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Kuaishou announced it gained the ISO/IEC 27701 and ISO/IEC 27001 certification in China as well as multiple countries in Latin America, Southeast and South Asia, and the Middle East.
BEIJING, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ISO/IEC 27701 and ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard on how to manage information security. ISO/IEC 27701 is a privacy extension to ISO/IEC 27001 with additional requirements in order to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). For Kuaishou, that proves that it is handling personal data with the the worldwide standards recognized in the industry.
Calvin Liu, head of Kuaishou Compliance, Communication Experience and Partnership says: This certification reflects Kuaishou's social responsibility and commitment to user information security, marking that Kuaishou has reached the international advanced level.
The independent third-party auditor performed a series of rigorous checks to confirm that Kuaishou's controls, global security, and risk operations met the highest standards, evaluating how the platform protects its development, infrastructure, operations, and services. It requires that management:
- Systematically examine the organization's information security risks, taking account of the threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts;
- Design and implement a coherent and comprehensive suite of information security controls and/or other forms of risk treatment (such as risk avoidance or risk transfer) to address those risks that are deemed unacceptable; and
- Adopt an overarching management process to ensure that the information security controls continue to meet the organization's information security needs on an ongoing basis.
Zhang Hua, head of Kuaishou Information Security says, "Achieving the ISO 27701 and 27001 certification is another step in our comprehensive security journey. Kuaishou will continue to increase investment in the field of information security, strengthen privacy security protection, continuously improve itself with technological and management innovation, deepen the construction of an information security compliance system, and provide users with more secure and credible services.
About Kuaishou
Kuaishou is a leading content community and social platform with its mission to be the most customer-obsessed company in the world. Kuaishou focuses on serving its customers and creating value for them through the continual innovation and optimization of its products and services. Kuaishou provides product and service offerings that address various user needs that arise naturally, including entertainment, online marketing services, e-commerce, online games, online knowledge-sharing, and more. Kuaishou is a listed company in Hong Kong Stock Exchange with ticker 1024.HK.
Media Contacts
Han Xing
hanxing@kuaishou.com
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SOURCE Kuaishou Technology | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/kuaishou-secures-iso27001-iso27701-certification-privacy-security/ | 2022-08-01T12:26:13Z | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/kuaishou-secures-iso27001-iso27701-certification-privacy-security/ | false |
- Solcon Industries and IGEL Electric now operate under the Solcon-IGEL GROUP banner
- The companies, who now co-brand, have launched a new website for customers to access their combined strengths
- Solcon-IGEL leads the world in innovative power electronics solutions
DORTMUND, Germany , Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Solcon-IGEL, the newly combined group of solid-state motor specialists Solcon Industries and leading drive technology company IGEL Electric GmbH, has officially launched its new website (www.solconigel.com/).
The newly launched Solcon-IGEL website will allow customers globally to access this combined strength through holistic solutions to all motor starting challenges. It will position the new brand as a global technology platform, including the merged companies' legacy of innovation in product design and manufacturing processes.
The Solcon-IGEL GROUP will use its combined capabilities, size and geographic presence to help customers solve ongoing and emerging challenges through advanced technology solutions, world-class customer support and enhanced logistics.
"Our combined strength as Solcon-IGEL enables us to look at the world through a stronger lens to see more possibilities and more opportunities. Our customers are now able to do business with a truly global brand and our new website is the shopfront for that," said Itai Zifroni, CEO of Solcon Industries.
"We want to help the power electronics and drive technology industries to solve the challenges they face today for a better tomorrow. By leveraging the expertise of both Solcon and IGEL, we have been able to create a global technology platform that does just that," said Michael Kleiböhmer, CEO of IGEL Electric.
About Solcon Industries
Solcon Industries Ltd (www.solconigel.com) is a power electronics company that has designed, developed, and manufactured industrial electronic systems for more than 40 years. As a global industry leader in soft starter technology and motor control, Solcon provides solutions for the toughest applications in all major industries.
Solcon's field-developed design criteria ensure long-term product reliability and provide future-focused innovative solutions. This approach has allowed the company to serve more than 76 countries worldwide.
About IGEL Electric
IGEL® Electric GmbH (www.solconigel.com) was founded in 2001, originally as a division of "FANAL" Group Wuppertal and has over 100 years of combined experience in drive technology. As a specialist in drive technology, IGEL integrates stand-alone motors and systems in addition to supplying solutions that are tailor-made for individual solutions, based on advanced designs.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868447/SolconIgel_POWERED_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE Solcon-IGEL GROUP | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/merged-solcon-igel-group-launches-new-website/ | 2022-08-01T12:26:39Z | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/merged-solcon-igel-group-launches-new-website/ | true |
- Solcon Industries and IGEL Electric now operate under the Solcon-IGEL GROUP banner
- The companies, who now co-brand, have launched a new website for customers to access their combined strengths
- Solcon-IGEL leads the world in innovative power electronics solutions
DORTMUND, Germany , Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Solcon-IGEL, the newly combined group of solid-state motor specialists Solcon Industries and leading drive technology company IGEL Electric GmbH, has officially launched its new website (www.solconigel.com/).
The newly launched Solcon-IGEL website will allow customers globally to access this combined strength through holistic solutions to all motor starting challenges. It will position the new brand as a global technology platform, including the merged companies' legacy of innovation in product design and manufacturing processes.
The Solcon-IGEL GROUP will use its combined capabilities, size and geographic presence to help customers solve ongoing and emerging challenges through advanced technology solutions, world-class customer support and enhanced logistics.
"Our combined strength as Solcon-IGEL enables us to look at the world through a stronger lens to see more possibilities and more opportunities. Our customers are now able to do business with a truly global brand and our new website is the shopfront for that," said Itai Zifroni, CEO of Solcon Industries.
"We want to help the power electronics and drive technology industries to solve the challenges they face today for a better tomorrow. By leveraging the expertise of both Solcon and IGEL, we have been able to create a global technology platform that does just that," said Michael Kleiböhmer, CEO of IGEL Electric.
About Solcon Industries
Solcon Industries Ltd (www.solconigel.com) is a power electronics company that has designed, developed, and manufactured industrial electronic systems for more than 40 years. As a global industry leader in soft starter technology and motor control, Solcon provides solutions for the toughest applications in all major industries.
Solcon's field-developed design criteria ensure long-term product reliability and provide future-focused innovative solutions. This approach has allowed the company to serve more than 76 countries worldwide.
About IGEL Electric
IGEL® Electric GmbH (www.solconigel.com) was founded in 2001, originally as a division of "FANAL" Group Wuppertal and has over 100 years of combined experience in drive technology. As a specialist in drive technology, IGEL integrates stand-alone motors and systems in addition to supplying solutions that are tailor-made for individual solutions, based on advanced designs.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868447/SolconIgel_POWERED_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE Solcon-IGEL GROUP | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/merged-solcon-igel-group-launches-new-website/ | 2022-08-01T12:27:23Z | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/merged-solcon-igel-group-launches-new-website/ | true |
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Univar Solutions Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) ("Univar Solutions" or "the Company"), a leading global solutions provider to users of specialty ingredients and chemicals, announced today that it has acquired Vicom Distribución Productos Quimicos, S.L. ("Vicom"), a leading regional specialty chemicals distributor in Spain and Portugal.
The Vicom acquisition will further expand the Company's already robust specialty portfolio of coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) offerings by enhancing its range of additive solutions and augmenting its presence in Europe with more sustainable options.
"I am delighted to welcome the Vicom team to the Univar Solutions family," said Nick Powell, president of Global Ingredients & Specialties. "Vicom advances our strategic growth priorities by deepening our ability to offer market-leading ingredients, specialty chemicals and solutions to our customers. With a highly knowledgeable sales organization, strong partnerships with both new and existing Univar Solutions suppliers, and a proven track record of service excellence, Vicom is a highly complementary fit and will add even more value to our customers as we expand our solution offerings to meet trends and drive sustainable options as we continue growing together."
Teresa García, president of the board, Vicom, said: "We are very excited to join Univar Solutions to offer our customers an even broader portfolio of critical solutions for their applications. We share a deep commitment to customer service through an enhanced experience, and I am confident we have a very bright future ahead as part of Univar Solutions."
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, Vicom Distribución Productos Quimicos, S.L is a leading regional specialty chemicals distributor in Spain and Portugal. The company partners with a range of well-known global suppliers, including ExxonMobil, Arkema, MLPC, Synthomer, Goodyear Chemical, Sidiac and others. Learn more at https://www.vicomdistribucion.es/.
Univar Solutions (NYSE: UNVR) is a leading global commodity and specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.
This press release includes certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations, and predictions for the future, which are "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, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and assumptions. A detailed discussion of these factors and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Potential factors that could affect such forward-looking statements include, among others: the ultimate geographic spread of the COVID-19 pandemic; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and our customers and suppliers; the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition; other fluctuations in general economic conditions, particularly in industrial production and the demands of our customers; significant changes in the business strategies of producers or in the operations of our customers; increased competitive pressures, including as a result of competitor consolidation; significant changes in the pricing, demand and availability of chemicals; our levels of indebtedness, the restrictions imposed by our debt instruments, and our ability to obtain additional financing when needed; the broad spectrum of laws and regulations that we are subject to, including extensive environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; an inability to integrate the business and systems of companies we acquire, including of Nexeo Solutions, Inc., or to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; potential business disruptions and security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents; an inability to generate sufficient working capital; increases in transportation and fuel costs and changes in our relationship with third party providers; accidents, safety failures, environmental damage, product quality and liability issues and recalls; major or systemic delivery failures involving our distribution network or the products we carry; operational risks for which we may not be adequately insured; ongoing litigation and other legal and regulatory risks; challenges associated with international operations; exposure to interest rate and currency fluctuations; potential impairment of goodwill; liabilities associated with acquisitions, ventures and strategic investments; negative developments affecting our pension plans and multi-employer pensions; labor disruptions associated with the unionized portion of our workforce; and the other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek, "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
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SOURCE Univar Solutions Inc. | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/univar-solutions-expand-global-offerings-with-acquisition-spanish-specialty-distributor-vicom/ | 2022-08-01T12:29:45Z | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/univar-solutions-expand-global-offerings-with-acquisition-spanish-specialty-distributor-vicom/ | false |
(The Hill) – Five states hold closely watched primaries on Tuesday, several of which are seen as the latest tests of former President Trump’s hold over the GOP.
Voters in Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington will decide Senate, House and gubernatorial nominees, along with a key secretary of state’s race and a ballot measure on abortion.
The races feature everything from a proxy battle between Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence to an incumbent-on-incumbent primary to lawmakers who voted to impeach Trump fighting for their political lives.
Here are 11 races we’ll be watching:
Arizona gubernatorial GOP primary
One of the most high-profile contests Tuesday is the Republican primary in the Arizona governor race.
Former local news anchor Kari Lake, who has pushed dubious claims about the 2020 election, and developer Karrin Taylor Robson, considered more of an establishment Republican, are considered the front-runners in the race.
The primary has turned into a proxy war between Trump and Pence — with Trump backing Lake while Pence has endorsed Robson — becoming the latest test of how powerful the former president’s endorsement is.
An OH Predictive Insights poll released in July found 40 percent of likely Republican primary voters backed Lake, while 35 percent supported Robson when former Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), who dropped his own gubernatorial bid to endorse Robson, was removed.
Arizona Senate GOP primary
Another Arizona race putting Trump’s endorsement to the test is the Senate GOP primary to take on Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
The former astronaut won his seat in a 2020 special election against Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) by just over 2 percentage points, one of a handful of critical Senate races that helped flip the upper chamber blue that year.
Trump has backed venture capitalist Blake Masters, who has ties to tech billionaire Peter Thiel. Masters has received the backing of other major Republicans and conservatives like Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and he previously served on Trump’s 2016 presidential transition team.
Others in the race include businessman Jim Lamon, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, former state Rep. Justin Olson and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Mick McGuire.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Brnovich for not doing enough to investigate the former president’s baseless claims of fraud in the 2020 election. The former president called him a “disappointment” when issuing his endorsement of Masters in June.
An OH Predictive Insights poll released on Friday surveying Arizona residents qualified as likely GOP primary voters showed Masters in the lead with 25 percent, followed by Lamon at 18 percent and Brnovich at 14 percent.
Missouri Senate GOP Primary
The Missouri Senate GOP primary has attracted a crowded field of candidates as Republicans vie for retiring Sen. Roy Blunt’s (R-Mo.) seat.
Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens initially held the lead, but he has been embroiled in scandal and fighting allegations by his ex-wife that he abused her and their child. He denies the allegations.
Adding to the controversy, Greitens released an ad in June in which he pressed viewers to go “RINO hunting,” in a nod to the acronym “Republicans in name only” and featured firearms.
Republicans fear a Greitens victory could put an otherwise safe Republican seat in jeopardy and big names, including Blunt, have lined up against him.
A recent survey from Emerson College Polling and The Hill found the effort may be working. State Attorney General Eric Schmitt had pulled into the lead in the poll, with the support of 33 percent of very likely Republican primary voters, while Greitens had fallen to third at 16 percent.
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), who earned the endorsement of Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), had 21 percent support.
Other candidates include Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.), attorney Mark McCloskey and state Sen. Dave Schatz. Trump has not issued an endorsement in the race.
Kansas’s ballot measure on abortion
Residents in the Sunflower State will be the first since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the opportunity to vote on an abortion-related ballot measure when they weigh in on a state constitutional amendment regarding abortion access.
The ballot measure seeks to overturn a 2019 state Supreme Court decision that said abortion rights were protected under the state constitution. It would give the state legislature greater control over access to the medical procedure.
The Supreme Court’s Roe ruling kicked decisions on abortion access to the states and has created a patchwork of laws that ban or will soon ban access to the procedure.
Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial primary
The Republican primary in Michigan’s gubernatorial race initially attracted a crowded field of candidates, but it later narrowed down to five after several contenders were booted off the ballot for submitting fraudulent petition signatures.
One of the candidates remaining, conservative commentator Tudor Dixon, got a boost Friday when she was endorsed by Trump.
Other candidates in the race include real estate broker Ryan Kelley, who was charged in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot; retired Pastor Ralph Rebandt; businessman Kevin Rinke; and chiropractor Garrett Soldano.
A Detroit News/WDIV (Channel 4) poll, which was conducted by Glengariff Group and released last month, showed 19 percent of likely GOP primary voters polled supporting Dixon, followed next by Rinke at 15 percent, Kelley at 13 percent and Soldano at 12 percent. Rebandt received 2 percent. However, the polling falls within the margin of error of 4.4 percentage points, effectively tying Dixon and Rinke.
Michigan’s GOP primary in the 3rd Congressional District
Freshman Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) is fighting for his political life on Tuesday as he tries to ward off a challenge from former Housing and Urban Development official John Gibbs in the state’s Republican primary for the 3rd Congressional District.
Gibbs received an endorsement from Trump as a part of the former president’s revenge tour against the Republicans who have criticized him or voted in favor of impeaching him following the Capitol riot.
Meijer was one of 10 House Republicans to buck his party and vote in favor of impeaching Trump.
Democrats have gotten involved in the primary in an effort to boost Gibbs, who has used part of his campaign platform to baselessly allege “widespread irregularities and statistical anomalies in the 2020 election,” in hopes of facing what they consider the weaker candidate in November.
Cook Political Report rates Meijer’s seat as a “toss-up.”
Michigan’s Democratic primary in the 11th Congressional District
Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) is facing off against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) in one of this cycle’s incumbent-on-incumbent primaries.
Levin opted to run in the redrawn 11th Congressional District after the decennial redistricting process changed the makeup of his current seat.
Levin, once a synagogue president and co-founder of the Detroit Jews for Justice, has gotten the backing of the pro-Israel group J Street Action Fund, which has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the race, while the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s super PAC is spending big money to boost Stevens.
Levin has touted his personal work on climate change, jobs and workers’ wages, and his family includes several recognizable political names, including his father, former Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), and uncle, the late Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.).
Levin last year unveiled legislation along with his colleagues that would “accelerate progress towards a two-state solution and discourage steps that push one out of reach,” according to a press release from his office.
Haley has touted her time as the former chief of staff for the U.S. Auto Rescue Task Force during the Obama administration and showcased her support on legislation related to paid family leave and raising the federal minimum wage.
Washington’s secretary of state race
Washington’s secretary of state race has attracted a number of candidates as Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (D), whose appointment by Gov. Jay Inslee (D) last year marked the first time in decades that a Democrat served in the role, fights to keep his seat.
Hobbs was tapped to fill former Secretary of State Kim Wyman’s (R) position after she left her spot to serve on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency under the Biden administration.
Among those vying for the spot of state’s top elections official are Tamborine Borrelli, a former supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) turned Republican; state Sen. Keith Wagoner (R); former state Sen. Mark Miloscia (R), once a Democrat; and Pierce County auditor Julie Anderson, listed as nonpartisan, among others.
Washington uses what’s known as a jungle primary, in which the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
Washington’s 3rd Congressional District primary
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) is fighting to retain her seat after she drew Trump’s ire as one of 10 House Republicans to vote in favor of impeaching the former president.
Herrera Beutler made headlines following the Capitol riot when she described the contents of a conversation told to her by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) that involved him and Trump.
She said the president had told McCarthy, according to the House GOP leader, “I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are” on the day of the riot.
Trump last year endorsed Army Special Forces veteran Joe Kent as a part of his revenge tour to take swipes at the Republicans who sought to impeach him or his critics. Other candidates seeking the seat include podcaster and author Heidi St. John (R), small business owner Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and state Rep. Vicki Kraft (R).
Washington’s 4th Congressional District primary
The former president has also waded into Washington’s 4th Congressional District race, backing former police chief Loren Culp (R) to take on incumbent Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.).
Newhouse also voted in favor of impeaching the former president following the violent Capitol riot, saying in a statement days after the riot that it was a “vote to condone President Trump’s inaction” and added that “our country needed a leader, and President Trump failed to fulfill his oath of office.”
The campaign platform for Culp, who was the 2020 Republican gubernatorial nominee, has included bread-and-butter Republican issues like his anti-abortion stance, limited government and border security.
One Democrat and five other Republicans have also thrown their hats into the ring, including former NASCAR driver Jerrod Sessler (R), businessman Doug White (D), Army veteran Benancio Garcia III (R), Jacek Kobiesa (R) and businessman Corey Gibson (R).
Washington’s 8th Congressional District primary
Rep. Kim Schrier’s (D-Wash.) seat is considered one of the most vulnerable for House Democrats this November and she faces several others candidates eager to advance to the general election.
Army veteran Jesse Jensen (R) is trying to stage a comeback after losing a bid in 2020 for the seat against the Democratic incumbent in addition to several others such as attorney Matt Larkin (R) and King County Council Member Reagan Dunn (R).
Schrier, who flipped her district blue in 2018, has won her last two elections by close margins, including by less than 5 percentage points in 2018 and more than 3 percentage points in 2020.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has used the issue of inflation to target Schrier and other vulnerable Democrats earlier this year, one of several headwinds for Democrats ahead of the November midterms.
Cook Political Report rates the House seat as a “toss-up.” | https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/11-races-to-watch-in-tuesdays-primaries/ | 2022-08-01T12:31:26Z | https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/11-races-to-watch-in-tuesdays-primaries/ | true |
(The Hill) — CNN host Fareed Zakaria on Sunday slammed Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for what he called a “disgusting” and “scandalous” speech last week criticizing foreign leaders who disagreed with his ruling on Roe V. Wade.
Zakaria told Jim Acosta on CNN that Supreme Court justices are supposed to, at the very least, conduct themselves in a way that is above politics, given they are unelected members with life tenure who can decide crucial decisions shaping the lives of millions of Americans.
“The reason they have that legitimacy is, to put it very simply, that they behave themselves, that they behave in accordance with the kind of dignity and majesty of the court,” said Zakaria, who hosts CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS.”
“What Alito did, behaving like a cheap commentator, and not a particularly good one at that, was frankly disgusting. I mean I thought it was the most undignified performance by a Supreme Court justice that I have seen in my lifetime,” he said. “I don’t think any of his predecessors would have done it. I think it’s scandalous.”
Zakaria added that he did not expect formal punishment, but added: “If John Roberts wants to fulfill his role as chief justice, I think he should call Justice Alito in and try to explain to him why it damages not just Alito — who looks like an idiot — but it damages the court.”
During a speech at Notre Dame Law School’s Religious Liberty Summit in Rome, Alito mocked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prince Harry. He also mentioned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron.
All four leaders had sharply criticized the Supreme Court for overturning the nearly 50-year constitutional right to abortion, which Alito seemed to find amusing.
“I’ve had a few second thoughts over the last few weeks since I had the honor this term of writing I think the only Supreme Court decision in the history of that institution that has been lambasted by a whole string of foreign leaders who felt perfectly fine commenting on American law,” Alito said during his speech.
The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe V. Wade has paved the way for many GOP-led states to ban or severely restrict abortion access across the country, despite around two-thirds of Americans supporting the right to an abortion in some cases.
Trust in the Supreme Court has never been lower, according to polling earlier this month, which found just a quarter of Americans hold confidence in the high court. | https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/cnns-zakaria-calls-alitos-speech-mocking-foreign-leaders-disgusting-scandalous/ | 2022-08-01T12:31:38Z | https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/cnns-zakaria-calls-alitos-speech-mocking-foreign-leaders-disgusting-scandalous/ | false |
FRESNO, California (KXAN) — Protein shake maker Lyons Magnus is recalling 53 nutritional and beverage products because they could be contaminated.
Lyons Magnus said on July 28 the products may have bacteria from the germ Cronobacter sakazakii. According to a company press release, the germ can cause fever, vomiting and urinary tract infections.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cronobacter infection can be very serious for older people and people with HIV, organ transplants or cancer.
Lyons Magnus said its recall is voluntary, and it has no reports of anyone getting sick from the 53 products listed in the release.
Cronobacter sakazakii was at the center of a recall of baby formula in February 2022. Lyons Magnus said the list of recalled products does not include products intended for infants.
Lyons Magnus said you should throw out any of the recalled products or return them where you bought them for a refund.
If you have any questions, the company said you can call them anytime at 1 (800) 627-0557 or check its website. | https://phl17.com/nmw/protein-shake-maker-recalls-more-than-4-dozen-products/ | 2022-08-01T12:31:55Z | https://phl17.com/nmw/protein-shake-maker-recalls-more-than-4-dozen-products/ | false |
Alex Lassiter, Founder and CEO, Green Places.
Climate change is an important issue for companies big and small. Until today, though, it’s been up to individual organizations to decide if and how they tell the world about their climate impact. Is the cocoa that a confectioner uses getting more expensive and hard to source because of rising temperatures? Are an IT firm’s servers slurping up electricity generated from fossil fuels? Reporting how much they contribute to climate change or how it increases their business risk is up to company leaders.
But the luxury of voluntary disclosure might soon be a thing of the past. In late March, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) gave preliminary approval (paywall) for new climate disclosure rules. If enacted, the regulation will require public companies to tell investors and the federal government how the changing climate poses material risks to their operations. It could also force those companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions.
For now, the regulations coming down the pipe are heading to firms that sell shares to the public and are regulated by the SEC. But I don't think that’s where they’ll stop.
The First Salvo For Required Climate Disclosure
The federal regulator has said its proposed rules are similar to those that many companies already voluntarily provide. Many firms that have elected to share climate-related information have been doing so under a reporting framework created by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), an arm of the Swiss-based global financial system monitoring body called the Financial Stability Board. In his statement after approving the new climate disclosure reporting rules, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said his agency had found that a third of nearly 7,000 annual reports filed by public companies included disclosures related to climate change.
My company, Green Places, actively monitors the changing regulatory landscape to help our clients achieve their sustainability goals—not just to comply with the rules but to make life better for people and the planet. From that vantage point, we’ve pored over the proposed SEC regulations and TCFD suggested disclosures. I think it’s clear that with this latest SEC move, the writing is on the wall. We are advising all of our clients—not just public companies—to pay attention.
It seems likely that all companies will eventually need to report their greenhouse gas emissions data. In my view, the best thing to do is get out ahead of rulemaking and start now. Forward-looking executives can begin measuring their organization’s emissions footprint (if they haven’t already) to know where they are starting from. This view comes from deep experience advising clients on how to build sustainability and compliance programs. My perspective is that more government agencies than just the SEC will likely look to the TCFD’s reporting standards as regulators start demanding climate data from all businesses.
A Primer For Private Businesses
I’ve worked with many smaller, private companies—law firms, restaurant groups and technology developers, to name a few—to pursue voluntary climate reporting. They might be on a sustainability journey for personal reasons, or they might see the benefits of being transparent and green for investors, recruiting and customers. Whatever the individual basis, there are now many reasons not to wait on reporting a business’s climate-related disclosures.
So, for anyone in a public or private company considering becoming a climate-reporting teacher’s pet, let’s dive into what it means to disclose this kind of information. The TCFD has developed easily understandable standards that fall into four categories: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets. Here are some questions that I suggest business leaders ask based on TCFD recommendations within each category.
Governance
• What are your board’s oversight and your management’s role in assessing and handling climate-related risks and opportunities?
Strategy
• What are your organization’s climate-related risks and opportunities, and how could these impact operations, strategy and planning?
• How resilient is your organization to different climate-change scenarios, from the least to the most disruptive, based on science’s current understanding?
Risk Management
• How will your organization identify, assess and manage the risks posed by climate change? How is this process integrated into the rest of your risk management planning?
Metrics And Targets
• What metrics can you use to assess climate-related risks and opportunities appropriately?
• Look beyond the emissions coming from your own operations. What emissions are generated on your company’s behalf for electricity generation, supply chains, business travel or purchased goods?
I think the SEC’s move is a clear signal that environmental reporting is moving from something nice for companies to do to an activity required by authorities. But nobody should fret about this coming change.
It’s within reach for every company, no matter the size, to understand and manage how climate change will present business risks and opportunities. Asking these questions about your business is a critical first step.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify? | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/08/01/signs-point-to-mandated-sustainability-how-businesses-can-get-ahead-of-compulsory-climate-reporting/ | 2022-08-01T12:32:10Z | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/08/01/signs-point-to-mandated-sustainability-how-businesses-can-get-ahead-of-compulsory-climate-reporting/ | true |
YREKA, Calif. (AP) — Crews battling the largest wildfire so far this year in California braced for thunderstorms and hot, windy conditions that created the potential for additional fire growth Sunday as they sought to protect remote communities.
The McKinney Fire was burning out of control in Northern California’s Klamath National Forest, with expected thunderstorms a big concern Sunday just south of the Oregon state line, said U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Adrienne Freeman.
“The fuel beds are so dry and they can just erupt from that lightning,” Freeman said. “These thunder cells come with gusty erratic winds that can blow fire in every direction.”
The blaze exploded in size to more than 80 square miles (207 square km) just two days after erupting in a largely unpopulated area of Siskiyou County, according to a Sunday incident report. The cause was under investigation.
The blaze torched trees along California Highway 96, and the scorched remains of a pickup truck sat in a lane of the highway. Thick smoke covered the area and flames burned through hillsides in sight of homes. The fire Sunday cast an eerie, orange-brown hue, in one neighborhood where a brick chimney stood surrounded by rubble and scorched vehicles.
A second, smaller fire just to the west that was sparked by dry lightning Saturday threatened the tiny town of Seiad, Freeman said. About 400 structures were under threat from the two California fires. Authorities have not confirmed the extent of the damage yet, saying assessments would begin when it was safe to reach the area.
A third fire, which was on the southwest end of the McKinney blaze, prompted evacuation orders for around 500 homes Sunday, said Courtney Kreider, a spokesperson with the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. The office said crews had been on the scene of the fire since late Saturday but that the fire Sunday morning “became active and escaped its containment line.”
Several people in the sheriff’s office have been affected by evacuation orders due to the fires “and they’re still showing up to work so, (a) very dedicated crew,” she said. A deputy lost his childhood home to fire on Friday, she said.
The McKinney fire “remains 0% contained,” the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post late Sunday night.
As the McKinney fire threatened, some residents chose to stay behind while others heeded orders to leave.
Larry Castle and his wife, Nancy, were among about 2,000 residents of the Yreka area under evacuation orders. They left Saturday with some of their prized possessions, including Larry’s motorcycle, and took their dogs to stay with their daughter near Mount Shasta.
Larry Castle said he wasn’t taking any chances after seeing the explosive growth of major fires in recent years.
“You look back at the Paradise fire and the Santa Rosa fire and you realize this stuff is very, very serious,” he told the Sacramento Bee.
In northwest Montana, a fire sparked in grasslands near the town of Elmo had grown to about 17 square miles (44 square km) after advancing into forest. Crews were working along edges of the fire Sunday, and aircraft were expected to continue to make water and retardant drops to help slow the fire’s advance, said Sara Rouse, a spokesperson with the interagency team assigned to the fire. High temperatures and erratic winds were expected, she said.
A section of Highway 28 between Hot Springs and Elmo that had been closed was reopened with drivers asked to watch for fire and emergency personnel. Visibility in the area was poor, Rouse said.
In Idaho, the Moose Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest has burned on more than 75 square miles (196 square km) in timbered land near the town of Salmon. It was 21% contained by Sunday morning. Pila Malolo, planning operations section chief on the fire, said in a Facebook video update that hot, dry conditions were expected to persist Sunday. Officials said they expected fire growth in steep, rugged country on the fire’s south side.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the McKinney Fire intensified. The proclamation allows Newsom more flexibility to make emergency response and recovery effort decisions and access federal aid.
California law enforcement knocked on doors in the towns of Yreka and Fort Jones to urge residents to get out and safely evacuate their livestock onto trailers. Automated calls were being sent to land phone lines as well because there were areas without cell phone service.
Scientists say climate change has made the West warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.
The Pacific Coast Trail Association urged hikers to get to the nearest town while the U.S. Forest Service closed a 110-mile (177-km) section of the trail from the Etna Summit to the Mt. Ashland Campground in southern Oregon.
In Hawaii, the Maui County Emergency Management Agency said a brush fire was 90% contained but a red flag warning was in effect for much of Sunday.
And in north Texas, firefighters continued in their effort to contain the 2-week-old, 10 1/2-square-mile (27 1/3-square-kilometer) Chalk Mountain Fire. The crews now report 83% containment of the fire that has destroyed 16 homes and damaged five others about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Fort Worth. No injuries have been reported.
___
Associated Press journalists Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska; Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; Sam Metz in Salt Lake City; and Terry Wallace in Dallas contributed to this report. | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/ap-top-headlines/heat-wind-threaten-to-whip-up-growing-western-wildfires/ | 2022-08-01T12:33:17Z | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/ap-top-headlines/heat-wind-threaten-to-whip-up-growing-western-wildfires/ | true |
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric vehicle sharing software and technology provider EVmatch, and Wallbox (NYSE:WBX), a leading provider of EV charging and energy management solutions, announced a partnership focused on increasing charging accessibility and choice for EV drivers by allowing customers on the EVmatch platform to search for and charge at Wallbox chargers throughout the U.S. through an OCPP integration.
The U.S. saw a nearly 69% increase in the purchase of plug-in vehicles from the beginning of 2021 to the first part of 2022. These new drivers, as well as existing EV drivers, will need access to reliable charging options that fit their budget and lifestyle.
"We started EVmatch to address a major barrier to EV adoption, the lack of reliable and convenient charging options for renters and apartment dwellers," said Heather Hochrein, Founder and CEO of EVmatch. "Our Wallbox partnership will further amplify our efforts to make charging reliable and accessible to all by combining our flexible sharing software with open-source technologies that will serve our industry at this critical moment."
"At Wallbox, we're focused on leading innovation within the EV charging and energy management space. Our EVmatch partnership will allow more charging hosts and drivers to have access to our Pulsar Plus Level 2 charger across homes, apartments, offices, and more," said Douglas Alfaro, General Manager at Wallbox North America.
The companies are confident that their partnership will help pave the way for further innovation in the industry and will allow charging to become fully accessible to drivers, home or apartment owners, and business owners, which will help democratize EV adoption.
EVmatch operates a nationwide peer-to-peer EV charging network, enabling individuals, business owners, and commercial properties to rent out private charging stations, earning money and supporting their communities. Learn more at www.evmatch.com.
Wallbox is a global technology company, dedicated to changing the way the world uses energy. Wallbox creates advanced electric vehicle charging and energy management systems that redefine users' relationship to the grid. Wallbox goes beyond electric vehicle charging to give users the power to control their consumption, save money, and live more sustainably. Wallbox offers a portfolio of charging and energy management solutions in more than 100 countries. For additional information, please visit www.wallbox.com.
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SOURCE EVmatch, Inc. | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/evmatch-wallbox-announce-partnership-improve-consumer-accessibility-reach-ev-charging-solutions/ | 2022-08-01T12:36:57Z | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/evmatch-wallbox-announce-partnership-improve-consumer-accessibility-reach-ev-charging-solutions/ | true |
By Jon Clark, managing partner at Moving Traffic Media, a New York digital agency offering SEO, PPC, and Amazon marketing services.
People can feel lonely and overwhelmed when working from home. Juggling family and work responsibilities can be challenging, and a lack of communication can cause anxiety and concern.
However, management can often overlook this. It’s the classic “out of sight, out of mind” scenario.
Rather than turning a blind eye to the mental health of your remote workers, this is something you should actively invest in.
Why The Mental Health Of Your Remote Workers Matters
The mental state of your remote workforce is essential in terms of their own well-being and the success of your business.
Did you know that a remote worker who experiences burnout is 23% more likely to visit the emergency room? This is something no one wants for another human being. We all have a moral obligation to look out for one another.
If your remote workforce is struggling to cope, it can also impact the productivity of your business. People can find themselves too caught up in their thoughts, meaning they cannot focus on the task at hand. You may also find that they take more sick days, which naturally harms your productivity.
At the same time, remote workers who feel their mental health is not prioritized may end up looking for work elsewhere, so this is also critical in terms of employee retention rates and attracting the best talent. In fact, 80% of workers would consider quitting their current position for a job that concentrates more on their well-being.
How To Invest In The Mental Health Of Your Remote Workers
So, what can you do to take care of the mental health of your employees working remotely around the world?
• Prioritize communication.
A lot of remote workers can feel isolated and disconnected. This is only made worse when the business they are working for does not communicate very well.
Because of this, it is critical to communicate effectively with your remote workers. Set up a communication strategy and check in with your employees regularly. Don’t jump straight into talking about work. Take the time to ask them how they are. Don’t underestimate just how much this means to your remote workforce.
When you communicate well with your employees, you create a remote work environment in which people feel like they can speak freely, so they will be more inclined to talk to you about any mental health struggles they face.
• Let your remote workers self-direct their mental wellness.
Most businesses acknowledge that simply offering some vacation days will not alleviate burnout on its own, so they search for different ways of providing meaningful mental wellness support to their workers.
Examples here include online therapy sessions from select providers, subscriptions to mental health apps, such as Calm and Headspace, and virtual wellness classes.
While these are all great options, it’s important to remember one thing: Everyone is different. What may work for one person may not work for another. One employee may love attending a virtual wellness class, whereas another may feel drained at the thought of doing something else virtually.
Instead, let your employees decide what is best for their mental health. This could be anything from a book subscription to a massage every month. It does not always need to be along the lines of "working with a therapist." Simply decide how much you are willing to spend per month, per employee, and put this in the hands of your remote workers.
You may find that a lot of your workers simply need a bit of help around the home, such as home cleaning services or meal deliveries.
• Readdress the way you handle virtual meetings.
How often do you schedule meetings? Are they efficient? How long do they last?
Employees spend about a fifth of their work hours in meetings! Not only does this mean they are getting less work done, but it results in their energy draining further. This leads to a lack of satisfaction, a lack of control and poor motivation levels, which are all symptoms and signs of mental health burnout.
Consider implementing no-meeting days, enabling your employees to purely focus on their tasks, rather than having their day constantly interrupted. For a remote worker, you can feel like you have to work late to make up for the time lost in the meeting.
• Give your remote employees breaks.
Take a page out of LinkedIn’s book! The company made headlines by giving its 15,900 full-time employees a paid week off to encourage them to unplug and recharge.
If you don’t think your business can cope with the doors being closed for a week, why not sprinkle a few mental health days throughout the year? Make sure you genuinely give your employees a break, though. Don’t email them or drop them a quick message on IM.
Instead, allow your remote workers to truly relax. It can benefit your business in the long run, as your employees will feel appreciated, motivated and rejuvenated.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why it is vital to concentrate on the health of your remote workers. Of course, this is the right thing to do from a human perspective, first and foremost. However, it is also critical in terms of your productivity, your success and the brand image your business portrays. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2022/08/01/investing-in-the-mental-health-of-your-remote-workers/ | 2022-08-01T12:37:05Z | https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2022/08/01/investing-in-the-mental-health-of-your-remote-workers/ | true |
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /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 2022 financial results and business outlook on Thursday, September 1, 2022 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, September 1, 2022
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/BI4b942b6b1ed0474fab3f1f6f2d0f2b98. 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 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.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/broadcom-inc-announce-third-quarter-fiscal-year-2022-financial-results-thursday-september-1-2022/ | 2022-08-01T12:38:46Z | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/broadcom-inc-announce-third-quarter-fiscal-year-2022-financial-results-thursday-september-1-2022/ | false |
YANGZHOU, China, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meihua International Medical Technologies Co., Ltd. ("MHUA" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MHUA), a reputable manufacturer and provider of Class I, II and III disposable medical devices with operating subsidiaries in China, today reported its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. All amounts are in U.S. dollars.
Fiscal year 2021 highlights:
- Revenue increased by 16.82% to $104.04 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $89.06 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
- Gross profit increased by 7.13% to $39.81 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $37.16 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
- Gross margin slightly decreased to 38.26% for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 41.72% for fiscal year 2020.
- Income from operations increased by 7.80% to $25.30 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $23.47 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
- Net income increased by 4.99% to $20.00 million for year ended December 31, 2021 from $19.05 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Mr. Yongjun Liu, Chairman of the Company, commented: "During the past year COVID-19 still hangs over the world and poses many new challenges and opportunities to the economy and the medical industry in various countries. Thanks to our extensive product offerings, a strong upstream and downstream supply chain system and technical upgrades to our equipment and production capacity, our total sales increased to more than $100 million, representing a growth rate of more than 16% from 2020. We continue to place great importance on maintaining healthy cash flow reserves in the context of improving both our production and marketing capacity. Our strong cash reserves of more than $8 million as of end of last year, and the $36 million in proceeds raised from our successful IPO in February 2021 makes us confident we can further improve our production efficiency and new product research and development, especially in response to the COVID-19 infection cases in Shanghai and other regions since the first quarter of 2022. The Company has also increased a new production line of COVID-19 testing products. As another wave of the new coronavirus variant broke out, international and domestic orders have shown a continuous growth trend.
"Under our core value that 'science and technology lead production,' we plan to complete the construction of a new factory for the production of coronavirus detection and prevention products this year. In this way we can continue to maintain and expand our leading position in the industry in this environment as the spread and variation of the pandemic continues. We believe that the ongoing strategy of new product development and production capacity upgrades will further distinguish Meihua from a segmented market and enable us to become one of the world's leading medical device suppliers in the next few years. At the same time, we will continue to monitor the changing market conditions in order to timely optimize our operation strategies and maintain rapid growth post-pandemic and create stable and long-term value returns for investors.
"As a medical device manufacturer with a leading position in the industry and a long history of more than 30 years, while developing at a high speed, we still adhere to a strict pursuit of product quality and production safety. Regardless of the type of products and their margins, the company uses a unified high standard of production and services. Because Meihua's products concern human life and health, we can't tolerate any carelessness. After the ups and downs of 2021, the company continues to maintain its commitment to the development and scientific research of new products, improve our production efficiency, and win long-term sustainable growth with high-quality after-sales service. We are dedicated to playing an important role in the global medical device supply chain."
Mr. Yulin Wang, CEO and interim CFO of the Company, commented: "Overall, we achieved solid revenue growth in fiscal year 2021 and greatly optimized the Company's operational efficiency with our net income expanding by nearly 5% to $20 million for the past year. As we advance, we will continue our commitment to building robust product capabilities, making them our core strengths that drive our Company to meet people's growing needs for a better life.
"With our strong cash position we are confident in the sustainable profitability of all of our core key businesses, which maintained a strong gross margin at about 40% over the past two years, as well as the growth and profit potential of our new initiatives. The Company's management team will continue to work together to seek profitable growth. We believe our continued commitment to high quality products and operational efficiency will generate more value for our customers, society and shareholders over the long term.
"The Covid-19 outbreak posed some challenges to the Company's financial works that led to a slight delay in the reporting of our financial results. But we quickly adjusted and resolved all issues. Meihua will deliver sustainable growth and provide timely update on our business to cement investor confidence in the future."
Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the periods presented:
Revenues
Revenues increased by $14.98 million or approximately 16.82%, to $104.04 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $89.06 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was mainly due to the company's business expansion, research and development of new products, and development of new customers.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues primarily include cost of materials, direct labors, overhead, and other related incidental expenses that are directly attributable to the Company's principal operations. Cost of revenue increased by $12.33 million to $64.23 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $51.90 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was mainly attributable to the increased sales in fiscal year 2021.
Gross profit and margin
Gross profit increased by $2.65 million or approximately 7.13%, to $39.81 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $37.16 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Gross margin slightly decreased to 38.26% for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 41.72% for fiscal year 2020. The higher gross profit margin in fiscal 2020 was mainly attributable to much higher selling prices and increased gross margin for medical masks as a result of COVID-19 in fiscal year 2020. The price of medical masks fell back to normal levels as a result of increased supply in fiscal 2021, which brought down the overall gross profit margin.
Operating costs and expenses
Our operating costs and expenses, consisting of selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses, increased by $0.81 million or approximately 5.92%, to $14.50 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $13.69 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Selling expenses decreased by 2.42% to $6.46 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $6.62 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was mainly attributable to the combined effects of the followings:
- The Company did not conduct additional market research in fiscal year 2021 as market research activities incurred in fiscal year 2020 were still valid. Market research expenses were nil in fiscal year 2021 as compared to $579,357 in fiscal year 2020.
- The increase in sales led to an increase of $329,025 in transportation expenses for fiscal year 2021 to $2.80 million.
- Salaries and benefits expenses increased by $176,995 to $1.29 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was mainly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic in China had been brought under control and the local government had canceled the social insurance relief policy.
- Entertainment expenses decreased $83,365 to $0.79 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was mainly attributable to the fact that Yangzhou City in the PRC had been under lockdown for some period due to the epidemic in fiscal 2021, so the relevant business entertainment expenses were reduced.
General and administrative expenses increased by $742,235 to $5.32 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $4.58 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was mainly due to the $0.96 million investor relations service fee incurred in fiscal year 2021.
Research and development expenses increased by approximately 9.64%, to $2.73 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $2.49 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was mainly due to the increase in salaries and benefits expenses which was mainly attributable to the pandemic in China having been brought under control and the local government having canceled the social insurance relief policy that had been in place during the height of the pandemic.
Income from operations
As a result of the factors described above, our income from operations increased by $1.84 million, or approximately 7.80%, to $25.30 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $23.47 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Net income
As a result of the factors described above, our net income increased by $945,991, or approximately 4.99%, to $20.00 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 from $19.05 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
Cash
Cash was $8.15 million as of December 31, 2021, reflecting an increase of $0.96 million from $7.19 million as of December 31, 2020.
Recent developments
On February 19, 2022, the Company announced the closing of its initial public offering (the "Offering") of 3,940,000 ordinary shares at a public offering price of $10.00 per ordinary share (the "Ordinary Shares") including 340,000 Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, for aggregate gross proceeds of $39.4 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. The Offering, which was conducted on a firm commitment basis, closed on February 18, 2022 and the Company's Ordinary Shares began trading on February 16, 2022 on The Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol "MHUA."
About Meihua International Medical Technologies Co., Ltd.
Meihua International Medical Technologies is a reputable manufacturer and provider of Class I, II, and III disposable medical devices with operating subsidiaries in China. The Company manufactures and sells Class I disposable medical devices, such as eye drops bottle, medicine bottles and anal bags, and Class II and III disposable medical devices, such as identification tape, gynecological examination kits, inspection kits, surgical kits, medical brushes, medical dressing, masks, disposable infusion pumps, electronic pumps, puncture kits, under its own brands and also distributes such disposable medical devices sourced from other manufacturers. The Company has received international "CE" certification and ISO 13485 system certification and has also registered with the FDA (registration number: 3006554788) for over 20 products. The Company has served hospitals, pharmacies, medical institutions and medical equipment companies for over 30 years, providing more than 800 types of products for domestic sales, as well as 120 products which are exported to more than 30 countries internationally across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. For more information, please visit: www.meihuamed.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks 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; product and service demand and acceptance; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; changes in technology; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations
EverGreen Consulting Inc.
Ms. Janice Wang, Managing Partner
Email: IR@changqingconsulting.com
Phone: +1 470 940 3308 (from U.S.)
+86 13811768559 (from China)
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SOURCE Meihua International Medical Technologies Co., Ltd. | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/meihua-international-medical-technologies-co-ltd-reports-2021-financial-year-results/ | 2022-08-01T12:39:32Z | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/meihua-international-medical-technologies-co-ltd-reports-2021-financial-year-results/ | true |
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SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gryphon Investors ("Gryphon"), a leading middle-market private equity firm, announced today that it has acquired Rootstock Software ("Rootstock" or "the company"), a leading provider of cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") software to manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain organizations, which are increasingly seeking cloud-native, purpose-built ERP solutions to streamline business operations. Both Salesforce Ventures and the company's management team re-invested in the deal alongside Gryphon. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Rootstock provides a market-leading, composable cloud ERP solution built on the Salesforce Platform. The company's software helps manufacturers, distributors, and other organizations run their everyday business operations by linking customers, suppliers, and employers to critical data across their organizations at any time and from anywhere. Rootstock has embedded deep industry knowledge and business logic into the design of the platform, which combines cutting-edge, enterprise-grade technology infrastructure, integrated analytics, advanced reporting, and AI / ML capabilities. Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, Rootstock serves a blue-chip client base across North American and international markets.
Jon Cheek, Deal Partner and Head of Gryphon's Software Group, said, "Global supply chain challenges over the last two years have highlighted the need for manufacturers and distributors to modernize the technology that controls their core business operations and processes. Rootstock's ERP platform provides best-in-class cloud software that improves the connectivity between companies and their customers, suppliers, and employees. We're pleased to partner with Salesforce and the Rootstock management team to address the strong and increasing market demand for the company's solutions."
"We are excited by the relationship that Rootstock has built with Salesforce to enable a modern, flexible product that drives efficiency for all organizations but that is uniquely differentiated by the symbiotic value it provides to users of the Salesforce ecosystem," said Sandy McKinnon, Principal of Gryphon's Software Group.
Rootstock's management team will be led by David Stephans, who as part of the transaction has been named CEO of the company following his nine year tenure as an executive with Rootstock, while founder Pat Garrehy will join Rootstock's Board of Directors alongside several industry veterans and operating advisors.
"Gryphon's deep experience growing businesses organically and through acquisitions, particularly in the software sector, will position Rootstock to take advantage of robust opportunities both in the U.S. and internationally," said Mr. Stephans. "We look forward to working closely with the Gryphon team as we continue to innovate and build upon our success."
Added Mr. Garrehy, "I am pleased to have found such an exciting home for the company I have built over the past fifteen years, and I am looking forward to the tremendous opportunity ahead for Rootstock in partnership with Gryphon to accelerate growth, deepen our Cloud ERP products, and better serve our customers."
Lightning Partners served as financial advisor and Reed Smith served as legal advisor to Rootstock in this transaction. William Blair served as financial advisor and Gibson Dunn served as legal advisor to Gryphon in this transaction.
Rootstock Software's Cloud ERP solutions help manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain organizations digitally transform their operations. Built on the Salesforce Platform, Rootstock provides customers the benefits of an enterprise cloud environment and an ERP system that is intuitive, flexible, and digitally connected. The company offers training, product knowledge, and support to help customers configure Rootstock Cloud ERP to meet their needs. This comprehensive offering empowers clients to deliver a superior customer experience, streamline and scale their operations, and out-service the competition. For more information, visit www.rootstock.com.
Based in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors (www.gryphoninvestors.com) is a leading private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively enhancing middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. The firm has managed over $9 billion of equity investments and capital since 1997. Gryphon targets making equity investments of $50 million to $300 million in portfolio companies with enterprise values ranging from approximately $100 million to $600 million. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form strong partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon's capital, specialized professional resources, and operational expertise.
Salesforce Ventures helps enterprising founders build companies that reinvent the way the world works. Since 2009, we've invested in and partnered with more than 400 of the world's most tenacious enterprise software companies from seed to IPO, including Airtable, Databricks, DocuSign, Guild Education, Hopin, monday.com, nCino, Snowflake, Snyk, Stripe, Tanium, and Zoom. Salesforce Ventures leverages our decades of expertise in the cloud and our long-term relationships with key decision-makers at thousands of businesses around the world to give our portfolio companies an unfair advantage, help them build credibility, and accelerate growth. Salesforce Ventures has invested in more than 25 countries with offices all over the world including in San Francisco, Irvine, New York, London, Tokyo, and Sydney. Follow @SalesforceVC and learn more at http://www.salesforceventures.com.
Contact:
For Rootstock:
Tammy Delatorre
tdelatorre@rootstock.com
213.320.1766
For Gryphon:
Jennifer Hurson, Lambert
jhurson@lambert.com
845.507.0571
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SOURCE Gryphon Investors; Rootstock Software | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/gryphon-investors-completes-majority-investment-rootstock-software-leading-provider-enterprise-resource-planning-erp-software-accelerate-growth-large-global-erp-market/ | 2022-08-01T12:41:12Z | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/gryphon-investors-completes-majority-investment-rootstock-software-leading-provider-enterprise-resource-planning-erp-software-accelerate-growth-large-global-erp-market/ | false |
TOKYO and CINCINNATI, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underlining its global commitment to reduce its carbon emissions to be net-zero by 2040, Kao signed The Climate Pledge, a commitment co-founded by online retailer Amazon and environmental advocacy group Global Optimism.
As a signatory of The Climate Pledge, Kao agrees to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis, implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement and take action to neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Kao already set new targets for realizing a decarbonized society in 2021 and is aiming to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to be net-zero by 2040, and become a carbon negative company by 2050.
Sustainability is at the core of Kao's corporate philosophy and ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan. The Japanese word 'kirei' describes something that is clean, well-ordered and beautiful, all at the same time. Implemented in 2019, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan encompasses three main pillars, namely "Making my everyday more beautiful", "Making thoughtful choices for society, and "Making the world healthier and cleaner". Included in these pillars are 19 key leadership actions, which include decarbonization and the development of clean and environmentally safe products.
By 2030, Kao commits to improve consumers' quality of life, promote a sustainable lifestyle and make the world healthier and cleaner through decarbonization, zero waste, water conservation and air and water prevention. Kao aims to be net-zero carbon by 2040 and carbon negative by 2050 in its business activities.
To achieve its global goal to reduce its carbon emissions to be net-zero by 2040, Kao is accelerating its carbon reduction pathway by transitioning to non-fossil fuels, implementing measures to further reduce the environmental impact of its products across the entire lifecycle, and proactively introducing innovative technologies. As part of these measures, Kao installed the largest photovoltaic power generating facilities for on-site power generation at its Sakata Plant in 2021. Since last year, the company was also able to further reduce its scope 1+2 emissions and increase the use of renewable energy, achieving 100% renewable energy on all 55 logistics sites in Japan, the Sumida Complex (including the Tokyo Plant), and the Sakata Plant.
In the Americas region, all factories and owned offices operated by Kao Consumer Products have been supporting 100% renewable electricity since 2019. Furthermore, energy saving measures were implemented, resulting in a 14% reduction in energy consumption since 2010. In US and Austria, Kao generates its own solar energy, which it aims to expand at every opportunity. Until 2025, Kao plans to further reduce its carbon footprint by continuing to cut water consumption and reducing waste in its production sites.
"In order to achieve the goals set by our Kirei Lifestyle Plan, we are fully committed to becoming net-zero carbon by 2040. Beyond our own efforts, we believe that strong alliances and partnerships make all the difference. By signing The Climate Pledge, we are part of a meaningful network of some of the world's largest and most important companies that act today for a better tomorrow", commented Dave Muenz, Managing Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, ESG, Kao.
"We are thrilled to welcome Kao to The Climate Pledge," said Sally Fouts, Global Lead of The Climate Pledge at Amazon. "Urgent innovation and collaboration from the private sector, across regions and industries, is critical in order to decarbonize the global economy at scale, and The Climate Pledge offers the opportunity to join a community of leading businesses, all committed to transformational action on climate. We look forward to working with Kao and the more than 300 signatories of the Pledge to achieve this ambitious goal, together."
Kao creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries, and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe. Combined with its chemical business, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,420 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,500 people worldwide and has 135 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information.
https://www.kao.com/global/en/
Over the past 130 years, Kao has worked to improve people's lives and help them realize more sustainable lifestyles – a Kirei Lifestyle. The Japanese word 'kirei' describes something that is clean, well-ordered and beautiful, all at the same time. The Kao Group established its ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan in April 2019, which is designed to deliver the vision of a gentler and more sustainable way of living. By 2030, Kao aims to empower at least 1 billion people, to enjoy more beautiful lives and have 100% of its products leave a full lifecycle environmental footprint that science says our natural world can safely absorb.
The Climate Pledge is a commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040 that forms a cross-sector community of companies and organizations, working together to crack the climate crisis and solve the challenges of decarbonizing our economy. The Climate Pledge was co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019.
For more information please contact Lauren Donner, Tractenberg & Co. I ldonner@tractenberg.com
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Second Quarter 2022 Highlights:
- Operated all ten owned and operated ships providing expeditions across Alaska, the Arctic, the Galápagos Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and the Baltic and North Seas
- Total revenue of $90.9 million increased $75.6 million versus 2021 and $14.3 million, or 19%, compared with the second quarter of 2019
- Strong reservations for future travel with bookings for 2023 26% ahead of bookings for 2020 at the same point in 2019
- Further increased financial flexibility through extension of leverage covenant waivers on export credit agreements through the end of 2022
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIND; the "Company" or "Lindblad"), a global provider of expedition cruises and adventure travel experiences, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Dolf Berle, Chief Executive Officer, said "We are very excited to have all ten of our owned ships once again immersing guests in the amazing geographies Lindblad has been visiting for decades. The nature of our ships and the remote locations we explore has enabled us to ramp our operations quickly, and the response from our guests as they return to experiencing the thrill of exploration has never been more rewarding. At the same time, our land businesses have also swiftly returned to operations and the strategic investments we have made to expand our product offerings is already resulting in positive earnings contributions from these businesses. The demand for unique and authentic travel experiences remains strong, and we certainly expect it to grow even further as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. While some short-term headwinds remain, we are poised to begin delivering on the increased earnings power of the Company and deliver additional shareholder value in the months and years ahead."
RAMP OF FLEET OPERATIONS AND COVID-19 BUSINESS UPDATE
Ramp in Operations
Lindblad continued to ramp its operations during the second quarter of 2022, providing immersive expeditions across all ten of its owned vessels including trips to Alaska, the Arctic, the Galápagos Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and the Baltic and North Seas. Due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the effects of travel restrictions around the world, the Company suspended or rescheduled the majority of its expeditions departing between March 16, 2020 through May 31, 2021. Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 have diminished dramatically, and the Company continues to work with local authorities on plans to operate itineraries in additional geographies during 2022 and 2023. Where travel restrictions remain, which now also includes a limited number of itineraries impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Company is working with guests to reschedule travel plans and refund payments or issue future travel certificates, as appropriate.
The Company believes there are a variety of strategic advantages that enable it to deploy its ships safely and quickly, while mitigating the risk of COVID-19 as travel restrictions are lifted. The most notable is the size of its owned and operated vessels which range from 48 to 148 passengers, allowing for a highly controlled environment that includes stringent cleaning protocols. The small nature of the Company's ships also allows it to efficiently and effectively test its guests and crew prior to boarding, or as otherwise needed. Additionally, all guests are required to be fully vaccinated, and the majority of expeditions take place in remote locations where human interactions are limited, so there is less opportunity for external influence.
Booking Trends
The Company has substantial advance reservations for future travel despite some continued short-term impact from the COVID-19 virus, including elevated cancellations and softness in near-term demand, as well as itinerary changes on a few upcoming voyages due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Bookings for 2023 are 26% ahead of the bookings for the full year 2020 at the same point in 2019, which was prior to the pandemic.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $126.9 million in unrestricted cash and $48.8 million in restricted cash, primarily related to deposits on future travel originating from U.S. ports and credit card reserves.
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had a total debt position of $578.2 million and was in compliance with all of its applicable debt covenants. During May 2022, the Company further amended its export credit agreements to extend the waiver of its net leverage coverage ratio from March 2022 through December 31, 2022.
During February 2022, the Company issued $360.0 million of 6.75% senior secured notes, maturing 2027 and entered into a new $45.0 million revolving credit facility, including a letter of credit sub-facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $5.0 million. Proceeds from the senior secured notes were used primarily to pay the outstanding borrowings under the Company's previously existing credit agreement, including the term facility, Main Street Loan and revolving credit facility. The senior secured notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Company and certain of the Company's subsidiaries and are collateralized by certain of the Company's assets.
As the Company continues to ramp up operations, its monthly cash usage will increase as the Company incurs costs in operating expeditions, prepares additional ships for return to service and spends to advertise upcoming expeditions and trips. The Company also anticipates a significant increase in guest payments as it receives final payments for upcoming expeditions and trips as well as deposits for new reservations for future travel. However, there can be no assurance that cash flows from operations will be available to fund future obligations or that it will not experience delays or cancellations with respect to the resumption of our operations.
SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
Tour Revenues
Second quarter tour revenues of $90.9 million increased $75.6 million as compared to the same period in 2021. The increase was driven by a $57.3 million increase at the Lindblad segment and a $18.3 million increase at the Land Experiences segment, primarily due to the ramp in expeditions and trips compared with the second quarter a year ago. The Land Experiences segment also includes a full quarter of results for Classic Journeys, LLC ("Classic Journeys") which was acquired during the fourth quarter of 2021.
Net Income
Net loss available to stockholders for the second quarter was $30.0 million, $0.59 per diluted share, as compared with net loss available to stockholders of $36.6 million, $0.71 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021. The $6.6 million improvement primarily reflects the ramp in operations, partially offset by a $3.7 million increase in interest expense due to additional borrowings and higher rates, a $3.0 million increase in depreciation and amortization, primarily due to the addition of the National Geographic Resolution to the fleet in September 2021, and $1.4 million lower income tax benefit due to the improved operating results.
Adjusted EBITDA
Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA loss of $6.2 million improved $16.8 million as compared to the same period in 2021. The increase was driven by a $14.4 million improvement at the Lindblad segment and a $2.4 million increase at the Land Experiences segment.
Lindblad segment Adjusted EBITDA loss of $7.5 million improved $14.4 million as compared to the same period in 2021, as increased tour revenues were partially offset by higher cost of tours and increased personnel costs from the ramp in operations, higher commissions related to the revenue and bookings growth and increased marketing spend to drive future growth.
Land Experiences segment Adjusted EBITDA of $1.3 million increased $2.4 million as compared to 2021, primarily due to additional trips, partially offset by higher cost of tours and increased personnel costs related to the ramp in operations and increased marketing costs to drive future bookings. The Land Experiences segment also includes a full quarter of results for Classic Journeys which was acquired during the fourth quarter of 2021.
LINDBLAD FLEET ACTIVITIES
In November 2021, the Company acquired a ship which is currently undergoing renovations and will replace the National Geographic Islander in the Galápagos Islands during the third quarter of 2022. The renovated ship has been named the National Geographic Islander II and will provide immersive and authentic expeditions to 48 guests who will enjoy all suite accommodations, indoor-outdoor dining options and diverse expedition tools and amenities.
STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN
The Company currently has a $35.0 million stock repurchase plan in place. As of July 25, 2022, the Company had repurchased 875,218 shares and 6.0 million warrants under the plan for a total of $23.0 million and had $12.0 million remaining under the plan. As of July 25, 2022, there were 53.1 million shares common stock outstanding. The Company has suspended all stock repurchases due to restrictions related to the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility program.
FINANCIAL OUTLOOK
The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on the Company's financial position and results of operation. Given the continued uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is not providing a full year outlook regarding results of operations at this time and will update its expectations when it has more clarity around the timing and extent of future operations.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company uses a variety of operational and financial metrics, including non-GAAP financial measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Occupancy, Net Yields and Net Cruise Costs, to enable it to analyze its performance and financial condition. The Company utilizes these financial measures to manage its business on a day-to-day basis and believes that they are the most relevant measures of performance. Some of these measures are commonly used in the cruise and tourism industry to evaluate performance. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide expanded insight to assess revenue and cost performance, in addition to the standard GAAP-based financial measures. There are no specific rules or regulations for determining non-GAAP measures, and as such, they may not be comparable to measures used by other companies within the industry.
The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The definitions of non-GAAP financial measures along with a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial information to GAAP are included in the supplemental financial schedules.
Conference Call Information
The Company has scheduled a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on August 1, 2022, to discuss the earnings of the Company. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (844) 200-6205 (United States), (833) 950-0062 (Canada) or (929) 526-1599 (outside the U.S.). The access code is 618427. A replay of the call will be available at the Company's investor relations website, investors.expeditions.com.
About Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. is an expedition travel company that focuses on ship-based voyages through its Lindblad Expeditions brand and on land-based travel through its subsidiaries, Natural Habitat Adventures, Off the Beaten Path, DuVine and Classic Journeys.
Lindblad Expeditions works in partnership with National Geographic to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. The organizations work in tandem to produce innovative marine expedition programs and promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. The partnership's educationally oriented voyages allow guests to interact with and learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, through state-of-the-art exploration tools.
Natural Habitat partners with the World Wildlife Fund to offer and promote conservation and sustainable travel that directly protects nature. Natural Habitat's adventures include polar bear tours in Churchill, Canada, Alaskan grizzly bear adventures and African safaris.
Classic Journeys is a luxury cultural walking tour company that operates a portfolio of curated tours centered around cinematic walks led by expert local guides. Classic Journeys offers active small-group and private custom journeys in over 50 countries around the world.
DuVine designs and leads luxury bike tours in the world's most amazing destinations, from Italy's sun-bleached villages and the medieval towns of Provence to Portugal's Douro Valley and the vineyards of Napa, California. Guests bike, eat, drink, and sleep their way through these regions and many more while sampling the finest cuisine, hotels, and wine.
Off the Beaten Path is an outdoor, active travel company offering guided small group adventures and private custom journeys that connect travelers with the wild nature and authentic culture of their destinations. Off the Beaten Path's trips extend across the globe, with a focus on exceptional national park experiences in the Rocky Mountains, Desert Southwest, and Alaska.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include the Company's financial projections and may also generally be identified as such because the context of such statements will include words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe the Company's financial guidance or future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expected. Many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by, and will continue to be amplified by, or in the future may be amplified by, the COVID-19 outbreak. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) suspended operations and disruptions to our business and operations related to COVID-19; (ii) the impacts of COVID-19 and/or the Russia-Ukraine conflict on our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, cash flows, employees, plans and growth; (iii) the impacts of COVID-19 and/or the Russia/Ukraine conflict on future travel and the cruise and airline industries in general; (iv) unscheduled disruptions in our business due to travel restrictions, weather events, mechanical failures, pandemics or other events; (v) changes adversely affecting the business in which we are engaged; (vi) management of our growth and our ability to execute on our planned growth; (vii) our business strategy and plans; (viii) our ability to maintain our relationship with National Geographic; (ix) compliance with new and existing laws and regulations, including environmental regulations and travel advisories and restrictions; (x) compliance with the financial and/or operating covenants in our debt arrangements; (xi) adverse publicity regarding the cruise industry in general; (xii) loss of business due to competition; (xiii) the result of future financing efforts; (xiv) delays and costs overruns with respect to the construction and delivery of newly constructed vessels; (xv) the inability to meet revenue and Adjusted EBITDA projections; and (xvi) those risks described in the Company's filings with the SEC. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More detailed information about factors that may affect the Company's performance may be found in its filings with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov or at http://www.expeditions.com in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.
Operational and Financial Metrics
Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, other income (expense), income tax (expense) benefit, (gain) loss on foreign currency, (gain) loss on transfer of assets, reorganization costs, and other supplemental adjustments. Other supplemental adjustments include certain non-operating items such as stock-based compensation, executive severance costs, the National Geographic fee amortization, debt refinancing costs, acquisition-related expenses and other non-recurring charges. We believe Adjusted EBITDA, when considered along with other performance measures, is a useful measure as it reflects certain operating drivers of the business, such as sales growth, operating costs, selling and administrative expense, and other operating income and expense. We believe Adjusted EBITDA helps provide a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends and an enhanced overall understanding of our financial performance and prospects for the future. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of liquidity or cash flows from operations or a measure comparable to net income as it does not take into account certain requirements, such as unearned passenger revenues, capital expenditures and related depreciation, principal and interest payments, and tax payments. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other companies within the industry.
The following metrics apply to the Lindblad segment:
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost represents Net Cruise Cost adjusted for Non-GAAP other supplemental adjustments which include certain non-operating items such as stock-based compensation, the National Geographic fee amortization and acquisition-related expenses.
Available Guest Nights is a measurement of capacity available for sale and represents double occupancy per cabin (except single occupancy for a single capacity cabin) multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period. We also record the number of guest nights available on our limited land programs in this definition.
Gross Cruise Cost represents the sum of cost of tours plus selling and marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses.
Gross Yield per Available Guest Night represents tour revenues divided by Available Guest Nights.
Guest Nights Sold represents the number of guests carried for the period multiplied by the number of nights sailed within the period.
Maximum Guests is a measure of capacity and represents the maximum number of guests in a period and is based on double occupancy per cabin (except single occupancy for a single capacity cabin).
Net Cruise Cost represents Gross Cruise Cost excluding commissions and certain other direct costs of guest ticket revenues and other tour revenues.
Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel represents Net Cruise Cost excluding fuel costs.
Net Yield represents tour revenues less commissions and direct costs of other tour revenues.
Net Yield per Available Guest Night represents Net Yield divided by Available Guest Nights.
Number of Guests represents the number of guests that travel with us in a period.
Occupancy is calculated by dividing Guest Nights Sold by Available Guest Nights.
Voyages represent the number of ship expeditions completed during the period.
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SOURCE Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/lindblad-expeditions-holdings-inc-reports-2022-second-quarter-financial-results/ | 2022-08-01T12:42:45Z | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/lindblad-expeditions-holdings-inc-reports-2022-second-quarter-financial-results/ | true |
TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: CMMB), (Chemomab), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for fibrotic and inflammatory diseases with high unmet need, today announced the company will release its second quarter 2022 financial results and provide a business update on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 8:00 am Eastern Time.
During the event, Chemomab's management team will review second quarter 2022 performance, discuss recent and upcoming developments and conduct a live question-and-answer session.
A replay of the call will be available on Chemomab's website for 90 days at www.chemomab.com.
Live Webcast and Conference Call at 8:00 am Eastern Time, Friday, August 12, 2022
Click this Webcast link to access the live webcast or replay.
The live webcast and replay can also be accessed at the News & Events section of the Investors page on the Chemomab website at investors.chemomab.com/events.
Conference Call Access via Telephone
US Investors: +1 (877) 407-9208
International Investors: +1 (201) 493-6784
Conference Passcode: 13730646
Please call 5-10 minutes before the scheduled start time, enter the conference passcode and ask the operator for the Chemomab conference call.
Chemomab is a clinical stage biotechnology company focusing on the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for fibrotic and inflammatory diseases with high unmet need. Based on the unique and pivotal role of the soluble protein CCL24 in promoting fibrosis and inflammation, Chemomab developed CM-101, a monoclonal antibody designed to bind and block CCL24 activity. CM-101 has demonstrated the potential to treat multiple severe and life-threatening fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. It is currently in Phase 2 trials for primary sclerosing cholangitis and liver fibrosis, with a Phase 2 trial in systemic sclerosis expected to begin in late 2022. For more information, visit chemomab.com.
Contacts:
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SOURCE Chemomab Therapeutics, Ltd. | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/chemomab-therapeutics-report-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-provide-business-update/ | 2022-08-01T12:44:28Z | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/chemomab-therapeutics-report-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-provide-business-update/ | false |
CLEVELAND, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE: TDG) today said it will report fiscal 2022 third quarter earnings before the market opens on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
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, and cargo loading, handling and delivery systems.
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CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tokio Marine Highland, a leading property and casualty insurance underwriting agency, today announced the appointment of Linda Long to Chief Administrative Officer, Eric Wurmser to Chief Operating Officer and Kelly Cretti to President, Specialty Property Division.
Long joined Tokio Marine Highland in 2001, serving in financial and operational roles, most recently as Chief Operating Officer overseeing corporate financial and support functions. In her new role as Chief Administrative Officer, Long will administer the financial, legal, compliance and human resource activities of Tokio Marine Highland.
Wurmser joined Tokio Marine Highland in 2019 as President of the Specialty Property Division. He has more than two decades of experience in the lender-placed insurance industry serving in several senior leadership roles that spanned across operations, finance and product development. In his new role as Chief Operating Officer, Wurmser will administer product development and digital distribution, claims, marketing and communications, and operating system coordination with Tokio Marine Highland's parent company, Tokio Marine Kiln.
With more than two decades of experience in financial services, Cretti joined Tokio Marine Highland in 2019 to lead the underwriting responsibilities of the Specialty Property Division as Executive Vice President, Underwriting and Insurance Solutions. In her new role as President of the Specialty Property Division, Cretti will be responsible for the design and delivery of Tokio Marine Highland's insurance products and services for financial institutions. This includes the oversight of lender-placed hazard, flood, wind and real estate-owned (REO) insurance, collateral protection insurance (CPI), InvestorSelect, guaranteed asset protection (GAP), broker services and related outsourcing solutions.
"Linda, Eric and Kelly are proven, strategic leaders with strong track records of building successful teams," said Norman Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer of Tokio Marine Highland. "They have the deep knowledge of the industry and operational acumen needed to ensure Tokio Marine Highland continues to be a market leader and is well positioned for future growth."
Tokio Marine Highland is a leading property and casualty underwriting agency that offers distinct specialty risk management solutions, including private flood, fine art, specialty property, real estate investment and lender-placed insurance. Tokio Marine Highland also includes Precise Adjustments, a wholly owned subsidiary that provides industry-leading claims capabilities.
Founded in 1962, Tokio Marine Highland (formerly WNC Insurance Services, Inc.) is a wholly owned company of Tokio Marine Kiln, one of the largest carriers in the Lloyd's of London insurance market, rated A+ by Standard & Poor's for financial strength, and a member of the Tokio Marine Group. Tokio Marine Highland has office locations in Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Irvine, CA, Miami, FL, and South Pasadena, CA.
For more information, visit our website at www.tokiomarinehighland.com.
Media Contact:
Joshua Clifton
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
312-736-2351 (office)
773-230-1304 (mobile)
joshua.clifton@tmhighland.com
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Trinamool Congress on Monday carried out a major organizational reshuffle in the party and inducted several new faces, including some ministers with a thrust on toning up the party ahead of next year’s crucial panchayat polls.
The restructuring came amidst the ongoing political furor over the arrest of a suspended party leader Partha Chatterjee in a school recruitment scam. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier in the day announced a cabinet reshuffle and said a few leaders occupying ministerial posts will be sent back to the party for organizational work.
“The All India Trinamool Congress under the inspiration and guidance of Hon’ble Chairperson Smt Mamata Banerjee is pleased to announce a few new appointments of District Chairman & District President for West Bengal Trinamool Congress,” the party said in a statement. After Banerjee's announcement Asima Patra, the minister of state with independent charge of the department of planning, statistics, and program monitoring and Saumen Mahapatra, the state irrigation and waterways minister have been assigned organisational responsibilities in their respective districts.
TMC MLAs Tapas Ray and Partha Bhowmick were on the other hand relieved of their responsibilities as presidents of the party's north Kolkata and Dum Dum- Barrackpore zones amid reports that they could find a place in the state ministry, party sources said. The imprint of the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was evident in the reshuffle in which several “non-performers” were axed and some were relieved from organizational duties paving their way for ministerial berths.
The new district committees have been set up with a mix of experienced and young leaders in the party, the sources said. The presidents of several organizational districts, including Coochbehar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Nadia South (Ranaghat), Hooghly-Sreerampore, Jhargram, and Bongaon were changed, while several others such as Kolkata North, Bankura, Uttar Dinajpur, Tamluk and Bongaon will now have new heads, they added. | https://www.outlookindia.com/national/major-cabinet-reshuffle-in-tmc-several-ministers-assigned-organisational-responsibilities-news-213380 | 2022-08-01T12:51:07Z | https://www.outlookindia.com/national/major-cabinet-reshuffle-in-tmc-several-ministers-assigned-organisational-responsibilities-news-213380 | false |
CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zovio Inc (NASDAQ: ZVO), an education technology services company, today announced its results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.
Transaction Completed with The University of Arizona Global Campus
On July 31, 2022, the Company entered into and simultaneously closed a new asset purchase agreement with The University of Arizona Global Campus ("UAGC"), pursuant to which Zovio sold all of the remaining assets related to the UAGC Services Agreements. In connection with the new asset purchase agreement, the parties terminated the previous agreements, and UAGC assumed all obligations under Zovio's business contracts associated with the UAGC Services Businesses, as well as the lease for the facilities located in Chandler, Arizona, and has released Zovio from all remaining obligations under the previous agreements, including from all indemnification obligations under the Original Asset Purchase Agreement and all minimum payment guarantees under the UAGC Services Agreements. For further information, please refer to the transaction announcement filed earlier today.
Following the transaction, Zovio will continue to support the continued growth and expansion of its Fullstack Academy subsidiary and simultaneously explore strategic alternatives for that business.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had combined cash and cash equivalents of $20.8 million, compared with combined cash and cash equivalents of $28.3 million as of December 31, 2021.
The Company used $57.2 million of cash in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and used $16.3 million of cash used in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Company also has projected future negative cash flows from operations.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Revenue and other revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $51.4 million, compared with revenue and other revenue of $69.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.8 million, compared with operating loss of $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $4.7 million, compared with net loss of $4.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Diluted loss per share for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.14, compared with diluted loss per share of $0.12 for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
The Company recognized income tax expense of approximately $8 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with income tax benefit of $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Non-GAAP Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Non-GAAP operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $8.5 million, compared with non-GAAP operating loss of $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 excludes the net gain on sale transactions of $45.7 million, legal expense of $0.9 million, restructuring and impairment expense of $35.9 million, acquisition costs of $0.5 million, and other non-GAAP costs of $0.8 million. Non-GAAP operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 excludes restructuring and impairment expense of $2.3 million, separation transaction costs of $0.3 million, acquisition costs of $0.5 million and non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.4 million.
Non-GAAP net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $12.3 million, compared with non-GAAP net loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 excludes the net gain on sale transactions of $45.7 million, legal expense of $0.9 million, restructuring and impairment expense of $35.9 million, acquisition costs of $0.5 million, and other non-GAAP costs of $0.8 million. Non-GAAP net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 excludes restructuring and impairment expense of $2.3 million, separation transaction costs of $0.3 million, acquisition costs of $0.5 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.4 million, and income tax benefit of $0.3 million.
Non-GAAP diluted loss per share for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.36, compared with non-GAAP diluted loss per share of $0.02 for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
Revenue and other revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $113.0 million, compared with revenue and other revenue of $146.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $8.1 million, compared with operating loss of $13.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $12.1 million, compared with net loss of $13.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Diluted loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.36, compared with diluted loss per share of $0.41 for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
The Company recognized income tax expense of $86 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with an income tax benefit of $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Non-GAAP Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
Non-GAAP operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $12.8 million, compared with non-GAAP operating loss of $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 excludes the net gain on sale transactions of $45.7 million, legal expense of $0.9 million, restructuring and impairment expense of $35.9 million, acquisition costs of $1.0 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.2 million and other non-GAAP costs, including severance costs of $3.0 million. Non-GAAP operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 excludes restructuring and impairment expense of $2.3 million, separation transaction costs of $1.1 million, acquisition costs of $1.3 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.4 million and other non-GAAP costs, including severance costs of $4.6 million.
Non-GAAP net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $16.8 million, compared with non-GAAP net loss of $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 excludes the net gain on sale transactions of $45.7 million, legal expense of $0.9 million, restructuring and impairment expense of $35.9 million, acquisition costs of $1.0 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.2 million, and other non-GAAP costs, including severance costs of $3.0 million. Non-GAAP net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 excludes restructuring and impairment expense of $2.3 million, separation transaction costs of $1.1 million, acquisition costs of $1.3 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.4 million, other non-GAAP costs, including severance costs of $4.6 million and income tax benefit of $0.3 million.
Non-GAAP diluted loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.50, compared with non-GAAP diluted loss per share of $0.12 for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures for non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP diluted loss per share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. These non-GAAP measures exclude the net gain on sale transactions, legal expense, restructuring and impairment expense, acquisition costs, separation transaction costs, certain non-GAAP stock compensation, other non-GAAP costs including severance, as well as certain income tax adjustments, as applicable. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules. Management believes non-GAAP financial measures are useful in providing investors with an understanding of how specific line items in the consolidated statements of income (loss) are affected by items that may not be indicative of the operating results of the Company's core business. To the extent that other companies use similar methods in calculating and reporting non-GAAP operating results, the Company believes provision of supplemental non-GAAP financial information allows for a meaningful comparison of the Company's performance against the performance of other companies. The Company further believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information regarding its ongoing operating activities and business trends related to its results of operations, as well as a meaningful comparison with historical financial results. The Company's management and board of directors utilize these non-GAAP financial measures, together with the Company's financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, in developing operating budgets and evaluating the Company's performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement GAAP financial information, and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Refer to the accompanying tables for a detailed reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Earnings Conference Call and Webcast
Zovio Inc will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m. Pacific Time) today to discuss its latest financial results and recent highlights. The dial-in number for callers in the United States is (888) 330-3204, and the dial-in number for other callers is (646) 960-0844. The access code for all callers is 8039474. A live broadcast of the call will also be available on the Company's website at http://ir.zovio.com.
About Zovio Inc
Zovio Inc (NASDAQ: ZVO) is an education technology services company that partners with higher education institutions and employers to deliver innovative, personalized solutions to help learners and leaders achieve their aspirations. The Zovio network, including Fullstack Academy, leverages its core strengths to solve priority market needs through education technology services. Using proprietary advanced data analytics, Zovio identifies the most meaningful ways to enhance the learner experience and deliver strong outcomes for higher education institutions, employers, and learners. Zovio's purpose is to help everyone be in a class of their own. For more information, visit www.zovio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements which are not statements of historical fact and are subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements regarding management's intentions, hopes, beliefs or expectations, and statements regarding the Company's outlook for the remainder of 2022 and beyond. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual performance or results may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by such statements due to various factors, including, without limitation: our ability to successfully transition to being an education technology services company and the reliability of certain financial and accounting measures we utilize.
Additional information on factors that could cause actual plans implemented and actual results achieved to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements is included from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on April 15, 2022, the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the Company's current reports on Form 8-K which are available at www.zovio.com. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made on the basis of management's good faith beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding future events based on information available at the time such statements are made. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or any changes in assumptions, expectations or other factors affecting such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
Contact: Vickie Schray
vickie.schray@zovio.com
866 475 0317 x10003
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- Posted18 March | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cjkm52r6469t | 2022-08-01T12:54:10Z | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cjkm52r6469t | false |
Ford has unveiled the new F-150 Lightning Pro SSV - America's first electric police pickup truck.
Ford has been providing police departments with the vehicles they need to protect and serve communities for more than 70 years. Currently, Ford Pro customers include more than 12,000 police departments across the country and its police vehicle lineup outsells all other police vehicles combined1. The company attributes this success and customer loyalty to the automaker’s close collaboration with its customers, specifically the Ford Police Advisory Board.
The F-150 Lightning Pro SSV is designed to handle specialized departmental needs outside of pursuit situations, such as assisting at an accident or crime scene or giving departments the ability to tow a boat or trailer. Purpose-built features from F-150 Police Responder include:
- Police-grade heavy-duty cloth seats with reduced bolsters to help holstered officers enter and exit the vehicle more easily
- Built-in steel intrusion plates in the front seatbacks
- Available red/blue, amber/white roof-mounted LED warning beacons
- An upfit-friendly reinforced instrument panel top tray for easy mounting of police equipment
- Easy-to-clean vinyl rear seats and vinyl flooring
As part of Ford Pro’s platform of connected vehicles, software and services, the targeted zero-emissions police truck comes pre-configured to seamlessly connect to a department’s existing fleet of Ford and non-Ford internal combustion engine and battery-electric vehicles, chargers, and fleet management software. When used together, police departments can proactively manage when vehicles are charged and serviced, resulting in potentially lower operating costs and improved uptime. | https://indianautosblog.com/ford-f-150-lightning-pro-ssv-is-americas-first-electric-police-pickup-truck-p325140 | 2022-08-01T12:54:15Z | https://indianautosblog.com/ford-f-150-lightning-pro-ssv-is-americas-first-electric-police-pickup-truck-p325140 | true |
CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zovio Inc (NASDAQ: ZVO), an education technology services company, today announced its results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.
Transaction Completed with The University of Arizona Global Campus
On July 31, 2022, the Company entered into and simultaneously closed a new asset purchase agreement with The University of Arizona Global Campus ("UAGC"), pursuant to which Zovio sold all of the remaining assets related to the UAGC Services Agreements. In connection with the new asset purchase agreement, the parties terminated the previous agreements, and UAGC assumed all obligations under Zovio's business contracts associated with the UAGC Services Businesses, as well as the lease for the facilities located in Chandler, Arizona, and has released Zovio from all remaining obligations under the previous agreements, including from all indemnification obligations under the Original Asset Purchase Agreement and all minimum payment guarantees under the UAGC Services Agreements. For further information, please refer to the transaction announcement filed earlier today.
Following the transaction, Zovio will continue to support the continued growth and expansion of its Fullstack Academy subsidiary and simultaneously explore strategic alternatives for that business.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had combined cash and cash equivalents of $20.8 million, compared with combined cash and cash equivalents of $28.3 million as of December 31, 2021.
The Company used $57.2 million of cash in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and used $16.3 million of cash used in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Company also has projected future negative cash flows from operations.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Revenue and other revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $51.4 million, compared with revenue and other revenue of $69.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.8 million, compared with operating loss of $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $4.7 million, compared with net loss of $4.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Diluted loss per share for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.14, compared with diluted loss per share of $0.12 for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
The Company recognized income tax expense of approximately $8 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with income tax benefit of $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Non-GAAP Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Non-GAAP operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $8.5 million, compared with non-GAAP operating loss of $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 excludes the net gain on sale transactions of $45.7 million, legal expense of $0.9 million, restructuring and impairment expense of $35.9 million, acquisition costs of $0.5 million, and other non-GAAP costs of $0.8 million. Non-GAAP operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 excludes restructuring and impairment expense of $2.3 million, separation transaction costs of $0.3 million, acquisition costs of $0.5 million and non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.4 million.
Non-GAAP net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $12.3 million, compared with non-GAAP net loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 excludes the net gain on sale transactions of $45.7 million, legal expense of $0.9 million, restructuring and impairment expense of $35.9 million, acquisition costs of $0.5 million, and other non-GAAP costs of $0.8 million. Non-GAAP net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 excludes restructuring and impairment expense of $2.3 million, separation transaction costs of $0.3 million, acquisition costs of $0.5 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.4 million, and income tax benefit of $0.3 million.
Non-GAAP diluted loss per share for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.36, compared with non-GAAP diluted loss per share of $0.02 for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
Revenue and other revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $113.0 million, compared with revenue and other revenue of $146.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $8.1 million, compared with operating loss of $13.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $12.1 million, compared with net loss of $13.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Diluted loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.36, compared with diluted loss per share of $0.41 for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
The Company recognized income tax expense of $86 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with an income tax benefit of $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Non-GAAP Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
Non-GAAP operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $12.8 million, compared with non-GAAP operating loss of $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 excludes the net gain on sale transactions of $45.7 million, legal expense of $0.9 million, restructuring and impairment expense of $35.9 million, acquisition costs of $1.0 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.2 million and other non-GAAP costs, including severance costs of $3.0 million. Non-GAAP operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 excludes restructuring and impairment expense of $2.3 million, separation transaction costs of $1.1 million, acquisition costs of $1.3 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.4 million and other non-GAAP costs, including severance costs of $4.6 million.
Non-GAAP net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $16.8 million, compared with non-GAAP net loss of $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 excludes the net gain on sale transactions of $45.7 million, legal expense of $0.9 million, restructuring and impairment expense of $35.9 million, acquisition costs of $1.0 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.2 million, and other non-GAAP costs, including severance costs of $3.0 million. Non-GAAP net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 excludes restructuring and impairment expense of $2.3 million, separation transaction costs of $1.1 million, acquisition costs of $1.3 million, non-GAAP stock compensation of $0.4 million, other non-GAAP costs, including severance costs of $4.6 million and income tax benefit of $0.3 million.
Non-GAAP diluted loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.50, compared with non-GAAP diluted loss per share of $0.12 for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures for non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP diluted loss per share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. These non-GAAP measures exclude the net gain on sale transactions, legal expense, restructuring and impairment expense, acquisition costs, separation transaction costs, certain non-GAAP stock compensation, other non-GAAP costs including severance, as well as certain income tax adjustments, as applicable. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules. Management believes non-GAAP financial measures are useful in providing investors with an understanding of how specific line items in the consolidated statements of income (loss) are affected by items that may not be indicative of the operating results of the Company's core business. To the extent that other companies use similar methods in calculating and reporting non-GAAP operating results, the Company believes provision of supplemental non-GAAP financial information allows for a meaningful comparison of the Company's performance against the performance of other companies. The Company further believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information regarding its ongoing operating activities and business trends related to its results of operations, as well as a meaningful comparison with historical financial results. The Company's management and board of directors utilize these non-GAAP financial measures, together with the Company's financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, in developing operating budgets and evaluating the Company's performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement GAAP financial information, and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Refer to the accompanying tables for a detailed reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Earnings Conference Call and Webcast
Zovio Inc will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m. Pacific Time) today to discuss its latest financial results and recent highlights. The dial-in number for callers in the United States is (888) 330-3204, and the dial-in number for other callers is (646) 960-0844. The access code for all callers is 8039474. A live broadcast of the call will also be available on the Company's website at http://ir.zovio.com.
About Zovio Inc
Zovio Inc (NASDAQ: ZVO) is an education technology services company that partners with higher education institutions and employers to deliver innovative, personalized solutions to help learners and leaders achieve their aspirations. The Zovio network, including Fullstack Academy, leverages its core strengths to solve priority market needs through education technology services. Using proprietary advanced data analytics, Zovio identifies the most meaningful ways to enhance the learner experience and deliver strong outcomes for higher education institutions, employers, and learners. Zovio's purpose is to help everyone be in a class of their own. For more information, visit www.zovio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements which are not statements of historical fact and are subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements regarding management's intentions, hopes, beliefs or expectations, and statements regarding the Company's outlook for the remainder of 2022 and beyond. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual performance or results may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by such statements due to various factors, including, without limitation: our ability to successfully transition to being an education technology services company and the reliability of certain financial and accounting measures we utilize.
Additional information on factors that could cause actual plans implemented and actual results achieved to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements is included from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on April 15, 2022, the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the Company's current reports on Form 8-K which are available at www.zovio.com. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made on the basis of management's good faith beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding future events based on information available at the time such statements are made. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or any changes in assumptions, expectations or other factors affecting such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
Contact: Vickie Schray
vickie.schray@zovio.com
866 475 0317 x10003
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Earlier this year, Morning Edition launched a feature that explores popular music and the cultural phenomena surrounding it. After addressing Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj and Usher, the discussion turns to Eminem. Click the "Listen to the Story" link above to hear music writer Maura Johnston and Jay Smooth (of Illdoctrine.com) discuss the song and the cultural contributions of the best-selling rapper. And be sure to listen to the Culturetopia podcast, in which Johnston and Smooth discuss Eminem further.
Eminem's 2009 album, Relapse, was a major commercial success, but the album drew a lot of criticism for living up to its title in all the wrong ways. After a five-year hiatus, Detroit's tormented rap genius returned to everything many critics were hoping he'd outgrown: the same stale lyrical themes, uninspired production, and a grating faux-European accent that stifled his usually flawless delivery. Now, Eminem is preparing a follow-up album titled Recovery, and its first single, "Not Afraid," suggests he's taken that tough love to heart and is determined to make amends.
Previously, Eminem has used the same jokey, poppy formula on each album's debut single, but "Not Afraid" breaks that mold, eschewing catty pop-culture references for sincere introspection. Over a solemn keyboard riff, he speaks of wanting to be a better father to his daughter and ponders his recent struggles with drug addiction. He even directly addresses the response to his last album, admitting, "Let's be honest / That last Relapse CD was 'ehh' / Perhaps I ran those accents into the ground." Listeners need not worry that Slim Shady has lost his bite, as he still peppers each verse with a dash of potty-mouth humor. But as the chorus of "Not Afraid" invites listeners to "walk this road together / through the storm," Marshall Mathers sounds less enthused by youthful rebellion, and more focused on redemption.
Listen to yesterday's Song of the Day, and subscribe to the Song of the Day newsletter.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.ijpr.org/npr-news/2010-05-25/eminem-not-afraid-to-make-amends | 2022-08-01T12:57:54Z | https://www.ijpr.org/npr-news/2010-05-25/eminem-not-afraid-to-make-amends | false |
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world's digital infrastructure company™, today announced the appointment of Scott Crenshaw to the position of Executive Vice President & General Manager, Digital Services.
In this newly created role, Crenshaw will be responsible for driving the growth and strategy of Equinix's suite of digital services, including Equinix Fabric™, Equinix Metal® and Network Edge. He will have direct responsibility for product management and the associated software engineering teams supporting these offerings.
Crenshaw's appointment comes at a time when businesses globally continue to rely upon Equinix for their critical digital infrastructure needs, including the ability to leverage Equinix's market-leading interconnected colocation portfolio through virtual, as a Service and edge solutions.
Highlights/Key Facts
- Additional products under Crenshaw's leadership will include Equinix Internet Exchange®, Equinix Metro Connect®, Equinix Internet Access and Equinix Precision Time®.
- Crenshaw joins Equinix from Concourse Labs, where he has served as CEO, and previously as President and Chief Operating Officer. As CEO, he enabled large enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation by automating cloud security and compliance.
- Prior to Concourse Labs, Crenshaw served in a variety of roles at Rackspace Technology, Inc., including Executive Vice President and General Manager, Private Cloud. In this role, he led the growth of Rackspace's Private Cloud as a Service business to over $1 billion in revenue and the introduction of industry-first hybrid and multicloud services for businesses.
- At Red Hat Software, Crenshaw led the Linux Business Unit and started the company's Cloud Business Unit, serving as its Vice President and General Manager. He was a driving force in leading the company's transformation from a Linux vendor into a major player in modern cloud infrastructure and developer platforms.
- Crenshaw has held additional positions of senior leadership at Verisign, Acronis, NTRU and Datawatch Corporation.
- A co-inventor of seven U.S. patents, Crenshaw has also served as a member of the board of directors for BluVector Inc. and Cloud Technology Partners, Inc.
- Crenshaw received a B.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina State University and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was a Sloan Fellow.
Quotes
- Charles Meyers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Equinix
"Equinix continues to power the world's digital leaders, building and operating the most trusted, programmable and sustainable platform for interconnected infrastructure. Scott Crenshaw brings a perfect blend of skills and experience to help us drive our customer-focused vision for digital services. Scott will help us envision and deliver the services we need to help customers transform and scale their infrastructure with speed, agility, reliability and the cloud-optimized architectures they need to meet today's business needs and capture tomorrow's opportunities. Scott's track record of innovation and success at Concourse, Red Hat and Rackspace make him an ideal leader for this critical role."
- Scott Crenshaw, EVP & General Manager, Digital Services, Equinix
"Equinix is a world-class organization with a long track record in driving innovations that enable businesses to use their digital infrastructure as a source of commercial advantage and success. I look forward to leading the Digital Services team as we deliver customers unique and innovative solutions to accelerate digital transformation and unlock the power of the extensive hybrid multicloud ecosystem that fuels Platform Equinix."
Equinix (Nasdaq: EQIX) is the world's digital infrastructure company, enabling digital leaders to harness a trusted platform to bring together and interconnect the foundational infrastructure that powers their success. Equinix enables today's businesses to access all the right places, partners and possibilities they need to accelerate advantage. With Equinix, they can scale with agility, speed the launch of digital services, deliver world-class experiences and multiply their value.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the challenges of acquiring, operating and constructing IBX® and xScale™ data centers and developing, deploying and delivering Equinix products and solutions, unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to the integration of companies we have acquired or will acquire into Equinix; a failure to receive significant revenues from customers in recently built out or acquired data centers; a failure to complete any financing arrangements contemplated from time to time; competition from existing and new competitors; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds to repay new or outstanding indebtedness; the loss or decline in business from our key customers; risks related to our taxation as a REIT; and other risks described from time to time in Equinix filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see recent Equinix quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available upon request from Equinix. Equinix does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
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SOURCE Equinix, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/equinix-appoints-scott-crenshaw-evp-amp-gm-digital-services/ | 2022-08-01T12:59:50Z | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/equinix-appoints-scott-crenshaw-evp-amp-gm-digital-services/ | true |
-- Top-line readout of data expected in October 2022 --
-- U.S. regulatory submission planned for the first half of 2023 --
-- Phexxi may become the first-ever woman-controlled prophylactic for the prevention of chlamydia and gonorrhea --
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Evofem Biosciences, Inc., (Nasdaq: EVFM) today announced that the last subject has completed her last visit in EVOGUARD, the Company's registrational Phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Phexxi® (lactic acid, citric acid, potassium bitartrate) for the prevention of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection in women. There are no prescription pharmaceuticals approved to prevent these sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Top-line data from EVOGUARD is expected in October 2022. Evofem expects positive outcomes would enable the Company to submit regulatory applications in the first half of 2023 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand Phexxi's approved indications to include prevention of urogenital chlamydia and gonorrhea in women. Phexxi is currently approved in the U.S. for the prevention of pregnancy.
"This is a major milestone for Evofem and brings us closer to our goal of providing women a safe and effective, woman-controlled prophylactic measure against chlamydia and gonorrhea, the two most commonly reported sexually transmitted infections in the U.S.," said Saundra Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer of Evofem. "We believe these potential new indications represent significant upside for shareholders, above and beyond the multi-billion-dollar birth control market which we continue to increasingly penetrate with Phexxi for hormone-free contraception."
20% of people in the U.S. had an STI on any given day in 2018, according to a 2021 study in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The CDC estimates that 4.0 million and 1.6 million new cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea, respectively, occurred that year.1 Infected people are often unaware of, and do not seek treatment for their infections. Almost 60% of women infected with chlamydia have no symptoms.2
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial infection in the U.S. and can infect both men and women. It can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman's reproductive system and make it difficult or impossible for a woman to become pregnant later in life.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea have been reported to be responsible for one-third to half of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) cases. PID can cause serious, long-term problems including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.
EVOGUARD builds on the positive, statistically significant outcomes of AMPREVENCE, the randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 2b/3 study evaluating Phexxi for the prevention of chlamydia and gonorrhea. AMPREVENCE met its primary and secondary endpoints and showed that the product was generally safe and well-tolerated.
The FDA has granted Fast Track designation and "Qualified Infectious Disease Product" (QIDP) designation to Evofem's product candidate for the prevention of both chlamydia and gonorrhea in women.
The Fast Track program facilitates the expedited development and review of new drugs or biologics that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. The purpose is to get important new drugs to the patient earlier.
QIDP designation is intended to encourage development of new products for the treatment of serious or life-threatening infections. A drug or product in development that receives this designation qualifies for an additional five years of marketing exclusivity following FDA approval for that indication.
Evofem is grateful to the study investigators and coordinators at the more than 100 participating study centers across the U.S., as well as the 1,903 women who participated in this landmark study.
About Evofem Biosciences
Evofem Biosciences, Inc., (Nasdaq: EVFM) is developing and commercializing innovative products to address unmet needs in women's sexual and reproductive health, including hormone-free, woman-controlled contraception and protection from chlamydia and gonorrhea. The Company's first FDA-approved product, Phexxi® (lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate), is a hormone-free, on-demand prescription contraceptive vaginal gel. It comes in a box of 12 pre-filled applicators and is applied 0-60 minutes before each act of sex. The Company expects to report top-line data this fall from its registrational Phase 3 EVOGUARD clinical trial evaluating Phexxi for two potential new indications – prevention of chlamydia and prevention of gonorrhea in women. Learn more at phexxi.com and evofem.com.
Phexxi® is a registered trademark of Evofem Biosciences, Inc.
About Phexxi
Phexxi is an on-demand method of birth control used to prevent pregnancy. Phexxi is not effective when used after sex.
Important Safety Information
- Rare cases (0.36%) of bladder and kidney infections have been reported. If you have a history of urinary tract problems that keep coming back, you should not use Phexxi.
- Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing genitourinary side effects such as vaginal burning, itching, discharge, genital discomfort (including in male partners), yeast infection, urinary tract infection, or bacterial vaginosis.
- Phexxi does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
For more information about Phexxi, talk to your healthcare provider and see full Product Information at www.phexxi.com. Please report side effects by contacting Evofem Biosciences toll-free at 1-833-EVFMBIO or contact FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Intended for United States residents only.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the expansion of Phexxi's label, any FDA approvals of new indications and the resulting effect on stockholder value, evaluations and judgments regarding Evofem, its products, its product candidates and their development, and demand for Evofem's products and product candidates. Various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward- looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements, or that could impair the value of Evofem Biosciences' assets and business are disclosed in the Company's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2022 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 10, 2022. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by such factors. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.
Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/std/infertility/default.htm#infnote1
- Patel, Chirag G et al. "The Proportion of Young Women Tested for Chlamydia Who Had Urogenital Symptoms in Physician Offices." Sexually Transmitted Diseases vol. 45,9 (2018)
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SOURCE Evofem Biosciences, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/evofem-announces-completion-last-subject-last-visit-lslv-registrational-phase-3-evoguard-trial-evaluating-phexxi-prevention-chlamydia-gonorrhea-women/ | 2022-08-01T13:00:09Z | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/evofem-announces-completion-last-subject-last-visit-lslv-registrational-phase-3-evoguard-trial-evaluating-phexxi-prevention-chlamydia-gonorrhea-women/ | false |
NFL suspends Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for 6 games, AP sources say
(AP) - Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games Monday for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct made against him by two dozen women in Texas, two people familiar with the decision said.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been publicly released. Watson, who played for four seasons with Houston before being traded to Cleveland in March, recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by women alleging sexual harassment and assault during massage therapy appointments in 2020 and 2021.
The NFL has three days to appeal the decision by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson. The NFL Players’ association already stated it would abide by her ruling. If either side appeals, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or someone he designates will make the decision, per terms of the collective bargaining agreement. The union then could try to challenge that ruling in federal court.
The league had pushed for an indefinite suspension of at least one year and at least a $5 million fine for the 26-year-old Watson during a three-day hearing before Robinson in June.
Watson can continue to practice and play in exhibition games before his suspension begins the first week of the regular season. He would be eligible to return on Oct. 23 when the Browns play at Baltimore.
After learning the ruling was imminent, the NFL Players Association issued a joint statement with Watson on Sunday night, saying they will not appeal Robinson’s ruling and urged the league to follow suit.
“Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office” the union said in a statement.
As he awaited the ruling, Watson has been in training camp with the Browns. He has continued to take most of the reps with the first-team offense, which will be turned over to backup Jacoby Brissett while he’s sidelined.
While the NFL pushed for a severe penalty, the union had argued Watson shouldn’t be punished at all because he was not convicted of any crime.
Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints brought by 10 of the women.
This was the first case for Robinson, a former U.S. district judge who was jointly appointed by the NFL and the union to handle player misconduct — a role previously held by Goodell.
A three-time Pro Bowl pick with the Texans, Watson has seen his playing career stalled by the allegations that he acted inappropriately with the women during massage therapy sessions he scheduled via social media. He sat out the 2021 season.
In their lawsuits, the women accused Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will. One woman alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex.
Watson has denied all wrongdoing, insisting any sexual activity with three of the women was consensual. He publicly insisted his goal was to clear his name before agreeing to confidential financial settlements with 20 of the women on June 21.
Watson’s high-profile case has renewed scrutiny of the league’s handling of player misbehavior, along with its support for women, and left the Browns wondering if they’ll ever find a franchise quarterback.
Since the trade, Watson has been on public display, with fans questioning whether the league had the authority to ban him from playing despite no criminal charges.
The league has been sensitive about its image and handing out the appropriate discipline for Watson after being criticized for its handling of previous sexual misconduct cases involving Baltimore running back Ray Rice, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Cleveland running back Kareem Hunt among others.
For their part, the Browns were widely condemned for signing Watson. The team has been desperate to find a long-term answer at quarterback — they’ve had a league-high 32 starters since 1999 — and many questioned why the team would take on a player with so much baggage.
During his introductory news conference after he was traded to Cleveland, Watson was adamant about his innocence.
“I have never assaulted, disrespected or harassed any woman in my life,” he said at the dais, where he was joined by Browns general manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski. “I was raised differently. That is not my DNA. That is not my culture. That is not me as a person.”
He repeated those comments three months later during the Browns’ minicamp, insisting his only goal was to clear his name. However, a week later he settled 20 of the civil lawsuits. Any remaining lawsuits could still go to trial, but not until 2023 after both sides agreed to wait until after the upcoming season.
On July 15, 30 women settled lawsuits against the Texans after claiming the team ignored and enabled Watson as he harassed and assaulted them during the therapy sessions. Terms of the settlements were kept confidential.
Despite Watson’s legal entanglement, the Browns — along with several other teams — pursued Watson after the first grand jury declined to indict him.
Initially, Watson turned down the Browns. But Cleveland owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam enticed him with a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
Watson had other offers but chose the Browns and waived his no-trade clause to join a team coming off a disappointing 8-9 season. Cleveland completed the deal on March 18 by agreeing to send Houston three first-round draft picks and six selections overall for Watson.
The Haslams said any concerns they had about his character or behavior were alleviated when they flew to Houston along with Berry and Stefanski and spent time talking to Watson.
An All-American at Clemson, Watson was drafted by the Texans with the No. 12 pick in 2017. He started six games as a rookie before passing for 4,165 yards and 26 touchdowns in his second year.
Watson has developed into one of the league’s elite QBs, throwing for 4,823 yards and 33 TDs in 2020 despite playing on a Texans team that went just 4-12.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kbtx.com/2022/08/01/nfl-suspends-cleveland-browns-quarterback-deshaun-watson-6-games/ | 2022-08-01T13:05:01Z | https://www.kbtx.com/2022/08/01/nfl-suspends-cleveland-browns-quarterback-deshaun-watson-6-games/ | false |
Family displaced after tree falls on west Charlotte home
The house has an “unsafe” sticker on it.
Published: Aug. 1, 2022 at 8:41 AM EDT|Updated: 23 minutes ago
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A family in west Charlotte had to leave their home after a tree fell on it, first responders said.
According to the Charlotte Fire Department, the tree fell on a home on Rocklake Drive.
Firefighters said six people were displaced and were getting assistance from the American Red Cross.
Around 8:20 a.m. Monday, firefighters were working with the family to get a car out from under the tree.
The house has an “unsafe” sticker on it.
Copyright 2022 WBTV. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbtv.com/2022/08/01/family-displaced-after-tree-falls-west-charlotte-home/ | 2022-08-01T13:05:38Z | https://www.wbtv.com/2022/08/01/family-displaced-after-tree-falls-west-charlotte-home/ | true |
PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Editor's note: The above video is from May 16.
In one of this year's most competitive U.S. Senate races, the biggest moments aren't playing out on the campaign trail. They're unfolding on social media.
For one stunt, Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania rolled out an online petition to get his Republican rival, celebrity heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, enshrined in New Jersey's Hall of Fame — a nod to Oz moving from his longtime home in New Jersey to run in neighboring Pennsylvania.
For another, Fetterman paid $2,000 for an airplane to haul a banner over weekend beachgoers on the Jersey Shore welcoming Oz back home to the Garden State. And in particularly viral posts, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, star of the infamous MTV show “Jersey Shore,” and “Little” Steven Van Zandt of “The Sopranos” and Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band recorded videos telling Oz to come home.
“Nobody wants to see you get embarrassed,” Van Zandt says. "So come on back to Jersey where you belong.”
For a campaign that could ultimately cost more than $100 million, the stunts are cheap ways for Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, to generate attention. The millions of views are helpful for a candidate who has largely been sidelined from personal appearances after suffering a stroke in May.
And it's about more than getting laughs: The social media strategy could prove potent in defining Oz as a carpetbagger disconnected from the state's residents and culture.
"The reason it stands out is he seems to be doing the best job of anyone this election cycle at contrasting his personality versus that of his opponent," said Dante Atkins, a Democratic campaign strategist based in Washington, who has not done any work for Fetterman.
Republicans acknowledge that Fetterman’s social media game is top-notch. But they question the value. Even at a time when most Americans use social media, many Pennsylvania voters on social media don’t see Fetterman’s material and, anyway, elections aren’t about who’s got the best troll game, they say.
Republicans also argue that Fetterman’s greatest hits are missing the issues that voters are most likely to consider when making up their minds: inflation, gas prices and the economy, for instance.
“People don’t really care where I’m from," Oz said in an interview. “They care what I stand for.”
A lot of the material comes from Fetterman himself, said campaign spokesperson Joe Calvello. He does a lot of the posting on Twitter and if Fetterman himself doesn't post it, he helps originate ideas.
He'll shoot texts to campaign staff saying, “‘Hey what about this,’ or ‘did you see this,’" Calvello said. “He’s still very involved.”
Other material comes from campaign staff who develop ideas that stay on-brand for Fetterman and on turf that the candidate has staked out, Calvello said. That includes accusing oil companies of jacking up gas prices.
The concept of trolling Oz, and a lot of the memes, also came from Fetterman, Calvello said. The idea for the video by Snooki emerged from a brainstorm by a couple members of the staff, Calvello said.
Campaign staff wrote the script and Snooki — who was paid less than $400 through the video-sharing Cameo website — ad-libbed some of it, but was not in on the joke until afterward.
With 3.2 million views, it scored the most engagement on Twitter ever on Fetterman's account, “and that’s a high bar,” Calvello said.
Van Zandt did his video for free and ad-libbed his script after the campaign contacted him directly to see if he'd cooperate, Calvello said.
It is difficult to know how much this will help Fetterman in a year when Democrats face stiff political headwinds, including high inflation and a traditional mid-term backlash against the party of the president.
Political scientists have had a hard time isolating the forces that affect how voters make up their minds, said Christopher Borick, an assistant professor of political science at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
In addition, voters tend to be older than the average social media user, Borick said.
Still, Pew Research Center last year estimated that seven in 10 Americans use social media, and it is unquestionable that the medium is becoming more important to reaching voters.
“The proof in the pudding is that campaigns have increasingly turned to it, and so they’re going on the belief that it is a necessary and key component,” Borick said.
Maggie McDonald, a post-doctoral fellow who studies social media in congressional campaigns at New York University’s Center for Social Media and Politics, said Fetterman’s social media game is among the best, if not the best, she’s seen.
“I imagine in future years people will try to emulate this,” McDonald said.
In addition to making people laugh, she said she thinks Fetterman's stunts could motivate appreciative viewers to contribute money to his campaign and push apathetic Democrats to get off the sidelines to vote for him.
Oz has tried to harness the power of social media for his campaign, and tried to respond to Fetterman online. He has drawn particular focus to Fetterman's absence from traditional retail campaigning in the aftermath of his stroke, including using a meme from the TV series “Lost."
In response to a Fetterman tweet about high gas prices, Oz retorted, “Curious as to why you have to fill up your tank so often when you’re not out on the campaign trail meeting with Pennsylvanians.”
Fetterman responded, “Dude, you’re literally from Jersey,” before he referred to a New Jersey state law that requires gas station attendants to pump gas for motorists. “I bet you don’t even know how to pump your own gas.”
Fetterman's campaign argues that its trolling of Oz is on point with issues that matter to voters. Some elements of it — such as a “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” parody video — try to ask whether a man who is worth nine figures can advocate for regular people who are pinched by high gas prices.
Besides contrasting himself with Oz, Fetterman is well versed in internet culture.
“He's extremely online, he knows his memes, he knows his internet subcultures, his campaign knows how to make things go viral and obliterate his opponent with online owns,” Atkins said.
Don't expect the posts to stop anytime soon.
Fetterman now says he'll put up a billboard on the Betsy Ross Bridge connecting the states over the Delaware River that reminds motorists that they are leaving New Jersey for Pennsylvania “just like Dr. Oz.” | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/politics/elections/john-fetterman-dr-mehmet-oz-pennsylvania-senate-race-social-media-trolling/521-bac1770d-b177-4f35-b7d9-152433094372 | 2022-08-01T13:05:42Z | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/politics/elections/john-fetterman-dr-mehmet-oz-pennsylvania-senate-race-social-media-trolling/521-bac1770d-b177-4f35-b7d9-152433094372 | false |
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s intelligence ministry arrested several members of the Baha’i faith on spying charges, state TV reported Monday.
The ministry said in a statement that the suspects were linked to the Baha'i center in Israel, where the religious group’s international headquarters are located, and had collected and transferred information there.
It is rare for the ministry to report the arrests of members of the Baha'i. The report did not say how many had been detained. State TV footage showed one of the suspects saying he was being monitored by agents of the ministry.
The detentions raised concerns about potential crackdowns on followers of the religion. Members of the faith in Iran complain about occasional mistreatment and prosecutions in Iran.
Iran already bans the Baha’i, a religion founded in the 1860s by a Persian nobleman considered a prophet by his followers. Muslims consider Muhammad the highest prophet. Since the 19th century, many Iranians have converted to the Baha'i sect.
In 2013, Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, urged Iranians in a fatwa — a religious decree — to avoid all dealings with members of the banned Baha’i sect. It supported similar fatwas in the past by other clerics.
Iran allows non-Muslims such as Christians and Jews to worship but has strict laws against seeking conversions to other religions. | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Iran-arrests-members-of-Baha-i-faith-on-spying-17342517.php | 2022-08-01T13:06:32Z | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Iran-arrests-members-of-Baha-i-faith-on-spying-17342517.php | false |
1H-2022 Revenue increases by 17.0% to $13.7 million
XI'AN, China, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bon Natural Life Limited (Nasdaq: BON) ("BON" or the "Company"), one of the leading bio-ingredient solutions providers in the natural, health and personal care industries, today announced its half-year financial results for the six months ended March 31, 2022.
1H-2022 Financial Highlights
- Total net revenues were US$13.7 million, representing a 17.0% increase from US$11.7 million for the same period in 2021.
- Gross profit increased by 19.6% to US$4.0 million from US$3.4 million for the same period in 2021.
- Gross margin was 29.5%, an increase by 70 basis points from 28.8% for the same period in 2021, and an increase by 2.4% sequentially compared to that of the six months ended September 30, 2021.
- Sales volumes and gross profit of our bioactive food ingredient products increased by 47.5% and 191.1% compared to the same period of 2021.
- Net income increased by 10.2% to US$2.5 million from US$2.3 million for the same period in 2021.
- Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") was $0.30, compared to $0.40 for the same period in 2021.
- Diluted weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding increased to 8,386,306 from 5,800,000 for the same period in 2021 due to more shares issued in connection with IPO.
Management Commentary
"We are pleased with a strong start to 2022 and a positive momentum across many of our new initiatives despite unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic and the most recent macro-economic conditions." Said Richard (Yongwei) Hu, BON's Chairman & CEO, "I am incredibly proud of our teams' achievements to adapt these conditions and help offset pressures over time by our pricing actions, in combination with our continuing cost discipline and market strategy adjustment. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, the average selling prices of fragrance compound, health supplemental powder drinks and bioactive food ingredients increased by 64.1%, 11.2% and 79.2% year over year, respectively, as we effectively passed through the rising raw material costs downstream by raising our selling prices on top of our product mix shift to higher value added and higher margin products. We are encouraged by the positive trending of our gross margin, which has been on a stable upward trajectory and expanded 2.4% sequentially."
"We are excited about the multiple near term catalysts ahead of us. In this fiscal half year, we kept investing in our future and our third production base, Yumen plant is on track to complete construction as scheduled and expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2022. Once up and running, Yumen plant will add 200% increase in production capacity in fragrance compounds and bioactive food ingredients and 150% overall revenue growth potential on an annualized basis. In addition, with the successful rollout of our new proprietary vegetable based probiotic powder drink for regulation and improvement of human's overall microbiome and digestive health, stachyose and apple extract based personal care product for female hygiene health, we are expecting growing demand from natural and health -conscious consumers. Our new Yumen Plant and the expansion of Tongchuan plant, coupled with our new product initiatives will enable us to meet more customer demand efficiently, accelerate our global business expansion and deliver lasting long-term value for our shareholders."
1H-2022 Product Categories Summary: Growth vs. Prior Year
Fragrance Compounds
Revenue from sales of fragrance compound products increased by 24.9% to US$7.4 million from US$6.0 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to a 64.1% increase in average selling price driven by our product mix shift towards higher value added and higher margin products, such as ambroxide, a key ingredient of fragrance, as well as a 2.8% positive impact from currency exchange, partially offset by a decrease of 26.0% in sales volume due to shortage of material supply.
Gross profit from fragrance compound increased by 53.9% from US$1.2 million to US$1.8 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was attributable to the above referenced factors.
Health Supplements (Powder Drinks)
Revenue from sales of health supplement (powder drinks) products decreased by 28.5% to US$3.3 million from US$4.7 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in sales volume due to material supply shortage, partially offset by increase in average selling price and positive impact from currency exchange.
Gross profit from health supplement (powder drinks) decreased by 36.4% from US$1.8 million to US$1.2 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in sales volume and increase in weighted average unit cost, partially offset by positive impact from currency exchange.
Bioactive Food Ingredients
Revenue from sales of bioactive food ingredient products increased by 171.8% to US$2.9 million from US$1.1 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was mainly attributable to 79.2% and 47.5% increase in average selling price and sales volume due to strong customer demand and sales effort as well as a 2.8% positive impact from currency exchange.
Gross profit of our bioactive food ingredient products increased by 191.1% to $1.1 million from $365,867 for the same period in 2021. This increase was primarily due to the above referenced factors.
General and administrative expenses increased by $319,308, or approximately 47.0%, from $679,635 in the six months ended March 31, 2021, to $998,943 in the same period of 2022, mainly attributable to increase of $335,265 in professional service fees such as directors' and officers' liability insurance, investor relations management, etc. as we become a public company since we completed the IPO in July 2021.
Research and development ("R&D") expenses increased by $57,677, or approximately 53.9%, from $106,998 in the six months ended March 31, 2021, to $164,675 in the same period of 2022. The increase was mainly due to an increase of $69,022 in outsourcing R&D activities to external consulting firms.
Government subsidies received in the form of a grant and recognized as other operating income totaled $542,256 and $446,910 in the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Net income increased from $2.3 million in the six months ended March 31, 2021 to $2.5 million in the same period of 2022.
Net cash used in operating activities during the six months ended March 31, 2022 was $130,577 compared to net cash provided in operating activities of $2.0 million in the same period of 2021.
Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") was $0.30, compared to $0.40 for the same period in 2021.
Investors are encouraged to review the Company's complete financial statements and related disclosures for additional information. These materials are available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1816815&owner=exclude.
Subsequent Events
On May 5, 2022, the Company announced that its third production site – Yumen Plant has completed the building structure of the facility as scheduled and forecasted to commence around September 2022.
On June 16, 2022, the Company launched a new cruciferous vegetable based probiotic powder drink that could help regulate digestive system.
Effective June 28, 2022, Jeffery Guzy was appointed as a new independent Director to the Company's Board of Directors and as Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Christopher Constable resigned as a director of the Company for personal reasons and stepped down as a member and chairman of the audit committee of the Board.
Investor Conference Call and Webcast
A live webcast to discuss the Company's 1H 2022 financial results will be held on August 1, 2022, beginning at 9:00 a.m. EST. The webcast and accompanying slide presentation may be accessed on the Company's IR website at https://ir.bnlus.com/events-presentations/. The webcast also can be accessed by using the direct link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=1sM1QUxQ
For those unable to listen to the live webcast, a recorded version will be available on the Company's website after the event.
Pre-registration: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10169993/f3e46b2118
Callers who pre-register will be given a conference passcode and unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the operator. Participants may pre-register at any time, up to and including after the time that the call has started.
Those without internet access or unable to pre-register may dial in by calling:
U.S. Toll Free: 1-866-777-2509 | International Toll: 1-412-317-5413
About Bon Natural Life Limited
The Company focuses on the manufacturing of personal care ingredients, such as plant extracted fragrance compounds for perfume and fragrance manufacturers, natural health supplements such as powder drinks and bioactive food ingredient products mostly used as food additives and nutritional supplements by their customers. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.bnlus.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of the natural, health and personal care market in China and the other international markets the Company plans to serve; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets the Company plans to serve and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward–looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
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SOURCE Bon Natural Life Limited | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/bon-natural-life-limited-announces-record-first-half-year-revenue-net-income/ | 2022-08-01T13:07:05Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/bon-natural-life-limited-announces-record-first-half-year-revenue-net-income/ | true |
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BridGene Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company using a proprietary chemoproteomics technology to discover and develop small molecules for high value, traditionally undruggable targets, today announced that David Sperandio, Ph.D., a medicinal chemist with more than 20 years' experience, has joined the company as the Head of Chemistry.
Dr. Sperandio, an inventor on 23 patents and author of 25 peer-reviewed publications, has extensive experience leading cross-functional teams from molecule discovery through IND filing. Dr. Sperandio will lead the BridGene chemistry team and supervise research into covalent chemistry, chemical proteomics and quantitative mass spectrometry as methods for identifying undruggable targets. Additionally, Dr. Sperandio will be responsible for advancing BridGene's internal pipeline of first-in-class drugs for hard-to-drug targets in oncology.
BridGene co-founder and CEO Ping Cao, Ph.D., commented, "David's addition to our leadership team and the recent Series B financing deepen BridGene's capabilities for using IMTAC™ to discover new drugs for novel and traditionally undruggable targets. David's leadership and experience will help expand BridGene's library of molecules to identify as potential drug candidates as we aim to advance a pipeline of first-in-class drugs for these new targets."
Dr. Sperandio most recently served as an Executive Director at Biomea Fusion, where he led the team that identified BMF-500, a potential best-in-class targeted covalent FLT-3 inhibitor for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Prior to joining Biomea Fusion, Sperandio led a collaboration of R2M Pharma Inc. with Tenaya Therapeutics Inc., which discovered novel HDAC6 inhibitors for cardiovascular diseases and was key for the clinical development of TN-301, an experimental treatment for heart failure. Dr. Sperandio started his career at Celera Corp. and focused on the structure-guided discovery of covalent reversible serine-protease inhibitors. He later moved to Gilead Sciences Inc., where he led the chemistry team that discovered Alobresib (GS-5829), a novel BRD4 inhibitor for prostate cancer, and Presatorvir (GS-5806), the first small molecule RSV fusion inhibitor that reached the clinic and showed proof of concept in men.
Dr. Sperandio commented, "I am excited to join BridGene at such a dynamic time for the company. 2022 has been a remarkable year so far, and I look forward to working closely with the management team to continue to drive the success of IMTAC™."
Dr. Sperandio obtained his doctoral degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Zurich and completed his postdoctoral research at Stanford University.
About BridGene Biosciences
BridGene is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative small molecules that drug traditionally undruggable targets, providing new paths to treat diseases. By using its proprietary chemoproteomics platform, IMTAC™, BridGene can screen small molecules against proteins in live cells to discover drug candidates for high value and traditionally undruggable targets. For this purpose, BridGene takes advantage of its proprietary, diverse library of tagged, drug-like small molecules. The ultimate goal is to enable breakthrough small molecule drug discovery with expanded mechanisms to treat diseases with targets previously inaccessible to small molecules. The uniqueness of BridGene's technology allows it to perform IMTAC™ screening for both covalent and non-covalent molecules, target different amino acids and discover new targets for disease treatments by deconvoluting phenotypic screening hits. The company is advancing a diversified pipeline of first-in-class drugs for targets in multiple disease areas. For more information, visit https://www.bridgenebio.com.
Contact
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
Investors
Jonathan Nugent
+1-205-566-3026
jnugent@tiberend.com
Media
Bill Borden
+1-732-910-1620
bborden@tiberend.com
Dave Schemelia
+1-609-468-9325
dschemelia@tiberend.com
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SOURCE BridGene Biosciences | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/bridgene-biosciences-names-david-sperandio-phd-head-chemistry/ | 2022-08-01T13:07:11Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/bridgene-biosciences-names-david-sperandio-phd-head-chemistry/ | true |
Development of new build-to-rent homes soars in 2022 compared to previous year
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Institutional investment in rental single family rental (SFR) homes is on the rise and expected to grow dramatically over the next eight years, according to a new bulletin on the sector released today by Yardi® Matrix. However, rising interest rates are forcing investors to reassess the most effective strategies for growing portfolios and may contribute to lower near-term returns.
Institutions have committed more than $60 billion to buying single-family homes over the past year, according to various corporate announcements and news articles.
Recent research by MetLife Investment Management (MIM) estimated that institutions own some 700,000 single-family rentals in 2022, about 5 percent of the 14 million SFRs nationally. MIM forecasts that by 2030, institutions will increase SFR holdings to 7.6 million homes, more than 40 percent of all SFRs. Institutional acquisitions of SFRs in communities of 50 or more units soared in 2021 to $2.5 billion, according to Yardi Matrix.
Institutional portfolio growth is currently focused on build-to-rent (BTR) projects or acquiring portfolios from smaller owners. BTRs are on track to deliver far more units in 2022 than in any previous year. More than 25,000 units are under construction and nearly 4,300 were already delivered in the first half of 2022, meaning the industry will easily surpass 2021's record-high 7,705 deliveries.
"Rising home and mortgage costs in the second quarter of 2022 increased the cost of capital for institutional buyers, so the segment's growth is likely to slow and returns will moderate. Even so, the industry benefits from strong long-term demand drivers and the explosive growth in institutional capital," say Matrix analysts.
Get more insight into investment activity, development and rent trends for the SFR/BTR sector in the new Yardi Matrix bulletin.
Yardi Matrix offers the industry's most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email matrix@yardi.com, call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn more.
About Yardi
Yardi® develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. With 8,000 employees, Yardi is working with our clients globally to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1805266/Yardi_Matrix_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE Yardi | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/institutional-investment-single-family-rentals-is-rise-reports-yardi-matrix/ | 2022-08-01T13:07:42Z | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/institutional-investment-single-family-rentals-is-rise-reports-yardi-matrix/ | true |
B&G Foods Releases New Seasoning Featuring the Classic Flavor Profile of SNICKERS® That's Sure To Satisfy!
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- B&G Foods revealed today SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend, the first official seasoning blend to perfectly capture the chocolatey, luscious caramel, and peanut flavor profile of the beloved classic SNICKERS® bar. The release of SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend comes on the heels of B&G Foods' successful seasoning category partnership with Mars for TWIX™ Shakers Seasoning Blend (2021). The new SNICKERS-inspired seasoning is rolling onto shelves nationwide this month.
"We're pleased to expand our wildly popular licensed seasoning blends line with the addition of SNICKERS, one of the most iconic chocolate bars of all time," said Jordan Greenberg, President of Spices & Seasonings and Executive Vice President of B&G Foods. "With the introduction of SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend, everyone can now shake the SNICKERS® taste they love onto their favorite snacks and treats."
SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend combines the classic chocolate bar's delicious blend of chocolate, peanut, and caramel flavors to recreate the mouth-watering taste of a SNICKERS® bar. The seasoning blend can be sprinkled on foods and drinks, including ice cream, cookies, milkshakes, cookies, yogurt and more to enhance the flavor profile.
"At Mars we are consumer obsessed and have noticed the clear desire that has emerged among consumers to be able to add the flavors of their favorite confections to both sweet and savory foods," said Michelle Deignan, Senior Brand Director, Mars Wrigley. "We're pleased to partner with B&G Foods to allow consumers to experience the delicious and satisfying taste of SNICKERS® in a completely new, and shake-able, way with SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend."
For more information about SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend, including recipe inspirations, please visit bgfoods.com/snickers.
About B&G Foods, Inc.
Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS) and its subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute high-quality, branded shelf-stable and frozen foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. With B&G Foods' diverse portfolio of more than 50 brands you know and love, including Back to Nature, B&G, B&M, Bear Creek, Cream of Wheat, Crisco, Dash, Green Giant, Las Palmas, Le Sueur, Mama Mary's, Maple Grove Farms, New York Style, Ortega, Polaner, Spice Islands and Victoria, there's a little something for everyone. For more information about B&G Foods and its brands, please visit www.bgfoods.com.
About Mars, Incorporated
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us.
Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and Petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M's®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, BEN'S ORIGINAL™, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world's pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses, including AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, and VCA™.
We know we can only be truly successful if our suppliers and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com.
Media Contact:
Jessica Reich
Gillian Small PR
jessica@gilliansmallpr.com
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Deal Involves 500+ Acres and 84+ MW of Community Solar Projects in New York
ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SolaREIT, a solar real estate investment fund, has executed agreements totaling $12.2 million for solar land with developer Norbut Solar Farms. The deal involves four projects across 500+ acres of land in New York on which are sited more than 84 megawatts (MW) of community solar. SolaREIT, which launched in late 2020, provides an innovative model for financing solar land and offers options to compensate landowners for utilizing their land to host solar farms.
"We're excited to work with Norbut Solar Farms to grow their business by financing their land holdings. Dave Norbut and his team have been developing projects throughout New York for more than two decades and are one of the most well-respected developers in the state. Solar projects require large expanses of land and lease payments that tie-up capital and increase costs for developers. Now more than ever, developers need financial flexibility, so they can focus on doing what they do best—develop solar projects," said Laura Pagliarulo, President of SolaREIT.
"SolaREIT is providing valuable financial innovation and flexibility to the solar development industry. We are accessing capital through this deal, which will fuel the expansion of our early-stage solar development efforts across New York. Financial innovation has helped expand residential solar over the past decade; now SolaREIT is bringing innovation to community solar development," said Dave Norbut, Norbut Solar Farms.
Community solar development is land and capital intensive. SolaREIT can offer alternative options to developers and project owners that free up capital or reduce their lease costs. Last year, SolaREIT announced their "Pre-Paid Solar Land Lease" allowing solar developers to provide landowners with up-front payment for up to 30-years of lease payments.
About SolaREIT: SolaREIT, based in Rockville, Maryland, focuses on making investments in acquiring, developing, and managing climate-friendly solar assets that support the transformation to a low-carbon economy. We aim to provide unique products to clients while generating attractive returns for our investors. For more information, please visit www.solareit.com.
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SOURCE SolaREIT | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/solareit-closes-12-million-land-deals-with-norbut-solar-farms/ | 2022-08-01T13:10:32Z | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/solareit-closes-12-million-land-deals-with-norbut-solar-farms/ | true |
NZ Super Fund and Infratil join MEAG to support Longroad's transition to development and asset ownership; Longroad establishes goal to expand operating portfolio to over 8.5 GW within five years
BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Longroad Energy Holdings, LLC ("Longroad") announced today a $500 million equity investment by MEAG, acting as asset management arm for entities of Munich Re, alongside two of the company's existing investors, the NZ Super Fund and Infratil, a listed entity managed by Morrison & Co. The investment will support Longroad's strategic shift from a primarily "develop to sell" business model to one that is more oriented towards ownership, and will accelerate the expansion of its current 1.5 GW portfolio of owned assets, to 8.5 GW of wind, solar, and storage projects over the next five years.
"This important infusion provides Longroad with the capital to rapidly transition to a strategy biased to asset ownership. It also will fuel our acquisition goals and continue to support our investments in adjacent sectors, as we did recently with Valta Energy in the DG space," said Paul Gaynor, CEO of Longroad. "We are thrilled to have MEAG join with our existing investors to power our robust growth plans, and we appreciate their collective support as we make strides in implementing our ambitious near-term objectives."
Dr. Alexander Poll, MEAG's Senior Investment Manager responsible for U.S. infrastructure investments: "This investment is a significant step to further increase the U.S. renewable portfolio for Munich Re. Given Munich Re's strong position in the U.S. insurance market, we are interested in further investing in the United States." Martin Kaufmann, Senior Investment Manager MEAG U.S. infrastructure investments: "This investment makes an important contribution to Munich Re's net-zero climate commitment under the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (AOA), which Munich Re joined in 2020. We are also pleased to have teamed up with professional partners on this investment to build a successful long-term relationship."
NZ Super Fund Head of External Investments and Partnerships Del Hart said: "Longroad has been one of the NZ Super Fund's most successful investments and, in line with our long-term, partnership approach to infrastructure development, we are pleased to both welcome MEAG as a co-investor and contribute more capital ourselves. It has been exciting to see Longroad grow since we first invested in 2016 and we look forward to seeing it continue to deliver both strong financial returns and positive environmental and social outcomes."
"Infratil is extremely happy with this outcome," said Jason Boyes, CEO of Infratil. "We remain very optimistic about the opportunities and outlook for Longroad. It is well-positioned in a key geography, with high-quality operating assets, built-in growth through its development portfolio, and a proven team. The new investment from a leading global infrastructure investor in MEAG is a strong endorsement of the business and the sector."
Positioned for Growth
High Value Pipeline
In addition to its 1.5 GW net ownership operating portfolio, Longroad's track record includes 3.2 GW of developed and acquired projects. Longroad has a substantial development pipeline of ~15 GW of wind, solar and storage projects across 13 states, including in key growth markets such as Arizona, California, Hawaii, Maine, and Utah:
- Arizona – Operating and development portfolio of nearly 4 GW of solar and storage
- California – Operating and development portfolio of over 3 GW of solar and storage
- Hawaii – Development pipeline of over 500 MW of solar and storage
- Maine – Development pipeline of over 1 GW of wind, solar and storage
- Utah – Operating 306 MW of wind assets, with a development pipeline of over 2 GW of wind, solar and storage
Procurement Strategy
In support of its pipeline development, Longroad has established a deep relationship with First Solar and has recently signed a multi-year contract with Powin Energy, affording favorable procurement status and supply chain benefits. Longroad is currently contracted with First Solar for nearly 4 GW of panel supply through 2026, as well as with Powin to procure up to 4.5 GWh of storage through 2025.
Longroad's financial advisors on the transaction included lead advisor Goldman Sachs & Co., as well as KeyBanc Capital Markets and Lazard Frères & Co. LLC. Morgan Lewis served as legal counsel. Barclays served as MEAG's financial advisor, and Holland & Knight as its legal counsel.
About Longroad Energy Holdings, LLC
Founded in 2016, Longroad Energy Holdings, LLC is focused on wind, solar, and storage project development, operating assets, and services. Today, Longroad owns 1.5 GW of wind and solar projects across the United States and operates and manages a total of 3.5 GW of wind and solar projects on behalf of Longroad and third parties. Upon this transaction closing, Longroad will be owned by the NZ Super Fund, Infratil Limited, MEAG, and Longroad Energy Partners, LLC.
Longroad adheres to robust ESG operating principles, and intends to broaden its commitments to socially responsible business practices, carbon reduction, environmental sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Longroad will continue to prioritize partners who follow similar business practices and will encourage deeper ESG commitments.
www.longroadenergy.com
Twitter: @LongroadTweet
LinkedIn: Longroad Energy
About MEAG
MEAG manages the assets of Munich Re and ERGO. It has representations in Europe, Asia and North America and offers its extensive know-how to institutional and private customers. MEAG currently manages assets to the value of around € 330 billion, around € 60 billion of which in its business with institutional investors and private customers.
MEAG invests in alternative assets in North America on behalf of Munich Re group and other non-US institutional investors. MEAG's most recent infrastructure investments in the U.S. comprise 400 MW of solar farms and battery storage in California in 2021, various regulated U.S. water assets in 2020, as well as New York's Astoria Energy Partners and Long Beach Container Terminal in 2019.
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LONDON (AP) — Rishi Sunak, one of the two contenders to replace British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on Monday defended his decision to quit the government and help end Johnson’s scandal-tarnished leadership.
Allies of Johnson accuse Sunak of treachery for stepping down as U.K. Treasury chief last month as the government floundered amid ethics scandals, with a resignation letter, saying “we cannot continue like this.” More than 50 government ministers went on to quit, leaving Johnson no choice but to resign as Conservative Party leader.
Polls of Conservative members put Foreign Secretary Liz Truss ahead of Sunak in the contest to succeed Johnson as party leader. Postal ballots started arrived Monday at the homes of about 180,000 party members who will decide the winner. The new leader will be announced Sept. 5 and will automatically become prime minister.
Sunak said his critics were “looking at the last few months of the government with slightly rose-tinted glasses.” He said “the government found itself on the wrong side of a very serious ethical issue.”
Johnson led the Conservatives to a commanding parliamentary majority in 2019, but he has been plagued by scandals since then, and was fined by police over parties that broke COVID-19 lockdown rules. He clung to power for months but finally quit on July 7 after one scandal too many — appointing a politician accused of sexual misconduct — drove his ministers to resign en masse.
Sunak is running as an experienced minster who can guide the country through the economic turbulence caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. He was the favorite candidate among Tory lawmakers who whittled down the field of candidates from an initial 11 contenders.
But Truss now appears to have more momentum and has won backing from several high-profile lawmakers and Cabinet ministers with her pledges to slash taxes and government bureaucracy.
Sunak’s replacement as finance minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said he was backing Truss because she offered a “booster” economic approach compared to “doomster” Sunak.
Sunak accuses Truss of peddling unrealistic promises, especially on the economy. Truss says she will cut taxes immediately to ease the cost-of-living crisis, funding it through borrowing. Sunak argues it is vital to get inflation under control first.
But on Monday he pledged a big income tax cut in the next few years, in what critics said was a U-turn forced by pressure from Truss’s campaign. Sunak said he would cut the basic rate of income tax from 20% to 16% by 2029.
“I want to make sure that we can pay for it, I want to make sure that we can do it alongside growing the economy,” he said.
___
Follow all AP stories on British politics at https://apnews.com/hub/boris-johnson. | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/ap-international/sunak-tries-to-close-the-gap-on-rival-in-uk-leadership-race/ | 2022-08-01T13:11:01Z | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/ap-international/sunak-tries-to-close-the-gap-on-rival-in-uk-leadership-race/ | false |
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE: SMP), a leading automotive parts manufacturer and distributor, is scheduled to report its earnings for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2022, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, before the opening of the stock market.
Standard Motor Products, Inc. will hold a conference call at 10:30 AM, Eastern Time, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. This call will be web cast and can be accessed on the Investor Relations page of our website at www.smpcorp.com and clicking on the SMPQ2SMP2022 Earnings Webcast link. Investors may also listen to the call by dialing 866-952-8559 (domestic) or 785-424-1877 (international). Our playback will be made available for dial in immediately following the call. For those choosing to listen to the replay by webcast, the link should be active on our website within 24 hours after the call. The playback number is 800-934-8221 (domestic) or 402-220-6990 (international). The participant passcode is 94640.
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SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc. | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/standard-motor-products-inc-announces-second-quarter-2022-earnings-conference-call/ | 2022-08-01T13:11:02Z | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/standard-motor-products-inc-announces-second-quarter-2022-earnings-conference-call/ | true |
South Korea-Based Alternative Data Solutions and Software Company Enhances FiscalNote's Data-as-a-Service Offerings on a Global Scale
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE), a leading AI-driven enterprise SaaS company that delivers market intelligence and data insights, has closed its previously-announced agreement to acquire Aicel Technologies ("Aicel"), a rapidly-growing alternative data company based in Seoul, South Korea. Aicel provides proprietary alpha-capturing datasets and extracts unique value and actionable insights to drive critical and timely business solutions for global financial markets.
"We're pleased to bring this critical transaction to a close, and welcome Aicel Technologies to the FiscalNote family of world-class products and market-leading brands," said Tim Hwang, FiscalNote's Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO. "Aicel will greatly enhance the breadth and scope of the AI data solutions offerings FiscalNote provides on a global scale for customers who seek to leverage data-driven intelligence and insights to power their decision-making processes and reach their business objectives. Aicel also enables FiscalNote to accelerate our market leadership not only in the South Korea marketplace, but the APAC region as a whole - catalyzing increased opportunities for our growth, access to a wider base of customers, and the addition of key engineering, AI, and R&D talent to our ranks."
The acquisition of Aicel further strengthens FiscalNote's existing AI data products - such as market leaders FiscalNote AI Solutions, DataHunt, and Predata - and its growth strategy in multiple ways, including by:
- Expanding FiscalNote's alternative data sources across the emerging fintech, capital markets, and financial services industries;
- Deepening FiscalNote's expertise in sophisticated artificial intelligence, data transformation, data ingestion, and API development for its customers;
- Providing access to a blue-chip customer base for FiscalNote in a high-growth and increasingly regulated marketplace;
- Driving new revenue opportunities in South Korea, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the U.S.; and
- Establishing Seoul as a leading hub for FiscalNote, building upon its existing presence.
Aicel - which doubled its revenue in the past year - will immediately augment FiscalNote's wide-ranging global coverage for a variety of current and prospective customers who are interested in extracting deep insights attainable only by leveraging advanced AI data technologies. Furthermore, Aicel's combination with FiscalNote will accelerate the continued expansion of its customer base and revenues through a strong network of established partners, as well as sales and marketing relationships with leading firms.
Founded in 2016 and led by CEO Min Kim, Aicel processes both proprietary and licensed data, such as trade and export information, patent filings, aggregated consumer and retail transactions, food delivery and home-sharing data, e-Commerce sales information, and ESG metrics on a subscription basis for customers - such as asset management companies, multinational corporations, hedge funds, investment firms, and others. Aicel deploys advanced technology to collect, refine, process, and deliver tailored data to customers, while powering a data exchange marketplace through its Data-as-a-Service model to enable third-party data providers and vendors to rapidly partner with Aicel to develop new datasets quickly and efficiently.
"We're incredibly excited to start our work with Aicel and their talented team of highly-skilled professionals," said Josh Resnik, President & COO, FiscalNote. "Aicel will further bolster FiscalNote's unique decision intelligence capabilities, empowering our clients to leverage our proprietary artificial intelligence technology to better inform their decision-making. This also further expands FiscalNote's defensible technology stack, and continues our M&A-driven value creation to supplement our organic product development efforts, where we have had remarkable success on behalf of our customers through related AI solutions such as DataHunt."
Kim, who will continue to lead Aicel as part of FiscalNote's AI Solutions offering, said: "Our team is inspired by FiscalNote's vision and success and we are more than excited to become part of the FiscalNote family. Through this exciting combination, we see greater opportunities to better serve our markets and our customers."
About FiscalNote
FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) is a leading technology provider of global policy and market intelligence. By uniquely combining AI technology, actionable data, and expert and peer insights, FiscalNote empowers customers to manage policy, address regulatory developments, and mitigate global risk. Since 2013, FiscalNote has pioneered technology that delivers mission-critical insights and the tools to turn them into action. Home to CQ, Equilibrium, FrontierView, Oxford Analytica, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands, FiscalNote serves more than 5,000 customers worldwide with global offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. To learn more about FiscalNote and its family of brands, visit FiscalNote.com and follow @FiscalNote.
Media Contact:
Nicholas Graham
FiscalNote
press@fiscalnote.com
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SOURCE FiscalNote | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/fiscalnote-completes-acquisition-aicel-technologies/ | 2022-08-01T13:13:15Z | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/fiscalnote-completes-acquisition-aicel-technologies/ | false |
Most US public schools plan to keep masks optional for start of classes
By Jacqueline Howard, CNN
Students are heading to another school year amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but this time, there seem to be fewer discussions and fretting about masks and other mitigation measures — despite a rise of infections sweeping the country.
Most of the largest public school districts in the United States are not requiring masks for the new school year, making masking “optional” as students return to classes and the highly transmissible BA.5 subvariant spreads.
Across the country, “schools have become more relaxed in their mask policies,” said Gladys Cruz, president-elect of the School Superintendents Association and district superintendent for Questar III in New York.
Although there is the possibility that such policies could change if Covid-19 case rates rise or fall, everyone in a district might not be receptive to change, Cruz said.
“The possibility of mandating masks is there, in case of a surge, but I would have to say that it’s going to be much more difficult to implement that mask mandate if it came down to that because we have been without masks now for long periods,” said Cruz, whose district starts school in early September.
In its guidance for schools, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends universal indoor masking in K-12 schools and early education programs that are located in counties with a high Covid-19 community level.
Almost half — 45.8% — of US counties are at high Covid-19 community levels, according to CDC data.
Among the top 500 K-12 school districts, based on enrollment, in the United States, about 98% do not require masks, according to the data company Burbio’s school policy tracker.
Many of the nation’s largest school systems — including Los Angeles Unified, City of Chicago, Miami-Dade County and Clark County in Nevada — start school in August.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 cases are rising across the United States once again, driven by the Omicron subvariant BA.5, the most transmissible strain of the coronavirus yet. More than 14 million children have tested positive for Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to available state reports; more than 311,000 of these cases have been added in the past four weeks, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported last week.
Millions of children will be returning to school in the coming days and weeks unvaccinated. A CNN analysis finds that less than half of children and teens, ages 5 to 17, are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and only a tenth have been boosted.
‘Working to live with this virus’
In some communities, such as those in New York state, classes are not scheduled to start until early September — and school officials are waiting for updates from their local health departments regarding the Covid-19 mitigation measures to implement this upcoming school year. Many school districts continue to disinfect surfaces and explore upgrading ventilation systems.
“Many schools will continue with some mitigation strategies this fall; such as, cleaning and disinfection, upgrades to HVAC systems. Masks will be optional,” Randall W. Squier, superintendent of schools for Coxsackie-Athens Central School District in New York, wrote in an email to CNN on Tuesday.
“Schools are still struggling with whether to offer a remote learning option for students. If COVID-19 cases surge we would follow any recommendations or mandates from our state department of health,” he wrote.
When it comes to masking, “absent any specific state mask mandate, most superintendents will work with their county health departments to establish guidelines for optional mask wearing,” Squier wrote in his email. “Superintendents attempt to establish a regional approach to any pandemic guidelines to avoid confusion among our families and employees who may work and live in neighboring counties.”
As mask-wearing has become optional in most schools, Squier wrote that he has noticed tension around masks among parents and staff calm down in his region.
“Since New York State lifted the mask mandate in March, there has been no movement by school districts to reintroduce a mask mandate,” he wrote. “The political rhetoric at school board meetings regarding mask mandates has settled down since the mandate was lifted.”
Community tension around masking “has dissipated,” said Daniel Bittman, superintendent for Independent School District 728 in Minnesota.
For Bittman’s district, which starts its new school year after Labor Day, masks will be optional but recommended for the students across its five different counties.
“We will not require masks for this particular school year,” Bittman told CNN.
“Masking in our particular district is always recommended, particularly if cases are added at a point that we consider we consider to be critical. At this point, the number of cases are significantly low,” he said. “So, we’re working closely with our Department of Education as well as our Department of Health to monitor that and so we will not be requiring them at this time.”
Bittman added that if there were a surge in cases, there could be mask requirements in a particular school or classroom, but not on a district-wide basis.
In many districts, Cruz, of the School Superintendents Association said, superintendents and school boards are in constant consultation with their local health departments in developing Covid-19 mitigation measures and policies — something that might become an ongoing part of living with Covid-19 and other infectious diseases in the future.
“We’re definitely working hand in hand. Schools and governments are really working to live with this virus and figure out how we can continue to keep schools open for students,” Cruz said. “I think we’re now in a place where we’re learning and working to live with it.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://kion546.com/news/2022/08/01/most-us-public-schools-plan-to-keep-masks-optional-for-start-of-classes/ | 2022-08-01T13:14:44Z | https://kion546.com/news/2022/08/01/most-us-public-schools-plan-to-keep-masks-optional-for-start-of-classes/ | true |
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Banner Ridge Partners, a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3.8 billion in assets under management, has completed fundraising for Banner Ridge DSCO Fund II ("DSCO II") at its hard cap with $639 million of total commitments. DSCO II is the successor fund to Banner Ridge DSCO Fund I, the strategies inaugural fund, which closed at its $300 million hard cap in 2021. DSCO II, will target commitments to private equity funds, co-investments and early secondaries with strategies characterized by distressed, special situations and credit. DSCO II received capital commitments from a wide range of institutional investors, including public and private pension funds, RIAs, and several prominent family offices. This is the fourth fundraise since the firm became an independent business in June 2019.
The partners of Banner Ridge have been focused on the Fund's target market since 2007. The investment team at Banner Ridge has committed over $2.0 billion to approximately 100 discrete managers focused on distressed, special situations and credit strategies globally. Through primary, secondary and co-investments and by partnering with specialist private equity sponsors in its target market, Banner Ridge focuses on investing in a subset of the market characterized by both complexity and limited access to information.
Anthony Cusano, Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager, said, "The DSCO platform at Banner Ridge is instrumental to our strategy of developing long-term relationships with best-in-class private equity managers. We believe DSCO II is well-positioned to take advantage of the current market environment characterized by rising interest rates, inflation, and increased volatility. We have already made several investments in the fund and continue to progress on a robust pipeline of opportunities that align squarely with our proven investment strategy. We are grateful to have been entrusted by an exceptional group of investors and look forward to continuing our long-term track record of outperformance on their behalf."
Banner Ridge Partners is an alternative investment specialist that identifies best-in-class private equity managers in niche markets. Banner Ridge is led by a senior team with significant private markets experience. By targeting deep value opportunities, focusing on fragmented markets, and working through structural complexities, we believe we can exceed the investment goals of our clients. To learn more about Banner Ridge, please visit www.BannerRidge.com.
Media contact:
Anthony Cusano
Managing Partner
212.265.4240
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SOURCE Banner Ridge Partners | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/banner-ridge-raises-639-million-oversubscribed-special-situations-primary-fund/ | 2022-08-01T13:15:21Z | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/banner-ridge-raises-639-million-oversubscribed-special-situations-primary-fund/ | true |
Is a cooler table worth it?
When you’re relaxing on the patio doing absolutely nothing, the last thing you want to do is get up, run upstairs, go to the kitchen and grab a beverage. It just spoils the vibe. You want your cold beverage by your side.
When you’re trying to create an outdoor environment, the look can be as important as the function. That’s where cooler tables come in. They keep chilled beverages within reach while enhancing the decor of your outdoor living space.
What is a cooler table?
A cooler table is a hybrid. It is part cooler, part patio furniture. It is a dual-functioning item, like a storage ottoman, that not only serves a purpose but looks great doing so. You can store beverages, sandwiches, meat for grilling, condiments and more in this handy item. And if you need to move it to the shade as the sun arcs across the sky, many models have wheels that make that easily possible.
How does a cooler table work?
A cooler table works the same way as a cooler. The table has an insulated compartment that minimizes heat transfer. You add your beverages (or anything else you want to keep cold) and pour ice on top. The ice chills the air inside the cooler, helping your beverages stay cold for hours at a time.
What features should a cooler table have?
Capacity
Bigger isn’t always better. If you’re planning to use your cooler table for picnics and family gatherings, you’ll need a large model. However, if you’ll mostly use your cooler table for yourself and just a couple of friends, a smaller model is a better option. This is because the larger a cooler is, the harder it is to keep the items inside cold.
Ability to stay cool
Most cooler tables will be used for events or occasions, so they will need to keep your items chilled for several hours at the least. Make sure the model you are considering is insulated enough to do the job.
Additional storage
Most cooler tables have a bottom shelf that can store additional items that do not need to be chilled. This can be a handy place to keep cups, plates, napkins, utensils and more.
Built-in drain
When you are done with a regular cooler, you can just tip it over to dump out any leftover ice and water. You cannot easily do this with a cooler table because it is a piece of furniture. Look for a model with a built-in drain that doesn’t leak.
Bottle opener
If you will be chilling bottles, a cooler table with a built-in bottle opener will be appreciated. It can also help reduce cleanup, such as those stray bottle lids that never seem to make their way into the trash can.
Wheels
Not all cooler tables have wheels. If you want a model that can be moved easily from one location to another, locking wheels are essential.
Additional functionality
Some models have additional features, such as a foosball tabletop. While this is an excellent way to get even more functionality out of a cooler table, make sure everyone has their drinks before gameplay begins.
Appealing aesthetics
Even when your cooler table is not filled with chilled beverages, it will serve as furniture. Consider the design and purchase a model that fits in with your decor.
Best cooler tables
Outsunny Black Patio Cooler Cart with Foosball Table Top
This high-end cooler table is made of durable steel and features a built-in foosball tabletop to serve as entertainment as well. It can hold up to 60 cans or 50 bottles and has a bottle opener with a cap catcher on the side for convenience.
Sold by Home Depot
Permasteel 80-Quart Outdoor Rolling Cooler
This rustic-looking option will be the focal point of your patio. The extra-large size holds up to 110 cans and can keep them cold for up to 36 hours. This model has double-sided handles and wheels to make it extremely portable.
Sold by Amazon
The lid on this polypropylene cooler table can be fully removed for easy loading. For convenience, it is hinged in the middle to provide easy access after it has been filled. It has a woven rattan wicker design to fit in seamlessly with most backyard decor.
Northbeam Natural Wood Picnic Table with Built-in Cooler
This unique option is a wooden picnic table that seats six to eight people. It is constructed out of Canadian hemlock and features a removable polyester fabric cooler in the center of the table that can hold up to 24 beverages. When you do not want to use the cooler feature, the lid folds closed to give you a full tabletop.
Sold by Home Depot
Keter Pop-Up Table Top Bar Cart
Keter’s clever design makes it a favorite. The table top raises so you can put snacks and cocktails on top while providing full access to the cooler beneath. The large-capacity cooler holds up to 130 cans and is made from long-lasting resin for durability.
SereneLife Outdoor Cooler Table
For a smaller option, this round patio cooler also has a pop-up tabletop and holds up to 40 cans. The table height can be adjusted to provide easy access to beverages, and the cooler keeps beverages chilled for up to 12 hours.
Sold by Amazon
Mind Reader Collapsible Cooler Table
Mind Reader’s tailgate table is a collapsible version of the cooler table. This model folds down so it can be carried to your destination by hand. Once there, it only takes minutes to set up. The table also features a built-in mesh bowl for your favorite snacks.
Sold by Macy’s
Joyin Inflatable Tabletop Serving Bars (Two-Pack)
If budget is first and foremost on your list of priorities, this inflatable option can turn any table into a serving bar. It is 51.4 inches long, 24.5 inches wide and 4 inches deep. It can keep both beverages and food items cold.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.pahomepage.com/reviews/br/camping-outdoors-br/coolers-br/8-cooler-tables-that-will-keep-you-lounging-as-you-reach-for-a-cold-drink/ | 2022-08-01T13:15:47Z | https://www.pahomepage.com/reviews/br/camping-outdoors-br/coolers-br/8-cooler-tables-that-will-keep-you-lounging-as-you-reach-for-a-cold-drink/ | false |
Woman dies in accident near Coimbatore
COIMBATORE August 01, 2022 17:45 ISTAn 18-year-old woman was killed in a freak accident near Sulur in Coimbatore district on Monday morning, when the two-wheeler she was riding rammed the parapet wall of an open well on the roadside and she fell into it .
The deceased was identified as N. Sabitha, daughter of Nachimuthu and Tamilselvi, from Pachapalayam near Sultanpet in Sulur taluk.
The police said that the accident took place around 7.30 a.m. when Sabitha and Tamilselvi were heading to a farm at Sultanpet, for copra processing.
As per the complaint lodged by Ms. Tamilselvi at the Sultanpet police station, Sabitha rode the scooter. She lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve on Pachapalayam to Pollachi-Palladam Road. Ms. Tamilselvi was thrown off the scooter that rammed the parapet wall of a panchayat well. In the impact, Sabitha fell into the 80-ft-deep well which had nearly 20 feet water.
Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services from Sulur rushed to the spot after being alerted by the people in the locality. The police said that Sabitha was dead when fire brigades took her out from the well. | https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/woman-dies-in-accident-near-coimbatore/article65711114.ece/amp/ | 2022-08-01T13:16:41Z | https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/woman-dies-in-accident-near-coimbatore/article65711114.ece/amp/ | false |
Certification Demonstrates Company's Commitment to Reducing its Environmental Impact in the Production of Wearable Drug Delivery Devices
NETANYA, Israel, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eitan Medical, a global leader in advanced infusion therapy and drug delivery solutions across the care continuum, announced today it has earned International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification for the quality management system for production of its range of medical devices including its Sapphire infusion pumps and the Sorrel™ wearable drug delivery platform solution. This accreditation certifies that the quality system related to the manufacture of these devices is in compliance with the required standards to reduce negative environmental impact.
ISO 14001 comprises a set of standards specifying the necessary requirements for organizations to establish effective environmental management systems. This standard provides guidelines for help in reducing environmental impact, including pollution and carbon footprint, in order to advance environmental conservation.
"Eitan Medical has made a concerted effort to assess and adapt our operations and manufacturing processes to meet these important industry standards. While we focus on developing solutions that heal people, we need to simultaneously ensure we aren't harming the health of the planet," said Igal Shany, CEO of Eitan Medical. "This certification reflects our dedication to creating a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem and exemplifies our core value of providing an environment in which people can live healthier and more enjoyable lives."
Eitan Medical develops connected, patient-centric drug delivery and infusion solutions that are designed to improve patient and clinician quality of life across the continuum of care, including hospital, ambulatory, pre-hospital and home care environments. Eitan Medical's product lines include the Sapphire™ infusion platform, providing connected infusion therapy systems in hospital and ambulatory settings; the Sorrel™ wearable drug delivery platform, a patient-centric on-body injector for delivery of biologic treatments; and Eitan Insights™ a cloud-based platform providing remote treatment data visibility for Eitan Medical's devices.
"As a developer and manufacturer, we are proud that the materials used in our product lines, internal procedures and waste management processes are in-line with global sustainability standards and values," said Judith Antler, Chief Quality Officer at Eitan Medical. "Our commitment extends to our educational framework, through which we provide ecological and sustainability awareness instruction, as well as new manufacturing training programs for employees to increase their knowledge and understanding of this critical issue."
About Eitan Medical
Eitan Medical is reimagining drug delivery, with reliable innovations that put patients at the center of care, making drug delivery easier and safer than ever before. Patient safety and care are only the starting point, as Eitan Medical goes beyond- delivering connected, intuitive drug delivery and infusion solutions that are designed to improve patient and clinician quality of life across the continuum of care, including hospital, ambulatory, and home care environments.
For over a decade, Eitan Medical has provided safe, intuitive, and flexible solutions that meet evolving drug delivery needs. Eitan Medical's product lines include the Sapphire™ infusion platform*, providing connected infusion therapy systems in hospital and ambulatory settings; the Sorrel™ wearable drug delivery platform, the patient-centric on-body injector for delivery of biologic treatments; and Avoset™ infusion pump, connected infusion systems for the home care market.
For more information, visit: https://www.eitanmedical.com/
- Eitan Medical Ltd is legal manufacturer of the Sapphire™ infusion pump, the Sorrel™ wearable drug delivery platform (FDA investigational device) and the Avoset™ (FDA investigational device)
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1699153/Eitan_Medical.jpg
Media Relations Contact:
Nicole Kaufman-Grubner
FINN Partners for Eitan Medical
nicole.grubner@finnpartners.com
@nicolegrubner
View original content:
SOURCE Eitan Medical | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/eitan-medical-receives-iso-14001-environmental-management-certification/ | 2022-08-01T13:16:52Z | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/eitan-medical-receives-iso-14001-environmental-management-certification/ | true |
Water level
Tirunelveli August 01, 2022 18:07 ISTThe water level in Papanasam Dam on Monday stood at 66.85 feet (maximum level 143 feet). The dam had an inflow of 544.45 cusecs and 804.75 cusecs was discharged. The level in Manimuthar Dam stood at 73.20 feet (maximum level 118 feet). The dam had an inflow of 78 cusecs and 155 cusecs was discharged.
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With a state budget flush with new revenues signed into law, advocates for improved child care — a bipartisan coalition of conservatives and liberals — are having a deserved victory lap.
The haul is in fact quite impressive. Another $44 million for early care and education in the state budget. Another $40 million in one-time money for an early childhood fund that matches local governments’ investments in the youngest children.
Another $27 million will revive a previously cut program that offered families with young children mental health services. Over three years, said Libbie Sonnier, of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, advocates hope the program demonstrates ways to help challenged families thrive. Then, she told the Press Club of Baton Rouge, the services might be reauthorized.
The impressive list of legislators across the political spectrum who sponsored key legislation included Appropriations Committee Chair Jerome "Zee" Zeringue, R-Houma, and Ken Brass, D-Vacherie, in the House. Plenty of senators and Gov. John Bel Edwards also backed early childhood education.
The business community is enthusiastically in support of the initiatives, as Sonnier said, because “for parents to take care of their children they have to work.” Child care is a priority for organizations like the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
Still, there are more than a few “buts” given how far behind many Louisiana children are today.
Many are not ready for kindergarten. While Louisiana is doing a lot that's right, Sonnier said, citing Gov. Bobby Jindal’s key 2012 legislation to coordinate early childhood initiatives, the state's not investing enough at the front end of life.
That is the case even with local taxpayers, also seeing the benefit of early childhood initiatives, backing expanded services. The people of New Orleans voted for a tax supporting early childhood education and many other cities or parishes from Caddo to Jefferson are backing the programs for children. Those will probably quite rapidly obligate all the dollars in the matching fund for local initiatives.
How, then, are we really doing when in a state with many low-wage jobs, parents can’t afford the quality child care programs that make a difference?
The victory laps are being taken for programs that can now serve about 1 in 5 of the children in low-income families who need state support for child care, Sonnier said. Around 100,000 children are not being served, even with all the new money.
Louisiana’s system was developed after passage of Act 3 of 2012 to promote the vital Type 3 child care facilities that can provide mental stimulation from infancy. About 85% of brain development occurs by age 3, Sonnier said.
“If we invest now, we get a gain,” she said. “If we don’t invest, we get more losses.”
Sonnier and other experts recognize that workers in the industry make too little to live. Under a bill by state Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, a state advisory commission on early childhood care will investigate financing and pay in the field before the 2023 session of the Legislature.
As always, the context of today’s improvements is state government’s overall financial health. This year saw a post-pandemic surge in state revenues overlaid with large amounts of federal funding that reduced the annual tussles over priorities.
Lots of stuff gets funded when there’s that kind of money in the Treasury. But if we are to succeed in boosting the education of kids from poorer families, we’ll have to keep spending, even when times once again turn tough.
If we do, there'll be more victory laps in years to come, until all of Louisiana’s children are on the fast track to better lives. | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/our_views/article_aa16c7b6-0e96-11ed-b71d-0ff1993bd298.html | 2022-08-01T13:17:57Z | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/our_views/article_aa16c7b6-0e96-11ed-b71d-0ff1993bd298.html | true |
Maldives Education Minister visits Andhra University in Visakhapatnam
VISAKHAPATNAM August 01, 2022 18:31 IST98% of the population of Maldives is literate, says Abdulla
Abdulla Rasheed Ahmed, Minister of State for Education, Republic of Maldives, visited the Office of Andhra University Alumni Association (AAA) in AU campus along with his wife Mariam Nasir, Director General (Quality), Ministry of Education, Republic of Maldives, on Monday.
They are on their way to Jeypore to participate in the Education Summit.
Dr. Abdulla is a teacher-turned-Minister and his flair, passion and excellence in teaching made him hold that portfolio in the Union Cabinet of the Government of Maldives.
The visiting dignitaries had a brief interaction with Beela Satyanarayana, Chairman, AAA, and former Vice-Chancellor of AU, B. Mohan Venkata Ram, general secretary, AAA, K. Kumar Raja, joint secretary, AAA, and Member, AU Academic Senate and A. Chandrasekhar, executive committee member, AAA, and Challa Ramakrishna, Dean, Media Cell, AU.
Prof. Satyanarayana briefed the visiting dignitary about the various activities taken up of AAA. Prof Mohan Venkata Ram informed him about the AU alumni, who were living across globe and the positions they held.
Dr. Abdulla said that 98% of the population of Maldives was literate and he was given the task of making it 100%. The visiting dignitary revealed that there were about 1,200 islands in Maldives, of which 200 were inhabited and over 100 were leased out for resorts.
Education was free up to first degree in Maldives. He said that it was his privilege to visit Andhra University, known as the repository of knowledge for more than nine decades. Ms Mariam said that her goal was to ensure quality assurance in Education. They were felicitated by AAA Chairman, General Secretary and Joint Secretary. | https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/maldives-education-minister-visits-andhra-university-in-visakhapatnam/article65711434.ece/amp/ | 2022-08-01T13:18:10Z | https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/maldives-education-minister-visits-andhra-university-in-visakhapatnam/article65711434.ece/amp/ | true |
ROME — The Vatican confirmed Monday that Pope Francis will travel next month to Kazakhstan, where he could meet with Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has justified Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Francis called off a planned encounter with Kirill in June in Jerusalem because of the diplomatic fallout it would have created. Kirill has justified the invasion on spiritual and ideological grounds, calling it a “metaphysical” battle with the West. He has blessed soldiers going into battle and invoked the idea that Russians and Ukrainians are one people.
Francis and Kirill, who had a first historic encounter in Havana in 2016, have spoken by video call at least once since the war began.
The Kazakh government is hosting a “Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions” from Sept. 14-15. Kirill has been invited and the Moscow Patriarchate has said he would attend.
Returning from his just-concluded trip to Canada, Francis told journalists on Saturday that in addition to Kazakhstan, he also hoped to visit Ukraine but that nothing had yet been confirmed. Vatican officials have said they hoped to organize a trip even in the coming weeks.
On Sunday, Francis again prayed for Ukraine, saying he had never stopped praying for “the attacked, martyred Ukrainian people,” during his Canadian pilgrimage.
“If you look at reality objectively, considering the damage that war brings every day to those people but also the entire world, the only reasonable thing to do is to stop and negotiate,” he said. “May wisdom inspire concrete steps of peace.”
Francis has criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Kirill’s support for the war, telling an Italian newspaper in May that the patriarch shouldn’t become “Putin’s altar boy.”
The Russian Patriarchate shot back that it was regrettable” that Francis “chose the wrong tone” to relay the contents of their March video call. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-to-kazakhstan-sept-13-15-may-meet-russia-patriarch/2022/08/01/75eb6c7a-1194-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html | 2022-08-01T13:19:04Z | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-to-kazakhstan-sept-13-15-may-meet-russia-patriarch/2022/08/01/75eb6c7a-1194-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html | true |
Brandon Drury, come on down.
The Cincinnati Reds infielder is expected to pack his bags before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.
Brandon Drury, come on down.
The Cincinnati Reds infielder is expected to pack his bags before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. | https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/08/ex-yankees-mets-infielder-is-1-of-the-most-popular-trade-deadline-targets.html | 2022-08-01T13:19:20Z | https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/08/ex-yankees-mets-infielder-is-1-of-the-most-popular-trade-deadline-targets.html | false |
Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker's nature-themed trip was a slam dunk.
The Kardashians star and Phoenix Suns player recently enjoyed a fun-filled adventure together outdoors—proving that they're on the best of terms. On July 31, Kendall shared a snippet of Devin axe-throwing while the two were in a wooded area to her Instagram Stories. As for more evidence of their good time? She also shared a video of herself ziplining during their quick getaway.
The model's recent post comes just a few weeks after she also enjoyed a tropical trip, during which she shared all the sunny snaps to her Instagram. And just a little while after her initial posts, Devin himself posted a few pics of a similar nature—leading fans to believe he was also on that very same vacation.
However, the pair's recent reunions aren't all too surprising, considering the outings come just a few weeks after a source told E! News that the two were rekindling their romance after calling a quick time out on their two-year courtship in late June.
"She and Devin are fully back together," the insider told E! News in mid-July. "They worked out their issues and decided they want to move forward and be together."
Although the two hit a "rough patch," earlier this summer, which led to their breakup—it proved to be not the end of the road for the couple, but just a bump along the way.
"They moved on and it's going really well," the source added. "They have been spending a lot of time together recently and Devin was her date to her friend Lauren's wedding in Napa."
And that time together continues. | https://www.eonline.com/news/1340195/kendall-jenner-just-confirmed-her-and-devin-booker-s-relationship-status-with-one-video?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories | 2022-08-01T13:20:33Z | https://www.eonline.com/news/1340195/kendall-jenner-just-confirmed-her-and-devin-booker-s-relationship-status-with-one-video?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories | true |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/cf/minnesota-golden-gophers-football/articles/40245830 | 2022-08-01T13:24:01Z | https://sportspyder.com/cf/minnesota-golden-gophers-football/articles/40245830 | false |
England win hailed as `massive moment´ as fans descend on central London
Thousands of fans are celebrating England’s historic Euros triumph as the team are credited with inspiring the nation.
The Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 after extra time in front of 87,000 supporters at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, securing the first major tournament title for the country since 1966 and setting a television viewing record.
Fans in Trafalgar Square on Monday looked on as captain Leah Williamson summed up the last day by saying: “I think we’ve partied more than we actually played football in the last 24 hours.”
Supporters hailed the victory as a “massive” moment, while the FA’s director of women’s football, Baroness Sue Campbell, said England’s win will make a “phenomenal difference”.
Crowds descended on central London on Monday to join the team at an event hosted by ex-player and TV presenter Alex Scott.
Cheers rang out as confetti cannons and giant sparklers greeted England once again lifting the trophy.
Ryan Grumbridge, 40, and Gemma Grumbridge, 43, travelled from Oldham to the capital to watch the final with their two daughters.
Mr Grumbridge, who is a coach for the 250-strong girls’ football club Crompton FC, said this is a “massive” moment for women’s football.
“It’s good for them to get some recognition – I hope it keeps growing and growing, and we’ll carry on getting decent-sized crowds.”
He said the Lionesses are “fantastic role models” for his daughters Ruby and Amelia, aged 11 and 13.
Yvonne Morrison, 61, took her grandson Ronnie, nine, to catch a glimpse of the Lionesses in Trafalgar Square.
Ms Morrison, from Wiltshire, said it was “just absolutely amazing that they’ve been able to get this far, and that they’ve raised the profile of women’s football, it’s long overdue”.
She added: “Hopefully it will raise their salaries, and status. It’s about time they were on an equal par.”
The final attracted a peak TV audience of 17.4 million, a record for a women’s football match in the UK, according to overnight ratings released by the BBC.
The previous record was set during England’s 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat by the United States, which enjoyed a peak audience of 11.7 million.
Earlier, Baroness Campbell told BBC News: “I think it’ll really take it to another level. But I think what happened yesterday was much broader than football.
“I think it will change the perception of women in sport generally, and I hope give women and girls real optimism that if they want to do something in life, whatever it is, if they work at it, they’re going to achieve it.”
She said she is not surprised at the TV viewing figures, adding: “I think we’ve inspired a nation here.
“It’s not just people who are interested in football before. We’ve got lots of new people who’ve watched the women’s game, and lots of people who I hope will continue to support and watch the women’s game.
“But we’ve also inspired lots of youngsters to realise that sport, football, is for them.”
Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham told BBC Breakfast England’s success will “turbo charge” the women’s game in this country.
“The last few years have been incredible. We have invested really heavily and the Lionesses have taken their opportunity and they have produced something incredible.
“It’s been an amazing month and an amazing day yesterday,” he said.
“I think it will really turbo charge everything we have been doing in the women’s game.
“There is no reason why we shouldn’t have the same number of girls playing as boys and it will inspire a whole new generation of players.”
The Queen praised the team, saying their “success goes far beyond the trophy”.
She said in a statement: “You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.”
The Duke of Cambridge was among those supporting from the sidelines, and after the match he said it had been “wonderful to see history in the making”, while captain Leah Williamson dubbed it “the proudest moment of my life”.
Meanwhile, captain Williamson is to be given the Freedom of the New City of Milton Keynes.
Leader of Milton Keynes Council, Pete Marland, said: “Bobby Moore and Leah Williamson, that is good company as the only two England football captains ever to lift a major international trophy.
“Obviously, we are immensely proud that Leah is from Milton Keynes, and I think it would be totally appropriate that the very first person to be given the Freedom of the New City of Milton Keynes is the first woman to lead a national side to international honours and is from MK.
“I have asked that the council start the process of bestowing the honour on her.” | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-11069127/England-win-hailed-massive-moment-fans-descend-central-London.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-08-01T13:24:13Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-11069127/England-win-hailed-massive-moment-fans-descend-central-London.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | false |
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: VAC) ("the Company") today announced that its board of directors increased its prior authorization to repurchase common stock of the Company by $500 million.
During the second quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased more than 1.4 million shares of its common stock for $193 million at an average price per share of $135.77. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.1 million additional shares of its common stock for $131 million at an average price per share of $124 through the end of July.
As of July 29, 2022, the Company had approximately $28 million of capacity remaining under its prior authorization, and the increase in authorization provides a total remaining capacity of approximately $528 million.
About Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation is a leading global vacation company that offers vacation ownership, exchange, rental and resort and property management, along with related businesses, products and services. The Company has over 120 vacation ownership resorts and approximately 700,000 owner families in a diverse portfolio that includes some of the most iconic vacation ownership brands. The Company also operates exchange networks and membership programs comprised of nearly 3,200 affiliated resorts in over 90 countries and territories, as well as provides management services to other resorts and lodging properties. As a leader and innovator in the vacation industry, the Company upholds the highest standards of excellence in serving its customers, investors and associates while maintaining exclusive, long-term relationships with Marriott International, Inc. and Hyatt Hotels Corporation for the development, sales and marketing of vacation ownership products and services. For more information, please visit www.marriottvacationsworldwide.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/marriott-vacations-worldwide-corporation-announces-increased-share-repurchase-authorization/ | 2022-08-01T13:26:27Z | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/marriott-vacations-worldwide-corporation-announces-increased-share-repurchase-authorization/ | true |
Camera captures curlew chicks on Antrim hills. Video, 00:01:54Camera captures curlew chicks on Antrim hills
BBC will not resume live Twelfth coverage
Sub-postmistress 'looked through bins' for money
Man's leg broken during Castlederg burglary | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c4y260l8406t | 2022-08-01T13:29:53Z | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c4y260l8406t | false |
Primary election
We are in the midst of the “silly season” with the proliferation of signs and fliers for the various candidates for elected office. As annoying as it is for the rest of us, it is wonderful. I want to commend all the candidates — even those with whom I vehemently disagree on politics and positions — for their willingness to subject themselves to the rough political process and for their underlying desire to improve things. They all deserve our appreciation.
Abraham R. Byrd III
North side
More than unkind words
Re: the July 9 letter “GOP welcomes radicals.”
There seems to be more and more letters to the editor that demean other Americans that do not “think” like they do. An example is a recent letter with comments of “GOP welcomes radicals”; “GOP has become so radicalized because for decades they have been appealing to racist, bigoted, and/or sociopathic Americans”; and “… a political party that caters mainly to the worst elements of society … ”
People are also reading…
Well, I’m a conservative Republican and I am strongly offended by such rude, crude, and degrading inputs, which only further cause the division and hate brewing in America!
Rosalie Wright
Oro Valley
Conservatives and limited government
“GOP Support among Seniors Drops Dramatically” announced a recent Newsweek headline. No wonder. We seniors remember when limited government was a bedrock belief for conservatives.
No more. To deny that there is a right to privacy; to reject freedom to choose; to assert that the sexes are not equal when it comes to their own bodies; to ignore the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of religion; to work to limit the number of people who vote rather than expand the rolls; these are not consistent with limited government. They are, though, what passes for policy among Republicans who call themselves conservative these days, Trump or no Trump.
When conservatives assert that the government has no business being in the bedroom, the doctor’s office or places of worship and that democracy means everyone is entitled to a voice through a vote, their claim to believe in limited government will be believable.
Daniel White
Green Valley
Challenges to homeownership in Arizona
Re: the July 24 article “Builders tap the brakes as costs rise.”
The Star’s recent front page article provides further evidence of trends limiting the ability of our families to buy a home, and the financial security that offers. With average new home prices approaching half a million dollars, the cost is proving to be just too much.
In addition to the traditional costs of home ownership, we are now challenged by the uncertainties that we will not have the water to support ongoing growth and development rates of the region. Recently, the Federal Bureau of Reclamation sounded the alarm in the Federal Register noting: “The period from 2000 through 2022 is the driest 23-year period in more than a century and one of the driest periods in the last 1,200 years.” There are no guarantees that water will be available, and already Arizona property owners are losing their homes, because they cannot afford to pay for the water.
We are not doing enough to conserve our state’s water.
Roger McManus
Midtown
Policing for a profit
I want to thank the officers that drive our streets to try to keep us safe. However, there is also a financial aspect to their job and I’m not sure what the priorities are. They auction off older police cars but I wonder what would happen if they just parked those cars along the highway? When I see a police car I always check my speed as everyone else does. Unmarked cars? Why? unless they’re real money makers. A few years ago a young girl was killed by a drunk driver in a park area. “We’re going to put in speed bumps” was their answer, but several years later: no speed bumps. Lots of sheriff vehicles, but no speed bumps. They need to get back the money they paid to the family for not having signs designating the area as a park. Wouldn’t speed bumps force a car to slow down? What are their priorities?
Thomas Fletcher
Southwest side
Interstate 11
My husband and I live off of Sandario Road where part of the Interstate 11 expansion may be routed. Since moving here in 2020, we have seen a great number of wild animals, birds, and reptiles moving about and around our property. One animal in particular, is a desert tortoise, which is a threatened species in its native desert habitat. We have seen this tortoise three times as it traverses our property and around our neighborhood. I understand the increasing housing development in the Tucson area is shrinking this creature’s habitat even more than it already is.
In addition to desert tortoise, we routinely observe javelinas, coyotes, deer, jackrabbits, Gambel’s Quail, lizards of all types, Cooper’s hawks, Gila Woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and even Gila monsters.
We don’t want this highway in our backyard or anywhere, frankly, and we definitely are opposed to the Western Option Route that would ruin large sections of desert and create more sprawl.
Kathryn Rolke
West side
Legally obtained firearms
The 1968 federal gun control law makes it unlawful for a person known to be a danger to themselves or others to possess any firearms. The trick is the “known” part. Some formal authority, court, psychiatrist, or custodial family member must report the determination to the BATF so that the federal sale request can be denied. The buyer signs under penalty of perjury and the seller has no choice but to believe them. Anyone who poses a danger to themselves or others has no right to keep and bear arms. At present, mental illness of this sort is protected by medical privacy — the doctor is not allowed to report the crazy person to the BATF! The AR-15 is a militia weapon, ammo-compatible with Army standard arms. It is for civilian defense of the nation against foreign invasion. It is not for attacking the government or civilian crowds.
David Vernon
East side
When does life really begin?
Re: the July 7 letter “Conception Cops.”
I liked the letter “Conception Cops.” A similar concept was bouncing around my head. I was pondering how a male engaging in sex may not always have a partner present, perhaps by choice. Is it too much to ask the Supreme Court to take a hard look at this reality — millions of spermatozoa — all potential human beings — wasted if no egg is waiting for them. Millions of babies who never had a chance! This is happening in homes all over America. Perhaps all males over age 8 should have to wear a monitor, which would alert the Conception Police immediately. A camera would be necessary to determine if a female partner is involved. If not, the male would suffer severe consequences, maybe even prison time, for all the potential babies he denied their right to life. If this was implemented, it might also result in men giving more thought to their role in creating a child.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Overreach of government
Re: the July 10 letter ‘Step up, AZ legislators.”
In response to the letter writer, I would like to emphasize that our librarians are custodians of free speech, not caretakers of potential book burners or fascist internet oversight. This type of overreach of government is not in keeping with American ideals. Remember the 1950s and McCarthyism? That was a black mark on American society and many lost jobs and good reputations.
The last time I looked, we are a nation that was founded on separation of church and state. Morals should be guided in churches, synagogues and mosques. People should act with good conscience in all manners of living. One cannot judge well without walking in another’s shoes. Jesus also advised: “He who is without sin, throw the first stone ...” (John 8:7-8).
Paula Palotay
Marana
A beautiful choice
A BEAUTIFUL CHOICE
I am a fetus so they say,
But do not have a voice.
And whether I live or die, they say,
Is not for me, a choice.
Abortion’s the right of those
A female’s right to speak.
The right to life the whole world knows
Not for the unborn, the weak.
Merely a fetus, nothing more,
I sit in my mother’s womb.
Breathing and growing outside life’s door
Will her womb be also my tomb?
Her body is hers and mine is naught,
No child shall hamper her dreams.
Selfishness calls and convenience is sought,
My God, she hears not my screams?
Women tune in to the maternal
Listen, to that fetus’s voice.
Women reject oft the paternal
But life ... what a beautiful choice.
Tom McGorray
Northwest side
NRA might get what it wants
The NRA (I am a life member) has been pushing the narrative that the Second Amendment is mainly about giving Americans the right to bear arms against the illegal overreach of the Federal government. People have the right to all firearms because they need to be able to fight the oppression of our national leadership.
I think the people in this country who have the best case for being oppressed by our government are the people of color, and minorities of all kinds. Somehow I don’t think the NRA leadership really wants millions of armed Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, or Jewish people running around with AR-15s and a ghost gun Glock. And a lot of women mixed in also. A true conservative’s worst nightmare.
Arming the people against government tyranny might not have the consequences the NRA intended.
Graeme Williams
Southeast side | https://tucson.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor-aug-1/article_dd4bea4a-0d2d-11ed-a152-73d5eca5b4ce.html | 2022-08-01T13:31:52Z | https://tucson.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor-aug-1/article_dd4bea4a-0d2d-11ed-a152-73d5eca5b4ce.html | false |
Celsius Management to Conduct Conference Call at 2:00 p.m. ET Detailing PepsiCo Distribution Agreement and Investment
BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo, Inc., (NASDAQ: PEP) and Celsius Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: CELH), maker of a leading global fitness energy drink, CELSIUS®, today announced a definitive agreement forging a long-term strategic distribution arrangement. The distribution agreement initially transitions Celsius' current U.S. distribution to PepsiCo's best-in-class capabilities. As part of the transaction, PepsiCo will also make an investment in Celsius in support of its growth agenda and will nominate a director to serve on Celsius' Board of Directors.
The long-term U.S. distribution agreement is effective on August 1, 2022 and, subject to certain exceptions, includes retail and food service channels. PepsiCo will also become the preferred distribution partner globally for Celsius.
As part of the transaction, PepsiCo will make a net cash investment of $550 million to Celsius in exchange for convertible preferred stock. Shares underlying the transaction were priced at $75 per share, or approximately 7.33 million shares, which equates to an estimated 8.5% ownership in Celsius on an as-converted basis. The preferred shares are entitled to a 5% annual dividend.
"We are extremely pleased to partner with Celsius and excited about the opportunity for our two organizations to drive growth and innovation in the energy beverage category," said Kirk Tanner, CEO, PepsiCo Beverages North America. "The Celsius brand's growing momentum coupled with the strength of PepsiCo's portfolio and go-to-market capabilities create a combination we believe will be very compelling and valuable to retailers and consumers. We are looking forward to seeing the impact these two outstanding organizations can make together to more fully capture energy occasions."
Celsius President, Chairman and CEO, John Fieldly, commented, "I would first like to thank our employees and partners who have helped facilitate our rapid growth. We believe the opportunity to partner with a global best-in-class distributor provides Celsius with significant near-term additional shelf space in both existing retailers as well as new expansion within the independent retailers that represent a significant portion of the U.S. convenience and gas channel where approximately 70% of energy drinks are sold. It also provides a strategic partnership that is expected to accelerate growth for both companies globally. In addition, this partnership will drive efficiencies allowing our teams to consolidate sales, marketing, and distribution efforts with associated cost benefits, which we expect to recognize once the initial transition is completed. We look forward to partnering with PepsiCo and maximizing the opportunities we see ahead for Celsius and our shareholders."
Celsius Conference Call. Celsius will hold a conference call to discuss this announcement.
Monday, August 1, 2022 at 2:00 pm ET
This press release as well as a related slide presentation will be accessible on Celsius' website at https://www.celsiusholdingsinc.com/PepsiCo_Partnership/ beginning prior to the scheduled broadcast of the conference call. To participate in the Celsius conference call, please call one of the following telephone numbers at least 10 minutes before the start of the call:
Live webcast: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=RmAiflM3
An audio replay of the call will be available on Celsius' website at:
https://www.celsiusholdingsinc.com/press-releases/
UBS Investment Bank and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated served as financial advisors and Holland & Knight LLP served as legal advisor to Celsius. Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as lead counsel to PepsiCo, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP as U.S. tax counsel.
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $79 billion in net revenue in 2021, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive (pep+). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.
Celsius Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CELH), is a global consumer packaged goods company with a proprietary, clinically proven formula for its master brand CELSIUS®. A lifestyle energy drink born in fitness and a pioneer in the rapidly growing energy category. CELSIUS® offers proprietary, functional, essential energy formulas clinically-proven to offer significant health benefits to its users. CELSIUS® is backed by six university studies that were published in peer-reviewed journals validating the unique benefits CELSIUS® provides. For more information, please visit: http://www.celsiusholdingsinc.com
This press release may contain statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements contain projections of Celsius Holdings' future results of operations and/or financial position, or state other forward-looking information, including all statements regarding the distribution agreement with PepsiCo, such as future international opportunities and all statements regarding the impact of the transactions with PepsiCo on Celsius Holdings' business, financial condition, and operating results such as providing Celsius Holdings with significant near-term additional shelf space in both existing retailers as well as new expansion within the independent retailers that represent a significant portion of the U.S. convenience and gas channel. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," "would," or similar words. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since Celsius Holdings' actual results may differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors. These factors include but are not limited to: the impact of and the ability to complete and integrate strategic partnerships, including the distribution partnership with PepsiCo; general economic and business conditions; Celsius Holdings' business strategy for expanding its presence in its industry; anticipated trends in Celsius Holdings' financial condition and results of operation; the impact of competition and technology change; existing and future regulations affecting Celsius Holdings' business; Celsius Holdings' ability to satisfy in a timely manner, all Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) required filings and the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations adopted under that Section; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports Celsius Holdings has filed previously with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Celsius Holdings does not intend to and undertakes no duty to update the information contained in this press release.
Statements in this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on currently available information, operating plans and projections about future events and trends. Terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," and "intend," or similar statements or variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause PepsiCo's actual results to differ materially from those predicted in such forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: damage PepsiCo's reputation or brand image; product recalls or other issues or concerns with respect to product quality and safety; changes in the retail landscape; and increased commodity, packaging, transportation, labor and other input costs.
For additional information on these and other factors that could cause PepsiCo's actual results to materially differ from those set forth herein, please see PepsiCo's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Celsius Investor Relations:
Cameron Donahue
(651) 707-3532
cdonahue@celsius.com
PepsiCo Media Contact:
Kristen Mueller
(615) 294-2954
Kristen.Mueller@pepsico.com
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SOURCE Celsius Holdings, Inc. | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/pepsico-amp-celsius-announce-long-term-distribution-agreement-investment/ | 2022-08-01T13:32:36Z | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/pepsico-amp-celsius-announce-long-term-distribution-agreement-investment/ | true |
HONG KONG, August 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scully Royalty Ltd. (the "Company") (NYSE: SRL). The Company is pleased to announce that its board of directors has declared a cash dividend of C$0.33 (US$ 0.26) per common share pursuant to its cash dividend policy, which was implemented in connection with the Company's focus on enhancing shareholder value and maximizing earnings and dividends to its shareholders based upon its iron ore royalty.
The Company is pleased to announce the following details with respect to the third cash dividend of 2022:
- The dividend of C$0.33 (US$0.26) per common share will be paid in US Dollars on August 26, 2022 to shareholders of record on August 12, 2022. The ex-dividend date will be August 11, 2022
- This payment is based on our second quarter 2022 royalty of C$5,889,939 on 923,553 tonnes shipped, which is gross of a provincial 20% mining tax.
The declaration, timing and payment of future dividends will depend on, among other things, royalty payments received, the Company's financial and operating results.
Scully Royalty Ltd. Stakeholder Communications
Scully Royalty Ltd. management welcomes any questions you may have and looks forward to discussing this announcement with stakeholders. Further:
- stakeholders are encouraged to read our entire annual report, which includes our audited financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, for the year ended December 31, 2021, for a greater understanding of our business and operations; and
- direct any questions regarding the information in this news release to our North American toll-free line at 1 (844) 331 3343 or email info@scullyroyalty.com to book a conference call with our senior management.
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SOURCE Scully Royalty Ltd. | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/scully-royalty-ltd-dividend/ | 2022-08-01T13:33:01Z | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/scully-royalty-ltd-dividend/ | false |
B&G Foods Releases New Seasoning Featuring the Classic Flavor Profile of SNICKERS® That's Sure To Satisfy!
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- B&G Foods revealed today SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend, the first official seasoning blend to perfectly capture the chocolatey, luscious caramel, and peanut flavor profile of the beloved classic SNICKERS® bar. The release of SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend comes on the heels of B&G Foods' successful seasoning category partnership with Mars for TWIX™ Shakers Seasoning Blend (2021). The new SNICKERS-inspired seasoning is rolling onto shelves nationwide this month.
"We're pleased to expand our wildly popular licensed seasoning blends line with the addition of SNICKERS, one of the most iconic chocolate bars of all time," said Jordan Greenberg, President of Spices & Seasonings and Executive Vice President of B&G Foods. "With the introduction of SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend, everyone can now shake the SNICKERS® taste they love onto their favorite snacks and treats."
SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend combines the classic chocolate bar's delicious blend of chocolate, peanut, and caramel flavors to recreate the mouth-watering taste of a SNICKERS® bar. The seasoning blend can be sprinkled on foods and drinks, including ice cream, cookies, milkshakes, cookies, yogurt and more to enhance the flavor profile.
"At Mars we are consumer obsessed and have noticed the clear desire that has emerged among consumers to be able to add the flavors of their favorite confections to both sweet and savory foods," said Michelle Deignan, Senior Brand Director, Mars Wrigley. "We're pleased to partner with B&G Foods to allow consumers to experience the delicious and satisfying taste of SNICKERS® in a completely new, and shake-able, way with SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend."
For more information about SNICKERS™ Shakers Seasoning Blend, including recipe inspirations, please visit bgfoods.com/snickers.
About B&G Foods, Inc.
Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS) and its subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute high-quality, branded shelf-stable and frozen foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. With B&G Foods' diverse portfolio of more than 50 brands you know and love, including Back to Nature, B&G, B&M, Bear Creek, Cream of Wheat, Crisco, Dash, Green Giant, Las Palmas, Le Sueur, Mama Mary's, Maple Grove Farms, New York Style, Ortega, Polaner, Spice Islands and Victoria, there's a little something for everyone. For more information about B&G Foods and its brands, please visit www.bgfoods.com.
About Mars, Incorporated
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us.
Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and Petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M's®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, BEN'S ORIGINAL™, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world's pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses, including AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, and VCA™.
We know we can only be truly successful if our suppliers and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com.
Media Contact:
Jessica Reich
Gillian Small PR
jessica@gilliansmallpr.com
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SOURCE B&G Foods, Inc. | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/snickers-seasoning-blend-launches-nationwide/ | 2022-08-01T13:33:10Z | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/snickers-seasoning-blend-launches-nationwide/ | false |
LONDON (AP) — “It’s coming home!”
England won a major international soccer tournament on Sunday for the first time in more than half a century. The fact it was the women’s team, not the men’s, that ended decades of pain made it all the sweeter for many fans.
Crowds erupted in joy at London’s Wembley Stadium, at fan zones across the country and in pubs, clubs and living rooms as the whistle blew after extra time with the score England 2, Germany 1. It was the first-ever European victory for England’s Lionesses, and the first major international trophy for any England team — male or female — since 1966.
In London’s Trafalgar Square, fans chanted “It’s coming home!” — a reference to the England anthem “Three Lions,” with its chorus “football’s coming home” — and jumped into public fountains in celebration.
“I’m so happy,” said 24-year-old Becca Stewart. “It shows that after all these years, women’s football is something to care about and something to scream about. We did it — the men couldn’t do it but we did!”
At Wembley, the crowd broke into “Sweet Caroline,” the Neil Diamond song that has become a soccer anthem.
“The girls finally brought football home,” said Mary Caine, who attended the game with her 8-year-old daughter. “We’re delighted! It’s historic. It was magic in there and a breakthrough moment for women’s sport.”
Whatever the outcome had been, the Lionesses have energized a nation and brought interest in women’s sport in Britain to an entirely new level. Their success has provided a welcome distraction from the U.K.’s political turmoil and its cost-of-living crisis amid soaring prices for food and fuel.
The final was watched by a record crowd of more than 87,000 at Wembley and a huge TV audience, after a tournament that received an unprecedented level of media coverage. More than 9 million people watched the broadcast of England’s 4-0 semi-final win over Sweden last week.
Before Sunday, no U.K. team — England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland — had won a major international soccer tournament since England’s victory over West Germany in the 1966 men’s World Cup.
At that time, women’s teams were banned from using facilities by the Football Association, the sport’s governing body in England. The FA had ruled in 1921 that “the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.” The ban was not lifted until 50 years later.
Now, said Jade Monroe, watching the women’s final on big screens in Trafalgar Square, her 6-year-old daughter will know she can do “anything she wants in life.”
England’s trophy drought was almost broken a year ago when the men got to the final of a pandemic-delayed Euro 2020 competition, only to lose to Italy in a penalty shootout.
The dynamic men’s team under coach Gareth Southgate was also hailed as a team that represented modern Britain — a multi-ethnic squad whose members took a knee against racism before games, supported LGBT pride, campaigned hard against poverty and vanquished longstanding rivals like Germany.
The 2021 men’s Euros final was marred by some drunken disorder outside Wembley Stadium, however, and racist social media messages directed at some players after England’s defeat were a reminder that there’s still a long way to go.
There was no repeat of the boorish behavior at Sunday’s match, where the crowd included many families with soccer-mad girls.
Girls in many parts of England still have far fewer opportunities to play than boys, and the national women’s team lacks the diversity of the men’s side. But its stars have thrilled a nation.
Mitra Wilson, who watched the final in Trafalgar Square, said the team was an inspiration to her daughters, aged 8 and 9.
“It is empowering them to know they can do it and nothing has to hold them back,” she said.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.cbs42.com/news/ap-top-headlines/its-coming-home-england-rejoices-as-soccer-women-win-euros/ | 2022-08-01T13:37:03Z | https://www.cbs42.com/news/ap-top-headlines/its-coming-home-england-rejoices-as-soccer-women-win-euros/ | true |
Reyes Breaks Long-Standing Record by Being Named the First Latina to Win the State in Over 25 Years
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Angel Reyes of Chicago was named Miss Illinois USA 2022 during the 71st edition of the state pageant held on Monday, May 30th – making her the second Latina to win Miss Illinois USA in their 70-year history. With this monumental achievement, Angel will continue to advocate for social change and transformation through a variety of philanthropic initiatives on her journey to Miss USA.
Angel is the niece of famed-entrepreneur, Carolyn Aronson, who is at the helm of two of the only fully Latina-owned beauty brands, It's A 10 Haircare and Be A 10 Cosmetics. Aronson knows the true power of supporting other women marching fearlessly towards their goals, even when they seem impossible to most. That's why she is thrilled to continue to support Angel on her journey towards Miss USA 2022, providing counsel, glam, and motivation along the way.
To further amplify this historic moment, Aronson's award-winning hair care and makeup brands It's A 10 Haircare and Be A 10 Cosmetics are proud to announce a special year-long promotion offering 20% off both lines using the code ANGEL20. This festive deal is available now and will last through Monday, October 3rd, 2023.
"I have seen my niece endure so much adversity but never falter in the face of it. She reminds me of the young Latina I used to be— a go-getter attitude who turns that hardship into motivation to succeed," said Aronson. She continued, "Over the years I have watched Angel grow immensely - and now the world gets to see her shine too. I am overjoyed to support her road to the upcoming Miss USA pageant as she continues to break barriers and shine a bright light on our Latina community. She is an inspiration to us all and we cannot wait to see all that she will accomplish in the future!"
As Miss Illinois USA, Angel is using her platform to serve and make a difference in the lives of others, particularly those in need. This is a cause she's passionate about, having experienced many life altering circumstances being raised by a single mother in the inner city of Chicago. Angel aims to enrich and empower the lives of those battling hardships through her longtime partnership with the Hermosa Neighborhood Association - a resident advocacy group fighting for better city services, schools, parks, and safety in Hermosa, Chicago. Angel will also use her platform to increase the organization's visibility through a variety of community-directed events including a job fair she's hosting this summer. In tandem, Angel will partner with the Special Olympics Chicago for the Chicago Duck Derby - their annual large fundraising event- and much more.
"It is such an honor to be named Miss Illinois USA 2022 because this win goes far beyond myself. Growing up, I didn't see many role models who looked like me in the mainstream media and I hope to be an inspiration for other young Latinas who feel underrepresented. I want to show them that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard," said Angel. "I'm excited to bring you on my journey to Miss USA and to continue sharing my story with all of you!"
Angel is no stranger to pageantry, having started at the age of 15, she has been a fierce competitor on the local, state, national & international level winning 3 titles on the local stage and international level. Now at the age of 25, Angel has been working the beauty, health, and wellness circuit for over 7 years — starting her career as a professional makeup artist and now working as a medical aesthetics professional managing SpaDerma.
Angel will represent Illinois at Miss USA 2022 this fall. Prior to the competition, Angel will attend a series of retreats and bootcamps for all pageantry contestants taking place in Cancun, Mexico; Omaha, Nebraska; and Broken Brow, Oklahoma. You can follow Angel Reyes' journey to Miss USA 2022 on the Miss Illinois USA 2022 Instagram page @missilusa and Angel's personal Instagram page @therealangelreyes. The Miss USA finals will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. ET live on fyi at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.
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SOURCE It’s a 10 Haircare | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/miss-illinois-usa-2022-winner-angel-reyes-advocate-social-change-make-difference-lives-those-need-her-journey-miss-usa-this-fall/ | 2022-08-01T13:38:12Z | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/miss-illinois-usa-2022-winner-angel-reyes-advocate-social-change-make-difference-lives-those-need-her-journey-miss-usa-this-fall/ | true |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 for the second straight day, in what appears to be a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug.
In a letter noting the positive test, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the White House physician, said Sunday that the president “continues to feel well” and will keep on working from the executive residence while he isolates.
Biden tested positive on Saturday, requiring him to cancel travel and in-person events as he isolates for at least five days in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
After initially testing positive on July 21, Biden, 79, was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid. He tested negative for the virus this past Tuesday and Wednesday, clearing him to leave isolation while wearing a mask indoors.
Research suggests that a minority of those prescribed Paxlovid experience a rebound case of the virus. The fact that a rebound rather than a reinfection possibly occurred is a positive sign for Biden’s health once he’s clear of the disease.
“The fact that the president has cleared his illness and doesn’t have symptoms is a good sign and makes it less likely he will develop long COVID,” said Dr. Albert Ho, an infectious disease specialist at Yale University’s school of public health. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/politics/ap-politics/doctor-biden-tests-positive-for-covid-for-2nd-day-in-a-row/ | 2022-08-01T13:39:13Z | https://www.cbs42.com/news/politics/ap-politics/doctor-biden-tests-positive-for-covid-for-2nd-day-in-a-row/ | false |
'There's NO excuse for this, Beyonce!' Singer is SLAMMED by fans and disability charity for including ableist slur in new song - weeks after Lizzo apologised for using the same word
- Beyonce, 40, a global role model - has the lyrics: Sp**zin' on that ass, s**z on that ass' in the song in which she collaborated with Drake
- The word can mean to 'freak out' or 'go crazy'' in the US but it's very widely known that it comes from the word 'spastic'
- The term is often used in a derogative manner to describe those with disabilities, especially cerebral palsy
- This comes just weeks after Lizzo apologised for using the same word on her track Grrrls - and had her track re-recorded
Beyonce has been called out by disability equality charity Scope for using an ableist slur on her new song Heated.
This comes just weeks after Lizzo apologised for using the same word on her song Grrrls - and had her track re-recorded.
Beyonce, 40, a global role model - has the lyrics: Sp**zin' on that ass, s**z on that ass' in the song in which she collaborated with Drake.
Not good enough: Beyonce has been SLAMMED by disability equality charity Scope for including an ableist slur TWICE in new song Heated - weeks after Lizzo apologised for using same the word
The word can mean to 'freak out' or 'go crazy' in the US but it's very widely known that it comes from the word 'spastic'.
The term is often used in a derogative manner to describe those with disabilities, especially cerebral palsy.
Warren Kirwan, Media Manager at disability equality charity Scope, said: 'It's appalling that one of the world's biggest stars has chosen to include this deeply offensive term.
Lizzo changed the offensive lyric, saying: 'Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. As a fat Black woman in America, I've had many hurtful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally,)'
'Just weeks ago, Lizzo received a huge backlash from fans who felt hurt and let down after she used the same abhorrent language.
'Thankfully she did the right thing and re-recorded the song. It's hard to believe that could have gone unnoticed by Beyoncé's team.
'Words matter because they reinforce the negative attitudes disabled people face every day, and which impact on every aspect of disabled people's lives.
'Beyoncé has long been a champion of inclusivity and equality, so we'd urge her to remove this offensive lyric.'
Moreover, Twitter was awash with comments from those who couldn't believe that Beyonce, nor any members of her team would have not noticed that the word was an offensive one - especially after Lizzo's very public apology.
They wrote: 'Bizarre that Beyoncé chose to include an ableist slur in one of her new songs right after Lizzo learnt from her mistake and took the same slur out from her song.'
'So so disappointed that Beyoncé has used an ableist slur in Heated It’s the same one Lizzo used (& corrected very gracefully)… this was high profile enough that the same mistake shouldn’t have happened again So sick of non-disabled artists not recognising harm in their words.'
'It’s very hard to believe neither Beyoncé nor anyone in her team didn’t recognise the ableist slur when Lizzo very publicly made the same mistake a month ago (and graciously corrected it). Exhausting.'
MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Beyonce for comment.
Something to say: Twitter was awash with comments from those who couldn't believe that Beyonce, nor her team would have not noticed that the word was an offensive one - especially after Lizzo's very public apology
American pop singer Lizzo, 34, - changed the word 's**z' in the line 'Do you see this s***? I'm a hold back'.'
She addressed the controversy on Twitter after she changed the lyrics. 'It's been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song 'GRRRLS,' she said.
'Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. As a fat Black woman in America, I've had many hurtful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally,)' she added.
'I'm proud to say there's a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I'm dedicated to being part of the change I've been waiting to see in the world,' she concluded.
Make it right! Scope, said: 'It's appalling that one of the world's biggest stars has chosen to include this deeply offensive term' | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11069275/Beyonce-SLAMMED-disability-charity-Scope-including-ableist-slur-TWICE.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-08-01T13:39:38Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11069275/Beyonce-SLAMMED-disability-charity-Scope-including-ableist-slur-TWICE.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | true |
Woman who LIVES in her Honda Civic becomes a viral TikTok star while documenting her 'weird' life in her car - from showering in gyms to staying safe
- Nikita Crump, from North Carolina has gone viral after choosing to live in her car amid the housing crisis and has been documenting every aspect
- The North Carolina native took to TikTok to share she chose to live in her car after she was hardly making enough money to survive
- She revealed she couldn't afford to pay her rent despite having two jobs amid the reversal of the economy and inflation rates at an all time high
- Since moving into her car in 2019, she has been documenting living on wheels and showing her followers how she showers at gyms and stays safe
- TikTok users have filled her comments section with words of support and encouragement, while other expressed their concern
A woman has gone viral after choosing to live in her car amid the housing crisis and has been documenting every aspect of her life in a Honda Civic.
Nikita Crump, from North Carolina, took to TikTok to document her life living in her car and revealed she chose to be homeless when she found herself struggling to pay rent on time, skipping meals and working two jobs just to make ends meet.
The North Carolina native found herself paying rent late, barley making enough money to survive and constantly 'stressing over money,' so she decided to move into her car to avoid pushing herself into an even further financial crisis.
Nikita Crump, from North Carolina has gone viral after choosing to live in her car amid the housing crisis and has been documenting every aspect
The North Carolina native took to TikTok to share she chose to live in her car; she added that she made the decision after she was hardly making enough money to survive
She revealed she couldn't afford to pay her rent despite having two jobs amid the reversal of the economy and inflation rates at an all time high
The TikToker revealed she had been showering at gyms and showed herself in the bathroom of Planet Fitness and added that she carries her toiletries in from her car
'I've been homeless by definition most of my adult life,' she revealed in a candid TikTok video, which racked up over two million views. 'I've even lived in my car before, briefly. So I'm not that unfamiliar with being in uncomfortable situations and being homeless.
Nikita was working at department store T.J.MAXX and working to help care for butterflies and found herself 'eating those $1.29 packs of ramen regularly, or not eating at all.'
Nikita's life was slowly slipping away and she was forced to refuse experiences with her friends just to save money, so she decided to move into her car.
'I couldn't afford to go out and get cheap food with friends,' she said. 'I was skipping meals to save money and I was slowly and steadily going into debt.
In the midst of her financial struggles, Nikita revealed she chose to 'cut [her] biggest bill out.'
The North Carolina native moved into her car in October, 2019 and has been traveling around the country in her Honda Civic ever since.
In many revealing videos, she opened up about the various adaptions she made for her new lifestyle and described to her over one million followers how she lives on wheels.
'Here's things in my car that just make sense for homeless life,' she said.
Nikita added that she uses window covers made from refelctix insulation and black fabric to be safe
Since moving into her car in 2019 because of rent surges, she has been documenting living on wheels and showing her followers how she showers at gyms and stays safe
Nikita revealed she uses google maps to find a safe place to park her car and sleep at night; she said she uses the satellite view to find a 'nice' neighborhood to sleep in
Nikita showed her followers her window covers which she made with reflective insulation and black fabric and revealed how she used google maps to find a safe place to park her car and sleep in at night.
The North Carolina native whose full time job is now TikTok, also shared that she showers at her gym and showed herself grabbing her toiletries from her car before heading into Planet Fitness.
Nikita has made her car the perfect home on wheels, fully equipped with storage cubes in her trunk that hold her clothing and other necessities, portable chargers and fans.
And with rent prices on an unprecedented surge, Nikita has just been one of the many who have fallen victim to the housing crisis.
With the country going into recession after second straight quarter of negative growth, many like Nikita, are struggling to keep up with an economy in reverse and inflation rates.
Despite North Carolina's cost of living being about four per cent lower than other US cities, inflation has caused the prices of basic good to skyrocket, including the prices of meat and poultry, which went up by 10.4 per cent, cereal, up 15.1 per cent, and fruits and vegetables, up 8.1 per cent.
Gas prices are another point of pressure for many people around the country, up nearly 60 per cent over the past year, with the cost of air fares up more than 34 per cent and price of used cars up more than 7 per cent.
Apparel costs are up by 5.2 per cent, overall shelter costs went up 5.5 per cent, and delivery services have gone up 14.4 per cent.
TikTok users have filled her comments section with words of support and encouragement, while other expressed their concern
And although North Carolina is reported to be one of the states with the lowest cost of livings, the state has suffered the consequences of the housing crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, North Carolina has an average of 9,280 people experiencing homelessness on any given day.
TikTok users have expressed their concern for the North Carolina native and have also tried to offer her support by empathizing with Nikita.
One user said: 'This looks so lonely.'
'Hotel Civic,' joked another user.
'A while back my wife and I were in the same situation that you're in not by choice. And still struggle to build our home. We love you take care,' commented a third user. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11058823/Woman-LIVES-Honda-Civic-viral-TikTok-star.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | 2022-08-01T13:40:12Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11058823/Woman-LIVES-Honda-Civic-viral-TikTok-star.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | true |
Reyes Breaks Long-Standing Record by Being Named the First Latina to Win the State in Over 25 Years
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Angel Reyes of Chicago was named Miss Illinois USA 2022 during the 71st edition of the state pageant held on Monday, May 30th – making her the second Latina to win Miss Illinois USA in their 70-year history. With this monumental achievement, Angel will continue to advocate for social change and transformation through a variety of philanthropic initiatives on her journey to Miss USA.
Angel is the niece of famed-entrepreneur, Carolyn Aronson, who is at the helm of two of the only fully Latina-owned beauty brands, It's A 10 Haircare and Be A 10 Cosmetics. Aronson knows the true power of supporting other women marching fearlessly towards their goals, even when they seem impossible to most. That's why she is thrilled to continue to support Angel on her journey towards Miss USA 2022, providing counsel, glam, and motivation along the way.
To further amplify this historic moment, Aronson's award-winning hair care and makeup brands It's A 10 Haircare and Be A 10 Cosmetics are proud to announce a special year-long promotion offering 20% off both lines using the code ANGEL20. This festive deal is available now and will last through Monday, October 3rd, 2023.
"I have seen my niece endure so much adversity but never falter in the face of it. She reminds me of the young Latina I used to be— a go-getter attitude who turns that hardship into motivation to succeed," said Aronson. She continued, "Over the years I have watched Angel grow immensely - and now the world gets to see her shine too. I am overjoyed to support her road to the upcoming Miss USA pageant as she continues to break barriers and shine a bright light on our Latina community. She is an inspiration to us all and we cannot wait to see all that she will accomplish in the future!"
As Miss Illinois USA, Angel is using her platform to serve and make a difference in the lives of others, particularly those in need. This is a cause she's passionate about, having experienced many life altering circumstances being raised by a single mother in the inner city of Chicago. Angel aims to enrich and empower the lives of those battling hardships through her longtime partnership with the Hermosa Neighborhood Association - a resident advocacy group fighting for better city services, schools, parks, and safety in Hermosa, Chicago. Angel will also use her platform to increase the organization's visibility through a variety of community-directed events including a job fair she's hosting this summer. In tandem, Angel will partner with the Special Olympics Chicago for the Chicago Duck Derby - their annual large fundraising event- and much more.
"It is such an honor to be named Miss Illinois USA 2022 because this win goes far beyond myself. Growing up, I didn't see many role models who looked like me in the mainstream media and I hope to be an inspiration for other young Latinas who feel underrepresented. I want to show them that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard," said Angel. "I'm excited to bring you on my journey to Miss USA and to continue sharing my story with all of you!"
Angel is no stranger to pageantry, having started at the age of 15, she has been a fierce competitor on the local, state, national & international level winning 3 titles on the local stage and international level. Now at the age of 25, Angel has been working the beauty, health, and wellness circuit for over 7 years — starting her career as a professional makeup artist and now working as a medical aesthetics professional managing SpaDerma.
Angel will represent Illinois at Miss USA 2022 this fall. Prior to the competition, Angel will attend a series of retreats and bootcamps for all pageantry contestants taking place in Cancun, Mexico; Omaha, Nebraska; and Broken Brow, Oklahoma. You can follow Angel Reyes' journey to Miss USA 2022 on the Miss Illinois USA 2022 Instagram page @missilusa and Angel's personal Instagram page @therealangelreyes. The Miss USA finals will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. ET live on fyi at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.
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SOURCE It’s a 10 Haircare | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/miss-illinois-usa-2022-winner-angel-reyes-advocate-social-change-make-difference-lives-those-need-her-journey-miss-usa-this-fall/ | 2022-08-01T13:41:22Z | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/miss-illinois-usa-2022-winner-angel-reyes-advocate-social-change-make-difference-lives-those-need-her-journey-miss-usa-this-fall/ | true |
Viaggio Tapas in Rockville Centre: First bites
The first bites at Viaggio Tapas make you want the second, third, fourth and fifth.
This buoyant, bustling spot specializes in the small plates of Spain, those flavor-packed mouthfuls often accompanied by a glass of Sherry. Go with a group and sample as many as you can.
Winners include smoked Basque oysters (which arrive under a smoke-filled dome); patatas bravas with a vivid aioli; Iberico ham, pricey but worth it; plump, grilled Spanish octopus; and the zucchini flatbread with caramelized onions and goat cheese.
The food is savory and fun. So's Viaggio Tapas.
Viaggio Tapas, 324 Sunrise Hwy., Rockville Centre; 516-208-7789. | https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/restaurants/viaggio-tapas-in-rockville-centre-first-bites-y22960 | 2022-08-01T13:41:40Z | https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/restaurants/viaggio-tapas-in-rockville-centre-first-bites-y22960 | true |
The financing is one of Greater Boston's first "green loans" and among $4+ billion in recent and active life science transactions by Newmark's Boston Debt & Structured Finance group
BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Newmark announces the arrangement of $514 million in construction financing for Phase I of Assembly Innovation Park, a 485,000-square-foot life science tower that is under development by BioMed Realty in Somerville, Massachusetts. Newmark Executive Managing Directors David Douvadjian, Sr. and Timothy O'Donnell, Senior Managing Director Brian Butler, Managing Director David Douvadjian, Jr. and Associate Conor Reenstierna of the firm's Boston Debt & Structured Finance group represented the borrower.
The financing for Phase I of Assembly Innovation Park is one of Greater Boston's first "green loans." Designed to achieve LEED Gold and WELL certifications, the 12-story asset and its associated parking garage will incorporate sustainable technologies including a high-performance curtain wall, high-efficiency chilled water and exhaust air systems and a rooftop photovoltaic array. The project broke ground in January 2022 and is expected to deliver in the second quarter of 2024.
"Life science has been a major driver of financing activity across Greater Boston in the past 18 months," said Douvadjian, Sr. "Projects like Phase I at Assembly Innovation Park will enable the region to continue serving as one of the world's most desirable destinations for cutting-edge laboratory, research and biotechnology firms."
The financing for Phase I of Assembly Innovation Park is among $4+ billion in recent and active life science transactions by Newmark's Boston Debt & Structured Finance group. This track record began in December 2020 with the group's arrangement of $404 million in financing for 601 Congress, a 482,000-square-foot office-to-laboratory conversion in Boston's Seaport District, also on behalf of BioMed Realty.
"Our life science activity spans construction and conversion projects across multiple submarkets in Greater Boston," said O'Donnell. "We work closely with Newmark's Boston Capital Markets group, which has overseen the sale of properties including Assembly Innovation Park and 601 Congress, to provide our clients with a truly synergistic menu of services."
Led by Newmark Co-Head of U.S. Capital Markets Robert Griffin, Executive Vice Chairman Edward Maher, Vice Chairman Matthew Pullen, Executive Managing Director James Tribble and Managing Director Samantha Hallowell, the firm's Boston Capital Markets group was the most active broker of office and life science properties in the United States in 2021 with more than $5.4 billion in sales, according to Real Estate Alert's regional rankings comparison.
Newmark Financial Analyst Harrison Zucco provides financial analysis support for transactions arranged by the firm's Boston Debt & Structured Finance group.
Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries ("Newmark"), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark's comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform's global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. Newmark generated revenues of nearly $3.2 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2022. Newmark's company-owned offices, together with its business partners, operate from approximately 170 offices with over 6,500 professionals around the world. To learn more, visit nmrk.com or follow @newmark.
Statements in this document regarding Newmark 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, Newmark 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 Newmark'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.
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SOURCE Newmark Group, Inc. | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/newmark-arranges-514-million-construction-financing-phase-i-assembly-innovation-park-somerville-massachusetts/ | 2022-08-01T13:42:08Z | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/newmark-arranges-514-million-construction-financing-phase-i-assembly-innovation-park-somerville-massachusetts/ | true |
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Remark Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARK), a diversified global technology company with leading artificial intelligence ("AI") solutions and digital media properties, today announced the company's conference call to review financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended June 30, 2022, will be held on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. In addition to second quarter 2022 financial results, management will provide an update on the company's AI businesses in Asia, Europe, and the United States and progress made across its AI platform.
The live conference may be accessed via telephone or online webcast.
Date: Monday, August 15, 2022
Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time)
Toll-Free Number: 800.289.0720
International Number: 323.701.0160
Conference ID: 7189339
Online Webcast: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1562633&tp_key=7bdfa0774e
Participants are advised to log in for the live webcast 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
A replay of the call will be available after 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through August 20, 2022.
Toll-Free Replay Number: 844.512.2921
International Replay Number: 412.317.6671
Replay ID: 7189339
Remark Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARK) delivers an integrated suite of AI solutions that enable businesses and organizations to solve problems, reduce risk and deliver positive outcomes. The company's easy-to-install AI products are being rolled out in various retail, public safety, and workplace applications. The company also owns and operates an e-commerce digital media property focused on a luxury beach lifestyle. The company's corporate headquarters and U.S. operations are based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it also maintains operations in London, England, and Shanghai, China. The operations of the variable interest entities that the company consolidates are headquartered in Chengdu, China, with additional offices in Hangzhou. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.remarkholdings.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, and regulations. Words such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in Remark Holdings' Annual Report on Form 10-K and Remark Holdings' other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements reflect Remark Holdings' current views concerning future events, are based on assumptions, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Given such uncertainties, you should not rely on any forward-looking statements, which represent Remark Holdings' estimates and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, Remark Holdings undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Fay Tian
Vice President of Investor Relations
F.Tian@remarkholdings.com
(+1) 626-623-2000
(+86) 13702108000
(+65) 8715-8007
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SOURCE Remark Holdings, Inc. | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/remark-holdings-sets-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-call-august-15-2022-430-pm-et/ | 2022-08-01T13:43:21Z | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/remark-holdings-sets-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-call-august-15-2022-430-pm-et/ | false |
Home touring activity in June moved closer to 2019 levels as the formerly red-hot housing market cools
- Home showing activity is down across the U.S., with June seeing an 18.7% year-over-year decline in home tours – though showing activity is still well above pre-pandemic levels.
- Markets averaging double-digit home tours per listing fell from March's record high of 121 markets to three in June.
- The West region again saw the largest decline in showing activity, with buyer traffic down 44.1% year-over-year.
CHICAGO , Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In what may be a welcome change for home shoppers used to abnormal market activity, the latest data from the ShowingTime Showing Index® found home showings declined again year-over-year in June – though home touring activity is still above pre-pandemic levels. ShowingTime is one of the residential real estate industry's leading technology providers of showing management and market statistics.
The decline in home showings across the country is another indicator that the housing market may be moving toward rebalancing, as inventory improves and competition among home buyers eases. The Northeast saw the smallest drop in June, with a 10.9% dip in showings. The Midwest followed with a 16.7% drop, while the South's 25.9% decline and West's 44.1% downturn rounded out the regions. The U.S. overall had an 18.7% fall in buyer traffic compared to this time last year.
Burlington, Vt., led all markets in showings per listing in June with an average of 13.58, marking the second consecutive month in which it claimed the top spot. Notably, Burlington is also one of the few markets where showings per listing are up significantly year over year – in other markets analyzed, showings stayed flat or declined.
Rochester, N.Y. and Cleveland also saw double-digit showings per listing, rounding out the three markets to reach that distinction. The dwindling number of markets to see double-digit showings per listing represents a turnaround from the spring, when that number reached triple digits from February through April.
"Most markets are experiencing a slowdown in buyer activity, especially compared to the historically high traffic seen last year," said ShowingTime Vice President and General Manager Michael Lane. "While summer is a slower time of year for real estate compared to spring, the dip we're seeing compared to last June suggests this slowing is more about a rebalancing of an overheated market than just marking the end of the home shopping season."
About ShowingTime
ShowingTime is an industry leader in home touring technology and a proud affiliate of Zillow Group, Inc. ShowingTime's technology and services simplify the tour scheduling process for buyers, sellers and agents across the industry. ShowingTime products are used in hundreds of MLSs representing more than one million real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada.
CONTACT:
Elana Bodow
Barbara Wagner Communications
(315) 440-7554
elana@bwagnerpr.com
Katie Prael
Barbara Wagner Communications
(646) 737-4600
katie@bwagnerpr.com
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SOURCE ShowingTime | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/home-buyer-demand-turns-cooler-home-tours-decline-record-breaking-highs/ | 2022-08-01T13:45:32Z | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/home-buyer-demand-turns-cooler-home-tours-decline-record-breaking-highs/ | true |
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) —
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Monday appointed a caretaker government ahead of another round of parliamentary elections in early October in a bid to stave off the country's political and economic crisis.
The move comes after the three largest political groups failed to find common ground for a viable coalition to settle the European Union and NATO member’s latest political impasse amid soaring tensions with Russia.
The collapse of the reformist coalition in June, helped pave the way toward a new election - the fourth since April 2021 - which analysts expect will bring a stronger presence of nationalist and pro-Russia groups into a fragmented parliament.
With another decree, President Rumen Radev dissolved the National Assembly and set the date for early parliamentary elections on Oct. 2.
Radev also appointed former labor minister Galab Donev to lead the interim government as the European Union’s poorest member is struggling with a surging inflation and energy supply shortages.
The new administration is widely expected to try to allay people’s fears of grappling with the winter cold amid fuel supply issues, as well as to reconsider the country’s stand on Russian gas imports which were cut off in April after officials refused a demand by Moscow to pay gas bills in rubles. | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/bulgaria-caretaker-government-until-october-early-election/433B6U2EKBFTRLJIE5EJJIN7RM/ | 2022-08-01T13:47:14Z | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/bulgaria-caretaker-government-until-october-early-election/433B6U2EKBFTRLJIE5EJJIN7RM/ | false |
America's Farmers Grow Communities Program Returns to support Organizations that Keep Communities Thriving
- Now through Nov. 1, Bayer Fund's America's Farmers Grow Communities program encourages eligible farmers to enroll for the chance to direct $5,000 donations to local eligible nonprofits, schools or ag programs.
- America's Farmers programs have awarded $65 million to thousands of nonprofits, schools and ag students across rural America since its inception in 2010.
- To enroll for a chance to direct a donation, farmers can visit www.AmericasFarmers.com or call 1-877-267-3332 toll-free.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer Fund's America's Farmers Grow Communities program is once again teaming up with farmers across the country to find and fund the organizations and institutions that keep their communities thriving. From August 1 to November 1, eligible farmers can enroll for the chance to direct a $5,000 donation to a local eligible nonprofit organization, school or youth agriculture program.
Since its inception in 2010, America's Farmers initiatives have awarded more than $65 million to thousands of schools and nonprofit organizations across the country. Farmers have played a key role in identifying and directing funds to programs and organizations that contribute to their communities' health and vibrancy, such as food banks, schools and agriculture programs.
"Grow Communities is a special program because we work closely with farmers to find and fund nonprofit organizations that make a positive impact in their communities," said Al Mitchell, Bayer Fund President. "Every year, we hear from farmers and Grow Communities recipients who tell us the dollars are making a difference. Because of this feedback, the Bayer Fund team is excited to continue to help strengthen rural communities through this program."
Farmers are eligible to enroll in Grow Communities if they are 21 years of age or older and are actively engaged in farming at least 250 acres of any crop. To enroll in or learn more about Grow Communities, including program eligibility and rules, farmers can visit www.AmericasFarmers.com or call 1-877-267-3332 toll-free. Winners will be announced February 2023.
America's Farmers, sponsored by Bayer Fund, is focused on strengthening rural America through community outreach programs that partner with farmers to make an impact in communities where farmers live and work. The programs have given more than $65 million to rural America since 2010.
Bayer Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education and community development projects.
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SOURCE Bayer Fund | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/bayer-fund-partners-with-farmers-effort-direct-funds-local-nonprofits-schools-ag-programs/ | 2022-08-01T13:48:29Z | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/bayer-fund-partners-with-farmers-effort-direct-funds-local-nonprofits-schools-ag-programs/ | false |
BEACHWOOD, Ohio, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ARC Health, a Thurston Group portfolio company based in Beachwood, OH, is proud to announce the appointment of Vincent Morra as Chief Executive Officer. Formed in 2021, the mental health focused management services organization supports psychiatry, psychology and therapy providers in multiple locations throughout the United States.
"I am honored to lead this innovative partner-centric community of mental health providers, as ARC Health's partnership model is a tremendous value-add for providers," said Mr. Morra, who brings decades of experience in C-level healthcare leadership to the table. "Our providers deliver premier mental health services, and it's exciting to support them with an equally high-caliber corporate organization."
Mr. Morra has over 35 years of healthcare experience. Before joining ARC Health, he served as President of the North Division at Alteon Healthcare for more than 11 years, leading a team of over 800 physicians and 400 advanced practice providers. Prior to Alteon Healthcare, Mr. Morra spent 24 years with NES Healthcare Group in various leadership positions, including serving as CEO for over 10 years.
Dan Davis, Managing Director of Thurston Group, stated "Vince's leadership and industry experience has propelled him to lead multiple initiatives in business development, customer retention, mergers and acquisitions and revenue cycle management in both hospital and community-based practices. We are humbled and honored that he has agreed to lead our exciting partnership in mental health."
The doctor-partner model of ARC Health, first pioneered by Thurston Group companies in other sub-specialties of healthcare, emphasizes local autonomy on the clinical side combined with the competitive advantage of size and expertise on the business side. "Our mission is clearcut: Give each of our provider partners the freedom to practice their way with the power of a team behind them," stated Drs. Boris Royak and Amit Mohan, Founding Doctor Partners of ARC Health.
ARC Health is expanding rapidly throughout the country, partnering with leading mental health providers in attractive geographies.
ARC Health is a premier group of mental health providers who have come together as partners while maintaining their individual identities. Their forward-thinking and supportive partnership of mental health providers is geared toward increasing accessibility via a collaborative network. The ARC Health business model is pioneering the space with a unified, provider-centric approach that reinforces clinical autonomy while also joining together as equity-owning partners. archealthpartners.com
Thurston Group is a private equity firm that focuses on building industry-leading companies in the healthcare and related business-service sectors. Thurston has an extensive track record of partnering with physicians and building fast-growing healthcare businesses, including SGA Dental Partners, Gen4 Dental Partners, Smiles Dental, ARC Health, Options Medical Weight Loss and U.S. Orthopaedic Partners. Over its 36-year history, Thurston Group has returned over $4B of invested capital. For additional information about Thurston Group, please visit Thurston Group's website at www.thurstongroup.com.
Contact:
Dana Hayes
+1-312-255-0077
https://www.thurstongroup.com/
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SOURCE Thurston Group | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/arc-health-announces-hire-veteran-ceo/ | 2022-08-01T13:49:25Z | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/arc-health-announces-hire-veteran-ceo/ | false |
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLP, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to:
1Life Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ: ONEM)'s sale to Amazon.com, Inc. for $18.00 per share in cash. If you are a 1Life shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Hanger, Inc. (NYSE: HNGR)'s sale to Patient Square Capital for $18.75 in cash per share. If you are a Hanger shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Silverback Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBTX)'s merger with ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, assuming that Silverback's net cash at closing is $240 million, Silverback equity holders are expected to own approximately 37% of the combined company. If you are a Silverback shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Halper Sadeh LLP may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com.
Halper Sadeh LLP represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Halper Sadeh LLP
Daniel Sadeh, Esq.
Zachary Halper, Esq.
(212) 763-0060
sadeh@halpersadeh.com
zhalper@halpersadeh.com
https://www.halpersadeh.com
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SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/shareholder-investigation-notice-halper-sadeh-llp-investigates-onem-hngr-sbtx/ | 2022-08-01T13:50:01Z | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/shareholder-investigation-notice-halper-sadeh-llp-investigates-onem-hngr-sbtx/ | false |
JERICHO, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESQ) (the "Company"), the financial holding company for Esquire Bank, National Association (the "Bank"), today announced Joseph Melohn was appointed to the Boards of Directors of both the Company and the Bank, effective July 28, 2022.
Mr. Melohn is a private investor and entrepreneur. Since 2006, Mr. Melohn has served as the President of The Expansion Group Inc., and Expansion VC a venture capital firm focused on early and growth stage companies. His responsibilities include managing and supervising a real estate portfolio and all family office investments. Mr. Melohn has invested in technology, energy, and consumer marketplace companies, as well as having worked with many funds in the asset-based lending sector.
"Mr. Melohn's extensive experience in the financial and technology verticals make him an ideal addition to our Board of Directors," said Andrew C. Sagliocca, Chief Executive Officer and President.
"I am honored to join the board of a forward thinking financial institution that provides high quality services enabled by innovative technology," said Joseph Melohn, Board Member.
About Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.
Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Jericho, New York, with one branch office in Jericho, New York and an administrative office in Boca Raton, Florida. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Esquire Bank, National Association, is a full-service commercial bank dedicated to serving the financial needs of the legal industry and small businesses nationally, as well as commercial and retail customers in the New York metropolitan area. The bank offers tailored products and solutions to the legal community and their clients as well as dynamic and flexible payment processing solutions to small business owners. For more information, visit www.esquirebank.com.
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SOURCE Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/esquire-financial-holdings-inc-appoints-joseph-melohn-board-member/ | 2022-08-01T13:50:48Z | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/esquire-financial-holdings-inc-appoints-joseph-melohn-board-member/ | true |
Citation
Xie Y, Xu H, Wang B, Wu X, Tao S, Wan Y, Tao F. Front. Psychiatry 2022; 13: e885713.
Copyright
(Copyright © 2022, Frontiers Media)
DOI
10.3389/fpsyt.2022.885713
PMID
35898623
PMCID
PMC9309254
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The impact of biological rhythm disorder (BRD) on the association of childhood maltreatment (CM) and suicidal behavior in adolescents remains unclear. CM increases the risk of suicidal ideation (SI), suicidal planning (SP), and suicidal attempts (SAs). There is less investigation on gender differences in CM's effects on suicidal behavior. It is unknown whether the impacts vary with different levels of BRD. AIMS: To identify gender differences in CM's effects on suicidal behavior and to investigate these impacts at different levels of BRD. METHOD: The analysis is based on data from 7,986 adolescents recruited from three cities in China between October and December 2019. All participants, aged 14.7 ± 2 years, filled out standard questionnaires involving CM, BRD, and suicidal behavior. RESULTS: A total of 22.9, 10.8, and 4.7% of the adolescents reported SI/SP/SAs in the past year. Girls are more likely to engage in SI and SP when exposed to the highest level of CM; boys are more likely to engage in SAs than girls. A significant relationship between moderate levels of CM and SI/SP/SAs was only observed in girls exposed to low BRD. Moderate CM is only significantly associated with SI in boys exposed to low BRD. The percentage of low-BRD adolescents who experienced high CM was 31.4%, whereas 58% of high-BRD adolescents experienced high CM in SI. Adolescents with high BRD were more likely to experience high levels of CM in SP and SAs. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents at high risk of suicidal behavior in relation to CM should be targeted accordingly. Improving biological rhythm in adolescents who experience CM could help prevent them from engaging in suicidal behavior.
Language: en
Keywords
adolescents; childhood maltreatment; suicidal ideation; biological rhythm; suicidal attempts; suicidal planning | https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_725172_20 | 2022-08-01T13:50:58Z | https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_725172_20 | true |
GARY — Green grapefruit mint leaves and lemon grass tendrils stretched toward the afternoon sun as 'farm-her' Carmen McKee led a tour.
“I am going to encourage you to touch, taste and feel everything and anything,” McKee said as she passed around a laminated sheet detailing the rules of edible botany.
The grapefruit mint, lemon grass and splenda plants nestled next to one another are part of the citrus-themed growing area at Oases Botanic Gardens located at 3510 W. 15th Avenue in Gary. Though the land next to the former army reserve medic building is full of roses, lavender and bright pops of nasturtium flowers, everything on the property is edible.
A crowd of about 20 people wandered through the peaceful garden, admiring the rows of chili peppers, the rose bushes and the corn stalks growing alongside squash vines — an ode to the three sisters companion planting method.
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Oases was the group's first stop on a tour of three urban farms in Gary. Organized by Purdue Extension, the group visited Oases, Shannon Farm and Homestead and FAITH Farm and Orchard.
"We wanted to visit farms that do a lot of community engagement," Lake County Extension Educator Rebecca Koetz explained. “We wanted to hear from beginning farmers so we can be better equipped to understand their needs."
There are some 23 urban farms in Gary, McKee said, though about half are "homesteads," meaning most of the produce is used for personal consumption. Though urban agriculture has been practiced in Gary for years, farmers have been receiving more support in recent years.
In 2020, Purdue Extension launched the Gary Urban Agriculture training program. Extension expanded the program this spring, creating the Urban Farming Signature program for residents throughout the Region.
Local growers also came together to form the Gary Food Council, which connects local farmers with resources and information.
Urban farming is also becoming more accessible. Last spring, a bill allowing Indiana municipalities to establish urban agricultural zones that are exempt from property taxes, was signed into law. Authored by state Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, the exemption is aimed at supporting low-resource or beginner farmers.
Learning on the farm
Outfitted in an apron full of supplies, a wide sun hat and, of course, the Trailblazer Community Impact medal she was awarded at the This is Gary celebration, McKee looks like she has been farming all her life.
Growing up, her aunts, uncles and grandparents always had backyard gardens, "but they weren't for children, they were serious because they were food for my family." When she and her husband were raising their three sons, they often used container gardens because they lived in apartments.
However, when McKee moved from Georgia to Gary in 2016, she was confronted by the term "food desert." A chaplain by training, McKee was working at a local hospital when she and a patient began discussing food access.
“We were talking about health concerns and what that looked like, and she said, ‘Gary is a food desert,’” McKee recalled. “I had never heard the term food dessert or food insecurity."
A very "solution-oriented" person, McKee quickly discovered the many farms working to increase access to fresh food and started volunteering. She took the Purdue Master Gardener class in 2017 and the University of Illinois Master Farmer class in 2018. Over three summers, McKee spent about 1,700 hours volunteering at local farms — while working full time.
“I worked the night shift, so I would get off at 7 a.m., I would get to the site by 8, work until I was tired and then get ready for work again.”
As she got to know the farms in the area, she saw that many were growing the same things: collards, kale, spinach, turnips, onions, tomatoes. While established farms focused on the staples community members liked to eat, McKee wanted to "grow something that would compliment what everyone else is growing."
In 2019, she got permission from the property owners to start a small garden at the former army medic building. She started off by planting herbs and brought two coolers to the property, each filled with water bottles.
“I wanted a nice, safe space where people could come from anywhere in the world and know that Gary is beautiful," McKee said. "I started growing herbs because you can rub those and put them in your drink.”
Year after year, McKee began expanding her offerings. Focusing on plants that "really makes food pop,” she started growing garlic, peppers, edible flowers and fruit trees. Oases also became a space for community engagement. The garden often hosts educational programming, yoga and Zumba classes and informational sessions led by local herbalists.
"Ninety percent of what we do is education because whether people are familiar with it (the plant) or not, there are so many different ways of handling it, of eating it, of using it,” McKee said.
Oases also hosts a farmers market on the fourth Thursday and second Tuesday of every month.
"(Events at Oases) bring people and family closer together, and while we're doing that, we’re also teaching them how to sustain and feed themselves," said Maria Brooks, who has been volunteering at Oases since the garden first started.
Brooks, a lifelong cook, said that until she met McKee, she didn't know she could "take a little square space in front of my home and make it a garden." For years, she used her windowsill as a mini garden, growing cilantro, basil and oregano, harvesting as she cooked.
Now she has two gardens at home — one filled with everyday herbs and another dedicated to more unique herbs.
“I never thought you would be able to farm right around the corner from the steel mill,” Brooks said. "When I thought of gardening or farming I always thought of the country, but it can be right here in the city, and you can really feed your family.”
Creating their own food security
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, much of Gary is considered to be a "food desert," meaning a substantial number of residents in the area are low-income and do not have easy access to a supermarket or large grocery store.
The term "food desert" has received some pushback in recent years. Many researchers say the word "desert" ignores the racially discriminatory policies and economic factors that create food access issues. Instead, the term "food apartheid" has gained popularity, as it highlights intentional barriers that cause food insecurity.
However, McKee said terms imposed on communities by outside entities are not "necessarily helpful."
“In several ways, the term food desert cripples. People hear that and think, 'I am really not as well-off as I thought I was because I don’t have something I thought I had,'" McKee said.
While the food desert categorization can help communities get funding, the assistance that comes often ignores the local farmers already "doing their part so we don't have to use those terms," McKee said.
Senior boxes filled with canned peas and grocery store chains buying "fresh" produce from all over the country doesn't actually solve the problem McKee explained.
"If the goal was to have fresh food, then why are we sending canned goods?” McKee asked. “If that (having fresh vegetables) is really the concern, why don't grocery stores buy from local farmers in Lake County?"
Despite what the highlighted census tracts on the USDA Food Desert Map say, McKee said fresh produce and medicinal herbs can be found growing in backyards and beside old buildings throughout Gary.
The health benefits of urban agriculture are simple: “When you grow it, you know what you are eating,” Brooks said.
Over the years, several veterans that used to work in the army medic building have come out to Oases. They tell McKee the new use of the space is fitting — a building once dedicated to healing is now a source of natural medicine.
"When you come in this gate and you touch the lemon balm and you pull the leaf, you have life in your hand. Whether you realize it or not," McKee said. “Whenever life touches, life, you are releasing a different type of energy."
Touching the leaf, bruising it, inhaling it, "that's when everything stops on the inside," McKee said. "Now you have a clear head, you are in a position where you can make choices. That, to me, is the epitome of spiritual health." | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/watch-now-urban-farms-help-promote-environmental-education-food-security-in-gary/article_c6bcd74d-32f9-51f9-86e7-153627c16a21.html | 2022-08-01T13:51:01Z | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/watch-now-urban-farms-help-promote-environmental-education-food-security-in-gary/article_c6bcd74d-32f9-51f9-86e7-153627c16a21.html | true |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Nelson has experienced the workings of the Federal Reserve from both sides of the street.
Nelson is the chief economist of the Bank Policy Institute, a trade group for U.S. banks. Earlier in his career, he served as an economist at the Federal Reserve and rose to become deputy director of the Division of Monetary Affairs, which provides guidance for the Fed’s interest rate decisions.
Like many economists, Nelson says the Fed took too long this year to start raising rates. He favors a more forward-looking strategy from the Fed, which has recently made several sharp policy shifts in response to the latest economic data. The Associated Press spoke recently with Nelson.
Q: Fed officials, including Chair Jerome Powell, have acknowledged that with hindsight, they could have started raising rates earlier than they did. What do you think of their policy now?
A: They’re on the right track. Not 100% sure they’re following the right strategy, but I think the path they are on is a good one.
Q: Where do you disagree?
A: Part of the problem that left them where they are was initially a desire to focus on realized inflation rather than the outlook for inflation. It’s understandable, given that the outlook was very difficult to predict. But monetary policy needs to be a forward-looking exercise, based on forecasts. It can’t be based on looking out the window. Even though they have now adjusted to a rapid pace of tightening, they still seem to be responding to what they’re seeing outside the window rather than looking ahead. You could make a mistake — in either direction — by looking at current inflation. Inflation could remain high even though spending is weakening. And in light of that, you don’t want to keep raising rates if you’re already slowing growth. But on the other hand, there’s going to be a reduction in inflation that occurs simply because the transitory components are passing through. And you wouldn’t want to respond to that, either, by stopping rate hikes.
Q: Is the Fed fully focused on raising rates, or might they pull back soon, out of fear of rising unemployment and recession?
A: Sometimes, the dual mandate can give conflicting directions in terms of what the Fed needs to do: The need to have inflation be roughly 2% and the unemployment rate near full employment. But this isn’t one of those times. The labor market is very tight, and inflation is very high. They need to position monetary policy so that it’s very restrictive in terms of economic growth. They don’t want to cause an unnecessarily deep recession. What they’re shooting for is a position of sufficient restraint to slow the economy to bring inflation back down.
But I am confident that when there are more signs of slowing growth and signs of inflation falling, they will be weighing both of those together.
___
Interviewed by Christopher Rugaber. Edited for clarity and length. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ex-fed-economist-bill-nelson-on-federal-reserve-strategy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business | 2022-08-01T13:51:02Z | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ex-fed-economist-bill-nelson-on-federal-reserve-strategy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business | false |
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Citation
Mooney J, Pate J, Cummins I, McLeod MC, Gould S. J. Neurosurg. Pediatr. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.
Copyright
(Copyright © 2022, American Association of Neurological Surgeons)
DOI
10.3171/2022.5.PEDS2248
PMID
35901756
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Many studies have identified factors associated with increased symptom burden and prolonged recovery after pediatric and adolescent concussion. Few have systematically examined the effects of prior concussion on these outcomes in patients with concussion due to any mechanism. An improved understanding of the short- and long-term effects of a multiple concussion history will improve counseling and management of this subgroup of patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of adolescent and young adult acute concussion patients presenting to the multidisciplinary concussion clinic between 2018 and 2019 was conducted at a single center. Patient demographic data, medical history including prior concussion, initial symptom severity score (SSS), injury mechanisms, and recovery times were collected. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify associations of history of prior concussion and patient and injury characteristics with symptom score and recovery time. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients with an average age of 15.4 years (age range 13-27 years) were included. Prior concussion was reported in 35% of patients. The number of prior concussions per patient was not significantly associated with presenting symptom severity, recovery time, or recovery within 28 days. Male sex and sports-related concussion (SRC) were associated with lower presenting SSS and shorter recovery time on univariate but not multivariable analysis. However, compared to non-sport concussion mechanisms, SRC was associated with 2.3 times higher odds of recovery within 28 days (p = 0.04). A history of psychiatric disorders was associated with higher SSS in univariate analysis and longer recovery time in univariate and multivariable analyses. Multivariable log-linear regression also demonstrated 5 times lower odds of recovery within 28 days for those with a psychiatric history. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that an increasing number of prior concussions was associated with a trend toward higher presenting SSS after youth acute concussion but did not show a significant association with recovery time or delayed (> 28 days) recovery. Presence of psychiatric history was found to be significantly associated with longer recovery and lower odds of early (≤ 28 days) recovery. Future prospective, long-term, and systematic study is necessary to determine the optimal counseling and management of adolescent and young adult patients with a history of multiple concussions.
Language: en
Keywords
trauma; concussion; mild traumatic brain injury; recovery time; symptom severity | https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_725204_20 | 2022-08-01T13:52:46Z | https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_725204_20 | true |
BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC ("ArcLight") announced today their affiliate, Sequitur Renewables, LLC ("Sequitur"), has entered into an agreement with affiliates of GlidePath Power Solutions LLC ("GlidePath") to acquire five operating wind farms in Pennsylvania and West Virginia (the "Portfolio"). The Portfolio, totaling 185MW of operating capacity, sells power and renewable energy credits into the merchant PJM market. Sequitur is also acquiring 80MWh of battery energy storage ("BESS") development opportunities adjunct to the Portfolio from GlidePath. Closing is subject to customary conditions.
"ArcLight is excited to re-enter the wind market through the establishment of the Sequitur platform. This platform follows prior domestic wind-focused investments in Leeward Renewables, Terra-Gen Power and CPV Wind," said Carter Ward, Partner at ArcLight.
Affiliates of ArcLight recently announced development milestones associated with the 335MWh Long Beach Pier S BESS project in Long Beach, California and the 540MWh Luyster Creek BESS project in New York, New York.
"The Sequitur acquisition and BESS development opportunities leverage ArcLight's core expertise in power generation, renewables and energy transition," said Dan Revers, Managing Partner at ArcLight.
"Arclight's long history of wind operations will bring great value to these wind farms," said Chris McKissack, Chief Executive Officer of GlidePath, who continued, "and will allow GlidePath's team and investors to focus on our core business of deploying and operating energy storage projects."
ArcLight is a leading private equity firm focused on energy, infrastructure and energy transitions with a successful long-term track record. Founded in 2001, the firm helped pioneer an asset-based approach to investing across the power, renewables, infrastructure and broader energy value chain. Since then, ArcLight has invested approximately $27 billion in 119 transactions, including over $11 billion of equity capital into the electrification segment, which includes power, transmission, renewable infrastructure and energy transition investments. Through its large infrastructure portfolio, ArcLight is focused on providing decarbonizing energy solutions with a strong ESG focus. Based in Boston, the firm's investment team employs a value-added investment approach that benefits from its dedicated in-house technical, operational, and commercial specialists and partners, as well as the firm's approximately 1,800-person asset management affiliate. More information about ArcLight can be found at www.arclight.com.
Milbank served as legal counsel on the transaction to ArcLight. McGuire Woods served as legal counsel on the transaction to GlidePath.
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SOURCE ArcLight Capital Partners | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/arclight-acquire-operating-pjm-windfarms/ | 2022-08-01T13:52:57Z | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/arclight-acquire-operating-pjm-windfarms/ | false |
Citation
Strassle PD, Kinlaw AC, Ko JS, Quintero SM, Bonilla J, Ponder M, María Nápoles A, Schiro SE. medRxiv 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.
Copyright
(Copyright © 2022, The Author(s), Publisher Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, BMJ Publishing Group, Yale University)
DOI
10.1101/2022.07.11.22277511
PMID
35898348
PMCID
PMC9327631
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To combat the coronavirus pandemic, states implemented several public health policies to reduce infection and transmission. Increasing evidence suggests that these prevention strategies also have had a profound impact on non-COVID healthcare utilization. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of a statewide Stay-at-Home and other COVID-related policies on trauma hospitalizations, stratified by race/ethnicity, age, and sex. METHODS: We used the North Carolina Trauma Registry, a statewide registry of trauma hospitalizations to 18 hospitals across North Carolina, including all North Carolina trauma centers, to calculate weekly assault, self-inflicted, unintentional motor vehicle collision (MVC), and other unintentional injury hospitalization rates between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. Interrupted time-series design and segmented linear regression were used to estimate changes in hospitalizations rates after several COVID-related executive orders, overall and stratified by race/ethnicity, age, and gender. Hospitalization rates were compared after 1) U.S. declaration of a public health emergency; 2) North Carolina statewide Stay-at-Home order; 3) Stay-at-Home order lifted with restrictions (Phase 2: Safer-at-Home); and 4) further lifting of restrictions (Phase 2.5: Safer-at-Home). RESULTS: There were 70,478 trauma hospitalizations in North Carolina from 2019-2020. In 2020, median age was 53 years old and 59% were male. Assault hospitalization rates (per 1,000,000 NC residents) increased after the Stay-at-Home order, but only among Black/African American residents (incidence rate difference [IRD]=7.9; other racial/ethnic groups' IRDs ranged 0.9 to 1.7) and 18-44 year-old males (IRD=11.9; other sex/age groups' IRDs ranged -0.5 to 3.6). After major restrictions were lifted, assault rates returned to pre-COVID levels. Unintentional injury hospitalizations decreased after the public health emergency, especially among older adults, but returned to 2019 levels within several months. CONCLUSIONS: Statewide Stay-at-Home orders put Black/African American residents at higher risk for assault hospitalizations, exacerbating pre-existing disparities. Fear of COVID-19 may have also led to decreases in unintentional non-MVC hospitalization rates, particularly among older adults. Policy makers must anticipate possible negative effects and develop approaches for mitigating harms that may disproportionately affect already disadvantaged communities.
Language: en | https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_725215_20 | 2022-08-01T13:53:18Z | https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_725215_20 | false |
Rod Watson Joins Industry Leaders in Pacaso Agent Collective
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacaso, the leading technology-enabled real estate marketplace that helps people buy and co-own a luxury second home, announces today its partnership with Aston Rose Sports + Entertainment, the first ultra-luxury national real estate firm devoted to finding homes for professional athletes, entertainers and high-net worth individuals, and Co-Founder Rod Watson. The partnership introduces co-ownership, the most sustainable and modern way to buy and own a second home, to Aston Rose's influential network of athletes and entertainment professionals in 40 global luxury second home destinations in which Pacaso currently operates.
Aston Rose is a sports and entertainment based luxury real estate firm co-founded by former professional athletes Rod Watson, Lisa Leslie, Tomi Rose and Rob Hite. Rod Watson has helped some of the world's most notable sports and entertainment professionals find luxury real estate worldwide including De'Aaron Fox, Zach Randolph, Melo Ball and Money Bag Yo. Watson is the latest member to join the Pacaso Agent Collective (PAC), a curated group of industry leaders and culture shifters committed to the belief that co-ownership is the future of second home real estate.
"Pacaso's innovative co-ownership model is perfect for Aston Rose clients with busy lifestyles and for those seeking simplicity. We handle not only details like maintenance and property management but also provide the luxury of flexibility, as our technology allows owners the ability to easily and equitably schedule time at their home, visit when works for them, and not worry about it when they're not there," said Vice President of Industry Relations Marnie Blanco.
Pacaso partners closely with all interested real estate agents and brokerages to help clients buy, sell, and own a second home. Real estate agents representing buyers who purchase a share of a Pacaso earn a 3% referral commission, along with the opportunity to earn equity rewards. PAC members have the opportunity to earn additional equity rewards. Pacaso manages the entire process, from scheduling a home tour and answering client questions, to managing inspections, escrow, title, and reporting.
"Our brokerage was created with the goal of reinventing the luxury real estate industry and Pacaso is doing that to the second home market. Pacaso is changing the game when it comes to second home ownership by eliminating many costs and hassles that come with owning and managing a whole second home." said Rod Watson, co-founder and advisor at Aston Rose. "Our clients in the sports and entertainment industries have demanding schedules with limited time off, but when off-season hits they want to spend it relaxing, recharging and with their families. Pacaso allows them to do just that and we're excited to advise them on the innovative co-ownership model that is likely to be a better investment and option for their vibrant and busy lifestyles."
The real estate industry is embracing co-ownership as Real Estate Standards Organization and its members defined co-ownership as a property type. Pacaso was recently named a finalist in the Most Innovative Company Category in the annual Inman Innovator Award and the Inman Golden I Award in the category of Best Luxury Standout.
Real estate agents who are interested in learning more about the co-ownership category and how they can work with Pacaso can visit pacaso.com/agents.
Pacaso® is a technology-enabled marketplace that modernizes real estate co-ownership to make owning a second home possible and enjoyable for more people. Pacaso curates luxury listings with premium amenities and high-end contemporary interior design, offers ⅛ to ½ ownership with integrated financing, and, after purchase, professionally manages the home and supports seamless resale. Co-founded by Austin Allison and Spencer Rascoff in 2020, Pacaso operates in top second home destinations around the world. Pacaso has been certified as a Great Place to Work and is recognized as one of Glassdoor's 2022 Best Places to Work.
For more information about Pacaso and to view luxury second home listings, visit www.pacaso.com or download the Pacaso app for Android or iPhone. You can also follow Pacaso on social media @PacasoHomes on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube or @Pacaso_Homes on TikTok.
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SOURCE Pacaso | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/pacaso-forms-partnership-with-leading-luxury-sports-entertainment-brokerage-aston-rose/ | 2022-08-01T13:55:10Z | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/pacaso-forms-partnership-with-leading-luxury-sports-entertainment-brokerage-aston-rose/ | true |
Citation
Allen K, Melendez-Torres GJ, Ford T, Bonell C, Finning K, Fredlund M, Gainsbury A, Berry V. PLoS One 2022; 17(7): e0270894.
Copyright
(Copyright © 2022, Public Library of Science)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0270894
PMID
35905105
Abstract
Parental domestic violence and abuse (DVA), mental ill-health (MH), and substance misuse (SU) are three public health issues that tend to cluster within families, risking negative impacts for both parents and children. Despite this, service provision for these issues has been historically siloed, increasing the barriers families face to accessing support. Our review aimed to identify family focused interventions that have combined impacts on parental DVA, MH, and/or SU. We searched 10 databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Education Research Information Centre, Sociological Abstracts, Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) from inception to July 2021 for randomised controlled trials examining the effectiveness of family focused, psychosocial, preventive interventions targeting parents/carers at risk of, or experiencing, DVA, MH, and/or SU. Studies were included if they measured impacts on two or more of these issues. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2 was used to quality appraise studies, which were synthesised narratively, grouped in relation to the combination of DVA, MH, and/or SU outcomes measured. Harvest plots were used to illustrate the findings. Thirty-seven unique studies were identified for inclusion. Of these, none had a combined positive impact on all three outcomes and only one study demonstrated a combined positive impact on two outcomes. We also found studies that had combined adverse, mixed, or singular impacts. Most studies were based in the U.S., targeted mothers, and were rated as 'some concerns' or 'high risk' of bias. The results highlight the distinct lack of evidence for, and no 'best bet', family focused interventions targeting these often-clustered risks. This may, in part, be due to the ways interventions are currently conceptualised or designed to influence the relationships between DVA, MH, and/or SU. Trial registration: PROSPERO registration: CRD42020210350.
Language: en | https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_725310_20 | 2022-08-01T13:57:14Z | https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdetails&citationIds%5B%5D=citjournalarticle_725310_20 | false |
BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC ("ArcLight") announced today their affiliate, Sequitur Renewables, LLC ("Sequitur"), has entered into an agreement with affiliates of GlidePath Power Solutions LLC ("GlidePath") to acquire five operating wind farms in Pennsylvania and West Virginia (the "Portfolio"). The Portfolio, totaling 185MW of operating capacity, sells power and renewable energy credits into the merchant PJM market. Sequitur is also acquiring 80MWh of battery energy storage ("BESS") development opportunities adjunct to the Portfolio from GlidePath. Closing is subject to customary conditions.
"ArcLight is excited to re-enter the wind market through the establishment of the Sequitur platform. This platform follows prior domestic wind-focused investments in Leeward Renewables, Terra-Gen Power and CPV Wind," said Carter Ward, Partner at ArcLight.
Affiliates of ArcLight recently announced development milestones associated with the 335MWh Long Beach Pier S BESS project in Long Beach, California and the 540MWh Luyster Creek BESS project in New York, New York.
"The Sequitur acquisition and BESS development opportunities leverage ArcLight's core expertise in power generation, renewables and energy transition," said Dan Revers, Managing Partner at ArcLight.
"Arclight's long history of wind operations will bring great value to these wind farms," said Chris McKissack, Chief Executive Officer of GlidePath, who continued, "and will allow GlidePath's team and investors to focus on our core business of deploying and operating energy storage projects."
ArcLight is a leading private equity firm focused on energy, infrastructure and energy transitions with a successful long-term track record. Founded in 2001, the firm helped pioneer an asset-based approach to investing across the power, renewables, infrastructure and broader energy value chain. Since then, ArcLight has invested approximately $27 billion in 119 transactions, including over $11 billion of equity capital into the electrification segment, which includes power, transmission, renewable infrastructure and energy transition investments. Through its large infrastructure portfolio, ArcLight is focused on providing decarbonizing energy solutions with a strong ESG focus. Based in Boston, the firm's investment team employs a value-added investment approach that benefits from its dedicated in-house technical, operational, and commercial specialists and partners, as well as the firm's approximately 1,800-person asset management affiliate. More information about ArcLight can be found at www.arclight.com.
Milbank served as legal counsel on the transaction to ArcLight. McGuire Woods served as legal counsel on the transaction to GlidePath.
View original content:
SOURCE ArcLight Capital Partners | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/arclight-acquire-operating-pjm-windfarms/ | 2022-08-01T13:57:57Z | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/arclight-acquire-operating-pjm-windfarms/ | true |
- Recent clinical trial on combination immunotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer provides evidence for Lunit SCOPE IO's ability to predict patient response.
- Analysis indicates Immune-excluded Immune Phenotype acts as a resistance mechanism against combination immunotherapy, further supporting Lunit SCOPE IO's ability to optimize cancer treatment selection.
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new phase II clinical trial validated the efficacy of Lunit's AI biomarker, Lunit SCOPE IO, in predicting outcomes of immunotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The study has been published in Clinical Cancer Research.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common type of cancer concentrated in Southeast Asia and Northern Africa. While platinum-based combination chemotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC, prognosis for patients for whom this therapy fails is poor, with limited treatment options remaining.
A study was conducted by researchers from eight South Korean institutions to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined immunotherapy in recurrent or metastatic NPC patients for whom platinum-based chemotherapy had failed. Immunotherapy drug nivolumab and chemotherapy drug gemcitabine were administered in combination to these nasopharyngeal cancer patients, achieving an objective response rate (ORR) of 36.1% and 13.8 months of median progression-free survival (PFS).
In addition, researchers deployed Lunit SCOPE IO to analyze patients' pathological samples in the process of identifying potential biomarkers.
Lunit SCOPE IO analyzes a patient's cancer tissue slide image by observing the distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), one of the primary immunocytes that fight cancer cells. Based on the spatial distribution pattern of TILs and cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment, Lunit SCOPE IO identifies the tissue sample as one of three immune phenotypes: inflamed, immune-excluded, or immune-desert.
The Inflamed Immune Phenotype, as identified by Lunit SCOPE IO, showed a high correlation with favorable immunotherapy outcomes, indicating potential as a practical biomarker. Furthermore, the Immune-excluded Phenotype was correlated with inferior ORR and PFS, indicating that the spatial distribution pattern of the Immune-excluded Phenotype acts as a resistance mechanism against combined nivolumab and gemcitabine treatment.
"This study shows that, by applying Lunit SCOPE IO to a clinical trial, it is possible to find a target group that responds better to treatment," said Chan-Young Ock, Chief Medical Officer at Lunit. "This is an important case showing that Lunit SCOPE IO can be applied not only to single-drug immunotherapies, but also to combination immunotherapies."
Clinical Cancer Research is a peer-reviewed medical journal on oncology published by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), with an impact factor of 13.8.
Lunit has continued to publish research results on the effectiveness of its AI biomarker in various peer-reviewed oncology journals. Following publications in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) and the European Journal of Cancer (EJC), this is the third study on Lunit SCOPE to be published in an international medical journal.
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SOURCE Lunit | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/new-immunotherapy-combination-study-nasopharyngeal-cancer-demonstrates-effectiveness-lunit-ai-predictive-aid-treatment-outcome-published-clinical-cancer-research/ | 2022-08-01T14:04:11Z | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/new-immunotherapy-combination-study-nasopharyngeal-cancer-demonstrates-effectiveness-lunit-ai-predictive-aid-treatment-outcome-published-clinical-cancer-research/ | true |
PENSACOLA, Fla., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regenative Labs, a leading HCT/P manufacturer, and AAPC, the nation's largest medical coding, training, and certification association, are pleased to announce a strategic healthcare compliance collaboration. By combining AAPC's medical training and credentialing expertise with Regenative Labs' human tissue allografts, together both organizations will support the pioneering of the first Wharton's jelly allografts to be assigned a Q code and be approved for application directly to a defect using a syringe.
"This is an important step in furthering the mission of educating providers and elevating healthcare outcomes and we're proud to be a part of it," shared AAPC CEO, Bevan Erickson.
Regenative Labs received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover CoreText™ and ProText™, the first Wharton's jelly allograft products recognized as a 361 HCT/P by CMS regulated under 21CFR 1271.10, establishing a new Level II HCPCS code Q4246 "CoreText or ProText, per cc." According to CMS, both solutions provide the extracellular matrix needed for the infiltration, attachment, and proliferation of cells required to repair damaged tissue. They are typically used for muscle and cartilage tears and help repair damaged tissue due to wounds and tissue defects and are applied directly to the defect using a syringe.
Regenative Labs, now seeking to collaborate to further HCT/P compliance, recognizes the value AAPC brings to the healthcare industry as the world's leading healthcare association, with more than 200,00 members and 30+ years of supporting healthcare professionals, providers, payers, and health systems
AAPC will deliver healthcare providers important coding resources, including full skeletal illustrations and applicable DX codes for Regenative Labs Wharton's jelly allografts products for specialties, including Orthopedics, Pain Management, Podiatry, and Rheumatology. In addition, AAPC will create a customized web-based training module to ensure providers understand how to utilize more specific homologous applications with current DX codes to support accurate procedural reimbursement for these products.
"We look forward to the clarity this collaboration will bring to the market allowing proper documentation of homologous use applications," said Regenative Labs CEO Tyler Barrett.
Regenative Labs firmly believes that no other organization understands coding regulations and documentation requirements better than AAPC, leading AAPC to be the right partner for this important project.
About AAPC: AAPC's mission is to advance the business of healthcare by providing professional training, industry-standard certifications, and comprehensive solutions to individuals and organizations across medical coding, billing, auditing, compliance, and practice management. As the most trusted source for driving accuracy, profitability, and peace of mind, AAPC helps healthcare organizations reach the full potential of their revenue cycle. Learn more at AAPC's website: www.aapc.com
About Regenative Labs: Regenative Labs produces regenerative medicine products to address the root cause of a patient's conditions using Wharton's Jelly innovations rather than masking the pain with other treatments. Regenative Labs works closely with scientists, physicians, hospitals, and surgery centers to constantly monitor and improve patient progress and outcomes for new product development. Formed by veteran industry professionals familiar with daily challenges of innovations in healthcare, the company provides effective, non-addictive, non-invasive options for patients. Regenative Labs has a laser-focused, expert product research and development team which follows FDA guidelines of minimal manipulation for homologous use. The company adheres to AATB and FDA guidelines. Learn more at Regenative's website: www.regenativelabs.com
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SOURCE Regenative Labs | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/regenative-labs-aapc-announce-collaboration-further-healthcare-compliance/ | 2022-08-01T14:06:43Z | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/regenative-labs-aapc-announce-collaboration-further-healthcare-compliance/ | true |
LUXEMBOURG, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss Insured Brazil Power Finance S.à r.l., a private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée), incorporated and existing under Luxembourg law, having its registered office at 16, rue Eugène Ruppert, L – 2453 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies under number B 217648 (the "Company"), previously launched a consent solicitation (the "Consent Solicitation") in relation to its 9.850% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 with ISIN USL8915MAA38/US870880AA90 (the "Notes") pursuant to the consent solicitation statement, dated July 20, 2022 (as supplemented and amended prior to the date hereof, the "Statement"). Capitalized terms used, but not defined, in this announcement (the "Announcement") have the meanings assigned to them in the Statement.
The Company announces today that it has extended the scheduled expiration time for the Consent Solicitation from 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on July 29, 2022 (the "Existing Expiration Time") to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on August 1, 2022 (as so extended, the "Expiration Time"). D.F. King & Co., Inc., as Information and Tabulation Agent, informed the Company that, as of the Existing Expiration Time, Holders of R$1.44 billion aggregate principal amount of Notes, or 45.10% of the Original Face Value (as defined below), have provided their Consent in the Consent Solicitation. Furthermore, as of the date hereof, the holder of 100% of the loans under the Uninsured Loan Agreement has consented to the CELSE Consent and Amendment Authorization; therefore, the Requisite Consents threshold will be met if Holders representing at least 51.25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes validly deliver (and do not revoke) Consents in the Consent Solicitation. Accordingly, Holders of an additional R$196.9 million, or 6.15% of the R$3,201,500,000 initial aggregate principal amount of Notes (the "Original Face Value"), would be required to Consent (and not revoke) in the Consent Solicitation in order for the Company to obtain the Requisite Consent. As of the date hereof, the Company is in dialogue with certain Holders that have not yet consented but who have provided non-binding indications of intent to Consent. By adding such non-binding indications of intent to Consent together with the consents received as of the Existing Expiration Time, the Company expects that the Requisite Consents will be obtained.
As previously announced, the aggregate Consent Payment payable to Holders who validly deliver (and do not revoke) their Consent at or prior to the Expiration Time, will be 1.00% of the Original Face Value, or R$32,015,000, to be shared by all such consenting Holders. Specifically, the Consent Payment will be an amount, per R$1,000 of Original Face Value of Notes for which Holders have validly delivered (and not revoked) Consents prior to the Expiration Time, equal to the product of R$10.00 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Original Face Value of the Notes outstanding as of the Expiration Time and the denominator of which is the Original Face Value of Notes for which Holders have validly delivered (and not revoked) Consents prior to the Expiration Time. As a result, the Consent Payment for the Notes will range from R$10.00 per R$1,000 (if all Holders consent) to approximately R$19.51 per R$1,000 (if Holders of 51.25% of the Original Face Value of Notes consent). Payment of the Consent Payment to consenting Holders is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to the Consent Solicitation set forth in the Statement, including the receipt of the Requisite Consents.
Upon receipt of the Requisite Consents in the Consent Solicitation (such time, the "Consent Effective Time"), the Company will instruct the Fiduciary Agent to consent to effectuate and/or enter into the Proposed Consent and Amendments and to consent to and do any other acts necessary to give effect to the CELSE Consent and Amendment Authorization, and upon receipt of all other consents required under the Intercreditor Agreement, the Debenture Indenture and the Project Intercreditor Agreement, the CELSE Consent and Amendment Authorization will become effective once the other conditions thereto have been satisfied. At the Consent Effective Time, the consent to the Proposed Consent and Amendments and the CELSE Consent and Amendment Authorization will be effective and operative as to all Holders, whether or not such Holders delivered a Consent or otherwise affirmatively objected to the consent to the Proposed Consent and Amendments; provided that, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, unless the Consent Payment has been made on or prior to the Outside Date, each Consent provided pursuant to the Consent Solicitation shall be ineffective and deemed revoked and the Proposed Consent and Amendments and the CELSE Consent and Amendment Authorization and any amendments or consents resulting therefrom shall be void ab initio. The Company will give written or oral notice to DTC and make a public announcement of the occurrence of the Consent Effective Time by press release by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following the Consent Effective Time. Previously delivered valid Consents will not be automatically revoked by this Announcement, and may not be validly revoked after the earlier of (i) the Consent Effective Time and (ii) the Expiration Time.
Except as set forth in this Announcement, all aspects of the Statement remain unchanged. The Company expressly reserves the right to amend, extend or terminate the Consent Solicitation or waive any unsatisfied conditions to the Consent Solicitation, in each case, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Statement. Holders are urged to review the Statement for the detailed terms of the Consent Solicitation and the procedures for providing their Consent. This Announcement is for information purposes only and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or any other securities. No recommendation is being made as to whether Holders should Consent pursuant to the Consent Solicitation. The Consent Solicitation is not being made in any jurisdiction in which, or to or from any person to or from whom, it is unlawful to make such solicitation under applicable state or foreign securities or "blue sky" laws. The Notes are currently listed on the Official List of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (the "LuxSE") and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF market of the LuxSE.
THE SOLICITATION AGENT
Questions or requests for assistance concerning the terms of the Consent Solicitation should be directed to:
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
Attention: Liability Management Group
U.S. Toll-free: +1 (800) 828-3182
Collect: (212) 357-1452
Email: GS-LM-NYC@gs.com
THE INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT
Requests for additional copies of the Statement and assistance relating to the procedures for delivering Consents should be directed to:
D.F. King & Co., Inc.
48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
Email: celse@dfking.com
Toll-Free: +1 (866) 745-0267
Collect: +1 (212) 269-5550
Attn: Michael Horthman
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SOURCE Swiss Insured Brazil Power Finance S.à r.l. | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/swiss-insured-brazil-power-finance-s-rl-9850-senior-secured-notes-due-2032-consent-update-extension-consent-solicitation/ | 2022-08-01T14:07:09Z | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/swiss-insured-brazil-power-finance-s-rl-9850-senior-secured-notes-due-2032-consent-update-extension-consent-solicitation/ | true |
Independent social impact organization, formerly known as Creating IT Futures and founded by CompTIA, will offer an innovative online tech learning hub to middle school students
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With a new, exclusive focus on youth programming and a single-purpose commitment to helping young people unlock their potential through technology, Creating IT Futures has changed its name to CompTIA Spark, the social impact nonprofit organization announced today.
CompTIA Spark will focus on delivering high-quality tech education and resources to middle schoolers through an innovative online learning hub. Building on the success of TechGirlz, a program that provides tech-centered learning opportunities for girls ages 11-14, CompTIA Spark aims to make technology engaging, accessible and inclusive for middle school students who are at a critical age to explore their interests.
"Our mission is to spark an interest in tech because in today's digitally driven world, tech fluency is just as important to future success as reading, writing, and math," said Charles Eaton, chief executive officer of CompTIA Spark. "Young people have their sights set on big and varied dreams, but what's clear is that whatever path or passion a young person chooses, technology education will play a critical part in their journey."
The CompTIA Spark middle school program, scheduled to be piloted during the 2022-23 school year, will be delivered through an online learning hub that can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. The hub is designed as a one-stop shop for students and teachers to access a range of fun, inspiring tech-related courses and resources, spanning topics from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to mobile app development, podcasting, graphic design and more. Programs serve a diverse range of learning preferences and interests and can be taught by any adult who wants to bring high-quality tech education to their students or community, whether they have tech experience or not.
A unique feature of the learning hub allows content to be mapped to students' existing interests and curated across different "careers clusters" — from finance to manufacturing and marketing to the arts. Students can discover career paths and future learning opportunities that align with their passions, strengths, and growing capabilities and confidence.
"Nearly every career is a tech career in today's digital world. There are so many great job opportunities out there that require tech knowledge and not enough skilled people to fill those roles. Thousands of rewarding, well-paying jobs will go unfilled unless an expanded pipeline of new, diverse talent is created," said Eaton. "That's why CompTIA Spark's middle school programming will have a big impact on thousands of young people's lives regardless of whether they ultimately choose a career in the tech industry. We want to show students that tech is for everyone — and about so much more than just coding or computer engineering."
Alongside the middle school program, CompTIA Spark will continue to support other programs with a focus on youth, including TechGirlz, acquired by CompTIA in 2019, CyberPrep Explore and CyberPrep ITF+.
While an independent nonprofit, CompTIA Spark operates as the social innovation and impact arm of CompTIA — the leading nonprofit association for the IT industry and workforce— which founded the organization. This unique connection to CompTIA means CompTIA Spark is plugged in to developments in the industry, keeping pace with its constant evolution. Additionally, its curriculum has ties to real certifications, helping to provide clear future pathways for students who want to take their interest to the next level.
CompTIA Spark is a social impact organization that works to unlock people's potential though technology. It aims to bringing high quality tech education to youth — whatever their background — making tech exciting, accessible and inclusive, and building skills and confidence for life. The organization was founded in 1998 by CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the IT industry and workforce. Formerly known as Creating IT Futures, CompTIA Spark is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more at comptiaspark.org.
Media Contact
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
sostrowski@comptia.org
630-678-8468
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SOURCE CompTIA Spark | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/comptia-spark-helps-young-people-unlock-their-potential-imagine-new-possibilities-through-technology/ | 2022-08-01T14:11:29Z | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/comptia-spark-helps-young-people-unlock-their-potential-imagine-new-possibilities-through-technology/ | false |
'Pressure is a privilege' for New Home football
Making history and New Home sports go hand-in-hand. Last year was the crowning achievement with every single boys sport sponsored by the school winning their district championship.
That run began with the best football season in New Home history, at least in the 11-man ranks. The Leopards secured their first-ever district championship as an 11-man team, picking up eight wins throughout the season — also the most ever.
With that success comes pressure. Some New Home sports, like the basketball and baseball teams, are accustomed to that. It's still a bit new for the football team, and it's something Jon Ward knows the Leopards must be able to handle this season.
"I think it's just dealing with having some success and having that groundwork laid for you," the New Home head coach said. "We're going to look at it, the pressure of privilege, because that means some good things have happened in the past. We're just looking to duplicate that success, maybe even taking another step forward."
New Home, New Deal players named to TSWA Class 2A all-state baseball first team
New Home's success last season wasn't a guarantee, especially after starting quarterback Brazos Beck went down with a season-ending knee injury in the second game. That opened the door for freshman Kaleb Cook to take over, turning in a memorable varsity debut season, being named the Lone Star Varsity small-school newcomer of the year after passing for 2,505 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Beck and Cook are each returning to the Leopards this year, but Ward isn't expecting any sort of quarterback controversy. The Leopards coach said that the two quarterbacks will have their chance to win the starting job. Whomever comes out on top will be the guy and the other will help the team in another capacity, such as playing receiver.
"We'd ideally like to go into game one and say 'Hey, this is our guy we're gonna stick with' and we've kind of got some processes in place to have that done by then," Ward said. "You know, I've always been told that if you've got two quarterbacks, you don't have one, so that's kind of the philosophy we're taking right now."
Reigning district MVP Logan Addison will also return for the Leopards to anchor the defense at linebacker and be one of the team's featured backs on offense.
"He can run sideline to sideline and he can make every tackle on the field," Ward said of Addison. "He can drop back and cover when we need to."
Last season, Addison was featured mostly as a slot receiver on offense but he'll be utilized as a running back in 2022.
Tight end Brody Emert and receiver Jackson Raines will continue to be a presence on offense as well.
"Right now we have two spots on the offensive line that we need to fill," Ward said. "We have pretty much all of our skill coming back. Or some guys that played a pretty good amount of time."
On defense, Ward said the Leopards have some spots to fill at linebacker and on the line to pair with returners Addison and Emert. Among the returners up front are senior Cameron McFadden and junior Dane Armes.
Matt Hill, New Deal football pushing for elusive state championship
New Home will see a new district alignment as it attempts to repeat as district champions. The Leopards are paired with Seagraves, Ropes, Plains, Smyer and Morton. Fellow coaches in the district see the Leopards and Eagles as the favorites to take home the title.
"I think it's gonna be competitive from top to bottom," Ward said of District 4-2A Division II. "There's not going to be a week you can sit there and say 'Hey, you know, this is a for sure.' All these programs are well coach."
After getting a taste for success, and a new football field coming this season, the Leopards have made it their goal to expand on what they achieved in 2021. That includes spending Thanksgiving still playing football.
"We're going to thrive on pressure is a privilege," Ward said.
New Home Leopards
Head coach — Jon Ward
2021 record — 8-4 overall, 4-0 in district
Base offense — Spread
Base defense — Odd
Returning lettermen —16
Returning off./def. starters — 6/6
Top returners — Logan Addison, Jr., WR/RB/LB; Caleb Cook, So., QB/SEC; Dane Armes, JR., OL/DL; Cameron McFadden, Sr., OL/DL; Braxton Beck, Sr., RB/LB; Jackson Raines, Sr., WR/DB; Brody Emert, Sr., TE/DL
2022 schedule
* denotes District 4-2A Division II game
Aug. 26 — at Haskell, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 — vs. Colorado City, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — at Hale Center, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 — vs. Floydada, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — at Roscoe, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — vs. Seagraves, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 14 — at Smyer, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 21 — vs. Plains, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 28 — at Morton, 7 p.m.*
Nov. 4 — vs. Ropes, 7 p.m.* | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2022/08/01/pressure-is-a-privilege-for-new-home-football/65380756007/ | 2022-08-01T14:12:52Z | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2022/08/01/pressure-is-a-privilege-for-new-home-football/65380756007/ | true |
'As You Are' reduces autism diagnosis time from years to weeks
MONTGOMERY, Ala., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Early diagnosis is crucial for children with autism, yet parents can face very long wait times to receive answers. A new virtual clinic called As You Are aims to solve this problem by increasing access to a team of pediatricians who provide evaluations for autism to children 16 months to 10 years old using exclusively telehealth appointments. Families who complete the As You Are assessment process can receive a diagnosis in less than one month.
"Starting interventions during the early developmental period is critical for children, yet today, the wait times for an evaluation for autism can be between 12-30 months. As You Are can reduce the time to diagnosis to less than 30 days," said Chief Medical Officer of As You Are, Dr. Kortney West. "There is a significant need across our country for autism diagnoses to be made earlier to help our next generations thrive."
As You Are uses an evidence-based approach, making the process as rigorous as possible, and the team differs by using exclusively virtual appointments to make the experience faster and more accessible. Additionally, by connecting families with physicians, As You Are equips families with the knowledge and resources families need to help children flourish, regardless of their location.
"Over 80% of all counties in the U.S. lack diagnostic resources," said Kayla Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of As You Are." As You Are transcends geographic barriers to provide timely and high-quality care for patients in the comfort of their own home."
As You Are launches in Alabama, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania on August 1 and has plans to expand nationwide. To learn more about As You Are and how to get started, please visit AsYouAre.com.
As You Are is managed and operated by Quadrant Biosciences Inc. and its affiliates. Quadrant Biosciences Inc. is a life sciences company dedicated to improving the lives of children and families by delivering innovative diagnostic, therapeutic, and virtual care solutions for global health priorities. Headquartered in Syracuse, NY, and located throughout the SUNY Upstate Medical University campus, Quadrant Biosciences has grown to 180+ employees since 2015. To learn more, visit www.QuadrantBiosciences.com.
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SOURCE As You Are | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/now-available-alabama-new-virtual-clinic-focuses-diagnosing-autism-sooner/ | 2022-08-01T14:16:08Z | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/now-available-alabama-new-virtual-clinic-focuses-diagnosing-autism-sooner/ | true |
- AI-driven MySizeID to help 7 For All Mankind (Brazil) customers find the perfect fit, purchase with confidence, and support the company's sustainability mission through an easy-to-use mobile phone-based sizing app
- MySize generates recurring licensing revenues, plus transaction revenues based on the number of size recommendations provided by MySizeID
AIRPORT CITY, Israel, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MySize, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYSZ) (TASE: MYSZ.TA) ("MySize" or the "Company"), an omnichannel e-commerce platform and provider of AI-driven measurement solutions to drive revenue growth and reduce costs for its business clients, today announced it has entered an agreement with 7 For All Mankind (Brazil), a premium global clothing brand, to license its MySizeID apparel sizing solution. MySizeID sizing solution is expected to go live for 7 For All Mankind (Brazil) customers in Q3 2022.
MySizeID enables shoppers to generate highly accurate measurements of their body to find properly fitting clothes and accessories through an app on their mobile phone. MySizeID syncs the user's measurement data to the retailer's sizing chart, and only presents items for purchase that match their measurements to ensure a correct fit. MySizeID is available for license by retailers and download by consumers on both iOS and Android operating systems.
70% of returns for clothing purchased online is fit-related, costing retailers worldwide $642.6 billion, and only 48% of returns can be resold at full price. Worse, 5 billion pounds of returns end up in landfills. MySizeID addresses these financial and environmental challenges while improving the shopping experience for customers.
"We are excited to work with a leading brand in Brazil that serves high-end savvy customers within the denim-fashion field. 7 For All Mankind's commitment to continuous improvement to serve humanity is admirable, and MySizeID is pleased to partner with them in their mission," said Ronen Luzon, CEO, and Founder of MySize. "
Esber Hajli, CEO of 7 For All Mankind (Brazil), commented, "By implementing MySizeID, an innovative, market leading sizing solution, we believe we can significantly reduce returns and its associated financial and environmental costs. We chose MySizeID with confidence based on the AI-driven technology's impressive track record, ease of use, and documented performance results."
Other major global brands that have implemented MySizeID have seen a 44% to 50% reduction in returns, 20% increase in order size, and a 3X in transaction value among MySizeID users.
About MySize Inc.
MySize, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYSZ) (TASE: MYSZ.TA) is an omnichannel e-commerce platform and provider of AI-driven measurement solutions to drive revenue growth and reduce costs for its business clients. Orgad, its online retailer platform, has expertise in e-commerce, supply chain, and technology operating as a third-party seller on Amazon.com and other sites. MySize recently launched FirstLook Smart Mirror, a mirror-like touch display that provides in-store customers an enhanced shopping experience and contactless checkout. FirstLook Smart Mirror extends MySize's reach into physical stores and is expected to contribute to revenues through unit sales and recurring service fees.
MySize has developed a unique measurement technology based on sophisticated algorithms and cutting-edge technology with broad applications, including the apparel, e-commerce, DIY, shipping, and parcel delivery industries. This proprietary measurement technology is driven by several algorithms that are able to calculate and record measurements in a variety of novel ways. To learn more about MySize, please visit our website: www.mysizeid.com.
We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the Investor Relations section of our website. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
Please click here for a demonstration of how MySizeID provides a full sizing solution for the retail industry.
Register here for a free plan of MySizeID solution for your online store.
Please click here to download MySizeID for iOS.
Please click here to download MySizeID for Android.
To learn more about MySize and for additional information, please visit: our website: www.mysizeid.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are identified by the use of the words "could," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "may," "continue," "predict," "potential," "project" and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, objectives, expectations or intentions will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience and present expectations or projections. Actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and the trading price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly. Forward-looking statements also are affected by the risk factors described in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Investor Contacts:
Or Kles, CFO
ir@mysizeid.com
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SOURCE My Size Inc. | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/mysize-announces-7-all-mankind-brazil-implement-mysizeid-apparel-sizing-tech-boost-sales-reduce-returns-increase-environmental-sustainability/ | 2022-08-01T14:16:14Z | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/mysize-announces-7-all-mankind-brazil-implement-mysizeid-apparel-sizing-tech-boost-sales-reduce-returns-increase-environmental-sustainability/ | true |
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NetRise, the company solving the world's XIoT (Extended Internet of Things) security problem, announced today the addition of Stuart McClure, Former CEO of Cylance, to the company's Board of Directors.
"NetRise is one of the most innovative and promising early-stage cybersecurity companies I have had the pleasure of advising. Joining the Board of Directors gives me the opportunity to help set the strategic direction of the company along with its day to day operational decisions, says Mr. McClure. "Almost every CISO I've met in my over three decades in cybersecurity will find what NetRise is building to be an absolutely essential element of their cyber battle readiness program," continued Stuart.
As a long-time advisor to Thomas Pace and NetRise, Stuart will apply decades of experience as an industry veteran, CEO and senior executive positions at companies like McAfee/Intel, Foundstone, Kaiser Permanente and Cylance, to assist in guiding the company into the next phase of growth. With XIoT and OT (operational technology) devices fueling enterprises, manufacturing, automotive, ICS, space technology and medical devices, NetRise is rapidly expanding its customer-base and providing CISOs with a true understanding of their XIoT attack exposure.
"Formalizing Stu's involvement in NetRise is a big milestone in the company's journey, as we continue to surround ourselves with the most innovative minds in the industry," said Thomas Pace, Co-Founder & CEO of NetRise. "As we tackle one of the biggest and least understood problems in cybersecurity, Stu's guidance and insight will be invaluable to our strategic approach to taking on this market and driving awareness of XIoT vulnerabilities exposing companies across industries."
NetRise has developed an automated, cloud-based platform that provides comprehensive insight into the many risks present in a XIoT device. These risks and associated artifacts are presented in a clear and concise manner allowing consultants, operators and SOC analysts to take appropriate action and begin to address the risks presented by these devices in their environment.
Based in Austin, Texas, NetRise was built by defensive cyber experts bred across the private sector, intelligence community and U.S. federal government to solve the firmware security problem. The company is currently partnering with companies across manufacturing, automotive, medical devices, industrial control systems, satellites and many more.
Media Contact:
Danielle Ostrovsky
Hi-Touch PR
410-302-9459
Ostrovsky@hi-touchpr.com
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SOURCE NetRise | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/netrise-welcomes-former-ceo-cylance-board-directors/ | 2022-08-01T14:20:14Z | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/netrise-welcomes-former-ceo-cylance-board-directors/ | false |
- Increased demand following COVID-19 shutdown paired with sharply rising fuel costs, which Duke Energy does not profit on, will increase customer prices
- If approved, customers will see their monthly bills increase starting in October
GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Carolinas made its annual filing July 29 with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) for costs associated with the fuel used to generate electricity at its power plants.
Duke Energy Carolinas is seeking to recover fuel costs as part of its annual adjustment for the fuel used to power South Carolina homes and businesses. The company makes no profit from the fuel component of rates.
The PSCSC reviews the fuel costs required to serve customers to ensure an accurate adjustment is made each year. If approved, the new fuel rates would go into effect Oct. 1, 2022.
If approved, typical residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month would see their bills increase from the current $119.32 to $135.07, an increase of $15.75, or 13.2 percent.
Commercial customers would see an average increase in their bills of about 18.3 percent, and industrial customers would receive an average increase of about 24.4 percent.
Each year, this "true-up" proceeding is intended to resolve the difference between projected fuel costs, and what is billed to the customer. Some years, the company reimburses customers and reduces the charge to their energy bills; in other years – like this year – customers reimburse the company.
Rising energy demand resulted in a significant increase in fuel needs for power generation, compounded by fuel commodity prices climbing drastically in 2021 due to tight supplies.
The sharp increase in commodity prices contributed to a $145 million under-recovery across the prior year, as fuel prices climbed sharply right after the company's annual filing. The South Carolina fuel clause does not allow utilities to adjust fuel rates during the billing period to prevent such customer underpayment, so the proposed fuel rates include recovery of this shortfall.
Duke Energy Carolinas serves about 640,000 customers primarily in the Upstate region of South Carolina, including Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson counties. The company's other South Carolina utility -- Duke Energy Progress -- made its annual fuel filing in April.
Duke Energy works to actively manage its fuel contracts to keep fuel costs as low as possible for customers. Savings achieved from the joint dispatch of Duke Energy's generation fleet in the Carolinas also help to lower the company's fuel costs.
Customers struggling to pay their energy bills might also qualify for assistance from various government and nonprofit programs for utility bills and other household expenses. Customers can learn about agencies that serve their area by dialing 211, texting "electric" to 211211, or visiting sc211.org online. This free service helps connect customers to local community agencies supplying aid for a wide range of needs, including help with energy bills.
Duke Energy also offers programs and resources to help customers experiencing uncertainty, to include flexible payment options and the Share the Light Fund, a Duke Energy program that provides energy assistance.
Duke Energy offers energy-saving tips and innovative efficiency programs for every budget to help customers take control of their energy use. For example, the Home Energy House Call is a free in-home energy assessment that provides customers more information about how they use energy and strategies to save money on their monthly bill. To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/savings.
Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 20,100 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2.8 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 24,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
24-Hour media line: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/duke-energy-carolinas-submits-annual-update-charges-related-fuel-south-carolina/ | 2022-08-01T14:21:53Z | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/duke-energy-carolinas-submits-annual-update-charges-related-fuel-south-carolina/ | true |
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sotheby's International Realty today announced its expanding presence in Australia with the opening of the Byron Bay office in New South Wales. The addition marks the Sotheby's International Realty brand's 11th affiliated office in Australia.
The office is owned by Michael Pallier who is also managing director for Sydney Sotheby's International Realty. The new location will be led by James McCowan and will operate as Byron Bay Sotheby's International Realty.
"With its stunning natural attractions and eclectic community, Byron Bay has become one of the world's most famous coastal towns," said Philip White, president and CEO, Sotheby's International Realty. "Due to its popularity, we are seeing increased interest from ex-pats and high-net-worth individuals from New Zealand, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region, and the prices of homes have risen by more than 20%, according to local records. The addition of the Byron Bay office enables the company to further service their clients in New South Wales, and I am thrilled to support their growth."
"We saw an opportunity to break into the rural and lifestyle real estate sector of Byron Bay and its surrounds," said Pallier. "While the real estate market is highly competitive, we understand our clients' properties were once livelihoods or dream homes, and we want to represent that as best as we can. Our company provides solid real estate knowledge, a tailored level of service, and global marketing opportunities through our affiliation with Sotheby's International Realty."
Prior to the opening of the Byron Bay office, Michael and James have had a 25-year history of working together, where they launched Sydney Sotheby's International Realty 10 years ago and have consistently broken sales records for many significant luxury homes and rural properties.
The Sotheby's International Realty® network currently has nearly 26,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 1,000 offices in 81 countries and territories worldwide. Byron Bay Sotheby's International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm's brokers and clients will benefit from an association with Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.
Sotheby's International Realty
Sotheby's International Realty was founded in 1976 as a real estate service for discerning clients of Sotheby's auction house. Today, the company's global footprint spans more than 1,000 offices located in 81 countries and territories worldwide, including 51 company-owned brokerage offices in key metropolitan and resort markets. In February 2004, Anywhere Real Estate Inc. entered a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty name and the development of a franchise system. The franchise system is comprised of an affiliate network, where each office is independently owned and operated. Sotheby's International Realty supports its affiliates and agents with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Affiliates and agents also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby's auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.
The affiliate network is operated by Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC, and the company owned brokerages are operated by Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. Both entities are subsidiaries of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS) a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. Both Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC and Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
Media Contact:
Melissa Couch
973-407-6142
melissa.couch@sothebys.realty
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SOURCE Sotheby's International Realty | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/sothebys-international-realty-expands-australia/ | 2022-08-01T14:24:46Z | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/sothebys-international-realty-expands-australia/ | true |
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sotheby's International Realty today announced its expanding presence in Australia with the opening of the Byron Bay office in New South Wales. The addition marks the Sotheby's International Realty brand's 11th affiliated office in Australia.
The office is owned by Michael Pallier who is also managing director for Sydney Sotheby's International Realty. The new location will be led by James McCowan and will operate as Byron Bay Sotheby's International Realty.
"With its stunning natural attractions and eclectic community, Byron Bay has become one of the world's most famous coastal towns," said Philip White, president and CEO, Sotheby's International Realty. "Due to its popularity, we are seeing increased interest from ex-pats and high-net-worth individuals from New Zealand, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region, and the prices of homes have risen by more than 20%, according to local records. The addition of the Byron Bay office enables the company to further service their clients in New South Wales, and I am thrilled to support their growth."
"We saw an opportunity to break into the rural and lifestyle real estate sector of Byron Bay and its surrounds," said Pallier. "While the real estate market is highly competitive, we understand our clients' properties were once livelihoods or dream homes, and we want to represent that as best as we can. Our company provides solid real estate knowledge, a tailored level of service, and global marketing opportunities through our affiliation with Sotheby's International Realty."
Prior to the opening of the Byron Bay office, Michael and James have had a 25-year history of working together, where they launched Sydney Sotheby's International Realty 10 years ago and have consistently broken sales records for many significant luxury homes and rural properties.
The Sotheby's International Realty® network currently has nearly 26,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 1,000 offices in 81 countries and territories worldwide. Byron Bay Sotheby's International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm's brokers and clients will benefit from an association with Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.
Sotheby's International Realty
Sotheby's International Realty was founded in 1976 as a real estate service for discerning clients of Sotheby's auction house. Today, the company's global footprint spans more than 1,000 offices located in 81 countries and territories worldwide, including 51 company-owned brokerage offices in key metropolitan and resort markets. In February 2004, Anywhere Real Estate Inc. entered a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty name and the development of a franchise system. The franchise system is comprised of an affiliate network, where each office is independently owned and operated. Sotheby's International Realty supports its affiliates and agents with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Affiliates and agents also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby's auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.
The affiliate network is operated by Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC, and the company owned brokerages are operated by Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. Both entities are subsidiaries of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS) a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. Both Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC and Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
Media Contact:
Melissa Couch
973-407-6142
melissa.couch@sothebys.realty
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SOURCE Sotheby's International Realty | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/sothebys-international-realty-expands-australia/ | 2022-08-01T14:27:26Z | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/sothebys-international-realty-expands-australia/ | false |
- Strong consumer demand continues to move boat inventory faster than before the pandemic
- Global average boat value is 28.9% higher than 2019
- Boats sold in the first half of the year total over $6 billion globally
- Average price of boats in the 26-foot range continues to rise, up 71.5% in the U.S. and 140.6% internationally
MIAMI, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boats Group, a global leader in online boating marketplaces, today announced findings from its latest market report, analyzing the first half of 2022 while comparing pre-pandemic trends alongside pandemic-driven growth. The rising value of boats has yet to affect consumer demand, with listed boats moving off the market faster and sales remaining higher than before the pandemic in 2019.
Consumer demand coupled with lower than normal inventory levels is driving these historic spikes in boat values as the global average boat price is now $182,900, an increase of 28.9% from 2019. This is further reflected in how quickly boats are moving off the market, selling 32 days faster than last year and 83 days faster than in 2019.
"The continuous and strong growth we've seen from our marketplace data is a key indicator of the overall health of the boating market," said Courtney Chalmers, Vice President of Marketing at Boats Group. "As we compare pre-pandemic numbers to the current market conditions, we're looking for shifts in consumer behavior that will further provide insight about what we can expect in 2023."
Throughout the past year, budget-friendly options have become increasingly popular for buyers looking to get out on the water. Boats in the 26-foot range saw an average price increase of 71.5% in the U.S. and 140.6% internationally compared to pre-pandemic values. The overall market driver for unit sales from 2019 to 2022 were boats in the less than 35-foot segment.
"As we head into the second half of 2022, we're closely tracking the volume of boats listed for sale. Early indicators show inventory making a comeback and becoming more consistent compared to the peaks and valleys we saw in 2020 and 2021," said Chalmers. "This very positive trend will help boat builders, dealers and brokers to be well-positioned for the strong consumer demand that doesn't appear to be going anywhere."
For a comprehensive view of the boating market, visit boatsgroup.com/news to download the 2022 Midyear Market Index from Boats Group.
About Boats Group
Boats Group owns and operates the world's leading online boating marketplaces, connecting the largest global audience of boat buyers with top sellers and manufacturers. Boats Group's portfolio includes a variety of industry-leading brands like Boat Trader, YachtWorld, boats.com, iNautia, Cosas De Barcos, Botentekoop, Annonces du Bateau, Boats and Outboards, Boatshop24, Click&Boat and Trident Funding.
For nearly three decades, Boats Group has helped marine retailers sell more boats faster and convert more shoppers into buyers than any other source. Through a comprehensive suite of digital business solutions, including proprietary web-based contract management tools, and premier digital marketing strategies and services, Boats Group delivers unmatched value to its industry partners and optimizes the virtual path to boat ownership.
Owned by Permira, Boats Group is headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States, with co-headquarters in Fareham, England, and additional offices in Padova, Italy and Barcelona, Spain. For more information about Boats Group, visit www.boatsgroup.com.
Media Contact: Rachael Lobeck | Boats Group | press@boats.com
This release contains disclosures that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "believe," "potential," "should," "continue" or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements are based upon Boats Group's current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and Boats Group has no specific intention to update these statements. As a consequence, current plans, and anticipated actions may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by Boats Group or on Boats Group's behalf.
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SOURCE Boats Group | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/boating-market-report-demand-continues-move-inventory-record-pace/ | 2022-08-01T14:28:41Z | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/boating-market-report-demand-continues-move-inventory-record-pace/ | true |
Carol Grayson, from Hartlepool, has carried out years of research and campaigned for justice for around 2,400 people who died in what has been labelled the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.
They include her husband Peter Longstaff who died in 2005 after contracting hepatitis C and HIV from contaminated blood he was given to treat haemophilia.
Now, Sir Brian Langstaff, who is chairing a long-running public inquiry into the scandal, has called for the compensation to be provided to all victims and their partners “without delay”.
Writing to the Government’s Paymaster General Michael Ellis on Friday, July 29, he said he had made the recommendation in light of the inquiry hearing evidence of “profound physical and mental suffering”.
Carol, 62, who now lives in Newcastle, said: "I welcome the interim recommendations of Sir Brian Langstaff, a positive first step on the road to compensation which will bring some peace of mind to victims of the Contaminated Blood scandal.
“Many haemophiliacs and bereaved partners who in many cases acted as their main carer for very long periods often unsupported are now of the older generation, are in very poor health, both physical and psychological and don’t have time on their side.
"It should be relatively easy for government to make these particular payments quickly as they are already registered on existing support schemes and known to officials.”
Carol said over 400 infected people and some partners have died since previous recommendations for compensation were made back in 2010.
Children, parents, siblings and other relevant persons are due to receive compensation at a later stage and the losses and needs of all infected and affected must be fully assessed as soon as possible, added Carol.
She said: “There may be others not yet registered on the schemes that will need to be added on also. I anticipate this process will start once Sir Brian’s final report is published and I understand is expected in 2023.
“As Sir Brian stressed, this is interim only and families eagerly await his final report.”
Carol gave evidence to the inquiry last month. It is now on a break until September. | https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/health/hartlepool-infected-blood-scandal-campaigner-welcomes-call-for-ps100000-compensation-to-victims-without-delay-3789280 | 2022-08-01T14:34:52Z | https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/health/hartlepool-infected-blood-scandal-campaigner-welcomes-call-for-ps100000-compensation-to-victims-without-delay-3789280 | false |
Senior Executive Brings Decades of Corporate Communications and Strategy Experience as Company Executes on Planned $2 Billion Fiber Optics Transformation
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightspeed today announced the expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Amy Wulfestieg as Chief Communications Officer, effective immediately. Reporting to Chief Executive Officer Bob Mudge, Ms. Wulfestieg is responsible for leading the strategy, planning, and implementation of internal and external communications, change management, and engagement activities for the company.
Ms. Wulfestieg has an extensive record of achievement in building and sustaining a culture that aligns and connects stakeholders to business strategy through effective communications. She most recently served as Senior Director, Internal Communications at Nordstrom, where she was accountable for developing and implementing the retailer's internal communications strategy supporting 65,000 employees across the U.S. and Canada. Prior to Nordstrom, Ms. Wulfestieg served as Executive Vice President, Communications at Alight Solutions, where she led internal and external communications strategy, planning, and execution for all aspects of communication, including executive communications, client communications, reputation management, mergers and acquisitions, and employee engagement. Previously, she held several communications positions at Aon Hewitt/Hewitt Associates, most recently serving as Vice President, Communications.
"We are delighted to have a leader with Amy's perspective, deep experience, and results orientation join our Brightspeed team," said Mr. Mudge. "Our goal is to establish Brightspeed as a brand that makes best-in-class broadband a reality for communities across our footprint, with a customer experience known for simplicity, reliability, and choice. Amy will be an outstanding ambassador for our brand and our organization in fostering a high level of engagement with customers, employees, and external stakeholders alike."
"I am thrilled to join Brightspeed at such an exciting time for the new business," said Ms. Wulfestieg. "Brightspeed has such a vibrant culture, founded on a compelling and relatable purpose and vision, and there could not be a more relevant time to communicate the value we will bring to our customers. Access to high-quality internet is an essential enabler of community equity and growth. Brightspeed is pursuing a once in a generation opportunity, and it is a privilege to be part of the mission to help bridge the digital divide."
Brightspeed plans to invest at least $2 billion to build a network that will bring faster, more reliable internet and Wi-Fi to mainly rural communities throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and certain parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The company's planned fiber optics transformation is expected to reach up to 3 million homes and businesses over the next five years, including in many places where fiber and advanced technology have not historically been deployed.
Brightspeed will initially be comprised of incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) assets and associated operations of Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN), which are the subject of a pending acquisition by Apollo-managed funds (NYSE: APO). The company has secured all necessary state-required regulatory approvals in the 20 states in its operating footprint. The parties expect to obtain final FCC approval in the third quarter, and to close the transaction in early fourth quarter.
For more information about Brightspeed, visit the company's website, www.brightspeed.com.
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and expected to have assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed will provide broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 6 million homes and businesses. The company aims to bridge the digital divide by deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes staying connected simple and seamless. For more information about Brightspeed, visit the company's website, www.brightspeed.com.
Media
Erik Carlson
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449
pr@brightspeed.com
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SOURCE Brightspeed | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/amy-wulfestieg-joins-brightspeed-chief-communications-officer/ | 2022-08-01T14:36:24Z | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/amy-wulfestieg-joins-brightspeed-chief-communications-officer/ | true |
The collaboration with CMPC in Brazil is facilitated through SOSA's partnership with the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI). Through the partnership, CMPC and SOSA will work to identify advanced tech solutions during a four-month innovation project.
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CMPC, one of Latin America's largest pulp and paper companies, has announced a partnership with CNI and SOSA, the global open innovation company, to improve the efficiency and sustainability of CMPC's forestry supply chain in Brazil.
SOSA scouts and validates startups for corporations and governments, ensuring innovation teams find precisely the technologies they need to solve business problems, identify opportunities, and build new products.
CMPC Brazil aims to harness SOSA's open innovation capabilities to implement cutting-edge tech solutions that will optimize shipments and operational efficiency and ultimately contribute to reducing its carbon footprint even more.
Throughout the scouting and validation process, SOSA will consider the best-fit startup candidates to match CMPC's tech requirements, infrastructure, and local regulations.
The innovation project will consist of:
- Identifying and defining pressing company challenges alongside new opportunities.
- Gaining access to global advanced technology companies and systems.
- Building quality POC's with strategic collaborations for implementation.
The selected startups will be given the opportunity to conduct a proof-of-concept of their solutions on an industrial scale and potentially further support CMPC's efforts to have a more efficient and sustainable supply chain.
"This partnership is in line with our constant search for the evolution and improvement of our processes to reduce interference in the environment and become more sustainable. An example is the adoption of the waterway model for transport, which avoids more than 100 thousand truck trips per year, contributing to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. We believe that the projects presented by the startups participating in this initiative will allow us to increase our operational efficiency in forestry logistics in an even more innovative way", explains the general director of CMPC in Brazil, Mauricio Harger.
"The CNI and SOSA partnership reiterates our efforts to promote open innovation as a competitive strategy, opening a faster and more effective way for companies of all sizes and sectors to enter global value chains. We are sure that the open innovation process we are doing with CMPC will influence their culture of innovation and improve their results in sustainability", says Gianna Sagazio, Innovation Director of CNI.
"Addressing the supply chain given the numerous issues companies have faced in the past two years will enable companies such as CMPC to both improve their bottom line and operate more sustainably," says Uzi Scheffer, CEO of SOSA. "Our collaboration with CMPC through our partnership with CNI hopes to catalyze innovation and offer companies solutions that are both impactful and sustainable."
About CMPC Brazil
CMPC Brasil has its industrial unit located in Guaíba, in Rio Grande do Sul; it is part of the Chilean CMPC group and produces around 2 million tons of cellulose per year – a biodegradable raw material used in the manufacture of personal hygiene products, tissue, packaging, and several other items present in people's daily lives. The largest industry in the state, according to the VPG (Pondered Value of Greatness) index, the company is responsible for creating 45,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in the state's economy, with 6,600 professionals working in its industrial, forestry, and port operations. Present in Brazil since 2009, the company is a representative of the bioeconomy, the production of renewable biological resources. Its operations are based on the circular economy concept, transforming 100% solid waste from the industrial process into 13 new products, from raw material for the production of cement and wood panels to soil pH correctors and organic fertilizers. The CMPC group completed 100 years of operations in 2020 and currently has more than 18 thousand employees in 48 industrial units in eight Latin American countries. More information is on the site.
ABOUT CNI
The Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) represents Brazilian industry. As the highest body in the employers' union system of industry, it has defended the interests of the domestic industry since its founding in 1938. Since then, working in coordination with the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of government and various entities and organizations in Brazil and abroad. CNI represents 27 federations of industries and 1,250 employer unions affiliated with almost 700,000 enterprises. It directly manages the Social Service of Industry (SESI), the National Services for Industrial Learning (SENAI), and the Euvaldo Lodi Institute (IEL). Together with CNI, these institutions form the Industry System, which also brings together state industry federations and employer unions. For more information, visit http://www.portaldaindustria.com.br/cni/en/
ABOUT SOSA
SOSA is a global open innovation company. We work with innovation teams and business units in corporations (like LG, HP, Schneider Electric, Natura, Klabin, Swiss Re) and governments (like Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Taiwan). We scout and validate startups and technologies to bring our clients the solutions they need to solve acute problems, identify opportunities, or build new products. Think noise-canceling headphones for the endless supply of startups.
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SOURCE SOSA | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/cmpc-one-latin-americas-largest-pulp-paper-companies-partners-with-cni-sosa-optimize-its-supply-chain-efficiency/ | 2022-08-01T14:37:11Z | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/cmpc-one-latin-americas-largest-pulp-paper-companies-partners-with-cni-sosa-optimize-its-supply-chain-efficiency/ | false |
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