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Environment & Infrastructure How beavers are helping restore wetlands and create buffers against wildfires Published July 31, 2023 at 6:23 AM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 1:43 Some experts now see beavers — nature's helpers — as their dams can mitigate the effects of drought and wildfires. Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kasu.org/environment-infrastructure/environment-infrastructure/2023-07-31/how-beavers-are-helping-restore-wetlands-and-create-buffers-against-wildfires | 2023-07-31T11:46:08 | 1 | https://www.kasu.org/environment-infrastructure/environment-infrastructure/2023-07-31/how-beavers-are-helping-restore-wetlands-and-create-buffers-against-wildfires |
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Blitz Insurance, a specialty insurance carrier, partners with Ascend to modernize payment experiences for insurance brokers selling in specialty markets. With this partnership, Blitz Insurance will open new customer segments by offering both direct bill and premium financing into their payments workflow.
"When we looked into the market for a solution, Ascend was the right choice. Ascend meets our needs for a better payments experience for our partners while reducing everyone's operational expenses," said Brandon Murphy, Chief Distribution Officer of Blitz Insurance. "We will now have the ability to not only expand to direct bill and a premium finance option but also simplify the movement of money between us and our partners."
With Ascend, Blitz Insurance is now able to provide a direct bill in addition to their existing agency bill workflow - allowing brokers to decide what billing method works best for them. By utilizing Ascend, Blitz Insurance not only grows their footprint of appointed brokers but also gains administrative efficiency by automating what would otherwise have been a large operational undertaking.
Ascend automatically attributes incoming payments to policies in real time, speeding up the reconciliation process. By modernizing the payments experience and speeding up the reconciliation of incoming premiums, Blitz Insurance can offer a best-in-class experience to its brokers and agents.
"We find that across the insurance ecosystem - companies want to provide a seamless payment workflow for their customers and their teams," said Andrew Wynn, co-CEO of Ascend. "Ascend is built so brokers and carriers can offer this experience without shouldering the administrative resources and costs needed to support these operations."
About Ascend
Ascend is the first insurance payments platform that automates financial operations from collections and financing to carrier and commission payables. Founded by two-time insurtech entrepreneurs Andrew Wynn and Praveen Chekuri, Ascend helps insurance brokers, MGAs, and carriers improve their bottom lines by eliminating expensive and labor-intensive payment workflows. To learn more, please visit LinkedIn, Twitter or check out https://www.useascend.com/.
About Blitz Insurance
Blitz is a tech-driven insurer revolutionizing the $60B specialty market catering to SME segment. By leveraging industry knowledge and cutting-edge technology, we deliver a simpler, smarter, and faster coverage experience.
The company is led by a veteran team of insurance and technology experts and has been funded with $25M from its founder & CEO, a Forbes-listed serial entrepreneur in the real estate and insurance industries.
Contact:
Mike Nguyen
press@useascend.com
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SOURCE Ascend | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/blitz-insurance-partners-with-ascend-expand-payment-financing-offerings/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:11 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/blitz-insurance-partners-with-ascend-expand-payment-financing-offerings/ |
NPR's Leila Fadel talks with former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb about the federal investigation into efforts to overturn the election, and the potential legal jeopardy for the former president.
Copyright 2023 NPR
NPR's Leila Fadel talks with former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb about the federal investigation into efforts to overturn the election, and the potential legal jeopardy for the former president.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kasu.org/justice-crime/justice-crime/2023-07-31/another-indictment-against-trumps-efforts-to-undermine-democracy-could-come-soon | 2023-07-31T11:46:14 | 0 | https://www.kasu.org/justice-crime/justice-crime/2023-07-31/another-indictment-against-trumps-efforts-to-undermine-democracy-could-come-soon |
MIAMI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) today announced that Carnival Corporation (the "Company") intends to commence the marketing of a new senior secured first lien term loan B facility (the "New First Lien Term Loan") with an original principal amount of $1.0 billion, expected to mature in 2027. In conjunction with the New First Lien Term Loan, and subject to market and other conditions, the Company may raise $500 million of other secured debt maturing in 2029 (together with the New First Lien Term Loan, the "Refinancing Transactions"). The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Refinancing Transactions to repay a portion of the borrowings under the Company's existing first-priority senior secured term loan facility maturing in 2025.
After the closing of the Refinancing Transactions, the Company intends to redeem all of the Company's 10.500% second-priority senior secured notes due 2026 and 10.125% second-priority senior secured notes due 2026 (collectively, the "2026 Notes"), saving over $120 million in interest expense on an annualized basis. The $1.2 billion of redemptions will be conditioned on the closing of the Refinancing Transactions. The Company expects to use cash on hand to finance the redemptions. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the 2026 Notes.
The Company's Chief Financial Officer David Bernstein commented: "Given the confidence we have in our business and its cash flow generation, we plan to retire $1.2 billion of our highest cost debt. In connection with this retirement, we plan to extend some of the lowest cost public debt in our portfolio. This is yet another step forward in our deleveraging journey, building on the $1.4 billion we already early retired this year. With this debt repayment, we now expect our year end debt balance to be less than $32.0 billion, an improvement over the November 30, 2023 debt balance of less than $33.0 billion provided in our June guidance."
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class leading cruise lines - AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises and Seabourn.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc and their respective subsidiaries are referred to collectively in this press release, as "Carnival Corporation & plc," "our," "us" and "we." Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to us, including some statements concerning the refinancing transactions described herein, future results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, reputation, cash flows, liquidity and other events which have not yet occurred. These statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these statements by using words like "will," "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "depends," "expect," "goal," "aspiration," "anticipate," "forecast," "project," "future," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "target," "indicate," "outlook," and similar expressions of future intent or the negative of such terms.
Forward-looking statements include those statements that relate to our outlook and financial position including, but not limited to, statements regarding:
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. This note contains important cautionary statements of the known factors that we consider could materially affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently, and in the future may continue to be, amplified by our substantial debt balance as a result of the pause of our guest cruise operations. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
- events and conditions around the world, including war and other military actions, such as the invasion of Ukraine, inflation, higher fuel prices, higher interest rates and other general concerns impacting the ability or desire of people to travel have led, and may in the future lead, to a decline in demand for cruises, impacting our operating costs and profitability;
- pandemics have in the past and may in the future have a significant negative impact on our financial condition and operations;
- incidents concerning our ships, guests or the cruise industry have in the past and may, in the future, negatively impact the satisfaction of our guests and crew and lead to reputational damage;
- changes in and non-compliance with laws and regulations under which we operate, such as those relating to health, environment, safety and security, data privacy and protection, anti-corruption, economic sanctions, trade protection, labor and employment and tax have in the past and may, in the future, lead to litigation, enforcement actions, fines, penalties and reputational damage;
- factors associated with climate change, including evolving and increasing regulations, increasing global concern about climate change and the shift in climate conscious consumerism and stakeholder scrutiny, and increasing frequency and/or severity of adverse weather conditions could adversely affect our business;
- inability to meet or achieve our sustainability related goals, aspirations, initiatives, and our public statements and disclosures regarding them, may expose us to risks that may adversely impact our business;
- breaches in data security and lapses in data privacy as well as disruptions and other damages to our principal offices, information technology operations and system networks and failure to keep pace with developments in technology may adversely impact our business operations, the satisfaction of our guests and crew and may lead to reputational damage;
- the loss of key team members, our inability to recruit or retain qualified shoreside and shipboard team members and increased labor costs could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations;
- increases in fuel prices, changes in the types of fuel consumed and availability of fuel supply may adversely impact our scheduled itineraries and costs;
- we rely on supply chain vendors who are integral to the operations of our businesses. These vendors and service providers may be unable to deliver on their commitments, which could negatively impact our business;
- fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely impact our financial results;
- overcapacity and competition in the cruise and land-based vacation industry may negatively impact our cruise sales, pricing and destination options;
- inability to implement our shipbuilding programs and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments may adversely impact our business operations and the satisfaction of our guests;
- Failure to successfully implement our business strategy following our resumption of guest cruise operations would negatively impact the occupancy levels and pricing of our cruises and could have a material adverse effect on our business. We require a significant amount of cash to service our debt and sustain our operations. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors, including those beyond our control, and we may not be able to generate cash required to service our debt and sustain our operations; and,
- the risk factors included in Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on January 27, 2023 and Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on March 29, 2023 and June 28, 2023.
The ordering of the risk factors set forth above is not intended to reflect our indication of priority or likelihood.
Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange rules, we expressly disclaim any obligation to disseminate, after the date of this document, any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our sustainability progress, plans and goals (including climate change and environmental-related matters). In addition, historical, current and forward-looking sustainability- and climate-related statements may be based on standards and tools for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions and predictions that are subject to change in the future and may not be generally shared.
SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc
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SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/carnival-corporation-amp-plc-announces-anticipated-debt-pre-payment-12b-refinancing-transaction/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:18 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/carnival-corporation-amp-plc-announces-anticipated-debt-pre-payment-12b-refinancing-transaction/ |
Georgia man electrocuted after jumping into lake
ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - A Georgia man is dead after jumping into Lake Lanier Thursday evening, WANF reports.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Thomas Shepard Milner jumped into the lake from his family’s dock near Dove Trail and was electrocuted when he entered the water.
A family friend told investigators they heard Milner scream for help and tried to get him out of the water using a ladder.
When that didn’t work, neighbors stepped in to help and took a boat out to Milner, the sheriff’s office said. The person in the boat jumped in the water to pull Milner out but reported feeling a burning sensation, which they immediately recognized as an electric shock.
After swimming to shore and turning off the power box near the dock, the person returned to the water to pull Milner back to shore, according to investigators.
Witnesses told authorities Milner’s uncle administered CPR until emergency medical crews got to the scene. The 24-year-old was rushed to Northside Forsyth Hospital. He died from his injuries the next day.
Milner’s mother, Martha Milner, told WANF her son was gentle and kind and loved the lake.
“Shepard was known for his quirkiness, his humor and his dedication,” she said.
According to Martha Milner, the dock at their lake property was less than three years old and outfitted with electricity by a licensed electrician.
Boaters like Chris Morris were saddened to hear about the death on Sunday.
“It’s a freak accident,” he said.
It is unclear why the water was electrified.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WANF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/georgia-man-electrocuted-after-jumping-into-lake/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:19 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/georgia-man-electrocuted-after-jumping-into-lake/ |
LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The international known company Hilton Hotels & Resorts opens its doors to its Hilton Garden Inn La Romana hotel project in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with a group of important investors under the company Riverhome Capital S.A.S., whose main shareholder is the prominent Dominican former major league player, Edwin Encarnación; together with the vision of the lawyer Guillermo Estrella Ramia and the Minister of Tourism, David Collado.
The inauguration was led by Luis Abinader Corona, president of the Dominican Republic and who expressed that "This hotel has something very special, opening up the beach and the sector of La Caleta of La Romana, which for a long time was closed to the province and its visitors. Since private investment must always be accompanied by public infrastructure, we are working on creating them, so we are all part of this development of La Romana."
With an investment of 25 million united states dollars and the creation of more than 300 direct jobs, it is considered as a hotel option for the growing flows of tourists that the area is currently receiving. Located a short distance from other points of relevance, such as La Romana Airport 18 minutes away, Casa de Campo 12 minutes away and Central Romana just a few blocks away.
The new hotel facility has a privileged location on a 5,000 square meters property, located on the coast of the municipal district of La Caleta, La Romana province. With a capacity of 130 rooms, distributed in five of the seven floors of the building, it also counts with swimming pools, two bars, a restaurant, gym, event, meeting and multipurpose rooms, and outdoor areas, ideal for social and corporate celebrations.
The hotel responds to the interest of Edwin Encarnación to invest in the development of his province of origin, who expressed that "from the moment this project was presented to me, I knew that I had to be part and be the one to assume this. I joined the development of this hotel, with the only requirement that most of the workers came from here, from my town La Romana, and we achieved this."
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SOURCE Grupo De Valle | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hilton-garden-inn-la-romana-dominican-republic-celebrates-its-opening/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:24 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hilton-garden-inn-la-romana-dominican-republic-celebrates-its-opening/ |
Lawsuit alleges flight attendants served too much alcohol to passenger that groped woman, her daughter
(CNN) - A passenger is suing Delta Airlines, claiming flight attendants overserved alcohol to a man who became drunk while on board and groped a mother and her teenage daughter.
The alleged incident happened during an international flight last summer.
The suit claims the flight attendants ignored the mother’s pleas for them to stop serving alcohol to the man and that the passenger was making them feel unsafe.
The plaintiffs in the case said during the nine-hour flight from New York to Greece, the man made obscene gestures and sexually assaulted the 16-year-old girl sitting next to him.
When the plane landed in Greece, the man was allowed to walk free despite the mother’s request that authorities arrest him in Athens.
Delta has not commented on the suit but says the airline has zero tolerance for passengers who engage in inappropriate or unlawful behavior.
Copyright 2023 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/lawsuit-alleges-flight-attendants-served-too-much-alcohol-passenger-that-groped-woman-her-daughter/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:26 | 0 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/lawsuit-alleges-flight-attendants-served-too-much-alcohol-passenger-that-groped-woman-her-daughter/ |
The tech giant made the line of sneakers as a one-time gift for its employees in the '90s. A size 10.5 pair has found its way onto the Sotheby's website, where it's on sale for $50,000.
Copyright 2023 NPR
The tech giant made the line of sneakers as a one-time gift for its employees in the '90s. A size 10.5 pair has found its way onto the Sotheby's website, where it's on sale for $50,000.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kasu.org/money-economy/money-economy/2023-07-31/a-pair-of-white-sneakers-made-specifically-for-apple-employees-is-up-for-auction | 2023-07-31T11:46:28 | 1 | https://www.kasu.org/money-economy/money-economy/2023-07-31/a-pair-of-white-sneakers-made-specifically-for-apple-employees-is-up-for-auction |
Monday’s Weather: Mostly sunny skies and triple digit heat
EAST TEXAS (KLTV/KTRE) - We’ve got another very hot day in store for us as temperatures will rocket up into the triple digits once again. Unfortunately, the muggy meter has been rising in tandem with our temperatures and now our heat index values will reflect that with “feels like” temps reaching upwards of 105° to 110°+, which is why we now have Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories remain in effect through this evening. Please take this heat seriously and drink lots of water throughout the day as well as watching children, pets, and the elderly closely. There is a very low-end chance that a few showers or thunderstorms in western Louisiana could make it into our eastern counties during the afternoon hours. Not a guarantee, but something definitely keeping an eye out for as some heavier rainfall and gusty winds would be possible with any storm that crosses the state line. Dangerous heat and dry skies persists well into the current work week as higher pressure continues to build in directly overhead, leading to highs in a range of 100°-105° Monday through Wednesday. There is some potential light at the end of the tunnel, however, as our “heat dome” will begin to shift further west by this Thursday, which could allow a weak cold front or two to arrive sometime next weekend. In the meantime, please be safe with these hotter than average temperatures and be very mindful of any potential spark you may create as fire danger is currently fairly high for East Texas.
Copyright 2023 KLTV/KTRE. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/mondays-weather-mostly-sunny-skies-triple-digit-heat/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:29 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/mondays-weather-mostly-sunny-skies-triple-digit-heat/ |
- CARDIO-TTRansform is the largest, most comprehensive ATTR-CM study with more than 1,400 patients enrolled
- Eplontersen is currently under U.S. FDA review for ATTRv-polyneuropathy, with ATTR-CM representing a second, larger potential patient population
CARLSBAD, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS) today announced the completion of enrollment in the Phase 3 CARDIO-TTRansform cardiovascular outcomes study of eplontersen in patients with transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a large and growing patient population at risk of life-threatening cardiovascular (CV) events. The study enrolled more than 1,400 patients.
Eplontersen is an investigational antisense medicine designed to inhibit the production of transthyretin and slow the progression of cardiomyopathy for people living with hereditary or wild-type ATTR-CM.
"CARDIO-TTRansform is the largest and most comprehensive ATTR-CM study ever conducted. The evaluation of eplontersen in this broad, diverse patient population will enable robust and clinically meaningful analysis of the composite endpoint of CV mortality and recurrent CV events," said Eugene Schneider, M.D., executive vice president and chief clinical development officer for Ionis. "It will also allow us to gather data from important patient subsets, including patients with or without stabilizer therapy and those with or without hereditary disease within the evolving ATTR-CM landscape. We look forward to reporting results as early as the first half of 2025."
As part of a global development and commercialization agreement, Ionis and AstraZeneca are seeking regulatory approval for eplontersen for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) in the U.S. and plan to seek regulatory approval in Europe and other parts of the world. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepted the New Drug Application for eplontersen for the treatment of ATTRv-PN with a PDUFA action date of Dec. 22, 2023. Eplontersen was granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S.
For more information on the CARDIO-TTRansform study, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04136171).
About the CARDIO-TTRansform Study
CARDIO-TTRansform is a global, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 cardiovascular outcome study in more than 1,400 patients with ATTR cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). It is designed to compare eplontersen to placebo in patients with both wild-type ATTRwt-CM and hereditary ATTRv-CM who are either naïve to treatment or on a currently available standard of care. The primary composite endpoint is cardiovascular (CV) mortality and recurrent CV clinical events comparing the two study arms up to week 140. Secondary endpoints include the change from baseline in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores at week 121, as well as the rates of CV mortality, CV clinical events and all-cause mortality at week 140.
About Eplontersen
Eplontersen is an investigational LIgand-Conjugated Antisense (LICA) medicine designed to inhibit the production of TTR protein. Eplontersen is being developed as a monthly self-administered subcutaneous injection to treat all types of ATTR. ATTR amyloidosis is a systemic, progressive and fatal disease in which patients experience multiple overlapping clinical manifestations caused by the inappropriate formation and aggregation of TTR amyloid deposits in various tissues and organs, including peripheral nerves, heart, intestinal tract, eyes, kidneys, central nervous system, thyroid and bone marrow. The progressive accumulation of TTR amyloid deposits in these tissues and organs leads to organ failure and eventually death.
About Transthyretin-mediated Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM)
Transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an underdiagnosed and potentially fatal disease. It is caused by the accumulation of misfolded TTR protein in the cardiac muscle. Patients experience ongoing debilitating heart damage resulting in progressive heart failure, which results in death within three to five years from disease onset. ATTR-CM includes both the genetic and wild-type form of the disease. Worldwide, there are an estimated 300,000 – 500,0001,2 patients with ATTR-CM.
About Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For more than 30 years, Ionis has been a leader in RNA-targeted therapy, pioneering new markets and changing standards of care. Ionis currently has four marketed medicines and a promising late-stage pipeline highlighted by cardiovascular and neurological franchises. Our scientific innovation began and continues with the knowledge that sick people depend on us, which fuels our vision to become the leader in genetic medicine, utilizing a multi-platform approach to discover, develop and deliver life-transforming therapies.
To learn more about Ionis visit www.ionispharma.com and follow us on Twitter @ionispharma.
Ionis' Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Ionis' business and the therapeutic and commercial potential of eplontersen, Ionis' technologies and other products in development. Any statement describing Ionis' goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including those related to our commercial products and the medicines in our pipeline, and particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing medicines that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such medicines. Ionis' forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Ionis' forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by Ionis. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Ionis' programs are described in additional detail in Ionis' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, and the most recent Form 10-Q quarterly filing, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these and other documents are available from the Company.
In this press release, unless the context requires otherwise, "Ionis," "Company," "we," "our," and "us" all refer to Ionis Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiaries.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals® is a registered trademark of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1 Mohamed-Salem L, et al. Prevalence of wild type ATTR assessed as myocardial uptake in bone scan in the elderly population. Int J Cardiol. 2018 Nov 1;270:192-196. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.06.006.
2 Cuscaden C, et al. Estimation of prevalence of transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis in an Australian subpopulation using bone scans with echocardiography and clinical correlation. J Nucl Cardiol. 2020 May 8. doi: 10.1007/s12350-020-02152-x.
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SOURCE Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/ionis-completes-enrollment-landmark-phase-3-cardio-ttransform-study-patients-with-ttr-mediated-amyloid-cardiomyopathy/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:32 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/ionis-completes-enrollment-landmark-phase-3-cardio-ttransform-study-patients-with-ttr-mediated-amyloid-cardiomyopathy/ |
Money & Economy Morning news brief By A Martínez, Leila Fadel Published July 31, 2023 at 4:09 AM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 11:10 A bombing kills dozens on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan. Ukraine retakes a small village from Russia. Some 30,000 people are losing their jobs as trucking company Yellow shuts down. Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kasu.org/money-economy/money-economy/2023-07-31/morning-news-brief | 2023-07-31T11:46:34 | 0 | https://www.kasu.org/money-economy/money-economy/2023-07-31/morning-news-brief |
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 Republican 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, a Democrat, 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 younger than 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.ktre.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:36 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/trump-could-be-indicted-soon-georgia-heres-look-that-investigation/ |
Juggernaut and Mr. Highman will continue as substantial shareholders of Bobbie. The acquisition positions the combined company as the third largest fully integrated infant and toddler brand in the U.S., creating a more resilient industry for American families
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Juggernaut Capital Partners, a leading middle market private equity investor primarily in the consumer and healthcare sectors, is pleased to announce the sale of Nature's One, the pediatric nutrition company founded by Jay Highman which set the bar for quality and innovation in formula over decades. Joining forces with Bobbie Baby, Inc., the nation's fastest growing infant formula company, the combined business will be the first of its kind in pediatric nutrition.
"Nature's One is a true pioneer in the pediatric nutrition space. Juggernaut partnered with founder, Jay Highman, to accelerate product development and vertical integration initiatives. Over the past five years, the company completed the first FDA-approved clinical feeding study of an organic infant formula and designed and constructed the first newly built infant formula facility in the U.S. in 35 years," said John Shulman, Founder and Managing Partner at Juggernaut. "It has been a pleasure to partner with Jay and his team. We believe the combination with Bobbie cements the organization as a continued disruptor and a next-generation industry leader. We are proud to continue as a meaningful shareholder in the go-forward company."
Founded in 1997, Nature's One introduced the first organic baby formula to the U.S. market. Recognized for its dedication to purity and quality, all of the company's formulas have received the Clean Label Project's Purity Award and have tested best in class for purity and nutrition when compared to popular baby formulas sold in the U.S. Nature's One operates the only independent, FDA audited organic infant nutrition facility in the U.S.
Nature's One was advised by CG / Sawaya Partners (operating under Canaccord Genuity) and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP. Bobbie was advised by Perella Weinberg Partners LP and Goodwin Procter LLP.
About Juggernaut Capital Partners:
Juggernaut Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm focusing on lower middle market companies, primarily in the consumer and healthcare sectors. Juggernaut is currently investing out of Juggernaut Capital Partners V, L.P. For more information on Juggernaut Capital Partners, please visit www.juggernautcap.com.
About Nature's One:
Founded in 1997, Nature's One introduced the first organic formula, Baby's Only® Organic in the United States. Nature's One has dedicated 25 years to the research, development, and sourcing of pure ingredients. Recognized as the first and highest-ranked formulas for purity and nutritional superiority by the Clean Label Project, Baby's Only Formulas are preferred by parents who want to offer their child a "Better Start…for Life™." Baby's Only Formulas are sold nationally at Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Sam's Club, and many fine natural food retailers, as well online at www.naturesone.com.
About Bobbie:
Bobbie is the mission-driven organic pediatric nutrition company that exists to build a parenting culture of confidence, not comparison. Founded in 2018, Bobbie hit the market with its flagship European-inspired formula in 2021 as the first direct-to-consumer, subscription-based infant formula in the U.S. Today, it's proud to be the only mom-founded and led infant formula brand in the world, and the fastest-growing in the U.S. since the 1980's. Bobbie is focused on providing purposefully sourced, USDA Organic products made with simple ingredients – crafted right here in America, for American families. For more information, visit www.hibobbie.com.
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SOURCE Juggernaut Capital Partners | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/juggernaut-capital-partners-natures-one-founder-jay-highman-have-sold-natures-one-bobbie-baby-inc/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:38 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/juggernaut-capital-partners-natures-one-founder-jay-highman-have-sold-natures-one-bobbie-baby-inc/ |
WATCH: Concertgoer throws drink at Cardi B; she hurls microphone at them
Published: Jul. 31, 2023 at 5:58 AM CDT|Updated: 48 minutes ago
LAS VEGAS (CNN) - Cardi B hurled her microphone at a fan during a concert in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The rapper was performing her song “Bodak Yellow” when a concertgoer threw a drink at her.
In seconds, Cardi B threw her microphone into the crowd as the song continued to play.
Security guards rushed to the stage.
More security guards are then seen flocking to the person in the crowd as she watched from the stage before continuing with her set.
There’s no word on what happened to the fan or if any charges will be filed.
Copyright 2023 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/watch-concertgoer-throws-drink-cardi-b-she-hurls-microphone-them/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:42 | 0 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/31/watch-concertgoer-throws-drink-cardi-b-she-hurls-microphone-them/ |
BURLINGTON, N.C., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, today announced it will host an Investor Day on Thursday, September 14, 2023, in New York City, beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET and is expected to conclude by approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.
This event will highlight Labcorp's go-forward strategy from Labcorp Chairman & CEO Adam Schechter, followed by business overviews and a longer-term financial outlook. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session.
A live webcast of the event will be available through the Labcorp Investor Relations website beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET. A replay of the webcast and supporting materials will be available after the conclusion of the event.
About Labcorp
Labcorp (NYSE: LH) is a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services that helps doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and patients make clear and confident decisions. We provide insights and advance science to improve health and improve lives through our unparalleled diagnostics and drug development laboratory capabilities. The company's more than 60,000 employees serve clients in over 100 countries, worked on over 80% of the new drugs approved by the FDA in 2022 and performed more than 600 million tests for patients around the world. Learn more about us at www.Labcorp.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @Labcorp.
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SOURCE Labcorp | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/labcorp-host-investor-day-september-14-2023/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:44 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/labcorp-host-investor-day-september-14-2023/ |
Elvina Kalieva 2023 Livesport Prague Open 2021 Odds
Elvina Kalieva's round of 32 match in the Livesport Prague Open 2021 will be versus Linda Noskova. Kalieva is +4000 to win this tournament at Tennis Club Sparta Praha.
Find all the latest odds for the 2023 Livesport Prague Open 2021 and place your bets with a new user bonus from BetMGM.
Kalieva at the 2023 Livesport Prague Open 2021
- Next Round: Round of 32
- Tournament Dates: July 28 - August 6
- Venue: Tennis Club Sparta Praha
- Location: Prague, Czechia
- Court Surface: Hard
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Kalieva's Next Match
Kalieva will meet Noskova in the round of 32 on Tuesday, August 1 at 5:00 AM ET, after getting past Tayisiya Morderger 6-2, 6-3 in the qualification final.
Kalieva is listed at +375 to win her next matchup against Noskova. Check out the latest odds for the entire field at BetMGM.
Want to bet on Kalieva? Head to BetMGM using our link for a bonus bet special offer for new players!
Kalieva Stats
- Kalieva defeated Morderger 6-2, 6-3 on Sunday in the qualifying round.
- In five tournaments over the past year, Kalieva is yet to win a title, and her overall record is 3-5.
- Kalieva has a record of 2-3 on hard courts over the last 12 months.
- In her eight matches over the past year, across all court surfaces, Kalieva has averaged 18.6 games.
- On hard courts, Kalieva has played five matches over the past 12 months, and she has totaled 20.8 games per match while winning 49.0% of games.
- Over the past year, Kalieva has been victorious in 12.5% of her return games and 28.6% of her service games.
- Kalieva has claimed 50% of her service games on hard courts and 11.1% of her return games over the past 12 months.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/sports/betting/2023/07/28/elvina-kalieva-livesport-prague-open-2021-betting-odds/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:49 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/sports/betting/2023/07/28/elvina-kalieva-livesport-prague-open-2021-betting-odds/ |
The tech giant made the line of sneakers as a one-time gift for its employees in the '90s. A size 10.5 pair has found its way onto the Sotheby's website, where it's on sale for $50,000.
Copyright 2023 NPR
The tech giant made the line of sneakers as a one-time gift for its employees in the '90s. A size 10.5 pair has found its way onto the Sotheby's website, where it's on sale for $50,000.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.knkx.org/2023-07-31/a-pair-of-white-sneakers-made-specifically-for-apple-employees-is-up-for-auction | 2023-07-31T11:46:49 | 0 | https://www.knkx.org/2023-07-31/a-pair-of-white-sneakers-made-specifically-for-apple-employees-is-up-for-auction |
"I don't think it's caught up to me yet — how much my life has changed," says Emma Hardyman, singer of the 2023 Tiny Desk Contest-winning band Little Moon. The Utah-based band recently wrapped up the Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour, headlining eight sold-out shows across the country. While on the road, Hardyman caught up with NPR to reflect on the life-changing win and also share the story behind Little Moon's winning song, "Wonder Eye."
Hardyman tells NPR the song was written during the time her mother-in-law was in hospice care. The melody came to Hardyman as she and her husband Nathan Hardyman, who is also part of Little Moon, drove from Utah to Idaho to visit his mother.
During this difficult time, Emma and Nathan Hardyman were also in the process of leaving the Mormon church in which they had grown up.
"And pretty quickly, just because of the circumstances, I realized that this song, this melody, was about death," says Emma Hardyman, who wrote the structure of the song before asking Nathan Hardyman to write the lyrics.
The couple were also observing the disintegration of many of the building blocks their Mormon belief systems were built on. "I've grieved past versions of myself throughout my whole life," Emma Hardyman shares.
"I really love where Mormonism brought me," Emma Hardyman says. "It introduced me to teachings that are supposed to love everybody, that are supposed to incorporate everybody. [But] it couldn't follow me to how much I wanted to take [those teachings] seriously," she adds, noting that many of the Little Moon band members are queer. She says Mormonism didn't align with how she wants to treat people 'without conditions.'
Emma Hardyman also shares that she had many self-doubts about herself as an artist when she and Nathan Hardman met — but that he believed in her from their very first date. And in "Wonder Eye," the two even find peace in not having all the answers. Emma sings: "Is there a knowledge that is found not in knowing?" as she's met with the warm hums of the band.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.knkx.org/2023-07-31/the-power-and-heartbreak-behind-the-song-that-won-the-tiny-desk-contest | 2023-07-31T11:46:50 | 1 | https://www.knkx.org/2023-07-31/the-power-and-heartbreak-behind-the-song-that-won-the-tiny-desk-contest |
Adult Males are Slightly More Likely to Live with Parents Than Their Female Counterparts
58% of Gen Z Consumers Live with Family Members
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingClub Corporation (NYSE: LC), the parent company of LendingClub Bank, America's leading digital marketplace bank, today released findings from the 24th edition of the Reality Check: Paycheck-To-Paycheck research series, conducted in partnership with PYMNTS. The Household Finances Deep Dive Edition examines the impact of household composition on consumers' ability to manage expenses and put aside savings. The series draws on insights from a survey of 4,602 U.S. consumers conducted from June 5 to June 16, as well as analysis of other economic data.
The Paycheck-to-Paycheck Landscape
In June 2023, 61% of U.S. consumers lived paycheck to paycheck, unchanged from June 2022 — as is the share of those struggling to pay bills (at 21%) — even though more middle-income consumers cited living paycheck to paycheck in June 2023 than last year. Among consumers earning $50,000 to $100,000, 65% lived paycheck to paycheck as of June 2023, compared to 60% in June 2022. Meanwhile, the shares of high-income consumers — those earning more than $100,000 annually — and low-income consumers — those earning less than $50,000 annually — living paycheck to paycheck in June 2023 sit at 45% and 77%, respectively, relatively unchanged from June 2022.
This stability in the financial situation of U.S. households indicates that consumers continue to adapt to inflationary pressures, finding ways to manage their spending and live within their means.
Household Composition Determines Financial Lifestyle
Consumers living with only a partner or spouse are likely to face less financial hardship, while those with dependents and those living with friends or housemates are more likely to live paycheck to paycheck.
The research finds that 86% of consumers live with one or more people, and one-third of paycheck-to-paycheck consumers live in households of four or more people. Consumers not living paycheck to paycheck are most likely to reside in two-person households, at 41%. Meanwhile, 49% of millennials and 55% of bridge millennials live in households of four or more people, making them the age groups most likely to reside in the largest households.
There is also a direct correlation among household size, stage of life and financial lifestyle. As household size increases, the ratio of income earners to non-earners typically falls, attributable to households with dependent children. When looking at the share of paycheck-to-paycheck consumers who live in a two-member household, the data finds that 54% do so — 7 percentage points below the sample average. Meanwhile, at 66%, consumers with children under the age of 18 are 12% more likely to live paycheck to paycheck than those without children, at 59%. Among consumers living with friends or housemates, 77% live paycheck to paycheck — the most likely to do so. This suggests that those sharing expenses with a partner or spouse fare better, that is until they have children or even parents to support.
"As household size increases, the ratio of income earners to household members typically falls, creating a higher likelihood of financial distress," said Alia Dudum, LendingClub's Money Expert. "The relationship between household income and household composition explains why many families tend to struggle financially and why millennials and bridge millennials, many of whom are in their peak child-rearing years, tend to remain financially vulnerable."
Economic Considerations Top Reason to Stay in the Family Household
Economics are the main driver for consumers to live with family longer, with 43% wanting to save money and 30% unable to afford housing independently. Besides economic reasons, consumers remain at home to maintain family ties (24%), for transitional reasons (23%), and to provide care (22%).
At one-fifth (20%), adult males are slightly more likely to live with parents than their female counterparts (18%), a phenomenon that grows significantly among those financially struggling (26% of males compared to 18% of females). At 58%, Gen Z is the generation most likely to stay with family members, with 50% citing economic reasons. Members of Gen Z living with three or more people — often familial settings — spent 22% of their income on housing, compared to 30% of those living alone or with a partner.
That said, consumers living with family members to offset expenses are not planning extended stays. For example, one-third of those consumers expect to move out in the coming year, particularly millennials and bridge millennials.
Financial Transparency Determined by Relationship Status
Financial transparency within shared households is paramount to ensure bills are paid and expenses are covered, but the transparency level depends on who consumers live with. Couples living together share financial information 87% of the time and have a joint bank account 76% of the time. Parents are also likely to discuss finances with the children residing in their household, with 45% of parents sharing financial information with their children and 34% granting them access to a shared account. Bill splitting is the most common financial interaction for consumers living with friends or housemates, at 74%. Additionally, borrowing money from other household members is a financial option many use to make ends meet, with consumers mostly engaging in this practice with parents or siblings, at 47%, and friends and housemates, at 44%.
Families and couples maintain outstanding credit card balances that are significantly higher, on average, than those of consumers who live alone. Consumers with children under the age of 18 average 50% more credit card debt than those who live alone. Families represent the lion's share of credit card spending, holding average balances of $6,300 for consumers living with a partner and $7,200 for those living with children under 18. Living with a partner or children also significantly increases a consumer's likelihood of having an auto loan or mortgage.
"With today's inflationary pressures, sharing household finances has become not only common but crucial," continued Dudum. "The increasing complexity of modern lifestyles and the rising cost of living have necessitated a shift in the way consumers approach household finances. One person solely bearing the burden of managing all financial matters has become a minority practice. Instead, couples, families, and even roommates increasingly jointly navigate their economic realities, and it's a trend that is here to stay."
To view the full report, visit: https://www.pymnts.com/study/reality-check-paycheck-to-paycheck-inflation-household-spending-shared-expenses/
Methodology
New Reality Check: The Paycheck-to-Paycheck Report — The Household Finances Deep Dive Edition is based on a census-balanced survey of 4,602 U.S. consumers conducted from June 5 to June 16, as well as analysis of other economic data. The data in this report is not intended to be a representation of LendingClub's core member base. The Paycheck-to-Paycheck series expands on existing data published by government agencies, such as the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to provide a deep look into the core elements of American consumers' financial wellness: income, savings, debt and spending choices. Our sample was balanced to match the U.S. adult population in a set of key demographic variables: 51% of respondents identified as female, 33% were college-educated and 38% declared incomes of more than $100,000 per year.
About LendingClub
LendingClub Corporation (NYSE: LC) is the parent company of LendingClub Bank, National Association, Member FDIC. LendingClub Bank is the leading digital marketplace bank in the U.S., where members can access a broad range of financial products and services designed to help them pay less when borrowing and earn more when saving. Based on more than 150 billion cells of data and over $85 billion in loans, our advanced credit decisioning and machine-learning models are used across the customer lifecycle to expand seamless access to credit for our members while generating compelling risk-adjusted returns for our loan investors. Since 2007, more than 4.7 million members have joined the Club to help reach their financial goals. For more information about LendingClub, visit https://www.lendingclub.com.
Contact:
For Investors: IR@lendingclub.com
Media Contact: Press@lendingclub.com
PYMNTS Contact: information@PYMNTS.com
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SOURCE LendingClub Corporation | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/lendingclub-pymnts-research-shows-86-consumers-live-with-one-or-more-people-yet-those-living-with-only-partners-or-spouses-reap-financial-benefits/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:51 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/lendingclub-pymnts-research-shows-86-consumers-live-with-one-or-more-people-yet-those-living-with-only-partners-or-spouses-reap-financial-benefits/ |
HOUSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McDermott has been awarded a project management consultancy (PMC) and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contract for the Naphtha Cracker Expansion (Phase II) polypropylene expansion and new ethylene derivative unit project from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). The project is located at the Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, located 62 miles (100 kilometers) from New Delhi, India.
The project will increase the ethylene production capacity of the naphtha cracker unit (NCU) by approximately 20 percent. The additional ethylene and propylene production will act as feed for downstream polymer units. The polymer products will be used for the manufacture of household and industrial items, including containers, automobile parts, furniture, and heavy-duty films.
"McDermott is currently executing four other projects for IOCL, including the maleic anhydride (MAH) unit at the same site, allowing us to leverage our local resources and expertise while realizing synergies," said Vaseem Khan, Senior Vice President, Global Operations. "Furthermore, the project supports the growing demand for ethylene and propylene which will reduce imports and accelerate economic development in the area."
McDermott will provide comprehensive EPCM services and overall project management for the duration of the project, which will be executed from its Center of Excellence in Gurugram, India.
About McDermott
McDermott is a premier, fully-integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. Our customers trust our technology-driven approach engineered to responsibly harness and transform global energy resources into the products the world needs. From concept to commissioning, McDermott's innovative expertise and capabilities advance the next generation of global energy infrastructure—empowering a brighter, more sustainable future for us all. Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott's locally-focused and globally-integrated resources include more than 30,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
McDermott cautions that statements in this press release which are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about the expected scope and execution of the project discussed in this press release. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: adverse changes in the markets in which we operate or credit or capital markets; our inability to successfully execute on contracts in backlog; changes in project design or schedules; the availability of qualified personnel; changes in the terms, scope or timing of contracts, contract cancellations, change orders and other modifications and actions by our customers and other business counterparties; changes in industry norms; actions by lenders, other creditors, customers and other business counterparties of McDermott; and adverse outcomes in legal or other dispute resolution proceedings. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. This communication reflects the views of McDermott's management as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, McDermott undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Contacts:
Global Media Relations
Reba Reid
Senior Director, Global Communications and Marketing
+1 281 588 5636
RReid@McDermott.com
Business Line Media Relations
Barbara Knight
Senior Director, Business Line Communications and Marketing
+971 56 403 2903
BBKnight@McDermott.com
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SOURCE McDermott International, Ltd | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/mcdermott-selected-petrochemical-expansion-project-by-iocl/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:52 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/mcdermott-selected-petrochemical-expansion-project-by-iocl/ |
Forester Wilderness Ad Showcases 'A Beautiful Silence' and Partnership with the National Park Foundation
CAMDEN, N.J., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today unveiled a new creative spot focused on the automaker's efforts to expand access to the outdoors for all. Featuring the all-new 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness, the advertisement stars Keivonn Woodard, the Emmy-nominated, 10-year-old Deaf actor and showcases the automaker's long-standing partnership with the National Park Foundation.
In the creative, titled "A Beautiful Silence," a father and his young son, who is Deaf, drive through Yosemite National Park, with the wonders of the park's beauty surrounding them. Featuring audio elements and American Sign Language (ASL), the spot shows how the pair experience the park's natural wonders in different ways, but share the special feeling that nature brings forth.
"The outdoors are for everyone, and whether it's a trip to a national park or a walk in the woods, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience its beauty," said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc. "Through our partnership with the National Park Foundation and our commitment to making safe and capable vehicles like the Forester Wilderness, we're hoping that even more people will be inspired to explore the wonders of nature, just like the father and son in our new creative."
Through the National Park Foundation's Outdoor Exploration initiative and ParkVentures program, Subaru is helping more people create life-long relationships with the outdoors. The campaign seeks to make the outdoors more accessible to communities that have been historically excluded from parks, either through a community's physical presence on public lands or through the narrative of who belongs outdoors.
Last year, with support from Subaru, ParkVentures supported the efforts of more than 55 organizations to connect more people, including those with differing abilities, to meaningful experiences in United States national parks. Subaru also developed a direct relationship with ParkVentures grantee Black People Who Hike, which aims to help address the lack of representation in parks by empowering, educating and engaging Black people in the outdoors. Subaru provided the vehicles, gear, and experiences for an enhanced retreat in Acadia National Park to help create safe, welcoming spaces and cultivate lasting relationships with the outdoors.
Subaru is the largest corporate donor to the National Park Foundation and has provided over $70 million to organizations working to conserve national parks. To learn more about the automaker's partnership with National Park Foundation and over 20 years of environmentally focused initiatives, please visit Subaru.com/earth.
The new Subaru Forester Wilderness spot, created in collaboration with agency partner Carmichael Lynch, celebrates the automaker's devotion to adventure and environmental stewardship. Beginning today, "A Beautiful Silence" will run in 30-second format on national television and be featured in 15-second format in targeted digital and social media promotions throughout August, while a 60-second version will be available on YouTube.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Media Contacts:
Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com
Adam Leiter
Corporate Communications Specialist
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com
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SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/new-subaru-creative-celebrates-access-outdoors-all/ | 2023-07-31T11:46:58 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/new-subaru-creative-celebrates-access-outdoors-all/ |
SOUTH HEIDELBERG TWP., Pa. - A quick-service chain is coming soon, and another is proposed on a main thoroughfare in Berks County.
Construction on a Popeyes restaurant is underway on Lot No. 5 of the Members First Subdivision on Route 422 in South Heidelberg Township. The site is located just west of Green Valley Road, next to the recently approved Tommy’s Car Wash, according to an announcement on the township’s Facebook page.
The 2,311-square-foot eatery, with a single-lane drive-thru, is expected to open in the fall or early winter of this year.
Also, a 2,400-square-foot Starbucks is proposed on Lot No. 1 of the Members First Subdivision on Route 422/Penn Avenue.
The plan, which calls for a Starbucks with drive-thru and dine-in service, will be reviewed as part of the South Heidelberg Township Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
Popeyes, known for its fried chicken, biscuits and other Southern favorites, originated in New Orleans in 1972. The chain is part of Restaurant Brands International Inc., which also owns Burger King, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs.
Popeyes has more than 3,700 restaurants globally, including other regional Popeyes locations on North Fifth Street Highway in Muhlenberg Township, East High Street in Pottstown, North Broad Street in Hatfield Township, South West End Boulevard in Quakertown, North Ninth Street in Stroudsburg, Hanover Avenue in Allentown, and MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township.
The region's newest Popeyes restaurant opened in late December at 1935 S. Fourth St. in Allentown, and another Popeyes restaurant with a drive-thru has been proposed at 701 N. 19th St. in Allentown.
Menu highlights include a wide array of chicken options, including nuggets, tenders, sandwiches and signature chicken boxes and meals; seafood selections such as a classic flounder fish sandwich and quarter-pound popcorn shrimp meal; and sides such as coleslaw, homestyle mac and cheese and mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy.
Coffee shop chain Starbucks, connecting with millions of customers daily in more than 80 markets, opened its first store - offering fresh-roasted coffee beans, tea and spices from around the world - in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market in 1971.
The business' name was inspired by the classic Herman Melville novel “Moby-Dick,” evoking the seafaring tradition of the early coffee traders. In the 1851 tale, Starbuck was the name of the first mate on the whaling ship Pequod.
Starbucks serves up a vast selection of specialty drinks, including lattes such as chestnut praline and cinnamon dolce; mochas such as peppermint and toasted white chocolate; Frappuccino blended beverages such as caramel brulee and java chip; and Starbucks Refreshers, made with fruit juice and lightly caffeinated with green coffee extract, such as pineapple passionfruit and strawberry acai.
Customers also can enjoy various food offerings, including sous vide egg bites, breakfast sandwiches and wraps, lunch sandwiches and bakery items such as bagels, brownies, croissants and danishes.
In addition to the proposed Starbucks and under-construction Popeyes, other Route 422 land development news includes a Stor4U indoor storage facility that’s been approved on Lot No. 4 (next to Popeye’s) and a Tommy’s Car Wash that’s been approved on Lot No. 3.
Construction on the 5,315-square-foot car wash is underway with a scheduled opening of fall/early winter 2023, according to the township's announcement.
Construction on the 40,000-square-foot indoor storage facility, with climate-controlled self-storage units, is currently not planned in 2023. | https://www.wfmz.com/features/eat-sip-shop/construction-underway-on-popeyes-starbucks-proposed-in-berks-county/article_5effffb2-2efd-11ee-957e-8324f049482c.html | 2023-07-31T11:47:04 | 0 | https://www.wfmz.com/features/eat-sip-shop/construction-underway-on-popeyes-starbucks-proposed-in-berks-county/article_5effffb2-2efd-11ee-957e-8324f049482c.html |
Introducing the industry's first-ever utility side-by-side with a 1500cc 3-cylinder engine for more power to make tough jobs easier and the industry's only STEELDRIVE transmission for greater durability
MINNEAPOLIS, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Polaris Off Road, the global leader in powersports and off-road innovation, is once again breaking new ground with the industry's first extreme duty utility side-by-side: the all-new RANGER XD 1500. With its unprecedented capability, brute strength and unmatched comfort, the new extreme duty class of RANGER side-by-sides are engineered with the first-ever ProStar 1500cc 3-cylinder engine that offers an industry-leading 110 horsepower, the industry-exclusive STEELDRIVE automatic transmission for greater durability and precise control, and over 70 new accessories for enhanced customization, highlighted by Polaris' exclusive Lock & Ride MAX system. The RANGER XD 1500 establishes a new benchmark for utility side-by-sides.
"We spent over five years meeting with farmers, ranchers, large acreage property owners and big game hunters to develop an extreme duty vehicle that was missing from the market. From its ProStar 1500cc engine to the industry's only STEELDRIVE transmission, RANGER XD 1500 is unlike anything else offered today and is yet another example of our relentless commitment to advancing the industry with fresh thinking and innovative solutions that meet the real-world needs of our utility customers," said Steve Menneto, President of Polaris Off Road.
"Polaris RANGER has been the No. 1 selling utility side-by-side brand for more than 15 years and with the introduction of RANGER Extreme Duty, we've taken the industry's hardest-working lineup and expanded it," said Chris Judson, Vice President of Off Road Utility. "A segment of our utility customers said they are facing exceptionally large tasks and they simply need a machine with more power, more torque, more hauling and towing capacity, and more durability. And our team set out to deliver just that, incorporating dozens of new features and the latest engineering to make the RANGER XD 1500 more capable, stronger, and more comfortable than any other utility side-by-side out there."
Unprecedented Capability
Farmers, ranchers, and large landowners routinely haul and tow heavy loads around the property, and they've been asking for a solution when it comes to their heaviest tasks. The RANGER XD 1500 delivers unprecedented capability for hard-working customers to haul more, tow more, and get more done in less time. With the industry's only 1500cc utility engine, the RANGER XD 1500 provides over 30% more power and over 50% more torque than the next closest competitor.
- ProStar 1500cc 3-Cylinder Engine – Effortless towing, hauling, and confidence in tough terrain with an industry-leading 110HP and 105 lb-ft torque.
- 1,500 lb Cargo Box Capacity – Three-quarter ton box capacity providing nearly 50% more box volume than existing models for maximum productivity with fewer trips and bigger loads.
- 3,500 lb Towing Capacity – For those routinely towing heavy loads on the property, drive better productivity with nearly 40% more towing than existing models.
- Industry-leading Ground Clearance – All RANGER XD 1500 models get 15" of ground clearance with high-clearance arched A-arms to overcome large obstacles.
Brute Strength
Utility customers asked for a more durable, longer lasting offering to maximize their uptime and drive efficiency. Designed to last longer than any model before it, RANGER XD 1500 is the industry's most durable utility side-by-side and has been engineered from the ground up to be stronger and stand up to the demands of the longest days.
- Industry-exclusive STEELDRIVE transmission – Offers a 100 percent steel constructed belt that delivers smooth, precise operation and a fully sealed, liquid-cooled design for unmatched durability.
- High-Strength Steel Heavy Duty Frame – RANGER XD 1500 has a high-strength steel one-piece chassis featuring 160 percent more torsional stiffness for a smoother ride and better cab sealing.
- Industry-leading Service Intervals – RANGER XD 1500 offers the industry's longest service intervals so customers can maximize their uptime.
Unmatched Comfort
- From the farm to remote backcountry, utility customers work from before the sun rises to after it sets, and need something that delivers all-day comfort. Beyond industry-leading capability and durability, the RANGER XD 1500 prioritizes comfort across the entire lineup to keep customers going strong on the longest days.
- Most Spacious Interior – Equipped with the most spacious and premium cab available in utility side-by-sides, the XD 1500 offers increased leg and shoulder room, making it easy to enter and exit the vehicle. Adjustable seating and a telescopic steering wheel lets drivers find the perfect fit for height and riding preferences.
- Premium Seating – Contoured seating with added bolstering provides more rider comfort along with a center seat that flips down into an armrest with additional cup holders.
- Available Heated Seats – For comfort on the coldest days, RANGER XD 1500 NorthStar Ultimate is the first utility side-by-side that comes from the factory with heated seats.
- Drive Modes – RANGER XD 1500 comes with an intuitive and easy-to-use rotary drive mode selector that lets customers choose from four different drive modes, including:
- Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) – Riders can stay comfortable in harsh weather conditions in the RANGER XD 1500 NorthStar Edition, featuring an all-new HVAC system and a fully-enclosed, next generation ProShield cab that's been redesigned with improved sealing to prevent dust and water intrusion, while locking in the temperature from the climate-controlled cab.
- Sun Visors – All-new integrated sun visors provide improved visibility throughout the day for added confidence while driving.
- RIDE COMMAND – Available 7" waterproof touchscreen display powered by RIDE COMMAND technology featuring a back-up camera, GPS navigation regardless of cell service, and AM/FM radio with Bluetooth® streaming capability.
- RIDE COMMAND+ – Customers can keep tabs on their vehicle directly from the Polaris App and access critical vehicle information like vehicle location, maintenance reminders, and issue diagnostics right from the palm of their hand with the industry's only connected-vehicle technology. Available from the factory on NorthStar Ultimate.
Customization
Customers have been asking for increased versatility, durability, and ease of use for the different work applications they face throughout the day. With over 70 new Polaris Engineered Accessory options designed specifically for the RANGER XD 1500, plus options from partners brands including JBL®, Rhino Rack®, Pro Armor, Kolpin, and HD Parts, customers have more opportunity than ever before to make their vehicle fit their specific needs.
- Lock & Ride MAX – Polaris' easiest to use, most versatile, and confident accessory attachment platform ever. With customizable configurations and the ability to reconfigure on the fly with no tools required, this new accessory platform allows users to prepare for their day, their way. Customers can simply choose and place their accessory, lock it in place, and ride confidently knowing their gear is secure.
- New JBL® Audio – Polaris partnered with JBL® to create the highest performing audio system ever included in a RANGER from the factory. For customers wanting to turn it up a notch, the JBL® Trail Pro 4200 audio upgrade adds rear speakers and two subwoofers for an immersive audio experience.
- Glacier Pro HD Plow – New 84" plow designed for faster, more efficient plowing during the winter months. A hydraulic plow lift and angle kit can be paired with an all-new plow controller to manage the largest plow Polaris has ever offered, all without ever leaving the comfort of the cab.
2024 RANGER XD 1500 Premium: Starting at US $29,999 / CAN $36,199
The RANGER XD 1500 Premium commands a large presence thanks to heavy-duty components and the industry's largest bumper, providing complete front-end protection. The vehicle comes equipped with one of the most comprehensive standard packages in a side-by-side to date including 29" tires, tilt steering and seat slider for customizable comfort, four drive modes, high output LED headlights for enhanced visibility, and USB ports with multiple charging capabilities. The vehicle also comes equipped with boosted brakes and heavy-duty suspension to ensure performance across a variety of off-road environments.
2024 RANGER XD 1500 NorthStar Premium: Starting at US $39,999 / CAN $48,799
The next step up is the RANGER XD 1500 NorthStar Premium. This machine features a fully enclosed cab with HVAC temperature and five different mode controls, lockable full doors with power windows and a fixed front glass windshield. Additional features include an electronically controlled power tilt bed to dump heavy loads with ease, an overhead switch panel for easy accessorization, and an overhead rear work light to illuminate the cargo box in low-light conditions. NorthStar Premium comes stock with 30" Kenda® CrossTrail tires and available 32" tires to overcome large obstacles and tough terrain.
2024 RANGER XD 1500 NorthStar Ultimate: Starting at US $44,999 / CAN $54,499
Rounding out the lineup is the RANGER XD 1500 NorthStar Ultimate, which features everything from the NorthStar Premium trim, plus the 7" infotainment display powered by RIDE COMMAND and heated seats. The NorthStar Ultimate trim also delivers an immersive sound experience, featuring full AM/FM radio with Bluetooth® streaming capability and industry-exclusive JBL® speakers for precise audio and premium sound. Finally, the vehicle comes standard with RIDE COMMAND+, allowing for vehicle health monitoring and more.
The 2024 RANGER XD 1500 lineup is expected to begin shipping to dealers in late summer. To learn more about the 2024 RANGER family, please visit https://ranger.polaris.com/en-us/ or join the conversation and follow on Facebooksm, Instagramsm, YouTubesm and Twittersm.
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com
Warning: vehicle rollaway can cause serious injury or death. This vehicle can roll whenever the gear selector is not in the park position. Always shift to park when stopping the engine or leaving the vehicle. When leaving the vehicle on an incline is unavoidable, use extra care. If leaving the vehicle unattended, block the rear wheels on the downhill side and keep children, pets, and others away form the gear selector. Notice: Vehicle payload and trailer weight will affect the angle of hill on which the vehicle will hold.
Kenda® is a registered trademark of Kenda Rubber Industrial Co, Ltd.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc.
JBL® is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated
Rhino-Rack® is a registered trademark of Rhino Rack Australia Pty Limited
Unless noted, trademarks are the property of Polaris Industries Inc.
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SOURCE Polaris Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/polaris-expands-its-ranger-lineup-with-all-new-ranger-xd-1500-an-entirely-new-class-extreme-duty-utility-side-by-sides/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:04 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/polaris-expands-its-ranger-lineup-with-all-new-ranger-xd-1500-an-entirely-new-class-extreme-duty-utility-side-by-sides/ |
MUHLENBERG TWP., Pa. - A Berks County nonprofit is helping build strong father-child relationships.
"We focus on enhancing manhood from the inside out," said Ebony McNeil, executive director of The Forge.
And it's being done through basketball.
"We're playing 2v2 father and son. Enjoying the day," said Noel Irizary.
Noel and his dad, Jermaine, were looking to spend quality time together. That's when they found out about the father-child basketball tournament being hosted in the Reading area.
"I haven't played in like 15 years, to be out here with my son feels amazing and feels great," said Jermaine Jackson. "I can't complain, man."
The tournament was hosted by nonprofit organization, The Forge, at Jim Dietrich Park. McNeil says their focus is to bring parents and kids closer.
"We also focus on being better husbands, better fathers, better members of the community at whole," said McNeil.
Fathers like Todd Rudnick see it as a greatest opportunity for families.
"I think it's good to see this generally being for fathers to be involved in their child's life," said Rudnick.
He brought his daughter, Madison, out to the tournament as a bonding day.
"I think we both looked at it as (a) something-we-could-do-together type thing," said Rudnick.
Something Madison says was worth it, even playing in that summer heat.
"It's hot but I like it," she said. | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/father-child-duos-face-off-in-unique-basketball-tournament/article_ea672516-2f0d-11ee-8357-83e8bf9f1f97.html | 2023-07-31T11:47:10 | 1 | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/father-child-duos-face-off-in-unique-basketball-tournament/article_ea672516-2f0d-11ee-8357-83e8bf9f1f97.html |
Highlights Include the Return of Polaris Sportsman 570 and XP 1000 Hunt Editions, Along with a Host of
Aesthetic and Performance Upgrades Across the Lineup
MINNEAPOLIS, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of debuting its innovative Polaris XPEDITION and the all new Extreme Duty RANGER XD 1500, Polaris Off Road today unveiled updates for 2024 to the off-road industry's most expansive lineup. The 2024 lineup features a host of rider-inspired updates and refreshed styling and new colors. Additionally, the customer-favorite Polaris Sportsman 570 and XP 1000 Hunt editions make a return, and a Premium trim offering is now available on the 2024 GENERAL 1000 to provide customers with an upgrade in style and performance. RIDE COMMAND+ also received enhanced features for 2024, delivering unmatched connectivity and peace of mind to riders through all-new Location Bump Alerts and Check-In Messages.
"From the completely redesigned 2024 RZR XP and the industry's first "adventure side-by-side" Polaris XPEDITION, to our introduction of the all-new RANGER XD 1500, this year has been a powerful showcase of our ongoing commitment to lead the industry and innovate for our riders," said Steve Menneto, President of Polaris Off Road. "While those revolutionary product debuts are pivotal, our unwavering focus on refining and enhancing our current offerings based on customer needs and feedback remains essential, and that's what the 2024 updates represent."
From fresh new styles and colorways, to improved trim levels that appeal to a wide variety of riders, the Polaris Off Road 2024 model year lineup and RIDE COMMAND+ technology enhancements include the following:
RIDE COMMAND+:
Making its debut last fall, RIDE COMMAND+, the industry's first connected-vehicle technology, continues to roll out new enhancements to its service for 2024. With new features like Location Alerts, that will notify the owner if its vehicle has been bumped or moved from its last location, owners can now protect their vehicle more than ever before. RIDE COMMAND+ is now available as a factory option for 2024 RZR Pro R Ultimate, RANGER XD 1500 NorthStar, RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar, Polaris XPEDITION NorthStar and Sportsman XP 1000 RIDE COMMAND Edition. This service is also available on most 2024 RZR, RANGER, Sportsman and Polaris XPEDITION models as an accessory install.
Sportsman
Polaris Sportsman, the long-standing No. 1 selling automatic 4x4 ATV, is reintroducing the Sportsman 570 and XP 1000 Hunt Editions, while also implementing key improvements across the core 2024 lineup. A customer favorite, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of hunters, the Sportsman 570 and XP 1000 Hunt editions include accessories such as the 3,500 lb Polaris Winch, Kolpin Gun Scabbard & Mount, Kolpin Ratchet Claws and more.
Additionally, the 2024 Sportsman 450 and 570 lineup boasts several quality refinements for a better riding experience including a new rear brake pedal for reduced pedal effort and feel, improved sealing around the shifter, and enhanced seat fitment delivering a more comfortable ride. The 570 EPS trim and above will also include enhanced PVT clutch sealing with a higher intake location for better performance in wet conditions.
For added utility, the model year 2024 Sportsman 570 lineup will be equipped with new LED lights for the Premium and Utility HD for added visibility from dawn to dusk.
New color options also are available for the 570 Premium and Trail, 570 Ride Command Edition, Sportsman 850 Premium and Ultimate Trail, Sportsman XP 1000 Ultimate Trail, Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition, Scrambler XP 1000 S and Sportsman XP 1000 S.
The 2024 Sportsman lineup starts at $6,999 US MSRP and will begin shipping to dealers this early fall. For additional pricing on the entire model lineup, visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/sportsman/
GENERAL
Polaris GENERAL is the industry's most versatile crossover side-by-side, capable of tackling tough trails, while also knocking out tasks around the property. For 2024, the GENERAL 1000 receives a new Premium trim offering that provides both style and performance enhancements. Featuring 14" wheels with 27" Coronado tires, and FOX® Podium QS3® shocks that riders can adjust between soft, medium and firm based on terrain changes, the new Premium trim will deliver a smooth ride over rugged terrain, while LED headlights provide greater visibility at morning and night. These upgrades will help riders knock out more tasks and hit the trails confidently in the GENERAL 1000.
Additionally, new colorways on the GENERAL 1000 model include Ghost Gray and Volcanic Orange. The Premium and Ultimate trim levels for the GENERAL XP will feature new colors and graphics in Matte Silver Quartz and Polaris Blue.
The 2024 GENERAL lineup starts at $17,499 US MSRP and will begin shipping to dealers this summer. For additional pricing on the entire model lineup, visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/general/
RZR
Polaris RZR, the No. 1 sport side-by-side brand, receives fresh new colors and graphics across its lineup, helping riders make a bold statement when hitting the trails. The 2024 RZR Trail and RZR Trail S are now available in Storm Blue on the Sport trim and two-tone Storm Blue with White Lightning on the Ultimate. Both Sport and Ultimate trim levels now receive the same upgraded steering wheel offered in the fully-redesigned 2024 RZR XP that provides a sportier feel while driving on trails. New for 2024, the RZR Trail and Trail S Sport level feature electric power steering and LED headlights standard, providing riders easier steering input on tight trail corners and enhanced visibility. Additionally for 2024, the RZR Trail S Ultimate trim now features Walker Evans Racing® shocks, while the Sport trim moved to ZF Sachs shocks, both offering riders plush suspension performance against the rugged terrain.
For 2024, the RZR Pro XP Sport and Premium models feature Walker Evans Racing® shocks, while the Ultimate will continue to be equipped with FOX® Live Valve shocks with DYNAMIX active suspension. Both the Premium and Ultimate trim received a refresh with new graphics on the Super Graphite colorway.
Lastly and by consumer demand, the Wide Open lineup of RZR Pro R and RZR Turbo R receives refreshed color options for 2024. For the first time since launching, the RZR Pro R Ultimate is available in an all-new Matte Onyx Black with Lifted Lime accents or Matte Heavy Metal, while the Premium trim level is offered in Matte Heavy Metal. The 2024 RZR Turbo R also welcomes vibrant new colors like Velocity Blue with Green Burst accents and Military Tan with Orange Burst accents.
The 2024 RZR lineup starts at $15,999 US MSRP and will begin shipping to dealers this fall. For additional pricing on the entire model lineup, visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/rzr/
RANGER
In addition to the newly launched Extreme Duty RANGER XD 1500, the Polaris RANGER lineup receives a variety of rider-inspired upgrades and quality refinements for 2024. RANGER SP 570 gets new color options, while the NorthStar Edition gets exclusive tailgate badging and new 25" 8-ply Pro Armor X-Terrain tires for added durability and enhanced puncture resistance.
Additionally, Polaris expands the color options for the RANGER 1000 Premium which will now be offered in the sleek Granite Grey color and graphics, while the XP 1000 will be featured in two new options: Desert Sand and Super Graphite with orange burst accents. Furthermore, the RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar Ultimate model boasts connectivity features such as vehicle health, issue diagnostics, and maintenance reminders enabled by RIDE COMMAND+.
The 2024 RANGER lineup starts at $11,699 US MSRP and will begin shipping to dealers this fall. For additional pricing on the entire model lineup, visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/ranger/
Youth
Dedicated to inspiring the next generation of riders, Polaris Off Road delivers the industry's largest and most varied lineup of youth offerings. For 2024, the Polaris ORV Youth lineup receives a refresh with eye-catching new colors and graphics. This lineup continues to provide industry-leading safety features that give parents peace of mind and help instill confidence in growing riders, including pin code start, adjustable speed limiter, geofencing, helmet aware technology and industry-exclusive safety gear kit.
Specifically, the 2024 RZR 200 EFI is now offered in Storm Gray and a new graphic pattern with bright red accents. The Outlaw 70 EFI ATV is offered in Velocity Blue with either Lifted Lime or Fierce Fuchsia accents, while the Outlaw 110 EFI is now offered in both Bright White with Polaris Blue and Bright White with Radiant Green details.
The 2024 Polaris Youth lineup starts at $2,999 US MSRP and will begin shipping to dealers this winter. For additional pricing on the entire model lineup, visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/shop-by-use/youth/
Polaris XPEDITION
The Polaris XPEDITION, which recently launched in May 2023, is the first-of-its-kind adventure side-by-side, combining the all-terrain capabilities of traditional side-by-sides with comfort and cargo capabilities typically associated with overlanding at the highest level. With a host of standard features and optional configurations to accommodate the greatest range of outdoor pursuits and enable consumers to keep chasing the wild, the 2024 Polaris XPEDITION XP and ADV are the most adaptable, comfortable and capable adventure machine on the market.
The 2024 Polaris XPEDITION lineup starts at $28,999 US MSRP and is currently shipping to dealers. For additional pricing on the entire model lineup, visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/polaris-xpedition/
To learn more about the Polaris ORV 2024 lineup and to stay up to date on testing and demo opportunities, please visit https://offroad.polaris.com/en-us/ or join the conversation and follow on FacebookSM, InstagramSM, YouTubeSM and TwitterSM. Walker Evans Racing® is a registered trademark of Walker Evans Enterprises Incorporated; FOX® is a registered trademark of Fox Factory Inc.
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com
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SOURCE Polaris Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/polaris-off-road-stays-gas-with-2024-lineup-featuring-rider-inspired-updates-amp-refreshed-styles-its-industry-leading-range-side-by-sides-atvs/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:11 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/polaris-off-road-stays-gas-with-2024-lineup-featuring-rider-inspired-updates-amp-refreshed-styles-its-industry-leading-range-side-by-sides-atvs/ |
Pitstick brings product, operations, and value-based care expertise to leading behavioral health provider
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- aptihealth, the leading tech-driven behavioral healthcare provider built for higher acuity care, today announced that Regina Pitstick has joined the organization as Senior Vice President of aptihealth Medical Group.
Most recently, Pitstick was VP Advocacy Product & Innovation for the Employer and Individual segment at UnitedHealth Group, where she drove the company's product strategy and vision, focused on delivering a seamless, personalized patient experience. Responsible for product development initiatives, Pitstick's leadership and experience fueled successful long-range strategies, broader market penetration and deeper engagement for over 15M consumers.
"Regina brings more than twenty years of extremely relevant experience in the healthcare industry to aptihealth—including a deep skillset in digital health start-ups, product development, operations, process improvement and value-based care," said Tim Koehler, President and Chief Operating Officer of aptihealth. "Regina's patient-centered approach, insightful understanding of the health care landscape, innovate approach, and impeccable ability to execute strategic initiatives will greatly enhance our medical group. She's ideal for this critical role at aptihealth as we continue to pursue our mission of becoming the nation's preeminent provider of behavioral health services."
Pitstick joins aptihealth at a time of significant growth, having served nearly 15,000 patients for leading national and regional health plans. aptihealth expects to more than double its patients in 2023, with a majority covered by value-based care contracts.
"The value that aptihealth is providing to health plans, physicians groups, health systems and higher-acuity patients simply can't be underestimated," indicated Pitstick. "Whether it's the company's commitment to engaging new patients at any point of care, to their proprietary screening and assessment tools, to their proven ability to improve outcomes and decrease the overall cost of care, it's not hyperbole to state that aptihealth is changing the behavioral healthcare game. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to help aptihealth continue to improve its care model, meet its strategic goals, and intelligently achieve its considerable opportunities for growth."
About aptihealth
aptihealth is improving higher acuity behavioral healthcare for populations who need it most—one patient at a time. The company's virtual-first model and proprietary screening, assessment, and treatment programs give members fast, convenient access to precise, personalized care. Headquartered in Saratoga Springs and employing over 150, aptihealth has raised over $70 million in funding from leading international private equity firms. The company's care program and data insights are driving breakthroughs in mental health understanding, treatment, outcomes, and cost reduction. Learn more at: www.aptihealth.com.
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SOURCE aptihealth | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/regina-pitstick-named-senior-vp-aptihealth-medical-group/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:12 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/regina-pitstick-named-senior-vp-aptihealth-medical-group/ |
ALSACE TWP., Pa. - A home in Alsace Township, Berks County, was gutted by flames.
Crews were called Saturday night to the fire on Irish Mountain Road.
Officials say no one was hurt, but the home is a total loss.
The Red Cross is helping residents.
There's no word yet on what caused the fire. | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/fire-guts-home-in-alsace-township/article_a7b9a15a-2f88-11ee-bb91-b39598be932a.html | 2023-07-31T11:47:16 | 1 | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/fire-guts-home-in-alsace-township/article_a7b9a15a-2f88-11ee-bb91-b39598be932a.html |
BEIJING, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SANY Group ("SANY") has announced the 2023 employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). This is the fourth consecutive year that SANY has launched the ESOP, which gives employees an opportunity to own shares in the company through the setting up of incentive funds. The 2023 ESOP has set up a fund size of around 590 million yuan (USD 82 million) with a share repurchase price planned at 16.13 yuan per share (USD 2.24). The capital will be from the incentive funds accrued following relevant provisions of the group.
SANY has always focused on improving employee benefits and adhering to the principle of "growing together, pursuing common development, and sharing achievements." By establishing a comprehensive incentive and restraining mechanism, it aims to inspire employees' enthusiasm and creativity and align the interests of shareholders, the listed company, and individuals. This encourages all parties to join efforts to boost SANY's long-term development.
SANY's annual ESOP aims to share the fruits of the group's achievements with employees. The number of employees awarded with stock ownership incentives is growing annually, and the proportion of mid-level and key position employees is increasing year by year:
- 2020: SANY awarded 8.31 million shares to 2,264 employees, 71.52 percent were employees in mid-level management, key positions, and core business (technical) positions.
- 2021: SANY awarded 7.54 million shares to 4,205 employees, 91.33 percent were employees in mid-level management, key positions, and core business (technical) positions.
- 2022: SANY awarded 20.5 million shares to 6,996 employees, 94.26 percent were employees in mid-level management, key positions, and core business (technical) positions.
- 2023: SANY is awarding 36.62 million shares to 7,131 employees, 95.69 percent were employees in mid-level management, key positions, and core business (technical) positions.
The source of shares for the 2023 ESOP is the shares that have already been repurchased by SANY's special account. It does not exceed 36.62 million shares in total and is within one percent of SANY's current total capital stock.
In the meantime, SANY Renewable Energy (SH688349) released an announcement relating to exercising of the second exercise period of the 2020 stock option incentive plan, with 16.0368 million granted options to be exercised, with a three-year restricted period. The subsidiary is committed to becoming a global leader of clean energy equipment and services, and contributing to reaching the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.
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SOURCE SANY Group | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sany-announces-2023-employee-stock-ownership-plan/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:18 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sany-announces-2023-employee-stock-ownership-plan/ |
MT. PENN, Pa. - After major flooding hit parts of Berks County earlier this month, even kids stepped in to help the recovery.
A lemonade stand was held in Mount Penn on Sunday, raising money for victims to rebuild.
Massive flash flooding in the Antietam area has left homes devastated and the Middle Senior High School unusable.
"It's been stressful for a lot of people," said Jacob Degler.
Susan Arnold, mom of the girls running the stand, says it has been an emotional rollercoaster.
"It's just awful…we were just hoping to earn a little bit to help," she said.
And they're pitching in however they can.
"We just wanna be there to help," said Arnold. "Even if it's a simple lemonade stand, we'll do it."
That simple lemonade stand hit its $200 goal within an hour, something the kids running it say makes them feel good.
And it's not just lemonade. The stand sold cookies, bracelets and lollipops to help their community.
"I love this community, it's small and very tight knit. I'm happy to have the kids be a part of that too," said Arnold. | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/lemonade-stand-raises-money-for-berks-flood-victims/article_bf3efbb2-2f0c-11ee-8ca3-5fbd6963bd3c.html | 2023-07-31T11:47:22 | 0 | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/lemonade-stand-raises-money-for-berks-flood-victims/article_bf3efbb2-2f0c-11ee-8ca3-5fbd6963bd3c.html |
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- A federal prisoner who was supposed to be temporarily housed at the Lehigh County Jail escaped Sunday evening, but was captured a short time later.
Officials said the prisoner escaped from the sally port, before he ever made it into the jail itself. That's a secured area where inmates are taken as they are transferred into a jail.
There's no word yet from officials on how he managed to get away, but he was caught just 10 minutes later at the site of the old Banana Joe's nightclub in the 300 block of Hamilton Street.
At this point, details are limited. Allentown Police noted that the incident had no connection to their department.
The prisoner's name has not yet been released, and it's not known what federal charges he was being held on.
Officials said he will now be facing escape charges on the state level. | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/federal-prisoner-escapes-from-transport-area-at-lehigh-county-jail-caught-10-minutes-later/article_d2f47880-2f2a-11ee-aba0-67217e6418af.html | 2023-07-31T11:47:28 | 1 | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/federal-prisoner-escapes-from-transport-area-at-lehigh-county-jail-caught-10-minutes-later/article_d2f47880-2f2a-11ee-aba0-67217e6418af.html |
The Avocados From Mexico® Chocolate Dulce De Leche Cupcake will be available at Sprinkles bakeries nationwide for one week beginning July 31
DALLAS, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Talk about a perfect pairing! Avocados From Mexico®, the number one selling avocado brand in the U.S., is making National Avocado Day even better by partnering with renowned dessert bakery chain Sprinkles for a delicious collaboration – a limited-edition cupcake featuring fresh Mexican avocados.
The Avocados From Mexico® Chocolate Dulce De Leche Sprinkles cupcake is a delectable banana cupcake that's studded with pecans and generously filled with a soft dulce de leche core. And to top it all off? A zesty frosting that blends rich cream cheese and chocolate made with fresh Mexican avocados for a delightful, creamy finish.
"The new Avocados From Mexico Chocolate Dulce De Leche cupcake features the highest quality and best-tasting ingredients," said Sprinkles Vice President, Culinary, Charles Craig. "By blending fresh avocado and smooth cream cheese alongside the banana and dulce de leche cupcake, we were able to elevate all the ingredients resulting in a cupcake that is out-of-this world. We can't wait for fans to try it!"
Beginning on July 31, National Avocado Day, consumers can make their week better by enjoying Avocados From Mexico in cupcake form — available at Sprinkles nationwide through August 6.
"Avocados From Mexico make everything better, and we're so proud that our avocados will get to shine in a unique way on National Avocado Day," said Kelly Burke, Director of Brand Marketing at Avocados From Mexico. "Our brand is known for bringing the good times with great tasting avocados. We are excited to partner with a beloved brand like Sprinkles to spark good times in a new way with everyone's favorite sweet treat."
"Sprinkles Cupcakes has always taken an innovative approach to classic desserts, and this new collaboration with Avocados From Mexico is no exception," said Sprinkles CMO, Michelle Wong. "Avocados From Mexico was an obvious choice for their quality and taste, and we can't wait for our guests to discover our latest cupcake, starring this beloved fruit."
To learn more about Avocados From Mexico, visit https://avocadosfrommexico.com, Facebook (facebook.com/avocadosfrommexico), Instagram (@avocadosfrommexico) or Twitter (@AvosFromMexico). #MakeItBetter #AFMxSprinkles
About Avocados From Mexico
Avocados From Mexico is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA), formed for the purpose of advertising, promotion, public relations and research for all stakeholders of Avocados From Mexico. Under agreements, MHAIA and the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers & Packers of Mexico (APEAM) have combined resources to fund and manage Avocados From Mexico, with the intent to provide a focused, highly- effective and efficient marketing program in the United States. Avocados From Mexico is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
About Sprinkles
Sprinkles offers premium cupcakes, cakes and cookies that are baked fresh in small batches throughout the day and handcrafted with only the finest ingredients. Sprinkles opened its first bakery in Beverly Hills in 2005, drawing long lines of loyal cupcake fans and celebrity endorsements. Sprinkles prides themselves in being passionate innovators and since debuting the world's first Cupcake ATM, the brand has introduced layer cakes, cookies and brownies, launched a national shipping platform and has grown to over 70 bakeries and ATMs coast-to-coast. Sprinkles launched domestic and international franchising in 2022. For additional information on Sprinkles, follow @sprinklescupcakes on social and visit www.sprinkles.com.
CONTACT: Ana Ambrosi, aambrosi@avocadosfrommexico.com
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SOURCE Avocados From Mexico | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sweet-news-avocados-mexico-sprinkles-launch-limited-edition-cupcake-national-avocado-day/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:32 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sweet-news-avocados-mexico-sprinkles-launch-limited-edition-cupcake-national-avocado-day/ |
It's been five years since former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski was convicted of political corruption in a pay-to-play scheme.
Pawlowski was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. He has maintained his innocence, and, according to reports, has been a model inmate since his incarceration.
Now, an effort is underway to get him out of prison by people who say his sentence is too severe when you compare him to other convicted politicians.
69 News reporter Jaccii Farris will have the details in a special report Monday at 5 p.m. | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/special-report-pawlowski-conviction-5-years-later/article_f69e7fd2-2f85-11ee-a97c-4356ae8ecbb5.html | 2023-07-31T11:47:34 | 0 | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/special-report-pawlowski-conviction-5-years-later/article_f69e7fd2-2f85-11ee-a97c-4356ae8ecbb5.html |
SHENZHEN, China, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Taoping Inc. (Nasdaq: TAOP, the "Company" or "Taoping"), today announced that the board of directors of the Company approved a one-for-ten reverse stock split of the Company's issued and outstanding ordinary shares, no par value (the "Ordinary Shares"). Beginning August 1, 2023, the Company's Ordinary Shares will be trading on a split-adjusted basis under the same symbol "TAOP" but with new CUSIP number, G8675V 127.
As a result of the share consolidation, each ten Ordinary Shares outstanding will automatically combine and convert to one issued and outstanding Ordinary Share without any action on the part of shareholders who hold their shares in brokerage accounts or "street name". Shareholders holding certificates of Ordinary Shares are expected to receive instructions from the Company's transfer agent, Transhare Corporation, regarding procedures for exchanging share certificates. All outstanding options, warrants and other rights to purchase the Company's Ordinary Shares will be adjusted proportionately as a result of the reverse stock split. No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the reverse stock split, and instead, all such fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split will be rounded up to the nearest whole share.
The reverse stock split is intended to increase the per share trading price of the Ordinary Shares to satisfy the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market. Following the reverse stock split the Company will have approximately 1.86 million Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding, exclusive of shares issuable under outstanding options and warrants. The reverse stock split will not affect the number of total authorized Ordinary Shares of the Company.
About Taoping Inc.
Taoping Inc. (Nasdaq: TAOP) has a long history of successfully leveraging technology in the development of innovative solutions to help customers in both the private and public sectors to more effectively communicate and market to their desired targets. The Company has built a far-reaching city partner ecosystem and comprehensive portfolio of high-value, high-traffic areas for its products, which are aligned together with Taoping's smart cloud platform, cloud services and solutions, new media and artificial intelligence. For more information about Taoping, please visit www.taop.com. You can also follow us via LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, such as statements regarding our estimated future results of operations and financial position, our strategy and plans, and our objectives or goals, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "anticipates," "believes," "can," "continue," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "should," or "will" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Our actual results may differ materially or perhaps significantly from those discussed herein, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including: our potential inability to achieve or sustain profitability or reasonably predict our future results due to our limited operating history of providing smart cloud services, the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the emergence of additional competing technologies, changes in domestic and foreign laws, regulations and taxes, uncertainties related to China's legal system and economic, political and social events in China, the volatility of the securities markets; and other risks including, but not limited to, those that we discussed or referred to in the Company's disclosure documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F as well as in our other reports filed or furnished from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.
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KNOWLTOWN TWP., N.J. - A busy state highway in Warren County, New Jersey, is back open after a massive landslide two weeks ago.
Five million pounds of debris was removed from a section of Route 46 in Knowlton Township, north of Belvidere, after the flash flooding on July 16.
Crews picked up the debris, stabilized the slope and made repairs and drainage improvements.
The highway reopened to traffic Sunday morning, but only a single lane in one area.
Even though the road is back open, crews are still working to repair damage in the area.
Roads, homes and businesses in Knowlton and other areas of western Warren County experienced heavy damage from the storms two weekends ago.
Gov. Phil Murphy is asking the Biden Administration to approve a Major Disaster Declaration to help those recovering. | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/western-newjersey/route-46-reopens-after-massive-landslide/article_8b343db6-2f82-11ee-8c9c-ebfe7f88e7ea.html | 2023-07-31T11:47:44 | 0 | https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/western-newjersey/route-46-reopens-after-massive-landslide/article_8b343db6-2f82-11ee-8c9c-ebfe7f88e7ea.html |
This Launch Marks the Latest Expansion of the Brand's Complexion Offerings as it Doubles Down on The Skincare-Meets-Makeup Hybrid Category
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TULA Skincare, the leading clinically proven probiotic extract powered skincare brand has announced the expansion of its complexion offerings to include concealer.
After learning that TULA's customers were looking for a skin brightening eye treatment along with a concealer, the brand created a state-of-the-art clean skincare-makeup hybrid that delivers skin-boosting benefits with high-performance medium-to-full coverage.
Available in a 20-shade range, the dermatologist-tested, Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer is infused with TULA's unique Rainbow Seabright™ Elixir. This clinically-proven serum-like formula instantly conceals dark circles and discoloration for longwearing, crease-proof results, while brightening the appearance of skin over time. Additional ingredients include TULA's S6Pro Complex® - a US patent pending super six blend of prebiotics and probiotic extracts to help soothe skin, improve skin smoothness and maintain skin balance, along with eye peptides and tea leaf caffeine to help improve the look of dark circles, skin texture, and eye bags. The Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer can be paired with the brand's Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint or Filter Primer Blurring & Moisturizing Primer to help build one's complexion wardrobe, or spot conceal for a no-makeup, makeup look.
"Expanding our complexion category to include a concealer was a natural next step for us, especially knowing the strong desire our customers have had for an eye treatment with brightening benefits." said TULA Skincare CEO, Savannah Sachs. " We are excited to have another offering for our glow getters that will surely be a staple in their skincare and beauty routines."
To mark the launch, TULA will be executing a multi-channel launch campaign across its digital platform, and organic social, paid media, and influencer channels. Efforts will include launching a custom "shade finder" on tula.com to help customers find their perfect match concealer shade, highlighting content speaking to the "no-makeup, makeup" and makeup-skincare hybrid trends across TikTok and Instagram, and partnering with a curated set of influencers and providing them with an early access link exclusively for their followers to purchase the concealer prior to launch. In addition to tula.com, the concealer will launch in Ulta Beauty stores nationwide and online and will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Ulta Beauty Magazine, with in-store complexion events planned in the coming months in multiple doors.
TULA's Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer will be available for purchase on July 31 on tula.com, and will retail for $32.
About TULA Skincare
TULA is a doctor-founded skincare brand built on clinically proven formulas powered by probiotic extracts. We believe that the same types of ingredients which are good for your body are also great for your skin. We focus on being healthy, not perfect and on empowering everyone to feel confident in their skin.
Media Contact: Zoe Jeans at Bux + Bewl Communications: zoe@buxandbewl.com
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SOURCE TULA Skincare | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/tula-skincare-launches-new-radiant-skin-brightening-serum-concealer/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:45 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/tula-skincare-launches-new-radiant-skin-brightening-serum-concealer/ |
HONG KONG (AP) — Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects to their idol at her funeral in Hong Kong on Monday.
The memorial services was attended by her family and friends, including singers Elva Hsiao and Jenny Tseng, as well as other supporters. Lee died July 5 at age 48.
She was born in Hong Kong and attended school in San Francisco before releasing her first album in 1994 at age 19. She began her career as a Mandopop singer but branched out to release albums in Cantonese and English.
She was the first Chinese singer to break into the American market, and her English song “Do You Want My Love” climbed to #4 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Breakouts chart in December 1999. In 2001, she sang “A Love Before Time” from Ang Lee’s movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” at the Academy Awards, becoming the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars.
Lee was also the voice of heroine Fa Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney’s “Mulan,” and sang the Mandarin version of the movie’s theme song “Reflection.”
Lee was married to Bruce Rockowitz, former CEO of Hong Kong supply chain company Li & Fung. She had two stepdaughters.
Her death had shocked fans. Her siblings posted on Facebook that she had depression for years and had attempted suicide at home on July 2. She died a few days later.
On Monday afternoon, more than 100 fans dressed in black were waiting outside the funeral home.
Lin Jing, a fan from Fujian province in the southeast, said she admired Lee’s smile and appearance, adding: “She was really talented. She always tried to improve and she inspired women to feel independent.”
Inside the funeral hall, three pink hearts made of flowers and other floral decorations were displayed below Lee’s photo.
Her close friend, Hsiao, said during the ceremony that Lee was perfect idol to her even when she watched her performances as a student. After they became friends in the entertainment industry, Lee encouraged her when she was lost and treated her as “a little sister.”
“She brightened my life with her happiness and bravery. I will keep preserving her spirit,” she said in a quavering voice.
In a video for her memorial service, actors and singers from Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan recalled their memories with Lee and mourned her death.
Action star Jackie Chan said in the video that everyone was proud of her when she sang at the Oscars.
“To friends like us, Coco was a passionate and kind friend who showed care to us. She was really a good person. That’s why we are so reluctant to accept she has left us,” he said.
Award-winning director Ang Lee recalled his exchanges with the late singer before the Oscars and said it was a pity she died so young. “We miss her very much. Coco, rest in peace,” he said in the video.
In Coco Lee’s recent social media posts, she kept spreading positivity. In March, she posted about having to relearn how to walk after undergoing surgery for an old leg injury.
“Successful surgery. Even though I’m in a lot of pain and I have to re-learn how to walk again, I know I can do it,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “Yes I can and I will!”
___
Associated Press video journalist Alice Fung and news assistant Annie Cheung contributed to this report. | https://www.ksn.com/entertainment/ap-entertainment/ap-fans-pay-tribute-to-coco-lee-hong-kong-singer-who-had-international-success/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:48 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/entertainment/ap-entertainment/ap-fans-pay-tribute-to-coco-lee-hong-kong-singer-who-had-international-success/ |
Launch demonstrates companies' commitment to bringing complex generic medicines to the market to help increase patient access
PITTSBURGH and WOODBURY, Minn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS), a global healthcare company, and Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P. today announced the launch of Breyna™ (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol, the first generic version of AstraZeneca's Symbicort® with an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Breyna, a drug-device combination product, is indicated for certain patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and will be immediately available in both 80 mcg/4.5 mcg and 160 mcg/4.5 mcg dosage strengths.
Viatris Head of North America Jose Cotarelo said: "We are excited to bring Breyna to the U.S. market for the many Americans living with asthma and COPD. This launch represents years of hard work breaking down barriers to access and builds upon our past successes of bringing other complex products to market as we continue to move up the value chain. Being the first to bring an FDA-approved generic version of Symbicort to patients is a true example of how access is the cornerstone of our mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life."
The indications for Breyna include asthma in patients six years of age and older, and the maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction and reducing exacerbations in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Breyna is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. The 160 mcg/4.5 mcg is the only strength indicated for the treatment of COPD. COPD is a term used to describe a certain kind of chronic lung disease and is characterized by breathlessness; it affects more than 16 million Americans. Asthma causes swelling of the airways resulting in difficulty breathing, and approximately 25 million Americans have the chronic condition.
Milton Boyer, CEO of Kindeva Drug Delivery, added: "The launch of Breyna represents a significant milestone as it is the first FDA-approved generic version of Symbicort in the U.S., one of the most prescribed complex drug-device combination products to treat asthma and COPD. We are pleased for Viatris as well as the many Kindeva colleagues who have worked tirelessly to leverage our complex drug-delivery expertise for this important respiratory product — supporting a persistent need to continue bringing more quality medicines for asthma and COPD to patients."
To further expand access to Breyna, Viatris has established a copay program offered for eligible commercially-insured patients, which may help reduce out-of-pocket expenses on prescriptions to as little as $20 per 30-day supply. The program offers $30/month or up to $360 per year with 12 refills annually. The program will be available in August.
About Breyna
Breyna is indicated for the treatment of asthma in patients 6 years and older not adequately controlled on a long-term asthma-control medication such as an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) or whose disease warrants initiation of treatment with both an ICS and long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABA). Breyna 160 mcg/4.5 mcg dosage is indicated for the maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, and Breyna 160 mcg/4.5 mcg is also indicated to reduce exacerbations of COPD. Breyna is NOT indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
Breyna is contraindicated in the primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episode of asthma or COPD where intensive measures are required, and in hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in Breyna. Use of long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABA) as monotherapy (without inhaled corticosteroids [ICS]) for asthma is associated with an increased risk of asthma-related death. Available data from controlled clinial trials also suggest that use of LABA as monotherapy increases the risk of asthma-related hospitalization in pediatric and adolescent patients. These findings are considered a class effect of LABA. When LABA are used in fixed dose combination with ICS, data from large clinical trials do not show a significant increase in the risk of serious asthma-related events (hospitalizations, intubations, death) compared to ICS alone. Breyna is NOT a rescue medication and does NOT replace fast-acting inhalers to treat acute symptoms. Breyna should not be initiated in patients during rapidly deteriorating episodes of asthma or COPD. Patients who are receiving Breyna should not use additional formoterol or other LABA for any reason. Localized infections of the mouth and pharynx with Candida albicans has occurred in patients treated with Breyna. Patients should rinse the mouth after inhalation of Breyna. Lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, have been reported following the administration of ICS. Due to possible immunosuppression, potential worsening of infections could occur. A more serious or even fatal course of chickenpox or measles can occur in susceptible patients. It is possible that systemic corticosteroid effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur, particularly at higher doses. Particular care is needed for patients who are transferred from systemically active corticosteroids to ICS. Deaths due to adrenal insufficiency have occurred in asthmatic patients during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids to less systemically available ICS. Caution should be exercised when considering administration of Breyna in patients on long-term ketoconazole and other known potent CYP3A4 inhibitors. As with other inhaled medications, paradoxical bronchospasm may occur with Breyna. Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur, as demonstrated by cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, and bronchospasm. Excessive beta-adrenergic stimulation has been associated with central nervous system and cardiovascular effects. Breyna should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. Long-term use of ICS may result in a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD Assessment of BMD is recommended prior to initiating Breyna and periodically thereafter. ICS may result in a reduction in growth velocity when administered to pediatric patients. Glaucoma, increased intracolular pressure, and cataracts have been reported following the administration of ICS, including budesonide, a component of Breyna. Close monitoring for glaucoma and cataracts is warranted in patients with a change in vision or history of increased intraocular pressure. In rare cases, patients on ICS may present with systemic eosinophilic conditions. Breyna should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, ketoacidosis, and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines. The most common adverse reactions ≥3% reported in asthma clinical trials included nasopharyngitis, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngolaryngeal pain, sinusitis, influenza, back pain, nasal congestion, stomach discomfort, vomiting, and oral candidiasis. The most common adverse reactions ≥3% reported in COPD clinical trials included nasopharyngitis, oral candidiasis, bronchitis, sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infection. Breyna should be administered with caution to patients being treated with MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of such agents. Beta-blockers may not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists, such as formoterol, but may produce severe bronchospasm in patients with asthma. ECG changes and/or hypokalemia associated with nonpotassium-sparing diuretics may worsen with concomitant beta-agonists. Use caution with the coadministration of Breyna.
About Viatris
Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) is a global healthcare company empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. We provide access to medicines, advance sustainable operations, develop innovative solutions and leverage our collective expertise to connect more people to more products and services through our one-of-a-kind Global Healthcare Gateway®. Formed in November 2020, Viatris brings together scientific, manufacturing and distribution expertise with proven regulatory, medical and commercial capabilities to deliver high-quality medicines to patients in more than 165 countries and territories. Viatris' portfolio comprises more than 1,400 approved molecules across a wide range of therapeutic areas, spanning both non-communicable and infectious diseases, including globally recognized brands, complex generic and branded medicines, and a variety of over-the-counter consumer products. With more than 38,000 colleagues globally, Viatris is headquartered in the U.S., with global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad, India. Learn more at viatris.com and investor.viatris.com, and connect with us on Twitter at @ViatrisInc, LinkedIn and YouTube.
About Kindeva Drug Delivery
Kindeva Drug Delivery is a global contract development manufacturing organization focused on drug-device combination products. Kindeva Drug Delivery develops and manufactures products across a broad range of complex drug-delivery formats, including injectables (autoinjector, intradermal, microneedle), pulmonary & nasal, and transdermal patches. Its service offering spans early-stage feasibility through commercial scale drug product fill-finish, container closure system manufacturing, and drug-device product assembly. Kindeva Drug Delivery serves a global client base from its nine manufacturing and research and development facilities located in the U.S. and U.K. For more information, please visit www.kindevadd.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements may include statements that the launch of Breyna demonstrates the companies' commitment to bringing complex generic medicines to the market to help increase patient access; Breyna will be immediately available in both 80 mcg/4.5 mcg and 160 mcg/4.5 mcg dosage strengths; this launch represents years of hard work breaking down barriers to access and builds upon our past successes of bringing other complex products to market as we continue to move up the value chain; to further expand access to Breyna, Viatris has established a copay program offered for eligible commercially-insured patients, which may help reduce out-of-pocket expenses on prescriptions to as little as $20 per 30-day supply; and, the program will be available in August. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the possibility that the Company may be unable to realize the intended benefits of, or achieve the intended goals or outlooks with respect to, its strategic initiatives; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected benefits, synergies and operating efficiencies in connection with acquisitions, divestitures, or its global restructuring program, within the expected timeframe or at all; impairment charges or other losses related to the divestiture or sale of businesses or assets; the Company's failure to achieve expected or targeted future financial and operating performance and results; the potential impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, including the ongoing challenges and uncertainties posed by COVID-19; actions and decisions of healthcare and pharmaceutical regulators; changes in healthcare and pharmaceutical laws and regulations in the U.S. and abroad; any regulatory, legal or other impediments to Viatris' ability to bring new products to market, including but not limited to "at-risk" launches; Viatris' or its partners' ability to develop, manufacture, and commercialize products; the scope, timing and outcome of any ongoing legal proceedings, and the impact of any such proceedings; any significant breach of data security or data privacy or disruptions to our information technology systems; risks associated with international operations; the ability to protect intellectual property and preserve intellectual property rights; changes in third-party relationships; the effect of any changes in Viatris' or its partners' customer and supplier relationships and customer purchasing patterns; the impacts of competition; changes in the economic and financial conditions of Viatris or its partners; uncertainties and matters beyond the control of management, including general economic conditions, inflation and exchange rates; failure to execute stock repurchases consistent with current expectations; stock price volatility; and the other risks described in Viatris' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Viatris routinely uses its website as a means of disclosing material information to the public in a broad, non-exclusionary manner for purposes of the SEC's Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD). Viatris undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release other than as required by law.
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SOURCE Viatris Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/viatris-announces-launch-breyna-budesonide-formoterol-fumarate-dihydrate-inhalation-aerosol-first-fda-approved-generic-version-symbicort-people-with-asthma-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-partnership-with-kindeva/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:51 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/viatris-announces-launch-breyna-budesonide-formoterol-fumarate-dihydrate-inhalation-aerosol-first-fda-approved-generic-version-symbicort-people-with-asthma-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-partnership-with-kindeva/ |
The House and Senate left Washington for the month of August with a lengthy, time-sensitive to-do list waiting when they return, including multiple key health care priorities.
There will only be three weeks before the end of the fiscal year to get everything done, and just 11 legislative days when both chambers will be in session at the same time.
Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to reauthorize a sweeping pandemic preparedness bill, fund community health centers and renew opioid addiction services.
But the largest looming deadline is the appropriations bills to fund the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which are tied up in the House amid disagreements over abortion and spending levels.
GOP leaders scuttled a vote planned for Friday on legislation funding the FDA and the Department of Agriculture after moderate Republicans objected to a provision that would reverse the FDA’s decision to allow the abortion pill mifepristone drug to be dispensed through the mail and in retail pharmacies.
House Freedom Caucus members have also been demanding even deeper spending cuts than agreed to in the bipartistan debt ceiling deal.
The Labor-HHS bill advanced through a House Appropriations subcommittee earlier this month, but hadn’t even made it to the full committee before recess. The Republican-led House bill would slash or eliminate funding from a range of programs that deal with everything from family planning to teen pregnancy and even HIV.
Both FDA and HHS funding bills face a major fight in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where the Appropriations Committee has already passed its own version by near unanimous margins, owing to an agreement by Democratic and Republican leaders not to insert “poison pill” amendments.
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) argued in a floor speech that lawmakers should stay in Washington to strip out the “toxic, divisive, bigoted riders” in the bills, and ripped Republicans for delaying votes until September.
Pandemic preparedness
The House and Senate are taking different tracks in the reauthorization of the pandemic preparedness bill, complicating its path forward.
The Senate advanced a bipartisan version of the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act out of committee, but the House is divided. House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans advanced a bill on party lines after Democrats introduced their own version.
The primary disagreement is over drug shortages. Democrats are clamoring to give FDA more oversight authority to address the shortages, but Republicans are insisting on keeping the issues separate.
The Senate version contains some provisions addressing drug shortages, but only one involves beefing up FDA authority.
Congress is under pressure to stem drug shortages amid reports of doctors rationing cancer drugs and other medicine. Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have said they are committed to dealing with the problems, but that it shouldn’t be part of the preparedness bill.
Energy and Commerce Committee GOP leaders released a discussion draft on Friday of drug shortage legislation focusing on the economic reasons for shortages, including giving some generic drug manufacturers the ability to raise the cost of their drugs if hospitals keep prices “artificially low” to the point where there’s no economic incentive.
Health centers
Legislation to reauthorize funding for community health centers also faces partisan challenges. But in this case, the House cleared its bill on a bipartisan basis, while the Senate is still working through disagreements, highlighting the work to be done.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, originally wanted tens of billions of dollars more for the centers. He was asking for $130 billion to fund the centers over the next five years as well as $60 billion to help grow the health care workforce.
But Sanders ended up canceling a planned markup during the last week of July. Raising some eyebrows, Sanders said he is working with Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to craft a bipartisan bill that will be “ready by the first week of September.”
Separately, Sanders and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued a joint statement pledging to partner and work towards legislation in the fall aimed at addressing primary care and other health care workforce shortages.
Opioids
At issue are several provisions of sweeping legislation signed into law in 2018 called the Support Act, which aimed to tackle the country’s drug overdose epidemic.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a bipartisan reauthorization and expansion bill, but advocates are concerned the Senate is behind.
HELP Committee ranking member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced his own version of the bill on July 20, but hearings won’t be scheduled until September. Cassidy has warned that the committee is wasting time on partisan bills instead of easy bipartisan wins, such as the Support Act.
Insulin/PBM reform
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said for months that he wants to move legislation that would cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for people with private insurance.
There’s hope to combine it with legislation reforming the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry into a package that could get bipartisan support.
But there’s no looming deadline and no guarantee it will get taken up in September.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who is a co-sponsor of one of the insulin bills with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), said she still has Schumer’s support heading into the fall, but has not heard anything about timing.
Multiple committees have advanced PBM reform bills in both the House and Senate, so they will all need to be combined into one floor-friendly package. | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/lawmakers-set-to-face-ticking-clock-on-health-care-priorities/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:55 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/lawmakers-set-to-face-ticking-clock-on-health-care-priorities/ |
New nuclear unit now serving customers with clean, reliable energy 24/7
ATLANTA, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power declared today that Plant Vogtle Unit 3 has entered commercial operation and is now serving customers and the State of Georgia. The new unit represents a long-term investment in the state's clean energy future and will provide reliable, emissions-free energy to customers for decades to come.
"The Plant Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion is another incredible example of how Georgia Power is building a reliable and resilient energy future for our state," said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. "It is important that we make these kinds of long-term investments and see them through so we can continue providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to our 2.7 million customers. Today's achievement is a testament to our commitment to doing just that, and it marks the first day of the next 60 to 80 years that Vogtle Unit 3 will serve our customers with clean, reliable energy."
Vogtle Unit 3 is the first newly-constructed nuclear unit in the U.S. in over 30 years and can power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses. Once all four units are online, the Plant Vogtle site will be the largest generator of clean energy in the nation and support continued growth in Georgia as more industries, businesses and families come to the state.
"Today is a historic day for the State of Georgia, Southern Company, and the entire energy sector, as we continue transforming the way we power the lives of millions of Americans," said Chris Womack, president and CEO of Southern Company. "With Unit 3 completed, and Unit 4 in the final stages of construction and testing, this project shows just how new nuclear can and will play a critical role in achieving a clean energy future for the United States. Bringing this unit safely into service is a credit to the hard work and dedication of our teams at Southern Company and the thousands of additional workers who have helped build that future at this site, as well as all of the partners who have helped make this day a reality."
Nuclear energy is the only zero-emission baseload energy source available today, offering high reliability, and efficient operations around the clock. Nuclear energy currently provides approximately 25% of Georgia Power's overall energy mix, including the existing units at Plant Vogtle and Georgia's other nuclear facility at Plant Hatch in Baxley, Georgia.
"The Vogtle expansion is an American energy success story and would not be possible without the support of strong public and private partners like our partners at North America's Building Trades Unions," said Tom Fanning, chairman of the Board of Directors for Southern Company. "We continue to appreciate their support and those who have stood with us at the local, state and federal levels to complete this new clean energy source to serve electric customers. Providing leadership in our industry and a commitment to safety and quality are in Southern Company's DNA. Today's milestone at the Vogtle expansion site underscores this legacy, and I couldn't be prouder of the dedication our teams have shown in seeing Unit 3 through to completion."
The final stages of construction and testing continue at Vogtle Unit 4, with the unit projected to be placed in service during the late fourth quarter 2023 or the first quarter of 2024. The unit completed hot functional testing in May, in significantly less time than Unit 3 as the team continues leveraging best practices and learnings from the earlier unit. The Vogtle site has also received nuclear fuel for Unit 4, with a total of 157 fuel assemblies necessary for the safe and reliable startup of the unit.
Also, last week, Georgia Power announced the receipt of the 103(g) finding from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for Vogtle Unit 4. This finding was confirmed in an official letter received by Southern Nuclear and signifies that the new unit has been constructed and will be operated in conformance with the Combined License and NRC regulations. No further NRC findings are necessary in order for Southern Nuclear to load fuel or begin the startup sequence for the new unit.
The new Vogtle units are an essential part of Georgia Power's commitment to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to its 2.7 million customers. Southern Nuclear will operate the new units on behalf of the co-owners: Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the projected in-service date for Plant Vogtle Unit 4 and the future operations of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Georgia Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction, and operation of facilities or other projects, including Plant Vogtle Unit 4, which includes components based on new technology that only within the last few years began initial operation in the global nuclear industry at this scale, due to current and/or future challenges which include, but are not limited to, changes in labor costs, availability and productivity, challenges with the management of contractors or vendors, subcontractor performance, adverse weather conditions, shortages, delays, increased costs, or inconsistent quality of equipment, materials, and labor, contractor or supplier delay, the impacts of inflation, delays due to judicial or regulatory action, nonperformance under construction, operating, or other agreements, operational readiness, including specialized operator training and required site safety programs, engineering or design problems or any remediation related thereto, design and other licensing-based compliance matters, challenges with start-up activities, including major equipment failure, or system integration, and/or operational performance, continued challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemic health events, continued public and policymaker support for projects, environmental and geological conditions, delays or increased costs to interconnect facilities to transmission grids, and increased financing costs as a result of changes in market interest rates or as a result of project delays; the ability to overcome or mitigate the current challenges, or challenges yet to be identified, at Plant Vogtle Unit 4, that could further impact the cost and schedule for the project; legal proceedings and regulatory approvals and actions related to construction projects, such as Plant Vogtle Unit 4, including Georgia Public Service Commission approvals and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") actions; under certain specified circumstances, a decision by holders of more than 10% of the ownership interests of Plant Vogtle Unit 3 and 4 not to proceed with construction; the notices of tender by Oglethorpe Power Corporation and the City of Dalton of a portion of their ownership interests in Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 to Georgia Power, including related litigation; the ability to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses (including satisfaction of NRC requirements), to satisfy any environmental performance standards and the requirements of tax credits and other incentives, and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction; the inherent risks involved in operating and constructing nuclear generating facilities; the ability of counterparties of Georgia Power to make payments as and when due and to perform as required; the direct or indirect effect on Georgia Power's business resulting from cyber intrusion or physical attack and the threat of cyber and physical attacks; catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events, political unrest, wars or other similar occurrences; the potential effects of the continued COVID-19 pandemic; and the direct or indirect effects on Georgia Power's business resulting from incidents affecting the U.S. electric grid or operation of generating or storage resources. Georgia Power expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward–looking information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/vogtle-unit-3-goes-into-operation/ | 2023-07-31T11:47:58 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/vogtle-unit-3-goes-into-operation/ |
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. | https://www.ksn.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-europes-economy-shows-modest-growth-after-months-of-stagnation-as-rate-hikes-weigh-on-businesses/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:01 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-europes-economy-shows-modest-growth-after-months-of-stagnation-as-rate-hikes-weigh-on-businesses/ |
- 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.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/wuxi-apptec-announced-strong-results-second-quarter-first-half-2023-top-an-exceptionally-strong-year-2022/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:04 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/wuxi-apptec-announced-strong-results-second-quarter-first-half-2023-top-an-exceptionally-strong-year-2022/ |
BANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mixed in Europe after most Asian markets logged gains Monday on hopes for more stimulus from Beijing for the sluggish Chinese economy.
Worries over China’s slowdown have tempered optimism recently over the possibility that inflation is cooling enough to get the Federal Reserve to stop hiking interest rates.
Adding to pressure on the ruling Communist Party to reverse an economic slowdown, Chinese factory activity contracted in July as export orders shrank, a survey showed,
A purchasing managers’ index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group improved to 49.3 from June’s 49 on a 100-point scale but was below the 50-point level that shows activity contracting.
“The PMI surveys suggest that China’s economic recovery continued to lose momentum in July,” Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a commentary. “Looking forward, policy support is needed to prevent China’s economy from slipping into a recession, not least because external headwinds look set to persist for a while longer.”
Germany’s DAX was up 0.1% at 16,481.74, while the CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.2% to 7,492.95. Britain’s FTSE 100 gave up 0.1% to 7,683.50. The futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were nearly unchanged.
In Asian trading, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong rose 0.8% to 20,078.94, while the Shanghai Composite index advanced 0.5% to 3,291.04.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index closed 1.3% higher at 33,172.22. In Seoul, the Kospi climbed 0.9% to 2,632.58.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% higher, to 7,410.40 and the SET in Bangkok was up 0.8%. The Sensex in India rose 0.4% to 66,419.66.
Wall Street closed out another winning week on Friday, as the S&P 500 rose 1%. The Dow added 0.5% and the Nasdaq climbed 1.9% as Big Tech stocks led the market.
If inflation is cooling enough to get the Federal Reserve to stop hiking interest rates, that might allow the economy to continue growing and avoid a long-predicted recession.
Though critics say the stock market’s rally may have gone too far, too fast, hopes for a halt to rate hikes helped technology stocks and others seen as big beneficiaries from easier rates to rally.
A report on Friday showed the inflation measure the Fed prefers to use slowed last month by a touch more than expected. Data also showed total compensation for workers rose less than expected during the spring. While that’s discouraging for workers, investors see it adding less upward pressure on inflation.
The hope among traders is that the slowdown in inflation means Wednesday’s hike to interest rates by the Federal Reserve will be the final one of this cycle. The federal funds rate has leaped to a level between 5.25% and 5.50%, up from virtually zero early last year. High interest rates work to lower inflation by slowing the entire economy and hurting prices for stocks and other investments.
In other trading Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil gave up 5 cents to $80.53 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It gained 49 cents to $80.58 on Friday.
Brent crude, the international standard, shed 6 cents to $84.35 a barrel.
The U.S. dollar rose to 142.43 Japanese yen from Friday’s 141.01 yen. The euro was at $1.1021, up from $1.1019.
___
AP Business Writer Joe McDonald in Beijing contributed. | https://www.ksn.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-stock-market-today-asia-shares-gain-after-wall-st-rally-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-china-stimulus/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:07 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-stock-market-today-asia-shares-gain-after-wall-st-rally-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-china-stimulus/ |
GUANGZHOU, China, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yatsen Holding Limited ("Yatsen" or the "Company") (NYSE: YSG), a leading China-based beauty group, today announced that it has published its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") report, outlining the Company's progress and performance in key ESG areas.
The report provides a comprehensive review of Yatsen's ESG initiatives and developments, including corporate governance, research and development, employee rights protection, human capital development, environmental sustainability and social responsibility, among others.
To view the report in full, please visit the ESG section on the Yatsen Investor Relations website. Alternatively, please click here for the English version and here for the Chinese version of the 2022 report.
About Yatsen Holding Limited
Yatsen Holding Limited (NYSE: YSG) is a leading China-based beauty group with the mission of creating an exciting new journey of beauty discovery for consumers around the world. Founded in 2016, the Company has launched and acquired numerous color cosmetics and skincare brands, including Perfect Diary, Little Ondine, Abby's Choice, Galénic, DR.WU (its mainland China business), Eve Lom, Pink Bear and EANTiM. The Company's flagship brand, Perfect Diary, is one of the leading color cosmetics brands in China in terms of retail sales value. The Company primarily reaches and engages with customers directly, both online and offline, with an expansive presence across all major e-commerce, social and content platforms in China.
For more information, please visit http://ir.yatsenglobal.com/.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
Yatsen Holding Limited
Investor Relations
E-mail: ir@yatsenglobal.com
The Piacente Group, Inc
Hui Fan
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
E-mail: yatsen@thepiacentegroup.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: yatsen@thepiacentegroup.com
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SOURCE Yatsen Holding Limited | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/yatsen-issues-2022-esg-report/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:11 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/yatsen-issues-2022-esg-report/ |
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian army helicopter that crashed Friday during a multinational exercise hit the water with a “catastrophic impact” and there is no chance its four crew members survived, officials said Monday.
Australia’s fleet of more than 40 of the MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, made by French Airbus, has been grounded since the crash and there are doubts any will fly again.
They will be grounded until crash investigators determine what caused the tragedy. The government announced in January it plans to replace them with 40 U.S. Black Hawks. The Taipans’ retirement date of December 2024 would be 13 years earlier than Australia had initially planned.
Defense Minister Richard Marles said the search and rescue effort changed Monday to a victim recovery operation with no chance that Capt. Danniel Lyon, Lt. Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Joseph Laycock or Cpl. Alexander Naggs had survived.
“There was a catastrophic incident and with every passing hour, it is now clear that any hope of finding (the four crew) alive has been lost,” Marles told reporters.
The helicopter crashed during a nighttime exercise with the United States and other nations near the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef.
Marles had said on Saturday the helicopter “ditched,” which refers to an emergency landing. But on Monday he would not rule our pilot error or disorientation in the dark causing the crash into the water. He urged against speculation about potential causes.
“There was a catastrophic impact on the helicopter when it hit the water,” Marles said.
“We will move through the process of putting the Black Hawks into service as quickly as we can … and we will not be flying MRH90s until we understand what has happened,” Marles added.
The lost Taipan had been taking part in Talisman Sabre, a biennial U.S.-Australian military exercise that is largely based in Queensland state. This year’s exercise involves 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel.
The exercise was continuing on Monday with some changes near the recovery operation, Australian Defense Force Chief Gen. Angus Campbell said.
Campbell thanked the United States and Canada for their help in the search and recovery efforts, which he said was “not an easy operation.”
The wreckage lay in the path of strong currents and tidal movements. It was too deep for standard diving operations.
Part of the airframe had been retrieved by Monday but most of the helicopter remained on the seabed, Campbell said.
It was the second emergency involving an Australian Taipan since March. The fleet was grounded after one ditched into the sea off the New South Wales state coast near the naval base at Jervis Bay during a nighttime counterterrorism training exercise. All 10 passengers and crew members were rescued.
Retired Maj. Gen. Fergus McLachlan was involved in integrating the Taipan into the Australian army when they arrived in 2007 and had been responsible for keeping them airworthy. He said the Taipan did not have the proven record of the Lockheed Martin-designed Black Hawks.
“We bought into an unproven system. In real terms, it was a developmental aircraft and it has never really matured,” McLachlan told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
“It was always a battle to maintain it and keep it flying,” McLachlan added. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-4-crew-members-on-australian-army-helicopter-that-crashed-off-coast-didnt-survive-officials-say/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:13 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-4-crew-members-on-australian-army-helicopter-that-crashed-off-coast-didnt-survive-officials-say/ |
Leveraging artificial intelligence, Mumbai-based IT services firm Yodaplus is catalyzing industry transformations, from nutraceuticals to retail, by streamlining business operations and boosting decision-making capabilities.
MUMBAI, India, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yodaplus, a Mumbai-based IT services firm, is at the forefront of empowering organizations worldwide with advanced technological capabilities. Today, the company sheds light on the evolving global landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its growing adoption within its service portfolio.
With its wide range of services and deep industry knowledge, Yodaplus has been a game changer – enabling organizations to focus on their core operations and achieve sustainable growth. And now, by integrating AI into services, Yodaplus helps businesses navigate the complex digital transformation landscape more efficiently, creating a competitive edge.
AI continues to transform business operations globally, powering automation, analytics, decision-making, and enhancing user experiences. This ultimately delivers safer and more effective products to meet the growing global demand.
Yodaplus is known for its expansive roster of clients - from development banks and blockchain companies to EdTech startups and HRMS providers. With such a diverse clientele, embracing AI is more necessary than a choice, and Yodaplus has promptly addressed this need.
"As we navigate the digital age, the integration of AI into our service offerings has become an undeniable necessity," commented Vishrut Srivastava, MD, Yodaplus. "AI is here to stay, poised to make our lives more efficient and free mankind from the burden of mundane tasks. At Yodaplus, we are committed to embracing AI to drive growth and innovation for our clients while we continue to explore new horizons in this transformative technological landscape."
In line with this commitment, Yodaplus has developed an AI engine transforming the global nutraceutical supply chain. Addressing the complexities of generating differentiated nutraceutical label claims necessitates a well-mapped global database and the application of AI. To solve this problem, Yodaplus developed an AI-driven smart labels function via the NutrifyGenie AI engine.
NutrifyGenie uses sophisticated algorithms that facilitate simplified and precise decision-making, authenticating label claim validation and enabling real-time regulatory compliance. This feature provides users with pre-made labels, including correct dosage values for nutraceutical products, significantly expediting product development.
Enabling companies to effortlessly commercialize their innovations in essential markets fulfills the continuously increasing demand for nutraceutical products. As the nutraceutical industry continues to grow, Yodaplus's AI engine will play a crucial role in accelerating the new product development process and helping businesses bring innovative and differentiated products to market faster than ever before.
Not just that, the company has also recently deployed advanced invoice parsing for a retail giant. This smart solution facilitates operations by accurately extracting and collating relevant information from invoices, thus automating a previously laborious task. Furthermore, Yodaplus uses sophisticated AI tools to assist an asset management client in conducting comprehensive financial records analysis, rendering them outstanding financial decision-making capabilities.
About Yodaplus
An ever-evolving, highly specialized technology solutions company, Yodaplus offers an array of services designed to address the unique needs of businesses globally, extending beyond its Mumbai base to the US, UK, UAE, and Singapore. The company's mission, steered by MD Vishrut Srivastava, is dedicated to providing top-tier IT services and aims to propel businesses toward unprecedented growth and success. With this commitment, Yodaplus becomes your duly trusted tech partner.
For more information about Yodaplus, please visit www.yodaplus.com.
Press Contact:
Amit Pareek
Senior Marketing Manager
amitp@yodaplus.com
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2163861/Vishrut_Srivatava_MD_Yodaplus.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2144978/4185052/Yodaplus_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE Yodaplus Technologies | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/yodaplus-shaping-future-industries-with-powerful-ai-integration/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:17 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/yodaplus-shaping-future-industries-with-powerful-ai-integration/ |
VATICAN CITY (AP) — When Pope Francis made the first foreign trip of his papacy, to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in 2013, he urged young people to make a “mess” in their local churches, to shake things up even if it ruffled the feathers of their bishops.
As he embarks this week on another edition of World Youth Day, in Lisbon, Portugal, Francis in many ways has taken his own advice to heart. After 10 years as pope, Francis is accelerating his reform agenda and making revolutionary changes in personnel and policy that are definitely shaking things up.
Unencumbered by the shadow of Pope Benedict XVI, who died seven months ago, and despite recovering from a second intestinal surgery in as many years, the 86-year-old Francis is opening a frenetic second half of the year with his Portugal visit. He seems aware that he has a limited sweet spot of time to solidify the changes he believes are necessary for the 21st century church, and is looking to the next generation of faithful and leaders to execute them.
“The sense I get is that this is the consolidation phase of the pontificate,” said papal biographer Austen Ivereigh. “He’s laying the basis now, laying the ground, for the future.”
And no better place to put it on display than at a World Youth Day. The international rally, which St. John Paul II launched in 1986 to galvanize young Catholics in their faith, is expected to draw up to 1 million people for the first post-pandemic event of its kind. Francis’ perennial social justice concerns about climate change, social inequality and fraternity, as well as Russia’s war in Ukraine, are expected to be major themes.
Beyond Portugal, though, Francis’ multifold strategy for laying the groundwork for the future is coming together and will hit significant marks in the coming months.
His global canvassing of rank-and-file Catholics about their vision for the future comes to fruition this October with a big synod at the Vatican. The meeting is intended to give direction on such hot-button issues as the place of LGBTQ+ Catholics and women in the church, and for the first time will feature women and young people voting on proposals alongside bishops.
“I really think that for Pope Francis, he felt that ‘OK, now it’s mature’ and it would be good really to involve all the members, all the people in the synod as members” with the right to vote, said Sister Nathalie Becquart, who is one of the key synod organizers.
To then implement the vision that emerges from the synod, Francis has been naming a slew of unusually young bishops for key archdioceses — in his native Buenos Aires, Madrid and Brussels, among others. At the same time, he’s elevated several cardinals in their 50s — and in some cases their 40s — including the auxiliary bishop of Lisbon who is organizing World Youth Day.
Putting such young clerics in such important positions ensures a generation’s worth of likeminded leadership in the Vatican and archdioceses around the world. While not all are cookie-cutter proteges of Francis, many are seen as similarly pastorally minded and thus more game to implement his reforms, especially as the older generation of bishops and cardinals dies out.
After Francis is gone, the youngest of these new cardinals will have some three decades’ worth of local leadership and conclave votes to select future popes, suggesting a generational and ideological shift in the church leadership is very much underway.
Francis’ most important young “legacy” appointment was that of the Vatican’s new doctrinal czar, Argentine Cardinal-elect Victor Manuel Fernandez, 61. Francis’ theological ghostwriter ran into Vatican problems in the past over questions about his doctrinal orthodoxy, and his appointment sent shockwaves through the conservative and traditionalist wings of the church.
Fernandez sees his appointment as part of Francis’ longer-term agenda. “He is proposing a more inclusive church, more respectful of different ways of living, even of thinking,” Fernandez said in an interview.
Portuguese Cardinal-elect Americo Aguiar, who is in charge of World Youth Day, is another young churchman who also understands his appointment as part of a generational turning point for the Catholic hierarchy.
At age 49 he will become the second-youngest member of the College of Cardinals when he is installed Sept. 30. He is just six months older than the current youngest cardinal, whom Francis elevated this time last year: Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, head of the church in Mongolia where Francis will travel at the end of August.
“My reading of it is that this has to do with young people, it has to do with youth, it has to do with Portugal, it has to do with World Youth Day, it has to do with all of that,” Aguiar said in an interview. “I think that his objective and his underlining was exactly to send a signal to the young people, to every young person who is preparing the day, whether in Portugal or in the world, to feel identified with this decision.”
Francis said as much in his monthly prayer intentions for August, this time dedicated to the Lisbon event.
“In Lisbon, I would like to see a seed for the world’s future,” Francis said. “A world where love is at the center, where we can sense that we are sisters and brothers.”
His wish in many ways echoed his words at the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio, which now seem prescient in outlining many of the key pastoral messages Francis has emphasized over the past decade. Delivering a spontaneous, off-the-cuff exhortation to a gathering of Argentine pilgrims that was organized at the last minute, Francis urged the young to get out into the streets, spread their faith and “make a mess.”
“I want to see the church get closer to the people,” Francis said then, speaking in his native Spanish. “I want to get rid of clericalism, the mundane, this closing ourselves off within ourselves, in our parishes, schools or structures.”
Realizing the radical nature of his message, Francis apologized to the bishops for what was about to come, even though in the 10 years since, he has only gone further than anyone could have imagined at the time.
“The true reform of the church, you know, is not a revolution bringing something completely from outside,” said Becquart, the French nun, as she reflected on Francis’ agenda. “It’s a path of change that is a way to unfold tradition, but in a very dynamic way.”
___
AP reporters Helena Alvez in Lisbon, Portugal, and Almudena Calatrava in Buenos Aires contributed.
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-as-the-pope-heads-to-portugal-he-is-laying-the-groundwork-for-the-churchs-future-and-his-legacy/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:20 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-as-the-pope-heads-to-portugal-he-is-laying-the-groundwork-for-the-churchs-future-and-his-legacy/ |
The cutting-edge platform empowers B2B SaaS start-ups to reduce churn, increase upsell, and boost NRR
WILMINGTON, Del., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ZapScale, a new-age customer success platform, is making waves in the industry by offering an unrivalled one-day onboarding experience along with the ability to track 150 customer data points for a comprehensive 360-degree view of customer health. This ground-breaking feature sets ZapScale apart from its competitors.
The secret behind ZapScale's lightning-fast onboarding lies in its comprehensive toolkit. With a robust framework of 40 pre-built KPI-based health frameworks, 60 pre-designed playbooks to automate CS ops, and seamless native integrations with all popular tools, ZapScale empowers businesses to gain complete visibility over customer data. With deep customer health insights, ZapScale's customers have seen an improvement in retention and increase in upsell opportunities.
Manasij Ganguli, Founder and CEO of ZapScale, shares his personal motivation for creating this game-changing platform: "ZapScale was born out of my passion to empower B2B SaaS start-ups with an efficient and effective CS platform. Having faced numerous customer success challenges in my previous start-up, which I successfully sold in 2019, I realized the critical need for a solution that could streamline, optimize, and accelerate CS operations.
For small to mid-sized businesses that have limited time and resources, implementing a CS platform has historically been a daunting task, taking weeks, if not months, to set up essential elements like customer health, playbooks, and integrations. ZapScale has addressed this challenge by offering a user-friendly and efficient implementation process, eliminating waste of time and resources. Now, businesses can seamlessly focus on their customers right from day 1."
ZapScale eliminates the traditional barriers and time-consuming processes associated with implementing CS platforms using key in-built features that facilitate custom mapping, support custom fields, and require no unique key to integrate applications, ensuring a tailored yet quick integration experience.
ZapScale is swiftly gaining traction in the market, with 30+ global companies already using the customer success platform. Starting at $249 per month, with a one-month free trial, ZapScale is helping businesses significantly improve their customer success initiatives.
For more information about ZapScale and to schedule a demo, visit www.zapscale.com.
Contact:
Nikita Kalra
Marketing Head, ZapScale
nikita@zapscale.com
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SOURCE ZapScale | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/zapscale-sets-new-industry-standard-with-easiest-customer-success-platform-one-day-onboarding/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:24 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/zapscale-sets-new-industry-standard-with-easiest-customer-success-platform-one-day-onboarding/ |
BEIJING (AP) — China imposed restrictions Monday on exports of long-range civilian drones, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine and concern that drones might be converted to military use.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is friendly with Moscow but says it is neutral in the 18-month-old war. It has been stung by reports that both sides might be using Chinese-made drones for reconnaissance and possibly attacks.
Export controls will take effect Tuesday to prevent use of drones for “non-peaceful purposes,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. It said exports still will be allowed but didn’t say what restrictions would apply.
China is a leading developer and exporter of drones. DJI Technology Co., one of the global industry’s top competitors, announced in April 2022 it was pulling out of Russia and Ukraine to prevent its drones from being used in combat.
“The risk of some high specification and high-performance civilian unmanned aerial vehicles being converted to military use is constantly increasing,” the Ministry of Commerce said.
Restrictions will apply to drones that can fly beyond the natural sight distance of operators or stay aloft more than 30 minutes, have attachments that can throw objects and weigh more than seven kilograms (15½ pounds), according to the ministry.
“Since the crisis in Ukraine, some Chinese civilian drone companies have voluntarily suspended their operations in conflict areas,” the Ministry of Commerce said. It accused the United States and Western media of spreading “false information” about Chinese drone exports.
The government on Friday defended its dealings with Russia as “normal economic and trade cooperation” after a U.S. intelligence report said Beijing possibly provided equipment used in Ukraine that might have military applications.
The report cited Russian customs data that showed Chinese state-owned military contractors supplied drones, navigation equipment, fighter jet parts and other goods.
The Biden administration has warned Beijing of unspecified consequences if it supports the Kremlin’s war effort. Last week’s report didn’t say whether any of the trade cited might trigger U.S. retaliation.
Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared before the February 2022 invasion that their governments had a “no-limits” friendship. Beijing has blocked efforts to censure Moscow in the United Nations and has repeated Russian justifications for the attack.
China has “always opposed the use of civilian drones for military purposes,” the Ministry of Commerce said. “The moderate expansion of drone control by China this time is an important measure to demonstrate the responsibility of a responsible major country.”
The Ukrainian government appealed to DJI in March 2022 to stop selling drones it said the Russian ministry was using to target missile attacks. DJI rejected claims it leaked data on Ukraine’s military positions to Russia. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-china-imposes-curbs-on-drone-exports-citing-ukraine-and-concern-about-military-use/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:26 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-china-imposes-curbs-on-drone-exports-citing-ukraine-and-concern-about-military-use/ |
Elvina Kalieva 2023 Livesport Prague Open 2021 Odds
Elvina Kalieva's round of 32 match in the Livesport Prague Open 2021 will be versus Linda Noskova. Kalieva is +4000 to win this tournament at Tennis Club Sparta Praha.
Find all the latest odds for the 2023 Livesport Prague Open 2021 and place your bets with a new user bonus from BetMGM.
Kalieva at the 2023 Livesport Prague Open 2021
- Next Round: Round of 32
- Tournament Dates: July 28 - August 6
- Venue: Tennis Club Sparta Praha
- Location: Prague, Czechia
- Court Surface: Hard
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Kalieva's Next Match
Kalieva will meet Noskova in the round of 32 on Tuesday, August 1 at 5:00 AM ET, after getting past Tayisiya Morderger 6-2, 6-3 in the qualification final.
Kalieva is listed at +375 to win her next matchup against Noskova. Check out the latest odds for the entire field at BetMGM.
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Kalieva Stats
- Kalieva defeated Morderger 6-2, 6-3 on Sunday in the qualifying round.
- In five tournaments over the past year, Kalieva is yet to win a title, and her overall record is 3-5.
- Kalieva has a record of 2-3 on hard courts over the last 12 months.
- In her eight matches over the past year, across all court surfaces, Kalieva has averaged 18.6 games.
- On hard courts, Kalieva has played five matches over the past 12 months, and she has totaled 20.8 games per match while winning 49.0% of games.
- Over the past year, Kalieva has been victorious in 12.5% of her return games and 28.6% of her service games.
- Kalieva has claimed 50% of her service games on hard courts and 11.1% of her return games over the past 12 months.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wsaz.com/sports/betting/2023/07/28/elvina-kalieva-livesport-prague-open-2021-betting-odds/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:31 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/sports/betting/2023/07/28/elvina-kalieva-livesport-prague-open-2021-betting-odds/ |
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — 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.
State prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou said the three-judge bench imposed the prison term as a “deterrent,” although the judges had earlier ruled that David Hunter’s decision to suffocate his wife Janice in December 2021 was made on the spur of the moment because he could no longer stand seeing her weeping in pain.
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.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-cyprus-court-hands-british-man-a-2-year-prison-term-for-killing-his-ailing-wife-to-spare-her-pain/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:32 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-cyprus-court-hands-british-man-a-2-year-prison-term-for-killing-his-ailing-wife-to-spare-her-pain/ |
HONG KONG (AP) — 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.
Police said a 30-year-old man’s body was found on a patio in the city’s upscale Mid-Levels area. He was believed to have engaged in extreme sports, police said, without identifying him.
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.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-french-daredevil-who-climbed-towers-around-world-believed-to-have-fallen-to-his-death-in-hong-kong/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:38 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-french-daredevil-who-climbed-towers-around-world-believed-to-have-fallen-to-his-death-in-hong-kong/ |
The House and Senate left Washington for the month of August with a lengthy, time-sensitive to-do list waiting when they return, including multiple key health care priorities.
There will only be three weeks before the end of the fiscal year to get everything done, and just 11 legislative days when both chambers will be in session at the same time.
Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to reauthorize a sweeping pandemic preparedness bill, fund community health centers and renew opioid addiction services.
But the largest looming deadline is the appropriations bills to fund the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which are tied up in the House amid disagreements over abortion and spending levels.
GOP leaders scuttled a vote planned for Friday on legislation funding the FDA and the Department of Agriculture after moderate Republicans objected to a provision that would reverse the FDA’s decision to allow the abortion pill mifepristone drug to be dispensed through the mail and in retail pharmacies.
House Freedom Caucus members have also been demanding even deeper spending cuts than agreed to in the bipartistan debt ceiling deal.
The Labor-HHS bill advanced through a House Appropriations subcommittee earlier this month, but hadn’t even made it to the full committee before recess. The Republican-led House bill would slash or eliminate funding from a range of programs that deal with everything from family planning to teen pregnancy and even HIV.
Both FDA and HHS funding bills face a major fight in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where the Appropriations Committee has already passed its own version by near unanimous margins, owing to an agreement by Democratic and Republican leaders not to insert “poison pill” amendments.
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) argued in a floor speech that lawmakers should stay in Washington to strip out the “toxic, divisive, bigoted riders” in the bills, and ripped Republicans for delaying votes until September.
Pandemic preparedness
The House and Senate are taking different tracks in the reauthorization of the pandemic preparedness bill, complicating its path forward.
The Senate advanced a bipartisan version of the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act out of committee, but the House is divided. House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans advanced a bill on party lines after Democrats introduced their own version.
The primary disagreement is over drug shortages. Democrats are clamoring to give FDA more oversight authority to address the shortages, but Republicans are insisting on keeping the issues separate.
The Senate version contains some provisions addressing drug shortages, but only one involves beefing up FDA authority.
Congress is under pressure to stem drug shortages amid reports of doctors rationing cancer drugs and other medicine. Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have said they are committed to dealing with the problems, but that it shouldn’t be part of the preparedness bill.
Energy and Commerce Committee GOP leaders released a discussion draft on Friday of drug shortage legislation focusing on the economic reasons for shortages, including giving some generic drug manufacturers the ability to raise the cost of their drugs if hospitals keep prices “artificially low” to the point where there’s no economic incentive.
Health centers
Legislation to reauthorize funding for community health centers also faces partisan challenges. But in this case, the House cleared its bill on a bipartisan basis, while the Senate is still working through disagreements, highlighting the work to be done.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, originally wanted tens of billions of dollars more for the centers. He was asking for $130 billion to fund the centers over the next five years as well as $60 billion to help grow the health care workforce.
But Sanders ended up canceling a planned markup during the last week of July. Raising some eyebrows, Sanders said he is working with Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to craft a bipartisan bill that will be “ready by the first week of September.”
Separately, Sanders and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued a joint statement pledging to partner and work towards legislation in the fall aimed at addressing primary care and other health care workforce shortages.
Opioids
At issue are several provisions of sweeping legislation signed into law in 2018 called the Support Act, which aimed to tackle the country’s drug overdose epidemic.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a bipartisan reauthorization and expansion bill, but advocates are concerned the Senate is behind.
HELP Committee ranking member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced his own version of the bill on July 20, but hearings won’t be scheduled until September. Cassidy has warned that the committee is wasting time on partisan bills instead of easy bipartisan wins, such as the Support Act.
Insulin/PBM reform
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said for months that he wants to move legislation that would cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for people with private insurance.
There’s hope to combine it with legislation reforming the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry into a package that could get bipartisan support.
But there’s no looming deadline and no guarantee it will get taken up in September.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who is a co-sponsor of one of the insulin bills with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), said she still has Schumer’s support heading into the fall, but has not heard anything about timing.
Multiple committees have advanced PBM reform bills in both the House and Senate, so they will all need to be combined into one floor-friendly package. | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/hill-politics/lawmakers-set-to-face-ticking-clock-on-health-care-priorities/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:44 | 0 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/hill-politics/lawmakers-set-to-face-ticking-clock-on-health-care-priorities/ |
The tech giant made the line of sneakers as a one-time gift for its employees in the '90s. A size 10.5 pair has found its way onto the Sotheby's website, where it's on sale for $50,000.
Copyright 2023 NPR
The tech giant made the line of sneakers as a one-time gift for its employees in the '90s. A size 10.5 pair has found its way onto the Sotheby's website, where it's on sale for $50,000.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-07-31/a-pair-of-white-sneakers-made-specifically-for-apple-employees-is-up-for-auction | 2023-07-31T11:48:44 | 0 | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-07-31/a-pair-of-white-sneakers-made-specifically-for-apple-employees-is-up-for-auction |
X, formerly known as Twitter, has reinstated Kanye West's account on the social media platform. West will not be able to monetize his account, and no ads will appear next to his posts, the company told the Wall Street Journal on Saturday.
The musician's account was suspended in December for violating the platform's rules on inciting violence. The suspension followed multiple antisemitic comments made by West - who has legally changed his name to Ye - including a threat to "Go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE." Those statements led to a swift disintegration of multiple business deals, including partnerships with Adidas and luxury fashion house Balenciaga.
Although CNN at the time was unable to determine which tweet had been the final straw, the day before his suspension West tweeted an altered image of the Star of David with a swastika inside.
Twitter has long been embroiled in questions surrounding moderation, with the platform's CEO Elon Musk describing himself as a "free speech absolutist." After agreeing to buy the company last October, he said Twitter would "be very reluctant to delete things" and "be very cautious with permanent bans."
But after West was suspended, Musk tweeted "I tried my best. Despite that, he again violated our rule against incitement to violence."
In April, Twitter's safety team launched a new content enforcement strategy called "Freedom of Speech, Not Reach," which focused on "restricting the reach of Tweets that violate our policies by making the content less discoverable."
This approach, in part, requires the team to "proactively prevent ads from appearing adjacent to content" labeled as violative.
In an update earlier this month, the safety team reported that these labeled tweets "receive 81% less reach or impressions" than non-restricted ones, and that "more than 99.99% of Tweet impressions are from ... content that does not violate our rules."
Twitter's Violent Speech Policy prohibits inciting and glorifying violence, wishing harm on other people, and threatening others. But it makes some exceptions, including for "figures of speech, satire, or artistic expression when the context is expressing a viewpoint rather than instigating actionable violence or harm."
"We make sure to evaluate and understand the context behind the conversation before taking action," the policy states, adding that if a user believes their account was wrongfully suspended, they can submit an appeal.
It's not clear whether West submitted an appeal, or if something else prompted his account's reactivation. The musician has yet to post on the platform. CNN has reached out to Twitter and a representative for West but has not received a response.
CNN contributed to this report. | https://6abc.com/kanye-west-x-twitter-elon-musk/13576627/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:44 | 1 | https://6abc.com/kanye-west-x-twitter-elon-musk/13576627/ |
BEIJING (AP) — A zoo in eastern China is denying suggestions some of its bears might be people in costumes after photos of the animals standing like humans circulated online.
The sun bears from Malaysia are smaller than other bears and look different but are the real thing, the Hangzhou Zoo said Monday on its social media account.
“Some people think I stand like a person,” said the posting, written from the bear’s point of view. “It seems you don’t understand me very well.”
An employee who answered the phone at the zoo declined to talk about the bears but said visits were being arranged for reporters Monday to see them.
Internet users questioned whether the zoo’s bears were real after photos circulated showing one standing upright on slender hind legs.
“Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are ‘humans in disguise,’” the newspaper Hangzhou Daily said.
Sun bears are the size of large dogs, standing at most 1.3 meters (50 inches) tall on their hind legs, compared with up to 2.8 meters (9 feet) for grizzlies and other species, according to the zoo.
Other Chinese zoos have been accused of trying to pass off dogs dyed to look like wolves or African cats, and donkeys painted to look like zebras. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-our-bears-are-real-a-chinese-zoo-says-denying-they-are-humans-in-disguise/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:44 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-our-bears-are-real-a-chinese-zoo-says-denying-they-are-humans-in-disguise/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — Six straight days of 12-hour driving. Single digit paychecks. The complaints come from workers in vastly different industries: UPS delivery drivers and Hollywood actors and writers.
But they point to an underlying factor driving a surge of labor unrest: The cost to workers whose jobs have changed drastically as companies scramble to meet customer expectations for speed and convenience in industries transformed by technology.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated those changes, pushing retailers to shift online and intensifying the streaming competition among entertainment companies. Now, from the picket lines, workers are trying to give consumers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a show that can be binged any time or get dog food delivered to their doorstep with a phone swipe.
Overworked and underpaid employees is an enduring complaint across industries — from delivery drivers to Starbucks baristas and airline pilots — where surges in consumer demand have collided with persistent labor shortages. Workers are pushing back against forced overtime, punishing schedules or company reliance on lower-paid, part-time or contract forces.
At issue for Hollywood screenwriters and actors staging their first simultaneous strikes in 40 years is the way streaming has upended entertainment economics, slashing pay and forcing showrunners to produce content faster with smaller teams.
“This seems to happen to many places when the tech companies come in. Who are we crushing? It doesn’t matter,” said Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, a screenwriter and showrunner on the negotiating team for the Writers Guild of America, whose members have been on strike since May. Earlier this month, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined the writers’ union on the picket line.
Actors and writers have long relied on residuals, or long-term payments, for reruns and other airings of films and televisions shows. But reruns aren’t a thing on streaming services, where series and films simply land and stay with no easy way, such as box office returns or ratings, to determine their popularity.
Consequently, whatever residuals streaming companies do pay often amount to a pittance, and screenwriters have been sharing tales of receiving single digit checks.
Adam Shapiro, an actor known for the Netflix hit “Never Have I Ever,” said many actors were initially content to accept lower pay for the plethora of roles that streaming suddenly offered. But the need for a more sustainable compensation model gained urgency when it became clear streaming is not a sideshow, but rather the future of the business, he said.
“Over the past 10 years, we realized: ‘Oh, that’s now how Hollywood works. Everything is streaming,’” Shapiro said during a recent union event.
Shapiro, who has been acting for 25 years, said he agreed to a contract offering 20% of his normal rate for “Never Have I Ever” because it seemed like “a great opportunity, and it’s going to be all over the world. And it was. It really was. Unfortunately, we’re all starting to realize that if we keep doing this we’re not going to be able to pay our bills.”
Then there’s the rising use of “mini rooms,” in which a handful of writers are hired to work only during pre-production, sometimes for a series that may take a year to be greenlit, or never get picked up at all.
Sanchez-Witzel, co-creator of the recently released Netflix series “Survival of the Thickest,” said television shows traditionally hire robust writing teams for the duration of production. But Netflix refused to allow her to keep her team of five writers past pre-production, forcing round-the-clock work on rewrites with just one other writer.
“It’s not sustainable and I’ll never do that again,” she said.
Sanchez-Witzel said she was struck by the similarities between her experience and those of UPS drivers, some of whom joined the WGA for protests as they threatened their own potentially crippling strike. UPS and the Teamsters last week reached a tentative contract staving off the strike.
Jeffrey Palmerino, a full-time UPS driver near Albany, New York, said forced overtime emerged as a top issue during the pandemic as drivers coped with a crush of orders on par with the holiday season. Drivers never knew what time they would get home or if they could count on two days off each week, while 14-hour days in trucks without air conditioning became the norm.
“It was basically like Christmas on steroids for two straight years. A lot of us were forced to work six days a week, and that is not any way to live your life,” said Palmerino, a Teamsters shop steward.
Along with pay raises and air conditioning, the Teamsters won concessions that Palmerino hopes will ease overwork. UPS agreed to end forced overtime on days off and eliminate a lower-paid category of drivers who work shifts that include weekends, converting them to full-time drivers. Union members have yet to ratify the deal.
The Teamsters and labor activists hailed the tentative deal as a game-changer that would pressure other companies facing labor unrest to raise their standards. But similar outcomes are far from certain in industries lacking the sheer economic indispensability of UPS or the clout of its 340,000-member union.
Efforts to organize at Starbucks and Amazon stalled as both companies aggressively fought against unionization.
Still, labor protests will likely gain momentum following the UPS contract, said Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of the Worker Institute at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, which released a report this year that found the number of labor strikes rose 52% in 2022.
“The whole idea that consumer convenience is above everything broke down during the pandemic. We started to think, ‘I’m at home ordering, but there is actually a worker who has to go the grocery store, who has to cook this for me so that I can be comfortable,’” Campos-Medina said. | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/customers-want-instant-gratification-workers-say-theyre-on-the-brink/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:47 | 0 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/customers-want-instant-gratification-workers-say-theyre-on-the-brink/ |
NPR's Leila Fadel talks with former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb about the federal investigation into efforts to overturn the election, and the potential legal jeopardy for the former president.
Copyright 2023 NPR
NPR's Leila Fadel talks with former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb about the federal investigation into efforts to overturn the election, and the potential legal jeopardy for the former president.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-07-31/another-indictment-against-trumps-efforts-to-undermine-democracy-could-come-soon | 2023-07-31T11:48:47 | 0 | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-07-31/another-indictment-against-trumps-efforts-to-undermine-democracy-could-come-soon |
(The Hill) – Dozens of former Cabinet officials under former President Trump’s administration declined to publicly support the former president’s third bid for the White House, NBC News reported.
NBC News reached out to 44 people who previously served in Trump’s Cabinet during his four years in office to gauge whether they would support the former president during the 2024 presidential election. The outlet reported that most of the people declined to comment or ignored the requests and that only four said publicly they would support Trump for the presidency.
Trump’s Cabinet saw a higher rate of turnover compared with many of his predecessors, with many new officials rotating in and out of his administration over the four years. The only four former Cabinet members who NBC News reached out to who said they would support Trump are former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, former chief of staff Mark Meadows, former Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Russell Vought and former acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell.
A spokesperson for Meadows told NBC News that he “fully” supports Trump. In May, Vought posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that the former president is “the only person I trust to take a wrecking ball to the Deep State.”
Other former administration officials were reluctant to support Trump or have publicly said they will not support him. Former Attorney General Bill Barr told NBC News that he opposes Trump getting the 2024 GOP nomination but declined whether to say he would support him in the general election if pitted against President Biden.
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- Trump attorney calls him ‘the most ethical American I know’ in wake of superseding indictment
Former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney also said that he does not want Trump to get the Republican nomination for president.
“I am working hard to make sure that someone else is the nominee,” Mulvaney told NBC News. “I think he’s the Republican who is most likely to lose in a general election, of all our leading candidates. If anyone can lose to Joe Biden, it would be him.”
Other former officials who have not endorsed Trump yet include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, former chief of staff John Kelly and Joseph Maguire and Dan Coats, who each once served as director of national intelligence. Coats told NBC News that he would be supporting former Vice President Mike Pence for the GOP primary.
The Hill has reached out to Trump’s campaign for comment. | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/dozens-of-former-trump-cabinet-officials-wont-publicly-support-his-2024-bid/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:48 | 0 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/dozens-of-former-trump-cabinet-officials-wont-publicly-support-his-2024-bid/ |
How beavers are helping restore wetlands and create buffers against wildfires Published July 31, 2023 at 4:23 AM PDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 1:43 Some experts now see beavers — nature's helpers — as their dams can mitigate the effects of drought and wildfires. Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-07-31/how-beavers-are-helping-restore-wetlands-and-create-buffers-against-wildfires | 2023-07-31T11:48:48 | 1 | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-07-31/how-beavers-are-helping-restore-wetlands-and-create-buffers-against-wildfires |
DENVER (AP) — As Denver neared triple-digit temperatures, Ben Gallegos sat shirtless on his porch swatting flies off his legs and spritzing himself with a misting fan to try to get through the heat. Gallegos, like many in the nation’s poorest neighborhoods, doesn’t have air conditioning.
The 68-year-old covers his windows with mattress foam to insulate against the heat and sleeps in the concrete basement. He knows high temperatures can cause heat stroke and death, and his lung condition makes him more susceptible. But the retired brick layer, who survives on about $1,000 a month largely from Social Security, says air conditioning is out of reach.
“Take me about 12 years to save up for something like that,” he said. “If it’s hard to breathe, I’ll get down to emergency.”
As climate change fans hotter and longer heat waves, breaking record temperatures across the U.S. and leaving dozens dead, the poorest Americans suffer the hottest days with the fewest defenses. Air conditioning, once a luxury, is now a matter of survival.
As Phoenix weathered its 27th consecutive day above 110 degrees (43 Celsius) Wednesday, the nine who died indoors didn’t have functioning air conditioning, or it was turned off. Last year, all 86 heat-related deaths indoors were in uncooled environments.
“To explain it fairly simply: Heat kills,” said Kristie Ebi, a University of Washington professor who researches heat and health. “Once the heat wave starts, mortality starts in about 24 hours.”
It’s the poorest and people of color, from Kansas City to Detroit to New York City and beyond, who are far more likely to face grueling heat without air conditioning, according to a Boston University analysis of 115 U.S. metros.
“The temperature differences … between lower-income neighborhoods, neighborhoods of color and their wealthier, whiter counterparts have pretty severe consequences,” said Cate Mingoya-LaFortune of Groundwork USA, an environmental justice organization. “There are these really big consequences like death. … But there’s also ambient misery.”
Some have window units that can offer respite, but “in the dead of heat, it don’t do nothing,” said Melody Clark, who stopped Friday to get food at a nonprofit in Kansas City, Kansas, as temperatures soared to 101, and high humidity made it feel like 109. When the central air conditioning at her rental house went on the fritz, her landlord installed a window unit. But it doesn’t do much during the day.
So the 45-year-old wets her hair, cooks outside on a propane grill and keeps the lights off indoors. She’s taken the bus to the library to cool off. At night she flips the box unit on, hauling her bed into the room where it’s located to sleep.
As far as her two teenagers, she said: “They aren’t little bitty. We aren’t dying in the heat. … They don’t complain.”
While billions in federal funding have been allocated to subsidize utility costs and the installation of cooling systems, experts say they often only support a fraction of the most vulnerable families and some still require prohibitive upfront costs. Installing a centralized heat pump system for heating and cooling can easily reach $25,000.
President Joe Biden announced steps on Thursday to defend against extreme heat, highlighting the expansion of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which funnels money through states to help poorer households pay utility bills.
While the program is critical, said Michelle Graff, who studies the subsidy at Cleveland State University, only about 16% of the nation’s eligible population is actually reached. Nearly half of states don’t offer the federal dollars for summer cooling.
“So people are engaging in coping mechanisms, like they’re turning on their air conditioners later and leaving their homes hotter,” Graff said.
While frigid temperatures and high heating bills birthed the term “heat or eat,” she said, “we can now transition to AC or eat, where people are going to have to make difficult decisions.”
As temperatures rise, so does the cost of cooling. And temperatures are already hotter in America’s low-income neighborhoods like Gallegos’ Denver suburb of Globeville, where people live along stretches of asphalt and concrete that hold heat like a cast-iron skillet. Surface temperatures there can be roughly 8 degrees hotter than in Denver’s wealthier neighborhoods, where a sea of vegetation cools the area, according to the environmental advocacy group American Forests.
This disparity plays out nationwide. Researchers at the University of San Diego analyzed 1,056 counties and in over 70%, the poorest areas and those with higher Black, Hispanic and Asian populations were significantly hotter.
About one in 10 U.S. households have no air conditioning, a disparity compounded for marginalized groups, according to a study by the Brookings Institution. Less than 4% of Detroit’s white households don’t have air conditioning; it’s 15% for Black households.
At noon on Friday, Katrice Sullivan sat on the porch of her rented house on Detroit’s westside. It was hot and muggy, but even steamier inside the house. Even if she had air conditioning, Sullivan said she’d choose her moments to run it to keep her electricity bill down.
The 37-year-old factory worker pours water on her head, freezes towels to put around her neck, and sits in her car with the air conditioner on. “Some people here spend every dollar for food, so air conditioning is something they can’t afford,” she said.
Shannon Lewis, 38, lived in her Detroit home for nearly 20 years without air conditioning. Lewis’s bedroom was the only place with a window unit, so she’d squeeze her teenager, 8-year-old and 3-year-old-twins into her queen-size bed to sleep, eat meals and watch television.
“So it was like cool in one room and a heat stroke in another,” Lewis said. For the first time, Lewis now has air conditioning through a local non-profit, she said. “We don’t have to sleep or eat in the same room, we are able to come out, sit at the dining room table, eat like a family.”
After at least 54 died during a 2021 heat wave, mostly elderly people without air conditioning, in the Portland area, Oregon passed a law prohibiting landlords from placing blanket bans on air conditioning units. By and large, however, states don’t have laws requiring landlords to provide cooling.
In the federal Inflation Reduction Act, billions were set aside for tax credits and rebates to help families install energy-efficient cooling systems, but some of those are yet to be available. For people like Gallegos, who doesn’t pay taxes, the available credits are worthless.
The law also offers rebates, the kind of state and federal point-of-sale discounts that Amanda Morian has looked into for her 640-square-foot home.
Morian, who has a 13-week-old baby susceptible to hot weather, is desperate to keep her house in Denver’s Globeville suburb cool. She bought thermal curtains, ceiling fans and runs a window unit. At night she tries to do skin-to-skin touch to regulate the baby’s body temperature. When the back door opens in the afternoon, she said, the indoor temperature jumps a degree.
“All of those are just to take the edge off, it’s not enough to actually make it cool. It’s enough to keep us from dying,” she said.
She got estimates from four different companies for installing a cooling system, but every project was between $20,000 and $25,000, she said. Even with subsidies she can’t afford it.
“I’m finding that you have to afford the project in the first place and then it’s like having a bonus coupon to take $5,000 off of the sticker price,” she said.
Lucy Molina, a single mom in Commerce City, one of Denver’s poorest areas, said her home has reached 107 degrees without air conditioning. Nearby, Molina’s two teenage children slurped popsicles to cool off, lingering in front of the open freezer.
For Molina, who bustled around her kitchen on a recent day when temperatures reached 99 degrees outdoors, it’s hard to see any path to a cooling respite.
“We’re just too poor,” she said. | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/were-just-too-poor-record-heat-waves-reveal-plight-of-americans-without-air-conditioning/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:50 | 1 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/were-just-too-poor-record-heat-waves-reveal-plight-of-americans-without-air-conditioning/ |
ST. ANTHONY, Idaho -- Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell faces up to life in prison without parole Monday as she is sentenced in the murders of her two youngest children and a romantic rival in a case that included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a goddess sent to usher in the Biblical apocalypse.
Vallow Daybell was found guilty in May of killing her two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husband's previous wife.
The husband, Chad Daybell, is awaiting trial on the same murder charges. Vallow Daybell also faces two other cases in Arizona - one on a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and one of conspiring to kill her niece's ex-husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed in 2019, but her niece's ex survived an attempt later that year.
Monday's sentencing will take place at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho. Judge Steven W. Boyce is expected to hear testimony from several representatives of the victims, including Vallow Daybell's only surviving son, Colby Ryan.
The case began in July 2019, when Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police he acted in self defense. He was never charged in the case and died later that year of what authorities determined were natural causes.
Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, a self-published author who wrote doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings. She moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him.
The children were last seen alive in September 2019. Police discovered they were missing a month later after an extended family member became worried. Their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell's yard the following summer.
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married in November 2019, about two weeks after Daybell's previous wife, Tammy, was killed. Tammy Daybell initially was described as having died of natural causes, but an autopsy later showed she had been asphyxiated, authorities said.
Defense attorney Jim Archibald argued during the trial that there was no evidence tying Vallow Daybell to the killings, but plenty showing she was a loving, protective mother whose life took a sharp turn when she met Chad Daybell and fell for his "weird" apocalyptic religious claims. He suggested that Daybell and Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, were responsible for the deaths.
Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a "sexual goddess" who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return, Archibald said.
Vallow Daybell's former friend Melanie Gibb testified during the trial that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into "zombies," including JJ and Tylee. | https://6abc.com/lori-vallow-daybell-murder-children-killed-apocalypse/13576858/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:50 | 0 | https://6abc.com/lori-vallow-daybell-murder-children-killed-apocalypse/13576858/ |
A Libyan man who says he escaped execution by the Russian mercenary Wagner group is taking them to court in the U.S. — alleging torture and multiple human rights abuses.
Copyright 2023 NPR
A Libyan man who says he escaped execution by the Russian mercenary Wagner group is taking them to court in the U.S. — alleging torture and multiple human rights abuses.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-07-31/libyan-man-who-says-he-was-tortured-wants-to-hold-wagner-group-accountable | 2023-07-31T11:48:50 | 0 | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-07-31/libyan-man-who-says-he-was-tortured-wants-to-hold-wagner-group-accountable |
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest.
Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years, but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children.
“It’s more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and we’ll mobilize all our means to resist it,” Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul.
Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. It’s neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There’s increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image.
The anti-dog meat campaign recently received a big boost when the country’s first lady expressed her support for a ban and two lawmakers submitted bills to eliminate the dog meat trade.
“Foreigners think South Korea is a cultural powerhouse. But the more K-culture increases its international standing, the bigger shock foreigners experience over our dog meat consumption,” said Han Jeoungae, an opposition lawmaker who submitted legislation to outlaw the dog meat industry last month.
Prospects for passage of an anti-dog meat law are unclear because of protests by farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry. Surveys suggest that one in three South Koreans opposes such a ban, though most people don’t eat dog meat anymore.
Dogs are also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea and some African countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria.
Earlier this month, Indonesian authorities announced the end of dog and cat slaughter at an animal market on the island of Sulawesi following a yearslong campaign by local activists and world celebrities. The Tomohon Extreme Market will become the first such market in Indonesia to go dog and cat meat-free, according to the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International.
South Korea’s dog meat industry receives more international attention because of its reputation as a wealthy, ultra-modern democracy. It is also the only nation with industrial-scale farms. Most farms in South Korea have more than 500 dogs, according to a dog farmers’ association.
During a recent visit, Kim’s farm, one of the country’s largest with 7,000 dogs, appeared relatively clean but there was a strong stench in some areas. All dogs are kept in elevated cages and are fed with food waste and ground chicken. They are rarely released for exercise and typically are sold for meat one year after they are born.
Kim said two of his children, age 29 and 31, are running the farm with him, and that business has been going pretty well. He said the dogs bred for their meat are different from pets, an idea opposed by activists.
It’s difficult now to find dog meat restaurants in Seoul’s bustling downtown, though many still exit in the countryside.
“I only earn one-third of the money I used to make. Young people don’t come here. Only ailing old people come for lunch,” said Yoon Chu-wol, 77, the owner of a dog meat restaurant in Seoul’s Kyungdong traditional market. “I tell my elderly customers to come and eat my food more frequently before it’s banned.”
Farmers also face growing scrutiny from officials and increasingly negative public opinion. They complain that officials visit them repeatedly in response to complaints filed by activists and citizens over alleged animal abuse and other wrongdoing. Kim said more than 90 such petitions were filed against his farm during a recent four-month span.
Son Won Hak, general secretary of the dog farmers’ association, said many farms have collapsed in recent years because of falling dog meat prices and weaker demand. He thinks that’s a result of activist campaigns and unfair media reports focusing on farms with inferior conditions. Some observers, however, say consumption of dog meat was already declining, with younger people staying away from it.
“Quite honestly, I’d like to quit my job (as a farmer) tomorrow. We can’t confidently tell our children that we’re raising dogs,” Son said. “When my friends called me, they said ‘Hey, are you still running a dog meat farm? Isn’t it illegal?’”
The number of farms across South Korea has dropped by half from a few years ago to about 3,000 to 4,000, and about 700,000 to 1 million dogs are slaughtered each year, a decline from several million 10 to 20 years ago, according to the dog farmers’ association. Some activists argue that the farmers’ estimates are an exaggeration meant to show their industry is too big to destroy.
In late 2021, South Korea launched a government-civilian task force to consider outlawing dog meat at the suggestion of then-President Moon Jae-in, a pet lover. The committee, whose members include farmers and animal rights activists, has met more than 20 times but hasn’t reached any agreement, apparently because of disputes over compensation issues.
Agriculture officials refused to disclose the discussions in the closed-door meetings. They said the government wants to end dog meat consumption based on a public consensus.
In April, first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of current President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in a meeting with activists that she hopes for an end to dog meat consumption. Famers responded with rallies and formal complaints against Kim for allegedly hurting their livelihoods.
Han, the lawmaker, said she “highly positively appraises” influential figures speaking out against dog meat consumption.
Han said her bill offers support programs for farmers who agree to close their farms. They would be entitled to money to dismantle their facilities, vocational training, employment assistance and other benefits, she said.
Ju Yeongbong, an official of the farmers’ association, said farmers want to continue for about 20 more years until older people, their main customers, die, allowing the industry to naturally disappear. Observers say most farmers are also in their 60s to 70s.
Borami Seo, a director of the South Korea office of the Humane Society International, said she opposes the continued killing of millions of dogs for such a prolonged period. “Letting this silent cruelty to (dogs) be committed in South Korea doesn’t make sense,” Seo said.
“(Dog meat consumption) is too anachronistic, has elements of cruelty to animals and hinders our national growth,” said Cheon JinKyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-south-korean-dog-meat-farmers-push-back-against-growing-moves-to-outlaw-their-industry/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:51 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-south-korean-dog-meat-farmers-push-back-against-growing-moves-to-outlaw-their-industry/ |
PHOENIX — Phoenix sizzled through its 31st consecutive day of at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) and other parts of the country grappled Sunday with record temperatures after a week that saw significant portions of the U.S. population subject to extreme heat.
The National Weather Service said Phoenix climbed to a high of 111 F (43.8 Celsius) before the day was through.
July has been so steamy thus far that scientists calculate it will be the hottest month ever recorded and likely the warmest human civilization has seen. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service on Thursday proclaimed July beyond record-smashing.
The historic heat began blasting the lower Southwest U.S. in late June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California’s desert.
On Sunday, a massive wildfire burning out of control in California’s Mojave National Preserve spread rapidly amid erratic winds, while firefighters reported progress against another major blaze to the south that prompted evacuations.
The York Fire that erupted Friday near the remote Caruthers Canyon area of the preserve sent up a huge plume of smoke visible nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) away across the state line in Nevada.
Flames 20 feet (6 meters) high in some spots have charred more than 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper and Joshua tree woodland, according to a Sunday update.
“The dry fuel acts as a ready ignition source, and when paired with those weather conditions it resulted in long-distance fire run and high flames, leading to extreme fire behavior,” authorities said. No structures were threatened, but there was also no containment.
To the southwest, the Bonny Fire was holding steady at about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in rugged hills of Riverside County. More than 1,300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes Saturday near the remote community of Aguanga, California.
Triple-digit heat was expected in parts of the central San Joaquin Valley through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
And in Burbank, California, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, the summer heat may have been responsible for some unusual behavior in the animal kingdom: Police in the city responded to a report of a bear sighting in a residential neighborhood and found the animal sitting in a Jacuzzi behind one of the homes.
As climate change brings hotter and longer heat waves, record temperatures across the U.S. have killed dozens of people, and the poorest Americans suffer the most. Air conditioning, once a luxury, is now a matter of survival.
Last year, all 86 heat-related deaths indoors were in uncooled environments.
“To explain it fairly simply: Heat kills,” said Kristie Ebi, a University of Washington professor who researches heat and health. “Once the heat wave starts, mortality starts in about 24 hours.”
It’s the poorest and people of color, from Kansas City to Detroit to New York City and beyond, who are far more likely to face grueling heat without air conditioning, according to a Boston University analysis of 115 U.S. metro areas.
Back in Phoenix, slight relief may be on the way as expected seasonal thunderstorms could drop temperatures Monday and Tuesday.
“It should be around 108 degrees, so we break that 110 streak,” meteorologist Tom Frieders said. “Increasing cloud cover will put temperatures in a downward trend.”
The relief could be short-lived, however. Highs are expected to creep back to 110 F (43.3 C) Wednesday with temperatures reaching 115 F (46.1 C) by the end of the week.
Phoenix has also sweated through a record 16 consecutive nights when the lows temperature didn’t dip below 90 F (32.2 C), making it hard for people to cool off after sunset.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas continues to flirt with its hottest July ever. The city is closing in on its 2010 record for the average of the high and low each day for July, which stands at 96.2 F (35.5 C).
The extreme heat is also hitting the eastern U.S, as soaring temperatures moved from the Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where some places recorded their warmest days so far this year. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/july-extreme-heat/507-efea35e9-b4b8-4b7f-bdd4-a7f63724d923 | 2023-07-31T11:48:53 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/july-extreme-heat/507-efea35e9-b4b8-4b7f-bdd4-a7f63724d923 |
Six migrant workers were struck Sunday afternoon by an SUV in a Walmart parking lot in North Carolina from what police are calling "an intentional assault with a vehicle."
"All six were transported to Atrium Health – Lincoln with various injuries. None of the injuries appear to be life threatening," the Lincolnton Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Police say they're still looking for the vehicle and driver involved in the incident, which they said took place at 1:17 pm ET. In the Facebook post, they describe the vehicle as an older model SUV with a luggage rack, and the driver as an older white male.
The motive for the attack is also still under investigation. Police told NPR via telephone late Sunday there is no further information.
Lincolnton is a small city of some 11,800 people located about an hour outside of Charlotte.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kvpr.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/an-suv-strikes-6-migrant-workers-in-walmart-parking-lot-in-north-carolina | 2023-07-31T11:48:58 | 0 | https://www.kvpr.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/an-suv-strikes-6-migrant-workers-in-walmart-parking-lot-in-north-carolina |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missiles slammed into an apartment complex and a university building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih Monday, killing four people and wounding scores of others as the blasts trapped residents beneath rubble, Ukraine’s interior minister said.
One of the two missiles destroyed a section of the apartment building between the fourth and ninth floors, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Video showed black smoke billowing from corner units and burned out or damaged cars on a tree-lined street.
A 10-year-old girl was among those killed, officials said. Dnipro Gov. Serhii Lysak said 53 people were wounded in the morning attack, which also destroyed part of the four-story university building.
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 illegally 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.
A recent Ukrainian counteroffensive, deploying weaponry supplied by Kyiv’s Western allies and aimed at driving Russian forces out of occupied areas, intensified last week. At the same time, Ukraine has sought to take the war deep into Russia, reportedly using drones to hit targets as far away as Moscow.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia and Moscow-annexed territory, especially Crimea, have become more frequent. The latest strike, on Sunday, damaged two office buildings a few miles (kilometers) from the Kremlin.
Russia has tightened security in the aftermath of that attack, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, describing the assault as an “act of desperation.”
“The Kyiv regime is in a very, very difficult situation,” Peskov said, “as the counteroffensive is not working out as planned.”
“It’s obvious that the multibillion-dollar resources that have been transferred by NATO countries to the Kyiv regime are actually being spent inefficiently,” Peskov said.
“This raises big questions in Western capitals and great discomfort among taxpayers in Western countries.”
Another Ukrainian drone targeted a district police department early Monday in Russia’s Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, but there were no casualties, the local governor said.
In Kryvyi Rih, which is the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, rescue crews searched Monday for people who were trapped in the wreckage of the two hit buildings. 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 military strategy during the war, an approach that has continued during the Ukrainian counteroffensive that started in June.
Russian officials insist they only take aim at legitimate military targets, but Ukraine and its supporters say mass civilian deaths during previous attacks provide evidence of war crimes.
“In recent days, the enemy has been stubbornly attacking cities, city centers, shelling civilian objects and housing,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on social media. “But this terror will not frighten us or break us.”
Russian shelling Monday also killed a 70-year-old woman in her home in a Kharkiv province village near Izyum, as well as a civilian in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, local authorities said.
In eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk province, one person was reported killed and seven people were injured after Russia shelled 12 cities and villages, according to Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko.
Ukrainian officials didn’t acknowledge Sunday’s drone attacks in the Moscow region. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said: “Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia — to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process.”
Meanwhile, Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said Monday his Wagner Group is not currently recruiting fighters.
In an audio message published on a Telegram channel associated with the Wagner chief, Prigozhin said the company had suspended recruitment as there is currently “no shortage of personnel.”
Prigozhin previously agreed with Western estimates that he lost more than 20,000 men in the long battle for the Ukrainian city Bakhmut.
Prigozhin last month led a short-lived mutiny against Moscow, demanding a leadership change in the Russian military. In an attempt to control him, Russian authorities insisted that Wagner fighters can only return to Ukraine if they join Russia’s regular army.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-ukraine-says-russian-missiles-hit-another-apartment-building-and-likely-trapped-people-under-rubble/ | 2023-07-31T11:48:57 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-ukraine-says-russian-missiles-hit-another-apartment-building-and-likely-trapped-people-under-rubble/ |
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has opened applications for a new program, the president's latest attempt at lowering student debt for millions of Americans.
It's known as the SAVE Plan, and although it was announced last year, it has mostly been overshadowed by President Joe Biden’s proposal for mass student loan cancellation. But now, after the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s forgiveness plan, the repayment option is taking center stage.
The plan allows millions of Americans with student debt to enroll in what's known as an "income-driven repayment plan."
The four repayment plans offered as part of the program have some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest won’t pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments. Millions of people will have monthly payments reduced to $0. And in as little as 10 years, any remaining debt will be canceled.
Biden has called the SAVE program “the most affordable repayment plan ever.” The typical borrower who enrolls in the plan will save $1,000 a month, he said.
How to sign up
Anybody with outstanding student debt can sign up to see if they're eligible here.
The application's website says you need a few things on hand to sign up:
- A verified FSA ID (which you get by signing up)
- Your financial information
- Your personal information
- Your spouse’s information, if applicable
Most borrowers should be able to fill out the application in under 10 minutes, the website promises.
A calculator is also available for figuring out what your monthly payments would be under the new plan.
What does the plan do?
Right away, more people will be eligible for $0 payments. The new plan won’t require borrowers to make payments if they earn less than 225% of the federal poverty line — $32,800 a year for a single person. The cutoff for current plans, by contrast, is 150% of the poverty line, or $22,000 a year for a single person.
Another immediate change aims to prevent interest from snowballing.
As long as borrowers make their monthly payments, their overall balance won't increase. Once they cover their adjusted monthly payment — even if it's $0 — any remaining interest will be waived.
Other major changes will take effect in July 2024.
Most notably, payments on undergraduate loans will be capped at 5% of discretionary income, down from 10% now. Those with graduate and undergraduate loans will pay between 5% and 10%, depending on their original loan balance. For millions of Americans, monthly payments could be reduced by half.
Next July will also bring a quicker road to loan forgiveness. Starting then, borrowers with initial balances of $12,000 or less will get the remainder of their loans canceled after 10 years of payments. For each $1,000 borrowed beyond that, the cancellation will come after an additional year of payments.
For example, a borrower with an original balance of $14,000 would get all remaining debt cleared after 12 years. Payments made before 2024 will count toward forgiveness.
HOW DO I APPLY?
The Education Department says it will notify borrowers when the new application process launches this summer. Those enrolled in an existing plan known as REPAYE will automatically be moved into the SAVE plan. Borrowers will also be able to sign up by contacting their loan servicers directly.
It will be available to all borrowers in the Direct Loan Program who are in good standing on their loans.
IS IT LEGAL?
That depends on who you ask, but the question hasn’t been taken up by a federal court.
Instead of creating a new payment plan from scratch, the Biden administration proposed changes to an existing plan. It cemented those changes by going through a negotiated rulemaking process that allows the Education Department to develop federal regulations without Congress.
It’s a process that’s commonly used by administrations from both political parties. But critics question whether the new plan goes further than the law allows.
More than 60 Republicans lawmakers urged Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to withdraw the plan in February, calling it “reckless, fiscally irresponsible, and blatantly illegal.”
Supporters argue that the Obama administration similarly used its authority to create a repayment plan that was more generous than any others at the time.
The Biden administration formally finalized the rule this month. Conservatives believe it’s vulnerable to a legal challenge, and some say it’s just a matter of finding a plaintiff with the legal right — or standing — to sue. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/save-plan-opens-sign-ups/507-c7bedd06-c514-46b0-9c42-b3f722725019 | 2023-07-31T11:49:00 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/save-plan-opens-sign-ups/507-c7bedd06-c514-46b0-9c42-b3f722725019 |
"I don't think it's caught up to me yet — how much my life has changed," says Emma Hardyman, singer of the 2023 Tiny Desk Contest-winning band Little Moon. The Utah-based band recently wrapped up the Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour, headlining eight sold-out shows across the country. While on the road, Hardyman caught up with NPR to reflect on the life-changing win and also share the story behind Little Moon's winning song, "Wonder Eye."
Hardyman tells NPR the song was written during the time her mother-in-law was in hospice care. The melody came to Hardyman as she and her husband Nathan Hardyman, who is also part of Little Moon, drove from Utah to Idaho to visit his mother.
During this difficult time, Emma and Nathan Hardyman were also in the process of leaving the Mormon church in which they had grown up.
"And pretty quickly, just because of the circumstances, I realized that this song, this melody, was about death," says Emma Hardyman, who wrote the structure of the song before asking Nathan Hardyman to write the lyrics.
The couple were also observing the disintegration of many of the building blocks their Mormon belief systems were built on. "I've grieved past versions of myself throughout my whole life," Emma Hardyman shares.
"I really love where Mormonism brought me," Emma Hardyman says. "It introduced me to teachings that are supposed to love everybody, that are supposed to incorporate everybody. [But] it couldn't follow me to how much I wanted to take [those teachings] seriously," she adds, noting that many of the Little Moon band members are queer. She says Mormonism didn't align with how she wants to treat people 'without conditions.'
Emma Hardyman also shares that she had many self-doubts about herself as an artist when she and Nathan Hardman met — but that he believed in her from their very first date. And in "Wonder Eye," the two even find peace in not having all the answers. Emma sings: "Is there a knowledge that is found not in knowing?" as she's met with the warm hums of the band.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.ijpr.org/npr-news/2023-07-31/the-power-and-heartbreak-behind-the-song-that-won-the-tiny-desk-contest | 2023-07-31T11:49:01 | 1 | https://www.ijpr.org/npr-news/2023-07-31/the-power-and-heartbreak-behind-the-song-that-won-the-tiny-desk-contest |
PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix sizzled through its 31st consecutive day of at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) and other parts of the country grappled Sunday with record temperatures after a week that saw significant portions of the U.S. population subject to extreme heat.
The National Weather Service said Phoenix climbed to a high of 111 F (43.8 Celsius) before the day was through.
July has been so steamy thus far that scientists calculate it will be the hottest month ever recorded and likely the warmest human civilization has seen. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service on Thursday proclaimed July beyond record-smashing.
The historic heat began blasting the lower Southwest U.S. in late June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California’s desert.
On Sunday, a massive wildfire burning out of control in California’s Mojave National Preserve spread rapidly amid erratic winds, while firefighters reported progress against another major blaze to the south that prompted evacuations.
The York Fire that erupted Friday near the remote Caruthers Canyon area of the preserve sent up a huge plume of smoke visible nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) away across the state line in Nevada.
Flames 20 feet (6 meters) high in some spots have charred more than 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper and Joshua tree woodland, according to a Sunday update.
“The dry fuel acts as a ready ignition source, and when paired with those weather conditions it resulted in long-distance fire run and high flames, leading to extreme fire behavior,” authorities said. No structures were threatened, but there was also no containment.
To the southwest, the Bonny Fire was holding steady at about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in rugged hills of Riverside County. More than 1,300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes Saturday near the remote community of Aguanga, California.
Triple-digit heat was expected in parts of the central San Joaquin Valley through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
And in Burbank, California, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, the summer heat may have been responsible for some unusual behavior in the animal kingdom: Police in the city responded to a report of a bear sighting in a residential neighborhood and found the animal sitting in a Jacuzzi behind one of the homes.
As climate change brings hotter and longer heat waves, record temperatures across the U.S. have killed dozens of people, and the poorest Americans suffer the most. Air conditioning, once a luxury, is now a matter of survival.
Last year, all 86 heat-related deaths indoors were in uncooled environments.
“To explain it fairly simply: Heat kills,” said Kristie Ebi, a University of Washington professor who researches heat and health. “Once the heat wave starts, mortality starts in about 24 hours.”
It’s the poorest and people of color, from Kansas City to Detroit to New York City and beyond, who are far more likely to face grueling heat without air conditioning, according to a Boston University analysis of 115 U.S. metro areas.
Back in Phoenix, slight relief may be on the way as expected seasonal thunderstorms could drop temperatures Monday and Tuesday.
“It should be around 108 degrees, so we break that 110 streak,” meteorologist Tom Frieders said. “Increasing cloud cover will put temperatures in a downward trend.”
The relief could be short-lived, however. Highs are expected to creep back to 110 F (43.3 C) Wednesday with temperatures reaching 115 F (46.1 C) by the end of the week.
Phoenix has also sweated through a record 16 consecutive nights when the lows temperature didn’t dip below 90 F (32.2 C), making it hard for people to cool off after sunset.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas continues to flirt with its hottest July ever. The city is closing in on its 2010 record for the average of the high and low each day for July, which stands at 96.2 F (35.5 C).
The extreme heat is also hitting the eastern U.S, as soaring temperatures moved from the Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where some places recorded their warmest days so far this year. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-us-news/ap-july-keeps-sizzling-as-phoenix-hits-another-110-degree-day-and-wildfires-spread-in-california/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:04 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-us-news/ap-july-keeps-sizzling-as-phoenix-hits-another-110-degree-day-and-wildfires-spread-in-california/ |
NIAMEY, Niger — West African nations have given Niger's coup leaders one week to reinstate the country's democratically elected president and have threatened to use force if the demands aren't met.
The announcement came at the end of an emergency meeting of West African countries Sunday in Nigeria, where the regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, convened to respond to last week's military takeover. President Mohamed Bazoum remains under house arrest and has yet to resign.
“In the event the authority’s demands are not met within one week, (the bloc will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force,” said the statement.
The bloc also imposed strict sanctions, including suspending all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger and freezing of assets in regional central banks.
Economic sanctions could have a deep impact on Nigeriens, who live in the third-poorest country in the world, according to the latest U.N. data. The country relies on imports from Nigeria for up to 90% of its power, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday.
“When people say there’s an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, it’s extremely difficult for people ... Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community,” he said.
The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc has unsuccessfully tried to restore democracies in nations where the military took power in recent years. Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020.
In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war. In 2017, it intervened in Gambia to prevent the new president’s predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis on peace and security issues.
If the regional bloc uses force, it could trigger violence not only between Niger and ECOWAS forces but also civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say.
“While this remains to be a threat and unlikely action, the consequences on civilians of such an approach if putschists chose confrontation would be catastrophic," said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank.
“I believe economic sanctions are the ones to be imposed, but don’t see a military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger," he said.
The military junta, which seized power on Wednesday when members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum's house and detained him, is already cracking down on the government and civil liberties.
On Sunday, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said on state television that all government cars need to be returned by midday Monday and banned the use of social media to diffuse messages against state security. He also claimed that Bazoum’s government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum. The Associated Press can't verify his allegations.
In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in the capital, Niamey, denouncing its former colonial ruler, France, waving Russian flags and telling the international community to stay away.
Demonstrators in Niger are openly resentful of France, and Russia is seen by some as a powerful alternative. The nature of Moscow's involvement in the rallies, if any, isn’t clear, but some protesters have carried Russian flags, along with signs reading “Down with France” and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The situation of this country is not good ... It’s time for change, and change has arrived," said Moussa Seydou, a protester. "What we want from the putschists — all they have to do is improve social conditions so that Nigeriens can live better in this country and bring peace,” he said. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/west-african-nations-threaten-force-if-niger-coup-isnt-ended/507-79029f1d-9834-4ad1-bb6f-40acd416f0a5 | 2023-07-31T11:49:06 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/west-african-nations-threaten-force-if-niger-coup-isnt-ended/507-79029f1d-9834-4ad1-bb6f-40acd416f0a5 |
NEW YORK (AP) — Six straight days of 12-hour driving. Single digit paychecks. The complaints come from workers in vastly different industries: UPS delivery drivers and Hollywood actors and writers.
But they point to an underlying factor driving a surge of labor unrest: The cost to workers whose jobs have changed drastically as companies scramble to meet customer expectations for speed and convenience in industries transformed by technology.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated those changes, pushing retailers to shift online and intensifying the streaming competition among entertainment companies. Now, from the picket lines, workers are trying to give consumers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a show that can be binged any time or get dog food delivered to their doorstep with a phone swipe.
Overworked and underpaid employees is an enduring complaint across industries — from delivery drivers to Starbucks baristas and airline pilots — where surges in consumer demand have collided with persistent labor shortages. Workers are pushing back against forced overtime, punishing schedules or company reliance on lower-paid, part-time or contract forces.
At issue for Hollywood screenwriters and actors staging their first simultaneous strikes in 40 years is the way streaming has upended entertainment economics, slashing pay and forcing showrunners to produce content faster with smaller teams.
“This seems to happen to many places when the tech companies come in. Who are we crushing? It doesn’t matter,” said Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, a screenwriter and showrunner on the negotiating team for the Writers Guild of America, whose members have been on strike since May. Earlier this month, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined the writers’ union on the picket line.
Actors and writers have long relied on residuals, or long-term payments, for reruns and other airings of films and televisions shows. But reruns aren’t a thing on streaming services, where series and films simply land and stay with no easy way, such as box office returns or ratings, to determine their popularity.
Consequently, whatever residuals streaming companies do pay often amount to a pittance, and screenwriters have been sharing tales of receiving single digit checks.
Adam Shapiro, an actor known for the Netflix hit “Never Have I Ever,” said many actors were initially content to accept lower pay for the plethora of roles that streaming suddenly offered. But the need for a more sustainable compensation model gained urgency when it became clear streaming is not a sideshow, but rather the future of the business, he said.
“Over the past 10 years, we realized: ‘Oh, that’s now how Hollywood works. Everything is streaming,’” Shapiro said during a recent union event.
Shapiro, who has been acting for 25 years, said he agreed to a contract offering 20% of his normal rate for “Never Have I Ever” because it seemed like “a great opportunity, and it’s going to be all over the world. And it was. It really was. Unfortunately, we’re all starting to realize that if we keep doing this we’re not going to be able to pay our bills.”
Then there’s the rising use of “mini rooms,” in which a handful of writers are hired to work only during pre-production, sometimes for a series that may take a year to be greenlit, or never get picked up at all.
Sanchez-Witzel, co-creator of the recently released Netflix series “Survival of the Thickest,” said television shows traditionally hire robust writing teams for the duration of production. But Netflix refused to allow her to keep her team of five writers past pre-production, forcing round-the-clock work on rewrites with just one other writer.
“It’s not sustainable and I’ll never do that again,” she said.
Sanchez-Witzel said she was struck by the similarities between her experience and those of UPS drivers, some of whom joined the WGA for protests as they threatened their own potentially crippling strike. UPS and the Teamsters last week reached a tentative contract staving off the strike.
Jeffrey Palmerino, a full-time UPS driver near Albany, New York, said forced overtime emerged as a top issue during the pandemic as drivers coped with a crush of orders on par with the holiday season. Drivers never knew what time they would get home or if they could count on two days off each week, while 14-hour days in trucks without air conditioning became the norm.
“It was basically like Christmas on steroids for two straight years. A lot of us were forced to work six days a week, and that is not any way to live your life,” said Palmerino, a Teamsters shop steward.
Along with pay raises and air conditioning, the Teamsters won concessions that Palmerino hopes will ease overwork. UPS agreed to end forced overtime on days off and eliminate a lower-paid category of drivers who work shifts that include weekends, converting them to full-time drivers. Union members have yet to ratify the deal.
The Teamsters and labor activists hailed the tentative deal as a game-changer that would pressure other companies facing labor unrest to raise their standards. But similar outcomes are far from certain in industries lacking the sheer economic indispensability of UPS or the clout of its 340,000-member union.
Efforts to organize at Starbucks and Amazon stalled as both companies aggressively fought against unionization.
Still, labor protests will likely gain momentum following the UPS contract, said Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of the Worker Institute at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, which released a report this year that found the number of labor strikes rose 52% in 2022.
“The whole idea that consumer convenience is above everything broke down during the pandemic. We started to think, ‘I’m at home ordering, but there is actually a worker who has to go the grocery store, who has to cook this for me so that I can be comfortable,’” Campos-Medina said. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/customers-want-instant-gratification-workers-say-theyre-on-the-brink/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:11 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/customers-want-instant-gratification-workers-say-theyre-on-the-brink/ |
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Members of two large state employee unions are voting on proposed contracts with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration, including one that would deliver pay raises of more than 20% over the next four years.
The tentative agreements cover about 36,000 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 13 and Service Employees International Union Local 668, Shapiro's administration said Friday. Voting could last weeks.
Neither union leaders nor Shapiro's administration agreed to provide details of the tentative agreements before anything is ratified.
However, Pennlive.com reported that a copy of the proposed terms for 27,000 AFSCME members under Shapiro's jurisdiction shows that members would receive raises of 20.25% over the contract's life, including 5% right away.
The agreements come after inflation spiked in 2021.
“We’re hopeful that the tentative agreement is something that will help our members as they deal with a lot of the impacts of the current economy,” said Steve Catanese, SEIU 668’s president.
Employees across state government are represented by unions, including nurses, state troopers, corrections officers and social services caseworkers.
SEIU and AFSCME members are coming off a four-year contract that expired July 1 after delivering raises of 16.75% over the contract's life.
The Independent Fiscal Office, a legislative agency, estimated in 2019 that the just-expired AFSCME contract would increase salaries and benefits by $827 million over the deal's four years, or almost 11%.
Shapiro's administration said talks will continue with 13 other labor unions representing state employees. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/politics/pennsylvania-state-employee-unions-vote-proposed-contracts/521-8c9cf890-6a23-4724-a0b1-5e7e290342d1 | 2023-07-31T11:49:12 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/politics/pennsylvania-state-employee-unions-vote-proposed-contracts/521-8c9cf890-6a23-4724-a0b1-5e7e290342d1 |
PITTSBURGH — A federal trial for the man who fatally shot 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue approached its conclusion Friday as the defense, trying to persuade a jury to spare his life, pressed its case that mental illness spurred the nation’s deadliest anti-Semitic attack.
Robert Bowers, a 50 year-old truck driver from suburban Baldwin, was convicted in June on 63 criminal counts for the 2018 massacre at Tree of Life synagogue. The jury has been hearing testimony in the penalty phase of the trial and will decide whether Bowers will receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
Prosecutors have presented evidence that Bowers was motivated by his hatred of Jewish people when he opened fire at the synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, killing members of three congregations gathered for Sabbath worship and study. The defense argues Bowers has schizophrenia and acted out of a delusional belief that Jews were participating in a genocide of white people.
On Friday, a defense psychiatrist who met with Bowers 10 times for nearly 40 hours said Bowers saw himself as a soldier of God in a war in which Satan was trying to use Jewish people to bring about the end of the world. Dr. George Corvin, of Raleigh, N.C., said it was a delusion brought on by psychosis.
Corvin said Bowers continues to express delusional beliefs about Jews — “disgustingly so” — and that he is incapable of remorse. He said Bowers should be on anti-psychotic medication.
Bowers “has a belief that we’re at the end of a war that’s been going on for thousands of years,” Corvin testified. “He still envisions what he did as an unfortunate act of violence at the direction of God — that it will save lives. He believes he’s a tool for God. I know it sounds absurd. It’s psychotic.”
Corvin continued: “This is the result of a mental illness.”
Corvin was one of several defense experts who diagnosed Bowers with schizophrenia, a serious brain disorder whose symptoms include delusions and hallucinations. A neurologist testifying for the prosecution disputed that Bowers has schizophrenia, saying Bowers has a personality disorder but is not delusional, and that mental illness did not appear to play a role in the attack. Prosecutors have noted Bowers spent six months planning the shooting.
Also testifying Friday were Bowers' aunt and uncle.
The uncle, Clyde Munger, said he visited with Bowers in prison because “he is my nephew and I love him.” He said he prays for Bowers every morning.
The aunt, Patricia Fine, was expected to be the final defense witness. She said Bowers had a difficult childhood from infancy, describing the house where he lived as unsafe. She said he was a sad child and that she “was convinced” he would take his own life. A defense expert previously described Bowers' early life as deeply unstable and said he attempted suicide several times in his teens.
Fine's testimony was scheduled to resume Monday, with closing arguments and jury deliberations expected to follow. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/regional/defense-mental-illness-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre/521-8a33a190-56e9-4080-a754-8cdb323cf3a4 | 2023-07-31T11:49:17 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/regional/defense-mental-illness-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre/521-8a33a190-56e9-4080-a754-8cdb323cf3a4 |
Six migrant workers were struck Sunday afternoon by an SUV in a Walmart parking lot in North Carolina from what police are calling "an intentional assault with a vehicle."
"All six were transported to Atrium Health – Lincoln with various injuries. None of the injuries appear to be life threatening," the Lincolnton Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Police say they're still looking for the vehicle and driver involved in the incident, which they said took place at 1:17 pm ET. In the Facebook post, they describe the vehicle as an older model SUV with a luggage rack, and the driver as an older white male.
The motive for the attack is also still under investigation. Police told NPR via telephone late Sunday there is no further information.
Lincolnton is a small city of some 11,800 people located about an hour outside of Charlotte.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.ijpr.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/an-suv-strikes-6-migrant-workers-in-walmart-parking-lot-in-north-carolina | 2023-07-31T11:49:21 | 0 | https://www.ijpr.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/an-suv-strikes-6-migrant-workers-in-walmart-parking-lot-in-north-carolina |
DENVER (AP) — As Denver neared triple-digit temperatures, Ben Gallegos sat shirtless on his porch swatting flies off his legs and spritzing himself with a misting fan to try to get through the heat. Gallegos, like many in the nation’s poorest neighborhoods, doesn’t have air conditioning.
The 68-year-old covers his windows with mattress foam to insulate against the heat and sleeps in the concrete basement. He knows high temperatures can cause heat stroke and death, and his lung condition makes him more susceptible. But the retired brick layer, who survives on about $1,000 a month largely from Social Security, says air conditioning is out of reach.
“Take me about 12 years to save up for something like that,” he said. “If it’s hard to breathe, I’ll get down to emergency.”
As climate change fans hotter and longer heat waves, breaking record temperatures across the U.S. and leaving dozens dead, the poorest Americans suffer the hottest days with the fewest defenses. Air conditioning, once a luxury, is now a matter of survival.
As Phoenix weathered its 27th consecutive day above 110 degrees (43 Celsius) Wednesday, the nine who died indoors didn’t have functioning air conditioning, or it was turned off. Last year, all 86 heat-related deaths indoors were in uncooled environments.
“To explain it fairly simply: Heat kills,” said Kristie Ebi, a University of Washington professor who researches heat and health. “Once the heat wave starts, mortality starts in about 24 hours.”
It’s the poorest and people of color, from Kansas City to Detroit to New York City and beyond, who are far more likely to face grueling heat without air conditioning, according to a Boston University analysis of 115 U.S. metros.
“The temperature differences … between lower-income neighborhoods, neighborhoods of color and their wealthier, whiter counterparts have pretty severe consequences,” said Cate Mingoya-LaFortune of Groundwork USA, an environmental justice organization. “There are these really big consequences like death. … But there’s also ambient misery.”
Some have window units that can offer respite, but “in the dead of heat, it don’t do nothing,” said Melody Clark, who stopped Friday to get food at a nonprofit in Kansas City, Kansas, as temperatures soared to 101, and high humidity made it feel like 109. When the central air conditioning at her rental house went on the fritz, her landlord installed a window unit. But it doesn’t do much during the day.
So the 45-year-old wets her hair, cooks outside on a propane grill and keeps the lights off indoors. She’s taken the bus to the library to cool off. At night she flips the box unit on, hauling her bed into the room where it’s located to sleep.
As far as her two teenagers, she said: “They aren’t little bitty. We aren’t dying in the heat. … They don’t complain.”
While billions in federal funding have been allocated to subsidize utility costs and the installation of cooling systems, experts say they often only support a fraction of the most vulnerable families and some still require prohibitive upfront costs. Installing a centralized heat pump system for heating and cooling can easily reach $25,000.
President Joe Biden announced steps on Thursday to defend against extreme heat, highlighting the expansion of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which funnels money through states to help poorer households pay utility bills.
While the program is critical, said Michelle Graff, who studies the subsidy at Cleveland State University, only about 16% of the nation’s eligible population is actually reached. Nearly half of states don’t offer the federal dollars for summer cooling.
“So people are engaging in coping mechanisms, like they’re turning on their air conditioners later and leaving their homes hotter,” Graff said.
While frigid temperatures and high heating bills birthed the term “heat or eat,” she said, “we can now transition to AC or eat, where people are going to have to make difficult decisions.”
As temperatures rise, so does the cost of cooling. And temperatures are already hotter in America’s low-income neighborhoods like Gallegos’ Denver suburb of Globeville, where people live along stretches of asphalt and concrete that hold heat like a cast-iron skillet. Surface temperatures there can be roughly 8 degrees hotter than in Denver’s wealthier neighborhoods, where a sea of vegetation cools the area, according to the environmental advocacy group American Forests.
This disparity plays out nationwide. Researchers at the University of San Diego analyzed 1,056 counties and in over 70%, the poorest areas and those with higher Black, Hispanic and Asian populations were significantly hotter.
About one in 10 U.S. households have no air conditioning, a disparity compounded for marginalized groups, according to a study by the Brookings Institution. Less than 4% of Detroit’s white households don’t have air conditioning; it’s 15% for Black households.
At noon on Friday, Katrice Sullivan sat on the porch of her rented house on Detroit’s westside. It was hot and muggy, but even steamier inside the house. Even if she had air conditioning, Sullivan said she’d choose her moments to run it to keep her electricity bill down.
The 37-year-old factory worker pours water on her head, freezes towels to put around her neck, and sits in her car with the air conditioner on. “Some people here spend every dollar for food, so air conditioning is something they can’t afford,” she said.
Shannon Lewis, 38, lived in her Detroit home for nearly 20 years without air conditioning. Lewis’s bedroom was the only place with a window unit, so she’d squeeze her teenager, 8-year-old and 3-year-old-twins into her queen-size bed to sleep, eat meals and watch television.
“So it was like cool in one room and a heat stroke in another,” Lewis said. For the first time, Lewis now has air conditioning through a local non-profit, she said. “We don’t have to sleep or eat in the same room, we are able to come out, sit at the dining room table, eat like a family.”
After at least 54 died during a 2021 heat wave, mostly elderly people without air conditioning, in the Portland area, Oregon passed a law prohibiting landlords from placing blanket bans on air conditioning units. By and large, however, states don’t have laws requiring landlords to provide cooling.
In the federal Inflation Reduction Act, billions were set aside for tax credits and rebates to help families install energy-efficient cooling systems, but some of those are yet to be available. For people like Gallegos, who doesn’t pay taxes, the available credits are worthless.
The law also offers rebates, the kind of state and federal point-of-sale discounts that Amanda Morian has looked into for her 640-square-foot home.
Morian, who has a 13-week-old baby susceptible to hot weather, is desperate to keep her house in Denver’s Globeville suburb cool. She bought thermal curtains, ceiling fans and runs a window unit. At night she tries to do skin-to-skin touch to regulate the baby’s body temperature. When the back door opens in the afternoon, she said, the indoor temperature jumps a degree.
“All of those are just to take the edge off, it’s not enough to actually make it cool. It’s enough to keep us from dying,” she said.
She got estimates from four different companies for installing a cooling system, but every project was between $20,000 and $25,000, she said. Even with subsidies she can’t afford it.
“I’m finding that you have to afford the project in the first place and then it’s like having a bonus coupon to take $5,000 off of the sticker price,” she said.
Lucy Molina, a single mom in Commerce City, one of Denver’s poorest areas, said her home has reached 107 degrees without air conditioning. Nearby, Molina’s two teenage children slurped popsicles to cool off, lingering in front of the open freezer.
For Molina, who bustled around her kitchen on a recent day when temperatures reached 99 degrees outdoors, it’s hard to see any path to a cooling respite.
“We’re just too poor,” she said. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/were-just-too-poor-record-heat-waves-reveal-plight-of-americans-without-air-conditioning/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:23 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/were-just-too-poor-record-heat-waves-reveal-plight-of-americans-without-air-conditioning/ |
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 Republican allies to overturn the then-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 Aug. 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, a Democrat, 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 Georgia investigation was prompted by the Jan. 2, 2021, phone call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican. 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 (322 kilometers) 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 BJay Pak, the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta, abruptly resigned two days after Trump called Raffensperger and a day after a recording of that call was made public. During that conversation, Trump called Pak a “never-Trumper,” implying that he didn’t support the president.
In December 2020, then-U.S. Attorney General William Barr asked Pak to investigate allegations by Giuliani and other Trump allies of widespread election fraud. Pak, who had been appointed by Trump in 2017, reported back that he had found no evidence of such fraud.
In August 2021, Pak told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which was investigating Trump’s post-election actions, that he resigned on Jan. 4, 2021, after learning from Department of Justice officials that Trump did not believe enough was being done to investigate allegations of election fraud and wanted him gone as U.S. attorney. | https://www.ksn.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-trump-could-be-indicted-soon-in-georgia-heres-a-look-at-that-investigation/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:29 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-trump-could-be-indicted-soon-in-georgia-heres-a-look-at-that-investigation/ |
Georgia man electrocuted after jumping into lake
ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - A Georgia man is dead after jumping into Lake Lanier Thursday evening, WANF reports.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Thomas Shepard Milner jumped into the lake from his family’s dock near Dove Trail and was electrocuted when he entered the water.
A family friend told investigators they heard Milner scream for help and tried to get him out of the water using a ladder.
When that didn’t work, neighbors stepped in to help and took a boat out to Milner, the sheriff’s office said. The person in the boat jumped in the water to pull Milner out but reported feeling a burning sensation, which they immediately recognized as an electric shock.
After swimming to shore and turning off the power box near the dock, the person returned to the water to pull Milner back to shore, according to investigators.
Witnesses told authorities Milner’s uncle administered CPR until emergency medical crews got to the scene. The 24-year-old was rushed to Northside Forsyth Hospital. He died from his injuries the next day.
Milner’s mother, Martha Milner, told WANF her son was gentle and kind and loved the lake.
“Shepard was known for his quirkiness, his humor and his dedication,” she said.
According to Martha Milner, the dock at their lake property was less than three years old and outfitted with electricity by a licensed electrician.
Boaters like Chris Morris were saddened to hear about the death on Sunday.
“It’s a freak accident,” he said.
It is unclear why the water was electrified.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WANF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbrc.com/2023/07/31/georgia-man-electrocuted-after-jumping-into-lake/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:31 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/2023/07/31/georgia-man-electrocuted-after-jumping-into-lake/ |
Georgia man electrocuted after jumping into lake
ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - A Georgia man is dead after jumping into Lake Lanier Thursday evening, WANF reports.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Thomas Shepard Milner jumped into the lake from his family’s dock near Dove Trail and was electrocuted when he entered the water.
A family friend told investigators they heard Milner scream for help and tried to get him out of the water using a ladder.
When that didn’t work, neighbors stepped in to help and took a boat out to Milner, the sheriff’s office said. The person in the boat jumped in the water to pull Milner out but reported feeling a burning sensation, which they immediately recognized as an electric shock.
After swimming to shore and turning off the power box near the dock, the person returned to the water to pull Milner back to shore, according to investigators.
Witnesses told authorities Milner’s uncle administered CPR until emergency medical crews got to the scene. The 24-year-old was rushed to Northside Forsyth Hospital. He died from his injuries the next day.
Milner’s mother, Martha Milner, told WANF her son was gentle and kind and loved the lake.
“Shepard was known for his quirkiness, his humor and his dedication,” she said.
According to Martha Milner, the dock at their lake property was less than three years old and outfitted with electricity by a licensed electrician.
Boaters like Chris Morris were saddened to hear about the death on Sunday.
“It’s a freak accident,” he said.
It is unclear why the water was electrified.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WANF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/georgia-man-electrocuted-after-jumping-into-lake/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:31 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/2023/07/31/georgia-man-electrocuted-after-jumping-into-lake/ |
SYDNEY (AP) — The Women’s World Cup is taking shape with shocks and highlights as it nears the end of the group stage.
Some players have established themselves as ones to watch, like Colombia star Linda Caicedo, who has made her team one of the tournament surprises. Colombia picked up an upset win over Germany, and Nigeria upset co-host Australia — just two of the games that showed the gap has closed at top level women’s soccer.
But co-host New Zealand was eliminated, and other big teams are in danger of not advancing headed into the final few days of group play.
The Associated Press takes a look at some of the highlights and lowlights so far:
GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT
There have been a number of contenders and Bia Zaneratto’s strike against Panama after a sweeping move from Brazil stands out as the most complete goal so far.
Ireland’s Katie McCabe scored directly from a corner kick against Canada, and England’s Lauren James curled in a long range effort against Denmark.
Even so, Caicedo’s solo goal in Colombia’s dramatic 2-1 win against Germany is the pick of the bunch. With a flash of skill, she beat two German players in the box before lashing a shot into the top corner as the Sydney crowd dominated by Colombia fans went wild.
MOMENT OF THE TOURNAMENT
It has to be Manuela Vanegas’ late winner for Colombia against Germany. Alexandra Popp seemed to position two-time champion Germany for a draw with an 89th-minute penalty.
But Vanegas’ header in the 97th minute gave Colombia a World Cup upset.
COMEBACK
Norway looked down and out after an opening game loss to co-host New Zealand and a goalless draw against Switzerland. With star player Ada Hegerberg injured, the odds were beginning to stack up against the Norwegians going into their final Group A match against the Philippines.
But three goals within 31 minutes set up a 6-0 rout that saw Norway advance to the knockout rounds in second place. The Norway win knocked New Zealand out of the tournament, making the Football Ferns the first host to be eliminated in group play in tournament history.
EMERGING STARS
Caicedo’s standout performances aren’t a surprise to those who have followed her career. The Real Madrid forward has long-been tipped to be one of the biggest stars in women’s soccer.
She hasn’t disappointed in her first World Cup and has inspired Colombia to back-to-back wins with goals in each game.
England coach Sarina Wiegman unleashed Chelsea forward James from the start in the Lionesses’ second game against Denmark, and she made a quick impression. Collecting the ball outside the area after six minutes, she swept a curling effort past Lene Christensen.
Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay has shown flashes of the talent that earned her a move to French powerhouse Lyon, while 19-year-old Aoba Fujino has become the youngest player to score at a World Cup for Japan’s men’s or women’s teams.
Casey Phair, a 16 year old, became the youngest-ever player to appear in a senior soccer World Cup when she was a second-half substitute for South Korea against Colombia.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
While youngsters have capitalized on their chance to shine, some of the established names have yet to make their mark.
There have been differing reasons for that.
Sam Kerr’s calf injury robbed Australia of its star striker for its opening two games, while Hegerberg’s groin injury has cut her playing time for Norway.
Alex Morgan, who was the co-leading scorer at the last World Cup, is still finding her footing in the United States’ new look attack.
Record international scorer Christine Sinclair was benched for Canada’s second game and is still waiting for her first goal of the tournament, while Brazil great Marta has also been used sparingly.
SURPRISES
New Zealand kicked the tournament off with a 1-0 win against Norway, but couldn’t keep up its momentum and went on to lose by the same score to the Philippines to set up the co-host’s early exit.
Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with fifth-ranked France was described by its coach Lorne Donaldson as the country’s greatest soccer result, for men or women. But the biggest surprise could be yet to come if Jamaica can avoid defeat against Brazil to advance to the round of 16.
Colombia’s dramatic late winner against Germany, meanwhile, was one of the great upsets.
ENTERTAINERS
The goals have been flowing for Spain and Japan, teams that both advanced from the group stage with a game to spare. Both teams secured 5-0 wins against Zambia and both have produced technically excellent displays.
Germany was on a high after its 6-0 rout of Morocco, but was humbled by Colombia.
Sweden routed Italy 5-0, while Norway found its scoring touch just in time against the Philippines.
ONES TO WATCH
Some of the favorites have made underwhelming starts. The two-time defending champion United States, England, Germany and France have not been totally convincing in group play and the tournament still looks wide open.
Colombia looks legitimate, and with Kerr back in action, Australia could become a contender.
The Netherlands look like serious contenders, while Spain and Japan have impressed. Brazil has shown flashes, but faces a fight to advance from the group stage.
Nigeria has shown it is dangerous, and Sweden has picked up back-to-back wins.
___
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
___
More AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup | https://www.ksn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-the-womens-world-cup-has-produced-some-big-moments-these-are-some-of-the-highlights-lowlights/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:36 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-the-womens-world-cup-has-produced-some-big-moments-these-are-some-of-the-highlights-lowlights/ |
BEIJING, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 36Kr Holdings Inc. ("36Kr" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: KRKR), a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China, today announced the launch of its 36Kr Media Lab in Silicon Valley, an initiative to embrace the large language models (LLM) revolution taking place in the content creation industry and optimize the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the new economy sector.
36Kr Silicon Valley Media Lab's first project leveraging LLM, "Empty Office," will experimentally explore scenarios where AI can think and work as humans, enhancing content production efficiency and reducing costs. Through "Empty Office," 36Kr is also building innovative media solutions that will transform traditional video, graphic and text communications into avant-garde dialogues between customized AI characters and audiences. These network-based dialogues will be naturally and seamlessly driven by real-time data generation, and available anytime, anywhere.
At the same time, 36Kr Silicon Valley Media Lab continues to focus on tailoring its LLM to the new economy sector. By utilizing dedicated financial and business datasets, including enterprises' financial results, news, market dynamics and knowledge repositories, among other resources, to train its LLM to thoroughly understand and analyze business information, 36Kr has developed a model that keenly grasps the business nuances to generate accurate analysis and interpretation. 36Kr Silicon Valley Media Lab constantly maintains its database, serving as the reference foundation to ensure that its fact-based model produces rigorous and up-to-date business and financial analysis.
Furthermore, 36Kr's professionally-training, fine-tuning capability enables its LLM-empowered "Empty Office" to quickly and efficiently create informative content for the new economy sector. For instance, in the case of a business event, such as a new product launch, an AI agent can instantly extract relevant data from the database, automatically perform a comprehensive analysis, and issue reports within just seconds. This top-speed response gives 36Kr's business and financial-focused media platform an unrivaled edge.
Mr. Dagang Feng, Co-chairman and CEO of 36Kr, commented, "The launch of 36Kr Silicon Valley Media Lab is a testament to our AI technology acumen and vision as well as our commitment to extending media's boundaries. By integrating pioneering AI technology into content creation, 36Kr will constantly elevate the efficiency and quality of content production alongside the rapid advancement of the LLM, fostering a superior content ecosystem encompassing business, finance and technology, further turbocharging the evolution of the New Economy. As we adopt and develop more AI tools amid the technology's rapid advancement, we are strategically positioning the Company to break new ground and ultimately drive long-term growth for our business."
About 36Kr Holdings Inc.
36Kr Holdings Inc. is a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China with the mission of empowering New Economy participants to achieve more. The Company started its business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings, covering a variety of industries in China's New Economy with diverse distribution channels. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, the Company has expanded its offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services, and subscription services, to address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrading needs of traditional companies. The Company is supported by a comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. Through diverse service offerings and significant brand influence, the Company is well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potential of China's New Economy.
For more information, please visit: http://ir.36kr.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goal and strategies; the Company's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; relevant government policies and regulations relating to our business and industry; the Company's expectations regarding the use of proceeds from this offering; the Company's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its services; the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand; the Company's ability to provide high-quality content in a timely manner to attract and retain users; the Company's ability to retain and hire quality in-house writers and editors; the Company's ability to maintain cooperation with third-party professional content providers; the Company's ability to maintain relationships with third-party platforms; general economic and business conditions in China; possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by natural or human-induced disasters; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
36Kr Holdings Inc.
Investor Relations
Tel: +86 (10) 8965-0708
E-mail: ir@36kr.com
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: 36Kr@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: 36Kr@tpg-ir.com
View original content:
SOURCE 36Kr Holdings Inc. | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/36kr-launches-silicon-valley-media-lab-empower-content-ecosystem-with-llm-based-ai-technology/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:38 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/36kr-launches-silicon-valley-media-lab-empower-content-ecosystem-with-llm-based-ai-technology/ |
BEIJING, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 36Kr Holdings Inc. ("36Kr" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: KRKR), a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China, today announced the launch of its 36Kr Media Lab in Silicon Valley, an initiative to embrace the large language models (LLM) revolution taking place in the content creation industry and optimize the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the new economy sector.
36Kr Silicon Valley Media Lab's first project leveraging LLM, "Empty Office," will experimentally explore scenarios where AI can think and work as humans, enhancing content production efficiency and reducing costs. Through "Empty Office," 36Kr is also building innovative media solutions that will transform traditional video, graphic and text communications into avant-garde dialogues between customized AI characters and audiences. These network-based dialogues will be naturally and seamlessly driven by real-time data generation, and available anytime, anywhere.
At the same time, 36Kr Silicon Valley Media Lab continues to focus on tailoring its LLM to the new economy sector. By utilizing dedicated financial and business datasets, including enterprises' financial results, news, market dynamics and knowledge repositories, among other resources, to train its LLM to thoroughly understand and analyze business information, 36Kr has developed a model that keenly grasps the business nuances to generate accurate analysis and interpretation. 36Kr Silicon Valley Media Lab constantly maintains its database, serving as the reference foundation to ensure that its fact-based model produces rigorous and up-to-date business and financial analysis.
Furthermore, 36Kr's professionally-training, fine-tuning capability enables its LLM-empowered "Empty Office" to quickly and efficiently create informative content for the new economy sector. For instance, in the case of a business event, such as a new product launch, an AI agent can instantly extract relevant data from the database, automatically perform a comprehensive analysis, and issue reports within just seconds. This top-speed response gives 36Kr's business and financial-focused media platform an unrivaled edge.
Mr. Dagang Feng, Co-chairman and CEO of 36Kr, commented, "The launch of 36Kr Silicon Valley Media Lab is a testament to our AI technology acumen and vision as well as our commitment to extending media's boundaries. By integrating pioneering AI technology into content creation, 36Kr will constantly elevate the efficiency and quality of content production alongside the rapid advancement of the LLM, fostering a superior content ecosystem encompassing business, finance and technology, further turbocharging the evolution of the New Economy. As we adopt and develop more AI tools amid the technology's rapid advancement, we are strategically positioning the Company to break new ground and ultimately drive long-term growth for our business."
About 36Kr Holdings Inc.
36Kr Holdings Inc. is a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China with the mission of empowering New Economy participants to achieve more. The Company started its business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings, covering a variety of industries in China's New Economy with diverse distribution channels. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, the Company has expanded its offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services, and subscription services, to address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrading needs of traditional companies. The Company is supported by a comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. Through diverse service offerings and significant brand influence, the Company is well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potential of China's New Economy.
For more information, please visit: http://ir.36kr.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goal and strategies; the Company's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; relevant government policies and regulations relating to our business and industry; the Company's expectations regarding the use of proceeds from this offering; the Company's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its services; the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand; the Company's ability to provide high-quality content in a timely manner to attract and retain users; the Company's ability to retain and hire quality in-house writers and editors; the Company's ability to maintain cooperation with third-party professional content providers; the Company's ability to maintain relationships with third-party platforms; general economic and business conditions in China; possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by natural or human-induced disasters; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
36Kr Holdings Inc.
Investor Relations
Tel: +86 (10) 8965-0708
E-mail: ir@36kr.com
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: 36Kr@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: 36Kr@tpg-ir.com
View original content:
SOURCE 36Kr Holdings Inc. | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/36kr-launches-silicon-valley-media-lab-empower-content-ecosystem-with-llm-based-ai-technology/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:38 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/36kr-launches-silicon-valley-media-lab-empower-content-ecosystem-with-llm-based-ai-technology/ |
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The United States arrived at the Women’s World Cup as the favorites to win an unprecedented third consecutive title. But after an underwhelming draw against the Netherlands, there’s a real chance the Americans can be eliminated in group play for the first time in tournament history.
The U.S. plays Portugal in the third and final match of Group E play, and if Portugal pulls off an upset Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland, the Americans could be in big trouble.
The United States needs to either win or draw against Portugal, one of eight teams playing in its first World Cup, to ensure the Americans continue to play in this tournament.
“I think we feel like we have to win everything all the time,” said American star Megan Rapinoe. “That’s the expectation for ourselves. That’s the expectation playing for U.S. national team. It’s just kind of like, ‘Why would you come into the World Cup if you don’t think that you should win it, and if you don’t think that you can win it?’”
The United States sits atop the group after a 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the tournament opener, and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands last Thursday in Wellington. The Dutch are tied with the U.S. on points, but the Americans have the tie-breaker on goals scored.
Portugal lost to the Dutch in its opener but then beat Vietnam 2-0. So if the Portuguese beat the United States, they’ll move on, and the Americans would then need Vietnam to beat the Dutch in Dunedin — while keeping their advantage on goal differential — to advance.
“One thing is for sure, that we have a job to do and that’s first and foremost to take care of our game, so our main focus right now it our performance, our team, and Portugal,” said U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski. “What happens on the other side is something we can’t control. We have to stay focused on the things we can control.”
Portugal could use a swarming defense to try to prevent the United States from scoring the way Vietnam — unsuccessfully — played the Americans in the opener.
Portugal defender Ana Borges said her team will be prepared.
“This is the stage where we want to be. It’s against these teams that we want to play because we’re going to learn and grow from them,” Borges said. “Not saying anything about the other team, but if we weren’t prepared for this challenge, we wouldn’t be playing football.”
CHINA-ENGLAND
England is in very good shape headed into its Group D finale against China, needing only a draw Tuesday night in Adelaide, Australia to win the group and advance to the round of 16.
Even a loss would be OK and push England through as group winners so long as Denmark doesn’t beat Haiti. If Denmark won and England lost, the group winner would be decided by FIFA tiebreakers.
England edged out a 1-0 victory over Haiti to open the tournament, then beat Denmark by the same score.
China lost 1-0 to Denmark in the opener but rebounded with a 1-0 win over Haiti and is now trying to keep its streak intact of advancing out of group play in all eight of its World Cup appearances.
It will be a tough task: China can advance to the round of 16 if the Chinese beat England. But if Denmark beats Haiti, coupled with a China win, then FIFA tiebreakers would come into a play. A loss would mean China’s only chance at advancing would be if Haiti beat Denmark.
England and China meet for just the fifth time, but first since a 2-1 China victory in 2015.
England has scored in each of its last 15 matches at the Women’s World Cup for a tally of 25 goals since 2015. A goal against China would make England the first team to score in 16 consecutive matches in the tournament.
China is looking to win consecutive World Cup games for the first time since 1999.
VIETNAM-NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands want to win every match in the Women’s World Cup but none more so than Tuesday’s game against Vietnam.
At stake: avoiding Sweden in the knockout round.
The Dutch, the tournament runner-up in 2019, need only a win or a draw in the Group E match played in Dunedin, New Zealand. And even a loss would be OK so long as the United States beats Portugal in a game being played simultaneously.
But the Netherlands has mapped out the tournament and wants no part of Sweden anytime soon.
“The first aim is always to win and get to the last 16 and then after that if we can score goals we will, of course,” said Dutch coach Andries Jonker. “But looking at our colleagues from the U.S. and Portugal, we’ve noticed it’s not all that easy. We’ve never shown any kind of arrogance, but if we get chances to score goals we will. We would prefer to play against the number two in this group and not Sweden.”
The Netherlands are tied with the United States for the top spot in the group after playing to a 1-1 draw against the Americans and a 1-0 win over Portugal.
Vietnam has already been eliminated from its first Women’s World Cup following losses to the United States and Portugal. Vietnam has lost its last five internationals by a combined score of 18-1.
“The Netherlands tries to have as many goals as possible, and I have to say we are at a low level,” said Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung. “If we compare with Asia, we’re still at a low level. So if we compare with the world, we are still quite behind. It is a success for us already. In the past two matches we have tried our best. Great effort already.”
HAITI-DENMARK
First-time Women’s World Cup participant Haiti would like to stick around a bit longer but needs a miracle against in the Group D finale against Denmark to have any shot to advance.
Haiti needs to beat Denmark in the Tuesday match played in Perth, Australia, and hope England beats China. If both those things happen, Haiti’s only chance would still come down to FIFA’s tiebreaker system.
It’s very long odds for Haiti, which has played better in this tournament than its 0-2 record shows. Haiti held both England and China to one goal each in the first two matches.
Haiti is on a six-game losing streak headed into what is probably its final game of this tournament.
Denmark, meanwhile, is trying to advance to the group stage for the first time since 1995. Denmark was a 1-0 winner over China to start the tournament, then lost 1-0 to England and heads into the game tied for second in the group with China with three points each.
A win over Haiti pushes Denmark through to the next round so long as England doesn’t lose to China. That scenario would put tiebreakers into play.
The Danes, in the tournament for the first time since 2007, can also get through with a draw, but again, only if England beats China.
Denmark has won five of its last seven international matches.
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.ksn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-us-needs-win-to-ensure-americans-avoid-elimination-in-group-play-for-first-time-in-womens-world-cup/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:42 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-us-needs-win-to-ensure-americans-avoid-elimination-in-group-play-for-first-time-in-womens-world-cup/ |
HOUSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AutomationEdge, a leading Hyperautomation platform has announced strategic partnership with eAlliance Corp, a cutting-edge Hyperautomation solutions provider.
The partnership will enable eAlliance Corp to provide AutomationEdge solutions such as CogniBot - a conversational AI platform, DocEdge - an intelligent document processing platform, Intelligent Service Desk Ticket Data Analysis, IT Process Automation (ITPA) and RPA. This collaboration will empower AutomationEdge and eAlliance Corp to help customers innovate with automation to move the needle on the top and bottom line.
AutomationEdge, along with its Hyperautomation platform, has also build the ready automation solutions across industries. It will help customers achieve faster Go-To-Market for automation projects with lower cost. It is empowering 250+ customers globally in Healthcare, Banking, Insurance, Financial Services and other industries.
For over 20 years, eAlliance Corp has been delivering technology solutions to businesses worldwide across industries. It has been a trusted advisor to its customer in innovation, strategy and execution of automation solutions. Through this partnership, eAlliance will be able to offer innovative business process automation solutions to customers focusing on key enterprise domains such as finance & accounting, customer service, procurement, human resources, cash applications and more.
About AutomationEdge
AutomationEdge is a leading Hyperautomation platform across the globe with end-to-end automation capabilities. With its platforms working together as one solution, it has enabled seamless process automation for global enterprises.
AutomationEdge has already delivered its innovative solutions to large multinational organizations like American Express, Smart Dubai Government, Wipro, AccentCare, Danone, University of Maryland Medical System, Aspen Pharmacare, Oman LNG, Mashreq Bank, HDFC Bank, and Genpact, to name a few.
For more details, contact sales or request a demo.
About eAlliance Corp
eAlliance Corp is a professional services firm with big company expertise and small company relationships, taking pride in agility and real-time responsiveness. eAlliance Corp is a trusted name in the Hyperautomation industry, offering comprehensive services and solutions to help businesses achieve their automation goals with ease. Founded in 2002 in Chicago, IL, staffed with resources in the US and India possessing vast experience and leadership in business and technology.
For more details, visit website.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rahul Wandile
Media Relations – AutomationEdge
rahul.wandile@automationedge.com
www.automationedge.com
Follow AutomationEdge on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube
View original content:
SOURCE AutomationEdge | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/automationedge-ealliance-corp-announced-partnership-hyperautomation-solutions/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:44 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/automationedge-ealliance-corp-announced-partnership-hyperautomation-solutions/ |
HOUSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AutomationEdge, a leading Hyperautomation platform has announced strategic partnership with eAlliance Corp, a cutting-edge Hyperautomation solutions provider.
The partnership will enable eAlliance Corp to provide AutomationEdge solutions such as CogniBot - a conversational AI platform, DocEdge - an intelligent document processing platform, Intelligent Service Desk Ticket Data Analysis, IT Process Automation (ITPA) and RPA. This collaboration will empower AutomationEdge and eAlliance Corp to help customers innovate with automation to move the needle on the top and bottom line.
AutomationEdge, along with its Hyperautomation platform, has also build the ready automation solutions across industries. It will help customers achieve faster Go-To-Market for automation projects with lower cost. It is empowering 250+ customers globally in Healthcare, Banking, Insurance, Financial Services and other industries.
For over 20 years, eAlliance Corp has been delivering technology solutions to businesses worldwide across industries. It has been a trusted advisor to its customer in innovation, strategy and execution of automation solutions. Through this partnership, eAlliance will be able to offer innovative business process automation solutions to customers focusing on key enterprise domains such as finance & accounting, customer service, procurement, human resources, cash applications and more.
About AutomationEdge
AutomationEdge is a leading Hyperautomation platform across the globe with end-to-end automation capabilities. With its platforms working together as one solution, it has enabled seamless process automation for global enterprises.
AutomationEdge has already delivered its innovative solutions to large multinational organizations like American Express, Smart Dubai Government, Wipro, AccentCare, Danone, University of Maryland Medical System, Aspen Pharmacare, Oman LNG, Mashreq Bank, HDFC Bank, and Genpact, to name a few.
For more details, contact sales or request a demo.
About eAlliance Corp
eAlliance Corp is a professional services firm with big company expertise and small company relationships, taking pride in agility and real-time responsiveness. eAlliance Corp is a trusted name in the Hyperautomation industry, offering comprehensive services and solutions to help businesses achieve their automation goals with ease. Founded in 2002 in Chicago, IL, staffed with resources in the US and India possessing vast experience and leadership in business and technology.
For more details, visit website.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rahul Wandile
Media Relations – AutomationEdge
rahul.wandile@automationedge.com
www.automationedge.com
Follow AutomationEdge on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube
View original content:
SOURCE AutomationEdge | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/automationedge-ealliance-corp-announced-partnership-hyperautomation-solutions/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:44 | 0 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/automationedge-ealliance-corp-announced-partnership-hyperautomation-solutions/ |
The heat and humidity will not be going anywhere as we start the new week. High temperatures return to the 90s and triple digits this afternoon.
Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for the Wichita Metro today and tomorrow. Hot temperatures and the humidity will make it feel miserable and oppressive.
Heat indices will be well over 100. A Heat Advisory will also be in effect through Tuesday.
Showers and storms are nearby and will track to the east and southeast. As they do there is a chance that our northernmost and easternmost counties get skimmed this morning and during the afternoon. However, most of us will stay dry.
After we bake this afternoon there is a chance for a storm to the northwest tonight.
There is a sliver of a Marginal Risk of severe weather to the northwest. A strong to severe storm will be possible but most of us will continue to stay dry.
I would not be surprised to see heat alerts get extended through Wednesday. After that, temperatures will start to come back down.
Most of Tuesday will stay dry until the evening. A few showers and storms will be possible to the west. These will weaken through the night while tracking into Central Kansas.
Rain and thunderstorm chances look better later this week when temperatures dip into the 80s.
KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Meteorologist Ronelle Williams:
Wichita:
Today: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. 10% chance of showers and storms. Hi: 102 Wind: SW 8-18
Tonight: Mostly clear. Lo: 76 Wind: S 5-15
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, breezy. Hi: 104 Wind: S/SW 10-20
Tomorrow Night: Mostly clear. 10% chance of showers and storms. Lo: 79 Wind: S 8-18
Wichita Weekly
Wed: Hi: 103 Lo: 79 Mostly sunny, windy.
Thu: Hi: 100 Lo: 72 Mostly sunny.
Fri: Hi: 92 Lo: 70 Partly cloudy. 30% chance of showers and storms.
Sat: Hi: 89 Lo: 69 Partly cloudy. 20% chance of showers and storms.
Sun: Hi: 88 Lo: 68 Partly cloudy. 10% chance of showers and storms.
Mon: Hi: 88 Lo: 68 Mostly sunny. | https://www.ksn.com/top-stories/another-hot-week-ahead-but-relief-is-in-sight/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:49 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/top-stories/another-hot-week-ahead-but-relief-is-in-sight/ |
Impact "much bigger than a single project"
WAYNESBORO, Ga., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel, the engineering, procurement, and construction company brought in to complete construction on new Units 3 and 4 at the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia, today issued the following statement from Brendan Bechtel, Bechtel Chairman and CEO, marking the start of commercial operations for Unit 3:
"We are extremely proud of Bechtel's part in achieving this milestone. Our team has been 100 percent committed to Vogtle's completion since being brought in to finish the project.
"Today's start of commercial operations for Vogtle Unit 3 gives the Southeast a major new source of clean, reliable, carbon-free baseload energy. And, as the first new nuclear unit built in the U.S. in more than 30 years, it helps put America back on the map as a leader in the global nuclear industry.
"Bechtel has supported the design and construction of 150 nuclear plants worldwide. We know firsthand how Vogtle Units 3 and 4 go a long way in restoring America's muscle memory in nuclear construction, including the workforce and domestic supply chains required to build America's largest nuclear power plant. Vogtle Unit 3 comes online at a pivotal time when energy security concerns and the need to cut carbon emissions are driving growth in the world's nuclear fleet.
"Plant Vogtle will generate more carbon-free electricity yearly than any other energy facility currently operating in the country. Its completion reinforces that the United States is the responsible partner of choice for new nuclear energy around the world, and maintains U.S. interests in ensuring strong safety, security, and non-proliferation standards. This is why Vogtle's impact is much bigger than a single project.
"Thank you to the thousands of skilled craft professionals, union partners, engineers, project managers, procurement experts, suppliers, subcontractors, and everyone who made this day possible. And thank you to Georgia Power and Southern Nuclear for the opportunity to bring this project over the finish line. We look forward to doing the same with Unit 4 in the coming months."
Background
In 2017, Bechtel was brought in by Georgia Power and Southern Nuclear to take over construction of Vogtle Units 3 and 4, bringing extensive experience supporting the design and construction of 150 nuclear plants worldwide. Vogtle Units 3 and 4 are the first Westinghouse AP1000 units to ever be built in the U.S.
Bechtel has completed more than 76,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation capacity and has designed, built, or performed engineering and/or construction services on more than 80% of nuclear plants in the United States. Today, the company leads efforts in designing and constructing advanced nuclear plants, critical to global efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
Bechtel partnered with North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) to build Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. At peak, Bechtel and NABTU had a combined 9,000 workers on site.
About Bechtel
Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.
Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com
Contact:
Amanda Meixel
ammeixel@bechtel.com
M: 1-706-360-5526
P: 1-703-429-6313
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bechtel | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/bechtel-commercial-operations-vogtle-unit-3-is-an-important-milestone-us-nuclear-industry/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:51 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/bechtel-commercial-operations-vogtle-unit-3-is-an-important-milestone-us-nuclear-industry/ |
NJ beach weather and waves: Jersey Shore Report for Mon 7/31
Advisories
--None at this time.
At the Shore
Current conditions and forecast as of Mon morning
Tide Times
Marine Forecast
From the National Weather Service, Mt. Holly
TODAY: NW winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming S 10 to 15 kt late. Seas around 2 ft.
TONIGHT: SW winds 10 to 15 kt, becoming NW 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas around 2 ft. SE swell around 2 ft at 8 seconds after midnight.
TUE: NE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft. SE swell around 2 ft at 6 seconds.
TUE NIGHT: E winds around 5 kt, becoming N after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. SE swell around 2 ft at 6 seconds.
WED: NE winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming E in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
WED NIGHT: S winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft.
THU: S winds 5 to 10 kt, increasing to 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft. A chance of showers through the night.
FRI: S winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. A chance of showers.
Plan Your Trip
Data on this page amalgamated from several sources, including the National Weather Service (weather), National Ocean Service (tides), U.S. Naval Observatory (sun), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (UV index).
Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. The Shore Report is generated semi-automatically daily at 5 a.m. from mid-May to late September. Follow Dan's weather blog, Facebook page, and Twitter feed for your latest forecast and realtime weather updates. | https://nj1015.com/nj-beach-weather-and-waves-jersey-shore-report-for-mon-731/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:53 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/nj-beach-weather-and-waves-jersey-shore-report-for-mon-731/ |
Impact "much bigger than a single project"
WAYNESBORO, Ga., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel, the engineering, procurement, and construction company brought in to complete construction on new Units 3 and 4 at the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia, today issued the following statement from Brendan Bechtel, Bechtel Chairman and CEO, marking the start of commercial operations for Unit 3:
"We are extremely proud of Bechtel's part in achieving this milestone. Our team has been 100 percent committed to Vogtle's completion since being brought in to finish the project.
"Today's start of commercial operations for Vogtle Unit 3 gives the Southeast a major new source of clean, reliable, carbon-free baseload energy. And, as the first new nuclear unit built in the U.S. in more than 30 years, it helps put America back on the map as a leader in the global nuclear industry.
"Bechtel has supported the design and construction of 150 nuclear plants worldwide. We know firsthand how Vogtle Units 3 and 4 go a long way in restoring America's muscle memory in nuclear construction, including the workforce and domestic supply chains required to build America's largest nuclear power plant. Vogtle Unit 3 comes online at a pivotal time when energy security concerns and the need to cut carbon emissions are driving growth in the world's nuclear fleet.
"Plant Vogtle will generate more carbon-free electricity yearly than any other energy facility currently operating in the country. Its completion reinforces that the United States is the responsible partner of choice for new nuclear energy around the world, and maintains U.S. interests in ensuring strong safety, security, and non-proliferation standards. This is why Vogtle's impact is much bigger than a single project.
"Thank you to the thousands of skilled craft professionals, union partners, engineers, project managers, procurement experts, suppliers, subcontractors, and everyone who made this day possible. And thank you to Georgia Power and Southern Nuclear for the opportunity to bring this project over the finish line. We look forward to doing the same with Unit 4 in the coming months."
Background
In 2017, Bechtel was brought in by Georgia Power and Southern Nuclear to take over construction of Vogtle Units 3 and 4, bringing extensive experience supporting the design and construction of 150 nuclear plants worldwide. Vogtle Units 3 and 4 are the first Westinghouse AP1000 units to ever be built in the U.S.
Bechtel has completed more than 76,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation capacity and has designed, built, or performed engineering and/or construction services on more than 80% of nuclear plants in the United States. Today, the company leads efforts in designing and constructing advanced nuclear plants, critical to global efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
Bechtel partnered with North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) to build Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. At peak, Bechtel and NABTU had a combined 9,000 workers on site.
About Bechtel
Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.
Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com
Contact:
Amanda Meixel
ammeixel@bechtel.com
M: 1-706-360-5526
P: 1-703-429-6313
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bechtel | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/bechtel-commercial-operations-vogtle-unit-3-is-an-important-milestone-us-nuclear-industry/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:52 | 0 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/bechtel-commercial-operations-vogtle-unit-3-is-an-important-milestone-us-nuclear-industry/ |
KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — Hundreds of mourners attended funerals Monday after a massive suicide bombing killed at least 54 people at an election rally for a pro-Taliban cleric, carrying caskets draped in colorful clothes to burial sites in the hills.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for Sunday’s bombing, which killed at least five children and wounded nearly 200 people.
The attack appeared to reflect divisions between Islamist groups, which have a strong presence in areas like Bajur, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan. It targeted a political party with ties to the Afghan and Pakistan Taliban.
At 1,000 people, according to police, were crowded into a tent near a market for a rally organized by the Jamiat Ulema Islam party as it prepared for fall elections.
“People were chanting God is Great as the leaders arrived,” said Khan Mohammad, a local resident who said he was standing outside the tent, “and that was when I heard the deafening sound of the bomb.”
Mohammad said he heard people crying for help, and minutes later ambulances arrived and began taking the wounded away.
Police said their initial investigation suggested that the Islamic State group’s regional affiliate, a rival of the Taliban, could be responsible, while a Pakistan security analyst pointed to breakaway factions of the Pakistan Taliban as possible suspects.
The Pakistani military spent years fighting the Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, in Bajur before declaring the district clear of militants in 2016. But the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, headed by hard-line cleric and politician Fazlur Rehman, has remained a potent political force.
Bajur resident Salim Khan, 45, said from a hospital bed that he lost consciousness after the bombing. “When I opened my eyes, I was here in the hospital, and I only remember that I heard a large explosion,” he said.
On Monday, police recorded statements from some of the wounded at a hospital in Khar, the district’s principal town. Shaukat Abbas, a senior police officer, said that police have made progress in their investigation, but did not provide details.
The Islamic State in Khorasan Province, which police identified as a suspect in the attack, is based in neighboring Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and is a rival of the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaida.
Pakistani security analyst Mahmood Shah said that breakaway factions of the Pakistani Taliban could also be behind the attack. He said some TTP members have been known to disobey their top leadership to carry out attacks, as have breakaway factions of the group.
Shah said such factions could have perpetrated the attack to cause “confusion, instability and unrest ahead of the elections.”
Female relatives and children wailed and beat their chests at family homes as the dead were taken for funerals, following local customs. Hundreds of men followed the caskets to mosques and open areas for special funeral prayers and then into the hills for burial.
As condolences continued to pour in from across the country, dozens of people who received lesser injuries were discharged from hospital, while the critically wounded were taken to the provincial capital of Peshawar by army helicopters. The death toll continued to rise as some critically wounded people died in hospital, physician Gul Naseeb said.
Gul Akbar, the father of an 11-year-old boy who was wounded in the attack, told The Associated Press that his entire family was in a state of shock after hearing about the bombing Sunday. He said he first went to the scene of the attack, and later found his son Taslim Khan being treated in a hospital in Khar.
“What would I have done if he had also been martyred? Five children died in this barbaric attack, and we want to know what our children did wrong,” he said.
Rehman’s party is preparing to contest elections, which are expected in October or November. Abdul Rasheed, one of the party’s senior leaders, said the bombing was aimed at weakening the party but that “such attacks cannot deter our resolve.”
Rehman’s party is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, which came to power in April 2022 by ousting former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote in the legislature.
Sharif called Rehman to express his condolences and assure the cleric that those who orchestrated the attack would be punished. Khan condemned the bombing Sunday, and the U.S. and Russian embassies in Islamabad also condemned the attack.
The Pakistani Taliban also distanced themselves from the attack, saying that the attack was intended to set Islamists against each other. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, wrote in a tweet that “such crimes cannot be justified in any way.”
The bombing came hours before Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived in Islamabad Monday, where he signed new agreements to boost trade and economic ties to mark a decade of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package under which China has invested $10 billion in Pakistan over 10 years, according to Sharif.
“We will not tolerate any obstacles in the way of friendship with China,” Sharif said, as he stood next to He.
Some Chinese nationals have also been targeted by militants in northwestern Pakistan and elsewhere.
Rehman, who has long supported Afghanistan’s Taliban government, survived at least two known bomb attacks in 2011 and 2014, when bombings damaged his car at rallies.
Sunday’s bombing was one of the worst in northwestern Pakistan in the last decade. In 2014, 147 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed in a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar.
In January, 74 people were killed in a bombing at a mosque in Peshawar. And in February, more than 100 people, mostly policemen, died in a bombing at a mosque inside a high-security compound housing Peshawar police headquarters.
___
Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed contributed to this story from Islamabad. | https://www.ksn.com/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/ap-pakistan-holds-funerals-as-government-vows-to-hunt-down-those-behind-the-weekends-suicide-bombing/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:55 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/ap-pakistan-holds-funerals-as-government-vows-to-hunt-down-those-behind-the-weekends-suicide-bombing/ |
- Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled $349.0 million as of June 30, 2023
- Announced positive interim data from BHV-7000 EEG biomarker study demonstrating evidence of central nervous system (CNS) target engagement, confirming previously reported preclinical and clinical data, and highlighting the paradigm-changing potential of BHV-7000 in the treatment of epilepsy and mood disorders
- Brain penetrant TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, BHV-8000, advanced into Phase 1 with projected therapeutic concentrations achieved and well-tolerated profile observed to date
- Advanced targeted extracellular protein degradation platform with potential to support numerous clinical candidates across a broad range of high unmet need indications
- Orphan drug designation (ODD) granted by the European Commission for taldefgrobep alfa a novel anti-myostatin adnectin, for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Type A meeting planned with FDA regarding troriluzole program in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) and enrollment in Phase 3 obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) trial expected to complete at end of 2023
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biohaven Ltd. (NYSE: BHVN) (Biohaven or the Company), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing therapies to treat a broad range of rare and common diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, and provided a review of recent accomplishments and anticipated upcoming milestones.
Vlad Coric, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biohaven, commented, "In less than a year since our spin-off, the Biohaven team has driven strong and consistent progress across multiple drug development platforms. We were excited to recently report positive interim data from the ongoing EEG biomarker study of our lead Kv7 activator, BHV-7000. As expected, BHV-7000 demonstrated CNS activity consistent with what has been reported in EEG studies with other Kv7 channel activators in development that are clinically effective in treating epilepsy and with other approved anti-seizure medications. Importantly, BHV-7000 demonstrates CNS target engagement but is not associated with the typical CNS adverse events associated with other ASMs, like somnolence and fatigue. We look forward to completing the higher dose groups in this EEG study and initiating Phase 2/3 studies with our once daily, extended-release oral formulation later this year."
Dr. Coric continued, "We also shared a number of equally exciting announcements across our broader pipeline this quarter. We successfully administered the first three doses in the SAD portion of our ongoing SAD/MAD study evaluating BHV-8000, an oral, brain-penetrant, dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor. Potential therapeutic concentrations of BHV-8000 were achieved and BHV-8000 was well tolerated with only mild adverse events reported, reinforcing our plans to start a Phase 2 clinical trial with BHV-8000 in Parkinson's disease and potentially other neuroinflammatory diseases in 2024. In addition, we have advanced IND enabling preclinical studies and remain on track to submit an IND with our IgG degrader, BHV-1300, later this year. We also anticipate submitting an IND with our IgA degrader in 2024 as we continue to advance multiple clinical degrader candidates across a wide range of indications. We also shared key updates for our taldefgrobep alfa program (an anti-myostatin) with enrollment completion in our pivotal study in SMA and a planned Phase 2 trial initiation in obesity."
"Finally, I want to reaffirm Biohaven's commitment to the SCA3 patient community in spite of the recent disappointing regulatory decision by the FDA not to review our submitted NDA. Given the seriousness of SCA3 and consistent treatment benefits observed across multiple prespecified outcome measures, including an 80% delay in disease progression over the one-year study period with substantial risk reduction in falls, we believe that full consideration of all available data is warranted for this ultra-rare disease. Biohaven has built its foundation around our patient mission and we plan to continue to work with regulatory agencies to try to advance troriluzole for individuals suffering from SCA3."
Second Quarter 2023 and Recent Business Highlights
- Announced positive interim data from EEG biomarker study with BHV-7000 - In July 2023, the Company provided a preliminary data update from the ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG) biomarker study for the Kv7 Channel Activator platform. Preliminary Phase 1 data confirmed evidence of target engagement in the central nervous system for subjects with projected therapeutic concentrations of BHV-7000 (based on the EC50 from preclinical models), measured by changes from baseline in EEG spectral power that occurred after dosing. These pharmacodynamic (PD) effects were similar to those reported in the literature for anti-seizure medicines (ASMs), including Kv7 activators in development that are clinically effective in treating epilepsy. BHV-7000's PD effects were also differentiated from those reported for other Kv7 activators including, specifically, the absence of increases in EEG spectral power in frequency bands associated with drowsiness and somnolence. Results from the low-dose group validate the preclinical hypothesis, confirm the Phase 1 SAD/MAD clinical data, and provide strong support for Biohaven's plans to initiate pivotal studies with BHV-7000 in focal epilepsy and bipolar disorder in the second half of 2023. The preliminary data highlight BHV-7000's differentiation and potentially favorable clinical profile compared to other ASMs, and the Company expects to present the complete EEG results by the end of the year. Additionally, new pharmacokinetic data from multiple clinical formulations being studied has now confirmed a once daily extended-release oral formulation that will be used in the Phase 2/3 clinical programs.
- Successfully dosed three cohorts with single ascending doses of oral, brain penetrant, dual TYK2/JAK1 agent, BHV-8000 - In July 2023, the Company announced that it successfully dosed three cohorts in the SAD portion of an ongoing SAD/MAD Phase 1 study evaluating brain penetrant TYK2/JAK1 agent, BHV-8000 in healthy volunteers. The ongoing Phase 1 study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and PD of single and multiple ascending doses of BHV-8000 in healthy volunteers. Based on the preliminary data available, projected therapeutic concentrations of BHV-8000 were achieved, and BHV-8000 was well tolerated with only mild adverse events reported. These data provide support for further development of BHV-8000, and the Company anticipates beginning a Phase 2 clinical trial with BHV-8000 in Parkinson's disease and potentially other neuroinflammatory diseases in 2024. The Company had previously reported initiation of dosing with BHV-8000 in the Phase 1 study at Biohaven's R&D Day in May 2023.
- Reported on continued progress observed with Biohaven's first-in-class bispecific IgG degrader, BHV-1300, as compound advances to IND filing in 2H2023 - In July 2023, the Company shared an update on BHV-1300's highly competitive safety, manufacturable and PD profile. The Company is assembling a pipeline of partially de-risked, follow-on IgG degraders as well as antigen-specific degraders providing both optionality and a sustainable output of drug candidates for several years. An IND application for BHV-1300 is on track for submission in 2023 and an IND application for Biohaven's IgA degrader on track for submission in 2024
- Type A meeting planned to comprehensively address FDA's concerns in connection with Troriluzole program in SCA3 - In July 2023, the Company announced that the FDA informed Biohaven it would not review the recently submitted New Drug Application (NDA) for troriluzole for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), an ultra-rare, genetically-defined, neurodegenerative disease associated with progressive disability, frequent falls, loss of ambulation, speech and swallowing impairment, and premature death that is the most common SCA genotype worldwide. The FDA informed Biohaven it would not review the application given that the study's primary endpoint was not met and thus, would not permit a substantive review. Biohaven is committed to working closely with the FDA to bring troriluzole to people with SCA3 as quickly as possible given no therapy is currently approved for this ultra-rare genetic disorder. Biohaven plans to request a Type A meeting to comprehensively address FDA's concerns cited in the refusal to file letter.
- EMA orphan drug designation granted for taldefgrobep alfa for the treatment of SMA: - In July 2023, the Company announced that taldefgrobep alfa received orphan drug designation (ODD) from the European Commission for taldefgrobep for the treatment of SMA. Taldefgrobep previously received Fast-Track and ODD from the FDA. At Biohaven's R&D Day, the Company announced plans to complete randomization of approximately 180 patients in global SMA trial.
Upcoming Milestones:
Biohaven is progressing its product candidates through clinical programs in a number of common and rare disorders. The Company plans to reach significant pipeline milestones in the coming periods. Biohaven expects to:
- Announce Phase 1 EEG study results by year-end 2023: The Company expects to present complete results from its ongoing EEG study with BHV-7000 in healthy volunteers by the end of the year.
- Initiate Phase 2/3 studies with BHV-7000 in the second half of 2023: Biohaven expects to initiate pivotal trials in patients with focal epilepsy and bipolar disorder in the second half of 2023.
- Submit IND with BHV-1300, the Company's lead extracellular degrader: The Company expects to submit an IND with pan-IgG degrader BHV-1300 in the second half of 2023 and expects to initiate Phase 2 studies in 2024.
- Submit IND with selective Gd-IgA1 degrader: The Company expects to submit an IND with a Gd-IgA1 degrader indicated for IgA nephropathy in the first half of 2024.
- Initiate Phase 2 study with BHV-8000: The Company commenced Phase 1 studies with BHV-8000, an oral, brain-penetrant, dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor for neuroinflammatory disorders, in the first half of 2023 and expects to initiate a Phase 2 study in Parkinson's disease in 2024.
- Submit IND with BHV-2100 in chronic pain: The Company expects to submit an IND with BHV-2100, a selective TRPM3 antagonist in the Company's ion channel platform, in the second half of 2023.
- Complete enrollment in Phase 3 study of troriluzole in OCD in 2023: Two Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of troriluzole in OCD are expected to enroll up to 700 patients (in each trial) across nearly 200 global study sites. The Company anticipates completing enrollment in at least one Phase 3 trial by year-end 2023.
- Complete enrollment in Phase 3 clinical study of taldefgrobep alfa in SMA: The Company expects to complete enrollment in the study of taldefgrobep in SMA in the second half of 2023.
- Continue advancements across multiple neuroscience and immunoscience indications: The Company's preclinical pipeline includes a platform of bispecific degraders of extracellular proteins directed against IgG, IgA and other targets, TRPM3 and Kv7 family of ion channels, and other undisclosed targets, including those with disease-modifying potential.
Capital Position:
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2023 was $349.0 million, including $13.9 million of restricted cash, and excluding $40.4 million of cash payable to Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (the Former Parent), compared to $467.9 million, including $2.5 million of restricted cash, and excluding $35.2 million of cash payable to the Former Parent, as of December 31, 20221.
Second Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights:
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses, including non-cash share-based compensation costs, were $79.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $177.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $10.3 million as compared to the same period in 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was higher in the second quarter of 2022 primarily because expense allocated from the Former Parent equity plan, prior to the spin-off, was based on equity awards with higher grant date fair values.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $20.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease of $5.5 million was primarily due to decreased non-cash share-based compensation costs. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $5.8 million as compared to the same period in 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was higher in the second quarter of 2022 primarily because expense allocated from the Former Parent equity plan, prior to the spin-off, was based on equity awards with higher grant date fair values.
Other Income (Expense), Net: Other income (expense), net was a net income of $5.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to net expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase of $5.9 million was primarily due to an increase in net investment income and an increase of $1.7 million in other income related to our transition services provided to the Former Parent, which is largely non-recurring.
Net Loss: Biohaven reported a net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2023, of $90.3 million, or $1.32 per share, compared to $203.3 million, or $5.16 per share, for the same period in 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $85.7 million, or $1.25 per share, compared to $182.5 million, or $4.63 per share for the same period in 2022. These non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share measures, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," exclude non-cash share-based compensation charges. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included in the tables below. For periods prior to Biohaven's spin-off from the Former Parent on October 3, 2022 (the "Spin-Off"), net loss per share and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share were calculated based on the 39,375,944 common shares of Biohaven distributed to the Former Parent shareholders at the time of the distribution, including common shares issued in connection with the Former Parent share options that were settled on October 3, 2022 and common shares issued in connection with the Former Parent restricted share units that vested on October 3, 2022. The same number of shares is being utilized for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for all periods presented prior to the Spin-Off.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and also certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Biohaven has provided non-GAAP adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, which are adjusted to exclude non-cash share-based compensation, which is substantially dependent on changes in the market price of common shares. Non-GAAP financial measures are not an alternative for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. However, Biohaven believes the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, when viewed in conjunction with GAAP results, provides investors with a more meaningful understanding of ongoing operating performance and can assist investors in comparing Biohaven's performance between periods.
In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among those indicators Biohaven uses as a basis for evaluating performance, and planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation between these non-GAAP measures and the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided later in this news release.
About Biohaven
Biohaven is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing therapies to treat a broad range of rare and common diseases. Biohaven's experienced management team brings with it a track record of delivering new drug approvals for products for diseases such as migraine, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia. The company is advancing a pipeline of therapies for diseases, many of which have limited or no treatment options, leveraging its proven drug development capabilities and proprietary platforms, including Kv7 ion channel modulation for epilepsy and neuronal hyperexcitability, glutamate modulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder and spinocerebellar ataxia, myostatin inhibition for neuromuscular diseases and metabolic disorders, and brain-penetrant TYK2/JAK1 inhibition for neuroinflammatory disorders. Biohaven's portfolio of early- and late-stage product candidates also includes discovery research programs focused on TRPM3 channel activation for neuropathic pain, CD-38 antibody recruiting, bispecific molecules for multiple myeloma, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), and targeted extracellular protein degradation platform technology (MoDE™) with potential application in neurological disorders, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of certain words, including "continue", "plan", "will", "believe", "may", "expect", "anticipate" and similar expressions, is intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the future development, timing and potential marketing approval and commercialization of development candidates, are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including: the expected timing, commencement and outcomes of Biohaven's planned and ongoing clinical trials; the timing of planned interactions and filings with the FDA; the timing and outcome of expected regulatory filings; complying with applicable U.S. regulatory requirements; the potential commercialization of Biohaven's product candidates; the potential for Biohaven's product candidates to be first in class therapies; and the effectiveness and safety of Biohaven's product candidates. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements are described in Biohaven's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including within the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this new release, and Biohaven does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
MoDEs is a trademark of Biohaven Therapeutics Ltd.
Investor Contact:
Jennifer Porcelli
Vice President, Investor Relations
jennifer.porcelli@biohavenpharma.com
+1 (201) 248-0741
Media Contact:
Mike Beyer
Sam Brown Inc.
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
+1 (312) 961-2502
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SOURCE Biohaven Ltd. | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/biohaven-reports-second-quarter-2023-financial-results-recent-business-developments/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:57 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/biohaven-reports-second-quarter-2023-financial-results-recent-business-developments/ |
NJ weather: Low humidity and bright skies, a nice summer treat
The Bottom Line
I love low humidity. It is such a rarity here in New Jersey in the middle of summer. And we need to celebrate any time it happens, as we enjoy comfortable days and nights.
Monday will be number 2 of 4 days featuring dry air and mainly dry weather for the Garden State. It will be "practically perfect". Temperatures will end up slightly below seasonal normals, feeling a bit September-ish by midweek. And there is one chance of a shower worth mentioning.
Starting on Thursday, we will see some changes. Our weather will become more humid and cloudier. And our next chance of widespread showers and thunderstorms will kick in Thursday afternoon.
Monday
If you liked Sunday's weather, I think you will like Monday a lot too.
Monday morning is comfortable and crisp and even downright cool. Temperatures to start the final day of the month are mainly in the 50s, with some 60s in cities and along the coast.
There have been some sprinkles passing through central and southern NJ early Monday morning. Just don't be surprised if you see or feel a few raindrops around.
High temperatures Monday afternoon will reach the lower 80s, with 70s at the beach. That is a touch below normal for the average-hottest time of the year. For the most part, we will enjoy partly sunny skies and bargain-basement humidity. A beautiful day.
There is one hesitation though: A popup shower or thunderstorm is possible. Especially in far South Jersey around dinnertime. It will be very isolated though — most of the state will stay high and dry.
Dry air will once again yield a cool overnight, with lows dipping to around 60 degrees.
Tuesday
August begins with another splendid day. With a mix of sun and clouds, high temperatures will make it to around 80 degrees. Humidity still low. Rain chances practically zero.
Forecast models do show the return of our archnemesis ... Canadian wildfire smoke. The plume arriving on Tuesday does not look that thick, and should be elevated. Therefore, the sky may turn hazier and more washed out, but air quality problems are unlikely.
Wednesday
One more low-humidity day. Wednesday looks to be the sunniest of the bunch. But also the coolest, with 50s in the morning and then upper 70s in the afternoon. Such beautiful weather would be typical for mid-September. Not really early August.
Thursday
Changes kick in on Thursday. First of all, it will turn more humid. Not quite to the "tropical" category, but you will probably notice more stickiness in the air.
Second, cloud cover will increase on Thursday too.
Third, high temperatures will bounce back to the almost-normal lower 80s.
And fourth, a few shortwaves through the second half of the week will drive a period of unsettled weather. So Thursday presents our next chance of widespread rain.
As it stands now, spotty to scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible starting Thursday afternoon, through Thursday night. There could be some pockets of heavy rain, if atmospheric moisture ramps up enough.
Friday & Beyond
Guidance keeps showers and thunderstorms around through Friday and possibly Saturday too. Even though neither day looks like a washout at this point, clouds, raindrops, and rumbles of thunder could keep temperatures down. And would make for less-than-stellar beach days.
Your best chance of a dry, seasonable weather day in the medium-range forecast is Sunday.
I do not see any sustained heat ridge building into New Jersey within the next 7 to 10 days. While there are a couple of tropical waves under investigation in the Atlantic basin, neither pose an imminent threat to the U.S. East Coast.
CHECK OUT: All the free beaches in New Jersey
Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter for the latest forecast and realtime weather updates. | https://nj1015.com/nj-weather-low-humidity-and-bright-skies-a-nice-summer-treat/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:59 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/nj-weather-low-humidity-and-bright-skies-a-nice-summer-treat/ |
- Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled $349.0 million as of June 30, 2023
- Announced positive interim data from BHV-7000 EEG biomarker study demonstrating evidence of central nervous system (CNS) target engagement, confirming previously reported preclinical and clinical data, and highlighting the paradigm-changing potential of BHV-7000 in the treatment of epilepsy and mood disorders
- Brain penetrant TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, BHV-8000, advanced into Phase 1 with projected therapeutic concentrations achieved and well-tolerated profile observed to date
- Advanced targeted extracellular protein degradation platform with potential to support numerous clinical candidates across a broad range of high unmet need indications
- Orphan drug designation (ODD) granted by the European Commission for taldefgrobep alfa a novel anti-myostatin adnectin, for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Type A meeting planned with FDA regarding troriluzole program in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) and enrollment in Phase 3 obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) trial expected to complete at end of 2023
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biohaven Ltd. (NYSE: BHVN) (Biohaven or the Company), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing therapies to treat a broad range of rare and common diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, and provided a review of recent accomplishments and anticipated upcoming milestones.
Vlad Coric, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biohaven, commented, "In less than a year since our spin-off, the Biohaven team has driven strong and consistent progress across multiple drug development platforms. We were excited to recently report positive interim data from the ongoing EEG biomarker study of our lead Kv7 activator, BHV-7000. As expected, BHV-7000 demonstrated CNS activity consistent with what has been reported in EEG studies with other Kv7 channel activators in development that are clinically effective in treating epilepsy and with other approved anti-seizure medications. Importantly, BHV-7000 demonstrates CNS target engagement but is not associated with the typical CNS adverse events associated with other ASMs, like somnolence and fatigue. We look forward to completing the higher dose groups in this EEG study and initiating Phase 2/3 studies with our once daily, extended-release oral formulation later this year."
Dr. Coric continued, "We also shared a number of equally exciting announcements across our broader pipeline this quarter. We successfully administered the first three doses in the SAD portion of our ongoing SAD/MAD study evaluating BHV-8000, an oral, brain-penetrant, dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor. Potential therapeutic concentrations of BHV-8000 were achieved and BHV-8000 was well tolerated with only mild adverse events reported, reinforcing our plans to start a Phase 2 clinical trial with BHV-8000 in Parkinson's disease and potentially other neuroinflammatory diseases in 2024. In addition, we have advanced IND enabling preclinical studies and remain on track to submit an IND with our IgG degrader, BHV-1300, later this year. We also anticipate submitting an IND with our IgA degrader in 2024 as we continue to advance multiple clinical degrader candidates across a wide range of indications. We also shared key updates for our taldefgrobep alfa program (an anti-myostatin) with enrollment completion in our pivotal study in SMA and a planned Phase 2 trial initiation in obesity."
"Finally, I want to reaffirm Biohaven's commitment to the SCA3 patient community in spite of the recent disappointing regulatory decision by the FDA not to review our submitted NDA. Given the seriousness of SCA3 and consistent treatment benefits observed across multiple prespecified outcome measures, including an 80% delay in disease progression over the one-year study period with substantial risk reduction in falls, we believe that full consideration of all available data is warranted for this ultra-rare disease. Biohaven has built its foundation around our patient mission and we plan to continue to work with regulatory agencies to try to advance troriluzole for individuals suffering from SCA3."
Second Quarter 2023 and Recent Business Highlights
- Announced positive interim data from EEG biomarker study with BHV-7000 - In July 2023, the Company provided a preliminary data update from the ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG) biomarker study for the Kv7 Channel Activator platform. Preliminary Phase 1 data confirmed evidence of target engagement in the central nervous system for subjects with projected therapeutic concentrations of BHV-7000 (based on the EC50 from preclinical models), measured by changes from baseline in EEG spectral power that occurred after dosing. These pharmacodynamic (PD) effects were similar to those reported in the literature for anti-seizure medicines (ASMs), including Kv7 activators in development that are clinically effective in treating epilepsy. BHV-7000's PD effects were also differentiated from those reported for other Kv7 activators including, specifically, the absence of increases in EEG spectral power in frequency bands associated with drowsiness and somnolence. Results from the low-dose group validate the preclinical hypothesis, confirm the Phase 1 SAD/MAD clinical data, and provide strong support for Biohaven's plans to initiate pivotal studies with BHV-7000 in focal epilepsy and bipolar disorder in the second half of 2023. The preliminary data highlight BHV-7000's differentiation and potentially favorable clinical profile compared to other ASMs, and the Company expects to present the complete EEG results by the end of the year. Additionally, new pharmacokinetic data from multiple clinical formulations being studied has now confirmed a once daily extended-release oral formulation that will be used in the Phase 2/3 clinical programs.
- Successfully dosed three cohorts with single ascending doses of oral, brain penetrant, dual TYK2/JAK1 agent, BHV-8000 - In July 2023, the Company announced that it successfully dosed three cohorts in the SAD portion of an ongoing SAD/MAD Phase 1 study evaluating brain penetrant TYK2/JAK1 agent, BHV-8000 in healthy volunteers. The ongoing Phase 1 study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and PD of single and multiple ascending doses of BHV-8000 in healthy volunteers. Based on the preliminary data available, projected therapeutic concentrations of BHV-8000 were achieved, and BHV-8000 was well tolerated with only mild adverse events reported. These data provide support for further development of BHV-8000, and the Company anticipates beginning a Phase 2 clinical trial with BHV-8000 in Parkinson's disease and potentially other neuroinflammatory diseases in 2024. The Company had previously reported initiation of dosing with BHV-8000 in the Phase 1 study at Biohaven's R&D Day in May 2023.
- Reported on continued progress observed with Biohaven's first-in-class bispecific IgG degrader, BHV-1300, as compound advances to IND filing in 2H2023 - In July 2023, the Company shared an update on BHV-1300's highly competitive safety, manufacturable and PD profile. The Company is assembling a pipeline of partially de-risked, follow-on IgG degraders as well as antigen-specific degraders providing both optionality and a sustainable output of drug candidates for several years. An IND application for BHV-1300 is on track for submission in 2023 and an IND application for Biohaven's IgA degrader on track for submission in 2024
- Type A meeting planned to comprehensively address FDA's concerns in connection with Troriluzole program in SCA3 - In July 2023, the Company announced that the FDA informed Biohaven it would not review the recently submitted New Drug Application (NDA) for troriluzole for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), an ultra-rare, genetically-defined, neurodegenerative disease associated with progressive disability, frequent falls, loss of ambulation, speech and swallowing impairment, and premature death that is the most common SCA genotype worldwide. The FDA informed Biohaven it would not review the application given that the study's primary endpoint was not met and thus, would not permit a substantive review. Biohaven is committed to working closely with the FDA to bring troriluzole to people with SCA3 as quickly as possible given no therapy is currently approved for this ultra-rare genetic disorder. Biohaven plans to request a Type A meeting to comprehensively address FDA's concerns cited in the refusal to file letter.
- EMA orphan drug designation granted for taldefgrobep alfa for the treatment of SMA: - In July 2023, the Company announced that taldefgrobep alfa received orphan drug designation (ODD) from the European Commission for taldefgrobep for the treatment of SMA. Taldefgrobep previously received Fast-Track and ODD from the FDA. At Biohaven's R&D Day, the Company announced plans to complete randomization of approximately 180 patients in global SMA trial.
Upcoming Milestones:
Biohaven is progressing its product candidates through clinical programs in a number of common and rare disorders. The Company plans to reach significant pipeline milestones in the coming periods. Biohaven expects to:
- Announce Phase 1 EEG study results by year-end 2023: The Company expects to present complete results from its ongoing EEG study with BHV-7000 in healthy volunteers by the end of the year.
- Initiate Phase 2/3 studies with BHV-7000 in the second half of 2023: Biohaven expects to initiate pivotal trials in patients with focal epilepsy and bipolar disorder in the second half of 2023.
- Submit IND with BHV-1300, the Company's lead extracellular degrader: The Company expects to submit an IND with pan-IgG degrader BHV-1300 in the second half of 2023 and expects to initiate Phase 2 studies in 2024.
- Submit IND with selective Gd-IgA1 degrader: The Company expects to submit an IND with a Gd-IgA1 degrader indicated for IgA nephropathy in the first half of 2024.
- Initiate Phase 2 study with BHV-8000: The Company commenced Phase 1 studies with BHV-8000, an oral, brain-penetrant, dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor for neuroinflammatory disorders, in the first half of 2023 and expects to initiate a Phase 2 study in Parkinson's disease in 2024.
- Submit IND with BHV-2100 in chronic pain: The Company expects to submit an IND with BHV-2100, a selective TRPM3 antagonist in the Company's ion channel platform, in the second half of 2023.
- Complete enrollment in Phase 3 study of troriluzole in OCD in 2023: Two Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of troriluzole in OCD are expected to enroll up to 700 patients (in each trial) across nearly 200 global study sites. The Company anticipates completing enrollment in at least one Phase 3 trial by year-end 2023.
- Complete enrollment in Phase 3 clinical study of taldefgrobep alfa in SMA: The Company expects to complete enrollment in the study of taldefgrobep in SMA in the second half of 2023.
- Continue advancements across multiple neuroscience and immunoscience indications: The Company's preclinical pipeline includes a platform of bispecific degraders of extracellular proteins directed against IgG, IgA and other targets, TRPM3 and Kv7 family of ion channels, and other undisclosed targets, including those with disease-modifying potential.
Capital Position:
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2023 was $349.0 million, including $13.9 million of restricted cash, and excluding $40.4 million of cash payable to Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (the Former Parent), compared to $467.9 million, including $2.5 million of restricted cash, and excluding $35.2 million of cash payable to the Former Parent, as of December 31, 20221.
Second Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights:
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses, including non-cash share-based compensation costs, were $79.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $177.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $10.3 million as compared to the same period in 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was higher in the second quarter of 2022 primarily because expense allocated from the Former Parent equity plan, prior to the spin-off, was based on equity awards with higher grant date fair values.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $20.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease of $5.5 million was primarily due to decreased non-cash share-based compensation costs. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $5.8 million as compared to the same period in 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was higher in the second quarter of 2022 primarily because expense allocated from the Former Parent equity plan, prior to the spin-off, was based on equity awards with higher grant date fair values.
Other Income (Expense), Net: Other income (expense), net was a net income of $5.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to net expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase of $5.9 million was primarily due to an increase in net investment income and an increase of $1.7 million in other income related to our transition services provided to the Former Parent, which is largely non-recurring.
Net Loss: Biohaven reported a net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2023, of $90.3 million, or $1.32 per share, compared to $203.3 million, or $5.16 per share, for the same period in 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $85.7 million, or $1.25 per share, compared to $182.5 million, or $4.63 per share for the same period in 2022. These non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share measures, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," exclude non-cash share-based compensation charges. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included in the tables below. For periods prior to Biohaven's spin-off from the Former Parent on October 3, 2022 (the "Spin-Off"), net loss per share and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share were calculated based on the 39,375,944 common shares of Biohaven distributed to the Former Parent shareholders at the time of the distribution, including common shares issued in connection with the Former Parent share options that were settled on October 3, 2022 and common shares issued in connection with the Former Parent restricted share units that vested on October 3, 2022. The same number of shares is being utilized for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for all periods presented prior to the Spin-Off.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and also certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Biohaven has provided non-GAAP adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, which are adjusted to exclude non-cash share-based compensation, which is substantially dependent on changes in the market price of common shares. Non-GAAP financial measures are not an alternative for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. However, Biohaven believes the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, when viewed in conjunction with GAAP results, provides investors with a more meaningful understanding of ongoing operating performance and can assist investors in comparing Biohaven's performance between periods.
In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among those indicators Biohaven uses as a basis for evaluating performance, and planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation between these non-GAAP measures and the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided later in this news release.
About Biohaven
Biohaven is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing therapies to treat a broad range of rare and common diseases. Biohaven's experienced management team brings with it a track record of delivering new drug approvals for products for diseases such as migraine, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia. The company is advancing a pipeline of therapies for diseases, many of which have limited or no treatment options, leveraging its proven drug development capabilities and proprietary platforms, including Kv7 ion channel modulation for epilepsy and neuronal hyperexcitability, glutamate modulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder and spinocerebellar ataxia, myostatin inhibition for neuromuscular diseases and metabolic disorders, and brain-penetrant TYK2/JAK1 inhibition for neuroinflammatory disorders. Biohaven's portfolio of early- and late-stage product candidates also includes discovery research programs focused on TRPM3 channel activation for neuropathic pain, CD-38 antibody recruiting, bispecific molecules for multiple myeloma, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), and targeted extracellular protein degradation platform technology (MoDE™) with potential application in neurological disorders, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of certain words, including "continue", "plan", "will", "believe", "may", "expect", "anticipate" and similar expressions, is intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the future development, timing and potential marketing approval and commercialization of development candidates, are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including: the expected timing, commencement and outcomes of Biohaven's planned and ongoing clinical trials; the timing of planned interactions and filings with the FDA; the timing and outcome of expected regulatory filings; complying with applicable U.S. regulatory requirements; the potential commercialization of Biohaven's product candidates; the potential for Biohaven's product candidates to be first in class therapies; and the effectiveness and safety of Biohaven's product candidates. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements are described in Biohaven's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including within the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this new release, and Biohaven does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
MoDEs is a trademark of Biohaven Therapeutics Ltd.
Investor Contact:
Jennifer Porcelli
Vice President, Investor Relations
jennifer.porcelli@biohavenpharma.com
+1 (201) 248-0741
Media Contact:
Mike Beyer
Sam Brown Inc.
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
+1 (312) 961-2502
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SOURCE Biohaven Ltd. | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/biohaven-reports-second-quarter-2023-financial-results-recent-business-developments/ | 2023-07-31T11:49:59 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/biohaven-reports-second-quarter-2023-financial-results-recent-business-developments/ |
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — West African nations have given Niger’s coup leaders one week to reinstate the country’s democratically elected president and have threatened to use force if the demands aren’t met.
The announcement came at the end of an emergency meeting of West African countries Sunday in Nigeria, where the regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, convened to respond to last week’s military takeover. President Mohamed Bazoum remains under house arrest and has yet to resign.
“In the event the authority’s demands are not met within one week, (the bloc will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force,” said the statement.
The bloc also imposted strict sanctions, including suspending all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger and freezing of assets in regional central banks.
Economic sanctions could have a deep impact on Nigeriens, who live in the third-poorest country in the world, according to the latest U.N. data. The country relies on imports from Nigeria for up to 90% of its power, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday.
“When people say there’s an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, it’s extremely difficult for people … Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community,” he said.
The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc has unsuccessfully tried to restore democracies in nations where the military took power in recent years. Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020.
In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war. In 2017, it intervened in Gambia to prevent the new president’s predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis on peace and security issues.
If the regional bloc uses force, it could trigger violence not only between Niger and ECOWAS forces but also civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say.
“While this remains to be a threat and unlikely action, the consequences on civilians of such an approach if putschists chose confrontation would be catastrophic,” said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank.
“I believe economic sanctions are the ones to be imposed, but don’t see a military intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger,” he said.
The military junta, which seized power on Wednesday when members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum’s house and detained him, is already cracking down on the government and civil liberties.
On Sunday, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said on state television that all government cars need to be returned by midday Monday and banned the use of social media to diffuse messages against state security. He also claimed that Bazoum’s government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum. The Associated Press can’t verify his allegations.
In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in the capital, Niamey, denouncing its former colonial ruler, France, waving Russian flags and telling the international community to stay away.
Demonstrators in Niger are openly resentful of France, and Russia is seen by some as a powerful alternative. The nature of Moscow’s involvement in the rallies, if any, isn’t clear, but some protesters have carried Russian flags, along with signs reading “Down with France” and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The situation of this country is not good … It’s time for change, and change has arrived,” said Moussa Seydou, a protester. “What we want from the putschists — all they have to do is improve social conditions so that Nigeriens can live better in this country and bring peace,” he said. | https://www.ksn.com/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/ap-west-african-nations-threaten-to-use-force-if-nigers-president-isnt-reinstated-within-a-week/ | 2023-07-31T11:50:01 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/ap-west-african-nations-threaten-to-use-force-if-nigers-president-isnt-reinstated-within-a-week/ |
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Blitz Insurance, a specialty insurance carrier, partners with Ascend to modernize payment experiences for insurance brokers selling in specialty markets. With this partnership, Blitz Insurance will open new customer segments by offering both direct bill and premium financing into their payments workflow.
"When we looked into the market for a solution, Ascend was the right choice. Ascend meets our needs for a better payments experience for our partners while reducing everyone's operational expenses," said Brandon Murphy, Chief Distribution Officer of Blitz Insurance. "We will now have the ability to not only expand to direct bill and a premium finance option but also simplify the movement of money between us and our partners."
With Ascend, Blitz Insurance is now able to provide a direct bill in addition to their existing agency bill workflow - allowing brokers to decide what billing method works best for them. By utilizing Ascend, Blitz Insurance not only grows their footprint of appointed brokers but also gains administrative efficiency by automating what would otherwise have been a large operational undertaking.
Ascend automatically attributes incoming payments to policies in real time, speeding up the reconciliation process. By modernizing the payments experience and speeding up the reconciliation of incoming premiums, Blitz Insurance can offer a best-in-class experience to its brokers and agents.
"We find that across the insurance ecosystem - companies want to provide a seamless payment workflow for their customers and their teams," said Andrew Wynn, co-CEO of Ascend. "Ascend is built so brokers and carriers can offer this experience without shouldering the administrative resources and costs needed to support these operations."
About Ascend
Ascend is the first insurance payments platform that automates financial operations from collections and financing to carrier and commission payables. Founded by two-time insurtech entrepreneurs Andrew Wynn and Praveen Chekuri, Ascend helps insurance brokers, MGAs, and carriers improve their bottom lines by eliminating expensive and labor-intensive payment workflows. To learn more, please visit LinkedIn, Twitter or check out https://www.useascend.com/.
About Blitz Insurance
Blitz is a tech-driven insurer revolutionizing the $60B specialty market catering to SME segment. By leveraging industry knowledge and cutting-edge technology, we deliver a simpler, smarter, and faster coverage experience.
The company is led by a veteran team of insurance and technology experts and has been funded with $25M from its founder & CEO, a Forbes-listed serial entrepreneur in the real estate and insurance industries.
Contact:
Mike Nguyen
press@useascend.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Ascend | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/blitz-insurance-partners-with-ascend-expand-payment-financing-offerings/ | 2023-07-31T11:50:03 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/blitz-insurance-partners-with-ascend-expand-payment-financing-offerings/ |
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Blitz Insurance, a specialty insurance carrier, partners with Ascend to modernize payment experiences for insurance brokers selling in specialty markets. With this partnership, Blitz Insurance will open new customer segments by offering both direct bill and premium financing into their payments workflow.
"When we looked into the market for a solution, Ascend was the right choice. Ascend meets our needs for a better payments experience for our partners while reducing everyone's operational expenses," said Brandon Murphy, Chief Distribution Officer of Blitz Insurance. "We will now have the ability to not only expand to direct bill and a premium finance option but also simplify the movement of money between us and our partners."
With Ascend, Blitz Insurance is now able to provide a direct bill in addition to their existing agency bill workflow - allowing brokers to decide what billing method works best for them. By utilizing Ascend, Blitz Insurance not only grows their footprint of appointed brokers but also gains administrative efficiency by automating what would otherwise have been a large operational undertaking.
Ascend automatically attributes incoming payments to policies in real time, speeding up the reconciliation process. By modernizing the payments experience and speeding up the reconciliation of incoming premiums, Blitz Insurance can offer a best-in-class experience to its brokers and agents.
"We find that across the insurance ecosystem - companies want to provide a seamless payment workflow for their customers and their teams," said Andrew Wynn, co-CEO of Ascend. "Ascend is built so brokers and carriers can offer this experience without shouldering the administrative resources and costs needed to support these operations."
About Ascend
Ascend is the first insurance payments platform that automates financial operations from collections and financing to carrier and commission payables. Founded by two-time insurtech entrepreneurs Andrew Wynn and Praveen Chekuri, Ascend helps insurance brokers, MGAs, and carriers improve their bottom lines by eliminating expensive and labor-intensive payment workflows. To learn more, please visit LinkedIn, Twitter or check out https://www.useascend.com/.
About Blitz Insurance
Blitz is a tech-driven insurer revolutionizing the $60B specialty market catering to SME segment. By leveraging industry knowledge and cutting-edge technology, we deliver a simpler, smarter, and faster coverage experience.
The company is led by a veteran team of insurance and technology experts and has been funded with $25M from its founder & CEO, a Forbes-listed serial entrepreneur in the real estate and insurance industries.
Contact:
Mike Nguyen
press@useascend.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Ascend | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/blitz-insurance-partners-with-ascend-expand-payment-financing-offerings/ | 2023-07-31T11:50:05 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/blitz-insurance-partners-with-ascend-expand-payment-financing-offerings/ |
MIAMI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) today announced that Carnival Corporation (the "Company") intends to commence the marketing of a new senior secured first lien term loan B facility (the "New First Lien Term Loan") with an original principal amount of $1.0 billion, expected to mature in 2027. In conjunction with the New First Lien Term Loan, and subject to market and other conditions, the Company may raise $500 million of other secured debt maturing in 2029 (together with the New First Lien Term Loan, the "Refinancing Transactions"). The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Refinancing Transactions to repay a portion of the borrowings under the Company's existing first-priority senior secured term loan facility maturing in 2025.
After the closing of the Refinancing Transactions, the Company intends to redeem all of the Company's 10.500% second-priority senior secured notes due 2026 and 10.125% second-priority senior secured notes due 2026 (collectively, the "2026 Notes"), saving over $120 million in interest expense on an annualized basis. The $1.2 billion of redemptions will be conditioned on the closing of the Refinancing Transactions. The Company expects to use cash on hand to finance the redemptions. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the 2026 Notes.
The Company's Chief Financial Officer David Bernstein commented: "Given the confidence we have in our business and its cash flow generation, we plan to retire $1.2 billion of our highest cost debt. In connection with this retirement, we plan to extend some of the lowest cost public debt in our portfolio. This is yet another step forward in our deleveraging journey, building on the $1.4 billion we already early retired this year. With this debt repayment, we now expect our year end debt balance to be less than $32.0 billion, an improvement over the November 30, 2023 debt balance of less than $33.0 billion provided in our June guidance."
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class leading cruise lines - AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises and Seabourn.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc and their respective subsidiaries are referred to collectively in this press release, as "Carnival Corporation & plc," "our," "us" and "we." Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to us, including some statements concerning the refinancing transactions described herein, future results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, reputation, cash flows, liquidity and other events which have not yet occurred. These statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these statements by using words like "will," "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "depends," "expect," "goal," "aspiration," "anticipate," "forecast," "project," "future," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "target," "indicate," "outlook," and similar expressions of future intent or the negative of such terms.
Forward-looking statements include those statements that relate to our outlook and financial position including, but not limited to, statements regarding:
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. This note contains important cautionary statements of the known factors that we consider could materially affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently, and in the future may continue to be, amplified by our substantial debt balance as a result of the pause of our guest cruise operations. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
- events and conditions around the world, including war and other military actions, such as the invasion of Ukraine, inflation, higher fuel prices, higher interest rates and other general concerns impacting the ability or desire of people to travel have led, and may in the future lead, to a decline in demand for cruises, impacting our operating costs and profitability;
- pandemics have in the past and may in the future have a significant negative impact on our financial condition and operations;
- incidents concerning our ships, guests or the cruise industry have in the past and may, in the future, negatively impact the satisfaction of our guests and crew and lead to reputational damage;
- changes in and non-compliance with laws and regulations under which we operate, such as those relating to health, environment, safety and security, data privacy and protection, anti-corruption, economic sanctions, trade protection, labor and employment and tax have in the past and may, in the future, lead to litigation, enforcement actions, fines, penalties and reputational damage;
- factors associated with climate change, including evolving and increasing regulations, increasing global concern about climate change and the shift in climate conscious consumerism and stakeholder scrutiny, and increasing frequency and/or severity of adverse weather conditions could adversely affect our business;
- inability to meet or achieve our sustainability related goals, aspirations, initiatives, and our public statements and disclosures regarding them, may expose us to risks that may adversely impact our business;
- breaches in data security and lapses in data privacy as well as disruptions and other damages to our principal offices, information technology operations and system networks and failure to keep pace with developments in technology may adversely impact our business operations, the satisfaction of our guests and crew and may lead to reputational damage;
- the loss of key team members, our inability to recruit or retain qualified shoreside and shipboard team members and increased labor costs could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations;
- increases in fuel prices, changes in the types of fuel consumed and availability of fuel supply may adversely impact our scheduled itineraries and costs;
- we rely on supply chain vendors who are integral to the operations of our businesses. These vendors and service providers may be unable to deliver on their commitments, which could negatively impact our business;
- fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely impact our financial results;
- overcapacity and competition in the cruise and land-based vacation industry may negatively impact our cruise sales, pricing and destination options;
- inability to implement our shipbuilding programs and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments may adversely impact our business operations and the satisfaction of our guests;
- Failure to successfully implement our business strategy following our resumption of guest cruise operations would negatively impact the occupancy levels and pricing of our cruises and could have a material adverse effect on our business. We require a significant amount of cash to service our debt and sustain our operations. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors, including those beyond our control, and we may not be able to generate cash required to service our debt and sustain our operations; and,
- the risk factors included in Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on January 27, 2023 and Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on March 29, 2023 and June 28, 2023.
The ordering of the risk factors set forth above is not intended to reflect our indication of priority or likelihood.
Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange rules, we expressly disclaim any obligation to disseminate, after the date of this document, any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our sustainability progress, plans and goals (including climate change and environmental-related matters). In addition, historical, current and forward-looking sustainability- and climate-related statements may be based on standards and tools for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions and predictions that are subject to change in the future and may not be generally shared.
SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc
View original content:
SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/carnival-corporation-amp-plc-announces-anticipated-debt-pre-payment-12b-refinancing-transaction/ | 2023-07-31T11:50:10 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/carnival-corporation-amp-plc-announces-anticipated-debt-pre-payment-12b-refinancing-transaction/ |
MIAMI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) today announced that Carnival Corporation (the "Company") intends to commence the marketing of a new senior secured first lien term loan B facility (the "New First Lien Term Loan") with an original principal amount of $1.0 billion, expected to mature in 2027. In conjunction with the New First Lien Term Loan, and subject to market and other conditions, the Company may raise $500 million of other secured debt maturing in 2029 (together with the New First Lien Term Loan, the "Refinancing Transactions"). The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Refinancing Transactions to repay a portion of the borrowings under the Company's existing first-priority senior secured term loan facility maturing in 2025.
After the closing of the Refinancing Transactions, the Company intends to redeem all of the Company's 10.500% second-priority senior secured notes due 2026 and 10.125% second-priority senior secured notes due 2026 (collectively, the "2026 Notes"), saving over $120 million in interest expense on an annualized basis. The $1.2 billion of redemptions will be conditioned on the closing of the Refinancing Transactions. The Company expects to use cash on hand to finance the redemptions. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the 2026 Notes.
The Company's Chief Financial Officer David Bernstein commented: "Given the confidence we have in our business and its cash flow generation, we plan to retire $1.2 billion of our highest cost debt. In connection with this retirement, we plan to extend some of the lowest cost public debt in our portfolio. This is yet another step forward in our deleveraging journey, building on the $1.4 billion we already early retired this year. With this debt repayment, we now expect our year end debt balance to be less than $32.0 billion, an improvement over the November 30, 2023 debt balance of less than $33.0 billion provided in our June guidance."
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class leading cruise lines - AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises and Seabourn.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc and their respective subsidiaries are referred to collectively in this press release, as "Carnival Corporation & plc," "our," "us" and "we." Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to us, including some statements concerning the refinancing transactions described herein, future results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, reputation, cash flows, liquidity and other events which have not yet occurred. These statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these statements by using words like "will," "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "depends," "expect," "goal," "aspiration," "anticipate," "forecast," "project," "future," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "target," "indicate," "outlook," and similar expressions of future intent or the negative of such terms.
Forward-looking statements include those statements that relate to our outlook and financial position including, but not limited to, statements regarding:
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. This note contains important cautionary statements of the known factors that we consider could materially affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently, and in the future may continue to be, amplified by our substantial debt balance as a result of the pause of our guest cruise operations. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
- events and conditions around the world, including war and other military actions, such as the invasion of Ukraine, inflation, higher fuel prices, higher interest rates and other general concerns impacting the ability or desire of people to travel have led, and may in the future lead, to a decline in demand for cruises, impacting our operating costs and profitability;
- pandemics have in the past and may in the future have a significant negative impact on our financial condition and operations;
- incidents concerning our ships, guests or the cruise industry have in the past and may, in the future, negatively impact the satisfaction of our guests and crew and lead to reputational damage;
- changes in and non-compliance with laws and regulations under which we operate, such as those relating to health, environment, safety and security, data privacy and protection, anti-corruption, economic sanctions, trade protection, labor and employment and tax have in the past and may, in the future, lead to litigation, enforcement actions, fines, penalties and reputational damage;
- factors associated with climate change, including evolving and increasing regulations, increasing global concern about climate change and the shift in climate conscious consumerism and stakeholder scrutiny, and increasing frequency and/or severity of adverse weather conditions could adversely affect our business;
- inability to meet or achieve our sustainability related goals, aspirations, initiatives, and our public statements and disclosures regarding them, may expose us to risks that may adversely impact our business;
- breaches in data security and lapses in data privacy as well as disruptions and other damages to our principal offices, information technology operations and system networks and failure to keep pace with developments in technology may adversely impact our business operations, the satisfaction of our guests and crew and may lead to reputational damage;
- the loss of key team members, our inability to recruit or retain qualified shoreside and shipboard team members and increased labor costs could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations;
- increases in fuel prices, changes in the types of fuel consumed and availability of fuel supply may adversely impact our scheduled itineraries and costs;
- we rely on supply chain vendors who are integral to the operations of our businesses. These vendors and service providers may be unable to deliver on their commitments, which could negatively impact our business;
- fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely impact our financial results;
- overcapacity and competition in the cruise and land-based vacation industry may negatively impact our cruise sales, pricing and destination options;
- inability to implement our shipbuilding programs and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments may adversely impact our business operations and the satisfaction of our guests;
- Failure to successfully implement our business strategy following our resumption of guest cruise operations would negatively impact the occupancy levels and pricing of our cruises and could have a material adverse effect on our business. We require a significant amount of cash to service our debt and sustain our operations. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors, including those beyond our control, and we may not be able to generate cash required to service our debt and sustain our operations; and,
- the risk factors included in Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on January 27, 2023 and Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on March 29, 2023 and June 28, 2023.
The ordering of the risk factors set forth above is not intended to reflect our indication of priority or likelihood.
Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange rules, we expressly disclaim any obligation to disseminate, after the date of this document, any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our sustainability progress, plans and goals (including climate change and environmental-related matters). In addition, historical, current and forward-looking sustainability- and climate-related statements may be based on standards and tools for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions and predictions that are subject to change in the future and may not be generally shared.
SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc
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SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/carnival-corporation-amp-plc-announces-anticipated-debt-pre-payment-12b-refinancing-transaction/ | 2023-07-31T11:50:12 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/carnival-corporation-amp-plc-announces-anticipated-debt-pre-payment-12b-refinancing-transaction/ |
LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The international known company Hilton Hotels & Resorts opens its doors to its Hilton Garden Inn La Romana hotel project in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with a group of important investors under the company Riverhome Capital S.A.S., whose main shareholder is the prominent Dominican former major league player, Edwin Encarnación; together with the vision of the lawyer Guillermo Estrella Ramia and the Minister of Tourism, David Collado.
The inauguration was led by Luis Abinader Corona, president of the Dominican Republic and who expressed that "This hotel has something very special, opening up the beach and the sector of La Caleta of La Romana, which for a long time was closed to the province and its visitors. Since private investment must always be accompanied by public infrastructure, we are working on creating them, so we are all part of this development of La Romana."
With an investment of 25 million united states dollars and the creation of more than 300 direct jobs, it is considered as a hotel option for the growing flows of tourists that the area is currently receiving. Located a short distance from other points of relevance, such as La Romana Airport 18 minutes away, Casa de Campo 12 minutes away and Central Romana just a few blocks away.
The new hotel facility has a privileged location on a 5,000 square meters property, located on the coast of the municipal district of La Caleta, La Romana province. With a capacity of 130 rooms, distributed in five of the seven floors of the building, it also counts with swimming pools, two bars, a restaurant, gym, event, meeting and multipurpose rooms, and outdoor areas, ideal for social and corporate celebrations.
The hotel responds to the interest of Edwin Encarnación to invest in the development of his province of origin, who expressed that "from the moment this project was presented to me, I knew that I had to be part and be the one to assume this. I joined the development of this hotel, with the only requirement that most of the workers came from here, from my town La Romana, and we achieved this."
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SOURCE Grupo De Valle | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hilton-garden-inn-la-romana-dominican-republic-celebrates-its-opening/ | 2023-07-31T11:50:17 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hilton-garden-inn-la-romana-dominican-republic-celebrates-its-opening/ |
LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The international known company Hilton Hotels & Resorts opens its doors to its Hilton Garden Inn La Romana hotel project in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with a group of important investors under the company Riverhome Capital S.A.S., whose main shareholder is the prominent Dominican former major league player, Edwin Encarnación; together with the vision of the lawyer Guillermo Estrella Ramia and the Minister of Tourism, David Collado.
The inauguration was led by Luis Abinader Corona, president of the Dominican Republic and who expressed that "This hotel has something very special, opening up the beach and the sector of La Caleta of La Romana, which for a long time was closed to the province and its visitors. Since private investment must always be accompanied by public infrastructure, we are working on creating them, so we are all part of this development of La Romana."
With an investment of 25 million united states dollars and the creation of more than 300 direct jobs, it is considered as a hotel option for the growing flows of tourists that the area is currently receiving. Located a short distance from other points of relevance, such as La Romana Airport 18 minutes away, Casa de Campo 12 minutes away and Central Romana just a few blocks away.
The new hotel facility has a privileged location on a 5,000 square meters property, located on the coast of the municipal district of La Caleta, La Romana province. With a capacity of 130 rooms, distributed in five of the seven floors of the building, it also counts with swimming pools, two bars, a restaurant, gym, event, meeting and multipurpose rooms, and outdoor areas, ideal for social and corporate celebrations.
The hotel responds to the interest of Edwin Encarnación to invest in the development of his province of origin, who expressed that "from the moment this project was presented to me, I knew that I had to be part and be the one to assume this. I joined the development of this hotel, with the only requirement that most of the workers came from here, from my town La Romana, and we achieved this."
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SOURCE Grupo De Valle | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hilton-garden-inn-la-romana-dominican-republic-celebrates-its-opening/ | 2023-07-31T11:50:19 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/hilton-garden-inn-la-romana-dominican-republic-celebrates-its-opening/ |
Georgia man electrocuted after jumping into lake
ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - A Georgia man is dead after jumping into Lake Lanier Thursday evening, WANF reports.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Thomas Shepard Milner jumped into the lake from his family’s dock near Dove Trail and was electrocuted when he entered the water.
A family friend told investigators they heard Milner scream for help and tried to get him out of the water using a ladder.
When that didn’t work, neighbors stepped in to help and took a boat out to Milner, the sheriff’s office said. The person in the boat jumped in the water to pull Milner out but reported feeling a burning sensation, which they immediately recognized as an electric shock.
After swimming to shore and turning off the power box near the dock, the person returned to the water to pull Milner back to shore, according to investigators.
Witnesses told authorities Milner’s uncle administered CPR until emergency medical crews got to the scene. The 24-year-old was rushed to Northside Forsyth Hospital. He died from his injuries the next day.
Milner’s mother, Martha Milner, told WANF her son was gentle and kind and loved the lake.
“Shepard was known for his quirkiness, his humor and his dedication,” she said.
According to Martha Milner, the dock at their lake property was less than three years old and outfitted with electricity by a licensed electrician.
Boaters like Chris Morris were saddened to hear about the death on Sunday.
“It’s a freak accident,” he said.
It is unclear why the water was electrified.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Copyright 2023 WANF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2023/07/31/georgia-man-electrocuted-after-jumping-into-lake/ | 2023-07-31T11:50:24 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2023/07/31/georgia-man-electrocuted-after-jumping-into-lake/ |