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TRAI provides clarity on tariff plan with month-wise recharge date
- Country:
- India
TRAI on Thursday issued a clarification on its January directive that had asked telecom operators to come out with at least one tariff plan which can be renewed on the same date of every month, and granted additional 60 days to players to ensure compliance.
Following industry representations, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) clarified that in case the same date for such renewal is not available in a month, the date of renewal will be the last date of that month.
It has inserted a clause saying, ''Every telecom service provider shall offer at least one plan voucher, one special tariff voucher and one combo voucher which shall be renewable on the same date of every month, and if the date of such renewal is not available in a month, the date of renewal shall be the last date of that month.'' For example, if the date of renewal is January 31, the next date of recharge will be February 28 or 29 (depending on whether or not it is leap year), and the subsequent dates will be March 31, April 30 and so on.
When contacted, Kaushal Kishore, Advisor (Finance and Economic Analysis), TRAI, said that the move is consumer-friendly, and offer will ensure convenience to users as the same date for recharge is easy to recall.
''Operators will be given 60 days to comply with the directive, in the wake of the clarification,'' Kishore told PTI.
TRAI had received references from Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) who wanted clarity on the next date of recharge in case a subscriber recharges the voucher on 31st of the month; and the next date of recharge in case a subscriber recharges the voucher on any day between 29-31 January.
They had also raised the issue of two months time (granted by TRAI in January) for the implementation of the telecom tariff order ''being not adequate due to technical infeasibility'', and pushed for extra time for the implementation of the order.
TRAI had earlier said that every TSP shall offer at least one plan voucher, one special tariff voucher and one combo voucher having a validity of thirty days. It has also stated that every operator will offer at least one plan voucher, one special tariff voucher and one combo voucher which shall be renewable on the same date of every month, and this bit has now been clarified.
The country's largest telecom operator Reliance Jio earlier this week launched a Rs 259-plan that comes with calendar month validity to help prepaid users remember the recharge date.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Putin warns Russia against pro-Western 'traitors' and scum | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1985417-trai-provides-clarity-on-tariff-plan-with-month-wise-recharge-date | 2022-03-31T16:10:09 | en | 0.948726 |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An altercation with a bus driver cost an 18-year-old student his chance to walk in his high school graduation. The student is also facing a felony charge.
Jerome Williams, 18, was getting onto the school bus with a cup of water and he says the bus driver instructed him to get off of the bus with the water.
Williams says as he was exiting the bus, he felt threatened by the bus driver, and he says he threw a cup of water in the bus driver's face.
The bus driver exited the school bus behind Williams and at that moment, a physical altercation took place, according to a video obtained by First Coast News.
A school resource officer intervened and arrested Williams.
Williams faces a felony charge of battery against a person 65 and up. He also faces a charge for resisting arrest.
Williams says he believes his punishments are unfair. His mother, Tia Dozier agrees.
"My son is facing felony charges of assault and battery against a person 65 and older. My son had plans, has plans for his future and that just cannot. It cannot be on his record," she said.
We reached out to the Juvenile Justice Department to see if the charges were steep.
"Throwing a substance on someone or you could hit somebody’s car or hit somebody’s phone in their hand, that’s considered a battery because of what’s known as transferred intent," said Shannon Schott, a lawyer. "Yes, throwing a cup of water on the bus driver is considered a battery, that is the correct charge."
RELATED: JFRD: Two students, two adults hospitalized after crash involving school bus in Grand Park area
Schott says the State Attorney's office could consider reducing the charges based on Williams' record, but that is to be determined.
First Coast News reached out to Duval County Schools to see what would determine whether a student walks in their graduation.
A spokesperson said, "to provide clarity, enrollment in one of the district’s alternative schools does not in any way stop a student from completing their graduation requirements and becoming a high school graduate. A senior student who commits a Level III or IV infraction does forfeit their right to participate in graduation ceremonies."
Williams says he wants a second chance.
"The situation was very unfair the way the consequences were, and I feel like I should be able to be with my home and graduate where I belong and where my home is," he said.
Excerpt from Student Code of Conduct:
NOTE VIII: FORFEITURE OF SENIOR PRIVILEGES: A senior student who commits a Level III or IV infraction, described in the Code of Student Conduct, shall forfeit the right to participate in graduation exercises and other senior-related activities until the student has successfully completed all assigned consequences and disciplinary actions and is re-enrolled at the regular assigned school. School Board Policies and Procedures regarding assignment to education centers shall apply to students who commit a Level III or Level IV infraction. | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/jacksonville-mother-punishment-after-sons-fight-with-bus-driver/77-4e7350c2-494c-4ee2-8c02-2de9e7cacd48 | 2022-03-31T16:10:15 | en | 0.983454 |
NCLT approves transfer of Raymond Apparel biz to parent firm
- Country:
- India
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the scheme of transfer of Raymond Apparel Ltd business to Raymond Ltd.
In September 2021, board of Raymond had approved demerging the B2C business, including apparels, of Raymond Apparel Ltd (RAL), on a going concern basis to merge with the company itself.
''The NCLT Mumbai Bench has on March 23, 2022 pronounced the order sanctioning the scheme with the appointed date of the scheme as April 1, 2021,'' Raymond said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.
However, it also said it is yet to receive the certified true copy of the NCLT order.
Raymond in a filing on September 27, 2021 said with a focus to fast- track the recovery post pandemic, Raymond will consolidate its B2C business by transfer of apparel business into Raymond Ltd.
This brings all major apparel brands including Park Avenue , Colorplus, Parx into Raymond Ltd.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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NCLT orders insolvency proceedings against Supertech Ltd over Rs 432 crore default | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1985431-nclt-approves-transfer-of-raymond-apparel-biz-to-parent-firm | 2022-03-31T16:10:17 | en | 0.947173 |
Realtor.com® March Housing Report: Home Prices Hit $405,000 For the First Time Ever
Inventory is predicted to hit positive territory year-over-year in June or July and provide some much needed relief for buyers who can afford to persist in their search for a home
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Home prices hit $405,000 for the first time ever in March, but data reveals there is some hope on the horizon for pandemic-era buyers. With demand beginning to moderate as some home shoppers are priced out of the market and new construction at near 16-year highs, inventory is expected to hit positive territory year-over-year this summer, according to the Realtor.com® Monthly Housing Trends Report released today.
"Despite the $405,000 price tag, March data reveals we are starting to take some steps towards a more balanced market," said Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for Realtor.com®. "Buyer demand is moderating in the face of high costs, and we're beginning to see more homeowners take price cuts on their listings and overall inventory declines lessen in response. Assuming all these factors and new construction hold steady, we could begin to see inventory increases this summer – welcome news for buyers who have endured pandemic home shopping and can continue their journey despite higher buying costs. For buyers currently in the market, there's good reason to aim to find a home before interest rates increase further. But if it takes longer than a few months, don't give up hope, as there may be more to choose from in the summer months."
March 2022 Housing Metrics – National
Home prices hit $405,000 with an increase in price reductions
The median U.S. listing price grew to a new all-time high of $405,000 in March as prices rose 13.5% year-over-year, faster than is typical for this time of year, and about the same annual growth rate as last month. At the same time, data shows the beginnings of softening demand and sellers responding to it. The share of homes having their price reduced increased slightly from 5.8% last March to 6.0% this year, but still remains 9 percentage points below typical 2017 to 2019 levels. Twenty-five of the largest 50 metros saw an increasing share of price reductions in March, compared to 18 in February.
Listing prices in the top 50 metros grew by an average of 9.1% in March over last year. Their price growth has been lower than other areas across the country, but much of this can still be attributed to new inventory bringing relatively smaller homes to the market this year. The median listing price per square foot in these large metros grew by 12.5% over the same period, not as high as, but close to, the national rate of 15.7%. Miami (+37.0%), Las Vegas (+35.2%), and Tampa, Fla. (+32.0%) posted the highest year-over-year median list price growth in March. Austin, Texas homes showed the greatest growth in the share of homes with price reductions compared to last year (+2.9 percentage points), followed by Sacramento, Calif. and Memphis, Tenn. (+2.3 percentage points).
Inventory declines lessen as some buyers are priced out
Nationally, the inventory of homes actively for sale on a typical day in March decreased by 18.9% over last year, a smaller rate of decline compared to the 24.5% drop in February. However, this moderation in active inventory is not a supply-driven improvement. In March, newly-listed homes decreased by 3.4% year-over-year and sellers were still listing at rates 12.2% lower than typical 2017-2019 March levels. The number of pending listings (listings that are at various stages of the closing process, but are not yet sold) has declined by 7.4% compared to last March, indicating that a moderation in demand is softening the rate of home sales. This is likely caused by the affordability one-two-punch of rising interest rates and all-time high listing prices. For buyers still actively searching for a home, this could provide some relief as competition declines. However, it indicates that some homebuyers may have put plans on hold, despite the fact that the current rental market offers little relief from high prices.
The inventory of homes actively for sale in the 50 largest U.S. metros overall decreased by 16.0% year-over-year in March, an improvement in the rate of decline compared to last month's 22.1% decrease. Inventory declined over March 2021 in 44 out of 50 of the largest metros, but six metros saw inventory growth, up from four last month: Riverside, Calif. (+17.8%), Sacramento (+7.6%), Kansas City (+6.0%), Austin (+3.9%), Detroit (+3.5%), and Phoenix (+0.4%). Eight metros also saw the number of newly-listed homes increase compared to last year, led by Rochester, N.Y. (+7.2%), Detroit (+6.7%), and Memphis (+5.4%).
Homes Consistently Spend Less Time on the Market Than Previous Years
The typical home spent 38 days on the market this March, which is 11 days less than last year. Homes spent 29 fewer days on the market than typical March 2017-2019 timing. However, while homes are selling more quickly than last year, the gap has been shrinking as demand moderates. Last month, homes spent 17 days less on the market than the previous year. In March, the gap narrowed down to 11 days.
In the 50 largest U.S. metros, the typical home spent 31 days on the market, and homes spent 8 fewer days on the market, on average, compared to March 2021. Among larger metropolitan areas, homes saw the greatest yearly decline in time spent on market in the southern metros of Miami (-32 days), Raleigh, S.C. (-19 days), and Orlando, Fla. (-19 days). Only Buffalo, N.Y. saw time on market increase compared to last year (+2 days).
March 2022 Housing Metrics – 50 Largest U.S. Metros
Methodology
Realtor.com® housing data as of March 2022. Listings include active inventory of existing single-family homes and condos/townhomes for the given level of geography; new construction is excluded unless listed via an MLS. *Oklahoma City's March new listings data is currently under review.
Note: With the release of its January 2022 housing trends report, Realtor.com® incorporated a new and improved methodology for capturing and reporting housing inventory trends and metrics. As a result of these changes, this release is not directly comparable with previous data releases and reports. However, future data releases, including historical data, will consistently apply the new methodology.
About Realtor.com®
Realtor.com® makes buying, selling, renting and living in homes easier and more rewarding for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago, and today through its website and mobile apps offers a marketplace where people can learn about their options, trust in the transparency of information provided to them, and get services and resources that are personalized to their needs. Using proprietary data science and machine learning technology, Realtor.com® pairs buyers and sellers with local agents in their market, helping take the guesswork out of buying and selling a home. For professionals, Realtor.com® is a trusted provider of consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. For more information, visit Realtor.com®.
Media Contact
[email protected]
SOURCE Realtor.com | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realtorcom-march-housing-report-home-prices-hit-405-000-for-the-first-time-ever-301514515.html | 2022-03-31T16:10:19 | en | 0.958901 |
HOUSTON — A former Klein Oak High School student won a $90,000 settlement nearly five years after filing a federal lawsuit claiming she'd been harassed and punished for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The suit claimed her rights to free speech had been violated.
"She is very relieved it's all over and feels vindicated," said her attorney Randall Kallinen.
Her lawsuit was settled shortly before it was set to go to trial.
"Student's rights are vital and deserve to be protected," said Geoffrey Blackwell with American Atheists, a civil rights organization.
American Atheists said the student, a senior at Klein Oak back in 2017 objected to the words "under God" and believed "liberty and justice for all" was not guaranteed for people of color. It's why she chose to sit during the pledge.
"They punished her and retaliated against her for not participating," said Kallinen.
Klein ISD was a defendant in the suit but was dismissed from the case more than a year ago. Benjie Arnold, a former sociology teacher at the school, was the lone defendant left in the lawsuit.
"He would tell the students if they weren't happy in the United States, he would pay them to move to Europe," said Blackwell.
The Texas Association of School Boards opted to pay $90,000 to settle Arnold's case.
"They spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney fees fighting this student and her rights to free speech and in the end, we prevailed," said Kallinen.
The student's attorneys tell us the case sends a clear message across the country.
"You still retain your free speech rights when you go to school," said Kallinen. "Students cannot be made to stand and pledge allegiance to a country. This is not Russia." | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/klein-isd-student-bullied-refusing-stand-for-pledge-of-alliegance/285-d0a4b729-252f-4940-9da5-2386abbea9be | 2022-03-31T16:10:21 | en | 0.986795 |
Researchers Find Lower Risk of Severe COVID-19 Infection in Most Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
BOSTON, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a COVID-19 disease diagnosis, hospitalization and severe outcomes from COVID-19 illness in children and young people with childhood-onset rheumatic diseases were not commonly reported, announced the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA).
In collaboration with the University of Manchester (UK), CARRA investigators at Boston Children's Hospital (US) teamed to conduct the largest-ever study of COVID-19 in children and teens with childhood-onset rheumatic diseases. The findings, published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, involved reports on patients from investigators across 25 countries.
The Arthritis Foundation estimates there are nearly 300,000 children and teens with arthritis in the United States.
Researchers found that less than 10% of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases who were diagnosed with COVID-19 required hospitalization. Those patients receiving treatment with TNF-alpha inhibitor "biologic" medication did not appear to face increased risk of hospitalization or death when compared to children with childhood-onset rheumatic diseases not receiving these drugs.
The international research team evaluated patient records collected by the CARRA Registry, the CARRA-sponsored COVID-19 Global Pediatric Rheumatology Database (COVID-19 GPRD), and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) COVID-19 Registry.
The study examined records of 607 children and youth below age 19, including a majority with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, 378 patients) as well as systemic lupus erythematosus/mixed connective tissue disease (SLE/MCTD), vasculitis, and other related rheumatic diseases (87 patients), and auto-inflammatory syndromes (78 patients). Patients with SLE/MCTD or vasculitis were more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID, as were those with obesity (body mass index ≥30) who also had any rheumatic disease.
Dr. Marc Natter, assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, and a pediatric rheumatologist at MassGeneral Hospital for Children, led the study for CARRA and said, "The collective experience is that children, especially younger children, with juvenile idiopathic arthritis appear less likely to develop severe COVID-19 than adults with rheumatic disease, and reports of severe disease and death occur much less commonly than in adults with rheumatic diseases."
Min-Lee Chang, co-author of the paper from Boston Children's Hospital, who led the data analysis for the CARRA data sets, commented, "We of course agree that protective measures remain important to follow to minimize the risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection."
Dr. Lianne Kearsley-Fleet, an epidemiologist at The University of Manchester and co-author who led the data analysis for the EULAR and combined data, said, "We know from research that most children and young people, unlike vulnerable adults, do not experience severe COVID-19, with many of these children being asymptomatic or showing only mild symptoms."
"However, we as pediatric rheumatology researchers felt it was important to find out if the same was true for children with arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. The good news is that most children do appear to do well and experience only mild COVID-19 disease," Dr. Kearsley-Fleet said.
Professor Kimme Hyrich from The University of Manchester and a consultant rheumatologist said, "The data are very reassuring, but do show again the important association between obesity and more severe COVID-19 outcomes, supporting the view that protection measures in those children should be strictly followed."
All cases of COVID-19 occurred before vaccinations were available in the young people in this study.
Although the majority of children did well, 43 patients (7%) were hospitalized. Where hospitalizations did occur, they were less likely to occur in patients with JIA and more likely among those with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases that are often more severe, such as lupus or vasculitis and require involve greater suppression of their immune system. As in other studies, it was also found that obese children were four times more likely to be hospitalized. However, even among those hospitalized, most patients avoided severe illness, with less than one-in-five needing oxygen or mechanical breathing support.
About Childhood-onset Rheumatic Diseases
Childhood-onset rheumatic diseases include different types of arthritis and other rheumatic and inflammatory diseases that develop in children and teens. These conditions are estimated to affect nearly 300,000 kids and teens in the United States (Arthritis Foundation).
About Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA)
Formed in 2002, CARRA's mission is to conduct collaborative research to prevent, treat, and cure pediatric rheumatic diseases. CARRA is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization. For more information, please visit https://carragroup.org/.
Media Contact:
John Seng
Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA)
(202) 468-7682
[email protected]
SOURCE Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/researchers-find-lower-risk-of-severe-covid-19-infection-in-most-children-with-juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis-301514192.html | 2022-03-31T16:10:25 | en | 0.948376 |
IMF says it's 'clear-eyed' about risks to Argentine economy and new program
The executive board of the IMF last week approved a new $44 billion financing program, but said that it comes with "exceptionally high" risks. It marks the 22nd IMF program for Argentina and comes after more than a year of negotiations.
The International Monetary Fund and Argentine government have been "clear-eyed" about the exceptionally high risks facing the Argentine economy and a new $44 billion IMF program approved Friday, IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice said on Thursday. Rice told reporters Argentina's economy was recovering more strongly than expected after three years of recession and persistent high inflation, but it was also subject to the global shock caused by the war in Ukraine, and its economic and social situation was fragile.
"So, it's no surprise that the risks to the Argentine economy, and therefore to the program, are high," he said, adding that the IMF would work closely with Argentine authorities to ensure successful implementation of the program. The executive board of the IMF last week approved a new $44 billion financing program, but said that it comes with "exceptionally high" risks.
It marks the 22nd IMF program for Argentina and comes after more than a year of negotiations. It replaces a failed $57 billion program from 2018, for which Argentina still owes over $40 billion. Rice said the IMF's board approved the new program because it set realistic and pragmatic objectives, along with credible policies, that would strengthen Argentina's macroeconomic stability and begin tackling its deep-seated challenges.
Implementation would now be key, he said. "Paraphrasing Winston Churchill, we're at the end of the beginning of this process," Rice said. "Now it's all about implementation so that those objectives ... can be achieved."
While it saw the high risks involved, the IMF was committed to working closely with Argentine authorities to ensure successful implementation of the program, Rice said. "It's in our shared interest to have a program that can be owned and ... successfully implemented by the Argentine authorities," he said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Rice
- The International Monetary Fund
- Ukraine
- Argentina
- Gerry Rice
- Argentine
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Russia's war in Ukraine may 'fundamentally alter' global economic, political order - IMF | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1985434-imf-says-its-clear-eyed-about-risks-to-argentine-economy-and-new-program | 2022-03-31T16:10:24 | en | 0.96272 |
TEXAS, USA — A couple with Florida ties was among Blue Origin's six-person crew for its New Shepard flight.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard was the organization's fourth human spaceflight.
WTSP reports that Sharon Hagle, who founded SpaceKids Global, was be joined by her husband Marc for the NS-20 mission. The Florida-based national nonprofit organization works to bring "space to kids everywhere."
The Hagels flew with Marty Allen, Jim Kitchen, Dr. George Nield, and New Shepard chief architect Gary Lai.
According to a press release, the duo has already made their way to West Texas for training ahead of their now slated March 31 liftoff from Launch Site One. Blue Origin says it had to push the launch date back due to "forecasted high winds during launch and recovery operations."
Sharon founded SpaceKids Global in 2015 in an effort to inspire STEAM+ education and in the hopes of bringing the possibility of space to children, according to the non-profit's website. Through her work, she is reported to have reached more than 96,500 students globally. | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/watch-live-blue-origin-ns-20-mission-launches-from-texas/77-64aad073-293d-49bf-b7d2-64ce322e9cd3 | 2022-03-31T16:10:27 | en | 0.973653 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/mlb/oakland-athletics/articles/39006026 | 2022-03-31T16:10:29 | en | 0.738227 |
BOSTON, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Female and minority founders fared significantly better on a percentage basis raising capital through online startup investing (Regulation Crowdfunding) than they did raising money from venture capitalists (VCs), according to the KingsCrowd 2021 Market Intelligence Report. Startups with female founders received 19.3% of total online investments in 2021 – nearly 10 times more than they received from venture capital firms. Companies with minority founders made up more than a third of total online investments, receiving 31.5% of 2021 online funding. VCs allocated only 2.6% of their 2020 investments to minority founders.
Dollars invested through online startup investing grew by more than 130% from 2020 to 2021 and reached $486.8 million, according to the KingsCrowd 2021 Market Intelligence Report. KingsCrowd's report also shows that online startup investing is enabling American startups outside of Silicon Valley and New York to find investors. Startups and small businesses based in the South received $130.1 million in investments in 2021.
As the leading source for data and analytics on online startup investing, KingsCrowd collects hundreds of data points on every company raising capital online. Using this data, KingsCrowd estimates that total dollars invested in online funding rounds will grow at an average annual rate of 50%. By 2025, the market is likely to exceed $2 billion in annual investments. This growth will be fueled by investors looking for portfolio diversification, the development of secondary markets for startup shares, and increased interest from institutional investors.
Online startup investing enables startups and small businesses anywhere in the US to raise capital online through equity or debt financing. Investors of all backgrounds and incomes can choose to invest in these companies, often through online platforms such as Wefunder, Republic, MainVest, or others. This process represents the democratization of venture capital, and it began in 2016 when regulations, mandated by the 2012 JOBS Act, went into effect. In just five years, online startup investing has grown to reach nearly half a billion dollars in annual investments and more than 1,400 unique funding rounds.
Despite early doubts about the efficacy of online startup investing, the system has proven to be very successful. In 2021, KingsCrowd found that nearly 90% of all equity-based funding rounds and more than two-thirds of all debt-based rounds were successfully funded.
The KingsCrowd 2021 Market Intelligence Report provides an in-depth review of online startup investing in 2021. It identifies the top performing equity crowdfunding platforms, the most funded industries, the breakdown between equity-based deals and debt-based deals, rates of deal success, and growth forecasts for the online startup investing market. A free Executive Summary of the report is available here.
About KingsCrowd
KingsCrowd was founded in 2018, just two years after online startup investing became legal. KingsCrowd's mission is to empower investors of all backgrounds to make informed, data-driven investment decisions. To fulfill that goal, KingsCrowd provides educational resources, discovery tools, and both qualitative and quantitative ratings on equity-based startup investment opportunities. All of these tools and services combine to give investors actionable and data-driven insights for online startup investing. KingsCrowd also uses its detailed database to track and provide market-level analysis of online startup investing.
KingsCrowd ensures that investors never miss out on promising private market investments while eliminating hours of work spent searching for and vetting deals. For more information, visit KingsCrowd at kingscrowd.com, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
Media Contact(s):
Chris Lustrino
CEO, KingsCrowd
[email protected]
P: (914) 826-4520
Ahmad Takatkah
CIO, KingsCrowd
[email protected]
SOURCE KingsCrowd | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/retail-investors-support-underrepresented-founders-10-times-more-than-venture-capitalists-301514486.html | 2022-03-31T16:10:31 | en | 0.940536 |
German bond yields set for biggest monthly jump in over a decade
Battered euro zone bonds recovered ground on Thursday, but were set to end March with one of their biggest sell-offs in years as rising inflation and interest rate-hike risks left German Bund yields on track for their biggest monthly jump since 2009.
Battered euro zone bonds recovered ground on Thursday, but were set to end March with one of their biggest sell-offs in years as rising inflation and interest rate-hike risks left German Bund yields on track for their biggest monthly jump since 2009. Most 10-year yields across the single currency bloc fell between 10 and 12 basis points, a day after high German and Spanish inflation prints triggered fresh selling.
Data on Thursday showed inflation in Italy hit 7% while prices in France were up 5.1%, but a more than 5% fall in oil prices brought some comfort to bond investors. Surging inflation, which has raised expectations that the European Central Bank may have to hike interest rates sooner rather than later, and a more aggressive stance from the U.S. Federal Reserve have sent bond markets reeling.
Germany's 10-year Bund yield, which was down 11.1 basis points (bps) on the day at 0.547% by 1514 GMT, is still up 39 bps in March and set to end the month with the biggest monthly surge since 2009. Two-year German yields, trading just under 0%, have jumped around 44 bps this month - poised for their biggest monthly rise since 2011.
French 10-year bond yields were set for their biggest monthly increase since 2016, with a rise of almost 36 bps . They have risen more than 78 basis points during the quarter, the best run since the second quarter of 1994. Italy's 10-year bond yield has risen 84 basis points throughout the quarter, the largest jump since the second quarter of 2018..
"This is very significant," said ING senior rates strategist Antoine Bouvet. "A move of this magnitude will have investors reassess the riskiness of their bonds portfolio and have market participants who thought their rates risk was negligible until now hedge it." Euro zone inflation is increasingly likely to stabilise around 2% but the ECB should be ready to change course if the outlook deteriorates due to Russia's war in Ukraine, ECB chief economist Philip Lane said.
"The ECB has relatively high inflation, but actually, inflation's undershot for a long period of time and the (euro zone) economy is not overheating to the same extent (as the U.S)," said Andrew Sheets, chief cross-asset strategist at Morgan Stanley. "There's also more flexibility at the ECB and I think the ECB would like to take rates to zero and get ahead of negative rate policy." The ECB's deposit rate is at -0.50%.
Yield surges in euro area bond tracked similar milestones in other major debt markets. U.S. 2-year Treasury yields are up around 86 bps in March , set for their biggest monthly increase since 1989, according to Refinitiv data. They are up 155 bps this quarter, on track for the biggest quarterly jump since 1984.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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U.S. detains Li Ning's products at ports, citing use of North Korean labour
U.S. military condemns North Korea's 'ballistic missile launch'
Health News Roundup: EU plans to buy measles, polio vaccines for Ukraine refugees; Pfizer-BioNTech seek U.S. OK for second COVID booster for 65 and older and more | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1985440-german-bond-yields-set-for-biggest-monthly-jump-in-over-a-decade | 2022-03-31T16:10:32 | en | 0.970691 |
WEARS VALLEY, Tenn. — ***The Sevier Co. EMA has created a dynamic map people can access and type their address into at this link, which will show if you are in the evacuation area. The Pigeon Forge Community Center at 170 Community Center Drive and the Seymour Heights Christian Church at 122 Boyds Creek Highway are open to help people displaced by the fire.***
UPDATE (3/31: 10:57 A.M.): According to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and Senator Art Swan, the Wears Valley fire is now 3,700 acres and 5% contained.
71 fire departments are responding to the fire with 100 pieces of fire apparatus. Evacuation orders remain in place for the Hatcher Mountain fire.
The construction worker who was injured yesterday is reportedly "okay" and no other injuries have been reported.
Eight helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft are expected to help out with the fire today.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued in Wears Valley as crews work to contain a now 3,700-acre wildfire at the Hatcher Mountain Road and Indigo Lane area.
The EMA is ordering mandatory evacuations for those in the Wears Valley and Waldens Creek areas. The EMA created a dynamic map people can access and type their address into at this link, which will show if you are in the evacuation area.
Some 11,000 homes were evacuated starting Wednesday afternoon, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said.
Also, some 100-plus structures have been "affected," the mayor said, including many that were completely destroyed. Many homes and cabins were in the path of the fire.
Sevier County EMA said property damage assessments will begin soon but requested people stop calling 911 to get property damage information.
EMA also asked for people to refrain from bringing donations to any locations until it provides information for money and supplies donations later Thursday afternoon.
At 11:35 a.m. Thursday, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture said crews are taking advantage of the rain to temper the fire and develop a containment line.
As of 1 a.m. Thursday, the fire evacuation circle had been extended for the Dupont Area from South Rogers Road to the Blount County line of Sevier County. It is unclear if this evacuation is for the same Wears Valley fire or a different one within the Wears Valley evacuation zone.
"If you are unsure if you are in this area, you should evacuate," the EMA said.
Knoxville Fire Department also sent two additional engine companies with eight firefighters to assist with the Sevier County wildfires. KFD also said they will help rotate members to allow firefighters time to rest.
Shelters have been established at the Pigeon Forge Community Center located at 170 Community Center Drive and at Seymour Heights Christian Church at 122 Boyds Creek Highway to help anyone displaced by the fire.
The Sevierville Convention Center at 202 Gists Creek Road is also now open as an evacuation shelter for persons displaced by the Hatcher Mountain Road/Indigo Lane Fire in Wears Valley. Additional shelters may be opened as needed, according to Sevier County EMA.
The Red Cross is helping the Sevier County EMA with an evacuation center at the Pigeon Forge Community Center.
Spanish Version: Incendio forestal reportado en Wears Valley, orden de evacuación emitida para el área cerca de Indigo Lane, Shagbark o Preserve
Wears Valley Road/Highway 321 is closed between Pigeon Forge and Townsend as crews respond to the fire. The Pigeon Forge Police Department said the closure extends to Pigeon Forge city limits, and no traffic will be allowed to travel into Wears Valley from Pigeon Forge until further notice.
Multiple buildings in the fire zone could be seen fully engulfed in flames. Sevier County spokesperson Perrin Anderson said at least 35 structures have been affected as of 8:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, the county said it is going to be using controlled back burns to remove fuel in hopes of stopping the fire from spreading to the main road.
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said a contractor working excavation on a home near the fire was injured. He said the biggest concern is the windy and dry weather that's still ahead, but said "dozens" of fire crews and emergency responders are working to contain the fire.
"We have crews coming from all across the state," Waters said. "Continue to pray for our emergency personnel."
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said the terrain in the area is steep, making fire suppression efforts difficult.
Sevier County Electric said it will be shutting off power in the Wears Valley Road, Hatcher Mountain and Little Valley areas due to high winds at the request of the EMA and fire departments to prevent more fires from sparking up from downed power lines. As of 8 p.m., roughly 900 customers were without power in those areas.
Strong winds are expected to arrive along with a line of showers that will move into the mountains and foothills overnight.
Hearthside at the Preserve in the Smoky Mountains shared live web cameras overlooking the fire in Wears Valley at this link.
Sevier County Schools will be closed Thursday due to the wildfire and "out of an abundance of caution." Blount County Schools will also be closed Thursday due to "weather-related issues" and numerous power outages.
"Due to areas of the county being affected by wildfires and out of an abundance of caution for our students, parents, and staff members, schools in Sevier County will be closed on Thursday, March 31, 2022. Please stay safe!" Sevierville Intermediate School said.
As of 2 p.m., Tony Ogle, a spokesperson for Sevier County Schools, said the district is evacuating the remaining students from Wearwood Elementary, which is near the Wears Valley fire.
He said about 70 students of 200 enrolled are being brought by bus to the Pigeon Forge Community Center where parents can pick them up.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has asked for the Tennessee Army National Guard to help fight the fire by air, according to Lt. Col. Darrin Haas, the director of public affairs for the Tennessee Army National Guard.
The Tennessee Army National Guard is at McGhee Tyson airbase and is "waiting on standby and ready to go", but they have been told other aircraft are now responding, Lt. Col. Haas said.
Officials with the Tennessee Division of Forestry, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Sevier County Fire Department, Seymour Volunteer Fire Department, the Pigeon Forge Fire Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol's District one strike team, Waldens Creek VFD and the Wears Valley VFD are all responding to the scene as well.
There are houses in the area, but it is unclear how close the fire is to those houses, according to Tennessee Division of Forestry spokesperson Nathan Waters.
Two people who own three rental cabins and live on Hatcher Mountain spoke with 10News reporter Katelyn Keenehan on the scene.
"We saw smoke coming up from the bottom of Hatcher Mountain up to Indigo Lane," said Fred Hinds, the cabin owner.
Fred's power went out around 10 a.m. and he and his wife, Monique, began seeing smoke around 11 a.m. The pair have since been evacuated from their home.
"One minute the fire is here and then just a few moments later, it'll be over a ridge on the other side of the ridge. That says the wind is high," said Jim Wood, founder of the Wears Valley Ranch, a children's home. "I'm looking out there and saying, 'Dear Lord, please cause this to get under control and don't let the winds be as bad as they're forecasting."
Wood told 10News the children's home has evacuated its 20+ children “out of an abundance of caution.”
It is also unclear how large the fire is at this time.
Jeffrey Shults, a Wears Valley resident, said the fire started around 11 a.m. and was small but is growing "exponentially."
Wears Valley wildfire (3/30-3/31, 2022)
This situation is ongoing that will be updated as more information becomes available. | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/wildfire-wears-valley-area/51-2e652577-8877-4d29-907f-3741f0c3955c | 2022-03-31T16:10:33 | en | 0.964307 |
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NEW YORK, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Rivian Automotive, Inc. ("Rivian Automotive, Inc." or the "Company") (NASDAQ: RIVN) of a class action securities lawsuit.
CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Rivian Automotive, Inc. investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud. This lawsuit is on behalf of investors that purchased or otherwise acquired Rivian common stock pursuant and/or traceable to Rivian's initial public offering on November 10, 2021 and/or between November 10, 2021, and March 10, 2022. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:
https://www.zlk.com/pslra-1/rivian-automotive-inc-loss-submission-form?prid=25340&wire=4
RIVN investors may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 363-7500.
CASE DETAILS: Documents issued in connection with the initial public offering contained representations that were materially inaccurate, misleading, and/or incomplete because they failed to disclose, among other things, that the R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric SUV were underpriced to such a degree that Rivian would have to raise prices shortly after the IPO and that these price increases would tarnish Rivian's reputation as a trustworthy and transparent company and would put a significant number of the existing backlog of 55,400 preorders, along with future preorders, in jeopardy of cancellation.
WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Rivian Automotive, Inc. during the relevant time frame, you have until May 6, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you are a class member, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket costs or fees. There is no cost or obligation to participate.
WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, the team at Levi & Korsinsky has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. Our firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.
CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10006
[email protected]
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
www.zlk.com
SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rivn-lawsuit-alert-levi--korsinsky-notifies-rivian-automotive-inc-investors-of-a-class-action-lawsuit-and-upcoming-deadline-301514429.html | 2022-03-31T16:10:37 | en | 0.948382 |
WASHINGTON — An inflation gauge that is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve jumped 6.4% in February compared with a year ago, with sharply higher prices for food, gasoline and other necessities squeezing Americans' finances.
The figure reported Thursday by the Commerce Department was the largest year-over-year rise since January 1982. Excluding volatile prices for food and energy, so-called core inflation increased 5.4% in February from 12 months earlier.
Robust consumer demand has combined with shortages of many goods to fuel the sharpest price jumps in four decades. Measures of inflation will likely worsen in the coming months because Thursday's report doesn't reflect the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which occurred Feb. 24. The war has disrupted global oil markets and accelerated prices for wheat, nickel and other key commodities.
Squeezed by inflation, consumers increased their spending by just 0.2% in February, down from a much larger 2.7% gain in January. Adjusted for inflation, spending actually fell 0.4% last month. The decline partly reflected a shift away from heavy spending on goods to a focus on services, such as health care, travel and entertainment, which consumers had long avoided during the worst of the pandemic.
Spending on such services grew 0.6%, the most since July, while purchases of autos, furniture, clothes and other goods dropped 2.1%. Many economists had previously suggested that a shift away from goods purchases might loosen supply chain snarls and cool inflation. But prices are still rising rapidly for goods, including a 1.1% increase in February.
Americans' overall incomes rose 0.5% in February, the highest gain since November and up from just 0.1% in January. Wages and salaries jumped 0.8%, the most in four months.
Businesses have been raising pay to attract and keep employees — a trend that is benefiting workers but also giving employers cause to raise prices to offset their higher labor costs. That cycle is helping fuel inflation.
Last month, food costs climbed 1.4%, the most in nearly two years. Energy costs spiked 3.7%, the biggest such increase since October.
The Federal Reserve responded this month to the inflation surge by raising its benchmark short-term interest rate by a quarter-point from near zero, and it's likely to keep raising it well into next year. Because its rate affects many consumer and business loans, the Fed's rate hikes will make borrowing more expensive and could weaken the economy over time.
Michael Feroli of JPMorgan is among economists who now think the Fed will raise its key rate by an aggressive half-point in both May and June. The central bank hasn't raised its benchmark rate by a half-point in two decades, a sign of how concerned it has become about the persistent surge in inflation.
On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.6% from January to February, up slightly from the previous month’s increase of 0.5% and matching the highest monthly figure since 2008. Core prices rose 0.4%, down from a 0.5% increase in January.
Gas prices have soared in the past month in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion, which led the United Kingdom and the Biden administration to ban Russia’s oil exports. The cost of a gallon of gas shot up to a national average of $4.24 a gallon Wednesday, according to AAA. That’s up 63 cents from a month ago, when it was $3.61.
Michael Pearce, an economist at Capital Economics, estimated that the gas price spike will cost Americans an annualized $100 billion in March.
Americans will likely dig into their savings to cover the higher gas costs in the near term, he said. “But if higher gasoline prices are sustained, that will eventually weigh on spending in other areas.”
On Thursday, President Joe Biden is expected to order the release of up to 1 million barrels of oil a day from the nation's strategic petroleum reserve in an effort to reduce gas prices.
Thursday’s report follows a more widely monitored inflation gauge, the consumer price index, that was issued earlier this month. The CPI jumped to 7.9% in February from a year ago, the sharpest such increase in four decades.
Many economists still expect inflation to peak in the coming months. In part, that’s because price spikes that occurred last year, when the economy widely reopened, will begin to make the year-over-year price increases appear smaller. Yet Fed officials project that inflation, as measured by its preferred gauge, will still be a comparatively high 4.3% by the end of this year. | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/nation-world/inflation-rise-40-year-high/507-ea31c9f1-2c7e-4c2c-ab71-e49a7ad49ad2 | 2022-03-31T16:10:40 | en | 0.974239 |
Maha CM to inaugurate 2 new Mumbai Metro lines on Apr 2; fares range from Rs 10 to Rs 50
- Country:
- India
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will inaugurate sections of two new Mumbai Metro lines on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year, on April 2, it was announced on Thursday, nearly eight years after the mass rapid transit system made its entry into the city.
Metro services on the first phase of Line 2A and also Line 7, both in western suburbs, will be thrown open for commuter use, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) commissioner SVR Srinivas said.
Metro Line 2A is between Dahanukarwadi and Dahisar, while Line 7 is between Aarey Colony and Dahisar.
Addressing a press conference at MMRDA headquarters in Bandra Kurla Complex here, Srinivas said the phase one of the two Metro lines will be opened for public use on the same day or next morning after inauguration of the 20.17-km-long corridors (their combined length), which have 18 stations.
The Metro services will be operated between 6 am and 10 pm.
Srinivas said the trains to be deployed on the elevated corridors are designed for driverless operations along with communication-based train control (CBTC) signalling systems. However, during initial phases, the trains will be manned by operators or attendants, including a few female pilots.
''The system will be upgraded to unmanned train operation (UTO) in the future,'' he said, adding though the sanctioned speed for the corridors is 80 kmph, initially the trains will be operated at 70 kmph.
The senior bureaucrat said that daily 150 services will be operated on these two lines with 11 rakes of six coaches each. Over 2,250 passengers can travel on a train at a time.
Srinivas said the minimum ticket for the Metro train ride is Rs 10, while the maximum is Rs 50 (rates will change after every 3km), but monthly pass facility won't be available initially on the new lines.
''Fares are reasonable,'' the MMRDA commissioner said, adding cycles can be carried on the Metro trains, but charges for them have not been decided yet.
He said the MMRDA has done multi-modal integration at the Metro stations and the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking buses will be run as feeder services.
Highlighting that Line 2A and Line 7 have witnessed ''negligible cost escalation'', Srinivas said they have targeted to complete phase two of the corridors by August 15.
The financial capital is getting the new Metro corridors nearly eight years after the first line of the mass rapid transit system linking Varsova-Andheri-Ghatkopar was opened for commuters in June 2014.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1985442-maha-cm-to-inaugurate-2-new-mumbai-metro-lines-on-apr-2-fares-range-from-rs-10-to-rs-50 | 2022-03-31T16:10:40 | en | 0.955196 |
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Dresser brings over 20 years of medical product development experience to guide Rune's brain data platform
SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rune Labs, a precision neurology software and data platform company, today announced the addition of Mark Dresser, PhD, to its scientific advisory board. Dresser currently is Senior Vice President, Biomarker Sciences & Clinical Pharmacology at Gilead Sciences and was recently elected President of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT).
"Mark's experience in developing better biomarkers for drug development will be integral as Rune Labs continues to grow and partner with biopharma companies," said Brian Pepin, CEO of Rune Labs. "We've already shown how to leverage brain data to device-makers, providers and patients, and as pharma companies look to improve clinical trials and patient monitoring, we're looking forward to tapping into Mark's vast understanding of the space as a whole."
Dresser has over two decades of experience in medical product development, spanning all phases of R&D in start-up, biotech, pharma, and academic environments. At Gilead Sciences, his role includes Global Development Leader of the 2nd Generation Remdesivir program. Prior to joining Gilead, Mark served as SVP and a founding member of the executive team at Denali Therapeutics where he helped build numerous departments, including drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, toxicology and CMC, investigating treatments for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. His expertise in the genetics and biology of neurodegenerative diseases were key to advancing five compounds into clinical development at Denali, and in 2017, he played an integral role in the company's IPO. In addition to his corporate experience, he is also an Adjunct Full Professor in the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
"Rune Labs and my home institution of UCSF have shared a close relationship in driving new research for deeper understanding of how diseases like Parkinson's disease really impact the brain – and a shared goal for developing better biomarkers to improve and accelerate clinical trials," said Dresser. "I'm glad to be part of their scientific advisory board and look forward to sharing my knowledge with Brian and the team at Rune."
Rune's first-in-class precision neurology software platform integrates electrophysiology, brain imaging, and device data together with wearable data and clinical labels. The combination provides researchers, drug developers, and clinicians with the tools to guide treatment, uncover hidden disease phenotypes, and design better-targeted therapies. Its lead product, StrivePD, allows patients to track their symptoms and medication use in advance of clinical visits. The platform also includes a comprehensive dashboard tool that helps movement disorder specialists and neurologists visualize various data sources, to identify patterns within and across patients to tailor and optimize care. For more information, please visit www.runelabs.io.
About Rune Labs
Rune Labs is a software and data analytics company for precision neurology, built to support care delivery and therapy development. StrivePD, our care delivery tool, enables patients and clinicians to better manage Parkinson's disease by providing access to curated dashboards that summarize a range of patient data sources. For therapeutics development, biopharma and medical device companies leverage our technology, network of engaged clinicians and patients, and large longitudinal real-world dataset to expedite their development programs.
Media contacts:
Consort Partners for Rune Labs
[email protected]
SOURCE Rune Labs | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rune-labs-adds-ascpt-president-mark-dresser-to-scientific-advisory-board-301514555.html | 2022-03-31T16:10:43 | en | 0.941778 |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a press conference in Ponte Vedra Beach Thursday to discuss first responder bonuses.
He will be joined by CFO Jimmy Patronis at Valley Smoke Restaurant around noon.
RELATED: Disney says its 'goal' is for Florida's 'Parental Rights' bill to be struck down or repealed
This week, DeSantis said he has vetoed the "defective" SB 102, which would establish reworked congressional districts in Florida based on population data from the 2020 Census.
Earlier this month, DeSantis tweeted he would veto this piece of legislation, saying it was "DOA" — dead on arrival.
He said state lawmakers in trying to follow Florida law concerning redistricting "forgot about" the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. DeSantis has called a special legislative session to successfully get a redistricting map "across the finish line." | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/regional/florida/gov-desantis-speaking-at-valley-smoke-in-ponte-vedra-beach/77-bc6254f5-70b0-428f-909d-8dda9bf0af6b | 2022-03-31T16:10:46 | en | 0.956409 |
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India's current account deficit widens to 2.7 pc of GDP in December quarter
- Country:
- India
India's current account deficit widened to USD 23 billion or 2.7 per cent of the GDP in the December quarter, the Reserve Bank said on Thursday.
The health of the current account, which is a key indicator of a country's external strength, has deteriorated when compared to the preceding September quarter as well as the year-ago period.
The deficit was at USD 9.9 billion or 1.3 per cent of the GDP in the second quarter of the fiscal while the same stood at USD 2.2 billion or 0.3 per cent of the GDP in the year-ago period, the data on Balance of Payments showed.
For the first nine months of the fiscal, the current account deficit came at 1.2 per cent of the GDP as against a surplus of 1.7 per cent in the April-December 2020 period.
The widening of the current account deficit in the December quarter was attributed by the central bank to pressures on the trade deficit front with the gap on the goods front increasing to USD 60.4 billion as against USD 34.6 billion in the year-ago period due to rising imports.
Net services receipts increased, both sequentially and on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis, on the back of robust performance of net exports of computer and business services.
Private transfer receipts, mainly representing remittances by Indians employed overseas, came at USD 23.4 billion, which is an increase of 13.1 per cent from their level a year ago, as per the data.
Net outgo from the primary income account, mainly reflecting net overseas investment income payments, increased to USD 11.7 billion, which is higher when compared to the preceding September quarter and also the year-ago period.
On the financial account front, the net foreign direct investment recorded an inflow of USD 5.1 billion, which is lower when compared to the USD 17.4 billion in the year-ago period.
Non-resident deposits recorded net inflow of USD 1.3 billion as compared to USD 3 billion in December quarter of last fiscal.
There was an accretion of USD 0.5 billion to the foreign exchange reserves on a BoP basis as compared to USD 32.5 billion in the year-ago period.
Rating agency Icra's chief economist Aditi Nayar said the USD 23 billion deficit has undershot her expectation on a better than anticipated outcome for goods, services and secondary income.
Nayar said she expects the gap to narrow in the last quarter to USD 17-21 billion on the impact of the third wave on imports.
If the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia push up the average price of the Indian crude oil basket in FY23 to USD 105 per barrel, the current account deficit is projected to widen to USD 90-95 billion or 2.5 per cent of GDP in FY23, she added.
For the first nine months of the fiscal, the current account slipped into deficit on a more-than-doubling of the deficit in the goods trade to USD 135.6 billion as against USD 60.4 billion in the year-ago period.
Net FDI inflows at USD 26.5 billion in April-December 2021 were lower than USD 41.3 billion in April-December 2020, which saw huge investments in ventures promoted by Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Nagaland govt tables deficit budget for FY23 in assembly, proposes no new tax | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1985457-indias-current-account-deficit-widens-to-27-pc-of-gdp-in-december-quarter | 2022-03-31T16:10:48 | en | 0.951548 |
SAN DIEGO, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Upon finishing a record-breaking 2021, SMi Trial™, ScienceMedia's protocol compliance management solution, sets forth to shatter records in 2022 by shortening recruitment timelines, significantly reducing deviations, and accelerating trial timelines up to 20%.
ScienceMedia's CEO Mark Surles states, "SMi Trial had a significant impact on 2020 trials. Due to better protocol compliance management in recent trials, we're seeing up to a 20% reduction in the number of patients needed to complete the trial, estimating a savings of up to $2,000,000 in patient recruitment alone."
With more than 100,000 views per month per study, SMi Trial features a frequently accessed study portal, risk-based assessments, and real-time analytics that elevate clinical competency, improve the power of clinical data, and ensure patient safety. SMi Trial provides mobile clinical trial management tools that are integrated into study workflows and accessed, monitored, and deployed throughout the lifecycle of a clinical trial.
SMi Trial's proven protocol compliance management approach has enabled adaptive clinical trial design by saving millions of dollars, as referenced by a Drug Developer Executive in their study, "Good conduct of clinical trials can literally lead to hundreds of millions of dollars of opportunity or cost avoidance for bio-pharmaceutical companies. Through the use of SMi Trial, we have a better opportunity for adherence to the protocol, which means we have better protection of patients, better quality data, that can bring maximum value in terms of answering any questions we have around safety and efficacy of investigational products or devices."
"Protocol compliance management addresses the real-time demand of site staff, patients, and other stakeholders when they need to access, or pull information in real time. It also addresses the need for real-time information to be pushed to stakeholders around the world," adds ScienceMedia's CSO David Turner. "The technology in SMi Trial's protocol compliance management closes the circuit using analytics and metrics so that trials can collapse or fold timelines, thus enabling adaptive clinical trial design. 2022 is going to be an impactful year."
For additional information about how ScienceMedia's protocol compliance management solutions can benefit your trial, follow ScienceMedia via LinkedIn or our blog.
About ScienceMedia
ScienceMedia improves clinical competency through innovative multimedia learning solutions. SMi Trial™, for site-based trials, and SMi TrialD™, for decentralized or hybrid trials, are protocol compliance management solutions that mitigate clinical risk and decrease trial cost. SMi Source™ provides just-in-time, thoroughly referenced information on diseases and clinical trial topics through a mobile-enabled, cloud-based medical science library with 16,000+ microlearning topics and 400+ full courses.
Contact:
Jen Pfau
[email protected]
(805) 452-1795
SOURCE ScienceMedia | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sciencemedias-protocol-compliance-management-solution-to-accelerate-clinical-trial-timelines-up-to-20-in-2022-301514489.html | 2022-03-31T16:10:49 | en | 0.901763 |
INGLIS, Fla. — Emergency crews responded to a crash involving a school bus and semi-truck Wednesday afternoon in Levy County, Florida.
Florida Highway Patrol says the crash happened along US-19 near SE 140th Lane when the driver of a tractor-trailer collided with the back of the school bus as students were exiting.
Authorities report 10 students were on the bus at the time of the crash and that it had its flashing red lights activated. Troopers say the tractor-trailer failed to stop "for unknown reasons."
According to a press release, five students were transported to Shands Hospital, two of which were reported to be seriously injured.
The tractor-trailer driver is said to have been uninjured in the crash while the school bus driver suffered minor injuries.
No mention of charges related to the crash have been released at this time. | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/regional/florida/levy-county-school-bus-semi-crash/67-08a83581-05d4-42fa-b9c3-e822a32204cb | 2022-03-31T16:10:52 | en | 0.988408 |
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SAN DIEGO, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempra (NYSE: SRE) (BMV: SRE) and TotalEnergies today announced that Sempra Infrastructure, a subsidiary of Sempra, and TotalEnergies are expanding their North American strategic alliance through two memoranda of understanding (MOU): one for Sempra Infrastructure's proposed Vista Pacífico LNG project in Mexico; and a second MOU for a proposed offshore wind project in California under development by TotalEnergies, as well as other renewable energy and energy storage projects under development by Sempra Infrastructure in Northern Mexico.
The MOU for Vista Pacífico LNG contemplates TotalEnergies potentially contracting for approximately one-third of the long-term export production of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility under development on Mexico's West Coast, as well as TotalEnergies' potential participation as a minority equity investor in the project.
The second MOU provides a framework for broader cooperation in the development of North American renewable energy projects, including the potential acquisition by Sempra Infrastructure of a target of 30% of TotalEnergies' equity interest in a proposed offshore wind project, which would result in 24% of the project, in preparation for an upcoming auction off the coast of California. In addition, the MOU provides the framework for TotalEnergies' potential acquisition of equity participation targeting 30% in certain Sempra Infrastructure renewable and energy storage development projects in Northern Mexico.
"With last week's energy accord between the U.S. and European Commission, alliances between some of the leading energy companies like TotalEnergies and Sempra are increasingly important to transatlantic trade and energy security," said Jeffrey W. Martin, chairman and chief executive officer of Sempra. "We own one of the largest energy networks in North America, and by collaborating with TotalEnergies to create additional scale advantages in LNG and renewable energy, our customers benefit from having access to cleaner and more affordable energy options and improved security of supply."
“We are pleased to further strengthen our partnership with Sempra in North America in LNG and to extend it to renewables. Over the past years, TotalEnergies has become the leading exporter of U.S. LNG and has built up a pipeline of 4 GW of solar projects and 3 GW of offshore wind projects currently under development in the U.S.,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman & CEO of TotalEnergies. “This new step in our collaboration allow us to go further in our ambition to offer our customers sustainable, affordable and reliable energy, in line with our transformation into a global multi-energy company.”
Sempra Infrastructure and TotalEnergies are already participants in two joint venture projects: Cameron LNG, a 12-Mtpa LNG export facility operating in Hackberry, Louisiana, and Energia Costa Azul (ECA) LNG Phase 1, an approximately 3-Mtpa liquefaction facility under construction in Baja California, Mexico.
The proposed Vista Pacífico LNG project is expected to be a mid-scale facility that would source lower-cost natural gas from the Permian Basin for export to high-demand markets, including Asia, Europe and South America, and to satisfy natural gas demand requirements in other regions of Mexico.
In January, Sempra Infrastructure signed a non-binding agreement with Comisión Federal de Electricidad, Mexico's state-owned electric company, for the potential joint development of the Vista Pacífico LNG project.
The MOUs that are the subject of this announcement are non-binding, and accordingly, the development of these projects is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including reaching definitive agreements, securing all necessary permits and reaching a final investment decision.
About Sempra
Sempra's mission is to be North America's premier energy infrastructure company. The Sempra family of companies have 20,000 talented employees who deliver energy with purpose to nearly 40 million consumers. With more than $72 billion in total assets at the end of 2021, the San Diego-based company is the owner of one of the largest energy networks in North America helping some of the world's leading economies move to cleaner sources of energy. The company is helping to advance the global energy transition through electrification and decarbonization in the markets it serves, including California, Texas, Mexico and the LNG export market. Sempra is consistently recognized as a leader in sustainable business practices and for its long-standing commitment to building a high-performing culture focused on safety, workforce development and training, and diversity and inclusion. Sempra is the only North American utility sector company included on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and was also named one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" for 2022 by Fortune Magazine. For additional information about Sempra, please visit Sempra's website at www.sempra.com and on Twitter @Sempra.
About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions with respect to the future, involve risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees. Future results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other factors.
In this press release, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "should," "could," "would," "will," "confident," "may," "can," "potential," "possible," "proposed," "in process," "under construction," "in development," "opportunity," "target," "outlook," "maintain," "continue," "goal," "aim," "commit," or similar expressions, or when we discuss our guidance, priorities, strategy, goals, vision, mission, opportunities, projections, intentions or expectations.
Factors, among others, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: California wildfires, including the risks that we may be found liable for damages regardless of fault and that we may not be able to recover all or a substantial portion of costs from insurance, the wildfire fund established by California Assembly Bill 1054, in rates from customers or a combination thereof; decisions, investigations, regulations, issuances or revocations of permits and other authorizations, renewals of franchises, and other actions by (i) the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Comisión Reguladora de Energía, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, and other regulatory and governmental bodies and (ii) states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions in the U.S., Mexico and other countries in which we do business; the success of business development efforts, construction projects and acquisitions and divestitures, including risks in (i) the ability to make a final investment decision, (ii) completing construction projects or other transactions on schedule and budget, (iii) the ability to realize anticipated benefits from any of these efforts if completed, and (iv) obtaining the consent or approval of partners or other third parties, including governmental entities and regulatory bodies; the resolution of civil and criminal litigation, regulatory inquiries, investigations and proceedings, arbitrations, and property disputes, including those related to the natural gas leak at Southern California Gas Company's (SoCalGas) Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility; changes to laws, including proposed changes to the Mexican constitution that could materially limit access to the electric generation market and changes to Mexico's trade rules that could materially limit our ability to import, export, transport and store hydrocarbons; failure of foreign governments and state-owned entities to honor their contracts and commitments; actions by credit rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings or to place those ratings on negative outlook and our ability to borrow on favorable terms and meet our debt service obligations; the impact of energy and climate policies, legislation and rulemaking, as well as related goals set, and actions taken, by companies in our industry, including actions to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas generally and any deterioration of or increased uncertainty in the political or regulatory environment for California natural gas distribution companies and the risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets; the pace of the development and adoption of new technologies in the energy sector, including those designed to support governmental and private party energy and climate goals, and our ability to timely and economically incorporate them into our business; weather, natural disasters, pandemics, accidents, equipment failures, explosions, acts of terrorism, information system outages or other events that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities and systems, cause the release of harmful materials, cause fires or subject us to liability for property damage or personal injuries, fines and penalties, some of which may not be covered by insurance, may be disputed by insurers or may otherwise not be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms or may impact our ability to obtain satisfactory levels of affordable insurance; the availability of electric power and natural gas and natural gas storage capacity, including disruptions caused by failures in the transmission grid or limitations on the withdrawal of natural gas from storage facilities; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including potential vaccination mandates, on capital projects, regulatory approvals and the execution of our operations; cybersecurity threats to the energy grid, storage and pipeline infrastructure, information and systems used to operate our businesses, and confidentiality of our proprietary information and personal information of our customers and employees, including ransomware attacks on our systems and the systems of third-party vendors and other parties with which we conduct business, all of which may become more pronounced in the event of geopolitical events and other uncertainties, such as the conflict in Ukraine; the impact at San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) on competitive customer rates and reliability due to the growth in distributed and local power generation, including from departing retail load resulting from customers transferring to Community Choice Aggregation Direct Access, and the risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets and contractual obligations; Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC's (Oncor) ability to eliminate or reduce its quarterly dividends due to regulatory and governance requirements and commitments, including by actions of Oncor's independent directors or a minority member director; volatility in foreign currency exchange, inflation and interest rates and commodity prices, including inflationary pressures in the U.S., and our ability to effectively hedge these risks and with respect to inflation and interest rates, the impact on SDG&E's and SoCalGas' cost of capital and the affordability of customer rates; changes in tax and trade policies, laws and regulations, including tariffs and revisions to international trade agreements that may increase our costs, reduce our competitiveness, or impair our ability to resolve trade disputes; and other uncertainties, some of which may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control.
These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that Sempra has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on Sempra's website, www.sempra.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements.
Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra LNG, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and Infraestructura Energética Nova, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, SDG&E or SoCalGas, and Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra LNG, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the CPUC.
None of the website references in this press release are active hyperlinks, and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, any such website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, part of this document.
SOURCE Sempra | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sempra-and-totalenergies-expand-north-american-strategic-alliance-for-lng-and-renewable-development-projects-301514472.html | 2022-03-31T16:10:55 | en | 0.944445 |
WRAPUP 2-U.S. consumer spending cools as goods outlays decline; labor market tightening
U.S. consumer spending barely rose in February as an increase in spending on services was offset by declining purchases of motor vehicles and other goods, while price pressures mounted, with annual inflation surging by the most since the early 1980s.
U.S. consumer spending barely rose in February as an increase in spending on services was offset by declining purchases of motor vehicles and other goods, while price pressures mounted, with annual inflation surging by the most since the early 1980s. But the report from the Commerce Department on Thursday showed spending in January was much stronger than initially estimated. That put consumer spending on track for solid growth this quarter, which would keep the economy expanding, despite the rising headwinds from inflation that is driven by shortages.
"Despite sagging confidence due to the war (in Ukraine) and inflation, American consumers are hanging tough, undergirded by strong employment growth and built-up savings," said Sal Guatieri, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, rose 0.2% last month. Data for January was revised higher to show outlays rebounding 2.7% instead of 2.1% as previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending increasing 0.5%.
A significant decline in COVID-19 infections boosted demand for services like dining out, hotel stays, recreation, air travel and healthcare. Services increased 0.9%, the most in seven months, after rising 0.7% in January. But spending on goods dropped 1.0% after surging 6.5% in the prior month. The decline in goods purchases, which likely signals the rotation of spending back to services, was led by a tumble in motor vehicles. Consumers also cut back spending on food, household furnishings, recreational goods as well as clothing. Spending on gasoline increased at a $27.1 billion rate.
Gasoline prices soared in February and broke above $4 per gallon this month following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Prices have dramatically increased across the board. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, excluding the volatile food and energy components, rose 0.4% after climbing 0.5% in January. The so-called core PCE price index jumped 5.4% year-on-year in February, the biggest gain since April 1983. The core PCE price index increased 5.2% in the 12 months through January.
The Federal Reserve this month raised its policy interest rate by 25 basis points, the first hike in more than three years, and adopted a hawkish posture as it battles inflation. Though inflation is eating into households' budgets, consumers are getting some cushioning from massive savings accumulated during the pandemic as well as rising wages amid a shortage of workers. Economists estimate consumers are sitting on about $2.3 trillion in excess savings.
"We expect a decent chunk of it is at the disposable of households should they wish to rely on it," said Shannon Seery, an economist at Wells Fargo in New York. Stocks on Wall Street were trading lower. The dollar rose against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury yields fell.
STRONG WAGE GAINS Personal income rose 0.5% in February, with wages shooting up 0.8%. The saving rate climbed to 6.3% from 6.1% in January.
When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending fell 0.4%. Data for January was revised higher to show the so-called real consumer spending surging 2.1% instead of 1.5% as previously reported. Real consumer spending is what matters in the calculation of gross domestic product. "A combination of downward revisions to last year's data and an upward revision to January's gain means that real consumption is on track for a solid 4.0% annualized gain in the first quarter," said Michael Pearce, a senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics in New York.
Growth estimates for the first quarter range from as low as a 0.4% annualized rate to as high as a 2.8% pace. The economy grew at a 6.9% pace in the fourth quarter. The scarcity of workers is keeping layoffs very low. In a separate report on Thursday, the Labor Department said initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 202,000 for the week ended March 26. Still, claims remained well below their pre-pandemic average.
They have declined from an all-time high of 6.149 million in early April 2020. There were a near record 11.3 million job openings on the last day of February, government data showed on Tuesday, which left the jobs-workers gap at 3.0% of the labor force and close to the post-war high of 3.2% in December. More workers likely returned to the labor force in March. The claims report showed the number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid decreased 35,000 to 1.307 million during the week ended March 19, the lowest since December 1969.
"The labor market remains in excellent shape in the first quarter," said Stuart Hoffman, senior economic advisor at PNC Financial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A third report from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, showed U.S.-based employers announced 21,387 job cuts in March, which was up 40.3% from February but down 30% compared to last year. Employers also announced plans to hire 105,224 workers this month.
The government's closely watched employment report on Friday is likely to show that nonfarm payrolls increased by 490,000 jobs in March, according to a Reuters survey of economists. The economy created 678,000 jobs in February. The unemployment rate is forecast falling a to a fresh two-year low of 3.7% from 3.8% in February.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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As some medical experts warn that another COVID-19 surge could be on the way, people are claiming online that Americans without health insurance no longer have access to some free COVID-19 testing and treatment options.
An estimated 31 million people in the United States were uninsured in the first six months of 2021.
A headline from WebMD says those who are uninsured could pay nearly $200 for COVID-19 tests. Adam Gaffney, M.D., who is a critical care doctor and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, said in a tweet on March 22 that COVID-19 care is being rationed “by ability to pay.”
According to Gaffney, federal coverage for COVID-19 treatment and testing for uninsured Americans has already ended.
THE QUESTION
Has federal coverage for COVID-19 treatment and testing for uninsured Americans ended?
THE SOURCES
- The White House
- U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Kimberly Gorode, Quest Diagnostics spokesperson
- Kaiser Family Foundation, nonprofit focused on U.S. health issues
- National Association of Chain Drugstores
THE ANSWER
Yes, federal coverage of COVID-19 testing and treatment for uninsured Americans has ended.
WHAT WE FOUND
Since March 2020, the federal government has allotted trillions of dollars to fund the nation’s coronavirus response through the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan. But the White House says that money is running out.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on March 9 that additional COVID-19 funding would not be included in the 2022 $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill, blaming Republican resistance. That legislation was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Pelosi said it was “heartbreaking” to remove COVID-19 funding from the bill. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), along with 35 other Senate Republicans, wrote in a letter to the Biden administration on March 2 that “it is not yet clear why additional funding is needed.”
Without renewed funding, a program reimbursing doctors and other medical providers for COVID-19 tests and treatments for uninsured people was forced to end in late March, the Biden administration said.
On its website, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), says its COVID-19 Uninsured Program (UIP) stopped accepting claims for testing and treatment as of March 22 “due to a lack of sufficient funds.”
Quest Diagnostics, a medical lab company, has begun notifying its clients and partners that it is no longer expecting to be reimbursed for rapid and PCR testing through the program “unless additional funding is allocated,” spokesperson Kimberly Gorode told VERIFY. Patients enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid or a private health insurance plan are not affected right now. The cost of PCR testing through Quest Diagnostics now costs $125 for uninsured patients, according to Gorode.
In a letter sent to the Biden administration on March 17, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores said the ability for health care providers, including pharmacies, to provide access to care for their patients is “in imminent jeopardy.” | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/verify/coronavirus-verify/covid-uninsured-program-testing-treatment-coverage-ends/536-1e97a159-e831-4822-9fbc-94b6decb77ad | 2022-03-31T16:10:58 | en | 0.961707 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/articles/39006685 | 2022-03-31T16:10:59 | en | 0.738227 |
Company announces strategic initiatives to enhance long-term operating performance; provides financial guidance for first quarter and full-year fiscal 2022 financial results
ATLANTA, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sharecare (Nasdaq: SHCR), the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place, today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021.
"Our performance in 2021 demonstrates the execution of our growth strategy while continuing to make strategic investments to enhance and integrate new capabilities into the Sharecare digital platform," said Jeff Arnold, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Sharecare. "With the addition of Sharecare+, our payor agnostic advocacy solution, CareLinx's tech-enabled home care, and our artificial intelligence engine from doc.ai, we believe we have created a significantly more powerful digital-first platform that can provide access to high-quality care, improve the healthcare experience, and help lower healthcare costs."
Mr. Arnold added, "Given the increased breadth of the Sharecare platform, in fiscal 2022, our sales and marketing efforts are focused on larger, more comprehensive digital platform opportunities. We believe this will accelerate our growth over the coming years, as well as enhance the value we deliver today to the nearly 10 million eligible lives on our platform. With a strong balance sheet and a commitment to operational excellence, we are confident in our ability to deliver double digit revenue growth in 2022 with the expectation of being free cash flow break-even by the end of the year."
Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results
All comparisons, unless otherwise noted, are to the three months ended December 31, 2020.
- Revenue of $118.5 million compared to $88.4 million, an increase of $30.1 million, or 34%.
- Net income of $9.5 million compared to net loss of $28.7 million, an increase to net income of $38.2 million. Net income in the fourth quarter of 2021 included $21.3 million in non-cash stock compensation; $12.9 million in transaction and closing costs; and $45.7 million of other non-cash or non-operational income. Excluding these items, the adjusted net loss was $2.0 million in the current quarter.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $5.4 million compared to $7.8 million, a decrease of $2.4 million which reflects increased investments in the current period for both technology and sales force expansion to support growth and a reversal of temporary cost reduction actions in the prior year, including furloughing employees as a direct and prudent reaction to COVID-19.
- Net earnings per share of $0.03 compared to net loss per share of $0.13, an increase of $0.16 which reflects the aforementioned items impacting net income.
- Adjusted net loss per share was $0.01 for both periods.
Full Year Financial Results
All comparisons, unless otherwise noted, are to the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.
- Revenue of $412.8 million compared to $328.8 million, an increase of $84.0 million, or 26%.
- Net loss of $85.1 million compared to net loss of $60.5 million, an increase to net loss of $24.6 million. Net loss during 2021 included $46.8 million in non-cash stock compensation; $31.7 million in transaction related acquisition costs and other costs associated with our business combination with Falcon Capital Acquisition Corp. and other M&A activities; $15.5 million in amortization of deferred financing fees associated with the settlement of debt; and $19.3 million of other non-cash or non-operational income. Excluding these items, the adjusted net loss was $10.4 million in the current year.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $27.0 million compared to $32.3 million, a decrease of $5.3 million which reflects increased investments in the current period for both technology and sales force expansion to support growth and a reversal of temporary cost reduction actions in the prior year, including furloughing employees as a reaction to COVID-19.
- Net loss per share of $0.30 compared to $0.28, an increase to net loss of $0.02 which reflects the aforementioned items impacting net loss.
- Adjusted net loss per share of $0.04 compared to $0.05, a decrease to net loss of $0.01 which excludes the impact of non-cash and non-operational expenses.
Strategic Initiatives to Enhance Long-term Operating Performance
The company has made the strategic decision to simplify our offerings with a heightened focus on digital, tech-enabled, and fully integrated capabilities enabling us to concentrate our sales and marketing efforts on larger, multi-year contracts. The objective of this initiative is to optimize capital allocation and resources to deliver the best solutions for our customers and the highest long-term growth and return for shareholders.
Our first action in rationalizing our offerings is to suspend support for our COVID-19 vaccine assistant and health passport as part of our health security portfolio. While highly successful -- enabling over 5 million vaccine registrations and supporting over 80 vaccination sites -- the variability and uncertainty in the ongoing response to COVID has dictated the decision to redeploy these resources to our core platform to create greater long-term value for our customers and shareholders.
In addition, in conjunction with one of our largest payor clients, we will be working collaboratively to transition and streamline our legacy patient centered medical home (PCMH) business to a more tech-enabled model that, when redeployed, will be positioned to drive improved productivity, increased coordination with clinical teams and community resources, and enhanced member engagement.
Financial Outlook
Financial outlook for the first quarter and year ending December 31, 2022, reflects the impact of our decision to suspend support for our COVID-19 vaccine assistant and health passport solutions as part of our health security portfolio and transitioning our PCMH business to a more tech-enabled model. Combined, these two actions represented approximately $65 million in revenue and $20 million in contribution margin which was included in the guidance the company provided in connection with the initial SPAC transaction.
Q1 2022 Financial Guidance
For the three months ending March 31, 2022, the Company expects:
- Revenue in the range of $95 to $98 million
- Adjusted EBITDA of breakeven
Fiscal 2022 Financial Guidance
For the twelve months ending December 31, 2022, the Company expects:
- Revenue in the range of $470 to $500 million
- Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $30 to $36 million
Supplemental Forward-Looking Expectations and Assumptions for Fiscal 2022
The Company has determined to provide the following supplemental expectations and assumptions regarding its fiscal 2022 results to provide investors with further transparency into the Company's current beliefs regarding fiscal 2022, all of which are subject to change.
Our guidance assumptions reflect the following:
- Increase in eligible lives from 9.7 million at year-end 2021 to approximately 12 million lives by year-end fiscal 2022, a 24% increase over fiscal 2021.
- Enterprise revenue growth of approximately 15% compared to fiscal 2021 which includes the impact of the decision to suspend support for certain health security solutions and the transition of our PCMH business.
- Provider revenue growth of approximately 30% compared to fiscal 2021; reflects an expected increase in records retrieved to 6.0 million records, an 18% increase over fiscal 2021, and additional growth in payment integrity.
- Life Sciences revenue growth of approximately 11% compared to fiscal 2021 reflects continued market penetration. The channel is expected to have similar seasonality patterns including approximately 35% of annual revenue likely to be reported in the fourth quarter.
- Capital expenditures of approximately $35-$40 million.
- Free cash flow of $(50)-$(60) million which reflects increased working capital needs and investments to support growth but excludes any non-recurring items which may occur during the year.
- Depreciation and amortization of $40-$50 million.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to review the fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2021 results today, Thursday, Mar. 31, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. EDT. The call can be accessed by dialing (844) 284-3435 for U.S. participants or (914) 800-3939 for international participants, and referencing the conference ID #9472555; or via live audio webcast, available online at https://investors.sharecare.com/. A webcast replay of the call will be available for on-demand listening at the same link and will remain available for approximately 90 days.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to our financial results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we believe the non-GAAP measures adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted earnings (loss) per share ("adjusted EPS") are useful in evaluating our operating performance. We use adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted EPS to evaluate our ongoing operations and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our business, results of operations, or outlook. In particular, we believe that the use of these non-GAAP measures is helpful to our investors as these metrics are used by management in assessing the health of our business and our operating performance. However, non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate similarly-titled non-GAAP measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of our non-GAAP financial measures.
The calculations and reconciliations of historic adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted EPS to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure stated in accordance with GAAP, are provided below and in the accompanying financial tables. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.
We have not reconciled adjusted EBITDA guidance to net income (loss) because we do not provide guidance for net income (loss) or for items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing performance, including, but not limited to, the impact of significant non-recurring items, as certain of these items are out of our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA guidance to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures are not available without unreasonable effort.
Adjusted EBITDA
We calculate adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude (i) depreciation and amortization, (ii) interest income, (iii) interest expense, (iv) loss on extinguishment of debt, (v) other expense/(income) (non-operating), (vi) loss from equity method investment, (vii) income tax (benefit) expense, (viii) share-based compensation, (ix) severance, (x) warrants issued with revenue contracts, and (xi) transaction and closing costs. We do not view the items excluded as representative of our ongoing operations.
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
We calculate adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss) attributable to Sharecare, Inc. adjusted to exclude (i) amortization of acquired intangibles, (ii) amortization of deferred financing fees, (iii) change in fair value of warrant liability and contingent consideration, (iv) loss from equity method investments, (v) share-based compensation, (vi) severance, (vii) warrants issued with revenue contracts, and (viii) transaction and closing costs. We do not view the items excluded as representative of our ongoing operations.
Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
We calculate adjusted EPS as adjusted net income (loss), as defined above, divided by the number of weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted.
About Sharecare
Sharecare is the leading digital health company that helps people – no matter where they are in their health journey – unify and manage all their health in one place. Our comprehensive and data-driven virtual health platform is designed to help people, providers, employers, health plans, government organizations, and communities optimize individual and population-wide well-being by driving positive behavior change. Driven by our philosophy that we are all together better, at Sharecare, we are committed to supporting each individual through the lens of their personal health and making high-quality care more accessible and affordable for everyone. To learn more, visit www.sharecare.com.
Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "outlook," "target," "reflect," "on track," "foresees," "future," "may," "deliver," "will," "shall," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing" or the negative of these terms, other comparable terminology (although not all forward-looking statements contain these words), or by discussions of strategy, plans, or intentions. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our projections of the future, about which we cannot be certain.
Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, our ability to realize the expected benefits of partnerships or other relationships with third parties or customers on our future growth objectives and the statements under the caption "Financial Outlook."
We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Descriptions of some of the factors that could cause actual results to defer materially from these forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the Risk Factors section of the Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, if the forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Media Relations:
Jen Martin Hall
[email protected]
Investor Relations:
Evan Smith, CFA
[email protected]
SOURCE Sharecare | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sharecare-announces-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2021-financial-results-and-operational-highlights-301514513.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:01 | en | 0.94496 |
Vedanta to source 580 MW green energy for India operations
Mining giant Vedanta Limited on Thursday said its board has approved a proposal to source 580 MW of green energy for its operations across India.The company said a power delivery agreement has been signed with the Sterlite Power Technologies Private Ltd, a special purpose vehicle for supply of solar and wind-based energy.The board has approved plans for the group to source 580 MW of renewable energy for its operations across India.
- Country:
- India
Mining giant Vedanta Limited on Thursday said its board has approved a proposal to source 580 MW of green energy for its operations across India.
The company said a power delivery agreement has been signed with the Sterlite Power Technologies Private Ltd, a special purpose vehicle for supply of solar and wind-based energy.
''The board has approved plans for the group to source 580 MW of renewable energy for its operations across India. The company has signed a PDA (Power Delivery Agreement) with Sterlite Power Technologies Pvt Ltd,'' Vedanta said in a regulatory filing.
The miner said it aims to partially replace its existing captive thermal power capacities with renewable energy for smelting and associated operations, and meet power requirements of capacity expansion at Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Balco in Odisha and Hindustan Zinc in Rajasthan.
The overall arrangement is to procure 580 MW of renewable power from the plant where Sterlite Power Technologies Private Ltd (SPTPL) and its affiliates are setting up a 1,960 MW hybrid-based renewable energy capacity. Once the power supply begins, it has the potential to prevent about 2.7 million tonnes of green house gas emissions from entering the atmosphere, it said.
''These projects will be built on group captive model and Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis. The term of the power delivery agreement will be for a period of 25 years from the date of commissioning of the project,'' Vedanta said.
The project will be funded on the basis of 70:30 ratio of debt to equity, it said, adding that Vedanta Ltd and its subsidiaries will own 26 per cent of equity in the respective SPVs at a total investment of up to Rs 850 crore.
''This agreement is an important milestone in our journey towards becoming the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) leader in the natural resources sector. The project is poised to become one of the largest renewable energy hybrid projects in India. It demonstrates the group's commitment to become one of the greenest natural resources companies in the world,'' Vedanta's Chief Safety Officer and Group CEO Sunil Duggal said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Alniche Lifesciences Bullish on Health Awareness Marketing Campaigns in India | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1985465-vedanta-to-source-580-mw-green-energy-for-india-operations | 2022-03-31T16:11:03 | en | 0.939631 |
CHIPLEY, Fla. — A line of severe storms packing isolated tornadoes and high winds ripped across the Deep South overnight killing at least two in the Florida Panhandle, toppling trees and power lines and leaving homes and businesses damaged as the vast weather front raced across several states.
In Florida, the Washington County Sheriff's Office said Thursday morning that two were killed and two injured when a tornado touched down in the western Florida Panhandle.
The sheriff's office also said the tornado destroyed homes there. Its Facebook page showed at least one home that was obliterated, as well as trees down on another home. No other details were immediately available.
At least two confirmed tornadoes injured several people Wednesday, damaged homes and businesses and downed power lines in Mississippi and Tennessee after earlier storm caused damage in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas.
About 185,000 customers were without electricity Thursday morning in the wake of the storm along a band of states: Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utilities.
The worst of the weather Thursday morning appeared to be at the southern end of the storm front, which was expected to bring heavy rain and high winds all along the U.S. East Coast later in the day. Much of the Florida Panhandle was under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.
Widespread damage was reported in the Jackson, Tennessee, area as a tornado warning was in effect. “Significant damage” occurred to a nursing home near Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in Jackson, said Madison County Emergency Management Director Jason Moore.
In Nashville, Tennessee, paneling fell five stories from the side of a downtown hotel Wednesday evening and onto the roof of a building below. The fire department warned that debris could become airborne as high winds continued, and some hotel guests were moved to other parts of the building due to concerns the roof would become unstable. No injuries were immediately associated with the collapse.
Daylight revealed widespread wind damage across Alabama.
One person was hurt when a storm hit the University of Montevallo campus south of Birmingham, damaging a dormitory, officials said, and a woman was injured when a manufactured home rolled over in rural Bibb County. A school bus was flipped at a high school in south Alabama, and part of the roof was missing from a church in northwest Alabama.
Elsewhere, a warehouse roof collapsed as the storms moved through Southaven, Mississippi, near Memphis, police said. The building had been evacuated and no injuries were reported.
The Mississippi Senate suspended its work Wednesday as weather sirens blared during a tornado watch in downtown Jackson. Some employees took shelter in the Capitol basement.
Rander P. Adams said he and his wife, Janice Delores Adams, were in their home near downtown Jackson when severe weather blew through during a tornado warning Wednesday afternoon. He said their lights flashed and a large window exploded just feet from his wife as she tried to open their front door.
“The glass broke just as if someone threw a brick through it,” he said. “I advised her then, ‘Let’s go to the back of the house.’”
Adams said the storm toppled trees in a nearby park, and a large tree across the street from their house split in half. “We were blessed,” he said. “Instead of falling toward the house, it fell the other way.”
Earlier Wednesday, a tornado that struck Springdale, Arkansas, and the adjoining town of Johnson, about 145 miles northwest of Little Rock, shortly after 4 a.m. injured seven people, two critically, according to Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse.
Sprouse said in a statement that one of those critically injured had improved and was in stable condition and the other five were released from a hospital.
“Our first responders have completed door-to-door searches, and we believe everyone has been accounted for,” Sprouse said.
The National Weather Service in Tulsa said Thursday that the tornado has been rated an EF-3, up from an initial assessment of EF-2, with wind speeds between 136-165 mph. The tornado reached a peak speed of about 145 mph and 5 miles while on the ground for about eight minutes, according to the weather service.
In northwest Missouri, an EF-1 tornado with wind speeds around 90 mph struck St. Joseph on Tuesday night, damaging two homes.
A small tornado also touched down briefly on the eastern edge of Dallas, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. The tornado struck just after 4:30 a.m. Wednesday near McClendon-Chisolm with top winds of about 100 mph and damaged homes, but no injuries were reported, according to the weather service.
The storms come a week after a tornado in a New Orleans-area neighborhood carved a path of destruction during the overnight hours and killed a man.
Strong winds in Louisiana overturned semitrailers, peeled the roof from a mobile home, sent a tree crashing into a home and knocked down power lines, according to weather service forecasters, who did not immediately confirm any tornadoes in the state.
Firefighters, meanwhile, have been trying to get handle on a wildfire spreading near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, amid mandatory evacuations as winds whipped up ahead of the approaching storm front.
The fire, which was not contained, had expanded to about 250 acres (more than 100 hectares) as of Wednesday afternoon. One person was injured, and a plume of smoke rose above one community not far from where 2016 wildfires ravaged the tourism town of Gatlinburg, killing 14 people and damaging or destroying about 2,500 buildings.
___
Wagster Pettus reported from Jackson, Miss., and Mattise from Nashville, Tennessee; many other Associated Press journalists contributed to this report. | https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/weather/severe-weather/severe-storms-florida-damage-reports/67-d4c13202-bc78-4b74-9696-2a543c3bd9db | 2022-03-31T16:11:04 | en | 0.978518 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/articles/39006720 | 2022-03-31T16:11:05 | en | 0.738227 |
TSX: SIL | NYSE American: SILV
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SilverCrest Metals Inc. ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") announces the retirement of Mr. Ross Glanville, P.Eng., MBA, CPA, CGA from the Company's Board of Directors effective today. Mr. Glanville has been on the Company's Board since August 2015. Previously, he was on the Board of the Company's predecessor, SilverCrest Mines, for 4 years.
N. Eric Fier, CEO remarked, "On behalf of the Board and the management team at SilverCrest, I would like to thank Ross for his dedication and capable guidance during his board tenure. Ross has seen the Company through pivotal transformations from discovery of Las Chispas to nearing the start of production at the project. We wish Ross all the best."
SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The Company's top priority is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico, where it has completed a feasibility study on the Las Chispas Project and is proceeding with mine construction. Start-up of production at the Las Chispas Mine is targeted for mid-2022. SilverCrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas Property resulting in numerous high-grade precious metal discoveries. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production.
N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng
Chief Executive Officer
SilverCrest Metals Inc.
SOURCE SilverCrest Metals Inc. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silvercrest-announces-retirement-of-director-ross-glanville-301514327.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:07 | en | 0.942038 |
Halal row: K’taka HM asks intellectuals to teach those who do not respect Constitution, court order
Amid the raging halal row with some right wing organisations asking Hindus not to use halal meat during Hosa Tadaku festival in the state, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Thursday said intellectuals who give sermon on secularism should teach those who did not respect the Constitution and honour the court verdict on hijab.
- Country:
- India
Amid the raging halal row with some right wing organisations asking Hindus not to use halal meat during 'Hosa Tadaku' festival in the state, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Thursday said intellectuals who give sermon on secularism should teach those who did not respect the Constitution and honour the court verdict on hijab. The Minister's comment came as a section of Muslims had called for a statewide bandh against the Karnataka High Court verdict on hijab, which dismissed the petition of Muslim girl students from Udupi Government Girls' Pre University College, who wanted the head scarf to be allowed along with the school uniform inside classrooms. The girls who petitioned the High Court had contended hijab was their essential religious practice and challenged the Government order which banned any cloth that could disturb peace, harmony and public order. Jnanendra wondered as to why the BJP was blamed by some for the anti-Halal campaign, which is related to faith and sentiments and individual choices. The Minister also blamed intellectuals for lecturing only the Hindus and not the others. He said, ''Secularism flows in our blood. They (intellectuals) should teach those who do not respect the Indian Constitution and say that the court verdict is not applicable to them. Such people (violators) have to be told that you should not function this way in this country, this we say, sincerely. Nobody hates you and we have to live like brothers only.'' The Minister said the government has a limited role to play on the issue pertaining to halal, which is left to the wisdom of people. Jnanendra said the 'Boycott halal food' campaign is not a law and order situation but something related to faith and sentiments, ''which everyone knows.'' He was confident that situation would improve in the coming days. A day after the Ugadi festival, which will fall on April 1, a section of Hindus who eat non-vegetarian food, organise 'Hosa Tadaku' where they cook meat. The Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and various Hindu outfits have been running a door-to-door campaign asking people not to use Halal meat. They have been distributing leaflets as well.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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SC says no Constitutional infirmity in OROP policy introduced by govt | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1985309-halal-row-ktaka-hm-asks-intellectuals-to-teach-those-who-do-not-respect-constitution-court-order | 2022-03-31T16:11:11 | en | 0.959118 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/articles/39005609 | 2022-03-31T16:11:11 | en | 0.738227 |
NEW YORK, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the report "Sports Fishing Equipment Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025", the market witnessed a YOY growth of 1.53% in 2021 and a CAGR of 2.80% during the forecast period. The report is segmented by product (fishing rod, fishing reel, fishing lure, and others) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA).
For more insights related to the market, Read our FREE Sample Report
Market Scope
The sports fishing equipment market report covers the following areas:
- Sports Fishing Equipment Market size
- Sports Fishing Equipment Market trends
- Sports Fishing Equipment Market industry analysis
Vendor Insights
The sports fishing equipment market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as launching new products with innovative technologies to compete in the market. Some of the key vendors are listed below:
- AFTCO Mfg. Co. Inc.
- Fairpoint Outdoors AS
- Gamakatsu USA Inc.
- GLOBERIDE Inc.
- Grandt Industries Inc.
- OKUMA FISHING TACKLE Co. Ltd.
- Pure Fishing Inc.
- Rapala VMC Corp.
- Shimano Inc.
- Tica Fishing Tackle
Find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings, Read Free Sample Report.
Geographical Market Analysis
North America will provide maximum growth opportunities in sports fishing equipment during the forecast period. According to our research, the region will contribute 40% of the global market growth during the forecast period. The US is the major market for sports fishing equipment in North America.
Know more about this market's geographical distribution along with a detailed analysis of the top regions. View Our Report Snapshot
Key Segment Analysis
The sports fishing equipment market share growth by the fishing rod segment will be significant during the forecast period. The development of new variants of fishing rods with improved technologies will encourage more end-users to invest in such models, subsequently accelerating the growth momentum of the market during the forecast period.
View FREE Sample: to know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years.
Key Market Drivers & Challenges:
The increasing popularity of recreational fishing is driving the sports fishing equipment market growth. However, factors such as preference for pre-used and rental variants of sports fishing equipment may impede market growth.
Download free sample for highlights on market Drivers & Challenges impacting the sports fishing equipment market.
Customize Your Report
Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and know more insights about this market report. Our analysts can also help you customize this report according to your needs. Our analysts and industry experts will work directly with you to understand your requirements and provide you with customized data in a short amount of time.
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- CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025
- Detailed information on factors that will assist sports fishing equipment market growth during the next five years
- Estimation of the sports fishing equipment market size and its contribution to the parent market
- Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
- The growth of the sports fishing equipment market
- Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors
- Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of sports fishing equipment market vendors
Related Reports:
Outdoor Gym Equipment Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Market Landscape
- Market ecosystem
- Market characteristics
- Value chain analysis
Market Sizing
- Market definition
- Market segment analysis
- Market size 2020
- Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025
Five Forces Analysis
- Bargaining power of buyers
- Bargaining power of suppliers
- Threat of new entrants
- Threat of substitutes
- Threat of rivalry
- Market condition
Market Segmentation by Product
- Market segments
- Comparison by Product
- Fishing rod - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- Fishing reel - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- Fishing lure - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- Market opportunity by Product
Customer landscape
Geographic Landscape
- Geographic segmentation
- Geographic comparison
- North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025
- Key leading countries
- Market opportunity by geography
- Market drivers
- Market challenges
- Market trends
Vendor Landscape
- Vendor landscape
- Landscape disruption
Vendor Analysis
- Vendors covered
- Market positioning of vendors
- AFTCO Mfg. Co. Inc.
- Fairpoint Outdoors AS
- Gamakatsu USA Inc.
- GLOBERIDE Inc.
- Grandt Industries Inc.
- OKUMA FISHING TACKLE Co. Ltd.
- Pure Fishing Inc.
- Rapala VMC Corp.
- Shimano Inc.
- Tica Fishing Tackle
Appendix
- Scope of the report
- Currency conversion rates for US$
- Research methodology
- List of abbreviations
About Us:
Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.
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SOURCE Technavio | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sports-fishing-equipment-market-size-to-grow-by-usd-2-09-billion--technavio-301513005.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:13 | en | 0.893946 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/articles/39006869 | 2022-03-31T16:11:17 | en | 0.738227 |
Case lodged over cheating complaints during Haryana School Board’s class 12 exam
A criminal case has been registered here over a complaint of the use of unfair means during the Haryana Board of School Educations class 12 examination, police said on Thursday.The complaint was lodged following the seizure of three mobile phones during the examination of Hindi for class 12 at an examination centre in Mandholi Kalan on Wednesday, an official said.Behal police stations SHO Hari Om said mobile phones were said to be of those aiding students in cheating.
- Country:
- India
A criminal case has been registered here over a complaint of the use of unfair means during the Haryana Board of School Education's class 12 examination, police said on Thursday.
The complaint was lodged following the seizure of three mobile phones during the examination of Hindi for class 12 at an examination centre in Mandholi Kalan on Wednesday, an official said.
Behal police station's SHO Hari Om said mobile phones were said to be of those aiding students in cheating. "A complaint has been lodged by the superintendent of the exam centre. Investigations are on and mobile phones are being examined," he said.
The allegations are that someone had clicked the photo of the paper from a window a few minutes after the examination began.
A private bus was also stationed near the centre and some people were alleged to have been aiding in the cheating, he said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Haryana Board of School Education
- SHO Hari Om
- Kalan
- Hindi
- Mandholi | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1985350-case-lodged-over-cheating-complaints-during-haryana-school-boards-class-12-exam | 2022-03-31T16:11:18 | en | 0.982768 |
Sundial is now the largest private sector cannabis and liquor retailer in Canada
CALGARY, AB, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Sundial Growers Inc. (Nasdaq: SNDL) ("Sundial" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the previously disclosed acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares ("Alcanna Shares") of Alcanna Inc. (TSX: CLIQ) ("Alcanna") pursuant to a plan of arrangement, for total consideration of approximately $320 million consisting of cash and common shares of Sundial ("Sundial Shares" and such acquisition, the "Transaction").
Pursuant to the Transaction, former holders of Alcanna Shares ("Alcanna Shareholders") are entitled to receive (i) 8.85 Sundial Shares and (ii) $1.50 in cash for each Alcanna Share (collectively, the "Consideration"). Following the Transaction, there are approximately 2.4 billion Sundial Shares outstanding with existing Sundial shareholders holding approximately 86.6% of such Sundial Shares and former Alcanna Shareholders holding approximately 13.4% of such Sundial Shares.
Alcanna is one of the largest private-sector retailers of alcohol in North America and the largest in Canada by number of stores – operating locations in Alberta and British Columbia. Alcanna's majority-owned subsidiary, Nova Cannabis Inc. (TSX: NOVC) ("Nova"), also owns or operates a total of 78 cannabis retail stores in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
- Improved cash flow profile with expansion into liquor retail: As a result of the Transaction, Sundial has become Canada's largest private sector liquor retailer, operating 171 locations predominantly in Alberta under its three retail banners "Wine and Beyond", "Liquor Depot" and "Ace Liquor". The Company's management believes that the liquor segment will add sustainable cash flow from operations and stable adjusted EBITDA[1] generation to Sundial's business. Alcanna's established liquor segment generated cash provided by operating activities before working capital changes of $25.0 million, which net of cash used by cannabis operations of $6.7 million resulted in a consolidated total of $18.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021.
- Improved revenue profile with the largest private cannabis retail network in Canada: Nova, Alcanna's majority-owned subsidiary, currently owns or operates a total of 78 cannabis retail stores across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario under the "Value Buds" banner. Combined with Sundial's Spiritleaf retail operations, Sundial now owns or operates Canada's largest cannabis retail network with more than 180 locations.
- Increased optionality with majority ownership of Nova, a publicly listed, pure-play private cannabis retail operator: As a result of the Transaction, Sundial now also holds an approximately 63% equity interest in Nova, one of Canada's largest private cannabis retailers offering a wide range of high-quality cannabis products at value prices. Sundial will continue to provide capital and management services to Nova, as was done by Alcanna, with the aim of enhancing its position as a focused, dominant, publicly-listed Canadian cannabis retail platform, including by potentially acquiring third-party banners. Sundial's board of directors (the "Board") will periodically evaluate all options with regard to Sundial's stake in Nova, including the potential to consolidate Sundial's existing retail cannabis exposure or dividend a portion of Sundial's Nova shares to Sundial shareholders. Based on available data, we believe all of Nova's Value Buds stores in Ontario continue to gain market share over neighbouring competitors.
- Synergies from a larger retail operation: The robust retail infrastructure and corporate support function at Alcanna is expected to generate synergies with Sundial's corporate-owned Spiritleaf retail operations as well as its franchise partners. It is estimated that these synergies will be approximately $15 million in additional adjusted EBITDA on an annual run-rate basis through cost savings, revenue optimization and other strategic initiatives.
- Strengthened leadership team: The new combined company will be led by current Sundial Chief Executive Officer, Zach George, with the support of an expanded senior leadership team.
"This is an exciting day for Sundial as we become a stronger and more capable regulated products platform. We are developing a business model that has never existed at this scale in Canada, and are committed to continuously improving our business while delighting consumers," said Zach George, Chief Executive Officer of Sundial. "We look forward to working closely with the team at Alcanna and applaud James Burns' leadership in repositioning Alcanna's business and helping to develop Alcanna and Nova into first-class retail enterprises over the last several years. While the Alcanna transaction initially appears to be a step towards diversification and vertical integration, we expect to bring focus and specialization to the model as the cannabis industry evolves, including, for example, through potential spinoffs and consolidation of synergistic assets into pure-play businesses. I want to thank and congratulate everyone involved for their dedication and hard work in bringing this transaction to a successful conclusion. This is truly one of the most significant developments in the history of our two companies. The Sundial team is humbled by the opportunity to embrace the challenges that lie ahead and remains committed to delivering sustainable value to shareholders."
The Alcanna Shares are expected to be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange on or before April 4, 2022. It is expected that Alcanna will submit an application to cease to be a reporting issuer and to otherwise terminate its public company reporting requirements as soon as possible after delisting.
Alcanna Shareholders whose Alcanna Shares are held by a broker, agent or other intermediary should contact their broker or agent in respect of the exchange of their Alcanna Shares pursuant to the Transaction. Registered holders of Alcanna Shares must deposit their certificates with a duly completed amended and restated letter of transmittal in order to receive their Consideration pursuant to the Transaction, all as set forth in the management information circular and proxy statement of Alcanna dated November 9, 2021, as amended by the press release of Alcanna dated December 13, 2021 and the material change report of Alcanna dated January 6, 2022 (collectively, the "Circular"), copies of which have been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and are available on Alcanna's website at https://www.alcanna.com/ALCANNA-Special-Meeting-Materials. Certificates formerly representing Alcanna Shares now represent only the right to receive the Consideration to which the holders thereof are entitled pursuant to the Transaction.
ATB Capital Markets Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Sundial. McCarthy Tétrault LLP is acting as legal counsel to Sundial.
Cormark Securities Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Alcanna and Clark Wilson LLP is acting as legal counsel to the special committee of the board of directors of Alcanna, and Bennett Jones LLP is acting as legal counsel to Alcanna.
A video accompanying this release is available at: www.sndlgroup.com.
Further to the previously announced filing of its application with the Alberta Securities Commission for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") pending the release of the Company's anticipated delay in filing its audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, annual management's discussion and analysis for the same period and management certifications of annual filings, it is noted that filing of the annual information form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 will also be delayed and will be reported on Form 20-F in accordance with applicable securities laws. As previously announced, Sundial expects to report fourth quarter and full year 2021 earnings on or before April 14, 2022 and will also file its Annual Report on Form 20-F within the applicable U.S. filing deadline. If an MCTO is issued, Sundial intends to satisfy the provisions of the "alternative information guidelines" set out in NP 12-203, including the requirement to file bi-weekly status reports in the form of news releases containing prescribed updating information, until the Filings are made. An MCTO would not generally affect the ability of persons who are not directors, officers, or insiders of the Company to trade in securities of the Company. For further details, see the Company's press release dated March 28, 2022.
Sundial is a public company whose shares are traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "SNDL". Its business is reported and analyzed under three operating segments: Cannabis Operations, Cannabis Retail (which, in the next reporting period following the Transaction will become Cannabis and Liquor Retail), and Investment Operations.
As a licensed producer that crafts small-batch cannabis using state-of-the-art indoor facilities, Sundial's 'craft-at-scale' modular growing approach, award-winning genetics, and experienced growers set us apart. Sundial's brand portfolio includes Top Leaf, Sundial Cannabis, Palmetto, and Grasslands. Sundial also operates the Spiritleaf retail banner. Spiritleaf aims to be the most knowledgeable and trusted source of recreational cannabis by offering a premium consumer experience and quality curated cannabis products.
Sundial's investment operations seek to deploy strategic capital through direct and indirect investments and partnerships throughout the global cannabis industry.
Sundial is proudly Albertan, headquartered in Calgary, AB. For more information on Sundial, please go to www.sndlgroup.com.
This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information is typically, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "will", "expected", "projected", "to be" and similar words, including negatives thereof, or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: the combined company and its focus going forward; the anticipated benefits associated with the Transaction; the date of delisting of the Alcanna Shares from the Toronto Stock Exchange; the submission of Alcanna's application to cease to be a reporting issuer; a potential dividend of certain Nova shares held by Sundial to Sundial shareholders; the anticipated synergies of the combined entity; the anticipated additional adjusted EBITDA and other benefits of the Transaction to be realized by Sundial; the anticipated filing date of the Filings; Sundial's expectation that it will file its Annual Report on Form 20-F within the applicable U.S. filing deadline and that it will report its fourth quarter and full year 2021 earnings on or before April 14, 2022 and Sundial's capital and management services supporting Nova's development.
Such forward-looking information is based on various assumptions and factors that may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, factors and assumptions with respect to: the anticipated benefits of the Transaction; the expectations with respect to the business and operations of the combined entity, including that each business segment will continue to operate in a manner consistent with past practice and under similar industry and market conditions; the ability of the combined entity to successfully implement its strategic plans and initiatives and whether such strategic plans and initiatives will yield the expected benefits; adverse industry events and other conditions in the cannabis and liquor retail industries; the ability of Sundial's management to execute its business strategy, objectives and plans including with respect to the combined entity and Nova; the ability of the combined entity to maintain and receive additional cannabis and liquor retail licenses; the availability of capital to finance management's business strategy, objectives and plans; future legislative, tax and regulatory developments; Sundial's belief that its external auditor will complete its audit and release its audit opinion in a timely manner that will allow Sundial to file its Annual Report on Form 20-F within the applicable U.S. filing deadline; that the unaudited financial statements prepared by management of the Company will not differ materially from audited financial statements once available and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, although Sundial believes that the assumptions and factors on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Sundial can give no assurance that it will prove to be correct or that any of the events anticipated by such forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits Sundial will derive therefrom.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, Sundial does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
This news release contains information that may constitute future-oriented financial information or financial outlook information ("FOFI") about Sundial and the prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows of Sundial and the combined entity following the Transaction, all of which is subject to the various assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications, including those set forth above. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may provide to be imprecise or inaccurate and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI. Sundial's actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, FOFI. Sundial has included FOFI in this news release in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on the combined entity's future operations and management's current expectations regarding the combined entity's future performance. Total revenues and system-wide retail sales of the Spiritleaf, Nova Cannabis and Value Buds banners for the three months and one month ended December 31, 2021 represent only the sum of revenues and system-wide retail sales of each banner for each period and were not prepared in compliance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. Total revenues, total system-wide retail sales, as well as historical adjusted EBITDA and additional cash flow from operations of Alcanna presented herein, do not include management's adjustments for the Transaction or adjustments made for differences in the relevant entities' accounting policies. The impact of such adjustments on such metrics may be material. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. FOFI contained herein was made as of the date of this news release. Unless required by applicable law, Sundial does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any FOFI statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Adjusted EBITDA and system-wide retail sales metrics including in this news release are financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Such measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. These measures are used by management to assist in evaluating the profitability of its business and have been described and presented here in order to provide readers with additional measures for assessing the performance of Sundial and of the combined entity following the Transaction. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.
SOURCE Sundial Growers Inc. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sundial-growers-completes-acquisition-of-alcanna-301514512.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:19 | en | 0.951158 |
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Regional conference of Afghan's neighbours asks Taliban to deliver on promises to curb terror groups, permit girls education
- Country:
- China
A meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighbours on Thursday pressed the Taliban to live up to its promise of forming an inclusive government, crackdown on terror groups and permit girls' education while China called for reactivating Afghan tripartite mechanism with Pakistan as its seeks to expand its influence in the war-torn country.
The third foreign ministers' meeting of the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, which was held in Tunxi in east China's Anhui Province, concluded its two-day meet which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the first high-level Russian official to visit Beijing after the Ukraine war.
Separately, China, US and Russia held a troika meeting on Afghanistan in which the US Ambassador to China Nicolas Burns took part as special envoy of his country.
Foreign Ministers or senior representatives of seven countries namely China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended the meeting. India was not invited while Indonesia and Qatar attended the meeting as "guests".
Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan interim government Amir Khan Muttaqi took part in the meeting.
A joint statement issued at the end of the meeting, said it "noted the importance to achieve national reconciliation in Afghanistan through dialogue and negotiation, and to establish a broad-based and inclusive political structure, adopt moderate and sound domestic and foreign policies, and grow friendly relations with all countries, especially its neighbours".
Despite the promises, the Taliban administration is yet to heed to calls to expand its interim government, though Afghan leaders Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah continued to remain in Kabul.
Last week, the Taliban reversed its promise to permit the girls education saying it would only reopen the schools after a decision over uniforms for female students had been made in accordance with ''Sharia law and Afghan tradition''. The move has drawn international condemnation.
"Noted the importance of taking necessary continuing steps in Afghanistan on ensuring women's rights and children's education, among others, and called for further actions to be taken to improve people's livelihood, safeguard the fundamental rights of all Afghans, including ethnic groups, women and children,'' the joint statement said.
It also called Taliban to act on its commitments and make pledges to the international community that "the territory of Afghanistan will not pose any threats to the neighbouring countries and no place will be given to terrorist groups on the Afghan territory".
"Stressed terrorism as a key factor affecting stability in Afghanistan, condemned all forms of violence and terrorist attacks, and reiterated that ISIS, Al-Qaeda, ETIM, TTP, BLA, Jondollah, Jaish-Al-Adl, Jamaat Ansarullah, IMU and other terrorist organisations must not be given any place on the Afghan territory,'' the joint statement said.
"Called on relevant Afghan parties to take more visible steps to make a clean break with all forms of terrorist forces, monitor free movement of all terrorist organisations, and to firmly fight and eliminate them including through dismantling of their training camps, to ensure that Afghanistan would never again serve as a breeding ground, safe haven or source of proliferation for terrorism,'' it said.
Meanwhile, China which carried on proactive diplomatic engagement after the Taliban took over power has called for revival of the trilateral mechanism of the three countries.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who recently visited Pakistan and Afghanistan, said under the current circumstances, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan should restart the trilateral cooperation mechanism and advance cooperation in the areas of politics, development and security.
Speaking at the meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Tunxi, which was attended by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi, Wang called for building tripartite political mutual trust, support each other's core concerns and safeguard common interests.
Wang also suggested that China, Afghanistan and Pakistan enhance anti-terrorism cooperation, eradicate the breeding ground of terrorism and achieve long-term stability in the region, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Qureshi said Pakistan supports Afghanistan in strengthening contacts with the world and called for de-freezing of overseas assets of Afghanistan.
For his part, Muttaqi said the Afghan side understands the international community's concern about the rights and interests of women and children, especially girls' education, and will promote it actively and step by step.
The interim government has never banned girls from going to school and has reopened 60 per cent of schools so far, he said.
The Afghan side is willing to once again solemnly promise to China and Pakistan and the whole world that terrorists will never be allowed to use the Afghan territory to harm the interests and citizens of other countries, Muttaqi, said adding that Afghanistan actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China.
Participants agreed to a mechanism for regular meetings of their special envoys for Afghanistan and three working groups to coordinate on political and diplomatic affairs, economics and humanitarianism, and security and stability. Uzbekistan will host the fourth foreign ministers' meeting.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1985415-regional-conference-of-afghans-neighbours-asks-taliban-to-deliver-on-promises-to-curb-terror-groups-permit-girls-education | 2022-03-31T16:11:26 | en | 0.955078 |
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Tai Chi Training Can Effectively Improve Parkinson's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
The Research Achievements of Ruijin Hospital, Fosun Foundation and Sino Taiji Team Have Been Published in Authoritative Journals
HONG KONG, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest research shows that Tai Chi training is conducive to the treatment of Parkinson's disease and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Professor Shengdi Chen from the Neurology Department of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine has just published papers in the international authoritative medical journals, Translational Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's & Dementia, indicating that long-term Tai Chi training can effectively improve the motor symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease, and significantly delay cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
This is also the scientific research achievements of the two philanthropic projects, "Tai Chi Adjuvant Therapy for Parkinson's Disease" and "Tai Chi Training Delays Alzheimer's Disease", jointly launched by Fosun Foundation, Sino Taiji and the Neurology Department of Ruijin Hospital.
On 15 March 2022, the research team of Professor Shengdi Chen from the Neurology Department of Ruijin Hospital published their research results about Tai Chi enhances cognitive training effects on delaying cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's and Dementia journal, which is the most influential and authoritative medical journal in the field of dementia research.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and it is also the best suitable stage for intervention. It is mainly characterized with memory decline. Due to the side effects and other risks in the early use of anti-AD drugs in MCI patient, non-drug interventions such as cognitive training and physical training have attracted attention of global researchers.
The research team of Professor Shengdi Chen has been deeply engaged in the research of MCI by using non-drug intervention for a long time. With the support of Fosun Foundation and Sino Taiji, Dr. Chen and his research team performed the Tai Chi training in MCI patients for three years. The clinical studies revealed that in the first 12-month, Tai Chi combined with cognitive training and only CT training had benefit than controls. Compared with CT training, Tai Chi combined with cognitive training had additional improved effects. Besides, keeping Tai Chi combined with cognitive training for two years showed delayed decline in global cognition and memory than withdrawing Tai Chi combined with cognitive training. Functional neuroimaging (fMRI) assessment revealed that neural activity was enhanced after training, reflecting the objective effect of Tai Chi training on brain neural activity.
Professor Shengdi Chen said, this result suggests that the Tai Chi training can delay the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease from MCI.
On 7 February 2022, another research achievement of the research team of Professor Shengdi Chen, the Fosun Foundation and Sino Taiji was published in the international journal of Translational Neurodegeneration. By exploring the mechanism of long-term Tai Chi training in improving motor symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease, the research article titled "Mechanisms of motor symptom improvement by long-term Tai Chi training in Parkinson's disease patients" indicates that long-term Tai Chi training can significantly improve motor symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease. This is the second scientific research article published based on the "Tai Chi Adjuvant Therapy for Parkinson's Disease" projects.
The "Tai Chi Adjuvant Therapy for Parkinson's Disease" and "Tai Chi Training Delays Alzheimer's Disease" philanthropic projects were initiated by Fosun Foundation, Sino Taiji and the research team of Professor Shengdi Chen from the Neurology Department of Ruijin Hospital in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Up to now, the "Tai Chi Adjuvant Therapy for Parkinson's Disease" project has provided free courses for 445 patients with Parkinson's disease, and will continue to carry out charitable Tai Chi courses for patients with Parkinson's disease across the country. In addition, the "Tai Chi Training Delays Alzheimer's Disease" project will launch a 5-year in-depth clinical research to recruit MCI patients in the community, and to explore the effect of longer-term Tai Chi training on MCI patients, helping more patients with MCI to improve their cognitive function and delay the occurrence of Alzheimer disease through charitable Tai Chi training projects.
SOURCE Fosun | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tai-chi-training-can-effectively-improve-parkinsons-disease-and-mild-cognitive-impairment-301514680.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:31 | en | 0.940804 |
Country in dire need of learning brotherhood and eradicating hatred in society: Rahul Gandhi
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the country is in dire need of learning brotherhood and eradicating hatred as taught by 12th Century social reformer Basaveshwara.You teach what Basaveshwara had said that we all are one, we have to live together, shun hatred and rise above caste and religion, Rahul Gandhi said in his public address after paying obeisance to the Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math in Tumakuru on his 115th birth anniversary on April 1.Basaveshwara was the 12th century AD social reformer who founded the Lingayat sect based on compassion, love, benevolence and philanthropy.
- Country:
- India
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the country is in dire need of learning brotherhood and eradicating hatred as taught by 12th Century social reformer Basaveshwara.
"You teach what Basaveshwara had said that we all are one, we have to live together, shun hatred and rise above caste and religion," Rahul Gandhi said in his public address after paying obeisance to the Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math in Tumakuru on his 115th birth anniversary on April 1.
Basaveshwara was the 12th century AD social reformer who founded the Lingayat sect based on compassion, love, benevolence and philanthropy. He had a vision of equality in the society.
"The nation is in dire need of brotherhood you teach here. Your organisation is eradicating hatred, which is spreading fast in the country. I congratulate the seer (current pontiff Siddalinga Swamiji) and his team for this," Gandhi said.
Recalling his association with the Siddaganga Math and Shivakumara Swamiji, the Congress leader expressed his joy that the institution had shaped the future of thousands of children by imparting them education.
Gandhi, an MP from Wayanad in Kerala, promised the pontiff that he will assist the Math wherever required.
Saying that he was saddened to note that Shivakumara Swamiji was no more whom he had met during his last visit, the Congress leader said, "Swamiji may not be here but he has shown us way. We have to tread on his path. We have to give education to youth and help the poor." The pontiff of the reputed Siddaganga Math, who had lived for 111 years before passing away in January 2019, had become the flag-bearer of the teaching of Basaveshwara with his philanthropic work.
Earned the reputation of 'Walking God', the seer had carried turned his Ashrama into a big educational institution for a large number of students from weaker section from across Karnataka who were offered food and education free of cost.
Lingayat is a powerful dominant community of Karnataka with a substantial population. With just one year left for the general assembly elections, Gandhi's visit here is seen as the party's aggressive start to the election campaign.
Interestingly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also be visiting the Math on Friday to participate in the birth anniversary celebrations.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1985428-country-in-dire-need-of-learning-brotherhood-and-eradicating-hatred-in-society-rahul-gandhi | 2022-03-31T16:11:34 | en | 0.981459 |
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- Expects First Quarter Net Sales Growth of 15 Percent Compared to First Quarter 2021
LEXINGTON, Ky., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tempur Sealy International, Inc. (NYSE: TPX, "Company" or "Tempur Sealy") today provided an update on expected first quarter sales growth. Based on current information, the Company estimates first quarter 2022 consolidated net sales growth of approximately 15 percent year-over-year.
Tempur Sealy Chairman and CEO Scott Thompson commented, "We expect that the first quarter of 2022 will be the 10th out of the last 11 quarters that we have delivered double-digit sales growth. However, while we expect double digit sales in the first quarter, recent geopolitical events, falling consumer confidence and new COVID variant outbreaks in our international markets have resulted in sales below our expectations following a strong Presidents' Day sales period."
Thompson continued, "We remain committed to making investments in marketing, product launches, and our operations this year to support the long-term growth trajectory of the business. However, in response to the current geopolitical uncertainty permeating the European market, we have elected to postpone the launch of the new international line of Tempur products that was planned for 2022 to the first quarter of 2023."
The company will release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 before the NYSE opening of regular trading on Thursday, April 28, 2022. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss those results at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. We expect to update you on our performance against previously disclosed guidance for 2022 during our first quarter earnings call. The call will be webcast and can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at investor.tempursealy.com. After the conference call, a webcast replay will remain available on the website for 30 days.
This press release contains statements that may be characterized as "forward-looking," within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such statements might include information concerning one or more of the Company's plans, guidance, objectives, goals, strategies, and other information that is not historical information. When used in this release, the words "assumes," "estimates," "expects," "guidance," "anticipates," "might," "projects," "plans," "proposed," "targets," "intends," "believes," "will" and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's expectations regarding sales for the first quarter of 2022, the Company's expectations regarding supply chain disruptions, the macroeconomic environment and COVID-related disruptions, and the Company's expectations for increasing sales growth, product launches, channel growth, acquisitions and commodities outlook. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon current expectations and beliefs and various assumptions. There can be no assurance that the Company will realize these expectations, meet its guidance, or that these beliefs will prove correct.
Numerous factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, could cause actual results to differ materially from any that may be expressed herein as forward-looking statements. These potential risk factors include uncertainties arising from global events, natural disasters or pandemics, labor shortages, turnover and cost increases related to significant employee absenteeism as well as the risk factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Part 1, ITEM 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. There may be other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.
Tempur Sealy is committed to improving the sleep of more people, every night, all around the world. As a leading designer, manufacturer, distributor and retailer of bedding products worldwide, we know how crucial a good night of sleep is to overall health and wellness. Utilizing over a century of knowledge and industry-leading innovation, we deliver award-winning products that provide breakthrough sleep solutions to consumers in over 100 countries.
Our highly recognized brands include Tempur-Pedic®, Sealy® and Stearns & Foster® and our popular non-branded offerings consist of value-focused private label and OEM products. At Tempur Sealy we understand the importance of meeting our customers wherever and however they want to shop and have developed a powerful omni-channel retail strategy. Our products allow for complementary merchandising strategies and are sold through third-party retailers, our 650+ Company-owned stores worldwide and our e-commerce channels. With the range of our offerings and variety of purchasing options, we are dedicated to continuing to turn our mission to improve the sleep of more people, every night, all around the world into a reality.
Importantly, we are committed to carrying out our global responsibility to protect the environment and the communities in which we operate. As part of that commitment, we have established the goal of achieving carbon neutrality for our global wholly owned operations by 2040.
Investor Relations Contact
Aubrey Moore
Investor Relations
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.
800-805-3635
[email protected]
SOURCE Tempur Sealy International, Inc. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tempur-sealy-provides-market-update-301514502.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:37 | en | 0.945445 |
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Rupali Ganguly excited about 'Anupamaa' prequel
Rupali Ganguly's ongoing popular serial 'Anupamaa' is all set to get its prequel titled 'Anupama - Namaste America'.
Rupali Ganguly's ongoing popular serial 'Anupamaa' is all set to get its prequel titled 'Anupama - Namaste America'. The prequel will invite viewers to watch Anupamaa's (Rupali) life unfold in the early years of her marriage.
Reprising the role of Anupamaa in the prequel, Rupali said, "Anupamaa is a character that has seen me grow as an actor and a woman. It brings me immense joy to see Hotstar Specials presents Anupama - Namaste America, become the first show to run parallelly alongside a running television show. The prequel will showcase a side that's never been seen before. As the popular show already has a successful following, I am confident the prequel will let the audience develop a deeper connection to the character." The prequel, with 11 episodes, will be streamed on Disney+ Hotstar from April 25. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1985390-rupali-ganguly-excited-about-anupamaa-prequel | 2022-03-31T16:11:42 | en | 0.928151 |
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers focused on health care safety and quality, today announced the members of its newly-formed Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Advisory Committee. The committee is comprised of 12 respected ASC leaders from across the country, along with employer and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leadership.
The ASC Advisory Committee is chaired by Linda Schwimmer, Leapfrog Board member and president and CEO of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, a Leapfrog Regional Leader. The committee, part of Leapfrog's broader strategy to catalyze quality and safety improvement in ASCs, will advise on key issues related to ASC safety, quality and efficiency, and how Leapfrog can ensure that employers have the best available data for decision-making about benefits design and direct contracting.
"More than half of all surgeries are performed in ASCs or in other outpatient settings, so getting more information on their safety and quality is a major priority for the employers that established Leapfrog," said Schwimmer. "We are proud that the Leapfrog ASC Advisory Committee brings together true visionaries in the ASC environment, all dedicated to enhancing the safety and quality in surgery centers—and giving employers a transparent marketplace."
Committee members, made up of diverse senior leadership roles including clinicians, executives and others from facilities of various specialties, sizes, geographic location and type include:
- Linda Schwimmer, JD, ASC Advisory Committee Chair, President and CEO, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute
- Carole Guinane, RN, MBA, FNAHQ, CPHQ, BBSS, Executive Director, ASC Operations, Cedars-Sinai, Beverly Hill, CA
- Stephanie Jaross, BSN, RN, ASC Director, Proliance – Center for Spine and Joint Surgery, Terrance, WA
- Kristine Kilgore, RN, BSN, Executive Director, Surgical Care Center of Michigan, Grand Rapids, MI
- Kimberley Murray, RN, MS, CNOR, Chief Clinical Officer, Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists, Specialists One Day Surgery Center, Syracuse, NY
- Julia Nelson, RN, BSN, MBA, Executive Director, Elmhurst Outpatient Surgery Center, Elmhurst, IL
- Cori Prisco, RN, DNP, MSJ, Clinical Director, Quality and Risk Management, Hudson Crossing Surgery Center, Fort Lee, NJ
- Beth Russell, MSN, RN, Executive Director, Knoxville Orthopaedic Surgery Center, Knoxville, TN
- Lori Sylvester, MSN, RN, CASC, Administrator, Riverside Outpatient Surgery Center, Columbus, OH
- Henrietta Smith, RN, MSN, CIC, Nurse Consultant, Lead – NHSN Protocol and Training Team, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, GA
- Arnaldo Valedon, MD, FASA, SAMBA-F, MBA'23, Medical Director – Outpatient Perioperative Services, WellSpan Health and WellSpan Health & Surgery Center, Hannover, PA
- Andrew Weiss, CASC, Administrator/Assistant Vice President, Summit Surgical Center, Voorhees, NJ
Ex officio members of the committee include:
- Leah Binder, President and CEO, The Leapfrog Group
- Missy Danforth, Vice President of Health Care Ratings, The Leapfrog Group
- Irene Fraser, PhD, Senior Fellow, NORC at the University of Chicago, Member of the Leapfrog Board of Directors
- Aaron Schrader, M.S., Human Resources Manager, State of Delaware Statewide Benefits Office, Department of Human Resources, Member of the Leapfrog Board of Directors
- Cristie Upshaw Travis, CEO, Memphis Business Group on Health, Member of the Leapfrog Board of Directors
The annual Leapfrog ASC Survey opens on April 1, 2022. All ASCs in the U.S. have the opportunity to participate in the Survey at no charge. The deadline for completion is June 30, 2022.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.
SOURCE The Leapfrog Group | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-leapfrog-group-announces-first-ever-national-ambulatory-surgery-center-advisory-committee-301514221.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:44 | en | 0.911735 |
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Maine Real Estate Broker Julie Perrino Named Designated Broker
TORONTO and NEW YORK, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Real Brokerage Inc. ("Real" or the "Company") (TSXV: REAX) (NASDAQ: REAX), an international, technology-powered real estate brokerage, today announced its launch of operations in Maine. Real is now operating in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
As part of the state launch, Real has appointed real estate broker Julie Perrino as Designated Broker. Perrino, a financial adviser turned real estate agent, joins Real from eXp Realty. Perrino is licensed in Maine, Florida and Nevada.
"It is a great responsibility and an honor to be able to bring Real to Maine. I believe that Real's business model reflects how a brokerage should run," Perrino said. "Real is attracting people who are serious about the business and who will create opportunities for dedicated agents."
"The Northeast has always been a key area of the country for Real," said Real co-founder and CEO Tamir Poleg. "We are based in New York and have made significant progress in recruiting and retaining agents in the surrounding area and states. Under Julie's leadership, we will be strategizing on expanding in the state, and we look forward to welcoming more agents to our growing Real family."
About Real
Real (www.joinreal.com) is a technology-powered real estate brokerage operating in 43 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Ontario and Alberta, Canada. Real is building the future, together with more than 4,500 agents and their clients. Real creates financial opportunities for agents through better commission splits, best-in-class technology, revenue sharing and equity incentives.
Contact Information
For additional information, please contact:
The Real Brokerage Inc.
Elisabeth Warrick
[email protected]
Caroline Glennon
[email protected]
1+201-564-4221
Investors, for more information, please contact:
Hayden IR
James Carbonara
[email protected]
646-755-7412
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "likely" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limiting the foregoing, information relating to Real's expansion to Maine and the business and strategic plans of Real.
Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to Real's business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. Real considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances. However, forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. These factors should be carefully considered and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Real cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Real assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release, and the NASDAQ has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
SOURCE The Real Brokerage Inc. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-real-brokerage-inc-opens-in-maine-301514583.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:50 | en | 0.938087 |
Cole Sprouse, Lana Condor's 'Moonshot' to release on Prime Video on April 1
- Country:
- India
Romantic comedy movie ''Moonshot'' will be hit Prime Video on April 1, the streaming service announced on Thursday.
Starring Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor in the lead, the movie follows journey of the lead pair as they join forces in order to be reunited with their significant others, embarking upon a lively journey that winds up taking them both wildly and unexpectedly off course.
The film is directed by Christopher Winterbauer and also features Mason Gooding, Emily Rudd, and Zach Braff in pivotal roles, Prime Video said in a statement.
Max Taxe has penned the screenplay for the movie, which is produced by Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Jill McElroy and Jenna Sarkin.
Michael Riley McGrath, Richard Brener, Nikki Ramey, Paulina Sussman, Dana Fox and Michelle Morrissey serve as executive producers.
''Moonshot'' is a Berlanti Schechter Films/Entertainment 360 production.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Ola, Uber among six companies apply for aggregator licenses in Mumbai metropolitan region | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1985395-cole-sprouse-lana-condors-moonshot-to-release-on-prime-video-on-april-1 | 2022-03-31T16:11:49 | en | 0.930724 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/articles/39006418 | 2022-03-31T16:11:55 | en | 0.738227 |
The Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act is Essential Reform
CENTENNIAL, Colo., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio introduced The Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act today, calling for unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, minimum qualifications for mechanics and others working on U.S.-registered aircraft at foreign repair stations, data gathering and analysis, and a conditional moratorium on FAA certification of new foreign repair stations among other essential safety reforms.
"We applaud Chairman DeFazio's leadership on the issue of aviation safety and particularly as it relates to aircraft maintenance," stated AMFA National President Bret Oestreich. "As the carriers seek to accomplish more aircraft maintenance outside of the U.S., this bipartisan legislation is a huge step forward in ensuring that the flying public enjoys safe travel while leveling the playing field for U.S. workers and the companies that employ them."
"Chairman DeFazio's bill goes straight to AMFA's motto that safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground," noted Mr. Oestreich. "We are in support and thank the thirteen original cosponsors while urging other legislators to join as supporters."
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft oriented, independent aviation union. AMFA represents licensed and unlicensed technicians and related employees actively involved in the aviation industry. These technician and related employees work directly on aircraft and/or components, support equipment, and facilities. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians and to achieving progressive improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled people it represents. For more information about AMFA visit www.amfanational.org.
SOURCE Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-safe-aircraft-maintenance-standards-act-is-essential-reform-301514755.html | 2022-03-31T16:11:56 | en | 0.932663 |
RSS leader Indresh Kumar visits Kashi Vishwanath Temple along with Dalits, tribals
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Thursday visited Kashi Vishwanath Temple here along with 51 Dalits and tribals.
- Country:
- India
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Thursday visited Kashi Vishwanath Temple here along with 51 Dalits and tribals. "Revolution to bring unity and harmony has started in the country. Now every village city will chant 'chalo Kashi Vishwanath darwar' and dalit, tribal, minority etc will visit Kashi, Ayodhya and Mathura," he said.
Kashi's Chief priest Avadh Kishor Das represented priests of Varanasi, Laxmina Devi led Dalit women, Kishan Banvasi represented Musahar community and Naznin Ansari led the minority group. After the visit, Kishan Banvasi got emotional and said, "Why we were kept out of Kashi Vishwanath baba? We are blessed to visit here and Mushar community will always be thankful to Indresh Kumar."
Earlier in December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated phase 1 of the newly-constructed Kashi Vishwanath Dham at a cost of around Rs 339 crores. The foundation stone of the project was laid by the Prime Minister on March 8, 2019. It was the vision of the Prime Minister for a long time, to facilitate the pilgrims and devotees of Baba Vishwanath, who had to encounter congested streets and surroundings with poor upkeep, when they practised the age-old custom of taking a dip in the holy river, collecting Gangajal and offering it at the temple. To realise this vision, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham was conceptualised as a project to create an easily accessible pathway to connect Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the banks of the River Ganga.
A total of 23 buildings were inaugurated in phase 1 of the project. They are providing a variety of facilities to the pilgrims visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, including Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery, Food Court, among others. The scale of the project was such that the project is now spread over a massive area of about 5 lakh square feet, whereas earlier premises was limited to just around 3000 square feet. Despite the Covid pandemic, the work on the project was completed as per the planned schedule. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985319-rss-leader-indresh-kumar-visits-kashi-vishwanath-temple-along-with-dalits-tribals | 2022-03-31T16:11:57 | en | 0.959077 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/articles/39006698 | 2022-03-31T16:12:01 | en | 0.738227 |
NEW YORK and LONDON, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), a global Internet media company that provides exclusive offers and experiences for members, has announced the appointment of Rhea Saran as Global Head of Brand and Content. Ms. Saran is based in Travelzoo's London office.
Ms. Saran is a global media executive with extensive experience in the travel and luxury lifestyle arenas as well as consumer marketing, in particular launching and growing brands in new markets. She joins Travelzoo from Diriyah Gate Development Authority, a multi-billion-dollar tourism giga-project under development in Saudi Arabia, where she was part of the team leading the creation of a new destination and lifestyle experience and marketing it to travelers. From 2013 to 2020, as Founding Editor-in-Chief of Condé Nast Traveller Middle East, she led the launch and subsequent growth of the brand in a new market. From 2008 to mid-2013, she held various positions, including Features Editor, at GQ magazine in India. Previously, Ms. Saran lived and worked in New York City, with stints at the U.S. edition of Condé Nast Traveler and Working Mother Media.
Ms. Saran received her MA in Journalism from New York University and her bachelor's degree from Brown University.
"We are excited to welcome Rhea to the Travelzoo family," said Holger Bartel, Travelzoo's Global CEO. "She joins our executive team at a pivotal moment as we strengthen our value proposition for members and pursue new opportunities for growth."
Ms. Saran said: "I am thrilled about joining Travelzoo, a company that has always been ahead of its time. I look forward to working with a stellar global team to guide the brand as it evolves its legacy reputation towards an even stronger future."
Travelzoo® provides its 30 million members with exclusive offers and one-of-a-kind experiences personally reviewed by our deal experts around the globe. We have our finger on the pulse of outstanding travel, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences. We work in partnership with more than 5,000 top travel suppliers—our long-standing relationships give Travelzoo members access to irresistible deals.
Travelzoo is a registered trademark of Travelzoo. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Media contacts:
Gabe Saglie – New York
+1 805 453 1209
[email protected]
Cat Jordan – London
+44 7776 781525
[email protected]
Natalia Cwierz – Berlin
+49 30 3119 7520
[email protected]
SOURCE Travelzoo | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/travelzoo-appoints-rhea-saran-as-global-head-of-brand-and-content-301514665.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:02 | en | 0.952179 |
US STOCKS-Wall Street heads for worst quarter since 2020
Utilities hit a fresh record high, set to post their best monthly performance since 2002. The war-induced surge in commodity prices has amplified inflation worries, while a more hawkish Federal Reserve stoked growth concerns, together pushing the three main U.S. indexes toward their worst quarter since March 2020.
- Country:
- United States
U.S. stocks fell on Thursday on worries about the raging conflict in Ukraine and the outlook for U.S. interest rate hikes, putting the main indexes on course for their worst quarter since the pandemic crash in 2020. Optimism around the peace talks this week faded as Ukrainian forces prepared for fresh Russian attacks in the southeast region.
The United States imposed new Russia-related sanctions, while Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree saying foreign buyers must pay in roubles for Russian gas from April 1. Defensive sectors such as real estate, healthcare and utilities were the only gainers among the major S&P sectors. Utilities hit a fresh record high, set to post their best monthly performance since 2002.
The war-induced surge in commodity prices has amplified inflation worries, while a more hawkish Federal Reserve stoked growth concerns, together pushing the three main U.S. indexes toward their worst quarter since March 2020. The benchmark S&P 500 index, however, has rebounded more than 5% this month on upbeat economic data and a recovery in megacap stocks.
"Investors are expecting a positive earnings season...so the market is ignoring the recession, the yield curve," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities in New York. "It's the end of the month, end of the quarter, so you might have some last-minute portfolio switching. And, of course, the market will set itself up for tomorrow's employment data."
The S&P energy index slipped as oil prices plunged over 4% as the United States considers the largest ever release from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Still, the index was set to record its best quarter ever as oil prices have rallied to multi-year highs on supply tightness from the war and concerns around Western sanctions on Russia.
Ahead of Friday's closely watched jobs report, data showed U.S. consumer spending slowed significantly in February, while price pressures continued to mount, with inflation posting its largest annual gain since the early 1980s. Another set of data showed jobless claims increased more than expected in the week ended March 26.
At 10:23 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 208.57 points, or 0.59%, at 35,020.24, the S&P 500 was down 17.63 points, or 0.38%, at 4,584.82, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 51.61 points, or 0.36%, at 14,390.67. U.S.-listed shares of Baidu fell 7% after the Chinese search engine giant said it was exploring options after it was added to a U.S. securities regulator's list of companies facing the risk of being delisted. Its streaming affiliate iQIYI dropped 7.6%.
Drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance fell 6.4% after the company kept its 2022 forecast of low-single digit earnings growth unchanged. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.15-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 1.02-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.
The S&P index recorded 46 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 35 new highs and 45 new lows.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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UK PM Boris Johnson calls on world to wean off Russian oil, gas | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985323-us-stocks-wall-street-heads-for-worst-quarter-since-2020 | 2022-03-31T16:12:05 | en | 0.959105 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/articles/39006780 | 2022-03-31T16:12:07 | en | 0.738227 |
Trimble Underscores Commitment to Sustainability with New Five-Year, $1.25 Billion Revolving Credit Facility
SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today that it has entered into a new five-year, $1.25 billion revolving credit facility. This facility links two of Trimble's sustainability commitments—reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing gender diversity with more female representation in the workplace—to its financial liquidity framework and integrates sustainability performance into its business strategy. The new facility replaces Trimble's previous $1.25 billion revolving credit facility established in 2018.
The credit facility includes a pricing structure which adjusts Trimble's borrowing cost based on the company's success in the two environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance areas. The facility underscores Trimble's commitment to sustainable business practices and complements its Connect and Scale 2025 strategy, including the opportunity to drive customer sustainability through Trimble solutions.
"Sustainability is central to Trimble's purpose to transform the way the world works as well as transform the way 'we' work," said Rob Painter, president and CEO, Trimble. "Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to tackling climate change and gender diversity in the workplace. We will continue to accelerate Trimble's actions and take significant steps as part of our broader strategy to drive a more sustainable future."
"We are dedicated to establishing sustainability as a common thread throughout Trimble's daily operations," said David Barnes, Trimble's CFO. "This transaction is an important step forward to integrate ESG performance metrics into our financial liquidity framework to ensure sustainable outcomes and greater accountability to our shareholders."
The credit facility is provided by a syndicate of banks with Bank of America as Administrative Agent. BofA Securities and TD Securities served as both Joint Lead Arrangers and Sustainability Coordinators with Wells Fargo Securities, Goldman Sachs, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) as the other Joint Lead Arrangers.
Trimble and Sustainability
Trimble has increased its climate ambitions—both internally with its own carbon footprint and externally through the development of solutions to reduce carbon emissions, energy, and other inputs for customers. The company has submitted its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for review, with plans to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. In addition, Trimble's most recent score from the Climate Disclosure Project improved, marking two increases since the company first submitted in 2018. With an external lens, customers are increasingly asking Trimble to help them manage and quantify carbon reductions from the productivity and efficiency gains delivered using Trimble's solutions.
Trimble is also committed to improving gender diversity in its global workforce. The company continues to develop programs to attract, retain and develop female leaders. The benefits include a wider talent pool, different perspectives, enhanced collaboration and increased retention. Through the Trimble Foundation Fund, Trimble also partners with organizations focusing on empowering female equality through education and access to economic opportunities.
"We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where people are respected, valued and have opportunities to thrive," said Melissa Uribes, vice president, Talent and DEI, Trimble. "Gender diversity is a foundational aspect of ensuring our workforce better represents the communities where we live and operate. By taking actions to increase female recruitment and retention, Trimble is reinforcing its commitment to improve workforce diversity."
Financial mechanisms, such as the revolving credit facility, provide important incentives and hold Trimble accountable to its workforce and sustainability goals.
About Trimble
Trimble is an industrial technology company transforming the way the world works by delivering solutions that enable our customers to thrive. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability. From purpose-built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble is transforming industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation. For more information about Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the business operations and prospects of Trimble, including use of proceeds from the new credit facility and the company's goals in respect of sustainability and workforce diversity. These forward-looking statements are subject to change, and actual results may materially differ due to certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to changes in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the fact that Trimble is not obligated to use any of the proceeds from the new credit facility for sustainability or workforce diversity initiatives, the company may not be able to meet its sustainability targets including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of supply chain issues, and rising costs to reduce emissions as multiple companies simultaneously address similar goals. More information about potential factors which could affect Trimble's business and financial results is set forth in reports filed with the SEC, including Trimble's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10-K. All forward looking statements are based on information available to Trimble as of the date hereof, and Trimble assumes no obligation to update such statements.
FTRMB
SOURCE Trimble | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trimble-underscores-commitment-to-sustainability-with-new-five-year-1-25-billion-revolving-credit-facility-301514475.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:08 | en | 0.948545 |
Germany rejects Putin's roubles for gas demand
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck on Thursday rejected demands by Russia that European countries pay for its gas in roubles as an unacceptable breach of contract, adding that the manoeuvre amounted to "blackmail". Speaking during a joint news conference with his French counterpart, Habeck said he had not yet seen a new decree signed by President Vladimir Putin mandating gas payments in roubles.
- Country:
- Germany
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck on Thursday rejected demands by Russia that European countries pay for its gas in roubles as an unacceptable breach of contract, adding that the manoeuvre amounted to "blackmail".
Speaking during a joint news conference with his French counterpart, Habeck said he had not yet seen a new decree signed by President Vladimir Putin mandating gas payments in roubles. "With regard to the threat, demand or consideration - one doesn't know what to call it anymore - to be made to pay in roubles, it is crucial for us that the contracts are respected," said Habeck. "It is important for us not to give a signal that we will be blackmailed by Putin."
Separately, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said German companies would continue to pay for Russian gas using euros as stipulated in contracts. "By all means, it remains the case that companies want, can and will pay in euros," he told a joint news conference with his Austrian counterpart Karl Nehammer.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE Germany on Wednesday triggered an emergency procedure to monitor gas imports and storage capacity and urged consumers and manufacturers to reduce consumption in preparation for any Russian delivery stoppage.
The network regulator said on Thursday the situation was stable and that storage had risen slightly. Habeck said he and French Finance and Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire discussed possible new punitive measures on Russia, declining to go into details.
"The last sanctions package must not and should not be the last. We spoke about what additional sanctions can prevent Putin from continuing the war in Ukraine," Habeck said. Scholz also raised the possibility of new sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, adding that Germany was prepared for all scenarios, including a stoppage of Russian gas flows to Europe.
Scholz reiterated that Germany hoped to become independent of Russian oil and coal imports this year, but it would take longer to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Not MAD about Putin
Tennis-Djokovic expected to defend French Open title as Roland Garros anticipates return to normality
Tennis-Djokovic expected to defend French open title - tournament director Mauresmo | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985326-germany-rejects-putins-roubles-for-gas-demand | 2022-03-31T16:12:13 | en | 0.968074 |
BERWYN, Pa., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group [NYSE:TGI] announced today a new streamlined organizational structure that will better reflect its "one company, many solutions" operating philosophy and enhance margins.
"Triumph has undergone a significant transformation to reshape our program and business portfolio, creating a high-performance company. As we become a pure-play provider of systems and aftermarket services, we are reorganizing around our core operating companies and removing a layer of overhead to better serve the needs of our broad customer base," said Daniel J. Crowley, Chairman, President and CEO of Triumph Group, Inc. "We look forward to accelerating our growth and delivering enhanced margins as we realize our full potential."
Effective April 1, 2022, with the start of its fiscal year 2023, Triumph will reorganize its Systems and Support Business Unit into the following four product and service operating companies with the leaders of each joining the Senior Leadership Team:
- Actuation Products & Services, led by Mike Boland
- Systems, Electronics & Controls, led by Justin Wolfanger
- Geared Solutions, led by Pete Gibson
- Product Support, led by Jim Berberet
Triumph's Mechanical Solutions business will combine with Actuation Products & Services given their common customers and shared focus on mechanical controls. Triumph's Interiors business will align under the Integrated Supply Chain and Operations organization led by Craig Cooper. Mr. Cooper is also responsible for closing the Stuart, Florida legacy structures divestiture transaction, which is on track to occur in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Scott Ledbetter, previously President of Actuation Products & Services, will assume a new role as Vice President, Execution Assurance and become a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Mr. Ledbetter will partner with the operating companies to integrate Triumph's continuous improvement, lean, and program management functions for the benefit of all customers.
In connection with these changes, Bill Kircher who served as Executive Vice President of Triumph Systems & Support, and Ian Reason who served as President of Mechanical Solutions, will leave Triumph to pursue other opportunities. In the interim, Mr. Kircher will serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO to help ensure a seamless transition.
"Today's announcement demonstrates the deep bench of talent we have at Triumph. The addition of these Presidents to our Senior Leadership Team will foster direct collaboration between our business and functional leaders." Mr. Crowley continued. "We are grateful for Bill's and Ian's dedicated leadership and many contributions to our customers, our employees and our company."
Triumph plans to launch a new corporate identity that reflects its evolution to a unified, "one company, many solutions" operating philosophy early in fiscal year 2023. Triumph intends to report financial results based on its current segment structure with additional details on its end markets.
Bios for the Senior Leadership Team can be found on Triumph's website.
Triumph Group, Inc., headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems, components, and interiors. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators.
More information about Triumph can be found on the company's website at www.triumphgroup.com.
SOURCE Triumph Group | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/triumph-announces-streamlined-organizational-structure-301514465.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:14 | en | 0.950557 |
The monthly giveaway is designed to celebrate outstanding educators.
OAKDALE, Minn., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Isaac Tyroler announces his law firm's $500 monthly teacher giveaway designed to show appreciation and encouragement to outstanding schoolteachers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Residents, students, and teachers themselves can nominate any teacher, and the winner will be selected on the first day of each month.
To nominate a teacher for the $500 prize, just provide the following information by emailing it to [email protected]:
• Teacher's name
• Teacher's email
• School name
• Reason for the nomination
The teacher whose name is selected each month will be notified if they win.
"We're just so grateful for all the motivated and committed educators who go to work every day to make out kids' lives better and create a strong future for all of us," said Attorney Isaac Tyroler. "These $500 giveaways are our way of giving back to the community and saying thank you to our teachers. I have been around teachers my entire life and have seen the profound impact they have on kids' lives. Hopefully this money conveys even a fraction of the appreciation we have for these educators."
Mr. Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants.
"Nothing feels better to me than the moment I see how happy a client is with the results. Whether it's the amount of money they receive, or they just realize that I'm deeply concerned about them as a person, nothing is more satisfying than having those final conversations with a client I helped. I love to see their happiness after they've walked through a hard part of their life."
After graduating cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in 2009, Mr. Tyroler clerked for the Honorable David R. Battey, where he gained valuable experience in the civil court system. Mr. Tyroler has been a Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2017. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers' group in Minnesota, and currently the chair of MAJ's legislative committee.
Tyroler Injury Law is a full-service law firm that offers legal services in several practice areas, including Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Wrongful Death, Brain Injuries, Slip and Fall, and Work Injuries. Headquartered in Oakdale, MN, it serves clients throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. The firm has achieved remarkable results by winning legal claims against insurance companies, and it is highly recommended by many satisfied clients.
Source: Tyroler Injury Law
This press release was issued through 24-7 PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.
SOURCE Tyroler Injury Law | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tyroler-injury-law-awards-500-gifts-to-area-teachers-301514116.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:20 | en | 0.968042 |
Egypt, Norway to work together on clean energy projects
Egypt has been racing to launch environment-friendly projects in the lead-up to the 27th UN Climate Change Conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in November.The excellent relations between our countries are broad, Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said at a press briefing in Cairo with Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
- Country:
- Egypt Arab Rep
Egypt and Norway on Thursday signed an agreement for several projects to enhance their cooperation in developing renewable energy. Egypt has been racing to launch environment-friendly projects in the lead-up to the 27th UN Climate Change Conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in November.
"The excellent relations between our countries are broad,'' Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said at a press briefing in Cairo with Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. "They have become broader today with the signing of agreements between the Egyptian government and Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec,'' she added. Egypt's Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly attended the singing ceremony between representatives of Egypt's Sovereign Fund, the Norwegian Norfund and Scatec, Norway's leading renewable power producer, according to a Cabinet statement. The agreement envisages projects for the production of renewable energy, green hydrogen and the building of a green infrastructure in African countries. "African countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change, and it is positive that Egypt has taken on the responsibility of leading this year's climate summit,'' Huitfeldt said Wednesday before arriving in Cairo. Earlier this month, Egypt signed a USD 5 billion memorandum of understanding with Scatec to establish a plant in the Suez Canal area for producing green ammonia from green hydrogen. The plant, which is to go live in 2025, is expected to produce one ton of green ammonia a year, with a potential to expand to three tons, the government said. "Norwegian companies are keen on strengthening their presence in Egypt," Shoukry said. "We can benefit from their expertise and their performance in sectors that are really important to Egypt such as the desalination of water, renewable energy and green hydrogen."
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985328-egypt-norway-to-work-together-on-clean-energy-projects | 2022-03-31T16:12:20 | en | 0.955772 |
A new survey report from arrivia shows the travel rebound has arrived, with many U.S. travelers having already booked trips
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelers are ready and eager to travel in 2022, according to a new survey report released this week by arrivia, a leading travel loyalty and booking technology platform that works with consumer-facing companies worldwide. The latest report reveals an optimistic outlook for a travel resurgence as a post-COVID mentality sets in among potential travelers.
Between December 2021 and January 2022, a timeframe that marked the peak of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, arrivia surveyed 2,150 Americans about their travel plans for this year. Of the travelers surveyed, more than two-thirds (69%) plan to travel in 2022 and nearly a quarter (24%) have a trip already booked. That contrasts with a previous survey and report released by arrivia in mid-2021, which found a greater degree of hesitancy to travel by air amid pandemic concerns.
The conclusion? The travel rebound has arrived.
Value is still key, as are loyalty programs
The new survey reveals that consumers aren't booking big-ticket vacation packages without careful consideration, even after the pandemic-driven travel pause. Price is still the top concern for prospective travelers, indicating that the eagerness to travel doesn't trump their need for value. U.S. travelers are planning "bang-for-your-buck" trips to realize that value, but they're also using points, miles, and rewards from their loyalty programs to reduce or offset some of the cost of travel.
"After many canceled vacations and months spent at home, consumers are mindful of planning their trips in 2022," said Jeff Zotara, arrivia Chief Marketing Officer. "They want it to be special, but they also want value for money. That's why many travelers are turning to their loyalty programs as they plan, looking for rewards or upgrades that will let them save on their trip cost without cutting back on comfort or enjoyment."
The Consumers' Take on Travel report builds on survey findings to guide consumer-facing businesses with loyalty or customer engagement programs. As the survey data indicates a significant prioritization of value during a consumer's trip planning process, loyalty programs should make more high-value travel options available to members and customers.
As many businesses – not just travel companies – hope to capitalize on the travel rebound, tailoring their loyalty and engagement strategies to consumers' stated preferences for value and a broad range of travel options becomes a competitive advantage.
Other findings from the survey include:
- 80% of consumers plan on traveling more (30%) or about the same (50%) as they did in 2021
- 80% of consumers who plan to travel in 2022 are planning leisure trips
- 49% of consumers put a premium on the ability to redeem points when traveling
- 38% of consumers feel "completely" or "very" comfortable about health and safety protocols when traveling (as at the time of the survey)
Two key takeaways from the survey are that Americans are ready and willing to travel again and that value remains a chief consideration during consumers' planning processes. Not to be overlooked, however, is the importance of loyalty programs are to that process, especially among younger generations.
With large segments of consumers consulting loyalty programs much earlier in the trip planning process, companies should strive to make their programs' earning and redemption structures easy to navigate and offer more high-value and inspirational travel options that include cruises and member-exclusive resorts.
"That's how companies can make the most of the travel rebound for customers and their bottom lines," added Zotara.
The Consumers' Take on Travel survey report can be downloaded here.
For more information about the survey or to speak with Jeff Zotara, Chief Marketing Officer at arrivia, please contact Sylvia Kindlain at [email protected].
About arrivia
Arrivia is a travel technology company that provides travel loyalty, booking and marketing solutions to consumer-facing companies that want to deliver exceptional value to their customers, uncover new revenue streams and drive growth through exciting travel rewards and member benefits. The company's Travel Privileges platform opens up the world of travel for companies like American Express, USAA and Marriott Vacations Worldwide by offering their customers more value through exclusive pricing and encouraging discovery with relevant and personalized options that inspire travel and consumer loyalty. To learn more about how arrivia helps companies drive growth, incentivize sales, boost affinity and reward high-value customers, visit www.arrivia.com.
SOURCE Arrivia | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-consumers-are-packing-their-bags-for-travel-in-2022-301514181.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:26 | en | 0.954276 |
Footage of world record crowd at Nou Camp, as Putellas says: "One of the best days of my life"
- Country:
- Spain
AH AH
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985329-footage-of-world-record-crowd-at-nou-camp-as-putellas-says-one-of-the-best-days-of-my-life | 2022-03-31T16:12:28 | en | 0.97158 |
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Police say they've arrested the man responsible for shooting two people outside an Old Louisville bar earlier this month, but not before they say he led them on a high-speed chase across state lines.
According to court documents, 38-year-old Marcus Coleman was arrested Wednesday evening.
Police say that on the morning of Saturday, March 12, Coleman shot two men outside Magnolia Bar (commonly referred to as "Mag Bar") in the 1300 block of South 2nd Street at the intersection of West Magnolia Street.
According to court documents, Coleman had been kicked out of the bar after getting into a fight with someone inside. After Coleman got into his car, he drove past the bar firing shots, according to police.
One man was outside waiting for an Uber at the time. Police say he was shot in the face.
Court records show the man who kicked Coleman out of the bar was shot in the ankle. Neither of the injuries are believed to be life threatening.
Police say Coleman was identified through surveillance video and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
According to court documents, Coleman lives in Clarksville, and on Wednesday evening, officers with the Clarksville Police Department went to his home to serve the arrest warrant.
When they arrived, police say Coleman got into his, a black Nissan Versa, and drove off "at a high rate of speed." According to court documents, he drove across the river into Kentucky, where LMPD took over.
The police report said the chase approached speeds of 90 to 100 miles per hour until he got on to I-65 south. Police say he endangered the public and LMPD officers by weaving in and out of traffic.
Police say he then drove through downtown Louisville, which was heavily congested at the time, and back across the river into Indiana, where he nearly hit an Indiana State Police trooper.
According to court documents, he then drove back across the river into Kentucky again, crashing his vehicle near the intersection of South 1st Street and East Liberty Street.
Louisville Metro Police spokesman Dwight Mitchell told WDRB on Wednesday that Coleman crashed into an officer's cruiser at that location.
Police say Coleman was armed with a handgun as he ran from the crash scene and through the parking lot of a nearby office building, while officers gave chase.
At one point he turned toward a police officer, "with the handgun in his right hand, as if to menace or confront the officer with the gun," according to the arrest report. That's when police say he saw "a swarm" of officers coming toward him and he dropped the gun, before being taken into custody.
Coleman was arrested on a warrant for two counts of first-degree assault in connection with the March 12 shootings at Magnolia bar.
Additionally, he faces several new charges related to Wednesday's alleged pursuit. Those charges include fleeing or evading police on foot, fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, menacing and nine counts of wanton endangerment of a police officer.
He is currently being held in Louisville Metro Corrections.
Related story:
Copyright 2022 by WDRB Media. All rights reserved. | https://www.wdrb.com/news/crime-reports/police-arrest-man-for-double-shooting-outside-old-louisville-bar-after-lengthy-pursuit/article_30305628-b0fa-11ec-aa8d-b3118a381a6b.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:30 | en | 0.981972 |
SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global veterinary oncology market size is expected to reach USD 578.0 million by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.1% from 2022 to 2030. Increasing prevalence of cancer in pets and demand for veterinary diagnostics are projected to drive the market over the forecast period.
Key Insights & Findings from the report:
- Increasing prevalence of cancer in companion animals, several clinical trial studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of cancer therapeutics for pets and technological advancements in veterinary oncology treatment are anticipated to create growth opportunities in the market.
- Chemotherapy accounted for the largest revenue share over the coming years, owing to its increasing adoption for pet cancer treatment either alone or in combination with other therapies.
- Canine segment held the largest revenue in 2021, increasing population of dogs and high prevalence of cancer in dogs as compared to cats.
- Lymphoma dominated the market among other cancer types in 2021, due to the disease's high mortality rate in companion animals. According to the Veterinary and Comparative Oncology in 2018, Gastrointestinal (GI) Lymphoma is the most common neoplasm that contracts dog population.
- North America held the dominant share of as of 2021, due to the favorable government policies, new product launch by the companies, and huge investment for veterinary oncology treatment.
- Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness lucrative growth due to increasing focus on animal health and expenditure, increasing number of pet population being exposed to cancer, government focus on animal safety, and several initiatives to curb cancer cases in pet animals.
- Some of the key companies are Boehringer Ingelheim, PetCure Oncology, Elanco, Accuray Incorporated, Varian Medical Systems, Zoetis, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc. One Health and Regeneus Ltd.
Request a free sample copy or view report summary, "Veterinary Oncology Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Therapy (Radiology, Chemotherapy), By Animal type, By Cancer type (Lymphoma, Mast cells, Mammary and Squamous cell), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.
Veterinary Oncology Market Growth & Trends
Adoption of canine cancer registry globally to estimate cancer incidences is another driving factor for the market growth. According to frontiers in Veterinary Science in February 2019, the Swiss Canine Cancer Registry (SCCR) was used as a data source and was compiled for future comparative studies of canine and human cancers. This database is further helpful in mitigating the incidence of malignant tumors in the human population, thereby driving the market growth.
Researchers carrying out studies focused on veterinary oncology are further boosting the veterinary oncology market growth. For instance, University of Illinois in August 2017, carried out study that involves more precise detection of metastasis (spread of cancer through the body) for head and neck tumors in dogs. Moreover, the market players are also focusing on new product innovation and strategic collaborations. For instance, in 2018 AdvaVet, a subsidiary of Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB, developed XR17 technology, which is nanoparticle formulation based that makes a single Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) or multiple APIs water soluble. It is a combination therapy and is also a standard treatment for a number of cancer diseases in pet animals.
Veterinary Oncology Market Segmentation
Grand View Research has segmented the global veterinary oncology report on the basis of therapy, animal type, cancer type, and region:
Therapy Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Others
Animal type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
- Canine
- Feline
Cancer type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
- Lymphoma
- Mast Cell Cancer
- Mammary and Squamous Cell Cancer
- Others
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Europe
- UK
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Asia Pacific
- Japan
- China
- India
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Middle East & Africa
- South Africa
List of Key Players of Veterinary Oncology Market
- PetCure Oncology
- Zoetis
- Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.
- Varian Medical Systems
- Accuray Incorporated
- Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
- Elanco
- One Health
- Regeneus Ltd
Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:
- U.S. Veterinary Oncology Market - The U.S. veterinary oncology market size is expected to reach USD 171.16 million by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2022 to 2030. The increasing prevalence of cancer in pets, willingness to spend on them by pet owners, and use of canines as a model for clinical trials by researchers are the key contributing factor toward the market growth. In addition, a rise in the incidence of cancer in the feline population and rising pet ownership resulting in the increased focus on pet health is further expected to spur the growth. Moreover, companies are increasingly adopting strategies, such as M&As, research agreements, collaboration, partnerships, geographic expansion, and product development to enhance their market position.
- Veterinary Software Market - The global veterinary software market size is expected to reach USD 1.07 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.0% from 2022 to 2030. An increase in the prevalence of zoonotic diseases is a key factor for the growth of this market. Rising prevalence has triggered the demand for animal health diagnostics and monitoring services, which is expected to propel market growth over the forecast period. The growing adoption of integrated software systems for diagnostics and treatment is anticipated to fuel the market growth over the following years.
- Veterinary Diagnostics Market - The global veterinary diagnostics market size is expected to reach USD 16.9 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2022 to 2030. The growing incidence of zoonotic and foodborne diseases is expected to drive the market over the forecast period. Moreover, increasing companion ownership in developing countries is another factor propelling the market. Approximately 75% of all novel and emerging human infectious ailments are zoonotic, like COVID-19, denoting that they can jump from animals to individuals. To combat COVID-19 and future pandemics, leaders from the Group of Seven in a February 2021 statement called for "affordable and equitable access to diagnostics" along with strengthening the One Health approach that unites veterinary, medical, and environmental disciplines in a cooperative effort.
Browse through Grand View Research's Animal Health Industry Research Reports.
About Grand View Research
Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.
Contact:
Sherry James
Corporate Sales Specialist, USA
Grand View Research, Inc.
Phone: 1-415-349-0058
Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com
Grand View Compass | Grand View Pipeline
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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/veterinary-oncology-market-size-worth-578-0-million-by-2030-grand-view-research-inc-301514690.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:32 | en | 0.921128 |
Mexican president says to discuss energy plans with U.S. envoy Kerry
- Country:
- Mexico
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said his meeting on Thursday with U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and U.S. energy sector executives would set out why Mexico's government was moving to strengthen the country's state-run energy companies.
Speaking at a regular news conference, Lopez Obrador said he would be explaining why Mexico was taking steps to bolster national power company the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) and state oil firm Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex).
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
- Lopez Obrador
- Mexico
- Pemex
- U.S.
- Mexican
- John Kerry
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A large shipment of marijuana bound for Bardstown was found and seized by federal and local law enforcement.
A freight shipment of marijuana was intercepted by the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force on March 23. According to a press release, the drugs were shipped from Canada and had a final destination of Bardstown. It's unclear exactly where officers tracked the drugs down.
The shipment was over 4,200 pounds and has a street value of more than $10 million, according to the release.
Kentucky State Police, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisted in the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing and arrests "are expected."
Copyright 2022 by WDRB Media. All rights reserved. | https://www.wdrb.com/news/crime-reports/shipment-of-more-than-4-200-pounds-of-marijuana-intercepted-before-reaching-bardstown/article_0dbb993c-b0f9-11ec-8149-072e67b904e5.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:37 | en | 0.977 |
- WELL reported record quarterly revenues of $115.7 million in Q4-2021 representing a 573% year-over-year (YoY) increase compared to Q4-2020. WELL's annual revenue for 2021 was $302.3 million, an increase of 502% compared to the prior year.
- WELL achieved Adjusted EBITDA(2) of $25.7 million in Q4-2021, an increase of 324% as compared to Adjusted EBITDA(2) of $0.8 million for Q4-2020.
- WELL reported Adjusted Net Income(3) of $5.3 million in Q4-2021, and positive Net Income of $0.7 million for Q4-2021.
- WELL delivered 700,359 total omni-channel patient visits in Q4-2021, representing a YoY increase of 123%. When combined with our asynchronous visits, the total number of visits was 972,740.
- Circle Medical and Wisp continued to grow rapidly and are expected to achieve an annualized revenue run-rate of better than US$80 million in March 2022.
- WELL provides strong outlook with total 2022 revenue expected to exceed $500 million, and the Company expects to be profitable for the full year of 2022, on an Adjusted Net Income(3) basis.
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - WELL Health Technologies Corp. (TSX: WELL) (the "Company" or "WELL"), a company focused on positively impacting health outcomes by leveraging technology to empower healthcare practitioners and their patients globally, today announced its audited consolidated annual financial results and results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021.
Hamed Shahbazi, CEO and Founder of WELL commented, "We are very pleased with our fourth quarter and full year results for 2021, delivering close to one million patient-visits and asynchronous consultations. Last year was a transformational year for WELL, as we completed substantial acquisitions including CRH Medical and MyHealth, as well as a number of tuck-in acquisitions, which catapulted the Company to an over $460 million annualized revenue run-rate and an Adjusted EBITDA run-rate of over $100 million. We have added significant scale to our business and increased our leadership position as the prominent end-to-end healthcare company in Canada. Also, WELL is a profitable business that is generating significant free cash flow to fund its organic and in-organic growth."
Mr. Shahbazi added, "Our outlook for 2022 remains strong and resilient. The capital WELL generates will continue to be allocated in a disciplined manner, which may come in the form of further acquisitions, share repurchases, or to accelerate organic growth. We are looking forward to continuing to deliver strong results in the next few quarters, with sustained organic growth."
- Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $302.3 million, compared to total revenue of $50.2 million for the prior year, an increase of 502% driven by acquisitions during the past year and organic growth.
- WELL achieved Virtual Services revenues of $75.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of 460% as compared to Virtual Services revenue of $13.5 million in the prior year
- WELL achieved record Adjusted Gross Profit(1) of $153.7 million, representing 624% growth compared to Adjusted Gross Profit(1) of $21.2 million in the prior year. WELL achieved record Adjusted Gross Margin(1) percentage of 50.8% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to Adjusted Gross Margin(1) percentage of 42.2% in the prior year. The increase in Adjusted Gross Margin(1) percentage is mainly due to the addition of higher margin CRH, MyHealth and other new Virtual services revenue over the past year.
- Adjusted EBITDA(2) was $60.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to Adjusted EBITDA(2) of $0.2 million in the prior year.
- Adjusted Net Income(3) was $16.0 million, or $0.08 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to Adjusted Net Loss(3) of $1.3 million, or a loss of $0.01 per share in the prior year.
- WELL achieved record quarterly revenue of $115.7 million in Q4-2021, compared to revenue of $17.2 million generated during Q4-2020, an increase of 573% driven by acquisitions during the past year and organic growth.
- WELL achieved Virtual Services revenues of $31.3 million in Q4-2021, representing 354% YoY growth as compared to Virtual Services revenue of $6.9 million in Q4-2020.
- WELL achieved record Adjusted Gross Profit(1) of $63.5 million in Q4-2021, representing 693% YoY growth as compared to Adjusted Gross Profit(1) of $8.0 million in Q4-2020. WELL achieved record Adjusted Gross Margin(1) percentage of 54.9% during Q4-2021 compared to Adjusted Gross Margin(1) percentage of 46.5% in Q4-2020.
- Adjusted EBITDA(2) was $25.7 million for Q4-2021, compared to Adjusted EBITDA(2) of $0.8 million for Q4-2020. Adjusted EBITDA(2) was positively impacted in the quarter by WELL's recent acquisitions.
- Adjusted Net Income(3) was $5.3 million, or $0.03 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to Adjusted Net Income(3) of $2.4 million, or $0.02 per share in Q4-2020.
Total omni channel patient visits in Q4-2021 increased by 121% to 700,359 compared to Q4-2020 and reflected a 20% increase as compared to Q3-2021. In addition, MyHealth conducted 146,116 diagnostic visits in Q4-2021, while Wisp completed 126,265 asynchronous patient consultations. Combining WELL's omni-channel patient visits, MyHealth's diagnostic visits and Wisp's asynchronous patient consultations, WELL achieved a total of 972,740 patient interactions in Q4-2021, representing an annual run-rate of 3.89 million patient interactions.
On October 1, 2021, the Company completed the previously announced acquisition of a majority interest in Wisp for a total consideration of approximately US$41.3 million, which includes a future conditional earn-out on operating performance of up to approximately US$7.4 million.
On October 7, 2021, WELL's CRH subsidiary completed a majority stake acquisition of a 51% interest in Pinellas County Anesthesia Associates, LLC, a gastroenterology anesthesia services provider in Florida. The purchase consideration, paid via cash, for the acquisition of the Company's interest was US$9.2 million.
On November 1, 2021, the Company completed the acquisitions of Uptown Medical and Uptown Allied, consisting of two medical clinics and one allied health clinic in the greater Toronto area. Total purchase consideration was $1.4 million.
On November 1, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of AwareMD, an enterprise class EMR provider with a focus on cardiology in addition to other disease specialties including radiology, endocrinology, and rheumatology. Total consideration paid for Aware MD was $4.5 million, including a conditional earn-out of up to $3.5 million.
On November 25, 2021, the Company completed a bought deal public offering of $70 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior unsecured debentures of the Company due December 31, 2026 at a price of $1,000 per Debenture, including $5 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures issued pursuant to the over-allotment option which was exercised in full.
On December 1, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of CognisantMD whose Ocean platform is the category leader in digital patient engagement technology and eReferral software in Canada. Ocean's platform supports over 8,000 physicians, and approximately 35,000 referrals and consults are sent electronically through the platform monthly. Total consideration paid by WELL in connection with the acquisition of CognisantMD was approximately $17.6 million with an additional performance based earn-out of up to approximately $7.0 million.
On February 14, 2022, WELL's wholly owned subsidiary Adracare, met all provincial requirements as part of the validation process to be a verified vendor for virtual care in Ontario. The year-long process required Adracare to demonstrate that its solution met Ontario Health's standards with respect to privacy, security, technology, and functionality. As a result, Adracare is listed on Ontario Health's site as one of few fully validated vendors for virtual care in Ontario.
On March 7, 2022, the Company, via a subsidiary, entered into an asset contribution and exchange agreement to acquire a 100% interest in GCAA, a gastroenterology anesthesia services provider in Connecticut, USA. The purchase consideration, to be paid via cash and holdback liability, for the acquisition of the Company's 100% interest will be US$12.5 million and is expected to generate more than US$3M in shareholder EBITDA.
WELL has exceeded its previously announced goal of donating $100,000, through a $50,000 corporate donation, and a donation matching program between WELL team members and WELL's CEO. The donations will contribute towards efforts to support the millions of Ukrainian children in immediate danger. Furthermore, WELL is committed to working with Canadian authorities on supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war, with opportunities to work within our Canadian operations.
WELL's outlook remains very positive across all the business units and for the entire Company as a whole. The Company's organic growth coupled with its continued focus on tuck-in acquisitions is expected to catapult WELL's revenue to exceed half a billion in annual revenue in 2022.
WELL's goals for 2022 are to: (i) build out and refine its practitioner enablement platform and deploy its services both internally to WELL healthcare practitioners as well as offer its services to healthcare practitioners outside of the Company; (ii) achieve organic growth across all of its operating business units; (iii) follow a disciplined capital allocation strategy designed to continue to activate organic growth; and (iv) WELL expects to be profitable for the full year 2022, on an Adjusted Net Income basis.
In Canada, WELL is quickly expanding on what it has built -- the most consequential network of non-governmental healthcare assets across the country with significant operations and interoperability between its outpatient clinics, EMR, Diagnostics and Telehealth businesses
In the United States, the combined annualized run-rate revenue of Circle Medical and Wisp is better than US$80 million based on preliminary March volumes. We are expecting the combined run-rate revenue to exceed US$100 million later this year.
WELL is a purpose-driven business that aims to transform the world for the better, as such the Company has embarked on an ongoing ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) program. The Company plans on publishing a report in the coming quarter highlighting WELL's ESG strategy, reporting initiatives and targeted actions.
WELL will hold a conference call to discuss its 2021 Fourth Quarter and Annual financial results on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 1:00 pm ET (10:00 am PT). Please use the following dial-in numbers: 416-764-8650 (Toronto local), 778-383-7413 (Vancouver local), 1-888-664-6383 (Toll-Free) or +1-416-764-8650 (International), with Conference ID: 1776 5709.
The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast and can be accessed at the following audience URL: https://www.well.company/for-investors/events/
Selected Unaudited Financial Highlights:
Please see SEDAR for complete copies of the Company's audited annual consolidated financial statements and annual MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Per: "Hamed Shahbazi"
Hamed Shahbazi
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director
WELL is a practitioner focused digital healthcare company whose overarching objective is to positively impact health outcomes to empower and support healthcare practitioners and their patients. WELL has built an innovative practitioner enablement platform that includes comprehensive end-to-end practice management tools inclusive of virtual care and digital patient engagement capabilities as well as Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) and data protection services. WELL uses this platform to power healthcare practitioners both inside and outside of WELL's own omni-channel patient services offerings. As such, WELL owns and operates Canada's largest network of outpatient medical clinics serving primary and specialized healthcare services and is the provider of a leading multi-national, multi-disciplinary telehealth offering. WELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WELL" and is part of the TSX Composite Index. To learn more about the Company, please visit: www.well.company.
This news release may contain "Forward-Looking Information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation: information regarding the Company's goals, strategies and growth plans; expectations regarding continued revenue and EBITDA growth; the expected benefits and synergies of completed acquisitions; capital allocation plans in the form of more acquisitions or share repurchases; the expected financial performance as well as information in the "Outlook" section herein. Forward-Looking Information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-Looking Information generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-Looking Information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information and the Forward-Looking Information are not guarantees of future performance. WELL's comments expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and conditions, many of which are outside of WELL 's control, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information. Forward-Looking Information are qualified in their entirety by inherent risks and uncertainties, including: direct and indirect material adverse effects from the COVID-19 pandemic; adverse market conditions; risks inherent in the primary healthcare sector in general; regulatory and legislative changes; that future results may vary from historical results; inability to obtain any requisite future financing on suitable terms; any inability to realize the expected benefits and synergies of acquisitions; that market competition may affect the business, results and financial condition of WELL and other risk factors identified in documents filed by WELL under its profile at www.sedar.com, including its most recent Annual Information Form. Except as required by securities law, WELL does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise.
This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about estimated annual run-rate revenue and Adjusted EBIDTA, all of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set out in the above paragraph. The actual financial results of WELL may vary from the amounts set out herein and such variation may be material. WELL and its management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments. However, because this information is subjective and subject to numerous risks, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Except as required by applicable securities laws, WELL undertakes no obligation to update such FOFI. FOFI contained in this news release was made as of the date hereof and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about WELL's anticipated future business operations on an annual basis. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE WELL Health Technologies Corp. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/well-health-achieves-record-results-reflecting-573-yoy-revenue-growth-and-positive-net-income-in-q4-2021-301514706.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:38 | en | 0.950263 |
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A bill tightening rules for public assistance won final passage Wednesday night in the Kentucky legislature, but opponents who were unable to stop the measure expressed relief with changes they said eased some of their concerns about the restrictions.
The bill adding new rules and restrictions to Kentucky’s public benefits system cleared the Senate and House as lawmakers worked late into the night to finish work on stacks of bills before an extended break.
Supporters of the public-benefits bill said the goal is to steer more people into self-sufficiency while preserving assistance for Kentuckians in need of help. The sweeping proposal’s lead sponsors are House Speaker David Osborne and House Speaker Pro Tem David Meade.
Opponents warned that the changes would hurt low-income Kentuckians.
By passing the bill before the “veto period” begins, supporters retained their override power if Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoes the measure. The Republican-led legislature will return to the statehouse in mid-April to finish its work for the 60-day session.
Supporters of the public-benefits bill offered assurances it wouldn't hurt people in need of help.
“The only way you can lose benefits is if you’re doing something illegal or (you're) able-bodied with no dependents at home,” said Republican Sen. Ralph Alvarado.
Sen. Morgan McGarvey pointed to statistics showing extremely low rates of fraud detected in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. And Kentucky has a high rate of investigating and charging people for abusing the program, he said.
A state agency recently told lawmakers that the bill's reporting and verification rules would dramatically drive up its administrative expenses.
“We are going to spend more money than we are going to save by taking food off of people’s plates,” said McGarvey, the Senate's top-ranking Democrat.
Meade said later in the House that the changes to the bill had scaled back the requirements for additional verification checks by the agency.
Republican Senate President Pro Tem David Givens presented an amendment to revise some language in the bill that he said might have “inadvertently” made it ”a little more difficult to get the benefits when you do actually need them." The Senate added the amendment to the measure and the House later accepted the changes, sealing its final passage.
McGarvey praised the changes, saying the amendment would potentially enable thousands of Kentuckians to keep receiving benefits.
During the House debate, Democratic Rep. Angie Hatton also said the changes alleviated concerns among opponents, but she continued raising doubts about the need for the new rules.
“I just think it’s a matter of what keeps you up at night," she said. "For me, it doesn’t keep me up at night worrying that there’s a tiny percentage of people who might get benefits who didn’t deserve them. What keeps me up at night is worrying that there might be people hungry who couldn’t jump through hoops and get their benefits.”
Despite the changes, Democrats still opposed the measure.
In promoting the bill, Meade cited studies that he said showed “it is not simply just a small percentage of folks who have been improperly enrolled” for Medicaid.
The bill represents a long-running priority among many Republican lawmakers to tighten rules for public assistance. The goal, they said, is to wean more Kentuckians off such programs as Medicaid and food stamps and into jobs that make them self-sufficient.
The bill would add new rules for such benefits as food stamps and Medicaid. In some cases, it will require “able-bodied” Medicaid recipients without dependents to participate in “community engagement” activities, such as jobs or volunteering.
Copyright 2022. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wdrb.com/news/politics/kentucky-bill-tightening-public-benefits-rules-wins-passage-heads-to-governor/article_bf372acc-b104-11ec-989d-9367a92392df.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:43 | en | 0.970399 |
Ukraine and Russia: What you need to know right now
FIGHTING * Russia's defence ministry said it was prepared to observe a ceasefire in Mariupol on Thursday, Russian news agencies reported. * Russia may have committed war crimes by killing civilians and destroying hospitals in its pounding of Ukrainian cities, the top United Nations human rights official said.
- Country:
- Ukraine
Ukrainian forces are preparing for new Russian attacks in the southeast, where Moscow's guns are now trained after its assault on the capital Kyiv was repelled, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday. FIGHTING * Russia's defence ministry said it was prepared to observe a ceasefire in Mariupol on Thursday, Russian news agencies reported. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him Moscow would contribute to securing humanitarian access to civilians there. * Nearly 5,000 people have been killed in Mariupol, the mayor's office estimates, and about 170,000 people remain trapped amid ruins without food, heat, power or running water. Many more have fled. Reuters has been unable to verify the figures.
ECONOMY * Putin said he had signed a decree saying foreign buyers must pay in roubles for Russian gas from April 1, and contracts would be halted if payments were not made. Germany and France rejected the demands. * Russian business newspaper Kommersant said Gazprom was looking into shutting off supplies to "unfriendly countries". * The United States is considering a massive release of oil reserves. The International Energy Agency (IAE) will hold an emergency meeting on Friday. * Washington imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, targeting operators in the technology sector. DIPLOMACY * Russia and Ukraine are to resume peace talks online on April 1, said a senior Ukrainian official. * Putin was misled by advisers who were too scared to tell him how poorly the war in Ukraine is going and how damaging Western sanctions have been, a U.S. official said, citing declassified intelligence.
HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS * A convoy of Ukrainian buses set out for Mariupol to try to deliver humanitarian supplies and bring out trapped civilians, the deputy prime minister said. * Russia may have committed war crimes by killing civilians and destroying hospitals in its pounding of Ukrainian cities, the top United Nations human rights official said. QUOTES * "We spent 30 days in the basement, with small children. The children are shaking, even still. They ask: 'When will we go to kindergarten? When will we go to school?' They don't understand what has happened," said a woman named Larisa in Trostyanets, a town in the country's east recaptured by Ukrainian forces.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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UK PM Boris Johnson calls on world to wean off Russian oil, gas
UK PM Boris Johnson calls on world to wean off Russian oil, gas | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985338-ukraine-and-russia-what-you-need-to-know-right-now | 2022-03-31T16:12:43 | en | 0.96498 |
OTTAWA, ON, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill") (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF) subsidiary Wi‐LAN Inc. ("WiLAN") today announced that Kyocera Corporation has entered into another multi-year wireless license agreement with WiLAN. WiLAN first signed a license with Kyocera in December 2015.
"We are pleased Kyocera has entered into another wireless license with WiLAN," said Michael Vladescu, WiLAN's President & CEO. "The signing of this new license agreement with Kyocera further validates WiLAN's wireless patent portfolio."
The specific consideration payable under the Agreement and all other terms and conditions are confidential.
About WiLAN
WiLAN, a Quarterhill company, is one of the most successful patent monetization companies in the world and partners with its customers to unlock the value of intellectual property through various patent monetization models. WiLAN operates in a variety of markets including automotive, digital television, Internet, medical, semiconductor and wireless communication technologies. For more information: www.wilan.com.
About Quarterhill
Quarterhill is a leading provider of tolling and enforcement solutions in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry, as well as, through its Wi-LAN Inc. subsidiary, a leader in Intellectual Property licensing. Our goal is global leadership in ITS, via organic growth of the Electronic Transaction Consultants, LLC (ETC) and International Road Dynamics, Inc. (IRD) platforms, and by continuing an acquisition-oriented investment strategy that capitalizes on attractive growth opportunities within ITS and its adjacent markets. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information: www.quarterhill.com
All trademarks and brands mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Quarterhill Inc. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wilan-and-kyocera-enter-new-wireless-license-301514537.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:44 | en | 0.924511 |
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Some jars of reduced fat Skippy Peanut Butter is being voluntarily recalled because it could contain metal fragments.
In a release, Hormel Foods said a limited number of jars may contain a small fragment of stainless steel from a piece of manufacturing equipment. The company's internal detection systems identified the concern. No consumer complaints have been made. Retailers have been notified, and no other Skippy Foods products are involved in the recall.
The voluntary recall involves 9,353 cases, or 161,692 total pounds of reduced fat peanut butter. A limited number of jars of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread, Skippy Reduced Fat Chunky Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter Blended With Plant Protein are affected.
Code dates of the jars involved in the recall can be found on the top of the lid along with the "best used by date."
Products involved in the recall:
- Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter -- 40 oz Best if Used By MAY0423 and Best if Used By MAY0523
- Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Club 2 -- 40oz Best if Used By MAY0523
- Skippy Reduced Fat Chunky Peanut Butter -- 16.3oz Best if Used By MAY0623 and Best if Used By MAY0723
- Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter Blended With Plant Protein -- 14oz Best if Used By MAY1023
If you purchased any of these products, return it to the retailer for an exchange. You can also call Skippy Foods Consumer Engagement at 1-866-475-4779 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Central) or visit the website at www.peanutbutter.com for instructions and information.
Copyright 2022 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.wdrb.com/news/skippy-peanut-butter-voluntarily-recalls-some-jars-that-could-contain-metal-fragments/article_3b63541a-b0fe-11ec-87b1-db02e48606ab.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:49 | en | 0.874987 |
- Brax announces partnership with ROI Marketplace LLC., a leading native ad agency
- Joe Burton, CEO of ROI Marketplace, has joined Brax's Advisory Panel
- Brax completes integration of its advertising optimization platform with MGID Inc., the foremost native advertising platform for publishers
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Wishpond Technologies Ltd. (TSXV: WISH) (OTCQX: WPNDF) ("Wishpond" or the "Company"), a provider of marketing-focused online business solutions, is pleased to announce that its Brax subsidiary has entered into a partnership with ROI Marketplace LLC. ("ROI Marketplace"), a leading native advertising agency. The partnership aims to promote Brax's platform and migrate ROI Marketplace's existing customer base onto Brax's platform. In addition, Joe Burton, CEO of ROI Marketplace and a frequent speaker at industry events, such as Affiliate World and TES Conference, will join Brax's Advisory Panel, bringing years of experience managing native advertising campaigns to Brax's product development team.
Brax's General Manager, Kevin Ho commented on the significance of the partnership, "We're incredibly excited for our partnership with Joe and the team from ROI Marketplace. They are true leaders and innovators in the native advertising space, and their agency complements Brax's technology offering perfectly. We are looking forward to our future together, in which we will provide innovative native advertising solutions to our customers."
ROI Marketplace, listed on Inc. magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Companies, is considered a market leader in the native advertising space. ROI Marketplace was recently awarded the Native Media Innovator of the Year (Media Innovator Awards).
"I am excited to be joining the team over at Brax," said Joe Burton, CEO, ROI Marketplace. "I have worked with Brax in various capacities over the past eight years and always thought they had an amazing team. The native advertising landscape is changing daily and any company doing native advertising at scale should be using a system like Brax's. ROI Marketplace has long been considered one of the top native marketing agencies in the world and to have the honor to work with a top native advertising optimization platform such as Brax, is something we are enthusiastic about. Together we will refine and continue to build on their amazing technology to deliver all the tools and resources any media buyer needs to be successful."
Wishpond is also pleased to announce the release of Brax's integration with MGID Inc. ("MGID"), the provider of a native advertising network with access to over 32,000 publishers worldwide reaching over 850 million unique visitors a month. This new integration opens up the door for Brax to onboard a wider audience of advertisers while simultaneously giving Brax's current customer base more ad network options to choose from.
Features of this integration include the ability to manage MGID ad spend directly inside of Brax, and to create MGID ads directly within Brax with the option to publish them across other ad networks simultaneously. Wishpond also offers built-in optimization tools such as A/B split testing for ads and the ability to create rules to optimize ad campaigns across multiple ad platforms.
Wishpond looks forward to working with ROI Marketplace and MGID.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Ali Tajskandar"
Director and CEO
Wishpond Technologies Ltd.
About Wishpond Technologies Ltd.
Based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Wishpond is a provider of marketing-focused online business solutions. Wishpond's vision is to become the leading provider of digital marketing solutions that empower entrepreneurs to achieve success online. The Company offers an "all-in-one" marketing suite that provides companies with marketing, promotion, lead generation, and sales conversion capabilities on one integrated platform. Wishpond replaces disparate marketing solutions with an easy-to-use product, for a fraction of the cost. Wishpond serves over 3,000 customers who are primarily small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in a wide variety of industries. The Company has developed cutting-edge marketing technology solutions and continues to add new features and applications with great velocity. The Company employs a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model where substantially all the Company's revenue is subscription-based recurring revenue which provides excellent revenue predictability and cash flow visibility. Wishpond is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker "WISH", and on the OTCQX Best Market under the ticker "WPNDF". For further information, visit: www.wishpond.com.
About ROI Marketplace Ltd.
ROI Marketplace is a premier digital advertising agency based out of Buffalo, New York. With a highly experienced team of media buyers driving a client-focused mentality, ROI Marketplace has grown to new heights over the last few years and were awarded the prestigious Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies award in 2020. Providing a holistic approach to your digital marketing from copywriting and content creation, to page design, and finishing off with managing your marketing campaigns and promoting your offers on the native advertising platforms, ROI Marketplace are helping their clients to consistently get exposure to millions of people each month.
Led by CEO Joe Burton, a world-renowned native advertising expert, and public speaker, ROI Marketplace manages over $30,000,000 in advertising spend each year from both small to medium-sized businesses, and large multinational organizations through their innovative and game-changing approach to digital advertising that has long term positive impacts on your entire marketing efforts.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain forward-looking information and statements ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements relating to the integration, potential operations, and business results from the Company's integration with MGID and partnership with ROI Marketplace, containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects", "continue", "estimate", "forecasts" and other similar expressions. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of the Company, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking information in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking information has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including, but not limited to, risks associated with partnering with entities outside of the local jurisdictions of the Company, risks associated with personal information protection and compliance with local laws, risks associated with breach of contract by any counterparties, data security risks, risks other parties may seek to copy, steal or otherwise devalue the intellectual property of Wishpond and the risk factors discussed in the public disclosure documents of the Company which such risk factors are incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE Wishpond Technologies Ltd. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wishponds-brax-enhances-native-advertising-platform-through-partnership-with-roi-marketplace-and-integration-with-mgid-301514705.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:50 | en | 0.943598 |
Algeria's energy minister says current oil supply in the market 'suitable' - state news agency
- Country:
- Algeria
The current supply of oil in international markets is 'suitable' for demand, Algeria's state news agency cited the country's energy minister as saying on Thursday.
The minister made his remarks following a decision by OPEC+, which consists of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers including Russia, to raise output by about 432,000 barrels per day in May.
Algeria's output for May will reach 1.013 million barrels of oil per day, the agency said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Algeria
- Russia
- OPEC
- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
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Algeria recalls Spanish ambassador over Western Sahara | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985339-algerias-energy-minister-says-current-oil-supply-in-the-market-suitable---state-news-agency | 2022-03-31T16:12:51 | en | 0.925382 |
First Annual Impact Report Reveals Hackers' Journeys and How To Mitigate; Demonstrates XM's Ability to See All Ways that Critical Business Assets Can Be Compromised
HERZLIYA, Israel, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- XM Cyber, the multi-award-winning hybrid cloud security company, today announced findings from its first annual Impact Report. Attack Path Management Impact Report: 2021 Year in Review incorporates insights from nearly two million endpoints, files, folders, and cloud resources throughout 2021. The XM research team analyzed the methods, attack paths and impacts of attack techniques that imperil critical assets across on-prem, multi-cloud and hybrid environments, and developed tips for thwarting them.
Today's security tools enable organizations to detect all kinds of misconfigurations, vulnerabilities and other security gaps. However, they fail to show how these seemingly unrelated issues form hidden attack paths that hackers can use to pivot through a hybrid cloud environment and compromise critical assets.
XM's Impact Report takes the attackers' perspective to show how, once they get a foothold in the network, they can easily move towards critical business assets. The report was enabled by the company's namesake attack path management platform, which allows users to see all of the ways that hackers can leverage attack paths across cloud and on-prem environments, aiding mitigation and prevention efforts.
Key insights include:
- 94% of critical assets can be compromised within four steps of the initial breach point
- 75% of an organizations' critical assets could have been compromised in their then-current security state
- 73% of the top attack techniques involve mismanaged or stolen credentials
- 95% of organizational users have long-term access keys attached to them that can be exposed
- 78% of businesses are open to compromise every time a new Remote Code Execution (RCE) technique is found
- The main attack vectors in the cloud are misconfigurations and overly permissive access
- By knowing where to disrupt attack paths, organizations can reduce 80% of issues that would otherwise have taken up security resources
An attack path is a chain of attack vectors (vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, user privileges, human errors, etc.) that a hacker can use to move laterally through the network. Hybrid cloud computing architecture is especially vulnerable, as attackers can exploit security gaps to obtain a foothold in the network and then move laterally between on-premises and cloud applications. XM Cyber's report outlines the security gaps and hygiene issues that exist in multiple attack paths across on-prem and cloud environments, demonstrating the importance of risk visibility across the entire network.
"Modern organizations are investing in more and more platforms, apps and other tech tools to accelerate their business, but they too often fail to realize that the interconnection between all these technologies poses a significant risk," said Zur Ulianitzky, Head of Research, XM Cyber. "When siloed teams are responsible for different components of security within the network, nobody sees the full picture. One team may ignore a seemingly small risk, not realizing that in the big picture, it's a stepping stone in a hidden attack path to a critical asset. To keep pace with today's technology and business demands, attack path remediation must be prioritized."
Highlights of the report include:
- Methodology and Synopsis of the Attack Path
- The Top Attack Techniques Used to Compromise Critical Assets in 2021
- New Attack Techniques Used in 2021
- Cross-platform Attack Insights
- Key Findings Across On-Prem and Cloud
To download the XM Cyber Research Impact Report, visit: https://info.xmcyber.com/2022-attack-path-management-impact-report.
About XM Cyber
XM Cyber is a leading hybrid cloud security company that's changing the way innovative organizations approach cyber risk. Its attack path management platform continuously uncovers hidden attack paths to businesses' critical assets across cloud and on-prem environments, enabling security teams to cut them off at key junctures and eradicate risk with a fraction of the effort. Many of the world's largest, most complex organizations choose XM Cyber to help eradicate risk. Founded by top executives from the Israeli cyber intelligence community, XM Cyber has offices in North America, Europe, and Israel.
Contact: *For XM Cyber:*
Mark Prindle, Fusion PR
E: [email protected]
T: +1 (201) 638-7561
SOURCE XM Cyber | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xm-cyber-research-finds-that-hackers-can-claim-checkmate-on-94-of-critical-assets-in-just-four-moves-301514277.html | 2022-03-31T16:12:56 | en | 0.921352 |
Rare upsurge in bird flu makes for worst-ever crisis in France
France is facing its worst bird flu crisis in history as a rare rebound in outbreaks of the highly contagious virus reached the country's largest poultry producing regions with cullings topping more than 11 million birds. The spread of bird flu has raised concern among governments and the poultry industry due to the ravages it can cause to flocks, potential trade restrictions and a risk of human transmission.
France is facing its worst bird flu crisis in history as a rare rebound in outbreaks of the highly contagious virus reached the country's largest poultry producing regions with cullings topping more than 11 million birds.
The spread of bird flu has raised concern among governments and the poultry industry due to the ravages it can cause to flocks, potential trade restrictions and a risk of human transmission. The virus, brought by wild birds migrating in the autumn, hit all countries in the 27-member European Union except Malta and Cyprus, with Italy suffering the most severe damage. Outbreaks had nearly ended in virtually all of them by the end of March, data from the Word Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) showed, as they usually do in spring.
Apart from France. After a first wave led to the culling of around 4 million birds in the southwestern part of the country, France has been facing outbreaks believed to have been brought by wild birds on their way back, the first time this has happened in a significant way.
The H5N1 virus has spread rapidly in the Pays de la Loire region since last month and hit Brittany mid-March, further up the Atlantic coast. The two regions are France's largest poultry producers. By March 23, nearly 11 million birds had been culled in France since the first outbreak on Nov. 26, OIE data showed, making it the most severe bird flu crisis ever in the country.
Since then, outbreaks rose by another 13% in just one week, to 1,098 by March 30, government data showed. The United States is also facing its worst bird flu crisis since 2015 when nearly 50 million birds were killed.
The crisis comes as farmers are already facing soaring feed prices linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a key grain exporter, and supply-chain problems. Grains are the main ingredient used in poultry diets. "This situation is dramatic for farmers and will lead to a reduction in slaughtering activity or even the temporary shutdown of certain sites," France's LDC, the EU's largest poultry producer, said.
The company will virtually halt four slaughterhouses, producing 1.1 million poultry per week, for up to eight weeks, Gilles Huttepain, former LDC chairman and vice-chairman of French poultry lobby Anvol, said. However, companies will compensate part of the volume by increasing output at other sites, he said.
Shoppers might find some poultry in short supply, like turkey due to the time it takes to rear, but supplies won't be entirely wiped out, Huttepain said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985340-rare-upsurge-in-bird-flu-makes-for-worst-ever-crisis-in-france | 2022-03-31T16:12:59 | en | 0.969913 |
YOURWAY CANNABIS BRANDS ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN JAKOB RIPSHTEIN TO SPEAK AT BENZINGA CANNABIS CAPITAL CONFERENCE IN MIAMI, APRIL 21, 2022
Exclusive Interview
Building a House of Brands, not a House of Cards
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - YourWay Cannabis Brands Inc. (CSE: YOUR) (OTC: YOURF) (FSE: HOB) (the "Company" or "YourWay"), a multi-state and consumer-centric House of Brands committed to redefining the way consumers and cannabis brands interact, today announced Executive Chairman Jakob Ripshtein will participate in an exclusive interview at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the world's biggest and most successful cannabis investing and finance event.
The conference will take place on April 20 and April 21, 2022, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in Miami, Florida. Mr. Ripshtein will speak on the conference's final day with moderator Scott Greiper, founder and President of Viridian Capital Advisors. Mr. Ripshtein will be discussing YourWay's strategic vision to build a comprehensive family of brands designed to create a sense of belonging for every cannabis consumer.
"At YourWay, we are building a House of Brands, not a House of Cards," said Ripshtein. "The cannabis industry might be new, but building brands isn't. Rooted in a history of CPG brand building, YourWay is taking a proven approach to creating a differentiated portfolio of brands empowering consumers with value and variety, brands with reach and access, and retailers with increased demand and traffic. Utilizing decades of branding expertise and an integral understanding of the consumer experience, YourWay builds brands that align to distinct consumer segments, need states and occasions."
Mr. Ripshtein will be speaking at 3:50 p.m. ET on April 21, 2022. Interested parties can register to attend the conference here.
Members of the YourWay management team will also be holding one-on-one investor and discovery meetings throughout the two-day conference.
About YourWay Cannabis Brands
YourWay Cannabis Brands is a publicly-traded, multi-state and consumer-centric House of Brands committed to redefining the way consumers and cannabis brands interact with sales and operations in Arizona and California. Through building their own brands, partnering with others, and supporting our retail partner's house brand strategy, they are dedicated to expanding their reach, remolding the cannabis industry and ultimately redefining the way consumers and cannabis brands interact.
YourWay aims to connect with the cannabis consumer on a deeper level, utilizing decades of brand-building expertise and an integral understanding of the customer experience to create an intuitive suite of branded products that closely align with consumer need states. The YourWay portfolio is an all-encompassing house of brands designed to create a sense of belonging for every cannabis consumer regardless of their relationship with the plant. Please visit www.yourwaycannabis.com or follow on Twitter at @yourwaycannabis for the latest news and information about YourWay and its brands.
Website: www.yourwaycannabis.com
Twitter: @yourwaycannabis
About The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference
The premier gathering of cannabis entrepreneurs and investors in North America is returning to Miami.
The next iteration of the famed Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference will gather industry insiders and investors from around the world once again on April 20 and 21 in Miami. Attendees can expect two full days of keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, networking, company presentations, celebrity appearances, and more.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:
This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: Mr. Ripshtein's speaking engagement at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference; the Company's strategy of building a comprehensive family of brands; the Company's approach to creating a differentiated portfolio of brands; the implementation of the Company's 'House of Brands' cannabis consumer packaged goods strategy; investor and discovery meetings with the Company's management team; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance, or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; changes in consumer demand and preferences; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; the impact of COVID-19; and the risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form dated August 28, 2020, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is indirectly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the US Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.
While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward nonenforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
SOURCE YourWay Cannabis Brands | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yourway-cannabis-brands-announces-executive-chairman-jakob-ripshtein-to-speak-at-benzinga-cannabis-capital-conference-in-miami-april-21-2022-301514646.html | 2022-03-31T16:13:02 | en | 0.924139 |
FOREX-Dollar edges higher on safe-haven bid, euro drops
Peace talks were set to resume on Friday. "This has caused a risk-off reaction that has dragged down stock markets and hit the risk-sensitive commodity currencies," said Marshall Gittler, Head of Investment Research at BDSwiss Holding Ltd. The dollar index, which weighs the greenback against a basket of six global peers, was up 0.445% at 98.264 at 10:40 a.m. EDT. The dollar has attracted safe-haven flows since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, and is on track for a rise of around 1.6% for the month of March.
The dollar edged higher on Thursday as a lack of progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine boosted demand for the safe-haven currency and as the energy shock that has resulted from the war weighed on Europe's economy. Hopes from earlier this week that peace talks would lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine five weeks after Russia's invasion have dwindled, with Ukrainian forces preparing for new Russian attacks in the southeast of the country. Peace talks were set to resume on Friday.
"This has caused a risk-off reaction that has dragged down stock markets and hit the risk-sensitive commodity currencies," said Marshall Gittler, Head of Investment Research at BDSwiss Holding Ltd. The dollar index, which weighs the greenback against a basket of six global peers, was up 0.445% at 98.264 at 10:40 a.m. EDT.
The dollar has attracted safe-haven flows since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, and is on track for a rise of around 1.6% for the month of March. Crude prices, which have been elevated over the war in Ukraine, plunged on the news the United States was considering the largest release yet from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Commodity-linked currencies, such as the Australian and New Zealand dollars, declined, with the Aussie down 0.22% at $0.7495 and the kiwi down 0.6% at $0.6937. Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had signed a decree saying foreign buyers must pay in roubles for Russian gas beginning on Friday as he tries to hit back against sweeping Western sanctions over his invasion of Ukraine.
The move boosted the Russian currency, which had fallen to historic lows after the invasion of Ukraine, but has since recovered. The rouble was last up 5.26% against the greenback at 80.00.
The euro dropped 0.63% to $1.1088, after hitting its highest since March 1 at $1.1184 earlier in the session on robust inflation data. European Central Bank chief economist Philip Lane said on Thursday euro zone inflation was increasingly likely to stabilise around 2% but the ECB should be ready to change course if the outlook deteriorates due to the war in Ukraine.
"Until the risk of an energy crisis and considerable economic effects resulting from the Ukraine war have been banished, the ECB is likely to hesitate to make a clear commitment" on how to take action against inflation, said Antje Praefcke, forex analyst at Commerzbank. "And as a result, it will also be a while before the euro can appreciate on a sustainable basis," she added.
Elsewhere, the Norwegian crown slid after oil prices dived and the central bank said it would buy foreign currency for its sovereign wealth fund in April. Norges Bank plans to exchange 2 billion crowns ($231.9 million) per day into foreign currency, which will in turn be invested abroad by the wealth fund, already the world's largest with assets of $1.3 trillion.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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UK PM Boris Johnson calls on world to wean off Russian oil, gas
UK PM Boris Johnson calls on world to wean off Russian oil, gas | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985347-forex-dollar-edges-higher-on-safe-haven-bid-euro-drops | 2022-03-31T16:13:06 | en | 0.968508 |
Partnership combines ZINFI's industry-leading Unified Channel Management solution with Channelnomics' world-class, strategy-led channel development consulting and service delivery
PLEASANTON, Calif., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ZINFI Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of Unified Channel Management solutions, and Channelnomics, a business strategy and research firm that helps companies improve the performance of their direct and indirect channels, are pleased to announce a global strategic partnership designed to create an integrated channel management optimization solution. The collaborative partnership will leverage ZINFI's industry-leading channel automation platform and Channelnomics' deep expertise in go-to-market strategy, program development, and growth consulting capabilities.
With automation playing an increasingly critical role in every aspect of channel-based organizations, companies recognize that they need to accelerate the deployment of digital solutions to ensure they effectively automate profitable growth via distributed channel networks. The ZINFI-Channelnomics partnership brings together world-class expertise in channel strategy and program development, workflow automation, and revenue optimization capabilities as organizations make the transformation to building high-performing channels.
"The ZINFI-Channelnomics partnership represents a powerful combination of strategic planning, program planning, and delivery automation capabilities. Companies can improve indirect productivity, locally and globally, by deploying channel management best practices from Channelnomics in combination with ZINFI's state-of-the-art channel automation platform," said Sugata Sanyal, founder and CEO of ZINFI. "Channelnomics offers deep expertise in partner programs, organization and workflow design, incentives management, partner enablement, and go-to-market intelligence. With their guidance in the deployment of channel best practices, our customers can leverage ZINFI's channel automation platform to dramatically reduce time to ROI and maximize returns."
"A common challenge facing channel leaders and organizations is the translation of go-to-market programs and policies into efficient and effective automated workflows. Partnering with ZINFI will enable Channelnomics to extend its leading channel strategy and program design services into actionable processes and effective management that produces real, profitable results, "said Larry Walsh, founder and CEO of Channelnomics. "Working as a unified team, ZINFI and Channelnomics can help customers unlock the vast potential of an intelligent digital channel strategy. The alignment of Channelnomics and ZINFI's core capabilities will allow organizations engaged in indirect marketing and selling to scale predictably, rapidly, and profitably around the world."
ZINFI's Unified Channel Management software encompasses state-of-the-art SaaS applications for partner relationship management, partner marketing management, partner sales management, partner portal management and portal administration management. These applications enable organizations selling via the channel to integrate the full spectrum of channel partner management activities—from recruitment, onboarding, training and certification to lead management, co-branded demand generation, sales performance and success, and on to fulfillment and renewal management. ZINFI's modular design allows customers to enable and customize tools only as they need them to create solutions as simple or robust as their current business requirements.
Channelnomics offers a portfolio of research and channel development services, including channel and go-to-market strategy consulting, channel digital transformation planning and development, partner and customer experience management, rewards and incentive design, channel performance diagnostics, channel team and partner enablement services, quantitative and qualitative research services, and strategic content support. Channelnomics's expertise and experience in channel development, management, and optimization enable businesses around the world to identify and capitalize on the scale and capabilities of various channel routes to market.
In April 2020, ZINFI was named a leader in The Forrester Wave™: Through-Channel Marketing Automation, Q2 2020 report, receiving the highest possible (5 out of 5) scores in the criteria of "Product innovation roadmap," "Pricing strategy," "Supporting products and services" and "Number of employees." The report states, "…what sets ZINFI apart is its commitment to modularity, which makes it equally appropriate for a small to medium-size business (SMB) that is automating its channel management for the first time or a large global manufacturer that is filling gaps or transforming its channel technology." The report also notes ZINFI's "…strong workflow and collaboration tools that optimize processes among ZINFI's agency partners, partners' enterprise customers, and ZINFI's in-house multilingual (14 languages) partner marketing concierge services for lead, campaign, and MDF management."
Later in 2020, ZINFI was also named a leader in another Forrester report: The Forrester Wave™: Partner Relationship Management Q4 2020 report, where ZINFI received 5 out of 5 (the highest possible) scores in the "Product innovation roadmap" criterion in the "Strategy" category and in the "Partner co-selling and co-marketing" criterion in the "Current offering" category. ZINFI also tied for the highest score among the participants in the "Partner performance and incentives" criterion (4.4 out of 5).
To access more information about ZINFI's partner relationship management platform or to download a copy of ZINFI's best practices guide on partner relationship management, please visit our website at www.zinfi.com. You can also follow ZINFI Technologies on LinkedIn and at the ZINFI Channel Marketing Best Practices blog.
To access more information about Channelnomics services, please visit www.channelnomics.com. You can also follow Channelnomics on Twitter at @channelnomics or at the Channelnomics website Blog.
About ZINFI Technologies
ZINFI Technologies, Inc., a company leading the definition and creation of Unified Channel Management (UCM) solutions, enables vendors and their channel partners to seamlessly collaborate in a virtual environment to achieve profitable growth on a global SaaS platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, USA, we at ZINFI see an immense opportunity to build high-performing sales channels by deploying a powerful virtual collaboration platform that has been rated #1 by leading analyst firms for simple to complex enterprise channels. ZINFI's state-of-the-art SaaS Unified Channel Management (UCM) automation platform allows brands and their global partner networks to work together remotely throughout the entire partner lifecycle via three core state-of-the-art SaaS applications—partner relationship management, partner marketing management and partner sales management. ZINFI's UCM is super easy to use and affordably priced, and it comes with a complete set of do-it-yourself tools in multiple languages.
About Channelnomics
Channelnomics believes exceptional insights enable channel professionals to turn vision into reality. Channelnomics is a business strategy and research firm focused on connecting channel professionals with the people and insights that enable them to continually evolve and operationalize their strategy. Channelnomics' industry experts work with clients to provide the evidence they need to validate and structure their strategy. Their clients, in turn, benefit from improved GTM performance, faster time to market, and better return on partner relationships. By looking at the technology market from the viewpoint of vendors, partners, and end users, Channelnomics is uniquely positioned to develop route-to-market strategies with an innovative, insightful, and inspired flair.
SOURCE ZINFI Technologies, Inc. | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zinfi-and-channelnomics-announce-strategic-partnership-to-provide-channel-solutions-to-mid-market-and-enterprise-organizations-301514642.html | 2022-03-31T16:13:08 | en | 0.92131 |
Biden taps oil reserve for 6 months to control surging gas prices
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is ordering the release of 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve for six months, the White House said Thursday, in a bid to control energy prices that have spiked as the U.S. and allies imposed steep sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Biden was to formally announce the release in remarks on his administration’s plans to combat rising gas prices.
The White House said Biden would also call on Congress to impose financial penalties on oil and gas companies that lease public lands but aren’t producing. He also intends to invoke the Defense Production Act to encourage the mining of critical minerals for batteries in electric vehicles.
The White House characterized the release of the petroleum as a bridge until output increases from domestic producers. Administration officials estimate that average production will grow by 1 million barrels daily this year and an additional 700,000 barrels daily in 2023.
FILE - U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Covid-19 in the United States in the South Court Auditorium on March 30, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The move by Biden shows that oil remains a key vulnerability for the U.S. at home and abroad. Higher prices have hurt Biden’s approval domestically, while also adding billions of oil-export dollars to the Russian war chest as it wages war on Ukraine.
The release of reserves in the U.S. would create pressures that could reduce oil prices, though Biden has already twice ordered releases from the strategic reserves without causing a meaningful shift in oil markets.
Part of Biden's concern is that high prices have not — so far — coaxed a meaningful jump in oil production. The planned release is a way to increase supplies.
The markets reacted quickly with crude oil prices dropping more than 3% on Thursday morning to roughly $104 a barrel. Still, oil is up from roughly $60 a year ago, with supplies failing to keep up with demand as the world economy has begun to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.
Americans on average use about 21 million barrels of oil daily, with about 40% of the consumption devoted to gasoline, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Domestic oil production is equal to more than half of the country's usage, but high prices have not led companies to return to their pre-pandemic levels of output. The U.S. is producing on average 11.7 million barrels daily, down from 13 million barrels in early 2020.
Republican lawmakers have said the problem rests with the Biden administration being hostile to oil permits and the construction of new pipelines such as the Keystone XL. Democrats have countered that the country needs to move to renewable energy such as wind and solar that could reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and Russian President Vladimir Putin's leverage.
"I think the administration’s anti-fossil fuel views are sort of like a religion," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell told Punchbowl News in a Thursday interview. "They’re kind of unconnected with the needs of not only our country but the world. This policy is driven by the hard left, which the president almost never crosses. And, until that policy changes, we’re gonna have a problem."
Oil producers have been more focused on meeting the needs of investors than consumers, according to a survey released last week by the Dallas Federal Reserve. About 59% of the executives surveyed said investor pressure to preserve "capital discipline" amid high prices was the reason they weren’t pumping more, while fewer than 10% blamed government regulation.
The steady release from the reserves would be a meaningful sum and come near to closing the domestic production gap relative to February 2020, before the coronavirus caused a steep decline in oil output.
The Biden administration in November announced the release of 50 million barrels from the strategic reserve in coordination with other countries. And after the Russia-Ukraine war began, the U.S. and 30 other countries agreed to an additional release of 60 million barrels from reserves, with half of the total coming from the U.S.
According to the Department of Energy, which manages it, more than 568 million barrels of oil were held in the reserve as of March 25.
News of the administration’s planning was first reported by Bloomberg.
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Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo contributed to this report. | https://www.fox29.com/news/biden-planning-to-tap-us-oil-reserve-to-control-surging-gas-prices | 2022-03-31T16:13:10 | en | 0.963303 |
S.Africa takes emergency action to ease pain of rising fuel prices
In February, the ministry of energy hiked South Africa's petrol pump price by 146 cents a litre and diesel by 144.36 cents a litre, both effective from March 2, continuing a series of hikes and heaping pain on motorists and businesses already stung by higher electricity and food prices. Godongwana said the proposed reduction of the general fuel levy will be funded by the sale of a portion of the government's strategic fuel reserves for an estimated six billion rand.
- Country:
- South Africa
South Africa will temporarily cut the general fuel levy by 1.5 cents a litre until end-May, as part of emergency interventions to help cushion consumers from high domestic fuel prices, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told lawmakers on Thursday.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has roiled global markets with oil surging above $100 a barrel as the five week "special operation" by Russian military forces creates millions of refugees against the backdrop of an emerging European energy crisis. Africa's most advanced economy is a net importer of crude oil and refined petroleum products and its government regulated fuel prices are changed monthly, informed by a range of global and local factors, including benchmark crude prices and currency volatility.
"The intention of the temporary reduction of the general fuel levy is to support a phasing in of the fuel price increases that we are expecting in the short term," Godongwana said. In February, the ministry of energy hiked South Africa's petrol pump price by 146 cents a litre and diesel by 144.36 cents a litre, both effective from March 2, continuing a series of hikes and heaping pain on motorists and businesses already stung by higher electricity and food prices.
Godongwana said the proposed reduction of the general fuel levy will be funded by the sale of a portion of the government's strategic fuel reserves for an estimated six billion rand.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Canada imposes sanctions on 15 more Russian officials | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985353-safrica-takes-emergency-action-to-ease-pain-of-rising-fuel-prices | 2022-03-31T16:13:14 | en | 0.947109 |
Chicken breast, ground beef, pork prices set to surge higher
Meat and poultry prices are largely expected to continue their climb in the U.S. this year, but pricier cuts like steak should level out, according to a new analysis.
Meat and fish counter at Diablo Foods, a local supermarket in Lafayette, California, May 25, 2021. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Evercore ISI issued a protein inflation note this week, projecting that most protein prices are forecasted to increase "substantially" due to the higher feed costs, with chicken breast reaching as high as 70% year-over-year in the first half of 2022.
CUSTOMERS FEEL HEAT OF INFLATION AT BBQ JOINTS
The analysis said pork and ground beef could climb as high as 20% year-over-year during the same period.
However, inflation for pricier cuts like steak is expected to level off or even drop, as consumers shift their buying patterns to more affordable products due to their budgets getting squeezed.
FUEL PRICES HITTING AMERICA'S FARMERS HARD AS SOME FEAR FOR THEIR FUTURE
Evercore's analysis showed that cost of ribeye and chicken wings could each drop by around 15% in the first half of this year.
"Chicken and hamburger prices are expected to continue rising, while steak prices will likely moderate," said David Palmer, who is a senior managing director of Evercore and leads the firm's Restaurant and Food Producers team.
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The report pointed to the rising costs of grain that are used to feed livestock, such as wheat, soybeans and corn, as a significant factor contributing to increases in protein prices. Wheat, in particular, skyrocketed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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"We also note that beef is the least exposed to grain volatility (from the Russia/Ukraine war) as feed makes up roughly ¼ of production cost versus 50%+ for pork and 70-80% for chicken," Palmer told FOX Business.
Advertisement | https://www.fox29.com/news/chicken-breast-ground-beef-pork-prices-set-to-surge-higher | 2022-03-31T16:13:16 | en | 0.966307 |
Police: Gun brought to Philadelphia school by boy, 8, goes off, prompting lockdown
PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia school was briefly placed on lockdown Thursday morning after police say a child brought a gun to school and it accidentally went off outside.
The incident occurred Thursday morning, around 9 a.m., at the West Philadelphia Achievement Charter Elementary School.
Police say an 8-year-old boy was found with a weapon inside the school and that the weapon was accidentally discharged in the schoolyard.
The school was placed on lockdown just before 9 a.m. and the lockdown was lifted about 15 minutes later.
Police say the weapon was recovered and no one was injured. The student was taken into custody.
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Advertisement | https://www.fox29.com/news/police-gun-brought-to-philadelphia-school-by-boy-8-goes-off-prompting-lockdown | 2022-03-31T16:13:22 | en | 0.965738 |
U.N. launches group to hold companies to account for net-zero pledges
The United Nations on Thursday announced the members of an expert group that will scrutinize corporate pledges to achieve net-zero emissions, an effort to prevent greenwashing as private sector climate plans proliferate. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said the group of 16 experts will analyze the net-zero plans of companies, investors, cities and regions in order to develop stringent and transparent standards to ensure they deliver their promises.
The United Nations on Thursday announced the members of an expert group that will scrutinize corporate pledges to achieve net-zero emissions, an effort to prevent greenwashing as private sector climate plans proliferate.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said the group of 16 experts will analyze the net-zero plans of companies, investors, cities and regions in order to develop stringent and transparent standards to ensure they deliver their promises. "Despite growing pledges of climate action, global emissions are at an all-time high," Guterres said. "Tougher net-zero standards and strengthened accountability around the implementation of these commitments can deliver real and immediate emissions cuts."
The group's formal launch, first announced at the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow last November, comes as environmental groups sue companies that lack details about their net-zero plans and as regulators begin to scrutinize the climate commitments made by major companies. A recent report found that net-zero pledges by 25 top global companies - from Amazon to Unilever - lack clear plans to achieve them and mislead consumers.
Meanwhile, in the United States, a Congressional committee has called on oil company board members to testify about how their firms plan to meet their climate pledges while an environmental group earlier this month sued Shell for failing to properly prepare for net zero emissions. Experts on the panel include former top California air regulator Mary Nichols, former Brazilian finance minister Joaquim Levy, former Malian Prime Minister Oumar Tatam Ly, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change lead author Bill Hare and board member of insurer Allianz Group Guenther Thallinger.
The group will be supported by a small technical secretariat to be housed at the United Nations and will hold several high-level meetings throughout the course of the year.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985356-un-launches-group-to-hold-companies-to-account-for-net-zero-pledges | 2022-03-31T16:13:22 | en | 0.944101 |
Russian troops leaving Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine operator says
LVIV, Ukraine - Russian troops were leaving the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and heading towards Ukraine's border with Belarus, the Ukrainian nuclear operator company said.
The operator, Energoatom said that the Russian military was also preparing to leave Slavutych, a nearby city where power plant workers live.
Energoatom also said reports were confirmed that the Russians dug trenches in the Red Forest, the 10-square-kilometer (nearly four-square-mile) area surrounding the Chernobyl plant within the Exclusion Zone, and received "significant doses of radiation."
The Russian troops "panicked at the first sign of illness," which "showed up very quickly," and began to prepare to leave, the operator said. The claim couldn't be independently verified.
Energoatom said the Russians have signed a document confirming the handover of the Chernobyl plant and stating that the plant’s administration doesn’t have any complaints about the Russian troops who were "guarding" the facility.
"It turns out that the occupiers ‘guarded’ the station for more than five weeks, and even so well that there are no complaints," Energoatom said in a statement on Telegram.
Advertisement | https://www.fox29.com/news/russian-troops-leaving-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant-ukraine-operator-says | 2022-03-31T16:13:28 | en | 0.97142 |
Biden taps oil reserve for 6 months to control gas prices
- Country:
- United States
President Joe Biden is ordering the release of 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation's strategic petroleum reserve for six months, the White House said Thursday, in a bid to control energy prices that have spiked as the US and allies imposed steep sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Biden was making the formal announcement later Thursday in remarks on his administration's plans to combat rising gas prices.
The White House says Biden will also call on Congress to impose financial penalties on oil and gas companies that lease public lands but aren't producing energy.(AP) RUP RUP
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Russia's war in Ukraine may 'fundamentally alter' global economic, political order - IMF | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985366-biden-taps-oil-reserve-for-6-months-to-control-gas-prices | 2022-03-31T16:13:30 | en | 0.943683 |
Will Smith cheered by Hollywood as Academy attempted to eject ‘King Richard’ star after Chris Rock slap
New details have emerged surrounding the question of why Will Smith wasn’t removed from the 94th Academy Awards following his viral smacking of Chris Rock.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on Wednesday said that Will Smith was asked to leave Sunday's Oscar ceremony after striking Rock but, they claim, he refused to do so.
"Jada, ‘GI Jane 2,’ I can’t wait to see it," Rock said on stage in front of the Oscars audience, including to an unhappy Pinkett Smith.
The actress has been publicly outspoken about how she deals with alopecia – an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. Pinkett Smith said she shaved her head in order to own her diagnosis and mitigate its impact on her mentally. Pinkett’s daughter, Willow Smith has also buzzed her head in solidarity with her mother.
HOLLYWOOD, CA - March 27, 2022. Denzel Washington, and Tyler Perry comfort Will Smith during the show at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 27, 2022. (Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Smith then walked briskly to the Oscars stage and slapped Rock.
"Wow, Will Smith just smacked the s--t out of me," Rock said before entering into a verbal back-and-forth with the "Ali" actor.
HOWARD STERN, JUDD APATOW, OTHER COMEDIANS DEFEND CHRIS ROCK: 'HE HANDLED IT LIKE A PRO'
"Keep my wife's name out your f---ing mouth," Smith could be heard yelling following the physical altercation.
In fact, within the hour, as the "Made in America" performer took home the best actor award for his portrayal of Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams in "King Richard," Smith was welcomed to the Oscars stage with a standing ovation from his Hollywood peers.
US actor Will Smith (L) speaks with US actor and director Bradley Cooper during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Smith was consoled by A-list peers
Images captured that night after the physical encounter showed Smith being consoled by the likes of A-listers Bradley Cooper, Tyler Perry and Denzel Washington.
Meanwhile, on stage support came from Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta and Uma Thurman as Smith walked up to accept his honor.
While delivering his acceptance speech, the actor pressed through tears that Washington told him, "At your highest moment, be careful — that’s when the devil comes for you."
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: (L-R) Will Smith accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for ‘King Richard’ from John Travolta onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ne
Following his win, Smith was also seen at an Oscars after-party with his A list family, partying with his Oscar trophy and singing along to his own music.
Not everyone was OK with Academy allowing Smith to accept Oscar
However, not everyone was OK with the fact that Smith was not only allowed to remain in the famed Dolby Theatre after the assault, but many notable celebrities expressed their distaste for the moment and disappointment at the Academy for letting the "Independence Day" star accept the award.
Howard Stern went on to defend Rock saying, "Poor Chris Rock is a comedian and just trying to get through the day to make the f---ing people laugh at that horrible ceremony."
HOLLYWOOD, CA - March 27, 2022. Denzel Washington comforts Will Smith during the show at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 27, 2022. (Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
CHRIS ROCK SPOTTED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE NIGHT OF WILL SMITH'S OSCARS SLAP
Kathy Griffin and Joe Rogan both expressed concern over the precedent that Smith's actions set and what it means for comedy clubs in the future.
"It sets a terrible precedent in so many different ways," Rogan said during Tuesday's episode of his podcast. "It sets a terrible precedent for comedy clubs. Like, are people going to decide to go on stage and smack a comedian now?"
"Let me tell you something, it's a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian," Griffin wrote via Twitter. "Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters."
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: (L-R) Will Smith accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for ‘King Richard’ from Samuel L. Jackson onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo b
In the days after the smack, actor and comedian Jim Carrey also slammed Hollywood for rewarding Smith with a standing ovation mere moments after his onstage outburst.
"I was sickened. I was sickened by the standing ovation," the "Liar Liar" performer told Gayle King on "CBS Mornings."
"I felt like Hollywood is just spineless en masse, and it just – it really felt like, 'Oh, this is a really clear indication that we're not the cool club anymore,'" Carrey added.
HOLLYWOOD, CA - March 27, 2022. Bradley Cooper comforts Will Smith during the show at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 27, 2022. (Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
King probed Carrey on Rock’s decision not to press charges against the "Ali" star for the literal slap in the face, and from Carrey’s point of view, Rock simply doesn’t "want the hassle" that comes with filing a police report along with the subsequent media barrage. But Carrey added that had he been in Rock’s position, an expensive lawsuit would have been swift.
TOPSHOT - US actor Will Smith (R) slaps US actor Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
"I'd have announced this morning that I was suing Will for $200 million because that video was going to be there forever," said Carrey. "It's going to be ubiquitous. You know, that insult is going to last a very long time. If you want to yell from the audience and disapprove or show a disapproval or say something on Twitter or whatever – you do not have the right to walk up on stage and smack somebody in the face because they said words."
Comedian Wanda Sykes – who was a co-host at Sunday's Oscars ceremony – also criticized the Academy for allowing Smith to accept his Oscar statue, calling the decision, "gross."
WILL SMITH’S ‘BAD BOYS’ DIRECTOR MICHAEL BAY, OTHER CELEBS REACT TO CHRIS ROCK OSCARS SLAP
"It was sickening. It was absolutely – I physically felt ill, and I'm still a little traumatized by it," Sykes added. "For them to let [Will Smith] stay in that room and enjoy the rest of the show and accept his award – I was like, ‘How gross is this? This is just the wrong message.'"
"You assault somebody, you get escorted out the building and that's it," she pressed. "But for them to let him continue I thought it was gross."
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Will Smith accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for ‘King Richard’ onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Image
Sykes’ fellow co-host, Amy Schumer also lamented the intense moment on Wednesday after she took a few days to collect her thoughts on what went down.
"Still triggered and traumatized," Schumer wrote alongside a photo of herself. "I love my friend @chrisrock and believe he handled it like a pro. Stayed up there and gave an Oscar to his friend @questlove and the whole thing was so disturbing," she continued. "So much pain in @willsmith anyway I'm still in shock and stunned and sad."
ACADEMY CONDEMNS WILL SMITH'S ACTIONS, LAUNCHING FORMAL REVIEW OF CHRIS ROCK SLAP
"Im proud of myself and my cohosts. But yeah. Waiting for this sickening feeling to go away from what we all witnessed."
"The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show," the statement from the Academy read. "We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law."
TOPSHOT - US actor Chris Rock speaks onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chris Rock addresses physical encounter for first time
On Wednesday night in his first standup comedy show since the slap, Rock hit the stage to a thunderous three-minute standing ovation from a sold-out room of attendees.
"How was your weekend?" Rock asked the crowd at the Wilbur, a theater of 1,200 seats in South Boston during his "Chris Rock Ego Death World Tour 2022" outing.
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"I had a whole list of jokes before this week happened," the funnyman quipped of the retrospective moment before admitting he was "still kind of processing what happened" that infamous night.
The board of governors met on Wednesday to discuss possible disciplinary action against Smith.
Fox News’ Lauryn Overhultz, Sarah Rumpf, Melissa Roberto and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
Advertisement | https://www.fox29.com/news/will-smith-cheered-by-hollywood-as-academy-attempted-to-eject-king-richard-star-after-chris-rock-slap | 2022-03-31T16:13:34 | en | 0.969603 |
Germany to continue paying for Russian energy imports in euros, finance minister says
- Country:
- France
Germany will continue paying for energy imports from Russia in euros, the country's finance minister, Christian Lindner, said on Thursday, adding that Berlin would now look into the technical details linked to Moscow's latest decree requiring to pay for gas in roubles.
Speaking at a joint news conference with French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, Lindner said that the two countries agreed that there could be "no political blackmail" linked to the question of gas imports.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Tennis-Djokovic expected to defend French Open title as Roland Garros anticipates return to normality | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985367-germany-to-continue-paying-for-russian-energy-imports-in-euros-finance-minister-says | 2022-03-31T16:13:38 | en | 0.926949 |
National Conclave on 'Production of Bees Wax' organized by NDDB and NBB
Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, DA&FW informed that honey is an integral part of our Integrated Medicinal System (IMS).
- Country:
- India
A National Conclave on "Production of Bees Wax" was organized by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Gujarat in collaboration with the National Bee Board (NBB), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on 30th March, 2022. The conclave was supported by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) & Tribal Co-Operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED). The objective of this National Conclave is to create awareness about the production of other high-value beekeeping products viz. Bees Wax, Bee pollen, Royal Jelly, Propolis, bee venom, etc.
Addressing the National conclave on "Production of Bees Wax", Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, said that beekeeping, besides pollination support, also provides extra income and creates employment opportunities for rural/ landless farmers and beekeepers. Through the implementation of the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), Government of India has taken so many initiatives to strengthen the beekeeping industry in the country. He highlighted that under NBHM, thrust is being given to setting up infrastructural facilities for collection, processing, trading, testing and branding of honey and other beehive products. He also informed NDDB, NAFED & TRIFED have been identified as implementing agencies under NBHM for implementing beekeeping activities through a cluster-based approach by making Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) on beekeeping.
Shri Abhijit Bhattacharjee, General Manager, NDDB informed that NDDB is always committed to bringing policies/ schemes beneficial to farmer/ milk producers with the aim to uplift the economy of rural farmer/ milk producers. NDDB has a wide approach that the economy of Indian farmers/ milk producers will only increase if farmers/ milk producers will utilize the resources present in their local area and do not import resources from outside. NDDB is actively involved in the promotion of beekeeping through their network of cooperative institutions. Today's' conclave regarding an important by-product of beekeeping i.e bees wax is the step in this direction, he added.
Shri Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, Anand suggested that engaging beekeepers in multiple streams of income through diversified activities is important for building economic resilience. Scientific beekeeping is one such activity that can provide additional income not only from honey production but through the production of other beehive products. He informed that NDDB is promoting beekeeping by using dairy cooperative channels present in the country and creating FPOs by organizing beekeepers with the support of NBB. To create awareness about beekeeping, with the support of NBB, NDDB has organized 40 trainings on beekeeping across the country by involving local Krishi Vigyan Kendra and State Agriculture Universities, Progressive beekeepers & Member societies of NBB which benefitted about 1100 beekeepers.
Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, DA&FW informed that honey is an integral part of our Integrated Medicinal System (IMS). Through NBHM, NBB is intended to create awareness through seminars/training and providing financial support for all available aspects of beekeeping including infrastructural facilities and R&D. He advised beekeepers to work in the field of value-added products in beekeeping to get more financial benefits and uplift their economy.
Dr. N. K. Patle, Executive Director, National Bee Board (NBB) has briefed about the central sector scheme entitled National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) and practices aspects relating to beekeeping. He invited beekeepers to avail the facilities available under NBHM and adopt beekeeping in a scientific manner to get additional income through honey & other beehive products. He assured full support to beekeepers across the country under the NBHM scheme.
Speaking on the production of bees wax and its current status in the country, Dr. Balraj Singh, Project Coordinator, Honeybee and Pollinators (HB&P), IACR said that in India, beekeeping is mainly practised for the production of honey only and therefore there is need to create awareness about diversification of beekeeping for production of various other beehive products. He also informed that deserted combs of Apisdorsata are the major source of bees wax production in the country.
Shri Dipenkumar C Patel, Progressive Beekeeper & Director, One Bee Organic LLP, Gujarat introduces the participants to different types of honey, various bee products, its collection methods and types of equipment/machinery used.
Shri Jaswant Singh, Tiwana Bee Farm, Ludhiana, Punjab inform that their firm is involved in the production of all kinds of bee products and equipment/machinery. His firm is involved in the production of Comb Foundation Sheets (CHS) from bees wax. The use of CFS is highly recommended in beekeeping as it reduces the time and effort of honeybees in the construction of their comb thus ultimately beekeepers will get more honey per hive.
Shri Jai Prakash, Senior Manager, Indian Bank has informed that to address the issue of adulteration in honey & other beehive products, National Bee Board has launched online registration and developing a Blockchain /traceability system of the source of honey and other bee products. He showcased the procedure of online registration on Madhukranti Portal and requested all beekeepers/ other stakeholders to come forward and register themselves on this portal.
(With Inputs from PIB) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985370-national-conclave-on-production-of-bees-wax-organized-by-nddb-and-nbb | 2022-03-31T16:13:46 | en | 0.936124 |
WRAPUP 1-Russia sets deadline for rouble gas payments, Europe calls it 'blackmail'
Nobody sells us anything for free, and we are not going to do charity either - that is, existing contracts will be stopped," he said. It was not immediately clear whether in practice there might still be a way for foreign firms to continue payment without using roubles, which the European Union and G7 group of states have ruled out.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding foreign buyers pay for Russian gas in roubles from Friday or else have their supplies cut, a move European capitals rejected and which Berlin said amounted to "blackmail".
Putin’s move, via a decree signed on Thursday, leaves Europe facing the prospect of losing more than a third of its gas supply. Germany, the most heavily reliant on Russia, has already activated an emergency plan that could lead to rationing in Europe's biggest economy. Energy exports are Putin's most powerful lever as he tries to hit back against sweeping Western sanctions imposed on Russian banks, companies, businessmen and associates of the Kremlin in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Moscow calls its Ukraine action a "special military operation".
In televised remarks, Putin said buyers of Russian gas "must open rouble accounts in Russian banks. It is from these accounts that payments will be made for gas delivered starting from tomorrow," or April 1. "If such payments are not made, we will consider this a default on the part of buyers, with all the ensuing consequences. Nobody sells us anything for free, and we are not going to do charity either - that is, existing contracts will be stopped," he said.
It was not immediately clear whether in practice there might still be a way for foreign firms to continue payment without using roubles, which the European Union and G7 group of states have ruled out. His decision to enforce rouble payments has boosted the Russian currency, which fell to historic lows after the Feb. 24 invasion. The rouble has since recovered much lost ground.
Western companies and governments have rejected any move to change their gas supply contracts to change the payment currency. Most European buyers use euros. Executives say it would take months or longer to renegotiate terms. Payment in roubles would also blunt the impact of Western curbs on Moscow's access to its foreign exchange reserves.
Meanwhile, European states have been racing to secure alternative supplies, but with the global market already tight, they have few options. The United States has offered more of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) but not enough to replace Russia. Germany Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Russia had not been able to divide Europe and said Western allies were determined to not be "blackmailed" by Russia.
Berlin said it would continue paying for Russian energy imports in euros. FROZEN PAYMENTS
France's economy minister Bruno Le Maire said France and Germany were preparing for a possible scenario that Russian gas flows could be halted. Le Maire declined to comment on technical details linked to latest Russian demands for rouble payment.
The order signed by Putin creates a mechanism for payments to be made via special foreign currency and rouble accounts at Gazprombank, with the foreign money to be converted into roubles via currency auctions on a Moscow exchange. Putin said the switch would strengthen Russia's sovereignty, saying the Western countries were using the financial system as a weapon, and it made no sense for Russia to trade in dollars and euros when assets in those currencies were being frozen.
"What is actually happening, what has already happened? We have supplied European consumers with our resources, in this case gas. They received it, paid us in euros, which they then froze themselves. In this regard, there is every reason to believe that we delivered part of the gas provided to Europe practically free of charge," he said. "That, of course, cannot continue."
Putin said Russia still valued its business reputation. "We comply and will continue to comply with obligations under all contracts, including gas contracts, we will continue to supply gas in the prescribed volumes – I want to emphasise this – and at prices specified in existing, long-term contracts," he said.
Several European companies with Russian contracts had no immediate comment or did not immediately respond as Putin's announcement sent further shivers through the market. European gas prices have rocketed higher in recent months on mounting tension with Russia raising the risk of recession. Soaring energy prices have already forced companies, including makers of steel and chemicals, to curtail production.
Poland's PGNiG, which has a long term contract with Russia's gas pipeline export monopoly Gazprom that expires at the end of this year, had no immediate comment. The Polish Climate Ministry also had no immediate comment. The Polish contract with Gazprom is for 10.2 billion cubic metres of gas a year and is denominated in dollars. Italian energy firm Eni, another major European buyer of Russian gas, also had no comment. It bought around 22.5 bcm of Russian gas in 2020. Its contracts with Gazprom expire in 2035.
Germany buyers of Russian gas - Uniper, RWE and EnBW's and VNG - did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985376-wrapup-1-russia-sets-deadline-for-rouble-gas-payments-europe-calls-it-blackmail | 2022-03-31T16:13:54 | en | 0.972674 |
India is second-largest producer of Raw Cashew Nuts in world: NS Tomar
The Chief Guest of the occasion, the Union Minister highlighted the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s visions of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” and “New India”.
- Country:
- India
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare virtually inaugurated the "Silver Jubilee Building" of the ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, Karnataka here today.
Shri Tomar underlined the cultivation of cashew in around 11.25 Lakh ha area having an annual production of 7 Lakh Tonnes. He stated that the area under cashew in the country is the second-largest in the world. Shri Tomar accentuated that India is the second-largest country in the production of raw cashew nuts in the world. Highlighting the ever-increasing consumption of cashew in the country, he also stressed the need for setting a goal to fill up the gap between its production and consumption. To adopt the ways for strategic planning to enhance the export of cashew instead of its import was also emphasized by Shri Tomar.
The Chief Guest of the occasion, the Union Minister highlighted the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi's visions of "Aatma Nirbhar Bharat" and "New India". Applauding the efforts of the agricultural and farming fraternity that have led the country to be self-dependent and self-reliant in the production of the various avenues of agriculture, Shri Tomar urged us for working together to strengthen the country. The unparallel contributions of the Council and its Institutes Pan India in strengthening the agricultural sector of the country were applauded by the Union Minister. He also asserted the dedication of the agricultural scientists to ensure the enhancement in the production and quality of the various crops that have yielded visible results.
"There is a need to enhance the cashew's production and its productivity by bringing more area under the cashew cultivation", stressed Shri Tomar. He urged exploring the possible suitable areas for its expansion. The release of 26 varieties, the development of Virtual Software, and the Mobile App "Kaju India" by the ICAR-DCR, Puttur for apprising the farmers about the latest developed varieties and technologies were underlined by the Union Minister. The large-scale employment opportunities generated by the Cashew Processing, which involves around 95% farmers along with the Cashew Processing Units providing employment to about 15 Lakh people was highlighted by Shri Tomar.
The Union Minister regarded the New Silver Jubilee Building as a new dimension in the Council's vision of empowering and benefiting the agricultural community which will help in advancing the research on the Cashew crop. He stated about the Council's efforts of enabling the farmers to connect with it through technological advancements. This, he said, is beneficial to a large extent for the farmers.
Shri Tomar urged the scientists for providing prompt and timely solutions to the various problems faced by the farmers. Asserting the Government of India's commitment to enhance the farmers' income, the Union Minister highlighted the various Schemes like - Fasal Bima Yojana, Rs. 1 Lakh Crores Fund for Infrastructure, development of 10,000 Farmers' Producers' Organizations (FPOs), and Kisan Credit Cards for Farmers, etc., that are aimed at benefiting the agricultural community to a larger extent.
The Guest of Honor, Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare accentuated the need for enhancing the production and cultivation area of Cashew Nuts in line with the vision of the PM. The Minister also emphasized benefiting the Cashew Farmers under the Central Government's "Lab-to-Land" Scheme and disseminating Cashew's new varieties to the maximum number of farmers.
The Special Guest, Km. Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare emphasized providing prompt solutions to the Cashew Farmers by finding out the particular problems. "More productive Cashew crops should be developed by carrying out the extensive research in the area of Cashew Nuts Farming", urged the Minister.
The need for reducing the Cashew Crop's imports and its popularization in other areas too was stressed by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR).
Earlier, Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), ICAR delivered the welcome address. Dr. Vikramaditya Pandey, ADG (Horticultural Science - 1), ICAR was also present during the occasion. Dr. T.N. Raviprasad, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, Karnataka proposed the vote of thanks. Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel, Member of Parliament (Mangalore); Shri Sanjeeva Matandoor, MLA along with Shri Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR); Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR; Dr. Brajesh Kumar Pandey, ADG (Horticultural Science), ICAR; Senior Officials, Scientists, and Farmers of ICAR were also present during the occasion.
(With Inputs from PIB)
- READ MORE ON:
- Narendra Singh Tomar
- ICAR
- Aatma Nirbhar Bharat | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985386-india-is-second-largest-producer-of-raw-cashew-nuts-in-world-ns-tomar | 2022-03-31T16:14:01 | en | 0.939885 |
Vendor attacked by right-wing group in Karnataka for selling 'halal' meat, case registered
A day after Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said his government will look into "serious objection" raised against 'halal' meat, some Bajrang Dal activists allegedly attacked a Muslim vendor in Bhadravathi on Thursday, police said.
- Country:
- India
A day after Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said his government will look into "serious objection" raised against 'halal' meat, some Bajrang Dal activists allegedly attacked a Muslim vendor in Bhadravathi on Thursday, police said. Shivamogga Superintendent of Police (SP) BM Laxmi Prasad told ANI that an FIR has been registered under relevant sections.
"Bajrang Dal activists argued and then attacked a Muslim vendor. An FIR has been registered at Hosamane police station in Bhadravati," the Shivamogga SP said. Police said that some Bajrang Dal activists around 12.30 pm on Wednesday were campaigning in the Hosamane area against 'halal' meat. They allegedly threatened Muslim meat vendor Thousif.
According to the complaint with the police, the activists asked him to sell 'non-halal' meat at his chicken shop. He told them that such meat was not ready and he would arrange it. Irked by it, the activists allegedly thrashed him. Following a complaint, cops have started a probe and interrogated five right-wing activists, the police said. In another incident in the communally sensitive Shivamogga district, police registered a case against the same Bajrang Dal activists for allegedly threatening and abusing a hotelier in Old Bhadravati for not serving 'non-halal' meat to them. A case has been registered on charges of abusing the hotelier.
Bommai on Wednesday said that the state government will look into 'halal' meat issue as "serious objections" have now been raised against it. "The halal issue has just started. We have to study it. It's a practice that is going on. Now serious objections have been raised about it. I will look into it," Bommai said at a press conference.
Asked about the call for boycott of halal meat by some right-wing organizations, Bommai said, "As far as my government is concerned, we are not right-wing or left-wing, only growth wing." (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985398-vendor-attacked-by-right-wing-group-in-karnataka-for-selling-halal-meat-case-registered | 2022-03-31T16:14:09 | en | 0.980054 |
Biden to release of 1 mln barrels of oil a day to ease pump prices
President Joe Biden on Thursday will announce the release of 1 million barrels of oil a day for the next six months from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to bring down gasoline prices, the White House said.
- Country:
- United States
President Joe Biden on Thursday will announce the release of 1 million barrels of oil a day for the next six months from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to bring down gasoline prices, the White House said. Biden's aim is to try to bring down gasoline prices that have soared in recent months particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Biden is to make the announcement at 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT) event at the White House. "After consultation with allies and partners, the president will announce the largest release of oil reserves in history, putting one million additional barrels on the market per day on average – every day – for the next six months," the White House said.
In addition, the Defense Production Act will be authorized to support the production and processing of minerals and materials used for large capacity batteries - such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese, the White House said. The scale of the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was described by the White House as unprecedented.
"The world has never had a release of oil reserves at this 1 million per day rate for this length of time. This record release will provide a historic amount of supply to serve as bridge until the end of the year when domestic production ramps up," it said. The Department of Energy will use the revenue from the release to restock the SPR in future years, the White House said.
(Reporting By Steve Holland Editing by Marguerita Choy)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Russia
- manganese
- White House
- Biden
- Ukraine
- The Department of Energy
- Joe Biden
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India taking up Russian discounted oil offer will not violate US sanctions on Moscow: White House | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985404-biden-to-release-of-1-mln-barrels-of-oil-a-day-to-ease-pump-prices | 2022-03-31T16:14:16 | en | 0.940274 |
Customs officials seize over 290 grams of gold at Lucknow Airport, one held
Lucknow Airport customs department seized over 290 grams of gold from a passenger on Thursday.
- Country:
- India
Lucknow Airport customs department seized over 290 grams of gold from a passenger on Thursday. The passenger was travelling from Dubai to Lucknow and had 295.500 grams of gold worth Rs 15,66,150.
The passenger was held on the basis of suspicion when he was intercepted while walking through the green channel. The officials checked him and after scanning his shoes through X-ray, a dark image appeared on the sole of the shoes. Two packets of the gold compound were found concealed inside the shoe sole by the customs officials from the passenger.
Further investigations are underway. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1985416-customs-officials-seize-over-290-grams-of-gold-at-lucknow-airport-one-held | 2022-03-31T16:14:24 | en | 0.981661 |
QUOTES-Reactions to Russia saying gas buyers must pay in roubles
Following are reactions to Russian President Vladimir Putin saying foreign buyers of Russian gas must pay in roubles from April 1, and that contracts would be halted if these payments were not made.
GERMAN ECONOMY MINISTER ROBERT HABECK "With regard to the threat, demand or consideration - one doesn't know how to call it any more - to be made to pay in rouble, it is crucial for us that the contracts are respected."
"It is important for us not to give a signal that we will be blackmailed by Putin." GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ
"By all means, it remains the case that companies want, can and will pay in euro." GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER CHRISTIAN LINDNER
"We are convinced that contracts are contracts. The contracts are based on euro and so we will continue to pay for energy imports in euro." "We will look in detail into what is being proposed and demanded. But it is clear for us there can be no political blackmail."
FRENCH ECONOMY MINISTER BRUNO LE MAIRE "Contracts are contracts."
DUTCH GAS TRADING CORPORATION GASTERRA "International agreements contain clauses about payments and currency. Sticking to the agreement remains our position."
DUTCH ENERGY COMPANY ENECO After Putin's announcement, a spokesperson said there was no change to the following statement, which it made the previous day:
"Eneco has a long-term contract with Wingas, a German subsidiary of Gazprom, for delivery until 2030. Eneco expects its current contract with Wingas in euros to be honoured." POLISH GAS COMPANY PGNiG
"PGNiG doesn't provide detailed comments on contractual clauses. The company remains in current contact with Gazprom," the company press office said. Danish energy firm, Orsted, which has a long-term take-or-pay contract with Gazprom, said it was still waiting to hear from the Russian firm and declined to comment further.
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON'S SPOKESPERSON Asked if there were any circumstances in which Britain would pay in roubles for Russian gas:
"That is not something we will be looking to do." ANALYSTS AT FITCH SOLUTIONS
"Potentially, the Kremlin is acting from a fear that Gazprombank will soon be sanctioned too, amid a wider bid by the European Union to cut energy ties with Russia completely." "The long-term contracts for natural gas purchases from Russia are denominated in EUR (euros) and therefore, without contract renegotiation, there is no legal basis for Russia to enforce this demand."
"Russia would have to physically halt gas flows to EU 27 (European Union member states) to force the issue, marking a major escalation not even performed at the height of the Cold War. It would mark another major financial blow to Russia's coffers." (Compiled by Isla Binnie; editing by Barbara Lewis)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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2 killed by tornado that touched down in Florida Panhandle: sheriff
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. - A line of severe storms packing isolated tornadoes and high winds ripped across the Deep South overnight — killing at least two in the Florida Panhandle, toppling trees and power lines and leaving homes and businesses damaged as the vast weather front raced across several states.
In Florida, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday morning that two were killed and two injured when a tornado touched down in the western Florida Panhandle.
The sheriff’s office also said the tornado destroyed homes there. Its Facebook page showed at least one home that was obliterated, as well as trees down on another home. No other details were immediately available.
At least two confirmed tornadoes injured several people Wednesday, damaged homes and businesses and downed power lines in Mississippi and Tennessee after earlier storm caused damage in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas.
About 185,000 customers were without electricity Thursday morning in the wake of the storm along a band of states: Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utilities.
The worst of the weather Thursday morning appeared to be at the southern end of the storm front, which was expected to bring heavy rain and high winds all along the U.S. East Coast later in the day. Much of the Florida Panhandle was under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.
Widespread damage was reported in the Jackson, Tennessee, area as a tornado warning was in effect. "Significant damage" occurred to a nursing home near Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in Jackson, said Madison County Emergency Management Director Jason Moore.
RELATED: TIMELINE: Here's when strong storms are expected to impact Central Florida
In Nashville, Tennessee, paneling fell five stories from the side of a downtown hotel Wednesday evening and onto the roof of a building below. The fire department warned that debris could become airborne as high winds continued, and some hotel guests were moved to other parts of the building due to concerns the roof would become unstable. No injuries were immediately associated with the collapse.
Daylight revealed widespread wind damage across Alabama.
One person was hurt when a storm hit the University of Montevallo campus south of Birmingham, damaging a dormitory, officials said, and a woman was injured when a manufactured home rolled over in rural Bibb County. A school bus was flipped at a high school in south Alabama, and part of the roof was missing from a church in northwest Alabama.
Elsewhere, a warehouse roof collapsed as the storms moved through Southaven, Mississippi, near Memphis, police said. The building had been evacuated and no injuries were reported.
The Mississippi Senate suspended its work Wednesday as weather sirens blared during a tornado watch in downtown Jackson. Some employees took shelter in the Capitol basement.
Rander P. Adams said he and his wife, Janice Delores Adams, were in their home near downtown Jackson when severe weather blew through during a tornado warning Wednesday afternoon. He said their lights flashed and a large window exploded just feet from his wife as she tried to open their front door.
"The glass broke just as if someone threw a brick through it," he said. "I advised her then, ‘Let’s go to the back of the house.’"
Adams said the storm toppled trees in a nearby park, and a large tree across the street from their house split in half. "We were blessed," he said. "Instead of falling toward the house, it fell the other way."
DOWNLOAD: FOX 35 NEWS APP | FOX 35 STORM TEAM WEATHER APP
Earlier Wednesday, a tornado that struck Springdale, Arkansas, and the adjoining town of Johnson, about 145 miles (235 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock, shortly after 4 a.m. injured seven people, two critically, according to Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse.
Sprouse said in a statement that one of those critically injured had improved and was in stable condition and the other five were released from a hospital.
"Our first responders have completed door-to-door searches, and we believe everyone has been accounted for," Sprouse said.
The National Weather Service in Tulsa said Thursday that the tornado has been rated an EF-3, up from an initial assessment of EF-2, with wind speeds between 136-165 mph (219-265 kph). The tornado reached a peak speed of about 145 mph (233 kph) and 5 miles (8 kilometers) while on the ground for about eight minutes, according to the weather service.
In northwest Missouri, an EF-1 tornado with wind speeds around 90 mph (145 kph) struck St. Joseph on Tuesday night, damaging two homes.
A small tornado also touched down briefly on the eastern edge of Dallas, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. The tornado struck just after 4:30 a.m. Wednesday near McClendon-Chisolm with top winds of about 100 mph (161 kph) and damaged homes, but no injuries were reported, according to the weather service.
The storms come a week after a tornado in a New Orleans-area neighborhood carved a path of destruction during the overnight hours and killed a man.
Strong winds in Louisiana overturned semitrailers, peeled the roof from a mobile home, sent a tree crashing into a home and knocked down power lines, according to weather service forecasters, who did not immediately confirm any tornadoes in the state.
Firefighters, meanwhile, have been trying to get handle on a wildfire spreading near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, amid mandatory evacuations as winds whipped up ahead of the approaching storm front.
The fire, which was not contained, had expanded to about 250 acres (more than 100 hectares) as of Wednesday afternoon. One person was injured, and a plume of smoke rose above one community not far from where 2016 wildfires ravaged the tourism town of Gatlinburg, killing 14 people and damaging or destroying about 2,500 buildings.
Orlando Weather: Storm alerts, live interactive radar, forecast, and more
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Click here for the latest Central Florida news, Florida stories, and local headlines. | https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/2-killed-by-tornado-that-touched-down-in-florida-panhandle-sheriff | 2022-03-31T16:14:36 | en | 0.975382 |
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