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ERIE, Pa., Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Major life changes like getting married, starting a family or buying a house are often when people start thinking about buying life insurance. Now, more than ever, people are more concerned with their financial security. Buying a life policy can be a process that sounds intimidating or confusing – but it's also very important.
During this Life Insurance Awareness Month, Erie Insurance shares five points to discuss with your agent when buying life insurance for the first time.
- Understand who (or what) you are protecting. While anyone experiencing a significant life event like getting married or starting a family often recognizes the need for life insurance, others may not realize they could benefit from it as well. For instance, stay-at-home parents and student loan cosigners could have a definite need for life insurance.
- Only buy the life insurance plan you can afford. Many people are surprised at how much life insurance they really need to protect the people and things they love most – but they are also surprised at how affordable it can be. If you cannot find a policy that fits in your budget, it's a mistake to forgo any coverage at all. Something is definitely better than nothing.
- Think through your beneficiaries. A life insurance beneficiary is the person or entity you name in your life policy to receive funds in the event of your passing. Your beneficiary can be a person, business, trust, charity or even your church. And you can have more than one. It's important to make sure you think through who your beneficiaries are and if any proceeds meant to benefit a minor should be held in a trust.
- Buy from a financially sound company. You want the backing of a financially strong insurer if you or someone you love needs to call on the life insurance policy. A.M. Best, the largest and longest-established company devoted to issuing in-depth reports and financial strength ratings about insurance organizations, gave Erie Family Life Insurance Company a rating of A (Excellent).
- Consider current and future needs. Don't just consider your current lifestyle, keep in mind your future needs and what those could include for your spouse, children or business (think college expenses, weddings, etc.). By taking in these considerations today, you're investing in the security of your future. Life insurance is less expensive than most people think—and that's especially true when you're younger.
A knowledgeable and professional insurance agent can offer trusted guidance when it comes to finding the right life insurance protection at the right price. Life insurance with Erie Family Life offers you the right coverage with flexible options, helping you to build a policy now that is adaptable later. Find an ERIE agent near you to learn more about life insurance coverage from Erie Family Life and to start the conversation.
About Erie Insurance
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 11th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Insurance Group | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/5-tips-when-buying-life-insurance-first-time/ | 2022-09-06T15:58:42Z |
NEW YORK, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WM) redeemable senior notes (the "Notes") between February 13, 2020 and June 23, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The Notes include the following senior redeemable notes issued by WM in May 2019: (i) 2.95% Senior Notes due 2024; (ii) 3.20% Senior Notes due 2026; (iii) 3.45% Senior Notes due 2029; and (iv) 4.00% Senior Notes due 2039. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 8, 2022.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Waste Management Notes during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Waste Management class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6891 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 8, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the U.S. Department of Justice had indicated to Waste Management that it would require Waste Management to divest significantly more assets than the $200 million Antitrust Revenue Threshold; (2) as a result, the merger would not be completed by the End Date; and (3) the Notes would be subject to mandatory redemption at 101% of par. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Waste Management class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6891 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/rosen-skilled-investor-counsel-encourages-waste-management-inc-investors-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-wm/ | 2022-06-16T20:31:40Z |
Services for Wrenlee Stock and Scout Stock, infant daughters of Ashley and Andrew Stock of Moody, will be at a later date.
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Services for Wrenlee Stock and Scout Stock, infant daughters of Ashley and Andrew Stock of Moody, will be at a later date.
Wrenlee and Scout died Monday, Sept. 12, in Austin.
Survivors include their parents; their maternal grandparents, Jammie and Curtis Payne of Moody; their paternal grandparents, Melissa Green of Temple and Gary and Linda Stock of Temple; and their great-grandparents, Weldon Payne of Moody, James and Donna Jaggars of Abilene and Bill and Lucille Stock of Barclay.
Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Belton is in charge of arrangements. | https://www.tdtnews.com/obituaries/article_1adf53c4-3641-11ed-98a6-cf5937481cad.html | 2022-09-17T05:47:22Z |
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLP, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to:
PCSB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: PCSB)'s sale to Brookline Bancorp, Inc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, PCSB shareholders will receive, for each share of PCSB, at the holder's election, either $22.00 in cash consideration or 1.3284 shares of Brookline common stock for each share of PCSB common stock. If you are a PCSB shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Steel Connect, Inc. (NASDAQ: STCN)'s sale to Steel Partners Holdings L.P. Under the terms of the agreement, Steel Connect shareholders would receive $1.35 per share in cash and one contingent value right to receive their pro rata share of net proceeds, to the extent such net proceeds exceed $80 million plus certain related costs and expenses, if Steel Connect's ModusLink subsidiary is sold during the two-year period following completion of the proposed merger. If you are a Steel Connect shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
U.S. Well Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: USWS)'s sale to ProFrac Holding Corp. Under the terms of the merger agreement, USWS shareholders will receive 0.0561 shares of ProFrac Class A common stock for each share of USWS Class A common stock they own. If you are a USWS shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
F-star Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSTX)'s sale to invoX Pharma for $7.12 per share. If you are a F-star shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Halper Sadeh LLP may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com.
Halper Sadeh LLP represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Halper Sadeh LLP
Daniel Sadeh, Esq.
Zachary Halper, Esq.
(212) 763-0060
sadeh@halpersadeh.com
zhalper@halpersadeh.com
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SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/investigation-alert-halper-sadeh-llp-investigates-pcsb-stcn-usws-fstx/ | 2022-07-18T13:21:02Z |
Hong Kong has recorded its sharpest annual drop in population, with experts blaming the decline on strict Covid control measures and a political crackdown that have taken the shine off a financial hub long advertised as "Asia's world city."
The city's total population fell from 7.41 million people to 7.29 million, a 1.6% decrease, the Census and Statistics Department said Thursday.
That's the steepest decline since the government began tracking figures in 1961.
Though authorities attributed some of that to a "natural" decrease -- more deaths than births -- experts said the figures also reflected an exodus that has accelerated in the past few years amid periods of massive social upheaval that have included anti-government protests and the coronavirus pandemic.
Around 113,200 residents left Hong Kong over the past year, the department said, compared to 89,200 the year before. The figures include expatriates and other non-permanent residents.
Throughout the pandemic, experts and industry leaders have warned that the city's heavy-handed Covid-19 restrictions would drive away residents, travelers and expatriates.
Even as the rest of the world opened up, for months Hong Kong continued to close borders, suspend air routes and impose mandatory quarantines and social distancing measures such as caps on public gatherings and limits on restaurant services.
Mask mandates remain in effect, while public spaces like beaches and gyms have faced long closures during periods of high case numbers.
The measures have devastated businesses, with some of Hong Kong's most famous sites -- including the Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurant -- shuttering in the past year.
"More than two and a half years of Covid-19 restrictions are taking a heavy toll on businesses and the economy," the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce said in a statement this month.
The group's CEO, George Leung, added that Hong Kong's border closures were "stifling any prospect of economic recovery" and urged authorities to come up with a "concrete timetable to reopen Hong Kong."
The government has conceded the impact of its policies, saying on Thursday that flight restrictions -- such as requiring all arrivals to be vaccinated, test negative for Covid, and pay for quarantine in a hotel upon arrival -- "had interrupted population inflow."
This week the government eased the quarantine requirement, lowering the number of days arrivals must stay in a designated hotel from seven to three.
The government said some Hong Kongers may have chosen to settle elsewhere during the pandemic.
"Meanwhile, Hong Kong residents who had left Hong Kong before the pandemic may have chosen to reside in other places temporarily or were unable to return to Hong Kong. All these (factors) might have contributed to the net outflow of Hong Kong residents during the period," said a government spokesperson.
But the government downplayed the population drop and seemed to suggest Hong Kong was still a bustling finance hub.
"Being an international city, Hong Kong's population has always been mobile," said the spokesperson. "During the past 10 years, net outflows of Hong Kong residents ... were recorded for most of the years."
The spokesperson added that the problem of Covid-driven departures "could be resolved when the quarantine and social distancing measures relaxed," and that numbers would rise due to government efforts to attract overseas talent.
The political crackdown
Covid aside, experts say another factor behind the exodus is Beijing's political crackdown on the city.
After Hong Kong's 2019 pro-democracy, anti-government protests, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law, under which the government has all but wiped out formal opposition. Authorities have raided and closed down newsrooms, jailed activists and protesters, unseated elected lawmakers, heightened censorship both online and in printed publications, and changed school curricula.
Since the law was introduced, many former protesters and lawmakers have fled overseas, fearing prosecution. Many individuals and families have told CNN they too are considering leaving because they feel the city has been transformed beyond recognition.
In the aftermath of the protests, a number of countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada opened new visa pathways for Hong Kongers looking to leave. Many former protesters and activists have also fled to the self-governing democratic island of Taiwan.
The government has repeatedly defended the security law as restoring law and order to the city, claiming that Hong Kong's freedoms of speech, press and assembly remain intact.
The security law "has swiftly and effectively restored stability and security," the government said on July 29, adding that residents "are relieved and happy to see that Hong Kong now continues to be an open, safe, vibrant and business-friendly metropolis."
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- U.S. new-vehicle sales in July are forecast to finish down year over year as supply remains low.
- Annual new-vehicle sales pace in July is forecast to finish near 13.2 million, up from last month's 13.0 million seasonally adjusted pace but 10% lower than last year's 14.7 million level.
- July sales volume is expected to fall to 1.12 million units, down 13% from one year ago and down 2% from last month.
ATLANTA, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- July U.S. auto sales are expected to show very little change from June's results as a lack of supply continues to batter the new-vehicle market. According to the Cox Automotive forecast released today, the seasonally adjusted rate (SAAR) of new-vehicle sales in July is expected to rise slightly to 13.2 million, up from last month's 13.0 million pace but fall well below last year's 14.7 million level.
The sales volume in July is forecast to finish near 1.12 million units, down 13% from last year's volume of 1.29 million and lower by 2% from June. With 26 selling days in July, the same as last month and one less than last year, the volume decline is mainly attributed to the continued lack of available product.
"As we move into the second half of 2022, there are plenty of headwinds pushing against a notable recovery in sales volumes," said Cox Automotive Senior Economist Charlie Chesbrough. "Rising interest rates and low consumer sentiment are keeping many potential buyers out of the market. At the same time, higher prices for both gasoline and vehicles are making affordability an even greater challenge. Tight supply, however, continues to be the biggest obstacle over the near term, and there is little evidence of supply returning to normal."
Most industry forecasters, including Cox Automotive, expect the chip shortage and other supply chain problems to improve throughout the second half of this year. Still, the pace of that recovery will be varied and volatile. Notes Chesbrough, "Industry observers are likely going to have to wait until the fall for any of these issues to show improvement."
July 2022 Sales Forecast Highlights
- In July, light new-vehicle sales are expected to fall 13.4% from July 2021 and fall 2.1% from last month.
- The SAAR in July 2022 is estimated to be 13.2 million, below last year's 14.7 million level but up from June's 13.0 million pace.
- Only one segment – Compact Car – is forecast to see a month-over-month sales increase.
- There are 26 selling days in July 2022, one less than July 2021 but the same as June 2022.
July 2022 New-Vehicle Sales Forecast
All percentages are based on raw volume, not daily selling rate.
About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com
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SOURCE Cox Automotive | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/cox-automotive-forecast-july-us-auto-sales-drop-recovery-headwinds-grow/ | 2022-07-27T18:17:21Z |
Carolina’s Raanta out of Game 2 after Pastrnak’s hit to head
By AARON BEARD
AP Sports Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Carolina goalie Antti Raanta left the Hurricanes’ playoff game against the Boston Bruins in the first period Wednesday night after David Pastrnak struck him in the head with a gloved hand. Raanta was playing the puck when Pastrnak skated in and hit Raanta in the helmet with his right glove as he went by. Raanta went down with blood coming from near his nose or mouth after the play in Game 2. Pastrnak received a 2-minute goaltender interference penalty. Carolina rookie Pyotr Kochetkov came on in relief of Raanta, the Hurricanes’ Game 1 winner. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/04/carolinas-raanta-out-of-game-2-after-pastrnaks-hit-to-head/ | 2022-05-05T00:51:30Z |
AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To stay ahead of growing demand in the electric vehicle (EV) market, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) has launched the all-new Goodyear ElectricDrive™ all-season tire and two new sizes for its ultra-high performance tire, the Goodyear ElectricDrive™ GT. With the addition of four new sizes to its EV tire lineup, Goodyear ElectricDrive is now a fit for 44% more battery electric vehicles operating in the U.S. today*.
The new Goodyear ElectricDrive™ comes with a 60,000-mile tread life limited warranty**, V speed rating and is available in sizes 215/50R17 95V XL and 215/55R17 94V SL. This all-season tire is built for commuter touring sedans and CUVs, making it a fit for vehicles like the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt and Volt and the Kia Niro EV.
"Goodyear remains focused on offering innovative products and technologies for the EV segment and providing drivers with the quality, performance and enhanced treadwear they expect from our brands," said Michiel Kramer, director, Consumer Product Marketing.
Goodyear's ElectricDrive™ tires are engineered with a load index to account for the heavier load capacity of EVs and features SoundComfort Technology® designed to help reduce the level of interior vehicle noise. The new EV tire also features a specialized tread compound for all-season traction and long-lasting tread life, while an asymmetric tread pattern provides confident handling for wet or dry road conditions.
Additionally, Goodyear launched two new sizes for its ElectricDrive™ GT tire that was originally introduced in December 2021.
"The addition of the new ElectricDrive™ GT sizes allow us to meet the unique needs of more electric vehicle drivers with premium, performance Goodyear products," said Kramer.
The ElectricDrive™ GT comes with a 40,000-mile tread life limited warranty, W speed rating and is now available in sizes 255/45R19 104W XL, 235/45R18 98W XL and 235/40R19 96W XL.
To learn more about the new Goodyear ElectricDrive and ElectricDrive GT, both of which are available nationwide, visit www.goodyear.com or contact your local Goodyear authorized dealer.
About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 72,000 people and manufactures its products in 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.
*Based on data released by Experian Vehicle Registration Data; January 2022
** See warranty brochure for complete details.
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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/goodyear-expands-its-electric-vehicle-tire-portfolio-with-new-all-season-ultra-high-performance-options-its-electricdrive-tire-line/ | 2022-09-01T14:08:03Z |
TORONTO and PARK CITY, Utah, Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DW Healthcare Partners ("DWHP") a healthcare-focused private equity firm, announced the closing of its sale of Med-Pharmex Holdings, Inc ("Med-Pharmex", or the "Company") to Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC ("Dechra"). Med-Pharmex is a leading, fully-integrated veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing animal health drugs.
"It has been a pleasure to work with Med-Pharmex over the years. Med-Pharmex represents DWHP's first investment in the animal health space, and since then, we have added three additional animal health investments to our portfolio." said Andrew Carragher Co-Founder and Managing Partner. "Dechra is the perfect buyer for Med-Pharmex, and we look forward to watching the Company continue to grow and scale under Dechra's ownership."
"Med-Pharmex has a rich history, built over nearly 40 years, of efficiently developing, manufacturing, and distributing animal health products that are valued by our customers. Our recent investments in people, processes, technologies, and facilities have strengthened our quality foundation enabling us to now support significant growth", said Paul Hays, Med-Pharmex's CEO. "I am so proud of our people and what they have accomplished in the last few years. Dechra's investment, capabilities, and vision for the business will build on this foundation and leverage the ability of our people and site to provide even more value to customers and stakeholders alike."
"The speed at which the Company improved operationally over the last couple of years was the highlight of our investment" said Eric Moore, Principal at DWHP. "What the Med-Pharmex team has accomplished is nothing short of remarkable. We would like to thank them for all of their hard work and dedication."
Stifel acted as exclusive financial advisor to Med-Pharmex for the transaction.
DW Healthcare Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on the healthcare industry. The firm manages over $1.3 billion in aggregate capital commitments and invests in leading healthcare companies with proven management teams. DW Healthcare Partners is led by seasoned healthcare executives with more than 120 years of combined industry experience. The firm provides capital, strategic guidance, and acquisition expertise to help mid-stage companies grow and scale. For more information, please visit: dwhp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding future results of the operations and financial position of the Company, including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted. New risks emerge from time to time. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.
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SOURCE DW Healthcare Partners | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/dw-healthcare-partners-announces-sale-med-pharmex-dechra-pharmaceuticals-plc/ | 2022-08-30T21:42:56Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The congressionally mandated watchdog for U.S. assistance to Afghanistan is accusing the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development of illegally withholding information from it about the American withdrawal from the country last year and current policy.
Amid a spat over what the Biden administration believes to have been an overly critical report about the American pullout, the Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction, John Sopko, said the State Department and USAID were refusing to cooperate with his staff in violation of the law that created the office.
The allegations were made by in separate letters from Sopko to lawmakers and to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, and by Sopko’s general counsel to the top lawyers for each agency. The letters were obtained by The Associated Press.
The State Department did not deny it had cut off cooperation with the watchdog. But it complained that the special inspector had not given the administration a chance to respond to its latest report covering the withdrawal that was released last month.
The department said the report was unfairly negative and did not represent the administration’s view of the events surrounding the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban takeover.
In his letters, Sopko was blunt, seeking immediate action from Congress, Blinken and Power to restore the cooperation his office has had with their agencies in the past.
“I respectfully request that you direct State and USAID officials to cease their illegal obstruction of SIGAR’s oversight work and to provide the requested information and assistance without further delay,” he wrote to Blinken and Power.
Sopko said his staff had requested numerous documents and interviews with officials who were involved in the chaotic withdrawal and aftermath last July but had been stonewalled for several months. He said those requests involved information about the evacuation and resettlement of Afghan nationals as well as ongoing humanitarian aid and questions about whether that assistance might be transferred to the Taliban.
“It is now evident that offices and staff who have cooperated with similar requests in the past were being silenced or overruled by officials opposed to SIGAR’s independent oversight,” Sopko wrote.
State Department spokesman Ned Price did not have a direct response to the allegations in the letters but voiced the administration’s unhappiness with the last report, which concluded that the withdrawal had been poorly managed and that the collapse of the Afghan government and military had not been correctly predicted.
“Our view is that the report does not reflect the consensus view of the State Department or the U.S. government,” Price told reporters. “Many parts of the U.S. government, including the State Department, have unique insights and developments in Afghanistan last year that were not captured in the report and we don’t concur with many aspects of the report.”
In addition, Price said the special inspector did not seek State Department input while drafting the April report and did not give the department the opportunity to review the draft before it was published. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/afghan-aid-auditor-accuses-state-usaid-of-withholding-info/ | 2022-06-23T00:12:27Z |
LOS ANGELES, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) ("GreenPower"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of zero emission electric powered vehicles serving the cargo, delivery, shuttle, transit, and school bus markets, today announced its participation in several major industry conferences and events in the second quarter of 2022.
GreenPower will be showcasing its all-electric, zero-emission vehicle line, meeting with consumers, customers and the investor community.
See below for a full itinerary of events the company will be participating in.
National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) Institute and Expo
April 11-13 in Columbus, Ohio
- The NAFA Expo brings together fleet professionals from all over North America in the corporate, government, public safety, utility and education segments.
- GreenPower will be exhibiting in booth #934 with the EV Star Cargo Plus.
CALACT Spring Conference & Expo
April 19-22 in Newport Beach, Calif.
- CALACT represents the interests of small, rural, and specialized transportation providers.
- GreenPower will be showcasing its passenger transport capabilities with EV Star ADA.
Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo
May 9-12 in Long Beach, Calif.
- The ACT Expo is North America's largest advanced transportation technology and clean fleet event.
- GreenPower will be displaying BEAST, EV Star ADA, the EV Star Cargo and available for briefings at booth #911.
Oklahoma Transit Association (OTA) Spring Conference
May 23-25 in Norman, Okla.
- OTA represents urban, small urban, suburban, rural and tribal transit agencies in Oklahoma, and is the leading voice in the state for public transit.
CalStart Zero-Emission Truck Showcase
June 7-8 in Fontana, Calif.
- The Zero-Emission Truck showcase, sponsored by CARB and CALSTART, will showcase HVIP eligible vehicles and offer a hands-on experience through a ride and drive.
- GreenPower will be showcasing its cargo transport capabilities with the EV Star Cargo on display and the EV Star CC featured at the ride and drive.
Government Fleet Expo and Conference
May 23-26 in Detroit, Mich.
- Government Fleet Expo is the largest annual conference for public fleets and is known for their conference program and immersive exhibitions serving public fleet professionals.
- GreenPower will be showcasing the EV Star Cargo at booth #627.
School Transportation News Expo
June 3-7 in Indianapolis, Ind.
- The School Transportation News Expo brings together industry leaders and consumers to discuss topics and conversations that make a difference in the school bus industry.
- GreenPower will showcase its new electric BEAST school bus which spotlights its expert student transport capabilities at booth #309.
American Association of Airport Executives Conference & Exposition
June 5-8 in Seattle, Wash.
- The American Association of Airport Executives Conference and Expo features resources and solutions to elevate airport operations.
- GreenPower will be exhibiting in booth #607.
Oregon Pupil Transportation Association (OPTA) Summer Conference and Trade Show
June 20-23 in Welches, Ore.
- OPTA Summer show will bring together the latest innovations in student transit and provide leadership training for industry professionals.
- GreenPower will showcase its new electric BEAST school bus, and industry leader in safety and efficiency.
For more information, visit https://greenpowermotor.com/.
Media and Investor Contacts:
Allie Potter, Skyya PR
allie@skyya.com
Mike Cole, Investor Relations
mike.cole@greenpowermotor.com
(949) 444-1341
About GreenPower Motor Company
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van and a cab and chassis. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. GreenPower was founded in Vancouver, Canada with primary operational facilities in southern California. Listed on the Toronto exchange since November 2015, GreenPower completed its U.S. IPO and NASDAQ listing in August 2020. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. © 2022 GreenPower Motor Company Inc. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE GreenPower Motor Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/greenpower-announces-participation-upcoming-industry-conferences/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:39Z |
NEW YORK, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of CareDx, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNA) between February 24, 2021 and May 5, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important July 22, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased CareDx securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the CareDx class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2700 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 22, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants had engaged in a variety of improper and illegal schemes to inflate testing services revenue and demand, including pushing a surveillance protocol through inaccurate marketing materials, offering extravagant inducements or kickbacks to physicians and other providers, and improperly bundling expensive testing services with other blood tests as part of the RemoTraC service; (2) these practices, and others, subjected CareDx to an undisclosed risk of regulatory scrutiny; (3) these practices rendered the Company's testing services revenue reported throughout the Class Period artificially inflated; and (4) as a result, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the CareDx class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2700 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/rosen-top-ranked-investor-counsel-encourages-caredx-inc-investors-with-losses-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-cdna/ | 2022-06-14T04:03:46Z |
XI'AN, China, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- How do ancient and rich historical sites and modern urban life coexist harmoniously? On June 22, a number of international participants came together to talk about and experience Xi'an, an ancient city at the "Workshop on Understanding Xi'an for International Friends, A Journey of Discovering the Beauty of Ancient City Xi'an". The event was hosted by the Information Office of the People's Government of Xi'an and it took place at the Daming Palace National Heritage Park in Xi'an, China.
Guests included representatives from world-famous ancient cities such as Nara in Japan, Brussels in Belgium, and Pompeii in Italy, and they shared information online about the protection and utilization of historical sites and remains. Opportunities were provided to experience simulated archaeology, enjoy some night riding, and participate in a workshop at the Daming Palace National Heritage Park. Foreign visitors from more than 10 countries, international students and young returnees who have lived in Xi'an for a long time took the chance to see the beauty of bringing together ancient sites and modern life.
In the Daming Palace National Heritage Park, the participants delved into the Tang Dynasty through a series of activities such as an immersive archaeology experience enabled by 3D digital projection technology, and a night riding tour. The only archaeological exploration experience center in Xi'an, the Archaeological Exploration Center is in the Daming Palace National Heritage Park, covering an area of about 4.23 hectares. It is a comprehensive cultural place that focuses on the popularization of archaeological science. From investigation to exploration, excavation and recording, the participants experienced the whole archaeological process, appreciated the beauty of Tang Dynasty architecture, and became familiar with the efforts made by Xi'an to protect ancient sites.
During the workshop, Xi'an, Nara, Pompeii, and Brussels, four of the world-class ancient cities, joined together in an online video conference where participants shared numerous stories about historical sites and modern life and how young people creatively protect ancient cities. With the help of 5G and holographic projection technologies, the event invited guests to connect remotely to tell their own stories about historical sites. "I felt like I traveled back several thousand years in one night. The event allowed me to really feel the amazing historical civilization and charm of the historical sites in Xi'an," said Mehad Mousa, an Egyptian PhD student in literature translation from Northwest University.
With diversified monthly immersive city experiences and other activities, the Studying Xi'an campaign aims to allow people from abroad living in Xi'an to delve into the charm of Xi'an and to feel the authenticity, openness, and inclusiveness of Xi'an.
Image Attachments Links:
Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=424066
Caption: Visitors experience archaeological work at the Daming Palace Archaeological Exploration Center.
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SOURCE The Information Office of the People's Government of Xi'an | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/24/workshop-understanding-xian-international-friends-conversation-about-historical-sites-modern-life-kicked-off-xian/ | 2022-06-24T07:37:51Z |
HOUSTON, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) will host a conference call and webcast to discuss second quarter 2022 results on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 9 a.m. Central time (10 a.m. Eastern time). Please visit the Investors/Events & Presentations page on the EOG website to access a live webcast of the conference call. If you are unable to listen to the live webcast, a replay will be available for one year.
If you have any questions, please contact Angie Lewis at 713-651-6722.
About EOG
EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is one of the largest crude oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States with proved reserves in the United States and Trinidad. To learn more visit www.eogresources.com.
Investor Contacts
David Streit 713-571-4902
Neel Panchal 713-571-4884
Media and Investor Contact
Kimberly Ehmer 713-571-4676
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SOURCE EOG Resources, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/eog-resources-schedules-conference-call-webcast-second-quarter-2022-results-august-5-2022/ | 2022-06-21T20:58:43Z |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va., July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy Services of America (the "Company" or "Energy Services") (NASDAQ: ESOA), announced that the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") authorized a share repurchase program (the "Share Repurchase Program" or "Program"), pursuant to which the Company may, from time to time, purchase shares of its common stock for an aggregate repurchase not to exceed 1,000,000 shares, which is approximately 6.0% of its outstanding common stock. The Program has no expiration date and will begin after the Company's next earnings release in August 2022.
The Share Repurchase Program will permit shares to be repurchased in open market or private transactions, through block trades, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Repurchases will be made at management's discretion at prices management considers to be attractive and in the best interests of both the Company and its shareholders, subject to the availability of stock, general market conditions, the trading price of the stock, alternative uses for capital, and the Company's financial performance. Open market purchases will be conducted in accordance with the limitations set forth in Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and other applicable legal requirements. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares, and there is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares to be repurchased by the Company.
Douglas Reynolds, President, commented on the announcement. "This Program demonstrates the Board's confidence in our Company's financial position and our commitment to maximizing value for our shareholders. It also reinforces the confidence that we have in our long-term growth plans and earnings potential."
About Energy Services
Energy Services of America Corporation (NASDAQ: ESOA), headquartered in Huntington, WV, is a contractor and service company that operates primarily in the mid-Atlantic and Central regions of the United States and provides services to customers in the natural gas, petroleum, water distribution, automotive, chemical, and power industries. Energy Services employs 700+ employees on a regular basis. The Company's core values are safety, quality, and production.
Certain statements contained in the release including, without limitation, the words "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "expects" or words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general economic and business conditions, changes in business strategy or development plans, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the integration of acquired business and other factors referenced in this release. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
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SOURCE Energy Services of America | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/energy-services-america-announces-share-repurchase-program/ | 2022-07-06T21:13:11Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has published its sixth annual Responsible Mining Report entitled "Raising the Bar" (the "Report"), which details B2Gold's global economic contributions and its environmental, social, and governance management practices, together with the Company's performance against key indicators in 2021. Full details are outlined in the Report, which is available to view or download at www.b2gold.com. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.
In announcing the release of the Report, Clive Johnson, President & CEO of B2Gold, states "in reflecting on 2021 and its continued challenges, from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, to social or political unrest, to the effects of climate change around the globe, I have asked myself how we as a company have managed to navigate and adapt while still meeting our targets and goals. It has become clear to me that the answer always comes back to B2Gold's core values of fairness, respect, transparency and accountability."
As a responsible gold miner, B2Gold aims to create and distribute economic value among its stakeholders. B2Gold's successful business results benefit its shareholders along with the many other stakeholders in the countries, regions, and communities where it operates. The economic value that the Company generates is distributed among its many stakeholders through local hiring and procurement, direct investment in communities, and payments to governments in the form of taxes and royalties. In 2021, B2Gold:
- achieved record annual gold production for the 13th consecutive year;
- generated $1.76 billion in Annual Revenue;
- paid $153 million as Employee Wages and Benefits;
- spent $9.4 million on Community Investment; and
- paid $408 million to Governments (through taxes and royalties).
B2Gold is committed to maximizing local and national economic benefits from our contracting and purchasing. The Company is aware of the high priority that host communities and governments place on local procurement. In sourcing the goods and services necessary to run its operations, B2Gold gives preference to local businesses where possible, provided they meet minimum safety, quality, ethical, and cost requirements. In 2021, over 65% of goods and services were procured from local and host country businesses. Several 2021 success stories are outlined in the Report.
As a reputable corporate citizen, B2Gold generates local employment and opportunities for people to develop their careers, train employees to acquire new skills, and open doors to women, under-represented groups, and previously disadvantaged people.
At the end of 2021, B2Gold employed 4,6891 people across all operations. The Company continues to maintain high local employment rates by targeting recruitment efforts at regional and national levels, with neighbouring communities being given preference for employment opportunities for unskilled roles. At all B2Gold mines, expatriate employees and advisors are required to transfer skills to identified national employees and mentor appointed understudies.
Across all B2Gold operations, 97% of the total workforce is comprised of local2 employees (an increase from 95% in 2020). Where B2Gold operates abroad, 64% of Senior Management is local, a notable increase from 55% in 2020.
In late 2021, B2Gold implemented a refreshed Policy on Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive (EDI) Workplaces. As articulated in the policy, the Company is dedicated to equitable treatment of all persons, irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion and sexual orientation, as well as the reasonable and safe accommodation of people with disabilities. In 2021, B2Gold's workforce saw an increase in female representation to 642 (from 575), which is 13.7% of its total workforce (13.4% in 2020), and 24% of B2Gold's senior positions were occupied by women in 2021 (23% in 2020).
In 2021, the global pandemic continued to challenge the Company's ability to keep its people healthy and safe. B2Gold continued with its robust COVID-19 screening and prevention measures established in 2020, and has worked hard to ensure the highest rates of vaccination across all B2Gold operations. As a result of its injury prevention measures, B2Gold is pleased to report that for the sixth consecutive year it has maintained a zero-fatality workplace and further reduced its Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) and Severity Rate.
B2Gold's consolidated LTIFR and Severity Rate were both reduced from 2020 to 2021, with the LTIFR decreasing from 0.06 to 0.05 and the Severity Rate from 3.53 to 3.46. B2Gold maintained its Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) at 0.27, which remains one of the lowest in the mining industry and is 54% lower than the group average for ICMM member companies (0.59 in 20203).
At an operational level, B2Gold is implementing its 2020 to 2022 Environmental Strategic Plan, which identifies key environmental aspects for improvement and defines specific objectives and targets for its operations. The Environmental Strategic Plan provides a road map for improved environmental risk management and performance in line with the overall Company strategy.
B2Gold recognizes that society, including business, must act against climate change and it is implementing a series of changes within the Company as a key aspect of our Environmental Strategic Plan. In 2021, B2Gold updated its strategy for managing climate risk and in February 2022 the Company published its inaugural Climate Strategy Report. This report details the Company's governance and oversight of its strategy, explains its risk management approach, and presents a preliminary assessment of climate scenarios and prioritized climate risks.
B2Gold supports the objectives set by the Paris Agreement to limit the rise in global temperature to well below 2°C, and will continue to evaluate its climate risk management initiatives to align with these objectives. In 2022, B2Gold will further develop climate scenarios and assess its business and financial implications. The Company is studying various initiatives to increase energy efficiency at its operations and to increase the proportion of its renewable energy sources of its total energy consumption. In 2022, B2Gold will issue its first greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.
Throughout 2021, B2Gold continued its biodiversity conservation programs at its various sites around the world. Download the full Report and read more about B2Gold's monitoring of chimpanzees in Mali, a study to assess the health status of an indigenous tree species in Namibia, and the coastal management plan in the Philippines.
B2Gold is committed to the transparency of our sustainability risks, management, and performance. the Company has reported in alignment with the GRI Standards since 2016, and in 2021 B2Gold added the SASB Standard as reporting framework to its Responsible Mining Report. While the GRI Standards help companies communicate their sustainability impacts, the SASB Standard was designed to help companies communicate how different sustainability issues impact a company's long-term value.
B2Gold firmly believes that the mining industry has an opportunity to contribute positively to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and it has reported the Company's contribution in this regard since 2018.
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic created opportunities for the mining industry to demonstrate its ability to adapt to changing operating circumstances. As a result of B2Gold's culture of health and safety and support for the communities where it operates, B2Gold was able to successfully respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19, contributing to community resilience and sustained positive economic impacts in the countries where B2Gold operates.
In 2021, various measures such as changes to rotations, COVID-19 site incentives, fatigue management, mental health support, increased site accommodation, flexible work arrangements, and revised illness and disability policies successfully supported the Company's workforce through the turbulent times of COVID-19. Strong employee relations were sustained at all operations through proactive communication from management and through employee representative committees and/or COVID-19 committees regarding changing measures, policies, and employee support and benefits. The Employee Engagement Committee at Masbate won the 2021 regional and national award for the Most Outstanding Labour Management Cooperation for Industrial Peace. The award recognized labour management initiatives that remained true to the values of cooperation and partnership despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Armed with additional knowledge and tools to successfully manage the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts, B2Gold will continue to work with its host communities and local, regional and national governments, and the private sector to find new ways to adapt to the "new normal" as the pandemic enters its third year. At B2Gold, our sustainable business strategy has allowed us to be well positioned to maintain agility and resilience as the world completes its recovery.
To view or download a copy of the Report, please visit www.b2gold.com/responsible-mining/esg-reporting-portal/.
B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has three operating gold mines and numerous development and exploration projects in various countries including Mali, the Philippines, Namibia, Colombia, Finland and Uzbekistan. This year, B2Gold forecasts gold production to be 990,000 to 1,050,000 ounces.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
"Clive T. Johnson"
President & Chief Executive Officer
For more information on B2Gold, please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:
The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.
Production guidance presented in this news release reflect total production at the mines B2Gold operates on a 100% project basis. Please see our Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2021 for a discussion of our ownership interest in the mines B2Gold operates.
This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including: projections; outlook; guidance; forecasts; estimates; and other statements regarding future or estimated financial and operational performance, gold production and sales, revenues and cash flows, and capital costs (sustaining and non-sustaining) and operating costs, and including, without limitation: total consolidated gold production of between 990,000 and 1,050,000 ounces in 2022. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.
Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Gold's control, including risks associated with or related to: the duration and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effectiveness of preventative measures and contingency plans put in place by the Company to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, social distancing, a non-essential travel ban, business continuity plans, and efforts to mitigate supply chain disruptions; escalation of travel restrictions on people or products and reductions in the ability of the Company to transport and refine doré; the volatility of metal prices and B2Gold's common shares; changes in tax laws; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; not achieving production, cost or other estimates; actual production, development plans and costs differing materially from the estimates in B2Gold's feasibility and other studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; climate change and climate change regulations; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; the unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; the ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; the availability of financing; financing and debt activities, including potential restrictions imposed on B2Gold's operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; operations in foreign and developing countries and the compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations in Mali, Namibia, the Philippine and Colombia and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements or resource nationalization generally, including in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure; fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks, including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; the lack of sole decision-making authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; the dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; community support for B2Gold's operations, including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; conflicts with small scale miners; failures of information systems or information security threats; the ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; compliance with anti-corruption laws, and sanctions or other similar measures; social media and B2Gold's reputation; risks affecting Calibre having an impact on the value of the Company's investment in Calibre, and potential dilution of our equity interest in Calibre; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual Information Form, B2Gold's current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the "Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect B2Gold's forward-looking statements
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to B2Gold's ability to carry on current and future operations, including: the duration and effects of COVID-19 on our operations and workforce; development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; B2Gold's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. B2Gold does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE B2Gold Corp. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/b2gold-releases-its-annual-responsible-mining-report-raising-bar/ | 2022-06-13T12:24:51Z |
Celebrating a Milestone 50th Anniversary, European-Born Brand Brings Glamour Back to Travel with Renovations Across its Global Portfolio
BETHESDA, Md., June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts' momentous 50th anniversary this year, the distinctly European-born brand is celebrating its mid-century modern legacy as it puts a spotlight on renovations that accentuate and elevate this timeless style using design as a foundation to encourage guests to linger longer and savour the good life as travel returns. With this resurgence, Le Méridien unlocks destinations around the world and encourages guests to slow down and grab a rosé during golden hour, enjoy a stroll with a gelato, reconnect in the hub or poolside, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, Le Méridien boasts over 105 hotels and resorts in coveted destinations around the world, inviting creative-minded, culture seekers to explore the world in style.
"Le Méridien has stayed true to its roots and the rich legacy dating back to its origin in the 1960s. When we look at this revival, it's not simply about renovations. It's a nod to the past, but it's also about recognising how we've adapted and evolved to meet ever-changing needs of today's world traveller," said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. "Travel is back and with that, we want our guests to experience locations with a pace befitting leisure and relaxation while enjoying life's simple pleasures in familiar, yet chic locales."
Today, the brand's quintessential design embodies a refined, yet playful aesthetic inspired by the French Riviera and the effortless and relaxed charm of the Mediterranean. Every detail is brimming with a contemporary, sophisticated and glamorous style. Always chic and with an eye to culture, each hotel and resort within the portfolio looks to share a little-known dimension of the destination.
"The essence of Le Méridien is grounded in thoughtful, nuanced design – one that offers an interpretation of a destination with curated details that reflect a locale's art, cuisine, and culture," said Aliya Khan, Vice President of Design, Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International. "When reflecting on the brand's distinct European spirit, we pay homage to design ideas that have the same impact they did fifty years ago to refresh our spaces. It is the relationship to these concepts and their evolution that allows the brand to morph and evolve its experiences."
Creative-minded travellers can jet set sans agenda to these reimagined properties:
- Le Méridien Lav, Split: Located on the Dalmatian Coast, just a short drive from the centre of Split, the hotel offers spectacular views over the Adriatic coastline and nearby islands. Revealing an extensive renovation in April, the hotel's redesign creates a modern, airy feel, while paying homage to the hotel's heritage, featuring pops of blue, mixed with rattan textures and champagne tone metallic accents. Mid-century black and white photographs documenting everyday life in Split feature throughout the hotel, complementing the stylish ambiance.
- Le Méridien Cyberport, Hong Kong: Expected to reopen in July, the chic, lifestyle hotel will be completely transformed with a mid-century modern aesthetic. Creating a distinct and uniquely transformative ambience, the hotel's design will have an emphasis on local natural materials contrasted by darker, tactile design features that are a nod to the local culture. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Pok Fu Lam Reservoir and Victoria Peak, the hotel will relaunch as a seaside destination that invites locals and travellers to discover and savour life in style.
- Le Méridien Bangkok: Located in the Thai capital's Silom commercial district, the hotel is slated to complete its full renovation this month. The redesigned rooms are infused with the essence of Thai culture swathed around furniture and features tailored to the lifestyles of today's international travellers. Sheltered beneath chic cream canopies, the spacious rooms restore a sense of calm through muted tones, minimalist decoration and well-planned spaciousness. Additionally, the hotel's food and beverage experience will receive upgrades including a new outdoor area in its lobby lounge, Latitude 13; a new bar for social gatherings called Tempo Bar, which takes its design cues from the rhythm of the Bangkok skyline and the traditional golden curves of the city's grand temples; and a new restaurant specializing in Memphis barbeque.
- Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa: Originally built in 1929 and located in Tarragona, the property completed a full renovation in 2018 and was restored into a hotel with one of the largest spas in Spain. A sanctuary for wellness, it was built by the golden beach of San Salvador to capture the benefits of the sunny climate and the healing properties of the nutrient-rich sea. The natural landscape that surrounds the area is honoured both by the hotel's luxurious outdoor spaces, but also unconventionally through a distinctive modern touch: IMMEXRa. A multi-sensory meeting room, this space revolutionizes the design of the traditional events to fuel the imagination. Creativity and innovation join together with a 360º projection and an adjustable aroma system to create immersive, tailor-made experiences that transform any event into a multi-sensory journey.
- Le Méridien Ile Maurice: Beautifully positioned alongside the sandy beach Pointe aux Piments on the Northwest Coast of Mauritius, the beachfront resort's new design, which was completed in April, is a nod to the island's rich heritage showcasing multicultural local artwork and sensory experiences, creating a stimulating environment and a hotspot for art lovers and travellers from all continents in search of tropical inspiration. The timeless chic design draws inspiration from the brand's roots in the glamorous halcyon days of travel and takes cues from the resorts surrounding tropical landscape. Modern and minimal guest rooms transition seamlessly from the outside in with touches of creams and blues complimenting locally themed fabrics and custom headboards reflective of the rustic materials sourced locally in Mauritius.
Looking ahead, the brand expects additional marque hotels such as Le Méridien New Orleans and Le Méridien Tampa, The Courthouse to complete renovations next year.
To uncover more about Le Méridien and reserve a stay, please visit www.lemeridien.com.
Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including statements related to expected hotel renovations and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Le Méridien® Hotels & Resorts
Born in 1960s Paris during an era of glamorous travel, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts continues to celebrate cultures around the world through the distinctly European spirit of savouring the good life. With over 105 hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries and territories, spanning from Maldives to Monaco and from Santa Monica to Sichuan, Le Méridien's engaging mid-century designed spaces coupled with chic signature programmes put a playful twist on art, coffee, sparkling cocktails, summer, family, and inspire creative-minded travellers to explore the world in style. Stay connected to Le Méridien on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Le Méridien is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/bangkok-mauritius-le-mridien-hotels-amp-resorts-enters-renovation-revival/ | 2022-06-23T16:21:50Z |
JonBenet Ramsey’s father asks governor to have DNA testing in case done by outside agency
By Taylor Romine and Steve Almasy, CNN
The father of JonBenét Ramsey, the 6-year-old Colorado girl whose 1996 killing in the family home became a huge national story, is asking the Colorado governor to intervene and let an outside agency to take over DNA testing in the ongoing investigation.
On December 26, 1996, JonBenét was reported missing from the family’s home in Boulder. Her mother, Patsy, told police she found a three-page ransom note demanding $118,000 for the girl’s return. Her body was found hours later by her father, John, in a basement room of the home.
The case captivated the country since due to JonBenét’s involvement in beauty pageants for young girls, her family’s wealth, and the initial suspicion around her parents, who were never charged and later cleared by authorities through DNA testing.
The office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ office said Monday it is reviewing a petition asking him to intervene in the investigation.
The petition claims Boulder Police have not worked fast enough to test the DNA evidence, and “given the lack of progress” the petitioners are asking the governor to “move DNA decisions in this case away from the BPD to an independent agency so that JonBenét has a last chance at the justice she deserves.”
John Ramsey said he “approved the text of the petition, signed it, and contributed to find its circulation.”
He told CNN on Tuesday the testing should be done by a third party.
“They are in a small community, and they don’t have a lot of police resources and no experience in homicides,” Ramsey said. “I don’t fault them for that. But they are refusing help from those that really knew what they were doing. Arrogance and egos got in the way, and there’s a lot of qualified help willing to come in.”
Police have never explained to him or his family why they would not accept outside help on the case, he said. Patsy Ramsey died of cancer in 2006. John Ramsey has remarried and no longer lives in Colorado.
Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Monday in a statement the investigation “has always been and will continue to be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”
Police met with federal, state, and local agencies in March, the statement said, and “multiple suspects have been run through the system to check for matches due to the huge advances in DNA technology.”
“Ever since Dec. 26, 1996, detectives have followed up on every lead that has come into the department, to include more than 21,016 tips, letters and emails and traveling to 19 states to interview or speak with more than 1,000 individuals in connection to this crime,” the statement read.
In December, the department said in a statement around the 25th anniversary of the killing investigators “use new technology to enhance the investigation” and check regularly for DNA matches in order to solve the case.
“Thanks to the huge advances in DNA technology, multiple suspects have been run through the system to check for matches. CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) has updated over 750 reference samples with the latest DNA technology. The Boulder Police Department works closely with CBI on future DNA advancements.”
Ramsey says some evidence has never been tested
John Ramsey said he recently attended CrimeCon, a convention dedicated to true crime, where he discovered some of the latest DNA technology is not always available to federal and local police departments but can be contracted out to independent labs.
He said some of the most compelling technology was the use of familial genealogy, a technique made famous through the identification of the Golden State Killer in 2018.
Investigators identified him using a then-novel investigative technique known as genetic genealogy, which combines DNA analysis with genealogical research.
“DNA has changed dramatically technology has changed in 25 years and there was DNA found on her body and her clothing,” John Ramsey said. There is also a good amount of evidence that was never tested in the first place, he said.
Ramsey said he was last briefed on the status of his daughter’s murder case in 2020 after he requested a meeting with the new police chief, he said. He has spoken to the FBI about DNA technology in the last several months, but they were unable to share any information as they are not the lead investigators.
He said the “same detectives are still handling the case from when it happened,” and it has been difficult to get new updates on the case.
Child murder should be a federal crime, father says
He is hopeful new DNA testing will help solve who murdered JonBenét as it has in other dormant cases.
“There have been a dozen or so cases since that have used this approach using public databases of DNA, and it should be employed in this case,” he said. “Police have refused to do that, so we should take it out of police hands.”
The latest appeal into his daughter’s death has made Ramsey want to push for legislation to make the murder of a child a federal offense, so such cases are able to have resources outside the local jurisdictions where they happen, he told CNN.
“Let’s bring the full resources of the government on that problem and not leave it up to the local police departments,” Ramsey said. “It’s a mess. I’ve thought about it a lot, and the only way to fix it is to make it a federal crime.”
“We can’t leave it up to local police,” he added.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2022/05/03/jonbenet-ramseys-father-asks-governor-to-have-dna-testing-in-case-done-by-outside-agency/ | 2022-05-04T03:32:56Z |
Global conference to focus on advancing the transformative impacts of genomic health
SAN DIEGO, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, today announced that former President of the United States Barack Obama will participate in a moderated Q&A conversation at the inaugural Illumina Genomics Forum, the company's global event focused on advancing genomics-driven health. The Forum will take place in San Diego from September 28 through October 1, with virtual sessions to be held on October 4.
President Obama will participate in a fireside chat on the evening of Wednesday, September 28. Twelve years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Obama will discuss the continued need for equity, accessibility and smarter healthcare to improve the human condition.
"We are delighted to host President Obama. Few presidents have fought for equitable, accessible, and affordable healthcare as persistently and passionately as Barack Obama," said Kathryne Reeves, Chief Marketing Officer of Illumina. "The era of genomics is now and I cannot think of a more appropriate and timely keynote speaker for the inaugural Illumina Genomics Forum, as we continue advocating for expanded access to the life-saving potential of genomics."
At Illumina, innovation is in our DNA. Our vision is to provide access to genomic medicine for every patient in need and the Illumina Genomics Forum will convene global leaders from across the genomics and healthcare ecosystems to discuss the collaborations and actions needed to make genomic health a more inclusive, accessible standard of care. It will also showcase advances in genomic technologies that are positively impacting the world by powering better predictive care, diagnoses, and the development of new therapeutics. Key themes and discussion topics for the Illumina Genomics Forum include:
- How genomic technology is driving more informed, proactive, and personalized patient diagnosis and treatment in clinics every day.
- The advances whole genomic sequencing is making against cancer, genetic, and infectious disease.
- The role of genomics in supporting healthcare's quadruple aim to improve population health, reduce costs, enhance the patient experience and improve provider satisfaction.
Additional speakers and details about the event agenda will be released in the coming weeks. We invite you to learn more and register at https://www.illuminagenomicsforum.com.
lllumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit www.illumina.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
Investors:
Salli Schwartz
858.291.6421
IR@illumina.com
Media:
Adi Raval
US: 202.629.8172
ILMN-PR@illumina.com
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SOURCE Illumina, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/illumina-announces-inaugural-illumina-genomics-forum-with-conversation-with-former-us-president-barack-obama/ | 2022-07-18T14:51:06Z |
Users Can Download To Evaluate AmpCon™ Network Controller, PicOS-V Virtual Switch Software
PALO ALTO, Calif., July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pica8 Network Platform is available now for download and evaluation from pica8.com. The Pica8 Network platform is a turnkey software solution for deploying and managing switch software for white-box networking. The platform consists of two products: AmpCon™ Network Controller and PicOS-V Switching Software.
The AmpCon™ Network Controller is an application developed by Pica8 to automate the deployment, provisioning, and lifecycle management of switches. AmpCon™ can be installed on a physical server or a virtual machine.
The PicOS-V Switching Software is a free virtual machine from Pica8 that can help you get familiar with the features of the PicOS® Software Switch, without the need for a bare-metal switch or specialized hardware. PicOS-V runs on VMware, GNS3 and VirtualBox hypervisors.
"The AmpCon™ Network Controller is a feature rich automation platform that can be used for managing both PicOS and PicOS-V software switches," according to Pica8 Senior Technical Marketing Manager Mani Subramanian. "AmpCon™ can be used to simplify and automate business workflows, reducing operating expenses for networking."
Major use cases for Pica8 AmpCon™ include:
- Switch Deployment: Automate deployment of bare-metal switches to reduce cost and complexity.
- Security and Network Compliance: Enforce day-to-day security and network compliance policies on groups of switches with ease.
- Scheduled Backups and Upgrades: Leave long weeknight/weekend switch upgrades behind with automated upgrades and backups.
- Customized Automation: Use Ansible Playbooks to create custom workflows.
Networking professionals currently evaluating network switch software, from the data center to the enterprise, will appreciate this obligation-free product download. Product documentation and deployment guides are also available.
To register for the AmpCon™ and PicOS-V products download, please visit:
Pica8 is the industry's open networking software alternative to Cisco, Juniper and Arista for the enterprise. Pica8's AmpCon™ Network Controller for centralized management and automation and PicOS® Software Switches for networking and security have successfully replaced Cisco DNA Center and Catalyst Switches and competing Juniper and Arista solutions for campus, data center and distributed site networks within Fortune 500 enterprises. Pica8 software is deployed at over 1,000 customers in over 40 countries. For more information, visit www.pica8.com.
Joseph Kwak for Pica8
408-370-0100
press@pica8.com
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SOURCE Pica8 | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/pica8-network-platform-free-download-trial-now-available/ | 2022-07-06T16:35:30Z |
Smoked salmon recalled due to listeria risk
Published: Sep. 5, 2022 at 7:52 AM EDT|Updated: 38 minutes ago
(CNN) - Seafood fans may want to take a close look inside the fridge.
Miami-based St. James Smokehouse issued a voluntary recall of its smoked salmon.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the food may be tainted with listeria. Listeria can cause serious and possibly fatal infections in children, elderly adults and people with weakened immune systems.
The salmon was sold by distributors between February and June of this year. The product was distributed to stores located in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Virginia and Wisconsin.
As of last week, no related illnesses have been reported.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/05/smoked-salmon-recalled-due-listeria-risk/ | 2022-09-05T12:32:59Z |
LUGANO, Switzerland, June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fight The CO2 is the first green cryptocurrency that aims to revolutionize the carbon credit market by becoming the leading cryptocurrency associated with green energy and eco-sustainability on the Blockchain.
Recent years have seen a dramatic decline in our planet's health. FCO is not just meant to be a token to invest in but a truly global revolutionary movement that aims to safeguard the planet, token by token.
FCO's business model is based on the negotiation of carbon credits from their partners. Thanks to FCO, it will be finally possible for all companies to participate in this market, a market currently accessible only by large corporations that produce thousands of tons of CO2.
FCO will give all companies, including smaller companies with little capital that generate a smaller amount of carbon credits, the chance to become official partners in the project by purchasing a specific amount of the FCO tokens.
In fact, the purpose of Fight The CO2 is to transform the carbon credit market, considered an elite market, into a democratic one, allowing everyone to enjoy one of the largest wealth transfers in the world.
The creation of the FCO cryptocurrency will be entrusted to Iperborea SA, a Swiss trust company based in Lugano, Switzerland.
FCO is also an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) label, which are the three main factors in measuring the sustainability of an investment.
The first strategic partner is Future Springs, whose innovative technology has the potential to completely disrupt the water market.
Future Springs has created the first patented single-serving capsule water mineralization ecosystem that is able to bring the world's purest water directly into people's homes.
This technology will also be used in third-world countries to help combat water scarcity and quality, working side by side with major humanitarian organizations like Big Beyond.
Future Springs is also working on the development of an innovative and highly efficient desalination system that aims to revolutionize the whole concept of scarcity in the drinking water market.
The development of this system will generate huge amounts of carbon credits that will increase the value of the token.
Purchasing the FCO token also brings the advantage of gaining access to this brilliant technology in the early stages, before it reaches the general market, while also having a discount on the standard list price.
In addition, 55 % of the money made from the carbon credit exchange will be injected into the pool, exponentially increasing the price of the token and, as a result, boosting investors' earnings as well.
The token has been listed on June 9 on PancakeSwap and it can be purchased for $0.27.
"We focus on the practical aspects versus ideology, it is our strong belief that we can only make a fundamental impact with a tangible business model" emphasizes FCO CEO and CTO Mauro Gazzelli.
Further information:
Mission Statement: https://ftheco2.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WHITEPAPER-FtheCO2.pdf
Website: https://ftheco2.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/FtheCo2
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FtheCo2
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1842259/Fight_The_CO2_token.jpg
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SOURCE Fight The CO2 (Iperborea SA) | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/fight-co2-real-carbon-credits-evolution-blockchain/ | 2022-06-20T16:07:38Z |
LEHI, Utah, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Purple Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRPL) ("Purple"), a comfort innovation company known for creating the "World's First No Pressure ™ Mattress," today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Second Quarter Financial Summary (Comparisons versus Second Quarter 2021 and First Quarter 2022)1
- Net revenue was $144.1 million, a decrease of 21.1% compared to 2Q21 and an increase of 0.6% compared to 1Q22.
- Gross margin was 33.9% compared to 44.7% in 2Q21 and 36.1% in 1Q22.
- Operating expenses as a percent of net revenue were 42.3% compared to 46.1% in 2Q21 and 48.9% in 1Q22.
- Operating loss was $(12.1) million compared to $(2.5) million in 2Q21 and $(18.4) million in 1Q22.
- Net loss was $(8.3) million as compared to a net income of $2.6 million in 2Q21 and $(13.6) million in 1Q22.
- EBITDA was $(8.0) million compared to $3.9 million in 2Q21 and $(10.6) million in 1Q22.
- Cash and cash equivalents were $41.2 million at June 30, 2022.
"We continue to make important progress improving Purple's operational health despite increasing macro headwinds," said Chief Executive Officer Rob DeMartini. "The meaningful improvement in second quarter adjusted EBITDA compared with the first quarter on similar revenue underscores the work we've done since the start of this year right sizing our cost structure. While the continued shift in demand away from home related categories and the impact of inflation on consumer discretionary spending is delaying our top-line recovery, we remain confident that our four strategic initiatives – operational excellence, brand elevation, channel development and accelerating innovation – are the right building blocks for delivering long-term profitable growth. We are moving forward focused on executing our plans and preparing the Company to emerge from the current macroeconomic environment well positioned to accelerate growth and expand market share."
Second Quarter 2022 Review
Second quarter 2022 net revenue decreased 21.1% to $144.1 million, compared to $182.6 million in the second quarter of 2021. This decrease was primarily due to the challenging year-over-year comparison created by the pull forward of demand driven by the effects of COVID and economic stimulus in the second quarter of 2021, changing demand for home related products, inflationary pressure on discretionary consumer spending, and an intentional reduction in advertising spend, which was down 56.0% compared with a year ago. By channel, versus prior year, wholesale net revenue declined 5.9% and direct to consumer net revenues declined 29.8%. Within DTC, ecommerce declined 39.2%, reflecting the aforementioned pullback in ad spend. This was partially offset by a 150% increase in showroom net revenue driven largely by the opening of 27 net new showrooms over the past 12 months.
Gross margin for the second quarter 2022 declined to 33.9% compared to 44.7% in the year ago period. This decline was primarily attributed to lower revenue with an increased wholesale channel revenue, which carries a lower gross margin than DTC channel revenue and unfavorable cost absorption from lower than planned production volumes in prior months. Additionally, the decline in gross margin reflects the impact of elevated levels of materials, labor and overhead costs, partially offset by benefits realized from our workforce restructuring. Wholesale net revenues comprised approximately 43% of net revenue for the quarter compared with approximately 36% in the same quarter last year.
Operating expenses were 42.3% of net revenue for the second quarter of 2022 compared to 46.1% in the year ago period. The decrease in operating expenses as a percent of net revenue compared with the prior year period was driven primarily by the intentional reduction in advertising spend to improve marketing efficiency and stabilize profitability in the current environment and the restructuring of the marketing organization that occurred in the second quarter of this year. Advertising spend for the second quarter was reduced $24.1 million, or 56.0% year-over-year and $4.9 million, or 20.6% from the first quarter of 2022.
Operating loss was $(12.1) million for the second quarter 2022 compared to $(2.5) million in the prior year period.
Net loss was $(8.3) million for the second quarter 2022 compared to a net income of $2.6 million in the year ago period. As previously disclosed, the Company determined that its outstanding warrants should be accounted for as liabilities and recorded at fair value on the date of the transaction and subsequently re-measured to fair value at each reporting date. For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized non-cash gains of $0.3 million and $4.9 million, respectively, associated with the change in fair value of warrant liabilities.
Adjusted net loss, which excludes adjustments for certain non-cash items and other items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of ongoing operational performance, including gains associated with the change in fair value of warrant liabilities, was $(8.8) million, or $(0.11) per adjusted diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $3.6 million, or $0.05 per adjusted diluted share in the prior year period. Adjusted net loss has also been adjusted to reflect an estimated effective income tax rate of 31.7% for the current year period resulting in an adjusted income tax benefit and 25.4% for the comparable prior year period resulting in an adjusted income tax benefit.
EBITDA for the second quarter 2022 was $(8.0) million compared to $3.9 million in the second quarter 2021. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the adjustment for non-cash gain associated with the change in fair value of warrant liabilities, Tax Receivable Agreement benefit, new production facility start-up costs, non-cash stock-based compensation, executive search costs, vendor separation fee, severance, showroom opening costs, product reserve and COVID-19 related expenses, was $(0.3) million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $11.0 million in the prior year period.
Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $41.2 million compared to $91.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and $62.7 million at March 31, 2022. The decrease compared with March 31, 2022 was driven primarily by cash used in operations of $8.5 million, capital expenditures of $13.0 million primarily related to showroom expansion. In addition to the $41.2 million in cash at the end of the second quarter, the Company has the full $55 million amount available under its credit facility. Based on its current projections, the Company believes its cash on hand, amounts available under its revolving line of credit, and expected cash to be generated from e-commerce, wholesale, and Purple retail store channels will be sufficient to meet its working capital requirements, comply with debt covenants and cover anticipated capital expenditures for the next 12 months and beyond.
Inventories at June 30, 2022 were $84.9 million, a decrease of 14% compared with $98.7 million at December 31, 2021 and a decrease of 19.8% compared with $105.8 million at March 31, 2022. The decrease in inventories since the end of Q1 driven by a reduction in mattress inventories and resale finished goods as we right-size our inventories to the current demand environment.
2022 Outlook
Based on second quarter results combined with a more cautious view on the remainder of the year due to the current macroeconomic environment, the Company is amending its 2022 outlook. It now expects full year 2022 net revenue to be between $570 million and $590 million, compared with its prior range of $650 million to $690 million.
Adjusted EBITDA for 2022 is now expected to be between $(15) million and $(5) million, compared with its prior range of $21 million to $27 million.
The Company expects second half 2022 gross margins to improve compared with second quarter 2022 levels and exit the year with gross margins between 37% to 38%.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Purple Innovation, Inc. will host a live conference call to discuss financial results today, August 9, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the call dial (888) 882-4478 (domestic) or (646) 828-8193 (international) and provide the Conference ID: 6808645. The call is also being webcast and can be accessed on the investor relations section of the Company's website, investors.purple.com. After the conference call, a webcast replay will remain available on the investor relations section of the Company's website for 30 days.
About Purple
Purple is a digitally-native vertical brand with a mission to help improve lives through innovative comfort solutions. We design and manufacture a variety of innovative, premium, branded comfort products, including mattresses, pillows, bedding, frames and more. Our products are the result of over 30 years of innovation and investment in proprietary and patented comfort technologies and the development of our own manufacturing processes. Our proprietary gel technology, GelFlex Grid, is the foundation of many of our comfort products and provides a range of benefits that differentiate our offerings from other competitors' products. We market and sell our products through our direct-to-consumer online channels, traditional retail partners, third-party online retailers and our owned retail showrooms. Visit Purple online at purple.com and "like" Purple on Facebook and "follow" on Instagram.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this release that are not historical facts are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to our expected continuing expansion of market share from investment in capacity, innovation and showrooms; our ability to achieve profitability; expected improvements in performance quarter-over-quarter; expected improvement in margin rates; our ability to successfully execute on improvement strategies; expected improvements in our operating performance; our ability to improve brand recognition; demand for our products; expectations regarding consumer behavior; our ability to develop and expand our distribution channels; our ability to accelerate production innovation; the adequacy of our cash other capital resources; and expected financial and operating results for the full year 2022. Statements based on historical data are not intended and should not be understood to indicate the Company's expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events or determinations. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could influence the realization of forward-looking statements include, among others: uncertainties regarding the extent and duration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on many aspects of our business, operations and financial performance; disruptions to our manufacturing processes; changes in economic, financial and end-market conditions in the markets in which we operate; fluctuations in raw material prices and cost of labor; the financial condition of our customers and suppliers; competitive pressures, including the need for technology improvement, successful new product development and introduction; changes in consumer demand, including pullbacks in consumer spending; and the risk factors outlined in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 1, 2022, as amended by our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on March 16, 2022 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 10, 2022. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted net income per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures that remove the impact of certain non-cash and non-recurring costs. Management believes that the use of such non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with additional useful information with respect to the impact of various adjustments, which we view as a better measure of our operating performance. Refer to the attached table for the reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measure.
With respect to the Company's Adjusted EBITDA outlook for full year 2022, a quantitative reconciliation to the corresponding GAAP information cannot be provided without unreasonable effort because of the inherent difficulty of accurately forecasting the occurrence and financial impact of the various adjusting items necessary for such reconciliation that have not yet occurred, are out of our control, or cannot be reasonably predicted, including but not limited to warrant liabilities and stock based compensation. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to assess the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could have a material impact on its future GAAP financial results.
Investor Contact:
Brendon Frey, ICR
brendon.frey@icrinc.com
203-682-8200
1 Reconciliations for non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the "RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES" tables at the end of this press release.
PURPLE INNOVATION, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
(In thousands)
Management believes that the use of the following non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with additional useful information with respect to the impact of various adjustments, which we view as a better measure of our operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted net income per diluted share. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP measures differently than we do. These non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
A reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to the non-GAAP measures of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA is provided below. EBITDA represents net income (loss) income before interest expense, other (income) expense, net, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA excluding costs incurred due to stock-based compensation expense, debt extinguishment, warrant liability, vendor separation fee, nonrecurring legal fees, interim CFO and consulting fees and severance costs. We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide additional useful information with respect to the impact of various adjustments and provide meaningful measures of our operating performance.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share
Our presentation of adjusted net income assumes that all net income is attributable to Purple Innovation, Inc. (i.e. there is no allocation of net income or loss to noncontrolling interests), which assumes the full exchange at the beginning of the period of all outstanding Paired Securities for shares of Class A common stock of Purple Innovation, Inc., adjusted for certain nonrecurring items that we do not believe directly reflect our core operations. Adjusted net income per share, diluted, is calculated by dividing adjusted net income by the total shares of Class A common stock outstanding plus any dilutive warrants, options and restricted stock as calculated in accordance with GAAP and assuming the full exchange of all outstanding Paired Securities as of the beginning of each period presented. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, are supplemental measures of operating performance that do not represent, and should not be considered, alternatives to net income and earnings per share, as calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, supplement GAAP measures and enable us to more effectively evaluate our performance period-over-period. A reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to adjusted net income and the computation of adjusted net income per diluted share, are set forth below:
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SOURCE Purple Innovation, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/purple-innovation-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-09T20:30:19Z |
(KTLA) — Jennifer Hudson has achieved EGOT status.
The singer/ actress won her first Tony award when “A Strange Loop” won for Best Musical. Hudson is a producer on the show.
The achievement was the final trophy she needed to complete the EGOT quartet, which is comprised of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
The 40-year-old won an Academy Award in 2007 for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Effie White in “Dreamgirls.” Her self-titled debut solo album won a Grammy in 2009 for Best R&B Album. She later won another Grammy in 2017 for Best Musical Theater Album for the musical “The Color Purple.”
Last year, Hudson won a Daytime Emmy for the animated short “Baba Yaga,” which she executive-produced.
Currently, there are 17 EGOT winners. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/jennifer-hudson-is-now-an-egot-winner-at-the-tony-awards/ | 2022-06-13T18:07:20Z |
A man accused of randomly shooting four people in four separate shootings Sunday morning has been arrested, according to authorities.
The shootings left three people dead and one wounded, CNN affiliate WDIV reported, citing police.
A man accused of randomly shooting four people in four separate shootings Sunday morning has been arrested, according to authorities.
The shootings left three people dead and one wounded, CNN affiliate WDIV reported, citing police.
"This did not need to happen," Detroit police Chief James White said. "Once again, Detroiters are reeling after lives were senselessly taken at random from our community. We mourn their loss and pray for those fighting for their lives at this hour. There are more questions than answers, but Detroiters can sleep peacefully tonight knowing this suspect is off the streets."
Each of the victims appeared to have been targeted randomly and are not believed to be connected, Detroit police White said. One was waiting for a bus, another was walking his dog and another was simply on the street, White said. None of them were robbed.
Around 4:45 a.m. Sunday, a 40-year-old woman was discovered shot multiple times, White said. While officers were investigating the shooting, a witness told them there was another victim nearby -- a 28-year-old man -- who had been shot multiple times. At approximately 6:50 a.m., another woman in her 40s was found shot multiple times, the chief said.
A fourth victim was shot around 7 a.m. after he noticed the suspect peering into cars and told him to go away, White said.
Investigators were able to trace ballistics from all four shootings to one weapon, according to the police chief.
"We have mobilized all of our technology, our personnel, our intelligence and our community assets to investigate these incidents," White said.
Based on surveillance video, police described the suspect as an approximately 5'8" tall Black man in his mid to late 20s or early 30s, White said. In the video, he is wearing all black, including a black hooded jacket.
In a statement, White said the suspect was able to "easily obtain" the gun.
Mayor Mike Duggan announced the suspect's arrest Sunday night and praised the police, law enforcement partners and the public.
"With the help of critical information from the community and strong support from the FBI, ATF, and Michigan State Police, Detroit police officers took the suspect into custody today without incident," he said.
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/detroit-police-arrest-man-accused-of-randomly-shooting-4-people-mayor-says/article_bd8ea471-2de8-5350-8f8f-372a6ae27397.html | 2022-08-29T13:54:09Z |
PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona judge on Monday declined a request by the state Republican Party to block most mail ballots for the 2022 election, preserving the voting method used by the overwhelming majority of voters.
Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen ruled that nothing in the Arizona Constitution prohibits the Legislature from allowing citizens to vote by mail.
The case is the latest piece of a multi-pronged effort by the Arizona Republican Party and its firebrand chair, Kelli Ward, to roll back a system of no-excuse absentee voting that the GOP-controlled Legislature has built since 1991. They’ve pushed to require nearly everyone to cast a ballot in person on Election Day as former President Donald Trump repeats the lie that he lost the 2020 election because of fraud linked to mail ballots in Arizona and other battleground states.
Arizona is among the states with the highest levels of mail voting, a system that has grown overwhelmingly popular with voters from both parties as well as independents. Striking down those laws would have had major implications for the 2022 election in Arizona, which includes one of the handful of races that will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Attorneys for Ward and the GOP argued that voting by mail is inconsistent with the Arizona Constitution’s requirement for a secret ballot. Attorney Alex Kolodin pointed to several clauses in the constitution that he says, taken together, prove that the framers intended to ban mail ballots.
Only the voters, not the Legislature, can authorize mail voting by amending the constitution, Kolodin argued in court last week.
Lawyers for state and county election officials, as well as state and national Democratic Party committees, said the vote-by-mail laws have plenty of secrecy safeguards built in. The judge, appointed by former Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, agreed.
“The laws are far from perfect and nobody anticipated thirty years ago that approximately 90 percent of Arizona voters would vote by mail-in ballot during a pandemic, but these laws are NOT in violation of the Arizona Constitution,” Jantzen wrote.
Ward and the state GOP originally filed their lawsuit directly with the Arizona Supreme Court earlier this year, a highly unusual step, but the justices said it should go through a trial court first and they would only consider it on appeal. They refiled the case last month in Mohave County, the most conservative county in the state, where Trump got 75% of the vote in 2020.
Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who has earned Trump’s ire for failing to more aggressively advance the former president’s lies about the 2020 election, declined to defend the mail voting laws in court. Brnovich is running in a crowded GOP primary for U.S. Senate.
With Brnovich on the sidelines, the law was instead defended by lawyers hired by Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, along with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which represented seven county recorders. The Arizona Democratic Party and three national Democratic Party organizations also intervened to defend the law.
“Arizona Democrats defended democracy and won, striking down the AZ GOP’s shameful, embarrassing, and unconstitutional effort to try and end early voting in our state,” Arizona Democratic Party Chair Raquel Teran said in a statement.
Ward told a conservative online broadcast, Just the News, that the party is considering its next move and “we’re probably going to be appealing to a higher court.” | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/arizona-judge-declines-gop-request-to-block-mail-voting/ | 2022-06-07T02:49:58Z |
Leveraging Veristor's Managed Microsoft 365 BaaS Offering, TenHats Offers Compliant Data Protection for Microsoft 365 Environments
ATLANTA and KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veristor Systems, Inc., a trusted provider of transformative business technology solutions, and TenHats, a Knoxville-based managed IT service provider, today announced that TenHats will leverage Veristor's managed Microsoft 365 backup-as-a-service (M365BaaS) offering to deliver compliant data protection and business continuity for its regional customers. Through the partner relationship, TenHats will resell the Veristor service as an addition to their suite of managed IT services.
"With more than 50 million subscribers, Microsoft 365 is among the most popular business productivity software suite in use today but backing up and protecting the data created and managed in Microsoft 365 can be a challenge," said Sam Kemp, Manager of Cloud and Infrastructure Services, TenHats. "Veristor has established a robust managed data protection solution for Microsoft 365 users that ensures the compliant backup of data and applications so users can remain productive, and businesses can ensure availability. We are pleased to be adding their M365BaaS solution to our portfolio of managed services offerings."
"Like Veristor, TenHats has a strong reputation for its customer service and personal-approach to delivering IT solutions," said James Little, Director, Managed Services Operations, Veristor. "They have built a superior set of managed services solutions that extends their expertise as the Knoxville region's first carrier-neutral colocation data center. They are an ideal partner for Veristor as we continue to expand our managed services relationships to deliver managed data protection services to more and more businesses that need to ensure compliance and continuity."
The Veristor-managed Microsoft 365 Backup-as-a-Service solution delivers end-to-end data protection for the Microsoft productivity environment to ensure that it remains productive, secure, compliant and protected 24/7. Benefits of the service include customization services, specialized compliance optimizations, data protection and managed backup security.
Under this partnership, the Veristor MS365BaaS solution will be made available to TenHats customers as an optional component of their managed services agreement. The compliant MS365BaaS solution is available from TenHats now. For more information, please visit www.tenhats.com.
About TenHats
With centuries of IT experience on its team, TenHats is a Knoxville, Tenn.-based IT services provider that serves any business – from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises. A one-stop enterprise IT firm, TenHats was also the region's first carrier-neutral colocation data center. Learn more at tenhats.com.
About Veristor Systems, Inc.
Veristor, which recently announced a merger with Anexinet, is a leading provider of transformative business technology solutions that helps its customers accelerate the time-to-value for the software, infrastructure and systems they deploy. We do this by harnessing deep expertise in today's most advanced data center, security, networking, hybrid cloud, and big data technologies and guiding businesses to the right solutions for their most pressing challenges. And with a full suite of design, deployment, support, and managed service offerings, we work shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers at every step of their technology journey to make technology truly work for them. IT's just who we are. Learn more at veristor.com.
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SOURCE Veristor Systems, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/tenhats-partners-with-veristor-deliver-microsoft-365-managed-backup-as-a-service-solution/ | 2022-05-19T14:08:27Z |
An Austin woman was arrested in connection with a Temple stabbing over the weekend.
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- Bell County Jail inmate dies in custody; man had undisclosed medical condition
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- Steady presence up front; Lake Belton senior Simpson versatile in Broncos system | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/central_texas_news/article_14f3a858-32da-11ed-9f51-2b473322436c.html | 2022-09-12T22:08:14Z |
LONDON, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT; CLVT PR A), a global leader in providing trusted information and insights to accelerate the pace of innovation, today announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $1.3125 per share on its 5.25% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Shares, payable in cash on September 1, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 15, 2022.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which express management's current views concerning future business, events, trends, contingencies, financial performance, or financial condition, appear at various places in this communication and may use words like "aim," "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "goal," "intend," "likely," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "see," "seek," "should," "strategy," "strive," "target," "will," and "would" and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding: guidance outlook and predictions relating to expected operating results, such as revenue growth and earnings; strategic actions such as acquisitions, joint ventures, and dispositions, including the anticipated benefits therefrom, and our success in integrating acquired businesses; anticipated levels of capital expenditures in future periods; our ability to successfully realize cost savings initiatives and transition services expenses; our belief that we have sufficient liquidity to fund our ongoing business operations; expectations of the effect on our financial condition of claims, litigation, environmental costs, the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental responses thereto, contingent liabilities, and governmental and regulatory investigations and proceedings; and our strategy for customer retention, growth, product development, market position, financial results, and reserves. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on management's current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K, along with our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). However, those factors should not be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Forward-looking statements are based only on information currently available to our management and speak only as of the date of this communication. We do not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. Please consult our public filings with the SEC or on our website at www.clarivate.com.
About Clarivate
Clarivate™ is a global leader in providing solutions to accelerate the pace of innovation. Our bold mission is to help customers solve some of the world's most complex problems by providing actionable information and insights that reduce the time from new ideas to life-changing inventions in the areas of Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Professional Services and Consumer Goods, Manufacturing & Technology. We help customers discover, protect and commercialize their inventions using our trusted subscription and technology-based solutions coupled with deep domain expertise. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.
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SOURCE Clarivate Plc | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/clarivate-declares-dividend-mandatory-convertible-preferred-shares/ | 2022-08-11T12:50:38Z |
Army: Disinterred remains do not match Native American boy
CARLISLE, Pa. (AP) — Remains exhumed from a cemetery at a U.S. Army base in Pennsylvania do not belong to the Native American teenager recorded to have been buried there more than a century ago, the military said.
The Army is disinterring the remains of eight Native American children who died at the government-run Carlisle Indian Industrial School, and plans to transfer custody to the children’s closest living relatives.
On Saturday, the Army exhumed grave B-13, thought to belong to Wade Ayres of the Catawba Indian Nation of South Carolina, who died in 1904. The remains did not match those of a male aged 13 or 14, but instead were found to be consistent with a female aged 15 to 20, the Army said in a statement.
The girl’s remains were reinterred in the same grave on Monday and marked unknown.
“The Army is committed to seeking more information in an effort to determine where the remains of Wade Ayres are buried so that he may be returned to his family and the Catawba nation,” the Army said.
A message was left with Catawba officials on Tuesday seeking additional information.
The disinterment process began earlier this month and is the fifth at Carlisle since 2017. More than 20 sets of Native American remains were transferred to family members in earlier rounds.
More than 10,000 children from more than 140 tribes passed through Carlisle Indian Industrial School between 1879 and 1918, including famous Olympian Jim Thorpe, as part of a U.S. policy to force Native American children to assimilate to white society.
The school took steps to separate the students from their culture, cutting their braids, dressing them in military-style uniforms and punishing them for speaking their native languages.
Some 186 children originally were buried in the cemetery at the site.
In 2017, a grave thought to belong to a 10-year-old Native American child actually contained two sets of remains, from a teenage male and a person of undetermined age and sex.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/21/army-disinterred-remains-do-not-match-native-american-boy/ | 2022-06-21T16:53:58Z |
Allianz Partners' 14th Annual Vacation Confidence Index Finds Almost Half of Americans Plan to Use Sharing Economy Services This Summer
RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The sharing economy industry shifted dramatically in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, impacting ride-share services and non-traditional lodging businesses. Now that travel has returned with a vengeance in the Summer of 2022, Americans have jumped back into the sharing economy with both feet.
Link to download infographic: HERE
According to Allianz Partners' 14th Annual Vacation Confidence Index, 46% of Americans are likely to use sharing economy services during their summer vacations this year, four points higher than last year and a five-point increase compared to pre-pandemic 2019. The survey found that overall trust in the sharing economy continues to trend upward as well, with 60% of Americans deeming the services trustworthy, a six-point increase from 2021 and four-point increase from 2019.
Younger age groups are more likely to use shared services during their summer vacations, with 70% of 18–34-year-olds and 52% of 34–54-year-olds noting they are likely to take advantage, a seven-point increase from last year and notable 12-point jump from three years ago. The age groups also are more likely to trust the services, with 76% of 18–34-year-olds and 65% of 34–54-year-olds deeming them trustworthy, up five points from 2021 and up 10 points from 2019.
Unsurprisingly, travelers age 55+ who have been more vulnerable to health risks and may not rely as frequently on technology are ranking the services lower now than they did before the pandemic, with a slight one-point decrease in both trust (43%) and likelihood to use (23%) compared to 2019.
"Americans have grown accustomed to the conveniences afforded by the sharing economy during their summer vacations – from booking vacation rentals to requesting rideshares to explore their destination or simply go out to dinner – and our findings support that young travelers will continue to play a large role in keeping the trend alive," said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. "While the increased pricing for these services can be a deterrent, even among sharing economy fans, one thing travelers likely won't regret this summer is purchasing a travel insurance policy to protect their perfectly-planned summers."
The travel and assistance company found that yearly earnings significantly affect the likelihood of using shared economy as well. Americans who make more than $100K annually are more likely to use sharing economy compared to those who make less than $50K (55% vs. 40% respectively). Despite rising costs of services, both income level earners are more likely to use sharing economy this summer than the year prior, with likelihood increasing six points for Americans making more than $100K and a seven-point increase for those who make less than $50K.
The Vacation Confidence Index has been conducted each summer since 2009 by national polling firm Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Allianz Partners USA.
In March 2021, Allianz Partners announced enhancements** to many of its travel insurance products in most states through an Epidemic Coverage Endorsement. Products that include this endorsement may provide coverage to customers who become ill with COVID-19 or a future epidemic, are individually ordered to quarantine, or are denied boarding due to a suspected illness. These products also may cover emergency medical care and transportation or provide reimbursement for change fees and loyalty points deposit fees if the customer becomes ill with an epidemic disease. Availability of the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, and specific covered reasons under that endorsement, varies by product and by state. See your plan for details.
Allianz Partners offers travel insurance through most major U.S. airlines, leading travel agents, online travel agencies, hotel companies, cruise lines and directly to consumers. For more information on Allianz and available travel policies, please visit http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/.
*Methodology: These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Allianz Partners USA. For this survey, a sample of 2,011 Americans aged 18+ was interviewed from May 2 to 4, 2022, via the Ipsos Online Omnibus. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the results are accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had all American adults been polled. Quota sampling and weighting were employed in order to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Credibility intervals are wider among subsets
About Allianz Partners
In the United States, Allianz Partners USA (AGA Service Company) offers Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans and serves millions of customers each year. In addition to travel protection, the company offers event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. AGA Service Company is doing business as Allianz Global Assistance Insurance Agency in California (License # 0B01400) and Massachusetts. Allianz Partners USA is part of the Allianz Partners group. Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, mobility and assistance. Customer driven, our innovative experts are redefining insurance services by delivering future-ready, high-tech, high-touch products and solutions that go beyond traditional insurance. Present in over 75 countries, our 19,400 employees speak 70 languages, handle over 58 million cases each year, and are motivated to go the extra mile to offer peace of mind to our customers around the world.
** While the new Epidemic Coverage Endorsement adds certain covered reasons that apply to specific epidemic-related situations, products otherwise generally do not cover claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories, or fear of travel, and coverage can vary by state. Please see our Coverage Alert for information about other temporary accommodations that may be available. Benefits for quarantines only apply when an eligible traveler is specifically named and individually ordered to quarantine by order or official directive of a government, public regulatory authority, or the captain of a commercial vessel on which that eligible traveler is booked to travel during the covered trip, based on that eligible traveler's exposure to COVID-19. The benefit does not cover travel restrictions (whether or not they are referred to as "quarantine") that apply generally or broadly (a) to some segment or all of a population, geographical area, building, or vessel (including without limitation shelter-in-place, stay-at-home, safer-at-home, or other similar restriction), or (b) based on to, from, or through where the person is traveling. Coverage may not cover the full cost of your quarantine and is subject to applicable benefit limits. See your plan for details.
For Allianz Partners USA products offered and sold in the U.S.: Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply to all plans. Plans are available only to U.S. residents. Not all plans are available in all jurisdictions. Availability of Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, including specific benefits and covered reasons described here, varies by product and by state. Products may not include all benefits or covered reasons described here. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums. Benefits and limits vary by plan. For a complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under your specific plan, carefully review your plan's Letter of Confirmation/Declarations and Certificate of Insurance/Policy. Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond, VA), rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101–C series or 101–P series, depending on state of residence. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Except as otherwise specified, AGA Service Company d/b/a Allianz Global Assistance is the licensed producer and administrator of Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans in the U.S. and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. Allianz Global Assistance, TravelSmart, and AgentSmart are marks of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between Allianz Global Assistance and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance and assistance services. Noninsurance benefits/products are provided and serviced by Allianz Global Assistance. SmartBenefits proactive payments and "no receipts" payments available only on certain plans. For plans that include proactive payments: when you opt in and provide flight information, Allianz Global Assistance will monitor flights and send flight status and benefit alerts, including alerts about flight delays that qualify for automated travel delay payments. Standard message/data rates apply to SMS alerts. Automated claims and payment system availability is not guaranteed and is subject to our sole discretion. All claims subject to policy terms, conditions, and exclusions.
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SOURCE Allianz Partners | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/trust-use-sharing-economy-rebounds-2022-consumer-travel-soars/ | 2022-08-02T17:22:27Z |
North Kansas City community holds candlelight vigil for fallen Officer Daniel Vasquez
NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The North Kansas City Police Department parking lot is full of flowers, notes and candles placed by mourning community members who held a candlelight vigil Wednesday night for Officer Daniel Vasquez.
Vasquez was killed in the line of duty Tuesday during a traffic stop for an expired temporary license plate around 10:40 a.m. near 21st and Clay in North Kansas City.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Joshua T. Rocha, the man prosecutors say confessed to killing Vasquez, could face the death penalty or spend the rest of his life in prison without parole.
As the sun began to set Wednesday, candles illuminated the police department parking lot. Many in the crowd needed a place to grieve.
“He was my baby brother,” Officer Vasquez’s sister, Areli Vasquez, said. “His dream was to be a police officer because he wanted to serve the community he wanted to be a hero. They took him away from us.”
Ever since a suspect shot and killed Vasquez, community members have stopped to place flowers, notes and keepsakes for Officer Vasquez, his family, and his coworkers.
“I had to stop and say a prayer. It’s a shame. It’s got to stop,” resident Rodney Welchen said. “This man was just doing his job.”
Teresa Stuckenschneider drove from Gladstone to bring flowers to a memorial at the police station.
“We have a really dear friend who is a sergeant,” Stuckenschneider said while holding back tears. “I didn’t know this man but I went to high school here, so we chose purple and gold flowers for him. To know that he was 32 years old is a devastating loss not only to this community, to Kansas City and to his family. We pray he is in heaven.”
“Thank you, everybody, for coming,” Areli Vasquez said. “I know he loved this community and every community he served.”
The first line of duty death in the North Kansas City Police Department’s history hit far too close to home for long time community members.
“I grew up in this city. I could ride my bike and walk without a fear about anything. We are all sad,” longtime NKC resident Ron Whited said. “He was shot and killed right next to my grandfather’s house. When I came down and discovered the memorial, I was taken aback.”
Local FOP Lodges have created a fund for Vasquez’s family. All donations go to support Officer Vasquez’s relatives. Donations are also being accepted at local Price Chopper stores.
After a line of duty death of a first responder, another local organization reaches out to support their grieving family within 24-48 hours. Representatives from the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment, known as S.A.F.E., present them with a check for $25,000. The organization accepts donations to help ensure they have funding to help any relatives of first responders who lost their life in the line of duty.
“I say to them, this isn’t a family you ever wanted to be a part of, but you are now and we’re going to be there to support them going forward,” Raymore Police Chief and S.A.F.E. Director Jan Zimmerman said. “We make sure that those families are supported, you know, even after the tragedy has happened. It is always a good way to support first responders all throughout the metro. We cover 12 counties.”
On Wednesday, the Clay County Prosecutor announced prosecutors charged Rocha with first degree murder and armed criminal action. His bond is set at $2 million dollars. Court records show Rocha walked into the Clay County Courthouse Annex Tuesday and told an employee he needed to turn himself in. When asked why he said, “I committed a murder.”
Police say after he was read his Miranda rights, he admitted he shot the officer because he did not want to go to jail or have his car towed.
KCTV5 News found a warrant had previously been issued for Rocha after he failed to appear in court. He was previously charged in March of this year in North Kansas City Municipal Court.
According to a citation, Rocha displayed an expired Missouri temporary license plate, operated a motor vehicle while having a revoked license, failed to provide valid proof of insurance, possessed a digital scale and narcotics grinder with narcotic residue, and possessed a green leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana.
Rocha was charged with failure to register a vehicle, driving while suspended or revoked, operating a motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana. A warrant was issued for failure to appear.
In a separate 2020 traffic stop, Rocha was charged with expired plates and driving while suspended or revoked. In both counts, a show cause summons for failure to appear was filed in court.
KCTV5 News plans to attend Rocha’s first court appearance for the first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges Thursday afternoon. Stay with KCTV5 for updates.
Previous coverage:
‘Just unfathomable’: NKC officer shot during traffic stop dies from injuries
Price Chopper accepting donations for Officer Vasquez’s family
NKC officer killed Tuesday is 8th area officer killed in line of duty in 6 years
‘I committed murder’: Suspect admits to shooting officer, documents say
Man charged in connection with fatal shooting of NKC officer
Joshua Rocha charged with murder in shooting death of Ofc. Daniel Vasquez
Copyright 2022 KCTV. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/21/north-kansas-city-community-holds-candlelight-vigil-fallen-officer-daniel-vasquez/ | 2022-07-21T11:37:29Z |
DENVER, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Glocusent, a book reading light expert, has announced the availability of an upgraded version of the Glocusent neck reading light featuring a lighter and slimmer body with an extra timer setting functions. The new neck reading light has been developed based on the feedback of over 60,000 customers who used the original Neck Reading Light, which has been a Best Seller on Amazon for the last three years. The latest one is more lightweight and portable, creating a private reading zone for book lovers to read comfortably at any time.
The Glocusent upgraded neck reading light is designed for an improved immersive reading or knitting experience:
- 3 Eyecare Color Temperatures: The 2 LED heads equally illuminate 3 temperatures based on the user's preference: 1800K blue light filtered for bedtime reading, the amber color soft light reduces eye strain and promotes melanin generation; 3400k warm white light for general novel-reading; 6000k cool white to restore noon light for best concentration.
- 3 Brightness Dimmable: It allows for the brightness to be adjusted based on the surrounding environment, enabling reading with ease.
- Powerful Rechargeable Battery: 1000mAh lithium battery enables continuous light to last for 80 hours and is designed with a safety chip to avoid short circuits. Unlike other rechargeable lights, this neck light is USB-C rechargeable to make it easier for seniors to insert the cord.
- 30-min Timer: Considering many readers fall asleep when reading with the light on, Glocusent added a timer setting to the neck reading light to allow readers to fall asleep without worrying about turning off the light.
- Slim & Light, Strong & Flexible: The neck is only 128g/4.5oz with a width of 0.7in/1.8cm. While wearing on the neck, it has an airy feeling which allows users to enjoy long reading sessions without noticing time flying by. Both arms are made with threaded steel pipe and covered with silicone and it can shift light focus easily without damaging the inner cords.
The original neck reading light was a successful product; the new neck reading light maintains all the positive aspects and has made further improvements and it can be confidently stated that the new neck reading light will be even more successful. This new neck light is now available on Glocusent's Amazon store and website, with more colors coming soon. All Glocusent lights come with a 1.5-year warranty. For more details or to engage with us for a potential partnership, please email service@glocusent.com
About Glocusent:
Glocusent is a lighting product company that believes light is a critical element in capturing magical moments. As an expert in book lights, Glocusent is dedicated to proposing original, novel & trustworthy book lights. Since 2019, Glocusent has brought light to over 1 million customers worldwide and has become one of the most popular online sellers of book lights. Glocusent refers to three core principles: glory, focus, and moments.
Follow Glocusent on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date news.
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SOURCE Glocusent Co., Ltd | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/glocusent-releases-new-generation-neck-reading-light-bring-reading-knitting-experiences-new-level/ | 2022-06-08T02:56:54Z |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The jurors chosen this past week to decide whether Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz is executed will visit a bloodstained crime scene, view graphic photos and videos and listen to intense emotional testimony — an experience that they will have to manage entirely on their own.
Throughout what is expected to be a monthslong penalty trial, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer will order jurors not to talk to anyone about what they have seen, heard or thought. Not their spouse. Not their best friend. Not their clergy or therapist. Not even each other until deliberations begin. The order is not unusual; it is issued at all trials to ensure jurors’ opinions aren’t influenced by outsiders.
Once the trial ends, the 12 jurors and 10 alternates can unload to others — but they won’t receive any assistance from the judicial system. As is the case in most of the United States, neither Florida nor Broward County courts provide juries with post-trial counseling.
The only state to do so is Massachusetts, which has only offered the service since December. Since 2005, federal courts have offered assistance after about 20 trials annually, usually those involving the death penalty, child pornography and child abuse cases, said federal court system spokesman Charles Hall.
“Judges and jurors alike appreciate” the program, Hall said, “viewing it as an acknowledgment of the extraordinary stresses that jury service in certain types of trials can entail.”
“That said, the program is not well-used,” Hall added.
The Cruz jurors will tour the now-abandoned three-story building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland where Cruz, 23, fatally shot 14 students and three staff members and wounded 17. Its bullet-pocked halls remain unchanged since shortly after the Feb. 14, 2018, massacre, with Valentine’s Day gifts still strewn about.
They will view graphic security video of terrified teens and teachers being shot point-blank or running for their lives, examine autopsy and crime scene photos and hear heartrending testimony from wounded survivors and family members of the murder victims. When it is over, the jurors will grapple with the weighty decision of whether a young adult — even someone responsible for one of the worst slaughters in the nation’s history — should live or die.
“It’s going to be horrible,” Cruz’s lead attorney, Melisa McNeill, recently warned one potential juror in court.
Jim Wolfcale was foreman of the Virginia jury that convicted Lee Boyd Malvo for his role in one of the multiple deaths that resulted in 2002 from a series of sniper shootings in Washington, D.C.
Wolfcale said he sometimes found it difficult not to talk to other jurors, particularly after Malvo appeared “disrespectful or arrogant” during testimony.
“I would be like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ so it would be hard not to talk about. I would wonder, ‘Am I thinking right? Are the other guys and girls on the jury thinking what I am thinking?'” said Wolfcale, a minister. But outside court, his wife and friends never asked about the case, knowing he couldn’t talk. “My friends would just say, ‘We’re praying for you.’”
Malvo, in his teens like Cruz, admitted in court to killing 17 people. Unlike Cruz, he committed the slayings over nine months in multiple states.
Cruz pleaded guilty in October to 17 counts of first-degree murder, but is challenging his death penalty trial. For him to receive a death sentence, all jurors must agree. Otherwise, the former Stoneman Douglas student will receive life without parole.
For all or most of Cruz’s jurors, this will undoubtedly be their first exposure to graphic gun violence and they will be dealing with the deadliest mass shooting that has ever gone to trial in the U.S. Nine other people in the U.S. who fatally shot at least 17 people died during or immediately after their attacks. The suspect in the 2019 massacre of 23 at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart is awaiting trial.
Wolfcale said that during the Malvo trial, other jurors sometimes broke down in the jury room after seeing graphic evidence or hearing emotional testimony. They would hug, and divert themselves by talking about the upcoming Christmas holidays. Malvo ultimately received a life sentence instead of the death penalty because the jury was split, partly because of the defendant’s young age.
Wolfcale — who voted to execute Malvo — said he didn’t feel stress until late on the trial’s final day. Then, he said, “It hit me” — and stayed with him for months.
“Even today, 20 years later, when your adrenaline is high, you can recall a lot, but that first six months it was on my mind constantly,” he said.
Responding to a survey conducted by the Center for Jury Studies, 70% of questioned jurors said they experienced stress during routine trials, according to center director Paula Hannaford-Agor. She said 10% reported severe stress, though that usually abated quickly.
In contrast, about 10% of jurors who served on high-profile, graphic trials reported long-term stress, Hannaford-Agor said. They displayed post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms similar to those exhibited by some police officers, firefighters and emergency room doctors, she said. The difference is that the first-responders can talk to colleagues, friends and counselors in real time, while the stress is building.
“Jurors, of course, are told they are not allowed to talk about any of it” until the trial is over, Hannaford-Agor said.
Studies also show many jurors who imposed a death sentence question themselves long after the trial.
“None of those said this was something that had completely derailed their lives, but … years later they were still thinking about it and wondering if they made the right decision, and remember how difficult that decision was,” Hannaford-Agor said.
On their own, jurors 65 and older can get mental health services through Medicare. Younger jurors may have coverage through jobs or private insurance, but that sometimes requires co-pays and deductibles running into thousands of dollars. That could deter many.
In addition to the cost factor, courts don’t offer programs because judges and other officials have experience processing graphic evidence and can talk to others during the trial, Hannaford-Agor said. They might not fully appreciate jurors’ stress levels.
Judges “aren’t feeling it quite as intensely,” she said. ___
Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/health/ap-health/parkland-jurors-must-manage-trial-stress-on-their-own/ | 2022-07-02T21:45:16Z |
Positive clinical data presented in a mini-oral session at ESMO
Safety profile of the combination was generally similar to Libtayo monotherapy
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced the presentation of positive data from multiple expansion cohorts of an initial Phase 1 trial for an investigational combination of LAG-3 inhibitor fianlimab and PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo® (cemiplimab) in advanced melanoma. The results were shared in a mini-oral session at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 in Paris.
"After regulatory approvals of our PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo in two advanced non-melanoma skin cancers, we are expanding our efforts in dermato-oncology to address advanced melanoma," said Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Translational and Clinical Sciences, Oncology at Regeneron. "Combining LAG-3 and PD-1 inhibition has shown promise in advanced melanoma but achieving response rates above 50% has been challenging. In two independent dose expansion cohorts from a Phase 1 clinical trial of patients naïve to PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors, our LAG-3 inhibitor fianlimab combined with Libtayo demonstrated greater than 60% response rates. Notably, the safety profile for this combination appears in line with Libtayo monotherapy. A Phase 3 trial in first-line metastatic melanoma is currently enrolling patients, and we look forward to opening additional trials with this combination in the near future."
Data presented at ESMO were from three dose expansion cohorts in advanced melanoma, including two that enrolled patients who had not previously been treated with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor (PD-1/PD-L1-naïve) and one of patients who had received prior PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor therapy (PD-1/PD-L1-experienced). The objective response rate (ORR) in the PD-1/PD-L1-experienced cohort was 13%. Results from the PD-1/PD-L1-naïve cohorts were as follows:
- In updated results for one cohort (n=40), a 62.5% ORR (25 of 40 patients; 6 complete reponses [CR], 19 partial responses [PR]). Median duration of response (DOR) was not reached (range: 12 months to not evaluable [NE]) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 24 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4 months to NE), per Kaplan-Meier estimates.
- In a newly presented independent confirmatory cohort (n=40), a 65% ORR (26 of 40 patients; 1 CR, 25 PRs). The median DOR (range: 6 months to NE) and median PFS (95% CI, 7.5 to NE) were not reached, per Kaplan-Meier estimates.
Tumor responses were based on RECIST 1.1 criteria and per investigator assessment. AEs of any grade in the two PD-1/PD-L1-naïve cohorts (n= 80) occurred in 96% of patients, with 29% considered serious. The most common immune-mediated AEs in ≥15% patients were rash (n=19) and pruritus (n=12). AEs that were ≥grade 3 occurred in 40% of patients. The treatment discontinuation rate due to AEs was 16%, with two deaths considered possibly related to treatment (colitis and cardiac shock).
The potential use of fianlimab and Libtayo described above is investigational, and safety and efficacy of this combination have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Regeneron in Oncology
At Regeneron, we're applying more than three decades of scientific innovation with the goal of developing paradigm-changing therapies for patients with cancer. Our oncology portfolio is built around two foundational approaches – our approved PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo and investigational bispecific antibodies – which are being evaluated both as monotherapies and in combination with emerging therapeutic modalities. Together, they provide us with unique combinatorial flexibility to develop potentially synergistic treatments for a wide range of solid tumors and blood cancers.
If you are interested in learning more about our clinical trials, please contact us (clinicaltrials@regeneron.com or 844-734-6643) or visit our clinical trials website.
About fianlimab
Fianlimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor LAG-3 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology. In melanoma, LAG-3 expression on cancer cells is associated with therapeutic resistance to PD-1 inhibitors. Fianlimab is being investigated in combination with Regeneron's PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo to determine whether concurrent blockade of LAG-3 and PD-1 can help overcome this resistance and release the brakes on T cell activation.
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. In the U.S. and other countries Libtayo is indicated in certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as in advanced cervical cancer in Canada and Brazil. As of July 1, 2022, Libtayo is developed and marketed globally by Regeneron.
In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Outside of the U.S. the generic name of Libtayo in its approved indication is cemiplimab.
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. FDA-approved Indications Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat people with:
- A type of skin cancer called advanced CSCC that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.
- A type of skin cancer called BCC:
- A type of lung cancer called NSCLC. Libtayo may be used as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor tests positive for high "PD-L1" and your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK "or "ROS1" gene.
It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create approximately one in five of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb™ (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION FOR U.S. PATIENTS
What is the most important information I should know about Libtayo?
Libtayo is a medicine that may treat certain cancers by working with your immune system. Libtayo can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. You can have more than one of these problems at the same time. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended.
Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any new or worsening signs or symptoms, including:
- Lung problems: cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Intestinal problems: diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual, stools that are black, tarry, sticky or have blood or mucus, or severe stomach area (abdomen) pain or tenderness
- Liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen), dark urine (tea colored), or bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- Hormone gland problems: headache that will not go away or unusual headaches, eye sensitivity to light, eye problems, rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, extreme tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, urinating more often than usual, hair loss, feeling cold, constipation, your voice gets deeper, dizziness or fainting, or changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness
- Kidney problems: decrease in your amount of urine, blood in your urine, swelling of your ankles, or loss of appetite
- Skin problems: rash, itching, skin blistering or peeling, painful sores or ulcers in mouth or nose, throat, or genital area, fever or flu-like symptoms, or swollen lymph nodes
- Problems can also happen in other organs and tissues. These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with Libtayo. Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms, which may include: chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or swelling of ankles, confusion, sleepiness, memory problems, changes in mood or behavior, stiff neck, balance problems, tingling or numbness of the arms or legs, double vision, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, changes in eyesight, persistent or severe muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, low red blood cells, or bruising
- Infusion reactions that can sometimes be severe. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include: nausea, chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, dizziness, feel like passing out, fever, back or neck pain, or facial swelling.
- Rejection of a transplanted organ. Your healthcare provider should tell you what signs and symptoms you should report and monitor you, depending on the type of organ transplant that you have had.
- Complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). These complications can be serious and can lead to death. These complications may happen if you underwent transplantation either before or after being treated with Libtayo. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these complications.
Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. Your healthcare provider will check you for these problems during your treatment with Libtayo. Your healthcare provider may treat you with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. Your healthcare provider may also need to delay or completely stop treatment with Libtayo if you have severe side effects.
Before you receive Libtayo, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have immune system problems such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus
- have received an organ transplant
- have received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic)
- have a condition that affects your nervous system, such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Libtayo can harm your unborn baby
Females who are able to become pregnant:
- Your healthcare provider will give you a pregnancy test before you start treatment.
- You should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 4 months after your last dose of Libtayo. Talk with your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with Libtayo.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Libtayo passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose of Libtayo.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The most common side effects of Libtayo include muscle or bone pain, tiredness, rash, and diarrhea. These are not all the possible side effects of Libtayo. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi at
1-877-542-8296.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
Regeneron Forward-Looking Statements and Use of Digital Media
This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Regeneron" or the "Company"), and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate," variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements concern, and these risks and uncertainties include, among others, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic) on Regeneron's business and its employees, collaborators, and suppliers and other third parties on which Regeneron relies, Regeneron's and its collaborators' ability to continue to conduct research and clinical programs, Regeneron's ability to manage its supply chain, net product sales of products marketed or otherwise commercialized by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees (collectively, "Regeneron's Products"), and the global economy; the nature, timing, and possible success and therapeutic applications of Regeneron's Products and product candidates being developed by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees (collectively, "Regeneron's Product Candidates") and research and clinical programs now underway or planned, including without Libtayo® (cemiplimab) in combination with fianlimab; uncertainty of the utilization, market acceptance, and commercial success of Regeneron's Products and Regeneron's Product Candidates and the impact of studies (whether conducted by Regeneron or others and whether mandated or voluntary), including the studies discussed or referenced in this press release, on any of the foregoing or any potential regulatory approval of Regeneron's Products and Regeneron's Product Candidates; the likelihood, timing, and scope of possible regulatory approval and commercial launch of Regeneron's Product Candidates and new indications for Regeneron's Products, such as Libtayo in combination with fianlimab for the treatment of advanced melanoma; safety issues resulting from the administration of Regeneron's Products (such as Libtayo) and Regeneron's Product Candidates (such as fianlimab) in patients, including serious complications or side effects in connection with the use of Regeneron's Products and Regeneron's Product Candidates in clinical trials; determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron's ability to continue to develop or commercialize Regeneron's Products and Regeneron's Product Candidates; ongoing regulatory obligations and oversight impacting Regeneron's Products, research and clinical programs, and business, including those relating to patient privacy; the availability and extent of reimbursement of Regeneron's Products (such as Libtayo) from third-party payers, including private payer healthcare and insurance programs, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit management companies, and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; coverage and reimbursement determinations by such payers and new policies and procedures adopted by such payers; competing drugs and product candidates that may be superior to, or more cost effective than, Regeneron's Products and Regeneron's Product Candidates; the extent to which the results from the research and development programs conducted by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees (including those discussed or referenced in this press release) may be replicated in other studies and/or lead to advancement of product candidates to clinical trials or therapeutic applications; the ability of Regeneron to manufacture and manage supply chains for multiple products and product candidates; the ability of Regeneron's collaborators, licensees, suppliers, or other third parties (as applicable) to perform manufacturing, filling, finishing, packaging, labeling, distribution, and other steps related to Regeneron's Products and Regeneron's Product Candidates; unanticipated expenses; the costs of developing, producing, and selling products; the ability of Regeneron to meet any of its financial projections or guidance and changes to the assumptions underlying those projections or guidance; the potential for any license or collaboration agreement, including Regeneron's agreements with Sanofi, Bayer, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (or their respective affiliated companies, as applicable), to be cancelled or terminated; and risks associated with intellectual property of other parties and pending or future litigation relating thereto (including without limitation the patent litigation and other related proceedings relating to EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection, Dupixent® (dupilumab), and Praluent® (alirocumab)), other litigation and other proceedings and government investigations relating to the Company and/or its operations, the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings and investigations, and the impact any of the foregoing may have on Regeneron's business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition. A more complete description of these and other material risks can be found in Regeneron's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and its Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022. Any forward-looking statements are made based on management's current beliefs and judgment, and the reader is cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements made by Regeneron. Regeneron does not undertake any obligation to update (publicly or otherwise) any forward-looking statement, including without limitation any financial projection or guidance, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Regeneron uses its media and investor relations website and social media outlets to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Regeneron is routinely posted and is accessible on Regeneron's media and investor relations website (http://newsroom.regeneron.com) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/regeneron).
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SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/fianlimab-lag-3-inhibitor-combined-with-libtayo-cemiplimab-demonstrates-greater-than-60-response-rates-two-independent-cohorts-patients-with-advanced-melanoma-nave-pd-1-or-pd-l1-inhibitors/ | 2022-09-12T08:06:07Z |
HAIFA, Israel, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) and (TASE: ESLT) ("Elbit Systems" or "the Company") announced today, further to the Company's announcement of October 21, 2021, that it completed the sale of all ordinary shares held by its wholly-owned Israeli subsidiary, IMI Systems Ltd. ("IMI"), in IMI's 84.98%-owned subsidiary, Ashot Ashkelon Industries Ltd. (TASE: ASHO) ("Ashot") and all capital notes of Ashot held by IMI and Elbit Systems, to FIMI Opportunity Funds ("FIMI"), for approximately $84 million in cash (approximately NIS 291 million). The closing follows receipt of all the required regulatory approvals.
Ashot specializes in the manufacture of jet engine shafts, transmissions, gears and gearboxes, landing gear components and tungsten products for the aerospace and defense industries.
FIMI is a leading private equity fund in Israel with more than $7 billion in assets under management.
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit Systems President & CEO, commented: "This sale is consistent with our strategy to focus on our core areas of business. Since the acquisition of IMI by Elbit Systems, Ashot has improved its business focus and operational efficiency. We look forward to continuing our cooperative work with both Ashot and FIMI."
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios, cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial applications and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems.
For additional information, visit: https://elbitsystems.com, follow us on Twitter or visit our official Facebook, Youtube and LinkedIn Channels.
Company Contacts:
Joseph Gaspar, Senior EVP – Business Management
Tel: +972-77-2948661
j.gaspar@elbitsystems.com
Dr. Yaacov (Kobi) Kagan, EVP & Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +972-77-2946663
kobi.kagan@elbitsystems.com
Rami Myerson, Director, Investor Relations
Tel: +972-77-2948984
rami.myerson@elbitsystems.com
David Vaaknin, VP, Brand and Corporate Communications
Tel: +972-77-2946691
david.vaaknin@elbitsystems.com
IR Contact:
Ehud Helft
Kenny Green
GK Investor Relations
Tel: 1-646-201-9246
elbitsystems@gkir.com
This press release may contain forward–looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Israeli Securities Law, 1968) regarding Elbit Systems Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries (collectively the Company), to the extent such statements do not relate to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions about future events. Forward–looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company, which are difficult to predict, including projections of the Company's future financial results, its anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in its business. Therefore, actual future results, performance and trends may differ materially from these forward–looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: scope and length of customer contracts; governmental regulations and approvals; changes in governmental budgeting priorities; general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates or sells, including Israel and the United States among others; changes in global health and macro-economic conditions; differences in anticipated and actual program performance, including the ability to perform under long-term fixed-price contracts; changes in the competitive environment; and the outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings. The factors listed above are not all-inclusive, and further information is contained in Elbit Systems Ltd.'s latest annual report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward–looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.
Elbit Systems Ltd., its logo, brand, product, service and process names appearing in this Press Release are the trademarks or service marks of Elbit Systems Ltd. or its affiliated companies. All other brand, product, service and process names appearing are the trademarks of their respective holders. Reference to or use of a product, service or process other than those of Elbit Systems Ltd. does not imply recommendation, approval, affiliation or sponsorship of that product, service or process by Elbit Systems Ltd. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring by implication, estoppel or otherwise any license or right under any patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property right of Elbit Systems Ltd. or any third party, except as expressly granted herein.
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SOURCE Elbit Systems Ltd | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/elbit-systems-completes-sale-ashot-fimi-opportunity-funds-84-million/ | 2022-06-30T09:53:28Z |
NEW ORLEANS, May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until July 12, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Upstart Holdings, Inc. (NasdaqGS: UPST), if they purchased the Company's securities between March 18, 2021 and May 9, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
Get Help
Upstart investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nasdaq-upst/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.
About the Lawsuits
Upstart and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.
On May 9, 2022, post-market, the Company revealed its 1Q2022 financial results, disclosing a reduction to its fiscal 2022 guidance, expecting revenue of approximately $1.25 billion and contribution margin of 48% due to "rising interest rates and rising consumer delinquencies [as] putting downward pressure on conversion."
On this news, shares of Upstart fell $43.52, or 56%, to close at $33.61 per share on May 10, 2022.
The first-filed case is Ward v. Upstart Holdings, Inc., No. 22-cv-02856.
About ClaimsFiler
ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.
To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
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SOURCE ClaimsFiler | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/21/upstart-holdings-shareholder-alert-claimsfiler-reminds-investors-with-losses-excess-100000-lead-plaintiff-deadline-class-action-lawsuits-against-upstart-holdings-inc-upst/ | 2022-05-21T04:13:46Z |
Amber Heard returned to the stand on Thursday to testify in her defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp for a second time.
Heard described how her life has been impacted by allegedly defamatory statements made by Depp's attorney, calling her abuse allegations a "hoax."
"I am harassed, humiliated, threatened every single day. Even just walking into this courtroom, sitting here in front of the world, having the worst parts of my life things I've lived through used to humiliate me," Heard testified. "People want to kill me and they tell me so every day. People want to put my baby in the microwave and they tell me that."
Heard is expected to be a final witness for her legal team's case.
Attorneys for Depp rested their rebuttal case Thursday morning, ending with a hand surgeon expert witness.
Depp is suing Heard for $50 million, claiming a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she penned where she called herself "a public figure representing domestic abuse" defamed the actor and caused him to lose work. Heard has countersued for $100 million for defamation.
Jurors have heard over 100 hours of testimony over the course of six weeks.
Closing arguments in the case are expected Friday.
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person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/entertainment/amber-heard-returns-to-the-stand-to-testify-in-defamation-case/article_afffa23e-a49c-5a3f-96b9-5965b990aa96.html | 2022-05-26T15:57:28Z |
VIDEO: Flash mob ransacks, vandalizes 7-Eleven after street takeover, police say
LOS ANGELES (Gray News) - Police in Los Angeles say a flash mob ransacked and looted a 7-Eleven convenience store earlier this week following a street takeover.
The Los Angeles Police Department shared surveillance video from the store located in South Los Angeles.
Police said the video shows several group members grabbing various items on Aug. 15 at about 12:40 a.m., including drinks, cigarettes, lottery tickets and other merchandise.
LAPD said members of the group were also throwing merchandise at store employees.
Afterward, the store was left in disarray, with authorities saying the group left before law enforcement arrived.
Police said before the incident within the store, the group held a street takeover at a nearby intersection that blocked traffic with vehicles performing “donuts” in the street.
The LAPD urged anyone with further information about this incident to contact South Traffic Division Detectives at 323-421-2500.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/19/video-flash-mob-ransacks-vandalizes-7-eleven-after-street-takeover-police-say/ | 2022-08-19T03:23:45Z |
Clean Electricity Creator VGrid Energy Systems Passes Comprehensive Certification Process
CAMARILLO, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- VGrid Energy Systems, a leader in innovative renewable energy and premium biochar production, has been certified to supply the carbon markets with CO2 Removal Certificates (CORC) by Puro.earth, the world's first B2B marketplace, standard, and registry focused solely on carbon removal. This approval comes after VGrid successfully completed a comprehensive certification process, which included a detailed audit to verify compliance with Puro Standard CO2 removal biochar methodologies.
"Simply stopping our climate-damaging practices is not enough," said Greg Campbell, CEO of VGrid. "We must look to innovative approaches to reverse some of the effects of our actions and strive for carbon negative solutions. As a CO2 removal supplier with Puro.earth, we can accomplish just that: removing carbon from our atmosphere and working towards a better earth."
Focusing solely on verified net-negative technologies that can remove and store carbon at an industrial scale, Puro.earth seeks to create a world where any company can help reverse climate change by removing its carbon emissions. Puro.earth's suppliers, including VGrid, develop carbon net-negative products and/or processes and sell CORCs to climate conscious organizations and businesses who want to neutralize emissions and reach carbon net zero.
Each CORC represents one metric ton of CO2 removed from the atmosphere. Using its propriety Bioserver—a biomass gasification system that is paired with a micro-generator—VGrid creates clean, low-cost, renewable electricity and biochar from agricultural waste, specifically pistachio shells. The resulting biochar sequesters 2.94 tons of equivalent CO2 per ton of biochar produced, has a high fixed carbon percentage, and low ash content. It also offers greater porosity and resulting surface area maximizing the biochar's filtration and water-holding properties. The biochar is land applied to help increase crop yields, improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce chemical fertilization, thus further extending its positive environmental impact.
"We're proud to partner with Puro.earth, the leading marketplace, standard, and registry committed to carbon removals and mobilizing the world's economy to rewarding carbon net-negative emissions," Campbell remarked. "This certification is a major achievement for VGrid."
VGrid's Bioserver is offered in a mobile unit this is highly scalable, faster to deploy, and easily optimized for local feedstocks and market conditions. For more information on VGrid, visit VGridEnergy.com.
About VGrid
VGrid Energy Systems, Inc. focuses on innovating carbon negative solutions in renewable energy. The company creates clean electricity and beneficial co-products, such as biochar and wood vinegar, from waste biomass which would otherwise be directed to a landfill. VGrid's mobile, high-temperature, gasification units have been operating in the Central Valley of California since 2019. Based on years of field data, the technology has proven its reliability, predictability, and scalability.
About Puro.earth
Puro.earth is the world's first B2B marketplace, standard and registry focused solely on carbon removal. Aiming at climate and economic impact, our mission is to mobilize the world's economy to reward carbon net-negative emissions. We provide voluntary corporate buyers long-term carbon removal procurement portfolios to fulfill net zero pledges, by identifying suppliers, verifying their negative emissions and issuing CO2 Removal Certificates (CORCs) with the Puro Standard, the first carbon standard for engineered carbon removal. Trusted by leading organizations, Puro.earth is driving forward a market of carbon negative industries, enabling a new revenue stream for carbon removal suppliers to accelerate their growth. In 2021, Nasdaq acquired a majority stake in Puro.earth.
CONTACT: Jeremy Witt
jwitt@lambert.com
+1 (269) 370-1097
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SOURCE VGrid Energy Systems, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/vgrid-certified-co2-removal-certificate-corc-supplier-by-puroearth/ | 2022-08-15T20:32:02Z |
The gunman walked into the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school and casually pushed back his long hair before moving to adjoining classrooms where he killed 19 students and two teachers, according to edited portions of surveillance video of the law enforcement response.
The 82 minutes of disturbing footage from the massacre at Robb Elementary School show police officers, some armed with rifles and ballistic shields, massed in a hallway for more than an hour before entering a classroom and killing the gunman.
At one point officers approached the classroom doorway, within minutes of the shooter entering the school unimpeded. They then made a hasty retreat after the gunman opened fire with his semi-automatic rifle.
The video sheds no light on why officers waited so long to confront the gunman, nor does it reveal who was responsible for the delay. In fact, days after its publication by the Austin American-Statesman, the video raises more questions than answers.
The gunman appeared to do most of the shooting between the time he entered the classrooms and when the officers approached the classroom minutes later only to retreat under a barrage of gunfire.
Here's what the video revealed about the heavily criticized and perplexing police response -- and the key questions still unanswered as a Texas House of Representatives investigative committee is set to release its preliminary report on Sunday.
A delayed entry and retreat under fire
In the first edited video, which is just over four minutes long, audio captures frantic teachers screaming as the gunman crossed the parking lot after crashing a truck near the school campus.
He entered the school at 11:33 a.m. on May 24, turned down a hallway carrying a semi-automatic rifle -- his face briefly shown -- and walked into a classroom, where he again opened fire, unleashing dozens of rounds.
When the shots rang out, a student who had been peeking around the hallway corner at the gunman quickly turned and ran away. Multiple bursts of gunfire echoed through the corridors for nearly three minutes. The American-Statesman edited the footage to blur at least one child's identity and to remove the sound of children screaming. The victims are not shown.
About three minutes after the shooter entered, at least nine officers made what appeared to be a coordinated entry into the building. This was about 10 seconds after the last volley of shots can be heard from the classrooms -- which was followed by a long pause.
At least two officers entered from one end of the hallway, and seven in single file from the other. The video showed, for the first time, how quickly officers were at the scene and near gunfire.
"That's an amazing response time," said Bill Francis, a former FBI agent who was a leader on the bureau's elite hostage rescue team for 17 years. "What happens next is where things kind of go awry."
At least three officers, two carrying rifles, immediately made their way toward the classroom door, crouching down for cover.
Rather than forcing their way through the door -- which would have been the widely accepted next step in an active-shooter situation and where it's near certain the officers would have taken fire -- they held outside the door until additional gunfire is heard.
From the video alone the direction of the gunfire from the classroom in unclear, though officials have previously said officers took fire when they first approached the door.
"They're right there," Francis said of the three officers seen near the classroom. "They're receiving gunfire. At that point you just have to win the fight. You have to get in that room and you have to eliminate the threat and that's established doctrine."
Instead, the officers retreated down the hallway to a spot just below the surveillance camera. One officer grabbed the back of his head.
"The safety priorities we teach ... are to overcome that sort of primal instinct of self-preservation and push through it to address the threat, to engage the threat," said Thor Eells, executive director of the National Tactical Officers Association, referring to the initial missed opportunity to confront the shooter.
"It does require that we would have to go into harm's way in order to do that and that was the opportunity between two, three, four (officers) there to begin to engage that suspect with gunfire."
Active shooter training holds, generally, that delays in confronting a gunman can cost civilians their lives and officers should move toward the gunfire, alone if needed, to stop the killing, according to experts. A rapid confrontation can save lives.
"They forfeit the chance for kids that are wounded, bleeding inside there, perhaps to be saved and more kids to be shot at that point. To me that's the biggest failure right there," Francis said of the officers' decision to pull back from the gunfire.
The retreat came at a crucial moment in the siege and raises questions about the training of the officers, according to experts who watched the video.
"The officers do turn their back to the door and they run down the hallway and the shooter, if he wanted to, easily could have opened that door and killed all those officers," Francis said. "They simply turn and run away from the gunfire. It's just unfortunate because at that point they lose all momentum."
Slain teacher's husband was among first responders
Officers in body armor, some carrying ballistic shields, are seen milling about in the school hallway while the gunman occupied adjoining classrooms.
Police body camera video, included in the footage, showed two officers fist bump at one point. An officer is seen in another clip using a hand sanitizer dispenser mounted on a wall.
Early in the siege, one officer is seen checking his phone, which prompted criticism in some quarters until a local politician provided some important context.
State Rep. Joe Moody, one of three House Investigative Committee members looking into the law enforcement response, tweeted that the officer is Ruben Ruiz of the Uvalde School District Police -- the husband of teacher Eva Mireles, who was shot and killed.
The teacher contacted her husband on the phone while he stood with gun in hand down the hallway to say she was dying, according to Moody.
Mireles was a fourth grade teacher. She'd been an educator for 17 years, her family has said. Seconds after being seen on the phone, the video shows Ruiz walking out of camera view. He returns moments later and speaks with other officers.
Ruiz was eventually removed from the building after trying to intervene, according to Moody.
"He attempted to engage but was removed from the building and disarmed," Moody said. His attempt to engage the shooter and his removal from the building are not visible.
The Uvalde County coroner's office hasn't released information about the deaths that day and public officials haven't commented on how many children may have died while officers waited outside and inside the building.
During the siege, children made multiple phone calls to the police as officers waited in the hallway. An 11-year-old girl who survived said she smeared herself in the blood of a dead classmate and played dead.
Steve Ijames, who headed a SWAT unit in Missouri and is now a consultant on law enforcement tactics, said the video does not reveal whether some officers tried to engage the shooter on their own.
"I've got to believe some people are turning to others and saying, 'What do we exist for? What are we doing?' " Ijames said.
"The overriding question when you watch the video is, 'Why aren't you doing your job?' There's lots of cops pointing guns down the hall as though they're expecting this guy to come running out. The idea that we just stand there with bunkers and shields and rifles and helmets and do nothing is just incomprehensible."
Ijames is surprised one of the officers in the video "didn't just say, f---- this, we're going in."
Video sheds no light on role of agencies at the scene
It's not clear from the video alone which agencies the officers belonged to or who was in command, though the investigative report to be released this weekend could provide answers.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has said the officer in charge was the school district's police chief, Pedro "Pete" Arredondo, who has been slammed by the slain children's parents, local leaders and law enforcement officials.
The DPS has said Arredondo misclassified the siege as a barricade situation, which -- unlike an active shooter report -- calls for a more measured response.
Arredondo has said he neither considered himself the incident commander nor instructed officers to refrain from breaching the classrooms. He resigned the Uvalde City Council seat he assumed just a week after the attack.
At least three federal, two state and three local agencies responded to the carnage at Robb Elementary. The video sheds no light on the role of ranking officers from other agencies.
"We don't know what these other leadership folks that arrived after the initial chief arrived, what their interaction was with that chief, but there's a lot of folks that could have stepped up and taken charge that were actually in the hallway," Francis said.
Many of at least eight agencies whose officers responded to the school that day haven't responded to CNN requests for comment. Others have declined comment about their role in the response.
Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee said in a statement last month that the shooting was being investigated by the FBI and Texas Rangers. She said that "any release of records to that incident at this time would interfere with said ongoing investigation and would impede a thorough and complete investigation."
Busbee has also objected to the release of video, according to the Texas DPS. The district attorney has not responded to CNN requests for comment.
DPS Director Col. Steven McCraw last month criticized the delayed police response as an "abject failure," citing in part evidence from the hallway surveillance video.
"This was certainly a mess," said Francis, referring to the law enforcement response. "There's plenty of blame to go around."
The video does not reveal what was happening with the police response outside the school.
"What's going on outside that classroom and other breach points -- windows and things like that?" Francis asked.
"A lot of times we would set up to engage subjects from windows... Whether the subject could be engaged from any of those points at least the video obviously doesn't really address that."
Other video of officers both inside and outside the building have not been made public.
"We haven't seen any of that and that's why I think there's a lot of information that could potentially explain why there's not as much activity going on inside if there's something that (officers inside) were being briefed or advised was taking place on the exterior," said Eells, the executive director of the National Tactical Officers Association.
"I'm not sure, without having the benefit of interviewing and speaking to the officers that were on scene, what they were thinking and why they were so singularly focused on remaining in the interior and trying to get the suspect from that perspective, versus using the exterior -- which would have been a lot easier to do and potentially even faster to do."
At 12:21 p.m., a group of officers, including US Border Patrol agents in tactical gear, moved down the hall in formation.
Again they waited -- this time until 12:50 p.m. -- to breach the classroom and kill the gunman.
A volley of gunfire signaled the end of one of the deadliest school shootings in US history, just two days before the summer break. The confrontation with the gunman is not shown.
Moments later, the video ends.
"One of the biggest things that's likely to change here is recognizing the need for leadership and command level or supervisory level personnel being better trained, better equipped to make decisions in critical incidents," Eells said. "You don't have minutes to make decisions. You have seconds."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/what-we-learned-from-the-uvalde-shooting-video-and-what-remains-unknown/article_599f7def-1bd9-59bc-ae62-015d948f6a7b.html | 2022-07-16T18:34:18Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — It’s the summer and now is the perfect time to make some extra cash.
Parents, if you have a bored teenager with a lot of time on their hands, now may be a good time for them to get a job. However, some places make it easier to find a summer job than others.
WalletHub has released a new study looking at the best and worst cities for summer jobs in the nation. Officials look at more than 180 markets in the nation and compared them across 22 different key metrics, including employment outlook, affordability and downtime-friendliness.
So, how did North Texas do? Here’s how these North Texas cities ranked, out of a list of 182 cities:
- Irving – 64th
- Grand Prairie – 97th
- Plano – 99th
- Dallas – 142nd
- Garland – 168th
- Fort Worth – 176th
- Arlington – 177th
Here’s how other cities in Texas ranked:
- Austin – 41st
- San Antonio – 105th
- Houston – 149th
- Amarillo – 166th
- El Paso – 169th
- Corpus Christi – 172nd
- Laredo – 174th
- Brownsville – 175th
- Lubbock – 182nd
For the full report, visit WalletHub. | https://cw33.com/news/local/new-study-ranks-best-worst-cities-for-summer-jobs-where-does-north-texas-rank/ | 2022-07-14T18:15:29Z |
The lighthearted letter looks to update the apple from Original Sin to Original Snack, and shine the global spotlight on the importance of good nutrition for all
SINGAPORE, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The calamity of original sin – and the apple's role in it – is undeniably the most catastrophic PR disaster fruit has ever faced. Today, in honor of International Fruit Day, the Dole Sunshine Company (DSC) issued an open letter to His Holiness, Pope Francis, via La Repubblica, seeking absolution for the apple. DSC is asking to redeem the reputation of fruit to celebrate it as the Original 'Healthy' Snack instead.
For thousands of years the apple has faced this vilification after Eve took a bite from the 'forbidden fruit' in the Garden of Eden. In a fun but hopefully fruitful manner, DSC is looking to reverse this vilification and has requested Pope Francis to absolve fruit of its misconceived role in Original Sin. The letter – a humorous and unprecedented plea to the Pontiff – is meant to spark global dialogue around the importance of fruit for a nutritious diet and focus in on fruit's benefits and overall global accessibility.
"We understand that requesting this change is a bold and provocative ask, and we of course mean no disrespect to His Holiness or The Church," said Pier Luigi Sigismondi, President of Dole Packaged Foods & Beverages Group. "We believe if we can resolve this misrepresentation of fruit, we can start a new global narrative that focuses on its benefits, and creates new, healthier eating habits that are consistent to our purpose to bring good nutrition to all."
The letter – published in the only newspaper Pope Francis has stated he reads – respectfully points out that even though the apple was never mentioned by name in the Bible, that this fruit, in particular, has been the recipient of slander since it was wrongfully associated with Original Sin. And, in a world where there are clearly more sinful and decadent foods to reach for, the apple should no longer be considered forbidden. Rather, DSC argues that fruit itself can be the hero, and the impetus for a change in conversation around healthy eating and a driver for better nutrition globally.
DSC concludes the letter with this humble, yet compelling request to Pope Francis:
"For all these reasons and more, we humbly ask for the absolution that only you can offer. A tiny change that can change the world. Would you consider amending the Bible? Just a tiny word. Replacing 'fruit' for any other unhealthy food, for instance? Just an idea. If that request sounds a bit too ambitious, no worries. We get it. Maybe then a message of support would go a long way to restoring the world's faith in our beloved fruits."
View the letter in full – which appeared today in Pope Francis' newspaper of choice, La Repubblica – at DoleSunshine.com.
The name Dole Sunshine Company is used to represent the global interests and combined efforts of Dole Asia Holdings, Dole Worldwide Packaged Foods and Dole Asia Fresh. Dole Sunshine Company is not an actual business entity and does not operate as such in any country or region. For more information on Dole Sunshine Company, please visit DoleSunshine.com.
In June 2020 Dole Asia Holdings announced The Dole Promise, with its three pillars around nutrition, sustainability, and the creation of shared value.
Better for People: Access to sustainable nutrition for 1 billion people by 2025, moving towards zero processed sugar in all Dole Packaged Foods products by 2025.
Better for Planet: Working towards zero fruit loss from Dole farms to markets by 2025, aiming for zero fossil-based plastic packaging by 2025. Working towards net zero carbon emissions in Dole operations by 2030.
Better for all Stakeholders: Dole will continue to positively impact all farmers, communities and people working for Dole – through its commitment to equal opportunity, living wages, and an ever-increasing level of safety, nutrition, and wellbeing. The company also seeks to advance human rights within the direct operations and supply chains by building a culture of transparency and accountability. The company also aims for a 50% increase in the value of its business by 2025.
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SOURCE Dole Sunshine Company | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/no-fruit-should-be-forbidden-dole-sunshine-company-urges-his-holiness-redeem-apple/ | 2022-07-01T07:09:26Z |
New Investor Consortium to Acquire 27% Interest in DataBank Positioning it to Capture Edge Infrastructure Demand Over the Next Decade
DALLAS, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DataBank, a leading provider of enterprise-class colocation, interconnection, and managed services, today announced a recapitalization led by long-term institutional investors Swiss Life Asset Management AG ("SLAM"), EDF Invest ("EDF") and current DataBank investor DigitalBridge. The initial stage of the recapitalization is being structured as a sale of ownership interests with SLAM and EDF acquiring 27% of the fully diluted equity interests in DataBank from existing investors for $1.2 billion.
The transaction will enable DataBank to execute a 10-year plan that capitalizes on edge infrastructure growth in the U.S. Since 2016, DataBank has been progressively building an ecosystem of interconnect and data center locations in over two dozen Tier 1 and Tier 2 U.S. metros that it believed would serve as the geographic foundation of a more decentralized, next-generation Internet infrastructure platform. Today, with over 65 data center assets in 27+ markets, DataBank has more data centers in more U.S. metros than any other data center provider in the US, public or private.
"This recapitalization allows us to accelerate our expansion efforts and capture the substantial secular growth in edge computing which we believe will be at multi-gigawatt opportunity," said Raul K. Martynek, DataBank's CEO. "DataBank is strategically positioned as the leading platform to deliver geographically distributed colocation and interconnect edge solutions, as the shift from traditional centralized infrastructures continues to evolve to the edge."
Marc Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge, said, "Since we led the acquisition of DataBank in 2016, we have scaled DataBank's footprint, capacity and customer base in key metro areas across the United States, transforming DataBank from a business serving three markets with six facilities to the premier domestic edge infrastructure platform serving twenty-seven markets across more than sixty-five facilities. This transaction will catalyze the next phase of DataBank's growth with a new group of marquis investors poised to benefit from the continued powerful infrastructure expansion at the edge and DigitalBridge's track record and expertise investing across the digital infrastructure ecosystem."
The recapitalization is also expected to result in additional new investors acquiring ownership interests in DataBank prior to the recapitalization's expected completion in the third quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of required regulatory approvals.
"This new investor group will provide the financial backing required to continue to scale DataBank's leading edge infrastructure platform," said Kevin Ooley, DataBank's President and CFO. "Swiss Life and EDF's long term outlook on the sector, perfectly aligns with our view on the significant opportunity around edge demand."
DataBank was advised by Goldman Sachs as financial advisor and Proskauer Rose LLP as legal advisors.
DataBank enables the world's largest enterprises, technology, and content providers to consistently deploy and manage their infrastructure, applications and data on the right platform, at the right time, in the right place. Our colocation and edge infrastructure footprint consists of 65+ data centers and 20 interconnection hubs in 27+ markets, on-ramps to an ecosystem of cloud providers, and a modular edge data center platform with virtually unlimited reach. We combine these platforms with contract portability, managed security, compliance enablement, hands-on support, and a guarantee of 100% uptime availability, to give our customers absolute confidence in their IT infrastructure and the power to create a limitless digital future for their business. To learn more or tour a facility, visit databank.com or call 1(800) 840-7533
For DataBank media inquiries, please contact: JSA +1.866.695.3629 ext. 13 JSA_DataBank@jsa.net
Swiss Life AM has more than 160 years of experience in managing capital on behalf of the Swiss Life Group and its clients. The investment philosophy of Swiss Life AM focuses on principles of long-term strategic approach, capital preservation, generation of consistent and sustainable returns as well as a responsible approach to risks. Swiss Life AM offers its asset management expertise to third-party clients in Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the UK. As at 31 December 2021, assets managed by Swiss Life on behalf of third-party clients amounted to €99 billion. Together with the investment mandates for the Swiss Life Group, total assets under management by Swiss Life AM stood at €266 billion, of which €7.3bn is managed by the Infrastructure Equity Business area. Swiss Life AM has a dedicated infrastructure team of more than 42 investment professionals, focusing on investments in global infrastructure assets including renewables and a proven track record in creating value for its clients.
EDF Invest is the investment arm of EDF for non-listed Dedicated Assets. Dedicated Assets will fund the decommissioning of EDF's power plants in France. EDF Invest currently manages around €9bn of equity and is targeting around €12 billion in the next few years. Our mission is to diversify EDF's portfolio of Dedicated Assets and lengthen its investment horizon by targeting three non-listed asset classes in France and abroad: Infrastructure, Real Estate and Funds. Follow EDF Invest on: www.edfinvest.com / and www.linkedin.com/company/edf-invest
DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) is a leading global digital infrastructure investment firm. With a heritage of over 25 years investing in and operating businesses across the digital ecosystem including cell towers, data centers, fiber, small cells, and edge infrastructure, the DigitalBridge team manages a $47 billion portfolio of digital infrastructure assets on behalf of its limited partners and shareholders. Headquartered in Boca Raton, DigitalBridge has key offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Singapore. For more information visit www.digitalbridge.com.
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SOURCE DataBank | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/databank-announces-major-recapitalization/ | 2022-06-17T13:55:28Z |
OLYMPIA, Wash., June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Heritage Financial Corporation ("Company" or "Heritage") (Nasdaq: HFWA) anticipates issuing its second quarter earnings release on Thursday, July 21, 2022 before the market opens. The Company has scheduled a telephone conference call to discuss the second quarter on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time (2:00 p.m. Eastern time).
To access the conference call, call the numbers listed below:
The conference call will be recorded and will be available following the live conference call for replay twenty-four hours a day ending July 28, 2022. Questions regarding the conference call may be directed to Kaylene Lahn at 360-943-1500.
About Heritage Financial
Heritage Financial Corporation is an Olympia-based bank holding company with Heritage Bank, a full-service commercial bank, as its sole wholly-owned banking subsidiary. Heritage Bank has a branching network of 49 banking offices in Washington and Oregon. Heritage Bank also does business under the Whidbey Island Bank name on Whidbey Island. Heritage's stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "HFWA". More information about Heritage Financial Corporation can be found on its website at www.hf-wa.com and more information about Heritage Bank can be found on its website at www.heritagebanknw.com.
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SOURCE Heritage Financial Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/heritage-financial-announces-earnings-release-date-conference-call/ | 2022-06-30T23:10:04Z |
Which healthy cookware is best?
Now more than ever, it’s crucial to pay attention to everything that goes into your body — and not just the food you eat. With some nonstick surfaces getting negative attention for their use of potentially dangerous chemicals, it may be time to re-evaluate what’s in your kitchen cabinets, too.
When you’re ready to replace your old pots and pans with healthy cookware, you’ll need a set that’s safe and functional. The GreenPan Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Set uses a material derived from sand to create a smooth, nonstick interior surface.
What to know before you buy healthy cookware
Full set vs. individual pots and pans
Whether you are swapping over to healthy cookware or stocking a kitchen from scratch, you’ll need to consider if you’d like to purchase pans individually or start with a set. If your budget is tight, you might lean toward purchasing one or two pans at a time. This also allows you to focus only on the cookware that you use most.
However, a full set of pans is often cheaper than buying each pan individually. This also allows you to instantly build your cookware collection. On the other hand, some cooks purchase a set and then realize that they only use one or two pans. Consider your cooking style and your needs before deciding between a full set or individual pots and pans.
Cook surface
While people with gas and electric stoves take it for granted that every pot or pan that they encounter will work on their cooktop, those with an induction stove know better. Induction stoves use magnets to heat magnetic metals in the pots and pans. For this reason, not every type of cookware will work on an induction cooktop.
Aluminum, glass and copper cookware will not work on an induction stove. If your heart is set on these materials, make sure that they are combined with some sort of magnetic material or they will not heat.
What to look for in quality healthy cookware
Nontoxic
All surfaces should be free of PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium. These poisonous coatings can leach into food as it’s cooking. Healthy cookware manufactured without these chemicals is safe even if pans are heated above their oven-safe threshold.
Oven safe
If you typically move from stovetop to oven, you want to make sure your pans are safe to the temperatures you need. Look for oven-safe temperatures to at least 500 degrees.
Lids
While not all pans will come with lids, they are very helpful when cooking food that splatters and splutters on your stove. Some lids are glass for easy viewing, while others are made of stainless steel.
Regardless of the material you choose, check to be sure that they are oven-safe. Many are, but they may not be safe to the same temperature as the pan they cover.
Accessories
Some healthy cookware sets include accessories, too. These might include:
- Slotted spoons
- Serving pieces
- Steamer baskets
- Strainers
Look for accessories that are stainless steel (or labeled as BPA-free if plastic).
How much you can expect to spend on healthy cookware
The price tag depends on the number of pieces you purchase. For a set of 10 or more pots and pans (and accessories), expect to spend $150-$200.
Healthy cookware FAQ
Can’t you just use cast iron?
A. When it comes to healthy cookware, cast iron is one of the best. The main issue with this durable material is that it can be difficult to care for. Pots and pans require occasional seasoning to restore a fading nonstick surface.
Additionally, even the smallest cast-iron pans are very heavy. For cooks with hand pain or difficulty lifting, just getting the pan out of the cabinet can be challenging.
Modern healthy cookware is lightweight and just as safe as cast iron.
How do you care for healthy cookware?
A. Care and maintenance will vary depending on the material of your cookware. Check with the manufacturer’s directions.
In general, most cookware should be hand-washed in hot, soapy water with mild detergent. A gentle plastic scrubbing sponge can be used to remove stubborn dried food, or allow the pan to soak in hot water before cleaning.
Unless the pan is specifically marked, do not clean it in the dishwasher. Hand-washing prolongs the life of your pots and pans and protects the nonstick surface.
What’s the best healthy cookware to buy?
Top healthy cookware
GreenPan Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Set
What you need to know: This is a great starter set for the beginning home cook.
What you’ll love: It has 11 pieces, including 1- and 2-quart saucepans with covers, a 5-quart covered casserole, two frying pans, a 3-quart covered skillet and a steamer basket. The cookware is safe to 600 degrees (lids to 425) and it’s free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium.
What you should consider: These do not work on induction stoves.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top healthy cookware for the money
Farberware Go Healthy Nonstick Cookware
What you need to know: This is a durable set for everyday use.
What you’ll love: QuiltSmart nonstick coating means less fat is needed for food to release easily. It’s free from all toxic coatings and chemicals. This 14-piece set includes not only pots and pans but also cooking utensils like slotted spoons, ladles and grill pans. The lids are glass with riveted handles.
What you should consider: The pots and pans are only oven safe to 350 degrees.
Where to buy: Sold by Macy’s
Worth checking out
Homichef Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Cookware Set
What you need to know: This set is beautiful, functional and affordable.
What you’ll love: This set of 10 pans includes some of the most commonly used pieces, including two covered saucepans, one 7-quart covered stockpot, two covered frying pans and a covered saute pan. It heats evenly and is safe for every type of stove top — including induction burners.
What you should consider: Because they have no nonstick coating, pots and pans need to be seasoned.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/kitchen-br/cookware-br/best-healthy-cookware/ | 2022-04-15T07:41:58Z |
NEW YORK, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for BABA, STZ, DLTR, PEP, and QCOM.
Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.
Options Report – Ideal trade ideas on up to seven different options trading strategies. The report shows all vital aspects of each option trade idea for each stock.
Stock Report - Measures a stock's suitability for investment with a proprietary scoring system combining short and long-term technical factors with Wall Street's opinion including a 12-month price forecast.
- BABA: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=BABA&prnumber=071520224
- STZ: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=STZ&prnumber=071520224
- DLTR: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=DLTR&prnumber=071520224
- PEP: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=PEP&prnumber=071520224
- QCOM: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=QCOM&prnumber=071520224
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-alibaba-constellation-brands-dollar-tree-pepsico-or-qualcomm/ | 2022-07-15T15:08:41Z |
IX AT 50: On this anniversary — how 37 words changed everything
“Those of us that have grown up with this history know we have a lot of progress to still make.”
June 23, 1972, President Nixon signed Title IX into law, prohibiting sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding. Title IX has largely been considered the springboard for high school and collegiate women’s sports to get where they are today — but the fight for equality is far from over. Every Thursday night at 10:00 p.m. leading up to the 50th anniversary of the law’s passing, 13 Sports will honor the women who changed the game for girls’ and women’s sports in Kansas.
“IX at 50: The Trailblazers of Women’s Sports in Kansas”
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - 50 years ago today, 37 words changed everything.
President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law, prohibiting discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal funding.
Prior to the law’s passing, opportunities for girls and women in sports were limited — if they existed at all.
“I had all these doors open, all these paths open if I was a young boy, but I didn’t have those same doors and some paths open if I was a young girl,” Billie Jean Moore, head coach of the 1976 USA women’s basketball Olympic team, said.
“It’s been a little frustrating to think if I’d been born 50 years later, what my opportunities as an athlete could have been,” Linda Hargrove, an assistant on the 1992 Olympic basketball team, said.
Over the last year, we’ve spoken with a different trailblazer each week who changed the game for women’s sports in Kansas: from ages 22 to 89, sports from racquetball to basketball, high school athletes to Olympians.
Women like longtime KU women’s basketball coach Marian Washington, who stepped in as a leader in college sports one year after Title IX’s passing.
“You had to constantly qualify that you belonged and that you had a right to exist,” she said. “It was that tug of war. I never knew whether it was because I was a woman or because I was African-American — or both.”
Women like Margaret Murdock, who joined the men’s rifle team at K-State in 1960 and won two Big Eight championships. She’d go on to become the first woman to ever medal in shooting at the Olympics.
“‘Oh yeah, if the U.S. is dumb enough to put a woman on their team, you go right ahead. No problem,’” she remembers being told. “So, ‘Okay, you guys said it.’ We did that before I shot even one bullet outside of the U.S.”
Title IX gave women in sports legal backing in their fight for equality, but the switch didn’t flip overnight.
Then-NCAA executive director Walter Byers called the law the “possible doom of intercollegiate athletics.” For the next decade, women’s sports at the college level were governed by the AIAW: a league by women, for women.
Participation numbers and opportunities for girls and women have skyrocketed since the law’s passing. In 1972, roughly 294,000 girls played high school sports. That number has reached 3.5 million in recent years.
Still, inequities remain. A recent NCAA report, The State of Women in College Sports, highlights continued disparities.
Women hold just one-fourth all NCAA head coaching and athletics director positions, and Division I athletic departments are spending twice as much on their men’s programs than they are on women’s programs.
“We can’t quit saying, ‘Hey, this needs to be better,’” longtime Wichita State administrator Becky Endicott said.
“Let’s be persistent,” Theresa Becker, former USA Handball team member, said. “Let’s not back off. Let’s keep pushing for better. Let’s keep pushing for quality.”
“Those of us that have grown up with this history know we have a lot of progress to still make,” Final Four coach and former KU player Cheryl Burnett said.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/24/ix-50-this-anniversary-how-37-words-changed-everything/ | 2022-06-24T01:24:44Z |
NORFOLK, Va., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mental Health Awareness Month was designated in the U.S. to nationally decrease the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage open conversation to prevent suicides, violence, depression and other problems associated with low mental health.
PRA Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRAA), a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, is honoring this designated month by introducing a Mental Emotional Well-Being (MEW) Employee Resource Group (ERG) across the company's worldwide operations.
The ERG will strive to help PRA Group employees find the wellness resources they need, learn more about the topics that interest them and help improve awareness throughout the company.
The group will be led by Chris Tignor, vice president, chief information security officer, and Timothy Santo, global controller. Ashley Little, senior account executive of operations, and Melva Staton, legal recovery clerk, will serve as the ERG's liaisons to PRA Group's Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee.
"Mental health and emotional well-being are important for everyone," said Santo. "We all experience ups and downs, but for many generations, mental health was a topic few wanted to address and didn't want to be labeled. We now know that mental and emotional well-being are critical to physical health, work performance and overall happiness."
"We have also learned through recent studies how detrimental loneliness can be to mental wellness, and the resulting importance of meaningful social connections," said Tignor. "For all of these reasons and more, we are excited to provide our employees with MEW to share resources, help each other and build a network."
MEW's focus will be twofold: to grow mental and emotional health awareness and to offer support and resources to help with mental and emotional illness.
"Whether our colleagues are dealing with grief, anxiety, depression or are just trying to stay mentally healthy, our goal will be to provide a safe space where they can find and share resources, learn together and forge relationships with fellow PRA employees," said Little.
"At PRA Group, we prize our culture of lifting one another up so that everyone can be themselves and be their best," said Staton. "It extends to every one of our teammates around the world, and out into our community because it characterizes who we are."
In establishing the MEW ERG, PRA Group continues an historic commitment to mental wellness. A long-time supporter of EQUI-KIDS and its EQUI-VETS program, PRA Group was a presenting sponsor of the nonprofit's 15th Annual Stall Ball in November, whose proceeds directly supported programming promoting cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being in children, veterans and others through equine-assisted therapy work.
PRA Group is also currently helping to fund the construction of a state-of-the-art pediatric mental health hospital and outpatient center with a recent $100,000 contribution to The Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD) Lighting the Way campaign.
Additionally, recognizing the strain of working during the pandemic, PRA Group began offering its employees 18 digital courses promoting mental and emotional well-being as part of its company-wide Total Rewards benefits package.
To stay up to date on PRA Group's community engagement and resources for employees, visit www.linkedin.com/company/pragroup and follow us @PRAGroupInc on Facebook and Instagram.
About PRA Group
As a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, PRA Group returns capital to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers. With thousands of employees worldwide, PRA Group companies collaborate with customers to help them resolve their debt. For more information, please visit www.pragroup.com.
News Media Contact:
Elizabeth Kersey
Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Policy
(757) 961-3525
Elizabeth.Kersey@PRAGroup.com
Investor Contact:
Lauren Partin
Senior Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations
(757) 431-7913
IR@PRAGroup.com
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SOURCE PRA Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/mental-well-being-group-builds-awareness-support-pra-group-employees-worldwide/ | 2022-05-16T17:48:22Z |
Ship to be Renamed Carnival Luminosa, Sailing Seasonally from Brisbane, Australia and Then Moving to Seattle for Alaska Itineraries From May-September
MIAMI, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line announced today that Costa Luminosa will join the Carnival fleet in September and will start guest operations as Carnival Luminosa™ in November 2022 from Brisbane, Australia. The acquisition of Luminosa is an update to the previously announced plans for Carnival to take Costa Magica, which will now remain at Costa Cruises.
After this delivery, Carnival Luminosa will operate seasonally from October through April from Brisbane, then reposition to Seattle, where it will sail Alaska itineraries from May through September, before returning to Brisbane.
Luminosa is a sister ship to the four other popular Spirit class ships that already sail for Carnival. Entering service in 2009, the ship accommodates up to 2,826 guests and 1,050 crew at 92,720 gross tons.
"With our full fleet back to guest operations and the pent-up demand for Carnival we are seeing every week aboard our ships, the chance to expand with Luminosa and then the arrival of Carnival Celebration in November provides our guests with more choices and new ways to enjoy a Carnival vacation," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Our Spirit class ships are very popular with our guests and Luminosa will be a great addition given the large number of balcony cabins which make her an ideal ship for this deployment. And equally important, this will allow Carnival to finally start our highly anticipated itineraries from Brisbane, so we'll have two ships operating in Australia for the high season Down Under."
Given the short timeline to get Carnival Luminosa ready for service, the ship will go through some modest updates to change over from Costa to Carnival over the next few months ahead of the November service start-up. The ship will not initially have all of the Funship 2.0 branded spaces that are seen across the Carnival fleet. The entire vessel will be staffed by the Carnival Cruise Line crew, renowned for their outstanding hospitality and fun. Cruises out of Brisbane will be announced shortly, and Carnival will sail a variety of itineraries that will initially include visits to Australian favorites such as the Great Barrier Reef and Airlie Beach, and, as destinations open over time, ports of call such as Noumea and Lifou Isle in New Caledonia, Port Vila and Mystery Island in Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
Duffy said, "The opportunity to deliver these bucket list itineraries will be exciting for our guests and we are thrilled to see the growing number of guests from the U.S. sailing on Carnival in Australia."
In addition to Carnival Luminosa out of Brisbane, Carnival Splendor will arrive in Sydney to resume sailing year-round on October 2, 2022. With the arrival of Carnival Celebration this November, Carnival's fleet will number 24 ships, and its lower berth capacity will be seven percent higher than at the end of November 2019.
Related to this announcement, the cruise programs for Costa Luminosa from September forward will be cancelled and Costa will be informing guests with a specific re-protection plan. Costa Magica will continue to be a part of the Costa fleet and its cruise programs will be announced shortly.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line and currently sails 23 ships from 14 U.S. homeports and employs more than 40,000 team members representing 120 nationalities. Carnival's newest ship, Mardi Gras, featuring the first roller coaster at sea, is the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). As part of its 50th Birthday festivities, Carnival Celebration, sister ship to Mardi Gras, is scheduled to debut in late 2022 from PortMiami, as well as Carnival Jubilee from Galveston in 2023. Carnival returns to Australia in October 2022.
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SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/carnival-cruise-line-announces-that-costa-luminosa-will-transfer-carnival-fleet-start-service-november-2022/ | 2022-06-14T20:24:16Z |
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A strong earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on Monday, shaking buildings in the capital, Taipei. No serious damage or injuries were reported, and authorities said there was no danger of a tsunami.
The magnitude 6.1 quake was centered 27 kilometers (17 miles) deep and about 90 kilometers (56 miles) offshore from the city of Hualien, Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau said. The strongest shaking was in northeastern Taiwan, including Taipei.
The earthquake’s location was about 70 kilometers (44 miles) southwest of the remote island of Yonaguni at the western end of the Japanese archipelago. The Japanese Meteorological Agency said the quake measured magnitude 6.6, while the U.S. Geological Survey said 6.3.
Preliminary measurements often differ and may be revised after further analysis.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency said there may be small swellings of ocean waters but there was no danger of a tsunami.
Chinese media said the earthquake was also felt in parts of mainland China. Self-governing Taiwan is about 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of the Chinese coast. | https://cw33.com/news/science-technology/ap-science/strong-earthquake-shakes-taiwan/ | 2022-05-10T01:04:40Z |
Zhongguancun Global Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Forum Held to Strengthen Tech-driven Force
BEIJING, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beijing Dabeinong Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd., an agricultural high-tech enterprise, lately hosts the Zhongguancun Global Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Forum ("the Forum") through Global Agricultural Technology Innovation Platform (GAIN) to explore the latest research finding from the studies of the top-notch scientists. During the forum, DBN Group has also named the recipients of the 12th DBN Science and Technology Award that thirty-one awards were conferred to agricultural scientists and researchers who have greatly contributed to the advancement of China's agricultural sciences by making pioneering discoveries and developing innovative technologies to address the issues in a wide range of fields spanning seed science, livestock vaccines, and cotton cultivation and management.
Over 1 million people have watched livestreams of the Forum, which can be viewed here.
"Over the past 23 years, DBN Group has honored and recognized numerous landmark scientific and technological discoveries in China's key agricultural fields. We explore new approaches to further encourage and incentivize scientific personnel at the forefront of innovation who uses their ingenuity and creativity to further push the boundary of modern science. Their dedication and contribution strengthen China's food security, enhance food safety, protect ecological safety, injecting forces that drive agricultural modernization and sustainable development for China and beyond," said Dr. Shao Genhuo, Chairman of DBN Group.
"Building on our previous milestones, we hope to continue boosting cooperation with global partners in order to better serve the agricultural communities and the industry as a whole, jointly tackling pressing agricultural problems and improving people's well-being," he added.
Yang Yuanzhu, Chief Expert of Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Ltd, President of Seed Industry Research Institute, Zheng Haixue, Professor and Director of Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Li Zhaohu, Professor and President of Huazhong Agricultural University, were invited to present and introduce their original scientific research to the audience at the event. The three extraordinary scientific discoveries, which are granted the top award, include:
- Breeding and Application of Middle-season Indica TGMS Line LK638S and J4155S with High-quality and High Combining Ability
- Porcine Recombinant Serotvoe O and A Bivalent Inactivated Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Vaccine Development and Use Thereof
- Innovation and Application of Systematic Regulation and Light Cultivation Technology of Cotton in China
Three Nobel Laureates, including Oene Oenema, Winner of Nobel Prize in Peace, Professor of Wageningen University & Research, Hartmut Michel, Winner of Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Academician of the German National Academy of Sciences, and Muhammad Yunus, Winner of Nobel Prize in Peace and Bangladeshi Economist, were also highlighted at the ceremony where they shared their path-breaking research and analysis on the potential unlocked by the bio-based economy and its benefits to sustainable agriculture, and shed light on the opportunities for accelerating the development of the rural communities in China.
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SOURCE Global Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Platform (GAIN) | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/dbn-group-jointly-tackle-down-pressing-agricultural-problems-with-top-notch-scientist-award-winners/ | 2022-06-29T07:43:14Z |
Whoa! Man sets state record with catching 10-foot white sturgeon, officials say
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (Gray News) - Officials in Idaho say a Utah man caught a massive, 10-foot-long white sturgeon at C.J. Strike Reservoir earlier this month.
On Friday, the Idaho Fish and Game shared a picture of the monster catch, congratulating Greg Poulsen, of Eagle Mountain, Utah, for setting a new state record for white sturgeon.
The government agency said Paulsen landed the 10-foot, 4-inch monster sturgeon while fishing on Aug. 5.
According to Idaho Fish and Game, the rare fish swam past the previous record of 119.5 inches, set in 2019 by Rusty Peterson and friends.
State officials said the C.J. Strike Reservoir is in southwestern Idaho and is typically known for abundant crappie and smallmouth bass.
According to the agency, fishing for Idaho’s white sturgeon is allowed strictly on a catch-and-release basis, and they may not be removed from the water while handling.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/13/whoa-man-sets-state-record-with-catching-10-foot-white-sturgeon-officials-say/ | 2022-08-13T04:06:16Z |
CLEVELAND, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Demand for surface disinfectant wipes is expected to remain elevated through 2026 due to trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic, finds a new Freedonia Group analysis:
- While demand for surface disinfectant wipes fell in 2021 from the pandemic-induced spikes of 2020, it remained well above pre-COVID-19 levels; consumers and nonresidential end users continued to purchase these products to protect themselves from potential viral exposure.
- Major wipes suppliers have invested significantly in expanding their domestic production capacities for surface disinfectant wipes, in some cases enlisting contract manufacturers to help supplement their own lines.
It is expected that demand for surface disinfectant wipes will remain elevated as cleaning regimens in industrial and institutional settings that address healthcare associated infections (HAIs), foodborne illnesses, and other potential viruses continue to be rigorous. While consumer demand for these wipes will decline as households reorient their approach to reducing viral transmission, an expanded base of users will help demand remain above pre-pandemic levels.
US Demand for Wipes to Grow 2.3% Annually Through 2026
Demand for wipes is expected to advance 2.3% per year off a relatively high base to $4.3 billion in 2026. While this growth rate is relatively slow compared to historical norms, it stems from elevated market levels, as pandemic-related sales spikes for various wipes (notably disinfectant wipes in 2020), supply chain challenges, and higher raw material costs led prices for wipes to jump in 2020 and 2021, inflating market value in those years.
In unit terms, wipe demand growth will accelerate, supported by:
- consistent increases in the industrial and institutional market, with major submarkets like healthcare and foodservice returning to pre-pandemic levels of operation
- product development that improves the functionality and environmental profile of available personal care wipes, thereby increasing adoption among consumers
Want to Learn More?
Wipes provides historical data for 2011, 2016, and 2021 and forecasts for 2026 and 2030 for wipe demand in units and current dollars (which are not adjusted to account for inflation) by product (wet wipes and dry wipes), market, and application.
Markets (applications):
- baby wipes
- personal care (personal hygiene wipes, facial wipes, hand cleaning moist wipes and towelettes, medicated wipes, other)
- household care (general purpose cleaning wipes, floor care wipes, other)
- manufacturing (general purpose wipes, special purpose wipes)
- healthcare (patient care wipes, hard surface disinfectant wipes, skin disinfectant wipes ,other)
- commercial & industrial (foodservice wipes, other)
About the Freedonia Group - The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com, is the premier international industrial research company, providing our clients with product analyses, market forecasts, industry trends, and market share information. From one-person consulting firms to global conglomerates, our analysts provide companies with unbiased, reliable industry market research and analysis to help them make important business decisions. With over 100 studies published annually, we support over 90% of the industrial Fortune 500 companies. Find off-the-shelf studies at https://www.freedoniagroup.com/ or contact us for custom research: +1 440.842.2400.
Press Contact:
Corinne Gangloff
+1 440.842.2400
cgangloff@freedoniagroup.com
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SOURCE The Freedonia Group | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/demand-surface-disinfectant-wipes-remain-elevated-due-covid-19/ | 2022-07-15T15:15:46Z |
PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Two workers at a southern Colorado coal-fired electricity generating plant were buried Thursday when a slide happened on an 80-foot-high (24-meter-high) coal pile and rescuers were trying to find them, officials said.
Witnesses said the workers were buried Thursday morning in the slide at the Comanche Generating Station in Pueblo, said Erik Duran, spokesman for the Pueblo Fire Department.
A rescue team arrived at the plant 10 minutes later and launched the search but had not made contact with the workers by early Thursday afternoon, Duran said.
Two helicopters were at the site, prepared to take victims needing medical care to a hospital, he said.
Witnesses reported that the accident happened on a feeder pile for the station’s coal-fired power plant, which is Colorado’s largest and is operated by Xcel Energy.
Xcel spokeswoman Lacey Nygard said the workers are employed by Savage, a Salt Lake City-based firm contracted by Xcel to operate and maintain the coal yard at Comanche and at other Xcel coal plants.
Xcel is working with Savage and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Department to determine the cause of the accident, Nygard said. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/colorado-coal-pile-slide-buries-2-workers-search-underway/ | 2022-06-02T22:41:41Z |
BOGOTÁ, Colombia, April 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC) it received notification in the Resolution No. 315 of April 26, 2022 that it was being sanctioned for an amount equivalent to four thousand five hundred and fifty dollars (US $ 4,550) by the Agencia Nacional de Hridorcarburos (ANH by its Spanish acronym).
Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated energy companies in the American continent, with more than 17,000 employees. In Colombia, it is responsible for more than 60% of the hydrocarbon production of most transportation, logistics, and hydrocarbon refining systems, and it holds leading positions in the petrochemicals and gas distribution segments. With the acquisition of 51.4% of ISA's shares, the company participates in energy transmission, the management of real-time systems (XM), and the Barranquilla - Cartagena coastal highway concession. At the international level, Ecopetrol has a stake in strategic basins in the American continent, with Drilling and Exploration operations in the United States (Permian basin and the Gulf of Mexico), Brazil, and Mexico, and, through ISA and its subsidiaries, Ecopetrol holds leading positions in the power transmission business in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, road concessions in Chile, and the telecommunications sector. This press release contains business prospect statements, operating and financial result estimates, and statements related to Ecopetrol's growth prospects. These are all projections and, as such, they are based solely on the expectations of the managers regarding the future of the company and their continued access to capital to finance the company's business plan. The realization of said estimates in the future depends on the behavior of market conditions, regulations, competition, the performance of the Colombian economy and the industry, among other factors, and are consequently subject to change without prior notice.
This release contains statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of the Company's prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund the Company's business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration, and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, the Company's competitiveness and the performance of Colombia's economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
For more information, please contact:
Acting Head of Capital Markets
Carolina Tovar Aragón
Email: investors@ecopetrol.com.co
Head of Corporate Communications
Mauricio Téllez
Email: mauricio.tellez@ecopetrol.com.co
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SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/30/ecopetrol-informs-sanction-imposed-by-anh/ | 2022-05-01T05:51:05Z |
LINCOLN, Neb., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Heavy-duty truck inventory levels decreased in August, marking the first inventory decline since February 2022 according to the newest market reports from Sandhills Global. "Dealers are continuing to experience delays in fulfilling and delivering their new truck orders," says AuctionTime Manager Mitch Helman. "Strong demand remains for used heavy-duty trucks."
The 5% month-to-month drop in heavy-duty truck inventory coincided with a rise in auction values, which increased 2.4% M/M. Asking values for heavy-duty trucks continued to slide from the historic highs reached in May 2022. The 3.6% M/M asking value decrease from July to August isn't surprising, considering that asking values are typically slower to react to market changes than auction values.
The key metric used in all of Sandhills' market reports is the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI). Buyers and sellers can use the information in the Sandhills EVI to monitor equipment markets and maximize returns on acquisition, liquidation, and related business decisions. The Sandhills EVI data include equipment available in auction and retail markets, as well as model year equipment actively in use. Regional EVI data is available for the United States (and key geographic regions within) and Canada, allowing Sandhills to reflect machine values by location.
Sandhills Market Reports highlight the most significant changes in Sandhills' used heavy-duty truck, construction equipment, and farm machinery markets. Each report includes detailed analysis and charts that help readers visualize the data. The newest market reports dive into the semi-trailer and medium-duty truck markets, as well as the trends in medium-duty construction equipment, providing a complete view of equipment market trends.
U.S. Used Heavy-Duty Truck Market
- Following a 1.7% M/M inventory increase from June to July, which was a considerably lower increase compared to prior months, heavy-duty truck inventory levels dropped 5% M/M from July to August. Heavy-duty truck inventory was still up 6.6% year-over-year.
- Auction EVI increased 2.4% M/M and was up 16% YOY.
- Asking values decreased for the third consecutive month, dipping 3.6% M/M; asking values were up 30% YOY.
U.S. Used Semi-Trailer Market
- Semi-trailer inventory closely follows that of heavy-duty trucks, with inventory levels decreasing 2.5% M/M.
- Auction values decreased for the fifth consecutive month and were down 3.2% M/M in August. Auction EVI increased 17% YOY.
- Asking values dropped for the third consecutive month, down 2.9% M/M. Asking EVI increased 40% YOY.
U.S. Used Medium-Duty Truck Market
- Medium-duty truck inventory levels have remained steady in recent months and were down just 1.1% M/M in August. Medium-duty truck inventory was up 34% YOY.
- Auction EVI was flat M/M and increased 7.4% YOY.
- Asking EVI decreased 0.6% M/M and increased 20% YOY.
U.S. Used Heavy-Duty Construction Market
- Inventory continues to slowly climb in the heavy-duty construction equipment market. August inventory levels were up 0.75% M/M and down 38% YOY.
- August was the fourth consecutive month of auction value decreases. Auction EVI decreased 2% M/M and increased 7.1% YOY.
- Asking values have also been trending down in recent months. Asking EVI decreased 0.4% M/M and increased 6.2% YOY.
U.S. Used Medium-Duty Construction Market
- While inventory levels in the medium-duty construction equipment market continue to grow, posting an increase of 5.2% M/M in August, auction values for this category have been decreasing since May 2022.
- In August, auction values decreased 0.8% M/M and increased 7.8% YOY.
- Asking values have been slowly decreasing in recent months. Asking EVI decreased 0.4% M/M and increased 13% YOY.
U.S. Used Farm Equipment Market
- The leveling-off pattern seen in farm equipment over the past few months continued in August with inventory levels decreasing just 0.4% M/M, and down 22% YOY.
- Auction EVI decreased 3.5% M/M and increased 7.2% YOY.
- Asking EVI continued to trend upwards in August, increasing 4% M/M and 7.7% YOY.
For more information, or to receive detailed analysis from Sandhills Global, contact us at marketreports@sandhills.com.
Sandhills Global is an information processing company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our products and services gather, process, and distribute information in the form of trade publications, websites, and online services that connect buyers and sellers across the construction, agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, commercial trucking, and aviation industries. Our integrated, industry-specific approach to hosted technologies and services offers solutions that help businesses large and small operate efficiently and grow securely, cost-effectively, and successfully. Sandhills Global—we are the cloud.
The Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI) is a principal gauge of the estimated market values of used assets—both currently and over time—across the construction, agricultural, and commercial trucking industries represented by Sandhills Global marketplaces, including AuctionTime.com, TractorHouse.com, MachineryTrader.com, TruckPaper.com, and other industry-specific equipment platforms. Powered by FleetEvaluator, Sandhills' proprietary asset valuation tool, Sandhills EVI provides useful insights into the ever-changing supply-and-demand conditions for each industry.
Contact Sandhills
www.sandhills.com/contact-us
402-479-2181
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SOURCE Sandhills Global | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/latest-sandhills-market-report-shows-heavy-duty-truck-inventory-settling-down-after-recent-period-growth/ | 2022-09-08T19:50:30Z |
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ:TECH) today announced that Exosome Diagnostics, a Bio-Techne brand, will present initial data on their novel non-invasive saliva profiling assay for Sjögren's Syndrome diagnosis and monitoring at the 15th International Symposium on Sjögren's Syndrome in Rome, Italy on Friday Sept 9. Exosome Diagnostics' novel Sjögren's Syndrome diagnostic and monitoring tool leverages extracellular vesicles (EVs) to monitor the RNA transcriptome from a small saliva sample.
The data presented highlights a groundbreaking non-invasive monitoring tool to diagnose and understand the pathogenesis of Sjögren's Syndrome from a small saliva sample, with potential applications for other autoimmune diseases. The presentation will be given by Exosome Diagnostics study collaborator, Dr Athena Papas, Professor of Diagnostic Sciences at Tufts School of Dental Medicine (Boston, MA) with the title "Identification of a saliva exosomal-RNA signature for Sjögren's Syndrome". The study included saliva from Sjögren's Syndrome patients as well as from other auto-immune disease patients, including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as necessary controls.
Sjögren's Syndrome is a hard to diagnose auto-immune disease, with impacted patients often on a several year journey before being properly diagnosed, creating a high need for a non-invasive, accurate molecular test. Exosome Diagnostics' saliva EV-based assay has proven to not only being able to stratify these patients, but also profile the molecular pathways that are affected in each patient.
Historically it has been challenging to monitor RNA in saliva but by using the Exosome-based platform, over 12,000 mRNAs were profiled in these samples. The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) values were over 0.9 for identification of Sjögren's Syndrome patients, and identified novel pathways affected in these patients as well as well-known pathways targeting interferon responses and aquaporins.
"We believe this is a very important step forward to enable precision medicine using saliva as the basis for a completely non-invasive liquid biopsy. New tools for diagnosing and monitoring auto-immune disease patients, including Sjögren's Syndrome, are important to improving patient care. Additionally, being able to shed light on what molecular pathways are affected could increase the understanding of the heterogeneity of these diseases, and ultimately lead to more efficient treatment options," said Dr Johan Skog, Chief Scientific Officer at Exosome Diagnostics.
About Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH)
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SOURCE Bio-Techne Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/bio-techne-presents-initial-data-sjgrens-syndrome-monitoring-assay/ | 2022-09-08T12:33:52Z |
NEW YORK, April 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) is scheduled to release its financial results for the fiscal year 2022 third quarter on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Broadridge will host a webcast and conference call to discuss those results at 8:30 a.m. ET on May 3, 2022. Tim Gokey, Chief Executive Officer, and Edmund Reese, Chief Financial Officer, will participate on the call.
To listen to the live event and access the slide presentation, visit Broadridge's Investor Relations website at www.broadridge-ir.com prior to the start of the webcast. To listen to the call, investors may also dial 1-877-328-2502 within the United States and international callers may dial 1-412-317-5419.
A replay of the webcast will be available and can be accessed in the same manner as the live webcast at the Broadridge Investor Relations website. Through May 10, 2022, the recording will also be available by dialing 1-877-344-7529 within the United States or 1-412-317-0088 for international callers, using passcode 3051064 for either dial-in number.
About Broadridge
Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with $5 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance, and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than U.S. $9 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work®, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500® Index, employing over 13,000 associates in 21 countries. For more information about us please visit broadridge.com.
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SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/20/broadridge-schedules-webcast-conference-call-review-third-quarter-fiscal-year-2022-results-may-3-2022/ | 2022-04-20T20:32:07Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — No summer pool day is complete without a bowl of fresh fruit. There is no better-tasting snack after a day of running around as a kid. No matter which fruit was your favorite, whether that be strawberries, bananas or even melons, you can’t go wrong with fruit.
In celebration of fruits, specifically melons, Sunday, Aug. 14, is National Melon Day. All melons are created equal on this day, whether they be cantaloupes, galias or any other muskmelons, everyone is getting some love.
If you are in the mood to have some fresh fruit, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best places for fresh fruit in North Texas, according to Foursquare.
- Dallas Farmers Market
- Uncle Julio’s
- Whole Foods Market
- Central Market
For more information, visit FourSquare. | https://cw33.com/news/local/best-places-to-get-some-fresh-fruit-in-north-texas-according-to-foursquare/ | 2022-08-14T14:01:55Z |
SAN MATEO, Calif., May 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scrible, the super app that streamlines the research and writing process for students and educators, announced today its new partnership with the Educational Service Centers of Indiana (ESC of I) to provide its members access to its platform at a considerable discount.
ESC of I is a collaborative of Indiana's nine individual Education Service Centers (ESCs). Its members consist of the ESCs and the K-12 public school districts they serve. ESC of I implements statewide initiatives beneficial to nearly 50,000 educators and 720,000 students across Indiana's 92 counties.
Under the partnership, Scrible will provide the fully featured, paid version of Scrible to ESC of I members via the Scrible Edu Pro School Plan, District Plan and ESC Plan at special, discounted pricing. As a result, more Indiana educators and students will be able to use Scrible's robust platform to advance teaching and learning of the research and writing process.
"Half of America's secondary students struggle with research skills and aren't prepared for college writing," said Victor Karkar, CEO of Scrible. "We're excited to work with ESC of I to solve this problem. This partnership makes powerful modern tools accessible to Indiana schools to develop the essential digital literacy and communication skills students need for success in college and at work."
Historically, students, teachers and librarians have used multiple tools throughout the research and writing workflow. Scrible consolidates those tools in one place, streamlining a student's process of curating, annotating, citing and writing. The platform also enables teachers and librarians to track student progress via real-time analytics and easily access student work and provide timely feedback on it.
"Scrible was vetted by our Partnerships Team for quality, service and return on investment," said Dr. Christina Hilton, Director of Partnerships for ESC of I. "The team was very impressed with the platform's ability to help students stay organized throughout the research and writing process. We hope more schools will adopt Scrible into the classroom and see for themselves the impact it can have on their students' college and career readiness."
For more information or to request a quote, visit: https://escindiana.org/partnerships/scrible.
About Scrible
Scrible is a comprehensive online platform tackling the huge research and writing skills crisis undermining students' college and career readiness. Scrible helps students curate, annotate and collaborate on texts and supports writing with citation capture, bibliography and outline editors and word processor integration. Easy access to student work and real-time progress data enables educators to provide timely feedback and personalize instruction for each student.
Learn more at https://www.scrible.com
About Educational Service Centers of Indiana
Educational Service Centers of Indiana (ESC of I) is a collaborative of Indiana's nine individual Education Service Centers (ESCs), each of which serves the schools in its designated geographical region through a variety of programs and services such as professional development, cooperative purchasing, risk management and more. The mission of ESC of I is to create a collaborative environment for all of Indiana's ESCs to implement statewide initiatives beneficial to all of Indiana's educators and students.
Learn more at https://escindiana.org
Media Contact:
Victor Karkar
866-SCRIBLE
press@scrible.com
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SOURCE Scrible, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/23/educational-service-centers-indiana-partners-with-scrible-help-indiana-schools-affordably-access-its-research-writing-super-app/ | 2022-05-23T18:26:18Z |
Two housing market rankings place Topeka towards the top
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Realtor.com released it’s housing market rankings Monday and Topeka came in at number 14 nationwide. The Wall Street Journal also released it’s summertime emerging markets list Tuesday and places Topeka at number 9. Linda Briden is CEO of the Sunflower Association of Realtors and says Topeka is outgrowing it’s stereotype.
“I think a lot of times Topeka tries to compare themselves with Kansas City or Lawrence and viewed as the step child or the, or the lesser, the younger brother whatever you want to call it, which I’ve never agreed with,” said Briden. “I feel like our city compares well if not better for the value that you get.”
Realtor.com compared the median number of days a house spends on the market with the median home price on a year over year basis and noted low unemployment and status as the state capital as plus marks for Topeka.
“I think it certainly makes Topeka more attractive to the person looking for a relaxed lifestyle,” said Briden, “good schools, interesting activities, and affordable option as a homeowner.”
Matt Pivarnik with the Greater Topeka Partnership in a statement also praised the high ranking as proof that Topeka is getting the attention it deserves saying “This is great news! With housing markets across the country beginning to lose steam, the continued strength of the Topeka market highlights the fundamentals that make our community an incredible place to live. We used to say the great life you can enjoy in Topeka was the best kept secret in the country. I guess the secret is out!”
Even so, in this white hot housing market Briden said there are still winners and losers.
“It’s great for the seller, not so great for the buyer with the inventory shortage.”
More details about the local housing market can be found here.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/26/two-housing-market-rankings-place-topeka-towards-top/ | 2022-07-26T23:56:46Z |
MINNETONKA, Minn., July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Table Trac, Inc. (OTCQX: TBTC) announced today that the Lucky Strike Casino, located at 444 E Williams Street, Carson City, Nevada, will soon have Table Trac, Inc.'s CasinoTrac casino management system installed.
Stillwater Gaming owns and operates multiple casino properties located in Carson Valley, Churchill County and Lyon County all in Nevada. These locations feature slot machines as well as entertainment, hotels, bars and restaurants.
"CasinoTrac's full featured online CMS system for customer facing and back of the house casino operations is gaining a reputation for reliability and value for casino operators. We are proud to be expanding with Stillwater Gaming with that reliability and value," said Chad Hoehne, President of Table Trac Inc.
"When I think about CasinoTrac, I see great value. The system is developed and supported by professionals who are truly focused on the end user – casino guests," said Scott Tate, Stillwater Gaming, LLC. "I am impressed with the stability of the CasinoTrac system as we have utilized it over the last couple of years at two of our casinos. Additionally, I particularly like the fact that Table Trac is a company dedicated completely to gaming systems. That focus appears to be what drives the quality of the system and the culture of the Table Trac Team."
About Table Trac, Inc.
Founded in 1995, Table Trac, Inc. designs, develops and sells casino management systems. CasinoTrac is currently operating in casinos across 13 countries including the United States, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Australia. More information is available at http://www.tabletrac.com/.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For more information:
Robert Siqveland
Table Trac, Inc.
952-548-8877
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SOURCE Table Trac, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/table-trac-is-expanding-with-stillwater-gaming-by-installing-casinotrac-management-system-lucky-strike-casino/ | 2022-07-12T22:11:37Z |
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke announced federal charges against four former and current Louisville Metro Police Department officers related to the death of Breonna Taylor and violations of Kenneth Walker's constitutional rights. The charges include Civil Rights Violations, Unlawful Conspiracies, Unconstitutional Use of Force, and Obstruction Offenses.
The indicted officers are named defendants in a federal lawsuit and a state court lawsuit brought by Kenneth Walker. The federal action seeks damages for the LMPD officers' fabrication of evidence to obtain a warrant to search Ms. Taylor's residence; their execution of the warrant in defiance of the Fourth Amendment "knock and announce" requirement; and their use of overwhelming and excessive force when Mr. Walker, a licensed gun owner, sought to defend himself and Ms. Taylor against what he reasonably thought were threatening intruders. The state court action seeks damages for both the assault and battery inflicted upon Mr. Walker after he witnessed the killing of Ms. Taylor, as well as his subsequent false arrest and malicious prosecution.
Mr. Walker is represented by Donald B. Verrilli Jr., the former Solicitor General of the United States, Ruby Garrett, Dahlia Mignouna, Brendan Gants, Jacob Kreilkamp, and Robyn Bacon of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP; Professor Cliff Sloan of Georgetown University Law Center; Steven Romines of Romines Weiss and Young; and Frederick Moore, Abby Green, and Phil Grossman of Grossman Green PLLC.
Steve Romines, one of the Kentucky-based attorneys representing Mr. Walker, released the following statement.
"We have said from the beginning that various LMPD officers repeatedly violated their own policies and Kenny Walker's constitutional rights in the investigation, raid, and subsequent false arrest of Kenny in an attempt to cover up their own wrongdoings in the killing of Breonna Taylor. It appears a federal grand jury agreed. We will continue to seek justice in the civil courts and call for changes to policies and procedures that protect all our citizens. No other person should ever live through what Mr. Walker has lived through. We call on LMPD to complete an internal review of the injustices to Mr. Walker and a publication of changes in the way police officers are trained and supervised."
About Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
For nearly 60 years, Munger, Tolles & Olson attorneys have partnered with clients on their most complex matters. With a deep bench that includes former governmental luminaries and over 155 former federal judicial clerks, our attorneys have extensive experience handling precedent-shaping cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals, and federal and state courts across the country. The firm also has a rich legacy of providing full-service legal counsel on corporate matters ranging from industry-altering mergers and acquisitions to complex financing transactions and corporate governance issues. We have earned our reputation by providing clients with exceptional judgment, creative thinking, and a deep commitment to understanding the complexities of their businesses and industries.
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SOURCE Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/05/federal-indictments-issued-against-current-former-louisville-metro-police-officers-related-death-breonna-taylor-violations-kenneth-walkers-constitutional-rights/ | 2022-08-05T18:20:46Z |
Iconic Lip Balm Brand Re-Releases Limited Edition "Love Wins" Stick and Calls on LGBTQ+ Allies to Share #ProudLips Moments to Support It Gets Better Project
WARREN, N.J., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Time to pucker up for a good cause! ChapStick is proud to show continued allyship of the LGBTQ+ community through the re-release of a limited-edition "Love Wins" cotton candy-flavored lip balm this June. As part of the initiative, the brand is partnering with the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit organization with the mission to uplift, empower and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth around the globe. In addition to a $25,000 donation, 100% of the "Love Wins" lip balm sales will benefit the organization to help support LGBTQ+ youth, while supplies last.
To spark a positive impact within the community, ChapStick is calling on brand fans and all LGBTQ+ allies to show support this Pride Month by showing off their #ProudLips. Whether sharing a smooch with a loved one or a giving a friend a kiss, supporters are invited to share their #ProudLips moments via Instagram posts or by using the #ProudLips filter on Instagram stories and tagging @ChapStick.
"At ChapStick, we believe in using lips for good and are proud to team up with the It Gets Better Project to advocate for LGBTQ+ youth worldwide," said Angela Gozenput, ChapStick Brand Director. "We are constantly inspired by our community and can't wait to see how they show off their #ProudLips in unwavering support and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community this Pride Month."
The exclusive ChapStick "Love Wins" cotton candy lip balm is available while supplies last this month on www.ChapStick.com as a 12-count pack for a MSRP of $24 with 100% of sales donated to the It Gets Better Project.
To learn more about ChapStick and the causes that the brand supports, including the It Gets Better Project, visit www.ChapStick.com.
About ChapStick
ChapStick, the lip expert, makes it a priority to help people care for their lips all year round. Originally created in the early 1880s, ChapStick is known today as America's favorite lip balm and there's a variety for every consumer need. As part of GSK Consumer Healthcare, ChapStick offers a variety of products and fun flavors that promote happier and healthier lips. For more information on ChapStick, please visit www.ChapStick.com.
About GSK Consumer Healthcare
GSK Consumer Healthcare combines science and consumer insights to create innovative world-class health care brands that consumers trust, and experts recommend for oral health, pain relief, respiratory and wellness.
About the It Gets Better Project
It Gets Better Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that strives to uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe. Created in 2010 as the result of one of the most successful viral campaigns in YouTube's history, the It Gets Better Project provides critical support and hope to LGBTQ+ youth around the world by leveraging the power of media to reach millions of people each year. The project has expanded its origins in storytelling and media to include educational resources through It Gets Better EDU and reaches 18 countries outside of the U.S. through It Gets Better Global.
The project has garnered support from President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with numerous celebrities, including Kelly Clarkson, Gabrielle Union, Zachary Quinto, MJ Rodriguez, Josie Totah, and Gigi Gorgeous. More than 750,000 people have taken the It Gets Better pledge to share messages of hope and speak up against intolerance. Please visit www.itgetsbetter.org for more information, and join the conversation on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter at @ItGetsBetter; Facebook.com/ItGetsBetterProject; and YouTube.com/ItGetsBetterProject.
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SOURCE GSK Consumer Healthcare | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/lips-good-chapstick-champions-lgbtq-community/ | 2022-06-01T17:02:05Z |
- Dataminr's partner ecosystem currently includes Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation, Esri, TD SYNNEX, and more
- The program will further accelerate global product adoption of Dataminr, more seamlessly integrate Dataminr alerts into enterprise workflows and offer the flexibility for corporations to procure Dataminr's products through trusted channel and reseller partners
NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dataminr, the world's leading real-time information discovery platform, today launched its global partner ecosystem, the Dataminr Partner Program. The program will dramatically expand Dataminr's customer reach across the corporate market, while also providing better enterprise workflow integration and the flexibility to procure Dataminr's products through trusted partners.
Dataminr's partner program makes it easier for corporations to operationalize Dataminr's AI Platform across their organization and more seamlessly integrate Dataminr alerts into their workflow. Additionally, this initiative will open up Dataminr's offerings to corporate enterprises in a growing set of commercial sectors and geographic regions through Channel Partners, and provide our signals to Platform Partners to power products for new corporate use cases including supply chain, logistics, fleet management, insurance and many more.
"The Dataminr Partner Program broadens our scale and reach through channel partners and reseller networks, delivers more value for our customers, and powers global sales through partners that can sell the Dataminr solution in their local region," said Aharon Weiner, SVP Global Partnerships, Dataminr. "The program will accelerate Dataminr's customer growth, optimize workflow integration, unlock new corporate use cases for our AI Platform, and also feature numerous benefits and incentives for partnerships with comprehensive partner resources."
Leading merchants and businesses including Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, TD SYNNEX, NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation—and long-time partner ESRI—are new participants in the partner ecosystem.
"We are proud to have the opportunity to be one of the first participants in the Dataminr Partner Program," said Cheryl Neal, Vice President of New Vendor Acquisition at TD SYNNEX. "Together with Dataminr, we will be able to enrich the breadth and depth of our offerings, ultimately maximizing the value of our customers' information and IT investments and unlocking growth for the future."
For new partners, comprehensive program benefits include:
- Flexible compensation models with competitive margins and margin protection
- Co-selling benefits such as joint business planning and joint account mapping
- Market development funds to drive demand and pipeline growth
- A library of resources that includes training and enablement, sales tools, marketing assets and more.
More information about the Dataminr Partner Program related resources can be found on Dataminr's Partner homepage. The program will continue to accept new partners and add resources to support a growing ecosystem that customers and partners can rely on.
Dataminr delivers the earliest warnings on high impact events and critical information far in advance of other sources. Recognized as one of the world's leading AI businesses, Dataminr enables faster response, more effective risk mitigation and stronger crisis management for public and private sector organizations spanning global corporations, first responders, NGOs, and newsrooms. Recently valued at $4.1B, Dataminr is one of New York's top private technology companies, with 900+ employees across eight global offices.
Since its founding in 2009, Dataminr has created the world's leading real-time information discovery platform, which detects digital patterns of emerging events and critical information from public data signals. Today, Dataminr's leading AI platform performs trillions of daily computations across billions of public data inputs from over 300,000 unique public data sources. The company has been recognized for its groundbreaking AI platform and rapid revenue growth by Forbes AI 50 and Deloitte Fast 500, and has been named to Forbes Cloud 100 for six consecutive years.
Alongside Dataminr's corporate product, Dataminr Pulse, the company provides public sector organizations with its First Alert product for first response, including the United Nations, which relies on First Alert in over 100 countries. Dataminr for News is used by more than 650 newsrooms and by over 30,000 journalists worldwide.
Contact: media@dataminr.com
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SOURCE Dataminr | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/dataminr-announces-new-partners-with-launch-its-global-partner-program/ | 2022-08-11T13:51:36Z |
The agreement focuses on patient care, research, and education. Also, the IIMM will house the Center for the Future of Surgery, the only one outside the USA
TIJUANA, Mexico, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Institute of Metabolic Medicine (IIMM), based in Tijuana, Mexico, proudly announces the formal partnership with the Department of Surgery at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). This partnership for teaching, consulting, and the second opinion sees the union of two metabolic and bariatric surgery powerhouses.
This collaboration opens the doors to cross-border health services and a network of health providers in Mexico.
Furthermore, the IIMM will house the Center for the Future of Surgery (CFS) of UCSD, the only based outside the USA. Thanks to education, research, and innovation, Tijuana will be a medical benchmark in Latin America.
The IIMM and the UCSD centers share an enviable global reputation for high-quality, cost-effective surgical care and world-class international surgical education. Unique to this academic collaboration is that both centers have a proven track record of world-class surgical education and training through the Center for the Future of Surgery (CFS) based at UCSD, and the International Bariatric Club Digital Education and Communications headquarters is also found at the IIMM.
MD Brian Clery, Chief of Surgery at UCSD:
"Today, we are celebrating a fundamental and aspirational idea that fluid collaborations across international borders can not only occur but can bring about important benefits to patients throughout our greater geographic region. The economics of health care in concert with the shared heritage of our two great nations are such that cooperation in matters about the health of our patients is increasingly important and desirable."
MD Santiago Horgan is a professor of surgery at the UCSD, Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatric Surgery, Director of the Bariatric Metabolic Institute, and Director of the Center for the Future of Surgery. He stressed that at the Center for the Future of Surgery, surgeons and scientists innovate surgical techniques through research, education, and teaching procedures that revolutionize medicine.
"We opened in 2011 and have trained more than 30,000 people, from residents and medical students to surgeons, nurses and industry partners, making it one of the world's largest and most comprehensive surgical simulation centers."
MD Ariel Ortiz, Medical Director and Founder of the IIMM https://www.iimm.com.mx has 30 years of experience as a Lead Surgeon and Founder of the Obesity Control Center https://obesitycontrolcenter.com "I am very proud of this collaboration. The globalization of medical care is more evident than ever in this region, and this unprecedented alliance focuses on patient care. This care is essential and is not present in the current global medical tourism model. We have a facility that redefines the phrase 'state-of-the-art.' Hundreds of monthly procedures, such as weight loss surgery and plastic surgery, are performed here. In 26 years, nearly 26,000 successful procedures have been performed without mortality, and multiple international quality certifications have been obtained, making the IIMM a logical choice for medical tourists."
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Company: International Institute of Metabolic Medicine
www.iimm.com.mx
Name: Jorge D'Garay
Phone: +1 619 628 9434
Email: jdgaray@mxuspr.com
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SOURCE Instituto Internacional de Medicina Metabólica | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/international-institute-metabolic-medicine-tijuana-university-california-san-diego-signed-an-unprecedented-alliance/ | 2022-06-22T13:58:37Z |
INDIANAPOLIS, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) plans to expand its manufacturing footprint in Indiana by investing $2.1 billion in two new manufacturing sites at Indiana's LEAP Lebanon Innovation and Research District in Boone County.
These new facilities will expand Lilly's manufacturing network for active ingredients and new therapeutic modalities, such as genetic medicines, and represent the company's dedication to strengthening its portfolio of potentially life-changing treatments.
"More than 146 years after our founding, Lilly remains committed to investing and innovating in Indiana," said David A. Ricks, Lilly's chair and CEO. "These new sites will add capacity in support of our growing pipeline of innovative medicines, while also creating more high-tech jobs for Hoosiers. We are pleased to be a founding investor at the LEAP Lebanon Innovation District."
Over the past eight years, Lilly has delivered 17 new medicines, including tirzepatide (approved by the FDA as Mounjaro™) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and aims to introduce four potential new medicines in the next two years. These new sites will support increased demand for existing Lilly products and play a key role in bringing Lilly's robust clinical pipeline to patients around the world.
The proposed project is expected to create up to 500 new Lilly roles with an additional four indirect jobs for every Lilly position created, based on industry data. An estimated 1,500 construction jobs will be required while the facilities are being built.
"Lilly has been an anchor in Indiana's economy for generations, and this announcement means they will continue to be here for generations," said Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb. "I am incredibly proud Lilly continues to make exciting investments in Indiana that will better the lives and opportunities of Hoosiers for decades to come. And in turn, the very research and pharmaceutical manufacturing spearheaded here in our state will improve lives worldwide."
Lilly's most recent expansion in Indiana was announced in 2019 and capped a series of investments in research and manufacturing in and around Indianapolis. Those investments totaled more than $2.5 billion over five years and have created additional manufacturing jobs bringing the total current number of Lilly manufacturing employees in Indiana to more than 3,700.
The investment in Boone County is contingent upon local zoning and annexation approvals. Lilly is partnering with several organizations throughout the project, including the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom. C-LLY
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about planned capital investments in new manufacturing sites and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, there can be no assurance that Lilly will successfully complete the planned manufacturing sites or that Lilly will otherwise execute its strategy as planned. There are substantial risks and uncertainties in the manufacturing process, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products which could impact the launch of potential new products or the overall commercial success of our products. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/lilly-plans-invest-21-billion-new-manufacturing-sites-indiana/ | 2022-05-25T17:38:52Z |
ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry's not-for-profit research organization, today launched the 2022 Top Industry Issues Survey. The annual survey asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with potential strategies for addressing each issue.
Now in its 18th year, ATRI's annual analysis not only ranks the issues overall but also provides insights into how critical topics are ranked differently by motor carriers and professional drivers. The report also allows stakeholders to monitor issues over time to better understand which issues are rising, or falling, in criticality.
"The annual Top Industry Issues Survey has long been a crucial part of understanding the issues facing our country's supply chain. ATRI's research provides a chance for thousands of trucking industry professionals, from drivers to executives, to weigh in on the most important topics that affect trucking and collectively decide on the best strategies for addressing each," said ATA Chair Harold Sumerford, Jr., CEO of J & M Tank Lines, Inc.
"I encourage my fellow drivers to take a few minutes and complete the Top Industry Issues Survey. Whether your top issue is truck parking, driver compensation, detention, traffic congestion or something else, it only takes a few minutes to make your voice heard and for us collectively to let the industry know what drivers are most concerned about," said Steve Fields, an America's Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for Yellow.
The results of the 2022 survey will be released October 22, 2022 as part of the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition to be held in San Diego, California.
Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the 2022 survey available by clicking here. The survey will remain open through October 7, 2022.
ATRI is the trucking industry's 501c3 not-for-profit research organization. It is engaged in critical research relating to freight transportation's essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.
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SOURCE American Transportation Research Institute | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/trucking-industry-asked-rank-top-concerns/ | 2022-09-06T17:39:25Z |
In New Orleans the neutral ground is the place people come together - a place where all are welcome. Inspired by this, Mignon Faget has created a collection versatile enough for anyone and everyone. Mix and match it with your favorite pieces to create a look that's perfect for you, just as you are.
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In New Orleans, there is a place where everyone gathers, regardless of race, economic status, age, style or opinions. Anywhere else it would be called a median, but in New Orleans, this real estate between roadways is an anything-but-ordinary location to celebrate Mardi Gras parades, gather with neighbors, dance in Second Lines and share food, drink, laughter and tears with both strangers and friends. It is this culturally important piece of real estate that inspired the newest collection by iconic jewelry house Mignon Faget – Neutral Ground.
"We designed this collection to be truly universal and celebrate the beauty that comes from our differences. The collection eschews traditional ideas about jewelry and shows that there truly are no boundaries to expression. It breaks down barriers for the wearer and gives them freedom and permission to express all parts of themselves," said Maghan Oroszi, Chief Operating and Creative Officer.
Designed to create unique looks that transcend style and outdated gender norms, pieces in the collection are not labeled as men's or women's. Sturdy chains pair effortlessly with delicate pearls and soft tones. Warm and cool palettes, mixed metals, and styles combine to make Neutral Ground a collection simply for jewelry lovers, shifting seamlessly from everyday to special occasion while elevating and complementing the unique individual style of the wearer.
The brand's vibrant fall catalog perfectly captures the spirit of the collection, following a young couple as they hop off the famed New Orleans streetcar and journey beyond the evening's festivities "headed anywhere but home." They stumble upon their own "neutral ground" in the form of an all-night diner with an eclectic cast of patrons. Over coffee, milkshakes and French fries, the strangers trade stories and become friends.
In addition to the launch of the Neutral Ground line, Mignon Faget announced the revamped return of the popular Pylon and Ironworks Collections. Pylon, which evokes monumental structures that speak to power and memorability, has been updated with mixed metal pieces and pearl accents. Ironworks, inspired by the ornamental architectural detail abundant in New Orleans wrought iron, debuts new pieces sure to excite dedicated collectors of the line.
For over 50 years, the design house of Mignon Faget has handcrafted jewelry inspired by the scenery around its home of New Orleans. Mignon Faget artisans are influenced by the city's streets that are lined with wild jasmine, wrought iron balconies, and the sparkling night sky. Never shying away from standing out, Mignon Faget is preparing to withstand the test of time.
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SOURCE Mignon Faget | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/mignon-faget-launches-neutral-ground-collection-designed-celebrate-coming-together-inclusion/ | 2022-09-14T11:56:17Z |
HARTFORD, Conn., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE: ZTR) previously announced the following monthly distribution on May 25, 2022:
Under the terms of its Managed Distribution Plan, the Fund will seek to maintain a consistent distribution level that may be paid in part or in full from net investment income and realized capital gains, or a combination thereof. Shareholders should note, however, that if the Fund's aggregate net investment income and net realized capital gains are less than the amount of the distribution level, the difference will be distributed from the Fund's assets and will constitute a return of the shareholder's capital. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's Managed Distribution Plan.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with 'yield' or 'income'.
The Fund provided this estimate of the sources of the distributions:
Information regarding the Fund's performance and distribution rates is set forth below. Please note that all performance figures are based on the Fund's NAV and not the market price of the Fund's shares. Performance figures are not meant to represent individual shareholder performance.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates only and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the distributions for tax purposes will depend on the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund or your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you what distributions to report for federal income tax purposes.
About the Fund
Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. is a diversified closed-end fund whose investment objective is capital appreciation, with income as a secondary objective. Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. is the investment adviser, and Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC are the subadvisers to the Fund.
For more information on the Fund, contact shareholder services at (866) 270-7788, by email at closedendfunds@virtus.com, or through the closed-end fund section of www.virtus.com.
Fund Risks
An investment in a fund is subject to risk, including the risk of possible loss of principal. A fund's shares may be worth less upon their sale than what an investor paid for them. Shares of closed-end funds may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. For more information about each Fund's investment objective and risks, please see the Fund's annual report. A copy of the Fund's most recent annual report may be obtained free of charge by contacting "Shareholder Services" as set forth at the bottom of this press release.
About Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. has more than 35 years of experience managing investment portfolios, including institutional separate accounts and open- and closed-end funds investing in utilities, master limited partnerships (MLPs), infrastructure, and real estate investment trusts (REITs). For more information, visit www.dpimc.com.
About Newfleet Asset Management
Newfleet Asset Management, an affiliated manager of Virtus Investment Partners, provides comprehensive fixed income portfolio management in multiple strategies. The Newfleet Multi-Sector Strategies team that manages the Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. leverages the knowledge and skill of investment professionals with expertise in every sector of the bond market, including evolving, specialized, and out-of-favor sectors. The team employs active sector rotation and disciplined risk management to portfolio construction, avoiding interest rate bets, and remaining duration neutral to each strategy's stated benchmark. For more information, visit www.newfleet.com.
About Virtus Investment Partners
Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. The company provides investment management products and services through its affiliated managers and select subadvisers, each with a distinct investment style, autonomous investment process, and individual brand. For more information, visit www.virtus.com.
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SOURCE Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/virtus-total-return-fund-inc-discloses-sources-distribution-section-19a-notice/ | 2022-06-02T21:58:05Z |
Prestigious Certification Affirms Paradigm's Commitment to a People-Focused Culture
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Paradigm, the industry leader in solving catastrophic and complex health care challenges and improving lives, today announced that the company is Great Place to Work® - Certified for 2022. The designation of this prestigious honor is based on the responses of current employees to a comprehensive survey of their experiences working at Paradigm. According to survey results, an impressive 90% of Paradigm employees said the organization is a great place to work—which is significantly higher than the U.S. company average of 57%.
"Paradigm is honored to receive this certification," said John S. Watts Jr., CEO, Paradigm. "I am continually amazed by the work our teams do every day. It's great to see their commitment to Paradigm confirmed by a respected external source. In a competitive job market, this award will support Paradigm in attracting top talent to join us in our mission to improve more lives."
Great Place to Work Certification™ is an employer-of-choice recognition program based exclusively on employee reporting of workplace experience and trust. This highly regarded certification is recognized worldwide by organizations as a benchmark for identifying and recognizing the top tier workplace cultures. During the extensive process, organizations are assessed on various categories including credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.
"It's incredibly gratifying for Paradigm to be recognized thanks to the advocacy of our own team members," said Karen Jones, Chief Human Resources Officer, Paradigm. "It is a clear affirmation of our commitment to a supportive, caring, and collaborative company culture. Building a diverse team dedicated to meaningful, people-focused work is what has enabled Paradigm to achieve truly life-changing results for 30 years and counting."
According to research conducted by Great Place to Work®, compared to national averages, employees working at a Certified™ company are:
- 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work
- 4.5 times more likely to find leadership they consider great, and
- 2 times as likely to be paid fairly.
Learn about the people-focused culture and opportunities for meaningful work at Paradigm.
About Paradigm
Paradigm is an accountable specialty care management organization focused on improving the lives of people with complex and catastrophic injuries and diagnoses. The company has been a pioneer in value-based care since 1991 and has an exceptional track record of generating the very best outcomes for patients, payers, and providers. Deep clinical expertise is the foundation for every part of Paradigm's business, including its risk-based clinical solutions, case management services, high-value specialty networks, home health, and payment integrity programs.
Paradigm is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, with offices across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.paradigmcorp.com.
Media Contact
Ronda Clement
VP of Marketing
ronda.clement@paradigmcorp.com
(727) 488-9345
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SOURCE Paradigm | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/paradigm-receives-2022-great-place-work-certification/ | 2022-05-25T20:41:41Z |
- Finishing touches to Battersea Power Station's iconic chimneys were made today in preparation for the public opening on Friday 14th October
- Battersea Power Station is set to become London's most exciting retail and leisure destination with the first of over 100 shops, bars, restaurants, office space and leisure venues opening
LONDON, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Battersea Power Station announces today that it will open its doors to the public for the first time in history from Friday 14th October 2022. Electric Boulevard, a new pedestrianised high street, which runs from the south of the Power Station, between Frank Gehry's Prospect Place and Foster + Partners' Battersea Roof Gardens to the new Battersea Power Station Zone 1 Underground station, will also open on the same day.
Simon Murphy, CEO at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), said: "It has taken a lot of hard work, determination, and the continued commitment of the Malaysian Shareholders over the past ten years to bring Battersea Power Station back to its former glory. Announcing that we will be opening the building to the public for the first time in history in just over a month's time is a monumental moment for the project. We can't wait to welcome the first visitors, and show the local community, Londoners, and the rest of the world, the historic beauty of the Grade II* listed building, which has been transformed into London's most unique destination for all to enjoy."
The Power Station has been under the custodianship of the current shareholders, Sime Darby Property, S P Setia and the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) since 2012, and during this time, the Grade II* listed building has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. In 2019, PNB and EPF became the long-term commercial asset holders securing the future of the landmark for many generations.
For the full press release, please visit:
For media enquiries, please contact:
T: +44 (0) 20 7062 1870
E: pressoffice@bpsdc.co.uk
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1888497/Battersea_Power_Station_opening.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1888496/Battersea_Power_Station_logo.jpg
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SOURCE Battersea Power Station | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/battersea-power-station-opens-friday-14-october-2022/ | 2022-09-01T09:07:16Z |
Jonas Family's Personal History Presents New Era of Destination Dining on The Strip
LAS VEGAS, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nellie's Southern Kitchen, a Jonas family experience honoring their matriarch's timeless recipes, has officially opened the doors to its first West Coast location at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Helmed by Denise and Kevin Jonas, Sr. – the parents of Kevin II, Joe and Nick (the Jonas Brothers) and Franklin – in partnership with TLI Bedrock LLC, Nellie's welcomes guests to a seat at the Jonas family table with nightly live music, generous hospitality and timeless Southern comfort food.
MGM Grand is the second restaurant location for Nellie's Southern Kitchen, which began in Belmont, North Carolina. Nellie's Southern Kitchen is a celebration of Nellie, Kevin, Sr.'s grandmother, who lived in Belmont working in the cotton mills by day and cooking delicious meals for her loved ones by night. Nellie combined music and food into nightly rituals around the table, forging the tight-knit traditions the Jonas family continues to this day.
The opening celebration included appearances by Denise and Kevin Jonas, Sr., all four Jonas brothers and Danielle Jonas. Entertainment was provided by Jonas Group Entertainment artists including Olivia "LIVVIA" Somerlyn, Bailee Madison, Lanie Gardner, Hayley Orrantia, Hello Sister, and Terri Jo Box along with special guest Daniella Mason. Following the party, the Jonas Brothers took the stage down the street at Dolby Live theater at Park MGM for their residency performance.
See pictures and video from Nellie's opening celebration, food and design images
Nellie's welcomes guests to a seat at the Jonas family table to enjoy recipes passed down from Grandma Nellie, and reimagined favorites from executive chef Mario Nichols, who was raised in North Carolina and began cooking soul food with his family at a young age.
- Appetizers – Guests will feel right at home with a mix of Southern staples and delicious takes on favorites to kick off their meal. The Collard and Artichoke Dip with collards, artichoke and parmesan is an extra savory version of the beloved starter. A Las Vegas exclusive, the Southern Rolls feature BBQ chicken, creamy mac and cheese and collards rolled in a crispy fried egg roll, served with Nellie's signature sauce. No meal is complete without a basket of Grandma Nellie's famous pillowy Biscuits with cinnamon-honey butter and jam.
- Entrées – Fans of traditional homestyle dishes will be enchanted by Nellie's Chicken and Dumplins, a must-try Jonas family dish featuring chicken and house-made dumplins in a rich broth served over silky mashed potatoes, gravy and collard greens. For a unique variation on a seafood staple, guests can opt for Chef Nichols' Shrimp and Grits with fried grit cakes and blackened shrimp topped with Cajun cream sauce and fresh pico de gallo. Guests also can enjoy fresh Fried Catfish filets, salt-and-pepper fried and served with coleslaw, french fries and house-made remoulade.
- BBQ Essentials – Bringing backyard favorites to the dining table, Nellie's offers an assortment of burgers, steaks and sandwiches served with classic sides. The Hawg Hill Pulled Pork Sandwich features pecan-smoked pulled pork tossed in a tangy sauce and served on a soft brioche bun with coleslaw. Guests looking for something heartier will enjoy the Carolina Burger made with specialty blended beef and served with chili, slaw, onion and mustard; as well as the Chef's Choice Steak, featuring Chef's selection of chargrilled steak and the option to add shrimp or lobster tail for a full surf-and-turf experience.
- Lighter Fare – For those opting for something lighter, Nellie's serves up scrumptious salads including the Nellie's Cobb Salad with chopped romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced bacon, bleu cheese and a boiled egg; as well as protein-packed plates such as the Grilled Shrimp Plate with grilled or blackened shrimp and grilled veggies. Other dishes include the Molasses Glazed Salmon, featuring wild-caught salmon tossed in a special South Carolina molasses glaze paired with roasted potatoes and green beans; and the Cajun Chicken Bowl with blackened chicken breast served with roasted potatoes and trinity corn.
- Dessert – For the perfect send off, guests can indulge in Nellie's rich Banana Pudding, which is made with fresh bananas, layered and topped with whipped cream, then garnished with wafer cookies.
The folkloric aesthetic of Nellie's Southern Kitchen, designed by OLY Studio's Kate McIntyre, transports visitors to Kevin, Sr.'s upbringing in Belmont. The charm of small-town North Carolina is recreated through weathered barnwood, white shiplap cottage walls, and unique handmade furnishings and artwork inspired by the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
Design highlights include:
- Entrance – Guests enter through a sculptural hallway inspired by the quilts Grandma Nellie collected and are welcomed with her towering portrait, which celebrates Nellie's simple-yet-remarkable life. Amongst other references, cotton from the mill is transformed to diamonds in her hair. A banjo and spoons at the front of her dress represent Nellie's lifelong love of gathering friends and family around music and her home cooking.
- Front Porch – The Front Porch invites diners to a bright space reminiscent of Grandma Nellie's front porch, punctuated with birdhouses and hanging flowerpot-inspired chandeliers overhead. Table legs take on the form of tree trunks, signifying the beauty of the Belmont region beyond the cotton mills.
- Bar(n) – Nellie's bar area features playfully designed tables that sit atop horse legs, as if guests just pulled up to the stable. Kevin's uncle always joked if he ever opened a restaurant, he would need a reserved table for knocking back a couple of beers after work – so Kevin and Kate fashioned tables that could give him a ride home, too.
- The Meadow – Private dining rooms evoke Belmont's blissful meadows. Memories of running through freshly laundered sheets blowing in the wind inspire the wavy, cloud-like roof. Walls are adorned with merry paintings of blue skies, billowy clouds and green landscapes that complement the blues and greens in the rooms' lush furniture.
- Night Owl – Featuring live music nightly, Nellie's moody back room is built around a state-of-the-art performance stage and A/V system designed by the same companies who oversee the Jonas Brothers' concert experience. A captivating full moon light fixture juxtaposed with chandeliers emulating dew drops on blades of grass define the seated section, which is watched over by large owl portraits. Cozy couches with colors and textures inspired by nature offer a comfortable lounge vibe for both dining and enjoying music.
TLI Bedrock LLC Principal Andrew Siegel: "It's an incredible moment to finally introduce Nellie's Southern Kitchen to the Las Vegas Strip. We've been proud to support the Jonas family in bringing their vision to life, and to work with the entire MGM Grand team led by the outstanding Mike Neubecker to deliver a truly fresh concept to Las Vegas."
Kevin Jonas, Sr.: "My Grandma Nellie's greatest desire was for people to enjoy themselves around her table and on her front porch; everyone was welcomed. We're so proud to celebrate the opening of Nellie's Southern Kitchen in Las Vegas, where we can share her time-honored recipes and gracious Southern hospitality to visitors from around the world."
Denise Jonas: "Grandma Nellie was a special lady who prided herself on making sure everyone felt welcome and well taken care of. She would love that we're keeping her traditions alive and providing guests from all walks of life a place that feels like home."
Kevin Jonas II: "Nellie's Southern Kitchen is a perfect reflection of our family's passion for food and music. And the fact that we introduced Nellie's the same weekend our Las Vegas residency kicked off couldn't be better."
Joe Jonas: "Our family's connection to Las Vegas has always been strong as we've performed here many times over the years, and it feels very special to now have a permanent piece of our family history in the city for everyone to enjoy."
Nick Jonas: "In many ways, Nellie's is a celebration of what people love about Las Vegas - amazing food, great vibes and entertainment. We're excited to officially open the doors to share all of this with our fans while commemorating our Great-Grandmother's legacy."
Franklin Jonas, said, "Having worked at Nellie's Belmont location for several years, I've had a first-hand look at the warm community it creates for both guests and employees, which makes everyone feel welcomed. When you add Great-Grandma Nellie's recipes and live music, there's a level of comfort and fun that makes Nellie's feel different from every other restaurant."
Nellie's Southern Kitchen is located in The District opposite the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It is open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Reservations are available on OpenTable and MGM Grand's website.
Nellie's Southern Kitchen is a family friendly dining and entertainment experience celebrating the comfort food, hospitality, great music and Southern charm of the Jonas family's 1769 roots in North Carolina. The inspiration for Nellie's Southern Kitchen comes from Nellie Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Sr.'s grandmother, who lived in Belmont, North Carolina until she passed in 2011. Belmont is Kevin, Sr.'s hometown and the restaurant's original location, which opened in 2016. Nellie's second location is now open at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The restaurant is a partnership between the Jonas family and TLI Bedrock LLC, a New York City-based investment firm. For inquiries or more information, please contact info@nelliessouthernkitchen.com.
Back in 2005, while Kevin Jonas, Sr. was managing his sons – GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum-selling group, Jonas Brothers – he formed what would later evolve into Jonas Group Holdings, LLC. Offering a diversified portfolio of entertainment, marketing and development services, including talent management, music publishing, branding partnerships, as well as audio, television & film production, the Jonas Group family of companies is a globally recognized force, helping all kinds of talented individuals realize and harness their full potential in all areas of their career. The dynamic company values quality over quantity with the belief that authenticity, vision and hard work are key to success. Leading these efforts alongside Kevin is Phil Guerini, Chief Executive Officer of Jonas Group Entertainment and George Kreis, Chief Strategy & Operations Officer of Jonas Group Holdings, LLC.
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino is "The Entertainment Authority," creating the ultimate Las Vegas experience. A variety of accommodations serve every need while guests discover signature dining by celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak, Michael Mina's International Smoke, Wolfgang Puck's Bar & Grill, Michelin three star restaurant Joël Robuchon and Morimoto Las Vegas. In addition to a pampering spa and salon and an elaborate 380,000-square-foot conference center, the resort offers a wide-range of world-class entertainment at the Grand Garden Arena; the epic KÀ by Cirque du Soleil; world-famous dance crew Jabbawockeez; master illusionist David Copperfield; Topgolf Las Vegas; Brad Garrett's Comedy Club; and Hakkasan Las Vegas. MGM Grand is owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mgmgrand.com, call toll free at (877) 880-0880 or find us on Facebook and Twitter or follow our blog.
OLY Studio is a San Francisco Bay Area-based company, owned and operated by Kate McIntyre and her design partner Brad Huntzinger. The two have been creating elegant designs and crafting high-end furnishings for consumers, design customers and hospitality for over 20 years. OLY Studio designed and furnished the original Nellie's Belmont and is excited to again collaborate with the Jonas family and its partner TLI Bedrock LLC, exclusively designing and crafting the furniture, lighting and décor for Nellie's Las Vegas. Find OLY at Olystudio.com and on Instagram @oly.studio.
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SOURCE Nellie’s Southern Kitchen | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/now-open-nellies-southern-kitchen-debuts-mgm-grand-las-vegas/ | 2022-06-06T21:13:38Z |
The Belton Independent School District will launch a long-range facilities planning team that will include staff, parents and community members after trustees OK’d the collective.
These stakeholders will serve as advisors to Belton ISD administrators, as the district continues to respond to fast growth in Central Texas — which is projected to increase student enrollment from about 13,400 to more than 18,000 students by the end of the decade — and aging facilities.
“They’ll meet about five times a year to analyze data, evaluate potential solutions and then make recommendations to administrators,” Michael Morgan, Belton ISD’s assistant superintendent of operations, said.
Morgan said the district wants community input on planning educational facilities.
That input will ultimately aid the development and refinement of the district’s long-range facilities master plan, according to Belton ISD.
“There are several tools that we’ll use to kind of guide this work,” Morgan said. “We envision a process that does evaluate multiple data sources for each issue. We’ll use site visits when necessary to really see what’s going on with our facilities or even other district’s facilities. We’ll use consensus discussion protocols to come to our recommendations, and we’ll use focus group input to help guide the discussion and really see where it may go.”
Trustee at-large Janet Leigh is glad Belton ISD is forming another long-range facilities planning team.
“The long-range facility planning team, the last one that we had, is a huge piece of my journey to becoming a school board member,” she said during a Monday meeting. “It was so informative. I think community members who have an opportunity to serve on something like that become so much more educated about the broad, vast expanse of what a school district is and all the moving parts that it takes to make it work. Until I did it, I did not have a complete understanding so I think it’s super valuable.”
New Tech update
During the regular meeting on Monday, Belton ISD discussed ongoing projects at Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow — a campus that will reopen in August as a “stand-alone school of choice.”
These updates include repainting and refinishing the campus gym for the new physical education and athletics programs; renovating existing classroom and shop space areas for the new unmanned drone and robotics programs; renovating an existing space for two art classrooms with a kiln room; and designating existing campus spaces for a makerspace, library, and career and technical education legal pathway.
“The new theater program will use the Pittenger Fine Arts Center and a portable classroom,” Belton ISD spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said in a news release. “A second portable will be used to support two additional core classes until permanent homes can be found.”
Belton ISD Superintendent Matt Smith emphasized his excitement about watching the campus’ transition into a stand-alone school of choice.
“As a district, we’re all about creating exceptional opportunities for students, and the teachers and staff at New Tech are doing exactly that,” he said. “I’m very proud of the work being done.” | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/central_texas_news/article_0f4c69ae-0def-11ed-b85f-979e060cb051.html | 2022-07-27T23:31:57Z |
Fox bites man, putting Capitol Hill on high alert
WASHINGTON (AP) — Capitol Hill has a fox problem. And that’s not the lead-in to a joke.
Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., learned firsthand Monday evening while walking to the Capitol for votes. Now he’s undergoing a series of four rabies shots out of an abundance of caution.
Bera said he felt something lunge at him from behind as he walked near one of the Senate office buildings. He turned and used his umbrella to fend off what he thought would be a small dog, but he soon realized he was tangling with a fox.
Bera said the encounter lasted about 15 seconds. A bystander yelled to alert others and the fox fled as U.S. Capitol Police officers ran up on the scene. A medical doctor, Bera looked for puncture wounds. He didn’t see evidence of any, but there was some abrasion, so he consulted the Capitol physician, who told him not to take any chances and to get treated.
He said he went to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after votes for the first of a series of four shots.
“I would say it’s the most unusual day on the Hill in 10 years,” Bera said of his experience.
Of course, there were many joking references to Fox News at the Capitol on Tuesday. But the House Sergeant at Arms was serious when telling lawmakers and their staffs Tuesday afternoon that there had been multiple recent fox encounters and that the animals should not be approached.
The warning noted that there are possibly several fox dens on the Capitol grounds and that animal control personnel would be seeking to trap and locate any that they find.
In at least one case, they were successful. Capitol Police tweeted pictures of one fox safely captured in a cage.
Bera harbored no ill will toward the culprit.
“Hopefully, the animal can be relocated,” he said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/06/fox-bites-man-putting-capitol-hill-high-alert/ | 2022-04-06T01:54:09Z |
Mary Connor awarded Hadley's HEROES Award
WINNETKA, Ill., June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary Connor, has lived with vision loss most her life, having been born with Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), an eye disease that most often affects premature infants, causing abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina. Mary has limited vision in one eye, having lost her vision completely in her other eye due to ROP.
Mary had access to many resources throughout her life, including Hadley, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the nation's leader in distance and online learning for visually impaired adults from all 50 states and more than 100 countries for more than a century.
Hadley recently launched its new online learning platform, Hadley.edu, built on many months of research and development and based on the needs, wants and desires of visually impaired adults. A highly personalized approach to learning, visitors are invited to create their own account and then, after selecting contrast and font color, text sizes and audio to their liking, are offered different learning avenues, all at no cost, and with the help of a live topic experts.
"Even though I lived with vision loss, as I got older, I was faced with new challenges that come with aging and diminished eyesight," said Mary, who recently relocated from Queens, New York, to a retirement community in Charlotte, citing her desire to live in a warmer climate, meet people and learn new things in a community that was supportive and accommodating of her vision loss.
But it was in her own retirement community that Mary found new purpose.
"So many of the residents I met since moving to this new facility are experiencing some form of vision loss. Many have no help, very few visitors." Mary spends much of her personal time visiting with and assisting her neighbors by connecting them to resources, including Hadley. "Many of my neighbors with vision loss are alone most of the time. I try to visit them as often as I can, sometimes I show them tricks on their computer or phone, or sometimes we just talk."
In recognition of her commitment to learning and being an ambassador for Hadley's resources, Mary was awarded Hadley's HEROES award, given to those who help further Hadley's mission to create personalized learning opportunities that empower those with vision loss or blindness to thrive at home, at work and in their communities.
Media Contact: Joan Jaeger, joan@hadley.edu
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SOURCE Hadley | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/north-carolina-retiree-honored-her-commitment-helping-others-with-visual-impairments/ | 2022-06-16T04:24:07Z |
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Attorneys for a mother charged with conspiring to kill her children in Idaho and to steal their social security benefits asked a judge on Tuesday to send the case back to a grand jury because they say the indictment is confusing.
Lori Vallow Daybell and her husband Chad Daybell have pleaded not guilty to murder, conspiracy and grand theft charges in connection with the deaths of 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan. They could face the death penalty if convicted.
During a hearing in the eastern Idaho town of St. Anthony, Vallow Daybell’s attorneys said the conspiracy charges were oddly constructed and likely to confuse a jury.
One of the conspiracy charges is because prosecutors say the couple planned to kill Vallow Daybell’s daughter and steal the social security benefits the child was receiving because her father had died. The other conspiracy charge involves the same allegations, but in connection with her son’s death.
Under the plan proposed by Vallow Daybell’s defense attorneys, the case would be returned to the grand jury so the charges could be tweaked.
“The conspiracy to commit murder and the conspiracy to commit grand theft are two separate conspiracies,” defense attorney John Thomas said. “We believe it would be confusing to a jury to be able to figure out what elements were met, when the elements were met and to what extent the elements were met.”
Otherwise, Thomas said, the case will be “fundamentally unfair.”
“I’m not saying that the jury isn’t sophisticated enough to sort through that, but I’ve been practicing law for 20 years and this particular charge baffled me,” he said.
Prosecuting attorney Rob Wood told the court that the conspiracy charges aren’t confusing at all — they simply detail a “criminal agreement.”
“One was to murder Tylee Ryan and to steal the social security money that was allotted to her, and one was to kill JJ Vallow and steal and collect the social security funds that were allotted to him,” Wood said. “We believe the jury will find that there was this agreement, that they agreed to commit these two crimes.”
Chad Daybell did not attend Tuesday’s hearing. During the hour-long proceeding, Vallow Daybell frowned much of the time but smiled at other moments. Occasionally she appeared to laugh or scoff at the legal arguments made by the prosecutor.
Judge Steven Boyce said he would consider the arguments and make a decision later.
Idaho law enforcement officers started investigating the Daybells in November 2019 after extended family members reported that the children were missing. During that period, police said the couple lied about the children’s whereabouts. Their bodies were found buried later on Chad Daybell’s property in rural Idaho.
Chad and Lori Daybell married just two weeks after his previous wife, Tammy Daybell, died unexpectedly. Tammy Daybell’s death was initially reported as due to natural causes, but investigators had her body exhumed after growing suspicious when Chad Daybell quickly remarried.
Lori Vallow Daybell is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Arizona in connection with the death of her previous husband. Charles Vallow was shot and killed by Lori Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, who claimed it was self-defense. Cox later died of what police said was natural causes.
The Arizona legal proceedings are on hold while the Idaho case is underway and Vallow Daybell has not been scheduled to make a plea in the Arizona case. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/mom-accused-of-killing-kids-in-idaho-seeks-change-in-charges/ | 2022-08-17T16:11:33Z |
Reality and Digital Culture Merge to Showcase Fresh Fits and Styles in #MyDenimStory
LOS ANGELES, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pacsun released its 2022 Back-to-School #MyDenimStory Campaign, launching an entirely new denim offering with an elevated new logo and premium branding package. Featuring over 200 fresh styles, Pacsun brings some of the emerging aesthetics to the mainstream, inclusive of genderless designs, 90's nostalgia and workwear inspired silhouettes.
With the exit from skinny jeans accelerating quickly post-pandemic, there has been a range of leg shapes trending as well as heavier, less stretch and non-stretch denim gaining popularity. With that, the trend cycle that Pacsun has seen emerge is "anything goes" denim, and the retailer is voicing this to their audiences throughout the #MyDenimStory campaign, encouraging their community to engage in telling their personal denim stories.
"The past has provided inspiration for our new denim collection's fits and styles. Everything old is new again, particularly to our Gen Z consumer, who brings relevancy to trends through social media sharing, and we are encouraging them to get creative with self-expression through their fashion choices," said Brieane (Brie Olson), President at Pacsun.
Content creators and brand ambassadors joining Pacsun for the campaign include Amelie Zilber (@AmelieZilber), Charlotte Briar D'Alessio (@CharlotteDAlessio), Gaëlle Lily Ames (@gigibearrrr), Kat (@WhoIsKat), Malik (@_malikanderson_), Peter Dupont (@peter_dupont), Tyler (@zaptyler) , Travis (@YungTaco), who can be seen sporting the latest from Pacsun, like low rise to mid rise, flare, bootcut, cargo, balloon, straight, mom, relaxed and more. All creators were involved in styling the campaign and their individual denim looks as part of the #MyDenimStory community.
"Through this campaign, we wanted to develop new styles that enable our consumers to channel the best versions of themselves. Denim is so versatile, and it's incredible to see how people express their mood and embrace their personality with different fits and styling," continued Olson. "As a leading retailer at the forefront of virtual and digital relevancy, it was important for us to incorporate mixed reality and cyberculture so that our community, who really value their physical and virtual identities, could engage with the campaign and denim beyond the IRL aspect."
With continued investment in digital and leveraging hybrid IRL and Virtual experiences, Pacsun is positioning itself as the go-to denim destination and launching the campaign simultaneously in both the physical and digital worlds. Each Pacsun retail location will have denim themed decor throughout and window displays showcasing campaign talent and imagery. Select stores will also feature prominent Bear sculptures, designed and made completely out of recycled denim, which intentionally ties in with a standalone commemorative NFT.
Digital and social media will be the catalyst for emerging denim trends, as Pacsun and its consumers share their lives and love for denim across social media platforms. Pacsun will provide amplification of their community voices in #MyDenimStory on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter and Discord, and will share the #MyDenimStory of their creators, brand ambassadors, employees and customers. Pacsun will also be partnering with DRESSX to launch a virtual try-on experience featuring top denim styles and integrate the campaign into its existing Metaverse initiatives with an all-new Denim Shop in PACWORLD on Roblox, new Pac Mall Rat NFT denim mini-series with unlockable content, and the stand-alone NFT.
In support of the launch, an exclusive and interactive Fall event will be hosted at Pacsun's SoHo Flagship store later this month with guest influencers, talent and performances. The event will be livestreamed on Pacsun's social channels and feature denim embroidery stations, a photobooth, NFT bidding opportunities, and much more.
Pacun's label for its youngest consumer, Pacsun Kids, will highlight new denim, fleece, jackets, sneakers and more, for back-to-school staples. Select stores like Mall of America, Brea, and Cerritos, will offer activities to get kids ready for the school year, like hosted livestreams and more!
Campaign images and videos can be accessed here.
Pacsun is a leading specialty retailer offering a cross section of emerging brands and trending fashion through the lens of youth culture. Throughout the contemporary, streetwear and active lifestyle markets, Pacsun partners with the best brands to offer curated collections, rare and exclusive products, and creative collaborations on every level. Founded in 1980, Newport, CA. Curated in Los Angeles. Follow @pacsun on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.
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SOURCE Pacsun | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/pacsun-launches-all-new-denim-2022-back-to-school-campaign/ | 2022-07-14T14:37:58Z |
Former ITT Tech students get $3.9B in debt cancellation
WASHINGTON (AP) — Students who used federal loans to attend ITT Technical Institute as far back as 2005 will automatically get that debt canceled after authorities found “widespread and pervasive misrepresentations” at the defunct for-profit college chain, the Biden administration announced Tuesday.
The action will cancel $3.9 billion in federal student debt for 208,000 borrowers, the Education Department said. The debt is being forgiven using a federal rule known as borrower defense, which is meant to protect students from colleges that make false advertising claims or otherwise commit fraud.
“The evidence shows that for years, ITT’s leaders intentionally misled students about the quality of their programs in order to profit off federal student loan programs, with no regard for the hardship this would cause,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.
It adds to the administration’s growing list of piecemeal student debt cancellations — a similar action in June promised to erase $5.8 billion in debt related to Corinthian Colleges — but it provided no answers on broader student debt cancellation.
President Joe Biden supported debt cancellation as a presidential candidate and for months has been considering erasing up to $10,000 per borrower. He recently promised a decision by the end of August, but Tuesday’s announcement cast no new light on his thinking.
Through targeted cancellation for specific groups of borrowers, the administration says it has now approved nearly $32 billion in student debt for 1.6 million borrowers.
The new policy will automatically cancel any remaining federal student debt that was used to attend ITT Tech from Jan. 1, 2005, through its closure in 2016.
At its height, ITT was among the largest for-profit college chains in the nation, with 130 campuses across 38 states. The company abruptly shut down after facing heavy sanctions from the Education Department amid accusations that the company pushed students into risky loans and misled them about the quality of academic programs.
The Education Department has previously approved the cancellation of $1.9 billion in debt held by former ITT Tech students, largely for students who applied for relief saying they were misled by the company. The new policy will not require borrowers to apply for relief.
Federal officials based the decision on findings from many state attorneys general, along with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the nonprofit Veterans Education Success.
Investigators found widespread evidence that ITT Tech made false claims about the ability of its students to find jobs after graduating, the agency said. They also found that the chain misled students about their ability to get credits transferred to other schools, and about the accreditation of the chain’s nursing program.
“ITT defrauded hundreds of thousands of students,” said Richard Cordray, chief of Federal Student Aid, the federal office that oversees student loans. “By delivering the loan relief students deserve, we are giving them the opportunity to resume their educational journey without the unfair burden of student debt they are carrying from a dishonest institution.”
The decision drew applause from groups that represent students.
“This is a life-changing announcement for thousands of people who only wanted to improve their lives and trusted the wrong people to help them do it,” said Libby Webster, senior counsel of the nonprofit Student Defense.
Tasha Berkhalter enrolled at ITT Tech in 2006 to pursue a career in criminal justice after being honorably discharged from the Army. Recruiters promised she would easily find a job after graduating. But after earning her bachelor’s, no one would hire her.
“It was all for a degree that no one takes seriously. Whenever I told employers where I attended college, I was shown the door,” said Berkhalter, of Lima, Ohio.
Berkhalter previously got much of her nearly $100,000 in debt erased through the borrower defense rule, and said she expects more to be canceled soon.
“The cloud has been removed from over my head,” she said. “I know there are hundreds of thousands of former students like myself who are finally getting the relief they deserve.”
In a separate action, the Education Department began a process to recoup $24 million from DeVry University to make up for loan cancellations approved by the federal government because of alleged fraud.
In February, the Biden administration approved $70 million in relief for 1,800 former DeVry students after the Education Department concluded that the school lied about the success of its graduates in order to get new students to enroll. It was the first time the agency approved such claims for an institution that’s still in operation.
DeVry will now get the chance to submit arguments explaining why it should not be held liable, and it can request a hearing to appeal the decision.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/16/former-itt-tech-students-get-39b-debt-cancellation/ | 2022-08-16T15:35:46Z |
These modules can mix a variety of I/O interfaces with an FPGA on one XMC module to deliver flexible signal processing and high-performance computing.
WIXOM, Mich., July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Acromag's new XMC-7A50-AP323 provides a user-customizable Xilinx® Artix®-7 FPGA with 48 TTL I/O channels plus a 16-bit ADC for 20 differential or 40 single-ended analog inputs on an XMC module. Other custom I/O interfaces with an FPGA on one XMC module are available by request. These high-performance modules are for embedded applications running on Linux®, Windows®, or VxWorks® operating systems. XMC-7A50-AP323 modules begin at $2,750 each along with a recommended one-time purchase of $360 Engineering Design kit software.
The XMC-7A50-AP323 offers a wide operating range of -40 to 70°C and conduction cooling options. The FPGA digital I/O offers 32Mb quad serial flash memory with 52,160 logic cells. Reconfiguration of the FPGA is possible via a direct download into the Flash configuration memory over the PCIe bus. The high-density GPIO initially supports TTL but can also accommodate LVDS and RS422/485 signals. Flexible A/D conversion allows configuration of analog input voltage ranges, scanning modes, and interrupts.
"Acromag offers a variety of I/O signal processing functions plus the power of a configurable FPGA on a single XMC module to meet demanding SWaP challenges." -Robert Greenfield, Acromag Business Development Manager.
Designed for COTS applications these XMC modules are RoHS compliant and ideal for scientific development labs, military and aerospace applications, the defense industry, and automation applications.
Founded in 1957, Acromag, Inc. designs and manufactures hi-tech industrial electronics. They are an international corporation headquartered near Detroit, Michigan with a global network of sales representatives and distributors. Acromag offers a complete line of embedded computing and I/O solutions including general purpose I/O boards, single-board computers, FPGA modules, embedded computers, COM Express products, mezzanine modules, wiring accessories, and software. Industries served include military, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and scientific research laboratories.
For more information about Acromag products, call Inside Sales at (248) 295-0310 or Marketing Communications at (248) 295-0866. The website is www.acromag.com.
High-resolution digital image attached
Shown: XMC-7A51-AP323 module
Contacts: Sales - Inside Sales Department (e-mail: solutions@acromag.com)
Editorial – Karen Haldenwanger, Mktg. Mgr. (khaldenwanger@acromag.com)
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SOURCE Acromag | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/acromags-new-xmc-module-combines-reconfigurable-artix-7-fpga-with-high-density-digital-analog-io/ | 2022-07-21T12:49:50Z |
Gov. Kelly celebrates opening of new fire station in Johnson County
EDGERTON, Kan. (KCTV) -- Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Edgerton this morning, celebrating the opening of a newly constructed fire station.
She joined Johnson County Fire District #1 for a “hose uncoupling ceremony” to celebrate the opening of Fire Station #81.
The new fire station is located at 33364 W. 191st St., according to the fire district’s website. From now on, board meetings will be held there.
“With this new station, the equipment to help, and the leadership to guide them, Johnson County Fire District #1 is primed and ready to continue answering the call, whether right here in Johnson County – or across the state,” the governor said.
A press release from the governor’s office notes that Johnson County Fire District #1 is part of the Johnson County Wildland Fire Taskforce.
That taskforce was deployed to Hutchinson to fight the Cottonwood Complex Fire in March.
“Their job is a calling that transcends zip code as they continue living out that motto of ‘stronger together,’” she said. “I am proud of their work, and I’m pleased to celebrate the district’s new chapter.”
Below are some pictures of the governor at today’s ceremony.
Copyright 2022 KCTV. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/06/gov-kelly-celebrates-opening-new-fire-station-johnson-county/ | 2022-04-06T21:41:23Z |
Rich Strike yes, Preakness champ Early Voting no for Belmont
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike remains on track to race in the Belmont Stakes on June 11. Trainer Eric Reed tells The Associated Press the plan is “absolutely” still to run Rich Strike in the final leg of the Triple Crown. Rich Strike looked good breezing and galloping at Churchill Downs on Saturday about 12 hours before Early Voting won the Preakness. But there will not be a showdown between the Derby and Preakness champions. Early Voting’s owner and trainer confirmed the colt will bypass the Belmont. There are plans to run him this summer at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/22/rich-strike-yes-preakness-champ-early-voting-no-for-belmont/ | 2022-05-22T23:09:57Z |
1 person dies after being dragged into pond by alligator, police say
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - One person has died after an alligator attack in South Carolina on Friday.
Around 11:45 a.m., Horry County Fire Rescue responded to a water rescue call in the area of Excalaber Court outside of Myrtle Beach, WMBF reports.
Upon arrival, units determined that an alligator had taken hold of a neighbor and retreated into a nearby retention pond.
A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) biologist and an SCDNR-contracted alligator removal service determined that the alligator should be humanely euthanized on site.
The victim was recovered from the pond, and the alligator was removed.
The Horry County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. The HCPD death investigation is underway.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Section responded to assist.
Copyright 2022 WMBF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/26/1-person-dies-after-being-dragged-into-pond-by-alligator-police-say/ | 2022-06-26T21:02:08Z |
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Marnie Schulenburg, a soap actress who played the character Alison Stewart on CBS’ “As the World Turns,” died Tuesday from complications of metastatic breast cancer, a representative confirmed to Variety. She was 37.
Schulenburg’s death was also confirmed by her husband, actor Zack Robidas, who is best known for his roles in “Sorry for Your Loss” and “Succession.”
“Please don’t say Marnie lost her battle to cancer. It’s simply not true. I watched her kick cancer’s ass every day since diagnosis,” Robidas wrote in a post on Facebook. “She is incredible. We chose to attack her diagnosis with blind optimism. We only talked about the future and continued moving forward. I don’t know if this was right but it’s all we knew how to do.”
Schulenberg began her soap opera run in 2007, taking over the role of Alison Stewart after Jessica Dumphy left the show in 2005. Her stint as Stewart lasted until the show was canceled in 2010.
Schulenberg also appeared on the revival of the ABC soap opera “One Life to Live,” and the meta soap opera “Tainted Dreams.”
Her other TV credits include appearances in shows such as “Fringe,” “Army Wives,” “Blue Bloods,” “Manhattan Love Story,” “Elementary,” “The Good Fight” and “Divorce.” She was also set to appear in the upcoming third season of Showtime’s “City on the Hill,” starring Kevin Bacon.
Her rep, Kyle Luker, told The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline that Schulenburg died in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Schulenburg is survived by Robidas and their daughter. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/marnie-schulenburg-soap-actress-on-as-the-world-turns-dies-at-37/ | 2022-05-19T20:18:19Z |
Georgia official frantically texted Mark Meadows as Trump badgered secretary of state to ‘find’ votes
By Sara Murray, Jason Morris and Zachary Cohen, CNN
As Donald Trump badgered Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on an hour-long call to “find” the votes necessary to flip the battleground state to Trump’s column after the 2020 election, a Raffensperger aide fired off a plea for help.
“Need to end this call,” Jordan Fuchs, then the deputy secretary of state, said in a text message to then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. “I don’t think this will be productive much longer.”
She added: “Let’s save the relationship.”
The little-noticed text messages, included in a recent court filing, provide a deeper look at the chaos that ensued as the former President pressed Raffensperger to help prove Trump won in Georgia — a state Trump lost. That call now stands at the center of an investigation into Trump, which is set to advance this week when Atlanta-area prosecutors convene a special grand jury to determine whether any of Trump’s actions related to Georgia’s election — or those of his allies — were criminal.
Meadows eventually did wrap up that tense call back in January 2021, suggesting lawyers from both sides should connect again soon.
“Thank you,” Fuchs said. “Wow.”
Fuchs declined to comment.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been digging into Trump’s calls with Raffensperger and another official in the Secretary of State’s office; presentations former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani made before state lawmakers that were riddled with election falsehoods; a phone call between South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and Raffensperger; and the sudden departure of Byung “BJay” Pak, the US attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
Willis is poised to seat the grand jury in the middle of a hotly contested Republican primary season in Georgia. She has said she will delay calling witnesses — several of whom are on the ballot — to avoid interfering with the primary. Meantime, as former Republican Sen. David Perdue challenges Gov. Brian Kemp in the GOP gubernatorial primary, new evidence is emerging about Perdue’s efforts to backchannel with Georgia officials about the 2020 election results.
For Willis, her probe has been playing out against a backdrop of racist threats that began the moment she announced an investigation into Trump. For Monday’s jury selection, officials are planning to close roads surrounding the courthouse, station snipers on the roof and have K-9 police dogs at the ready, according to people involved in the planning. Prosecutors on Willis’ team have also been issued bulletproof vests, said a person familiar with the situation.
The sweeping investigation has sought to determine not only whether Trump committed crimes but also whether there was a broader criminal conspiracy playing out in the efforts to overturn Georgia’s election results. In document preservation requests to Georgia officials in February 2021, Willis said she was investigating potential crimes including solicitation of election fraud, making false statements to government bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and violence or threats related to election administration.
Over the past 15 months, investigators in Georgia have interviewed more than 50 witnesses, with plans to subpoena at least 30 others, Willis told the Atlanta Journal Constitution and a source familiar with the probe confirmed to CNN. Once the special grand jury is empaneled, prosecutors will be able to subpoena witnesses that may include some of Trump’s closest associates.
“I imagine that we’re going to be issuing subpoenas to a lot of people, and that all of them are not going to welcome our invitation to come speak with us,” Willis told CNN in February.
A special grand jury does not issue indictments, but it possesses broader investigative powers than a typical grand jury in the state as well as the power to issue subpoenas for witness testimony, phone, email and other records. If the special grand jury recommends an indictment, Willis could then seek one from the other grand juries regularly empaneled in Fulton County.
The Georgia investigation is playing out as the House select committee has already collected a mountain of information, including some relating to the Trump team’s efforts in Georgia. The House select committee and Willis’ team have already been in contact about ways to share information, according to sources familiar with the situation, although it’s still unclear if she has access to material like Meadows’ texts. Some of that information could bolster Willis’ efforts or even open new avenues of investigation.
“Any relevant information no matter where it comes from will be reviewed and part of the investigation,” said Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for the Fulton County district attorney’s office.
Text messages from Meadows show Perdue’s efforts to help Trump
Perdue jumped into the governor’s race last year after Trump — still livid over Kemp’s role in certifying the 2020 election — went hunting for a Republican to challenge the incumbent governor. Earlier that year, Perdue had lost his US Senate seat in a runoff election against Democrat Jon Ossoff. It was a loss many Republicans blamed on Trump, complaining Trump’s constant election fraud claims had depressed the GOP vote.
Now that he’s running as the Trump-backed candidate, Perdue has fully embraced baseless election fraud claims, opening an April debate against Kemp by saying, “folks, let me be very clear tonight, the election in 2020 was rigged and stolen.”
Previously unreported text messages which were obtained by CNN and are among those Meadows selectively provided to the House select committee investigating Jan. 6, reveal Perdue also played a role in working to sway Georgia officials last year while he was preparing for his runoff fight.
Georgia Attorney General Chris “Carr won’t be any help with SOS,” Perdue wrote to Meadows on December 13, 2020. “I have a call into the Governor’s general counsel now to see if they might help.”
The text came days after Trump spoke to Carr and reportedly encouraged him not to rally Republicans against a lawsuit Trump allies filed with the Supreme Court to toss millions of votes from Georgia and other battleground states. In a response to the Supreme Court on December 10, Carr urged the justices to reject the Trump-backed lawsuit. (The court rejected the lawsuit the next day.)
Spokespeople for Carr and Kemp did not respond to requests for comment about the text messages.
In a separate exchange, Perdue texted Meadows on December 29, saying he was helping to arrange a call between Giuliani and top Republicans in the Georgia state legislature. “I’m trying to set up this call with state legislature leaders and Rudy,” Perdue texted. “I just want to make sure I’m doing what you and the president want.”
After Perdue sent a follow-up text confirming the roster of call of participants, Meadows responded, “Great.”
The following day, Giuliani appeared before a Georgia state Senate subcommittee spreading more lies and conspiracies about the 2020 election.
A spokeswoman for Perdue’s campaign declined to comment.
An attorney for Meadows did not respond to a request for comment.
Bob Costello, an attorney for Giuliani, declined to comment on the text messages and said his client has yet to hear from investigators in Georgia.
“No news is good news,” Costello said.
Long road ahead in Trump case
Willis told CNN in February that she expects some subpoenas to go out in May, followed by more in June. But she told the Atlanta Journal Constitution she doesn’t intend to call witnesses to testify until June 1, after Georgia’s May 24 primary.
A number of those potential witnesses — including Raffensperger, Carr and Kemp — are on the GOP primary ballot, facing off against a slate of election-deniers. All of them, in addition to Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan who is not running for reelection, received document preservation requests last year. They are not expected to be targets of the probe, according to document preservation letters Willis sent last year.
“I would not request that anyone that was on the ballot come speak to me prior to May 24. I’ve run a campaign, I know how busy, crazy you are,” Willis told CNN in a February interview. “I think that you wouldn’t even be able to think clearly to really give us the type of interview I need. However, when we get past that point I can’t wait around until some election in November. I just can’t do that.”
Several staffers from the Secretary of State’s office participated in voluntary interviews with Willis’ team and Raffensperger previously told CNN he would share information if he received a subpoena. Carr and his staffers have not yet participated in interviews with investigators, according to his office. Spokespeople for Kemp and Duncan did not respond to questions.
Willis previously told CNN she hopes to decide whether or not to pursue charges by the end of 2022.
Michael J. Moore, the former US attorney for the Middle District of Georgia between 2010 and 2015 under President Barack Obama, said that Willis should expect a series of challenges from Trump’s legal team if she pushes ahead with subpoenas for his inner circle or, eventually, an indictment.
“There’s this big crescendo that has led up to this special grand jury, then everybody’s going to be waiting to see is there an indictment or is there a decision to charge,” Moore said. “If there’s an indictment, you’re going to have this ongoing legal battle about whether or not the state has the legal authority and jurisdiction to do it, whether or not the former President can be charged with this.”
Moore added: “At the end of the day I just think it’s unlikely that a former President ends up in the Georgia penitentiary system.”
For Trump’s part, people close to him said he hasn’t been particularly preoccupied by the Georgia investigation.
Willis has met with Trump’s attorneys on multiple occasions and has informed them she is moving ahead with her investigation. If Willis appears to be nearing an indictment, Trump’s attorneys have already asked Willis for an opportunity to present their case for why he should not face charges, according to a person familiar with the matter.
A Trump spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.
The threats that have ensued around this high-profile investigation have prompted officials to ramp up security as a pool of roughly 200 potential grand jurors arrive Monday. Eventually the group will be whittled down to roughly two dozen who will be chosen and are expected to meet weekly.
“We want to be in a space where we’re just overly prepared,” Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, who has taken the lead on security protocols as the special grand jury gets underway, told CNN in an interview. “We’re rather have the resources and not need them, right? And given everything that took place on January 6th, we want to make sure that our community, our justice community, is as safe as possible.”
Willis also asked the FBI to provide security for buildings surrounding her office and the courthouse after Trump, appearing at a rally in Texas, called for his supporters to protest prosecutors in Atlanta, New York and Washington, DC.
“Our efforts are focused on gathering intelligence to identify any potential threats and sharing that information with our partners,” said Jenna Sellitto, public affairs specialist with the FBI in Atlanta. “If any potential threats develop, we will work with our partners as necessary.”
Willis previously told CNN the level of threats aimed at her team have ebbed and flowed, although they have been consistently racist in nature.
“I’ll tell your viewers and any other viewers: It does not offend me to call me Black. It just doesn’t. They’re wasting their time,” Willis said back in February. “However, they continue to send those very nasty messages. I’ve never been called the N-word so much in my life.”
Labat said Fulton County and its law enforcement partners are prepared to deal with high profile situations, comparing the preparations to getting ready for the Super Bowl or Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race, which draws tens of thousands of runners and bills itself as the world’s largest 10-kilometer road race.
“This is a big show, but it’s not the biggest show the city and the country have ever seen,” Labat said of the Trump case in Georgia. “We’ll manage.”
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CNN’s Jamie Gangel and Ryan Nobles contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/02/georgia-official-frantically-texted-mark-meadows-as-trump-badgered-secretary-of-state-to-find-votes/ | 2022-05-02T11:06:44Z |
NEW YORK, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sterling Publishing announced today the acquisition of Knock Knock, the gift and publishing company composed of two brands: Knock Knock, known for its smart, witty notepads, sticky notes, journals, decks and books; and Em & Friends, known for humor- and empathy-themed gifts and greeting cards. This acquisition adds to Sterling's existing publishing businesses, including Union Square & Co. and its affiliates Union Square Kids, Boxer Books, Puzzlewright and Sterling Ethos. Emily Meehan, Chief Creative Officer and Publisher, Union Square & Co. and affiliates, will oversee the Knock Knock business.
More than 600 backlist products and 150 frontlist projects will be added to the Union Square & Co. catalog as a result of the purchase. The deal was completed April 7, 2022 with the operations and distribution of Knock Knock titles remaining business as usual.
"We are honored to welcome the smart and inspired team at Knock Knock and Em & Friends, and to provide them with a new home where they can continue to thrive," says Meehan. "Their distinctive book, gift and paper products fit perfectly into categories we've earmarked for growth and will move our strategic vision forward."
"I launched Knock Knock in 2002 on a bit of a whim, and the growth, creativity and marketplace change we've experienced over the last twenty years has been exhilarating," says Jen Bilik, CEO and Founder of Knock Knock. "With a new home at Union Square & Co., I know that the combined crackerjack crew will continue to expand our two brands into the future."
Bilik and Emily McDowell, Founder of Em & Friends, will remain as creative consultants, reporting directly to Meehan. Also staying on from Knock Knock and reporting to Meehan will be Jim Papscoe, Vice President, Sales & Operations and Craig Hetzer, Vice President, Associate Publisher, both focusing on the day-to-day operations of the overall business.
Knock Knock was represented by Ardent Advisory Group, LLC, in this transaction.
ABOUT UNION SQUARE & CO. AND STERLING
Union Square & Co. is a talent-driven publisher whose mission is to promote excellence in contemporary publishing and to honor the vision of our creators by providing best-in-class production, editorial and design choices. Headquartered in New York City, Union Square & Co., LLC, is a subsidiary of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., and includes imprints Puzzlewright Press, home to pencil-and-paper puzzles; and Sterling Ethos, home to magic- and mystic-driven books and products. For more information, visit unionsquareandco.com.
KNOCK KNOCK
Knock Knock was founded by Jen Bilik in 2002 with the mission of creating interesting, smart, well-designed gift and stationery products, pioneering a marketplace shift toward consumer goods with a point of view. In 2018, Knock Knock acquired Em & Friends, which celebrates the lives and relationships we actually have, and the two brands have since comprised the Who's There Group. For more information, visit knockknockstuff.com and emandfriends.com.
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SOURCE Sterling Publishing | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/sterling-publishing-acquires-knock-knock/ | 2022-04-11T20:09:47Z |
Firefighters in San Jose have contained a fire at a Home Depot that was so large and hot it could be seen from space.
Authorities first responded to the five-alarm structure fire around 5 p.m. Saturday, CNN affiliate KGO-TV reported. During the early hours of the blaze, the heat signature was so large it could be observed from space, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
All employees of the Home Depot were accounted for, and no injuries to either fire personnel or citizens were reported, SJFD said. A pet hospital adjacent to the blaze was evacuated.
Initially, residents living near the Home Depot were instructed by the SJFD to shelter in place due to the intense smoke.
"San Jose Fire Hazardous Incident Team members deem the air quality 'Unhealthy' throughout the night," SJFD tweeted. "Air quality will be reevaluated in the morning."
The shelter in place was lifted around 1 p.m. (4 p.m. ET) on Sunday.
Crews remained on the scene Sunday as the fire is still "smoldering and producing light smoke," according to SJFD.
The Home Depot is "pretty much a total loss," SJPD battalion chief Brad Cloutier told KGO-TV. "The roof is pretty much collapsed from the entire structure so it's going to take some time to get in there if we even can -- if it's going to be safe for our people to get in there."
Home Depot shopper Philip Hurst told CNN that he had just put his purchases in his car when he heard a commotion and saw people running out of the store.
He said he walked up to the entrance and shot video of the flames that were burning in the store.
"The fire alarm started going off and I hustled back to see what was going on. The fire alarm stopped, and I approached to get a good view just out of curiosity," Hurst told CNN.
The sound of someone shouting "get out of the building" can be heard in the video but Hurst said people did not seem panicked as they left the store. Hurst said firefighters arrived a minute or two after he shot the video.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/huge-california-home-depot-fire-creates-heat-signature-seen-from-space/article_9eb572c2-92c5-5fe8-909e-d2839b50dc44.html | 2022-04-11T21:54:10Z |
VIRAL VIDEO: Texas wind turbine catches fire after lightning strike
Published: Jul. 26, 2022 at 4:18 PM EDT|Updated: 38 minutes ago
CROWELL, Texas (CNN) - The blade of a wind turbine caught fire last week in Texas after it was struck by lightning.
Brent Havins, a field engineer, was working nearby and caught video of the flames on the turbine moments after the strike.
The video showed rings of smoke coming from the blade with each turn after the lightning strike.
Officials reported no injuries in the incident and their investigation remains ongoing.
Copyright 2022 via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/26/viral-video-texas-wind-turbine-catches-fire-after-lightning-strike/ | 2022-07-26T20:58:38Z |
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish authorities have detained 46 people, including former local officials from a pro-Kurdish political party, who are suspected of having financial links to Kurdish militants, the state-run news agency reported on Tuesday.
The detained are among 91 suspects sought by a chief prosecutor for allegedly “providing financial resources on behalf” of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, Anadolu Agency reported. They are accused of being a part of the PKK’s “economic structure,” of money-laundering and of taking instructions from PKK commander Murat Karayilan, it said.
Anadolu said the suspects include former deputy mayors, former party treasurers and former city council members of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party, or HDP.
There was no immediate comment from the HDP — the second-largest opposition party in Turkey’s parliament — which is fighting legal moves toward its closure at Turkey’s Constitutional Court.
Prosecutors accuse the party of colluding with the PKK and of seeking to “destroy the unity of the state.” They are demanding that the party be dissolved, that it be deprived of treasury funding and that about 450 party members be barred from holding political office for five years. The HDP denies the accusations.
Dozens of elected HDP lawmakers and mayors — including former co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag — as well as thousands of party members have been arrested on terror-related accusations as part of a government crackdown on the party. Several HDP mayors who were elected in 2019 have, meanwhile, been replaced by state-appointed trustees.
The PKK is considered a terror organization by Turkey, the European Union and the U.S. The group has led an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/turkey-detains-former-kurdish-party-officials-for-pkk-links/ | 2022-04-12T14:27:55Z |
Sleek, Minimal Design with Groundbreaking App Technology
SAN FRANCISCO, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The connected kitchen continues to change the way consumers cook, entertain, and interact with their appliances. Zephyr, the company that leads the industry in smart design and clean air, has transformed the range hood with Zephyr Connect – an app that lets users remotely control the hood from a smartphone. Today, Zephyr introduces Lux Connect Island, a minimalist kitchen range hood with the groundbreaking new app technology and an integrated design that discreetly mounts into the ceiling above the cooktop. Lux Connect won't block sightlines in the kitchen, nor does it compromise on power or performance.
Lux Connect seamlessly integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices for voice activation to control the hood functions. The app provides notifications when it's time to clean/replace the filters and alerts users if the range hood has been left on for more than three hours. It includes quick access to warranty information, how-to videos, and intuitive support with high-level product diagnostics for easy access to Zephyr Product Support. A convenient delay-off feature is controlled via the app, which will automatically keep the hood running for up to 10 minutes after cooking to remove excess smoke and unwanted odors.
In a category of its own, Lux Connect is equipped with Perimeter Aspiration, a technique that moves airflow away from the central area of the hood and evenly distributes it through narrow openings around the perimeter. This ventilation method increases air velocity and improves the capture of cooking contaminates. Perimeter Aspiration ensures the hood will keep the kitchen free of smoke and debris and can handle the most powerful cooking jobs.
"Lux Connect Island attracts a market segment that gravitates toward an open kitchen layout and those that entertain often around built-in islands, yet do not want a traditional island hood," says Luke Siow, Zephyr President. "And its compatibility with Zephyr Connect elevates the hood's technology with an easy-to-use interface, smart speaker integration, and features that contribute to overall peace of mind in the kitchen."
Lux Connect includes a Clean Air Function that turns the hood on once every four hours for 10 minutes on speed one. This allows the hood to continuously recirculate the air throughout the day to ensure the kitchen air is clean and fresh. Lux Connect is available in white or stainless steel in 43- and 63-inches.
For more than 25 years, Zephyr has transformed the kitchen with design, discovery and customer care, and played an integral role in kitchen trends. The company has challenged the perception of what ventilation means in kitchen design and created a new awareness of the importance of a high performing ventilation system. Zephyr continues its commitment to unexpected design with Presrv™ — its collection of Wine & Beverage Coolers that feature the most sought-after technological elements with eye-catching aesthetics and incomparable value. For more information, visit zephyronline.com.
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SOURCE Zephyr | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/zephyr-lux-connect-island-discreetly-mounts-into-ceiling-controlled-by-zephyr-connect-app/ | 2022-07-26T13:47:06Z |
US-UK relations enter new chapter as new PM, king settle in
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden headed to the United Kingdom on Saturday to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II at a time of transition in US-UK relations, as both a new royal and a new prime minister are settling in.
The hawkish approach of Prime Minister Liz Truss to Russia and China puts her on the same page as Biden. But the rise of Truss, 47, who once called the US-UK relationship “special but not exclusive,” could mark a decidedly new chapter in the trans-Atlantic partnership on trade and more.
Of high concern for Biden officials in the early going of Truss’s premiership is her backing of legislation that would shred parts of the post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland. Analysts say the move could cause deep strain between the UK and the European Union, and undermine peace in Northern Ireland. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the move “would not create a conducive environment” for crafting a long-awaited U.S.-UK trade deal coveted by Truss and her Conservative Party.
“She’s signaled that she’s willing to go to the mattresses on this and that’s going to cause a rift not just between the UK and EU, but the UK and the U.S.,” said Max Bergmann, director of the Europe program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington and a former senior State Department official in the Obama administration. “It’s one that’s going to keep the White House up at night.”
Biden and Truss had been set to meet Sunday, but the prime minister’s office said Saturday they would skip the weekend hello, opting instead for a meeting at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, though Truss still planned to gather with other world leaders converging on London for the royal funeral. The White House confirmed the U.N. meeting just as the president boarded Air Force One.
The two close allies now find themselves in a period of political uncertainty on both sides of the Atlantic. Not unlike his fellow septuagenarian Biden, King Charles III faces questions from the public about whether his age will limit his ability to faithfully carry out the duties of the monarch.
Charles, 73, and Biden, 79, discussed global cooperation on the climate crisis last year while both attended a summit in Glasgow, Scotland. They also met at Buckingham Palace in June 2021 at a reception the queen hosted before a world leaders’ summit in Cornwall.
Truss finds herself, as Biden does, facing questions about whether she has what it takes to lift a country battered by stubborn inflation borne out of the coronavirus pandemic and exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unleashing chaos on the global energy market.
All the while, Britain — and the rest of Europe — is carefully watching to see what the upcoming U.S. midterm elections will bring for the Democratic American president after he vowed upon taking office that “America is back” to being a full partner in the international community after four years of Republican Donald Trump pushing his “America First” worldview.
“It certainly is a time of change and transformation in the UK,” said Barbara A. Perry, presidential studies director at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. She added, “We don’t know what will happen in our midterms. We don’t know what will happen in 2024.”
Truss, a former accountant who was first elected to Parliament in 2010, hasn’t had much interaction with Biden. The U.S. president called her earlier this month to congratulate her. Truss, as foreign secretary, accompanied her predecessor, Boris Johnson, on a White House visit last year.
It’s been more than 75 years since Winston Churchill declared there was a “special relationship” between the two nations, a notion that leaders on both sides have repeatedly affirmed. Still, there have been bumps along the way.
Tony Blair was derisively branded by the British tabloids as George W. Bush’s “poodle” for backing the 2003 American-led invasion of Iraq. David Cameron and Barack Obama had a “bromance,” but Obama also had his frustrations with the Brits over defense spending and the UK’s handling of Libya following the 2011 ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.
Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan forged a close alliance in the midst of the Cold War, with the prime minister once telling students that the Republican president’s “really good sense of humor” helped their relationship. But there were difficulties too, such as when Thatcher and members of her Cabinet bristled at the Reagan administration’s initial neutrality in the Falklands War.
The White House wasn’t expecting Truss’s announcement in May, when she was foreign secretary, that the government would move forward with legislation that would rewrite parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The agreement was part of the UK’s 2020 Brexit withdrawal from the EU that was designed to avoid a hard north-south border with Ireland that might upset Northern Ireland’s fragile peace.
Now, in the first weeks of Truss’s premiership, Biden administration officials are carefully taking the measure of the new British leader. Analysts say there is some trepidation in the administration that undercutting the Northern Ireland protocol could plunge Europe into trade turmoil at a moment when Biden is working mightily to keep the West unified in confronting Russia over its aggression against Ukraine.
“Brexit could once again become the issue -- the issue that can make it difficult for all of Europe to work together at a time when it is critical for Europe to work together,” Bergmann said. “If you’re the Biden administration, this is not the time for the two of your closest partners getting into fights.”
To be certain, there were areas of friction between Biden and Johnson, who had a warm rapport with former President Donald Trump.
Biden staunchly opposed Brexit as a candidate and had expressed great concern over the future of Northern Ireland. Biden once even derided Johnson as a “physical and emotional clone” of Trump.
Johnson worked hard to overcome that impression, stressing his common ground with Biden on climate change, support for international institutions and most notably by making certain Britain was an early and generous member of the U.S.-led alliance providing economic and military assistance to Ukraine in the aftermath of the Russian invasion.
The former prime minister also unsuccessfully pressed Biden starting days into his administration to begin negotiations on a new U.S.-UK trade deal just as the U.K. regained control over its national trade policy weeks before Biden took office and following the end of a post-Brexit transition period.
But Biden largely kept focus on his domestic to-do list in the early going of his presidency—passing trillions in spending on coronavirus relief, infrastructure, and more—and put negotiations on trade deals on the back burner.
Elliot Abrams, chairman of the conservative foreign policy group Vandenberg Coalition, said that Truss needs Biden to make a new U.S.-UK trade deal a priority. Queen Elizabeth’s funeral won’t be the setting for tough bilateral conversations, but it still marks a moment for the two leaders’ to begin taking stock of each other.
Truss, who succeeded Johnson after he was forced to resign in the face of a string of scandals, has lagged in the opinion polls. She also won her election with a smaller margin than her recent predecessors and is looking for an early win.
“I think if I were (Truss), I want recognition of the leading role Britain’s played, far more than any other country outside the United States in supporting Ukraine,” said Abrams, who served in senior national security and foreign policy roles in the Trump, George W. Bush and Reagan administrations. “And I think I’d want some positive economic message to give the British people, which could be that the free trade agreement negotiations are starting.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/09/17/us-uk-relations-enter-new-chapter-new-pm-king-settle/ | 2022-09-17T17:32:21Z |
BENSALEM, Pa., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Dingdong (Cayman) Limited ("Dingdong" or the "Company") (NYSE: DDL).
Class Period: June 2021 IPO
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: October 24, 2022
Investors suffering losses on their Dingdong investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com.
The complaint filed alleges that Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Dingdong was actively flouting its food safety responsibilities, failing to deliver on its stated commitment to provide "fresh" groceries to customers historically disserved by supermarkets, traditional Chinese wet markets, or traditional e-commerce platforms; (2) Dingdong's quality control measures, which were so heavily touted in the Registration Statement, were, in fact, inadequate, exposing Dingdong to an increased risk of regulatory and/or governmental scrutiny and enforcement; and (3) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com, or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Contacts
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
Howard G. Smith, Esquire
215-638-4847
888-638-4847
howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com
www.howardsmithlaw.com
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SOURCE Law Offices of Howard G. Smith | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/ddl-investors-have-opportunity-lead-dingdong-cayman-limited-securities-fraud-lawsuit/ | 2022-09-14T16:03:11Z |
EXPLAINER: What will it take to get Brittney Griner home?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Now that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison, attention turns to the prospect of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia that could get her home.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken went public with that possibility last week, revealing in an unusual announcement that the U.S. had made a “substantial proposal” aimed at securing the release of Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.
With her court case concluded and her sentence pronounced, such a deal — assuming one can be reached with the Russians — is Griner’s best chance of being freed early.
Though the guilty verdict was seen as a foregone conclusion, the imposition of a sentence her lawyers decried as far longer than average could give the U.S. extra impetus to strike a deal palatable to Russia as soon as possible. And the formal end of the court case could be the opening both sides need to forge a diplomatic resolution, too.
A look at what’s at stake:
WHAT DID THE U.S. OFFER?
Blinken did not specify the terms other than to describe the offer as substantial and something that he intended to discuss with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
A person familiar with the situation said that the U.S. offered to release Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer serving a 25-year prison sentence on charges that he conspired to sell tens of millions of dollars in weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia — an organization classified by Washington as a narco-terrorist group.
The officials did wind up speaking by phone on Friday, the highest-level known contact between the two sides since Russia invaded Ukraine. The two are also in Cambodia for meetings involving foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE RUSSIAN RESPONSE?
Minimal, at least in public. Blinken did not provide details after his call with Lavrov about his response. The Russians, for their part, gave no hint about their interest in the offer, other than a statement chiding the U.S. to pursue the Americans’ freedom through “quiet diplomacy, without releases of speculative information.”
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Russian government had responded in a “bad faith” manner with an offer that U.S. officials did not regard as serious. She did not elaborate, though CNN reported last week that the Kremlin also wanted the release a former colonel from one of its spy agencies who was convicted of murder in Germany last year.
WOULD THERE BE A PRECEDENT FOR A PRISONER SWAP?
In many ways, yes — and a recent one too. In April, Russia traded Marine veteran Trevor Reed, convicted of a physical altercation with police in Moscow, for Konstantin Yarosheknko, a Russian pilot imprisoned for a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
But that involved a Russian with far less notoriety than Bout, a former Soviet air force officer who once inspired a Hollywood movie and who earned the nickname the “Merchant of Death” over allegations that he supplied weapons used for civil wars in countries around the globe. He has adamantly maintained his innocence.
And there’s not much recent precedent, at least by the U.S. government, for public discussions of prisoner swaps until after the deal is done and planes are in the air. That’s what made Blinken’s announcement from the State Department briefing room all the more striking.
On one hand, it seemed intended to communicate to the American public that the administration will do whatever it needs to do to bring home wrongfully detained Americans.
But such a public overture also risks weakening the administration’s negotiating hand to the extent it makes the U.S. look overly desperate for a deal, or that it signals to other countries that it is willing to meet potentially unreasonable demands.
SO, WILL THE DEAL TAKE PLACE?
It’s hard to say, but the contact between Blinken and Lavrov does suggest more progress than has ever been made before and reinforces the idea that the two countries are willing to maintain communication at a time of extraordinary tensions related to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Griner is the most prominent American detained by a foreign country. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist detained since February when police said they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage at an airport in Moscow.
And though some Republicans including former President Donald Trump have come out against a deal, the conviction and sentence will only ramp up pressure on the administration to reach an agreement that can get her out soon.
“Today’s sentencing of Brittney Griner was severe by Russian legal standards and goes to prove what we have known all along, that Brittney is being used as a political pawn,” tweeted Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Griner’s agent.
She said getting a deal done for Griner and Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive imprisoned on an espionage conviction he and his family says is baseless, may be difficult but it is “urgent” and the “right thing to do.” The U.S. government also regards Whelan as wrongfully convicted. It seems unlikely the administration would agree to a swap that didn’t also include him.
For their part, Russian authorities have suggested that they regarded a conviction as basically a prerequisite for a prisoner swap.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden again urged Russia to release Griner immediately.
“My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible,” he said in a statement.
___
Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/04/explainer-what-will-it-take-get-brittney-griner-home/ | 2022-08-04T20:20:48Z |
Facebook, Instagram to reveal more on how ads target users
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook parent Meta said it will start publicly providing more details about how advertisers target people with political ads just months ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
The announcement follows years of criticism that the social media platforms withhold too much information about how campaigns, special interest groups and politicians use the platform to target small pockets of people with polarizing, divisive or misleading messages.
Meta, which also owns Instagram, said it will start releasing details in July about the demographics and interests of audiences who are targeted with ads that run on its two primary social networks. The company will also share how much advertisers spent in an effort to target people in certain states.
“By making advertiser targeting criteria available for analysis and reporting on ads run about social issues, elections and politics, we hope to help people better understand the practices used to reach potential voters on our technologies,” Jeff King wrote in a statement posted to Meta’s website.
The new details could shed more light on how politicians spread misleading or controversial political messages among certain groups of people. Advocacy groups and Democrats, for example, have argued for years that misleading political ads are overwhelming the Facebook feeds of Spanish-speaking populations.
The information will be showcased in the Facebook ad library, a public database that already shows how much companies, politicians or campaigns, spend on each ad they run across Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp. Currently, anyone can see how much a page has spent running an ad and a breakdown of the ages, gender and states or countries an ad is shown in.
The information will be available across 242 countries when a social issue, political or election ad is run, Meta said in a statement.
Meta collected $86 billion in revenue during 2020, the last major U.S. election year, thanks in part to its granular ad targeting system. Facebook’s ad system is so customizable that advertisers can target a single user out of billions on the platform, if they wanted.
Meta said in its announcement Monday that it will provide researchers with new details that show the interest categories advertisers selected when they tried to target people on the platform.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/23/facebook-instagram-reveal-more-how-ads-target-users/ | 2022-05-23T23:22:28Z |
Reality and Digital Culture Merge to Showcase Fresh Fits and Styles in #MyDenimStory
LOS ANGELES, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pacsun released its 2022 Back-to-School #MyDenimStory Campaign, launching an entirely new denim offering with an elevated new logo and premium branding package. Featuring over 200 fresh styles, Pacsun brings some of the emerging aesthetics to the mainstream, inclusive of genderless designs, 90's nostalgia and workwear inspired silhouettes.
With the exit from skinny jeans accelerating quickly post-pandemic, there has been a range of leg shapes trending as well as heavier, less stretch and non-stretch denim gaining popularity. With that, the trend cycle that Pacsun has seen emerge is "anything goes" denim, and the retailer is voicing this to their audiences throughout the #MyDenimStory campaign, encouraging their community to engage in telling their personal denim stories.
"The past has provided inspiration for our new denim collection's fits and styles. Everything old is new again, particularly to our Gen Z consumer, who brings relevancy to trends through social media sharing, and we are encouraging them to get creative with self-expression through their fashion choices," said Brieane (Brie Olson), President at Pacsun.
Content creators and brand ambassadors joining Pacsun for the campaign include Amelie Zilber (@AmelieZilber), Charlotte Briar D'Alessio (@CharlotteDAlessio), Gaëlle Lily Ames (@gigibearrrr), Kat (@WhoIsKat), Malik (@_malikanderson_), Peter Dupont (@peter_dupont), Tyler (@zaptyler) , Travis (@YungTaco), who can be seen sporting the latest from Pacsun, like low rise to mid rise, flare, bootcut, cargo, balloon, straight, mom, relaxed and more. All creators were involved in styling the campaign and their individual denim looks as part of the #MyDenimStory community.
"Through this campaign, we wanted to develop new styles that enable our consumers to channel the best versions of themselves. Denim is so versatile, and it's incredible to see how people express their mood and embrace their personality with different fits and styling," continued Olson. "As a leading retailer at the forefront of virtual and digital relevancy, it was important for us to incorporate mixed reality and cyberculture so that our community, who really value their physical and virtual identities, could engage with the campaign and denim beyond the IRL aspect."
With continued investment in digital and leveraging hybrid IRL and Virtual experiences, Pacsun is positioning itself as the go-to denim destination and launching the campaign simultaneously in both the physical and digital worlds. Each Pacsun retail location will have denim themed decor throughout and window displays showcasing campaign talent and imagery. Select stores will also feature prominent Bear sculptures, designed and made completely out of recycled denim, which intentionally ties in with a standalone commemorative NFT.
Digital and social media will be the catalyst for emerging denim trends, as Pacsun and its consumers share their lives and love for denim across social media platforms. Pacsun will provide amplification of their community voices in #MyDenimStory on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter and Discord, and will share the #MyDenimStory of their creators, brand ambassadors, employees and customers. Pacsun will also be partnering with DRESSX to launch a virtual try-on experience featuring top denim styles and integrate the campaign into its existing Metaverse initiatives with an all-new Denim Shop in PACWORLD on Roblox, new Pac Mall Rat NFT denim mini-series with unlockable content, and the stand-alone NFT.
In support of the launch, an exclusive and interactive Fall event will be hosted at Pacsun's SoHo Flagship store later this month with guest influencers, talent and performances. The event will be livestreamed on Pacsun's social channels and feature denim embroidery stations, a photobooth, NFT bidding opportunities, and much more.
Pacun's label for its youngest consumer, Pacsun Kids, will highlight new denim, fleece, jackets, sneakers and more, for back-to-school staples. Select stores like Mall of America, Brea, and Cerritos, will offer activities to get kids ready for the school year, like hosted livestreams and more!
Campaign images and videos can be accessed here.
Pacsun is a leading specialty retailer offering a cross section of emerging brands and trending fashion through the lens of youth culture. Throughout the contemporary, streetwear and active lifestyle markets, Pacsun partners with the best brands to offer curated collections, rare and exclusive products, and creative collaborations on every level. Founded in 1980, Newport, CA. Curated in Los Angeles. Follow @pacsun on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.
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SOURCE Pacsun | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/pacsun-launches-all-new-denim-2022-back-to-school-campaign/ | 2022-07-14T16:52:29Z |
LUND, Sweden, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeture in partnership with Falck Global Assistance & Aeger Group has secured a two-year public procurement agreement regarding employee safety and travel risk management for Innovation Norway.
Established in 2004, Innovation Norway is a state-owned company that offers capital, programs, and services to strengthen and stimulate entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable growth for Norwegian businesses and industry. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Innovation Norway has more than 700 employees in eleven counties in Norway and more than 30 countries worldwide. Together with its partner, Falck Global Assistance & Aeger Group, Safeture won the two-year procurement, including Safeture solutions such as Facilities, Travel Management Company Integration, and the Crisis Management Module.
"As an employer with several hundred employees around the world, this agreement provides Innovation Norway with access to Safeture's unique platform for managing employee safety, medical and security assistance, no matter where they are. The agreement also shows that our business model - which is based on collaboration with leading partners such as Falck Global Assistance & Aeger Group - works well,'' says Magnus Hultman, CEO of Safeture.
"Safeture's platform is an excellent tool to ensure duty of care and enhance situational awareness and readiness," says Klaus A. Trapp, Head of Security Innovation Norway.
For additional information, visit safeture.com or contact:
Safeture CEO Magnus Hultman: +46 706 00 81 66. Magnus.hultman@safeture.com
About Innovation Norway
Innovation Norway is the Norwegian Government's most important instrument for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry. We support companies in developing their competitive advantage and to enhance innovation. By combining local industry knowledge and international networks with the business ideas and the motivation of entrepreneurs, the foundation for new successful businesses is created.
About Safeture AB
Safeture (founded in 2009) is a Software as a Service (SaaS) company based in Sweden. The company offers a complete cloud-based platform designed to manage employee safety and risk/crisis management. Through world-leading technology and innovative solutions, Safeture helps more than 3 600 companies and organizations to protect what matters most - their employees. Safeture allows corporations to effectively automate safety and security while seamlessly integrating the software to become a natural part of their internal processes. The Safeture share is listed on NASDAQ First North Growth Market Stockholm (ticker: SFTR). Erik Penser Bank AB is the Certified Adviser. Ph: +46 8-463 83 00 E-mail: certifiedadviser@penser.se
For additional information, visit www.safeture.com or contact:
Safeture CEO Magnus Hultman: +46 706 00 81 66. Magnus.hultman@safeture.com
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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SOURCE Safeture AB | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/safeture-partnering-with-falck-global-assistance-amp-aeger-group-wins-agreement-with-innovation-norway/ | 2022-08-16T08:51:09Z |
SUGAR LAND, Texas, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TeDan Surgical Innovations (TSI), honors its commitment to improving the surgeon experience with its latest market release of the Phantom UL™ ZeroATP® Surgical Access System. Designed in parallel to the emerging and patent pending ZeroATP surgical technique in collaboration with renowned access surgeon Thomas Terramani, M.D., F.A.C.S., the ZeroATP product suite of surgical access solutions feature thoughtfully engineered products catering to the ever-evolving needs of the spine surgical team. Keeping surgical access simplicity top of mind, ZeroATP reimagines lumbar access with ground-breaking single-system access from L2 to L5.
The launch of the Phantom UL ZeroATP Surgical Access System pioneers an innovative approach to the surgical corridor anterior to the psoas muscle. Starting the surgical approach in a partial, 25-degree lateral decubitus patient position to secure the targeted disc space, the surgeon continues patient access by repositioning to a supine position (zero degrees) for disc preparation and interbody placement. This modified surgical technique leverages anatomical gravity to facilitate access to the targeted disc space in the more familiar supine patient position, enabling landmark recognition in the disc preparation and implant deployment phase. Utilizing existing TSI technologies, the ZeroATP solution complements the Phantom AL Anterior Lumbar Surgical Access System, for a seamless upgrade to an all-in-one access solution for traditional ALIF and ZeroATP procedures.
"ZeroATP together with the Phantom AL system provides the surgeon with a solution for both the anterior and oblique corridors to the lumbar spine in one single system, "stated Dr. Thomas Terramani. "Not only offering the safety and ergonomic benefits of the supine patient positioning for disc exposure and instrumentation, the ZeroATP approach allows the spine team the flexibility to address multi-level cases from L2-L5. In short, either direct anterior or oblique ATP pathways to the lumbar spine can be used with a single retractor system and single patient position."
Phantom UL ZeroATP Surgical Access System will be featured at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, April 29 – May 2, 2022.
To learn more about TSI's Phantom UL ZeroATP Surgical Access System visit https://youtu.be/L1WFqHzIW_Q or call 877-726-0886.
About TeDan Surgical Innovations
TeDan Surgical Innovations, Inc. (TSI) is a global leader in surgical access systems with a specialty focus in spine, neuro, orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery. For over fifteen years, TSI has been at the forefront of innovation in surgical access and instrumentation recognized by global industry leaders, teaching institutions and clinician thought leaders around the world. Its company founders, with a combined market experience of over 75 years, have driven numerous successful initiatives resulting in profitable business.
Phantom UL and Phantom ATP are trademarks from TeDan Surgical Innovations Inc.
For more information:
https://youtu.be/L1WFqHzIW_Q
Media Contact:
PHONE: 713-726-0886
EMAIL: info@tedansurgical.com
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SOURCE TeDan Surgical Innovations | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/28/tedan-surgical-innovations-reimagines-anterior-psoas-access-with-release-phantom-ul-zeroatp-surgical-access-system/ | 2022-04-28T21:20:27Z |
TORONTO, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SoftwareReviews, a leading source for insights on the software provider landscape, has published its 2022 Unified Communications as a Service Platform Emotional Footprint Report, naming six providers as Champions.
Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) software delivers communication services on a single unified platform over the cloud, with features that include email, video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing. UCaaS platforms have become a critical piece of software for remote work, ushered in by the pandemic. Organizations are now adopting inter-company collaboration, where guest accounts are easily available for external contacts without interfering with company policy, security, or compliance.
"As voice functionalities become table stakes features, the key differentiators between UCaaS vendors often come down to the quality of their customer relationships and the ability to deliver," says Thomas Randall, senior research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group and UCaaS analyst. "Vendors competing to provide one hundred percent uptime are a reflection of the post-pandemic world. Hybrid and remote work have become the default mode of working, and there is significant value for UCaaS vendors to provide the connection between employees for voice, video, and messaging."
To support businesses selecting their next Unified Communications as a Service solution, SoftwareReviews has identified the top UCaaS software providers based on verified survey data collected from 917 end-user reviews. These providers have received high scores on SoftwareReviews' Emotional Footprint due to their expectational customer service feedback
The Net Emotional Footprint (NEF) of each software provider is a result of aggregated emotional response ratings across the areas of service, negotiation, product impact, conflict resolution, strategy, and innovation. The NEF is a powerful indicator of overall user sentiment toward the provider and its product from the software user's point of view.
The 2022 Unified Communications as a Service Software Champions are as follows:
- Zoom Phone, 93 NEF, ranked high for being efficient.
- Google Voice, 90 NEF, ranked high for being generous.
- Microsoft Teams, 88 NEF, ranked high for security protection.
- Webex Calling, 87 NEF, ranked high for enabling productivity.
- RingCentral MVP, 85 NEF, ranked high for being transparent.
- Dialpad Talk, 83 NEF, ranked high for being reliable.
SoftwareReviews' comprehensive software reviews provide the most accurate and detailed view of a complicated and ever-changing market. The data comes from real end users who use the software day in and day out and IT professionals who have worked with it intimately through procurement, implementation, and maintenance.
To compare and evaluate Unified Communications as a Service software providers using the most in-depth and unbiased analyst reports available, visit SoftwareReviews' UCaaS dedicated category page.
For more information about SoftwareReviews, the Data Quadrant, or the Emotional Footprint, or to access resources to support the software selection process, visit softwarereviews.com and connect via LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
About SoftwareReviews
SoftwareReviews is the most in-depth source of buyer data and insights for the enterprise software market. By collecting customer experience data from business and IT professionals, the SoftwareReviews methodology produces detailed and authentic insights into the experience of evaluating and purchasing enterprise software.
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SOURCE SoftwareReviews | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/demand-inter-company-collaboration-is-driving-new-unified-communications-platform-offerings/ | 2022-07-28T19:06:24Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman urges Upstart Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPST) investors with significant losses to submit your losses now.
Class Period: Nov. 9, 2021 – May 9, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 12, 2022
Visit: https://www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/UPST
Contact An Attorney Now: UPST@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895
Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) Securities Fraud Class Action:
The litigation focuses on Upstart's claims that its proprietary AI algorithm "enables a superior loan product with improved economics that can be shared between consumers and lenders" and that Upstart "leverage[s] the power of AI to more accurately quantify the true risk of a loan."
The complaint alleges Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Upstart's AI model could not adequately account for macroeconomic factors such as interest rates that impact the market-clearing price for loans; (2) as a result, Upstart was experiencing negative impacts on its conversion rate; and, (3) as a result, Upstart was reasonably likely to use its balance sheet to fund loans.
Investors began to learn the truth on May 9, 2022, when Upstart announced poor Q1 2022 financial results, slashed revenue outlook, and disclosed a whopping $604 million of loans residing on its balance sheet – an amount that is more than twice that held as of Dec. 31, 2021. During the earnings call that day, management disclosed it was using company capital as a "funding buffer for core personal loans in periods of interest rate fluctuation where the market clearing price is in flux."
This news drove the price of Upstart shares crashing 56% lower on May 10, 2022, wiping out over $3 billion of value, and resulted in a slew of analyst downgrades and target price reductions.
"We're focused on investors' losses and whether Upstart misrepresented the effectiveness of its algorithm and the degree to which it was insulated from credit risk," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.
If you invested in Upstart Holdings and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.
Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Upstart Holdings should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email UPST@hbsslaw.com.
About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a national law firm with eight offices in eight cities around the country and over eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw.
Contact:
Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895
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SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/upst-investor-fraud-hagens-berman-national-trial-attorneys-encourages-upstart-holdings-inc-upst-investors-with-significant-losses-contact-firms-attorneys-securities-class-action-filed/ | 2022-05-19T14:14:42Z |
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