last year. The classification of the trimaran is fast but also extremely difficult to handle, sailors say. While sailing in the Pacific Ocean in January, Lawson and his wife collided with something — perhaps a whale or a tree trunk — damaging the boat and requiring more work to be done in Acapulco.
His goal was to depart from Baltimore this fall to embark on a record-setting solo circumnavigation of the globe covering at least 21,600 miles.
Lawson and his wife operate a nonprofit, the Dark Seas Project, which seeks to promote diversity in sailing and hosts sailing education events.
When was he reported missing?
Lawson left Acapulco on July 5 and last communicated with his wife July 12. Authorities have been searching for his sailboat and for him for the past week. His last known position, on July 13, was about 300 miles south of Acapulco.
He experienced problems with his hydraulic rigging beginning July 9 and was without engine power, relying solely on a wind generator, which converts wind into electricity. To make matters worse, a storm knocked out that generator July 12, his wife said. She last received a text from him that day.
The lack of power would have left him ill-equipped to navigate the tricky boat normally without the use of essential tools, such as autopilot.
Baltimore Sun reporters Hayes Gardner and Dan Belson contributed to this article. | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bs-md-baltimore-sailor-missing-donald-lawson-faq-20230731-j6fy3wsofrdcpiymz25wijwihi-story.html | 2023-07-31T10:49:34 | 1 | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bs-md-baltimore-sailor-missing-donald-lawson-faq-20230731-j6fy3wsofrdcpiymz25wijwihi-story.html |
Jose Altuve Player Prop Bets: Astros vs. Guardians - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:28 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
The Houston Astros, including Jose Altuve (.422 on-base percentage in past 10 games, 51 points above season-long percentage), battle starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard and the Cleveland Guardians at Minute Maid Park, Monday at 8:10 PM ET.
In his last appearance, he had three hits (going 3-for-4) against the Rays.
Jose Altuve Game Info & Props vs. the Guardians
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Minute Maid Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Guardians Starter: Noah Syndergaard
- TV Channel: SportsNet SW
- Hits Prop: Over/under 1.5 hits (Over odds: +180)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +500)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +195)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: -125)
Looking to place a prop bet on Jose Altuve? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Read More About This Game
Jose Altuve At The Plate
- Altuve is hitting .277 with eight doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 20 walks.
- In 61.1% of his games this year (22 of 36), Altuve has picked up at least one hit, and in 11 of those games (30.6%) he recorded at least two.
- He has homered in 19.4% of his games this year, and 4.4% of his trips to the plate.
- In 33.3% of his games this season, Altuve has tallied at least one RBI. In five of those games (13.9%) he recorded more than one RBI, while accounting for three or more of his team's runs in two contests.
- In 58.3% of his games this year (21 of 36), he has scored, and in six of those games (16.7%) he has scored more than once.
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Jose Altuve Home/Away Batting Splits
Guardians Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Guardians has a collective eight K/9, the third-worst in MLB.
- The Guardians' 3.84 team ERA ranks fifth among all league pitching staffs.
- Guardians pitchers combine to allow 108 home runs (one per game), the second-fewest in baseball.
- Syndergaard (1-4) takes the mound for the Guardians in his 13th start of the season. He has a 7.16 ERA in 55 1/3 innings pitched, with 38 strikeouts.
- His most recent time out came for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, June 7 when the righty tossed three innings against the Cincinnati Reds, surrendering six earned runs while allowing seven hits.
- The 30-year-old has put up an ERA of 7.16, with 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings, in 12 games this season. Opponents are batting .313 against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/jose-altuve-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:35 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/jose-altuve-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Kyle Tucker Player Prop Bets: Astros vs. Guardians - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:28 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Kyle Tucker -- with a slugging percentage of .722 in his past 10 games, including four home runs -- will be in action for the Houston Astros versus the Cleveland Guardians, with Noah Syndergaard on the hill, on July 31 at 8:10 PM ET.
He had a one-hit showing in his previous game (1-for-3) against the Rays.
Kyle Tucker Game Info & Props vs. the Guardians
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Minute Maid Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Guardians Starter: Noah Syndergaard
- TV Channel: SportsNet SW
- Hits Prop: Over/under 1.5 hits (Over odds: +200)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +340)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +120)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: -133)
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Explore More About This Game
Kyle Tucker At The Plate
- Tucker leads Houston in OBP (.380), slugging percentage (.511) and total hits (113) this season.
- Among qualified hitters in MLB action, he ranks 11th in batting average, 11th in on-base percentage, and 12th in slugging.
- Tucker has recorded a hit in 72 of 104 games this season (69.2%), including 30 multi-hit games (28.8%).
- In 16 games this year, he has gone deep (15.4%, and 4.1% of his trips to the plate).
- Tucker has had an RBI in 42 games this season (40.4%), including 18 multi-RBI outings (17.3%). He has also driven in three or more of his team's runs in six contests.
- In 42 of 104 games this year, he has scored, and 11 of those games included multiple runs.
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Kyle Tucker Home/Away Batting Splits
Guardians Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Guardians has a collective eight K/9, the third-worst in MLB.
- The Guardians' 3.84 team ERA ranks fifth across all MLB pitching staffs.
- Guardians pitchers combine to give up 108 home runs (one per game), the second-fewest in the league.
- Syndergaard makes the start for the Guardians, his 13th of the season. He is 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA and 38 strikeouts through 55 1/3 innings pitched.
- In his last appearance -- while pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers -- the righty tossed three innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, June 7, giving up six earned runs while surrendering seven hits.
- In 12 games this season, the 30-year-old has amassed an ERA of 7.16, with 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are batting .313 against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/kyle-tucker-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:41 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/kyle-tucker-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
In the wake of a mass shooting at a block party at a South Baltimore public housing complex, the city’s housing authority is imposing a new rule on its more than 40,000 residents that would make it easier to evict them for hosting events without permission.
The agency’s five-person board voted unanimously July 18 to impose a new rule on residents’ use of utilities for parties, a response to the use of electricity during what agency officials have called the “unsanctioned” annual Brooklyn Day celebration at Brooklyn Homes. Thirty people were wounded, two fatally, when gunfire erupted during the party early in the morning of July 2.
The housing authority’s dwelling lease already says tenants must obtain “prior written approval” before hosting events in common areas. The new change to the agency’s policies now requires residents to request permission before using electricity for those events. Failure to do so would constitute a “material violation” of the lease, according to the amendment the board approved, meaning residents could be evicted as a result.
Housing advocates and some Brooklyn Homes residents called the housing authority’s focus on regulating residents’ gatherings after the shooting misplaced and punitive.
David Prater, a managing attorney at Disability Rights Maryland, called the policy changes an “overreaction” to a tragedy that came out of residents’ attempts to hold a positive community event. Prater’s organization has represented public housing residents facing eviction.
“I don’t know of any other scenario where victims of a mass shooting have been threatened with eviction or some other measure,” Prater said. “We had all of these politicians come out and say, ‘We’re here to stay and we’re here to do good things,’ and that response was, ‘We’re going to crack down on people.’”
At a July 13 City Council hearing when the housing authority was questioned about its response to the shooting, Housing Authority CEO Janet Abrahams said residents did not tell housing staff about the annual event and that a former resident who used to plan Brooklyn Day died, making the event less coordinated. Abrahams said some families do not follow “proper protocols” for hosting events, and that there are consequences for violating those policies.
“The consequence is to make sure that we terminate their lease, understanding that if the Housing Authority terminates your lease, you cannot be housed in any programs across the country, because of these types of events. So we’re very careful about how we carry out consequences,” Abrahams said at the City Council hearing.
A second council hearing on the shooting is set for Sept. 13.
Housing authority spokesperson Ingrid Antonio said the agency has identified which Brooklyn Homes units supplied electricity for the July 2 party, but declined to say whether those residents will face eviction or other repercussions.
“This is an ongoing investigation and we do not want to hinder or disrupt the investigative process,” Antonio wrote in an email to The Baltimore Sun.
Changes to a housing authority’s occupancy policies would not ordinarily impact tenants’ leases immediately, Prater said. Tenants and resident organizations have 30 days to comment on new terms before an updated lease is adopted under a U.S. Housing and Urban Development rule.
“I hope the housing authority pays attention to what residents say,” Prater said.
Antonio wrote in an email that the policy document would be uploaded to the agency’s website once it is revised. In response to further questions, Antonio wrote that “details are in development, and once finalized the agreement will be signed.”
Brooklyn Homes resident Ebony Pendergrass said the annual Brooklyn Day party that typically reunites current and former complex residents has been happening since she moved there seven years ago and that similar events take place in other communities.
“I’m not gonna sit here and blame this on the residents,” Pendergrass said. “It’s done all around: Cherry Hill, Brooklyn Day, they’ve done all of this for years.”
Indigo Null, a housing rights advocate and tenant organizer with Baltimore Renters United, said the new policy language aligns with a pattern of the agency responding to systemic issues impacting public housing tenants with “punitive measures.”
“You’re taking a community that’s already been through a really hard thing, threatening them with surveillance, more punitive responses, more problems,” Null said. “It puts tenants in a position where it almost becomes impossible to have a normal life without violating your lease.”
Null also criticized the housing authority for deflecting blame to residents instead of ensuring its own staff are responsive to residents’ everyday problems.
“They’re trying to launder the story of what happened,” they said.
Public Justice Center housing attorney Albert Turner said the housing authority already places many restrictions on the movement of public housing residents in their homes. Turner called the proposed changes “arbitrary” and “victim-blaming” and questioned what evidence there was that further regulating events would keep people safe.
Bunny Krabal, a 30-year resident of Brooklyn Homes, said the provisions of her 30-page lease are extensive.
“This is like jail,” she said, listing rules related to smoking, pools, tiki torches, car-washing and appliances.
Not everyone from Brooklyn disagrees with the added rule.
Jesseca Hussain, who moved away from Brooklyn Homes and into private housing after the July 2 shooting, said residents should get approval in advance.
“It does make sense to ask permission before you would use [utilities],” Hussain said. “You want to make sure everyone’s safe at the event.”
Residents said word of the neighborhood party that began in the afternoon of July 1 spread through flyers distributed throughout the complex.
The housing authority declined to make Brooklyn Homes’ full-time property manager available for an interview, citing the ongoing Baltimore Police investigation into the shooting. Police have arrested one person so far, a 17-year-old injured in the shooting who is charged with weapons offenses, as well as charges of inciting a riot and reckless endangerment.
The agency has not fulfilled a Maryland Public Information Act request filed July 20 by The Sun for any housing staff policies, known as operating orders, related to events on housing authority properties.
“If I can go on Facebook and know when it’s Cherry Hill Day … I believe [housing staff] already knew about it but didn’t care,” Pendergrass said.
The board on July 18 also approved a contract already in the works to hire armed security guards from Metropolitan Protective Services to patrol each of the city’s public housing complexes, expanding a pilot program in place at four sites with United Security Services. The annual contract will cost about $2.45 million.
Brooklyn Homes’ residents largely praised the move to add security guards, although some questioned whether guards would be present during late-night hours when their presence was most needed.
Antonio wrote in an email that two guards would patrol each site during two eight-hour shifts.
At the beginning of the July 18 meeting, Antonio read aloud a letter from Abrahams, calling the shooting a “tragic, horrific act that continues to impact our community.”
Antonio said the housing authority had “an action plan” that included providing trauma support and resources with public and private partners to Brooklyn Homes residents, continuing to provide social services, using the agency’s app and social platforms to allow residents to share information and adding “transparent policies” clarifying rules for events.
“‘The Housing Authority of Baltimore City stands with our entire Brooklyn Homes community, especially individuals and families who lost loved ones and who are dealing with injuries sustained from the shooting,’” Antonio read from the letter. “‘We maintain our commitment to provide the necessary resources and support for our Brooklyn Homes households.’” | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bs-md-ci-housing-authority-commissioners-lease-changes-20230731-zwme2khdgfe37ewqqnphlwpfja-story.html | 2023-07-31T10:49:52 | 1 | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bs-md-ci-housing-authority-commissioners-lease-changes-20230731-zwme2khdgfe37ewqqnphlwpfja-story.html |
Mauricio Dubon Player Prop Bets: Astros vs. Guardians - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:28 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
The Houston Astros, including Mauricio Dubon (.133 batting average in his past 10 games), take on starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard and the Cleveland Guardians at Minute Maid Park, Monday at 8:10 PM ET.
He had a one-hit performance in his most recent game (1-for-4) against the Rays.
Mauricio Dubon Game Info & Props vs. the Guardians
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Minute Maid Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Guardians Starter: Noah Syndergaard
- TV Channel: SportsNet SW
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -250)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +750)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +165)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +155)
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Explore More About This Game
Mauricio Dubon At The Plate
- Dubon has 18 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 11 walks while hitting .263.
- Dubon has reached base via a hit in 61 games this year (of 87 played), and had multiple hits in 23 of those games.
- In five games this year, he has gone deep (5.7%, and 1.4% of his trips to the dish).
- In 26.4% of his games this season, Dubon has driven in at least one run. In four of those games (4.6%) he recorded two or more RBI.
- He has scored at least once 45 times this year (51.7%), including nine games with multiple runs (10.3%).
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Mauricio Dubon Home/Away Batting Splits
Guardians Pitching Rankings
- The Guardians pitching staff is 28th in MLB with a collective eight strikeouts per nine innings.
- The Guardians have the fifth-ranked team ERA across all league pitching staffs (3.84).
- Guardians pitchers combine to give up 108 home runs (one per game), the second-fewest in the league.
- Syndergaard makes the start for the Guardians, his 13th of the season. He is 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA and 38 strikeouts through 55 1/3 innings pitched.
- His last appearance came while pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, June 7 when the righty threw three innings against the Cincinnati Reds, surrendering six earned runs while allowing seven hits.
- The 30-year-old has put up a 7.16 ERA and 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings across 12 games this season, while allowing a batting average of .313 to his opponents.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mauricio-dubon-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:49:54 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/mauricio-dubon-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Dr. Yener S. Erozan, a longtime professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, died July 22 after suffering a cerebral event at his home in the Cross Keys neighborhood in North Baltimore. He was 93.
The longtime physician was renowned for his contributions to the field of cytopathology, the study of diseases at the cellular level. He published over 100 peer-reviewed articles on the subject, as well as writing three books and several chapters of other scholarly works.
Colleagues at Hopkins described Dr. Erozan as a humble and supportive professor at a time when physicians could be intimidating and distant toward students.
“He taught by example,” said colleague Dr. Ralph Hruban, director of the pathology department at Hopkins. “He was a brilliant, kind teddy bear, who kindly walked students and trainees through differential diagnoses to the correct answer.”
“His defining characteristic was his kindness,” said Dr. Syed Ali, the current cytopathology director at Hopkins, who studied under Dr. Erozan for two years after he came to Hopkins in 1995. “I’ve never seen him upset or angry.”
In addition to being an internationally recognized cytopathologist and a longtime pillar of the Hopkins pathology department, Dr. Erozan was also remembered for his immaculate sense of style.
“He loved to dress nicely,” his brother-in-law, Franklin Martin, said. “He was always dressed like he walked out of GQ.”
Born in Ankara, Turkey, to Ahmet Celal Sahir and Hatice Atiye, Yener Sahir Erozan grew up aspiring to become a doctor and never considered another profession, his family and colleagues said. He attended high school at Bogazici Lisesi in Istanbul, graduating in 1948.
He obtained his medical degree in 1954 at the University of Istanbul School of Medicine, completing a residency at Haydarpasa Numune Hospital in Istanbul before coming to Maryland in 1959 for another residency at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.
There, he met Brenda Martin, whom he would marry in 1966 during a stint as an instructor at Hacettepe University School of Medicine in Turkey, which followed a fellowship at Hopkins, where he studied under Dr. John K. Frost, the university’s first director of cytopathology.
Dr. Erozan returned to Baltimore in late 1968 to become an assistant professor in pathology at Hopkins, where he would spend nearly four decades until his retirement in 2007.
[ Joyce E. Leviton, former Baltimore community planning chief, activist and civic booster, dies ]
He worked as an associate editor for Acta Cytologica, a scholarly clinical cytology journal, and served in multiple positions at the American Society of Cytopathology, including as president of the association. He received the society’s Papanicolaou Award in 1997 for his contributions to the field of cytopathology, as well as the Papanicolaou Society’s L.C. Tao Educator of the Year award and the International Academy of Cytology’s Maurice Goldblatt Cytology Award.
While his work spanned across the cytopathology field, Dr. Erozan was particularly focused on early detection of lung cancer, his colleagues said. Some of his work in China focused on diagnosing lung cancer early in people who worked in the mining industry, Dr. Ali said.
Dr. Erozan notably “recognized the potential of minimally invasive biopsy to diagnose cancer,” Dr. Hruban said. Along with his colleagues at Hopkins, Dr. Erozan used the technique of fine needle aspiration biopsy, the use of a thin needle to remove a sample of tissue or fluid, to diagnose “early, more curable, lung cancers,” he said.
In 2000, Hopkins established the Yener S. Erozan Fellowship in Cytopathology in his honor. He was named a professor emeritus of pathology at Hopkins in 2014 and became director emeritus of the university’s cytopathology institute.
Outside medicine, Dr. Erozan was a family man who enjoyed traveling around the world with his wife and retreating to their cottage in West Virginia, Mr. Martin said.
Dr. Erozan is survived by his wife, Brenda Erozan. He was preceded in death by a brother, Turkay Erozan, and a sister, Darrin Nadi. No service information was immediately available. | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bs-md-ob-yener-erozan-20230731-3shtljwdbfcmpckpn7255aqbny-story.html | 2023-07-31T10:49:54 | 0 | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bs-md-ob-yener-erozan-20230731-3shtljwdbfcmpckpn7255aqbny-story.html |
The Chesapeake Mermaid, Angela Rose Mitchell, will be making an appearance at The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum on Saturday. The environmentalist and author will be reading from one of her adventure books, “The Giants of the Bay,” which explores some of the biggest challenges facing our environment and what readers can do to help our world.
From 1-2 p.m., the program will include a story, movement, song, bay creature sign language, and a discussion on the wildlife and habitats in your own backyard. Stay from 2-3 p.m. to get photos and autographed books, and meet her wildlife friends.
The children will be seated on the floor; mermaid blankets and shark tails are welcome. Admission is $5 per child, adults are free during the event. | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/cng-ag-havre-de-grace-maritime-museum-chesapeake-mermaid-20230731-flzvht2z7zhkdn2qeopuia7fcq-story.html | 2023-07-31T10:49:55 | 0 | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/cng-ag-havre-de-grace-maritime-museum-chesapeake-mermaid-20230731-flzvht2z7zhkdn2qeopuia7fcq-story.html |
Harford Community College recognized employees for their scholarly or creative publications and works at the college’s campus celebration and appreciation event that was held recently.
Each recognized author or artist received a framed certificate. A copy of the work will be housed in the library, when possible. A plaque, which is updated each year to honor new publications and creative work, is also on display in the library. This is the 14th year that employees have been recognized.
The list of this year’s recognized authors and artists and their works includes:
- Andrews, Faith, et al. “The Flipped Classroom: An Innovative Approach for Student Success.” Instructional Forum A Journal of Pedagogical Practices Across Maryland Community Colleges, vol. 36, no. 1, spring 2023, pp. 4-7.
- Fisler, Ben. Actor. “Body of Work,” directed by Rachel Borgo, 2022. “Beyond Your Consciousness,” directed by Rinoj Varghese, Gold Hive Media, 2022. “Macbeth,” Prince George’s Shakespeare in the Park, July 2022.
- Girardi, Amanda, et al. “The Flipped Classroom: An Innovative Approach for Student Success.” Instructional Forum A Journal of Pedagogical Practices Across Maryland Community Colleges, vol. 36, no. 1, spring 2023, pp. 4-7.
- Hallock, Stephanie. “Disruption in an Open-Access Institution.” Pandemic Pedagogy, edited by Andrew A. Szarejko, Cham., Palgrave Macmillan, 2022. Political Pedagogies.
- King, Supawan. “From Sour Chemistry to a Better Buy In.” NISOD Innovation Abstracts, vol. 45, no. 3, 16 Feb. 2023.
- Moll, Tonee. “You Cannot Save Here.” Washington Writers’ Publishing House, 2022.
- Neff, Heidi. “Crowd Control,” exhibition, Sept. 8-Oct. 2, 2022. Amos Eno Gallery, New York.
- Powers, Jessica, et al. “The Flipped Classroom: An Innovative Approach for Student Success.” Instructional Forum A Journal of Pedagogical Practices Across Maryland Community Colleges, vol. 36, no. 1, spring 2023, pp. 4-7.
- Johnson, Richard. Composer. “Susquehanna River,” October 2022.
- Wohlers, Tony. “Biopolitics at 50 Years: Founding and Evolution.” Emerald Publishing, 2022.
Read about all employees who have been recognized since the program began in 2010 at harford.libguides.com/scholarlypublications.
Harford receives state Perkins funding for career and technical education
Harford Community College has received funding from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Career and College Readiness in the amount of $219,638. This funding is provided under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act of 2018, referred to as Perkins V.
Perkins V offers states and local education agencies a framework to create equity within Career and Technical Education (CTE). Marginalized communities and underrepresented student groups are the focus of the funding within community colleges’ existing or anticipated CTE programs.
Harford Community College will use the funds for biennial needs assessment; to conduct professional development training; hire a lab assistant; hire college and career navigators for teacher education majors and students in the Computer Support Technician Academy at the Edgewood Library; hire tutors for gateway and technology courses; pay for high-performance laptops for students in the P-TECH program at Joppatowne High School; purchase a bioreactor for the biotech program; and pay for exam fees for computer and technology credentialing.
The Business and Applied Technology division will be leading this program implementation enhancing career and technical education pathways at Harford. For more information: Marc Minnick, dean for Business and Applied Technology, at mminnick@harford.edu or 443-412-2382.
Summer information sessions and campus tours
Explore Harford’s 90+ degree and certificate programs and 40+ career and workforce programs by attending a summer information session with a campus tour.
These sessions give prospective students an overview of programs, support services and campus life, as well as information about financial aid and getting started. Select dates have additional information that applies to specific groups. All sessions offer a tour of Harford’s beautiful campus.
Upcoming information sessions with campus tours:
Friday, 10 a.m., Student Center, Room 243.
Friday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m., Student Center, Room 243 (focus on veterans and military).
Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2 p.m., Student Center, Room 243.
Additional tours are scheduled throughout the year. For more inforamtion: harford.edu/admissions. | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/cng-ag-hcc-happenings-0802-20230731-vj3pqn7x3rchfknib4wlcci6uu-story.html | 2023-07-31T10:49:58 | 0 | https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/cng-ag-hcc-happenings-0802-20230731-vj3pqn7x3rchfknib4wlcci6uu-story.html |
Saints Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
Currently the New Orleans Saints are 15th in the league in terms of odds to win the Super Bowl, listed at +4000.
Watch the Saints this season on Fubo!
Saints Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the NFC South: +125
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +4000
Looking to place a futures bet on the Saints to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
New Orleans Betting Insights
- New Orleans put together a 6-10-0 record against the spread last season.
- Last season, the combined scoring went over the point total six times in Saints games.
- New Orleans ranked 19th in total offense this season (333.8 yards per game), but it really clicked on defense, ranking fifth-best in the with 333.8 yards allowed per game.
- The Saints picked up four wins at home last year and three away.
- New Orleans won twice as the underdog (2-8) and went 4-2 as the favorite last season.
- The Saints were 5-7 in the NFC, including 2-4 in the NFC South.
Saints Impact Players
- Derek Carr had 24 TD passes and 14 interceptions in 15 games for the Raiders last year, completing 60.8% of his throws for 3,522 yards (234.8 per game).
- On the ground with the Lions last season, Jamaal Williams scored 17 touchdowns and accumulated 1,066 yards (62.7 per game).
- On the ground, Alvin Kamara scored two touchdowns a season ago and accumulated 897 yards (59.8 per game).
- Taysom Hill had nine catches for 77 yards (4.8 per game) and two touchdowns in 16 games.
- On defense last year, Demario Davis helped keep opposing offenses in check with one interception to go with 109 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 6.5 sacks, and six passes defended in 17 games.
Bet on Saints to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Saints NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 31 at 5:27 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/saints-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:00 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/saints-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Yordan Alvarez Player Prop Bets: Astros vs. Guardians - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:32 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Yordan Alvarez -- 1-for-4 in his last game -- will be in action for the Houston Astros versus the Cleveland Guardians, with Noah Syndergaard on the mound, on July 31 at 8:10 PM ET.
In his last appearance, he went 1-for-4 against the Rays.
Yordan Alvarez Game Info & Props vs. the Guardians
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Minute Maid Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Guardians Starter: Noah Syndergaard
- TV Channel: SportsNet SW
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -250)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +240)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +115)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: -125)
Looking to place a prop bet on Yordan Alvarez? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Read More About This Game
Yordan Alvarez At The Plate
- Alvarez is hitting .281 with 12 doubles, 18 home runs and 33 walks.
- Alvarez is batting .375 with one homer during his last outings and is riding a four-game hitting streak.
- In 72.1% of his 61 games this season, Alvarez has picked up at least one hit. He's also had 13 multi-hit games.
- In 16 games this season, he has hit a long ball (26.2%, and 6.9% of his trips to the plate).
- In 29 games this season (47.5%), Alvarez has picked up an RBI, and in 17 of those games (27.9%) he had more than one. He has also driven home three or more of his team's runs in six contests.
- He has scored at least once 36 times this season (59.0%), including seven games with multiple runs (11.5%).
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Yordan Alvarez Home/Away Batting Splits
Guardians Pitching Rankings
- The eight strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Guardians pitching staff ranks 28th in the league.
- The Guardians have the fifth-ranked team ERA across all MLB pitching staffs (3.84).
- Guardians pitchers combine to surrender 108 home runs (one per game), the second-fewest in baseball.
- The Guardians will send Syndergaard (1-4) to the mound to make his 13th start of the season. He is 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA and 38 strikeouts through 55 1/3 innings pitched.
- The righty last appeared for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, June 7, when he threw three innings against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing six earned runs while giving up seven hits.
- The 30-year-old has put up an ERA of 7.16, with 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings, in 12 games this season. Opponents are batting .313 against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/yordan-alvarez-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:12 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/yordan-alvarez-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Tyler Wells’ demotion would’ve been unfathomable three weeks ago. Sunday, it was barely a surprise.
Wells, the Orioles’ best starting pitcher in the season’s first half, was optioned to Double-A after his third straight poor start Saturday. Since the All-Star break, the 6-foot-8 right-hander has been almost unrecognizable to the reliable starting pitcher who was leading the majors in WHIP.
The increasing workload for Wells, who pitched just 163 total frames from 2019 to 2022, has been a question facing the club since he solidified his spot in the rotation and quickly approached his single-season innings high. The Orioles gave their answer Sunday, with manager Brandon Hyde explaining the demotion as a way to give Wells a “breather,” manage his workload and get him back to the consistent starter who was integral to Baltimore’s success in the first half.
There’s not much argument over the validity of the Orioles’ decision to option Wells, who suddenly lost his command during his past three starts to issue nine walks and 11 runs in just nine innings. But the same bill that came due for Wells could also for Dean Kremer and Grayson Rodriguez, two other young members of the rotation who have either surpassed their single-season innings marks or are about to.
How Baltimore handles those trains barreling down the tracks might determine whether it can maintain its standing as the American League’s best team — on pace to win 98 games — or contend for a World Series.
“When you have starters that are doing things that they’ve never done before, you’re obviously paying closer attention,” Hyde said.
Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said Friday before Wells’ start that the organization is monitoring the workloads of its starting pitchers and will be “mindful of indicators” that could provide a “reason to pull back.”
“There’s really not a ton of science, or any science, there,” Elias said about innings limits. “We try to use common sense. We try to use our expertise. I don’t know that a single member of our rotation right now wants to go leave the rotation in some way shape or form. There’s that, too. They’re having the season of their lives, they’re competing, the team’s in first, they’ve got their whole careers ahead of them.”
Kremer, who was pulled with no outs in the fifth in Sunday’s win over the New York Yankees, is 14 2/3 innings away from matching his single-season high set last year. The 27-year-old right-hander leads the team with 10 wins, but he’s allowed four or more runs in eight of his 22 starts and owns a 4.66 ERA.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has already surpassed his high-water mark of 103 frames from 2021 with 103 2/3 — nearly two-thirds of which in the majors. The 23-year-old spent six weeks in Triple-A after struggling in his first 10 starts, but he’s been sharp since returning to the rotation to begin the second half.
For Kremer, Rodriguez and, to a lesser extent, Kyle Bradish (who is 40 innings away from his single-season high), Hyde said they’ll be evaluated on a “case-by-case” basis. He’s also said in the past that evaluating the stress level of innings and pitches can be just as important as the total number of innings.
“It’s challenging,” Hyde said about managing workloads. “I’m so proud of all these guys. Tyler, he’s in uncharted waters right now. He’s not had experience of pitching like a normal starter in a full season since the minor leagues years ago. And all these guys are going to go through things for the first time, honestly, and that’s part of development and it’s part why they’re going to be really good down the road, too.
“We’re trying to win right now, and we’re going to try to win down the road and these guys have [taken] huge steps in their career this year. So we’re going to monitor things and we’ll see what happens, but we need all of them to go where we want to go.”
The workload conundrum doesn’t just apply to the rotation; it’s perhaps just as perilous for the Orioles’ two best relievers. Closer Félix Bautista and setup man Yennier Cano are both on pace to throw more innings than they did last season as Hyde has often tasked the two right-handers to finish games. Bautista has pitched in 43.8% of the Orioles’ games this season, while Cano, who was called up in mid-April, has appeared in 50.5% of contests for which he was on the roster.
Bautista, in his first full season as a closer, is at 50 innings and on pace for roughly 77 — more than the 65 2/3 he totaled last year. Cano, a rookie, is on pace for 84 innings — more than the 58 1/3 he covered last year and barely short of the 86 2/3 he managed in Cuba nearly a decade ago.
Unlike Wells and the starting pitchers, every pitch and inning Bautista and Cano throw are stressful. But similar to the starters, they could all be asked to pitch well into October.
“Bautista’s never closed for a full season before. Look at Cano’s last year, he’s never pitched in anything close to these sort of situations he’s being put in before,” Hyde said. “So all these guys are going to be better in the upcoming years for going through this year we’ve had up to this point, and hopefully we continue to keep it going. I’m incredibly impressed with how everybody’s handled it so far.”
It’s possible Wells returns to the rotation in August or September, although Hyde didn’t rule out using him in a relief role down the stretch. But at least for the short term, his demotion opens a spot in the rotation. The Orioles seemingly have two options: Move left-hander Cole Irvin back into the rotation or trade for a starting pitcher.
Baltimore is operating as a buyer at the trade deadline for the first time during Elias’ tenure, and he said it’s likely any additions would be for pitchers rather than position players. But Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline is approaching, and a few of the top starting pitchers on the market were dealt over the weekend.
“There’s a couple really interesting teams right now that still haven’t declared what they’re doing,” Elias said about the ever-evolving trade market. “We’re talking to a lot of them and kind of have some eyes on some stuff. We’ll see what they end up doing. We may end up having waited and they don’t sell.”
What’s to come?
The trade deadline, a pivotal AL East series and a reunion.
The last opportunity for Elias to bolster this roster via traditional trades this season is Tuesday, which comes in the middle of a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. While the top of the AL East has been occupied solely by Tampa Bay and Baltimore this season, the Blue Jays enter the series 5 1/2 games back of the Orioles. The last time the Orioles went to Rogers Centre, they swept the Blue Jays in Toronto for the first time since 2005.
When they return home, they’ll welcome Buck Showalter back to Camden Yards for the first time since the former Orioles skipper was fired after the 2018 season. Showalter, 67, is in his second season managing the New York Mets, who have disappointed this season with a 50-55 record.
What was good?
The fans.
The weekend series against the Yankees was the most-attended three-game set at Camden Yards in seven years. The announced attendance for the three games was a combined 114,816, including a sellout crowd Saturday. The average attendance this weekend was 38,272. The last time that many fans flocked to Oriole Park for a three-game series was July 2016 against the Los Angeles Angels (120,567). While a considerable amount of fans this weekend were wearing Yankee pinstripes, the last time a three-game Yankees series drew more fans than this weekend was in September 2014.
“The crowds have been unbelievable this weekend,” Hyde said. “We really appreciate the energy in the ballpark and how much our fans have showed up this weekend to support us and drowned out the Yankees fans, so that’s been great to see the energy in the ballpark.”
What wasn’t?
In the first half, All-Star Austin Hays slashed .314/.355/.498 — good for an .853 OPS. In the second half, he’s performed half as well, hitting .155 with three doubles and no home runs.
His struggles continued this week as the 28-year-old went 3-for-21 with one double and two walks. Hays’ batting average and OPS have fallen to .287 and .777, respectively.
On the farm
Luis Vicioso, a 20-year-old catching prospect, was named the Most Valuable Player of the Dominican Summer League All-Star Game on Sunday.
Vicioso, the younger brother of Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo, hit a two-run single in the first to propel the AL to a 4-3 win over the NL. Vicioso, who Baltimore signed out of the Dominican Republic in January, is slashing .355/.412/.505 — good for a .917 OPS — in 31 DSL games this year. | https://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/bs-sp-orioles-reset-pitching-tyler-wells-demotion-workload-20230731-igngrtt5uzd37iv3vzo5ajvbxu-story.html | 2023-07-31T10:50:12 | 1 | https://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/bs-sp-orioles-reset-pitching-tyler-wells-demotion-workload-20230731-igngrtt5uzd37iv3vzo5ajvbxu-story.html |
SHANGHAI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 111, Inc. (NASDAQ: YI) ("111" or the "Company"), a leading tech-enabled healthcare platform company committed to digitally connecting patients with medicine and healthcare services in China, today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, before the U.S. market opens on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
111's management team will host an earnings conference call at 7:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 24, 2023 (7:30 PM Beijing Time on the same day).
Details for the conference call are as follows:
Conference Topic: 111, Inc. Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call
Registration Link: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10032701-ygfhis.html
All participants must use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers, the Direct Event passcode, and a unique Registration ID, which can be used to join the conference call.
Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the Direct Event passcode and unique Registration ID you have received upon registering to join the call.
A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call until August 31, 2023
United States: +1 855 883 1031
Mainland China: 4001 209 216
Hong Kong: 800 930 639
International: +61 7 3107 6325
Conference ID: 10032701
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the website at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/iw7ck9oc
About 111, Inc.
111, Inc. (NASDAQ: YI) ("111" or the "Company") is a leading tech-enabled healthcare platform company committed to digitally connecting patients with medicine and healthcare services in China. The Company provides consumers with better access to pharmaceutical products and healthcare services directly through its online retail pharmacy, 1 Pharmacy, and indirectly through its offline virtual pharmacy network. The Company also offers online healthcare services through its internet hospital, 1 Clinic, which provides consumers with cost-effective and convenient online consultation, electronic prescription service, and patient management service. In addition, the Company's online platform, 1 Medicine Marketplace, serves as a one-stop shop for pharmacies to source a vast selection of pharmaceutical products. With the largest virtual pharmacy network in China, 111 enables offline pharmacies to better serve their customers with cloud-based services. 111 also provides an omni-channel drug commercialization platform to its strategic partners, which includes services such as digital marketing, patient education, data analytics, and pricing monitoring.
For more information on 111, please visit: http://ir.111.com.cn/.
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SOURCE 111, Inc. | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/111-announce-second-quarter-2023-unaudited-financial-results-august-24-2023-conference-call-follow/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:15 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/111-announce-second-quarter-2023-unaudited-financial-results-august-24-2023-conference-call-follow/ |
The first goal of any team in its first week of training camp is to avoid major injuries. In that regard, the Ravens were successful.
But the first gathering of the entire team for what is in earnest the start of the new season was also revealing. There was quarterback Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken working on a new scheme. There was the defense wreaking havoc as usual. And, of course, there was the on-field introduction of new star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who practiced in front of fans for the first time as a Raven in Owings Mills and at M&T Bank Stadium.
The next step in the process will include players practicing in pads for the first time beginning Monday.
But here’s a look at nine takeaways from the Ravens’ first week of training camp practices.
Beckham has been ramping up slowly
The Ravens’ first regular-season game is still 41 days away. In other words, don’t expect Beckham to rush things.
The 30-year-old receiver is entering his ninth season in the NFL and is participating in his first training camp since 2021 — a feeling he called “strange” — after missing last year as he continued to work his way back from his second career ACL tear, suffered during Super Bowl 56 in February 2022. While he had his best performance of camp during Saturday’s session at M&T Bank Stadium, where he had a couple of catches, including a diving grab on the sideline, he’s still early in the process of getting back to full speed.
What kind of impact he’ll have remains to be seen, though Harbaugh isn’t too worried about it — for now.
“I think Odell’s got a really good plan,” Harbaugh said. “He looks a little better every day. … I expect nothing but classic Odell Beckham Jr. He’s a hard worker. He’s very conscientious about what he does. So I have no concerns about that at all.”
The Ravens perhaps also benefit from the familiarity Beckham has with Monken, as the two worked together in Cleveland in 2019, which is also the last time Beckham topped 1,000 yards in receiving in a season.
“What helps is knowing Odell’s personality — knowing his skillset, [too],” Monken said. “We’re also talking [about] four years ago, but I do think it helps [knowing] what Odell does well, how to communicate with him, how he likes to be coached and included, which he does [like to be]. … He wants to be a part of a winning team and be a part of that – a huge part of that – [by] touching the football and helping our team win.”
No wristband for Jackson
Much has been made about Jackson operating in a new system under Monken, specifically Jackson having more control over play calling at the line of scrimmage and more input on the scheme.
One very visible difference is the quarterback operating without a wristband to call plays.
“He wants to call it and haul it,” Jackson said of Monken. “So that’s what it’s been so far.”
Why the change?
“He has to hear what I say. He has to process the call. He has to regurgitate to the players. He has to get the cadence,” Monken said. “We can always go to wristbands. Wristbands are easy — you just read it. Hard is learning the offense, being able to process and make the calls.”
What’s Jackson’s assessment after the first week, sans wristband?
“I feel like we’re moving along in the right direction,” he said Saturday. “I’m processing everything fast, and our guys. … I feel like our guys are ready. They’re going to have something to prove.”
After signing a five-year extension worth a reported $260 million that makes him the second-highest paid quarterback in the league, so will Jackson.
A lot to like about Likely
Mark Andrews rightfully gets all the attention at tight end, but Isaiah Likely has been impressive through the early stages of camp.
The Ravens have talked about using him more frequently and that has played out through the first week.
Saturday, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley connected with Likely on a deep crossing route after the tight end got behind linebacker Kristian Welch. On another play, Likely scooted by linebacker Roquan Smith for a touchdown. Earlier in the week, he made a spectacular diving one-handed catch down the seam.
He should benefit as well from the fact that Monken used a lot of two-tight end sets at Georgia with Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington, with Bowers many times splitting out wide.
Last season, Likely had 36 catches for 373 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games, though most of that came when Andrews was injured or didn’t play. Whether the 6-foot-4, 241-pound 2022 fourth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina can match or surpass those totals this year remains to be seen, but he’s at least been getting a good amount of looks so far and has mostly delivered.
“High expectations for Isaiah Likely. Nothing but the highest,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a talented guy, works super hard. He had his best day today [Saturday]. He just works to get better every day. It should be a big year for him.”
Andrews still Jackson’s safety blanket
For all the offensive weapons the Ravens have added, Jackson still likes throwing to Andrews, especially when all else fails.
It happened again Saturday. With Jackson scrambling to his right, the quarterback directed Andrews back toward the middle of the end zone and hit him for the score.
“Mark and I have had that connection, like we always do, ever since our rookie season,” Jackson said. “Going back to the Chargers game [in 2018], it’s always been the same thing — that’s my boy. We’re going to make things happen on the field that people have never seen.”
As for how the tight end will handle having his numbers potentially cut into, Andrews says it won’t bother him.
That will be worth watching, as Jackson and Andrews often freelanced in years past. But it’s also possible that Monken, a grizzled veteran, won’t acquiesce.
“You do things the right way, you play the right way, the balls will come to you,” Andrews said. “But at the same time, it’s important to spread the ball out. I know that the guys that we have on this roster are able to get open, make the big-time catches and do all of those different things. So again, just being a team guy, I just want to win games. That’s all that matters to me.”
Defense has been disruptive
Unsurprisingly, the defense has performed stoutly so far, especially up front.
On Saturday, defensive tackle Michael Pierce beat rookie Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu on a play-action pass and got his hands on the throw. One play later, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh was there when Jackson ran a play-action bootleg. Two plays later, defensive lineman Justin Madubuike and outside linebacker David Ojabo chased down Jackson on the outside.
With players only in guardian helmets and pads and the priority on safety, second-year coordinator Mike Macdonald could only get so much of a read on his defense, but was pleased with what he saw.
“You look at it right now, we’re looking for technique, effort, execution, [and] that sort of thing,” he said, adding that the pass rush will be easier to evaluate once the full pads come on this week.
In the secondary, meanwhile, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Kyle Hamilton have stood out with their usual shutdown abilities.
Cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin, Jalyn Arnour-Davis, Kevon Seymour and Brandon Stephens have also made some nice plays, but have been inconsistent on occasion.
“We’ve got some stalwart pieces in there, but there’s a lot of opportunity as well for the guys that we just brought along,” Macdonald said. “That’s all we’re asking them to do is just embrace it and get after it when they get out there. I think you’re seeing the unit come together over time.”
Honorable mention
Tyler Huntley has looked better than veteran Josh Johnson in the battle for the backup quarterback job. That was especially true Saturday, with Huntley completing all five of his passes during an 11-on-11 period, which included a pretty back shoulder throw down the sideline to Tarik Black.
“He looked really good,” Harbaugh said. “All the quarterbacks looked really good, but Tyler Huntley had another really big day. I think he’s been locked in every single day.”
Zay Flowers has been featured prominently throughout training camp and has been used in a variety of roles, including both catching and running the ball. He sat out practice Friday and Saturday with a stomach illness but is expected back on the field Monday.
When will running back J.K. Dobbins and receiver Rashod Bateman be back? Both are on the physically unable to perform list, albeit for very different reasons. Bateman is still dealing with the long lingering effects of last year’s season-ending Linsfranc surgery, a notoriously nagging injury. Still, he could be on the field in about a week. Dobbins’ situation, as Harbaugh noted, is more complex given his unhappiness over his contract situation. He has been around the facility, in meetings and made regular appearances on the sideline, but if he’s not back practicing by mid-August, that could be more worrisome.
New long snapper Tyler Ott has fit right in, a blessing for the Ravens after Nick Moore suffered a season-ending Achilles tear just before the start of camp. The 31-year-old Harvard alum missed last season because of shoulder surgery, but his 85 games of experience appears to have made for an easy transition for a special teams unit that is one of the best in the NFL.
Last year, punter Jordan Stout regularly boomed kicks during training camp. Then, he fizzled a bit once the season began, with his average of 45.93 yards ranking 24th in the NFL. This year, he’s back to pounding the ball. | https://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/bs-sp-ravens-training-camp-takeaways-20230731-ejra6gorr5eyjphidhzcv465yi-story.html | 2023-07-31T10:50:19 | 1 | https://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/bs-sp-ravens-training-camp-takeaways-20230731-ejra6gorr5eyjphidhzcv465yi-story.html |
NEWARK, N.J. and NANJING, China, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biosion USA, Inc. (Biosion), a global clinical-stage R&D biotechnology company, today announced the phase 2 study initiation for the evaluation of BSI-045B, an anti-TLSP mAb, in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) .
"We are pleased to have initiated this important Phase 2 trial, which brings us closer to delivering a new treatment option for patients with atopic dermatitis," said Hugh M. Davis, Ph.D. Chief Business and Development Officer & President, Biosion USA. "This marks another important clinical milestone for Biosion in our effort to develop more high value treatment options for patients."
The phase I study of BSI-045B demonstrated its potential to be a first-in-class treatment for AD due to its single dose activity in a cohort of AD patients, excellent PK and favorable safety profile. The phase II study is designed to assess the efficacy of BSI-045B as monotherapy as well as in combination therapy with Dupixent® to further increase therapeutic effectiveness for patients who are suffering from AD.
For additional information on this trial (NCT05114889), please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov
About BSI-045B
BSI-045B is a high-affinity, humanized monoclonal antibody, targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine that is implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, asthma and other eosinophilic and Th2 immune-related diseases. Biosion's collaboration partner - CTTQ, a China-based pharmaceutical company with rights to BSI-045B (TQC2731) for China development and commercialization, is currently conducting a Phase II clinical trial of BSI-045B in China for the treatment of severe uncontrolled asthma.
About Biosion
Biosion is a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to developing antibody-based therapies to improve patient outcomes for the treatment of immune and oncologic diseases. Established in 2017, Biosion has built a pipeline of innovative biologics through its internally derived proprietary technologies including the H³ antibody discovery platform, SynTracer® high-throughput endocytosis platform, and Flexibody® bispecific platform. Biosion's lead asset, BSI-045B (anti-TSLP mAb), is currently in phase-II for severe asthma and phase-I for atopic dermatitis. Biosion and partners have plans to progress the immune-oncology and antibody drug conjugate-based portfolio into clinical trials for oncology indications over the next year. Biosion has operations in the US, Australia, and China.To learn more about Biosion, please go to www.biosion.com.
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SOURCE Biosion, Inc. | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/biosion-announces-phase-ii-study-start-anti-tslp-mab-bsi-045b-atopic-dermatitis-adamant/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:21 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/biosion-announces-phase-ii-study-start-anti-tslp-mab-bsi-045b-atopic-dermatitis-adamant/ |
STAMFORD, Conn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Emeren Group Ltd ("Emeren" or the "Company") (www.emeren.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading global solar project developer, owner, and operator, recently announced the successful sale of an 11.5 MWp PV project to the Swiss-based energy company MET Group. The project was sold at the Ready-to-Build ("RTB") stage and MET Group will complete the construction and operate the power plant. This is the first project developed to RTB stage by Emeren Germany GmbH, the Berlin-based subsidiary of Emeren Group, since its entry into the market in early 2021. Capcora, a German consulting company, acted as the exclusive sell-side M&A advisor to Emeren.
The new PV power plant will be located in Kentzlin nestled in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the commercial operations are expected to start in the second half of 2024.
Yumin Liu, CEO of Emeren Group, commented, "This project is an important milestone for our business in Germany and represents our commitment to developing renewable energy infrastructure in the region. We look forward to continuing to work with our local partners to build a more sustainable future."
Bernd Wollwerth-Carl, Director of Emeren Germany GmbH, added, "We are delighted to have sold our first RTB project in Germany. Starting from scratch in 2021, we managed to grow quickly in a competitive German PV market, establishing partnerships and building a pipeline of medium and large-scale ground mounted PV plants. With MET, we found a reliable and competent partner and we look forward to further expanding our cooperation."
Christian Hürlimann, Renewables CEO of MET Group, commented, "The Kentzlin project fits well into MET's strategic vision to enter the highly competitive German renewables market, as well as to further expand its renewables portfolio across Europe and particularly in Western Europe. Emeren Group's expertise in renewable energy was instrumental in achieving this milestone, and we anticipate future collaboration on additional projects."
Henning Prigge, Director at Capcora, adds: "We are delighted to have played a pivotal role in Emeren's successful project sale to MET Group, a prominent integrated European energy company. Our long-standing partnership with Emeren has allowed us to witness their growth and success, and we couldn't be happier to have been a part of this milestone. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to providing top-notch support and solutions to our valued clients."
About Emeren Group Ltd
Emeren Group Ltd (NYSE: SOL) is a leading global solar project developer, owner, and operator with a pipeline of projects and IPP assets totaling over 3 GW, as well as a storage pipeline of over 6 GWh across Europe, North America, and Asia. The Company focuses on solar power project development, construction management and project financing services with local professional teams across multiple countries. For more information, go to www.emeren.com.
About MET Group
MET Group is an integrated European energy company, headquartered in Switzerland, with activities and assets in natural gas and power markets. MET is present in 14 countries through subsidiaries, 30 national gas markets, and 22 international trading hubs. MET has extensive experience in operating green (renewable) and flexible (conventional) energy assets, thus providing the widest possible support to energy transition. In 2022, MET Group's consolidated sales revenue amounted to EUR 41.5 billion, the total traded volume of natural gas was 109 BCM including futures, total traded electricity 67 TWh including futures.
About Capcora
Capcora is an independent financial advisory boutique specializing in M&A and project finance services to accelerate the energy transition in Europe. Founded in 2015, the Frankfurt-based company helps its clients succeed in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors by advising them on sell-side and buy-side transactions, and by raising mezzanine, unitranche or senior debt.
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SOURCE Emeren Group Ltd | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/emeren-group-announces-sale-first-rtb-solar-power-project-germany/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:28 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/emeren-group-announces-sale-first-rtb-solar-power-project-germany/ |
BEIJING, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc. ("GEHI" or the "Company") (NYSE: GEHI), a leading early childhood education service provider in China, today announced that it will hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the "EGM") at 3/F, No. 28 Building, Fangguyuan Section 1, Fangzhuang Fengtai District, Beijing 100078, People's Republic of China, at 10:00 a.m. (Beijing time) on September 11, 2023, for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, approving the transactions contemplated in the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated April 18, 2023, by and among the Company, Bright Sunlight Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Merger Sub"), Best Assistant Education Online Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company ("Best Assistant") and a controlled subsidiary of NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKEX: 0777, "NetDragon"), a Cayman Islands exempted company, and solely for purposes of certain named sections thereof, NetDragon. It is contemplated that Best Assistant will transfer the education business of NetDragon outside of the PRC to Elmtree Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares ("eLMTree") and currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Assistant. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into eLMTree with eLMTree continuing as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger").
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each ordinary share of eLMTree issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding the Dissenting Shares and the Excluded Shares, each as defined in the Merger Agreement) will be cancelled in exchange for the right to receive a number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable ordinary shares of the Company in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933.
Shareholders of the Company will also be asked to consider and vote on certain additional Merger-related proposals at the EGM, including, among others:
- that, subject to and conditional upon the Merger becoming effective, the fifth amended and restated memorandum and article of association of the Company be amended and restated by their deletion in their entirety and the substitution of in their place of the sixth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the "A&R MAA") effective immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger;
- that, subject to and conditional upon the Merger becoming effective, the name of the Company be changed from "Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc." to "Mynd.ai, Inc." effective immediately prior to the Effective Time;
- that, subject to and conditional upon the Merger becoming effective, immediately prior to the Effective Time, the authorized share capital of the Company be varied as follows: (a) the authorized share capital of the Company shall be varied to US$1,000,000 divided into 1,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 990,000,000 ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.001 each (each a "ListCo Ordinary Share") and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with the A&R MAA, and (b) all Class A ordinary shares of the Company prior to the adoption of the A&R MAA, par value US$0.001 per share ("ListCo Class A Ordinary Shares") and all Class B ordinary shares of the Company prior to the adoption of the A&R MAA, par value US$0.001 per share ("ListCo Class B Ordinary Shares") in the authorized share capital of the Company (including all issued and outstanding ListCo Class A Ordinary Shares and ListCo Class B Ordinary Shares, and all authorized but unissued ListCo Class A Ordinary Shares and ListCo Class B Ordinary Shares) shall be re-designated as ListCo Ordinary Shares.
Holders of the Company's ordinary shares whose names are on the register of members of the Company at the close of business in the Cayman Islands on August 7, 2023, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the EGM or any adjournment or postponement thereof in person. Holders of the Company's American depositary shares ("ADSs") at the close of business in New York City on August 7, 2023, are entitled to exercise their voting rights for the underlying ordinary shares and must act through Citibank, N.A., the depositary of the Company's ADS program.
The notice of the EGM, which contains the detailed proposals to be presented at the EGM, and the proxy statement related to the EGM, are being filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and can be obtained without charge from the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). These documents are also available in the "Financial Information" section of the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.geh.com.cn/. In addition, the proxy materials (including the proxy statement) will be mailed to the Company's shareholders and holders of ADSs.
SHAREHOLDERS AND ADS HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE PROXY MATERIALS AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY CONTAIN VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, ELMTREE, THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS.
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the transactions described above and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of eLMTree or the Company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements." These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the pending transactions described herein, and the parties' perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Merger, including the equity values, the benefits of the Merger, expected revenue opportunities, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates for growth, the expected management and governance of the combined company, and the expected timing of the transactions. The words "will," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and shareholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are hard to predict or control, that may cause the actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) risks related to the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Merger, including the risk that the transaction may not close due to one or more closing conditions to the transaction not being satisfied or waived, such as regulatory approvals not being obtained, on a timely basis or otherwise, or that a governmental entity prohibited, delayed or refused to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction or required certain conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the applicable transaction agreements; (iii) the risk that there may be a material adverse change with respect to the financial position, performance, operations or prospects of the Company or eLMTree; (iv) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Merger; (v) the risk that any announcements relating to the Merger could have adverse effects on the market price of the Company's securities; (vi) the risk that the Merger and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of eLMTree to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; (vii) any changes in the business or operating prospects of eLMTree or its businesses; (viii) changes in applicable laws and regulations; and (ix) risks relating to the combined company's ability to enhance its services and products, execute its business strategy, expand its customer base and maintain stable relationship with its business partners.
A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC by the Company in connection with the Merger, and other documents that the parties may file with or furnish to the SEC, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and eLMTree, the Company and their subsidiaries and affiliates undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
The Company will file with the SEC and mail to its shareholders and ADS holders a proxy statement in connection with the Merger. Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement when it becomes available because it will contain voting instructions and important information regarding the proposed arrangement. You may access the proxy statement (when available) and other related documents filed by the Company with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You also may obtain the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC relating to the proposed arrangement for free by accessing the Company's website at https://ir.geh.com.cn/ by clicking on the link for "Financial Information," and then clicking on the link for "SEC Filings."
CONTACT: Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc., Investor Relations, E-mail: ir@geh.com.cn
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SOURCE Gravitas Education Holdings Inc. | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/gehi-hold-extraordinary-general-meeting-shareholders-september-11-2023/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:35 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/gehi-hold-extraordinary-general-meeting-shareholders-september-11-2023/ |
Recruiting Season Is in Full Swing for Professional Football Players to Join Virtual Fan Engagement Channel
NAPLES, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Notable Live is announcing that it has added three more Pro Football Hall of Fame players to the Notable Live line-up for the upcoming season. In addition to existing players Emmitt Smith and Ray Lewis, Notable Live is excited to add Cris Carter, Champ Bailey and Ed Reed to the Notable Live team. This comes as a fast follow to Notable Live's recent multi-year commercial agreement with eBay and its Series A financing round led by eBay Ventures.
Notable Live is a tech-enabled virtual engagement platform that connects fans to teams, leagues and players in a way they have always dreamed about through an immersive experience. Notable Live, co-founded in 2018 by Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and entrepreneurial veteran Mike Antonucci, helps players monetize their image and personal brands not just on game day, but every day.
Through one set of login credentials, the Notable Live platform unlocks an expansive catalog of one-to-many engagement experiences, including live events and on-demand content. On the platform's commerce-enabled exchange, players, teams and leagues can activate live auction or marketplace functions to sell physical memorabilia, digital content, in-person experiences or other unique offerings. All items offered on the Notable Live platform and its associated channels can be authentically bought and sold across the growing and loyal community of Notable Live fans.
"The multi-billion annual sports memorabilia market is rapidly evolving to include new digital experiences, and Notable Live continues to grow its comprehensive platform for both the college and professional sports markets. We are pleased to announce the continued expansion of our roster of NFL athletes on our platform," said Mike Antonucci, co-founder and CEO of Notable Live.
"The fans bring their passion for the game and for their favorite players, ensuring the memorabilia space remains more about the fans than about the athletes," added Emmitt Smith, co-founder of Notable Live. "We are excited to continue expanding our platform with fellow Hall of Famers and other athletes."
About Notable Live
Notable Live was co-founded in 2018 by avid sports fan Mike Antonucci and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith to create a unique platform providing sports fans with unparalleled access to their favorite notables via virtual interactive events. Notable Live, a mobile app available on the App Store and Google Play, grants fans real access to notables by putting them "in the room" together for memorable virtual experiences. Connect with Notable Live at www.notable.live or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Threads for iOS and Threads for Google Play.
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SOURCE Notable Live | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/notable-live-adds-three-gold-jackets/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:42 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/notable-live-adds-three-gold-jackets/ |
HOUSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutex Health Inc. ("Nutex Health" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: NUTX), a physician-led, technology-enabled integrated healthcare delivery system comprised of 21 state-of-the-art micro hospitals in 8 states and primary care-centric, risk-bearing physician networks, today announced that its Clinigence Health advanced population health analytics platform has been selected by Varmed Management, a Puerto Rico-based medical management company, to enhance its population health capabilities and patient care.
Clinigence Health's partnership with Varmed Management honors the company's commitment to improving quality of life and health outcomes through implementing advanced analytics and cutting-edge technology. Together, they aim to deliver unparalleled solutions to patients, ensuring seamless, whole-person care while reducing costs.
Clinigence Health is thrilled to assist Varmed Management in its mission. Sophisticated population health management requires a platform like Clinigence Health that helps organizations enhance the care delivered to their patients by identifying opportunities to engage its physicians and its patients with data to drive continued quality improvement.
"The partnership creates an environment where high-quality care is accessible and affordable to everyone in our community. By integrating Clinigence Health's advanced analytics into our population health management strategy, we can provide even more personalized patient care," stated José J. Vargas, Chief Executive Officer of Varmed Management.
"The healthcare industry continues to experience the loss of billions of premium dollars to overutilization and inappropriate use of services to the detriment of patient care. The transition to value-based care models requires organizations to understand the patterns of care and best medical practices that allow quality care to be delivered cost-effectively," stated Lawrence Schimmel, M.D., Chief Medical Information Officer of Nutex Health, Inc.
"Clinigence is a pioneer in clinical data integration, clinical quality reporting and population health analytics. Our scalable, purpose-built cloud-based platform has clinical and claims data on over 3 million patients and is in use by multiple independent practice associations ("IPAs"), medical groups, accountable care organizations ("ACOs"), hospitals and physicians. We look forward to partnering with the talented team at Varmed," stated Warren Hosseinion, M.D., President of Nutex Health.
For more information, visit Clinigence Health at www.clinigencehealth.com or email info@clinigence.com for personalized information requests.
About Nutex Health Inc.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas and founded in 2011, Nutex Health Inc. (NASDAQ: NUTX) is a healthcare management and operations company with two divisions: a Hospital Division and a Population Health Management Division.
The Hospital Division owns, develops and operates innovative health care models, including micro-hospitals, specialty hospitals, and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). This division owns and operates 21 facilities in 8 states.
The Population Health Management division owns and operates provider networks such as Independent Physician Associations (IPAs). Through our Management Services Organization (MSO), we provide management, administrative and other support services to our affiliated hospitals and physician groups. Our cloud-based proprietary technology platform aggregates clinical and claims data across multiple settings, information systems and sources to create a holistic view of patients and providers, allowing us to deliver greater quality care more efficiently.
About Varmed Management
Varmed Management is a fully integrated healthcare solutions provider. As a population health management organization, we are committed to providing cutting-edge solutions to our clients, improving quality of life through patient empowerment, improving healthcare outcomes and reducing costs. www.varmedmanagement.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words or phrases "will", "will likely result," "expected to," "will continue," "anticipated," "estimate," "projected," "intend," "goal," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks, known and unknown, and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy, changes in laws or regulations, including the interim final and final rules implemented under the No Surprises Act , economic conditions, dependence on management, dilution to stockholders, lack of capital, the effects of rapid growth upon the Company and the ability of management to effectively respond to the growth and demand for products and services of the Company, newly developing technologies, the Company's ability to compete, conflicts of interest in related party transactions, regulatory matters, protection of technology, lack of industry standards, the effects of competition and the ability of the Company to obtain future financing. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the Current Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023 under the heading "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item IA thereof, and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors could materially adversely affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed within this press release.
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SOURCE Nutex Health, Inc. | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nutex-health-announces-that-its-advanced-population-health-analytics-platform-has-been-selected-by-varmed-management-enhance-patient-care/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:49 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nutex-health-announces-that-its-advanced-population-health-analytics-platform-has-been-selected-by-varmed-management-enhance-patient-care/ |
BALTIMORE, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Opteev Technologies, Inc., a pioneering technology company at the forefront of diagnostics, has filed a patent (Patent Application #63/513,007) for a revolutionary multiplex biochip for respiratory infection diagnostics. The groundbreaking polymer-based biochip offers the potential to test multiple pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and Influenza, and precisely identify the specific virus or bacteria in under 1 minute. This game-changing technology paves the way for an ultra-rapid, portable, and accurate syndromic diagnostic device to empower healthcare providers with immediate results at their fingertips.
The tiny biochip can directly detect whole viruses in real-time in both processed and unprocessed samples such as saliva or nasal swab and has demonstrated an unprecedented accuracy rate of 99.49% with an impressive limit of detection in its analytical performance evaluation. Furthermore, the biosensor achieves fine-tuned specificity by carefully selecting specific virus-binding peptides, enabling accurate identification of target viruses in complex samples. To ensure precise and reliable virus detection, the biochip utilizes artificial intelligence to optimize the frequency range effectively mitigating the impact of interfering noise signals.
Unlike conventional respiratory panels that cost tens of thousands of dollars and take days to provide results, Opteev's multiplex biochip will offer healthcare providers affordable syndromic testing with the ability to process samples at the point of care, allowing for the simultaneous detection and specific identification of multiple pathogens instantaneously. This breakthrough technology will eliminate the need for speculation by providing healthcare providers with the critical information needed to deliver the most effective treatment options at the point of care.
"With the development of our multiplex biochip, we are revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics," said Dr. Mesfin Meshesha, Vice President of Virology & Diagnostics at Opteev Technologies. "The potential of this technology to transform patient care, streamline operations, and reduce costs is truly remarkable."
As Opteev Technologies continues to push the boundaries of point-of-care diagnostics, the company welcomes potential collaborations and partnerships to further develop and commercialize its multiplex biochip. "Together, we can shape the future of diagnostics and unlock the massive potential of our game-changing multiplex biochip," said Conrad Bessemer, Opteev's Chairman and Co-founder.
For more information about Opteev Technologies and its groundbreaking multiplex biochip, please visit www.opteev.com.
Opteev Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, is a pioneering technology company at the forefront of diagnostics. With a strong focus on respiratory pathogen detection, Opteev is committed to developing innovative solutions that revolutionize the field of point-of-care diagnostics. As a subsidiary of Novatec, Inc., a trusted manufacturer and supplier of machinery and sensor technology, Opteev leverages decades of experience to drive advancements in healthcare.
Media Contact:
Dana Gardner
Vice President
dgardner@opteev.com
Phone: 443-457-5214
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SOURCE Opteev Technologies, Inc | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/opteev-develops-worlds-first-multiplex-biochip-that-precisely-identifies-covid-flu-rsv-respiratory-pathogens-under-1-minute/ | 2023-07-31T10:50:55 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/opteev-develops-worlds-first-multiplex-biochip-that-precisely-identifies-covid-flu-rsv-respiratory-pathogens-under-1-minute/ |
Mobile Visual Processing Solutions Coupled with Dedicated Game Tuning Services Take Mobile Gaming Experience to a Brand-New Level
SHANGHAI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pixelworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: PXLW), a leading provider of innovative visual processing solutions, today announced the official launch of its new IRX gaming experience brand. As a brand targeted at smartphone users, IRX is grounded on Pixelworks' mobile visual processing solutions and coupled with in-depth game tuning services. This combination leverages Pixelworks' expertise to achieve ultra-smooth gaming experience and the highest picture quality for different types of games on mobile devices. In addition, it exercises effective control of power consumption, latency and other performance variables to ensure stable and long-lasting gaming with optimal visual performance, providing end users with unparalleled mobile gaming experiences.
The IRX gaming experience is enabled by a portfolio of technology advantages and product application experiences based on the Company's innovative distributed rendering architecture. More specifically, Pixelworks' ultra-low latency MotionEngine® technology, low power super-resolution technology, AI Always-on HDR and other technologies bring optimized rendering capabilities to smartphones that exceed what can be achieved by a traditional chipset. Together with Pixelworks' profound tuning experience for different games on various mobile devices the result is a meaningfully enriched visual experience for smartphone users, which is the core foundation for the IRX gaming experience.
The IRX gaming experience brand will be supported by a certification program for mobile devices that incorporates Pixelworks visual processors. The certification program will be backed by a suite of visual quality evaluation systems agreed upon with smartphone manufacturers to ensure that Pixelworks powered smartphones provide the most outstanding gaming performance and utmost visual quality for consumers.
The IRX branded certification program is comprised of both device certification and game tuning services. Pixelworks will optimize the rendering capabilities and display quality of top games on mobile devices based on its visual processors' capabilities as well as the devices' performance characteristics. Smartphones that meet the technical requirements as well as Pixelworks' visual processing standards will be granted the IRX branded certification, and games that meet Pixelworks' visual quality requirements will be included in the IRX-supported game list. To date, there are 20 top games being enlisted on the IRX-supported game list, which can be found on Pixelworks' official IRX gaming experience website. Furthermore, Pixelworks plans to establish expanded communication channels with consumers to help further educate end users on the benefits of the IRX gaming experience.
"IRX is a gaming experience brand from Pixelworks targeted directly towards mobile device users." said Ting Xiong, President of Pixelworks China. "Pixelworks would like to empower smartphone manufacturers to break the ceiling of mobile gaming experience from content optimization to performance enhancement with its innovative rendering technologies and years of game tuning and optimization experience. Additionally, we are also aiming to develop and promote consumer awareness around how to better evaluate visual display quality and the mobile gaming experience, enabling them to make smarter choices when purchasing a smartphone. By utilizing professional technologies and services to build more links across both products and users, we hope to drive mutual growth through in-depth interactions while bringing display performance and the mobile gaming experience to a brand-new level."
About Pixelworks
Pixelworks provides industry-leading content creation, video delivery and display processing solutions and technology that enable highly authentic viewing experiences with superior visual quality, across all screens – from cinema to smartphone and beyond. The Company has more than 20 years of history delivering image processing innovation to leading providers of consumer electronics, professional displays and video streaming services.
For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.pixelworks.com.
Note: Pixelworks, MotionEngine and the Pixelworks logo are trademarks of Pixelworks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Pixelworks, Inc. | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pixelworks-announces-launch-irx-gaming-experience-brand/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:02 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pixelworks-announces-launch-irx-gaming-experience-brand/ |
Abbott and Costello 'loved this country,' used Hollywood fame to support servicemen during WWII: daughter
The '40s comedy stars, who later inspired Jerry Seinfeld, are being celebrated at The Hollywood Museum
Lou Costello did not think twice about leaving his door wide open for servicemen.
"My mother would sometimes walk out to the den area, look out and there’d be people around the pool," the late comic’s daughter, Chris Costello, told Fox News Digital.
"She didn’t even know who they were," Chris chuckled. "But they’d say, ‘Lou told us to come over and use the pool.’ He was very good to them. He would have pool parties for them and barbecues. And all these troops who were training to go overseas would stop by."
The star, one-half of the ‘40s and ‘50s comedy duo Abbott and Costello, passed away in 1959 just three days before his 53rd birthday. The pair, who spent more than a quarter of a century making people laugh across the country, is now being celebrated with a new exhibition at The Hollywood Museum.
Jerry Seinfeld, a known fan, took inspiration from the duo for his ‘90s sitcom "Seinfeld." The middle name of the show’s character George Costanza, played by Jason Alexander, is Louis "for Costello," Seinfeld told The New York Times in 1994.
Over the years, Chris received numerous letters from other admirers – specifically veterans and loved ones of servicemen and women who met and befriended her father over the years.
"It started as letters and gradually into emails from people who either had a relative that served and met my dad, or a serviceman who recalled running into him," she explained. "There was a story of a serviceman who was in Hollywood with his buddies. They were so excited to visit. So, they treated themselves to a nice dinner at the Brown Derby."
"Well, my dad happened to be there that night," she said. "When he noticed them in uniform, he immediately went up to their table, pulled up a chair, sat down and just started talking to them. He was very interested in learning about where they came from, their families. He wound up paying for their meal. But that wasn’t unusual. He and Bud [Abbott] would do that. If a serviceman was in uniform, no questions asked, ‘The meal’s on us.’"
During World War II, Abbott and Costello were among the top-earning box office stars. They famously parodied life in the armed services, delivering laughs with their slapstick comedy and boosting morale.
At the peak of their popularity, Hollywood’s "good humor boys" made two nationwide tours selling war bonds, History Nebraska reported. According to the outlet, they raised an estimated $85 million for the U.S. government. According to reports, their war bond drive in 1942 included stops in 80 cities throughout 22 states.
"My father was very, very patriotic," Chris explained. "He was a proud patriot. Both my father and Bud loved this country. They wanted to help Uncle Sam and give back. He would do anything for this country."
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"I continue to hear from servicemen," she shared. "They’ll send pictures of themselves with my dad… Abbott and Costello wanted to honor the men and women who were putting their lives on the line to give us freedom. And they were willing to do anything. They helped with the Red Cross. They would visit hospitals around the country during the war bond years. They would sit down with these servicemen, hear their stories, joke with them."
Chris said there was one particular visit Costello made that stayed with her over the years.
"They visited a hospital in San Francisco," she explained. "It was a whole ward filled with soldiers who had just come back from the war wounded. There was one gentleman who was in a hospital bed. He had his head turned in the other direction, not facing Abbott and Costello. Somebody had mentioned to them that he was very depressed and wouldn’t talk to anybody. So, dad and Bud approached this young man, who was maybe in his mid to late 20s. They started talking to him. They asked him, ‘Can we send anything to your parents? Do you want us to call them and share any messages for you?’"
The young man was unfazed. Abbott and Costello then proceeded to play out their comedy act for him. Abbott took a stethoscope and listened to the wound soldier's leg, which was in a cast.
"This guy all of a sudden turned to face them," said Chris. "He had tears in his eyes. He then started laughing uncontrollably. He couldn’t stop laughing. And the more he laughed, the more they really got into their antics. Then the whole ward started watching and erupted into laughter."
"Comedy was just one way for them to give back," she shared. "They realized they were making a lot of money in those days. They thought, ‘Why not give it back to the people who need it?’ They funded a good portion of their tour out of pocket, so they could make themselves available and help."
However, life was not always filled with laughter. In 1943, Costello's son Lou Jr. drowned in the family swimming pool a few days before his first birthday. In honor of his child, Costello helped launch the Lou Costello Jr. Youth Foundation playground and medical clinic. The center opened its doors three months before Chris was born.
"It was a horrendous loss," Chris reflected. "But for him to maneuver through this grief, he decided to build a youth center for underprivileged kids in east LA. He told everybody, ‘I’m looking for an area in the poorest section of town. I don’t want an affluent section. I want a section for kids who have never been in a movie theater and don’t have proper medical care.'"
The foundation is still in operation today, and a portrait of Lou Jr. still hangs in full view, Chris said.
"[My father] gave them everything, from medical care to lunches, free swimming lessons," she said. "He had an Olympic-sized pool built for them. Also, basketball courts – he loved basketball. He was a little guy, but boy could he play. He wanted a child daycare center, a wood shop – all the things that would give these kids an opportunity… Meeting some of those kids today just brings tears to my eyes. One kid said, ‘I would’ve been in a gang had it not been for this youth center.’ Another said, ‘I gained confidence in myself, and I was accepted into a trade school.’ My dad would have been over the moon with happiness."
Chris said she only had her father for 11 years, but in their brief time together, she had a joyful childhood filled with lasting memories.
Abbott and Costello parted ways in 1957 but remained great friends. Abbott died in 1974 at age 76.
"I remembered I spent one afternoon with Bud and his wife – I was 16," Chris recalled. "He was on the couch and leaning on his cane. He had a gold cigarette holder with a cigarette. The TV was on. And all of a sudden, we heard the theme song to ‘The Abbott and Costello Show.’ I looked at him and he just learned in closer. He took the cigarette out of his mouth. And he said, ‘I miss my pal.’" | https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/abbott-and-costello-loved-country-used-hollywood-fame-support-servicemen-wwii-daughter | 2023-07-31T10:51:04 | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/abbott-and-costello-loved-country-used-hollywood-fame-support-servicemen-wwii-daughter |
New warehouse proposals on the border between Freemansburg and Bethlehem Township and in Allen Township generated concerns about traffic during reviews this past week by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.
The commission approved comment letters to municipal officials to advise them on how the plans match up with comprehensive planning efforts spanning Lehigh and Northampton counties. Final approval on construction is up to the local officials.
One warehouse is proposed at 866,350 square feet at 1600 Freemansburg Ave., at the site of a former quarry. The other is proposed at 358,000 square feet on Savage Road, southeast of Atlas Road, in Allen Township.
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has reviewed 5.1 million square feet of warehouse space proposed in 2023 for construction in Lehigh and Northampton counties, a mid-year report presented Thursday night says.
Tractor-trailer impacts to surrounding communities, including Bethlehem, are “a significant concern” with the Freemansburg Avenue proposal, according to the commission’s advisory letter. A traffic projection suggests the facility would add 961 daily passenger vehicle trips and 520 daily truck trips for a total of 1,481 overall trips per day, the review states.
Commission member Steve Melnick said the proposal would create a “traffic nightmare.”
“I have to reiterate that I think from a safety standpoint this is a terrible project,” he said.
Commissioner member John Gallagher agreed, saying the stretch of Freemansburg Avenue from the site east to Route 33 is “already a nightmare.”
“I can’t imagine that any end user, any tenant whose business is reliant on trucking would think that this is a viable site because there is just no way for larger trucks to get to the major highways easily without causing nuisance to the three communities involved,” he said.
The property owner, who has been using the site for clean fill disposal, deferred comment to the developer, who did not immediately return a message seeking comment Friday.
The commission voted to strengthen its comment to say the proposal is “substantially inconsistent” with “FutureLV: The Regional Plan” that members use to guide their review of development proposals.
The warehouse was introduced as new business on the Monday, July 24, agenda of the Bethlehem Township Planning Commission. The Freemansburg Planning Commission could next meet as early as Thursday, Aug. 3, though an agenda was not immediately available.
In Allen Township, the Savage Road warehouse is proposed on land previously used as a quarry and for agriculture; a home is on the property, as well. It’s calculated to generate 612 total vehicle trips, of which 215 would be tractor-trailers, according to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s review. The land is located within a High Conservation Priority Natural Resource area, the commission said: “These areas take precedence over other land use recommendations.”
Commission member Chris Amato raised what he called serious concerns about Savage Road’s ability to handle the truck traffic, in addition to impacts on a nearby proposed new Northampton Area School District school.
“Now the children will be completely surrounded by truck traffic from all angles,” he said. “This project is deleterious to the health, welfare and safety of not only the residents of Allen Township but also the children ... that will be going to this new school.”
The plan is under review by township officials but not yet scheduled for a meeting, township Manager Ilene Eckhart said Friday.
Read the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s full review letters of these warehouse projects starting on page 12 of 52 in Thursday’s agenda packet for the Freemansburg Avenue proposal and page 22 of 52 for the Savage Road plan, at lvpc.org.
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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. | https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2023/07/northampton-county-warehouse-plans-met-with-concerns-from-lehigh-valley-planners.html | 2023-07-31T10:51:04 | 1 | https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2023/07/northampton-county-warehouse-plans-met-with-concerns-from-lehigh-valley-planners.html |
🗳️ Life after the mayoral primary win | Morning Newsletter
And a horrific error
Happy Monday. It should be mostly sunny with a high of 84.
Since winning the Democratic primary for mayor, Cherelle Parker hasn’t had many public appearances. Because Philly is an overwhelmingly blue city, she’s the favorite to win in November’s general election.
Our lead story checks in with the politician who is likely to become Philly’s 100th mayor and the first woman to take on the top job.
— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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In the months since clinching the Democratic primary for mayor, Cherelle Parker has kept a low profile.
She took care of the dental issues that caused her to miss her victory party, thanked the key supporters of her campaign, went on vacation, and spent quality time with her 10-year-old son, Langston.
Parker insisted that she will ramp up her campaign activities after Labor Day as she competes against Republican David Oh.
Notable quote: “I remind people daily, I am not the mayor-elect. I am the Democratic nominee for the mayor of Philadelphia and still have to win a general election in November,” Parker said. “That is why we are continuing to run a campaign to earn the support of Philadelphians in every neighborhood and zip code.”
Reminder: The last time Philly had a competitive general election for mayor was Republican Sam Katz’s unsuccessful 2003 campaign to unseat Democratic Mayor John F. Street.
Keep reading to find out what’s next in the mayoral transition process.
Christine expected her visit to the fertility clinic on Dec. 19, 2022, to be no more than an hour.
She was there for a 15-minute procedure at Main Line Fertility to check her fallopian tubes for blockages. It involves filling a syringe with saline and injecting it into her uterus so a doctor can see if the saline flows through the fallopian tubes.
Seconds after the procedure, Christine was in agony. It wasn’t until an ultrasound technician checked the solution bottle and realized the horrific error.
Christine’s doctor injected her with trichloroacetic acid at an 85% concentration. She was later diagnosed with second-degree internal and external chemical burns.
Note: TCA is so caustic that the fumes alone can sting the nose and throat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies it as “a possible human carcinogen,” based on animal experiments.
Christine and her husband, Jason, filed a lawsuit in March in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas seeking answers and monetary damages.
The couple shared their story during a tearful, two-hour interview with The Inquirer to advocate for patient safety.
What you should know today
Nearly 50 years after the murder of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington from Delaware County, a retired reverend confessed in a Georgia police station when he was presented with new evidence.
The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge reopened to traffic Sunday night after a semi-truck caught fire underneath it, prompting officials to close all three lanes for about hours.
Peco plans to clear the homeless encampment on its Norristown property in September. It comes after two months of collaborating with anti-homelessness advocates on a relocation plan.
Former President Donald Trump bashed the criminal indictments against him and attacked President Joe Biden and rival Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis at his Saturday rally in Erie.
Former Eagles players greats weighed in on the return of kelly green uniforms.
A Canadian journalist watched and reviewed his first American country music show, Luke Combs’ concert at Lincoln Financial Field. We also have a photo gallery of the night.
A group of friends drifted down one of Pennsylvania’s largest rivers on a huge handmade raft.
Philly-area toy store owners say Barbie sales “are killing it.”
🧠 Trivia time 🧠
How many NFL championships did the Eagles win in the kelly green uniforms?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 5
D) None
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🥪 Craving: Rybrew’s BLT known as the “Santa Monica.”
🏠 Perusing: Pictures of a Bucks County estate that has a kitchen designed by Julia Child.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩
Hint: A New Jersey state park for history buffs
SHOWCASING SNORTING
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Denise Sellers, who correctly guessed Sunday’s answer: Benjamin Rush.
Photo of the day
That should get you started for the day. Thanks for starting the week with The Inquirer. | https://www.inquirer.com/newsletters/morning/cherelle-parker-philadelphia-general-election-november-david-oh-100th-mayor-20230731.html | 2023-07-31T10:51:04 | 0 | https://www.inquirer.com/newsletters/morning/cherelle-parker-philadelphia-general-election-november-david-oh-100th-mayor-20230731.html |
‘School of Woke’ examines how critical race theory invaded American schools, aims to end ‘victimhood ideology’
''School of Woke’ is about liberalism's most astonishing failure over the past 40 years, which is education,' Kenny Xu said
A new book, "School of Woke: How Critical Race Theory Infiltrated American Schools and Why We Must Reclaim Them," examines the rise of CRT in American classrooms and what concerned parents can do about the polarizing issue that has been embraced by the left.
"'School of Woke’ is about liberalism's most astonishing failure over the past 40 years, which is education, specifically minority education," author Kenny Xu told Fox News Digital.
"The facts are true. The racial-achievement gap hasn't closed in 40 years. It's worse in liberal counties. It's worse in Biden counties. It's actually a lot better in conservative counties," Xu continued. "Black kids are actually doing better in Mississippi. They're No. 4 in the nation in math and reading. They're better in Louisiana. They're better in South Carolina. In contrast, liberal policies have resulted in failure in Maryland, New York, Baltimore, Chicago, those kinds of places."
Xu said his book "is going to be that seed, that fire to really changing the narrative" that education is an issue that the Democrats have a stronghold of.
‘RACE-BLIND AMERICA’ ADVOCATE THRILLED SCOTUS NIXED AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
"This is really an issue that I think, you know, ordinary Americans can get together and fight back on," Xu said.
Xu, who previously wrote "An Inconvenient Minority: The Harvard Admissions Case and the Attack on Asian American Excellence," is also the president of Color Us United, an organization that advocates for a "race-blind" America. His passion for meritocracy has made him a favorite among conservatives, but Xu feels liberals should also read his new book.
"I'm exploring why these policies that are instituted in the name of diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory are in fact harming children," Xu said. "So, if you're a liberal, you should really read this book because in the end we all want the same result. We all want Black kids, minority kids to achieve."
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina violated the 14th Amendment, and Xu was a board member for Students for Fair Admissions, the plaintiff in the case. He said his role was essentially to advise and generate momentum for the case, and his first book essentially laid the foundation for him to do so.
While affirmative action has been struck down when it comes to college admission, Xu is now focused on eliminating CRT from curricula.
"This is the ultimate goal and the book is going to be a good primer on that," he said.
"It's just going to be a conversation every parent is going to have to have with their kid and the conversation is going to be, ‘How do you want to treat your Black friend, Johnny? How do you want to treat your Hispanic friend?’ And the CRT people are going to tell these kids, ‘We need to look at this person's race and we need to see this person as an oppressed victim,’" Xu continued. "But you as the parent, your responsibility is to tell your kids, This person is a human. Treat him as your friend, as an individual because he is your friend.’"
Xu feels a major problem with CRT is that certain books, such as Nic Stone’s "Dear Martin," are entered into curriculum and push the notion that Black children are oppressed in a wildly racist society.
"This is an incredibly dispiriting philosophy to minority children, and to all children. So, I am deeply passionate about ending that victimhood ideology that is ingrained in children's lives from the very beginning," Xu said.
Xu’s latest book hit stores on the heels of legacy media outlets running wild with cherry-picked talking points from Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently kicked off a cycle of misinformation about Florida's Black history curriculum. Harris has repeatedly insisted Florida’s new state-wide Black history curriculum replaces "history with lies," and that students in Florida will be "told that enslaved people benefited from slavery."
The comprehensive curriculum details harsh conditions endured and also explains that "slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit" both while enslaved and after once they became free.
"Essentially, the left wants to rewrite history. That's what I'm teaching in ‘School of Woke,’" Xu said.
"They want to go after Florida's Black studies curriculum. Let's look at California's Black studies curriculum. California's Black studies curriculum, which was authorized as a mandatory class under Gov. Gavin Newsom, basically denied that the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Lincoln did anything. They don't even reference the Civil War. They don't reference the 750,000 people who died to free slaves in America," Xu added. "They don’t even talk about White participation in civil rights. Civil rights was not just a Black issue, it was an American issue."
CALIFORNIA REPARATIONS COMMITTEE CALLS FOR STATEWIDE K-12 CURRICULUM THAT TEACHES 'SYSTEMIC RACISM'
Xu believes three things have to be done in order to "take back our country from critical race theory and the victimhood ideology" that is plaguing America. He feels parents need to teach children about the Value of colorblindness at home, school board members must stop allowing the "woke narrative" to be pushed and anyone who is concerned should vote for Republicans at both the state and federal level.
"The Democratic Party is uniquely responsible for this mess," he said. "They created an economy of woke, not just presided over woke policies and gave imprimatur… everyone wins except for the kids, so the only way to break the stranglehold is to take the Democratic Party out of office."
Xu, who said that even Democrats should vote Republican if they care about helping their kids, feels "School of Woke" provides all the evidence a concerned parent would need to be swayed.
"This is the back-to-school book for your children, especially if you want to know how to combat the ideology that is infecting the school system," Xu said.
"School of Woke: How Critical Race Theory Infiltrated American Schools and Why We Must Reclaim Them" will hit stores on Aug. 1.
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For more Culture, Media, Education, Opinion, and channel coverage, visit foxnews.com/media | https://www.foxnews.com/media/school-woke-examines-critical-race-theory-invaded-american-schools-aims-end-victimhood-ideology | 2023-07-31T10:51:09 | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/media/school-woke-examines-critical-race-theory-invaded-american-schools-aims-end-victimhood-ideology |
PHILADELPHIA – Eagles running back Rashaad Penny has had several mentors, from Norwalk High School in California through his time at San Diego State, continuing after he was selected 27th overall by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
He has been a only call or text away from advice from former Eagles running back Donnel Pumphrey, Seahawks running back Chris Carson and former Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson — guys who have succeeded in the NFL.
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“You have to always be prepared, be on top of your stuff, and be responsible,” Penny told NJ Advance Media after practice. “I think that’s the biggest thing from the transition from college to NFL, because you’re a kid, now becoming a grown man. You have to always be responsible, but don’t make excuses. That’s always been my thing since growing up. I had many guys in my corner who always wanted to see me succeed and always told me the right thing, so giving them the right honor and respect goes a long way for me.”
Penny, a five-year veteran, signed a one-year, $1.35 million contract in March and has looked sharp early in camp, catching the ball out of the backfield and looking decisive in the running game.
Penny is trying to establish a role in a rotation that includes D’Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks. The talent always has been there for Penny, who averages 5.7 yards per carry on 337 career attempts. However, injuries have sidelined him, and over the last three season, he played in only 18 games, starting 11 of them. During those times, advice from those mentors and the support of his family, including his brother and former Giants running back Elijhaa Penny, got him through it, he said.
Penny, who was signed immediately after the Eagles allowed Mile Sanders to walk, has a chance to start over with a unit that finished third overall in total offense last season (389.1 yards per game) and has many of the same players returning.
“This is a fresh start for me,” Penny said. “Playing with an offense like this, I get to unleash something that a lot of people probably have never seen me do. I have the chance for more big plays and more catches, being a part of this offense and taking pride in what they do here.”
BUY EAGLES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER
Penny said that, at 231, he is seven pounds lighter than his playing weight in Seatte. He said he wants to get as close to his college playing weight (220) as possible, hoping it will help him play an entire season.
Just as others have done for him, Penny is trying to mentor others and show the importance of having someone available to ask for guidance. In the Two Cents Family Foundation that Penny, Elijhaa, and his family started, mentoring is an important feature.
“During my childhood, where we lived in Norwalk, we never really had a Pop Warner team,” Penny said. “It was always in and out. I hate to say it like this, but as a big name in Norwalk, a small city in California, we just wanted to give back to a lot of people who didn’t have the opportunity to play football, be around sports, or be around people who made it out the same city.
“For us, being there has kind of made a difference. We have a new Pop Warner team that’s going on our second year, and my brother is the head coach at John Glenn High School in Norwalk, so it all has come to fruition, and it’s actually really cool.”
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. | https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/philadelphia-eagles/2023/07/how-eagles-rashaad-penny-plans-to-use-advice-from-mentors-to-unleash-his-talent-this-season.html | 2023-07-31T10:51:09 | 0 | https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/philadelphia-eagles/2023/07/how-eagles-rashaad-penny-plans-to-use-advice-from-mentors-to-unleash-his-talent-this-season.html |
LONDON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Talking Tom and MrBeast just announced a unique collaboration for Talking Tom's 10th birthday party! Starting today, players of My Talking Tom 2, the popular virtual pet game, can unwrap an exclusive surprise from MrBeast himself — a one-of-a-kind outfit. Additionally, Talking Tom and MrBeast are also joining forces with a contribution to the Tebow CURE Hospital for underprivileged children in the Philippines.
"Our collaboration with MrBeast for Talking Tom's 10th anniversary demonstrates our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences to our players," said Xinyu Qian, CEO of Outfit7. "By offering an exclusive MrBeast outfit and extending our support to the Tebow CURE Hospital, we aim not only to enhance the excitement within the game but also to make a meaningful difference in the lives of underprivileged children."
For a limited time of two weeks, the exclusive MrBeast outfit for Tom can be found in the bedroom wardrobe, or claimed through a pop-up gift box, either on the porch or in the bathroom. As part of the 10th birthday celebration, Tom has also given users a generous gift of 100,000 in-game gold coins, which are still attainable in the game.
In addition to the in-game collaboration, Talking Tom and MrBeast have joined forces to support the Tebow CURE Hospital, which provides assistance to underprivileged children in the Philippines. Together they will support the hospital's activities for a month, enabling them to carry out over 150 surgeries. To ensure sustainable care for the children, the hospital will also receive a year's supply of essential orthopaedic supplies.
Download My Talking Tom 2 now and claim the exclusive MrBeast outfit! It will be available for free in My Talking Tom 2 for a limited time, from July 30 to August 13, 2023.
ABOUT OUTFIT7: Outfit7 Limited is a dynamic force in mobile gaming, reaching a global audience of billions with its award-winning games. Powered by creativity and industry-leading expertise, the company's talented international team of around 400 people pushes the boundaries of the possible every day. Outfit7's 20+ games have now been downloaded worldwide over 21 billion times and up to 470 million fans play with them every month. Its portfolio also includes numerous chart-topping animated series, theme parks, and a licensing program. You can find more information at www.outfit7.com.
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SOURCE Outfit7 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/talking-tom-mrbeast-celebrate-toms-birthday-with-an-exclusive-outfit-contribute-hospital-underprivileged-children/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:09 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/talking-tom-mrbeast-celebrate-toms-birthday-with-an-exclusive-outfit-contribute-hospital-underprivileged-children/ |
School's slavery language distracts from how far we've come
Conservatives should celebrate robust Black American History curriculum
If you have been keeping up the news lately, you might have seen the ongoing controversy concerning the Florida Department of Education and their egregious update to their social studies curriculum where they claim, "slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit."
Naturally, outrage ensued given that it is quite difficult to imagine, let alone argue, that slavery was in any way beneficial to the millions of Black Americans who were held in bondage for generations.
Unfortunately, instead of correcting the repulsive claim, Florida’s Department of Education thought it wise to send Dr. William Allen — the author of Florida’s Black History curriculum, who himself is a Black man — to somehow justify what could have been a quick and painless linguistic fix.
Now we, as conservatives, find ourselves once again diverting from the real issues. What ought to have been a conversation celebrating Florida’s robust Black American History curriculum has been diluted due to an avoidable choice of words.
Needless missteps like these have pervasive consequences that often harm conservatives across the country. Before shedding light on the consequences of this avoidable blunder, it is worth noting what the conversation should have been about the curriculum update.
Since the mid-1990’s, Florida public school systems have been required to teach the history, experiences, and contributions of Black Americans throughout the state’s K-12 curriculum. Before the introduction of the new standards, there was a push from the left to include gender and queer theory in Black History.
Rightfully, Governor Ron DeSantis took bold action to establish a commission designed to protect Black History from wokeness. The new standards ensure that Black Floridan community leaders’ contributions are studied.
It mandates research about our nation’s abolitionist movement, while also ensuring students are educated about the development of Black businesses and the countless innovations that have borne from them.
The 216-page document represents one of, if not, the most robust Black History curriculums in the nation. As Allen forcefully said in defense of the reforms "any attempt to reduce slaves to just victims of oppression fails to recognize their strength, courage, and resiliency during a difficult time in American history."
While Allen is mostly right, the issue at hand is not about the curriculum in its entirety — it is about one line. Many might suggest that one line is insignificant ergo any criticism of that line is null and void, however I would counter that we have to understand the environment in which we operate with respect to the media and the American people.
As Americans, there should be little debate about suggesting that slavery had any positive outcomes associated with it. Our countrymen fought against one another in the deadliest war in American history as atonement for this great sin.
Implying that slavery benefited slaves is as absurd as it is tone-deaf and takes away from 216-pages of good policy. Instead of debating 14 words the focus should have been on things like the 14th Amendment, yet inaction has led to preventable politicking.
Moveover, the thought of woke teachers further victimizing the over 2 million fatherless children in Florida’s public schools is enough to oppose this language in the proposal. As the grandson of sharecroppers and a man whose parents went to segregated schools, the thought of someone saying my family has benefited from slavery is asinine.
Furthermore, beyond distracting from the solid policy put forth by Florida’s African American History Standards Workgroup — whose suggestions were integral in producing the new curriculum — now we as conservatives once again find ourselves at a disadvantage when it comes being competitive for the Black vote.
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Instead of being able to have fruitful conversations about issues affecting communities across the country, particularly Black communities that are growing more disillusioned with the Biden administration by the day, we are now focused on a sentence.
Put simply, one would never suggest that Japanese-Americans "benefited" when President Franklin D. Roosevelt forced them into internment camps during World War II, so what would provoke someone to make the same claim for Black Americans and slavery?
Now we, as conservatives, find ourselves once again diverting from the real issues. What ought to have been a conversation celebrating Florida’s robust Black American History curriculum has been diluted due to an avoidable choice of words.
As conservatives, we lose our Godliness and unfortunately justify the absurd accusations the left hurls at us when we decide to defend the indefensible. The correction is simple: slavery, while ubiquitous across most of human history and throughout cultures around the world, was egregious.
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As conservatives, we should cherish the history of the party of Lincoln, whose establishment was principally focused on the abolition of the abhorrent practice within the United States. Moreover, instead of telling Black Americans that their ancestors benefited from bondage, we should make the argument that once given the opportunity, their ancestors embodied the American Dream.
Through perseverance, hard work, cohesive family units, rooted in Christ — Black Americans flourished in communities across the country. I believe that to be a worthy substitute for the sentence that has captivated the country. | https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/schools-slavery-language-distracts | 2023-07-31T10:51:10 | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/schools-slavery-language-distracts |
Several House Republicans urge lawmakers return to DC after DOJ requests Devon Archer's surrender
Devon Archer's attorney said his client would not surrender, per the DOJ's request, before he meets with lawmakers
At least five House Republicans have called on lawmakers — who are currently enjoying a legislative recess — to return to Capitol Hill after the Department of Justice asked Hunter Biden's business partner Devon Archer to surrender to prison. The request came over the weekend before Archer was scheduled to testify to Congress Monday on the Biden family, Hunter's business dealings and the alleged role of his father, President Biden, in securing these deals.
Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.; Mike Johnson, R-La.; Chip Roy, R-Texas; Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo.; and Dan Bishop, R-N.C., each said on social media that lawmakers should return to Washington, D.C. for an emergency hearing to discuss potential DOJ interference in the committee's investigation into President Biden and Hunter Biden.
"The DOJ is now actively committing the crime of obstructing a congressional investigation," Gaetz wrote. "If Devin Archer isn't in the witness chair Monday, we better haul every SOB at the DOJ before congress EVERY DAY to make them pay for this."
Gaetz said that if Archer is not in the witness chair for his testimony on Monday, Attorney General Merrick Garland will be called to testify.
In another post, Gaetz said the DOJ's request for Archer's surrender is "all because Hunter's problems and Joe’s problems merge with the testimony of Devin Archer."
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York sent a letter to Archer on Sunday requesting he surrender to prison concerning his 2018 felony convictions for his role in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. He was sentenced in 2022 to one year behind bars but the sentence has been repeatedly postponed over a series of appeals.
Johnson, Roy, and the others swiftly expressed support for Gaetz.
"I will join you back on the Hill, Rep. Matt Gaetz," Johnson tweeted. Roy agreed.
"Make that four," Hageman added. "While I plan to be in Wyoming visiting constituents- this is imperative and warrants immediate action. I will also join."
Bishop added: "I think you need five. Count me in."
"Subpoenas should fly tomorrow," he also wrote.
The letter did not specifically demand Archer go to prison before he testified Monday, but to set a date to begin his jail sentence.
"To be clear, the Government does not request (and has never requested) that the defendant surrender before his Congressional testimony," a letter sent on Sunday reads. "As the Court knows, to surrender and commence his sentence of imprisonment, the defendant first must be designated to a federal facility by the Bureau of Prisons—a process that can take several weeks or months after the Court sets a surrender date."
The court is not expected to make a decision before Archer will meet behind closed doors with the House Oversight Committee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged Archer is not expected to surrender before his meeting with congressional lawmakers in a follow-up letter.
"In light of the foregoing, the Government respectfully requests that the defendant be ordered to surrender, at a date and time determined by the Court, to a facility designated by the Bureau of Prisons to commence his term of imprisonment," it adds.
Archer's attorney also said that his client will move forward with his planned appearance Monday, and pushed back on the idea that the DOJ's request for Archer's surrender is an attempt to prevent him from meeting with House members.
"We are aware of speculation that the Department of Justice’s weekend request to have Mr. Archer report to prison is an attempt by the Biden administration to intimidate him in advance of his meeting with the House Oversight Committee," Archer's attorney Matthew Schwartz said in a statement to POLITICO. "To be clear, Mr. Archer does not agree with that speculation. In any case, Mr. Archer will do what he has planned to do all along, which is to show up on Monday and to honestly answer the questions that are put to him by the Congressional investigators."
Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said during an interview on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" that the timing of Saturday's letter was "odd."
Archer's testimony before the House Oversight Committee is expected to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, July 31. | https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-urge-lawmakers-return-dc-after-doj-requests-devon-archers-surrender | 2023-07-31T10:51:12 | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-urge-lawmakers-return-dc-after-doj-requests-devon-archers-surrender |
Colts' Jonathan Taylor shoots down back injury report as drama swirls around star running back
Taylor led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2021
Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor denied a report he complained of back issues during a pre-camp physical ahead of training camp as it appears the rift between the running back and ownership grew Sunday.
Taylor appeared to respond to the ESPN report which said the alleged injury "was not sustained while playing for Indianapolis." ESPN cited a league source in the article – a notion that Taylor also hit out at.
"1.) Never had a back pain," he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "2.) Never reported back pain. Not sure who ‘sources’ are, but find new ones."
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According to ESPN, the Colts are now considering putting Taylor on the non-football injury list which could mean the team would withhold his salary. The running back reportedly failed his physical because of a previous ankle injury and the alleged back injury.
The Colts were said to be unaware of the back issue until Taylor reported it last week, ESPN reported.
The alleged injury comes amid reported drama between Taylor and the Colts. The issue also stems from team owner Jim Irsay sounding off about the running backs market after New York Giants star Saquon Barkley signed his franchise tender and returned to camp to prepare for the 2023 season.
Taylor on Saturday reportedly requested a trade. He has been seeking a contract extension before his rookie deal expires at the end of this season. Amid the Barkley ordeal, Taylor had spoken in support of running backs in the NFL earning more money than what the franchise tag could offer.
AARON RODGERS TORCHES SEAN PAYTON OVER NATHANIEL HACKETT REMARKS, GIVES STERN WARNING
Irsay suggested Wednesday that some player agents were acting in bad faith by complaining about how much running backs earned with the tag designation after the collective bargaining agreement was negotiated in good faith.
On Saturday, Taylor was seen at training camp go into a nearby motorhome. Irsay did not talk about the meeting but mentioned previous star running backs who were traded from the team, including Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James.
"I’m responsible for everyone on the team and to look at the cap money as you go forward," Irsay said. "It’s a great responsibility and you try to be as fair as you possibly can be with the whole football team. So again, I’m hopeful."
Irsay added he wanted to make sure Taylor was healthy.
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Taylor played in 11 games last season. He ran for 861 yards and four touchdowns. In 2021, he led the NFL with 1,811 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on his way to his first Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro nod.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.foxnews.com/sports/colts-jonathan-taylor-shoots-down-back-injury-report-drama-swirls-star-running-back | 2023-07-31T10:51:12 | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/sports/colts-jonathan-taylor-shoots-down-back-injury-report-drama-swirls-star-running-back |
16TH annual event features turtles named after characters in Disney's frighteningly fun adventure movie, "Haunted Mansion," now playing in theaters.
VERO BEACH, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the weekend at Disney's Vero Beach Resort, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation released two sea turtles as part of the 16th annual Tour de Turtles "migration marathon." Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational event that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding grounds and, ultimately, provides scientific data on how best to protect their species.
The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and Disney Cruise Line are each sponsoring a turtle this year, whose names, Madame Leota and Harriet, are the names of characters in Disney's frighteningly fun adventure movie "Haunted Mansion," now playing in theaters. Not unlike Gabbie, another character in the film who enlists a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters – Tour de Turtles brings together a team of researchers from the STC and Disney Conservation annually to undertake a daunting mission - using satellite telemetry to track two female turtles to determine where and how far they swim during the migration season.
Each turtle swims to raise awareness about various threats to sea turtle survival. The turtle to swim the furthest distance will win the Tour de Turtles race.
"Disney's commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1.5 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean," said Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney's Animals, Science and Environment. "Southeast Florida hosts one of the largest nesting aggregations of loggerhead sea turtles, making up to 40 percent of the global loggerhead population. The team has recorded more than 20,000 sea turtle nests on our survey route since the program began."
The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation and management. Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have collaborated to study 29 sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Continuing its commitment to strengthen youth education programs in port communities around the world, Disney Cruise Line proudly supported local students from Club Esteem from Melbourne, Florida, to participate in this year's event. DCF also has directed more than $5.1 million to support global sea turtle conservation efforts.
"Disney is a fantastic collaborator," said David Godfrey, STC Executive Director. "Disney's commitment to conservation, passion for environmental education, and effectiveness at communicating with audiences have made the Tour de Turtles a fun and successful program since it was launched over a decade ago."
In addition to Tour de Turtles, the Disney Conservation team has dedicated nearly 19,000 hours to studying and monitoring sea turtle nests during the summer nesting season along the five-mile coastline at Disney's Vero Beach Resort. From approximately May to October, Disney Vacation Club members and resort guests also have the opportunity to assist the team by joining outings to observe real-time sea turtle research while learning how they can take action to protect sea turtles. So far this year, the Disney Conservation team has a record-breaking number of nests along their survey route – nearly 2,000 by August, well above the average 1,500 normally counted in an entire season.
Tour de Turtles is a research and education program of the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Disney's support is just one example of bringing Disney Planet Possible to life by taking action to make a happier, healthier planet possible for all. To learn more and follow the turtles' migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at www.tourdeturtles.org
ABOUT DISNEY'S VERO BEACH RESORT
Disney's Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, offers spacious vacation villas along the pristine Atlantic coastline. The resort is located less than a two-hour drive from the Walt Disney World Resort, and its design reflects the Treasure Coast region where it is situated. Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world.
ABOUT DISNEY'S "HAUNTED MANSION"
Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, Disney's "Haunted Mansion" is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.
Directed by Justin Simien, the film features an all-star cast ensemble including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Daniel Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost. The film's producers are Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, with Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman serving as executive producers.
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SOURCE Walt Disney World | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/tour-de-turtles-celebrates-sea-turtles-supernatural-science-disneys-vero-beach-resort/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:15 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/tour-de-turtles-celebrates-sea-turtles-supernatural-science-disneys-vero-beach-resort/ |
The Nation's Largest Network for Affordable Housing Protects Consumers from Unfair Fees and Costs
BOCA RATON, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AffordableHousing.com today announced it will join the White House and a compendium of government agencies and other private sector companies in large-scale efforts to end junk fees and ensure that Americans are provided with honest, transparent pricing. More than 100 million property searches per year are performed on AffordableHousing.com–the largest platform for affordable housing in the nation.
"For decades, families have relied on us to help them find affordable housing," says Richard Cupelli, CEO at AffordableHousing.com. "We take pride in advocating for these families, so it was a natural fit for us to join forces with the Administration and other socially responsible companies to help protect consumers in our industry."
On July 19, 2023, the White House published a Fact Sheet announcing its crack-down on junk fees in the rental market, highlighting private-sector commitments supporting this initiative made by the three major rental housing platforms: AffordableHousing.com, Zillow, and Apartments.com.
Late last year, the President called on federal agencies, Congress, and private companies to take action to address junk fees across the economy. The initiative aims to ensure Americans are provided with honest, transparent pricing. By February 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced proposed rules limiting credit card late fees. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finalized a rule requiring cable and internet providers to list fees up front. And the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed a requirement for airlines and booking services show the full price of a plane ticket, including baggage and other fees.
In March, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge released an open letter to housing providers and state and local governments, encouraging them to adopt policies promoting greater fairness and transparency of fees faced by renters. Substantial research shows such fees obstruct comparison shopping, impede competition, and lead to consumers paying more.
A long-standing resource for families seeking affordable housing, AffordableHousing.com has policies in place supporting this transparency and protecting its customers from unfair fees.
Renters can search available properties free on AffordableHousing.com, and property owners are required to be upfront about all refundable and non-refundable rental fees and costs. AffordableHousing.com also does not charge rental application fees.
"Our socially responsible technology platform has allowed us to establish the largest network of affordable housing in the nation," says Cupelli. "We understand the accountability that comes with our standing in the industry and the trust that our customers place in us."
As a hub for housing agencies across the nation, AffordableHousing.com also allows state and local governments to have their own customized website that serves their local community, enforces their specific regulatory requirements, centralizes all affordable housing, and simplifies the application and approval process.
"We are working with AffordableHousing.com to implement the Vermont Affordable Housing Hub, which will allow families to easily find and apply to all affordable housing in the state," says Kathleen Berk, Executive Director at Vermont State Housing Authority. "By utilizing AffordableHousing.com's custom housing hub to build our state-specific site, we can streamline compliance with state laws, which have strict application fee guidelines. We can also add safeguards to protect our families by providing the Clear and Fair Lease template for property owners to use. These leases will also comply with affordable housing programs, like Section 8."
AffordableHousing.com also rewards reputable property owners. Those with a history of good standing can qualify for a Trusted Owner Badge, which ensures their credibility to prospective renters on the site and increases consumer confidence. Trusted Owners also receive prominent listing status.
Earning and maintaining status as a Trusted Owner requires providing various levels of documentation to verify qualifications and authenticity, adhering to all relevant federal, state, and local laws, and complying with the site's reasonable fee guidelines.
Together with its research partner, Learning Collider (www.learningcollider.org), AffordableHousing.com is conducting research into the real cost of administrative fees, the impact of fee transparency in rental listings, and the effectiveness of platform features like the common application for rental and government programs—an endeavor that the company has been urging agencies to adopt for years.
"Our research partnership with AffordableHousing.com has allowed us to analyze the impacts of rental fees on low-income families in real-time," says Peter Bergman, Professor at UT Austin and Director of the Learning Collider research lab. "Together, we are advancing research to identify junk fees and establish transparent fee practices, easing the path to affordable rentals for families across the U.S."
The President announced in latest White House Fact Sheet, released on July 27, 2023, further plans to protect renters, naming AffordableHousing.com as an ally in the initiative and endorsing the site's plans to deploy additional consumer protection tools by the end of the year, including "Clear and Fair" digital leases, which will align with the principles outlined in the White House Blueprint for a Renter Bill of Rights. Property owners who use these "Clear and Fair" digital leases will be acknowledged on AffordableHousing.com.
About AffordableHousing.com: For more than 20 years, AffordableHousing.com has provided innovative technology and real solutions that help solve some of the most complex challenges impacting the availability of affordable housing in the United States. By simplifying access to available resources, AffordableHousing.com boosts participation in government programs, increasing the much-needed supply of affordable housing nationwide, and providing more homes to more families.
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SOURCE AffordableHousing.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/white-house-announces-partnership-with-affordablehousingcom-end-junk-fees/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:22 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/white-house-announces-partnership-with-affordablehousingcom-end-junk-fees/ |
Rising cycling star Magnus White dead at 17 after incident while training for major event
White was set to ride in an event in Scotland
Magnus White, a 17-year-old American cyclist who was training in Colorado ahead of the upcoming world championships in Scotland, was struck by a vehicle and died near his home over the weekend.
USA Cycling confirmed White’s death on Sunday.
"He was a rising star in the off-road cycling scene and his passion for cycling was evident through his racing and camaraderie with his teammates and local community," the organization said in a statement.
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"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the White family, his teammates, friends, and the Boulder community during this incredibly difficult time."
White was on a training ride in Boulder, Colorado, when he was struck by a vehicle and later died.
He was a rising multidisciplinary star in the sport. He won a junior national championship in cyclocross in 2021 and earned a place on the U.S. national team. He competed as a member of Team USA in Europe ahead of last year’s cyclocross world championships.
CYCLING EVENT ALTERS CATEGORY POLICY AFTER FUROR OVER TRANSGENDER COMPETITOR'S WIN IN WOMEN'S RACE
He was picked to represent the U.S. again at this year’s cyclocross worlds in the Netherlands.
White started to participate in road cycling and mountain biking this year. He was on one of his final training rides before the junior world mountain bike championships in Scotland when the incident occurred.
"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the White family, his teammates, friends, and the Boulder community during this incredibly difficult time," USA Cycling said.
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"We ride for Magnus."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.foxnews.com/sports/rising-cycling-star-magnus-white-dead-incident-training-major-event | 2023-07-31T10:51:24 | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/sports/rising-cycling-star-magnus-white-dead-incident-training-major-event |
- Revenue of RMB9,908 Million in the Second Quarter, Up 6.7% Year-over-Year;
Excluding COVID-19 Commercial Projects, Up 39.5% - Revenue of RMB18,871 Million in the First Half, Up 6.3% Year-over-Year;
Excluding COVID-19 Commercial Projects, Up 27.9% - Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company for the First Half Increased 14.6% to RMB 5,313 Million
- Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) for the First Half Increased 20.9% to RMB1.79
- Adjusted Non-IFRS Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company for the First Half Increased 18.5% to RMB5,095 Million
- Adjusted Non-IFRS Diluted EPS for the First Half Increased 18.5% to RMB1.73[1]
- Free Cash Flow Achieved RMB2,926 Million for the First Half, Turned Positive and Grew Strongly
SHANGHAI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi AppTec (stock code: 603259.SH / 2359.HK), a global company that provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients, is pleased to announce its financial results for the first half ending June 30, 2023 ("Reporting Period").
This release provides a summary of the results and is not intended to be a comprehensive report. For additional information, please refer to the 2023 Interim Report and other relevant announcements published on the websites of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (www.sse.com.cn) and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (www.hkexnews.hk), and the designated media for dissemination of the relevant information. Investors are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the investment risks in trading Company shares.
All financial information disclosed in this press release is prepared based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), in currency of RMB.
The 2023 Interim Report of the Company has not been audited.
Second Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights
Revenue grew 6.7% year-over-year to RMB9,908 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 39.5%. This is primarily attributable to the Company's continued excellent execution of our unique Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) business model to achieve strong synergy and continuous growth:
- WuXi Chemistry revenue grew 2.6% year-over-year to RMB7,034 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 51.6%. Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 12.9% year-over-year to RMB3,216 million, with a gross profit margin of 45.7%.
- WuXi Testing revenue grew 23.6% year-over-year to RMB1,638 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 36.2% year-over-year to RMB640 million, with a gross profit margin of 39.1%.
- WuXi Biology revenue grew 17.5% year-over-year to RMB656 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 21.3% year-over-year to RMB 271 million, with a gross profit margin of 41.4%.
- WuXi ATU revenue grew 22.9% year-over-year to RMB389 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit was RMB(16) million, with a gross profit margin of (4.2)%
- WuXi DDSU revenue declined 17.9% year-over-year to RMB176 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew year-over-year 5.2% to RMB63 million, with a gross profit margin of 35.8%. Meanwhile, we received the first royalty income from customers in the second quarter, which is a breakthrough for DDSU.
Unit: RMB million
- IFRS gross profit increased 18.1% year-over-year to RMB4,030 million. Gross profit margin was 40.7%[2]
- Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit increased 16.4% year-over-year to RM4,177 million. Adjusted non-IFRS gross margin was 42.2%.
- Net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 5.1% year-over-year to RMB3,145 million.
- Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 22.4% year-over-year to RMB2,753 million.
First-Half 2023 Financial Highlights
Revenue grew 6.3% year-over-year to RMB18,871 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 27.9%. This is primarily attributable to the Company's continued excellent execution of our unique Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) business model to achieve strong synergy and continuous growth:
- WuXi Chemistry revenue grew 3.8% year-over-year to RMB13,467 million, excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, revenue grew strongly by 36.1%. Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 14.9% year-over-year to RMB6,103 million, with a gross profit margin of 45.3%.
- WuXi Testing revenue grew 18.7% year-over-year to RMB3,091 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 26.1% year-over-year to RMB1,168 million, with a gross profit margin of 37.8%.
- WuXi Biology revenue grew 13.0% year-over-year to RMB1,233 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit grew 15.1% year-over-year to RMB511 million, with a gross profit margin of 41.5%.
- WuXi ATU revenue grew 16.0% year-over-year to RMB714 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit was RMB(40) million, with a gross profit margin of (5.7)%.
- WuXi DDSU revenue declined 24.9% year-over-year to RMB342 million and adjusted non-IFRS gross profit declined 26.2% year-over-year to RMB103 million, with a gross profit margin of 30.1%. Meanwhile, DDSU achieved a breakthrough in receiving the first royalty income from customers.
Unit: RMB million
- IFRS gross profit increased 17.6% year-over-year to RMB7,556 million. Gross profit margin was 40.0%[3].
- Adjusted non-IFRS gross profit increased 15.7% year-over-year to RMB7,855 million. Adjusted non-IFRS gross margin was 41.6%.
- Net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 14.6% year-over-year to RMB 5,313 million.
- Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 18.5% year-over-year to RMB5,095 million.
- Diluted EPS increased 20.9% year-over-year to RMB1.79, while adjusted diluted non-IFRS EPS increased by 18.5% year-over-year to RMB1.73.
- Free cash flow achieved RMB2,926 million, turned positive and grew strongly year-over-year.
First-Half 2023 Business Operation Highlights
- As an industry innovation enabler, we grow together with our customers. In the first half of 2023, we added over 600 new customers, and in total we served more than 6,000 active customers over the past 12 months. Backlog grew 25% year-over-year excluding COVID-19 commercial projects. We continued to optimize our cross-platform synergies to better serve our customers worldwide, strengthen our unique competitive advantage as a fully integrated Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) and Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CTDMO) platform, and provide one-stop services for our customers from discovery to development and manufacturing. The diversified revenue streams from customers across regions ensure the stability and resilience of the Company's financial performance.
- WuXi Chemistry: Integrated CRDMO Business Model Drives Steady Growth, with Continued Expansion in New Modalities (WuXi TIDES)
- In the past 12 months, we successfully synthesized and delivered more than 420,000 new compounds to customers, which grew 20% year-over-year. Through our chemistry drug discovery services, we enabled our customers to accelerate their research while generating opportunities for our downstream business units. In the past 12 months, 120 molecules have transitioned from R to D&M, representing a year-on-year growth of 21%. Through our "follow-the-customer" and "follow-the-molecule" strategies, we established trusted partnerships with our global customers, supporting the sustainable growth of our CRDMO business.
- We continued executing our "long-tail" strategy. Demand from "long-tail" customers in discovery services of small molecule and new modalities continued to grow, with the number of new customers growing 17% year-over-year.
- In the first half of 2023, D&M services revenue grew 2.1% year-over-year to RMB9.67 billion. Excluding COVID-19 commercial projects, D&M services revenue grew strongly by 54.5%.
- In the first half of 2023, we added 583 molecules to our D&M pipeline. To date, our D&M pipeline consists of 2,819 molecules, including 56 commercial projects, 59 in phase III, 301 in phase II and 2,403 in phase I and pre-clinical stages, among which, 8 commercial and phase III projects were added in the first half of 2023.
- In the first half of 2023, TIDES revenue grew 37.9% year-over-year to RMB1.33 billion. As of June 30, 2023, backlog of TIDES grew strongly by 188% year-over-year. We expect revenue growth from TIDES business to exceed 70% in 2023.
- The number of TIDES D&M customers increased 25% year-over-year to 121, and the number of TIDES molecules increased 46% year-over-year to 207.
- WuXi Testing: Lab Testing Services Drive Steady Growth, Clinical Business Fully Recovered
- The Company provides a full range of laboratory testing services for our customers, including drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), toxicology, and bioanalysis for drug development testing, as well as medical device testing. We provide customers with high-quality services, realize "one report for global submission," and enable customers to save time, reduce costs and increase efficiency.
- H1 2023 revenue from drug safety evaluation services grew 24% year-over-year. We maintained our industry leadership position in Asia Pacific for drug safety evaluation services that meet global regulatory requirements. In the first half of 2023, new lab testing facilities in Qidong and Suzhou began operations as scheduled, ensuring the business growth to accelerate in the second half of 2023.
- Moreover, we continued to enhance capabilities related to new modalities, with comprehensive coverage such as target protein degradation, nucleic acids, conjugates, and cell and gene therapies (CGT), etc.
- SMO revenue grew strongly by 53.9% in Q2 2023 and 34.3% in H1 2023, maintaining a leadership position in China. In the first half of 2023, SMO supported 25 new drug approvals for customers.
- In the first half of 2023, clinical CRO enabled our customers to obtain 8 IND approvals and submit 3 NDA filings.
- WuXi Biology: Strong Contribution from New Modalities; Early Discovery Screening Platform Continued to Generate Downstream Opportunities
- WuXi ATU: CTDMO Business Model Drives Growth
- WuXi DDSU: the First Year to Receive New Drug Application (NDA) Approval of New Drugs Developed for Customers; Breakthrough to Receive the First Royalty Income
Our Commitment to ESG
As an industry innovation enabler, a trusted partner and a contributor to the global healthcare industry, the Company is committed to environmental protection and sustainability, and to being a good global corporate citizenship.
Our outstanding ESG performance has been recognized by major global ESG rating agencies, including MSCI, S&P Global, Sustainalytics, CDP and EcoVadis. In June 2023, we received the fourth "Silver" medal recognition from EcoVadis for our Couvet site in Switzerland.
By the first half of 2023, our carbon emission intensity, energy consumption intensity and water use intensity reduced by 20.1%, 18.4%, and 31.6%, respectively, as compared to the baseline year 2020.
As we continue to advance our sustainability strategy, we embrace our shared responsibility to be good stewards of the environment.
Management Comment
Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi AppTec, said, "We continued to achieve steady growth of revenue, net profit, and free cash flow in the first half of 2023. Our revenue increased 6.3% year-over-year to RMB18.87 billion, or 27.9% if excluding COVID-19 commercial projects. Our adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company increased 18.5% year-over-year, outpacing the revenue growth rate, and our free cash flow achieved RMB2.93 billion, as a result of the Company's pursuit of operational excellence and productivity."
"The Company's performance in the first half of 2023 demonstrated that WuXi AppTec's unique CRDMO and CTDMO business models can effectively meet the growing demands from customers worldwide and continue to drive solid growth for the Company. In 2023, we aim to deliver a 5-7% revenue growth, increase adjusted non-IFRS gross profit by 13-14%, and expand free cash flow by 750-850%. We remain committed to prioritizing our customers' needs and enhancing our capacity and capabilities as we support our customers' efforts to bring groundbreaking therapies to patients around the world. Together, we can realize our vision that 'every drug can be made and every disease can be treated'."
About WuXi AppTec
As a global company with operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable the global pharmaceutical and healthcare industry to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients. Through its unique business models, WuXi AppTec's integrated, end-to-end services include chemistry drug CRDMO (Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization), biology discovery, preclinical testing and clinical research services, cell and gene therapies CTDMO (Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization), helping customers improve the productivity of advancing healthcare products through cost-effective and efficient solutions. WuXi AppTec received an AA ESG rating from MSCI in 2022 and its open-access platform is enabling more than 6,000 customers from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need – and to realize the vision that "every drug can be made and every disease can be treated." Please visit: http://www.wuxiapptec.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" which are not historical facts, but instead are predictions about future events based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. Although we believe that our predictions are reasonable, future events are inherently uncertain and our forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks relating to, among other things, the ability of our service offerings to compete effectively, our ability to meet timelines for the expansion of our service offerings, our ability to protect our customers' intellectual property, unforeseeable international tension, competition, the impact of emergencies and other force majeure. Our forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law or listing rules. Accordingly, you are strongly cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by reference to the cautionary statements set forth in this section. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
Use of Non-IFRS and Adjusted Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We provide non-IFRS gross profit and non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, issuance expenses of convertible bonds, fair value gain or loss from derivative component of convertible bonds, foreign exchange-related gains or losses, amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations, non-financial assets impairment, etc. We also provide adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company and earnings per share, which further exclude realized and unrealized gains or losses from our venture capital investments and joint ventures. Neither is required by, or presented in accordance with IFRS.
We believe that the adjusted financial measures used in this press release are useful for understanding and assessing our core business performance and operating trends, and we believe that management and investors may benefit from referring to these adjusted financial measures in assessing our financial performance by eliminating the impact of certain unusual, non-recurring, non-cash and non-operating items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our core business. Such adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company, the management of the Company believes, is widely accepted and adopted in the industry the Company is operating in. However, the presentation of these adjusted non-IFRS financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. You should not view adjusted results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under IFRS, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Ruijia Tang (for investors)
IR Director
Email: tang_ruijia@wuxiapptec.com
Mr. Davy Wu (for media)
PR Director
Email: davy_wu@wuxiapptec.com
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SOURCE WuXi AppTec | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/wuxi-apptec-announced-strong-results-second-quarter-first-half-2023-top-an-exceptionally-strong-year-2022/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:28 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/wuxi-apptec-announced-strong-results-second-quarter-first-half-2023-top-an-exceptionally-strong-year-2022/ |
Hunter Biden’s ex-biz partner to deliver explosive testimony, Trump employee in court and more top headlines
Good morning and welcome to Fox News’ morning newsletter, Fox News First. Subscribe now to get Fox News First in your email. And here's what you need to know to start your day ...
EXPLOSIVE TESTIMONY - Hunter Biden’s longtime friend and business associate Devon Archer is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee Monday in the panel’s investigation into the Biden family ventures and whether President Biden was involved. Continue reading …
TRUMP EMPLOYEE IN COURT - Carlos de Oliveira, a Mar-a Lago property manager, will appear in court Monday to answer charges alleging he was asked to delete surveillance video footage at the club last summer and lied to the FBI. Continue reading …
SENTENCING DATE - 'Cult mom' Lori Vallow, who was found guilty in the murders of her two children and her husband's first wife, will be sentenced in an Idaho court Monday. Continue reading …
DISORDER IN THE COURT - Expert warns of courtroom chaos as new tech could unleash bogus info. Continue reading …
COSTNER CHAOS - 'Yellowstone' star's divorce battle heats up despite 'ironclad' prenup. Continue reading …
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POLITICS
BLOCKING DISSENTING VOICES – North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum slams RNC ‘clubhouse rules,’ accuses party of trying to keep ‘fresh faces’ off debate stage. Continue reading …
UNMASKED - Rand Paul announces 'official criminal referral,' says email shows Fauci COVID testimony 'absolutely a lie.' Continue reading …
DIFFERING POINT OF VIEW - 2024 GOP candidates Haley, Hutchinson split on discussing Trump pardon during presidential campaign. Continue reading …
OUT OF THEIR POWER - Justice Samuel Alito says ‘no provision’ in Constitution allows Congress to regulate Supreme Court. Continue reading …
MEDIA
‘COOKING RECIPES’ - WaPo editor downplays Hillary's email scandal to 'cooking recipes and appointments,' not 'nuclear secrets.' Continue reading …
HELP FOR PARENTS - ‘School of Woke’ examines how critical race theory invaded American schools, aims to end ‘victimhood ideology.’ Continue reading …
'IT'S NOT REPUBLICANS' WHO MADE HUNTER A 'SCUMBAG' - CNN panel clashes over Biden acknowledging 7th grandchild. Continue reading …
‘DEFINITION OF GASLIGHTING’ - Critics mock USA Today tweet lamenting Hunter Biden's 'foibles.' Continue reading …
OPINION
ANDREW MCCARTHY - Hunter Biden’s partner testifies: Congress must not skip one crucial question. Continue reading …
JAY GREENE - Supreme Court Associate Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson's second error reveals another industry gone woke. Continue reading …
JACK BREWER - School's slavery language distracts from how far we've come. Continue reading …
IN OTHER NEWS
‘PROUD PATRIOT’ - Abbott and Costello used fame to support servicemen during WWII: daughter. Continue reading …
IT’S TIME – Fox News correspondent Eric Shawn says it is time for the FBI to tell us who killed Jimmy Hoffa. Continue reading …
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Austin Riley Player Prop Bets: Braves vs. Angels - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:27 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Austin Riley -- with a slugging percentage of .897 in his past 10 games, including six home runs -- will be in action for the Atlanta Braves versus the Los Angeles Angels, with Griffin Canning on the hill, on July 31 at 7:20 PM ET.
In his most recent game, he notched a home run while going 1-for-3 against the Brewers.
Austin Riley Game Info & Props vs. the Angels
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
- Stadium: Truist Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Angels Starter: Griffin Canning
- TV Channel: BSSO
- Hits Prop: Over/under 1.5 hits (Over odds: +195)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +300)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +120)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: -118)
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Explore More About This Game
Austin Riley At The Plate
- Riley is hitting .277 with 19 doubles, a triple, 24 home runs and 36 walks.
- Among qualifying hitters, he ranks 33rd in batting average, while his on-base percentage ranks 58th and he is 17th in slugging.
- Riley will look to extend his five-game hitting streak. He's batting .368 with two homers in his last outings.
- Riley has had a hit in 72 of 103 games this season (69.9%), including multiple hits 34 times (33.0%).
- In 21.4% of his games this season, he has gone deep, and 5.3% of his trips to the plate.
- Riley has had an RBI in 40 games this season (38.8%), including 17 multi-RBI outings (16.5%). He has also driven home three or more of his team's runs in five contests.
- In 54 of 103 games this year, he has scored, and 16 of those games included multiple runs.
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Austin Riley Home/Away Batting Splits
Angels Pitching Rankings
- The Angels pitching staff is seventh in the league with a collective 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
- The Angels' 4.40 team ERA ranks 19th among all MLB pitching staffs.
- The Angels rank 20th in baseball in home runs surrendered (129 total, 1.2 per game).
- Canning makes the start for the Angels, his 17th of the season. He is 6-4 with a 4.46 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings pitched.
- In his last appearance on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers, the right-hander threw five innings, giving up two earned runs while surrendering seven hits.
- In 16 games this season, the 27-year-old has amassed an ERA of 4.46, with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are batting .245 against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/austin-riley-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:35 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/austin-riley-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Matt Olson Player Prop Bets: Braves vs. Angels - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:27 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Matt Olson -- with a slugging percentage of .743 in his past 10 games, including five home runs -- will be in action for the Atlanta Braves versus the Los Angeles Angels, with Griffin Canning on the hill, on July 31 at 7:20 PM ET.
In his last game, he hit two homers in his most recent game (going 2-for-4) against the Brewers.
Matt Olson Game Info & Props vs. the Angels
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
- Stadium: Truist Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Angels Starter: Griffin Canning
- TV Channel: BSSO
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -208)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +225)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +115)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: -128)
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Read More About This Game
Matt Olson At The Plate
- Olson has 102 hits, which leads Atlanta hitters this season, while batting .259 with 56 extra-base hits.
- Among qualified hitters in MLB, his batting average ranks 65th, his on-base percentage ranks 27th, and he is second in the league in slugging.
- Olson enters this game on a five-game hitting streak. Over the course of his last outings, he's hitting .368 with three homers.
- In 68 of 103 games this season (66.0%) Olson has had a hit, and in 27 of those games he had more than one (26.2%).
- In 29 games this season, he has hit a long ball (28.2%, and 7.6% of his trips to the dish).
- In 46 games this season (44.7%), Olson has picked up an RBI, and in 23 of those games (22.3%) he had two or more. He has also driven home three or more of his team's runs in 12 contests.
- In 55.3% of his games this season, he has scored at least once. And he's had 20 games with multiple runs (19.4%).
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Matt Olson Home/Away Batting Splits
Angels Pitching Rankings
- The 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Angels pitching staff ranks seventh in MLB.
- The Angels' 4.40 team ERA ranks 19th across all MLB pitching staffs.
- Angels pitchers combine to give up 129 total home runs at a rate of 1.2 per game (to rank 20th in the league).
- Canning makes the start for the Angels, his 17th of the season. He is 6-4 with a 4.46 ERA and 91 strikeouts through 84 2/3 innings pitched.
- His last time out was on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers, when the right-hander tossed five innings, surrendering two earned runs while allowing seven hits.
- The 27-year-old has an ERA of 4.46, with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings, in 16 games this season. Opponents have a .245 batting average against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/matt-olson-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:42 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/matt-olson-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Michael Harris II Player Prop Bets: Braves vs. Angels - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:28 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
On Monday, Michael Harris II (batting .375 in his past 10 games) and the Atlanta Braves face the Los Angeles Angels, whose starting pitcher will be Griffin Canning. First pitch is at 7:20 PM ET.
In his last appearance, he went 1-for-3 against the Brewers.
Michael Harris II Game Info & Props vs. the Angels
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
- Stadium: Truist Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Angels Starter: Griffin Canning
- TV Channel: BSSO
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -208)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +550)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +190)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +110)
Looking to place a prop bet on Michael Harris II? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Explore More About This Game
Michael Harris II At The Plate
- Harris II is batting .275 with 15 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 18 walks.
- Harris II enters this game on a 12-game hitting streak. Over the course of his last outings, he's hitting .353.
- In 65.4% of his 81 games this season, Harris II has picked up at least one hit. He's also had 15 multi-hit games.
- He has homered in 9.9% of his games in 2023 (eight of 81), and 3% of his trips to the plate.
- In 22.2% of his games this year, Harris II has picked up at least one RBI. In six of those games (7.4%) he recorded two or more RBI, while accounting for three or more of his team's runs in three contests.
- In 28 of 81 games this season, he has scored, and seven of those games included multiple runs.
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Michael Harris II Home/Away Batting Splits
Angels Pitching Rankings
- The pitching staff for the Angels has a collective 9.2 K/9, the seventh-best in the league.
- The Angels have a 4.40 team ERA that ranks 19th across all MLB pitching staffs.
- Angels pitchers combine to rank 20th in baseball in home runs given up (129 total, 1.2 per game).
- The Angels are sending Canning (6-4) out for his 17th start of the season. He is 6-4 with a 4.46 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings pitched.
- In his last time out on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers, the righty went five innings, allowing two earned runs while surrendering seven hits.
- In 16 games this season, the 27-year-old has amassed an ERA of 4.46, with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are hitting .245 against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/michael-harris-ii-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:48 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/michael-harris-ii-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Orlando Arcia Player Prop Bets: Braves vs. Angels - July 31
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 4:27 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Orlando Arcia -- with a slugging percentage of .545 in his past 10 games, including two home runs -- will be in action for the Atlanta Braves against the Los Angeles Angels, with Griffin Canning on the hill, on July 31 at 7:20 PM ET.
In his previous game he had a one-hit showing (1-for-2) against the Brewers.
Orlando Arcia Game Info & Props vs. the Angels
- Game Day: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
- Stadium: Truist Park
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Angels Starter: Griffin Canning
- TV Channel: BSSO
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -222)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +650)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +210)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +130)
Looking to place a prop bet on Orlando Arcia? Check out what's available at BetMGM and use bonus code "GNPLAY" when you sign up with this link!
Explore More About This Game
Orlando Arcia At The Plate
- Arcia is batting .298 with 13 doubles, 10 home runs and 23 walks.
- Arcia has picked up a hit in 65.9% of his 82 games this year, with multiple hits in 31.7% of those games.
- In 12.2% of his games this year, he has homered, and 3.2% of his trips to the dish.
- In 25 games this year (30.5%), Arcia has picked up an RBI, and in 11 of those games (13.4%) he had more than one.
- He has scored in 31 of 82 games this season, and more than once 10 times.
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Orlando Arcia Home/Away Batting Splits
Angels Pitching Rankings
- The Angels pitching staff is seventh in MLB with a collective 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
- The Angels have the 19th-ranked team ERA among all league pitching staffs (4.40).
- Angels pitchers combine to rank 20th in baseball in home runs allowed (129 total, 1.2 per game).
- Canning (6-4 with a 4.46 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings pitched) gets the start for the Angels, his 17th of the season.
- The righty's most recent appearance was on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers, when he threw five innings, surrendering two earned runs while giving up seven hits.
- The 27-year-old has put up an ERA of 4.46, with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings, in 16 games this season. Opponents are batting .245 against him.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/orlando-arcia-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-31T10:51:55 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/orlando-arcia-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Saints Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
Currently the New Orleans Saints are 15th in the league in terms of odds to win the Super Bowl, listed at +4000.
Watch the Saints this season on Fubo!
Saints Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the NFC South: +125
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +4000
Looking to place a futures bet on the Saints to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
New Orleans Betting Insights
- New Orleans put together a 6-10-0 record against the spread last season.
- Last season, the combined scoring went over the point total six times in Saints games.
- New Orleans ranked 19th in total offense this season (333.8 yards per game), but it really clicked on defense, ranking fifth-best in the with 333.8 yards allowed per game.
- The Saints picked up four wins at home last year and three away.
- New Orleans won twice as the underdog (2-8) and went 4-2 as the favorite last season.
- The Saints were 5-7 in the NFC, including 2-4 in the NFC South.
Saints Impact Players
- Derek Carr had 24 TD passes and 14 interceptions in 15 games for the Raiders last year, completing 60.8% of his throws for 3,522 yards (234.8 per game).
- On the ground with the Lions last season, Jamaal Williams scored 17 touchdowns and accumulated 1,066 yards (62.7 per game).
- On the ground, Alvin Kamara scored two touchdowns a season ago and accumulated 897 yards (59.8 per game).
- Taysom Hill had nine catches for 77 yards (4.8 per game) and two touchdowns in 16 games.
- On defense last year, Demario Davis helped keep opposing offenses in check with one interception to go with 109 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 6.5 sacks, and six passes defended in 17 games.
Bet on Saints to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Saints NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 31 at 5:27 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/saints-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-31T10:52:01 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/saints-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Trump could be indicted soon in Georgia. Here’s a look at that investigation
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T10:52:56 | 1 | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ |
We will remain Hot and Dry for the start of the week!
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 5:27 AM CDT|Updated: 25 minutes ago
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - I’m First Alert 6 Meteorologist Jaden Knowles. It’s Monday and temperatures will remain in the triple digits. We will see a high of 110 today with mostly sunny skies. Winds will be sustained blowing from the south at 5-10 mph. We will see overnight lows in the low 80s. Heading into Tuesday, the heat will continue as the Heat Dome will remain right over us. We will see a high of 111 with mostly sunny skies. Southwest winds will be sustained blowing from 10-15 mph. We can expect to see overnight lows in the low 80s once again. Have a great Monday!
Copyright 2023 KAUZ. All rights reserved. | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/07/31/we-will-remain-hot-dry-start-week/ | 2023-07-31T10:53:02 | 0 | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/07/31/we-will-remain-hot-dry-start-week/ |
Trump could be indicted soon in Georgia. Here’s a look at that investigation
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wsaz.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T10:53:13 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ |
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- This week will feature less heat and humidity, but that comes with an increased risk of severe weather.
There is a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for strong to severe storms this afternoon and early evening. The main threat will be possibly damaging wind gusts.
The timing of the severe weather is 3-9 p.m.
An isolated storm will be possible Tuesday afternoon as the upper-level support exits the region. Any storm would wrap by early evening.
We hit 90 at RDU yesterday, which was the 8th day in a row with temperatures above 90 degrees. | https://abc11.com/nc-weather-10-days-today-tomorrow/13576701/ | 2023-07-31T10:54:22 | 1 | https://abc11.com/nc-weather-10-days-today-tomorrow/13576701/ |
- Euro zone inflation fell in July, and new growth figures showed economic activity picking up in the second quarter of this year — but economists still fear a recession could be in the cards.
- Headline inflation in the euro area was 5.3% in July, according to preliminary data released Monday, lower than the 5.5% registered in June. However, it remains well above the European Central Bank's 2% target for the 20-member bloc.
- GDP growth accelerated in the second quarter, expanding by 0.3% — higher than the 0.2% expected by analysts polled by Reuters.
Euro zone inflation fell in July, and new growth figures showed economic activity picking up in the second quarter of this year — but economists still fear a recession could be in the cards.
Headline inflation in the euro area was 5.3% in July, according to preliminary data released Monday, lower than the 5.5% registered in June. This remains well above the European Central Bank's 2% target for the bloc.
Core inflation — which excludes volatile food and energy prices — remained unchanged at 5.5% in July, which Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics, said would be a "disappointment for policymakers."
The euro area has been battling high inflation for the past year, leading the ECB to undergo a full year of consecutive rate hikes in an effort to bring prices down. Last week, the central bank rose rates by a quarter percentage point once again, bringing its main interest rate to 3.75%.
Initially, much of the price pressures in the euro area were coming from high energy costs, but in recent months food prices have contributed the most. This month, food, alcohol and tobacco once again drove inflation — prices rose by 10.8% in July, in a hike that was nevertheless lower than in previous months.
GDP beats expectations
Money Report
The inflation figures come against a backdrop of previously moribund growth, with GDP (gross domestic product) stagnating in the first quarter of this year. But a separate data release on Monday showed that growth accelerated in the second quarter, expanding by 0.3% — higher than the 0.2% expected by analysts polled by Reuters.
However, Capital Economics' Kenningham attributed the second-quarter GDP number to one-off increases in France and Ireland, which he said "give a misleading impression of the underlying strength of the economy."
"[It] does not change our view that the economy is heading for recession," he wrote in a note after the release of the data.
"Excluding [France and Ireland] GDP growth would have been only 0.04% q/q, or zero to one decimal place! As these factors are unlikely to be repeated in the coming quarters and the impact of monetary policy tightening is still intensifying, we think euro-zone GDP will contract in the second half of the year."
The economies of both France and Ireland proved relatively resilient in the second quarter, with the former posting a GDP rate of 0.5%, while the latter expanded by 3.3%.
ING's Senior Euro Zone Economist Bert Colijn noted Ireland as an outlier.
"Without Ireland, growth would have been halved. Looking through the most volatile components, we argue that the economy has remained broadly stagnant," Colijn said in a note. "Judging by the survey data we have so far on the third quarter, the risks are to the downside for the coming quarters."
Spain also fared well, growing by 0.4%. Germany, however, proved weaker over the same three-month period, failing to post any growth. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/money-report/euro-zone-economy-shows-resilience-as-second-quarter-gdp-beats-expectations-inflation-slips/3306402/ | 2023-07-31T10:54:28 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/money-report/euro-zone-economy-shows-resilience-as-second-quarter-gdp-beats-expectations-inflation-slips/3306402/ |
- Saudi Arabia's economy slowed in the second quarter, as crude output cuts and a drop in oil prices reined in one of the fastest growing nations of the G20.
- Riyadh's GDP expanded by an annual 1.1% in the second quarter, the Saudi General Authority for Statistics said Monday, down from 3.8% in the previous quarter and 11.2% in the same period of 2022.
- The International Monetary Fund had dubbed Riyadh the fastest growing economy in the Group of 20 in 2022.
Saudi Arabia's economy slowed in the second quarter, as crude output cuts and a drop in oil prices reined in one of the fastest growing nations of the G20.
Riyadh's GDP expanded by an annual 1.1% in the second quarter, the Saudi General Authority for Statistics said Monday, down from 3.8% in the previous quarter and 11.2% in the same period of 2022.
The non-oil sector — where Saudi Arabia is directing its socioeconomic reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 economic diversification program — grew by 5.5% in the second quarter.
But hydrocarbon-reliant Riyadh logged a 4.2% loss in non-oil GDP in the second quarter, bearing the brunt of lower global crude prices and voluntary oil production cuts. Oil prices spiked last year, as Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and ensuing international sanctions decoupled many Western consumers from Russian crude supplies. The world's top oil exporter benefitted doubly at the time, from both the boost in flat prices and from bolstered demand for Saudi Arabia's own crude, which is qualitatively comparative to Russia's mainstay supply.
Commodities offered less support to the Saudi economy in the first half of this year, with oil prices lingering below $80 per barrel amid macroeconomic concerns, a recessionary dip in demand and China's protracted exit from spartan Covid-19 restrictions. The expiring Brent futures contract with September delivery were trading at $84.89 per barrel at 9:10 a.m. London time, down by 10 cents per barrel from the Friday settlement.
Saudi Arabia is also shouldering the lion's share of additional voluntary crude production cuts agreed by some members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+. Some OPEC+ nations are carrying out 1.66 million barrels per day of declines until the end of 2024, with Saudi Arabia lowering output by a further 1 million barrels per day in July and August. Fellow heavyweight and petropolitics ally Russia is likewise curtailing its crude exports by 500,000 barrels per day next month.
Money Report
The International Monetary Fund had dubbed Riyadh the fastest growing G20 economy of 2022, with an overall expansion of 8.7% last year. The fund foreshadowed the Saudi slowdown last week, when it cut GDP growth projections for Riyadh from 8.7% in 2022 to 1.9% in 2023 in its July 25 issue of its World Economic Outlook.
"The downgrade for Saudi Arabia for 2023 reflects production cuts announced in April and June in line with an agreement through OPEC+," it said, stressing that "private investment, including from 'giga-project' implementation, continues to support strong non-oil GDP growth."
The Saudi slowdown is set to ripple into overall performance in the Middle East and Central Asian region, where the IMF now expects growth of just 2.5% this year, from 5.4% in 2022. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/money-report/saudi-arabias-economic-growth-slows-as-oil-cuts-price-drops-bite-into-revenues/3306404/ | 2023-07-31T10:54:34 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/money-report/saudi-arabias-economic-growth-slows-as-oil-cuts-price-drops-bite-into-revenues/3306404/ |
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Video Weather | https://www.nbcdfw.com/video-weather/nbc-5-forecast-excessive-heat-warning-and-air-quality-alert-for-monday/3306418/ | 2023-07-31T10:54:43 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/video-weather/nbc-5-forecast-excessive-heat-warning-and-air-quality-alert-for-monday/3306418/ |
We are picking up right where the weekend left off, sunny & overall comfortable. Highs are where they should be, in the lower to middle 80s. Humidity won’t be unbearable, like it was at the end of last week, making for a blue ribbon kind-of-day for the final day of the Hancock County Fair. | https://www.kaaltv.com/kaal-weather/a-sunny-comfy-start-to-the-week/ | 2023-07-31T10:56:02 | 1 | https://www.kaaltv.com/kaal-weather/a-sunny-comfy-start-to-the-week/ |
Limited Rain Chances This Week
As we wrap up July today, checking the numbers, we’ve only picked up 2.18″ of rain for the month, down nearly 2″ from where we should be by the final day of July. The deficit is even worse when looking at our rainfall totals (official) since June 1st, where we are down nearly 6″ from normal, as we have only picked up just over 3.5″ for the two month total! Looking short-term, we will be dodging a few showers & t-storms early Wednesday, with better opportunities for rain & rumbles holding off until the weekend. | https://www.kaaltv.com/kaal-weather/limited-rain-chances-this-week/ | 2023-07-31T10:56:09 | 0 | https://www.kaaltv.com/kaal-weather/limited-rain-chances-this-week/ |
Not As Hot Or Humid As Last Week
The big-time heat & humidity from last week is now a thing of the past, with a nice-looking week ahead. We are going to start things off comfortable, with the humidity slowly on the rise as we move into the mid-week timeframe. Temperatures are warming into the upper 80s by then as well, which will aid in the development of a few storms, mainly early in the day on Wednesday. After that, we are trending cooler as we wrap up the week & move into the following week. | https://www.kaaltv.com/kaal-weather/not-as-hot-or-humid-as-last-week/ | 2023-07-31T10:56:15 | 1 | https://www.kaaltv.com/kaal-weather/not-as-hot-or-humid-as-last-week/ |
Europe’s economy grows a bit after months of stagnation. But rate hikes are weighing on businesses
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Europe’s economy has grown modestly after months of stagnation, but higher interest rates designed to fight inflation are casting a shadow as they make it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow, invest and spend.
The 20 countries that use the euro currency and their 346 million people saw 0.3% growth in the April-to-June period, compared with the first three months of the year, the EU statistics agency Eurostat reported Monday.
That’s an improvement over zero growth in the first quarter and a slight decline in fourth quarter of last year — but not by much. Plus, one-time factors and an outsized bump from Ireland made things look better than they really were.
The eurozone got a boost by 0.5% growth in France and 0.4% in Spain, where lower inflation has helped lift consumer spending power.
Yet the French figure was increased by the delivery of one very large manufactured item — a cruise ship. That statistical quirk flattered French growth but does little to disguise weak demand for goods in the eurozone’s second-largest economy.
Ireland’s growth of 3.3%, largest in the eurozone, also distorted the overall picture. Its growth figures often show large swings due to major international companies housing their headquarters there, including tech giants like Meta, Google and Apple.
Without Ireland, euro-area growth would have been only 0.1%, said Franziska Palmas, senior Europe economist at Capital Economics.
The overall figure “was driven by a few country idiosyncrasies and masks an underlying momentum that is likely much closer to stagnation,” said Marc de Muizon, senior European analyst at Deutsche Bank Research.
Europe’s largest economy, Germany, struggled in the second quarter, recording zero growth after two straight quarters of falling output as it grappled with high energy costs tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Italy, the No. 3 economy, shrank by 0.3%.
The eurozone growth figures for the first quarter were revised from a decline of 0.1%, statistically erasing what had been two straight quarters of contraction — one definition of recession.
Inflation in the eurozone, meanwhile, continued its gradual decline, falling to 5.3% in July from 5.5% in June.
Europe is still struggling with the aftershocks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including Moscow cutting off most of its natural gas to the continent that sharply raised prices for the fuel and the electricity it generates.
In Germany, Europe’s manufacturing powerhouse, Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck has proposed capping energy prices for industry with government help.
The worst of the price spike is over, but costs are still higher than before the war began. Energy has faded as a main driver of inflation, but price rises are hitting Europeans when they shop for groceries, clothes and more, and the rebound for services companies — such as hotels and restaurants that suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic — has mostly run its course.
Food prices rose 10.8% in July from a year earlier, an improvement from June and previous months but still a pain point for households. Energy, meanwhile, kept dropping, falling 6.1%. Stripping out volatile food and energy prices, core inflation held steady at 5.5% — a key indicator that has not fallen as much as central bankers want.
In a bright spot for Europe, rebounding travel, especially in the Mediterranean countries that heavily rely on tourism, is expected to support growth in the upcoming third quarter as people flock to the beach for their summer holidays in Greece, Spain and Italy, despite recent heat waves and wildfires.
Other than that, prospects for the rest of the year are muted. Another drag on the economy is the rapid series of interest rate increases that the European Central Bank has unleashed to knock down inflation.
The ECB made its ninth straight hike Thursday, bringing its key deposit rate from minus 0.5% to 3.75% in just one year, a record pace since the creation of the euro in 1999. The result has been higher mortgage rates and canceled construction plans due to expensive or unavailable credit.
The central bank’s lending survey shows the lowest level of business loans and credit lines since the statistics started in 2003.
Bank President Christine Lagarde left open whether the bank will keep hiking rates at its next meeting on Sept. 14, saying the decision will depend on incoming inflation data.
Since the rate hikes began, inflation has steadily fallen from a peak of 10.6% in October, but July’s figure of 5.3% is still well above the ECB’s 2% target.
Bank officials say tough action now will spare even more painful restriction of credit later if inflation gets completely out of control.
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/europes-economy-grows-a-bit-after-months-of-stagnation-but-rate-hikes-are-weighing-on-businesses/ | 2023-07-31T10:56:21 | 1 | https://www.kaaltv.com/news/business-news/europes-economy-grows-a-bit-after-months-of-stagnation-but-rate-hikes-are-weighing-on-businesses/ |