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Officers reunite 75-year-old homeless woman with family
HENDERSON, Nev. (CNN) - Two Nevada police officers went beyond the call of duty to save an elderly homeless woman and reunite her with her family.
Henderson Police Officers Carlos Chorens and Sterling Candland felt they were up against the clock when they first encountered 75-year-old Rose Brazdovic hidden behind a cement barrier.
“She’s not going to make it much longer, we didn’t think,” Candland said.
Brazdovic didn’t ask for the officers’ help, but they spent two days with her and a man she considered her caretaker, just asking questions.
“She ended up selling her place, and she was going to do some traveling in a motorhome. Apparently, that didn’t work out,” Chorens said.
Chorens and Candland also reached out to Rochelle Fletcher in Henderson’s Community Resource and Resiliency Center to find a safe place for Brazdovic. Though the 75-year-old was a retiree from Walmart and had some finances, Fletcher says she trusted the wrong people and didn’t have enough control over that money.
“I like to help people, and sometimes by helping people, they take advantage of it,” Brazdovic said.
Soon, those helping Brazdovic learned she had a son that she lost touch with nearly 30 years ago. Fletcher says she became determined to reunite the family.
Through some social media sleuthing, Fletcher found Jennifer Michrina, the daughter-in-law Brazdovic didn’t even know she had, living in Louisiana with Mike Michrina, Brazdovic’s son and their two boys.
Fletcher set up a Zoom call for the family, a surprise for Brazdovic.
Mike Michrina says he and his mom decided to focus on a fresh start, rather than dwelling on the past, and his heart opened back up to her immediately.
“It was kind of interesting not knowing what had happened to my mom for 29 years, but it was good,” he said. “Now that she’s back, I can see what I was missing.”
Soon, Brazdovic was ready to move to be with her family, and they were ready to welcome her. Leaving Nevada, she got a special airport escort: Candland and Chorens walked her right to her gate.
“She thanked us, and she was very excited to see her family,” Chorens said. “It’s incredible. It makes you feel like you accomplished something and you helped somebody out.”
In Louisiana, all four of the Michrinas were at the airport waiting for Brazdovic.
Now, more than a year after Brazdovic was found, she’s safe and surrounded by love, a fresh start thanks to two community relations police officers who never stopped caring.
“God put them in her life just to take care of her,” said Mike Michrina, as he teared up.
Brazdovic says she spends her time playing basketball and going on bike rides with her two grandsons.
“I got to have a family. That is the best part,” she said.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/04/officers-reunite-75-year-old-homeless-woman-with-family/ | 2022-04-05T20:38:41Z |
HANOI, Vietnam, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank, stock code: SSB) announced its First half 2022 business results. Additionally, a change in directors in charge was published on July 8th, 2022.
Accordingly, in the first half of 2022: SeABank's total assets reached US$ 9.82 billion; Pre-tax profit reached nearly US$ 20 million; Total Operating Income (TOI) reached US$ 215 million; Non-interest income (NoII) recorded a growth of US$ 74.2 million. Notably, cost-to-income ratio (CIR) dropped to 30.3% compared to 38.3% as of 2021's first half; NPL ratio decreased to 1.6%.
Additionally, SeABank issued 211.4 million shares for dividend payment and 109.7 million shares to increase share capital from stakeholders' equity. By these two issuances, SeABank's charter capital increased to US$ 847 billion.
Continuing its strategy of moving forward and growth of adding more key professionals, on July 8th, 2022, SeABank's Board of Directors passed a resolution about Ms. Le Thu Thuy's continuing to support the bank by moving up from CEO to the role of Vice Chairwoman of the Board. Simultaneously, Mr. Faussier Loic Michel Marc, SeABank's current Senior Deputy CEO with 25 years of professional and managerial experiences in international organizations and banks of France, Hong Kong and Japan, was appointed as the Deputy CEO in charge while submitting to the State Bank for official appointment as CEO. This is a strategic step to prepare for the incoming speed-up in SeABank's implementation of 5-year plan.
During the past 5-year term, Ms. Le Thu Thuy has successfully transformed SeABank into the modern retail banking model, developed strategic cooperation with leading domestic enterprises and international financial institutions. Some achievements to be noted: Moody's long-term credit rating of B1 for 4 consecutive years (2019-2022) with Positive outlook; Completing Basel II's 3 pillars before deadline; One of the leading banks to implement and apply Basel III; Receiving credit packages and investments from world-class financial organizations like IFC and DFC, etc.
Moreover, under Ms. Le Thu Thuy's leadership, SeABank's charter capital has increased by US$ 518.3 million, total assets increased by US$ 3 billion, network extended to 180 branches and transaction offices across 29 regions. SeABank's corporate culture also becomes impressive, particularly for attractive service-length-based benefits, performance-based bonus, welfare policies for employees and active Corporate Social Responsibility activities like One Day One Smile, Dream Nurturing, etc.
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SOURCE SeABank | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/seabank-reached-nearly-us120-million-pre-tax-profit-exceeded-2022s-first-half-business-plan/ | 2022-07-14T10:13:14Z |
TORONTO, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Ikänik Farms, Inc. (CSE: IKNK.U) (FSE: DFMA) (the "Company" or "Ikänik Farms") announces that it will not be in a position to file its audited consolidated annual financial statements, the accompanying management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the "Annual Financial Filings") by the May 2, 2022 filing deadline (the "Deadline") due to a combination of internal and external delays associated with the preparation and audit process as a result of a number of factors, including the recent downsizing of the Company in California where it maintains its corporate accounting, the departure of the Company's Controller, the onboarding and integration of the Company's new Controller into its corporate systems, the [capacity and limited availability of the Company's auditor and unanticipated complexities with the completion of the Annual Financial Filings.
The Company has been informed by the Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") that it is not eligible for a management cease trade order under National Policy 12-302 – Cease Trade Orders for Continuous Disclosure Defaults and, accordingly, the OSC will be issuing a failure-to-file cease trade order under National Policy 11-207 – Failure-to-File Cease Trade Orders and Revocations in Multiple Jurisdictions affecting all the Company's securities following the Deadline.
The Company's management and team members are moving expeditiously to complete the Annual Financial Filings which it anticipates will be filed prior to June 24, 2022. The Company is engaging a third-party service and advisory company to assist with the field work and audit evidence for its operations in Colombia and changes to the Company's corporate accounting processes, consolidation of systems and location.
"The timing of this cease trade order does not take away from the Company's momentum and recent results to transition operations away from its assets in California to the production and sale of certified pharmaceutical grade THC dry cannabis flower and derivatives from its indoor cultivation facility "Pideka" in Bogotá, Colombia, where Pideka has market leadership" said Mr. Sanz de Madrid, CEO.
Highlights of the Company's recent developments include the:
The Company will make further announcements with respect to the status of the Audited Financial Statements and changes to its accounting practices.
Ikänik Farms is multi-national operator with a medical grade indoor cultivation facility and laboratory (Pideka) in Colombia which holds GMP-PHARMA and (GACP) Good Agricultural and Collection Practice certifications, and a retail operation in California.
This news release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws (together, "forward-looking information). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future is forward-looking information. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "believe", "should", and similar expressions, are forward-looking information, including, but not limited to: statements with respect to the Audited Financial Statements, including the anticipated delay in filing the Audited Financial Statements and timing to complete the Company's audit and the anticipated closing of the proposed private placement financing.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: changes in laws, a change in management and the inability to obtain additional financing.
There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in the forward-looking information may differ materially from actual results or events.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release is made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and the Company does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.
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SOURCE Ikanik Farms Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/iknik-farms-announces-late-filing-2021-annual-financial-statements/ | 2022-05-03T07:27:02Z |
WESTMINSTER, Calif. (AP) — Bobby East, a three-time U.S. Auto Club national champion driver, has died after being stabbed this week at a Southern California gas station. He was 37.
The Westminster Police Department issued a statement Saturday identifying Robert John East of San Dimas as the person stabbed in the chest at a 76 gas station Wednesday. The statement said the stabbing suspect, Trent William Millsap, was shot and killed in Anaheim on Friday as officers tried to arrest him.
Police say they have no motive for the stabbing and the investigation into both deaths is ongoing.
They said they arrived at the gas station shortly before 6 p.m. to find East suffering from a stab wound. He was taken to University of California, Irvine Medical Center, where he died.
East, whose father was a noted short-track car builder, won USAC’s National Midgets title in 2004 and Silver Crown championships in 2012 and 2013. He had 56 USAC-sanctioned feature victories, 48 of them in national divisions.
He was just 16 in 2001 when he became the youngest driver to win a feature USAC National Midget race. He won 15 USAC races in 2004 and soon dabbled in a short NASCAR career. He made 11 career starts in what is now NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and had two top-10 finishes in 31 career Truck Series races.
“NASCAR is saddened to learn of the tragic death of Bobby East,” NASCAR said in a statement. “We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Bobby, a true racer.”
“Very sad to hear of the tragic incident involving Legend USAC driver Bobby East. He was one heck of a wheelman,” tweeted former Truck Series champion Todd Bodine.
Westminster police said Millsap, 27, was on parole for armed robbery and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for an unrelated parole violation. | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/champion-driver-bobby-east-fatally-stabbed-at-gas-station/ | 2022-07-17T03:22:37Z |
NEW YORK, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Juan Monteverde, founder and managing partner of the class action firm Monteverde & Associates PC (the "M&A Class Action Firm"), a national securities firm rated Top 50 in the 2018-2021 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report and headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City, is investigating Silverback Therapeutics, Inc. (SBTX), relating to its proposed merger with ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, SBTX equity holders are expected to own approximately 37% of the combined company. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/silverback-therapeutics-inc. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.
We are a national class action securities litigation law firm that has recovered millions of dollars and is committed to protecting shareholders from corporate wrongdoing. We were listed in the Top 50 in the 2018-2021 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. Our lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions. Mr. Monteverde is recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Securities Litigation in 2013, 2017-2019, an award given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in a particular field. He has also been selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2017-2021 Top Rated Lawyer. Our firm's recent successes include changing the law in a significant victory that lowered the standard of liability under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act in the Ninth Circuit. Thereafter, our firm successfully preserved this victory by obtaining dismissal of a writ of certiorari as improvidently granted at the United States Supreme Court. Emulex Corp. v. Varjabedian, 139 S. Ct. 1407 (2019). Also, in 2019 we recovered or secured six cash common funds for shareholders in mergers & acquisitions class action cases.
If you own common stock in SBTX and wish to obtain additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.
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Attorney Advertising. (C) 2022 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
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SOURCE Monteverde & Associates PC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/shareholder-alert-mampa-class-action-firm-announces-investigation-silverback-therapeutics-inc-sbtx/ | 2022-07-27T22:53:49Z |
Floating Point Group's FlowVault platform gives hedge funds, trading desks and custodians unified and secure infrastructure to manage cryptocurrency trading across a diverse group of exchanges.
HOBOKEN, N.J., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FPG is excited to announce the public release of a new platform for the secure management of assets while trading on cryptocurrency exchanges. Our new service called "FlowVault", provides both console and API-based management of assets across exchanges through a single account. Users can see a unified view of their holdings across all venues. With user-friendly transfer features without sacrificing important controls, one can quickly move assets with low operational overhead. With FlowVault, you can focus on scaling your trading and investment activities, leaving the security and efficiency of your operation to us.
Cryptocurrency investing presents structural risks orders of magnitude greater than any other asset class due to hacks, scams, or human errors. The visibility of your holdings is fragmented, financial controls are limited, and mistakes are irreversible. In the current landscape, there is a high operational cost and higher risk to manage the movement and custody of cryptocurrencies while trading.
FlowVault eliminates these risks and lowers the operational cost involved with trading by providing operations teams a single interface to their assets with tight controls and security. Users can use the FlowVault console to view and manage assets in an intuitive, user-friendly way, or they can integrate the FlowVault API directly into their trading systems to automate workflows and enhance capital efficiency. Users receive notifications to approve withdrawals, whitelisting, or transfers from any venue holding your assets as part of a customizable multi-user authentication process.
"We are excited to offer our users a reimagined way of accessing their cryptocurrency assets that is safer, faster, and easier than existing solutions," said Kevin March, Co-Founder of Floating Point Group, "FlowVault is the foundation of our goal to allow investors to focus on the growth levers for their businesses."
About FPG
Floating Point Group is building secure and efficient access to cryptocurrency. Regulated within the U.S. and abroad, FPG helps dozens of institutions manage their cryptocurrency operations at scale, with hundreds of millions of dollars of assets securely held and tens of billions of dollars in completed transactions. Founded at MIT in 2018, FPG is backed by Tribe Capital, Coinbase, Naval Ravikant, and other investors.
Floating Point Group:
Kevin March, Co-founder & Head of Business Development
press@floating.group
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SOURCE Floating Point Group | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/floating-point-group-releases-flowvault-cryptocurrency-settlement-amp-transfers-platform-exchange-based-trading/ | 2022-06-01T17:01:19Z |
Officials say more areas of US may see mask recommendations
WASHINGTON (AP) — COVID-19 cases are increasing in the United States – and could get even worse over the coming months, federal health officials warned Wednesday in urging areas hardest hit to consider reissuing calls for indoor masking.
Increasing numbers of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are putting more of the country under guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that call for masking and other infection precautions.
Right now, the increases are concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest. “(But) prior increases of infections, in different waves of infection, have demonstrated that this travels across the country,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, said at a White House briefing with reporters.
For an increasing number of areas, “we urge local leaders to encourage use of prevention strategies like masks in public indoor settings and increasing access to testing and treatment,” she said.
However, officials were cautious about making concrete predictions, saying how much worse the pandemic gets will depend on several factors, including to what degree previous infections will protect against new variants.
Last week, White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha warned in an interview with The Associated Press the U.S. will be increasingly vulnerable to the coronavirus this fall and winter if Congress doesn’t swiftly approve new funding for more vaccines and treatments.
Jha warned that without additional funding from Congress for the virus would cause “unnecessary loss of life” in the fall and winter, when the U.S. runs out of treatments.
He added the U.S. was already falling behind other nations in securing supplies of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and said that the domestic manufacturing base of at-home tests is already drying up as demand drops off.
Jha said domestic test manufactures have started shuttering lines and laying off workers, and in the coming weeks will begin to sell off equipment and prepare to exit the business of producing tests entirely unless the U.S. government has money to purchase more tests, like the hundreds of millions it has sent out for free to requesting households this year.
That would leave the U.S. reliant on other countries for testing supplies, risking shortages during a surge, Jha warned. About 8.5 million households placed orders for the latest tranche of 8 free tests since ordering opened on Monday, Jha added.
The pandemic is now 2 1/2 years old. And the U.S. has seen — depending how you count them — five waves of COVID-19 during that time, with the later surges driven by mutated versions of the coronavirus. A fifth wave occurred mainly in December and January, caused by the omicron variant.
The omicron variant spread much more easily than earlier versions.
Some experts are worried the country now is seeing signs of a sixth wave, driven by an omicron subvariant. On Wednesday, Walensky noted a steady increase in COVID-19 cases in the past five weeks, including a 26% increase nationally in the last week.
Hospitalizations also are rising, up 19% in the past week, though they remain much lower than during the omicron wave, she said.
In late February, as that wave was ebbing, the CDC released a new set of measures for communities where COVID-19 was easing its grip, with less of a focus on positive test results and more on what’s happening at hospitals.
Walensky said more than 32% of the country currently live in an area with medium or high COVID-19 community levels, including more than 9% in the highest level, where CDC recommends that masks and other mitigation efforts be used.
In the last week, an additional 8% of Americans were living in a county in medium or high COVID-19 community levels.
Officials said they are concerned that waning immunity and relaxed mitigation measures across the country may contribute to a continued rise in infections and illnesses across the country. They encouraged people — particularly older adults — to get boosters.
Some health experts say the government should be taking clearer and bolder steps.
The CDC community level guidelines are confusing to the public, and don’t give a clear picture of how much virus transmission is occurring in a community, said Dr. Lakshmi Ganapathi, an infectious diseases specialist at Harvard University.
When the government officials make recommendations but do not set rules, “it ultimately rests on every single individual picking and choosing the public health that works for them. But that’s not what is effective. If you’re talking about stemming hospitalizations and even deaths, all of these interventions work better when people do it collectively,” she said.
___
Stobbe reported from New York.
___
The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/18/officials-say-more-areas-us-may-see-mask-recommendations/ | 2022-05-18T18:15:33Z |
Addy Byars hired to be new Milan girls basketball coach
After a monthlong coaching search, Milan High School has found its coach of the future for the girls basketball team.
Milan has hired Addy (Greer) Byars to be the next girls basketball coach.
Byars is replacing Fred Morris, who resigned after the Lady Bulldogs went 1-21 in his lone season.
"We knew right away that we were looking for somebody to invest in our girls and our community for the long term," Milan Principal Jennifer Yates said. "Whenever I talked with her, she did a good job of establishing what her vision for the program would be."
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Byars' vision is to create a developmental basketball program, starting at Milan Elementary, where a pipeline of players could come up from elementary to middle school and eventually high school.
"The skills and developmental part of basketball is so important and also learning to invest your time, being reliable and facing adversity are lifelong things. I think it's great for girls to experience and be a part of," Byars said. "So, rather than just starting at a middle or high school —getting elementary kids involved is a great opportunity."
Byars, who was an all-state player for West Carroll (2004-07), went on to play for UT Martin (2007-11) and has been coaching for 11 seasons with this being her second job at the high school level.
She coached Bruceton from 2011-14 before taking over as the coach at Lakewood middle school in 2015.
"The winning one game thing last season doesn't discourage me at all. It really motivates me because we obviously have a lot of room for improvement and I think that there are several moving parts to that," Byars said. "One of those parts is to get in the gym and just be busy and active and do some things that'll help us. Not only this year but establish our future and culture of Milan girls basketball." | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/04/26/tssaa-girls-basketball-milan-hires-addy-byars-next-coach/9540723002/ | 2022-04-26T23:43:48Z |
Ohio State University has officially registered a trademark for the word "THE" after a nearly three-year battle to clinch legal branding access to a word that's deeply meaningful to the school's overall identity.
The university in Columbus will use the word "THE" for branded products associated with the school and sold through its athletics and collegiate channels, OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson said Wednesday in a statement to CNN.
"THE has been a rallying cry in the Ohio State community for many years, and Buckeye fans who purchase official Ohio State gear support student scholarships, libraries and other university initiatives," Johnson said.
The university filed an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2019 after fashion designer Marc Jacobs also filed to trademark the same word, Johnson said.
Last year, the university and the designer reached an agreement that allows both of them to register "THE" branded products for continuous use and license, Johnson explained.
"Like other institutions, Ohio State works to protect the university's brand and trademarks because these assets benefit students and faculty, and support our core academic mission of teaching and research," Johnson said.
The university's trademark and licensing program generates an average of more than $12.5 million annually in revenue, which provides funding for university programs and student scholarships, according to the statement from Johnson.
The university started using "the" with its name in 1986 when the institution introduced a new logo in the hopes of moving away from the "OSU" symbol, according to the school. The move was intended in part to distinguish it from two other schools with the same initials -- Oregon State University and Oklahoma State University.
The trend of emphasizing the word "the" took off in the mid-1990s, when the school wanted football players to use it while introducing themselves. It grew into a meme when NFL broadcasts featured clips of players saying their names and their alma maters. OSU alums emphasized they were from "THE Ohio State University." That OSU player intro was even parodied by "Saturday Night Live."
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‘Queer Eye’ star Tan France opens up about bleaching his skin when he was 9
Oscar Holland, CNN
“Queer Eye” star Tan France has opened up about bleaching his skin when he was 9 years old, saying that he wanted to appear “as non-Asian as possible.”
Discussing his childhood for a new documentary, the fashion guru detailed how he stole bleaching cream from his cousin before applying it in secret.
“(My skin color) is something I thought of every day when I woke up,” he said in the documentary, “Tan France: Beauty and the Bleach,” which aired in the UK on Wednesday. “I thought: ‘What trouble is my skin going to get me into today?’ And so, at 9, I was already making grand plans to bleach — to do what I could to be as non-Asian as possible.
“I did it behind a locked door,” he recalled. “I put on a generous amount — it stung. Over the next half an hour (or) hour, it starts to feel like you’ve got actual sunburn.”
Although the discomfort deterred him from re-using the cream, France revealed that he again used a skin-lightening product when he was 16, as he hoped to start dating.
France said he was driven to bleaching not only by racism in his English hometown of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, but because of colorism — a preference for lighter skin tones — within his own Pakistani family and the Asian community.
“We used to have horrible names for some of our extended family members who were darker-skinned,” he admitted, saying that skin tone — and its influence over people’s marriage and job prospects — was an “ever-present” topic of discussion growing up.
“It’s our own people saying we are not worthy unless we’re light-skinned,” he said.
The BBC documentary sees the 39-year-old, who now lives in the US, travel back to Britain to explore the history and impact of colorism. The TV star eventually decides against returning to Doncaster, where he was subjected to racial abuse and “a lot of traumatic experiences.”
“Just because some people might consider me light-skinned does not mean that I don’t have a lot of experience with colorism.
“I’ve been surrounded by colorism my entire life. I felt so determined to change my skin color when I was a kid,” he said, later adding that he has always “blamed myself and beat myself up” about using bleaching cream.
In the hour-long documentary, France discusses colorism with school children, experts and a former long-term user of bleaching products. He also interviews various high-profile figures, including British actor Bunmi Mojekwu and former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland.
Recounting how she “always” heard people describing her as the band’s darkest member, Rowland traces her experiences of colorism back to an early relationship.
“(My boyfriend’s) grandmother compared me to the color of a paper bag and said that I was too dark chocolate for him and he couldn’t date me,” she tells France, adding: “It affected me in a way where I was just always uncertain of how I looked. It started to define what beauty was to me.”
Top image caption: Tan France arrives at the 2021 InStyle Awards at The Getty Center on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 in Los Angeles.
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To read more stories about the issue of skin whitening, visit CNN’s As Equals’ investigative series “White lies,” which looks to expose the underlying drivers of colorism, the industry that profits from it and the cost to individuals and communities globally. | https://localnews8.com/cnn-other/2022/04/28/queer-eye-star-tan-france-opens-up-about-bleaching-his-skin-when-he-was-9/ | 2022-04-28T13:10:40Z |
Uvalde school shooter was in school for up to an hour before law enforcement broke into room where he was barricaded and killed him
By Isabelle Chapman, Daniel A. Medina, Nicole Chavez, Dakin Andone and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN
The gunman who killed 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school Tuesday was on the premises for up to an hour before law enforcement forcibly entered a classroom and killed him, officials said Wednesday.
“It’s going to be within, like 40 minutes or something, (within) an hour,” Texas Department of Public Safety director Steven McCraw told CNN’s Ed Lavandera at a news conference.
The 18-year-old shooter, Salvador Ramos, was in a standoff with law enforcement officers for about a half-hour after firing on students and teachers, Rep. Tony Gonzales, whose district includes Uvalde, told CNN’s Jake Tapper, citing a briefing he was given.
“And then (the shooting) stops, and he barricades himself in. That’s where there’s kind of a lull in the action,” Gonzales said. “All of it, I understand, lasted about an hour, but this is where there’s kind of a 30-minute lull. They feel as if they’ve got him barricaded in. The rest of the students in the school are now leaving.”
Raul Ortiz, Chief of the US Border Patrol, told CNN that agents arrived at the scene after police officers engaged the suspect at the school. Several members of the Border Patrol tactical team, a search and rescue responder and a few other agents joined local officers to form a team that went after the gunman.
“They didn’t hesitate. They came up with a plan. They entered that classroom and they took care of the situation as quickly as they possibly could,” Ortiz told.
That ended the second deadliest shooting at a K-12 school in the United States since 2012, when 26 children and adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was at least the 30th shooting at a K-12 school in 2022, according to a CNN tally.
LIVE UPDATES: Deadly shooting at Texas elementary school
The gunman was a local high school dropout with no criminal history and no known mental health history, officials said. He had just turned 18 and legally bought two AR-15-style rifles and ammunition for his birthday. His grandfather said Wednesday he didn’t know Ramos had guns.
“If I had known I would have reported him,” Rolando Reyes said.
Gunman allegedly texted teenaged girl in Germany on day of shooting
The gunman allegedly texted a girl who lives in Germany about his intentions just before he shot his grandmother in her home and left for the school in her pickup.
According to screenshots reviewed by CNN and an interview with the 15-year-old girl — who said she had been in contact with the gunman for weeks — Salvador Ramos complained about his grandmother being “on the phone with AT&T abojt (sic) my phone.”
“It’s annoying,” he texted.
Six minutes later, he texted: “I just shot my grandma in her head.” Seconds after that, he said, “Ima go shoot up a(n) elementary school rn (right now).”
The last message was sent at 6:21 p.m. Central European Time, which was 11:21 a.m. in Texas.
The girl, who lives in Frankfurt, said she began chatting with Ramos on a social media app on May 9. Ramos sent the girl selfie videos and discussed a plan to go visit her in Europe, according to videos and text messages.
The girl, whose mother gave permission for her to be interviewed, said she spoke to Ramos daily on FaceTime. She said she also communicated with him via a social livestreaming app called Yubo and played games with him on a gaming app named Plato. In their conversations, she said he asked about her life in Germany. “He looked happy and comfortable talking to me,” the girl said.
The texts to the girl are similar to messages that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Ramos wrote on Facebook.
Those disturbing writings, Abbott said, came as the suspect indeed shot his grandmother, drove to nearby Robb Elementary School, forced his way inside adjoining classrooms and opened fire at a group of kids and faculty. Officers eventually forced their way into the barricaded room and a Border Patrol officer fatally shot him, Abbott said.
A spokesperson for Meta, Facebook’s parent company, said the gunman’s messages were made in private one-to-one texts that were discovered after the shooting.
Now, the city of Uvalde, about 90 miles west of San Antonio and just east of the US-Mexico border, finds itself on the long list of American communities devastated by mass shootings.
So far, seven 10-year-olds and a two fourth-grade teachers have been named publicly by relatives as among the dead.
Parents waited late into Tuesday night at a civic center to learn whether their children had survived, some having given DNA to help authorities identify victims, they told CNN. Authorities have since identified all the victims, whose remains have been removed from the murder scene, and notified their families, Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Chris Olivarez said.
President Joe Biden said Wednesday he will visit Uvalde soon.
“As a nation, I think we all must be there for them,” Biden said. “And we must ask when in God’s name will we do what needs to be done to if not completely stop, fundamentally change the amount of the carnage that goes on in this country.”
So far, there have been more mass shootings than days in 2022 — including the racist attack at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store a little over a week ago that left 10 dead. At least 213 mass shootings had been recorded this year as of Tuesday, the 144th day of the year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. CNN and the archive each define a mass shooting as one in which four or more people were injured or killed, not including the shooter.
Sympathy also poured in from across the globe, including Pope Francis, who pushed for stronger gun control. Leaders of France, Germany and Spain shared condolences, too, along with the President of war-torn Ukraine, who called it “terrible to have victims of shooters in peaceful time.”
How the shooting unfolded
The gunman shot his grandmother in the face before driving to Robb Elementary, a second through fourth grade school, to carry out the attack, Gov. Abbott said. Officials said the grandmother, who called 911, remains in a hospital — as do five victims from the school — but was upgraded from critical condition to serious on Wednesday.
Soon after that initial shooting, police got a 911 call about a vehicle that had crashed near the school and someone armed with a rifle heading inside, Olivarez told CNN in an interview Wednesday morning. The man was wearing a “tactical vest carrier with no ballistic panels,” Olivarez said.
Sgt. Erick Estrada of the Texas Department of Public Safety told CNN that when the shooter got to the school, he encountered a school resource officer, dropped a black bag with ammunition inside and entered the school.
The shooter barricaded himself inside adjoining classrooms and opened fire on the children and two teachers, Olivarez said, calling the act “complete evil.”
With the shooter barricaded inside, officers were at a disadvantage, he said.
“There was not sufficient manpower at that time, and their primary focus was to preserve any further loss of life,” he told CNN. “They started breaking windows around the school and trying to rescue, evacuate children and teachers while that was going on.”
A tactical team of local and federal officers arrived, forced its way into the classroom and shot the gunman dead, Olivarez said.
Community shattered by sudden tragedy
As the last day of school was drawing near, Robb Elementary students were celebrating with special themed dress days, including Tuesday’s theme of “Footloose and Fancy.” Students were encouraged to come dressed in nice outfits and show off their fun footwear, according to a post on the school’s Facebook page.
But by Tuesday afternoon, shaken students were being bused to the civic center-turned-reunification site. As the evening stretched on, some parents began to learn their young children had not survived.
“We see people coming out just terrorized. They’re crying one by one. They’re being told that their child has passed on,” state Sen. Roland Gutierrez told CNN on Tuesday night from the site.
As news of the shooting broke in Uvalde, Robb Elementary parents were told students were being taken to the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, according to a post on the school district’s Facebook page. The site quickly became the epicenter for families looking for their children, and scenes of devastation began to play out as victims were identified.
Parents were asked for DNA swabs to confirm their relationships to their children and instructed to wait an hour for an answer, at least four families told CNN.
‘She just wanted to save everyone,’ father says
Seven of the children and two teachers killed have been identified publicly by their families.
Angel Garza, the father of 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper his daughter was trying to help her classmates.
“She was trying to do the right thing,” he said. “She was just trying to call the cops, that’s all.” He later added, “I just want people to know she died trying to save her classmates. She just wanted to save everyone.”
Garza, who works as a med aide, arrived at the scene to help victims and said he learned his daughter had died as he checked on a survivor who was covered in blood.
“She was hysterical saying they shot her best friend,” he said. “‘She’s not breathing, and she tried to call the cops.’ I asked her what’s her name and she said, she told me ‘Amerie, she said Amerie.'”
Teacher Irma Garcia was identified through a GoFundMe campaign. She was a wife and mother to four children, according to the campaign.
“Sweet, kind, loving. Fun with the greatest personality. A wonderful 4th grade teacher at Robb Elementary that was a victim in a Texas school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. She sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom. She was a hero. She was loved by many and will truly be missed,” the campaign said.
Garcia was in her fifth year co-teaching with Eva Mireles, whose aunt confirmed her death.
Mireles had been an educator for 17 years and in her off time enjoyed running, hiking, biking and spending time with her family, according to her profile on the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District website.
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, a 10-year-old third grader, was killed in the same classroom as her cousin, who was also died, relatives told CNN affiliate KHOU. The cousin’s name has not been released.
Ten-year-old Xavier Lopez’s mother confirmed her son was killed and recalled her fourth grader’s unforgettable smile. Xavier was days away from finishing elementary school and “couldn’t wait” to attend middle school, his mother told the Washington Post.
Martinez had been at the school earlier Tuesday to cheer on Xavier during the honor roll ceremony, at which he got a certificate. She took a picture of her boy and told him she was proud of him and loved him, she said. Then, she hugged her “mama’s boy” goodbye.
Jose Flores Jr., 10, was killed, as well, his father told CNN. The brother of two younger siblings, Jose loved baseball and video games and “was always full of energy,” Jose Flores Sr. said.
Relatives of Eliana “Ellie” Garcia, 9, told KHOU that she was one of the victims of the shooting. She loved the movie “Encanto,” cheerleading and basketball, her grandparents told the Los Angeles Times. They add that she dreamed of becoming a teacher.
And 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia was among the slain, his family told CNN. The fourth grader was “full of life” and “loved anything with wheels,” his uncle Mitch Renfro told CNN.
Uziyah’s grandfather remembered throwing the football with his grandson and teaching him pass patterns and plays, Manny Renfro recalled. He was the “sweetest little boy that I’ve ever known,” the grandfather said in an interview with CNN affiliate KSAT.
Robb Elementary includes second through fourth grades and had 535 students in the 2020-21 school year, state data shows. About 90% of students are Hispanic, according to the data. Uvalde County had a population of about 25,000 in the 2020 census.
What we know about the shooter
Ramos had stopped regularly attending school at Uvalde High School, one of his former classmates told CNN. “He barely came to school,” said the friend, who did not wish to be identified. Ramos had recently sent him a picture of an AR-15-style rifle, a backpack with rounds of ammunition and several magazines, the friend added.
“I was like, ‘Bro, why do you have this?’ and he was like, ‘Don’t worry about it,'” the friend said. “He proceeded to text me, ‘I look very different now. You wouldn’t recognize me.'”
The shooter also sent ominous Instagram messages to another user hours before the shooting, screenshots show.
Three days before the attack, an account linked to the shooter posted a photo of two rifles lying on a carpet in a story that tagged another Instagram account by name. The owner of the tagged account wrote in a story posted after the shooting that Ramos had tagged her and messaged her out of the blue.
The girl, who did not include her name on her account and has since made her account private, posted a series of screenshots of messages she said she exchanged with the shooter in the days before the massacre.
In one message that appeared to be sent the morning of the shooting, Ramos wrote “I’m about to” — but didn’t say what he would do. “I got a lil secret,” he wrote in another message. “I wanna tell u.”
In messages posted to her story before it went private, the girl said that she didn’t live in Texas and didn’t know Ramos.
Ramos had a history of fighting with others, according to a former friend and a video obtained by CNN that depicts Ramos repeatedly throwing punches. The former friend said the video, which he received more than a year ago, depicts Ramos fighting with someone else, which the former friend said was not out of the ordinary.
“He would always get in fights in school,” the former classmate said
CNN has reached out to the Uvalde school district for more information, but received no response.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated what the shooter was wearing based on information from authorities.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
CNN’s Nicole Chavez reported from Uvalde, Texas, while Elizabeth Wolfe and Dakin Andone reported and wrote from Atlanta and Isabelle Chapman and Daniel A. Medina reported from New York. CNN’s Amanda Watts, David Williams, Sara Smart, Eric Levenson, Steve Almasy, Nikki Carvajal, Paradise Afshar, Curt Devine, Jeff Winter, Evan Perez, Andy Rose, Priscilla Alvarez, Jamiel Lynch, Jennifer Henderson and Joe Sutton contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2022/05/26/uvalde-school-shooter-was-in-school-for-up-to-an-hour-before-law-enforcement-broke-into-room-where-he-was-barricaded-and-killed-him-2/ | 2022-05-26T14:34:23Z |
Micro Focus Enterprise Suite on Google Cloud accelerates organizations' digital transformation journey
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Micro Focus (LSE: MCRO; NYSE: MFGP) announced today the availability of its Enterprise Suite for application modernization on Google Cloud Marketplace. With this new Marketplace availability, organizations can more quickly deploy an enterprise-grade mainframe infrastructure solution on Google Cloud at a time when companies are seeking new and cost-effective ways to deliver on IT strategies through continuous modernization and digital transformation initiatives.
The announcement brings together Micro Focus' application modernization capabilities with the powerful security, availability, scalability, and administration features Google Cloud offers as well as Google Compute Engine (GCE) services.
"Moving critical workloads from legacy infrastructure and onto a flexible, scalable, and innovative platform like Google Cloud is an important step in digital transformation. It is imperative that organizations ensure their core business applications can meet the demands of today's ever-changing technology and business needs. Because of this, research shows that 72 percent of COBOL application owners are considering modernization as the best way to digitally transform their strategic core business systems," said Neil Fowler, General Manager and VP of the Application Modernization and Connectivity business at Micro Focus. "The availability of Micro Focus' proven modernization solutions, deployed easily on Google Cloud's trusted infrastructure via the Google Cloud Marketplace, can provide organizations with an easier path to begin their digital transformation journey."
"Legacy infrastructure should not be a barrier to innovation," said Howard Weale, Director, Transformation Practice at Google Cloud. "Bringing Micro Focus to Google Cloud Marketplace will accelerate and simplify organizations' ability to modernize some of the most common mainframe infrastructure in use today, helping them achieve their cloud agendas more quickly while benefiting from leading security, data management, and workload administration capabilities."
Enterprise Suite is a Micro Focus product line that enables modernization of IBM mainframe PL/I and COBOL applications, processes and infrastructure, enabling greater efficiency and time to market. Last month, Micro Focus released the enhanced version of the Enterprise Suite, version 8.0, in conjunction with Visual COBOL 8.0. With this announcement, customers now have the choice and flexibility to deploy their mainframe applications with Micro Focus to any of the major clouds.
The Enterprise Suite of solutions includes:
More Information
Find detailed information about Enterprise Suite 8.0 here or access a free trial.
Explore Micro Focus products on the Google Cloud Marketplace.
Read the blog post "Micro Focus Visual COBOL and Enterprise Suite are now available on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP)!"
Join Micro Focus on LinkedIn and follow @MicroFocus on Twitter.
Micro Focus is one of the world's largest enterprise software providers, focused on solving the IT dilemma—how to balance today's needs with tomorrow's opportunities. We deliver mission-critical technology that helps tens of thousands of customers worldwide manage core IT elements of their business. Strengthened by our strategic services and support organizations, and an extensive partner network, our broad set of technologies for security, IT operations, application delivery, governance, modernization, and analytics provides the innovative solutions organizations need to run and transform— at the same time.
Contact: microfocus@pancomm.com
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SOURCE Micro Focus | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/micro-focus-extends-its-application-modernization-cloud-solutions-google-cloud-marketplace/ | 2022-09-06T11:34:39Z |
‘Awful … embarrassing’: Warriors fall behind by as many as 55 in huge loss to Grizzlies
By Ben Morse, CNN
The Golden State Warriors emphatically missed the opportunity to clinch their Western Conference semifinals playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
In a dominant performance in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series, the Grizzlies won 134-95 — leading by as many as 55 points — at the FedExForum.
Memphis never struggled in outscoring the normally potent Warriors offense, even without star point guard Ja Morant, who is doubtful for the remainder of the postseason with a bone bruise in his right knee suffered in Game 3.
Memphis scored 77 points in the first half, the most in franchise postseason history. The Grizzlies’ 52-point lead after three quarters equaled the record for the largest in a playoff game in the past 70 years.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones each scored 21 points, keeping Golden State at arm’s length and forcing a Game 6 in San Francisco with the Warriors leading the overall series at 3-2.
Afterwards, Jackson Jr. said Memphis’ high tempo was what helped them stay in front.
“We were just playing fast. You know how we like playing fast,” he told the media. “We wanted to bring that energy early. We just kept our foot on the gas, and everybody contributed. Even 12 (Morant) over there, with his ice on.”
For the Warriors, it was a disappointing evening with the opportunity to advance to the Western Conference finals on the line.
Three-time NBA champion Klay Thompson called it “awful” and “embarrassing.”
“From the opening tip, we didn’t have great flow, they were more aggressive than us,” he explained. “We all had the mindset we were going to close it out tonight, but sometimes, basketball’s not an exact science.”
But Draymond Green was more measured about the blowout loss: “Down by 55, or down by 5, lose by 50, lose by 5, you lost. It’s one game in the loss column of the series. Won’t make too much of it.”
He added: “You definitely want to flush it, but you also have to learn from it. It’s not like flushing, you see this team again in two months. You see this team in two days. So you learn from it and then you flush it, you make the necessary adjustments, and then you flush it. What you flush is the end result. Move on from that.”
The teams face off in a potentially decisive Game 6 on Friday.
‘Whoop That Trick’
There has certainly been no love lost during this Warriors-Grizzlies series.
From Green being ejected in Game 1 and Dillon Brooks ejected in Game 2 to Morant suffering a knee injury and saying Golden State’s Jordan Poole “broke the code.”
But on Wednesday night, in the midst of a huge blowout result, there was finally some space for some levity.
Ahead of Game 5, Steph Curry said the Warriors game plan was to “Whoop That Trick.”
This was a reference to the song by Memphis-born rapper Al Kapone which was performed in the movie “Hustle & Flow” by Terrence Howard. Over recent years, it has become an anthem of the Grizzlies during late-game moments.
And in the fourth quarter of Game 5, with Memphis holding an unassailable lead, Kapone came out onto the FedExForum floor to perform the song to the delight of the crowd.
As Jackson Jr. and Morant danced on the Memphis sidelines and as the Grizzlies fans waved their towels in unison, so did the Warriors bench.
Curry was seen laughing while Green waved his own towel above his head in unison.
“They not gonna whoop that trick alone,” Green said. “We gonna whoop that trick together if we’re gonna whoop that trick.
“One thing I don’t respect is people who only bring it when they win it, embrace crowds when you win it. We call those front runners. We’re not front runners, you know? We got our ass kicked. That’s all right. It happens. But you don’t be a front runner.
“When you spew it out, you got to be willing to take it and not hide from it, not duck from it, embrace it. I appreciated the crowd tonight, the energy that they brought to the game. If they want to whoop that trick, we’re going to whoop them again.”
Championship pedigree on show in Boston as Bucks take 3-2 series lead
The Milwaukee Bucks showed why they’re the defending NBA champions on Wednesday night, showing resilience and nous to narrowly beat the Boston Celtics 110-107 in Game 5.
The Bucks came back from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to lead in the final few minutes, needing some magical moments of defensive skill from star guard Jrue Holiday to clinch the win and take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Having just taken their first lead since the second quarter with just seconds remaining, Holiday first blocked Marcus Smart from behind, causing a turnover which earned his team possession. Then, as time ticked away, he stole the ball from Smart again to seal the result and ensure the Bucks can wrap up the series at Game 6 in Milwaukee on Friday.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 40 points and 11 rebounds, while Holiday added 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the winning effort.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/sports/cnn-sports/2022/05/12/awful-embarrassing-warriors-fall-behind-by-as-many-as-55-in-huge-loss-to-grizzlies/ | 2022-05-12T11:59:54Z |
DURHAM, N.C., June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region welcomes Dr. Deitra Williams-Toone to the interventional pain management team, with subspecialties in radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, and anesthesiology. Dr. Williams-Toone joined us on November 8th, 2021 at our Burlington, Durham, and Chapel Hill locations.
Deitra Williams-Toone, MD is a native North Carolinian and proud Tar Heel. She completed both undergraduate and medical school degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed a residency in anesthesiology and her fellowship in pain medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She has been practicing pain medicine since 2005 and is board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine.
Dr. Williams-Toone's areas of expertise at EmergeOrtho include interventional pain management including modalities such as radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation. She has also completed UNC–Greensboro's health coach certification and believes in helping individuals with chronic pain find healthy alternatives to managing their pain to live their best lives.
She likes to spend her free time with family and friends, reading, gardening, and playing with her grand-dog!
"Managing patient pain and providing healthy alternatives to combat chronic pain is something I really prioritize," Deitra Williams-Toone, MD says. "By joining the EmergeOrtho team, I can continue to provide the patient-centered care that means so much to me."
"We are excited to welcome Dr. Deitra Williams-Toone to EmergeOrtho pain management department," says Eugenia Zimmerman, M.D. "Dr. Williams-Toone has over 15 years experience providing state-of-the-art pain management in the Triangle area. In addition to top-notch technical skills, she brings a comprehensive patient-first approach to chronic pain management."
Her most common procedures cover the following:
- Interventional Pain Management
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Anesthesiology
To learn more about Dr. Deitra Williams-Toone, visit the EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region website.
Since 1952, EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region has been providing comprehensive subspecialty orthopedic care to address a diverse variety of injuries and conditions. Our Triangle area practices consist of 16 locations covering 10 counties, including 13 Urgent Care clinics located in Apex, Brier Creek, Burlington, Durham, Dunn, Fuquay-Varina, Oxford, Southpoint, Smithfield, Raleigh, Roxboro, Wake Forest, and Wilson.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Chris Adkins
(919) 281-1806
Chris.Adkins@emergeortho.com
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SOURCE EmergeOrtho, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/emergeortho-triangle-region-welcomes-deitra-williams-toone-md/ | 2022-06-22T20:30:10Z |
Top places to ski in the US
alexfe // Shutterstock
Top places to ski in the US
For skiers, it’s hard to beat the excitement of being perched atop a ski run ready to push off or the fun of carving down a snowy slope off-trail. A distant second might be the fun of looking for great ski resorts where you can experience the thrill all over again next season.
Curated used data from Skiresort.info to compile a list of the top places to ski in 29 different states. Top locations were determined by overall star ratings, which took into account test reports and evaluation criteria.
Test reports consider a combination of 18 different factors such as ski resort size, slope offering, lifts and cable cars, snow reliability, and slope preparation, and are done by an in-person team that visits the resort. Evaluators also research factors such as total slope length, marked ski routes length, number of lifts in the ski resort, and the elevation difference between the mountain and the base or valley.
In total, 38 states have some type of ski resort, but 29 states were found to have at least three or more ranked alpine ski resorts, and are included in this list. Some states, such as California and Colorado, may have more than one ski resort that is highly rated; but for the purposes of this article, only the top-ranked ski resort for each state is included in the list.
Before the first snow flurries of the season fall, many seasoned skiers have already spent months—maybe even years—researching which ski resorts to add to their bucket list. There are a lot of things to consider, not the least of which is how long you can stretch the season and pack in the most snow days. The launch of modern snowmaking and trail grooming techniques gives skiers the chance to hit the slopes as early as mid-October in Colorado and Vermont and as late as July in California.
Another consideration is making sure the resort offers the best runs that match—or challenge—your technical skills. A ski resort’s size and overall slope lengths are usually good indicators of whether there is a good variety of slopes to choose from. Nearly all will offer trails for alpine, or downhill, skiing above and below the tree line. Many also offer options for cross-country enthusiasts, often traversing through forested wilderness areas. Some also have mogul trails, which are bumpy runs with snow mounds and troughs to navigate. Top resorts will also offer a range of trails from beginners’ greens and bunny slopes to black diamonds for the most confident skiers.
For those looking for a skier’s high—literally—make sure to check a resort’s elevation difference. This is also sometimes referred to as the vertical distance or vertical drop and refers to the height from the base to the summit. It’s a good indicator of the steepness and elevation change you’ll experience on the trails.
Most skiers are focused on what it’ll be like heading down the mountain, but that doesn’t mean going up has to be a cold, cramped journey. Today’s chairlifts have come a long way since 1906 when the first overhead cable tow pulled riders uphill on their skis. Your ride up the mountain now might be classic single or four-person lifts, trams that can zip 100 skiers up to a summit in less than 10 minutes, or gondolas with seat warmers and glass bottoms for spectacular views of the slopes below. Having a comfy ride can provide a warm, scenic break between runs—but the biggest perk might be that speedy, higher capacity lifts mean less time in transit and more time flying back down the hill.
Read on to see which ski resorts are the top-rated across the country.
CSNafzger // Shutterstock
Alaska: Alyeska Resort – Girdwood
– Overall rating: 3.3/5 stars
– Total slope length: 38.5 miles (62 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 2,526 feet (770 meters)
— Base: 230 feet (70 meters), summit: 2,756 feet (840 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 5
– Typical season length: mid-December – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 3.4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 3.7/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.5/5 stars
jannoon028 // Shutterstock
California: Mammoth Mountain
– Overall rating: 4.4/5 stars
– Total slope length: 55.8 miles (89.8 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 3,101 feet (945 meters)
— Base: 7,953 feet (2,424 meters), summit: 11,054 feet (3,369 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 25
– Typical season length early November – early June
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
Steve Boice // Shutterstock
Colorado: Vail
– Overall rating: 4.6/5 stars
– Total slope length: 145.4 miles (234 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 3,202 feet (976 meters)
— Base: 8,061 feet (2,457 meters), summit: 11,264 feet (3,433 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 33
– Typical season length: mid-November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 5/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
Pugalenthi Iniabarathi // Shutterstock
Connecticut: Mohawk Mountain
– Overall rating: 2.6/5 stars
– Total slope length: 5.0 miles (8 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 571 feet (174 meters)
— Base: 919 feet (280 meters), summit: 1,490 feet (454 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 5
– Typical season length: mid-December – early April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 1.9/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.3/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3/5 stars
CSNafzger // Shutterstock
Idaho: Bald Mountain – Sun Valley
– Overall rating: 3.7/5 stars
– Total slope length: 57.2 miles (92 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 3,399 feet (1,036 meters)
— Base: 5,748 feet (1,752 meters), summit: 9,147 feet (2,788 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 13
– Typical season length: mid-November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 4.3/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.9/5 stars
yanik88 // Shutterstock
Illinois: Snowstar
– Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars
– Total slope length: 2.5 miles (4 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 180 feet (55 meters)
— Base: 591 feet (180 meters), summit: 771 feet (235 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 5
– Typical season length: mid-December – mid-March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 1.5/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 1.8/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 2.9/5 stars
Alyssa Dole // Shutterstock
Maine: Sunday River
– Overall rating: 4.2/5 stars
– Total slope length: 52.7 miles (84.8 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 2,320 feet (707 meters)
— Base: 820 feet (250 meters), summit: 3,140 feet (957 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 19
– Typical season length: early November – late April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 4/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
Monika Salvan // Shutterstock
Massachusetts: Wachusett Mountain
– Overall rating: 2.9/5 stars
– Total slope length: 7.5 miles (12 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 1,001 feet (305 meters)
— Base: 1,004 feet (306 meters), summit: 2,005 feet (611 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 4
– Typical season length: mid-November – early April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.1/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 4.1/5 stars
s8 // Shutterstock
Michigan: The Highlands at Harbor Springs
– Overall rating: 2.9/5 stars
– Total slope length: 16.0 miles (25.7 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 551 feet (168 meters)
— Base: 787 feet (240 meters), summit: 1,339 feet (408 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 10
– Typical season length: early December – late March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.5/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.9/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.2/5 stars
Life Atlas Photography // Shutterstock
Minnesota: Lutsen Mountains
– Overall rating: 3.2/5 stars
– Total slope length: 24.9 miles (40 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 827 feet (252 meters)
— Base: 863 feet (263 meters), summit: 1,690 feet (515 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 7
– Typical season length: late November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.9/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 3.2/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.6/5 stars
alexfe // Shutterstock
Montana: Big Sky
– Overall rating: 3.9/5 stars
– Total slope length: 155.3 miles (250 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 4,351 feet (1,326 meters)
— Base: 6,798 feet (2,072 meters), summit: 11,149 feet (3,398 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 39
– Typical season length: late November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4.9/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.5/5 stars
Alisa_Ch// Shutterstock
Nevada/California: Heavenly
– Overall rating: 4.1/5 stars
– Total slope length: 58.4 miles (94 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 3,475 feet (1,059 meters)
— Base: 6,565 feet (2,001 meters), summit: 10,040 feet (3,060 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 27
– Typical season length: mid-November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
CO Leong // Shutterstock
New Hampshire: Bretton Woods
– Overall rating: 3.4/5 stars
– Total slope length: 34.8 miles (56 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 1,499 feet (457 meters)
— Base: 1,601 feet (488 meters), summit: 3,101 feet (945 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 8
– Typical season length: late November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 3.2/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 3.6/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 4.0/5 stars
yanik88 // Shutterstock
New Jersey: Mountain Creek
– Overall rating: 3.0/5 stars
– Total slope length: 14.9 miles (24 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 1,040 feet (317 meters)
— Base: 440 feet (134 meters), summit: 1,480 feet (451 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 7
– Typical season length: mid-December – early April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.5/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.8/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.4/5 stars
Marcelo Rodriguez // Shutterstock
New Mexico: Angel Fire
– Overall rating: 3.5/5 stars
– Total slope length: 46.6 miles (75 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 2,182 feet (665 meters)
— Base: 8,501 feet (2,591 meters), summit: 10,683 feet (3,256 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 5
– Typical season length: mid-December – late March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 3.7/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 3.9/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.9/5 stars
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
New York: Whiteface
– Overall rating: 3.7/5 stars
– Total slope length: 23.0 miles (37 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 3,179 feet (969 meters)
— Base: 1,217 feet (371 meters), summit: 4,397 feet (1,340 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 11
– Typical season length: late November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 3/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3/5 stars
Jennifer Stanford // Shutterstock
North Carolina: Sugar Mountain
– Overall rating: 2.9/5 stars
– Total slope length: 8.7 miles (14 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 1,116 feet (340 meters)
— Base: 4,098 feet (1,249 meters), summit: 5,214 feet (1,589 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 7
– Typical season length mid-November – late March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.2/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
Julia56 // Shutterstock
North Dakota: Huff Hills
– Overall rating: 2.4/5 stars
– Total slope length: 1.9 miles (3 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 361 feet (110 meters)
— Base: 1,870 feet (570 meters), summit: 2,231 feet (680 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 4
– Typical season length: late November – early March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 1.5/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 1.8/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 2.9/5 stars
Bizi88 // Shutterstock
Ohio: Snow Trails
– Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars
– Total slope length: 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 230 feet (70 meters)
— Base: 1,214 feet (370 meters), summit: 1,444 feet (440 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 6
– Typical season lengthn: mid-December – early March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 1.7/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3/5 stars
Sveta Imnadze // Shutterstock
Oregon: Mt. Bachelor
– Overall rating: 3.7/5 stars
– Total slope length: 62.1 miles (100 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 3,366 feet (1,026 meters)
— Base: 5,699 feet (1,737 meters), summit: 9,065 feet (2,763 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 15
– Typical season length: late November – late April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4.1/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 4.4/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
somsak nitimongkolchai // Shutterstock
Pennsylvania: Camelback
– Overall rating: 3.0/5 stars
– Total slope length: 21.1 miles (34 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 797 feet (243 meters)
— Base: 1,247 feet (380 meters), summit: 2,044 feet (623 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 9
– Typical season length: mid-December – late March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.7/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.9/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.3/5 stars
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
South Dakota: Terry Peak
– Overall rating: 3.0/5 stars
– Total slope length: 9.9 miles (16 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 1,083 feet (330 meters)
— Base: 5,906 feet (1,800 meters), summit: 6,989 feet (2,130 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 4
– Typical season length: early December – late March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.3/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.7/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 4.1/5 stars
Spinel // Shutterstock
Utah: Park City
– Overall rating: 3.9/5 stars
– Total slope length: 155.3 miles (250 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 3,179 feet (969 meters)
— Base: 6,824 feet (2,080 meters), summit: 10,004 feet (3,049 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 42
– Typical season length: late November – early April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4.8/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
Ruth Berkowitz // Shutterstock
Vermont: Killington
– Overall rating: 4.2/5 stars
– Total slope length: 73.3 miles (118 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 3,078 feet (938 meters)
— Base: 1,165 feet (355 meters), summit: 4,242 feet (1,293 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 22
– Typical season length: late October – late May
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 5/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 4/5 stars
Marcio Jose Bastos Silva // Shutterstock
Virginia: Wintergreen Resort
– Overall rating: 2.8/5 stars
– Total slope length: 6.2 miles (10 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 1,001 feet (305 meters)
— Base: 2,513 feet (766 meters), summit: 3,514 feet (1,071 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 5
– Typical season length: early December – mid-March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.3/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
fotoexpression21 // Shutterstock
Washington State: Mission Ridge
– Overall rating: 3.6/5 stars
– Total slope length: 62.1 miles (100 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 2,251 feet (686 meters)
— Base: 4,567 feet (1,392 meters), summit: 6,818 feet (2,078 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 4
– Typical season length: late November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 4.3/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.6/5 stars
Daniel Friend // Shutterstock
West Virginia: Timberline Mountain
– Overall rating: 3.0/5 stars
– Total slope length: 11.2 miles (18 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 1,001 feet (305 meters)
— Base: 3,268 feet (996 meters), summit: 4,269 feet (1,301 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 2
– Typical season length: mid-December – mid-March
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.3/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.7/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.9/5 stars
Aaron of L.A. Photography // Shutterstock
Wisconsin: Granite Peak
– Overall rating: 3/5 stars
– Total slope length: 12.4 miles (20 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 702 feet (214 meters)
— Base: 1,247 feet (380 meters), summit: 1,949 feet (594 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 5
– Typical season length: late November – mid-April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 2.4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 2.8/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.8/5 stars
Steve Boice // Shutterstock
Wyoming: Jackson Hole
– Overall rating: 3.7/5 stars
– Total slope length: 72.1 miles (116 kilometers)
– Elevation difference: 4,137 feet (1,261 meters)
— Base: 6,313 feet (1,924 meters), summit: 10,450 feet (3,185 meters)
– Total lifts/cable cars: 13
– Typical season length: late November – early April
– Other ratings:
— Ski resort size: 4.4/5 stars
— Slope offering and variety of runs: 4.7/5 stars
— Lifts and cable cars: 3.6/5 stars
This story originally appeared on Curated
and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. | https://localnews8.com/stacker-sports/2022/05/10/top-places-to-ski-in-the-us/ | 2022-05-11T10:54:47Z |
Implements Plan to Accelerate Platform Strategy and Deliver Sustainable Profitability
Expects Increased Marketing Efficiency and an Additional $70 Million in Annual Operating Expense Savings
LANHAM, Md., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), a leading online education platform company, today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. The company also announced a realignment of its operations to accelerate its platform strategy and drive sustainable profitability and free cash flow. As part of this plan, the company implemented a new marketing framework, resulting in lower marketing spend late in the second quarter, which impacted results in the period.
Results for Second Quarter 2022 Compared to Second Quarter 2021
- Revenue increased 2% to $241.5 million
- Degree Program Segment revenue decreased 2% to $143.1 million
- Alternative Credential Segment revenue increased 8% to $98.4 million
- Net loss increased $41.0 million to $62.9 million, or $0.82 per share
Non-GAAP Results for Second Quarter 2022 Compared to Second Quarter 2021
- Adjusted EBITDA increased $4.8 million to $21.9 million
- Adjusted net loss increased $0.8 million to $7.5 million, or $0.10 per share
"We are taking significant action to accelerate 2U's transition to a platform company under the edX brand and unify our product and marketing strategy to create the world's leading free-to-degree online learning marketplace," said 2U Co-Founder and CEO Christopher "Chip" Paucek. "Operating as one powerful brand and platform enables the company to pursue sustainable profitability, while building a stronger, more agile business that we believe will deliver greater value for learners, partners, and shareholders and drive the future of education for the long term."
Paul Lalljie, 2U's Chief Financial Officer, added, "In the second quarter we took important steps to align our organizational and cost structure to deliver sustained profitable growth and free cash flow. Our results for the quarter and our updated guidance reflect the shift in focus to more profitable growth resulting from the acceleration of our platform strategy. We expect that this plan will drive significant improvement to adjusted EBITDA for full-year 2022 and will generate positive free cash flow for full-year 2023."
Discussion of Second Quarter 2022 Results
Revenue for the second quarter totaled $241.5 million, a 1.8% increase from $237.2 million in the second quarter of 2021. This increase includes $10.0 million from edX, acquired in the fourth quarter of 2021. Revenue from the Degree Program Segment decreased $3.1 million, or 2.1%, primarily due to a 1.9% decrease in average revenue per FCE enrollment, from $2,420 to $2,373. Revenue from the Alternative Credential Segment increased $7.4 million, or 8.1%, primarily due to the addition of edX offerings and a 1.2% increase in average revenue per FCE enrollment, from $3,843 to $3,891, partially offset by a decrease in FCE enrollments of 236, or 1.0%.
Costs and expenses for the second quarter totaled $289.4 million, a 5.5% increase from $274.3 million in the second quarter of 2021. This increase includes $17.1 million of operating expense related to edX. The remaining change was primarily driven by higher restructuring charges associated with the realignment plan, partially offset by lower personnel and personnel-related expense and marketing spend.
As of June 30, 2022, the company's cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $237.8 million, a decrease of $12.1 million from $249.9 million as of December 31, 2021. Cash provided by operations of $28.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was offset by cash used in investing activities of $35.2 million and cash used in financing activities of $3.0 million. Unlevered cash flow for the last twelve months ended June 30, 2022 was $11.5 million, a $45.6 million improvement compared to a negative unlevered cash flow of $34.1 million for the last twelve months ended March 31, 2022.
Business Outlook for Fiscal Year 2022
The company provided updated guidance for the full-year 2022 for the following metrics:
- Revenue to exceed $960 million, representing growth of 2%
- Net loss to range from $240 million to $230 million
- Adjusted EBITDA to range from $105 million to $115 million, representing growth of 65% at the midpoint
Strategic Update
2U also announced today the implementation of a plan to accelerate its transition to a platform company and align its cost structure and strategy. The plan reorients the company around the edX platform, allowing it to pursue a portfolio-based marketing strategy that drives traffic to the edX marketplace. The plan is designed to achieve durable growth that increases profitability by simplifying the current executive structure to reduce silos, reducing employee headcount, optimizing marketing spend and rationalizing the company's real estate footprint.
As part of the plan, Harsha Mokkarala, 2U's current Chief Data Scientist, will now serve as the company's Chief Revenue Officer, and Anant Agarwal, founder of edX and 2U's current Chief Open Education Officer, will serve as Chief Platform Officer. In their new roles, Mr. Mokkarala will focus on optimizing marketing spend while continuing to drive growth and Mr. Agarwal will be responsible for leading the company's unified product and technology strategy.
The company expects that implementation of the headcount reductions will be completed in the third quarter of 2022 while the remainder of the plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. The company expects to generate marketing efficiency and an additional $70 million in annualized cost savings, primarily due to savings associated with headcount reduction and reduced real estate costs. The company estimates it will incur aggregate restructuring costs associated with the plan ranging from approximately $35 million to $40 million.
Additional Leadership Update
The company's Chief Operating Officer, Mark Chernis, has also decided to step down from his role at the company to pursue other professional opportunities, effective October 3, 2022, at which time he will transition to a consulting capacity.
"On behalf of 2U's Board of Directors, executive management and employees, I would like to thank Mark for his 14 years of service to the company, first as a director then as an officer. Mark has been a great friend and colleague and his leadership and contributions have been integral in making 2U the company that it is today," said Mr. Paucek.
Non-GAAP Measures
To provide investors and others with additional information regarding 2U's results, the company has disclosed the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted net income (loss) per share. The company has provided a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure used in this earnings release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The company defines adjusted EBITDA (loss) as net income or net loss, as applicable, before net interest income (expense), other income (expense), net, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, deferred revenue fair value adjustments, transaction costs, integration costs, restructuring-related costs, stockholder activism costs, certain litigation-related costs, consisting of fees for certain non-ordinary course litigation and other proceedings, impairment charges, losses on debt extinguishment, and stock-based compensation expense. The company defines unlevered free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures, payments to university clients, certain non-ordinary cash payments, and cash interest payments on debt. The company defines adjusted net income (loss) as net income or net loss, as applicable, before other income (expense), net, acquisition-related gains or losses, deferred revenue fair value adjustments, transaction costs, integration costs, restructuring-related costs, stockholder activism costs, certain litigation-related costs, consisting of fees for certain non-ordinary course litigation and other proceedings, impairment charges, losses on debt extinguishment, and stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted net income (loss) per share is calculated as adjusted net income (loss) divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for periods that result in adjusted net income, and basic weighted-average shares outstanding for periods that result in an adjusted net loss. Some of the adjustments described in the definitions of adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, and adjusted net income (loss) may not be applicable in any given reporting period and they may vary from period to period.
The company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, to understand cash that is generated by or available for operational expenses and investment in the business after capital expenditures, for internal budgeting and forecasting purposes, for short- and long-term operating plans, and to evaluate the company's financial performance. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect the company's ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful period-to-period comparisons and analysis of trends in the company's business as they exclude expenses that are not reflective of ongoing operating results. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating the company's operating results and prospects in the same manner as management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies.
The use of adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted net income (loss) per share measures has certain limitations, as they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the company's operations. The company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore comparability may be limited. Management encourages investors and others to review the company's financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Conference Call Information
About 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU)
For more than a decade, 2U, Inc. has been the digital transformation partner of choice to great non-profit colleges and universities delivering high-quality online education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading global online learning platform, 2U provides over 45 million learners with access to world-class education in partnership with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporations. Our people and technology are powering more than 4,000 digital education offerings — from free courses to full degrees — and helping unlock human potential. To learn more: visit 2U.com.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding 2U, Inc.'s future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding future results of operations and financial position of 2U, including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. 2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date of this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, but not limited to:
- trends in the higher education market and the market for online education, and expectations for growth in those markets;
- the acceptance, adoption and growth of online learning by colleges and universities, faculty, students, employers, accreditors and state and federal licensing bodies;
- the impact of competition on the company's industry and innovations by competitors;
- the company's ability to comply with evolving regulations and legal obligations related to data privacy, data protection and information security;
- the company's expectations about the potential benefits of its cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services to university clients and students;
- the company's dependence on third parties to provide certain technological services or components used in its platform;
- the company's expectations about the predictability, visibility and recurring nature of its business model;
- the company's ability to meet the anticipated launch dates of its degree programs, executive education offerings and boot camps;
- the company's ability to acquire new university clients and expand its degree programs, executive education offerings and boot camps with existing university clients;
- the company's ability to successfully integrate the operations of its acquisitions, including the edX acquisition, to achieve the expected benefits of its acquisitions and manage, expand and grow the combined company;
- the company's ability to refinance its indebtedness on attractive terms, if at all, to better align with its focus on profitability;
- the company's ability to service its substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and conversion obligations contained in the indenture governing its convertible senior notes and the term loan agreement governing its term loan facility;
- the company's ability to generate sufficient future operating cash flows from recent acquisitions to ensure related goodwill is not impaired;
- the company's ability to execute its growth strategy in the international, undergraduate and non-degree alternative markets;
- the company's ability to continue to recruit prospective students for its offerings;
- the company's ability to maintain or increase student retention rates in its degree programs;
- the company's ability to attract, hire and retain qualified employees;
- the company's expectations about the scalability of its cloud-based platform;
- potential changes in regulations applicable to the company or its university clients;
- the company's expectations regarding the amount of time its cash balances and other available financial resources will be sufficient to fund its operations;
- the impact and cost of stockholder activism;
- the impact of the significant decline in the market price of our common stock, including the impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived assets;
- the timing, structure and expected impact of our realignment plan and the estimated savings and amounts expected to be incurred in connection therewith;
- the impact of any natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic;
- the company's expectations regarding the effect of the capped call transactions and regarding actions of the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates; and
- other factors beyond the company's control.
These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and other SEC filings. Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.
Investor Relations Contact: investorinfo@2U.com
Media Contact: media@2U.com
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SOURCE 2U, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/2u-reports-results-second-quarter-2022/ | 2022-07-28T20:34:42Z |
- Submissions are supported by three Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrating upadacitinib achieved the co-primary endpoints of clinical remission and endoscopic response as induction and maintenance treatment1-4
- Safety results were generally consistent with the known safety profile of upadacitinib, with no new safety risks observed1-8
- Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic disease that manifests as inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract, causing persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain9,10
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that it has submitted applications for a new indication to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for upadacitinib (RINVOQ®, 45 mg [induction dose] and 15 mg and 30 mg [maintenance dose]) for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.4,11
"Crohn's disease can be debilitating and have a significant impact on a person's daily life," said Neil Gallagher, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, development, chief medical officer, AbbVie. "Those patients who are still suffering fuel our continued commitment to innovation in care for patients with IBD, and we look forward to potentially introducing a new treatment option for this disruptive condition."
The applications to the FDA and EMA are supported by data from three Phase 3 clinical trials, including two induction studies (U-EXCEED & U-EXCEL) and one maintenance study (U-ENDURE).1-4 Across all three studies, significantly more patients treated with upadacitinib achieved the co-primary endpoints of clinical remission and endoscopic response, with clinical remission measured by the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) or by the patient-reported symptoms of stool frequency/abdominal pain (SF/AP).1-4 Additionally, more patients receiving upadacitinib 45 mg once daily at week 12 in the induction studies or 15 mg and 30 mg once daily at 52 weeks in the maintenance study achieved the secondary endpoint of corticosteroid-free clinical remission per CDAI and per SF/AP compared to placebo among patients taking corticosteroids at baseline.1-4
The safety results of upadacitinib in U-EXCEED, U-EXCEL and U-ENDURE were generally consistent with the known safety profile of upadacitinib, with no new safety risks observed.
About Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic disease that manifests as inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract, causing persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain.9,10 It is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time in a substantial proportion of patients or may develop complications that require urgent medical care, including surgery.9,10 Because the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease are unpredictable, it causes a significant burden on people living with the disease—not only physically, but also emotionally and economically.10
About the U-EXCEED and U-EXCEL Induction and U-ENDURE Maintenance Studies1,2,3
The three Phase 3 studies are multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib 45 mg once daily as induction therapy, and upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg once daily as maintenance therapy in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. Topline results from U-EXCEED and U-EXCEL induction studies were announced in December 2021 and February 2022, respectively, and topline results from the U-ENDURE maintenance study were announced in May 2022. These studies include assessments of efficacy, safety and tolerability of upadacitinib. More information on these trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03345836, NCT03345849, NCT03345823).
About upadacitinib (RINVOQ®)
Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a JAK inhibitor that is being studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.1–8 Based on enzymatic and cellular assays, RINVOQ demonstrated greater inhibitory potency for JAK-1 vs. JAK-2, JAK-3 and TYK-2. The relevance of inhibition of specific JAK enzymes to therapeutic effectiveness and safety is not currently known.12
Phase 3 trials of RINVOQ in rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, ulcerative colitis, giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis are ongoing.4–8,11,13-18 The use of upadacitinib in Crohn's disease is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities.
RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) U.S. Use and Important Safety Information12
RINVOQ is a prescription medicine used to treat:
- Adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis when 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
- Adults with active psoriatic arthritis when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
- Adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
- Adults with active ankylosing spondylitis when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or ankylosing spondylitis.
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older with moderate to severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) that did not respond to previous treatment and their eczema is not well controlled with other pills or injections, including biologic medicines, or the use of other pills or injections is not recommended.
RINVOQ is safe and effective in children 12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg) with atopic dermatitis.
It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis.
What is the most important information I should know about RINVOQ?
RINVOQ may cause serious side effects, including:
- Serious infections. RINVOQ can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious infections have happened while taking RINVOQ, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider (HCP) should test you for TB before starting RINVOQ and check you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with RINVOQ. You should not start taking RINVOQ if you have any kind of infection unless your HCP tells you it is okay. If you get a serious infection, your HCP may stop your treatment until your infection is controlled. You may be at higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster).
- Increased risk of death in people 50 years and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor.
- Cancer and immune system problems. RINVOQ may increase your risk of certain cancers. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. Current or past smokers are at higher risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer. Follow your HCP's advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer during treatment with RINVOQ. Limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight. Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use sunscreen.
- Increased risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in people 50 years and older who have at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor, especially if you are a current or past smoker.
- Blood clots. Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs and arteries can happen with RINVOQ. This may be life-threatening and cause death. Blood clots in the veins of the legs and lungs have happened more often in people who are 50 years and older and with at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor.
- Allergic reactions. Symptoms such as rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, that may mean you are having an allergic reaction have been seen in people taking RINVOQ. Some of these reactions were serious. If any of these symptoms occur during treatment with RINVOQ, stop taking RINVOQ and get emergency medical help right away.
- Tears in the stomach or intestines and changes in certain laboratory tests. Your HCP should do blood tests before you start taking RINVOQ and while you take it. Your HCP may stop your RINVOQ treatment for a period of time if needed because of changes in these blood test results.
Do not take RINVOQ if:
- You are allergic to upadacitinib or any of the ingredients in RINVOQ.
What should I tell my HCP BEFORE starting RINVOQ?
Tell your HCP if you:
- Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won't go away or keeps coming back, or have symptoms of an infection, such as:
- Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
- Are a current or past smoker.
- Have had a heart attack, other heart problems, or stroke.
- Have or have had any type of cancer, hepatitis B or C, shingles (herpes zoster), blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine), or ulcers in your stomach or intestines.
- Have other medical conditions, including liver problems, low blood cell counts, diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system.
- Live, have lived, or have traveled to parts of the country, such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest, that increase your risk of getting certain kinds of fungal infections. If you are unsure if you've been to these types of areas, ask your HCP.
- Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People who take RINVOQ should not receive live vaccines.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Based on animal studies, RINVOQ may harm your unborn baby. Your HCP will check whether or not you are pregnant before you start RINVOQ. You should use effective birth control (contraception) to avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with RINVOQ and for 4 weeks after your last dose.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. RINVOQ may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with RINVOQ and for 6 days after your last dose.
Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. RINVOQ and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects.
Especially tell your HCP if you take:
- Medicines for fungal or bacterial infections
- Rifampicin or phenytoin
- Medicines that affect your immune system
If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your HCP or pharmacist.
What should I do or tell my HCP AFTER starting RINVOQ?
- Tell your HCP right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. RINVOQ can make you more likely to get infections or make any infections you have worse.
- Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking RINVOQ, including:
- Tell your HCP right away if you have any signs or symptoms of blood clots during treatment with RINVOQ, including:
- Tell your HCP right away if you have a fever or stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.
What are other possible side effects of RINVOQ?
Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), shingles (herpes zoster), herpes simplex virus infections (including cold sores), bronchitis, nausea, cough, fever, acne, headache, increased blood levels of creatine phosphokinase, allergic reactions, inflammation of hair follicles, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, increased weight, flu, tiredness, lower number of certain types of white blood cells (neutropenia, lymphopenia), muscle pain, flu-like illness, rash, increased blood cholesterol levels, and increased liver enzyme levels.
A separation or tear to the lining of the back part of the eye (retinal detachment) has happened in people with atopic dermatitis treated with RINVOQ. Call your HCP right away if you have any sudden changes in your vision during treatment with RINVOQ.
These are not all the possible side effects of RINVOQ.
How should I take RINVOQ?
RINVOQ is taken once a day with or without food. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet. Take RINVOQ exactly as your HCP tells you to use it. RINVOQ is available in 15 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg extended-release tablets.
This is the most important information to know about RINVOQ. For more information, talk to your HCP.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.
Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.
Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
About AbbVie in Gastroenterology
With a robust clinical trial program, AbbVie is committed to cutting-edge research to drive exciting developments in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. By innovating, learning and adapting, AbbVie aspires to eliminate the burden of IBD and make a positive long-term impact on the lives of people with IBD. For more information on AbbVie in gastroenterology, visit https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/therapeutic-focus-areas/immunology/immunology-focus-areas/gastroenterology.html.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.
References
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- A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib (ABT-494) in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease Who Have Inadequately Responded to or Are Intolerant to Biologic Therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2022. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03345836. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- A Maintenance and Long-Term Extension Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib (ABT-494) in Participants With Crohn's Disease Who Completed the Studies M14-431 or M14-433. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2022. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03345823. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- RINVOQ [Summary of Product Characteristics]. AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG; June 2022. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/rinvoq-epar-product-information_en.pdf.
- Cohen S., et al. Safety profile of upadacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis: integrated analysis from the SELECT phase III clinical programme. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020 Oct 28;80(3):304-11.
- Mease, P.J., et al. Upadacitinib in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Inadequate Response to Biologics: 56-Week Data from the Randomized Controlled Phase 3 SELECT-PsA 2 Study. Rheumatol Ther. 2021 Apr 28. doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00305-z. Online ahead of print.
- Guttman-Yassky E., et al. Once-daily upadacitinib versus placebo in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (Measure Up 1 and Measure Up 2): results from two replicate, double-blind, randomized controlled phase 3 studies. Lancet. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00588-2.
- Van der Heijde, D., et al. Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (SELECT-AXIS 1): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2/3 trial. Lancet. 2019 Dec 7;394(10214):2108-2117. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32534-6. Epub 2019 Nov 12.
- The Facts about Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. 2014. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Updated%20IBD%20Factbook.pdf. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- Crohn's disease. Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. 2022. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353304. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- Pipeline – Our Science | AbbVie. AbbVie. 2022. Available at: https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/pipeline.html. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) [Package Insert]. North Chicago, Ill.: AbbVie Inc.
- A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult Participants With Axial Spondyloarthritis (SELECT AXIS 2). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2022. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04169373. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of ABT-494 for Induction and Maintenance Therapy in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2022. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02819635. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- A Study to Compare Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib to Dupilumab in Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis (Heads Up). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2022. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03738397. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib (ABT-494) in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis (U-ACCOMPLISH). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2022. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03653026. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Participants With Giant Cell Arteritis (SELECT-GCA). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2022. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03725202. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
- A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Subjects With Takayasu Arteritis (TAK) (SELECT-TAK). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2022. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04161898. Accessed on June 3, 2022.
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SOURCE AbbVie | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/abbvie-submits-regulatory-applications-fda-ema-upadacitinib-rinvoq-crohns-disease/ | 2022-07-27T14:06:00Z |
Products Fuel Business Expansion as Markerr's ARR Grows 359% Year Over Year
NEW YORK, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Markerr, an analytics platform providing real estate investors with unique, accurate insights and tools to streamline their workflow, announced the expansion of its RealRent product line: a machine-learning powered multifamily rent forecast and single family rent nowcast. Concurrently, the firm launched RealRank, a property and market ranking tool for research and acquisitions teams. With Markerr's revenue having grown by 359% since Q2 2021, these new products will play a major role in meeting the data needs of its growing customer base.
Accurately assessing current and future rents is critical to successful diligence and underwriting processes. But most of the insights currently available to investors, owners and operators are based on data that is stale, skewed, or hard to validate. To close this gap, Markerr has expanded its RealRent products, providing the most accurate, data-driven view of current and future rents, to include nowcasts for single family properties in 250+ MSAs and forecasts for multifamily properties.
Markerr's new RealRank dashboard streamlines the submarket scoring and selection process by unifying critical property- and market-level metrics – including nominal values and growth rates for rent, income, employment and population – into a single view. Instead of cobbling together data from multiple sources, analysts can easily get a read on their pipeline and portfolio, share the latest insights with colleagues, as well as incorporate them into Investment Committee presentations.
"Shifting market conditions and a more challenging borrowing environment require real estate investors, owners and operators to innovate and deepen their relationship with technology and data," said Brian Lichtenberger, Founder and CEO of Markerr. "Investors who can act quickly, based on an accurate, holistic perspective, continue to outperform their competition. The expansion of RealRent and the release of RealRank advance our vision of setting a higher standard for real estate decision making, as we empower our customers to work more confidently and quickly."
RealRent data is available via bulk feeds, dashboards, and reports. The RealRank dashboard is available to Markerr customers today.
As the company rolls out its new products, Markerr is proud to share the exceptional business performance driven by the current product suite:
- The expansion of existing relationships as well as the addition of new customers drove 359% ARR growth year over year
- Markerr has 111% more customers now compared to last year
- Existing customers are enthusiastic about the value of Markerr's products, as shown by 121% net retention year to date
- The company has seen nearly 40% growth in employee headcount YTD, including the addition of Adam Slackman as SVP Revenue, and Hadley Johnson as VP Data Science
Markerr is setting a new standard for real estate decision-making by providing unique insights and tools to streamline critical investment workflows. Our data feeds, dashboards, reports and forecasts are built from a network of proprietary sources, connected by MarkerrID and transformed with data science for a complete picture of opportunities. Markerr's customers include leading investors, owners and operators of multifamily, single family rental, industrial, retail and office assets. For more information, please visit www.markerr.com.
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SOURCE Markerr | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/markerr-launches-new-tools-empowering-cre-investors-be-more-efficient-amp-effective-with-unique-insights/ | 2022-07-14T13:06:28Z |
Process Improvements Standardize Longstanding AAA Practices, and Revise Rules to Generate Further Efficiencies and Reflect Advances in Technology
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Arbitration Association-International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (AAA-ICDR®) announces that significant amendments have been made to the AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures.
The updates to the arbitration rules, effective September 1, 2022, focus on process improvements in key areas, including technology, speed, economy, security, and privacy. The amended rules are the result of a two-year initiative by an internal AAA working group, with contributions from the AAA's case management and administrative groups, party surveys, and arbitrators, as well as the AAA-ICDR Council's Law and Practice and LLC Committees.
"The goals of our commercial arbitration rules—to ensure parties achieve a resolution to their disputes through an orderly, economical, and expeditious process—are the same as when these rules were first drafted 72 years ago," said Robert Matlin, Esq., Senior Vice President of the AAA's Commercial and Construction Divisions. "Our amended rules address the technology advancements which can make the arbitration process more streamlined and cost-effective—and standardize them, to continue to ensure the integrity, security, and confidentiality of our procedures."
The 2022 amendments to the AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures ("the Rules") involve:
- Consolidation—The AAA has instituted its first-ever commercial rule to consolidate existing arbitrations or the joinder of additional parties.
- Confidentiality—The reinforcement of the longstanding requirements in the AAA Code of Ethics for Arbitrators, by including a commitment by AAA Staff and arbitrators to the confidentiality of arbitration in the Commercial Arbitration Rules.
- Conduct of Parties & Their Representatives—The AAA's expectations of civility and professionalism of all participants in arbitrations have been specifically incorporated into the Rules.
- Providing Arbitrators with the Authority to Interpret Awards—The AAA has drawn on the recently adopted ICDR article allowing the arbitrator to explain the award on a party's motion.
- Importance of Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection—Reflecting the importance the AAA places on the safety and security of user and case information, the Rules recommend that the parties and the arbitrator discuss data protection during the preliminary hearing.
To read a more detailed explanation of the 2022 amendments to the AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, click here.
The not-for-profit American Arbitration Association® (AAA) is the leading provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services for parties in commercial disputes, having administered more than seven million ADR cases since its founding in 1926. With 29 offices in the United States, in addition to Singapore, the AAA provides organizations of all sizes in virtually every industry with ADR services and products. For more information, visit www.adr.org.
The International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR®) is the international division of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the largest international provider of dispute resolution services. Established in 1996, the ICDR serves parties from over 100 countries with multilingual staff experienced in international dispute resolution proceedings, and a roster of over 725 arbitrators and mediators. For more information, visit www.icdr.org.
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SOURCE American Arbitration Association-International Centre for Dispute Resolution | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/aaa-updates-commercial-arbitration-rules-amp-mediation-procedures-uphold-aaa-standards/ | 2022-09-12T13:43:59Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fictiv, the operating system for custom manufacturing, announced today that it has been named a 2022 Gartner Cool Vendor in Manufacturing Operations.
Each year, Gartner provides Cool Vendor reports which are designed to highlight interesting, new, and innovative vendors, products, and services. The report gives some recommendations to the manufacturing operations leaders who evaluate emerging technology for improved visibility, digitalization and operational excellence.
Fictiv enables collaborative and streamlined design and supply chain workflows across engineering and sourcing teams to vastly improve productivity and speed to market without compromising quality or design intent.
"We believe being recognized by Gartner shows that Fictiv is a leading company for on-demand digital manufacturing and enables our customers to be exponentially more productive, massively reduce costs, and accomplish much more with less latency," said Dave Evans, CEO and co-founder of Fictiv. "With the supply chain risks and delays the industry has experienced over the past two years, it's more important than ever for manufacturing companies to be as agile as possible. As I noted during my presentation at the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo™ 2022 in June, Fictiv demystifies and decongests the entire manufacturing process through our simplified sourcing infrastructure, and we continue to make that the focal point of our services."
Customers that utilize the Fictiv platform, which is SSAE 18 and System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II-compliant for security protocols, can expect a full software-based turnkey service, enabling access to on-demand, streamlined global manufacturing capacity through Fictiv's single online platform. Fictiv's AI-driven software platform, combined with boots-on-the-ground quality management professionals, eliminates time-consuming and repetitive tasks that manufacturers, engineers, and supply chain managers encounter when sourcing custom parts.
According to Gartner, "Increasing competition in the manufacturing industry puts pressure on organizations to reduce costs, improve customer experience, and increase profitability. Organizations armed with digital forces are disrupting business models with new value propositions."
Fictiv's inclusion in the Gartner 2022 Cool Vendors™in Manufacturing Operations report comes on the heels of the company receiving $100 million in a Series E funding round, the bolstering of Fictiv's injection molding manufacturing partner network in the U.S., and global expansion into India with a recent office opening in Pune. For more information on Fictiv, please visit the company's website.
Gartner, Cool Vendors in Manufacturing Operations, 2022, Rick Franzosa, Simon Jacobson, August 2022.
Gartner, Digital Transformation in Manufacturing, https://www.gartner.com/en/industries/manufacturing-digital-transformation
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. Gartner and Cool Vendors are registered trademarks and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Fictiv is the operating system (OS) for custom manufacturing that makes it faster, easier, and more efficient to source and supply mechanical parts. Its intelligent OS, supported by best-in-class operations talent, orchestrates a network of highly vetted and managed partners around the globe for fast, high-quality manufacturing, from quote to delivery. To date, Fictiv has manufactured more than 20 million parts for early-stage companies and large enterprises alike, helping them innovate with agility and get products to market faster.
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SOURCE Fictiv | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/fictiv-named-2022-gartner-cool-vendor-manufacturing-operations/ | 2022-09-08T16:47:24Z |
SALT LAKE CITY, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sera Prognostics Inc., The Pregnancy Company® (Nasdaq: SERA), focused on improving maternal and neonatal health by providing innovative pregnancy biomarker information to doctors and patients, today announced that the company will present at the 42nd Annual William Blair Growth Stock Conference on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 3:20 p.m. CT. Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D., M.S., Chairman and CEO, will provide a company update and discuss Sera's latest achievements.
A live webcast of the company's presentation at this event as well as a webcast replay will be available on the Investors section of the Sera Prognostics website.
About Sera Prognostics, Inc.
Sera Prognostics is a leading health diagnostics company dedicated to improving the lives of women and babies through precision pregnancy care. Sera's mission is to deliver early, pivotal information in pregnancy to physicians, enabling them to improve the health of their patients, resulting in reductions in the costs of healthcare delivery. Sera has a robust pipeline of innovative diagnostic tests focused on the early prediction of preterm birth risk and other complications of pregnancy. Sera's precision medicine PreTRM® Test reports to a physician the individualized risk of spontaneous premature delivery in a pregnancy, enabling earlier proactive interventions in women with higher risk. Sera Prognostics is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
About Preterm Birth
Preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 weeks' gestation and is the leading cause of illness and death in newborns. The 2021 March of Dimes Report Card shows that more than one in ten infants is born prematurely. Prematurity is associated with a significantly increased risk of major long-term medical complications, including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, chronic respiratory illness, intellectual disability, seizures, and vision and hearing loss, and can generate significant costs throughout the lives of affected children. The annual health care costs to manage short- and long-term complications of prematurity in the United States were estimated to be approximately $25 billion for 2016.
About the PreTRM® Test
The PreTRM® test is the only broadly validated, commercially available blood-based biomarker test that provides an early, accurate and individualized risk prediction for spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic singleton pregnancies. The PreTRM® test measures and analyzes proteins in the blood that are highly predictive of preterm birth. The PreTRM® test permits physicians to identify, during the 19th or 20th week of pregnancy, which women are at increased risk for preterm birth, enabling more informed, personalized clinical decisions based on each woman's individual risk. The PreTRM® test is ordered by a medical professional.
Sera Prognostics, the Sera Prognostics logo, The Pregnancy Company, and PreTRM are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sera Prognostics, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the Company's planned presentation and one-on-one meetings with investors at the aforementioned investor conference; and the company's strategic directives under the caption "About Sera Prognostics, Inc." These "forward-looking statements" are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: net losses, cash generation, and the potential need to raise more capital; revenues from the PreTRM test representing substantially all Company revenues to date; the need for broad scientific and market acceptance of the PreTRM test; a concentrated number of material customers; our ability to introduce new products; potential competition; our proprietary biobank; critical suppliers; the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our operations, as well as the business or operations of third parties with whom we conduct business; estimates of total addressable market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; potential third-party payer coverage and reimbursement; new reimbursement methodologies applicable to the PreTRM test, including new CPT codes and payment rates for those codes; changes in FDA regulation of laboratory-developed tests; the intellectual property rights protecting our tests and market position; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in our Final Prospectus on Form S-1, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2021, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, or Current Reports on Form 8-K. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.
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SOURCE Sera Prognostics, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/sera-prognostics-present-42nd-annual-william-blair-growth-stock-conference/ | 2022-06-06T19:40:56Z |
Air travel in the United States improved Monday after a rocky weekend that left thousands of flyers stranded by thunderstorms in Florida, technology problems at the busiest domestic airline and labor problems at another carrier.
However, airlines that do much of their flying in Florida were still struggling Monday, especially Spirit Airlines.
And airlines were bracing for another round of storms that were forecast to hit the Dallas area — home to American and Southwest — Monday night.
Airlines scrubbed more than 650 U.S. flights by late Monday afternoon, according to tracking service FlightAware.com. That followed the cancellation of more than 3,500 flights — about one in every 13 — over the weekend.
Thunderstorms led the Federal Aviation Administration to limit flights over much of Florida and briefly halt flights at several airports in the state on Saturday. That caused ripple effects across the country for the rest of the weekend, and some travelers reported having to wait before they could be put on another flight.
“It’s spring-break season, so unfortunately there is no worse place to have bad weather than Florida right now,” Henry Harteveldt, a travel-industry analyst for Atmosphere Research, said Monday. “The airlines are scrambling to get people where they want to go, they’re working to get planes to and from Florida. It’s going to take a couple days.”
On Monday, Spirit, which is based in Miramar, Florida, canceled more than 250 flights, or just over 30% of its schedule. The airline said it was recovering from bad weather in Florida and elsewhere over the previous several days.
“It takes time to get our crews and planes back into place after multiple days of weather and restrictions,” Spirit spokesman Erik Hofmeyer said. “We’re seeing improved operating conditions, and we expect to move toward resuming our normal operations over the next few days.”
JetBlue Airways, which flies frequently between Florida and the Northeast, canceled about 140 flights, or 13% of its total for the day.
Southwest Airlines, which operates more domestic flights than any airline, was doing much better on Monday — about 60 cancellations, 1% of its schedule, after scrubbing more than 900 flights, or about 13% of its total, Saturday and Sunday. The airline also suffered what it called intermittent technology problems over the weekend.
Southwest’s unusual point-to-point route map means that many of its planes stop in Florida at some point during a normal day. By contrast, American, Delta and United run so-called hub-and-spoke networks in which flights radiate outward from a few key airports. That keeps planes in one part of the country insulated from bad weather in other places.
Alaska Airlines, the fifth-largest U.S. carrier, canceled about 40 flights or 5% of its schedule Monday. Over the weekend, the airline seemed to blame the pilots’ union. Off-duty pilots have picketed at airports and an investor conference by the Seattle-based airline to protest the slow pace of contract negotiations over the past three years. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/airlines-reduce-cancellations-but-us-flight-problems-linger/ | 2022-04-05T13:40:03Z |
CHESTERFIELD, Mo., Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- iCover, a Missouri-based Insurtech that provides an algorithmic underwriting and QUI™ based eApp Service for life insurance companies, raised $5 million in Pre-Series A funding.
Lead investor for the round is Kesan Parasuraman, a private investor who also led iCover's Seed round in August 2021. The company intends to use the funds raised to increase technical staff, expand sales and marketing, and bolster R&D efforts related to their AI underwriting framework and private Blockchain network.
iCover is currently working with six (6) insurance companies and launching an array of products that include, Income Protection, Final Expense, Term and Whole Life. Insurance companies will use iCover's proprietary AI / algorithmic underwriting platform with the patent-pending QUI™ eApp technology to deliver a 5-minute point-of-sale buying journey for consumers.
iCover's omnichannel capabilities will help insurance partners launch products and sell through agency, direct to consumer and embedded channels.
"In terms of traction and momentum, 2022 has been a great year so far. Fast and accurate Point-of-Sale underwriting has become more relevant than ever before. With this capital infusion, we can fuel our sales and marketing efforts through 2023 and expand iCover's Intellectual Property with increased R&D in the areas of AI and Blockchain," said Hari Srinivasan, Founder & CEO for iCover.
iCover is the first "plug and play" algorithmic underwriting platform in the InsurTech space. iCover's proprietary underwriting framework comes with pre-configured guidelines and algorithms to score and price life insurance applications based on medical and non-medical data. By leveraging patent pending QUI™ technology and algorithmic underwriting, iCover can quote, underwrite, and deliver life insurance at the point-of-sale in under 5 minutes. iCover was built by industry insiders Hari Srinivasan and Nicole Mwesigwa who applied their 30+ years of InsurTech experience and intimate knowledge of automated underwriting technologies. To learn more about iCover, visit www.icoverinsure.com.
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SOURCE iCover | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/icover-raises-5-million-pre-series-funding/ | 2022-08-31T16:27:28Z |
Metallurgical tests now being conducted show promise in streamlining the expected production of niobium, scandium, titanium, and rare earths and in reducing expected greenhouse gas emissions by the Elk Creek Project's planned facility in Nebraska
CENTENNIAL, Colo., June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Metallurgical testing being conducted now by NioCorp Developments Ltd. ("NioCorp" or the "Company") (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF) in Quebec, Canada, is intended to quantify the Company's ability to extract rare earth elements ("REEs") from Elk Creek ore. It is also aimed at testing a carbonation process that can be used to recycle key reagents used in the removal of calcium and magnesium carbonates from the Elk Creek ore ahead of operations that are expected to extract and recover niobium, scandium, titanium, and rare earths once project financing is secured.
If proven successful at the demonstration plant scale, these process improvements have the potential to reduce projected Project operating costs ("OPEX") and capital expenditures ("CAPEX") as compared to estimates in the Project's May 2022 feasibility study (reported here), as well as to lower the Project's anticipated production of greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions as compared to projections in the May 2022 feasibility study. These process improvements also could allow the Company to produce calcium and magnesium materials at purity levels that may be sold as commercial products; however, further analysis and testing is required to determine whether there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction for calcium and magnesium before they could be included in the Elk Creek Mineral Resource.
NioCorp's metallurgical consultants at L3 Process Innovation ("L3") are continuing to perform bench and pilot-scale testing of these process improvements at a dedicated facility in Quebec. The testing will advance from the bench and pilot scale to the demonstration plant scale once the remaining equipment for the demonstration plant arrives and the demonstration plant assembly can be completed and testing begun. Launch of demonstration plant testing is expected to occur in the coming weeks.
Process Improvements Explained
The Elk Creek Project's existing process flowsheet envisions using hydrochloric acid to remove calcium and magnesium carbonates, and other impurities from mined ore, requiring a significant amount of capital and operating expense to recover and recycle the hydrochloric acid.
Given NioCorp's emphasis on recycling and recovery operations throughout the Elk Creek Project's design, L3's optimized design for the flow sheet utilizes thermal treatment, ammonium chloride, and carbonation to break down the carbonate minerals in the mined ore and remove virtually all of the calcium and magnesium from the ore. Removing these materials early in the process allows for the rest of NioCorp's processing plant to be smaller and operate more efficiently.
If proven at the demonstration plant level, this design is expected to substantially reduce the amount of acid consumed by the operation, which could lead to lower CAPEX and OPEX costs for the Project than those projected in the Project's May 2022 Feasibility Study.
Possible Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The improved design also regenerates the ammonium chloride consumed during the carbonation stage. Carbonation consumes carbon dioxide and reduces the GHG footprint of the prospective operation.
The optimized design and carbonation process all utilize proven technologies and are not expected to introduce additional technology risk to the Project if they are implemented in the Project's final design.
Recently, L3 was able to demonstrate that this carbonation step can produce a calcium and magnesium product that is 96%-97% pure. NioCorp intends to further evaluate the use of this product for underground mine backfill as well as to investigate its potential as a saleable byproduct. The L3 demonstration plant, when constructed and operational, is expected to produce tens of kilograms of this material that can be used for evaluation purposes.
"I have been very pleased with the progress that the L3 team has been making toward proving the technical feasibility of this innovative approach to the Elk Creek Project's flowsheet," said Scott Honan, NioCorp's Chief Operating Officer. "This work illustrates how strongly NioCorp is committed to reducing our net greenhouse gas emissions when and where we can. Niobium, scandium, titanium, and the rare earths all play critical roles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the products in which they are used. We would also like to produce these critical minerals with as low a GHG profile as possible."
Qualified Persons
Eric Larochelle, B.Eng., Co-Owner, L3 Process Development, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information related to hydrometallurgy contained in this news release.
Scott Honan, M.Sc., SME-RM, COO of NioCorp Developments Ltd., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the additional technical information contained in the news release.
@NioCorp $NB.TO $NIOBF #Niobium #Scandium #ElkCreek #rareearth #neodymium #terbium #dysprosium
Contact Jim Sims, VP of External Affairs, NioCorp Developments Ltd., +1 (303) 503-6203, jim.sims@niocorp.com
NioCorp is developing a superalloy materials project in Southeast Nebraska that will produce Niobium, Scandium, and Titanium. The Company also is evaluating the potential to produce several rare earth byproducts from the Project. Niobium is used to produce superalloys as well as High Strength, Low Alloy ("HSLA") steel, which is a lighter, stronger steel used in automotive, structural, and pipeline applications. Scandium is a superalloy material that can be combined with Aluminum to make alloys with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance. Scandium is also a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells. Titanium is used in various superalloys and is a key component of pigments used in paper, paint and plastics and is also used for aerospace applications, armor, and medical implants. Magnetic rare earths, such as Neodymium, Praseodymium, Terbium, and Dysprosium are critical to the making of Neodymium-Iron-Boron ("NdFeB") magnets, which are used across a wide variety of defense and civilian applications.
Certain statements contained in this document may constitute forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's expectations that, once financed and engaged in commercial production, the Project will have reduced operating costs and capital expenditures compared to estimates in the Project's May 2020 feasibility study, including reductions in GHGs; the expectation that the optimized design and carbonization process will not introduce additional technological risk to the Project; the Company's intention to evaluate the use of calcium and magnesium for underground mine backfill as well as to investigate its potential as a saleable byproduct; and the expected production of the L3 demonstration plant. Such forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause a change in such forward-looking statements and the actual outcomes and estimates to be materially different from those estimated or anticipated future results, achievements or position expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause NioCorp's plans or prospects to change include risks related to NioCorp's ability to operate as a going concern; risks related to NioCorp's requirement of significant additional capital; changes in demand for and price of commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; changes or disruptions in the securities markets; legislative, political or economic developments; the need to obtain permits and comply with laws and regulations and other regulatory requirements; the possibility that actual results of work may differ from projections/expectations or may not realize the perceived potential of NioCorp's projects; risks of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in development programs; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, mining or development activities; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of reserves and resources; the risks involved in the exploration, development and mining business, and the risks set forth in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators at www.sedar.com and the SEC at www.sec.gov. NioCorp disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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SOURCE NioCorp Developments Ltd. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/process-enhancements-niocorps-critical-minerals-project-plans-point-possible-capex-opex-reductions-possible-lower-greenhouse-gas-emissions/ | 2022-06-06T12:09:57Z |
SHANGHAI, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals officially launched STAL (Super-Trillion Antibody Libraries) on June 3, 2022, which is a super-trillion innovative antibody drug discovery platform of Sanyou's own intellectual property.
Developed by Sanyou after seven years of continuous innovation and independent R&D, STAL represents a significant breakthrough over the previous generation of the sub-trillion innovative antibody discovery platforms. The STAL discovery platform integrates nine categories of super-trillion innovative antibody libraries with the overall library capacity up to 10 trillion. The screening validations with dozens of targets showed that thousands of innovative lead antibodies can be discovered via the STAL platform, and the quantity is dozens or even hundreds of times that of canonical methods.
Hundreds of millions of patients worldwide are suffering from cancer, autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases and metabolic diseases every year. Drugs including monoclonal antibody, bispecific antibody, ADC, AOC, RAC, PDC and CAR-T therapy are the mainstream treatments for these diseases. More than 100 of biological drugs have been approved with total annual market revenue approaching $200 billion. Antibodies with high specificities are the common core components of these drugs and play an important role in precise targeting.
The STAL discovery platform integrates technologies of phage display and mammalian cell expression, and is supplemented with fully automated screening and integrated antibody drug R&D platforms. The STAL is effective for challenging innovative targets and development of highly difficult drug modalities. It can meet the R&D needs related to the discovery of various innovative biological drugs, including fully human antibodies, humanized single domain antibodies, humanized monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, multi-specific antibodies, polypeptides, ADC, PDC and miniaturized proteins. The obtained candidates have natural conformations, high affinity and high developability.
The STAL discovery platform is underpinned by a client-oriented, modular, diversified, and customized business system, which is not only applicable to the R&D of various innovative biological drugs, but also to the research of disease mechanisms and development of the diagnostic products. Dozens of projects from the platform have delivered the pre-clinical candidates, several projects have completed the pre-clinical R&D and entered the clinical phase.
Dr. Guojun Lang, CEO of Sanyou said: "the research and development of innovative drugs have gradually entered a challenging era where we to overcome highly difficult innovative targets, novel drug modalities and intriguingly complex diseases ".
"The STAL Discovery Platform comprises nine super-trillion antibody libraries, with the number of lead antibodies up to hundreds of times that of canonical antibody discovery technologies. The platform integrates the generation technologies of a variety of biological drugs such as fully human antibodies, humanized antibodies, miniaturized nanobodies, affinitive polypeptides, and affinitive miniaturized proteins, so that it is suitable not only for developing antibodies targeting conventional epitopes, but also for developing antibodies targeting specific epitopes and refined epitopes. Also, the platform seamlessly integrates phage display technology and mammalian cell expression technology so that it is suitable not only for cross-screening with proteins of different species such as human, mouse, and monkey, but also for positive/negative screening of differentiated proteins such as mutation sites, competing antibodies, Fc fusion proteins and His fusion proteins, as well as for complex screening of difficult targets such as cellular antigens, polypeptide antigens, and transmembrane antigens."
"The STAL Discovery Platform has been modularly integrated with the Pre-Clinical Integrated Innovative Antibody Drug R&D Platform. As a result, various antibody discovery services, featured technical services and staged technical services can be implemented flexibly, and pre-clinical candidate discovery and integrated R&D of pre-clinical biological drugs can be completed as an one-stop solution. On the basis of this platform, Sanyou is also developing an intelligent innovative antibody drug discovery platform."
"It is believed that the Pre-Clinical Integrated Innovative Antibody Drug R&D Platform, the STAL Discovery Platform, and the Intelligent Innovative Antibody Drug Discovery Platform of Sanyou will prominently help our partners to lead the competition, overcome difficulties in drug innovations, and develop more high-quality innovative drugs to benefit the patients."
About Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals
Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. is a world-leading biotechnology and high-tech enterprise focusing on R&D and services of innovative antibody drugs.
Sanyou is committed to establishing an internationally leading high-quality, high-throughput and integrated R&D and value transformation platform for innovative antibody drugs, constructing a business ecosystem including therapy, R&D, and diagnostic products and services, and cooperating with global biopharmaceutical, diagnostic, and drug R&D companies to make new progress in the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.
Sanyou has established an integrated innovative antibody drug R&D laboratory of several thousand square meters with advanced facilities. There are 10 major functional modules and more than 40 core technological platforms, which are featured by a series of Super-Trillion phage display antibody libraries and integrated platforms covering innovative antibody drug discovery, innovative antibody drug optimization, production cell line construction, upstream and downstream process development, preclinical R&D and industrial development, etc.
Sanyou has built a business system that integrates "differentiated CRO, innovative CPO and characteristic CRS", and consistently launches new technologies, new products, new services, and new scenarios based on the principle of high quality, fast delivery and cost-efficiency. Friendly business collaborations have been established with more than 300 pharmaceutical companies, drug R&D institutions and diagnostics companies worldwide.
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SOURCE Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/03/sanyou-super-trillion-innovative-antibody-drug-discovery-platform-announced-world-premiere/ | 2022-06-03T01:05:28Z |
Idaho’s April unemployment rate falls to historic low of 2.6%
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6% in April, down from March’s rate of 2.7%.
April’s rate marks the third consecutive month of historic lows since record keeping began in 1976.
The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 4,770 people (0.5%) to 937,023. Labor force participation increased by one-tenth of a percent between March and April to 62.1%. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.
Total employment grew from March by 5,409 (0.6%) to 912,953 while total unemployment dropped by 639 (-2.6%) to 24,070.
According to Help Wanted Online, there were 49,443 online job postings in Idaho during April, or 2.1 job openings for every unemployed Idahoan looking for work.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs exceeded expectations in April, with an increase of 3,000 jobs to 815,500. Total nonfarm jobs in Idaho were 5.3% above the February 2020 pre-pandemic peak. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include natural resources (4.3%), wholesale trade (2%), professional and business services (1.8%), private educational services (1.5%) and nondurable goods manufacturing (1.3%).
Industries with the greatest job declines include arts, entertainment and recreation (-2%); information (-1.3%) and other services (-1.1%).
Twin Falls experienced the fastest over-the-month nonfarm job gains among the state’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), increasing by 1.4%. Lewiston saw a nonfarm job increase of 1%, followed by Idaho Falls and Pocatello with 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Coeur d’Alene experienced the only decrease of 0.3%. Boise saw no change.
Year over Year
Idaho’s unemployment rate was down 1.2 percentage points from April 2021. The labor force was up 2.5%, an increase of 22,901 people.
The number of unemployed Idahoans dropped 31.3% (-10,973) from April 2021, while the number of employed rose 3.9% (33,874).
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs total increased by 3.2% (25,200) over April 2021. Every major industry sector showed over-the-year job increases except for federal government (-2.9%).
All six of Idaho’s MSAs saw year-over-year nonfarm job gains. Twin Falls saw the largest increase with 5.6%, followed by Idaho Falls (5.1%), Pocatello (4.3%), Coeur d’Alene (3.6%), Boise (3.2%) and Lewiston (1.7%).
National Comparisons
Nationally, unemployment was mostly unchanged with the rate remaining at 3.6% in April and the number of unemployed down 13,068 to 5.9 million. The national unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percent above its pre-pandemic rate of 3.5% in February 2020. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 428,000 (0.3%) to 151.3 million and was 1% below pre-pandemic levels. | https://localnews8.com/news/idaho/2022/05/20/idahos-april-unemployment-rate-falls-to-historic-low-of-2-6/ | 2022-05-20T17:59:01Z |
CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla., June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) is raising awareness of research linking highly significant elemental mercury excretion to the presence of dental amalgam fillings in the mouth. These so-called "silver" fillings also called amalgams are actually 50% or more mercury and are widely used in the United States, in all branches of the military, low-cost insurance and disadvantaged children and adults.
In the present study, researchers David and Mark Geier reviewed the urinary mercury excretion of over 150 million Americans using the CDC's 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES). The Geiers' found a highly significant relationship between the number of dental amalgam filling surfaces in the mouth and amounts of mercury excreted. They compared the amounts of mercury being excreted to the current mercury minimum risk levels of both the US EPA and California's EPA.
It is important to note that the number of surfaces is not the same as the number of fillings. Each tooth has five surfaces, which means that a person with only one filling could have up to five surfaces.
Of the 91 million (57.8%) adults who had 1 or more surfaces of mercury fillings, the amount of mercury in their urine correlated significantly with the number of surfaces of amalgam. The Geiers' wrote that, "Daily Hg vapor doses from amalgams were in excess of the most protective California's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety limit for about 86 million (54.3%) adults". The US EPA minimum risk level (MRL) for mercury is considerably higher than CalEPA's MRL due to the fact that by statute CalEPA's MRL must protect the vulnerable, not the average. However, 16 million adults are exposed to levels of mercury greater than the US EPA's MRL.
Similar information about excessive exposure was presented by the IAOMT at the FDA expert hearing on the safety of amalgam in 2010 and one dentist on the panel asked the experts from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) how much over the MRL can you go and still be safe. Dr. Richard Kennedy of ATSDR explained that one cannot exceed the MRL and still expect to be safe.
In September 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated risks of dental amalgam fillings for susceptible groups and identified fetal exposure during pregnancy as the most critical exposure and recommends no amalgam fillings for women from fetus to menopause because of that risk. Additionally, the FDA recommended that children, people with neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, people with impaired kidney function, and people with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam avoid having these mercury fillings placed.
"Toxic mercury vapors are continually off-gassed from dental amalgam fillings with stimulation such as chewing," explains David Kennedy, DDS, Past IAOMT President. "With the Geiers' new research joining the ranks of hundreds of other studies, it is abundantly clear that mercury from amalgams pose a danger to everyone, including unborn babies, patients, dentists, and dental employees."
The Geiers' study was partially funded by the IAOMT, a non-profit organization that evaluates biocompatibility of dental products, including mercury filling risks.
Contact: David Kennedy, DDS, IAOMT Public Relations Chair, info@iaomt.org
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT)
Phone: (863) 420-6373; Website: www.iaomt.org
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SOURCE International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/new-research-confirms-majority-americans-mercury-exposure-dental-amalgam-mercury-fillings-exceeds-california-safety-limit/ | 2022-06-14T10:11:52Z |
FOSHAN, China, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited ("Bright Scholar," the "Company," "we" or "our") (NYSE: BEDU), a global premier education service company, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third fiscal quarter of fiscal 2022 ended May 31, 2022.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Third Fiscal Quarter Ended May 31, 2022 Financial Highlights
(in comparison to the same period of the last fiscal year):
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2022 Financial Highlights
(in comparison to the same period of the last fiscal year):
Overseas Schools (CATS Global Schools)
CATS Global Schools include 4 Stafford House locations in UK, 4 CATS Colleges in US and UK, Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts and 3 independent boarding schools in UK as of May 31, 2022.
- Revenue amounted to RMB187.9 million, representing a 32.1% increase compared to RMB142.3 million in the same fiscal quarter last year, and accounted for 42.9% of the total revenue for the third fiscal quarter.
- For the nine-month period, revenue amounted to RMB531.1 million, representing a 24.4% increase compared to RMB427.1 million in the same period of last fiscal year, and accounted for 40.5% of the total revenue.
Complementary Education Services
The complementary education services business comprises language training, overseas study counselling, career counselling, study tour and camps as well as international contest training and others.
- Revenue amounted to RMB138.0 million, compared to RMB147.5 million in the same fiscal quarter last year, and accounted for 31.5% of the total revenue for the third fiscal quarter.
- For the nine-month period, revenue amounted to RMB456.9 million, representing a 3.1% increase compared to RMB443.0 million for the same period of last fiscal year, and accounted for 34.8% of the total revenue.
Domestic Kindergartens & K-12 Operation Services
The domestic kindergartens & K-12 operation services business comprises of for-profit kindergartens and operation services for domestic K-12 schools including catering and procurement services.
- Revenue amounted to RMB111.6 million, representing a 53.6% increase compared to RMB72.6 million in the same fiscal quarter last year, and accounted for 25.6% of the total revenue for the third fiscal quarter.
- For the nine-month period, revenue amounted to RMB323.1 million, representing a 52.6% increase compared to RMB211.7 million for the same period of last fiscal year, and accounted for 24.7% of the total revenue.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On Repayment of Senior Notes
As of the earnings release date, Bright Scholar has redeemed all of its outstanding senior notes matured (the "Redemption") on July 31, 2022 (the "Maturity Date"). The redemption price included the principal amount of all outstanding Senior Notes of US$223,984,000 and the interest of US$8,343,404 accrued till the day before the Maturity Date. The redemption price paid by the Company on the Maturity Date is US$232,327,404.
Upon completion of the Redemption, all the senior notes will be cancelled and delisted from the official list of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
On Going Private Proposal
On April 29, 2022, the Company received a preliminary non-binding proposal letter (the "Proposal") from its Chairperson of the board of directors (the "Board"), Ms. Huiyan Yang, and Ms. Meirong Yang (collectively, the "Buyer Group") proposing to acquire all of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares of the Company (the "Class A Shares"), including Class A Shares represented by American depositary shares (the "ADSs," each representing one Class A ordinary share), and Class B ordinary shares of the Company (the "Class B Shares," and together with the Class A Shares, the "Shares") that are not beneficially owned by the Buyer Group for a purchase price of US$0.83 per Share in cash in a going private transaction (the "Proposed Transaction"), subject to certain conditions.
On May 6, 2022, the Board announced that it is has formed a special committee (the "Special Committee") consisting of three independent directors, Mr. Peter Andrew Schloss, Mr. Jun Zhao and Mr. Ronald J. Packard, to evaluate and consider the Proposal. Mr. Schloss chairs the Special Committee.
On July 21, 2022, the Special Committee announced the appointment of Citigroup Global Markets Asia Limited as independent financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as legal counsel to the Special Committee to assist it in the process of reviewing and evaluation of the Proposal and any alternative strategic options that the Company may pursue.
"Multiple market and segment performances reflect broad and gradual resumption of its business momentum," said Mr. Jerry He, Executive Vice Chairman of Bright Scholar. "For continuing operation in the quarter, we recorded a 20.7% growth in revenue and enhancement in operating margin from (19.3%) to 4.4%, compared to the same quarter last fiscal year. On the nine-month basis, top line revenue grew by 21.2% year-over-year, with operating margin improved from (17.2%) to (0.3%)."
Mr. He commented on the performance of overseas school business, "The recovery of overseas business has started to gather momentum. We are pleased to see more and more students back to campus, as a result, our top line revenue increased 32.1% for the quarter and 24.4% for the nine-month period. Our effective cost management measures also yielded results with operating loss continued to narrow."
"Despite the challenges amid the regional outbreak of pandemic and travel restrictions, the effective COVID-19 containment strategy continues to provide a conducive environment for business recovery across China," commented by Mr. Zi Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Complementary Education Services. "In particularly, we have been encouraged by the recovery of our overseas study counselling, international contest training, and other quality training business with respective revenue grew by 24.3%, 15.7% and 22.9% year-over-year on a nine-month basis, respectively. Camp business also recorded a promising advanced bookings for summer activities in our main camp sites in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Guangdong. Our margin profile continues to enhance as we focus on maintaining a competitive cost base to respond to dynamic business environment and optimizing returns by expanding our business portfolio."
"Our focus remains firmly on rebuilding our business revenues and we are pleased with the progress," said Ms. Wanmei Li, Chief Executive Officer of Domestic Kindergartens & K-12 Operation Services. "In the quarter, revenue increased by 53.6%. On nine-month basis, revenue grew by 52.6%. The business and financial performance mainly attributed to the expansion of catering services to the students of additional 7 schools and 7 kindergartens over the last nine months. As of the end of May 2022, we had provided catering services to the students in a total of 21 schools and 56 kindergartens."
Mr. He concluded, "Looking ahead, we will be vigilant to the continued risks related to rising inflationary cost pressures, COVID, geopolitical tensions, and regulatory changes that could affect our businesses. The management team remains steadfast in its commitment to rebuild our domestic business, further improve operational efficiency through effective cost control, strengthen business resilience through diversification and capitalize emerging opportunities to speed up the pace of recovery."
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE THIRD FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MAY 31, 2022
Revenue from Continuing Operations
Revenue for the quarter was RMB437.5 million, representing a 20.7% increase from RMB362.4 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Overseas Schools: Revenue contribution for the quarter was RMB187.9 million, representing a 32.1% increase from RMB142.3 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly attributable to the recovery of overseas schools' operation from pandemic.
Complementary Education Services: Revenue contribution for the quarter was RMB138.0 million, as compared to RMB147.5 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The decrease was mainly attributable to the decrease in language training and study tour and camp business.
Domestic Kindergartens & K-12 Operation Services: Revenue contribution for the quarter was RMB111.6 million, representing a 53.6% increase from RMB72.6 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase in catering services to the students of K-12 schools.
We have continued to provide essential services without recognizing any revenues relating to such activities to schools provide compulsory education in our discontinued operations, which are key to the normal daily operation of such schools.
Cost of Revenue from Continuing Operations
Cost of revenue for the quarter was RMB302.2 million, as compared to RMB310.0 million for the same period last fiscal year.
Gross Profit, Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Profit from Continuing Operations
Gross profit for the quarter was RMB135.4 million, representing a 158.2% increase from RMB52.4 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Gross margin increased to 30.9% from 14.5% for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted gross profit for the quarter was RMB139.9 million, representing a 147.1% increase from RMB56.6 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses and Adjusted SG&A Expenses from Continuing Operations (6)
Total SG&A expenses for the quarter were RMB117.1 million, as compared to RMB129.2 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted SG&A expenses for the quarter were RMB117.1 million, as compared to RMB128.5 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Operating Income/Loss, Operating Margin and Adjusted Operating Income/Loss from Continuing Operations
Operating income for the quarter was RMB19.3 million, representing a 127.5% increase from operating loss of RMB70.1 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Operating margin was 4.4% for the quarter, as compared to (19.3%) for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted operating income for the quarter was RMB23.8 million, representing a 136.4% increase from adjusted operating loss of RMB65.3 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Net (Loss)/Income and Adjusted Net Loss
Net loss for the quarter was RMB7.1 million. Net income was RMB163.9 million for the same period of the last fiscal year, which includes net loss of RMB94.2 million from continuing operations and net income of RMB258.1 million from discontinued operations.
Adjusted net loss for the quarter was RMB3.5 million, as compared to adjusted net loss of RMB90.2 for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Net Loss per ordinary share/ADS and Adjusted Net Loss per ordinary share/ADS
Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders from continuing operations for the quarter were RMB0.08 and RMB0.08, respectively, as compared to loss of RMB0.73 and RMB0.73, respectively, for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders for the quarter were RMB0.05 and RMB0.05, respectively, as compared to loss of RMB0.69 and RMB0.69, respectively, for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was RMB69.0 million, as compared to RMB3.2 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2022
Revenue from Continuing Operations
Revenue for the period was RMB1,311.1 million, representing a 21.2% increase from RMB1,081.8 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Overseas Schools: Revenue contribution for the period was RMB531.1 million, representing a 24.4% increase from RMB427.1 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly attributable to the recovery of overseas schools operation from pandemic.
Complementary Education Services: Revenue contribution for the period was RMB456.9 million. It represented a 3.1% increase from RMB443.0 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly attributable to the recovery of overseas study counselling business, expansion of international contest business, and other quality education training.
Domestic Kindergartens & K-12 Operation Services: Revenue contribution for the period was RMB323.1 million, representing a 52.6% increase from RMB211.7 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly due to an increase in catering services to the students at K-12 schools and management and operation services for kindergartens.
We have continued to provide essential services without recognizing any revenues relating to such activities to schools that provide compulsory education in our discontinued operations, which are key to the normal daily operation of such schools.
Cost of Revenue from Continuing Operations
Cost of revenue for the period was RMB916.7 million, as compared to RMB908.6 million for the same period last fiscal year.
Gross Profit, Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Profit from Continuing Operations
Gross profit for the period was RMB394.3 million, representing a 127.7% increase from RMB173.2 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Gross margin increased to 30.1% from 16.0% for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted gross profit for the period was RMB408.2 million, representing a 121.1% increase from RMB184.7 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses and Adjusted SG&A Expenses from Continuing Operations
Total SG&A expenses for the period were RMB402.1 million, as compared to RMB377.4 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted SG&A expenses for the period were RMB402.9 million, as compared to RMB375.3 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Operating Loss, Operating Margin and Adjusted Operating Income/Loss from Continuing Operations
Operating loss for the period was RMB3.7 million, representing a 98.0% decrease in loss from operating loss of RMB185.7 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Operating margin was (0.3%) for the period, as compared to (17.2%) for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted operating income for the period was RMB9.4 million, representing a 105.5% increase from adjusted operating loss of RMB172.2 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Net (Loss)/Income and Adjusted Net Loss
Net loss for the period was RMB60.0 million. Net income was RMB312.4 million for the same period of the last fiscal year, which includes net loss of RMB255.9 million from continuing operations and net income of RMB568.3 million from discontinued operations.
Adjusted net loss for the period was RMB49.9 million, as compared to adjusted net loss of RMB244.7 for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Net Loss per ordinary share/ADS and Adjusted Net Loss per ordinary share/ADS
Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders from continuing operations for the period were RMB0.49 and RMB0.49, respectively, as compared to loss of RMB2.13 and RMB2.13, respectively, for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders for the period were RMB0.41 and RMB0.41, respectively, as compared to loss of RMB2.04 and RMB2.04, respectively, for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the period was RMB196.7 million, as compared to adjusted EBITDA loss of RMB0.5 million for the same period of the last fiscal year.
Cash and Working Capital
As of May 31, 2022, the Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were RMB1,371.6 million (US$205.6 million), as compared to RMB1,492.6 million as of February 28, 2022. The company also had short-term investments of RMB1,234.8 million (US$185.1 million) as of May 31, 2022.
CONVENIENCE TRANSLATION
The Company's reporting currency is Renminbi ("RMB"). However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into U.S. dollars using the prevailing exchange rates at the balance sheet date, for the convenience of readers. Translations of balances in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations, and cash flows from RMB into U.S. dollars as of and for the quarter and nine-month ended May 31, 2022 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB6.6715, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on May 31, 2022. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on May 31, 2022 or at any other rate.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In evaluating our business, we consider and use certain non-GAAP measures, including primarily adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted gross profit/(loss), adjusted SG&A expenses, adjusted operating income/(loss), adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders basic and diluted as supplemental measures to review and assess our operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define adjusted gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations as gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations excluding amortization of intangible assets. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income/(loss) excluding interest income/(expense), net, income tax expense/benefit, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. We define adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. We define adjusted SG&A expenses from continuing operations as selling, general and administration expense from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expense. We define adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations as net operating income/(loss) from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets. Additionally, we define adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic and diluted, as adjusted net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders (net income/(loss) to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax) divided by the weighted average number of basic and diluted ordinary shares or American depositary shares, each representing one Class A ordinary share of the Company, on an as-converted basis.
We incur amortization expense of intangible assets related to various acquisitions that have been made in recent years. These intangible assets are valued at the time of acquisition and are then amortized over a period of several years after the acquisition. We believe that exclusion of these expenses allows greater comparability of operating results that are consistent over time for the Company's newly-acquired and long-held business as the related intangibles do not have significant connection to the growth of the business. Therefore, we provide exclusion of amortization of intangible assets to define adjusted gross profit from continuing operations, adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted net income/(loss), and adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic and diluted. In addition, due to the impact of the amended Implementation Regulations of the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the People's Republic of China (the "Implementation Rules"), the Affected Entities(7) deconsolidated is classified as discontinued operations, which is a non-recurring item. The exclusion facilitates comparisons of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Therefore, we provide exclusion of income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, to define adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic and diluted.
We present the non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. Such non-GAAP measures include adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted SG&A expenses from continuing operations, adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders basic and diluted. Non-GAAP financial measures enable our management to assess our operating results without considering the impact of non-cash charges, including depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation expense, and without considering the impact of non-operating items such as interest income/(expense), net; income tax expense/benefit; share-based compensation expense; amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets, and without considering the impact of non-recurring item, i.e. income/(loss) from discontinued operations. We also believe that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of our operating performance.
The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Interest income/(expense), net; income tax expense/benefit; depreciation and amortization; share-based compensation expense; tax effect of amortization of intangible assets; and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of these non-GAAP measures, including adjusted EBITDA or adjusted net income/(loss). Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.
About Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited
Bright Scholar is a global premier education service company, which primarily provides quality international education to global students and equip them with the critical academic foundation and skillsets necessary to succeed in the pursuit of higher education. Bright Scholar also complements its international offerings with Chinese government-mandated curriculum for students who wish to maintain the option of pursuing higher education in China.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's business plans and development, which can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.
IR Contact:
GCM Strategic Communications
Email: BEDU.IR@gcm.international
Media Contact:
Email: media@brightscholar.com
Phone: +86-757-6683-2507
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SOURCE Bright Scholar Education Holdings Ltd. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/bright-scholar-announces-unaudited-financial-results-third-fiscal-quarter-fiscal-2022/ | 2022-08-04T22:23:20Z |
CARLSBAD, Calif., June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS), the leader in RNA-targeted therapeutics, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation and rare pediatric disease designation to ION582, an investigational antisense medicine for the treatment of Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder caused by the loss of function of the maternally inherited Ubiquitin Protein Ligase E3A (UBE3A) gene. ION582 targets UBE3A.
Angelman syndrome, which affects an estimated one in 12,000 to 20,000 people globally,1 presents early in life with profound and severe developmental delays in motor, language and cognitive functioning, seizures and ataxia. It is a neuro-developmental disorder that generally does not improve following symptom onset in early childhood, resulting in complete dependence on a caregiver. Currently, there are no disease-modifying treatments for Angelman syndrome.
"Receiving FDA orphan drug designation for ION582 reflects the important and urgent need for delivering an effective treatment to patients living with Angelman syndrome. Ionis is committed to working closely with regulators, clinical investigators, patients and caregivers to advance this novel treatment and make it available to those who need it," said C. Frank Bennett, Ph.D., executive vice president, chief scientific officer and franchise leader for neurological programs at Ionis.
Under the FDA's Orphan Drug Act, orphan drug status provides incentives, including tax credits, grants and waiver of certain administrative fees for clinical trials, and seven years of market exclusivity following drug approval. The FDA defines a rare pediatric disease as a serious or life-threatening disease that primarily affects individuals from birth to 18 years of age. Under the FDA's rare pediatric disease designation and voucher programs, if Ionis receives marketing approval for ION582 for Angelman syndrome, the company may qualify for a voucher that can be redeemed to receive a priority review of a subsequent marketing application for a different product.
ION582 is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2, open-label, dose-escalation clinical study in up to approximately 44 participants with Angelman syndrome. For more information on the HALOS Study (NCT05127226), visit clinicaltrials.gov.
For more than 30 years, Ionis has been the leader in RNA-targeted therapy, pioneering new markets and changing standards of care with its novel antisense technology. Ionis currently has three marketed medicines and a premier late-stage pipeline highlighted by industry-leading cardiovascular and neurological franchises. Our scientific innovation began and continues with the knowledge that sick people depend on us, which fuels our vision of becoming a leading, fully integrated biotechnology company.
To learn more about Ionis visit www.ionispharma.com and follow us on Twitter @ionispharma.
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Ionis' business and the therapeutic and commercial potential of Ionis' technologies, ION582 and other products in development. Any statement describing Ionis' goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those related to the impact COVID-19 could have on our business, and including but not limited to those related to our commercial products and the medicines in our pipeline, and particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing medicines that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such medicines. Ionis' forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Although Ionis' forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by Ionis. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Ionis' programs are described in additional detail in Ionis' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the most recent Form 10-Q quarterly filing, which are on file with the SEC. Copies of these and other documents are available from the Company.
In this press release, unless the context requires otherwise, "Ionis," "Company," "we," "our," and "us" refers to Ionis Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiaries.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals® is a trademark of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1 Mertz LG, Christensen R, Vogel I, Hertz JM, Nielsen KB, Gronskov K, Ostergaard JR. Angelman syndrome in Denmark. birth incidence, genetic findings, and age at diagnosis. Am J Med Genet A. 2013;161A:2197–203.
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SOURCE Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/ionis-treatment-angelman-syndrome-receives-orphan-drug-rare-pediatric-disease-designations-us-fda/ | 2022-06-13T11:33:34Z |
Socially-relevant sports drama from Pensé Productions hits the road with fresh new faces
LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket, Stranger Things) and Cynthia McWilliams (Real Husbands of Hollywood, Bosch) are set to star in the cycling drama Hard Miles. The film will co-star Leslie David Baker (The Office) and newcomers, Jahking Guillory, Jackson Kelly, Zach T. Robbins, and Damien Diaz. Multi-platinum country music star and cycling enthusiast Dierks Bentley makes a cameo appearance in the film.
Based on a true story, Hard Miles chronicles the journey of Coach Greg Townsend and his Ridge View Academy cycling team. Townsend, who is a consultant on the film, works for Rite of Passage, an organization that runs facilities for young men convicted of crimes ranging from substance abuse violations to gang-related offenses. Cycling and exercise are part of the of a holistic program designed to help the young men heal and grow.
Modine will portray coach Townsend, who led the cycling team for the past three decades. McWilliams supports as empathetic youth counselor Haddie, and Dierks Bentley cameos as the fictitious "Bike Shop Bob".
The movie has also enlisted the help of cycling veterans and former pros Christian Vande Velde and George Hincapie. A Hard Miles inspired charity ride is in the works with Gran Fondo Hincapie, a renowned cycling event held in different cities across the US.
Hard Miles is written and directed by 2021 Academy Nicholl Fellow R.J. Daniel Hanna, with Christian Sander co-writing and producing. Scott Sander is exec producing for Pensé Productions. Cast includes Emily Kincaid, Judah Mackey, and Jaxon Goldenberg.
Production is underway in Los Angeles and Lone Pine, CA.
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SOURCE Pensé Productions | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/young-cast-gears-up-with-matthew-modine-cycling-movie-hard-miles/ | 2022-06-16T14:27:20Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention Stitch Fix, Inc. ("Stitch Fix") (NASDAQ: SFIX) shareholders:
The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that a class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of investors. This lawsuit is on behalf of purchasers of Stitch Fix Class A common stock between December 8, 2020, and March 8, 2022, inclusive.
If you suffered a loss on your investment in Stitch Fix, contact us about potential recovery by using the link below. There is no cost or obligation to you.
ABOUT THE ACTION: According to the filed complaint, Stitch Fix made numerous false and misleading statements to investors concerning the synergy between the Company's Fix and Freestyle programs, and repeatedly denied claims that the Freestyle program could cannibalize the Company's legacy Fix business. Specifically, Stitch Fix repeatedly assured investors that the Company's Freestyle business was "an additive experience" and "complementary" to the Fix business, that "the combination of those two things will allow us to address many more types of clients," and that "we see solid growth in both sides of the business." In truth, Stitch Fix concealed that these programs were not complementary or additive. Stitch Fix knew that the Freestyle program would be much preferred to the Company's original Fix model and that the Freestyle program would inevitably cannibalize the Company's legacy Fix business.
Aggrieved Stitch Fix investors only have until October 25, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. You are not required to act as a lead plaintiff in order to share in any recovery.
Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
Vincent Wong, Esq.
39 East Broadway
Suite 304
New York, NY 10002
Tel. 212.425.1140
E-Mail: vw@wongesq.com
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SOURCE The Law Offices of Vincent Wong | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/class-action-alert-law-offices-vincent-wong-remind-stitch-fix-investors-lead-plaintiff-deadline-october-25-2022/ | 2022-09-12T11:10:07Z |
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jack Suwinski hit his third homer of the game in the ninth inning, giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 4-3, walk-off victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Suwinski is the first rookie to cap a three-homer game with a game-ending shot, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
He drove a slider from side-arming Tyler Rogers (0-3) to right for his second game-ending home run of the season after connecting for one June 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“I was just like, ‘No way, man. No way that’s going,'” Suwinski said. “That guy is hard to hit off of. Coming from that low under there, it’s not an easy at bat.”
Pirates manager Derek Shelton spoke with Suwinski in the bottom of the eighth, asking if he was ready to go deep a third time. Shelton said he was told, “No.”
“I was not trying to think about that,” Suwinski said. “You start trying to do too much and then you just blow it or whatever. I was just trying to not think about that and just focus on what the pitcher had.”
Suwinski is the second Pirates rookie to hit three homers in a game, joining Andrew McCutchen (Aug. 1, 2009). Josh Bell was the last player to hit three in a game for Pittsburgh on July 1, 2019.
The 23-year-old Suwinski took a sinker from starter Alex Cobb deep for a solo shot in the fourth before doing the same to Sam Long for a 3-2 lead in the sixth. He has 11 home runs in 47 games this season, tied with Bryan Reynolds for the team lead.
Thairo Estrada homered off Pittsburgh closer David Bednar leading off the top of the ninth, tying the game at 3. Bednar (3-1) was working his second inning of relief and struck out two of the final three batters to end the ninth.
Mitch Keller gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits with four strikeouts in six innings for the Pirates, extending his streak of starts with fewer than three runs allowed to four. He has surrendered eight earned runs in 28 1/3 innings (2.54 ERA) in his last six games (four starts).
“It’s definitely nice, but tomorrow you have to flush it like nothing happened,” Keller said. “You have to keep going. That’s my mentality. … Just keep a good routine and keep going.”
Cobb allowed two runs on four hits in four innings during his return from the 15-day injured list with a neck strain.
“I think he was solid after a long layoff,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “First and foremost, he came out healthy. I know he’s not going to be happy not coming out of the game with a lead, but got through exactly what our pitch count was for him.”
After an error and two walks loaded the bases for San Francisco with no outs in the first, Joc Pederson dribbled a two-run single past Hoy Park at second base.
Park went yard on a sinker from Cobb to right-center field in the third, cutting it to 2-1 with his first home run of the season before Suwinski’s first homer an inning later.
“Sometimes you just have to tip your cap,” Cobb said. “It was a bad pitch (to Suwinski). But it’s his day. Sometimes the story is about one guy. It was an impressive game by him.”
THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM
Suwinski is the eighth player since 2000 to hit three home runs in a game, including a walk-off. He joins Brendan Rodgers (June 1, 2022), Eddie Rosario (June 3, 2018), Manny Machado (Aug. 18, 2017), Khris Davis (May 17, 2016), Joey Votto (May 13, 2012), Albert Pujols (April 16, 2006) and Todd Hollandsworth (April 15, 2001).
ROSTER MOVES
Giants: RHP Mauricio Llovera was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
Pirates: SS Oneil Cruz and OF Bligh Madris will be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Shelton confirmed.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: INF Josh VanMeter and INF Yoshi Tsutsugo could each begin rehab assignments this week, general manager Ben Cherington said. VanMeter has been out since June 1 because of a fractured left ring finger. Tsutsugo has not played since May 24 with an undisclosed injury.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Logan Webb (6-2, 3.43 ERA) is set to start Monday to begin a four-game series in Atlanta. Webb allowed five hits in seven shutout innings during a 4-2 win against the Kansas City Royals on June 14 in his previous start.
Pirates: RHP JT Brubaker (0-7, 4.50) will take the mound when Pittsburgh begins a four-game set against the Cubs on Monday. Brubaker’s last win came Aug. 24, 2021.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/suwinski-hits-3rd-hr-in-bottom-9th-lifts-bucs-over-giants/ | 2022-06-20T08:49:59Z |
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregonians will decide in November whether people wanting to purchase a gun will first have to qualify for a permit, after one of the strictest gun-control measures in the nation landed on the ballot.
“I was thrilled to hear the news and thankful for the 1,600 volunteers, of all ages” the Rev. Mark Knutson, a chief petitioner of the initiative, said Tuesday.
Secretary of State Shemia Fagan’s elections division determined on Monday that the gun-safety campaign delivered enough verified signatures of registered voters to put Initiative 17 on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election.
Election officials said 131,671 signatures were validated, more than the minimum 112,080 that were needed.
Knutson said he was heading to the world track championships in Eugene, Oregon, when he learned the news by phone. The pastor of a Lutheran church in Portland, Knutson said he responded with a prayer “for those who’ve been affected by gun violence in this nation, especially Buffalo, Uvalde and Highland Park, recently.”
The phenomenon of mass shootings created “a surge of volunteers” to gather signatures, Knutson said.
“We didn’t go out seeking more volunteers because they came to us,” he said.
And it inspired more voters to sign the petition.
“I signed it to keep our kids safe, because something needs to change,” Raevahnna Richardson said after she signed it last month. “I have a kid that’s going to be in first grade this upcoming season, and I don’t want her to have to be scared at school.”
The measure would ban large capacity magazines over 10 rounds — except for current owners, law enforcement and the military — and require a permit to purchase any gun. To qualify for a permit, an applicant would need to complete an approved firearm safety course, pay a fee, provide personal information, submit to fingerprinting and photographing and pass a criminal background check.
The state police would create a firearms database. Applicants would apply for the permit from the local police chief, county sheriff or their designees.
The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action has denounced the initiative, saying on its website that “these anti-gun citizens are coming after YOU, the law-abiding firearm owners of Oregon, and YOUR guns.”
Oregon appears to be the only state in America with a gun safety initiative underway for the 2022 election, according to Sean Holihan, state legislative director for Giffords, an organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/gun-control-measure-will-be-on-oregons-fall-ballot/ | 2022-07-20T16:27:24Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinch, the leader in the dynamic ad serving, personalization and creator of Flight Control, the Omnichannel Campaign Management Platform, has been named the winner of a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Employer of the Year - Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations category in the seventh annual Stevie Awards for Great Employers.
Clinch has a global presence in both their client roster and supporting workforce and specializes in helping agencies and Fortune 500 companies deliver hyper-personalized creative experiences across all channels (programmatic, CTV, social media, in-app, native, and Digital out of Home). The Company recently launched Flight Control, the very first powerful SaaS platform for omnichannel campaign activation, built to eliminate complexity in campaign workflows and make agencies and internal brand media organizations more efficient and profitable.
The Stevie Awards for Great Employers recognize the world's best employers and the human resources professionals, teams, achievements and HR-related products and suppliers who help to create and drive great places to work.
Winners of the awards, named the Stevies from the Greek word meaning "crowned," will be recognized during a gala awards dinner on Saturday, September 17 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Registration for the event is now open.
More than 950 nominations from organizations of all sizes in 26 nations were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of HR-related categories. Clinch was nominated in the Employer of the Year category for Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations.
Clinch has been widely recognized for creating some of the most innovative technologies built to tackle today's greatest advertising industry challenges. But from the start, Clinch believed that it is its people who are at the heart and soul of its business. Clinch's talent comes from all over the world and the team has implemented several initiatives to cultivate a virtual and in-person work environment that is collaborative, innovative and embraces a multitude of backgrounds.
"It is humbling to be among such a distinguished group who have been recognized for their innovative mindsets and diverse talents," said Oz Etzioni, CEO of Clinch. "From day one we have made our people a priority, investing in the most sophisticated people-management software, flexible benefits, and events that are inclusive of all team members, both in-person and remote. I can say with 100% confidence that we would not have experienced the exponential business growth that we have in recent years had it not been for our dedicated team from across the globe. Congratulations to Clinch and to all of those nominated for helping push our industry - and more importantly - our people forward."
More than 100 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners. Winners in the Employer of the Year categories were determined by a unique blending of the ratings of the professional judges and more than 80,000 public votes. The public vote was sponsored by HiBob.
"We congratulate all of the winners in the seventh edition of the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and we look forward to celebrating them in Las Vegas on September 17, our first awards banquet since 2019," said Stevies president Maggie Miller.
Details about the Stevie Awards for Great Employers and the list of 2022 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/HR.
About Clinch
Clinch is the recognized leader in omnichannel personalization, campaign management and ad serving. The company's AI-driven dynamic personalization technology delivers custom-tailored ad experiences at scale across all channels, driving best-in-class performance and consumer intelligence. Flight Control, Clinch's Omnichannel Campaign Activation Platform, enables agencies and brands to manage the entire campaign lifecycle, from strategy through activation and measurement, on a single data-driven, automated platform that makes them massively more efficient, and profitable. Clinch campaigns run across all digital channels including programmatic, Connected TV (CTV), social media, in-app, native and Digital Out of Home (DOOH).
About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
Media Contacts:
Kate Tumino
ktumino@kcsa.com
212-896-1252
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SOURCE Clinch | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/clinch-honored-bronze-stevie-award-winner-2022-stevie-awards-great-employers/ | 2022-08-08T12:16:13Z |
Bridge Studio of Temple, April 6
1st Lynn Sykes/Lennie Wilkins
2nd Richard Cunningham /Peggy Downey
Bridge Studio of Temple, April 8
1st Richard Cunningham/ Peggy Downey
2nd Belva Barrington/Pat Jodoin
Bridge Studio of Temple, April 10
1st Richard Cunningham/ Peggy Downey
2nd Belva Barrington/Jan Hart
Belton Senior Center, April 8
1st Beverly Kermode and Jeanette Parsons
2nd Mike Geary and Linda Lair
3rd Donald and Barbara Johnson
Sammons Senior Center, April 5
North/South
1st Linda Smith/Maxine Johnson
2nd Irv Cummings/JoAnn Nalle
East/West
1st Owen Messenger/Beverly Kermode
2nd Mark/Connie Bruscato
Sammons Senior Center, April 7
North/South
1st Irv Cummings/JoAnne Nalle
2nd Mary Wilson/Lois Miller
3rd Thresa Dollar/Ruth Weasmer
East/West
1st Linda Smith/Maxine Johnson
2nd O. Messenger/T. Bedsole
3rd Evanelle Hart/John Christner | https://www.tdtnews.com/life/article_8f99bede-bccf-11ec-b05c-6f918f8dc3b1.html | 2022-04-17T08:24:53Z |
Palm Beach killer clown trial delayed again - for a sixth time
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge has reluctantly delayed the trial of a woman accused of dressing like a clown and fatally shooting her lover’s wife more than 30 years ago after defense attorneys said they’re having a hard time contacting witnesses.
The trial for Sheila Keen-Warren was supposed to begin June 3. But on Tuesday Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer agreed to what could be a four-month delay, the Palm Beach Post reported.
Suskauer said he had already cleared his schedule, delaying other trials and hearings to be able to preside over a three-week trial.
“Think about the impact it has on me. I have a duty to the public,” Suskauer told the lawyers. “You also have a victim’s family that has waited a long time for justice.”
This is the sixth time the trial has been delayed.
It was May 1990 when Marlene Warren opened her door and was shot in the face by a clown delivering carnations and balloons to her home in Wellington, a suburb of West Palm Beach, court records show.
The former Sheila Keen, rumored to be having an affair with Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael Warren, was considered a suspect, but the case against her seemed thin. Two nights before the killing, a woman showed up at a costume store telling clerks she urgently needed a clown suit, an orange wig, white gloves, a red nose and enough white makeup to cover her face completely. One of the clerks identified her in a photo lineup, but the other clerk wasn’t sure.
She later married Michael Warren and they were living in Virginia when investigators said DNA provided the evidence they needed to arrest her in 2017.
Assistant State Attorney Reid Scott agreed the latest delay was unavoidable.
“I want this defendant to be fully prepared for trial,” Scott said. “I don’t want to deal with appellate issues.”
The defense team — Richard Lubin, Greg Rosenfeld and Amy Morse — blamed Scott, writing that he didn’t provide them with names and addresses of key witnesses who are now scattered across the country.
The defense team also said they need to view evidence, including hair fibers, two balloons, a Publix bag and car rental papers, that was not in an evidence locker at the sheriff’s office. Those items had been sent to forensics for further review, they said.
“Customarily, a criminal prosecution is straightforward: The police investigate a crime, the police arrest a suspect, and the state prosecutes the suspect,” but this case hasn’t been handled that way, they wrote.
“Following the arrest, the police and state continued their investigation,” they wrote. “This backwards prosecution has hampered Ms. Keen-Warren’s ability to prepare for trial.”
Because so much time has passed since the killing, sworn depositions have been taken from some witnesses who either can’t or won’t appear.
“This is a very difficult situation,” Lubin told the newspaper. “This is a long-ago event. Witnesses are in their 60s, 70s and 80s. Some of them are dead. Others are debilitated.”
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/19/palm-beach-killer-clown-trial-delayed-again-sixth-time/ | 2022-05-19T13:59:14Z |
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Arqit Quantum Inc. (f/k/a Centricus Acquisition Corp.) ("Arqit" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: ARQQ). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether Arqit and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
On April 18, 2022, The Wall Street Journal published a story entitled: "British Encryption Startup Arqit Overstates Its Prospects, Former Staff and Others Say." The Wall Street Journal reported, among other things, that "Arqit has given investors an overly optimistic view of its future revenue and the readiness and workability of its signature encryption system", citing "former employees and other people familiar with the company, and documents viewed." Specifically, "people familiar with the matter said that the bulk of [Arqit's] committed revenue isn't from selling its product and that at its public launch, [Arqit] had little more than an early-stage prototype of its encryption system. Several clients [Arqit] lists—including a number of British government agencies—are simply giving Arqit research grants, nonbinding memorandums of understanding or research agreements that come with no funding, not contracts for its encryption product, they said." The article also reported that "[i]n April 2021, Arqit's chief revenue officer resigned after raising concerns with [Arqit's CEO] that he was overstating contracts and giving unrealistic revenue projections to potential investors".
On this news, Arqit's stock price fell $4.61 per share, or 30.61%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $10.45 per share on April 19, 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/2022/05/03/shareholder-alert-pomerantz-law-firm-investigates-claims-behalf-investors-arqit-quantum-inc-fka-centricus-acquisition-corp-arqq/ | 2022-05-03T07:28:22Z |
Analysts accuse Bed Bath & Beyond of cutting back on air conditioning in some stores
(CNN) - Some customers may need to take a shower after visiting Bed Bath & Beyond.
According to a report from Bank of America, the retailer has turned off its in-store air conditioning as a way to save money.
An official with Bed Bath & Beyond denies the allegation, saying any possible changes to store temperatures have not come from corporate.
Regardless of which side is right, there is no denying that the company is sweating.
A report on its last quarter showed sales dropped 22%, and analysts said the company’s recent sales promotions haven’t clicked with consumers.
Bank of America analysts also said they expect the retailer will be announcing additional store closures and halted openings in the near future.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/29/analysts-accuse-bed-bath-beyond-cutting-back-air-conditioning-some-stores/ | 2022-06-29T20:12:35Z |
Boston-Based Consulting Firm Recognized for its Executive Leadership
BOSTON, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Strategies, a leading Boston-based public affairs consulting firm, has been named the 2022 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year in the category of CEO Leadership. The Chamber's Small Business Awards recognize and celebrate the vital contributions and economic impact of Boston's small businesses. This award follows Benchmark's recognition as one of the Boston Business Journal's "Fast 50" which recognized the fastest 50 growing private companies in Massachusetts.
"We're grateful to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for this recognition and proud of our incredible Benchmark team whose hard work and dedication made this possible," said Patrick Bench, President and Founder of Benchmark Strategies. "This award is a wonderful recognition of the resiliency and innovation of small businesses across the Commonwealth, and we are honored to be recognized alongside so many outstanding nominees."
Benchmark Strategies, founded by Patrick Bench in 2014, specializes in providing proactive public affairs, media relations, and economic development services to a broad and diverse range of local, national and international clients. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Benchmark Strategies has been able to successfully pivot and grow--doubling its staff, tripling its client base, and expanding its public relations services to Rhode Island during the two years of the pandemic.
Benchmark Strategies' leadership team, led by President Patrick Bench, maintains a deep commitment to employee wellbeing and prioritizes employee support both in and outside of the workplace. This employee program includes prioritizing leadership and professional development opportunities and extending PTO days for mental health and recharge. Benchmark Strategies recently announced a $60,000 minimum salary for all employees, ensuring that every employee is relieved of any economic pressures that they may be facing.
Benchmark Strategies has been a proud member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for many years. The team attends many of the forums and events hosted by the Chamber, including the Chamber's Annual Meeting and participates in the Chamber's Boston Future Leader's Program.
Benchmark Strategies congratulates all the other 2022 Small Business of the Year winners: Nitsch Engineering (Diversity & Inclusion), City Point Partners (Cultural Excellence), John Leonard (Community Impact), Green Energy Mechanical Inc. (Innovation & Growth) and Alcove (Small Business Champion).
Contact:
Shelly Andrews
SAndrews@benchmark-strategies.com
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SOURCE Benchmark Strategies | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/benchmark-strategies-recognized-with-greater-boston-chamber-commerce-sboy-ceo-leadership-award/ | 2022-06-13T18:51:03Z |
The modified agreement requires less cash and equity, and the Company has received several options for financing
AUSTIN, Texas, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Brands Group, Inc. ("we", "us", "DBG"or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DBGI), a curated collection of luxury lifestyle, digital-first brands, today announces that the Company and Sunnyside, LLC ("Sundry") revised their previously disclosed definitive acquisition agreement to require less cash and equity to close the transaction.
Under the terms of the revised agreement, holders of Sundry membership interests will exchange all such interests for (i) $5.0 million in cash, (ii) $7.0 million paid in either cash or equity, at the option of the Sellers at the Issuance Price, and (iii) $20.0 million in equity valued at the Issuance Price. Please refer to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to review the details and specifics of the acquisition agreement.
The Company has received several options for debt financing to cover the capital cost of the acquisition. Company stockholder approval will be required to close the transaction. The Company believes the transaction should close in the third quarter.
Sundry Acquisition Highlights:
- The acquisition is expected to be accretive to EBITDA immediately upon completion;
- Sundry generated $22.8 million in revenue in 2021 versus $19.9 million in 2020, a 14.5% increase year-over-year;
- The Company believes the acquisition should drive more brand awareness and customer demand, which should fuel future growth across its platform, brands, and customers; and
- The Company believes the acquisition should create meaningful synergies between all its portfolio brands, significantly lowering customer acquisition costs and increasing customer retention, annual spend per customer and lifetime value per customer.
"We are excited about the significant revenue scale we will achieve between combining our revenues with Sundry's revenues. In addition, this changes our cash flow meaningfully," said Hil Davis, Chief Executive Officer of DBG. "The Sundry acquisition will truly transform Digital Brands Group."
Sundry is an omnichannel women's lifestyle apparel brand inspired by Mattieu Leblan's upbringing and ocean lifestyle. Founded in 2011, Sundry offers distinct collections of women's clothing, including dresses, shirts, sweaters, skirts, shorts, athleisure bottoms and accessories. Sundry's products are coastal casual and consist of soft, relaxed, and colorful designs that feature a distinct French chic, resembling the spirits of the French Mediterranean and the energy of Venice Beach in Southern California.
We offer a wide variety of apparel through numerous brands on a both direct-to-consumer and wholesale basis. We have created a business model derived from our founding as a digitally native-first vertical brand. Digital native first brands are brands founded as e-commerce driven businesses, where online sales constitute a meaningful percentage of net sales, although they often subsequently also expand into wholesale or direct retail channels., Unlike typical e-commerce brands, as a digitally native vertical brand we control our own distribution, sourcing products directly from our third-party manufacturers and selling directly to the end consumer. We focus on owning the customer's "closet share" by leveraging their data and purchase history to create personalized targeted content and looks for that specific customer cohort. We have strategically expanded into an omnichannel brand offering these styles and content not only on-line but at selected wholesale and retail storefronts. We believe this approach allows us opportunities to successfully drive Lifetime Value ("LTV") while increasing new customer growth.
Certain statements included in this release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the acquisition and the ability to meet the closing conditions required to complete the acquisition. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting DBG and therefore involve several risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates, however, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. DBG undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: : (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed at all, which may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, (ii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed by the business combination deadline, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the adoption of the Acquisition Agreement by the shareholders of the Company, (iv) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Acquisition Agreement, (v) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on Sundry's business relationships, operating results and business generally, (vi) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of Sundry and potential difficulties in Sundry employee retention as a result of the transaction, (ix) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company related to the Acquisition Agreement or the transaction, (vii) the ability to maintain the listing of the Company's securities on Nasdaq, (viii) the price of the Company's securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which the Company operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company's business and changes in the combined capital structure, (ix) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities, (x) risks arising from the widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease, or any other public health crisis, including the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic; (xi) the level of consumer demand for apparel and accessories; disruption to DBGs distribution system; the financial strength of DBG's customers; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products; disruption and volatility in the global capital and credit markets and global supply chain; (xii) DBG's response to changing fashion trends, evolving consumer preferences and changing patterns of consumer behavior; intense competition from online retailers; manufacturing and product innovation; increasing pressure on margins; DBG's ability to implement its business strategy; (xiii) DBG's ability to grow its wholesale and direct-to-consumer businesses; retail industry changes and challenges; (xiv) DBG's and its vendors' ability to maintain the strength and security of information technology systems; the risk that DBG's facilities and systems and those of our third-party service providers may be vulnerable to and unable to anticipate or detect data security breaches and data or financial loss; (xv) DBG's ability to properly collect, use, manage and secure consumer and employee data; (xvi) stability of DBG's manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; continued use by DBG's suppliers of ethical business practices; DBG's ability to accurately forecast demand for products; continuity of members of DBG's management; (xvii) DBG's ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights; possible goodwill and other asset impairment; (xviii) DBG's ability to execute and integrate acquisitions; changes in tax laws and liabilities; legal, regulatory, political and economic risks; (xix) adverse or unexpected weather conditions; (xx) DBG's indebtedness and its ability to obtain financing on favorable terms,; and (xxi) climate change and increased focus on sustainability issues. More information on potential factors that could affect DBG's financial results is included from time to time in DBG's public reports filed with the SEC, including DBG's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Forms 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC.
This document relates to a proposed transaction between the Company and Sundry. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Company intends to file a proxy statement with the SEC. This proxy statement will be sent to all the Company shareholders. The Company has filed and will also file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of the Company are urged to read the proxy statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction.
Company security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by the Company through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.
The documents filed by the Company with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at the Company's website here (https://ir.digitalbrandsgroup.co/sec-filings/all-sec-filings), from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or upon written request to invest@digitalbrandsgroup.co.
The Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval.
Digital Brands Group, Inc. Company Contact
Hil Davis, CEO
Email: invest@digitalbrandsgroup.co
Phone: (800) 593-1047
Related Links
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SOURCE Digital Brands Group, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/dbgi-moves-final-stage-closing-sundry-acquisition-with-modified-agreement/ | 2022-06-21T13:21:34Z |
PITTSFORD, N.Y., June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On the cusp of its 75th anniversary, St. John Fisher College will become in name what it has been in practice for more than a decade, and transition to become St. John Fisher University (SJF). The new name will be effective July 1. President Gerard J. Rooney, joined by Board of Trustees Chairman Tom Bowles '71, revealed Fisher's new status and logo during a celebratory event held on Monday, June 20, which also marked the 73rd anniversary of the institution's groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Kearney Hall, Fisher's original building.
Fisher's decision follows New York State Board of Regents' new definition of "university," which requires institutions of higher education to offer "registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences." The Board of Regents approved Fisher's university status during its meeting on Tuesday, June 14.
"Fisher's university status adds to our rich history of institutional achievements and accomplishments. It will convey greater prestige, allow us to build our reputation and impact, and better represent the type of institution we are today," Rooney said.
He added that fundamentally, Fisher will remain committed to delivering a student-centered education while serving the best interests of the surrounding community, making an impact locally, and as its reputation increases, throughout the country and the world.
"As we look to our seventy-fifth anniversary in 2023 as St. John Fisher University, we will continue to work hard each day to serve our students by providing a rich educational experience and a robust living and learning environment, and to prepare students to build successful lives of purpose," Rooney continued. "And as we become a University – we will continue to strive to move Fisher forward, renew our purpose, and broaden our impact."
Fisher's evolution was bolstered with the introduction of a new MBA program in 1983; leading the Board of Regents to approve the College's charter change from an undergraduate to graduate degree-granting institution. Over the next several decades, Fisher enjoyed consistent enrollment growth as it expanded its academic offerings, co-curricular experiences, and campus footprint. In the early 2000s, Fisher reorganized into five Schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, Wegmans School of Nursing, and Wegmans School of Pharmacy. During that time, Fisher also added two doctoral programs—the Doctor of Pharmacy and the Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership—to its academic portfolio, paving the way for the Carnegie Foundation to reclassify it as a Doctoral/Research University—now known as a Doctoral/Professional University. Since then, Fisher has awarded more than 3,400 master's degrees and nearly 1,600 doctorate degrees to its alumni base, which is more than 30,000 strong.
Bowles, who has served as a Trustee since 1993, credited innovative academic offerings, directed philanthropy, and talented administration, faculty, and staff with Fisher's substantial growth over the years.
"Fisher has always embraced the student experience; we have stayed true to our mission and purpose and that has allowed us to be successful," Bowles explained. "This is a momentous occasion; university designation is a recognition of all we have accomplished over the last several decades."
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans joined the Fisher community for this morning's historic announcement.
"I am very honored and pleased to congratulate the administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni of St. John Fisher for this remarkable achievement of gaining university status," said Mayor Malik D. Evans. "Fisher's continued evolution from a small Catholic college with 10 teachers and 11 majors to a university that is advancing the progress of teaching and learning through groundbreaking research is a proud moment for our entire community. The presence of another university in our region will elevate our reputation as a center of knowledge and innovation and help us reach our goals to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester."
United States Congressman Joe Morelle, who represents the 25th district of New York State, sent a proclamation recognizing the occasion.
"Monroe County is blessed to be home to many outstanding educational institutions like St. John Fisher, which has a longstanding history of academic excellence," said Congressman Morelle. "Now, they will build upon that legacy and begin a new era as St. John Fisher University. I want to congratulate President Rooney and the entire St. John Fisher community for achieving University status, and I look forward to their continued growth and success in the years to come."
For more information, visit the Fisher website.
About St. John Fisher University
St. John Fisher University is a liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master's and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, sport management, and public health. Located just beyond Rochester, New York, the University's residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program.
An independent institution today, the University was founded by the Congregation of St. Basil in 1948 and remains true to its Catholic tradition. As Fisher moves forward into the next 75 years, it celebrates its Basilian heritage by embracing their motto, "Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge."
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SOURCE St. John Fisher University | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/st-john-fisher-college-become-st-john-fisher-university/ | 2022-06-20T19:14:15Z |
TEL AVIV, Israel, May 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Corsight AI, a leading Facial Recognition Technology provider, continues its rapid expansion with the announcement of new Chief Financial Officer, Moshe Fink. Moshe joins the Corsight team with more than twenty years of finance and accounting experience, with 15+ years spent in finance management and CFO roles.
He previously served as CFO at AI technology firm, Axilion, with prior leadership experience at Amazon, Oracle, and EY. He is an expert in leading organisations through rapid scaled growth and organising finances into a business strategy that delivers valued results.
Moshe will manage Corsight's financial operations and help lead the firm through further anticipated growth cycles in the coming years. Moshe will be located at Corsight's corporate headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel.
"I am thrilled to join Corsight AI to further its mission in enhancing the world of ethical facial recognition technologies." said Moshe Fink. "I look forward to contributing to Corsight's world-class team and helping the company realise its strategic priorities as it scales."
Rob Watts, Chief Executive Officer at Corsight AI, comments: 'I am pleased to appoint Moshe Fink as our new CFO. He has a strong track record in leading financial operations and creating efficiencies at high-quality organisations. We are excited to add him to our executive team, as we scale and build on the widespread customer adoption and demand for our unrivalled AI technology."
For more information, please visit: www.corsight.ai
About Corsight AI
Corsight AI, a leading facial recognition technology provider, is dedicated to creating a game-changing solution with unrivaled speed and accuracy. The technology is powered by Autonomous AI, the most advanced artificial intelligence system. Corsight AI works with government agencies and companies in a variety of sectors, including law enforcement, aviation, retail, entertainment, and more. Corsight AI has recently been named 'SME of the Year' at the prestigious 2021 British Security Awards. This follows their award win at the fourth annual AI Breakthrough Awards, as they won gold in the "Best Facial Recognition System" category in 2021.
For more information, please visit www.corsight.ai and follow us on LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Corsight AI | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/30/corsight-ais-rapid-expansion-continues-with-appointment-new-cfo/ | 2022-05-30T14:45:28Z |
MOUNT KISCO, N.Y., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Edenbrook Capital, LLC (together with its affiliates, "Edenbrook"), one of the largest public shareholders of Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HMTV) ("Hemisphere" or "the Company"), with ownership of approximately 14.94% of the publicly traded A shares and 7.65% of the total company, including the privately held, super-voting B shares, today announced that it has delivered the following letter to the Hemisphere Board of Directors.
Peter Kern
Chairman of the Board
Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.
c/o InterMedia Advisors, LLC
228 Park Avenue South, PMB 67521
New York, NY 10003-1502
Dear Peter:
Our firm, Edenbrook Capital, LLC, is a large shareholder of Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. ("the Company" or "Hemisphere"), with ownership of approximately 14.94% of the publicly traded A shares and 7.65% of the total company, including the privately held, super-voting B shares. We have been patient, supportive shareholders for nine years, and in that time, we have enjoyed a collaborative, productive relationship with the Company. But following last week's surprise announcement of a proposed transaction for the Company to be taken private by insiders at a price that significantly undervalues the Company (the "Insider Takeover"), we feel compelled to share our views publicly for the benefit of all shareholders. In short, we believe this transaction is unfair to public shareholders as it undervalues the Company and allows insiders to disproportionately benefit from the very share price erosion they are responsible for. In our view, a deal to take the Company private at anything less than $12.00 per share is indefensible and would raise serious questions about the process, motivations and conflicts of interest surrounding the Insider Takeover.
Based on the cover numbers of the Company's most recent Form 10-Q, filed on May 10, there are 20,680,326 publicly traded A shares, and 19,720,381 privately held B shares, for a total of 40,400,707 issued and outstanding shares. At the proposed $7.00 deal price, the Insider Takeover yields an equity value of approximately $282 million. After accounting for net debt of approximately $212 million, per that same Form 10-Q, the proposed enterprise value would be approximately $494 million, a dramatic undervaluation of the Company as demonstrated by our analysis below.
- Legacy broadcast and cable network businesses: These include Puerto Rico's leading broadcast network, WAPA, and cable networks (WAPA America, Pasiones, Cinelatino, CentroAmérica TV and Television Dominicana in the United States, and Pasiones and Cinelatino in Latin America). We estimate, based on the Company's annual report and fourth quarter 2021 earnings press release, that these high quality, cash-generative businesses produced approximately $64 million in EBITDA in 2021, after backing out the operating losses for Pantaya, discussed below. Further, we expect an election-year bump in 2022, with projected EBITDA for the core business to be approximately $70 million. While we believe WAPA is the majority of the EBITDA and deserves a premium multiple given its market share, we will use a conservative 6x multiple for all of these assets and an average of the two years, or $67 million. This yields a value for this segment of $402 million.
- Pantaya, the Company's streaming platform: Hemisphere acquired the remaining 75% of Pantaya that it did not already own in April 2021 for $124 million, putting a valuation on the business of approximately $165 million. This acquisition was made because of strong growth prospects and expectations of a considerably higher valuation in the future.
- Canal Uno, the Company's joint venture in a Colombian broadcast network: Hemisphere has invested approximately $130 million in Canal Uno in recent years. These investments were made because of the growth prospects and expectations of considerably higher valuations in the future.
- Other Assets: Includes equity stakes in Snap Media, a content distribution business, and Remezcla, a Latin American cultural media company. While we would expect these investments to have some value, given the lack of disclosure, we'll take the conservative route and, for purposes of this analysis, we will not ascribe any value to them.
- Net Debt: As previously stated, net debt is approximately $212 million.
Adding up the assets yields an enterprise value of approximately $697 million. After subtracting the net debt, we are left with an equity value of approximately $485 million, over $203 million above the $282 million equity value in the proposed transaction. On ~40.4 million shares outstanding, this would yield a conservative equity value of approximately $12.00 per share, more than 71% higher than the price offered by the proposed Insider Takeover. Notably, the two primary sell-side analysts who covered the Company each had a $12.00 price target on the Company prior to the Insider Takeover announcement. It is worth noting that these price targets were derived based on simple trading multiples, without taking into account the potential for higher transaction multiples.
But don't just take our word for it, look at the Company's actions. In September 2021, the Company bought back its own shares for $11.00 a share. A $12.00 transaction price would therefore represent less than a 10% premium to the price the Company paid for its own shares mere months ago.
Further, as the B shares are held by insiders and related parties who benefit from, and are participating in, the take-private transaction, the additional deal compensation would only be paid to public shareholders. An additional $5.00 per share for 20.7 million public shares would be approximately $103.5 million, about half the difference between our estimate of equity value and your proposal. Let's split the difference in equity value, shall we?
And let's not forget why the share price fell so precipitously in advance of your proposed Insider Takeover. To recap, business operations were quite promising six months prior to your proposed Insider Takeover, when the stock was in the mid-$11 range after third quarter earnings (closing prices the five days after earnings ranged from $11.25 to $11.70).
The Company clearly agreed that its future was bright as its third quarter earnings release on November 5, 2021 included the following statements from CEO and Board member Alan Sokol:
- "I am very pleased with our third quarter performance, as we continue our momentum from the first half of the year. Pantaya continues to grow its subscriber base, WAPA had another tremendous quarter, and our cable networks maintained their leadership positions".
- "Pantaya reached one million subscribers during the quarter and we are excited about our growth prospects. We have significantly ramped up our series production and have an unprecedented lineup of series and movies scheduled for 2022. In addition, with Pantaya's recent launch on YouTube TV, along with the potential to launch on several other major distribution platforms, we are confident about reaching our long-term goal of 2.5 to 3 million subscribers by the end of 2025."
- "Our portfolio of unique and powerful assets has delivered yet another successful quarter. We are transforming the business, while building on the performance we have delivered through difficult market environments. We have proven that our business is resilient and represents an underserved, but high growth and essential part of the media ecosystem."
On the third quarter earnings call, Sokol provided the following additional operational color:
- "Pantaya…continued to perform very well, as we expected when we acquired the business on March 31" and "Pantaya has an exciting future and with an incredibly compelling content pipeline for the next year, we are well-positioned as a clear market leader."
- Further, with respect to the disconnect between the Company's share price (then north of $11) and its undervalued nature, Sokol said on the third quarter earnings call, "We're confident that over time our continued execution and enhanced investment in Pantaya will unlock value and minimize the dislocation in our current market value."
- In response to a question from a sell-side analyst about ongoing content investments in Pantaya, Sokol said "we expect that to deliver a significant return on investment."
On this same call, CFO Craig Fischer said, "We are pleased with our third quarter performance and are on track to finish the year strongly. Pantaya's future is promising, and together with the ongoing rebound in Puerto Rico, we look forward to continuing to create value for our shareholders." Fischer also noted that the "revolver is currently undrawn" in discussion of the balance sheet capacity to continue investing in growth.
On November 15, just ten days after the third quarter 2021 earnings, however, Hemisphere announced a surprise secondary offering with no express purpose. Companies that do secondaries usually do so either from a position of strength, after a big run in the stock or because there's an immediate use for the capital that will drive accretive returns in the near future. Absent those two cases, companies doing secondaries are perceived to be doing so from a position of weakness, including potential liquidity concerns or worsening business prospects.
As the announcement did not come on the heels of a big run and as there was no case made for an expected return on the raise, we believe that investors and the market were left concerned. In contrast with your upbeat earnings call just ten days earlier on November 5, the offering felt like a knee-jerk move in the opposite direction.
In our view, given the low liquidity of the stock, the lack of explanation for the secondary offering and the fact that the Company had purchased stock as recently as two months prior at $11.00, the stock tanked over the next two days before the secondary was pulled on November 17, and over the remaining six weeks of 2021, the stock sold off 36% to end the year at $7.27.
Was this sell-off driven by concerns about board and management credibility, given this poorly conceived financing? Or was it because of concerns about the ability to finance Pantaya's growth? If it were the latter, the fourth quarter earnings call on March 8 should have alleviated those concerns. It was another strong quarter, and despite continued investment in Pantaya, the balance sheet was substantially the same as it had been the prior quarter, with the revolver still undrawn, suggesting continued ability to fund the growth of Pantaya from existing operations.
Again, notable comments from Alan Sokol in the March 8, 2022 press release highlighted the improving operations and continued dislocation in price versus value:
- "Our networks continued to perform at high levels in the fourth quarter and finished the year strongly. Our performance was highlighted by WAPA, which had an extraordinary year, with the highest advertising and retransmission revenue in its history. WAPA's dominant ratings performance, combined with Puerto Rico's emergence from bankruptcy and the strongest local economy in many years, should drive outstanding results in 2022."
- "We continue to secure new launches for our U.S. cable networks, including, most recently, the launch on fuboTV of all five of our networks on March 1, a reflection of the quality and appeal of our programming. The fuboTV launch, as well as the impending YouTube TV launch, should drive subscriber growth."
- "We have an incredible high-quality portfolio of assets, including the clear market leader in Spanish-language streaming and a consistent and market-leading networks and production business, all with tremendous upside potential. Yet our market value has little correlation with our true underlying value."
Sokol went even further on the March 8 earnings call, saying:
- "Before I dive into our performance, I want to briefly address the market value of our business, which has deteriorated in recent months. Very simply, our stock price does not in any way reflect the fundamental value and strength of our company. We have consistently delivered strong results in growth and in particular during 2020 and 2021, we delivered industry-leading growth, and despite the headwinds relating to the pandemic, we set all time revenue records."
- "Last year we acquired the leading Spanish-language streaming platform in the U.S., which will be a major growth engine for us over the coming years. A very talented and seasoned team has continued to prove its ability to perform with speed, creativity and agility despite difficult macroeconomic circumstances, including successfully navigating through hurricanes and earthquakes in Puerto Rico and a global pandemic. Our business model is proven and has tremendous runway for growth. We have never been more excited about the prospects for Hemisphere."
- "We are managing an extraordinary portfolio of assets and believe we have a tremendous value creation opportunity in front of us. Pantaya's upcoming slate of content is unprecedented. We are producing the kinds of premium series and movies that have never been available until now, and we have the ability to monetize and license that content outside of the U.S. We are well-positioned to dominate this unique and untapped market from multiple angles and are confident that our transformed business will prosper as a result, creating significant long-term shareholder value."
This all sounds great. A well performing company, with a seasoned team and an "extraordinary portfolio of assets" all geared toward creating significant shareholder value. Except you apparently don't want the public company shareholders to participate in this upside. Instead, you propose an Insider Takeover at a discount to a price deemed undervalued by the Company itself in your November earnings report, and even below the price the stock cratered to at the end of 2021 after your ill-conceived secondary.
What's more, after public shareholders have borne the cost of buying and building Pantaya, the Company also proposes, per the May 9 transaction press release, to sell Pantaya to TelevisaUnivision at a discount to the value Hemisphere itself ascribed to the business in 2021, just as TelevisaUnivision is getting into the streaming business itself. As Hemisphere has significant private shareholders who are also significant shareholders of TelevisaUnivision, this deal is highly problematic. Who is getting the better deal for the market-leading asset? Certainly not public shareholders.
In addition, the May 9 press release states that "Hemisphere contemplates using the net cash proceeds from the TelevisaUnivision transaction to promptly prepay Hemisphere's outstanding senior secured term loans." Bully for you. Essentially, you're openly admitting that while public shareholders financed the growth of the business, only the insiders will benefit from the deleveraging.
If the Insider Takeover is as bad as we say it is, why don't we just vote it down? Simple. We don't believe the election will be a fair one.
The Insider Takeover must be approved by a majority of the disinterested shareholders, which purports to be fair because it removes the super vote from most of the private holders, who are interested in the transaction. We suspect, however, that certain key class B shareholders, whom the Company counts as disinterested and who will likely determine the outcome of the vote, are, in fact, not disinterested at all due to related party transactions and economic ownership, as well as business and personal relationships. But rather than get into an argument over that at this juncture, we are instead proposing that you pay public shareholders a fair price that allows them to benefit from a portion of the bright future they have financed.
The private investors can then still make long-term investments in the Company as a private entity and create more value for themselves down the road, and, because they are rolling their stock, they don't have to pay more for their own shares, only for those of public shareholders who can't otherwise participate in this opportunity given the proposed discounted, insider-led take-private transaction. A fair deal for Hemisphere shouldn't be half a world away.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Brolin
Founder and Managing Partner
Edenbrook Capital, based in Mount Kisco, NY, takes a private equity approach to public markets, principally through concentrated, long-term investments in small and mid-cap companies.
This material does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in any state to any person. In addition, the discussions and opinions in this letter and the material contained herein are for general information only, and are not intended to provide investment advice. All statements contained in this letter that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are "forward-looking statements," which are not guarantees of future performance or results, and the words "will," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "potential," "could," "opportunity," "estimate," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. The projected results and statements contained in this letter and the material contained herein that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, speak only as of the date of this letter and involve risks that may cause the actual results to be materially different. Certain information included in this material is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable. No representation is made with respect to the accuracy or completeness of such data, and any analyses provided to assist the recipient of this material in evaluating the matters described herein may be based on subjective assessments and assumptions and may use one among alternative methodologies that produce different results. Accordingly, any analyses should also not be viewed as factual and also should not be relied upon as an accurate prediction of future results. All figures are unaudited estimates and subject to revision without notice. Edenbrook disclaims any obligation to update the information herein and reserves the right to change any of its opinions expressed herein at any time as it deems appropriate.
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SOURCE Edenbrook Capital | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/edenbrook-capital-sends-letter-hemisphere-media-group-board/ | 2022-05-16T21:52:01Z |
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Yext, Inc. ("Yext" or "the Company") (NYSE: YEXT) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investors who purchased the Company's securities between March 4, 2021 and March 8, 2022, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before August 16, 2022.
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at bschall@schallfirm.com.
The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.
According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Yext suffered from poor sales execution, which impacted its revenues and earnings at the same time as COVID-19 disrupted its business. The Company was unlikely to produce results equivalent to the consensus estimates for its fiscal year 2022 financial results and outlook for 2023. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Yext, investors suffered damages.
Join the case to recover your losses.
The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
CONTACT:
The Schall Law Firm
Brian Schall, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335
info@schallfirm.com
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SOURCE The Schall Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/final-deadline-alert-schall-law-firm-encourages-investors-yext-inc-with-losses-contact-firm/ | 2022-08-16T15:40:04Z |
LONDON (AP) — The United Kingdom’s economy shrank in the three months to June, figures released Friday showed — a smaller-than-expected contraction that nevertheless added to jitters about the rocky months ahead.
The Office for National Statistics said Britain’s gross domestic product fell by 0.1% between April and June, down from 0.8% growth in the previous quarter. GDP shrank by 0.6% in June, and growth estimates for May were revised down from 0.5% to 0.4%.
The statistics office said health spending was the biggest contributor to the fall, as the government scaled down coronavirus testing, contact tracing and vaccination programs.
“Many retailers also had a tough quarter,” said ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan. “These were partially offset by growth in hotels, bars, hairdressers and outdoor events across the quarter,” partly as a result of celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June.
Analysts said the decline did not necessarily mean the start of a recession, often defined as two quarters of economic contraction. The Bank of England, however, says the U.K. will likely fall into recession later this year as a cost-of-living crisis worsens and inflation rises above the current 9.4%.
The average U.K. household fuel bill has risen more than 50% this year as the war in Ukraine squeezes global oil and natural gas supplies, and another increase is due in October, when the average’s bill is forecast to hit 3,500 pounds ($4,300) a year.
“The fall in U.K. GDP during the second quarter was largely down to noise,” said James Smith, developed markets economist at ING Economics. “But the risk of recession is rising quickly, with gas futures hitting new highs for next winter and our latest estimates suggesting the household energy price cap could come close to 5,000 pounds in the second quarter of next year. Much now depends on fiscal policy announcements in the autumn.”
Anti-poverty campaigners, consumer groups and opposition politicians are pressing Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative government to help people cope with soaring bills. But Johnson is in his final weeks as prime minister and says “significant fiscal decisions” must be left to his successor, who will take office in September. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/uk-economy-shrinks-in-2nd-quarter-sharpening-recession-fear/ | 2022-08-12T18:33:43Z |
(The Hill) – Uber reached a settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, agreeing to pay millions to customers who were allegedly overcharged due to their disability.
In a news release, DOJ said Uber has committed to waiving wait time fees for customers who need more time to get into a car due to their disability, or refund disabled customers who don’t get a waiver beforehand.
The company will also pay back some 65,000 eligible riders for double the amount they were charged in wait time fees, which the DOJ said could add up to millions of dollars.
Additionally, it will pay more than $1.7 million to more than one thousand customers who have complained about being charged wait fees due to their disability, and another $500,000 to others who say they were harmed by the company.
“People with disabilities should not be made to feel like second-class citizens or punished because of their disability, which is exactly what Uber’s wait time fee policy did,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, said in a statement.
“This agreement sends a strong message that Uber and other ridesharing companies will be held accountable if their services discriminate against people with disabilities,” she added.
The department filed a lawsuit against Uber in November 2021, alleging that the company violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against citizens with disabilities.
The lawsuit said that beginning in April 2016, Uber started to charge passengers wait time fees, usually beginning two minutes after a vehicle shows up at the pickup location and until the car started its trip.
The department said the company failed to modify its policy for disabled passengers despite knowing it was being applied to disabled passengers.
The Hill has reached out to Uber for comment on the settlement.
It comes after more than 500 female passengers filed a separate lawsuit against Uber alleging that they were sexually assaulted by company-contracted drivers. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/uber-to-pay-millions-to-settle-lawsuit-for-overcharging-customers-with-disabilities/ | 2022-07-19T13:31:21Z |
NOVELDA to demo new UWB sensor at Sensors Converge 2022
OSLO, Norway, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sensors Converge 2022 -- NOVELDA, innovator of the most reliable human presence sensors on the market, announced today the rollout of its upgraded ultra-wideband (UWB) proximity sensor. This sensor enhances LCD screen lifetime, increases interactivity and gives devices an automated, power-saving mechanism. Its approach detection feature lights the display immediately upon approach and turns it off automatically once a person leaves the detection zone. Through contextual awareness, the device knows your intentions and is ready when you are.
Editorial Note: NOVELDA will demo its NOVELDA UWB Proximity Sensor at Sensors Converge 2022, San Jose McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, from June 27-29. The demo, at booth 1623 near the main stage, will showcase the precision, absolute ranging and reliable detection available through NOVELDA UWB Sensors.
NOVELDA's new sensors feature market-leading reliability, offering absolute range and a wide field of view. The sensor is user configurable for both distance and sensitivity. You get reliable detection in the zone of interest and are always detected inside the zone, never outside. With scalable settings from 0.5 meters to 1.5 meters, it is ideally suited for close range indoor applications. The sensor ensures fast response with a latency time of less than 0.25 seconds for device activation or deactivation. NOVELDA's groundbreaking radar sensors and miniaturized system-on-chip (measuring only 12x12 millimeters) are compliant with global standards, unobtrusive and easily installed in the end-product enclosure.
Whether in advertising signage, vending machines or smart home appliances, NOVELDA's proximity sensor can extend screen life from two to ten years in high end LCD displays. In addition, these sensors allow companies to become more environmentally friendly by powering down when the product isn't in use and thereby saving energy. It is the most innovative, sustainable and reliable solution for proximity sensing in smart appliances, smart locks, high-end chargers, light sensors, servers, luminaries, lamps and more.
NOVELDA UWB Proximity Sensor enables faster wake-up time from low power state when the device is inactive, initiating wake-up from the moment a person is ready to use the device. The sensor also ensures and monitors product usage of process critical equipment, like in automated hand sanitizers.
"Our market-leading UWB-based proximity sensors offer a reliable and accurate solution for detecting a user's presence, greatly extending the life of screens, enabling power savings and improving user experience. And through rigorous, real-world testing, our sensors have proved robust and scalable for a variety of applications such as high-end consumer appliances, vending machines and more. We are thrilled to realize the vision of what we believe proximity sensors should address," said Jan-Bjørnar Lund, CEO, NOVELDA.
UWB sensing outperforms technologies like Passive InfraRed or Time of Flight sensors in terms of accuracy, robustness, cost, power consumption and security. NOVELDA's UWB wireless sensors function efficiently without interference in the proximity of other radio frequency (RF) devices. Recognizing UWB's transformative functionality, ABI Research predicts 500 million shipments of UWB by the end of 2022, with growth projections estimating 1.5 billion over the next four years.
Demo kits for NOVELDA UWB Proximity Sensor are available upon request. For more information, visit https://novelda.com/contact/
Proximity sensor video: https://vimeo.com/716749646/a569dfad0c
NOVELDA provides the world's most accurate, intelligent and reliable sensor solution for human presence detection. Our Ultra-Wideband (UWB) short-range impulse radar sensors achieve new levels of user experience and interactivity in a variety of indoor applications including consumer electronics, smart home and building automation.
NOVELDA was founded in 2004 and is today recognized as the world's leading authority on UWB short-range radar sensor design. Our technology complies with worldwide UWB regulations and is protected by several design patents. We are headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with regional sales offices in Silicon Valley, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan employing a total of 85 employees. Making life easier by creating seamless interaction between people and things. NOVELDA Ultra-Wideband Sensor - the most reliable sensor in the world. www.novelda.com
Media relations contact
Jeannette Bitz
Engage PR for NOVELDA
(O) +1 510 295 4972
jbitz@engagepr.com
Tove Elisabeth Lutdal, VP Marketing
+47 90 73 49 49
tove.lutdal@novelda.com
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SOURCE NOVELDA AS | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/novelda-delivers-ultra-wideband-proximity-sensors-enabling-power-saving-interactivity-smart-appliances-chargers-smart-locks-beyond/ | 2022-06-16T16:39:16Z |
TOKYO (AP) — Nintendo’s profit in the April-June quarter rose 28% from a year earlier on healthy demand for its games, although its console sales were dented by a shortage of semiconductors.
The Japanese video game maker behind the Super Mario and Pokemon franchises said Wednesday its profit in the last quarter totaled 118.9 billion yen ($895 million), up from 92.7 billion yen in the same period in 2021.
Quarterly sales fell 4.7% to 307.4 billion yen ($2.3 billion), according to Kyoto-based Nintendo Co.
Other game makers, such as Sony Group Corp., automakers like Toyota Motor Corp. and other manufacturers have been hurt by shortfalls in supplies of the chips that run most modern products.
While those supply chain disruptions are largely due to the pandemic, game companies got a big boost in demand from COVID-19, which had people stuck at home and turning to games for entertainment. As pandemic precautions ease, that spike in sales is wearing off.
Hit games have also driven console sales, such as “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” Among the games that were released and did well during the last quarter were “Nintendo Switch Sports,” which sold 4.84 million units, and “Mario Strikers: Battle League.”
Previously released games with strong sales included “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” and “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.” Sales were also strong for downloaded digital games.
Nintendo sold 22% fewer Switch consoles during the latest quarter, at 3.4 million units, compared to the same period last year. Cumulative sales topped 111.08 million units.
The company expects to sell 21 million Switch machines for the fiscal year. More than 100 million users played the Switch over the last year, according to Nintendo.
The company kept its profit forecast for the fiscal year through March 2023 unchanged at 340 billion yen ($2.6 billion).
___
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yurikageyama | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/nintendos-profit-rises-despite-shortages-of-computer-chips/ | 2022-08-03T21:52:18Z |
Moxy Channels its "Play On" Spirit, Breaking the Boundaries of Multiple Dimensions from the Hotel into the Virtual World
HONG KONG , July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Moxy Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, announced today the launch of the "Moxy Universe, Play Beyond" augmented reality experience in Asia Pacific. Designed for the young-at-heart, Moxy boldly breaks the rules of a conventional hotel stay, bringing its "Play On" experiences from the hotel to the virtual world through the Moxy Universe.
From Shanghai to Tokyo, guests are invited to explore the Moxy Universe with their own avatar in 12 Moxy hotels across Asia Pacific from July 12 through December 31, 2022. Before arriving in-person to each hotel, guests can access the Moxy Universe via mobile devices to customize their own avatar, with a selection of hairstyles, outfits, and accessories. Upon checking in at the hotel's signature Bar Moxy, guests will instantly enter the Moxy Universe by scanning a designated QR marker to unlock a minimum of five challenges throughout the hotel's guestroom and public spaces to win great prizes.
"We are very excited to launch the 'Moxy Universe, Play Beyond' experience across all Moxy hotels in the Asia Pacific region," said Jennie Toh, Vice President, Brand Marketing and Brand Management Asia Pacific, Marriott International. "Moxy has always challenged the status quo by inviting guests to live in the moment. With the campaign, we are bringing Moxy's 'Play On' spirit to another dimension through fun, immersive experiences while creating greater connections with our guests."
Unlock Challenges in Every Corner of the Moxy Universe
Whether as a guest or avatar, visitors can fully immerse into the always-buzzing world of Moxy at the hotel and unlock challenges in the Moxy Universe simultaneously. Step into Bar Moxy – the social heart of the hotel, which doubles up as the hotel's front desk and offers guests a "Got Moxy" cocktail upon check-in. After getting their room keys, guests can scan the QR marker at the bar to view holographic projections and take photos with life-sized avatars as they sip curated cocktails.
At Moxy's 24/7 Grab & Go self-service concept, guests can access what they want, whenever they want with snacks and beverages to satisfy any late-night cravings. At the Grab & Go area, guests can also unlock a challenge by taking a photo with their avatar and hashtagging #moxyuniverse.
Exercise can be even more fun with an avatar that doubles up as a workout buddy. Guests can take the challenge and sweat it out with their avatar at the hotel's 24-hour Fitness Center decked out with a boxing bag, signature racing bike, and other equipment.
Moxy's stylish and smart bedrooms intermix edgy details with functionality and are cleverly designed to maximize space, allowing guests the flexibility to adapt the room to their needs. Enjoy the smart features of a fun-sized work surface and peg walls instead of closets, as the avatar will need all the space when they start busting dance moves on the bed for the challenge.
The fun and playful energy of Moxy can be found across vibrant destinations in Asia Pacific, such as the Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda, just around the corner from Osaka's buzzing shopping and entertainment districts. The brand's spirited lifestyle touches include the signature Bar Moxy, high-energy spaces, such as The Terrace and graffiti-emblazoned Lounge, where guests can sip on cocktails and socialize. Located in the heart of Seoul, Moxy Seoul Insadong makes the perfect basecamp for the young-at-heart to let loose in the city. Before hitting the town, guests can enjoy the panoramic city views from its off-the-wall rooftop bar, Seoul at Moxy. Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao NECC, the first Moxy hotel in Mainland China, also takes play seriously. The hotel's spirited Crew members are always on to connect with travelers in a playful way over boardgames and fun events.
To learn more about the Moxy Hotels, please visit moxy-hotels.marriott.com and join the conversation @moxyhotels.
Moxy Hotels participates in Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program from Marriott International. Marriott Bonvoy members earn points for their stay, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences, including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.
About Moxy Hotels® Moxy offers a playful hotel experience for the young at heart. With 110 properties open across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Moxy boldly breaks the rules of a conventional hotel stay across the globe. The nontraditional experience starts with check-in at Bar Moxy and comes to life throughout its social public spaces, like the Lounge and Library, and the small but smart bedrooms. Moxy provides stylish, industrial design and sociable service at an attractive price point, so that guests can splurge on the experiences that matter most to them during their travels. Moxy celebrates nonconformity, open-mindedness, and originality above all – forever giving its guests permission to Play On #atthemoxy. For more information, visit www.moxyhotels.com and join the fun #atthemoxy on Instagram. Moxy is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, and unparalleled benefits, including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/lets-play-augmented-reality-takes-off-moxy-hotels-with-moxy-universe-play-beyond-asia-pacific-campaign/ | 2022-07-12T14:15:13Z |
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Precision Cancer Consortium (PCC) is excited to announce its formation as a new collaboration of pharmaceutical companies with a shared vision of enabling access to comprehensive testing for all cancer patients globally. The PCC will drive a variety of initiatives aimed at increasing patient access to precision diagnostics using comprehensive genomic testing, including next generation sequencing (NGS). The PCC's founding members are Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and Roche.
Despite significant treatment advances that target specific molecular alterations in cancer cells, many patients still do not undergo biomarker testing necessary to inform their treatment options. Currently, stakeholders may not be aware of the benefits of comprehensive genomic testing or may not know how to translate results into appropriate patient care. In addition to limited use of precision diagnostics in routine cancer treatment, there are other challenges related to recruiting patients into research studies investigating targeted therapies in biomarker subgroups defined by genomic alterations.
"With cancer, the earlier patients are diagnosed and begin treatment, the better their outcomes tend to be. Precision diagnostics, including comprehensive genomic testing, are an important part of developing treatment plans that can help patients," explains Espen Walker (Roche), Chair of the Precision Cancer Consortium. "The PCC is focused on addressing these barriers across the cancer ecosystem with the aim of improving outcomes for patients."
PCC's objective is to support efforts to improve patient access to comprehensive genomic testing in routine care and in clinical trials. The PCC currently has two workstreams. The first workstream aims to remove barriers to access and increase educational awareness on the value of genomic testing for healthcare stakeholders - including patients, healthcare providers, and health care systems. The second workstream focuses on improving efficiencies in genomic biomarker testing in clinical trials. The PCC will not endorse or promote any diagnostic or therapeutic products or services.
The PCC is open and welcomes additional members. The PCC invites pharmaceutical or biotechnology organizations engaging in or supporting the discovery, development, research of interventions and diagnostics related to precision oncology to join this important initiative. Membership inquiries can be directed to the PCC using the contact information below.
About the Precision Cancer Consortium (PCC)
The Precision Cancer Consortium is composed of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies focused on fostering collaboration on issues and opportunities related to precision oncology with the goal of improving patient outcomes by increasing cancer patient access to comprehensive genomic testing, including next generation sequencing, and addressing major gaps in precision diagnostics availability.
The inaugural members of the PCC are Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and Roche. Inquiries regarding PCC membership can be submitted to the PCC's Administrator at pccadministrator@faegredrinker.com.
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SOURCE Precision Cancer Consortium | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/pharmaceutical-companies-launch-precision-cancer-consortium-drive-global-access-comprehensive-genomic-testing-all-patients-with-cancer/ | 2022-04-12T21:17:08Z |
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AdvisorShares, a leading sponsor of actively managed ETFs, announced today that it will assume portfolio manager responsibilities of the AdvisorShares DoubleLine Value Equity ETF (NYSE Arca: DBLV) on September 1, 2022. On that date, the fund will be renamed the AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF and will change its ticker symbol to SURE.
The portfolio manager of SURE seeks to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in the equities of companies that are actively reducing their public equity float through well-implemented stock buyback programs and corporate insider buying. Buyback programs and insider buying generally demonstrate that executives see relative value in their corporate equity securities and may create favorable shareholder market conditions through the reduction of publicly available shares (float shrink). SURE selects holdings using an active, quantitative, multi-factor model to identify companies shrinking float, lowering leverage, growing free cash flow, and providing dividends. SURE's holdings are equal-weighted and reconstituted/rebalanced monthly.
The portfolio strategist of SURE is Minyi Chen, CFA, founder and CEO of Qubed Capital, a registered investment advisor founded in 2015 and based in Oakland, California. For over a decade, Mr. Chen has been providing quantitative financial research and analysis along with proprietary investment models to both retail and institutional investors.
"We look forward to introducing SURE to the marketplace as not all buyback-focused strategies are the same," said Noah Hamman, chief executive officer of AdvisorShares. "SURE's actively managed investment approach re-valuates its investable universe and portfolio holdings monthly which is a distinct departure from passive, market-cap weighted strategies that track indexes and reconstitute annually. Combined with the features of a fully transparent and operationally efficient ETF structure, we believe SURE presents a compelling investment option for advisors and all investor-types."
For more information on SURE, please visit www.advisorshares.com/etfs/sure. AdvisorShares regularly hosts live webinars featuring portfolio managers and leading industry experts. You may learn more and register for upcoming events sessions on different investment strategies by visiting the AdvisorShares Event Center at www.advisorshares.com/events.
About AdvisorShares
AdvisorShares is a leading provider of active ETFs. For financial professionals and investors requesting more information, call 1-877-843-3831 or visit advisorshares.com. Follow @AdvisorShares on Twitter and on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitch for more insights.
Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting the Fund's website at www.AdvisorShares.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
The Advisor continuously evaluates the Fund's holdings, purchases and sales with a view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. However, achievement of the stated investment objective cannot be guaranteed. The Advisor's judgment about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these factors may affect the return on your investment.
There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal amount invested. Investing in mid and small capitalization companies may be riskier and more volatile than large cap companies. Other Fund risks include market risk, equity risk, large cap risk, liquidity risk and trading risk. Please see prospectus for details regarding risk. The fund may not be suitable for all investors.
Definitions
A buyback occurs when a company repurchases its own shares from the marketplace, reducing the number of shares outstanding.
Equity float is the portion of a company's outstanding shares that is in the hands of public investors, as opposed to company officers, directors, or stockholders that hold controlling interests that have trading restrictions.
An insider is an officer, director, executive, entity, or individual that owns more than 10% of a publicly traded company's shares.
Insider buying is the legal purchase of shares in a firm by a corporate insider that is not based on non-public, material information and follows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and reporting requirements.
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SOURCE AdvisorShares | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/advisorshares-introduces-insider-advantage-etf-ticker-sure/ | 2022-09-01T01:23:31Z |
Vern Dale’s Water Center providing water treatment for 64 years
Back in 1958, Vern Dale did the most American of things: He struck out and started his own business in downtown Canton.
Sixty-four years later, his son, also named Vern Dale, is working to make sure that Vern Dale’s Water Center continues to provide quality water treatment service and products to its residential and commercial customers.
Water is the essence of life. Clean water, free of harmful elements is increasingly becoming a commodity.
Ensuring good water is a service that comes from hard work and dedication to quality, Dale said.
“I’ve been working since I was a little kid,” said Dale, who said he cut lawns, delivered newspapers and grew up helping out at his father’s business with the exception of five years when he was in the airline industry.
Dale went to work for Republic Airlines at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport until the carrier was purchased by another airline. It forced him to relocate to South Bend, Indiana. But before he could move into his new home, he was threatened with another layoff.
More:East Canton to explore establishing water treatment system
In addition, his parents’ health problems prompted Dale to return to Canton and join the family business.
“It was the best thing, getting away and coming back,” he said.
Dale’s stepson, John Mariol II, vice president of sales, said good water is a way of life.
“We talk about water during holidays,” he said with a smile. “We talk about water at dinner.”
Mariol explained that the untreated water in Stark County and large parts of the Midwest is the result of extremely hard, undissolved rock in the water supply.
“Surprisingly, Stark County has a lot wells, so you have other issues like sulfur and iron,” Dale said.
Mariol said some of their rural customers also have methane issues related to fracking, a process used to extract natural gas from the ground.
More:State investigating whether injection well waste affecting drinking water
Vern Dale’s Water Center was a Culligan dealer until Dale made the decision to become independent.
“We decided to go with a one-style system,” he said. “We feel it’s the best equipment. Plus, we have the ability to test the equipment. The equipment we sell is always the highest quality.”
Mariol and Dale said they frequently give new equipment and systems a trial run by using their own home water supply.
“There’s always new innovations coming out,” Dale said. “We try them out at home. We want to be the guinea pigs.”
A new father, Mariol noted that commercial and residential water treatment is a quality of life issue, adding that the pandemic has made everyone more aware of health risks.
“Water is something you have to have,” he said. “Having peace of mind that the water you’re consuming and cleaning with is very important. When we’re washing our son’s baby bottles or giving him a bath, we don’t have to worry about chemicals.”
He noted, for instance, that a reverse osmosis system is significantly cheaper than purchasing bottled water and is much better for the environment.
Dale said any appliance that uses water works more effectively and better when the water has been treated.
Treated water, he said, requires less soap and helps appliances to last longer.
One reason for the company’s success is that most of their 15 employees have been with the Vern Dale’s Water Center for years.
“We have a good group of people; we don’t have a lot of turnover,” Mariol said. “I grew up working here from the time I was a teenager. The day after I graduated from high school, I started working full time. The labor market has been tight, but Vern has done a good job making pay and benefits competitive, plus there’s the flexibility of working for a family business.”
In terms of staffing, Dale said the company is “in a good place.”
“With the supply chain shortage, we worked on ways to help increase stability,” he said. “We’re just a quarter of a mile from where Amazon will be competition for employees.”
Mariol said Dale never forgets about his employees.
“Vern’s a big believer in, if the company’s doing good, we want everyone to do good,” he said.
Dale and Mariol said they make good customer service a priority, though the supply-chain shortage has meant that service sometimes takes a little longer than in the past.
“Vern always says ‘You never want to make someone wait to spend money with you,’ ” Mariol said.
As head of sales, Mariol said he enjoys meeting customers and solving their problems.
“You get a view of their lives,” he said. “You get to see people in their comfort zone.”
Dale and Mariol said that although the business is competitive, some of their competitors are also customers because Vern Dale’s Water Center has operated a wholesale salt business since the 1980s.
The original Vern Dale was an enterprising man who sold bread and jewelry, eventually securing a job at a local appliance store that he eventually bought from the owner. Dale pivoted to water treatment, moving the company to its present location in 1975.
Dale also was involved in local politics, serving on Canton City Council, as a Stark County Commissioner and as one of the longest serving members of the Stark County Board of Elections. He died in 2009.
Mariol and Dale said their goal is to uphold the senior Dale’s legacy.
“We’re constantly looking to reinvest in the company,” Dale said.
The company recently joined Shopify, an online service which enables customers to shop and order parts and services.
“Reinvestment has always been very important,” Mariol said. “We buy the best equipment for our workers.”
Mariol noted that the original Vern Dale made sacrifices for the company, which they intend to honor and uphold.
“Every customer we have, it’s critically important that they be happy,” he said. “His name is still on the equipment. It is a relationship business.” | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/lifestyle/2022/05/13/vern-dales-water-center-providing-water-treatment-64-years/9347937002/ | 2022-05-13T10:14:24Z |
My dad isn’t doing so well. His wife of 65 years and six kids could be doing better, too. He’ll be 89 in July, and his body is showing its age.
His legs don’t work so well due to stenosis of the spine, plus he’s been in and out of skilled-nursing centers and hospitals the past few months with infections and other issues that won’t relent — the two worst months of his long life.
The hardest part is that he is apart from my mother. Boy, does he miss being with her. After all these years, they still hold hands as they fall asleep each night — or did before the ambulance took him away after a bad fall.
They met when they were teens in high school. My mother saw the big fellow arguing with his friends over whether a lemon slice would leave a stain on a Formica countertop.
“I’d never met anyone like that before,” she recounts with laughter.
Once he set eyes on her, that was it for him, he told me. He told me he knew right away he would marry her and he did.
He was a tough son of a gun. He grew up in the city streets, where fist fights were common — though few dared mess with him. He went on to become a football star with several scholarship offers — in 1953, Chuck Noll, then team captain at the University of Dayton, took my dad to dinner with hopes of getting him to sign.
My dad broke a lot of hearts when he didn’t sign — his mom’s, his coaches’ and lots of people who saw his potential — but he didn’t sign because all he wanted then, as now, was to be with my mother.
He got a good-paying job with good benefits at Bell Telephone. He worked hard and often long hours to provide for my five sisters and me and spent little on himself.
It is difficult to watch such a powerful, capable man become weak. It’s maddening to see how the institutions that are in business to care for the elderly sometimes see my dad as a revenue-generator, not a human being.
There are lots of wonderful people providing care in these places — some are saints. But there are others who are not so polite to the patients who are dependent on them for their most basic needs.
We Purcells are imperfect people who have had our share of downs and are having one now, but the ups have been wonderful and there were many of them.
Human suffering abounds in this world — particularly in nursing homes, where we see so many elderly people wishing God would take them from their worn-out bodies, so they may be at peace. Suffering often brings clarity, however, and even peace as it forces us to sort out what is truly important from all the noise.
As my sisters and I do our best to help our parents get through this difficult period of their lives, here’s what’s important to me:
My dad and mom still share one of the greatest love stories of all time, and we hope and pray they will soon be able to hold hands as they fall asleep each night.
Happy Father’s Day, dad. | https://www.albanyherald.com/opinion/tom-purcell-my-dads-love-story-continues-despite-hardships/article_f0ccacf6-ee99-11ec-86b0-4f14ddbe1125.html | 2022-06-18T22:33:17Z |
Sarasota man dies in morning crash on Bee Ridge Road
Published: Sep. 12, 2022 at 1:25 PM EDT|Updated: 33 minutes ago
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A 76-year-old Sarasota man was killed Monday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Bee Ridge Road, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
Investigators say the man, driving a Ford Bronco, was traveling north on Oakhurst Boulevard just before 8 a.m. and stopped at the stop sign at Bee Ridge.
Intending to make a left turn onto Bee Ridge, he pulled into the path of an eastbound pickup truck, where they collided.
The driver of the Bronco died at the scene. The driver of the pickup was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with minor injuries, troopers said.
The investigation is continuing.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/12/sarasota-man-dies-morning-crash-bee-ridge-road/ | 2022-09-12T17:59:29Z |
Senate bargainers announce outline of gun violence agreement
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate bargainers announced a bipartisan framework Sunday responding to last month’s mass shootings, a modest breakthrough offering measured gun curbs and bolstered efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs.
The proposal falls far short of tougher steps long sought by President Joe Biden and many Democrats. Even so, if the accord leads to the enactment of legislation, it would signal a turn from years of gun massacres that have yielded little but stalemate in Congress.
Leaders hope to push any agreement into law quickly — they hope this month — before the political momentum fades that has been stirred by the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas.
The compromise would make the juvenile records of gun buyers under age 21 available when they undergo background checks. The suspects who killed 10 people at a grocery store in Buffalo and 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde were both 18, and many of the attackers who have committed mass shootings in recent years have been young.
The agreement would offer money to states to implement “red flag” laws that make it easier to temporarily take guns from people considered potentially violent, and to bolster school safety and mental health programs.
And it would take other steps, including requiring more people who sell guns obtain federal dealers’ licenses, which means they would have to conduct background checks of purchasers.
Biden said in a statement that the framework “does not do everything that I think is needed, but it reflects important steps in the right direction, and would be the most significant gun safety legislation to pass Congress in decades.”
Given the bipartisan support, “there are no excuses for delay, and no reason why it should not quickly move through the Senate and the House,” he said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/12/senate-bargainers-announce-outline-gun-violence-agreement/ | 2022-06-12T16:35:24Z |
DETROIT (AP) — U.S. new vehicle sales tumbled more than 21% in the second quarter compared with a year ago as the global semiconductor shortage continued to cause production problems for the industry.
Yet demand still outstripped supply from April through June, even with $5 per gallon gasoline, high inflation and rising interest rates. The low supply has raised prices to record levels, knocking many consumers out of the new-vehicle market.
Edmunds.com said that automakers sold 3.49 million vehicles during the quarter, nearly 933,000 fewer than the same period last year.
J.D. Power estimates that the average sales price of a new vehicle for the first six months of the year hit nearly $45,000, a record that is 17.5% higher than a year ago. Edmunds.com reported that 12.7% of consumers who financed a new vehicle in June had monthly payments of $1,000 or more.
At General Motors, which reported a 15% sales drop, shortages of chips and other parts forced the company to build 95,000 vehicles without one part or another. The incomplete vehicles are expected to be finished and sold by the end of the year.
Jack Hollis, head of Toyota sales in North America, said the chip shortage didn’t improve as much as the company expected in the first half of the year, and he doesn’t see it getting much better until next summer.
“Every microchip producer is producing at maximum speed because they have maximum demand,” Hollis said. “There is no catching up going on. It’s actually falling behind.”
Toyota sales were down 19% for the first half of the year and they fell 18% in June. That allowed GM to pass the Japanese company and retake the crown as the top-selling automaker in the U.S., a title GM lost last year.
Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, posted a 16% sales decline. Honda’s second-quarter sales fell by more than half, with the company blaming “severe” supply chain issues. Nissan sales dropped nearly 39% for the quarter, and Hyundai posted a 23% sales dip.
Most automakers were reporting sales figures on Friday, but Tesla is likely to do so this weekend and Ford won’t report until Tuesday.
Edmunds predicted that nearly 3.5 million new vehicles were sold last quarter in the U.S., 20.8% fewer than the same period a year ago. Edmunds expects inventory shortages to continue for the foreseeable future, frustrating auto buyers.
“The majority of consumers who are purchasing vehicles in these conditions are either in a financial position where money is less of a consideration or are doing so out of absolute necessity,” said Edmunds analyst Jessica Caldwell.
Toyota’s Hollis said that demand remains exceptionally strong, especially for more efficient gas-electric hybrid vehicles, and the company’s electric vehicle, the BZ4x. Hybrids and plug-ins accounted for about 27% of Toyota’s sales in June, following a rising trend, he said.
But supply problems are limiting inventory and sales, Hollis said. The company started June with 9,000 vehicles on dealer lots and ended the month with about 8,500, he said. Vehicles are being sold within 36 hours of arriving at dealers.
Hyundai announced that it would stop selling its Accent and Veloster small cars in the U.S., furthering the trend of automakers cutting car models as SUVs have become America’s favorite body style.
Randy Parker, head of sales for Hyundai Motor America, said he expects the chip shortage to gradually get better this year, predicting a 30% production increase over last year.
The company’s main electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5, is selling strong, with nearly 7,500 delivered in the second quarter, Parker said.
But smaller, fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles don’t appear to be faring as well. Hyundai’s Elantra compact car saw a 44% sales drop during the quarter, but is sales were halted for a time due to a safety recall issue.
Honda’s Civic sales fell 54% during the first half, and Toyota’s Corolla compact car sales dropped 25% from January through June. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/chip-shortage-keeps-driving-up-auto-prices-cutting-sales/ | 2022-07-02T15:07:16Z |
By PAUL BYRNE Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A mission from the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant next week after it was temporarily knocked offline and more shelling was reported in the area overnight, Ukrainian officials said Friday.
Fire damage to a transmission line at Europe's largest nuclear plant caused a blackout across the region on Thursday and heightened fears of a catastrophe in a country still haunted by the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
Lana Zerkal, an adviser to Ukraine's energy minister, told Ukrainian media on Thursday evening that logistical issues are being worked out for the IAEA team to come to the Zaporizhzhia plant, which has been occupied by Russian forces and run by Ukrainian workers since the early days of the 6-month-old war.
Zerkal accused Russia of trying to sabotage the visit. Ukraine has alleged that Russia is essentially holding the plant hostage, storing weapons there and launching attacks from around it, while Moscow accuses Ukraine of recklessly firing on the facility.
"Despite the fact that the Russians agreed for the mission to travel through the territory of Ukraine, they are now artificially creating all the conditions for the mission not to reach the facility, given the situation around it," she said, offering no details.
There was no immediate comment from Moscow to the claims.
The atomic agency's head, Rafael Mariano Grossi, also said Thursday he hopes to send a team to the plant within days. Negotiations over how the team would access the plant are complicated but advancing, he said on France-24 television.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said an area close to the plant came under a barrage of shelling overnight, amid mounting concerns that an armed conflict near a working atomic plant could cause more serious damage, even as Zaporizhzhia's reactors are protected by reinforced concrete containment domes.
Dnipropetrovsk governor Valentyn Reznichenko said shelling in the city of Nikopol, which is across the Dnieper River from the Zaporizhzhia plant, damaged 10 houses, a school and a sanitorium, causing no casualties. A power line also has been cut, leaving up to 1,000 local residents without electricity, he added.
Nikopol has been under nearly constant Russian shelling since July 12, with eight people killed, 850 buildings damaged and over half the population of 100,000 fleeing the city.
On Thursday, the Zaporizhzhia plant was cut off from the electrical grid after fires damaged the last operating regular transmission line, according to Ukraine's nuclear power agency, Energoatom.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russian shelling and said the plant's emergency backup diesel generators had to be activated to supply power needed to run the plant. Zaporizhzhia's Russian-installed regional governor, Yevgeny Balitsky, blamed the transmission-line damage on a Ukrainian attack.
It was not immediately clear whether the damaged line carried outgoing electricity or incoming power, needed for the reactors' vital cooling systems. A loss of cooling could cause a nuclear meltdown. As a result of the transmission-line damage, the two reactors still in use out of the plant's six went offline, Balitsky said, but one was quickly restored, as was electricity to the region.
Many nuclear plants are designed to automatically shut down or at least reduce reactor output in the event of a loss of outgoing transmission lines.
The IAEA said Ukraine informed it that the reactors' emergency protection systems were triggered, and all safety systems remained operational. The three regular transmission lines at the plant are out of service because of previous war damage.
Ukraine cannot simply shut down its nuclear plants during the war because it is heavily reliant on them. Its 15 reactors at four stations provide about half of its electricity.
Elsewhere, two people were killed and six more injured over the past 24 hours in the eastern Donetsk region, Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said Friday.
In the northeastern Sumy region, on the border with Russia, more than 100 munitions were fired over the past 24 hours, burning down a house, governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_b15d3456-2539-11ed-9e9d-97dcb3dae4ec.html | 2022-08-26T14:24:17Z |
BOSTON, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion Worldwide has announced the opening of a new office in Japan as part of a rapid, ongoing international expansion to bring open market electronics sourcing, inventory management and market intelligence services to more customers across the globe. Located in the Marunouchi district of Tokyo, this site is the company's fourth location in the Asia Pacific region, with existing offices in Singapore, South Korea and China.
The world's third-largest economy, Japan is home to many of the largest global consumer electronics, automotive, computing and industrial automation brands.
"In addition to servicing our long-time customers in Japan, we have witnessed a sharp increase in demand from Japanese businesses," says Ju Olivia Seohyun, Director of Sales in Korea and Japan. "Our sourcing services have become a necessary addition to companies' supply chains, particularly over the past couple of years as the market navigates ongoing and significant component and material shortages."
The addition of a Tokyo office helps extend Fusion Worldwide's footprint in Asia and demonstrates a commitment to better understanding customer needs, as well as expectations to meet those needs efficiently.
"Suppliers with world-class quality assurances and capabilities are highly-sought after in this market," says Seohyun. "Recognition of Fusion Worldwide as the global leader is not something we take for granted."
The Japan office is located in the Shin-Marunouchi Center Building at 1-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The office will support employees in sales, operations and purchasing roles, all vital to Fusion's expanding presence in the region.
About Fusion Worldwide
Founded in 2001, Fusion Worldwide is a powerhouse in solving shocks to the global electronic supply chain. Fusion Worldwide focuses on providing efficient and innovative solutions for its valued customers across numerous verticals including industrial automation, automotive, medical, customer electronics, and more. Fusion Worldwide recently acquired Prosemi, Singapore's largest electronics test house. With the addition of Prosemi, Fusion Worldwide is now a one-stop shop for turnkey projects utilized by the semiconductor industry, CEMs and OEMs. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Fusion Worldwide has grown into a $3 billion global business with 14 offices throughout the Americas, EMEA and APAC.
To find out more about Fusion Worldwide, visit www.fusionww.com.
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SOURCE Fusion WorldWide | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/fusion-worldwide-opens-office-tokyo-japan-enhance-presence-region/ | 2022-05-05T13:47:59Z |
-15% off on Accommodations-
MONTEREY, Calif., July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Victorian Inn welcomes guests for a summer vacation with 15% off room accommodations on select dates for rooms booked now through August 4, 2022, for travel through August 31, 2022. Discover all there is to do and see in Monterey. Victorian Inn's unbeatable location steps from the iconic Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Carlos Beach, and the famous Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail make it easy for guests to arrive early, park their car and walk to their desired activity. 15% off room accommodations include a premier location, reduced room rate, complimentary breakfast buffet and afternoon wine and cheese hour. Rates starting as low as $186 on select dates.
Initially, the Lang Mansion was built in 1901. The hotel's 70 guest rooms have décor and amenities such as in-room fireplaces, on-site parking, and lovely gardens surrounding the boutique hotel. Guestrooms are in adjacent buildings designed to complement the Victorian style of the original home.
Victorian Inn's gracious first floor welcomes guests to check in, relax in the cozy reception area and enjoy the sweeping views of Monterey Bay. A fireplace and several seating areas provide places to rest, enjoy a good book or make plans. Guests start the day in the dining area with a complimentary continental breakfast buffet with a hot breakfast dish. At the day's end, complimentary California wines, cheese, and fruit are served from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bring the entire family this summer, as Victorian Inn is a pet-friendly property, with amenities chosen explicitly for four-legged travelers.
To make reservations today or get information, contact: Victorian Inn, located at 487 Foam Street, Monterey, California 93940. Ask for the 15OFF Summer offer.
Call (800) 232-4141 or visit our website at www.victorianinn.com, or email reservations@innsofmonterey.com.
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SOURCE Victorian Inn | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/victorian-inn-announces-discounted-rates-summer-travel/ | 2022-07-14T16:31:15Z |
Hyde will lead ERIE's diversity, equity and inclusion team, bringing experience from Koppers, Inc., where he led global inclusion and diversity initiatives
ERIE, Pa., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Insurance (ERIE) has named Lance Hyde to the role of Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), effective August 22. Hyde will report to ERIE's Chief Diversity and Community Development Officer Chris Marsh in the position and lead the company's DEI team and related enterprise initiatives.
Hyde brings more than 15 years of experience in diversity and inclusion practices, including significant supplier diversity and sustainability expertise, to the leadership role at ERIE. He joins the company after serving as Director of Global Inclusion and Diversity at Pittsburgh-based Koppers International.
"I am excited to welcome Lance to the ERIE Family and the Erie community," said Marsh. "With his demonstrated collaborative work style and results-driven approach, I'm confident Lance is well-equipped to help lead ERIE through our next evolution of DEI."
At Koppers, Hyde helped develop the company's global inclusion and diversity strategy while partnering with business unit leaders to create a robust supplier diversity program. Prior to joining Koppers, Hyde served in various leadership positions at EQT Corporation, including diversity manager and director of supplier diversity. While at EQT, he managed all D&I functions, including building HR diversity responsibilities, expanding and supporting Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and serving on the EQT Foundation. He worked closely with human resources to create and implement a successful "D&I Recruit and Retain" strategy and participated in global industry conferences to attract diverse talent to the industry and company.
Recognized nationally for his DEI thought leadership and supplier diversity expertise, Hyde has participated in more than 50 panel discussions on a variety of topics throughout his career and has been featured in national and regional media.
Hyde earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from California State University, East Bay in Hayward, Calif. and a master's in Business Administration from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pa. He received the Timothy and Caroline Thyreen Service Leadership Award from Waynesburg University in 2021 and the Supplier Diversity Professional of the Year Award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council in 2019 for his accomplishments in supplier diversity initiatives with EQT.
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 11th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/erie-insurance-names-diversity-equity-inclusion-leader-lance-hyde-vp-role/ | 2022-08-18T20:58:26Z |
Kauffman Foundation, Google.org, The Coca-Cola Company,
Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Grants
Earmarked for Aspen City Action Lab to Accelerate Success for Latino Businesses
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aspen Institute Latinos & Society Program (AILAS) announced today it has garnered grants totaling nearly $1.7 million from prestigious partners dedicated to advancing prosperity for under-served business and entrepreneurial communities. Specifically earmarked for the Aspen City Action Lab, the grants included $600,000 from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, $500,000 from Google.org, $375,000 from The Coca-Cola Company and a $100,000 each from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
"Latinos are launching companies at a faster rate than other groups and accounted for 52% of net job growth in the past decade. This success occurred despite many having little formal business education, nor access to capital and supportive networks enjoyed by other demographics," says AILAS Executive Director Domenika Lynch. "The support of the Kauffman Foundation, Google.org, the Coca-Cola Company, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the U.S. Hispanic of Chamber will make a real difference in helping the City Action Lab unleash the full dynamism of this underserved sector of our nation. The resulting growth will help boost our entire economy."
The Aspen City Action Lab unites Latino small businesses with local entrepreneurial and civic leaders to spur economic growth and share ways to expand business opportunities. The object is to close a wealth and opportunity gap that widened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues addressed include how to access private capital, apply for public funding, and leverage digital technology to expand the customer base.
The Aspen City Action Lab launched as a pilot program in 2021 with communities in Chicago; El Paso, Texas; Miami; Phoenix; San Antonio; and San Bernardino, Calif. This innovative initiative is aiding Latino-majority cities in generating long-term, inclusive economic growth through data-driven, community-informed approaches. Having built partnerships with more than 70 cross-sector leaders in these cities, City Action Lab is also building nationwide networks so that more cities can be added when the pilot phase concludes.
The award from the Kauffman Foundation, an organization committed to advancing educational achievement and entrepreneurial success, bolsters efforts to systematize the program's design so that it can benefit future cohorts of participating cities. The funding will also help support the annual Aspen Latino Business & Entrepreneurship Summit, which assembles public and private-sector leaders to uplift policies, practices and programs supporting Latino business owners and entrepreneurs.
The grant from Google.org, the technology giant's philanthropic arm, will boost the lab's action-oriented strategies to prepare the workforce development ecosystem for the challenges and opportunities brought by the increasing digitalization of the economy.
The Coca-Cola Company is a central partner in AILAS' efforts to shift the narrative around Latinos and their contributions to the competitiveness and resilience of the American economy. The company's giving supports City Action Lab's overall initiative as well as efforts to expand the participation of Latino businesses in our nation's supply chain.
The funding from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the nation's largest nonprofit supporting Hispanic American higher education, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the largest Hispanic business organization, representing 4.7M+ Hispanic-owned businesses, are also in support of the overall Aspen City Action Lab initiative.
About Aspen Institute Latinos and Society
The Aspen Institute Latinos and Society's mission is to empower and promote long-term economic growth and resiliency in Latino communities throughout the United States. AILAS leverages the Aspen Institute's unique convening power and deep network of leaders from the public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors to advance needed public and corporate policy that maximizes the economic potential of Latino communities, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. With a focus on equity, workforce upskilling and entrepreneurial ecosystem-building, AILAS sources data-driven, community-informed, and culturally relevant solutions to untap the economic potential of Latino workers, business owners and entrepreneurs, to the benefit of the nation.
MEDIA CONTACT
Mike Valdes-Fauli
Chemistry Cultura
mvaldesfauli@ChemistryAgency.com
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SOURCE The Aspen Institute | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/aspen-institute-latinos-amp-society-program-announces-1675-million-grants/ | 2022-08-23T19:45:36Z |
Northeast US swelters under ‘extremely oppressive’ heat
(AP) - Residents around the Northeast U.S. braced for potentially record-breaking temperatures Sunday as a nearly weeklong hot spell continued, prompting officials to warn of “dangerous” heat.
At least one heat-related death, in New York, was reported during the stretch of sweltering weather. Around the region, athletic events were shortened or postponed, and cities opened cooling centers and even turned to buses to offer relief from the heat.
From the Pacific Northwest to the southern Great Plains to the heavily populated I-95 corridor, more than 85 million Americans woke up Sunday to excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, the National Weather Service said. Much of the heat was in the Northeast, where the weather service warned of “extremely oppressive” conditions from Washington to Boston.
“Numerous records highs are forecast to be tied and/or broken today in the Northeast as highs make a run at the century mark” and humidity makes it feel as hot as 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 to 43 degrees Celsius), the weather service said in a forecast discussion.
Philadelphia was forecast to hit 100 degrees (38 Celsius) before even factoring in humidity, said weather service meteorologist Matt Brudy in Mount Holly, N.J.
Philadelphia officials extended a heat health emergency declaration through Sunday, sending workers to check on homeless people and knock on the doors of other vulnerable residents. With Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole calling the weather “dangerously hot,” the city also opened cooling centers and stationed air-conditioned buses at four intersections for people to cool off.
Forecasters urged people to take precautions, wear light clothing, drink lots of water, limit time outside and check on elderly people and pets.
New York City medical examiners confirmed Sunday that a person had died of heat-related causes but didn’t say when or where. The person had heart disease and emphysema, which contributed to the death, the medical examiner’s office said.
With the city expected to approach its record high of 97 degrees (36 Celsius) for Sunday’s date, organizers of the New York City Triathlon shortened the distances that athletes had to run and bike. The bicycle leg was cut in half to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles).
This weekend’s Boston Triathlon, meanwhile, was put off until Aug. 20-21. Temperatures were expected to reach the upper 90s in Boston on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/24/northeast-us-swelters-under-extremely-oppressive-heat/ | 2022-07-24T17:45:24Z |
- Entered into Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreement with Amgen to clinically evaluate IDE397, IDEAYA's investigational MAT2A inhibitor, in combination with AMG 193, Amgen's investigational MTA-Cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor, in MTAP-null solid tumors
- Potential first-in-class Synthetic Lethality (SL-SL) Combination targets two distinct, mechanistically complementary, nodes of MTAP methylation pathway
- MTAP deletion patient population is estimated to represent approximately 15% of solid tumors, reflecting the potential for significant patient impact with the SL-SL combination
- Amgen will sponsor the Phase 1 clinical combination trial with IDEAYA and Amgen jointly sharing costs of the study
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDYA), a synthetic lethality focused precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics, announced it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Amgen Inc. to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IDE397, its investigational, potential best-in-class, small molecule MAT2A inhibitor, with Amgen's AMG 193, an investigational small molecule MTA-cooperative inhibitor of PRMT5, in a Phase 1 clinical trial.
"This clinical collaboration with Amgen builds on IDEAYA's ongoing clinical evaluation of IDE397 as monotherapy and in selected combinations in our Phase 1/2 clinical trial, including with taxanes and pemetrexed. We are pleased to collaborate with Amgen to also evaluate the MAT2A-PRMT5 synthetic lethality combination in the clinic," said Yujiro S. Hata, President and Chief Executive Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences.
"Mechanistically, each of MAT2A and PRMT5 are synthetic lethal with MTAP gene deletion in tumors. The synthetic lethality of each of these targets provides a complementary approach for targeting MTAP-null tumors," said Dr. Michael White, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences.
IDE397 is a potent and selective small molecule inhibitor targeting methionine adenosyltransferase 2a (MAT2A), in patients having solid tumors with methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) deletion. The MTAP deletion patient population is estimated to represent approximately 15% of solid tumors, including approximately 15% of NSCLC, 28% of esophageal, 26% of bladder, and 10% of esophagogastric cancers.
IDEAYA is evaluating IDE397 in an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial. The company has initiated and is actively enrolling patients into monotherapy expansion and combination cohorts of the IDE397 Phase 1 clinical trial, including in combination with docetaxel in NSCLC, paclitaxel in esophagogastric cancer and pemetrexed in NSCLC. IDEAYA is leading early clinical development of IDE397 in collaboration with GSK. Subject to exercise of its option, GSK will lead later-stage clinical development of IDE397.
Amgen is developing AMG 193, an investigational small molecule methylthioadenosine (MTA) cooperative inhibitor targeting protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), as monotherapy and in combination with docetaxel in MTAP null solid tumors, in an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial.
Under the mutually non-exclusive clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement, IDEAYA will provide IDE397 drug supply to Amgen, who will be the sponsor of the Phase 1 clinical combination trial. IDEAYA and Amgen will jointly share external costs of the clinical trial and will jointly oversee clinical development of the combination therapy. IDEAYA and Amgen each retain all commercial rights to their respective compounds, including as monotherapy or as combination therapies.
About IDEAYA Biosciences
IDEAYA is a synthetic lethality focused precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics for patient populations selected using molecular diagnostics. IDEAYA's approach integrates capabilities in identifying and validating translational biomarkers with drug discovery to select patient populations most likely to benefit from its targeted therapies. IDEAYA is applying its research and drug discovery capabilities to synthetic lethality – which represents an emerging class of precision medicine targets.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to (i) the estimated MTAP deletion patient population and (ii) the later-stage clinical development of IDE397 by GSK. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause IDEAYA's preclinical and clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, including IDEAYA's programs' early stage of development, the process of designing and conducting preclinical and clinical trials, the regulatory approval processes, the timing of regulatory filings, the challenges associated with manufacturing drug products, IDEAYA's ability to successfully establish, protect and defend its intellectual property, the effects on IDEAYA's business of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and other matters that could affect the sufficiency of existing cash to fund operations. IDEAYA undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of IDEAYA in general, see IDEAYA's recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2022 and any current and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SOURCE IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/ideaya-announces-clinical-trial-collaboration-with-amgen-evaluate-mat2a-prmt5-synthetic-lethality-combination-mtap-deleted-tumors/ | 2022-07-27T10:42:13Z |
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite review
HTC is no stranger to the VR industry, especially with its impressively high-performing Vive Pro virtual reality headset series. However, compared to other brands’ VR headsets, the HTC Vive Pro Eye and the Vive Pro 2 are set at a high price point, making them a much bigger investment than other VR products on the market.
HTC released the updated Vive Cosmos Elite in October 2020 as a follow-up to the original Vive Cosmos. They wanted to offer a new VR headset for under $1,000. This headset claims to offer “crystal-clear graphics” and a seamless virtual reality experience, all for a lower price than the Vive Pro 2. We decided to take a deep dive and see if this popular VR headset is worth the investment in 2022.
What is the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite?
HTC released the original HTC Vive Cosmos in 2019, and it had very little fanfare. While the headset had promising hardware specs, the setup and configuration of the device was tedious, and many felt the headset was uncomfortable. The firmware, software and faceplate have seen significant upgrades over the last few years, and the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite has replaced the original version.
Most of the Cosmos Elite headset is physically identical to the original Cosmos. The differences lie in the programming and updated modular faceplate, allowing for highly precise room-scale tracking. In contrast, the original Vive VR, Cosmos, was held back by subpar tracking. The new model uses a completely overhauled camera and base station system, which is the main reason we were excited to revisit it in hands-on testing.
Testing the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite
One thing we noticed during unboxing and setup is that there’s a lot of equipment to deal with. However, even if you’re not tech-savvy, all the cables and components are numbered so you know what goes where. In the end, we didn’t need to use all the cords and plastic pieces simultaneously, but we followed the instructions closely and were good to go in no time.
The Cosmos Elite has a guided setup process, which is the only way to configure it. It has a decent number of steps, but the program leads each user through the process without much difficulty.
The Elite version of the headset stands out from the base model because it uses external sensors to create reliable tracking. We set up the two base stations around the room, which was relatively easy. It’s important to note that the sensors have to remain stable because if they bounce around, it will throw off the tracking. To combat that, you can stabilize the base stations with a tripod, light stands or use the included brackets to mount them to the walls for semi-permanent installation.
HTC recommends having at least 6 feet by 6 feet of space to get the best results when using the Vive Cosmos Elite. Since we used an Oculus Quest 2 for over a year, we already had an area set aside, but the space requirement is something to keep in mind if you’re just getting into PC VR.
Key features of the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite
Per the brand’s claims, the Cosmos Elite has a slightly more crisp image than most of the competition thanks to the 4.3-inch displays, each with a 1440 by 1700 resolution. Its 90Hz refresh rate is in line with most of today’s VR headsets. These factors created a smooth experience completely free from dizziness or motion sickness.
One thing we noticed as soon as we put the headset on is that while it’s not incredibly lightweight, the strap has a good deal of padding and is reasonably adjustable. This made it fairly easy to get comfortable using the device.
It comes equipped with a visor that’s easy to flip up so you can see your surroundings, which is helpful if you need to use your PC between gaming sessions. There’s also an option to activate the inside-out cameras and display your surroundings on the lenses. The headphones are slightly adjustable to make sure you can hear in-game audio properly.
The Cosmos Elite is for seasoned gamers, especially since you need a relatively capable gaming PC to use it. Since the Viveport service lets you stream various titles at the cost of just a single subscription, it’s a great choice for serious virtual reality gaming.
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite price
The list price of the Cosmos Elite is $900, but you can often find it at online retailers for closer to $800. Remember that you need to purchase the entire package, including the Vive controllers and base stations. You’ll also need to have a gaming computer to connect to the system.
Where is the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite sold?
The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is sold by Amazon.
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite benefits
- Great image quality: The high resolution and refresh rate make AAA titles like “Half Life: Alyx” look fantastic. There’s little to no screen door effect, and overall, the display quality is on-par with that of other high-end headsets.
- Improved tracking: The updated faceplate and base station connectivity address the subpar tracking found on the original HTC Vive Cosmos. Tracking on the new model isn’t 100% perfect, but we didn’t have any game-breaking issues during testing.
- Comfort: Despite the weighty headset, we didn’t have any comfort issues playing for a couple of hours at a time.
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite drawbacks
- Somewhat dated design: As it’s almost identical to the original Cosmos, the Cosmos Elite doesn’t look or feel quite as high-end or modern as more recent releases from the competition.
- Below-average controller ergonomics: Unfortunately, the Cosmos Elite is only compatible with the first-generation controllers, which are pretty big. Users with smaller hands might experience comfort issues holding the controllers for long periods.
- Tracking isn’t quite perfect: Tracking is an issue with other inside-out tracking headsets, such as the Oculus Quest 2. If you mostly enjoy games such as “Beat Saber”, where your hands are naturally placed in front of your body, you might never notice any tracking mistakes. But in more immersive simulators, you’ll probably see a brief dropout now and then when the controllers lose line of sight with the base stations and headset cameras simultaneously.
- It requires a lot of room to move: You’ll need a large open space with no furniture nearby, like coffee tables or chairs. Leaving these in the play area can easily lead to accidents.
Should you get the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite?
If you want higher resolutions and frame rates than what standalone VR headsets can consistently provide, the Cosmos Elite is a good choice. Its high cost makes it a little daunting for VR beginners, but it’s a powerful piece of equipment that works great once you configure it. A couple of competing headsets (such as the Valve Index) offer slightly better tracking or a bit wider field of view, but those also cost noticeably more. For that reason, the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is a great compromise for those who demand a high-fidelity PC VR experience but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg.
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/wearable-technology-br/htc-vive-cosmos-elite-review-we-tested-this-highly-rated-vr-headset-to-see-if-the-hype-is-justified/ | 2022-05-23T19:23:49Z |
GoodUnited Receives Ranking No. 460 Among America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies, No. 49 in Software
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Inc. revealed that GoodUnited is No. 460 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment—its independent businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
"We are honored to be recognized in these respected industry rankings," says Nick Black, co-founder and CEO of GoodUnited. "Our growth is a direct reflection of our company virtues: build products and services customers want; do less, better; BEST is the standard; and fiercely take care of each other. By focusing intently on the needs of our nonprofit partners, we have been able to build and inspire the future of social fundraising."
The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19. Among the top 500, the average median three-year revenue growth rate soared to 2,144 percent. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, which will be available on August 23.
"The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated," says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today."
"Our continued growth is a testament to the trust our nonprofit partners have put in us and the kind of work our team continues to deliver," says Jeremy Berman, co-founder and President of GoodUnited. "We have established a very deliberate strategy that is focused on providing real value in the realm of social media fundraising; since our entire business is centered on relationships, there is nothing more important to us than putting our partners' missions at the heart of everything we do."
GoodUnited is headquartered in Charleston, SC and is an industry leading social media fundraising software that helps 501(c)(3) nonprofits acquire and activate supporters, build personal relationships at scale, and grow revenue in social channels.
150+ Nonprofits trust GoodUnited to help grow their organization in social channels - including Susan G. Komen, Wounded Warrior Project, and American Cancer Society. For more information, visit www.GoodUnited.io or follow us on LinkedIn.
Companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2018 to 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2021. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places. The top 500 companies on the Inc. 5000 are featured in Inc. magazine's September issue. The entire Inc. 5000 can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.
The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
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SOURCE GoodUnited | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/goodunited-ranks-no-460-2022-inc-5000-annual-list/ | 2022-08-16T12:36:10Z |
- If approved, ABBV-951 will offer patients the first continuous subcutaneous delivery of carbidopa/levodopa prodrugs
- Submission is supported by Phase 3 study that demonstrated patients had significant increases in hours of "On" time without troublesome dyskinesia, compared to oral immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ABBV-951 (foscarbidopa/foslevodopa) for the treatment of motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD).
The submission is based on results from a Phase 3, head-to-head, randomized and controlled clinical trial demonstrating statistically significant improvement in "On" time without troublesome dyskinesia compared to oral immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa (CD/LD).
ABBV-951 is designed to provide a first-of-its-kind, 24-hour, continuous subcutaneous delivery of CD/LD. Compared to oral CD/LD, it offers the potential for improvement in motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, a progressive and chronic neurological disorder resulting from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells,1 which primarily manifests with tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with balance. In PD, patients and their healthcare providers share the same goal: to extend the amount of "On" time, referring to the period when symptoms are well controlled without dyskinesia or involuntary movements.
"Advanced Parkinson's disease causes unrelenting challenges and uncertainty for patients and caregivers worldwide," said Thomas Hudson, M.D., senior vice president, research and development, chief scientific officer, AbbVie. "We are committed to addressing the unmet needs of those affected by the disease and recognize the urgency for a new treatment that can enable better symptom control through the continuous 24-hour administration of medication."
The NDA is based primarily on data from the M15-736 study, a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled study, which demonstrated statistically superior efficacy of ABBV-951 compared to oral immediate-release CD/LD in controlling motor fluctuations in advanced PD patients.2 Approximately 130 adult participants with PD, whose motor symptoms were no longer adequately controlled by their current medications, were enrolled in the study across 80 sites in the U.S. and Australia.
The majority of adverse events (AEs) were non-serious and mild or moderate in severity in the ABBV-951 group. There was one patient with a treatment-emergent AE leading to death in the oral CD/LD group and none in the ABBV-951 group. The most common AEs reported in ≥ 10% patients in the ABBV-951 group were infusion site AEs (erythema, pain, cellulitis and edema) and dyskinesia. The submission is also supported by results from an ongoing multi-center, Phase 3, 52-week, single arm, open-label study (M15-741), which is assessing the long-term safety and efficacy of ABBV-951.
AbbVie will continue to pursue regulatory submissions for ABBV-951 across international markets throughout the year.
About ABBV-951
ABBV-951 (foscarbidopa/foslevodopa) is a solution of carbidopa and levodopa prodrugs for continuous subcutaneous delivery that is being investigated for the treatment of motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.
About the Phase 3 M15-736 Study3
The Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled study compared the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ABBV-951 (foscarbidopa/foslevodopa) to oral immediate-release CD/LD in patients with advanced PD. Participants were provided with a home diary (the PD Diary) to assess their motor state during the day. The primary endpoint of good "On" time (defined as "On" time without dyskinesia plus "On" time with non-troublesome dyskinesia), was collected and averaged over three consecutive days and normalized to a typical 16-hour waking period. Baseline values are defined as the average of normalized good "On" time collected over the three PD Diary days before randomization. Approximately 130 adult participants with advanced PD were enrolled in the study across 80 sites in the U.S. and Australia. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive either the ABBV-951 solution as a continuous delivery under the skin (subcutaneous) plus oral placebo capsules for carbidopa/levodopa or oral capsules containing immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa plus continuous subcutaneous delivery of placebo solution for ABBV-951. The treatment duration was 12 weeks. More information on the study can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04380142).
About Parkinson's Disease
More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's disease (PD)4, a progressive and chronic neurological disorder characterized by tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty with balance.1 The motor symptoms of PD result from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells and begin when approximately 60-80 percent of these cells are lost.5 Symptoms continue to worsen slowly over the course of time.6 While there is no known cure for the disease, there are treatments available to help reduce symptoms.7
As PD progresses, patients experience motor complications, including motor and non-motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. Patients report switching from an "On" state (when symptoms are generally well controlled) to an "Off" state, during which symptoms such as tremor and stiffness may reappear and patients have more difficulty in moving.8 Patients with advanced PD may also experience dyskinesia (involuntary movements) which can significantly hinder daily activities.8 Neuronal degeneration and fluctuating plasma levodopa levels are responsible for the onset of these motor complications, with 50 percent of patients reporting them two to five years after diagnosis and approximately 80-100 percent of patients presenting with them after 10 years.9
About AbbVie in Neuroscience
At AbbVie, our commitment to preserve the personhood of those living with neurological and psychiatric disorders is unwavering. Every challenge in this uncharted territory makes us more determined and drives us harder to discover and deliver solutions for patients, care partners and clinicians. AbbVie's Neuroscience portfolio consists of approved therapies in neurological and psychiatric disorders, including bipolar I disorder, major depressive disorder, migraine, Parkinson's disease, post-stroke spasticity, schizophrenia, and others along with a robust pipeline.
We have a strong investment in neuroscience research, with our Foundational Neuroscience Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and our Neuroscience Discovery site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, where our research and resilience in these challenging therapeutic areas is yielding a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders, and identifying targets for potential disease-modifying therapeutics aimed at making a difference in people's lives.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @AbbVie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.
References:
1 About Parkinson's: Parkinson's 101. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Available at: https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/i-have-got-what.php#q2. Accessed March 1, 2022.
2 AbbVie. Data on file.
3 Study Comparing Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion Of ABBV-951 With Oral Carbidopa/Levodopa Tablets For Treatment Of Motor Fluctuations in Adult Participants With Advanced Parkinson's Disease. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04380142?term=NCT04380142&draw=2&rank=1. Accessed March 1, 2022.
4 Statistics. Parkinson's Foundation. Available at: https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics#:~:text=More%20than%2010%20million%20people. Accessed March 1, 2022.
5 Parkinson's Disease: Hope Through Research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Parkinsons-Disease-Hope-Through-Research#:~:text=Loss%20of%20dopamine%20results%20in,by%20the%20time%20symptoms%20appear. Accessed March 1, 2022.
6 Parkinson's Disease: Challenges, Progress, and Promise. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Parkinsons-Disease-Challenges-Progress-and-Promise. Accessed March 1, 2022.
7 Parkinson's Disease. National Institute on Aging. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease. Accessed March 1, 2022.
8 Wearing off and motor fluctuations. European Parkinson's Disease Association. Available at: https://www.epda.eu.com/about-parkinsons/symptoms/motor-symptoms/wearing-off-and-motor-fluctuations/. Accessed March 1, 2022.
9 Freitas ME, Hess CW, Fox SH. Motor Complications of Dopaminergic Medications in Parkinson's Disease. Semin Neurol. 2017;37(2):147-157. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1602423).
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SOURCE AbbVie | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/20/abbvie-submits-new-drug-application-us-fda-investigational-abbv-951-foscarbidopafoslevodopa-treatment-advanced-parkinsons-disease/ | 2022-05-20T12:46:42Z |
BALL GROUND, Ga., June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- No place on earth compares to Gibbs Gardens in June as summer transforms the estate into a huge, rambling 376-acre bouquet.
With elegant beauty and dramatic color, thousands of roses steal the show at Gibbs Gardens. Dramatic S-curved ribbons of vibrant Knockout roses sprawl across the Valley Gardens, classical trellises covered with blush pink New Dawn roses crown the Manor House Gardens while impertinent red Drift roses bursting with blooms cling to hills in the Inspiration Gardens.
Not to be outdone, massive plantings of daylilies begin blooming in June and continue through August. Thousands of blooms in pastel shades and red, orange, yellow, purple, white, apricot and pink flowers in long curving beds sweep across a background of vibrant green grass. "Daylilies have a special place in my heart," said Jim Gibbs, the gardens' owner/developer. "They remind me of sunshine and happy days."
For a double dose of breath-taking beauty, follow the trail of photographers to the Monet Water Lily Gardens where tropical and hardy blooms create magical reflections in the ponds. "We've added lots of new varieties with taller stems this year. The flowers will come out of the water further, creating more distinctive and artistic reflections," said Gibbs.
Annuals and perennials are planted throughout the gardens—from unique and inspiring arrangements adorning the Flower Bridge to sweeping borders of white caladiums and begonias lining the beds that lead to the Manor House Gardens.
Flanders Poppies are blooming now in the Wildflower Monarch Butterfly Gardens. Gibbs chose poppies for this garden because their strong, vivid colors—bright orange, red and salmon shades—attract butterflies as they fly across Georgia during their migration from Mexico to Canada. Adding stark contrast to the poppies, blue, lavender and purple larkspur, bright orange asclepias tuberosa butterfly weed and bright yellow coreopsis lure the butterflies to a delicious lunch at Gibbs Gardens.
Honored for excellence
Recognized as one of the Thirteen Best Botanical Gardens in America and named top garden in Georgia by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Gibbs Gardens is a magical place to visit. Five feature gardens and 21 seasonal collections gardens offer unique and continuous delights to visitors. To learn more about Gibbs Gardens go to gibbsgardens.com.
For more information contact:
Carol Skapinetz, carol@gibbsgardens.com
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SOURCE Gibbs Gardens | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/gibbs-gardens-376-acre-summer-bouquet-with-blooms-every-direction/ | 2022-06-06T15:46:06Z |
More than One Million Visitors to be Greeted by Spectacular Performances, Groundbreaking Museum Exhibitions, Premier Fashion Shows and More
Complete cultural offering to be presented through the All-New Qatar Creates One Pass
DOHA, Qatar, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning at M7 in Msheireb, the all-new format for arts and culture programming across Qatar was announced, with the transformation of Qatar Creates from a limited period of events into a year-round national cultural movement, for local and international audiences alike. Qatar Creates will now be the all-embracing vehicle that curates, promotes, and celebrates the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar, with an unprecedented schedule of high-profile events, exhibitions, live shows, and openings, all geared toward the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, and beyond.
The new format Qatar Creates and overview of Qatar's cultural offerings for autumn 2022 were announced today for the first time by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums and the Doha Film Institute and co-chair of Fashion Trust Arabia.
The unprecedented autumn schedule features 17 exhibitions across five museums and five creative hubs, 10 high-profile events, three live festivals, 15 Qatar Creates lounges and over 80 public art installations across the country.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa said, "As the countdown intensifies toward the opening of the World Cup, we are delighted to share a picture of autumn 2022 in Doha, when the calendar will be overflowing with museum exhibitions, premier fashion events, spectacular music and theater experiences, and eye-opening previews of the exciting cultural future that Qatar is building today."
In its new form Qatar Creates is a perennial cultural movement that curates, promotes, and celebrates the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar. To provide residents and visitors with an unrivalled opportunity to immerse themselves and fully experience the myriad cultural, leisure and entertainment offerings across the country, Qatar Creates has launched its new One Pass, an online portal that offers a one-stop resource for all of Qatar's cultural offerings.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa, continued, "One Pass is a gateway to arts and culture for all of our residents and visitors to access to museums, events, festivals, theatrical experiences, and cultural offerings across the country, along with benefits for dining, entertainment, adventure, and fashion. By bringing this all together with the One Pass, our hope is that everyone will have the opportunity to live it all, to experience the very best our country has to offer, turning visitors into ambassadors who will share their experiences and want to return to Qatar again and again."
Bearers of the tiered-level pass will enjoy benefits including free admission to all museums, discounts at events and performances, restaurants, and local retailers, as well as front-of-line privileges. Pass holders will also receive a daily newsletter of events and access to an online portal that will be filled with content about activities happening in Doha during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. For additional information on Qatar Creates and the One Pass, please visit www.qarcreates.com
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Creates
Qatar Creates (QC) is a cultural initiative that was launched by Qatar Museums (QM) in 2019 to celebrate the inauguration of the National Museum of Qatar. QC is an annual celebration of art, fashion, design, culture and architecture through a weeklong series of community events and programmes including fashion shows, exhibitions, tours, workshops and panel discussions. QC is a global summit for the cultural innovation economy, acting as a platform to promote local, regional and international cultural perspectives.
Led by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar Creates promises to showcase local and global talent. Qatar Creates will bring together the best of Qatar's cultural entities including Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar and its newly created Creative Hub comprising of the Fire Station – Artists in Residence, M7, Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and Liwan Design Studios and Labs.
Qatar Creates 2022 will be the first year to witness two editions of the celebration to welcome visitors during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. This edition will also introduce QM's upcoming museums and galleries including the Art Mill Museum, Qatar Auto Museum and Lusail Museum.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1833272/Qatar_Creates.jpg
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SOURCE Qatar Creates | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/qatar-announces-an-overflowing-autumn-season-cultural-offerings-sweeping-guests-around-globe-toward-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022/ | 2022-06-06T17:18:08Z |
FREMONT, Calif., June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society for Clinical Trials (SCT) 43rd Annual Meeting was held last month in San Diego. At the meeting, the SWOG Cancer Research Network (SWOG) poster "A More Efficient Approach to Clinical Trial Data Collection: The SWOG-nCartes Pilot Collaboration" was presented by Chris Cook, applications development director at Cancer Research And Biostatistics (CRAB). The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and CRAB host SWOG's Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC). CRAB is dedicated to providing statistics and data management operations and leadership support for the SWOG SDMC. SWOG is a global cancer research community that designs and conducts publicly funded clinical trials, with 39 open trials across 1,315 members sites in the U.S. and internationally.
The poster session summarized the results to date of the SWOG-nCartes Pilot Collaboration. SWOG partnered with cloud clinical research software company nCoup to pilot and deploy the company's nCartes platform at SWOG sites to help advance data collection. With nCartes, research sites pull data available in the electronic medical record (EMR), such as labs and medications, and automatically transfer the data directly into the research sponsor's electronic data capture (EDC) system.
In late-phase pilot testing, the results of data entry using the nCartes platform were compared to the current practice of manual data entry. To measure data entry time, an experienced study coordinator was timed entering 43 forms using nCartes. It took 100 minutes to complete all forms, or 2 minutes and 20 seconds per form – a sizable time savings compared to current standard practice. Data quality also improved. To see the complete SWOG SCT poster, click here: https://www.crab.org/documents/posters/2022-SCT-Cook.pdf.
"SWOG and the SWOG-nCartes pilot sites have been exceptional partners," says John S. McIlwain, CEO of nCoup, the cloud software company that developed and supports nCartes. "We are very pleased with these strong results and look forward to now making nCartes available to the broader SWOG community and many other sites and sponsors likely to realize significant time and cost benefits from nCartes."
SWOG and nCoup gratefully acknowledge the leadership and teams at the following three SWOG-nCartes Pilot Collaboration sites, without whom this material progress would not have been possible:
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, which also led a previous industry-sponsored nCartes pilot
- University of Rochester Wilmot Cancer Institute
SWOG Cancer Research Network is part of the National Cancer Institute's National Clinical Trials Network and the NCI Community Oncology Research Program and is part of the oldest and largest publicly funded cancer research network in the nation. SWOG has nearly 12,000 members in 47 states and nine foreign countries who design and conduct clinical trials to improve the lives of people with cancer. SWOG trials have led to the approval of 14 cancer drugs, changed more than 100 standards of cancer care, and saved more than 3 million years of human life. Learn more at swog.org, and follow us on Twitter at @SWOG.
The SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC) is co-located at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and at Cancer Research And Biostatistics in Seattle, Washington. Under SWOG group statistician and director of the SDMC, Michael LeBlanc, PhD, SDMC staff provide state-of-the-art statistics and data management expertise for the effective design, conduct and reporting of clinical trials. Research conducted at the SWOG SDMC leads to new standards with respect to statistics design, reproducible research tools and efficient, scalable data management methodologies. Learn more at www.swogstat.org.
nCoup provides innovative cloud solutions that address specialized operational needs of organizations conducting clinical research. nCoup, Inc. is privately held with headquarters in Fremont, California. For more information, visit www.ncoup.com.
CONTACT: info@ncoup.com
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SOURCE nCoup, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/ncoup-inc-swog-ncartes-pilot-collaboration-shows-significant-expected-time-savings-study-data-entry-sct-annual-meeting/ | 2022-06-22T18:57:32Z |
Expanded and reimagined facility provides companies a hands-on, immersive experience in the latest digital technologies to prepare companies and workforces for the future of advanced manufacturing
ATLANTA, May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- McKinsey & Company today formally relaunched their expanded innovation and learning center, the Digital Capability Center Atlanta, a state of the art facility that provides companies the inspiration, knowledge, and skills to adopt next generation digital technologies.
At the Digital Capability Center Atlanta, organizations' leaders and frontline workers can experience and see firsthand how digital technologies work in practice to increase productivity and develop the skills critical to transform American manufacturing and its workforce.
"As we approach the 45th anniversary of our Atlanta office, the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia have flourished over that time, and McKinsey is honored to be part of the community. We see an exciting path forward with this investment and it's a testament to Atlanta being the economic incubator of the region, attracting businesses, investment, and top diverse tech talent," said Steve Reis, Managing Partner of McKinsey's Atlanta office.
Through immersive learning programs tailored to the needs of a specific company, the Digital Capability Center Atlanta enables organizations to sustain their transformation with new workforce capabilities using the latest advanced technologies, data, and analytics solutions in hyper-realistic simulations.
"We know digital and analytics capabilities will enable organizations to better meet the needs of their customers, deliver higher profitability, attract and retain workers, and reach their sustainability commitments. However, many companies have yet to scale their technology trials to realize the benefits of their investments," said Mike Doheny, Atlanta-based senior partner with McKinsey & Company. "In operations, a key reason technology results in impact is when people are able to make different decisions and work more productively, often in tailored environments. That's why McKinsey has made a significant investment to create a state-of-the-art facility where clients experience the technology firsthand and understand the full set of requirements to achieve meaningful and sustainable impact."
The Digital Capability Center brings McKinsey's deep expertise in transforming manufacturing, planning, and logistics through advanced analytics, digital process adoption, and physical automation, to Atlanta, a burgeoning technology hub. It features a fully operational shop floor, including tea brewing and refrigerator compressor lines, a mock warehouse, and procurement and sales functions. The space is outfitted to meet each organization wherever they are in their transformation journey, with multiple environments to simulate different types of factories, lines, offices and new ways of working.
Participants in the workshops can expect to experience:
Inspiration to implementation and impact: The innovative facility enables leaders to be immersed in tech-enabled environments and experiment with advanced technologies, data, and analytics solutions from an ecosystem of providers and focus on reimagining operations functions within and beyond the four walls of a manufacturing facility, deploying digital capabilities, and scaling the new way of work across the workforce.
Immersive learning: Leaders from companies of all sizes can participate in single and multi-day workshops designed to build awareness of tech-enabled operations. Managers and operators can take advantage of learning programs to develop the confidence, skills, and mindsets for a transformation that sticks, powered by a new continuous improvement approach..
The Digital Capability Center Atlanta mock manufacturing? lines transform in stages from a current, non-digitized line into a higher-performing, digitally-enabled production line of the future that includes advanced analytics, augmented reality, and digital assistance for the operators.
The Digital Capability Center Atlanta is part of McKinsey's global network spanning 12 locations across Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. The global network supports over 450 organizations each year, with an average of 13,000 participants. In addition to the 250 McKinsey experts involved in this global network, the Digital Capability Center network also has partnerships with 150+ tech companies and startups.
About the Digital Capability Center Atlanta
The Digital Capability Centers for Operations are advanced tech-enabled innovation and learning hubs that guide the imagination and realization of an organization's digital future. The Digital Capability Center Atlanta brings together a technology ecosystem and deep expertise to allow companies to experience the latest digital and analytics opportunities across the value chain and build the skills to apply them for holistic, lasting impact.
About McKinsey & Company
McKinsey is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organizations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organizations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next.
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SOURCE McKinsey & Company | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/04/mckinsey-bolsters-investment-digital-capability-center-atlanta/ | 2022-05-04T10:44:07Z |
ATLANTA -- Executives from Georgia Power Co. outlined the utility's planned mix of power-generating sources for the next 20 years in hearings this week before the state Public Service Commission.
In 18 hours of testimony over two days, Georgia Power executives explained the company's plan to close nine coal-burning units and three oil-burning units by 2028, leaving only two units at Plant Bowen near Cartersville, which would be shut down by 2035. The utility has been phasing out coal for the last decade amid tighter government regulation of carbon emissions.
"It's no longer economical to operate the company's coal units," Jeffrey Grubb, director of resource planning for Georgia Power, said. "We don't see a lot of positives in the future for the coal fleet."
Georgia Power plans to replace the electricity the coal plants have been generating by purchasing 2,356 megawatts of natural gas from other utilities and adding 2,300 megawatts of power from renewable sources by 2029. That commitment to renewables would be raised to 6,000 megawatts by 2035, Grubb said.
"Customers want renewables and no-carbon solutions," he said.
Georgia Power submits an updated Integrated Resource Plan to the PSC every three years, indicating where it plans to get the power-generation sources necessary to meet the needs of its 2.7 million customers for the next 20 years.
The utility also plans to increase its investment in power generated through battery storage, which helps offset the intermittent nature of renewable energy. The IRP calls for developing 1,000 megawatts from batteries by 2030.
On a smaller scale, Georgia Power plans to test "tall wind" technology by building two wind turbines 140 meters to 165 meters high capable of generating 4 megawatts each. An earlier experiment with shorter turbines the utility launched in 2013 didn't prove economical, said Andrew Wilson Mallard, Georgia Power's director of renewable development.
"If you get up high enough, that wind resource is significant," he said. "It can create economical wind."
Under questioning from Liz Coyle, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Georgia Watch, Grubb said none of the projects Georgia Power is requesting in the IRP likely would increase customer rates more than the 10% increase the utility has projected will result following the completion of the long-delayed, overbudget nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle.
But Grubb said comparing the projects in the IRP with Plant Vogtle isn't a useful analysis because of the longer-term benefits that will come from adding two nuclear reactors at the plant south of Augusta.
"You're looking at a 60- to 80-year resource," he said of Plant Vogtle.
After additional hearings this spring, the PSC is scheduled to vote on the Georgia Power IRP this summer. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/georgia-power-presents-plan-to-reduce-reliance-on-coal-boost-use-of-renewables/article_384c0d1c-b69e-11ec-8c27-e7d05f566413.html | 2022-04-07T19:49:52Z |
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Mary Peltola, a former state lawmaker and one of the few Democrats in a massive field of candidates seeking Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, has advanced to an August special election, where she will face former Gov. Sarah Palin, Republican Nick Begich and independent Al Gross.
The four emerged from a field of 48 candidates in a special primary for the seat left vacant by the March death of longtime Republican Rep. Don Young. Peltola, an Alaska Native from the rural city of Bethel, was one of just six Democrats in the race.
She advanced as state elections officials announced more results Friday. Vote counts also were conducted last Saturday and Wednesday.
Peltola, who was recovering from COVID-19, said Thursday she didn’t want to “jinx” her chances but felt good about her campaign and was encouraged and pleased.
Republican Tara Sweeney, who was assistant secretary of Indian Affairs in the U.S. Interior Department during the Trump administration, was in fifth place. Sweeney said Wednesday her goal was to make the top four and that it appeared she would “fall just short.” She said she planned to meet with advisers and supporters to determine “next steps.”
All 48 candidates were on the same ballot under an elections process approved by voters in 2020 that ends party primaries and implements ranked choice voting for general elections. The special primary also was unusual in that it was conducted primarily by mail, a first for a statewide election.
The special election, set for Aug. 16, will feature ranked voting. The winner will serve the rest of Young’s term, which ends in January. Young had held the seat for 49 years.
The special election is expected to coincide with the August regular primary. The regular primary and November general election will decide who will serve a new two-year House term beginning in January.
Palin, Begich, Gross and Peltola are all running in that race. Sweeney is also listed as a candidate. Democrat Christopher Constant’s campaign said Thursday he would withdraw from the August regular primary and back Peltola instead.
Peltola served five terms in the Alaska House, ending in 2009, and most recently has been executive director of a commission aimed at rebuilding salmon resources on the Kuskokwim River.
She said she wants to use her campaign to elevate issues of food insecurity and ocean productivity. A subsistence lifestyle — relying on fish, plants and other wildlife — is critical in rural Alaska, including in many Alaska Native communities, where the cost of goods is high and villages may only be accessible by plane.
She said she worked for six years for a company that is seeking to advance a gold mine project in southwest Alaska. Her campaign said she left that role following a tailings dam collapse at an unrelated mine site in Canada. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ex-legislator-advances-to-alaskas-special-us-house-election/ | 2022-06-18T13:10:04Z |
Iconic Baked Goods Brand Calls on Fans to Nominate a Deserving Father Figure for the Chance to Win $50,000 and a Year's Supply of Donuts
ISLANDIA, N.Y., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mirror, mirror on the wall — is your dad the most glorious of them all? This Father's Day, Entenmann's® is celebrating the finest moments of dad-ism with "Dads of Glory: A Father Figure Showcase," giving fans the chance to celebrate the father figure in their life and win exciting prizes including $50,000 and a year's supply of Entenmann's® Donuts!
Now through July 1, fans can nominate the deserving father figure in their lives by submitting a video clip at www.DadsOfGlory.com that shows why he is a "Dad of Glory" across one of the five "Dad-egories": Dad Humor, Dad Feats, Dad Engineering, Dad Fashion, and Dad Love. Whether it's a coach, a grandparent or a role model (regardless of gender), Entenmann's® wants to give fans the opportunity to gift their father figure something special this year.
"At Entenmann's®, we remain committed to celebrating our loyal fans, and this Father's Day we wanted to take the opportunity to showcase the father figures that have made such a meaningful mark on their lives," said Jason Amar, Director of Marketing at Entenmann's®. "The 'Dads of Glory: A Father Figure Showcase' is the perfect way for the brand to pay tribute to dads across the country for their continuous dedication and compassion, and to provide a little sweetness along the way."
A panel of judges, including actor and father Jerry Ferrara, will be reviewing submissions to determine "The Golden Donut Award" winning entry regardless of Dad-egory. The Grand Prize of $50,000, a year's supply of donuts and the oversized "Golden Donut Award" trophy will be announced in early September along with $1,000 and a year's supply of donuts being awarded to the winners in each Dad-egory. The nominator of each winner in the showcase will receive a year's supply of donuts as well!
"I share a kinship with the brand as a native Brooklyn-ite, and I'm a proud father to two young boys. I couldn't be more excited to team up with Entenmann's® to honor all of the deserving dads out there," said Ferrara. "There is truly no better combo than dads and donuts!"
In time for Father's Day on June 19, specially marked "Dads of Glory: A Father Figure Showcase" boxes of delicious Entenmann's® Donuts are now available for purchase through July 1 or while supplies last. More information about "Dads of Glory: A Father Figure Showcase", including official rules, can be found at www.DadsofGlory.com.
About Entenmann's® Bakery
Entenmann's history dates back more than 120 years to 1898 when William Entenmann opened his first bakery in Brooklyn, New York. By the 1960s the company was selling delicious donuts throughout the New York metropolitan area; by the 1970s it began selling nationwide. Today, Entenmann's markets over 100 different baked goods in the U.S., producing more than one billion donuts annually – one of which is the #1-best-selling classic Entenmann's Rich Frosted Donut introduced in 1973.
About Bimbo Bakeries USA
Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 20,000+ U.S. associates operates more than 50 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold®, Artesano™, Ball Park®, Bimbo®, Boboli®, Brownberry®, Entenmann's®, Little Bites®, Marinela®, Mrs Baird's®, Oroweat®, Sara Lee®, Stroehmann® and Thomas'®. BBU is owned by Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 33 countries.
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SOURCE Entenmann’s® | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/entenmanns-donuts-celebrates-father-figures-with-dads-glory-father-figure-showcase/ | 2022-06-01T15:23:49Z |
Crews make progress against destructive fire near Yosemite
JERSEYDALE, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters continue to make progress against a huge California forest fire that forced evacuations for thousands of people and destroyed 41 homes and other buildings near Yosemite National Park, officials said Tuesday.
Crews battling the Oak Fire in Mariposa County got a break from increased humidity levels as monsoonal moisture moved through the Sierra Nevada foothills, said a Tuesday morning report by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.
After minimal growth Monday and overnight, the blaze had consumed more than 28 square miles (72 square km) of forest land, with 26% containment on Tuesday, Cal Fire said. The cause was under investigation.
“Fire crews continue providing structure defense, extinguishing hot spots, and building and improving direct fire lines,” the report said.
About 6,000 residents from mountain communities were still under evacuation orders while heavy smoke from the fire drifted more than 200 miles (322 kilometers), reaching Lake Tahoe, parts of Nevada and the San Francisco Bay Area, officials said.
Nearly 3,000 firefighters with aircraft support were battling the blaze that erupted last Friday southwest of the park, near the town of Midpines. It exploded in size on Saturday as flames churned through tinder-dry brush and trees amid the worst drought in decades.
Numerous roads were closed, including a stretch of State Route 140 that’s one of the main routes into Yosemite.
California has experienced increasingly larger and deadlier wildfires in recent years as climate change has made the West much warmer and drier over the past 30 years. Scientists have said weather will continue to be more extreme and wildfires more frequent, destructive and unpredictable.
The Oak Fire burned as firefighters also made progress against an earlier blaze that burned to the edge of a grove of giant sequoias in the southernmost part of Yosemite. The Washburn Fire, spanning a 7.6-square-mile (19-square-km) area, was 87% contained on Tuesday after burning for more than two weeks and moving into the Sierra National Forest.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/26/crews-make-progress-against-destructive-fire-near-yosemite/ | 2022-07-26T18:34:01Z |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a barrier to prevent a rodent or other animal from chewing through a trash can," said an inventor, from Allston, Mass., "so I invented the RODENT PROOF TRASH CAN. My design would help to deter rodent activity and it could control rodent populations."
The patent-pending invention provides an improved design for a trash can. In doing so, it prevents rodents from scratching or chewing through the bottom. As a result, it reduces hassles and messes and it eliminates the need to use harsh chemicals to drive away rodents. The invention features a durable design that is easy to use so it is ideal for households and businesses. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.
The original design was submitted to the Boston sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 21-BEC-191, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/inventhelp-inventor-develops-rodent-proof-trash-can-bec-191/ | 2022-09-16T20:15:01Z |
DALLAS, July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) ("SUN") announced that it will release its second quarter 2022 financial and operating results before the market opens on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Management will hold a conference call that same day at 9:00 a.m. Central Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss SUN's results.
About Sunoco LP
Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership with core operations that include the distribution of motor fuel to approximately 10,000 convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors located in more than 40 U.S. states and territories as well as refined product transportation and terminalling assets. SUN's general partner is owned by Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET).
Contacts
Scott Grischow
Treasurer, Vice President – Investor Relations and Mergers & Acquisitions
(214) 840-5660, scott.grischow@sunoco.com
James Heckler
Director – Investor Relations and Corporate Finance
(214) 840-5415, james.heckler@sunoco.com
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SOURCE Sunoco LP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/sunoco-lp-announces-2q-2022-earnings-release-call-timing/ | 2022-07-12T20:19:51Z |
South Korea says North Korea fired projectile toward sea
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile designed to be launched from a submarine on Saturday, South Korea’s military said, apparently continuing a provocative streak in weapons demonstrations that may culminate with a nuclear test in the coming weeks or months.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch occurred from waters near the eastern port city of Sinpo, where North Korea has a major shipyard building submarines, but it didn’t immediately say how far the missile flew. It also wasn’t clear whether the launch would have involved an actual submarine or an underwater test platform.
Japan’s Defense Ministry also confirmed the launch, but it didn’t immediately release flight details.
The launch was apparently North Korea’s first demonstration of a submarine-fired ballistic system since October last year when it test-launched a new short-range missile from the 8.24 Yongung – its only known submarine capable of firing a missile – in what was its first underwater test launch since 2019.
The launch came three days after the South Korean and Japanese militaries detected the North firing a suspected ballistic missile from near its capital, Pyongyang, on Wednesday, and three days before the inauguration of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol, who has vowed to take a tougher approach over the North’s nuclear ambitions.
The latest launch was likely North Korea’s 15th round of missile firings this year, including its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017 that demonstrated potential range to reach the entirety of the U.S. mainland.
Experts say the unusually fast pace in testing activity underscores a brinkmanship aimed at forcing the United States to accept the idea of the North as a nuclear power and remove crippling sanctions. There are also signs that North Korea is restoring tunnels at a nuclear testing ground, where it had conducted its sixth and last nuclear test in September 2017, in possible preparations for another explosive test.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has punctuated his missile tests with statements warning that the North could proactively use its nuclear weapons if threatened or provoked, which experts say possibly portends an escalatory nuclear doctrine that would create greater concerns for South Korea and Japan.
Kim made one of those statements during an April 25 military parade in Pyongyang where he rolled out his ICBMs and what appeared to be a new type of missile designed to be fired from submarines.
North Korea has been pushing hard to acquire an ability to fire nuclear-armed missiles from submarines, which in theory would bolster its deterrent by ensuring a survivable capability to retaliate after absorbing a nuclear attack on land.
Ballistic missile submarines would also add a maritime threat to the North’s growing collection of solid-fuel weapons fired from land vehicles, which are being developed with an apparent aim to overwhelm missile defense systems in South Korea and Japan.
The North in recent years has been developing and testing a family of missiles named Pukguksong, which are designed to be fired from submarines or land vehicles. Still experts say the heavily sanctioned nation would need considerably more time, resources and major technological improvements to build at least several submarines that could travel quietly in seas and reliably execute strikes.
The South Korean and Japanese militaries said the North Korean missile fired on Wednesday traveled about 500 kilometers (310 miles) at a maximum altitude of 800 kilometers (500 miles). North Korean state media has yet to comment on that test.
— AP writer Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to the report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/07/south-koreas-military-says-north-korea-has-fired-projectile-toward-sea/ | 2022-05-07T08:03:17Z |
CEDARHURST, N.Y. , June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The securities litigation law firm of Kuznicki Law PLLC issues this alert to shareholders of Arqit Quantum Inc. f/k/a Centricus Acquisition Corp. (NasdaqCM: ARQQ), (NasdaqCM: ARQQW), (NasdaqCM: CENH), (NasdaqCM: CENHU), (NasdaqCM: CENHW) if they purchased the Company's securities between September 7, 2021 and April 18, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period") and/or held Centricus securities as of August 31, 2021 and were eligible to vote at the special meeting on the merger between Arqit and Centricus. Shareholders have until July 5, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in the securities class action lawsuit.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact us at https://kclasslaw.com/cases/securities/nasdaqcm-arqq/https://kclasslaw.com/cases/securities/nyse-hmlp/, by calling toll-free at 1-833-835-1495 or by email (dk@kclasslaw.com).
Kuznicki Law PLLC 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:
Kuznicki Law PLLC
Daniel Kuznicki, Esq.
445 Central Avenue, Suite 344
Cedarhurst, NY 11516
Email: dk@kclasslaw.com
Phone: (347) 696-1134
Cell: (347) 690-0692
Fax: (347) 348-0967
https://kclasslaw.com
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SOURCE Kuznicki Law PLLC | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/filing-deadline-kuznicki-law-pllc-announces-class-action-behalf-shareholders-arqit-quantum-inc-fka-centricus-acquisition-corp-arqq/ | 2022-06-16T04:22:45Z |
An Immersive Cocktail Quest in Decentraland this August that Allows Fans a Chance to Win a Vibrant Escape to Punta Mita
ATOTONILCO EL ALTO, Jalisco, Mexico, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PATRÓN® Tequila, the world's number one super-premium tequila*, is entering the metaverse this summer for the first time with "Summer Made Sensational: A PATRÓN Pop-Up Series." The experience will offer tequila enthusiasts a vibrant escape through a unique cocktail-themed journey in Decentraland, a 3D virtual world browser-based platform.
"As a leader in the tequila category, innovation has always been essential to the core of PATRÓN Tequila which is why we are excited to embark on this unique, virtual journey in Decentraland," said Kathy Parker, President & Global Chief Marketing Officer of PATRÓN. "At PATRÓN, we celebrate creative communities like the metaverse that bring people together in a digital world. With this new venture, we hope to spark curiosity, creativity and connection this summer while offering our tequila fans a new way to experience the mastery behind our brand."
This entry into the metaverse is a natural progression for the brand after its initial venture into Web 3.0 through its first-ever NFT, PATRÓN Chairman's Reserve. "Summer Made Sensational: A PATRÓN Pop-Up Series" embraces the ever-growing metaverse with a captivating, virtual reality adventure and bar takeover experience inspired by three refreshingly perfect cocktails from PATRÓN - the PATRÓN Perfect Paloma, PATRÓN Silver & Soda, and PATRÓN Añejo Highball. US residents 21 and older will help bartenders find the essential ingredients needed for making each drink in three cocktail-themed quests, while also having the opportunity to explore limited time pop-ups and unlock exclusive PATRÓN NFT wearables.
When entering the PATRÓN experience, metaverse fans will automatically arrive at the first cocktail-inspired location and be greeted by a PATRÓN host. A PATRÓN bartender will then detail each journey that centers around sourcing different ingredients to make a refreshingly perfect cocktail at all three locations - Jazz Club, Flamingos and Metaverse Festival. Following the successful completion of each quest, participants will portal to the next bar to take on a whole new cocktail mission.
U.S. residents who successfully complete all three challenges will be entered for a chance to win the grand prize — a once in a lifetime trip to Punta Mita, Mexico and a rare mythic wearable within the metaverse.
The PATRÓN grand prize will include:
- Exclusive access to mythic PATRÓN summer shades
- Travel for two people from the United States to Punta Mita, Mexico
- 4-night accommodation in a luxe three-bedroom condo for two people in Punta Mita
- Three meals provided a day (alcohol is not included)
- Unlimited golf and golf cart usage at Punta Mita Golf Courses during the stay
- Use of Punta Mita Ocean Sports aquatic equipment ie. Surf boards, SUP boards, kayaks, etc.
Metaverse users can participate in this virtual vibrant escape hosted by PATRÓN through www.patrontequilaverse.com during two weekends this month, August 12-14 and/or August 19-21 from Friday 5pm EST to Monday 4am EST. A grand prize will be awarded each weekend of the PATRÓN events. For official grand prize rules, please visit https://fooji.info/foojipatron.
Learn how to experience the smooth and delicious taste of PATRÓN Tequila IRL with Drizly and look no further than the following line-up of refreshingly perfect PATRÓN cocktails to enjoy while journeying through the "Summer Made Sensational: A PATRÓN Pop-Up Series." Fans are encouraged to share their metaverse adventures on social through #PatronTequilaverse.
PATRÓN Perfect Paloma
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz PATRÓN Reposado
- 3 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
- .5 oz Agave syrup (1:1)
- .5 oz Fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 oz Sparkling water
- + Sugar and salt for rim
- + Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Method:
Combine all ingredients except sparkling water in a shaker tin and shake with ice to chill. Strain onto fresh ice in a sugar and salt rimmed Collins glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
PATRÓN Silver & Soda
Ingredients:
- 2 oz PATRÓN Silver
- 3 oz Soda
- + Lime wedge for garnish
Method:
Combine ingredients in an ice-filled highball glass and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge to finish.
PATRÓN Añejo Highball
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz PATRÓN Añejo
- 5 oz Club Soda
- + Orange twist for garnish
Method:
Fill a highball or collins glass with ice and then add PATRÓN Añejo and club soda. Stir gently from the bottom up and garnish with an expressed peel of orange.
From hand-harvesting the highest-quality 100% Weber Blue Agave, to the traditional, time-honored distillation process and individual labeling, numbering, and inspection of each bottle, PATRÓN Tequila is crafted with meticulous precision and care. Though PATRÓN has grown to become one of the most recognized and respected luxury spirits brands in the world, it is still exclusively produced in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, in the same small batches and with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship. For more information about PATRÓN Tequilas and Liqueurs, please visit www.patrontequila.com . The perfect way to enjoy PATRÓN is responsibly.
PATRÓN is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.
*IWSR 2021 Global Database
THE PERFECT WAY TO ENJOY PATRÓN IS RESPONSIBLY. ©2022. PATRÓN, ITS TRADE DRESS AND THE BEE LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS.
CONTACT: patron@mbooth.com
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SOURCE PATRÓN Tequila | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/patrn-tequila-makes-its-first-foray-into-metaverse-with-summer-made-sensational-patrn-pop-up-series/ | 2022-08-02T15:56:22Z |
Supreme Court rules out suing police for Miranda violations
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that law enforcement officers can’t be sued when they violate the rights of criminal suspects by failing to provide the familiar Miranda warning before questioning them.
The justices ruled 6-3 in favor of a sheriff’s deputy who was sued after he failed to read a Miranda warning — “You have the right to remain silent,” it begins — to a Los Angeles hospital worker accused of sexually assaulting a patient.
The issue in the case was whether the warning given to criminal suspects before they talk to authorities, which the court recognized in its Miranda v. Arizona decision in 1966 and reaffirmed 34 years later, is a constitutional right or something less important and less defined.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his majority opinion that “a violation of Miranda is not itself a violation of the Fifth Amendment” and “we see no justification for expanding Miranda to confer a right to sue” under the federal law known as Section 1983. The law allows people to sue police officers and other governmental workers for violations of constitutional rights.
In dissent for the court’s three liberals, Justice Elena Kagan wrote that the decision “prevents individuals from obtaining any redress when police violate their rights under Miranda.”
The case began when a woman who suffered a stroke said she was assaulted at a Los Angeles hospital and identified hospital worker Terrence Tekoh as her attacker. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Vega talked to Tekoh, who signed a statement confessing to the assault.
Both sides agree that Vega did not read Tekoh his rights before their conversation at the hospital. But they disagree about whether Tekoh was coerced into confessing.
Even with the statement used against him at trial, a jury acquitted Tekoh of criminal charges. Tekoh then turned around and sued Vega, who twice prevailed at civil trials over his conduct. But a federal appeals court ruled Tekoh should have another chance.
The deputy appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/23/supreme-court-rules-out-suing-police-miranda-violations/ | 2022-06-23T16:07:53Z |
Which physical therapy equipment to use at home is best?
Depending on your physical therapy program, your doctor or physical therapist may encourage at-home exercises. If you’d like to practice similar exercises to the ones you perform in a clinical setting, consider buying physical therapy equipment to use at home.
Physical therapy equipment doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to be effective. There are several affordable options, including yoga mats, weighted exercise balls and resistance bands. Trideer Extra-thick Yoga Exercise Ball is a top choice that’s a versatile device that lends itself to dozens of upper- and lower-body exercises.
What to know before you buy physical therapy equipment to use at home
Why do people buy physical therapy equipment to use at home?
Physical therapy plays a pivotal role in rehabilitation because it may help individuals regain strength, mobility, coordination and balance. According to MedlinePlus, many people begin their physical therapy journeys in clinical settings, such as doctors’ offices or rehabilitation centers, and eventually, they transition to at-home therapy.
At-home therapy is often done on “off” days from in-office sessions or is continued after individuals complete their physical therapy programs in rehabilitation centers. Some individuals may need to perform physical therapy exercises for a few weeks after discharge, whereas others may need to incorporate it into their daily lives long-term so they don’t regress in recovery.
Popular types of physical therapy equipment for home use
Because few people have the room to accommodate large machines or devices, it’s common to invest in smaller, pared-down versions of physical therapy equipment.
- Yoga mats are essential investments because they’re often for basic, floor-based stretching and mobility exercises.
- Free weight sets are ideal for developing upper body strength through repetition exercises, such as bicep curls.
- Resistance bands, often used in rehabilitation centers, are used for strength-building exercises.
- Exercise balls assist in modifications of certain exercises, like planks or lifting.
- Hand grip strengtheners, such as silicone stress eggs or spring-loaded grip trainers, are often used to build dexterity.
Talk to your doctor
Before you begin using physical therapy equipment at home, speak to your doctor or physical therapist to make sure you are approved to perform exercises outside of a clinical setting. Additionally, they may provide you with new exercises that are conducive to home practice with specific equipment.
What to look for in quality physical therapy equipment to use at home
Material
Most physical therapy equipment is made with silicone, rubber, latex, PVC and high-density plastic. These materials are durable and generally have high tensile strength, which means they can withstand a high level of tension without breaking. More complex physical therapy equipment, including spring-operated devices like hand grips strengthened, usually have steel components.
Progressive difficulty
As you progress in your physical therapy journey, your care team may introduce exercises with higher levels of difficulty. When you transition to an at-home program, you may wish to adjust difficulty levels as needed.
With some equipment, individuals can modify exercises to make them more challenging, such as doing more repetitions with free weights. Other equipment have built-in difficulty levels, such as step platforms whose heights can be adjusted by adding or removing risers.
Portability
Portability is an important consideration for many individuals who do physical therapy at home. Many types of equipment are compact and easy to store when it’s not in use, such as yoga mats or foam rollers. Other types of equipment are travel-friendly. Resistance bands, for example, can be rolled up and tucked inside most handbags and carry-ons.
How much you can expect to spend on physical therapy equipment to use at home
Smaller or simpler pieces of at-home physical therapy equipment, like resistance bands and yoga mats, cost $15 and below. More involved equipment, like free weight sets, may run between $20-$50. If you’d like to invest in facility-grade equipment, like pedal machines, be prepared to spend $75-$300.
Physical therapy equipment to use at home FAQ
Will my insurance cover physical therapy equipment to use at home?
A. It depends. You’ll need to contact your insurance plan regarding coverage, benefits and eligibility for a definitive answer. Some insurance plans may consider certain equipment is eligible for coverage under FSA or HSA benefits, whereas others won’t cover it at all.
How do I clean physical therapy equipment?
A. Most types of physical therapy equipment can be wiped down with everyday surface cleaners or disinfectant wipes. Some people prefer using nontoxic cleaners that are non-irritating to skin.
What’s the best physical therapy equipment to use at home?
Top physical therapy equipment to use at home
Trideer Extra-thick Yoga Exercise Ball
What you need to know: An all-around versatile fitness accessory, this ball can be manipulated in countless ways for upper- and lower-body exercises.
What you’ll love: The ball is available in five sizes to accommodate users with different needs. It’s made with durable anti-burst material that withstands pressure to 2,200 pounds. The ball comes with a foot pump for easy inflation out of the box.
What you should consider: A few users felt the foot pump wasn’t easy to use, and it took a while to inflate the ball.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top physical therapy equipment to use at home for the money
THERABAND Latex Beginner Bands
What you need to know: These resistance bands, often used by physical therapists in rehabilitation centers, are ideal for home and travel use.
What you’ll love: The beginner set offers three levels of low resistance between 3-4.6 pounds. They’re made with high-quality latex rubber that can withstand heavy use. At over 5 feet in length, they’re suitable for upper- and lower-body conditioning.
What you should consider: Because the bands are made with latex, they’re not suitable for those with latex allergies.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Logest Hand Grip Strengthener Set
What you need to know: This 14-piece set includes popular devices used in hand therapy, which may help build strength and dexterity.
What you’ll love: The set includes flexible silicone accessories that are soft and easy to manipulate. It includes a couple of intermediate and advanced devices for those further along in their rehabilitation journeys. All pieces can be stored in the drawstring carry case.
What you should consider: Individuals with larger hands may experience difficulty using smaller accessories.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/medical-supplies-equipment-br/the-best-physical-therapy-equipment-to-use-at-home/ | 2022-04-11T06:50:28Z |
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinovo, a technology focused Clinical services provider that accelerates Clinical Development for Life Sciences industry appoints Nandish Poluru as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately.
As an executive at the intersection of Lifesciences, Operations and Technology, Nandish has over two decades of experience in successfully accelerating Research and Development efforts for multiple companies across the Lifesciences industry. He brings expertise across the pharmaceutical value chain including Clinical Development and Operations, Clinical Data Management, Biostatistics and programming, Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory operations and Technology.
Most recently, Nandish was the Vice President of Clinical Innovation at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) where he led efforts to accelerate Clinical Research globally with a focus on Digital Health, Patient Centricity, and Speed to Market. During his tenure at BMS, he also served in various roles to modernize Clinical Development through process and digital solutions. Prior to BMS, Nandish was Executive Director at Allergan (an Abbvie company) and worked at Forest Laboratories in various roles. He also worked in Silicon Valley at the start of his career.
"It is with great excitement and immense pleasure that I welcome Nandish to Clinovo" said Vamsi Maddipatla, President and Chairman at Clinovo. "Nandish is a visionary and innovative leader who brings demonstrated experience and skills along with exceptional leadership abilities. He is uniquely positioned to lead us in our next phase of growth and establish Clinovo as a global leader in the Clinical solutions market".
"I am very excited to join and work with the talented team at Clinovo" said Nandish. "I am thrilled to build on the strong foundations already established and lead the company to further scale the capabilities. I strongly believe that Clinovo is well positioned to create value for our customers by accelerating Clinical trials globally and bring new medicines to market faster."
Nandish has an MBA from Yale school of Management with a focus on Healthcare Management. He also has a Master's in information systems from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor`s in Electrical Engineering from Sri Venkateswara University, India.
Clinovo works with life sciences customers across the globe to accelerate clinical development and bring new medicines to market faster. Together with their customers, they focus on speed to submissions, decrease clinical development cycle times and lower development costs.
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SOURCE Clinovo | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/clinovo-taps-life-sciences-executive-nandish-poluru-its-next-chief-executive-officer/ | 2022-08-18T23:59:46Z |
-Earnings Call Scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on August 22, 2022-
SHANGHAI, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FinVolution Group ("FinVolution", or the "Company") (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech platform, today announced that it will report its second quarter 2022 unaudited financial results, on Monday, August 22, 2022, after the close of U.S. markets.
The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 8:30 PM U.S. Eastern Time on August 22, 2022 (8:30 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on August 23, 2022).
Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
Participants should dial-in at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time and ask to be connected to the call for "FinVolution Group."
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.finvgroup.com.
A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour after the conclusion of the live call until August 29, 2022, by dialing the following telephone numbers:
About FinVolution Group
FinVolution Group is a leading fintech platform in China connecting underserved individual borrowers with financial institutions. Established in 2007, the Company is a pioneer in China's online consumer finance industry and has developed innovative technologies and has accumulated in-depth experience in the core areas of credit risk assessment, fraud detection, big data and artificial intelligence. The Company's platform, empowered by proprietary cutting-edge technologies, features a highly automated loan transaction process, which enables a superior user experience. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had over 145.3 million cumulative registered users.
For more information, please visit https://ir.finvgroup.com.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
FinVolution Group
Head of Investor Relations
Jimmy Tan
Tel: +86 (21) 8030 3200- Ext 8601
E-mail: ir@xinye.com
The Piacente Group, Inc. Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: finv@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc. Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: finv@tpg-ir.com
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SOURCE FinVolution Group | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/finvolution-group-report-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-monday-august-222022/ | 2022-08-09T10:33:34Z |
Hardin & Associates attorney secures Texas Supreme Court victory in Corpus Christi spa owner's defamation defense
HOUSTON, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Supreme Court has closed the books on a defamation case that received national attention, declining to review $300,000 in sanctions and legal fees against the inventor of a consumer health product that sought to muzzle online critics.
Karen Wallace, the owner of Journeyz Spa in Corpus Christi, was sued in 2017 for defamation after posting negative comments on social media about a consumer product known as the FasciaBlaster. Ms. Wallace wrote on a Facebook post that she experienced several unpleasant side effects, including loosened skin and weight gain, after using the FasciaBlaster, a popular massage tool that claims to reduce cellulite and improve joint and circulatory function.
Ms. Wallace's attorney, Ryan Higgins with Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP, won at the trial court and successfully argued on appeal that her comments were a warning to the public and protected free speech under the Texas Citizens Participation Act, a law designed protect free speech and public discourse by deterring so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation, also known as the anti-SLAPP law.
By declining to review an earlier appellate ruling, the action by the Texas Supreme Court upholds an award of roughly $300,000 in sanctions and attorneys' fees secured by the Hardin team against ADB Interests LLC and Ashley Black, the inventors of the FasciaBlaster.
"The courts in this case have ruled repeatedly that Karen Wallace did nothing illegal or wrong, and this is further evidence of that," said Mr. Higgins. "Free speech is one of the most important facets of American democracy, and companies don't get to use the law to muzzle their critics. We're proud to have helped our client successfully defend her business and her good name."
The case is ADB Interest, LLC and Ashley Black v. Karen Wallace and D/B/A/ Journeyz Spa & Products, No. 01-18-00210 in the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas.
Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP has built a solid reputation for taking on the causes of its clients and obtaining favorable results in commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense, plaintiffs' personal injury, appellate matters, and general civil and criminal litigation. To learn more about the firm's representative matters, visit https://www.rustyhardin.com/.
Media Contact:
Jason Cunningham
800-559-4534
jason@androvett.com
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SOURCE Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/texas-highest-court-declines-review-300k-sanctions-fees-against-fasciablaster-inventors-anti-slapp-case/ | 2022-09-06T19:09:30Z |
BOSTON, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Haemonetics Corporation (NYSE: HAE), a global medical technology company focused on delivering innovative medical solutions to drive better patient outcomes, today announced it has earned CE mark certification for its VASCADE® vascular closure and VASCADE MVP® venous vascular closure systems. The CE marking will allow Haemonetics to engage in the next steps of country-specific entrance of both products into the European Union (EU) and forms the basis for entry into other geographies that recognize CE marking.
The VASCADE system is designed for "small-bore" femoral arterial and venous closure, generally used in interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular procedures. The VASCADE MVP system is designed for "mid-bore" multi-access femoral venous closure – generally used in electrophysiology procedures – and is the only FDA-approved closure device for use following cardiac ablation procedures requiring two or more access sites within the same limb. Both devices include proprietary collapsible disc technology and a resorbable collagen patch to achieve hemostasis. VASCADE and VASCADE MVP are designed to save time for hospital staff, while helping patients reach hemostasis faster with fewer complications on average.
In 2021, VASCADE MVP became the first and only vascular closure device to receive an FDA indication for same-day discharge following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. While not all countries in the EU are able to offer same-day discharge to patients, all patients can benefit from the quicker time to ambulation and reduced discomfort that this product provides.
"We see a significant opportunity to bring the advantages of our unique Vascular Closure products to hospitals within the EU, and look forward to taking steps towards commercializing in the market," said Stew Strong, President, Global Hospital at Haemonetics. "With the VASCADE portfolio earning CE Mark certification, we can meaningfully improve hospital operations throughout the region and further our goal of raising the standard of care for patients around the globe."
"The growth Haemonetics has seen in its Hospital business as a result of the VASCADE product line has been tremendous," said Chris Simon, Haemonetics' President and CEO. "Bringing this product to the EU will continue to distinguish our company for new and innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of care while improving hospital economics and the patient experience."
Haemonetics (NYSE: HAE) is a global healthcare company dedicated to providing a suite of innovative medical products and solutions for customers, to help them improve patient care and reduce the cost of healthcare. Our technology addresses important medical markets: blood and plasma component collection, the surgical suite, and hospital transfusion services. To learn more about Haemonetics, visit www.haemonetics.com.
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, without limitation, statements regarding plans and objectives of management for the operation of Haemonetics, including statements regarding potential benefits associated with its VASCADE and VASCADE MVP products and Haemonetics' plans or objectives related to the development and commercialization of these products. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances and may not be realized because they are based upon Haemonetics' current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of the forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its scope and duration; government actions and restrictive measures implemented in response and associated economic disruptions, including inflationary pressures and higher freight costs in our global supply chain; product quality; market acceptance; regulatory uncertainties, including in the receipt or timing of regulatory approvals; the effect of global economic and political conditions; and the impact of competitive products and pricing. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in Haemonetics' periodic reports and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Haemonetics does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE Haemonetics Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/haemonetics-earns-ce-mark-vascade-vascular-closure-product-portfolio/ | 2022-09-12T11:11:28Z |
IRVING, Texas, Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vistra (NYSE: VST) today announced that Stacey Doré will be joining the company as its first chief strategy and sustainability officer and executive vice president of public affairs, effective Aug. 23, 2022. Doré, who previously worked for Vistra's predecessor companies, will report to Vistra's president and chief executive officer, Jim Burke. In this new role, Doré is responsible for corporate strategy, sustainability, regulatory and government affairs, communications, and community engagement.
"Stacey is a respected, proven leader who has a broad understanding of both our company and our industry," said Burke. "Her diverse background spans not only competitive power generation, retail, and commercial activities, but also in related businesses, including transmission and distribution, as well as natural gas. We are thrilled to have her join our executive team and dedicate her considerable talents to leading our strategy, sustainability, and public affairs efforts. We believe integrating these critical activities under Stacey will further solidify our commitment to decarbonizing our fleet, growing Vistra Zero, and to the broader energy transition and the leading role Vistra will play. We look forward to Stacey's contributions and leadership as our industry goes through considerable change."
"I am honored to join the Vistra team at a pivotal time during the company's growth and transformation," said Doré. "Vistra is a leader in the energy transition and plays a critical role in meeting the needs of customers and communities across the U.S. during a time of rapid change in the industry. This company is at the forefront of responsibly transitioning our country's power grid, and I'm excited about Vistra's future."
Doré most recently served as president and chief executive officer of Hunt Utility Services and Sharyland Utilities, an electric utility within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market, from 2019-2021. Prior to that role, she was senior vice president and general counsel for publicly traded InfraREIT, Inc., an electric transmission and distribution company structured as a real estate investment trust, from 2016-2019. Doré originally joined Vistra's predecessor companies in 2008 as part of the legal team where she served in several leadership roles, including executive vice president and general counsel. She began her career as an attorney at Vinson & Elkins in 1997.
Doré is a member of the board of directors for Williams, a leading energy infrastructure company with operations across the natural gas value chain, where she serves on the audit committee and the governance and sustainability committee. She holds a juris doctor from Harvard Law School and a bachelor's degree in journalism from University of Southwestern Louisiana.
About Vistra
Vistra (NYSE: VST) is a leading Fortune 500 integrated retail electricity and power generation company based in Irving, Texas, providing essential resources for customers, commerce, and communities. Vistra combines an innovative, customer-centric approach to retail with safe, reliable, diverse, and efficient power generation. The company brings its products and services to market in 20 states and the District of Columbia, including six of the seven competitive wholesale markets in the U.S. and markets in Canada and Japan, as well. Serving approximately 4 million residential, commercial, and industrial retail customers with electricity and natural gas, Vistra is one of the largest competitive electricity providers in the country and offers over 50 renewable energy plans. The company is also the largest competitive power generator in the U.S. with a capacity of approximately 39,000 megawatts powered by a diverse portfolio, including natural gas, nuclear, solar, and battery energy storage facilities. In addition, Vistra is a large purchaser of wind power. The company owns and operates the 400-MW/1,600-MWh battery energy storage system in Moss Landing, California, the largest of its kind in the world. Vistra is guided by four core principles: we do business the right way, we work as a team, we compete to win, and we care about our stakeholders, including our customers, our communities where we work and live, our employees, and our investors. Learn more about our environmental, social, and governance efforts and read the company's sustainability report at https://www.vistracorp.com/sustainability/.
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SOURCE Vistra Corp. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/22/vistra-names-industry-veteran-stacey-dor-chief-strategy-amp-sustainability-officer/ | 2022-08-22T22:28:26Z |
MONETT, Mo., May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: JKHY) announced that the company is hosting an Investor Day on Monday, May 9, 2022, beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT (2:00 p.m. ET).
The company's senior leadership team will host a series of presentations and participate in live Q&A sessions. A live audio broadcast and presentation materials will be accessible from the company's Investor Relations website and on-demand replay of the event will be available after the event.
About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.
Jack Henry (NASDAQ:JKHY) is a leading SaaS provider of technology solutions primarily for the financial services industry. We are an S&P 500 company that serves approximately 8,000 clients nationwide through three divisions: Jack Henry Banking® provides innovative solutions to community and regional banks; Symitar® provides industry-leading solutions to credit unions of all sizes; and ProfitStars® offers highly specialized solutions to financial institutions of every asset size, as well as diverse corporate entities outside of the financial services industry. With a heritage that has been dedicated to openness, partnership, and user centricity for more than 40 years, we are well-positioned as a driving market force in future-ready digital solutions and payment processing services. We empower our clients and consumers with the human-centered, tech-forward, and insights-driven solutions that will get them where they want to go. Are you future ready? Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.
Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking information. Specifically, there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by any forward-looking information. Additional information on these and other factors, which could affect the Company's financial results, are included in its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings on Form 10-K, and potential investors should review these statements. Finally, there may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the Company's SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/04/jack-henry-amp-associates-host-2022-investor-day/ | 2022-05-04T17:11:20Z |
Russia has lost 79 planes to sanctions
By Chris Isidore, CNN Business
Sanctions put in place in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have caused the nation’s air carriers to lose 79 of their commercial jets, nearly 10% of their combined fleets.
The sanctions by multiple countries require the international aircraft leasing companies that own the jets to have repossessed them by the end of March. All the repossessed jets were outside of Russia at the time, and the leasing companies have either repossessed them or started the process to do so in court, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm that tracks information about aircraft around the world.
When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Russia’s air carriers were operating 861 commercial planes, both passenger and cargo jets, Cirium said. Just over half of those planes, with an estimated market value of $9.2 billion, were owned by non-Russian leasing companies.
The Russian aviation industry depends on aircraft built in the West by companies such as Boeing and Airbus, but the planes are owned mostly by US and European leasing companies. The United States and most of Europe closed air space to Russia almost immediately after the invasion, and most of the jets at issue remained in Russia or quickly flew back there.
The Kremlin announced last month that it was nationalizing all the planes that the leasing companies were attempting to repossess and took titles of nearly 500 planes that were in Russia.
Most major leasing companies, including Air Lease Corp., Aviation Capital Group, Avolon and SMBC Aviation Capital, declined to comment on the planes they had repossessed or Russia’s actions to nationalize the planes still in Russia.
Even some leasing companies in nations that haven’t imposed sanctions on Russia, such as China and the United Arab Emirates, are moving to repossess as many jets as they can get their hands on. That’s because the planes that remain in Russian control have been rendered essentially worthless due to other other sanctions imposed by Europe and the United States, said Richard Aboulafia, managing director with AeroDynamic Advisory.
Those sanctions require aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus, as well as engine makers such as General Electric, to stop providing Russian air carriers with spare parts and service support. Russia has indicated it will service those planes internally, but the lack of authorized parts and servicing means that other countries will refuse to recognize the airworthiness certification that those planes need to fly outside of Russia.
He said that it makes sense that the Chinese and Arab leasing companies want to repossess their Russian planes if they can, even if no sanctions require them to do so.
It’s also likely that many of the jets will be cannibalized for parts to keep some planes in the air, according to Aboulafia, a move that would transform the Russian aviation industry into “the world’s largest chop shop.”
Chinese and Arab leasing companies also want to keep good relations with the aircraft makers so that they don’t encounter any problems buying planes for their customers outside of Russia.
One Russian cargo jet owned by Singapore-based BOC Aviation, a unit of the Bank of China, was flown from Hong Kong and repossessed once it landed in California, according to a report from Reuters. Although Chinese companies don’t want to directly confront Russia, said Aboulafia, they are looking to stay in the good graces of the global aviation industry.
“China is clearly moving to support their Russian friends [by not imposing its own sanctions], but the friendship only goes so far,” he said. “This is business.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2022/04/07/russia-has-lost-79-planes-to-sanctions/ | 2022-04-07T19:52:49Z |
FRISCO, Texas, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaby Saliby, Chief Executive Officer of Nexius, an industry-leading end-to-end telecommunications deployment services and smart technology solutions provider, has been named Best CEO for Diversity by Comparably, a workplace culture and compensation monitoring site.
Comparably surveys current employees at thousands of companies across the country for their anonymous feedback; their awards reflect top scores in corporate culture, based on data captured during a 12-month period.
Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, Nexius is one of the largest telecommunications deployment companies in the US rolling out 5G, small cells, distributed antenna systems (iDAS/oDAS) and private networks to tier one clients internationally. Through Nexius's in-house RF engineering, integration, project management, construction, architecture & engineering, site acquisition and scoping teams, Nexius is one of the few companies that can truly provide end-to-end telecom deployment.
"The strength of our business lies in the diversity of our employees," said Gaby Saliby. "We strive to recruit people from different industries, geographic locations, and walks of life, which not only enriches our company culture but also enables us to approach challenges in fresh, new ways. Our emphasis on bringing together a variety of perspectives and approaches to problem-solving continues to serve us well, and this award is validation of that," Saliby continued.
Nexius offers its employees various development programs, diversity and inclusion initiatives, networking opportunities and culture-building events throughout the year depending on employees' interests and their personal professional goals.
"Nexius' top ratings from employees across multiple diversity metrics is a testament to its commitment to maintaining an inclusive culture," said Comparably Chief Executive Officer Jason Nazar.
Nexius has previously been named a Best Place to Work in Dallas and a Best Company for Career Growth by Comparably, in addition to receiving a Best Company Culture award in 2021. Additionally, Saliby was named as one of the Best CEOs for Women last year by Comparably.
If you are interested in joining a positive and high-performing team, visit the Nexius careers page to learn more about an open position near you.
Since 2001, Nexius has provided end-to-end telecommunications deployment services and solutions on the latest technologies. Our services include designing, optimizing, deploying and delivering state-of-the-art networks tied together through program management expertise and automation tools for optimized time to market. As societies are leaping toward a more data-driven world, Nexius is leveraging technology innovation to unleash the smart economy, creating more connected communities. For more information about Nexius, visit www.nexius.com.
Comparably (www.comparably.com) is a leading workplace culture and corporate brand reputation platform with over 15 million anonymous employee ratings on 70,000 companies. With the most comprehensive data on large and SMB organizations in nearly 20 different workplace categories – based on gender, ethnicity, age, experience, industry, location, education – it is one of the most used SaaS platforms for employer branding and a trusted third party site for workplace culture and compensation. For more information on Comparably's studies and annual Best Places to Work & Best Brands Awards, visit www.comparably.com/news.
Press Contact:
Hanna Nayak
hanna.nayak@intelgica.com
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SOURCE Nexius | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/nexius-head-gaby-saliby-named-best-ceo-diversity/ | 2022-07-14T20:43:02Z |
Woman, 3 children found dead at Conn. home
DANBURY, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - Police responding to a well-being check found three children and a woman dead at a home in Connecticut.
Officers responded to a well-being call at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Danbury, Connecticut. The male caller was distraught and crying.
Upon arrival at the single-family home, officers went inside and discovered three dead children, who ranged between the ages of 5 and 12, WFSB reports.
While conducting a further check of the premises, officers found a dead woman in a shed in the backyard.
It’s believed the children and the woman are related, but officials are not sure about that.
“We believe that’s the case, but we don’t want to confirm until we do a thorough investigation,” said Danbury Chief of Police Patrick Ridenhour.
Police have not released the victims’ names.
Details are limited, but police said this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.
No one is in custody, and they are not looking for any suspects.
Copyright 2022 WFSB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/28/woman-3-children-found-dead-conn-home/ | 2022-07-28T11:17:10Z |
Steven Spielberg is bringing his highly personal film “The Fabelmans” to the Toronto International Film Festival this fall, organizers said Friday. It will be the world premiere for the film, which Spielberg has said is based on his early years, and will also mark the legendary filmmaker’s first time at the festival.
Spielberg co-wrote the coming-of-age story — about a young man and a shattering family secret — with Tony Kushner, who he also collaborated with on “Munich,” “Lincoln” and “West Side Story.” The cast includes Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen and Judd Hirsch.
The Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from Sept. 8-18, has previously said that it will also host the world premieres of Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” the Harry Styles-led drama “My Policeman” and Gina-Prince Bythewood’s historical epic “The Woman King,” with Viola Davis.
“The Fabelmans” is set for a Nov. 11 theatrical release from Universal Pictures and is expected to be a big player in the upcoming awards season. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/spielberg-to-debut-the-fabelmans-at-toronto-film-festival/ | 2022-07-22T21:18:39Z |
SHENZHEN, China, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fibocom (Stock Code: 300638), a global leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) wireless solutions and wireless communication modules, announced the launch of AI smart module SCA825-W. Powered by Qualcomm Technologies' premium-tier SoC (System-on-Chip) QCS8250, the module is designed to meet the requirements of high-end AIoT scenarios such as HD video conferences, HD livestreaming, cloud gaming, edge computing, robotics, drones, AR/VR and so on.
The combination of AI and IoT has opened up new possibilities for industries requiring automated real-time decision-making and data analysis. The demand for 5G AIoT solutions is expected to skyrocket, according to Counterpoint Research, with shipments of 5G AIoT modules reaching a CAGR of 84% between 2022 and 2030. Fibocom's AI smart module is bound to play a crucial part in the industry, with the potential to empower a massive range of compute-intensive use cases.
Equipped with the Qualcomm QCS8250 IoT solution, Fibocom's cutting-edge AI smart module SCA825-W integrates an octa-core Kryo™ 585 CPU, Adreno™ 650 GPU, dedicated NPU 230 (Neural Processing Unit), as well as Hexagon™ DSP for machine learning. The module can deliver a computering power of up to 15 TOPS (Tera Operations per Second), enabling complex AI computing performance with exceptional features.
Featuring a powerful Spectra ™ 480 ISP (image signal processor) Adreno 995 DPU and Adreno 665 VPU, Fibocom SCA825-W supports up to seven concurrent cameras, triple 4K display and video encode at up to 4K resolution at 120 fps, 8K at 30 fps (frames per second), offering superior image capturing, processing and displaying capabilities.
In addition, the module supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6.0, Bluetooth 5.1 as well as 2×2 Wi-Fi MIMO multi-antenna technology, which allows various wireless connectivity options for industrial and commercial use cases. It also supports Android 10 operating system and a wide range of interfaces (MIPI-DSI, I2S, PCIe, UART, USB, I2C, SPI), enabling much flexibility and ease of integration to meet the application demands of the AIoT industry.
"With AIoT continuously transforming every industry, high-performance AI modules will become an important pillar," said Eden Chen, General Manager of MC Product Management Dept., Fibocom. "Our newly-launched AI smart module SCA825-W is an exceptional part of the Fibocom smart module family, which will take a big step forward in the AIoT field with technological advancements."
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SOURCE Fibocom Wireless Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/fibocom-launches-ai-smart-module-sca825-w-unleashing-potential-aiot-with-superior-computing-power/ | 2022-07-20T12:19:35Z |
HELSINKI, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
Outokumpu Oyj
Stock exchange release
June 16, 2022 at 8.14 am EEST
Outokumpu updates its dividend policy
The Board of Directors ("the Board") of Outokumpu Oyj has resolved on a new dividend policy.
According to the new dividend policy Outokumpu aims to distribute a stable and growing dividend, to be paid annually.
"Outokumpu aspires to be an attractive investment for long-term investors. The updated dividend policy aims to provide for stability and predictability, despite the volatile nature of the stainless steel business", says Chairman of the Board Kari Jordan.
According to the previous dividend policy, the pay-out ratio throughout a business cycle was aimed to be within a range of 30–50% of the Group's net income.
The Board states that the new dividend policy and current financial trajectory provides the Board a possibility to propose a significant increase in dividend to the next Annual General Meeting.
Outokumpu will arrange a Capital Markets Day today, June 16, 2022. The Capital Markets Day's webcast details and presentations can be found at www.outokumpu.com/en/capital-markets-day.
For more information:
Investors: Linda Häkkilä, Head of Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 071 9669
Media: Päivi Allenius, VP, Communications, tel. +358 40 753 7374
Outokumpu Oyj
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SOURCE Outokumpu Oyj | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/outokumpu-updates-its-dividend-policy/ | 2022-06-16T05:54:35Z |
The first possible case of human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox -- recently reported in two men and their pet in Paris -- had been a theoretical risk up till now, said Dr. Rosamund Lewis, technical lead on the monkeypox response for the World Health Organization.
The men, who live together and are in a non-exclusive relationship, were diagnosed with monkeypox at a hospital in Paris in early June. Twelve days after their symptoms started, their 4-year-old Italian greyhound also started showing symptoms, according to a report published last week in the journal The Lancet.
The dog developed lesions and tested positive for the same type of monkeypox as one of the owners.
According to the report, the men said that they let their dog sleep in bed with them and that they had been careful to keep their pet away from other animals or humans from the start of their own symptoms -- before the dog's symptoms started.
"To the best of our knowledge, the kinetics of symptom onset in both patients and, subsequently, in their dog, suggest human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox virus," the authors of the report wrote. "Given the dog's skin and mucosal lesions as well as the positive monkeypox virus PCR results from anal and oral swabs, we hypothesise a real canine disease, not a simple carriage of the virus by close contact with humans or airborne transmission (or both)."
The authors suggested that the study should prompt discussion on whether pets need to be isolated from their owners if they have monkeypox, and they called for further research.
New, but not surprising, information, WHO says
Lewis said that previously, only animal-to-human transmission of the virus was reported, referencing a monkeypox outbreak in the US in which people were infected with the virus through pet prairie dogs.
"This is the first incident that we're learning about where there is human-to-animal transmission," Lewis said during a Washington Post Live event on Monday. "This has not been reported before, and it has not been reported that dogs have been infected before.
"On a number of levels, this is new information," she said. "It's not surprising information, and it's something that we've been on the watch out for."
She noted that within WHO, experts have been working with partners such as the World Organization of Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization to address the issue.
"The messaging that has been given up until now is that pets should be isolated from the family members who may be infected," she said. "This has been an example of precautionary approach, precautionary messaging, because we didn't have the information that this had ever happened before, it had not been reported before, but it was a reasonable, cautious message to give. And now we have the first incident where this has actually occurred."
Lewis said it isn't clear whether the infected dog will be able to transmit the virus back to humans. But sometimes, even when they don't have all the evidence, public health profesionals have to figure out the most useful messaging that will allow people to appreciate their level of risk.
"This is an example where most pets will not be at risk, it may only be those who are actually in the household of someone who's infected," she said.
CDC says infected people should stay away from animals
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its page on monkeypox in animals to acknowledge that dogs can be infected with the virus.
"We are still learning which species of animals can get monkeypox," the agency said. "While we do not know if reptiles, amphibians, or birds can get monkeypox, it is unlikely since these animals have not been found to be infected with other orthopoxviruses."
The CDC also notes that infected animals can spread the virus to people, and it is "possible that people who are infected can spread Monkeypox virus to animals through close contact, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food."
The agency advises people with monkeypox to avoid contact with animals, including their pets.
Pets who had close contact with someone with monkeypox symptoms should be kept at home and away from other animals and people for 21 days after the most recent contact, the CDC said. Infected people shouldn't get close to their exposed pet; they should ask someone else within the home to look after it if possible.
If the infected person and the pet did not have close contact after symptoms started, the CDC recommends asking someone who lives elsewhere to look after the animal until there is a full recovery from the virus.
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The competitive Air earbud line gets a new addition, introducing new features, a fresh design, and a personalized audio app.
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The new EarFun Air S is the company's second official true wireless earbud release for 2022. With the Air S, EarFun expands on its Air line with its ambitious formula, continually pushing the envelope of what can be offered at this price point. As an expansive release, it is no replacement for the award-winning original Air which is well and alive. More so, this release serves as a continuation of an already successful, high-value formulation. The Air has proven to be an industry-recognized alternative to the Apple AirPods, and the Air S aspires to do the same. With an all-new chipset and curated app for personalizing the premium sound offered, an impressive wireless audio experience awaits audio lovers in 2022.
The new Air S will accompany the EarFun Audio App, allowing users to curate their audio experience with adjustable equalizer levels. In addition to sound customization, button mapping is also added to allow the user to reassign default inputs on the hardware. With the companion app, EarFun wants to give the listener greater control over the user experience like never before. And now with the ability to customize the sound to preference, users can reap the full benefits of the 10mm Wool Composite Dynamic Driver. EarFun says these larger drivers are out to deliver rich, potent bass that blends smoothly with a lush mid-range and a revealing treble that is clear and composed. The full-bodied sound is even better heard in the presence of EarFun's feed-forward Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) array that continually compensates for environmental noise, effectively suppressing up to 30dB.
An all-new Multipoint pairing system allows two different Bluetooth-enabled devices to be seamlessly paired with the new Air S at once. During hours of productivity or general multitasking, this prevents the irksome routine of disconnecting and reconnecting between devices in frequent use. Equipped with the flagship Qualcomm QCC3046 chip, aptX audio technology is implemented to bring definition to the Air S' wireless audio quality while increasing battery life and reducing latency over wireless connections. The low latency rating is less than 100ms, making it suitable for video and gaming experiences. To help extend its range and quality of connection the earbuds feature the latest Bluetooth 5.2 technology and Qualcomm TrueWireless Mirroring Technology.
While many of the features on the new Air S are new, EarFun made sure to retain some of its best and industry-unique features for the new release. A feature unique for the segment and the price point, EarFun's perfected Intuitive Touch Controls have thankfully been carried over, which in combination with the newly developed companion app lets users interface with simplicity and flexibility. Wireless charging is thankfully standard, and when not near a wireless charger the case can be charged via USB-C. The Air S manages to offer 30 hours of playtime, with 6 hours on a single charge and an additional 24 hours using the provided rechargeable storage case. If users are unable to complete a full charge, the fast-charging feature can keep things going with a quick 10-minute charge powering up 2 hours of playback. And finally, to protect the feature-rich Air S from rain or shine is its robust IPX5 Sweat & Water Resistant technology.
EarFun Air S is available on myearfun.com and Amazon.com now for $69.99.
For more information on EarFun Air S and the rest of the EarFun wireless audio collection, visit www.myearfun.com.
About EarFun
EarFun was established in 2018 by a collective of experienced industrial designers, acoustic engineers, and music enthusiasts who share the common goal of creating next-generation wireless audio devices. The EarFun team is driven by a passion for music and a commitment to delivering solutions that use the latest technologies to improve the audio experience. With two CES Innovation Awards honorees and an iF Design Award in 2020, EarFun is the most awarded new audio brand.
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SOURCE EarFun, Inc | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/new-earfun-air-s-joins-award-winning-earbud-line-with-dual-pairing-noiseless-studio-sound-customizable-audio-app/ | 2022-08-15T14:22:39Z |
CHARLESTON, S.C., June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Board of Directors of Bank of South Carolina Corporation, (NASDAQ: BKSC) the parent company for The Bank of South Carolina, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share to shareholders of record July 5, 2022, payable July 29, 2022. This represents the 131st quarterly cash dividend paid to shareholders.
Fleetwood S. Hassell, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "With the ongoing market volatility, we are pleased, once again, to declare this quarterly dividend."
About Bank of South Carolina Corporation
The Bank of South Carolina Corporation is the holding company of The Bank of South Carolina ("The Bank"). The Bank is a South Carolina state-chartered bank with offices in Charleston, North Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, and the West Ashley community and has been in continuous operation since 1987. Our website is www.banksc.com. Bank of South Carolina Corporation currently trades its common stock on the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol "BKSC".
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SOURCE Bank of South Carolina Corporation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/bank-south-carolina-corporation-declares-dividend/ | 2022-06-23T17:39:52Z |
ALBANY — A disagreement over the division of sales tax proceeds ratcheted up this week as the city of Albany requested bringing in an outside expert to weigh in on how the funds should be split between the city and the Dougherty County governments.
The Albany City Commission sent the request to seek a non-binding decision from an arbitrator to break the impasse after voting on the action during a Tuesday meeting.
During an earlier meeting this month with the county, city officials said they would like to receive 70 percent of the estimated $100 million in revenue instead of the 64 percent they have received under the formula used for previous special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST) initiatives.
At the same time, the arbitrator should look at the separate local-option sales tax (LOST) split, which in the past has been divided with 60 percent going to the city and 40 percent to the county, Albany City Commissioner Chad Warbington said.
The SPLOST is a 1% sales tax that is put before voters every six years and is limited to paying for capital improvements such as buildings and equipment, while the LOST is money that can be used to pay day-to-day operating expenses. The referendum for the SPLOST initiative is set for November and the LOST, which has a five-year time span, a month later.
“That’s a pretty big decision,” Warbington said of the city’s request. “We’re in the unique position where both sales taxes are being negotiated simultaneously. It (arbitration) would allow for some room for negotiation, for compromise.
“They’ve been pretty clear they’re not budging. We had an executive (closed to the public) session and we’re clear.”
City officials say they need the extra money to help complete work on a federally mandated order to achieve 85 percent separation of its sewage and stormwater by June 2025, and that without it they would be forced to drastically raise utility rates. They also argue that the money should be divided by population, and that about 82 percent of county residents reside within the city limits.
“We would both present our cases to the arbitrator and they will make their decision,” Warbington said. “We don’t have to accept the decision. The hearings will be public and will give the public an opportunity to be involved. I feel it’s important to be transparent with the citizens, so when it comes November there’s more trust. What we’re asking of the county is an answer ASAP.”
In addition to having the larger share of the population, the city also provides more services than does the county, the commissioner said.
“The ask for 60-40, from a service delivery standpoint, the figures show we deliver well over 60 percent of services on a daily basis,” Warbington said. “What I’m reiterating to my peers on the County Commission is we’re not being adversarial. The county has not brought one compromise to us. We have offered multiple compromises.
“City citizens need to realize if we don’t get this right, they’re going to be paying for services that they never get any benefit from. At the end of the day, they’re not getting the services their dollars pay for.”
An independent expert actually looked at the sales tax situation in the past and gave the opinion that the county should receive a larger share than it traditionally has, Dougherty Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas said.
On Wednesday he and staff were reviewing the request, and he said they would draft a response.
“My view … it’s a tremendous waste of time and effort,” he said. “Spending the time and money on a non-binding arbitration is the most wasteful exercise when you don’t even have a binding decision. This is, in my opinion, very dangerous territory. Obviously, our response will be in good faith, and we need to get the work done for the citizens.”
The city’s sewage problem is not a new development, Cohilas said. The aging system has a history of discharging raw sewage into the Flint River during heavy rainfall events, and in part spurred by the threat of a lawsuit from the Flint Riverkeeper environmental group and the reality of daily fines if it fails to meet the 2025 deadline, the city got serious about a fix.
The estimated price tag in 2020 was about $105 million.
“The city has objectively for 40 years disregarded its obligation to deal with the sewer system,” Cohilas said. “The position being taken now is the county needs to pay for that and also eliminate the essential governmental obligations we’re required to perform and are constitutionally obligated to perform.
“It’s not fair for the citizens in Albany and Dougherty County to forego necessary, important government functions in order to pay for the historical failures of the city.”
The county has constitutional public safety requirements it must maintain that are given priority by the state due to their importance, the chairman said. Also, unlike the city, the county does not have a large money-making enterprise like utilities and the ability to borrow large sums of money and ability to service debt with those revenues.
“The position they’ve taken is they want to take the money that keeps this community safe, that pays for the jail, that pays for the police, that pays for the courts, that pays for the prosecutors, to pay for the city’s failure to plan,” Cohilas said. “I would caution the city, our firetrucks, our ambulances, our roads, our signs, our jail, our infrastructure, our street lights are all paid for by SPLOST.”
The county has said about $10 million of its proposed share of $36 million is earmarked for spending within the city limits.
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Police investigating fire at Colorado pregnancy center
LONGMONT, Colo. (AP) — A weekend fire at a Christian pregnancy center in north-central Colorado is being investigated as a possible arson, police in Longmont said.
The fire at Life Choices was reported at 3:17 a.m. Saturday, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and said abortion laws would be decided by the states.
The front door was broken and the front of the building had been spray painted with the words, “if abortions aren’t safe neither are you.” On the concrete porch were the words “bans off our bodies.”
The building sustained fire and heavy smoke damage.
Life Choices is a “Christ-centered ministry” that offers free services related to pregnancy and sexual health, information on reversing the effects of abortion pills and post-abortion support for guilt, shame, anxiety and depression, according to its website.
Life Choices executive director Kathy Roberts said the center is devastated and stunned “by this frightening act of vandalism.” The attack, she said, affects people who need support, such as pregnancy tests, parenting classes and financial assistance, the Times-Call reported.
Police are asking people who live in the area to check their home surveillance video and forward any relevant video to police.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/26/police-investigating-fire-colorado-pregnancy-center/ | 2022-06-27T00:05:50Z |
ALBANY – Georgians set records while turning out for three weeks of early voting, and on Tuesday those who haven’t cast ballots have their final chance to weigh in on state and local candidates.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day for the party primary and nonpartisan races.
Election officials say they hope that the influx of voters for advance in-person voting that ended on Friday will mean short lines on Election Day, but they are prepared for a large Tuesday turnout.
If there are long waits, the elderly and the disabled will be allowed to move to the front of the lines, Dougherty Elections Supervisor Ginger Nickerson said. She did not anticipate any lengthy waiting times.
“Hopefully, it should be seamless, and they should have a positive voter experience,” Nickerson said. “We’d like to have more for the primary election. We hope for more.
“On Election Day I would love to see 100 percent (turnout). We’re just going to be grateful for whatever we get, and basically citizens come out and exercise their right to vote.”
In Dougherty County, three candidates are vying for the Dougherty County Commission chairmanship, with incumbent Chris Cohilas facing challengers the Rev. Lorenzo Heard and former commission member Harry James in the Democratic primary. The winner in that contest will not face a Republican in the fall.
In Georgia House District 153, the two Democrats on the ballot are David Sampson and Al Wynn. The winner will run against Republican Tracy Taylor in November.
There are also two contested races for the District 1 Lee County Commission seat. Art Ford and Dennis Roland are running on the Republican ballot, and on the Democratic side the candidates are William “Bay” Simmons Jr. and Otis “Head” Westbrook.
Voters may choose a Democratic, Republican or nonpartisan ballot for the election, but must stick with the same political party chosen for the primary for any runoff elections in June.
Since the last countywide election, the Palmyra Methodist Church precinct has been merged. Voters who previously voted at that location will now vote at Phoebe HealthWorks, 10000 N. Jefferson St.
Last year the First Christian Church precinct was merged, with voters who previously voted there now voting at the Westover High School gym, 2600 Partridge Drive.
The changes reduced the number of voter precincts in the county from 28 to 26.
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LAS VEGAS, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaming Arts will be unveiling a large number of innovative new games for each of its gaming platforms including the beautiful new VertX Grand™ 49" portrait cabinet, the Phocus® dual display and the HaloTop™ wheel cabinet at NIGA 2022. Gaming Arts has a long tradition of supporting its tribal customers across the country and this year that support will be stronger than ever.
The new lineup of VertX Grand™ games begins with the all new Pop'N Pays More™ games. This series follows the nationwide success of the Pop'N Pays™ brand with greatly expanded new features perfectly tailored for the VertX Grand portrait display.
Closely following Pop'N Pays More, is the fascinating and fun Kung Fu Empress™, an incredible new game with bold, exciting features, including a host of enemies battled by the adorable and noble Kung Fu Empress, producing big wins for the player along the way.
The story doesn't end there as Gaming Arts will also be showing the patented Pub™ series, where players can visit four exciting destinations from across the globe and celebrate happy hour at their favorite pub or bistro. Players will love it! What could be better than enjoying a cold beverage while awaiting the big payday!
Not to be overshadowed, also on display will be the new and remarkable Casino Wizard VIP™. This stunning ETG multi-game follows in the successful footsteps of the original smash hit, Casino Wizard™. Casino Wizard VIP™ will include a greatly expanded game lineup, including many new table game favorites with compelling high-hold side bets and progressives, all of which can only be found exclusively on Casino Wizard VIP™.
Gaming Arts will also be featuring many new additions to its Phocus dual screen and HaloTop wheel libraries. This Phocus game lineup will include: The Adventurers™ and The Protectors™ games which are part of the Cash Quest™ series. For the HaloTop wheel cabinet: Spooky Spins™, a follow up to the very successful Inferno Wheel™ brand will be on display, along with the one-of-a-kind Fortune Flip™, as well as the Gumball Game™, a fun and unique offering that is sure to give players everywhere plenty to chew on!
Mike Dreitzer, CEO of Gaming Arts, commented, "Gaming Arts is proud to support all of our tribal customers across the country with the introduction of many exciting new games. Our incredibly talented game development team has risen to the occasion by creating games like none other in the industry.
At Gaming Arts, we never follow, instead we focus on breaking new ground for our tribal customers and their players. Our line up at NIGA 2022 is a perfect example of this philosophy. We are grateful to our partners and proudly support their efforts," Dreitzer concluded.
About Gaming Arts - Gaming Arts, LLC is an award-winning end-to-end gaming equipment technology provider of electronic gaming machines, electronic table games, bingo, keno, and emerging technologies. Gaming Arts is privately owned and operated, with its business headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is licensed in approximately 150 jurisdictions. To learn more, visit www.gamingarts.com or call 702.818.8943.
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Bree Gonzalez
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SOURCE Gaming Arts, LLC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/gaming-arts-showcase-many-innovative-new-games-niga-2022/ | 2022-04-12T19:17:24Z |
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