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Recognized as one of the hottest privately held cybersecurity companies for its Secure Code Platform's unique DevSecOps approach to get secure code moving
LOS ALTOS, Calif., June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Contrast Security (Contrast), the leader in code security that empowers developers to secure-as-they code, today announced it was named for the fourth consecutive year to JMP Securities Elite 80, a list of the hottest, most interesting, and strategically positioned privately held cybersecurity and IT infrastructure companies. The eighth annual JMP Securities Elite 80 report features not only technology leaders in their respective markets but the future titans of the cybersecurity and IT infrastructure markets.
The way in which organizations embrace digital transformation and the strategies that they adopt to prepare for the post-pandemic normal will have profound implications on their long-term success. This is why tens of thousands of developers at some of the largest brand-name companies in the world, including BMW, DocuSign, AXA, Zurich, SOMPO Japan, American Red Cross, and numerous other leading global Fortune 500 enterprises, have turned to Contrast to get secure code moving.
Contrast was recognized as an Elite 80 for its Contrast Secure Code Platform that ignites innovation velocity. It gets secure code moving through the entire application development pipeline and continuously protects applications across the complete software lifecycle. A growing number of the world's largest private and public sector organizations rely on Contrast to secure their applications in development and extend protection to cloud and on-premises applications in production.
"We are living in a world that is run on software, especially as every business becomes increasingly more software centric. Yet, all that software is continuously threatened by cyber attacks, which is why there is such a universal need for improved software security," said Alan Naumann, Chief Executive Officer at Contrast Security. "Being named a JMP Elite 80 company for the fourth consecutive year is validation that our technology is very unique and in high demand. Our platform provides actionable findings that developers can use to find code vulnerabilities, remediate them quickly and then ship business critical software that is safe from ongoing cyber attacks."
"We are also seen as a strategically positioned cybersecurity company with a terrific balance sheet and strong fundamentals. In late 2021, we partnered with our investors on a Series E funding round that allows us to continue to invest, gain market share, and meet the growing demand for Contrast's award-winning platform for code security," said Naumann.
The JMP Elite 80 report states, "One clear data point validating our thesis that now is the time for new vendors to emerge is the funding environment, as venture capital and private equity investors dramatically stepped up their investing in 2021. More specifically, the companies in our Elite 80 report raised almost $7 billion in 2021, whereas the Elite 80 raised $3 billion in 2020, which was the prior record. Those vendors that are astute enough to recognize the opportunity at hand and that can capitalize on differentiated technologies not only position themselves to survive the pandemic but are in position to become dominant market leaders."
Software is being shipped with critical vulnerabilities, and it is time to stop. The Contrast Secure Code Platform delivers 10x faster scan times, 3x more accurate results and 45x faster to fix defects allowing developers to secure as they code. To learn more about the platform, please visit our website.
Contrast Security secures the code that global business relies on. It is the industry's most modern and comprehensive Code Security Platform, removing security roadblock inefficiencies and empowering enterprise developers to write and release secure application code faster. Embedding code analysis and attack prevention directly into software with instrumentation, the Contrast platform automatically detects vulnerabilities while developers write code, eliminates false positives, and provides context-specific how-to-fix guidance for easy and fast vulnerability remediation. Doing so enables application and development teams to collaborate more effectively and to innovate faster while accelerating digital transformation initiatives. This is why a growing number of the world's largest private and public sector organizations rely on Contrast to secure their applications in development and extend protection to cloud and on-premise applications in production.
Laura Asendio
Public Relations Manager
Contrast Security
pr@contrastsecurity.com
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SOURCE Contrast Security | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/contrast-security-named-jmp-securities-elite-80-cybersecurity-company/ | 2022-06-17T13:55:08Z |
Four attorneys receive elite 'Lawyer of the Year' honors from nationally respected guide
BEAUMONT, Texas, Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixteen Provost Umphrey attorneys have been honored in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America, including four singled out as "Lawyer of the Year" in specific practice areas.
For the eighth year in a row, all equity partners received Best Lawyers in America honors. Equity Partner Matthew C. Matheny received Lawyer of the Year for his work representing plaintiffs in mass tort and class action litigation, with additional honors for his work in plaintiffs' personal injury and product liability litigation.
Equity Partners Bryan O. Blevins, Edward Fisher, Joe J. Fisher II and James E. Payne received recognition for their work with plaintiffs in personal injury and product liability disputes. Blevins, Fisher and Fisher also earned honors for their mass tort and class action litigation on behalf of plaintiffs.
J. Keith Hyde was recognized as Lawyer of the Year for his work in plaintiffs' personal injury disputes, as well as separate honors for environmental law and environmental litigation, mass tort litigation, class actions, and product liability litigation.
D'Juana Parks earned the Lawyer of the Year distinction for her expertise in plaintiffs' product liability litigation. She received additional honors for mass tort and class action litigation and personal injury litigation. David P. Wilson earned Lawyer of the Year for admiralty and maritime law with additional Best Lawyers honors for aviation law and plaintiffs' personal injury litigation.
Additional Provost Umphrey Best Lawyers in America honorees include:
- Darren Brown: Consumer law, mass torts, class actions, personal injury and product liability
- Guy G. Fisher: Mass torts, class actions, personal injury and product liability
- W. Michael Hamilton: Labor and employment
- Christopher T. Kirchmer: Mass torts, class actions, personal injury and product liability
- Colin D. Moore: Mass torts, class actions, personal injury and product liability
- Jacqueline Ryall: Personal injury litigation
- John Cowan: Product liability litigation
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch honored Provost Umphrey Attorney Fabiana Baum for a second year in a row for her plaintiffs work in personal injury litigation. This award recognizes attorneys that show promising careers.
One of the oldest peer-review guides in the nation, Best Lawyers in America is compiled from surveys provided by tens of thousands of attorneys nationwide followed by a rigorous vetting process by the Best Lawyers research staff.
For over 50 years, our firm's mission has remained to seek justice for those who have suffered a personal injury or death due to the wrongful conduct of others. Our attorneys fight for our clients nationwide with offices in Beaumont, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee. We continue to be one of the most successful trial law firms in the nation by remaining "Hard-Working Lawyers for Hard-Working People." To learn more, visit https://www.provostumphrey.com.
Media Contact:
Sophia Reza
800-559-4534
sophia@androvett.com
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SOURCE Provost Umphrey Law Firm | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/22/16-provost-umphrey-earn-best-lawyers-america-honors/ | 2022-08-22T17:43:28Z |
NEW YORK, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for EPZM, AFIB, AGRX, AXSM, and EVFM.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- EPZM: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=EPZM&prnumber=062720221
- AFIB: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=AFIB&prnumber=062720221
- AGRX: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=AGRX&prnumber=062720221
- AXSM: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=AXSM&prnumber=062720221
- EVFM: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=EVFM&prnumber=062720221
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock's overall suitability for investment.
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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/thinking-about-buying-stock-epizyme-acutus-medical-agile-therapeutics-axsome-therapeutics-or-evofem-biosciences/ | 2022-06-27T13:11:59Z |
WILMINGTON, N.C. , Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, Inc. Magazine has named Vantaca to the publication's annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Vantaca, an industry-leading software provider for association management companies, earned spot #628 on the list with record-breaking growth this past year. Over the past three years, Vantaca reported consistent fast-paced growth at a rate of 994%.
"Receiving this recognition again in 2022 is a reflection of another year of outstanding effort by the Vantaca team," said Ben Currin, CEO of Vantaca. "At Vantaca, we believe in and foster a culture of continuous innovation, unwavering commitment to our customers' experience, and winning as a team. I firmly believe that our team and culture were the primary drivers of another year of amazing growth and further, that these components are what will help us continue to accelerate our growth into the future."
Vantaca expects their hyper-growth to continue into 2023. Currin stated "we are excited to grow our team to nearly 150 employees by year-end, most of whom are based in our Wilmington, NC office." The Vantaca CEO attributes future growth and success to smart people, hard work, great leadership, and amazing customers.
The annual Inc. 5000 list represents a unique look at the most successful, private companies in the United States. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.
Vantaca provides a next-generation cloud solution for Community Association Management companies. Vantaca's Community Operating System redefines Homeowner Association (HOA) management and accounting with dynamic configurable workflows and extensive accounting automation. This single comprehensive system is fully integrated with leading industry banks to facilitate and automate financial operations in real-time. Vantaca clients work smarter, faster, and happier.
For more information, please visit www.vantaca.com
For up-to-date news, check out Vantaca's blog on their website, follow Vantaca on LinkedIn and Instagram, and listen to "Guilty By Association: The Vantaca Podcast" wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.
For more information, press only:
Calvin Keller, Senior Marketing Manager
Calvin.keller@vantaca.com
704-307-6228
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SOURCE Vantaca LLC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/vantaca-named-one-inc-5000s-fastest-growing-companies-america-second-straight-year/ | 2022-08-17T19:53:21Z |
The TWHC 11 wrench's high-quality materials deliver more durability and enhanced usability with safety in mind
CHARLOTTE, N.C. , July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SPX FLOW, Inc., a leading provider of process solutions for the industrial, nutrition and health markets, is releasing the latest tool from Bolting Systems' High Cycle Hydraulic Torque Wrench (TWHC) series. Internal testing shows that the TWHC 11 can offer superior performance with even more durable material that doubles to triples the wrench's cycle life.
"Bolting Systems has been providing premium high cycle wrenches for decades," said David Campbell, Global Product Director for Bolting Systems. "Our team knows our customers and their needs. The TWHC series is a perfect mix of power, performance and longevity, resulting in less downtime and more results."
High Cycle Hydraulic Torque Wrenches play a critical role when large industrial fasteners are needed. These high-strength hydraulic tools are for heavy-duty users, like those in the oil and gas, industrial, wind energy and mining sectors. Made from corrosion-resistant material, they can withstand the harshest of environments.
The Wrenches are known for their performance. At more power per tool, their increased reliability and simple drive assembly mean less time spent on maintenance. Other enhanced usability features include:
- Compact nose radius, allowing the tool to fit in tighter, hard-to-reach spaces
- Low-weight, high-strength design
- Fast operation, long stroke and optimum flow
- Multi-direction high flow swivel manifold
- Push-button square drive reversal and reaction arm release
Additionally, the Bolting Systems team designed High Cycle Hydraulic Torque Wrenches with safety in mind, with a fully enclosed drive mechanism, swivel manifold internal relief valve to prevent over-pressurization and a fine-tooth pawl that prevents tool "lock-on."
"This is our longest-lasting High Cycle Hydraulic Torque Wrench to date in this torque range, meaning a lower cost of ownership alongside other advanced features," adds Campbell. "As part of SPX FLOW's suite of solutions, the Bolting Systems team is working hard to ensure that each and every customer has the right tool for their specialized job."
To see more about this and other tools in the High Cycle Hydraulic Torque Wrench series, visit spxflow.com.
Based in Charlotte, N.C., SPX FLOW, Inc. improves the world through innovative and sustainable solutions. The company's product offering is concentrated in process technologies that perform mixing, blending, fluid handling, separation, thermal heat transfer and other activities that are integral to processes performed across a wide variety of nutrition, health and industrial markets.
SPX FLOW had approximately $1.5 billion in 2021 annual revenues and has operations in more than 30 countries and sales in more than 140 countries. To learn more about SPX FLOW, please visit www.spxflow.com.
Melissa Buscher, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
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SOURCE SPX FLOW, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/bolting-systems-newest-high-cycle-hydraulic-torque-wrench-offers-superior-performance-2-3x-cycle-life/ | 2022-07-26T16:32:07Z |
PITTSBURGH, May 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a convenient device for holding long fluorescent lightbulbs while working on a ladder," said an inventor, from Chicago Heights, Ill., "so I invented the HELPING HAND. My design can be used by one worker and it would ensure that the glass surfaces of the bulbs are protected."
The invention provides an effective way to hold fluorescent lightbulbs for installation/replacement procedures on a ladder. In doing so, it increases safety and efficiency. It also eliminates the need for assistance and it provides added protection. The invention features a practical design that is easy to use so it is ideal for contractors, construction workers, electrical workers, do-it-yourselfers, etc.
The original design was submitted to the Chicago sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-CCP-1549, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/23/inventhelp-inventor-develops-device-hold-fluorescent-lightbulbs-ccp-1549/ | 2022-05-23T18:27:08Z |
As many American women reckon with the sudden loss of their constitutional right to abortion, conservatives have floated an alternative they say makes abortion less necessary: safe haven laws.
The laws, which allow mothers to anonymously abandon infants at hospitals and other designated sites shortly after giving birth, have been in place in all 50 states since 2008.
Two conservative Supreme Court justices nodded to safe haven laws during the case that overturned Roe v. Wade. Justice Samuel Alito noted in the majority opinion that Americans who want to restrict abortion point to the laws as an option for women. During oral arguments, Justice Amy Coney Barrett conceded that pregnancy is an infringement on bodily autonomy but distinguished that from concerns over forced parenthood and echoed a sentiment anti-abortion activists have been pushing for decades, asking: "Why don't the safe haven laws take care of that problem?"
But American women — even in states where in recent years they have had little access to abortion — rarely use safe havens as an option. A CNN review of the laws found that there have been at least 3,251 babies surrendered since 1999. Some states go years without a woman using the option. CNN reached out to social services agencies in all 50 states — 40 states provided figures while seven states told CNN they do not process data on safe haven use, partially because incidents are so rare. Three didn't provide data.
When women don't have an abortion but opt not to raise the child, they more frequently turn to traditional adoption, which gives biological parents control over the placement of an infant and can allow for a longterm connection with the child through open adoption. Even so, the numbers in the United States are relatively low — in 2020, there were roughly 95,000 children who were adopted. This figure includes children who are adopted by family members and stepparents. Meanwhile, nearly a million American women received abortions in 2020.
Northwestern University professor Katie Watson, who teaches law, ethics, and humanities to medical students, said the conservative argument that safe havens are an alternative to abortion is disingenuous.
"When a person has an abortion, they are saying, 'I do not want to have a baby.' And adoption (or using a safe haven) does mean they don't have to parent the child, but they still had a baby, which was the thing that most people having an abortion did not want to do," Watson said.
Safe havens aren't new
Safe havens were never intended to serve as an alternative to abortion. They were developed to offer an alternative to infanticide, Watson said.
Texas passed the nation's first safe haven law in 1999 after a spike of deserted babies in the Houston area. It allowed a mother or father to surrender their baby at any hospital, fire station or emergency medical services station in Texas. The only condition was that the baby not be more than 30 days old. Today, the law allows up to 60 days.
By 2008, all 50 states had adopted their own safe haven laws. The pace at which the relatively obscure concept gained steam in state legislatures was due to widespread public support on the issue, said Dr. Suzanne B. Haney, who chairs the Council on Child Abuse and Prevention at the American Academy of Pediatrics.
"We're talking about babies being left in dumpsters. I mean, that's a really easy bandwagon to get onto," she said.
Carol Sanger, a law professor at Columbia University, agreed with Haney but indicated that some abortion rights activists and legislators worried the laws were a distraction from the larger reproductive rights conversation, but felt they had little choice but to be on board.
"If you don't agree with safe havens, it's like you can be accused of encouraging infanticide," Sanger said.
The laws vary by state. In North Dakota, for example, babies under a year old can be abandoned at a designated safe haven site, which includes police stations, hospitals and even county social services offices. In Alabama, parents only have three days and the baby must be taken to a hospital.
There's been a recent push to expand safe haven laws. In March, Virginia lawmakers passed four bills to expand the state's laws. In early June, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves penned a column for a Christian news website, titled "The New Pro-Life Agenda," where he promised to "extend safe haven laws." Last year, legislation expanding safe haven protections passed in Indiana and Pennsylvania.
Perhaps safe havens are doing their job: Incidents of infant homicides have become less frequent. According to a 2020 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that looked at infant homicides and safe haven laws, the overall US infant homicide rate fell by 66.7% from 2008 to 2017 — after all 50 states had safe haven laws on the books. Babies are still 5.4 times more likely to be killed on the day they are born than at any other point in life.
But Watson, the Northwestern professor, said the existence of safe haven laws may not be the only reason why fewer infants are dying by homicide.
"Our recognition and treatment of prenatal and perinatal depression — maternal depression — is so much better," Watson said. "The awareness that pregnancy can mess with your head and your mental health sometimes may contribute to that lower rate of infanticide."
The anti-abortion movement's 'prominent' connection to safe haven laws
In the early 1970s, decades before safe haven laws were implemented, Monica Kelsey was abandoned by her biological mother at a hospital on the day she was born. Kelsey, who was adopted by an Ohio family, in 2016 founded Safe Haven Baby Boxes, a nonprofit that has installed more than 100 electronically monitored baby boxes at fire stations and hospitals across seven states. The boxes allow individuals to anonymously deposit unwanted infants.
On her personal website, Kelsey advertises herself as "a pro-life advocate and speaker" but, in an interview, she emphasized that her organization depended on workers and volunteers from both sides of the debate. She noted that baby boxes are aimed at helping women who've already given birth.
"These babies — they're (already) born," Kelsey said. "This isn't a pro-life or pro-choice issue that we're working with."
Kelsey's position — having one foot in the anti-abortion fight and another in the safe haven movement — isn't unique. The efforts have long been intertwined. They share much of the same religious rhetoric and influence. The first safe haven law in Texas was called the 'Baby Moses' Law, named for the Biblical story of Moses' rescue. In Missouri, parents can drop a child at a crisis pregnancy center, which are often faith-based organizations that aim to dissuade women from getting an abortion and are exempt from regulatory oversight that govern health care facilities, in addition to a hospital or a fire station. In some states, such as Arizona and New Hampshire, a parent can surrender a baby at a church, despite the fact that they lack medical resources. Religious groups such as the Catholic Church promote safe haven laws on their websites. "Choose Life" license plates in states such as Connecticut, New Jersey and Washington, DC, help finance safe havens.
To those paying attention, Coney Barrett's line of questioning on safe haven laws during the oral arguments in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization case may have sounded familiar. She pushed the lawyer representing Jackson Women's Health to separate parenthood from pregnancy — a common narrative from anti-abortion groups, according to Watson — and framed the choice as one between undergoing an abortion at fetal viability, or 23 weeks, or waiting to "terminate parental rights at the conclusion."
The language was remarkably similar to an amicus brief filed more than a year earlier by The Justice Foundation, an influential conservative legal non-profit, on behalf of 336,214 signers of a "Moral Outcry" petition. The Texas-based foundation argued that safe haven laws eliminate any legal need for abortion, in one instance contending that, under the 15-week Mississippi law, a woman could "simply wait a relatively short while later and place the child with the state after birth at no cost whatsoever."
The brief's conclusion was even more explicit: "The Safe Haven laws give women total freedom from burdens of unwanted children."
But experts say Coney Barrett's comments from the bench ignore the dangers of childbirth — American women are 14 times more likely to die from childbirth than they are from a legal abortion, according to a 2012 study — and the months-long physical and financial demands of pregnancy. Lawyer Julie Rikelman, who represented the Mississippi clinic in the Supreme Court Case, highlighted these issues in her response to Coney Barrett.
"Pregnancy itself is unique. It imposes unique physical demands and risks on women and, in fact, has impact on all of their lives, on their ability to care for other children, other family members, on their ability to work," she said.
The fixation on safe haven laws by some of the nation's most prominent anti-abortion legal scholars punctuated their decades-long collaboration with safe haven activists, said Laury Oaks, a professor at University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of a book on safe haven laws and reproductive justice.
The anti-abortion movement's connection to safe haven laws is "so prominent," Oaks said. "Amy Coney Barrett very publicly connected the dots."
What does a post-Roe America mean for safe havens? Maybe not much
Safe havens are unlikely to see a meaningful surge in popularity in a post-Roe America, according to Joanna Grossman, a law professor at Southern Methodist University, who has written about safe haven laws.
Without the protection Roe v. Wade provided, women will face more challenges in obtaining abortions: They will have less time to make a decision, and it may be more difficult to get one. This could mean women will seek out more dangerous options, including some self-induced abortion methods.
"Changing the rules on abortion does not really change whether people want an abortion or even whether they're able to get it, but it changes how it happens," Grossman said.
For those women who want an abortion and are unable to obtain one, even legally, they typically won't turn to safe havens or adoption. Most women will probably choose to raise the babies themselves, according to data from the Turnaway Study, which was conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, and examined the effects of unwanted pregnancy on nearly 1,000 women's lives over the course of five years. The study revealed that for women who sought an abortion but were denied one, just 9% decided to put the baby up for adoption.
The Supreme Court's three liberal justices touched on the study in their dissenting opinion and on the conservative majority's focus on safe haven laws.
"The majority briefly notes the growing prevalence of safe haven laws and demand for adoption," wrote Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. "The reality is that few women denied an abortion will choose adoption. The vast majority will continue, just as in Roe and Casey's time, to shoulder the costs of childrearing."
Several experts told CNN that activists and governments should instead focus on how to prevent babies from being deposited at safe haven sites to begin with.
Oaks, the author of a book on safe haven laws, talked about the need for more awareness around existing social welfare programs so women can raise babies themselves. Haney, who works at the American Academy of Pediatrics, argued for, among other things, better paid parental leave and robust mental health support for new mothers. Sanger, the Columbia law school professor, said the United States needs to provide women with more options — including early access to abortion — before they feel the only choice is to abandon their baby.
"I don't think that safe havens should be celebrated," Sanger said.
CNN's Casey Tolan contributed to this report.
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Accelerated Capital Investments Driven by EV Thermal Barrier Demand; Updated 2022 Financial Outlook
NORTHBOROUGH, Mass., June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE: ASPN) ("Aspen" or the "Company"), a technology leader in sustainability and electrification solutions, today provided an update on recent developments with its business, as well as an update on its financial outlook for fiscal year 2022 as a result of these developments.
Recent Developments
- Increased visibility to expected order volume for 2022 from General Motors and Toyota is driving an updated outlook in thermal barrier revenues from $18.0 million to a range of $52.0 million to $62.0 million, a potential threefold increase in demand versus original expectations.
- The energy industrial demand book is also strong and accelerating; Aspen's recent investments and productivity improvements position it to deliver 2022 revenues in this segment in the range of $128.0 million to $138.0 million.
- To prepare for anticipated continued revenue growth, Aspen is advancing progress on the construction of its second aerogel manufacturing facility in Statesboro, Georgia ("Plant II"), with over half of the site work completed and commissioning of Phase I of the facility expected in Q4 2023.
- Aspen has also leased, and is in the process of equipping, its planned high-volume thermal barrier facility in Mexico to assemble its thermal barrier products for various EV OEM customers. This facility, which is intended to enable the growth in thermal barrier volumes in the second half of 2022 and beyond, has started training personnel and assembling parts.
- Aspen has also accelerated capital expenditures to execute its growth plans through 2025. These capital expenditures include productivity improvements to its aerogel manufacturing facility in Rhode Island, Phase I of Plant II, and all related thermal barrier assembly facilities and equipment. Aspen believes that the anticipated cost of these capital projects will be in the range of $650.0 million to $750.0 million. However, further cost inflation and/or supply chain disruptions, as well as potential changes in the scope of the facilities, could lead to increases in that range. Engineering changes and other factors could also decrease the amount of capital expenditures incurred by Aspen.
Commenting on today's announcement, Donald R. Young, President and CEO, stated, "Our updated outlook for the year reflects an acceleration in demand and penetration in the EV market, coupled with solid energy industrial growth. We are increasing our investment levels for the year in advance of the significant expected growth within our PyroThin® thermal barrier business. These investments are focusing on Phase 1 of Plant II; a high-volume thermal barrier assembly operation in Mexico; and enhancing the technical, commercial and operational teams that support our thermal barrier business. Leveraging higher volumes, coupled with the impact of these investments, advances our path to profitability and sets the stage for reaching our revenue and profitability goals over the next several years."
As a result of these recent developments, Aspen is today also providing the following update on its financial outlook for 2022:
2022 Financial Outlook
Aspen's 2022 full year outlook has been updated to reflect the following.
- Total revenue is expected to range between $180.0 million and $200.0 million, as compared to the previous range of $145.0 million and $155.0 million; $34.0 million to $44.0 million of the increase in the revenue outlook is driven by additional thermal barrier volumes.
- Net loss is expected to range between $79.8 million and $86.8 million, as compared to the previous range of $66.7 million and $70.7 million, driven by increased materials costs and increased manufacturing and operating expenses necessary to support the additional thermal barrier volumes.
- Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between $(55.0) million and $(62.0) million, as compared to the previous range of $(42.0) million and $(46.0) million driven by the increase in expected net loss.
- Net loss per share is expected to range between $2.20 and $2.40, as compared to the previous range of $1.88 and $1.99.
- Capital expenditures in 2022 are expected to range between $250.0 million and $300.0 million, as compared to the previous range of $250.0 million and $275.0 million. These expectations reflect the advancing progress of Phase I of Plant II and the acceleration of investments for high-volume thermal barrier assembly in Mexico.
The Company's 2022 outlook assumes depreciation and amortization of $9.7 million, stock-based compensation expense of $8.2 million, interest expense of $6.8 million and weighted average shares outstanding of 36.2 million for the full year. Aspen may incur, among other items, additional charges, realize gains or losses, incur financing costs or interest expense, or experience other events in 2022, including those related to the planned capacity expansion, supply chain disruptions or further cost inflation, that could cause actual results to vary materially from this outlook.
Ricardo C. Rodriguez, Senior Vice President and CFO, added, "The higher than expected demand for thermal barriers from General Motors and Toyota is enabling us to accelerate planned transitions in our operating plan and pave our path to profitability. Our target gross profit margins are coming into focus as the absorption of fixed costs improves and our conversion costs decrease as a percentage of sales." Mr. Rodriguez concluded, "In many ways our plans for 2022 now look very much like our original plans for 2023 coming into this year."
A reconciliation of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for the 2022 financial outlook is provided in the financial schedules that are part of this press release. An explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure is also included below under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to providing financial measurements based on generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"), Aspen provides additional financial metrics that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP ("non-GAAP"). The non-GAAP financial measure included in this press release is Adjusted EBITDA. Management uses non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, as a measure of operating performance because the non-GAAP financial measures do not include the impact of items that management does not consider indicative of Aspen's core operating performance. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA (i) for planning purposes, including the preparation of Aspen's annual operating budget, (ii) to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of its business, and (iii) as a performance measure under its bonus plan.
Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect Aspen's ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in its business, as they exclude expenses and gains not reflective of Aspen's ongoing operating results or that may be infrequent and/or unusual in nature. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating Aspen's operating results and future prospects in the same manner as management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
The non-GAAP financial measures do not replace the presentation of Aspen's GAAP financial results and should only be used as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, Aspen's financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. In this press release, Aspen has provided a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Management strongly encourages investors to review Aspen's financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.
About Aspen Aerogels, Inc.
Aspen is a technology leader in sustainability. The company's aerogel technology enables its customers and partners to achieve their own objectives around the global megatrends of resource efficiency, e-mobility and clean energy. Aspen's PyroThin® products enable solutions to thermal runaway challenges within the electric vehicle market. The company's carbon aerogel program seeks to increase the performance of lithium-ion battery cells to enable EV manufacturers to extend the driving range and reduce the cost of electric vehicles. Aspen's Spaceloft® products provide building owners with industry-leading energy efficiency and fire safety. The company's Cryogel® and Pyrogel® products are valued by the world's largest energy infrastructure companies. Aspen's strategy is to partner with world-class industry leaders to leverage its Aerogel Technology Platform™ into additional high-value markets. Headquartered in Northborough, Mass., Aspen manufactures its products at its East Providence, R.I. facilities.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release and any related discussion contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including statements relating to Aspen's 2022 financial outlook. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Aspen's current expectations, estimates and projections regarding Aspen's business, operations and other factors relating thereto, including with respect to Aspen's 2022 financial outlook. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook," "assumes," "targets," "opportunity," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, Aspen's expectations about capacity, revenue, backlog, costs, expenses, profitability, cash flow, gross profit, gross margin, operating margin, net loss, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and related decreases, improvements, timing, variability or trends; beliefs about higher than expected demand from General Motors and Toyota and how they may enable path to profitability, expectations about improvement in ability to absorb fixed costs and reduction of conversion costs as a percentage of sales and the same leading to target gross margins; beliefs about the general strength, weakness or health of Aspen's business; acceleration in demand; demand increase from General Motors and Toyota for 2022, energy industrial demand book acceleration in 2022, level of penetration in EV market, growth in energy industrial markets; beliefs about current or future trends in the energy, energy infrastructure, chemical and refinery, LNG, sustainable building materials, EV thermal barrier, EV battery materials or other markets and the impact of these trends on Aspen's business; beliefs about the strength, effectiveness, productivity, costs, profitability or other fundamentals of Aspen's business; beliefs about the role of Aspen's technology and opportunities in the electric vehicle market; beliefs about Aspen's ability to provide and deliver products and services to electric vehicle customers; beliefs about content per vehicle, revenue, costs, expenses, profitability, investments or cash flow associated with Aspen's electric vehicle opportunities, including the EV thermal barrier business; beliefs about revenue growth and profitability; beliefs about the performance of PyroThin® including its ability to mitigate the propagation of thermal runaway in electric vehicles; beliefs about Aspen's ability to expand the market for PyroThin, to achieve design wins, to commence shipments of production parts, and to become an industry standard solution for thermal runaway management; beliefs about Aspen's thermal barrier design, prototype, quoting and assembly activities; expectations about the cost of the capital projects, including Plant II, expectations about the commissioning of Phase I of Plant II in Q4 2023; beliefs about our planned Mexico assembly facility and its timely operations, its ability to meet the demand, the growth in thermal barrier demand to match the assembly operation and vice versa; ability to shift assembly operations from East Providence to Mexico in a timely manner. All such forward-looking statements are based on management's present expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcome of events, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: inability to execute the growth plan through 2025, inability to complete construction and commissioning the Phase I of Plant II by Q4 2023 and reasonably within budget, inability to manage supply chain disruptions to avoid undue delay or impact on operations or construction of Plant II and Mexico assembly facility, inability to create new product, partnership and market opportunities; any sustained downturn in the industry or energy prices; any sustained downturn in the energy, energy infrastructure, chemical and refinery, LNG, sustainable building materials, EV thermal barrier, EV battery materials or other markets due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 or any other factor; any failure to sustain project-based demand in the subsea, LNG, on-shore or other markets; the right of EV thermal barrier customers to cancel contracts with Aspen at any time and without penalty; any costs, expenses, or investments incurred by Aspen in excess of projections used to develop pricing under the contracts with EV thermal barrier customers; any failure of Aspen or PyroThin to meet contractual specifications and requirements under contracts with EV thermal barrier customers; Aspen's inability to create customer or market opportunities for, including PyroThin; any other battery performance and safety products, battery materials or for other new products developed from Aspen's aerogel technology; any disruption or inability to achieve expected capacity levels in any of our three existing production lines in East Providence, RI or the Mexico assembly facility, including due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 or any other factor; any inability to expand manufacturing capacity in a second manufacturing facility in Bulloch County, Georgia or at any other location; any inability to establish or timely establish thermal barrier assembly operations in Mexico or any other location; the failure to receive all regulatory or other approvals required to operate, maintain or expand any of Aspen's facilities; any failure to achieve demand for Aspen's products; any failure to achieve expected price increases or average selling prices for Aspen's products; any significant increase in the cost of raw materials, utilities or any other manufacturing consumable; shortages of raw materials, utilities or any other manufacturing consumable due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 or any other factor; the failure to generate sufficient operating cash flow or to obtain significant additional capital to pursue Aspen's strategy; any failure to timely raise sufficient capital to fund various capital projects; the failure of Aspen's products to become widely adopted; the competition Aspen faces in its business; any failure to enforce any of Aspen's patents; any failure to protect or expand Aspen's Aerogel Technology Platform™; any future finding of invalidity of any of Aspen's patents in any jurisdiction; any failure to generate sufficient operating cash flow or to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to pursue Aspen's new business, technology, patent enforcement, or patent defense strategy; any failure of Aspen's products to meet applicable specifications and other performance, safety, technical and delivery requirements; the general economic conditions and cyclical demands in the markets that Aspen serves; the economic, operational and political risks associated with sales and expansion of operations in foreign countries including Mexico; the loss of any direct customer, including distributors, contractors and OEMs; compliance with health and safety laws and regulations; the maintenance and development of distribution channels; and the other risk factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 1, 2022, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC. All statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. Aspen does not intend to update this information unless required by law.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure included in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP measure:
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss)
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense and other items, which occur from time to time and which we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance.
For the 2022 full year financial outlook:
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SOURCE Aspen Aerogels, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/aspen-aerogels-inc-provides-business-update/ | 2022-06-06T11:19:46Z |
Annual awards honor seniors whose commitment to well-being empowers others to live healthier lives
FRANKLIN, Tenn., June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SilverSneakers®, the nation's leading community fitness program for seniors by Tivity Health® (Nasdaq: TVTY), announced today it is accepting nominations for the 18th annual SilverSneakers Member of the Year Awards. This prestigious national award honors SilverSneakers members who positively impact and inspire others through healthy behaviors, physical activity at home or in the gym, mental enrichment and social engagement.
"The Member of the Year Awards is an annual celebration of our inspiring members and each year, we hear stories about how SilverSneakers has transformed lives, facilitated new and lasting friendships, enabled members to return to activities they enjoy following a health crisis and more," said Richard Ashworth, president and CEO of Tivity Health. "Through the submission of hundreds of nominations, we witness the impact healthy lifestyles and SilverSneakers can deliver on our members' lives. We are honored and motivated by these remarkable stories and proud to spotlight these SilverSneakers members."
Now in its 18th year, the Member of the Year Awards is presented to members who embody the healthy lifestyle that SilverSneakers encourages. One member takes home the top award, and nine additional finalists also are honored. All SilverSneakers participants are eligible to be nominated, whether they engage in person or virtually. This year, the winner will be featured in our 30th-anniversary celebration taking place in September.
Margaret Masters, the winner of the 2021 SilverSneakers Member of the Year Awards, is among those participating in classes virtually for her safety and to take advantage of the expanded offering. At 99 years old, she attends several virtual SilverSneakers classes every week and encourages others at every age and stage of life to enjoy physical activity, social connectedness and to always live life to the fullest.
Member of the Year nominations will be accepted through June 27, 2022, at Silversneakers.com/MOYAward. The top 10 nominees' stories will be shared on the SilverSneakers website where the public will select the national award recipient. Online voting will take place from July 25 to August 1, and the winner will be announced on August 15.
The SilverSneakers program includes a fitness center membership and virtual classes that foster social interaction among members and encourage them to live healthy, active lifestyles. Whether in the gym or the comfort of home, eligible members have access to a network of up to 23,000 fitness locations nationwide including community fitness locations; a network of 6,000 live virtual, instructor-led classes each month; and access to a digital curriculum of over 300 on-demand options.
To check eligibility, visit SilverSneakers.com, and to find more information on the company's 30th Anniversary, visit SilverSneakers30.com.
About SilverSneakers
SilverSneakers®, by Tivity Health®, is the nation's leading community fitness program for Medicare eligible Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 168 million Americans through many Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement carriers, and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or to enroll in the program or sign up for a SilverSneakers newsletter, go to silversneakers.com.
About Tivity Health
Tivity Health® Inc. (Nasdaq: TVTY) is a leading provider of healthy life-changing solutions, including SilverSneakers®, Prime® Fitness and WholeHealth Living®. We help adults improve their health and support them on life's journey by providing access to in-person and virtual physical activity, social, and mental enrichment programs, as well as a full suite of physical medicine and integrative health services. We continue to enhance the way we direct members along their journey to better health by delivering an insights-driven, personalized, interactive experience. Our suite of services supports health plans nationwide as they seek to reduce costs and improve health outcomes. At Tivity Health, we deliver the resources members need to live healthier, happier, more connected lives. Learn more at www.tivityhealth.com.
Media Contact:
Debbie Jacobson
debbie.jacobson@tivityhealth.com
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SOURCE Tivity Health, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/silversneakers-opens-nominations-annual-member-year-awards/ | 2022-06-13T13:02:46Z |
SHANGHAI, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The9 Limited (NASDAQ: NCTY) ("The9" or the "Company") today announced that it has entered into a cancellation agreement with JPKONG LTD. and Qifeng Sun Ltd., entities controlled by Mr. Jianping Kong and Mr. Qifeng Sun, respectively, to cancel the Tranche IV Warrants that were issued to them pursuant to a share subscription and warrant purchase agreement dated January 25, 2021 among The9, JPKONG LTD., Qifeng Sun Ltd. and other parties named thereto (the "Purchase Agreement"). The Tranche IV Warrants that were cancelled represented the warrants to purchase 23,099,093 Class A ordinary shares of the Company at the exercise price of US$0.2667 per Class A ordinary share issued to JPKONG LTD. and the warrants to purchase 11,549,547 Class A ordinary shares of the Company at the exercise price of US$0.2667 per Class A ordinary share issued to Qifeng Sun Ltd. pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Such cancellation will not affect the terms or conditions of any other warrants issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
The9 also announced that, as approved by the board of directors of the Company and its audit committee, the Company has made a US$3 million strategic investment in the initial public offering of Nano Labs Ltd (NASDAQ: NA) ("Nano Labs"), a company controlled by Mr. Jianping Kong and Mr. Qifeng Sun. The Company subscribed for, and has been allocated an aggregate of 260,642 American depositary shares ("ADSs") of Nano Labs.
About The9 Limited
The9 Limited (The9) is an Internet company listed on Nasdaq in 2004. The9 aims to become a global diversified high-tech Internet company, and is engaged in blockchain business including the operation of cryptocurrency mining and Metaverse celebrity social platform NFTSTAR.
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SOURCE The9 Limited | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/the9-announces-cancellation-warrants-investment-initial-public-offering-nano-labs/ | 2022-07-14T23:41:04Z |
NEWARK, Del., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fyle, a real-time expense management platform, announced today that it has achieved SOC 2 Type II compliance in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) standards for SOC for Service Organizations also known as SSAE 18.
The SOC 2 compliance is a global standard that demonstrates whether an organization has the necessary controls for its infrastructure, software, people, data and procedures, ensuring customer and partner data is completely secure. Fyle had earlier completed its SOC 2 Type I compliance in January 2022, and has now received its Type II audit report.
Fyle's Type I and II audits were conducted by Prescient Assurance, a leader in security and compliance audits for B2B SaaS companies worldwide. The SOC 2 Type I reports concern policies and procedures that are placed in operation at a specific moment in time. Whereas the Type II report measures these operating procedures over a specified time period. Fyle uses Sprinto to monitor processes continuously and stay compliant.
"Completing our SOC 2 Type II audit proves that we conform to the highest standard of security and privacy for all our customers and partners," said Sivaramakrishnan Narayanan, CTO of Fyle. "We're continuously updating our processes, practices and data management to maintain accountability to our clients."
To learn more about Fyle's security, please visit https://www.fylehq.com/product/security.
About Fyle:
Fyle is a real-time expense management software that has enabled businesses in the US to close books faster by automating a large part of accountants' manual work. Employees can submit receipts from everyday apps like GSuite, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and SMS. Fyle instantly codes expense information, allocates it to the right categories & projects and directly integrates with accounting software like NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online & Xero. With real-time data feeds for all Visa credit cards (Mastercard coming soon), and automated reconciliations, your business expense management woes are a challenge of the past. Learn more at https://fylehq.com.
Contact: Sayonee S, sayonee.s@fylehq.com
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SOURCE Fyle Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/fyle-achieves-soc-2-type-ii-compliance/ | 2022-08-23T16:44:33Z |
Natural and Plant-Based Supplements, Snacks and Topicals Rolling Out to 5,000 Retail Locations
FORT COLLINS, Colo., May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Remedy Products LLC, the leader in natural plant-based supplements, snacks and topicals designed to support active lifestyles, is proud to announce a distribution partnership with notable cannabis and hemp investment and business development firm, Greenhouse Ventures (GHV). The first multi-channel and multi-regional distribution endeavor for Remedy+ will introduce the full line of Remedy+ products into 5,000 retail locations including gas stations, convenience stores, and natural food and grocery stores across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida, Texas and California.
"We are thrilled to partner with such an innovative and success driven corporate accelerator that believes in our mission of bringing the highest quality, commercially distributed plant-based line to the market," says Tom Kurz, Remedy+ Managing Member. "This additional support to our supply chain enables Remedy+ to have a more expansive reach in the market, helping the brand move one step closer to our goal of ensuring our premium products become a household name."
The full line of Remedy+ products are designed to positively impact and support optimal functions of the body and mind. Each product is custom-tailored with a specific performance or recovery goal in mind. The entire suite of natural supplements, snacks and topicals work together to allow each individual the ability to perform at their peak potential. Scientifically pairing hemp compounds with other plant-based ingredients, Remedy+ provides holistic solutions for performance challenges wherever and whenever needed.
"Store owners within our retail network are increasingly seeking healthier alternatives to the sweet and salty snack categories," Kevin Provost, Managing Partner of Greenhouse Ventures. "We're excited to partner with the Remedy+ team to bring high quality wellness products to retail customers across the country beginning in late August / early September."
To date, Remedy+ has an established footprint in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets and a strong e-commerce presence. All products including The DROP, The BAR, The SHOT, The RUB, and The CAP are currently available nationwide for purchase online.
To learn more, please visit www.myremedyproducts.com.
ABOUT REMEDY+
Remedy+ is a premium line of natural supplements, topicals and snacks produced by Remedy Products LLC. Each product offers a unique and proprietary blend of powerful hemp-derived compounds and other plant-based ingredients, specially formulated to boost performance and enhance recovery from strenuous activities. Remedy+ currently offers five products - The DROP, The BAR, The SHOT, The RUB, The CAP - each designed to offer solutions to performance challenges in several categories. Remedy+ products are THC free and subject to intense, third-party lab testing. All test results are published on the Remedy+ website. To learn more, please visit www.myremedyproducts.com.
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SOURCE Remedy+ | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/remedy-announces-distribution-partnership-with-greenhouse-ventures/ | 2022-05-18T15:20:25Z |
Workers at a Target store in Virginia file for union vote
NEW YORK (AP) — Workers at a Target store in Christiansburg, Virginia, filed paperwork Tuesday with federal labor regulators to hold a union election, joining a wave of union organizing at other retailers around the country.
Workers at the store, which employs about 100, are seeing their pay not keeping pace with surging costs for basics like food and rent, said Adam Ryan, who has been working at the Christiansburg store for five years and founded Target Workers Unite in 2019. He also noted employees feel like they are having to do too many tasks, from filling online orders to unloading trucks.
“The cost of living is going up and their pay isn’t meeting that,” said Ryan, 34, who filed the petition with the National Labor Relations Board. “That is causing a lot of anxiety and stress. People are stretched too thin. They need more support and compensation.”
He said the filing was sparked by veteran workers at the Christiansburg store organizing a petition in April demanding additional pay.
Ryan said he collected more than 30 authorization cards from workers at the store, about 30% of the staff, enough to meet the threshold mandated by NLRB, although the signatures still need to be reviewed. Ryan said he is hoping for other stores to join in, noting that Target workers are watching labor organizing at other companies. The Minneapolis-based company has about 350,000 employees.
Target said in statement Tuesday that it is committed to listening to its workers and creating an environment of mutual trust.
“We want all team members to be better off for working at Target,” the company said. Target cited industry leading starting hourly wages of $15 to $24, expanded health care benefits, personalized scheduling and opportunities for career growth. It said it raised the starting wage at its Christiansburg store last fall and increased wages for longer-tenured workers.
The Target workers filing comes as nearly 60 Starbucks locations around the country have voted to unionize.
The fledgling Amazon Labor Union scored a victory last month at an Amazon warehouse on New York City’s Staten Island, becoming the first U.S. Amazon warehouse to be unionized. But Amazon workers in a later election in a nearby facility rejected a union bid.
Meanwhile, the final outcome of a separate union election at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, is still up in the air with several hundred outstanding challenged ballots hanging in the balance. Hearings to review those ballots are expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/10/workers-target-store-virginia-file-union-vote/ | 2022-05-11T00:15:18Z |
Former Latta and OSU Softball Alum Returns to Host Camp
SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) - Former Latta and Oklahoma State University Softball standout Chelsea Alexander returned to her hometown to carry out one of her lifelong dreams of giving back and teaching the next generation of young girls. She was able to do so with her former teammate at OSU, All-American Infielder Sydney Pennington, who also shares Alexander’s dream of giving back.
“It’s nice we get some of those girls that might be interested or just learning and we get to reach a broader crowd and provide them with quality knowledge. So it’s really cool we love coming out,” said Alexander.
In addition to Alexander’s hometown, the camp will continue to travel throughout smaller cities in Oklahoma and North Texas, as the two hope to grow their presence in and around the area.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/23/former-latta-osu-softball-alum-returns-host-camp/ | 2022-07-23T04:25:16Z |
NEW ORLEANS, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until July 1, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Riskified Ltd. (the "Company") (NYSE: RSKD), if they purchased or acquired the Company's Class A common stock in or traceable to the Company's July 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Get Help
Riskified investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-rskd/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.
About the Lawsuit
Riskified and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information in its IPO Registration Statement, violating federal securities laws.
The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) as the Company expanded its user base, the quality of the Company's machine learning platform had deteriorated (rather than improved as represented in the Registration Statement); (ii) the Company had expanded its customer base into industries with relatively high rates of fraud – including partnerships with cryptocurrency and remittance business – in which the Company had limited experience, and that this expansion had negatively impacted the effectiveness of the Company's machine learning platform; (iii) the Company suffered from materially higher chargebacks and cost of revenue and depressed gross profits and gross profit margins during its third fiscal quarter of 2021; and (iv) as a result of the foregoing, the Company's representations in its Registration Statement were materially false and misleading, and lacked a factual basis.
The case is Thomas v. Riskified Ltd., et al., No. 22-cv-03545.
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/2022/06/18/riskified-shareholder-alert-claimsfiler-reminds-investors-with-losses-excess-100000-lead-plaintiff-deadline-class-action-lawsuit-against-riskified-ltd-rskd/ | 2022-06-18T03:36:50Z |
Full-Year 2022 Guidance for Key Metrics Confirmed
TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) (TSX: EQB.PR.C) (TSX: EQB.R) (EQB) today reported earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 that reflected strong Q2 performance in core operations including record quarterly net interest income but with revenue growth offset at the bottom line by mark-to-market and fair value adjustments to non-interest income due to the impact of significant declines in North American equity markets on its strategic investment and security portfolios.
Core Personal and Commercial business performance in Q2 featured conventional lending growth of 36% year over year, adjusted quarterly net interest income2 up 18%, margins in line with 2022 guidance and fee-based income up 41%. However, after reflecting the decline in non-interest income, Q2 adjusted earnings2 were held to $1.75 diluted and adjusted ROE2 was 12.1%. EQB deploys capital to strategic fintech investments to gain access to early-stage technologies and innovative business models. Changes in their fair value and other derivatives are not indicative of core business performance.
"EQB's core businesses delivered strong, on-plan performance despite market headwinds that impacted second quarter non-interest income in the form of mark-to-market adjustments. In alignment with our ROE targets, we generated risk-managed growth in our now $24 billion conventional loan1 portfolios of 36% year over year and 7% since March. Consistent with our established risk management practices, we also continued to proactively adjust our underwriting approach across the business to respond to elevated risks from inflation, the Bank of Canada's response to inflation and our expectations of changing collateral values. That said, as we exited the quarter, the fundamental forces that provide a solid foundation for our business – including strong demand for housing in Canada's major urban centers fueled by population growth, and our distinctive position as Canada's Challenger Bank – remain firmly in place," said Andrew Moor, President and CEO. "Priorities for the current quarter include the introduction of EQ Bank's payment card, the launch of EQ Bank in Québec and readying ourselves to acquire Concentra Bank which will add significant scale and opportunity to serve more Canadians."
Record YTD performance has EQB on track to meet 2022 guidance
- Although growth in conventional asset originations is expected to moderate in the second half of 2022 on risk-managed actions taken by EQB over the first two quarters, EQB today expressed confidence in stated annual guidance for the full-year 2022 of +12-15% in total lending portfolio growth (YTD 21%), +8-10% adjusted EPS2 growth (YTD +10%), adjusted ROE2 of 15%+ (YTD 15.6%), adjusted pre-provision, pre-tax income2 +12% (YTD +12%), book value per share +12% (YTD +16%) and CET1 13%+ (June 30, 2022 13.5%)
- Guidance was reaffirmed based on outperformance in the first half of 2022, and will be supported by EQB's asset diversification and pricing strategies and the potential that rising interest rates will increase mortgage renewal and retention
Net interest income moves higher with stable margins
- Q2 adjusted net interest income2 +18% y/y to $167.6 million (+17% or $166.7 million reported) driven by growth in average asset balances
- Q2 adjusted net interest margin2 (NIM) of 1.81% (1.80% reported) was on target with 2022 guidance (flat to 2021), primarily reflecting growth in higher-yielding conventional loans1 but with lower prepayment income
- Full-year 2022 outlook for NIM expected to remain stable with an anticipated decline in prepayment income brought on by rising interest rates offset by asset diversification, pricing strategies and continued funding diversification
Non-interest income reflects mark-to-market, fair value adjustments
- Q2 fees and other income +41% y/y to $7.9 million reflecting growth in loan portfolio and origination/servicing fees
- Severe capital market volatility led to mark-to-market losses of $8.7 million on EQB's strategic investment portfolio. This portfolio was conceived and constructed to enable EQB's subsidiary, Equitable Bank to gain exposure to innovative business models and early-stage technologies that are accretive to Equitable Bank's position as Canada's Challenger Bank
- EQB expects volatility to continue in the second half of 2022, but this does not reflect the underlying strategic value of these investments
- EQB expects fees and other income to increase in line with the total portfolio and gains on securitization activity to remain stable or increase relative to Q2 2022
- Q2 gains on securitization income were $2.2 million compared to $8.6 million a year ago due to decreased derecognition volumes and a decline in gain-on-sale margin from historically high levels; EQB expects to see a modest recovery in such income in the last half of 2022
Continued investment in Challenger innovations across people, process, and platforms
- Adjusted non-interest expenses1 in Q2 +16% y/y to $75.6 million driven by growth in assets and investments in capabilities to advance EQB's strategic innovation agenda; management continues to expect operating leverage in 2022 to be flat on average
- YTD, EQB's banking operations remain the most efficient of any Canadian bank at 41.1% adjusted efficiency ratio1 (43.6% reported), but elevated in Q2 to 45.8% adjusted1 (47.7% reported), due primarily to the reduction in total quarterly revenue driven by mark-to-market and fair-value losses
Personal Banking asset growth +19% y/y to record $24.0 billion
- Single-family alternative portfolio +35% y/y and +6% q/q to $16.3 billion (2022 annual guidance +12-15%) supported by higher originations and a 1.9% decline in the loan attrition rate
- Single-family alternative growth expected to slow in the latter half of 2022, reflecting market conditions
- Reverse mortgage assets +231% y/y to $421 million and +38% q/q (2022 annual guidance +150%) reflecting expanded distribution and increasing brand awareness of Equitable Bank as an attractive provider of reverse mortgages to Canadians nearing or in retirement as well as growth in this market
- Insurance lending (CSV) +95% y/y to $73 million and +24% q/q (2022 annual guidance +100%) as growth was assisted by partnerships with nine leading insurers and the recent introduction of Immediate Financing Arrangement, a product available to whole life insurance policy holders to immediately access 100% of their total annual premium as equity
Commercial Banking asset growth +25% y/y to $12.1 billion
- Commercial Finance Group loan portfolio +28% y/y and +10% q/q to $4.5 billion (2022 annual guidance +10-15%), Business Enterprise Solutions +22% y/y and +6% q/q to $1.2 billion (2022 annual guidance +10-15%) and Specialized Finance +107% y/y and +3% q/q to $739 million (2022 annual guidance +20-30%)
- Equipment leasing portfolio +40% y/y and +17% q/q to approximately $900 million (2022 annual guidance +10-15%) with 67% of new assets comprised of high credit-quality prime leases
- Insured Multi-unit residential portfolio +15% y/y and +14% q/q to $4.8 billion (2022 guidance 0-5%)
Strong capital and liquidity positions
- Liquid assets1 were $3.1 billion or 7.8% of total assets at June 30, 2022, a prudent level that reflects anticipated cash needs for upcoming quarters, compared to $2.9 billion or 9.1% a year ago when pandemic-related uncertainties were much higher
- Retail and securitization funding markets remain liquid and efficient and with rising interest rates deposit markets are expected to see even more positive inflow
- Equitable Bank's Common Equity Tier 1 ratio was 13.5% at June 30, 2022 (unchanged from March 31, 2022) and compared to 14.4 % at June 30, 2021, reflecting its success in deploying capital organically
- Total risk-weighted assets +29% y/y and +5% q/q to $14.8 billion
Credit quality indicators reflect long-term prudence, risk management responsiveness
- PCL was $5.2 million in Q2 2022 due to portfolio growth and as macroeconomic forecasts and loss modelling considered the impact of rising interest rates and geopolitical tensions compared to a net benefit of $2.0 million in Q2 2021 when future expected losses recorded in 2020 were released because of improving macroeconomic variables
- Allowances now approximate pre-pandemic levels and PCL is expected to be consistent with Q2 levels and grow with the size of the portfolio assuming economic forecasts prove to be accurate
- Net impaired loans declined to 0.18% of total assets at June 30, 2022 from 0.41% at June 30, 2021 – reflecting net reductions across single family mortgages ($17.5 million), conventional commercial loans ($36.7 million), and equipment leases ($2.7 million) over the past 12 months – and also declined from 0.22% at March 31, 2022 due to the discharge of one delinquent commercial loan
- EQB is well reserved for credit losses with allowances as a percentage of total loan assets of 14 bps at June 30, 2022 compared to 19 bps at June 30, 2021
- Realized losses were less than 1 basis point of total loan assets or $2.4 million YTD – better than its industry-leading 10-year credit history – compared to $6.6 million or 2 basis points a year ago
Equitable Bank continued to diversify its sources of funding and optimize costs of funds
- During the second quarter (May 27, 2022), Equitable Bank completed its second legislative covered bond issuance of €300 million. Due May 27, 2025, the bonds were issued with an AA rating at a spread of 20 basis points over EUR mid swaps and are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange (Euronext Dublin)
- Equitable Bank plans a series of covered bond issuances and expects its capacity for such issuances to increase when the agreement to acquire Concentra Bank closes. Inclusive of all costs, the bonds represent Equitable Bank's lowest cost of wholesale funding
- Excluding EQ Bank deposits, Equitable Bank's total other deposit principal was +34% y/y and +8% q/q to $15.9 billion at June 30, 2022 and included its Deposit Note program of $1.9 billion
EQ Bank deposits +16% y/y to record $7.6 billion with attractive economics
- EQ Bank expanded its customer base by +26% y/y to 279,939 (with nearly 14,000 new customers in the second quarter alone) and during July, increased its customer base to approximately 285,000
- As more Canadians take advantage of EQ Bank's best-in-class digital experience and increase product usage (as they did with +80% y/y growth in digital transactions in Q2 and +6% growth in products held per customer/y), EQ Bank is benefiting from improved economics as customer lifetime value grows with rising alternative funding, while customer acquisition costs remain stable, even while EQ Bank pays competitive deposit rates with no everyday fees
- EQ Bank deposits +16% y/y and +5% q/q (2022 annual guidance +20-30%) to $7.6 billion
EQ Bank poised to introduce payment card, serve customers in Québec
- This fall will see the introduction of the EQ Bank payment card, which will allow customers to make purchases wherever Mastercard are accepted. This payments experience will complement current offerings and the new functionality will allow Canadians to use EQ Bank for the majority of their day-to-day banking needs as a primary bank
- EQ Bank services are also coming to Québec this fall, an important step for EQB, which has proudly served Québec customers through the brokered deposit and brokered mortgage channels for many years and has participated in the local economy as an employer of talented Challengers in its Montréal office since 2010
Equitable Bank continues to prepare for the closing of the Concentra Bank acquisition
- On February 7, 2022, Equitable Bank announced that it entered into a definitive agreement, as well as supporting agreements, to acquire Concentra Bank, Canada's 13th largest Schedule I bank by assets, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals
- During the second quarter, Equitable Bank received unconditional clearance from the Competition Bureau Canada in the form of an advance ruling issued in connection with the acquisition
- Equitable Bank and Concentra Bank have jointly formed a Transformation Management Office with dedicated resources to develop detailed integration plans in advance of closing while both banks continue to operate independently in serving customers
EQB announces +7% q/q increase in Common Share Dividend or +68% y/y
- EQB's Board of Directors declared a common share dividend of $0.31 per common share or $1.24 annualized, payable on September 30, 2022 to shareholders of record September 15, 2022
- The three dividend increases announced since the beginning of 2022 reflect EQB's philosophy of growing the dividend while maintaining a payout ratio that is much lower than other Canadian banks and using retained capital to fuel portfolio growth with high future ROE
- EQB's Board also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.373063 per preferred share, payable on September 30, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business September 15, 2022
- EQB dividends are designated as eligible dividends for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial and territorial legislation
Normal course issuer bid (NCIB)
- EQB'sNCIB allows it to repurchase up to 2,325,951 of its common shares and 289,340 of its non-cumulative 5-year reset preferred shares Series 3, representing approximately 10% of its public float as at December 10, 2021 prior to December 10, 2022. During Q2, EQB repurchased and cancelled 7,600 preferred shares at an average price of $24.93. No common shares were purchased during the first six months of 2022
"What is important to us is to drive results in our core personal and commercial business lines. In this regard, we have identified high-quality opportunities short and long term where our risk-managed capital allocation decisions will position EQB to continuously achieve our ROE target of 15% to 17%. From the perspective of our strategic investment portfolio, market-driven fluctuations reflected in the second quarter do not change the business value of these investments as they give us access to leading-edge knowledge, technologies and capabilities and, as recently as Q1, allowed us to capture significant gains. Putting all the component pieces of our outlook together, we look forward to proving the resiliency of our business model and consistency of our Challenger purpose through this next stage of the economic cycle while delivering on our full-year guidance," said Chadwick Westlake, EQB's Chief Financial Officer.
Analyst conference call and webcast: 8:30 a.m. ET Eastern August 10, 2022
EQB will host its second quarter conference call and webcast on Wednesday August 10, 2022. To access the call live, please dial (416) 764-8609 five minutes prior to the start time. The listen-only webcast with accompanying slides will be available at eqbank.investorroom.com/events-webcasts.
Call archive
A replay of the call will be available until August 24, 2022 at midnight at (416) 764-8677 (passcode 542700 followed by the number sign). Alternatively, the webcast will be archived on EQB's website.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated balance sheets (unaudited)
Consolidated statements of income (unaudited)
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (unaudited)
Consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity (unaudited)
Consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity (unaudited)
Consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)
About EQB Inc.
EQB Inc. trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: EQB, EQB.PR.C and EQB.R) and serves more than 360,000 Canadians through its wholly owned subsidiary Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™. Equitable Bank has a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Founded over 50 years ago, Equitable Bank provides diversified personal and commercial banking and through its EQ Bank platform (eqbank.ca), it has been named the top Schedule I Bank in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks 2022 and 2021 lists. Please visit equitablebank.ca for details.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made by EQB in the sections of this news release, in other filings with Canadian securities regulators and in other communications include forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (forward-looking statements). These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about EQB's objectives, strategies and initiatives, financial performance expectations and other statements made herein, whether with respect to EQB's businesses or the Canadian economy. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "planned", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases which state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved", or other similar expressions of future or conditional verbs. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, closing of transactions, performance or achievements of EQB to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to risks related to capital markets and additional funding requirements, fluctuating interest rates and general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory developments, changes in accounting standards, the nature of our customers and rates of default, and competition as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Management" in the MD&A and in EQB's documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All material assumptions used in making forward-looking statements are based on management's knowledge of current business conditions and expectations of future business conditions and trends, including their knowledge of the current credit, interest rate and liquidity conditions affecting EQB and the Canadian economy. Although EQB believes the assumptions used to make such statements are reasonable at this time and has attempted to identify in its continuous disclosure documents important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Certain material assumptions are applied by EQB in making forward-looking statements, including without limitation, assumptions regarding its continued ability to fund its mortgage business, a continuation of the current level of economic uncertainty that affects real estate market conditions, continued acceptance of its products in the marketplace, as well as no material changes in its operating cost structure and the current tax regime. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. EQB does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Financial Measures and Ratios
In addition to GAAP prescribed measures, this news release references certain non-GAAP measures, including adjusted financial results, that we believe provide useful information to investors regarding EQB's financial condition and results of operations. Readers are cautioned that non-GAAP measures often do not have any standardized meaning, and therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
Adjusted financial results
On February 7, 2022, Equitable Bank announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in Concentra Bank (Concentra), subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, and is expected to close later in 2022. As a result of the announced agreement, Equitable Bank has incurred certain acquisition costs beginning in Q4 2021. To enhance comparability between reporting periods, increase consistency with other financial institutions, and provide the reader with a better understanding of EQB's performance, adjusted results were introduced starting in Q1 2022. Adjusted results are non-GAAP financial measures.
Adjustments impacting current and prior periods:
Concentra acquisition/integration costs, pre-tax:
- Q2 2022 – $2.7 million of acquisition and integration related costs and $0.9 million of interest expenses paid to subscription receipt holders1; and
- Q1 2022 – $5.1 million of acquisition and integration related costs and $0.9 million of interest expenses paid to subscription receipt holders.
The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP reported financial results to non-GAAP adjusted financial results.
In addition to the adjusted results that are presented above, additional adjusted financial measures and ratios are disclosed as follows:
• Reconciliation of adjusted efficiency ratio
- Reconciliation of adjusted return on equity (ROE)
Other non-GAAP financial measures and ratios
- Assets under management (AUM): is the sum of total assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet and loan principal derecognized but still managed by EQB.
- Conventional loans: are the total on-balance sheet loan principal excluding Prime single family and Insured multi-unit residential mortgages.
- Liquid assets: is a measure of EQB's cash or assets that can be readily converted into cash, which are held for the purposes of funding loans, deposit maturities, and the ability to collect other receivables and settle other obligations.
- Loans under management (LUM): is the sum of loan principal reported on the consolidated balance sheet and loan principal derecognized but still managed by EQB.
- Net interest margin (NIM): this profitability measure is calculated on an annualized basis by dividing net interest income by the average total interest earning assets for the period.
- Pre-provision pre-tax income: is the difference between revenue and non-interest expenses.
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SOURCE EQB Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/eqb-reports-continued-strong-lending-growth-core-earnings-assets-under-management-up-458-billion-increases-dividend/ | 2022-08-09T22:06:34Z |
NEW YORK, April 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of MP Materials Corp. f/k/a Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: MP, FVAC, FVAC WS, FVAC.U) between May 1, 2020 and February 2, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 25, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased MP Materials 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 MP Materials class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=3113 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 April 25, 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) Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. ("FVAC") had overstated its due diligence efforts and expertise with respect to identifying target companies to acquire; (2) FVAC performed inadequate due diligence into legacy MP Materials prior to the business combination, or else ignored significant red flags regarding, inter alia, legacy MP Materials' management, compliance policies, and Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility's ("Mountain Pass") profitability; (3) as a result, the Company's future business and financial prospects post-business combination were overstated; (4) MP Materials engaged in an abusive transfer price manipulation scheme with a related party in the People's Republic of China to artificially inflate the Company's profits; (5) MP Materials' ore at Mountain Pass was not economically viable to harvest for rare earth metals; and (6) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the MP Materials class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=3113 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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/16/nationally-ranked-rosen-law-firm-encourages-mp-materials-corp-fka-fortress-value-acquisition-corp-investors-with-losses-excess-100k-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-mp-fvac-fvacws-fvacu/ | 2022-04-16T23:19:14Z |
PITTSBURGH, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- I'm a master barber and I wanted to create a safe and sanitary cape option for clients," said an inventor, from Sharon, S.C., "so I invented SUPERIOR CAPES. My design would provide added protection and peace of mind."
The patent-pending invention provides an improved cape for clients in beauty salons and barber shops. In doing so, it offers an alternative to using standard shared capes. As a result, it helps to prevent the spread of germs and viruses and it enhances safety during the current pandemic. The invention features a disposable and recyclable design that is easy to wear so it is ideal for beauty salons and barber shops. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.
The original design was submitted to the Charlotte sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-CNC-766, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/18/inventhelp-inventor-develops-disposable-capes-beauty-industry-cnc-766/ | 2022-04-18T18:21:27Z |
Mother accused of burning child’s feet as punishment for misbehaving
BOONEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT/Gray News) - A Kentucky mother is accused of punishing her child by burning her child’s feet.
WYMT reports Owsley County deputies responded to the home of 28-year-old Alexis Powell in April to investigate the possible abuse of a 4-year-old child.
Investigators determined the child suffered second- and third-degree burns to both feet as a part of the punishment.
The child was taken to a burn center in Ohio for treatment.
Authorities arrested Powell on Monday and charged her with assault, criminal abuse, endangering the welfare of a minor and wanton endangerment.
Powell was taken to the Three Forks Regional Jail, where she remains in custody, according to jail records.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/10/mother-accused-burning-childs-feet-punishment-misbehaving/ | 2022-05-10T17:58:05Z |
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown Sterling Limited LLC, leader in Personal Data Sovereignty and provider of quantum-resistant encryption and compression technologies, announced Jeremy Monroe has been appointed as Chief Marketing Officer.
Mr. Monroe joins the team with over 25 years of diverse experience across video game and virtual world publishing, content creation, predictive analytics, blockchain, and top-tier international consulting. He has an outstanding track record of building high-performing teams and growing revenue while working with large and small companies in marketing, strategy, business development, CRM, community development, and operations.
"We are very pleased to have an executive with such a strong track record of success within the tech industry join our ranks as our Chief Marketing Officer," said Crown Sterling Founder and CEO Robert Edward Grant.
"I'm truly humbled to be joining such a formidable and grounded team of scientists, creatives, and technologists with a grand vision to change the lives of everyday human beings at such fundamental and essential levels through Personal Data Sovereignty. I'm honored to help bring this team and its revolutionary encryption, compression, and quantum-resistant products and frameworks to market, shifting the current paradigm away from data monopolies by Big Tech. Decentralized Personal Data Sovereignty is a protected right for its creator, and it's our future," shared Mr. Monroe.
As a leader in Data Sovereignty and quantum-resistant encryption, Crown Sterling's mission is to transform an era of unregulated data consolidation, monopolization, and monetization by Big Tech and empower individuals to claim, protect, and control their data.
Crown Sovereign (CSOV) utility token enables users to access the novel product suite, including quantum-resistant cryptography and NFTs, end-to-end encrypted messaging, and other future data compression technologies. With the CSOV token and ecosystem, users can also encrypt personal data, including geolocation and browsing history, and convert that data into NFTs with the option to monetize it on exchanges. Crown Sterling Chain is the world's first Layer-1 blockchain to implement One-Time Pad's quantum-resistant cryptography and empowers a self-sovereign ecosystem. The team will also launch a chain agnostic Layer-2 Security Oracle, providing post-quantum technology for web 3.0.
As data has surpassed oil as the most valuable asset in the modern world, Crown Sterling looks forward to ushering in a new paradigm of Personal Data Sovereignty. Join the community on Telegram.
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SOURCE Crown Sterling | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/crown-sterling-appoints-chief-marketing-officer/ | 2022-08-15T14:28:35Z |
TORONTO, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has published its newest research-backed blueprint, titled Satisfy Digital End Users With Low- and No-Code. IT departments are increasingly experiencing capacity constraints due to the current talent shortage and the overwhelming demand to meet business priorities while maintaining mission-critical applications. This timely research will help IT teams leverage low- and no-code solutions to solve their software delivery challenges and explore new digital capabilities.
Low- and no-code (LCNC) application builders leverage graphical user interfaces (GUI) and configurations to define and build databases, business logic, process flows, forms, and other application artifacts with minimal hand-coding. These tools convert the developer's designs into workable software that can then be deployed to corporate systems.
Low-code technologies, alongside customizable scripts and configurations, assist GUI designers in defining and building applications. Similar to low-code, no-code technologies create deployable and functioning solutions to develop applications primarily for people who are not familiar with coding.
However, without the right training, adoption plan, and governance structure for LCNC, IT can become quickly overwhelmed with product quality, management challenges, and maintenance. Info-Tech advises organizations must work with IT for LCNC to succeed.
"Low- and no-code empowers users to tailor the tools they need to be more productive and innovative," says Info-Tech's Senior Research Analyst Andrew Kum-Seun. "This capability also encourages the business and IT to build trust, respect, and accountability with each other by working more closely together."
Although LCNC has been around for years, it has recently become a popular choice among organizations. For example, Info-Tech's 2022 Tech Trends Report revealed that 69% of IT practitioners had digital transformation as a high priority for their organization during the pandemic. Additionally, according to a 2021 TechRepublic survey, 47% of respondents indicated that their organizations use LCNC platforms, which provide numerous benefits and help with transformation by easing the implementation of key initiatives. Info-Tech's blueprint breaks down why LCNC is an attractive option for organizations, outlined below:
- Extendable & Scalable: LCNC solutions are extendable and adaptable with out-of-the-box connectors and/or representational state transfer API. The plug-and-play architecture allows non-technical staff to bridge LCNC to third-party systems and explore new use cases.
- Seamless Deployment: Most LCNC vendors offer one-click deployment to their proprietary platform as well as cloud services such as PaaS, IaaS, or direct publishing to app stores. Built-in automated tests ensure compatibility with the target environment.
- Extensive LCNC Use Cases: The LCNC marketplace is extensive and offers a broad range of use cases. 17% of organizations are planning on using LCNC to automate workflows, 15% to create new apps, and 15% plan to use it to speed up development time (Source: TechRepublic, 2021).
- Operational Change Acceptance: Stakeholders realize that fighting shadow IT is a losing battle, so they are finding ways to embrace it. They also recognize that IT operations and organizational culture must change to see the full benefits of LCNC in a business-managed environment. LCNC is a notable option given its centralized administration capabilities and compatibility with existing systems.
- Hands-Off Operational Support: Many LCNC solutions operate in an as-a-service model where the underlying and integrated technologies are managed by the vendor and abstracted away from the end user. AI and machine learning are often used to reconfigure or load balance the system as needed.
LCNC is the perfect solution to remove the stress that comes from traditional software development. Only a single codebase is needed to create solutions across different form factors, minimizing the need for platform-specific expertise and toolsets.
View and download the complete Satisfy Digital End Users With Low- and No-Code blueprint.
To learn more about Info-Tech Research Group and to download all the latest research, visit www.infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Media professionals are encouraged to register for Info-Tech's Media Insiders program for more research and insights. This program provides unrestricted, on-demand access to IT, HR, and software industry content and subject matter experts from a group of more than 200 research analysts. To apply for access, contact pr@infotech.com.
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/low-no-code-is-future-app-development-amid-talent-shortages-says-info-tech-research-group/ | 2022-06-02T17:58:12Z |
HOUSTON, April 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Talos Energy Inc. ("Talos" or the "Company") (NYSE: TALO) intends to release first quarter 2022 results for the period ended March 31, 2022 on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 after the U.S. financial market closes. In addition to this release, Talos will host a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet, on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (9:00 AM Central Time).
Listeners can access the conference call through a webcast link on the Company's website at: https://www.talosenergy.com/investors. Alternatively, the conference call can be accessed by dialing (888) 348-8927 (U.S. toll free), (855) 669-9657 (Canada toll-free) or (412) 902-4263 (international). Please dial in approximately 15 minutes before the teleconference is scheduled to begin and ask to be joined into the Talos Energy call. A replay of the call will be available one hour after the conclusion of the conference until May 12, 2022 and can be accessed by dialing (877) 344-7529 and using access code 6364444.
ABOUT TALOS ENERGY
Talos Energy (NYSE: TALO) is a technically driven independent exploration and production company focused on safely and efficiently maximizing long-term value through its operations, currently in the United States and offshore Mexico, both upstream through oil and gas exploration and production and downstream through the development of future carbon capture and storage opportunities. As one of the Gulf of Mexico's largest public independent producers, we leverage decades of technical and offshore operational expertise towards the acquisition, exploration and development of assets in key geological trends that are present in many offshore basins around the world. With a focus on environmental stewardship, we are also utilizing our expertise to explore opportunities to reduce industrial emissions through our carbon capture and storage initiatives along the U.S. Gulf Coast and Gulf of Mexico. For more information, visit www.talosenergy.com.
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
Sergio Maiworm
+1.713.328.3008
investor@talosenergy.com
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SOURCE Talos Energy | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/08/talos-energy-announce-first-quarter-2022-results-may-4-2022-host-earnings-conference-call-may-5-2022/ | 2022-04-08T11:50:02Z |
As the coronavirus pandemic shut down the nation in March of 2020, the U.S. government told methadone clinics they could allow stable patients with opioid addiction to take their medicine at home unsupervised.
Methadone, an opioid itself, can be dangerous in large amounts and most patients are required to take the liquid medicine daily at clinics. It wasn’t clear whether the relaxed take-home policy would cause more harm than good.
Now, a new study of fatal overdoses from January 2019 to August 2021 suggests that easing access was safe. It did not lead to more deaths involving the treatment drug.
The share of overdose deaths involving methadone declined from 4.5% in January 2019 to 3.2% in August 2021, the study found.
The finding may help make the change permanent, wrote the authors, who are U.S. government researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Dr. Neeraj Gandotra, chief medical officer of the federal agency that regulates methadone clinics, called the early analysis “very promising.”
When the government eased restrictions, it said stable patients could receive 28 days of take-home methadone and less stable ones could get 14 days. Clinics were allowed to figure out which patients were eligible; many relied on criteria such as time in treatment and absence of criminal activity.
More than 400,000 people in the United States take methadone as part of their treatment for addiction to opioids such as heroin, fentanyl and painkillers. Methadone, when used correctly, can stop drug cravings without causing a high.
The study, published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry, found that overdose deaths overall — including those involving methadone — increased in March 2020. Then, in the months after the policy change, deaths involving methadone held steady while other fatal overdoses continued to climb.
More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, a record in the nation’s overdose epidemic. Increases were driven by deaths involving fentanyl, cocaine and other stimulants.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://cw33.com/health/ap-health/relaxed-methadone-rules-appear-safe-researchers-find/ | 2022-07-14T12:11:23Z |
ATHENS -- Listeriosis, an infection caused by eating food contaminated by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, can cause severe illness in pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness, or food poisoning, in the United States. An estimated 1,600 people get sick each year and about 260 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Currently, Listeria contamination in food products is identified only through molecular tests conducted in diagnostic laboratories on samples taken at specific control points during the manufacturing and distribution process. Although very accurate, this method requires significant processing time, transportation of samples, and expensive skilled labor and equipment.
In a new study published in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society, UGA researchers introduced a rapid diagnostic method based on electrochemical biosensing principles. Electrochemical biosensors are promising alternatives to molecular detection methods because of their ease of use, high specificity, sensitivity and low cost, according to the researchers.
The UGA researchers use bacteriophages, viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria, as bioreceptors to identify L. monocytogenes using an electrochemical sensor.
“Bacteriophages are viruses that attack bacteria – they are very specific and will only attack their target,” Or Zolti and Baviththira Suganthan, two doctoral students in the College of Engineering who served as the study’s lead authors, said. “We can take advantage of their specificity and make sure that only L. monocytogenes is detected on our sensor with little interference from biological agents.”
Once the bacteriophages attract the target bacteria, they translate the biochemical information into an electrical signal that indicates the presence of contamination.
“Our approach is as good if not better than the competitive methods in the market in terms of their limits of detection,” Zolti said.
Although the researchers have tested their system only in a laboratory setting, they are planning to apply what they’ve learned so far to actual contaminated food samples. If successful, the researchers could further optimize their sensors to meet the practical needs for early and rapid diagnosis in the food industry.
“In our view, this sensor can be part of a food production line,” Zolti said. “A manufacturer can use the sensor as a pre-screening tool to test for contamination.”
Currently, the food industry sends samples of products to specialized laboratories that test the samples for contamination. This process can take from three days to two weeks, meaning products carrying Listeria may make it to grocery store shelves before the problem is identified.
“Our approach will allow food manufacturers to avoid recalls and find bacterial contamination within minutes on their production lines," Zolti said. "This ability will also save lives and prevent contaminated products from reaching the shelves in supermarkets."
Ramaraja Ramasamy, a professor and associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering, served as the study’s principal investigator. Collaborators include Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, director of UGA’s Center for Food Safety, and Jason Locklin, a professor with a joint appointment in the College of Engineering and the department of chemistry.
The Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia and the Georgia Research Alliance have provided funding for the project.
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Schools are going online in disasters, worsening disruption
(AP) - When a water crisis forced schools back online in Jackson, Mississippi, fifth-grade teacher Ryan Johnson saw reminders everywhere of pandemic times.
Two and a half years after schools switched to remote learning for COVID-19, he once again logged into online learning to see kids lying in bed at home while tuning in for his classes.
This time, Johnson also had to assist his young daughter, who was stuck at home trying to keep up with second grade. She asked repeatedly when she could go back to school.
The stint in remote learning was short-lived for the 20,000-student school system in Jackson. But it highlighted an alarming reality: Schools are relying on online classes when communities face their most trying times — disasters like wildfires, storms or a lack of water. And experts say it’s not a sustainable solution.
When Jackson’s troubled water system left the city with dry taps and unflushable toilets for several days, school went online for a week. Enough water pressure was restored last week for children to go back in person, but the city remains under its seventh week of a boil-water advisory.
Still, online learning compounded the disruption for children and teachers. Families waited in lines for hours to get water to drink or wash. Back at home, children slogged through internet classes, often with the whole family in the house once again.
Johnson said he did his best to juggle it all and keep his students engaged, drawing on his extended experience from the pandemic, but it was far from perfect.
“You try to look at the glass half full as much as possible,” he said.
There was a time, early in the pandemic, when hopes were high for remote learning. It made snow days obsolete, and some schools experimented with online learning in place of substitute teachers. The potential seemed endless.
But remote learning’s shortcomings have become more clear. The shift to remote learning for COVID-19 left many students behind where they should be academically and added to strains on their mental health.
At the same time, it led to increased access to technology and skills that make remote instruction doable on a large scale — an impossibility just four years ago.
In 2018, two hurricanes — Florence and Michael — struck the same regions in North Carolina, causing schools to close. Some students were out of school for weeks. There were attempts at remote learning, but many lacked access to laptops and other technology. Most schools tried to redistribute students to other in-person facilities, said Gary Henry, dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development, who has been part of a long-term research effort studying the impact.
Now, Henry thinks districts will reach first for remote learning. In the short term — a few weeks, perhaps — he thinks it could be a way to keep students on track, but the pandemic showed it’s not a sustainable model.
“I think it will be an automatic response in most places to short-term disruptions in schooling,” he said. “It’s going to be the first reaction, whereas, back during the hurricanes, it was: Where can we get these students in another physical location where they can resume their school experience? Now I think it’s going to be: How can we get organized to provide remote learning?”
Schools in Mora, New Mexico, switched to remote learning last April when the town was evacuated due to a wildfire.
It was a rocky start, Superintendent Marvin MacAuley said. Some of the displaced students and teachers were in evacuation centers, without access to their technology. As time went on, people were able to access computers or tablets and the internet.
In mid-August, students went back to school, in person, for the first time since the fire. The year started with an emphasis on social-emotional learning, to address the difficulties students have faced. Even with social workers reaching out, MacAuley said it was difficult gauging how students were doing during remote learning.
“When there’s a lot of stuff that has happened, it’s better to have the kids in person so you can see how they are, take note of their behaviors and provide the support to them,” he said.
In Cresskill, New Jersey, after Hurricane Ida hit in 2021, the building housing the high school and middle school was left underwater. The school system had no choice but to start the school year virtually.
“That’s rough,” Superintendent Michael Burke said. “That’s rough for kids for mental health issues. It’s rough for kids for socialization. And it’s hard for parents who have to arrange for someone to be home. You know, and that’s the most frustrating part, is that it came on the heels of COVID. And people were at a breaking point.”
Eventually, Cresskill offered hybrid learning, working with a local church, utilizing its 14 classrooms. Later, in February, the school moved into a neighboring town’s church building, which allowed students to go back every day.
Sarah Barrs’ daughter, who is now a seventh grader, was scheduled to go to orientation the week the storm decimated the school. She said some considered remote learning an adequate solution because they had done it before out of necessity.
“It’s not school,” she said. “It’s a last resort and it shouldn’t be a crutch that we rely on for school.”
In Jackson, Johnson used his experience from the pandemic to help new teachers at his school when the district moved online during the water crisis. For one, he tried to ensure students had their laptop cameras on, in hopes of keeping them focused. Teachers worked hard last year to help students catch up, he said, and he worried about the potential effects of another extended closure.
As the water pressure came back, the school system bused some students and teachers to alternate sites to bring them back to in-person instruction as quickly as possible.
“It’s certainly not our first option,” said Sherwin Johnson, a spokesman for Jackson Public Schools. “Having them not learning at all, which would be the other option, is unacceptable.”
___
Associated Press writer Jeff Amy contributed to this report from Atlanta.
___
Brooke Schultz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/15/schools-are-going-online-disasters-worsening-disruption/ | 2022-09-15T11:25:23Z |
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (WFLA) — A child was sent to a hospital after a reported catfish stabbing in Florida on Monday, according to rescue officials.
The child, identified as a boy under the age of 10 by Pasco Fire Rescue, was stabbed in the chest by a catfish at a New Port Richey pond, about 35 miles northwest of Tampa.
Authorities said the catfish’s barb went 1 to 1.5 inches into the child’s chest cavity.
While traveling to the hospital with his mother, the boy had breathing problems. His mother called 911, and rescue personnel took the boy on a trauma alert.
The boy was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa for treatment and was stabilized.
Catfish can injure fishermen with their pectoral and spines. According to The Angler Within, the spines of a young catfish are hard enough to pierce flesh and impale a person.
Sometimes these incidents can be near-fatal. USAToday reported in 2018 a Missouri fisherman nearly died after a catfish stabbed him in the knee as he pulled the fish into his boat. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/child-hospitalized-after-being-stabbed-by-catfish-in-florida/ | 2022-06-21T22:34:57Z |
LANHAM, Md., Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), the parent company of leading global online learning platform edX, today announced that Stephen Virostek will be joining the company as Senior Vice President, Investor Relations. Virostek will be responsible for communicating 2U's vision, strategy and performance to investors as the company transitions to a platform company under the edX brand. He will report to Paul Lalljie, 2U's Chief Financial Officer.
Virostek's career includes more than 20 years of investor relations experience. He was most recently at Diebold Nixdorf, Inc., where he managed all investor relations communications and events. Prior to Diebold, he served as head of investor relations at Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) and directed investor relations activities for the Sprint Nextel Corporation and Nextel Communications, Inc. Virostek received a bachelor's of business administration degree from James Madison University and a master's degree in business administration from The George Washington University.
"Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in investor relations, along with a deep understanding of the perspectives of investors and strong relationships with the investor community," said Lalljie. "He will be an important partner to our investors as we deliver sustainable profitability and cash flows from our leading free-to-degree online learning marketplace."
"I'm excited to join 2U at this pivotal stage, as it transitions to a platform company, combines 2U's industry-leading technology and services with edX's flexible approach to degree support, and launches new revenue sharing models that give its university partners greater flexibility and new tools to serve learners" said Virostek. "I look forward to maintaining strong two-way communication between 2U and the investment community as the company executes its strategy and creates greater value for learners, partners and shareholders."
Virostek, Lalljie and 2U Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher "Chip" Paucek, will be meeting with investors at the Citigroup 2022 Global Technology Conference on Wednesday, September 7. Please reach out to investorinfo@2U.com for more information.
About 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU)
For more than a decade, 2U, Inc. has been the digital transformation partner of choice to great non-profit colleges and universities delivering high-quality online education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading global online learning platform, 2U provides over 45 million learners with access to world-class education in partnership with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporations. Our people and technology are powering more than 4,000 digital education offerings — from free courses to full degrees — and helping unlock human potential. To learn more: visit 2U.com.
Media Contact:
Glenda Felden
media@2U.com
Investor Contact:
Stephen Virostek
investorinfo@2U.com
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DETROIT, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - New USA research commissioned by Employer Brand Consultancy Blu Ivy Group (conducted among members of the online Angus Reid Forum USA) shows that after 2+ years of COVID, personal and professional priorities may have shifted for American employees.
PLEASE ATTRIBUTE THIS AS A SURVEY BY BLU IVY GROUP IN ANY MEDIA COVERAGE
Asked what they value most about a company's work culture, 31% of employed Americans ranked 'purpose - feeling like the work I do is making a difference' among their top three responses. Purpose trumped vacation time (30%), management that's responsive to the needs of workers (28%), opportunities for professional advancement and growth (22%), and ability to work remotely (19%) as top valued company work culture points.
In contrast, only 8% of respondents chose in-office perks (e.g. free snacks, beer, daycare, gym fitness center etc).
'Purpose' was only topped by benefits (38%) and flexible work hours (33%.)
Purpose (21%) was less of a priority for workers who worked from home/remotely pre-pandemic.
"As a cornerstone of any employer brand strategy, companies need to take a close look at what their talent will receive in addition to perks and benefits. It's essential for employers in the post-pandemic workplace to connect the work of talent to both purpose and impact," said Stacy Parker, Managing Director and Co-Founder of the Blu Ivy Group. "We work with our clients to carefully and concretely define their employer brand and employee value propositions."
- About a third (35%) of employed Americans believe their workplace/employer is 'Culture Conning,' defined as a practice by which companies market themselves as having inclusive, employee-centric workplace cultures to recruit employees, but fail to deliver on that promise.
- Younger respondents (18-34) are significantly more likely to believe this (41%) than those aged 35-54 (34%) and especially those 55+ (27%)
- One-in-five (22%) employed Americans, including three-in-ten (31%) under the age of 35, have left a position or a company due to 'Culture Conning.'
"Establishing a well-built and managed employer brand ensures that companies aren't 'culture conning' or falsely advertising a culture that doesn't exist," added Parker. "Committed brands need to truly and thoughtfully embed a strong employee promise into the fundamental culture and experience of the company."
Three-quarters (74%) of employed Americans could cite at least one aspect of their company culture that is "broken." The top answers cited were: leadership/management (28%), lack of trust between staff and management (23%), lack of work/life balance 23%, and unsustainable workload (21%).
"Workplaces don't have to crack, they can bend, adapt and change with genuine insights," said Parker. "An employee value proposition is the solution to provide leaders and managers a clear understanding of what talent want and need most. Companies need to learn how they can deliver more consistent experiences aligned to an employee value proposition promise."
Three-in-ten (29%) employed Americans, including two-in-five (39%) under the age of 35, are envious of a competing company's work culture, with better benefits (50%) by far the most common reason given.
A total of 78% of employed Americans say it's important that their company stands behind social causes that align with their values. It's essential to 15%, very important to 30% and somewhat important to 33%.
Besides a higher salary, employed Americans could be lured away from their current employer with:
- More vacation time, 42%
- Ability to work remotely, 36%
- Better training and personal development, 33%
- Ability to work closer to home, 25%
PLEASE ATTRIBUTE THIS AS A SURVEY BY BLU IVY GROUP IN ANY MEDIA COVERAGE
Blu Ivy Group is a leading North American employer branding consultancy, providing research, strategy, creative and communications solutions that drive winning workplace cultures and preferred employer reputations.
These are the findings of a study/survey conducted by Blue Ivy Group from March 25-29, 2022 among a nationally representative sample of n=1,013 full-time and part-time employed Americans who are members of the online Angus Reid Forum USA, balanced and weighted on age, gender and region. The survey was conducted in English.
The precision of Angus Reid Forum online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/-3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including but not limited to coverage error and measurement error.
The Angus Reid Forum USA is an online community of adults who voice their opinions and share insights on a range of consumer and political topics. Members answer questions by completing short, easy, and interesting surveys on issues that matter.
Leaders and decision makers across America want to know what consumers think and use the Angus Reid Forum USA to find out. Members of the Forum are given a voice at the table to influence and impact decisions in their local community and across the country.
By doing surveys, members either earn points redeemable for online gift-cards or get entered into sweepstakes draws with chances to win gift cards from a variety of retailers.
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SOURCE Blu Ivy Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/25/survey-individual-purpose-trumps-popcorn-post-pandemic-american-worker/ | 2022-04-25T13:41:17Z |
LONDON, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith+Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, announces the publication of a new peer-reviewed article in Wounds International. The article proposes that an estimated 3.5 billion hours of nursing time could be released globally by 2030 if shared care approaches between nurses and patients are adopted in chronic wound care alongside long-wear advanced foam dressings1.
Accelerated by COVID-192, the global shortage of nurses is estimated to be as high as 10.6 million by 20303. Facing an increasing number of patients with chronic wounds4, many nurses are adapting their practice to optimise the use of their time and potentially enhance patient experience2.
The article introduces a mathematical model that estimates how many working hours could be released if community nurses offer patients with chronic wounds the choice of long-wear advanced foam dressings within a shared care approach, where clinically appropriate1.
Shared care is the clinical practice of involving patients in the ongoing delivery of care, whilst supported and guided by a clinician. Patients with chronic wounds may be encouraged to take greater responsibility over dressing changes, lifestyle and nutrition factors, and monitoring and reporting5. The success of shared care is evidenced in other chronic conditions such as diabetes6, stoma management7 and incontinence8.
"Shared care does not mean less care for the patient, rather it is an alternative approach that involves patients in their own wound care, empowering individuals to monitor and change wound dressings at their convenience and regain independence" added Zena Moore, Professor of Nursing and Head of the School of Nursing & Midwifery and Director of the Skin Wounds and Trauma Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ireland.
The 3.5 Billion Hours Time Release Model was created from published figures on the global nursing workforce and chronic wound burden. These data were combined with clinical efficiency evidence for long-wear advanced foam dressings. The publication's findings indicate that there is an opportunity for nurses to reallocate more than 433 million hours of clinical time globally per annum, time that is currently spent on potentially unnecessary chronic wound care1,9. This equates to an estimated global opportunity of 3.5 billion hours by 20301.
ALLEVYN™ LIFE Foam Dressings complement a shared wound care approach by enabling nurses and patients to support undisturbed healing. The dressings are designed to be left in-situ for 5 to 7 days10–12, manage exudate with visible change indicators 13–17 and are comfortable to wear.13,15.
As nurses around the world move to adopt shared care practices in chronic wound management, implementation support will be needed. This includes access to long-wear advanced foam dressings, tools to identify patient suitability for shared wound care, and nurse-led education and resources.
Cathy Dalene, SVP Global Marketing, Advanced Wound Management, Smith+Nephew said "Many nurses who treat patients with chronic wounds are encouraging greater patient involvement. Smith+Nephew is committed to helping clinicians develop best practice whilst adopting this increasingly common care approach. This article quantifies the opportunity many nurses have identified; an opportunity to update wound care practice, reduce pressure on nurses and empower patients to be more self-sufficient."
This article is the first of a series of work published by nursing experts in Wounds International, discussing the potential benefits of shared wound care and strategies for implementation.
A range of #WoundCareShared resources including a patient discussion guide and research papers can be found at woundcareshared.com
References
- Moore Z, Loney A, Probst S, et al. 3.5 billion hours of nurse time released by 2030: Potential efficiency gains from shared care and long-wear advanced foam dressings. Wounds International. 2022;13(2):10-16.
- Sen CK. Human Wound and Its Burden: Updated 2020 Compendium of Estimates. Advances in Wound Care. 2021;10(5):281-292.
- Buchan J, Catton H, Shaffer FA. Ageing Well? Policies to Support Older Nurses at Work.; 2020. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.icn.ch/sites/default/files/inline-files/Ageing ICNM Report December 9 2020.pdf
- Guest JF, Fuller GW, Vowden P. Cohort study evaluating the burden of wounds to the UK's National Health Service in 2017/2018: Update from 2012/2013. BMJ Open. 2020;10(12):1-15.
- Moore Z, Kapp S, Loney A, et al. A tool to promote patient and informal carer involvement for shared wound care. Wounds International. 2021;12(3):86-92.
- USC University of Southern California. What Does Self-Care Mean for Individuals With Diabetes? Accessed May 19, 2022. https://nursing.usc.edu/blog/self-care-with-diabetes/
- di Gesaro A. Self-care and patient empowerment in stoma management. Gastrointestinal Nursing. 2012;10(2):19-23.
- Spinks J. Self care in urinary incontinence. SelfCare. 2011;2(6):160-166.
- Joy H, Bielby A, Searle R. A collaborative project to enhance efficiency through dressing change practice. Journal of Wound Care. 2015;24(7):312, 314-317.
- Smith+Nephew. Wound Model Testing of New ALLEVYN Life Gen2 Wcl Dressing Using Horse Serum at a Flow Rate Modelling That of a Moderately Exuding Wound.; 2016.
- Smith+Nephew. Product Performance of Next Generation ALLEVYN Life Internal Report.; 2016.
- Lisco C. Evaluation of a new silicone gel-adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing as part of a pressure ulcer prevention plan for ICU patients. In: WOCN.; 2013.
- Rossington A, Drysdale K, Winter R. Clinical performance and positive impact on patient wellbeing of ALLEVYN Life. Wounds UK. 2013;9(4):91-95.
- Stephen-Haynes J, Bielby A, Searle R. The clinical performance of a silicone foam in an NHS community trust. Journal of Community Nursing. 2013;27(5):50-59.
- Simon D, Bielby A. A structured collaborative approach to appraise the clinical performance of a new product. Wounds UK. 2014;10(3`):80-87.
- Smith+Nephew. Simulated Wound Model Testing of ALLEVYN Life and Mepilex Border. Internal Report.; 2012.
- Smith+Nephew. Subjective comparison of masking ability of the New ALLEVYN LIFE versus Current ALLEVYN LIFE by Healthcare Professionals. Internal Report. 2016;DS/16/061/.
About Smith+Nephew
Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. We exist to restore people's bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose 'Life Unlimited'. Our 18,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients' lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global franchises of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.
Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in more than 100 countries, and generated annual sales of $5.2 billion in 2021. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN). The terms 'Group' and 'Smith+Nephew' are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
For more information about Smith+Nephew, please visit www.smith-nephew.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.
Forward-looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements that may or may not prove accurate. For example, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins, market trends and our product pipeline are forward-looking statements. Phrases such as "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. For Smith+Nephew, these factors include: risks related to the impact of COVID-19, such as the depth and longevity of its impact, government actions and other restrictive measures taken in response, material delays and cancellations of elective procedures, reduced procedure capacity at medical facilities, restricted access for sales representatives to medical facilities, or our ability to execute business continuity plans as a result of COVID-19; economic and financial conditions in the markets we serve, especially those affecting health care providers, payers and customers (including, without limitation, as a result of COVID-19); price levels for established and innovative medical devices; developments in medical technology; regulatory approvals, reimbursement decisions or other government actions; product defects or recalls or other problems with quality management systems or failure to comply with related regulations; litigation relating to patent or other claims; legal compliance risks and related investigative, remedial or enforcement actions; disruption to our supply chain or operations or those of our suppliers (including, without limitation, as a result of COVID-19); competition for qualified personnel; strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions, our success in performing due diligence, valuing and integrating acquired businesses; disruption that may result from transactions or other changes we make in our business plans or organisation to adapt to market developments; and numerous other matters that affect us or our markets, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or reputational nature. Please refer to the documents that Smith+Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith+Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20-F, for a discussion of certain of these factors. Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Smith+Nephew as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith+Nephew are qualified by this caution. Smith+Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Smith+Nephew's expectations.
™ Trademark of Smith+Nephew. Certain marks registered US Patent and Trademark Office.
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SOURCE Smith & Nephew plc | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/smithnephew-shares-new-research-that-estimates-35-billion-hours-nurse-time-could-be-released-by-2030-through-shared-wound-care-use-long-wear-advanced-foam-dressings/ | 2022-06-14T07:21:58Z |
At least 30 killed in train station missile strike in eastern Ukraine as civilians try to flee Russian onslaught
By Olga Voitovych and Nathan Hodge, CNN
At least 30 people, including two children, were killed after Russian forces carried out a missile strike on a railway station in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, that was being used by civilians trying to flee the fighting, Ukrainian officials said Friday.
Tetiana Ihnatchenko, a spokeswoman for the region of Donetsk where the attack took place, said that first responders had confirmed the initial casualty figures and warned the numbers were likely to rise.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said later that nearly 300 people have been wounded in the strike and that around 30 people have died.
In an address to Finland’s parliament on Friday, Zelensky said that the “Russian military hit the railway terminal,” adding: “There are witnesses, there are videos, there are remnants of the missiles and dead people.”
He said that “people (were) crowded waiting for the trains to be evacuated to the safe territory” at the station. “Why do they need to hit civilians with missiles? Why this cruelty that the world has witnessed in Bucha and other cities liberated by the Ukrainian army?” Zelensky asked lawmakers.
Local police said in a statement that the rockets struck a temporary waiting room, where “hundreds of people were waiting for the evacuation train.”
“This is another proof that Russia is brutally, barbarically killing the civilian Ukrainians, with one goal only — to kill,” the mayor of Kramatorsk said in a statement.
The mayor said that some 8,000 people per day were going to the station to evacuate during the last two weeks. As many as 4,000 people were there when the missile struck.
The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement Friday calling the missile strike a “provocation,” in a statement that mirrored recent denials of the indiscriminate killing of civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.
“All the statements of representatives of the Kyiv nationalist regime about the alleged ‘missile attack’ by Russia on April 8 at the railway station in Kramatorsk are a provocation and absolutely do not correspond to reality,” the statement said.
“On April 8, the Russian armed forces did not conduct or plan any artillery fires in the city of Kramatorsk. We emphasize that the Tochka-U tactical missiles, the wreckage of which was found near the Kramatorsk railway station and published by eyewitnesses, are used only by the Ukrainian armed forces.”
Ukrainian forces have the Soviet-designed Tochka missile in their inventory but it has also been used by Russian and separatist forces in the past.
Russia’s military and senior officials have issued blanket denials of attacks against civilians, most recently claiming — without evidence — that the massacre of civilians in Bucha was staged. The killing of civilians during the Russian occupation of the town has been extensively documented.
The eastern city of Kramatorsk was one of the first places to be targeted by the Russian military when the invasion of Ukraine was launched on February 24. Ihnatchenko said Ukrainians had been using the train station since late February to evacuate the region.
“The Russians knew that thousands of people are there (at the train station) every day,” she said.
Two missiles struck the station, according to the head of Ukraine’s national rail system, Oleksandr Kamyshin. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of Donetsk regional military administration, said the Russian military used Iskander short-range ballistic missiles.
CNN Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour said the attack was reminiscent of one on a marketplace in Sarajevo during the war in Bosnia, where “ordinary civilians were massacred as they just went about their business.”
Amanpour said such attacks on civilians tend to harden Western resolve and could push the European Union to enact even more sanctions on Russia. Brussels has already approved five rounds of sanctions against Russia since it invaded Ukraine.
The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, condemned the “indiscriminate attack,” while EU President Charles Michel called it “horrifying.”
“This is yet another attempt to close escape routes for those fleeing this unjustified war and cause human suffering,” Borrell said.
Borrell and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Zelensky this week in Kyiv.
The attack comes as Russian forces are preparing for a massive operation in eastern Ukraine to take the contested region of Donbas, Ukrainian authorities say.
Donbas is home to the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, two separatist enclaves that Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized as independent shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine.
For almost eight years, the two regions have been the site of a low-intensity war between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces. More than 14,000 people died in the fighting, and now Kyiv is bracing for more casualties.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the “battle for Donbas” is already underway. He said that the fighting there will be reminiscent of the destructive battles during World War II, as Moscow’s offensive could involve “thousands of tanks, armored vehicles, planes, artillery.”
British intelligence assesses that Russian troops have “fully withdrawn” from northern Ukraine to Belarus and Russia, and many could be transferred to eastern Ukraine to fight in Donbas. Ukrainian military officials also say they have observed a buildup of Russian forces to the east.
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CNN’s Joshua Berlinger, Ivan Watson and Khrystyna Bondarenko contributed to this report | https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-europe-mideast-africa/2022/04/08/at-least-30-killed-in-train-station-missile-strike-in-eastern-ukraine-as-civilians-try-to-flee-russian-onslaught/ | 2022-04-08T12:35:48Z |
Sean Clifford, Penn State offense looking for improvement
By TRAVIS JOHNSON
Associated Press
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford enters his sixth season with the Nittany Lions and fourth as their starter. He says he feels like an “old man” at 23 since he’s surrounded by so many fresh-faced 18- and 19-year-olds but likes the way spring ball has gone. Head coach James Franklin believes Clifford had his most productive spring because his practice numbers were the best they’ve been in nearly every category. Clifford had most of the last week of practice off to give freshmen Drew Allar, Beau Pribulla and Christian Veilleux more chances to work. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/23/sean-clifford-penn-state-offense-looking-for-improvement/ | 2022-04-24T00:10:28Z |
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero never worked out for the Orlando Magic. He didn’t have to, either.
His year at Duke provided all the information they needed.
The latest — and perhaps most important — piece to Orlando’s rebuild is Banchero, the 6-foot-10 forward who went No. 1 overall in Thursday’s NBA draft. He met with the Magic several times in recent weeks, taking part in everything from personality profiles to get-to-know-you interviews, and what happened in those sessions only steeled Orlando’s belief that he was the best pick.
“We feel he was the best player in college basketball,” Magic President Jeff Weltman said. “And we feel that he will continue to grow every year for many years to come.”
Banchero averaged 17.2 points in his lone college season, along with 7.8 rebounds and was a third-team Associated Press All-American. There were roars from the crowd at Amway Center — Banchero’s new home court — when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced just past 8 p.m. that the Magic were on the clock.
It didn’t take long for the Magic to send in the official word. Banchero is heading to Orlando, with plans for his official welcome at his new home on Friday.
“A dream come true,” Banchero said, when detailing what the moment that he heard his name as the No. 1 pick. “It was a really surreal moment.”
Silver is a Duke grad. And as is tradition for the commissioner, he gave Banchero a handshake and warm embrace after the new No. 1 pick put on a Magic hat and took the stage for his big moment.
The whole scene was overwhelming for Banchero, and yes, he cried.
“I’d never been brought to tears by anything that was positive,” he said.
Banchero joins a young core in Orlando that already includes 2017 top overall pick Markelle Fultz, a pair of top-eight picks from the 2021 draft in Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, and Cole Anthony — the No. 15 pick in 2020.
Orlando also has the No. 6 picks from the 2017 and 2018 draft, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba. It’s possible that when next season starts Orlando could have as many as six lottery picks, nine top-16 selections and 12 first-rounders on its roster.
There’s a lot of room to grow. The Magic went 22-60 this past season. Banchero’s Duke team won 10 more games than the Magic did.
“I’m super excited to get out to Orlando,” Banchero said. “Like, really, I’m excited about the team. I think that’s the most exciting part, to get out there with the team. I feel like we have a real talented team. A lot of guys are hungry, ready to win, and I’m the same way.”
Banchero will make about $10 million next season, the start of his four-year rookie deal, plus whatever he lures in off-court earnings. Given that he’s a No. 1 pick, out of Duke, with Italian and American citizenship, it’s likely he’ll have plenty of appeal in the endorsement world.
Choosing Banchero was a mild surprise, after weeks of speculation that Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr. or Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren might be the ones atop Orlando’s list. Holmgren went No. 2 to Oklahoma City, and Smith No. 3 to Houston.
Weltman hinted earlier in the week that reports might have been wrong, even boasting that the Magic pride themselves on keeping big decisions like this a surprise.
They pulled it off, too.
“I think that it it’s important that people know that information is managed discreetly with us from every corner of this business, from agents to other teams to the media,” Weltman said. “And obviously, when you’re playing poker, you don’t put your cards on the table, right?”
This was the fourth time that Orlando made the No. 1 selection. If history holds true, Banchero is going to have a long career in this league.
The Magic took Shaquille O’Neal with the top selection in 1992. Chris Webber was the No. 1 pick by Orlando in 1993, and he got traded that same night for Penny Hardaway and a package of future picks that eventually led to Vince Carter and Mike Miller. And in 2004, the Magic selected Dwight Howard with the first pick.
Miller has his fingerprints on this pick as well: He’s been working with Banchero in recent weeks, getting him ready for the NBA grind.
Now, it’s Banchero’s turn to be the prized rookie, after Orlando decided to choose him over the two other highly touted candidates for the No. 1 pick — Smith and Holmgren.
Banchero also became the 13th consecutive player to get drafted No. 1 overall after just one year of college.
“I can’t believe what just happened, honestly,” Banchero said, after embracing his mother — Rhonda Smith-Banchero, a former WNBA player.
Believe it. The Magic are betting a big part of their future on the 19-year-old.
“Our team got a lot better tonight,” Weltman said. “Paolo hasn’t played one minute in this league yet and everything that he gets, he’s going to have to earn. Obviously, he has a tremendous future, tremendous future, in front of him.”
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/magic-go-with-dukes-banchero-as-no-1-pick-in-nba-draft/ | 2022-06-24T15:10:36Z |
Iran deal tantalizingly close but US faces new hurdles
WASHINGTON (AP) — Last week’s attack on author Salman Rushdie and the indictment of an Iranian national for plotting to murder former national security adviser John Bolton have given the Biden administration new headaches as it attempts to negotiate a return to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
A resolution may be tantalizingly close. But as the U.S. and Europe weigh Iran’s latest response to an EU proposal described as the West’s final offer, the administration faces new and potentially insurmountable domestic political hurdles to forging a lasting agreement.
Deal critics in Congress who have long vowed to blow up any pact have ratcheted up their opposition to negotiations with a country whose leadership has refused to rescind the death threats against Rushdie or Bolton. Iran also vows to avenge the Trump administration’s 2020 assassination of a top Iranian general by killing former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Iran envoy Brian Hook, both of whom remain under 24/7 taxpayer-paid security protection.
Although such threats are not covered by the deal, which relates solely to Iran’s nuclear program, they underscore deal opponents’ arguments that Iran cannot be trusted with the billions of dollars in sanctions relief it will receive if and when it and the U.S. return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, a signature foreign policy accomplishment of the Obama administration that President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018.
“This is a tougher deal to sell than the 2015 deal in that this time around there are no illusions that it will serve to moderate Iranian behavior or lead to greater U.S.-Iran cooperation,” said Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
“The Iranian government stands to get tens of billions in sanctions relief, and the organizing principle of the regime will continue to be opposition to the United States and violence against its critics, both at home and abroad,” he said.
Iran has denied any link with Rushdie’s alleged attacker, an American citizen who was indicted for attempted murder and has pleaded not guilty in the Aug. 12 stabbing at a literary event in Western New York. But Iranian state media have celebrated Iran’s long-standing antipathy toward Rushdie since the 1988 publication of his book “The Satanic Verses,” which some believe is insulting to Islam.
Media linked to Iran’s leadership have lauded the attacker for following through on a 1989 decree, or fatwa, calling for Rushdie to be killed that was signed by Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
And the man who was charged with plotting to murder Bolton is a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Justice Department alleges the IRGC tried to pay $300,000 to people in the United States to avenge the death of Qassam Suleimani, the head of its elite Quds Force who was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Iraq in 2020.
“I think it’s delusional to believe that a regime that you’re about to enter into a significant arms control agreement with can be depended on to comply with its obligations or is even serious about the negotiation when it’s plotting the assassination of high-level former government officials and current government officials,” Bolton told reporters Wednesday.
“It certainly looks like the attack on Salman Rushdie had a Revolutionary Guard component,” Bolton said. “We’ve got to stop this artificial division when dealing with the government of Iran between its nuclear activities on the one hand and its terrorist activities on the other.”
Others agree.
“Granting terrorism sanctions relief amid ongoing terror plots on U.S. soil is somewhere between outrageous and lunacy,” said Rich Goldberg, a former Trump administration national security council staffer and longtime deal critic who is now a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which has also lobbied against a return to the JCPOA.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the plots, administration officials contend that they are unrelated to the nuclear issue and do nothing to change their long-held belief that an Iran with a nuclear weapon would be more dangerous and less constrained than an Iran without one.
“The JCPOA is about the single, central challenge we face with Iran, the core challenge, what would be the most threatening challenge we could possibly face from Iran, and that is a nuclear weapon,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said this week. “There is no doubt that a nuclear-armed Iran would feel an even greater degree of impunity, and would pose an even greater threat, a far greater threat, to countries in the region and potentially well beyond.”
“Every challenge we face with Iran, whether it is its support for proxies, its support for terrorist groups, its ballistic missiles program, its malign cyber activities — every single one of those — would be more difficult to confront were Iran to have a nuclear weapons program,” he said.
That argument, however, will be challenged in Congress by lawmakers who opposed the 2015 deal, saying it gave Iran a path to develop nuclear weapons by time-limiting the most onerous restrictions on its nuclear activities. They say there’s now even more tangible evidence that Iran’s malign behavior make it impossible to deal with.
Two of the most outspoken critics of the deal, Republican senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, have weighed in on what the Rushdie attack should mean for the administration.
“The ayatollahs have been trying to murder Salman Rushdie for decades,” Cruz said. “Their incitement and their contacts with this terrorist resulted in an attack. This vicious terrorist attack needs to be completely condemned. The Biden administration must finally cease appeasing the Iranian regime.”
“Iran’s leaders have been calling for the murder of Salman Rushdie for decades,” said Cotton. “We know they’re trying to assassinate American officials today. Biden needs to immediately end negotiations with this terrorist regime.”
Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, or INARA, the administration must submit any agreement with Iran for congressional review within five days of it being sealed. That begins a 30-day review period during which lawmakers may weigh in and no sanctions relief can be offered.
That timeline means that even if a deal is reached within the next week, the administration will not be able to start moving on sanctions relief until the end of September, just a month from crucial congressional midterm elections. And, it will take additional time for Iran to begin seeing the benefits of such relief because of logistical constraints.
While deal critics in the current Congress are unlikely to be able to kill a deal, if Republicans win back control of Congress in the midterms, they may be able to nullify any sanctions relief.
“Even if Iran accepts President Biden’s full capitulation and agrees to reenter the Iran nuclear deal, Congress will never vote to remove sanctions,” the GOP minority on the House Armed Services Committee said in a tweet on Wednesday. “In fact, Republicans in Congress will work to strengthen sanctions against Iran.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/19/iran-deal-tantalizingly-close-us-faces-new-hurdles/ | 2022-08-19T05:24:12Z |
The technology firm names new GM of Europe and Chief People Officer
CHICAGO, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas, a global Human Experience Management (HXM) technology company that simplifies global expansion with unified software and solutions, including Employer of Record (EOR), expands its executive leadership team with the addition of two strategic hires: Ruairi Kelleher as general manager (GM) of Europe, and Michelle Mesina as chief people officer (CPO).
As GM of Europe, Ruairi Kelleher will lead Atlas' business operations and oversee expanded development within the region. As CPO, Michelle Mesina will direct Atlas' internal people strategy to deepen global impact while cultivating rewarding employee experiences for an increasingly diverse workforce.
"Strengthening our foundational leadership team is essential as Atlas continues to evolve our best-in-class HXM technology solution to meet the demands of our customers and launch us into our next phase of growth," said Rick Hammell, CEO of Atlas. "The addition of Ruairi reflects our commitment to meeting the increased demand for global expansion solutions in the untapped market of Europe. Additionally, Michelle's extensive experience in organizational design, cultural alignment and employee wellbeing, will further enhance Atlas' reputation as a purpose-driven employer."
Kelleher brings more than 15 years of experience building and scaling innovative companies via operations, technology, strategy, revenue and M&A activity. Prior to joining Atlas, he served as CEO at global payroll technology company Immedis where he oversaw its 2016 launch and repositioning. Under his stewardship, Immedis emerged as a leader in the payroll space with more than 400 employees and year-over-year growth of more than 100%. As chief executive officer, Kelleher spearheaded the successful Series A and B funding rounds at Immedis and led the commercial practice for expat tax mobility within the Group. Additional previous experience includes consulting for international firms, where he focused on delivering business growth through corporate relationship solutions.
"The value proposition of Atlas' direct model presents a rare opportunity to define the market," said Kelleher. "I am thrilled to join Atlas and help drive the effort as we cement our industry-wide leadership in Europe and beyond."
Michelle Mesina, SPHR, comes to Atlas with over 20 years of experience from start-up, high- growth and transformative environments, helping organizations to scale quickly. She joins Atlas' C-suite following a series of high-profile positions leading HR and people ops for such dynamic companies as Gensler, PowerReviews, project44 and Hazel Technologies. At Hazel Technologies, she had overall responsibility for thought leadership strategies and solutions to attract, engage and retain the best talent.
"Atlas is focused on prioritizing our people and building a workplace culture where everyone can thrive and belong," said Mesina. "I am excited to join Atlas as we progress into our next phase of growth, continuing to deliver the best support to our clients and worksite employees (WSEs) by optimizing how we attract, onboard, develop and retain our people around the world."
The largest direct employer of record (EOR), Atlas brings experience and localized expertise into an enterprise-grade technology platform that empowers innovative companies to onboard, manage and pay global talent. The HXM platform delivers end-to-end EOR solutions with self-service capabilities, real-time insights that optimize business outcomes and human touchpoints along the way. The expansion of the leadership team furthers Atlas' position as the leader in simplifying global people operations in the thriving work-from-anywhere world.
Atlas enables innovative companies to compete in a global economy, believing that businesses should employ whomever they want, wherever the talent exists. As the largest direct employer of record (EOR) with entities in over 160 countries, Atlas is a technology platform that is supported by experts and delivers flexibility for companies to expand across borders, onboard talent, manage compliance, and pay their global workforce without the need for a local entity.
Atlas was built on years of experience navigating the challenges of quickly deploying and paying international employees while ensuring compliance with local regulations. This experience brings localized experience and expertise into an enterprise-grade technology platform that supports thousands of companies and remote teams. The Atlas platform is uniquely designed to deliver end-to-end EOR solutions and empowered user experiences that provide self-service capabilities and real-time insights that lead to improved business outcomes. Learn more at atlasHXM.com.
Media Contact:
Courtney Merolle
courtney@bospar.com
754.715.0747
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SOURCE Atlas | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/leading-eor-hxm-platform-strengthens-c-suite-with-strategic-leadership-hires/ | 2022-06-14T10:11:11Z |
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Austin Nola lofted an opposite-field RBI single to right off his younger brother Aaron, turned toward the San Diego Padres’ dugout and raised his right fist.
That was the extent of the emotion in the brotherly showdown.
Aaron Nola went right back to work and retired the next two batters, and Austin Nola’s Padres went on to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0.
“Glad we got the win, but then your brother gets the loss,” said Austin Nola, the Padres’ catcher. “He pitched an unbelievable game. It’s fun to watch him. There’s no doubt about it. He’s done it twice to us. Threw seven innings; threw eight innings last year. What a performance by him.
“It was weird. I got the hit and I was like, ‘Ah, I feel great,’ and then I look at him and he’s locked back in, going after the next hitter. Credit to him. Nothing ever fazes him,” he added.
It’s the first time a player had an RBI against his brother in a 1-0 victory since RBIs became an official stat in 1920, according to STATS.
“The storyline’s there, right?” Padres manager Bob Melvin said. “Baseball can be a great game in instances like that. It can break your heart other times. That’s just great theater. The only RBI of the game against his brother, that’s pretty cool stuff.”
San Diego rookie left-hander MacKenzie Gore and three relievers combined on a five-hitter. Closer Taylor Rogers loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth before getting Kyle Schwarber to fly out to center field.
Austin Nola had been 0 for 4 against his brother in two seasons until delivering an opposite-field single to right with one out in the sixth to bring in Eric Hosmer, who was aboard on a one-out double.
Aaron Nola, 29, kept the Padres off balance through the first five innings, including retiring his 32-year-old brother on a grounder in the second and a punchout in the fourth.
’’I was behind 0-2 the whole game against him,” Austin said. “The past two years I’ve been 0-2 to him. It’s nothing new. That’s what he does. You see the competitive side of him. It’s what makes him elite.”
The Nolas first faced each other as professionals on Aug. 21. They grew up in Baton Rouge and both played at LSU.
Other than getting one-upped by his brother, Aaron Nola (4-5) pitched well. He allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings while striking out 10 and walking two.
“Facing him is exhausting because from the catching standpoint, you have your pitcher and getting your pitcher through it, and then you have to switch over to the fact that now I’m facing my brother in a major league game and he’s not letting up,” Austin Nola said. “So you have to like mentally jump from one to another of, ‘All right, I’ve got to help MacKenzie work through this,’ and then, boom, he’s coming right after you.”
Gore struck out four and walked four. He struggled with his control in the third inning and loaded the bases on two walks and a single before getting Bryce Harper to fly out to left to end the inning.
Nabil Crismatt (4-0) pitched two perfect innings for the win. Luis Garcia struck out the heart of the order in the eighth. Rogers loaded the bases with two outs by allowing consecutive one-out singles and then walking pinch-hitter Yairo Munoz with two outs before retiring Schwarber for his 22nd save.
The Padres had retired 12 straight batters until Alec Bohm singled with one out in the ninth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: 3B Manny Machado missed his fifth straight game with a sprained ankle. He did agility drills in the outfield for a second straight day and manager Bob Melvin said the slugger was probably going to hit in the indoor batting cage.
UP NEXT
Phillies RHP Zach Eflin (2-5, 4.43 ERA) and Padres LHP Blake Snell (0-4, 5.46) are scheduled to start Saturday.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/padres-win-on-austin-nolas-rbi-single-off-brother-aaron/ | 2022-06-25T21:25:48Z |
War in Ukraine adds to food price hikes, hunger in Africa
By OMAR FARUK and KRISTA LARSON
Associated Press
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — It now costs Ayan Hassan Abdirahman twice as much as it did just a few months ago to buy the wheat flour she uses to make breakfast each day for her 11 children in Somalia’s capital.
Nearly all the wheat sold in Somalia comes from Ukraine and Russia, which have halted exports through the Black Sea since Moscow waged war on its neighbor on Feb. 24. The timing could not be worse: The U.N. has warned that an estimated 13 million people were facing severe hunger in the Horn of Africa region as a result of a persistent drought.
Abdirahman has been trying to make do by substituting sorghum, another more readily available grain, in her flatbread. Inflation, though, means the price of the cooking oil she still needs to prepare it has skyrocketed too — a jar that once cost $16 is now selling for $45 in the markets of Mogadishu.
“The cost of living is high nowadays, making it difficult for families even to afford flour and oil,” she says.
Haji Abdi Dhiblawe, a businessman who imports wheat flour into Somalia, fears the situation will only worsen: There is also a looming shortage of shipping containers to bring food supplies in from elsewhere at the moment.
“Somalis have no place to grow wheat, and we are not even familiar with how to grow it,” he says. “Our main concern now is what will the future hold for us when we currently run out of supplies.”
Another 18 million people are facing severe hunger in the Sahel, the part of Africa just below the Sahara Desert where farmers are enduring their worst agricultural production in more than a decade. The U.N. World Food Program says food shortages could worsen when the lean season arrives in late summer.
“Acute hunger is soaring to unprecedented levels and the global situation just keeps on getting worse. Conflict, the climate crisis, COVID-19 and surging food and fuel costs have created a perfect storm — and now we’ve got the war in Ukraine piling catastrophe on top of catastrophe,” WFP Executive Director David Beasley warned earlier this month.
Even the cost of therapeutic food for malnourished children could rise 16% over the next six months because of the war in Ukraine and disruptions related to the pandemic, UNICEF says.
African countries imported 44% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine between 2018 and 2020, according to U.N. figures. The African Development Bank is already reporting a 45% increase in wheat prices on the continent, making everything from couscous in Mauritania to the fried donuts sold in Congo more expensive for customers.
“Africa has no control over production or logistics chains and is totally at the mercy of the situation,” said Senegalese President Macky Sall, the African Union chairperson, who has said he will travel to Russia and Ukraine to discuss the price woes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pressed the West last week to lift sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine, seeking to shift the blame from Russia to the West for a growing world food crisis that has been worsened by Ukraine’s inability to ship millions of tons of grain and other agricultural products while under attack.
Putin told Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi that Moscow “is ready to make a significant contribution to overcoming the food crisis through the export of grain and fertilizer on the condition that politically motivated restrictions imposed by the West are lifted,” according to the Kremlin.
Western officials have dismissed the Russian claims. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has noted that food, fertilizer and seeds are exempt from the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and many others on Russia.
In Cameroon, baker Sylvester Ako says he’s seen his daily clientele drop from 300 customers a day to only 100 since bread prices jumped 40% because of the lack of wheat imports. He’s already let three of his seven employees go, and worries that he will have to shutter his Yaounde business entirely unless something changes.
“The price of a 50-kilogram (110-pound) bag of wheat now sells at $60 — up from about $30 — and the supply is not regular,” Ako said.
Along with the shortfall in wheat imports, the African Development Bank is also warning of a potential 20% decline in food production on the continent because farmers are having to pay 300% more for their imported fertilizer.
The organization says it plans to address the issues through a $1.5 billion plan that will provide farmers in Africa with certified seeds, fertilizer and other help. Reducing dependence on foreign imports is part of the strategy, but those economic transitions are likely to take years, not months.
Senegal’s president says appetites can pivot more quickly. He’s encouraging Africans to consume local grains that were once the staples of their diets.
“We must also change our eating habits,” Sall said. ”We dropped millet and started importing rice from Asia. Now we only know how to eat rice and we don’t produce enough. We only know how to eat bread. We do not produce wheat.”
___
Krista Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press journalists in Europe and Edwin Kindzeka Moki in Yaounde, Cameroon; Babacar Dione in Dakar, Senegal; Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro in Bunia, Congo, and Francis Kokutse in Accra, Ghana, contributed to this report.
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Follow all AP stories on the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/30/war-in-ukraine-adds-to-food-price-hikes-hunger-in-africa/ | 2022-05-30T06:58:42Z |
Police: Man accused of taking photos of women in public, retail dressing rooms
TULSA, Okla. (Gray News) – Police in Oklahoma arrested and charged a man they say was found taking photos of women in dressing room stalls and stores.
Authorities said he also set up a camera in his home bathroom.
According to the Tulsa Police Department, Daniel Toy was arrested and charged with five counts of Peeping Tom with photographic or electronic equipment.
Officers with the Tulsa Police Department responded to a Target store call regarding a possible “Peeping Tom.”
A victim told officers that someone put a cell phone under the fitting room door as she was trying on clothes. The victim said she then confronted the suspect, who police later identified as Toy. She said he quickly went into the dressing room next to her and tried shutting the door.
The victim reportedly told Toy to give the phone over and show her the photos after getting in his way.
She said Toy told her “No” and noticed that the phone was still on.
She reportedly began yelling for help and attracted another witness, who saw Toy and said he was frantically deleting photos from his phone.
Toy allegedly left the store, and officers were quickly able to identify him from there.
Authorities said detectives with the police department served a search warrant on Toy’s home and collected evidence from inside. His electronic devices were also taken and examined.
Detectives said they found videos that show Toy installing a hidden camera in his guest bathroom and recovered several videos taken by the hidden camera of women using the bathroom.
Police said they also found images of more than 40 others undressing at retail locations throughout Tulsa.
Detectives said they also located images showing Toy following and taking photos of random women in public as they shopped, with the photos ranging in dates from August 2021 to March of this year.
The police department said it wants the public to be aware of these sorts of cases around Tulsa.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/12/police-man-accused-taking-photos-women-public-retail-dressing-rooms/ | 2022-07-12T23:18:31Z |
BOSTON, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per common share to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 11, 2022, payable on August 25, 2022.
ABOUT BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP
Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank. The Bank's goal is to be a high-performing, leading socially responsible community bank in New England, Upstate New York, and beyond. Berkshire Bank provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management, and investment services. Headquartered in Boston, Berkshire has approximately $11.6 billion in assets and operates 105 branch offices in New England and New York, and is a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. To learn more, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Investor Relations Contacts
Kevin Conn, SVP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Email: KAConn@berkshirebank.com Tel: (617) 641-9206
David Gonci, Capital Markets Director
Email: dgonci@berkshirebank.com Tel: (413) 281-1973
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SOURCE Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/berkshire-hills-announces-quarterly-shareholder-dividend/ | 2022-07-29T13:26:47Z |
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Emilia Mehrabian is a top attorney at DLaw (aka Davtyan Law Firm), a specialty law firm that has protected the rights of hundreds of thousands of workers and recovered over a quarter of $1 billion for California's blue-collar community.
Mehrabian – a fellow Southwestern Law School Alumni like DLaw founder Emil Davtyan – specializes in a broad range of employment disputes that impact California's working class, highlighted by her expert knowledge of California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.
To reinforce DLaw's mission of "Champion for California's working class," Mehrabian shared valuable tips to help victims of workplace retaliation.
What is the principal piece of advice you offer someone who needs counsel regarding a potential workplace retaliation?
My principal piece of advice is that retaliation cases focus on what we can reasonably prove happened. The law places the burden on the employee to prove a causal connection between a negative employment action taken by the employer as a response to the employee's engagement in a legally protected activity.
What are common examples of workplace retaliation that workers deal with? How can a worker know if they have a workplace retaliation case?
Common examples of workplace retaliation include: suffering an adverse employment action due to reporting unlawful harassment (particularly by upper management); taking protected medical leave; suffering a workplace injury and filing for or requesting worker's compensation benefits; taking protected family medical leave to care for a family member; complaining or reporting about unpaid wages (including working off-the-clock and unpaid overtime); and complaining about missed meal and rest breaks. To properly assess their situation, workers should contact an attorney immediately after they feel they have suffered any adverse employment action by their employer.
How can a worker prove that retaliation took place?
A worker can prove retaliation took place by showing they engaged in a protected activity, and suffered an adverse employment action, and the reason for that adverse employment action was the protected activity itself. Protected activities are protected and governed by law; timing is often the key in these cases. The closer in time the adverse employment action is to the protected activity, the more likely it will prove the adverse reaction was because of the employee's engagement in that protected activity. There are many factors and circumstances to consider for each retaliation case. Therefore, it is crucial for employees to reach out to an attorney immediately for proper assessment.
Can an employer retaliate against a worker if they refuse to do something that they believe is discriminatory?
The answer to this question depends on whether or not the employee reasonably believes that the refused act violates discrimination law. The act does not necessarily have to violate the law, so long as a reasonable person would find that it does. At the very least, an employer should engage with the worker to address the worker's concerns regarding potential discrimination in the workplace.
How does a worker report retaliation in the workplace? How do you prove it?
An employee can report retaliation in the workplace by communicating with human resources and/or upper management. It is best to memorialize complaints and reports of retaliation in documents, such as emails, to serve as evidence in a legal proceeding, should there be the need for one. A worker can prove retaliation by connecting their engagement in a protected activity to an adverse employment action taken by their employer in response to that activity.
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SOURCE Davtyan Law Firm, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/dlaws-emilia-mehrabian-shares-top-tips-helping-california-workers-deal-with-workplace-retaliation/ | 2022-08-23T21:19:41Z |
NEW YORK, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of CareDx, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of CDNA during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
CLASS PERIOD: This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased CareDx common stock between February 24, 2021, and May 5, 2022.
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially 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 Company's RemoTraC service for remote, home-based, blood-drawing; (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.
DEADLINE: July 22, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/caredx-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=28876&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of CDNA during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is July 22, 2022. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
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SOURCE The Gross Law Firm | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-caredx-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-22-2022-nasdaq-cdna/ | 2022-06-22T10:49:25Z |
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of a catastrophic condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, a judge approved an approximately $1 billion settlement for those impacted by the disaster that killed 98 people, an attorney for the plaintiffs confirmed Thursday.
The judge's decision finalizes a tentative settlement that was reached last month between several parties and prevents the claims from going to trial. The settlement amount will be awarded to survivors, families of deceased victims and owners of damaged property.
The collapse of most of the Champlain Towers South building on June 24, 2021, suddenly turned what was formerly a thriving residential building into a devastating scene as residents became crushed or trapped under a massive pile of twisted metal and concrete.
It ultimately took a month for search and recovery crews to find and identify all 98 victims, who ranged in age from 1 to 92 years old. The tragedy deeply impacted a tight-knit Jewish community in South Florida and affected families all over the world, including in Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia. In some cases, entire families were killed.
An emotional scene played out in the Miami courtroom Thursday as Miami-Dade County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hanzman presided over a three-hour settlement hearing, according to Rachel Furst, an attorney for the plaintiffs who described the proceedings to CNN as "remarkable and moving."
In addition to the impacted families and homeowners, the parties involved in the settlement include the condo association, the city of Surfside, and engineering, architectural and other companies involved in the development and maintenance of the property and neighboring developments.
The finalized agreement reflects the total amount of money available to victims, including payments from insurance claims and the anticipated multi-million-dollar land sale of the property where the tower once stood. Families of the victims will now be able to submit claim forms to receive compensation from the settlement fund.
During the hearing, at least three plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit spoke in favor of the settlement -- a parent whose child was killed, the spouse of a victim who died in the collapse and a person whose home was destroyed, Furst said.
When the tentative agreement was reached last month, Hanzman lauded the speed with which it was reached as "beyond extraordinary."
"We're pleased to give this recovery to the victims which we think is extremely meaningful and a big step to bringing them closure to this horrible tragedy," Harley Tropin, one of the plaintiffs' lead attorneys, told CNN when the tentative agreement was announced.
In March, Hanzman approved a separate $83 million settlement for the heirs of the deceased victims and former condo owners whose homes were destroyed.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/judge-approves-billion-dollar-settlement-1-year-after-surfside-condo-collapse/article_9eda6a6f-b725-5c31-aee5-ebc0defb5b5d.html | 2022-06-24T06:38:07Z |
Which baby cribs are best?
A baby crib is the safest place for your baby to sleep. Because babies grow so quickly, a crib that grows along with them is a popular choice among today’s parents. All materials that go into the construction of the frame and mattress should be certified free of harmful chemicals.
If you are looking for a crib with an attached changing station that has three drawers and two spacious shelves, take a good look at the Carter’s by DaVinci Dakota 4-in-1 Crib and Changer Combo. It is safe, sturdy and stylish.
What to know before you buy a baby crib
Types of cribs
Traditional cribs
These are full-sized cribs with four sides. You may hear them referred to as standard cribs.
Convertible cribs
Also called 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 beds, this type of crib changes configurations to accommodate children as they grow. Many convertible cribs require conversion kits to morph from one setup to the next. If you buy a convertible crib that does not include a conversion kit, it is best to buy the kit when you buy your crib so you are not stranded if a manufacturer discontinues a product line.
Mini cribs
These are just what they sound like — miniature versions of full-sized modern baby cribs. They occupy the space between traditional cribs and bassinets. Most can handle newborns to children aged two or three. Some can be folded flat for storage and some have wheels. These small baby cribs are great choices for people who have limited space or want to have a crib that’s easy to move around.
Travel cribs
This type of crib is lighter in weight to make it more easily portable for when you travel or are away from home overnight. Make sure you choose one that is easy to set up, fold down, carry and store.
Drop-side cribs
These were once very popular until it was discovered their design was dangerous. Since 2012, it has been illegal to manufacture or sell a drop-sided crib. If someone tries to give you one as a hand-me-down, do not accept it.
What to look for in a quality baby crib
Adjustable mattress height
When you set your baby crib’s mattress on its highest setting, it is the easiest position for you to bend down to lift your baby from the crib. But as babies begin to pull themselves up and stand in their cribs, it becomes too dangerous to have the mattress up so high that your baby could fall out and be harmed. As your baby grows, lower the mattress height.
Size and shape
The dimensions of baby cribs should snugly fit a standard baby crib mattress which is 27¼ inches wide and 51⅝ inches long. Some trendy designs use non-standard sizes and shapes like circles and ovals. You are better off with a standard-sized, rectangular crib so you can easily buy a snug-fitting mattress.
Construction quality
You want a sturdy and well-made baby crib to keep your baby safe. Make sure the materials and craftsmanship of the baby crib you chose are of the finest quality.
How much you can expect to spend on baby crib
The range of prices of baby cribs is from $100 or so to $500 or more. When it comes to baby cribs, there just aren’t many differences in features between inexpensive and expensive ones. The price differences are mainly the materials and build quality. Top-of-the-line cribs are made from quality woods and are more sturdily put together.
Baby crib FAQ
When do I need a baby crib?
A. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends your baby sleep in the same room with you, close to your bed, but on a separate sleep surface. This situation should last somewhere between six months and a year.
What should I do when my new crib arrives?
A. Check all the components before and after assembly to make sure everything is there, intact and in good working order. Contact the manufacturer immediately if there are any missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure the mattress is a good snug fit by putting two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame. If the gap is more than two fingers, you don’t have a snug enough fit.
What’s the best baby crib to buy?
Top baby crib
Carter’s by DaVinci Dakota 4-in-1 Crib and Changer Combo
What you need to know: This crib has an attached changing station that sits atop a compact unit with three drawers and two spacious shelves.
What you’ll love: This crib is made of solid sustainable New Zealand pine and TSCA compliant engineered wood. It is treated with a non-toxic, multi-step painting process and is Greenguard Gold Certified. This crib grows with your baby from a full-sized crib to a toddler bed to a daybed to a full-sized bed.
What you should consider: The mattress, toddler and full-size conversion rails are sold separately.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top baby crib for the money
Graco Travel Lite Crib with Stages
What you need to know: This baby crib folds compactly and includes a carry bag to make travel easy with infants and toddlers.
What you’ll love: As your baby grows, this crib changes from a bassinet to a crib and a playard, once known as a playpen. The airy mesh sides provide maximum visibility and ventilation. The canopy shields your baby from direct sun and light and includes removable soft toys for playing. The integrated wheels make this baby crib easy to move.
What you should consider: The wheels are okay but could be bigger and better.
Where to buy: Sold by Bed Bath & Beyond
Worth checking out
Delta Children Emery Deluxe 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib
What you need to know: The mattress height of this award-winning baby crib adjusts to accommodate growing babies: baby crib, toddler bed, daybed and full-sized bed.
What you’ll love: This baby crib is Greenguard Gold Certified to meet or exceed the most stringent chemical emissions standards to make your baby’s home healthier. It is also certified to meet or exceed all safety standards set by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association. The frame is made of sustainable, high-quality, dense New Zealand pine.
What you should consider: This crib weighs 60 pounds.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/baby-kids-br/nursery-br/the-best-baby-crib/ | 2022-07-03T21:44:48Z |
JERUSALEM, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. (Nasdaq: DRTS) (Nasdaq: DRTSW), ("Alpha Tau" or the "Company"), the developer of the innovative alpha-radiation cancer therapy Alpha DaRT™, announced today that Mr. Gary Leibler has resigned from the Company's board of directors and its audit committee, for reasons unrelated to the Company.
"I wish to thank Gary for his years of dedicated service to the Company, as a member of the board of directors since the early days of Alpha Tau," commented Alpha Tau CEO Uzi Sofer. "He has added tremendous value ever since his first day with us, and we have benefitted greatly from his expertise and experience."
Gary Leibler, who also serves as the founder and managing partner of Shavit Capital, added, "After serving as a board member of Alpha Tau for a number of years, I have decided to resign for personal reasons. I am more confident than ever that Alpha Tau is on the path to becoming a leading company in the treatment of cancer patients throughout the world. During its recent public listing on NASDAQ, Alpha Tau raised a meaningful amount of capital, which is expected to provide a platform for the Company to realize its clinical and technological potential. I wish the Company and its management the best of luck in their continued endeavors."
About Alpha DaRT™
Alpha DaRT™ (Diffusing Alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy) is designed to enable highly potent and conformal alpha-irradiation of solid tumors by intratumoral insertion of radium-224 impregnated seeds. When the radium decays, its short-lived daughters are released from the seed, and disperse while emitting high-energy alpha particles with the goal of destroying the tumor. Since the alpha-emitting atoms diffuse only a short distance, Alpha DaRT aims to mainly affect the tumor, and to spare the healthy tissue around it.
About Alpha Tau Medical Ltd.
Founded in 2016, Alpha Tau is an Israeli medical device company that focuses on research, development, and potential commercialization of the Alpha DaRT for the treatment of solid tumors. The technology was initially developed by Prof. Itzhak Kelson and Prof. Yona Keisari from Tel Aviv University.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words including "anticipate," "being," "will," "plan," "may," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based upon Alpha Tau's current expectations and various assumptions. Alpha Tau believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. Alpha Tau may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation: (i) Alpha Tau's ability to receive regulatory approval for its Alpha DaRT technology or any future products or product candidates; (ii) Alpha Tau's limited operating history; (iii) Alpha Tau's incurrence of significant losses to date; (iv) Alpha Tau's need for additional funding and ability to raise capital when needed; (v) Alpha Tau's limited experience in medical device discovery and development; (vi) Alpha Tau's dependence on the success and commercialization of the Alpha DaRT technology; (vii) the failure of preliminary data from Alpha Tau's clinical studies to predict final study results; (viii) failure of Alpha Tau's early clinical studies or preclinical studies to predict future clinical studies; (ix) Alpha Tau's ability to enroll patients in its clinical trials; (x) undesirable side effects caused by Alpha Tau's Alpha DaRT technology or any future products or product candidates; (xi) Alpha Tau's exposure to patent infringement lawsuits; (xii) Alpha Tau's ability to comply with the extensive regulations applicable to it; (xiii) the ability to meet Nasdaq's listing standards; (xiv) costs related to being a public company; (xv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (xix) impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic; and the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Alpha Tau's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 28, 2022, and other filings that Alpha Tau may make with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While Alpha Tau may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, it disclaims any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause its views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Alpha Tau's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Investor Relations Contact:
IR@alphatau.com
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SOURCE Alpha Tau Medical | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/alpha-tau-announces-resignation-gary-leibler-its-board-directors/ | 2022-06-07T20:49:47Z |
Global heat records are outpacing cold records by 10-1, data shows
Published: Jul. 18, 2022 at 4:32 PM CDT|Updated: 51 minutes ago
(CNN) - Heat records are far outpacing cold records across the globe so far this year.
It comes as the U.S. and Europe brace for a wave of dangerously high temperatures.
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, around the world, 188 all-time heat records have been broken so far in 2022, compared with just 18 cold records.
A climate scientist at Princeton University says the record imbalance is a sign of climate change.
Studies have shown extreme heat will increase in frequency, intensity and duration because of global warming, and that extremes will occur more frequently on the hot side compared to cold.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/18/global-heat-records-are-outpacing-cold-records-by-10-1-data-shows/ | 2022-07-18T22:24:22Z |
SYDNEY, June 7, 2022 Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA; ASX: KZA), an oncology-focused drug development company, is pleased to announce that a phase II, genomically-guided study of multiple therapies in patients with brain metastases, led by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (NCT03994796), has advanced the paxalisib arm to an expansion stage in breast cancer, following completion of the pre-specified interim analysis.
Key Points
- The Alliance study, also known as A071701, commenced enrolment in 2019. The study is recruiting patients with brain metastases (cancer that has spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body) from breast cancer, lung cancer, or other primary tumors. Patients are assigned to receive either abemaciclib (Lilly), entrectinib (Genentech), or paxalisib (Kazia), depending on the genetic profile of their tumor.
- The study is sponsored by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, a U.S.-based cancer research network sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Kazia has supported the study with a financial grant, and with provision of paxalisib study drug.
- For each drug – tumor combination (e.g., paxalisib in patients with lung cancer brain metastases), the study envisages an initial stage of ten patients for each subgroup (i.e., breast, lung, other). If the pre-specified response criteria are met at the interim analysis of ten patients per subgroup, the study expands that drug-tumor combination to enroll eleven additional patients, in order to seek definitive efficacy data.
- The paxalisib arm has fully recruited the breast cancer cohort for the initial pre-specified interim analysis and has met the threshold for transition to the expansion stage of the study.
- The initial stage of the study remains ongoing for paxalisib in lung cancer and in other tumors.
"Brain metastases are a complication of several common cancers, and effective treatments remain elusive," said Priscilla Brastianos, MD, Principal Investigator of the study, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "This study has been designed to identify potential new therapies for patients with brain metastases, using leading genomic techniques to assign patients to the most appropriate treatment. We are looking forward to continuing our exploration of paxalisib in this important disease area."
Brain Metastases
Up to 30% of patients with metastatic cancer will develop secondary tumors (metastases) in the brain, and it is estimated that there are approximately 200,000 new cases of brain metastases each year in the United States alone. Treatment options remain limited, and average survival of patients with brain metastases ranges from 3 to 27 months, depending on factors such as the location of the original tumor.
It is increasingly recognized that cancer is a complex disease, in which tumors in a similar location (e.g., breast, lung) may respond very differently to treatment. An important factor in this is the genetic profile of the tumor. Clinical studies have begun to focus on carefully allocating patients to treatment on basis of this genetic profile, an approach which is sometimes referred to as 'precision medicine' or 'personalized medicine'. The Alliance study is an example of this approach.
About Kazia Therapeutics Limited
Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA; ASX: KZA) is an oncology-focused drug development company, based in Sydney, Australia.
Our lead program is paxalisib, a brain-penetrant inhibitor of the PI3K / Akt / mTOR pathway, which is being developed to treat glioblastoma, the most common and most aggressive form of primary brain cancer in adults. Licensed from Genentech in late 2016, paxalisib commenced recruitment to GBM AGILE, a pivotal study in glioblastoma, in January 2021. Seven additional studies are active in various forms of brain cancer. Paxalisib was granted Orphan Drug Designation for glioblastoma by the US FDA in February 2018, and Fast Track Designation for glioblastoma by the US FDA in August 2020. In addition, paxalisib was granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Orphan Designation by the US FDA for DIPG in August 2020.
Kazia is also developing EVT801, a small-molecule inhibitor of VEGFR3, which was licensed from Evotec SE in April 2021. Preclinical data has shown EVT801 to be active against a broad range of tumour types and has provided compelling evidence of synergy with immuno-oncology agents. A phase I study commenced recruitment in November 2021.
For more information, please visit www.kaziatherapeutics.com or follow us on Twitter @KaziaTx.
About the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance) is a clinical trials network that involves approximately 10,000 physicians across the United States and Canada. The Alliance seeks to reduce the impact of cancer on people by uniting a broad community of scientists and clinicians from many disciplines, committed to discovering, validating and disseminating effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of cancer. It is part of the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). For more information about the Alliance, please visit www.AllianceforClinicalTrialsinOncology.org.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which can generally be identified as such by the use of words such as "may," "intend," "potential," "prospective," or other similar words. Any statement describing Kazia's future plans, strategies, intentions, expectations, objectives, goals or prospects, and other statements that are not historical facts, are also forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on Kazia's expectations and projections about future events and future trends affecting our business and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties associated with clinical trials and product development and the impact of global economic conditions. These and other risks and uncertainties, are described more fully in Kazia's Annual Report, filed on form 20-F with the SEC, and in subsequent filings to SEC. Kazia undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this announcement. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this announcement.
This document was authorized for release to the ASX by James Garner, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director.
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SOURCE Kazia Therapeutics Limited | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/phase-ii-study-paxalisib-brain-metastases-advances-expansion-stage-breast-cancer-brain-metastases-cohort/ | 2022-06-07T11:47:28Z |
NEW YORK, April 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
There has been a proposed Settlement of the class action titled Jackson v. Microchip Technology Inc., No. 2:18-cv-02914-ROS ("Litigation") pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona ("Court").
A hearing will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 22, 2022, before the Honorable Roslyn O. Silver at the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse, 401 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003-2158, to determine whether (1) the proposed Settlement of the Litigation for the sum of $9,000,000 should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable, and adequate; (2) the Court should approve the Plan of Allocation of Settlement proceeds as fair, reasonable, and adequate; (3) Lead Counsel should be awarded up to $2,250,000 in attorneys' fees (25% of the $9,000,000 Settlement Amount) and reimbursed for up to $800,000 of litigation expenses; (4) Lead Plaintiff should receive an award for his services to the Class and/or pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 78u–4(a)(4) for his costs and expenses (including lost wages) directly relating to its representation of the Class in an amount not to exceed $15,000; and (5) the Court should enter the Final Judgment (or, if applicable, Alternative Judgment) dismissing the Litigation with prejudice. The Court may change the hearing date, or order that it be held by telephonic or video conference, without further notice to the Class. However, any changes will be posted on the Settlement Website: www.MicrochipTechnologySecuritiesLitigation.com.
If you purchased or otherwise acquired Microchip common stock on a U.S. open market between March 2, 2018, and August 9, 2018, inclusive, your rights may be affected by this Settlement. You may obtain, free of charge, a detailed Longform Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement (the "Notice") and a copy of the Proof of Claim and Release form on the Settlement Website, or by contacting the Claims Administrator at 877-888-4851 (toll-free), at info@MicrochipTechnologySecuritiesLitigation.com, or at Microchip Technology Securities Litigation, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., P.O. Box 173050, Milwaukee, WI 53217. All capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Notice.
If you are a Class Member and wish to share in the Settlement proceeds, you must complete and submit a Proof of Claim and Release form and required supporting documentation to the Claims Administrator establishing that you are entitled to recovery so that it is postmarked or submitted online at the Settlement Website by July 20, 2022. If you fail to submit a valid Proof of Claim and Release form and supporting documentation by this deadline in accordance with the instructions in the form and Notice, you will not recover from the Net Settlement Fund, but you will nevertheless be bound by the Settlement and releases provided for therein and by the Court's Final Judgment dismissing the Litigation with prejudice. If you are a Member of the Class and did not timely and validly request exclusion from the Class in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Notice of Pendency of Class Action that previously was disseminated, you will be bound by the Settlement and any judgment and releases entered in the Litigation, including, but not limited to, the final Judgment dismissing the Litigation with prejudice and the release of the Released Claims, whether or not you submit a Proof of Claim and Release form.
The deadline to request exclusion from the Class was November 2, 2021. A list of requests for exclusion that were received by the Claims Administrator and accepted by the Court can be found on the Settlement Website. If you submitted a request for exclusion that was accepted by the Court, do not submit a Claim Form. You are not a Class Member, and your Claim Form will be rejected.
If you are a Class Member and wish to object to any aspect of the Settlement, the Plan of Allocation, the Lead Plaintiff service award, or Lead Counsel's Attorneys' Fees and Expenses Application, you must submit your written objection in the manner set forth in the Notice so that it is received no later than June 1, 2022. Only Class Members who have submitted valid and timely written objections and provided notice of their intent to appear in accordance with the instructions in the Notice will be entitled to be heard at the hearing on June 22, 2022.
Inquiries, other than requests for the Notice, may be made to Lead Counsel for the Class at Wolf Popper LLP, 845 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Tel.: (212) 759-4600.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT, THE CLERK'S OFFICE, DEFENDANTS, OR THEIR COUNSEL REGARDING THIS NOTICE.
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SOURCE Wolf Popper LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/08/wolf-popper-llp-announces-proposed-settlement-involving-investors-publicly-traded-common-stock-microchip-technology-inc/ | 2022-04-08T22:45:50Z |
Gross Profit Increased 37% from Q1 2021 as Operational Efficiencies from Integration Take Hold; Company Expects to Achieve Positive Adjusted EBITDA in Q2 2022
TORONTO and GLIL YAM, Israel, May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IM Cannabis Corp. (the "Company", "IM Cannabis", or "IMC") (CSE: IMCC) (NASDAQ: IMCC), a leading medical and adult-use recreational cannabis company with operations in Israel, Canada, and Germany, provided financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022. All amounts are reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
Q1 2022 Highlights
- Revenues increased 169% year-over-year to $23.6 million
- Gross profit, before fair value adjustments, was $6.4 million, representing an increase of 37% from Q1 2021 and 67% sequentially
- Completed four(1) strategic acquisitions in Israel, including the country's largest retail and online pharmacy business and a trade and distribution center with an IMC-GDP license, and began centralizing operations of its newly acquired assets
- The Company's WAGNERS brand sold out in Israel in three weeks, reflecting strong demand for the brand and premium indoor-grown cannabis imported from its Canadian cultivation subsidiary.
Management Commentary
"We continue to progress well on our path to profitability and achieved another quarter of record revenues, which grew 169% year-over-year in the first quarter," said Oren Shuster, Chief Executive Officer of IMC. "We execute key initiatives that drive margin expansion within each of our market segments and across our operating footprint, which reflect the benefits of integrating our global model. In Israel, we work to consolidate four of the country's leading pharmacies and centralize our distribution and customer support to potentially create significant cost savings while strengthening our brand presence. We also increasingly leverage yield from our Canadian cultivation facilities for our products imported to and sold in Israel, which exhibit a gross margin profile that is nearly double that of products sourced from suppliers."
"In Canada, our WAGNERS and Highland Grow brands have achieved market share leadership due to our relentless focus on delivering upon consumer expectations, with each brand holding a top three ranking in Ontario within their price segments. As we increase internal cultivation toward full capacity, we also focus on key operational initiatives to improve yield and reduce volume-based costs. These initiatives will help us reach positive Adjusted EBITDA, which we expect to achieve on a run rate basis in the second quarter of 2022, positioning us to be cash flow positive on a run rate basis in the following quarter."
"Given the unfolding environment, we also continue to lay a strong foundation in Germany, where we have established a positive reputation among the healthcare community of the largest medical cannabis market in Europe and will launch our WAGNERS brand this year. As the industry continues to evolve globally, we are strongly positioned to be a leader in the premium cannabis industry and generate long-term value for our shareholders," concluded Shuster.
Preliminary Q2 2022 Financial Results
The Company continues to experience meaningful growth across its global platform, primarily in Israel and Canada, reflecting the continued execution of the Company's strategy, its accelerating international brand presence, its focus on cultivating premium flower, and its global distribution and supply chain model. On a preliminary, unaudited basis, IMC expects Q2 2022 revenue and gross margin to increase sequentially.
Operational Highlights
- Announced new strategic imperatives designed to enhance organizational efficiency and reduce operating costs while further responding to the increased demand for premium, indoor-grown Canadian cannabis from Israeli consumers. As part of these changes, Focus Medical Herbs Ltd. ("Focus Medical") decided to close the Sde Avraham cultivation farm in Israel that it owns and operates. Focus Medical has an exclusive commercial agreement with IMC Holdings Ltd. ("IMC Holdings") to distribute its production under the IMC brand. Focus Medical will complete the closure of the Sde Avraham cultivation farm during the second quarter of 2022.
- Completed the strategic acquisition of 51% of the rights in Oranim Pharm Partnership ("Oranim Pharm"), one of the largest pharmacies selling medical cannabis in Israel and the largest pharmacy selling medical cannabis in the Jerusalem area. The acquisition was completed following receipt of all requisite approvals, including from the Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency.
- Completed the acquisition of Revoly Trading and Marketing Ltd., dba Vironna Pharm ("Vironna"). Vironna ranks among the top 10 single cannabis dispensing points in Israel and is one of the largest pharmacies in Israel serving the rapidly growing Arab consumer segment of the medical cannabis market.
- Completed the acquisition of R.A. Yarok Pharm Ltd. ("Pharm Yarok"), a leading medical cannabis pharmacy located in central Israel, and Rosen High Way Ltd. ("Rosen High Way"), a trade and distribution center with an IMC-GDP license that provides medical cannabis storage, distribution services and logistics solutions for cannabis companies and pharmacies in Israel.
- Acquired an IMC-GDP license for distribution of medical cannabis from Panaxia Pharmaceutical Industries Israel Ltd. and Panaxia Logistics Ltd., part of the Panaxia Labs Israel, Ltd. group of companies (collectively, "Panaxia"). As part of the transaction, IMC acquired Panaxia's trading house and in-house pharmacy operation, including Israel's largest retail and online pharmacy business(2).
- Focus Medical successfully imported approximately 399 kilograms of premium, indoor-grown, Canadian dried cannabis following approval from the Ministry of Agriculture to import to the Israeli market in Q4 2021.
Q1 2022 Financial Results
- Revenues were $23.6 million in Q1 2022, representing an increase of 169% from Q1 2021 and 18% sequentially. Total dried flower sold for Q1 2022 was 3,035kg at an average selling price of $6.23 per gram, compared to 1,185kg for the same period in 2021 at an average selling price of $4.94 per gram, derived mainly from the higher average selling price per gram the Company recognized through its acquired pharmacies in Israel.
- Gross profit, before fair value adjustments, was $6.4 million in Q1 2022 compared to $4.6 million in Q1 2021.
- General and administrative expenses were $9.0 million in Q1 2022 compared to $4.9 million in Q1 2021. The increase in the general and administrative expense is mainly attributable to the growing corporate activities in Israel and Canada following the Company's acquisitions in 2021.
- Sales and marketing expenses were $3.7 million in Q1 2022 compared to $1.2 million in Q1 2021. The increase in the sales and marketing expenses was due mainly to the Company's increased marketing efforts in Israel, brand launch in Germany, and increased distribution expenses relating to the growth in sales and consolidation of sales and marketing expenses of entities acquired in 2021.
- Adjusted EBITDA(2) loss was $(4.5) million in Q1 2022 compared to $(1.0) million in Q1 2021.
- Net loss was $10.7 million in Q1 2022 compared to net income of $4.7 million in Q1 2021. Basic and diluted loss per share in Q1 2022 of $0.14 and $0.17, respectively, compared to basic and diluted income (loss) per share in Q1 2021 of $0.11 and ($0.06), respectively.
- Cash and cash equivalents totaled $10.3 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $13.9 million at December 31, 2021.
The complete audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and related management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, will be available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
Q1 2022 Conference Call
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
U.S./Canada Dial-in: 1-844-825-9789
Israel Dial-in: 1-80-9213284
Germany Dial-in: 0-800-5895393
International Dial-in: 1-412-317-5180
Conference ID: 10167199
Webcast: IMCC Q1 2022 Webcast
Please dial in at least 10 minutes before the start of the call to ensure timely participation.
A playback of the call will be available through Thursday, June 9, 2022. To listen, call 1-844-512-2921 within the United States or Canada or 1-412-317-6671 when calling internationally and enter replay pin number 10167199. A recording of the conference call will also be available on the events & presentations section of the IM Cannabis investor relations website linked here.
About IM Cannabis Corp.
IM Cannabis (NASDAQ: IMCC) (CSE: IMCC) is a leading international cannabis company providing premium products to medical patients and adult-use recreational consumers. IM Cannabis is one of the very few companies with operations in Israel, Germany, and Canada, the three largest federally legal markets. The ecosystem created through its international operations leverages the Company's unique data-driven perspective and product supply chain globally. With its commitment to responsible growth and financial prudence, and the ability to operate within the strictest regulatory environments, the Company has quickly become one of the leading cultivators and distributors of high-quality cannabis globally.
The IM Cannabis ecosystem operates in Israel through IMC Holdings and through its commercial relationship with Focus Medical, which import, sells and distributes cannabis to medical patients, leveraging years of proprietary data and patient insights. The Company also operates medical cannabis retail pharmacies, online platforms, distribution centres and logistical hubs in Israel that enable the safe delivery and quality control of IM Cannabis products throughout the entire value chain. In Germany, the IM Cannabis ecosystem operates through Adjupharm GmbH ("Adjupharm"), where it also distributes cannabis to pharmacies for medical cannabis patients. In Canada, IM Cannabis operates through Trichome Financial Corp. ("Trichome") and its subsidiaries Trichome JWC Acquisition Corp. ("TJAC") and MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. ("MYM"), where it cultivates and processes cannabis for the adult-use market at its Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec facilities under the WAGNERS and Highland Grow brands. For more information, please visit www.imcannabis.com.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "likely" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's business objectives and milestones and the anticipated timing of execution; the performance of the Company's business, strategies and operations; the intention to expand the business, operations and potential activities of the Company; the closure of the Focus Facility; expectations relating to the number of patients in Israel licensed by the MOH to consume medical cannabis; expectations of TJAC and MYM on variations of net cost of sales; the future impact of Company's acquisitions; the future product portfolios of the Group and the Company's ability to export its products, strains and genetics from Canada to Israel and Germany; the competitive conditions of the cannabis industry and the growth of medical or adult-use recreational cannabis markets in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; cannabis licensing in Israel, Germany and Canada; the anticipated decriminalization or legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in Israel and Germany; expectations regarding the renewal and/or extension of the Group's licenses; the Group's anticipated operating cash requirements and future financing needs; the Group's expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, profit margins and operations; the anticipated Gross Margins, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from the Company's operations; future opportunities for the Company in the markets in which Company operates; and contractual obligations and commitments.
Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited, the anticipated increase in demand for medical and adult-use recreational cannabis in the markets in which the Company operates; the Company's satisfaction of international demand for its products; the Company's ability to implement its growth strategies and leverage synergies of acquisitions; the Company's ability to reach patients through e-commerce and brick and mortar retail; the development and introduction of new products; the ability to import and the supply of premium and indoor grown cannabis products from the Canadian Facilities and third- party suppliers and partners; the changes and trends in the cannabis industry; the Company's ability to maintain and renew or obtain required licenses; the ability to maintain cost-efficiencies and network of suppliers to maintain purchasing capabilities; the effectiveness of its products for medical cannabis patients and recreational consumers; future cannabis pricing and input costs; cannabis production yields; the Company being able to continue to drive organic growth from Canadian operations; and the Company's ability to market its brands and services successfully to its anticipated customers.
The above lists of forward-looking statements and assumptions are not exhaustive. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks. These include: general business risk and liability, including claims or complaints in the normal course of business; any failure of the Company to maintain "de facto" control over Focus Medical and/or HW Shinua in accordance with IFRS 10; limitations on stockholdings of the Company in connection with its potential direct engagement in the Israeli medical cannabis market; the ability and/or need to obtain additional financing for continued operations; the lack of control over the Company's investees; the failure of the Company to comply with applicable regulatory requirements in a highly regulated industry; unexpected changes in governmental policies and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; the Company's ability to continue to meet the listing requirements of the CSE and the NASDAQ; any unexpected failure to maintain in good standing or renew its licenses; the ability of the Company, its acquisitions to integrate each entity into the Company's operations and realize the anticipated benefits and synergies of each such transaction and the timing thereof and the focus of management on such integration; any potential undisclosed liabilities of entities acquired by the Company that were unidentified during the due diligence process; the interpretation of Company's acquisitions of companies or assets by tax authorities or regulatory bodies, including but not limited to the change of control of licensed entities; the ability of the Group to deliver on their sales commitments or growth objectives; the Group's reliance on third-party supply agreements and its ability to enter into additional supply agreements to provide sufficient quantities of medical cannabis to fulfil the Group's obligations; the Group's possible exposure to liability, the perceived level of risk related thereto, and the anticipated results of any litigation or other similar disputes or legal proceedings involving the Group; the impact of increasing competition; any lack of merger and acquisition opportunities; adverse market conditions; the inherent uncertainty of production quantities, qualities and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses.
Please see the other risks, uncertainties and factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 31, 2022, which is available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and edgar at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statement included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Financial Outlook
The Company and its management believe that the statements regarding increased revenue, increased gross margin, positive adjusted EBITDA and positive cash flow contained in this press release are reasonable as of the date hereof, are based on management's current views, strategies, expectations, assumptions and forecasts, and have been calculated using accounting policies that are generally consistent with the Company's current accounting policies. These statements are considered future-oriented financial outlooks and financial information (collectively, "FOFI") under applicable securities laws. These statements and any other FOFI included herein have been approved by management of the Company as of the date hereof. Such FOFI are provided for the purposes of presenting information about management's current expectations and goals relating to the benefits of existing sales and supply agreements with Focus Medical and Adjupharm, increased sales in Israel through the fulfilment of Focus Medical's existing supply agreements, increased sales from the resumption of product shipments to Adjupharm and new supply agreements for medical cannabis to be received by Adjupharm in Germany, the inclusion of Panaxia, MYM and Trichome operations in the Company's financial results following closing of the respective acquisitions, additional product launches by Trichome under the WAGNERS brand and the future business of the Company. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed above under "Disclaimer for Forward Looking Statements", it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the FOFI prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although management of IMC has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.
Non-IFRS Measures
This press release includes references to "EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Gross Margin", which are non-International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") financial measures. Non-IFRS measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA has no direct, comparable IFRS financial measure. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted by removing other non-recurring or noncash items, including the unrealized change in fair value of biological assets, realized fair value adjustments on inventory sold in the period, share-based compensation expenses, depreciation of right-of-use assets, revaluation adjustments of financial assets and liabilities measured on a fair value basis and non-recurring transaction costs included in operating expenses. The Company defines gross margin as the difference between revenue and cost of goods sold divided by revenue (expressed as a percentage), prior to the effect of a fair value adjustment for inventory and biological assets. IMC has used or included these non-IFRS measures solely to provide investors with added insight into IMC's financial performance. Readers are cautioned that such non-IFRS measures may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.
[1] The final Panaxia pharmacy closing is expected to occur in Q3 2022.
[2] The Panaxia transaction includes a further option to acquire, for no additional consideration, a pharmacy from Panaxia, including requisite licenses to dispense and sell medical cannabis to patients, that the Company has exercised.
Notes:
- Acquisition costs, in the amount of $13 and $1,768 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, have not been adjusted in the above-mentioned table. Had these non-operational acquisition costs been adjusted, the Company's Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 would have been $(4,491) and $799, respectively.
The Company's Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased primarily due to the general and administrative costs mainly attributable to the growing corporate activities in Israel, Canada, and Germany, professional services derived from legal fees and other consulting services, salaries to employees and increased insurance costs upon listing on NASDAQ. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to climb with the full integration of Trichome and MYM as well as the expected synergies from the newly acquired retail activities in Israel.
Company Contact:
Maya Lustig
Director, Investor & Public Relations
IM Cannabis
+972-54-677-8100
maya.l@imcannabis.com
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SOURCE IM Cannabis Corp. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/12/im-cannabis-reports-record-first-quarter-2022-financial-results-revenues-increase-169-yoy-236-million/ | 2022-05-12T21:20:55Z |
Native American-Owned Insurance Firm Bridging Together Innovative Solutions for Indian Country Open House & Ribbon Cutting Event.
JACKSON, Miss., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Join us Thursday, April 21, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House at the Tribal Edge office located at 4780 I-55 Suite #450, Jackson, MS 39211. We invite you to come enjoy light refreshments and take a tour of the new Tribal Edge office space in Jackson, MS. "Indian Country has been needing a customized service like this for many years and is excited about the positive outcomes it will bring for many Tribal businesses and Tribes," said Ted McKenzie, Administrator, Tribal Edge.
Come learn more about this innovative brokerage firm and how your Tribal Members and employees can benefit from our services. Tribal Edge Insurance is a Native American-owned brokerage firm formed to address the unique challenges and opportunities every Tribe faces. Our approach is simple: we build a customized solution based on each Tribal nation, entity and enterprises' individual needs.
We don't just want to be your broker we want to be your community partner and promote health and wellness throughout Indian Country. We look forward to helping your Tribe, and/or business, with innovative broker services, underwriting, employee benefits, health insurance, pharmacy, clinical and human resource solutions. Additionally, we have an Innovative Workforce Development Approach that with your guidance and when feasible, we hire and train benefit representatives from your Tribe for your Tribe!
Our Tribal Edge team is brought to you by Tribal Solutions Group a National Native American-owned company with a long history of Tribal government and Tribal enterprise experience with a national presence across the United States. Premier Workforce Solutions, a strategic partner to Tribal Edge, brings HR, Benefit, and Health Plan experience. Call us today at 215.896.6162 or visit us online at tribaledgeinsurance.com to learn more and set up a consultation to discuss how we can help your business start saving today.
We are happy to accommodate press at our upcoming event please reach out ahead of time and we will plan for photo opportunities and sound bites.
Contact Information:
Tribal Edge, LLC
Ted McKenzie, Administrator
(215) 896-6162 TMcKenzie@tribalsolutionsinsurance.com
Wendy Feldbauer wfeldbauer@premierworkforcesolutionsllc.com
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SOURCE Tribal Edge Insurance | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/13/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-amp-open-house-april-21-2022/ | 2022-04-13T10:55:11Z |
NEW YORK, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), an independent producer and distributor of original programming, today announced the launch of the fourth season of Hearts of Heroes, the award-winning program showcasing the heroic work of brave first responders in the aftermath of manmade and natural disasters. The program airs on ABC stations as part of "Weekend Adventure," an educational/informational programming block airing Saturday mornings in most local markets.
The new season debuts July 2 – heading into what NOAA predicts will be another active hurricane season – nationwide across ABC owned and affiliated television stations, where the show consistently has drawn more than 800,000 total weekly viewers in its weekend timeslot. Hearts of Heroes is co-produced by HMPG along with series sponsor BELFOR Property Restoration, the world's largest property restoration and disaster recovery services company.
Hearts of Heroes is hosted by Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist for "Good Morning America" and ABC News; BELFOR CEO Sheldon Yellen serves as the show's expert on safety, disaster recovery and other topics. In its initial three seasons the show has featured 139 first-responder organizations and earned 17 Telly Awards, a Parent's Choice Award and a Daytime Emmy® nomination. Hearts of Heroes captures the incredible and inspiring stories of individuals – survivors as well as first-responders and rescuers including police officers, firefighters, EMT professionals and military members – who have crossed paths with perilous natural and man-made conditions.
"Thanks to the loyal support of BELFOR and powerful stories delivered weekly by the production team and the show's heroic guests, Hearts of Heroes gives audiences an engaging and productive lens into disaster and weather preparedness," said Bryan Curb, HMPG executive vice president and general manager, education/information (E/I).
"It's an honor and privilege to be able to help shine the spotlight on heroic first responders who give their all 24/7/365 for the safety of our communities," said Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR Property Restoration. "We are proud to share incredible stories with our viewers in hopes of inspiring them too, to become heroes!"
Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), a business unit of Hearst Television, is an independent producer and distributor of original programming for TV stations, broadcast and cable networks and streaming services. HMPG produces hundreds of hours of programming annually across linear, streaming, digital and social media platforms for domestic and international distribution in nearly 100 countries. Its popular shows include "Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien," America's #1 syndicated political program; the Emmy Award-winning educational/informational (E/I) programming blocks airing weekends nationwide including "Weekend Adventure," on ABC stations; "CBS Dream Team," on the CBS Network; "The More You Know," on the NBC Network; "One Magnificent Morning," on The CW Network; "Mi Telemundo" on the Telemundo Network and "Go Time!" on independent stations. HMPG also distributes a diverse slate of other programming and content including "Law&Crime Daily," "Prime Crime," "Consumer Reports TV," and the company's dedicated FAST channels "Xplore" and "The Jack Hanna Channel," available on some of the most popular smart TVs and streaming platforms.
BELFOR Holdings, Inc. is a $2 billion entity that operates a number of companies around the world, many of which complement the core work provided in the restoration industry, including BELFOR Property Restoration, the world's largest disaster restoration company. For nearly 75 years, BELFOR has provided residential, commercial and industrial customers every service needed to help return to normal operations in the aftermath of man-made or natural disasters, including the global COVID-19 pandemic. From water and flood restoration services, fire and smoke recovery, structural damage repair, disinfection services and biohazard cleaning, to the recovery and restoration of equipment and vital documents, BELFOR has a rapid and proven response. BELFOR companies operate in 57 countries with 500+ offices employing over 12,500 full-time experienced restoration specialists who are dedicated to "Restoring More Than Property." For more information, please visit www.belfor.com.
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SOURCE Hearst Television | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/hearts-heroes-celebrating-first-responders-launches-fourth-season-july-2-abc-stations-nationwide/ | 2022-06-29T15:07:21Z |
- Record Sales of $5.3 Billion, Up 18.6%
- Diluted EPS of $1.72, Up 14.7%
- Adjusted Diluted EPS of $1.86, Up 24.0%
- Raising 2022 Outlook for Revenue Growth and Diluted and Adjusted Diluted EPS
- Made Significant Progress on Integration of Kaman Distribution Group
- Strengthened Balance Sheet and Strong Cash Flow
ATLANTA, April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.
"We are pleased with the continued strength in our results to start the year, and we could not be prouder of the hard work by all our 52,000 teammates," said Paul Donahue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The first quarter was highlighted by new sales records for GPC and our Automotive and Industrial segments, margin expansion and our seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth. The GPC team successfully navigated through ongoing supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures at levels we haven't seen in 40 years."
First Quarter 2022 Results
Sales were $5.3 billion, an 18.6% increase compared to $4.5 billion in the same period of the prior year. The sales growth is attributable to a 12.3% increase in comparable sales and an 8.1% benefit from acquisitions, partially offset by a 1.8% net unfavorable impact of foreign currency and other.
Net income was $245.8 million, or a diluted earnings per share of $1.72. This compares to net income of $217.7 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, in the prior year period.
Adjusted net income was $265.7 million, an increase of 22.0% compared to adjusted net income of $217.7 million for the same three-month period of the prior year. On a per share diluted basis, adjusted net income was $1.86, an increase of 24.0% compared to $1.50 per diluted share last year.
First Quarter 2022 Segment Highlights
Automotive Parts Group
Automotive sales were $3.3 billion, up 10.9% from the first quarter of 2021, and representing 62% of total Company revenues. The improvement consisted of a 10.3% global increase in comparable sales and a 3.1% contribution from acquisitions, net of a 2.5% unfavorable impact of foreign currency and other. Segment profit of $264.6 million increased 12.3%, with a segment profit margin of 8.1%, up 10 basis points from 2021.
Industrial Parts Group
Industrial sales were $2.0 billion, up 33.6% from the first quarter of 2021, and representing 38% of total Company revenues. The sales increase reflects a 17.9% contribution from the acquisition of Kaman Distribution Group (KDG) and a 16.1% increase in comparable sales, slightly offset by a 0.4% unfavorable impact of foreign currency. Segment profit of $188.4 million increased 50.3%, with profit margin of 9.3%, up 100 basis points from 2021.
Mr. Donahue added, "The continued strength in Automotive reflects solid growth across our operations, with 12% and 13% comparable sales increases in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, and high-single digit comps in Europe and Australasia. Additionally, Industrial posted its fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit sales comps, driven by strengthening sales trends throughout the quarter."
"Our focus on key strategic priorities helped to deliver profitable sales growth, expand margins and generate strong cash flow in the quarter," said Will Stengel, President. "We are also pleased with the progress to integrate Kaman Distribution Group which is trending ahead of plan."
Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
The Company generated operating cash flow from operations of $398.8 million during the first three months of 2022, an increase from $300.9 million in the same period last year. The increase was driven primarily by higher net income and the effective management of our working capital, including a $200 million benefit related to our A/R Sales Agreement during the quarter. We used $1.4 billion in cash for investing activities, primarily in connection with the acquisition of KDG, in addition to $78 million for capital expenditures. We also had $914.0 million in cash provided by financing activities, which includes $1.1 billion of net proceeds from debt, primarily related to the KDG acquisition. This was partially offset by quarterly dividends of $115.9 million paid to shareholders and $72.9 million of stock repurchases. Free cash flow was $320.8 million for the first three months of 2022.
The Company ended the quarter with $2.0 billion in total liquidity, consisting of $1.4 billion availability on the revolving credit facility and $0.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents.
2022 Outlook
In consideration of several factors, the Company is updating full-year 2022 guidance previously provided in its earnings release on February 17, 2022. The Company considered its recent business trends and financial results, current growth plans, strategic initiatives, global economic outlook, geopolitical conflicts and the potential impact on results in establishing its updated guidance, which is outlined in the table below. Consistent with the previous outlook, the Company has also accounted for an approximate 2% headwind from foreign currency translation. The Company will continue to update full-year guidance during 2022, as appropriate.
"The increase in our sales and earnings outlook reflects the confidence in our plans for accelerated growth and profitability as we build on the positive momentum in our Automotive and Industrial businesses. While cognizant of the many uncertainties in the global economy, we believe GPC is well-positioned with the financial strength and flexibility to support our growth plans and provide for disciplined, value-creating capital allocation while enhancing shareholder value," Mr. Donahue concluded.
Non-GAAP Information
This release contains certain financial information not derived in accordance with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These items include adjusted net income from operations, adjusted diluted net income from operations per common share and free cash flow. We believe that the presentation of adjusted net income from operations, adjusted diluted net income from operations per common share and free cash flow, when considered together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those measures, provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is indicative of our core operations. We considered these metrics useful to investors because they provide greater transparency into management's view and assessment of our ongoing operating performance by removing items management believes are not representative of our operations and may distort our longer-term operating trends. We believe these measures are useful and enhance the comparability of our results from period to period and with our competitors, as well as show ongoing results from operations distinct from items that are infrequent or not associated with our core operations. We do not, nor do we suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures as superior to, in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP financial information. We have included a reconciliation of this additional information to the most comparable GAAP measure following the financial statements below.
Comparable Sales
Comparable sales is a key metric that refers to period-over-period comparisons of our sales excluding the impact of acquisitions, foreign currency and other. We consider this metric useful to investors because it provides greater transparency into management's view and assessment of the our core ongoing operations. This is a metric that is widely used by analysts, investors and competitors in our industry, although our calculation of the metric may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies and analysts calculate this metric in the same manner.
Conference Call
We will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss the results of the quarter. A supplemental earnings deck will also be available for reference. Interested parties may listen to the call and view the supplemental earnings deck on our website at http://genuineparts.investorroom.com. The call is also available by dialing 888-317-6003, conference ID 2523809. A replay will also be available on our website or at 877-344-7529, conference ID 2602302, two hours after the completion of the call.
About Genuine Parts Company
Founded in 1928, we are a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. Our Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. Our Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. In total, we serve our global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 17 countries and has approximately 52,000 employees. Further information is available at www.genpt.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this release, as well as in other materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), release to the public, or make available on our website, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in the future tense and all statements accompanied by words such as "expect," "likely," "outlook," "forecast," "preliminary," "would," "could," "should," "position," "will," "project," "intend," "plan," "on track," "anticipate," "to come," "may," "possible," "assume," or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include our view of business and economic trends for the remainder of the year, our expectations regarding our ability to capitalize on these business and economic trends and to execute our strategic priorities, and the updated full-year 2022 financial guidance provided above. Senior officers may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, the media and others that are forward-looking.
We caution you that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and while we believe that our expectations for the future are reasonable in view of currently available information, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors may include, among other things, the extent and duration of the disruption to our business operations caused by the global health crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including the effects on the financial health of our business partners and customers, on supply chains and our suppliers, on vehicle miles driven as well as other metrics that affect our business, and on access to capital and liquidity provided by the financial and capital markets; our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our operations and to realize the anticipated synergies and benefits; our ability to successfully implement our business initiatives in our two business segments; slowing demand for our products; the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; disruptions in global supply chains and in our suppliers operations, including as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on our suppliers and our supply chain; changes in national and international legislation or government regulations or policies, including changes to import tariffs, environmental and social policy, infrastructure programs and privacy legislation, and their impact to us and our suppliers and customers; changes in general economic conditions, including unemployment, inflation (including the impact of tariffs) or deflation and geopolitical conflicts such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; changes in tax policies; volatile exchange rates; volatility in oil prices; significant cost increases, such as rising fuel and freight expenses; our ability to successfully attract and retain employees in the current labor market; uncertain credit markets and other macroeconomic conditions; competitive product, service and pricing pressures; failure or weakness in our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, including as a result of the work from home environment; the uncertainties and costs of litigation; disruptions caused by a failure or breach of our information systems, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2021 and from time to time in our subsequent filings with the SEC, all of which may be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical conflicts, such as the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.
The table below represent amounts per common share assuming dilution:
The table below clarifies where the items that have been adjusted above to improve comparability of the financial information from period to period are presented in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
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SOURCE Genuine Parts Company | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/21/genuine-parts-company-reports-first-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-04-21T12:47:46Z |
American Business Awards recognizes TriNet with two Stevie Awards for its second annual event designed to help small and medium-size businesses reimagine, rebuild and move forward
DUBLIN, Calif., May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TriNet, a leading provider of comprehensive human resources for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs), today announced the company has won both a Gold and a Bronze Stevie® Award in the 20th Annual American Business Awards® (ABA). TriNet was among more than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry. The awards were given for TriNet PeopleForce, TriNet's annual conference focused on business resiliency, transformation, agility and innovation for SMBs.
TriNet received a Gold Stevie® Award in the category of Conferences & Meetings – Conference and a Bronze Stevie® Award in the category of Corporate & Community - Customer Engagement Event. ABA judges of TriNet's entries—many of whom are entrepreneurs or leaders of SMBs—praised the event for addressing common SMB problems, highlighted the impressive speaker lineup and noted how moved they were by the 2021 event themes of bravery and resilience. Comments by judges described the event as "phenomenal," "high caliber" and "a great success."
"TriNet PeopleForce was created in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, to serve these businesses that pivoted their operations, pushed through one challenge after another, and made many sacrifices to succeed through the numerous trials," said Michael Mendenhall, TriNet Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Communications Officer. "In 2021, we took this event to the next level with distinguished speakers, compelling content and insights to help them reimagine, rebuild and move forward."
"I am proud of my team that puts so much hard work and excellence into creating an award-winning event to help drive business success and bring incredible solutions to the entrepreneurs who need it," continued Mendenhall.
Moving from an entirely virtual conference in 2020, TriNet PeopleForce 2021 took place both virtually and in-person from New York City, bringing together a high-profile roster of prominent business leaders, public servants, educators, authors, influencers and health industry experts covering such topics as diversity, equity and inclusion, the great resignation, business resiliency, company culture and the future of work. Conversations, presentations and entertainment were focused on the themes of resilience, innovation and bravery.
The ABA is the nation's premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.
About TriNet
TriNet (NYSE: TNET) provides small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) with full-service HR solutions tailored by industry. To free SMBs from HR complexities, TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation and compliance, payroll, all enabled by industry leading technology capabilities. TriNet's suite of products also includes services and software-based solutions to help streamline workflows by connecting HR, Benefits, Employee Engagement, Payroll and Time & Attendance. From Main Street to Wall Street, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters most—growing their business and enabling their people. TriNet, incredible starts here. For more information, visit TriNet.com or follow us on Twitter.
About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
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SOURCE TriNet | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/trinet-wins-two-stevie-awards-trinet-peopleforce-2021/ | 2022-05-18T21:13:38Z |
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuroSense Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ: NRSN) ("NeuroSense"), a company developing treatments for severe neurodegenerative diseases, today reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a business update.
Business Update
Initiated Biomarker Studies for ALS and Alzheimer's disease
Throughout Q1 2022, NeuroSense has been working vigorously to meet key drug development milestones. As an integral part of its clinical program, NeuroSense is pioneering the identification and use of novel disease related biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases. During Q1 2022, the 3rd stage of the Company's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) biomarker study was initiated in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, and a new study on Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers also commenced. Results from both studies are expected in Q2 2022.
Received FDA Clearance of IND for PrimeC in Treatment of ALS
NeuroSense continues to advance its regulatory strategy via the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In Q1 2022, the FDA cleared NeuroSense's Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a pharmacokinetic (PK) study of PrimeC, its lead combination drug candidate developed for the treatment of ALS. In addition, a Fast Track application was submitted to the FDA and not granted at this time. The Company is planning to resubmit the application upon further generation of data. PrimeC was previously granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA and EMA.
Commenced Enrollment and Dosing in U.S. PK Study of PrimeC for ALS
In April 2022, NeuroSense enrolled and dosed the first healthy volunteer in its PK study (NCT05232461) of PrimeC. The PK open-label, randomized, single-dose, three-treatment, three-period crossover study is evaluating the effect of food on the bioavailability of PrimeC as compared to the bioavailability of co-administered ciprofloxacin tablets and celecoxib capsules in 12 healthy adult subjects in the U.S. under an FDA cleared IND protocol. Data are expected in Q3 2022. The combined data from both this PK study and the Company's upcoming Phase IIb ALS study will assist in designing a pivotal Phase III trial of PrimeC for the treatment of ALS in alignment with FDA requirements.
On Track to Initiate Phase IIb PrimeC Study for ALS
In Q2 2022, NeuroSense expects to commence its double blind, placebo controlled, multicenter Phase IIb clinical trial using a unique upgraded formulation of PrimeC which maximizes the synergistic effect between the compounds in its combination drug. The clinical trial endpoints include assessment of ALS-biomarkers, evaluation of clinical efficacy, and improvement in quality of life to demonstrate an attenuation in disease progression. Elucidation of the mechanism of action of PrimeC utilizing statistically significant biomarker data from the upcoming Phase IIb trial may enable patient stratification and increased likelihood of success in a pivotal trial.
Patents Granted for PrimeC in Australia and Canada
NeuroSense continues to bolster its intellectual property estate, with patents granted for PrimeC, during Q1 2022 in Australia and Canada. The same patent, titled "Compositions comprising an anti-inflammatory drug and DICER activator for treatment of neuronal diseases" was previously granted in the U.S.
Collaborations & Strategic Partnerships
In expanding its business development objectives, NeuroSense is discussing potential partnerships with pharmaceutical companies devoted to rare and central nervous system diseases. NeuroSense is currently establishing new scientific collaborations, as well as strengthening existing connections.
"The upcoming initiation of our Phase IIb ALS study is a major milestone for NeuroSense. We move forward in a strong financial position, poised to execute our clinical development plans for the benefit of patients and shareholders. With our current cash position, we expect to complete preclinical studies for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and, most importantly complete our ALS Phase IIb study, leading to a potential inflection point in value for our Company," stated NeuroSense's CEO, Alon Ben-Noon.
Financial Summary
As of March 31, 2022, NeuroSense had cash and short-term deposits in a total amount of $13.74 million, compared to $11.06 million as of December 31, 2021. The increase was due to proceeds received from the exercise of warrants in the amount of $3.87 million, partly offset by ongoing expenses.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $1.29 million, a decrease of $0.73 million, or 36.14%, compared to $2.02 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease is primarily due to the reduction in share-based compensation expenses, offset by an increase in expenses to subcontractors and consultants as a result of preparations to commence a Phase IIb ALS clinical study in Q2 2022. NeuroSense expects research and development expenses will continue to increase through 2022 and beyond.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $1.97 million an increase of $1.88 million, or 2,089%, compared to $0.09 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This increase is primarily due to the increase in salaries and professional services, director's and officer's insurance expenses, and share-based compensation related to the costs of being a public company. NeuroSense expects that general and administrative expenses will remain at the same level through 2022.
Financing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $23,000 an increase of $10,000, or 77%, compared to $13,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was mainly due to higher exchange rate expenses.
Financing income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $0.57 million an increase of $0.57 million, compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in financing income was mainly due to the devaluation of the Company's liability with respect to warrants which were issued at the end of 2021 as part of NeuroSense's initial public offering.
Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $2.71 million an increase of $0.59 million, compared with a net loss of $2.12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in general and administrative expenses, partly offset by a decrease in research and development expenses and an increase in financing income.
A summary of Company's unaudited financial results is included in the tables below.
About NeuroSense
NeuroSense Therapeutics, Ltd. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing treatments for patients suffering from debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. NeuroSense believes that these diseases, which include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, among others, represent one of the most significant unmet medical needs of our time, with limited effective therapeutic options available for patients to date. Due to the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases and based on strong scientific research on a large panel of related biomarkers, NeuroSense's strategy is to develop combined therapies targeting multiple pathways associated with these diseases.
For additional information, we invite you to visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "aim," "should," "will" "would," or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on NeuroSense Therapeutics' current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict and include statements regarding patent applications; the company's PrimeC development program; the potential for PrimeC to safely and effectively target ALS; preclinical and clinical data for PrimeC; the timing of current and future clinical trials; the nature, strategy and focus of the company and further updates with respect thereto; and the development and commercial potential of any product candidates of the company. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and NeuroSense Therapeutics Ltd. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
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SOURCE NeuroSense | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/neurosense-announces-first-quarter-2022-financial-results-provides-business-update/ | 2022-05-31T13:46:07Z |
NAPERVILLE, Ill., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloudbyz, a fast-growing integrated clinical research and development solution provider with integrated capabilities, today announced a partnership with ClinChoice, a global full-service clinical CRO dedicated to offering high-quality one-stop service to biopharmaceutical, Vaccine, Medical Device, Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, and Consumer Products clients.
Cloudbyz, makers of digital clinical research management solutions natively built and run on the Salesforce platform is headquartered in Naperville, Illinois. The company helps life sciences, medical devices and clinical research organizations (CRO) meet their clinical research management goals by connecting all relevant processes across the clinical trials processes and, externally with its external stakeholders.
The joint partnership, powered by Cloudbyz Clinical Research Management Platform and ClinChoice's industry-leading transformation services, will provide end-to-end clinical research management technology platform and services to customers. As part of this partnership, ClinChoice will offer Cloudbyz's digital clinical research solutions to their pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and consumer product clients. ClinChoice is committed to providing deep domain experience through reliable partnerships in support of clinical research trials around the world.
Connie Andrews, Vice President, Clinical Operations said, "We are excited about the opportunity this partnership holds for our clients. Organizations committed to clinical research will benefit immensely from the combination of the Cloudbyz solution portfolio and ClinChoice's clinical research services. Together, we aim to help our clients to bring therapies faster to market with digital platforms and our expertise."
Dinesh Kashyap, CEO, Cloudbyz said, "We're honored that ClinChoice chose to partner with Cloudbyz, we look forward to a long relationship and to delivering the high-quality solutions and reliable services to their worldwide customers have come to expect from this leading CRO."
About Cloudbyz
Through innovative digital clinical research solutions and services, Cloudbyz, a fast-growing integrated clinical research and development solution provider with integrated capabilities helps life sciences organizations to bring new therapies and medical devices faster to market reliably. With deep expertise in clinical development supporting trial sponsors and clinical research organizations, Cloudbyz's innovative clinical research solutions help organizations to achieve innovation, agility, improve collaboration and efficiency.
Patient Recruitment | Study Start-Up | CTMS | CTBM | eTMF | RBM | EDC | eConsent | ePRO | eCOA | DCT | RTSM | HBSM | Safety & Pharmacovigilance
For more information contact visit www.cloudbyz.com
Follow us on: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter
About ClinChoice
ClinChoice is a global full-service clinical CRO dedicated to offering high-quality service to biopharmaceutical, Vaccine, Medical Device, Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, and Consumer Products clients. These services include Clinical Operations, Project Management, Biostatistics, Data Management, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Cosmetovigilance, Device Safety Medical Affairs, Medical Writing, toxicology, innovative and AI based IT solutions and implementation, and other product development and registration services. ClinChoice has development centers across the US, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, and The Philippines with more than 3000 dedicated professionals globally.
Media Contact:
Grace Anderson
Sr. Product Marketing Manager
1-630-425-5475
marketing@cloudbyz.com
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SOURCE Cloudbyz | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/cloudbyz-partners-with-clinchoice-provide-integrated-clinical-trial-management-solutions/ | 2022-04-12T15:07:32Z |
96 On2 Homes Priced at Half the Metro Denver Median
DENVER, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, On2 Homes, Oakwood Homes' newest brand, listed 96 single-family homes for sale at Green Valley Ranch (GVR), one of the fastest-growing communities in metro Denver. On2 Homes offers four distinct floor plans, with two-and-three-bedroom options available to prospective buyers. With a starting listing price in the low $300's, On2 Homes' prices start at half the median cost of a single-family home in metro Denver, now more than $600,000.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9030353-clayton-oakwood-homes-launches-on2-homes-in-metro-denver/
"Our customers have been stuck," said Kristen Nelson, president of the On2 Homes division for Oakwood Homes. "They want to get their foot in the door of the Denver housing market, but steep entry prices keep them trapped in the renting cycle. With On2 Homes, we're launching a product that delivers the quality of a traditional single-family home at a uniquely affordable price point."
The affordability of On2 homes is driven by an innovative approach that merges off-site and site-built construction and supply processes, resulting in decreased build time and cost for homeowners. This method also demonstrates Oakwood Homes continued success in making homes constructed with off-site-built and site-built practices indistinguishable from one another.
Built in an off-site home building facility, On2 offers cost-effective, energy-efficient and high-quality homes at a fraction of the cost of site-building. At off-site design centers, On2 Homes uses precision-building techniques to maximize cost, speed and energy efficiency without compromising quality. With unique design features like EnergySmart® utility systems and weather proofing, On2's single-family homes deliver high quality finishes at a price accessible to more Coloradans. Oakwood guarantees every On2 homebuyer full ownership over their property's land rights – an increasingly rare opportunity in today's housing market.
In 2021, metro Denver experienced a 19.3% year-over-year increase in the median listing price of a single-family home. With single-family starter homes beginning at more than $600,000, many Denver residents find themselves priced out of the housing market. With On2 Homes, Oakwood hopes to address Denver's shortage of affordable single-family homes, expanding the possibility of homeownership to all the city's residents.
As of December, Colorado has the fourth worst housing shortage in the United States. To keep pace with population gains, the state needs to build 54,000 new housing units annually over the next five years. Much of this burden falls on the homebuilding and construction industry. By utilizing efficiencies found in off-site home building and modular construction, the homebuilding industry can help answer the demand for affordable housing.
"Home prices shattered records in 2021," said Pat Hamill, chairman and CEO of Oakwood Homes. "With On2 Homes, we're working to reverse this trend, creating opportunities for homeownership for everyone. Quality and affordability shouldn't be mutually exclusive. On2 Homes provides both."
In addition to rising housing prices, household utility costs rose a record 11.7% over the last year, creating a significant new cost concern for Colorado home buyers. With 87% of the state experiencing severe drought conditions, experts anticipate residential water rates to rise precipitously, as well. On2's innovative design and installation process prioritizes energy efficiency and utility cost reduction, benefiting both the environment and the homebuyer.
Using Rheia HVAC systems and efficient materials, On2 homes offer reduced cooling tonnage, better air mixing and considerable cost savings on heating and cooling. On2 neighborhoods' xeriscaping requires minimal irrigation and maintenance, reducing water use and costs for all properties. All homes come equipped with full-service EV stations, enabling electrical vehicle owners to store and charge their vehicles at home.
Oakwood Homes is the master developer for Green Valley Ranch, a rapidly growing, master-planned community spanning east Denver and Aurora. Centered in the heart of GVR, On2's single-family homes offer access to the community's dozens of amenities, including the golf club, farmers market, and major shopping destinations.
For more information on the launch of On2 Homes, visit http://on2homes.com/.
About Oakwood Homes
Oakwood Homes is proud to be part of the Clayton family, a Berkshire Hathaway company, and is committed to growth and development across Colorado, Utah and Arizona. Oakwood has delivered over 20,000 homes to date over its 30 years of history. Oakwood, as well as its founder Pat Hamill, have been recognized as leading community philanthropists. Through Oakwood's BuildStrong Education, they have committed to education reform and early childhood education. Learn more about the company, Oakwood's leadership team, and its history at www.oakwoodhomesco.com.
Media Contact: Henry Eisler
Phone: (202) 603-4184
Email: heisler@novitascommunications.com
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SOURCE Clayton Home Building Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/oakwood-homes-launches-on2-homes-metro-denver/ | 2022-07-20T18:37:59Z |
GREENFIELD, Wis., July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. ("the "Company") (NASDAQ Capital Market: BCOW), the holding company for PyraMax Bank, FSB, announced that it has adopted a stock repurchase program for up to 5% of its outstanding common stock. This is the Company's first stock repurchase program since completing its second step reorganization and related stock offering in July 2021, and is subject to regulatory non-objection.
Repurchases are expected to commence after the Company publicly releases its results of operations for the period ended June 30, 2022. Shares may be repurchased in open market or private transactions, through block trades, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The repurchase program has no expiration date.
Repurchases will be made at management's discretion at prices management considers to be attractive and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, 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 subject to the limitations set forth in Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements.
The timing and amount of share repurchases under this authorization may be suspended, terminated or modified by the Company at any time for any reason, including market conditions, the cost of repurchasing shares, the availability of alternative investment opportunities, liquidity, and other factors deemed appropriate. These factors may also affect the timing and amount of share repurchases. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any particular number of shares or any shares in any specific time period.
Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as "believes," "will," "expects," "project," "may," "could," "developments," "strategic," "launching," "opportunities," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets" and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, and competition and the other risks described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any of these statements in light of new information, future events or otherwise unless required under federal securities laws.
Contact: Richard B. Hurd
Telephone: (414) 421-8200
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SOURCE PyraMax Bank / 1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/1895-bancorp-wisconsin-inc-announces-adoption-repurchase-program/ | 2022-07-29T20:57:20Z |
5 things to know for May 9: Ukraine, Inflation, Covid-19, Baby formula, Inmate escape
By Alexandra Meeks, CNN
Protesters have been gathering across the US for several days to voice their opposition to the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade. And over the weekend, the situation got even more personal when dozens of demonstrators showed up at Supreme Court justices’ homes.
Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
(You can get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)
1.Ukraine
In a speech earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin falsely accused the West of leaving him no choice but to invade Ukraine. This comes as Russia is celebrating Victory Day, an annual commemoration of the country’s defeat of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. Typically, the day is celebrated with thousands of troops assembling outside the Kremlin, but this year appears to be a “very low key” affair, according to a defense industry analyst. Russia’s celebration comes after 60 civilians were likely killed on Saturday when a Russian aircraft dropped a bomb on a school in Luhansk, a Ukrainian official said. Western countries reacted to the bombing with outrage, including UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said she was “horrified” and that the attack “amounts to war crimes.” Yesterday, first lady Jill Biden spent part of Mother’s Day making an unannounced trip to Uzhhorod, Ukraine, a small city in the far southwestern corner of the country. The first lady is the latest high-profile American to visit the war-torn region in recent weeks.
2. Inflation
President Joe Biden is expected to deliver remarks on inflation tomorrow as Americans continue to struggle with rising costs everywhere from grocery stores to gas pumps. “He’ll detail his plan to fight inflation and lower costs for working families, and contrast his approach with Congressional Republicans’ ultra-MAGA plan to raise taxes on 75 million American families and threaten to sunset programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid,” a White House official said. A recent CNN poll found 8 in 10 US adults said the federal government wasn’t doing enough to curb inflation, and a majority said the President’s policies have hurt the economy. Inflation rates have been increasing sharply since August 2021 and have been out of the normal 2%-to-4% range for a full year. The Consumer Price Index rose 8.5% for the year ending in March — a level not seen since 1981.
3. Coronavirus
The Biden administration is issuing a new warning that the US could potentially see 100 million Covid-19 infections this fall and winter. The White House is sharing these estimates as officials are publicly stressing the need for more funding from Congress to combat the virus. With an anticipated rise in coronavirus cases driven by an offshoot of the Omicron subvariant BA.2, health experts say now is not the time to loosen precaution measures, especially as many people are attending graduations and other large gatherings this month. “These new variants are so contagious that a cloth mask just isn’t sufficient. You really should be wearing a high-quality respirator mask, like an N95, KN95 or KF94,” CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen said.
4. Baby Formula
For months now, stores nationwide have been struggling to stock enough baby formula. Manufacturers say they’re producing at full capacity and making as much formula as they can, but it’s still not enough to meet current demand. The out-of-stock rate for formula stands at 40%, statistics show. In six states — Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri, Texas and Tennessee — more than half of baby formula was completely sold out during the week starting April 24. Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens confirmed that their stores are limiting customers nationwide to three toddler and infant formulas per transaction. Other major retailers like Target and Walmart are also imposing similar constraints on baby formula purchases.
5. Inmate escape
It has been a week since a former Alabama corrections officer and an inmate charged with murder went missing from a jail, and authorities remain in the dark on where the pair may have gone. On Friday, the vehicle officials believe Vicky White, 56, and inmate Casey White, 38, were traveling in during their escape from the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Alabama was located in a Tennessee tow lot and completely cleaned out, Sheriff Rick Singleton said. The two are not related, but may have had a romantic relationship, officials said. Investigators also believe Vicky White’s experience in law enforcement has helped the pair escape capture. She now has an active arrest warrant for allegedly permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Weird and wonderful food and drink pairings
Dessert wine with mac and cheese. Delicious! These are decadent pairings you might not expect.
HBO released its latest trailer for the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel
It’s the trailer that fans have waited so patiently for… House Targaryen is back — and coming to your screens in August.
Family thought they rescued a stray puppy. It turned out to be a coyote.
Look at how cute and harmless it is… for now.
What Trader Joe saw that everyone else missed
Check out the brief origin story of the popular grocery store empire.
‘Doctor Strange’ conjures big box office opening for Marvel
Don’t worry, no spoilers here. Just big news that the film has already made $450 million worldwide in a few days.
TODAY’S NUMBER
$100,000
That’s how much a fleece jacket worn and signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fetched at a fundraiser for Ukraine. The event, hosted by the Ukrainian Embassy in London on Thursday, raised more than $1 million. Other items auctioned off included toys donated by Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska and photos by a photographer killed in the conflict.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“Many girls and students of color are left out of our nation’s gifted and talented programs. Society will lose out on the potential scientist who cures a major disease, the entrepreneur who starts the next Amazon and so much more. All because of their gender and/or skin color.”
— Haley Taylor Schlitz, a 19-year-old who will soon become Southern Methodist University’s youngest-ever law school graduate. Upon graduating this Friday, Schlitz plans to work on education policy issues and increase opportunities “for gifted and talented girls and students of color,” according to a news release from the university.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Dog picks his son’s name
Yes, this dad dog picked his own puppy’s name! Trust me, you won’t regret watching this minute of cuteness. (Click here to view)
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2022/05/09/5-things-to-know-for-may-9-ukraine-inflation-covid-19-baby-formula-inmate-escape-2/ | 2022-05-09T13:08:43Z |
LOS ANGELES , June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Bakkt Holdings, Inc. f/k/a VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings ("Bakkt" or the "Company") (NYSE: BKKT).
Class Period: March 31, 2021 – November 19, 2021
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 20, 2022
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company had defective financial controls; (2) as a result, there were errors in the Company's financial statements related to the misclassification of certain shares issued prior to the Business Combination; (3) accordingly, the Company would need to restate certain of its financial statements; (4) the Company downplayed the true scope and severity of these issues; (5) the Company overstated its remediation of its defective financial controls; and (5) 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.
Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/FRC_LAW.
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 Frank R. Cruz, of The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-914-5007, by email to info@frankcruzlaw.com, or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Contacts
The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, Los Angeles
Frank R. Cruz, 310-914-5007
fcruz@frankcruzlaw.com
www.frankcruzlaw.com
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SOURCE The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, Los Angeles | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/bkkt-investors-have-opportunity-lead-bakkt-holdings-inc-fka-vpc-impact-acquisition-holdings-securities-fraud-lawsuit/ | 2022-06-09T18:43:20Z |
LOS GATOS, Calif., June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced it will post its second quarter 2022 financial results and business outlook on its investor relations website at http://ir.netflix.net on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at approximately 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time. At that time, the company will issue a brief advisory release via newswire containing a link to the second quarter 2022 financial results and letter to shareholders on its website.
A video interview with Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings, co-CEO & Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, Chief Financial Officer Spence Neumann, COO & Chief Product Officer Greg Peters and VP, IR & Corporate Development Spencer Wang will be available at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The discussion will be moderated by Doug Anmuth, JPMorgan, with questions submitted via email. Questions from investors should be submitted as well in advance as possible for inclusion to douglas.anmuth@jpmorgan.com.
The video interview can be accessed on the Netflix Investor Relations YouTube channel at youtube.com/netflixir.
Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
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SOURCE Netflix, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/netflix-announce-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-06-15T16:52:49Z |
Woman who said deputy coerced her into baptism found dead
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WTVC) - The woman suing Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies over an alleged coerced baptism is dead.
Shandle Marie Riley, 42, was found dead at a home in Soddy-Daisy Wednesday.
Riley made headlines in 2019 after claiming deputies baptized her in Soddy Lake after a traffic stop.
“I think the history of it in the media will show that a baptism by a police officer in the line of duty, in exchange for leniency in a criminal case is beyond the pale,” said Robin Flores, Riley’s attorney.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Riley was found dead at a residence in Soddy-Daisy.
“All I can tell you is that I learned late last night, or late yesterday afternoon, that she had apparently been found deceased,” Flores said.
Riley is one of several people suing Hamilton County Deputy Daniel Wilkey.
She claimed he stripped down to his underwear and baptized her in Soddy Lake after a traffic stop, offering a citation instead of an arrest if she agreed.
It’s an ongoing lawsuit that’s seen many delays due to the pandemic and other factors, and with Riley’s death comes another hurdle.
“It could impact it negatively to the point where we would have nobody to continue to prosecute it,” Flores said.
But her attorney said the case can still move forward.
“Her deposition has already been done. Her testimony is preserved,” Flores said.
She said a key factor will be whether Riley’s two surviving children want to take on the case.
“They would fill her shoes in essence,” Flores said.
It’s an ongoing case with more questions than answers about what happened at this lake and, now, at the home down this road.
Riley was due to be on court Monday on drug charges.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is awaiting her autopsy results to determine her cause of death.
Copyright 2022 WTVC via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/18/woman-who-said-deputy-coerced-her-into-baptism-found-dead/ | 2022-04-18T12:31:17Z |
Woman arrested accused of threatening neighbor with blade in Paris
PARIS, Texas (KXII) - A woman was arrested after reportedly threatening her neighbor with a blade Thursday night in Paris.
Paris Police said they responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of Grand Avenue around 7 p.m.
The victim reported she had been in an argument with a neighbor who had left and went to their apartment. The neighbor returned a few minutes later waving a machete and threatened the victim.
A witness confirmed the story, and officers arrested the accused neighbor Lamesha Shimshe McCleary, 43.
McCleary was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Police said the victim was not injured in the altercation.
Officials said McCleary has been booked and transferred to the Lamar County Jail.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/29/woman-arrested-accused-threatening-neighbor-with-blade-paris/ | 2022-07-29T23:51:35Z |
The iSIM pioneer and eSIM global leader has ambitious growth targets following the appointment of Stephen Halpenny as COO.
Stephen Halpenny appointed as Kigen's COO will support the worldwide growth of Kigen. Will spearhead key customer success centre of excellence in Belfast.
Papiya Raipal joins as Kigen's Country Director of India to lead the technical centre of excellence in Noida.
Jimi Macdonald, Director for Softbank Investment Advisers, appointed as Chair to the Board of Directors as Kigen sees 350% growth in the adoption of eSIM OS.
BELFAST, Northern Ireland, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kigen the global pioneer of eSIM & iSIM technology for Internet of Things manufacturers, announced today the appointment of Stephen Halpenny as the company's Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Stephen will work with Vincent Korstanje, CEO and the company's newly appointed board of directors, to continue to support the company's strategic directions for ambitious growth in the next phase.
"eSIM demand is at an all-time high in any industry undergoing rapid transformation – from smart metering to telematics and mobility, and Kigen is well-positioned to support customers tackling with this change," said Stephen Halpenny, COO, Kigen. "The combined expertise that Kigen brings in telecoms and chip to cloud security is a key differentiator, and a key part of our strategy is hiring world-class talent to help us achieve our goals".
Previously, Halpenny was Kigen's Chief Revenue Officer, being responsible for all sales, business development and commercial operations. As a co-founder of Simulity Labs, which was acquired by Arm in 2017 and incubated for pioneering at the leading edge of SIM Technology, Halpenny has played an integral role in the company's strategy and business development. Halpenny brings more than 20 years of industry and entrepreneurial experience across global businesses. Halpenny will establish a collaborative centre of excellence on operations and customer success at the company's headquarters in Belfast and in the company's offices in Noida, India.
Founded as an independent company in 2020, Kigen has quadrupled revenue growth in that period, as digital transformation and security take centre stage in how businesses accelerate growth out of the pandemic. The company has seen 350% growth in the adoption of its eSIM OS which is highly optimized for the specific needs of energy-efficient and battery-reliant connected devices. The business has anchored deals with eight out of the ten largest cellular module makers for its iSIM (Integrated SIM), which offers 98% reduction in silicon size by merging both chip and SIM into a single component. Counterpoint Research's eSIM Competitive, Ranking & Evaluation Report for 2021 has ranked Kigen in fourth place in its global ranking of eSIM enablement leaders.
This growth has garnered investment from Softbank Vision Fund 2 and the company has appointed Jimi Macdonald, Director at SoftBank Investment Advisers as Chair of Kigen's Board of Directors. With this investment, Kigen is setting its sights on growth banking on the industry-leading expertise of its global teams attracting the best of the industry. A key part of this growth is Kigen's Technical Excellence Centre in Noida, India. The company also announced the appointment of Papiya Raipal as Kigen's Country Director for India starting in June. Papiya brings 20 years of experience within the security sector, most recently at Idemia where she grew technical teams across Noida and Jakarta.
"Establishing Kigen as a new company in the midst of the pandemic has resulted in us thinking differently about how flexibility, inclusivity and high trust are reflected in everything we do," said Vincent Korstanje, CEO, Kigen. "We grow as individuals and as a company together and Kigen is poised for continued success with our extended leadership team."
For information on Kigen and to learn more about the leadership team, please visit https://kigen.com/company/careers/open-positions/
Supporting quote from Counterpoint Research
"Kigen is one of the fastest growing companies in the eSIM enablement landscape and has moved to fourth position globally in Counterpoint's latest eSIM ecosystem evaluation. Kigen leads across eSIM firmware, security, and industry standards compliance leveraging strong partnerships across the value chain as also demonstrated with industry's first EAL5+ certified iSIM hardware building on the first iSIM product launched back in 2019." - Neil Shah, Research Vice President at Counterpoint Research
About Kigen
At Kigen, we are making the future of securing connectivity simple. As simple as can be. Together with our partners and customers, we are at the forefront of unlocking a new era of secure IoT as Integrated SIM (iSIM) and eSIM become the mainstream choice for connected devices. Our industry-leading SIM OS products enable over 2 billion SIMs. Our GSMA certified remote SIM provisioning and eSIM services drive this momentum further placing us amongst the top 5 SIM vendors globally. As an Arm founded company, we bring an ecosystem approach to driving innovation and collaboration. For more information, go to kigen.com or speak to us on @Kigen_Ltd on Twitter and LinkedIn about #futureofSIM.
Resources
Bio: Stephen Halpenny
Stephen Halpenny is Chief Operating Officer at Kigen. Stephen oversees operations as Kigen seeks to continue its expansion both in supporting an expanding customer base and servicing more verticals. Stephen has played an integral part in Kigen's growth with being co-founder of Simulity Labs, which on acquisition in 2017 by Arm became Kigen. Stephen has served previously as Chief Revenue Officer at Kigen, leading commercial operations and brings over 20 years of experience across the telecoms and security space. In between spending time with customers and Kigen's customer success centres in Belfast, Stephen works flexibly from Dublin.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenhalpenny/
Learn more about Stephen
Stephen Halpenny shares his leadership style and advice for how to build successful careers in IoT startups: https://kigen.com/resources/blog/kigen-new-coo-stephen-halpenny
FAQ:
What opportunities do these appointments create for jobs in Northern Ireland and India?
Kigen is hiring to grow engineering excellence and customer-focused support functions in Northern Ireland and India. More information on open roles can be found at https://kigen.com/company/careers/open-positions/
What is the company's process for recruitment?
At Kigen, we keep things simple. All open positions can be applied for via Kigen's LinkedIn or applications can be sent via email as detailed on https://kigen.com/company/careers/
What is Kigen's approach to returning employees back to the workplace?
Kigen's leadership have been advocates of flexible working and better life-work balance long before world events necessitated these approaches. We are adopting an employee-centric approach, affording our teams the options of working remotely where possible, periodically taking advantage of face-to-face collaborative time and designing ways of working best for their well-being. We have company-wide 'Days of care' to invest in personal and family well-being and the possibility of working from abroad for up to four weeks.
How does Kigen plan to communicate and continue investing in its customers?
The strong growth of eSIM and iSIM means that Kigen has a busy line-up addressing customer needs through virtual and physical forums. On June 29th, Beecham Research will host a webinar featuring Kigen and partners SONY and Sierra Wireless on "IoT at the Edge: Enabling the Real-Time Enterprise" – sign up now. Kigen is supporting North America's largest and most influential connectivity event, MWC Las Vegas 2022, as Theme Sponsor for the Internet of Everything (IoE) and will be meeting with customers to reconnect and accelerate secure connectivity.
Contacts:
Bee Hayes-Thakore / Camilia Epps
Email: kigen@publitek.com
+1 561-257-9554
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1839277/Kigen_appoints_COO.jpg
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SOURCE Kigen | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/softbank-vision-fund-2-backed-kigen-appoints-coo-bolsters-india-leadership-build-4x-revenue-growth/ | 2022-06-14T11:59:51Z |
Biden praises Wounded Warriors as the ‘spine of America’
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday welcomed members of Wounded Warriors Project to the White House for the annual solider ride, praising the current and former military service members as the “spine of America.”
More than two dozen veteran and active duty troops rode two laps around the South Lawn as part of the multi-day cycling event. The tradition of the soldier ride at the White House began in 2008.
“You are the best that America has to offer,” Biden said. “You embody the soul and spirit of the nation.”
The Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003 and assists veterans as well as families and caregivers of service members who suffered a physical or mental injury or illness while serving in the military on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
First lady Jill Biden as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, also attended Thursday’s ride that went on as planned in a light rain.
The first lady thanked the veterans for their service and acknowledged that the path of “healing is not a straight line” for many of those who suffered catastrophic injuries during their service.
“There’s a saying in the cycling community that some of you may know: It never gets easier, it just gets faster,” she said. “I think there’s a truth about recovery in that saying as well.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/23/biden-praises-wounded-warriors-spine-america/ | 2022-06-23T14:36:21Z |
CLEVELAND, April 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- B1 - This is a test from PR Newswire. This is a test from PR Newswire. This is a test from PR Newswire. This is a test from PR Newswire. This is a test from PR Newswire. This is a test from PR Newswire. This is a test from PR Newswire. This is a test from PR Newswire.
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SOURCE PRN Test | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/09/this-is-test-please-disregard/ | 2022-04-09T06:33:47Z |
Doctors stay in Ukraine’s war-hit towns: ‘People need us’
ZOLOCHIV, Ukraine (AP) — Dr. Ilona Butova almost looks out of place in her neatly pressed lavender scrubs as she walks through a door frame that hangs from a crumbled wall into what used to be an administrative office of her hospital in Zolochiv.
Not one building in the facility in the northeastern Ukrainian town near the Russian border has escaped getting hit by artillery shells.
Since Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, space to treat patients at the hospital has shrunk constantly because of damage. Her staff has dwindled to 47 from 120. And the number of people seeking treatment in the small town 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the border is often higher now than before the fighting began.
Ukraine’s health care system struggled for years because of corruption, mismanagement and the COVID-19 pandemic. But the war has only made things worse, with facilities damaged or destroyed, medical staff relocating to safer places and many drugs unavailable or in short supply. Care is being provided in the hardest-hit areas by doctors who have refused to evacuate or have rushed in as volunteers, putting themselves at great risk.
WARNING: Videos used may contain graphic content.
“It’s very hard, but people need us. We have to stay and help,” said Butova, a neurologist who also is the administrator of the hospital in the town near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. She added that she has had to do more with fewer resources.
The World Health Organization declared its highest level of emergency in Ukraine the day after the invasion, coordinating a major relief effort there and in neighboring countries whose medical systems also are under strain.
About 6.4 million people have fled to other European countries, and a slightly higher number are internally displaced, according to U.N. estimates. That presents a major challenge to a health care system built on family doctor referrals and regionally separate administrations.
Across Ukraine, 900 hospitals have been damaged and another 123 have been destroyed, said Health Minister Viktor Liashko, noting: “Those 123 are gone, and we’re having to find new sites to build replacements.”
In addition, scores of pharmacies and ambulances have been destroyed or are seriously damaged, and at least 18 civilian medical staff have been killed and 59 others seriously wounded, he said.
“In occupied areas, the referral system has totally broken down,” Liashko told The Associated Press. “People’s health and their lives are in danger.”
Kyiv’s economy was drained by the conflict with Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine that began in 2014. When he came to power five years later, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inherited a health care system that was undermined by reforms launched under his predecessor that had slashed government subsidies and closed many small-town hospitals. During the pandemic, people in those communities had to seek care in large cities — sometimes waiting as long as eight hours for an ambulance in severe cases of COVID-19.
As Russia has expanded the territory it controls in eastern and southern Ukraine, the supply of drugs in those areas has dwindled, along with medical staff to administer them. In the southern front-line town of Mykolaiv, “things have been very difficult,” volunteer Andrii Skorokhod said.
“Pharmacies have not been working, and shortages have become increasingly acute: Hospital staff were among those evacuated, including specialists. We just need more staff,” said Skorokhod, who heads a Red Cross initiative to provide residents with free medications.
Volunteers like Skorokhod saved the life of 79-year-old Vanda Banderovska, whose home near Mykolaiv was destroyed by Russian artillery. Her 53-year-old son, Roman, was killed, and she was brought to the hospital badly bruised and barely conscious.
“My son went out to the car to get his mobile phone when the Russians started shelling. He was hit in the head,” she said at a recovery ward, her voice trembling with emotion. “They’ve destroyed everything and I have nothing left.”
Banderovska said she was deeply grateful to the people who saved her life but also overcome by grief and anger.
“The pain I feel is so great. When doctors took me to the hospital I was bruised black and blue but I slowly recovered,” she said.
___
Derek Gatopoulos reported from Kyiv. Vasilisa Stepanenko and Hanna Arhirova contributed to this report from Kyiv.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/19/doctors-stay-ukraines-war-hit-towns-people-need-us/ | 2022-08-19T06:56:22Z |
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Samuel Sandoval, one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers who transmitted messages in World War II using a code based on their native language, has died.
Sandoval died late Friday at a hospital in Shiprock, New Mexico, his wife, Malula told The Associated Press on Saturday. He was 98.
Hundreds of Navajos were recruited from the vast Navajo Nation to serve as Code Talkers with the U.S. Marine Corps. Only three are still alive today: Peter MacDonald, John Kinsel Sr. and Thomas H. Begay.
The Code Talkers took part in every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific, sending thousands of messages without error on Japanese troop movements, battlefield tactics and other communications critical to the war’s ultimate outcome. The code, based on the then-unwritten Navajo language, confounded Japanese military cryptologists and is credited with helping the U.S. win the war.
Samuel Sandoval was on Okinawa when got word from another Navajo Code Talker that the Japanese had surrendered and relayed the message to higher-ups. He had a close call on the island, which brought back painful memories that he kept to himself, Malula Sandoval said.
The Navajo men are celebrated annually on Aug. 14. Samuel Sandoval was looking forward to that date and seeing a museum built near the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock to honor the Code Talkers, she said.
“Sam always said, ‘I wanted my Navajo youngsters to learn, they need to know what we did and how this code was used and how it contributed to the world,’” she said Saturday. “That the Navajo language was powerful and always to continue carrying our legacy.”
Sandoval was born in Nageezi near Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after attending a Methodist school where he was discouraged from speaking Navajo. He helped recruit other Navajos from the school to serve as Code Talkers, expanding on words and an alphabet that an original group of 29 Navajos created.
Sandoval served in five combat tours and was honorably discharged in 1946. The Code Talkers had orders not to discuss their roles — not during the war and not until their mission was declassified in 1968.
The roles later became an immense source of pride for Sandoval and his late brother, Merrill Sandoval, who also was a Code Talker. The two became talented speakers who always hailed their fellow Marines still in action as the heroes, not themselves, said Merrill Sandoval’s daughter, Jeannie Sandoval.
“We were kids, all growing up and we started to hear about the stories,” she said. “We were so proud of them, and there weren’t very many brothers together.”
Sandoval was curious, always reading the local newspapers, and attending community, veterans, Code Talker and legislative meetings. He enjoyed traveling and sharing what he learned, grounded in his Diné beliefs and the Navajo way of life, said one of his daughters, Karen John.
“It was engrained early in me, to be part of the community,” she said. “He was really involved in a lot, some of which I couldn’t comprehend as a kid.”
Samuel Sandoval often told his story, chronicled in a book and documentary of the same name — “Naz Bah Ei Bijei: Heart of a Warrier” — at the Cortez Cultural Center in Cortez, Colorado. He had a favorite folding chair there with vinyl padding and took coffee black, said executive director Rebecca Levy.
Levy said Sandoval’s talks drew dozens of people, some of whom had to be turned away because of space limitations.
“It was a great opportunity for people who understood how important the Navajo Code Talkers were to the outcome of the war, in our favor … to thank him in person,” Levy said.
Sandoval’s health had been declining in recent years, including a fall in which he fractured a hip, Malula Sandoval said. His last trip was to New Orleans in June where he received the American Spirit Award from the National World War II Museum, she said. MacDonald, Kinsel and Begay also were honored.
Sandoval and his wife met while he was running a substance abuse counseling clinic, and she was a secretary, she said. They were married 33 years. Sandoval raised 11 children from previous marriages and in blended families, John said.
Navajo President Jonathan Nez said Sandoval will be remembered as a loving and courageous person who defended his homeland using his sacred language.
“We are saddened by his passing, but his legacy will always live on in our hearts and minds,” Nez said in a statement.
Navajo Nation Council Speaker Seth Damon said Sandoval’s life was guided by character, courage, honor and integrity, and his impact will forever be remembered.
“May he rest among our most resilient warriors,” Damon said in a statement.
Funeral services are pending. | https://cw33.com/news/ap-top-headlines/navajo-code-talker-samuel-sandoval-dies-3-left-from-group/ | 2022-08-01T16:07:04Z |
NEW YORK, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Senvest Management, LLC ("Senvest"), a $3.1 billion investment management firm focused on contrarian, value-based investment strategies, announced today the appointment of Christopher Venezia as Head of Business Development. Mr. Venezia will lead Senvest's marketing strategy and fundraising efforts as well as oversee investor relations.
Mr. Venezia spent 15 years at Glenview Capital Management as Partner of Marketing and Investor Relations, where he was responsible for capital raising, marketing, and investor communications. Prior to Glenview Capital Management, Mr. Venezia was in Institutional Sales at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
"Senvest has a long history of delivering superior returns and we are thrilled to have Chris join our team to lead our business development strategy," said Rich Mashaal, Founder and Co-CIO of Senvest.
Brian Gonick, Co-CIO of Senvest, added, "Chris has a long and successful career in business development & investor relations and he will be an instrumental part of our team as we continue to position ourselves for long-term success and growth."
"Senvest's 25-year track record of success and unique, research intensive-culture positions it well for growth with investors including endowments and foundations, family offices, sovereign wealth funds and pension plans," said Mr. Venezia. "The team is extremely talented and I could not be more excited to join the firm."
Mr. Venezia holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a BBA in Business Administration from James Madison University. Mr. Venezia is a CFA® charter holder.
About Senvest Management
Senvest Management ("Senvest"), an established registered investment advisor with a 25-year track record, manages approximately $3.1 billion in AUM. Senvest employs a fundamental, contrarian, research-driven and value-based investment strategy. The firm invests primarily in equities (both long and short), but may also take positions throughout the capital structure. Senvest's investor base is comprised of endowments, foundations, family offices, high net worth individuals, and pension plans, along with significant internal capital. Senvest is headquartered in New York City.
Contact
ASC Advisors
Steve Bruce, Mary Beth Grover
sbruce@ascadvisors.com / mbgrover@ascadvisors.com
203-992-1230
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SOURCE Senvest Management | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/senvest-management-appoints-christopher-venezia-head-business-development/ | 2022-04-12T13:43:18Z |
- Sixth Year in a Row Hyundai Title Sponsors the Event in South Florida that Includes the World-Class Hyundai Air & Sea Show, taking place on May 28-29
- Hyundai Donates $50,000 to Folds of Honor
- Hyundai Recognized as a Military Friendly® Employer from VIQTORY
- Hyundai Motor America selected as a VETS Indexes Recognized Employer in the 2022 VETS Indexes Employer Awards
MIAMI, May 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Salute to America's Heroes presented by Hyundai returns to Miami Beach this Memorial Day weekend May 28-29, 2022. Now in its sixth year, the patriotic two-day event is designed to pay tribute and honor military and first responders. The event combines the Hyundai Air & Sea Show with the Music Explosion presented by Hyundai and a display village with interactive exhibits and simulators and family-friendly entertainment.
For the second consecutive year with the event, Hyundai will be donating $50,000 to Folds of Honor to provide scholarships to spouses and children of America's fallen and disabled service members.
"We've been a proud partner of the National Salute to America's Heroes since its debut in 2017," said Angela Zepeda, chief marketing officer, Hyundai Motor America. "Everyone at Hyundai shares the utmost respect and appreciation for the contributions of the men and women in our nation's armed services. This partnership is part of Hyundai's long-term commitment to supporting the U.S. military and honoring America's greatest heroes."
"Thanks to the support of Hyundai, we are able to create a family-friendly event that honors and pays its respects to the men and women of our military and first responders," said Mickey Markoff, executive producer, Hyundai Air & Sea Show. "There is no better time than Memorial Day weekend to pay tribute to our military, first responders, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our freedom."
The National Salute to America's Heroes is anchored by the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, The Greatest Show Above the Earth™, showcasing the men, women, technology and equipment of all five branches of the U.S. military, police, firefighter and first responder agencies. The Hyundai Air & Sea Show begins each day at 11 a.m. with sea demonstrations by professional jet skiers, ThunderCats boat races and the Cigarette Offshore Powerboat Racing Demonstration which will showcase 10 state-of-the-art cigarette boats. After the sea portion, look to the sky to witness state-of-the-art U.S. military technology including parachute teams, jet demonstrations, and search and rescue exercises.
The Memorial Day weekend event also includes the Music Explosion presented by Hyundai on the sands of Miami Beach featuring the international rock band, 3 Doors Down, taking the stage at 8pm on Saturday, May 28. The Music Explosion kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the U.S. Army's: "As You Were" Band and the U.S. Air Force "Max Impact" Band. A special night pyro-parachute demonstration by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will kick off the spectacular Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association fireworks extravaganza following the concert.
Experiential activations are centered at Lummus Park, spanning more than four city blocks on 11th and 14th Streets on Ocean Drive and will include the Hyundai Hangar, a patriotically inspired consumer lounge honoring the military and first responders. The Hyundai Hangar, located between 12th and 13th Street, will feature a collaborative chalkboard memorial wall for messages to family and friends who have served and other interactive activities and themed giveaways. Hyundai will also have several other activations communicating its built in the U.S. story and eight vehicle displays staged throughout the area featuring a specially-wrapped Hyundai Tucson, Santa Cruz , Santa Fe and Palisade honoring the branches of the military and first responders.
The National Salute to America's Heroes presented by Hyundai debuted in 2017 along the shores of Miami Beach to a daily crowd of more than 100,000 spectators. The 2022 nationally recognized event is expected to be even more thrilling, with a larger spectator viewing area and a free-to-the-public Display Village, Action Zone and Kids Zone, all located between 11th and 14th Streets along Ocean Drive, which will include interactive displays from military service branches and corporate partners. For additional information, please visit https://usasalute.com/.
Hyundai shows its support for the U.S. Military through a dedicated internal employee resource group called Stars and Stripes. In addition, Hyundai's Veteran Employment Transition program actively recruits military veterans for Hyundai dealership parts and service positions. The success of this program and others have led to Hyundai being named a 2022 VETS Indexes Recognized Employer, a 2022 Military Friendly® Employer from VIQTORY (an honor Hyundai has received nine times) and has been recognized as being one of the Best of the Best Top Veteran-Friendly Companies by U.S. Veterans Magazine.
Hyundai also offers a $500 incentive to military and first responders on all its vehicles. For additional details, please visit Hyundai Military Program and Hyundai First Responders Program.
The National Salute to America's Heroes presented by Hyundai is a nationwide two-day celebration held on Miami Beach, Florida, featuring the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, Music Explosion presented by Hyundai, and 365 Salute initiative. Held Memorial Day weekend, the National Salute to America's Heroes presented by Hyundai focuses on paying tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and honoring the military and first responders who protect the freedoms of all Americans. For more information, please visit www.USAsalute.com.
Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 738,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.
Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/28/hyundai-presents-sixth-annual-national-salute-americas-heroes-memorial-day-weekend-event/ | 2022-05-28T12:07:44Z |
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) ("GreenPower"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission, electric-powered, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, in conjunction with Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), a federal coalition focused on advocating for 100% EV sales by 2030, will be hosting an educational display and demonstration of zero-emission, all-electric school buses and transit vehicles today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT at the U.S. Capitol —West Curb of First Street, NW at Constitution Avenue, NW.
The display and demonstration will give members of Congress, Administration officials, industry stakeholders, and school district personnel an opportunity to learn more about electric school buses and transit vehicles that meet "Buy America" regulations.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides significant funding opportunities for school districts and transit systems to migrate to electric vehicles. The BIL provides $5 billion in funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. The EPA is currently offering $500 million through the 2022 Clean School Bus Program as the first funding opportunity. The BIL also significantly increased funding available to help modernize public transit bus fleets and facilities across the country, which will support good-paying jobs and help reduce carbon emissions, leading to cleaner air, healthier communities, and better transportation.
Under the EPA program, GreenPower's Type D BEAST school bus is eligible for a rebate up to $375,000 for qualifying purchasers, and up to a $285,000 rebate for the Type A Nano BEAST. Online applications will close on August 19, 2022.
Members of Congress, Administration Officials and other interested parties and individuals are expected to be in attendance. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-CA) will give remarks at a 9:15 am press conference along with West Virginia State Delegates Paul Espinosa and Christopher Toney, and Vic Sprouse, Federal Funds and Grants Director of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. Moms Clean Air Force and other advocacy groups will make remarks as well.
Media and Investor Contacts:
Brendan Riley
GreenPower President
(510) 910-3377
Mark Nestlen
GreenPower Government Affairs
(405) 850-9571
Allie Potter
Skyya PR for GreenPower
(218) 766-8856
allie@skyya.com
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
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, GreenPower's business and operations and the environment in which it operates, which are based on GreenPower's operations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "upon", "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or are beyond GreenPower's control. A number of important factors, including those set forth in other public filings (filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com), could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. GreenPower disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in 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.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/greenpower-hosting-display-demonstration-all-electric-school-transit-buses-today-us-capitol/ | 2022-06-15T12:18:04Z |
Late Del. Gov. du Pont remembered for bipartisanship, humor
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Current and former Delaware politicians, family and friends of Pierre S. “Pete” du Pont IV have gathered to remember the late governor, U.S. House member and presidential candidate nearly a year after his death. Friday’s memorial service at a Wilmington theater had been delayed due to COVID-19 safety concerns. The Republican served as governor two terms and ran for president in 1988. Friday’s speakers credited him for reviving the state’s economy, working across the partisan aisle and sharing a cheerful spirit. He was a member of the family known for its chemical company holdings, but broke into law and politics. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2022/04/30/late-del-gov-du-pont-remembered-for-bipartisanship-humor/ | 2022-04-30T22:49:37Z |
Launch Event a Highlight of Summer Learning Week
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona today announced that the National Summer Learning Association will join dozens of organizations in a new partnership to ensure that all children have access to high-quality learning opportunities outside of school.
Cardona announced the Engage Every Student Initiative at an event celebrating National Summer Learning Week at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) headquarters, where youth and their mentors from across the country described how learning activities are helping their academic progress during the summer. The Secretary encouraged the partnership to take bold action to provide access to high-quality afterschool programs and summer learning activities.
"It is an honor to join other advocates for out-of-school learning to address the critical need to make up for lost learning during the pandemic," said Aaron Dworkin, the executive director of the National Summer Learning Association. "Through camps, library programs, and other engaging activities, children can continue their learning adventure during the summer and prepare to excel when they return to school in the fall."
For the new initiative, the U.S. Department of Education will invest $3.4 million to provide best practices in program implementation for summer and out-of-school time. ED's Institute for Education Sciences will create a new tool to support using evidence to implement afterschool and summer learning activities.
"For decades, researchers have documented the 'learning loss' that happens when children are out of school for more than two months as they wait for the next school year to begin," Dworkin said. "During the pandemic, education researchers have documented similar learning loss in children who attended school in virtual environments for a year or more. Today, out-of-school learning is more important than ever."
This summer, NSLA has created new and innovative ways to help students of all ages extend their learning experiences during the summer months.
More than 30 youth from award-wining summer learning programs were selected to meet this week at the inaugural NSLA Youth Leadership Institute. In a unique program, youth are experiencing the best of summer camps that focus on social emotional learning; academic success; arts; health and fitness; and
service and leadership The 8th and 9th graders, and their program leaders, met with their congressional leaders on Thursday before meeting with the US Secretary of Education.
Working with the American Camp Association and with the support of the New York Life Foundation, NSLA is supporting a free summer camp experience for children from 10 low-income communities. The camps are partnering with local schools to provide intentional learning programs where students develop life skills such as problem-solving, leadership, and communication. The New York Life Foundation has provided funding to expand the program in 2023.
In partnership with the NBA Foundation, NSLA has secured paid internships in the U.S. Congress for 10 college-age students and recent college graduates from minority backgrounds. The internships will give students of color a prestigious experience on their resumes that will help launch their careers. In addition to a stipend, the program pays for housing, travel to Washington, and food and clothing.
NSLA joins the Education Department and the Afterschool Alliance, the National Comprehensive Center at Westat, the National League of Cities, and AASA, the School Superintendents Association as coordinating partners for Engage Every Student. More than 20 allied organizations have signed on including the National Governors Association, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the American Camp Association, and the Y.
More information is available at engageeverystudent.org
For nearly 30 years, NSLA has worked to combat summer learning loss and close the achievement and opportunity gaps which research shows grow most dramatically between lower and higher income students over the summer months. Our vision is, and always has been, to ensure all young people in America, regardless of background, income, and zip code, can participate in and benefit from a high-quality summer learning experience, every year. NSLA supports and collaborates with a broad and ever-growing network of 15,000+ leaders of school districts, youth-serving government agencies, and non-profit and corporate partners from across the country focused on improving the lives of youth.
Aaron Dworkin, National Summer Learning Association, adworkin@summerlearning.org, 917-584-1835 OR Terri Ferinde, ferinde@collaborativecommunications.com, 202-271-8651
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SOURCE NSLA | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/national-summer-learning-association-joins-partnership-engage-every-student/ | 2022-07-14T19:06:29Z |
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and his company Free Speech Systems are worth up to $270 million, an economist testified Friday to a jury trying to determine if Jones should have to pay punitive damages to the family of a 6-year-old killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.
The same jury ordered Jones to pay Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis $4.1 million in compensation for defamation. Jurors began considering additional punitive damages Friday as a separate issue. The parents want to punish Jones for a decade of pushing false hoax claims that they say led to a decade of trauma and abuse from the Infowars host’s followers.
Bernard Pettingill, who was hired by the plaintiffs to study Jones’ net worth, said records show that Jones withdrew $62 million for himself in 2021, when default judgments were issued in lawsuits against him.
“That number represents, in my opinion, a value of a net worth,” Pettingill said. “He’s got money put in a bank account somewhere.”
The money that flows into Jones’ companies eventually funnels its way to him, said Pettingill, who added that he has testified in approximately 1,500 cases during his career.
“He is a very successful man,” Pettingill said, calling Jones a “maverick” and “revolutionary” for finding ways to monetize his online messaging.
While the $4.1 million award Thursday was less than the $150 million the parents sought, it marked the first time Jones has been held financially liable for repeatedly claiming that the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history was a hoax perpetrated to try to bring about tighter gun restrictions.
Mark Bankston, an attorney for Heslin and Lewis, whose 6-year-old son Jesse was among 20 children and six educators killed in the school attack in Newtown, Connecticut, insisted that the $4.1 million compensation award wasn’t a disappointment and warned that they would be trying to punish Jones in the next phase.
“We aren’t done yet,” Bankston said Thursday. “After tomorrow, he’s going to owe a whole lot more.”
Another of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Wesley Ball, asked jurors in closing Friday to award an additional $145.9 million, which would bring the total amount in damages to that $150 million target.
“You are asked to punish Alex Jones,” Ball said. “You are asked to deter Alex Jones from ever doing this awful thing again to another person or another family — to deter anyone who wants to step into his shoes.”
“Send the message to those who desire to do the same: Speech is free. Lies, you pay for,” he said.
But Jones’ lawyers said their client has already learned his lesson, and asked for lenience. The jury’s punishment should be less than $300,000, attorney Andino Reynal said.
“You’ve already sent a message. A message for the first time to a talk show host, to all talk show hosts, that their standard of care has to change,” Reynal said.
Jones still faces two other defamation lawsuits from Sandy Hook families in Texas and Connecticut that put his personal wealth and media empire in jeopardy.
Jones — who was in the courtroom briefly Friday but left before Pettingill’s testimony — told jurors earlier this week that any award over $2 million would “sink us.” And a week ago, his company Free Speech Systems, which is Infowars’ parent company, filed for federal bankruptcy protection.
Lawyers for the family suing Jones contend that Jones has tried to hide evidence of his true wealth and have sued him claiming he’s tried to hide money in various shell companies.
During his testimony, Jones was confronted with a memo from one of his business managers outlining a single day’s gross revenue of $800,000 from selling vitamin supplements and other products through his website, which would approach nearly $300 million in a year. Jones called it a record sales day.
Jones, who has portrayed the lawsuit as an attack on his First Amendment rights, conceded during the trial that the attack was “100% real” and that he was wrong to have lied about it. But Heslin and Lewis told jurors that an apology wouldn’t suffice and called on them to make Jones pay for the years of suffering he has put them and other Sandy Hook families through.
The parents told jurors about how they’ve endured a decade of trauma, inflicted first by the murder of their son and what followed: gun shots fired at a home, online and phone threats, and harassment on the street by strangers. They said the threats and harassment were all fueled by Jones and his conspiracy theory spread to his followers via his website Infowars.
A forensic psychiatrist testified that the parents suffer from “complex post-traumatic stress disorder” inflicted by ongoing trauma, similar to what might be experienced by a soldier at war or a child abuse victim.
Throughout the trial, Jones has been his typically bombastic self, talking about conspiracies on the witness stand, during impromptu press conferences and on his show. His erratic behavior is unusual by courtroom standards, and the judge has scolded him, telling him at one point: “This is not your show.”
The trial has drawn attention from outside Austin as well.
Bankston told the court Thursday that the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has requested records from Jones’ phone that Jones’ attorneys had mistakenly turned over to the plaintiffs. Bankston later said he planned to comply with the committee’s request.
Last month, the Jan. 6 committee showed graphic and violent text messages and played videos of right-wing figures, including Jones, and others vowing that Jan. 6 would be the day they would fight for Trump.
The committee first subpoenaed Jones in November, demanding a deposition and documents related to his efforts to spread misinformation about the 2020 election and a rally on the day of the attack.
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Find AP’s full coverage of the Alex Jones trial at: https://apnews.com/hub/alex-jones | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/economist-alex-jones-his-company-worth-up-to-270-million/ | 2022-08-05T20:25:47Z |
HRP's The Bellwether District will donate $50,000 for STEM education
PHILADELPHIA, July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bellwether District and Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) today announced a new partnership to support Urban Youth Racing School's hands-on STEM education program with a $50,000 grant.
As a sponsor of Urban Youth Racing School, a nonprofit organization which engages Black and Brown young people ages 8 through 18 in STEM through the lens of NASCAR, the motorsports industry, and aviation, The Bellwether District will support a scholarship for 20 residents of South and Southwest Philadelphia to attend the school annually.
Urban Youth Racing School was founded by Philadelphia native Anthony Martin in 1998 to create opportunities, ignite careers and transform the lives of urban youth. "Over the past 24 years, we've served over 7500 students and gained national recognition creating exciting and educational opportunities for students," said Anthony. "Thanks to our partners like General Motors, Motorsports, and NASCAR, students are exposed to extremely lucrative careers, like engineering and pit crew management, where an individual can make upwards of $80,000 a year. For some of our students, that's lifechanging."
Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP), the owner and developer behind The Bellwether District, acquired the 1,300-acre former PES oil refinery in South Philadelphia, PA in June of 2020 and is currently transforming the property into a state-of-the-art, 15-million square-foot life sciences, e-commerce, and logistics campus. The company, which takes a community-focused approach to redevelopment, has focused considerable resources on programs and partnerships that are working to expand Philadelphia's workforce. To date, HRP has provided internships, job shadowing opportunities and pre-apprenticeship training to more than 500 Philadelphians.
"Having witnessed the powerful way the Urban Youth Racing School teaches students about careers in STEM, we are thrilled to offer this grant," said Roberto Perez, CEO of HRP. "At HRP, we are deeply committed to developing our local workforce. This kind of investment will provide South and Southwest Philadelphia young people exposure to career opportunities they may not have otherwise explored."
About Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP):
HRP is a vertically integrated real estate investment and redevelopment company that re-imagines, remediates, and redevelops obsolete industrial sites across the United States with a uniquely holistic approach to development that prioritizes economic, community and environmental sustainability. HRP's redevelopment expertise ranges from modern logistics and distribution facilities to urban, mixed-use projects, and life science ecosystems. HRP strives to transform not only properties, but also the communities surrounding them through a comprehensive approach to community engagement, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
HRP is an operating company within Hilco Global (www.hilcoglobal.com). To learn more about HRP, visit hilcoredev.com. For more information about The Bellwether District, please visit thebellwetherdistrict.com or Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About Urban Youth Racing School:
The mission of the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) is to provide urban Black and Brown youth with exposure to STEM in a more holistic way. UYRS aims to teach young people how to think critically and independently, while providing them with the skills necessary for successful STEM careers.
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SOURCE Hilco Redevelopment Partners | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/bellwether-district-urban-youth-racing-school-launch-new-partnership/ | 2022-07-19T16:41:55Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Pirates, princesses, water park, gardens and more. Now, that sounds like a summer full of fun. Friday, May 13, Gaylord Texan’s 19th annual Summerfest of More is set to open in Grapevine.
Until Sept. 5, resort guests and locals will be able to immerse themselves in fun aquatic experiences, food and drink offerings, spa days, pirate and princess live entertainment, family-friendly shows, activities and more.
According to Gaylord Texan Resort, you can expect to, “Discover adventures at Gaylord Texan when you zip down a towering waterslide at our exclusive Paradise Springs Water Park or join the ranks of pirates and princesses in one of more than a dozen imaginative activities. Time to slow down? Venture into new culinary experiences at our wide selection of restaurants or unwind at our world-class spa.”
Check out all the activities and offerings for Summerfest of More, here. | https://cw33.com/news/local/what-to-do-at-gaylord-texans-19th-annual-summerfest-of-more/ | 2022-05-09T17:48:03Z |
Roger Federer says he is retiring from pro tennis at age 41
(AP) - Roger Federer is retiring from professional tennis at age 41 after a series of knee operations, closing a career in which he won 20 Grand Slam titles, finished five seasons ranked No. 1 and helped create a golden era of men’s tennis with rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Federer posted what he called a “bittersweet decision” via social media on Thursday, less than a week after 23-time major champion Serena Williams played what is expected to the last match of her career.
Combined, the exits by two of the greatest athletes in their sport’s history represent a significant turning of the page.
“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form,” Federer wrote on Twitter. “But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.”
Federer has not competed since Wimbledon in July 2021, and so, in that sense, his news is not all that surprising.
But he had appeared at an event marking the 100-year anniversary of Centre Court at the All England Club this July and said he hoped to come back to play there “one more time.”
He also had said he would return to tournament action in his home country at the Swiss Indoors in October.
In Thursday’s announcement, Federer said his farewell event will be the Laver Cup in London next week. That is a team event run by his management company.
Federer is married, and he and his wife, Mirka — a tennis player, too; they met as athletes at an Olympics — have two sets of twins.
He leaves with a total of 103 tour-level titles on his substantial resume and 1,251 wins in singles matches, both second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968. Federer’s records include being the oldest No. 1 in ATP rankings history — he returned to the top spot at 36 in 2018 — and most consecutive weeks there (his total weeks mark was eclipsed by Djokovic).
When Federer won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, the men’s record for most was held by Pete Sampras, who had won his 14th at the U.S. Open the year before in what turned out to be the last match of the American’s career.
Federer would go on to blow way past that, ending up with 20 by winning eight championships at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the U.S. Open and one at the French Open. His 2009 trophy at Roland Garros allowed Federer to complete a career Grand Slam.
His serving, forehand, footwork and attacking style will all be remembered. Also unforgettable were his matches against younger rivals Nadal, 36, and Djokovic, 35, who both equalled, then surpassed, Federer’s Slam total and are still winning titles at the sport’s four biggest tournaments.
Nadal now leads the count with 22, one ahead of Djokovic.
“I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget,” Federer said in Thursday’s announcement.
Addressing his “competitors on the court” — although not by name — he wrote: “We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to new levels.”
Federer’s last match anywhere came on July 7, 2021, when he lost at Centre Court in the Wimbledon quarterfinals to Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0.
Soon after, Federer had surgery to repair damage to his meniscus and cartilage in his right knee — his third operation on that knee in a span of 1 1/2 years.
“Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt,” Federer said Thursday, “and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.”
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More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/15/roger-federer-says-he-is-retiring-professional-tennis/ | 2022-09-15T14:28:29Z |
Bird’s electric scooters coming to Bradenton
Published: Apr. 20, 2022 at 5:01 PM EDT
BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - A new company is bringing scooters to pedestrians on Bradenton’s Riverwalk.
Bird is a micromobility company based in Santa Monica, California and is available in over 300 cities Users can download an app to pay for rides.
The City of Bradenton unanimously approved the contract, but details are still being worked out. Once a contract is voted upon, the company will ship the scooters.
You can learn more about the app and costs here.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/20/bird-rides-electric-scooters-coming-bradenton/ | 2022-04-22T04:19:47Z |
TEL AVIV, Israel, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Canditech, the Israeli startup helping companies accurately assess job candidates with the world's first online job-simulation platform, today announced that it has raised $9 million in seed funding led by global software investor Insight Partners and StageOne Ventures. The funding will fuel Canditech's expansion into new markets and help more companies streamline their hiring processes in a bias-free manner.
Co-founded by Guy Barel, Knaan Braz and Nir Dovrat, Tel Aviv-based Canditech helps companies hire better people, faster, while giving every candidate a fair chance to showcase their skills. Using work-sample tests that are tailor-made to simulate any position within the company, candidates can get a glimpse of the company and their future role, which allows them to experience day-to-day work scenarios such as writing code, analyzing data in Excel, writing emails to clients, optimizing a marketing campaign and pitching customers, all while providing an amazing can ]didate experience.
Since its founding less than two years ago, Canditech has helped companies across a variety of industries and sizes around the globe hire the right people—not the right CV—for the job.
"Anyone can write a CV that looks great for a certain role, but only a handful will actually excel in the job," said Barel, CEO and Dovrat, President and CTO. "Relying primarily on CVs in the initial screening processes, rather than on the candidate's qualities and potential, causes organizations to overlook excellent candidates and fall short on recruitment and diversity goals. We believe that an individual's true skills and their potential to succeed at the role should be prioritized rather than what's listed on their CV."
Canditech's solution presents a win-win situation for both the company and its candidates. The platform allows hiring managers to tailor simulations to their specific roles and invest their precious time on the candidates with the highest chance of excelling in the role, using advanced technology that reviews tests objectively and automatically. At the same time, candidates are given the opportunity to "sample" the positions at an early stage in the process, which dramatically reduces the chances for poor hiring decisions and turn-over.
"When we're searching for people to join our team, we're looking to attract and engage with top talent so that we can really make an impact together. Working with Canditech, we're able to find and recruit candidates quickly and provide them with the space to easily showcase their skills and experience, while using work-sample tests to provide a glimpse of what their future position at monday.com would look like," said by Shelly Albeck, Head of Talent Acquisition at monday.com.
"As a firm who prides itself in being a leader in innovation, it was a clear choice for us to incorporate Canditech into our recruitment and candidate-evaluation process. Canditech helps multiple teams within our firm streamline their hiring processes by allowing them to learn about candidates' skills and potential early on, thus saving significant time and resources. We are very happy to be collaborating with Canditech and their very professional and accommodating team," said by Galia Aloni, Partner & Talent Leader at EY.
The seed funding represents an exciting step in Canditech's journey towards making the hiring process and overall job experience better for candidates and recruiters. With Insight Partners and StageOne Ventures on board, the company will expand their platform into new markets, reaching more customers looking to streamline the hiring process.
"In today's world, hiring is not only a challenge faced by the HR team, but also by every manager within the company," said Liad Agmon, Managing Director at Insight Partners. "In a very short time, Canditech has managed to become a game-changing solution in the world of hiring by helping managers achieve their hiring goals through seeing how candidates will do the job, before they get the job. Insight is excited to partner with Canditech's team on this thrilling next step in the company's growth journey."
Industry leading companies are using Canditech to expand their pool of candidates and hire the best professionals faster using tailor-made job simulation tests - the best predictor of future job performance. Our bias-free tests empower recruiters and hiring managers to objectively evaluate both technical abilities (code, SQL, Excel, etc.) and soft skills (using video responses and email communication scenarios), all while providing an amazing candidate experience.
For more information about Canditech, visit https://www.canditech.io/
Insight Partners is a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software, and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. As of February 24, 2022, the closing of the firm's recent fundraise, Fund XII, brings Insight Partners' regulatory assets under management to over $90B. Insight Partners has invested in more than 600 companies worldwide and has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve an IPO. Headquartered in New York City, Insight has offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto. Insight's mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with practical, hands-on software expertise to foster long-term success. Insight Partners meets great software leaders where they are in their growth journey, from their first investment to IPO. For more information on Insight and all its investments, visit insightpartners.com or follow us on Twitter @insightpartners.
StageOne Ventures provides financing and professional guidance to early-stage companies to help build exceptional enterprises. StageOne leads investments in Israel-related early-stage start-ups focused on solving large enterprise challenges utilizing transformative deep technologies. The fund is committed to providing its portfolio companies with top value creation through the technological and financial strength of its team, by building powerful partnerships that propel seed-stage entrepreneurs forward, from the initial innovation concept through additional quality rounds of funding to market leadership and impact. For more information: www.stageonevc.com.
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Launch of new language support capability will allow users to confer with doctors in their preferred language
DENVER, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CirrusMD, the fastest growing provider of on-demand telemedicine, today announced the launch of language support functionality that will enable non-native English speakers to converse with physicians using their preferred language.
CirrusMD users can now select this option at any point during an encounter with a physician and, once activated, enter text in their preferred language. The remainder of the chat transcript will then display to the patient and provider in both English and the preferred second language.
"Providing equitable access to healthcare, especially to underserved populations, has always been at the core of CirrusMD's mission," said Dr. Justin Chang, VP, CirrusMD Provider Network. "Launching this new capability will expand health access to persons with limited English proficiency and further leverage the power of chat to transcend barriers to care."
The new functionality will begin with language support between English and Spanish, and roll out with other languages planned for further development. In addition to the chat text, patient navigation and field names will also be fully translated, and progress notes documenting a patient's clinical status will appear in both languages.
CirrusMD is a different kind of telemedicine company. In less than a minute, patients connect with a licensed physician and conduct a care encounter at their pace and convenience. It's true healthcare on demand; easy and effortless, with no appointments needed.
CirrusMD's integrated care is delivered via multi-specialty, board-certified clinicians able to treat a broad range of conditions, from acute to chronic, and from primary care to specialty areas, including behavioral health. CirrusMD is available to nearly 10 million users across all 50 states, and exclusively offered through employer benefits programs, employee health and benefits brokerages, health insurance plans, and reseller partners. A growing number of employers are providing CirrusMD to their full- and part-time workers, even to uninsured workers, to help ensure all employees can receive care whenever it's needed most.
Learn more at cirrusmd.com.
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SOURCE CirrusMD | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/cirrusmd-makes-it-easier-users-with-limited-english-proficiency-access-virtual-care/ | 2022-06-21T15:09:22Z |
TORRANCE, Calif., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AI Spera, the provider of AI-driven Cyber Threat Intelligence platform, will spotlight its latest advanced security solutions at this year's RSA Conference, June 6-9, 2022, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
A key highlight of AI Spera's showcase at the event will be its recently launched Cyber Threat Intelligence search engine, Criminal IP and Attack Surface Management solution, RMR. Attendees are invited to experience to demo of company's solutions and meet the AI and data security experts at booth #935-2 inside the Korea Pavilion in the South Expo Hall. Additional giveaways are also available for anyone visiting the booth.
Criminal IP is a comprehensive search engine that detects vulnerabilities of personal or corporate cyber assets in real time and enables preemptive responses accordingly. It is possible to diagnose malicious IP addresses, exploits, threat related images and to conveniently view information of all types of internet-facing assets including banners, certificates, SCADA, IoT, servers, and CCTV, as well as the actionable insights based on country and service-specific statistics in one place. Additional features including domain and certificate search will be updated soon. This solution is now running a free beta service until July and all search features, including API support, are available with simple registration on its website(https://bit.ly/3MaSsFV.)
RMR is a SaaS-based enterprise Attack Surface Management solution powered by AI and machine learning. Securing clear visibility into enterprise IT assets on the attack surface, its simple integration gives users the most exhaustive data feeds that cover all the externally exposed digital assets and vulnerabilities within.
About AI Spera: AI Spera is a fast-growing company in cyber threat intelligence. Based on AI and machine learning technologies, it is focusing on abnormality detection and data-oriented security solutions. It shores up various areas in which Criminal IP defends against ever-evolving cyber threats, spanning education and research, corporate security teams, white hackers, national agencies, and cybercrime investigation organizations.
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SOURCE AI Spera Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/ai-spera-showcase-cti-search-engine-rsa-conference-2022/ | 2022-06-02T17:27:32Z |
The US Food and Drug Administration authorized Novavax's Covid-19 vaccine on Friday for emergency use in adolescents. It is the fourth coronavirus vaccine available in the United States and, unlike the others, is uses a protein-based technology.
The vaccine was authorized for adults in July. With the latest emergency use authorization, it also will be available as a two-dose primary series for ages 12 to 17.
In this age group, "overall, the clinical efficacy of the vaccine is around 80%," said Silvia Taylor, Novavax's senior vice president global corporate affairs. The vaccine has shown 90% overall efficacy in adults.
Novavax announced in early July that its vaccine shows "broad" immune response to currently circulating variants, including the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.
"One of the things that we believe makes our vaccine unique is that we actually see really good immune response against variants with our prototype vaccine. And so, if you think about the vaccine that we already have authorized that we're talking about now to be authorized for adolescents, we actually see a good immune response against variants including Omicron, including BA.1 and BA.5," Taylor said.
Protein-based vaccines use a more traditional approach than mRNA vaccines, teaching the immune system to recognize little modified pieces of the virus that the vaccine is targeting. In this case, that means fragments of the coronavirus spike protein. The vaccine was created out of a genetic sequence of the original strain of the coronavirus.
This technology is also used for vaccines for conditions such as hepatitis B and pertussis.
Taylor told CNN that having a protein-based coronavirus vaccine available helps give adolescents more options.
"We believe fundamentally that people want a choice in the vaccines that they're able to have for themselves, and especially in this population that we're talking about for children," Taylor said. "So, we think that that kind of reassuring technology platform that's understood, combined with the high levels of efficacy and the well-tolerated safety profile, can help increase that vaccination number in children."
Next, Novavax plans to have trial data on using the vaccine among children younger than 12.
"We recently initiated a trial that we're calling Hummingbird, which is a Phase 2b/3 trial, and that's going to be an effectiveness and efficacy trial and also clearly be looking at safety, and that will have three age cohorts," Taylor said, referring to groups of children ages 6 to 11, ages 2 to 5, and 6 months to 23 months.
"The first cohort of kids, that trial was already initiated, and that's for kids 6 to 11," Taylor said. "We expect those results in the early part of 2023."
Novavax is working on an updated version of its vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron coronavirus variant and its subvariants -- and the company could file for authorization later this year, she said.
"Our intent is to file for authorization of a BA.5-containing bivalent form of a vaccine in the fourth quarter of this year," Taylor said.
"This is consistent with the approach that other manufacturers are following," she said. "We would submit that for formal authorization for EUA, just like we did for other indications to the US FDA."
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/features/health/fda-authorizes-novavax-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use-in-ages-12-17/article_fbe4f648-0234-5f41-a6a8-93153c74cc36.html | 2022-08-20T02:02:37Z |
Biden honors Walter Mondale as one of America’s ‘great giants’ at memorial service
By Sam Fossum and Paul LeBlanc, CNN
President Joe Biden on Sunday honored former Vice President Walter Frederick “Fritz” Mondale as one of America’s “great giants” during a deeply personal memorial service address in Minneapolis.
Mondale, who served as vice president under Democratic President Jimmy Carter, died at 93 in April of last year.
“There are two ways of spreading light — to be a candle or the mirror that reflects it. Fritz was both the candle and the mirror in my view,” Biden said during the memorial service at the University of Minnesota.
Throughout his remarks, the President recalled his decades-long friendship with Mondale as he urged the nation to follow the late Minnesotan’s example. “He was loved by the American people because he reflected the goodness of the American people,” Biden said.
In a particularly poignant moment, the President recalled the tragic car accident in which his then-wife Neilia Hunter Biden and daughter Naomi died, and talked about how Mondale and his wife, the late Joan Mondale, were there for him.
“They helped me find my purpose in a sea of darkness and pain,” Biden said.
Mondale had served as Carter’s No. 2 between 1977 and 1981, but his single term as vice president came to an end when Ronald Reagan and his running mate, George H. W. Bush, defeated Carter and Mondale in 1980 — a loss that Democrats wouldn’t recover from until 1992, when Bill Clinton helped the party win back control of the White House.
Still, Mondale won the Democratic presidential nomination himself in 1984, and helped make history by naming US Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro of New York as his running mate — the first woman nominated to the presidential ticket of a major US political party. Mondale ultimately lost to the incumbent Reagan.
In an email to former staffers obtained by CNN at the time of his death, Mondale acknowledged in a moving message that his “time has come.”
“Before I Go I wanted to let you know how much you mean to me. Never has a public servant had a better group of people working at their side! Together we have accomplished so much and I know you will keep up the good fight,” Mondale wrote.
“Joe in the White House certainly helps,” he added in reference to the President. “I always knew it would be okay if I arrived some place and was greeted by one of you!”
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CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/01/biden-honors-walter-mondale-as-one-of-americas-great-giants-at-memorial-service/ | 2022-05-02T02:21:28Z |
ROME (AP) — The United Nations said Wednesday that the number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis reached all-time high last year and is poised to hit “appalling” new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production.
Almost 193 million people in 53 countries suffered acute food insecurity in 2021 due to what the U.N. said was a “toxic triple combination” of conflict, weather extremes and the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.N. said the total number of people without adequate food every day increased by 40 million last year, confirming a “worrisome trend” of annual increases over several years.
The figures appeared in the Global Report on Food Crisis, which is produced jointly by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Program and the European Union.
Countries experiencing protracted conflicts, including Afghanistan, Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, had the most food-insecure populations, according to the report.
The report forecasts that Somalia will face one of the world’s worst food crises in 2022 due to prolonged drought, increasing food prices and persistent violence. The various factors could lead 6 million Somalis into acute food crisis, the U.N. said.
“Today, if more is not done to support rural communities, the scale of the devastation in terms of hunger and lost livelihoods will be appalling,” the U.N. said. “Urgent humanitarian action is needed on a massive scale to prevent that from happening.”
The war in Ukraine poses further risks for Somalia and many other African countries that reply on Ukraine and Russia for wheat, fertilizer and other food supplies.
The United Nations previously said the war was helping to send prices for commodities such as grains and vegetable oils to record highs, threatening millions with hunger and malnourishment.
“When we look at the consequences of what’s happening as a result of the war in Ukraine, there is real cause for concern of how this will amplify the acute food needs that exist in these food crisis countries,” said Rein Paulsen, director of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s office of emergencies and resilience.
The report called for greater investment in agriculture and appealed for $1.5 billion to help farmers in at-risk regions with the upcoming planting season to help stabilize and increase local food production.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/un-record-number-of-people-without-enough-to-eat-in-2021/ | 2022-05-05T05:01:40Z |
Community makes a big splash for Special Olympics Kansas
Published: May. 14, 2022 at 11:13 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Topeka community made a big splash Saturday to raise money for Special Olympics athletes.
Community members were joined by officials from the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the athletes themselves.
The event is called “Solar Splash” and was held at the Midwest Health Aquatic Center.
Participants could pay a $75 dollar entry fee or fundraise for Special Olympics Kansas to cover the cost.
The organization said every dollar helps keep more than 4,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities playing throughout the year.
WIBW-TV is a proud sponsor of the Solar Splash.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/15/community-makes-big-splash-special-olympics-kansas/ | 2022-05-15T05:20:47Z |
Delgado is recognized on the 2022 Trailblazing Policy Makers list for her change-making achievements
MADISON, N.J., May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Realogy (NYSE: RLGY), the leading and most integrated provider of U.S. residential real estate services, proudly announces the recognition of Senior Vice President and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer Shacara Delgado by Executive Women of New Jersey's (EWNJ) during the 2022 Salute to the Policy Makers Gala earlier this week. The recognition celebrates the contributions of high-achieving New Jersey women leaders from the private and the public sectors.
"It's an absolute honor to be recognized by Executive Women of New Jersey with so many of my incredible peers who inspire me to continue paving a path for women in business," said Delgado. "I'm proud of Realogy's commitment to operating with unwavering integrity, especially when it comes to creating new professional opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups."
Delgado joined Realogy in 2002 and was appointed Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer in June 2019. She leads Realogy's Ethics & Compliance program, which has been recognized for 11 consecutive years by Ethisphere as part of the World's Most Ethical Companies designation. Under her leadership, Realogy released a refreshed Code of Ethics in 2021 and the companion Key Employment Policies, incorporating evolving business requirements and best practices. In addition to leading the company's compliance program, she manages employment, benefits, and contractor relations legal matters.
"Shacara has been an incredibly effective leader in spearheading Realogy's ongoing commitment to business ethics, so it's fitting to see her name alongside the accomplished leaders on this list," said Marilyn Wasser, Realogy Executive Vice President and General Counsel. "Shacara's exceptional dedication to her team and the betterment of our industry has established her both as an expert and a role model for the aspiring leaders in our organization."
EWNJ is a leading executive women's organization committed to increasing the presence of women on boards and in top leadership positions within New Jersey companies. This year's Salute to the Policy Makers Gala honored 32 of New Jersey's most accomplished women leaders in business, government, and academia.
"We're proud to spotlight Shacara Delgado alongside the other groundbreaking leaders on this list at this year's gala because of what their presence represents for women in the workplace," explained Anna María Tejada, President of EWNJ and Partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP. "It is undeniable that there is an abundance of talented and highly capable women leaders, yet women continue to be severely underrepresented on boards and in the senior leadership of public, private, and civic organizations, especially in the wake of the pandemic, which had an outsized impact on women. That's why we felt this list was particularly timely in the current economic climate. It is crucial to showcase the impact of women's leadership, and to recognize the talent, expertise, and experience that we bring to the workplace."
The full list of honorees recognized at the 2022 Salute to the Policy Makers Gala is available here. More information about Realogy's commitment to ethics, integrity and its dedication to responsible corporate citizenship can be found in the 2021 Realogy Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
Realogy is consistently recognized for its culture of inclusion, integrity, and innovation, including as one of Forbes' 2021 World's Best Employers and World's Top Female Friendly Companies, a Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year, and one of LinkedIn's Top Companies in the U.S. for the second year in a row. Visit www.realogy.com or follow @Realogy on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to learn more.
About Realogy
Realogy (NYSE: RLGY) is moving the real estate industry to what's next. As the leading and most integrated provider of U.S. residential real estate services encompassing franchise, brokerage, relocation, and title and settlement businesses as well as a mortgage joint venture, Realogy supported approximately 1.5 million home transactions in 2021. The company's diverse brand portfolio includes some of the most recognized names in real estate: Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker Commercial®, Corcoran®, ERA®, and Sotheby's International Realty®. Using innovative technology, data and marketing products, high-quality lead generation programs, and best-in-class learning and support services, Realogy fuels the productivity of its approximately 196,200 independent sales agents in the U.S. and approximately 136,400 independent sales agents in 118 other countries and territories, helping them build stronger businesses and best serve today's consumers. Recognized for 11 consecutive years as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies, Realogy has also been designated a Great Place to Work four years in a row, named one of LinkedIn's Top Companies in the U.S. the past two years, and honored on the Forbes list of World's Best Employers 2021.
About Executive Women's Forum of New Jersey (EWNJ)
EWNJ's mission is to ensure that women have equal opportunities and representation in senior corporate leadership. Through our mentor program and our Graduate Merit Award Program, we are seeking to establish a pipeline for future women leaders to excel and flourish in corporate spaces. We are the largest provider of scholarships to women who are non-traditional graduate students in New Jersey.
In support of our mission, we publish a biennial report on the number of women on boards and in the senior governance of publicly traded companies in New Jersey. This report is the only one of its kind in the state. We also host events to build connections and amplify our work. To learn more about EWNJ, visit www.ewnj.org.
Media Contacts
Realogy
Brianna Patrizio
Brianna.patrizio@realogy.com
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TAIZHOU, China, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jiangsu Recbio Technology Co., Ltd. (the"Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group",Stock code:02179.HK) is pleased to announce that, the Company has recently received the clinical trial approval for its recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine, ReCOV from the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines, approving the Company to conduct a randomized, blinded, active-controlled Phase II clinical trial of ReCOV on healthy subjects aged 18 years or above who have received primary vaccination with two doses of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine to compare the immunogenicity and safety between ReCOV and Pfizer's mRNA vaccine COMIRNATY®. The Company plans to commence clinical enrollment in the near future.
ReCOV is a recombinant COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the Company with its technology platforms including the novel adjuvant and protein engineering platforms, and the adjuvant used therein is the Company's self-developed novel adjuvant BFA03. Based on the relevant studies conducted by the Company, ReCOV can induce high titers of neutralizing antibody and Th1 biased cellular immune responses, and has shown favorable neutralizing effect and immune persistence against variants including Omicron variant and Delta variant. It has a variety of comprehensive advantages, including overall positive safety profile, potential growth in production scale, low production cost, preparation stability, and ability to be stored and transported at room temperature.
About Recbio
Founded in 2012, Recbio is an innovative vaccine company. With the vision of "Become the Leader of Innovative Vaccine in the Future," Recbio takes "Protect Human Health with Best-in-Class Vaccines" as its mission. It has established three major cutting-edge technology platforms including novel adjuvants platform, protein engineering platform, immunological evaluation platform and mRNA vaccine platform. Recbio has a high-value vaccine portfolio consisted of HPV vaccine candidates, COVID-19 vaccine candidates, shingles vaccine candidates, influenza vaccine candidates, adults TB vaccine candidates etc. The core management team has more than 20 years of experience in the development and commercialization of innovative vaccines. For more information, please visit https://www.recbio.cn/.
Forward-looking statements
This Presentation may contain projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, opinions, prospects, results, returns and forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, capital position, strategy and business of the Group which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "plan", "estimate", "seek", "intend", "target", "believe", "potential" and "reasonably possible" or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including the strategic priorities, research and development projects, and any financial, investment and capital targets and any other targets, commitments and ambitions described in writing or verbally herein. Any such forward-looking statements are not a reliable indicator of future performance, as they may involve significant stated or implied assumptions and subjective judgements which may or may not prove to be correct, accurate or complete. There can be no assurance that any of the matters set out in the forward-looking statements are attainable, will actually occur or will be realised or are complete or accurate. The assumptions and judgments may prove to be incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important actors, many of which are outside the control of the Group. There is also no assurance that the Group may develop or market its core products or other pipeline candidates successfully. Actual achievements, results, performance or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those stated, implied and/or reflected in any forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors (including without limitation general market conditions, regulatory changes, geopolitical tensions or data limitations and changes). Any such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of the Group at the date the statements are made, and the Group does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any obligation or duty to update, revise or supplement them if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change. For these reasons, you should not place reliance on, and are expressly cautioned about relying on, any forward-looking statements. No representations or warranties, expressed or implied, are given by or on behalf of the Group as to the achievement or reasonableness of any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, commitments, prospects or returns contained herein.
Please refer to the announcements published by the Company on the websites of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (www.hkexnew.hk) or of the Company (www.recbio.cn) for further details. If there is any inconsistency between this Presentation and the announcements, the announcements shall prevail.
Jiangsu Recbio Technology Co., Ltd.
Investor Inquiry:
Email: ir@recbio.cn
Tel: +86-0523-86818860
Media Inquiry:
Email: media@recbio.cn
Tel: +86-0523-86818860
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SOURCE Jiangsu Recbio Technology Co., Ltd. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/approval-comparative-study-between-recov-mrna-vaccines-by-fda-philippines/ | 2022-08-03T06:03:47Z |
Conference call and webcast to be held today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) today announced top-line efficacy and safety data from the FORWARD Phase 3 clinical trial, a global, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fostamatinib in patients with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA). The trial did not demonstrate statistical significance in the primary efficacy endpoint of durable hemoglobin response in the overall study population. In a post-hoc regional analysis of U.S., Canadian, Australian, and Western European trial sites, patients treated with fostamatinib had a favorable durable hemoglobin response compared to placebo, whereas in the Eastern European trial sites patients did not. Rigel plans to continue analyzing the data to understand the geographical differences in patient disease characteristics and outcomes and discuss these findings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The safety and tolerability profile in the FORWARD trial was consistent with the existing fostamatinib safety database.
Efficacy Results:
The trial includes 90 patients in three pre-specified geographic regions, 14 sites in the U.S., Canada, and Australia; 16 sites in Western Europe (Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, U.K., Netherlands, Norway); and 16 sites in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Serbia). Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive fostamatinib or matching placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint of durable hemoglobin (Hgb) response was defined as achieving a Hgb ≥10 g/dL with an increase from baseline ≥2 g/dL on three consecutive available visits during the 24-week treatment period. The data from the primary endpoint are as follows:
The trial also included key secondary endpoints, including hemoglobin response on at least one visit, change in Hgb from baseline of ≥2 g/dL, use of permitted rescue therapy after week 4, change in Hgb from baseline to end of treatment and change from baseline to week 24 in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale. The data from the secondary endpoints are as follows:
Safety Results:
Across the trial's overall patient population, fostamatinib was generally well-tolerated. The safety profile of the product was consistent with prior clinical experience and no new safety issues were discovered. The most common adverse events (≥10%) with fostamatinib and placebo were diarrhea (26.7% and 6.7%), hypertension (24.4% and 17.8%), fatigue (15.6% and 11.1%), pyrexia (13.3% and 6.7%), nausea (13.3% and 8.9%), and dyspnea (13.3% and 11.1%). There were five deaths on the study (2 with fostamatinib and 3 with placebo), all of which were determined to be unrelated to study drug. The safety results were consistent with the overall safety profile data collected to date, which includes more than 3,900 patients across multiple diseases. Safety results are as follows:
"While we are disappointed in the overall results, which were impacted by a large placebo response rate from Eastern European clinical sites, we are encouraged by the top-line results from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Western Europe. We continue to believe fostamatinib has the potential to benefit patients with wAIHA, a population with a serious unmet medical need," said Raul Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rigel Pharmaceuticals. "We will continue to analyze the data and look forward to discussing our findings with the FDA. On behalf of the entire Rigel team, we are grateful to the patients, their caregivers, and the healthcare professionals who participated in the trial."
"There are currently no approved therapies specifically indicated for wAIHA and the treatments that are currently used have shortcomings related to efficacy, safety, and quality of life," said David Kuter, M.D., D.Phil., Director of Clinical Hematology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Lead Investigator. "On balance, the findings from the U.S., Canadian, Australian, and Western European trial sites are supportive of fostamatinib for the treatment of wAIHA, however, the confounding results from the Eastern European trial sites require further analysis of the data from this trial. I look forward to working with Rigel to better understand these data."
Of the 90 patients that completed the FORWARD Phase 3 study, 71 (79%) enrolled in the open-label extension study. Data from this study will be reported later.
Conference Call and Webcast Today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Rigel will hold a live conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (5:00 a.m. Pacific Time).
Participants can access the live conference call by dialing (877) 407-3088 (domestic) or (201) 389-0927 (international). The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed from the Investor Relations section of the company's website at www.rigel.com. The webcast will be archived and available for replay after the call via the Rigel website.
About AIHA
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare, serious blood disorder in which the immune system produces antibodies that lead to the destruction of the body's own red blood cells. Warm antibody AIHA (wAIHA), which is the most common form of AIHA, is characterized by the presence of antibodies that react with the red blood cell surface at body temperature. wAIHA affects approximately 36,000 adult patients in the U.S.1 and can be a severe, debilitating disease. To date, there are no disease-targeted therapies approved for wAIHA, despite the unmet medical need that exists for these patients.
About the FORWARD Phase 3 Study
Fostamatinib is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in 90 patients with wAIHA who have failed at least one prior treatment. The study will evaluate the efficacy of fostamatinib versus placebo in achieving a durable hemoglobin response, defined as a hemoglobin level ≥ 10 g/dL, with an increase from baseline level of ≥ 2 g/dL, with the response not being attributed to rescue therapy, and durability measure in hemoglobin on three consecutive available visits during the 24-week treatment period. Secondary endpoints include other measures of hemoglobin response, use of rescue medication, and safety.
The FDA has granted fostamatinib Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations for the treatment of patients with wAIHA.
Fostamatinib, commercially available in the U.S. under the brand name TAVALISSE® (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets, is the first and only FDA-approved SYK inhibitor indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment.
About Rigel
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering, developing and providing novel small molecule drugs that significantly improve the lives of patients with hematologic disorders, cancer and rare immune diseases. Rigel's pioneering research focuses on signaling pathways that are critical to disease mechanisms. The company's first FDA approved product is TAVALISSE® (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets, the only oral spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor for the treatment of adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment. The product is also commercially available in Europe, the United Kingdom (TAVLESSE) and Canada (TAVALISSE) for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenia in adult patients.
Fostamatinib is currently being studied in a Phase 3 clinical trial (NCT03764618) for the treatment of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA)2; a Phase 3 clinical trial (NCT04629703) for the treatment of hospitalized high-risk patients with COVID-192; and an NIH/NHLBI-sponsored Phase 3 clinical trial (ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial, NCT04924660) for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.
Rigel's other clinical programs include its interleukin receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) inhibitor program, and a receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase (RIPK) inhibitor program in clinical development with partner Eli Lilly and Company. In addition, Rigel has product candidates in development with partners BerGenBio ASA and Daiichi Sankyo.
For further information, visit www.rigel.com or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
1. Prevalence: A. Zanella, et al, haematologica 2014; 99(10); % Warm AIHA: T. Kalfa; Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2016 Dec 2; 2016(1): 690–697
2. The product for this use or indication is investigational and has not been proven safe or effective by any regulatory authority.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the topline data from the FORWARD trial in patients with wAIHA and our expectations related to the potential and market opportunity for fostamatinib as therapeutic for, among other things, wAIHA. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "potential", "may", "expects", and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Rigel's current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks that the FDA, EMA or other regulatory authorities may make adverse decisions regarding fostamatinib; risks that clinical trials may not be predictive of real-world results or of results in subsequent clinical trials; risks that fostamatinib may have unintended side effects, adverse reactions or incidents of misuses; the availability of resources to develop Rigel's product candidates; market competition; as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Rigel's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022 and subsequent filings. Rigel does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by law.
Contact for Investors & Media:
Jodi Sievers - Rigel Pharmaceuticals
Phone: 650.624.1232
Email: ir@rigel.com
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SOURCE Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/rigel-announces-top-line-results-forward-phase-3-clinical-trial-fostamatinib-patients-with-warm-autoimmune-hemolytic-anemia/ | 2022-06-08T11:36:41Z |
Justice Dept. to review response to Texas school shooting
UVALDE, Texas (AP) — The Justice Department said Sunday it will review the law enforcement response to the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 students and two teachers dead.
The review comes amid mounting pressure and questions about the shifting and at times contradictory information about what happened in the shooting last Tuesday at Robb Elementary School and how police responded.
Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said the review would be conducted in a fair, impartial and independent manner and that the findings would be made public.
The review is being conducted at the request of Uvalde’s mayor, officials said.
In a statement, Coley said the goal of the review is “to provide an independent account of law enforcement actions and response that day, and to identify lessons learned and best practices to help first responders prepare for and respond to active shooter events.”
Handling the review is the department’s Office of Community Policing Services.
Such a review is somewhat rare and most after-action reports that come after a mass shooting are generally compiled by local law enforcement agencies or outside groups.
Authorities revealed on Friday that students and teachers repeatedly begged 911 operators for help even as a police commander told more than a dozen officers to wait in a school hallway. Officials said the commander believed that the suspect was barricaded inside an adjoining classroom and that there was no longer an active attack.
The revelation caused more grief and raised new questions about whether more lives were lost because officers did not act faster to stop the gunman, who was ultimately killed by Border Patrol tactical officers.
Biden has not spoken publicly about the police response to the shooting.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/29/justice-dept-review-response-texas-school-shooting/ | 2022-05-29T17:37:43Z |
ATLANTA, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Progress Learning, LLC, a leading nationwide provider of online K-12 standards-aligned learning solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Horizon Education, LLC, a provider of postsecondary readiness programs aimed at helping high school students prepare for graduation and college entrance exams, including the SAT, PSAT, ACT, and PreACT.
This acquisition comes on the heels of the integration and merger of USATestprep, an online platform for grades 3-12 standards-aligned learning tools, and Education Galaxy, an online learning solutions provider for K-8 e-learning programs, to create Progress Learning, LLC. With the addition of Horizon Education, Progress Learning is further establishing itself as a premier standards-aligned content solution across every grade level, from kindergarten to elementary school, middle school, and high school.
The acquisition upgrades Progress Learning's high school experience. In more than 20 states across the country, the SAT and ACT are not just considered college entrance exams; they're also used as required summative assessments for high school graduation. Unlike other SAT/ACT preparation tools sold directly to consumers, Horizon Education partners directly with high schools to equip students with the resources they need to master these exams.
Horizon Education will become the fifth product in the Progress Learning suite of education tools, which now includes Progress Learning Elementary School, Liftoff for Adaptive Intervention, Progress Learning Middle School, Progress Learning High School, and Horizon Education.
"We're thrilled to bring Horizon Education on board our K-12 solution," said Will Clemens, Chief Executive Officer of Progress Learning. "In 2020, we identified the best elementary education solution in Education Galaxy, and now, we're adding the best college preparation solution, Horizon Education, to our leading middle and high school product. These integrations will allow Progress Learning to be a first-in-class solution for all students, no matter whether they're just entering kindergarten or thinking about life after high school."
The strategic partnership allows Progress Learning to continue offering the best products from experts in their respective fields. Founded in 2013, Dustin Bainbridge created Horizon Education after leveraging years of test preparation experience at the Princeton Review. Serving students through their high schools across 25 states, Horizon Education is committed to college readiness for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status. They provide equitable access and resources to students, families, and educators by partnering with districts and schools. Their powerful solutions and professional development tools help educators measure and analyze growth over time with diagnostic PSAT, SAT, PreACT, and ACT-aligned assessments, including detailed score reports and analysis.
"Our missions at Horizon Education and Progress Learning are perfectly aligned, which is why we couldn't be more pleased to join their family of products," said Dustin Bainbridge, CEO of Horizon Education. "We have always believed that education is a civil right and the cornerstone to our democracy, and as part of Progress Learning, we will continue to help students pave the way toward success on their postsecondary path."
Progress Learning provides a comprehensive, standards-aligned instructional resource and content solution for grades K-12. Bringing over 30 years of combined education and classroom experience, Progress Learning has transformed the teaching and learning experience for thousands of school districts and millions of students by providing innovative, high-quality, tech-enabled education solutions, progress monitoring, and standards-aligned content created by veteran classroom teachers. Progress Learning has served more than 4 million students per year in 4,000 school districts nationwide across 50 states. More information can be found at progresslearning.com.
Progress Learning Locations:
Dallas Office
2201 N Central Expy #121
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 1-844-542-5299
Media Contacts:
Progress Learning
Name: Nancy Rothman
Title: VP, Marketing
Email: nancy@progresslearning.com
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SOURCE Progress Learning | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/progress-learning-acquires-horizon-education-strengthen-enhance-college-test-prep-offering/ | 2022-06-23T16:13:30Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Inotiv, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOTV) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
Class Period: September 21, 2021 to June 13, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 22, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in NOTV:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/inotiv-notv-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=30434&from=4
Inotiv, Inc. NEWS - NOTV NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Inotiv, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Inotiv's acquisition, Envigo RMS, LL ("Envigo"), and Inotiv's Cumberland, Virginia facility (the "Cumberland Facility") engaged in widespread and flagrant violations of the Animal Welfare Act ("AWA"); (2) Envigo and Inotiv's Cumberland Facility continuously violated the AWA; (3) Envigo and Inotiv did not properly remedy issues with regards to animal welfare at the Cumberland Facility; (4) as a result, Inotiv was likely to face increased scrutiny and governmental action; (5) Inotiv would imminently shut down two facilities, including the Cumberland Facility; (6) Inotiv did not engage in proper due diligence; and (7) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Inotiv you have until August 22, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Inotiv securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the NOTV lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/inotiv-notv-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=30434&from=4.
ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/notv-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-22-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-inotiv-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-08-02T11:16:37Z |
CHICAGO, July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Enova International (NYSE: ENVA), a leading financial technology company powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence, announced today that during June the company closed $550 million of additional funding capacity. A new two-year $420 million small business securitization warehouse with two new bank lenders was priced at 271 basis points over the applicable base index and will support funding small business customer demand.
Additionally, the company's existing secured revolving corporate credit facility, which is used for working capital and other general business purposes, was increased by $130 million to $440 million. The maturity of the facility was extended to June 2026 and is priced at SOFR plus 350 basis points.
"The new small business facility and meaningful increase in our corporate revolving line of credit further enhances our solid liquidity profile and financial flexibility," said Steve Cunningham, CFO of Enova. "The attractive terms reflect the solid credit performance of our portfolio and strength of our bank partnerships."
In addition to cash and marketable securities, Enova ended the second quarter with more than $800 million in capacity on its committed securitization facilities and secured corporate revolver.
About Enova
Enova International (NYSE: ENVA) is a leading financial technology company providing online financial services through its artificial intelligence and machine learning powered lending platform. Enova serves the needs of non-prime consumers and small businesses, who are frequently underserved by traditional banks. Enova has provided more than 7 million customers with over $40 billion in loans and financing with market leading products that provide a path for them to improve their financial health. You can learn more about the company and its brands at www.enova.com.
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SOURCE Enova International, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/enova-increases-funding-capacity-by-550-million-with-recent-transactions/ | 2022-07-05T14:38:08Z |
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- Couple faces animal cruelty charges after leaving dogs without food or water | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/central_texas_news/article_e4a3d9c6-0b87-11ed-92ec-c7d087204bbf.html | 2022-07-24T23:47:34Z |
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Poseida Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company utilizing proprietary genetic engineering platform technologies to create cell and gene therapeutics with the capacity to cure, today announced that the Company's Chief Financial Officer, Johanna Mylet, will present virtually at the H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference being held in New York, NY from September 12-14, 2022. The on-demand session will become available at 7:00am ET on September 12, 2022.
A webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investors & Media Section of Poseida's website, www.poseida.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the presentation.
About Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.
Poseida Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to utilizing our proprietary genetic engineering platform technologies to create next generation cell and gene therapeutics with the capacity to cure. We have discovered and are developing a broad portfolio of product candidates in a variety of indications based on our core proprietary platforms, including our non-viral piggyBac® DNA Delivery System, Cas-CLOVER™ Site-specific Gene Editing System and nanoparticle- and AAV-based gene delivery technologies. Our core platform technologies have utility, either alone or in combination, across many cell and gene therapeutic modalities and enable us to engineer our portfolio of product candidates that are designed to overcome the primary limitations of current generation cell and gene therapeutics. To learn more, visit www.poseida.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Investor contact:
Alex Lobo
Stern Investor Relations
Alex.lobo@sternir.com
Media contact:
Sarah Thailing
Senior Director, Corporate Communications and IR
Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.
858-605-3717
sthailing@poseida.com
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SOURCE Poseida Therapeutics, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/poseida-therapeutics-present-hc-wainwright-24th-annual-global-investment-conference/ | 2022-09-07T21:15:29Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Weber Inc. ("Weber" or the "Company") (NYSE: WEBR) of a class action securities lawsuit.
CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Weber investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud. This lawsuit is on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Weber Class A common stock pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the Company's August 2021 initial public offering. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:
WEBR investors may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500.
CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that defendants made false statements and/or concealed that: (1) Weber was reasonably likely to implement price increases; (2) as a result, consumer demand for Weber's products was reasonably likely to decrease; (3) due to the resulting inventory buildup, Weber was reasonably likely to run promotions to "enhance retail sell through"; (4) the foregoing would adversely impact Weber's financial results; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects, were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Weber during the relevant time frame, you have until September 27, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you are a class member, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket costs or fees. There is no cost or obligation to participate.
WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, the team at Levi & Korsinsky has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. Our firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10006
jlevi@levikorsinsky.com
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
www.zlk.com
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SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/webr-lawsuit-alert-levi-amp-korsinsky-notifies-weber-inc-investors-class-action-lawsuit-upcoming-deadline/ | 2022-08-18T11:04:25Z |
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum’s expensive effort to influence the GOP primary and reshape the Legislature with more people who support his spending and policy goals was a mixed bag, with one of his main political foes ousted but some others winning their races.
Burgum, a wealthy former Microsoft executive, gave more than $1.2 million ahead of Tuesday’s primary to a political action committee that spent against certain lawmakers, including some from the North Dakota GOP’S ultraconservative wing. The second-term governor also gave more than $3 million to the PAC in 2020 with similarly mixed results.
Burgum has declined interviews with The Associated Press to talk about his campaign spending. In a statement Wednesday, Burgum congratulated the winning candidates and said the election “saw healthy and spirited competition which is a win for North Dakota voters.”
Burgum’s PAC named eight districts it was targeting. Based on advertising the PAC paid for, three of Burgum’s likely preferred Senate candidates won, while three lost. At least seven House candidates likely supported by the governor in those districts will advance this fall, while four will not.
Burgum’s biggest win — and probably the costliest campaign — came with the defeat of state Rep. Jeff Delzer, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee who has clashed with the governor of policy and spending priorities.
Burgum supported political newcomers Anna Novak and Mark Pierce for two seats in the district, one occupied by Delzer and one held by incumbent Republican Bill Tviet, who is not part of the ultraconservative Bastiat Caucus. Novak and Tviet were the top vote-getters and will move on to the November election unopposed to represent the sprawling rural area northwest of Bismarck.
Burgum’s spending flooded the airwaves, internet and mailboxes with advertising backing his candidates.
Tviet called Burgum’s spending “unfair and unethical — it was garbage.”
“He was trying to get us both out of there,” Tviet said Wednesday.
Delzer, a farmer who has served in the Legislature since the early 1990s, did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday.
It’s not the first time Burgum successfully spent money defeating Dezler. He also lost two years, but Burgum’s hand-picked candidate died after winning the election, and Republicans chose Delzer to fill the seat.
In other races Tuesday, Republican state Rep. Jeff Magrum, a plumber and rancher, won a Senate seat over a Burgum-backed candidate. Two GOP-endorsed House members also prevailed over moderate candidates backed by Burgum.
Magrum is one of the Legislature’s most conservative members. He has fought mask mandates and falsely contends Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election. He unsuccessfully pushed an abortion ban and successfully pushed legislation that allows someone to use deadly force without retreating in certain circumstances.
Burgum’s focus and advertising for his preferred candidates in the rural district south of Bismarck was a turnoff to many voters, Magrum said.
“So many people were so upset about the many fliers in their mailboxes” Magrum said. “The older people were really irritated.”
“People just don’t want their Legislature bought and paid for by (Burgum),” Magrum said.
Magrum last year sought to prohibit a North Dakota governor from giving cash or endorsing a member of the Legislature, but his bill failed.
Burgum and his supporters say the spending is a form of free speech.
North Dakota Republican Party Chairman Perrie Schafer said the makeup of the Legislature will remain largely the same, with ultraconservatives making little inroads in the GOP-dominated chamber
“Certainly, some from the far right won and some moderate Republicans won,” he said. “I’m not sure the calculus in the Legislature has changed.” | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/nd-governor-targets-fellow-republicans-to-mixed-results/ | 2022-06-16T15:57:49Z |
The three White men who killed Ahmaud Arbery each could receive another life sentence on August 8, when they are due to appear in federal court in Georgia to learn how they will be punished for convictions on hate crime charges.
Travis McMichael, one of the three White men convicted in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, was sentenced Monday to life in prison plus 10 years after his federal convictions this year on interference with rights -- a hate crime -- along with attempted kidnapping and weapon use charges.
His father Gregory McMichael and their neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan are due to be sentenced later Monday at the same Georgia courthouse on convictions of the same federal charges. All three already are serving life sentences for their convictions in state court on a series of charges related to the killing of the 25-year-old Black man, including felony murder.
Travis McMichael, his father and Bryan were found guilty of the federal charges in February, with the jury accepting prosecutors' argument the defendants acted out of racial animus toward Arbery. Travis McMichael, who fatally shot Arbery, was also found guilty of using and carrying a Remington shotgun while his father, Gregory was found guilty of using and carrying a .357 Magnum revolver.
Travis McMichael's life sentence, along with 20 years on the attempted kidnapping charge, is to be served concurrently with his state sentence, US District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood ruled Monday, with the additional 10 years on the weapons charge to be served consecutively. The judge ruled Travis McMichael did not have the funds to pay a fine.
Arbery's killing, months before the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, were in some ways harbingers of the nationwide protests that erupted that summer as demonstrators decried how people of color sometimes are treated by law enforcement.
To make their case, federal prosecutors focused on how each defendant had spoken about Black people in public and in private, using inflammatory, derogatory and racist language.
Prosecutors and Arbery's family had said he was out for a jog -- a common pastime for the former high school football player -- on February 23, 2020, when the defendants chased and killed him in their neighborhood outside Brunswick, Georgia.
Defense attorneys argued the McMichaels pursued Arbery in a pickup truck through neighborhood streets to stop him for police, believing he matched the description of someone captured in footage recorded at a home under construction. Prosecutors acknowledged Arbery had entered the home in the past, but he never took anything.
The defense also argued Travis McMichael shot Arbery in self-defense as they wrestled over McMichael's shotgun. Bryan joined the pursuit in his own truck after seeing the McMichaels follow Arbery in their pickup as he ran; Bryan recorded video of the shooting.
Two prosecutors initially instructed Glynn County police not to make arrests, and the defendants weren't arrested for more than two months -- and only after Bryan's video of the killing surfaced, sparking the nationwide outcry.
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LINCOLN, Neb., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Midwest Holding Inc. ("Midwest") (NASDAQ: MDWT), today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2022.
First Quarter 2022 Highlights:
- GAAP net income was $187,000 compared to a $(1.6) million GAAP net loss incurred in the first quarter of 2021. GAAP earnings were 5 cents per share (diluted) versus the (43) cent per-share loss in Q1 2021.
- GAAP total revenue was $2.6 million compared to the negative total revenue of $(614,000) in the first quarter of 2021. Driving the year-over-year improvement in total revenue was increased net investment income, as invested assets grew to $1.1 billion as of March 31, 2022, compared with $693 million as of March 31, 2021, along with service fee revenue.
- Annuity direct written premium under statutory accounting principles ("SAP"), a non-GAAP measure, was $98.1 million compared with $123.7 million in 2021's first quarter and $104.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The mix of our new business was 26% Multiyear Guaranteed Annuities (MYGA) and 74% Fixed Income Annuities (FIA).
- Ceded premiums (SAP) were $40.1 million compared with $47.5 million in the year-earlier quarter. The cession rate, or that portion of our written premiums that we reinsured, was 40.9% compared with 38.4%.
- Total expenses benefited from negative interest credited due to the fall in value of the options embedded in our liabilities and the gain on mark-to-market value of the options allowance classified in other operating expenses.
Georgette Nicholas, CEO of Midwest noted, "During the first quarter, we took action to position the Company for further growth relating to pricing, products, and investing in technology and foundational capabilities. We saw encouraging trends in premiums written at the end of the first quarter and into the second quarter. We are benefiting from movements in interest rates in our investment portfolio along with the capabilities we have been developing and saw service fee revenue continue to grow. Overall, the first quarter has provided a base for us to continue to expand on."
Ms. Nicholas concluded: "Our opportunities are substantial to build on the value of our platform. The focus of the team continues to be on the key drivers of growth and profitability: Deepening distribution relationships, state expansion to achieve sales growth, reinsurance, investment management, and operational readiness and efficiency. With these five keys to our strategy, we will deliver on our commitment to shareholders to produce strong growth paired with a high return on capital."
Q1 2022 versus Q1 2021 on a GAAP basis
Midwest reported GAAP net income of $187,000 in the first quarter of 2022 compared to a $(1.6) million GAAP net loss incurred in the first quarter of 2021. On a diluted, per-share basis, this year's quarterly net income was 5 cents compared with the (43)-cent per-share loss reported in the first quarter of 2021.
Investment income in 2022's first quarter was $6.2 million compared with $2.9 million in the prior- year's quarter. Driving the change was an increase in invested assets and from performance on those assets benefiting from core capabilities developed on sourcing assets with higher yield generating approximately a 5.5% return on the investment portfolio.
Amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance reached $970,000 in first quarter of 2022 compared with $461,000 in the first quarter of 2021 primarily due to growth in the deferred gain on co-insurance on our balance sheet, which reflects ceding commissions received on reinsurance of business to third parties.
Service fee revenue rose to $1.1 million versus $438,000 in the year-earlier March quarter. Service fee revenue consists of fee revenue generated for our asset-management services provided to third-party clients. Assets under management for third parties was $455.4 million at March 31, 2022.
Other revenue finished at $448,000 compared with $249,000 in the prior-year quarter. Other revenue consists primarily of revenue we generate by providing ancillary services, such as policy administration, to third parties and policy surrender charges.
Our total expenses on a GAAP basis were a negative $3.3 million versus a negative $445,000 in the prior- year's quarter. Total expenses were helped by negative interest credited due to the decrease in value of the options embedded in our liabilities of $2.0 million and an increase in mark-to-market value of our options allowance of $6.4 million. Salaries and benefits were $4.3 million in Q1 2022 compared to $2.9 million in Q1 2021 as we added personnel, built processes, and worked on technology initiatives.
Guidance
We continue to see intense competition in the annuity market through aggressive pricing. We have taken actions to maintain a competitive position and have seen positive results from these actions and improved sales momentum into the second quarter.
State expansion efforts remains a key priority. We have active applications in process and anticipate additional filings this quarter and expect to have more to say on this later in the year.
Given these dynamics, we are affirming our guidance for 2022 based on our current view of our business and the annuity sales market. Anticipated premiums written are expected to be in the range of $500 million to $600 million (SAP), influenced by state expansion, independent marketing organization ("IMO") expansion reallocated personnel and other initiatives. We continue to expect the mix in product sales to be consistent with that of 2021.
The goal is to cede, on average, approximately 70-90% of our premium in the year to generate ceded commission fees and manage capital. Demand from our reinsurance partners is strong and we have capacity in place to cover anticipated written premium through existing reinsurers that have the potential to grow along with additional potential reinsurance transactions in the pipeline.
We are working to bring general and administrative expenses on a management basis, a non-GAAP measure, to be approximately $27 to 28 million for the full year 2022.
Finance Team Update
The Company also announced today that it has transitions on its finance team. Daniel S. Maloney will be joining as the Executive Vice President of Accounting and Finance on May 23, 2022. Mr. Maloney is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry at companies including Players Health, Horace Mann, American Fidelity, and AIG. He has a background in public accounting. He has worked in various finance roles related to SEC reporting, statutory reporting, and controllership. Eric N. Berg will be stepping down as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 16, 2022. Mr. Berg's departure is not related to any disagreement relating to the Company's accounting, strategy, management, operations, policies, regulatory matters, or practices (financial or otherwise).
Ms. Nicholas will serve as both the CEO and the Chief Financial Officer in the interim. The Company will initiate a search to find its next Chief Financial Officer and will consider internal and external candidates in due course.
Q1 2022 Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to GAAP measures, Midwest's management utilizes a series of key performance indicators (KPIs) and non-GAAP measures to, among other things:
1) monitor and evaluate the performance of our business operations and financial performance;
2) facilitate internal comparisons of the historical operating performance of our business operations;
3) review and assess the operating performance of our management team;
4) analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions regarding future operations;
5) plan for and prepare future annual operating budgets and determine appropriate levels of operating investments; and
6) facilitate comparison of results between periods and to better understand the underlying historical trends in our business and prospects.
These non-GAAP measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures; however, management believes that when used in conjunction with the GAAP measures, the non-GAAP measures can contribute to investors' understanding of our business. Non-GAAP financial measures used by us may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered along with, but not as alternatives to, our operating performance measures as prescribed by GAAP.
Annuity Premiums (a KPI)
For the first quarter of 2022, annuity direct written premiums were $98.1 million compared with $123.7 million in the first quarter of 2021 reflecting competitive annuity sales environment. Ceded premiums were $40.1 in 2022's first quarter compared with $47.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. Of the first quarter 2022 sales of $98.1 million, approximately 26 % was in the MYGA category and the remaining 74 % consisted of sales of FIAs.
Fees Received for Reinsurance (a KPI)
We use this non-GAAP figure to measure our efforts to secure third-party capital to back our reinsurance programs. Fees Received for Reinsurance sums two components: Amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance, which is a line item in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), and deferred coinsurance ceding commission, which is a line item in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
For the first quarter of 2022, fees received for reinsurance totaled $2.4 million compared with $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2021.
General and Administrative Expenses (a non-GAAP measure)
We monitor this figure to track our overhead. It includes salary and benefits and other operating expenses; however, it excludes non-cash stock-based compensation and the non-cash mark-to-market-adjustment of our option budget allowance.
G&A expense in the March 2022 quarter was $8.9 million compared with $5.3 million in the prior year's March quarter. The increase was to support the potential growth in the business and reflected costs incurred to attract talent, for legal and consulting to support transactions, investment structures, state expansion efforts, and technology initiatives.
Management Expenses (a non-GAAP measure)
We use this metric to monitor the expenses of our business on a cash basis. Importantly, we exclude from the calculation of management expenses the index interest credited related to our FIAs because this expense is hedged. Instead, we add back to Management Expenses the period's amortization of options previously purchased to provide this hedge. We view this amortized cost as our true cost of funds. Management Expenses also excludes the mark-to-market adjustment of our option budget allowance. Management Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the sum of salaries and benefits and other operating expenses totaled $2.5 million compared to $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, as disclosed above, included in these expenses is mainly salaries, benefits and other operating expenses, along with $6.4 million of non-cash mark-to-market option allowance of our derivative option allowance, which we exclude in our management G&A.
SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference in this release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could," "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "intend," or "continue," the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology used in connection with any discussion of future operating results or financial performance. These statements are only predictions and reflect our management's good faith present expectation of future events and are subject to a number of important factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or projected, forecast, estimated or budgeted in such forward-looking statements include among others, the following possibilities:
- intense competition, including the intensification of price competition, competitive pressures from established insurers with greater financial resources, the entry of new competitors, and the introduction of new products by new and existing competitors;
- our business plan, particularly including our reinsurance strategy, may not prove to be successful;
- our reliance on third-party insurance marketing organizations to market and sell our annuity insurance products through a network of independent agents;
- adverse changes in our ratings obtained from independent rating agencies;
- failure to maintain adequate reinsurance;
- our inability to expand our insurance operations outside the 21 states and District of Columbia in which we are currently licensed;
- our annuity insurance products may not achieve significant market acceptance;
- we may continue to experience operating losses in the foreseeable future;
- the possible loss or retirement of one or more of our key executive personnel;
- adverse state and federal legislation or regulation, including decreases in rates, limitations on premium levels, increases in minimum capital and reserve requirements, benefit mandates and tax treatment of insurance products;
- fluctuations in interest rates causing a reduction of investment income or increase in interest expense and in the market value of interest-rate sensitive investment;
- failure to obtain new customers, retain existing customers, or reductions in policies in force by existing customers;
- higher service, administrative, or general expense due to the need for additional advertising, marketing, administrative or management information systems expenditures;
- changes in our liquidity due to changes in asset and liability matching;
- possible claims relating to sales practices for insurance products; and
- lawsuits in the ordinary course of business.
Earnings Teleconference information and Details
Midwest Holding has announced plans to host a conference call to discuss financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2022 on May 17, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The Company also posted those results on the investor relations section of its website at https://ir.midwestholding.com after the close of the financial markets on May 16, 2022.
To register for this conference call, please go to this link https://www.incommglobalevents.com/registration/q4inc/10823/midwest-holding-inc-q12022/.
Registrants will receive confirmation with dial-in details.
The call may also be accessed via webcast, using this link https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/588008611.
A replay of the webcast will be made available after the call on the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at https://ir.midwestholding.com
About Midwest Holding Inc.
Midwest Holding Inc. is a growing, technology-enabled, services-oriented annuity platform. Midwest designs and develops annuity products that are distributed through independent distribution channels, to a large and growing demographic of U.S. retirees. Midwest originates, manages and typically transfers these annuities through reinsurance arrangements to asset managers and other third-party investors. Midwest also provides the operational and regulatory infrastructure and expertise to enable asset managers and third-party investors to form and manage their own reinsurance capital vehicles.
For more information, please visit www.midwestholding.com
Investor contact: ir@midwestholding.com
Media inquiries: press@midwestholding.com
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SOURCE Midwest Holding Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/midwest-holding-inc-reports-first-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-05-16T21:55:04Z |
Ohio gunman appeared to threaten FBI after Trump search
WILMINGTON, Ohio (WXIX/Gray News) - A gunman who died in a shootout after trying to get inside the FBI’s Cincinnati office appeared to have posted calls on social media for FBI agents to be killed and for people to take up arms and “be ready for combat” in the wake of the search at Donald Trump’s home, a law enforcement official said.
Federal investigators are examining social media accounts they believe are tied to the gunman, 42-year-old Ricky Shiffer, and posts that urged violence after the FBI entered Mar-a-Lago in Florida, according to the official, who was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
At least one of the social media messages appeared to have been posted after Shiffer tried to breach the FBI office. It said: “If you don’t hear from me, it is true I tried attacking the F.B.I.,” according to the official.
An autopsy will be performed on the suspect Friday. Officials said he fled from the FBI office to a farm field several miles away then used his car for cover as he exchanged gunfire with law enforcement.
He was killed following an hours-long standoff.
The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office said Shiffer’s body arrived at their morgue at about 10 p.m. Thursday. Clinton County has a contract with Montgomery County to handle its autopsies, according to Clinton County’s Emergency Management Agency director.
Law enforcement officials also are investigating whether Shiffer, who is from Columbus, had ties to far-right extremist groups including the Proud Boys, the Associated Press reports, citing an unnamed official.
Shiffer is believed to have been in Washington in the days leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, and may have been present at the U.S. Capitol building on the day of the attack, the AP reports.
He was armed with a nail gun and AR-15 rifle when he went to the FBI office and tried to breach the visitor screening facility around 9:15 a.m. Thursday, officials said.
An FBI Cincinnati statement late Thursday night called the incident an “agent-involved shooting,” though the jurisdiction of the officer or officers who killed the man remains unclear.
No law enforcement officers or bystanders were hurt.
“Unfounded attacks on the integrity of the FBI erode respect for the rule of law and are a grave disservice to the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect others,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement Thursday night.
“Violence and threats against law enforcement, including the FBI, are dangerous and should be deeply concerning to all Americans. Every day I see the men and women of the FBI doing their jobs professionally and with rigor, objectivity, and a fierce commitment to our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution. I am proud to serve alongside them.”
The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of domestic extremism, according to the law enforcement official.
Copyright 2022 WXIX via Gray Media Group, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to the report. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/12/ohio-gunman-appeared-threaten-fbi-after-trump-search/ | 2022-08-12T16:50:59Z |
COLUMBIA, Md. and HOUSTON, Aug. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Universities Space Research Association's David Kring at the Lunar and Planetary Institute was a coauthor on the paper "Cryogeomorphic Characterization of Shadowed Regions in the Artemis Exploration Zone" published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Imagine a world where the Sun never passes overhead and, instead, forever moves in a circle along the horizon, casting long shadows that rotate across the landscape. That world is the lunar south polar region, soon to be explored by Artemis astronauts.
Because the Sun hovers near the horizon, the sunken floors of impact craters in the region never see sunlight and lie in perpetual shadow. Those permanently shadowed regions are incredibly cold, less than 100K (or less than -280°F), and approaching absolute zero. At those temperatures, water vapor and other volatile substances may be frozen in lunar soils, even though that soil is exposed to the vacuum of space.
The potential for ice makes those shadowed crater floors intriguing sites to explore. The ice may harbor clues about the delivery and processing of water to the Earth-Moon system. The ice may also provide resources to be used by astronauts for consumption, radiation shielding, and rocket propellant.
But designing exploration plans into such regions is difficult. What lurks in those shadowed regions? Where within them will our astronauts venture?
That puzzling problem was recently solved by an international team of scientists that developed a method for seeing into those dark regions of the Moon. Their work is published in the current issue of Geophysical Research Letters. The paper is led by Valentin Bickel, a former graduate student intern at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), Houston, and now a postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Dr. Bickel's former LPI mentor, Dr. David Kring, the principal investigator of the LPI-NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, co-authored the study along with Dr. B. Moseley (University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom), Dr. E. Hauber (German Aerospace Center, Berlin, Germany), Dr. M. Shirley (NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, California), and Dr. J.-P. Williams (University of California, Los Angeles).
Areas that were once dark are made visible by using a physics-based, deep learning-driven post-processing tool to produce high-signal and high-resolution Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) images that efficiently capture photons bounced into the shadowed regions from adjacent mountains and crater walls. This allows the team of scientists to provide the world with images of potential exploration regions. As LPI's Dr. Kring explains, "Visible routes into the permanently shadowed regions can now be designed, greatly reducing risks to Artemis astronauts and robotic explorers." The spacesuit being developed for Artemis astronauts will allow them to spend at least two hours in those shadowed terrains. Using the new images, mission planners can direct astronauts to boulders to be sampled in the shadowed domains and locations where trenches can be dug in the soil to evaluate the distribution of any ices.
The authors applied their new technique to images collected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, which has been documenting the Artemis exploration zone for over a decade. The team used those enhanced images to determine that water ice is not visible in sheets covering those shadowed areas. Dr. Bickel says, "There is no evidence of pure surface ice within the shadowed areas, implying that any ice must be mixed with lunar soil or underneath the surface." Dr. Bickel also notes that this work has an immediate impact on the mission delivering NASA's PRIME-1 payload, "We detect an ~50-meter-wide crater and other surface features in a shadowed region that could alter the location where the hopper lander, Micro-Nova, may touch down next year."
The results published in the new paper are part of a comprehensive investigation of potential Artemis landing sites and exploration options on the lunar surface conducted by the LPI-JSC Center for Lunar Science and Exploration. Thus far, the team has examined more than a half-dozen potential landing sites for Artemis astronauts and complementary robotic missions.
Dr. Kring's work was supported by NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI).
Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. USRA engages the university community and employs in-house scientific leadership, innovative research and development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu.
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), operated by Universities Space Research Association, was established during the Apollo program in 1968 to foster international collaboration and to serve as a repository for information gathered during the early years of the space program. Today, the LPI is an intellectual leader in lunar and planetary science. The Institute serves as a scientific forum attracting world-class visiting scientists, postdoctoral fellows, students, and resident experts; supports and serves the research community through newsletters, meetings, and other activities; collects and disseminates planetary data while facilitating the community's access to NASA science, and engages, excites, and educates the public about space science and invests in the development of future generations of explorers. The research carried out at the LPI supports NASA's efforts to explore the solar system. More information about LPI is available at www.lpi.usra.edu.
PR Contact:
Suraiya Farukhi, Ph.D.
sfarukhi@usra.edu
443-812-6945 (cell)
Technical Contact:
Dr. David Kring
kring@lpi.usra.edu
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SOURCE Universities Space Research Association | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/shadow-games-exposing-hidden-world-moon/ | 2022-08-26T13:21:13Z |
LIMA, Peru, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Volcan Compañía Minera S.A.A., a publicly held corporation (sociedad anónima abierta) organized under the laws of the Republic of Peru with its principal executive office at Av. Manuel Olguín 373, Santiago de Surco, Lima, Republic of Peru ("Volcan"), hereby announces the commencement of its offer to purchase for cash up to U.S.$100,000,000 aggregate principal amount (subject to increase by Volcan in its sole discretion under the circumstances described in the Statement (as defined below), the "Maximum Tender Amount") of the outstanding notes set forth in the table below (the "Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement dated June 2, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Statement"). Volcan refers to the offer to purchase the Notes as the "Tender Offer". The purpose of the Tender Offer is to acquire the Notes for liability management purposes. Notes purchased in the Tender Offer will be retired and cancelled.
Concurrently with the Tender Offer, Volcan is soliciting (the "Solicitation") from Holders (as defined below) a consent (the "Consent" or in the plural "Consents") to certain proposed amendments described herein (the "Proposed Amendments") to the indenture governing the Notes (the "Indenture"), in order to conform certain covenants in the Indenture to Volcan's other indebtedness instruments, thereby permitting the spin-off or any distribution of the interest held by Volcan or any of its subsidiaries in Cosco Shipping Ports Chancay Perú S.A. and/or Roquel Global S.A.C. without regard to any limitations to the making of restricted payments set forth therein. See "Proposed Amendments to the Indenture" in the Statement. Holders may either tender their Notes in the Tender Offer and thereby consent to the Proposed Amendments in the Solicitation or to not tender their Notes in the Tender Offer but deliver their Consent to the Proposed Amendments in the Solicitation. The Maximum Tender Amount for the Tender Offer shall not apply to the Solicitation. The Proposed Amendments will not become effective until after Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (excluding for such purposes any Notes owned by Volcan, any Subsidiary (as defined in the Indenture), any other obligor under the Notes or any Affiliate (as defined in the Indenture) of Volcan) have delivered Consents to the Proposed Amendments, such Consents have been accepted and, if applicable, Volcan has paid the corresponding consideration to such consenting Holders (the "Participation Condition").
The following table summarizes the payments Holders are eligible to receive for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered and Consents delivered:
The Tender Offer and Solicitation will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on June 30, 2022, or any other date and time to which Volcan extends the Tender Offer and Solicitation (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Expiration Date"), unless earlier terminated. Holders must validly tender their Notes and deliver Consents at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 15, 2022 (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Early Tender and Consent Time") to be eligible to receive the Total Consideration, which includes the Tender Offer Consideration and the Early Tender Premium (which in turn includes the Consent Payment), plus Accrued Interest (as defined below). If you validly tender your Notes and deliver Consents after the Early Tender and Consent Time but at or prior to the Expiration Date, you will be eligible to receive the Tender Offer Consideration for such Notes plus Accrued Interest. You may not tender Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer without delivering Consents pursuant to the Solicitation, but you may deliver Consents pursuant to the Solicitation without tendering your Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. If you deliver Consents at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time, but elect not to tender your Notes in the Tender Offer, you will be eligible to receive the Consent Payment only. Consents will be validly delivered if submitted after the Early Tender and Consent Time but at or prior to the Expiration Date, but no Consent Payment shall be made in respect thereof.
The Total Consideration, the Tender Offer Consideration, the Consent Payment and the Accrued Interest will be payable in cash. Tendered Notes may be validly withdrawn from the Tender Offer and Consents may be revoked at or prior to, but not after, 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 15, 2022 (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Withdrawal Deadline"). A valid withdrawal of tendered Notes by any Holder will constitute the concurrent valid revocation of such Holder's related Consent, and a valid revocation of a Consent will constitute the concurrent valid withdrawal of such Holder's related tendered Notes. Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer and accepted for purchase will be so accepted subject to the Maximum Tender Amount and may be subject to proration, all as more fully described in the Statement. The Maximum Tender Amount for the Tender Offer shall not apply to the Solicitation.
Subject to the Maximum Tender Amount, Volcan intends to accept for purchase all Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time, and will only prorate such Notes if the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time exceeds the Maximum Tender Amount. If Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time are prorated and returned to Holders, those Notes will be deemed to have delivered their Consent, and in turn Holders of such returned Notes will receive only the Consent Payment. If the Tender Offer is not fully subscribed as of the Early Tender and Consent Time, Holders who validly tender Notes after the Early Tender and Consent Time but at or prior to the Expiration Date may be subject to proration among themselves (including the provisions relating to priority in proration described below) if the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Expiration Date exceeds the Maximum Tender Amount. For the avoidance of doubt, if Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender and Consent Time but at or prior to the Expiration Date are prorated and returned to Holders, those returned Notes will not receive the Consent Payment (unless the Early Tender and Consent Time is extended at Volcan's discretion). Subject to the Maximum Tender Amount and proration and subject to the priority in proration described below, all Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time will be accepted for purchase before any Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender and Consent Time are accepted for purchase. Furthermore, if the Tender Offer is fully subscribed as of the Early Tender and Consent Time, Holders who validly tender Notes after the Early Tender and Consent Time will not have any of their Notes accepted for purchase, provided that such Notes may be accepted for purchase if Volcan increases the Maximum Tender Amount, which it is entitled to do in its sole discretion. There can be no assurance that Volcan will increase the Maximum Tender Amount. See "The Tender Offer and Solicitation—Maximum Tender Amount; Proration" in the Statement for more information on the proration provisions applicable to the Tender Offer.
The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon the tender of any minimum principal amount of Notes. The Tender Offer and Solicitation are open to all registered holders (individually, a "Holder," and collectively, the "Holders") of the Notes. The Tender Offer and Solicitation are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the General Conditions (as defined below) and the Participation Condition, as described in the section of the Statement entitled "The Tender Offer and Solicitation—Conditions to the Tender Offer and Solicitation."
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, the consideration for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be the Tender Offer Consideration. Holders of Notes that are validly tendered together with Consents (and not validly withdrawn or revoked, as applicable) at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time will be deemed to have delivered Consents in respect of such tendered Notes and, if accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer, will receive the Total Consideration, which includes the Tender Offer Consideration plus the Early Tender Premium (which in turn includes the Consent Payment). Holders of Notes tendered after the Early Tender and Consent Time, but before the Expiration Date, and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will receive the Tender Offer Consideration, but neither the Early Tender Premium nor the Consent Payment. No tenders will be valid if submitted after the Expiration Date.
Holders may not tender their Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer without delivering their Consents pursuant to the Solicitation, but Holders may deliver Consents pursuant to the Solicitation without tendering their Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. Holders who validly deliver (and do not validly revoke) Consents at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time, without the concurrent tender of the respective Notes, will be entitled to receive only the Consent Payment. No Consent Payment shall be made in respect of any Consent delivered after the Early Tender and Consent Time.
In addition to the Tender Offer Consideration or the Total Consideration, as applicable, all Holders of Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will, on the Early Settlement Date or the Settlement Date (as defined below), also receive accrued and unpaid interest on those Notes from the last interest payment date with respect to those Notes to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date or the Settlement Date, as applicable ("Accrued Interest").
The Tender Offer and Solicitation commence on the date of the Statement and will expire on the Expiration Date, unless extended or earlier terminated by Volcan. No tenders will be valid if submitted after the Expiration Date. Consents will be validly delivered if submitted after the Early Tender and Consent Time but at or prior to the Expiration Date, but no Consent Payment shall be made in respect thereof. If a Nominee (as defined in the Statement) holds Notes on behalf of a beneficial owner, such Nominee may have an earlier deadline for accepting the offer. Any beneficial owner should promptly contact such Nominee that holds its Notes to determine its deadline. The Tender Offer and Solicitation is open to all registered Holders of the Notes. There is no letter of transmittal for this Tender Offer.
Volcan expects to purchase any Notes that have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn (i) at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time and that Volcan chooses to accept for purchase, subject to the Maximum Tender Amount and all conditions to the Tender Offer having been either satisfied or waived by Volcan, as permitted by applicable law, promptly following the Early Tender and Consent Time (the "Early Settlement Date"), (ii) after the Early Tender and Consent Time and at or prior to the Expiration Date and that Volcan chooses to accept for purchase, subject to the Maximum Tender Amount and all conditions to the Tender Offer having been either satisfied or waived by Volcan, as permitted by applicable law, promptly following the Expiration Date (the "Settlement Date"). Subject to the Maximum Tender Amount and proration (including the provisions relating to priority in proration described in the Statement), all Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time will be accepted for purchase before any Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender and Consent Time are accepted for purchase. The Early Settlement Date is expected to occur promptly following the Early Tender and Consent Time and the Settlement Date is expected to occur promptly following the Expiration Date. Notes accepted on either the Early Settlement Date or the Settlement Date, if any, will be accepted subject to the Maximum Tender Amount and proration (including the provisions relating to priority in proration), each as described herein. Even if your tendered Notes are prorated, you will be deemed to have delivered a Consent with respect to all Notes tendered. You will be eligible to receive the Consent Payment in respect of all such Notes that were tendered prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time and that are returned to you due to proration.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Tender Offer and Solicitation, Volcan's obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, any Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer, and its obligation to accept the delivery of, and to pay for, the Consents validly delivered and not validly revoked pursuant to the Solicitation, are subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction of, or Volcan's waiver of, the conditions described in the section of the Statement entitled "The Tender Offer and Solicitation—Conditions to the Tender Offer and Solicitation."
The conditions to the Tender Offer and Solicitation are for the sole benefit of Volcan and may be asserted by Volcan, regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition (including any action or inaction by Volcan). Volcan reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive any and all conditions of the Tender Offer and Solicitation, at or prior to the Early Tender and Consent Time or Expiration Date, as applicable. The Tender Offer is not subject to a minimum principal amount of Notes being tendered. See "The Tender Offer and Solicitation—Conditions to the Tender Offer and Solicitation" in the Statement.
Withdrawal rights with respect to the Notes and revocation rights with respect to any Consents will terminate on the Withdrawal Deadline, unless extended pursuant to applicable law. Accordingly, following the Withdrawal Deadline, any Notes validly tendered (whether before, on or after the Withdrawal Deadline) may no longer be validly withdrawn and any Consents validly delivered (whether before, on or after the Withdrawal Deadline) may no longer be revoked. For the withdrawal of a tendered Note to be valid, such withdrawal must comply with the procedures set forth in the Statement.
Subject to applicable law and the terms set forth in the Statement, Volcan reserves the right: (i) to extend or otherwise amend the Early Tender and Consent Time, the Withdrawal Deadline or the Expiration Date, (ii) to increase the Maximum Tender Amount without extending the Withdrawal Deadline or otherwise reinstating withdrawal rights of Holders except as required by law; (iii) to waive or modify in whole or in part any and all conditions to the Tender Offer and Solicitation; (iv) to modify or terminate the Tender Offer and Solicitation; and (v) to otherwise amend the Tender Offer and Solicitation in any respect. In the event of the termination of the Tender Offer, the Notes tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer and not previously accepted and purchased will be promptly returned to the tendering Holders.
If a Holder does not tender its Notes or if a Holder tenders Notes that are not accepted for purchase, they will remain outstanding. If Volcan consummates the Tender Offer, the trading market for a Holder's outstanding Notes may be significantly more limited. For a discussion of this and other risks, see "Certain Significant Considerations—Position of Volcan and Other Parties Concerning the Tender Offer" in the Statement.
THE OFFER DOCUMENTS CONTAIN CERTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE READ BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER, IN PARTICULAR, SEE "CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERATIONS" IN THE STATEMENT FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS HOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE TENDER OFFER.
VOLCAN HAS NOT FILED THIS STATEMENT WITH, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN REVIEWED BY, ANY FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY COUNTRY. NO AUTHORITY HAS PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS STATEMENT AND IT IS UNLAWFUL AND MAY BE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY. THE TENDER OFFER AND SOLICITATION HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED, AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED, WITH THE PERUVIAN SECURITIES MARKET SUPERINTENDENCY (SUPERINTENDENCIA DEL MERCADO DE VALORES - SMV) OR THE LIMA STOCK EXCHANGE (BOLSA DE VALORES DE LIMA). THE TENDER OFFER AND SOLICITATION MAY NOT BE MADE IN PERU, EXCEPT IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT DO NOT CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC OFFERING OR UNAUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION UNDER PERUVIAN LAWS AND REGULATIONS. PERUVIAN SECURITIES LAWS AND REGULATIONS ON PUBLIC OFFERINGS WILL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE TENDER OFFER AND SOLICITATION, THE DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH THEREIN WILL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO VOLCAN BEFORE OR AFTER THE TENDER OFFER AND SOLICITATION. THE TENDER OFFER AND SOLICITATION IS NOT BEING MADE IN PERU PURSUANT TO A PUBLIC OFFERING AND DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER AND SOLICITATION, AS WELL AS INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, MAY NOT BE SUPPLIED TO THE PUBLIC IN PERU, NOR BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFER TO THE PUBLIC IN PERU.
NONE OF VOLCAN, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE DEALER MANAGERS (AS DEFINED BELOW), THE TENDER AND INFORMATION AGENT OR THE TRUSTEE (AS DEFINED IN THE STATEMENT) OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES IS MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER HOLDERS SHOULD TENDER ANY NOTES NOR ANY RECOMMENDATION THAT HOLDERS DELIVER OR REFRAIN FROM DELIVERING ANY CONSENTS IN RESPONSE TO THE TENDER OFFER AND SOLICITATION. HOLDERS MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION AS TO WHETHER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TENDER OFFER AND SOLICITATION, AND, IF SO, THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES TO TENDER AND THE CONSENTS TO DELIVER.
The Statement and related documents do not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell notes in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Tender Offer and Solicitation to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offer and Solicitation will be deemed to be made on behalf of Volcan by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. Volcan is not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Tender Offer and Solicitation is not in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. If Volcan becomes aware of any jurisdiction in which the making of the Tender Offer and Solicitation would not be in compliance with such laws, Volcan will make a good faith effort to comply with any such laws or may seek to have such laws declared inapplicable to the Tender Offer and Solicitation. If, after such good faith effort, Volcan cannot comply with any such applicable laws, the Tender Offer and Solicitation will not be made to the Holders of Notes residing in each such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this announcement, the Statement and any related documents nor any purchase of Notes by Volcan will, under any circumstances, create any implication that the information contained in this announcement, the Statement or in any related document is current as of any time subsequent to the date hereof or thereof.
The Statement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities (other than the Notes). Any offering of securities will only be made by an offering document and any such offering may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
This release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainty and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance or achievements. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan" and similar expressions are generally intend to identify forward-looking statements. Volcan is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More detailed information about these and other factors is set forth in the Statement.
Global Bondholder Services Corporation is acting as the tender agent and as the information agent (the "Tender and Information Agent") for the Tender Offer and Solicitation. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Santander Investment Securities Inc. are acting as dealer managers and solicitation agents (the "Dealer Managers") for the Tender Offer and Solicitation.
Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Statement may be directed to the Tender and Information Agent at one of its telephone numbers above. A Holder (or a beneficial owner that is not a Holder) may also contact any of the Dealer Managers at their telephone numbers set forth below or its broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Statement.
The Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer and Solicitation are:
SOURCE: Volcan Compañía Minera S.A.A.
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SOURCE Volcan Compañía Minera S.A.A. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/volcan-compaa-minera-saa-offer-purchase-cash-up-us100000000-aggregate-principal-amount-its-outstanding-4375-senior-notes-due-2026-consent-solicitation/ | 2022-06-02T19:05:52Z |
Events to be webcast at: http://investors.sunpower.com/events.cfm
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ:SPWR) will discuss its first-quarter 2022 financial results on a conference call, Thursday, May 5 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The call-in number is (877) 371-5747 conference ID 5479606, passcode: SunPower, or the webcast can be accessed from SunPower's website at http://investors.sunpower.com/events.cfm.
The earnings press release and supplemental financial information will be available on SunPower's website at http://investors.sunpower.com/events.cfm at 1:05 p.m. PST on May 5, 2021.
About SunPower
Headquartered in California's Silicon Valley, SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) is a leading Distributed Generation Storage and Energy Services provider in North America. SunPower offers the only solar + storage solution designed and warranted by one company that gives customers control over electricity consumption and resiliency during power outages while providing cost savings to homeowners. For more information, visit www.sunpower.com.
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SOURCE SunPower Corp. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/sunpower-announce-first-quarter-2022-results-may-5-2022/ | 2022-04-11T14:51:33Z |
LATAM Cargo goes live as the first South American carrier, offering real-time booking to over 3,500 forwarders on WebCargo by Freightos
HONG KONG, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past three years, air cargo has undergone a digital revolution, driving more reliable, accurate, and accessible supply chains. This is particularly important in South America, which exports approximately $1 trillion of goods annually.
Digital Air Cargo is expanding to South America with LATAM Cargo, the largest South American carrier, offering real-time pricing and booking for forwarders on WebCargo, a leading global cargo booking platform. LATAM Cargo, which offers services to over 135 destinations in more than 20 countries, is the first South American carrier to go live on WebCargo.
Real-time bookings with LATAM Cargo are already available for WebCargo customers on 27 lanes with the possibility of connecting in South America. With LATAM Cargo, carriers representing over 36% of global air cargo capacity are available for booking on WebCargo, unlocking additional customer value and improving efficiency. As Carlos Cheeseman, the owner of Airgroup Miami, a Radiant Logistics Company, said "Having LATAM on WebCargo and 7LFreight for real-time booking is an excellent addition to facilitate our moves to Latin and South America."
"The industry is shifting towards digital collaboration and as the leading carrier of South America we want to provide customers with reliable and efficient solutions and a broad set of options that allows them to choose what works best for them. As part of our digitalization roadmap we decided to partner up with WebCargo by Freightos to provide our customers access to our capacity. This collaboration is an important milestone in LATAM Cargo's digital roadmap," said Jorge Galvez, the SVP Marketing and Development LATAM Cargo at LATAM group.
"Global trade moves faster than it ever has before," said Manuel Galindo, CEO of WebCargo by Freightos. "With innovative partners like LATAM Cargo, forwarders can move at the same pace, improving efficiency across over 100,000 quarterly bookings."
Forwarders not already using WebCargo can register for free at https://www.webcargo.co/book-air-cargo-on-latam/
About LATAM group
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and its affiliates are the main group of airlines in Latin America with presence in five domestic markets in the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in addition to international operations inside Latin America and between it and Europe, Oceania, the United States, and the Caribbean.
The group has a fleet of Boeing 767, 777, 787, Airbus A321, A320, A320neo and A319 aircraft. LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia and LATAM Cargo Brazil are the cargo subsidiaries of LATAM Airlines. They have access to the belly of the Group's passenger aircraft and have a fleet of 14 freighters that will gradually expand until reaching between 19 and 22 freighters by 2023.
They operate within LATAM Group's network as well as on cargo-only international routes, offering modern infrastructure and a wide range of services and care options to meet our customers' needs.
About WebCargo, a Freightos Group Company
WebCargo® is the most advanced digitization platform for logistics service providers. WebCargo Air is the leading platform for live air cargo rate distribution and bookings between hundreds of airlines and 3,500+ forwarders. Partners using fully digital eBooking and rate distribution on WebCargo include over 30 airlines, including American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Etihad Cargo, Air France KLM, IAG Cargo, SAS, Qatar Airways, El Al, and Turkish Cargo. Freight forwarders can access dynamic capacity, pricing, and eBooking by signing up for free at webcargo.co.
WebCargo AcceleRate® is the leading platform for enterprise freight forwarders to manage rates and automate sales, spanning ocean, air and land. Customers include Hellmann, Nippon Express, DSV Panalpina, and dozens more.
WebCargo joined the Freightos Group in 2016. The Freightos Group also operates freightos.com, the world's largest digital freight platform for the trillion-dollar international shipping industry, and the Freightos Baltic Index, the only daily container index, in collaboration with the Baltic Exchange. Founded by serial entrepreneur Zvi Schreiber, Freightos is a logistics technology pioneer with a worldwide presence, and has raised over $120 million from leading venture funds, including GE Ventures, Aleph and the Singapore Exchange. In June 2022, Freightos announced that it signed a business combination agreement with Gesher I Acquisition Corp. with the intent of going public on the NASDAQ: GIAC.
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SOURCE Freightos; Gesher I Acquisition Corp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/latam-cargo-top-south-american-carrier-goes-live-with-ebookings-webcargo/ | 2022-06-17T13:22:53Z |
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