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Man accused of sexually abusing boy in McDonald’s bathroom
Published: Aug. 23, 2022 at 10:51 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
CHICAGO (WLS) - A Michigan man is facing charges after police say he sexually abused a 6-year-old boy in a McDonald’s bathroom.
Bryan Sutton, of Flint, Michigan, was expected to appear in bond court Tuesday.
Police say a 6-year-old boy was in the bathroom Saturday evening at the McDonald’s flagship restaurant in Chicago when the 62-year-old Sutton went into a stall and sexually abused him.
When security tried to stop Sutton, he allegedly fought back. He was eventually detained and arrested when police showed up.
Sutton is charged with aggravated kidnapping and criminal sexual abuse.
Copyright 2022 WLS via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/24/man-accused-sexually-abusing-boy-mcdonalds-bathroom/ | 2022-08-24T04:54:35Z |
Moderna seeks emergency use authorization for Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years
By Brenda Goodman, CNN
Moderna is seeking emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration for its Covid-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years of age, the company said Thursday.
“We believe mRNA-1273 will be able to safely protect these children against SARS-CoV-2, which is so important in our continued fight against COVID-19, and will be especially welcomed by parents and caregivers,” Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of Moderna, said in a news release.
In late March, Moderna announced results of a clinical trial that included 2,500 children ages 6 months through 24 months and 4,200 children ages 2 through 5. The company said that two 25-microgram doses of its vaccine led to a similar immune response in young children as two 100-microgram doses for adults ages 18 to 25. And it said this should predict protection from Covid-19 and severe Covid-19 down to 6 months of age.
In Thursday’s news release, the company said the data showed “a robust neutralizing antibody response” and “a favorable safety profile.”
“We like to see anything above 1,000 units, and what we, in fact, saw here are levels somewhere between 1,400 and 1,800 units,” Dr. Paul Burton, chief medical officer of Moderna, said Wednesday. “So that’s extremely reassuring.”
Burton also said the vaccines were very safe for this age group. The most common reactions were pain at the injection site and fever. There were no cases of heart inflammation, or myocarditis, in the study. Heart inflammation has been an extremely rare side effect of the mRNA vaccines. Myocarditis is more common after Covid-19 infection than after vaccination.
The results announced in March were mostly collected during the Omicron wave, and included home testing for Covid-19. As a result, the company said the vaccines looked less effective for children than they did for older age groups.
The data presented by Moderna Thursday limited the analysis only to cases confirmed positive by sensitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests. In the revised analysis, the vaccines were 51% effective at preventing symptoms in children ages 6 months to under 2 years; they were 37% effective at preventing symptoms in kids ages 2 through 5. The company said these efficacy estimates are similar to those among adults against Omicron after two doses.
Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for young children has also stumbled. In clinical trials, two 3-microgram doses didn’t appear to generate the same degree of immunity for children ages 2 through 4 as they had for young adults, prompting the company to look at giving children ages 6 months through 4 years a third dose. The FDA also delayed its review of these shots until the company submits data on a third dose.
Boosters for younger children?
On Tuesday, Pfizer asked the FDA to green-light a third or booster dose for children ages 5 through 11. Studies have shown that vaccine efficacy has waned significantly in this age group during Omicron.
Burton said Wednesday that that Moderna was also testing boosters, including variant-specific formulations.
“Our lead candidate now is something against the original strain and Omicron,” he said, predicting that would be the booster formulation for the fall and winter.
“And I think for these young kids, what we’ll have to do is to continue to follow the natural history and see, what is the variant? What’s going on with the little kids as we get into the fall? And then the FDA and CDC and regulators around the world can make recommendations on whether they need another booster later in the year.”
What’s next for vaccines for younger children
No Covid-19 vaccines have been authorized for children younger than 5 in the US — about 18 million people.
Moderna’s mRNA Covid-19 vaccine is authorized for people 18 and older and Pfizer/BioNTech’s for 5 and older.
The FDA will evaluate Moderna’s submission and has said it will convene its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee to weigh in on vaccine authorization for younger children.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci has said that the FDA is weighing whether to consider emergency use authorization for both the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines for young children at the same time, rather than considering them separately.
Pfizer has said the data on a third dose of the vaccine will be available this month. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the vaccine for younger children could be available in June, If the FDA authorizes it.
The-CNN-Wire
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CNN’s Jamie Gumbrecht contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/health/cnn-health/2022/04/28/moderna-seeks-emergency-use-authorization-for-covid-19-vaccine-for-children-ages-6-months-through-5-years/ | 2022-04-28T13:12:10Z |
LOMBOK, Indonesia, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The second Health Working Group (HWG) meeting brought global leaders to initiate a new global emergency fund for future pandemics and focused on facilitating greater sharing of genomic sequencing data, as well as how the Financing Intermediary Fund (FIF) functions under the World bank in preparing for future pandemics.
The Indonesian Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, encouraged the G20 member states not let pandemic stride without learning valuable lessons.
"Only through great earthquakes, lofty mountains rise. I believe this is true, not only for volcanoes, but also for our humanity. During every crisis, lie great opportunities," said in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
The main issues addressed in the 6 to 8 June 2022 meeting were mobilization of financial resources for future pandemic responses.
G20 member states discussed lessons learned from the successes of medical countermeasures initiatives, such as COVAX and the ACT-accelerators that worked efficiently during the pandemic in ushering vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
G20 and its partners, such as GISAID, now is looking at the optimization of genomic surveillance and trusted data sharing mechanisms, allowing the world to quickly identify novel pathogens that may pose new threats to global health security.
"We need a more permanent coordinating platform that can address five cores such as access to countermeasures, emergency coordination, collaborative intelligence, community protection; and clinical care to patients in need," said the Minister of Health.
Indonesia has committed to donate USD50 million to the FIF. As part of the G20 presidency mandate, Indonesia will also lobby organizations and donors to ensure that the fund benefit the right target countries to prevent conflicting interests from donors and organizations.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's General Secretary, was commended Indonesia's presidency to prioritize the establishment of global health system architecture and putting it in the G20 agenda.
"We must learn from the lessons this pandemic has taught us because this will not be the last one," said Dr. Tedros.
To access the Health Working Group plenary opening ceremony and press conference, visit https://www.youtube.com/c/KementerianKesehatanRI.
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SOURCE The Indonesian Ministry of Health | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/indonesias-g20-hwg-meeting-series-urges-world-leaders-be-prepared-future-pandemics/ | 2022-06-08T13:10:37Z |
Congratulations to Bruce Maples for his election to the MGAG Board. However, rather than accepting an award for most new customers, shouldn’t Albany be working to get out of the natural gas business? It is a dying industry that is costing its customers more every year.
USPS informed delivery service has a provision for reporting lost mail. Use it, and it goes on the carrier and the supervisor's record. If they don't police their carriers, we should.
Be decisive. Make a decision, right or wrong. The road of life is paved with flat squirrels that could not make a decision.
You know things are taking a turn for the worst in our community when a sitting commissioner feels -- and expresses -- that he and his family members are not subject to the laws that the rest of us are governed under.
Adage: "She turned up like a bad penny." What is a bad penny?
While shopping at a local store's large garden center and being unable to locate the plant I was looking for among the thousands, I stopped an associate and asked her if they had any. Her reply was, "I can't say for sure." End of conversation with no offer to help or find out as she walked off. Happens far too much in Albany.
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. -- Martin Luther King Jr.
There is no equality until the mention of someone else does not include their color.
This new White House press secretary is a joke. A reporter asked her a simple question, and she just stood there staring at her notes. Jen Psaki lied every time she opened her mouth, but at least she had something to say.
Steve Roberts wrote an excellent column in Tuesday's paper. Ordered liberty.
To the city manager: I tried to use that program Recreation & Parks uses (Rec Desk) to sign three of my grandchildren up for summer camp. I have two questions: Why is it so expensive? And where did you find that program? It is so difficult. Whatever happened to just regular old signing up?
David Dixon does an excellent job of keeping us informed on issues that impact our waterways.
Crofton subdivision is welcoming AT&T fiber cable to our area. Hope this will finally get cable and internet that is available 24 hours a day. Goodbye, X.
The preacher Warnock's TV ads state he wants drug companies to cut their prices, saying the drug companies make enough money. When politicians start controlling how much money a company can make does not sound like America. More like a communist country.
Alert: If you want to vote in the Republican Primary for governor and U.S. Senate, you must pull a Republican ballot.
If you're voting for local officials, ask for a Democratic ballot in May. You can always vote Democratic or Republican later in November.
If you're a Republican and you vote a Democrat ballot to help Cohilas, then you lose the opportunity to vote for the people you want to run for governor and lieutenant governor in the general election in November.
Can’t wait to vote for Stacy Abrams and Demetrius Young. I want my pot and to smoke it too, legally. | https://www.albanyherald.com/features/squawkbox/article_7c520022-d6db-11ec-99e0-ebf6b2963f11.html | 2022-05-18T19:45:23Z |
Dad aims to stop bullying by holding ‘kindness’ signs outside daughter’s school
UXBRIDGE, Mass. (WCVB) – A father in Massachusetts is dedicated to sending positive messages at his daughter’s school.
For the past week, Stephen Mandile has been standing in front of Whitin Middle School holding a homemade sign that reads, “Choose kindness always.”
Although the sign is simple, Mandile’s mission is not.
“That feeling of, you know, the world’s kind of beating you down and you’re looking for a little ray of hope, that’s all we’re trying to do,” Mandile said.
He’s now known to students as “the kindness guy” and has even brought teachers to tears.
Mandile’s daughter Jessica said bullying has recently gotten out of hand at the school, and her dad’s positive messages nearly bring her to tears.
Fellow parents are also feeling the love.
“[The students] have a hard day sometimes. So, if they see something positive, it’s good for them,” parent Renee Smith said.
Mandile said he has talked to the school’s principal about other ways to help, and he now has plans to read to students as well.
“We believe, you know, being kind, you can never make a mistake doing that, it’s always the right choice,” Mandile said.
Copyright 2022 WCVB via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/30/dad-aims-stop-bullying-by-holding-kindness-signs-outside-daughters-school/ | 2022-05-30T16:15:49Z |
WESTMINSTER, Colo., June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Corporation (NYSE: BALL) announced it has completed the closing of its new revolver and term loan senior secured credit facilities that refinance its existing senior secured credit facilities entered into on March 25, 2019.
The new $3.1 billion senior secured credit facilities include a U.S. dollar revolving facility, a multicurrency revolving facility and a U.S. dollar term loan facility that will mature in 2027. Ball intends to use net proceeds from these credit facilities to refinance its existing senior secured credit facilities and for general corporate purposes.
"These new credit facilities represent attractive financing from a diverse bank syndicate, as well as the flexibility to execute future corporate actions," said Scott C. Morrison, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Our solid balance sheet and recent financings provide us with a very competitive, long-term capital structure to generate value for our shareholders in 2022 and beyond."
About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 24,300 people worldwide and reported 2021 net sales of $13.8 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," and similar expressions typically identify forward-looking statements, which are generally any statements other than statements of historical fact. Such statements are based on current expectations or views of the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied. You should therefore not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements and they should be read in conjunction with, and qualified in their entirety by, the cautionary statements referenced below. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be different are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Additional factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product capacity, supply, and demand constraints and fluctuations and changes in consumption patterns; availability/cost of raw materials, equipment, and logistics; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; footprint adjustments and other manufacturing changes, including the startup of new facilities and lines; failure to achieve synergies, productivity improvements or cost reductions; unfavorable mandatory deposit or packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation; power and supply chain interruptions; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; inability to pass through increased costs; war, political instability and sanctions, including relating to the situation in Russia and Ukraine and its impact on our supply chain and our ability to operate in Russia and the EMEA region generally; changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; and tariffs, trade actions, or other governmental actions, including business restrictions and shelter-in-place orders in any country or jurisdiction affecting goods produced by us or in our supply chain, including imported raw materials; b) our aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) the Company as a whole include those listed above plus: the extent to which sustainability-related opportunities arise and can be capitalized upon; changes in senior management, succession, and the ability to attract and retain skilled labor; regulatory actions or issues including those related to tax, ESG reporting, competition, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; the ability to manage cyber threats; litigation; strikes; disease; pandemic; labor cost changes; inflation; rates of return on assets of the Company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding geopolitical events and governmental policies, including policies, orders, and actions related to COVID-19; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and successful or unsuccessful joint ventures, acquisitions and divestitures, including the announced sale of our Russian business, and their effects on our operating results and business generally.
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SOURCE Ball Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/ball-announces-completion-credit-facilities/ | 2022-06-28T21:08:45Z |
Police visited home over 90 times before 22-year-old was beaten to death, authorities say
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG/Gray News) - A home where police say a 22-year-old woman was murdered in April was well known to law enforcement.
Officers were called to the house in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, more than 90 times in five years leading up to the death of Emily Leonard.
Prosecutors said a man named Arthur Flowers beat her to death with a wooden board inside the home.
“I know different women that have been injured over there. I told Emily, ‘Don’t ever go around the guy alone,’” John Leonard told KCRG shortly after his daughter died.
John Leonard said his daughter had been to Arthur Flowers’ home before, but he said he doesn’t know why she was there the day she died.
“I have no idea why, but I think they got her over there to do drugs,” Leonard said.
Emily Leonard’s boyfriend sent a letter from jail saying they both were “addicts.” The boyfriend went on to say the “police department has known for years Arthur Flowers’ residence has been a known drug house.”
Officers report they were called to the property 94 times in five years, with calls ranging from burglary to weapons and other disturbances. Although 15 of the calls resulted in cases, none flagged the home as a nuisance.
“The calls for service that we’ve reviewed within the past year have been things that SAFE-CR (Secure And Friendly Environments in Cedar Rapids) would not issue a notice of violation or a founded call for service for,” said SAFE-CR Program Manager Amanda Grieder.
The SAFE-CR program addresses conditions including but not limited to junked vehicles, building code violations and conduct that is detrimental to the “quiet enjoyment of neighbors.”
The city of Cedar Rapids has the ability to revoke a landlord’s business permit or rental unit registration to lease a property through the Housing Board of Appeals.
That did not happen with Flowers’ home as it wasn’t even considered a nuisance until March. That had nothing to do with police calls; it was for a trash violation, according to KCRG.
“If anyone is ever calling the police for any reason, even if there is a crime occurring there, if they need assistance, we never want to deter anyone from calling, so we have never made those nuisance violations,” Grieder said.
She also said SAFE-CR does not penalize people for calling the police.
KCRG reached out to the home’s landlord but has not immediately heard back.
Copyright 2022 KCRG via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/02/police-visited-home-over-90-times-before-22-year-old-was-beaten-death-authorities-say/ | 2022-06-02T02:13:30Z |
NEW YORK, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ActionIQ, the leading Enterprise Customer Data Platform (CDP), today made available the CX IQ Scorecard for the B2B Technology industry. The CX IQ Scorecard is a self-service tool solution that allows B2B Brands to benchmark their Customer Experience performance against their industry peers and customer preferences. The industry-first scorecard is based on the CX IQ Index, an expansive multi-industry survey that measured the state of customer experience (CX) from the perspective of both businesses and customers in the U.S.
The CX IQ Index revealed the top trends shaping the CX landscape, including a significant gap between brand perception and performance, showing that while 61% of businesses rate customers as "very satisfied" with CX, only 23% of consumers feel the same. The CX IQ Index Scorecard compiles self-reported performance input across key attributes of CX and then maps the results to overarching CX themes, such as trust, personalization and convenience. The Scorecard results benchmarks the company against industry peers and recommends which investment areas they should focus on to bridge the CX perception-to-performance gap.
"While companies today realize the importance of CX to their growth and bottom line, we find they're often at a loss as to which CX characteristics they should prioritize and invest in," said Tamara Gruzbarg, Vice President of Strategic Services, ActionIQ. "The CX IQ Scorecard answers that question - it gives a B2B Technology company a roadmap on how to increase their CX maturity, and how to do that based on what's most important to their customers."
For the complete CX IQ Index report, go to https://www.actioniq.com/cx-iq/.
CX IQ Index Methodology
ActionIQ surveyed more than 400 consumers across the U.S. and U.K. to understand what matters most to them in terms of CX. We also surveyed 350 U.S.- and U.K.-based businesses to learn how they evaluate their CX performance, as well as how their assessments compare to those of consumers'. Business results are based on surveys across retail, financial services, media/publishing and B2B technology brands, with interviews conducted with marketing, sales and customer service professionals with the job title of director or above.
About ActionIQ
ActionIQ is at the center of a data-driven revolution that is changing the way brands think about customer experience, digital transformation and the value of customer data as a core corporate asset. We concentrate on solving enterprise data challenges so that teams are empowered to create authentic customer experiences across all brand touchpoints. ActionIQ helps G2000 companies by connecting their first-party customer data, providing an easy-to-use interface for business users to access customer insights and enabling customer orchestration across channels. To learn more, visit ActionIQ.com.
Media Contact
Laura Goldberg
LBG Public Relations for ActionIQ
laura@lbgpr.com
+1-347-683-1859
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SOURCE ActionIQ | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/25/actioniq-releases-industry-first-b2b-customer-experience-scorecard/ | 2022-04-25T15:00:12Z |
Jan. 6 panel subpoenas Secret Service for erased texts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol attack subpoenaed the Secret Service on Friday night for text messages agents reportedly deleted around Jan. 6, 2021.
Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said in a statement that the committee is seeking “the relevant text messages, as well as any after action reports that have been issued in any and all divisions of the USSS pertaining or relating in any way to the events of January 6, 2021.”
The subpoenas come hours after the nine-member panel received a closed briefing from the watchdog for Department of Homeland Security. The committee had originally sought the electronic records in mid-January and made an official request in March for all communications received or sent from DHS employees between Jan. 5 and Jan. 7, 2021.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The watchdog for the Department of Homeland Security on Friday briefed all nine members of the House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol attack about his finding that the Secret Service deleted texts from around Jan. 6, according to two people familiar with the matter.
While lawmakers were tight-lipped about what they heard, the closed-door briefing with the inspector general, Joseph Cuffari, came two days after his office sent a letter to leaders of the House and Senate Homeland Security committees stating that Secret Service agents erased messages between Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, 2021 “as part of a device-replacement program.” The deletion came after the watchdog office requested records from the agents as part of its probe into events surrounding the Jan. 6 attack, the letter said.
For the Jan. 6 panel, the watchdog’s finding raised the startling prospect of lost evidence that could shed further light on Donald Trump’s actions during the insurrection.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democratic chairman of the House Jan. 6 panel, told the Associated Press on Friday that the committee is taking a deeper look at whether records may have been lost. “There have been some conflicting positions on the matter,” the Mississippi lawmaker said.
The private briefing was confirmed by two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss it.
The Secret Service insists proper procedures were followed. Agency spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, “The insinuation that the Secret Service maliciously deleted text messages following a request is false. In fact, the Secret Service has been fully cooperating with the OIG in every respect — whether it be interviews, documents, emails, or texts.”
He said the Secret Service had started to reset its mobile devices to factory settings in January 2021 “as part of a pre-planned, three-month system migration.” In that process, some data was lost.
The inspector general has first requested the electronic communications on Feb. 26, “after the migration was well under way,” Guglielmi said.
The Secret Service said it has provided a substantial number of emails and chat messages that included conversations and details related to Jan. 6 to the inspector general. It also said text messages from the Capitol Police requesting assistance on Jan. 6 were preserved and provided to the inspector general’s office.
The Senate Homeland committee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service, is also expecting a briefing from the inspector general about the letter, according to a person familiar with the committee’s discussions who was not authorized to discuss them publicly.
The Jan. 6 committee has taken a renewed interest in the Secret Service following the dramatic testimony of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who recalled what she heard about former President Donald Trump’s actions the day of the insurrection.
Hutchinson recalled being told about a confrontation between Trump and his Secret Service detail as he angrily demanded to be driven to the Capitol, where his supporters would later breach the building. She also recalled overhearing Trump telling security officials to remove magnetometers for his rally on the Ellipse even though some of his supporters were armed.
Some details of that account were quickly disputed by those agents. Robert Engel, the agent who was driving the presidential SUV, and Trump security official Tony Ornato are willing to testify under oath that no agent was assaulted and Trump never lunged for the steering wheel, a person familiar with the matter told the AP. The person would not discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
With evidence still emerging, the House Jan. 6 committee on Friday officials scheduled its next hearing to take place Thursday in primetime. The 8 p.m. hearing, which is the eighth in a series that began in early June, will take a deeper look into the three-hour-plus stretch when Trump failed to act as a mob of supporters stormed the Capitol.
It will be the first hearing in prime time since June 9, the first on the committee’s findings. It was viewed by 20 million people.
___
Associated Press writer Gary Fields contributed.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/16/jan-6-panel-subpoenas-secret-service-erased-texts/ | 2022-07-16T03:57:51Z |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A defense mental health expert in the penalty trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz can pinpoint when he realized the 23-year-old mass murderer still has “irrational thoughts” — the two were making small talk when Cruz began describing plans for an eventual life outside prison.
Wesley Center, a Texas counselor, said that happened last year at the Broward County jail as he fitted Cruz’s scalp with probes for a scan to map his brain. The defense at hearings this week will try to convince Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer that Center and other experts should be allowed to testify at Cruz’s ongoing trial about what their tests showed, something the prosecution wants barred.
“He had some sort of epiphany while he was in (jail) that would focus his thoughts on being able to help people,” transcripts show Center told prosecutors during a pretrial interview this year. “His life’s purpose was to be helping others.”
Cruz, of course, will never be free. Since his arrest about an hour after he murdered 14 students and three staff members at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018, there has never been any doubt his remaining years would be behind bars, sentenced to death or life without parole. Surveillance video shows him mowing down his victims with an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle and he confessed, eventually pleading guilty in October.
Prosecutors made their argument for death to the seven-man, five-woman jury and 10 alternates over three weeks, resting their case Aug. 4 after the panel toured the still-bloodstained, bullet-pocked classroom building where the massacre happened.
The jurors also watched graphic surveillance videos; saw gruesome crime scene and autopsy photos; received emotional testimony from teachers and students who witnessed others die; and heard from tearful and angry parents, spouses and other family members about the victims and how their loved one’s death impacted their lives. They watched video of the former Stoneman Douglas student calmly ordering an Icee minutes after the shooting and, nine months later, attacking a jail guard.
Soon, it will be Cruz’s attorneys arguing why he should be spared, hoping to convince at least one juror their mitigating factors outweigh the prosecution’s aggravating circumstances — a death sentence must be unanimous.
But first, the trial took last week off to accommodate some jurors’ requests to deal with personal matters. The jury will also be absent this week as the sides argue before Scherer, who will decide whether brain scans, tests and other evidence the defense wants to present starting Aug. 22 is scientifically valid or junk, as the prosecution contends.
Center’s test and its findings will be subject to contentious debate. Called a “quantitative electroencephalogram” or “qEEG,” its backers say it provides useful support to such diagnoses as fetal alcohol syndrome, which Cruz’s attorneys contend created his lifelong mental and emotional problems.
EEGs have been common in medicine for a century, measuring brainwaves to help doctors diagnose epilepsy and other brain ailments. But the qEEG analysis, which has been around since the 1970s, goes a step farther — a patient’s EEG results are compared to a database of brainwaves taken from normal or “neurotypical” people. While qEEG findings cannot be used to make a diagnosis, they can support findings based on the patient’s history, examination, behavior and other tests, supporters contend.
A “qEEG can confirm what you already know, but you can’t create new knowledge,” Center told prosecutors in his interview.
Dr. Charles Epstein, an Emory University neurology professor, reviewed Center’s findings for the prosecution. In a written statement to Scherer, he said EEGs using only external scalp probes like the one given Cruz are imprecise, making Center’s qEEG results worthless.
“Garbage in, garbage out,” he wrote.
Florida judges have given mixed rulings about allowing qEEGs since 2010, when the test helped a Miami-area man escape a death sentence for fatally stabbing his wife and severely wounding her mentally disabled 11-year-old daughter. Some judges have since allowed their admission, while others barred them. Scherer, who is overseeing her first death penalty trial, has never had a case where the defense tried to present a qEEG report.
Even if Scherer bars the test, lead defense attorney Melisa McNeill and her team still have evidence that Cruz’s brain likely suffered damage in the womb, including statements by his late birth mother that she abused alcohol and cocaine during pregnancy.
They also have reports giving circumstantial evidence of his mental illness. Cruz got kicked out of preschool for hurting other children. During his years in public school, he spent significant time at a center for students with emotional issues. He also received years of mental health treatment.
Then there are his life circumstances. Cruz’s adoptive father died in front of him when he was 5; he was bullied by his younger brother and his brother’s friends; he was allegedly abused sexually by a “trusted peer;” he cut himself and abused animals; and his adoptive mother died less than four months before the shooting.
His youth will also be an issue — he was 19 when the shooting happened.
Attorneys not involved in the case say if Scherer wants to avoid having a possible death sentence overturned on appeal, she should give the defense wide latitude on what it presents so jurors can fully assess his life and mental health.
“If it’s a close call, I think she is going to bend to the defense — and the prosecution is not going to be happy,” said David S. Weinstein, a Miami criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/school-shooters-brain-exams-to-be-subject-of-court-hearing/ | 2022-08-14T17:16:34Z |
ATLANTA -- During the 2020 election, Rhonda Briggins and her sorority sisters spent days providing voters in metro Atlanta with water and snacks as they waited in long lines at polling places.
The lines for early voting and on Election Day at times stretched on for hours. As the national co-chair for social action with the Delta Sigma Theta sorority for black women, Briggins felt compelled to help, and she and her sisters unofficially adopted one DeKalb County location where many elderly Georgians cast their ballots.
“When you’re a senior or someone with an infant child, line relief is very critical,” she said. “It allows someone to not have to suffer just because they want to exercise their right to vote.”
But if Briggins tries to do the same in November, she could face criminal charges.
In March 2021, four months after former President Trump claimed that voter fraud cost him the state’s electoral votes and the presidency, Georgia’s Republican governor signed a law criminalizing people who give food or drinks to voters waiting at the polls.
Georgia was not alone. Across the country, states have passed new laws that give the greenlight to prosecutors to treat like criminals all kinds of people involved in the election process, whether they are voters, election officials or third parties that assist voters.
Since the 2020 election, 26 states have enacted, expanded, or increased the severity of 120 election-related criminal penalties, according to an analysis by States Newsroom of state legislation and data from the Voting Rights Lab.
Of those new penalties, 102 of them — the vast majority — were enacted in 18 Republican-controlled states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.
In Oklahoma, for example, voters who apply to receive a blind-accessible ballot electronically but are not blind are now committing a felony. And in Texas, it’s a felony for an election official to solicit the submission of a mail ballot application by a person who did not request one.
Briggins could get up to a year in jail now for handing out snacks or water.
“That is just inhumane,” she said. “They’re on the wrong side of history.”
Many of the new criminal penalties are being challenged in court. In a request for an injunction to stop the line relief ban, attorneys representing Briggins’ sorority, nonprofit groups, and a black church wrote, “If anything threatens election integrity in Georgia, it is the law that treats these messengers like criminals.”
States Newsroom analyzed every voting-related bill passed by state legislatures since the 2020 election, creating a database of every new criminal offense codified into law. In total, states enacted more than 60 new felonies and more than 50 new misdemeanors.
The new offenses, made law in dozens of voting bills, range from low-level misdemeanors to felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
While there are no official projections of how many Americans might wind up charged with felonies or misdemeanors, some states, like Florida, have already beefed up their elections enforcement offices. A handful of other states have given power to investigate election crimes to new agencies or government officials.
The new laws not only criminalize actions typically described by Republicans as voter fraud (like altering a ballot, electioneering, or voting more than once), but also criminalize the activities of people trying to assist voters or attempting to make an election run smoothly.
Sean Morales-Doyle, the acting director of the voting rights program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, said many of the new laws regulate what are often innocent or even laudable actions. Others have vague definitions of what could be considered criminal conduct.
“The effect of the laws is not only to deter people from engaging in nefarious conduct or interfering with elections,” he said. “It deters people from engaging in completely legitimate, innocent, even good conduct because they’re scared of getting close to the line and potentially being accused of a crime.”
If convicted of an election-related felony, voters or election officials face a number of collateral consequences, including potentially losing their right to vote for a significant amount of time, depending on the state that convicts them.
The new laws are a direct response to Trump’s big lie that voter fraud cost him the 2020 election. Republican lawmakers across the country capitalized on that lie and have used their control of state legislatures to push new laws that they claim will prevent future fraud.
“It’s a lot of political theater,” Jonathan Diaz, voting rights counsel with the Campaign Legal Center, said. “This is almost entirely politically motivated because there’s just no evidence to suggest that there’s a need for any of this.”
He added that “the second-order consequences” of the new laws “and the chilling effect that they have on voters and on civic engagement is really, really damaging to the overall health of democracy.”
The most commonly known type of voting laws target voter fraud — actions taken by voters like submitting false information on a registration form, voting more than once, or impersonating another voter or deceased person to cast a ballot.
These types of offenses are exceedingly rare, and when they do occur, they are usually committed by voters who are misinformed, confused or don’t understand the law.
But the dozens of new criminal laws targeting voters, coupled with prosecutions using the already existing laws, work to discourage participation by people who don’t want to end up facing criminal penalties.
For example, prosecutors in Texas brought charges against Crystal Mason, who was eventually convicted of illegal voting but alleged that she did not know that being on supervised release from prison made her ineligible to vote. While prosecutions against people like Mason are rare, they have a chilling effect on others, especially non-white voters, who want to avoid ending up in her situation.
Texas’ highest criminal court recently ruled that her conviction be reviewed because a lower court wrongly determined that it didn’t matter that Mason was not aware that she was ineligible.
There is little incentive for someone who is ineligible, like an undocumented immigrant or someone with a prior felony conviction, to unlawfully register and cast a ballot, as the potential consequences outweigh the benefits of a single vote.
Prosecutors and law enforcement are already equipped with the tools they need to address these types of election wrongdoing, but convictions are still extremely rare. As a result, these offenses have little or no impact on elections.
Nevertheless, Republican lawmakers in recent years have overplayed their significance as part of their broader rhetoric about the threats of voter fraud.
Since November 2020, some states have increased these types of voter fraud crimes from misdemeanors to felonies, a move that Diaz described as a political attempt by Republicans to “rev up their base.” Studies show that increasing the severity of criminal penalties on an offense does not increase its deterrent effect.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, signed a law in May creating in-person early voting for the first time, but also increasing six already existing voting-related offenses from misdemeanors to felonies.
West Virginia also increased several penalties from misdemeanors to felonies, including voting while not legally entitled. The felonies are punishable by between one and 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Experts say the higher penalties are unlikely to change conduct, and having more criminal laws on the books may not even lead to more prosecutions.
“Even if there’s no change to how many folks are being prosecuted, there will be an impact on conduct and on people’s willingness to participate fully in the democratic system,” Morales-Doyle said. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/criminalizing-the-vote-gop-led-states-enacted-102-new-election-penalties-after-2020/article_b3228520-06bc-11ed-84b7-cf148e71b8a4.html | 2022-07-18T18:42:53Z |
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association has announced a new virtual fashion exhibit exploring overlooked designers and seamstresses for first ladies: "Glamour and Innovation: The Women Behind the Seams of Fashion at the White House." The exhibit is the result of an inaugural academic partnership with New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. The partnership with NYU began in January and will continue in 2023, with the next fellow chosen this fall through a competitive application process.
The Association's first Digital Exhibit fellow, MA/MS Costume Studies student Maegan Jenkins, envisioned the exhibit and researched and built the project in collaboration with the Association's David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History's Digital Library team.
"Glamour and Innovation: The Women Behind the Seams of Fashion at the White House." explores the work of a diverse group of seamstresses, designers, and couturiers responsible for iconic first ladies' fashions. The exhibit highlights the eight entrepreneurial women who forged ahead despite racial discrimination, demonstrated that American designs could rival Parisian fashion, and designed across the aisle for first ladies of both parties.
Through a mix of archival photography, portraits, biographies, and press clippings, Jenkins' exhibit will cover more than a hundred years in fashion history, beginning with Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Lincoln's dressmaker who was born enslaved, to Mary Matise, who designed Rosalynn Carter's 1977 inaugural gown.
Programming such as this is supported by the sale of the Official White House Christmas Ornament.
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. In 1961, the White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion's legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association's mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the White House Historical Association has contributed more than $50 million in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit www.whitehousehistory.org.
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SOURCE White House Historical Association | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/first-ever-virtual-fashion-exhibit-partnership-with-new-york-university-explores-eight-influential-designers-seamstresses-first-ladies/ | 2022-06-27T21:36:04Z |
- Nuvaxovid™ is now authorized in the EU for use in adults aged 18 and older as a booster regardless of previous vaccine history
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved the expanded conditional marketing authorization (CMA) of Nuvaxovid™ (NVX-CoV2373) COVID-19 vaccine in the European Union (EU) as a homologous and heterologous booster for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for adults aged 18 and older. The approval follows the recommendation made by the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use on September 1, 2022.
"We are pleased to offer the first protein-based vaccine as both a primary series and booster in the European Union," said Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax. "As we continue to explore best practices for managing COVID-19 long term, we have ongoing trials further exploring Nuvaxovid's efficacy and safety as a booster and preclinical data has indicated that our vaccine induces immune response against Omicron variants, including BA.4/5."
The expanded CMA was based on data from Novavax' Phase 2 trial conducted in Australia, from a separate Phase 2 trial conducted in South Africa, and from the UK-sponsored COV-BOOST trial. As part of the Phase 2 trials, a single booster dose of Nuvaxovid was administered to healthy adult participants approximately six months after their primary two-dose vaccination series of Nuvaxovid. The third dose produced increased immune responses comparable to or exceeding levels associated with protection in Phase 3 clinical trials. In the COV-BOOST trial, Nuvaxovid induced a robust antibody response when used as a heterologous third booster dose.
In the Novavax-sponsored trials, following the booster, local and systemic reactions were generally short-lived with a median duration of approximately two days. The incidence of Grade 3 or higher events remained relatively low. Safety reporting of reactogenicity events showed an increasing incidence across all three doses of Nuvaxovid, reflecting the increased immunogenicity seen with a third dose. Medically attended adverse events (AE), potentially immune-mediated medical conditions, and severe AEs occurred infrequently following the booster dose and were balanced between vaccine and placebo groups.
Nuvaxovid has also been authorized in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand as a booster in adults aged 18 and older and is actively under review in other markets.
The EC previously granted CMA for Nuvaxovid to prevent COVID-19 in adults aged 18 and older in December 2021. Additionally, the EC granted expanded CMA for Nuvaxovid to prevent COVID-19 in adolescents aged 12 through 17 in July 2022.
Trade Name in the U.S.
The trade name Nuvaxovid™ has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Important Safety Information
- Nuvaxovid is contraindicated in persons who have a hypersensitivity to the active substance, or to any of the excipients.
- Events of anaphylaxis have been reported with administration of COVID-19 vaccines. Appropriate medical treatment and supervision should be available in case of an anaphylactic reaction following the administration of the vaccine. Close observation for at least 15 minutes is recommended and a second dose of the vaccine should not be given to those who have experienced anaphylaxis to the first dose of Nuvaxovid.
- Anxiety-related reactions, including vasovagal reactions (syncope), hyperventilation, or stress‐related reactions may occur in association with vaccination as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. It is important that precautions are in place to avoid injury from fainting.
- Vaccination should be postponed in individuals suffering from an acute severe febrile illness or acute infection. The presence of a minor infection and/or low-grade fever should not delay vaccination.
- Nuvaxovid should be given with caution in individuals receiving anticoagulant therapy or those with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder (such as haemophilia) because bleeding or bruising may occur following an intramuscular administration in these individuals.
- The efficacy of Nuvaxovid may be lower in immunosuppressed individuals.
- Administration of Nuvaxovid in pregnancy should only be considered when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks for the mother and foetus.
- The effects with Nuvaxovid may temporarily affect the ability to drive or use machines.
- Individuals may not be fully protected until seven days after their second dose. As with all vaccines, vaccination with Nuvaxovid may not protect all vaccine recipients.
- The most common adverse reactions observed during clinical studies were headache, nausea or vomiting, myalgia, arthralgia, injection site tenderness/pain, fatigue, and malaise.
For more information on Nuvaxovid, including the Summary of Product Characteristics with Package Leaflet, adverse event reporting instructions, or to request additional information, please visit the following websites:
About Nuvaxovid™ (NVX-CoV2373)
Nuvaxovid is a protein-based vaccine engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. The vaccine was created using Novavax' recombinant nanoparticle technology to generate antigen derived from the coronavirus spike (S) protein and is formulated with Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies. Nuvaxovid contains purified protein antigen and can neither replicate, nor can it cause COVID-19.
Nuvaxovid is packaged as a ready-to-use liquid formulation in a vial containing ten doses. The vaccination regimen calls for two 0.5 ml doses (5 mcg antigen and 50 mcg Matrix-M adjuvant) given intramuscularly 21 days apart. The vaccine is stored at 2°- 8° Celsius, enabling the use of existing vaccine supply and cold chain channels. Use of the vaccine should be in accordance with official recommendations.
Novavax has established partnerships for the manufacture, commercialization, and distribution of Nuvaxovid worldwide. Existing authorizations leverage Novavax' manufacturing partnership with Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. They will later be supplemented with data from additional manufacturing sites throughout Novavax' global supply chain.
About the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) Phase 3 Trials
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) continues being evaluated in two pivotal Phase 3 trials.
PREVENT-19 (the PRE-fusion protein subunit Vaccine Efficacy Novavax Trial | COVID-19) is a 2:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant in 29,960 participants 18 years of age and over in 119 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. The primary endpoint for PREVENT-19 was the first occurrence of PCR-confirmed symptomatic (mild, moderate or severe) COVID-19 with onset at least seven days after the second dose in serologically negative (to SARS-CoV-2) adult participants at baseline. The statistical success criterion included a lower bound of 95% CI >30%. A secondary endpoint was the prevention of PCR-confirmed, symptomatic moderate or severe COVID-19. Both endpoints were assessed at least seven days after the second study vaccination in volunteers who had not been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. In the trial, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine achieved 90.4% efficacy overall. It was generally well-tolerated and elicited a robust antibody response after the second dose in both studies. Full results of the trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
The pediatric expansion of PREVENT-19 is a 2:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded trial to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and efficacy of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant in 2,247 adolescent participants 12 to 17 years of age in 73 locations in the United States, compared with placebo. In the pediatric trial, the vaccine achieved its primary effectiveness endpoint (non-inferiority of the neutralizing antibody response compared to young adult participants 18 through 25 years of age from PREVENT-19) and demonstrated 80% efficacy overall at a time when the Delta variant of concern was the predominant circulating strain in the U.S. Additionally, immune responses were about two-to-three-fold higher in adolescents than in adults against all variants studied.
Additionally, a trial conducted in the U.K. with 14,039 participants aged 18 years and over was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study and achieved overall efficacy of 89.7%. The primary endpoint was based on the first occurrence of PCR-confirmed symptomatic (mild, moderate or severe) COVID-19 with onset at least seven days after the second study vaccination in serologically negative (to SARS-CoV-2) adult participants at baseline. Full results of the trial were published in NEJM.
About Matrix-M™ Adjuvant
Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant has demonstrated a potent and well-tolerated effect by stimulating the entry of antigen-presenting cells into the injection site and enhancing antigen presentation in local lymph nodes, boosting immune response.
About Novavax
Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) is a biotechnology company that promotes improved health globally through the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative vaccines to prevent serious infectious diseases. The company's proprietary recombinant technology platform harnesses the power and speed of genetic engineering to efficiently produce highly immunogenic nanoparticles designed to address urgent global health needs. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, has received authorization from multiple regulatory authorities globally, including the U.S., EC and the World Health Organization. The vaccine is currently under review by multiple regulatory agencies worldwide, including for additional indications and populations such as adolescents and as a booster. In addition to its COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax is also currently evaluating its COVID-19-Influenza Combination vaccine candidate in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, its quadrivalent influenza investigational vaccine candidate, and is also evaluating an Omicron strain-based vaccine (NVX-CoV2515) as well as a bivalent format Omicron-based / original strain-based vaccine. These vaccine candidates incorporate Novavax' proprietary saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies.
For more information, visit www.novavax.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements herein relating to the future of Novavax, its operating plans and prospects, its partnerships, the timing of clinical trial results, the ongoing development of NVX-CoV2373, including an Omicron strain based vaccine and bivalent Omicron-based / original strain based vaccine, a COVID-seasonal influenza combination investigational vaccine candidate, the scope, timing and outcome of future regulatory filings and actions, including Novavax' plans to supplement existing authorizations with data from the additional manufacturing sites in Novavax' global supply chain, additional worldwide authorizations of NVX-CoV2373 for use in adults and adolescents, and as a booster, the potential impact and reach of Novavax and NVX-CoV2373 in addressing vaccine access, controlling the pandemic and protecting populations, the efficacy, safety intended utilization, and the expected administration of NVX-CoV2373 are forward-looking statements. Novavax cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, challenges satisfying, alone or together with partners, various safety, efficacy, and product characterization requirements, including those related to process qualification and assay validation, necessary to satisfy applicable regulatory authorities; difficulty obtaining scarce raw materials and supplies; resource constraints, including human capital and manufacturing capacity, on the ability of Novavax to pursue planned regulatory pathways; unanticipated challenges or delays in conducting clinical trials; challenges meeting contractual requirements under agreements with multiple commercial, governmental, and other entities; and those other risk factors identified in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of Novavax' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read our filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov and www.novavax.com, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the statements. Our business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.
Contacts:
Investors
Erika Schultz | 240-268-2022
ir@novavax.com
Media
Ali Chartan or Giovanna Chandler | 202-709-5563
media@novavax.com
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SOURCE Novavax, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/novavax-nuvaxovid-covid-19-vaccine-granted-expanded-conditional-marketing-authorization-european-union-use-booster-adults-aged-18-older/ | 2022-09-12T14:17:19Z |
Man flown to Oklahoma hospital after Johnston Co. crash
Published: Aug. 6, 2022 at 10:59 PM CDT|Updated: 8 minutes ago
JOHNSTON COUNTY, Okla. (KXII) - A man was flown to an Oklahoma hospital after a crash in Johnston County.
The crash happened around 3:47 p.m. Friday afternoon on Kirby Road near Wapanucka.
According to Troopers, a pickup was driving around a 90-degree turn, heading northbound on Kirby Road when it drifted left, crossed the center line and hit another car head-on.
The driver of the car, 50-year-old Samuel Lovelace of Yukon was flown to OU Medical Center in stable condition with trunk, internal and head injuries.
The driver of the pickup, 52-year-old David Hall of Atoka was not injured.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/07/man-flown-oklahoma-hospital-after-johnston-co-crash/ | 2022-08-07T04:08:46Z |
Rents spike as big-pocketed investors buy mobile home parks
LOCKPORT, N.Y. (AP) — For as long as anyone can remember, rent increases rarely happened at Ridgeview Homes, a family-owned mobile home park in upstate New York.
That changed in 2018 when corporate owners took over the 65-year-old park located amid farmland and down the road from a fast-food joint and grocery store about 30 miles northeast of Buffalo.
Residents, about half of whom are seniors or disabled people on fixed incomes, put up with the first two increases. They hoped the latest owner, Cook Properties, would address the bourbon-colored drinking water, sewage bubbling into their bathtubs and the pothole-filled roads.
When that didn’t happen and a new lease with a 6% increase was imposed this year, they formed an association. About half the residents launched a rent strike in May, prompting Cook Properties to send out about 30 eviction notices.
“All they care about is raising the rent because they only care about the money,” said Jeremy Ward, 49, who gets by on just over $1,000 a month in disability payments after his legs suffered nerve damage in a car accident.
He was recently fined $10 for using a leaf blower. “I’m disabled,” he said. “You guys aren’t doing your job, and I get a violation?”
The plight of residents at Ridgeview is playing out nationwide as institutional investors, led by private equity firms and real estate investment trusts and sometimes funded by pension funds, swoop in to buy mobile home parks. Critics contend mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are fueling the problem by backing a growing number of investor loans.
The purchases are putting residents in a bind, since most mobile homes — despite the name — cannot be moved easily or cheaply. Owners are forced to either accept unaffordable rent increases, spend thousands of dollars to move their home, or abandon it and lose tens of thousands of dollars they invested.
“These industries, including mobile home park manufacturing industry, keep touting these parks, these mobile homes, as affordable housing. But it’s not affordable,” said Benjamin Bellus, an assistant attorney general in Iowa, who said complaints have gone up “100-fold” since out-of-state investors started buying up parks a few years ago.
“You’re putting people in a snare and a trap, where they have no ability to defend themselves,” he added.
Driven by some of the strongest returns in real estate, investors have shaken up a once-sleepy sector that’s home to more than 22 million mostly low-income Americans in 43,000 communities. Many aggressively promote the parks as ensuring a steady return — by repeatedly raising rent.
There’s also a growing industry, featuring how-to books, webinars and even a mobile home university that offers tips to attract small investors.
“You went from an environment where you had a local owner or manager who took care of things as they needed fixing, to where you had people who were looking at a cost-benefit analysis for how to get the penny squeezed lowest,” Bellus said. “You combine it with an idea that we can just keep raising the rent, and these people can’t leave.”
George McCarthy, president and CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, said about a fifth of mobile home parks, or around 800,000, have been purchased in the past eight years by institutional investors.
He was among those singling out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for guaranteeing the loans as part of a what the lending giants bill as expanding affordable housing. Since 2014, the Lincoln Institute estimates Freddie Mac alone provided $9.6 billion in financing for the purchase of more than 950 communities across 44 states.
A spokesman for Freddie Mac countered that it had purchased loans for less than 3% of the mobile home communities nationwide, and about 60% of those were refinances.
Soon after investors started buying up parks in 2015, the complaints of double-digit rent increases followed.
In Iowa, Matt Chapman, a mobile home resident at a park purchased by Utah-based Havenpark Communities, said his rent and fees had almost doubled since 2019. Iowa Legal Aid’s Alex Kornya said another park purchased by Impact Communities saw rent and fees increase 87% between 2017 and 2020.
“Many of the folks living in the park were on fixed incomes, disability, Social Security, and simply were not going to be able to keep pace,” said Kornya, who met with about 300 angry mobile home owners at a mega-church. “It led almost to a political awakening.”
In Minnesota, park purchases by out-of-state buyers grew from 46% in 2015 to 81% in 2021, with rent increases as much as 30%, according to All Parks Alliance For Change, a state association.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, speaking at a Senate hearing this year, recalled tenants complaining of repeated rent increases at a Havenpark development in Great Falls. One resident, Cindy Newman, told The Associated Press her monthly rent went from $117 to nearly $400 over a year and eight months — equal to the increase over the previous 20 years.
On top of rent increases, residents complained of being inundated with fees for everything from pets to maintenance and fines for clutter and speeding — all tucked into leases that can run upwards of 50 pages.
Josh Weiss, a Havenpark spokesperson, said the company must charge prevailing market rates when it purchases a park at fair market price. That said, the company has moved since 2020 to limit its rent increases to $50-a-month.
“We understand the anxiety that any rent increase has on residents, especially those on fixed incomes,” Weiss said. “While we try to minimize the impact, the financial realities do not change.”
The mobile home industry argues the communities are the most affordable housing option, noting that average rent increases across parks nationwide were just over 4% in 2021. Spending on improvements was around 11%. Significant investments are needed, they said, to make improvements at older parks and avoid them being sold off.
“You have some people coming into the space that give us all a bad name, but those are isolated examples and those practices are not common,” said Lesli Gooch, chief executive officer of the Manufactured Housing Institute, the industry’s trade association.
Both sides said the government could do more to help.
The industry wants Federal Housing Administration financing made available to residents, many of whom rely on high-interest loans to purchase homes that cost on average $81,900. They also want the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to allow housing vouchers to be used for mobile homes.
Advocates for residents, including MHAction, want lawmakers to put a cap on rent or require a reason for an increase or eviction — state legislation that succeeded in Delaware this year but failed in Iowa, Colorado and Montana.
They also want Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to stipulate in loans they back that rents remain affordable. And they support residents purchasing their communities, which started in New Hampshire and has reached almost 300 parks in 20 states.
A Freddie Mac spokesperson said it has created a new loan offering that incentivizes tenant protections and last year made those mandatory for all future mobile home community transactions.
At Ridgeview, it’s unclear how the rent strike will be resolved.
Cook, which claims to be the largest operator of mobile home parks in New York and has a slogan “Exceptional Opportunities. Exceptional Returns,” declined to comment. The company closed a $26 million private-equity fund in 2021 that purchased 12 parks in New York, but it was unclear if one of them was Ridgeview.
Residents, meanwhile, soldier on. Joyce Bayles, an 85-year-old resident has taken to mowing her own lawn because crews show up only monthly. Gerald Korb, a 78-year-old retiree, said he’s still waiting for the company to move an electric pole and transformer he fears could topple onto his home during a storm.
“I bought a place, and now they are forcing all this on us,” said Korb, who stopped paying rent in protest. “They are absentee landlords is what they are.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/25/rents-spike-big-pocketed-investors-buy-mobile-home-parks/ | 2022-07-25T14:26:09Z |
Report criticizes meat industry, USDA response to pandemic
By JOSH FUNK
Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new Congressional report says that at the height of the pandemic, the meat processing industry worked closely with political appointees in the Trump administration to stave off health restrictions and keep slaughterhouses open even as COVID-19 spread rapidly among workers. The report issued Thursday says meat companies pushed to keep their plants open even though they knew workers were at high risk. The lobbying led to health and labor officials watering down recommendations for the industry and culminated in an executive order from President Donald Trump designating meat plants as critical infrastructure that needed to remain open. The North American Meat Institute trade group says the report distorts the truth and ignores steps companies took to protect workers. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2022/05/12/report-criticizes-meat-industry-usda-response-to-pandemic/ | 2022-05-12T15:58:46Z |
IRVING, Texas (AP) — There are representatives from the Big 12’s four future members attending the conference’s spring meetings, along with the lingering presence of Texas and Oklahoma, the league’s only football national champions who still are three years away from their scheduled departures to the SEC.
Outcoming commissioner Bob Bowlsby, who announced his retirement earlier this year with plans to stay on until his replacement is found, figures he is down to 30-90 days left on the job.
“This meeting has got some weirdness to it,” Bowlsby said. “It would be less than forthright to not admit that there’s some strangeness to it, and perhaps even some periods when there’s a little bit of tension. But, you know, people are working together in good faith. And we get along and work together because we have to.”
A time of membership transition in the Big 12 comes when it, like schools and leagues across the country, are dealing with transfer rules and how student-athletes are getting compensated for use of their names, images and likenesses, and just who is involved with that process.
“I don’t know that the change in membership is causing us any particular scrambling,” Bowlsby said. “The members going out, the continuing members, we all share the same challenges. … It’s not like they’re coming in to a uniquely different environment with a different set of challenges.”
BYU will officially join the Big 12 next summer. The growing anticipation is that current American Athletic Conference schools Cincinnati, Houston and UCF will as well, instead of having to wait until July 1, 2024.
The Big 12, a 10-team league since 2011 and that way for another year, could have 14 schools for two years after that. Texas and Oklahoma will move to the SEC no later than July 1, 2025.
“I think the tenor’s good. I mean, honestly, you move on from some of the decisions. We know the two schools, Oklahoma and Texas, are leaving. But at the same time, they’re league members for the next two years,” West Virginia athletic director Shane Lyons said. “And with the four new schools coming in … they start having a voice in the process. You’re looking at the league as a whole to say what’s best for the league.”
Athletic directors had their joint meeting Thursday with the Big 12 board comprised of the president or chancellor from each member school. The board’s executive session Friday, which is expected to include an update on the search for a new commissioner, will wrap up the meetings.
Texas AD Chris Del Conte said there is “nothing that’s contentious.” He described the meetings business as usual while including discussions about the reshaping of the league.
“It’s a little different, but we’re all participating and making decisions that are going to best serve the institutions, for us for a shorter period of time than the others,” Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione said.
Bowlsby said the agenda for the annual meetings that began Wednesday maybe should have been color-coded. There were some items for the current 10 members, some for all 14 schools, others for the future schools that are observing and interacting without a vote on issues, and even some for only the eight remaining schools — Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, TCU and West Virginia.
There will be no final decisions this week on future schedules — for football or other sports — and if the league would return to divisions.
The Big 12 became a 10-team league and scrapped divisions in 2011, during a two-year transition when Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas A&M left the league while TCU and West Virginia came in. Changes in NCAA legislation allowed the Big 12 in 2017 to resume its football championship game, pitting the top two teams in the standings after a round-robin league schedule.
“We’re still considering whether divisions are the right thing for us, or whether one group together is the right thing,” said Bowlsby, adding that could differ among sports.
As for NIL, which went into effect last summer with few guidelines, Lyons said there have been a lot of positives and negatives.
“So where do we end up somewhere in between, where our student-athletes can capitalize of name, image and likeness, but we’re not using them for pay-for-play, and we’re not using it for inducements,” Lyons said. “That’s the bad part right now … some institutions are using it as recruiting inducements and making promises on the front end. And that was really never anticipated. It was a matter of once a student-athlete becomes a student-athlete, how he or she can capitalize off their name, image and likeness.” | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/some-weirdness-at-big-12-with-future-and-soon-former-teams/ | 2022-06-02T22:55:19Z |
TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of South Florida is among the state's best employers, according to a list just released by Forbes.
In America's Best Employers by State, USF ranks No. 21 out of 100 public and private employers across a wide array of industries and No. 2 among higher education institutions.
"The University of South Florida is proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of the top employers in Florida," USF President Rhea Law said. "Our faculty and staff are crucial to achieving our strategic goals of promoting student success, strengthening excellence in research, and enhancing partnerships and collaborations within and outside of USF. We value our employees and are committed to recruiting and retaining top talent by fostering an inclusive culture that supports their well-being."
Angie Sklenka, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, said, "USF has taken an inward focus to invest in its people."
"When faculty and staff are energized and find joy at work, our students and research will flourish," she said. "Higher education is finally acknowledging the importance of the need for a modern talent management infrastructure. USF recognizes human resources as a strategic benefit to our organizational performance and has elevated the function to the president to support the growth of our people."
USF has implemented a number of human resources-related initiatives over the past year, including:
- A program to cover tuition for dependents of employees
- A hybrid, flexible work environment
- Improved total rewards and competitive wage analysis to attract and retain high-performing people
- Enhanced employee recognition
- An Employee Success Center with free and discounted leadership training available for career growth (live and online training)
USF employs nearly 15,700 people across its campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee.
Forbes partnered with the market research company Statista to compile its fourth annual list, surveying 70,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 500 employees across 25 industry sectors. The list – one for each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia – ranks the 1,382 employers that received the most recommendations. Among the topics addressed in the survey were working conditions, salary, potential for growth, remote-work benefits, and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Just last month, USF was named as one of the nation's best employers for women in Forbes' America's Best Employers for Women. USF ranks No. 22 on that list, which includes employers across a wide range of industries.
The University of South Florida, a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
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SOURCE University of South Florida | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/forbes-names-university-south-florida-one-states-top-employers/ | 2022-08-29T18:26:02Z |
MINNEAPOLIS , June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chuck & Don's Pet Food & Supplies, recently ranked by Newsweek as the number two pet retailer in the nation for 2022, is hosting a donation drive throughout the month of June to secure 15,000 cans of cat food that will benefit the Secondhand Hounds Chuck & Don's Pet Wellness Center.
The Chuck & Don's Wellness Center, located in Minneapolis, was created in partnership with Secondhand Hounds, which is one of the largest animal rescue organizations in the state, having saved more than 25,000 animals since 2009. In 2021, Chuck & Don's helped Secondhand Hounds expand their facility from 2,000 to 8,000 square feet so that it could house the "People & Pets Together" food shelf, which helps pet parents facing economic hardship receive food and other services in an effort to keep pets healthy and remain in their loving forever homes. Last year, "People & Pets Together" distributed more than 200,000 pounds of dog and cat food to nearly 1,200 households in need of assistance.
The cat canned food drive further demonstrates Chuck & Don's commitment to nourishment, a key pillar in their 5 Pillars of Pet Wellness®. By providing canned food via these critical donations, through the support of Secondhand Hounds and the Chuck & Don's Pet Wellness Center, those in need can care for their pets, resulting in fewer pets ending up at the shelter.
Cat canned food donations can be dropped off at any of Chuck & Don's 34 retail locations throughout Minneapolis and Wisconsin.
For more information, please visit www.chuckanddons.com and www.secondhandhounds.org/programs/cdpwc/.
Chuck & Don's is unlike any pet experience in the world. It's a community of experts, including nutritionists, groomers, and behaviorists all dedicated to holistic pet wellness. At Chuck & Don's, pet parents can find everything under one virtual and physical roof: natural food, healthy treats, supplies, grooming, daycare, training, vet services, and more. Chuck & Don's is obsessed with pet nutrition and curating the best products, and its employees have logged an estimated one million hours of food training. Chuck & Don's has created a place where customers can learn, have fun and be part of a community. Chuck & Don's is part of Independent Pet Partners family of pet wellness stores. https://chuckanddons.com/ https://IPPwellness.com
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SOURCE Independent Pet Partners | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/chuck-amp-dons-pet-food-amp-supplies-donating-15000-cans-cat-food-support-secondhand-hounds-pet-wellness-center/ | 2022-06-20T20:15:05Z |
HOUSTON, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Salient Midstream & MLP Fund (the "Fund") (NYSE: SMM) today announced a distribution of $0.0875 per share for the second quarter ending May 31, 2022. This distribution is payable to common stockholders on May 27, 2022.
At the close of business on April 30, 2022, the Fund's total assets were $223.6 million and the Net Asset Value (NAV) per share was $9.21. On April 30, 2022, the closing share price of the Fund was $7.94, which was trading at a 13.8% discount to the NAV.1 For the month ending April 30, 2022 the Fund's NAV and market price total returns were -3.3% and -3.6%, respectively, compared to -2.2% for the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index (AMEIX).2 The Fund's NAV and market price total returns year-to-date (YTD) were 24.6% and 19.2%, respectively, compared to 18.9% for the AMEIX.2
The Fund's second quarter distribution will be payable on May 27, 2022 to common stockholders of record on May 19, 2022. It is anticipated that this distribution will be a combination of return of capital and ordinary income for tax purposes. The final tax status of the distribution may differ substantially from this preliminary information, and the final determination of such amount will be made in early 2023 when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits for the 2022 fiscal year.
The Fund's quarterly distributions per share over the past year are shown below:3
Since the Fund's inception, the portfolio management team has focused on generating top-tier total returns rather than focusing on maximizing distributions. The Fund's performance over multiple time periods versus its peers is provided in the table below along with a ranking of SMM vs. peers.
Since inception in 2012, SMM is the second best performing closed-end fund on market price and the third best on NAV in the peer group of eleven funds.
SMM's inception to date (ITD) annualized total return (based on market price) of -2.0% has outperformed the RIC Average of -4.0% and C-Corp average of -4.4%. Likewise, on a NAV basis, SMM's ITD return of -0.8% compares favorably to the -3.3% return for the peer group of RIC Funds and -2.4% for C-Corp Funds.
April Market Commentary
April began strong for energy infrastructure equities with a 5% return as of April 20, but a correction late in the month caused such equities to finish down 2.2% as measured by the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index (AMEIX).2,4 April's correction came on the heels of energy demand fears with the threat that China would extend its lockdowns to include Beijing and the potential for a global economic slowdown due to the war in Ukraine and higher interest rates. Earnings announcements began in late April with a few large energy infrastructure companies announcing volume growth and healthy earnings increases compared to last year. For the remainder of 2022, we remain positive on the industry as 1) free cash flow after distributions is poised to increase rapidly year-over-year for the industry, 2) hydrocarbon volumes should grow as drilling activity improves and 3) capital allocation remains focused on returning excess cash to investors through buybacks and potential distribution increases.5
Crude oil as measured by the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) benchmark was up 7.9% for the month of April and is now up 35.3% for the year.4 Crude oil prices have moved sharply higher due to the war in Ukraine. Russia produces ~10 million barrels per day (mmbbls/d) of crude oil, or about 10% of global supply and is the second largest crude oil exporter after Saudi Arabia.6 Markets are worried that crude oil supplies may be disrupted which could lead to a spike in prices well above current levels. While sanctions so far have avoided Russian crude oil, sanctioning Russia's energy exports would likely lead to a further spike in global crude oil and natural gas prices. Even if crude oil sanctions are not implemented, we would expect a geopolitical risk premium to remain in crude oil prices for the near future. Should things normalize, we view crude oil prices in the $70-$80 range as being positive for long-term investment in the American energy industry. While the Ukrainian war will have an as yet unknown effect on crude oil supply, fundamentals remain robust as energy consumption continues to rise post COVID. Commodity analysts continue to see a tight supply environment for both crude oil and natural gas in 2022 and potentially into 2023 as energy demand appears to be on trend to exceed peak pre-COVID levels.7 We believe that current crude oil and natural gas prices are sufficient to lead to U.S. volume growth in 2022 and 2023, with increases in production already showing up in recent Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. The promise of these incremental volumes should be supportive of midstream companies.
The Fund's top ten holdings as of April 30, 2022 are shown below:8
The Fund's unaudited balance sheet as of April 30, 2022 is shown below:
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Salient Midstream & MLP Fund is a Delaware statutory trust registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of total return with an emphasis on making quarterly cash distributions to its common shareholders. The Fund seeks to achieve that objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets in securities of MLPs and midstream companies. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ significantly from the Fund's present expectations or projections indicated in any forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, changes in economic and political conditions; regulatory and legal changes; leverage risk; valuation risk; interest rate risk; tax risk; the volume of sales and purchase of shares; the continuation of investment advisory, administration and other service arrangements; and other risks discussed in the Fund's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Fund undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be attained.
About Salient
Salient Partners, L.P. ("Salient") is a real asset and alternative investment firm that offers a suite of strategies focused on energy and infrastructure, real estate and tactical alternative investments. Institutions and investment advisors turn to Salient to build smarter, more efficient portfolios. Strategies are offered in the form of open- and closed-end funds and separately managed accounts. Salient was founded in 2002 and has offices in Houston and San Francisco. Learn more about Salient at www.salientpartners.com.
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SOURCE Salient Partners, L.P. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/salient-midstream-amp-mlp-fund-announces-second-quarter-2022-distribution-00875-per-share-net-asset-value-april-30-2022/ | 2022-05-05T20:59:28Z |
SALT LAKE CITY, April 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 22, 2022, the Malouf Foundation™ hosted its second-annual education summit in Salt Lake City. The Malouf Foundation™ Summit consists of influential panelists discussing the prevalence of child sexual exploitation and the importance of making a difference. To watch this year's full event, visit malouffoundation.org/summit.
One of the first panels of the day included survivor leaders Kara Robinson Chamberlain, activist and author; Tanya Gould, director at the Virginia Office of Attorney General; and Suzie Skirvin, Malouf Foundation™ advisory board member. Each panelist shared their lived experiences and pathways to healing.
"A big part of my healing is learning about myself—who I am and where I'm going," Gould shared in the panel discussion. "What empowers me on my healing journey will look different for someone else because we're all different. Every survivor has their own story and I value their experiences."
The survivor panel was moderated by Ashley Flowers, founder of Audiochuck and host of Crime Junkie podcast. Flowers is an advocate for survivors and is passionate about spreading awareness of abuse and trauma.
"As someone who works in the true crime space, I've seen firsthand how prevalent and heartbreaking sexual exploitation can be and the need for survivor resources," Flowers shared. "I'm thrilled to have participated in this year's Malouf Summit in order to bring attention, education and resources to a community of survivors and those looking to better support them."
Malouf Foundation™ advisory board member and survivor leader Julie Whitehead also shared her story at the Summit. She introduced the event's business panel and shared how business has intersected her experience as a trafficking survivor. Whitehead participated on a survivor panel at last year's Summit at Malouf™ headquarters in Logan, Utah.
"Business leaders have a tremendous impact on their communities and have an opportunity to make a difference in the anti-trafficking and anti-exploitation space," Whitehead shared. "The man who helped me escape my trafficker is a business owner and is committed to bringing awareness to this cause. He says getting involved has unified their employees and has helped them create a stronger work culture."
Members of the business panel were Scott Anderson, chief executive officer at Zions Bank of Salt Lake City; Kelly Gage, director of advancement at Nomi Network based out of New York; and Erika George, director of Tanner Humanities Center at University of Utah. Each leader highlighted their organization's philanthropic efforts and how others can influence the causes they care about. Salt Lake City Chamber President Derek Miller moderated the panel. Miller also serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Task Force to Eradicate Human Trafficking.
"At Zions Bank, we endeavor to be actively engaged in making our communities better and helping provide creative solutions to community needs," Anderson said. "Philanthropic engagement goes beyond merely the giving of dollars, it also includes deploying all available resources—influence, voice, reach, time and more—to enable meaningful change."
The afternoon session of the Summit started with leaders of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is the nation's comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention and recovery from child victimization. For nearly 40 years, NCMEC has been working with families, victims, private industry, law enforcement and the public to make a difference.
At the Summit, Michelle DeLaune, NCMEC president and chief executive officer, and Lauren Coffren, NCMEC director of the Exploited Children Division, spoke to the realities, revictimization and response in child sexual abuse material (CSAM), or child pornography.
"The COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected every aspect of life across the globe including how much time everyone spent online. Last year, in 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children saw a 35 percent increase in the number of CyberTipline reports related to suspected child sexual exploitation—that amounts to around 80,000 reports every day," DeLaune said. "The number is staggering and almost too big to comprehend, but it's important to talk about. Online enticement and online grooming are on the rise and we at NCMEC believe that action and education are vital components to combating this horrific crime."
DeLaune and Coffren were joined by Team HOPE consultant Nicole (last name omitted for privacy reasons). Team HOPE is a group of peer-support volunteers who have lived experience with missing and exploited children's issues. Nicole is the mother of a survivor of CSAM and spoke to the realities of that experience, sharing her unique perspective as a caregiver and as a support to others with similar lived experiences.
The final panel focused on connecting with elected officials. Panelists Blake Moore, United States congressman of Utah's First District; Angela Romero, Utah House representative for the 26th District; and Ron Welch, Muskingum County, Ohio prosecuting attorney discussed how individuals can get involved with elected officials at every level to support survivors of abuse through policy and legislation. Former National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien introduced the panel.
"We all have unique areas of influence, which means we have the power to make a difference in our communities," said Kacie Malouf, co-founder and board chair of the Malouf Foundation™. "We hope attendees take what they learned today and take action—that they find a cause they're passionate about and fight for it."
To watch this year's Summit, or for more information about the Malouf Foundation™, visit malouffoundation.org.
About Malouf Foundation™
Formalized in 2016 and operating out of Logan, Utah, the Malouf Foundation™ is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to confronting child sexual exploitation, specifically sex trafficking and online abuse. The Foundation fulfills their mission by providing education through OnWatch™ and Smart Defense; promoting healing through the Juniper Scholarship™, Rooms Restored™, and restorative care centers; and advocating for survivors through Heroes Landing™ and the "We Believe You" campaign. In January 2022, the Elizabeth Smart Foundation officially became a part of the Malouf Foundation™ to broaden the impact of both organizations. Supported by the network of Malouf Companies™, the Malouf Foundation™ gives 100 percent of its resources on behalf of the people it serves. For more information or to make a donation, visit malouffoundation.org.
PR Contact
Alicia Richmond
801-599-1794
alicia.richmond@malouffoundation.org
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SOURCE Malouf Foundation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/22/malouf-foundation-holds-annual-summit-combating-sexual-exploitation/ | 2022-04-22T23:52:36Z |
Posted: May 16, 2022 / 03:37 PM CDT Updated: May 16, 2022 / 03:37 PM CDT SHARE WASHINGTON (AP) — Baby formula maker Abbott says it has reached deal with regulators to restart production at factory tied to shortage. Close Modal Suggest a Correction Your name(required) Your email(required) Report a typo or grammatical error(required) Submit Δ Suggest a Correction | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/baby-formula-maker-abbott-says-it-has-reached-deal-with-regulators-to-restart-production-at-factory-tied-to-shortage/ | 2022-05-17T14:29:12Z |
Juneteenth artwalk in Downtown MHK to benefit artists, future celebrations
MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - More than a dozen Manhattan-area artists are being featured in Downtown Manhattan’s inaugural Juneteenth ArtWalk.
Businesses along Poyntz Avenue between 3rd Street and 5th Street are featuring artwork focusing on the theme of ‘Freedom. Strength. Resilience.’
Artists were asked to interpret the theme to create artwork for display during the month of June.
Each artwork has a placard and Q-R code link explaining how the artwork fulfills this year’s theme.
“We’re a burgeoning art community down here and this just seemed like the perfect fit and goes along with how we want everybody to feel welcome in downtown.” Downtown Manhattan Inc., Executive Director, Gina Snyder says.
The Juneteenth Artwalk will be on display through the morning of June 16th, the artwork will then be auctioned off at the Douglas Activity Center on June 16th at 7:00pm. The proceeds from the sale will be split 50-50 with the artist and the remainder going to fund future Juneteenth celebrations.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/09/juneteenth-artwalk-downtown-mhk-benefit-artists-future-celebrations/ | 2022-06-09T02:44:28Z |
TORONTO, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) today announced that its Annual Meeting of shareholders and the Annual Meeting of voting policyholders of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, 2022 has been changed to a virtual-only format. Shareholders, voting policyholders, and members of the public will not be able to attend the meeting in person.
This change is being made based on ongoing developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects Sun Life's commitment to prioritize the health and safety of our shareholders, voting policyholders, employees, Clients and the broader community.
Shareholders and voting policyholders will have the opportunity to attend the meeting online and in real time regardless of their location, submit questions and vote on a number of important matters.
Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Time: 5 p.m. (Toronto time)
Virtually: https://web.lumiagm.com/422392842
Password: sunlife2022 (case sensitive)
For detailed instructions on how to join the webcast and vote at the virtual meeting, shareholders should refer to the 2022 Management Information Circular and voting policyholders should refer to the Information for Voting Policyholders' Booklet and their proxy form or voting instruction form.
The meeting materials can be accessed electronically on:
SEDAR at https://www.sedar.com
EDGAR at https://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml
Our website at www.sunlife.com/2022agm
Our transfer agent's website at www.meetingdocuments.com/TSXT/slf
Shareholders and voting policyholders are encouraged to vote in advance by one of the methods described in the 2022 Management Information Circular or Information for Voting Policyholders' Booklet, as applicable. Registered shareholders are asked to return their completed proxies or exercise their vote by the voting deadline on Monday, May 9, 2022 at 5 p.m. (Toronto time). Voting policyholders are asked to return their proxies no later than 5 p.m. (Toronto time) on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance, and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.44 trillion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars
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SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/25/sun-life-host-virtual-only-format-2022-annual-meetings-shareholders-voting-policyholders/ | 2022-04-25T16:44:10Z |
Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins killed in auto accident
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed Saturday when he was hit by a dump truck while he was walking on a South Florida highway.
Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Lt. Indiana Miranda confirmed the accident on westbound Interstate 595. Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene.
Miranda didn’t say why the 24-year-old Haskins was on the highway at the time. The accident caused the highway to be shut down for several hours.
“He was just walking on the highway and got hit,” Miranda told The Associated Press.
Haskins’ death sparked an outpouring of grief from multiple corners of the NFL, particularly with his former teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders.
“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family during this difficult time.”
Haskins was selected by Washington in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Ohio State. He started seven games as a rookie, going 2-5. He was 1-5 in six starts the next season for the team, then was released.
Washington coach Ron Rivera said he was “absolutely heartbroken” to learn of Haskins’ death.
“Dwayne was a talented young man who had a long life ahead of him,” Rivera said in a release. “This is a very sad time and I am honestly at a loss for words. I know I speak for the rest of our team in saying he will be sorely missed. Our entire team is sending our heartfelt condolences and thoughts and prayers to the Haskins family at this time.”
Ohio State posted a photo of Haskins on its Twitter feed. It read: “Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye.”
The Steelers gave Haskins a chance to resurrect his career in January 2021 when they signed him a month after being released by Washington. Humbled by the decision, Haskins stressed he was eager to work hard and absorb as much as he could from Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph. He made the roster as the third-stringer but only dressed once, serving as the backup in a tie with Detroit after Roethlisberger was placed into the COVID-19 protocol the night before the game.
“The world lost a great person today,” Steelers star T.J. Watt posted on Twitter. “When Dwayne first walked into the locker room I could tell he was an upbeat guy. He was always making people smile, never taking life for granted.”
Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert both praised Haskins for his improvement since joining the team, and the Steelers re-signed him to a one-year deal as a restricted free agent in March. He was expected to compete with Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky for a spot.
“Dwayne meant so much to so many people,” Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward posted on Twitter. “His smile was infectious and he was a guy you wanted to be around. We are all in shock about losing him. We are going to miss the heck out of him as well. We lost you way too early. Luckily I got a chance to get to know you. RIP DH.”
ESPN was the first to report Haskins had died.
Haskins appeared to be working in South Florida this week with several teammates, including Trubisky, running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth.
“Devastated,” Rudolph said on social media.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/09/reports-pittsburgh-steelers-quarterback-struck-by-car-killed-florida/ | 2022-04-09T17:52:17Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ShardSecure, inventor of the innovative MicroshardTM technology that mitigates data security and privacy risks in the cloud, will be exhibiting at Black Hat 2022, the leading information security event, from August 6 to 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. While at Black Hat, ShardSecure will showcase their patented microsharding solution at Booth #30 in the Business Hall's Innovation City.
During the conference, ShardSecure will demonstrate how microsharding renders sensitive data unintelligible in the wrong hands, offering crucial protection in multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments. ShardSecure Lead Developer Anthony Whitehead will present "Microsharding, an Alternative to Encryption for Data at Rest" from 2:25 to 2:45 p.m. PT on August 10 in the Business Hall, Theater C. Additionally, VP of Marketing Marc Blackmer will be interviewed on microsharding and encryption by Chuck Harold of SecurityGuyTV at 9:20 a.m. PT on August 11.
"We're looking forward to making new connections and sharing how we can help organizations strengthen their data resilience, maintain business continuity, and mitigate the impact of ransomware," said Marc Blackmer. "Black Hat is an excellent opportunity for ShardSecure to participate in key industry conversations, strengthen our brand, and grow our networking opportunities."
Microshard technology works to desensitize sensitive data by digitally shredding it into tiny microshards. Those microshards are then mixed with poison data and distributed to multiple customer-owned storage locations of the customer's choosing. Its self-healing data also reverses unauthorized data deletion and tampering — including ransomware — for data at rest.
Through its ability to reconstruct data impacted by storage service outages, ShardSecure also helps protect against the effects of data loss and allows business operations to continue unaffected during an outage.
"We're pleased to be sharing Microshard technology with a wide audience of thought leaders and vendors at Black Hat," said Bob Lam, CEO and Co-Founder of ShardSecure. "Combined with several new partnerships and our recent availability in Azure Marketplace, Black Hat is allowing us to reach more organizations with our innovative data security and data resilience solution. We look forward to continuing the discussion about how we can help organizations maintain control of their sensitive data in the cloud while protecting it from outages and attacks."
About Black Hat
Now in its 25th year, Black Hat USA is a leading cybersecurity event. With trainings, briefings, and virtual and in-person events, Black Hat 2022 will present the latest research, development, and trends in the information security industry.
About ShardSecure
ShardSecure is changing the nature of data security. It believes that all organizations can easily and securely enjoy the benefits of cloud adoption without surrendering control of their data. Inventors of the patented Microshard technology, ShardSecure cloud-enables sensitive data by desensitizing it in multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments.
For more information about this coverage or about ShardSecure, please contact our media relations team at media@shardsecure.com.
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SOURCE ShardSecure | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/shardsecure-present-black-hat-cybersecurity-conference/ | 2022-08-09T13:04:37Z |
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the debut of iPhone 14, TORRAS, a leading phone accessory and electronic device brand, has unveiled its new iPhone cases and screen protectors. This time, TORRAS Lab, an integrated center for building iPhone 14 cases with innovative technology and delivering product experiments, brings us several new case series. Let's take a look and see how TORRAS surprises us again.
If you spend a lot of time working or having fun outdoors, you might want something more rugged, like the Guardian, embedded with a wide range of airbags inside to enhance protection. With the 3rd gen X-Shock airbags inside the four corners, the Guardian case protects the parts of your phone that are most likely to break. The X-Shock airbag is shaped like the letter X, to reinforce a cushion against collision.
L-Shock camera lens airbags are patented technology specially designed for the upgrade of the iPhone 14 rear camera, which protects the vital part of the phone.
A clear case can be the best way to show the original design of your phone, But you may be distressed by the fact that the clear case you bought turns yellow within a short period of time. Now TORRAS offers their Diamond Clear series case, which brings an extra long-lasting clear performance, keeping your phone always protective and fresh.
Transternity™ Technology is engineered for TORRAS clear cases with the AYF anti-yellowing standard that they significantly define. They distribute high molecular inert polymers on the surface to prevent discoloration caused by ultraviolet rays, hand sweat or cosmetics. According to their exclusive anti-yellowing standard, all TORRAS clear cases are produced with the AYF 50, which is the highest standard to resist yellowing for even 60 days.
This is a 4-in-1 stand case that supports MagSafe and provides up to 120-degree adjustable angles to prop up your phone. The built-in 2nd gen magnet ring with a magnetic force of up to 5 times, making your phone align perfectly and bringing faster wireless charging than ever.
TORRAS exclusive UPRO™ Kickstand Technology makes UPRO Matte cases more view-friendly even for all users. 3-way viewing angles in landscape or portrait mode enable you to binge-watch your favorite videos or Facetime your family or friends with ease. Designed with a translucent back cover like the Guardian series, this UPRO Matte MagSafe case has ShockMAT 360-degree honeycomb airbags inside to increase cushion. Comprehensive all-around protection is such a breeze!
UPRO Clear series case is especially perfect for those who need a kickstand for entertainment. Like other TORRAS clear cases, the UPRO Clear case is made with Polymer Isolation and Anti-yellowing Technology, ensuring long-lasting clarity during use. To fully cover the phone, the UPRO Clear case is equipped with four-corner X-Shock airbags and patented camera lens airbags.
TORRAS UPRO series cases build on their UPRO™ Kickstand Technology. Integrating golden ratio and ergonomic design, they set the kickstand at the bottom to deliver more stable support for your phone. Focusing on how people interact with the phone screen, they provide the best viewing angle of 52 degrees horizontally and 62 degrees vertically in 3 ways.
When it comes to phone protection, TORRAS will always be on the top of the list. With first-of-its-kind TORRAS Lab testing and creating the product, they care as much about style as they care about protection. This must be a worthwhile investment for your new iPhone. Shop iPhone 14 cases on TORRAS Amazon and TORRAS Website.
About TORRAS
Founded in 2012, TORRAS is an innovative brand with a design philosophy of "Simple but Unique". They now have an R&D laboratory that spans over 2,000 square meters, and have obtained more than 1,100 patents thus far, with 36 of its products winning prestigious international design awards including the German Red Dot Award.
TORRAS Contact: press@torras-global.com
TORRAS PR Manager: echo.huang@torras-global.com
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SOURCE TORRAS | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/torras-unveils-new-case-series-newly-launched-iphone-14/ | 2022-09-07T19:29:54Z |
Trial’s opening statements to begin for slaying of 8 family members
PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WXIX/Gray News) - The first trial in the 2016 execution-style shooting deaths of eight members of the Rhoden family will resume Monday with opening statements after a weeklong delay because of the illness of the special prosecutor, court records show.
The murder trial of George Wagner IV is being held in Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio, about 99 miles east of downtown Cincinnati. Pike County Common Pleas Court Judge Randy Deering is presiding.
The slayings are considered the state’s biggest and most complex homicide investigation to date, resulting in more than 1,000 tips, hundreds of people interviewed and dozens of search warrants.
Pike County massacre: Complete trial coverage
Wagner IV, 30, is the first member of his family of four who was all charged in the case to go on trial.
He is accused of killing Christopher Rhoden, 40; his older brother, Kenneth Rhoden, 44; his cousin, Gary Rhoden; his former wife, Dana Lynn Rhoden, 37, and their children: Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20, Hanna Mae Rhoden, 19, Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, and Frankie’s fiancé, Hannah Gilley, 20.
The victims were found fatally shot in the head, some while sleeping, in mobile homes and a camper on April 22, 2016.
Wagner IV was indicted and arrested along with three other members of his family in November 2018 on a total of 22 charges, including eight counts of aggravated murder.
He’s also charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, four counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of tampering with evidence, one count each of forgery, unauthorized use of property, interception of wire, oral or electronic communications, obstructing justice, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
The trial began late last month with the final selection of jurors, who then toured key locations in the case.
With more than 250 people on the potential witness list, attorneys have told the jury to expect the trial to last anywhere from six to eight weeks.
Depending on how long opening statements take, the prosecution could call their first witnesses on Monday.
Wagner IV has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have argued the confessions of his brother and mother last year prove he didn’t shoot and kill anyone.
Special Prosecutor Angela Canepa agreed in a December 2021 hearing that Wagner IV didn’t kill anyone.
In the state of Ohio, however, someone can be sentenced to death for an aggravated murder conviction if they help plan it or cover it up.
The judge denied a motion from Wagner IV’s lawyers during that hearing to dismiss the eight aggravated murder charges.
[Eldest Wagner son didn’t kill anyone in Pike County massacre: court docs]
[Pike County Massacre: Judge allows shoe expert to testify]
Two key witnesses for both the prosecution and defense will be George’s younger brother, Edward “Jake” Wagner, and his mother, Angela Wagner.
Both pleaded guilty last year for their roles.
Jake Wagner, 28, was charged with eight counts of murder and 15 other charges including gun specifications, conspiracy, burglary, possession of dangerous ordnance and tampering with evidence.
He admitted to killing five members of the Rhoden family, shooting a sixth, and spying on the family before the killings, tampering with evidence, and obstructing the yearslong search for the killers.
In exchange, prosecutors say they will drop the possibility of the death penalty for his entire family, and he agreed to serve eight life sentences without parole.
His lawyer said Jake Wagner “knows he’s going to die in prison without any judicial relief.”
He is held at the Franklin County Jail.
Jake was the ex-boyfriend of one of the victims, Hanna Mae Rhoden.
Authorities have said the motive of the slayings stemmed in part over a custody dispute between a young daughter Jake Wagner and Hanna Rhoden had together.
Jake was also charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for having sexual contact with Hanna Mae Rhoden when she was 15 and he was 20 years old.
The couple split up, and a bitter custody dispute ensued over their daughter, with Hanna Mae Rhoden refusing to sign shared custody papers, according to prosecutors.
“They will have to kill me first,” she wrote in a 2015 Facebook message, prosecutors have said.
Jake Wagner also was upset she was seeing another man and became pregnant with that man’s child and was exposing their daughter to people he felt she should not be.
That compelled the Wagner family to plot the killings, buying supplies such as ammunition, magazines, clips and parts to build gun silencers, according to prosecutors.
His mother pleaded to conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, several counts of aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and other charges as part of a plea deal.
The remaining eight counts of aggravated murder were dismissed.
The prosecution is recommending the 51-year-old woman serve 30 years in prison with no possibility of the death penalty. She currently is held at the jail in Delaware County.
The other Wagner still facing trial and accused of actually shooting and killing anyone is the family patriarch, George “Billy” Wagner III, 50.
He has pleaded not guilty and remains locked up at the Butler County Jail.
He is charged with eight counts of aggravated murder, four counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance and single counts of conspiracy, forgery, unauthorized use of computer or telecommunications, interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, obstructing justice and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Copyright 2022 WXIX via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/12/trials-opening-statements-begin-slaying-8-family-members/ | 2022-09-12T13:34:52Z |
Haaland scores 2 as Dortmund routs Wolfsburg 6-1
BERLIN (AP) — Striker Erling Haaland scored twice as Borussia Dortmund routed Wolfsburg 6-1 to maintain its slim chances of winning the German league. Dortmund is six points behind Bayern Munich with only a mathematical chance of the title. Bayern plays on Sunday. Hungary winger Roland Sallai scored twice as fifth-placed Freiburg beat mid-table Bochum 3-0 to move level on points with Leipzig. Hertha Berlin boosted its chances of staying up with a 1-0 win at Augsburg thanks to a goal from Germany midfielder Suat Serdar. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/16/haaland-scores-2-as-dortmund-routs-wolfsburg-6-1/ | 2022-04-16T18:47:38Z |
Computer experts urge Georgia to replace voting machines
ATLANTA (AP) — A group of computer and election security experts is urging Georgia election officials to replace the state’s touchscreen voting machines with hand-marked paper ballots ahead of the November midterm elections, citing what they say are “serious threats” posed by an apparent breach of voting equipment in one county.
The 13 experts on Thursday sent a letter to the members of the State Election Board and to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who’s a non-voting member of the board. It urges them to immediately stop using the state’s Dominion Voting Systems touchscreen voting machines. It also suggests they mandate a particular type of post-election audit on the outcome of all races on the ballot.
The experts who sent the letter include academics and former state election officials and are not associated with efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The midterm elections are just two months away. A switch to hand-marked paper ballots could easily be made by then because state law already provides for them to be used as an emergency backup, the letter says.
State Election Board Chair William Duffey responded in an email to The Associated Press that the “security of our election equipment is of paramount interest to the State Election Board as is the integrity of the election process in Georgia.” He noted that the alleged breach in Coffee County is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and secretary of state’s office investigators and said the FBI has been asked to assist.
“The investigation is active and ongoing,” Duffey wrote. “Information developed will be considered to evaluate the impact of the Coffee County conduct.”
Raffensperger’s office has repeatedly said that Georgia’s elections remain secure because of varied security mechanisms in place. Spokesperson Mike Hassinger said in an email that the office will respond “in due time with due care” and that the response will be “addressed directly to the authors, rather than leaked to the media to obtain some sort of rhetorical advantage.”
The apparent unauthorized copying of election equipment in Coffee County happened in January 2021. It is documented in emails, security camera footage and other records produced in response to subpoenas in a long-running lawsuit that argues Georgia’s voting machines are vulnerable and should be replaced by hand-marked paper ballots.
Those records show that a computer forensics team traveled to the rural county about 200 miles southeast of Atlanta on Jan. 7, 2021, to forensically copy voting equipment. Emails show that Sidney Powell and other Trump-allied attorneys were involved in arranging for the visit.
The security video also shows that Doug Logan and Jeff Lenberg, who were involved in broader efforts to cast doubt on the 2020 election results, visited the office later that month.
The experts who sent the letter Thursday have long criticized Georgia’s voting machines, which print a paper ballot that includes a human-readable summary of the voter’s selections and a barcode that is read by a scanner to tally the votes. They argue the machines already made elections more vulnerable to tampering because voters cannot read the barcode to verify that it accurately reflects their selections.
But the copying and sharing of election data and software from Coffee County “increases both the risk of undetected cyber-attacks on Georgia, and the risk of accusations of fraud and election manipulation,” the letter says.
The expert letter also cites work by University of Michigan computer science professor J. Alex Halderman, who serves as an expert witness in the long-running voting machines lawsuit. He has identified what he says are security vulnerabilities in Georgia’s voting machines. The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in June issued an advisory based on Halderman’s findings.
In addition to urging a switch to hand-marked paper ballots, the experts say a statewide post-election, risk-limiting audit should be done on all of the races on the ballot. A risk-limiting audit essentially uses a statistical approach to ensure that the reported results match the actual votes cast. Current rules require only one statewide contest to be audited.
At least some of the experts who signed the letter sent to the Georgia State Election Board last year sent a similar letter to California’s secretary of state ahead of a recall election for the state’s governor urging a rigorous audit of that contest. The secretary of state did not act on the recommendations.
___
Associated Press writer Christina A. Cassidy contributed reporting.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/09/09/computer-experts-urge-georgia-replace-voting-machines/ | 2022-09-09T12:59:22Z |
Designed to Leverage AI Technology to Improve the Delivery of Connected Care in Cardiac Diagnostics and Remote Patient Monitoring
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOTRONIK announced today its partnership with AliveCor, a leading innovator in FDA-cleared personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology and services. This partnership will combine the strengths of BIOTRONIK's BIOMONITOR Injectable Cardiac Monitor (designed with industry-leading 95.1% p-wave visibility1 across all cardiac cycles and 5.5 year longevity) with AliveCor's AI-enabled, clinically validated, medical-grade KardiaMobile 6L and KardiaMobile Card ECG technology. Through this pilot collaboration, healthcare providers will be able to access clinically relevant heart rhythm analyses and actionable reports to monitor at-risk patients; identify underlying arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF); and assess means to drive improvements to patient care and clinical outcomes.
Up to 25% of stroke patients present with AF2, the most common type of treated cardiac arrhythmia. Historically, screening options for early AF detection have been limited. Pairing AliveCor's KardiaMobile ECGs with BIOTRONIK's implantable device data strives to streamline workflow by providing comprehensive visibility within a single solution.
Until now, remote personal monitoring data and implantable device data have rarely been integrated, making it difficult for healthcare providers to access the full range of patient data. "Our FDA-cleared ECG technology paired with BIOTRONIK's implantable devices for cardiac rhythm diagnostics will allow a holistic view of the patient's heart health on the go, while providing critical insights for physicians," said Vincent Balsamo, Executive Vice President of Global Sales at AliveCor.
"Connecting wearable and implantable cardiac diagnostic device data from the earliest stages in the care continuum is groundbreaking," said Kenneth Nelson, Head of Digital Health and Diagnostics at BIOTRONIK. "This pilot project intends to give physicians and caregivers a more longitudinal view of the patient's condition while simultaneously reducing overall time spent on data management. We are proud to be on the frontier driving novel innovation."
This partnership aims to enable faster diagnosis, more informed clinical decision-making and effective treatment by bringing complete information to every step in the diagnosis, device implant, and management process. Providing connected solutions with EHR-integrated monitoring may facilitate seamless sharing of secure ECG data to optimize physicians' workflow. "BIOTRONIK is pioneering a digital health ecosystem that is long overdue in the cardiac device industry," said Raul Weiss, MD, FHRS, FACC, Professor of Clinical Medicine, Cardiologist, Director, Electrophysiology Fellowship Program, Ohio State University Medical Center.
This pilot collaboration is the first in a series of partnerships with leading digital health organizations to improve the delivery of connected care in cardiac diagnostics and remote patient monitoring.
References:
1 Deneke T, Cabanas P, Hofer D, Gaspar T, Pierre B, Bisignani G, et al. New Generation Miniaturized Insertable Cardiac Monitor with a Long Sensing Vector: Insertion Procedure, Sensing Performance, and Home Monitoring Transmission Success in a Real-World Population. Heart Rhythm O2. 2022;3(2):152-159. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hroo.2022.01.010.
2 Kannel WB, Wolf PA, Benjamin EJ, Levy D. Prevalence, incidence, prognosis, and predisposing conditions for atrial fibrillation: population-based estimates. Am J Cardiol. 1998 Oct 16;82(8A):2N-9N. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(98)00583-9.
BIOTRONIK is a leading medical device company that has developed trusted and innovative cardiovascular and endovascular solutions for more than 50 years. Driven by a purpose to perfectly match technology with the human body, BIOTRONIK innovations deliver care that saves and improves the lives of millions diagnosed with heart and blood vessel diseases every year. BIOTRONIK is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and is represented in over 100 countries.
AliveCor, Inc. is transforming cardiological care using deep learning. The FDA-cleared KardiaMobile device is the most clinically-validated personal ECG solution in the world. KardiaMobile 6L provides instant detection of Atrial Fibrillation, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Sinus Rhythm with Supraventricular Ectopy, Sinus Rhythm with Premature Ventricular Contractions, Sinus Rhythm with Wide QRS, and Normal Sinus Rhythm in an ECG. Kardia is the first AI-enabled platform to aid patients and clinicians in the efficient detection of atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia and one associated with a highly-elevated risk of stroke. AliveCor's enterprise platform allows third-party providers to manage their patients' and customers' heart conditions simply using state-of-the-art tools that provide easy front-end and back-end integration to AliveCor technologies. AliveCor protects its customers with stringent data security and compliance practices, achieving ISO 27001 Certification, SOC 2 Type 2 Certification and HIPAA compliance attestation. AliveCor is a privately-held company headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. "Consumer" or "Personal" ECGs are ECG devices available for direct sale to consumers. For more information, visit alivecor.com.
Follow us on:
- Twitter: @BIOTRONIK_US
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/biotronik
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BiotronikUS/
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SOURCE BIOTRONIK | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/biotronik-announces-collaboration-with-alivecor-first-series-strategic-partnerships-disrupt-cardiac-digital-health-with-ai-enabled-solutions/ | 2022-09-08T16:45:51Z |
New study from sales execution platform Outreach details the needs of the modern buyer
SEATTLE, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eighty-five percent of millennials say supplier teams should be diverse and reflect the world around them, according to a new study from Forrester Consulting, commissioned by Outreach, the sales execution platform helping revenue organizations deliver efficient, predictable growth.
The study, "Generational Shifts Fundamentally Change B2B Buyer And Seller Dynamics," surveyed 212 decision-makers at organizations across various industries in the US, Canada, and the UK to evaluate B2B buyer behaviors and key future trends. It details what buyers of different generations look for in their sales rep and what they value most from their buying experience. The results show that buyers value a consultative, collaborative and efficient sales process.
"This study illuminates why buyers need informed sellers now more than ever before," said Anna Baird, Chief Revenue Officer of Outreach. "The buying process today is primarily digital, more complex and involves more stakeholders than in the past. As such, it's up to us as revenue leaders to not only upskill our teams but to also provide them with the right technology so they can thrive in this increasingly challenging environment."
- The shift to digital has created a new buyer journey. Digitally savvy buyers now expect more frequent touchpoints and bring more stakeholders to the evaluation. Moreover, 75% of respondents agree that the duration of the average buying cycle has increased over the last 24 months.
- Millennials are the predominant decision-makers. While Gen Xers have larger budgets, millennials now dominate B2B purchase decisions. More so than their Gen X counterparts, millennials want tech-savvy, values-based experiences, and they want to interact with a diverse sales team that reflects the world around them.
- Buyers leave troves of data on digital channels. Before accepting meetings with sellers, buyers visit company websites, peer review sites, and attend supplier-hosted webinars. They leave data trails that sellers should leverage to provide the personalized engagement today's buyers require.
- Buyers value confident, consultative, and efficient sellers. Buyers expect reps to answer questions in the moment, lead with data, and guide them through the buying process. Eighty percent of respondents said they are more likely to purchase a product/service if the sales experience is consultative.
"With rapid technological advances, seismic demographic shifts, and new workforce dynamics, buyers' expectations are higher than ever," said Mary Shea, Global Innovation Evangelist at Outreach. "Revenue leaders need to cultivate sales teams that have hard skills like tech and data literacy plus soft skills like empathy and communication to succeed with today's buyer. What's more, sales reps must be empowered to tune their approaches to each buyer's unique circumstances, while monitoring and optimizing their successes and failures at each interaction point. In today's more complex selling environment, it's impossible to succeed without the right technology."
Outreach helps close the sales execution gap - the difference between a revenue organization's potential and its actual performance - so companies can drive efficiencies, do more with less, forecast with precision, and ensure their team delivers the experiences today's buyers crave.
- "Generational Shifts Fundamentally Change B2B Buyer And Seller Dynamics" is available to download.
- To learn more about Outreach, please visit the website.
Outreach is the sales execution platform helping revenue organizations deliver efficient, predictable growth. We are helping organizations achieve their growth potential by delivering sales execution workflows that leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to close execution gaps across the entire sales cycle, from prospecting to deal management to forecasting. Outreach is the only company to offer sales engagement, revenue intelligence, and revenue operations together in one platform. More than 5,500 companies, including Zoom, Adobe, Okta, DocuSign, and SAP, depend on Outreach to power their revenue organizations. Outreach is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington, with offices worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.outreach.io.
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SOURCE Outreach | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/eighty-five-percent-millennials-expect-supplier-sales-teams-be-diverse/ | 2022-06-27T19:08:38Z |
WROCLAW, Poland, June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Can4Med LLC announced today that it is expecting its first shipment of medical grade cannabis for purposes of distribution in Poland. Can4Med will distribute the products to an extensive network of pharmacy partners throughout the country.
"This significant milestone marks a major step forward in providing pharmacies and patients with regular access to cannabis for medical purposes. Can4Med is actively growing its supply contracts to provide approved products to the Polish market," said Can4Med CEO Arek Piotrowicz.
Polish legislation allows physicians to prescribe medical cannabis products to patients who can then access it through registered pharmacies. On some specific occasions, products can be covered under public health insurance.
Poland is one of Europe's largest medical cannabis markets by patient count and is forecast to grow significantly given its large population and growing market demand.
Cannabis products in Poland must be approved by government regulators before being made available for distribution.
About Can4Med:
Can4Med is an experienced pharmaceutical wholesaler specializing in the acquisition, registration, and distribution of medical cannabis and products containing THC and other cannabinoids in Poland. Can4Med holds a general pharmaceutical wholesaler license which permits the marketing and distribution of narcotics for medical purposes (I-N group of medications) and allows the wholesaling of medicinal products and pharmaceutical raw materials for pharmacy prescriptions. Backed by an experienced and knowledgeable management team and staff, Can4Med is well-positioned to register and distribute cannabis products throughout Poland. Can4Med has a fully established partnership with a German licensed narcotics wholesaler allowing for the fluid trade of products through Poland and Germany.
For further information:
Arkadiusz Piotrowicz
bd@can4med.com
Media contact:
Laura Kam
laura@kamgs.com
+972-54-06-8613
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SOURCE Can4Med | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/can4med-announces-first-shipment-medical-grade-cannabis-distribution-poland/ | 2022-06-28T08:54:58Z |
Haivision reports third-quarter year-over-year revenue growth of 42.9%
MONTREAL , Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Haivision Systems Inc. ("Haivision" or the "Company") (TSX: HAI), a leading global provider of mission critical, real-time IP video solutions, today announced its results for the third quarter ended July 31, 2022.
"With the successful completion of two major acquisitions since our IPO, combined with the introduction of exciting game-changing products, our focus on meeting the challenges and priorities of our customers with mission-critical live video networking and collaboration solutions have never been clearer," said Mirko Wicha, Chairman and CEO of Haivision. "Our core values of security, reliability, quality, and performance are fundamental aspects of all our products including the new Haivision Command 360 and Haivision Hub MCR. And now, along with Haivision's exciting and bold new brand identify we are entering a new chapter as the company transitions to perfectly position itself for the future."
Q3 2022 Financial Results
- Revenue of $29.6 million represents an increase of 42.9% or $8.9 million from the prior year period.
- Gross margins* for the quarter were 66.1%.
- Total expenses of $24.4 million represented an increase of $12.7 million from the prior year period, largely the result of the acquisitions of Haivision MCS in August 2021 and Aviwest in April 2022.
- Resulting operating loss was $4.8 million, a decrease of $8.7 million from the prior year period.
- Net loss of $4.2 million was a decrease of $6.1 million from the $1.9 million net income in the prior year period.
- Adjusted EBITDA* was a loss of $1.6 million, a decrease of $5.0 million from Adjusted EBITDA of $3.4 million in the prior year period.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin was (5.4)% compared to 16.3% in the prior year period.
Financial Results for the nine months ended July 31, 2022
- Revenue of $87.8 million represents an increase of 34.0% or $22.3 million from the prior year period.
- Gross margins* were 69.0%.
- Total expenses of $65.3 million represented an increase of $10.2 million from the prior year period, largely the result of the acquisitions of Haivision MCS in August 2021 and Aviwest in April 2022.
- Operating loss was $4.8 million, an increase of $0.2 million from the prior year period.
- Net loss was $5.1 million but represented a $3.9 million increase from the $8.9 net loss in the prior year's period.
- Adjusted EBITDA* was $3.1 million, a decrease of $7.4 million from Adjusted EBITDA of $10.5 million in the prior year period.
- Adjusted EBITDA Margin* was 3.6% compared to 16.1% for the prior year period.
Key Company Highlights for Fiscal 2022
- On April 1, 2022, we completed the acquisition of AVIWEST S.A.S. ("Aviwest"), a provider of ultra-low-latency wireless and IP bonding broadcast video transmission, through mobile networking (5G/4G cellular) and patented network bonding capabilities.
- CineMassive Displays, LLC was renamed Haivision MCS, LLC ("Haivision MCS"), highlighting its focus on "Mission-Critical Systems" for the enterprise, government, and defense verticals.
- Haivision introduced the new critical visual collaboration platform Haivision Command 360.
- Haivision was awarded its fourth Emmy® Award for Technology & Engineering, for the "Management of IP Multicast Video Distribution to Desktops and TVs in News and Media Production Facilities" through our flagship, multisite, live video distribution and IPTV solution, Haivision Media Platform.
- Haivision was awarded "Best Corporate Video and Enterprise Video Content Management Platform" at the 2021 Streaming Media Readers' Choice Awards.
- Haivision partnered with Grass Valley to enable live low latency cloud media production.
- Published our third annual Broadcast IP Transformation Report.
- SRT Alliance membership surpassed 575 members.
- Haivision awarded Best of Show award at IBC 2022 for Haivision Pro460 mobile video transmitter.
- Introduced an exciting new brand strategy that brings together our products, technology, and people under one inspiring brand.
"In this first full quarter operating with both acquisitions on a consolidated basis, we identified significant synergies that can be largely realized over this next quarter," said Dan Rabinowitz, Chief Financial Officer and EVP, Operations. "In addition, the company also expects higher revenues in this fourth quarter from increases in seasonal volume and from increased pricing to offset incremental supply chain costs. We expect to be able to maintain our historical margin profiles while still delivering industry leading price to value offerings for our customers."
Financial Results
Revenue for the three months and nine months ended July 31, 2022 was $29.6 million and $87.8 million, respectively, an increase of $8.9 million or 43% and $22.3 million or 34% compared to the prior year periods, respectively. Primary contributors to revenue growth were the recent acquisitions of Haivision MCS in August 2021 and of Aviwest in April 2022. Gross Margins* for the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2022 were 66.1% and 69.0%, compared to 75.1% and 76.5% for the prior year periods, respectively. The decrease in Gross Margins* results largely from the addition of Haivision's recent acquisitions which historically operated at a lower overall gross margin than Haivision's traditional business.
Total expenses in the quarter ended July 31, 2022 was $24.4 million an increase of $12.7 million from the prior year period largely related to the acquisition of Haivision MCS in August 2021 and Aviwest in April 2022, and included $2.2 million in additional depreciation and amortization expenses related to these acquisitions. For the nine months ended July 31, 2022, total expenses of $65.3 million represent an increase of increased by $10.2 million from the prior year period largely related to the acquisition of Haivision MCS and Aviwest. Increases in total expenses were offset by the reduction in non-recurring share-based payments of $14.1 million related to the legacy Employee Stock Option Plan ("ESOP") and included $4.6 million of incremental depreciation and amortization expense and $1.1 million in transactional expenses related to acquisitions.
Net loss for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $4.2 million a decrease of $6.1 million from $1.9 million net income from the prior year period. The decrease in net income in the three-month period ended July 31, 2022 is largely related to the $8.9 million increase in revenue contributing to a $4.0 million increase in gross profit; offset by an increase in total expenses by $12.7 million (largely related to the Haivision MCS acquisition in August 2021 and the Aviwest acquisition in April 2022). Income taxes also declined by $2.8 million. The net loss for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 was $5.1 million, a $3.9 million improvement from the $8.9 million net loss in the prior year period. The increase in net income in the nine month period is largely related to the $22.3 million increase in revenue contributing to a $10.4 million increase in gross profit; offset by an increase in total expenses by $10.2 million and a decrease in income taxes of $4.1 million. *Represents a non-IFRS measure. For the relevant definition, see "Non-IFRS Measures" below. As applicable, a reconciliation of this non-IFRS measure to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure is included in the tables at the end of this press release and in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months and nine months ended July 31, 2022.
Conference Call Notification
Haivision will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter financial results on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 5:30 pm (ET). To register for the call, please use this link https://conferencingportals.com/event/myiwYleM. After registering, a confirmation will be sent through email, including dial in details and unique conference call codes for entry.
Financial Statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis and Additional Information
Haivision's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the third quarter ended July 31, 2022 (the "Q3 Financial Statements"), the management's discussion and analysis thereon and additional information relating to Haivision and its business can be found under Haivision's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The financial information presented in this release was derived from the Q3 Financial Statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's growth opportunities and its ability to execute on its growth strategy. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management's current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Haivision as of the date of this release, are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified under "Risk Factors" in the Company's latest annual information form, and in other periodic filings that the Company has made and may make in the future with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada, all of which are available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Haivision. However, such risk factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Haivision undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Non-IFRS Measures
Haivision's consolidated financial statements for the third quarter ended July 31, 2022 are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. This press release makes reference to certain non-IFRS measures, including "EBITDA", "Gross Margin", "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Adjusted EBITDA Margin". These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. Rather, these non-IFRS measures are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We also believe that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers. Our management also uses non-IFRS measures to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of management compensation.
Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure used by management to assess the financial performance of our business. Adjusted EBITDA is also a key metric that management uses prior to execution of any strategic investing or financing opportunity. "EBITDA" is defined as earnings (loss) before income taxes, depreciation, amortization and financial expenses and "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as EBITDA, as adjusted for stock-based compensation and certain non-recurring expense items. "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. "Gross Margin" represents gross profit divided by revenue.
A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net income (loss) is included in the tables at the end of this press release and in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the three months and nine months ended July 31, 2022.
About Haivision
Haivision is a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video streaming and networking solutions. Our connected cloud and intelligent edge technologies enable global organizations to engage audiences, enhance collaboration, and support decision making. We provide high quality, low latency, secure, and reliable live video at a global scale. Haivision open sourced its award-winning SRT low latency video streaming protocol and founded the SRT Alliance to support its adoption. Awarded four Emmys® for Technology and Engineering from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Haivision continues to fuel the future of IP video transformation. Founded in 2004, Haivision is headquartered in Montreal and Chicago with offices, sales, and support located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Learn more at haivision.com.
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SOURCE Haivision Systems Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/haivision-announces-results-three-months-nine-months-ended-july-31-2022/ | 2022-09-13T22:11:18Z |
The global, livestream shopping event turns live shopping startup into overnight internet celebrity in benchmark-breaking display of live commerce capabilities
NEW YORK, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Live Rocket, a global live shopping site focused on the release of exclusive products, and Firework, the leading live commerce platform, jointly announced today the resounding success of their Tuesday, June 14th global livestream shopping event — in support of Shop BeCause with Mercado Global. The virtual and in-person event, in support of indigenous female entrepreneurs in Guatemala, drew in over 37,000 livestream viewers from around the world in just one hour — equaling, if not surpassing, Amazon's livestream viewership during its 2021 Prime Day sales event, their most widely publicized and heavily trafficked sales event to date.
The livestream event was hosted on LiveRocket.com leveraging Firework's decentralized, end-to-end video commerce platform. In addition to its historic viewership totals, the event fuelled a 3,740% increase in daily transaction volume and a 36.96% reduction in bounce rate for Live Rocket's owned and operated web property (compared to YTD daily averages) — shattering industry-standard indicators set by sites like Amazon, Walmart and TikToK.
Launched in October 2021, Live Rocket is a global live 24x7 video commerce and content platform whose productions can be found on LiveRocket.com, all major social media platforms, and soon across linear television in the United States. Live Rocket's digital streaming capabilities are currently powered by the Firework platform, whose robust suite of cutting-edge, interactive video commerce capabilities and advanced analytics tools combine to maximize reach, engagement, and conversion — while increasing visibility across a variety of key performance indicators to expedite time to insight.
"The monumental success of this event is a testament to the power of live commerce as a medium and Firework's position at the forefront of this burgeoning field," said Vincent Yang, co-founder and CEO for Firework. "Live Rocket's brand of immersive, omnichannel retail experiences represents not only the future of ecommerce, but the greatest growth opportunity in retail today — and Firework represents the infrastructure on which those experiences are being built."
In less than a year since its founding, Live Rocket has already championed multiple collaborations with world-famous brands and individuals, including rock-n-roll designer Christian Benner, Oscar winner Julianne Moore, and most recently, Mr. Mickey by Mickey Boardman. One of Live Rocket's most notable collaborations was with the late photographer Bill Cunningham, including his exhibit and Bozek's documentary film "Experience the Times of Bill Cunningham" in downtown New York in 2021.
Live Rocket's June 14th Shop BeCause event featured and supported Brooklyn-based nonprofit Mercado Global – a 5013 social enterprise organization that links indigenous artisans in rural Guatemalan communities to international sales opportunities to encourage financial independence and prosperity. Mercado Global products on sale included a variety of hand-stitched, ethically and sustainably produced totes, clutches, and handbag sets.
"Mercado Global's mission of transforming the lives of disadvantaged women is one that we are proud to support and champion through the power of livestream commerce," said Mark Bozek, founder and CEO of Live Rocket. "The fact that we can take a small, local nonprofit like Mercado Global and propel them into the spotlight in front of tens of thousands of people from around the world in mere hours is proof positive of the transformative potential that livestream commerce has to offer."
The in-person shopping event took place at Live Rocket Studios on Fulton St. in New York City, and was hosted by Mercado Global's Executive Director Ruth Álvarez- DeGolia. Over 250 female entrepreneurs and investors from around the globe were in attendance at the event to support Mercado Global and their mission of empowering women with the confidence and financial skills to become successful entrepreneurs.
Firework is the global leader in humanizing the open web through the language of video. Leveraging shoppable video, live streaming commerce and powerful monetization capabilities, Firework empowers the world's most dynamic and exciting retailers, consumer brands, and publishers to build engaging video experiences on their owned and operated digital properties and across channels at a global scale. Firework enables organizations to bring new levels of authenticity and connection to online video experiences, speaking to digital natives in the language they understand fully—and taking control of their own customer data. The company has raised over $235 million in capital to date. To learn more, please visit firework.com.
Media Contact
Fatimah Nouilati
Scratch Marketing + Media for Firework
fatimah@scratchmm.com
Live Rocket, launched in October 2021, is a global live 24x7 video commerce and content platform, presenting launches that can only be seen via LiveRocket.com, digital streaming powered by Firework, social platforms and soon across linear television in the United States. The Live Rocket Studios are based in New York City encompassing an entire street-level city block of Fulton Street on the famed cobblestones of The Seaport in Lower Manhattan. Our goods and our entertainment are made and launched exclusively for Live Rocket and will not be available or searchable on any other platform. Live Rocket subscribes to the notion where the entire shopping and entertainment experiences do not need to be completely re-imagined - the hallmarks of direct-selling; exclusivity, impulse and urgency to buy are built into our DNA. Live Rocket's brand partners, entertainers and personalities, one's already known, and others we will discover together, are from all over the globe and will be among the most diverse and story-driven ever offered. Live Rocket's content will include gaming, design competitive series, pop-culture news, and a growing stable of "only on LiveRocket '' documentary films and series. For more information, please go to www.LiveRocket.com
Media Contact
Jane Owen
JOPR for Live Rocket
Jane@JaneOwenPR.com
(323) 819-1122
For nearly two decades, Mercado Global has transformed the lives of Indigenous women and their families in Central America. We thoughtfully design fashion accessories in partnership with our artisans and world-renowned retailers —empowering the women who weave our collections and inspiring the women who wear them. Together, we have worked to make the fashion world more ethical, sustainable, and just —for all of us. For more information please visit www.mercadoglobal.org
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SOURCE Firework | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/live-rocket-employs-power-firework-launch-mercado-global-livestream-stardom/ | 2022-06-23T20:57:47Z |
PITTSBURGH, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "Door handles are touched by everyone and contain a lot of germs," said the inventor from Henderson, Nev. "I thought of this idea to break the chain of spreading germs on any type of door handle."
She created the AUTO CLEAN to help protect users from COVID-19, colds, flus, and other infectious diseases. This device enhances the safety of individuals as well as provides peace of mind when in a home, business, hotel, casino, or medical facility. Additionally, this could provide a means to protect the home from a multitude of diseases and is simple and easy to install.
The original design was submitted to the Las Vegas sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-LGT-130, 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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/inventhelp-presents-automatic-door-handles-cleaner-lgt-130/ | 2022-04-11T14:47:46Z |
PALM BEACH, Fla., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- James R. Borynack, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wally Findlay Galleries International, Inc., announces with great pleasure the appointment of Mr. Adolfo Zaralegui, the organization's Chief Operations Officer, to President and COO of Wally Findlay Galleries International, Inc., the parent company of Findlay Galleries, Inc. founded in 1870 in Kansas City, MO. Mr. Zaralegui's appointment to President and COO of Wally Findlay Galleries Int'l. includes all global wholly-owned subsidiaries and gallery affiliates spanning worldwide representations.
Mr. Zaralegui's affiliation with the company began in 2001 as Vice President and Director of Operations with the parent company overseeing its extensive operations and affiliations globally. Zaralegui's close association with CEO Borynack began to streamline the extensive holdings of the international company to a more focused contemporary art gallery and has shown outstanding profitable growth in all gallery operations. His extensive background in Human Resources has created a cohesive camaraderie throughout the company's targeted growth of contemporary artists, artist estates, secondary markets and in-house development of experienced and informed Art Consultants, management staff and highly creative in-house Marketing and Design department.
Mr. Zaralegui moves into the principal position of President and COO while continuing to work closely with our Chairman, CEO and sole owner, James R. Borynack. Mr. Zaralegui will oversee daily operations while collaborating with the company's strategic Vice President Directors, Frederick S. Clark in New York, NY and Juan M. Pretel in Palm Beach, FL.
Mr. Borynack will continue to work creatively with our Marketing and Design department and fortify all our contemporary artists, artist estates, and gallery affiliations internationally. He will also continue developing and encouraging the company's philanthropic endeavors globally.
About Findlay Galleries
Celebrating 152 years in business, Findlay Galleries is an iconic family art business founded in 1870. Specializing in Impressionism, European Modernism, l'Ecole de Rouen, l'Ecole de Paris, and 20th Century American Art, the gallery represents over 100 artists and artist estates globally.
Named Wally Findlay Galleries since 1965, the international company was acquired in 1998 by James R. Borynack. Associated with Findlay since 1972, Borynack was committed to the relentless pursuit of veritable European period works and international contemporary artists. In 2016, Borynack acquired the David Findlay Jr. Gallery and merged the two. Since then, the gallery has operated under its original name from 1870, Findlay Galleries Inc., and has continued to offer a significant collection of period works and Contemporary art worldwide.
Contact: James Muldoon, 561-655-2090, jamesmuldoon@findlayart.com
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SOURCE Wally Findlay Galleries International, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/wally-findlay-galleries-international-appoints-new-global-president-amp-chief-operating-officer/ | 2022-06-02T14:59:18Z |
A man who witnessed the struggle between Patrick Lyoya and the Grand Rapids police officer who fatally shot him told CNN on Friday he knew the incident wouldn't end well.
"I knew when the tussle began," Wayne Butler said. "If you tussle with a White man with a gun, and you're Black in America, you end up dead. That was my thing. I know that to be a fact. You don't tussle with White people because they'll kill you."
Lyoya was fatally shot April 4 in the Michigan city after he and the officer -- who has not been identified -- had a physical encounter. Lyoya's family has called for the officer to be prosecuted; the officer is on paid leave while Michigan State Police conduct an investigation.
Butler, was outside his home watching the scene unfold and can be seen with his identity blurred on some of the videos released by police.
"It's just a regular, regular neighborhood. I mean it's not super fancy, we're just regular folk," said Butler, who has lived there a few years.
He said he understands why Lyoya got out of his vehicle and didn't get back in when the officer told him to return to the vehicle.
"I don't condone it, but I do understand how someone can feel scared and not understand and be confused," said Butler. "He made a mistake. And for his mistake he paid with his life."
Authorities have said the officer pulled the car driven by Lyoya over for improper registration. Videos released to the public show Lyoya get out of the car and have a brief discussion with the officer. Lyoya opens the driver's side front door and speaks to an unidentified passenger in the car. He then shuts his door, turns his back to the officer and appears to walk toward the front of the car, according to video footage.
The encounter then turned physical.
"I knew it wasn't gonna end well," said Butler.
The officer apparently deployed his Taser twice during the struggle and at points during the incident Lyoya put his hands on the Taser, the video shows.
"It looks like they each had a hand on the Taser for about 90 seconds, each had a hand," Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom told reporters Wednesday. "They were struggling over the Taser from my view of the video."
The officer can also be heard saying, "Let go of the Taser" several times during the videos released to the public.
Father says 'My life has come to an end'
Joined by attorney Benjamin Crump, Lyoya's family spoke Thursday to reporters, his father saying he thought he'd be safe during police encounters in the US.
"What is making me cry more is to see my son killed by a police officer for a small, small mistake," Peter Lyoya said through an interpreter. "My life has come to an end."
Patrick's mother said she's "deeply hurt and wounded" and cannot stop herself from crying.
The Lyoya family moved from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the United States in 2014.
"When we run away from war in the [Democratic Republic of the Congo], I thought that I came to a safe land," Dorcas Lyoya said through an interpreter. "And now, I'm surprised and astonished to see that my son is shot here. That is my beloved son, and you know how you love your firstborn son."
At the news conference, Crump said the officer should have de-escalated the situation.
"This video was very difficult to watch, because what you see in that video is an unnecessary and unjustifiable excessive use of force," Crump said Thursday.
"This officer failed to follow the basic training. When the officer engages Patrick he goes and puts his hands on him, and when Patrick goes to walk away he could've just stepped back and called for backup," Crump said. "When you look at him escalating the situation, [the officer] was the one being violent."
Later he told CNN; "This was a person who could have called for backup. It was a traffic stop. He had the car there. He had a passenger in the car. Patrick was in flip-flops when he was killed. You could see he was barefooted."
Police have said backup was dispatched when the officer began to chase Lyoya.
When asked Wednesday by CNN what police officers are trained to do in these situations, the chief said: "Typically the answer is that you're trying to place him in custody. ... You're trying to secure that individual.
"The follow-up question I'm sure will be, was the use of force in policy, and I'm not going to comment on that. But the test is going to be whether, in the view of a reasonable police officer, whether that deadly force was needed to prevent death or great bodily harm to that officer."
Officer shot Lyoya in the head, police chief says
The incident began just after 8 a.m. CT on April 4, when a police officer pulled over a vehicle for improper registration, authorities said.
Grand Rapids police released several forms of video footage capturing the approximately two minute and 40 second interaction, which begins with the officer walking toward the car. Lyoya is seen exiting the vehicle and is instructed by the officer to get back in the car and asks him if he has a driver's license and whether he speaks English, the video shows.
Lyoya confirms he speaks English and says his license is in the car. He opens the driver's side front door and speaks to an unidentified passenger in the car. He then shuts his door, turns his back to the officer and appears to walk toward the front of the car, according to video footage.
"No, no, no, stop, stop," the officer is heard saying. He then puts his hands on Lyoya's shoulder and back. Lyoya is seen resisting the officer's touch and quickly backs away from the officer, running away from him before the officer tackles him to the ground and tells Lyoya to "stop resisting."
The video shows Lyoya getting up and standing, the officer drawing and then deploying a Taser.
"Let go of the Taser," the officer is heard saying on his bodycam video.
At this point, the officer's body worn camera was deactivated. Winstrom said it takes pushing a button for three seconds to turn off the body camera, and he thought pressure from Lyoya's body caused the deactivation.
Another angle of the incident, taken from a neighborhood home surveillance camera, captures the rest of the altercation. The officer is heard shooting Lyoya, according to audio from the video. The cellphone video also shows the fatal shot.
Lyoya was shot in the head, Winstrom said.
Patrick's father described his son as "nonviolent" and said he felt the officer was the one being aggressive. He also said during the event he has the right to know the name of the person who killed his son and what his history is.
Winstrom said Wednesday the officer involved in the shooting will not be identified publicly unless there are criminal charges. The officer, who has been with the department for seven years, is on paid leave and his police powers were suspended, Winstrom said.
There have been multiple protests and rallies on behalf of Lyoya. On Wednesday evening, hundreds of people called for justice as they rallied outside police headquarters.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/patrick-lyoya-shooting-witness-i-knew-it-wasnt-gonna-end-well/article_09ff15ff-ac44-567c-9776-c65ed85e0677.html | 2022-04-16T03:46:16Z |
NEW YORK, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. ("17 E&T" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: YQ). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether 17 E&T and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
On or around December 4, 2020, 17 E&T conducted its initial public offering, selling 27.4 million American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") priced at $10.50 per ADS. Then, on June 10, 2022, 17 E&T announced its first quarter financial results, reporting a net loss of $3.9 million alongside a nearly 50% fall in revenue from the prior year to $36.82 million.
On this news, 17 E&T's stock price fell $1.65 per share, or 21.31%, to close at $2.40 per share on June 10, 2022.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com
CONTACT:
Robert S. Willoughby
Pomerantz LLP
rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
888-476-6529 ext. 7980
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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/shareholder-alert-pomerantz-law-firm-investigates-claims-behalf-investors-17-education-amp-technology-group-inc-yq/ | 2022-06-28T03:41:55Z |
DENVER, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Board of Trustees (the "Board") for the Clough Global Equity Fund (the "Fund") has declared a monthly cash distribution of $0.1162 per common share, payable on the dates noted below. The Fund's managed distribution policy is set the monthly distribution rate at an amount equal to one twelfth of 10% of the Fund's adjusted year-end net asset value per share ("NAV"), which will be the average of the NAVs as of the last five business days of the prior calendar year.
The following dates apply to the distributions declared:
Ex-Date: July 18, 2022
Record Date: July 19, 2022
Payable Date: July 29, 2022
Ex-Date: August 18, 2022
Record Date: August 19, 2022
Payable Date: August 31, 2022
Ex-Date: September 19, 2022
Record Date: September 20, 2022
Payable Date: September 30, 2022
A portion of the distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain and return of capital. The final determination of the source of all distributions, including the percentage of qualified dividend income, will be made after year-end.
The Fund is a closed-end fund utilizing Clough Capital's research-driven, thematic process, with an investment objective of providing a high level of total return. Having a global, flexible mandate, the Fund will invest at least 80% in equity and equity-related securities in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets, and the remainder in fixed income securities, including corporate and sovereign debt, in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets . The Fund's portfolio managers are Chuck Clough and Rob Zdunczyk. As of June 30th, 2022 the Fund had approximately $358.7 million in total assets. More information, including the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan, can be found at www.cloughglobal.com or call 877-256-8445.
Clough Capital is a Boston-based investment advisory firm which manages approximately $1.8 billion in assets: $594 million in hedge fund and institutional accounts; $47 million in open-end mutual funds; and $1.2 billion in three closed-end funds (as of June 30, 2022) – Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (GLV), Clough Global Equity Fund (GLQ), and Clough Global Opportunities Fund (GLO).
An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain an annual report or semi-annual report which contains this and other information visit www.cloughglobal.com or call 877-256-8445. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
The Clough Global Equity Fund is a closed-end fund and closed-end funds do not continuously issue shares for sale as open-end mutual funds do. Since the initial public offering, the Fund now trades in the secondary market. Investors wishing to buy or sell shares need to place orders through an intermediary or broker. The share price of a closed-end fund is based on the market's value.
Forward-looking statements are based on information that is available on the date hereof, and neither the fund manager nor any other person affiliated with the fund manager has any duty to update any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could affect actual results to differ from these statements include, among other factors, material, negative changes to the asset class and the actual composition of the portfolio.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc, FINRA Member Firm.
Clough Global Equity Fund (NYSE MKT: GLQ)
1290 Broadway, Suite 1000
Denver, CO 80203
Contact: Fund Services Group at 877-256-8445
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SOURCE Clough Global Equity Fund | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/clough-global-equity-fund-declares-monthly-cash-distributions-july-august-september-2022-01162-per-share/ | 2022-07-08T10:10:34Z |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "As a teacher, the most difficult skill for my students to learn was how to successfully process their thoughts and put them down on paper," said an inventor from Franklin, Ind. "You see, hands-on learning can be found in other content areas of education to help students learn, but not in the writing process, so I invented the FRAME YOUR WRITING tool with visual/tactile elements in mind. My child-friendly design allows writing instruction to be introduced at an early age and it can also be used to teach writing to all students at any instructional level."
The patent-pending invention provides a visual, hands-on, step-by-step approach to teach writing processes. It can be easily differentiated, used with any writing material, keeps active engagement in the writing process, is self-checking, and is an easy progress monitoring tool for teachers. Additionally, a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Indianapolis sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-SGM-157, 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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/inventhelp-inventor-develops-teaching-system-writing-processes-sgm-157/ | 2022-09-07T17:55:38Z |
Mortgage rates ticked lower, but are still well above 5%
By Anna Bahney, CNN Business
Mortgage rates fell slightly last week, but purchasing a home still remains difficult for many prospective buyers.
The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.25% in the week ending May 19, down from 5.30% the week before, according to Freddie Mac. It is still well above the 3% average from this time last year.
“Economic uncertainty is causing mortgage rate volatility,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “As a result, purchase demand is waning, and homebuilder sentiment has dropped to the lowest level in nearly two years. Builders are also dealing with rising costs, meaning this posture is likely to continue.”
As a result of rising rates, the cost of financing a home has gone up significantly for buyers since last year.
In May 2021, a buyer who financed 80% of their purchase price with a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage for $300,000 had an average interest rate of 3%, making their monthly mortgage payment of principal and interest $1,267, according to numbers from Freddie Mac.
Today, a homeowner with the same loan and an average rate of 5.25% would pay $1,660 a month in principal and interest. That is $393 more each month or $4,716 more a year and $141,480 more over the life of the loan, according to numbers from Freddie Mac.
For many people, that additional $400 a month is the difference between deciding whether to buy a home and build equity or continuing to rent.
As long as the Federal Reserve is still working to stem inflation, mortgage rates are likely to remain at these levels or move higher. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has said the central bank will continue to raise interest rates until the goal of healthy prices is met.
Mortgage rates tend to track 10-year US Treasury bonds, but they are also indirectly impacted by the Fed’s actions on inflation. Yields on 10-year Treasury bonds were up and down this week, as investors looked for stability amidst a series of challenging economic data.
“The Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening is having the intended effect of cooling housing demand, allowing the market to begin normalizing,” said Hannah Jones, economic data analyst at Realtor.com
This can already be seen in the housing market, even though prices continue to climb. Redfin has reported that it’s seeing fewer bidding wars and there are more available homes for sale compared to this time last year.
While both developments are welcome news for prospective buyers, rising housing costs have pushed many home seekers out of the market, said Jones.
She said those who are determined to find a new home will have the best success if they make a sizable down payment in order to reduce the amount they are borrowing or if they look further afield from their target area in order to find a more affordable home.
“However, for buyers who are unable to contend with higher prices and climbing mortgage rates, still-high inflation and rental prices offer little relief,” said Jones.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the direction in which rates headed. This week’s average mortgage rate was down from 5.30% the previous week.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2022/05/19/mortgage-rates-ticked-lower-but-are-still-well-above-5/ | 2022-05-19T15:58:04Z |
Teamsters Call Out Challenges Facing Members as 1,500 Fight for Contract
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For weeks, Teamsters nationwide have stepped up their efforts to educate Golden Gophers' alumni about the abusive labor practices of the University of Minnesota (UMN), including concerns regarding poverty-level wages, discrimination, food insecurity and homelessness amongst service workers.
Teamsters Local 320 is fighting for a new contract for 1,500 custodians, dormitory attendants, dining workers, animal research caregivers, waste workers, and other service workers at the five main UMN campuses. Many of the workers are Black, including immigrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and other East African countries.
"It makes me proud to see the outpouring of Teamster solidarity across the country for our brothers and sisters at the University of Minnesota," said Brian Aldes, Local 320 Secretary-Treasurer. "UMN and its president, Joan Gabel, need to understand that if they force us to take it to the streets, the Teamsters will do whatever it takes to make sure none of our members have to skip meals because they don't have enough money for food."
In Portland, Ore. Teamsters Local 305 and Teamsters Joint Council 37 distributed leaflets asking "What's gone wrong at the University of Minnesota?" at the Portland Alumni Network's monthly breakfast. In Tampa Bay, Fla., Teamsters Local 79 held banners outside the Tampa Big Ten Kickoff alumni event calling on the university to "end worker abuse." Teamsters Local 455 went to a Colorado Rockies baseball game to handbill alumni by attending the Annual University of Minnesota Night with the Colorado Rockies, hosted by the Denver Alumni Network.
According to a recent survey of at least 450 current and former UMN service workers, more than 62 percent reported not earning enough money to pay for basic expenses every month.
Almost 12 percent reported experiencing homelessness at least once while working for UMN. Nearly 20 percent reported being hungry but not eating because they did not have the money.
A recent study on staff compensation conducted by UMN's Office of Human Resources shows that job salaries for campus operations positions are, on average, 13 percent below the market median. It also showed 74.5 percent of workers' salaries are below the market salary median.
"We are ready to negotiate a fair contract that honors the contributions of service workers at the university," Aldes said. "We are also preparing to strike the university if the current administration isn't willing to address poverty-level wages, staffing shortages, and high rates of turnover. These unconscionable practices are hampering the university's ability to provide services. These include responsibly caring for research animals on campus, effectively implementing the waste reduction program, and making sure food services are functional."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877
mmcquaid@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/teamsters-school-alumni-university-minnesotas-abusive-labor-practices/ | 2022-08-29T22:05:23Z |
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A brand new, 7-part podcast miniseries about the lived experience of Parkinson's disease is now available.
The whole series can be found on all major podcast platforms.
The Parkinson's Disease Podcast is a short-format, narrative miniseries that shares important insights and information for the millions of people affected by this condition.
It is part of the Health Unmuted audio library by Mission Based Media, and joins other titles including Alzheimer's Disease Podcast and COPD Podcast. Each miniseries in Health Unmuted focuses on a specific health topic and features the voices of medical professionals, caregivers and, importantly, people living with the condition.
"Parkinson's disease affects over 8 million people worldwide, and advances in diagnostics and treatments can have a tremendous impact on the course of the disease. Our mission is to help people have a deeper understanding about their health, and creating accessible, engaging content is a key part of fulfilling that mission," said Dan Kendall, founder of Mission Based Media and executive producer of Health Unmuted.
The podcast is available for free for listeners and was made possible with support from Altoida, a leading platform to improve drug development, research, and care for patients with neurological diseases including Parkinson's.
"Our team at Altoida is delighted to partner with Mission Based Media to make the Parkinson's Disease Podcast a reality," said Travis Bond, CEO at Altoida. "Our vision to unlock neurology diagnostics at scale and revolutionize brain health management aligns with the podcast's goal of equipping listeners with the information and resources necessary to make informed health decisions. We are thrilled to collaborate with forward thinking partners to share the important stories behind neurological disease, and help pioneer innovative technologies in support."
"Effective and accessible health education is critically important, particularly at the early stages of living with a chronic condition," added Kendall. "Health Unmuted podcasts cover topics ranging from symptoms and diagnosis, through to lifestyle changes and treatment options. Each episode helps combat the misinformation that can lead to confusion, anxiety and poor outcomes."
Find Health Unmuted podcasts on major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Spotify, as well as HealthUnmuted.com. More than 50 other health conditions are planned for Health Unmuted including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer and gastrointestinal conditions. Healthcare providers and patient-focused organizations can learn about distribution opportunities by visiting https://partners.healthunmuted.com or emailing partners@healthunmuted.com
About Mission Based Media Ltd.
Mission Based Media is a digital media company and podcast network creating and sharing trustworthy podcasts about health, care and well-being. We have a comprehensive library of podcasts across a broad scope of health topics, conditions and therapies. Our content features insights and information from top health professionals and organizations, and highlights engaging patient stories and perspectives. For more information, visit Health Podcast Network, Digital Health Today and Health Unmuted.
About Altoida, Inc.
Altoida is building the world's leading platform to accelerate and improve drug development, research, and care for patients with neurological diseases. The company's innovative AI-driven approach leverages immersive augmented reality (AR) to evaluate the brain in a comprehensive, real-world mode of functioning using data captured with a standard smartphone or tablet. Altoida's validated and evidence-based digital biomarker platform received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and is supported by more than 20 years of scientific research and publications in journals like Nature Digital Medicine. Altoida is based in Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.altoida.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter at @altoida.
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SOURCE Mission Based Media Ltd. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/new-health-education-podcast-breaks-down-barriers-people-with-parkinsons-disease/ | 2022-09-06T11:30:08Z |
SEATTLE, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arzeda, the industry-leading Protein Design Company™, announced today that it is collaborating with W. L. Gore & Associates, a global leader in advanced materials science, on research leveraging Arzeda's technology platform that economically and efficiently creates new and enhances existing proteins.
As demand for innovation in sustainably produced materials continues to grow, Arzeda's technology platform is uniquely positioned to design and develop sustainable solutions that meet the needs of today's consumers from a performance and lifestyle perspective. By optimizing proteins - which are both bio-based and biodegradable - there's potential to not only enhance the performance of materials but also reduce waste and resource intensity in manufacturing.
"We are excited to collaborate with Arzeda on this important project to investigate the role proteins can play in the delivery of new classes of materials with superior performance and sustainability attributes," said Gary Harp, Program Champion, New Biopolymer Materials at Gore. "The research into innovative uses of proteins with Arzeda complements our world-class expertise in materials science while advancing research that tackles the most pressing global environmental challenges. Companies around the world are increasingly interested in reducing the environmental footprint of their operations and products. As a materials science company, it's important that we continue to expand our portfolio and develop high-performing products that meet our customers' technical requirements and help them meet their environmental impact goals."
Arzeda's technology platform is able to drive smarter innovation at scale by optimizing proteins – the building blocks of nature's most advanced and biodegradable materials. By combining computational design and AI, the company's technology platform creates novel proteins that nature can't produce more efficiently. Working collaboratively with partners such as Gore, Arzeda can create solutions that can deliver sustainability benefits while also providing performance benefits.
"Gore is an ideal partner to work with in materials," added Alexandre Zanghellini, Ph.D., CEO of Arzeda. "Their extensive capabilities, particularly in real-world applications, as well as their global customer reach, is a terrific complement to our protein design and manufacturing technology."
Details of the research were not disclosed, but the companies described the collaboration as a joint endeavor, with milestones established to signal progress throughout the project.
Arzeda harnesses the power of computation to create and manufacture proteins that enhance our lives and protect our planet. In partnership with Fortune 500 companies and industrial leaders, we develop healthy and sustainable products for the food & nutrition, advanced materials, and diagnostics & pharma industries globally. Arzeda's proprietary protein design platform combines physics-based computational protein design, machine learning, and lab automation to expand the reach of biotechnology beyond the solutions that nature evolved. For more information, please visit www.arzeda.com.
Media contact:
Atalanta Rafferty, RF|Binder
Atalanta.rafferty@rfbinder.com
212-994-7511
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SOURCE Arzeda | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/arzeda-announces-collaboration-with-w-l-gore-amp-associates-drive-innovation-materials-research-with-designer-proteins/ | 2022-06-27T14:36:34Z |
LONDON , July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MikeWorldWide (MWW), a leading independent and integrated public relations agency, has been shortlisted for Creativepool's PR Agency of the Year Award in the UK as part of its Annual 2022 Awards. A panel of esteemed industry experts will be reviewing the PR strategies of each entrant, judging their work, business and culture to determine the winner announced on 1st September.
In this current climate of social and political change, where a global pandemic has shifted traditional business goals and strategies, great public relations is more important than ever. And naturally, so is the concept of 'caring'. At MWW, the team believes caring is the most valuable currency available. Consumers take great care to choose brands and businesses which align with their values and ideas, and good PR has the potential to help brands better-understand this – helping them create more meaningful impact. That's why MWW is committed to creating work that audiences truly care about.
Tom Buttle, President & Managing Director at MikeWorldWide London, said: "It's fantastic to be recognised by Creativepool. Change in PR isn't just something for us to all write posts about. It's happening fast and it's very real. This shortlist reflects our commitment to working with our clients to challenge how we can do things in new ways. And it recognises our focus on diversity, equality and inclusion – which is helping us work with brilliant people who bring fresh ideas to the table. PR today is definitely as important to brands as I can ever remember."
To vote for MikeWorldWide visit: https://creativepool.com/annual/2022/
MikeWorldWide is a leading independent, integrated public relations agency serving global clients across the US & Europe. It employs more than 225 communications experts that live at the intersection of consumer brand marketing, technology and corporate reputation. The award-winning firm applies its expertise and culture of caring through research, strategy, creativity, empathy, and insight for clients to maximize the potential of every marketing channel. It delivers breakthrough communications for the global enterprises, corporate leaders and innovative brands who are driving the creative economy. Open positions at MWW can be found here. To learn more about MikeWorldWide, visit mww.com.
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SOURCE MWW Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/mikeworldwide-london-shortlisted-creativepools-pr-agency-year-award/ | 2022-07-07T11:00:50Z |
Strong top-line increase from organic growth and M&A integration
Net Revenues up 50% YoY with Adjusted Gross Margin expanding 500bps to 38% in Q2
SÃO PAULO, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenvia Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENV), the leading cloud-based CX communications platform in Latin America, empowering companies to transform their existing communications with end-customers along their life cycle, today reported its preliminary second quarter of 2022 operational and financial metrics. Zenvia's management team will host tomorrow its inaugural Investor Day in New York, where it will be presenting a detailed overview of its strategy, market position and growth plans. A full replay of the presentation and supporting materials will be available following the event at investors.zenvia.com.
Financial Highlights Q2 2022
- Net Revenues increased 50.3% YoY to BRL 203.9 million
- Adjusted Gross Profit totaled BRL 77.0 million, up 72.7% YoY, with Adjusted Gross Margin expanding 500bps to 37.8%
- The total number of active customers up 36% to reach 14,740, from 10,853 in Q2 2021.
Financial Highlights H1 2022
- Net Revenues grew 55.4% YoY to BRL 401.5 million, with organic growth of 28.2%
- Adjusted Gross Profit totaled BRL 143.8 million, up 84.3% YoY, with Adjusted Gross Margin expanding 570bps to 35.8%
Investor Day
Zenvia will host its first Investor Day on July 26, 2022 at 2:00 pm in person at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in New York. To participate, please register at https://zenviainvestorday.com/.
Earnings Release and Conference Call
The Company will report its full Second Quarter earnings on August 15, 2022, after market close, and will host a webcast on August 16, 2022, at 10:00 am EDT to discuss its operational and financial metrics. To access the webcast presentation, click here.
Additional information regarding Zenvia can be found at https://investors.zenvia.com.
Contacts
About ZENVIA
ZENVIA is driven by the purpose of empowering companies to create unique experiences for customer communications through its unified end-to-end platform. ZENVIA empowers companies to transform their existing customer communications from non-scalable, physical and impersonal interactions into highly scalable, digital-first and hyper-contextualized experiences across the customer journey. ZENVIA's unified end-to-end CX communications platform provides a combination of (i) SaaS focused on campaigns, sales teams, customer service and engagement, (ii) tools, such as software application programming interfaces, or APIs, chatbots, single customer views, journey designers, documents composer and authentication and (iii) channels, such as SMS, Voice, WhatsApp, Instagram and Webchat. Its comprehensive platform assists customers across multiple use cases, including marketing campaigns, customer acquisition, customer onboarding, warnings, customer services, fraud control, cross-selling and customer retention, among others. ZENVIA's shares are traded on Nasdaq, under the ticker ZENV.
Forward-Looking Statements
The preliminary second quarter operating results set forth above are based solely on currently available information, which is subject to change. These preliminary operating results constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections, as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "should," "believe," "hope," "target," "project," "goals," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "may," "will," "might," "could," "intend," variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Zenvia's control. Zenvia's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to several factors, including but not limited to: our ability to innovate and respond to technological advances, changing market needs and customer demands, our ability to successfully acquire new businesses as customers, acquire customers in new industry verticals and appropriately manage international expansion, substantial and increasing competition in our market, compliance with applicable regulatory and legislative developments and regulations, the dependence of our business on our relationship with certain service providers, among other factors.
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SOURCE Zenvia | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/zenvia-reports-preliminary-q2-2022-results-ahead-investor-day/ | 2022-07-25T22:16:17Z |
Renowned Scientists, Researchers, and Clinicians Will Convene at the 8th Annual Event June 10-11 in Vienna, Austria
VIENNA, May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- World-renowned scientists, researchers, and clinicians will convene at the eighth annual International Conference on Human Milk Science and Innovation (ICHMSI) to share the latest research surrounding the scientific and clinical aspects of human milk and its applications.
Taking place June 10-11 at the Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere in Vienna, Austria, ICHMSI is the premier forum for thought leaders and medical experts in human milk science. Conference co-chairs, Professor Angelika Berger of the Medical University of Vienna and Professor Michael Zemlin of Saarland University Medical Center, will provide opening and closing remarks.
"Since the inception of this conference eight years ago, there has been an incredible evolution in our understanding of the health benefits of human milk," Professor Berger said. "As clinical applications of human milk evolve, ICHMSI offers the ideal forum for thought leaders worldwide to share the latest research on the clinical potential of human milk, such as the importance of an Exclusive Human Milk Diet (EHMD) on neurodevelopment of critically ill, premature infants, as well as bioactivity and its health benefits for this population."
"It's an exciting time at the intersection of human milk science and neonatology as the benefits of an EHMD in premature infants continue to be demonstrated in study after study," Professor Zemlin said. "By bringing together the greatest minds in the field at ICHMSI, we can share cutting-edge data and engage in important dialogue that will, ultimately, allow us to improve the lives of more infants with human milk nutrition."
ICHMSI will include presentations from leading experts in their respective fields:
- Dr. Siobhain O'Mahoney, senior lecturer, University College Cork, Ireland: Linking the Microbiome, Gut and Brain in Neonates – the Role of Human Milk
- Professor Charlotte Tscherning, division chief of neonatology and professor in pediatrics, Sidra medicine, Doha, Qatar: Human Milk and Transmission of Viral Disease: A Comprehensive Overview
- Professor Roy Philip, adjunct clinical professor of neonatology, and consultant pediatrician and neonatologist, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland: Influence of Fortification on Human Milk Bioactivity: Sharing an Irish Experience
- Professor Michael Zemlin, clinic director for General Paediatrics and Neonatology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany: Probiotics in ELGANs – Results from a German Multi-Center Trial
- Dr. Stephan Seeliger, professor of neonatology, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Celle, Germany: Nutrition of Infants With Very Low Birth Weight Using Human and Bovine Based Milk Fortifier – Benefits and Costs
- Professor Rangasamy Ramanathan, chief, Division of Neonatology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Human Milk May Be the Missing Link
- Professor Maria Lorella Giannì, associate professor of pediatrics, University of Milan, Italy: Human Milk Feeding and Preterm Infants' Growth and Body Composition – Should We Rethink Our Approach?
- Dr. Alecia-Jane Twigger, postdoctoral research associate at University of Cambridge, UK: Transcriptional Changes in the Mammary Gland During Lactation
- Professor Christoph Fusch, chair and chief, University Children's Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Nuernberg General Hospital, Germany: Feeding the Most Vulnerable – First Look at a Series of <750g Neonates
- Dr. Heidi Karpen, neonatologist, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and associate professor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, USA: Impact of an Exclusive Human Milk Diet in Neonates With Congenital Gastrointestinal Disorders – Initial Clinical Results
- Professor Ursula Kiechl-Kohlendorfer, managing director of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Austria: Prematurity and Vascular Aging
- Dr. Johanna Kostenzer, head of scientific affairs for the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI): Human Milk Regulation in the EU – Implementing Cross-Border Safety and Quality Standards
- Professor Umberto Simeoni, professor and head of pediatrics, CHUV University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland: The Role of Nutrition in Defining Long-Term Health Outcomes
- Professor Ann Hellström, professor and chief physician, University of Gothenburg, Sweden: Impact of Enteral Lipid Supplementation and Severe ROP: Results from an RCT
- Dr. Christoph Binder, head of Nutritional Medicine (Growth and Body Composition) and deputy head of the neonatal intensive care unit, Medical University of Vienna, Austria: The Impact of an Exclusive Human Milk Diet on Growth, Body Composition and Neurodevelopment – the Vienna Experience
- Professor Boris W. Kramer, professor and chair of the faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, the Netherlands: Do Human Milk Fortifiers Improve Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of ELGANs – Results of a Meta-Analysis
This year's conference will also include a presentation by Dr. Alecia-Jane Twigger, Ph.D., the fourth recipient of the Ruth A. Lawrence Investigator Award for Research in Human Milk Science. The annual award recognizes a medical fellow or postdoctoral scholar for their original research in the science of human milk. Dr. Twigger was selected based on her study titled "Transcriptional Changes in the Mammary Gland During Lactation Revealed by Single Cell Sequencing of Cells From Human Milk," which found over 110,000 viable or living cells from human milk and breast tissue, which may offer clues to the interplay between pregnancy, lactation, and breast cancer.
About International Conference on Human Milk Science and Innovation (ICHMSI)
The International Conference on Human Milk Science and Innovation is the premier forum covering the latest in scientific and clinical research related to human milk. Renowned scientists and clinicians from around the world attend this annual event to present and discuss the scientific potential of human milk and raise awareness of its clinical applicability.
The conference is sponsored by Prolacta Bioscience, the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI), and the Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics and will be held at Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere in Vienna, Austria.
To register or for more information, visit www.humanmilkscience.org.
Media Contact:
Loren Kosmont
Lkosmont@prolacta.com
310.721.9444
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SOURCE International Conference on Human Milk Science and Innovation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/international-conference-human-milk-science-amp-innovation-discuss-latest-research-bioactivity-neurodevelopment/ | 2022-05-27T11:39:56Z |
ARLINGTON, Texas, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a nation still reeling from the tragic Uvalde school shooting, the return to school may leave some children grappling with anxiety.
Two therapists with Texas Health Resources offer tips for helping children cope.
- Create a safe space to discuss their fears, safety and how to manage those fears
Teach children the importance of "see something, say something" – telling a trusted adult if they hear or see something that doesn't feel safe, said Renee´ Breazeale, administrator of Texas Health Recovery and Wellness Center. Because fear and anxiety may ebb and flow throughout the school year, check in regularly with your children about concerns they may be experiencing.
- Don't minimize the risk
Validate your child's concerns and fears but remember their brain is still developing and they are looking for reassurance and stability. Help them create a safety plan for any number of situations that feels accessible, age-appropriate and that the child would realistically feel comfortable doing.
"Educate your child like you would educate them for a natural disaster," said Christina Thomas, an inpatient adolescent therapist at Texas Health Springwood Behavioral Health Hurst-Euless-Bedford. "We talk to our children about what to do if there is a fire or a tornado. The goal is not to instill fear; the goal is to instill awareness."
- Limit and monitor exposure to social media
Consider parental controls that can help limit what younger children are exposed to on social media or through other platforms.
- Consider seeking professional help
If your child continues to show high levels of anxiety, becomes isolated or has changes in their sleep, appetite, mood and focus, consider seeking professional help. Texas Health offers free behavioral health assessments. To schedule an assessment, visit the Texas Health website or call 682-626-8719.
Texas Health Resources is a faith-based, nonprofit health system that cares for more patients in North Texas than any other provider. With a service area that consists of 16 counties and more than 7 million people, the system is committed to providing quality, coordinated care through its Texas Health Physicians Group and 29 hospital locations. The system has more than 4,100 licensed hospital beds, 6,400 physicians with active staff privileges and more than 26,000 employees.
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SOURCE Texas Health Resources | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/coping-with-fear-wake-school-shootings/ | 2022-08-10T14:46:36Z |
Premiere sports and luxury brand executive will craft partnership strategy for world's leading crypto platform
MIAMI, April 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain.com, the world's most popular way to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency, today announced that it has joined forces with Marissa Brooks, founder of 4WRD, to craft an innovative sports and entertainment partnership strategy. Brooks will be responsible for creating high impact, groundbreaking relationships with teams, leagues, athletes, entertainers, and other personalities to support the crypto platform's global growth.
A unique boutique collective in Miami, 4WRD lives primarily at the intersection of sports and luxury. The company focuses on brand partnerships and events for leading luxury brands and clientele, most recently producing the Blockchain.com Miami Padel Open. 4WRD also counts Boich Investment Group, Australian Artist Tyson Beck, and a number of luxury brands, as clients.
"As the Blockchain.com brand expands globally, we're excited to work with a premiere sports and luxury marketer like Marissa," said Peter Smith, Blockchain.com CEO and Co-Founder. "Her expertise crafting disruptive brand moments will help us develop stand-out partnerships globally. Marissa will help us bring partnerships to life in a big way as we continue to build the future of finance."
Brooks began her career with the NBA's Miami Heat where she managed corporate partnerships for a decade. She oversaw the team's largest sponsors including luxury watch brand, Hublot, which served as the Swiss brand's entry into North America.
She later joined the LVMH-owned Hublot in Switzerland leading their robust global sponsorship and events platform, where she led the first one-off licensing and luxury watch deal in the NBA. She has worked in over 16 countries around the world, skillfully marrying local cultures and customs with brand objectives. Brooks has negotiated and activated partnerships with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Formula 1, FIFA and UEFA as well as ambassadors including Usain Bolt, Kobe Bryant, and Pelé, to name a few. Following Hublot, Brooks was CMO/Americas of the Longines Masters, moving the prestigious indoor equestrian competition from Los Angeles to New York.
Marissa resides in Miami where she will join Blockchain.com's fast-growing team.
About Blockchain.com
Blockchain.com is connecting the world to the future of finance. The London and Miami-based company, with an international team spread across the world, is the most trusted and fastest growing crypto company, helping millions across the globe safely access cryptocurrency. Venture backed since 2014, Blockchain.com is valued at $14 billion. Visit Blockchain.com for more info, follow us on Twitter @blockchain, check out The Blockchain.com Podcast, and read our blog for the latest company news.
Contact:
Brooks Wallace
Head of Communications
brooks@blockchain.com
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SOURCE Blockchain.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/08/blockchaincom-hires-marissa-brooks-lead-global-sports-entertainment-partnerships/ | 2022-04-08T17:28:36Z |
Companies rush to participate before the September 30 deadline
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The number and diversity of companies that have applied to be included in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) has risen sharply ahead of the September 30 deadline, Bloomberg announced today.
Publicly traded companies voluntarily participate in the GEI, which analyses the performance of their diversity and equality policies compared to their peers. The 2022 GEI listing included 418 companies from 11 different sectors in 45 countries. This year, Bloomberg is already seeing an increase in participants and the amount of details being disclosed over last year.
GEI data so far shows:
- the number of accounts registered has risen 40% in the U.S., 39% in Europe, Middle East & Africa, 18% in Asia Pacific and three percent in Latin America
- new country participants include Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Pakistan
- while financial companies have traditionally led the list, now companies in the aerospace, pharmaceutical and technology sectors are participating
"We are gratified to see so many more companies use the GEI to identify and strengthen their policies regarding equal pay and gender pay parity," said Patricia Torres, Global Head of Bloomberg's Sustainable Finance Solutions, which includes the GEI. "This transparency helps companies attract employees and gives investors the data they need to make decisions."
The GEI evaluates companies on five key pillars:
- Leadership and Talent Pipeline
- Equal pay and gender pay parity
- Inclusive Culture
- Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies
- External Brand
For the 2023 evaluation, companies asked that Bloomberg add two other areas for exploration -- LGBTQ+, race and ethnicity. Disclosure of this data will begin in the US and UK markets; these questions are optional and will not be scored.
Companies participate voluntarily at no cost via the Bloomberg GEI website. The deadline for submission to the 2023 GEI is September 30, 2022. After submitting data, Bloomberg's GEI team analyses the data and provides the company a scorecard based on the methodology. The team will review the results with the companies, so they know how they were scored and why, prior to the announcement of the GEI results in January 2023.
"Companies can also use the GEI as an internal worksheet," Torres added. "They can go online, without obligation, and see what the methodology entails. This is helpful in enhancing their gender-equality programs."
The Bloomberg GEI team held a webinar recently to explain the index and show companies how to participate. The webinar can be replayed via this link.
The standardised GEI reporting framework allows investors to compare how companies around the world are investing in women in the workplace, supply chain and communities in which they operate. Submitting data through Bloomberg's gender reporting framework is voluntary and has no associated cost. The GEI is a benchmark index and is not used as a financial benchmark. The index is not ranked. Companies included in this year's index scored at or above an overall value set by Bloomberg to reflect a high level of disclosure and overall performance across the five pillars of the framework. To learn more, visit the
. Bloomberg subscribers can access the GEI at {BGEI Index DES
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SOURCE Bloomberg | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/bloomberg-gender-equality-index-interest-increases-globally/ | 2022-08-15T14:27:15Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New Englanders can breathe a sigh of relief after a United States federal court judge for the District of Massachusetts today signed a court order approving an agreement to delay enforcement of a state law that would have banned the sale of pork that comes from animals not housed according to the state's prescriptive housing standards. A coalition led by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), with the National Restaurant Association, and several New England restaurant and hospitality associations filed suit seeking to stop the law's impeding implementation. The suit also asks the court to find the law unconstitutional.
"This is a significant outcome as NPPC continues to push to preserve the rights of America's pig farmers to raise hogs in the way that is best for their animals and maintains a reliable supply of pork for consumers," said Terry Wolters, NPPC president and owner of Stoney Creek Farms in Pipestone, Minnesota. "The impact of Question 3 would have been particularly harmful to those in surrounding New England states who did not have a vote in the 2016 Massachusetts referendum, nor any notice of the dramatic steps that activists had taken trying to force these harmful initiatives on voters in other states."
The state law, known as Question 3 (Q3), was a 2016 Massachusetts ballot initiative set to go into effect on Aug. 15, 2022. Q3 is similar to California's Proposition 12, which is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, and would ban any uncooked whole pork meat sold in the state that does not meet specific sow housing requirements, regardless of where it was produced. Going further than Prop 12, the Massachusetts law would not allow the transshipment of whole pork through the state jeopardizing an estimated $2 billion worth of pork that moves into neighboring New England states.
Earlier this week, the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy and the coalition came to a commonsense agreement that the Q3 rule prohibiting sales of non-compliant pork should be put on hold at least until 30 days after the U.S. Supreme Court issues a ruling in the lawsuit brought by NPPC and American Farm Bureau Federation to Proposition 12. This agreement is limited to only the pork sales provision of Q3, and producers located in Massachusetts are still required to comply with the in-state housing standards.
"Working cooperatively with the court and AG Healy's office to ensure already-constrained supply chains continue to work despite this unconstitutional law is a win for American families and local economies in New England and around the country," Wolters said. "Thanks to this agreement, and court order, New Englanders can still enjoy their favorite pork products – from bacon to ribs and BBQ this Labor Day weekend and throughout the rest of the year."
Pig farmers and swine veterinarians are in the best position to make decisions about how to care for their animals. Activist-led ballot initiatives like those in California and Massachusetts risk reversing decades of progress on both animal health and on-farm sustainability, which could undermine the global competitiveness of the U.S. pork industry.
NPPC is the global voice for the U.S. pork industry, protecting the livelihoods of America's 66,000 pork producers who abide by ethical principles in caring for their animals; in protecting the environment and public health; and in providing safe, wholesome, nutritious pork products to consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.nppc.org.
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SOURCE National Pork Producers Council | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/massachusetts-state-law-delay-keeps-breakfast-table/ | 2022-08-11T21:31:28Z |
CENTURY 21 ANNOUNCES A RETURN TO THE BIG APPLE IN SPRING 2023
NEW YORK, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker. Century 21 today announced it is making a New York City comeback, relaunching the beloved institution in Spring 2023 at its flagship location downtown across from the World Trade Center. The iconic retailer and purveyor of off-price luxury fashion has teamed with global premium experiences company Legends to introduce a revitalized shopping experience to Century 21's faithful local - and global – fans.
Through this next evolution, Century 21 will remain true to its DNA - one synonymous with value and luxury - continuing to thrill New Yorkers and tourists alike with an exceptional assortment of designer brands at the unbeatable prices the brand has delivered for over 60 years. With an emphasis on their Big Apple roots, Century 21 will be adding NYC to their iconic logo.
Complementing Century 21's long-standing legacy as a New York City icon, Legends boasts a prominent footprint in the New York City market, overseeing retail and hospitality operations at landmark establishments including Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees and NYCFC), One World Observatory and the MLB Flagship Store. As a global, data-driven holistic sales service provider, Legends has operated brick and mortar, pop-ups, e-commerce and in-venue retail experiences for renowned brands such as the NFL, MLB, PGA, NASCAR, Real Madrid, Dallas Cowboys, and the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, among many others.
This partnership will couple Legends omnichannel operating expertise with Century 21's expert curation of designer brands at amazing prices, to bring fans of the iconic brand an enhanced shopping experience in-store and online.
"Century 21 is, and always will be, a New York City brand," says Raymond Gindi, Century 21 Co-Chief Executive Officer, "Our flagship store has been a long-time symbol of this city's resilience and unwavering spirit. In our 60 year history we have only closed our doors twice, once after the devastation of 9/11 and then again during the COVID-19 pandemic. But like the true New Yorkers we are, we have persevered. We could not be more excited to bring Century 21 back home, delivering the same products and value to customers, in partnership with Legends."
"Legends is proud to partner with Century 21 to bring the beloved retail experience back to New York City," said Dan Smith, President, Legends Hospitality. "Working side by side with the Century 21 team, we have enhanced the in-store and e-commerce experience and are excited to 'open the doors' to a global audience in 2023."
As a result of this partnership, Century 21 will be introducing a more streamlined customer shopping experience through in-store upgrades and an elevated, e-commerce presence, which will debut at the same time the brick and mortar store opens its doors. The re-opened Cortlandt Street location will span the four main floors of the original downtown space and will offer men's, women's and children's designer apparel, footwear, outerwear, handbags, accessories, and fragrances.
About Century 21 Stores:
Century 21 Stores, a NYC icon for more than 60 years, is legendary for its exceptional offering of designer brands at amazing prices. The brand will continue to be run by the Gindi family and regain its position as the leader in high-end, off price fashion retail both in the US and through international expansion. For more information, follow Century 21 Stores on Facebook and @Century21Stores on Instagram and Twitter.
About Legends:
Founded in 2008, Legends is a premium experiences company with six divisions operating worldwide – Global Planning, Global Sales, Global Partnerships, Hospitality, Global Merchandise, and Global Technology Solutions – offering clients and partners a 360-degree data and analytics fueled service solution platform to elevate their brand and execute their vision. Currently, Legends works with marquee clients across business verticals including professional sports; collegiate; attractions; entertainment; and conventions and leisure. We are the industry leaders in designing, planning and realizing exceptional experiences in sports and entertainment. For more information, visit www.Legends.net and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheLegendsWay.
Media Contact:
Sheila Smith
SEQUEL
ssmith@sequel-inc.com
203-917-8644
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SOURCE Century 21 Stores | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/were-coming-home-new-york/ | 2022-05-18T13:40:12Z |
It was a "Modern Family" reunion when Sarah Hyland tied the knot with her longtime partner, Wells Adams, over the weekend.
The 31-year-old actress was flanked by her on-screen family, including Sofia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould, as she said "I do" to the "Bachelor in Paradise" star.
According to E! News, the couple were married in an outdoor ceremony at Sunstone Winery near Santa Barbara, California.
While Hyland, who played Haley Dunphy on the hit ABC sitcom, has yet to share pictures from her wedding, Vergara, who brought her son Manolo as her plus-one, made sure to share snippets of the couple's big day with her 26.5 million Instagram followers.
In one post, Vergara, who wore a black and white floral dress, shared a photo booth picture that featured Ferguson, his husband Justin Mikita and Gould, captioned: "#sarahandwells wedding," followed by a series of heart emojis.
Ferguson also posted a snap of himself and Mikita, suited and booted for the big event, with the caption "Dads night out ❤️."
Hyland and Adams started dating in 2017 after meeting on social media, and he popped the question in July 2019 in a romantic proposal on the beach.
Although the couple were originally meant to walk down the aisle in 2020, their nuptials were postponed multiple times due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Back in July, Hyland revealed that she might not go down the traditional route of taking her husband's last name.
"My mom didn't take my father's last name, so that's never been a thing for me," she told E! News. "I do like being called 'Mrs. Adams' when we're on vacation and stuff, and if the reservation's under his name, I'm like, 'Oh my god, I'm so cute.' But I don't know. Haven't decided on it."
"Modern Family" wrapped in 2020 after 11 years and 22 Emmy awards. Hyland is currently presenting the US version of "Love Island."
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MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
You could be affected by a class action lawsuit against AbbVie Inc. ("AbbVie") and Individual Defendants Richard A. Gonzalez and William J. Chase (collectively, "Defendants"). The Court, which authorized this notice, is allowing the case to proceed as a class action on behalf of a "Class" and has appointed attorneys as "Class Counsel." The Court has not decided that Defendants did anything wrong. Defendants have not been ordered to pay any money. No settlement has been reached. There is no money available now and no guarantee that there will be any recovery in the future.
What is this case about?
The lawsuit alleges that Defendants knowingly made false and misleading statements about AbbVie's compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and its own code of business conduct in the marketing and sale of its flagship drug, Humira, in violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Defendants deny any wrongdoing in this lawsuit and believe that the claims are without merit.
Are you included?
You are a potential "Class Member" only if you purchased or otherwise acquired shares of the publicly-traded common stock of AbbVie during the period of October 25, 2013 through September 18, 2018, inclusive. Excluded from the Class are AbbVie and the Individual Defendants; members of the immediate families of the Individual Defendants; AbbVie's subsidiaries and affiliates; any person who is or was an officer or director of AbbVie or any of its subsidiaries during the Class Period; any entity in which any Defendant has a controlling interest; and the legal representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns of any such excluded person or entity. Also excluded from the Class is any person or entity that timely and validly requests exclusion from the Class in response to this notice. In addition, Defendants have the right to move to decertify the Class, in whole or in part, or to seek the exclusion of certain entities or individuals from the Class at a later date.
What are your options?
If you want to stay in the Class you do not have to do anything now. If you do nothing, you will stay in the Class, be bound by the Court's orders, and will lose any right to sue Defendants separately regarding the factual circumstances and claims in this case. If you do not want to be a Class Member and be bound by what the Court does in this matter, and if you want to keep your rights to sue Defendants, you need to ask to be excluded from the Class. To be excluded, you must send a letter to AbbVie Inc. Securities Litigation, ATTN: EXCLUSIONS, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., P.O. Box 173001, Milwaukee, WI 53217 and you must include certain information as set forth in the long form notice available at the website listed below. If you choose to exclude yourself you cannot receive any money or benefits recovered in this case if any are awarded at a later date. The deadline to exclude yourself is August 10, 2022.
Where to get more information?
This notice is only a summary. For more information visit www.abbviesecuritieslitigation.com or call 877-316-0169.
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SOURCE Motley Rice LLC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/motley-rice-llc-announces-class-action-abbvie-inc-securities-litigation/ | 2022-05-16T14:47:22Z |
Which coffee maker is better?
For coffee drinkers, a coffee maker is an essential part of the home, letting you have your caffeinated beverage exactly when and how you want it. While some drinkers prefer a single-serve coffee pod, others opt to drink fresh drip coffee brewed right into a pot with a standard coffee maker.
Keurig and Mr. Coffee, two of the industry leaders, offer both types of machines, as well as some products that include both options. Here’s what to know about Keurig and Mr. Coffee to find the best coffee maker.
Keurig
Keurig is credited with popularizing single-serve coffee pods called K-Cups, introducing its first machine in 1998. It partnered with popular brands such as Starbucks and sold cups of tea and hot chocolate alongside various flavors of coffee.
The Keurig machine lineup is now diversified, however. While most still exclusively use pods, some machines also let you brew drip coffee.
Keurig pros
- Convenience: Keurig champions ease of use; it only takes minutes to pop in a pod, hit brew and enjoy your coffee.
- Supply: K-cups are made by a wide range of popular brands and offer an array of exciting flavors. They are not exclusive to a single online website or retail store.
- Colors: Some models come in a few colors, including bold red and pastel blue that may accentuate or complement kitchen decor.
Keurig cons
- Size: While Keurig offers a few compact machines, most are bulky and tall. You’ll need to mind the cabinets above, as Keurig machines are top-loading.
- Price: Keurig’s smallest machines are mid-range in price compared to competitors. Its largest machines exceed the price of competitors’ top-of-the-line products.
- Waste: K-Cups are single-use only. Most communities cannot recycle K-Cup pods, so they make for a great deal of waste.
Best Keurigs
This large, versatile machine lets you use both K-Cups and ground coffee to make your drink. A large water reservoir, auto-brew programming and strong brew personalize offer convenience. Sold by Keurig, Amazon and Kohl’s
This compact machine brews from a single pod quickly and easily. With its small footprint, it can live on the counter or be stored conveniently in a cabinet. It also comes in a variety of attractive colors, including dusty rose and poppy red. Sold by Keurig, Amazon and Kohl’s
Mr. Coffee coffee maker
For over 50 years, Mr. Coffee has offered convenient, versatile coffee machines. It has both inexpensive models and more durable, personalized coffee makers.
Mr. Coffee specializes in drip coffee, but the company does offer a few coffee makers that use coffee pods. Most machines are programmable so you can set the precise time you want to enjoy your coffee.
Mr. Coffee coffee maker pros
- Thermal carafe: Several machines include a thermal carafe instead of a glass one, which is more durable and keeps coffee hotter and fresher longer. You also can buy a thermal carafe separately to replace or supplement a glass one.
- Capacity: Mr. Coffee offers some of the largest coffee makers available, with machines brewing 10, 12 or even 14 cups at a time.
- Personalization: Some of the more elaborate machines offer a few ways to personalize your coffee. Buttons let you set a time to brew, toggle brew strength and pause mid-brew to grab a quick cup.
Mr. Coffee coffee maker cons
- Speed: Mr. Coffee machines aren’t the fastest, so be patient when you’re in need of coffee. Use the programmable feature if possible.
- Bulk: Most Mr. Coffee machines are rather wide and large, taking up valuable counter space. You’ll need clearance above the machine as well to load water and grinds.
- Material: While Mr. Coffee does sell inexpensive makers, these tend to be made of plastic, which means they can easily wear down over time.
Best Mr. Coffee coffee makers
Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew Coffee Maker
This stainless steel machine includes a thermal carafe to keep coffee fresh longer. With a permanent filter, durable construction and 10-cup capacity, it will serve a coffee-drinking house well for a long time. Sold by Amazon
Mr. Coffee Iced + Hot Coffee Maker
A compact machine offering a quick single serving, this versatile coffee maker produces both hot drip coffee and iced coffee. It also includes a compatible, reusable tumbler. Sold by Amazon and Kohl’s
Should you get a Keurig or Mr. Coffee coffee maker?
While Keurig popularized the coffee pod, other companies, including Mr. Coffee, have made them more accessible and convenient. For those who prefer the pods, Mr. Coffee offers similar machines for a lower price, including options that welcome both coffee pods and grinds. As many are programmable, mid-range Mr. Coffee machines that include thermal carafes provide the best value.
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/keurig-vs-mr-coffee-coffee-maker/ | 2022-05-23T19:24:30Z |
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Magyar Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGYR) announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program pursuant to which the Company intends to repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding shares, or up to 354,891 shares. The timing of the repurchases will depend on certain factors, including but not limited to, market conditions and prices, the Company's liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital. Any repurchased shares will be held as treasury stock and will be available for general corporate purposes.
John Fitzgerald, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated "We are pleased to announce the repurchase program. We believe our common stock is an attractive value at current trading prices and we believe the deployment of some of the Company's capital into this investment is warranted."
Magyar Bancorp is the parent company of Magyar Bank, a community bank headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Magyar Bank has been serving families and businesses in Central New Jersey since 1922 with a complete line of financial products and services. Magyar operates seven branch locations in New Brunswick, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, Branchburg, Bridgewater, and Edison (2). Please visit us online at www.magbank.com.
This press release contains statements about future events that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward- looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those risks previously disclosed in the Company's filings with the SEC, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, competition, technological developments, retention and recruitment of qualified personnel, and market acceptance of the Company's pricing, products and services, and with respect to the loans extended by the Bank and real estate owned, the following: risks related to the economic environment in the market areas in which the Bank operates, particularly with respect to the real estate market in New Jersey; the risk that the value of the real estate securing these loans may decline in value; and the risk that significant expense may be incurred by the Company in connection with the resolution of non-performing loans. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
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SOURCE Magyar Bancorp | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/magyar-bancorp-inc-announces-stock-repurchase-program/ | 2022-07-21T21:49:07Z |
DETROIT (AP) — Twitter has dropped a major roadblock in front of Elon Musk’s effort to take over the company, leaving investors to wonder about the mercurial Tesla CEO’s next move.
The social media company has adopted a “poison pill” defense that makes it difficult for Musk or any other investor to buy Twitter without the board of directors’ approval. Musk, who currently owns about 9% of the company, last week disclosed an offer of about $43 billion, or $54.20 per share.
Twitter’s next likely move is to formally reject Musk’s offer, although it could negotiate. Musk has a number of options which also include talks with the board, sweetening his offer, or even triggering the poison pill, which experts say would be disastrous for the company.
In a regulatory filing on Monday, Twitter’s board said it approved the defensive move to protect the company from “coercive or otherwise unfair” takeover tactics.
The board is leaving open the possibility of negotiating with Musk or another suitor. The filing says the shareholder rights agreement should not interfere with any merger or offer approved by the board.
Although he said his offer was “final,” Musk may have to raise his bid to satisfy other shareholders. A Saudi prince who is among Twitter’s major shareholders scoffed at the offer last week in a tweet. Al Waleed bin Talal said he didn’t believe $43 billion is close to Twitter’s value given its growth prospects. Twitter shares hit an all-time high of $77.63 in March 2021.
When he made his offer public, Musk provided no details on financing, but such a disclosure could improve his chances. He could raise money by borrowing billions using his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX as collateral, and he could bring in other investors.
The poison pill would give stockholders as of April 25 the right to buy one one-thousandth of a share of preferred stock for each common share they own, at a price of $210. The rights are triggered if any person or group of investors buys 15% or more of the company’s shares without board approval.
The preferred stock would have the same voting rights as a common share, according to the filing, which does not specifically mention Musk.
The poison pill essentially would spell the end of Twitter if Musk or another investor acquires 15% or more of the company, said James Cox, a professor of corporate and securities law at Duke University.
Shareholders who exercise the rights and buy preferred stock at $210 would get $420 in Twitter stock or assets, he said. That would be more than Twitter can afford to pay, and likely would send the company into receivership, Cox said.
“You want to create an event that Musk would never want to trigger because it would be the death of Twitter,” Cox said. He predicts that Musk and the board will negotiate, at least for a while, adding that no investor has ever crossed the line to activate a poison pill.
If Musk triggered the poison pill, he risks wiping out much of the money he has invested in Twitter because his stake would be diluted, said Columbia University law professor Eric Talley. “You want to deter someone from deliberately triggering the poison pill,” Talley said.
Twitter’s board has information that the average shareholder doesn’t, such as earnings or market growth projections, and whether there’s reason to believe that the share value is artificially depressed, Talley said. The board, he said, could just hold out.
“They’re sitting right now on top of a poison pill that’s a bit of a showstopper. From a corporate law perspective, they’re on pretty solid footing right now if they just keep that in place and say they’re not comfortable bargaining at this stage.”
Musk said in making his bid that Twitter “needs to be transformed as a private company” in order to build trust with users and do better at serving what he calls the “societal imperative” of free speech. He said shareholders, not the board, should decide whether Twitter goes private.
Shares of Twitter closed Monday up 7.5% at $48.45, still $5.75 shy of Musk’s offer. That’s a sign that investors are skeptical of whether Musk can pull off the deal.
Musk began accumulating Twitter shares in late January, ending up with a stake of about 9%. Only Vanguard Group controls more shares. A lawsuit filed last week in New York federal court alleged Musk illegally delayed disclosing his stake so he could buy more shares at lower prices.
Musk took to Twitter to criticize board members in recent days, saying he’d save about $3 million per year by bringing the board salary to zero if his bid succeeds, and noting that board members collectively owning just a tiny financial stake in Twitter shows that their “economic interests are simply not aligned with shareholders.”
Musk, who has more than 82 million followers, is a prolific tweeter who has criticized other celebrity accounts for not tweeting enough, suggesting that as a sign that Twitter is dying.
The takeover episode will put pressure on Twitter executives to show that the company is not underperforming, said Olaf Groth, a business professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Even the entire social media business model of making money through advertising — which Musk has questioned — is now “up for discussion,” Groth said.
“He may decide it’s not worth it, and that he sent a political signal to exert pressure,” Groth said. “Now all eyes are on Twitter and the clock is ticking.”
____
O’Brien reported from Providence, Rhode Island. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/twitter-says-poison-pill-makes-coercive-takeover-difficult/ | 2022-04-19T10:50:29Z |
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Two anti-government extremists sought to spark a “second American revolution” by kidnapping Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday, as the government tried for a second time to get convictions in an alleged plot to shock the country into chaos before the 2020 election.
Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. are on trial again, four months after a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict while acquitting two other men.
The jury will hear competing themes. Prosecutors will present secretly recorded conversations and video, text messages and social media posts to show that a band of rebels was serious about snatching the Democratic governor.
Defense attorneys insist there was no actual conspiracy. They will attack the motivations of undercover FBI agents and informants who infiltrated the group and built the investigation.
Fox, 39, lived under a vacuum shop in the Grand Rapids area, and Croft, 46, is from Bear, Delaware. They regularly communicated with other extremists who were angry with Whitmer and various public officials over COVID-19 restrictions.
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher O’Connor said the seeds were planted well ahead of the pandemic.
Before Fox and Croft “planned and trained to kidnap the governor of Michigan, they called for a second American revolution,” O’Connor told jurors. “They wanted to violently overthrow elected government officials because they believed those officials were tyrants who were constantly violating their rights.
“Barry Croft believed all it would take to start that revolution was to hang a governor,” the prosecutor said. “That was a call to action in early 2020. … His promise to elected government officials, the tyrants: expect us.”
Fox’s attorney, Christopher Gibbons, repeatedly told jurors that the government had charged “big talkers.”
“Adam Fox is an American citizen. He may not be the best of us. I don’t think he’s the worst of us,” Gibbons said. “But like all of us, he has a right to have an opinion. He has a right to be homeless and poor in the Vac Shack in the middle of the pandemic, to be angry and frustrated. … It’s ugly but it’s not a crime.”
Fox and Croft are charged with two counts of conspiracy. Croft faces a third weapons-related charge.
The plot to kidnap Whitmer followed training in Wisconsin and Michigan, and two trips to scout her second home in northern Michigan.
In remarks to the jury, defense attorney Joshua Blanchard repeated an argument that he vigorously made in the first trial, accusing the FBI of targeting Croft and pulling him in because he had encouraged violence and protest.
Blanchard played an audio clip of an agent telling an informant: “A saying we have in my office is, ‘Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.’ Right?”
He didn’t offer jurors any context to the sound bite.
“Because they weren’t willing to let the facts get in the way of a good story they wanted to tell, Barry has been sitting in jail for the last 672 days waiting for you to tell the FBI that the facts do matter. … The way you do this is you return a verdict of not guilty,” Blanchard said.
Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were found not guilty in April. Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks pleaded guilty and will testify again for prosecutors.
Whitmer has blamed then-President Donald Trump for stoking mistrust and fomenting anger over coronavirus restrictions and refusing to condemn hate groups and right-wing extremists like those charged in the plot. Democrat Joe Biden sought to tie Trump to the plot as well, pointing to the president’s tweet in earlier in 2020 to “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!”
Trump referred to Whitmer last weekend during a speech in Texas.
“Gretchen Whitmer was in less danger than the people sitting in this room right now, it seems to me,” said Trump, who called the plot a “fake deal.”
___
White reported from Detroit. Cappelletti 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.
___
Find AP’s full coverage of the Whitmer kidnap plot trial at: https://apnews.com/hub/whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/jury-picked-evidence-next-in-2nd-trial-in-gov-whitmer-plot/ | 2022-08-10T18:06:02Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Enochian BioSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENOB).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/enochian-biosciences-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=31776&from=4
The lawsuit seeks to recover losses for shareholders who purchased Enochian between January 17, 2018 and June 27, 2022.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until September 26, 2022 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
According to a filed complaint, Enochian BioSciences, Inc. issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company's co-founder and inventor Serhat Gumrukcu was engaged in a variety of frauds; (2) Gumrukcu was not a licensed doctor anywhere in the world; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Gumrukcu's purported contributions to the Company lacked a reasonable basis; (5) as a result of the foregoing, the Company had overstated its commercial prospects; (6) Gumrukcu had improperly diverted approximately $20 million from Enochian to entities he owned; and (7) 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.
Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
1140 Avenue of the Americas
9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
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SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/enob-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-enochian-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-26-2022/ | 2022-09-16T11:05:55Z |
Including young kids likely to sink Kansas trans sports ban
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas appears unlikely to join other states this year in keeping transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports, partly because conservative state lawmakers want the ban to apply to elementary school students.
The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a proposed ban early Saturday with solid majorities in both chambers — but not the two-thirds needed to override an almost-certain veto from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. She rejected a similar bill last year, saying it would send “a devastating message that Kansas is not welcoming to all children and their families.”
Republicans nationwide have pushed the issue to appeal to a broad swath of voters, framing it as fairness in competition and access to scholarships. At least 12 other states have enacted such laws, including Arizona and Oklahoma this week. Supporters in Kansas believe the issue grew even more compelling for athletes and their families with the University of Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas recently becoming the NCAA’s first transgender champion in women’s swimming.
But enough GOP lawmakers in Kansas keep breaking with Republican colleagues that LGBTQ-rights advocates probably will prevail for a second consecutive year. Several of those dissident Republicans said having a ban apply as early as kindergarten is a problem for them. State Sen. John Doll, a western Kansas Republican, has voted both ways and was a “no” early Saturday because he wasn’t able to persuade colleagues last month to exempt elementary school students from the ban.
“To be honest, I don’t know where I’m at with it,” he said Saturday of a ban overall. “When it comes to a veto, I can’t say that I would vote to override the veto.”
The vote Friday night in the House was 74-39, leaving supporters 10 votes short of a two-thirds majority. While a dozen of the House’s 125 members were absent, at least five were likely to vote “no.”
The state Senate’s vote early Saturday was 25-13 and sent the bill to Kelly. But supporters were two votes short of a two-thirds majority, and the Republicans who were absent have split over the proposal in the past.
“The focus now on, again, the very, very young kids who have no concept of ‘transgender’ — it just didn’t feel appropriate,” said state Sen. Brenda Dietrich, a Topeka Republican and a former local school district superintendent who has consistently voted “no.”
Besides attacking proposed bans as anti-LGBTQ discrimination, critics across the U.S. have noted there have been relatively few transgender athletes. In Kansas, the state association overseeing extracurricular activities for grades 7 through 12 says it has been notified of only six or seven transgender athletes in those grades.
Kansas opponents of a ban have accused backers of picking on young children and suggested that schools could be forced to inspect children’s genitals to settle disputes about their participation.
State Rep. Heather Meyer, an Overland Park Democrat, said Friday the bill told transgender children that “they are not valid.” After speaking about her transgender 12-year-old son in sixth grade and their transgender best friend, she wiped her eyes with a tissue as the debate continued.
“This is my child, and I’m going to stand up for them. I’m going to stand up for their friends. I’m going to stand up for their peers,” Meyer said. “This is just wrong.”
Supporters of the bill argued during debates Friday night and into early Saturday that schools could rely on birth certificates and other language to settle disputes.
They also argued that children are entering puberty at younger ages, making the unfair advantages of transgender girls appear earlier.
“It needs to be taken care so things don’t go out of hand,” said Rep. Barbara Wasinger, another Republican from western Kansas.
The bill’s supporters said they are showing support for young girls who want to play sports and older girls who strive for college scholarships. Supporters of a proposed ban often refer to transgender athletes as “biological” boys, men or males.
“It makes me sad that the women in the room don’t realize that we biological women are being bullied,” said Republican Rep. Tatum Lee, also from western Kansas. “We do everything we can to protect those being bullied, and I feel bullied.”
But Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker, said that when she returns home, “There will be families that come to my porch and look at me and say, ‘Can you tell us that this is going to be OK?’”
“I promise you, your constituents will write ME, and those letters start with, ‘I would tell my representative, but they won’t listen,’” she added.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/02/including-young-kids-likely-sink-kansas-trans-sports-ban/ | 2022-04-02T18:30:13Z |
KINGSEY FALLS, QC, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Cascades (TSX: CAS), a leader in eco-responsible recycling, packaging and hygiene solutions, once again demonstrates its leadership in responsible business practices by ranking 8th on the list of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada unveiled this morning by the media, research and financial information products company, Corporate Knights.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of this prestigious ranking which Cascades entered 15 years ago. Through the years, a team of analysts has developed and refined a methodology for assessing a wide range of performance indicators. This year, 332 Canadian companies with revues superior to one billion dollars were among the organizations evaluated. Not only is Cascades ranked in 8th place, but it also stands out as a leader among its peers in the Packaging category (out of 35 companies evaluated) and is 1st place among its peers in the Containers & Packaging category of the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) (out of 54 companies evaluated).
Among the indicators in which Cascades stands out, we find the percentage of sales tied to eco-friendly products, the representation of women on its board of directors, and the health and safety performance of its employees.
"Year after year, Cascades remains delighted by this recognition. It is a testament to our desire to push the limits of our business practices and to pursue our primary mission: to contribute to the well-being of people, communities and the planet. On their wish list for ranking companies, Corporate Knights team said that all 50 organizations should be committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions following the recommendations of the Science Based Targets initiative. It is a check-off on our list, as our targets were approved in 2021," declared Mario Plourde, President and Chief Executive Officer at Cascades.
Founded in 1964, Cascades offers sustainable, innovative and value-added packaging, hygiene and recovery solutions. The company employs approximately 10,000 women and men across a network close to 80 facilities in North America. Driven by its participative management, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous research and development efforts, Cascades continues to provide innovative products that customers have come to rely on, while contributing to the well-being of people, communities and the entire planet. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAS.
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SOURCE Cascades Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/cascades-is-ranked-8th-corporate-knights-best-50-corporate-citizens-canada/ | 2022-06-29T18:23:50Z |
BEIJING, May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RYB Education, Inc. ("RYB" or the "Company") (NYSE: RYB), a leading early childhood education service provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.
Fourth Quarter 2021 Operational and Financial Summary
- Number of students enrolled at directly operated facilities was 33,890 as of December 31, 2021, compared with 34,011 as of December 31, 2020.
- Net revenues increased by 0.7% to $47.4 million, compared with $47.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
- Gross profit decreased by 14.9% to $10.2 million, compared with $11.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
- Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $4.7 million, compared with $9.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders[1] of RYB for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $1.5 million, compared with $10.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
- Cash used in operating activities was $11.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with $2.1 million cash used in operating activities for the fourth quarter of 2020.
Full Year 2021 Financial Summary
- Net revenues increased by 64.3% to $180.3 million, compared with $109.7 million for 2020.
- Gross profit was $31.2 million, compared with a gross loss of $7.2 million for 2020.
- Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB for 2021 was $6.8 million, compared with net loss of $37.3 million for 2020. Adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders[2] of RYB for 2021 was $5.4million, compared with adjusted net loss of $34.4 million for 2020.
"Over the past year, we continued to commit ourselves to the healthy and sustainable development of preschool education in China by strictly adhering to policies and rules implemented by the regulators. As we smoothly finished the fourth quarter and 2021, our business operations have notably recovered from the ongoing COVID-19 impacts. Children and their families also appreciate the series of effective measures that we adopted during this period, and speak highly of the quality of our educational services and products. This underpins our improved capability to navigate through COVID-19 and stronger business resilience." said Ms. Yanlai Shi, Co-founder, Director and Chief Executive Officer of RYB.
"Earlier in March, we announced the divestiture of our directly operated kindergarten business in China, which marks a key milestone in enhancing compliance with regulation and further transforming the Company's business model. Going forward, we will focus on making the Company a powerful education service platform to provide end-to-end services across brand, content, systems, training, among others, to educational institutions." concluded Ms. Shi.
Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Net Revenues
Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 0.7% to $47.4 million, from $47.1 million for the same quarter of 2020.
Service revenues for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 2.5% to $46.1 million, from $44.9 million for the same quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily caused by the increase in tuition fee from the Company's directly operated kindergartens in China, which was due to the increase of student enrollments. Increase in training fee revenue also contribute to the increase in service revenues.
Product revenues for the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased by 36.2% to $1.4 million, from $2.1 million for the same quarter of 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the amount of merchandise sold through the Company's franchise network.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $37.3 million, a 6.0% increase from $35.1 million for the same quarter of 2020. Cost of revenues for services for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $36.6 million, compared with $33.7 million for the same quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to increase in staff compensation and increase in direct cost of the Company's directly operated kindergarten business. Cost of products revenues for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $0.7 million, compared with $1.4 million for the same quarter of 2020. The decrease was generally in line with the decrease in product revenues.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased by 14.9% to $10.2 million, compared with $11.9 million for the same quarter of 2020.
Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 21.4%, compared with 25.3% for the same quarter last year.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $10.0 million, compared with $10.8 million for the same quarter of 2020. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, operating expenses were $9.7 million, compared with $10.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
Selling expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $0.8 million, compared with $0.4 million for the same quarter of 2020.
General and administrative ("G&A") expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $4.7 million, a 43.2% decrease from $8.2 million for the same quarter of 2020. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, G&A expenses were $4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with $7.5 million for the same quarter of 2020. The decrease in G&A expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses was primarily due to a one-off credit loss of $3.4 million incurred in the fourth quarter of 2020. The share-based compensation expenses included in G&A expenses were $0.3 million for the quarter.
Impairment loss on goodwill was $4.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to nil for the same quarter of 2020.
Impairment loss on long-lived asset was nil for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $2.1 million for the same quarter of 2020.
Operating Income
Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $0.1million, compared with $1.2 million of operating income for the same quarter last year. Adjusted operating income[3] was $0.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with $1.9 million for the same quarter of 2020.
[3] Adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses.
Net Income/loss
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $4.7 million, compared with $9.3 million for the same quarter of 2020. Adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB, which excludes the impact of share-based compensation expenses and changes of redeemable non-controlling interests, for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $1.5 million, compared with $10.0 million for the same quarter of 2020.
Basic and diluted net income per American depositary share ("ADS") attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $0.17 and $0.16, compared with basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB of $0.34 and $0.33 respectively, for the same quarter of 2020. Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share.
Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders[4] of RYB for the fourth quarter of 2021 were both $0.05, compared with both $0.36 for the same quarter of 2020.
EBITDA[5] for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $3.7 million, compared with $5.2 million for the same period of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA[6] for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $4.0 million, compared with $5.9 million for the same quarter of 2020.
Operating Cash Flow
Cash used in operating activities was $11.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with $2.1 million of cash used in operating activities during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Full Year of 2021 Financial Results
Net Revenues
Net revenues for the full year of 2021 were $180.3 million, compared with $109.7 million for 2020.
Services revenues for the full year of 2021 were $172.4 million, compared with $103.1 million for 2020. The increase was primarily due to a significant increase in tuition fee revenue, as the Company's directly operated facilities in China were in normal operation during most of 2021 whereas those facilities, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, were temporarily closed for most of the first nine months of 2020.
Product revenues for the full year of 2021 were $7.9 million, compared with $6.6 million for 2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the amount of merchandise sold through the Company's franchise network, the operation of which was temporarily suspended operations during most of the first nine months of 2020 caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues for the full year of 2021 was $149.1 million, compared with $116.9 million for 2020. Cost of services revenues for the full year of 2021 was $145.5 million, compared with $113.3 million for 2020. The increase was primarily due to increase in staff compensation and direct cost of the Company's directly operated kindergarten business. Cost of products revenues for the full year of 2021 was $3.7 million, compared with $3.6 million for 2020.
Gross Profit / Loss
Gross profit for the full year of 2021 was $31.2 million, compared with a gross loss of $7.2 million for 2020.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the full year of 2021 were $27.3 million, compared with $36.2 million for 2020. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, operating expenses were $25.3 million, compared with $33.3 million for 2020.
Selling expenses were $2.5 million for the full year of 2021, compared with $1.3 million for 2020.
G&A expenses for the full year of 2021 were $20.3 million, compared with $24.3 million for 2020. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, G&A expenses were $18.3 million for the full year of 2021, compared with $21.5million for 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a one-off credit loss of $4.3 million for other receivables and loan receivables incurred in 2020.
Impairment loss on goodwill was $4.6 million for the full year of 2021, compared to $8.5 million for 2020.
Impairment loss on long-lived asset was nil for the full year of 2021, compared to $2.1 million for 2020.
Operating Income/loss
Operating income for the full year of 2021 was $3.8 million, compared with operating loss of $43.4 million for 2020. Adjusted operating income for 2021 was $5.9 million, compared with adjusted operating loss of $40.5 million for 2020.
Impairment loss on long-term investment
Impairment loss on long-term investment for the full year of 2021 was nil, compared with $2.4 million for 2020.
Net Income/loss
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB for the full year of 2021 was $6.8 million, compared with a loss of $37.3 million for 2020. Adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB, which excludes the impact of share-based compensation expenses and changes of redeemable non-controlling interests, for the full year of 2021 was $5.4 million, compared with a loss of $34.4 million for 2020.
Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB for the full year of 2021 were $0.24 and $0.23, compared with basic and diluted net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB of both $1.32 for 2020. Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share.
Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB for the full year of 2021 were both $0.19, compared with adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of RYB of both $1.22 for 2020.
EBITDA for the full year of 2021 was $20.0 million, compared with a loss of $29.3 million for 2020. Adjusted EBITDA for 2021 was $22.0 million, compared with a loss of $26.4 million for 2020.
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had total cash and cash equivalents of $65.3 million, compared with $53.5 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase in cash and cash equivalents balance was mainly due to the operating cash inflow of $19.2 million throughout the full year of 2021 as a result of tuition fees collected at the Company's directly operated facilities.
The Divestiture of the Company's Directly Operated Kindergarten Business in China
On March 1, 2022, the subsidiaries of the Company, Beijing RYB Technology Development Co., Ltd. ("RYB Technology") and Qiyuan Education Technology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd ("TJ Qiyuan") have entered into termination agreements with certain variable interest entities ("the previous VIEs"), Beijing RYB Children Education Technology Development Co., Ltd ("Beijing RYB") and Beiyao Technology Development Co., Ltd. ("Beiyao"). By entering into those termination agreements, the Company no longer has contractual control over its directly operated kindergarten business (the "Divestiture").
This Divestiture includes the termination of agreements by and among RYB Technology, TJ Qiyuan, Beijing RYB, Beiyao and their shareholders. As a result, 90 directly operated kindergartens are divested. As the consideration for the termination of VIE agreements, an aggregate amount of RMB158.5 million will be paid in installments to RYB Technology and TJ Qiyuan. At the same time, to ensure ongoing stability and sustained provision of quality kindergarten education, the subsidiaries of the Company have entered into a series of service agreements to provide brand royalty, training, management IT system, recruitment, and curriculum design services to the previous VIEs and/or their subsidiaries. The Divestiture becomes effective on April 30, 2022.
As part of the Divestiture, RYB Technology has entered into a loan agreement with Beijing RYB and Beiyao to reflect the net balance of historical inter-company lending and borrowing, the exact amount of which is subject to the further audit procedure completion.
The pro forma statements of financial position and pro forma statements of operations of all the entities as a group that would be deconsolidated through the Divestiture, as well as those of all entities that remain in the Group as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, as if the Divestiture had become effective on January 1, 2021, are also attached with the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements.
About RYB Education, Inc.
Founded on the core values of ''Care'' and ''Responsibility,'' ''Inspire'' and ''Innovate,'' RYB Education, Inc. is a leading early childhood education service provider in China. Since opening its first play-and-learn center in 1998, the Company has grown and flourished with the mission to provide high-quality, individualized and age-appropriate care and education to nurture and inspire each child for his or her betterment in life. During its two decades of operating history, the Company has built "RYB" into a well-recognized education brand and helped bring about many new educational practices in China's early childhood education industry. RYB's comprehensive early childhood education solutions meet the needs of children from infancy to 6 years old through structured courses at kindergartens and play-and-learn centers, as well as at-home educational products and services.
For more information, please visit http://ir.rybbaby.com
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.
EBITDA is defined as net income excluding depreciation, amortization, and income tax expenses; adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income excluding depreciation, amortization, income tax expenses, and share-based compensation expenses; adjusted operating income is defined as operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses; adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders is defined as net income attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and changes of redeemable non-controlling interests; and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders are defined as basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and changes of redeemable non-controlling interests.
We believe that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, help identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that we include in income from operations and net income. We believe that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, provide useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.
EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the historical adjusted financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's brand recognition and market reputation; student enrolment in the Company's teaching facilities; the Company's growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; trends and competition in China's early childhood education market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; the expected growth of the Chinese early childhood education market; Chinese governmental policies relating to the Company's industry and general economic conditions in China. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
RYB Education, Inc.
Investor Relations
E-mail: ir@rybbaby.com
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Yang Song
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: ryb@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel : +1-212-481-2050
E-mail : ryb@tpg-ir.com
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SOURCE RYB Education, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/11/ryb-education-inc-reports-fourth-quarter-full-year-2021-financial-results/ | 2022-05-11T21:33:28Z |
LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE IS AUGUST 5, 2022
NEW YORK, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a federal securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Apyx Medical Corporation ("Apyx" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: APYX) securities between May 12, 2021 and March 11, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period").
All investors who purchased the shares of Apyx Medical Corporation and incurred losses are advised to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action or join the case on our website, www.whafh.com.
If you have incurred losses in Apyx Medical Corporation, you may, no later than August 5, 2022, request that the Court appoint you lead plaintiff of the proposed class. Please contact Wolf Haldenstein to learn more about your rights as an investor in Apyx Medical Corporation.
The filed complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors:
- that a significant number of Apyx's Advanced Energy products were used for off-label indications;
- that such off-label uses led to an increase in the number of medical device reports filed by Apyx reporting serious adverse events;
- that, as a result, the Company was reasonably likely to incur regulatory scrutiny;
- that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial results would be adversely impacted; and
- that, 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.
On March 14, 2022, Apyx disclosed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") would be posting a Medical Device Safety Communication ("MDSC") related to the Company's Advanced Energy Products. The Company further disclosed that "[b]ased on our initial interactions with the FDA, we believe the Agency's MDSC will pertain to the use of our Advanced Energy products outside of their FDA-cleared indication for general use in cutting, coagulation, and ablation of soft tissue during open and laparoscopic surgical procedures."
On this news, the Company's stock fell $4.02, or 40.6%, to close at $5.88 per share on March 14, 2022, on unusually heavy trading volume.
Wolf Haldenstein has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation.
If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735 or via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com
Contact:
Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP
Patrick Donovan, Esq.
Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis
Email: gstone@whafh.com, donovan@whafh.com or classmember@whafh.com
Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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SOURCE Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/apyx-medical-corporation-class-action-alert-wolf-haldenstein-adler-freeman-amp-herz-llp-announces-that-securities-class-action-lawsuit-has-been-filed-united-states-district-court-middle-district-florida-against-apyx-medical-corporation/ | 2022-06-15T13:09:24Z |
Vietnam vets honored with pinning, ceremony
Tuesday was an important day on the calendar for everyone associated with veterans and veterans affairs as March 29 is the anniversary of the end of the United States’ military occupation in Vietnam.
Efforts by former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump made the day the official observance of Vietnam Veterans’ Day.
“We’re truly glad to be able to gather today and honor the sacrifice each of you made and the service you performed for your country,” said Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris at a ceremony held Tuesday morning at Jackson City Hall by the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition. “The reaction you received when you got home is truly a dark day in the history of our country.
“And today, 50 years after the Vietnam War, we’re glad to recognize you now.”
About 50 Vietnam veterans from around rural West Tennessee were gathered at City Hall for the ceremony in which a few of the veterans who hadn’t received a special commemorative pin marking the 50th anniversary of the war and the United States’ exit from the country in Southeast Asia were officially pinned in front of their contemporaries and a few other guests in attendance.
“These men who served in Vietnam answered when their country called,” said Jackie Utley, the director of the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition. “And while the reception when you got home may not have been what it should be, we’re going to honor you the way each of you deserve to be honored and recognized.
“Thank you so much for serving your country.”
The 50th anniversary of the final U.S. troops leaving Vietnam will be next year.
Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at editorbrandon. | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/2022/04/02/vietnam-vets-honored-pinning-ceremony/7238416001/ | 2022-04-02T04:35:53Z |
Company Delivers Strong 10% of North American Debut with $13.8 Million Across Domestic IMAX Screens
NEW YORK, July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) flexed its muscle at the global box office this weekend with a $23 million worldwide opening for Disney/Marvel's "Thor: Love and Thunder". North America led the way, where IMAX delivered a $13.8 million opening — good for an outsized 10% of the overall Domestic box office.
"Thor: Love and Thunder" scored the biggest Domestic IMAX opening weekend of the "Thor" franchise, and the biggest Global IMAX opening weekend ex-China for a "Thor" release. "Thor: Love and Thunder" was Filmed for IMAX with IMAX digital cameras and feature IMAX-exclusive expanded aspect ratio.
"There's no question that everyone is going back to movies now, with blockbusters like "Thor: Love and Thunder" anchoring a slate that is bringing a diverse mix of audiences — young and old, frequent and casual moviegoers — out to the cinema," said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. "With 'Thor: Love and Thunder', Marvel has created a work of spectacle, humor, and heart that demands to be seen on the big screen, and as a result this film is driving the strongest IMAX results of the 'Thor' franchise."
IMAX delivered $9.2 million in International box office for "Thor" across 65 countries and territories. The film raced to a top ten all-time IMAX opening weekend across 17 diverse markets worldwide, including Germany, Sweden, Turkey, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Chile, and Argentina.
IMAX is a premier global technology platform for entertainment and events. Through its proprietary software, theater architecture, patented intellectual property, and specialized equipment, IMAX offers a unique end-to-end solution to create superior, immersive content experiences for which the IMAX® brand is globally renown. Top filmmakers, movie studios, artists, and creators utilize the cutting-edge visual and sound technology of IMAX to connect with audiences in innovative ways. As a result, IMAX is among the most important and successful global distribution platforms for domestic and international tentpole films and, increasingly, exclusive experiences ranging from live performances to interactive events with leading artists and creators.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of March 31, 2022, there were 1,690 IMAX theater systems (1,606 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 72 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."
IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, IMAX Enhanced™, IMAX nXos® and Films to the Fullest®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
For additional information please contact:
Investors:
Heather Anthony
hanthony@imax.com
212.821.0121
Media:
Mark Jafar
mjafar@imax.com
212.821.0102
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SOURCE IMAX Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/11/imax-bolts-23-million-debut-thor-love-thunder/ | 2022-07-11T13:06:22Z |
LIVERMORE, Calif., June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GDCA Inc., a California-based company that specializes in embedded board legacy computer equipment manufacturing, announced this week that it has reached an agreement with Northwest Technical Inc. to provide extended product availability of its Multibus I line of products previously manufactured by Zendex Corporation and acquired after Zendex closed its operations.
"Northwest Technical Inc. had the wisdom to invest and preserve the technical designs for these products of popular computer architecture, Multibus I. Now, GDCA has the opportunity to provide a new source for product manufacturing, repair, and overall support for customers who had lost total connection with these products. This agreement satisfies our mission of bridging the gap left between legacy and innovation," said Ethan Plotkin, CEO of GDCA.
"When Zendex Inc. closed its doors in October 2008, we saw an opportunity to obtain and preserve not only the inventory of their entire Multibus I product line but also the intellectual property, manufacturing rights and test capabilities to support the future needs of Zendex customers. This complemented Northwest Technical's business of supporting most legacy Multibus I and II products made by Intel and other manufacturers. This partnership will give Zendex customers full confidence in the manufacturing expertise and worldwide support of GDCA," said Patrick Wong, founder and CEO of Northwest Technical Inc.
Find the available catalog of Zendex Multibus I products under the GDCA website: https://www.gdca.com/products/oem/zendex/. Visit our website for additional GDCA legacy services and sustainment partnerships.
GDCA services customers of legacy products. These are products that have become a burden for embedded board and system OEMs to continue supporting. Since its founding in 1987, GDCA has served as a legacy equipment manufacturer and a second source of supply for more than 2,500 companies worldwide.
GDCA's PLM+™ methodology provides long-term customer support and sustainment for end-of-life commercial off-the-shelf and custom embedded computer boards and systems. It uses OEM-authorized intellectual property to offer legacy manufacturing, lifecycle planning, lifecycle assurance, and legacy engineering.
For more information regarding GDCA's and Northwest Technical's services, visit https://www.gdca.com/ and http://www.multibus-international.com/, respectively.
Contact: Tania Scroggie, GDCA Inc. | pr@gdca.com | 925-456-9900
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SOURCE GDCA Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/zendex-multibus-i-products-find-new-life-with-gdca/ | 2022-06-14T18:57:10Z |
GUNDRY MD VITAL RECHARGE DIETARY SUPPLEMENT IS AN INVIGORATING BLEND OF VITAMINS, POLYPHENOLS, AND ELECTROLYTES TO HELP SUPPORT HYDRATION AND ENERGY LEVELS FROM DR. STEVEN GUNDRY AND GUNDRY MD
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gundry MD™ Vital Recharge dietary supplement is the newest addition to Dr. Steven Gundry's line of wellness dietary supplements. With its launch, Gundry MD introduces RiaGev®, a first-of-its-kind proprietary complex featuring a form of Vitamin B3 and D-Ribose, shown to help support NAD, ATP and glutathione production, which can help boost energy and contribute to a balanced mood. Gundry MD products are crafted with science-backed ingredients to nourish health with powerful nutrients that many of us lack in our everyday diet.
Gundry MD Vital Recharge Powder is fueled with 13 sources of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes that help "supercharge" your cells to help promote strength, endurance, focus, and fitness levels — no matter your age. Dr. Gundry has been a major proponent of polyphenols for decades, so Vital Recharge also contains a unique blend of pomegranate, dragon fruit and blueberry to help boost stamina and energy throughout the day.
Vital Recharge Powder is Gundry MD's latest tool to help support human health and vitality.
- RiaGev® is a combination of nicotinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) and Bioenergy Ribose®—a first-of-its-kind proprietary complex that has been shown to help support NAD, ATP, and glutathione production, helping to boost energy and metabolism while helping to balance mood.*†
- Powerful Polyphenol blend combines pomegranate, dragon fruit, and blueberry to help boost stamina for all-day energy, support blood sugar metabolism, and help maintain a healthy heart and brain.*†
- Essential electrolyte minerals, like calcium and magnesium in glycerophosphate form, helps optimize and restore body hydration with like, making them highly bioavailable.*†
Consumers are able to purchase Vital Recharge through the Gundry MD website at GundryMD.com, the product is currently available on the home page while stocks last.
*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Founded in 2015 by Dr. Steven Gundry, Gundry MD is dedicated to innovative solutions using science-backed ingredients to offer all-day energy, a "fired-up" metabolism, smooth, easy digestion, and a younger-feeling mind and body. It all starts with feeding your body powerful nutrients like polyphenols, one of the most powerful health-boosters out there while avoiding plant proteins called lectins — which can wreak havoc on your digestion, energy, and vitality. Based on 20 years of research evaluating how nutrition affects the body, Dr. Gundry personally designs every Gundry MD product. In addition, Gundry MD formulas are third-party tested for quality. Best-selling Gundry MD products include Energy Renew, Total Restore, Polyphenol Dark Spot Diminisher, and Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil. For more information, visit gundrymd.com, @gundrymd on Instagram and GundryMd on Tiktok.
Founder of Gundry MD, Dr. Steven Gundry is one of the world's top cardiothoracic surgeons and a pioneer in nutrition, as well as medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute and The Centers for Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, California. He has spent the last two decades helping people restore their health by optimizing nutrition and lifestyle choices. Steven Gundry, MD is also the host of the popular podcast, The Dr. Gundry Podcast and author of four New York Times best-selling books including The Plant Paradox™ which details his famous lectin-free diet or Plant Paradox Diet. Since his first Paradox book release, Dr. Gundry has been in the media spotlight, interviewed by Goop, MindBodyGreen, New York Times, Morning Joe and so many more outlets. Dr Gundry's newest book, Unlocking the Keto Code is now a national bestseller. For more information, visit www.drgundry.com, @drstevengundry on Instagram, or @drgundry on Twitter.
Press contact:
Dana Lewis
dana@stanton-company.com
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SOURCE Gundry MD | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/dr-steven-gundry-gundry-md-launches-gundry-md-vital-recharge/ | 2022-08-26T16:56:20Z |
PHILADELPHIA, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced the 2022 class members of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences.
The 10 postdoctoral fellows from five Latin American countries—Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil—will receive two years of funding to conduct research in laboratories across the United States. The fellows will work under the mentorship of prominent biomedical scientists, including alumni of the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, the Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research, and the Pew Latin American Fellows Program.
"Biomedical research is a global effort requiring an imaginative, diverse community of scientists," said Susan K. Urahn, Pew's president and CEO. "Pew is proud to welcome such an innovative cohort from Latin America, whose work will explore new horizons in health and medicine."
Fellows who choose to return to Latin America to launch their own research labs will receive additional funding from Pew. Approximately 70% of participants have pursued this path, which has helped support a more robust biomedical research community in Latin America.
Scientists in the 2022 class will explore a range of research topics, including how bacteria form resistance to RNA-targeting antibiotics, how certain chemical reactions help babies recognize their mothers, and how changes to DNA maintenance can give rise to acute myeloid leukemia.
"The 2022 class brings together a rich community of young scientists at the top of their fields," said Eva Nogales, Ph.D., distinguished professor in the department of biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology at the University of California, Berkeley, and chair of the program's national advisory committee. "Through their research in foremost U.S. labs, these fellows will build on the tools needed to lead the next generation of biomedical discovery both in the U.S. and in Latin America."
The 2022 Pew Latin American fellows and their U.S. mentors are:
Anibal Arce, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Julius Lucks, Ph.D.
Northwestern University
Dr. Arce will explore the potential of RNAs called "riboswitches" as targets for a new class of antibiotics.
Noe Baruch Torres, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Y. Whitney Yin, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Dr. Baruch Torres will study the human mitochondrial replisome, a specialized protein complex machinery that cells use to copy the DNA found in their mitochondria.
Hector Cuello, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Ajit Varki, M.D.
University of California, San Diego
Dr. Cuello will investigate the role that a receptor protein called Siglec-XII plays in the progression of cancer.
Mabel Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Lauren O'Connell, Ph.D., 2020 Pew biomedical scholar
Stanford University
Dr. Gonzalez will study the chemical interactions that allow babies to recognize their mothers.
Krystal Maya-Maldonado, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Nichole Broderick, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Maya-Maldonado will explore how parents can transmit an "immune memory" of past infections to future generations.
Vinicius Miessler de Andrade Carvalho, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Nirao Shah, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Dr. Andrade Carvalho will dissect the neural circuit that allows sex recognition in animals, information that underscores their subsequent social interactions.
Francisco Saavedra Cantillana, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Thelma Escobar, Ph.D.
University of Washington
Dr. Saavedra Cantillana will study the changes in chromatin landscape that lead to leukemia.
John James Tello Cajiao, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Jorge Henao-Mejia, M.D., Ph.D., 2017 Pew biomedical scholar
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Tello Cajiao will develop analytical tools for dissecting how the spatial organization of DNA regulates the activity of genes.
Sergio Heli Triana Sierra, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Alex Shalek, Ph.D., 2018 Pew-Stewart scholar, and Pardis Sabeti, M.D., Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dr. Triana Sierra will develop tools for studying viral hemorrhagic fevers in areas where these diseases are endemic.
Maritere Urióstegui-Arcos, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Ana Fiszbein, Ph.D., 2017 Pew Latin American fellow
Boston University
Dr. Urióstegui-Arcos will explore how the DNA sequences that control a gene's activity also influence which RNA variants the gene will produce.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Learn more at pewtrusts.org.
Erin Davis, 202-540-6677, edavis@pewtrusts.org
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SOURCE The Pew Charitable Trusts | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/pew-supports-10-latin-american-scientists-pursuing-biomedical-research/ | 2022-06-14T14:53:13Z |
Successfully completed the acquisition of Howard Bancorp, Inc. and announces a $150 million share repurchase program
PITTSBURGH, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) reported earnings for the first quarter of 2022 with net income available to common stockholders of $51.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share. Comparatively, first quarter of 2021 net income available to common stockholders totaled $91.2 million, or $0.28 per diluted common share, and fourth quarter of 2021 net income available to common stockholders totaled $96.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share.
On an operating basis, the first quarter of 2022 earnings per diluted common share (non-GAAP) was $0.26, excluding $47.8 million (pre-tax) in Howard Bancorp, Inc. (Howard) merger-related significant items and $4.2 million (pre-tax) in branch consolidation costs. On an operating basis, the first quarter of 2021 was $0.28 per share, and the fourth quarter of 2021 was $0.30 per share, excluding $0.8 million (pre-tax) of significant items in the fourth quarter of 2021.
"Driven by the successful execution of our growth strategy and continuing our positive momentum, F.N.B. Corporation produced high-quality first quarter results with operating earnings per share of $0.26," said F.N.B. Corporation Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent J. Delie, Jr. "During the first quarter, we grew revenue by 3.4% largely by an expansion in net interest income and overall loan growth while maintaining solid asset quality and growing loan pipelines. Loan balances, excluding PPP, increased 8.2% on a linked-quarter basis, and loan balances, excluding PPP and Howard loans as of the acquisition date, increased 4.3% annualized. FNB's Board of Directors approved a new $150 million share repurchase program providing additional flexibility to effectively manage capital and benefit our shareholders. Our strong capital levels, proactive risk management and conservatively underwritten balance sheet combined with the experience of our management team favorably positions FNB as we continue to successfully navigate a challenging environment."
First Quarter 2022 Highlights
(All comparisons refer to the first quarter of 2021, except as noted)
- On January 22, 2022, the acquisition of Howard was completed, adding loans and deposits with estimated fair values of $1.8 billion for both measures to the balance sheet. The acquisition-related systems conversions were successfully completed in February and integration is proceeding as planned.
- Period-end total loans and leases, excluding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, increased $3.6 billion, or 15.7%, as commercial loans and leases increased $2.2 billion, or 14.4%, and consumer loans increased $1.4 billion, or 18.1%. PPP loans totaled $179.6 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $2.5 billion as of March 31, 2021.
- On a linked-quarter basis, excluding PPP, period-end total loans increased $2.0 billion, or 8.2%, with commercial loans and leases increasing $1.3 billion, or 7.9%, and consumer loans increasing $753.8 million, or 8.9%. PPP loans totaled $179.6 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $336.6 million as of December 31, 2021. Excluding PPP and Howard acquired loans as of the acquisition date, period-end loans and leases (non-GAAP) increased $259.7 million, or 4.3% annualized, on a linked-quarter basis, including an increase of $81.7 million in commercial loans and leases and $178.0 million in consumer loans.
- Total average deposits grew $3.6 billion, or 12.4%, led by increases in average non-interest-bearing deposits of $2.0 billion, or 22.2%, and average interest-bearing demand deposits of $1.6 billion, or 11.7%, partially offset by a decrease in average time deposits of $0.6 billion, or 16.3%. Average deposit growth reflected inflows from the Howard acquisition, PPP activities and organic growth in new and existing customer relationships, as well as current customer preferences to maintain larger balances in their deposit accounts and shift balances into more liquid accounts. Excluding Howard, average deposits (non-GAAP) grew $2.3 billion, or 7.8%.
- Net interest income increased $11.2 million, or 5.0%, to $234.1 million primarily due to the benefit of growth in earning assets.
- On a linked-quarter basis, the net interest margin (FTE) (non-GAAP) increased 6 basis points to 2.61%, as the earning asset yield increased 3 basis points and the cost of funds decreased 3 basis points. The total impact of PPP, purchase accounting accretion, and higher cash balances on net interest margin was a decrease of 13 basis points, down slightly from 14 basis points the prior quarter.
- Non-interest income was $78.3 million, a decrease of $4.5 million, or 5.4%, driven by lower contributions from mortgage banking due to the increasing interest rate environment, partially offset by strong contributions from wealth management and insurance commissions and fees, as well as higher service charges reflecting increased customer activity.
- The annualized net charge-offs to total average loans ratio was 0.03%, compared to 0.11%, with continued favorable asset quality trends across the loan portfolio.
- Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) regulatory capital ratio was 10.0% (estimated), compared to 9.9% at December 31, 2021, and 10.0% at March 31, 2021. Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) increased $0.08, or 1.0%, to $8.09. Accumulated other comprehensive income/loss (AOCI) reduced the tangible book value per common share by $0.57 as of March 31, 2022, primarily due to the impact of higher interest rates on the fair value of available-for-sale (AFS) securities, compared to a $0.16 reduction as of March 31, 2021. As part of the Howard acquisition, we issued 34,074,495 shares of common stock at $12.99 in exchange for 18,930,329 shares of Howard common stock.
- During the first quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 2.2 million shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $13.25 for a total of $29.8 million. In April 2022, the Board of Directors authorizes a $150 million share repurchase to our program.
Non-GAAP measures referenced in this release are used by management to measure performance in operating the business that management believes enhances investors' ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities. Reconciliations of non-GAAP operating measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables at the end of this release. For more information regarding our use of non-GAAP measures, please refer to the discussion herein under the caption, Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators.
First Quarter 2022 Results – Comparison to Prior-Year Quarter
(All comparisons refer to the first quarter of 2021, except as noted)
Net interest income totaled $234.1 million, an increase of $11.2 million, or 5.0%, compared to $222.9 million, as total average earning assets increased $3.3 billion, or 10.1%, including a $1.5 billion increase in average cash balances largely attributed to the impact from PPP activity, $912.3 million increase in average securities, as well as $786.0 million increase in average loans and leases. The growth in average earning assets was partially offset by the repricing impact on earning asset yields, mitigated by the lower cost of interest-bearing deposit accounts and improved funding mix with a reduction in higher-cost borrowings and growth in non-interest bearing deposit accounts.
The net interest margin (FTE) (non-GAAP) declined 14 basis points to 2.61%, as the yield on earning assets decreased 26 basis points to 2.83%, primarily reflecting the lower yields on variable-rate loans and investment securities and the effect of higher average cash balances on the mix of earning assets. Partially offsetting the lower earning asset yields, the total cost of funds improved 14 basis points to 0.22%, reflecting an improved funding mix and a 17 basis point reduction in interest-bearing deposit costs, including a shift in customers' preferences to maintain larger deposit account balances and shift funds into more liquid accounts. The total impact of PPP, purchase accounting accretion, and higher cash balances on net interest margin was a decrease of 13 basis points, compared to a benefit of 5 basis points in the year-ago quarter.
Average loans and leases totaled $26.2 billion, an increase of $786.0 million, or 3.1%. Excluding PPP loans, average total loans and leases increased $2.8 billion, or 12.2%, including growth of $1.7 billion in commercial loans and leases ($0.9 billion from Howard) and $1.1 billion in consumer loans ($0.4 billion from Howard). The increase in average commercial loans and leases, excluding PPP, included $0.8 billion, or 16.4%, in commercial and industrial loans and $0.8 billion, or 8.5%, in commercial real estate balances driven by a combination of the Howard acquisition and organic loan origination activity. Commercial origination activity was led by the Pittsburgh and Mid-Atlantic markets. Average consumer loans increased $1.1 billion, or 14.1%, with a $655.2 million increase in residential mortgages and a $468.2 million increase in direct installment loans driven by a combination of the Howard acquisition and organic loan origination activity.
Average deposits totaled $33.0 billion with growth in average non-interest-bearing demand deposits of $2.0 billion, or 22.2%, and average interest-bearing demand deposits of $1.6 billion, or 11.7%, partially offset by a decline in time deposits of $0.6 billion, or 16.3%. The growth in average deposits reflected inflows from the Howard acquisition, PPP activities and organic growth in new and existing customer relationships. The loan-to-deposit ratio was 79.2% at March 31, 2022, compared to 84.1% at March 31, 2021, as deposit growth outpaced loan growth. Additionally, the funding mix continued to improve with non-interest-bearing deposits growing to 35% of total deposits, compared to 33% as of March 31, 2021.
Non-interest income totaled $78.3 million, a decrease of $4.5 million, or 5.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2021. Mortgage banking operations income decreased $9.1 million as secondary market revenue and mortgage held-for-sale pipelines normalized from significantly elevated levels given the sharp increase in mortgage rates. Service charges increased $3.7 million, or 13.2%, as the year-ago quarter reflected lower customer activity due to the pandemic. Wealth management revenues increased 9.1% led by strong trust income of $10.3 million, that increased $1.3 million, or 13.9%, primarily from record organic sales activity.
Non-interest expense totaled $227.4 million, increasing $42.6 million, or 23.0%. On an operating basis, non-interest expense totaled $194.6 million, an increase of $9.8 million, or 5.3%, compared to the first quarter of 2021, excluding $28.6 million of merger-related expenses and $4.2 million of branch consolidation costs in the first quarter of 2022. On an operating basis, salaries and benefits increased $4.8 million, or 4.5%, due to annual merit increases, higher medical costs, higher employer-paid payroll taxes and the acquired Howard expense base. Included in salaries and employee benefits in the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 was $6.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively, related to normal seasonal long-term compensation expense. The efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) equaled 60.7%, compared to 58.7% reflecting lower PPP and purchase accounting accretion income compared to a year ago.
The ratio of non-performing loans, 90 days past due, and other real estate owned (OREO) to total loans and OREO decreased 24 basis points to 0.44%. Total delinquency decreased 14 basis points to 0.66%, compared to 0.80% at March 31, 2021, demonstrating positive asset quality trends across the portfolio.
The provision for credit losses was $18.0 million, compared to $5.9 million in the first quarter of 2021. The provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2022 included $19.1 million of initial provision for non-PCD loans associated with the Howard acquisition. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2022 were $1.9 million, or 0.03% annualized of total average loans, compared to $7.1 million, or 0.11% annualized, in the first quarter of 2021. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses (ACL) to total loans and leases decreased 4 basis points to 1.38%. Excluding PPP loans that do not carry an ACL due to a 100% government guarantee, the ACL to total loans and leases ratio equaled 1.39% and 1.57% at March 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively, directionally consistent with improved credit metrics.
The effective tax rate was 20.9%, compared to 18.9% in the first quarter of 2021, with the increase driven by higher state income taxes and nondeductible merger-related expenses resulting from the Howard acquisition.
The CET1 regulatory capital ratio was 10.0% (estimated), compared to 10.0% at March 31, 2021. Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) increased to $8.09 at March 31, 2022, an increase of $0.08, or 1.0%, from $8.01 at March 31, 2021. AOCI reduced the current quarter tangible book value per common share by $0.57, compared to $0.16 in the year-ago quarter, primarily due to the increase in unrealized losses on AFS securities resulting from the higher interest rate environment. During the first quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 2.2 million shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $13.25 for a total of $29.8 million.
First Quarter 2022 Results – Comparison to Prior Quarter
(All comparisons refer to the fourth quarter of 2021, except as noted)
Net interest income totaled $234.1 million, an increase of $10.8 million, or 4.8%, from the prior quarter total of $223.3 million, primarily due to growth in average earning assets and benefits from the higher interest rate environment, partially offset by the $4.2 million decreased contribution from PPP. The resulting net interest margin (FTE) (non-GAAP) increased 6 basis points to 2.61%. The total impact of PPP, purchase accounting accretion, and higher cash balances on net interest margin was a reduction of 13 basis points, compared to a reduction of 14 basis points in the prior quarter.
Total average earning assets increased $1.4 billion, or 4%, to $36.6 billion. The total yield on earning assets increased 3 basis points to 2.83%, due to higher yields on investments and variable-rate loans. The total cost of funds decreased 3 basis points to 0.22% from 0.25%, as the cost of interest-bearing deposits improved 3 basis points to 0.14%.
Average loans and leases totaled $26.2 billion as average commercial loans and leases increased $919.4 million and average consumer loans increased $584.9 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. The average commercial loans and leases included growth of $777.2 million, or 7.9%, in commercial real estate and $130.0 million, or 2.2%, in commercial and industrial loans. The increases reflect the Howard acquisition as well as commercial origination activity led by the Pittsburgh and North and South Carolina markets. Consumer loan growth reflected average residential mortgages increasing $393.0 million, or 10.8%, average direct home equity installment balances increasing $170.4 million, or 7.4%, and average consumer lines of credit increasing $35.3 million, or 2.8%. The consumer loan growth was driven by a combination of the Howard acquisition and organic loan origination activity. Excluding PPP and Howard acquired loans as of the acquisition date, period-end loans and leases (non-GAAP) increased $259.7 million, or 4.3% annualized, on a linked-quarter basis, including an increase of $81.7 million in commercial loans and leases and $178.0 million in consumer loans.
Average deposits totaled $33.0 billion, increasing $1.3 billion, or 4.1%, driven by an increase in non-interest-bearing deposits of $524.9 million, or 4.9%, interest-bearing demand deposits of $508.3 million, or 3.5%, and savings balances of $289.5 million, or 8.1%. This growth reflected the Howard acquisition, as well as continued organic growth in households and account balances, partially offset by a decline in time deposits of $10.5 million, or 0.4%. The loan-to-deposit ratio was 79.2% at March 31, 2022, compared to 78.7% at December 31, 2021.
Non-interest income totaled $78.3 million, essentially flat from the prior quarter total of $79.0 million. Insurance commissions and fees increased $2.3 million, or 42.6%, largely driven by normal seasonality. Wealth management increased $1.1 million, or 7.6%, led by an 8.5% increase in trust services and 5.8% increase in securities commissions and fees. Mortgage banking operations income increased $0.7 million, or 12.0%. Included in mortgage banking operations income was a $2.3 million recovery for MSR valuation, compared to a $1.0 million recovery in the fourth quarter of 2021, offset by the impacts of higher interest rates and the seasonal reduction in the mortgage held-for-sale pipeline and lower secondary market revenue. Capital markets income was $7.1 million, a decrease of $2.4 million, or 25.3%, from elevated levels in the fourth quarter. Bank-owned life insurance decreased $1.2 million, or 31.8%, primarily due to life insurance claims in the prior quarter.
Non-interest expense totaled $227.4 million, an increase of $45.8 million, or 25.2%. On an operating basis, non-interest expense increased $13.9 million, or 7.7%, compared to the prior quarter, excluding merger-related expenses of $28.6 million and branch consolidation costs of $4.2 million in the first quarter of 2022 and merger-related expenses of $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. On an operating basis, salaries and employee benefits increased $8.1 million, or 7.8%, primarily related to normal seasonal long-term compensation expense of $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2022, as well as seasonally higher employer-paid payroll taxes and the acquired Howard expense base. Occupancy and equipment increased $3.1 million, or 10.1%, due primarily to higher seasonal utilities costs. Bank shares and franchise taxes increased $2.3 million due to the recognition of state tax credits in the prior quarter. The efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) equaled 60.7%, compared to 58.1%, reflecting lower PPP and purchase accounting accretion income than the prior quarter.
The ratio of non-performing loans, 90 days past due, and OREO to total loans and OREO remained at very good levels, slightly increasing 3 basis points to 0.44%. Total delinquency slightly increased 5 basis points to 0.66%, compared to 0.61% at December 31, 2021.
The provision for credit losses was $18.0 million, including the $19.1 million initial provision for non-PCD loans associated with the Howard acquisition, compared to a net benefit of $2.4 million in the prior quarter, with continued strong underlying portfolio credit trends. Net charge-offs totaled $1.9 million, or 0.03% annualized of total average loans and leases, compared to $1.4 million, or 0.02% annualized. The ratio of the ACL to total loans and leases was unchanged at 1.38% as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021.
The effective tax rate was 20.9%, compared to 20.0% for the fourth quarter of 2021.
The CET1 regulatory capital ratio was 10.0% (estimated), stable from December 31, 2021. Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) was $8.09 at March 31, 2022, a decrease of $0.50 per share from December 31, 2021. AOCI reduced the current quarter-end tangible book value per common share by $0.57 driven by increased unrealized losses on AFS securities caused by the higher interest rate environment, compared to $0.19 at the end of the prior quarter. During the first quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 2.2 million shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $13.25 for a total of $29.8 million.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators
To supplement our Consolidated Financial Statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as operating net income available to common stockholders, operating earnings per diluted common share, return on average tangible equity, return on average tangible common equity, operating return on average tangible common equity, return on average tangible assets, tangible book value per common share, the ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets, the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, average deposits, excluding Howard average deposits, loans and leases, excluding PPP loans and Howard loans as of the acquisition date, excluding PPP loans, allowance for credit losses to loans and leases, excluding PPP loans, non-performing loans to loans and leases excluding PPP loans, non-performing loans and 90 days past due and OREO to loans and leases plus OREO excluding PPP loans, net loan charge-offs to average loans and leases excluding PPP loans, past due and non-accrual loans excluding PPP loans to loans and leases excluding PPP loans, pre-provision net revenue to average tangible common equity, efficiency ratio, and net interest margin (FTE) to provide information useful to investors in understanding our operating performance and trends, and to facilitate comparisons with the performance of our peers. Management uses these measures internally to assess and better understand our underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities. The non-GAAP financial measures and key performance indicators we use may differ from the non-GAAP financial measures and key performance indicators other financial institutions use to assess their performance and trends.
These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplemental in nature, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. When non-GAAP financial measures are disclosed, the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Regulation G requires: (i) the presentation of the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and (ii) a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure presented and the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of non-GAAP operating measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included later in this release under the heading "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators to GAAP."
Management believes items such as merger expenses, provision expense related to acquisitions and branch consolidation costs are not organic to run our operations and facilities. These items are considered significant items impacting earnings as they are deemed to be outside of ordinary banking activities. The merger expenses and branch consolidation costs principally represent expenses to satisfy contractual obligations of the acquired entity or closed branch without any useful ongoing benefit to us. These costs are specific to each individual transaction and may vary significantly based on the size and complexity of the transaction.
To facilitate peer comparisons of net interest margin and efficiency ratio, we use net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis in calculating net interest margin by increasing the interest income earned on tax-exempt assets (loans and investments) to make it fully equivalent to interest income earned on taxable investments (this adjustment is not permitted under GAAP). Taxable-equivalent amounts for the 2022 and 2021 periods were calculated using a federal statutory income tax rate of 21%.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This document may contain statements regarding F.N.B. Corporation's outlook for earnings, revenues, expenses, tax rates, capital and liquidity levels and ratios, asset quality levels, financial position and other matters regarding or affecting our current or future business and operations. These statements can be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve various assumptions, risks and uncertainties which can change over time. Actual results or future events may be different from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements and may not align with historical performance and events. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance upon such statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "will," "should," "project," "goal," and other similar words and expressions. We do not assume any duty to update forward-looking statements, except as required by federal securities laws.
FNB's forward-looking statements are subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties:
- Our business, financial results and balance sheet values are affected by business, economic and political circumstances, including, but not limited to: (i) developments with respect to the U.S. and global financial markets; (ii) actions by the Federal Reserve Board, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, U.S. Treasury Department, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and other governmental agencies, especially those that impact money supply, market interest rates or otherwise affect business activities of the financial services industry; (iii) a slowing of the U.S. economic environment; (iv) inflation concerns; (v) the impacts of tariffs or other trade policies of the U.S. or its global trading partners; and (vi) the sociopolitical environment in the United States.
- Business and operating results are affected by our ability to identify and effectively manage risks inherent in our businesses, including, where appropriate, through effective use of systems and controls, third-party insurance, derivatives, and capital management techniques, and to meet evolving regulatory capital and liquidity standards.
- Competition can have an impact on customer acquisition, growth and retention, and on credit spreads, deposit gathering and product pricing, which can affect market share, loans, deposits and revenues. Our ability to anticipate, react quickly and continue to respond to technological changes and COVID-19 challenges can also impact our ability to respond to customer needs and meet competitive demands.
- Business and operating results can also be affected by widespread natural and other disasters, pandemics, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and post pandemic return to normalcy, global events, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict, dislocations, including shortages of labor, supply chain disruptions and shipping delays, terrorist activities, system failures, security breaches, significant political events, cyber attacks or international hostilities through impacts on the economy and financial markets generally, or on us or our counterparties specifically.
- Legal, regulatory and accounting developments could have an impact on our ability to operate and grow our businesses, financial condition, results of operations, competitive position, and reputation. Reputational impacts could affect matters such as business generation and retention, liquidity, funding, and the ability to attract and retain talent. These developments could include:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and the federal, state, and local regulatory and governmental actions implemented in response to COVID-19 have resulted in increased volatility of the financial markets and national and local economic conditions, supply chain challenges, rising inflationary pressures, increased levels of unemployment and business failures, and the potential to have a material impact on, among other things, our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or on our management, employees, customers and critical vendors and suppliers. In view of the many unknowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, our forward-looking statements continue to be subject to various conditions that may be substantially different in the future than what we are currently experiencing or expecting, including, but not limited to, a prolonged recovery of the U.S. economy and labor market and the possible change in commercial and consumer customer fundamentals, expectations and sentiments. As a result of the COVID-19 impact, including uncertainty regarding the potential impact of continuing variant mutations of the virus, U.S. government responsive measures to manage it or provide financial relief, the uncertainty regarding its duration and the success of vaccination efforts, it is possible the pandemic may have a material adverse impact on our business, operations and financial performance.
- We grow our business, in part, through acquisitions and new strategic initiatives. Risks and uncertainties include those presented by the nature of the business acquired and strategic initiative, including in some cases those associated with our entry into new businesses or new geographic or other markets and risks resulting from our unfamiliarity with those new areas, as well as risks and various uncertainties related to the acquisition transactions themselves, regulatory issues, and the integration of the acquired businesses into FNB after closing. Many of these risks and uncertainties were present in our January 2022 acquisition and integration of Howard Bancorp, Inc., including its banking subsidiary, Howard Bank.
The risks identified here are not exclusive or the types of risks FNB may confront and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and other uncertainties described under Item 1A Risk Factors and the Risk Management sections of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our subsequent 2022 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (including the risk factors and risk management discussions) and our other 2022 filings with the SEC, which are available on our corporate website at https://www.fnb-online.com/about-us/investor-information/reports-and-filings or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. More specifically, our forward-looking statements may be subject to the evolving risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its macro-economic impact and the resulting governmental, business and societal responses to it. We have included our web address as an inactive textual reference only. Information on our website is not part of our SEC filings.
Conference Call
F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) announced the financial results for the first quarter of 2022 on Monday, April 18, 2022. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chief Financial Officer, Vincent J. Calabrese, Jr., and Chief Credit Officer, Gary L. Guerrieri, plan to host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial results on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 8:30 AM ET.
Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call at https://dpregister.com/10164719. Callers who pre-register will be provided a conference passcode and unique PIN to bypass the live operator and gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.
Dial-in Access: The conference call may be accessed by dialing (844) 802-2440 (for domestic callers) or (412) 317-5133 (for international callers). Participants should ask to be joined into the F.N.B. Corporation call.
Webcast Access: The audio-only call and related presentation materials may be accessed via webcast through the "About Us" tab of the Corporation's website at www.fnbcorporation.com and clicking on "Investor Relations" then "Investor Conference Calls." Access to the live webcast will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of the call.
Presentation Materials: Presentation slides and the earnings release will also be available on the Corporation's website at www.fnbcorporation.com, by accessing the "About Us" tab and clicking on "Investor Relations" then "Investor Conference Calls."
A replay of the call will be available shortly after the completion of the call until midnight ET on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The replay can be accessed by dialing (877) 344-7529 (for domestic callers) or (412) 317-0088 (for international callers); the conference replay access code is 5454350. Following the call, a link to the webcast and the related presentation materials will be posted to the "Investor Relations" section of F.N.B. Corporation's website at www.fnbcorporation.com.
About F.N.B. Corporation
F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina. The Company has total assets of $42 billion and more than 340 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.
The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.
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SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/18/fnb-corporation-reports-first-quarter-2022-earnings/ | 2022-04-19T03:09:34Z |
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla., June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vac-Con, Inc. has joined the North Florida Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA).
NUCA is the leading trade association dedicated to the utility construction and excavation industry in the United States. Through a nationwide network of chapters, NUCA connects contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers that represent the water, sewer, gas, electric, telecommunication, and excavation industries. The organization's purpose is to advocate for the interests of their members in legal and legislative rulings, as well as to improve operational proficiency and financial performance of member companies.
As a manufacturer of non-destructive excavation equipment, NUCA will be a valuable resource and outlet for Vac-Con brands, products, and market support. The Vac-Con line of hydro-excavator trucks and trailers utilize water and vacuum to excavate through a range of soil types efficiently and safely without disturbing existing underground utilities.
Vac-Con is looking forward to being a part of the NUCA community and working with their representatives to educate and communicate non-destructive excavation practices to the industry.
Since 1986, the mission of Vac-Con has been to support, design, and manufacture innovative vacuum and high-pressure water cleaning solutions that deliver superior performance in municipal, industrial, and utility markets worldwide through their global dealer network. For more information, visit www.vac-con.com.
Holden Industries, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. As the parent organization of a group of diversified manufacturing companies, Holden is dedicated to profitable growth through capital efficient reinvestment and strategic acquisitions. Holden strives to continuously improve the operational performance of all disciplines with its principle focus of identifying the needs of its customers and developing innovative and cost-effective products and services to meet those needs. For more information, visit www.holdenindustriesinc.com.
Vac-Con is a trade name of Holden Industries, Inc.
For further information, please contact:
Caroline Brown
Marketing Manager
Vac-Con
Tel 1+904-252-6027
cbrown@vac-con.com
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SOURCE Vac-Con Inc | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/vac-con-joins-national-utility-contractors-association/ | 2022-06-17T19:10:34Z |
Quinn Residences enters Tennessee and adds 820 single-family homes to the scarce housing market
ATLANTA, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quinn Residences ("Quinn"), a leading Atlanta-based owner and operator of newly built, single-family rental communities today announces the acquisition of five properties in the Southeast, adding 820 high-quality homes to its portfolio. The leading build-for-rent company expands its portfolio in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina and enters a new market, with an acquisition in Tennessee.
"Our trajectory in the Southeast continues to grow as Quinn expands in its existing territories and enters a new one," said Richard Ross, Chief Executive Officer of Quinn Residences. "The housing market is experiencing unprecedented low inventory, and our goal is to provide even more reasonably priced options for residents in these high-demand markets. Whether it's someone relocating to the south or looking for a maintenance-free way of living, our build-for-rent homes provide the flexibility and inventory to an industry in need."
Quinn enters the Tennessee market with the acquisition of The Guild in Chattanooga – a community of 92 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, which are planned to be completed by the third quarter of 2022.
Quinn further establishes its presence in Florida with the purchase of Towns at Lake Nona in St. Cloud and enters the Tampa market by acquiring Moccasin Wallow in Bradenton. These properties will consist of 94 and 260 homes, respectively, with first deliveries scheduled by the end of 2022.
As part of continued expansion in Georgia, Quinn acquires Dorchester Place in Covington, which will become its eighth property in the state. This community will feature 82 sizable fenced-in detached homes averaging 2,550 square feet, which will be ready for occupancy in early December 2022.
Adding to Quinn's portfolio in North Carolina, Stephens Farm in Holly Springs will comprise 292 top-of-the-line townhomes unique to this rapidly growing submarket, with construction expected to begin in June of 2022.
Quinn Residences has remained aggressive in 2022, tripling its portfolio in the past year to over 3,000 homes in varying development phases across five states. The firm also previously announced raising over $900 million of equity, nearly quadrupling its goal of $250 million. Capitalizing on the robust demand from consumers and investors alike, Quinn will continue its expansion plans into key growth markets throughout the Southeast.
About Quinn Residences
With over 3,000 homes across 2 communities in its portfolio, Quinn Residences is a privately held real estate operating company focused on acquiring, developing, and operating newly built, single-family rental communities located primarily in the Southeastern United States. Quinn develops exceptional neighborhoods believing that better living starts with a great neighborhood, fantastic amenities, and a no-maintenance way of life. For more information, visit https://live-quinn.com/, call 866-784-6673 (866- QUINNRE), or email info@live-quinn.com.
Contact: Addy Canavan, acanavan@thewilbertgroup.com
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SOURCE Quinn Residences | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/leading-build-for-rent-company-triples-its-portfolio-one-year/ | 2022-06-06T15:47:29Z |
Applications and interest are the highest in years
FREMONT, Calif., May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco Bay University welcomes back students to its new campus at 161 Mission Falls Lane. With a higher demand for applications, the university has made drastic improvements to the buildings on campus and expanded its classroom and collaborative learning capacity.
"The new campus and university-wide revitalization we've made will be transformative not just for our current student population but also for future generations of students who will come here," said Paul Choi, SFBU's Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. "We are so excited that they will have this outstanding space in which they can live, learn, and grow."
At the time of writing, applications for fall semester admission have increased by 207% compared to last year and are on track for a 484% increase at the current rate. The increase is due to several factors, including an expanding reputation as a top-tier university and a state-of-the-art new campus in Silicon Valley, which provides ample space for students and faculty alike. In addition, the university's student body has become even more diverse in recent years, attracting students from many different parts of the world. As a result of these factors, the university projects that it will continue to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Choi closed, "we are truly excited by the wave of new interest in the university. The new applications are a great measure of SFBU's positive direction, and we're thrilled that we'll have an enhanced university experience through the addition of diverse and brilliant new students."
Please contact pr@sfbu.edu for additional information.
SFBU is a premier WASC/WSCUC-accredited, nonprofit university located in the San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley. SFBU offers degree programs in computer science, engineering, technology, and management. Learn more at www.SFBU.edu.
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SOURCE San Francisco Bay University | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/04/san-francisco-bay-university-welcomes-students-back-campus/ | 2022-05-04T22:09:33Z |
SEATTLE, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RISC Zero is pleased to announce a $12M Seed Round led by Bain Capital Crypto. Follow-on investors include Geometry, D1 Ventures and Cota Capital among others. Angel investors include Jing Wang of Optimism, Meltem Demirrors of Coinshares, Kain Warwick formerly of Synthetix, Marvin Ammori of Uniswap Labs, Eva Beylin and Tegan Kline of The Graph, and Calvin Liu formerly of Compound, Lev Livnev of Symbolic Capital Partners, and Lucas Vogelsang of Centrifuge.
This is RISC Zero's second round, after a $2M pre-seed led by Geometry and Ramez Naam Ventures.
RISC Zero is a startup with a humble mission – to fix the internet. We develop cutting-edge products utilizing zero-knowledge cryptography
We believe that in order for the internet to be truly free, cloud computing technologies must:
1) Be cheap enough that anyone in the world can use them
2) Be accessible enough that any developer can build on them using standard programming languages
3) Provide privacy options which give users and developers control over their digital identity and all of the data associated with it
4) Be owned by their users
Our first open source product was released in March 2022 - the RISC Zero zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM). The zkVM enables any program to run in a verifiable manner with no trusted authorities. This seemingly simple property has profound implications for all aspects of distributed computing, but especially for blockchain-related technologies.
Recent developments in zero-knowledge proofs have made the possibility of nearly infinite scalability not just a distant possibility, but a real eventuality – one that we are hard at work realizing.
"Zero knowledge proofs are integral to many important blockchain privacy and scalability efforts. Risc Zero has demonstrated the first zkVM that natively supports standard languages and tools such as C++ and Rust through LLVM. We're thrilled to partner with the RISC Zero team as they empower developers to realize the full potential of this technology." says Alex Evans at Bain Capital Crypto on their decision to lead the round.
RISC Zero is building a next generation scalable blockchain using zero-knowledge proof technology along with our RISC-V zkVM. Our implementation allows developers who are used to programming in Rust, Go, C++ and other standard programming languages to write on-chain decentralized applications that look and feel like more traditional web applications – unlocking the potential of Web3 for a much broader swath of the global developer population.
Kobi Gukan, Cofounder at Geometry, says "It was a mind-blowing experience checking out the early versions of RISC Zero and being able to run a game written in Rust, no less! The team has a unique approach and spirit and it shows"
A developer-oriented preview of our new network will be launched in Q3 2022. It will allow developers to build applications that utilize our core technological innovations ahead of the launch of our uniquely scalable blockchain.
To learn more about our products we encourage interested parties to experiment with our open source code base, read our documentation, and engage with our community on Discord!
-https://github.com/risc0/risc0
-https://www.risczero.com/docs/explainers/zkvm/what_is_risc_zero
-https://discord.gg/risczero
If you are interested in joining our team, please check out our Careers page:
-https://boards.greenhouse.io/risczero
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SOURCE Risc Zero | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/risc-zero-announces-12m-seed-round/ | 2022-08-09T17:36:21Z |
Walmart grocery pick up & delivery is now available on the LLENA (AI) platform Cook it Yourself Module
BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Diabetes Management Platform LLENA (AI) Health Solutions Inc. is working in cooperation with Walmart to provide personalized grocery recommendations on the LLENA (AI) platform. LLENA (AI) users can now browse and purchase personalized foods from Walmart featured in LLENA (AI)'s Cook it Yourself Module. LLENA (AI)'s proprietary artificial intelligence creates an individualized glycemic index value meal suggestion based on blood sugar, blood pressure, and other preferences. LLENA (AI) users can pick up or receive delivery of Walmart groceries.
"Connecting LLENA (AI) with Walmart food delivery is a ground-breaking move to support the communities in need and a true commitment to HBCUs 1890 Center of Excellence University programs addressing healthy eating as well as food deserts and food insecurities." - Charlotta Carter, LLENA (AI) Founder
Cook it yourself and get personalized recommended healthy foods directly from Walmart on the LLENA (AI) Platform. Download the LLENA (AI) Platform on iOS and Android today!
Learn to Love Eating Nutritiously Always, LLENA (AI) Health Solutions Inc. is a digital diabetes management platform with personalized recommendations powered by proprietary artificial intelligence. https://llenafood.life
iOS https://apps.apple.com/us/app/llena/id1488145138
With a grant from the USDA, LLENA(AI) and Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension Center helps Link Citizens of Louisiana with Opportunities for Success. The SUAREC provides services to the citizens of Louisiana in a manner that is useful in addressing their scientific, technological, social, economic and cultural needs in order to enhance their overall quality of life. Visit: https://www.suagcenter.com/
Walmart Corporation:
www.walmart.com
Charlotta Carter
LLENA(AI) Health Solutions, Inc.
www.llenafood.life
+1 408-896-7005
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SOURCE LLENA(AI) Health Solutions, Inc | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/llena-ai-health-solutions-inc-collaborates-with-walmart-provide-personalized-healthy-grocery-shopping-llena-ai-platform/ | 2022-08-23T12:12:55Z |
Gov. Gordon thanks law enforcement personnel for Ukraine donations
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (KIFI) – Governor Gordon has extended his appreciation to members of Wyoming’s law enforcement community for donating used equipment to assist the people of Ukraine.
Coordinated by the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, the statewide effort involved outreach to multiple agencies across the state. The effort resulted in the donation of more than 200 interior and exterior ballistic vests, panels that can be used to assemble an additional 80 vests, rifle plates for the vests, helmets and boots. In addition, six pallets of medical-grade wipes were donated.
“I want to thank law enforcement in Wyoming for stepping up and providing this needed equipment for the Ukrainian people,” Governor Gordon said.
Donations came from across the state, including Albany, Carbon, Converse and Sublette County Sheriff’s Offices, police departments in Glenrock, Powell, Rock Springs, Sheridan and Torrington, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Wyoming Livestock Board. | https://localnews8.com/news/wyoming/2022/05/26/gov-gordon-thanks-law-enforcement-personnel-for-ukraine-donations/ | 2022-05-26T22:55:27Z |
The reinvention of our award-winning XPS portfolio continues
By Donnie Oliphant | June 9th @ 9am ET
ROUND ROCK, Texas, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of its marquee XPS 13 Plus launch, where the system has been praised for its 'futuristic redesign', Dell continues this year's rollout of its reimagined XPS portfolio with today's launch of the iconic XPS 13 and the reveal of the upcoming XPS 13 2-in-1.
Today's hybrid and mobile world means that your tools have to meet you wherever you are. Versatility and multi-tasking with ease are paramount, and Dell's XPS 13 and XPS 13 2-in-1 deliver each in spades.
Dell's thinnest and lightest 13-inch XPS laptop, the XPS 13 is now available
Because the course of a day can change with one email, text or spark of spontaneity, the XPS 13 (available with Windows 11 or Ubuntu 20.04) is your ultimate on-the-go companion. Artfully thin, light and compact with up to 12 hours of long battery life1, it slips seamlessly into your backpack, bag or purse, while still delivering the premium performance you need with 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processors to multitask with ease.
True to the XPS aesthetic, it features our fifth generation, 4-side InfinityEdge display and enhanced sound for an immersive entertainment experience whether you're streaming music, video-chatting friends or watching the latest blockbuster. High brightness, improved clarity, precise detail and vivid color bring your content to life, while larger speakers enable louder sound, deeper bass and a better overall audio experience. Eyesafe® technology intelligently manages light energy at the source, reducing harmful blue light without compromising your visual experience.
Expertly crafted from premium materials, the XPS 13 delivers an inclusive approach to expressive color, with unified tones inside and out that embody our mindful, minimalist approach. Available in softened shades of Sky and Umber, the tinted CNC machined aluminum is curated and premium.
Same charter, new blueprint
With XPS, our design charter is to simplify the user experience so that the technology almost blends into the background and the device serves as an extension of you. But sometimes it's cool to understand how things are made, so let's talk about all the advanced engineering that allowed us to achieve our design and experience goals…
In the past you've seen XPS reimagine the front-of-screen experience with our trademark InfinityEdge design that propelled the industry to adopt thinner bezels and offer a greater viewing experience in the same or smaller footprint. In the spirit of pushing boundaries, or shrinking boundaries, our engineering team journeyed inwards with the same mission to get the XPS 13 as compact as possible for customers who prioritize mobility. This time, our engineers had to rethink the architectural layout under-the-hood.
This kickstarted a long and ambitious journey to "miniaturize" the motherboard to be 1.8x smaller than the one found in our previous XPS 13 (2021). In fact, it's the smallest motherboard ever created and fitted for a Dell PC. This engineering marvel created the architectural space needed to pack in a tapestry of new technologies and enlarge the speaker enclosures. The end result is an XPS 13 that is thinner and lighter, yet better sounding, high performing and long lasting.
Taking versatility to new heights, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is launching this Summer
As the lines continue to blur between work, life, learning, the XPS 13 2-in-1 reflects just that. This XPS device provides the ultimate flexibility allowing you to effortlessly transition between streaming, working creating and sharing content, and connecting with whatever else moves you.
Enjoy premium performance anywhere with the first XPS device to offer 5G connectivity, which enables faster downloads, like WiFi speeds, but for mobile broadband. Streaming, downloading files, rich video content – all happens a lot faster with the speed of 5G, so you can be productive and entertained no matter the location. And when we say no matter the location, we mean it. The new XPS 13 2-in-1 also features eSIM technology, which allows you to go to different countries and connect to global carriers without having to switch SIM cards.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 lets you transition freely and fluidly from consumption to full productivity mode by attaching the magnetic XPS Folio, providing a complete laptop experience that supports three angle adjustments (100°, 112.5°, 125°) for flexibility and comfort. Express your creativity with a natural writing and inking experience with the XPS Stylus, comfortable for both left- and right-handed users, turning the device into a state-of-the-art sketchpad to bring your latest creative visions to life. The custom XPS Stylus magnetically attaches to the top to charge, and can provide up to 50 days of run time on average2 from a full charge. Both the XPS Folio and Stylus are sold separately.
Designed around an intuitive, landscape-first viewing mode – because that's how we see the world – the stunning display panel delivers high brightness and precise detail with up to 3K resolution and vivid color, making content as dynamic as your ideas. The high-resolution 1080p front-facing webcam offers a crisp and clear image and is placed horizontally for practical and productive video calls. And the 4K world-facing camera empowers you to capture high-fidelity photos and edit content all on one versatile device.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 offers two connectivity options, standard WiFi 6E3 or 5G4 with WiFi 6E, each featuring a sleek, minimalist design. The standard WiFi 6E model is constructed of machined aluminum, just like the XPS 13 and is available in the subtle blue Sky color. Unique to the 5G model, the back is made from Gorilla Glass 7 to optimize connectivity and eliminate signal interference. It's available in a darker Slate hue.
Delivering on our commitment to sustainability
In line with Dell's longstanding commitment to reducing its environmental impact, the XPS 13 and XPS 13 2-in-1 chassis are crafted from low-carbon aluminum, produced using hydro-powered renewable energy sources, which offer a 70% reduction in carbon emissions compared to aluminum chassis produced in traditional coal-powered facilities. The XPS 13 and XPS 13 2-in-1 are EPEAT Gold registered, and both ship in 100% renewable or recycled packaging5.
Final Words
Unsure of what to do with your old devices? With Dell Trade In, you can turn any eligible electronic device (Dell and non-Dell) into credit towards your next Dell.com purchase. While initially launching in the U.S., this program will expand to additional countries later this year.
And remember, with Dell Migrate, you can move important and hard to replace data and files from Windows-based PCs6 to your new XPS device—so you can get up and running fast.
Check out our PRESS KIT HERE for more information on each new XPS device. Follow and stay connected with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Pricing and availability
- XPS 13 [USD $999 | CAD $1,249] and XPS 13 Developer Edition [USD $949 | $1,199] is now available in U.S. and Canada, with Windows 11 or Ubuntu 20.04 respectively
- XPS 13 2-in-1 will be available Summer 2022. Pricing to be confirmed nearer to availability date.
1 Netflix streaming battery benchmark: XPS 13 tested with 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1230U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel Iris Xe graphics and FHD+ non-touch display. Testing conducted by Dell labs in March 2022 with display brightness set to 150 nits (40%) and wireless enabled. Based on streaming Netflix 1080p content using the Netflix Windows 11 app. Actual battery life may be significantly less than the test results and varies depending on product configuration and use, software, usage, operating conditions, power management settings and other factors. Maximum battery life will decrease with time. The stated Watt Hour (WHr) is not an indication of battery life.
2 Based on 2 hours daily usage for 5 days a week using 45mAh Li-Ion Battery
3 WiFi 6E compatible router required. Router requires separate purchase. WiFi 6E connectivity only available in select countries. Check availability with your service provider.
4 4G and 3G Backwards compatible. Actual speeds will vary depending on carrier network, users, location and other factors. Subject to service provider's subscription and coverage area. Additional charges will apply. Contact service provider for details.
5 Renewable in the form of FSC fibers.
6 Windows 8.1 or higher. Applications can be downloaded and installed separately after you complete your migration.
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SOURCE Dell Technologies | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/unveiling-new-xps-13-xps-13-2-in-1/ | 2022-06-09T14:07:06Z |
NEW YORK, April 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/meta-platforms-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=26467&from=4
The lawsuit seeks to recover losses for shareholders who purchased Meta Platforms, Inc. between March 2, 2021 and February 2, 2022.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until May 9, 2022 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
According to a filed complaint, Meta Platforms, Inc. issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Apple's iOS privacy changes were having a material impact on Meta's ability to provide the kind of targeted advertising that its customers wanted and, as a result, customer ad spending was dropping precipitously; (2) Meta's mitigation efforts were either not properly implemented or ineffective; (3) measurement of ads was not accurate as mitigation efforts were failing; and (4) Meta did not have a plan in place to properly address the impact of the iOS privacy changes.
Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
1140 Avenue of the Americas
9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
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SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/29/fb-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-meta-platforms-inc-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-may-9-2022/ | 2022-04-29T11:12:04Z |
MONROE, Mich., Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Monroe Community Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotion of Kate Hall to Vice President of Strategic Management. In her new role, Hall will manage the credit union's strategic initiatives and projects, while continuing to oversee its marketing efforts. Hall has been employed with the credit union for ten years.
"Kate is a valuable member of the Executive Leadership Team and has been a significant contributor to our growth and success over the years. She epitomizes the credit union's passion statement with her extraordinary dedication to serve our membership and community," said Kristine Brenner, President/CEO of MCCU.
Hall is active within the Monroe community, serving as chairperson for the Monroe High School BAMO board, board treasurer for Habitat for Humanity of Monroe, board member for the Rotary Club of Monroe, committee member for the Women's Leadership Initiative, member of the Monroe County Diversity Committee, member of Detroit Women in Business for Good, and as an Election Inspector for the City of Monroe. Hall attended Eastern Michigan University for both her undergraduate and graduate education and is a Certified Strategic Marketing Executive.
About Monroe Community Credit Union:
MCCU is a locally owned and operated, not-for-profit financial institution headquartered in Monroe, MI with $330 million in assets, six banking locations and 30,000 members. MCCU's field of membership includes those who live, work, worship, or attend school in the state of Michigan and in the Ohio counties of Fulton, Lucas, or Wood. MCCU was voted Best Credit Union and Best Mortgage Lender in Monroe for 2021.
Contact: Kate Hall
MCCU
Phone: 734-384-2717
Fax: 734-242-6911
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SOURCE Monroe Community Credit Union | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/02/kate-hall-promoted-vice-president-strategic-management-monroe-community-credit-union/ | 2022-09-02T20:34:28Z |
ST. LOUIS, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saint Louis University Chess Team has become the No. 1 collegiate program in the country, winning the 2022 President's Cup – the Final Four of College Chess – held April 2-3 at Texas Tech University.
Co-hosted by the United States Chess Federation (USCF), the President's Cup is an annual invitational team championship open to the top four U.S. schools from the most recent Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship. SLU won the Pan American championship with a perfect score in January.
Saint Louis University's chess program also has scored major victories at the 2021 International Chess Federation (FIDE) World University Online Chess Championships, the 2020 U.S. Collegiate Rapid and Blitz Championship and the 2019 Midwest Collegiate Championship, among others.
"We have won every event we can participate in," said SLU Chess Team Coach Alejandro Ramirez. "The National Champion feather was the last one we were missing on our cap. Now SLU is undoubtedly the No. 1 chess university in the country."
SLU's winning team at the 2022 President's Cup was comprised of six grandmasters: Dariusz Swiercz, Nikolas Theodorou, Benjamin Bok, Robby Kevlishvili, Akshat Chandra and Cemil Can Ali Marandi.
SLU's chess program currently has 14 members. Coach Ramirez became a chess grandmaster at the age of 15 and gained international recognition playing in multiple Olympiads and World Championships.
The Saint Louis University Chess Team was established in fall 2016 as a partnership between SLU and the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, with support from SLU alumnus, University trustee and chess enthusiast Rex Sinquefield.
The team is not just a club activity but rather a strategic effort by administrators and alumni to recruit promising players and build on the University's reputation for academic excellence. SLU recruits undergraduate and graduate students through donor-sponsored competitive chess scholarships, which can include tuition, room and board, and fees.
The chess team is headquartered in a recently remodeled space on campus that allows members open access to analyze the game using two powerful computers. The chess facility also has four DGT electronic chess boards that enable team members to input plays as they study them.
For more information on chess scholarships and the chess program at SLU, visit slu.edu/life-at-slu/chess-team.
This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.
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SOURCE Saint Louis University | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/saint-louis-university-wins-presidents-cup-claim-collegiate-chess-national-championship-becoming-no-1-program-country/ | 2022-04-06T01:13:34Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — The chair of former President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the latest charges in an indictment accusing him of secretly working for the United Arab Emirates to influence Trump’s foreign policy.
Wealthy businessman Tom Barrack, who was arrested last year and released on $250 million bail, entered the plea during a remote court appearance before a Brooklyn federal court judge.
He pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements at a June 2019 interview with federal agents. An updated indictment had been filed earlier this month.
The trial for the Los Angeles-based private equity manager is scheduled to begin with jury selection in late August.
In 2017, he was a key figure in UAE investments in a tech fund and real estate totaling $374 million.
Prosecutors say Barrack sought to leverage lucrative international business deals with the United Arab Emirates to benefit the political agendas of both the Trump campaign and the UAE. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/trumps-inaugural-chair-pleads-not-guilty-to-latest-charges/ | 2022-05-25T07:59:55Z |
TORONTO, Aug. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Have you suffered a loss on your investment in Aphria common shares which you purchased in 2018?
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has granted leave pursuant to the Ontario Securities Act and has certified a global securities class action which permits a defined group of investors (the "Class") to pursue claims against Aphria Inc. and certain of its Officers and Directors ("Aphria Defendants"). It is alleged that the Aphria Defendants made material misrepresentations to the market about two significant international transactions during 2018 and that public disclosure about these acquisitions on December 3 and 4, 2018 caused the price of Aphria's common shares to fall substantially, resulting in investor losses.
The certified class action is Vecchio Longo Consulting Services Inc. v. Aphria Inc. et al. Ontario Superior Court of Justice Court File No. CV-19-0061408600 CP (the "Class Action"). It claims monetary damages on behalf of the Class.
The allegations made in the Class Action have not been proven and are disputed by the Aphria Defendants.
NOTE: Claims in this Action against Carl Merton were dismissed, on consent, without costs by Court Order on August 6, 2021 and claims against Clarus Securities Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Cormark Securities Inc., Haywood Securities Inc. and Infor Financial Inc. were dismissed, on consent, without costs, by Court Order on August 18, 2022.
The Action has been certified on behalf of all persons or entities, wherever they may reside, who acquired Aphria common shares during the period of time after 07:00 ET January 29, 2018 until 08:25 ET December 3, 2018 ("Class Members").
This includes those individuals who acquired Aphria shares in the secondary market (that is, in usual course on the open market via a stock exchange like the TSX or the NYSE or an over the counter exchange), as well as those who acquired their shares by way of Aphria's Prospectus Offering in June 2018.
If you are an eligible Class Member and the Class Action is successful you may be entitled to share in any monetary award or settlement.
As a Class Member, you will not be required to pay any costs in the event that the Class Action is unsuccessful. If the Class Action is successful at trial or if a settlement is reached, you may be entitled to share in any award or settlement. A notice would be provided to the Class providing details concerning the terms of the settlement or award and how eligible Class Members might make a claim for compensation.
If you do not wish to participate in the Class Action, and be bound by or receive any benefits from it, you must opt out by notifying RicePoint Administration Inc. by November 24, 2022 at:
Aphria Securities Class Action
c/o RicePoint Administration Inc.
P.O. 3355
London, ON N6A 4K3
For additional important information regarding the Class Action, including how to opt out:
Visit https://www.rochongenova.com
1-866-881-2292 (Toll-free Canada)
416-363-1867
Contact Class Counsel via e-mail at:
Joel P. Rochon – Rochon Genova LLP
121 Richmond Street West, Suite 900
Toronto, ON M5H 2K1
Email: contact@rochongenova.com
The publication of this notice was authorized by the Superior Court of Justice of the Province of Ontario.
DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT REGARDING THIS NOTICE.
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SOURCE Rochon Genova LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/aphria-inc-securities-class-action-notice-certification-opt-out-deadline/ | 2022-08-26T20:55:16Z |
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Turkish court on Monday released pop star Gulsen from jail but placed her on house arrest as she awaits trial on charges of “inciting hatred and enmity” for a joke she made about Turkey’s religious schools.
Last week, the 46-year-old singer and songwriter, whose full name is Gulsen Colakoglu, was taken away from her home in Istanbul for questioning, and ordered arrested and jailed pending a trial. Her arrest sparked outrage on social media and deepened concerns about the Turkish judiciary, whose independence has been questioned by opposition parties.
The charges were based on a joke the singer made during an April concert, where she quipped that one of her musicians’ “perversion” stemmed from attending a religious school.
Acting on a request submitted by Gulsen’s lawyer, an Istanbul court released her from jail on the condition that she not leave her home, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The court cited the fact that the singer has a small child to look after, is not a flight risk and was unlikely to tamper with evidence, the agency said.
Gulsen’s lawyer, Emek Emre, said he welcomed the fact that Gulsen would “spend the night at her own home with her child,” but said he would also seek her release from house arrest.
Government critics said the singer’s arrest was an effort by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to consolidate support from his religious and conservative supporters ahead of an election next year.
The singer had previously become a target in Islamic circles due to her revealing stage outfits and for unfurling an LGBTQ flag at a concert. A video of the singer’s comment on religious schools began circulating on social media recently, with a hashtag calling for her arrest.
Erdogan and many members of his Islam-based ruling party are graduates of religious schools, which were originally established to train imams. The number of religious schools in Turkey has increased under Erdogan, who has promised to raise a “pious generation.” | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-jailed-turkish-pop-star-released-to-house-arrest-over-joke/ | 2022-08-30T04:38:52Z |
Handyman arrested after violent sexual assault of 70-year-old client, police say
TULSA, Okla. (Gray News) – Police in Oklahoma arrested a handyman who they say violently raped a 70-year-old woman at her home, resulting in “extremely serious injuries.”
According to the Tulsa Police Department, officers responded to a call at the home on May 4 when the victim reported that her handyman beat her and sexually assaulted her inside her home.
The woman was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries to her head, face and body, police said.
Elga Harper, 40, was taken into custody Tuesday after nearly a week on the run.
Harper was charged with two counts of first-degree rape, first-degree robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault and battery, and assault and battery by means likely to produce death.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/13/handyman-arrested-after-violent-sexual-assault-70-year-old-client-police-say/ | 2022-05-13T20:34:26Z |
THE DOWNTOWN COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE NOW
STONEY CREEK, ON, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Baffin is proud to introduce the Downtown Collection, a series of winter boots for all.
Inspired by those who brave the cold of winter in the city, the Downtown Collection introduces modern footwear made with proven technology, comfort, and warmth for all users. The new collection, which features two men's fit styles and three women's fit styles, is a fashion-forward but function first range that contains a combination of Baffin proprietary technology that is comparable to comprehensive utility styles. A winter boot disguised as a shoe, the Downtown Collection provides the same confidence in cold-climate protection as Baffin's substantial winter boots.
The Downtown Collection features two men's fit styles, TAVERN and DISTILLERY and three women's fit styles, LIBERTY, YORKVILLE and HIGHPARK; all available in brown and black leather.
With uppers made from soft, outback leather and wool lining, an Ultralite high-rebound midsole and Polar Rubber® outsole, the Downtown Collection provides comfort and slip-resistance made to endure cold and slick conditions.
The collection features Baffin's Fixed-Fit multi-layer inner boot system, with proprietary technology including:
- Thermaplush™ soft, next-to-foot wicking layer for warmth
- Form-fitting B-Tek™ Foam lining for comfort
- B-Tek™ Heat lightweight 4-channel hollow-fibre insulation for high-loft breathability in a broad range of temperatures
- Fixed frost plate to return heat while reflecting the cold for temperature regulation.
The Downtown Collection is Northern Rated in Baffin's Real-World Testing™ (RWT™) evolution, which helps recommend cold-comfort levels associated with Baffin footwear. Northern Rated Products have been proven from rivers and glaciers across the North. With B-Tek™ Dry Waterproof Breathable technology, the collection will protect from the elements, while providing lightweight comfort for active lifestyles.
"At Baffin we are passionate about exploring the world around us in the cold, whether that means trekking to the North Pole or adventuring in our own neighbourhoods, in parks and trails or on city streets. We're excited to introduce the Downtown Collection to our growing range of lifestyle winter boots," says Mark Hubner, Senior Vice President, Commercial at Baffin. "Inspired by city-dwellers who roam the streets of their downtown core, hop on streetcars, and embrace the cold with every step they take. This collection is made to reach a new audience of customer, who may not need a heavy-duty winter boot everyday but wishes to have the same warmth and comfort. Style is important, but function is always first."
The Downtown Collection is available now on Baffin.com and in select outdoor retailers in North America.
Baffin Ltd. is an innovative, leading outwear company based in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada with a core focus on technically advanced, innovative footwear and high-performance apparel. Baffin designs, develops, and field tests footwear in the most demanding environments on the planet and is focused on being a global leader in footwear and apparel within the Outdoor, Industrial and Hunt and Fish categories. Baffin Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Goose Holdings Inc.
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SOURCE Baffin Limited | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/baffin-introduces-new-collection-inspired-by-city-living/ | 2022-09-16T15:17:03Z |
Police: 1 dead, 8 wounded in shooting at Harlem gathering
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police say an early morning shooting at a gathering in Harlem left a man dead and eight other people wounded.
Police, citing preliminary information, said officers responded about 12:40 a.m. Monday to reports of a shooting on a footpath along the FDR Drive and found five people shot. Police say four others arrived at hospitals for treatment.
Police said a 21-year-old man was pronounced dead at a hospital. They didn’t immediately have details about the gathering or what may have led to the shooting.
Information about possible suspects wasn’t immediately released, but Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell says, “The emboldened individuals responsible for this are exactly who our officers are battling every day to make our city safe.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/20/police-1-dead-8-wounded-shooting-harlem-gathering/ | 2022-06-20T12:40:55Z |
Interactive events will deliver timely new client acquisition and practice growth strategies to financial advisors utilizing retirement plan brokerage windows and in-plan advice.
BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pacific Financial Group (TPFG), a wealth management innovator and leader in Self-Directed Brokerage Account Management (SDBA) announced it will be hosting 13 regional financial advisor education and networking events in September and October 2022.
The event series entitled SDBA & In-Plan Advice: A Growth Formula Workshop is designed to demystify and educate financial advisors on Self-Directed Brokerage Account Management and the coming trend toward providing In-Plan advice to retirement plan participants. Brokerage windows are now open in well over 100,000 workplace 401k, 403b, and 457 plans across the country, and the list of open plans grows every day. This provides financial advisors with one of the most innovative and rewarding practice growth opportunities the industry has seen in decades. A dedicated website has been launched at www.GrowWithTPFG.com.
"With recent turmoil affecting the global financial markets, advisors nationwide are once again educating themselves on new ways to deepen their client relationships. Retirement plan brokerage windows, SDBA, In-Plan Advice, and our Strategy PLUS suite of Model Portfolios are a powerful combination which can supercharge an advisory practice," said Cory Kendall, Chief Revenue Officer for TPFG. "Through these workshops, we're bringing our vast expertise and proven SDBA playbook directly to financial advisors who are ready to scale and accelerate their businesses."
Underpinning TPFG's SDBA program is Strategy PLUS, a multi-strategy, multi-manager platform that leverages the intellectual capital of leading investment managers including Capital Group | American Funds®, Fidelity Investments®, BlackRock®, JPMorgan, PIMCO, Janus-Henderson, Invesco, BNY Mellon, MFS, Meeder, and Counterpoint. These relationships allow TPFG to feature the attributes of those managers and incorporate specific strategies that range from Active to Passive and Strategic to Tactical. The strategies are available to advisors inside Strategy PLUS and the result is more product choice that empowers investors to save more, behave better, and improve investment outcomes.
SDBA & In-Plan Advice Growth Formula Workshop locations and dates:
- Scottsdale, AZ – September 27
- Tucson, AZ – September 29
- Santa Clara, CA – October 4
- Troy, MI – October 4
- Houston, TX – October 4
- Dallas, TX – October 5
- Denver, CO – October 6
- Walnut Creek – October 6
- Aventura, FL – October 18
- Roseville, CA – October 18
- Fairfax, VA – October 19
- Portland, OR – October 20
- Oakbrook, IL – October 26
Learn more about your local complimentary TPFG Growth Formula Workshop and register at www.GrowWithTPFG.com. All advisors are welcome, but registration is limited. To request a future workshop in your location, please email marketingteam@tpfg.com.
Founded in 1984, The Pacific Financial Group, Inc. (TPFG) is a SEC registered investment advisory firm and dynamic wealth management innovator that focuses on the group retirement space. The firm was an early pioneer in the evolution of Self-Directed Brokerage Account Management (SDBA) for 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans. Strategy PLUS is the firm's flagship investment platform that offers a unique blend of choice, talent, and sophisticated modeling not found in traditional retirement plans. The firm also offers Separately Managed Accounts, Core Retirement Optimization, and a Variable Annuity Program. See www.tpfg.com.
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SOURCE The Pacific Financial Group | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/pacific-financial-group-host-financial-advisor-growth-formula-workshops-around-country/ | 2022-08-18T20:10:12Z |
PHILADELPHIA, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ZeroEyes, Inc., creators of the only A.I.-based platform focused on weapons detection that holds the US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced the promotion of JT Wilkins to Senior Vice President of Government Solutions and Dustin Kisling to Senior Vice President of Strategy. These promotions position ZeroEyes for accelerated growth of its first-of-a-kind A.I. weapons detection platform into government markets and through targeted strategic partnerships.
In his newly expanded role, Mr. Wilkins will be responsible for the strategic and targeted growth of the ZeroEyes government solutions across federal and municipal government markets. He will focus on growing A.I. threat detection into the DoD requirement cycle, developing ZeroEyes' Air Force SBIR into a program of record, expanding ZeroEyes' solution into federal civilian agencies, and establishing strategic defense partnerships.
"There are few jobs outside of the military and first responder communities where you truly feel as though you are making a difference," says Wilkins. "At ZeroEyes, I wake up every day knowing I am contributing to saving lives. Focused on the government market, I am working tirelessly to ensure those who protect us abroad and work to keep our country running effectively are safe and secure here at home."
In Mr. Kisling's newly expanded role as Senior Vice President of Strategy, he will be responsible for strategic alignment with ZeroEyes' industry and technology partners, go-to-market opportunity evaluation and strategy development, industry M&A, VC and PE landscape evaluation and initiatives, and overseeing business development initiatives.
"It's a privilege to be a part of a company so committed to making the world a safer place," says Kisling. "The professionalism and dedication of every member of the company makes ZeroEyes an exceptional place to work. I look forward to supporting the mission and company growth, and ultimately bringing our technology to even more customers in need of a security solution."
Mr. Kisling and Mr. Wilkins are both military veterans. Previously, Mr. Wilkins served as a Marine Gunnery Sergeant and led intelligence and targeting operations in the Special Operations Forces. Throughout his career in the Marines, Mr. Wilkins operated at every level of the Department of Defense, working directly with the Intelligence Community, Department of Justice, and other governmental agencies to mitigate threats against the United States and Allied Nations.
Mr. Kisling served in the United States Navy as a Navy SEAL. Prior to joining ZeroEyes in 2020, Mr. Kisling co-founded and served as Executive Director at the Veteran's Outdoor Advocacy Group, which researches, advocates, and promotes legislative solutions that improve the lives of veterans through adjunct therapy to traditional approaches to mental health.
ZeroEyes delivers a proactive, human-verified A.I. gun detection software solution that integrates into existing security cameras and mitigates mass shootings and gun-related violence by reducing response times, providing actionable intelligence with images and delivering clarity among chaos – ultimately saving lives. ZeroEyes has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a promising anti-terrorism technology and is the first video analytics technology to receive SAFETY Act DT&E Designation.
Founded by Navy SEALs and Special Operations military veterans, ZeroEyes delivers accurate and real-time actionable intelligence about the brandishing of a gun near or in an occupied area or building, to local staff and law enforcement with an image of the shooter(s) and location of the threat, within 3 to 5 seconds from the moment the gun is detected. The ZeroEyes team also provides tech consulting, installation assistance and practice drills for active shooter events to enhance safety at schools, corporate and government facilities. Headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia area, the company's affordable and effective gun detection solution has been adopted by the US Department of Defense, leading public K-12 school districts, colleges/universities, commercial property groups, manufacturing plants, Fortune 500 corporate campuses, shopping malls, big-box retail stores and more. Learn more about ZeroEyes at ZeroEyes.com.
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SOURCE ZeroEyes | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/zeroeyes-promotes-jt-wilkins-senior-vice-president-government-solutions-dustin-kisling-senior-vice-president-strategy/ | 2022-06-17T13:26:21Z |
RADNOR, Pa., April 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc. ("PLAYSTUDIOS") (NASDAQ: MYPS; MYPSW) f/k/a Acies Acquisition Corp. ("Acies") (NASDAQ: ACAC; ACACW). The action charges PLAYSTUDIOS with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. The lawsuit also includes claims relating to a merger transaction with Acies and asserts claims on behalf of investors who held Acies common stock as of May 25, 2021, were eligible to vote at Acies' June 17, 2021 special meeting, and who exchanged their shares of Acies stock for PLAYSTUDIOS stock in connection with the merger. As a result of PLAYSTUDIOS' materially misleading statements to the public, PLAYSTUDIOS' investors have suffered significant losses.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PLAYSTUDIOS LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/playstudios-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=playstudios
TO VIEW OUR VIDEO, PLEASE CLICK HERE
LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: JUNE 6, 2022
CLASS PERIOD: JUNE 22, 2021 THROUGH MARCH 1, 2022
CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:
James Maro, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ktmc.com
THE CLASS INCLUDES: Investors who (1) purchased or acquired PLAYSTUDIOS securities between June 22, 2021 and March 1, 2022, including, but not limited to, those who purchased or acquired PLAYSTUDIOS securities pursuant to the offering of the private investment in public equity; (2) held Acies common stock as of May 25, 2021, and were eligible to vote at Acies' June 17, 2021 special meeting who exchanged their Acies stock for PLAYSTUDIOS stock; or (3) purchased or acquired PLAYSTUDIOS common stock pursuant or traceable to the Acies' Registration Statement and Proxy Statement issued in connection with the June 2021 merger.
Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.
PLAYSTUDIOS' ALLEGED MISCONDUCT
On February 1, 2021, Acies, a special purpose acquisition company, announced that it had reached a merger agreement with "Old Playstudios," a privately-held gaming company (the "Merger"). PLAYSTUDIOS' flagship game was Kingdom Boss. PLAYSTUDIOS told investors that "Kingdom Boss, which began development in 2020, will launch as expected in the second half of 2021."
On June 17, 2021, Acies held a General Meeting where Acies shareholders were asked to approve
the Merger. The Merger closed on June 21, 2021, and on June 22, 2021, PLAYSTUDIOS stock and warrants began publicly trading on NASDAQ.
The truth began to be revealed on August 11, 2021, when PLAYSTUDIOS released its financial results for the second quarter of 2021 wherein PLAYSTUDIOS revealed for the first time that the Kingdom Boss launch was being delayed until later in the year and that investors should expect decreased revenues and profits during the year as a result. These quarterly financial results were finalized on June 30, 2021, just nine days after the Merger closed. Thus, defendants knew or recklessly disregarded prior to the merger close (June 21, 2021) and prior to the merger vote by the Acies shareholders (June 17, 2021), that Kingdom Boss would not be ready to launch within just a matter of weeks. Following this news, PLAYSTUDIOS stock price fell $.66 to close at $5.09 per share on August 12, 2021, a decline of 13%.
Then, on February 24, 2022, during an earnings call for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021, PLAYSTUDIOS' CEO, much to investors' surprise, disclosed that Kingdom Boss would not be launched at all. Following this news, PLAYSTUDIOS stock price fell $.24 to close at $4.86 per share on February 25, 2022, a decline of 5%. Two days later, on February 26, 2022, PLAYSTUDIOS' CEO attributed the failure to meet the projections made for revenue and earnings to the failure to launch Kingdom Boss, and revealed that Kingdom Boss was not only delayed, but indefinitely "suspended."
WHAT CAN I DO?
Current PLAYSTUDIOS investors and/or former Acies shareholders may, no later than June 6, 2022 seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages PLAYSTUDIOS investors and/or former Acies shareholders who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE
WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?
A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.
ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.
CONTACT:
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
James Maro, Jr., Esq.
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
(484) 270-1453
info@ktmc.com
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SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/23/myps-class-action-kessler-topaz-meltzer-amp-check-llp-reminds-playstudios-inc-shareholders-securities-fraud-class-action-lawsuit/ | 2022-04-23T23:50:45Z |
LEHI, Utah, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RainFocus™, provider of the next-generation enterprise event marketing platform, today announced that it has been included as a Representative Vendor in the 2022 Gartner "Market Guide for Event Technology Platforms" report.
We believe that this achievement is further evidence that RainFocus continues to exceed customer expectations, ensuring the right event experience is in place to reach more attendees and engage with them more deeply, maximizing event value. Gartner's market report states "vendors in the event space have adjusted their messaging with a specific focus on "hybrid" and continue to invest in their roadmaps to win in this market."
"Our platform offers unique, personalized features that allow our customers to provide unparalleled experiences in a variety of formats, including hybrid, that work for them," explains Doug Baird, president of RainFocus. "We thrive on the ability to enable our customers to engage with their core audiences, utilizing the marketing data they receive and transforming it into actionable insights. This allows them to manage, adjust, and enhance their events. In our opinion, inclusion in this Gartner Market Guide reiterates our ongoing commitment to our customers."
Gartner also states that "leveraging event technology platforms improves the quality of events and enables the tracking of attendee behavior and engagement across events." RainFocus equips customers with behavioral data across the entire event portfolio so event success can be measured and early action can be taken to adjust the overall event strategy.
To learn more about RainFocus and read the complete Market Guide for Event Technology Platforms, click here. (For Gartner subscribers)
Gartner, "Market Guide for Event Technology Platforms", Christy Ferguson, Amy Jenkins, Susan Graeme, Jenifer Silverstein, 24 May 2022.
GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
RainFocus is a next-generation event marketing platform built from the ground up to capture, analyze, and harness an unprecedented amount of data for significantly better events and conferences. As a true SaaS platform, RainFocus simplifies event registration, content management, and exhibitor activation seamlessly across physical, virtual, and hybrid experiences, all from a single dashboard. For more information, visit www.rainfocus.com.
- Join the conversation with RainFocus on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
- Visit RainFocus.com to learn more about our event marketing and management platform. If you're ready to get started, request a demo.
- Discover powerful insights and solutions for event delivery and network with peers, thought leaders, and industry experts at RainFocus INSIGHT. Learn more.
- Are you interested in joining the RainFocus Partner Program? Apply today.
- Grow your career and help reshape the events industry at RainFocus. Apply here.
Contact: Jessica Johnson, jessica.johnson@rainfocus.com
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SOURCE RainFocus | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/rainfocus-listed-representative-vendor-2022-gartner-market-guide-event-technology-platforms-second-consecutive-year/ | 2022-06-01T15:28:02Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Amazon.com, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of AMZN 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 that purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Amazon common stock between July 30, 2021, and April 28, 2022, inclusive.
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 knew or recklessly disregarded that the Company's infrastructure and fulfillment network investments substantially outpaced demand; 2) those investments were a massive, self-imposed, undue drain on Amazon's financial condition; 3) contrary to defendants' public statements and undisclosed to investors, defendants had already implemented cutbacks to Amazon's fulfillment capacity by July 2021; and 4) as a result of defendants' misrepresentations and omissions, Amazon's common stock traded at artificially inflated prices during the class period.
DEADLINE: September 6, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/amazon-com-inc-loss-submission-form-2/?id=30482&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of AMZN 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 September 6, 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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-amazoncom-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-6-2022-nasdaq-amzn/ | 2022-08-03T10:39:57Z |
NEW YORK, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for CCL, REV, MRO, INDO, and RDBX.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- CCL: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=CCL&prnumber=061420225
- REV: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=REV&prnumber=061420225
- MRO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=MRO&prnumber=061420225
- INDO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=INDO&prnumber=061420225
- RDBX: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=RDBX&prnumber=061420225
(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.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/thinking-about-buying-stock-carnival-corp-revlon-marathon-oil-indonesia-energy-or-redbox/ | 2022-06-14T16:24:55Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. (OTC QB: BNET), a developer of advanced livestock waste treatment technology that dramatically reduces environmental impacts and recovers valuable resources, announced today that Craig Scott, Bion's Director of Communications will present at the 24th Annual H.C. Wainwright Global Investment Conference. The conference is being held September 12-14, 2022, at the Lotte New York Palace.
Mr. Scott will be available for one-on-one meetings. To register for the conference or to request a meeting with Mr. Scott, click here: https://hcwevents.com/annualconference/
_________________________________
About Bion: Bion's patented third generation technology was designed to largely mitigate the environmental impacts of large-scale livestock production and deliver a USDA-certified sustainable product to the consumer. The platform simultaneously recovers low carbon organic fertilizer coproducts, renewable energy, and clean water from the waste stream. Bion's 3G Tech platform can create a pathway to economic and environmental sustainability with 'win-win' benefits for at least a premium sector of the $175 billion U.S. livestock industry and the consumer. For more information, see Bion's website at https://bionenviro.com.
This material includes forward-looking statements based on management's current reasonable business expectations. In this document, the words 'will', 'can', and similar expressions identify certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made in reliance on the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Section 27A of the Securities act of 1933, as amended. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could result in actual results differing materially from expected outcomes.
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SOURCE Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/bion-environmental-technologies-present-hc-wainwright-global-investment-conference/ | 2022-09-07T17:54:11Z |
Europe-South America partnership could challenge FIFA power
By ROB HARRIS
AP Global Soccer Writer
LONDON (AP) — A deeper alliance between the football confederations from Europe and South America has been cemented by opening a joint office in London. It comes just as FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been left chastened by the collapse of his pursuit of biennial World Cups. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONMEBOL counterpart Alejandro Dominguez sought to emphasize this was not a collaboration with greedy motivations in speeches at the office opening. Ceferin signalled a desire to use the partnership for the benefit of other confederations, telling the London audience that “we are ready to cooperate with everyone.” | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/04/europe-south-america-partnership-could-challenge-fifa-power/ | 2022-04-04T20:23:16Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 / PRNewswire/ J.F. Lehman & Company ("JFLCO"), a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental industries, announced today that investment affiliates have sold Lone Star Disposal ("Lone Star" or the "Company") to Waste Connections, Inc. ("Waste Connections"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Lone Star is a leading vertically-integrated provider of construction and demolition ("C&D") and municipal solid waste ("MSW") disposal and related environmental services in Houston, TX. The Company's comprehensive service platform utilizes an asset base consisting of a C&D landfill, an MSW transfer station, a C&D recycling facility, and a collection fleet. The Company's highly diversified customer base includes regional and nationwide C&D and MSW haulers and C&D contractors serving the greater Houston metropolitan area.
Since acquiring Lone Star in 2019, JFLCO successfully worked with management to optimize the Company's hauling and disposal operations and enhance the business development function, driving substantial revenue and earnings growth.
"We are proud of the growth we have achieved over the past three years," said Brett Sarver, President of Lone Star. "JFLCO has been instrumental in identifying and supporting critical value creation efforts across our business. We are grateful for JFLCO's support and look forward to continuing this momentum within the Waste Connections family."
Glenn Shor, Chairman of Lone Star and Partner at JFLCO, added, "Our successful partnership with management cemented Lone Star as a clear leader in the Houston market. The sale of Lone Star represents an excellent outcome for our investors, whose support has been essential to our organization's continuing success."
"Today's milestone is a testament to the quality of the business and the strength of the entire Lone Star team," added Dave Thomas, a member of Lone Star's Board of Directors and Managing Director at JFLCO. "We are confident it will prove to be a valuable addition to the Waste Connections platform."
R.W. Baird and Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisors to JFLCO and Shearman & Sterling served as lead legal counsel.
About J.F. Lehman & Company, Inc.
Founded in 1992, J.F. Lehman & Company focuses exclusively on investing in the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental industries. The firm has offices in New York and Washington, D.C.
JFLCO Investor Relations
IR@jflpartners.com
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SOURCE J.F. Lehman & Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/jf-lehman-amp-company-completes-sale-lone-star-disposal/ | 2022-08-15T18:17:47Z |
‘Everybody knew her’: School district identifies 18-year-old student reportedly killed by father
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) - A high school in South Carolina is helping to remember one of their students who was reportedly killed in a domestic situation involving her father.
WIS reports officials with the Richland County School District One said that Sha’Neal Brown, 18, died Thursday evening.
Sha’Neal Brown was a student at Eau Clarie High School, and principal Neshunda Walters said that her heart was broken when it came to losing such a well-liked person and student.
Authorities said Sha’Neal Brown’s father, Rafael Brown, is facing murder charges stemming from the deadly Thursday incident.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department reports it was called regarding a domestic situation involving a weapon that evening at a home. Deputies found two bodies inside the house, later identified as Sha’neal Brown and her grandmother Jessie Brown, 83.
Officials said Rafael Brown was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Principal Walters released the following statement after Sha’neal Brown was identified:
“Everybody knew her. She was a well-known student who was well-liked and involved in several service and extracurricular activities. She assisted in the school counseling office and in the library, and she was a special assistant and mentee to our school social worker. She was also a member of our marching band’s dance team and a member of the Shamrockettes girls mentoring group. Our hearts are truly broken.”
Copyright 2022 WIS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/07/everybody-knew-her-school-district-identifies-18-year-old-student-reportedly-killed-by-father/ | 2022-05-07T02:40:36Z |
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kevin Graham Ford, Chief Catalyst of Leighton Ford Ministries is pleased to announce that Dr. John E. Walker, Ph.D. has joined the Strategic Advisory Board.
Dr. Walker has been an economics professor and a highly successful entrepreneur. As the founder of Andesa Services, he is a pioneer of the information economy, whose business vision was a direct outgrowth of his economics training. Because of his belief in the fundamental importance of economics as a field of study, in 2001 he announced a gift of nearly $7 million to fund the expansion and enhancement of Clemson University's economics department.
"John Walker is a humble and values-driven leader," said Kevin Graham Ford. "He has always placed others before himself in service of the mission. We are grateful that he will bring his wisdom and values to LFM's Strategic Advisory Board."
Dr. Walker was also a primary donor in developing The John E. Walker Golf Course at Clemson University.
Founded in 1986, Leighton Ford Ministries is an organization designed to be a catalyst for mentoring a new generation of healthy leaders who sustain thriving ministries for the sake of the Gospel.
For over 30 years, Leighton served as the Vice President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Learn more about Leighton Ford Ministries at www.leightonfordministries.org
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SOURCE Leighton Ford Ministries | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/john-walker-joins-leighton-ford-ministries-strategic-advisory-board/ | 2022-08-17T18:14:23Z |
Man arrested after assaulting Little League umpires at baseball game, police say
PISGAH, Ala. (WAFF/Gray News) – An Alabama man was arrested after an altercation at a baseball field Thursday evening involving at least two Little League umpires.
According to Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, two deputies were called to a baseball field in Pisgah on May 19 in response to verbal arguments between parents and officials during a Little League game. Harnen said the arguments appeared to be over by the time deputies arrived at the field.
As one of the deputies was leaving the scene, he witnessed a person in a physical altercation with a group in another part of the parking lot. The group allegedly being assaulted included two umpires from the Little League game.
Jonathan Henderson, 43, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of second-degree assault on a sports official.
Deputies said the altercation resulted in minor injuries, but no emergency services were required at the field.
Henderson was released on a $5,000 bond.
Copyright 2022 WAFF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/20/man-arrested-after-assaulting-little-league-umpires-baseball-game-police-say/ | 2022-05-20T20:28:37Z |
With 50% of people worldwide estimated to be diagnosed with Myopia (nearsightedness) by 2050, understanding the condition and how to slow its progression early is critical.
DALLAS, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- All About Vision (AAV), the world's leading online portal for vision and eye care information, has launched a myopia information hub. Myopia has rapidly increased in prevalence worldwide, with an estimated 50% of the global population diagnosed by 2050. The hub contains the most updated information on myopia with more than 100 pieces of content.
Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is an eye condition that makes distant objects look blurry. It usually develops in early childhood and can progress into early adulthood.
"Myopia currently is the number one condition in the visual system . . ., especially in younger-age adolescents," said Doctor Maria Liu, Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry at UC Berkeley. "It is a complex condition that involves critical influence from both genetic and environmental factors. If left uncontrolled, myopia will cause excessive elongation of the eyeball, leading to retinal complications which can cause irreversible vision loss later in life."
All About Vision worked with researchers from the International Myopia Institute, the WHO, the Brien Holden Vision Institute and others to incorporate the latest data to create accessible content for the myopia hub. Exclusive features include an interactive myopia simulator, which demonstrates what increasing levels of nearsightedness look like through a child's eyes, and a myopia assessment to determine a child's risk for having myopia.
"The mission for All About Vision is to ensure that visitors have the best information so they can make well-informed decisions for their children," said Kim Schuy, Head of All About Vision. "With the growing prevalence of myopia, we are prepared to remain ahead of the curve to meet readers where they are in their search for information."
To visit the Myopia Hub, visit https://www.allaboutvision.com/myopia/.
For information on All About Vision, visit https://www.allaboutvision.com/.
Launched in 2000, All About Vision is a leading online resource for visual health and eye care topics. With 50 million annual visitors across 25 global markets, AAV turns evidence-based medical information into engaging, trustworthy content for readers covering eye exams, vision correction, glaucoma, cataracts, myopia and more.
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SOURCE All About Vision | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/all-about-vision-releases-comprehensive-information-hub-response-growing-myopia-crisis/ | 2022-06-16T15:50:52Z |
K-State partners with The Brandr Group for NIL support
MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - On the one year anniversary of NIL becoming legal in college athletics, K-State announced it has established a group licensing agreement with The Brandr Group for all 16 of its teams.
The partnership aims to support K-State’s student-athletes with the tools and resources they need to make the most of and profit off their name, image, and likeness.
The Brandr Group is brand management, marketing, and licensing agency that has become one of the leading groups of its kind for over 50 college programs nationwide.
The list of schools partnering with them spans the Power 5 conferences and more, including powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Ohio State, and more.
The group also manages the group rights program for the NFL, NBA , and MLB Players Associations within the college athletics landscape.
K-State student-athletes who elect to join the program will now have much more support and resources when it comes to inking NIL deals with outside companies and brands. Fans will also be able to purchase jerseys with the name and number of their favorite Wildcats who are a part of the program.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/02/k-state-partners-with-brandr-group-nil-support/ | 2022-07-02T01:01:58Z |
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