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Did lessons in biosecurity from the 2015 avian flu outbreak help save domestic birds in the 2022 outbreak?
Jada Thompson, assistant professor of agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, said one factor indicates proper biosecurity may have had a significant impact.
Thompson, a researcher with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said unlike 2015's bird flu outbreak, there was little to no "lateral spread" of the new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this year.
"Lateral spread" means the transmission of the disease from house to house through things like farm equipment, vehicles and people, or from farm to farm.
In the current outbreak, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reports 40.09 million domestic birds in commercial and backyard flocks were lost to HPAI. Infection numbers have waned since May.
The 2015 bird flu outbreak, which peaked in the late spring, led to the deaths of 50.5 million birds and was "the largest poultry health disaster in U.S. history," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"While this 40.09 million is a big number, it's much smaller than it could have been had we not learned from before," Thompson said. "In this outbreak, we have not had lateral spread. We've had spread that appears to be from wild bird movements, so it wasn't coming from house-to-house spread, which is what we had in 2015."
Arkansas is one of the top three broiler producers in the nation and is one of just 12 states not to have HPAI in a commercial or backyard flock in the 2022 outbreak as of June 30. In 2015 just a handful of states reported the highly pathogenic bird flu, but with higher infection numbers. Thompson noted that backyard flock reports, which can start with a cooperative extension agent, have also increased this year.
Thompson, a northwest Arkansas native, is among a small group of agricultural economists who specialize in poultry. She has a long history with the University of Arkansas, earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics there. For her bachelor's degree, Thompson double-majored in poultry science and agricultural economics.
In June, she returned to the U of A as an agricultural economics assistant professor after five years as an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
She earned her doctorate in 2016 at Colorado State University. She has written extensively on the impacts of HPAI.
Thompson will conduct agricultural economics research through the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and teach Agriculture Business Management and International Agricultural Trade and Commercial Policy through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the U of A.
Although not limited to poultry in her livestock trade research, she looks at avian flu to help the poultry industry determine how to manage business operations better and maintain business continuity during an outbreak.
"I look at how we can manage risks in the future and address oncoming issues," Thompson said. "How do we learn from the past to improve future performances?"
The coronavirus pandemic opened another door of study in agricultural economics. Thompson and her co-authors are often cited for their 2021 paper "COVID-19 and the agri-food system in the United States and Canada."
Another 2021 paper she co-authored with John Anderson, head of the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness department, is titled "Estimating COVID-19 impacts on the broiler industry."
Thompson has also co-authored papers on the impacts of diseases, drought and pests on cattle and economic investigations into recreational fishing, sport-trained horses, cage-free egg production investments, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Although beef and poultry have been her primary subjects, she has investigated various economic questions, from an analysis of the rice trade and switchgrass as jet fuel to the impacts of all-day breakfast at McDonald's on the nation's egg layers during a pathogen outbreak. She also studied abroad to obtain a master's in rural development from Ghent University in Belgium.
"Dr. Thompson has training and experience in a wide variety of subject matter areas relevant to Arkansas stakeholders," said Anderson, who is also director of the Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence, within the U of A System.
Anderson said Thompson's "deep expertise in poultry industry issues" was developed through her personal experience in the industry, her poultry science training at the U of A, and her work on disease mitigation with USDA-APHIS.
"She will be an invaluable asset in our department, given the economic significance of our poultry industry," Anderson said. "In addition to that subject matter expertise, Dr. Thompson is an accomplished teacher and has great experience working directly with industry stakeholders. She is well-equipped to make significant contributions to our program efforts."
To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow the agency on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch.
John Lovett is with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/jul/02/expert-notes-lessons-in-2015-bird-flu/ | 2022-07-02 09:37:44 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/jul/02/expert-notes-lessons-in-2015-bird-flu/ |
On his newest album, Hi-Fly, Sachal Vasandani pays tribute to jazz pioneers such as George Gershwin and Jon Hendricks and also showcases some of his own music. A self-described "nice Indian kid from Chicago," Vasandani says his parents helped instill in him a love for jazz, but that they've always broadened his horizons, too.
"The other day I was in Chicago," he tells All Things Considered host Michele Norris. "My dad was trying to talk me into listening to this Laurie Anderson record, and my mom had the new TV on the Radio in the car. So, yeah, I've got some cool parents that like a lot of cool music."
Vasandani says his late grandfather, a singer of classical Indian music, also played a part in his musical education.
"There was always music playing in his house in New Delhi. Music wasn't in the background — it was there for everybody in the house to revel in and to really enjoy, and for him to tell you why you should be enjoying it," Vasandani says. "He was a taskmaster about everything, and I loved it. I have the same respect for Hindustani or Carnatic classical music as I do for jazz — the discipline to improvise, and to really be free and tell a story."
Hi-Fly features a few guest appearances from the legendary jazz singer and lyricist Jon Hendricks. Vasandani says he felt close to Hendricks before their working relationship even began.
"When I met him in 2008, I was in awe — first, just to meet him as a fan, and then as someone who at that time was 86. I had just come back from India, where my grandfather was passing away, and he was 86," Vasandani says. "So there was a very spiritually connected moment for me from the get-go with Jon."
Apart from being Vasandani's hometown, Chicago is also home to some of the country's most storied jazz clubs. He says that witnessing the music live is one of the most important things a jazz musician can do to better his or her art.
"To really see how people play all night, and live on the bandstand, and live in real life, there's no substitute for experiencing it in the clubs," he says. "And I would say that's for audiences, too. Records are wonderful, and I support them fully. But there's no substitute for live jazz."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wdiy.org/2011-06-21/sachal-vasandani-a-nice-indian-kid-learns-to-sing-jazz | 2022-07-31 13:29:56 | 1 | https://www.wdiy.org/2011-06-21/sachal-vasandani-a-nice-indian-kid-learns-to-sing-jazz |
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The county Road Commission and Consumers Energy say they are ready for what could be a pre-Christmas snowstorm with the potential to dump up to 7 inches of snow on the Flint area with wind gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour.
“Our objective is to keep the roads safe for drivers,” said GCRC Managing Director Fred Peivandi. “Maintenance staff will monitor conditions 24/7 and direct employees to respond accordingly.”
Road Commission offices are closed for non-essential operations on Friday, Dec. 23 -- the potential peak of the bad weather -- but plow truck drivers are on standby for what’s expected to be the first big snowfall of this winter.
Consumers said in a statement that it’s ready for the storm and prepared for what could be power losses throughout the state.
“Consumers Energy customers should know we are all-hands-on-deck preparing for this storm. Crews are preparing trucks and essential materials right now to assist with any restoration efforts,” Garrick Rochow, president and chief executive officer of Consumers, said in an announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 21. “We are ready and we’ll work as quickly and as safely as possible to restore any outages this storm may cause. We are grateful for our customers’ patience and understanding.”
The National Weather Service said in its Thursday, Dec. 22, forecast for southeast Michigan that a rapid changeover from rain to snow is expected Thursday evening into the morning on Friday with wind chill values dropping to as low as 15 degrees below zero at times. Its forecast predicts 5-7 inches of snow across southeast Michigan.
MLive meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has projected the Flint area to be on the edge of a heavier snow burst in Saginaw County and the Thumb, probably receiving about 5 inches of snow.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible, according to the NWS forecast, with widespread blowing snow that may significantly reduce visibility to near zero, yielding whiteout conditions. Drifting snow could hamper snow removal operations, the forecast says.
The Road Commission said it will clear snow based on the level of traffic volume with state highways receiving first priority, followed by primary roads and then local roads.
Subdivision roads inside cities are maintained by local crews and subdivisions outside cities will be the last to get attention from the Road Commission, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday.
The county said its salt barns are fully stocked and crews have been changing out truck snow plow blades in anticipation of the storm.
Smaller public works departments are also bracing for the potential harsh weather.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Flushing Mayor Joseph R. Karlichek reminded residents not to park on city streets in advance of the predicted snow and asked residents who have a fire hydrant on their property to shovel a minimum of three feet around it to keep hydrants accessible to the city’s fire department.
In Flint, the city’s snow and ice control plan says crews will begin using front plow blades if more than 4 inches of snow falls, utilizing salt and under-body plows for lesser accumulations.
Flint prioritizes where it plows after heavy snowfalls, putting major streets first, followed by dangerous hills, curves and intersections as well as schools and hospitals.
Read more at The Flint Journal:
Pre-Christmas Blizzard: What’s changed overnight
Flint has cheapest gas in Michigan -- except for one UP city
Judge approves water crisis settlement between 4 Flint kids, engineering company
Flint mayor’s top aide wants pay raise but City Council not ready to give it | https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/12/salt-barns-stocked-plow-drivers-on-standby-as-snowstorm-nears-flint-area.html | 2022-12-22 15:51:51 | 1 | https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/12/salt-barns-stocked-plow-drivers-on-standby-as-snowstorm-nears-flint-area.html |
New Akita Epson Factory in Japan to Triple PrecisionCore Print Head Production Annually
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Dec. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the business inkjet printer market continues on an upward trajectory, Epson recognizes the strength of its inkjet technology and has committed to investing in it. IDC recently reported that within the market, over 255,000 color A3 MFP units are shipped annually in North America.1 Epson will triple printhead production capacity and has reaffirmed its commitment to PrecisionCore Heat-Free® inkjet technology and developing sustainable technologies. This charge is backed by a previously announced $712.5 million investment over ten years.
As part of this investment, Akita Epson Corporation, a group company of Seiko Epson Corporation, has committed approximately $25.1 million towards the construction of a new factory on the Akita Epson lot to increase production capacity of printheads for inkjet printers. Construction work on the new factory began in November 2022 and is scheduled for completion in December 2023. This investment will approximately triple Akita Epson's current printhead production capacity.
"From environmental to workflow efficiencies, inkjet provides several benefits over the legacy laser machines. From our experience, where inkjet goes, it wins, and Epson recognizes this incredible opportunity to disrupt the market," said Mark Mathews, vice president, North America Commercial Sales and Marketing, Epson America, Inc. "Epson is focused on changing the way we consume energy and is committed to providing innovative and efficient PrecisionCore Heat-Free print solutions. Looking ahead, we believe this increase in production will have a large impact within this market that will justify the investment."
Epson's printing solutions business provides products and services based on original Micro Piezo inkjet technology to customers in the office, home, commercial, and industrial markets. Global demand for inkjet printers in the office and home inkjet printer markets is forecast to continue growing over the medium and long terms. The need for distributed printing that arose with COVID-19 is helping to fuel this demand, as is the strong demand for high-capacity ink tank printers in North America and other developed economies.
The new factory will be used to manufacture and assemble inkjet printheads, the core devices used in inkjet printers. The investment plan will ensure that Epson has enough production space to meet the predicted future growth in demand. It will also enable Epson to strengthen its product lineup and expand printhead sales to third parties, with a view to increasing the supply of inkjet printers equipped with cutting-edge PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads*.
Epson PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology benefits include:
- Time saved with consistent high-speed printing: Heat-Free technology requires no heat to warm up when it is switched on or awoken from sleep. This means printing starts immediately.
- Low power consumption saves energy and money: Heat-Free technology has low power consumption because it does not use heat to warm up. Inkjets have no fuse unit to heat.
- Fewer replacement parts: Laser printers typically have more consumables and require periodic replacement of the drum, transfer belt and fuse in many cases. Thanks to Heat-Free Technology, Epson inkjet printers use fewer parts that need replacing.
- Less intervention increases productivity: The Heat-Free structure of Epson inkjet printers means that there are fewer parts that can fail, which reduces the amount of intervention required.
For more information on Epson Heat-Free technology, please visit: https://epson.com/heat-free-inkjet-printers-benefits.
Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/
Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).
* PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads are critical components that determine the image quality and speed of an inkjet printer. Equipped with an array of individually controlled nozzles, they are capable of ejecting 50,000 tiny ink droplets per second, with droplet sizes as small as several picoliters (a picoliter is one trillionth of a liter).
1 IDC Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, 2022Q1 Final Historical, May 12, 2022
EPSON and PrecisionCore Heat-Free are registered trademarks, and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2022 Epson America, Inc.
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SOURCE Epson America, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/12/06/epson-reinforces-commitment-heat-free-inkjet-technology-invests-millions-developing-sustainable-technologies/ | 2022-12-06 08:48:15 | 0 | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/12/06/epson-reinforces-commitment-heat-free-inkjet-technology-invests-millions-developing-sustainable-technologies/ |
The UK firm Electrogenic is launching an EV conversion kit for the classic Mini that the company claims will bolt directly in.
Due to go on sale this fall, the kit will retail for 15,000 pounds—equivalent to about $19,000 at current exchange rates—before the cost of a donor car. Keeping in mind that $30,000 is generally considered a ballpark figure for an EV conversion, without factoring in the donor car, it’s a relative bargain.
Electrogenic’s kit only includes a 20-kwh battery pack affording an estimated 80 miles of range, granted, but that may be enough for a city car like the Mini. An extended range version, with additional battery modules in the trunk, is also under development. The included electric motor delivers 60 hp.
Electrogenic verified to Green Car Reports that the kit will include whatever charging port is relevant for the local market. And it indicates that there are several partners in the U.S.
The company previously engineered electric conversions of other classics like the Citroën DS and Land Rover Defender, and like those conversions, the Mini EV kit is designed to drop into the existing vehicle’s structure. Components are sold pre-assembled on a new subframe that bolts up to the existing vehicle. Other than that, installers just need to connect some wires for the throttle and dashboard, according to Electrogenic. The conversion is also completely reversible, the company claims.
Enthusiasts looking for an electric Mini actually have a few options—but most aren’t as simple or affordable. Mini Recharged is also converting old Minis to electric under the aegis of the modern Mini brand, but the program is only in the UK and costs much more. One EV-savvy YouTuber created an electric Mini Cooper for less than $3,000, all-in, but it involved some scrappy methods and a lot of personal labor.
Those not wedded to the classic design can also have a modern electric Mini from the factory. The Mini Cooper SE costs just $30,750 new for the 2023 model year, although the base version may be hard to get.
Mini just this past week indicated that a redesigned version of the Mini Cooper Electric is on the way. It will likely be considered a 2025 model in the U.S.
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(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)
Kenneth Keiler, Penn State
(THE CONVERSATION) COVID-19 has rightfully dominated infectious disease news since 2020. However, that doesn’t mean other infectious diseases took a break. In fact, U.S. rates of infection by gonorrhea have risen during the pandemic.
Unlike COVID-19, which is a new virus, gonorrhea is an ancient disease. The first known reports of gonorrhea date from China in 2600 BC, and the disease has plagued humans ever since. Gonorrhea has long been one of the most commonly reported bacterial infections in the U.S.. It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can infect mucous membranes in the genitals, rectum, throat and eyes.
Gonorrhea is typically transmitted by sexual contact. It is sometimes referred to as “the clap.”
Prior to the pandemic, there were around 1.6 million new gonorrhea infections each year. Over 50% of those cases involved strains of gonorrhea that had become unresponsive to treatment with at least one antibiotic.
In 2020, gonorrhea infections initially went down 30%, most likely due to pandemic lockdowns and social distancing. However, by the end of 2020 – the last year for which data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available – reported infections were up 10% from 2019.
It is unclear why infections went up even though some social distancing measures were still in place. But the CDC notes that reduced access to health care may have led to longer infections and more opportunity to spread the disease, and sexual activity may have increased when initial shelter-in-place orders were lifted.
As a molecular biologist, I have been studying bacteria and working to develop new antibiotics to treat drug-resistant infections for 20 years. Over that time, I’ve seen the problem of antibiotic resistance take on new urgency.
Gonorrhea, in particular, is a major public health concern, but there are concrete steps that people can take to prevent it from getting worse, and new antibiotics and vaccines may improve care in the future.
How to recognize gonorrhea
Around half of gonorrhea infections are asymptomatic and can only be detected through screening. Infected people without symptoms can unknowingly spread gonorrhea to others.
Typical early signs of symptomatic gonorrhea include a painful or burning sensation when peeing, vaginal or penal discharge, or anal itching, bleeding or discharge. Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause blindness and infertility. Antibiotic treatment can cure most cases of gonorrhea as long as the infection is susceptible to at least one antibiotic.
There is currently only one recommended treatment for gonorrhea in the U.S. – an antibiotic called ceftriaxone – because the bacteria have become resistant to other antibiotics that were formerly effective against it. Seven different families of antibiotics have been used to treat gonorrhea in the past, but many strains are now resistant to one or more of these drugs.
Why gonorrhea is on the rise
A few factors have contributed to the increase in infections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early in the pandemic, most U.S. labs capable of testing for gonorrhea switched to testing for COVID-19. These labs have also been contending with the same shortages of staff and supplies that affectmedical facilities across the country.
Many people have avoided clinics and hospitals during the pandemic, which has decreased opportunities to identify and treat gonorrhea infections before they spread. In fact, because of decreased screening over the past two and a half years, health care experts don’t know exactly how much antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea has spread.
Also, early in the pandemic, many doctors prescribed antibiotics to COVID-19 patients even though antibiotics do not work on viruses like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Improper use of antibiotics can contribute to greater drug resistance, so it is reasonable to suspect that this has happened with gonorrhea.
Overuse of antibiotics
Even prior to the pandemic, resistance to antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections was a growing problem. In the U.S., antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea infections increased by over 70% from 2017-2019.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a specialist at picking up new genes from other pathogens and from “commensal,” or helpful, bacteria. These helpful bacteria can also become antibiotic-resistant, providing more opportunities for the gonorrhea bacterium to acquire resistant genes.
Strains resistant to ceftriaxone have been observed in other countries, including Japan, Thailand,Australia and the U.K., raising the possibility that some gonorrhea infections may soon be completely untreatable.
Steps toward prevention
Currently, changes in behavior are among the best ways to limit overall gonorrhea infections – particularly safer sexual behavior and condom use.
However, additional efforts are needed to delay or prevent an era of untreatable gonorrhea.
Scientists can create new antibiotics that are effective against resistant strains; however, decreased investment in this research and development over the past 30 years has slowed the introduction of new antibiotics to a trickle. No new drugs to treat gonorrhea have been introduced since 2019, although two are in the final stage of clinical trials.
Vaccination against gonorrhea isn’t possible presently, but it could be in the future. Vaccines effective against the meningitis bacterium, a close relative of gonorrhea, can sometimes also provide protection against gonorrhea. This suggests that a gonorrhea vaccine should be achievable.
The World Health Organization has begun an initiative to reduce gonorrhea worldwide by 90% before 2030. This initiative aims to promote safe sexual practices, increase access to high-quality health care for sexually transmitted diseases and expand testing so that asymptomatic infections can be treated before they spread. The initiative is also advocating for increased research into vaccines and new antibiotics to treat gonorrhea.
Setbacks in fighting drug-resistant gonorrhea during the COVID-19 pandemic make these actions even more urgent.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/gonorrhea-became-more-drug-resistant-while-attention-was-on-covid-19-a-molecular-biologist-explains-the-sexually-transmitted-superbug-187909. | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Gonorrhea-became-more-drug-resistant-while-17488230.php | 2022-10-05 20:47:28 | 0 | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Gonorrhea-became-more-drug-resistant-while-17488230.php |
Fox caught on video swiping shoe, among many items taken from human neighbors
MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) - The official start to summer is around the corner, which means mating season is in full swing for many animals, among them foxes.
Residents in one Pennsylvania town are dealing with mischief from some new fox pups.
Scavengers are scavenging once again, burrowing in backyards and pulling off familiar heists.
“Few pairs in, few pairs reunited with their owners,” said Tom Acquarola, who knows the foxes’ M.O. They chase shoes, baseball gloves and newspapers.
But rather than be an accomplice to their crimes, he and his wife are helping to reunite the stolen goods.
“I was just looking at my phone, and I popped onto Facebook. And I saw in one of my groups that someone found a whole bunch of shoes in their yard the night before and was posting pictures of the shoes,” Dianne Laden said.
She caught the culprit red-tailed and learned the identity of the swiper swiping her family’s shoes.
“I think we just need to keep our shoes inside,” Laden said, laughing.
Experts say it’s best to leave the cubs alone.
“Foxes are very curious and very playful and very smart. To them it’s a game,” said Leah Stallings, executive director of AARK Wildlife.
Late spring and summer is baby season, and while mom and dad are out hunting, the cubs are having fun.
“Foxes have discovered that humans just aren’t a problem, so they’re not afraid to be in close proximity to humans because they don’t really see us as dangerous,” Stallings aid.
As for Acquarola, he’s learned to share his yard. And in the last year, he’s perfected his answer to “What does the fox say?”
“Here it goes *screeches* ... something like that,” he said.
Experts said there are benefits to a fox in your yard. They’ll eat all the mice.
Copyright 2023 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kswo.com/2023/06/06/fox-caught-video-swiping-shoe-among-many-items-taken-human-neighbors/ | 2023-06-06 15:53:18 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/2023/06/06/fox-caught-video-swiping-shoe-among-many-items-taken-human-neighbors/ |
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis announced the first appointments Tuesday under his newly reformed Vatican bureaucracy, tapping a trusted cardinal and outside financial experts to serve on a new investment committee.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who leads the Vatican’s laity office and is also the “camerlengo” who runs the Vatican in between pontificates, will head the committee assisted by four experts from Britain, Germany, Norway and the U.S., the Vatican said in a note.
Among other things, Francis’ new reform calls for the creation of an investment committee to guarantee “the ethical nature of the Holy See’s securities investments according to the church’s social doctrine and at the same time their profitability, adequacy and risks.”
Its creation marks the pope's latest response to a financial scandal that has rocked the Vatican for several years over its 350-million-euro investment in a London real estate venture. Vatican prosecutors have charged 10 people, including a cardinal, of defrauding the Holy See of tens of millions of euros.
During a new hearing in the trial on Tuesday, prosecutors questioned defendant Raffaele Mincione, a London-based fund manager, for a second day about his management of a fund that owned the London property. He denies wrongdoing.
Francis was elected on a mandate to reform the Vatican bureaucracy, and both the trial and his new blueprint reorganizing the Curia, which went into effect Sunday, are some of the tangible effects of that reform.
The pope is expected to make more appointments in the coming days and weeks to fill out some of the newly merged offices.
Separately Tuesday, the Vatican bank issued its annual report, recording an 18.1-million-euro net profit, down from the 36.4-million profit in 2020. The Institute for Religious Works, as the bank is known, said the profit was in line with expectations based on a new business model and conservative risk portfolio. | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Pope-creates-staffs-committee-to-guide-future-17224784.php | 2022-06-07 16:04:14 | 1 | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Pope-creates-staffs-committee-to-guide-future-17224784.php |
Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) discusses national security and foreign policy in D.C. amid 2024 speculation
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Wednesday, Governor Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) spoke about policy to combat China at a Washington, D.C. think tank dedicated to pushing the policies of former President Donald Trump.
Noem has not announced she’s making a presidential run, but Wednesday’s speech adds to the speculation that’s already swirling about what move she may make.
Noem told the room, “I would say maybe a little bit of a different conversation for a governor to be sitting in front of you talking about national security or foreign policy.”
Noem highlighted her resistance to issuing COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, and her policies aimed at the Chinese government, such as banning her state’s government officials from using TikTok, and a current attempt to block investors based in China from buying South Dakota farmland.
Noem said, “if a purchase comes from a country that hates us, and hates America and wants to destroy us, well then it’s not going to go forward.”
Former Trump Administration spokesman Hogan Gidley is now with the America First Policy Institute. He answered what he thinks Wednesday’s talk means for the speculation on whether Noem will seek the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
“Well look, I don’t know if it’s going to do anything but fuel that fire,” Gidley said. “I think there are a lot of conservatives out there who are looking for different leaders. Maybe kicking those tires and if she decides to jump in the race, there’s no doubt that she will get some serious looks.”
Noem didn’t take questions from the media Wednesday After last year’s midterms she told the New York Times that former President Trump doesn’t offer the Republican Party the best chance to reclaim the White House. Last month, Noem told CBS News that she’s not convinced she needs to run for president and wasn’t in a rush to make a 2024 decision.
Jessica Taylor, the Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report, said of Noem’s Wednesday speech, “There’s no downside to trying to raise your profile ahead of 2024, especially in a way in which you can stay in Trump’s good graces. Something like speaking at (America First Policy Institute) isn’t going to antagonize ‘Trumpworld’ as much as more overt testing of the presidential waters.”
Copyright 2023 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbtv.com/2023/02/15/gov-kristi-noem-r-sd-discusses-national-security-foreign-policy-dc-amid-2024-speculation/ | 2023-02-15 22:49:47 | 1 | https://www.wbtv.com/2023/02/15/gov-kristi-noem-r-sd-discusses-national-security-foreign-policy-dc-amid-2024-speculation/ |
CLAREMONT, Calif., Nov. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for election season, the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College has debuted the student-produced Video Voter Guide, a nonpartisan resource for voters in the Golden State to research the propositions on their 2022 California ballots.
While Election Day is Nov. 8, many California voters are already busily preparing their ballots to either vote-by-mail or drop off in election boxes throughout the state. Fortunately, the Video Voter Guide is a useful resource, providing thoroughly researched, easy-to-understand explanations of the often-complex measures.
Rose Institute students have produced a Video Voter Guide each election cycle since 2012, and the process presents a valuable learning opportunity.
"Students gain a thorough understanding of the policy issue covered by each measure, as well as practical skills in distilling a complex topic to its essentials and presenting it in an accessible way," said CMC Professor Ken Miller, director of the Rose Institute.
In addition, Miller points out, the fact that these explainers are created by a team of nine college students, offers a youthful perspective that also sets them apart from other voter guides, "which are produced by government officials, journalists, or interest group and campaign professionals," he said.
Intended to "help voters cut through the often-distorted messages presented in paid political ads," Miller noted that "like campaign ads, the videos are accessible; unlike campaign ads, they're objective."
Marshall Bessey '23, the Voter Guide's project manager explained, "In two to three minutes, we cover each measure's background, proposed policy changes, fiscal impact, arguments for and against, key supporters and opponents, and the consequences of a yes or no vote."
And this year, Bessey added, to increase engagement among younger voters — many of whom are casting ballots for their first time— the Rose team also produced Instagram and TikTok versions.
Sharing the videos through Instagram and TikTok "should help ensure that our products appeal to the widest range of Californians possible," Bessey said. "I think it contributes to the Video Voter Guide's innovative nature. When Rose Institute students started this project in 2012, they hoped it would help voters of all ages, especially youth voters, make more informed decisions about ballot measures."
View the Video Voter Guide here, on YouTube, or by following @rose_institute on Instagram and @roseinstitute on TikTok
Media Contact: Gilien Silsby, gsilsby@cmc.edu
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SOURCE Claremont McKenna College | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/11/01/claremont-mckenna-college-produces-video-voter-guide-california-election/ | 2022-11-02 01:25:11 | 1 | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/11/01/claremont-mckenna-college-produces-video-voter-guide-california-election/ |
It was the kind of loss that can turn into two or more if a team isn’t careful.
Ahead by seven points with less than two minutes left Friday night, No. 14 Gonzaga managed to lose as sixth-ranked Baylor rattled off the last eight points to earn a 64-63 decision in Sioux Falls, S.D.
There isn’t a lot of time for the Bulldogs to dwell on that outcome, though, as they have a dangerous game Monday night when Kent State visits Spokane for a non-conference contest.
Gonzaga (5-3) owned a 63-56 advantage with 1:41 remaining after Malachi Smith dunked, but it whiffed on its last five possessions. It committed a couple of turnovers, including a shot clock violation while it tried to add to a one-point lead.
Rasir Bolton missed a driving layup under heavy guarding just before time expired. It was a fitting capper to a game where the Zags simply weren’t in sync offensively after Baylor limited their best player, Drew Timme, to six shots and nine points.
It didn’t help that Timme found foul trouble, eventually fouling out before Jalen Bridges hit two foul shots with 16.1 seconds left to put Baylor ahead to stay.
“They just double him constantly,” said Gonzaga coach Mark Few of Baylor’s strategy. “They front him, they don’t want him to have catches. I thought he did a great job of spraying it and finding our guys and putting us in position.”
Despite his off-game, Timme is still averaging 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while canning 61.4 percent of his field goals. Julian Strawther is scoring 13.6 ppg and grabbing a team-high 8.6 boards. Bolton chips in 12.4 ppg.
While the Zags have run into a couple of opponents lately that have been able to knock their offense out of rhythm, they’re still averaging 81.1 ppg and connecting on 49.9 percent of their field goals.
But they will get another test from Kent State (6-2), which has proven it can play with anyone. Just ask top-ranked Houston, which shot just 32 percent from the field and hacked up 23 turnovers on Nov. 26 in a 49-44 squeaker over the Golden Flashes.
Kent State is coming off an 83-68 win Friday night at home against defending Summit League champion South Dakota State. It started the game with 11 unanswered points and led by no fewer than eight for the night’s remainder.
Four players reached double figures for the Golden Flashes, led by Sincere Carry’s game-high 23 points. They also got a double-double from Cli’Ron Hornbeak, who scored a career-high 11 points while grabbing 12 rebounds.
“We have a lot of balance and a lot of guys who can get the job done,” said Kent State coach Rob Senderoff. “Different guys on our foster have the capability to step up at different moments.”
Carry averages 18.5 points and 5.1 assists for the Golden Flashes, who have outscored opponents by nearly 15 points per game.
This will be the first meeting of these two programs.
–Field Level Media | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/sports/ncaa/after-tough-loss-no-14-gonzaga-faces-formidable-kent-state/ | 2022-12-05 06:31:45 | 0 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/sports/ncaa/after-tough-loss-no-14-gonzaga-faces-formidable-kent-state/ |
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The government wants to help renters and homeowners with rising housing costs. The Biden administration announced a new affordable housing plan on Monday.
Deputy National Economic Council Director Bharat Ramamurti says the focus is increasing the supply of available living spaces.
“The way to bring costs down for families in a sustainable way is to make sure that there are more homes available,” Ramamurti said.
He says the administration’s plan aims to do that with new financing options and expanded access to certain tax credits and loans.
“Make it easier for developers to build new homes, finish those homes, and get them into the hands of people who really need them,” Ramamurti said.
National Housing Conference CEO David Dworkin applauds their steps.
“What the administration is doing is its saying, so what are the federal levers that are going to make a difference,” Dworkin said.
The plan also pressures local governments to change complicated zoning regulations. And it reforms existing housing programs.
“Streamline and simplify them in order to make the dollars we are currently appropriating go further,” Dworkin said.
In addition, President Joe Biden is asking Congress to pass legislation that tackles the issue of affordable housing.
“There are certain things we can only do with Congress and one of those things is to make significant changes to our tax code,” Ramamurti said.
The Biden administration is pushing for lawmakers to expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and pass the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act.
“They have bipartisan support and there is no reason why they couldn’t be taken up on their own,” Dworkin said.
He cautions that there is no magic wand for housing, so these efforts will take time.
“Regardless of when it happens, if we make this investment now it will absolutely make a difference and I think that’s what we have to be thinking,” Dworkin said.
Right now the administration believes there is a shortfall of about 1.5 million homes and their plan is aimed at closing that gap in five years. | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/washington/washington-dc/affordable-housing-plan-aims-to-bring-down-high-costs-of-living/ | 2022-05-17 01:50:02 | 1 | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/washington/washington-dc/affordable-housing-plan-aims-to-bring-down-high-costs-of-living/ |
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Within this year, GKFX has taken the trading experience up a notch with its implementation of both superior trading platforms: MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 from MetaQuotes. GKFX Prime's continuing effort for growth and development has indeed favored its recognized position in this financial market despite the on-and-off turbulence. Being among the top financial brokerages and providing a diversified offerings as well as advanced trading platform have allowed GKFX to become a lifelong investing alliance for various market participants.
Witch such a renovative trading experience, GKFX Prime offers various advantages that both new and professional traders could never miss
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Investors can easily find the answers to their questions and problems with the broker's 24/5-service, regardless of all time zones. Besides, multiple investment courses – which might well-cover the entire demand spectrum, could also be found on GKFX Prime while trading here. After all, education is the corner-stone even for the novice or experienced investors to stay firmer on their career path.
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About GKFX
Founded in 2012, GKFX Prime quickly secured a top place among the best brokers in the world with innovation and world-class customer service.
The company relies heavily on the know-how of its parent structure, Global Kapital Group which has extensive experience with brokerage, alternative finance and banking solutions.
GKFX Prime serves clients in more than 20 countries, speaking 12 languages to provide the best customer experience. We are working hard to shape the future of financial technologies industry.
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SOURCE GKFX Prime | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/gkfx-prime-opens-up-comprehensive-experience-trading-with-mt4-mt5-2022/ | 2022-06-30 15:39:03 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/gkfx-prime-opens-up-comprehensive-experience-trading-with-mt4-mt5-2022/ |
CHICAGO, March 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ConceiveAbilities Egg Donor & Surrogacy Agency is thrilled to once again support milk banks across the country with the #MilkBankChallenge. The goal? One million ounces of donated breast milk. Every qualified woman donating to their local milk bank will earn a $250 gift card for their time and expenses.
The infant formula shortage unfortunately is not over and support is still needed. "We have enormous gratitude for the women who joined the 2022 Milk Bank Challenge who, together, donated almost 650,000 ounces of breast milk to milk banks across America," shares ConceiveAbilities founder Nazca Fontes.
"Collaborating with ConceiveAbilities #MilkBankChallenge to save the littlest lives among us, has been one of the biggest successes of our past year. Mothers' Milk Bank of San Jose couldn't be happier to partner with them to reach another milestone of 1,000,000 ounces! With this precious resource of human breast milk, we can continue to support families helping other families in the biggest way," says interim Executive Director Cristal Ciancutti.
Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes Marissa Grossenbach adds, "Not only is ConceiveAbilities generously rewarding our families who donate their excess milk, they are also supporting our ongoing mission to expand access to donor milk and save tiny lives."
Every ounce of donor milk makes a profound impact. Because one ounce of breast milk can feed a NICU baby for an entire day, last year's donations helped a remarkable number of families. Lenna Gregory with Denver's Mothers' Milk Bank appreciates that more people are learning about milk donation through ConceiveAbilities, "Nonprofit milk banks provide safe, screened human milk for the most fragile infants, and we always have a need for new donors of this precious resource." ConceiveAbilities is ready to support even more needy infants with the goal of attracting 1,500 women donating to 2023's one million ounce goal.
There are two ways people can join this year's 2023 Milk Bank Challenge. First, everyone can be a #MilkBankChallenge Champion and earn rewards by sharing a customized link to text, email and share on their social channels with potentially lactating women. For each person in their community who enters their email to learn more about the Milk Bank Challenge, they will both earn a $5 reward.
Second, lactating women can donate breast milk to their local milk bank. Even small donations can make a profound impact and every donor receives a $250 gift card for their efforts. Learn more about joining the #MilkBankChallenge on ConceiveAbilities.com.
ConceiveAbilities is a leading surrogacy agency with over 25 years of experience building families. With their innovative All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package that includes top surrogate pay and a proven Matching Matters process, ConceiveAbilities is a top agency for surrogates and parents alike.
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SOURCE ConceiveAbilities | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/03/13/conceiveabilities-milkbankchallenge-announces-one-million-ounce-goal-2023/ | 2023-03-13 19:11:04 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/03/13/conceiveabilities-milkbankchallenge-announces-one-million-ounce-goal-2023/ |
DETROIT (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday afternoon's drawing of the Michigan Lottery's "Midday Daily 4" game were:
2-9-3-8
(two, nine, three, eight)
DETROIT (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday afternoon's drawing of the Michigan Lottery's "Midday Daily 4" game were:
2-9-3-8
(two, nine, three, eight) | https://www.mrt.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Midday-Daily-4-game-17725747.php | 2023-01-18 18:30:17 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Midday-Daily-4-game-17725747.php |
The seventh and final Dodge “Last Call” special edition will debut March 20 at a special event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Dodge announced Tuesday.
Dodge is rolling out the Last Call special editions as a sendoff for the current Challenger and Charger. The automaker revealed six of them throughout 2022, and originally planned to reveal the seventh model at the 2022 SEMA show in November of last year. However, Dodge announced in late September 2022 that the final Last Call model was delayed, and wouldn’t make it to SEMA.
The automaker originally attributed the delay to “product and supply challenges,” but Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis later said the reason was that the automaker kept blowing up engines while striving for more power.
“So far, we’ve grenaded seven engines,” Kuniskis said on a November 2022 call with reporters.
Those problems appear to have been solved. The seventh Last Call model’s debut will now take place at what Dodge calls a “performance festival,” which will also feature drag racing, a car show, and celebrity appearances.
The Last Call special editions celebrate the end of the Charger and Challenger nameplates, at least as internal-combustion cars. The 2023 model year is confirmed as the last for the muscle-car duo in their current form. If either returns, it will be as an electric car.
Each Last Call edition references a different Challenger or Charger from the past, with a limited production run. The six unveiled so far include the Challenger Shakedown, Charger Super Bee, Challenger and Charger Scat Pack Swinger, Charger King Daytona, and Challenger Black Ghost.
As the true finale, though, the seventh car is arguably the most anticipated. It’s expected to be based on the Challenger, and will reference another piece of Dodge muscle-car lore, but the automaker hasn’t revealed any other details.
After the Last Call models, Dodge will turn to an electric future heralded by the Charger Daytona SRT concept. Unveiled in August 2022, the coupe will also make appearance at Dodge’s Last Call event in Vegas, and previews a production model set to arrive in 2024.
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- Manual returns to Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat for final shift | https://fox59.com/automotive/internet-brands/final-dodge-last-call-model-debuts-march-20/ | 2023-01-04 19:52:37 | 0 | https://fox59.com/automotive/internet-brands/final-dodge-last-call-model-debuts-march-20/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — Sarah Langs tried on Lou Gehrig’s cap, a joyous moment and also a reminder of the link they share.
Langs, a beloved member of the baseball community in her role as a reporter and producer at Major League Baseball Advanced Media, revealed last October she had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS. She was honored at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, the 84th anniversary of Gehrig’s famous “luckiest man on the face of the Earth” speech, along with six other women who have the disease.
“I don’t think I’ve processed any of this from the day that I pressed send on that tweet to share this with the world and all of the kindness I’ve received even beforehand,” Langs said. “But, I mean, I love baseball so much. I’m so grateful for it. It’s the one thing in my life that absolutely will not change at all.”
ALS is a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body, eventually causing them to waste away. It became known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the star baseball player was diagnosed in 1939. There is no cure.
Langs, who turned 30 on May 2, visited the Yankees Museum and watched on the field as her parents, Liise-anne Pirofski and Charles Langs, threw out ceremonial first pitches. She attended the exchange of lineup cards and posed for photos with the umpires.
Seated at a pregame news conference alongside Yankees manager Aaron Boone and pitcher Gerrit Cole, Langs detailed her story as several of the women from the awareness group “Her ALS Story” and their families watched.
“I’m not used to being on this side of this. I’ve been in those seats,” Langs said, looking to the media. “This is so, so important to put a spotlight on young women with ALS, to show not everyone looks like Lou Gehrig.”
Cole presented Langs with a “Baseball Is the Best” T-shirt with the letters “ALS” highlighted in white, signed by all the Yankees as part of the team’s annual HOPE week — Helping Others Persevere & Excel. A second signed shirt will be auctioned as a fundraiser.
Before the game, the videoboard played the start of Gehrig’s speech, and then the women and several Yankees took turns reading segments of the address, which was met with a standing ovation.
Langs grew up in Manhattan, went to Dalton and the University of Chicago, interned at the New York Daily News and CSN Chicago and then joined ESPN in 2015 as a sports content researcher. She was promoted to senior sports content researcher in 2018 and joined MLB the following year.
Fans and media know her for the historical facts and comparisons she comes up with at a moment’s notice.
She spoke of her baseball highlights that include attending David Cone’s perfect game in 1999 — “I was young, but I’m aware of it and we talk about it as a family often” — and the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series Game 7 in 2016 for their first title since 1908.
She credited her perseverance to baseball.
“I think it just comes from baseball itself. I mean, baseball doesn’t stop,” she said. “It’s there every day, unlike any other sport. There’s a game every day and into October and November. So for me, the fact that baseball won’t stop means I’m not going to either.”
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.kron4.com/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/ap-mlbs-sarah-langs-who-has-als-honored-at-yankees-game-on-anniversary-of-lou-gehrigs-famous-speech/ | 2023-07-06 00:39:35 | 0 | https://www.kron4.com/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/ap-mlbs-sarah-langs-who-has-als-honored-at-yankees-game-on-anniversary-of-lou-gehrigs-famous-speech/ |
SX Works Global Publisher Services to initially focus on U.S. and Canadian markets as first step in building an integrated global publisher services administration and licensing division for music publisher and self-published songwriter communities
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SoundExchange, the premier music tech organization powering the future of music, today announced it is unifying its existing publisher services offering to build an integrated global publisher services administration and licensing division, which will be called SX Works Global Publisher Services (SX Works).
SX Works will focus on launching new solutions built to support the global music publisher and self-published songwriter communities, with phase one focusing on the U.S. and Canada. SX Works will be led by Paul Shaver, president of the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA), who will serve as president of the division. SoundExchange acquired CMRRA, Canada's leading and authoritative music publishing collective management organization, in 2017.
"SoundExchange and its affiliates are committed to ensuring all creators are fairly compensated for their work and that payments are timely, efficient, and accurate," said Michael Huppe, president and CEO of SoundExchange. "The expansion of SX Works Global Publisher Services reflects where we believe the publisher service industry is headed and Paul's recent success at CMRRA, along with his deep expertise and proven leadership, makes him well-suited to navigate the next evolution of our work to support music publishers and ensure creators are paid what they are owed."
SX Works will leverage SoundExchange's authoritative ISRC and sound recording data and CMRRA's extensive musical works database which has been specifically tailored to support multi-territory and rights contexts. CMRRA brings almost 50 years of experience in collective licensing and administration of publishing rights for record labels' catalogs, UGC platforms, and across full usage reporting delivered by digital downloads and streaming providers. This unparalleled integration, driven by best-in-class technology and extensive, transactional back-office administration, will position SX Works as a trusted and authoritative publisher services administration hub. SX Works will also engage existing music users and new emerging technology platforms to ensure they have access to accurate musical work and sound recording data.
In addition to serving as president of SX Works, Shaver will continue to oversee CMRRA, as he has since 2019. Since joining CMRRA, Shaver has helped increase collections and position the organization to be well-situated to support the ongoing growth of music consumption as well as the back-office administration of SX Works. Shaver has over 25 years of experience in the industry and previously served as vice president of Nielsen Entertainment Canada, where he was instrumental in the launch of the Music Connect data platform that provides transparent consumption data to the global music ecosystem.
"I am thrilled to be leading the expansion of SX Works Global Publisher Services and thank Michael and SoundExchange's leadership for entrusting the team and myself to lead this next phase of SX Works," said Paul Shaver. "This unprecedented integration of two industry-leading organizations' comprehensive data and expertise will make certain that music publishers and self-published creators are accurately compensated and ensure technology platforms engaging with music have access to authoritative music metadata."
In addition, a team of experienced industry veterans have been promoted to new roles within SX Works, including:
- Paul Gills, SVP, Operations and Client Engagement: Gills will plan, lead, and implement the publisher operations shared services model across SX Works and CMRRA's Operational team, along with leading the newly created Client Engagement and Strategy team at CMRRA. Gills will report to SX Works President Paul Shaver. Prior to joining SoundExchange, Gills was vice-president of North American Administration for Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).
- Veronica Syrtash, SVP, Business Affairs and Corporate Development: Syrtash will oversee the identification, exploration, and analysis of new business opportunities and develop new strategic business initiatives that support the objectives of both SX Works and the music publisher community on a global level. Syrtash will continue to lead CMRRA's legal and business affairs, supervising rate-setting negotiations and proceedings in collaboration with the Canadian Publishers Committee (CPC). Syrtash will continue to report to SX Works President Paul Shaver.
- Lori Ellis, VP, Operations: Ellis is responsible for the development and administration of CMRRA's Operational teams, including client services, repertoire, licensing, and royalty collection and distribution activities, and will lead all new SX Works operational undertakings. Ellis joined CMRRA in 1992, and throughout her tenure has amassed extensive experience in all areas of collective mechanical licensing administration. Ellis was instrumental in launching CMRRA's Licensing and Distribution System (LDS), including integrated CWR (Common Works Registration) data from clients. Ellis will report to Paul Gills.
SoundExchange is the premier music tech organization on a mission to power the future of music. It was independently formed in 2003 to build a fairer, simpler, and more efficient music industry through technology, data, and advocacy. The only organization designated by the U.S. government to administer the Section 114 sound recording license, SoundExchange collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of 570,000 music creators and growing. Through proprietary music tech solutions that turn data into accurate revenue, SoundExchange has paid more than $9 billion in distributions to date. For more information, visit soundexchange.com.
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SOURCE SoundExchange | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/soundexchange-announces-unified-global-publisher-services-division-support-music-publisher-community/ | 2022-06-14 13:40:47 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/soundexchange-announces-unified-global-publisher-services-division-support-music-publisher-community/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Garland: Massachusetts Guardsman to be charged with unauthorized removal of classified national defense information.
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(KTLA) — A California man was sentenced to federal prison on Friday for using millions in fraudulent COVID-relief loans to buy luxury sports cars.
Mustafa Qadiri, 42, from Irvine, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison, fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $2,861,050 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Authorities say Qadiri fraudulently “obtained $5 million in COVID-relief loans for his sham businesses, then used the money on himself, including purchasing Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini cars.”
The loans were also used to fund lavish vacations and other personal expenses, officials said.
“Federal agents seized the Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini cars that Qadiri purchased with the fraudulently obtained PPP loans, along with $2 million in ill-gotten gains from his bank account,” court documents state.
Qadiri pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of money laundering.
In May and June of 2020, authorities say Qadiri submitted false Paycheck Protection Program loan applications to three banks on behalf of four nonexistent Newport Beach-based companies.
The applications included altered bank records, sham tax returns and false information about employees and their wages, according to court documents.
Qadiri also used someone else’s name, Social Security number and signature to apply for one of the loans, prosecutors said.
PPP loans were created to provide financial support to struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case as part of the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force.
Anyone with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or online. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/national/ca-man-sentenced-for-using-5m-in-ppp-loans-to-buy-luxury-sports-cars/ | 2023-02-19 00:25:49 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/national/ca-man-sentenced-for-using-5m-in-ppp-loans-to-buy-luxury-sports-cars/ |
SAN ANTONIO — As the saying goes, Patience is a virtue and for one Southside ISD teacher, it’s what he lives by in the classroom. His calm demeanor has earned him respect among students and in turn, they say, they have better grades because of him.
KENS 5 Anchor Sarah Forgany visited his Southside ISD classroom with KENS 5 partner Credit Human and presented him with the EXCEL Award and a $1,000 check.
Ever since he was just a kid, "I'm very competitive,” Jason Garcia believed he could do anything, “so whatever you give me, I'm going to do the best that I can do at it."
He’s a handyman, a cook, a guitar player, and before he was a coach and a teacher.
"I was a landscaper. I was running a landscaping company," said Garcia.
Turns out the company of kids is what he prefers most.
These days, Garcia teaches 8th grade science while coaching track and football at Losoya Middle School. He’s a product of the southside and he’s proud.
"I played football, I ran track, I played basketball," said Garcia. "I was a National Honor Society student council, all the UILS."
Proving you can succeed at anything you put your mind to.
“I was just really proud because I'm very competitive,” Garcia said. “I would go to things like for scholarships. Well, on the north side, you know, some places, and it was just like kind of, Oh, you're from the south side, You know, we're like, oh, you know? And I was like, hmm, okay. So the only thing I can do is try super hard to prove you guys wrong or to show that I'm equal."
He says it has had a tremendous impact on who he is now. Graduating salutatorian is exactly the type of Cinderella story he loves to share with his students.
“I told the kids, my job is to show you guys that you're as good as anybody else and that you can do anything you want to do and you're from the South Side," said Garcia.
Even his Instagram classroom projects show he’s a man not afraid to fail or fall.
“I bring a skateboard in and show them, like, inertia, things like that. I think I fell down once," said Garcia. "Right, sir? That's inertia, right? Your body will tend to stay in motion and hit the ground. I was like, Yeah, until I hit the ground."
14-year-old Drake Landeros is an 8th grader in Garcia’s classroom. He said he performs better in science class because of Garcia’s teaching method.
"He just doesn't really yell a lot and, I used to hate science, but when he teaches it, I like being here,” Landeros added, “I used to get C's, and now it's been straight A's for science.”
As for Garcia, “I'm just patient with them.” He added showing the kids he understands and respects them, makes all the difference.
“A lot of times those little things, it's nothing personal," said Garcia. "A lot of times it's maybe something happened at home or these children have difficult home lives.”
It’s about building a relationship he said, “and once they do that, there's kind of like a bond that comes along."
You can check out the stories of past winners and all the KENS 5 EXCEL Award presentations on kens5.com/excel. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/education/excel-award/jason-garcia-wins-kens-5-excel-award-for-southside-isd-education-losoya-middle-school-san-antonio-texas/273-10b456cd-3136-474f-a890-7d1d32e678a8 | 2023-05-02 16:50:36 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/education/excel-award/jason-garcia-wins-kens-5-excel-award-for-southside-isd-education-losoya-middle-school-san-antonio-texas/273-10b456cd-3136-474f-a890-7d1d32e678a8 |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Joran van der Sloot, the chief suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway, pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges that he tried to extort money from the missing teen's mother in exchange for revealing the location of her body.
Van der Sloot, 35, was extradited to the United States on Thursday from Peru, where he is serving a 28-year prison sentence after confessing to killing a Peruvian woman. He was arraigned in Birmingham, not far from the suburb where Holloway grew up, in his first court appearance in the case.
Natalee’s mother, Beth Holloway, watched the brief proceeding from the third row of the courtroom. She stared occasionally at van der Sloot but showed no obvious emotion.
“For 18 years, I have lived with the unbearable pain of Natalee’s loss,” she said in a statement Thursday. “Each day has been filled with unanswered questions and a longing for justice that has eluded us at every turn. But today ... I am hopeful that some small semblance of justice may finally be realized.”
Afterward, she hugged friends who had come to offer their support along with Natalee’s father and brother. She declined to comment to reporters outside the courthouse.
Shackled and wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, van der Sloot declined to use a Dutch interpreter offered to him at Friday’s arraignment. He sat beside his court-appointed attorney, Kevin Butler, who entered the not guilty pleas on his behalf.
Van der Sloot is charged with one count each of extortion and wire fraud — the only charges to have ever linked the Dutch citizen to Holloway’s disappearance on the Caribbean island of Aruba.
Natalee Holloway, 18, was on a high school graduation trip with classmates in Aruba when she vanished in 2005. She was last seen leaving a bar with van der Sloot, who was a student at an international school on the island. Van der Sloot was identified as a main suspect and detained weeks later for questioning, along with two Surinamese brothers, but no charges were filed in the case.
A judge declared Holloway dead, but her body has never been found.
The mysterious disappearance sparked years of news coverage and countless true-crime podcasts.
U.S. prosecutors say that in 2010, van der Sloot reached out to Beth Holloway, seeking $250,000 to lead her to the young woman's body and reveal the circumstances of her death. A grand jury indicted him that year.
In 2012, van der Sloot pleaded guilty in Peru to killing 21-year-old Stephany Flores, a business student from a prominent Peruvian family. She was killed in 2010 — five years to the day after Holloway’s disappearance.
Van der Sloot married a Peruvian woman in July 2014 in a ceremony at a maximum-security prison. He was shuffled between prisons in response to reports he enjoyed privileges like television, internet access and a cellphone, and accusations he threatened to kill a warden.
A 2001 treaty between Peru and the U.S. allows a suspect to be temporarily extradited to face trial in the other country. Van der Sloot's attorney, Máximo Altez, initially indicated his client would not challenge his extradition but that changed Monday when he filed a writ of habeas corpus. A judge ruled against van der Sloot the following day.
Peru has agreed to let van der Sloot remain in U.S. custody until the Alabama case is concluded, including any appeal if he is convicted, according to a resolution published in Peru’s federal register. U.S. authorities agree to return him to Peru's custody after that, the resolution states.
Van der Sloot's arrival at the Birmingham courthouse, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Mountain Brook High School, was something of a day of reckoning for a state and a city that blames him for Holloway’s disappearance.
“It made me sick. I gasped, but I’m so grateful that he’s here,” said Cindy Rysedorph, a friend of the Holloway family, as she described her first glimpse of van der Sloot in the courtroom.
“We’re not trying him for murder — which we know he committed,” she said. “We’re trying him for the extortion. But yeah, it’s progress.”
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Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/chief-suspect-in-natalee-holloway-disappearance-pleads-not-guilty-to-extortion-charges/GQ4RYUHTWZEKPBTGPGE5ZSLP2A/ | 2023-06-09 18:06:01 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/chief-suspect-in-natalee-holloway-disappearance-pleads-not-guilty-to-extortion-charges/GQ4RYUHTWZEKPBTGPGE5ZSLP2A/ |
The CDC identified the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), which causes the potentially fatal disease melioidosis, for the first time in the continental U.S. in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, a press release said. Melioidosis is now considered to be locally endemic in the region, the CDC said. The environmental conditions of the Gulf Coast states suggest they are conducive for growth of the bacterium.
B. pseudomallei is typically found in soil and water in regions with tropical and subtropical climates around the world, such as South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Puerto Rico and other places, the CDC said. The bacterium can infect humans and animals with melioidosis through direct contact with open cuts and wounds, inhalation or ingestion.
The risk of spread from person to person is considered “extremely low,” the CDC said, with most cases caused by contact between damaged skin and infected water or soil. The U.S. has about 12 cases of melioidosis per year with most infections caused by international travel or contact with commercial products from foreign countries, according to the CDC.
The CDC said cases of melioidosis are fatal 10-50% of the time worldwide. For comparison, the COVID-19 virus results in death in 1.1% of cases in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins. Most healthy people who come in contact with B. pseudomallei do not develop melioidosis, but those with diabetes, excessive alcohol use, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease or immunosuppressive conditions are at higher risk to get sick or die, according to the CDC.
Melioidosis can infect any organ, including the brain, and the CDC said symptoms of the disease can vary and are not consistent for each case. Symptoms can include fever, pain or swelling, ulceration, abscess, cough, chest pain, respiratory discomfort, weight loss, abdominal, muscle or joint pain, disorientation, headache and seizures.
The CDC recommends those living in or visiting the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi avoid contact with soil or muddy waters, protect open wounds, cuts and burns and wear waterproof boots during and after flooding or storms. For those with diabetes, the CDC also stressed wearing adequate footwear and wearing gloves when gardening. | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/CDC-Rare-disease-causing-bacterium-Gulf-Coast-17335180.php | 2022-07-28 21:53:59 | 1 | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/CDC-Rare-disease-causing-bacterium-Gulf-Coast-17335180.php |
Leading Fast-Casual Continues to Prioritize Non-Traditional Development Following Momentous Year of Growth
WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers announced today the opening of the brand's first Major League Baseball (MLB) location within Busch Stadium, home of the 11-time World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. Owned and operated by Delaware North Sportservice, the new restaurant will open when the Cardinals open their season against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, March 30. In addition to its latest MLB stadium restaurant opening, the rapidly growing franchise concept currently operates in other non-traditional venues such as airports, casinos and college campuses.
"At Freddy's, non-traditional locations continue to be an integral part of our franchise offering, and we strongly believe that being able to put our brand in high-traffic locations like that of Busch Stadium not only gives us an opportunity to attract new audiences but also capture sales," said Andrew Thengvall, Chief Development Officer at Freddy's. "Freddy's is honored to be able to add a concession in Busch Stadium. This new location is a testament to the unmatched power of The Freddy's Way among any demographic, market or location."
Located within the ballpark's Budweiser Terrace right field, the Wichita-born concept's non-traditional location will serve a handful of the brand's fan-favorite menu items, including Freddy's Original Double and Bacon Double, as well as Freddy's famous shoestring fries and cheese curds. With the ability to exist in unique spaces such as ballparks and airports, Freddy's will offer new and returning guests the opportunity to experience the brand in a convenient setting with its smaller unit design.
"We're thrilled to partner with Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in bringing quality, craveable food we know our fans will enjoy," said Vicki Bryant, Cardinals Vice President, Event Services & Merchandising. "With several locations in the St. Louis area, Freddy's has established a dedicated following in our community, making the brand a natural fit for Busch Stadium."
Along with the chain's 2022 growth in traditional-formatted locations, Freddy's opened its second casino location in Friant, California's Table Mountain Casino. Freddy's wide variety of traditional and non-traditional restaurants has consistently earned the brand recognition as a leading fast-casual concept and franchise system. Most recently, the brand ranked #70 on Entrepreneur Magazine's highly competitive Franchise 500 ranking of the top franchise brands, QSR Magazine's esteemed QSR 50 list at #46, as well as being awarded North America's Best New National Brand Concept by Airports Council International for the opening of Freddy's first airport location in 2021 in Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport.
Building off its recent success, this announcement kick starts another year of development growth with a robust pipeline of nearly 20 units slated to open in the first quarter. The brand is also projected to open over 60 total locations in more than 15 states, including Louisiana, Virginia, California, and Wyoming, among others. The brand's exceptional commitment to franchisees, team members, and one-of-a-kind Freddy's guest experience help support the greater development goal of bringing the Freddy's footprint to more than 800 units by 2026.
Franchise opportunities remain in nine of Canada's provinces, excluding Quebec, and in the U.S., including the Northeast, Upper Midwest, California, Florida, Oregon, and Washington, and large metro areas such as Pittsburgh.
For more information about development opportunities, contact Mary Coots, Vice President of Franchise Development, at maryc@freddysusa.com or 316-719-7854; or contact Gregg Most and Jim Werschler at franchising@freddyscanada.net for Canadian inquiries. Prospective franchisees can also visit freddysfranchising.com for the latest information regarding available opportunities.
About Freddy's
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is a leading fast-casual franchise concept with more than 460 locations across 36 states nationwide. Founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002, the brand offers a unique combination of cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs, shoestring fries and other savory items, along with freshly churned frozen custard treats. Known for operating The Freddy's Way, Guests experience genuine hospitality and food prepared fresh with premium ingredients. This signature approach has fueled Freddy's ongoing growth throughout the U.S. and garnered national recognition from industry-leading rankings, including being named No. 1 on Forbes Best Franchises to Buy and No. 70 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. For more on Freddy's, visit the Newsroom and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information about development opportunities, visit https://freddysfranchising.com/.
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SOURCE Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/02/28/freddys-frozen-custard-amp-steakburgers-set-open-first-mlb-ballpark-location-inside-st-louis-busch-stadium/ | 2023-02-28 22:34:45 | 1 | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/02/28/freddys-frozen-custard-amp-steakburgers-set-open-first-mlb-ballpark-location-inside-st-louis-busch-stadium/ |
Many hosts amuse their guests by pouring drinks and mixing cocktails at home. While you don’t need to be a professional mixologist to keep things interesting, adventurous entertainers might find the usual shaking, stirring and zesting to have lost its novelty. If you’re in search of new ways to entertain thirsty friends, as well as adding some new flavor complexity to old favorites, consider using a cocktail smoker.
In this article: PolyScience Smoking Gun, Boruit Portable Cocktail Smoker and Breville Food Smoking Gun.
What is cocktail smoking?
Cocktail smoking is the infusion of smoke into a beverage. While bourbon and whiskey have long been aged in smoked barrels, the notion of adding your own smoke to any beverage you choose from the convenience of your kitchen is a new, trendy idea.
Cocktail smoker types
- Smoking guns are handheld devices. A battery-powered fan carries smoke from the gun’s burning chamber into a hose. The hose lets you direct the smoke into a chamber covering your drink or right into the glass.
- Glass top smokers offer a more traditional experience. These wooden lids are placed on top of the beverage to be infused. Wood chips are then piled into the lid’s burn chamber and set ablaze. Holes in the lid let the resulting smoke seep down into the glass, where it is absorbed into the drink.
- Smoking boxes make for the most entertaining preparation. Made of transparent glass, these boxes let you and your guests view the beverage placed inside it as it is enveloped in smoke, typically pumped in using a gun.
What do I need to smoke a beverage?
Aside from a cocktail smoker that suits your style, you need the following items to get the party started:
- Torch-style butane lighter. Gas station lighters won’t get your wood chips hot enough to produce consistent smoke. Torch-style lighters also let you more accurately aim their flames into the smoker’s burn chamber.
- Batteries. If you opt for a smoking gun, make sure you have the batteries you need to keep it running.
- Wood chips. Have a variety of wood chips available so you can try out different combinations and find your favorites.
- Fire extinguisher. Cocktail smoking isn’t particularly dangerous, but precautions should be taken any time you’re burning indoors.
Experiment with flavors
If smoking drinks with wood chips isn’t pushing the envelope enough for you, consider burning the following ingredients in your smoker:
- Cinnamon sticks result in sweetness and mild heat. Perfect for entertaining around the holidays.
- Corn husks can be used to accentuate the flavors already present in bourbon and other corn-based spirits.
- Coffee beans let you blur the lines between bartender and barista and add earthy undertones to your cocktails.
- Citrus peels complement the light flavor of Japanese whiskies or vodka.
- Vanilla beans add a mellow, velvety sweetness to any drink.
Best cocktail smokers
This commercial-grade infuser has an anodized aluminum smoking chamber, a metal fan that won’t melt and a dial that you can use to precisely control its smoke output. It runs on four AA batteries and its 17.5-inch hose makes it easy to get the smoke where you need it.
Sold by Amazon
Boruit Portable Cocktail Smoker
With its wide base and upright design, this smoker sits conveniently on your bar or countertop where its flexible hose is within easy reach. It turns on with the press of a single button and runs on two AA batteries.
Sold by Amazon
This smoker’s removable burn chamber makes it easy to load, clean and maintain. This kit includes apple and hickory wood chips and four AA batteries, giving you everything you need to get started.
Sold by Amazon
A great value, this set includes a smoker, a smoking lid, a cocktail smoking ball, seven flavors of wood chips, four AA batteries and a cleaning brush. The smoker has two power options, letting you adjust it to your needs.
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This infuser comes with four wood chip flavors to experiment with, four AA batteries, a cleaning brush and additional accessories. Unlike many kits, it also includes a stand you can use to hold the infuser gun in place while you use its hose to smoke your drinks or food.
Sold by Amazon
Crafthouse by Fortessa Stainless Steel and Glass Smoking Box
This smoke gun kit includes a stainless steel and glass box you can use to amuse your guests while you infuse their beverages. The box features a black walnut base, making it a classy addition to any bar or man cave.
Sold by Amazon
With its included dome and two containers of wood chips, this well-crafted smoker is great for beginners or experienced mixers. A built-in rechargeable battery means you won’t ever be out of power when it’s time to entertain.
Sold by Amazon
This budget-friendly smoker has a hose nearly 10 inches long and runs off of a pair of AA batteries. It comes in either gold or silver and pressing a single button gets the smoke rolling.
Sold by Amazon
Keep the smoking elegant with this wood infuser that sits atop your drink glass. It comes with four wood chip varieties and is great for traditionalists who prefer to keep the technology out of their mixing technique.
Sold by Amazon
Taigin Cocktail Smoker Kit with Torch
This wooden smoker includes four wood chip flavors, as well as a refillable butane torch. It perches on top of the glass letting you impress your guests while infusing each person’s beverage with a flavor of their choice.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/reviews/br/kitchen-br/bar-wine-br/impress-your-guests-with-these-10-cocktail-smokers/ | 2023-03-18 11:53:54 | 1 | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/reviews/br/kitchen-br/bar-wine-br/impress-your-guests-with-these-10-cocktail-smokers/ |
Expanded suite of futures delivers further support for hedging mortgage servicing rights, jumbo loans or loans with extended lock terms to better manage interest rate risk
- The CompassPoint platform is offered by Optimal Blue, a division of Black Knight, and is relied on by originators and investors to support critical functions such as pricing, hedging, trading and MSR valuation
- The new futures innovation will provide lenders with an additional tool for hedging conforming and jumbo loans and mortgage servicing rights
- This capability adds to Optimal Blue's industry-leading hedge advisory solutions and further improves the service and expertise provided to its clients
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE: BKI) announced today the addition of ICE Mortgage Rate Lock Index Futures within CompassPoint, the leading risk management and loan sale platform offered by Optimal Blue, a division of Black Knight. This expanded suite of futures will help lenders better manage their interest rate risk by offering new techniques for hedging conforming and jumbo mortgage loans and mortgage servicing rights. These additional tools also underscore Optimal Blue's commitment to deliver leading secondary markets functionality.
"We work with hundreds of clients every day to hedge the interest rate risk of mortgage pipelines, and we're excited to bring yet another innovation to the market that helps our lenders avoid basis risk and additional transaction costs when hedging certain mortgage loans," said Scott Happ, president of Optimal Blue, a division of Black Knight. "While the to-be-announced (TBA) marketplace is very effective at hedging the majority of our lenders' pipelines, the addition of the ICE Mortgage Rate Lock Index Futures with CompassPoint will deliver expanded support for hedging mortgage servicing rights, jumbo loans or loans with extended lock terms."
The ICE Mortgage Rate Lock Index Futures can be added to CompassPoint, which is used by industry professionals to hedge more than $100 billion of closed loan volume monthly. CompassPoint is offered by Optimal Blue, a leader in end-to-end technology solutions designed specifically for the secondary marketing industry. Optimal Blue delivers the industry's leading Product, Pricing and Eligibility (PPE) engine that prices over 40% of locks in the U.S. mortgage industry and is fully integrated with the CompassPoint platform. Optimal Blue's secondary solutions then extend into loan trading with ResiTrader, the leading loan trading platform, which represented $1.4 trillion of loan trades in 2021.
The addition of the ICE Mortgage Rate Lock Index Futures expands Optimal Blue's leading hedge advisory solutions and serves to provide improved expertise and service to clients.
"With the introduction of this new futures instrument, we further improve the ability to match the right hedge with the right loan for our clients and demonstrate our commitment to providing the secondary market with the most innovative capabilities to help them make informed decisions," Happ continued. "We're pleased that these new capabilities complement our leading analytics, valuation tools, BESTX pricing engines and trading platform in our end-to-end secondary marketing technology ecosystem."
The addition of ICE Mortgage Rate Lock Index Futures to CompassPoint is effective now and is not related to Black Knight's proposed transaction with Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. that was announced on May 4, 2022.
Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE:BKI) is an award-winning software, data and analytics company that drives innovation in the mortgage lending and servicing and real estate industries, as well as the capital and secondary markets. Businesses leverage our robust, integrated solutions across the entire homeownership life cycle to help retain existing customers, gain new customers, mitigate risk and operate more effectively.
Our clients rely on our proven, comprehensive, scalable products and our unwavering commitment to delivering superior client support to achieve their strategic goals and better serve their customers. For more information on Black Knight, please visit www.blackknightinc.com.
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SOURCE Black Knight, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/optimal-blue-division-black-knight-adds-ice-mortgage-rate-lock-index-futures-compasspoint-leading-hedge-analytics-msr-valuation-platform/ | 2022-09-07 14:10:07 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/optimal-blue-division-black-knight-adds-ice-mortgage-rate-lock-index-futures-compasspoint-leading-hedge-analytics-msr-valuation-platform/ |
Biden administration embraces tough border measures it once rejected
By Priscilla Alvarez, CNN
Facing a surge of migrants at the US-Mexico border and on the heels of a crisis, White House and Department of Homeland Security officials began discussing more restrictive policies that would keep migrants from coming to the US.
It was the summer of 2021, just months after a surge of unaccompanied migrant children caught the administration flat-footed and put into sharp focus the immigration challenges ahead for President Joe Biden.
At the time, White House lawyers knocked down one of the ideas: Forcing asylum seekers to find refuge in countries on their way to the US or be turned back. They said it would likely be blocked by the courts, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
But nearly two years later, the administration announced a policy like the one floated among officials before — fielding fierce criticism from allies who argued the effort had echoes of the Trump era and crystallizing the shift in Biden’s approach to the border, a political vulnerability going into the 2024 presidential election.
“As a matter of good governance, we take all legal considerations into account before putting any policy forward, and the recent proposed rule reflects those considerations,” an administration official said in a statement.
One source close to the White House described the latest policy announcement, which largely bars migrants from seeking asylum in the US if they passed through another country, as “putting lipstick on a pig.”
The aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic in the Western Hemisphere put the Biden administration in a difficult position from the outset, as migrants began fleeing deteriorating conditions back home in record numbers. Proposals to reform the immigration system fell by the wayside as officials grappled with a record number of migrants arriving at the US southern border, sources told CNN.
But policy ideas, like the new asylum rule, that may have been hard to stomach before are now taking shape as the administration tries to stave off another crisis and Republican attacks.
“They went from not wanting to do tough stuff to realizing they have no choice,” one source familiar with discussions told CNN.
CNN reached out to the White House and Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Some Biden allies have likened the new asylum rule, which is likely to take effect in May, to a Trump-era policy that sought to bar migrants from seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border.
Biden administration officials have rejected the comparison to the Trump administration, saying that it’s not a categorical ban on asylum and emphasizing efforts to expand access to legal pathways to the US, including a recently launched parole program for certain nationalities.
“This was not our first preference or even our second,” an administration official previously told reporters, stressing efforts to open legal pathways to the US, including use of an app, and underscoring the onus is on Congress to pass reform.
The shifting migration patterns — which have put a strain on federal resources — have in part prompted the administration to consider new measures, especially as border authorities have encountered an increasing number of Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans. The US is largely barred from deporting migrants from those nationalities back to their home countries because of strained diplomatic relations.
The US has since begun sending migrants from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua to Mexico under a Covid-era border restriction, known as Title 42, and opened a separate program that allows migrants of those nationalities and Haiti to apply to legally come to the United States. Thousands of migrants have already applied, and border encounters of those nationalities have dropped significantly.
Immigrant advocates and former Biden officials have slammed the return of migrants to Mexico and the latest policy rollout, calling it a pivot from Biden’s pledge to restore asylum. Biden has long promised to take a humane approach to the situation at the border — a promise that some critics say the current White House could risk breaking with some of their restrictive border policies.
“The original sin was relying on President Trump’s Title 42 instead of taking the early hits to get out of it and build legal pathways to relieve pressure off the border,” said Alida Garcia, vice president of advocacy at FWD.us and a former White House official.
“Now, we’re left with this terrible mess that is only going to increase children crossing on their own and empower cartels,” Garcia added.
The balance of power within the White House over immigration has also changed over the last two years, with progressives largely leaving the administration and people with more moderate positions having more influence. In the first months of the administration, there was often disagreement among moderates and progressives within the administration about how to address migrants at the border, leaving little room for solutions or decisions.
The management of the US southern border not only exposed fractures within the administration but also within Biden’s own party about how to address an influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border and a buckling immigration system.
Following last week’s announcement, multiple Democratic lawmakers immediately criticized the move to restrict asylum.
“I am deeply outraged by the Biden Administration’s proposed ban on asylum seekers,” said Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York in a statement. “Our immigration policies already fall short in supporting asylum-seekers, but this ban would go further by attacking the very bedrock of our most basic commitment to asylum.”
Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, who has previously been a critic of Biden’s management of the border, argued that providing incentives for people to follow a lawful pathway to the US is important to avoid a surge at the border.
“They have shifted. It looks like there’s a movement to the middle,” Cuellar said of the Biden administration. “I think that’s good policy, especially for people at the border.”
“You have to have something in place. You have to have policy in place when Title 42 goes away May 11,” he added.
The administration has repeatedly called on Congress to pass immigration reform, which hasn’t happened in decades and has left presidents relying on a patchwork of policies to stem the ongoing flow of migrants.
In the interim, the administration has leaned on Title 42 to turn away certain migrants encountered at the US-Mexico border. With the clock ticking on its expiration in May and amid ongoing litigation, officials are also considering other enforcement measures as tens of thousands of migrants continue to move in the Western Hemisphere.
Among the plans being considered by the administration is a fast-track deportation process known as “expedited removal.” While Mexico has been taking migrants under Title 42 and previously under a Trump-era border policy known as “remain in Mexico,” the plan would appear to mark the first time Mexico would take back non-Mexican deportees at a large scale. The Department of Homeland Security has denied reports of the plan.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | https://kion546.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2023/03/01/biden-administration-embraces-tough-border-measures-it-once-rejected/ | 2023-03-01 13:16:49 | 1 | https://kion546.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2023/03/01/biden-administration-embraces-tough-border-measures-it-once-rejected/ |
Henrietta Lacks statue to replace Robert E. Lee monument in Virginia
A bronze statue of Henrietta Lacks, whose “immortal” cells were taken without her permission and then used in several medical breakthroughs, will be erected in her honor in her hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, taking the place of a monument to Confederate general Robert E. Lee.
The statue, which was designed by artist Bryce Cobbs, will stand in Roanoke’s Henrietta Lacks Plaza — formerly Lee Plaza.
Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump said at the unveiling of the statue’s preliminary sketch that honoring Lacks is an opportunity to “right a historic wrong” and shine a light on the many contributions Lacks made to modern medical science.
“Today, here in Roanoke, Virginia, at Lacks Plaza, we acknowledge that she was not only significant, she was literate and she is as relevant as any historic figure in the world today when you consider issues of genetic justice, reproductive rights and stem cell research,” Crump said at Monday’s press conference.
Vice-Mayor Trish White-Boyd began fundraising for the Lacks monument through the Roanoke Hidden Histories project, collecting nearly $184,000 to design and construct the sculpture, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
Lacks’ son, Lawrence, and grandson, Ron, were in attendance during Monday’s unveiling. Ron said his family is happy to see his grandmother recognized and acknowledged as more than just her cells.
“I think they’re seeing her more as a human being, a wife, a mother,” he said. “I mean it’s great now that we are reaching out and acknowledging her as a human being.”
In 1951, Lacks went to The Johns Hopkins Hospital where she was diagnosed and treated for cervical cancer. One of her doctors, who often collected the cells of his patients to study them, was shocked to see Lacks’ cells double every 20 to 24 hours instead of dying, as his other patients’ cells had, according to Johns Hopkins.
The cells, called “HeLa” cells, have since been used to study the impact of toxins, drugs, hormones and viruses on the growth of cancer cells — without the need for testing or experimentation on humans.
They continue to be used today and even played an important role in the design and development of the polio and COVID-19 vaccines.
“I just think it’s so fitting in the state of Virginia, where we know how important statutes have played a role, where in the past we commemorated a lot of men with statues that divided us — that here in Roanoke, Virginia, we will have a statue of a Black woman who brings us all together,” Crump said.
The Roanoke Hidden Stories project is also working on a virtual reality experience designed to educate people about Lacks and other historical Black American figures using immersive technology.
“Every time one of her cells regenerates, I want you all to know that Henrietta lives, Henrietta lives, Henrietta lives,” Crump chanted.
Lacks’ statue is the latest in a series of moves to replace or remove monuments dedicated to Confederate figures.
In 2020, former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that a famous statue of Lee in Richmond would be removed after it had been vandalized during protests that erupted after the murder of George Floyd. The decision to remove Lee’s statue had been controversial — with the issue reaching all the way to the Virginia Supreme Court.
The United States Military Academy this week announced it would be removing 13 “13 confederate assets and memorabilia” by December 2023. | https://www.wsgw.com/henrietta-lacks-statue-to-replace-robert-e-lee-monument-in-virginia/ | 2022-12-23 02:21:42 | 1 | https://www.wsgw.com/henrietta-lacks-statue-to-replace-robert-e-lee-monument-in-virginia/ |
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — Tatjana Patitz, one of an elite group of famed supermodels who graced magazine covers in the 1980s and ’90s and appeared in George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” music video, has died at age 56.
Patitz’s death in the Santa Barbara, California, area was confirmed by her New York agent, Corinne Nicolas, at the Model CoOp agency. Nicolas said the cause was illness, but did not have further details.
Patitz, who was born in Germany, raised in Sweden and later made her life in California, was known as part of an elite handful of “original” supermodels, appearing in the Michael video along with Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.
She was a favorite of fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, who highlighted her natural beauty in his famous 1988 photo, “White Shirts: Six Supermodels, Malibu,” and for British Vogue’s 1990 cover — leading Michael to cast the group in his lip-syncing video, according to Vogue.
The magazine quoted its global editorial director, Anna Wintour, as saying Patitz was “always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti. She was far less visible than her peers — more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable — and that had its own appeal.”
In a 2006 interview, Patitz opined that the golden age of supermodels was over.
“There was a real era, and the reason that happened was because glamour was brought into it,” she was quoted as saying in Prestige Hong Kong magazine. “Now the celebrities and actresses have taken over, and the models are in the backseat completely.”
She also noted that models from her era had healthier physiques.
“Women were healthy, not these scrawny little models that nobody knows their names anymore,” Patitz said. | https://www.qcnews.com/news/tatjana-patitz-renowned-supermodel-of-80s-and-90s-dies-at-56/ | 2023-01-11 23:06:34 | 1 | https://www.qcnews.com/news/tatjana-patitz-renowned-supermodel-of-80s-and-90s-dies-at-56/ |
Governor Noem approves $12.5 million for child care startups and expansions
ABERDEEN, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - While the child care crisis continues in the state, a new grant funding option could help.
The Department of Social Services announced Monday that Governor Kristi Noem has approved $12.5 million of ARPA funds to fuel the expansion and startups of child care facilities in the next year.
Sanford Children’s CHILD Services in Aberdeen said there is a recent decline of child care options in the area, and they provide resources to encourage more state licensed providers to open.
”The childcare crisis is pretty demanding, so promoting it and having the resources to help people become state registered is huge,” said Amanda Daniels, a Family Life Educator at Sanford CHILD Services in Aberdeen.
Sanford CHILD Services will host an informational event on January 31st in the Aberdeen YMCA Community Room from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
“We will talk about the benefits of becoming state licensed, a lot of good benefits, and also the referral program and then the registration process. We will help with everything and all of it,” said Daniels.
Daniels said Sanford CHILD Services can help anyone interested in becoming a state-licensed provider with the process, and the grant funding can help with the cost.
“It could definitely encourage people to get state registered because getting state registered involves all those grants. You can’t be just a city-licensed provider and get those grants. It’s only for state-licensed. It’s a lot of funding available, so it would be a great opportunity for anybody that’s interested. The grants could help with anywhere from starting up to getting certain toys,” said Daniels.
The Youth Development Center in Aberdeen said they’re seeing the most demand for care in pre-kindergarten groups and younger.
”Right now, our waitlist for a newborn is six months. Most of our other age groups are also full, specifically infant and toddler. We continue to see a number of phone calls, at least six a day, looking for care,” said Aberdeen YMCA CEO Mike Quast.
The YDC plans to break ground this summer on an expansion that will double the amount of spots available for infants and toddlers, and the need for more room has become critical in the past few years.
”Recently, since COVID, we have seen actually quite a few more calls of people looking for care. We’ve heard through people calling that their childcares have closed. It does seem like there has been more in the last two years than the previous years,” said Quast.
Quast said the the expansion was originally estimated to cost $3.5 million, but inflation and supply chain issues have driven that total cost up to $4 million. The YDC has fundraised $3.2 million for the project so far.
According to the Department of Social Services, the grant funding can be used for equipment, supplies, health and safety items, payroll expenses, rent and more. The deadline to apply for the grant is February 1st, 2024.
Copyright 2023 KSFY. All rights reserved. | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/01/30/governor-noem-approves-125-million-child-care-startups-expansions/ | 2023-01-30 22:48:06 | 1 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/01/30/governor-noem-approves-125-million-child-care-startups-expansions/ |
Kirsten Engel is being wrongly vilified by her opponent and his supporters. Justin Harris’s opinion piece is full of distortions and lies. His misogyny is showing. Kirsten Engel”s AZ Legislature record is ignored. Why? Because Kirsten Engel is an intelligent, strong woman seeking a position of power. She doesn’t fit the GOP stereotypical woman candidate who is a mere mouthpiece for the patriarchy. Kirsten Engel’s education, experience, and integrity all are exactly what is needed in the US House. Her record shows she supports public education, women’s health rights, protecting Arizona’s water, and protecting voting rights. Kirsten Engel also promoted legislation to help keep restaurants open during the pandemic and amended tax credit laws for affordable housing. Not only does she want safe communities, Kirsten Engel wants communities where all people have opportunities to flourish. Independent, thinking people see through the malicious lies and continue to support Kirsten Engel for CD6 US Representative.
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Annie Witte
Southwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star. | https://tucson.com/opinion/letters/local-issues/letter-legislative-record/article_eb7dab40-59fd-11ed-8b56-db7c9f10632b.html | 2022-11-03 20:20:02 | 1 | https://tucson.com/opinion/letters/local-issues/letter-legislative-record/article_eb7dab40-59fd-11ed-8b56-db7c9f10632b.html |
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Nick Chubb pointed the finger at himself, taking the blame for a touchdown run that should have put away the Jets.
Instead, it gave them hope.
“I probably shouldn’t have scored right there, honestly, looking back at it,” Chubb said. “It cost us the game.”
Two days after the Browns collapsed and blew a 13-point lead in the final two minutes to lose 31-30 to New York, Chubb said he made a mistake by going into the end zone for his third TD with 1:55 left.
With the Browns leading 24-17, Chubb took a handoff from the 12-yard line and ran left. He made a cutback, stepped through a tackler and scored to put Cleveland up by 13 and send a raucous home crowd into a frenzy.
Looking back, Chubb wishes he had done things differently.
If he had run out of bounds or been tackled after picking up a first down, the Browns could have simply taken three knees, run out the clock and improved to 2-0 for the first time in 29 years.
Instead, after Chubb’s TD, the Browns committed a dizzying array of errors in less than two minutes.
First, rookie Cade York missed an extra point, the Browns’ secondary miscommunicated and gave up a 66-yard TD pass, wide receiver Amari Cooper failed to recover New York’s onside kick and the Browns let Jets quarterback Joe Flacco, operating with no timeouts, throw a go-ahead TD pass with 22 seconds left.
It wasn’t until after the game that Chubb realized it could have all been avoided.
“A lot of things went wrong, not just one thing,” he said. “But collectively as a unit, as a team we could have all done things different, but it’s only a problem because we didn’t win. So I probably should have went down.”
Of course, Chubb isn’t to blame and no one is pointing a finger at the three-time Pro Bowler.
Same for Cooper, who said Tuesday he should have either fielded the squib kick or batted it out of bounds.
“It was my play to make, and I didn’t make it,” he said.
The Browns’ failure to recognize the situation lies with coach Kevin Stefanski, who made it clear it was his responsibility to close out the win. He appreciated his players’ accountability, but isn’t passing the buck.
“Put it on me,” he said. “The players do not hide from it. I do not hide from it.”
Chubb’s willingness to shoulder the loss is hardly surprising. He’s one of the team’s most-respected players, revered by his teammates for his work ethic and willingness to put the Browns first.
A born leader.
The reserved 26-year-old Chubb said the more he replayed the game in his mind, the more he recognized he could have altered its outcome.
However, he acknowledged that once he got near the goal line, there weren’t many options.
“It would have been tough (to stop),” he said. “I think the first down marker was at the 1 or 2 and the goal line is right there, too. I probably could have got down. It would have been third-and-short, third-and-inches, but it probably could have happened.
“I could have went out of bounds, but people were behind and they would have pushed me in or something like that. I probably should have just dropped down after I made the cut.”
What’s interesting is that Chubb — and the Browns — were in a similar spot two years ago in a game against Houston. With Cleveland protecting a 10-7 lead, Chubb got loose on a 59-yard run, but instead of scoring, he stepped out of bounds at the 1-yard line and the Browns burned out the clock.
Two years ago, Stefanski had sent in a play called “no mas” to ensure the clock management.
Chubb said he shouldn’t have had to be told again.
“We all work together,” Chubb said. “We all communicate. But at the end of the day, I’ve been in that situation before and so I really can’t put it on anyone but myself at this point. I think the biggest thing is I was aware of what was going on and I thought the game was over if I’m being honest.”
NOTES: Rookie DT Perrion Winfrey returned to practice and expects to play after being disciplined last week and benched against the Jets. Winfrey didn’t give any details for his punishment and felt no need to apologize. “I just feel like it was something that I needed to mature,” he said. “I feel like I wouldn’t be the player that I’m going to be now if it had not happened, so I’m glad that it happened.”
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/ap-browns-chubb-regrets-final-td-run-before-jets-comeback/ | 2022-09-21 23:16:57 | 0 | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/ap-browns-chubb-regrets-final-td-run-before-jets-comeback/ |
- Three-year data from the BE BRIGHT open-label extension study are being presented at the 31st EADV Congress
- Over eight out of 10 patients who achieved complete skin clearance (PASI 100) at week 16 maintained PASI 100 responses and health-related quality of life outcomes through to three years
- Analysis of pooled safety data from up to three years of treatment in Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials showed bimekizumab was generally well tolerated with no new safety signals identified over three years
BRUSSELS and ATLANTA, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced new three-year results from the BE BRIGHT open-label extension (OLE) study evaluating the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of bimekizumab in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who completed one of three pivotal Phase 3 studies.1 These data, together with a three-year safety analysis of pooled data from Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies,2 are being presented at the 31st European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Milan, Italy, September 7-10. A total of 11 abstracts highlighting data related to bimekizumab in psoriasis are being presented at the congress.
Data presented from the BE BRIGHT OLE study showed that over eight out of 10 patients who achieved complete skin clearance (PASI 100) following 16 weeks of bimekizumab treatment maintained PASI 100 response and health-related quality of life outcomes through to three years with continuous maintenance dosing. In addition, approximately nine out of 10 patients who achieved absolute PASI (PASI ≤2) at week 16 maintained this response through to three years.1 Pooled data from up to three years of treatment in Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials showed that bimekizumab was generally well-tolerated over this period with no safety signals identified.2 Bimekizumab is an investigational product; its efficacy and safety have not been established for any indication in the U.S. and it is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"These positive results highlight the deep and long-lasting skin clearance achieved with bimekizumab, along with a consistent safety and tolerability profile, and reinforce the positive relationship clearing skin has on patients' quality of life. These new data add to the growing body of evidence supporting longer-term use of bimekizumab in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis," said Emmanuel Caeymaex, Executive Vice President, Immunology Solutions and Head of U.S., UCB.
"The findings presented today show that bimekizumab provided maintenance of completely clear skin and health-related quality of life outcomes in the majority of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis over a three year period," said Dr. Bruce Strober, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, New Haven, Conn. "The goal of psoriasis treatment often is complete clearance of skin symptoms, and the availability of long-term data across treatment options is important since it supports healthcare providers and patients to be more informed when making treatment decisions."
All patients who had completed one of the pivotal Phase 3 studies (BE SURE, BE VIVID and BE READY) were eligible to enter the BE BRIGHT OLE study.1 On OLE entry, patients were assigned to bimekizumab 320 mg every four weeks (Q4W) or every eight weeks (Q8W) based on PASI 90 response at the end of the respective Phase 3 study.
In all bimekizumab-randomized patients: 1¥
- Among week 16 PASI 100 responders (N=503), 89.3 percent achieved PASI 100 at year one (week 52) and 82.0 percent at year three (OLE week 96)
- Among week 16 PASI ≤2 responders (N=694), 96.5 percent achieved PASI ≤2 at year one (week 52) and 94.2 percent at year three (OLE week 96)
- Among week 16 PASI 100 responders in BE SURE and BE READY only (N=330), 92.0 percent achieved the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 0/1 at year one (week 56), and 88.0 percent at year three (OLE week 96)
In bimekizumab-randomized patients (320 mg Q4W for 16 weeks, and then every eight weeks [Q8W] through three years, BE SURE and BE READY only):1¥
- Among week 16 PASI 100 responders (N=147), 93.6 percent achieved PASI 100 at year one (week 52) and 84.4 percent at year three (OLE week 96)
- Among week 16 PASI ≤2 responders (N=189), 98.9 percent achieved PASI ≤2 at year one (week 52) and 96.8 percent at year three (OLE week 96)
- Among week 16 PASI 100 responders (N=147), 95.8 percent achieved DLQI 0/1 at year one (week 56) and 92.5 percent at year three (OLE week 96)
Total bimekizumab exposure was 4245.3 patient-years (PY; N=1789) across the Phase 2 and 3 trials, and 3876.4 PY (N=1495; Q4W: 1965.6 PY; Q8W: 1914.5 PY) in the Phase 3 trials.2 Treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred at an exposure-adjusted incidence rate (EAIR) of 186.1 per 100 PY: serious TEAEs were seen at an EAIR of 5.6 new cases per 100 PY and TEAEs leading to discontinuation at 3.5 new cases per 100 PY.2
The most common TEAEs in the Phase 2 and 3 trials with bimekizumab were nasopharyngitis, oral candidiasis and upper respiratory tract infection at EAIRs of 15.3, 10.2 and 7.1 new cases per 100 PY, respectively.2 The EAIR for oral candidiasis showed a decrease compared with two years of bimekizumab treatment (10.2 versus 12.6 new cases per 100 PY) and was lower with bimekizumab dosed Q8W compared with Q4W (7.1 and 15.9 per 100 PY, respectively).2 The vast majority of oral candidiasis events were mild to moderate (99.4 percent), and none were serious.2 Serious infections occurred at a rate of 1.2/100 PY. The most frequently reported were serious coronavirus infections (0.2 per 100 PY).2
¥ Modified non-responder imputation analyses
Notes to editors :
BE BRIGHT (NCT03598790) is an ongoing, multicenter, open-label extension study assessing the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of bimekizumab in adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.3 Patients who completed one of three bimekizumab Phase 3 studies, BE READY, BE VIVID and BE SURE, were eligible to enroll in the BE BRIGHT study.4 More details on BE BRIGHT can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov.3
BE VIVID, BE READY and BE SURE evaluated the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis versus placebo and ustekinumab, versus placebo, and versus adalimumab, respectively.4,5,6
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with primary involvement of the skin.7 Psoriasis signs and symptoms can vary but may include red patches of skin covered with silvery scales; dry, cracked skin that may bleed; and thickened, pitted or ridged nails.8 Psoriasis also has a considerable psychological and quality-of-life impact, potentially affecting work, recreation, relationships, sexual functioning, family and social life.9 This skin condition affects men and women of all ages and ethnicities.7
Bimekizumab is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that is designed to selectively inhibit both interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes.10,11
In August 2021, bimekizumab was approved in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and in Great Britain, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.10,12 In January 2022, bimekizumab received marketing authorization in Japan for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis and psoriatic erythroderma in patients who are not sufficiently responding to existing treatments.13 In February and March 2022, bimekizumab was approved in Canada and Australia, respectively, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.14,15
Bimekizumab is an investigational product; its efficacy and safety have not been established for any indication in the U.S. and it is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For further information, contact UCB:
Investor Relations
Antje Witte
T +32.2.559.94.14
email antje.witte@ucb.com
U.S. Immunology Communications
Nicole Herga
T +1.404.226.7591
email nicole.herga@ucb.com
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With approximately 8,600 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of €5.8 billion in 2021. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of UCB, or industry results, to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: the global spread and impact of COVID-19, changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, competition from other products including biosimilars, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws, and hiring and retention of its employees. There is no guarantee that new product candidates will be discovered or identified in the pipeline, will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Movement from concept to commercial product is uncertain; preclinical results do not guarantee safety and efficacy of product candidates in humans. So far, the complexity of the human body cannot be reproduced in computer models, cell culture systems or animal models. The length of the timing to complete clinical trials and to get regulatory approval for product marketing has varied in the past and UCB expects similar unpredictability going forward. Products or potential products, which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences disputes between the partners or may prove to be not as safe, effective or commercially successful as UCB may have believed at the start of such partnership. UCB's efforts to acquire other products or companies and to integrate the operations of such acquired companies may not be as successful as UCB may have believed at the moment of acquisition. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products and/or devices after they are marketed. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of UCB's products that implicate an entire class of products may have a material adverse effect on sales of the entire class of affected products. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment, including pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement activities and outcomes. Finally, a breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UCB's data and systems.
Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any of such forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labelling in any market, or at any particular time, nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be or will continue to be commercially successful in the future.
UCB is providing this information, including forward-looking statements, only as of the date of this press release and it does not reflect any potential impact from the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, unless indicated otherwise. UCB is following the worldwide developments diligently to assess the financial significance of this pandemic to UCB. UCB expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.
Additionally, information contained in this document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
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SOURCE UCB, Inc. | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/new-three-year-bimekizumab-data-reinforce-long-term-maintenance-complete-skin-clearance-moderate-severe-plaque-psoriasis/ | 2022-09-07 11:37:00 | 0 | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/new-three-year-bimekizumab-data-reinforce-long-term-maintenance-complete-skin-clearance-moderate-severe-plaque-psoriasis/ |
Kelce forced out of Cardinals game in 2nd, then returns originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
GLENDALE, Ariz. — With the Eagles already down a couple starting offensive linemen, Jason Kelce was forced out of the Cardinals game in the second quarter on Sunday afternoon.
Kelce was slow to get up and then hobbled straight into the locker room with an apparent leg injury late in the second. Rookie second-round pick Cam Jurgens replaced him.
In this game, the Eagles were already without Jordan Mailata (shoulder), who was ruled out Saturday, and Landon Dickerson (leg), who is questionable to return. Dickerson left earlier in the first half.
Here was the Eagles’ offensive line going into halftime:
LT: Jack Driscoll
LG: Sua Opeta
C: Cam Jurgens
RG: Isaac Seumalo
RT: Lane Johnson
Luckily for the Eagles, Kelce emerged from the locker room after halftime ready to play and was back in the lineup to begin the third quarter.
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Earlier in the second quarter, it looked like Kelce was going to miss a snap but he emerged from the blue tent before a play.
Kelce has started 127 straight games. It’s the fourth-longest starting streak in Eagles history. It’s the longest for an NFL center since Casey Wiegman started 175 from 2001-11.
The only remaining backup offensive linemen in this game is UDFA Josh Sills, who is active for the first time in his NFL career today.
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Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/nbcsports/eagles-injury-update-jason-kelce-leaves-cardinals-game-then-returns/3386606/ | 2022-10-09 23:56:49 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/nbcsports/eagles-injury-update-jason-kelce-leaves-cardinals-game-then-returns/3386606/ |
‘Take care of us’: Colfax residents plea for EPA action over Clean Harbors permit renewal
EPA details limited authority over state-issued permit
COLFAX, La. (KALB) - On Wednesday, Jan. 11, leadership from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) toured the Town of Colfax and heard the first-hand experiences of residents in the area who vividly detailed the impacts of Clean Harbors Colfax’s (CHC) operation. The EPA’s involvement comes on the cusp of a possible renewal of CHC’s permit.
CHC disposes of “drum and bulk hazardous waste in liquid, solid, semi-solid, sludge and gas forms.” These materials include carcinogenic chemicals and explosives such as munitions, airbags and fireworks. The current disposal methods are to open burn or detonate (OB/OD) the waste by igniting it on platforms on the facility’s property. The OB/OD process produces loud booming sounds and thick toxic plumes that settle over the surrounding communities.
CHC is the only OB/OD waste disposal facility left in the United States, a practice which residents attest to having caused extensive negative health impacts, shift and shaking of their homes and exposure to multiple chemicals and pollutants in the air.
“This is what my hair is looking like,” said Debra Clay as she removed her headscarf to reveal her hair loss. “I want people to see, so they are able to tell Clean Harbors about what has happened to me.”
Clay said her “pretty” hair used to be to her chin, but the hair loss she has experienced has made her unrecognizable.
“We can’t raise anything,” said Clay, referring to her garden. “So, what does that tell us about what they have done for us? Really they haven’t done anything but brought horror to our community. It’s time out for that. They need to be out of here.”
“When they start burning and when they bomb, the top of my house is shaking,” said Brenda Redmond, describing the impact of operations on her two-story house. “Everything up there on the walls is falling off. We have mirrors that are breaking, we have pictures that are falling. Downstairs, it’s the same thing.”
“I want them gone. I don’t care about that permit, just cut back,” said Salisca Larry. “I need ‘em out of here ‘cause I want my children to live, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren and so on. I don’t know about the rest of the community, but for me, I want them out.”
“Have a heart. Take care of us. We’re all human beings. We have one life to live.”
Accounts like those of Clay, Redmond and Larry were just a few from Wednesday’s meeting and a drop in the bucket compared to more than 1,650 complaints filed against CHC since September 2017.
“There’s no substitute for being able to hear from the people who experienced the issues that sometimes polluting facilities may cause for communities, and I had an opportunity today to hear rich narratives about people’s lives and how they’ve been effected and how they’ve been impacted,” said Dr. Carlton Waterhouse, deputy assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. “And the things that they want to see happen here in this community. So, I think it was a wonderful experience for me, but it was a sad experience for me as well because hearing about the struggles and challenges communities have had is something I take to heart.”
The meeting came just before the end of the public comment period on CHC’s permit renewal. The comment period ends Friday, Jan. 13.
CHC outlines a plan in its permit renewal request to construct a closed burn chamber system (CBCS) that would dispose of a majority of the waste received at the facility. CBCS units filter smoke and byproducts before being released into the atmosphere as often more than 99% clean air. Those units are the industry standard. Though, the proposal would still allow for around 10% of its waste to be disposed of via OB/OD and give CHC a two-year grace period to construct the CBCS.
It is the 10% left to be openly-burned and a years-long track record of non-compliance with the CHC’s current permit, however, that has left Colfax residents vehemently opposed and calling on the EPA for help.
“Who’s gonna make ‘em abide by that permit that they’ve got?” asked Terry Brown, a former state representative for District 22. “Who’s gonna come up here and stay with them 24/7, if they burn 24/7, to make sure they abide by that?”
“One of the things that I think we’re trying to get at with this permit is to to make it enforceable, to make violations more easily identifiable and more easy to enforce against,” responded Melissa Smith, who presented the EPA’s comments on the permit renewal.
The EPA representatives explained that the permit as it is now written is loose and makes it difficult to show non-compliance. Instead, they can make comments on the permit renewal, detailing improvements and concerns.
As part of those improvements, the EPA noted the proposal for only 10% of waste to be OB/OD. Smith said this was due to a safe alternative found for all but one waste stream, which would still need OB/OD for disposal.
However, they noted significant concerns, including plumes, health issues, animals dying, ongoing non-compliance and potential pollution.
Some improvements noted included the need for public access to inspection records, continued monitoring of air quality and development of a community engagement plan.
However, residents reiterated they felt CHC would still not abide by a renewed permit, even with any changes or improvements.
“If we were to take over what the state is doing that would be unprecedented,” added Dr. Earthea Nance, EPA Region 6 administrator. That comment was met by an “it’s time” from one resident.
Though having the EPA on the ground touring Colfax and hearing from those impacted was a big step, the reality is that the EPA’s oversight role is limited on a state-issued permit, meaning it ultimately is in the hands of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
“The state’s role is to re-write the permit, to make sure that it is in compliance during the lifetime of the permit. So, they are the lead, they’re the lead actor on that permit.”
However, being the lead actor, LDEQ Secretary Dr. Chuck Brown was not present at the meeting. News Channel 5 was told he was invited.
Many residents expressed distrust in LDEQ, referencing the multiple cases documented of CHC’s continued non-compliance over the years, even after inspection from LDEQ.
“Y’all need to do something that’s more than just check on their permit and give them lip service,” said one Pineville resident in support of those with complaints. “Y’all need to do something to make ‘em do what they’re supposed to do.”
That resident detailed other complaints stemming from his own experience from the now-closed Dresser, Inc. plant in Tioga, which was shut down in 2017.
In 2011, a fire hydrant break led to contaminated soil and groundwater on-site and in surrounding residential areas within Rapides and Grant Parish. Residents were not notified of the spill until 2020, though LDEQ was notified of the spill in 2012.
That incident led to several years of contamination alleged in multiple class-action medical lawsuits filed against Baker Hughes, Inc., the successor-in-interest for Dresser, Inc.
Now, those impacted are looking for support even higher up than LDEQ secretary to Gov. John Bel Edwards.
“Let’s bring the governor. [Let’s have the] governor come to us,” said James W. Scarborough. “He came to us when he wanted a vote. Now, you come back to the Grant Parish community, and let’s take care of this deal.”
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Copyright 2023 KALB. All rights reserved. | https://www.kalb.com/2023/01/12/take-care-us-colfax-residents-plea-epa-action-over-clean-harbors-permit-renewal/ | 2023-01-12 03:14:51 | 0 | https://www.kalb.com/2023/01/12/take-care-us-colfax-residents-plea-epa-action-over-clean-harbors-permit-renewal/ |
Former Trump White House national security adviser John Bolton will be briefed Wednesday by Biden administration officials about Chinese surveillance balloon incursions that happened during the Trump administration, his spokesperson confirmed to The Hill on Monday.
Bolton is expected to issue a statement after the briefing. He is the first Trump official to publicly confirm they are receiving a briefing on the matter of Chinese spy balloons since it was revealed earlier this month that there were at least three such objects that entered U.S. airspace during the last administration.
Appearing on NBC earlier Monday, Bolton said he has “even more questions now than when they first got in touch with me.”
A senior Pentagon official told reporters last week that Chinese government surveillance balloons hovered over the continental U.S. “at least three times” during the Trump administration and one additional time at the beginning of the Biden administration.
Those three incursions were for shorter periods of time than the balloon that caused a major international incident earlier this month after it was spotted over Montana before floating across parts of the country and ultimately being shot down near the South Carolina coast.
Bolton and other top Trump officials all were adamant that they were never informed of any spy balloons that entered U.S. airspace during their time in office.
Biden administration officials, who offered to brief the Trump ones on those incursions, have since explained that the country’s defense radar systems have been improved to be able to better detect when objects like the spy balloon enter U.S. airspace.
“When President Biden came into office, he directed the U.S. Intelligence Community to do a broad assessment of Chinese intelligence capabilities and to ensure that we were working to detect and to protect against them,” John Kirby, a White House spokesperson on national security issues, said Monday.
In addition to the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down near South Carolina, the U.S. military shot down three separate unidentified objects over the weekend. One was in Alaskan airspace, one was in Canada and the other was over Lake Huron. Officials are still working to learn more about the origin and purpose of those objects. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/hill-politics/former-trump-adviser-bolton-to-receive-briefing-on-previous-spy-balloons/ | 2023-02-14 03:34:18 | 1 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/hill-politics/former-trump-adviser-bolton-to-receive-briefing-on-previous-spy-balloons/ |
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
© 2022 Good Karma Brands Milwaukee, LLC. | https://wtmj.com/ap-news/2022/05/10/ap-top-business-news-at-301-a-m-edt-6/ | 2022-05-10 09:54:02 | 0 | https://wtmj.com/ap-news/2022/05/10/ap-top-business-news-at-301-a-m-edt-6/ |
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — On the 75th anniversary of U.N. peacekeeping, the United Nations chief said Thursday that peacekeepers are increasingly working in places where there is no peace and praised the more than 4,200 who have given their lives to the cause of peace since the U.N. authorized its first military deployment in 1948.
It was a day to look back at the successes of peacekeeping from Liberia to Cambodia and its major failures in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, but also to the challenges ahead, including dealing with more violent environments, fake news campaigns, and a divided world that is preventing peacekeeping’s ultimate goal: successfully restoring stable governments.
And it was a day to honor the more than 2 million peacekeepers from 125 countries who have served in 71 operations since the U.N. Security Council sent those first military observers to supervise implementation of Israeli-Arab armistice agreements following their war.
At a ceremony honoring the fallen peacekeepers, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asked the hundreds of uniformed military officers and diplomats to stand for a moment of silence in their memory and then presented medals for the 103 peacekeepers killed in 2022 to ambassadors from their 39 home countries. And at the start of a U.N. Security Council meeting on peace in Africa shortly after, all those in the chamber stood in tribute to peacekeepers who paid the ultimate price.
The secretary-general told the ceremony, after laying a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial on the lawn at U.N. headquarters, that what began 75 years ago “as a bold experiment” in the Mideast “is now a flagship enterprise of our organization.” For civilians caught in conflict, he said, peacekeepers are “a beacon of hope and protection.”
But peacekeepers trying to help countries move away from conflict are now “on the front lines in some of the world’s most dangerous places,” he said.
Guterres stressed the need for “a new generation” of regional operations to end conflicts and combat terrorism that are mandated and financed by the U.N.’s 193 member nations.
That has been a major goal of the African Union for years, and the continent’s nations are urging quick action to make this happen.
At the Security Council meeting, there was widespread support for Guterres’ view but differences on how the U.N. should do this.
U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the council that putting AU peace operations “on solid footing is increasingly pressing” and the case for adequate financing is “beyond solid.” The U.N. therefore hopes the council will provide financing from U.N. member states for AU-led peace operations, she said.
Adeoye Bankole, the African Union commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, welcomed “the very constructive and positive thrust” of the secretary-general’s comments.
“We cannot continue to use traditional peacekeeping methods in the face of the complex nature and scope of conflicts that traverse our beloved continent, particularly violent extremism, ideology of hate, terrorism, rebellion and insurgency,” he said.
U.N. peacekeeping operations have grown dramatically. At the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, there were 11,000 U.N. peacekeepers. By 2014, there were 130,000 in 16 far-flung peacekeeping operations. Today, 87,000 men and women serve in 12 conflict areas in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
There have been two kinds of successes, U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in an interview Wednesday with The Associated Press. Those are the long list of countries that have returned to a reasonable degree of stability with the support of U.N. peacekeeping, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Angola and Cambodia, and the countries where peacekeepers are not only monitoring but preserving cease-fires like in southern Lebanon and Cyprus.
As for failures, he pointed to the failure of U.N. peacekeepers to prevent the 1994 Rwanda genocide, which killed at least 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and Hutus, and the 1995 massacre of at least 8,000 mostly Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica during the war in Bosnia, Europe’s only acknowledged genocide since the Holocaust during World War II.
The U.N.’s reputation has also been tarnished by numerous allegations that peacekeepers charged with protecting civilians sexually abused women and children, including in Central African Republic and Congo. Another high-profile blunder was the cholera epidemic in Haiti that began in 2010 after U.N. peacekeepers introduced the bacteria into the country’s largest river by sewage runoff from their base.
Despite that, Richard Gowan, the International Crisis Group’s U.N. director, said “U.N. peacekeeping has a surprisingly decent track record” and “has done a good job of tamping down crises, protecting civilians and rebuilding broken states in cases from the Suez crisis in the 1950s to Liberia in the 2000s.”
Looking ahead, the U.N.’s Lacroix said the major challenge peacekeeping is facing is the divided international community and especially divisions in the U.N. Security Council, which must approve its missions.
“The result of that is that we’re not able to achieve what I call the ultimate goal of peacekeeping — to be deployed, support a political process that moves forward, and then gradually roll down when that political process is completed,” he said.
Lacroix said peace processes aren’t moving or aren’t going fast enough so the U.N. has to be content with “what I call the intermediate goal of peacekeeping — preserving cease-fires, protecting civilians, we protect hundreds of thousands of them … and doing our best, of course, to support political efforts wherever we can.”
Lacroix pointed to other challenges peacekeepers are facing: more violent and dangerous operating environments and more sophisticated attacks and fake news and disinformation which are “a massive threat to the population and the peacekeepers.” And old and new drivers of conflict — including transnational criminal activities, trafficking, drugs, weapons, the illegal exploitation of natural resources, and the impact of climate change exacerbating competition between herders and farmers — are also having an “absolutely massive influence.”
The Crisis Group’s Gowan told AP it’s pretty clear that the U.N. is “trapped” in some countries like Mali and Congo where there aren’t enough peacekeepers to halt recurring cycles of violence. Some African governments, including Mali’s, are turning to private security providers like Russia’s Wagner Group to fight insurgents, he said.
“I think we should be wary of dumping U.N. operations outright,” Gowan said. “We have learned the hard way in cases like Afghanistan that even heavily armed Western forces cannot impose peace. The U.N.’s track record may not be perfect, but nobody else is much better at building stability in turbulent states.” | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-un-peacekeeping-on-75th-anniversary-successes-failures-and-challenges-ahead-in-a-divided-world/ | 2023-05-26 23:00:23 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-un-peacekeeping-on-75th-anniversary-successes-failures-and-challenges-ahead-in-a-divided-world/ |
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Jordan Hawkins scored 22 points to lead No. 2 UConn past Villanova 74-66 on Wednesday night.
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Freshman Alex Karaban added 15 points and Andre Jackson Jr. had 10 for the Huskies (14-0, 3-0 Big East).
The win allowed the Huskies to tie the start of the 1953-54 team for third best. Only two have fared better with the 1998-99 team’s 19-0 mark at the top of the list. It was also the first season UConn won a national championship.
Hawkins scored in double figures for the sixth straight time and had his fourth 20-point game of the season.
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Caleb Daniels led Villanova (7-6, 1-1) with 23 points, Eric Dixon added 18 and Brandon Slater added 10.
A 16-3 run early in the second half helped the Huskies create some separation, taking a 49-39 lead with 12:13 left. Daniels’ layup gave Villanova a 36-33 lead, but 3-pointers from Hawkins and Karaban followed by a Jackson dunk sparked the home team’s surge.
THE BIG PICTURE
The Wildcats had their five-game win streak come to an end.
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The Huskies are in the meat of their conference schedule with trips to Xavier and Providence coming up before hosting Big East preseason favorite Creighton.
UP NEXT
Villanova: Hosts Marquette on Saturday.
UConn: At No. 22 Xavier on Saturday. | https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/No-2-UConn-takes-charge-in-second-half-over-17682341.php | 2022-12-29 03:04:41 | 1 | https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/No-2-UConn-takes-charge-in-second-half-over-17682341.php |
CHASE: Cathy Chase, 74, of Chico, died July 30, 2022, in Fremont. Arrangements are under the direction of Affordable Mortuary, 893-4292. No services are planned.
CLABORN: Calvin Ray Claborn, 84, of Chico, died July 17, 2022, in Chico. Arrangements are under the direction of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home, 342-9003.
KREJEI: George M. Krejei, 90, of Oroville, died July 30, 2022, in Oroville. Arrangements are under the direction of Scheer Memorial Chapel, 533-5255.
PHILLIPS: Jerome Phillips, 91, of Chico, died July 29, 2022, in Chico. Arrangements are under the direction of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home, 342-9003. No services are planned.
THOMS: Herbert Thoms, 80, of Paradise, died July 30, 2022, in Chico. Arrangements are under the direction of Affordable Mortuary, 893-4292. No services are planned. | https://www.chicoer.com/2022/08/03/death-notices-received-aug-2-5/ | 2022-08-03 09:29:46 | 0 | https://www.chicoer.com/2022/08/03/death-notices-received-aug-2-5/ |
OAKLAND, California (AP) — Editor’s Note: Sixteen Alaska Native men were honored this week for rescuing the crew of a U.S. Navy patrol plane shot down over the Bering Strait by Soviet fighter jets nearly 70 years ago. With that belated honor, The Associated Press is republishing its story filed July 3, 1955, from Oakland, California, detailing the arrival of seven of the injured Navy crew members.
____
In cheerful spirits, despite wounds, burns and bandages, seven U.S. fliers whose Navy patrol plane was shot down June 22 by Russian jet fighters over the Bering Sea arrived here today from Anchorage, Alaska.
A huddled group of families and friends watched at Alameda Naval Air Station as the seven stretchers were eased out of their hospital plane shortly before 3 a.m. A woman burst into tears.
She was Mrs. Nellie Janke of Alameda, who had caught sight of her husband, chief electronics technician Elmer R. Janke, swathed heavily in bandages. She rushed forward to greet him.
Aviation machinist mate Thaddeus Maziarz of Oakland propped himself up to greet his wife, Ruth, and 6-year-old daughter Carol, and then gaze long and happily for the first time at his son and namesake, Thad Jr., 5 weeks old
And aviation ordnanceman Martin E. Berg of Alameda, despite hands made clumsy and awkward with bandages, clasped his wife in a hard embrace.
The other arrivals, whose families lived too far way to come, are Ens. David G. Assard, Terryville, Conn.; aviation technician Edward Benko, Chicago; airman technician Charles W. Shields, Clawson, Mich., and aviation ordnanceman Donald E. Sonnek, Minnesota Lake, Minn.
Then the group, part of the 11 whose misadventure in northern seas touched off a diplomatic storm while the United Nations was in session at San Francisco, were loaded onto an ambulance bus for the 10-mile ride to Oak Knoll Hospital in the Oakland foothills.
Ensign Assard talked briefly to newsmen about the details of the unprovoked attack on the Neptune patrol plane flying out of Kodiak Naval Station over international waters between Alaska and Siberia. The U.S. plane managed a forced landing on St. Lawrence Island.
“There were two MiGs that attacked us,” said Assard. "We know there were two because Sonnek saw them both.
"All of a sudden, I saw bullets. They sprayed the whole fuselage of our plane. Every tracer bullet I saw was hitting something. Three of the crew members got hit. We didn't get a chance to fire back although we had ammunition aboard.
"Our port engine caught fire and Lt. Fischer (Richard H. Fischer of Pittsburgh, Pa., the pilot) said we had to ditch.
"When we landed on St. Lawrence Island the bomb bay exploded and that's when we got burned. The crew was wonderful. We all got out and headed for a gully. Lt. Fischer tried to help us, tending to our wounds.
“After about 45 minutes, some Eskimos came after us in a boat from a nearby village. They said they had seen our plane coming in low with smoke coming from it and knew we were in trouble.”
Capt. Louis King, the Air Force physician who accompanied the men on the flight from Anchorage, said the men stood the trip well and all are in “good condition.”
The Russians, through foreign minister V.M. Molotov, expressed regret at the incident and offered to pay half the damges. This fell short of American demands. | https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/ap-was-there-us-crewmen-shot-down-by-soviets-17872927.php | 2023-04-01 13:04:32 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/ap-was-there-us-crewmen-shot-down-by-soviets-17872927.php |
USPS stops delivering mail to neighborhood after mailman attacked by dog
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The United States Postal Service stopped delivering mail to an Ohio neighborhood after a mailman was attacked by a dog.
“The guy came and grabbed it, they had to choke the dog to grab him off the mailman because the mailman was hollering, ‘Come get your dog, come get your dog,’” said one neighbor.
Paulette Williams lives in the neighborhood where the incident happened. She told WOIO this isn’t the first time the dog has bitten someone.
“He came straight towards me and was very aggressive,” she said.
Since the incident, USPS has stopped delivering mail to everyone on the street. For almost a month, Williams and her neighbors have had to pick up their mail from a post office about 15 minutes away.
“It’s like we’re getting punished, for what they did, and that’s not OK,” another neighbor said.
Williams and others expressed their frustration about the new arrangement, explaining that many of them don’t have cars and getting a ride is hard.
“Please help us get our mail back and get rid of that dog down the street,” said Williams.
WOIO called the city and reached out to USPS. According to the city, charges were filed on Sept. 7, and the dog was classified as a level 2 threat. It means for the next 5 years, the owners have to abide by certain rules.
As for USPS, they sent a statement, saying mail delivery workers will not be returning to the neighborhood until they feel safe:
“The safety of our delivery employees and the aim to provide great customer service are both paramount to who we are as an organization. Due to a dog attack, the Postal Service suspended delivery in this area and the dog continues to roam the neighborhood unrestrained. Management has informed the owner and delivery will resume when it is safe for the letter carrier.
Aggressive and unrestrained animals are a serious issue. One bite or fall can cause a serious injury; they are painful yet they can be prevented. We request all customers keep their dogs restrained during normal delivery hours to protect the safety of the letter carriers.
Dog owners are responsible for controlling their dogs. The best way to keep everyone safe from dog bites is to recognize and promote responsible pet ownership. Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day and having their dog secured as the carrier approaches their property for delivery will minimize any dog carrier interactions.” - Naddia Dhalai, USPS Corporate Communications
WOIO asked what the process was for deeming the neighborhood safe again, and brought up the residents’ concerns about the commute time.
USPS gave this response: “Like I said, this is a serious safety issue, and it has not been resolved. When that happens, mail will resume. There isn’t another post office where customers can pick up their mail. We regret this inconvenience; however the safety of our employees is our top priority”.
The decision leaves neighbors in a tough situation and penalized for an act they had nothing to do with.
Copyright 2022 WOIO via Gray Media Group. All rights reserved. | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/09/23/usps-stops-delivering-mail-neighborhood-after-mailman-attacked-by-dog/ | 2022-09-23 15:02:19 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/2022/09/23/usps-stops-delivering-mail-neighborhood-after-mailman-attacked-by-dog/ |
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I worked at a college that had a lot of marble steps," said an inventor from San Antonio, Texas. "Every day in the winter I had to clear the steps of salt and snow, which meant a lot of mopping. I had difficulty using the mop bucket on the stairs, so I came up with this idea to help me."
He developed the UTILITY STAND to create a stable work surface on stairs to perform a variety of jobs. This makes it easier to clean a flight of stairs with a mop bucket. The design prevents the bucket from tipping over. It also ends the need to walk up and down the steps to get to a bucket positioned at the top or bottom of the flight. The device also can be used as a stable work platform. Additionally, it is easy to set up and remove. It can help painters and maintenance people changing light bulbs in stairways.
The original design was submitted to the Austin office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 13-AUP-477, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/12/15/inventhelp-inventor-develops-work-platform-use-stairs-aup-477/ | 2022-12-15 17:45:37 | 0 | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/12/15/inventhelp-inventor-develops-work-platform-use-stairs-aup-477/ |
Former President Donald Trump fired back at CNN anchor Jake Tapper after he wouldn't take his appearance with Florida supporters live, saying he would make his remarks to supporters into a "campaign ad."
Tapper demanded that CNN's staff cut the footage of Trump meeting supporters in Florida Tuesday, saying that he didn't need to "see any more of that." The comments later drew a sharp response from Trump.
"Fake Tapper just demanded that his broadcast be closed down from Miami because there was far too much enthusiasm on the streets for ‘Trump.’ The good news is, he was the only one to do so, perhaps a good explanation as to why CNN’s ratings are so low!" Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
JAKE TAPPER SCOLDS CNN PRODUCERS FOR SHOWING TRUMP WITH MIAMI SUPPORTERS: 'THAT IS ENOUGH OF THAT'
Trump was responding directly to Tapper’s comments on Tuesday as the former President was greeted by enthusiastic supporters who prayed with him and sang "Happy Birthday" in his honor at the Versailles restaurant in Miami.
The former president's inner circle has used the disparaging nickname, "Fake Tapper," for years when referring to the CNN host.
As Trump’s supporters continued to cheer in the background, Tapper told CNN’s staff to cut the footage. "The folks in the control room, I don't need to see any more of that. He's trying to turn this into a spectacle, a campaign ad. That's enough of that," Tapper said.
GOP REACTIONS POUR IN AFTER TRUMP ARRAIGNED ON 37 CHARGES: 'DARK DAY FOR OUR COUNTRY'
Tapper reminded his audience that Trump was being arrested on charges of breaking "serious national security laws."
"And as we watch Donald Trump attempt to turn his arrest and indictment into some sort of campaign commercial, we need to remember that the reason we are watching this is because Donald Trump is accused of breaking some very serious national security laws and then obstructing and refusing to cooperate with the FBI."
PROTESTER IN PRISON COSTUME DETAINED AFTER RUSHING TRUMP’S MOTORCADE OUTSIDE MIAMI COURTHOUSE
Trump was incorrect, however, in claiming CNN was the only network to do so. Left-wing MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace also urged her control room to cut the feed of Trump at the restaurant on Tuesday, saying, "We don’t need to see that anymore. We know where he is."
Trump is the first president in American history to be indicted by both a Manhattan Grand Jury and the Department of Justice. On the same day that the indictment against Trump was released, President Biden was also accused of having taken part in a pay to play bribery scheme with a Ukrainian energy company for $5 million.
Trump spoke to supporters on Tuesday in Bedminster, N.J., after he attended a hearing in Miami for his indictment. He called the occasion a "day [that] will go down in infamy."
He continued: "Joe Biden will forever be remembered as not only the most corrupt president in the history of our Country, but perhaps, even more importantly, the president who, together with a band of his closest thugs, misfits, and Marxists tried to destroy American Democracy!"
Fox News’ Lindsay Kornick and Brian Flood contributed to this report. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/trump-hits-back-at-jake-tapper-after-he-demanded-that-cnn-cut-footage-of-enthused/article_718c40ec-9716-5f4e-8d84-20e8242da321.html | 2023-06-14 20:09:02 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/trump-hits-back-at-jake-tapper-after-he-demanded-that-cnn-cut-footage-of-enthused/article_718c40ec-9716-5f4e-8d84-20e8242da321.html |
The iconic landmark introduces a month of anniversary events celebrating San Francisco's rich culture, cuisine, and community
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105
Hours of Operation: Open 7am-10pm daily
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SAN FRANCISCO, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1898, the Ferry Building has stood as the gateway to San Francisco, a legendary landmark located on the waterfront Embarcadero. On July 13, the Ferry Building officially celebrates 125 years as an iconic San Francisco attraction with A Very Ferry Birthday Party. The Ferry Building was built in the last decade of the 19th Century, with the first ferry boat docking at its pier on July 13, 1898.
This July, Hudson Pacific Properties, the operator and co-owner of the Ferry Building, has planned a full month of special events and programming to celebrate the Ferry Building's milestone and as part of its long-term commitment to support the ongoing revitalization of downtown San Francisco and the Embarcadero.
"For years the Ferry Building has operated as a central transportation hub and community gathering place, supporting the best of Bay Area culinary talent and artisans," says Ferry Building General Manager, Jane Connors. "We're excited to commemorate our 125th Anniversary this summer and invite locals and visitors to join us as we honor our history and celebrate our future."
LET'S PARTY LIKE IT'S 1898
A Very Ferry Birthday Party
Kicking off the anniversary festivities is A Very Ferry Birthday Party on July 13. Starting at 11am, visitors are invited to enjoy free ice cream sundaes at Humphry Slocombe, lunchtime music by the Gemstone Band on the back plaza, and crafting with SF Etsy. Plus, all ferry rides through San Francisco Bay Ferry will be free for riders aged 17 and under all day.
At 12:00pm, leaders from the Ferry Building and Hudson Pacific will join public officials for a dedication ceremony, during which July 13 will officially be proclaimed Ferry Building Day in San Francisco. They will also compile a Ferry Building Time Capsule, capturing this moment in history with additions from Ferry Building merchants in celebration of 125 years. Later that afternoon, Fort Point Beer Company will host a special birthday Happy Hour from 4-6pm at its Ferry Building Beer Garden, where guests can take home limited-edition Ferry Building and Fort Point swag.
Clocktower Crawl & Merchant-Led Events
Also debuting on July 13 and running through August 17 is the Ferry Building Clocktower Crawl. Beloved Ferry Building merchants will offer themed 125th birthday specials, including an anniversary cocktail from Hog Island Oyster Co., a cookie from Acme Bread, a tote bag from Heath Ceramics, skincare products from Benedetta, and more. The full list of Clocktower Crawl specials can be found here.
To participate in the Clocktower Crawl, guests can pick up a passport at Bay Crossings (starting July 13) and get stamps at participating shops to be entered in a weekly prize drawing.
Ferry Building merchants will also lead dedicated classes and tastings throughout the month. Tsar Nicoulai Caviar will kick things off with a National Caviar Day Tasting on July 18. Dandelion Chocolate will follow with a Chocolate Tasting on July 25.
Imperial Tea Court will host A Journey in Tea with Roy Fong on August 1, and Maison Verbena will walk guests through a Scents and Sense Candle Making Demo on August 10. All classes will take place from 5:30-7pm. More information and links to tickets for merchant-led events and classes are available here.
Summer Ferry Fest
On the evening of August 17, the Ferry Building is introducing the first-ever Summer Ferry Fest, hosted in partnership with Foodwise and Napa Valley Vintners. Guests are invited to experience the magic of the Ferry Building at night with cocktails, wine, beer and small bites from merchants. The event will feature live music from La Gente SF, epicurean art activities with SF Etsy, and more.
Tickets will be available for purchase on July 16 here. Proceeds benefit Foodwise, the nonprofit operator of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
In addition to the aforementioned events, ongoing programming will also be taking place at the Ferry Building throughout the rest of 2023 in celebration of 125 years. Highlights include Music on the Plaza, Harvest Festival, the second-annual Holiday Open House, and more.
HONORING OUR HISTORY
The Ferry Building first opened on July 13, 1898, beginning its life as a transportation hub. From the Gold Rush until the 1930s, arrival by ferry boat became the only way travelers and commuters – except those coming from the Peninsula – could reach the city, and the Ferry Building, with its iconic 245-foot clocktower looming over Market Street, was the ultimate gateway.
A century later, a world-class retail marketplace opened in 2003 after a four-year restoration of the Ferry Building, debuting to immediate acclaim as an early trailblazer of the modern food hall. Its vision is to support local chefs developing concepts and smaller-scale artisans and farmland producers in offering their goods. Since taking over as operator of the Ferry Building and throughout the pandemic, Hudson Pacific has further diversified the tenant base to bring new energy to the building. Today, the marketplace is home to more than 40 diverse merchants and local artisans and continues to serve as a destination for locals and visitors alike.
"It is a great honor to be part of the Ferry Building's 125th Anniversary, and Hudson Pacific looks forward to helping this cultural icon remain a vibrant part of the city's fabric, today and in the future," said Shawn McGarry, Executive Vice President, Northern California Operations for Hudson Pacific. "We continue to support not only the small businesses and diverse merchants that make the Ferry Building so special, but also the broader recovery and revitalization of San Francisco as a whole."
ABOUT THE FERRY BUILDING MARKETPLACE
The Ferry Building Marketplace is an iconic landmark and world-class marketplace comprising distinctive restaurateurs, lifestyle merchants, artisans and community offerings. It is perfect for any occasion and a must-see destination for all points of your day with something for everyone. The marketplace encourages visitors to foster a close relationship with the space and the faces who make it so special through diverse merchant offerings and engaging attractions. The Ferry Building is operated by Hudson Pacific Properties and co-owned by Hudson Pacific and Allianz.
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SOURCE Hudson Pacific Properties: Ferry Building | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/06/21/ferry-building-celebrates-125th-anniversary-july-13/ | 2023-06-21 14:57:56 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/06/21/ferry-building-celebrates-125th-anniversary-july-13/ |
MOUNT VERNON, Ala. (AP) — Testifying before Congress, Chief Framon Weaver said his Alabama-based tribe, with roots dating back to the 1830s, held a distinction no one else wanted when it came to being recognized by the U.S. government, a stamp of approval that can mean millions in federal funding for Native American groups.
“It is clear that our tribe, the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, (is) the literal poster child for the structural failures evident in the federal recognition process,” Weaver told a committee.
That was in 2012, so long ago that Weaver is no longer chief. The MOWAs are still seeking federal recognition, and they’re one of two state-recognized tribes hoping Congress will right what they see as wrongs of the past with the help of two influential U.S. senators who are retiring. It’s an issue entwined not just with history but with the possibility of gambling revenues.
Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, the senior Republican on the Appropriations Committee, is sponsoring legislation that would provide federal recognition to the roughly 6,500-member MOWA Band. GOP Sen. Richard Burr is handling similar legislation for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, which with 60,000 members calls itself the nation’s largest tribe not recognized by the federal government.
Both groups contend the process for gaining federal recognition has become adulterated and now favors money over history. They say that’s partly because of the billions generated by Indian gambling, something they can’t offer because of the lack of federal acknowledgement.
Similar recognition bills have failed repeatedly in the past, and it’s unclear whether either one will win approval this year. But the current chief of the MOWA Band, Lebaron Byrd, has taken over Weaver’s lobbying effort and hopes a final use of Shelby’s pull will mean the difference this time.
“We always are optimists,” he said. “We don’t give up hope.”
Shelby’s office said Friday the MOWA bill is in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, where it had a hearing in March. Burr’s office didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.
Byrd said obtaining federal recognition would mean between $50 million and $100 million initially in benefits including health care, education and economic development for the MOWA, who take their name from the band’s location along the Mobile-Washington county line of southwest Alabama about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Mobile.
Passage of the Lumbee bill would cost about $363 million in expected spending from 2024-2027, according to an assessment by the Congressional Budget Office. The largest share, roughly $247 million, would come from benefits offered by the Indian Health Service, it said.
Both bills are opposed by a coalition of tribes already acknowledged by the U.S. government. A branch of the Bureau of Indian Affairs determines whether groups qualify as tribes through anthropological, genealogical and historical studies.
Groups that lose recognition bids before the agency can challenge those decisions through administrative appeals or lawsuits, something the MOWA have tried and failed. The Lumbee gained partial federal recognition through a bill in 1956 but are still blocked from key federal programs, a decision they continue fighting more than six decades later.
Politics shouldn’t be allowed to short-circuit the process that other tribes have used to gain federal recognition, Native American groups opposed to the bills argued during a forum held at the U.S. Capitol in July.
“It is egregious when you can buy your way in,” said Margo Gray, chairwoman of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma.
Congressional action would encroach on the rights of other tribes by cheapening the process, said Richard French, chairman of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“When you claim to be someone that you’re not, you’re messing with the other peoples’ sovereignty,” he said.
More than 140 tribes are lined up against the bills, opponents say. Both the MOWA Band and the Lumbee Tribe contend history is on their side, even if other tribes aren’t.
First recognized by Alabama in 1979, the MOWA Band says it is descended from Choctaws who remained in the area after Native Americans were forced to move west in the 1830s to make way for white settlers.
Purposely keeping a low profile and with only sparse written records to avoid detection after other groups were forced out, the MOWA Band was typically overlooked during the decades when Alabama was segregated by race. Members lived in the same rural community near the Mississippi line where many remain, said Byrd, the current chief.
The MOWAs sought federal recognition but were refused by the government in 1997 after a study determined the group wasn’t part of historical Choctaw groups, and that only 1% of its members had documented Indian heritage. Subsequent appeals and a lawsuit failed, leading to the push for congressional action on acknowledgement.
First recognized by the state of North Carolina in 1885, the Lumbee have been seeking federal acknowledgement since 1888. Describing themselves as survivors of tribal nations from the Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan language families, they live mainly in four counties in the southern part of the state.
Lumbee member Arlinda Locklear, an attorney who specializes in tribal law in Washington, D.C., said the passage in 1988 of federal legislation that allowed gambling operations by federally recognized tribes made it more difficult for new groups to gain recognition. Existing tribes didn’t want to risk divvying up markets and gaming revenues with upstarts, she said.
“That’s what’s given the opposition wings in terms of the Lumbee,” Locklear said.
While the Indian Gaming Association said revenues nationwide exceeded $39 billion last year, the Lumbee have denied that gambling is their prime reason for seeking recognition. Instead, the tribes describe gaming as “the least of all motives” for its decadeslong pursuit.
The Alabama tribe nearly a decade ago opened a video gaming operation in a small building that’s still located near the tribal office, but it was quickly shut down by authorities because the group lacked federal recognition.
Federal recognition could finally open the door to gaming operations, but the MOWA would be in competition with Alabama’s only federally recognized tribe, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which already operates casinos. One way or the other, Byrd said, recognition could improve life for descendants of a group of people who refused to leave their homes nearly 200 years ago.
“One of our cemeteries dates back to 1800,” Byrd said. “We tell everybody we are the stayers.” | https://phl17.com/us-news/ap-us-news/ap-outgoing-senators-backing-us-recognition-for-2-state-tribes/ | 2022-10-28 16:59:47 | 0 | https://phl17.com/us-news/ap-us-news/ap-outgoing-senators-backing-us-recognition-for-2-state-tribes/ |
President Biden’s Labor secretary nominee appears to have reached a dead end in the Senate.
Almost four months after the White House rolled out Julie Su’s nomination in February, Democratic leadership is not shaking up their strategy, even as they’ve made little progress getting her across the finish line.
At the same time, Republicans are calling for her name to be withdrawn, and there is no sign of a vote coming anytime soon in the upper chamber.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday teed up votes after the two-week July 4 recess on a slew of nominations, including former Rep. Xochitl Torres Small’s (D-N.M.) to be deputy secretary of Agriculture, Rosie Hidalgo to be the Justice Department’s director of Violence Against Women Office and another spate of Judicial nominees. That means the very earliest Su’s nomination would be considered is in mid-July, if at all.
“Frustrated,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee member who has lobbied the holdouts, said about his feelings on the languishing nomination. “I can’t predict what other people are going to do. But I do know this: keeping it hanging out there is good for nobody — not for the country, not for her, not for us. Let’s have a vote.”
At issue has been the inability to shake loose two of the three moderates — Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) — that Democrats need to back her nomination.
Manchin has long been viewed as the most unlikely of the three to back her on the floor. Tester has been peppered with questions for weeks about Su’s nomination but has consistently said that he is still deciding.
“I would love to [have a vote on her], but you know why? Because you guys would never have to ask me again how I was going to vote on Julie Su,” Tester said with a laugh last week.
Sinema has a policy of not previewing votes.
With little movement among the trio, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) emerged as the senator to watch during the confirmation fight, but the White House had nothing to report about how those conversations have been going.
Murkowski also declined to say Thursday whether she had taken a stance one way or another on Su’s nomination.
“I don’t know,” Murkowski said. “I don’t think she’s coming forward. Look at where we are right now. I haven’t seen anyone on the other side move on her.”
The administration has had a tough time getting some nominees through this year. Biden withdrew two nominations in March — Phillip Washington, Biden’s pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, and Gigi Sohn, Biden’s pick to serve as the top telecommunications regulator for the Federal Communications Commission. In May, he pulled his choice to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and two judiciary picks.
Still, losing out on a Su’s confirmation to a Cabinet-level role would be a significant blow.
Schumer reiterated to reporters Wednesday that they were still working hard to get her confirmed.
The White House recently assembled a so-called war room to make calls every day about Su’s nomination, and chief of staff Jeff Zients, among others, had been speaking with Schumer and other Democrats regularly about it.
“We are definitely committed,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday. “The White House and outside groups continue … a full-court press to get Julie confirmed. That has not stopped.”
When pressed on if Su’s nomination will be pulled due to the lack of progress, the White House has stressed that she is highly qualified and points to Su’s role in brokering a recent tentative agreement between shippers and West Coast dockworkers — an accomplishment Biden also praised her for earlier this month.
Biden nominated her to replace Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who is the first Cabinet secretary in the line of succession to leave his post since the start of the Biden administration.
The timing of Su’s potential failed nomination isn’t ideal for the president going into a reelection year.
The Biden campaign received over a dozen endorsements from labor groups, including the AFL-CIO, and has touted big labor as a major asset for them. Biden rallied with labor groups Saturday in Philadelphia to tout the boost from their endorsements.
Despite the poor optics of a flailing Labor secretary nominee, the White House has not changed up its strategy to get her over the top, a sign that they could have reached a dead end.
Meanwhile, Republicans have been consistent in their opposition to Su throughout the nomination process. That kept up last week when 33 Senate Republicans — led by Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — signed a letter to Biden calling on him to withdraw her nomination.
“Given this present state of affairs, we respectfully urge you to withdraw the nomination,” they wrote. “We appreciate your responsiveness to this request, and ask for prompt confirmation that the nomination of Julie A. Su is formally withdrawn.”
Specifically, Republicans have opposed Su over her handling of California’s unemployment insurance program, when the state paid out billions in fraudulent COVID-19 funds, and her stance on the gig economy and independent contractors.
The latter half of the opposition stems from a potential Department of Labor rule that would make it more difficult for workers to classify as independent contractors. Those individuals can be up to 30-percent cheaper for businesses than full-time employees. They also have fewer legal protections.
Some outside groups are also lining up to call for her name to be taken out of the running.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, a worker group that has opposed Su, wrote a letter to Biden on Thursday asking to withdraw her name. The trucker group said that her nomination hasn’t been supported in the Senate in part because of her “disastrous policies affecting the trucking industry” in California, including on gig workers.
Meanwhile, business groups that have long called on Senators to oppose her nomination, such as the International Franchise Association, were thrilled to see the Senate GOP letter this week pressuring the president to withdraw her name. | https://www.kxnet.com/hill-politics/white-house-reaches-dead-end-on-labor-nominee-fight/ | 2023-06-24 20:16:18 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/hill-politics/white-house-reaches-dead-end-on-labor-nominee-fight/ |
An 18-year-old high school student fatally shot Thursday in an elementary school parking lot in Prince George’s County was the driver in a fatal collision in Upper Marlboro in March, police said. He is the third student at his high school to have died in as many months.
Batson’s family told DC News Now the incident was a carjacking. Police did not confirm this to The Washington Post.
Batson was a senior at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School. On the morning of March 7, while driving to the high school, he was involved in an auto accident that left his passenger, 18-year-old Cayliy Haygood, dead, police said. In a preliminary investigation, police said Batson was attempting to overtake another vehicle when he hit a parked landscaping trailer; police were also investigating whether speed was a factor. Haygood, who was also a student at Wise, died at the scene, police said.
The family hopes to raise $20,000 to bring 18-year-old Cayliy Haygood back home to Texas to be laid to rest. https://t.co/duqINjEBCV
— WUSA9 (@wusa9) March 17, 2023
A GoFundMe seeking help for funeral expenses said Haygood was “beloved.” A photo shows a young woman smiling brightly and striking a pose.
The incident prompted outcry from the community about the section of Ritchie Marlboro Road where the collision occurred, WUSA reported. At a meeting convened in the high school gym, residents asked for traffic lights to slow down drivers.
On March 2, five days before Haygood’s death, another Wise student was fatally shot in an incident on Parkstone Drive. Michael Nwaulu, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said; another adult male was wounded but survived. Authorities have not made an arrest in the case.
“We will do our best to comfort our Wise community during this challenging time,” principal Taryn Washington said in an email to families Friday, after the announcement of Batson’s death. “A support team of school psychologists and professional school counselors will be here to help students and staff work through their feelings. Counseling will be available as long as necessary.”
Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the cases, including if any of them might be related.
Jasmine Hilton contributed to this report. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/05/14/kendall-batson-cayliy-haygood-wise-high-school/ | 2023-05-14 23:58:49 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/05/14/kendall-batson-cayliy-haygood-wise-high-school/ |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed six long-waiting nominees by President Joe Biden to the board of the nation’s largest public utility, establishing a new majority with Biden’s picks.
The Senate confirmed the six by unanimous consent, Tennessee Valley Authority spokesperson Ashton Davies said. The federal utility’s nine-member board had been whittled down to five people, each appointed by former President Donald Trump, with two members who had been serving after their terms expired in May.
The seats come with five-year terms. But when a board member’s term expires, that person can keep serving until end of the current congressional session, typically in December, or until their successors take office, whatever comes first.
Environmental groups had been calling for urgency in the confirmations, saying that otherwise, the board soon wouldn’t have a quorum to conduct business and the utility’s ability to fulfill its duties would be hampered. Advocates also have been urging the new board members, when installed, to move away from carbon-producing electricity more quickly in a push to curb climate change.
The new board members span several states. Huntsville, Alabama attorney Joe Ritch is returning to the TVA board of which he once was chairman as a nominee of former President Barack Obama. Adam Wade White is the judge executive for Lyon County, Kentucky. Bill Renick is a former Ashland, Mississippi, mayor and state lawmaker.
Beth Geer, from Brentwood, Tennessee, is the chief of staff to former Vice President Al Gore and serves on Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s Sustainability Advisory Committee. Michelle Moore, who grew up in LaGrange, Georgia, and lives in Richmond, Virginia, heads a clean energy nonprofit after leading Obama’s sustainability team.
Robert Klein is a retired line foreman for the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga who also filled roles with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Three of the new board members’ nominations date back to April 2021. Two were nominated in June, and one was nominated in July.
“We’re excited to have Beth, Bobby, Michelle, Bill, Joe and Wade add their diverse perspectives to the TVA team,” TVA spokesperson Ashton Davies said in a statement. “We look forward to them being sworn in as TVA directors in the coming days and help us further strengthen TVA’s ongoing mission of service to the 10 million people of our seven-state region.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, on Wednesday offered praise for “finally adding a Kentuckian” — White — to the board.
“Wade’s heart has always been in serving his home state and his unique perspective will bring balance to the organization and its priorities,” McConnell said in a statement.
Three Trump-appointed board members will remain in the new year: Chairman William Kilbride, whose term expires in May 2023, and Beth Harwell and Brian Noland, whose terms expire in May 2024.
Environmental advocates have urged the new Democrat-appointed board members, once installed, to move more quickly in transitioning to 100% carbon-free electricity, citing the Biden administration’s goal of a carbon-pollution-free energy sector by 2035.
“We look forward to working with the new board members to bring TVA into better alignment with the Biden Administration’s priorities,” Stephen Smith, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s executive director, said in a statement.
Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, who has been a key critic of TVA during legislative hearings, said the new board should “act quickly to bring the TVA into the 21st century — moving it from a laggard to a leader in renewable energy so that consumers have affordable, reliable, and clean power.”
TVA has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2035, compared to 2005 levels. The utility has its own aspirational goal of net zero emissions by 2050. TVA’s CEO, Jeff Lyash, has said the utility will not be able to meet Biden’s 100% reduction goal for 2035 without technological advances in energy storage, carbon capture and small modular nuclear reactors.
Meanwhile, the utility earlier this month recommended replacing the aging coal-burning Cumberland Fossil Plant in Tennessee with natural gas. Last year, TVA’s board delegated any decision on Cumberland’s replacement to Lyash.
TVA provides electricity for 153 local power companies serving 10 million people in Tennessee and parts of six surrounding states, in addition to large industrial customers and federal operations. | https://www.wivb.com/news/business/ap-new-majority-of-biden-picks-confirmed-to-us-utilitys-board/ | 2022-12-22 03:52:32 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/business/ap-new-majority-of-biden-picks-confirmed-to-us-utilitys-board/ |
Dodge ending production of Charger, Challenger in 2023
(Gray News) - Production of the current Dodge Charger and Challenger is ending in 2023.
Representatives with parent company Stellantis confirmed the decision this week in a news release, saying the company is ending production of those models in their current form next year.
Dodge shared that its iconic muscle cars would be celebrated in their final year with several new 2023 models, all including a commemorative “Last Call” under the hood plaque.
“We are celebrating the end of an era — and the start of a bright new electrified future — by staying true to our brand,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer.
The muscle cars first appeared in the 1960s and 1970s before being revived in the early 2000s.
Dodge said it plans to offer seven 2023 heritage-influenced models, celebrating the company’s history of its Charger and Challenger vehicles.
The new models will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis once they are available at top-selling Dodge dealerships. The automaker said it will give customers a guide for locating the vehicles at DodgeGarage.com.
According to Dodge, ordering and pricing information for the new 2023 models are expected to be released closer to the on-sale date.
Dodge’s announcement comes as automakers move away from gas-powered cars and invest more in electric vehicles.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.cleveland19.com/2022/08/17/dodge-ending-production-charger-challenger-2023/ | 2022-08-17 20:42:16 | 1 | https://www.cleveland19.com/2022/08/17/dodge-ending-production-charger-challenger-2023/ |
Original 2007 iPhone sells for more than $63,000
Published: Feb. 23, 2023 at 4:15 PM CST|Updated: 1 hour ago
(CNN) - A first-generation iPhone sold for more than $63,000 in an online auction over the weekend.
The selling price was more than a hundred times its original cost of $599 in 2007.
Officials said the box had never been opened.
The original iPhone offered early Apple adopters a 3.5-inch screen with a 2-megapixel camera, plus 4.8 gigabytes of storage.
It also offered internet capabilities and iTunes.
However, the phone did not have an Apple store and ran on a 2G network exclusive to AT&T.
The bidding started earlier this month at $2,500.
Another unopened first-generation iPhone sold for nearly $40,000 in October 2022.
Copyright 2023 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/2023/02/23/original-2007-iphone-sells-more-than-63000/ | 2023-02-23 23:33:53 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/2023/02/23/original-2007-iphone-sells-more-than-63000/ |
Sheryl Lee Ralph and her daughter Ivy Coco are the fashion duo we didn’t even know we needed! Ralph has been sweeping the Hollywood event grounds with enticing looks, and her daughter is to blame. From the Emmys to the Critic’s Choice Awards, the Abbott Elementary actress’s ensembles have been unique and ravishing. And each look proves that Ivy Coco knows a thing or two about staying true to her mother’s aesthetic, all while giving her that fashionable edge.
A Legacy of Fashion
Fashion runs deep in Ralph’s and Ivy Coco’s family. Ralph’s mother, Ivy Ralph, once invented a leisure suit in the Caribbean that has had a lasting impact on fashion today. “She was always able to whip up a great dress, but she was tired of seeing men sweat in their wool suits and ties in the island heat, and so she created a style of men’s suits that made waves in Jamaica called the Kareeba. It’s the leisure suit of today for men from around the world,” stated Ralph in a recent interview. And it’s apparent that Ivy Coco has been passed the stylish torch by her grandmother, and she’s sprinting with it.
Ivy Coco has a keen eye for fashion and has accomplished a significant feat as her mother’s stylist in just a short time. Her chic talents are responsible for landing Ralph on the NY Times’ 93 most stylish people of 2022 list. And in case you are unaware of which looks Ivy Coco assembled, here are six of them below. Check out how Sheryl Lee Ralph and Ivy Coco are rocking Hollywood as a dynamic style team.
6 Times Sheryl Lee Ralph Stunned In Looks Styled By Her Daughter Ivy Coco was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
1. Brandon Blackwood
Source:GettyWe will never forget how Ralph shinned in this Brandon Blackwood gown that featured a daring split. Ivy Coco put her mother’s curvaceous body on display, and the Emmy award-winning thespian wore this look with confidence.
2. Custom Jovana Louis
Source:GettyIvy Coco did her thing with this gold, custom Jovana Louis gown. The color popped off her mother’s flawless brown skin, adding to her glorious glow. Ivy accessorized the look with gold platform heels, a bracelet, and earrings.
3. Custom ALIÉTTE X Jason Rembert
Source:GettyRalph sparkled in this custom gown. Ivy Coco found the perfect look that said elegant and fierce. Her dress was hand-beaded and featured glass crystals and round sequins. Fancy!
4. Harbison Studio Jumpsuit
Source:GettyThis red jumpsuit was the talk of the Superbowl. We love a dramatic sleeve, and this garb delivered just that. Ivy Coco paired this look with red platform sandals and red opera-length gloves.
5. PISTIS Ghana
Source:GettyIvy Coco can definitely seek out a good designer. She paid homage to the motherland by draping her mother in this lovely African-print gown. Once again, the sleeves gave life, and the bodice laid perfectly on Ralph’s snatched body.
6. Tony Ward
Source:GettyIvy Coco took the classic route with this beautiful Tony Ward dress. Ralph was a stunner in this ombre, off-the-shoulder frock that gave off old Hollywood vibes. Her purple pumps and minimal jewelry complemented the look perfectly. | https://wtlcfm.com/playlist/6-times-sheryl-lee-ralph-stunned-in-looks-styled-by-her-daughter-ivy-coco/ | 2023-03-08 16:16:36 | 0 | https://wtlcfm.com/playlist/6-times-sheryl-lee-ralph-stunned-in-looks-styled-by-her-daughter-ivy-coco/ |
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — A small plane crashed on Friday in northern Croatia, killing two people on board, authorities said.
The plane crashed around 12:30 p.m. during takeoff at the airport in the town of Pula, in the Istria peninsula, according to the Ministry of Sea, Traffic and Infrastructure.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, a statement said.
The victims are foreign nationals, Pula airport manager Nina Vojnic Zagar said. Croatian media say the plane had German registration markings.
No other details were immediately available. The Pula airport was temporarily closed for traffic after the crash.
Istria and the rest of Croatia's Adriatic Sea coastline are a very popular tourism destination for travelers from all over Europe and beyond.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/ap-top-news/2023/03/31/2-foreign-nationals-die-in-small-plane-crash-in-croatia | 2023-03-31 15:24:24 | 0 | https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/ap-top-news/2023/03/31/2-foreign-nationals-die-in-small-plane-crash-in-croatia |
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Parkland, East Hills Marching Bands to Perform in Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade | WDIY Local NewsTwo Lehigh Valley marching bands will hit the streets of Philadelphia for a historical Thanksgiving event on Thursday – one of them for the first time ever. WDIY’s Sarit Laschinsky has more. | https://www.wdiy.org/tags/6abc-dunkin-thanksgiving-day-parade | 2022-11-23 16:06:51 | 0 | https://www.wdiy.org/tags/6abc-dunkin-thanksgiving-day-parade |
WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – Democrats held a rally on Capitol Hill to push for paid medical leave for all workers and say doing so would put the U.S. on par with every other major nation.
Democrats say the U.S. needs to guarantee paid sick days and family leave for all workers.
“Paid family leave should be a national priority because our families should be a national priority,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) added, “at a time of record-breaking corporate profits and exorbitant CEO pay, the idea that the richest country in the history of the world cannot guarantee paid leave for its workers is an international embarrassment.”
Democrats are proposing legislation that would guarantee seven paid sick days and 12 weeks of paid family medical leave to all American workers.
Supporters say the move would benefit the economy and help with employee retention.
“No worker should be forced to make an impossible choice between keeping their job and taking care of their loved ones, or taking care of themselves,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said.
However, Republicans say the government shouldn’t get involved and has no way to pay for it as Speaker Kevin McCarthy works to slash spending.
“The sad part, when I sit with the Democrats, their ideas are old. You know what they think? We should just tax more,” Kevin McCarthy (D-CA) said.
Republicans argue already existing government programs such as Social Security, Medicare and the Highway Trust Fund are in danger of running out of money.
Despite that opposition, Democrats say they’ll continue the push until paid sick and family leave become a reality. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/washington-dc/democrats-rally-for-paid-sick-medical-leave-legislation/ | 2023-05-18 03:28:15 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/washington-dc/democrats-rally-for-paid-sick-medical-leave-legislation/ |
Republican Michael Steele tells Here & Now host Scott Tong that it’s a “moment of opportunity” for our politicians to confront racial divisions, and Democrat Jamal Simmons urges our political leaders to “be race brave” in a conversation about race in American politics.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wbaa.org/2023-05-25/race-in-american-politics-2-big-thinkers-urge-politicians-to-step-it-up | 2023-05-25 17:54:53 | 0 | https://www.wbaa.org/2023-05-25/race-in-american-politics-2-big-thinkers-urge-politicians-to-step-it-up |
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks climbed again Monday, as Wall Street made its final moves ahead of a high-stakes report that will hopefully show inflation hammered the economy less hard last month.
The S&P 500 rose 43.05, or 1.1%, to 4,110.41 for its fourth straight gain. That’s its longest winning streak since July, in the early days of the market’s bounce back from its battering earlier in the year.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 229.63, or 0.7%, to 32,381.34, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 154.10, or 1.3%, to 12,266.41.
The nation’s punishingly high inflation, and the steps the Federal Reserve is taking to combat it, have been the driving forces on Wall Street all year. Economists expect a report on Tuesday to show that prices for consumers were 8.1% higher in August than a year earlier, but that inflation was not as bad as July’s 8.5% rate.
A slowdown would bolster hopes that inflation topped out in June at 9.1% and is on its way back down. That in turn could allow the Federal Reserve to avoid a worst-case scenario for markets, where it jacks short-term interest rates up to recession-causing levels and holds them there a long time.
“This week is going to be very telling,” said James Demmert, founder and managing partner at Main Street Research.
Beyond Tuesday’s headliner report on inflation at the consumer level, a report on Wednesday is expected to show inflation slowed at the wholesale level last month. A report the following day will show how U.S. households have altered their spending amid high inflation, while a Friday report will show how much inflation households are preparing for in upcoming years.
They’re all crucial data points for the Federal Reserve as it mulls how much to raise interest rates at its meeting next week. Fed officials have loudly reaffirmed recently their plans to raise rates enough to slow the economy, plus their commitment to keeping rates high for long enough to ensure the job is done on inflation.
But with Tuesday’s report possibly continuing a trend, many investors and economists are hopeful that inflation could return to more “normal” levels quickly, unlike the 1970s, when it took many years.
Jonathan Golub, chief U.S. equity strategist at Credit Suisse, wrote in a report that investors and economists expect inflation to collapse within the next 12 to 18 months.
Markets are fairly convinced the Fed will hike its key short-term interest rate by a hefty 0.75 percentage points next week for the third straight meeting. But the hope is that an easing of inflation will allow the Federal Reserve to successfully tiptoe the narrow pathway for a “soft landing” of the economy.
That’s where higher rates slow the economy enough to halt inflation but not so much as to cause a scarring recession. Higher rates hurt the economy by making it more expensive to buy a house, a car or anything else bought on credit. They also push down on prices for stocks, bonds and other investments.
Many traders are forecasting the Fed will begin downshifting the size of its rate increases after next week through the end of the year, before potentially keeping rates steady through the first half of 2023.
Of course, such hopes could also be setting Wall Street up for disappointment. The economy has given head fakes on inflation before, with hopes percolating that a peak has passed only to begin accelerating again.
Demmert said the broader market is looking for inflation to not just peak, but to start cooling meaningfully. He said the strong hopes for Tuesday’s inflation report are likely “not going to be healthy for stocks.”
Wall Street economists are still split on whether the U.S. economy will fall into a recession next year because of higher interest rates and other factors.
The Fed has already raised short-term rates four times this year, and its aggressive moves have helped the value of the U.S. dollar soar against many other foreign currencies.
A strong dollar helps to limit inflation at home by pushing down on prices for commodities and imports, but it can also hurt profits for U.S. companies that have a lot of sales coming from overseas. The dollar gave up some of its gains on Monday after slipping against the euro, British pound and several others.
Treasury yields were mixed. The 10-year Treasury yield, which helps control where mortgages and rates for other loans are heading, is back at 3.34%, close to its highest level in more than a decade.
The two-year yield, which tends to track expectations for Fed action, held steady at 3.56%. It remains close to its highest level since before the 2008 financial crisis.
In the stock market, the vast majority of stocks rallied. Energy producers were close to the top of the leaderboard, benefiting from climbing oil prices.
Bristol-Myers Squibb gained 3.1% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after federal regulators approved its treatment for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
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AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber contributed. | https://www.kark.com/news/business/ap-asian-shares-rise-on-back-of-wall-street-rally/ | 2022-09-13 03:26:29 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/news/business/ap-asian-shares-rise-on-back-of-wall-street-rally/ |
Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, was hospitalized Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, TMZ reports.
Presley, 54, was rushed to a hospital from her home in Calabasas, California after paramedics performed CPR, helping her regain a pulse, according to TMZ.
The cause of the cardiac arrest was unknown and Presley’s condition was not immediately available.
Presley, the daughter of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, is a musician herself with her 2003 debut album “To Whom It May Concern” reaching No. 5 on the Billboard charts and earning a gold certification.
She also is known for her high-profile marriages to actor Nicolas Cage — a rabid fan of her father’s — Michael Jackson and musical companions Danny Keough and Michael Lockwood.
Her son, Benjamin Keough, died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 27.
Check back for updates to this developing story. | https://fox59.com/news/lisa-marie-presley-hospitalized-after-going-into-cardiac-arrest-tmz/ | 2023-01-12 22:33:17 | 1 | https://fox59.com/news/lisa-marie-presley-hospitalized-after-going-into-cardiac-arrest-tmz/ |
AUSTIN, Texas and AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RVshare, the largest community for RV owners and renters, is announcing today its recent accolade as a winner in Good Housekeeping's 2023 Family Travel Awards. The full list of awards can be found on goodhousekeeping.com/familytravel2023.
RVshare is the first online RV rental platform, offering the largest selection of trusted RV rentals in the country. Connecting RV owners with travelers looking to hit the open road, RVshare provides a range of high quality vehicle options, from cozy camper vans and family-friendly trailers with multiple bunk beds to drivable units perfect for a long road trip. Encapsulating the spirit of adventure and the spontaneous delight that awaits you on a road trip, RVshare opens up the possibilities of exploring the great outdoors for all travelers. Renters may choose to have their RV delivered and set up at their campground, like a mobile hotel room, or jump in the driver's seat themselves to map out their adventure.
"We have long admired Good Housekeeping's excellent travel tips and recommendations, particularly when it comes to families, as this demographic is a significant part of RVshare's customer base," said RVshare's CEO, Jon Gray. "We are honored to have been recognized by the publication in its first-ever Family Travel Awards. One of RVshare's main priorities is to make RV travel more accessible to families, allowing travelers of all ages to make the most of an RV vacation - without having to purchase an RV. Much of RVshare's success starts with our consumers. We always prioritize our travelers' sentiments and values, focusing on ever-evolving industry trends in an effort to remain a leader in the outdoor travel industry."
Interest in RVing has boomed since 2020, proving the travel category is here to stay. According to RVshare's 2023 Travel Trends Report, 99 percent of Americans are planning leisure travel in 2023, with 51 percent planning more than last year - and among them, 61 percent are planning on taking a road trip or vacation in an RV. Over 3 in 5 travelers (62%) are likely to consider renting an RV for a trip in the future, a 9-point increase over 2021. As a travel option, RVing offers travelers greater flexibility to change their schedule (59% agree), lower costs by avoiding fees for extra luggage (52% agree) and the ability to budget around predictable travel costs (47% agree). Families are one of the largest groups interested in RVing with over 4 in 5 parents (81%) reporting they're likely to consider renting an RV for a trip in the future. Even more, nearly 3 in 4 parents (71%) say they're much more likely to consider an RV trip if the RV is delivered to them at their destination and picked up after the trip as well, a popular amenity offered by RVshare.
The full list of Family Travel 2023 Awards is now live and can be found on www.goodhousekeeping.com/family-travel-awards-2023/. For additional information about RVshare, visit rvshare.com.
RVshare is the largest online community for RV renters and owners with a diverse selection of vehicles for rent across the US, ranging from luxury motorhomes to cozy camper vans. On RVshare you'll find vehicles that can accommodate any outdoor adventure, whether it's a weekend of camping or a cross-country tour of national parks. Hit the road yourself or plan for a campsite delivery to experience the unbridled freedom of RV travel. With more than 3 million nights of sleeping under the stars booked, families and groups can experience a one-of-a-kind trip and create memories that will last a lifetime. For more information, visit rvshare.com, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @rvshare.
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SOURCE RVshare | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/12/19/rvshare-selected-good-housekeeping-2023-family-travel-award-winner/ | 2022-12-19 16:47:17 | 1 | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/12/19/rvshare-selected-good-housekeeping-2023-family-travel-award-winner/ |
LSU's Kim Mulkey brushes off criticism of Angel Reese: 'She's not afraid of social media'
Reese was named the Most Oustanding Player of the tournament
LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey defended Angel Reese as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player received backlash for the way she celebrated in the face of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.
Mulkey appeared on NBC’s "Today" after she picked up the fourth national championship of her career. She addressed the criticism Reese received for the player’s actions in the final moments of LSU’s win over Iowa.
"[Angel] was upset because they attack her but they didn't attack Caitlin.… That child just won a national championship. She's not afraid of social media, that is who Angel is. She trash talks on the court, but she doesn't cross really the line of vulgarity.... Now, if I ever have to get involved, she knows that. Don't misrepresent our university, don't make us look bad."
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Reese was called every name in the book for something competitive players at an elite sporting level do all the time – from the amateur ranks to the pros.
She explained herself to reporters and to ESPN after the game. Reese pointed out the media was quick to criticize her because she didn’t "fit the narrative." She said she didn’t hear any criticism about others doing the same celebrations.
"I’m happy. All year, I was critiqued about who I was. The narrative – I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit the box you all want me to be in. I’m too 'hood. I’m too ghetto. You told me that all year," Reese said.
"But when other people do it – you all don’t say nothing. So, this is for the girls that look like me. That’s going to speak up for what they believe in. It’s unapologetically you and that’s what I did it for tonight. It was bigger than me tonight. It was bigger than me. Twitter is going to go in a rage every time. And, I mean, I’m happy. I feel like I helped grow women’s basketball this year. I’m super happy and excited. I’m looking forward to celebrating and then next season."
Before hitting the podium, Reese told ESPN what she was thinking in the moment and gave props to Clark as a player. She pointed to how Clark waved off a South Carolina player in the national semifinal on Friday night, which even prompted a reaction from LSU guard Alexis Morris before the game.
"Caitlin Clark is a hell of a player for sure, but I don’t take disrespect lightly," Reese said. "And she disrespected Alexis and South Carolina, they’re still my SEC girls, too. You all are not going to disrespect them either."
"I wanted to pick her pocket. I had a moment at the end of the game, and I was just in my bag."
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LSU won the game, 102-85, for the program’s first national championship. | https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lsus-kim-mulkey-brushes-off-criticism-angel-reese-shes-not-afraid-social-media | 2023-04-03 16:57:25 | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lsus-kim-mulkey-brushes-off-criticism-angel-reese-shes-not-afraid-social-media |
BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday said President Xi Jinping’s just-concluded visit to Russia was a “journey of friendship, cooperation and peace,” and again criticized Washington for providing military support to Ukraine.
The trip that ended Wednesday signaled no new progress in ending the bloody conflict between Russia and Ukraine while shoring up President Vladimir Putin’s standing amid growing efforts to isolate him and his government internationally.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated China’s claims that it remains neutral in the conflict and said it had “no selfish motives on the Ukraine issue, has not stood idly by … or taken the opportunity to profit itself.”
“What China has done boils down to one word, that is, to promote peace talks,” Wang said at a daily briefing.
Wang also accused the U.S. of lacking impartiality and of “fanning the flames” of the conflict by providing defensive weapons to Ukraine to Washington’s own benefit.
The U.S., NATO and partner nations have openly supported Kyiv since the start of the conflict, and China is widely seen as providing economic backing for Putin’s regime while avoiding being directly involved.
“President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia is a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace, which has aroused positive responses in the international community,” Wang said.
China would “continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Ukrainian issue,” Wang said, an apparent reference to a 12-point peace proposal put forward by Beijing that calls for a cease-fire and negotiations.
The document has already been dismissed by the West, largely because China — which has said it has a “no-limits” relationship with Moscow — is not seen as an impartial broker and the proposal says nothing about a Russian withdrawal from Ukrainian territory it has occupied by force.
Xi’s visit was heavily promoted by both China and Russia but was overshadowed by a visit to Kyiv by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, a close U.S. ally and a key Chinese rival in east Asia.
The U.S. and others have continued to express concerns that China may provide military equipment to supplement its purchases of Russian energy resources and provision of computer chips to keep the Russian economy afloat.
The New York Times on Tuesday said Russia had purchased more than $12 million in drones and drone parts from China in the year since the invasion began, citing official Russian customs data provided from a source it did not identify.
The paper said it was difficult to tell whether the drones contain American technologies. It said the shipments included products from DJI, which is among the world’s leading makers of commercial drones, as well as smaller companies, and were often channeled through a web of brokers and smaller export firms.
In other comments on Ukraine, Wang said Russia and China agreed that the U.N. Charter must be observed and international law be respected. It said they opposed unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. and others to economically punish Putin and his financial backers.
Wang said nothing about the arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court on charges of alleged involvement in abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine.
In a joint statement signed in Moscow, Russia and China emphasized the need to “respect legitimate security concerns of all countries” to settle the conflict, echoing Moscow’s argument that it sent in troops to prevent the U.S. and its NATO allies from turning the country into an anti-Russian bulwark.
“The two sides pointed out that the solution to the Ukraine crisis must respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries and prevent the formation of bloc confrontation and fanning flames,” Wang said Wednesday in Beijing.
“The two sides stressed that responsible dialogue is the best way to resolve the issue steadily,” Wang said.
“To this end, the international community should support relevant constructive efforts, and the two sides call for the cessation of all actions that could lead to a tense situation and prolonged war, so as to avoid further deterioration or even loss of control of the crisis,” he said. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/international/china-calls-xis-russia-visit-one-of-friendship-peace/ | 2023-03-22 20:48:40 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/international/china-calls-xis-russia-visit-one-of-friendship-peace/ |
- Fourth quarter net income of $137.9 million and earnings per share (diluted) of $1.51
- Fourth quarter net income increased 8.7% compared to fourth quarter 2021
- Loans, excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans, increased $518.5 million or 3.0% (11.8% annualized) during fourth quarter 2022
- Loans, excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans, increased $1.422 billion or 8.5% during 2022
- Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans, excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans, of 1.56%(1)
- Nonperforming assets remain low at 0.08% of fourth quarter average interest-earning assets
- Return (annualized) on fourth quarter average assets of 1.47%, average common equity of 8.26%, average tangible common equity of 16.26%(1), and efficiency ratio of 40.87%
- Pending acquisitions of First Bancshares of Texas, Inc., Midland, Texas, and Lone Star State Bancshares, Inc., Lubbock, Texas
- Approved 2023 Stock Repurchase Program covering up to 5% of outstanding common stock
HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.® (NYSE: PB), the parent company of Prosperity Bank® (collectively, "Prosperity"), reported net income of $137.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 compared with $126.8 million for the same period in 2021. Net income per diluted common share was $1.51 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 compared with $1.38 for the same period in 2021, an increase of 9.4%, and the annualized return on fourth quarter average assets was 1.47%. Additionally, loans, excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and SBA Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans, increased $518.5 million or 3.0% (11.8% annualized) during the fourth quarter of 2022. Nonperforming assets remain low at 0.08% of fourth quarter average interest-earning assets.
"During the fourth quarter of 2022, Prosperity continued to see growth in loans, which we expect will continue in 2023. The growth comes from new loans as well as existing loans not paying off as fast as they did when rates were low and it was opportunistic for borrowers to repay or move the loans. Consumer spending remains strong, especially in the tourism, restaurant and hospitality sectors. Real estate sales and pricing have been affected by the increase in rates, but we expect that because of inventory levels and population growth, the impact will be less in Texas and Oklahoma," said David Zalman, Prosperity's Senior Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"We believe that the economies in Texas and Oklahoma will outperform other states over the next several years as companies and individuals continue to move to the states because of lower tax rates and a business-friendly political environment. We expect that companies will need more infrastructure and buildings and consumers will need more housing and places to spend their money, and both will need banks to finance the growth," continued Zalman.
"While the net interest margin at some banks has improved immediately because of higher rates, we expect Prosperity's net interest margin to continue to increase over the next several years as our bond portfolio, which yielded 1.96% during the fourth quarter of 2022, reprices to higher yields assuming that rates normalize near the current rate," concluded Zalman.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Net income was $137.9 million(2) for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with $126.8 million(3) for the same period in 2021, an increase of $11.1 million or 8.7%. The change was primarily due to an increase in loans and securities interest income, partially offset by a decrease in PPP fees and interest income of $8.5 million, a decrease in loan discount accretion of $4.5 million, and an increase in interest expense. Net income per diluted common share was $1.51 for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with $1.38 for the same period in 2021, an increase of 9.4%. On a linked quarter basis, net income was $137.9 million(2) for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with $135.8 million(4) for the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $2.1 million or 1.5%. The change was primarily due to an increase in noninterest income and a decrease in noninterest expense, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income. Net income per diluted common share was $1.51 for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with $1.49 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of 1.3%. Annualized returns on average assets, average common equity and average tangible common equity for the three months ended December 31, 2022 were 1.47%, 8.26% and 16.26%(1), respectively. Prosperity's efficiency ratio (excluding net gains and losses on the sale or write down of assets and securities) was 40.87%(1) for the three months ended December 31, 2022.
Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was $256.1 million compared with $244.8 million for the same period in 2021, an increase of $11.4 million or 4.6%. The change was primarily due to an increase in the average balances and average rates on loans held for investment and on investment securities, partially offset by a decrease in PPP fees and interest income of $8.5 million, a decrease in loan discount accretion of $4.5 million and an increase in the average rates on interest-bearing liabilities. On a linked quarter basis, net interest income before provision for credit losses was $256.1 million compared with $260.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $4.5 million or 1.7%.
The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 3.05% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2.97% for the same period in 2021. The change was primarily due to an increase in the average balances and average rates on loans held for investment and on investment securities, partially offset by a decrease in PPP fees and interest income of $8.5 million, a decrease in loan discount accretion of $4.5 million and an increase in the average rates on interest-bearing liabilities. On a linked quarter basis, the net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 3.05% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with 3.11% for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The linked quarter decrease was primarily due to an increase in the average rates on interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by higher average balances and higher average rates on loans and average rates on investment securities.
Noninterest income was $37.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with $35.8 million for the same period in 2021, an increase of $2.0 million or 5.5%. This change was primarily due to a higher net gain on sale or write-down of assets, an increase in trust income and an increase in other noninterest income. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest income was $37.7 million compared with $34.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $3.0 million or 8.8%, primarily due to a higher net gain on the sale or write-down of assets and an increase in other noninterest income.
Noninterest expense was $119.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with $119.5 million for the same period in 2021, a decrease of $294 thousand. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest expense decreased $3.0 million or 2.4% to $119.2 million compared with $122.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This change was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and benefits, partially offset by an increase in other noninterest expense.
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2022
Net income was $524.5 million(5) for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $519.3 million(6) for 2021, an increase of $5.2 million or 1.0%. Net income per diluted common share was $5.73 for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $5.60 for 2021, an increase of 2.3%. Annualized returns on average assets, average common equity and average tangible common equity for the year ended December 31, 2022 were 1.39%, 7.97% and 15.94%(1), respectively. Prosperity's efficiency ratio (excluding net gains and losses on the sale or write down of assets and securities) was 42.23%(1) for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $1.005 billion compared with $993.3 million for the prior year, an increase of $11.9 million or 1.2%. The change was primarily due to an increase in average balances and average rates on investment securities, partially offset by a decrease in PPP fees and interest income of $44.6 million, a decrease in loan discount accretion of $31.9 million and an increase in the average rates on interest-bearing liabilities.
The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 3.00% compared with 3.14% for 2021. The change was primarily due to an increase in the average balances on investment securities, partially offset by a decrease in PPP fees and interest income of $44.6 million, a decrease in loan discount accretion of $31.9 million and an increase in the average rates on interest-bearing liabilities.
Noninterest income was $145.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $140.0 million for 2021, an increase of $5.2 million or 3.7%, primarily due to an increase in NSF income, a net gain on the sale or write-down of assets, an increase in trust income and an increase in other noninterest income, partially offset by a decrease in mortgage income.
Noninterest expense was $484.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $473.6 million for 2021, an increase of $10.6 million or 2.2%. The change was primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefits, an increase in credit and debit card and data processing expense and the change in net loss (gain) on sale or write-down of other real estate.
Balance Sheet Information
At December 31, 2022, Prosperity had $37.690 billion in total assets, a decrease of $144.1 million or 0.4%, compared with $37.834 billion at December 31, 2021.
Loans at December 31, 2022 were $18.840 billion, an increase of $223.7 million or 1.2%, compared with $18.616 billion at December 31, 2021, primarily due to increases in 1-4 family residential and construction, land development and other land loans, partially offset by decreases in Warehouse Purchase Program, PPP and commercial real estate loans. Linked quarter loans increased $333.5 million or 1.8% (7.2% annualized) from $18.506 billion at September 30, 2022. Excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and PPP loans, loans at December 31, 2022 were $18.093 billion compared to $16.671 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $1.422 billion or 8.5%. Linked quarter loans, excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and PPP loans, increased $518.5 million or 3.0% (11.8% annualized) from $17.575 billion at September 30, 2022.
As part of its lending activities, Prosperity extends credit to oil and gas production and servicing companies. Oil and gas production loans are loans to companies directly involved in the exploration and/or production of oil and gas. Oil and gas servicing loans are loans to companies that provide services for oil and gas production and exploration. At December 31, 2022, oil and gas loans totaled $429.5 million (net of discount and excluding PPP loans totaling $3.4 million) or 2.3% of total loans, of which $209.0 million were production loans and $220.5 million were servicing loans, compared with total oil and gas loans of $491.3 million (net of discount and excluding PPP loans totaling $27.9 million) or 2.6% of total loans at December 31, 2021, of which $294.1 million were production loans and $197.2 million were servicing loans. In addition, as of December 31, 2022, Prosperity had total unfunded commitments to oil and gas companies of $453.4 million compared with total unfunded commitments to oil and gas companies of $419.0 million as of December 31, 2021. Unfunded commitments to producers include letters of credit issued in lieu of oil well plugging bonds.
Deposits at December 31, 2022 were $28.534 billion, a decrease of $2.238 billion or 7.3%, compared with $30.772 billion at December 31, 2021, primarily due to a decrease in public fund deposits. Linked quarter deposits decreased $766.6 million or 2.6% from $29.300 billion at September 30, 2022.
Asset Quality
Nonperforming assets totaled $27.5 million or 0.08% of quarterly average interest-earning assets at December 31, 2022 compared with $28.1 million or 0.09% of quarterly average interest-earning assets at December 31, 2021 and $19.9 million or 0.06% of quarterly average interest-earning assets at September 30, 2022.
The allowance for credit losses on loans and off-balance sheet credit exposures was $311.5 million at December 31, 2022 compared with $316.3 million at December 31, 2021 and $312.1 million at September 30, 2022. There was no provision for credit losses for the three months and years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
The allowance for credit losses on loans was $281.6 million or 1.49% of total loans at December 31, 2022 compared with $286.4 million or 1.54% of total loans at December 31, 2021 and $282.2 million or 1.52% of total loans at September 30, 2022. Excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and PPP loans, the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.56%(1) at December 31, 2022 compared with 1.72%(1) at December 31, 2021 and 1.61%(1) at September 30, 2022.
Net charge-offs were $603 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with net charge-offs of $807 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and net charge-offs of $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2022, net charge-offs did not include any purchased credit deteriorated ("PCD") loans and $6.2 million of specific reserves on resolved PCD loans was released to the general reserve.
Net charge-offs were $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $29.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2022 did not include any PCD loans and $8.2 million of specific reserves on resolved PCD loans was released to the general reserve during the period.
Dividend
Prosperity Bancshares declared a first quarter 2023 cash dividend of $0.55 per share to be paid on April 3, 2023, to all shareholders of record as of March 15, 2023.
Stock Repurchase Program
On January 17, 2023, Prosperity Bancshares announced a stock repurchase program under which up to 5%, or approximately 4.6 million shares, of its outstanding common stock may be acquired over a one-year period expiring on January 17, 2024, at the discretion of management. Under its 2022 stock repurchase program, Prosperity Bancshares repurchased zero shares of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 981,884 shares of its common stock at an average weighted price of $66.90 per share during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Pending Acquisition of First Bancshares of Texas, Inc.
On October 11, 2022, Prosperity Bancshares and First Bancshares of Texas, Inc. ("First Bancshares") jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby First Bancshares, the parent company of FirstCapital Bank of Texas, N.A. ("FirstCapital Bank") will merge with and into Prosperity. FirstCapital Bank operates 16 full-service banking offices in 6 different markets in West, North and Central Texas areas, including its main office in Midland, and banking offices in Midland, Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Byers, Henrietta, Dallas, Horseshoe Bay, Marble Falls and Fredericksburg, Texas. As of September 30, 2022, First Bancshares, on a consolidated basis, reported total assets of $2.203 billion, total loans of $1.631 billion and total deposits of $1.842 billion.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Prosperity will issue 3,583,370 shares of Prosperity common stock plus $93.4 million in cash for all outstanding shares of First Bancshares capital stock, subject to certain conditions and potential adjustments. Based on Prosperity's closing price of $69.27 on October 7, 2022, the total consideration was valued at approximately $341.6 million. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and approval of the shareholders of First Bancshares. The transaction is expected to close during the first half of 2023, although delays could occur.
Pending Acquisition of Lone Star State Bancshares, Inc.
On October 11, 2022, Prosperity Bancshares and Lone Star State Bancshares, Inc. ("Lone Star") jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Lone Star, the parent company of Lone Star State Bank of West Texas ("Lone Star Bank") will merge with and into Prosperity. Lone Star Bank operates 5 banking offices in the West Texas area, including its main office in Lubbock, and 1 banking center in each of Brownfield, Midland, Odessa and Big Spring, Texas. As of September 30, 2022, Lone Star, on a consolidated basis, reported total assets of $1.387 billion, total loans of $940.5 million and total deposits of $1.249 billion.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Prosperity will issue 2,376,182 shares of Prosperity common stock plus $64.1 million in cash for all outstanding shares of Lone Star capital stock, subject to certain conditions and potential adjustments. Based on Prosperity's closing price of $69.27 on October 7, 2022, the total consideration was valued at approximately $228.7 million. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and approval of the shareholders of Lone Star. The transaction is expected to close during the first half of 2023, although delays could occur.
Conference Call
Prosperity's management team will host a conference call on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time (10:30 a.m. Central Time) to discuss Prosperity's fourth quarter 2022 earnings. Individuals and investment professionals may participate in the call by dialing 877-883-0383 for domestic participants, or 412-902-6506 for international participants. The participant elite entry number is 6262776.
Alternatively, individuals may listen to the live webcast of the presentation by visiting Prosperity's website at www.prosperitybankusa.com. The webcast may be accessed from Prosperity's home page by selecting "Presentations, Webcasts & Calls" from the menu on the Investor Relations link and following the instructions.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Prosperity's management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its performance. Specifically, Prosperity reviews return on average tangible common equity; tangible book value per share; the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio; allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and PPP loans; and the efficiency ratio excluding net gains and losses on the sale or write down of assets and securities, for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Prosperity believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding Prosperity's financial results and their presentation, together with the accompanying reconciliations, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting Prosperity's business and allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to management, the entire financial services sector, bank stock analysts and bank regulators. Further, Prosperity believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of its core operating earnings and business outlook. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, nor of greater importance than, GAAP basis financial measures and results; Prosperity strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. Please refer to the "Notes to Selected Financial Data" at the end of this Earnings Release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest respective GAAP financial measures.
Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. ®
As of December 31, 2022, Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.® is a $37.690 billion Houston, Texas based regional financial holding company providing personal banking services and investments to consumers and businesses throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Founded in 1983, Prosperity believes in a community banking philosophy, taking care of customers, businesses and communities in the areas it serves by providing financial solutions to simplify everyday financial needs. In addition to offering traditional deposit and loan products, Prosperity offers digital banking solutions, credit and debit cards, mortgage services, retail brokerage services, trust and wealth management, and treasury management.
Prosperity currently operates 272 full-service banking locations: 65 in the Houston area, including The Woodlands; 30 in the South Texas area including Corpus Christi and Victoria; 62 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area; 22 in the East Texas area; 29 in the Central Texas area including Austin and San Antonio; 34 in the West Texas area including Lubbock, Midland-Odessa and Abilene; 16 in the Bryan/College Station area; 6 in the Central Oklahoma area; and 8 in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area.
Cautionary Notes on Forward-Looking Statements
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains, and the remarks by Prosperity's management on the conference call may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in other information released to the public. Such forward-looking statements are typically, but not exclusively, identified by the use in the statements of words or phrases such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "guidance," "intend," "is anticipated," "is expected," "is intended," "objective," "plan," "projected," "projection," "will affect," "will be," "will continue," "will decrease," "will grow," "will impact," "will increase," "will incur," "will reduce," "will remain," "will result," "would be," variations of such words or phrases (including where the word "could," "may," or "would" is used rather than the word "will" in a phrase) and similar words and phrases indicating that the statement addresses some future result, occurrence, plan or objective. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including forecasts or trends, and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Prosperity Bancshares and its subsidiaries. These forward-looking statements may include information about Prosperity's possible or assumed future economic performance or future results of operations, including future revenues, income, expenses, provision for loan losses, provision for taxes, effective tax rate, earnings per share and cash flows and Prosperity's future capital expenditures and dividends, future financial condition and changes therein, including changes in Prosperity's loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses, future capital structure or changes therein, as well as the plans and objectives of management for Prosperity's future operations, future or proposed acquisitions, including the proposed transactions with First Bancshares and Lone Star, the future or expected effect of acquisitions on Prosperity's operations, results of operations, financial condition, and future economic performance, statements about the anticipated benefits of each of the proposed transactions, and statements about the assumptions underlying any such statement, as well as expectations regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Prosperity's operating income, financial condition and cash flows. These forward–looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on expectations and assumptions Prosperity currently believes to be valid. Because forward-looking statements relate to future results and occurrences, many of which are outside of Prosperity's control, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many possible events or factors could adversely affect the future financial results and performance of Prosperity, First Bancshares, Lone Star or the combined company and could cause those results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of a party to terminate the merger agreement with First Bancshares or Lone Star, as applicable, the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Prosperity, First Bancshares or Lone Star, delays in completing either of the transactions, the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of each of the transactions) or First Bancshares shareholder approval or Lone Star shareholder approval or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the transactions on a timely basis or at all, the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors generally, or specifically in the West Texas area and the West, North and Central Texas area where First Bancshares and Lone Star, respectively, do a majority of their respective business and Prosperity has a significant presence, the possibility that the transactions may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities, potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transactions, Prosperity's ability to complete the acquisition and integration of First Bancshares and of Lone Star successfully, and the dilution caused by Prosperity's issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the transactions. Prosperity disclaims any obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments. These and various other factors are discussed in Prosperity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and other reports and statements Prosperity has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Copies of the SEC filings for Prosperity may be downloaded from the Internet at no charge from http://www.prosperitybankusa.com.
Additional Information about the First Bancshares Merger and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed merger of First Bancshares into Prosperity, Prosperity has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Prosperity common stock to be issued to the shareholders of First Bancshares. The registration statement includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the shareholders of First Bancshares seeking their approval of the proposed transaction.
WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROSPERITY, FIRST BANCSHARES AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. You will also be able to obtain these documents, when they are filed, free of charge, from Prosperity at http://www.prosperitybankusa.com. Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, when it becomes available, free of charge, by directing a request by telephone or mail to Prosperity Bancshares, Inc., Prosperity Bank Plaza, 4295 San Felipe, Houston, Texas 77027 Attn: Investor Relations, (281) 269-7199 or to First Bancshares of Texas, Inc., 310 West Wall Street, Suite 1200, Midland, Texas 79701, Attention: Ken Burgess, (844) 322-8392.
Additional Information about the Lone Star Merger and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed merger of Lone Star into Prosperity, Prosperity has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Prosperity common stock to be issued to the shareholders of Lone Star. The registration statement includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the shareholders of Lone Star seeking their approval of the proposed transaction.
WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROSPERITY, LONE STAR AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. You will also be able to obtain these documents, when they are filed, free of charge, from Prosperity at http://www.prosperitybankusa.com. Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, when it becomes available, free of charge, by directing a request by telephone or mail to Prosperity Bancshares, Inc., Prosperity Bank Plaza, 4295 San Felipe, Houston, Texas 77027 Attn: Investor Relations, (281) 269-7199 or to Lone Star State Bancshares, Inc., 6220 Milwaukee Avenue, Lubbock, Texas 79424, Attention: Alan Lackey, (806) 771-7717.
Participants in the Solicitation
Prosperity, First Bancshares and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of First Bancshares in connection with the proposed transaction. Certain information regarding the interests of these participants and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Prosperity, Lone Star and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Lone Star in connection with the proposed transaction. Certain information regarding the interests of these participants and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Additional information about Prosperity and its directors and executive officers may be found in the definitive proxy statement of Prosperity relating to its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on March 14, 2022, and other documents filed by Prosperity with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources described above.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, or an invitation to subscribe for, buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, invitation, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
- - -
Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.®
Notes to Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except per share data)
NOTES TO SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Prosperity's management uses certain non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures to evaluate its performance. Specifically, Prosperity reviews return on average tangible common equity; tangible book value per share; the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio; allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans excluding Warehouse Purchase Program and PPP loans; and the efficiency ratio, excluding net gains and losses on the sale or write down of assets and securities, for internal planning and forecasting purposes. In addition, due to the application of purchase accounting, Prosperity uses certain non-GAAP financial measures and ratios that exclude the impact of these items to evaluate its allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans (excluding Warehouse Purchase Program loans and PPP loans). Prosperity has included information below relating to these non-GAAP financial measures for the applicable periods presented.
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SOURCE Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/01/25/prosperity-bancshares-inc-reports-fourth-quarter-2022-earnings/ | 2023-01-25 13:06:45 | 1 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/01/25/prosperity-bancshares-inc-reports-fourth-quarter-2022-earnings/ |
Millville’s Alexis Moler scored three goals to lead her team to a 5-1 victory over Vineland in Vineland.
Moler broke up a scoreless game in the second quarter for Millville. Teammates Cameron Price and Emerson Lewis also tallied one goal. Price also added two assists.
Goalie Arisdelsi Acevedo had 10 saves for Vineland.
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, click here. | https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/11/molers-three-goals-lead-millville-past-vineland-field-hockey-recap.html | 2022-11-04 04:19:08 | 0 | https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/11/molers-three-goals-lead-millville-past-vineland-field-hockey-recap.html |
Low pressure off East Coast brings gusty winds, high surf, rip currents and coastal flooding
Low pressure formed off the East Coast over Mother's Day weekend and will meander in the western Atlantic Ocean for much of this week, creating gusty winds, high surf, rip currents and coastal flooding from the mid-Atlantic southward to Florida.
The jet stream will be parked well to the north over the next several days, so this system won't move much through the middle of the week ahead due to the lack of upper-level steering winds.
A high-pressure system is also located over Canada's Quebec province. The clockwise winds around this high will combine with the counterclockwise winds around the low-pressure system near the Eastern Seaboard, generating persistent northeasterly onshore winds.
These winds will produce high surf and rip currents along much of the East Coast, including all the way down to the Atlantic coast of Florida, early this week.
Moderate to locally major coastal flooding will be a concern at times of high tide, particularly from the Jersey Shore to the Delaware beaches, as these strong northeasterly winds continue to blow the water toward the coastline. Some coastal flooding is also possible in the Virginia and North Carolina Tidewater regions as water levels continue to rise with each successive high tide.
Large, persistent waves will cause severe beach erosion as well.
Coastal Flood Advisories are in effect for parts of the Jersey Shore and the southern Delmarva Peninsula until Monday evening.
Farther south, a Coastal Flood Advisory is posted for parts of coastal Maryland along the Chesapeake Bay until Tuesday morning.
Coastal Flood Warnings have been issued for Washington, D.C., and the Virginia Tidewater until Tuesday morning.
A Coastal Flood Watch is also in effect for Washington from Tuesday morning into Wednesday morning.
Later this week, the low-pressure system might backtrack toward the southeastern U.S. and increase the chance of rain along portions of the Southeast coast.
If you have beach plans, you're advised to use caution because of the threat of rip currents. According to the National Weather Service, an average of 60 people are killed by rip currents each year in the U.S. So far this year, rip currents have already been blamed for 14 deaths.
Many beaches use color-coded flags to warn visitors of the day’s rip current risk.
If you see a green flag, strong rip currents are not expected that day, so you should be able to swim safely. However, beware of the yellow and red flags. A yellow flag means there is a moderate risk of strong rip currents, while a red flag indicates a high risk. Take extreme caution when entering the water if a yellow or red flag is posted on the beach.
You can find NOAA’s official rip current forecasts at this link.
Subtropical development not ruled out
It's not entirely out of the question that this low-pressure system meandering off the East Coast could briefly become a subtropical depression or subtropical storm this week. A storm designated as subtropical means it has characteristics of both a tropical and a non-tropical cyclone (a low-pressure system that you would typically find over land in the U.S.).
The National Hurricane Center issues routine advisories for subtropical depressions and subtropical storms, just as it does for tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.
The odds of this happening are very low, but in the outside chance it develops into a subtropical storm with winds of at least 40 mph, it would earn the name "Alex," the first on the naming list for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX WEATHER UPDATE PODCAST
Although hurricane season doesn't officially begin until June 1, the past seven seasons have all spawned at least one named storm before that date.
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Regardless of what this system is called (or not called), the impacts along the East Coast will be the same as we outlined above. | https://www.fox35orlando.com/weather/low-pressure-off-east-coast-brings-gusty-winds-high-surf-rip-currents-and-coastal-flooding | 2022-05-10 02:59:20 | 0 | https://www.fox35orlando.com/weather/low-pressure-off-east-coast-brings-gusty-winds-high-surf-rip-currents-and-coastal-flooding |
President Biden addresses nation over debt limit deal
“No one got everything they wanted but the American people got what they needed.”
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - President Biden addressed the nation Friday as the U.S. averts a first-ever default on its debt.
The president delivered prepared remarks for 15 minutes from the Oval Office. The address comes after Congress voted last-minute to raise the country’s borrowing limit following months of drama and uncertainty.
President Biden let Americans know the threat of economic catastrophe is gone. The threat of default caused a nationwide and global scare. Forecasts included social security and veterans benefits not being paid on time, skyrocketing interest rates and even for millions to lose their jobs.
“Passing this budget agreement was critical. The stakes could not have been higher,” said Biden. “If we had failed to reach an agreement on the budget, there were extreme voices threatening to take America for the first time in our 247-year history into default.”
President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) compromised for the ‘Fiscal Responsibility Act.’ The bill suspends the debt ceiling until January 1, 2025, along with changing federal spending.
Following the House passage of the bill, Speaker McCarthy said, “Is it everything I wanted? No. But sitting with one house with a Democratic senate and a Democratic president who didn’t want to meet with us, I think we did pretty dang good for the American public.”
George Washington University political science professor Sarah Binder points out it is a small deal in terms of its length but big enough for both parties to claim victory. Binder said Americans should also prepare themselves for future dramatic political fights like the one.
“So long as the parties are tightly competitive, right, they each share roughly half the public support, roughly half the Congress. So long as those conditions persist, we’re still going to see this sort of just in time legislating to avert really bad things from happening,” said Binder.
The White House says President Biden could sign the bill as soon as Saturday.
Copyright 2023 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2023/06/03/president-biden-addresses-nation-over-debt-limit-deal/ | 2023-06-03 01:03:33 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/2023/06/03/president-biden-addresses-nation-over-debt-limit-deal/ |
BROOKLIN For over a century and a half the Brooklin general store has served the town of its namesake.
But according to one of the owners, since acquiring and renovation the store in 2016 he and his other partners have decided its time to pass to on the torch.
Owner bob Manhaimer says, "We're looking for a new owner or owners to come in and make their mark on it and keep the kitchen going and continue to serve the community as long as they possibly can."
According employee Don Sheehan, one of the reasons the store needs to stay open is because its the only one for miles around.
Sheehan says, "Its twenty miles to the store in blue hill you know. So twenty miles - that's a forty mile trip just for going to get your milk and bread you know".
What makes Brooklin general store so special is the fact that its not just another place to get groceries its a hub for the entire community
According to community members, even though the store has been passed from owners to owners and been rebuilt from the ground up its always kept the same spirit of community through generations.
Manhaimer says there are a few people already interested in purchasing the store but if you have any interest keep your eye out for the listing in the next few days. | https://www.foxbangor.com/historic-store-hits-the-market/article_2b9b03e2-cf49-11ed-9959-530b1d331e8b.html | 2023-03-30 23:52:30 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/historic-store-hits-the-market/article_2b9b03e2-cf49-11ed-9959-530b1d331e8b.html |
Group recommends city prohibit seawalls and ban private beaches to protect Lake Charlevoix
CHARLEVOIX — The prohibition of sea walls and banning of new sandy beaches on private waterfront property were just two of many recommendations made to the city this week in a collaborative effort to assist in the prevention of shoreline erosion and facilitate the protection of Lake Charlevoix.
The Land Information Access Association, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Lake Charlevoix Association presented their suggestions to the Charlevoix Planning Commission on Monday, March 13, which also included a proposal to redefine the Ordinary High Water Mark, to require greenbelts on all public waterfront properties and on newly developed or renovated properties and to install trash capture technologies in stormwater systems.
Recommendations were also made to develop stringent greenbelt parameters for waterfront properties that requires vegetation and trees, limits pathways and prohibits pesticides, fertilizers, grass and beach sand (particularly where sand was not originally).
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The development of county-wide zoning (such as occurs in Emmet County) was also suggested and communication with state and federal regulatory agencies by local communities regarding waterfront developments that violated local zoning requirements.
Charlevoix already requires all relevant permits be obtained prior to local waterfront development approval, which was also one of the recommendations.
"Any construction on the shoreline in Charlevoix has to come through the Planning Commission for approval and all permits have to be received before construction starts," commented Commissioner Sherm Chamberlain.
Commissioner RJ Waddell suggested the addition of dredging requirements and referenced the proposed boat house and marina that was met with much public resistance in Hayes Township.
More:Fight against Hayes Township waterfront development persists
The group is continuing to meet with the remaining local governments around Lake Charlevoix to gather information, reporting they are "halfway through" and will be wrapping up the meetings in April. From there, their next steps will be to develop a final report, individualized recommendations and provide assistance to communities as needed.
For information about the Lake Charlevoix Watershed committee meetings, other collaborative efforts and other upcoming dates visit lakecharlevoixprotoection.org.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com. | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/charlevoix/2023/03/17/greenbelt-buffers-and-a-prohibition-on-new-beaches-are-some-recommendations-for-shoreline-protection/70005806007/ | 2023-03-17 09:36:52 | 0 | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/charlevoix/2023/03/17/greenbelt-buffers-and-a-prohibition-on-new-beaches-are-some-recommendations-for-shoreline-protection/70005806007/ |
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Subscribe Now | https://www.kxnet.com/weather/one-minute-forecast/ambers-tuesday-evening-oneminuteforecast-1-31/ | 2023-02-01 04:32:27 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/weather/one-minute-forecast/ambers-tuesday-evening-oneminuteforecast-1-31/ |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - FLO, a leading North American electric vehicle (EV) charging company, in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and Consolidated Edison (Con Edison), announced they have installed and activated their 100th charging station in New York City as part of a pilot program that began in June of last year. The wide network of charging stations, located across all five boroughs, provides a reliable curbside charging source for New York City's EV drivers, helping New York City reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
EV adoption in New York City has grown rapidly in recent years. The New York City DOT has set ambitious targets for vehicle electrification in order to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. By the end of the next decade, the city will need over 40,000 publicly accessible Level 2 (L2) chargers to meet the projected demand of the nearly 400,000 EVs then expected to be registered in the city.
"Electric vehicle adoption is an important piece in this administration's efforts to reduce transportation emissions and protect the environment for our future generations," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "We're proud to see this pilot expand to all five boroughs and thank our partners FLO and Con Edison in helping accelerate EV adoption citywide."
Increasing the network of curbside charging stations makes it easier for New Yorkers to transition to electric vehicles. FLO's curbside charging stations help service the more than 15,000 EVs registered in the city, including the 50 percent of EV owners who park on the street. New Yorkers interested in purchasing an EV can learn more about available financial incentives at New York State's Drive Clean Rebate, which offers drivers a discount of up to $2,000 on the purchase of a qualifying vehicle. Additionally, New Yorkers driving EVs are eligible for a 10 percent discount off E-ZPass rates through the Green Discount Plan.
The project was made possible through funding by the New York State Public Service Commission's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative. The locations of the charging stations were selected based on input from local elected officials and community stakeholders, geographic diversity, and projected demand for charging. FLO's charging stations cost $2.50 per hour during the day (6 am – 9 pm) and $1.00 per hour overnight. A daytime charge will be equivalent to fueling up at a gas station, while overnight charging may be over 60 percent cheaper.
About FLO
FLO is a leading North American electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator and a smart charging solutions provider. We fight climate change by accelerating EV adoption through a vertically integrated business model and delivering EV drivers the most dependable charging experience from curbside to countryside. Every month, we enable more than 750,000 charging events thanks to over 65,000 fast and level 2 EV charging stations deployed at public, private and residential locations. FLO operates across North America and our high-quality charging stations are assembled with care in Michigan and Quebec. To learn more about what "EV charging done right" means to us, visit flo.com.
About New York City Department of Transportation
NYC DOT is the New York City agency responsible for 6,300 miles of streets and highways, over 12,000 miles of sidewalk, and nearly 800 bridges and tunnels. As a part of this program, DOT is working with private-sector partners to provide convenient and reliable charging for EVs city streets. The agency is committed to the EV future, which is a major piece of the city achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
About Consolidated Edison
Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy-delivery companies, with approximately $12 billion in annual revenues and $63 billion in assets. The company provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (CECONY), a regulated utility providing electric service in New York City and New York's Westchester County, gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and parts of Westchester, and steam service in Manhattan; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300-square-mile-area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey; Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc., the second-largest owners of solar electric production projects in North America, which, through its subsidiaries develops, owns and operates renewable and sustainable energy infrastructure projects and provides energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., which falls primarily under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and through its subsidiaries invests in electric transmission projects supporting its parent company's effort to transition to clean, renewable energy. Con Edison Transmission manages, through joint ventures, both electric and gas assets while seeking to develop electric transmission projects that will bring clean, renewable electricity to customers, focusing on New York, New England, the Mid-Atlantic states and the Midwest.
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SOURCE FLO | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/flo-installs-100th-charging-station-new-york-city/ | 2022-08-23 16:46:17 | 1 | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/flo-installs-100th-charging-station-new-york-city/ |
Here & Now‘s Jane Clayson recaps the wins and shocking moments from the Grammy Awards with NPR music critic and correspondent Ann Powers.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
Here & Now‘s Jane Clayson recaps the wins and shocking moments from the Grammy Awards with NPR music critic and correspondent Ann Powers.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-02-06/grammys-recap-wins-performances-and-shocking-moments | 2023-02-06 20:18:27 | 0 | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-02-06/grammys-recap-wins-performances-and-shocking-moments |
NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KX -- maker of kdb+, the world's fastest time series database and real-time analytics engine -- announced today that Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF), the full service brokerage and investment banking firm, has chosen KX to enhance market data analytics and drive real-time decision making. With over 8 billion shares traded annually in the U.S., Stifel will leverage the unmatched speed and scalability of kdb+ for data ingestion and processing to improve its trade execution analytics and operations in order to increase value for its clients.
John Spensieri, Managing Director, Head of U.S. Equity Trading, Stifel, said: "Providing greater access to market-critical data helps empower our clients to make better, more informed decisions that help drive positive outcomes. KX is unique in its ability to marry disparate processes and metrics quickly, reliably and with flexibility. We are excited about this partnership and believe it further enhances our position as a best-in-class institutional global trading platform."
The world's largest investment banks, regulators and exchanges across the Financial Services industry lean on KX's kdb+ timeseries database, independently benchmarked by STAC Research as the world's fastest, for their mission-critical data processing and trade analytics needs.
Kdb+ is ideally suited for the demands of extreme data volume and velocity use cases, such as global trading, because it uniquely combines real-time, in-memory computing, a timeseries columnar database and an integrated, high-performance, vector-oriented programming language, q. With KX's technology, firms are able to capture, manage and process massive amounts of data in fractions of a second to power complex financial modelling and analytics. In addition, it runs on all leading hyperscale clouds, enabling clients to take advantage of the agility of the cloud for their data-intensive analytics workloads while gaining the performance efficiency kdb+ is known for. Out-of-the-box support for SQL and Python enables developers and data scientists to use their favorite programming languages and tools to derive faster insights.
Conor Twomey, Head of Customer Success, KX, added: "Stifel is one of the largest full-service investment banks in the U.S., and we're thrilled to be working together toward its continued success. In choosing KX, Stifel can now offer world-leading trading analytics and insights, ultimately equipping them with the technology and tools needed to trade with better risk controls and better price protection."
About KX
KX is the creator of kdb+, independently benchmarked as the world's fastest time series database and real-time analytics engine. Built for the most demanding data environments, KX technology is trusted by the world's leading companies for their mission-critical data applications. Our industry-leading software processes and analyzes time series and relational data at unmatched speed and scale, enabling richer actionable insights to drive decisions. We empower developers and data engineers to build high-performance data-driven applications and turbo-charge their favorite analytics tools in the cloud, on-premise, or at the edge. Part of FD Technologies plc, KX operates from more than 15 offices across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. For more information visit www.kx.com or contact: pr@kx.com
About Stifel
Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel's broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC. The Company's broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company's website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit https://www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.
CONTACT: Kristin Davie - kdavie@fdtechnologies.com, +1(929) 471-1849
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SOURCE KX | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/12/13/stifel-turns-kx-strengthen-market-intelligence-trade-execution-impact/ | 2022-12-13 15:49:36 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/12/13/stifel-turns-kx-strengthen-market-intelligence-trade-execution-impact/ |
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Bradley, Sharpe discuss impact of golf on girls
July 5, 2023 06:09 PM
Pat Bradley and Georgia Sharpe, a member of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, discuss the impactful role that golf can play in the lives of young women and the importance of continuing to grow the game.
Close Ad | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/bradley-sharpe-discuss-impact-of-golf-on-girls | 2023-07-06 01:28:47 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/bradley-sharpe-discuss-impact-of-golf-on-girls |
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool cleaned up from the Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday, as Sweden celebrated victory and Ukraine remained defiant after a night of Russian bombardment, including a strike on the hometown of the country’s competitors.
Electronic duo Tvorchi represented Ukraine at the spectacular pan-continental pop competition on Saturday night, coming sixth of the 26 finalists with “Heart of Steel,” an anthem to the country’s resilience inspired by the siege of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.
Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine as the contest was underway in Liverpool, and Ukraine’s military said a barrage of Russian drones and missile strikes left dozens wounded. One strike hit Ternopil, home city of Tvorchi in western Ukraine.
Ternopil was attacked again on Sunday morning, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said. Civilian buildings and cars were damaged; there was no immediate information on victims.
“Ternopil is the name of our hometown, which was bombed by Russia while we sang on the Eurovision stage about our steel hearts, indomitability and will,” the duo of Andrii Hutsuliak and Jeffery Kenny posted on Instagram late Saturday.
“This is a message for all cities of Ukraine that are shelled every day. Kharkiv, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Uman, Sumy, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Kherson and all others. Europe, unite against evil for the sake of peace! GLORY TO UKRAINE!”
Russia, a longtime Eurovision participant, was kicked out last year over its invasion of Ukraine.
Swedish singer Loreen won the contest with her power ballad “Tattoo,” at a colorful, eclectic music competition clouded for a second year by the war in Europe. Britain hosted Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, which won last year but couldn’t take up its right to hold the event because of the war.
The sights and sounds of Ukraine ran through the show, starting with an opening film that showed 2022 Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra singing and dancing in the Kyiv subway, with the tune picked up by musicians in the U.K. — including Kate, Princess of Wales, shown playing the piano.
Kalush Orchestra said Sunday that the participation of Kate, who is married to Britain’s Prince William, “shows the depth of support the U.K. has for Ukraine and helps us highlight to the world what our country is going through.”
“It also shows impressive piano skills and we would definitely like to invite her to tour with us if she would like to pursue a new career in (a) hip hop folk band?!” Kalush Orchestra said.
The folk-rap band kicked off Saturday’s show in person, emerging onstage in the Liverpool Arena on a giant pair of outstretched hands, accompanied by massed drummers. It was one of several Ukrainian acts to perform during the almost four-hour show.
Now in its 67th year, Eurovision bills itself as the world’s biggest music contest — an Olympiad of party-friendly pop. Competitors each have three minutes to meld catchy tunes and eye-popping spectacle into performances capable of winning the hearts of millions of viewers.
Loreen’s anthem of intense love had been the bookies’ favorite. She faced a strong challenge from Finnish singer Käärijä, a wildly energetic performer whose rap-pop party anthem “Cha Cha Cha” came second.
Loreen, 39. who previously won Eurovision in 2012, said becoming only the second person to take the crown twice left her “seriously overwhelmed.” Ireland’s Johnny Logan was the first double winner, in the 1980s. Sweden’s victory is the country’s seventh, matching Ireland’s record.
The win gives Sweden the right to host next year, the 50th anniversary of Sweden’s first Eurovision triumph — ABBA’s 1974 victory with “Waterloo.”
The contest came down to a nail-biting finish between Loreen, who won the jury vote of music professionals across Europe, and Käärijä, who was the runaway winner in voting by the viewing public.
The Finn acknowledged that he was disappointed.
“Of course, to be honest, it feels bad. What I was looking for was a win,” Käärijä told Finnish media outlets in Liverpool. “You of course have to be proud of this performance. A cool performance with a Finnish song. I’ve got a slightly sad feeling. But life goes on. It’s not that serious. You’ve got to move on with life.”
Käärijä was the undoubted star of Eurovision, and the insistent chorus of “Cha Cha Cha” is likely to be heard on dancefloors across Europe this summer.
Mae Muller, representing host country Britain, came second-last — a far cry from 2022, when the U.K.’s Sam Ryder finished second behind Ukraine.
Liverpool, which won a competition among U.K. cities to host the event, embraced both Eurovision and Ukraine with open arms and hearts. Businesses across the city flew Ukrainian flags and a program of cultural events introduced locals to the art, music and food of the eastern European country.
Police said half a million people joined in nine days of celebrations, with only three arrests.
However, organizers said they turned down a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a video address. The European Broadcasting Union said that would breach “the nonpolitical nature of the event.”
Despite organizers’ professed attempts to avoid politics, several of this year’s entries had a strong antiwar message, including “Watergun” by Switzerland’s Remo Forrer and “Mama ŠČ!” by Croatia’s Let 3, a surreal sendup of military dictators.
___
Associated Press writer Jari Tanner in Helsinki contributed to this story.
___
For more AP coverage of Eurovision, visit https://apnews.com/hub/eurovision-song-contest | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/entertainment-news/sweden-celebrates-eurovision-win-ukrainian-duo-defiant-after-russian-strike-on-hometown/ | 2023-05-15 04:54:57 | 1 | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/entertainment-news/sweden-celebrates-eurovision-win-ukrainian-duo-defiant-after-russian-strike-on-hometown/ |
A former truck driver about to face trial for a shooting massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue more than four years ago has schizophrenia and structural and functional brain impairments, his lawyers argued in a public court filing this week.
Lawyers for Robert Bowers told a federal judge they were concerned a prosecution proposal to have their own psychiatric experts examine or evaluate him would be a “broad-ranging, invasive, and constitutionally problematic investigation” into his “life, mind, and body.”
The defense said prosecutors should be limited to looking for evidence that would dispute defense assertions and argued they should not be allowed to investigate every possible aspect of his mental health. A message seeking further comment was left with defense attorneys, and the U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh declined to comment.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin next month in Bowers’ trial for shooting to death 11 people and wounding seven others at the Tree of Life synagogue in the nation’s most deadly attack on Jewish people. Bowers has offered to plead guilty in return for a life sentence, but prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
On Monday, they told the U.S. District Judge Robert Colville in a footnote that federal prosecutors had told them a request to withdraw the death penalty had been denied. “It is unclear whether this decision was made by members of the Department of Justice’s Capital Review Committee or the Attorney General,” Bowers’ lawyers wrote.
They said the judge should narrow the scope of any prosecution testing, arguing Bowers’ own lawyers subjected him to “numerous objective test measures,” and there’s no medical or legal justification to repeat them. They also want any prosecution testing to be delayed “unless and until” Bowers is convicted of a crime that could carry the death penalty.
The defense wrote prosecutors in February to say they plan to introduce evidence that Bowers has schizophrenia, epilepsy and brain impairments, findings they say are supported by neuropsychological testing and brain imaging. In the new filing, his lawyers told Colville that prosecutors want to have him examined over several days by a psychiatrist, a neuropsychiatrist and a neurologist.
Bowers, a Baldwin resident, has pleaded not guilty. After the attack, he traded gunfire with officers and was shot three times before being taken into police custody.
Investigators say he posted on social media about a false conspiracy theory that the Holocaust was a hoax and expressed contempt for a nonprofit Jewish group that aids refugees. | https://www.fox16.com/news/national/mental-health-issue-arises-as-synagogue-massacre-trial-nears/ | 2023-03-22 23:13:19 | 1 | https://www.fox16.com/news/national/mental-health-issue-arises-as-synagogue-massacre-trial-nears/ |
Urmersbach's proven expertise to further bolster Kiavi's position as a tech-enabled lender to real estate investors
SAN FRANCISCO, April 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiavi, a leading provider of financing to real estate investors, today announced the appointment of Alex Urmersbach as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Urmersbach will lead Kiavi's financial strategy and operations, including the company's Finance, Accounting, Capital Markets, and Business Operations functions. Urmersbach's deep experience in the lending and mortgage sectors will further bolster Kiavi's position as a reliable, trusted financing partner to real estate investors.
"We're thrilled to welcome Alex to Kiavi's leadership team," said Arvind Mohan, CEO of Kiavi. "Alex's extensive experience in driving growth via innovative, value-creating financial strategies will further enhance Kiavi's ability to reliably serve our customers across the nation as well as our capital markets partners," Mohan added.
Urmersbach brings more than 20 years of experience in financial management, driving growth, and operating scale to his new role. Prior to joining Kiavi, he held Chief Financial Officer positions at private lender Athas Capital Group, global business process outsourcer Teleperformance, and mortgage lender Panorama Mortgage Group. In addition, he held leadership positions at HomeBridge (previously Prospect Mortgage) and Bank of America. Urmersbach attended the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and holds an MBA from Universität Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany.
"I couldn't be more excited to join Kiavi, especially as the company continues to demonstrate impressive growth and differentiation in this challenging macroeconomic environment," said Urmersbach. "I look forward to working with the Kiavi team to build on its already strong foundation, and am deeply committed to the organization's mission of providing real estate investors with the capital they need to scale their businesses and revitalize aged homes across the country," he concluded.
About Kiavi
With more than $13 billion in funded loans, Kiavi is one of the nation's largest private lenders to residential real estate investors (REIs). Kiavi harnesses the power of data and technology to offer REIs a simpler, more reliable, and faster way to access the capital they need to scale their businesses. Formerly known as LendingHome, Kiavi is committed to helping its customers revitalize the approximately $25 trillion worth of aged U.S. housing stock to provide move-in ready homes and rental housing for millions of Americans across the country. For more information, visit www.kiavi.com. NMLS ID #1125207.
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SOURCE Kiavi Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/04/13/kiavi-appoints-seasoned-finance-leader-alex-urmersbach-chief-financial-officer/ | 2023-04-13 19:40:38 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2023/04/13/kiavi-appoints-seasoned-finance-leader-alex-urmersbach-chief-financial-officer/ |
When planning to travel for fun or business, you probably check out the amenities of a hotel before making a choice. A pool is always nice, and free Wi-Fi makes life easier. If you also get breakfast included, you can save time and money. But what is continental breakfast, anyway, and where did this term originate?
What Is Continental Breakfast?
Breakfast menus can undoubtedly vary from one hotel to the next. Still, a continental breakfast is generally a spread of light morning fare that doesn’t typically require much preparation, if any. For instance, it could be a buffet of pastries such as sweet rolls, muffins, croissants, toppings such as butter and jam, fresh fruit, juice and coffee.
Continental breakfasts can also include DIY foods, such as premade batter and a self-serve waffle maker or a toaster with various bread options. Milk and cereal, instant oatmeal and convenience foods such as Pop-Tarts, granola bars and yogurt cups also show up often in hotel breakfast buffets.
The foods provided are usually shelf-stable, although some hotel buffets that serve continental breakfast may include a hot item or two, such as sausages and eggs, as part of the deal.
Why Is It Called Continental Breakfast?
What is continental breakfast by definition, though? MyRecipes.com quotes “The Food Lover’s Companion” in calling the continental breakfast “a light breakfast that usually consists of a breadstuff (such as toast, croissants, pastries, etc.) and coffee, tea, or other liquid. The continental breakfast is the antithesis of the hearty English breakfast.”
Kitchn found that the earliest known use of the phrase dates back to an 1896 edition of “The Sanitarian,” which was a magazine devoted to preserving “Health, Mental and Physical Culture.” British citizens often call the rest of Europe “the continent.”
The publication spoke of Brits accustomed to “great beef-steaks, hot rolls, buckwheat cakes, omelets, potatoes, coffee, and even, at Mr. Emerson’s, pie,” returning from travel in places such as France or the Mediterranean with tales of “the refined Continental breakfast of coffee and a roll.” There, “le petit dejeuner” — a lighter morning repast — is the normal breakfast tradition.
Why Do American Hotels Offer Continental Breakfasts For Free?
In the U.S., heartier breakfasts were preferred by American farmers before the Industrial Revolution. However, this changed once the country became more dependent on factories and businesses and people needed fewer calories.
The lighter morning meals from Europe appealed to hoteliers, as the items are inexpensive and easy to provide. Light breakfast options were also expected by European travelers coming to the U.S.
In the American tradition, travelers regularly ate in hotel restaurants and their meals were included in the final bill. This was in contrast to European hotels, where food was not included at hotels. Eventually, some American hotels adopted a hybrid model as guests began to prefer eating elsewhere so they could dine more cheaply and flexibly.
Americans introduced to continental breakfast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were largely dissatisfied initially. But, as the meals became a complimentary perk for lodgers, travelers were happy to receive the convenient, free amenity.
What’s your favorite item on a continental breakfast spread?
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wptv.com/what-is-continental-breakfast | 2022-09-15 22:10:00 | 1 | https://www.wptv.com/what-is-continental-breakfast |
Rapides Parish School Board Proposal for School Closures Evokes Parents to Take Action
The Rapides Parish School Board has made a proposal to expand programs, but it will also cause shutdowns to schools.
ABC 31 News Reporter Keisha Swafford has the story on how parents feel about the proposal could affect their children.
Parents are concerned about the Rapides Parish School Board’s proposal to close down elementary schools like Phoenix Elementary and Rapides Academy.
Parent of Rapides Academy Student Donna Mathews says, “When I discussed this with my daughter so she wouldn’t be surprised about it, she was absolutely devastated. She loves Rapides Academy. She loved Phoenix.”
The Rapides Parish School Board is proposing to combine Rapides Academy and Phoenix Magnet into a performing arts magnet program at Bolton High.
Donna Mathews says, “With Phoenix and Rapides Academy, these kids have such a sense of stability here. They love the schools, they love the teachers, we have such an amazing staff here. The teachers and administrators really care about these kids.”
This decision will force elementary students to relocate to Bolton High School.
Parent of Phoenix Magnet Elementary Student Kelly Yost says, “To think that they are just doing something under the table, it’s deceitful and it’s dishonest and they want our opinion on uniforms or when my child wants to start school, but you don’t want my opinion on whether or not, my child is moved from a school that they’ve known their whole life.”
Parents at Phoenix Magnet have safety concerns about their children being sent to Bolton High School.
Taylor Yost says, “To my knowledge, a few years back, they were even considering condemning Bolton. So how does a school go from possibly condemnable to now it’s going to be a brand-new facility K-12?”
Parents are invited to attend the public meeting to dispute the proposal on March 7th.
Parent of Phoenix Magnet Elementary Student Erica Phillips says, “I think transparency is the main issue with this and as a board, an elected board, your job is to cast a vision for any vote that you do and there’s no vision that has been cast. Could we have a K-12 Academic school? That might be a great idea, but you need to cast the vision where we’re all on board.”
We reached out to the Rapides Parish School Board and are waiting on their response.
News Reporter Keisha Swafford says, “At the school board meeting, parents are going to voice their concerns about this new transition at Bolton High School.”
The public hearing will be at the Rapides Parish School Board on March 7th at 5 PM. | http://klax-tv.com/rapides-parish-school-board-proposal-for-school-closures-evokes-parents-to-take-action/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rapides-parish-school-board-proposal-for-school-closures-evokes-parents-to-take-action | 2023-03-03 14:21:30 | 0 | http://klax-tv.com/rapides-parish-school-board-proposal-for-school-closures-evokes-parents-to-take-action/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rapides-parish-school-board-proposal-for-school-closures-evokes-parents-to-take-action |
WASHINGTON — The College Football Playoff released on Tuesday a schedule for the 12-team format that will be used in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, which will feature New Year's Day quarterfinal tripleheaders but no games played on Saturday.
CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock said last week after the board of managers had met in Dallas that the calendar had been decided upon. The final piece was placing games and sites on the dates.
For the 2024 season, the first-round games played at campus sites are slated to start with one Friday, Dec. 20. Three more games will be played on campuses on Saturday, Dec. 21.
The quarterfinals are scheduled to be held at bowl sites on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The Fiesta Bowl will be played on the night of Tuesday, Dec. 31. The Peach, Rose and Sugar bowls will host quarterfinal games on Wednesday, Jan. 1, played in that order.
The semifinals are set for Thursday night, Jan. 9, 2025, at the Orange Bowl and Friday, Jan. 10 at the Cotton Bowl. The championship game is scheduled for Jan. 20 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The CFP schedule for the 2025 season, with opening rounds are set from Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20.
The Cotton Bowl is set to be a quarterfinal on New Year's Eve. The New Year's Day tripleheader will be at the Orange, Rose and Sugar bowls.
The semifinals are scheduled for the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, and the next day at the Peach Bowl. The championship game is set for Monday, Jan. 19 at Miami Gardens, Florida.
This upcoming season will be the last in which the CFP uses a four-team format. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/nation-world/college-football-playoff-schedule-12-teams/507-92859d98-f12e-4c41-b1f4-dff4886ca562 | 2023-05-03 09:32:45 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/nation-world/college-football-playoff-schedule-12-teams/507-92859d98-f12e-4c41-b1f4-dff4886ca562 |
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Flight Instructors approve contract; Facilities Maintenance Technicians to vote on Tentative Agreement
DALLAS, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced agreements have been reached with two of its union-represented workgroups.
Southwest's Flight Instructors, represented by the Transport Workers Union Local 557 (TWU 557), overwhelmingly voted in favor of their new contract.
"I'm very pleased we're able to acknowledge the important work of our Flight Instructors and implement pay increases and quality of life enhancements," said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines®. "I'd like to thank both Negotiating Teams for working to reach this agreement in such a short amount of time."
Southwest's more than 200 Flight Instructors provide Flight Operations classroom and simulator training to current and New Hire Pilots.
"Our Facilities Maintenance Technicians play an integral role in Southwest's ability to provide great Customer Service," said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines. "I appreciate both Negotiating Teams working to reach an agreement so quickly."
"The AMFA Negotiating Committee wants to express our appreciation to the Southwest Facilities Maintenance Technicians that participated in the bargaining process. This agreement is warranted after these Employees helped safely maintain Southwest's facilities across the country before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the membership's voice will be heard in a ratification vote in the coming weeks," said AMFA National President Bret Oestreich.
"The Committee would like to thank the negotiators from both sides of the table for their professionalism, which produced a Tentative Agreement less than six months from the time we held the first bargaining session. AMFA is proud to advocate and take care of our skilled members," said Oestreich.
Southwest's 50 Facilities Maintenance Technicians maintain, modify, and repair all of the facilities system-wide for Southwest to provide a great product to Customers and Employees alike. AMFA will communicate to its members the details of the Tentative Agreement and the ratification process.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries. Having celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2021, Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.1 Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 64,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among as many as 130 million Customers carried a year. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. Southwest is also continuing to develop tangible steps toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, including offering Customers an opportunity to help the airline offset its carbon emissions. To be part of the solution, visit Southwest.com/wannaoffsetcarbon.
1) U.S. Dept. of Transportation most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded
2) Fulltime-equivalent active Employees
3) 1973-2019 annual profitability
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co. | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/01/13/southwest-airlines-announces-agreements-with-two-union-represented-workgroups/ | 2023-01-13 23:07:58 | 1 | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/01/13/southwest-airlines-announces-agreements-with-two-union-represented-workgroups/ |
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Omega Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMGA) ("Omega"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the first systematic approach to use mRNA therapeutics as a new class of programmable epigenetic medicines by leveraging its OMEGA Epigenomic Programming™ platform, today announced that management will participate in a fireside chat at the H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference on Monday, September 12, 2022, at 10 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of the fireside chat will be available on the Investors & Media section of the Company's website at www.omegatherapeutics.com. An archived replay of the fireside chat will be available on the same website for approximately 90 days.
Omega Therapeutics, founded by Flagship Pioneering, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the first systematic approach to use mRNA therapeutics as a new class of programmable epigenetic medicines. The company's OMEGA Epigenomic Programming™ platform harnesses the power of epigenetics, the mechanism that controls gene expression and every aspect of an organism's life from cell genesis, growth, and differentiation to cell death. Using a suite of technologies, paired with Omega's process of systematic, rational, and integrative drug design, the OMEGA platform enables control of fundamental epigenetic processes to correct the root cause of disease by returning aberrant gene expression to a normal range without altering native nucleic acid sequences. Omega's modular and programmable mRNA medicines, Omega Epigenomic Controllers™, are designed to target specific epigenomic loci within insulated genomic domains, EpiZips, from amongst thousands of unique, mapped, and validated genome-wide DNA-sequences, with high specificity to durably tune single or multiple genes to treat and cure diseases through Precision Genomic Control™. Omega is currently advancing a broad pipeline of development candidates spanning a range of disease areas, including oncology, regenerative medicine, multigenic diseases including immunology, and select monogenic diseases, including alopecia.
For more information, visit omegatherapeutics.com, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding our participation in upcoming events and presentations and expectations regarding our business strategy and product candidate pipeline, including efficacy, trial design, regulatory submissions, approvals and timing thereof, and initiation of preclinical studies and advancement of multiple preclinical development programs. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the novel technology on which our product candidates are based makes it difficult to predict the time and cost of preclinical and clinical development and subsequently obtaining regulatory approval, if at all; the substantial development and regulatory risks associated with epigenomic controller machines due to the novel and unprecedented nature of this new category of medicines; our limited operating history; the incurrence of significant losses and the fact that we expect to continue to incur significant additional losses for the foreseeable future; our need for substantial additional financing; our investments in research and development efforts that further enhance the OMEGA platform, and their impact on our results; uncertainty regarding preclinical development, especially for a new class of medicines such as epigenomic controllers; the fact that our product candidates may be associated with serious adverse events, undesirable side effects or have other properties that could halt their regulatory development, prevent their regulatory approval, limit their commercial potential, or result in significant negative consequences; the impact of increased demand for the manufacture of mRNA and LNP based vaccines to treat COVID-19 on our development plans; difficulties manufacturing the novel technology on which our OEC candidates are based; our ability to adapt to rapid and significant technological change; our reliance on third parties for the manufacture of materials; our ability to successfully acquire and establish our own manufacturing facilities and infrastructure; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers for lipid excipients used in our product candidates; our ability to advance our product candidates to clinical development; and our ability to obtain, maintain, enforce and adequately protect our intellectual property rights. These and other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and our other filings with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
Media contact:
Jason Braco
LifeSci Communications
646.751.4361
jbraco@lifescicomms.com
Investor contact:
Kevin Murphy
Argot Partners
212.600.1902
ArgotOmega@argotpartners.com
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SOURCE Omega Therapeutics | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/omega-therapeutics-participate-hc-wainwright-24th-annual-global-investment-conference/ | 2022-09-06 11:33:47 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/omega-therapeutics-participate-hc-wainwright-24th-annual-global-investment-conference/ |
BEIJING, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterdrop Inc. ("Waterdrop", the "Company" or "we") (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact, today announced that it has partnered with China United Property Insurance Company Limited ("CIC") and Yong An Insurance ("Yong An") to launch "Waterdrop Blue Ocean", a series of customized and cost-effective critical illness products with a waiver on health declarations, further expanding its user group beyond healthy customers to cover customers with pre-existing medical conditions.
The waiver on health declaration is a breakthrough in critical illness insurance
In October 2021, China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission ("CBIRC") unveiled a directive guidance on further enriching health insurance product supply, in which the regulator encourages insurance companies to appropriately relax the threshold requirements for insurance applicants, and provide reasonable coverage for the elderly with pre-existing conditions and chronic diseases.
Currently, typical health insurance products in China mainly target healthy customers while products available for customers with pre-existing conditions only cover certain categories of illnesses, or partially lower their thresholds on insurance purchase. Although people with pre-existing conditions have a stronger needs of insurance protections, their growing demand has been notably unattended.
Mr. Wei Ran, a partner of Waterdrop, commented, "To address this issue, we have been collaborating closely with our insurance partners to promote product innovation, including insurance products to customers with pre-existing conditions. Today, we are pleased to jointly launch the 'Waterdrop Blue Ocean' with CIC and Yong An, a series of cost-effective customized critical illness product with a waiver on health declarations, dedicated to customers with pre-existing medical conditions."
Mr. Shangjun Nie, vice president of China United Property Insurance and general manager of its Beijing branch, commented, "As the first of its kind in the industry, the launch of the 'Waterdrop Blue Ocean' series is a pioneering initiative and adds great significance to the development of the entire online health insurance sector."
Mr. Xiong Liu, executive vice president of Yong An, commented, "Many elderly and consumers with chronic diseases were hesitant to purchase health insurance products as they worried about an incomplete disclosure of their health conditions to the insurance company would adversely affect their future insurance claims. 'Waterdrop Blue Ocean' has waived the health declaration of customers, allowing them to enjoy a more convenient and intelligent insurance service."
The waiver on health declaration will not result in tougher claim criteria
During the development phase, Waterdrop, CIC, and Yong An Insurance have listened to users' opinions extensively. The launch of "Waterdrop Blue Ocean" has waived the health declaration of customers but ensure the risks are controllable at the same time.
Mr. Hui Teng, chief actuary of Waterdrop, commented, "The underwriting risk for consumers with pre-existing conditions could be relatively higher. However, through the expansion of the underwriting population, and the strengthening of our claims review capabilities and our actuarial estimation of insurance claims, we are capable of diversifying and minimizing the underwriting risks."
The "Waterdrop Blue Ocean" critical illness product series is available for any insured person ranging from 30 days after birth to 60 years old, and it is on a yearly renewable basis up to the age of 80. It provides extensive coverage for a total of 193 mild, moderate, and critical illnesses with a maximum of two claims on critical illnesses in the first year, and offers extended coverage such as optional benefits for ICU inpatient treatment, specific organ transplants, ECMO treatment, and off-site medical referrals. In regards to insurance claims, the criteria of the "Waterdrop Blue Ocean" series are in line with those of other critical illness products that require health declarations and the claim process remains as efficient as other critical illness products.
In terms of insurance premium, for instance, a 40-year-old male can purchase "Waterdrop Blue Ocean No. 1" at an annual premium of RMB679, with maximum benefits of RMB150,000 on critical illnesses and a maximum of two claims in the first year. Similarly, a 40-year-old female can purchase "Waterdrop Blue Ocean No.2" at an annual premium of RMB1,452, with maximum benefits of RMB300,000 on critical illnesses and a maximum of two claims in the first year.
Mr. Ran said, the launch of the new product showcases Waterdrop's commitment to the mission of "leveraging internet technologies to make insurance protection more inclusive and accessible to the public, and bring insurance and healthcare service to billions". Going forward, Waterdrop will continue co-developing more inclusive insurance products with more industry partners to satisfy the protection needs of more people.
About Waterdrop Inc.
Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) is a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact. Founded in 2016, with the comprehensive coverage of Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace and Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop aims to bring insurance and healthcare service to billions through technology. For more information, please visit www.waterdrop-inc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Waterdrop's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Waterdrop's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Waterdrop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For investor inquiries, please contact:
Waterdrop Inc.
Xiaojiao Cui
IR@shuidi-inc.com
Christensen
In China
Mr. Eric Yuan
Phone: +86-1380-111-0739
E-mail: Eyuan@christensenir.com
In US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@christensenir.com
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SOURCE Waterdrop Inc. | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/waterdrop-launches-industrys-first-customized-critical-illness-insurance-product-with-waiver-health-declarations/ | 2022-07-21 10:35:15 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/waterdrop-launches-industrys-first-customized-critical-illness-insurance-product-with-waiver-health-declarations/ |
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced The Lancet published results from three pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials – U-ACHIEVE (induction), U-ACCOMPLISH and U-ACHIEVE (maintenance) – evaluating upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had inadequate response, lost response or were intolerant to conventional or biologic therapy.
Data from the three studies formed the basis of the company's application for approval by regulatory agencies. The publication reports the efficacy and safety results of the two induction studies and a maintenance study evaluating clinical remission and endoscopic improvement with oral upadacitinib versus placebo over 8 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively.1
The use of upadacitinib for ulcerative colitis is not approved in the European Union and its safety and efficacy remain under review by the global health authorities.
About Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, idiopathic, immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the large intestine that causes continuous mucosal inflammation extending, to a variable extent, from the rectum to the more proximal colon.2,3 The hallmark signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, tenesmus (a sense of pressure), urgency and fecal incontinence.2,4 The severity of symptoms and unpredictability of disease course can lead to substantial burden and often disability among those living with the disease.5 The disease course of ulcerative colitis varies between patients and can range from quiescent disease to chronic refractory disease, which in some cases can lead to surgery or complications, including cancer or death.3,6
About the U-ACHIEVE Induction, U-ACCOMPLISH and U-ACHIEVE Maintenance Studies6,7-10
The three Phase 3 studies are multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib 45 mg once daily as induction therapy, and upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg once daily as maintenance therapy in subjects with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Topline results of the U-ACHIEVE induction study were announced in December 2020, topline results of the second induction study, U-ACCOMPLISH, were announced in February 2021, and topline results of the U-ACHIEVE maintenance study were announced in June 2021. More information can be found on http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03006068, NCT03653026, NCT02819635).
About Upadacitinib (RINVOQ®)
Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a selective and reversible JAK inhibitor that is being studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.11-17 Based on enzymatic and cellular assays, RINVOQ demonstrated greater inhibitory potency for JAK-1 vs JAK-2, JAK-3, and TYK-2.12 The relevance of inhibition of specific JAK enzymes to therapeutic effectiveness is not currently known.
RINVOQ is approved in the EU for rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Phase 3 trials of RINVOQ in axial spondyloarthritis, Crohn's disease, giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis are ongoing.12-18
RINVOQ (upadacitinib) U.S. Use and Important Safety Information18
RINVOQ is a prescription medicine used:
- To treat adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
- To treat adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis when 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
- To treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or with ulcerative colitis.
- To treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with moderate to severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) that did not respond to previous treatment and their eczema is not well controlled with other pills or injections, including biologic medicines, or when the use of other pills or injections is not recommended.
RINVOQ is safe and effective in children 12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg) with atopic dermatitis.
It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis.
What is the most important information I should know about RINVOQ?
RINVOQ may cause serious side effects, including:
- Serious infections. RINVOQ can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious infections have happened while taking RINVOQ, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider (HCP) should test you for TB before starting RINVOQ and check you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with RINVOQ. You should not start taking RINVOQ if you have any kind of infection unless your HCP tells you it is okay. If you get a serious infection, your HCP may stop your treatment until your infection is controlled. You may be at higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster).
- Increased risk of death in people 50 years and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor.
- Cancer and immune system problems. RINVOQ may increase your risk of certain cancers. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. Current or past smokers are at higher risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer. Follow your HCP's advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer during treatment with RINVOQ. Limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight. Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use sunscreen.
- Increased risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in people 50 years and older who have at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor, especially if you are a current or past smoker.
- Blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs and arteries can happen with RINVOQ. This may be life-threatening and cause death. Blood clots in the veins of the legs and lungs have happened more often in people who are 50 years and older and with at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor.
- Allergic reactions. Symptoms such as rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, that may mean you are having an allergic reaction have been seen in people taking RINVOQ. Some of these reactions were serious. If any of these symptoms occur during treatment with RINVOQ, stop taking RINVOQ and get emergency medical help right away.
- Tears in the stomach or intestines and changes in certain laboratory tests. Your HCP should do blood tests before you start taking RINVOQ and while you take it. Your HCP may stop your RINVOQ treatment for a period of time if needed because of changes in these blood test results.
Do not take RINVOQ if:
- You are allergic to upadacitinib or any of the ingredients in RINVOQ.
What should I tell my HCP BEFORE starting RINVOQ?
Tell your HCP if you:
- Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won't go away or keeps coming back, or have symptoms of an infection such as:
- Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
- Are a current or past smoker.
- Have had a heart attack, other heart problems, or stroke.
- Have had any type of cancer, hepatitis B or C, shingles (herpes zoster), blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine), or ulcers in your stomach or intestines.
- Have other medical conditions including liver problems, low red or white blood cell counts, diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system.
- Live, have lived, or have traveled to parts of the country, such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest, that increase your risk of getting certain kinds of fungal infections. If you are unsure if you've been to these types of areas, ask your HCP.
- Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People who take RINVOQ should not receive live vaccines.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Based on findings in animal studies, RINVOQ may harm your unborn baby. Your HCP will check whether or not you are pregnant before you start RINVOQ. You should use effective birth control (contraception) to avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with RINVOQ and for 4 weeks after your last dose.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. RINVOQ may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with RINVOQ and for 6 days after your last dose.
Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. RINVOQ and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects.
Especially tell your HCP if you take:
- Medicines for fungal or bacterial infections
- Rifampicin or phenytoin
- Medicines that affect your immune system
If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your HCP or pharmacist.
What should I do or tell my HCP AFTER starting RINVOQ?
- Tell your HCP right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. RINVOQ can make you more likely to get infections or make any infections you have worse
- Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking RINVOQ, including:
- Tell your HCP right away if you have any signs or symptoms of blood clots during treatment with RINVOQ, including:
- Tell your HCP right away if you have a fever or stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.
What are the common side effects of RINVOQ?
These include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), shingles (herpes zoster), herpes simplex virus infections (including cold sores), bronchitis, nausea, cough, fever, acne, headache, increased blood levels of creatine phosphokinase, allergic reactions, inflammation of hair follicles, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, increased weight, flu, tiredness, lower number of certain types of white blood cells (neutropenia, lymphopenia), muscle pain, flu-like illness, rash, increased blood cholesterol levels, and increased liver enzyme levels.
Separation or tear to the lining of the back part of the eye (retinal detachment) has happened in people with atopic dermatitis treated with RINVOQ. Call your HCP right away if you have any sudden changes in your vision during treatment with RINVOQ.
These are not all the possible side effects of RINVOQ.
How should I take RINVOQ?
RINVOQ is taken once a day with or without food. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet. Take RINVOQ exactly as your HCP tells you to use it. RINVOQ is available in 15 mg, 30 mg and 45 mg extended-release tablets.
This is the most important information to know about RINVOQ. For more information, talk to your HCP.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.
Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.
About AbbVie in Gastroenterology
With a robust clinical trial program, AbbVie is committed to cutting-edge research to drive exciting developments in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. By innovating, learning and adapting, AbbVie aspires to eliminate the burden of IBD and make a positive long-term impact on the lives of people with IBD. For more information on AbbVie in gastroenterology, visit https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/therapeutic-focus-areas/immunology/immunology-focus-areas/gastroenterology.html.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.
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1 S. Danese, et al. Upadacitinib as Induction and Maintenance Therapy for for Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis: Results from the Phase 3, Multicentre, Double-Blind, Randomised Trials. Lancet.
2 Gajendran M., et al. A comprehensive review and update on ulcerative colitis. Dis Mon. 2019 Dec;65(12):100851. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2019.02.004. Epub 2019 Mar 2.
3 The Facts about Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. 2014. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Updated%20IBD%20Factbook.pdf. Accessed on March 29, 2022.
4 Ulcerative colitis. Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. 2020. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353326. Accessed on March 29, 2022.
5 Mehta F. Report: economic implications of inflammatory bowel disease and its management. Am J Manag Care. 2016 Mar;22(3 Suppl):s51-60.
6 Monstad, I., et al. Clinical course and prognosis in ulcerative colitis: results from population-based and observational studies. Ann Gastroenterol. 2014; 27(2): 95–104.
7 Vermeire, S., et al. OP23 Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib as induction therapy in patients with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis: Results from phase 3 U-ACCOMPLISH study, Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Volume 15, Issue Supplement 1 .May 2021.
8 Danese, S., et al. OP24 Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib induction therapy in patients with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis: Results from the phase 3 U-ACHIEVE study, Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Volume 15, Issue Supplement 1. May 2021.
9 Danese, S., et al. OP08 The effects of maintenance therapy with upadacitinib on abdominal pain, bowel urgency, and fatigue in patients with moderately to severely active Ulcerative Colitis: Phase 3 U-ACHIEVE maintenance results, Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Volume 16, Issue Supplement 1. January 2022.
10 A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib (ABT-494) for Induction and Maintenance Therapy in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis (UC). ClinicalTrials.gov 2021. Available at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02819635. Accessed on March 29, 2022.
11 RINVOQ [Summary of Product Characteristics]. AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG; September 2021. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/rinvoq-epar-product-information_en.pdf.
12 Pipeline – Our Science | AbbVie. AbbVie. 2021. Available at: https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/pipeline.html. Accessed on March 29, 2022.
13 A Study to Compare Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib to Dupilumab in Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis (Heads Up). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03738397. Accessed on March 29, 2022.
14 A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult Participants With Axial Spondyloarthritis (SELECT AXIS 2). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04169373. Accessed on March 29, 2022.
15 A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of ABT-494 for the Induction of Symptomatic and Endoscopic Remission in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease Who Have Inadequately Responded to or Are Intolerant to Immunomodulators or Anti-TNF Therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02365649. Accessed on Accessed on March 29, 2022.
16 A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Participants With Giant Cell Arteritis (SELECT-GCA). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03725202. Accessed on March 29, 2022.
17 A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Subjects With Takayasu Arteritis (TAK) (SELECT-TAK). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04161898. Accessed on March 29, 2022.
18 RINVOQ [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.; 2022.
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SOURCE AbbVie | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/lancet-publishes-results-phase-3-induction-maintenance-programs-evaluating-upadacitinib-rinvoq-ulcerative-colitis/ | 2022-05-27 07:50:14 | 0 | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/lancet-publishes-results-phase-3-induction-maintenance-programs-evaluating-upadacitinib-rinvoq-ulcerative-colitis/ |
GREENWICH, Conn., July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stone Point Capital LLC, a private equity firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, focused on financial services and related industries, announced that it held the final closing of its ninth private equity fund, Trident IX, L.P., with more than $9 billion of total commitments, including approximately $500 million in commitments from the General Partner and affiliated entities. Trident IX reached its hard cap, and received strong support from its existing investor base, as well as first-time commitments from a number of leading institutional investors.
"We are grateful to our limited partners for their continued support, particularly throughout the pandemic and other recent global challenges," said Chuck Davis, CEO of Stone Point. "We look forward to continuing the proactive, focused sourcing process that has allowed us to consistently identify compelling investment opportunities for over 20 years."
The Fund began its investment period in September 2021 and has closed on three investments to date, including Businessolver, a provider of employee benefits administration software, Beeline, a workforce management software platform and Tivity, a provider of supplemental benefits to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement markets.
"We believe that our industry focus, established team and network of long-term relationships will enable Stone Point to continue to deploy capital with best-in-class management teams and create value for our investors," said Jim Carey, a Managing Director of Stone Point.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal counsel for Stone Point in connection with the formation of Trident IX.
Stone Point is an investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, with more than $40 billion of assets under management. Stone Point targets investments in companies in the global financial services industry and related sectors. The firm invests in a number of alternative asset classes, including private equity through its flagship Trident Funds. Stone Point also manages both liquid and private credit funds and managed accounts. In addition, Stone Point Capital Markets supports our firm, portfolio companies and other clients by providing dedicated financing solutions. For more information, please visit www.stonepoint.com.
Contact Information
Mary Catherine Manin
(203) 862-3126
mmanin@stonepoint.com
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SOURCE Stone Point Capital | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/stone-point-capital-closes-trident-ix-with-9-billion-committed-capital/ | 2022-07-12 15:13:52 | 0 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/stone-point-capital-closes-trident-ix-with-9-billion-committed-capital/ |
LEHI, Utah, Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Switch Reward Card, a blockchain-based financial services ecosystem that offers debit payment solutions for both traditional and cryptocurrencies, is excited to announce the following recent updates to its platform:
- Switch's Node Network Charter was passed and the Switch Blockchain went live in December.
- Moved the Switch Black Card closed beta to open beta. The Switch Black Card currently has over 200 active users.
- The Switch Trading Platform has over 120 users in closed beta. Beta Users can buy, sell and send cryptocurrencies, and has the ability to top-up or load the converted currencies to the Switch Black Card. Switch plans to add additional users to the test group in January.
In a December letter to the community announcing the launch of the blockchain, Switch Reward Card CEO, and former President of Discover Bank, Kathy Roberts said, "I feel fortunate to be making this announcement and to have kept that wonder about this emerging tech that will continue to change the world as it is being adopted faster than all previous technologies before it."
Switch Reward Card President, COO and fellow co-founder Bradley Willden is excited about the versatility of the product suite: "The Switch platform has both custodial and non-custodial wallets giving our community members true ownership of their digital assets."
Apply for the Switch Black Card today and join the open beta: https://dashboard.switchus.io/register/start
Switch Reward Card
Scott Touchton
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
stouchton@switchrewardcard.com
Switch is a blockchain-based financial services ecosystem. The blockchain is empowered by a global decentralized node network where node licensees will be rewarded, by the blockchain, with Switch Digital Rewards. Switch offers debit payment solutions for both traditional and cryptocurrencies around the world.
This Press Release may contain forward looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements discuss plans, strategies, prospects, and expectations concerning the business, operations, markets, risks, and other similar matters. There may be events in the future that we cannot accurately predict or control. Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We do not plan to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
Rewards are not available for purchase from Switch. They are digital rewards earned in exchange for work and action on the Switch network. The digital reward is designed to have utility on the Switch platform for the purchase of Switch's products and services. The digital reward is not an investment product and may never have any value outside of the Switch platform. Switch node owners should not expect to recognize any value from the digital reward other than its utility with Switch. Switch does not anticipate correlation between the digital reward value and Switch's business activities.
No cryptocurrency is loaded onto the Switch Visa Card. All assets are converted to local fiat currency prior to loading on the Visa network. Switch provides financial services and is not a bank.
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SOURCE Switch Reward Card | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/01/10/switch-reward-card-expands-beta-testing/ | 2023-01-10 20:22:03 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/01/10/switch-reward-card-expands-beta-testing/ |
(KTLA) – Disneyland announced Tuesday Magic Key annual pass renewals will begin on Thursday and revealed a new top-tier pass for guests.
Disneyland launched the Magic Key program back in August 2021 after retiring the popular annual passports amid a yearlong shutdown of both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In November 2021, Disneyland stopped selling its Dream Key and Believe Key “in order to deliver a great guest experience for all guests,” a resort official said at the time.
The Magic Key passes give guests access to the parks on select dates, depending on which of the four levels they purchased, through a new reservation-based system that Disney introduced when both theme parks reopened back in April.
Disneyland said they are currently “prioritizing renewals” and new purchases will not be offered at this time. The top-tier Dream Key will no longer be offered for renewals.
On Tuesday, Disneyland revealed four passes that will be available for renewal starting Aug. 18: Inspire ($1,599), Believe ($1,099), Enchant ($699), and Imagine ($449 for Southern California Residents).
All four passes include free or discounted parking at the theme parks and a discount on Genie+, the new skip-the-line offering that replaced FastPass and MaxPass. The Inspire and Believe passes will also include PhotoPass digital downloads.
Existing Magic Key passholders can renew by visiting Disneyland.com/Magic-Key on Thursday, Aug. 18. Disneyland said renewals will begin “no earlier than 9 a.m.” on Thursday.
The parks along with the Downtown Disney District, meanwhile, will soon undertake holiday celebrations and transform into “the Merriest Place on Earth” beginning on Nov. 11 and ending on Jan. 8, 2023.
Inside Disney California Adventure, park guests will be greeted by holiday décor including a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street. The “World of Color – Season of Light” show and the Disney Festival of Holidays will also greet guests, celebrating a “diverse season of celebrations” including Christmas, Diwali, Kwanza, Hanukkah and more.
“Mickey’s Happy Holidays” and the “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” street party will also return this year and feature a wide cast of characters from Disney and Pixar. Of course, everyone’s favorite North Pole resident, Santa Claus, is slated to take up occupancy at his home in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Over at Disneyland, the iconic 60-foot-tall tree will be up on Main Street, U.S.A., and a winter theme will take over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
Characters from “Frozen” will appear in “A Christmas Fantasy,” a daytime parade held on Main Street throughout the season, while the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks show will feature “snowfall” and projections on the buildings along Main Street at night.
“It’s a Small World Holiday” and “Haunted Mansion Holiday” will also return on Nov. 11.
Not planning to head into the parks? No problem. The Downtown Disney District will offer decor, photo ops, and musical entertainment in addition to themed food and drinks at restaurants. | https://www.pahomepage.com/uncategorized/disneyland-magic-key-renewals-begin-thursday-new-pass-announced/ | 2022-08-16 18:40:10 | 0 | https://www.pahomepage.com/uncategorized/disneyland-magic-key-renewals-begin-thursday-new-pass-announced/ |
Kannapolis 101 and Police Academies Will Begin in September
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (WBTV) - From the City of Kannapolis: Curious about how your city government works? Want a behind the scenes look at everything from the police department to economic development to the water treatment plant? Want to understand how the city budget works? Do you specifically want to know more about our police department and its functions?
The City has two opportunities this Fall for you to learn more about the City of Kannapolis.
Kannapolis 101 gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at how your local city government works. This special nine-week program starts Tuesday, September 13 and continues each Tuesday until November 14. Classes are held from 6-8:30 p.m. at various city facilities. The program is free, and priority is given to Kannapolis residents.
Kannapolis 101 topics include:
• Overview of City Government
• Finance Department
• Public Works &Water Treatment
• Planning
• Police Department
• Parks & Recreation
• Fire Department
• Economic Development/Downtown Revitalization
Secondly, the Kannapolis Police Department is also offering its annual citizens’ academy. Attendees will participate in classes on all aspects of the department such as patrol operations, traffic enforcement, defensive driving, firearms, K-9 operations, special operations (SWAT), felony investigations, interaction with the courts, community service programs, etc.
The program will begin, 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, September 15 and continue each Thursday until November 28.Classes are taught by Kannapolis police officers in a fun and relaxed environment which allows residents to foster relationships with the staff. This academy is also free with first priority given to Kannapolis residents.
It is recommended that you take the Kannapolis 101 class before enrolling in the Police Citizens Academy. Each program is offered annually.Seats are limited for both programs, so sign up today. Applications are due at 5 p.m. on August 11, 2022. If you are interested in participating in either program, use the links below to apply:
Kannapolis 101: www.kannapolisnc.gov/Kannapolis-101
Police Academy: www.kannapolisnc.gov/Citizens-Police-Academy
Copyright 2022 WBTV. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbtv.com/2022/07/25/kannapolis-101-police-academies-will-begin-september/ | 2022-07-25 19:15:38 | 1 | https://www.wbtv.com/2022/07/25/kannapolis-101-police-academies-will-begin-september/ |
Siamak Namazi, a U.S. citizen imprisoned in Iran since 2015, has embarked on a hunger strike to mark the seventh anniversary of being left behind in a deal that freed other Americans.
In a letter delivered to the White House by his lawyer, the 51-year-old Iranian-American said he was beginning a seven-day hunger strike on Monday, which was also the seventh anniversary of the Iran nuclear deal.
"When the Obama Administration unconscionably left me in peril and freed the other American citizens Iran held hostage on January 16, 2016, the U.S. Government promised my family to have me safely home within weeks," Namazi wrote in his letter. "Yet seven years and two presidents later, I remain caged in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, holding that long overdue IOU along with the unenviable title of the longest held Iranian-American hostage in history."
Namazi implored President Biden to devote one minute of every day this week — one "for each year of my life that I lost in Evin prison after the U.S. Government could have saved me but didn't" — to thinking about the U.S. hostages held in Iran. They include Emad Shargi and Morah Tahbaz, who were both detained in 2018.
Namazi was arrested during a 2015 business trip and convicted of cooperating with a hostile government, meaning the U.S. The following year Iran released four American detainees as part of a prisoner swap with the U.S. (with another person released separately), but Namazi was not one of them. His own father, arrested in 2016 while trying to visit him, was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment last October.
Namazi feels he has been left behind, Jared Genser, the family's lawyer, told Morning Edition's Leila Fadel. He says Namazi's concerns are amplified after seeing the situation in Russia, where American detainee Paul Whelan is still being held despite the U.S. recently reaching a deal to release WNBA player Brittney Griner. (The Biden administration has said that efforts to free Whelan are ongoing).
Genser describes Namazi as "desperate, despondent, heartbroken and also angry" all at the same time.
"He has been given a series of promises over many years by multiple U.S. administrations — President Obama, President Trump, President Biden — that his case was a top priority and that they would get it resolved and they would be able to bring him home," he adds. "And it just simply hasn't happened."
While the family has met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Genser says, they haven't gotten an audience with Biden despite asking for one since he took office — something Namazi also mentioned in his letter.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement that the administration is aware of Namazi's hunger strike and letter to Biden, calling Iran's use of wrongful detentionas political leverage "outrageous" and reiterating that bringing its detained citizens home is a top priority for the U.S.
"Our thoughts are with him and his family, as we work ceaselessly to bring him along with fellow wrongfully detained U.S. citizens Emad Shargi and Morad Tabhaz home to their families and loved ones as soon as possible," Price added.
Genser says discussions are underway between the U.S. and Iran to resolve what he calls the current "hostage cases." And he acknowledges that while it's not an ideal time to be making deals with Iran (especially given Iran's crackdown on human rights protesters in recent months), there are calls Biden can and should be making — no matter how tough — to bring innocent civilians home.
"The one thing that I would say to President Biden is: You need to put aside any political considerations and the blowback of cutting a deal, which undoubtedly will result in criticism from many directions," Genser says. "And you have to do what's right. And you have to look to your own moral compass and understand the responsibility that you, as the former vice president under President Obama, has for having left Siamak behind seven years ago, having promised his family he'd be home within weeks."
Read more excerpts of Genser's conversation with Fadel below. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Interview highlights
On Namazi's experience in Evin prison, notorious for mistreatment of political prisoners
What I would say is that the first two years were literally like hell on earth. He was in the intelligence wing of the prison and was in solitary confinement, was subjected to daily interrogations, was repeatedly beaten and tased, was psychologically tortured on top of physical torture. He was told that his father had died of a heart attack and then it took a week until they told him that, "Sorry, just kidding. He didn't really die." He was also in ... a teeny room with a concrete floor and no bedding of any kind, not even a pillow.
... Once he was ultimately convicted and ... given a 10-year prison term, he was moved into the general ward of Evin prison where the conditions are better, but still not great. He shares a cell with multiple people. They have the ability to watch Iranian television, to get access to Iranian newspapers and to be with other prisoners as well. So it's less terrible than the first two years, which were extraordinarily horrific, but nonetheless he's seeing his life waste away one year at a time. He's still in his early 50s and wants to get married, have children and all that has been irrevocably changed.
On what the hunger strike looks like and aims to achieve
He is going to drink water to stay hydrated ... His goal is not to secure his freedom from doing a hunger strike, but rather to draw attention to what is happening. This is the first time he's done this in the seven-and-a-half years that he has been imprisoned. And he just felt that now was the right time to do it, with repeated promises by the Biden administration that they would find a way to negotiate his freedom and all of them having come to naught. As you can imagine, he just feels like people just keep telling him what he wants to hear but take no action.
On what he thinks Biden could do to secure Namazi's release
I think the bottom line is that he needs to do what's necessary to bring Siamak and the other American hostages home, and the administration would know much better than me what the options would be to do that ... There are a range of possibilities that could be there, which would include a prisoner swap or an unfreezing of some amount of Iranian funds and putting it into a humanitarian channel that could only be used strictly for humanitarian goods. These are the kinds of things that have been done in the past and certainly would be an option now.
The audio for this story was produced by Kaity Kline and edited by Simone Popperl.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wdiy.org/npr-news/2023-01-17/american-siamak-namazi-is-on-a-hunger-strike-in-iranian-prison-why-now-and-for-what | 2023-01-17 17:05:59 | 0 | https://www.wdiy.org/npr-news/2023-01-17/american-siamak-namazi-is-on-a-hunger-strike-in-iranian-prison-why-now-and-for-what |
Which quarterback stands between the 49ers and their elusive sixth Lombardi Trophy?
Which opposing quarterback, that is.
Trey Lance, the 49ers’ expected successor to Jimmy Garoppolo, will start new rivalries with counterparts this coming season. He will be the underdog or the up-and-comer, almost every week.
Once he reaches the playoffs next January or in future years, that is where an arch-nemesis will emerge, a la “Brady vs. Manning.” Or, in 49ers’ parlance, “Young vs. Aikman” and “Montana vs. Simms.”
This season’s schedule offers a mix of proven superstars, middle-of-the-pack QBs and second-chance journeymen. Here is who presents the toughest matchup per category, not necessarily for Lance but for the 49ers’ defense:
SUPER BOWL WINNERS
Category criteria: Those who’ve won a Lombardi Trophy – or seven – and are legitimate threats to add another.
Tom Brady (Bucs, Week 14)
San Mateo’s native son came out of a short-lived retirement to play at age 45. His 23rd NFL season will be in its fifth-to-last game on Dec. 11 at Levi’s Stadium. That’ll be no time for anyone to get sentimental. Brady, by the way, has won 80 percent of his December starts.
Russell Wilson (Broncos, Week 3)
Nothing like their ol’ NFC West rival to humble things. The 49ers should be 2-0 (at Chicago, vs. Seattle) before visiting Wilson’s new team in Denver for “Sunday Night Football” on Sept. 25. Wilson was 17-4 with Seattle against the 49ers, including the NFC Championship Game after the 2013 season en route to his only Super Bowl win.
Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs, Week 7)
Mahomes and Lance won championships in the 2019 season – Mahomes vs. the 49ers in Super Bowl XLIV, and Lance a month earlier vs. James Madison in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title game. If the 49ers lead this game and Mahomes faces third-and-15, he won’t be able to target Tyreek Hill (traded to Miami).
Matthew Stafford (Rams, Weeks 4/8)
He and the Super Bowl champion Rams dispatched the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, but only after a fourth-quarter comeback was kept alive by Jaquiski Tartt’s dropped interception. Stafford had two passes intercepted in both regular-season losses to the 49ers.
WINLESS WONDERS
Category criteria: Highly regarded quarterbacks who’ve yet to win a playoff start.
Derek Carr (Raiders, Week 17)
The 49ers’ first visit to Vegas comes in the season’s penultimate week, so a non-conference matchup may not impact the playoff races. Carr throttled the 49ers as a 2014 rookie, then got walloped by Nick Mullens on a 2018 Thursday night, and now he has college teammate and star wideout Davante Adams.
Justin Herbert (Chargers, Week 10)
The 49ers will be coming off their bye, while Herbert and the perpetually overhyped Chargers are coming off a cross-country game at Atlanta. Herbert won the Pac-12 Conference Championship at Levi’s Stadium as an Oregon senior in 2019. His return will be the undercard to the Bosa brothers storyline in this game.
Carson Wentz (Commanders, Week 16)
He’s 3-0 against the Shanahan-coached 49ers, now he’ll try beating them for the third straight season for as many different franchises (Eagles, Colts, Commanders). Yes, Wentz won a Super Bowl but he was on injured reserve in the 2017 Eagles’ playoff run.
MOBILE MEN
Category criteria: Dual-threat quarterbacks whose ability to escape trouble could prove tough to sack, as has been troublesome for past 49ers’ defenses.
Kyler Murray (Cardinals, Weeks 11/18)
A Pro Bowler in two of three seasons, he’s 2-3 against the 49ers. He’s bucking for a new contract after skipping the voluntary offseason program. His Cardinals “host” the 49ers in Mexico City on Nov. 21, then the rematch is in Week 18 at Levi’s.
Justin Fields (Bears, Week 1)
The 49ers bypassed him in the draft, then beat him Oct. 30 with the help of two Garoppolo touchdown runs. This season’s opener in Soldier Field could offer a more dynamic Fields under new coach Matt Eberflus.
Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins, Week 13)
New coach Mike McDaniel, formerly Kyle Shanahan’s top assistant, should know by this Dec. 5 visit how to maximize (or minimize) Tagovailoa, who’s looking more explosive after his 2019 hip injury. Through two seasons, he had only 237 rushing yards, along with 20 sacks each season (23 games). He’ll need to be on the move more against the 49ers’ front.
SECOND-CHANCE CLUB
Category criteria: Journeymen who may or may not be starting once the 49ers come on their schedule.
Marcus Mariota (Falcons, Week 6)
Will the Falcons have switched to rookie Desmond Ridder when they host the 49ers, after visiting Brady and the Bucs?
Sam Darnold (Panthers, Week 5)
Will the New York Jets’ 2021 castoff even make it to Week 1, or will the Panthers have traded for Jimmy Garoppolo?
Jameis Winston (Saints, Week 12)
An ACL tear scuttled his 5-2 start last season as the heir to Drew Brees’ throne. The Saints’ backups: Andy Dalton and Ian Book.
Geno Smith (Seahawks, Weeks 2/15)
Smith is the favorite after two years in Seattle behind Wilson, but ex-Broncos starter Drew Lock will vie for the job, one in which Garoppolo could thrive if released this summer. | https://www.chicoer.com/2022/06/23/inside-the-49ers-ranking-the-quarterbacks-trey-lance-must-outduel/ | 2022-06-23 12:17:01 | 0 | https://www.chicoer.com/2022/06/23/inside-the-49ers-ranking-the-quarterbacks-trey-lance-must-outduel/ |
- Join MomMed in Celebrating Motherhood with Charity Event and Product Promotions
NEW YORK, May 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading maternal and baby industry brand, MomMed, has announced its largest event of the first half of the year, themed "Caring for Mom, Empowering Families", which will take place from May 1st to 14th. This event is dedicated to celebrating motherhood, raising awareness of the challenges and joys of motherhood, and creating a supportive and understanding community for mothers everywhere.
"We take great pride in providing innovative products that make the lives of mothers and babies easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. At MomMed, we believe in the strength and independence of women, and we also strive to help women in need as much as possible. This is why we value charity event and all activities that have social significance. We want to show our appreciation for the incredible job that mothers do every day," said Alex, founder of MomMed. "Our ultimate goal is to promote awareness of the challenges and joys of motherhood and create a more supportive and empathetic global community for mothers worldwide."
The event will consist of two parts. The first part is a video challenge called "Breastfeeding Reality with MomMed," scheduled to run from May 3rd to 14th. This challenge will primarily be featured on TikTok and Instagram, encouraging mothers to share short video clips of breastfeeding or pumping at different times and in various locations to show the real-life challenges of breastfeeding and parenting. The objective is to increase public understanding and awareness of the hardships of breastfeeding, draw social attention to mothers, and connect with them.
MomMed always has a strong commitment to public welfare and is dedicated to supporting mothers in need within the community. As part of this mission, for every ten individuals who participate in the video challenge, a MomMed breast pump will be donated to a breastfeeding organization or charitable ministry. Moreover, the top three winners of this challenge will receive a special gift package consisting of all MomMed products, including its upcoming new product to be launched later this year.
In addition to the video challenge, MomMed will be launching a new product, the pink version of its best-selling S21 Wearable Breast Pump. During the celebration, MomMed will be offering discounts on its other products as well. From May 1st to 14th, customers can enjoy up to $30 off on MomMed breast pumps. This promotion will be available on both Amazon and MomMed's official website, making it the biggest promotion for MomMed's breast pumps since their release.
MomMed's this event offers a unique opportunity for more people to gain insights into the daily life of mothers and to connect with a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for supporting motherhood. By participating in the TikTok video challenge and taking advantage of MomMed's product discounts, participants can show their support and help raise awareness of the value of motherhood.
About MomMed
MomMed is a baby and maternity brand dedicated to providing helpful products and fostering a loving, caring, and supportive community. Its notable products are the test strips series and wearable breast pumps for women, as well as baby scales for babies. Whether you are a new mom or an experienced one, MomMed understands the challenges and joys of motherhood, and strives to provide you with the support and resources you need to make the most of this special time in your life.
For more information, please visit: https://mommed.com/
PR CONTACT: mommedofficial@gmail.com
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SOURCE MomMed | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/05/10/mommed-launches-caring-mom-empowering-families-event-with-focus-giving-back/ | 2023-05-10 14:42:49 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/05/10/mommed-launches-caring-mom-empowering-families-event-with-focus-giving-back/ |
Report: US Navy veteran released from Russian custody
(Gray News) - A U.S. Navy veteran has been released from Russian custody after nearly a year of negotiations, according to media reports from CNN and the Washington Post.
CNN reported 35-year-old Taylor Dudley, of Lansing, Michigan, was detained by Russian border patrol police in April 2022 after he crossed from Poland to Kaliningrad, a territory governed by Moscow. Dudley was in Poland attending a music festival, and it is unclear why he crossed the border.
The U.S. government said Dudley’s detainment was not deemed “wrongful,” according to CNN.
A spokesperson for his family told CNN Dudley was released at the Russia-Poland Bagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing on Thursday, following months of negotiations spearheaded by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and his nonprofit organization, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement.
The center reported there was not an exchange on the U.S. side for Dudley.
The U.S. State Department, the Steve Menzies Global Foundation and the US Embassies in Moscow and Warsaw helped secure Dudley’s release, CNN reported.
Dudley’s detainment was not widely publicized until his release per his family’s request so that negotiations could remain private, since the U.S. government said that his detainment was not classified as wrongful.
His release comes months after the U.S. government negotiated the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was detained in Russia in February 2022.
Paul Whelan, another American the State Department deemed to be “wrongfully detained,” remains in Russian custody. He was detained in December 2018.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2023/01/12/report-us-navy-veteran-released-russian-custody/ | 2023-01-12 17:11:53 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2023/01/12/report-us-navy-veteran-released-russian-custody/ |
LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP)Corey Washington scored 18 points as Saint Peter’s beat Niagara 66-65 on Sunday.
Washington added five rebounds and three steals for the Peacocks (11-16, 6-12 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Jaylen Murray scored 13 points.
Noah Thomasson finished with 22 points for the Purple Eagles (15-13, 10-9). Niagara also got 13 points from Aaron Gray and 12 from Braxton Bayless.
—
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. | https://www.kxnet.com/scoreboard/washington-scores-18-saint-peters-defeats-niagara-66-65/ | 2023-02-27 05:23:18 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/scoreboard/washington-scores-18-saint-peters-defeats-niagara-66-65/ |
Three men were found guilty Monday in connection with the murder and robbery of rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot outside a South Florida motorcycle shop in 2018. A jury in Broward County returned the verdicts on Monday morning.
Michael Boatwright, 27, Dedrick Williams, 26, and Trayvon Newsome, 24, were each convicted on charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm for the ambush that led to the death of XXXTentacion. The rapper's real name was Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy.
Jurors deliberated for slightly more than seven days before delivering the verdicts on Monday, marking the end of a trial that lasted about one month. Each convicted perpetrator is expected to receive a mandatory life sentence.
Onfroy — whose double- and quadruple-platinum records came alongside a dedicated cult following both within and outside of his South Florida community — was 20 years old at the time of his death. He is remembered as a rising star whose career was on the brink of exploding, even as he also faced criminal charges tied to the alleged assault of a former girlfriend.
Authorities said Onfroy suffered multiple gunshot wounds after the convicted killers fired at him as he sat behind the wheel of his BMW, which was parked outside of a RIVA Motorsports store in Deerfield Beach. A family relative was seated on the passenger's side of the car and managed to flee the vehicle unharmed.
The deadly armed robbery was captured by a surveillance camera. Jurors in the criminal trial for Boatwright, Williams and Newsome saw the graphic footage in court this past February, CBS Miami reported. It showed an SUV drive up to Onfroy's car in the motorbike shop's parking lot before stopping perpendicular to the BMW, preventing it from exiting onto the street.
Two masked individuals can be seen leaving the SUV and approach the driver's side window of Onfroy's car. A confrontation ensues that ends with one assailant firing a gun through the window. Both suspects then proceed to escape with $50,000 in cash, which Onfroy was carrying inside a Louis Vuitton satchel when the shooting happened, according to testimony heard during the trial. He had planned to use the money to purchase a motorbike from the shop, prosecutors said.
Boatwright and Newsome were the assailants seen in that surveillance footage, according to the prosecution, and the deadly gunshot followed what was a visible brawl allegedly over the money. Prosecutors say Boatwright was the gunman and Newsome was accused of pointing a loaded gun at people inside the BMW. Williams was driving the getaway vehicle and remained inside the SUV as the shooting took place, according to testimony heard in court.
A fourth man, 26-year-old Robert Allen, was previously arrested and charged in connection with Onfroy's murder. Allen pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge in August of last year and subsequently gave testimony on behalf of the prosecution in court as the trial's first witness. He could still face a lifetime prison sentence for his alleged role in the killing.
The prosecution built its argument around the accusation that the violent robbery that preceded Onfroy's death was carefully planned. Prosecutors told the jury in Broward County that the three suspects standing trial had devised a scheme one day before the Deerfield Beach shooting, on June 17, that involved renting a vehicle and traveling around the area to commit various robberies. They allegedly spotted Onfroy leaving the parking lot of the motorbike shop, where they had intended to purchase a face mask, and decided to target him, prosecutors said.
During closing arguments earlier this month, prosecutor Pascale Achille painted the alleged killers as "predators" and showed cellphone video footage to the jury that apparently showed the defendants smiling and laughing with stacks of $100 bills, according to CBS Miami. The prosecution said they recorded the video hours after Onfroy was killed.
"This is who they are. This is their real character. Killers that within 24 hours after shooting the victim dead and stealing $50,000 from him, this is what they do ... Look at how happy they look. Look at how excited they look," Achille said playing the cellphone video, CBS Miami reported.
This article was originally published on CBS News on March 20, 2023 at 12:40 p.m.
RELATED CONTENT: | https://www.wfaa.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/three-men-convicted-of-murder-in-2018-robbery-killing-of-star-rapper-xxxtentacion/603-4e02cca0-cce7-4f3e-9b70-613feb2b027c | 2023-03-21 05:02:56 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/three-men-convicted-of-murder-in-2018-robbery-killing-of-star-rapper-xxxtentacion/603-4e02cca0-cce7-4f3e-9b70-613feb2b027c |
WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Jill Biden tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday and will return to Washington on Tuesday, nearly a week after she came down with a “rebound” case of the coronavirus.
Her communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, announced the negative test in a statement Monday night.
Jill Biden had been isolating at her family’s house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, since testing positive on Aug. 24, and at the time, her spokesperson said she was not experiencing any symptoms. She first tested positive for the virus on Aug. 15, when she and President Joe Biden were vacationing in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
The president, who had his own back-to-back cases of COVID-19, was identified as a close contact of his wife and the White House said he was undergoing more frequent testing for the virus as a precaution. While Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines called for Biden to wear a face covering in close proximity to others indoors, he was seen without a mask hugging and taking selfies with supporters during an indoor rally on Thursday in the Washington suburbs.
Jill Biden, 71, and her husband, 79, have been twice-vaccinated and twice-boosted with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. She had been prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid, which has proven to be highly effective at preventing serious disease and death among those at highest risk from COVID-19. A minority of those prescribed the drug have experienced a rebound case of the virus a few days after their initial recovery. | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/political-news/ap-politics/ap-first-lady-jill-biden-tests-negative-for-covid-after-rebound/ | 2022-08-30 17:01:42 | 0 | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/political-news/ap-politics/ap-first-lady-jill-biden-tests-negative-for-covid-after-rebound/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A former Illinois prison guard could face life in prison after a jury convicted him Monday of violating the civil rights of a 65-year-old inmate who died after correctional officers beat him in a lockup more than four years ago.
Sheffler is the second ex-guard convicted in the death of Larry Earvin in May 2018. A separate jury convicted Alex Banta, 30, of similar charges in April. That jury could not reach a verdict on Sheffler, so the government tried him again.
“The defense made a statement about the long, cruel arm of government,” assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene Miller said in his closing statement. “Todd Sheffler violated his training, violated the U.S. Constitution and allowed, participated in and covered up the brutal beating of a 65-year-old man, defenseless, a fellow citizen, handcuffed behind his back and lying on the cold, hard concrete floor. He was the long, cruel arm of government.”
Earvin was serving a sentence for theft and was eligible for parole in four months when he disobeyed a guard’s order to return to his cell at Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mount Sterling, 249 miles (400 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.
An officer-in-distress call summoned dozens of guards to Earvin’s housing unit, and Banta was among those who began the escort to disciplinary segregation. Sheffler joined en route, and testimony indicated that the two were joined by former correctional Sgt. Willie Hedden in punching, kicking and stomping on Earvin in the vestibule of the segregation unit, where there are no security cameras.
Hedden, indicted on the same civil rights and conspiracy charges, testified for the government in hopes of a reduced sentence.
Sheffler’s defense attorneys attempted to convince the jury that the punches and kicks Earvin sustained in the housing unit — before Sheffler joined the escort — could have caused his death.
___
Follow Political Writer John O’Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor | https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2nd-ex-prison-guard-convicted-in-inmate-beating-death/2022/08/23/a90b957c-2331-11ed-a72f-1e7149072fbc_story.html | 2022-08-23 23:15:56 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2nd-ex-prison-guard-convicted-in-inmate-beating-death/2022/08/23/a90b957c-2331-11ed-a72f-1e7149072fbc_story.html |
BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leeny Oberg, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Business Operations at Marriott International, Inc., will speak at the Barclays 2022 Eat, Sleep, Play Conference, to be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, in New York, NY. Ms. Oberg's remarks will be at approximately 8:45 a.m. ET and will be webcast live.
To access the webcast, please go to http://www.Marriott.com/Investor, and then click on the link to the "Barclays Eat, Sleep, Play Conference" under "Events and Presentations."
The webcast will be available until December 30, 2022, at the same site.
About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc., (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,200 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.Marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.MarriottNewsCenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
IRPR#1
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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2022/11/18/marriott-international-cfo-speak-barclays-2022-eat-sleep-play-conference-november-30-2022-remarks-be-webcast/ | 2022-11-18 22:23:01 | 0 | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2022/11/18/marriott-international-cfo-speak-barclays-2022-eat-sleep-play-conference-november-30-2022-remarks-be-webcast/ |
Zeller, Harold Eugene
Harold E. Zeller, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 22, 2023 after a brief battle with cancer. In the final days of his life, he was surrounded by the love of his family. He is survived by two daughters, Susan Zeller Dunn (Rick) and Sonya Richardson (David), and one son Jason Zeller (Julie). He also leaves behind his beloved sister Marilyn Sarna (Joe) and seven grandchildren, whom he loved deeply: Michael Dunn (Julia), Nick Richardson (Ashley), Megan Jordan (Joshua), Heather Ross (Tyler), Blake Zeller, Katie Zeller, and Melanie Zeller, as well as 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Carol Hamilton Zeller. Harold was born on January 26, 1937 to Harry and Eva Zeller in Leipsic, Ohio. After attending Bluffton College, he left school to begin a lifelong career at Modern Woodmen of America which brought him to Dayton, Ohio. He continued to work up until a few weeks before his death. Harold loved reading, history, and sports and was an avid fan of the Reds, the Bengals, and the Ohio State Buckeyes. He also loved to travel, having been to 49 out of the 50 states and many countries. Harold's greatest accomplishment and love was his family. He took his children and grandchildren on countless trips, attended sporting events and competitions for his grandchildren as their biggest fan, and always spent holidays surrounded by those he loved. Visitation will be from 11-2, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 on May 6th at Tobias Funeral Home on Far Hills Avenue in Centerville. Burial will follow in David's Cemetery. We welcome friends and family to join us at the Sugar Valley Golf Club after the burial from 4-6 to celebrate Harold's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton Ohio 45420 https://www.hospiceofdayton.org/donations/
Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/obituaries/zeller-harold/D7E735YMGBGONME65FH6DZLWXA/ | 2023-04-30 06:00:14 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/obituaries/zeller-harold/D7E735YMGBGONME65FH6DZLWXA/ |
UCLA vs. Oklahoma Women's Basketball Predictions & Picks - NCAA Tournament Second Round
Published: Mar. 19, 2023 at 11:42 AM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
Monday's contest between the UCLA Bruins (26-9) and the Oklahoma Sooners (26-6) at Pauley Pavilion has a projected final score of 75-71 based on our computer prediction, with UCLA taking home the win. Game time is at 10:00 PM on March 20.
The Bruins are coming off of a 67-45 victory over Sacramento State in their last outing on Saturday.
UCLA vs. Oklahoma Game Info
- When: Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET
- Where: Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California
- How to Watch on TV: ESPN2
Use this link to get a free trial of fuboTV, where you can watch college hoops and other live sports without cable!
UCLA vs. Oklahoma Score Prediction
- Prediction: UCLA 75, Oklahoma 71
UCLA Schedule Analysis
- In their signature win of the season, the Bruins beat the No. 5 Stanford Cardinal, 69-65, on March 3.
- The Bruins have nine Quadrant 1 wins, tied for the 11th-most in Division I. But they also have nine Quadrant 1 losses, tied for the 37th-most.
- UCLA has tied for the 22nd-most Quadrant 2 wins in the nation (six).
UCLA 2022-23 Best Wins
- 69-65 over Stanford (No. 5/AP Poll) on March 3
- 80-63 over Tennessee (No. 24/AP Poll) on November 20
- 73-59 over Arizona (No. 25/AP Poll) on March 2
- 72-65 over South Dakota State (No. 25) on November 19
- 73-66 on the road over Washington State (No. 23/AP Poll) on January 22
Oklahoma Schedule Analysis
- The Sooners notched their signature win of the season on January 8, when they took down the Iowa State Cyclones, who rank No. 17 in the AP's Top 25, by a score of 82-79.
- Against Quadrant 1 teams, the Sooners are 7-5 (.583%) -- tied for the 19th-most wins.
- Oklahoma has tied for the 16th-most Quadrant 2 wins in the nation (seven).
- According to the RPI, the Bruins have six wins versus Quadrant 3 opponents, tied for the 66th-most in Division 1.
Oklahoma 2022-23 Best Wins
- 82-79 at home over Iowa State (No. 17/AP Poll) on January 8
- 69-59 at home over Ole Miss (No. 21) on December 4
- 98-92 on the road over Baylor (No. 34) on February 7
- 80-74 at home over Kansas (No. 38) on January 14
- 86-80 on the road over Kansas (No. 38) on February 19
Watch college hoops all season on all your devices without cable with a seven-day free trial on fuboTV!
UCLA Performance Insights
- The Bruins outscore opponents by 8.7 points per game (scoring 70.1 points per game to rank 84th in college basketball while allowing 61.4 per contest to rank 96th in college basketball) and have a +305 scoring differential overall.
- Offensively, UCLA is tallying 67.7 points per game this season in conference contests. As a comparison, its overall average (70.1 points per game) is 2.4 PPG higher.
- The Bruins average 71.3 points per game in home games, compared to 67.4 points per game in road games, a difference of 3.9 points per contest.
- In 2022-23, UCLA is giving up 58.0 points per game when playing at home. On the road, it is allowing 65.4.
- In their last 10 games, the Bruins have been putting up 67.6 points per game, an average that's slightly lower than the 70.1 they've scored over the course of the 2022-23 season.
Oklahoma Performance Insights
- The Sooners' +297 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 9.3 points per game) is a result of putting up 84.5 points per game (second in college basketball) while allowing 75.2 per outing (353rd in college basketball).
- In Big 12 games, Oklahoma has averaged 0.8 fewer points (83.7) than overall (84.5) in 2022-23.
- At home the Sooners are putting up 84.7 points per game, 0.1 more than they are averaging away (84.6).
- Oklahoma is conceding fewer points at home (71.3 per game) than on the road (79.8).
- In their past 10 games, the Sooners are putting up 80.2 points per contest, 4.3 fewer points than their season average (84.5).
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/sports/betting/2023/03/20/ucla-oklahoma-womens-college-basketball-picks-predictions-ncaa-tournament-second-round/ | 2023-03-19 17:56:23 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/sports/betting/2023/03/20/ucla-oklahoma-womens-college-basketball-picks-predictions-ncaa-tournament-second-round/ |
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