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Proceeds to Continue Advancing Community Goals and Vital Life-Saving Initiatives for New Yorkers In Need
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In just six months of sales, Housing Works Cannabis Co, a CAURD licensee and the first adult-use cannabis dispensary in the state of New York, has directed millions in cannabis proceeds toward some of New York City's most urgent community needs. As part of parent organization Housing Works, the dispensary's sales proceeds go directly to helping New Yorkers with healthcare, housing, job training, harm reduction, case management, advocacy for health equity and social justice initiatives, LGBTQ+ youth programs and sexual health services.
"Our goal, going back over 30 years ago through Housing Works, has been to empower New Yorkers through advocacy and bridge communities to life saving services," said Sasha Nutgent, Retail Manager at Housing Works Cannabis Co. "From the resources we've rolled out, to the brands we carefully select for our customers, everything we do here has a greater purpose and we're humbled to see the support our mission is receiving."
Sales & Consumer Trends
Within three hours of opening on Dec. 29, 2022, Housing Works Cannabis Co saw an estimated $40,000 in sales—amounting to over $1.6 million in the first month and an estimated $12 million in the first six months of operations. Conversion rates, sales and customer retention continue to be strong, with as many as 1,000 unique visitors on busy days.
Consumer trend insights from the Housing Works Cannabis Co team show that customers continue to make decisions based on potency, reflecting a need for more education on cannabis and its numerous uses. New Yorkers and tourists alike also tend to prefer sativa and sativa-leaning hybrid strains, with flower representing the top-selling product category. In addition, the team also found that those who come in seeking edibles typically look for products that promote sleep and mitigate anxiety.
Menu Expansion
More recently, the dispensary added 200 new products to its menu, bringing more options from queer-, BIPOC- and women-owned and led companies into the store for customers to discover. Housing Works Cannabis Co currently carries seven social equity brands, with more coming soon.
"One unforeseen challenge and a pain point for both retailers and customers has been product rollout," said Nutgent. "There have been major improvements with the state's product testing timeline, for example, but the feedback we still hear from some Black-owned brands is that there is not enough funding to get their products into the market."
Last month, Housing Works Cannabis Co introduced its first Black-owned brand, Brelixi—which is also woman- and queer-owned—onto its shelves. Other social equity brands include Fat Nell (women-led), The Weekenders (BIPOC-owned and -led), as well as Flamer and Drew Martin (queer-owned).
Delivery Service
With accessibility as another focal point for the nonprofit, Housing Works Cannabis Co also became the first legal cannabis delivery service to launch in the state. Handled fully in-house thanks to 30+ years of Housing Works' experience through its thrift furniture donation and pick-up program, deliveries currently account for about 5-7% of sales.
Spanning select ZIP codes in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, anyone over the age of 21+ with a valid ID can secure same-day and next-day delivery slots directly on Housing Works Cannabis Co's website.
"We've seen our delivery programs over the years forge meaningful and trusting relationships between our staff and thrift store patrons," said Charles King, CEO of Housing Works. "To see the same positive dynamic emerge between customers and budtenders reflects our roots in the city, our deep understanding of New York City culture and the community trust we continue to nurture."
For more information on Housing Works Cannabis Co, please visit: hwcannabis.co
About Housing Works Cannabis Co
Housing Works Cannabis Co is a recipient of New York State's CAURD social equity license initiative and the first legal cannabis dispensary to open in the state. Founded in 2022 as a bold new extension of Housing Works' established retail outlets—which include thrift store locations across the city and a bookstore in SoHo—proceeds from Housing Works Cannabis Co go directly to the nonprofit organization's mission to end social injustices through the provisioning of lifesaving services and relentless advocacy. For thirty years, Housing Works has provided housing, healthcare and other critical services to New Yorkers affected by AIDS, homelessness, substance abuse and criminal justice system involvement. The Housing Works Cannabis Co not only generates additional funding for these services, it does so while modeling the positive role cannabis can play in our communities. Learn more at hwcannabis.co
Media Contact:
Martha N. Marshall
Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency
martha@mygrasslands.com
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SOURCE Housing Works | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nonprofit-housing-works-cannabis-co-garners-12-million-sales-during-first-six-months-operation-new-york/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:06 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nonprofit-housing-works-cannabis-co-garners-12-million-sales-during-first-six-months-operation-new-york/ |
LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 9 Lives Interactive, formerly Rude Robot Studios, the developers behind the upcoming cats-and-mech multiplayer shooter, Nyan Heroes, are thrilled to announce their collaboration with Razer™, the leading lifestyle brand for gamers. Amid the gaming industry's transformational integration of gaming and Web3 technologies, this alliance signifies an innovative stride towards bridging this divide. Through their zVentures Web3 Incubator (ZW3I), Razer reiterates its dedication to blockchain adoption and commitment to providing diverse gaming experiences.
"Our collaboration with Razer is a major milestone in our journey," reveals Max Fu, CEO of Nyan Heroes. "With Razer by our side, we're emboldened to deliver gaming experiences that brim with joy and create lasting memories for our players."
Pre-alpha sign-ups are open, giving gamers an opportunity to experience the exciting adventure that awaits in the game. "We invite gamers to be part of the Nyan Heroes narrative as it evolves by joining us ahead of the official game release," says Fu.
Alongside this newfound collaboration with Razer, Nyan Heroes has embarked on a visual transformation. The rejuvenated graphics, underscored by joy, exploration, and camaraderie, encapsulate the spirit of the brand's refreshed gaming philosophy. The shift signals a departure from the traditional cyberpunk era, towards an enchanting, multiplayer adventure that beckons gamers worldwide to partake in the excitement.
Nyan Heroes' mission extends beyond gaming - they're committed to real-world change too. With a lofty goal to save one billion cats in real life, the company has already donated over $350,000 to animal welfare organizations, and they pledge to continue developing in-game features that enable players to participate in this impactful mission.
For more information or to sign up to playtest, visit nyanheroes.com or follow the developers on Twitter and Discord.
About Nyan Heroes
Nyan Heroes is a free-to-play hero shooter that combines fast-paced, competitive gameplay with a real-world impact. Developed by a remote team of seasoned game developers and powered by Unreal Engine 5 and blockchain technology, Nyan Heroes pays homage to cats and offers a AAA multiplayer experience with epic mech character classes, thrilling cat-like movement, and unique gameplay abilities.
The studio is committed to making a difference in saving one billion cats. $350K USD has already been donated to charitable organizations, including the Best Friends Animal Society. You can be a hero for cats everywhere and join the movement!
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SOURCE 9 Lives Interactive | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nyan-heroes-razer-team-up-marking-an-exciting-new-chapter/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:12 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/nyan-heroes-razer-team-up-marking-an-exciting-new-chapter/ |
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers is sticking by his offensive coordinator and firing his hardest throw of the summer at Sean Payton.
The Jets quarterback was bothered by critical comments Payton, the Denver Broncos’ head coach, recently made about offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Payton told USA Today for a story published Thursday that Hackett’s 15-game stint with the Broncos last season ”was one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.″
Payton also said there were “20 dirty hands” around Russell Wilson’s career-worst season, and took some shots at the Jets — Hackett’s new team where he and Rodgers are reunited after enjoying success together in Green Bay.
“It made me feel bad that someone who has accomplished a lot in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some sort of easy fall if it doesn’t go well for that team this year,” Rodgers told NFL Network on Sunday. “I think it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth.”
Rodgers, acquired by New York in April from Green Bay, said Hackett is “arguably my favorite coach I’ve ever had in the NFL.” The pair was together for two of Rodgers’ four NFL MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 with the Packers.
During the interview with USA Today’s Jarrett Bell, Payton also criticized the Jets being the latest NFL team “trying to win the offseason” — something he said the Broncos under Hackett tried to do and were “embarrassed.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh said Thursday “Hackett’s doing a phenomenal job here” when asked about Payton’s comments. He also said the Jets are just focused on themselves, but recognizes “there’s a lot of people that are hatin’ on us and a lot of people looking for us to fail.”
Payton on Friday said he regretted his comments in which he disparaged Hackett, and said he would reach out to Hackett and Saleh “at the right time” to do so.
“Listen, I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox hat on and not my coaching hat,” said Payton, who’s returning to the sideline this season after a year’s sabbatical during which he worked as a studio football analyst for Fox Sports following a 15-year stint with the New Orleans Saints.
Rodgers told NFL Network he thought Payton’s initial comments “were very surprising, for a coach to do that to another coach.”
Meanwhile, the back-and-forth made the Jets’ matchup in Denver in Week 5 on Oct. 8 a bit juicier. Payton acknowledged Friday his comments “certainly will bring more interest to the game when we play them, but that seems like years from now.”
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AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Englewood, Colorado, contributed.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-jets-aaron-rodgers-defends-nathaniel-hackett-and-fires-back-at-the-broncos-sean-payton/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:11 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-jets-aaron-rodgers-defends-nathaniel-hackett-and-fires-back-at-the-broncos-sean-payton/ |
First new nuclear unit in three decades is now online, providing safe, reliable,emission-free energy for electric cooperative consumers
TUCKER, Ga., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Oglethorpe Power, on behalf of the Georgia electric cooperatives it serves, commended the safe and successful achievement of commercial operation for Plant Vogtle Unit 3, which marks a historic accomplishment for the energy industry, the state of Georgia and the entire nation. Now in service, the Unit is available for safe and reliable dispatch and will provide emission-free, baseload power for Georgians for the next 60 to 80 years.
"Nuclear energy is increasingly important to the clean energy transition, and Oglethorpe Power's significant ownership in the Vogtle construction project is a testament to the important investments we're making that drive us toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future," said Oglethorpe Power President & CEO Mike Smith. "We understand the importance of keeping the lights on in a way that preserves both affordability and reliability – and we are proud that the clean energy generated by Unit 3 will help us deliver on that mission for years to come."
Nuclear power is a reliable, baseload energy resource. Unit 3 can generate emission-free electricity at full power 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When Unit 4 enters service, emission-free nuclear energy will account for nearly half of the energy Oglethorpe Power generates for its member cooperatives and the 4.4 million Georgians they serve. The company's investment in the new nuclear units underscores its commitment to fuel diversity and price stability.
As one of the largest clean energy projects in the nation, Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 represent the first advanced commercial nuclear project in the United States in more than thirty years. Once Unit 4 reaches commercial operation, Plant Vogtle will become the largest producer of emission-free energy in the United States.
"Oglethorpe Power commends the efforts of the dedicated men and women who make up the Plant Vogtle workforce. With Unit 3 online and operating safely, homes and businesses across Georgia will be powered by reliable, emission-free nuclear energy for decades," added Smith. "Additionally, with the recent receipt of the 103(g) finding for Unit 4, the site has achieved another critical milestone toward loading fuel, which means we are one step closer to Unit 4 joining Unit 3 in safe commercial operation."
Learn more at opc.com/nuclear.
About Oglethorpe Power
Oglethorpe Power is one of the nation's largest power supply cooperatives with more than $16 billion in assets serving 38 Electric Membership Corporations which, collectively, provide electricity to approximately 4.4 million Georgia residents. A proponent of conscientious energy development and use, Oglethorpe Power balances reliable and affordable energy with environmental responsibility and has an outstanding record of regulatory compliance. Its diverse energy portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric and coal generating plants with a combined capacity of more than 7,800 megawatts. Oglethorpe Power was established in 1974 and is owned by its 38 member systems. Its headquarters are in Tucker, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. For more information, visit www.opc.com.
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SOURCE Oglethorpe Power Corporation | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/oglethorpe-power-celebrates-commercial-operation-plant-vogtle-unit-3/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:18 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/oglethorpe-power-celebrates-commercial-operation-plant-vogtle-unit-3/ |
HOUSTON (AP) — Quarterback C.J. Stroud, taken second overall in this year’s draft, isn’t worried that the Panthers picked No. 1 selection Bryce Young as their starter on Day 1 of training camp while the Houston Texans are making him compete for the job.
“I’m happy for him, but his situation is his situation, and my situation is mine,” Stroud said Sunday. “So, I know that I’ve got to work on my end and do whatever I’ve got to do to make this team better. It’s not about the starter (or) who’s not the starter, it’s about getting better for Week 1 against Baltimore.”
Stroud is vying with Davis Mills to be the team’s quarterback. The Texans have split first-team snaps between the two in the first few days of camp.
Houston drafted Stroud after Mills struggled as the team’s starter for the past two years after Deshaun Watson sat out following a trade request before being shipped to Cleveland before last season.
Mills went 5-22-1 in 28 games, including 26 starts, as the Texans were among the NFL’s worst teams.
Stroud is just the third quarterback the Texans have drafted in the first round, joining Watson, taken 12th in 2017 and David Carr, the team’s first draft pick who was taken first overall in 2002.
After using such a high pick on Stroud it’s hard to imagine that he won’t end up as the team’s starter. But for now, new coach DeMeco Ryans is adamant that it’s an open competition between the former Ohio State star and Mills.
While Ryans won’t answer questions about what Stroud will have to do to win the job, he’s had plenty to say about the dedication the 21-year-old has shown since joining the team.
“What you see about C.J. is the work and preparation that he does when he’s not here,” Ryans said. “He’s a true football junkie. He loves football, always watching football, always asking for extra cut-ups from our coaches. I’m so impressed with the mental part of him and just how much he loves the game of football. When a guy has that much love for the game of football, he’s (only) going to continue to get better.”
Stroud was a two-year starter for Ohio State, where he threw for 8,123 yards with 85 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions as the Buckeyes went 21-4. His 85 touchdowns over two seasons broke a Big Ten record held by Drew Brees.
Despite competing with Mills for the job, the rookie said that he and fellow quarterback Case Keenum have both helped him a lot as he’s made the jump from college to the pros.
“I’ve learned everything from Davis,” Stroud said. “Davis and Case are great vets. And just because we may be competing against each other, doesn’t mean that we’re not going to learn from each other. I’ve had a really great time being in the room with those guys.”
Stroud certainly knows what’s at stake for him in this camp, but he’s trying not to let the competition change how he approaches his job day to day.
“I feel like when you try to have a different mindset you confuse yourself,” he said. “So, for me, I just try to keep my head down and I work — just try to work harder and harder every day. Just trying to … be the best person I can be on and off the field.”
As Stroud prepares for his first NFL season, he certainly has plenty of goals. However, his approach to goals has never been to list only lofty, far down the road ones.
“I have goals written down,” he said. “I did it in college and I’ll do it now. But I have a lot of things that I put down, like really small goals. I think the more you can accomplish small goals in your life, the big ones can come kind of natural. And they come as you get the small ones checked off.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-no-2-pick-stroud-competes-with-mills-for-starting-qb-job-with-houston-texans/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:18 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-no-2-pick-stroud-competes-with-mills-for-starting-qb-job-with-houston-texans/ |
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Smirta, a New Jersey-based digital health company committed to improving cancer patient care, is pleased to announce that OneOncology has selected Smirta as a preferred vendor to provide Smirta's OncoSmart® oncology infusion schedule optimization platform to the OneOncology network of physician practices. OneOncology is a national partnership created by independent community oncologists to strengthen oncology practices by helping them grow and deliver high-value cancer care services. The network includes more than 300 sites of care, empowering oncologists to learn from their peers and leverage their collective experience to address the pressures facing community oncology today and innovate for the future of cancer care delivery.
OncoSmart® is a data-driven digital transformation platform developed by Smirta, in close collaboration with Tennessee Oncology, that optimizes resources, increases capacity, and simplifies the complexities of cancer treatment clinic operations. OncoSmart®'s clinic management, optimization, nurse assignment, business intelligence, and resource management modules empower infusion centers to better manage critical clinical resources and deliver the best in cancer care.
"Understandably, every patient wants to be the first to get their infusion and every doctor wants to start their day early," said Jeff Patton, MD, CEO, OneOncology. "Consequently, we found our clinics contending with a tremendous, daily bottleneck through the afternoon. Smirta's OncoSmart® platform has been invaluable in establishing a superior scheduling process to smooth out the day and boost patient care by flattening the utilization curve so that the ratio of clinical staff to patients remains consistent and ramps more evenly throughout the day. We are thrilled to partner with Smirta and sponsor their technology, which will exponentially improve the standard of care and the scheduling metrics of cancer treatment clinics nationwide."
Stephen Schleicher M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Tennessee Oncology, a OneOncology partner practice, added: "The Smirta team are amazing to work with. They tailor their software to precisely what we need for our clinics and staff and have been incredibly responsive during the onboarding process. The software itself is very intuitive. Outside of the clinic level where it helps with treatment room capacity and nurse assignments, it also offers a system-wide look across the company, allowing us to see how all of our clinics are doing in terms of overtime, staffing, volume, and so on. Through Smirta and OncoSmart®, we really get to understand which clinics need help through a birds-eye view of how the company's doing from a patient experience and staff experience standpoint."
The A.I.-generated solutions provided by the OncoSmart® platform were created to support a diverse group of clinics with varying sizes and volume, as well as to optimize all service types including lab, MA, MD, treatment, and injections. OncoSmart® products have:
- reduced patient appointment delays and wait times
- unlocked infusion chair capacity
- reduced infusion treatments that extend beyond operating hours
- reduced overtime costs
- created a radically more balanced nurse load through schedule optimization
"Cancer care is inherently complex, with a confluence of problems manifesting most pronouncedly during peak times," said Ram Iyengar, Smirta, CEO. "Through our OncoSmart® platform, we can address and neutralize preventable bottlenecks, nursing attrition, and increased operational expenses while significantly improving patient satisfaction and quality of care. We are proud to partner with OneOncology in our combined mission to ensure the best possible treatment for cancer patients through enabling the most supportive, productive setting for all clinic staff."
Smitra has also already worked with another OneOncology partner practice, Piedmont Cancer Institute. The Atlanta-based cancer center's Chief Clinical Officer, Stephanie Braatz said: "The Smirta team has been so responsive and are very easy to work with. Their OncoSmart platform offers tools that streamline our infusion center operations, and their optimization tool has helped us effectively utilize our resources by balancing the patient load across different types of service.
"The business intelligence tool has identified bottlenecks, such as provider schedules, and has helped us find solutions to fix them. The nurse assignments tool has tremendously, and positively, affected the reduction of manual effort while showing us a view of the treatment room that we simply weren't able to see before. The entire team and suite of tools have added value," said Braatz.
About OneOncology
OneOncology was founded by community oncologists, for community oncologists, with the mission of improving the lives of everyone living with cancer. Its goal is to enable community oncology practices to remain independent and to improve patient access to care in their communities, all at a lower cost than in the hospital setting. OneOncology supports its platform of community oncology practices through group purchasing, operational optimization, practice growth, and clinical innovation. The network's 960 cancer care providers care for approximately 528,000 patients at more than 300 sites of care nationwide. To learn more, visit oneoncology.com or LinkedIn.
About Tennessee Oncology
Tennessee Oncology, PLLC is one of the nation's leading teams of cancer care specialists, nationally recognized for improving patient outcomes and driving quality of life innovation. In 2018 it created a partnership with OneOncology, a technology-powered, data-driven, alliance of America's foremost community oncologists. Its comprehensive range of cancer care services includes specialized oncology nursing care, laboratory services, pharmacy, outpatient chemotherapy, PET/CT services, palliative care, patient and family education, and financial support services. Founded in 1976, the practice's unique vision, introducing patient-driven care with a clinical trial focus, propelled Tennessee Oncology to lead one of the largest, physician-owned, community oncology practices in the country. Currently over 95 physicians in more than 30 locations share the privilege of serving adult cancer patients from South Central Kentucky through Middle Tennessee to Northwest Georgia. For a complete list of Physicians, locations, and services please visit: www.tnoncology.com
About Smirta
Smirta is a digital health company providing next-generation technology solutions to the healthcare industry. Its OncoSmart® suite of products are at the core of cancer treatment clinical operations optimizing millions of services annually.
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SOURCE Smirta; OneOncology | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/oneoncology-selects-smirta-its-innovative-oncosmart-platform-enhance-operational-efficiencies/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:25 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/oneoncology-selects-smirta-its-innovative-oncosmart-platform-enhance-operational-efficiencies/ |
ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Olson says it’s no mystery why he’s leading the majors in RBIs.
In Atlanta’s powerful lineup, Olson is often hitting with runners on base.
Olson drove in five runs with two homers, including a two-run shot in the eighth, and the Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-6 on Sunday to cap their sweep of the high-scoring series.
Olson has 35 homers, tops in the NL, and 88 RBIs. The Braves scored 29 runs in the three-game sweep in the matchup of NL contenders.
“There’s always dudes on base,” Olson said. “I feel like I’m rarely taking at-bats with the bases empty.”
The only player in the majors with more homers than Olson is Shohei Ohtani, with 39. Ohtani will bring the Los Angeles Angels into Atlanta for a series beginning Monday night.
With the sweep, the Braves won five of six against the Brewers in the last two weeks, including two of three in Milwaukee on July 21-23.
“You know you’re probably not shutting them out,” said Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich, who homered and drove in two runs.
Yelich said a “back-and-forth game” is likely against Atlanta. Sure enough, the Brewers lost despite holding leads of 1-0, 3-2 and 6-5.
“To keep roaring back, it’s a testament to how tough these guys are,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Atlanta (67-36) leads the NL East by 11 1/2 games over Miami. Milwaukee’s loss coupled with Cincinnati’s win at the Dodgers dropped the Brewers (57-49) into second in the NL Central.
Orlando Arcia led off the eighth with a double to left against Milwaukee’s Joel Payamps (4-2). With one out, Olson’s tiebreaking 35th homer landed in the Atlanta bullpen in right-center.
Payamps entered with a string of 17 consecutive scoreless appearances. He had allowed just seven hits in his last 18 innings.
Kirby Yates (5-0) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win. Raisel Iglesias earned his 20th save by striking out the side in the ninth.
Olson’s three-run homer lifted the Braves to a 5-3 lead in the third. He drove in Ronald Acuña Jr., who singled and stole second, and Austin Riley, who walked.
Collin McHugh blew the 5-3 lead by giving up three runs in the sixth. William Contreras doubled in two runs for Milwaukee.
Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna tied the game at 6 with his homer off Hoby Milner.
Riley continued his power surge for Atlanta by hitting his eighth homer in the last 11 games in the first, giving him 24 on the year. The two-run shot off Colin Rea carried 463 feet to left-center.
Rea allowed five runs in five innings.
Carlos Santana, acquired from Pittsburgh on Saturday, hit his first homer with the Brewers in the third. The liner over the right-field wall gave Milwaukee a 3-2 lead. Yelich led off the third with his 16th homer.
TRADE
Atlanta added veteran infielder Nicky Lopez in a trade with the Kansas City Royals. The Braves sent left-hander Taylor Hearn to Kansas City for the 28-year-old Lopez, who can play shortstop, second base and third.
ROOKIE RETURNS
Atlanta rookie AJ Smith-Shawver, recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett before the game, allowed three runs and four hits in five innings.
“He’s got a great way about him,” Snitker said of the 20-year-old right-hander. “There’s no panic in him. … There’s tremendous upside for him as he figures things out.”
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Thanks to Riley’s homer, the Braves have scored 109 first-inning runs, the most in the majors by any team in any inning. The Texas Rangers’ 90 fourth-inning runs are second on the list.
“We come in ready to swing and ready to do damage,” Ozuna said.
TRAINING ROOM
Brewers: LHP Wade Miley (left elbow) will come off the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday night at Washington. … RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) will pitch for Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday. … RHP Julio Teheran (right hip impingement) was placed on the 15-day IL. RHP Peter Strzelecki was recalled from Nashville.
UP NEXT
Brewers: RHP Corbin Burnes (9-6, 3.46 ERA) is scheduled to pitch Monday night’s opener of a three-game series at Washington against RHP Jake Irvin (3-5, 4.96 ERA).
Braves: Atlanta opens an interleague series against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night. Braves RHP Charlie Morton (10-8, 3.57 ERA) faces RHP Griffin Canning (6-4, 4.46 ERA). Morton is 4-1 with a 3.83 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP–Sports | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-olson-drives-in-5-with-2-hrs-including-go-ahead-shot-as-braves-sweep-brewers-8-6/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:26 | 0 | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-olson-drives-in-5-with-2-hrs-including-go-ahead-shot-as-braves-sweep-brewers-8-6/ |
New Oracle Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone solution reduces barriers to cloud adoption and enables mission owners to rapidly build compliant architectures
AUSTIN, Texas, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) has introduced a new Secure Cloud Computing Architecture (SCCA) for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The solution helps make security compliance and cloud adoption for mission-critical workloads easier, faster, and more cost effective by using a framework of cloud native services.
SCCA is a DoD security framework designed to provide a standard approach for boundary and application-level security for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Impact Level 4 and 5 data hosted in commercial cloud environments. Historically, SCCA compliance has required significant investment from DoD mission owners in the form of independent development efforts and third-party software licensing. The cost and time result in a significant challenge during cloud migrations.
Oracle Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone provides a framework for securely running DoD mission workloads and storing Impact Level 2, 4, and 5 data in OCI government regions. The automation provided by the solution enables DoD mission owners to establish a compliant security architecture in just a few hours or days, instead of months. It uses cloud native infrastructure services, significantly accelerating the time to deployment of mission critical workloads by reducing architecture time and minimizing decision points.
"Oracle Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone is a game changer for our customers. What we are doing is fundamentally different,"said Rand Waldron, vice president, OCI Global Government Sector. "We will deliver all the capabilities necessary for SCCA completely in native OCI services. Our customers will no longer have to manage multiple licenses, multiple vendor relationships, or multiple kinds of security configurations. Our SCCA solution will provide everything the customer needs to stand up an SCCA-compliant workload in the cloud.".
Learn more about Oracle's new Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone solution in the OCI SCCA Architecture Guide.
Simplifying and accelerating DoD security compliance
The Oracle Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone includes baseline configurations, rules, and templates that meet DISA Impact Level 2, 4 and 5 accreditation requirements. This is delivered using a standardized Infrastructure-as-Code (IAC) template that meets a set of SCCA controls in a simplified and repeatable way. Based on Terraform, OCI Landing Zones allow OCI customers to perform one click, best-practice deployments of multiple Oracle services at once. Customers can launch the templates from the Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone, answer a few simple questions about their configuration, and have an architecture set up same day.
The solution also addresses the four primary technical components of the SCCA framework; Cloud Access Point (CAP), Virtual Data Center Security Stack (VDSS), Virtual Data Center Management Service (VDMS), and Trusted Cloud Credential Manager (TCCM). Customers who deploy the secure baseline using the Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone are provided with an architecture guide, implementation guide, requirements checklist, reference architecture, and best practices to accelerate the accreditation of their application on OCI.
Security, compliance, consistent high performance, and simple, predictable pricing
The Oracle Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone script and associated technical documentation are provided at no separate or additional charge under a customer's contract. Underlying consumable cloud services used to stand up Oracle Cloud Native SCCA in a customer's tenancy may be billable in accordance with the customer's contract. Oracle Cloud for DoD services are priced at the same, consistent global pricing as Oracle's commercial public cloud regions and meet DISA Impact Levels 2, 4, and 5 and FedRAMP+ authorization standards.
Commercial customers can also take advantage of the automated security posture outlined above. All OCI customers can leverage custom security zones with the SCCA and other OCI Landing Zones that allow organizations to apply security policies and prevent changes that could weaken a customer's security configuration quickly and easily. Learn more about Oracle Landing Zones here.
Oracle Cloud Native SCCA Landing Zone scripts are available within the OCI Console, through GitHub, and from the Hosting and Compute Center (HaCC) website.
Additional Resources
- Oracle Cloud for DOD
- DISA IL5 Authorized Oracle Cloud for Government for U.S. Defense and Intelligence
- Oracle FedRAMP Authorizations
- Government Region Service Catalog
- Oracle and U.S. Defense Department continue their partnership with JWCC
About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com.
Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL, and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company--ushering in the new era of cloud computing.
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SOURCE Oracle | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/oracle-introduces-first-cloud-native-secure-cloud-computing-architecture-solution-us-dod/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:31 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/oracle-introduces-first-cloud-native-secure-cloud-computing-architecture-solution-us-dod/ |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sparked by the young guy and the old man, the Cincinnati Reds took over sole possession of first place in the NL Central.
Elly De La Cruz, the 21-year-old sensation, and Joey Votto, who turns 40 in September, helped the Reds rout the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-0 on Sunday. They won home and road series against the NL West-leading Dodgers this season.
“It’s big-time for us,” winning pitcher Graham Ashcraft said. “It keeps us going and gives us that edge to keep fighting.”
De La Cruz hit a two-run homer and went 4 for 5 in his third game of the season with four hits. He also scored twice as the Reds rapped out 14 hits in handing the Dodgers their worst loss since a 15-0 defeat to San Francisco on June 17.
De La Cruz broke out of the struggles he’s had since the All-Star break, while Votto shook off his offensive funk with a two-run shot. Votto went 2 for 5 with three RBIs.
“He knows how to come out of those slumps. He gives us ideas and tips on how we can get out of there too,” De La Cruz said. “He helps me and if there’s something I can help him out with, I’ll tell him, too.”
Votto respects the equanimity shown by his much younger teammates.
“During the rough spells, these guys have been the exact same people every day,” he said. “It’s a very young team. The energy is consistent. That’s the really charming part about it. Every single day from spring training, the optimism has been there.”
Ashcraft (6-7) scattered five hits over six innings and struck out two.
The Dodgers hit into three double plays on Friday and three more Sunday. They managed just two hits in a 3-2 loss Saturday. They didn’t get a runner past second base over the final five innings in the finale.
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas made his first career pitching appearance in the ninth. He nearly hit Votto before the designated hitter answered with an RBI double that made it 9-0. Rojas then hit Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
Dodgers starter Michael Grove (2-3) got hit hard over the first three innings. Three pitches into the game, the Reds led 1-0 on TJ Friedl’s RBI double. Friedl scored on a throwing error by center fielder James Outman, and Matt McLain hustled home on Spencer Steer’s groundout to third.
“Too many pitches to hit with guys on base. I got to shore that up,” Grove said. “My attack plan wasn’t great early and I just got put on defense to start with and had to adjust. I got punished cause I was leaving pitches over the plate.”
De La Cruz’s solo shot traveled 411 feet into the right-field pavilion with two outs in the second. It was De La Cruz’s seventh homer.
McLain hit his 11th homer into the Dodgers bullpen in left leading off the third. Votto’s 418-foot shot into the Reds bullpen in right field scored Jake Fraley, who singled, and extended the lead to 7-0.
Votto was robbed of a potential second homer on Outman’s leaping catch at the top of the wall in right-center in the fifth.
The Reds led 8-0 on Friedl’s RBI double with two outs in the sixth.
Grove gave up eight runs and 10 hits in six innings. The rookie right-hander struck out a career-best 10 and walked one on a career-high 96 pitches.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: INF Jonathan India went on the IL with left heel pain.
Dodgers: DH J.D. Martinez left after the first inning with left hamstring tightness. … C Will Smith left the game in the top of the fourth with a left elbow contusion after getting hit by a pitch. X-rays were negative. … OF Mookie Betts (right ankle soreness) was out of the lineup for the second straight day. He got hurt in the batter’s box trying to avoid a pitch on Friday, but is expected back Tuesday. … LHP Julio Urías is having his next start pushed back a couple days while he deals with a nail issue. … LHP Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) played catch.
UP NEXT
Reds: LHP Andrew Abbott (6-2, 1.90 ERA) starts Monday night in the opener of a four-game series at the Chicago Cubs.
Dodgers: RHP Lance Lynn (6-9, 6.47 ERA) makes his Dodgers debut Tuesday in an interleague series opener against Oakland.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-reds-beat-dodgers-9-0-on-homers-by-de-la-cruz-and-votto-grab-nl-central-lead-over-brewers/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:33 | 0 | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-reds-beat-dodgers-9-0-on-homers-by-de-la-cruz-and-votto-grab-nl-central-lead-over-brewers/ |
Biden goes west to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures, the White House said Monday.
Biden is expected to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, America’s most significant response to climate change, and the push toward more clean energy manufacturing. The act aims to spur clean energy on a scale that will bend the arc of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
July has been the hottest month ever recorded. Biden last week announced new steps to protect workers in extreme heat, including measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.
Members of Biden’s administration also are fanning out over the next few weeks around the anniversary of the landmark climate change and health care legislation to extol the administration’s successes as the Democratic president seeks reelection in 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Wisconsin this week with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to talk about broadband infrastructure investments. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack goes to Oregon to highlight wildfire defense grants, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to Illinois and Texas, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona heads to Maryland to talk about career and technical education programs.
The Inflation Reduction Act included roughly $375 billion over a decade to combat climate change and capped the cost of a month’s supply of insulin at $35 for older Americans and other Medicare beneficiaries. It also helps an estimated 13 million Americans pay for health care insurance by extending subsidies provided during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure is paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement of wealthy individuals and entities, with additional funds going to reduce the federal deficit.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.weau.com/2023/07/31/biden-goes-west-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-combat-climate-change/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:35 | 1 | https://www.weau.com/2023/07/31/biden-goes-west-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-combat-climate-change/ |
IRVINE, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Companies, a leading healthcare staffing and recruiting firm specializing in locum tenens and permanent hire opportunities for physicians and advanced practice providers, is pleased to announce its inclusion in the 2023 Largest Locum Tenens Staffing Firms in the US list compiled by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA). This ranking coincides with Pacific Companies' recent expansion into new office facilities in Irvine, CA, and Dallas, TX, to accommodate its expanding team and growth.
As the global research and advisory firm focused on staffing and workforce solutions, SIA releases an annual list ranking healthcare staffing firms by estimated revenue in the latest full calendar year. Pacific Companies' inclusion on the locum tenens segment of the list demonstrates its leadership in the locum tenens industry and its dedication to delivering superior healthcare staffing solutions to hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities nationwide.
"We are delighted to rank as one of the largest locum tenens staffing firms in the US," said Gary Cook, CEO of Pacific Companies. "This achievement is a testament to our team's hard work, dedication, and commitment to providing exceptional locum tenens services to our clients. We remain focused on our mission to connect healthcare systems with the highly skilled and qualified physicians they need to deliver quality patient care."
"Locum tenens continues to be an area of tremendous growth for our organization as more healthcare systems find locums as an efficient way to fill in any staffing gaps quickly," said John Paulk, COO of Pacific Companies. "Our commitment to providing top-notch locum tenens services has allowed us to forge strong partnerships with healthcare facilities nationwide. As we move forward, Pacific Companies remains dedicated to expanding our network of highly skilled locum tenens professionals and delivering comprehensive staffing solutions that address the evolving needs of the healthcare industry."
Pacific Companies has been at the forefront of the locum tenens staffing industry, leveraging its extensive network of expert recruiters to match highly qualified physicians with healthcare facilities in need. With a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape, Pacific Companies has consistently demonstrated its ability to meet the evolving staffing demands of the industry and maintain strong relationships with clients and providers.
As Pacific Companies celebrates this prestigious accolade, the company remains dedicated to delivering innovative staffing solutions, fostering long-term partnerships, and upholding the highest standards of quality and integrity in the locum tenens industry.
For more information about Pacific Companies and its services, please visit www.pacificcompanies.com.
About Pacific Companies:
Pacific Companies is a leading healthcare staffing and recruiting firm specializing in locum tenens and permanent placement. With over 20 years of experience, Pacific Companies offers comprehensive staffing solutions to healthcare facilities across the United States. The company's team of industry experts is committed to providing exceptional service and matching highly skilled healthcare professionals with healthcare facilities in need.
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SOURCE Pacific Companies | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pacific-companies-ranked-sias-2023-largest-locum-tenens-staffing-firms-list/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:38 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pacific-companies-ranked-sias-2023-largest-locum-tenens-staffing-firms-list/ |
Yellow is shutting down and headed for bankruptcy, the Teamsters Union says. Here’s what to know
NEW YORK (AP) — Trucking company Yellow Corp. has shut down operations and is headed for a bankruptcy filing, according to the Teamsters Union and multiple media reports.
After years of financial struggles, reports of Yellow preparing for bankruptcy emerged last week — as the Nashville, Tennessee-based trucker saw customers leave in large numbers. Yellow shut down operations on Sunday, according to the Wall Street Journal, following the layoffs of hundreds of nonunion employees on Friday.
In an announcement early Monday, the Teamsters said that the union received legal notice confirming Yellow was ceasing operations and filing for bankruptcy.
“Today’s news is unfortunate but not surprising. Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government,” Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry.”
The Associated Press reached out to Yellow for comment on Monday. No bankruptcy filings had gone live as of the early morning.
The bankruptcy reports have renewed attention around Yellow’s ongoing negotiations with unionized workers, a $700 million pandemic-era loan from the government and other bills the trucker has racked up over time. Yellow, formerly known as YRC Worldwide Inc., is one of the nation’s largest less-than-truckload carriers. The company’s reported closure puts 30,000 jobs at risk.
Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT WOULD BANKRUPTCY MEAN FOR YELLOW?
According to Satish Jindel, president of transportation and logistics firm SJ Consulting, Yellow handled an average of 49,000 shipments per day in 2022. Last week, he estimated that number was down to between 10,000 and 15,000 daily shipments.
With customers leaving — as well reports of Yellow stopping freight pickups last week — bankruptcy would “be the end of Yellow,” Jindel told The Associated Press, noting increased risk for liquidation.
“The likelihood of them surviving and remaining solvent diminishes really by the day,” added Bruce Chan, a research director at investment banking firm Stifel.
Yellow declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press on Friday. In a Wednesday statement to The Journal, the company said it was continuing “to prepare for a range of contingencies.” On Thursday, Yellow said it was in talks with multiple parties about selling its third-party logistics organization.
Even if Yellow was able to sell its logistics firm, it would “not generate a sufficient amount of cash to keep them operational on any sort of permanent basis,” Chan said. “Without a major equity injection, it would be very difficult for them to survive.”
HOW MUCH DEBT DOES YELLOW HAVE?
As of late March, Yellow had an outstanding debt of about $1.5 billion. Of that, $729.2 million was owed to the federal government.
In 2020, under the Trump administration, the Treasury Department granted the company a $700 million pandemic-era loan on national security grounds. Last month, a congressional probe concluded that the Treasury and Defense Departments “made missteps” in this decision — and noted that Yellow’s “precarious financial position at the time of the loan, and continued struggles, expose taxpayers to a significant risk of loss.”
The government loan is due in September 2024. As of March, Yellow had made $54.8 million in interest payments and repaid just $230 million of the principal owed, according to government documents.
Yellow’s current finances and prospect of bankruptcy “is probably two decades in the making,” Chan said, pointing to poor management and strategic decisions dating back to the early 2000s. “At this point, after each party has bailed them out so many times, there is a limited appetite to do that anymore.”
In May, Yellow reported a loss of $54.6 million, a decline of $1.06 per share, for its first quarter of 2023. Operating revenue was about $1.16 billion in the period.
A Wednesday investors note from financial service firm Stephens estimated that Yellow could be burning between $9 million and $10 million each day. Using a liquidity disclosure from earlier this month, Yellow had roughly $100 million in cash at the end of June, the note added — estimating that the company has been burning through increasing amounts of money through July.
“It is reasonable to believe that the Company could breach its $35 mil. liquidity requirement at any moment,” Stephens analyst Jack Atkins and associate Grant Smith wrote.
DID THE COMPANY JUST AVERT A STRIKE?
Last week’s reports of bankruptcy preparations arrived just days after a strike from the Teamsters, which represents Yellow’s 22,000 unionized workers, was averted.
A series of heated exchanges have built up between the Teamsters and Yellow, who sued the union in June after alleging it was “unjustifiably blocking” restructuring plans needed for the company’s survival. The Teamsters called the litigation “baseless” — with O’Brien pointing to Yellow’s “decades of gross mismanagement,” which included exhausting the $700 million federal loan.
On July 23, a pension fund agreed to extend health benefits for workers at two Yellow Corp. operating companies, averting a strike — and giving Yellow “30 days to pay its bills,” notably $50 million that Yellow failed to pay the Central States Health and Welfare Fund on July 15, the union said. While the strike didn’t occur, talks of a walkout may have caused some Yellow customers to pull back, Chan said.
“The financial struggles of Yellow are not related to the union and the contracts,” Jindel said, pointing to management’s responsibility around its services and prices. He added the union wages from Yellow are “lower than any competitor.”
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YELLOW WENT UNDER?
As Yellow customers take their shipments to other carriers, like FedEx or ABF Freight, prices will go up.
Yellow’s prices have historically been the cheapest compared to other carriers, Jindel said. “That’s why they obviously were not making money,” he added. “And while there is capacity with the other LTL carriers to handle the diversions from Yellow, it will come at a high price for (current shippers and customers) of Yellow.”
Chan adds that we’re in an interesting time for the LTL marketplace — noting that, if Yellow liquidates, “the freight would find a home” with other carriers, which may not have been true in recent years.
“It may take time, but there’s room for it to be absorbed,” he said.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.weau.com/2023/07/31/yellow-is-shutting-down-headed-bankruptcy-teamsters-union-says-heres-what-know/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:41 | 1 | https://www.weau.com/2023/07/31/yellow-is-shutting-down-headed-bankruptcy-teamsters-union-says-heres-what-know/ |
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — Defending Formula One champion Max Verstappen enters the mid-season break in unstoppable form, after emphatically winning the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday for an eighth straight win and 10th overall of a crushingly dominant season.
Despite starting from sixth place he finished 22.3 seconds ahead of teammate Sergio Perez to give Red Bull an easy 1-2. It moved Verstappen ominously closer to a third straight world title and his own F1 record of 15 wins from last year.
Verstappen is 125 points ahead of Perez after just 12 races, and his next target is matching Sebastian Vettel’s F1 record of nine straight wins with a victory at the Dutch GP when the lopsided season resumes on Aug. 27.
“I just want to have a nice time now, have a bit of time with family and friends,” Verstappen said.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc finished in third spot for a third podium of the season, with Lewis Hamilton in fourth for Mercedes ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
George Russell was sixth for Mercedes, with Lando Norris (McLaren), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) completing the top 10.
Leclerc started on pole ahead of Perez, with Hamilton and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. behind them. McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri was on the next row alongside Verstappen — who was fastest in Friday’s qualifying but took a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change and had to avoid early traffic.
“It was just about surviving turn one. I could see it was all getting really tight,” Verstappen said. “I’ve been in that position before myself so I am just going to stay out of that and it worked out. From there onwards I made the right overtakes.”
Last year Verstappen won from 14th, and once he overtook Perez on Lap 17 of 44 his 45th career win was seemingly inevitable.
“Really enjoyable to drive once I got in the lead,” Verstappen said. “It was again a great race.“
Red Bull extended its record to 13 straight wins, including the final race of last season.
Hamilton came in on the penultimate lap for a tire change and the move paid off as he took the bonus point for fastest lap from Verstappen — a very minor blip for the dominant Dutchman.
It was yet another stellar weekend for Verstappen, who also won Saturday’s sprint race. The only issue was some more bickering with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase over radio, as they continued their spat from Friday’s qualifying.
“Don’t forget Max, use your head, please,” Lambiase told Verstappen when he questioned why Perez was making his first tire change on Lap 14.
Verstappen defused any talk of tension with Lambiase.
“It’s fine. We know each other very well and we have a very good relationship,” he said. “I think it’s really important.”
With some rain forecast, Verstappen boxed on the next lap and came out about 2 seconds behind Perez. Just minutes later he cruised past Perez and, as so often this season, the rest was just about control.
Perez, meanwhile, pledged to stay on the podium for the rest of the season.
“It’s been a bit of a rough patch,” the 33-year-old Mexican said. “I really need this summer break, it’s been really intense. I’ll come back really strong for Zandvoort.”
Conditions were dry for the race start, in stark contrast to the two previous days, which were impacted by heavy rain at the 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Leclerc, who won his first F1 race here in 2019, made a solid start but Perez’s extra pace soon put him in front.
“I knew it was quite crucial for my race to get Charles on Lap 1,” Perez said.
Verstappen rose two places to fourth after Sainz bumped into Piastri on the first corner.
Piastri had to retire, while Verstappen overtook Hamilton on Lap 6, Leclerc three laps later and made short work of Perez just before some rain fell briefly.
Some good overtaking from Ocon moved the Frenchman up from 10th to eighth in the closing stages.
It was an early end for Piastri, who had impressed with a second place in Saturday’s sprint race.
A bad day for Sainz saw him retiring on Lap 25 and Leclerc moving above him in the standings.
“Of course the race was good on my side, a shame for Carlos as we had good pace,” Leclerc said. “When you look at the Red Bulls we still have a lot of work to do … This was the best we could achieve today, no doubt.”
After the F1 break there will be 10 races left, but most of the competition for places will be behind Verstappen.
Alonso is one point ahead of Hamilton in third overall, with Leclerc and Russell level and Sainz seven points behind them.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-verstappen-wins-belgian-gp-to-extend-huge-f1-lead-red-bull-teammate-perez-2nd/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:40 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-verstappen-wins-belgian-gp-to-extend-huge-f1-lead-red-bull-teammate-perez-2nd/ |
Damola Adamolekun to Step Down as CEO; Rohit Manocha Appointed Interim CEO
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. (the "Company") today announced that Damola Adamolekun has decided to step down as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") effective August 1st, 2023. The Board has appointed Rohit Manocha, a shareholder representative and P.F. Chang's board member since 2019, to serve as interim CEO and is working with an independent recruitment firm to conduct a comprehensive search for a successor. Mr. Adamolekun will return to Paulson & Co. Inc. ("Paulson") as a Partner focusing on investments.
"On behalf of the Board and the entire P.F. Chang's team, I want to thank Damola for his invaluable contributions since he joined the Company," said John Paulson, Board Chairman and President of Paulson. "Damola stepped in as CEO in the midst of the Covid-induced economic shut down and successfully pivoted the business to off-premise dining to continue to serve customers and stabilize cash flow. Subsequently, he returned the Company to growth through a total brand refresh and new restaurant openings that position P.F. Chang's for long-term success. We are grateful for his leadership of the Company during this period."
"I'm immensely proud of all that we've accomplished to elevate the customer experience, to build-out the Company's technology infrastructure to enable a robust takeout and delivery business, and to expand our international footprint," said Mr. Adamolekun. "It's been an honor to lead P.F. Chang's, and I wholeheartedly believe the strong team we have in place will continue to drive success in the future."
Mr. Manocha said, "The P.F. Chang's brand and restaurant network are in a great position, and I look forward to working closely with our talented team to build on our momentum, drive increased traffic and transition the Company to its next world class leader. Most importantly, we will continue to make our customers' lives better through iconic, authentic food and joyful hospitality."
Mr. Manocha is a seasoned leader with deep experience in the restaurant, retail and investment industries. He is the Co-founder of TriArtisan Capital Advisors, a private investment firm, and his responsibilities include serving as chairman of TGI Fridays and a board member of Dover Saddlery and of Mears Transportation.
In the four and half years since acquisition, the Company has invested more than $200mm to open more than ten bistros and two flagships, revitalized the existing store fleet, and upgraded the menu and experience in restaurants to provide customers with the highest quality Asian food in an entertaining and celebratory setting. The Company has significantly expanded its takeout and delivery business, launching a small-footprint P.F. Chang's To Go format so more customers can enjoy P.F. Chang's anywhere. The Company is now in an ideal position to continue to grow and take advantage of the substantial opportunity to bring the P.F. Chang's experience worldwide.
About P.F. Chang's
Founded in 1993 by Philip Chiang and Paul Fleming, P.F. Chang's is the first internationally recognized multi-unit Asian culinary brand to honor and celebrate the 2,000-year-old tradition of wok cooking as the center of the guest experience. With roots in Chinese cuisine, today's menu at P.F. Chang's spans across all of Asia, honoring cultures and recipes from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and beyond. Each item offers a unique exploration of flavor, whether it's a handcrafted cocktail, wok-fired lunch bowl, or celebratory multi-course dinner. Worldwide, P.F. Chang's has more than 300 restaurants in 22 countries and U.S. airport locations, including a growing number of convenient P.F. Chang's To Go locations offering takeout and delivery. For more P.F. Chang's news, visit pfchangs.com.
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SOURCE P.F. Chang’s | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pf-changs-announces-ceo-transition/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:44 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pf-changs-announces-ceo-transition/ |
Brewers vs. Nationals: Betting Trends, Odds, Records Against the Run Line, Home/Road Splits
The Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals will send Corbin Burnes and Jake Irvin, respectively, to the mound when the two squads play on Monday at Nationals Park, at 7:05 PM ET.
The Brewers are -200 moneyline favorites in this matchup with the Nationals (+165). The total is 9 runs for this game.
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Brewers vs. Nationals Odds & Info
- Date: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Time: 7:05 PM ET
- TV: MASN2
- Location: Washington D.C.
- Venue: Nationals Park
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
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Brewers Recent Betting Performance
- The Brewers have played as the favorite in three of their past 10 games and won two of those contests.
- In their last 10 games with a total, the Brewers and their opponents have combined to hit the over four times.
- There has not been a spread set for any of the Brewers' last 10 games. Milwaukee and its opponent have finished above the over/under in three games in a row, with the average total set by oddsmakers during that span being 10.3.
Explore More About This Game
Brewers Betting Records & Stats
- The Brewers are 29-20 in games they were listed as the moneyline favorite (winning 59.2% of those games).
- When it has played as moneyline favorites with odds of -200 or shorter, Milwaukee has a 2-2 record (winning 50% of its games).
- Based on this matchup's moneyline, the Brewers have an implied win probability of 66.7%.
- In the 106 games in which oddsmakers have set an over/under for Milwaukee, it has combined with opponents to go over the total 44 times (44-57-5).
- The Brewers have a 4-6-0 record against the spread this season (covering 40% of the time).
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Brewers Splits
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.weau.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/brewers-vs-nationals-mlb-betting-trends-stats/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:48 | 0 | https://www.weau.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/brewers-vs-nationals-mlb-betting-trends-stats/ |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have given outside linebacker Danielle Hunter a hefty pay raise, paving the way for the team’s best pass rusher to participate in practice after a months-long contract stalemate.
The Vikings announced Sunday on their website that they reached a new deal with Hunter, the three-time Pro Bowl pick with 71 sacks who will turn 29 in three months.
Hunter reported to training camp last week on schedule after skipping the offseason program and mandatory minicamp, but he has yet to join his teammates on the field. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Saturday that Hunter has been “in the building” and that they’ve been in “daily dialogue” about his physical and mental preparation.
“Danielle Hunter is a very special player, and as soon as we can get him out here, you guys will see him out here,” O’Connell said.
Hunter’s previous contract called for a $4.9 million base salary. According to NFL Network, he’ll make $17 million guaranteed this year with an opportunity to earn an additional $3 million in incentives. Hunter will still hit the free agent market after the season, unless he and the team strike a deal on an extension in the meantime.
Hunter’s presence will be vital for a Vikings defense that has been one of the NFL’s worst over the past three years. They allowed the second-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league in 2022, despite decent production by their primary edge rushers. Hunter had 10 1/2 sacks, Za’Darius Smith had 10 sacks and backups D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones had four sacks apiece.
Smith was since traded to Cleveland in a cost-cutting move, leaving Hunter as the only proven pass rusher on the roster. Marcus Davenport was signed as a free agent to push for a starting spot, but this remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the team this season.
“I think Danielle’s a phenomenal player,” said defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who was hired to replace the fired Ed Donatell. “I look forward to working with him.”
Under Donatell, Hunter often found himself as a standup rusher in a three-point stance. The Vikings with Flores are aiming to get back to turning Hunter loose with his hand in the ground more often.
“Veteran players, they’ve seen a lot of defense, coverages, fronts, stunts. I think terminology will probably be the one thing that’s a little bit different, maybe, but some of it, there’s some crossover from some things he’s heard in the past so I don’t think it’ll take long for him to get up to speed,” Flores said. “At the end of the day, we’re telling him to go get the quarterback. There’s really not much to that. So I think he’ll be just fine.”
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-vikings-end-stalemate-with-danielle-hunter-by-giving-edge-rusher-a-big-pay-raise/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:48 | 0 | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-vikings-end-stalemate-with-danielle-hunter-by-giving-edge-rusher-a-big-pay-raise/ |
VALLEJO, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A Plus Tree, LLC ("A Plus Tree" or the "Company"), a portfolio company of Hyperion Capital Partners LLC ("Hyperion"), announced it has completed the acquisitions of Tree Preservation and Landscaping, The Tree Men, and Treecology. These three acquisitions reflect the Company's commitment to building a best-in-class tree care business for commercial and residential clients.
Tree Preservation and Landscaping and The Tree Men bolster A Plus Tree's presence in Southern California, and Treecology strengthens the Company in Portland, Oregon. Both geographies are key to the Company's growth plan and these three acquisitions will serve as beachheads through which A Plus Tree can better serve clients in these markets. Cyrus DeVere, the CEO of A Plus Tree, said, "Growth fueled by great partnerships allows for true synergies. Tree Preservation, Tree Men, and Treecology are all wonderful additions to the A Plus Tree culture of love and respect. Onward!"
Tree Preservation and Landscaping is based in Los Angeles, California, where founder David Sims has been serving clients since 2001. David said, "A Plus Tree is a great company to be affiliated with. The culture and work environment at A Plus Tree are great, I am all in. It has been my pleasure to work through the transition period with team members who are knowledgeable, personable, and proficient at their jobs."
The Tree Men is based in Los Angeles, California. Founders Mark and Kandi Dunning have provided tree care services to their clients since 1969. Mark and Kandi said, "We started The Tree Men over 45 years ago—our clients are amazing and are like family. We found a perfect fit with A Plus Tree, they are professional and caring."
Treecology operates in Portland, Oregon, where Damon Schrosk will continue to serve his clients as part of the A Plus Tree team. Damon said, "Through my conversations with the folks at A Plus Tree, I developed an understanding of their culture of trust and integrity. That, coupled with their innovative projects like urban wood utilization through milling and bio-char generation, and their non-profit A Plus Cares, helped me understand that this was a company that matched our culture and ethics. I felt comfortable that the reputation I developed through my efforts with Treecology would be honored and preserved. In the time since I have become a team member, I have seen the dedication and growth-oriented mindset that each of the upper-level leaders bring to their work."
Cyrus DeVere further stated, "With the addition of incredible team members and leaders from great companies, it is truly energizing to be able to expand our service offering of professional tree care to more clients."
The Partners of Hyperion said, "We are thrilled to support Cyrus and his team in their acquisition of these three excellent companies. These businesses complement A Plus Tree's strategy and will strengthen its ability to provide best-in-class tree care services by growing its client base, augmenting its yard footprint, increasing its focus on residential clients, and inviting enthusiastic team members into the A Plus Tree family. It speaks to the sellers' trust in Cyrus and his team that they joined the Company. We are excited to continue helping A Plus Tree grow organically and through acquisitions."
About A Plus Tree
Headquartered in Vallejo, California, A Plus Tree is a leading provider of tree care services for commercial and residential clients. A Plus provides specialized services to property owners and managers, including tree trimming, pruning, and removal; plant and tree healthcare; and arborist consulting. The Company employs a team of highly skilled tree care professionals, and operates across Northern and Southern California, Washington, Oregon, and Utah.
About Hyperion
Hyperion Capital Partners is a private investment firm based in Los Angeles that establishes and utilizes partnerships with management to produce substantial long-term value. Hyperion makes control investments in companies that generate between $20 and $200 million of revenue and are headquartered in North America.
For more information, please contact info@hyperion-cp.com or visit hyperion-cp.com.
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SOURCE Hyperion Capital Partners | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/plus-tree-completes-acquisition-three-tree-care-companies-west-coast/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:50 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/plus-tree-completes-acquisition-three-tree-care-companies-west-coast/ |
BUFFALO, N.Y., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
SUMMARY NOTICE OF (I) PENDENCY OF CLASS ACTION, CERTIFICATION OF SETTLEMENT CLASS, AND PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION; (II) SETTLEMENT HEARING; AND (III) MOTION FOR AN AWARD OF
ATTORNEYS' FEES AND REIMBURSEMENT OF LITIGATION EXPENSES
TO: All persons and entities who, during the period from February 18, 2016 through July 31, 2019, inclusive (the "Settlement Class Period"), purchased or otherwise acquired 22nd Century Group, Inc. ("22nd Century") common stock and were allegedly damaged thereby (the "Settlement Class").
PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY, YOUR RIGHTS WILL BE AFFECTED BY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING IN THIS COURT.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and an Order of the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, that the above-captioned litigation (the "Action") has been certified as a class action on behalf of the Settlement Class, except for certain persons and entities who are excluded from the Settlement Class as set forth in the full printed Notice Of (I) Pendency Of Class Action, Certification Of Settlement Class, And Proposed Settlement of Class Action; (II) Settlement Hearing; And (III) Motion For An Award Of Attorneys' Fees And Reimbursement Of Litigation Expenses (the "Notice").
YOU ARE ALSO NOTIFIED that Lead Plaintiffs in the Action have reached a proposed settlement of the Action for $3,000,000.00 in cash (the "Settlement"), that, if approved, will resolve all claims in the Action.
This Summary Notice relates to the proposed Settlement of claims in a pending securities class action lawsuit brought by investors alleging, among other things, that Defendants 22nd Century, Henry Sicignano, III, and John T. Brodfuehrer (collectively, the "Defendants") violated the federal securities laws by making alleged misrepresentations or omissions regarding certain alleged stock promotion articles and Defendants' alleged failure to disclose an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") into a material weakness in 22nd Century's internal controls, which Defendants deny.
A hearing will be held on October 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., before the Honorable Michael J. Roemer, United States Magistrate Judge, at the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse, 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York 14202, or by telephonic, video conferencing or other electronic means, as posted on the website of the Claims Administrator. The hearing will determine (i) whether the proposed Settlement should be approved as fair, reasonable, and adequate; (ii) whether the Action should be dismissed with prejudice against Defendants, and the Releases specified and described in the Stipulation And Agreement Of Settlement (and in the Notice) should be granted; (iii) whether the proposed Plan of Allocation should be approved as fair and reasonable; (iv) whether Lead Counsel's application for an award of attorneys' fees and reimbursement of Litigation Expenses should be approved, and (v) whether to award Lead Plaintiff for reimbursement of Lead Plaintiffs' time and expenses out of the Settlement Fund and pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §78u-4(a)(4) in connection with their representation of the Settlement Class and, if so, in what amount.
If you are a member of the Settlement Class, your rights will be affected by the pending Action and the Settlement, and you may be entitled to share in the Settlement Fund. If you have not yet received the Notice and Claim Form, you may obtain copies of these documents by contacting the Claims Administrator at 22nd Century Securities Litigation, c/o Epiq, P.O. Box 3839, Portland, OR 97208-3839. Copies of the Notice and Claim Form can also be downloaded from the website maintained by the Claims Administrator, www.22ndCenturySecuritiesLitigation.com.
If you are a member of the Settlement Class, in order to be potentially eligible to receive a payment under the proposed Settlement, you must submit a Claim Form either online at the Settlement website, www.22ndCenturySecuritiesLitigation.com, by October 10, 2023, or by first class postage prepaid U.S. mail postmarked no later than October 10, 2023. If you are a Settlement Class Member and do not timely submit a proper Claim Form, you will not be eligible to share in the distribution of the net proceeds of the Settlement but you will nevertheless be bound by any judgments or orders entered by the Court in the Action.
If you are a member of the Settlement Class and wish to exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you must submit a request for exclusion such that it is received no later than September 12, 2023, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Notice. If you properly exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you will not be bound by any judgments or orders entered by the Court in the Action and you will not be eligible to share in the proceeds of the Settlement.
Any objections to the proposed Settlement, the proposed Plan of Allocation, or Lead Counsel's motion for attorneys' fees and reimbursement of expenses, must be filed with the Court and delivered to representatives of Lead Counsel and Defendants' counsel such that they are received no later than September 12, 2023, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Notice.
Please do not contact the Court, the Clerk's office, 22nd Century, or Defendants' counsel regarding this notice. All questions about this notice, the proposed Settlement, or your eligibility to participate in the Settlement should be directed to Lead Counsel or the Claims Administrator.
Requests for the Notice and Claim Form should be made to:
22nd Century Securities Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3839
Portland, OR 97208-3839
Inquiries, other than requests for the Notice and Claim Form, should be made to Lead Counsel:
POMERANTZ LLP
Jeremy A. Lieberman
Brian Calandra
600 Third Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10016
jalieberman@pomlaw.com
bcalandra@pomlaw.com
Dated: August 7, 2023
By Order of the Court
United States District Court
Western District of New York
URL: www.22ndCenturySecuritiesLitigation.com
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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pomerantz-llp-announces-pendency-class-action-proposed-settlement-involving-purchasers-22nd-century-group-inc-common-stock/ | 2023-07-31T13:22:57 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/pomerantz-llp-announces-pendency-class-action-proposed-settlement-involving-purchasers-22nd-century-group-inc-common-stock/ |
New Zillow survey finds 80% of mortgage holders report having a rate of less than 5%
SEATTLE, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Zillow® survey has identified the mortgage rate tipping point that makes homeowners more likely to move, which is key in unlocking the housing market and slowing price growth. Homeowners with a mortgage rate above 5% are nearly twice as likely to say that they plan to sell their home than those paying a rate below 5%.
Zillow's survey finds that about 80% of mortgage holders reported having a rate of less than 5%, and about 90% have a rate of less than 6%. Almost one-third reported a rate of less than 3%.
As today's mortgage rates near 7%, a vast majority of homeowners would need to finance a new home at a higher rate than the rate they currently hold, adding hundreds of dollars a month to their mortgage payment and creating an incentive to hold on to their home rather than move. This helps explain why Zillow data finds that 28% fewer new for-sale listings hit the market in June than a year ago.
"We expect mortgage rates may notch down slightly as inflation comes under control, but they are unlikely to return to 5% in the near future," said Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow Home Loans. "That means many homeowners will move only for major life events, like a new baby or retirement. Over time, homeowners will likely accept higher rates as the new normal, but until then, the market could remain challenging for home shoppers, who will see fewer options and higher prices."
There is reason to be optimistic that more homes could hit the market in the next few years. Zillow's survey finds that nearly one-quarter of homeowners are considering selling their home in the next three years or currently have their home listed for sale (23%), which is significantly higher than the 15% of homeowners who said the same one year ago. The share is even greater among mortgage holders who have a rate above 5%. Nearly 40% of those homeowners say they would consider selling their home in the next three years (38%).
In the meantime, the shortage of for-sale homes is pushing up prices. Zillow's latest monthly market report finds that home values hit a record high in June, topping $350,000 for the first time nationally. Home values climbed in all of the 50 largest metro areas for a second month in a row.
Higher prices are compounding affordability challenges for buyers who are also facing today's higher mortgage interest rates. A typical monthly mortgage payment is more than twice as much as it was in 2020 and 13% higher than a year ago.
While these challenges have tempered demand, buyers are persisting and getting creative to achieve homeownership. A recent survey from Zillow Home Loans finds that nearly half of all buyers are buying points to lower their interest rate and reduce their monthly mortgage payment (45%). Mortgage points give buyers an option to pay an upfront fee to buy down the interest rate on a loan. Buyers are also making compromises on their wish lists and competing for smaller, more affordable homes.
There are tools to help buyers better understand what they can afford and to make homeownership more attainable. Buyers can find out if they're eligible for down payment assistance programs, which are listed on every for-sale home on Zillow. Buyers can also use mortgage and affordability calculators to understand what they can afford on a monthly basis, and then search for homes by monthly cost to land a home they can afford.
About Zillow Group:
Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, great partners, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences.
Zillow Group's affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow®; Zillow Premier Agent®; Zillow Home Loans℠; Trulia®; Out East®; StreetEasy®; HotPads®; and ShowingTime+℠, which includes ShowingTime®, Bridge Interactive®, and dotloop®.
All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2023 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.
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SOURCE Zillow Group, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/rate-lock-tipping-point-homeowners-are-nearly-twice-willing-sell-if-their-mortgage-rate-is-5-or-higher/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:03 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/rate-lock-tipping-point-homeowners-are-nearly-twice-willing-sell-if-their-mortgage-rate-is-5-or-higher/ |
Leverages Company's technological expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) as core foundational technologies to link and make a broad array of information sources and data discoverable.
Adds $1.3 Million to Annual Recurring Revenue
HENDERSON, Nev., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSSS), a trusted partner providing cloud-based workflow solutions to accelerate research for R&D-driven organizations, today announced its acquisition of ResoluteAI, an advanced search platform aimed at equipping organizations with search, discovery, analysis, and knowledge management tools powered by AI and NLP technologies. ResoluteAI's state-of-the-art integrations of taxonomies, ontologies, and knowledge graph technology, together with the latest Large Language Models ("LLM"), make information discovery and retrieval highly efficient.
"At Research Solutions, we empower research-intensive organizations to accelerate innovation," said Roy W. Olivier, CEO of Research Solutions. "This strategic acquisition allows us to broaden our technological expertise, transforming our solutions by leveraging the latest technology to help researchers power their innovation workflows, saving time and enabling users to make decisions confidently as they seek to achieve the next innovative breakthrough. This technological foundation will enable Research Solutions to provide specific solutions for use cases throughout the Innovation process from Strategy to Research & Development to Post-Market and Commercial solutions."
The transaction will enable Research Solutions to deliver true enterprise search capabilities across a comprehensive suite of data sources and extend their reach into effective knowledge management, including search across customer internal datasets. ResoluteAI's current suite of integrated datasets, while providing a comprehensive resource for Life Science companies, including Pharma, Biotech, and MedTech, also includes datasets relevant to all other industries, such as engineering and chemical-focused innovation. Integration between the two companies' solutions will allow the combined company to offer a comprehensive product ecosystem that delivers insights to users throughout the innovation process. The acquisition also represents a strong cross-selling opportunity, stemming from highly complementary products and technology that cater to key sectors and market segments.
Integrating the advanced search capabilities of ResoluteAI into Research Solutions' Article Galaxy platform and rapid access to every scientific journal article into ResoluteAI's Foundation platform will be the immediate first steps that will translate into an upgraded customer experience for existing and new customer bases.
"The advanced search technology of ResoluteAI, in combination with Research Solutions' expertise in reference management and document delivery, creates tremendous opportunities to leverage strategic technology synergies," said Steven Goldstein, CEO of ResoluteAI. "We are excited to join Research Solutions and apply our expertise to deliver best-in-class research workflow solutions."
Together, the companies will continue to deepen their understanding of the innovation value chain and the specific needs of users and customers to create a product ecosystem that allows for the flexibility to adapt products and business models to the needs of industry leaders and researchers.
"ResoluteAI shares our mission to support the innovation process from end to end with the most comprehensive information and knowledge tool on the market," shared Michiel van der Heijden, Chief Product Officer of Research Solutions. "We are transforming how people discover and acquire information and how they analyze and manage the data they need for their work as part of an overall workflow."
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York, New York, ResoluteAI develops advanced search and discovery tools covering several workflows, including but not limited to, Research & Development, Competitive & Market Intelligence, IP Management, Clinical Operations & Analysis, Post Market Surveillance, and Business Development. As of June 30, 2023, ResoluteAI had approximately $1.3 million in Annual Recurring Revenue under contract.
For further information, please contact Steven Hooser or John Beisler at (214) 872-2710 or shooser@threepa.com; jbeisler@threepa.com.
Media inquiries can be directed to Joseph Tracy, Vice President of Marketing, at jtracy@reprintsdesk.com.
About Research Solutions
Research Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSSS) provides cloud-based technologies to streamline the process of obtaining, managing, and creating intellectual property. Founded in 2006 as Reprints Desk, the company was a pioneer in developing solutions to serve researchers. Today, more than 70 percent of the top pharmaceutical companies, prestigious universities, and emerging businesses rely on Article Galaxy, the company's SaaS research platform, to streamline access to the latest scientific research and data with 24/7 customer support. For more information and details, please visit www.researchsolutions.com.
About ResoluteAI
ResoluteAI is an award-winning intelligent search platform. Used by scientific organizations around the world, Foundation lets commercial science enterprises search aggregated scientific, regulatory, and business databases simultaneously. Nebula is our enterprise search tool for science. Combined with our interactive analytics and downloadable visualizations, ResoluteAI helps make connections that lead to breakthrough discoveries.
Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may contain "forward-looking statements" regarding future events and our future results. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the markets in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects", "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "endeavors," "strives," "may," or variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, estimate or verify. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those factors described in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as such may be amended or supplemented by subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding additional customers, potential acquisitions and the Company's prospects for growth, profitability, and cash flow. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. For more information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SOURCE Research Solutions, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/research-solutions-acquires-resoluteai-transform-ai-powered-innovation-workflows/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:10 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/research-solutions-acquires-resoluteai-transform-ai-powered-innovation-workflows/ |
BEIJING, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by China.org.cn on a researcher's perception on the achievements and strategies of urban ecology in three mega urban agglomerations in eastern China.
Nowadays, urban agglomerations in China have ushered in a new era as the pace setter of global urban agglomerations, and the multi-dimensional, long-term systematic and objective evaluation on the temporal change in eco-environment of three mega urban agglomerations in eastern China is crucial for promoting sustainable development of urban agglomerations, said Tang Lina, researcher of Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in an article released by the Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (BCAS, in Chinese), a think tank journal supervised and sponsored by the CAS, which focuses on strategic and decision-making research.
According to the article, from 2000 to 2020, under the multiple effects of ecological protection policies, pollution prevention and control policies at the national and regional levels, the mega urban agglomerations in eastern China demonstrated a fluctuating upward trend of overall eco-environmental quality.
Since 2012, there have been historic, transitional, and comprehensive changes in the eco-environment of three mega urban agglomerations, including significant improvement in the ecological quality, environmental quality, efficiency of resource and energy utilization, and eco-environment management capabilities of the mega urban agglomerations. These changes have laid a solid foundation for the regional ecological progresses and high-quality sustainable development, and provided the best practice for the development of eco-environment in other urban agglomerations in China.
Why does China attach great importance to the protection of urban ecology?
Tang points out in the article, "as the main destinations for the shift of the world economic center, urban agglomerations represent the strategic core areas for national new urbanization and economic growth." The mega urban agglomerations, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the Yangtze River Delta, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with 5.05% of national land area, 25.05% of the total population, and nearly 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP), serve as the core engines of China's economic growth and an important carrier for China's participation in global competition.
However, the article mentions, "intensive human activities have placed enormous pressure on the eco-environment of the three mega urban agglomerations, thus crippling the sustainable development of urban agglomerations." For many years, research institutions such as Chinese Academy of Sciences and relevant scientific research institutes in universities have carried out a lot of research, providing strong technological support for the ecological progress of urban agglomerations.
A report released at 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012 noted, "We should make scientific plans for the scale and layout of urban agglomerations; and we should make small and medium-sized cities and small towns better able to develop industries, provide public services, create jobs, and attract population." Meanwhile, in order to improve the eco-environment of urban agglomerations, enhance their people's well-being, and achieve their sustainable development, China has introduced a series of policies on ecological protection and pollution prevention and control at the national and local levels, and put in place numerous measures and actions for environmental protection.
Specifically, since the 18th CPC National Congress, ecological conservation has become part of the "Five in One" overall layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The overall layout refers to the coordination of economic development, political building, cultural development, social progress and ecological conservation. President Xi Jinping's thought on ecological conservation has provided fundamental strategic guidance for the practice of the efforts to keep our skies blue, our waters clear, and our land pollution-free in the three major urban agglomerations in eastern China. In 2018, China incorporated ecological conservation into the Constitution, providing fundamental legal support for the ecological conservation in urban agglomerations.
Thanks to the efforts made by the central government and the Chinese people, China has achieved significant improvement in the quality of atmospheric environment and sustained improvement of the quality of water environment. The average annual concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of the three mega urban agglomerations increased first and then decreased. It shows sustained improvement in the proportion of good quality of surface water and in the efficiency of resource and energy utilization, accompanied by a remarkable decrease in the pollutant emissions per unit GDP. Moreover, its eco-environmental infrastructure became much better.
To promote the further high-quality development of the mega urban agglomerations, five solutions and prospects are proposed as follows.
First, China should seize the opportunity to stimulate economic transformation and structural reform through low-carbon development, so as to put the mega urban agglomerations into a virtuous cycle of green and low-carbon development.
Second, it is necessary to strengthen regional alignment and inter-department collaboration, to ensure the coordination of multiple elements of the eco-environment and cross-regional coordination.
Third, the country should strengthen the full-life cycle environmental risk management of chemical substances, and build a policy and standard system for environmental risk management of toxic chemical substances.
Fourth, it is needed to promote the implementation of targeted policies tailored to different categories and zones of the mega urban agglomerations and implement targeted policies based on their development orientation.
Finally, China should keep leveraging the role of technological progress in supporting ecological management.
Researcher shares insights into achievements and strategies of urban ecology in E China
http://belt.china.org.cn/2023-07/31/content_96918334.htm
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SOURCE China.org.cn | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/researcher-shares-insights-into-achievements-strategies-urban-ecology-e-china/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:16 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/researcher-shares-insights-into-achievements-strategies-urban-ecology-e-china/ |
- Highly Accomplished Fintech Executive with Proven Track Record of Delivering Superior Performance and Innovation
- Bob Walters, Rocket Companies Executive and Rocket Mortgage CEO to Retire Effective September 5
- Krishna to Succeed Walters as Rocket Mortgage CEO in dual role; Bill Emerson to Become President and Chief Operating Officer of Rocket Companies
DETROIT, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), a Detroit-based fintech platform company consisting of tech-driven mortgage, real estate and financial services businesses, including Rocket Mortgage, Rocket Homes, Rocket Loans and Rocket Money, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed accomplished fintech executive Varun Krishna as the company's Chief Executive Officer, effective September 5, 2023.
Krishna will succeed Bill Emerson, who has served as interim Chief Executive Officer since June. Emerson will continue in his interim role until Krishna joins the Company, and will remain on the Rocket Companies Board while also working with Krishna to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.
Krishna has more than 20 years of experience building consumer platform strategies for leading global fintech companies. Most recently, Krishna served as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Group of Intuit, Inc., where he oversaw the organization's end-to-end suite of consumer and tax products and services, including TurboTax and TurboTax Live. During his tenure, TurboTax Live became the fastest growing product in Intuit's history. Prior to Intuit, Krishna served as Senior Director of Product at PayPal, where he managed the company's global consumer product team.
"Varun is a visionary leader with a proven track record of helping consumers achieve financial freedom. Throughout his career, he has delivered innovative, technology-driven client experiences for complex personal transactions in large, fragmented markets," said Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman of Rocket Companies. "Varun's experience aligns perfectly with Rocket's vision, making him the ideal person to drive growth, strong performance and operational excellence at Rocket. On behalf of the entire Board and our team members, I welcome Varun as Rocket's new CEO."
"We also thank Bill for his support in stepping up to serve as our interim Chief Executive," added Gilbert. "Having served as CEO of Rocket Mortgage, our flagship business, for 15 years, he is the right person to work alongside Varun going forward to ensure a seamless transition."
"I am honored to join the Rocket Companies team," said Krishna. "Rocket has a rock-solid foundation and tremendous potential, with its comprehensive ecosystem and industry-renowned technology, strong brand and award-winning client service. I look forward to working with Bill, the Board and Rocket's exceptionally talented team members to drive the company's future success and create long-term value for our stakeholders."
The company also announced that Bob Walters has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire on September 5, when he will step down from his roles as CEO of Rocket Mortgage and as President and Chief Operating Officer of Rocket Companies. Krishna will succeed Walters at that time as Rocket Mortgage CEO and Emerson will assume the roles of President and Chief Operating Officer for Rocket Companies.
"Since joining Rocket Mortgage more than 26 years ago, Bob has built an exceptional team and strengthened our foundation to enable the company to grow in any market," said Gilbert. "His legacy as a leader and an expert in Capital Markets will leave a lasting impact on Rocket Mortgage and I thank him for the years of dedication to our business."
"For the last 27 years, I have been honored to work alongside many special and talented people who are also some of the very best anyone could ever hope to spend a career with," Walters said. "I'm excited about the next chapter, but I will deeply miss the camaraderie, passion and excellence of everyone who has built Rocket into the great company that it is. I am proud to be able to leave with the business in great hands, knowing, as Dan Gilbert often reminds us, 'Our best days are most certainly ahead.'"
"Dan's impact on numerous industries, the cities of Detroit and Cleveland and so much more has been, and continues to be, profound. I couldn't have known so many years ago when I started that I'd have a front row seat to history. Working closely with Dan and learning from him has been the privilege of a lifetime," Walters added.
About Varun Krishna
Krishna has served as Executive Vice President & General Manager of Intuit's Consumer Group since his appointment in May of 2022. Prior to this role, he served in a variety of leadership roles within the TurboTax and Mint businesses, most notably as its Senior Vice President and GM from 2020-2022. Before Intuit, he served as Senior Director of Product at PayPal, where he managed the global consumer product organization. Prior to these roles, Krishna held a myriad of product leadership roles at Groupon and Betterworks and spent nine years at Microsoft, where he was named to several positions of increasing responsibility.
Krishna holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada.
About Rocket Companies
Founded in 1985, Rocket Companies is a Detroit-based fintech platform company consisting of personal finance and consumer technology brands including Rocket Mortgage, Rocket Homes, Amrock, Rocket Money, Rocket Loans, Rocket Mortgage Canada, Lendesk, Core Digital Media, Rocket Central and Rocket Connections.
Rocket Companies' mission is to be the best at creating certainty in life's most complex moments so its clients can pursue their financial dreams. The Company helps clients achieve the goal of home ownership and financial freedom through industry-leading client experiences powered by its simple, fast and trusted digital solutions. J.D. Power has ranked Rocket Mortgage, part of Rocket Companies, #1 in client satisfaction for both primary mortgage origination and servicing 21 times – the most of any mortgage lender.
For more information, please visit the Company's Corporate Website or Investor Relations Website.
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SOURCE Rocket Companies, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/rocket-companies-appoints-varun-krishna-chief-executive-officer/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:22 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/rocket-companies-appoints-varun-krishna-chief-executive-officer/ |
LAS VEGAS, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UFC®, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, and Roobet.fun, a completely free-to-play social casino where the Roobet.fun community competes every day for cash and real-world prizes, today announced a multi-year partnership that provides Roobet.fun with significant exposure through some of UFC's biggest events and digital platforms.
BRANDED INTEGRATIONS AND ENTITLEMENTS
Under the terms of the agreement, Roobet.fun will receive prominent branding in the world-famous Octagon® at select UFC Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights and will be featured as a Presenting Partner of select episodes of Embedded, UFC's all-access video content series featuring top UFC athletes preparing for upcoming events. UFC and Roobet.fun will also collaborate on a variety of custom and original content that will be distributed across UFC-owned social media channels and digital platforms, which reach more than 243 million users worldwide.
In addition, UFC and Roobet.fun will also give fans the chance to experience the excitement of UFC in-person by competing for sweepstakes packages that will feature exclusive in-person prizes, such as tickets to UFC events, post-fight tours of the Octagon, meet and greets with UFC athletes and legends, and VIP tours of the UFC Performance Institute -- the state-of-the-art sports research, innovation, and mixed martial arts training facility in Las Vegas.
The agreement also provides for an annual Brand Ambassador fund that will bring the partnership to life through appearances, content, and creative campaigns with UFC athletes.
"We're thrilled to welcome Roobet.fun as an official UFC partner," said Grant Norris-Jones, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships. "Roobet.fun is an innovative online gaming platform that offers an incredibly compelling user engagement experience via a free-to-play social casino. It's a forward-thinking approach to gaming we believe UFC fans will enjoy."
"Roobet.fun originally entered the fight space to support some of the best UFC fighters on the planet, and now as the official social casino of the UFC, we will provide exciting, free games and prizes to the greatest fans in the world," said Anthony Brennan, Roobet.fun Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships. "With this partnership, Roobet.fun will create groundbreaking experiences that UFC fans have never seen before."
The Roobet.fun brand already has deep roots within the MMA community, as they individually support several of UFC's best fighters through multi-faceted sponsorships of former champions Alex Pereira, Charles Oliveira, Brandon Moreno and Marlon "Chito" Vera. The company also produces several MMA podcasts, including Champions Corner with former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno; Chute Boxe hosted by Diego Lima, head coach and manager of the famed Chute Boxe Academy in Brazil; and On the House with MMA agent Jason House.
About UFC®
UFC® is the world's premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 243 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC's active fighter roster features the world's best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization's digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world's leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.
About Roobet.fun
Roobet.fun is the official social casino of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is designed with the next generation of gamer in mind. A crypto faucet with a twist, Roobet.fun provides a player-centric, free-to-play experience on an immersive and secure platform accessible to eligible gamers worldwide. Roobet.fun is a pillar brand which exemplifies the brand's values of empowering the crypto and web3 community, while leveraging cutting-edge technologies to make it happen.
Roobet.fun is creating a space for every type of gamer. With Roobet.fun catering to those trying out crypto or simply enjoying free-to-play games, and Roobet.com continuing its industry-leading innovation in the crypto casino space, the Roobet.fun brand is redefining the entertainment landscape and leading the way in inclusive and creator-led gaming. What started as a haven for crypto enthusiasts has hit the mainstream: with over 300M views on TikTok, the drumbeat from Gen Z and Millennials is building – Roobet.fun is a brand "for the internet, by the internet."
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SOURCE UFC; Roobet.fun | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/roobetfun-named-official-social-casino-ufc/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:29 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/roobetfun-named-official-social-casino-ufc/ |
The fashion show on September 13, 2023, hosted by Shaquem Griffin, will feature Adaptive and Universally Designed apparel, footwear, and products from: Zappos, Kohl's, Target, JCPenney, Tommy Hilfiger, Stride Rite, Steve Madden, French Toast Adaptive, adidas, and a runway debut of Victoria's Secret and PINK's first-ever Adaptive Intimates.
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Runway of Dreams™ Foundation, a nonprofit organization leading the charge on inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity in the fashion and beauty industries for people with disabilities, announced today their return to the runway during New York Fashion Week. This one-of-a-kind Adaptive fashion show, aptly titled A Fashion Revolution, is presented by online retailer Zappos, and will take place on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn, New York. Shaquem Griffin, former NFL linebacker, will be hosting. Griffin was featured this summer in the Runway of Dreams' Campaign for Inclusion, the first multi-brand fashion and beauty campaign featuring people with disabilities wearing Adaptive & Universally Designed products. "I'm honored to continue my journey with Runway of Dreams. This organization is a trailblazer for change, and advocates for millions of people across the globe like myself, who need accessible clothing, which so many people take for granted every day of their lives," - he said. Mr. Griffin will be dressed in looks provided by Neiman Marcus and Tommy Hilfiger.
A Fashion Revolution will highlight the groundbreaking work that leading and emerging companies, from lingerie to luxury, are doing in the Adaptive and Universally Designed space, showcased on 70 models with varying disabilities and backgrounds. The show brings together 500+ leaders and champions of DEI under one roof during New York Fashion Week with the same mission: celebrate inclusion in the fashion and beauty industries.
"The Runway of Dreams stage is where brands have chosen to celebrate the debut of their Adaptive designs over the years, and I am thrilled and so honored to welcome Victoria's Secret and Pink Adaptive to the Adaptive family. Knowing the Victoria's Secret and PINK Adaptive products were developed with and for people with disabilities proves their commitment to true inclusion, and understanding the work that needs to go into making these products authentically," said Mindy Scheier, Founder of Runway of Dreams.
"We are excited to debut our first-ever Adaptive collection during New York Fashion Week on the Runway of Dreams' runway. Runway of Dreams advocates for industry change by empowering people with disabilities to have confidence and self-expression through inclusion in fashion and beauty. We are honored to join the many brands who have decided to debut their Adaptive apparel on this runway adding to the historic timeline that is the future of fashion," said Lydia Smith, Chief Diversity Officer, Victoria's Secret & Co.
In addition to brands on the runway, innovative small brands will showcase their products onsite during the evening. Brands included: MAI We Care, Spoonie Threads, One Leg Up, Reboundwear, and Silverts Adaptive.
Zappos will be awarded the esteemed Pioneer of Change Award, presented to Zappos CEO Scott Schaefer and Zappos Adaptive Business Development Manager Dana Zumbo. Billy Price of BILLY Footwear will also be awarded with the Inspirational Achievement Award for their innovative zippered Adaptive shoes. Two scholarships will be awarded as part of the Foundation's commitment to educate and inspire the next generation of Adaptive designers.
"We've been proud partners of Runway of Dreams since the launch of our Zappos Adaptive shopping experience in 2017," said Dana Zumbo, Business Development Manager for Zappos Adaptive. "Together, we have grown in our shared commitment to make fashion more functional and fashionable for all. This is the stage to be on, and we are humbled to be returning this year as the 2023 Presenting Sponsor."
Following the show, September 14th to 16th is a free and open-to-the-public and first-of- its-kind Adaptive exhibit at Hudson Yards in New York City. This curated display will feature Adaptive and Universally Designed collections from mainstream brands committed to inclusion in the fashion and beauty industries and the history of Runway of Dreams as a trailblazer in the Adaptive space. The event is an opportunity for the public to learn about available Adaptive and Universally Designed products, and to emphasize the need for true inclusion in our mainstream world.
Sponsorship and Corporate Seating Packages Available. Please contact corporaterelations@runwayofdreams.org for more details. Public ticket sales and information about the public exhibit will be announced at runwayofdreams.org and on the Runway of Dreams' social channels.
ABOUT RUNWAY OF DREAMS:
Runway of Dreams is a non-profit (501c3) organization leading the movement of disability inclusion in the fashion and beauty industries. ROD raises awareness and inspires change through programming that celebrates people's differences, challenges stereotypes, and highlights the need for Adaptive & Universally designed apparel.
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SOURCE Runway of Dreams Foundation | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/runway-dreams-foundation-returns-new-york-fashion-week-with-runway-show-public-exhibit-recognizing-adaptive-amp-universally-designed-apparel-footwear-products/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:35 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/runway-dreams-foundation-returns-new-york-fashion-week-with-runway-show-public-exhibit-recognizing-adaptive-amp-universally-designed-apparel-footwear-products/ |
Kensho Technologies and S&P Global Market Intelligence Recognized for Industry-Leading platforms S&P Global Marketplace and Capital IQ Pro
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) announced today Kensho Technologies and the S&P Global Market Intelligence division were named 2023's Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Provider by Waters Rankings. Voted on by thousands of end users, the Waters Rankings are the only awards program where WatersTechnology's readers determine category winners.
"The rapid acceleration of technology innovation at S&P Global has been powered in large part by the acquisition of Kensho Technologies in 2018," said Ewout Steenbergen, Chief Financial Officer of S&P Global and President of Kensho Technologies. "This early decision and further investments in Artificial Intelligence have improved process efficiencies and enabled us to deliver valuable customer offerings such as S&P Global Marketplace and enhanced AI capabilities to S&P Capital IQ Pro, among many examples. It is an honor to be recognized by WatersTechnology as we strive to uphold S&P Global as an innovative and trusted brand that powers global markets."
The annual Waters Rankings celebrate and recognize the initiatives, innovation and achievements of the industry's leading technology and data providers over the past 12 months. The Waters Rankings are a true reflection of the industry's best-in-class vendors and service providers across 34 categories.
Kensho's suite of AI solutions transform messy, unstructured data, including audio and text, into high-value structured data that powers downstream business and financial decision making. These offerings are made available through S&P Capital IQ Pro and S&P Global Marketplace, both operated by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Unlike traditional AI capabilities, Kensho's AI solutions are trained on top of S&P Global's vast amounts of domain-specific proprietary data and designed with client-to-S&P Global data linkage in mind. Proprietary data training enables Kensho's AI model to outperform generic AI models in business-specific use cases, while data linkage enables deeper, richer and more integrated decision-making insights.
About Kensho Technologies Inc.
Kensho is an artificial intelligence company that builds solutions to unlock insights hidden in messy and unstructured data. Kensho's products are powered by state-of-the-art machine learning techniques that allow customers to unlock insights faster using AI, including voice-to-text transcription, data extraction, data enrichment, and natural language processing, which gives computers the ability to comprehend and analyze human language. The company was acquired by S&P Global in 2018 and continues to operate independently, retaining its distinct brand and culture. For more information, visit www.kensho.com.
About S&P Global
S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world. We are widely sought after by many of the world's leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world's leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today.
Media Contacts
Josh Goldstein
S&P Global
Josh.goldstein@spglobal.com
Amanda Oey
S&P Global Market Intelligence
Amanda.oey@spglobal.com
Suzanne Block on Behalf of Kensho
block@shapeandscale.co
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SOURCE S&P Global | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sampp-global-named-best-artificial-intelligence-technology-provider-by-waterstechnology/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:42 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sampp-global-named-best-artificial-intelligence-technology-provider-by-waterstechnology/ |
BURLINGTON, Mass., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SEKISUI Diagnostics announces the launch of the OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Home Test to diagnose COVID-19 at home.
The OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Home Test is a lateral flow immunoassay device intended for the qualitative detection of nucleocapsid protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2 virus. As with other OSOM Rapid Tests, it is made in the USA and supported by a highly skilled technical support team of medical technologists/professionals.
"We are excited to be able to provide consumers with more tools to help diagnose COVID-19 in a fast, easy-to-use format that can be purchased over the counter. This supports our goal of bringing diagnostics to where they are needed most, which in this case is at home, so people do not have to travel to medical facilities and can treat or quarantine quickly", said Erica Blight, VP of Client Services, Clinical Research & Marketing.
SEKISUI Diagnostics is a well-known provider of many rapid testing solutions to the professional market through a portfolio of point-of-care tests under the OSOM and Acucy® brands. These simple, high performing tests have provided flexibility to healthcare professionals for decades and are now being brought to the home testing market.
"Our entrance into the home testing market is another way we are providing solutions to enhance life with science to improve the health of all people. We understand home testing is a valuable tool and becoming more accepted and necessary, especially when we are experiencing significant waves of respiratory infections as we have seen in previous seasons", said Bob Schruender, President & CEO.
About the OSOM® COVID-19 Antigen Home Test
This product has not been FDA cleared or approved but has been authorized by FDA under a conditional EUA. This product has been authorized only for the detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and the conditional emergency use of this product is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated, or authorization is revoked sooner.
About SEKISUI Diagnostics:
With over 40 years of experience, SEKISUI Diagnostics' mission is to provide intelligent solutions to enhance life with science and improve the health of all people. We supply innovative medical diagnostics globally to physicians, hospitals, laboratories and alternate testing locations.
Our product lines include clinical chemistry reagents, point-of-care tests, pre-analytic systems as well as enzymes and specialty biochemicals.
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SOURCE SEKISUI DIAGNOSTICS, LLC | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sekisui-diagnostics-announces-launch-osom-covid-19-antigen-home-test/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:48 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sekisui-diagnostics-announces-launch-osom-covid-19-antigen-home-test/ |
Elon Musk has over the last year threatened legal action against tech competitors, employees, and people who use Twitter, which he owns. Now he is also taking aim at an organization that studies hate speech and misinformation on social media.
X Corp., the parent company of the social media company, sent a letter on July 20 to the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit that conducts research on social media, accusing the organization of making “a series of troubling and baseless claims that appear calculated to harm Twitter generally, and its digital advertising business specifically” and threatening to sue.
The letter cited research published by the Center for Countering Digital Hate in June examining hate speech on Twitter, which Musk has renamed X.com. The research consisted of eight papers, including one that found that Twitter had taken no action against 99% of the 100 Twitter Blue accounts the center reported for “tweeting hate.” The letter called the research “false, misleading or both” and said the organization had used improper methodology.
The letter added that the center was funded by Twitter’s competitors or foreign governments “in support of an ulterior agenda.”
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Imran Ahmed, the CEO of Center for Countering Digital Hate, said, “Elon Musk’s actions represent a brazen attempt to silence honest criticism and independent research.” He added that Musk wanted to “stem the tide of negative stories and rebuild his relationship with advertisers.”
The center also said it did “not accept any funding from tech companies, governments or their affiliates.”
Twitter’s advertising business has been struggling under the ownership of Musk, who bought the company last year. U.S. ad revenue for the five weeks from April 1 to the first week of May was $88 million, down 59% from a year earlier. Advertisers may have been spooked by Musk’s changes to the social network, including the removal of rules of what can or cannot be said on the service and more ads featuring online gambling and marijuana products.
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In May, Musk hired Linda Yaccarino, a former top advertising executive for NBCUniversal, to become Twitter’s CEO.
The letter was at least the third legal threat or action by X Corp. in the last two months. In May, it sent a letter to Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, accusing the tech giant of improperly using its data. This month, it also sent a letter to Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, saying it had copied Twitter’s trade secrets when creating Threads, a new social app.
X also sued Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, a leading corporate law firm, this month over what it said were unjust payments related to Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/business/twitter-threatens-legal-action-against-nonprofit-that-tracks-hate-speech/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:52 | 0 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/business/twitter-threatens-legal-action-against-nonprofit-that-tracks-hate-speech/ |
SALT LAKE CITY, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sera Prognostics Inc., The Pregnancy Company® (NASDAQ: SERA), focused on improving maternal and neonatal health by providing innovative pregnancy biomarker information to doctors and patients, today announced that it will report second quarter fiscal year 2023 financial results on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, after the close of the market. The Company will host a corresponding conference call and live webcast to discuss operational highlights, financial results and key topics at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A press release outlining the financial results and highlights will be publicly distributed before the call.
Conference Call Details:
US domestic callers: (866) 218-2405
International callers: (412) 902-6607
Webcast Registration Link: https://app.webinar.net/5ZK3j2xMqY7
Live audio of the webcast will be available online from the Investors page of the Company's website at www.seraprognostics.com. The webcast will be archived on the Investors page and will be available for one year.
About Sera Prognostics, Inc.
Sera Prognostics is a leading health diagnostics company dedicated to improving the lives of women and babies through precision pregnancy care. Sera's mission is to provide early, pivotal pregnancy information to improve the health of mothers and newborns, resulting in reductions in the costs of healthcare delivery. Sera has a robust pipeline of innovative diagnostic tests focused on the early prediction of preterm birth risk and other complications of pregnancy. Sera's precision medicine PreTRM® Test reports to a physician the individualized risk of spontaneous premature delivery in a pregnancy, enabling earlier proactive interventions in women with higher risk. Sera Prognostics is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
About Preterm Birth
Preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 weeks' gestation and is the leading cause of illness and death in newborns. The 2022 March of Dimes Report Card shows that, for the last four consecutive years, more than one in ten infants is born prematurely. Prematurity is associated with a significantly increased risk of major long-term medical complications, including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, chronic respiratory illness, intellectual disability, seizures, and vision and hearing loss, and can generate significant costs throughout the lives of affected children. The annual health care costs to manage short- and long-term complications of prematurity in the United States were estimated to be approximately $25 billion for 2016.
About the PreTRM® Test
The PreTRM® Test is the only broadly validated, commercially available blood-based biomarker test that provides an early, accurate and individualized risk prediction for spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic singleton pregnancies. The PreTRM® Test measures and analyzes proteins in the blood that are highly predictive of preterm birth. The PreTRM® Test permits physicians to identify, during the weeks 18 through 20 of pregnancy, which women are at increased risk for preterm birth and its complications, enabling more informed, personalized clinical decisions based on each woman's individual risk. The PreTRM® Test is ordered by a medical professional.
Sera Prognostics, the Sera Prognostics logo, The Pregnancy Company, and PreTRM are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sera Prognostics, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the date, time and content of the Company's quarterly earnings release and conference call; and the company's strategic directives under the caption "About Sera Prognostics, Inc." These "forward-looking statements" are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: net losses, cash generation, and the potential need to raise more capital; revenues from the PreTRM Test representing substantially all Company revenues to date; the need for broad scientific and market acceptance of the PreTRM Test; a concentrated number of material customers; our ability to introduce new products; potential competition; our proprietary biobank; critical suppliers; the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential lingering impact on our operations, as well as the business or operations of third parties with whom we conduct business; estimates of total addressable market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; potential third-party payer coverage and reimbursement; new reimbursement methodologies applicable to the PreTRM Test, including new CPT codes and payment rates for those codes; changes in FDA regulation of laboratory-developed tests; the intellectual property rights protecting our tests and market position; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in our Final Prospectus on Form S-1, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2021, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, or Current Reports on Form 8-K. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.
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SOURCE Sera Prognostics, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sera-prognostics-announces-conference-call-webcast-second-quarter-fiscal-year-2023-financial-results-august-9-2023/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:55 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sera-prognostics-announces-conference-call-webcast-second-quarter-fiscal-year-2023-financial-results-august-9-2023/ |
Police in Maine are investigating the deaths of two people after gunfire erupted on a city street.
Dozens of people emerged from nearby apartments Sunday as Lewiston and state police cordoned off the crime scene, which included a black SUV, a blue sedan with broken windows and a body that had been on the pavement for hours. A second victim died at a hospital, police said.
The Sun Journal newspaper reported that nearby residents heard multiple gunshots.
Detectives were continuing to investigate Monday. Police didn't say if there was suspect. The victims weren’t immediately identified.
“The investigation has shown this to be an isolated incident, and there are no known threats to the public at this time,” said Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
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The 911 call was made late Sunday morning. The victims’ bodies were taken to the state medical examiner’s office in Augusta for identification and autopsies, she said. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/metro/maine-shooting-two-killed/ | 2023-07-31T13:23:58 | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/metro/maine-shooting-two-killed/ |
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating potential shareholder derivative claims on behalf of shareholders of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC).
On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing toxins and other combustible liquids, which ultimately led to a controlled burn of toxic chemicals. The derailment prompted the evacuation of residents from the surrounding area. Upon returning to their homes, residents reported hazardous air quality and other health and environmental concerns.
On February 8, 2023, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated that Norfolk Southern "created the problem" and that it was "their liability" and "ought to pay for it." On February 21, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered Norfolk Southern to clean up the site, stating that it "will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they've inflicted on this community." The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report stated that the derailment was 100% preventable, and it later opened a special investigation into Norfolk Southern's safety practices because it had experienced five significant accidents since December 2021. On March 14, 2023, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a complaint against Norfolk Southern alleging a wide range of violations in connection with a series of Norfolk Southern train derailments. On March 16, 2023, purchasers of Norfolk Southern stock filed securities fraud class action claims against the company. On March 31, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Norfolk Southern seeking penalties and injunctive relief for the unlawful discharge of pollutants, oil, and hazardous substances under the Clean Water Act, and declaratory judgment for past and future costs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
The Schubert Firm is investigating potential wrongdoing by Norfolk Southern's officers and directors in connection with these allegations. Norfolk Southern previously recognized $387 million in expenses related to these matters, and on July 27, 2023 announced another $416 million charge, for a total of $803 million.
If you own Norfolk Southern stock and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at
https://www.classactionlawyers.com/norfolk.
About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP
Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide.
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SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/shareholder-alert-norfolk-southern-corporation-nsc-officers-directors-face-shareholder-investigation-potential-wrongdoing-related-february-2023-east-palestine-train-derailment-which-has-resulted-803-million-charges/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:01 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/shareholder-alert-norfolk-southern-corporation-nsc-officers-directors-face-shareholder-investigation-potential-wrongdoing-related-february-2023-east-palestine-train-derailment-which-has-resulted-803-million-charges/ |
Tesla is opening a regional hub in Providence, according to its future landlord.
Joseph R. Paolino Jr. says the electric carmaker is moving into the former Stop & Shop at the Mashapaug Commons Plaza in the Reservoir Triangle neighborhood, where it will operate a repair facility, retail sales area, and delivery center.
Paolino’s company has been overseeing work for the past few months to retrofit the old grocery store for Tesla, including a new roof, garage door, and HVAC system. The carmaker will soon take over that work as it aims to open its doors in early 2024, according to Paolino.
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To unveil the news and to mark turning over the work to Tesla, various dignitaries will gather for a “Plug Into Providence” news conference and ceremonial plugging-in of a Tesla on Tuesday, according to Paolino Properties.
It’s a big deal for the Reservoir Triangle area, according to Paolino, a former mayor of the city. “I think it’s a great infusion of dollars and job creation and activity that can help sustain that neighborhood,” he said.
According to Tesla’s website, the only Tesla store in Rhode Island is on Bald Hill Road in Warwick. The new 76,000-square-foot Providence location will be one of the largest Tesla locations in the New England market, Paolino’s company says.
Electric vehicles are likely to become more and more common on Rhode Island roadways as the state moves to adopt California’s zero-emissions vehicle standards. Paolino credited Biden and McKee administration initiatives to move toward vehicle electrification – like efforts to build a network of charging stations – with luring Tesla.
”I’m not trying to be political in this, it’s just a fact,” Paolino said. “This stuff is happening.”
By the way, apropos of basically nothing, Tesla CEO Elon Musk got into a fender bender outside Snookers during a visit to Providence during his college years at Penn. A recent auction of Musk mementos, including photos of his visit to the state, recently netted more than $100,000 for Rhode Island native Jennifer Gwynne, Musk’s X-girlfriend.
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This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via email Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
Brian Amaral can be reached at brian.amaral@globe.com. Follow him @bamaral44. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/metro/tesla-is-coming-providence/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:04 | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/metro/tesla-is-coming-providence/ |
SHENZHEN, China, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AMIRO ("the Company"), a leading beauty and skincare technology brand, is thrilled to announce that its research facility, AMIRO LAB, has successfully obtained the Qualified Testing Location (QTL) certification after a comprehensive audit conducted by SGS.
SGS, a globally recognized testing, inspection and certification organization with thousands of branches and laboratories worldwide, introduced the QTL certification for laboratory witness testing. As an SGS-accredited testing location, AMIRO LAB will undergo witness testing by SGS during the certification process, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the test data. This reduces the time required for companies to transport samples to SGS-designated laboratories for testing, thus effectively shortening the product testing cycle.
"As we receive the QTL certification for AMIRO LAB, it signifies a resounding acknowledgment of our research center's testing capabilities and management efficiency," Jason Chen, Quality Management Director, said. "This milestone propels us into a new phase of strategic cooperation with SGS. Looking ahead, we will forge closer ties in product testing, inspection, certification, and industry standard-setting to drive the high-quality and sustainable development of the skincare technology industry."
Widely recognized as a technology-driven and innovation-focused skincare enterprise, AMIRO has always prioritized research and development. From its inception, AMIRO has established its AMIRO LAB to focus on innovative applications of photonic and medical technologies in the beauty and skincare field. The center boasts a wide array of state-of-the-art equipment, facilitating effective quantitative evaluations.
In a bid to enhance its research and development capabilities, AMIRO has also actively engaged in collaborations between industry, academia, and research institutions, partnering with renowned universities to set up joint R&D centers. These collaborations have enabled AMIRO to advance fundamental research and create products that precisely cater to users' skincare needs.
One exemplary collaboration involves the establishment of the Smart Photonic Medical Technology Joint Research Center with Shanghai Jiao Tong University's School of Biomedical Engineering. This center explores the application and commercialization of photonic therapy in relevant fields. Additionally, the Company has also collaborated with Zhejiang University's School of Pharmacy that led the research on transdermal permeation technology combined with photonic energy. AMIRO has also worked with Sichuan University on a precise skin measurement and evaluation development platform, and with Chongqing University on skin photonic science to study anti-aging skincare solutions for consumers.
AMIRO's prominent position in the industry is further cemented by its active participation in establishing industry standards. The Company has taken an active role in standard-setting initiatives by leveraging its profound R&D capabilities. AMIRO has led the formulation of several industry group standards, including "Guidelines for Face Masks Used in Conjunction with RF Beauty Devices" and "Guidelines for Skincare Products Used in Conjunction with RF and Microcurrent Home Beauty Devices." Moreover, AMIRO has participated in the development of the national standard "Special Requirements for the Safety of Electrical Skin Beauty Devices" to help with the standardization of the industry.
The latest SGS' awarding of the QTL certification to AMIRO is a testament to the brand's advanced laboratory equipment and robust quality management system. This certification represents not only the assurance of product quality but signifies The Company's commitment to enhancing product certification efficiency and accelerating its product launch process to benefit more consumers.
Looking ahead, AMIRO remains committed to optimizing its quality management system as well as its product inspection and testing processes. The Company will continue to translate scientific research achievements into practical applications, delivering simple, safe, and effective products. AMIRO's ultimate goal is to offer precise and tailored skincare solutions for every individual, allowing consumers to experience the beauty of life to the fullest.
For more information about AMIRO and its range of facial devices, please visit their official website.
Or connect with them on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amiroglobal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMIRO-Global-103502195623795/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amiroglobal/featured
About AMIRO
AMIRO, a beauty and skincare technology brand founded in 2015, has been delivering joy and harmony through its technologically advanced home beauty and personal care electronic products. With over 38 international design awards, AMIRO is your trusted skincare partner that offers portable, short-acting, and long-lasting solutions to improve skincare efficiency.
Upholding the idea of "Revitalize beauty through science", AMIRO's products are designed to be affordable, high-quality, and supported by clinical data. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, AMIRO is dedicated to providing skincare solutions that make women of all ages feel confident and beautiful.
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SOURCE AMIRO | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/skincare-tech-brand-amiro-receives-qtl-certification-sgs-strengthen-rampd-efforts/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:08 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/skincare-tech-brand-amiro-receives-qtl-certification-sgs-strengthen-rampd-efforts/ |
SAN DIEGO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics Inc. today revealed pricing and availability for the new Sony BRAVIA XR A95L QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV. This model comes in 55" (54.6" diag.), 65" (64.5" diag.) and 77" (76.7" diag.) class sizes with suggested retail price starting at $2,799.99. The A95L offers Sony's best color ever and will be available for pre-order starting August 21 at Sony authorized dealers nationwide.
U.S. pricing and availability details:
- 77" Class (76.7" diag): $4,999.99 MSRP (Available to pre-order on 8/21/2023)
- 65" Class (64.5" diag): $3,499.99 MSRP (Available to pre-order on 8/21/2023)
- 55" Class (54.6" diag): $2,799.99 MSRP (Available to pre-order on 8/21/2023)
Canada pricing and availability details:
- 77" Class (76.7" diag): $6,999.99 MSRP (Available to pre-order on 8/21/2023)
- 65" Class (64.5" diag): $4,999.99 MSRP (Available to pre-order on 8/21/2023)
- 55" Class (54.6" diag): $3,999.99 MSRP (Available to pre-order on 8/21/2023)
For full A95L specifications, please visit: https://electronics.sony.com/tv-video/televisions/all-tvs/p/xr65a95l
BRAVIA XR A95L QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV Key Features:
Enjoy the brightest and widest range of colors and hues, powered by the intelligent Cognitive Processor XR™. With a QD-OLED screen enhanced by XR Triluminos Max™, experience color performance with up to 200% as much color brightness of a conventional OLED TV. Individually lit pixels produce pure black, so your favorite movies, shows, and games burst to life on screen with extraordinary detail and depth.
- Google TV: Get access to all your favorite streaming apps in one place with Google TV™, and simply use your voice to search and ask questions with Google Assistant. 1
- Intelligent and powerful TV processing: Powered by Sony's intelligent Cognitive Processor XR™, hundreds of thousands of individual on-screen elements are processed and remastered in the blink of an eye, boosting color, contrast, and clarity.
- Sony's widest palette of colors: With QD-OLED panel technology and enhanced by XR Triluminos Max™, millions of self-illuminating individual pixels deliver more saturation and brightness to every color.
- Definitive contrast: By pairing the QD-OLED panel and XR OLED Contrast Pro™, see up to 200% color brightness compared to conventional OLED TVs, bringing scenes to life with pure black and our brightest colors.
- Multi View: Exclusively on the A95L, use Multi View to split your screen and enjoy watching content from two different sources at the same time. Such as playing a game on one side and watching a walkthrough on the other.2,3
- Perfect for PlayStation® 5: Take your gaming to the next level with exclusive features Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for optimized picture quality while gaming and streaming on your PS5® console.4
- All game settings in one place: With Game Menu, quickly manage your gaming picture settings and exclusive assist features in a single convenient interface.
- With Acoustic Surface Audio+™, actuators behind the TV vibrate to produce audio from the entire screen elevating the sound and improving dialogue. An integrated subwoofer delivers powerful bass to round out the sound.
- Pairs perfectly with Sony soundbars: Paired with select Sony soundbars, Acoustic Center Sync synchronizes the TVs speakers with the soundbar, boosting the center channel for clearer, fuller vocals. When connected, soundbar settings automatically appear on the TV's Quick Settings menu for easy to control of volume, sound field, and other soundbar features.5
- Enhanced TV experience with included BRAVIA CAM: Connect the supplied BRAVIA CAM to unlock Ambient Optimization Pro which automatically optimizes the picture and sound to where you're sitting in the room. You can also enjoy video chat with friends and family on the big screen.6
- All Eco settings in one place: With the Eco Dashboard, energy saving settings can now be centrally managed. You can easily customize energy saving settings for your TV usage, viewing environment, and the content you are watching.
Sony is keeping its commitment to decreasing plastic usage through its Road to Zero initiative. To reduce environmental impact, Sony is working on multiple aspects of the product life cycle, such as reduction of virgin plastic use, improvement of transportation efficiency and reviewing energy consumption during use. Additionally, the new Eco Dashboard included on all 2023 BRAVIA XR models allows users to easily customize energy saving preferences and settings.
About Sony Electronics, Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Group Corporation, one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics, and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit http://www.sony.com/news for more information.
1 User must accept Google Terms of Service (http://www.google.com/policies/terms/), Play Terms of Service (https://play.google.com/intl/en-US_us/about/play-terms/index.html) and Privacy Policy (http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/) to use TV. User must connect to a Google Account to use certain advertised features, including voice to activate linked apps, and install certain apps and operating software during setup. Use of TV without connecting to a Google Account allows only basic TV features and certain apps. Wireless connectivity requires 802.11 home network (802.11n recommended). Network services, content, operating system, and software of this product may be subject to separate or third-party terms and conditions and changed, interrupted or discontinued at any time and may require fees, registration and credit card information. Apps must be compatible with TV. App availability varies by region and device. Google TV is the name of this device's software experience. Google, Google TV and other marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
2 Screen Size feature will be available via future firmware update.
3 Multi View feature will be available via future firmware update.
4 To activate Auto HDR Tone Mapping, must enable feature when pairing TV and PS5 for the first time; or will need to disconnect TV and PS5, perform factory reset on PS5 and enable the feature during initial setup. Auto Genre Picture Mode works when Auto Picture Mode on the TV is set to ON. Both features are supported only when PS5 and TV are directly connected. Applicable models: All BRAVIA XR models, X85K, X80K.
5 Acoustic Centre Sync works with compatible Sony soundbars and AV receivers. For full compatibility list visit https://www.sony.net/hav_faq.
6 Other than video chat, some BRAVIA CAM features may require future firmware update.
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SOURCE Sony Electronics, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sony-electronics-announces-pricing-availability-sony-bravia-xr-a95l-qd-oled-4k-hdr-google-tv/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:14 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/sony-electronics-announces-pricing-availability-sony-bravia-xr-a95l-qd-oled-4k-hdr-google-tv/ |
Biden goes west to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures, the White House said Monday.
Biden is expected to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, America’s most significant response to climate change, and the push toward more clean energy manufacturing. The act aims to spur clean energy on a scale that will bend the arc of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
July has been the hottest month ever recorded. Biden last week announced new steps to protect workers in extreme heat, including measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.
Members of Biden’s administration also are fanning out over the next few weeks around the anniversary of the landmark climate change and health care legislation to extol the administration’s successes as the Democratic president seeks reelection in 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Wisconsin this week with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to talk about broadband infrastructure investments. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack goes to Oregon to highlight wildfire defense grants, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to Illinois and Texas, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona heads to Maryland to talk about career and technical education programs.
The Inflation Reduction Act included roughly $375 billion over a decade to combat climate change and capped the cost of a month’s supply of insulin at $35 for older Americans and other Medicare beneficiaries. It also helps an estimated 13 million Americans pay for health care insurance by extending subsidies provided during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure is paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement of wealthy individuals and entities, with additional funds going to reduce the federal deficit.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbrc.com/2023/07/31/biden-goes-west-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-combat-climate-change/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:17 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/2023/07/31/biden-goes-west-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-combat-climate-change/ |
Bonifacino and Grothe Previously Served as Senior Members of the Proxy Contest and M&A Research Groups at Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, Respectively
David Whissel Promoted to Managing Director
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spotlight Advisors, LLC, a leading financial and strategy advisory firm focused on guiding public companies and their investors in high-stakes situations, today announced the expansion of its senior leadership ranks with the addition of two accomplished professionals, Juan Bonifacino and Mark Grothe. Spotlight is also promoting David Whissel to Managing Director.
During the last eight years, Spotlight has become the leading advisory practice assisting public companies in responding to shareholder activists and other contentious shareholder matters, including challenged M&A transactions, controversial compensation plans and contested director elections. In the first half of 2023, according to data compiled by FactSet Research Systems, Spotlight had the most assignments as financial and strategy advisor in high-stakes shareholder activism matters in the United States.
"The addition of Juan and Mark to the Spotlight team will ensure our clients continue to receive best-in-class advice and achieve the remarkable outcomes they expect from us," said Gregory P. Taxin, Managing Member of Spotlight Advisors.
Juan Bonifacino, CFA, joins Spotlight as a Managing Director after having served as head of the shareholder activism practice at Stifel, where he advised more than three dozen public companies on activism response and preparedness, corporate governance, ESG and institutional investor outreach.
Previously, Juan was a Vice President of M&A and Proxy Contest Research at Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), where he evaluated and made voting recommendations to institutional shareholders on the financial and strategic implications of over one hundred proxy contests, contentious mergers and economic proposals.
Mark Grothe, CFA, joins Spotlight as a Senior Director after 14 years as a senior member of the M&A and Contested Situations research team at Glass, Lewis & Co., where he provided institutional shareholders with in-depth research and evaluated the strategic and financial merit in thousands of special situations across all industries and markets. As a part of that work, Mark served as Glass Lewis' primary analyst and issued voting recommendations for more than 200 contested director elections and M&A transactions, including many of the most closely watched situations of the last decade.
"The Spotlight team has known Juan and Mark for many years, and we are very excited to be working with them directly as we grow our client base further," said Mr. Taxin. "I am also thrilled to announce David Whissel has been promoted to Managing Director. Over the last three years, Dave has demonstrated sound judgment, encyclopedic knowledge of activism and shareholders and an incredible work ethic. His contributions have meaningfully driven the success of our firm and great results for our clients."
Spotlight is consistently ranked as the top advisor to companies and investors, having served as a financial and strategy advisor in 118 shareholder activist campaigns in the United States since the beginning of 2020, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Finance LP. By deal volume, Spotlight advised in 25% more campaigns than its closest rival, Goldman, Sachs & Co., and in 50% more activism situations than each of the next three advisors: Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan.
Mr. Taxin concluded, "With a team of seven senior professionals with experience at the world's foremost investment banks, law firms, institutional investors and proxy advisory firms, Spotlight is well placed to continue to drive great results for our clients in shareholder activism and other high-stakes corporate matters."
About Juan I. Bonifacino
Prior to joining Spotlight, Juan Bonifacino founded and led the Shareholder Advisory & Activism practice at the investment bank Stifel. In 2022, Juan was named a Rising Star Dealmaker by the Global M&A Network as well as an Emerging Leader by M&A Advisor. Previously, Juan was a Principal at CamberView Partners (now PJT CamberView), a governance advisory firm. Juan previously served as a Vice President of M&A and Proxy Contest Research at ISS, where he evaluated and made voting recommendations on the financial and strategic implications of over one hundred proxy contests, contested and contentious mergers, and other proposals with an immediate economic impact for institutional investor clients. Juan is a CFA charterholder and received an M.B.A. from Georgetown University where he was the valedictorian of his class, as well as a B.A. from Princeton University.
About Mark Grothe
Prior to joining Spotlight, Mark was a Senior Analyst on the M&A and Contested Situations research team at Glass Lewis for 14 years, where he provided institutional shareholders with in-depth research and voting recommendations on proxy contests, M&A transactions, shareholder activism campaigns and capital-related shareholder proposals. In his role at Glass Lewis, Mark frequently engaged with corporate directors and senior executives, activist investors, director candidates, institutional asset managers, and activism advisors. During his tenure, Mark served as the primary analyst on dozens of notable Glass Lewis research reports. Mark began his career as an analyst on Glass Lewis' accounting and forensic research teams, where he performed deep-dive analysis to uncover hidden or underappreciated risks at public companies related to business strategy, accounting methods, earnings quality and governance. Mark is a CFA charterholder and has a double master's degree in finance and accounting from the University of Colorado Denver, where he also completed his undergraduate studies in business and economics.
About David Whissel
David has been named a Managing Director after serving as a Senior Director of Spotlight Advisors since September 2020, where he has advised clients in dozens of proxy contests and contested M&A transaction votes. He was previously Executive Vice President and Director of Corporate Governance at MacKenzie Partners, where he represented clients in proxy contests and shareholder activism situations, friendly and contested mergers and acquisitions, and annual meetings. David also advised clients on general corporate governance, investor relations, shareholder proposals, and executive compensation matters. Prior to joining MacKenzie in 2016, David was CEO and Director of Research at Proxy Mosaic, a corporate governance research and proxy advisory firm that focused on shareholder activism, M&A, and executive compensation. David received his BA from Denison University, and his JD from the University of Tennessee College of Law.
About Spotlight Advisors, LLC
Spotlight Advisors, LLC, is a leading financial and strategy advisory firm focused on guiding public companies and their investors in high-stakes situations, such as contested director elections and contentious M&A transactions. Spotlight has provided advice in more than 150 situations involving shareholder activists seeking changes in the composition of public company boards (and has served as an advisor in approximately one-fourth of all proxy fights that went to a final vote in the United States since 2016) and in dozens of complex M&A and Special Committee situations, including unsolicited bids, bear hug letters and management buyouts. These complex situations often draw intense scrutiny from shareholders, the media and regulators, raising the stakes for executives and directors as their actions and decisions are placed in the spotlight. More about the firm is available at www.SpotlightAdvisors.com.
CONTACT: Greg Taxin, gtaxin@spotlightadvisors.com
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SOURCE SPOTLIGHT ADVISORS, LLC | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/spotlight-advisors-adds-new-expertise-with-appointment-juan-i-bonifacino-mark-grothe/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:21 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/spotlight-advisors-adds-new-expertise-with-appointment-juan-i-bonifacino-mark-grothe/ |
The Industry's Only End-to-End Platform Will Help Businesses Streamline the Compliance Journey
TAMPA, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A-LIGN, the leading cybersecurity compliance solutions provider, announced today the groundbreaking news that its award-winning compliance automation platform, A-SCEND, will be available at no charge.
"We enable businesses to build trust with their customers – whether they are getting ready for their first audit or consolidating multiple audit frameworks. We are thrilled to enable more organizations to experience the power of compliance automation on our platform," said Giles House, Chief Marketing & Product Officer at A-LIGN. "A-SCEND is the only solution on the market backed by a team of experienced audit professionals that can provide end-to-end services to streamline the entire compliance lifecycle."
Businesses can now harness the power of A-SCEND's automation and audit-readiness capabilities to streamline their compliance efforts. With the platform, users can:
- Automate evidence collection for their audit with the click of a button by leveraging 90+ integrations
- Streamline policy management with industry-best-practice templates
- Complete a readiness assessment to find out how prepared they are for the next audit
- Receive a real-time health check of their compliance posture with the Compliance Hub, which tests controls against CIS benchmarks on a scheduled basis
This announcement comes at a time of remarkable growth for A-SCEND. The platform has been leveraged to collect over two million pieces of evidence for thousands of users, while achieving an 80+ NPS score. A-LIGN has made significant investments into the platform with notable SaaS industry veteran new hires including House as CMPO and Raya Cleary as VP Product.
To learn more about A-SCEND and get started today for free, visit https://www.a-lign.com/lp/a-scend-signup.
About A-LIGN
A-LIGN is the only end-to-end cybersecurity compliance solutions provider with readiness to report compliance automation software paired with professional audit services, trusted by more than 4,000 global organizations to help mitigate cybersecurity risks. A-LIGN uniquely delivers a single-provider holistic approach as a licensed CPA firm to SOC 1 and SOC 2 Audit services, accredited ISO 27001, ISO 27701 and ISO 22301 Certification Body, HITRUST CSF Assessor firm, accredited FedRAMP 3PAO, authorized CMMC C3PAO, PCI Qualified Security Assessor Company, and PCI SSC registered Secure Software Assessor Company. Working with growing businesses to global enterprises, A-LIGN's experts and its compliance automation platform, A-SCEND, are transforming the compliance experience.
CONTACT:
Abigail Rodrigues
abigail.rodrigues@a-lign.com
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SOURCE A-LIGN | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/a-lign-sets-new-standard-compliance-automation-with-free-access-a-scend-software/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:23 | 0 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/a-lign-sets-new-standard-compliance-automation-with-free-access-a-scend-software/ |
CHICAGO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stafford Capital Partners ("Stafford") is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Carrabes as Head of Client Solutions in North America. Joe's appointment signals an important moment for Stafford's business development as it expands its operations in the US and North America.
Joe brings over 25 years' experience to the role, where he has previously held senior institutional leadership, sales and relationship management positions across a variety of products and strategies, including alternatives, ESG strategies and long only equity and fixed income.
Prior to Stafford, Joe was responsible for managing some of the largest institutional relationships at Amundi US. Joe also spent 12 years at Jennison Associates where he was Head of Institutional Sales and Client Service and was responsible for managing the institutional distribution efforts.
Commenting on the appointment, Stafford's Global Head of Client Solutions Valentina Abbott said: "We are delighted to welcome Joe to the team. He is an impressive executive with an incredible track record in capital raising and is highly regarded for his ability to build strategic partnerships with institutional investors.
Stafford recognizes its responsibility as an investor to contribute to a more sustainable financial system by taking a long-term, responsible approach to investing across alternatives. Joe's experience will be invaluable for Stafford in supporting our clients across the region with their net zero efforts.
This is a landmark moment for Stafford in the US and North America and signals a significant step forward in our commitment to the region."
Speaking about his appointment, Joe Carrabes said: "I am delighted to join Stafford, and I am looking forward to delivering on the firm's growth ambitions in the North American region. I see great potential for Stafford to support high-quality investors on their net zero journeys and believe the firm is well positioned to tackle the opportunities in the North American market."
Media enquiries
Georgina Whittle
Partner
Camarco
07835 770967
Georgina.whittle@camarco.co.uk
Amrith Uppuluri
Senior Consultant
Camarco
07763 083058
amrith.uppuluri@camarco.co.uk
Sean Palmer
Associate Partner
Camarco
07591 760844
sean.palmer@camarco.co.uk
Alexandra Lawrence
Associate Consultant
APCO Worldwide
404-254-7641
alawrence@apcoworldwide.com
About Stafford Capital Partners
Stafford is an independent private markets investment and advisory firm with USD 7.9 billion in assets under management and advice for more than 150 institutional clients worldwide. Founded in 2000, Stafford has a global team of 80+ professionals investing in infrastructure, timberland & agriculture, and sustainable private equity through secondaries, primaries, and co-investments. Stafford has been a UN PRI signatory since 2010 and has committed to the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative. It puts sustainability at the centre of its investment process and implements a well-defined ESG program across all strategies. In the UK, Stafford is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number: 225586).
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SOURCE Stafford Capital Partners | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/stafford-capital-partners-expands-us-operations-appoints-joe-carrabes-head-client-solutions-north-america/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:27 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/stafford-capital-partners-expands-us-operations-appoints-joe-carrabes-head-client-solutions-north-america/ |
ALHAMBRA, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. ("ApolloMed," and together with its subsidiaries and affiliated entities, the "Company") (NASDAQ: AMEH), a leading physician-centric, technology-powered healthcare company focused on enabling providers in the successful delivery of value-based care, today announced an agreement to partner with IntraCare, an operator of a value-based primary care provider network and primary care clinics located predominantly in Texas with a growing presence in Oklahoma.
Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area of Texas, IntraCare is aligned with over 425 providers managing the care of over 40,000 members. Like ApolloMed, IntraCare is on a mission to build a thriving healthcare ecosystem that promotes successful, independent physicians, strengthens the patient-physician relationship, and improves patient satisfaction and healthcare outcomes through quality, compassionate coordinated care.
ApolloMed's partnership with IntraCare is poised to accelerate access to high-quality, value-based care for seniors in three areas. First, ApolloMed's ACO will partner with IntraCare's primary care providers as part of the ACO REACH program, an attribution-based risk-bearing model designed to advance health equity and bring the benefits of accountable care to Medicare beneficiaries in underserved communities. In addition, ApolloMed will deploy its value-based care platform as the exclusive care enablement partner for IntraCare providers participating in the ACO REACH program. Finally, to further IntraCare's mission and growth, ApolloMed will lend IntraCare a $25 million senior secured convertible promissory note maturing in 2028. Guggenheim Securities, LLC acted as financial advisor to IntraCare in connection with the transactions.
Brandon Sim, Co-CEO of ApolloMed, stated, "We have admired IntraCare's demonstrated track record of successfully empowering local independent primary care practices in Texas and Oklahoma, a strategy which is aligned with and complementary to our success in our core markets. With this partnership, we are excited to build upon IntraCare's momentum and partner with their providers in our ACO, continuing to scale our Care Partners business. We also look forward to bringing our Care Enablement platform to these providers and will work closely with IntraCare's leadership team in continuing to expand upon their historical success while exploring additional avenues for collaboration down the road."
Anwar Kazi, CEO of IntraCare, added, "We are thrilled to be partnering with ApolloMed, a company that is aligned with IntraCare in its mission of empowering providers in the successful delivery of value-based care. We believe that joining forces with ApolloMed will enable us to accelerate the growth of our business as we look to continue expanding our affiliate network and owned clinic footprint within our existing geographic presence in Texas and Oklahoma."
About Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.
ApolloMed is a leading physician-centric, technology-powered, risk-bearing healthcare management company. Leveraging its proprietary end-to-end technology solutions, ApolloMed operates an integrated healthcare delivery platform that enables providers to successfully participate in value-based care arrangements, thus empowering them to deliver high quality care to patients in a cost-effective manner.
Headquartered in Alhambra, California, ApolloMed's subsidiaries and affiliates include management services organizations (MSOs), affiliated independent practice associations (IPAs), and entities participating in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center (CMMI) innovation models. For more information, please visit www.apollomed.net.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, such as statements about the Company's operational focus and strategic growth plans and expectations regarding its ability to successfully partner with third parties. Forward-looking statements reflect current views with respect to future events and financial performance and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of the Company's management, and some or all of such expectations and assumptions may not materialize or may vary significantly from actual results. Actual results may also vary materially from forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and other factors, known and unknown, including the risk factors described from time to time in the Company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including without limitation the risk factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Investor Relations
(626) 943-6491
investors@apollomed.net
Carolyne Sohn, The Equity Group
(408) 538-4577
csohn@equityny.com
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AI demonstrated high accuracy, reduced non-diagnostic outputs, and identified HFpEF patients with worse outcomes.
OXFORD, England, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Applying AI to a single apical four chamber (A4C) view echocardiogram provides accurate information to detect heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), according to research published today in JACC Advances.1
The study, presented at the American Society of Echocardiography Annual Scientific Session, demonstrates the platform could improve the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of a condition that currently often goes undetected, or requires additional invasive procedures to confirm.
Ultromics' EchoGo® Heart Failure accurately detected HFpEF and provided fewer non-diagnostic outputs than current clinical scores, using just the routinely acquired A4C view from a transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE). The novel technology, which was recently granted clearance and Breakthrough Device designation by the FDA, identifies radiomic signatures of disease that are not evident to the human eye.
Senior study author, Patricia A. Pellikka, M.D, Vice Chair in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic, said: "HFpEF can be difficult to detect, but left undetected and untreated, can result in hospitalization and mortality. As the first AI platform cleared to detect the condition, EchoGo® Heart Failure can fill a significant unmet need."
"With more than 32 million people living with HFpEF, and the incidence increasing, clinicians will benefit from having another means to recognize this disease."
Based on the AI findings, patients could potentially be started on medications to treat their condition earlier than if they had to wait for an invasive diagnostic assessment of the disease.
The AI model was trained and developed on 6,756 patients who underwent a comprehensive TTE at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between January 2009 to December 2020. It was then independently tested in geographically distinct areas within Mayo Clinic enterprise System sites across the United States, on a dataset that included 1,284 patients.
EchoGo® Heart Failure demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, detecting 87.8% of patients who had HFpEF, and 81.9% of patients that did not.1 These results exceed what is usually observed in routine clinical practice.
It was also able to assign a correct diagnosis to 74% of patients who had returned non-diagnostic results on the commonly used HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF clinical scores.1 This improvement could translate to more patients receiving accurate and timely diagnoses and management.
During the follow-up period of up to 5 years, 444 patients died, highlighting the poor outcomes associated with HFpEF.1 The AI model was able to identify patients with worse survival, demonstrating its capacity to meaningfully improve patient outcomes.
Ross Upton, PhD, CEO and Founder of Ultromics, said: "Our research demonstrates the tremendous potential of AI in revolutionizing the detection of HFpEF. EchoGo® Heart Failure's exceptional discrimination capabilities combined with its ability to identify patients with higher mortality risks holds great promise for improving patient outcomes and enabling faster access to treatment."
"In a large number of cases, diagnostic data are often missing or discordant, making HFpEF detection challenging. AI can enhance echocardiography capabilities to help practices overcome the cumbersome intricacy of diastolic assessment. It is particularly useful for clinical centers that lack the time, resources, or expertise to perform comprehensive, diagnostic-quality, assessments."
By streamlining the screening process for this complex clinical syndrome, EchoGo® Heart Failure paves the way for more patients to receive the care they need sooner, potentially preventing more severe outcomes, and reducing HFpEF's significant burden on patients and healthcare.
Ultromics remains committed to advancing AI technology to transform cardiovascular healthcare. The groundbreaking findings from this study underscore the company's dedication to empowering healthcare professionals with tools that overcome existing bottlenecks and enhance patient care.
For more information on EchoGo® Heart Failure, visit Ultromics.com
Mayo Clinic has a financial interest in the technology referenced in this press release. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research.
Notes to editors
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of Mayo Clinic, USA and St. George's University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, UK, and supported by a grant from the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE).
References:
1 - Akerman AP, Porumb M, Scott CG, et al. Automated Echocardiographic Detection of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction using Artificial Intelligence. JACC Advances, 2023:100452.
About Ultromics:
Ultromics is a pioneer in advanced heart failure detection. The ground-breaking platform, EchoGo ®, is transforming the way heart failure is diagnosed using artificial intelligence and cardiac ultrasound as a modality. The technology empowers clinicians to make precise, efficient, and accurate assessments of heart failure, leveraging the largest known heart disease outcomes dataset in echocardiography, accurately interpreting echocardiograms and predicting cardiac outcomes. The technology has been built in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and NHS England, and has over $50 million raised capital to support continued innovation with the likes of Blue Venture Fund, Optum Ventures, Oxford Science Enterprises, and GV. They are backed by the largest US health insurance firms with 4 FDA clearances. Ultromics' mission is to stop heart failure in its tracks with its precision detection platform. https://www.ultromics.com
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Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2165745/Ultromics.jpg
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SOURCE Ultromics | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/study-confirms-ultromics-ai-can-improve-hfpef-detection-using-single-echocardiogram-view/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:33 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/study-confirms-ultromics-ai-can-improve-hfpef-detection-using-single-echocardiogram-view/ |
SINGAPORE, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asia Innovations Group (ASIG) announced today that its Technology Center of Excellence (TCE) is now fully operational after five months of rigorous testing and development. The TCE's official launch marks a significant milestone in ASIG's ongoing AI development.
The TCE is an AIGC-centric engineering shared services hub that unites a skilled team of technical specialists, product experts, project managers, and a Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) platform. Based on Ray Serve, MLflow, K8s and ASIG's self-built hybrid cloud, the MLOps platform has gathered an extensive assortment of both open-source and proprietary AI models, enabling engineers, product developers, and professionals in operations and marketing to seamlessly access the platform via API interfaces.
ASIG has been at the forefront of adopting AI and has heavily invested in AI technologies in recent years. By providing multimodal models and solutions for natural language processing and computer vision, the TCE has enabled ASIG to accelerate the development of AI technologies across a wide range of applications.
The TCE has strengthened ASIG's e-commerce capabilities by utilizing Stable Diffusion technology. With this technology, users can match clothes with models while streamlining image processing and reducing production costs. Even with granular features such as model head swapping and skin changing, AI image extraction is exceptionally fast, delivering 100 images in just five seconds. Additionally, SEO copywriting generates marketing content for 3C products by simply inputting keywords and SKU information, helping to reduce promotion costs, increase product exposure, and boost organic traffic.
The TCE has also enhanced Orbit, ASIG's new social discovery product, by incorporating large language models that enable users to engage in conversations and play games with Obi, an AI-powered chatbot. These models provide for other innovative features such as icebreaking during one-on-one chats between users, as well as an in-app text-to-image tool that allows users to produce captivating images that express their emotions, ideas, and thoughts in a creative and personalized fashion. In essence, these enhancements strengthen genuine connections and elevate the overall user experience on the platform.
"The TCE showcases our strong capabilities in AIGC application, as well as our unwavering commitment to create innovative, impactful products," said Ouyang Yun, Chairman and CEO of ASIG. "AI is not just a new technology, it has the power to better connect people and positively impact users worldwide."
Finally, the TCE increases ASIG's operational efficiency by providing AI-powered administrative and financial services internally. This strengthens the company's overall functionality and streamlines its processes.
About Asia Innovations Group
Asia Innovations Group (ASIG) is a global leader in the mobile social industry, serving over 700 million registered users in over 150 regions worldwide as of July 2023. With eighteen offices around the globe, ASIG leverages its proven record of innovation, cutting-edge technology, scalable infrastructure, and global insights with local expertise in emerging markets to deliver stakeholder value based on the most exciting trends and growth opportunities in the social marketplace. ASIG has built a comprehensive and diverse portfolio since its founding in 2013, including leading apps such as Uplive, the global live video platform; CuteU and Lamour, the dominant dating apps in emerging markets; as well as other fast-growing voice and game-based live social apps. ASIG continues to be focused on integrating emerging technologies, including the latest AI applications, into all of its products to achieve its mission of enriching people's lives through innovative and enjoyable social products that foster meaningful human connection.
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SOURCE Asia Innovations Group | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/asigs-technological-center-excellence-advances-ai-applications-with-unparalleled-innovation/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:36 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/asigs-technological-center-excellence-advances-ai-applications-with-unparalleled-innovation/ |
Retrospective Research Demonstrates Potential of FeelBetter in Optimizing Medication Regimens of Senior Patients and Reducing Avoidable Healthcare Utilization and Spending
BOSTON and TEL AVIV, Israel, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FeelBetter, the leading provider of medication management technology and pioneer of Pharmaco-Clinical Intelligence, today announced the findings of retrospective research conducted by investigators in Boston. Presented at the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) 2023 Annual Meeting and the 2023 Annual Research Meeting (ARM) of AcademyHealth, the results of the retrospective study demonstrate that FeelBetter's Pharmaco-Clinical Intelligence accurately and appropriately predicts senior patients at high risk of medication-related adverse events.
The study, conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, concluded that FeelBetter can be used to effectively risk stratify emergency department use and hospitalizations among patients over the age of 65 with multiple chronic conditions and complex medication regimens. Study results also indicate that when paired with a medication management intervention, FeelBetter's technology could potentially reduce healthcare utilization and expenses, and aid in improving patient outcomes.
"Medication-related issues contribute to 10-30% of hospitalizations in the elderly. Preventing these issues is critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing avoidable healthcare utilization and expenses. However, current intervention methods and alert systems have numerous limitations," said Lisa Rotenstein, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of Population Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital and principal investigator of the study. "What's exciting about this solution is that it enables a targeted view of those individuals who may most benefit from medication management interventions and the alteration of their medication regimens. These warnings and recommendations have the potential to aid clinicians and other healthcare providers in optimizing medication regimens, which could lead to downstream improvement in patient outcomes and cost reductions.
The population for the retrospective study included 108,817 of Brigham and Women's Hospital's senior patients (mean age of 77.1) who were taking an average of nine medications to treat multiple chronic conditions. Among the key study findings, the FeelBetter algorithm successfully incorporated a wide variety of data from the electronic health records and accurately stratified patients into risk groupings with distinct demographic and utilization characteristics. Patients in successive risk strata, as identified by FeelBetter, incurred incrementally more emergency department visits and hospitalizations one-, three-, and six-months post prediction. Patients in the highest risk percentile (99%) incurred a mean of 0.531 hospitalizations three-months post prediction.
The study also estimated a total of $4.8 million in potential savings in three months following the use of FeelBetter to risk stratify patients, when considering only the top 5% of high-risk patients and specific hospitalizations that may have been avoided pending medication changes. Based on the results of the retrospective analysis, the study team has begun conducting prospective research to further assess the capabilities of FeelBetter's technology to impact patient trajectories and costs of care.
"Our AI-powered solution leverages data on medications, demographics, social history, diagnoses, lab results, procedures, allergies, emergency department and hospitalization patterns, and costs, among other sources of information. It's comprehensively designed to help clinicians risk stratify patients and proactively personalize medication regimens," said Dr. Adva Tzuk Onn, FeelBetter's Chief Medical Officer, and a physician with more than 15 years of experience in geriatric and family medicine. "We're pleased to see the growing body of evidence for our Pharmaco-Clinical Intelligence and look forward to beginning prospective research with the team at Brigham and Women's Hospital to further assess FeelBetter's impact on improving patient outcomes and driving value-based care."
About FeelBetter
FeelBetter is the pioneer of Pharmaco-Clinical Intelligence, changing the polypharmacy paradigm on both an individual and population health level with a comprehensive solution designed to tackle the challenges associated with suboptimal medication management.Powered by AI and machine learning capabilities, FeelBetter's Pharmaco-Clinical Intelligence drives personalized medication management, helping healthcare professionals ensure that their patients' medication regimens are safe, effective, and appropriate. The technology pinpoints patients at high risk of deterioration and preventable hospitalization due to suboptimal medication management, and proactively suggests immediate and actionable interventions to reduce these risks. Provider organizations use FeelBetter to monitor their patients' progress and more proactively deliver the right follow-up care, as well as to efficiently allocate resources and minimize preventable, costly use of healthcare services.
Led by an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, clinical pharmacists, and technologists, FeelBetter is headquartered in Boston and Tel Aviv, Israel. Investors include Firstime Ventures, Shoni Health Ventures, Triventures, Random Forest VC, The Group Ventures, and GoodCompany Ventures. To learn more, visit feelbetter.healthcare.
Media Contact
Nicole Pariser
nicole@i-feelbetter.com
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SOURCE FeelBetter | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/study-shows-accuracy-appropriateness-benefit-using-feelbetter-risk-stratify-elderly-polypharmacy-patients/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:40 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/study-shows-accuracy-appropriateness-benefit-using-feelbetter-risk-stratify-elderly-polypharmacy-patients/ |
The owner of Helping Hands for Furry Paws animal rescue in Butler County, Ohio, was issued an arrest warrant after a raid of her home led to the discovery of nearly 120 dogs, 30 of which were found dead in freezers on Friday.
The remaining 86 dogs were taken to the Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County for evaluation and treatment.
Rescue owner Rhonda Murphy had been hospitalized and, at the time of publication, had not been taken into police custody.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said the conditions were some of the worst ever seen by sheriff's deputies and dog warden investigators.
"Five sets of puppies. No food," Jones said. "This one was nursing other pups, and you can see ribs hanging out, so, pretty nasty stuff."
SEE MORE: Why are custody battles over pets on the rise?
The conditions at Helping Hands for Furry Paws were completely different from Cincinnati Animal Care. Volunteers spent Saturday afternoon beautifying the property as 40 to 50 employees, like Ray Anderson, work daily to care for roughly 8,000 animals who pass through their facility annually.
"A lot of folks, they don't know the difference between a shelter and a rescue," Anderson said.
He said rescues can range from large operations dealing with hundreds of animals to a single person housing a couple of dogs off the street, but a person attempting to surrender their pet may never know what they're dealing with if they don't do their due diligence.
"Go some place where you can actually see the living conditions of the animals," Anderson said. "If someone is telling you they'll meet you at the Ikea parking lot or some other public space versus seeing how the animal is living, that would be a red flag for me."
If a person can't make a trip to see a property with their own eyes, Anderson suggested doing thorough research online.
He said reputable rescues should be posting recent pictures or videos of multiple animals around their facility, and the same should be true for any rescue's social media presence.
"Really, that's the big thing," Anderson said, "transparency."
Anderson said amateur rescues that get out of control usually start with the good intentions of helping animals in need, but become too much to handle.
He said shelters exist to help people before it reaches that point, and suggested people reach out to their local shelter before it reaches the point of criminality.
This story was originally published by Sean DeLancey for Scripps News Cincinnati.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.wmar2news.com/animal-rescue-owner-charged-after-grisly-discovery | 2023-07-31T13:24:43 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/animal-rescue-owner-charged-after-grisly-discovery |
50% Off Glasses Sitewide from July 31 to August 14 for All
DTC Vision Products Startup Helps You See Easy with a New Pair of High-Quality, Impact-Resistant, and Anti-Scratch Handcrafted Glasses
New York, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the 2023 school year approaches, Hubble Contacts, the leading direct–to–consumer brand providing high-value and affordable daily contact lenses, eyeglasses, sunglasses, and other eye care accessories, is excited to announce the launch of its Back-to-School See Easy, See More campaign, celebrating the kickoff of the new school year.
Recognizing the immense dedication and effort put forth by teachers, Hubble Contacts wants to show appreciation and support for their essential role in shaping the future of our world.
Starting July 31, the first 100 teachers to submit a photo of their current teacher ID badge or LinkedIn profile URL to teachers@hubblecontacts.com will receive a promo code that can be redeemed for a free pair of high-quality, impact-resistant and anti-scratch handcrafted prescription glasses.
Teachers will receive a complimentary pair of Hubble's stylish, durable frames to help them see their students through the entire school year. This exclusive giveaway, valued between $78-$138, depending on the add-on features, will run for two weeks only or until supplies last.
Don't fret if you didn't get a pair of glasses in time, as Hubble Contacts has got everyone covered with a 50% off discount on all eyeglasses.
Hubble's handcrafted prescription eyeglasses start at just $78, making them an affordable and stylish choice for everyone. With features such as anti-reflective, anti-glare, anti-scratch, hydrophobic, and oleophobic coatings, along with optional add-ons like reader magnification and blue light filtering, Hubble's eyeglasses offer exceptional functionality and versatility.
Students, parents, or anyone looking for a new pair of glasses can use the promo code "BACKTOSCHOOL50" at checkout from July 31 through August 14 to take advantage of this offer.
"Back to school is the perfect time to invest in a new pair of eyeglasses. And at Hubble, we aim to make this buying experience as hassle-free and as affordable as possible for you," said Steve Druckman, CEO of Hubble Contacts. "This campaign is our way of showing our support in helping you cross a new pair of eyeglasses off your new school year checklist."
Hubble's frames are proudly designed in the U.S., meticulously crafted with premium materials, and come with a tri-fold Hubble frames case and microfiber lens cloth. The glasses feature impact-resistant lenses, durable barrel hinges, and padded temple tips, ensuring durability and comfort.
The See Easy, See More Back-to-School campaign will be promoted on Hubble Contacts website, Instagram, through email marketing and PR.
For more information, please visit Hubble Contacts' website at www.hubblecontacts.com or follow us on Instagram.
SEE EASY, SEE MORE BACK-TO-SCHOOL GIVEAWAY TERMS + CONDITIONS:
- Entries must be received by midnight Pacific Time on August 14, 2023 to be eligible.
- No purchase is necessary.
- Entrants must be teachers in the U.S.A. and at least 18 years old.
- One entry per person.
- Hubble employees and their family members are not eligible.
- Winners will be notified by email beginning July 31 through August 14, 2023, or until supplies last.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hubble@lvpr.com
ABOUT HUBBLE CONTACTS:
Founded in 2016, Hubble Contacts is on a mission to create the easiest, most accessible, and most affordable contact lens and glasses buying experience in the world. Leveraging its vision care expertise and passion for customer service, Hubble offers high-quality, made-to-order daily wear contact lenses, eyeglasses, sunglasses, and other eye care accessories direct-to-consumers nationwide. To date, Hubble has sold over 400 million lenses.
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SOURCE Hubble Contacts | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/attention-teachers-hubble-contacts-is-giving-away-free-eyeglasses-educators-this-back-to-school-season/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:43 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/attention-teachers-hubble-contacts-is-giving-away-free-eyeglasses-educators-this-back-to-school-season/ |
BELLEVUE, Wash., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coinstar® for Financial is proud to announce its partnership with Suncoast™ Credit Union as they implement Coinstar self-service kiosks for in-lobby coin counting in 72 of its branches. Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in Florida and the 10th largest in the US based on membership, serving more than one million members across the state.
The partnership began with a 90-day pilot, allowing Suncoast to trial Coinstar's Anthony kiosks designed for financial institutions in a few of its busier branches. Surpassing Suncoast's goals of increasing transactions and efficiency, the pilot was a success. Coinstar for Financial will complete the rollout to all branches by the end of July.
"Coinstar's impact on productivity and member experience was felt within the first week of the pilot. There were just a few short days between signing the contract and seeing the improvement in our coin operations," said Jennifer Bolivar, Senior Vice President of Business Transformation and Retail Branching. "We are excited to roll out Coinstar's best-in-class kiosks across our branch network and continue seeing the positive impact."
The Anthony kiosks are replacing Suncoast Credit Union's previous coin machines that were managed by branch staff, which often interrupted valuable time spent with members. Coinstar for Financial relieves branch staff of that burden by handling every aspect of their coin counting program. Suncoast staff can now better support their members with more time to work face-to-face and ensure members' needs are met.
Coinstar's turnkey program takes care of coin pickup, kiosk maintenance, and administration, meaning Suncoast's branch staff no longer need to worry about emptying the machines, hauling heavy bags of coin, or coordinating repairs. Members can turn their coins into cash through the convenient and highly accurate self-service Coinstar kiosks. In the future, Suncoast also plans to add coin-to-deposit functionality, where members can insert their debit card and deposit coins directly to their account.
"Coinstar is thrilled to partner with Suncoast Credit Union and proud to be a part of their culture of superior focus on the member experience," said Kevin McColly, CEO of Coinstar. "We look forward to a long, prosperous relationship with Suncoast Credit Union and supporting their success into the future."
Implementing the Anthony kiosks is one of Suncoast's steps in its journey toward continuous branch transformation. Having recently installed Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) at most of its branches, Suncoast had seen how automating some of its more mundane transactions improved the day-to-day for members and employees. With Coinstar as the latest addition to its branch technology, Suncoast has reached a new level of efficiency and member satisfaction.
About Coinstar for Financial
Coinstar for Financial provides a turnkey coin management service that strengthens existing customer loyalty, increases deposits, and attracts and retains new branch traffic. With no capital investment and no maintenance fees, your staff can focus on customers instead of coin counting. Our entire fleet of kiosks is owned, maintained, and serviced by Coinstar, which means there is virtually no financial or reputational risk for your business. If you are a financial institution leader and are curious about how a fully managed coin program can assist in your branch transformation, contact the experts at Coinstar for Financial. To learn more, visit financial.coinstar.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 10th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $17 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 76 full-service branches and serves more than one million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union's service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union's field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida's 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $40 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit www.suncoastcreditunion.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Do you ever have those days in the middle of winter when your skin looks a little dry and weathered as if it needs a little plumping pick-me-up? This is exactly what happened to me last February after an unusually long bout of snow in my area. I walked into Sephora and asked the sales associate what I needed to manufacture some type of dewy glow. Without hesitation, she walked me over to Saie Glowy Super Gel Illuminator.
It comes in two sizes and shades, and after sampling it, I immediately went all in on the larger size in the Starglow shade. It was exactly what I was looking for. The liquid water-based luminizer gives you a radiant finish without making you look like a ’90s pop star with glitter specs stuck to your cheeks. It’s much more subtle than that.
It’s also created with good-for-the-skin ingredients like plant-based glycerin, which plumps up the skin, and rose hip seed oil and vitamin C to nourish and brighten, which I love. I cringe thinking about all the junk makeup I’ve used over the years, but now I’ve wised up and completely cleaned up my skincare and makeup regime. I try hard to only buy products that are deemed clean.
Currently, the 0.5-ounce size sells for $15.20 on Amazon, but the 1-ounce is a slightly better deal at $26.60-$28. It comes in two shades: Starglow and Sunglow. The Starglow is whiter while the slightly-more-expensive Sunglow has a golden brown tone.
Buy Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Illuminator at Amazon for $28.
A few months after purchasing, while having wine with an old friend from high school, she leaned in and asked me what I was doing to make my skin look so good.
“How so?” I asked.
She said, “I know you are happy, but you’re practically glowing!” As any good friend would, I let her behind the Saie curtain and immediately texted her a link to the product so she could buy it later.
You can mix it with your face lotion or foundation, but I use it the most as a highlighter on my cheekbones. During the summer, I blend it into my body lotion to give my legs and collarbones a little shimmer on date nights. It’s lightweight and buildable. When I use it as a highlighter, I don’t even use a full pump. It’s more like a baby drop, so a large bottle will last you a very long time.
Not only is the Saie Glowy Super Gel Illuminator amazing 365 days a year, but it makes a great gift. My teenage daughter uses it too, and I’m thinking of gifting her a bottle for the new school year.
MORE: This eye cream for dark circles has nearly 17,000 5-star reviews on Amazon
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wmar2news.com/glowy-gel-luminizer-will-light-your-complexion | 2023-07-31T13:24:49 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/glowy-gel-luminizer-will-light-your-complexion |
SEATTLE, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Avalara, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based tax compliance automation for businesses of all sizes, today announced the appointment of channel leader Meg Higgins as SVP of Global Partners.
In her new expanded role, Higgins will be responsible for growing Avalara's channel and technology partner business to deliver a best-in-class experience. Higgins has been at Avalara for four years and most recently served as VP and GM of Global Partner Business Development and Strategy at Avalara and oversaw the acquisition of new partners and commercial negotiations. Prior to that she was the company's VP and GM of Ecommerce and Global Marketplaces and expanded Avalara's presence in the space by establishing partnerships with the world's leading ecommerce and marketplace platforms.
With more than 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Higgins has successfully led and scaled business development and channel programs for companies in the ecommerce and shipping industries. Her experience includes more than a decade of leadership roles at Pitney Bowes, where she co-founded the company's global ecommerce business unit and served as SVP of client and partner management for North America.
"Meg is critical to growing and scaling Avalara's worldwide partner program and has an outstanding track record at our company," said Kimberly Deobald, Chief Revenue Officer at Avalara. "Her deep understanding of our business model and the channel will strengthen how we work with our existing partners, engage with new partners, and deliver industry-leading tax compliance automation to our mutual customers."
The appointment of Higgins follows the April 2023 announcement of Sean Flynn as the company's SVP of Global Sales, who leads the company's go-to-market sales teams.
About Avalara
Avalara makes tax compliance faster, easier, more accurate, and more reliable for 30,000+ business and government customers in over 90 countries. Tax compliance automation software solutions from Avalara leverage 1,200+ signed partner integrations across leading ecommerce, ERP, and other billing systems to power tax calculations, document management, tax return filing, and tax content access. Visit avalara.com to improve your compliance journey.
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SOURCE Avalara, Inc. | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/avalara-appoints-meg-higgins-senior-vice-president-global-partners/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:50 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/avalara-appoints-meg-higgins-senior-vice-president-global-partners/ |
CLEVELAND, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE: TDG) today said it will report fiscal 2023 third quarter earnings before the market opens on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
A conference call will follow at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time. To join the call telephonically, please register for the call here. Once registered, participants will receive the dial-in information and a unique pin to access the call. A live audio webcast of the call can also be accessed online at http://www.transdigm.com.
The webcast will be archived on the website and available for replay later that day.
About TransDigm Group
TransDigm Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a leading global designer, producer and supplier of highly engineered aircraft components for use on nearly all commercial and military aircraft in service today. Major product offerings, substantially all of which are ultimately provided to end-users in the aerospace industry, include mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, engineered latching and locking devices, engineered rods, engineered connectors and elastomer sealing solutions, databus and power controls, cockpit security components and systems, specialized and advanced cockpit displays, engineered audio, radio and antenna systems, specialized lavatory components, seat belts and safety restraints, engineered and customized interior surfaces and related components, advanced sensor products, switches and relay panels, thermal protection and insulation, lighting and control technology, parachutes, high performance hoists, winches and lifting devices, cargo loading, handling and delivery systems and specialized flight, wind tunnel and jet engine testing services and equipment.
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SOURCE TransDigm Group Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/transdigm-third-quarter-earnings-report-conference-call-set-tuesday-august-8-2023/ | 2023-07-31T13:24:54 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/transdigm-third-quarter-earnings-report-conference-call-set-tuesday-august-8-2023/ |
BALTIMORE — There's a new development in the Henrietta Lacks case. A settlement conference is set for 10 a.m. Monday.
The Lacks family filed a lawsuit against a bio tech company, claiming they are profiting off the use of her cells.
The company the family is suing is Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
The family claims the company unjustly profited off of the use of her cells.
Lacks was an African American woman and a mother of five.
In 1951, she went to Johns Hopkins to be treated for cervical cancer.
While she was being treated at the hospital, doctors removed some of her cells without her permission.
Those cells are known as HeLa cells.
Even though she passed away in 1951, her cells continued to be used for medical breakthroughs.
Her cells were used to help develop the polio vaccine and treatments for cancer, HIV/AIDS.
The breakthroughs brought by Lacks cells went decades without many in the public knowing.
The family is hoping to get justice for her cells.
Johns Hopkins says the hospital could have and should have done more to inform Lacks' family about the cells over the last 50 years. | https://www.wmar2news.com/henrietta-lacks-family-continues-to-fight-for-justice | 2023-07-31T13:24:55 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/henrietta-lacks-family-continues-to-fight-for-justice |
The expansion of permanent jewelry gives even more consumers a new long-term way to express themselves
DALLAS, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Banter by Piercing Pagoda, the jewelry and piercing leader, announces the expansion of its permanent jewelry program. Available in an anklet, bracelet, or whatever curated length the consumer prefers, the new permanent jewelry service offers a customized fit and long-term wear through quick and safe metal welding. The service is now available at 62 Banter by Piercing Pagoda storefronts nationwide — the most of any jewelry retailer.
The expansion of Banter's permanent jewelry offering follows the initial pilot program which received a positive response from consumers. Customers can choose from eight (8) unique chain styles and 12 charms in 14k gold that are then welded together to provide long-term wear. The permanent jewelry experience is available by appointment or walk-ins.
"We are extremely excited to expand our permanent jewelry services to be accessible to more customers nationwide," says Amy Robinson, President of Banter by Piercing Pagoda. "Banter by Piercing Pagoda has been an innovator and pioneer in the jewelry industry through our piercing services and jewelry styles for over 60 years. The expansion demonstrates our continued, strategic effort to be at the forefront of jewelry trends and help customers find their ideal, responsibly sourced pieces to express and celebrate who they truly are."
The permanent jewelry experience will be available at locations in Brooklyn, Charlotte, Columbus, Dallas, Las Vegas, Orlando, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Santa Monica, and more. The full list of Banter permanent jewelry locations may be found online.
The purchase price of chains in the permanent jewelry collection ranges from $80 to $330, with charms starting at $25. Initial use cases show customers gravitating to permanent jewelry for themselves, joint bracelets with their partner or best friend, and bachelorette and wedding parties. For more information, please visit Banter.com.
About Banter by Piercing Pagoda
Banter by Piercing Pagoda is the leader in ear and other piercings. As the nation's largest specialty kiosk retailer, Banter by Piercing Pagoda has a history of serving and satisfying customers with an extensive selection of popularly priced 10K and 14K gold chains, charms, bracelets, rings, and earrings, as well as a variety of silver and diamond jewelry. Visit www.banter.com to view Banter by Piercing Pagoda's latest styles or to find a location near you. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. Banter by Piercing Pagoda is part of Signet Jewelers Limited, the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry.
PRESS CONTACT
Lividini & Co.
signet@lividini.com
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Innovative community bank with $2.4 billion in assets to provide award-winning BaaS offering
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Treasury Prime, a leading embedded banking software company, today announced it is partnering with Academy Bank to bring embedded finance services to its customers in the financial services industry. This partnership addresses the increasing demand for flexible and scalable solutions that effectively meet the evolving needs of businesses and customers.
The objective of this partnership is to provide businesses with seamless access to Academy Bank's deposit services, enabling them to offer FDIC-insured accounts to their customers while staying fully compliant with regulatory requirements. Treasury Prime's award-winning BaaS platform, coupled with Academy Bank's established banking infrastructure, will empower businesses to rapidly launch and scale their payment and deposit products, driving strong customer engagement and retention.
"Academy Bank's ability to service deposit customers in a highly personalized manner, combined with their unwavering commitment to innovation, forms a strong foundation for our partnership," said Jeff Nowicki, VP of Banking at Treasury Prime. "We are proud to welcome Academy Bank to our bank network and work together to deliver transformative banking experiences."
"This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovation and focus on the fintech industry," said David Robinson, Director of Fintech Partnerships at Academy Bank. "By leveraging Treasury Prime's technology, we can enhance our offerings and provide our fintech partners with the tools they need to accelerate their growth and deliver innovative financial services."
This partnership follows Treasury Prime's success in rapidly expanding its bank network, which now exceeds 15 financial institutions nationwide.
For more information about Treasury Prime, visit treasuryprime.com.
About Treasury Prime
Treasury Prime is building the future of finance. Leveraging its award-winning APIs and versatile embedded banking products, Treasury Prime enables banks and enterprise partners to innovate, adapt, grow and scale to stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace. The company helps enterprises with a range of complex services including money transfer, risk mitigation and access to a chartered bank's infrastructure. Treasury Prime works with forward-thinking banks to innovate responsibly and increase access to banking products and services to all segments of the population Treasury Prime was named Best Banking-as-a-Service Platform in the Tearsheet Embedded Awards 2021 and 2022, and was named to CB Insights' annual 2021 Fintech 250 list.
About Academy Bank
Academy Bank is a full-service bank with $2.4 billion in assets and over 70 branch locations in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. Honored as one of Fortune Magazine's "2023 Most Innovative Companies," Academy Bank provides a wide range of financial solutions for business and individuals, including commercial and business banking, treasury management and mortgage services. Academy Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dickinson Financial Corporation, a $3.6 billion holding company headquartered in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Academy Bank's sister bank, Armed Forces Bank, headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, proudly serves active and retired military and civilian clients across the country and around the world. Armed Forces Bank is recognized as one of the top-three strongest banks in Kansas City by the Kansas City Business Journal.
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SOURCE Treasury Prime | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/treasury-prime-academy-bank-join-forces-address-growing-market-demand-through-banking-as-a-service-partnership/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:00 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/treasury-prime-academy-bank-join-forces-address-growing-market-demand-through-banking-as-a-service-partnership/ |
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
My Facebook feed’s been inundated lately with ads for The Farmer’s Dog, whose tagline is “Dog food that looks like people food.”
I suppose that’s nice, though the fact that my dog’s food doesn’t resemble mine hasn’t been a big problem for me. In fact, it’s actually been pretty helpful. I’ve never once accidentally chowed down on the Hill’s Science Diet pellets that I serve to Jake and Peppa, my two pups. And, judging by how fast they scarf them down, they’d rather not share their food with me anyway.
But there are some dog treats in grocery stores that might actually lead to accidental ingestion on my part. They’re called Milk-Bone Stacked Biscuits, and they look just like sandwich cookies. According to a customer review at Farm and Fleet, that’s part of the appeal:
“My dog went crazy for these treats,” brbapink commented on the product’s page at Blain’s Farm & Fleet. “They look just like regular cookies, so he was very excited to try it. They smell like peanut butter and my dog absolutely love peanut butter. They are good size and have a good scent and texture.”
I certainly don’t doubt that dogs love these — peanut butter is one of their favorite flavors — but when I look at this plastic tray of cookies, I think, “That looks just like my vanilla sandwich creams!” My next thought is that I better never, ever leave the plastic sleeve on the counter. Someone in my home (myself included) might get the wrong idea about who it’s for.
MORE: What you should know about cooking up homemade dog food
These dog snacks are available at most supermarkets, as well as Amazon (where you can buy a 30-ounce box for $10.59), Target, Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Walmart (where you can buy a 10-ounce box for $4.28). The cream inside is a combination of molasses and peanut butter flavors. And if you do accidentally eat one, be assured that at least there are no artificial preservatives, colors or fillers.
In fact, according to Medium, food products for dogs are regulated by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), which mandates that animal food be safe to eat.
Just don’t make a habit of it!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wmar2news.com/these-dog-treats-look-just-like-sandwich-cookies-for-humans | 2023-07-31T13:25:01 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/these-dog-treats-look-just-like-sandwich-cookies-for-humans |
HOMER, Alaska, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Channel's Charlotte Kilcher (Alaska: The Last Frontier) will be joining her childhood friend Corky Parker for an upcoming event as Parker returns to Alaska for a book tour of her memoir La Finca: Love, Loss, and Laundry on a Tiny Puerto Rican Island.
Before moving to Washington state and spending her time between Seattle and the inn she owned on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, Parker spent the 70s in Alaska where she helped to start up the radio station KSKA and the Alaska Bluegrass Festival; worked at her brother's iconic del Mundo cafe; waited tables for future governor Tony Knowles at the Downtown Deli; and spent time as a paralegal for Brian Shortell at the Alaska Public Defender Agency. Somewhere around all that she also starred in Tom Sadowski and Jimmie Froehlich's cult Alaskan postcard collection and film "Trailer Court," and served a short stint as executive director to the Alaska Wilderness Guides Association.
La Finca, winner of this year's Nancy Pearl Award for memoir, is a self-illustrated chronicle of the twenty-plus years Parker ran La Finca Caribe, an off-beat eco-lodge in Vieques, Puerto Rico, beloved by visitors worldwide, including legendary chef Alice Waters. The book covers the challenges and rewards of tropical innkeeping and hurricanes to divorce and bankruptcy. It's about how much we can learn from a place, a culture; learning how to listen to our own spirit.
Parker will be doing her tour through Alaska August 2–10, and her appearances will include an interview with KSKA about the station's upcoming anniversary as well as events with the Homer Public Library, the Georgia Blue Gallery in Anchorage, and the Writer's Block Bookstore and Café in Anchorage. Kilcher will join Parker for the Homer Library event to be in conversation with her about their experiences and memories in Alaska.
Fans are encouraged to join the Aug. 8 Homer Library event with Parker and Kilcher via Zoom. More information here: https://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library/author-talk-corky-parker-la-finca-love-loss-and-laundry-tiny-puerto-rican-island.
Contact: Jessie Glenn
Jess@mindbuckmedia.com
Mindbuckmedia.com
503-998-8770
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SOURCE Corky Parker | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/bffs-award-winning-author-corky-parker-discovery-channels-charlotte-kilcher-team-up-alaskan-book-tour/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:03 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/bffs-award-winning-author-corky-parker-discovery-channels-charlotte-kilcher-team-up-alaskan-book-tour/ |
Report Outlines Company's Progress Toward Its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Goals
ST. LOUIS, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global packaging leader TricorBraun today published its inaugural Sustainability report, outlining its progress toward its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
"We are pleased to present our first-ever Sustainability Report, which brings to life our commitments to sustainable and ethical practices," said Court Carruthers, president and CEO, TricorBraun. "Our team is guided by the principle that we do things the right way always, and this naturally extends to our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts—including helping our customers with their own ESG goals by offering sustainable packaging options while improving our own environmental footprint."
Key highlights from the report include these 2022 milestones:
- Reduced our carbon footprint and incorporated international operations into our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
- Sourced renewable energy to further reduce negative climate impacts
- Piloted our first Zero-Waste program in multiple locations across North America
- Further protected our team members by creating a Warehousing Roundtable which emphasizes dock, forklift, and 5S safety programs
- Supported open communications channels that are accessible for all team members by relaunching the TricorBraun Ethics Hub to include additional languages, international access, and mobile reporting
- Established exclusive agreements to offer sustainable packaging options to customers in the US, Canada, and Europe
"The release of our first Sustainability report is a significant milestone as our team continues to work tirelessly in pursuit of achieving our ESG goals," said Susan Bergethon, SVP & general counsel, and leader of the Company's ESG strategy. "We are pleased with our progress to date, and we look forward to making continued progress toward our intentional ESG goals for the benefit of our team members, our customers, our business—and our planet."
To read the full report and learn more about TricorBraun's ESG goals, visit https://www.tricorbraun.com/about-us/esg-at-tricorbraun/2022-sustainability-report.html.
About TricorBraun
Founded in 1902, TricorBraun is a global packaging leader. We provide innovative solutions across a wide array of customer end markets in plastic, glass, and aluminum containers, closures, dispensers, tubes, and flexibles. Our award-winning Design & Engineering Center provides forward-thinking design, driven by consumer insight and creative solutions. TricorBraun is comprised of more than 2,000 packaging professionals operating from more than 100 locations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
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After years of financial struggles, one of the largest freight carriers in the United States has reached the end of the road. Nashville, Tennessee-based Yellow Corp. has ceased all operations and filed for bankruptcy, putting some 30,000 workers out of a job.
The collapse comes less than three years after Yellow accepted a $700 million pandemic-era bailout from the U.S. government in exchange for a 30% stake in the company. That loan allowed the company to stay afloat throughout its restructuring plan, but the company says economic headwinds and a contract dispute with its workers union put the company in a dicey financial position.
SEE MORE: Strike averted: UPS reaches tentative deal with 340K unionized workers
The International brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents some 22,000 unionized Yellow workers, called the bankruptcy "unfortunate but not surprising."
"Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government," Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien said in a statement. "This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry."
Formerly known as YRC Worldwide, Inc., Yellow is one of the nation's largest less-than-truckload carriers. The company currently holds more than $1.5 billion in outstanding debt and and its stock is now trading at less than $1 per share.
In May, the company reported a $54.6 million loss in the first quarter of 2023.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.wmar2news.com/trucking-firm-yellow-corp-files-for-bankruptcy-ceases-all-operations | 2023-07-31T13:25:08 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/trucking-firm-yellow-corp-files-for-bankruptcy-ceases-all-operations |
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BGC Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: BGC) ("BGC"), a leading global brokerage and financial technology company, today announced the addition of a Weather Derivatives Team with the hire of Nicholas and Eric Ernst. Nicholas joins the firm as Managing Director, BGC Weather Derivatives while Eric joins as Weather Broker.
John Abularrage, Co-Global Head of Financial Services Brokerage, commented on today's announcement, "We are excited to welcome Nicholas and Eric to BGC. They bring with them almost three decades of invaluable experience in the weather derivatives and climate risk transfer space. With these new hires, BGC now operates the premier weather and climate derivatives desk in the industry."
Nicholas Ernst brings with him over 20 years of experience in the weather derivatives and risk transfer space. Prior to joining BGC, he served as Managing Director, Weather Markets at ICAP. Additionally, Nicholas spent time in similar roles at OTC Global and Evolutions Markets.
Before joining BGC, Eric Ernst served as a Weather Broker at ICAP. Prior to that, Eric held various roles at Choice Energy and spent three years in the renewable energy sector.
About BGC Group, Inc.
BGC Group, Inc. ("BGC") began trading on Nasdaq at the market opening on July 3, 2023, under the new ticker symbol "BGC", following the corporate conversion of its predecessor BGC Partners, Inc. (formerly Nasdaq: BGCP). BGC is a leading global brokerage and financial technology company. BGC, through its various affiliates, specializes in the brokerage of a broad range of products, including Fixed Income (Rates and Credit), Foreign Exchange, Equities, Energy and Commodities, Shipping, and Futures. BGC, through its various affiliates, also provides a wide variety of services, including trade execution, brokerage, clearing, trade compression, post-trade, information, and other back-office services to a broad range of financial and non-financial institutions. Through its brands, including Fenics®, FMX™, FMX Futures Exchange™, Fenics Markets Xchange™, Fenics Digital™, Fenics UST™, Fenics FX™, Fenics Repo™, Fenics Direct™, Fenics MID™, Fenics Market Data™, Fenics GO™, Fenics PortfolioMatch™, BGC®, BGC Trader™, kACE2™, and Lucera®, BGC offers financial technology solutions, market data, and analytics related to numerous financial instruments and markets. BGC, BGC Group, BGC Partners, BGC Trader, GFI, GFI Ginga, CreditMatch, Fenics, Fenics.com, FMX, Sunrise Brokers, Poten & Partners, RP Martin, kACE2, Capitalab, Swaptioniser, CBID, Caventor, LumeMarkets and Lucera are trademarks/service marks and/or registered trademarks/service marks of BGC and/or its affiliates.
BGC's customers include many of the world's largest banks, broker-dealers, investment banks, trading firms, hedge funds, governments, corporations, and investment firms. BGC's Class A common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "BGC". BGC is led by Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Howard W. Lutnick. For more information, please visit http://www.bgcg.com. You can also follow BGC at https://twitter.com/bgcgroupinc, https://www.linkedin.com/company/bgc_group and/or http://ir.bgcg.com.
Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about BGC
Statements in this document regarding BGC that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, results, financial position, liquidity and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, BGC undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see BGC's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.
Media Contact:
Karen Laureano-Rikardsen
+1 212-829-4975
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SOURCE BGC Group, Inc. | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/bgc-group-hires-nicholas-eric-ernst-launch-weather-derivatives-desk/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:10 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/bgc-group-hires-nicholas-eric-ernst-launch-weather-derivatives-desk/ |
DUBLIN, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TriNet Group, Inc. (NYSE: TNET), a leading provider of comprehensive and flexible human capital management (HCM) solutions for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs), today announced its plan to launch a fixed price tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to repurchase approximately $640 million in value of shares of TriNet common stock (the "shares") at a price of $107.00 per share, which is expected to commence on August 1, 2023. In addition, the Company signed a separate agreement on July 30, 2023 (the "Repurchase Agreement") to repurchase a minimum of approximately $360 million in value of shares from affiliates of its largest stockholder, Atairos Group, Inc. (collectively, "Atairos"). Assuming the Tender Offer is fully subscribed, both transactions together will result in the repurchase of approximately $1 billion in shares.
"Today is an exciting day for TriNet as we announce our intention to launch transactions to buy back $1 billion of TriNet stock," said Burton M. Goldfield, TriNet's President and CEO. "For some time, we have believed that TriNet's stock represents significant value, especially in light of our recent financial and operating performance. With our optimism around our long-term outlook, we believe now is a great time to take bold action around our capital structure."
"We have long valued Atairos' share ownership and Board of Directors participation," Goldfield continued. "As a part of these buybacks, Atairos intends to maintain its current approximate pro rata percentage ownership, but has also agreed to sell additional shares if our tender offer is undersubscribed, potentially reducing their ownership to no less than 30%. We welcome their continued ownership and Board participation."
"TriNet is a dynamic growth company with a proven business model and strong corporate cash flows," said Kelly Tuminelli, TriNet's Chief Financial Officer. "Through this action, we are using our financial resources to reduce TriNet's overall weighted average cost of capital. This is in line with our recently announced financial policy, while accreting long term value for all of our shareholders."
The Tender Offer will provide that the Company repurchase for cash up to 5,981,308 shares (representing approximately $640 million in value of shares) at a price of $107.00 per share (the "Purchase Price"), less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. The Tender Offer is expected to commence on August 1, 2023 and expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on August 28, 2023 (the "Expiration Date"), unless extended or terminated.
The Repurchase Agreement, which was executed on July 30, 2023, provides that TriNet will repurchase for cash a minimum of 3,364,486 shares (representing approximately $360 million in value of shares) from Atairos at the purchase price set forth in the Tender Offer, but not less than $107.00 per share (the "Atairos Commitment Amount"). Atairos beneficially owns 21,450,259 shares as of the date hereof (representing approximately 36% of the Company's outstanding shares as of July 27, 2023) and, assuming the full subscription of the Tender Offer, Atairos will continue to own approximately 36% of the Company's outstanding shares following the repurchase.
If the Tender Offer is not fully subscribed, but at least 3,644,859 shares are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer, Atairos has agreed to increase the number of shares to be sold to the Company under the Repurchase Agreement and will sell an additional number of shares equal to the difference between the number of shares offered to be repurchased pursuant to the Tender Offer and the number of shares actually repurchased in the Tender Offer such that the total share value of both transactions remains $1 billion; provided that such increase does not cause Atairos to beneficially own less than 33% of the Company's outstanding shares immediately following the closing of the Share Repurchase (taking into account the shares purchased in the Tender Offer), which percent may be further reduced to 30% at Atairos' sole discretion. If the Tender Offer is not fully subscribed and fewer than 3,644,859 shares are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer, the Company will repurchase that number of shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer and, unless Atairos agrees to further reduce its ownership level, the Company will repurchase only the Atairos Commitment Amount from Atairos under the Repurchase Agreement.
The Share Repurchase is expected to close on the 11th business day following the Expiration Date, or September 13, 2023. The Share Repurchase is conditioned upon, among other matters, the completion of the Tender Offer, which, in turn, is subject to certain conditions, including the receipt of financing. These transactions will be made under TriNet's $1 billion stock repurchase program increase announced on July 26, 2023.
Assuming that the conditions to the Tender Offer are satisfied or waived and the Tender Offer is fully subscribed, the Company would purchase 5,981,308 shares pursuant to the Tender Offer and 3,364,486 shares pursuant to the Share Repurchase for an aggregate of 9,345,794 shares, representing approximately 16% of the Company's outstanding shares as of July 27, 2023.
The Tender Offer and the Share Repurchase have been authorized and approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the members of the Board of Directors who are independent of Atairos. However, neither the Company nor any member of the Board of Directors has made, or is making, any recommendation to stockholders as to whether they should tender or refrain from tendering their shares. Stockholders must make their own decision as to whether to tender their shares and, if so, how many shares to tender. Stockholders are urged to discuss their decisions with their tax advisor, financial advisor and/or broker.
Certain Information Regarding the Tender Offer
The information in this press release describing the Tender Offer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell shares in the Tender Offer. TriNet has not yet commenced the Tender Offer described herein, and there can be no assurance that TriNet will commence the Tender Offer on the terms described in this press release. The Tender Offer will be made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and the related materials that the Company will file with the SEC, and will distribute to its stockholders, as they may be amended or supplemented, on the commencement date of the Tender Offer. Stockholders should read the Offer to Purchase and related materials carefully and in their entirety because they will contain important information, including the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. When they are available, stockholders of the Company may obtain a free copy of the Tender Offer statement on Schedule TO, the Offer to Purchase and other documents that the Company will file with the SEC from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. When they are available, stockholders also will be able to obtain a copy of these documents, without charge, from D.F. King & Co., Inc., toll free at (800) 431-9643. Stockholders are urged to carefully read all of those materials when they become available prior to making any decision with respect to the Tender Offer.
About TriNet
TriNet (NYSE: TNET) provides small and medium-size businesses with full-service industry-specific HR solutions, providing both professional employer organization and human resources information system services. TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation, compliance, payroll, and R&D tax credit services, all enabled by industry-leading technology. TriNet's suite of products also includes services and software-based solutions to help streamline workflows by connecting HR, benefits, employee engagement, payroll and time & attendance. Rooted in more than 30 years of supporting entrepreneurs and adapting to the ever-changing modern workplace, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters most-growing their business and enabling their people.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on TriNet's current expectations. Such statements include TriNet's plan to initiate the Tender Offer and ability to complete the Share Repurchase on the terms and timing described herein, or at all. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including investor demand, market conditions, customary closing conditions and other factors. There can be no assurance that TriNet will complete the Share Repurchase or initiate the Tender Offer. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. More information about potential risk factors that could affect TriNet and its results is included in TriNet's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023. TriNet does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
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SOURCE TriNet Group, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/trinet-group-inc-announces-intention-launch-combined-1-billion-fixed-price-tender-offer-repurchase-atairos-each-price-107-per-share-common-stock/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:13 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/trinet-group-inc-announces-intention-launch-combined-1-billion-fixed-price-tender-offer-repurchase-atairos-each-price-107-per-share-common-stock/ |
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO), a Delaware corporation headquartered in San Jose, CA, and a global technology leader that designs, develops and supplies semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions, today announced it will report its third quarter fiscal year 2023 financial results and business outlook on Thursday, August 31, 2023 after the close of the market. Broadcom's management will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on the same day to discuss these results and business outlook.
Date: Thursday, August 31, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM (PT); 5:00 PM (ET)
To Listen via Telephone: Preregistration is required by the conference call operator. Please preregister at https://register.vevent.com/register/BIab1222c9ed364122895c0b8a81ef898b. Upon registering, you will be emailed a link to the dial-in number and unique PIN.
To Listen via Internet: The conference call can be accessed live online in the Investors section of the Broadcom website at https://investors.broadcom.com.
Replay: An audio replay of the conference call can be accessed for one year through the Investors section of Broadcom's website at https://investors.broadcom.com.
About Broadcom Inc.
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO), a Delaware corporation headquartered in San Jose, CA, is a global technology leader that designs, develops and supplies a broad range of semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions. Broadcom's category-leading product portfolio serves critical markets including data center, networking, enterprise software, broadband, wireless, storage and industrial. Our solutions include data center networking and storage, enterprise, mainframe and cyber security software focused on automation, monitoring and security, smartphone components, telecoms and factory automation. For more information, go to https://investors.broadcom.com.
Contact:
Broadcom Inc.
Ji Yoo
Investor Relations
408-433-8000
investor.relations@broadcom.com
(AVGO-Q)
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SOURCE Broadcom Inc. | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/broadcom-inc-announce-third-quarter-fiscal-year-2023-financial-results-thursday-august-31-2023/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:17 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/broadcom-inc-announce-third-quarter-fiscal-year-2023-financial-results-thursday-august-31-2023/ |
NICOSIA – Greece’s prime minister said Monday that his government wants to take full advantage of a developing positive political climate with neighboring Turkey in order to improve bilateral relations despite a string of decades-old disputes.
But Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that doesn’t mean Turkey has “substantially changed” its stance on key differences between the two countries and needs to “decisively abandon its aggressive and unlawful conduct” against Greece’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Turkey and Greece remain at odds over maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, a dispute that affects irregular migration into the European Union, mineral rights and the projection of military power.
Mitsotakis said that he agreed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12 to initiate new “lines of communication” and to maintain “a period of calm.”
High-level talks between the the two countries are expected to take place in the Greek city of Thessaloniki later this year.
However, the Greek prime minister said that Erdogan’s outreach to the EU can't come at the expense of efforts to heal Cyprus’ nearly half-century ethnic division.
Speaking after talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Mitsotakis said that he told Erdogan that improved European-Turkish ties can’t exclude a Cyprus peace accord and that the issue can't be “left by the wayside.”
Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Cypriots have insisted on a two-state solution since July 2017 when the most recent round of U.N.-facilitated peace talks collapsed.
That position overturned a long-standing agreement sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council in numerous resolutions that any peace deal would aim for a reunified Cyprus as a federation made up of Greek and Turkish speaking zones.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island’s northern third, where more than 35,000 Turkish troops are stationed.
On Friday, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar repeated that peace talks could resume only if Greek Cypriots recognize the Turkish Cypriots’ “sovereign equality.”
Christodoulides said Monday that any improvement in European-Turkish relations should be based on reciprocal action by Turkey, adding that the EU prioritizes a Cyprus peace deal in line with U.N. resolutions. | https://www.wsls.com/business/2023/07/31/greek-prime-minister-seeks-improved-relations-with-turkey-but-says-ankara-needs-to-drop-aggression/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:20 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/business/2023/07/31/greek-prime-minister-seeks-improved-relations-with-turkey-but-says-ankara-needs-to-drop-aggression/ |
TORONTO, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Spin Master Corp. (TSX: TOY) (www.spinmaster.com), a leading global children's entertainment company, today announced the launch of an all-new Bakugan series, introducing a revamped anime style. Bakugan will premiere on Netflix (US, Canada, Australia, Nordics and Middle East) on September 1, 2023, and will air on Disney XD in the U.S. on September 23, 2023. Alongside the series' fresh aesthetic, characters and storyline, fans will be able to immerse in the brawling action with a new spin on Bakugan toys - engineered for great battling action.
The all new, enhanced animation will be first revealed on Roblox, the global immersive platform where millions of people connect and communicate daily, uniting fans once again in a shared streaming experience first trailblazed by Bakugan within Roblox in 2021. Fans can converge within All-Star Tower Defense, a top experience on the platform developed by metaverse game developers Gamefam, to stream the first two episodes of Bakugan in both English and Japanese, starting Friday, August 4 at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. PT through until Sunday, August 13 - four weeks ahead of the Netflix premiere.
Relaunched in 2019, a decade after its first reign as a global phenomenon, Bakugan has proven to be an evergreen brand with a strong following. "The Bakugan franchise will elevate to epic new heights as we further enhance the experience across entertainment and power up the gameplay through toys," said Jeremy Tucker, Spin Master's EVP and Global Chief Marketing Officer. "We'll deliver these new and unique experiences, driving collectability, and introducing new ways for Bakugan fans of all ages to battle and connect with the brand."
Reaching the number one property in the battling toys and playsets class in the US and Australia in Q1 2023 (Source: Circana / Retail Tracking Service / US, Australia / Projected USD / Q1'23) fans are loving Bakugan's brawling action. The Bakugan series toy line introduces a whole new way to brawl.
Highlights include:
- Bakugan Special Attack: Spin into battle like never before with the all-new customizable Special Attack Bakugan toys. Combine and stack the Special Attack Bakugan, then brawl into action with all new hyper spin action, ripping the cord to spin the Bakugan on the metal Gate CardTM and watch the Bakugan transform with its iconic pop open transformation. Combine the character with the Special Attack Card for new stats to level up the gameplay. (SRP $9.99; Age 6+)
- Bakugan Battle ArenaTM: Step into the ultimate space for battles with the Battle Arena playset. Featuring multiple launch points, obstacles, storage, and built-in camera stands to film all the action on your mobile device. This new playset is ready for an epic Bakugan Brawl. (SRP $39.99; Age 6+)
The new Bakugan toy collection will also include Power Gear tokens found in pack and redeemable for a digital Bakugan-themed accessory or power-up within Roblox. Eagle eyes can also spot hidden Power Gear codes within content on the official Bakugan YouTube channel.
The new Bakugan toy line is available at all major retailers August 1, 2023.
In the exciting new season of Bakugan, the VESTROIAN galaxy is made up of six planets each home to a different species of Bakugan (Avian, Dragon, Insect, Beast, Aquatic and Dinosaur). Constantly at WAR with one another, the use of experimental weaponry causes the Bakugan to be inadvertently transported to EARTH. Baku-balls rain down from the sky like meteors and crash into cities, forests, and oceans. And when the balls unroll, humans meet the 10 FEET TALL Bakugan for the very first time. Thankfully, humanity welcomes these displaced creatures, embraces their culture, and particularly falls in love with their long-standing tradition of BRAWLING. That is until teenagers start PAIRING with Bakugan and miraculously give them the ability to grow to giant KAIJU size! The world was filled with fear, and it was during this time THE CATASTROPHE happened.
Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY) is a leading global children's entertainment company, creating exceptional play experiences through its three creative centres: Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games. With distribution in over 100 countries, Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands PAW Patrol®, Bakugan®, Kinetic Sand®, Air Hogs®, Hatchimals®, Rubik's Cube® and GUND®, and is the global toy licensee for other popular properties. Spin Master Entertainment creates and produces compelling multiplatform content, through its in-house studio and partnerships with outside creators, including the preschool franchise PAW Patrol and numerous other original shows, short-form series and feature films. The Company has an established presence in digital games, anchored by the Toca Boca® and Sago Mini® brands, offering open-ended and creative game and educational play in digital environments. Through Spin Master Ventures, the Company makes minority investments globally in emerging companies and start-ups. With 26 offices in close to 20 countries, Spin Master employs more than 2,000 team members globally. For more information visit spinmaster.com or follow-on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @spinmaster.
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SOURCE Spin Master | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/calling-all-brawlers-spin-master-presents-an-all-new-generation-bakugan-premiering-netflix-september-1-disney-xd-september-23/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:19 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/calling-all-brawlers-spin-master-presents-an-all-new-generation-bakugan-premiering-netflix-september-1-disney-xd-september-23/ |
New dispensary delivers on brand promise of product quality and variety with convenient locations
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, announced the relocation of a medical dispensary in Kissimmee, Fla. located at 2647 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. The dispensary will be open 9AM – 8:30PM Monday through Saturday and 11AM – 8PM on Sunday.
"Trulieve is committed to offering our Florida patients a broad selection of convenient locations and top-quality products to choose from, while also providing for best-in-class customer service," said Trulieve's Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. "This new location delivers on that commitment and we will continue to seek new opportunities to better serve this community."
Trulieve invites the Kissimmee community to join in celebrating this new dispensary on Friday, August 4 with partner giveaways, music, food trucks, specials discounts and more, starting at 9 AM. Trulieve also offers statewide home delivery, convenient online ordering and in-store pickup. As always, all first-time guests are eligible for a 60% new customer discount at any Florida-based location.
Designed to meet every patient's needs, our portfolio of in-house brands includes Alchemy, Co2lors, Cultivar Collection, Modern Flower, Momenta, Muse, Roll One, Sweet Talk and Trekkers. Customers also have access to beloved brands such as Alien Labs, Bhang, Binske, Black Tuna, Blue River, Connected Cannabis, DeLisioso, Khalifa Kush, Love's Oven, Miami Mango, Old Hippie Stash, O.Pen, Seed Junky and Sunshine Cannabis, all available exclusively at Trulieve in Florida.
For more information, or to learn how to become a registered patient, please visit Trulieve.com and connect on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
About Trulieve
Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with established hubs in the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest, anchored by leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com.
Facebook: @Trulieve
Instagram: @Trulieve_
Twitter: @Trulieve
Investor Contact
Christine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations
+1 (424) 202-0210
Christine.Hersey@Trulieve.com
Media Contact
Teresa Coulter, VancoreJones Communications
+1 (407) 808-6139
TCoulter@vancorejones.com
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SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/trulieve-opening-relocated-medical-marijuana-dispensary-kissimmee-florida/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:20 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/trulieve-opening-relocated-medical-marijuana-dispensary-kissimmee-florida/ |
LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Causal IQ, a leading programmatic solutions provider, today announced a strategic partnership with Quorum, the leading provider of real-time location data in digital media. The alliance is designed to enhance Causal IQ's travel profiles by complementing the offering with always-on, real-time location data.
This new capability will significantly enhance targeting, optimization, attribution, and analytics for travel marketers. It empowers them to leverage location history and analytics on Causal IQ's already robust 280MM US user profiles, enabling a nuanced and effective engagement strategy based on the past and predicted future locations of their users.
The innovative collaboration introduces an array of built-in features for advertisers. These include closed loop reporting for destinations that provide insights into downstream visitation activity, attraction visitation attribution, hotel stay activity, and more. The integration also equips marketers with a deeper understanding of their converting audience, enabling them to decipher what truly drives visitors to their key destinations and leverage that data for campaign optimization in real time.
Furthermore, Causal IQ's Custom Audience Solutions will now offer refined user profiling in categories such as intent, brand affinities, affluence, and travel preferences. Whether they are luxury seekers, family fun enthusiasts, foodies, or adventurers, this feature ensures that every traveler's unique tastes and aspirations are catered to in each interaction, from browsing to booking.
"The partnership between Causal IQ and Quorum is transformative for the travel space," said Jennifer Laing, VP of Operations at Causal IQ. "We are bringing unprecedented capabilities in audience identification, engagement, and attribution. The integration introduces millions of new actionable attributes to our Multivariate Performance Solution, offering a truly unparalleled resource for travel marketers."
"The partnership between Causal IQ and Quorum is a powerful convergence of cutting-edge technologies," said Ezra Doty, CEO of Quorum, Inc. "With Quorum's unrivaled location data, marketers now have the ability to truly maximize potential in driving advertising performance with Causal IQ. Together, our combined forces propel campaigns to new heights, forging a path where data-driven targeting meets visibility to real world destination visits, allowing travel brands to connect with their audiences like never before. We are thrilled to partner with Causal IQ and bring the best of both worlds together."
Causal IQ is excited to leverage this partnership to continue innovating in the travel industry, offering increasingly personalized and effective solutions for clients and consumers alike.
About Causal IQ
Causal IQ is a leading programmatic solutions provider built on the expertise of the best digital marketers in the industry. We partner with the world's leading brands, agencies and advocacy groups to drive success through dynamic digital advertising campaigns. By leveraging unique data points and optimization methodology, Causal IQ brings a human approach to data science and campaign activation.
To learn more, visit causaliQ.com
About Quorum, Inc.
Quorum is a leading provider of real-time location data, offering robust solutions that empower businesses to understand and interact with their audiences in innovative ways. With a focus on reliability and precision, Quorum is the go-to partner for companies seeking to leverage location data to enhance their marketing efforts.
Contact:
Sayed Hirmand
Sr. Manager, Marketing & Communications
Causal IQ
818.554.0001
shirmand@causaliQ.com
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SOURCE Causal IQ | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/causal-iq-quorum-partner-optimize-consumer-travel-profiles-with-real-time-location-data/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:23 | 0 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/causal-iq-quorum-partner-optimize-consumer-travel-profiles-with-real-time-location-data/ |
NEW YORK – Trucking company Yellow Corp. has shut down operations and is headed for a bankruptcy filing, according to the Teamsters Union and multiple media reports.
After years of financial struggles, reports of Yellow preparing for bankruptcy emerged last week — as the Nashville, Tennessee-based trucker saw customers leave in large numbers. Yellow shut down operations on Sunday, according to the Wall Street Journal, following the layoffs of hundreds of nonunion employees on Friday.
In an announcement early Monday, the Teamsters said that the union received legal notice confirming Yellow was ceasing operations and filing for bankruptcy.
“Today’s news is unfortunate but not surprising. Yellow has historically proven that it could not manage itself despite billions of dollars in worker concessions and hundreds of millions in bailout funding from the federal government,” Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “This is a sad day for workers and the American freight industry.”
The Associated Press reached out to Yellow for comment on Monday. No bankruptcy filings had gone live as of the early morning.
The bankruptcy reports have renewed attention around Yellow’s ongoing negotiations with unionized workers, a $700 million pandemic-era loan from the government and other bills the trucker has racked up over time. Yellow, formerly known as YRC Worldwide Inc., is one of the nation’s largest less-than-truckload carriers. The company's reported closure puts 30,000 jobs at risk.
Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT WOULD BANKRUPTCY MEAN FOR YELLOW?
According to Satish Jindel, president of transportation and logistics firm SJ Consulting, Yellow handled an average of 49,000 shipments per day in 2022. Last week, he estimated that number was down to between 10,000 and 15,000 daily shipments.
With customers leaving — as well reports of Yellow stopping freight pickups last week — bankruptcy would “be the end of Yellow,” Jindel told The Associated Press, noting increased risk for liquidation.
“The likelihood of them surviving and remaining solvent diminishes really by the day,” added Bruce Chan, a research director at investment banking firm Stifel.
Yellow declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press on Friday. In a Wednesday statement to The Journal, the company said it was continuing “to prepare for a range of contingencies.” On Thursday, Yellow said it was in talks with multiple parties about selling its third-party logistics organization.
Even if Yellow was able to sell its logistics firm, it would “not generate a sufficient amount of cash to keep them operational on any sort of permanent basis,” Chan said. “Without a major equity injection, it would be very difficult for them to survive.”
HOW MUCH DEBT DOES YELLOW HAVE?
As of late March, Yellow had an outstanding debt of about $1.5 billion. Of that, $729.2 million was owed to the federal government.
In 2020, under the Trump administration, the Treasury Department granted the company a $700 million pandemic-era loan on national security grounds. Last month, a congressional probe concluded that the Treasury and Defense Departments “made missteps” in this decision — and noted that Yellow’s “precarious financial position at the time of the loan, and continued struggles, expose taxpayers to a significant risk of loss.”
The government loan is due in September 2024. As of March, Yellow had made $54.8 million in interest payments and repaid just $230 million of the principal owed, according to government documents.
Yellow’s current finances and prospect of bankruptcy “is probably two decades in the making,” Chan said, pointing to poor management and strategic decisions dating back to the early 2000s. “At this point, after each party has bailed them out so many times, there is a limited appetite to do that anymore.”
In May, Yellow reported a loss of $54.6 million, a decline of $1.06 per share, for its first quarter of 2023. Operating revenue was about $1.16 billion in the period.
A Wednesday investors note from financial service firm Stephens estimated that Yellow could be burning between $9 million and $10 million each day. Using a liquidity disclosure from earlier this month, Yellow had roughly $100 million in cash at the end of June, the note added — estimating that the company has been burning through increasing amounts of money through July.
“It is reasonable to believe that the Company could breach its $35 mil. liquidity requirement at any moment,” Stephens analyst Jack Atkins and associate Grant Smith wrote.
DID THE COMPANY JUST AVERT A STRIKE?
Last week's reports of bankruptcy preparations arrived just days after a strike from the Teamsters, which represents Yellow’s 22,000 unionized workers, was averted.
A series of heated exchanges have built up between the Teamsters and Yellow, who sued the union in June after alleging it was “unjustifiably blocking” restructuring plans needed for the company’s survival. The Teamsters called the litigation “baseless” — with O’Brien pointing to Yellow’s “decades of gross mismanagement,” which included exhausting the $700 million federal loan.
On July 23, a pension fund agreed to extend health benefits for workers at two Yellow Corp. operating companies, averting a strike — and giving Yellow “30 days to pay its bills,” notably $50 million that Yellow failed to pay the Central States Health and Welfare Fund on July 15, the union said. While the strike didn’t occur, talks of a walkout may have caused some Yellow customers to pull back, Chan said.
“The financial struggles of Yellow are not related to the union and the contracts,” Jindel said, pointing to management’s responsibility around its services and prices. He added the union wages from Yellow are “lower than any competitor.”
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YELLOW WENT UNDER?
As Yellow customers take their shipments to other carriers, like FedEx or ABF Freight, prices will go up.
Yellow’s prices have historically been the cheapest compared to other carriers, Jindel said. “That’s why they obviously were not making money,” he added. “And while there is capacity with the other LTL carriers to handle the diversions from Yellow, it will come at a high price for (current shippers and customers) of Yellow.”
Chan adds that we’re in an interesting time for the LTL marketplace — noting that, if Yellow liquidates, “the freight would find a home” with other carriers, which may not have been true in recent years.
“It may take time, but there’s room for it to be absorbed,” he said. | https://www.wsls.com/business/2023/07/31/yellow-is-shutting-down-and-headed-for-bankruptcy-the-teamsters-union-says-heres-what-to-know/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:24 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/business/2023/07/31/yellow-is-shutting-down-and-headed-for-bankruptcy-the-teamsters-union-says-heres-what-to-know/ |
LOS ANGELES – This year Whitney Houston would have turned 60, and a special celebration to raise money for a good cause is being planned for her birthday.
Houston's estate, Sony and Primary Wave Music will host the 2nd annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will benefit the late singer's foundation aimed at helping young people.
Houston’s close friends BeBe Winans and Kim Burrell will perform at the gala at Atlanta's St. Regis Hotel, as will Whitney’s brother, Gary, who toured with her for three decades.
“When I turned 50, Whitney gave me two celebrations — one in Ireland and one in London. I always tell everyone now that one of them was for her,” says Pat Houston, Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law and the executor of her estate. Houston died in February 2012 at age 48. “This year is Whitney at 60 — we’re all looking forward to being a part of the power of love in that room.”
Founded by the singer in 1989, the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children aims to empower youth, by providing resources to unhoused children, giving out college scholarships, and raising funds for charities like the Children’s Defense Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research.
A charity auction will raise money for the foundation.
“We're going to auction off a beautiful lavender dress Dolly Parton wore when she sang ‘I Will Always Love You’ at Country Music Television's ‘100 Greatest Love Songs of Country Music’ special in 2004,” says Pat Houston. “This dress is particularly special because it's lavender, and lavender is Whitney's favorite color.”
The song, originally written by Parton, was recorded by Houston and became one of her great, everlasting hits. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it diamond early last year, which means the track has sold and streamed 10 million equivalent units in the United States. It became her first diamond single, and made Houston the third woman to ever achieve diamond-status with both a single and an album, following Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift.
Clive Davis will serve as honorary chairman. Recording Academy President Harvey Mason jr. is scheduled to attend. Also expected are Gamma’s Larry Jackson and Whitney Houston’s musical director Rickey Minor.
“I always tell people, Whitney is the star,” Pat Houston said. “Everybody in that room is royalty, but she's loyalty — and she's still showing that.” | https://www.wsls.com/entertainment/2023/07/31/whitney-houstons-estate-announces-second-annual-legacy-of-love-gala-with-bebe-winans-kim-burrell/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:25 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/entertainment/2023/07/31/whitney-houstons-estate-announces-second-annual-legacy-of-love-gala-with-bebe-winans-kim-burrell/ |
20 elite teams battled to be crowned Riyadh Masters 2023 champion, and Team Spirit claimed a share of the $15,000,000 prize pool
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dota 2 Riyadh Masters 2023 competition wrapped up yesterday after 12 days of thrilling matches featuring 20 elite teams vying for victory and taking home a share of the $15,000,000 prize pool. As one of the premier tournaments in the Dota 2 calendar, Riyadh Masters 2023 ran the globe's greatest teams through a round-robin group stage and then double-elimination playoffs in the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA).
Among the teams competing for the top prize was Dota 2 powerhouse Team OG, the first team in Dota 2 history to win four Dota Major Championships. Team Tundra Esports, reigning champions of Dota's iconic "The International" tournament, also headed into the 2023 Masters amongst the favorites. Of course, there could only be one winner, and this achievement went to Team Spirit, who triumphed in the final, beating Team Liquid in an encounter for the ages.
The $15,000,000 prize pool is the largest available of any Dota 2 competition this season, and the action did not disappoint, with the stakes being so high. Over 120,000 fans tuned in to the official broadcast on Twitch to witness the epic showdown. Team Spirit reached the Grand Final for the second year in a row, knocking out the season's most dominant performer, Team Gaimin Gladiators, along the way and beating Team Liquid 2-1 in the upper-bracket final as the team looked to banish last years demons and finish in first place rather than second. Team Liquid earned a shot at their redemption by crushing Team Talon 2-0 in the lower bracket final. But the result of this eagerly anticipated rematch in the five-game Grand Final went to Team Spirit, an unassailable 3-1. As champions, Team Spirit left Gamers8 and Boulevard Riyadh City $5,000,000 richer, the runners-up collecting $2,500,000 from the overall prize pool.
Faisal bin Homran, Chief Esports Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: "The Dota 2 Riyadh Masters tournament at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has captured the imagination of the thousands in attendance at Boulevard Riyadh City's Esports Arena and the tens of millions watching avidly across the globe. Since July 19th, the global gaming and esports scene has been captivated by the exploits of the best Dota 2 teams and players in the world. Competing for a $15 million prize pool – the biggest third-party prize pool for a tournament ever – the action has been even more dramatic than anticipated and epitomizes the level of standard for which Gamers8 has become renowned. We congratulate Team Spirit on their success and thank all the teams, players, fans, sponsors, and partners at the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters for being part of a special moment in Saudi Arabian gaming history."
Although the Riyadh Masters may have finished, there's plenty more action on offer as part of Gamers8: The Land of Heroes in its 2023 edition. Esports athletes from around the world are competing in a 12-tournament lineup with a prize pool of $45 million to the soundtrack of musical superstars like Imagine Dragons, Alan Walker, and Metro Boomin', who are putting on a show for the crowds at Gamers8. The festival, the world's largest for gaming and esports, has been full of action since it kicked off in July, with seismic impacts such as Pakistan winning the Nations Cup in Tekken against a well-favored Korean team. Among the other titles taking center stage at Gamers8's home in Boulevard Riyadh City are Rocket League, PUBG Mobile, FIFA, and Counterstrike.
Fans can enjoy further exciting events as the festival continues through August 27th, following which the Gamers8 festival will conclude with a gaming and esports forum. Known as the 'Next World Forum,' it brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world to Saudi Arabia. Gamers8 is playing a key role in developing the grassroots esports scene in Saudi Arabia and providing opportunities for esports athletes around the world. Over 67% of Saudi citizens are gamers, and multiple world champions have come from the Kingdom already to win on the world's largest stages.
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About Gamers8 – The Land Of Heroes:
Gamers8 is the world's largest gaming and esports festival and the destination for elite esports champions and gaming universe lovers. It's the ultimate place to compete for glory and become a hero walking among the worlds of your chosen story. Located in Riyadh at the heart of Saudi Arabia, Gamers8 spans a period of eight weeks from July to September 2023, with new challenges and experiences unlocked every week. You can watch the world's top esports teams compete for the highest prize pools, attend performances by global music artists, experience your favorite gaming platforms come to life, and learn the mysteries behind the creation of video games. Gamers8 is your world, and it's your adventure to choose.
Gamers8: The Land of Heroes follows the success of last year's Gamers8 at Boulevard Riyadh City. Gamers8 2022 saw the world's best teams and players battle it out across five top titles – Rocket League, Dota 2 Riyadh Masters, Fortnite, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, and PUBG Mobile – for a prize pool of $15 million. The 2022 festival was visited by more than 1.4 million visitors and watched by more than 132 million people around the globe. A total of 391 professional players – representing more than 61 nationalities – and 113 international teams took part in world-class esports competitions. Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has a total prize pool of over $45 million – triple last year's grand prize total – and will host the elite of esports in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built venue at Boulevard Riyadh City. The festival will conclude with a gaming and esports forum, known as the 'Next World Forum', that brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world.
About SEF:
The Saudi Esports Federation is the regulating body in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes and developing the gaming community and industry in Saudi Arabia.
The Federation's activities are categorized into two complementary streams. The first stream works to develop all levels of competitive gamers, starting with the grassroots community level and moving up to professional esports athletes that can achieve global excellence. The second stream works to develop the entire gaming/esports value chain by catalyzing the industry and enabling talent.
Since its establishment in late 2017, the federation has organized multiple world-class national and international tournaments and events, attracted investment from local private sector actors, and worked with international developers on opportunities in the Saudi market.
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SOURCE Saudi Esports Federation | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/champions-crowned-riyadh-masters-2023-wraps-up-dota-2-action-gamers8/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:25 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/champions-crowned-riyadh-masters-2023-wraps-up-dota-2-action-gamers8/ |
The subject of unidentified flying objects came more into light last week, with a hearing being held before a Congressional committee on July 26 as part of an effort to get more transparency from intelligent agencies into UFOs.
Highlighting the day-long hearing was the testimony of David Grusch, a former member of a U.S. Air Force panel on unidentified anomalous phenomena, who said the U.S. government has been concealing a defense program that collects and reverse engineers UFOs.
But it got us to thinking about how UFOs are reported, and how often they are reported in Virginia.
How are UFOs reported?
Last year, the United States Office of the Secretary of Defense created an office within itself called the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which aims to “detect, identify and attribute objects of interest in, on or near military installations, operating areas, training areas, special use airspace and other areas of interest, and, as necessary, to mitigate any associated threats to safety of operations and national security.”
As of April, the new office had a reported 650 cases of “unidentified anomalous phenomena.”
UFO sightings have also been reported for nearly 50 years to the National UFO Reporting Center, a website that says it’s “dedicated to the collection and dissemination of objective UFO data.”
The center was founded in 1974.
Reports that make it on the site describe the city and state, shape, duration and summary of a UFO sighting.
It also asks if a person has images.
How often have UFO sightings been reported in Virginia?
According to nuforc.org, Virginia as of July 28 had 2,639 reports of UFO sightings.
How many UFO sightings have been reported this year in Virginia?
Going into July 28, Virginia had 45 sightings reported this year, according to nuforc.org.
The lists a report from Pirtsmouth on July 4 as the latest sighting.
The Pentagon has denied Grusch’s claim that the government is concealing or covering up any program.
Sue Gough, a spokeswoman for the Defense Department, said in a statement:
“To date, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently,” she said.
Have you spotted something strange in the sky lately? Click here to share your photos or videos. | https://www.wsls.com/features/2023/07/31/how-often-are-ufos-reported-in-virginia/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:26 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/features/2023/07/31/how-often-are-ufos-reported-in-virginia/ |
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration's efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures, the White House said Monday.
Biden is expected to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, America's most significant response to climate change, and the push toward more clean energy manufacturing. The act aims to spur clean energy on a scale that will bend the arc of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
July has been the hottest month ever recorded. Biden last week announced new steps to protect workers in extreme heat, including measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.
Members of Biden's administration also are fanning out over the next few weeks around the anniversary of the landmark climate change and health care legislation to extol the administration's successes as the Democratic president seeks reelection in 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Wisconsin this week with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to talk about broadband infrastructure investments. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack goes to Oregon to highlight wildfire defense grants, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to Illinois and Texas, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona heads to Maryland to talk about career and technical education programs.
The Inflation Reduction Act included roughly $375 billion over a decade to combat climate change and capped the cost of a month’s supply of insulin at $35 for older Americans and other Medicare beneficiaries. It also helps an estimated 13 million Americans pay for health care insurance by extending subsidies provided during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure is paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement of wealthy individuals and entities, with additional funds going to reduce the federal deficit. | https://www.wsls.com/news/politics/2023/07/31/biden-goes-west-to-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-to-combat-climate-change/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:26 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/politics/2023/07/31/biden-goes-west-to-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-to-combat-climate-change/ |
Walker Healthcare and Walker Healthcare IT rebrand as Walker Healthforce, revolutionizing the industry through expertise and innovation in healthcare nursing, IT and allied health solutions
BOSTON, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker Healthforce, the newly formed brand resulting from the integration of Walker Healthcare and Walker Healthcare IT, is excited to announce its debut as the leading provider of healthcare IT and clinical solutions. With end-to-end healthcare consulting services and a renewed vision, Walker Healthforce is set to redefine staffing and consulting solutions in the healthcare industry, offering unparalleled value to the workforce, healthcare payers, and clinical ecosystems.
Under the leadership of Founder and CEO Tifiany Walker, Walker Healthforce has dedicated nearly two decades to transforming healthcare through specialized services. The rebranding signifies the company's commitment to advancing the industry and providing comprehensive solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clients.
"We are delighted to introduce Walker Healthforce as the result of our years' of expertise in the healthcare domain," said Tifiany Walker. "Our unwavering focus on healthcare, combined with our investment in cutting-edge technology, top-tier talent, and robust infrastructure, positions us as the ultimate resource for hospital networks, healthcare organizations, nurses, IT professionals, and payer systems. We are proud to usher in a new era of innovation in healthcare solutions."
Walker Healthforce stands out by embracing the belief that specialists outperform generalists in the healthcare landscape. By merging the core competencies of IT, clinical expertise, and allied health services, the company offers a comprehensive suite of 360-degree solutions. The company's proprietary vetting-2-validation process yields the top 20%, ensuring that every client's needs are met, emphasizing a solutions-oriented mindset that sets Walker Healthforce apart.
The industry expertise of Walker Healthforce includes in-depth IT and clinical experience, catering to the requirements of Healthcare Payer and Provider organizations to address the challenges within healthcare today. A team of dedicated experts delivers customizable recruitment solutions with unrivaled timeliness and efficiency, providing immediate and lasting value-added results in areas such as Care Management, Case Management, Data Analytics, Utilization Review, and NCQA &/or HEDIS audits.
According to recent industry reports, healthcare staffing needs have become increasingly challenging, with demand consistently outpacing supply. The healthcare sector faces a shortage of skilled professionals across various disciplines, including physicians, nurses, and allied health workers. This trend is further compounded by the aging population, driving up the demand for healthcare services.
Additionally, the rapid advancement of technology in healthcare has created a demand for specialized IT professionals capable of effectively implementing and managing complex systems. These staffing challenges have significant implications for healthcare organizations, as they strive to maintain high-quality patient care and meet regulatory requirements. Walker Healthforce is leading the way in addressing the evolving staffing needs of the healthcare industry by providing tailored solutions and accessing top-tier talent.
The success of Walker Healthforce is rooted in its proven methodologies. The company's 10-Step vetting-2-validation process guarantees the selection of the most qualified candidates, resulting in an unmatched industry completion rate of 95%. Furthermore, Walker Healthforce proudly boasts a remarkable 94% Dun & Bradstreet score for customer satisfaction, support, and reliability, underscoring the trust clients place in the company's services. By attracting and nurturing exceptional talent, Walker Healthforce ensures the delivery of outstanding results to its valued clients.
With the rebranding to Walker Healthforce, the company paves the way for a future defined by innovative solutions, unrivaled expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the healthcare industry. To learn more about Walker Healthforce and its comprehensive offerings, please visit www.walkerhealthforce.com.
About Walker Healthforce
Walker Healthforce is a premier healthcare clinical solutions provider (formerly Walker Healthcare and Walker Healthcare IT). With a dedicated focus on healthcare, Walker Healthforce offers end-to-end healthcare solutions that combine IT, clinical expertise, and allied health services to address the unique challenges of the industry. By attracting top talent and leveraging cutting-edge technology, Walker Healthforce delivers extraordinary value to healthcare payers, providers and other audiences. For more information, visit www.walkerhealthforce.com.
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Andrew Jennings, JConnelly
ajennings@jconnelly.com
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BEIJING, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chindata Group, ("Chindata" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CD), an industry leader in carrier-neutral hyperscale data center solutions, recently released its 2022 Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) report, showing the Company's impressive achievements in ESG management and green transformation. Most notably, Chindata's annual operating power usage effectiveness (PUE), a standard efficiency metric for power consumption in data centers, reached 1.21, significantly better than the industry average. The Company also announced the enterprise's supply chain carbon emissions for the first time.
Chindata is fully committed to the goal of zero carbon, integrating green concepts into the entire lifecycle of data center site selection, planning, design, construction, and operations, and continues to achieve carbon reduction goals. Highlights from the 2022 ESG report include:
Environmental: Chindata adheres to a zero-carbon principle and fully implements the concept of green environmental protection, while striving to achieve green development through technological innovation. According to the report, the Company's annual operating PUE showed a 1.21 energy efficiency level which is a significantly better number than the industry average. Additionally, by the end of 2022, Chindata had obtained and applied for 423 patents, representing a year-on-year increase of more than 50 percent, and its proprietary waterless cooling technology which can reach a water use efficiency (WUE) of zero had been put into use. From a green electricity standpoint, 220 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity were purchased in 2022, and accumulated green electricity obtained through transactions has reached almost 770 million kilowatt-hours.
Social: Chindata is committed to creating an era of value sharing that is inclusive, reciprocal, and beneficial, adheres to a diverse, open, and inclusive corporate culture, provides equal opportunities for employees, and builds a fair talent training system and believes that corporate development dividends can benefit employees, customers, value chain partners, and local communities. Women filled one-third of the Company's senior management roles in 2022, and close to 40 percent of employees saw promotion in the same year. Additionally, Chindata actively promotes sunlight capture and conversion and promotes the improved sustainable performance of its supply chain. In 2022, the company's overseas subsidiary Bridge Data Centres (BDC) received the esteemed 'Malaysia Digital Status' award, acknowledging significant contributions to Malaysia's digital economy.
Governance: Over the past year, Chindata has taken solid steps toward sustainable development by optimizing its governance structure, promoting technological innovation, and expanding the use of clean energy. Its ESG value model places stability and transparency, creative excellence, a mutually beneficial future, and green development as cornerstone elements. Moving forward, the Company will continue to build a new regional ecosystem and will also evolve the green gene in its DNA, drive low-carbon computing through technological innovation, and lead and promote the technological development of green data centers throughout the industry.
Huapeng Wu, Chief Executive Officer of Chindata Group, said, "The thriving global digital economy is witnessing an unprecedented surge, driven by rapid advancements in cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI). This growing focus on environmental sustainability has led to stringent green norms in data center construction. Consequently, the Internet Data Center (IDC) industry finds itself at the forefront of a transformative industrial shift, where the principles of eco-friendliness, low carbon footprint, resource efficiency, and operational intensity are paramount. By adhering to these principles, Chindata is fostering a symbiotic alliance between the green and digital economies, propelling a new era of green sustainable development."
At this pivotal juncture of digital economy advancement and energy transformation, Chindata leverages its core values of Stable, Advanced, Forward, Eco-friendly (SAFE) to enhance its ESG strategy. With a strong foundation in arithmetic and data, these four elements are ingrained in the Company's DNA, empowering Chindata to offer abundant computing power in a reliable, environmentally friendly, and high-quality manner. This transformation of electricity into superior computing power ensures Chindata's pivotal role in fueling the digital economy and shaping a promising digital future.
About Chindata Group
Chindata is a leading carrier-neutral hyperscale data center solution provider in Asia-Pacific emerging markets and a first mover in building next-generation hyperscale data centers in China, India, and Southeast Asia markets, focusing on the whole life cycle of facility planning, investment, design, construction and operation of ecosystem infrastructure in the IT industry. Chindata provides its clients with business solutions in major countries and regions in Asia-Pacific emerging markets, including asset-heavy ecosystem chain services such as industrial bases, data centers and network services.
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SOURCE Chindata Group | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/chindata-releases-2022-esg-report-revealing-above-industry-average-pue-121-with-accelerated-green-transformation/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:31 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/chindata-releases-2022-esg-report-revealing-above-industry-average-pue-121-with-accelerated-green-transformation/ |
PRINCETON, N.J., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WCG, the global leader in providing solutions that measurably improve the quality, efficiency, and safety of clinical research, today announces the appointment of Donna Snyder, MD, MBE, as Executive Physician. Dr. Snyder's extensive experience and leadership in clinical research, including over a decade with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will increase WCG's expertise and capabilities to accelerate and advance clinical trials.
As Executive Physician, Dr. Snyder will play a pivotal role in collaborating with clients and stakeholders across WCG's business units. With her training in pediatrics, bioethics, and product and drug development, she brings invaluable expertise gained during her tenure with the FDA and as a practicing physician.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Snyder to WCG," said Sam Srivastava, chief executive officer, WCG. "Dr. Snyder's expertise in drug development and ethical considerations will further strengthen the partnership and solutions WCG offers our clients to support their goals to be more efficient and effective throughout their trials. Her focus on patient-centric care and how it relates to enhanced clinical outcomes will undoubtedly benefit our clients and the patients they serve."
Dr. Snyder has earned widespread recognition as an expert in applying scientific and ethical regulations related to the inclusion of children in clinical research and the development of pediatric products. She has co-authored numerous books and publications, solidifying her position as a respected thought leader in her field. She holds a Master's in Bioethics (MBE) from the University of Pennsylvania, in addition to her MD and Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Virginia. Furthermore, she completed a fellowship in General Academic Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University.
"I'm delighted to join the exceptionally talented, mission-driven team at WCG," remarked Dr. Snyder. "Additionally, the company's commitment to innovation in clinical research is inspiring. I look forward to playing a role in helping to accelerate clinical research for our clients, while upholding the ethical standards for which WCG is known."
About WCG
WCG is a global leader of solutions that measurably improve and accelerate clinical research. Biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, contract research organizations (CROs), research institutions, and sites partner with us for our unmatched expertise, data intelligence, and purpose-built technology to make informed decisions and optimize study outcomes, while maintaining the highest standards of human participant protection. WCG raises the bar by pioneering new concepts, reimagining processes, fostering compliance and safety, and empowering those who perform clinical trials to accelerate the delivery of medical therapies and devices that improve lives. For more information, please visit wcgclinical.com or follow us on Twitter @WCGClinical or LinkedIn.
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BEIJING – 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.wsls.com/news/world/2023/07/31/china-imposes-curbs-on-drone-exports-citing-ukraine-and-concern-about-military-use/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:40 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/world/2023/07/31/china-imposes-curbs-on-drone-exports-citing-ukraine-and-concern-about-military-use/ |
BEIJING, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WiMi Hologram Cloud Inc. (NASDAQ: WIMI) ("WiMi" or the "Company"), a leading global Hologram Augmented Reality ("AR") Technology provider, today announced that an algorithm of nonlinear optical holography was developed. This is an algorithm that uses nonlinear optical effects to reconstruct a holographic image of an object. The laser beam is modulated using nonlinear optical materials to encode information about the object under test into an optical interference pattern, and then this interference pattern is recorded and processed using holography. In this process, the optical interference pattern has spatial and temporal features of high complexity, which can be used to realize nonlinear interactions between photons through the use of nonlinear optical effects (e.g., optical phase conjugation effects) to achieve the three-dimensional reconstruction of the object. It utilizes the nonlinear properties of light in optics to realize the processing and conversion of optical signals, and has the advantages of high resolution, no damage, and fast reconstruction.
This algorithm developed by WiMi is to use the characteristics of nonlinear optical materials to realize the self-modulation of light waves, self-frequency conversion and other processing, through holographic technology recorded light field information can provide richer optical information, to achieve better holographic image reconstruction effect. The laser beam and the reference beam are first constructed, and they are interfered with through the nonlinear crystal. In the interference region, the modulation of parameters such as refractive index, absorption, and refraction angle of the material that will be self-modulated is generated, and to obtain the hologram, the phase modulation of the signal beam is required. During the propagation of the laser wave in the material, the frequency of the wave changes due to the presence of nonlinear effects, forming a new non-planar wave called a differential frequency wave. The differential frequency wave is then recorded by holographic technology, and the corresponding data processing and reconstruction are carried out to obtain the hologram image of the original information. Finally, the desired image is obtained by processing the hologram.
Compared with traditional holographic algorithms, this technology can realize a variety of nonlinear optical effects, eliminate interference fringes and noise in traditional holographic technology, improve image clarity and signal-to-noise ratio, and obtain higher holographic imaging quality and resolution. It can also realize real-time imaging by adjusting the control factors such as laser power and material parameters, and can realize image modulation and enhancement by controlling different optical parameters, which improves the flexibility and applicability, and has higher practical value of application.
With the rapid development of computer technology and optical technology, WiMi's algorithm will also be continuously improved and enhanced, and its scope of application will be further expanded. It is foreseeable that the holographic algorithm will play an important role in the fields of medical imaging, education, entertainment, etc. At the same time, it will be one of the directions of future development of optical technology, which can provide important technical support for scientific research and industrial manufacturing.
About WIMI Hologram Cloud
WIMI Hologram Cloud, Inc. (NASDAQ:WIMI) is a holographic cloud comprehensive technical solution provider that focuses on professional areas including holographic AR automotive HUD software, 3D holographic pulse LiDAR, head-mounted light field holographic equipment, holographic semiconductor, holographic cloud software, holographic car navigation and others. Its services and holographic AR technologies include holographic AR automotive application, 3D holographic pulse LiDAR technology, holographic vision semiconductor technology, holographic software development, holographic AR advertising technology, holographic AR entertainment technology, holographic ARSDK payment, interactive holographic communication and other holographic AR technologies.
Safe Harbor Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the 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," and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this press release and the Company's strategic and operational plans contain forward−looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward−looking statements in its periodic reports to the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Forms 20−F and 6−K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases, and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Several 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 goals and strategies; the Company's future business development, financial condition, and results of operations; the expected growth of the AR holographic industry; and the Company's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services.
Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F and the current report on Form 6-K and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required under applicable laws.
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NORWOOD, Mass., July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRBP) ("Corbus" or the "Company"), a precision oncology company, today announced that Yuval Cohen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Corbus, will participate in a fireside chat and one-on-one investor meetings at the BTIG Virtual Biotechnology Conference, to be held August 7-8, 2023.
BTIG Virtual Biotechnology Conference
Format: Fireside chat and one-on-one investor meetings
Fireside Chat Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Fireside Chat Time: 9:00 a.m. ET
To register for the conference, contact your BTIG sales representative.
About Corbus
Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "Corbus") is a precision oncology company committed to helping people defeat serious illness by bringing innovative scientific approaches to well understood biological pathways. Corbus' internal development pipeline includes CRB-701, a next generation antibody drug conjugate (ADC) that targets the expression of Nectin-4 on cancer cells to release a cytotoxic payload and CRB-601, an anti-integrin monoclonal antibody which blocks the activation of TGFβ expressed on cancer cells. Corbus is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts. For more information on Corbus, visit corbuspharma.com. Connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the Company's restructuring, trial results, product development, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statement that are predictive in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management's current beliefs and assumptions.
These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events or our financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors on our operations, clinical development plans and timelines, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Sean Moran
Chief Financial Officer
Corbus Pharmaceuticals
Sean.moran@corbuspharma.com
Bruce Mackle Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
bmackle@lifesciadvisors.com
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SOURCE Corbus Pharmaceuticals | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/corbus-pharmaceuticals-present-btig-virtual-biotechnology-conference/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:40 | 0 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/corbus-pharmaceuticals-present-btig-virtual-biotechnology-conference/ |
Country star Craig Morgan reenlists in Army Reserve at 59
Craig Morgan is still dedicated to serving his country.
On Saturday, the musician was sworn in again at age 59 to the U.S. Army Reserve on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in front of a sold-out audience.
"I’m excited to once again serve my country and be all I can be in hopes of encouraging others to be a part of something greater than ourselves," Morgan shared in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"I love being an artist but I consider it a true privilege and honor to work with what I believe are the greatest of Americans, my fellow soldiers. God Bless America. Go Army."
COUNTRY MUSIC STAR AND VETERAN CRAIG MORGAN RELEASES FIRST ALBUM SINCE DEATH OF SON
The "That’s What I Love About Sunday" singer previously served 17 years in the Army and Army Reserve with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions as an E-6 Staff Sergeant and Fire Support Specialist and including Airborne, Air Assault and Rappel Master among his certifications.
With his reenlistment, Morgan will hold the rank of Staff Sergeant and Warrant Officer.
"Every Soldier who enters the Army has the opportunity to become the best version of themselves, and Staff Sgt. Morgan is no exception. I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes and how he impacts other Soldiers around the Army," General Andrew Poppas, who officiated the ceremony, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Morgan will also continue touring and releasing music.
The day of the ceremony, Morgan shared a throwback photo of himself in uniform with the caption, "Once a soldier, always a soldier I love our country."
Morgan has also worked with the USO, and has earned the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and the USO Merit Award.
Last year, Morgan told Fox News Digital that despite growing up in a musical family with his father and uncles, he hadn't considered it more than a hobby.,
"It never seemed like it was something that was a career for them, even though it kind of was, at times, and especially for me, even throughout my military career," he said at the time.
"It wasn't until later in my military career that I thought that I could possibly pursue it as a profession."
Country artist Craig Morgan performs at the Ryman Auditorium on November 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
During his time in the service, he won awards for songs that he wrote and performed for his fellow soldiers.
The "Almost Home" singer rose steadily through the ranks and was told by one of his senior officers that he was on the fast track to becoming a major.
"But he also told me, he said, ‘I think that you have a talent and at minimum you ought to pursue it,’" Morgan recalled.
Fox News Digital's Ashley Hume and Larry Fink contributed to this report. | https://www.fox13news.com/news/country-star-craig-morgan-reenlists-army-reserve | 2023-07-31T13:25:40 | 0 | https://www.fox13news.com/news/country-star-craig-morgan-reenlists-army-reserve |
Curfew declared in Nigerian state after warehouses and shops are looted
By CHINEDU ASADU
Associated Press
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Residents of northeastern Nigeria’s Adamawa state have been prohibited from leaving home as authorities enforce a 24-hour lockdown period in response to what they said was widespread looting of shops and warehouses. Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri declared the around-the-clock curfew Sunday in response to “escalating violence by hoodlums attacking people and businesses” in the state capital, his spokesperson said in a statement. The statement alleged the law-breakers in Yola assaulted residents while breaking into businesses and homes and “carting away property.” Several government policies introduced by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who took office in late May, have further squeezed millions of people battling with hunger and poverty in Africa’s biggest economy. | https://kion546.com/ap-colorado/2023/07/31/curfew-declared-in-nigerian-state-after-warehouses-and-shops-are-looted/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:40 | 1 | https://kion546.com/ap-colorado/2023/07/31/curfew-declared-in-nigerian-state-after-warehouses-and-shops-are-looted/ |
Lori Vallow faces sentencing in deaths of 2 children and her romantic rival
ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (AP) — Idaho mother Lori Vallow Daybell faces up to life in prison without parole Monday as she is sentenced in the murders of her two youngest children and a romantic rival in a case that included bizarre claims that her son and daughter were zombies and that she was a goddess sent to usher in the Biblical apocalypse.
Vallow Daybell was found guilty in May of killing her two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husband’s previous wife.
The husband, Chad Daybell, is awaiting trial on the same murder charges. Vallow Daybell also faces two other cases in Arizona — one on a charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and one of conspiring to kill her niece’s ex-husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed in 2019, but her niece’s ex survived an attempt later that year.
Monday’s sentencing will take place at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho. Judge Steven W. Boyce is expected to hear testimony from several representatives of the victims, including Vallow Daybell’s only surviving son, Colby Ryan.
The case began in July 2019, when Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police he acted in self-defense. He was never charged in the case and died later that year of what authorities determined were natural causes.
Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, a self-published author who wrote doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings. She moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him.
The children were last seen alive in September 2019. Police discovered they were missing a month later after an extended family member became worried. Their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell’s yard the following summer.
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married in November 2019, about two weeks after Daybell’s previous wife, Tammy, was killed. Tammy Daybell initially was described as having died of natural causes, but an autopsy later showed she had been asphyxiated, authorities said.
Defense attorney Jim Archibald argued during the trial that there was no evidence tying Vallow Daybell to the killings, but plenty showing she was a loving, protective mother whose life took a sharp turn when she met Chad Daybell and fell for his “weird” apocalyptic religious claims. He suggested that Daybell and Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, were responsible for the deaths.
Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a “sexual goddess” who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return, Archibald said.
Vallow Daybell’s former friend Melanie Gibb testified during the trial that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into “zombies,” including JJ and Tylee.
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Copyright 2023 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved. | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/lori-vallow-faces-sentencing-deaths-2-children-her-romantic-rival/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:40 | 1 | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/lori-vallow-faces-sentencing-deaths-2-children-her-romantic-rival/ |
Executives and politicians across the world worry about the havoc that next-generation artificial intelligence will wreak on industries from finance to health care. For the $200 billion games sector, the revolution has already begun.
From San Francisco to Tokyo and Hong Kong, the plethora of companies that power the digital entertainment sphere are responding to decades of escalating costs and stagnant prices by feverishly adopting and developing new AI tools. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are on the line. Yet company leaders and studio chiefs told Bloomberg News that the changes, while inevitable and painful, can empower smaller studios, boost creativity and ultimately benefit gamers around the world.
The head of one major Japanese studio is preparing for a future where half his company’s programmers and designers will be unnecessary within five years. At Hong Kong-listed Gala Sports, executives have mothballed non-AI research projects, forced department heads to study machine learning and offered bounties of as much as $7,000 for novel AI ideas. They worry they might already be late.
“Basically every week, we feel that we are going to be eliminated,” Jia Xiaodong, 36, CEO of Gala Technology Holding Ltd., told Bloomberg News. “The impact of AI on the game industry in the past three to four months may be as dramatic as the changes in the past 30 or 40 years.”
The video game industry is among the first to feel the full brunt of AI because it’s largely digital — encoded in an AI-readable language and created by software engineers well prepared to use, adapt and improve new computing tools. Before OpenAI took the world by storm with ChatGPT in November, it used Valve’s Dota 2 as a proving ground for its bots.
The advent of AI offers the industry a rare chance to overhaul a business model that in some cases has grown bloated and formulaic — not dissimilar to criticisms directed at risk-averse Hollywood today. Game production costs have spiraled upward faster than sales, with recent blockbusters The Last of Us Part II and Horizon Forbidden West reportedly costing Sony more than $200 million each and requiring years of work from hundreds of staff. The investment of money and time for such projects can be sliced in half by AI, according to UBS Securities analyst Kenji Fukuyama.
“Nothing can reverse, stop, or slow the current AI trend,” said Masaaki Fukuda, who helped build PlayStation Network while at Sony. Now a vice president at Japan’s largest AI startup, Preferred Networks, Fukuda sees a tidal wave of change in how digital content is created, and his company has gotten involved with an anime creator named Crypko.
Character illustrations that typically cost upward of 100,000 yen ($720) each to outsource can be obtained from Crypko for a flat monthly fee of 4,980 yen and a commercial license of 980 yen per image. It still needs human artists to finish the AI’s work, but the company is improving the tool daily and should be able to solve most imperfections within a few years, Fukuda said.
The scale of demand for such content has ballooned over the years, with mobile games that used to cost around 40 million yen to produce 15 years ago now requiring a minimum of 500 million yen, mostly because of graphics, according to former Touken Ranbu producer Yuta Hanazawa.
For the 25-year industry veteran, the new tech was compelling enough to start a new company, AI Works, to sell machine-drawn game illustrations. Like Crypko, it needs a human hand to finalize the product but is much faster and cheaper than hiring an artist. The company has already provided art for several unannounced projects, charging half the usual industry price, he said.
“AI is the game changer I’ve been waiting for,” Hanazawa said. By freeing developers from the burden of mass-producing graphics, it promises to revitalize the entire industry. “Publishers will be able to take more risks, creators can become creative again, and users as a result can choose from a much wider variety of games.”
AI is also becoming a powerful in-house tool. Gala Sports used publicly available AI services — image generators Stable Diffusion and Midjourney — to build internal toolkits for rendering realistic 3D head models, slashing the cost of a task that previously would take two weeks and as much as 200,000 yuan ($28,000) when outsourced. Now it takes only half a day’s labor. The company has a team dedicated to building further tools to help with coding, design and even customer service.
The downside to all this automation is a corresponding loss of jobs. Industry executives, declining to speak publicly on the matter, expect swaths of workers to lose their jobs as they know them. “AI might eventually wipe out entire job categories in gaming such as quality control, debugging, customer support or translation,” said industry analyst Serkan Toto.
That future was put on display this month when Tokyo-based Morikatron showed off an entire game made by AI. Murder mystery simulator Red Ram uses Stable Diffusion and ChatGPT to generate its content based on a player’s prompts. “This is a game that would be impossible to develop without AI’s power, because you’d need an infinite amount of art and text assets,” company founder Yukihito Morikawa said. Four engineers took three months to assemble it.
Tsubasa Himeno, a voice actor with many game credits to her name, said the new technology will make it more difficult for young people to get a start in the business. “AI is a pure threat,” she said.
Jiro Ishii, known for creating the live-action novel 428: Shibuya Scramble, in a decade or two expects everyone will be able to create their own games. That’s a threat to the “freemium” model adopted by the likes of Dota 2 and Epic’s Fortnite, which are free to play but charge for in-game cosmetics and extras.
Most see opportunity. Yosuke Shiokawa has operated on both ends of the spectrum, as a former producer of Sony’s hit smartphone game Fate/Grand Order as well as founder of 2-year-old Fahrenheit 213 Inc. He started dabbling with AI creation for a video trailer before using it as an aid to create in-game objects and backgrounds, adding extras his four-person team previously wouldn’t have thought to try due to limited resources.
“Soon, it will be a matter of your creativity, not your budget, that determines the value of games,” Shiokawa said.
–With assistance from Yuki Furukawa and Mayumi Negishi. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ai-is-rewriting-the-rules-of-200-billion-games-industry/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business | 2023-07-31T13:25:41 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ai-is-rewriting-the-rules-of-200-billion-games-industry/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business |
Inga Swenson, best known for her role as Gretchen the Cook the ABC Soap spinoff Benson, died of natural causes after months of declining health at a Los Angeles board and care facility, the actress' son Mark tells TMZ. She was 90. In addition to Benson, Inga also starred on Broadway and had supporting supporting roles in the films Advise and Consent and The Miracle Worker, where she played Helen Keller's mother...
Production on the long-running daytime drama Days Of Our Lives, which streams on NBCUniversal's Peacock platform, has been temporarily suspended amid the misconduct investigation against longtime co-executive producer/director Albert Alarr, according to Deadline. About 30-40 people -- primarily women -- were interviewed in the investigation, which probed accusations of inappropriate comments and physical contact, including groping and forceful kissing, and revealed a toxic environment on the show that allegedly had been fostered by Alarr for years, per the outlet...
Hulu has canceled its musical rom-com Up Here after just one season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series starred Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes as a couple working through their anxieties in late '90s New York City. In addition to Whitman and Valdes, the show's cast included Katie Finneran, John Hodgman, Andréa Burns, Emilia Suárez, Sophia Hammons and Scott Porter...
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. | https://www.star945.com/entertainment/brief-days/NECMCSYFMYKLFA75FQDB7VI5OQ/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:40 | 0 | https://www.star945.com/entertainment/brief-days/NECMCSYFMYKLFA75FQDB7VI5OQ/ |
BANGKOK – Myanmar’s military-controlled government has extended the state of emergency it imposed when the army seized power from an elected government 2 1/2 years ago, state-run media said Monday, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over.
MRTV television said the National Defense and Security Council met Monday in the capital, Naypyitaw, and extended the state of emergency for another six months starting Tuesday because time is needed to prepare for the elections. The NDSC is nominally a constitutional government body, but in practice is controlled by the military.
The announcement amounted to an admission that the army does not exercise enough control to stage the polls and has failed to subdue widespread opposition to military rule, which includes increasingly challenging armed resistance as well as nonviolent protests and civil disobedience, despite the army having a huge advantage in manpower and weapons.
The state of emergency was declared when troops arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and top officials from her government and members of her National League for Democracy party on Feb. 1, 2021. The takeover reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule.
The military said it seized power because of fraud in the last general election held in November 2020, in which Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory while the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development party did poorly. Independent election observers said they did not find any major irregularities.
The army takeover was met with widespread peaceful protests that security forces suppressed with lethal force, triggering armed resistance that U.N. experts have described as a civil war.
As of Monday, 3,857 people have been killed by the security forces since the takeover, according to a tally kept by the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
The army-enacted 2008 constitution allows the military to rule the country under a state of emergency for one year, with two possible six-month extensions if preparations are not yet completed for new polls, meaning that the time limit expired on Jan. 31 this year.
However, the NDSC allowed the military government to extend emergency rule for another six months in February, saying the country remained in an abnormal situation. The announcement on Monday is the fourth extension.
The state of emergency allows the military to assume all government functions, giving the head of the ruling military council, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, legislative, judicial and executive powers.
Monday's report did not specify when the polls might be held, saying only that they would occur after the goals of the state of emergency are accomplished.
According to the constitution, the military must transfer government functions to the president, who heads the NDSC, six months before the polls. That would mean Acting President Myint Swe, a retired general.
The military originally announced that new polls would be held a year after its takeover and later said they would take place in August 2023. But the extension of the emergency in February made that timing impossible.
The MRTV report said Myint Swe told members of the NDSC that the government still needs to do more to achieve stability and the rule of law to prepare for the election.
Critics say the polls will be neither free nor fair under the military-controlled government, which has shut independent media and arrested most of the leaders of Suu Kyi’s party.
Her party was dissolved along with 39 other parties by the election commission in March for failing to re-apply under a political party registration law enacted by the military government early this year. The law makes it difficult for opposition groups to mount a serious challenge to army-backed candidates.
Suu Kyi, 78, is serving prison sentences totaling 33 years after being convicted in a series of politically tainted cases brought mostly by the military government. | https://www.wsls.com/news/world/2023/07/31/myanmars-military-led-government-extends-state-of-emergency-forcing-delay-in-promised-election/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:46 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/world/2023/07/31/myanmars-military-led-government-extends-state-of-emergency-forcing-delay-in-promised-election/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — A week later, the “Barbenheimer” boom has not abated.
Seven days after Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” conspired to set box office records, the two films held unusually strongly in theaters. “Barbie” took in a massive $93 million in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Oppenheimer” stayed in second with a robust $46.2 million. Sales for the two movies dipped 43% and 44%, respectably — well shy of the usual week-two drops.
“Barbenheimer” has proven to be not a one-weekend phenomenon but an ongoing box-office bonanza. The two movies combined have already surpassed $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore, call it “a touchstone moment for movies, moviegoers and movie theaters.”
“Having two movies from rival studios linked in this way and both boosting each other’s fortunes — both box-office wise and it terms of their profile — I don’t know if there’s a comp for this in the annals of box-office history,” said Dergarabedian. “There’s really no comparison for this.”
Following its year-best $162 million opening, the pink-infused pop sensation of “Barbie” saw remarkably sustained business through the week and into the weekend. The film outpaced Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” to have the best first 11 days in theaters of any Warner Bros. release ever.
“Barbie” has rapidly accumulated $351.4 million in U.S. and Canadian theaters, a rate that will soon make it the biggest box-office hit of the summer. Every day it’s played, “Barbie” has made at least $20 million.
And the “Barbie” effect isn’t just in North America. The film made $122.2 million internationally over the weekend. Its global tally has reached $775 million. It’s the kind of business that astounds even veteran studio executives.
“That’s a crazy number,” said Jeff Goldstein, distribution chief for Warner Bros. “There’s just a built-in audience that wants to be part of the zeitgeist of the moment. Wherever you go, people are wearing pink. Pink is taking over the world.”
Amid the frenzy, “Barbie” is already attracting a lot of repeat moviegoers. Goldstein estimates that 12% of sales are people going back with friends or family to see it again.
For a movie industry that has been trying to regain its pre-pandemic footing — and that now finds itself largely shuttered due to actors and screenwriters strikes — the sensations of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” have showed what’s possible when everything lines up just right.
“Post-pandemic, there’s no ceiling and there’s no floor,” Goldstein said. “The movies that miss really miss big time, and the movies that work really work big time.”
Universal Pictures’ “Oppenheimer,” meanwhile, is performing more like a superhero movie than a three-hour film about scientists talking.
Nolan’s drama starring Cillian Murphy as atomic bomb physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer has accrued $174.1 million domestically thus far. With an additional $72.4 million in international cinemas, “Oppenheimer” has already surpassed $400 million globally.
Showings in IMAX have typically been sold out. “Oppenheimer” has made $80 million worldwide on IMAX. The large-format exhibitor said Sunday that it will extend the film’s run through Aug. 13.
The week’s top new release, Walt Disney Co.’s “Haunted Mansion,” an adaptation of the Disney theme park attraction, was easily overshadowed by the “Barbenheimer” blitz. The film, which cost about $150 million, debuted with $24 million domestically and $9 million in overseas sales. “Haunted Mansion,” directed by Justin Simien (“Dear White People,” “Bad Hair”) and starring an ensemble of LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito and Rosario Dawson, struggled to overcome mediocre reviews.
“Talk to Me,” the A24 supernatural horror film, fared better. It debuted with $10 million. The film, directed by Australian filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou and starring Sophie Wilde, was a midnight premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January and received terrific reviews from critics (95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). It was made for a modest $4.5 million.
While theaters being flush with moviegoers has been a huge boon to the film industry, it’s been tougher sledding for Tom Cruise, the so-called savior of the movies last summer with “Top Gun: Maverick.” “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I,” which debuted the week before the arrival of “Barbenheimer,” grossed $10.7 million in its third weekend. The film starring Cruise and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, has grossed $139.2 million domestically and $309.3 million oveseas.
Instead, the sleeper hit “Sound of Freedom” has been the best performing non-“Barbenheimer” release in theaters. The Angel Studios’ release, which is counting crowdfunding pay-it-forward sales in its box office totals, made $12.4 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its haul thus far to nearly $150 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Barbie,” $93 million.
2. “Opppenheimer,” $46.2 million.
3. “Haunted Mansion,” $24.2 million.
4. “Sound of Freedom,” $12.4 million.
5. “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” $10.7 million.
6. “Talk to Me,” $10 million.
7. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” $4 million.
8. “Elemental,” $3.4 million.
9. “Insidious: The Red Door,” $3.2 million.
10. “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani,” $1.6 million.
___
Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP | https://www.wane.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-the-barbie-bonanza-continues-at-the-box-office-oppenheimer-holds-the-no-2-spot/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:45 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-the-barbie-bonanza-continues-at-the-box-office-oppenheimer-holds-the-no-2-spot/ |
GUANGZHOU, China, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Against the backdrop of sustainable development around the globe, excellent ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance is a new measure for the quality and sustainable prospect of an enterprise. In the future, driven by the "dual carbon" strategic goal, ESG indicators will be new focus for domestic consumer goods companies.
Recently, the fast-growing beauty group YSG released its Environmental, Social and Governance Report of 2022 (hereinafter referred to as the ESG Report). This is the second consecutive year for the Company to release the ESG Report, which thoroughly demonstrates the actions and achievements of YSG in practicing the ESG framework in multiple dimensions in the past year.
YSG's good ESG performance has won the recognition of an authoritative third party institute— in December 2022, the world's largest index company, Morgan Stanley Capital International, MSCI, upgraded the rating of YSG to A, which is an internationally recognized leading level. The rating report shows that YSG is an industry leader in the management of packaging materials and wastes, and is committed to reducing the impact of packaging materials through green packaging, lightweight packaging and recycling, etc.
Expanding "Carbon Footprint" Assessment Category, Embarking on Sustainable Path of Beauty Products
Under the guidance of "dual carbon" national strategy, the beauty industry is actively participating in sustainable development and green growth. Domestic beauty enterprises rise to implement the ESG goals. With the long-term vision of "health and beauty explorer in the era of new technology", YSG has been adhering to low-carbon development, and has always been practicing its commitment to environmental friendliness.
Following Perfect Diary's core product "Rouge Intense Velet Slim Lipstick" launched in 2021, YSG has continued to expand the scope of categories covered by carbon footprint verification. The ESG report shows that in 2022, the Company conducted carbon footprint assessment on Perfect Diary's ace products, "Weightless Velvet Lip Stain" and "Translucent Blurring Loose Powder (Anti-dullness Version)". Through this process, YSG can ascertain the carbon emissions of products in the whole life cycle, identify the potential for emission reduction at each stage, and continue to upgrade its products in the future to reduce the impact on the environment.
In addition, YSG also focuses on issues such as suppliers' carbon emissions and energy management in order to realize low-carbon and sustainable development of the entire supply chain. The Company encourages suppliers to take the initiative to meet the challenge of carbon emission reduction and to seize the opportunity to set feasible and challenging carbon emission reduction goals, so as to work together with YSG to continuously reduce the total amount of carbon emissions of the supply chain. By the end of 2022, all seven core suppliers of YSG have implemented carbon emission management.
At the same time, the consumption of packaging materials, possible pollutions and other issues have drawn more concern; plastic reduction, lightweight packaging, recycling has become the direction advocated by the government and expected by consumers. In 2022, Yatsen's brands, including Perfect Diary, Pink Bear, and Little Ondine, adjusted the weight and size of their product cartons, switched from offset-printed cardboard boxes to watermarked ones, and adopted eco-friendly kraft paper materials, reducing paper consumption by 25%;at the same time, plastic films have been removed for all paper boxes, further reducing the use of plastic packaging materials. Galénic's plastic packaging in China is 100% replaced by degradable bio-based paper plastics. EVE LOM's product packaging achieved 100% recyclability (obtaining The Green Dot logo).
Committed to Scientific Research and Innovation, Laying Solid Foundation for Brand R&D
In the past year, the cosmetic industry has been speeding into the era of detailed brand building with quality as the focus, and the attention paid to R&D by domestic beauty brands has risen significantly, as the beauty industry has entered a new stage of competing for "internal strength". According to the ESG report, YSG attaches great importance to product innovation and R&D, and has invested RMB 127 million in R&D in 2022, accounting for 3.4% of its total revenue. The R&D expense ratio continues to rank among the top in the world.
With the support of the Open Lab R&D system, YSG has formed cooperation with many renowned research institutions, universities and colleges and hospitals home and abroad, identifying, studying and transferring for commercial applications worldwide— all for quality beauty products. Multiple types of achievements of technology-supported cosmetics have been made. Perfect Diary cooperated with the Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology of Chinese Academy of Sciences and developed the SmartLOCK, which is used in the Translucent Blurring Loose Powder for its high efficiency in keeping look fresh with antioxidant capacity.
What is more noteworthy is that YSG understands that R&D innovation is the way to long-term development of an enterprise, drives category innovation, which in turn brings R&D breakthrough. In 2022 June, YSG R&D Center officially obtained the Laboratory Accreditation Certificate issued by China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), which marks that the Center's product testing capabilities, equipment and devices have reached national approved standards. In November of the same year, the Company established the Sun Yat-sen University-Yatsen Group (YSG) Skin Health Precise Research Joint Laboratory,which has now built two major platforms, namely, the Chinese Skin Aging Research Platform for Chinese and the Bio-Fermentation Research Platform of Sun Yat-sen University.
Shouldering Public Welfare, Setting Benchmark for Sustainable Development
As young listed beauty enterprise, YSG spares no effort on public welfare while promoting its own development, deepening its enterprise and brand value. The Company explores actively the new path of beauty, aiming to discover female beauty, guard natural beauty and pass on the beauty of goodwill. The on-going "Create a beautiful life" and other training programs have witnessed YSG's endeavour in public welfare.
Since the establishment of the Company, YSG has been committed to involving more people to enjoy beauty as part of its corporate social responsibility practice. In 2020, YSG, with the goal of "helping women to discover and create beauty", joined hands with the China Women's Development Foundation to launch "Creating a beautiful life" public welfare training program. A total of RMB 2 million has been invested in the program in three years. As of March 2023, 5 training sessions have been completed, empowering 202 women to start their own business/employment in the field of beauty through the learning of beauty skills, quality enhancement, in-person visits and practice, industry exchanges, and mentor support.
At the same time, the Company is also expanding the depth and breadth of public welfare practices, actively contributing to social welfare such as education and research, child care, rural revitalization, public welfare for the disabled, shouldering a sense of social responsibility and mission, insisting on giving back real benefits to the society, and spreading the beauty of goodwill even farther.
Promoting high-quality development is the core in YSG's transformation process and the fundamental guideline for the Company's ESG practices. Mr. Huang Jinfeng, Founder, Chairman and CEO of YSG, said, "2022 is a year for YSG to deepen its transformation and reform in a comprehensive manner. Good ESG governance is an important driving force to promote the sustainable development of enterprises. In the future, YSG will focus on three aspects of optimization: continue to give full play to the value of ESG to create new momentum for development; continue to improve the green management to create sustainable products; and promote more public welfare programs to give full play to their own strengths and social influence, and actively give back to the society."
On the road of sustainable and high-quality development, YSG will continue to enhance its professional ability, improve itself through reformation, apply new technology and new thinking to the field of beauty, drive product upgrading with innovation, provide high-quality and innovative products to global consumers, and bring new vitality and confidence to the beauty industry.
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SOURCE Yatsen Global | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/ysg-releases-its-second-esg-report-setting-benchmark-industry/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:46 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/ysg-releases-its-second-esg-report-setting-benchmark-industry/ |
1st US nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades enters commercial operation in Georgia
By JEFF AMY
Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — A new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has entered commercial operation. Georgia Power Co. announced Monday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, southeast of Augusta, has completed testing and is now sending power to the grid reliably. It’s the first new American reactor built from scratch in decades. At its full output, Unit 3 can power 500,000 homes and businesses. Utilities in Georgia, Florida and Alabama are buying the electricity. A fourth reactor is nearing completion at the site, where two earlier reactors have been generating electricity for decades. The third and fourth reactors were supposed to cost $14 billion, but are projected to cost owners $31 billion. | https://kion546.com/ap-colorado/2023/07/31/first-american-nuclear-reactor-built-from-scratch-in-decades-enters-commercial-operation-in-georgia/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:46 | 1 | https://kion546.com/ap-colorado/2023/07/31/first-american-nuclear-reactor-built-from-scratch-in-decades-enters-commercial-operation-in-georgia/ |
Man accused of killing Seffner mom caught on camera talking to father of her baby night of murder: documents
SEFFNER, Fla. - The family of 22-year-old Ashley Voss is opening up about their loved one after Hillsborough County deputies say she was shot and killed outside her grandmother's home in Seffner.
The family says Ashley Voss was a loving mother of two whose world revolved around her children.
"Above anything, she loved her children. They were her world," Ashley Voss' dad Cory Voss said.
Ashley Voss was a mother to a 4-year-old son and a 22-month-old son.
"She was either at work or she was home with her children," Ashley Voss' grandmother Rhonda Voss said.
Ashley Voss
On July 20, deputies say Ashley Voss returned home to her grandmother’s house around 1 a.m. According to investigators, around the same time, a neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera captured the suspect 32-year-old Aurelio Diaz walking up to Ashely Voss’s car and shooting her through her car window as she sat in the driver’s seat.
"There was no motive," Rhonda Voss said. "Diaz did not know actually her. Well, he knew her, but they were not close. You know, it's not something where something could have happened or something could have transpired that would have made him murder her."
According to court documents, the same Ring doorbell camera captured the baby’s father with Diaz on Orange Street in Seffner the night of the murder. FOX 13 is choosing to not name the baby’s father because he hasn’t been charged. Deputies are referring to him as a witness.
Aurelio Diaz has been charged in Ashley Voss' death.
During a phone call set up by detectives, Diaz told the baby’s father, "l did it just like l told you, walked up to the back window, and boom."
RELATED: Woman murdered in ‘cold blood’ in front of Seffner home: HCSO
Later, the baby’s father told detectives in a second recorded interview that "at no time did he talk (to Diaz) about killing the victim, shooting the victim, or harming the victim. They were only playing a "prank".
The father of Ashely Voss' child said he did talk to Diaz but it was supposed to be a prank.
"How can you participate as much as he did in a prank or whatever they want to call this crime? He had active participation," Rhonda Voss stated.
Now, Ashley Voss’ maternal grandmother is caring for her four-year-old son while Rhonda Voss is caring for the 22-month-old.
"I want to ask them to give justice to my daughter and justice to her sons and justice to our family," Cory Voss said.
Ashley Voss
Diaz remains in the Hillsborough County Jail.
He's facing one count of first-degree premeditated murder. | https://www.fox13news.com/news/family-of-22-year-old-shot-and-killed-outside-of-her-grandmothers-seffner-home-still-seeking-justice | 2023-07-31T13:25:46 | 0 | https://www.fox13news.com/news/family-of-22-year-old-shot-and-killed-outside-of-her-grandmothers-seffner-home-still-seeking-justice |
President Biden to visit Arizona as part of multi-state tour
Arizona is part of three Western states that Biden will visit in August
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Arizona next week as part of a multi-state tour. While details surrounding the president’s trip have not been released, Biden has been visiting other states to tout the results of passing the Inflation Reduction Act and other economic policies.
The Associated Press recently reported that Biden visited South Carolina on Thursday to make the argument that even Republican-led states are gaining factory jobs under economic measures despite stiff GOP opposition on the Democrat-led legislation. In that speech, Biden argued that government investments in computer chips, batteries and electric vehicles will help the U.S. out-compete China, and Arizona is a key state in new semi-conductor manufacturing.
From Aug. 7 to Aug. 10, Biden is scheduled to Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. White House officials are expected to provide more details in the coming days.
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Copyright 2023 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved. | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/president-biden-visit-arizona-part-multi-state-tour/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:46 | 1 | https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/31/president-biden-visit-arizona-part-multi-state-tour/ |
The report highlights emerging trends that will significantly impact the financial services industry over the next decade
NEW YORK, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte today announced its "2023 Financial Services Industry Predictions" report, which outlines emerging trends across the banking & capital markets, insurance, real estate, and investment management sectors. The report highlights the impact of data and emerging technologies, products and services, and climate change on the future of financial services – and as a result, on society and the economy.
"The reality is that emerging technological changes could be more pervasive and impactful going forward in ways that can be scarcely imagined today," said Jim Eckenrode, managing director, Deloitte Center for Financial Services. Deloitte Services LP. "Financial services will likely play an important role in helping these breakthroughs emerge to the benefit of us all, while simultaneously opening up new avenues of revenue and profit."
Some of Deloitte's predictions for the financial services industry over the next decade:
Generative AI is expected to boost productivity: Generative AI is expected to have a significant impact on the investment banking industry and the financial services industry as a whole, as organizations explore ways to harness the power of the technology to improve productivity. Deloitte predicts the top 14 global investment banks could boost their front-office productivity by an average of 25% by using Generative AI (GAI), thereby earning potentially an additional revenue of $3 million per front-office employee in 2026, from an average of $11.3 million during 2020-22.
Demand for carbon credit offset financing: Deloitte predicts that global consumers will purchase $115 billion of carbon offsets a year by 2030. Carbon credits will likely be embedded in many of the purchasing decisions that consumers make in their day-to-day lives. The surge in demand for these credits could produce new trading networks that offer tailored, localized and niche options for climate change mitigation projects. Banks could be instrumental in developing and supporting the back-end infrastructure that connect brands' payment processes to the carbon credit market. And banks can play an instrumental role in developing and supporting the carbon credit market.
Insurers prepare for driverless vehicles: Deloitte estimates advancements in self-driving technology may eliminate the need for around 380,000 long-haul truck drivers in the next five years. This alone would have a major impact on workers' compensation insurers, with a potential loss of around $3 billion worth of premiums. But widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles could also result in a shift in premiums across multiple insurance lines, including commercial auto, product and professional liability, and cyber coverage.
Office space to fill the affordable housing gap: Deloitte predicts office-to-residential conversions could become profitable within the next five years, estimating that around 14,700 affordable units in central business districts across the country can be added by 2030, assuming approximately 20% of converted square footage can be earmarked for affordable housing.
"As financial services firms grapple with what's on the horizon, they need to think about how the landscape is radically shifting," said Monica O'Reilly, Vice Chair, US Financial Services Industry Leader, Deloitte & Touche LLP. "Market and economic pressures, emerging technologies, and new revenue opportunities will impact tomorrow's business strategies, and financial services firms should prepare for that now."
Additional trends included in the report that are expected to shape the financial services industry:
Democratization of financial advice: Financial advice shouldn't just be for the wealthy anymore — and it doesn't have to be. Financial firms can leverage robo-advisory platforms to bring much-needed financial advice to the global mass market and make it profitable. Deloitte estimates net financial wealth held by the mass retail population segment globally to almost double to $22 trillion by 2030.
Synthetic identity fraud could trigger need for more sophisticated biometric security systems: Synthetic identity fraud—a hoax in which cybercriminals create new identities with some stolen or fabricated data — is the fastest growing financial crime in the United States,i and it shows no sign of abating. Deloitte expects it to generate at least $25 billion in losses by 2030, prompting banks to develop more advanced biometric security systems to weed out would-be perpetrators.
Higher deposit costs expected to challenge banks: Deloitte predicts the average cost of interest-bearing deposits for the U.S. banking industry in 2024 and 2025 to remain elevated at 1.7% and 1.5%, respectively, even as the fed funds rate declines from the recent peak. This may crimp bank profitability in the medium term.
Real-time B2B payments could take off: Deloitte expects real-time payments could tap an addressable market of $12 trillion in check-based business-to-business (B2B) transaction volume globally by 2028. Banks and payment firms could play a pivotal role in helping usher in a new era of more efficient and instant domestic and cross-border value exchange among businesses.
Rise of embedded insurance: Embedded finance, and particularly embedded insurance, is expected to continue to expand. Execution may not be easy for insurers, though, and it could take the rest of the decade for embedded finance to fully shake out.
Increased spending on quantum computing: Spending on quantum-related capabilities will likely grow quickly over the next few years as indicated by the increased capital investments and patent filings for the hardware technology. Globally, the financial services industry's spending on quantum computing capabilities is expected to grow 233x from just US$80 million in 2022 to US$19 billion in 2032, growing at a 10-year CAGR of 72%.
Alternative data in investment management: Deloitte estimates the revenue for alternative data providers, earned from all industries globally with the majority coming from investment management firms, to grow 29x between 2022 and 2030. The new data largely consist of novel types and forms of data such as satellite images, social media posts, geolocation data, credit card transactions, and mobile application data that are starkly different from the traditionally structured financial data.
Funding for climate hardtech: An additional US$2 trillion in private hardtech investment is predicted to be needed to help effectively slow global warming. Most of total climate funding will likely need to come from the private sector — but so far, there isn't enough. Financial services organizations can play a lead role in bridging the funding gap.
About Deloitte
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today's marketplace — delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's more than 415,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.
iFedPayments Improvement, "Synthetic identity fraud," accessed June 8, 2023.
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SOURCE Deloitte | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/deloitte-2023-financial-services-industry-predictions-generative-ai-carbon-offset-financing-driverless-vehicles-office-space-conversion-among-top-trends-transforming-financial-services/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:46 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/deloitte-2023-financial-services-industry-predictions-generative-ai-carbon-offset-financing-driverless-vehicles-office-space-conversion-among-top-trends-transforming-financial-services/ |
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.seattletimes.com/business/china-imposes-curbs-on-drone-exports-citing-ukraine-and-concern-about-military-use/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business | 2023-07-31T13:25:47 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-imposes-curbs-on-drone-exports-citing-ukraine-and-concern-about-military-use/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business |
With the MLB trade deadline just one day away, the hottest fantasy baseball pickups in the next few days will likely be players who get a boost in value as the result of a deadline deal. This list could include relievers on teams that trade their closer away or bench players who move into full-time roles on non-contenders. That being said, fantasy managers can’t waste the chance to get valuable production this week. Most of the players in this article have earned a spot due to their ability to provide short-term value while we monitor deadline deals for those who could possibly help on a long-term basis.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for free today]
Giovanny Gallegos (RP, St. Louis Cardinals, 44%)
With Jordan Hicks shipped to Toronto, Gallegos (8 SV in 2023) is the heavy favorite to get the next save chance for the Cardinals. Ryan Helsley could complicate the ninth-inning picture when he returns from the IL at some point in August, but the recommendation here is to add Gallegos for immediate help and figure out the rest when Helsley eventually returns.
Adam Ottavino (RP, New York Mets, 31%)
With David Robertson now a member of the Marlins, Ottavino is the favorite to receive future Mets save chances. The right-hander has compiled six saves this season, which makes him the only member of the current relief corps to have more than two. Of course, there is a chance that Ottavino could be traded by tomorrow afternoon, but he will be quite valuable down the stretch if that doesn’t happen.
Ranger Suárez (SP, Philadelphia Phillies, 28%)
Suárez has been acceptable across 13 starts since returning from a season-opening IL stint, posting a 4.22 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. I don’t view him as a long-term option in leagues of 12 teams or less, but he is a solid streamer for this week, as he has two favorable starts, at Miami and home to the Royals.
Cristopher Sánchez (SP, Philadelphia Phillies, 40%)
Managers who have roster room to look ahead a few days can grab Sánchez for his favorable matchup against the lowly Royals offense (.676 OPS) on Friday. With a 2.66 ERA, a 0.91WHIP and a 41:8 K:BB ratio across nine starts, the southpaw has pitched well enough to be more than a streamer.
Brandon Belt (1B, Toronto Blue Jays, 3%)
Belt typically hits high in the lineup against right-handed starters, which is a matchup that the Blue Jays will have six times this week. Although his season-long numbers are not especially impressive, the veteran has improved after a slow start by posting an .857 OPS since May 1.
Carlos Santana (1B, Milwaukee Brewers, 14%)
Going from the Pirates to the Brewers isn’t as much of a lineup upgrade for Santana as some managers might believe. But the slugger is getting an upgrade with his home park, which is an important detail for a slow-footed slugger. Santana hit out of the three-hole during his initial two games with Milwaukee and continued exposure to that spot could lead to plenty of R+RBI.
Nolan Jones (1B/OF, Colorado Rockies, 22% rostered)
Jones has been an anomaly this season, as one of the few Colorado hitters in recent years who has had as much success on the road as at home. He also has balanced splits, which should keep him in the lineup against lefties and right-handed starters. Jones should be started in most leagues for the next three days, assuming the cramps he suffered Sunday don't sideline him, while the Rockies work at offense-inducing Coors Field against the Padres.
Chris Taylor (2B/3B/SS/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers, 19%)
The Dodgers have a handful outfielders who fare best against righties, with Taylor as one of their few options who prefers facing southpaws. This may be the best series all season to stream Taylor, as the Dodgers are set to face left-handed starters in all three games against an A’s squad that owns a 5.81 ERA. Kike Hernandez (10%) is another right-handed-hitting Los Angeles player who makes sense at the outset of this week.
Trent Grisham (OF, San Diego Padres, 8%)
Grisham is a rarity as a left-handed hitter who has fared better against southpaws than right-handers in his career. He could put a ball into the outfield seats during three games at Coors Field, especially with the Rockies scheduled to deploy three starters with an ERA over 4.75, two of which throw from the left side.
Sal Frelick (OF, Milwaukee Brewers, 42%)
I’m not sure that Frelick can be a mainstay on shallow-league rosters, but he deserves a spot in 12-team formats this week when the club plays seven games against subpar pitching staffs from the Nats and Pirates. As a left-handed hitter, Frelick should enjoy the opportunity to face right-handed starters in five of the contests. Although the sample size is small, the rookie has gotten off to a good start by reaching base at a .438 clip. | https://www.star945.com/news/national/fantasy-baseball/5IVEIZWUBPVRI3N2JWJBJ5NB2Q/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:47 | 0 | https://www.star945.com/news/national/fantasy-baseball/5IVEIZWUBPVRI3N2JWJBJ5NB2Q/ |
DUBAI – A state-run oil giant in the United Arab Emirates said Monday it has moved up its target for achieving net zero emissions in its operations to 2045, as the country prepares to host U.N. climate talks later this year.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, known as ADNOC, said it is also committed to acheiving zero methane emissions by 2030. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term.
Earlier this year, ADNOC earmarked $15 billion for an array of green initiatives, including the development of hydrogen power, carbon capture facilities and the planting of mangroves.
The company had previously committed to net zero — the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions to the point that the amount removed from the atmosphere is equal to the amount emitted — by 2050.
The UAE, an OPEC member that produces over 3 million barrels of crude oil a day, will host the global climate talks known as COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai. It has appointed Sultan al-Jaber, the head of ADNOC, to chair the meeting, a move that drew criticism from some environmentalists.
Al-Jaber has emphasized the need to cut emissions, rather than end fossil fuel use itself. It’s prompted fears that he might seek loopholes for untested carbon-capture technologies and so-called offsets that experts say distract from the need to end the release of greenhouse gases.
Governments agreed eight years ago in Paris to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) — ideally no more than 1.5C (2.7F). With average global temperatures already about 1.2C (2.2F) above pre-industrial levels, experts say the window to meet the more ambitious target is closing fast and even the less stringent goal would be missed if emissions aren’t slashed sharply soon.
The UAE, a global hub for business and tourism, has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 — a target that remains difficult to assess and one that authorities haven’t fully explained how they’ll reach. Analysts believe the Emirates is trying to maximize its profits as the world turns to renewables. | https://www.wsls.com/news/world/2023/07/31/uae-state-oil-firm-moves-up-net-zero-climate-target-to-2045/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:52 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/world/2023/07/31/uae-state-oil-firm-moves-up-net-zero-climate-target-to-2045/ |
Kosovo journalists protest government’s suspension of private television station
By ZENEL ZHINIPOTOKU
Associated Press
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s journalists have protested against the government’s decision to suspend a private television station’s operations. Authorities made the move last week because they said there were irregularities concerning the registration of Klan Kosova’s business license that violated the country’s constitution. Scores of journalists and members of civil society organizations gathered in downtown Pristina on Monday in front of the main government building to protest the suspension of the broadcaster’s operations. The demonstrators said it was a “politically motivated” action taken by the government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti. They said it was the first closure of a media outlet since the end of Kosovo’s 1998-1999 war. The protesters held a banner that said “Democracy dies in darkness.” | https://kion546.com/ap-colorado/2023/07/31/kosovo-journalists-protest-governments-suspension-of-private-television-station/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:52 | 1 | https://kion546.com/ap-colorado/2023/07/31/kosovo-journalists-protest-governments-suspension-of-private-television-station/ |
Lori Vallow Daybell faces sentencing in deaths of 2 children and her romantic rival
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.
>> Lori Vallow trial: 'Cult mom' to learn fate after conviction for killing her two children
Monday’s sentencing will take place at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho. Judge Steven W. Boyce is expected to hear testimony from several representatives of the victims, including Vallow Daybell’s only surviving son, Colby Ryan.
The case began in July 2019, when Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police he acted in self-defense. He was never charged in the case and died later that year of what authorities determined were natural causes.
Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, a self-published author who wrote doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings. She moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him.
The children were last seen alive in September 2019. Police discovered they were missing a month later after an extended family member became worried. Their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell’s yard the following summer.
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married in November 2019, about two weeks after Daybell’s previous wife, Tammy, was killed. Tammy Daybell initially was described as having died of natural causes, but an autopsy later showed she had been asphyxiated, authorities said.
Defense attorney Jim Archibald argued during the trial that there was no evidence tying Vallow Daybell to the killings, but plenty showing she was a loving, protective mother whose life took a sharp turn when she met Chad Daybell and fell for his "weird" apocalyptic religious claims. He suggested that Daybell and Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, were responsible for the deaths.
Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a "sexual goddess" who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return, Archibald said.
Vallow Daybell’s former friend Melanie Gibb testified during the trial that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into "zombies," including JJ and Tylee. | https://www.fox13news.com/news/lori-vallow-daybell-faces-sentencing-in-deaths-of-2-children-and-her-romantic-rival | 2023-07-31T13:25:52 | 1 | https://www.fox13news.com/news/lori-vallow-daybell-faces-sentencing-in-deaths-of-2-children-and-her-romantic-rival |
PARIS, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yubo, the live social discovery app for Gen Z, has become a member of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) to support its mission to prevent terrorist and violent extremist exploitation online through research, technical collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
Through its membership, Yubo will leverage GIFCT's hash-sharing database to identify and remove content shared on Yubo that is associated with United Nations-designated terrorist entities, attacker manifestos, terrorist publications, and other violent extremist groups. GIFCT is an NGO designed to prevent terrorists and violent extremists from exploiting digital platforms.
Since 2017, GIFCT has run a safe and secure industry database of hashes – or "digital fingerprints'' – of known terrorist and violent extremist material, which GIFCT members have identified and removed from their platforms. With users in over 140 countries around the world, Yubo will play a key role in helping GIFCT further scale its international hash-sharing database.
"GIFCT's hash database provides Yubo with a powerful tool to further strengthen our multifaceted approach to content moderation and more effectively identify and eliminate violent extremist content at scale," said Yubo co-founder and CEO Sacha Lazimi. "We look forward to expanding our support of GIFCT through this initiative and working with other member organizations to leverage technology to combat terrorism and enhance safety for all, on- and offline."
GIFCT's hash-sharing database works first by enabling member companies, like Yubo, to identify and "hash" content, such as photos, videos, or PDFs, ensuring a privacy-by-design approach to recording content for reporting or removal without linking to any personally identifiable information. Hashes appear as digital signatures or numerical representations of the original content, which means they cannot be easily reverse engineered to recreate the content.
"The lifecycle of violent extremism is often extended through the dissemination of content online, and the support of member organizations like Yubo is crucial to breaking these cycles," said GIFCT Executive Director Naureen Chowdhury Frink. "We are grateful to our GIFCT member companies for their continued collaboration in our shared mission to prevent terrorists and violent extremists from exploiting digital platforms, and we welcome the important investments Yubo has made for the safety of its community."
Yubo's integration of the GIFCT hash-sharing database follows the platform's support of the Take It Down initiative by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in February. Take It Down is NCMEC's free online service that, like GIFCT, leverages a hash-sharing system to help minors remove their nudes from the internet and combat the online spread of child sexual exploitation.
ABOUT YUBO
Yubo is a live social discovery app making it easy for Gen Z to expand their social circles and hang out online with new friends from around the world. By eliminating likes and follows, we empower young people to show up as their true selves and connect as authentically as they would offline. Safety is a cornerstone of our platform, and we are proud to be the first social app in the world to introduce comprehensive user-age verification tools and real-time video and audio moderation for livestreams. Founded in France in 2015, Yubo is used in more than 140 countries by over 60 million users. Visit us at yubo.live to learn more and follow our journey.
ABOUT GIFCT
GIFCT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and tech-led initiative with over 20 member tech companies offering unique settings for diverse stakeholders to identify and solve the most complex global challenges at the intersection of terrorism and technology. GIFCT's mission is to prevent terrorists and violent extremists from exploiting digital platforms through our vision of a world in which the technology sector marshals its collective creativity and capacity to render terrorists and violent extremists ineffective online. In every aspect of our work, we aim to be transparent, inclusive, and respectful of the fundamental and universal human rights that terrorists and violent extremists seek to undermine.
Media Contact:
Debora Lima, Yubo U.S. Media Director
debora@ext.yubo.live
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SOURCE Yubo | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/yubo-joins-gifct-combat-spread-violent-extremist-content-online/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:52 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/yubo-joins-gifct-combat-spread-violent-extremist-content-online/ |
BRIGHTON, Iowa (AP) — You-pick farms are struggling through heat, drought and haze as customers cancel picking appointments and crops across Iowa refuse to grow.
These farms offer visitors the chance to harvest their own produce straight from the tree, bush or ground.
But this summer marks Iowa’s third year in a row of drought. And that is hurting farmers who grow water-intensive crops like blueberries and strawberries that are particularly sensitive to heat and drought, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported.
Kim Anderson told The Gazette that her well started faltering during last summer’s heat and drought at her 5-acre Blueberry Bottom Farm near Brighton in southeastern Iowa.
Many of her blueberry bushes became parched. And recently, for the first time in the farm’s five-season history, she had to cancel a day of picking appointments because there weren’t enough ripe berries.
“I just never anticipated something like this, that the well wouldn’t have enough water,” she said.
Similarly, Dean Henry told The Gazette that these are the worst conditions he has seen in his 56 years of operating the Berry Patch Farm in Nevada in central Iowa.
Henry said the Iowa Department of Natural Resources restricted his well water usage from 20 acres a day to 1 acre a day. But his strawberry plants need lots of water.
This year, his entire crop failed.
The heat has affected customers too. Some you-pick farms reported a decrease in customer visits, according to The Gazette. If people do come, they aren’t staying as long as normal to take in the entertainment at the farms, like picnic tables or games.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires also caused Iowa skies to grow hazy and air quality to be poor several times this summer. Customers canceled their appointments on especially hazy days, Anderson said. | https://www.wane.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-you-pick-farms-lose-customers-and-crops-through-heat-drought-and-haze-in-iowa/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:52 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-you-pick-farms-lose-customers-and-crops-through-heat-drought-and-haze-in-iowa/ |
The show promotes discrimination and bias against little people and other disabled persons
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. , July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Marin Center for Independent Living and Little People of America, Inc. are calling on the Sonoma County Fair (SCF) to cancel the "M"[slur] wrestling show scheduled for August 3, 2023 at the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA. The SCF is hosting this event for the second year, even though local disability advocates communicated opposition to last year's performance. "The show must go!" said Eileen Norman, President of Little People of America, Inc., a third generation resident of Santa Rosa.
Norman added, "our opposition is not solely about the use of the "m"[slur] and its offensiveness, it is to the show itself - which is a visual expression of bias - and the marginalization it incites from the audience members. The visual performance showcases disabled persons chosen specifically for their disability as a form of entertainment."
According to a 2022 story in the Sonoma Press Democrat during last year's performance, audience members characterized as "the opposite of woke" shouted "We want the 'm'[slur]s" and "Give us the 'm'[slur]s."
Eli Gelardin, CEO of the Marin Center for Independent Living said "I believe that the intent of it is to be amusing for others who are not disabled, which is exploitation and dehumanizing. The violence displayed in the program, whether real or acted, shows plot and characterizations that could validate bias against people with disabilities." Gelardin is also a lifelong resident of the North Bay region, having lived previously in Santa Rosa. He continued by saying "I am a little person, my wife is disabled, we have a child. What happens if someone gets the message that it's ok to act out the sentiments in this show. I am not just being an advocate here, I need to protect my family."
On Tuesday Marin CIL, LPA sent a letter to the SCF Chief Executive Officer and the Sonoma County Board of supervisors calling for the removal of the performance from the fair's schedule. The letter was co-signed by fifteen (15) international, national, and California statewide and local disability rights organizations.
Following the letter several disabled advocates spoke during public comment at the SCF Board of Directors meeting. Olivia Glaubiger, a young woman born and raised in Santa Rosa summed up her experience by saying "I grew up in this community and continue to live here. I've experienced bullying, strangers taking pictures of me and mistaking me for other little people. I've always loved the fair, when I was young I entered the art contest for the new fair logo. Now the fair has changed for me, I don't feel welcome anymore."
The Sonoma County Fair has consistently attempted to divert meaningful discussion about the issue to the performers and away from their own responsibility in deciding to host this show. Ted Jackson, Sr. Advisor-Public Policy & Engagement for Marin CIL said "from the initial email and at each connection point the fair's executive has responded with diversion to the performers. This is not about the performers. This is about the fair taking ownership for their actions. If they had the power to make this mistake, they have the power to fix it. When people have to gaslight, they know they've done something wrong."
Marin CIL, LPA National and our coalition will continue to advocate without compromise.
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SOURCE Marin Center for Independent Living | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/disability-advocates-call-sonoma-county-fair-cancel-mslur-wrestling-warriors-performance-this-years-fair/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:53 | 0 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/disability-advocates-call-sonoma-county-fair-cancel-mslur-wrestling-warriors-performance-this-years-fair/ |
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson finally earned his long-term deal from the Baltimore Ravens, a $260 million contract over the next five years. The milestone extension marks a pivotal moment in time for the franchise, whose performance throughout the duration of Jackson's contract must be maximized — and that needs to materialize as soon as possible.
The Ravens realized this need as well during the offseason, undergoing a facelift on offense after a handful of static seasons under former coordinator Greg Roman. Baltimore reached into the college ranks to grab Georgia playcaller Todd Monken to run their offense. If there was one coaching change to flip the power balance in the AFC, bringing Monken to Baltimore could be the spark plug that the Ravens have needed.
Monken is most recently known for orchestrating a juggernaut Bulldogs offense to back-to-back national titles, but he has also called plays at the NFL level. In 2018, the Ryan Fitzpatrick Tampa Bay Buccaneers were throwing the ball all over the yard, with “Fitzmagic” boasting an obscene 9.6 yards per attempt that season — the eighth-highest single-season mark in league history. (Let’s just erase the 2019 Cleveland Browns, who also employed Monken, from our collective consciousness.)
Monken’s task is simple, yet colossal: get the Ravens' offense and its video game-like quarterback to become a consistent, defense-razing machine throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.
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"You really like the challenge of guys that, one, obviously, you have a tremendous skillset, which [Lamar Jackson] does," Monken said. "And I've been lucky to be around a lot of those guys – that I've been blessed to coach them. They made me a better coach. But the thing you like about Lamar is he's becoming even more diligent. He wants to be great. He wants to be elite. I do not see a guy that signed a contract and said, 'OK, I've arrived.'"
Based on the personnel moves they made in the offseason, it’s clear the Ravens feel like they need to make a major change in the first stop of any offensive philosophy: the types of players they want to put on the field.
Ravens' 2022 offense was unlike most others in the NFL
In-game formations and personnel groupings are largely tied to the available player talent and Roman’s offense, with whatever criticisms people had of it, was hampered by a lack of top-end wide receivers last season. Rashod Bateman only played in six games before suffering a season-ending foot injury that forced the Ravens to turn into something they were already predisposed toward being in the first place: an offense that revolves around its tight ends.
Pro Bowler Mark Andrews led the Ravens in targets with 113 — which is a fine target allocation to have considering he’s one of the few elite tight ends in the league. After Andrews, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson finished second with 75 targets while rookie tight end Isaiah Likely received 60 targets. Even though Bateman’s season only lasted six games, he still finished fifth on the Ravens in receiving targets, which begins to encapsulate where the Ravens had a lot of room to tinker with their forthcoming offensive evolution.
According to Sports Info Solutions, the Ravens were one of the heaviest offensive teams in the league. They ranked first in usage of 22 personnel (two running backs, two tight ends, one wide receiver) on 34% of their snaps; third in 21 personnel (two RBs, one TE, two WRs) usage at 25%; and 10th in 12 personnel usage (23%). Essentially this means the Ravens had an extra running back or tight end — or both — on the field for the majority of their offensive snaps.
A quick reaction to that set of numbers may suggest that the Ravens tried to protect backup quarterback Tyler Huntley a bit more once Jackson was injured in Week 12, but this is really just who the Ravens were last season. In the 11 weeks where Jackson was the primary quarterback, they were second in 21 personnel usage (32%), first in 22 personnel usage (29%) and 12th in 12 personnel usage (23%). It was simply in their DNA to be this kind of team last year, through their general philosophy and the players that were available.
Whether Jackson was or was not on the field, the Ravens steered away from 11 personnel with three wide receivers more than any other team in the league. Baltimore played just 128 snaps of 11 personnel last season, ranking dead last. They didn’t even have much success passing out of that specific personnel grouping with Jackson averaging a measly 5.6 yards per attempt in his very limited sample size (69 dropbacks).
Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, welcome to the Baltimore Ravens. Those two, along with a healthy Bateman, will aggressively transform the Ravens' offensive approach simply because it's an injection of wide receiver talent they haven't had.
The Ravens' next frontier
Beckham, Flowers and Monken are here to be part of Baltimore's offensive revolution. Monken understands the fact that he has an all-time quarterback talent to use as he makes his return to the NFL.
Among the changes that Monken is going to incorporate into this Ravens offense is an increased tempo in regards to how quickly they get plays off. According to data provided by The 33rd Team, Lamar Jackson averaged 38.8 seconds to snap the ball. That mark was the second-slowest behind Aaron Rodgers last season amongst all quarterbacks with at least 300 snaps on the season. That’s an area of importance to Monken and getting to the line of scrimmage faster will hopefully help Jackson as well.
“The idea is to leave the quarterback enough time at the line of scrimmage to assess the defense, make changes and be in control,” Monken said. “I'm a firm believer that [if] you want your quarterback to play his best, you've got to empower him … If that is getting to the line quicker, then so be it. If it's a situation where we've got some sort of a run-pass option or run-run or pass-pass, then so be it. But I do believe in getting to the line quicker; I think that gives us more time at the line of scrimmage to assess — for the quarterback."
When Jackson is at his best, he's capable of taking down any defense that steps before him. His extravagant, sensational running style is what people tend to think of, but he's also one of the most talented throwers in the game. Now that he's one of the highest-paid players in the history of the sport, it's really time to start maximizing what he brings to the table. His marriage with Monken, and how Monken distributes their revamped personnel, will be the key to the Ravens' season.
Interestingly enough, Monken doesn’t necessarily have one specific type of offense to run over the past few years; he really has leaned on the type of players that he coached. What he learned during his time at Georgia was a simple truth that applies to any level of football.
“You need good players to score on offense,” Monken said succinctly.
That’s probably why Georgia’s offense that featured Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington at tight end threw the second most passes out of 12 personnel (254) in FBS last season. When Monken was with the Buccaneers in 2018, they ran 70% of their offensive snaps out of 11 personnel — which makes all the sense in the world with a receiver group that featured Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries throughout the season.
“So, scheme is a part of ball distribution, and having enough skill players to where you want to distribute it to them [is also a part of it], because if you don't have enough skill players, you're not trying to create ways to distribute the ball to them,” Monken said. “Everybody earns that right to touch the football. It doesn't matter what sport. You earn the right to get at-bats; you earn the right to get shots; you earn the right to get opportunities. And the better your players understand that and compete that way, and the better your skill players [are], the more fun it is to distribute it."
Andrews and Likely are a great tight end duo for any offense to have, but the additions of Beckham and Flowers suggest that the Ravens won’t be so overly reliant on sets that feature multiple tight ends. The projected strength of their wide receiver room should shift the tide toward more 11 personnel usage in this offense.
How OBJ and Flowers change the landscape
Monken had some praise for Flowers, the Ravens' first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, throughout the early portion of training camp.
"That's a fun little toy right there, isn't it?" Monken said. "I'm just fired up Eric [DeCosta] and the boys drafted him."
Flowers seems to think highly of his new offensive coordinator as well.
"Yes, he uses everybody's ability to the best. He puts everybody in places where they are able to make plays,” Flowers said. “So, you let them play outside. I played outside in college 75% of the time, and I said, 'You can let me play outside or inside.' Then, he puts 'O' [Odell Beckham Jr.] outside. Then, he'll put Nelson [Agholor], then [Devin Duvernay] ... We're all just rotating. We all are playmakers. So, he just uses us to the best of our ability."
Jackson has already dubbed Flowers “Joystick” for his speed and ability to maneuver with the ball in his hands.
"Yes, I like it,” Flowers said with a smile. “It's the nickname that ran in my family. My brother had the nickname 'Joystick.' So, I guess I get to take it over now."
Flowers missed the later portion of the first week of training camp, but even in his brief appearance on the first couple days, his speed and playmaking ability were well apparent.
Flowers spent his youth watching players like Beckham and Jackson and Andrews become stars in the NFL, and now they’re his teammates who will be counting on him to help them all reach their long term goal of winning a Super Bowl title.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet,” Flowers said with his trademark, wide smile. “I feel like the first game, it'll sink in when I see them do some crazy stuff. Then, I'll do something crazy. That'll probably be when it sinks in."
Beckham has worked with Monken in Cleveland during the Browns' disappointing 2019, when they finished 6-10 and Beckham statistically struggled through a rough season from Baker Mayfield. Now, the two have reunited after a few years apart and are looking to create the success they failed to capture during the last time they worked together.
“I can see that situation may not have been for him or myself. He went to Georgia and wins national championships,” Beckham said. “You can see a level of confidence in him that I like. You walk into the room, you grab the energy. [He's] a dominant force. Obviously he has command of what he's seeing, and I think he knows, not think, but he knows what he wants to do, and he sees what we have here.”
The prospect of the Ravens' offense is exciting on paper. Jackson is healthy after an injury-plagued 2022 season, Beckham and Flowers are potential big-time additions to a playmaker group that already featured a top-end tight end and they have a malleable offensive coordinator that has a history of calling plays geared toward his talent. However, there's still a bit of time to go before the games count. Beckham, who hasn't played since tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl in February 2022, isn't getting too ahead of himself despite the boom potential of this offense.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I think that we'll wait when we get to September, and we'll see what we have going," he said.
It’s the first year of this offensive arrangement for the Ravens, but a pivotal one nonetheless. On paper, they have the talent to be great. But like Beckham said, September will be the true test. | https://www.star945.com/news/national/how-ravens-offensive/CQ4NUBZ7LKUM4SRYJJM2FPBF7A/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:54 | 1 | https://www.star945.com/news/national/how-ravens-offensive/CQ4NUBZ7LKUM4SRYJJM2FPBF7A/ |
Biden goes west to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures, the White House said Monday.
Biden is expected to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, America’s most significant response to climate change, and the push toward more clean energy manufacturing. The act aims to spur clean energy on a scale that will bend the arc of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
July has been the hottest month ever recorded. Biden last week announced new steps to protect workers in extreme heat, including measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.
Members of Biden’s administration also are fanning out over the next few weeks around the anniversary of the landmark climate change and health care legislation to extol the administration’s successes as the Democratic president seeks reelection in 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Wisconsin this week with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to talk about broadband infrastructure investments. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack goes to Oregon to highlight wildfire defense grants, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to Illinois and Texas, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona heads to Maryland to talk about career and technical education programs.
The Inflation Reduction Act included roughly $375 billion over a decade to combat climate change and capped the cost of a month’s supply of insulin at $35 for older Americans and other Medicare beneficiaries. It also helps an estimated 13 million Americans pay for health care insurance by extending subsidies provided during the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure is paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement of wealthy individuals and entities, with additional funds going to reduce the federal deficit.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2023/07/31/biden-goes-west-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-combat-climate-change/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:57 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2023/07/31/biden-goes-west-talk-about-his-administrations-efforts-combat-climate-change/ |
ATLANTA (AP) — A new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has entered commercial operation, becoming the first new American reactor built from scratch in decades.
Georgia Power Co. announced Monday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, southeast of Augusta, has completed testing and is now sending power to the grid reliably.
At its full output of 1,100 megawatts of electricity, Unit 3 can power 500,000 homes and businesses. Utilities in Georgia, Florida and Alabama are receiving the electricity.
Nuclear power now makes up about 25% of the generation of Georgia Power, the largest unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co.
A fourth reactor is also nearing completion at the site, where two earlier reactors have been generating electricity for decades. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday said radioactive fuel could be loaded into Unit 4, a step expected to take place before the end of September. Unit 4 is scheduled to enter commercial operation by March.
The third and fourth reactors were originally supposed to cost $14 billion, but are now on track to cost their owners $31 billion. That doesn’t include $3.7 billion that original contractor Westinghouse paid to the owners to walk away from the project. That brings total spending to almost $35 billion.
The third reactor was supposed to start generating power in 2016 when construction began in 2009.
Vogtle is important because government officials and some utilities are again looking to nuclear power to alleviate climate change by generating electricity without burning natural gas, coal and oil.
“This project shows just how new nuclear can and will play a critical role in achieving a clean energy future for the United States,” Southern Co. CEO Chris Womack said in a statement. “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.”
In Georgia, almost every electric customer will pay for Vogtle. Georgia Power currently owns 45.7% of the reactors. Smaller shares are owned by Oglethorpe Power Corp., which provides electricity to member-owned cooperatives, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and the city of Dalton. Oglethorpe and MEAG plan to sell power to cooperatives and municipal utilities across Georgia, as well in Jacksonville, Florida, and parts of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
Georgia Power’s 2.7 million customers are already paying part of the financing cost and elected public service commissioners have approved a monthly rate increase of $3.78 a month for residential customers as soon as the third unit begins generating power. That could hit bills in August, two months after residential customers saw a $16-a-month increase to pay for higher fuel costs.
Commissioners will decide later who pays for the remainder of the costs of Vogtle, including the fourth reactor. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/first-american-nuclear-reactor-built-from-scratch-in-decades-enters-commercial-operation-in-georgia/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business | 2023-07-31T13:25:57 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/first-american-nuclear-reactor-built-from-scratch-in-decades-enters-commercial-operation-in-georgia/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business |
End of life: No one wants to talk about it, but we will all face it. It’s a tough topic, and we will tackle it like we tackle all tough topics on Solutionaries -- by having the difficult conversation.
Here’s why I want to talk about it. In the last year-and-a-half, I lost my mother and my father within six months of each other; My mother died from Alzheimer’s, my father from cancer. Watching my parents’ discomfort at the end of their lives made me want to explore end-of-life solutions.
Pain is common in terminal illnesses. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 70% of patients with advanced cancer experience severe pain. Some states have legislated more end-of-life options.
There are options like palliative care available to keep people comfortable at the end of their lives. It has worked for many people. But it is not always readily accessible.
There is a growing movement in the United States around dying with dignity. It basically means maintaining autonomy and avoiding suffering.
Kimberly Callinan is the Chief Program Officer with Compassion and Choices, a nonprofit organization that empowers everyone to chart their end-of-life journey.
“People want the ability to control their suffering at the end of life, but unfortunately, the issue of medical aid in dying has become very partisan,” Callinan said.
Still, medical aid in dying is becoming more common, according to Callinan.
“I think what you’re seeing is more and more people having personal experiences with the end of life, watching somebody that they love unnecessarily suffer,” Callinan said.
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Currently, ten states and Washington D.C. have medical aid in dying legislation; Florida, Texas, Michigan and Virginia are not among them.
But what is it? Medical aid in dying allows a terminally ill adult, who has six months or less to live, and meets certain qualifications, to request a prescription from their doctor for a lethal dose of medication.
They can self-ingest that medication to die peacefully in their sleep and avoid suffering. They decide when.
But what if you have a terminal illness and you live in a state that does not allow medical aid in dying? What solutions are there for you to be comfortable and not suffer at the end of life?
We’re exploring palliative care.
Nita Robbins is a nurse practitioner in palliative care for a company called Amedisys.
“Palliative care is really months and years before hospice,” Robbins said. “It’s very different in that palliative care manages symptoms in the home, pain, shortness of breath, depression, nausea, vomiting, while a patient is still seeking aggressive treatments or aggressive therapies.”
She is currently caring for 74-year-old Joseph Nicolella.
“Three years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer,” Nicolella said. “Which means it had already spread. It’s already in the bones. It’s already moved about, yet I had no symptoms. I was playing golf five days a week and doing my thing.”
Nicolella went through a series of radiation and chemo treatments, but nothing has worked. His doctors say he now has months to live.
“Even though I have had numerous treatments, a lot of it is related to my genetics, so it’s not a matter of these things won’t work for other people, they just didn’t work for me,” Nicolella said. “Prognosis isn’t very good right now. I would say under a year.”
We asked how it feels to say those words.
“Pragmatic. I do a lot of thinking and talking with Ellen and now with Nita. I’m being a realist that once you have this condition, the best you can do is to live a quality life for the time that you have left,” Nicolella said. “You know the end is coming. Am I happy about it? No. By myself I’m not so happy but we’ve had lots of discussions.”
What makes him emotional is thinking about his grandchildren.
“You want to see your grandchildren, no matter how pragmatic I’m afraid of it ... Sorry,” Nicolella said through tears.
One of the benefits of palliative care is it allows you to continue with aggressive treatments if you choose. You can’t do that on hospice.
Nicolella is still fighting, and recently started a new treatment and says some days aren’t great.
“Every chemo, I can only speak from my experience, has a side effect of some kind or another,” Nicolella said. “It affects blood flow. It affects nausea. It gives you diarrhea. It gives you pain. They last for either four or five days, or six months.”
“It’s hard to live through those. The last one was horrendous,” Nicolella added. “I had nausea for six or seven days, anxiety attacks, terrible, but everybody goes through it.”
And that’s where Robbins comes in.
“I’ve been doing hospice and palliative care for the last 10 years. And all I do is manage symptoms in the home,” Robbins said.
“I’m very well-versed on which opioid works for what type of pain, and I have a lot of experience in that. So when something is not working, the patient can reach out to me and I can make that adjustment, whether it’s over the phone, whether it’s from my house or whether it’s actually doing a visit in-person,” Robbins said.
“So that’s very different than trying to get a hold of the physician,” Robbins added. “Often times, patients call they leave a message, and it might be three or four days before they’re able to get to their physician. So what does that mean? It means a patient sits at home and is in pain, or they end up going to the hospital.”
One of the drawbacks of palliative care is it’s not always available everywhere outside of hospitals.
For example, Robbins’ company, Amedisys, is the only company in Lake County, Florida, and Sumter County, Florida, that sees patients in the home, which is important for many people.
“I know in the hospital they have palliative teams that go around and see patients and see families. But because there’s so few palliative providers in the area, I think that’s why people don’t know it’s a service that’s even available,” Robbins said.
Nicolella said he was not familiar with palliative care.
“I got familiar with it because my wife pursued it. And she had read about it, heard about it and contacted a couple people,” Nicolella said. “But there wasn’t anything local. I didn’t want to do it. Because it sounded, like, ‘Here’s the end,’ palliative care is going to ease me into wherever I go. But what I learned from participating is that it made my life a lot easier. It’s still degrading, but made it a lot easier.”
This article is part of “Solutionaries,” our continuing commitment to solutions journalism, highlighting the creative people in communities working to make the world a better place, one solution at a time. Find out what you can do to help at SolutionariesNetwork.com. | https://www.wsls.com/solutionaries/2023/07/31/how-is-palliative-care-different-than-hospice-how-does-it-help-bring-peace/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:58 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/solutionaries/2023/07/31/how-is-palliative-care-different-than-hospice-how-does-it-help-bring-peace/ |
Lebanon’s central bank governor ends 30-year tenure under investigation during dire economic crisis
By KAREEM CHEHAYEB
Associated Press
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s embattled central bank governor has ended his 30-year tenure. Riad Salameh stepped down on Monday. He is under investigation by several European countries and blamed for Lebanon’s worst economic crisis in more than a century. Tearful employees applauded and bid him farewell as he left his office. Four vice governors, led by incoming interim governor Wassim Mansouri, urged reforms for the cash-strapped country’s government. Mansouri said Lebanon is “at a crossroads” where its future depends on major changes. Seventy-three-year-old Salameh leaves his post as he and his associates are being investigated in Europe for a range of financial crimes. | https://kion546.com/ap-colorado/2023/07/31/lebanons-central-bank-governor-ends-30-year-tenure-under-investigation-during-dire-economic-crisis/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:58 | 1 | https://kion546.com/ap-colorado/2023/07/31/lebanons-central-bank-governor-ends-30-year-tenure-under-investigation-during-dire-economic-crisis/ |
Prove your love for Subway; win free sandwiches for life by changing your name
ATLANTA - Subway is giving away free sandwiches for life to one lucky sandwich lover.
But, there's a catch. You have to legally change your name to Subway.
The sandwich chain says it will reimburse the winner for the cost of the name change. The company will also fit that person $50,000 in Subway gift cards to be used over the winner's lifetime.
This isn't the first time they've had such a contest. Last year, they gave a man named James Kunz free Subway for life after he got a foot-long tattoo of the Subway Series logo on his upper back. 8 other people who got smaller Subway tattoos received free sandwiches for a year.
You can check out the rules and enter when the contest opens Tuesday. Click here for more information. | https://www.fox13news.com/news/prove-your-love-for-subway-win-free-sandwiches-for-life-by-changing-your-name | 2023-07-31T13:25:59 | 0 | https://www.fox13news.com/news/prove-your-love-for-subway-win-free-sandwiches-for-life-by-changing-your-name |
Reds vs. Cubs: Betting Trends, Odds, Records Against the Run Line, Home/Road Splits
Andrew Abbott will take the mound for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago Cubs and Cody Bellinger on Monday at 8:05 PM ET.
Bookmakers list the Cubs as -125 favorites on the moneyline, while giving the underdog Reds +105 moneyline odds to win. The game's total is set at 8 runs.
Rep your team with officially licensed Reds gear! Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, and much more.
Reds vs. Cubs Odds & Info
- Date: Monday, July 31, 2023
- Time: 8:05 PM ET
- TV: MARQ
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Venue: Wrigley Field
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Bet with King of Sportsbooks and use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers! Check out the latest odds and place your bets with BetMGM Sportsbook. Use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Reds Recent Betting Performance
- In eight games as the underdog over the last 10 matchups, the Reds have posted a mark of 5-3.
- In their previous 10 games with a total, the Reds and their opponents have combined to exceed the over/under on two occasions.
- Oddsmakers have not posted a runline in any of the Reds' past 10 contests.
Read More About This Game
Reds Betting Records & Stats
- The Reds have won in 37, or 48.7%, of the 76 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs this year.
- Cincinnati has entered 61 games this season as the underdog by +105 or more and is 29-32 in those contests.
- The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Reds have a 48.8% chance of coming away with a victory in the contest.
- So far this season, Cincinnati and its opponents have hit the over in 56 of its 106 games with a total.
- In 12 games with a line this season, the Reds have a mark of 6-6-0 against the spread.
Check out the latest odds and place your bets on and the with BetMGM Sportsbook. Use bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Reds Splits
Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wsaz.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/reds-vs-cubs-mlb-betting-trends-stats/ | 2023-07-31T13:25:59 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/sports/betting/2023/07/31/reds-vs-cubs-mlb-betting-trends-stats/ |
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Greece’s prime minister said Monday that his government wants to take full advantage of a developing positive political climate with neighboring Turkey in order to improve bilateral relations despite a string of decades-old disputes.
But Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that doesn’t mean Turkey has “substantially changed” its stance on key differences between the two countries and needs to “decisively abandon its aggressive and unlawful conduct” against Greece’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Turkey and Greece remain at odds over maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, a dispute that affects irregular migration into the European Union, mineral rights and the projection of military power.
Mitsotakis said that he agreed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12 to initiate new “lines of communication” and to maintain “a period of calm.”
High-level talks between the the two countries are expected to take place in the Greek city of Thessaloniki later this year.
However, the Greek prime minister said that Erdogan’s outreach to the EU can’t come at the expense of efforts to heal Cyprus’ nearly half-century ethnic division.
Speaking after talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Mitsotakis said that he told Erdogan that improved European-Turkish ties can’t exclude a Cyprus peace accord and that the issue can’t be “left by the wayside.”
Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Cypriots have insisted on a two-state solution since July 2017 when the most recent round of U.N.-facilitated peace talks collapsed.
That position overturned a long-standing agreement sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council in numerous resolutions that any peace deal would aim for a reunified Cyprus as a federation made up of Greek and Turkish speaking zones.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island’s northern third, where more than 35,000 Turkish troops are stationed.
On Friday, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar repeated that peace talks could resume only if Greek Cypriots recognize the Turkish Cypriots’ “sovereign equality.”
Christodoulides said Monday that any improvement in European-Turkish relations should be based on reciprocal action by Turkey, adding that the EU prioritizes a Cyprus peace deal in line with U.N. resolutions. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/greek-prime-minister-seeks-improved-relations-with-turkey-but-says-ankara-needs-to-drop-aggression/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business | 2023-07-31T13:25:59 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/greek-prime-minister-seeks-improved-relations-with-turkey-but-says-ankara-needs-to-drop-aggression/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business |