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NEW YORK, May 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) between February 1, 2019 and April 5, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 5, 2022.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Amazon securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Amazon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=5465 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 5, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Amazon engaged in anticompetitive conduct in its private-label business practices, including giving Amazon products preference over those of its competitors and using third-party sellers' non-public data to compete with them; (2) the foregoing exposed Amazon to a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and/or enforcement actions; (3) Amazon's revenues derived from its private-label business were in part the product of impermissible conduct and thus unsustainable; and (4) as a result, the defendants' public statements throughout the Class Period were materially false and/or misleading. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Amazon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=5465 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/13/rosen-recognized-investor-counsel-encourages-amazoncom-inc-investors-with-losses-over-100k-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-amzn/ | 2022-05-14T06:37:20Z |
Strong Net Sales Growth of 19.4% Fueled by Pricing of 17.7% and Volume Improvement of 2.1%
Snacking & Beverages Division Delivered 9.0% Volume/Mix Growth in the Quarter, Supported by the Acceleration in Private Label Demand
Raises Fiscal 2022 Net Sales Guidance to Mid-to-High Teens Growth, Largely Driven by Pricing Actions to Recover Inflation; Reaffirms Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
HIGHLIGHTS
- Net loss from continuing operations was $(30.6) million or (2.6)% for the second quarter of 2022.
- Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations1 was $66.5 million or 5.6% for the second quarter of 2022, which improved by 60 basis points sequentially, in line with guidance.
- TreeHouse raises its full year 2022 net sales guidance to mid-to-high teens growth year-over-year, and reaffirms expectations for adjusted EBITDA2 in the range of $385 to $415 million.
OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE: THS) today reported net sales of $1.20 billion which increased 19.4% compared to the second quarter of 2021. Net loss from continuing operations of $(30.6) million compared to $(5.2) million for the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") from continuing operations1 was $66.5 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $92.6 million in the second quarter of 2021.
"I'm incredibly proud of our TreeHouse team as we delivered strong top-line results, reflecting the impact of our pricing and our ability to capture incremental volume in Snacking & Beverages," said Steve Oakland, CEO and President. "The value proposition of private label is becoming increasingly important as consumers navigate this inflationary environment. In addition, the breadth of the retail landscape, improved quality and assortment, and our customers' strategic commitment to private label are driving trial and share gains. Our unwavering focus on the customer over the last several years positions us well to build on this momentum to drive growth and profitability."
"Our second quarter performance was very much in line with expectations," said Patrick O'Donnell, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. "We are encouraged by robust demand for private label food and beverage and we are working diligently to improve service and execute pricing to recover inflation. Despite ongoing challenges related to labor and materials availability, we continue to make gradual progress toward improving profitability and believe we are on track to deliver our full-year guidance."
OUTLOOK2
TreeHouse updated its guidance for fiscal 2022 as follows:
- Raised net sales growth to mid-to-high teens, primarily driven by pricing actions to recover inflation, and low single digit volume growth, as strengthening private label demand will be offset in part by labor and material availability.
- Reaffirmed adjusted EBITDA of $385 to $415 million, up approximately 5% year-over-year at the midpoint. The cadence of earnings is expected to be weighted toward the second half of the year, as we expect the impact of labor and supply chain disruption on our profitability and volume to be most prominent in the first half.
With regard to the cadence for the remainder of the year:
- TreeHouse expects between 50 and 100 basis points of sequential improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin in the third quarter.
- The Company has continued to work collaboratively with its customers to communicate and implement additional pricing to recover further inflation. These pricing actions will be effective late in the third quarter.
- TreeHouse believes the labor and supply chain environment will continue to be challenging in the back half of the year. Service levels will remain pressured as the Company's efforts and investment to mitigate disruption are expected to drive gradual progress.
- Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA margin improvement is expected to be driven by additional pricing, peak seasonality, and continued efforts to mitigate labor and supply chain disruption.
________________________________________________
1 Adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations, adjusted EBIT, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net (loss) income, free cash flow and organic net sales are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Comparison of Adjusted Information to GAAP Information" for the definitions of the Non-GAAP measures, information concerning certain items affecting comparability, and reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP measures.
2 The Company is not able to reconcile prospective adjusted EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA margin, which are Non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures without unreasonable effort due to the inherent uncertainty and difficulty of predicting the occurrence, financial impact, and timing of certain items impacting GAAP results. These items include, but are not limited to, mark-to-market adjustments of derivative contracts, foreign currency exchange on the re-measurement of intercompany notes, or other non-recurring events or transactions that may significantly affect reported GAAP results.
SECOND QUARTER 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Net Sales — Net sales for the second quarter of 2022 totaled $1,197.6 million compared to $1,003.2 million for the same period last year, an increase of $194.4 million, or 19.4%. The change in net sales from 2021 to 2022 was due to the following:
The net sales increase of 19.4% was primarily driven by favorable pricing to partially recover commodity and freight cost inflation and increased volume within the Snacking & Beverages segment due to growing demand in private label as the consumer seeks lower priced alternatives in the inflationary environment. This was partially offset by labor and supply chain disruption, which constrained our ability to service demand.
Gross Profit — Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 13.5% in the second quarter of 2022, compared to 16.6% in the second quarter of 2021, a decrease of 3.1 percentage points. The decrease is primarily due to incremental costs related to labor and supply chain disruption and inbound freight costs and commodity inflation, which was partially offset by favorable pricing actions to recover inflation. The declines were partially offset by favorable category mix, favorable fixed cost overhead absorption due to higher volume, and lower costs for purchases of personal protective equipment for employees and additional sanitation measures.
Total Operating Expenses — Total operating expenses were $183.6 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $162.0 million in the second quarter of 2021, an increase of $21.6 million. The increase is primarily attributable to professional fees of $19.5 million in connection with its portfolio optimization strategy and higher outbound freight costs of $12.6 million due to freight cost inflation and lower utilization of full truck load shipments due to supply chain disruption. This was partially offset by lower spend in our strategic growth initiatives and other restructuring programs, which consisted mostly of lower severance and professional fees, and lower integration costs associated with the 2020 pasta acquisition.
Total Other Expense (Income) — Total other expense (income) was $11.9 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2021, an increase of $1.2 million. The increase was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate impacts between the U.S. and Canadian dollar currency during the second quarter of 2022 when compared to the second quarter of 2021 and a higher average interest rate reflecting the year-over-year increase in LIBOR. This was partially offset by favorable non-cash mark-to-market impacts from hedging activities, largely driven by interest rate swaps.
Income Taxes — Income taxes were recognized at an effective rate of 8.9% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to 21.2% recognized in the second quarter of 2021. The change in the Company's effective tax rate is primarily driven by the estimated amount of annual pre-tax earnings, a change in the income tax benefit from the release of tax reserves, and withholding taxes accrued in 2022.
Net (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations and Adjusted EBITDA — Net loss from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2022 was $30.6 million, compared to $5.2 million for the same period of the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA1 from continuing operations was $66.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, a 28.2% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2021. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to incremental costs related to labor and supply chain disruption and commodity and freight cost inflation, which was partially offset by favorable pricing actions to recover inflation. The declines were partially offset by favorable category mix and favorable fixed cost overhead absorption due to higher volume.
Discontinued Operations — Net income from discontinued operations decreased $12.4 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021. The decrease is due to the completion of the sale of the Ready-to-eat Cereal business on June 1, 2021.
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities From Continuing Operations — Cash used in operating activities from continuing operations was $26.6 million in the first six months of 2022 compared to $44.0 million in the first six months of 2021, a decrease in cash used of $17.4 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in cash flow from accounts payable due to improved working capital management, lower incentive compensation paid in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021 based on prior year performance, lower cash paid on interest due to debt refinancing in 2021, and an increase in cash flows from the Receivables Sales Program. This was partially offset by lower cash earnings, which reflect the impact of commodity and freight cost inflation. Working capital changes have been impacted by higher sales as a result of price increases in response to commodity and freight cost inflation, which have increased receivables and inventories. The Company's working capital management emphasis continues to be focused on driving faster collection of receivables and extending vendor terms.
SECOND QUARTER 2022 SEGMENT RESULTS
The change in net sales by segment from the second quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022 was due to the following:
Meal Preparation
Net sales in the Meal Preparation segment increased $118.3 million, or 18.3%, in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by favorable pricing to partially recover commodity and freight cost inflation. This was partially offset by lower volume due to labor and supply chain constraints.
Direct operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased 2.8 percentage points in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021. This decrease was primarily due to incremental costs related to labor and supply chain disruption and freight cost and commodity inflation, which was partially offset by favorable pricing actions to recover inflation. These declines were partially offset by favorable category mix and lower marketing spend.
Snacking & Beverages
Net sales in the Snacking & Beverages segment increased $76.1 million, or 21.4%, in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by favorable pricing to partially recover commodity and freight cost inflation. Increasing private label demand resulted in strong category performance as the consumer seeks lower priced alternatives in the inflationary environment. However, volume growth was partially muted due to labor and supply chain disruption.
Direct operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased 1.4 percentage points in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to incremental costs related to labor and supply chain disruption and freight cost and commodity inflation, which was partially offset by favorable pricing actions to recover inflation. The decrease was partially offset by favorable volume, category mix, and favorable fixed cost overhead absorption due to higher volume.
YEAR TO DATE 2022 SEGMENT RESULTS
The change in net sales from the first six months of 2021 to the first six months of 2022 was due to the following:
CONFERENCE CALL WEBCAST
A webcast to discuss the Company's second quarter earnings will be held at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) today. The live audio webcast and a supporting slide deck will be available on the Company's website at www.treehousefoods.com/investors/investor-overview/default.aspx
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Beginning in the third quarter of 2019, the Company determined that its Ready-to-eat Cereal business met the discontinued operations criteria and, as such, the business has been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the sale of its Ready-to-eat Cereal business.
COMPARISON OF ADJUSTED INFORMATION TO GAAP INFORMATION
The Company has included in this release measures of financial performance that are not defined by GAAP ("Non-GAAP"). A Non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company believes these measures provide useful information to the users of the financial statements as we also have included these measures in other communications and publications.
For each of these Non-GAAP financial measures, the Company provides a reconciliation between the most directly comparable GAAP measure and the Non-GAAP measure, an explanation of why management believes the Non-GAAP measure provides useful information to financial statement users, and any additional purposes for which management uses the Non-GAAP measure. This Non-GAAP financial information is provided as additional information for the financial statement users and is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP. These Non-GAAP measures may be different from similar measures used by other companies.
Organic Net Sales
Organic net sales is defined as net sales excluding the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures, and foreign currency. This information is provided in order to allow investors to make meaningful comparisons of the Company's sales between periods and to view the Company's business from the same perspective as Company management.
Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share from Continuing Operations, Adjusting for Certain Items Affecting Comparability
Adjusted (loss) earnings per diluted share from continuing operations ("adjusted diluted EPS") reflects adjustments to GAAP loss per diluted share from continuing operations to identify items that, in management's judgment, significantly affect the assessment of earnings results between periods. This information is provided in order to allow investors to make meaningful comparisons of the Company's earnings performance between periods and to view the Company's business from the same perspective as Company management. As the Company cannot predict the timing and amount of charges that include, but are not limited to, items such as divestiture, acquisition, integration, and related costs, mark-to-market adjustments on derivative contracts, foreign currency exchange impact on the re-measurement of intercompany notes, growth, reinvestment, and restructuring programs, impairment of assets, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other items that may arise from time to time that would impact comparability, management does not consider these costs when evaluating the Company's performance, when making decisions regarding the allocation of resources, in determining incentive compensation, or in determining earnings estimates. The reconciliation of the GAAP measure of diluted loss per share from continuing operations as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, excluding certain items affecting comparability, to adjusted diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations is presented below.
Adjusted Net (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations, Adjusted EBIT from Continuing Operations, Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations, Adjusted EBITDAS from Continuing Operations, Adjusted Net (Loss) Income Margin from Continuing Operations, Adjusted EBIT Margin from Continuing Operations, Adjusted EBITDA Margin from Continuing Operations, and Adjusted EBITDAS Margin from Continuing Operations, Adjusting for Certain Items Affecting Comparability
Adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations represents GAAP net loss from continuing operations as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations adjusted for items that, in management's judgment, significantly affect the assessment of earnings results between periods as outlined in the adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations section above. This information is provided in order to allow investors to make meaningful comparisons of the Company's earnings performance between periods and to view the Company's business from the same perspective as Company management. This measure is also used as a component of the Board of Directors' measurement of the Company's performance for incentive compensation purposes and is the basis of calculating the adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations metric outlined above.
Adjusted EBIT from continuing operations represents adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations before interest expense, interest income, and income tax expense. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations represents adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations before interest expense, interest income, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization expense. Adjusted EBITDAS from continuing operations represents adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations before non-cash stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBIT from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDAS from continuing operations are performance measures commonly used by management to assess operating performance, and the Company believes they are commonly reported and widely used by investors and other interested parties as a measure of a company's operating performance between periods.
Adjusted net (loss) income margin from continuing operations, adjusted EBIT margin from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA margin from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDAS margin from continuing operations are calculated as the respective metric defined above as a percentage of net sales as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations adjusted for items that, in management's judgment, significantly affect the assessment of earnings results between periods as outlined in the adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations section above.
A full reconciliation between the relevant GAAP measure of reported net loss from continuing operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 calculated according to GAAP, adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations, adjusted EBIT from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDAS from continuing operations is presented in the attached tables. Given the inherent uncertainty regarding adjusted items in any future period, a reconciliation of forward-looking financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not feasible.
Free Cash Flow from Continuing Operations
In addition to measuring the Company's cash flow generation and usage based upon the operating, investing, and financing classifications included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, we also measure free cash flow from continuing operations, which represents net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations less capital expenditures. The Company believes free cash flow is an important measure of operating performance because it provides management and investors a measure of cash generated from operations that is available for mandatory payment obligations and investment opportunities such as funding acquisitions, repaying debt, repurchasing public debt, and repurchasing common stock. A reconciliation between the relevant GAAP measure of cash used in operating activities from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 calculated according to GAAP and free cash flow from continuing operations is presented in the attached tables.
ABOUT TREEHOUSE FOODS
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of private label foods and beverages in North America. We operate in 29 product categories across two divisions and have approximately 40 production facilities across North America and Italy. Across our diverse portfolio, we offer better-for-you, natural and organic products and hold a private label leadership position across many of our categories. Our purpose is to make high quality food and beverages affordable to all. Our vision is to be the undisputed solutions leader for our custom brands. Our mission is to create value as our customers' preferred manufacturing and distribution partner, providing thought leadership, superior innovation, and a relentless focus on execution. Our long-term strategic objective is to build a company that is well positioned to deliver long-term sustainable growth and create value for our shareholders, as enabled by our two-segment structure.
Additional information, including TreeHouse's most recent statements on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, may be found at TreeHouse's website, http://www.treehousefoods.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements and other information are based on our beliefs, as well as assumptions made by us, using information currently available. The words "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "foresee," "should," "would," "could," and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, or intended. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements following the date of this press release. Furthermore, to the extent that we effect a divestiture of a significant portion of our Meal Preparation Business in connection with our ongoing strategic review process, our future results of operations will be impacted by such divestiture.
Such forward-looking statements, because they relate to future events, are by their very nature subject to many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release and other public statements we make. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the current status our efforts to divest of a significant portion of our Meal Preparation Business; the impact that any such divestiture might have on the Company's operations; risks related to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak on our business, suppliers, consumers, customers, and employees; the success of our growth, reinvestment, and restructuring programs; our level of indebtedness and related obligations; disruptions in the financial markets; interest rates; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; customer concentration and consolidation; raw material and commodity costs; competition; loss of key suppliers; disruptions or inefficiencies in our supply chain and/or operations, including from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak; our ability to continue to make acquisitions and execute on divestitures in accordance with our business strategy or effectively manage the growth from acquisitions; impairment of goodwill or long lived assets; changes and developments affecting our industry, including consumer preferences; the outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings to which we may be a party; product recalls; changes in laws and regulations applicable to us; shareholder activism; disruptions in or failures of our information technology systems; disruptions resulting from the announcement of the exploration of strategic alternatives; changes in weather conditions, climate changes, and natural disasters; labor strikes or work stoppages; multiemployer pension plans; labor shortages and increased competition for labor; and other risks that are set forth in the Risk Factors section, the Legal Proceedings section, the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, and other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made when evaluating the information presented in this press release. TreeHouse expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
The reconciliation of adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations, excluding certain items affecting comparability, to the relevant GAAP measure of diluted EPS from continuing operations as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, is as follows:
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company entered into transactions that affected the year-over-year comparison of its financial results from continuing operations as follows:
The tax impact on adjusting items is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction of the underlying Non-GAAP adjustments.
The following table reconciles the Company's net loss from continuing operations to adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations, adjusted EBIT from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDAS from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:
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SOURCE TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/treehouse-foods-inc-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-08T11:48:02Z |
GEM Global Depositary Receipts (GDR) successfully listed on the Swiss Exchange (SIX)
SHENZHEN, China, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At 21:00 Beijing time on July 28 (15:00 Zurich local time), the Global Depositary Receipt (GDR) of GEM was officially listed on the SIX (Swiss Stock Exchange). After the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) revised the "China-Europe Access" rules and expanded the scope of application, GEM became one of the first two listed companies on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange approved to issue GDR projects and the first Chinese listed company to successfully issue GDR projects on SIX.
According to the announcement of GEM, the company completed a book-run offering of 31,002,500 GDRs on the SIX at US $12.28 per GDR, raising US $381 million. GEM has firstly exercised the overallotment rights of a global coordinator and price stabilization operator in the first batch of Swiss GDR companies. GEM exclusively and successfully completed the release at the high end of the release range.
Investors from more than 50 institutes worldwide have subscribed to the GDR offering, and the demand was very strong; the subscription amount is 261% of the issued amount. Foreign institutions accounted for 52.5% of the subscription. The issue result shows the support and recognition of global investors for GEM's green industry. The capital raised will be invested in GEM's European power battery recycling and new energy materials manufacturing project and Indonesia's nickel resource project. The project will meet the requirements of the European Union's New Battery Law and satisfy the needs of new energy development in Europe, ensuring the rapid deployment of GEM on the European new energy industry market. As a result, GEM will leverage the power of the European capital markets to rapidly expand this green industry from China to the world.
As an important practitioner of mixed mechanism and mixed capital, Chna's State-owned Enterprise Mixed Ownership Reform Fund, together with Xiamen C&D Inc., XMXYG Co.,Ltd. and other Chinese groups, led the investment in GDR issued by GEM.As an outstanding ESG leader, the world's second-largest producer of power battery core materials, and the most significant urban mining enterprise in China, GEM was the first to land on the SIX and was backed by capital from the funds to grow into a global leader in Europe, conveying the concept of sustainable development of China's ecological environment and circular economy to the world.
Twenty years ago, GEM was founded based on the idea of "Green-Eco-Manufacture" and put forward the industrial concept of "limited resources, unlimited recycling." We hope to solve the contradiction between resource shortages and environmental deterioration through practicing an industrial model of urban mining. On January 22, 2010, GEM was listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange as China's first urban mining stock. In 20 years, with the support of the capital market in China GEM has undertaken activities, including cell phone battery recycling, electronic waste recycling, recycling of scrapped vehicles, recycling lithium cobalt nickel strategic resources, and, later on, recycling of power batteries and power battery material manufacturing, GEM has constructed 16 advanced recycling industrial parks in 11 provinces and cities in China. Its green footprint spans over 900 square kilometers in China. GEM has also built green factories in Indonesia, South Korea, and South Africa. Now, we have recovered and treated more than 10% of China's electronic waste. The annual recovery of cobalt resources exceeds 200% of the original cobalt mined in China. It accounts for 20% of the global cobalt resources recovered. Annual recovery of nickel resources accounts for 8% of China's original nickel production; Annual recycling of batteries accounts for about 10 percent of China's total waste. GEM turns waste into high-quality products and enters the international market chain; 50% of the world's cemented carbide tool products are made of GEM's ultrafine cobalt powder. More than 15% of the world's new energy vehicles with ternary power batteries are loaded with ternary precursor "core" materials manufactured by GEM. In the past 10 years, GEM's activities have avoided more than 2 million tons of carbon emissions, equal to saving more than 3 million barrels of oil and reducing deforestation by 3,000 hectares. GEM has contributed to building a recycling society and curbing the greenhouse gas effect as a Chinese enterprise and has become a representative of the world's advanced enterprises practicing green and low-carbon development.
At the GDR IPO celebration ceremony jointly held by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and SIX on July 28, Mr. Xu Kaihua, chairman of GEM, praised the pioneering efforts made by the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and SIX for Chinese companies to issue GDR. . He said that the Chinese and Swiss capital market regulators have demonstrated the speed of high-speed rail and the power of cooperation to the world in the issuance and review of the GDR project of Chinese enterprises and will light up the passion of Chinese enterprises to go global!
GEM promises to its global investors to implement the management rules of the SIX, adhere to its operational integrity, protect shareholders' rights and interests, promote ESG cooperation in the global industrial chain, and help the world to recycle for the future, realizing Chinese enterprises' green contribution to curbing global greenhouse gas emissions and creating green value and good returns for international investors.
GEM believes that standing at the intersection of global industrial changes; the world is moving towards carbon neutrality. Green has become the background color of world development. Carbon neutrality has become the new development channel of the world.
Only by going globally can Chinese enterprises share the great opportunities of green growth.
As a leading green enterprise in urban mining in China, GEM will seize the bright future of the green era and use the power of the global capital market to expand the green industry from China to the world. GEM and global investors join hands to warm a pot of "carbon neutrality" wine, drink together, with passionate enthusiasm, and sail towards a green future!
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SOURCE GEM | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/with-great-passion-setting-sail-together-green-future/ | 2022-07-28T17:11:52Z |
Police: Boy found in suitcase died of electrolyte imbalance
SELLERSBURG, Ind. (AP) — Police say an autopsy for a young boy found dead in a suitcase in southern Indiana showed he died from an electrolyte imbalance. Sgt. Carey Huls says the electrolyte imbalance was most likely due to gastroenteritis, or, in other words, vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration. Police have said the child’s body was discovered by a mushroom hunter in Washington County on April 16. Investigators believe the child was 5 years old but they don’t know where he died. Huls says the child was clean, clothed and appeared to be well cared for. No significant injuries were found on the child during the autopsy. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national/2022/05/27/police-boy-found-in-suitcase-died-of-electrolyte-imbalance/ | 2022-05-27T22:57:10Z |
Contest for military vets to become their own business owners
TAMPA, Fla., June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving®, an award-winning company and industry leader in stress-free solutions for moving and junk-hauling needs, wants to put military veterans in command with The Pitch, a contest that will award one lucky winner with a free franchise. In addition to a free franchise, College HUNKS is also giving away one franchise discount of $30,000 and one franchise discount of $10,000. Applicants must be veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. Entries will be accepted now through October 1, 2022.
"College HUNKS is committed to building leaders from our HUNKS to our franchise partners to our corporate teams and throughout our organization. Veterans exemplify this core value of ours and that's why we believe they are a great fit for our company," said Dana Hansen, Director of Franchise Development for College HUNKS. "We are thrilled to offer this contest that will provide more veterans the opportunity to own a business and take charge of their lives. By owning a College HUNKS franchise, veterans join a group of like-minded individuals who strive to create a meaningful and fulfilling work experience and help develop the leaders of tomorrow."
The Pitch contest is open to all U.S. military veterans. Applicants may enter for their chance to win at https://thepitch.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/ Applications will be accepted through October 1, 2022. Winners will be announced on Veterans Day (November 11, 2022). This prize is not valid in Florida or Texas. Those interested in learning more about a College HUNKS franchise can visit: collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/franchising.
The grand prize of the free franchise is valued at $65,000. The second-place prize is a $30,000 discount on a franchise, and the third-place prize is a $10,000 discount on a franchise. Check out the contest page for more details and official rules.
"We've been named a Top-rated Franchise for Veterans for more than 10 years. Across the College HUNKS system, veterans make up nearly 10% of owners. We are honored to have them as part of our team and look forward to joining forces with more veterans as we look to grow our company," added Hansen.
For more information, visit www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contact:
Brianne Barbakoff
Brianne@inklinkmarketing.com
786-605-9228
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SOURCE College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/win-free-college-hunks-hauling-junk-moving-franchise/ | 2022-06-23T19:17:17Z |
Wisconsin investigating 4 cases of unusual hepatitis in children, including one death
By Brenda Goodman, CNN
Health officials in Wisconsin are investigating four cases of children with significant unexplained liver damage, including one child who needed a liver transplant and one who died. If the death is confirmed to be linked to the illness, it would be the first reported in the US.
In a health alert issued Wednesday, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services asked the state’s doctors to be on the lookout for these unusual cases and report them.
Wisconsin is the fourth state to announce that it is investigating cases of liver inflammation, or hepatitis, that doesn’t seem to be caused by any of the usual suspects like hepatitis A, B, C or D.
Alabama has reported nine cases in its cluster, including two children who needed liver transplants. Illinois has reported three cases, including one that required a liver transplant, and North Carolina says it has two cases that meet that definition.
The World Health Organization said Saturday that at least 169 cases of acute hepatitis in children have been identified in 11 countries, including 17 who needed liver transplants and one death.
The majority of the cases, 114, have been reported in the United Kingdom. There have been 13 cases in Spain, 12 in Israel, six in Denmark, fewer than five in Ireland, four in the Netherlands, four in Italy, two in Norway, two in France, one in Romania and one in Belgium, according to WHO.
The UK Health Security Agency says that roughly three-quarters of the 53 sick children who were tested for adenovirus there came back positive. The virus that causes Covid-19, on the other hand, was found in only a sixth of children who were tested — in line with the levels of community transmission in the UK.
Adenoviruses make up a large family of viruses that can spread from person to person, causing a range of illnesses including colds, pinkeye and gastroenteritis. They are only rarely reported as a cause of severe hepatitis in healthy people.
But these hepatitis cases come as the spread of adenovirus has escalated in recent months, along with other common viruses that have surged with the end of Covid-19 prevention measures and behaviors that kept most germs at bay.
After falling dramatically during the pandemic, documented adenovirus cases have roared back and are now at higher levels than the UK saw before Covid-19.
Although investigations are circling around adenovirus, how it might cause liver inflammation is still unclear. Experts say the virus may be just one factor that leads to these cases when it happens alongside something else.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
CNN’s Michael Nedelman contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/health/cnn-health/2022/04/27/wisconsin-investigating-4-cases-of-unusual-hepatitis-in-children-including-one-death/ | 2022-04-27T23:41:14Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) welcomes the publishing of a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would implement President Biden's February 4 Executive Order requiring Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects valued at or above $35 million. PLAs have proven to be a time-tested method for ensuring that projects exceed quality construction standards, are completed on-time and under budget, and save taxpayer dollars.
NECA has long championed the use of PLAs and is pleased the Biden Administration swiftly moved forward to craft this proposed rule. All contractors and subcontractors on construction projects will be able to fairly compete for contracts and subcontracts without regard to whether they are otherwise parties to collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, the PLAs would provide guarantees against strikes, lockouts, and similar job disruptions; set forth effective, prompt, and mutually binding procedures for resolving labor disputes that may arise during the term of a project; and provide other mechanisms for labor-management cooperation on critical matters of mutual interest and concern, including productivity, quality of work, safety, and health.
"President Franklin Roosevelt instituted PLAs for his New Deal infrastructure plan," said Marco Giamberardino, NECA Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. "Some of the resulting projects included the Shasta Dam, Hoover Dam, Kitsap Naval Base, Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant, LAX Airport, and countless educational institutions. Furthermore, private businesses such as Disney, the NFL, Walmart, and Toyota have all used PLAs on their signature projects. NECA is excited to translate these benchmarks to perform on a federal level for government buildings, construction, installation, maintenance, and more. The order provides a pathway for increased job opportunities that NECA contractors of all sizes are willing and able to perform at the highest level."
NECA is currently analyzing the proposed rule and will issue public comments in response by the October 18 deadline.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is the voice of the $202 billion electrical contracting industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S. NECA collectively represents over 4,000 electrical contractor members served by 118 local Chapters across the country.
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SOURCE National Electrical Contractors Association | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/19/electrical-contractors-welcome-biden-administrations-proposed-rule-project-labor-agreements-plas-over-35-million/ | 2022-08-19T16:45:50Z |
JINAN, China, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Angel Yeast (SH600298), a globally listed yeast and yeast extract manufacturer, exhibited its latest products and solutions of fermentation nutrients at Bio China 2022, an expo on fermentation and biotechnology held in Jinan, Shandong province.
During the mid-July expo, the company showcased an array of new products, including yeast-derived peptones, a groundbreaking innovation in the field, a brand new plant protein hydrolysate, the first yeast hydrolysate made for cell cultivating in China, and yeast powder for industrial application.
"We feel honored to be part of the expo and we are happy to meet and talk with business partners and peers in the industry. Angel Yeast has a longstanding commitment to creating a healthy life with innovation. In many years we have been working on research and development in major fields of microbial fermentation that improve quality of life and health, such as food and feed ingredients, bio-pharmaceutical, bio-chemistry, and bio-agriculture and food culture," said Xianwu Qin, chief engineer of Angel Yeast.
"Most consumers might not be familiar with fermentation nutrients. Actually these products are vital to our daily life and health," added Qin. He further explained that fermentation nutrient products are key ingredients for the production of insulin, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, probiotics, vaccines and many others.
"We expect to see our innovation resulting in a healthier life for everyone."
At the expo, Angel Yeast also announced further steps to drive the industry forward, including building an intelligent production line for plant nitrogen sources in Binzhou, Shandong province. The production line will be in operation by October.
With a capacity of 5,000 tonnes, it is expected to produce high-quality plant nitrogen source products, such as a wide range of peptones derived from soy, wheat, corn and pea. Plant nitrogen source products by Angel Yeast can be used in conjunction with yeast-sourced fermentation nutrients to improve downstream performance and efficiency.
The company has set its sights on the biomedical sector as well. Its yeast extract powders and yeast protein hydrolysates have been applied successfully in vaccines and other biological products.
About Angel Yeast
Founded in 1986, Angel Yeast Co., Ltd specializes in the production of yeast and yeast derivatives. Its product range includes baker's yeast and ingredients, Chinese dim sum and seasoning, savory yeast extract, human health, animal nutrition, plant care, distilled spirits and biofuels, fermentation nutrients, and enzymes.
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SOURCE Angel Yeast | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/angel-yeast-showcases-latest-innovation-fermentation-nutrients-bio-china-2022/ | 2022-07-28T13:00:10Z |
How are gas prices affecting your summer travel plans? Share your story
It’s set to be a very hot summer for travel.
Travel organization AAA is estimating that 39.2 million people will travel over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the unofficial start of summer in the United States.
That’s up 8.3% over 2021. Air travel is expected to be up by 25% over last year and just shy of 2019 figures, with 3 million people expected to fly over the holiday period.
“Based on our projections, summer travel isn’t just heating up, it will be on fire,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, in a news release.
AAA is recommending the “safety net” of travel insurance and a travel agent.
AAA is far from the only travel entity warning of disruptions this summer. Some travel experts are predicting chaos.
We want to hear about your plans for Memorial Day and beyond. Are high gas prices or Covid concerns affecting your travel plans? How are you preparing for what sounds like a bumpy ride for summer travel?
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
Top image: People walk along the beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in this May 2021 file photo. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/23/how-are-gas-prices-affecting-your-summer-travel-plans-share-your-story/ | 2022-05-23T22:38:30Z |
Thanks to newly passed legislation, the Family Licensed Health Aide Program will be available April 1, 2022
PHOENIX, April 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For most families with medically fragile children, parents are forced to stop working to provide necessary medical care, forgoing income in exchange for their child's safety. But that will all change for Arizona residents in April 2022, thanks to the newly-passed Family Licensed Health Aide (FLHA) Program.
Under the Family Licensed Health Aide Program, parents and legal guardians of medically fragile children can receive free training to become a Licensed Health Aide (LHA) and be hired by a home health agency like Team Select Home Care. Parents and legal guardians can then become a paid caregiver for their child's lower acuity medical tasks.
Arizona House Bill 2521, introduced in 2019, was passed at the end of last year making the FLHA Program a possibility for Arizonans. Arizona is the third state to approve such a program, joining Colorado and New Hampshire where similar programs are already in place. The bill has subsequently been approved by the Arizona Board of Nursing and Arizona Medicaid.
Team Select Home Care, who also employs parents for the Colorado and New Hampshire programs, was instrumental in getting the program passed. "We are very proud of the role we played in getting this transformative legislation approved and are optimistic it's just the tip of the iceberg to encourage other states across the U.S. to implement similar programs," stated Fred Johnson, President and CEO of Team Select Home Care.
"The Family Licensed Health Aide Program in Arizona will not only help children with disabilities receive the constant and consistent care they need, it will also help avoid costly, long-term hospital stays while filling a shortfall of private duty nurses during the ongoing nursing crisis," Johnson added.
The FLHA Program allows caregivers the ability to provide skilled, compassionate care for loved ones while operating under the supervision and guidance of a registered nurse case manager. The parent/family member is required to attend and pass the State and Board of Nursing mandated schooling to become a clinically-trained and fully-certified nursing aide. The program typically takes less than a week to complete. The parent/family member would then have the opportunity to become hired by an agency like Team Select Home Care to provide physician-ordered skilled care to their child or loved one. All facets of employment will adhere to state regulations, Board of Nursing rules, labor laws, accreditation standards, and agency policies and procedures.
"My family is very excited about the Family Licensed Health Aide Program and the benefits it will bring to our daughter, Tori, as well as our whole family," said Laura Gjacs of Surprise. "It allows me the opportunity to be employed with a good, stable job, but also care for my child, which is my top priority. I feel very fortunate that this program is available to my family. It addresses the stressful situations a family may face with inconsistent care and multiple providers for their child, as well as the financial impact of a parent not working."
Gjacs' daughter requires complete care including feedings and medications through her enteral G-tube. She also requires a BiPap machine, oxygen, inhaled medication, and a CPT vest to sustain adequate respiratory function.
The FLHA Program provides a plethora of benefits including:
- Improved access to quality care for the child.
- Opportunities for the family member to earn a living providing skilled care for their loved one.
- Helps alleviate the nursing shortage through adding an influx of LHAs to the workforce that will free up RNs and LPNs to care for higher acuity patients.
- Provides significant cost savings for Medicaid and taxpayers in two main ways:
For more information about the Family Licensed Health Aide Program and Team Select Home Care visit www.tshc.com.
About Team Select Home Care
Dedicated to improving the lives of patients through increased health and mobility, Team Select maintains offices in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, California, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois, and New Hampshire that provides Home Health & Intermittent Visits, Long-Term Adult/Pediatric Care, Personal Services, Mobile Therapy Services, Pediatric Therapy and Mobile Physician Services to their local communities. The company was established in 2008 with the goal of bringing together the most experienced and ethical home health professionals in the industry. Team Select provides solutions to address both cost and care coordination needs with industry-leading technology, innovating the home health space.
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SOURCE Team Select Home Care | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/01/big-win-medically-fragile-families-arizona-becomes-3rd-state-provide-in-home-continuous-care-loved-ones/ | 2022-04-01T13:53:21Z |
Combs and CÎROC have released over 15 flavor innovations, becoming an industry and cultural leader in the vodka category.
CÎROC Passion is More Than a Flavor; Its bold design reflects an intensity and a frequency you have to experience.
NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sean "Diddy" Combs and the makers of CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka invite consumers to "experience the frequency of the LOVE Era" with the launch of CÎROC Passion. The new signature flavor is the first offering in the CÎROC portfolio that delivers more than a distinct taste; its bold design reflects an intensity and a frequency you have to experience. Together, Combs and CÎROC have now released more than 15 flavor innovations, becoming an industry and cultural leader in the vodka category.
Directly inspired by Combs' personal philosophy: do something passionately, or don't do it at all, this innovation is his most ambitious passion project to-date. The release of CÎROC Passion is the result of over two years of diligent experimentation and development between Combs and Diageo to perfect the liquid, finetune the bottle design and craft signature cocktails. Combs spearheaded each aspect of the process in collaboration with CÎROC, from leading creative and product design to shaping product packaging and guiding marketing efforts.
"CÎROC Passion is the purest and boldest expression of love, so I wanted to develop a new flavor of CÎROC that embodies my spirit and brings consumers into the frequency," said Sean "Diddy" Combs. "To be the best, you have to be fearless and follow that fire within you; that's why we have been leaders in innovation and believe CÎROC will remain the number one brand in the category."
In true Combs style, the CÎROC Passion launch will bring energy and passion to the forefront of culture. Combs and his creative team developed custom CÎROC Passion content featuring Combs' new single "GOTTA MOVE ON" with Bryson Tiller soon to be released. Combs has been teasing the new single since he performed at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards where he served as the Host and Executive Producer. Guests will experience the CÎROC Passion frequency first-hand later this summer during a sensorial event hosted by Combs in his hometown of Harlem, New York.
"CÎROC Passion is dynamic, multi-layered, smooth and brings something unique to our portfolio of flavors," said Edward Pilkington, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, Diageo North America. "It continues CÎROC's long standing tradition of setting innovation trends. We are excited for fans to responsibly experience this singular sensation and know they will agree that it was well worth the wait."
Crafted with flavor in mind, CÎROC Passion is distilled from fine French grapes and masterfully infused with an exotic blend inspired by the tropics. Featuring notes of pineapple, mango, citrus, hibiscus, and other natural flavors, it offers a taste experience that's both lusciously unique and elegantly smooth. As a finishing touch, the vodka is encased in a bottle with a distinctive ombre colorway of purple and orange resembling the bright tones of sunset with sleek gold lettering that's sure to stand out on any table. It's the latest iconic offering from the premium spirits brand, which has long been committed to excellence, innovation, celebrating culture and setting trends.
You may download hi res imagery HERE.
Enjoy CÎROC Passion with soda and lemon or serve up a signature cocktail like the French Passion:
French Passion
1.5 oz CÎROC Passion
1 oz Pineapple Juice
.75 oz Hibiscus Syrup
.75 oz Lemon Juice
Sparkling Wine
Glass: Coupe
Garnish: Edible flowers
Method: Add CÎROC Passion, Pineapple Juice, Hibiscus Syrup and Lemon Juice into a shaker. Add ice and shake for about 8 to 10 seconds. Double strain into a coupe glass, top off with Sparkling Wine and garnish.
CÎROC Passion will be a permanent addition to the CÎROC portfolio and will be available nationwide where spirits-based beverages are sold for a suggested retail price of $29.99.
CÎROC encourages people of legal drinking age to celebrate responsibly. Please visit www.CIROC.com for additional information on CÎROC and be on the lookout for more details about this exciting programming, delicious cocktails and engaging social content by following the conversation at @CIROC.
CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka is gluten-free and distilled from fine French grapes; a process inspired by over a century of wine-making expertise and craftsmanship, providing a crisp, clean taste and citrus nose. Launched nationwide in January 2003, DIAGEO – the world's largest spirits and beer company – made spirits history in October 2007 by entering into a strategic alliance with entertainment entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs, in which Mr. Combs and Combs Enterprises assumed the lead on all brand management activities for CÎROC. The flavor portfolio includes CÎROC RED BERRY, CÎROC COCONUT, CÎROC PEACH, CÎROC PINEAPPLE, CÎROC APPLE, CÎROC MANGO, CÎROC SUMMER WATERMELON and CÎROC SUMMER CITRUS. In June 2018, Sean "Diddy" Combs and the makers of CÎROC entered the brown spirits category with the introduction of CÎROC VS, Fine French Brandy. In April 2022, the brand entered the ready-to-drink market, bringing the spirit of luxury and culture to the category with CÎROC Vodka Spritz.
DIAGEO is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.
DIAGEO is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.
For more information about DIAGEO, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com.
Visit DIAGEO'S global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow Twitter and Instagram for news and information about DIAGEO North America: @Diageo_NA.
Combs Spirits (CS) is a privately owned, premium spirits company created by Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2013. The company co-owns DeLeón Tequila and is responsible for all strategic marketing for CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka, both in partnership with Diageo. CS is focused on delivering high impact growth driven product development strategies that promote a healthy business structure while highlighting social responsibility - and has become known for its bold business moves, energetic marketing and history-making success.
Media Contacts:
Hunter PR | ciroc@hunterpr.com
Combs Spirits | pr@cespirits.com
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SOURCE Combs Enterprises | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/sean-diddy-combs-unveils-croc-passion-his-new-signature-flavor-that-brings-his-spirit-love-era/ | 2022-06-09T12:48:30Z |
‘Parabolic.’ NY jet fuel prices double in the past two weeks to record highs
By Matt Egan, CNN
The price of New York Harbor jet fuel has more than doubled in the past two weeks, reaching an all-time high for any US-traded transportation fuel in at least the past 41 years, according to the Oil Price Information Service.
The wholesale price for NY jet fuel spiked to $7.57 a gallon on Tuesday, up from $3.63 a gallon two weeks ago, data provided by OPIS showed.
“This is the most parabolic move I’ve seen in decades, and it cannot be credited to simple supply and demand economics,” said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at OPIS. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Kloza predicted prices will “drop like a rock” very soon, but cautioned that travelers may still see at least a near-term bump in airfares if they didn’t book ahead.
“The consumer will see an impact in fares. There’s no question about it. Or they will see airlines cut back on flights,” Kloza said.
The jet fuel spike is a reversal of fortunes after the collapse in air travel during the onset of Covid.
NY jet fuel plunged below $1 and stayed there for much of 2020, before rebounding to end last year below $2.30 a gallon, according to OPIS. Even when oil prices skyrocketed to record highs in 2008, NY jet fuel topped out at $4.36 a gallon.
Today’s prices are not only all-time records for NY jet fuel, but the highest for any transportation fuel traded in the United States in the 41-year history of OPIS, Kloza said.
The spike points to a localized supply problem because other markets for jet fuel are seeing much lower prices. Gulf Coast jet fuel, for instance, trades at $3.78 a gallon, OPIS data showed.
Analysts at S&P Global pointed to how some US refineries in recent weeks have focused on producing diesel instead of jet fuel. S&P said by the end of March, US refineries were producing ultra-low sulfur diesel at a seven-month high, while jet fuel output fell to a four-month low.
However, Kloza does not believe there is a link to the US ban on Russian oil and petroleum products, nor the de facto ban on Russian energy that has emerged since the invasion of Ukraine.
Instead, he pointed to a lack of liquidity in “broken” energy markets and a GameStop-like momentum swing.
“You’ve gone parabolic because somebody desperately needs jet fuel and the people who have it aren’t releasing it for the moment,” Kloza said, adding there is an “incredible note of desperation” among buyers.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/05/parabolic-ny-jet-fuel-prices-double-in-the-past-two-weeks-to-record-highs/ | 2022-04-06T01:14:22Z |
NEW YORK, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Oscar Health, Inc. (NYSE: OSCR) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with the Company's March 2021 initial public offering ("IPO" or the "Offering"), of the important July 11, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Oscar securities pursuant and/or traceable to the Registration Statement you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Oscar class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6200 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 11, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the Registration Statement was materially false and misleading and omitted to state that: (1) Oscar was experiencing growing COVID-19 testing and treatment costs; (2) Oscar was experiencing growing net COVID-19 costs; (3) Oscar would be negatively impacted by an unfavorable prior year Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) result relating to 2019 and 2020; (4) Oscar was on track to be negatively impacted by significant Special Enrollment Period (SEP) membership growth; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Oscar's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Oscar class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6200 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/rosen-top-ranked-investor-counsel-encourages-oscar-health-inc-investors-with-losses-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-oscr/ | 2022-06-28T03:41:35Z |
Golden Harvest adds two experienced members to its industry-leading agronomy team to support Nebraska farmers in creating long-term crop management plans
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As Nebraska farmers brace for high corn rootworm (CRW) pressure following a major resurgence in the Corn Belt in 2021, Golden Harvest is releasing new Agronomy in Action trial data showing that Duracade™ traited hybrids paired with a soil-applied Force® brand insecticide provide excellent CRW control and yield benefits.
Nebraska reported particularly high western CRW populations in 2021 as part of a study conducted by the Regional Corn Rootworm Monitoring Network – an indication there will be high pressure again this summer. To help farmers prepare for the threat, Golden Harvest is sharing new Agronomy in Action trial data and adding two new experienced members to its leading agronomy team ― Jamie Kathol in eastern Nebraska and Luke Curl in the western part of the state ― to help farmers evaluate available CRW management tools and create long-term management plans.
CRW is a highly adaptable pest, requiring a tailored, multiyear plan that rotates diverse management practices. Corn rootworm is often called the "billion dollar pest" as it can create huge problems for farmers throughout its life cycle. Larvae feeding on roots can lead to reduced yield potential, root lodging, reduced stalk strength, among other concerns. Adult beetles can clip silks, reduce pollination, and then lay eggs that create and worsen problems the following season.
Force + Duracade hybrids offer yield benefits
In fields where there is low to moderate CRW pressure, new Golden Harvest trial data indicates farmers should use either Force brand insecticides or Duracade hybrids – such as Golden Harvest corn hybrids G11V76-D or G10L16-DV – to effectively control CRW. In fields with higher CRW pressure, farmers should consider using a Force brand insecticide with Duracade hybrids. The trials showed this approach offers farmers potential yield benefits of as much as 41 bushels per acre (bu/A) over untreated, non-traited options.
"DuracadeViptera is one of the top hybrid options available to farmers today because it uses a unique mode of action, so it's offering something new and different to fight CRW," says Kathol, Golden Harvest agronomist. "It also provides best-in-class protection against above-ground pests for peace of mind throughout the season. When paired with Force, this is a no-brainer for farmers seeing high CRW pressure."
Consider seed treatments for additional benefits
Higher 1250 rates of CruiserMaxx® seed treatment can also offer additional protection against early season CRW larvae, according to the trial. Golden Harvest trials found on average almost 0.25 of node rating improvement from increased rates compared with lower seed-applied insecticide rates. Larger root score improvements ranging from 0.38 to 0.41 were observed in trials with greater rootworm pressure.
Many Duracade hybrids are now available with rates of CruiserMaxx Corn 1250 seed treatment, a combination of separately registered products.
Build a long-term CRW management plan
While each field is different, Kathol and Curl agree there are easy steps that every farmer can take to begin building a CRW management plan, beginning with assessing the threat in their fields. Curl recommends using sticky traps – a common, low-cost way to quantify adult beetle pressure in the later part of the summer. The number of beetles trapped is a strong indicator of the likely amount of pressure farmers will see the following year.
"Having that type of data is absolutely critical so you know what to expect next year," says Curl, Golden Harvest agronomist. "It helps us adjust CRW management plans proactively, based on what we're actually seeing in the field."
Get in touch with Golden Harvest agronomists
The best long-term plans to manage CRW are flexible and require fine tuning, Kathol and Curl say. The newest members of the Golden Harvest agronomy team are eager to dig in with customers in Nebraska and offer their expertise to support farmers.
"Luke and Jamie are outstanding additions to our team of agronomic experts here at Golden Harvest," says Andy Heggenstaller, head of agronomy for Syngenta Seeds. "We are thrilled to welcome them to the team and ensure top quality support for our farmers in Nebraska as they deal with corn rootworm and other threats."
To get in touch with Golden Harvest agronomists to discuss CRW pressure in your fields and begin building a management strategy, contact your Golden Harvest Seed Advisor today.
For more tips and strategies, Golden Harvest offers a library of agronomy articles with actionable data and local insights to help precisely place products for maximized performance in farmers' fields. The Agronomy in Action 2022 Research Review provides a comprehensive review of applied and practical agronomic studies conducted during the 2021 growing season at Golden Harvest Agronomy in Action research sites.
To find better solutions for your corn and soybean acres, contact a Golden Harvest Seed Advisor at GoldenHarvestSeeds.com.
About Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest Seeds has been working with and listening to farmers with intention since 1973, offering in-depth seeds expertise combined with the local agronomic know-how of an independent Golden Harvest Seed Advisor to help identify custom solutions for every corn and soybean acre. Today, each Golden Harvest® hybrid or variety is bred with the individual needs of hardworking farmers in mind. Golden Harvest corn hybrids feature elite genetics with proven performance and the most complete above- and below-ground insect control solutions with Duracade and Viptera trait stacks. Golden Harvest soybean varieties include the industry's broadest trait choice and exclusive genetics, which set a new standard for performance and yield potential.
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GldnHarvest, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/goldenharvestseeds/ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GldnHarvest.
The content of this release is for information purposes only. This release is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or other property interests.
Web Resources:
Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest Agronomy Articles
Agronomy in Action sites
Newsroom
Thrive®
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.
© 2022 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label and bag tag instructions; only those labeled as tolerant to glufosinate may be sprayed with glufosinate ammonium-based herbicides. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Force, Force Evo, Force CS, Force 3G, and Force 6.5G are Restricted Use Pesticides. CruiserMaxx Corn 1250 is an on-seed application of Cruiser 5FS insecticide delivered at the 1.25 mg a.i./seed rate and Maxim Quattro fungicide. LibertyLink®, Liberty® and the Water Droplet logo are registered trademarks of BASF. HERCULEX® and the HERCULEX Shield are trademarks of Corteva Agriscience LLC. HERCULEX Insect Protection technology by Corteva Agriscience LLC. Under federal and local laws, only dicamba-containing herbicides registered for use on dicamba-tolerant varieties may be applied. See product labels for details and tank mix partners. Golden Harvest® and NK® soybean varieties are protected under granted or pending U.S. variety patents and other intellectual property rights, regardless of the trait(s) within the seed. The Enlist E3® soybean, LibertyLink®, LibertyLink® GT27®, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend®, Roundup Ready 2 Yield® and XtendFlex® soybean traits may be protected under numerous United States patents. It is unlawful to save soybeans containing these traits for planting or transfer to others for use as a planting seed. Only dicamba formulations that employ VaporGrip® Technology are approved for use with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® and XtendFlex® soybeans. Only 2,4-D choline formulations with Colex-D® Technology are approved for use with Enlist E3® soybeans. The trademarks or service marks displayed or otherwise used herein are the property of a Syngenta Group Company. ENLIST E3® soybean technology is jointly developed with Corteva Agriscience LLC and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. The ENLIST trait and ENLIST Weed Control System are technologies owned and developed by Corteva Agriscience LLC. ENLIST® and ENLIST E3® are trademarks of Corteva Agriscience LLC. GT27® is a trademark of M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. and BASF. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend®, Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, XtendFlex® and YieldGard VT Pro® are registered trademarks used under license from the Bayer Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Golden Harvest | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/new-trial-data-offers-options-minimize-historic-corn-rootworm-threat-maximize-corn-yield-potential-nebraska-state-braces-another-heavy-season/ | 2022-07-06T15:11:49Z |
DALLAS, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) today announced that CEO Alok Maskara and CFO Joe Reitmeier are scheduled to present at the Morgan Stanley 10th Annual Laguna Conference in Laguna Nigel, California, on Wednesday, September 14. Presentation materials and a live webcast beginning at 3:45 p.m. Pacific time that day can be accessed on the company's website at www.lennoxinternational.com.
About Lennox International
Lennox International Inc. is a global leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. Dedicated to sustainability and creating comfortable and healthier environments for our residential and commercial customers while reducing their carbon footprint, we lead the field in innovation with our cooling, heating, indoor air quality, and refrigeration systems. Lennox International stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the symbol LII. Additional information on Lennox International is available at www.lennoxinternational.com or by contacting Steve Harrison, Vice President, Investor Relations, at 972-497-6670.
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SOURCE Lennox International Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/lennox-international-present-morgan-stanley-10th-annual-laguna-conference-laguna-nigel/ | 2022-09-12T14:15:52Z |
BEIJING, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: RETO) (the "Company") today announced that the consortium led by the Company's subsidiary REIT Ecological Technology Co., Ltd. ("REIT Eco") has won the bid for the Longxi County Comprehensive Land Management and Logistics Zone (Yangjia River Band) EOD Project, an ecological oriented development project in Longxi County, Gansu Province, China(the "EOD Project").
Pursuant to the bidding documents, the EOD Project involves a total investment of RMB1.318 billion (approximately $195.02 million). REIT Eco and Hainan Shiyuan Tongda Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd. will jointly establish a project company in Longxi County, which will be responsible for the investment and financing, project management and operation, and other work required to complete the EOD Project. ReTo and the other shareholder of the project company are expected to receive an annualized return of 12% on their total investment at the end of the three year term of the EOD project.
The EOD Project mainly consists of three parts. First part includes land reclamation and supporting rural road construction, which involves a total of ten sub-projects that span 60,000 mu (approximately 9,884 acres) of land across the Longxi County. The second part involves land acquisition for the Logistics Zone (Yangjia River Band). The third part includes work on land development and municipal infrastructure construction that ensure water and electricity supply, road and communication establishment as well as drainage and other needed land leveling works.
Mr. Hengfang Li, Chairman and CEO of the Company commented, "The Company has been working for many years in the fields of comprehensive land management, soil remediation, mine ecological restoration, solid waste utilization, sewage treatment and domestic waste treatment. With our business growth, the Company strives to become a provider of leading intelligent environmental and ecological solutions and operation services in China."
About ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc.
Founded in 1999, ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc., through its proprietary technologies, systems and solutions, is striving to bring clean water and fertile soil to communities worldwide. The Company offers a full range of products and services, ranging from the production of environmentally-friendly construction materials, environmental protection equipment, and manufacturing equipment used to produce environmentally-friendly construction materials, to project consulting, design, and installation for the improvement of ecological environments, such as ecological soil restoration through solid waste treatment. Through its subsidiary Hainan REIT Mingde Investment Holding Co., Ltd. and Hainan Yile IoT Technology Co., Ltd., a high-tech enterprise in Hainan Province, the Company provides roadside assistance services to drivers within Hainan Province through its network of tow providers, automotive repair services and other service providers, and is also engaged in the design, development and sales of customized software solutions. For more information, please visit: http://en.retoeco.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may," "will," "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development such as the implementation of the EOD Project, including its anticipated investment amount and return; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of the construction industry in China; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
For more information, please contact:
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc.
Angela Hu
Beijing Phone: +86-010-64827328
ir@retoeco.com or 310@reit.cc
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SOURCE ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/subsidiary-reto-eco-solutions-wins-bid-develop-rmb1318-billion-eod-project/ | 2022-08-09T13:05:12Z |
AMSTERDAM, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Chief Executive Officer of VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON) (Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator that provides mobile connectivity and services, updated the Company's stakeholders on key financial and business developments.
In his letter, VEON's CEO Kaan Terzioğlu wrote:
Dear VEON stakeholder,
I am pleased to update you on our latest achievements in key areas of interest for VEON Group. Since my last letter we have closed several important transactions and we are driving several others towards completion, while the operating performance of our companies remains healthy.
As a global operator providing digital services to almost 220 million people across eight countries, VEON (NASDAQ: VEON) (Euronext Amsterdam: VEON) continues to attract international investors such as EXOR Capital (UK), Shah Capital (US), Kopernik Global Investors (US) and PIMCO (US), who recently increased their holdings of our shares, according to the latest public filings. I would like to express my appreciation for your continued trust in VEON.
Liquidity, capital structure and M&A
This week we announced the successful closing of the sale of our Georgian operations to our former local partner, delivering proceeds of USD 45 million, equivalent to 3.5 times 2021 EBITDA (pre-IFRS 16). This is another step in strengthening our focus on high-growth markets with a critical mass of users, streamlining our Group operations to create long-term value for customers, partners and shareholders. Beeline Georgia is a leader in terms of 4G penetration and digital services, thanks to its successful execution of VEON's digital operator strategy. The local management team and the new Georgian shareholder are committed to the successful development of the company and to supporting the digital transformation of the country.
Another important focus area for VEON recently has been liquidity management and we have increased our Group's total cash and deposits to approximately USD 2.4 billion, including USD 1.8 billion equivalent of USD- and EUR-denominated cash and deposits held by the headquarters in Amsterdam. This was achieved after we further enhanced VEON Group's cash position by increasing our current revolving credit facility utilization to USD 973 million, as announced on 25 May 2022. As stated previously, we do not have any material debt maturing in 2022.
In addition to HQ-level liquidity, the self-sufficient nature of our operating companies in terms of financing was again highlighted recently. Jazz in Pakistan and Banglalink in Bangladesh have successfully raised local long-term funding to cover their spectrum requirements, with 10-year PKR 40 billion (c. USD 222 million) and 5-year BDT 12 billion (c. USD 135 million) loans, respectively. We have also made material progress in the simplification of our capital structure. As communicated on 21 April 2022, a total of RUB 90 billion in loans were novated to PJSC VimpelCom, with the former borrower (VEON Finance Ireland) and the former guarantor (VEON Holdings BV) having been released. This transaction aligned ruble liabilities with ruble revenues and reduced HQ external debt. We are also working on rationalizing VEON Group's ownership structure of Beeline Kazakhstan.
The next important step in portfolio management is now the pending completion of the put option for Djezzy in Algeria for USD 682 million, as disclosed in our 1Q22 trading update on 28 April 2022. This will both better streamline our operations and further improve our cash position.
Supporting connectivity across our markets
Today the humanitarian need for connectivity is as important as other basic needs such as food, water, shelter and health care. In fact, connectivity is often a crucial lifeline for each one of us, as we rely on telecommunications networks to secure basic needs, stay connected with loved ones, access reliable information and use key digital services.
In Ukraine, the Kyivstar team continues to make an extraordinary effort to keep the networks running despite the damage to towers and power supplies. Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 3,400 repairs of base stations have been performed, and some 26,500 meters of broken fiber-optics have been replaced. More than 90% of Kyivstar's network is still operational. We have added 100 new base stations across the Western part of the country and upgraded hundreds more with the latest technologies to enable uninterrupted communications.
Growth across our footprint driven by the digital operator model
The latest available data shows that our double and multiplay 4G subscribers reached 35% of the Group's monthly active customer base. This supported continued high single-digit local currency year-on-year growth in the Group's service revenues, both in April and May.
In Pakistan, Jazz continues to perform strongly, enabled by growth in 4G customer base. As of May, it serves 50% of its customer base with 4G connectivity. With its 4G offering, Jazz continues to lead the market in terms of both revenue and customer base growth.
In Bangladesh, our planned additional network coverage is expanding fast. The positive impact of this was already evident in Q1 as Banglalink recorded 8.6% year-on-year revenue growth. This performance has further accelerated: Banglalink's topline grew at a double-digit year-on-year pace in both April and May, driven by the 45% increase in its double and multiplay 4G customers.
Beeline Kazakhstan is heading toward its sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit topline growth, powered by the highest customer base 4G penetration among our larger operations. Over 66% of Beeline Kazakhstan's customers are now 4G users, bringing it closer to the 70% 4G penetration ambition that we set out at our Investor Day in December 2021. I had the opportunity this week to personally reiterate our commitment to support the Government's priorities for mobile communications, internet coverage and digital transformation, along with its long-term ambition of achieving net zero CO2 emissions, at a plenary session of the Foreign Investors' Council in Kazakhstan, attended by key members of the Government and chaired by the country's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
I spent a couple of days with the Group management team in Uzbekistan at the beginning of May, witnessing first-hand the Beeline team's excellent work in building a success story. Beeline's robust double-digit performance continued during April and May, driven by increasing customer satisfaction, which we see in NPS and market share performance, and an impressive, sustained 4G growth. Beeline has also recently launched new bundles, to which nearly 1.2 million customers signed up in the first few months, including more than half a million customers with digital-enabled offers.
In Algeria, as we near completion of the sale of Djezzy, we have been building on five consecutive quarters of growth, welcoming the recent addition of 2300 MHz band spectrum and committing around USD 20 million in additional capex to rapidly deliver increased 4G performance in densely populated urban areas.
2022 AGM to convene on 29 June
As announced on 25 May 2022, the VEON Board of Directors has set the Company's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders for 29 June 2022. The Board has recommended 11 Directors. Eight of the nominees – Hans-Holger Albrecht, Yaroslav Glazunov, Andrei Gusev, Gunnar Holt, Karen Linehan, Irene Shvakman, Vasily Sidorov and Michiel Soeting – currently sit on the Board, while the remaining three – Augie Fabela, Stan Miller and Morten Lundal – are new candidates.
We invite all our shareholders to participate in the forthcoming AGM, which will be held in virtual form. I speak for all of the management team when I say that I look forward to working with the incoming Board, benefiting from their wealth of operational, financial and governance experience.
We welcome your questions
Should you have any questions on the topics covered in this letter, or other matters related to VEON Group, please do contact our IR team via ir@veon.com. Thank you for your continued trust and support for our company.
Disclaimer
This press release contains "forward-looking statements", as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and include statements relating to, among other things, expectations regarding the sufficiency of VEON's liquidity to meet its obligations, the impact of further sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United States or the United Kingdom, the safety of our employees and customers, the continued development of our business operations and continued engagement with our stakeholders. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which VEON cannot predict with accuracy and some of which VEON might not even anticipate. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release. VEON does not undertake to publicly update, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Furthermore, elements of this release contain or may contain, "inside information" as defined under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.
About VEON
VEON is a NASDAQ and Euronext Amsterdam-listed global provider of connectivity and internet services. For more information visit: www.veon.com
Contact Information
VEON
Investor Relations
Nik Kershaw
ir@veon.com
+31 20 79 77 200
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SOURCE VEON Ltd | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/veon-ceo-key-developments-update-investors-partners/ | 2022-06-10T15:53:51Z |
Man drives over 100 mph while drunk, killing 2 women, unborn child, police say
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT/Gray News) – A man in Nebraska is accused of killing two women, one of them pregnant, when he crashed into their vehicle driving faster than 100 mph while drunk, prosecutors say.
Court documents filed Wednesday show that Zachary Paulison, 22, left Addy’s bar — where a bartender offered to call him a ride — five minutes before the crash on March 31. Documents say he was on the road for just three minutes, reaching a maximum speed of 104.7 miles, before he crashed into the victims’ vehicle at 102.3 mph. Crash investigators found no indicators of braking before Paulison hit the other vehicle.
Sara Zimmerman, 37, a corrections officer at the Douglas County Jail who was eight months pregnant, and Amanda Schook, 38, died at the crash scene.
That night, a blood draw indicated Paulison had a 0.161 blood alcohol content, records state. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries after the crash.
Investigators found that Paulison had several drinks over the course of two hours at The Mark before heading to Addy’s at 7:27 p.m. that evening. He also tested positive for cannabinoids, court records state.
Paulison made his first appearance in court on Thursday. He was booked Wednesday into Sarpy County Jail on two counts of DUI motor vehicle homicide, Class 2A felonies; and one count of death of an unborn child, a Class 3A felony that could carry a sentence of up to three years.
“This is a primary example of one of the worst scenarios when you drive drunk,” Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said. “How many times does this have to happen before people change their behavior?”
Paulison’s bond was set at $1 million.
Copyright 2022 WOWT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/07/man-drives-over-100-mph-while-drunk-killing-2-women-unborn-child-police-say/ | 2022-04-08T01:26:14Z |
(The Hill) — More than 700,000 people have signed a petition calling for Justice Clarence Thomas to be impeached following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The petition, made by the liberal advocacy group MoveOn, was created after the Supreme Court overturned Roe in its Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and while controversy swirls around his wife, Ginni Thomas’s, political activism.
It has more than 786,000 signatures as of Friday evening.
The petition noted that Thomas was among the majority of justices who ruled that there was not a constitutional right to an abortion and alluded to his concurring opinion in that case, in which he suggested the Supreme Court should revisit cases that established the right to contraceptive access and same-sex marriage.
The petition also blasted Thomas for not recusing himself in cases relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot after news reports surfaced that Ginni Thomas had reached out to Arizona state lawmakers urging them to reject the 2020 election results and had contacted former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows over rejecting the last election’s outcome.
“Thomas’ failure to recuse himself warrants immediate investigation and heightened alarm. And it’s only the latest in a long history of conflicts of interest in the service of a right-wing agenda and mixing his powerful role with his conservative political activism,” a statement on the petition page reads.
“He has shown he cannot be an impartial justice and is more concerned with covering up his wife’s coup attempts than the health of the Supreme Court. He must resign—or Congress must immediately investigate and impeach.”
Some lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), have said that Supreme Court justices should be impeached if they were misleading on their answers on Roe v. Wade during their confirmation hearings.
“If we allow Supreme Court nominees to lie under oath and secure lifetime appointments to the highest court of the land and then issue — without basis, if you read these opinions — rulings that deeply undermine the human civil rights of the majority of Americans, we must see that through,” Ocasio-Cortez said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” last month. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/more-than-700k-sign-petition-calling-for-clarence-thomas-to-be-impeached/ | 2022-07-02T04:39:29Z |
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-laced copycat products packaged to look like well-recognized foods that appeal to children.
The FDA alert says they are aware of products designed to look like Cap’n Crunch, Nerds Ropes, Starbursts, and many others, which contain THC; the substance primarily responsible for marijuana’s effects on a person’s mental state.
According to the alert, the FDA received more than 100 adverse reaction reports related to children and adults consuming these products between January 2021 and April 2022.
The individuals who ate these edible products reportedly experienced adverse events such as hallucinations, increased heart rate and vomiting — and many required medical intervention or hospital admission.
The FDA is actively working with federal and state partners to further address the concerns related to these products and monitoring the market for adverse events, product complaints, and other emerging cannabis-derived products of potential concern, according to the alert. | https://cw33.com/news/100-reports-of-children-adults-eating-thc-laced-copycat-candy-brands-with-adverse-reactions/ | 2022-05-13T17:38:26Z |
Taking advantage of Ahoy!'s advanced boating safety technology, the racing sailboat competed in the 600-mile regatta through the Aegean Sea
NEW YORK, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahoy!®, the digital insurance company for recreational boating, is proud to announce its sponsorship of Team Ahoy! in the Aegean 600 regatta. As the boats traversed the 600 nautical mile race across the Aegean Sea, Team Ahoy! used the advanced boating safety technology that is part of Ahoy!'s boat insurance offering.
The race began at the foot of the spectacular ancient Temple of Poseidon located nearby at Cape Sounio, Greece, and took sailors on a grand tour of the Aegean islands. A challenging course that required sailors to adapt to shifting wind angles and speeds, the race tested the mettle of those brave enough to undertake the same voyage that Greek sailors have faced for thousands of years.
"The Aegean 600 is an iconic race, and it would be fair to say that it is one that many sailors from across the globe dream of participating in," said Ofer Sela, Captain of Team Ahoy! and one of Ahoy!'s founders. "Ahoy! is a partner for sailors and boaters, helping protect and insure their beloved vessels and providing them with peace of mind at all times, so we are proud to have worn the brand and used Ahoy!'s technology as we raced."
"We built our company to support and protect passionate boaters and sailors, and Ofer and his team are the embodiment of that," said Amit Nisenbaum, CEO and Founder of Ahoy!. "As a lifelong boater myself, I am glad that even though I personally couldn't take part in the regatta this year, Ofer and his team did so with the assistance of our technology and made all of us at Ahoy! proud to be his partner."
Built by boaters for boaters, upon purchase of an Ahoy! boat insurance policy customers receive an onboard smart boat kit, which works alongside a proprietary mobile app to offer advanced telemetry features that proactively help reduce risk and prevent damage or injury for boats and boaters. Founded in early 2021 Ahoy!'s policies are already available in select US states and are being rolled out nationally in the coming months.
About Ahoy!
Ahoy! is a tech-driven insurance MGA transforming the recreational boating insurance industry from a financial hedge into a proactive asset. Built by boaters for boaters, Ahoy! combines its proactive, risk-reducing technology, with its founders' deep knowledge of boating and insurance to create innovative insurance policies for the 21st century. Using on-board Internet of Things (IoT) technology, as well as AI and Big Data, Ahoy! offers a proprietary risk reduction solution to proactively prevent boating mishaps, therefore increasing the time boaters can enjoy their vessel. In times of need, Ahoy! ensures swift, modern, and non-intrusive assistance and claims processing support so that boaters can be back on the water in no time. Co-founded in 2021 by a team of naval veterans, insurance experts, and experienced high-tech executives, Amit Nisenbaum, Kaenan Hertz, Shachar Segev, and Arie Ambramovici. Ahoy! an insurance agency licensed to sell property-casualty insurance products has offices in New York and Israel. For more information, visit: https://www.ahoy.insure/
Press Contact:
Raanan Loew
Raanan@headline.media
1-347-897-9276
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1863136/Ahoy_Photo.jpg
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SOURCE Ahoy! | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/team-ahoy-proudly-took-waves-aegean-600/ | 2022-07-21T12:58:38Z |
NEW YORK, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for EVLO, GE, LCID, F, and MULN.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- EVLO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=EVLO&prnumber=060220226
- GE: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=GE&prnumber=060220226
- LCID: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=LCID&prnumber=060220226
- F: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=F&prnumber=060220226
- MULN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=MULN&prnumber=060220226
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Surgical Care Coalition and over 100 medical organizations representing more than one million physicians and other health care professionals are joining together to urge Congress to take immediate action to protect America's seniors by stopping proposed cuts to Medicare for calendar year 2023.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently proposed a nearly 4.5% cut to the Medicare conversion factor, a key element for calculating Medicare payments. When combined with the pending 4% Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) cut, surgical care faces a nearly 8.5% cut next year. These looming cuts, which come after the 2% sequestration cut that was fully reinstated in July, represent a significant threat to the millions of seniors nationwide who rely on the Medicare program to access timely, high-quality care.
As a result, more than one million physicians and other health care professionals urge Congress to implement at least a 4.5% adjustment to the Medicare conversion factor, waive the 4% statutory PAYGO requirement and provide a one-year inflationary update based on the Medicare Economic Index. These efforts will provide the Medicare system with short-term fiscal stability and lay the groundwork for long-term payment reforms, the letter states.
"The Surgical Care Coalition and broader community of health care professionals are fighting against these cuts and the continued disinvestment in patient care that jeopardizes patients' access to critical procedures," said Patricia Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, American College of Surgeons Executive Director. "While short-term intervention is clearly needed, it is vital we also identify and advance necessary reforms that create a more robust and reliable Medicare payment system in the long-term."
The letter further argues that the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule's (MPFS) budget neutrality requirement, coupled with the lack of an annual inflationary update, are serious systemic issues that encourage arbitrary cuts to select forms of care. Rather than promoting an ecosystem that provides the best possible care solutions to patients, CMS continues to introduce cuts that disincentivize collaboration between physicians as they are pitted against each other for critical resources.
Doug Rhee, MD, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery President added, "When adjusted for inflation, the value of Medicare payments has declined by 28% over the past 20 years, while the cost of running a medical practice has increased exponentially. As medical costs reach record highs, the proposed cuts reflect an unsustainable Medicare payment system that is out-of-touch with the needs of millions of Americans. Congress must work urgently to stop these cuts and reform the outdated MPFS system."
The Surgical Care Coalition is committed to developing and promoting policy solutions that would address these risks and help ensure our nation's seniors maintain access to the high-quality care they deserve.
Read the full letter here.
About the Surgical Care Coalition
The Surgical Care Coalition advocates for access to quality surgical care for all Americans. The Surgical Care Coalition is comprised of 14 professional associations that proudly represent the more than 180,000 surgeons and anesthesiologists working across the country with a common goal of improving the quality of care, and quality of life, for all patients.
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SOURCE Surgical Care Coalition | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/surgical-care-coalition-over-100-medical-organizations-urge-congress-stop-pending-medicare-cuts-that-will-impact-millions-seniors/ | 2022-08-01T17:02:25Z |
In a five-year project, the University of Central Florida (UCF) will implement Ansys' industry-leading simulation to analyze, test, and qualify the use of ammonia as an alternate fuel to power zero-carbon jet engines
/ Key Highlights
- Ansys' simulation tools will enable researchers to validate the use of liquid ammonia (NH3) as an alternate, more sustainable fuel for aircraft
- The collaboration will support, and potentially surpass, the worldwide aviation industry goal to reach near-zero emissions by 2050
- The simulation-powered research is poised to transform the aviation industry with an alternative fuel that would produce zero-carbon emissions
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS) will support research led by the University of Central Florida (UCF) and funded by a $10 million NASA University Leadership Initiative five-year grant to accelerate aviation sustainability. The project aims to develop zero-carbon jet engines using liquid ammonia (NH3) as an alternate, more sustainable fuel for aircraft. Ansys' simulation solutions will be used as a key enabler of the project to both validate the use of ammonia and achieve the outcome within the desired timeline.
By integrating Ansys' chemical kinetics and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation tools, Ansys Chemkin-Pro and Ansys® Fluent®, researchers will simulate complex, chemical reaction systems surrounding ammonia, including the vaporization of liquid ammonia inside heat exchange tubes, heat transfer, and the combustion of ammonia and hydrogen in the air. The goal is to use ammonia as a main hydrogen carrier by inducing chemical catalysis to leverage ammonia's hydrogen components while only releasing safe emissions into the air.
"We want to create a scalable solution for cleaner aviation and with Ansys' cooperation we will get there faster," said Jay Kapat, the lead investigator of the project and an engineering professor at UCF. He is an expert in his field and leads the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research at UCF. "We would not be able to authenticate the use of liquid ammonia as a reliable and alternate fuel without the sophistication and capability of Ansys' fluids simulation tools."
In addition to the sustainability of ammonia, it is naturally liquid at high altitudes, easier to handle than hydrogen, and does not require additional storage. In contrast, hydrogen requires special handling at high altitudes, thermal management, and ample on-board cryogenic storage.
"Simulation is reshaping a cleaner future in many industries, and today we applaud its continued impact on aviation with this exciting new project made possible by UCF and NASA. Simulation enables companies to save resources, energy and emissions before products are ever built; and build more energy-efficient products and processes that have far-reaching sustainability impacts," said Prith Banerjee, chief technology officer at Ansys and executive sponsor of Ansys' Academic and Sustainability Programs. "Through simulation, Ansys provides the predictive certainty to realize our customers' vision for a sustainable future and model interactions that we otherwise could not analyze, such as chemical reactions. We look forward to playing a role in developing groundbreaking sustainable aviation fuel options."
/ About Ansys
When visionary companies need to know how their world-changing ideas will perform, they close the gap between design and reality with Ansys simulation. For more than 50 years, Ansys software has enabled innovators across industries to push boundaries by using the predictive power of simulation. From sustainable transportation to advanced semiconductors, from satellite systems to life-saving medical devices, the next great leaps in human advancement will be powered by Ansys.
Take a leap of certainty … with Ansys.
Ansys and any and all ANSYS, Inc. brand, product, service and feature names, logos and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of ANSYS, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All other brand, product, service and feature names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
ANSS–T
/ Contacts
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SOURCE Ansys | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/nasa-backed-program-selects-ansys-simulation-technology-help-validate-pioneering-research-aviation-sustainability/ | 2022-08-01T14:33:24Z |
DUBAI, UAE, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- VAPORESSO exhibited at the Dubai World Vape Show, Booth No. 5080 and hosted an after party at the Shangri-La Dubai on the 17th June 2022.
VAPORESSO is the luxe of vaping and it unveiled products at the show, which equipped with brands' COREX heating technology, Axon chips and 3S leak-resistance tech. VAPORESSO aim to move "Beyond the ordinary" and to spread their brand DNA "RELIATBILITY" specifically. Therefore, VAPORESSO held an after party at the Shangri-La Dubai, ikandy ultralounge, not only for their business partners, but also media like Vaping 360, their customers and fans. "We follow a user-centric strategy from the ground up that ensures all VAPORESSO products are developed based on vapers' need, and exceed vapers' expectations. We never, and will never stop striving to go beyond limit. Quality is everything to VAPORESSO. With our comprehensive, reliable workflow and management, we strive to ensure all of our products and our services are dependable. " – CMO Thalia Cheng.
For Further information on VAPORESSO Contact:
media@vaporesso.com
About VAPORESSO -
VAPORESSO was created in 2015 and is dedicated to establishing a smoke-free world while raising the quality of life for our users. Based on our continuous innovation, strict quality control, and substantial commitment, VAPORESSO creates products that can fit all levels and styles of vapers. VAPORESSO strives to be able to help as many people as possible.
The chairman and CEO Simon Lai was a smoker for 11 years, before turned to vaping. "When we started VAPORESSO, we had a big dream to make switching to vaping as easy as possible for everyone." - CEO Simon Lai.
SMOORE is the parent company of VAPORESSO, which is the largest global vaping device provider. SMOORE is the first to be publicly listed in the industry, with a valuation of over 25 billion USD, which set a significant milestone in history.
Find more information in https://www.vaporesso.com/about-us
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SOURCE VAPORESSO | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/vaporesso-world-vape-show-after-party-shangri-la-dubai/ | 2022-06-21T14:01:11Z |
- Bota Bio and Medichem seek to optimize manufacturing processes while committing to environmental sustainability
- Collaboration will leverage Bota Bio's enzyme engineering expertise to create enzymes that can easily be integrated into Medichem's conventional chemical processes
SAN FRANCISCO and HANGZHOU, China and BARCELONA, Spain, Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bota Bio, a global industrial biotechnology company advancing sustainable biomanufacturing, and Medichem, a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company engaged in the process development and manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and finished dosage forms (FDF), today announced a commercial development collaboration to increase sustainability while reducing the costs of API manufacturing.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bota Bio and Medichem will collaborate on advancing two high-value API programs. Bota Bio will develop novel enzymes to catalyze efficient, environmentally sustainable production methods that minimize the need for expensive reagents and intermediates. Medichem will be responsible for the development, scale-up, manufacturing, and marketing of the APIs from its facilities in Spain and Malta.
"We are delighted to work with Medichem, a company with more than 50 years of experience innovating API and FDF development, production, and commercialization," said Cheryl Cui, Ph.D., co-founder, and chief executive officer, Bota Bio. "Bota Bio's technology platform leverages the power of biology to bring innovative solutions to our customers, enabling sustainable manufacturing of industrial products, including APIs. This project will also highlight Bota Bio and Medichem's commitments to environmental sustainability."
"The pharmaceutical industry increasingly demands sustainable ways to manufacture important active ingredients. Enzymes provide an excellent solution, however, they are not yet broadly used given the low activity and in-process stability of unengineered enzymes. We are pleased to secure this innovative collaboration with Bota Bio, as Bota Bio has assembled an industry-leading enzyme-engineering team with a track record of transformative improvements in pharmaceutical manufacturing," said Jose Luis Rodriguez Miranda, chief operations officer, Medichem. "We believe that the innovative biocatalytic processes enabled by Bota Bio developed enzymes will help to optimize manufacturing while playing an important role in meeting our environmental sustainability goals."
About Bota Bio
Bota Bio is a global industrial biotechnology company focused on programming biological systems for the clean and efficient biomanufacturing of common household and industrial products. The Bota Bio integrated technology platform facilitates computational biological design through scale-up to accelerate the programming of biology. Bota Bio is led by an experienced, multidisciplinary team of industry veterans combining data and automation to translate biotechnologies into business value and consumer welfare. For more information, visit www.bota.bio.
About Medichem
Medichem S.A. is a family-owned company headquartered in Barcelona (Spain). It has R&D and manufacturing facilities in Spain and Malta. The Corporate family business (Medichem S.A. and the former Combino Pharm S.L.) has been manufacturing pharmaceutical products since the 1970s. Currently, it has over 45 APIs and 20 FDFs on the market. Medichem's goal is to generate a positive impact on society and the planet. It has already begun its own sustainability journey and is working with the different areas on defining a Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026. For more information, visit www.medichem.es and corporate channels on LinkedIn (Medichem S.A and Medichem Manufacturing Malta).
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SOURCE Bota Bio | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/bota-bio-medichem-announce-commercial-development-collaboration-advance-sustainable-pharmaceutical-manufacturing/ | 2022-08-25T09:52:13Z |
IRVINE, Calif., April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Motor Corporation (Alpha) and Hinduja Tech (HT) have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to affirm mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities between the two organizations. The scope of cooperation includes the development and production of electric vehicles, postproduction support, joint research, and development of other mobility projects.
HT's experience in End-to-End Automotive Product Development from Concept to SOP plus a period of support with an assurance to reduce the Product Cost will strengthen this partnership.
"Our vision and experience in the efficient production of high-quality electric vehicles align seamlessly with HT and their ethos. We are excited to announce our partnership with HT which fits in with Alpha's growth plans and further boosts our commercialization efforts," said Jada Lee, Vice Chairman of the Board at Alpha Motor Corporation.
Added Lee, "We aim to provide accessible electric vehicles to our consumers while fulfilling our social responsibility. As we continue to take strides to achieve our aspirations, we embrace partnerships such as the one we have with HT."
The envisioned alliance will be a value addition for Alpha to further improve its efficacy in the overall development process of its electric vehicles with the assistance of an experienced global leader in automobile commercialization.
Hinduja Tech's diverse portfolio of product co-development using its unique Frugal Engineering Paradigm with a strong focus on 'zero-base design to cost process' ensures sustainable profitable innovation. Alpha Motor Corporation's expertise in achieving carbon neutrality through clean energy vehicle creation will help bring the shared vision of developing next-gen vehicles. The joint interest and intention will play a pivotal role to accomplish the mission through cost-effective and consumer-conscious solutions.
"With the broad automotive product design experience and manufacturing know-how, HT is thrilled to co-develop new-age electric vehicles for Alpha while ensuring sustainability in every stage of product development," said Vijay Malik, Head-Americas Sales and Global Marketing of Hinduja Tech.
HT will continue to support Alpha in accomplishing its business plans, and in the process will firm up the partnership between the two organizations.
About Alpha Motor Corporation
Alpha Motor Corporation is an American Automobile Company based in Irvine, California with business partnerships spanning across the US, Europe, the Middle East, and South Korea. The company specializes in digital automotive development and virtual validation to efficiently commercialize the next generation of clean energy vehicles. The company's ethos to Move Humanity™ represents synergy for continuous improvement of innovation to enrich humanity with sustainable solutions in mobility.
About Hinduja Tech
Hinduja Tech (HT), part of the multi-billion dollar Global Business Conglomerate, Hinduja Group, is the Integrated Product Engineering and Digital Solutions Provider for the disruptive mobility Industry, with a leadership position in Electric Vehicle (EV) & Autonomous space.
Hinduja Tech's 60+ client list from Fortune 100 includes 7 of the top 10 Global Auto OEMs, leading disruptive and emerging OEMs & Global Tier-1, 2 Suppliers.
HT Global Office Locations: US, Canada, Mexico, India, UK, Germany, Japan, China, Romania
Please contact pr@alphamotorinc.com for more information.
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SOURCE Alpha Motor Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/alpha-motor-corporation-enters-mou-with-world-class-e-mobility-engineering-company-hinduja-tech-develop-electric-vehicles-mass-production/ | 2022-04-11T17:05:19Z |
Thanks to $1 million funding from the New York City Council and additional funding from Amazon and Google, Goodwill Industries® of Greater NY and Northern NJ is expanding the services of its Bridge To Tech program to offer entry and support for advance tech training including cybersecurity with Per Scholas and Pursuit to connect New Yorkers to in-demand tech jobs
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodwill Industries® of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. (Goodwill NYNJ) is expanding the services of its Bridge To Tech program launched two years ago to equip individuals enrolled in New York City's Human Resources Administration city-wide Career Services programs with the necessary skills to qualify for and graduate from a range of advanced technology training providers and obtain in-demand tech jobs. Thanks to $1 million funding from the New York City Council and additional funding from Amazon and Google, Goodwill's program will now offer a bridge to cybersecurity training in partnership with Per Scholas and a bridge to the Pursuit Fellowship.
Bridge To Tech, a "pre-apprenticeship" training, furthers New York City's Career Pathway system. It develops a linkage between foundational skills training and advanced training to increase overall alignment within the workforce development system and create more opportunities for deserving New Yorkers to reach middle-income jobs and careers. The training increases each person's math and literacy skills, as well as an understanding of navigating the tech industry and related careers. In addition, Goodwill NYNJ provides participants with valuable assessment, transition planning, and wrap-around services to alleviate challenges as they persist through training, credentialing and on to their next step.
The current Council advocated to continuing funding for the Goodwill bridge program within the workforce development system that Invest in Skills NYC, have endorsed. In 2022, Council members Brewer, Farias, Restler, and Rivera championed within the NYC Council the need and value of investing in bridge programs to create access to job training and economic opportunity.
Goodwill's Bridge to Tech program results show that 90% of bridge graduates increase their literacy and numeracy to qualify and join advanced training programs and 55% of year 1 participants who completed advanced trainings are employed. Goodwill expects year 2 participants to achieve credentials and secure employment in higher rates as they gain valuable experience with the advanced training partners. Participants like Nigel a 49-year-old Brooklyn resident who was unemployed, living with his parents, and receiving public assistance before coming to Goodwill. After graduating from the Goodwill Bridge to Tech program, he is now working as an IT technician for a temporary IT agency.
This bridge program will prepare students for advanced training programs such as the Per Scholas cybersecurity training, which offers the opportunity to earn the Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+). This certification equips learners with fundamental concepts in security specialties and hands-on training to enter this ever-growing field as a cybersecurity analyst. The Pursuit Fellowship provides basic coding skills as they relate to technology and the work of an IT support professional, with a target on software engineering opportunities. It provides on-ramps to career pathways, training, and evidence-based wraparound services to create successful students in full-time tech training. Credentialed graduates will be matched with tech-related jobs at employer partners in all sectors.
"Per Scholas is truly excited to build on our Bridge To Tech partnership with Goodwill NYNJ, expanding to now offer cybersecurity training. We know that the power of working together accelerates the success of the individuals who go through our training programs, helping ensure that they are able to start a career in the In-demand field of cybersecurity, leading to transformational earnings growth and impact on families, as well as across communities," stated Abe Mendez, Per Scholas New York Managing Director.
Per Scholas' education model is proven in both the short and long term at successfully training individuals and helping them get placement into stable tech careers. Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development programs, Per Scholas graduates experience a 300% salary increase on average, which has a transformational impact on our graduates, their families, and communities.
Through comprehensive and rigorous training on full-stack web development, industry readiness, and leadership and professional development, Pursuit has graduated more than 700 Fellows to date, which has resulted in approximately $700 million in incremental lifetime wage gains for low-income workers.
"At Pursuit we are excited to unlock access to opportunities like the Pursuit Fellowship and to pilot our Bridge To Tech partnership with Goodwill NYNJ," said Pursuit CEO and Co-Founder, Jukay Hsu. "If we want to have deep, long-lasting impact in our local communities, then creating pathways to economically transformative careers for under-resourced individuals is crucial, now more than ever. We believe high-paying technology jobs are an answer to this — and that people need the skills and access to networks that make those jobs possible. We look forward to training and developing local talent in becoming future leaders in tech."
Individuals interested in learning if they qualify for the program, should contact BridgeToTech@goodwillny.org
The pandemic has changed so much about life in New York City – from the rise of remote work and the embrace of open spaces to the uneven economic recovery and the lasting challenges facing small businesses. Amid all this transformation and disruption, one factor has remained a welcome constant: Technology is where the city's good jobs are growing. New research from the Center for an Urban Future and Tech:NYC publish on July 2022 reveals that New York's tech sector has been among the city's few economic bright spots since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since the start of the pandemic, the city tech sector added jobs at a faster clip than every other major industry. The sector's recent gains build on years of striking job growth. Since 2010, the city's tech sector has added 114,000 jobs, growing by 142% – more than seven times faster than the city's economy overall – and tech roles are driving demand in industries well beyond the tech sector, including health care, finance, education, and advertising.
In 2021, Goodwill NYNJ provided employment services for nearly 10,000 people who are unemployed or underemployed, almost half of them people with disabilities. Also last year, Goodwill NYNJ placed 821 people in industry-sector jobs, including 549 individuals with disabilities, a 17% increase from the previous year, outside its stores at hospitals and health care centers, tech and accounting firms, the warehousing and manufacturing sectors, and NYC agencies.
"The tech field is booming and there is a lot of opportunity in the growing innovation economy, which includes tech start-ups, creative companies, and innovative manufacturing. Goodwill's Bridge to Tech program provides resources to ensure that there is equity in the industry. I am proud to support a program that is helping level the playing field," said Council Member District 6 Gale A. Brewer.
"Growing our workforce means growing access to benefits, pay equity, and upward economic mobility for both the City and its residents. But, we can only do this if we create strong pipelines that connect New Yorkers to our fastest growing sectors. I am proud to see that Goodwill Industries is expanding its Bridge To Tech program with the $1 million of funding they secured from the New York City Council. As the Chair of Economic Development and a member of the Budget Negotiation team I am proud to have fought for this funding which will create more opportunities for New Yorkers looking to build a stable and good-paying career. Programs like the Goodwill Bridge to Tech program are how we create access to economic stability, generational wealth, and how we continue our City on a path of equitable economic recovery," said Council Member District 18 Amanda Farías, Chair of the City Council's Committee on Economic Development.
"We still have 280,000 jobs that were lost during the pandemic that have not yet come back. We have a higher unemployment rate than anywhere else," said Council member District 33 Lincoln Restler. "We need good jobs. The solution is to invest in the training, in the skills, in the education that New Yorkers need to thrive and succeed. These great organizations, the members of NYCETC serve 600,000 New Yorkers each year to connect them to good jobs. We can actually support people out of a pathway from poverty. We need to invest in their skills, in their training, in their education. We need to invest in this budget."
"The best investment the City can make in economic development is an investment in its workers, and bridge programs, like Goodwill's Bridge to Tech partnership with Per Scholas, do just that by ensuring New Yorkers are prepared for high quality, high paying jobs in innovative sectors like tech and life science," said Council Member District 2 Carlina Rivera. "Breaking down barriers to employment is essential for an equitable recovery from COVID and addressing inequality in our city. The combination of skill development, technical training, and supportive resources gets participants ready to enter the workforce, and get their foot in the door. I am proud to have secured funding to pilot the Bridge to Tech program with Goodwill Industries, and excited to see its success continue with support from my colleagues in City Council and the advocacy of New York City Employment and Training Coalition."
"Bridge programs are a vital tool in how New York can better connect job seekers to the training and education they need for well-paying jobs while ensuring employers can pull from a strong, diverse and local talent pipeline," said Annie Garneva, Interim CEO of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition. "All New Yorkers need as much access to vocational support as possible, especially individuals who have been historically disenfranchised or denied family-sustaining career opportunities. We applaud Goodwill NYNJ, Amazon and Google for their commitment and leadership in bridging the divide while getting New York back stronger than ever before. These are the kinds of collaborative and innovative partnerships between employers, training providers and government that are urgently needed to meet market demand for local tech talent and tackle our economy's stark inequity."
Google and Goodwill NYNJ have collaborated on different projects for over a decade. Annual collection drives in the early 2000s have turned into permanent collections at Google's Meat Packing District campus in NYC, which donated 2,000 lbs. of clothing and goods in 2021. In 2018, Google began supporting Goodwill NYNJ's digital skills programs that support access to technology jobs in all sectors. Google began supporting Bridge to Tech last year.
"To prepare New Yorkers for tech jobs and the future economy, we need to ensure workforce development programs not only provide skills, but support them in all their needs to ensure success. Google is proud to support this transformative program from Goodwill NYNJ," said Angela Pinsky, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google NYC.
Goodwill NYNJ and Amazon have collaborated on projects that benefit the community, the environment, and provide jobs for New Yorkers. In 2022, Amazon sourced almost 300 candidates from Goodwill NYNJ for open positions across all five boroughs and hired nearly 100 employees. In fall 2021, Amazon supported the training and workforce readiness services at Goodwill's Jobs-Plus program specifically serving residents of housing developments in the Bronx. In Fall 2022, Amazon will have placed donation bins in 17 Amazon facilities and corporate offices across the New York City metro region.
"At Amazon, we have a job for every New Yorker," said Carley Graham Garcia, Head of Community Affairs, Amazon New York. "We're committed to ensuring more people have access to the skills they need to grow their careers. We're thrilled to see the expansion of Goodwill NYNJ's Bridge To Tech program and continue support their work connecting our community with opportunity, and preparing them with the foundational skills for the tech jobs of today."
"After more than a decade of grow, the tech sector is now New York City's most dependable economic engine and reliable source of new well-paying jobs. The Bridge To Tech program provides training and helps talented New Yorkers who scored below grade level to access advanced tech trainings and jobs," said Katy Gaul-Stigge, Goodwill NYNJ President and CEO. "At a time when NYC still has 173,000 fewer jobs than it did before the start of the pandemic, the tech sector will be crucial to igniting a long-term post-pandemic jobs recovery. Goodwill NYNJ works together with the public and private sectors to support employment, citywide training services, and job pipelines that connect and empower local workers. We are grateful to NYC's City Council, Amazon and Google for their donation to help us to provide comprehensive wraparound services and employment supports to ensure the success in the workplace of New Yorkers experiencing barriers."
"Goodwill works to break through barriers to employment by providing the training and resources New Yorkers need to get jobs and lead independent lives. With that mission, the opportunity to provide skills through our Bridge to Tech program, enabling New Yorkers to take advantage of strong technology training programs and ultimately gain employment in one of the faster growing areas of the economy, is particularly rewarding. We are pleased to be adding Pursuit as a partner and to continue our work with Per Scholas and our network of advance tech training providers. And we are grateful for the New York City Council for their funding, to Amazon for their new support for Bridge to Tech, and for Google's continuing support for the program," said Don Huber, Chair of the Goodwill NYNJ Board of Directors.
Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for more than 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We collaborate with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 19 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 16,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
Based in Queens, Pursuit is a social impact organization whose mission is to create transformation where it's needed most. Each year, their work builds pathways to lucrative, long- term tech careers for hundreds of adults with the most need and potential. Pursuit's Fellows are 100% low-income, 70% Black or Hispanic, 40% first-generation immigrants, 50% women, trans, or non-binary, and 60% do not have a Bachelor's Degree. On average, Pursuit Fellows increase their annual income from $18,000 to nearly $90,000, and work at leading companies, including Citi, Uber, and Amazon. Pursuit Fellows begin their journey with a year of high-quality, intensive, and supportive training, followed by three years of career development once they've been hired. Pursuit also works directly with companies to secure hiring commitments, which results in equitable employment practices, improved workplace culture, and on-the-job support. To ensure Pursuit's training is sustainable and scalable, they have also created the Pursuit Bond, a revolutionary funding mechanism that allows nonprofits a way to tap into both philanthropic capital as well as impact investor funding. By connecting talent with opportunity, Pursuit empowers their Fellows to bring change to their families, tech companies, and communities across the nation. To learn more, visit pursuit.org.
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. (Goodwill NYNJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates retail stores throughout the region powered by donations of clothing and household items. Goodwill NYNJ translates those donations into workforce development services for people with disabilities and those who are unemployed, and job training leading to employment. Annually, Goodwill NYNJ services build better lives for thousands of New York City Metropolitan Area residents and their families. For over 107 years, the agency's mission has been to empower individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment to gain independence through the power of work. Learn more about Goodwill NYNJ at http://www.goodwillnynj.org; follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillNYNJ; and find us on Facebook or Instagram: GoodwillNYNJ.
Contact: Jose Medellin | jmedellin@goodwillnynj.org | (646) 238-9133 mobile
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SOURCE Goodwill NYNJ | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/goodwill-nynj-bridge-tech-expands-services-break-barriers-entry-into-tech-careers/ | 2022-09-12T18:20:42Z |
Digital personal finance company Freedom Financial Network recognized for its efforts to promote employees' mental and physical health.
SAN MATEO, Calif., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Financial Network (FFN), a leading digital personal finance company, announced today it has been named to the Phoenix Business Journal's 2022 Healthiest Employers list in the large company category. The annual award program, presented by the Phoenix Business Journal, honors employers that motivate their employees to achieve and maintain wellness through a strong emphasis on mental and physical health.
"Freedom Financial Network takes pride in thoughtfully engaging our employees and proactively offering and promoting our wellness programs to enhance their experience with the Company," said Linda Luman, executive vice president of human resources. "We are honored by this distinction, and we are committed to uplifting employees with our ongoing health and wellness initiatives and welcoming new employees who will help us continue to build our great culture."
From benefits fairs and blood drives to free flu shots, mobile mammograms and other programs, FFN has a number of health and wellness initiatives to help employees stay healthy. In addition, FFN offers these benefits to its employees:
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision programs
- Paid time off (PTO), including PTO for your birthday and sick days
- Parental leave
- Pet insurance
- PTO for volunteer work
- 401(k) with employer match
- Virgin Pulse and Ginger apps
- Employee Assistance Program
FFN was named to the annual award program's large company category, which recognizes organizations with 1,500 to 4,499 employees. Approximately 2,000 of FFN's over 2,500 employees are based in the digital personal finance company's Tempe, Ariz., offices. FFN has been named to the Phoenix Business Journal's annual "Best Places to Work" list 11 times, including winning first place in the extra-large company category in 2021. FFN has also been named one of "Arizona's Most Admired Companies" by AZBigMedia and a "Top Workplace" by the Arizona Republic.
Visit our careers page for more information about positions at Freedom Financial Network.
For the full list of Phoenix Business Journal's 2022 Healthiest Employers winners, visit:
About Freedom Financial Network
Freedom Financial Network is a leading digital personal finance company. We do what traditional banks don't: Put people first. Our solutions help everyday people get on, and stay on, the path to a brighter financial future, with innovative technology and personalized support. By leveraging proprietary data and analytics, our solutions are tailored for each step of a consumer's financial journey and include personal loans (FreedomPlus), home equity loans (Lendage), help with debt (Freedom Debt Relief), and even financial tools and education (Bills.com). Freedom Financial Network has more than 2,300 dedicated employees across California, Arizona and Texas and is recognized as a Best Place to Work.
For information on career opportunities at Freedom Financial Network, visit: https://jobs.freedomfinancialnetwork.com/
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SOURCE Freedom Financial Network | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/02/freedom-financial-network-named-phoenix-business-journals-2022-healthiest-employer-list/ | 2022-05-02T17:23:38Z |
Thursday night football is back! While that means a lot of things for Texas High School Football in general, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it also means that Thursday Night Showdowns are back on CW33! This fall, there will be 18 Thursday Night Showdowns featuring some of the best athletes in Texas! Week one features a matchup between two big-time programs that fans are not going to want to miss: Rockwall-Heath vs. Denton Guyer! VYPE DFW takes a deeper look into the games to lay out just what you should expect from these two power house programs.
Denton Guyer Wildcats
Sooner football commit Jackson Arnold, Notre Dame commit Peyton Bowen, and the Wildcats return this fall to finish what they started. Last season, the Wildcats finished second in their district with a 5-1 district record (14-2 overall). Starting the season with a seven game win-streak, the Wildcats knew they had something special as they took down their opponents week after week. Outscoring their opponents by nearly 300 points, the Wildcats finished their season in a State Championship showdown against Austin Westlake. Despite falling 40-21, the team showed that they have strength that continues to run deep in the program.
With a handful of really great returners, the team will be a mostly young team to see the field this season. Graduating plenty of seniors, the team has used the offseason to implement the legacy of Wildcat football into the younger athletes. While there will be a small amount of rebuilding at the beginning of the season, Guyer can be expected to show their dominance on the field this fall.
Rockwall-Heath Hawks
The Hawks continue to put Rockwall on the map. Last season, the team went undefeated in district play (6-0) as they dominated over their opponents. With an 11-2 overall record, Rockwall-Heath defeated the likes of Fort Worth Timber Creek, Red Oak, Rockwall, McKinney North, and more as they found themselves inching closer and closer to the state tournament. Although the team fell 35-21 in the regional semifinal round of playoffs to Tomball, it doesn’t diminish the incredible season the team had as a whole.
Hawks, having also graduating key players last season, have rebuilding of their own to do. However, they have a handful of leaders who are sure to get the job done. Brittian Snider returns to the field after having an incredible junior season where he scored eight touchdowns on 106 carries for 837 yards. Caleb Hoover, Fletcher Fierro, and Drew Smith are also returning to the offense where they are sure to have an incredible season for the Hawks. Brady Luff and Bryce President will return to the defense where they are certain to make a big impact.
What To Expect
Both teams left last season unfinished. With the shared goal of being the best in not only the DFW area, but the state, Thursday night is sure to be a battle to the final whistle on both sides of the ball for both teams. Expect to see extremely physical play as both teams want to show their strength as they enter a new season. Rockwall-Heath is going to come in strong defensively, ready to make a name for themselves this season as they try to put a stop to Jackson Arnold. Denton Guyer is going to play fast offensively with athletes ready to set the tempo of the entire game.
Catch the game in person at Denton at 7 p.m. If you can’t make it to the game, though, be sure to check it out on CW33! | https://cw33.com/sports/thursday-night-showdown-rockwall-heath-vs-denton-guyer/ | 2022-08-25T19:51:51Z |
Veteran Bankers Jeffrey Thomas, James Divver to Deliver Business Lending Services
TACOMA, Wash., July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ: COLB) ("Columbia"), today announced the expansion of its Business Lending Division into Utah with the hires of veteran Salt Lake City-area bankers Jeffrey Thomas and James Divver.
Thomas and Divver, both with more than 20 years of banking leadership experience in Utah, will build a team dedicated to delivering the full suite of business lending services that Columbia offers across a footprint that also includes Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. The executives will pair Columbia's resources, technology and breadth of services with deep Utah market expertise and local decision-making to serve Utah businesses and residents.
"Our expansion into Utah is a logical extension of our growing Western footprint and a timely opportunity to enter one of the region's strongest markets with proven local leaders who are well-positioned to ramp up quickly and make a substantial impact," said Clint Stein, president and CEO of Columbia.
"Utah is one of the best places in the country to live and work, with a rapidly growing business community we are thrilled to join," Stein continued. "The economy is diverse and poised for continued expansion. We aim to be the best regional bank in the West, and Utah is an important part of the big picture for Columbia."
Last year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Utah's economy No. 1 among all 50 states. Utah was also the second-fastest growing state in the country in 2021, trailing only Idaho, according to U.S. Census Bureau population data. Over the past decade, the state consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country in terms of net in-migration and economic growth.
Thomas joins as a Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Lead. He will spearhead Columbia's Utah operations. Thomas most recently was Senior Vice President and Business Banking Market Leader for U.S. Bank in the Salt Lake City area. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership positions at Zions Bank in Utah. A graduate of the University of Utah, he also earned an MBA from Westminster College. Thomas is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at University of Washington as well.
"Utah boasts a robust talent pool from which I am confident we will attract the deep team of local bankers we need to exceed the expectations of customers throughout the state," Thomas said. "Our plan is to quickly build a full-service team, beginning with a loan production office in the Salt Lake City area."
Thomas is accompanied by Divver, who joins as a Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer.
Divver was previously Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Zions Bank. Over two decades at Zions, he held positions of increasing responsibility. During his tenure, he oversaw the bank's sales resource team, private/executive banking, new business, and Zions Insurance Agency. Divver holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Utah.
Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ: COLB) is the holding company of Columbia Bank, a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank with locations throughout Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. The bank has been named one of Puget Sound Business Journal's "Washington's Best Workplaces," more than 10 times. Columbia was named on the Forbes 2022 list of "America's Best Banks" marking 11 consecutive years on the publication's list of top financial institutions. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.
Media Contacts:
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Moira Conlon
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SOURCE Columbia Bank | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/columbia-bank-expands-business-lending-division-into-utah-with-key-leadership-hires/ | 2022-07-05T17:39:08Z |
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will miss at least two more games in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Boston Celtics as he recovers from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
Middleton hasn’t played since injuring his knee in Game 2 of the Bucks’ five-game, first-round victory win over the Chicago Bulls.
The Bucks and Celtics are tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Saturday in Milwaukee. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer acknowledged after practice Thursday that Middleton wouldn’t play either of the next two games, but was upbeat about the three-time All-Star’s long-term prognosis.
“We feel really good about where he is,” Budenholzer said. “We continue to hope he makes progress.”
When he was asked about the possibility that Middleton could play later in the Celtics series, Budenholzer replied, “We’ll see.”
Budenholzer also said reserve guard George Hill is “getting close” and participated in most of Thursday’s practice. Hill hasn’t played at all in the postseason due to an abdominal strain.
“We’ve just got to see how he comes out of that,” Budenholzer said.
While the Bucks will continue to be missing one of their top players for the next couple of games, the Boston Celtics are hopeful they will have guard Marcus Smart back for Game 3.
Smart said Thursday there’s a “strong likelihood” he’ll play Saturday after missing theCeltics’ 109-86 Game 2 victory with a bruised right thigh.
“We’re just dealing with the last part of it, and that’s getting that restriction off of the knee and the joint so I can be able to bend,” Smart said in a Zoom session from Boston. “Once that goes away, I should be back to myself. Everything else is healing up the right way.”
Celtics coach Ime Udoka said “we’ll know more tomorrow, how he reacts to what he did today.”
Smart said the injuryis similar to an issue he faced in the regular season. The NBA defensive player of the year missed six games in January due to a quadriceps problem. He added he’s also dealing with fluid in his knee.
“It’s literally the exact same one in the exact same spot,” Smart said. “Just reaggravating the same injury I’ve been dealing with. As we all know, injuries like that, they kind of linger.”
Smart said the injury is particularly bothersome when he tries to get into a defensive crouch.
“That’s what’s kind of keeping me back, because of the fluid on the knee that is restricting that movement to really bend down as much as I need to, especially to get into a defensive stance and explode and push off. It’s kind of hard to get out there and play when you can’t do that.”
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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/bucks-forward-khris-middleton-out-at-least-2-more-games/ | 2022-05-05T22:59:12Z |
- New process developed by UVeye improves customer satisfaction, saves dealership time and increases profits
- 15,000 dealers equipped with dealership management systems from CDK Global now have access to the new technology
DETROIT, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of U.S. car dealers now have access to high-speed vehicle-inspection technology on their dealership management systems (DMS) to help improve customer satisfaction and streamline service-department operations.
UVeye vehicle-inspection data recently added to CDK's Fortellis DMS platform allows dealers to automatically create repair orders. The new process can save up to 45 minutes or more for dealership service advisers and their customers.
Service personnel will have immediate access to UVeye reports that include photos of potential problems. The system allows dealers to share the information with their customers and automatically create repair orders.
CDK serves more than 15,000 dealerships in the United States. Other DMS providers, such as Tekion, are expected to add a UVeye-created interface on their dealership operating systems within the next year.
UVeye provides automakers, dealers and fleet operators with automated high-speed inspection systems driven by artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies. A drive-through UVeye inspection takes seconds to complete and can spot and record problems ranging from damaged tires to defective underbody parts.
Jonathan Briggs, a Midwest regional sales manager for UVeye, says dealers and their customers have given top marks to UVeye-based systems. Customers, for example, can see problem-area photos and quickly decide if repairs are needed. Service-department productivity also gets a boost. The time for a vehicle to pass through a UVeye inspection line to the completion of a repair order totals 15 minutes or less.
Briggs describes how a repair order is written on the Fortellis DMS system:
- A service writer using the UVeye interface brings up a series of photos and a list of problems detected as a customer's vehicle passes through a UVeye inspection lane.
- Serious problems are red flagged on the service advisor's computer screen. Issues can range from defective exhaust-system components to missing parts and worn tires.
- With customer approval, the service representative automatically translates information from the inspection report into a repair order with pricing to save the dealer and the customer time and effort.
Dealerships already using the new system include McCluskey Chevrolet in Cincinnati and the 16-store Jeff Wyler Auto Group in Ohio.
"I remember when we were showing a McCluskey service adviser how the system worked," Briggs recalls. He turned to me and said, 'You just cut my time in half.'"
A recent CDK survey indicates that most dealers and their employees try to improve operational efficiencies with smoother workflows. CDK's goal is to use technology to eliminate redundancies such as the need to reenter information.
CDK systems speed up processes for the benefit of dealerships, their employees and their customers. Briggs says that the UVeye-CDK API (Application Programming Interface) does just that.
"The CDK-Fortellis dealership management system is a seamless way to create and manage repair orders," notes Yaron Saghiv, UVeye's chief marketing officer. "The integration of our technology with CDK is a great match and makes for better dealer-customer relationships."
UVeye's vehicle-inspection systems include:
- Helios – An underbody scanner that detects a wide range of problems from frame damage to oil leakage and corrosion.
- Artemis – A tire system that quickly identifies tire brand and specifications, air pressure, tread depth, sidewall damage and even whether a vehicle's tires are mismatched.
- Atlas – A system that provides a 360-degree exterior scan of sheet metal and other external body components such as bumpers, mirrors, door locks, grilles and windows.
Volvo was one of the first automakers to recognize the value of UVeye's technology and invest in the company. Volvo now hopes to have a majority of its more than 280 U.S. dealerships equipped with UVeye inspection systems.
A recent survey of UVeye customers showed that automated inspections can identify 96 percent of existing vehicle defects compared to just 24 percent for much more time-consuming manual inspections.
"The DMS plug-and-play pioneered with CDK Global makes sense to UVeye because of the benefits it provides to dealerships and their customers," adds Amir Hever, UVeye's founder and CEO. "We can add value to a variety of systems, whether they are dealership or customer focused."
Hever opens every UVeye staff meeting by saying "Customer first." Regarding UVeye's work with CDK Global (NASDAQ: CDK), he concluded, "We want to help our dealers succeed and we feel that our collaboration with CDK Global will add value to both of our brands."
More information about UVeye is available at www.uveye.com
For background on CDK Global or Fortellis visit www.cdkglobal.com or www.fortellis.io.
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SOURCE UVeye | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/car-dealers-automate-repair-orders-with-camera-based-inspection-systems/ | 2022-06-01T15:31:03Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Whether the U.S. economy is heading for a recession got more difficult to answer Friday, when a report showed employers hired hundreds of thousands more workers last month than expected.
The stunning strength made clear that a linchpin of the economy remains solid. That’s even though inflation is running at its worst pace in 40 years, the economy’s output shrunk through the first half of the year and rising interest rates are dragging on housing and other industries. All the confounding numbers only make the long-term outlook for the economy more muddied.
On one hand, two straight quarters of economic contraction is a long-held, though informal, definition of a recession. It would mark a quick turnaround barely two years after the official end of the pandemic recession. Yet can a recession really occur when so many people still have jobs and are making more money?
It’s the latest head-scratcher regarding an economy that has confounded Federal Reserve policymakers and many economists since growth screeched to a halt in March 2020 as COVID-19 struck and 20 million Americans were suddenly thrown out of work.
While most economists — and Fed Chair Jerome Powell — have said they don’t think the economy is currently in a recession, with Friday’s data cementing the case for many, expectations are still high for an economic downturn to begin later this year or next.
Friday’s strong jobs report may actually increase the chances of a recession because it could embolden the Federal Reserve to stay aggressive in hiking interest rates in order to beat back inflation. Higher rates slow the economy by making purchases of homes, cars and things bought on credit cards more expensive, and the Fed is jacking up rates at the fastest pace since the early 1980s.
Perhaps even more important than whether a recession occurs is whether workers’ paychecks catch up with inflation. So far, gains in average wages have not, and the pain is disproportionately hitting lower-income and Black and Hispanic households. As a result, Americans have increasingly soured on the economy.
That may be what moves more people in November’s midterm elections than whether or not a recession has officially begun.
So how, exactly, do we know when an economy is in recession? Here are some answers to such questions:
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WHO DECIDES WHEN A RECESSION HAS STARTED?
Recessions are officially declared by the obscure-sounding National Bureau of Economic Research, a group of economists whose Business Cycle Dating Committee defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and lasts more than a few months.”
The committee considers trends in hiring as a key measure in determining recessions. It also assesses many other data points, including gauges of income, employment, inflation-adjusted spending, retail sales and factory output. It puts heavy weight on jobs and a gauge of inflation-adjusted income that excludes government support payments such as Social Security.
Yet the NBER typically doesn’t declare a recession until well after one has begun, sometimes for up to a year. Economists consider a half-point rise in the unemployment rate, averaged over several months, as the most historically reliable sign of a downturn. On Friday, the latest jobs report showed the unemployment rate matched its lowest level in more than 50 years.
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DO TWO STRAIGHT QUARTERS OF ECONOMIC CONTRACTION EQUAL A RECESSION?
That’s a common rule of thumb, but it isn’t an official definition.
Still, in the past, it has been a useful measure. Michael Strain, an economist at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute, notes that in each of the past 10 times that the economy shrank for two consecutive quarters, a recession has resulted.
Still, even Strain isn’t sure we’re in recession now. Like many economists, he notes that the underlying drivers of the economy — consumer spending, business investment, home purchases — all grew in the first quarter.
Overall gross domestic product — the broadest measure of the nation’s output — declined at a 1.6% annual rate from January through March because of one-off factors, including a sharp jump in imports and a post-holiday season drop in businesses’ inventories. Many economists expect that when GDP is revised later this year, the first quarter may even turn out to be positive.
“The basic story is that the economy is growing but still slowing, and that slowdown really accelerated in the second quarter,” Strain said.
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DON’T A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK A RECESSION IS COMING?
Yes, because many people now feel more financially burdened. With wage gains trailing inflation for most people, higher prices for such essentials as gas, food, and rent have eroded Americans’ spending power,
Walmart recently reported that higher gas and food costs have forced its shoppers to reduce their purchases of discretionary spending such as new clothing, a clear sign that consumer spending, a key driver of the economy, is weakening. The nation’s largest retailer, Walmart reduced its profit outlook and said it will have to discount more items like furniture and electronics.
And the Fed’s rate hikes have caused average mortgage rates to nearly double to 4.99%, causing a sharp fall in home sales and construction.
Higher rates will also likely weigh on businesses’ willingness to invest in new buildings, machinery and other equipment. If companies reduce spending and investment, they’ll also start to slow hiring. Rising caution among companies about spending freely could lead eventually to layoffs. If the economy were to lose jobs and the public were to grow more fearful, consumers would further reduce spending.
The Fed’s rapid rate hikes have raised the likelihood of recession in the next two years to nearly 50%, Goldman Sachs economists have said. And Bank of America economists now forecast a “mild” recession later this year, while Deutsche Bank expects a recession early next year.
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WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING RECESSION?
The clearest signal that a recession is under way, economists say, would be a steady rise in job losses and a surge in unemployment. In the past, an increase in the unemployment rate of three-tenths of a percentage point, on average over the previous three months, has meant that a recession will soon follow.
Many economists monitor the number of people who seek unemployment benefits each week, which indicates whether layoffs are worsening. Weekly applications for jobless aid, averaged over the past four weeks, have been rising recently and have topped 250,000. While that is a potentially concerning sign, it is still a low level historically.
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ANY OTHER SIGNALS TO WATCH FOR?
Many economists also monitor changes in the interest payments, or yields, on different bonds for a recession signal known as an “inverted yield curve.” This occurs when the yield on the 10-year Treasury falls below the yield on a short-term Treasury, such as the 3-month T-bill. That is unusual. Normally, longer-term bonds pay investors a richer yield in exchange for tying up their money for a longer period.
Inverted yield curves generally mean that investors foresee a recession that will compel the Fed to slash rates. Inverted curves often predate recessions. Still, it can take 18 to 24 months for a downturn to arrive after the yield curve inverts.
For weeks, the yield on the two-year Treasury has exceeded the 10-year yield, suggesting that markets expect a recession soon. Many analysts say, though, that comparing the 3-month yield to the 10-year has a better recession-forecasting track record. Those rates are not inverted now, though the gap has narrowed.
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WILL THE FED KEEP RAISING RATES EVEN AS THE ECONOMY SLOWS?
The economy’s flashing signals — slowing growth with strong hiring — have put the Fed in a tough spot. Chair Jerome Powell is aiming for a “soft landing,” in which the economy weakens enough to slow hiring and wage growth without causing a recession and brings inflation back to the Fed’s 2% target.
But Powell has acknowledged that such an outcome has grown more difficult to achieve. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s COVID-19 lockdowns have driven up prices for energy food, and many manufactured parts in the U.S.
Powell has also indicated that if necessary, the Fed will keep raising rates even amid a weak economy if that’s what’s needed to tame inflation.
“Is there a risk that we would go too far?” Powell asked last month. “Certainly there’s a risk, but I wouldn’t agree that’s the biggest risk to the economy. The biggest mistake to make…would be to fail to restore price stability.” | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/explainer-how-do-we-know-when-a-recession-has-begun-2/ | 2022-08-05T20:21:14Z |
Jon Nelson is a dry-humored tattoo artist @jonnelson_tattoos whose skill for comedy rivals his award-winning body art
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jon Nelson is an award-winning tattoo artist living and inking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With 12 years in the industry, Jon produces exceptional tattoos in a variety of styles. He's best known for his work featuring black and grey ink designs.
As the owner of Borrowed Time Tattoo, Jon Nelson is the creator of 116 TikTok videos. To spread laughter both in and out of the studio, Jon sits down with his team to spitball ideas for new comedy skits. Nelson increases morale and encourages collaboration as the creators engage in self-expression.
A little-known fact— tattooing can be tiring on the mind and the body. In fact, the dedication needed to construct a tattoo design is often taxing on artists, even after the client has left.
"When you're in the thick of inking— all your attention and energy is focused outward. In an hour-plus process, you're creating the piece, and then it's over, and the end result is forever. While it's an amazing feeling, the pressure starts to weigh on you."
Humor helps the crew at Borrowed Time unwind and destress from a long day's work. In fact, comedy helps Jon maintain his mental well-being by preventing burnout between sessions.
Jon's TikTok, @jonnelson_tattoos, spreads positivity and awareness through its good-natured jabs. With views surpassing the 20 million mark, his viral videos nail tattoo culture by juxtaposing Jon's deadpan delivery with his team's slapstick antics.
Featuring the talented team at Borrowed Time Tattoo, Jon finds humor in even the most awkward moments in the tattoo industry. Averaging 500 thousand repeat viewers, his account showcases witty tattooing anecdotes and comedy skits with a range of artists in the FTL tattoo community.
Located in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Borrowed Time Tattoo provides tattoo and piercing services. With a talented team of fifteen artists, Jon's South Florida tattoo shop provides iconic tattoos that match each client's style.
Stop by Borrowed Time Tattoo at 410 NW 1st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Book with Jon or one of the creative artists by calling ahead or requesting a consult on Borrowed Time Tattoo's website. Keep up with Jon Nelson and his team by following @jonnelson_tattoos on Instagram and Tik Tok.
Contact: Jon Nelson
Phone: 954-530-4122
Email: borrowedtimeco@gmail.com
Website: https://borrowedtimetattoo.com/
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SOURCE Borrowed Time Tattoo | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/tiktok-artist-captures-tattoo-culture/ | 2022-05-26T19:30:39Z |
Russia shifting focus to show a victory by early May in eastern Ukraine, US officials say
By Barbara Starr, Jim Sciutto, Alex Marquardt, Jeremy Herb, and Katie Bo Lillis CNN
Russia has revised its Ukraine war strategy to focus on trying to take control of the Donbas and other regions in eastern Ukraine with a target date of early May, according to several US officials familiar with the latest US intelligence assessments.
More than a month into the war, Russian ground forces have been unable to keep control of areas where they have been fighting. Russian President Vladimir Putin is under pressure to demonstrate he can show a victory, and eastern Ukraine is the place where he is most likely to be able to quickly do that, officials say. US intelligence intercepts suggest Putin is focused on May 9, Russia’s “Victory Day,” according to one of the officials.
May 9 is a prominent holiday on the Russian calendar, a day the country marks the Nazi surrender in World War II with a huge parade of troops and weaponry across Red Square in front of the Kremlin. The officials say Putin wants to be able to celebrate a victory — of some kind — in his war on that day.
But other officials note even if there is a Russian celebration, an actual victory may be further off.
“Putin will have a victory parade on 9th May regardless the status of the war or peace talks,” a European defense official said. “On the other hand: a victory parade with what troops and vehicles?”
Still, US and European officials say that any deadlines Moscow may set rhetorically don’t change the reality on the ground that Russia appears to be preparing for the prospect of an extended conflict in Ukraine.
A European diplomat said that while the Kremlin is talking optimistically, Putin is preparing for a “Chechnya-style long, drawn-out war, because he, to a certain extent, has nowhere else to go on this.”
There are several reasons behind the May time frame, the officials say. As the winter freeze ends and the ground softens, it will be harder for heavy Russian ground units to maneuver, meaning that it’s vital for those forces to get into place as soon as possible, US intelligence assesses.
Russian-backed fighters have also already been in that region for years. In 2014, Russian separatist forces took control of territory within the the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Before Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin announced he was recognizing two self-declared independent republics in the Donbas region.
Ukrainian officials have publicly pointed to the date as well. “Ahead of May 9, Putin set the goal of a victory parade for this war,” Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Thursday.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Friday that the Ukrainians believe they are facing a “very complex and difficult” situation as Putin tries meet a deadline.
“His ultimate goal is, was and will be to take over Ukraine, but he failed. He failed due to a very strong resolve of Ukrainian military and very strong unity of Ukraine and the Western world, and the sanctions that have been imposed by the United States and G7 and the European Union,” Yatsenyuk said. “So now, as far as I see, Putin switched to Plan B. My take is that this Plan B has a, kind of, deadline. The deadline is the ninth of May.”
The US also assesses that Putin is now preparing for the first time to name an overall commander of the war to try to achieve greater Russian successes, two of the US officials said. The US belief is Putin will likely name a general who has been in the south because that is a place where the Russians have succeeded in their objectives.
CNN previously reported there was no theater-wide commander on the ground in or near Ukraine, and units from different Russian military districts operating in different parts of Ukraine appear to be competing for resources rather than coordinating their efforts, according to two US defense officials.
One of the signs the Russians are regrouping is that their troops pulling out of fighting areas north and east of Kyiv appear to have moved north, in some cases into Belarus, for resupply. The US believes this will put them in position to move southeast into the Donbas region. One Russian battlefield goal in Donbas would be to cut off Ukraine troops already there so they cannot fall back to defensive positions or link up with other Ukrainian forces, officials say.
But a shift in the battlefield to the east on the ground may do little to stop the ongoing Russian air assaults by long-range missiles and aircraft throughout the rest of Ukraine, especially in the south.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2022/04/02/russia-shifting-focus-to-victory-by-early-may-in-eastern-ukraine-us-officials-say-2/ | 2022-04-03T05:54:32Z |
Land surveyor says Bryan Co. dumping ‘worst I’ve seen’
BRYAN COUNTY, Okla. (KXII) - A licensed professional land surveyor with the state of Oklahoma who services nine counties said roadside dumping in Bryan County “is the worst.”
Lee Levins had been setting property lines near a field on One Well Road in Durant, he knows the property owner, and the sliver of land between their fenced property and the road is littered with roadside debris.
“You’re dumping on property that’s not yours,” Levins said. “This was yours, now you’ve given it to somebody else.”
In Oklahoma, dumping debris or waste on public or private property without the consent of a landowner is a misdemeanor in Oklahoma.
The punishment for dumping trash is between a $200 and a $5 thousand fine and up to 30 days in jail.
Fines aside, there are also other consequences than potential jail time.
“A cow could eat one of those plastic bags and it could kill them,” Levins said. “What do you do with this stuff, it’s not going to dissolve.”
Levins has been working on finding dumpsites throughout the counties he services and alerting law enforcement of their whereabouts for the last ten years.
Levins said if you see a vehicle or trailer full of junk, take a picture of the license plate so that if the items are dumped somewhere and are recognizable you can call 9-1-1.
“I’ll go through the stuff, find the information and I’ll contact the sheriff’s department, they’ll send a deputy out, and we’ll look at the information,” Levins said. “I believe it’s eight or nine situations that we found enough information in there that the sheriff’s department has made (the dumpers) come pick it up. They’ve been fined.”
Though the land owner has no liability, they’re usually the ones left to pick up the trash.
Levins said areas like Caddo and eastward are bad dumping areas as well.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/04/15/land-surveyor-says-bryan-co-dumping-worst-ive-seen/ | 2022-04-16T23:09:41Z |
CHICAGO, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JLL Income Property Trust, an institutionally managed daily NAV REIT (NASDAQ: ZIPTAX; ZIPTMX; ZIPIAX; ZIPIMX) with approximately $6.8 billion in portfolio assets announced today the acquisition of Silverado Square, a 48,000-square-foot retail center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The retail property is anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market, shadow anchored by CVS, and includes a parcel that is fully entitled for nearly 5,000 square feet of rentable retail space. Silverado Square was acquired for $24.4 million.
"Silverado Square is a well-located property that fits within our thesis of acquiring high-quality, grocery-anchored retail centers," said JLL Income Property Trust President and CEO Allan Swaringen. "Its location next to two major thoroughfares and near a large master-planned community, along with its strong tenant roster and long-term lease commitments, should bode well for the center's continued success in generating stable income. As we saw throughout the pandemic, grocery-anchored retail is resilient, and can continue to provide returns for our stockholders throughout volatile market conditions."
Constructed in 2018, Silverado Square benefits from a highly visible location on two thoroughfares in the Silverado Ranch master-planned community, which is home to more than 55,000 people. The property ranks in the top quartile of LaSalle Research & Strategy's proprietary Supermarket Trading Area Rating System (STARS), which ranks more than 40,000 grocery-anchored retail centers in the US. The high score owes to Silverado Square's proximity to population density and median income that are both above the national average. The property has a weighted average lease term of more than eight years, including a 15-year lease signed by Sprouts in 2018 that features 10 percent rent escalations every five years. Overall, the property is 98 percent leased.
The fully entitled parcel, directly to the east of the existing structures, provides JLL Income Property Trust with the opportunity to build nearly 5,000 square feet of additional retail space and drive further net operating income. The new building will be leased by three tenants and is scheduled for completion later this year.
JLL Income Property Trust's grocery-anchored retail allocation is 23 properties in 13 key markets valued at nearly $850 million and representing approximately 13 percent of its overall portfolio.
JLL Income Property Trust is an institutionally managed, daily NAV REIT that brings to investors a growing portfolio of commercial real estate investments selected by an institutional investment management team and sponsored by one of the world's leading real estate services firms.
About JLL Income Property Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIPTAX; ZIPTMX; ZIPIAX; ZIPIMX),
Jones Lang LaSalle Income Property Trust, Inc. is a daily NAV REIT that owns and manages a diversified portfolio of high quality, income-producing residential, industrial, grocery-anchored retail, healthcare and office properties located in the United States. JLL Income Property Trust expects to further diversify its real estate portfolio over time, including on a global basis. For more information, visit www.jllipt.com.
About LaSalle Investment Management
LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world's leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, LaSalle manages approximately $82 billion of assets in private and public real estate property and debt investments as of Q1 2022. LaSalle's diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. LaSalle sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including separate accounts, open- and closed-end funds, public securities and entity-level investments. For more information, please visit http://www.lasalle.com.
Valuations, Forward Looking Statements and Future Results
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to JLL Income Property Trust. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not descriptions of historical facts and include statements regarding management's intentions, beliefs, expectations, research, market analysis, plans or predictions of the future. Because such statements include risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results and there can be no assurance that future dividends will be paid.
Contacts:
Scott Sutton
LaSalle Investment Management
Telephone: +1 224 343 5538
Email: scott.sutton@lasalle.com
Doug Allen
Dukas Linden Public Relations
Telephone: +1 646 722 6530
Email: JLLIPT@DLPR.com
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SOURCE JLL Income Property Trust | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/jll-income-property-trust-acquires-grocery-anchored-retail-center-las-vegas/ | 2022-08-09T15:17:11Z |
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., April 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's world of technology, many youth experience the negative consequences of increased connectivity and socialization in the form of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying differs from traditional bullying in several ways, and as a result, Fidelis Care wants to educate adults and youth across New York about the risks of cyberbullying and how it impacts overall health.
Cyberbullying is harassment that takes place over digital devices, social media platforms, and gaming experiences. According to the Pew Research Center, 59% of U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can take place 24 hours a day and includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, sharing personal information to humiliate, excluding someone on purpose, and more.
"The pervasiveness of technology has created new avenues for bullying, making it more difficult for our youth to escape its harmful effects," said Fidelis Care Chief Medical Officer Vincent Marchello, MD. "Cyberbullying can be uncharted territory for parents and caregivers from past generations, so Fidelis Care wants to raise awareness to help adults and youth recognize negative behavior and provide support."
Cyberbullying can lead to social and emotional distress, behavioral problems, and mental health issues. Additionally, youth who are bullied are at increased risk for substance misuse, academic problems, and violence to others. These effects on the mental wellbeing of youth can translate into physical health challenges later in life, extending the impact of cyberbullying long after it stops. The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory stating the youth mental health crisis has been further exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To further spread awareness, Fidelis Care is encouraging youth in New York to take action to promote prevention with their peers and community by participating in the Centene Institute Youth Impact Award for Cyberbullying Prevention. As part of the Centene family, Fidelis Care invites youth ages 14-19 to watch a short video and read a fact sheet on cyberbullying before submitting their own original visual art entry that conveys cyberbullying awareness and prevention. The contest is open to eligible youth nationwide. All submissions are eligible to account for up to 10 hours of community service. The contest is now open and runs until May 20, 2022.
Below are some tips from the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics and the Department of Health and Human Services to raise awareness and prevent cyberbullying that can inspire contest entries as well as be used to handle situations in everyday life:
- Talk about bullying to reduce stigma and identify potential instances of cyberbullying
- Plan for what to do if witnessing or experiencing bullying
- Teach youth to treat others respect and practice inclusivity
- Create positive community environments that build confidence and social skills
- If bullied, immediately stop communication and block the person via digital channels
- Speak up if you feel uncomfortable with the comments or actions of someone
- Understand the possible warning signs of emotional distress
For more information about the Youth Impact Award and how to enter, visit https://www.centeneinstituteaward.com/cyberbullying-prevention/2022. For more information on Fidelis Care and its activities, visit www.fideliscare.org.
About Fidelis Care:
Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life. With more than 2.4 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Follow us on Twitter at @fideliscare, Instagram at @fideliscare, and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare. For more information, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.
Contact: MediaInquiries@fideliscare.org
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SOURCE Fidelis Care | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/08/fidelis-care-shines-light-cyberbullying-encourages-new-york-youth-make-difference/ | 2022-04-08T19:06:16Z |
SAN ANTONIO, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Embrey has closed on land for the company's second single-family rental development project, Collection Champions Circle. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the 22.9-acre property will feature 276 one- two- and three-bedroom duplex-style homes.
Collection Champions Circle will be a master-planned community that provides the privacy and neighborhood feel of a single-family home alongside luxurious shared amenities such as a clubhouse, resort-style pool and best-in-class on-site property management also provided by Embrey.
"Embrey's single-family rental communities are the perfect option for renters who appreciate the lifestyle and convenience of a traditional apartment community while also providing many of the benefits of a single-family home," says Jeremy Williams, Senior Vice President of Development. "This is a particularly attractive option for young families, pet owners and empty-nesters."
Additionally, the development lies near a number of popular employers including Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, Facebook and Amazon.
"Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing multifamily markets in the country," says John Kirk, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Development. "The area's strong economic and demographic momentum and high household income make it a prime location for this particular style of development."
Embrey has partnered with a number of design consultants to make this project come to fruition, including W Partnership, Knight Fowler Millsap and Design Environments.
Construction is scheduled to begin next month with completion expected in 2024. Embrey is the general contractor and will oversee construction on the project.
San Antonio-based Embrey is a diversified real estate investment company that owns, develops, builds, acquires, and manages multifamily residential communities and commercial assets in targeted markets across the United States. Since 1974, Embrey has developed nearly 43,000 apartments and more than 6 million square feet of commercial property. Embrey is a leading developer in the multifamily sector with more than 4,000 units under construction. www.embreydc.com.
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SOURCE Embrey | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/embrey-expand-single-family-rental-portfolio-with-collection-champions-circle/ | 2022-06-30T22:07:04Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — The largest dinosaur event in North America has stomped its way through North Texas.
Houston-based Jurassic Quest ran for a limited time at Fair Park from July 29 to July 31. Families were able to walk around some of the biggest photorealistic dinosaur displays in the nation in the comfort of indoors.
Jurassic Quest is one of the first indoor family edutainment shows to relaunch since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic back in March of 2020. The show will feature rideable dinosaurs, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a play area, and more.
Fun on the Run host Yolonda Williams took a trip to Jurassic Quest and has more! WATCH the video player for all the details. | https://cw33.com/news/fun-on-the-run-news/nations-largest-dinosaur-experience-stomps-its-way-through-dallas-fair-park/ | 2022-08-04T23:37:28Z |
VINNYTSIA, Ukraine (AP) — Liza, a 4-year-old girl with Down syndrome, was en route to see a speech therapist with her mother in central Ukraine when a Russian missile rained down from the sky.
She never made it to the appointment. Now the images that tell the story of her life and its end are touching hearts worldwide.
Wearing a blue denim jacket with flowers, Liza was among 23 people killed, including boys aged 7 and 8, in Thursday’s missile strike in Vinnytsia. Her mother, Iryna Dmytrieva, was among the scores injured.
After the explosion, the mother and daughter went in different directions. Iryna, 33, went into a hospital’s intensive care unit while Liza went to a morgue.
“She remembered that she was reaching for her daughter, and Liza was already dead,” Iryna’s aunt, Tetiana Dmytrysyna, told The Associated Press on Friday. “The mother was robbed of the most precious thing she had.”
Shortly before the explosion, Dmytrieva had posted a video on social media showing her daughter straining to reach the handlebars to push her own stroller, happily walking through Vinnytsia, wearing the denim jacket and white pants, her hair decorated with a barrette. Another video on social media showed the little girl twirling in a lavender dress in a field of lavender.
After the Russian missile strike, Ukraine’s emergency services shared photos showing her lifeless body on the ground next to her blood-stained stroller. The videos and photos have gone viral, the latest images and stories from the brutal war in Ukraine to horrify the world.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s wife posted that she had met this “wonderful girl” while filming a Christmas video with a group of children who were given oversized ornaments to paint.
“The little mischievous girl then managed in a half an hour to paint not only herself, her holiday dress, but also all the other children, me, the cameramen and the director … Look at her alive, please,” Olena Zelenska wrote in a note accompanying the video.
When the war started, Dmytrieva and her family fled Kyiv, the capital, for Vinnytsia, a city 268 kilometers (167 miles) to the southwest. Until Thursday, Vinnytsia was considered relatively safe.
Dmytrieva gave birth to her only daughter when she was 29. The girl was born with a heart defect but doctors saved her. She also suffered from Down syndrome.
“Liza was a sunny baby,” her great-aunt recalled. “They say that these children do not understand or know how to do everything. But this is not true. She was a very bright child. She knew how to draw, spoke, always helped adults and always smiled. Always cheerful.”
For her mother, Liza was the greatest gift of her life.
“She loved her infinitely,” said the great-aunt.
The explosion site is now cordoned off. People come to leave flowers, candles and teddy bears. Another item at a makeshift shrine is a page from a children’s lesson book. Among the mourners are mothers deeply touched by the story of Iryna and Liza Dmytrieva.
“Innocent children die,” said Kateryna Kondratyuk, bursting into tears at the explosion scene.
Meanwhile, Iryna is conscious and in intensive care.
“She is a fighter. She will get out. We are all praying for her,” her aunt says.
Liza’s father was at the morgue Friday, completing the paperwork to receive his daughter’s body for burial.
___
Andrew Katell in New York contributed.
___
Follow all AP stories on developments in the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/robbed-of-the-most-precious-thing-missile-kills-liza-4/ | 2022-07-16T09:03:27Z |
- 315-horsepower Civic Type R is the most powerful Honda production vehicle ever sold in the U.S.
- Developed in Japan and track-tested around the world, Type R delivers the best driving experience in the hot hatch segment
- Beautifully integrated advanced aerodynamics give the new Type R a sleeker design
TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The most powerful model in Type R's 30-year history, the all-new 2023 Civic Type R is the most powerful Honda production vehicle ever offered in the U.S. On sale this fall, the new Type R delivers the best driving experience in the hot hatch segment, combining class-leading performance with an all-new immersive cockpit experience, and a sleek, muscular new design.
"Type R is very important for Honda as the pinnacle of our factory performance and an irreplaceable brand that enables enthusiasts to experience Honda's racing spirit, and seek the ultimate in speed and driving pleasure," said Hideki Kakinuma, global Civic Type R development leader. "The all-new Civic Type R will continue that legacy, leveraging Honda's racetrack-proven engineering to deliver extreme performance and passion—both on the road and on the racetrack."
The Civic Type R embodies Honda's challenging spirit, with six different designs since its debut in Japan as a 1997 model. Only the second Civic Type R model ever sold in the United States, the all-new and more powerful 2023 model recently set a new production-car front-wheel drive track record at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, home to the Formula 1 Honda Japanese Grand Prix, securing its legacy as the best performing Civic Type R ever.
Track-Proven Performance
Already a class leader in ride, handling and steering performance, engineers conducted extensive development in Japan, and undertook rigorous testing at racetracks in Japan, North America and Europe to further improve Civic Type R's chassis. This included testing on Germany's infamous Nurburgring, the world's most challenging racetrack, helping make the all-new Type R more responsive, more comfortable and more thrilling-to-drive than ever before.
Under its new vented aluminum hood is an even more powerful version of Honda's award-winning K20C1 engine. Horsepower, torque and response are improved by a redesigned turbocharger, increased air intake flow rate, and a new more efficient exhaust system that features a straight through design and an active exhaust valve. The size, shape and number of the turbocharger's turbine wheel blades have been optimized along with the flow path of the intake charge, enabling the turbocharger to generate pressure in a wider range and more efficiently.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinger engine now produces 315 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm (SAE net) and 310 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,600 – 4,000 rpm (SAE net) – improvements of 9 hp and 15 lb.-ft. Civic Type R is one of the most powerful cars in its class per liter, with a specific output of 157.8 hp/liter, up from the previous-generation's 153.3.
A larger grille opening, bigger radiator and a new large-diameter fan improve engine cooling, ensuring sustained, optimal performance during extreme driving. To further strengthen the driver's connection with the car, the active exhaust valve opens at higher rpm to heighten and enhance the sound of the engine.
Type R's smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission is further improved for an even more intimate and rewarding connection with the driver. A lighter flywheel and a revised rev-match system ensures perfectly paired rev-matching when shifting down through the gears, helping maintain stability on corner entry. The high-strength gearbox has also gained a high-rigidity lever and optimized shift gate pattern for a reassured and hyper-precise gear change. A standard helical-type limited-slip differential puts the engine's power to the pavement effectively.
Now based on the all-new 11th-generation Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R's scalpel-sharp responses and famously addictive driving feel are increased even further by a significantly more rigid body structure that supports both improved dynamics and refinement. The wheelbase has been extended 1.4-inches for a smoother ride and greater stability. Now measuring 107.7-inch, it's the longest wheelbase in its class.
Its front and rear tracks are also significantly wider (+1.0 inches in the front and +0.75 inches in the rear). Together with a retuned dual-axis strut front and multilink rear suspension, these changes improve straight-line stability and steering feel. For exceptional braking performance, Type R's two-piece front brake rotors reduce unsprung weight. Brake cooling is also improved, and a retuned brake booster enhances feel and controllability.
Drivers can seamlessly switch between four pre-set performance settings, selecting different modes for the engine, steering, suspension and engine sound. In addition to Comfort, Sport and R+ Mode, a new 'Individual Model' mode enables customization of the driving experience.
Powerful, Sleek and Sophisticated Design
Beautifully integrated advanced aerodynamics give the new Type R a sleeker, more sophisticated, yet muscular look. Designed with input from aerodynamic development members of the HRD Sakura Super GT team, its exterior is also more aerodynamically efficient, generating more downforce improving high speed stability.
Designed in Japan, Type R's new, more muscular body is 0.8-inches longer, 0.5-inches lower and 0.6-inches wider with broad fenders flared out over wider tracks, and lightweight 19-inch matte black alloy wheels wrapped in wider (+20mm) bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The new wheels use a special "reverse rim" design that improves the stability of the tire contact patch under load.
All body panels forward of the A-pillars are new and unique to the Type R, including a new more aggressive front bumper design. Its lower stance is accentuated by wider rear doors exclusive to Type R and a reshaped rear bumper that reveals its updated signature three round exhaust outlets. A redesigned rear spoiler with aluminum stanchions and a new rear diffuser intensify downforce and reduce drag.
Civic Type R will be available in five striking colors: historic Championship White-- a Type R exclusive finish revered by Honda enthusiasts, Rallye Red, Boost Blue, Crystal Black Pearl and Sonic Grey Pearl.
Performance Focused Cockpit
Designed to support intense driving experiences, the cockpit of the new Type R enhances the exhilaration of driving with emotive, performance-focused details and features, including Type R's iconic red seats, carpet and trim, a redesigned aluminum shift knob, and a serialized Type R plate on the dash.
The driver sits lower than before in new, lighter, body-stabilizing sport seat, yet with greater visibility courtesy of thinner pillars, relocated side mirror, and a lower hood. New lightweight, heavily bolstered front sports seats with suede-effect upholstery offer both exceptional support and comfort on the track and during long drives.
To better support performance driving, Type R's exclusive new digital instrument cluster features clean, easy-to-read graphics and an extensive selection of displays. The design features a large tachometer and gear-position display, plus a multi-information display.
A second new meter design is exclusive to Type R's +R mode and allows the driver to obtain necessary information instantly, with the engine rpm, and gear position placed at the top. A racing-inspired illuminated rev indicator located above the gauge cluster gives the driver a quick indication of engine rpm during performance driving.
Technology has been smartly integrated into the Civic Type R's new cabin with a focus on the driver, including a new 9-inch Color Touchscreen – the largest touchscreen ever in a Type R – with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. Qi-compatible wireless charging and a Bose Centerpoint premium sound system, which was custom-engineered precisely for the interior of the 11th-generation Civic, are also standard.
Exclusive to Type R, a new enhanced version of the Honda LogR® Performance Datalogger combines the Type R's onboard computer and sensors with a new built-in vehicle app. This helps drivers monitor and record a variety of performance parameters in real time when driving on the track or other closed courses, helping to improve driving skills.
Honda LogR® no longer requires a smartphone app, so drivers can use the on-board system or connect to their smartphone for added capability and data sharing. Key features include a stopwatch to record lap times, a tire friction circle in 3D motion that displays the maximum tire force the vehicle can achieve, and an innovative scoring function that helps drivers improve their skills on the track. Users can share their lap times and other data with other Type R owners.
Manufacturing
The new Civic Type R is built at the Yorii Plant in Japan. The Type R's K20C1 engine continues to be built at Honda's Anna Engine Plant in Sidney, Ohio*.
Pricing and additional details on the 2023 Honda Civic Type R will be provided closer to launch this fall.
*using domestic and globally sourced parts
About Honda
Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. Honda has the highest fleet average fuel economy and lowest CO2 emissions of any major full-line automaker in America, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2021 Automotive Trends Report. The award-winning Honda lineup includes the Civic, Insight, and Accord, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda's electrified vehicle lineup includes the Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid and Insight, and, in the future, Civic Hybrid. The Honda Prologue SUV, Honda's first volume battery-electric vehicle, will join the lineup in 2024.
Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 40 years and currently operates 18 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2021, more than 95% of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, with nearly two-thirds made in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.
More information about Honda is available in the Digital FactBook.
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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/hottest-hot-hatch-brings-more-heat-all-new-honda-civic-type-r-adds-power-performance-swagger/ | 2022-09-01T01:31:06Z |
American Honda Sales Challenged by Supply Issues Published: Jul. 1, 2022 at 12:33 PM CDT | Updated: 59 minutes ago
American Honda sales top 500,000 units in first half despite severe second-quarter supply issues Honda electrified sales stay strong as CR-V Hybrid sets June record and Accord Hybrid first-half sales up 39% HR-V posts best first-half sales of all-time with strong customer pre-orders (6,000+) for all-new 2023 model Supported by pre-orders, all-new Acura Integra rides strong demand in first month and leads Acura car sales Acura NSX has best month since December 2017 , with first-half sales of NSX Type S up 105% TORRANCE, Calif. , July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
American Honda sales top 500,000 units in first half despite severe second-quarter supply issues. HR-V posts best first-half sales of all-time with strong customer pre-orders (6,000+) for all-new 2023 model.(PRNewswire)
American Honda
Acura
Honda
Total
Cars
Trucks
Total
Cars
Trucks
Total
Cars
Trucks
Q2
239,789
82,324
157,465
24,624
8,211
16,413
215,165
74,113
141,052
-50.7 %
-56.5 %
-47 %
-51.2 %
-43.8 %
-54.3 %
-50.6 %
-57.6 %
-46 %
Total
Cars
Trucks
Total
Cars
Trucks
Total
Cars
Trucks
June
71,048
24,105
46,943
7,184
2,795
4,389
63,864
21,310
42,554
-53.6 %
-60.6 %
-49 %
-54.8 %
-45.9 %
-59 %
-53.5 %
-61.9 %
-47.6 %
"With strong turn rates of up to 90 percent for core Honda and Acura products, it's clear that success is a relative term in today's business environment and sales volume is not the best measure of true customer demand," said Mamadou Diallo , vice president of Auto Sales for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "As we continue an incredible cadence of new model introductions, including the recent launch of the all-new Honda HR-V and Acura Integra, we are very proud of the efforts of our production and sales associates who are working tirelessly to meet the needs of our customers."
HONDA
BRAND REPORT
Sales Highlights
Notes
Core models lead the way for the Honda brand with CR-V topping 22,000 units and Accord over 10,000 units despite challenging supply issues.
· CR-V Hybrid and Accord Hybrid help Honda top 50,000 in first-half electrified sales for the second straight year
· Customer pre-orders for all-new 2023 HR-V total almost 6,000
· Honda brand pre-orders totaled over 50,000 units in first six months as customer demand remains strong
· Ridgeline posted best June sales in five years at almost 3,000 units
Stylish & sporty 2023 HR-V kicks off "year of the Honda SUV" with strong demand as the first units arrive at dealerships.
The most powerful, best performing Civic Type R ever will be officially unveiled this summer.
ACURA
BRAND REPORT
Sales Highlights
Notes
Supply issues limited sales of popular Acura SUV models, while all-new Integra welcomes new clients to the brand.
· Supported by pre-orders, all-new Integra leads Acura car sales; strong demand results in first-month sales of almost 1,500 units
· MDX and RDX combine for sales of 4,389 units
· NSX Type S first-half sales of 123 units kick off strong final sales year
'22 RDX, TLX & MDX earn IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ and NHTSA NCAP 5-Star rating, with '23 Integra expected to earn top scores.
Acura Type S models are most powerful & best handling in the brand's Precision Crafted Performance lineup.
American Honda Vehicle Sales for June 2022
Month-to-Date
Year-to-Date
June 2022
June 2021***
DSR** % Change
MoM % Change
June 2022
June 2021***
DSR** % Change
YoY % Change
American Honda Total
71,048
153,122
-55.4 %
-53.6 %
506,207
833,510
-39.7 %
-39.3 %
Total Car Sales
24,105
61,154
-62.1 %
-60.6 %
171,697
312,209
-45.4 %
-45.0 %
Total Truck Sales
46,943
91,968
-50.9 %
-49.0 %
334,510
521,301
-36.3 %
-35.8 %
Honda
Total Car Sales
21,310
55,985
-63.4 %
-61.9 %
156,686
288,306
-46.0 %
-45.7 %
Honda
Total Truck Sales
42,554
81,253
-49.6 %
-47.6 %
296,661
456,820
-35.5 %
-35.1 %
Acura
Total Car Sales
2,795
5,169
-48.0 %
-45.9 %
15,011
23,903
-37.6 %
-37.2 %
Acura
Total Truck Sales
4,389
10,715
-60.6 %
-59.0 %
37,849
64,481
-41.7 %
-41.3 %
* Total Domestic Car Sales
24,103
51,598
-55.1 %
-53.3 %
169,530
267,955
-37.1 %
-36.7 %
Honda Division
21,308
46,441
-55.9 %
-54.1 %
154,522
244,250
-37.2 %
-36.7 %
Acura Division
2,795
5,157
-47.9 %
-45.8 %
15,008
23,705
-37.1 %
-36.7 %
* Total Domestic Truck Sales
46,943
91,965
-50.9 %
-49.0 %
334,510
521,295
-36.3 %
-35.8 %
Honda Division
42,554
81,250
-49.6 %
-47.6 %
296,661
456,814
-35.5 %
-35.1 %
Acura Division
4,389
10,715
-60.6 %
-59.0 %
37,849
64,481
-41.7 %
-41.3 %
Total Import Car Sales
2
9,556
-100.0 %
-100.0 %
2,167
44,254
-95.1 %
-95.1 %
Honda Division
2
9,544
-100.0 %
-100.0 %
2,164
44,056
-95.1 %
-95.1 %
Acura Division
0
12
-100.0 %
-100.0 %
3
198
-98.5 %
-98.5 %
Total Import Truck Sales
0
3
-100.0 %
-100.0 %
0
6
-100.0 %
-100.0 %
Honda Division
0
3
-100.0 %
-100.0 %
0
6
-100.0 %
-100.0 %
Acura Division
0
0
0.0 %
0.0 %
0
0
0.0 %
0.0 %
MODEL BREAKOUT BY DIVISION
Honda Division Total
63,864
137,238
-55.3 %
-53.5 %
453,347
745,126
-39.6 %
-39.2 %
ACCORD
10,529
20,782
-51.3 %
-49.3 %
80,422
114,707
-30.4 %
-29.9 %
CIVIC
9,633
32,677
-71.7 %
-70.5 %
70,335
152,956
-54.3 %
-54.0 %
CLARITY
2
207
-99.1 %
-99.0 %
207
2,103
-90.2 %
-90.2 %
INSIGHT
1,146
2,157
-48.9 %
-46.9 %
5,722
9,867
-42.4 %
-42.0 %
CR-V
22,865
36,564
-39.9 %
-37.5 %
116,602
213,199
-45.7 %
-45.3 %
HR-V
5,813
14,019
-60.1 %
-58.5 %
73,016
68,441
6.0 %
6.7 %
ODYSSEY
2,721
8,397
-68.8 %
-67.6 %
20,709
47,556
-56.7 %
-56.5 %
PASSPORT
2,456
4,753
-50.3 %
-48.3 %
20,102
26,694
-25.2 %
-24.7 %
PILOT
5,739
14,714
-62.5 %
-61.0 %
46,435
76,560
-39.7 %
-39.3 %
RIDGELINE
2,960
2,806
1.4 %
5.5 %
19,797
24,370
-19.3 %
-18.8 %
Acura Division Total
7,184
15,884
-56.5 %
-54.8 %
52,860
88,384
-40.6 %
-40.2 %
ILX
208
2,093
-90.4 %
-90.1 %
6,267
8,233
-24.4 %
-23.9 %
INTEGRA
1,487
0
0.0 %
0.0 %
1,496
0
0.0 %
0.0 %
NSX
36
16
116.3 %
125.0 %
123
60
103.7 %
105.0 %
TLX
1,064
3,048
-66.4 %
-65.1 %
7,122
15,412
-54.1 %
-53.8 %
MDX
2,523
5,077
-52.2 %
-50.3 %
23,610
36,791
-36.2 %
-35.8 %
RDX
1,866
5,638
-68.2 %
-66.9 %
14,239
27,690
-48.9 %
-48.6 %
Selling Days
26
25
152
151
**** Electrified Vehicles
9,063
9,512
-8.4 %
-4.7 %
53,452
57,309
-7.3 %
-6.7 %
* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic & global sourced parts
** Daily Selling Rate
*** 2021 totals include Honda and Acura model(s) discontinued following the 2020 model year
**** Electrified Vehicles equal: Total sales of Hybrid (FHEV & PHEV), EVs (BEV) and Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) from the Honda and Acura brands.
American Honda Sales Challenged by Supply Issues Honda Logo. (PRNewsFoto/American Honda Motor Co., Inc.) (PRNewsfoto/American Honda Motor Co., Inc.)(PRNewswire) View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/american-honda-sales-challenged-by-supply-issues/ | 2022-07-01T18:56:54Z |
This is Fifth Year in a Row for these Prospect Medical Hospitals
LOS ANGELES, April 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Hospitals at Culver City and Hollywood were named among the top 5 percent in the nation for Patient Safety Excellence in 2022 by Healthgrades for the fifth year (2018-2022).
"Southern California Hospital at Culver City is committed to patient safety, which is reflected in this national recognition," said Culver City's Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer West. "This is increasingly relevant to our patients during the pandemic."
During the study period (2018 through 2020), 170,231 potentially preventable patient safety events occurred among Medicare patients in U.S. hospitals.* Healthgrades found that just four patient safety indicators accounted for 74% of all patient safety events: hip fracture due to an in-hospital fall, collapsed lung resulting from a procedure/surgery, pressure or bed sores acquired in-hospital, and catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in-hospital.
Healthgrades also found that patients treated in hospitals receiving the Healthgrades 2022 Patient Safety Excellence Award were, on average:
- 8% less likely to experience an in-hospital fall resulting in hip fracture, than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals*
- 6% less likely to experience a collapsed lung resulting from a procedure or surgery in or around the chest, than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals*
- 2% less likely to experience pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital, than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals*
- 8% less likely to experience catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital, than patients treated at nonrecipient hospitals*
According to Healthgrades, if all hospitals as a group performed similarly to the Healthgrades Patient Safety Award Recipients, on average, 100,189 patient safety events could have been avoided.*
"Through our 2022 Patient Safety Excellence Awards, we seek to recognize hospitals that excel in providing top-quality care for their patients while preventing serious injuries during hospital stays," said Healthgrades' Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of data science. "We are proud to name these hospitals 2022 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipients and look forward to their continued efforts to make patient safety a priority."
This national recognition is just one of several national awards, including top 5 percent in nation for Pulmonary Care and top 10 percent in nation for GI Care, among other clinical achievements for Culver City and Hollywood.
Consumers can visit healthgrades.com for more information on how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access the complete methodology.
*Statistics are calculated from Healthgrades Patient Safety Ratings and Excellence Award™ methodology which is based primarily on AHRQ technical specifications (Version 2021.0.1) for MedPAR data years 2018 through 2020 and represent 3-year estimates for Medicare patients only.
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SOURCE Southern California Hospitals | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/20/southern-california-hospitals-culver-city-hollywood-among-top-5-percent-nation-patient-safety-excellence/ | 2022-04-20T20:39:15Z |
2021 MSSP results improve the lives of more than 40,000 residents of the Gulf Coast
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ochsner Accountable Care Network, LLC (OACN) achieved its sixth consecutive year of top-ranking results in both clinical performance and healthcare savings for Louisiana's and Mississippi's Medicare population. Its network of physicians and providers who support the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) lowered expected cost of care by nearly $24 million for more than 40,000 Medicare beneficiaries in 2021. Over the last six years, OACN has improved the health outcomes for our beneficiaries and reduced healthcare spending by more than $100 million.
"Saving millions of dollars and improving the health of our region's most vulnerable patients six years running, and on the heels of a global pandemic, marks a milestone year for Ochsner Accountable Care Network," said Robert Hart, MD, Chairman.
OACN's 2021 clinical successes, highlighted by a 100% quality score, can be attributed to increasing primary care physician visits, focusing on high-risk patient care coordination and support, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations through ambulatory care coordination, and improving patient satisfaction. Through these efforts, OACN achieved the following results:
- OACN hospitalizations were 9% lower than other Medicare fee for service providers
- OACN performed 27% better than the mean ACO in managing diabetic patients
- OACN performed 20% better than the mean ACO in breast cancer screenings
- Care coordination efforts:
- Patient-reported outcomes indicate overwhelming satisfaction for how our providers deliver care, when compared to the MSSP ACO mean
In 2020, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated 41% of U.S. adults delayed or avoided medical care during the pandemic because of concerns about COVID-19, including 12% who reported having avoided urgent or emergency care.
"Despite making up for care delays that accumulated during 2020's COVID-19 public health emergency and a 33% growth in OACN's beneficiary population, our clinicians lowered expected care costs in 2021 by $24 million, which places OACN in the nation's top 5% of Medicare Shared Savings ACOs," noted Beau Raymond, MD, Interim Executive Director.
ACOs are groups of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers who come together voluntarily to provide coordinated, quality care to Medicare patients. The goal of an ACO is to improve efficiency and coordination of care, resulting in improved care delivery and reduced healthcare costs to both the patient and organization. Patients see the benefit of an ACO through improved communication with their healthcare teams and reduced duplication in paperwork and medical tests.
For more information about OACN's participants or past performance, please visit ochsneracn.org.
About Ochsner Accountable Care Network
OACN is an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) that consists of more than 2,250 clinicians throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. Founded in 2013 to ensure that patients, especially those with chronic conditions, get the right care, at the right time, in the right place, the network is dedicated to improving health outcomes and supports population health efforts across Louisiana and the Gulf South. As the largest ACO in Louisiana, OACN is comprised of Ochsner-employed and community providers across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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SOURCE Ochsner Health System | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/09/ochsner-accountable-care-network-announces-sixth-straight-year-exceptional-quality-outcomes-multi-million-dollar-healthcare-savings/ | 2022-09-09T18:35:16Z |
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Former Mexican President Luis Echeverria, blamed for massacres in Mexico half a century ago, has died at the age of 100, current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed Saturday.
In his Twitter account, López Obrador sent condolences to Echeverria’s family and friends “in the name of the government of Mexico,” but did not express any personal sadness about the death. López Obrador did not provide a cause of death for Echeverria, who governed Mexico from 1970 to 1976.
Echeverria had been hospitalized for pulmonary problems in 2018.
In 2005, a judge ruled Echeverria could not be tried on genocide charges stemming from a 1971 student massacre depicted in the Oscar-winning movie “Roma.”
The judge ruled that Echeverria may have been responsible for homicide, but could not be tried because the statute of limitations for that crime expired in 1985.
In 1971, students set out from a teacher’s college just west of the city center for one of the first large-scale protests since hundreds of demonstrators were killed in a far larger massacre in 1968. They didn’t get more than a few blocks before they were set upon by plainclothes thugs.
The main female characters in “Roma” are depicted as incidental witnesses to the slaughter when they go to buy baby furniture at a store near the scene. Unwittingly they run across the protagonist’s sometime boyfriend, who is depicted as participating in the repression.
“Roma” won the Oscar for best foreign language film.
Echeverria had battled respiratory and neurological difficulties in recent years.
In 2004, he became the first former Mexican head of state formally accused of criminal wrongdoing. Prosecutors linked Echeverria to the country’s so-called “dirty war” in which hundreds of leftist activists and members of fringe guerrilla groups were imprisoned, killed, or simply disappeared without a trace.
A motion filed by special prosecutor Ignacio Carrillo asked a judge to issue an arrest warrant against Echeverria on genocide charges in the two student massacres: first for the 1968 killings at the Tlatelolco plaza, when Echeverria was interior secretary.
On Oct. 2 1968, a few weeks before the Summer Olympics in Mexico City, government sharpshooters opened fire on student protesters and army troops in the Tlatelolco plaza, leading soldiers to open fire. Estimates of the dead have ranged from 25 to more than 300. Echeverria had denied any participation in the attacks.
According to military reports, at least 360 government snipers were placed on buildings surrounding the protesters.
In March 2009, a federal court in Mexico upheld a lower court’s ruling that Echeverria did not have to face genocide charges for his alleged involvement in the 1968 student massacre, and ordered his absolute freedom.
Born on Jan. 17, 1922, in Mexico City, Echeverria received a law degree from Mexico’s Autonomous National University in 1945.
Shortly afterward, he began his political career with the then-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. He later held posts in the navy and Education Department, advanced to chief administrative officer of the PRI and organized the presidential campaign of Adolfo Lopez Mateos, who served as Mexico’s leader from 1958-64.
In 1964, under then-President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, Echeverria was rewarded with the position of interior secretary, overseeing domestic security. He held that position in 1968, when the government cracked down on student pro-democracy protests, apparently worried they would embarrass Mexico as the host of the Olympics that year.
Echeverria left the interior post in November 1969, when he became the PRI’s presidential candidate.
He won that race, and was sworn in on Dec. 1, 1970, supporting the regimes of Cuba’s Fidel Castro and leftist Salvador Allende in Chile.
After Allende was assassinated in 1973 during a bloody coup led by Gen. Augusto Pinochet, Echeverria opened Mexico’s borders to Chileans fleeing Pinochet’s dictatorship.
Echeverria traveled the world promoting himself as a leader and friend of leftist governments. But within Mexico, he was developing a reputation for cracking down on dissent and guerrilla groups.
Mexican prosecutors allege that Echeverria ordered an elite force of plain-clothes state fighters known as the “Halcones,” or “Falcons,” to attack suspected government enemies. It was that group that participated in the beating or shooting deaths of 12 people during the student demonstration on June 10, 1971.
Despite decades of calls by activists and opposition politicians for justice, Echeverria never spent a day in jail, though he was briefly declared under a form of house arrest. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/ex-president-of-mexico-luis-echeverria-dies-at-100/ | 2022-07-09T16:28:50Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Tuya Inc. (NYSE: TUYA) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased Tuya American Depositary Shares in or traceable to the Company's March 2021 initial public offering.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: October 11, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in TUYA:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/tuya-class-action-submission-form?id=31230&from=4
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Tuya Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (a) a material portion of Tuya's China-based customers were engaged in the widespread and systematic manipulation of reviews and product offerings in violation of Amazon.com's terms of use; (b) prior to the initial public offering, a consumer investigation and data breach had exposed an illicit fake review scheme being perpetrated by many of Tuya's clients, among others, which included, inter alia, the exposure of 13 million records of organized fake review scams linked to over 200,000 Amazon account profiles; (c) as a result of (a) and (b) above, there was a substantial risk that a material portion of Tuya's significant customers would be barred from using Amazon.com's platform, negatively impacting Tuya's business, revenue, earnings, and prospects; and (d) as a result of (a)-(c) above, the registration statement's representations regarding Tuya's historical financial and operational metrics and purported market opportunities and expected growth did not accurately reflect the actual business, operations, financial results, and trajectory of the Company at the time of the initial public offering, and such statements were materially false and misleading and lacked a reasonable factual basis.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Tuya you have until October 11, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Tuya securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the TUYA lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/tuya-class-action-submission-form?id=31230&from=4.
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/tuya-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-october-11-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-tuya-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-08-30T11:06:41Z |
Sheriff: 2 dead, 3 hospitalized in Houston market shooting
Published: May. 15, 2022 at 3:59 PM CDT|Updated: 5 minutes ago
HOUSTON (AP) - Authorities say two people have been killed and three more were taken to a hospital after a shooting at a Houston bustling flea market.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says the Sunday shooting at the open-air market arose from an “altercation” that involved at least two guns and all five of the people.
He says no “innocent bystanders” were injured.
Thousands of people were shopping at the the market 14 miles north of Houston’s downtown when the shooting began around 1 p.m.
The sheriff said multiple shots were fired and that authorities recovered two pistols from the scene.
Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/15/police-2-dead-3-injured-houston-flea-market-shooting/ | 2022-05-15T21:51:52Z |
- EY 2022 Work Reimagined Survey shows employees now have greater influence over employment terms; 42% of employees say pay increases are needed to address staff turnover, while only 18% of employers agree
- 22% of employers say they want employees to come back to the office five days a week; 80% of employees want to work remotely at least two days a week
- 32% of employers have succeeded in boosting productivity and culture, through hybrid work and investing in amenities and workplace technology
LONDON, April 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees around the world now hold more sway in the global job market, with two-fifths (43%) of respondents saying they are likely to quit in the next 12 months – driven mostly by a desire for higher total pay, better career opportunities and flexibility amid rising inflation, a shrinking labor market and an increase in jobs offering flexible working – according to the EY 2022 Work Reimagined Survey.
The survey – one of the largest of its kind – canvassed the views of more than 1,500 business leaders and more than 17,000 employees across 22 countries and 26 industry sectors. It shows that, as many countries emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have gained significant influence over their employers and that their "wish list" from potential employers is changing.
Search for increased pay overtakes desire for flexibility
The main motivation for employees seeking new jobs, according to the survey, is now a desire for higher pay. With record inflation, in many countries around the world, more than a third of those searching for new roles (35%) say that a salary increase is their main objective, and 25% say they are looking for career growth. Forty-two percent of employees surveyed say that pay increases are the key to addressing staff turnover – but only 18% of employers agree.
Flexible working arrangements – which were by far the biggest factors leading to employee moves according to last year's survey – are now less of a driver given that most are already working for companies that offer flexibility in some form. Only 19% are seeking remote-work flexibility from a new job, while 17% say that well-being programs would prompt them to move.
Looking at the various age groups across the countries surveyed, Gen Z employees and millennials in the US are the most likely to quit their jobs this year (53%), while across the sectors, it is those with technology and hardware jobs (60%) that are most eager to leave.
Liz Fealy, EY Global People Advisory Services Deputy Leader and Workforce Advisory Leader, says:
"This latest survey shows that employees around the world are feeling empowered to leave jobs if their expectations are not met. As employers have increasingly provided flexible work approaches, higher pay is now the biggest motivation for changing jobs, particularly given rising inflation and available unfilled roles."
Shifting views on culture and productivity
Interestingly, the desire amongst employees to seek out new roles persists even though they hold relatively upbeat views about company culture. The number of employees who believe their organization's culture has improved, has risen from 48% to 61% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, employers' confidence in their own company culture has dropped from 77% to 57%. Additionally, while employees believe new ways of working have increased productivity, companies' confidence in their own productivity is being eroded by increased turnover.
Growing skills and talent gaps
Fifty-eight percent of employer respondents agree it is important to have a strategy in place to match talent and skills to future business needs; and 74% say that they are prepared to hire employees from other countries and allow them to work from anywhere if their skills are critical or scarce. Slightly more than a fifth of employer respondents (21%) believe improving opportunities to build skills will help address turnover.
Pressure to return to the office
Despite the continuing shift towards flexible working models, 22% of employer respondents say they want employees to come back to the office five days a week. Although reluctance to work remotely among employees has fallen (from 34% to 20%) most employees (80%) say they want to work remotely at least two days per week.
Boost to culture and productivity from new ways of working
The survey reveals that a large population of "optimist" employers (32%) are managing to improve both culture and productivity. It shows that they are achieving this by ensuring that their leaders have a shared understanding of company issues, external practices and strategies (94%). Other factors cited by this group of businesses as drivers of their success include hybrid work (90%), investing in on-site amenities (39%), enhancing workplace technology (45%) and giving employees more empowerment and autonomy (44%). By way of contrast, other businesses are continuing to watch and wait, or are only taking selective action.
Roselyn Feinsod, EY Work Reimagined Leader, says:
"We are seeing a top third of companies successfully navigating these divergent positions on pay, career opportunities and flexibility. They have moved from 'resistance' to 'renaissance' and that's a win-win for their companies and their workforce. Organizations have to work to retain their employees, instill trust and provide a package that takes into account total pay, career path and flexibility to balance market concerns and risks."
About EY
EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.
Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.
Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.
About the survey
The EY 2022 Work Reimagined Survey is the latest and largest in a series of surveys comparing employer and employee perceptions since 2020. It compares the views of thousands of respondents, and the insights are meant to help businesses to create a sustainable workforce that helps them drive business growth, meet customer needs, and generate long-term value.
The Survey was conducted January through March 2022 and received responses from 17,498 employees and 1,575 employers from 22 countries across 26 industries.
The survey was conducted using a third-party panel and targeted employers with a range of 500 to 15,000 employees.
Survey data is segmented by 88 different personal and work-related demographics and preferences. Participant responses ranged from 21 years to 65 years plus, with responses from senior leaders and individuals at all different functions.
For a one-hour CPE credited results webcast on Tuesday, May 17, please visit and register here: Work reimagined: How to prepare for 'renaissance and recommitment' | EY - Global
View original content:
SOURCE EY | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/20/employee-influence-grows-43-set-quit-jobs-better-pay-career-opportunities-flexibility/ | 2022-04-20T16:37:19Z |
BOURBON BLONDE BLOG SPONSORED CONTENT — Lifestyle Expert Megan Thomas Head is here to share a few products that are great for all your entertaining needs this summer.
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner
Residue and build-up in the dishwasher can affect a dishwasher’s performance and create an environmental hazard. Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner is the only dishwasher cleaner certified by the EPA, with natural cleaning power that eliminates odors and cleans food and bacteria from hard-to-reach areas. https://summitbrands.com/glisten/dishwasher-cleaner-disinfectant/
JURA Z10
Cold brew coffee is trending, and JURA presents the new Z10 that opens a new dimension of coffee enjoyment with cold brew specialties – in addition to the full range of hot specialties. www.JURA.com
SpudLove Organic Potato Chips
SpudLove Organic Thick-Cut potato chips are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Certified Gluten-free. The chips feature authentic potato taste and maximum crunch, from organic potatoes grown on the brand’s own farm. www.spudlovesnacks.com.
Brainiac: Food for Hungry Minds
Brainiac provides delicious brain boosting snacks that families love to eat. Created alongside a team of nutritionists and neurologists; the line includes grab-and-go fruit pouches, nut butters and bars made with premium, clean ingredients. | https://cw33.com/news/inside-dfw/summer-entertaining/ | 2022-07-29T17:26:00Z |
The BAR and The SHOT Come Together for a Healthy Grab-and-Go Energy Boost Alternative
FORT COLLINS, Colo., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Remedy Products LLC, the leader in natural plant-based supplements, snacks and topicals designed to support active adult lifestyles, is proud to announce the launch of "The POWER PACK". The pre-packaged grab-and-go box set features one serving each of Remedy+'s two popular energy boosting products: the award-winning cherry chocolate flavored hemp protein snack bar The BAR and CBD infused energy drink The SHOT.
- The BAR is a protein snack bar (190 calories per bar) that delivers on energy and taste, utilizing the power of hemp protein with award-winning chocolate berry flavor. Hemp protein is packed with essential nutrients that enhance performance and boost physical health. It contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a "complete protein".
- The SHOT is an energy shot boasting a blend of nano broad-spectrum CBD, vitamin B-12, caffeine, ginseng, cinnamon and agave. The SHOT provides focused energy without a foggy crash, and is a great tasting, portable, and natural alternative to other energy beverages and supplements.
"We want to be the first name that comes to people's minds when they think about natural products and boosting performance. The launch of the POWER PACK will go a long way to helping us become the singular name in plant-based performance," says Tom Kurz, Managing Member of Remedy Products LLC. "The POWER PACK's pairing of our SHOT and BAR offers consumers a more effective, natural and super tasty way to fuel the body when on-the-go and is a smart alternative to artificially flavored and chemically enhanced beverages and snacks."
The POWER PACK is Remedy+'s first multi-product package and will begin rolling out in convenience stores, pharmacies and grocery chains across the country later this month at an MSRP of $7.49 per unit. The full line of Remedy+ products, including The DROP, The BAR, The SHOT, The RUB, and The CAP, are also currently available for purchase online as well as at select golf and tennis pro-shops, fitness studios and independent natural product retailers across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Florida.
Remedy+ products are designed to positively impact and support optimal functions of the body and mind. Each product is custom-tailored with a specific performance or recovery goal in mind. The entire suite of natural supplements, snacks and topicals work together to allow individuals the ability to perform at their peak potential. Scientifically pairing hemp compounds with other plant-based ingredients, Remedy+ provides holistic solutions for performance challenges wherever and whenever needed.
To learn more, please visit www.myremedyproducts.com.
Remedy+ is a premium line of natural supplements, topicals and snacks produced by Remedy Products LLC. Each product offers a unique and proprietary blend of powerful hemp-derived compounds and other plant-based ingredients, specially formulated to boost performance and enhance recovery from strenuous activities. Remedy+ current offerings include - The DROP, The BAR, The SHOT, The RUB, The CAP - each designed to offer solutions to performance challenges in several categories. All Remedy+ products are THC free and subject to intense, third-party lab testing with results posted on the Remedy+ website. To learn more, please visit www.myremedyproducts.com.
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SOURCE Remedy+ | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/remedy-releases-power-pack-two-piece-set-natural-plant-based-energy-products/ | 2022-08-11T15:57:33Z |
BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Italian-Argentinian polo player Camila Rossi remembers the odd looks the boys gave her when she was in youth tournaments with them. American Erica Gandomcar doesn’t forget her failed attempts to convince the leaders of her country’s polo association that they should organize a world-class championship for women.
These women talked about the hurdles they faced to play a sport dominated by men, as they enlist with another 22 to test their horses outside Buenos Aires. Saturday is the opening day for the first women’s polo world championship.
Argentina, United States, England, Ireland, Brazil and Italy will face off at the Campo Argentino de Polo, which is considered a sacred place for the sport. Tickets are free, as part of the efforts to make women’s polo more popular.
“Polo has been dominated by men for a long time. And now women in general, all over the world, are being heard,” said Gandomcar, who is part of a committee of the United States’ polo association. “For years we tried to organize a women’s polo tournament. This is a dream come true.”
The six teams will be split into groups of three and they will all play against each other. The two first of each group will be in the semifinals, with the winners fighting for the title on April 16.
“The idea was born out of the growth of women’s polo in recent years. It is impressive how many women started playing,” said Horacio Areco, the Argentina president of the International Polo Federation. “
Women’s polo began in Argentina with a group of pioneers who started competing in men’s teams. In 2010, the country’s polo body established a special handicap for women so it could have a system to measure the level of their game. The maximum handicap of 10 is for professional players. Zero is for starters.
“Today everything is flowing. It was much more difficult,” said Rossi, an Argentine who will play for Italy. “I started at a club where I was the only woman among boys. A world championship helps the sport settle well in each country, be promoted and be fostered.”
In the city of Pilar, outside Buenos Aires, polo players were instructed about the rules of the tournament in English. Matches will be played in five parts, known as chukkers, of four minutes and 30 seconds.
Some of the horses involved in the championship cost more than $100,000.
English polo player Fran Townend, who uses crutches due to an traffic accident five years ago, calmly rode on a horse given to her in a draw. The two started roaming around to get familiar.
“It is very exciting to be picked to represent England in the first women’s polo world championship. As a disabled player, be recognized at the same level of other players,” Townend said. “The women’s game is not about power, it is about mental clarity to play.” | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/women-play-their-first-polo-world-championship-in-argentina/ | 2022-04-09T19:09:37Z |
ATLANTA — Georgia’s unemployment rate fell to an all-time low of 3.1% last month, creating a tight labor market that drove up wages.
The jobless rate in Georgia was five-tenths of a percent lower than the national average for March of 3.6%.
“We are now seeing the highest number of Georgians ever employed and participating in the work force,” state Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler said Thursday. “And with a record number of jobs being created, we have a situation where this will continue to be the case for the immediate future.”
The average wage difference from February 2020 to February 2022 was more than 9%. Some of the industries hardest hit during the pandemic showed wage increases of more than 10%, led by the leisure and hospitality sector, where wages have risen 20.4% in two years.
“Many of the sectors that weathered significant hardships during the pandemic are now having to offer higher wages and better benefit packages to get employees into open positions, enabling them to do business,” Butler said. “The cost of labor is being recouped by rising costs for consumers, which is one of the major drivers causing our current increase in inflation.”
The state set records in March with nearly 5.1 million employed Georgians and more than 4.7 million jobs. The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included professional, scientific, and technical services with a gain of 4,500 jobs; and administrative and support services, which gained 2,000.
First-time unemployment claims were down 14% last month compared to February, while over-the-year claims dropped 87%.
More than 212,000 jobs are listed online at EmployGeorgia.com, resulting in a minimum of more than 310,000 unfilled positions. Industries with more than 10,000 job postings included health care with 33,000 job openings posted, manufacturing with 20,000, and retail trade with 19,000.
Work is continuing on the $11.5 million transit center under construction in downtown Albany. The facility, expected to open in January 2023, will boast boards to alert riders to real-time departure and arrival times of buses, computer and public conference rooms and car charging stations. A… Click for more.
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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) will present at Citi's 2022 Global Healthcare Conference at 8:50 a.m. ET on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. David M. Reese, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development and Peter H. Griffith, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Amgen will present at the conference. The webcast will be broadcast over the internet simultaneously and will be available to members of the news media, investors and the general public.
The webcast, as with other selected presentations regarding developments in Amgen's business given by management at certain investor and medical conferences, can be found on Amgen's website, www.amgen.com, under Investors. Information regarding presentation times, webcast availability and webcast links are noted on Amgen's Investor Relations Events Calendar. The webcast will be archived and available for replay for at least 90 days after the event.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also part of the Nasdaq-100 index. In 2021, Amgen was named one of the 25 World's Best Workplaces™ by Fortune and Great Place to Work™ and one of the 100 most sustainable companies in the world by Barron's.
For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.
CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Megan Fox, 805-447-1423 (media)
Jessica Akopyan, 805-447-0974 (media)
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)
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SOURCE Amgen | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/02/amgen-announces-webcast-2022-citi-global-healthcare-conference/ | 2022-09-02T20:33:23Z |
BEIJING, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MOMO) ("Hello Group" or the "Company"), a leading mobile social and entertainment platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2022.
Second Quarter of 2022 Highlights
- Net revenues decreased by 15.3% year over year to RMB3,110.4 million (US$464.4 million*) in the second quarter of 2022.
- Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. decreased to RMB345.6 million (US$51.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022, from RMB464.2 million in the same period of 2021.
- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) decreased to RMB463.5 million (US$69.2 million) in the second quarter of 2022, from RMB551.0 million in the same period of 2021.
- Diluted net income per American Depositary Share ("ADS") was RMB1.68 (US$0.25) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.15 in the same period of 2021.
- Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB2.22 (US$0.33) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.54 in the same period of 2021.
- Monthly Active Users ("MAU") on Momo application were 111.2 million in June 2022, compared to 115.6 million in June 2021. MAU on Tantan application were 24.8 million in June 2022.
- For the Momo app total paying users was 8.6 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to 9.3 million for the same period last year. Tantan had 2.2 million paying users for the second quarter of 2022 compared to 3.1 million from the year ago period.
First Half of 2022 Highlights
- Net revenues decreased 12.4% year over year to RMB6,258.5 million (US$934.4 million) for the first half of 2022.
- Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB635.5 million (US$94.9 million) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB925.8 million during the same period of 2021.
- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) was RMB862.0 million (US$128.7 million) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB1,184.6 million during the same period of 2021.
- Diluted net income per ADS was RMB3.11 (US$0.46) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB4.29 during the same period of 2021.
- Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB4.16 (US$0.62) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB5.45 during the same period of 2021.
"The COVID resurgence in the first half of 2022 has brought many challenges and uncertainties to the overall market environment and our execution of strategic goals. However, I'm pleased to see that our team managed to deliver good results in the second quarter by adjusting our product and operational initiatives in a timely manner to cope with external headwinds, at the same time adapting our execution plan to fit the evolving external environment." commented Li Wang, CEO of Hello Group.
Second Quarter of 2022 Financial Results
Net revenues
Total net revenues were RMB3,110.4 million (US$464.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 15.3% from RMB3,671.7 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Live video service revenues were RMB1,520.0 million (US$226.9 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 27.7% from RMB2,101.3 million during the same period of 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to consumption softness caused by the macro uncertainties including COVID resurgence, regulatory changes, and to a lesser extent the strategic decision to de-emphases Tantan's live streaming business.
Value-added service revenues mainly include virtual gift revenues and membership subscription revenues. Total value-added service revenues were RMB1,536.4 million (US$229.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 1.9% from RMB1,507.3 million during the same period of 2021. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the rapid revenue growth from the new standalone apps. The increase was partially offset by the decrease in Tantan's value-added service due to the demonetization process to improve user experience and retention, as well as COVID's negative impact on users' dating sentiment and propensity to pay for VAS.
Mobile marketing revenues were RMB35.9 million (US$5.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 30.4% from RMB51.6 million during the same period of 2021. The decrease in mobile marketing revenues was due to the negative impact of macro headwind on client's advertising budget, and our product adjustment to address new regulation requirement.
Mobile games revenues were RMB17.2 million (US$2.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 87.3% from RMB9.2 million in the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to one new mobile game launched in the second half of 2021.
Net revenues from the Momo segment decreased from RMB3,157.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 to RMB2,779.5 million (US$415.0 million) in the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to the decrease in net revenues from live video service. Net revenues from the Tantan segment decreased from RMB513.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 to RMB330.8 million (US$49.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, due to our strategy to lower the monetization level in order to improve user experience and retention, as well as the impact from the elevated COVID situations.
Cost and expenses
Cost and expenses were RMB2,804.8 million (US$418.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 8.8% from RMB3,075.6 million in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to: (a) a decrease in revenue sharing with broadcasters related to Momo's core live video service and Tantan's live video service, which was partially offset by an increase in revenue sharing with virtual gift recipients for our virtual gift service; (b) a decrease in depreciation and amortization cost due to the impairment of intangible assets in 2021; (c) a decrease in marketing and promotional expenses by improving marketing efficiency of Momo and Tantan, which was partially offset by an increase to promote our new app "Tietie"; and (d) a decrease in salary expenses, due to our continuous optimization in personnel costs since the beginning of the year.
Non-GAAP cost and expenses (note 1) were RMB2,686.9 million (US$401.1 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 9.8% from RMB2,980.1 million during the same period of 2021.
Other operating income
Other operating income was RMB40.6 million (US$6.1 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease from RMB90.3 million during the second quarter of 2021. The other operating income mainly consisted of government incentives.
Income from operations
Income from operations was RMB346.2 million (US$51.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB686.3 million during the same period of 2021. Income from operations of the Momo segment was RMB483.5 million (US$72.2 million) in the second quarter of 2022, which decreased from RMB711.3 million in the second quarter of 2021. Loss from operations of the Tantan segment was RMB131.3 million (US$19.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to loss from operations of RMB11.9 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP income from operations (note 1) was RMB464.1 million (US$69.3 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB781.9 million during the same period of 2021. Non-GAAP income from operations of the Momo segment was RMB589.2 million (US$88.0 million) in the second quarter of 2022, which decreased from RMB835.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP loss from operations of the Tantan segment was RMB119.0 million (US$17.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB40.9 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Other gain or loss, net
Other gain was RMB66.3 million (US$9.9 million) in the second quarter of 2022, which was resulted from the Company repurchased some of our convertible senior notes from certain bond holders in the second quarter of 2022, compared to a loss of RMB10.5 million in the same period of 2021.
Income tax expenses
Income tax expenses were RMB146.0 million (US$21.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB291.5 million in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to the following reasons: (a) the lower profit in the second quarter of 2022; (b) in the second quarter of 2022, we accrued withholding income tax of RMB37.7 million (US$5.6 million) on undistributed earnings generated in the second quarter of 2022 by our wholly-foreign owned enterprise ("WFOE"), because we plan to remit WFOE's earnings to its offshore parent company in the foreseeable future to fund its demand on US dollar in business operations, payments of dividends, potential investments, etc. In the second quarter of 2021, the Company distributed dividends of RMB1,300.0 million from our WFOE in China to our offshore entity and paid withholding income tax of RMB130.0 million.
Net income
Net income was RMB344.3 million (US$51.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB461.5 million during the same period of 2021. Net income from the Momo segment was RMB482.0 million (US$72.0 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB481.3 million in the same period of 2021. Net loss from the Tantan segment was RMB131.7 million (US$19.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to net loss of RMB6.7 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP net income (note 1) was RMB462.3 million (US$69.0 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB548.3 million during the same period of 2021. Non-GAAP net income from the Momo segment was RMB587.6 million (US$87.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022, which decreased from RMB605.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP net loss of the Tantan segment was RMB119.4 million (US$17.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to non-GAAP net loss of RMB44.5 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc.
Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB345.6 million (US$51.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to a net income of RMB464.2 million during the same period of 2021.
Non-GAAP net income (note 1) attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB463.5 million (US$69.2 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB551.0 million during the same period of 2021.
Net income per ADS
Diluted net income per ADS was RMB1.68 (US$0.25) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.15 in the second quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB2.22 (US$0.33) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.54 in the second quarter of 2021.
Cash and cash flow
As of June 30, 2022, the Company's cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits, long-term deposits, short-term restricted cash and long-term restricted cash totaled RMB13,947.2 million (US$2,082.3 million), compared to RMB15,707.0 million as of December 31, 2021. The decrease of cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits, long-term deposits, short-term restricted cash and long-term restricted cash was mainly due to the cash dividend we paid to our shareholders and payment for repurchase of convertible senior notes in the second quarter of 2022.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2022 was RMB200.3 million (US$29.9 million), compared to a net cash used in operating activities of RMB167.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. For the second quarter of 2022, included in our cash provided by operating activities is RMB100.0 million (US$14.9 million) of cash payment to Chinese tax authorities to repatriate RMB1,000.0 million (US$149.3 million) from our WFOE in China to our offshore entity. For the second quarter of 2021, included in our cash used in operating activities is RMB678.2 million of cash payment to Tantan founders to settle the previously granted liability-classified share options upon their termination of services with Tantan.
First Half of 2022 Financial Results
Net revenues for the first half of 2022 were RMB6,258.5 million (US$934.4 million), a decrease of 12.4% from RMB7,142.3 million in the same period of 2021.
Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB635.5 million (US$94.9 million) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB925.8 million during the same period of 2021.
Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) was RMB862.0 million (US$128.7 million) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB1,184.6 million during the same period of 2021.
Diluted net income per ADS was RMB3.11 (US$0.46) during the first half of 2022, compared to RMB4.29 in the same period of 2021.
Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB4.16 (US$0.62) during the first half of 2022, compared to RMB5.45 in the same period of 2021.
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB243.7 million (US$36.4 million) during the first half of 2022, compared to RMB333.8 million in the same period of 2021.
Recent Development
Execution of share repurchase program
On June 7, 2022, Hello Group's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$200 million of its shares over the next 24 months. As of September 1, 2022, the Company has repurchased 4.18 million ADSs for US$19.2 million on the open market under this program, at an average purchase price of US$4.58 per ADS.
Business Outlook
For the third quarter of 2022, the Company expects total net revenues to be between RMB3.1 billion to RMB3.2 billion, representing a decrease of 17.5% to 14.9% year-over-year. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change, particularly as to the potential impact of the COVID-19 resurgence on the Chinese and global economies, as well as on users' paying capabilities.
Note 1: Non-GAAP measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we, Hello Group, use various non-GAAP financial measures that are adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation, impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions.
Reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to our U.S. GAAP financial measures are shown in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details about the non-GAAP financial measures.
Our non-GAAP financial information is provided as additional information to help investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors' overall understanding of the historical and current financial performance of our continuing operations and our prospects for the future. Our non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to the GAAP results. In addition, our calculation of the non-GAAP financial measures may be different from the calculation used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.
Our non-GAAP information (including non-GAAP cost and operating expenses, income (loss) from operations, net income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Hello Group Inc., and diluted net income per ADS) is adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation, impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation, impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future significant recurring expenses in our results of operations. We compensate for such limitation by providing reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to our U.S. GAAP measures. Please see the reconciliation tables at the end of this earnings release.
Conference Call
Hello Group's management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing / Hong Kong Time on September 1, 2022).
Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to:
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10024750-8qar7z.html.
Upon registration, each participant will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, conference call passcode and a unique access PIN. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.
A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through September 8, 2022. The dial-in details for the replay are as follows:
U.S. / Canada: 1-855-883-1031
Hong Kong: 800-930-639
Passcode: 10024750
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Hello Group's website at https://ir.hellogroup.com. About Hello Group Inc.
We are a leading player in China's online social and entertainment space. Through Momo, Tantan and other properties within our product portfolio, we enable users to discover new relationships, expand their social connections and build meaningful interactions. Momo is a mobile application that connects people and facilitates social interactions based on location, interests and a variety of online recreational activities. Tantan, which was added into our family of applications through acquisition in May 2018, is a leading social and dating application. It is designed to help its users find and establish romantic connections as well as meet interesting people. We also operate a number of other applications to serve different social and entertainment demands from our users.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Hello Group Inc.
Investor Relations
Phone: +86-10-5731-0538
Email: ir@hellogroup.com
Christensen
In China
Mr. Eric Yuan
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: Eyuan@christensenir.com
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@christensenir.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to our management quotes, our financial outlook for the third quarter of 2022, as well as the amount of, timing, methods and funding sources for repurchases of our shares under the share repurchase program.
Our forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our belief regarding expected results and events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Our actual results and other circumstances may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and events indicated in these forward-looking statements. Announced results for the second quarter of 2022 are preliminary, unaudited and subject to audit adjustment. In addition, we may not meet our financial outlook for the third quarter of 2022 and may be unable to grow our business in the manner planned. We may also modify our strategy for growth. Moreover, there are other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from what we currently anticipate, including those relating to our ability to retain and grow our user base, our ability to attract and retain sufficiently trained professionals to support our operations, our ability to anticipate and develop new services and enhance existing services to meet the demand of our users or customers, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business operations and the economy in China, the market price of the Company's stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to the Company from time to time, the Company's cash flows from operations, general economic conditions, and other factors. For additional information on these and other important factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, please see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release, except as required by law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.
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SOURCE Hello Group Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/hello-group-inc-announces-unaudited-financial-results-second-quarter-2022/ | 2022-09-01T09:50:55Z |
BILOXI, Miss., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Peoples Financial Corporation (the "Company") (OTCQX Best Market: PFBX), parent of The Peoples Bank, announced earnings for the second quarter ending June 30, 2022.
Second Quarter Earnings
Net income for the second quarter of 2022 was $1,055,000 compared to net income of $789,000 for the second quarter of 2021. The earnings per weighted average common share for the second quarter of 2022 were $0.23 compared to earnings per weighted average common share of $0.16 for the second quarter of 2021. Per share figures are based on weighted average common shares outstanding of 4,678,186 and 4,878,557 for the second quarters 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The improvement in net income for the second quarter of 2022 was primarily due to an increase in net interest income of $465,000 to $5,193,000 for the second quarter of 2022 as compared with $4,728,000 for the second quarter of 2021. This increase was attributable to higher interest income on securities.
Net income for the first six months of 2022 decreased $3,177,000 to $1,942,000 compared to net income of $5,119,000 for the first six months of 2021. The earnings per weighted average common share for the first six months of 2022 were $0.42 compared to earnings per weighted average common share of $1.05 for the first six months of 2021. Per share figures are based on weighted average common shares outstanding of 4,678,186 and 4,878,557 for the first six months of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The primary reason for the decrease in net income over the first six months of 2022 as compared to the prior year was a non-recurring gain during the first six months of 2021 that was caused by a reduction in the allowance for loan losses of $4,853,000. This reduction was the result of a recovery of $4,510,000 related to a previously charged off loan. Results for the first six months of 2021 also included a non-recurring expense of $1,125,000 relating to the settlement of a lawsuit.
Other Real Estate
Other real estate decreased from $2,621,000 at June 30, 2021, to $417,000 at June 30, 2022.
"The Company continues its implementation of its strategic plan focusing on improving asset quality with those efforts resulting in the significant reduction in past due loans, nonaccruals and other real estate." said Chevis C. Swetman, chairman and chief executive officer of the Company and the Bank.
Shareholders' Equity
Total shareholders' equity decreased from $94,072,000 at June 30, 2021, to $55,960,000 at June 30, 2022. Consistent with a similar decrease experienced during the first quarter of this year, the decrease was again largely attributable to $35,099,000 in unrealized losses on the available for sale securities portfolio during the first six months of 2022 that reduced accumulated other comprehensive income on the Company's balance sheet, thereby reducing shareholders' equity. These unrealized losses resulted primarily from higher interest rates that have impacted the current market value of available for sale securities, but they do not currently appear related to any credit deterioration within the portfolio. The Company does not foresee a sale of any affected securities in the near future, and it does not currently anticipate any realization of these losses that could impact the Company's net income in the current year.
The available for sale securities portfolio of $432,608,000 consists primarily of U.S. Treasury securities with approximately $65,000,000 maturing prior to year-end. The Company's leverage ratio and risk-based capital ratios have not been impacted by these unrealized losses on available for sale securities due to an opt-out election previously made by the Company in accordance with current regulatory capital requirements and therefore remained strong at 20.53% as of June 30, 2022.
About the Company
Founded in 1896, with $864 million in total assets as of June 30, 2022, The Peoples Bank operates 18 branches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. In addition to offering a comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking services, the Bank also operates a trust and investment services department that has provided customers with financial, estate and retirement planning services since 1936.
Peoples Financial Corporation's common stock is listed on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol PFBX. Additional information is available on the Internet at the Company's website, www.thepeoples.com, and at the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, www.sec.gov.
This news release reflects industry conditions, Company performance and financial results and contains "forward-looking statements,' which may include forecasts of our financial results and condition, expectations for our operations and businesses, and our assumptions for those forecasts and expectations. Do not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectation expressed in such forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are described under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Regulation and Supervision" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and in other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at the SEC's website and the Company's website, each of which are referenced above. To the extent that statements in this news release relate to future plans, objectives, financial results or performance by the Company, these statements are deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are generally identified by use of words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements represent management's beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. All information is as of the date of this news release. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.
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SOURCE Peoples Financial Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/peoples-financial-corporation-reports-results-second-quarter-2022/ | 2022-07-27T21:31:07Z |
NEW YORK , Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Igneo Infrastructure Partners, a global infrastructure investment manager, has appointed Michael Ryder as a partner and co-head of the firm's North American business. Michael will join John Ma in spearheading Igneo's growth and expansion plans in the region.
Michael has significant investment experience in the infrastructure and private equity sectors. He was previously a senior managing director and head of Americas at OMERS Infrastructure, and a senior member of its executive management committee responsible for deploying more than US$10 billion of equity capital in the global renewable power, energy transition, digital, regulated utility, energy and transportation sectors. He also recently served as a senior advisor to Investcorp and previously held senior leadership and investment committee positions at Blackstone and Morgan Stanley.
Igneo invests directly in core infrastructure companies globally and sees significant investment opportunity In North America. As one of the largest direct infrastructure markets in the world, the region is a focus area for the firm's ongoing growth and expansion. In addition to hiring Michael, Igneo plans to double the size of its North American investment team by the end of this year.
Niall Mills, head of Igneo Infrastructure Partners, said: "In recent years we've had particularly strong global business growth, a testament to our partnership philosophy and relentless focus on delivering long-term sustainable value for our loyal clients. Michael's background in building infrastructure investment businesses and portfolio companies, along with his track record of capital deployment, will help us more rapidly build on this success in the important North American market."
Michael's appointment follows a successful period of activity in the U.S. for the firm. Over the last three years, Igneo has invested more than US$1.5 billion of capital in Terra-Gen, Rialto Bioenergy Facility and Patriot Rail, which recently announced the acquisition of Pioneer Lines.
John Ma, partner and co-head of Igneo in North America, said: "We've been steadily building our U.S.-based team and investment portfolio, creating a strong foundation for a larger business in a market with vast opportunity for infrastructure investment. Core infrastructure is an attractive sector in the current volatile financial markets and the recent Inflation Reduction Act provides further tailwinds. Michael's considerable experience will enhance our ability to deliver our core 'buy to build' investment strategy for the benefit of our clients."
Michael Ryder, partner and co-head of Igneo in North America, said: "It's a great time to be joining Igneo, which has already achieved impressive results in North America with several successful investments in the last three years, a global long-term reputation for building robust infrastructure businesses, and a strong investor focus. I look forward to working with John to harness Igneo's momentum to date and deliver additional value-accretive opportunities that meet our clients' investment objectives."
Media inquiries
Newton Park PR:
Margaret Kirch Cohen/Richard Chimberg
E: margaret@newtonparkpr.com
E: rich@newtonparkpr.com
T: +1 847-507-2229
T: +1 617-312-4281
First Sentier Investors:
Louise Collins
E: Louise.Collins@firstsentier.com
T: +44 (0)20 7332 9442
Igneo Infrastructure Partners is an autonomous investment team in the First Sentier Investors Group. It invests in high-quality, mid-market infrastructure companies in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Operating since 1994, the team works closely with portfolio companies to create long-term sustainable value through innovation and proactive asset management. Igneo manages in excess of US$15 billion in assets as at June 30, 2022 on behalf of more than 120 institutional investors around the world.
For more information, visit igneoip.com
This press release is intended for information only, aimed solely at the media and should not be further distributed to individual and/or corporate investors, and financial advisers and/or distributors. The information included within this document and any supplemental documentation provided should not be copied, reproduced or redistributed without the prior written consent of First Sentier Investors.
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SOURCE Igneo Infrastructure Partners | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/igneo-infrastructure-partners-appoints-michael-ryder-partner-co-head-north-american-business-further-drive-expansion/ | 2022-09-07T16:30:30Z |
NEW YORK, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Castle Connolly Private Health Partners (CCPHP), one of the nation's leaders in the growing field of concierge (membership-model) medicine, is thrilled to receive the rater8 Excellence Award for "Highest Rated Practices Overall". Rater8's Practice Excellence Award recognizes practices for going above and beyond in creating the best patient experience possible.
The recognition is based on the internal ratings collected by rater8 surveys and showcases an unrivaled level of patient care and enhanced connectivity provided by the concierge physicians in the CCPHP network.
"We'd like to thank all our outstanding partner physicians who helped us achieve this great level of patient satisfaction across the network. This recognition is a testament to all our partner physicians' hard work and commitment to delivering exceptional patient care." - said Sean Connolly, Chief Operating Officer at CCPHP.
In their online reviews, several CCPHP members emphasized the improved time, attention, and focus on building a long-lasting, personalized relationship with their concierge doctor.
"The concierge experience is so much better than with traditional medicine. Being able to take the time and understand the treatments creates a greater comfort level." - CCPHP Member
"I have been a patient for ten plus years and am extremely pleased with my doctor's competence, knowledge, and intelligence. In addition, he genuinely cares about his patients and provides excellent follow-up. His office is well run, and the staff is most helpful. I would recommend his concierge practice without reservation." - CCPHP Member
"Before my doctor joined CCPHP, wait times were lengthy. Now it is a very nice and relaxing experience where I can concentrate on preventive care, diet, exercise, and managing stress at a very leisurely pace. Very Happy." - CCPHP Member
Castle Connolly Private Health Partners (CCPHP) works with exceptional physicians to create and support concierge (membership-based) healthcare programs that enable the optimal practice environment and the physician-patient relationship. Members (patients) pay an affordable fee to take advantage of a wide array of enhancements for a more convenient, comprehensive, collaborative, and personalized approach to support health and wellbeing.
Learn more about Castle Connolly Private Health Partners, LLC at ccphp.net. If you are an independent physician, a group or a health system interested in hearing more about concierge service, visit https://info.ccphp.net/physicians.
Rater8 is the leader in healthcare reputation management, which allows medical practices to capture patient feedback, enhance patient satisfaction, and grow online doctor reviews and ratings.
Contact:
Sean Connolly
sconnolly@ccphp.net
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SOURCE Castle Connolly Private Health Partners, LLC | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/castle-connolly-private-health-partners-is-proud-receive-rater8-practice-excellence-award/ | 2022-07-07T18:25:19Z |
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nasara resort is our brand new environmentally friendly resort. Nasara is conceived as an iconic recreation destination. As a surfing destination, few places on earth offer diverse, reliable waves on offer across the entire island group throughout the year. CEO and CFO Rudi Khelces stated, "We are excited to have our Stage 1 ready and open for business ahead of schedule. In addition to our overall growth, Nasara will be the cornerstone of our plan to build and construct a 37 Villa tourism resort. Our facilities and surroundings are outstanding on a world-class scale." The development objective is to create a 4.5-star destination to be enjoyed by locals and foreigners alike. Website for more information https://nasararesort.com/the-resort/#nasara
ABOUT GGSM CORPORATION
GGSM is a publicly-traded company engaged in the charter boat business in the Mentawai Islands and Beyond. The Kuda Laut's charter vessel is a Mentawai Surf Charter vessel to the World-Famous Mentawai Islands. The Kuda Laut has been chartering to the Mentawai, Telos, Nias, and Banyak Islands for over 25 seasons. From the Lagundri Bay in Nias, the Hinakos, the Bay of Plenty in the Banyaks, the Telos long rights, and the famous waves in the Mentawai, such as Rifles. No Kandui, Ebay, etc., in the Playground, to telescopes, Bintang, Lances Right.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "potential," "plans," "suggests," "may," "should," "could," "intends," or similar expressions. Many forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to continue to enhance our products and systems to address industry changes, our ability to expand our customer base and retain existing customers, our ability to effectively compete in our market segment, the lack of public information on our Company, our ability to raise sufficient capital to fund our business, operations, our ability to continue as a going concern, and a limited public market for our common stock, among other risks. Many factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.
For More Information, visit https://ggsmglobal.com
Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc., Investor Relations
Website: https://ggsmglobal.com
Email: ir@ggsmglobal.com
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SOURCE Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/gold-gemstone-mining-inc-is-pleased-announce-opening-phase-1-its-brand-new-resort-mentawai-islands/ | 2022-08-03T15:18:21Z |
NEW YORK , June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
If you own shares in any of the companies listed above and
would like to discuss our investigations or have any questions concerning
this notice or your rights or interests, please contact:
Joshua Rubin, Esq.
Weiss Law
305 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(212) 682-3025
(888) 593-4771
stockinfo@weisslawllp.com
Duke Realty Corporation (NYSE: DRE)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Duke Realty Corporation (NYSE: DRE), in connection with the proposed acquisition of DRE by Prologis, Inc. ("Prologis"). Upon completion of the transaction, DRE shareholders will receive 0.475 shares of Prologis common stock for each DRE share owned, representing implied per-share merger consideration of approximately $52.42 based upon Prologis's June 17, 2022 closing price of $110.36. If you own DRE shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/dre
Steel Connect, Inc. (NASDAQ: STCN)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Steel Connect, Inc. (NASDAQ: STCN), in connection with the proposed transaction with Steel Partners Holdings L.P. Upon completion of the transaction, STCN shareholders will receive $1.35 and one contingent value right ("CVR") to receive their pro rata share of net proceeds, to the extent such net proceeds exceed $80 million plus certain related costs and expenses, if Steel Connect's ModusLink subsidiary is sold during the two-year period following completion of the merger. If you own STCN shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/stcn
ServiceSource International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SREV)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of ServiceSource International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SREV), in connection with the proposed acquisition of SREV by Concentrix Corporation. Under the terms of the merger agreement, SREV shareholders will receive $1.50 in cash for each share of SREV common stock owned. If you own SREV shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/srev
Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE: HR)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE: HR), in connection with the proposed merger of HR with Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. ("HTA"). Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of HR common stock will be exchanged for one share of HTA common stock, at a fixed ratio. If you own HR shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/hr
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SOURCE Weiss Law | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/shareholder-alert-weiss-law-reminds-dre-stcn-srev-hr-shareholders-about-its-ongoing-investigations/ | 2022-06-20T20:16:24Z |
Report Finds 88% of Current Internet-Connected Risks Driven By Misconfigurations and Exposures
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Censys, the leader in Attack Surface Management (ASM), launched its inaugural State of the Internet Report, a holistic view into Internet risks and organizations' exposure to them. This first-of-its-kind report also provides perspective on how security practitioners addressed several vulnerabilities over the last eighteen months, while offering organizations guidance for how to prioritize and evaluate the security maintenance of their Internet-connected business assets.
The inaugural report compiled by the Censys research team is informed by the firm's technology, which maintains the most comprehensive view of assets on the Internet by continuously scanning the public IPv4 address space across the 3,600+ most popular ports. The Censys research team's mission is to conduct timely and critical research of Internet exposures and enable the broader cybersecurity community to take quick actions that mitigate future issues.
Through careful examination of which ports, services, and software are most prevalent on the Internet and the systems and regions where they run, Censys' research team discovered that misconfigurations and exposures represent 88% of the risks and vulnerabilities across the Internet. Using Censys' Internet-wide scan capabilities and risk detection fingerprints, the State of the Internet Report provides visibility of the assets and weaknesses across an organization's Internet infrastructure in three sections: the Internet as a Whole, the Attack Surface of the Internet, and the Attack Surfaces of Organizations.
"Assessing the state of the Internet is crucial in understanding an organization's own risks and exposures," said Zakir Durumeric, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of Censys. "Censys' unique perspective of the Internet provides a holistic look into the potential consequences of misconfigurations, while outlining security teams' crucial need for expanded visibility and understanding to make smart security decisions."
Censys' 2022 State of the Internet Report found that:
- Misconfigurations – including unencrypted services, weak or missing security controls and self-signed certificates – make up roughly 60% of observed risks. When analyzing the risk profile of organizations across industries, missing common security headers accounted for the primary security error.
- Exposures of services, devices, and information represent 28% of observed risks. This includes everything from accidental database to device exposures.
- Critical vulnerabilities and advanced exploits only represent 12% of observed risks. When analyzing organizations by industry, the Computer and Information Technology industry had the widest spread of different risks, while Freight Shipment and Postal Services had the second widest.
Censys' researchers also conducted a holistic assessment of the Internet's response to three major vulnerabilities – Log4j, GitLab and Confluence – to understand mitigation strategies based on how a vulnerability is perceived. From this analysis, Censys learned how the Internet responds differently to vulnerability disclosures.
Censys observed three distinct types of behavior in response to vulnerability disclosures:
- Near-immediate upgrading: Systems vulnerable to Log4j acted quickly based on the widespread coverage of the vulnerability. By March 2022, Censys observed only 36% of potential vulnerable services were left unpatched.
- Upgrading only after the vulnerability is being actively and widely exploited: While the GitLab vulnerability was being exploited, the remediation process acted slower than others until researchers discovered a botnet composed of thousands of compromised GitLab servers participating in DDoS campaigns.
- Near-immediate response by taking the vulnerable instance off the Internet entirely: Rather than upgrading, users chose to remove assets entirely from the Internet after Confluence's vulnerability became public between June 2021 and March 2022.
The Internet constantly evolves as new technologies emerge, vulnerabilities are discovered, and organizations expand their operations that interact with the Internet. Security teams have the responsibility to protect their organizations' digital assets and need proper visibility into the entire landscape to do so. Although vulnerabilities often garner the bigger headlines, it's undetected misconfigurations and exposures that create the most risk for an organization, making it important to regularly assess any new hosts or services that appear in your infrastructure. Regardless of vulnerability type, providing organizations with the visibility and tools needed to strengthen their security posture introduces a proactive, more vigilant approach to digital risk management.
To download the full report, visit: https://censys.io/state-of-the-internet-report/
To learn more about Censys' approach to organizational visibility, visit: https://www.censys.io.
About Censys
Censys, Inc.™ is the leading provider of continuous attack surface management. Founded in 2013 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Censys gives organizations the world's most comprehensive real-time view of global networks and devices. Customers like FireEye, Google, NATO, Swiss Armed Forces, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and over 10% of the Fortune 500 rely on the company's Internet-wide continuous visibility platform to discover and prevent cybersecurity threats. At Censys, you can be yourself. We like it that way. Diversity fuels our mission, and we are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age and identity. To learn more, visit censys.io and follow Censys on Twitter.
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SOURCE Censys | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/censys-launches-inaugural-state-internet-report/ | 2022-09-12T10:40:53Z |
JERUSALEM (AP) — Mimi Reinhard, a secretary in Oskar Schindler’s office who typed up the list of Jews he saved from extermination by Nazi Germany, has died in Israel at the age of 107.
Reinhard died on Thursday and was laid to rest Sunday in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv.
She was one of 1,200 Jews saved by German businessman Schindler after he bribed Nazi authorities to let him keep them as workers in his factories. The account was made into the acclaimed 1993 film “Schindler’s List” by director Steven Spielberg.
Reinhard was born Carmen Koppel in Vienna, Austria, in 1915, and moved to Krakow, Poland, before the outbreak of World War II. After Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, she was confined to the Krakow ghetto before being sent to the Plaszow concentration camp in 1942.
Reinhard’s knowledge of shorthand got her work in the camp’s administrative office, where, two years later, she was ordered to type up the handwritten list of Jews that were to be transferred to Schindler’s ammunition factory.
“I didn’t know it was such an important thing, that list,” she told an interviewer with Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, in 2008. “First of all, I got the list of those who were with Schindler already in Krakow, in his factory. I had to put them on the list.” Later she put her own name, and the names of two friends.
At the Brünnlitz labor camp, where Schindler’s ammunition factory was housed, she was put to work in Schindler’s office.
She said that although she worked in Schindler’s office toward the end of the war, she had little personal contact with him.
“He was a very charming man, very outgoing,” she recalled, decades after the war. “He didn’t treat us like scum.”
After the war, she made her way to the United States, where she lived until immigrating to Israel in 2007. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/mimi-reinhard-who-typed-up-schindlers-list-dies-at-107/ | 2022-04-12T00:16:21Z |
MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Countries on Africa’s east coast are increasingly turning to climate funding initiatives to boost livelihoods of oceanside communities, aid biodiversity and take climate action.
On the margins of the high-level political forum on sustainable development currently underway at the United Nations headquarters in New York, African coastal and island states and conservation groups outlined plans to boost ocean conservation and economic development through a system of “ blue bonds” — a method of financing projects that would also benefit ocean health.
Following on from Africa’s Great Green Wall, which spans across the continent’s Sahel region, east African nations are now seeking funds for the Great Blue Wall initiative, which aims to protect marine areas across the coastline. Both blue and green finance refers to funding aimed at preventing environmental damage and combating climate change while creating sustainable ecosystems.
“The blue bond is a powerful example of the critical role that the capital markets can play in supporting sustainable objectives,” said Jorge Familiar, Vice President of the World Bank.
The Great Blue Wall initiative, launched last year by ten western Indian Ocean states during the U.N.’s climate conference in Glasgow, aims to create a network of coastal and marine protected areas which supporters say would restore and conserve some 2 million hectares of ocean, capture 100 million tons of carbon dioxide and secure livelihoods for over 70 million people.
The project spans the continent’s east coast — from Somalia to South Africa — and includes the island states of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Somalia and the French territories, Mayotte and Reunion.
Jean-Paul Adam, who heads the climate division at the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa, said the blue wall initiative would recognize “the true value the environment has in future wealth creation and empowerment of local communities”.
“We need to dramatically upscale private sector investment into green and blue sectors,” he said. Less than one percent of so-called blue and green bonds, which are used for marine and land projects respectively, are issued for African countries.
“The next steps are to make these markets more accessible to African countries,” he added.
The U.N. says many of the financial climate promises made by richer countries are not being committed to in full, meaning that many African nations are unable to take necessary adaptation and mitigation measures against the effect of climate change.
In its latest assessment, the African Development Bank said that between $1.3 trillion and $1.6 trillion is needed by 2030 to implement climate action in line with nationally determined contributions — targets set by individual countries to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees F) and no more than 2C (3.6 F). But blue bonds are currently just a fraction of ocean conservation funding, the bank added.
“Bonds alone are not a panacea for the financing gap but they can allow us to raise large amounts,” Adam said.
___
This story has been corrected to show that it is countries on Africa’s east coast that are turning to climate funding.
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/africa-looks-to-private-sector-to-fund-ocean-climate-action/ | 2022-07-13T12:10:42Z |
BETHESDA, Md., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthony Capuano, chief executive officer at Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR), will speak at the 2022 Goldman Sachs Travel and Leisure Conference, to be held on Tuesday, June 7. Mr. Capuano's remarks will be at approximately 9:20 a.m., Eastern Time, and will be webcast live.
To access the webcast, please go to http://www.marriott.com/investor, and then click on the link to the "Goldman Sachs Travel and Leisure Conference" under "Events and Presentations."
The webcast will be available until August 30, 2022, at the same site.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
IRPR#1
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USPS Celebrates Centennial of Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz's Birth With New Forever Stamps Published: Aug. 31, 2022 at 12:30 PM CDT | Updated: 30 minutes ago
SANTA ROSA, Calif. , Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
USPS celebrates the centennial birth of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz with 10 new fun-filled stamps.(PRNewswire)
What:
The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate the centennial of the birth of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz with 10 new fun-filled stamps.
In a commemorative mode, characters from his beloved comic strip "Peanuts" adorn the 10 designs on this pane of 20 stamps. They are Charlie Brown, Lucy, Franklin, Sally, Pigpen, Linus, Snoopy (with Woodstock), Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie.
The first-day-of-issue event for the Charles M. Schulz Forever stamps is free and open to the public. Share the news of the stamp with the hashtag #CharlesMSchulzStamps .
Who:
Luke Grossmann, USPS finance and strategy senior vice president, will serve as dedicating official
Gina Huntsinger, director, Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center
Jean Schulz, board of directors chair, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associate s
When:
Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at 12 p.m. PDT
Where:
Charles M Schulz Museum & Research Center
2301 Hardies Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
RSVP:
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at www.usps.com/charlesmschulz .
Background:
The centennial of the birth of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000) brings new stamps celebrating his wit and wisdom through his unforgettable "Peanuts" characters. The groundbreaking comic became history's most popular and successful strip.
Debuting in 1950, "Peanuts" garnered hundreds of millions of readers worldwide. Its original cast included Charlie Brown and Snoopy, soon joined by Lucy, Linus and others. Each character reflects Schulz's rich imagination and great humanity. Charlie Brown, at the heart of "Peanuts," is often defeated but always resilient. Schulz's resonant stories found humor in life's painful realities including rejection, insecurity and unrequited love.
In the 1960s, "Peanuts" became a worldwide phenomenon with beloved television specials, books, a Broadway show and countless products. For five decades, Schulz steadfastly wrote, drew, inked and lettered every "Peanuts" strip — nearly 18,000 of them — the last one published the day after he died.
Schulz won many awards during his lifetime. In 2000, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress.
Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps , by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom . Follow us on Twitter , Instagram , Pinterest and LinkedIn . Subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel , like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog . For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com .
National contact: Albert Ruiz 214-470-4087 albert.ruiz@usps.gov
Local contact: David Rupert 303-313-5130 david.g.rupert@usps.gov usps.com/news
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SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/usps-celebrates-centennial-cartoonist-charles-m-schulzs-birth-with-new-forever-stamps/ | 2022-08-31T18:01:04Z |
TORONTO, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arturo James Daly is set to release another book for offering seasoned advice to couples seeking ways to sustain their marriages. Using his years of coaching couples, the author condenses his experience into an engaging, easy-to-read guide.
5 Habits of Purpose to Make Love Last (published by Infocus Media, Inc.) is a self-help relationship advice book that reveals advanced techniques couples can use to strengthen their marital bonds. It touches upon topics that are sensitive yet crucial for maintaining the health of any romantic relationship. For instance, it talks about how to communicate correctly and support each other during hard times.
This book is aimed at couples who want to work on their marital bonds and ensure they don't deteriorate over time. Each chapter has been specifically designed to address one common problem that occurs in most relationships. Using his experience of working with couples, the author shares practical solutions and recommendations that have been proven to be effective. Through his writing, Mr. Arturo wants to spread the message that divorce is not the only answer, and couples can enjoy the love they want by adopting a few small habits that can save their relationships.
About the Author
Arturo James Daly is an Afro-Latino telecast journalist and media marketing specialist. Using his 25 years of marital experience, which includes living through a pandemic and raising four daughters, and his experience of studying more than 100 relationships, he also serves as a relationship coach on a mission to help couples avoid divorce. His efforts have helped him determine what makes relationships last or fail. He now intends to use his years of expertise to assist all couples, irrespective of sexual identity, in developing a strong bond. If you wish to contact Arturo for coaching, interviews, or speaking engagements, please email him at arturo@infocusmediapublishing.com.
For more information, visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArturoJamesDaly
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocusmediapublishing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/arturo_daly
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNgDD9HbclCFszueRRGeNgw
Amazon Book 1: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-What-Makes-Love-Last-ebook/dp/B09HQ1WL4F
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SOURCE Arturo James Daly | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/renowned-relationship-coach-releases-another-must-have-handbook-help-struggling-couples/ | 2022-04-12T00:46:57Z |
Gurney's Montauk, home to North America's only seawater spa, is now a complete wellness oasis
NEW YORK, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, has unveiled a renewed Seawater Spa after an extensive $20 million dollar renovation focused on holistic wellness, innovation, and sustainability. The 30,000 square foot well-being destination features the only ocean-fed seawater pool in North America, a full bathhouse experience including a caldarium, thermae baths, sauna and steam, a salt room, indoor-outdoor treatment suites overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a curated indoor/outdoor wellness space which includes state of the art cardio and weight equipment, movement studio, and areas for activations and activities. Notably, to coincide with the spa launch the resort is now offering exclusive Spa Memberships, providing the opportunity for guests and locals alike to opt into the Hampton's most bespoke wellness offering, including unfettered access to state-of-the-art facilities and treatments.
Gurney's Montauk has long been an icon of the Hamptons and considered one of the Northeast' top spa destinations. Situated at the furthest point east on Long Island, Montauk is a beach lover's paradise, a naturalist's haven and a historic resort town. The urbanite's ultimate escape, Montauk grounds city dwellers in the beautiful natural surroundings and local traditions. With the launch of The Seawater Spa at Gurney's Montauk, with its sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the resort's 2,000-foot stretch of private beach, the property has not only added a luxurious new level of wellness to the Hamptons but has also cemented the resort's status as one of the leading wellness destinations in the country.
With the goal of curating an unparalleled holistic and authentic experience, Gurney's Montauk has tapped some of the leading partners in the spa space, most notably Alonso Designs, the team behind Manhattan's beloved spa Aire Ancient Baths, treatment expert Dr. Dennis Gross, and leading wellness brands including Biologique Recherche, OSEA, QMS Medicosmetics, Voya, and Aesop.
"We are very excited to bring a new Seawater Spa to our guests, members and community, allowing access to a level of facilities, treatments and amenities not previously available in Montauk," said George Filopoulos, Owner of Gurney's Resorts. "After the challenges of the past couple of years, we've learned how important prioritizing wellness is, and we are happy to bring this completely new and elevated experience to the Hamptons. The new Seawater Spa only adds to the already vibrant environment at our resort, creating the opportunity for a balanced experience. Whether visiting for a full wellness reset or looking to incorporate health, fitness and beauty into a beach vacation or winter getaway, our guests will find a wide array of amenities and activities at our new Seawater Spa."
Design
The seaside spa structure has been reimagined by architect Ignacio Alonso of Alonso Designs, previously known for their work on Aire Ancient Baths, one of New York City's top spa destinations. In addition to the spa facilities, the renovation also introduces a new event space to the property. The Spa Deck, a venue available for weddings and large events, has been created on the panoramic rooftop of the Seawater Spa offering unmatched privacy and unobstructed ocean views. One of the main design objectives of the entire facility was to ensure that all parts of the structure complement the spa's unique and picturesque waterfront location. The entire building has been designed with the sea in mind, featuring new treatment rooms with direct ocean views and dedicated outdoor spaces for seaside treatments and relaxation. With a shared passion for incorporating sustainable practices into design, together Gurney's Resorts and Alonso Designs sourced and installed environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mechanical and water treatment systems for the new spa.
The interior of the spa was inspired by the luxury resort's natural beachfront surroundings and crafted to evoke a sense of calm, with design elements specifically chosen to help drive attention to the stunning views the building offers. The interiors feature numerous natural materials and tones, playing into the colors and textures of the local environment. To further underscore the connection to the ocean, all the pools and bodies of water also have a custom-designed infinity drain that blurs the edge between the ocean and spa water.
Sustainability
The spa's renovation that took place over the course of two years will not only revamp the guest experience and amenities available but has also been executed with sustainability top of mind. The new spa further advances Gurney's commitment to lessening their impact with features that maximize performance, efficiency and user friendliness, all while helping reduce the spa's overall environmental footprint. Efforts the resort has taken as part of this innovative and comprehensive overhaul include filters that reduce water waste, energy saving heating systems, and the use of UV to limit the need for harmful chemicals. The pool's new filtration systems have also been implemented with guest safety in mind, efficiently purifying water for the best spa experience available.
Facilities
The facilities at the new Seawater Spa include numerous spaces designed with wellness and serenity in mind, including peaceful co-ed relaxation areas and eucalyptus oil-infused aromatherapy steam rooms. The resort's existing saltwater swimming pool fed directly by the Atlantic ocean has been renovated and will be complemented with four new bathhouse style experiences – a large caldarium, thermae and a dual frigidarium – all with direct ocean views. Newly designed treatment rooms, featuring indoor/outdoor space will offer chromotherapy, hydrotherapy and full-body treatments.
The fitness center features equipment by top brands including Peloton and Technogym, with the gym thoughtfully designed to maximize space with bespoke touches such as custom designed weight shelves. The fitness offerings are divided into sections based on activity type, with dedicated areas for cardio, strength training, and a selection of studios that are home to a robust schedule of group fitness classes. The gym is designed to allow for fitness seekers to enjoy the ocean views and natural surroundings while utilizing the space.
Amenities and Treatments
In addition to tapping leading fitness brands and designers, the spa also features treatments and products from some of the industry's top practitioners. Aligned with the property's mission to elevate the Hampton's overall wellness experience, the spa offers access to some of the best products and treatments available, while allowing for complete customization and for guests to work with the spa team to curate bespoke experiences that help meet their needs and wellness goals. Brands featured within the spa include luxury skincare brand Biologique Recherche that helped to put effective and potent skincare on the map, clean marine beauty and artisanal skin care brand, One Ocean Beauty, along with cruelty free clean Malibu based beauty brand Osea, that utilizes organic ingredients sourced straight from the sea.
The spa also serves as an outpost for skincare expert Dr. Dennis Gross with guests given the ability to choose from a menu of his bespoke facials and skincare treatments. Aside from these luxurious and scientific facials, the menu of treatments also includes massages, body wraps, masks, and more, with booked treatments all offering access to the pools and bath house facilities. The spa also features a retail component for guests to purchase the products and technology used during the treatments for ongoing maintenance at home, along with exercise apparel, and more.
Memberships
Further adding to the excitement around the new Seawater Spa, Gurney's Montauk has also introduced private memberships for those seeking unparalleled access to one of the most elite resorts in the country. The dedicated spa-focused membership further enhances the value and experience provided by the resort's new facilities, allowing members to take full advantage of the area's highest caliber wellness offerings. The spa membership is one of the brand's three new memberships – Resort, Spa and All-Access – offering members a chance to revel in all Gurney's Montauk has to offer –including exclusive access to the Beach Club, concierge services, and the year-round seawater spa and wellness destination. New spa members also receive one-on-one fitness coaching and wellness classes and curated spa treatments. Memberships start at $17,500.
About Gurney's Resorts
Gurney's Resorts are luxury, full-service hotels found at premier travel destinations. The waterfront havens provide luxury lodging in Montauk, New York, Scottsdale, Arizona and Newport, Rhode Island. Born on Montauk's most pristine stretch of oceanfront real estate, the collection now includes Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, Gurney's Newport Resort & Marina, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney's Resort, and Gurney's Star Island Resort & Marina. All locales feature well-appointed accommodations, elevated dining, sumptuous spas, sparkling pools, expansive grounds and thousands of square feet of indoor and outdoor space for weddings and events. The Residences at Gurney's deliver the most unique ownership opportunity in the Hamptons, offering the experience of oceanfront living coupled with the unmatched amenities of Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa. Under ownership led by George Filopoulos and Lloyd Goldman (BLDG Management Co, Inc.), the expanding brand has quickly defined itself as both market leaders and year-round destinations. For more information, please visit www.gurneysresorts.com
Media Contact:
Kelly Renz
Nike Communications
443-995-3339
KRENZ@NIKECOMM.COM
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SOURCE Gurney's Resorts | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/iconic-hamptons-resort-gurneys-montauk-unveils-new-seawater-spa-after-extensive-renovation/ | 2022-05-16T16:40:58Z |
Moskva sinking: What really happened to the pride of Russia’s fleet?
By Brad Lendon, CNN
The Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva rests deep beneath the Black Sea this morning.
Whether it lies there as the victim of Ukrainian missiles, Russian incompetence, bad luck or a combination of all three is unclear. What is certain, though, is that the biggest wartime loss of a naval ship in 40 years will raise troubling questions not only for Moscow, but for military planners around the world.
What caused the sinking?
The ship sank off the coast of Ukraine in the Black Sea on Thursday.
Russia’s Defense Ministry says a fire of unknown origin detonated the ship’s stored ammunition and the resulting explosions left the Moskva with structural damage. It says the warship then sank amid rough seas as it was being towed to a nearby port.
Ukraine says it hit the Moskva with anti-ship cruise missiles and that these sparked the fire that detonated the ammunition.
US and Western defense officials seem to favor the Ukrainian account.
The US believes with “medium confidence” that Ukraine’s version of events is accurate, a source familiar with the latest intelligence told CNN.
The Moskva was armed with a range of anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles as well as torpedoes, naval guns and missile defense systems, meaning it would have had massive amounts of explosives aboard.
When was the last time a ship of this size was lost in war?
The Argentine cruiser General Belgrano was torpedoed and sunk by the British nuclear-powered submarine HMS Conqueror on May 2, 1982, during the Falkland Islands war.
The General Belgrano and the Moskva were of similar size — each about 600 feet (182 meters) long and displacing 12,000 tons — though the crew of about 1,100 aboard the General Belgrano was more than double the size of the Moskva’s crew of about 500.
Russia has not disclosed the number of casualties occurred during the Moskva’s fire and subsequent sinking. A total of 323 crew died when the General Belgrano went down.
What does the loss of the Moskva mean for the Russian war effort?
The biggest effect may be on Russian morale. As the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, the Moskva was one of its most visible assets in the Ukraine war. Though Moscow carefully manages news about the war in Russia, it will be hard to hide the sudden absence of such a large ship.
And its loss will raise doubts about Russia’s warfighting abilities, whether it was due to enemy action or accident.
“Both explanations for the sinking of the Moskva indicate possible Russian deficiencies — either poor air defenses or incredibly lax safety procedures and damage control on the Black Sea Fleet’s flagship,” analysts Mason Clark, Kateryna Stepanenko, and George Barros at the Institute for the Study of War wrote in their daily war briefing.
Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, said the doubts went all the way to the Kremlin.
“It raises questions about naval competence 10 years after (Russian President Vladimir) Putin announced he was going to restore the navy’s capabilities, morale and professionalism,” Schuster said.
“It seems he has not been able to keep any of his promises for any of Russia’s military services,” Schuster said, noting Russia had suffered setbacks on land too.
But analysts are split on what impact the sinking will have on the Russian invasion.
The ISW analysts see it as a relatively minor blow, saying the ship was mostly used for cruise missile strikes on Ukrainian logistic centers and airfields. Russia has land-based systems and strike aircraft that can do the same thing, they said.
However, they added that if it was indeed a Ukrainian missile that led to the sinking, the Russian navy would have to rethink its operations, possibly moving ships farther from Ukrainian territory and adjusting their air defenses.
In Washington, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the Moskva’s main mission was air defense for the Russian forces in the Black Sea.
“It will have an impact on that capability, certainly in the near term,” Kirby told reporters.
A lesson for China?
Analysts say the sinking will be carefully studied in East Asia, especially if it is confirmed that Ukrainian missiles struck the warship.
In particular, analysts will be searching for any insight it might offer into any potential military conflict involving Taiwan — the democratically ruled island that Beijing’s ruling Communist Party claims as part of its territory. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to gain control of Taiwan and this has caused tensions with the US, which is committed to providing the island with defensive weapons.
Timothy Heath, senior international defense researcher at the RAND Corp. think tank, said the strike on the Moskva would underscore to both China and the US “the vulnerability of surface ships” in any potential military clash.
Heath said in such a scenario the US Navy would want to keep its surface ships well out of range of the anti-ship missiles Beijing has amassed on the Chinese mainland.
China, on the other hand, would be aware that Taiwan had been acquiring inexpensive anti-ship missiles similar to those Ukraine claims hit the Moskva, Heath and others said.
Because of that, “any potential (Chinese) invasion of Taiwan remains an extremely high risk mission,” Heath said.
But some analysts said the Moskva’s sinking has limited relevance for the situation in East Asia.
Thomas Shugart, a former US Navy submarine commander who is now an analyst at the Center for a New American Security, said there were too many differences between the situations.
The Moskva’s air defense systems are not in the same league as the more modern Aegis systems on US Navy destroyers, and Ukrainian anti-ship missiles are not as good as Chinese ones, Shugart said.
And Soviet-era warships like the Moskva have been typically “known for their offensive punch, not for their defensive systems or their damage control,” Shugart said.
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™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/15/moskva-sinking-what-really-happened-to-the-pride-of-russias-fleet-3/ | 2022-04-15T08:26:57Z |
GÖTEBORG, Sweden, July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Volvo Group Venture Capital AB invests in Optibus Ltd, that develops and provides optimization software for public transportation planning and management. The investment highlights the companies' shared commitment to sustainable bus fleets and more efficient transportation operations.
High quality, sustainable public transportation can be achieved through industry-wide digitalization and vehicle electrification. As part of Volvo Group, Volvo Group Venture Capital's investment in Optibus accelerates the digitalization and electrification of the global public transportation sector. The Optibus solution is in use in 1,000 cities in 26 countries across North and South America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. "Optibus offers a scalable SaaS solution and has doubled its revenue year over year. We are impressed by the founders, the team culture, and the company's achievements. We believe the Volvo Group can add considerable strategic value to the continued development of the business," says Christina Brinck, Investment Director, Volvo Group Venture Capital.
The bus market is transforming due to digitalization, electrification, and changes in business models. Advanced software solutions are key for cities and bus operators to take advantage of the market development. Optibus and Volvo Group will collaborate to create mutual strategic learnings and growth opportunities. "The collaboration with Optibus will contribute to our efforts to support customers with more efficient and sustainable transport solutions," says Anna Westerberg, President of Volvo Buses.
"We are honored to receive this strategic investment from Volvo Group Venture Capital to enable greener, more efficient public transportation operations through better software infrastructure. Between Volvo Group, as a global OEM with decades of transport industry expertise, and Optibus, as an agile, quickly scaling SaaS company, this relationship spurs the synergy needed to advance digitalization and sustainable fleets," says Amos Haggiag, CEO and co-founder of Optibus.
Volvo Group Venture Capital was founded in 1997 and invests in venture companies in North America and Europe. The aim is to drive transformation by facilitating the creation of new services and solutions and to support collaborations between start-ups and the Volvo Group. The market trends shaping the future of transportation and the strategic priorities of the Volvo Group define the investment focus areas: Logistics Services, Site Solutions, Electrification, and Climate Tech.
The transaction has no significant impact on the Volvo Group's earnings or financial position.
Journalists wanting further information, please contact:
Claes Eliasson, Volvo Group Media Relations, +46 76 553 72 29
For more information, please visit volvogroup.com
For frequent updates, follow us on Twitter: @volvogroup
The Volvo Group drives prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions, offering trucks, buses, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing and services that increase our customers' uptime and productivity. Founded in 1927, the Volvo Group is committed to shaping the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. The Volvo Group is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, employs almost 95,000 people and serves customers in more than 190 markets. In 2021, net sales amounted to SEK 372 billion (EUR 37 billion). Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
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SOURCE AB Volvo | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/volvo-group-venture-capital-invests-optibus-software-company-efficient-sustainable-bus-operations/ | 2022-07-05T14:47:49Z |
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dave Inc. (NASDAQ: DAVE, DAVEW), a banking app on a mission to build products that level the financial playing field, today announced that Chien-Liang Chou has been named Chief Technology Officer, effective immediately.
Mr. Chou previously served as Executive Vice President of Engineering at Dave, a position he held since 2020. In this role, he led the engineering, data, infrastructure, security and information technology teams, spearheading various data initiatives resulting in greater efficiencies and a better member experience. He has brought to Dave more than 20 years of experience developing software and technology platforms, with significant expertise in infrastructure buildouts, automation, machine learning, and more.
"Chien-Liang has been one of our greatest assets, instrumental in the buildout not only of our technology platform, but in the products and services we have been able to offer our members," stated Dave Co-founder and CEO Jason Wilk. "He continues to take on an increasingly important role and will play a big part in shaping our technology architecture going forward as we grow and scale. His dedication to Dave and the millions of members served has not gone unnoticed and I look forward to working with him and his team as we deliver the best banking and customer experience for our members."
Before joining Dave, Mr. Chou served as Vice President of Engineering with Flexport, where he managed all technology hubs both domestically and abroad, driving next-generation tech platforms to help scale their business. Previously, he served as VP, Technology with LendingClub Corporation, where he led the Loan Services Platform and Investor groups. While with LendingClub, Mr. Chou was instrumental in the buildout and implementation of cloud migration and micro-services, and the Company's next-gen platform, LendingClub 2.0. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions and various technology roles with Stockpile, LOYAL3, Salesforce.com, and FirstRain.
"I am grateful for this opportunity and the recognition of my peers and will continue to give my all to develop the best technology platform and tools in our industry that will benefit Dave and the members we serve," stated Mr. Chou. "Our mission is what drives my team and we will continue to collaborate with all departments to ensure we have the best infrastructure in place that can support our growth, while continuing to improve the member experience."
Mr. Chou will work closely with Dave's leadership to develop and execute the long-term plan and vision for Dave's technology architecture, scaling its software and systems, and building out the Company's technology team.
Dave is a banking app on a mission to build products that level the financial playing field. Dave's financial tools, including its debit card and spending account, help millions of customers bank, budget, avoid overdraft fees, find work and build credit. For more information, visit www.dave.com.
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as "feel," "believes," expects," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "should," "is to be," or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology and include, among other things, the quotations of our Chief Executive Officer and statements regarding Dave's future performance and other future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein due to many factors, including, but not limited to: the ability of Dave to compete in its highly competitive industry; the ability of Dave to keep pace with the rapid technological developments in its industry and the larger financial services industry; the ability of Dave to manage its growth as a public company; disruptions to Dave's operations as a result of becoming a public company; the ability of Dave to remediate material weaknesses in Dave's internal controls over financial reporting and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; the ability of Dave to protect intellectual property and trade secrets; changes in applicable laws or regulations and extensive and evolving government regulations that impact operations and business; the ability to attract or maintain a qualified workforce; level of product service failures that could lead Dave members to use competitors' services; investigations, claims, disputes, enforcement actions, litigation and/or other regulatory or legal proceedings; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Dave's business; the possibility that Dave may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and those factors discussed in Dave's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 25, 2022 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading "Risk Factors," filed with the SEC and other reports and documents Dave files from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Dave undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.
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SOURCE Dave Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/dave-announces-appointment-chien-liang-chou-its-new-chief-technology-officer/ | 2022-09-06T13:00:29Z |
KBI task force arrests Edgerton man for solicitation of minor
Published: Aug. 10, 2022 at 4:41 PM CDT|Updated: 41 minutes ago
JOHNSON CO., Kan. (WIBW) - The Kansas Bureau of Investigation arrested an Edgerton man Wednesday morning following an investigation by the Northeast Child Victim Task Force and the Collin County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office.
Officials say Tony L. Hamer, 57, of Edgerton was arrested just before 8:00 a.m. after agents conducted a search warrant at 207 E. 6th St. in Edgerton, Kansas. Officials also said Hamer was arrested on a Texas warrant for suspected solicitation of prostitution of a person younger than 18-years-old.
Following the arrest, Hamer was booked into the Johnson County Jail. Extradition proceedings are expected.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/10/kbi-task-force-arrests-edgerton-man-solicitation-minor/ | 2022-08-10T22:22:22Z |
Names New Surgical Institute and Dedicates Charitable Fund to Provide Assistance for Pet Owners in Financial Need
NEW YORK, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1910, the Stephen & Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) was founded as a part-time clinic on New York's Lower East Side for animals whose owners could not afford veterinary care. Over the past 112 years, AMC has grown from its humble beginnings to become the world's largest non-profit animal hospital, dedicated to the advancement of veterinary medicine and promotion of the human-animal bond. Today, AMC took a major step to ensure its mission continues for future generations of pet owners with the announcement of a $10 million joint gift from the Denise and Michael Kellen Foundation and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation to support the hospital's expansion and the dedication of a fund for pet owners in financial need.
In recognition of their gift, AMC will establish the Denise and Michael Kellen Institute for Surgical Care as part of its Gift of Love capital campaign to renovate and expand the hospital's Upper East Side location. The new surgical suite institute is one of the most dramatic components of the hospital's expansion, tripling the size of AMC's current surgical area with more than 7,000 square feet of new and renovated space. It will encompass five state-of-the-art operating rooms, a minor procedure room, a recovery room segregating dogs and cats, and a new Central Sterile Center. Construction is currently underway, with expected completion in 2024.
"For 35 years, our family has been enthusiastic supporters of the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center and its enduring mission of pioneering medicine, charitable care, and postgraduate education," said Michael Kellen. "We are proud to partner with AMC to develop this advanced Surgical Institute, which will not only offer the finest in veterinary surgical care but will enhance training opportunities for veterinarians at AMC and around the world."
The contribution will also name Charlie's Patient Assistance Fund, which provides free and subsidized emergency care for animals whose owners are facing financial difficulties. "No animal should suffer due to financial circumstances, and this fund epitomizes AMC's commitment to providing care to those most in need," said AMC Trustee and Kellen family member Annabelle K. Garrett, who named the fund after her dog Charlie, a recipient of AMC's lifesaving care. In 2021, AMC's philanthropic community funds supported 533 pet families with more than $4.5 million in donated care.
"The Kellen Family has had a deep and lasting impact on the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center," said Kathryn Coyne, President and Chief Executive Officer at AMC. "We are immensely grateful for their continued generosity and their unwavering commitment to our mission. Their contribution helps ensure a bright future for generations of pet families to come."
About the Stephen & Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center
The Stephen & Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) is the world's largest non-profit animal hospital, with 120+ veterinarians providing the highest quality medical care across more than 20 specialties and services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our mission to provide the best in care, research, and education has been the foundation of our work for over a century. Learn more at: www.amcny.org/giftoflove.
Media Contact: Barbara Ross, bross@rosspr.com, 201-236-1771
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SOURCE Schwarzman Animal Medical Center | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/schwarzman-animal-medical-center-announces-10-million-gift-kellen-family/ | 2022-06-15T13:52:11Z |
- Company will leverage the recently completed capital raise to unlock the next phase of growth and expansion with large, global enterprise merchants and strategic partners.
- New and existing institutional investors participated in the placement.
- Splitit's management team and board of directors also participated as a strong show of confidence in the company's direction.
- Proceeds to be used to enhance the company's ability to scale its Installments-as-a-Service platform, the first-of-its-kind, white-label installments service.
ATLANTA, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Splitit (ASX: SPT, OTCQX: SPTTY) recently announced it had completed a A$10.5 million private placement with institutional investors. The company will leverage this capital to unlock the next phase of growth and expansion with large, global enterprise merchants and strategic partners.
The capital raising brought in several new large institutional investors along with current institutional investors participating. The raise also included participation from Splitit's management team and board of directors, adding A$712,500 as a strong show of confidence in the company's direction.
"We are very pleased with the market's response to our strategy, as we break away from the crowded BNPL space with our Installments-as-a-Service platform," said Splitit CEO Nandan Sheth. "This new investment enables us to scale our service into new underserved verticals such as education, business services and digital-native retailers. Our new model not only simplifies checkout for the consumer but also provides a consistent and simplified merchant-branded experience for our merchant partners."
The new capital allows Splitit to accelerate its product roadmap so platform partners can embed our service directly into their technology stack while supporting a next-generation one-click installment checkout, further simplifying the shopper experience.
Launched in May 2022, Splitit's white-label Installments-as-a-Service platform eliminates unnecessary consumer friction and improves lackluster conversion numbers inherent with legacy buy now, pay later options. Splitit's merchant-branded experience embeds into the merchant's checkout flow to allow merchants to focus on delivering a more cohesive shopping experience.
Splitit's flexible platform helps merchants deliver a faster and simpler payment experience that generates incremental sales, AOV, and brand satisfaction. A single global API makes Splitit's Installment-as-a-Service the easiest pay-later option to adopt, integrate and operate while delivering an uncluttered, simplified experience.
To learn more about Splitit's Installments-as-a-Service platform, visit: www.splitit.com
Splitit powers the next generation of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) through its merchant-branded Installments-as-a-Service platform. Splitit is solving the challenges businesses face with legacy BNPL while unlocking BNPL at the point of sale for card networks, issuers and acquirers all through a single network API. Splitit's Installments-as-a-Service platform mitigates issues with legacy BNPL like the declining conversion funnel, clutter at the checkout and a lack of control of the merchant's customer experience while putting the power back in the hands of merchants to nurture and retain customers, drive conversion and increase average order value. Splitit's white-label BNPL is the easiest installment option for merchants to adopt, integrate and operate while delivering an uncluttered, simplified experience embedded into their existing purchase flow. Headquartered in Atlanta, Splitit has an R&D center in Israel and offices in London and Australia. Splitit is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under ticker code SPT and also trades on the US OTCQX under ticker SPTTY (ADRs) and STTTF (ordinary shares).
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
Contact Information
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SOURCE Splitit USA, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/splitit-completed-105-million-capital-raise-unlock-next-phase-white-label-installment-as-a-service-growth-plan/ | 2022-09-12T13:43:45Z |
New Initiative to Break Down Barriers to Sport Participation and Financial Literacy in Underserved Communities
CHICAGO, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TeamSnap, the leading provider of team management software and online community for everything youth sports, today announced its partnership with Goalsetter, an award-winning and groundbreaking fintech platform dedicated to providing families and K-12 youth with access to banking, savings, investing, and financial education tools.
This strategic alliance between TeamSnap and Goalsetter will help drive the TeamSnap Impact mission, making it possible for youth in underserved communities to have equal access to quality sports programs, so all kids can reap the benefits that sports participation and physical activity bring. To maximize the power of this partnership, TeamSnap and Goalsetter will jointly use the revenue generated from family sign-ups toward TeamSnap Impact efforts, supporting community partners nationwide.
TeamSnap Impact and Goalsetter are committed to working together to help youth teams and sports programs build stronger communities and brighter futures through an increased participation in sports and focus on both physical and financial well-being. To download the Goalsetter app and support TeamSnap Impact efforts, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and use referral code: TEAMSNAP.
"Our mission with TeamSnap Impact is to increase access to quality sports programs, which we know is strongly tied to improved goal-setting among youth. Together with Goalsetter, we're committed to driving the connection between improved goal-setting from youth sports participation and setting goals for financial success. I'm confident that together we'll be able to positively impact the trajectory of the next generation. That's how we all win," said Greg Ludke, VP of Corporate Strategy & Development for TeamSnap.
To make the most impact in leveling the playing field, TeamSnap Impact has centered its initiatives around policy formulation, direct funding and technology grants. They are focused on improving access to quality sports programs—regardless of race, gender, religion or socio-economic status—so all young athletes can experience sport at all stages of life. TeamSnap and Goalsetter are aligned on addressing the number of challenges facing today's youth, especially in underserved communities.
"The work we are doing with TeamSnap is a critical part of achieving our mission at Goalsetter because we understand that to effectively address disparities and change the economic trajectory of our communities requires taking a holistic approach that ensures their physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being," said Tanya Van Court, founder and CEO of Goalsetter. "Together, TeamSnap and Goalsetter are working to help our youth establish the healthy behaviors we know will serve them and their own children for generations to come by putting them on the path to wellness, both physically and financially."
Led by studies which indicate that kids who have a savings account are six times more likely to go to college and four times more likely to own stocks by the age of 25, Goalsetter empowers K-12 students and their families by helping them build confidence in their financial decisions. Its financial education offering uses relatable GIFs, memes, quizzes and gamification to teach kids and teens the language of money.
In addition to offering effective and engaging financial education, Goalsetter is the only platform to also provide access to savings accounts, debit cards and investment accounts with groundbreaking and industry-leading features. For example, "Learn to Earn" lets kids earn money for every financial quiz question they get right, and "Learn Before You Burn" lets parents automatically freeze their child's debit cards if they haven't taken their financial literacy quizzes for the week. Additionally, the Goalsetter Invest feature teaches kids how to invest on a dollar equivalent basis while learning the terminology of the stock market.
"Waud Capital Partners is excited about the TeamSnap and Goalsetter partnership and its potential to change the lives of youth in underrepresented communities. At WCP, we strongly believe in educating young, underrepresented populations on financial literacy and responsibility, and we are thrilled that our portfolio is making an impact in this space as well, hopefully improving the lives of families for generations to come," said Justin DuPere, partner at Waud Capital Partners, private equity partner of TeamSnap.
Participation in youth sports aids children in the development and improvement of cognitive skills, according to a study that tracked kids from kindergarten through fourth grade (Piche, 2014). Additionally, physical activity in general is associated with improved academic achievement, and can have a positive impact on attitudes and academic behavior, including improved concentration, attention, and improved classroom behavior (GAO, 2012). Other positive effects include increased mental health, decreased risk of obesity and improvements in goal setting skills.
To learn more about the partnership between TeamSnap and Goalsetter, check out www.teamsnap.com/goalsetter.
Goalsetter is a mobile banking, debit card, and investing app that focuses on educating the next generation with fun financial quizzes based on pop culture, putting them on the path to financial freedom. Goalsetter works with both teens wanting financial independence, parents wanting to start saving with their kids, and adults who want to jump-start their financial literacy.
TeamSnap recently launched TeamSnap Impact, a program dedicated to tackling the major problems facing youth sports, including affordability, gender equality, access to quality coaching and more. TeamSnap is dedicated to enacting positive change in youth sports through the pillars of policy, technology grants, and direct funding. For more information, visit the TeamSnap Impact website, and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Media Contact for Goalsetter:
Sonia V. Diaz
Goalsetter
305.457.8404
sonia.diaz@goalsetter.co
Media Contact for TeamSnap:
Alex Shafer
JConnelly
973.934.5100
teamsnap@jconnelly.com
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SOURCE TeamSnap | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/teamsnap-scores-partnership-with-goalsetter/ | 2022-08-11T12:57:16Z |
Waterlase Dental Laser Adoption Expected to Grow Among Dental Residency Programs
LAKE FOREST, Calif., Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOLASE, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOL), the global leader in dental lasers, today announced a strategic plan to partner with postgraduate dental specialty programs throughout North America, to expose new dentists to the benefits of Waterlase technology.
In the U.S., there are approximately 700 postgraduate residency programs. The programs range from one to four years and are general dentistry and specialty programs.
"If you are familiar with the technology adoption life cycle, we are in the early adopter's phase," stated John Casciano, Sales Director of Special Markets for BIOLASE. "We believe investing in postgraduate programs will accelerate the adoption curve and be mutually beneficial. The residents will learn the benefits of all tissue laser technology in dentistry while providing the latest in patient care."
"During the second quarter of 2022, we integrated our Waterlase lasers into several postgraduate programs and plan to continue this growth and integration over the next few years. There is a large appetite among dental residents to utilize state-of-the-art technology in treating patients. This is the first generation of dentists raised with new technologies as a normal part of their everyday lives," said Casciano.
Dr. Sam Low, Professor Emeritus from the University of Florida, agrees. He added, "The introduction and reinforcement of technology during postgraduate training is key to adoption of laser dentistry with the new generation of dentists. Technology was a valued part of dentistry when I began practicing, but technology is mandatory for today's modern dental practitioner."
The Waterlase dental laser offers an array of benefits for dentists and their patients—from faster procedures to less invasive treatment options. Educating postgraduate residents about the benefits of dental lasers is part of BIOLASE's continued effort to help improve patient experiences and outcomes, and raise significant awareness as to the advantages of laser dentistry.
BIOLASE is a medical device company that develops, manufactures, markets, and sells laser systems in dentistry and medicine. BIOLASE's products advance the practice of dentistry and medicine for patients and healthcare professionals. BIOLASE's proprietary laser products incorporate approximately 302 patented and 31 patent-pending technologies designed to provide biologically and clinically superior performance with less pain and faster recovery times. BIOLASE's innovative products provide cutting-edge technology at competitive prices to deliver superior results for dentists and patients. BIOLASE's principal products are dental laser systems that perform a broad range of dental procedures, including cosmetic and complex surgical applications. From 1998 through December 31, 2021, BIOLASE has sold over 43,300 laser systems in over 80 countries around the world. Laser products under development address BIOLASE's core dental market and other adjacent medical and consumer applications.
For updates and information on Waterlase iPlus®, Waterlase Express™, and laser dentistry, find BIOLASE online at www.biolase.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/biolase, Twitter at www.twitter.com/biolaseinc, Instagram at www.instagram.com/waterlase_laserdentistry, and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/biolase.
BIOLASE®, Waterlase® and Waterlase iPlus® are registered trademarks of BIOLASE, Inc.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve significant risks and uncertainties, including statements, regarding BIOLASE's expected revenue and revenue growth and beliefs regarding its financial resources. Forward-looking statements can be identified through the use of words such as "may," "might," "will," "intend," "should," "could," "can," "would," "continue," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "predict," "outlook," "potential," "plan," "seek," and similar expressions and variations or the negatives of these terms or other comparable terminology. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect BIOLASE's current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from BIOLASE's current expectations depending upon a number of factors. These factors include, among others, the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the effects of the outbreak and actions taken in connection therewith, adverse changes in general economic and market conditions, competitive factors including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions, uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and market changes, risks associated with managing the growth of the business, and those other risks and uncertainties that are described in the "Risk Factors" section of BIOLASE's most recent annual report filed on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, BIOLASE does not undertake any responsibility to revise or update any forward-looking statements.
For further information, please contact:
EVC Group LLC
Michael Polyviou / Todd Kehrli
(732) 933-2754
mpolyviou@evcgroup.com / tkehrli@evcgroup.com
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SOURCE BIOLASE, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/biolase-announces-development-strategic-plan-partner-with-postgraduate-dental-specialty-programs-across-us/ | 2022-08-31T11:51:46Z |
CHICAGO, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Combined Insurance, a Chubb company and a leading North American provider of supplemental insurance sold both directly to individuals and at the worksite, announced today that Joel Schwartz has been named President of Combined Canada, effective immediately. Mr. Schwartz will oversee the organization's business operations, management, and growth strategies, and report to Combined Insurance President Richard L. Williams, Jr.
Mr. Schwartz joins the company after serving as President of CNO company Colonial Penn Life Insurance, a Top Five direct-to-consumer life insurer. As a member of CNO's Executive Leadership Group, he increased sales, revenue, and earnings, and fostered innovative digital strategies and investments. Prior to his appointment as President, Mr. Schwartz served as Colonial Penn's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer.
"Joel is the right person to be at the helm of Combined Canada during a time of tremendous market opportunity," said Williams. "His deep experience in supplemental health and life insurance and proven ability to deliver results will be a considerable asset to our business. I'm excited for Joel to bring his leadership, drive and innovative thinking to Combined Canada and to lead the organization into a new stage of accelerated growth."
Prior to joining Colonial Penn, Mr. Schwartz held a series of leadership positions, including as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at Lincoln Financial Distributors. He is a graduate of Villanova University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity to join an organization with a rich and enduring legacy, an exceptional executive team, and a strong outlook for growth," said Mr. Schwartz. "It is a privilege to join this talented team, and I look forward to helping the Combined Canada team grow our business across all ten Canadian provinces while continuing to serve individuals and families who look to Combined during times of need today."
Combined Insurance currently is celebrating its 100th anniversary, having been founded in 1922. The company began doing business in Canada nearly seven decades ago, in 1956. For more on Combined Canada, click here. For more on Combined Insurance's centennial, including its history, values, and future plans, please visit a special 100th anniversary page.
About Combined Insurance
Combined Insurance Company of America is a Chubb company and a leading provider of supplemental accident, health, disability, and life insurance products in the U.S.* and Canada. Headquartered in Chicago with a tradition of 100 years of success, we are committed to making the world of supplemental insurance easy to understand. The company has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and an A + (Superior) financial strength rating by A.M. Best. We are ranked by VIQTORY as the number one Military Friendly® Employer in 2022 (over $1 billion revenue category), marking Combined's eleventh consecutive year on the Top 10 list. For more information, please visit www.combinedinsurance.com.
* In New York, products are underwritten by Combined Life Insurance Company of New York (Latham, NY).
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SOURCE Combined Insurance, a Chubb company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/combined-insurance-names-joel-schwartz-president-combined-canada/ | 2022-06-13T12:26:03Z |
- Second Quarter Total Revenue Growth of 21 Percent
- Reported Earnings Per Share of $1.17
- Increased Adjusted Earnings Per Share 21 Percent Over the Prior Year to $1.32
- Generated Cash Flow from Operations of $1,563 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $1,152 million for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
- Raised 2022 Full-Year Financial Guidance
- Increased Quarterly Dividend by Approximately 8 Percent
PHOENIX, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) today reported net income of $371.9 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2022, versus $331.1 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, for the comparable 2021 period. Excluding certain benefits and expenses, on an adjusted basis, net income for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $418.4 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, versus $349.9 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the comparable 2021 period.
"We are very pleased with our second quarter results, which demonstrate our ability to dynamically adjust price to offset higher levels of cost inflation and drive margin expansion in the underlying business," said Jon Vander Ark, president and chief executive officer. "As a result of our strong performance and outlook for the balance of the year, we are raising our full-year financial guidance."
Second-Quarter 2022 Highlights:
- Total revenue growth of 21.4 percent includes 11.1 percent of organic growth and 10.3 percent of growth from acquisitions. Revenue growth from acquisitions includes US Ecology, which closed on May 2, 2022.
- Second quarter revenue growth from average yield was 5.0 percent and volume increased revenue by 2.4 percent.
- Second quarter core price increased revenue by 6.2 percent. Core price consisted of 7.8 percent in the open market and 3.5 percent in the restricted portion of the business.
- Second quarter EPS was $1.17 per share, and adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP measure, was $1.32 per share. Adjusted EPS increased 21.1 percent over the prior year.
- Year-to-date cash provided by operating activities was $1,563.5 million. Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, was $1,152.0 million, an increase of 14.1 percent versus the prior year.
- Republic's second quarter net income was $371.9 million, or 10.9 percent of revenue.
- Second quarter adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $1.0 billion and adjusted EBITDA margin was 29.6 percent of revenue.
- Year-to-date cash invested in acquisitions was $2.5 billion, $2.2 billion of which related to the acquisition of US Ecology.
- Year-to-date cash returned to shareholders was $494.7 million, which included $203.5 million of share repurchases and $291.2 million of dividends paid.
- The Company's average recycled commodity price per ton sold during the second quarter was $218. This represents an increase from the first quarter of 2022 of $17 per ton and an increase of $48 per ton over the prior year.
- The Company was named to 3BL Media's 100 Best Corporate Citizens list for the third consecutive year. The ranking recognizes Republic's ESG leadership in climate change, environment and governance.
Raised Full-Year 2022 Financial Guidance
Republic raised its full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance to $4.77 to $4.80 and its full-year adjusted free cash flow guidance to $1,700 million to $1,725 million.
Please refer to the Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements section of this document.
Company Increases Quarterly Dividend
Republic continues to increase cash returns to shareholders and previously announced that its Board of Directors approved a 3.5-cent increase in the quarterly dividend. The quarterly dividend of $0.495 per share for shareholders of record on October 3, 2022 will be paid on October 14, 2022.
Presentation of Certain Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted net income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA by business type, adjusted EBITDA margin by business type and adjusted free cash flow are described in the Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Measures section of this document.
About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste, container rental and field services. Republic's industry-leading commitments to advance circularity, reduce emissions and decarbonize operations are helping deliver on its vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, please visit RepublicServices.com.
You should read the following information in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021. All amounts below are in millions and as a percentage of our revenue, except per share data.
REVENUE
The following table reflects our total revenue by line of business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:
The following table reflects changes in components of our revenue, as a percentage of total revenue, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:
Average yield is defined as revenue growth from the change in average price per unit of service, expressed as a percentage. Core price is defined as price increases to our customers and fees, excluding fuel recovery fees, net of price decreases to retain customers. We also measure changes in average yield and core price as a percentage of related-business revenue, defined as total revenue excluding recycled commodities, fuel recovery fees and environmental solutions revenue, to determine the effectiveness of our pricing strategies. Average yield as a percentage of related-business revenue was 5.4% and 5.0% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, and 2.8% and 2.6% for the same respective periods in 2021. Core price as a percentage of related-business revenue was 6.7% and 6.6% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, and 5.5% and 5.1% for the same respective periods in 2021.
The following table reflects changes in average yield and volume, as a percentage of total revenue by line of business, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:
COST OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes the major components of our cost of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of revenue):
These cost categories may change from time to time and may not be comparable to similarly titled categories used by other companies. As such, you should take care when comparing our cost of operations by cost component to that of other companies and of ours for prior periods.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
The following table summarizes our selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of revenue):
These cost categories may change from time to time and may not be comparable to similarly titled categories used by other companies. As such, you should take care when comparing our selling, general and administrative expenses by cost component to those of other companies and of ours for prior periods.
RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN NON-GAAP MEASURES
The following tables calculate EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA by business type, adjusted EBITDA margin by business type, adjusted pre-tax income, adjusted tax impact, adjusted net income - Republic, adjusted diluted earnings per share, and adjusted free cash flow, which are not measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. Our definitions of EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA by business type, adjusted EBITDA margin by business type, adjusted pre-tax income, adjusted tax impact, adjusted net income - Republic, adjusted diluted earnings per share, and adjusted free cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
The following table calculates EBITDA and EBITDA margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of revenue):
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
The following table calculates adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of revenue):
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin by Business Type
The following table summarizes revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin by business type for the three months ended June 30, 2022 (in millions of dollars and adjusted EBITDA margin as a percentage of revenue):
The following table calculates adjusted EBITDA by business type for the three months ended June 30, 2022 (in millions of dollars):
Adjusted Earnings Per Share
The following table calculates adjusted pre-tax income, adjusted tax impact, adjusted net income - Republic, and adjusted diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021
We believe that presenting EBITDA and EBITDA margin is useful to investors because they provide important information concerning our operating performance exclusive of certain non-cash and other costs. EBITDA and EBITDA margin demonstrate our ability to execute our financial strategy, which includes reinvesting in existing capital assets to ensure a high level of customer service, investing in capital assets to facilitate growth in our customer base and services provided, maintaining our investment grade credit ratings and minimizing debt, paying cash dividends, repurchasing our common stock, and maintaining and improving our market position through business optimization. Although depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion are considered operating costs in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they represent the allocation of non-cash costs generally associated with long-lived assets acquired or constructed in prior years.
We believe that presenting adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted pre-tax income, adjusted tax impact, adjusted net income - Republic, and adjusted diluted earnings per share provide an understanding of operational activities before the financial impact of certain items. We use these measures, and believe investors will find them helpful, in understanding the ongoing performance of our operations separate from items that have a disproportionate impact on our results for a particular period. We have incurred comparable charges, costs and recoveries in prior periods, and similar types of adjustments can reasonably be expected to be recorded in future periods.
Loss from unconsolidated equity method investments. The loss from unconsolidated equity method investments primarily relates to non-controlling equity interests in certain limited liability companies that qualified for investment tax credits under Section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code. We believe that adjusting EBITDA for our loss from unconsolidated equity method investments is useful to our investors as the relevant income tax benefit, primarily investment tax credits, is not included in the calculation of EBITDA.
Restructuring charges. In 2022 and 2021, we incurred costs related to the redesign of certain back-office software systems.
(Gain) loss on business divestitures and impairments, net. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 we recorded a net loss on business divestitures and impairments of $0.9 million and a net gain of $(0.2) million, respectively.
Withdrawal costs - multiemployer pension funds. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded $2.2 million of withdrawal costs from a multiemployer pension plan.
US Ecology, Inc. acquisition integration and deal costs. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $51.9 million and $56.6 million, respectively, of acquisition integration and deal costs in connection with the acquisition of US Ecology, which included certain costs to close the acquisition and integrate the business, including stock compensation expense for unvested equity awards at closing as well as severance and change-in-control payments. The acquisition closed on May 2, 2022.
Accelerated vesting of compensation expense for CEO transition. In June 2021, Donald W. Slager retired as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Republic Services, Inc. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recognized a charge of $15.4 million related to the accelerated vesting of his compensation awards that were previously scheduled to vest in 2022 and beyond.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
The following table calculates our adjusted free cash flow, which is not a measure determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:
We believe that presenting adjusted free cash flow provides useful information regarding our recurring cash provided by operating activities after certain expenditures or recoveries. It also demonstrates our ability to execute our financial strategy and is a key metric we use to determine compensation. The presentation of adjusted free cash flow has material limitations. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent our cash flow available for discretionary payments because it excludes certain payments that are required or to which we have committed, such as debt service requirements and dividend payments.
Purchases of property and equipment as reflected on our consolidated statements of cash flows represent amounts paid during the period for such expenditures. A reconciliation of property and equipment expenditures reflected on our consolidated statements of cash flows to property and equipment received during the period follows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:
The adjustments noted above do not affect our net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents as reflected in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, accounts receivable were $1,654.7 million and $1,271.4 million, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $50.6 million and $38.5 million, respectively, resulting in days sales outstanding of 37.8, or 27.1 days net of deferred revenue, compared to 39.2, or 27.5 days net of deferred revenue, respectively.
CASH DIVIDENDS
In April 2022, we paid a cash dividend of $145.3 million to shareholders of record as of April 1, 2022. As of June 30, 2022, we recorded a quarterly dividend payable of $145.3 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 1, 2022, which was paid on July 15, 2022.
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we did not repurchase any shares of our stock. As of June 30, 2022, the remaining authorized purchase capacity under our October 2020 repurchase program was $1.5 billion.
2022 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share
The following is a summary of anticipated adjusted diluted earnings per share for the year ending December 31, 2022, which is not a measure determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP:
We believe that presenting adjusted diluted earnings per share provides an understanding of operational activities before the financial impact of certain items. We use this measure, and believe investors will find it helpful, in understanding the ongoing performance of our operations separate from items that have a disproportionate impact on our results for a particular period. We have incurred comparable charges, costs and recoveries in prior periods, and similar types of adjustments can reasonably be expected to be recorded in future periods. Our definition of adjusted diluted earnings per share may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
Our anticipated adjusted free cash flow for the year ending December 31, 2022, which is not a measure determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, is calculated as follows:
We believe that presenting adjusted free cash flow provides useful information regarding our recurring cash provided by operating activities after certain expenditures or recoveries. It also demonstrates our ability to execute our financial strategy and is a key metric we use to determine compensation. The presentation of adjusted free cash flow has material limitations. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent our cash flow available for discretionary payments because it excludes certain payments that are required or to which we have committed, such as debt service requirements and dividend payments. Our definition of adjusted free cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
Our financial guidance is based on current economic conditions.
INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain forward-looking information about us that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Words such as "guidance," "expect," "will," "may," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "project," "intend," "should," "can," "likely," "could," "outlook" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include information about our plans, strategies and prospects. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that the expectations will prove to be correct. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements are our ability to effectively integrate and manage companies we acquire, including US Ecology, and to realize the anticipated benefits of any such acquisitions, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken in response thereto, acts of war, riots or terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the United States as well as our dependence on large, long-term collection, transfer and disposal contracts. More information on factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated is included from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, particularly under Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, particularly under Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors. Additionally, new risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, or to assess the impact such risk factors might have on our business. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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SOURCE Republic Services, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/republic-services-inc-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-04T21:14:20Z |
78% haven't been tapped to collaborate for branded live shopping opportunities, an overwhelming number of them —86%—said they are ready and willing to partner in this space.
NEW YORK, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MRM, the leading digital-first marketing agency and Mavrck, the leading all-in-one advanced influencer marketing platform, today released a joint study, "Ask the Creators: Insights on Live Shopping." The study surveyed Mavrck's vast network of influencers to learn more about content creators' perspectives on shoppable live streams.
While not entirely new, social commerce has accelerated in the past couple of years as social platforms have bridged gaps between commerce and content. Live shopping is an organic next step for how consumers are already making their purchases. It combines the ease of online shopping with the in-store experience to create shoppable entertainment at consumers' fingertips. While it will take some time for U.S. shopping to fully advance to where live shopping is in Asia, there are countless opportunities for brands to start experimenting while it's relatively young.
Commenting on the study, MRM Commerce's Head of Social Commerce & Partnerships, Taylor Siegel said "We've been entrenched in the social commerce space for some time now and are excited to see the early signs of it gaining momentum more broadly. We've found an incredible partner in Mavrck through their leadership in influencer marketing platforms and their direct access to a vast network of content creators. There are endless opportunities for brands to leverage within the live shopping space and the time is now to get in early."
Instagram was the go-to social platform that creators said they were utilizing for live shopping experiences, and TikTok was an emerging second, particularly from creators in the 18-34 age cohort. "We see that many creators, especially those who have built their audiences originally on Instagram, are experimenting with Instagram's live shopping capabilities to start," said Sean Naegeli, Chief Creator Officer and Co-Founder of Mavrck. "TikTok is quickly catching up with their livestreaming shopping functionality and we predict this will be a huge opportunity for creators to monetize and for brands to expand their revenue from social commerce. Brands should start their live shopping planning now."
The survey of both full-time and part-time creators revealed a series of insights across social platforms, creator demand, personal shopping habits, and content to highlight key areas where brands can start to fill in gaps.
Influencers Are Eager to Partner with Brands for Live Shopping Content
- 78% of respondents admit they haven't yet been tapped to collaborate for branded live shopping opportunities
- 86% of respondents said they are ready and willing to partner to create branded live shopping content
- 68% of respondents said they had participated in general live streamed brand partnerships that did not include shoppable features
Influencers Share Their Personal Shopping Habits
- 79% of respondents admitted they had never made a live shopping purchase themselves if they were to make a purchase
- 86% of respondents agreed items less than $100 would be a fair price point for live shopping purchases
- When asked what types of items would prompt live shopping purchases, 45% of respondents said they're more likely to purchase fashion apparel from a shoppable livestream; 23% said they'd most likely buy skincare or cosmetics items; and 15% said they'd purchase home decor
The Best Platforms for Live Shopping Experiences
- Out of the content creators who had participated in live shopping, over 65% identified Instagram as their preferred platform for go-live capabilities
- TikTok was the second-preferred platform at 16%, followed by Facebook (8%), Amazon Live (6%), Twitch (3%), and YouTube's beta live shopping (2%)
- Responses aligned with demographic preferences by platform – 81% of respondents who preferred TikTok for live shopping fell into the 18-34 age range, and 55% of respondents who preferred Facebook to go live were between 35-44 years old
The Best Content for Live Shopping Experiences
- 59% of respondents said "how-tos" and tutorials were the most compelling content for live shopping
- Styling livestreams were also notably popular at 20%, followed by "shop with me" livestreams at 14%
- Results of this survey point to a profoundly human experience: for most, showing rather than telling a story is the preferred way to experience a new product or service
Brands operating in the U.S. should begin including live shopping experiments in their overall social strategies while the opportunity is still emerging. Overall, the study has revealed that there's much to learn from content creators when it comes to future success in live shopping as the marketing industry continues to explore the full range of insights and data available within social commerce.
Learn more about the study and receive the full report at https://try.mavrck.co/live-shopping-report/.
About MRM Commerce
MRM Commerce, part of McCann Worldgroup, is an award-winning global commerce consulting practice reaching across all markets and industries to offer innovative products and services. With 15+ years in commerce and a dedicated team of "T-shaped" experts, we provide a full suite of strategy, technology, design, media, and content capabilities.
We take a behavioral science approach to how people engage, shop, and buy. But also, how they feel. And with that, we lean hard into the kind of inclusive commerce that drives sustainable growth, allowing us to develop creative, data-driven, technologically robust experiences — the kind of experiences that balance long-term commercial success with measurable social and environmental impact. All of which allows our clients to build those special, one-of-a-kind, long-term relationships with their consumers. And that drives commerce.
We are recognized by Forrester and Gartner as digital leaders for our commitment to innovation and client service. We have also been awarded "Most Effective Network of the Year" three years running by Effie, among others, among others. Learn more by visiting https://www.mrm.com/en/commerce.html
MRM sits within McCann Worldgroup and is a proud subsidiary of Interpublic Group (IPG), one of the world's premier global advertising and marketing services companies. Through IPG, we can draw on the talent, tools, and capabilities of partner firms to deliver holistic business solutions for our clients.
About Mavrck
Mavrck is the all-in-one, advanced influencer marketing platform enabling companies such as P&G, Express, and General Mills to harness the power of social proof that consumers trust today. Marketers use Mavrck to discover and collaborate with influencers, advocates, referrers, and loyalists to create trusted content and insights for customer journey touchpoints at scale. Using its self-service influencer manager, Mavrck allows marketers to take an automated and performance-based approach to influencer marketing.
Founded in 2014, Mavrck's platform has been recognized for its superior offering by the Shorty Awards and Retail TouchPoints' Retail Innovator Awards, honored as "Best Influencer Marketing Platform" by Digiday, is the #1 influencer marketing platform for the enterprise on software review site G2, and was named to the 2019 and 2020 Inc. 5000. Mavrck was also named a "Leader" among the top influencer marketing platforms in Forrester's evaluation, The Forrester New Wave™: Influencer Marketing Solutions, Q2 2020.
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SOURCE MRM | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/new-report-mrm-commerce-mavrck-finds-content-creators-are-ready-work-with-brands-rapidly-growing-live-shopping-space/ | 2022-06-08T14:43:07Z |
Congress faces limitations on abortion as test vote expected to fail
WASHINGTON (AP) — After fighting for decades over abortion policy, Congress is about to run into the stark political limits of its ability to save — or end — the Roe v. Wade protections.
President Joe Biden has called on Democrats to enshrine the nearly 50-year-old Supreme Court ruling into law after the disclosure of a draft opinion that would overturn the landmark decision that declared a constitutional right to abortion services.
But passing bills is easier said than done in the narrowly split Congress — reflective of a deeply divided nation.
A test vote Wednesday in the Senate on a Democratic bill to protect access to abortions is expected to fail, blocked by a Republican-led filibuster.
At the same time, Republicans led by Sen. Mitch McConnell face similar political problems trying to ban abortions nationwide, even if they wrest control of the chamber in next fall’s midterm elections.
Instead, whatever the Supreme Court decides on Roe v. Wade in its final opinion this summer almost guarantees a new era of political fighting in Congress over abortion policy, filibuster rules and the most basic rights to health care, privacy and protecting the unborn.
“All of us will have to answer for this vote for the rest of our time in public office,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ahead of Wednesday’s action.
In recent years, abortion access debates in many ways have come to a standstill in Congress, a political draw, as lawmakers faced the limits of trying to move public policy beyond the historic Roe v. Wade court decision. Bills would routinely come up for votes — to expand or limit abortion services — only to fall along typically party line votes or be stripped out of broader legislative packages.
But the Supreme Court’s conservative 6-3 majority, solidified during the Trump era, has ignited an urgent shift to the forefront in Congress.
McConnell stunned Washington when he said “it’s possible” to see a national abortion ban.
The Republican leader has been a key architect of the Supreme Court’s solid conservative majority, engineering rapid-fire confirmation of three of Donald Trump’s nominees in just four years and changing Senate filibuster rules to push past Democratic objections.
In an interview with USA Today, McConnell recently said, “If the leaked opinion became the final opinion, legislative bodies — not only at the state level but at the federal level — certainly could legislate in that area.”
But on Tuesday McConnell acknowledged that if Republicans become the majority in the Senate they still are unlikely to have enough votes to ban abortion outright.
“The widespread sentiment in my conference is this issue will be dealt with at the state level,” McConnell said. He said Republicans won’t have the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
Likewise, Democrat Brian Schatz of Hawaii said for the other side, “I think we have to be explicit and tell the truth, which is, we don’t currently have the votes.” Still, he said hopefully that if voters elect more senators who favor abortion rights, “we will put this into federal law.”
Both parties face enormous pressure to convince voters they are doing all they can — the Democrats working to preserve abortion access and the Republicans to end it — as they race toward fall when control of Congress is at stake in the elections.
The congressional campaign committees are fundraising off the abortion issue, and working furiously to energize voters who are already primed to engage when such a long-running and important issue for millions of Americans is at stake.
The two Republican senators who support abortion access — Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who faces her own reelection in November, and Susan Collins of Maine — have proposed a separate bill that would counter the Supreme Court’s action.
But both senators, who voted to confirm most of Trump’s justices, are expected to stick with the Republican Party this week and block the Democratic bill as too broad.
At the same time, Democrats have largely panned the Collins-Murkowski effort as insufficient, leaving no hopes, for now, of any compromise.
And rank-and-file Republicans distanced themselves from McConnell’s initial remarks, saying an all-out national ban on abortions is not something they can deliver.
“The reality is is that you would never get that done here,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
Democrats are unconvinced that Republicans, who have fought for years to deny abortion services, would give that fight up now and let the states decide.
Democrats believe Republicans are “running scared,” Schumer said, afraid of what they have unleashed, with polls showing most Americans want to preserve some access to abortion.
It was McConnell who blocked Barack Obama’s choice of Merrick Garland to fill a Supreme Court vacancy at the start of the 2016 presidential campaign, leaving the seat open for Trump to fill after he won the White House.
And even though McConnell insisted Tuesday there is “zero” interest among Republicans to change Senate filibuster rules to make it easier to pass an abortion ban, it was the GOP leader who orchestrated the Senate rules change to allow 51-vote threshold to confirm Supreme Court nominees.
“Republicans have worked day in and day out for decades on end to overturn Roe v. Wade,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
More likely is that both parties will try to chip away at the issue — Republicans tightening access to abortion at the national level, while Democrats work to shore up the availability of medicinal abortions and other related services.
“There are multiple fronts we can move on,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
In the House, where Democrats have the majority, lawmakers approved the Women’s Health Protection Act last year on a largely party-line vote once the Supreme Court first signaled it was considering the issue by allowing a Texas law’s ban on abortions to take effect.
But the bill has languished in the Senate, evenly split 50-50 with Democratic control because of Vice President Kamala Harris’ ability to cast a tie-braking vote. Unable to mount the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster, a test vote failed in February, with one Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, joining Republicans to block the bill’s consideration.
A similar outcome is expected Wednesday when the Senate tries again to pass the legislation, which would put the guaranteed right to abortion into law.
It’s the first of what Schumer promises will be repeated efforts to show voters where the parties stand.
“This is no longer just a abstract exercise: Now we know women’s rights are at stake,” Schumer said. “So this vote is the first step. We are going to keep fighting.”
—-
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/11/congress-faces-limitations-abortion-test-vote-expected-fail/ | 2022-05-11T12:26:53Z |
BIG BEAR ENERGY RENTALS LTD. and BARRICADE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
CALGARY, AB, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - On January 21, 2022, the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (the "Court") granted an order (the "Interim Receivership Order") pursuant to section 47(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act ("BIA"), RSC 1985, c B-3, s.13(2) of the Judicature Act ("JA"), RSA 2000, c J-2, and s.242(3) of the Business Corporations Act, RSA 2000, c B-9 ("ABCA"), whereby Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc., was appointed interim receiver (the "Interim Receiver") of Big Bear Energy Rentals Ltd. ("Big Bear"), Barricade Environmental Ltd. ("Barricade") and other related entities (collectively, the "Company"). On February 4, 2022, the Court granted an Enhanced Interim Receivership and Receivership order (the "Enhanced Powers Order") and effective February 9, 2022, appointed the Interim Receiver as receiver (the "Receiver") of the Company pursuant to sections 243(1) of the BIA, 13(2) of the JA, 99(a) of the ABCA and 65(7) of the Personal Property Security Act, RSA 2000, c P-7.
Big Bear and Barricade are businesses with assets used to provide fluid management, emergency response, H2S and flow back treatment services to the oil & gas and civil engineering industries. Big Bear's assets are located in one secured facility at Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada, while Barricade's assets are located and secured in (i) Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S.A.; and (ii) Williston, North Dakota, U.S.A.
On May 4, 2022, the Court granted a sales process order ("SP Order") allowing the Receiver to solicit bids from qualified interested parties on Big Bear and Barricade's inventory and equipment, which include but are not limited to: (i) Trucks; (ii) Trailers; (iii) Light & Heavy Equipment; and (iv) Fluid Management Equipment (the "Assets"). The Receiver is conducting this court-approved sales process (the "Sale Process") in accordance with the procedures included in the SP Order posted on the Receiver's website: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/bigbear.
Interested parties who wish to pursue a potential acquisition of the Assets are required to execute a Confidentiality Agreement to receive access to the Big Bear and/or Barricade's Asset listing and inspect the Assets. Please contact a representative of the Receiver listed below for further information.
Qualified Bidders may schedule appointments with the Receiver to inspect the Assets between May 6 and 26, 2022, in Canada and/or the United States.
All bids are due and must be submitted to the Receiver by no later than 12:00pm MT on May 27, 2022 (Bid Deadline).
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SOURCE Alvarez & Marsal Canada ULC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/receivership-asset-sales-process/ | 2022-05-18T20:20:26Z |
HOUSTON, July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Calvetti Ferguson, a Houston-based Top 200 CPA firm, has promoted Anneka Sciola to Advisory Partner at Calvetti Ferguson, effective July 1, 2022.
"Over the years, I have watched Anneka grow into a very talented and experienced M&A professional, but more importantly I have had the privilege to see her become a wife and mother to two young children. Anneka's constant dedication to her family as well as her dedication to Calvetti Ferguson building the advisory practice makes me so proud to welcome her as my partner," said Chin Yu, Advisory Partner in Charge.
From the beginning of her career, Anneka knew she wanted to advise clients beyond accounting to help them improve their companies. She started her advisory career at a Big 4 public accounting firm before joining Calvetti Ferguson in Houston where she leads the firm's valuation and transaction services practice.
Many of her clients are middle-market companies, independent sponsors, and private equity firms. She specializes in valuations, sell-side representation and transaction services, quality of earnings, financial expert witness consulting and testimony, and bankruptcy and restructuring.
In 2021, she received the ACG Middle Market Growth Young Professional Award. This prestigious award is given to only 10 professionals with fewer than 15 years of experience and is awarded for their accomplishments working within a middle-market operating company, or in an investor or advisory capacity working directly with middle-market businesses or on M&A activities.
Anneka is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Texas and a Certified Fraud Examiner. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Texas. Anneka is fluent in four languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Calvetti Ferguson is one of the largest independent accounting and advisory firms based in Texas. As trusted business advisors to privately held and public companies, private equity funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, we provide assurance, tax, advisory, accounting, and technology risk services. We advise beyond accounting to eliminate hurdles, identify opportunities, and ensure the best for our clients and their businesses.
Recognized by Forbes as one of America's Top Recommended Tax and Accounting Firms, Calvetti Ferguson is also an INSIDE Public Accounting Top 200 and Fastest Growing Firm. Calvetti Ferguson is an independent member firm of PrimeGlobal, the fourth largest association of independent accounting firms with approximately 300 member firms in over 90 countries.
Media contact:
Emily Martin
Executive Director of Marketing
emartin@calvettiferguson.com
(713) 726-5723
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SOURCE Calvetti Ferguson | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/11/houston-based-top-200-cpa-firm-promotes-anneka-sciola-advisory-partner/ | 2022-07-11T12:20:51Z |
For every pack of Huggies® Diapers purchased at a Walgreens store or online at Walgreens.com this August, Huggies® will donate a day's worth of diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network, up to 1 million diapers.
NEENAH, Wis., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This August, for the sixth consecutive year, Kimberly-Clark's North American Huggies® Brand and Walgreens are coming together to raise awareness of diaper need in the United States, supporting those struggling with providing diapers for their children. One in three1 families in the U.S. experience diaper need and are unable to provide enough diapers to help keep their child's skin clean, dry and healthy.
For the entire month of August, Huggies® and Walgreens are encouraging people across the country to help support this important cause. For every pack of Huggies® Diapers purchased at a Walgreens store or online at Walgreens.com this August, Huggies® will donate a day's worth2 of diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network – up to one million diapers. Since 2011, Huggies® and the National Diaper Bank Network have helped provide more than 300 million diapers to those in need.
"When a baby doesn't have access to clean diapers, they're exposed to potential health risks, which is the driving force behind this important collaboration with Walgreens and The National Diaper Bank Network," said Robert Raines, Vice President of Marketing for Huggies® North America. "Many people don't realize how prevalent diaper need is in our country, and through this partnership, we will educate and encourage people to join us in supporting families to help babies and children thrive."
"In our pursuit of more joyful lives through better health, Walgreens is proud to team up with Huggies for the sixth consecutive year," said John Gremer, director of community affairs at Walgreens. "Driving awareness to diaper need in support of helping families across the local communities we serve is important."
Arin Wright – professional Chicago soccer player and mother of a two-year-old son – is partnering with Huggies® to help spread the word about the donation program with Walgreens and encourage her fans to participate in the giving. Wright isn't just a defender on the field – she has been a strong advocate for new parents facing challenges, such as maternity leave, balancing a career with parenthood, fertility services and daycare.
"There are so many things to think about when raising a child, and it pains me to know that so many families have to worry about not knowing if they'll have enough clean diapers today," said Wright. "I'll be buying my Huggies® at Walgreens this month to help generate donations to families in need, and I'll be asking my friends, teammates and family to do the same. I hope people across the country will join us on this important mission to help make sure more parents have access to clean diapers."
To support a family in need today, visit your local Walgreens or Walgreens.com to purchase your next pack of Huggies® diapers, now through the end of August. To learn more about Huggies® products and all that they do to support babies and families, please visit Huggies.com, and follow us @Huggies on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Huggies® Brand
For more than 40 years, Huggies® has been helping parents provide their babies with love, care, and reassurance. From developing innovative, everyday products for babies to partnering with NICU nurses to create special diapers and wipes for the most fragile babies, Huggies® is dedicated to helping ensure that all babies get the care they need to thrive. Huggies® is proud to be the founding sponsor of the National Diaper Bank Network, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to eliminating diaper need in America since 2011. Huggies® is also the national sponsor of nonprofit Hand to Hold, which provides personalized support before, during, and after NICU stays and infant loss. For more information on product offerings or our community efforts, please visit Huggies.com.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what's important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company's 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the United States segment of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a global leader in retail pharmacy. As America's most loved pharmacy, health and beauty company, Walgreens purpose is to champion the health and wellbeing of every community in America. Operating more than 9,000 retail locations across America, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health destination serving approximately 8 million customers each day. Walgreens pharmacists play a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system by providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services. To best meet the needs of customers and patients, Walgreens offers a true omnichannel experience, with platforms bringing together physical and digital, supported by the latest technology to deliver high-quality products and services in local communities nationwide.
[KMB-B]
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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/huggies-walgreens-encourage-parents-join-them-supporting-families-struggling-with-diaper-need/ | 2022-08-01T17:32:02Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Unity Software Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of U during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
CLASS PERIOD: March 5, 2021 to May 10, 2022
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) deficiencies in Unity's product platform reduced the accuracy of the Company's machine learning technology; (ii) the foregoing was likely to have a material negative impact on the Company's revenues; (iii) accordingly, Unity had overstated the Company's commercial and/or financial prospects for 2022; (iv) as a result, the Company was likely to have to reduce its fiscal 2022 guidance; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: September 6, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/unity-software-u-lawsuit-form/?id=30886&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of U during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is September 6, 2022. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
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SOURCE The Gross Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-unity-software-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-6-2022-nyse-u/ | 2022-08-17T11:29:43Z |
— Key changes 1H 2022 vs. 1H 2021: Globally, data consumption on home networks increased by 11%; Fitness bike category usage down 23%; Average home has 17 connected devices, up 10% —
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Plume®, the personalized communications services pioneer, today released its first biannual Plume IQ Smart Home Market Report, providing groundbreaking and comprehensive intelligence about the growth of the smart home sector, including the changing popularity, penetration and usage of connected devices and home networks. The report analyzes anonymized and aggregated data from a cross-section of the 41 million homes managed by the Plume Cloud across the U.S., Europe and Japan, comparing the periods January to June 2021 and January to June 2022. The data reflects consumers' relentless adoption and use of smart and IoT devices in the home with a 10% increase in device volume per home and an 11% increase in data consumption - presenting Communication Service Providers (CSPs) with an opportunity to innovate while increasing revenue. Download the report.
Key findings include:
- Consumers' growing appetite for IoT and smart home technologies shows no sign of slowing down: Globally, the average number of connected devices per home is currently at 17.1, up 10% from 15.5 in the first half of 2021. The biggest change is in Europe, where the average number of devices per Plume household jumped by 13%, from 15.4 to 17.4.
- Major growth in device volumes and types: Since the pandemic, there's been an uptick in smart home device sales. Smartphones remain the most popular device in Plume-powered homes, averaging over six per household across all locations, including "guest" devices that are allowed access to the network. Plume-powered homes in the U.S. have the highest penetration of connected devices to date, with an average of 20.2 per home.
- Data consumption is on the rise but not for fitness bikes: With up to 10% more devices in Plume-powered households, Plume saw an upward trend (11%) in data consumption across the Plume Cloud. However, the biggest decrease in data consumption is seen in fitness bikes—down by 23% which likely reflects a change in consumer behavior with people returning to the office, exercising outdoors or at the gym as they adjust to the post-pandemic world.
- Apple dominates device brand loyalty: According to Plume's brand index, which gauges the level of smart home users' loyalty, Apple dominated with a "presence" (i.e., 1 or more same brand devices) in more homes, and in homes that Plume considers to be "brand-devoted" (i.e. 5 or more same brand devices) or "brand-obsessed" (i.e. 10 or more same brand devices). In terms of percentage change across the two periods, there have been stronger gains in the 'devotion' and 'obsession' categories. Apple gained an increase of 24% more homes with 10 or more devices, and Samsung and Amazon followed suit with 17% and 18% respectively, illustrating the comparative strength of the iOS device ecosystem.
- The average number of blocked cyber-threats grew exponentially: Globally, the average number of cyber-threats blocked by Plume systems has risen significantly by 51% over 1H 2021. The cyber-threat category that has grown the most is botnets, where threats blocked grew by 84%, followed by malware with a 58% increase, and spyware and adware, which grew by 40%. Inevitably, this may be a result of the conflict in Ukraine as cybercriminals sadly look to exploit periods of global uncertainty.
"Plume's data reflects two interesting periods - the first half of 2021 when consumers were gradually emerging from the pandemic restrictions that had kept them homebound, and the first half of 2022 when people started going back into the world. Despite the radically different circumstances, it's evident that smart homes and IoT devices remain very much key to our connected lifestyles," said Todd Grantham, Chief Marketing Officer at Plume. "As service providers look to solidify their smart home strategies in line with this trend, our latest market update report offers exclusive intelligence to help them identify and understand changing consumer dynamics and raise the quality of experience and services that their customers desire."
The Plume IQ Smart Home Market Report analyzes anonymized and aggregated data from a cross-section of the 41 million homes managed by the Plume Cloud across the U.S., Europe and Japan regions. The study is based on a comparison of independent averages formed across the following two time periods: January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021 (1H 2021) and January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022 (1H 2022).
Plume® is the creator of the world's first SaaS experience platform for Communications Service Providers (CSPs) and their subscribers, deployed in more than 41 million active locations globally. As the only open and hardware-independent, cloud-controlled solution, Plume enables the rapid delivery of new services for smart homes, small businesses, and beyond at massive scale. On the front end, Plume delivers self-optimizing adaptive WiFi, cyber-security, access and parental controls, and more. CSPs get robust data- and AI-driven back-end applications for unprecedented visibility, insights, support, operations, and marketing. Plume leverages OpenSync™, an open-source framework that comes pre-integrated and supported on the leading silicon, CPE, and platform SDKs.
Plume's investors include Insight Partners, SoftBank, Liberty Global Ventures, Qualcomm, and Samsung.
Visit plume.com, plume.com/homepass, plume.com/workpass, and opensync.io.
Follow Plume on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Plume and OpenSync are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Plume Design, Inc. Other company and product names are used for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Plume | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/plumes-latest-market-report-reveals-major-shifts-smart-home-usage/ | 2022-08-31T13:48:36Z |
Maserati reminded everyone at Monterey Car Week that the GranTurismo Folgore is still coming.
On Thursday, a video of comedian Sebastian Maniscalco being given a ride in the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore was posted to the Italian automaker’s YouTube channel.
Klaus Busse, head of design for Maserati, and Maria Conti, chief communication officer for the automaker, joined Maniscalco and revealed some key packaging details along with the EV’s 0-60-mph time.
In the video, Busse said the engineers packaged the GranTurismo Folgore’s battery pack in the center tunnel. This allowed the team to keep the car’s weight centered and low, which is appropriate for a sports car. The designer stopped short of confirming the car’s platform, though executives previously told Motor Authority the electric GranTurismo will ride on a Maserati-exclusive platform.
Execs had previously told MA the GranTurismo Folgore would do 0-60 mph in less than three seconds. In the video, howerver, Conti said it’s even faster, revealing the first Folgore (Maserati’s moniker for its electric vehicles) will sprint from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds and have a top speed in excess of 200 mph.
The electric powertrain will have three motors and more than 1,200 hp. It will also boast “class-leading” fast-charging times, according to Maserati, enabled by an 800-volt electrical system featuring inverters from Formula E. Conti noted the GranTurismo Folgore will be able to regain 100 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging.
The interior hasn’t been revealed and was blurred in the video, but the exterior is clearly visible. The electric GranTurismo will sport an evolutionary design compared to the gas model, with slimmer taillights and familiar shape that’s been refined to be slipperier and more defined. It will be instantly recognizable as a Maserati GranTurismo.
Busse confirmed Maserati has designed a signature sound for its first EV, but stopped short of noting how it will be made.
Look for more information on Maserati’s first electric car as it nears production.
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- Toyota commits additional $2.5B for new US battery plant | https://cw33.com/automotive/internet-brands/2024-maserati-granturismo-folgore-partially-revealed-does-0-60-mph-in-2-6-seconds/ | 2022-09-02T19:12:47Z |
MEDFORD, Wis., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medford Cooperative is pleased to announce a key appointment to its senior leadership team. Jake Korzeniewski is joining the organization as the new Director of Agricultural Services. In his role, Korzeniewski will provide leadership for Medford Cooperative's Agricultural Division.
Medford Cooperative has over 110 years of expertise in serving agricultural producers. Our Ag Services division continues to experience significant growth due to the trust and confidence our customers place in the services that we provide. We have doubled our feed tons since 2011, tripled our grain storage in the last five years, and more than doubled the number of employees in the last ten years to provide the highest level of customer service.
Korzeniewski joins Medford Cooperative with several years of experience in the field, which include roles as Director of Grain Operations and Logistics and Production Supervisor at facilities in South Dakota and Wisconsin. In addition to his experience, he will bring valuable leadership and management knowledge from his time serving in the United States Military.
Jake will be responsible for implementing programs and strategies that will continue to build upon our double-digit growth rates by elevating the customer experience that we provide, increase efficiencies through disciplined cost management, and effective procurement of raw materials, while executing essential safety protocols.
"We are excited to have Jake join the Medford Cooperative team. I am confident that Jake's knowledge and strong background in grain services will help us in the advancement of services we are able to provide to our Agricultural customers," commented Chris Piotrowski, Medford Cooperative's CEO and General Manager.
Medford Cooperative is currently one of the fastest growing Cooperatives in Wisconsin, with a long history in serving the agricultural community. The Cooperative looks forward to the contributions Korzeniewski will make towards both their Agricultural Division and the communities it serves.
About Medford Cooperative
Medford Cooperative is a member-owned, producer cooperative that was founded in 1911, making it one of the oldest cooperatives in the state of Wisconsin. The cooperative is diversified with departments in agriculture (feed/grain and agronomy), energy (refined fuels and propane) and retail (grocery, hardware and convenience stores). For more information, go to www.medfordcoop.com.
Media Contact:
Christopher Piotrowski
christopherp@medfordcoop.com
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SOURCE Medford Cooperative | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/medford-cooperative-announces-new-director-agricultural-services/ | 2022-08-24T11:05:43Z |
Company transitioning to three operating segments to drive sustainable growth
AUSTIN, Minn., Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced a new strategic operating model, aligning its businesses to be more agile, consumer and customer focused, and market driven. Effective Oct. 31, 2022, the beginning of fiscal 2023, the company is transitioning to three operating segments – Retail, Foodservice and International. The One Supply Chain team will continue to oversee the company's global supply chain.
"Hormel Foods is a distinctly different company than it was a decade ago, with a food forward, growth-oriented portfolio of leading brands and products that are aligned with our customer and consumer needs," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods. "Our new operating model is a culmination of our recent strategic actions, which included numerous portfolio-building acquisitions, including the Planters® snacking business, the creation of One Supply Chain, the modernization of our technology and ecommerce capabilities, and most recently, our transformational efforts at Jennie-O Turkey Store. This new alignment will empower our 20,000 global team members, with a more refined organizational structure that is accountable, nimble and focused on creating the Hormel Foods of the future."
The new operating model will support the company's six strategic priorities:
- Expand leadership in foodservice;
- Protect and grow its core brands;
- Aggressively develop its global presence;
- Amplify scale in snacking and entertaining;
- Enhance growth of its ethnic and food forward portfolios; and,
- Continue to transform the company.
The company's largest operating segment – Retail – will include its most iconic brands, many that hold a No. 1 or No. 2 market share in their respective categories. The retail segment will be focused on Hormel Foods powerhouse consumer brands in the retail marketplace. These brands include the recently acquired Planters® and Corn Nuts®, in addition to SPAM®, SKIPPY®, Columbus®, Applegate®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Jennie-O®, Hormel® Black Label®, Herdez®, WHOLLY® and Justin's®. The new Retail segment will be led by Deanna Brady, who will be executive vice president of Retail. Brady currently oversees the company's Refrigerated Foods segment.
The Retail segment will be powered by a new center of excellence called Brand Fuel. Over the last several years, the company has focused on the importance of leveraging its innovation, consumer insights and technology to enable connections with consumers where and how they shop. Brand Fuel will be a food forward hub, housing brand management expertise, world-class marketing capabilities and insights-led innovation, and will further enable data-driven decisions for the enterprise. This center will also house the Digital Experience Group, the company's ecommerce and digital content team that supports the company's brands and businesses in the virtual marketplace.
The Foodservice operating segment will serve leading foodservice establishments, including restaurants, hotels, educational and health care institutions, convenience stores and entertainment venues. The company's sales into the foodservice channel have continued to experience growth due to its portfolio of branded, value-added products and market leadership positions in the pizza toppings and bacon categories. The new Foodservice operating segment will combine the company's domestic foodservice businesses and will remain focused on partnering with customers to deliver culinary solutions for today's dynamic environment. This segment will be led by Mark Ourada as group vice president of Foodservice.
The International segment will continue to focus on aggressively growing its presence outside the United States. This includes growing global brands such as SPAM® and SKIPPY®, accelerating growth and investment in China, Brazil and Indonesia, and further leveraging its partnerships in the Philippines, South Korea and Europe. The company recently announced a new R&D and innovation center will be opening in China in fiscal year 2023 to serve as its food forward innovation and culinary creation hub for the Asia-Pacific region. Swen Neufeldt will continue to lead the company's international business as group vice president, president of Hormel Foods International Corporation.
Hormel Foods will begin operating under the new model Oct. 31, 2022. Earnings will be reported under this structure beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Changes to the company's operating segments have no impact on historical consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Recast financial information will be provided at a later date to aid in comparability to historical financial data.
Updates on the new strategic operating model will be provided on the fiscal third-quarter earnings call, scheduled for Sept. 1, 2022, and during the company's presentation at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference, scheduled for Sept. 6, 2022.
Hormel Foods worked with Bain & Company, one of the world's top global management consulting firms, on the initiative.
ABOUT HORMEL FOODS — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $11 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Justin's®, WHOLLY®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains "forward-looking" information within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The "forward-looking" information may include statements concerning the Company's outlook for the future as well as other statements of beliefs, future plans, strategies, or anticipated events and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as "should result," "believe," "intend," "plan," "are expected to," "targeted," "will continue," "will approximate," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those anticipated or projected, which factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the deterioration of economic conditions; the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with acquisitions and divestitures; potential disruption of operations including at co-manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, customers, or other third-party service providers; risk of loss of a material contract; the Company's inability to protect information technology systems against, or effectively respond to, cyber-attacks or security breaches; deterioration of labor relations, labor availability or increases to labor costs; general risks of the food industry, including food contamination; outbreaks of disease among livestock and poultry flocks; fluctuations in commodity prices and availability of raw materials and other inputs; fluctuations in market demand for the Company's products; risks of litigation; potential sanctions and compliance costs arising from government regulation; compliance with stringent environmental regulation and potential environmental litigation; and risks arising from the Company's foreign operations. Please refer to the cautionary statements regarding "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" that appear in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which can be accessed at hormelfoods.com in the "Investors" section, for additional information. In making these statements, the Company is not undertaking, and specifically declines to undertake, any obligation to address or update each or any factor in future filings or communications regarding the Company's business or results. Though the Company has attempted to list comprehensively these important cautionary risk factors, the Company wishes to caution investors and others that other factors may in the future prove to be important in affecting the Company's business or results of operations. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which represent current views as of the date made.
Media Contact:
media@hormel.com
507-434-6352
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SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/hormel-foods-announces-new-strategic-operating-model/ | 2022-08-09T11:28:21Z |
Pastoring to the public and law enforcement is the goal of Temple’s two new police chaplains.
About 17 years after the program ended in 2005, the Temple Police Department has decided to resurrect its chaplain program.
“The purpose of the chaplains program is to assist the police department in their mission to establish a greater sense of connectedness with and between members of the department, their families and members of the community,” Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds said. “It is an additional service that can be provided to the community and may be highly beneficial during difficult times or times of crisis.”
After recruitment began earlier this year, the city now has two chaplains who aim to help both the public and police officers when possible.
The two chaplains are Elwyn Johnston, pastor of Bethel Church, and Scott Meyer, pastor of Western Hills Church of Christ.
The unpaid positions will require the chaplains to spend at least eight hours a month with officers or community members as part of the department. The chaplains will assist in death notifications, community events and the counseling of police officers.
Meyer said he and his church discovered the program when they were looking for a way to be more involved in the community.
Along with about 20 other local religious leaders, Meyer attended a seminar last year about the program and was one of the few who applied for interviews. Johnston and Meyer, who already were good friends, said they saw each other during the interview process.
Johnston said he decided to apply for the chaplain program because he wanted to give back to the community by helping the department and residents.
“I realized that I have fewer years ahead of me than behind me, so I want these years to count,” Johnston said. “And one of the ways to make these years count is to serve our community. We love our community; we raised our family here and have lived here for 31 years.”
To better understand the program and the department, Johnston said he talked to several officers who are members of his church.
Both Johnston and Meyer said they were impressed with the amount of planning and intentionality involved in the program.
Meyer said he hoped giving officers someone to talk to about anything, who could give them regular or religious advice, would help.
“Police are under the microscope and under pressure, and in my opinion, police jobs make ministry look like a piece of cake,” Meyer said. “So a chance to invest in them, encourage them and help them to do their jobs better, blesses the community.”
Both Johnston and Meyer said it wasn’t their goal with this position to convert people or advertise churches. The two said they wanted to help those in need regardless of their faith.
The two chaplains said they also hope to get to work with other faiths and local religious leaders through the program.
City officials said they did reach out to about 100 faith-based organizations in the city when the program was created, including the city’s Hindu temple.
Nohely Mackowiak, spokeswoman for the department, said the city hopes to recruit chaplains on a constant basis and won’t discriminate based upon beliefs.
“Chaplains should be recruited on a continuous and ongoing basis consistent with department policy on equal opportunity and non-discriminatory employment,” Mackowiak said. “A primary qualification for participation in the application process should be an interest in and an ability to assist the department in serving the public.”
Johnston said he knows that being a chaplain is not going to be as easy, as he must win the trust of the officers before they will open up to him.
The two pastors said one of the differences between their normal jobs and being a chaplain is their audience. While people will come to their churches and open up to them as a pastor, they said, as a chaplain they must go to these officers and talk to them.
Both said this trust will not be built in a day, but will require many small interactions leading up to it first.
“Realistically, for some relationships, it is going to take five years, eight years or 10 years,” Johnston said. “And, it is going to take the commitment of us to be a part of it and I am committed to that. So I think you look at the long view and not the short view of this.”
As the initial chaplains for the program, both pastors said they wanted to make sure and not let the department down.
Both men said they felt that what they were doing was something good for the community and hoped to be around to help officers and the community.
“I think we hold (the program) in high regard so we are eager to add value into the officers, their lives and their jobs,” Meyer said. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/central_texas_news/article_1a9e40ce-f04a-11ec-859a-bbda12942229.html | 2022-06-20T04:30:55Z |
COVINGTON, Ky., May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Commonwealth Hotels announced today that Amber Coffman has been appointed the director of sales of the TownePlace Suites Indianapolis Downtown. Ms. Coffman brings over 7 years of hospitality experience to her new role as director of sales having previously served as the area director of sales with SSG Hotels in Lafayette, Indiana.
Prior to joining the TownePlace Suites Indianapolis Downtown, Coffman served in various leadership roles for the Crowne Plaza Union Station in Indianapolis, Indiana including the guest services manager, night manager, and the express meetings manager. Coffman studied tourism, conventions, and event management at the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. On-campus, Coffman was active in various volunteer and community organizations having served on the Student Activity Programming Board.
About Commonwealth Hotels, LLC
Commonwealth Hotels, LLC was founded in 1986 and is a proven partner in providing hotel management services with superior financial results. The company has extensive experience managing premium branded full service and select service hotels. Commonwealth Hotels currently manages 61 properties with nearly 7,600 rooms. Additional information may be found at www.commonwealthhotels.com.
Contact:
Barbara E. Willen
Commonwealth Hotels, LLC
bwillen@commonwealthhotels.com
859.392-2254
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SOURCE Commonwealth Hotels, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/11/commonwealth-hotels-appoints-amber-coffman-director-sales-towneplace-suites-indianapolis-downtown/ | 2022-05-11T19:17:04Z |
SILVER SPRING, Md., June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on additional steps it has taken that will lead to more infant formula available in the U.S. under the agency's recent increased flexibilities.
Company (Product Origin): Danone (New Zealand)
Product(s): Aptamil Gold Plus
Type of Formula: General
Estimated Quantity: 555,000 cans (about 1.1 million pounds or about 16.5 million full-size, 8-ounce bottles)
Availability: Likely to start in August. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is evaluating options for getting the product to the U.S. as quickly as possible.
More Information and Where to Find the Products: Expected to be available across several retail channels in the US.
The FDA is exercising enforcement discretion for the importation of the infant formula products listed above following the review of information provided pertaining to nutritional adequacy and safety, including microbiological testing, labeling and additional information about facility production and inspection history.
The agency is leveraging a number of flexibilities to bolster the supply of products that serve as the sole source of nutrition for many infants while ensuring the infant formula can be used safely and provides adequate nutrition. The FDA remains in further discussions with manufacturers and suppliers regarding additional supply to ensure there's adequate infant formula available wherever and whenever parents and caregivers need it.
The FDA issued guidance on May 16 that outlined a process by which the agency would not object to the importation of certain infant formula products intended for a foreign market or distribution in the U.S. of products manufactured here for export to foreign countries. This guidance also may provide flexibilities to those who manufacture infant formula products domestically and may be able to further increase the quantity of domestically-produced product for the U.S. market. The agency has posted a webpage that will be updated with information about additional products headed to the U.S.
Ongoing FDA Steps to Increase Availability of Safe, Nutritious Infant Formula
The agency's around-the-clock work as part of the all-of-government efforts has already begun to improve supply and availability. The agency expects that the measures and steps it is taking, and the resumption of production at the Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis, Mich., facility, will mean more and more supply is on the way or on store shelves moving forward.
The FDA continues to advise against making infant formulas at home or diluting formula. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their child's health care provider for recommendations on changing feeding practices, if needed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has additional information available at HHS.gov/formula, including information to help families find infant formula.
The agency also monitors online marketplaces for fraudulent products and works with major online retailers to remove violative and harmful products offered for sale on their sites. Additionally, since many of these fraudulent products originate overseas, the agency targets and examines these products at ports of entry. The FDA also monitors and follows up on various external signals such as consumer complaints about potential counterfeit and fraudulent products.
The FDA will continue to dedicate all available resources to help ensure that safe and nutritious infant formula products remain available for use in the U.S. and will keep the public informed of progress updates.
Additional Information:
- https://us.aptamil.com/
- Infant Formula Information and Ongoing FDA Efforts to Increase Supply
- Enforcement Discretion to Manufacturers to Increase Infant Formula Supplies
- HHS.gov/formula
- HHS.gov/news
- FDA Investigation of Cronobacter Infections: Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022)
- Powdered Infant Formula Recall: What to Know
- CDC Information on Cronobacter Infection and Infants
###
Media Contact: FDA Office of Media Affairs, 301-796-4540
Consumer Inquiries: 888-723-3366
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
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SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/fda-infant-formula-update-june-30-2022/ | 2022-06-30T18:37:03Z |
DENVER (AP) — A prominent Colorado election conspiracy theorist, Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, will get a recount after all, state officials announced Thursday, now that she has raised $256,000 to pay for the review of her loss in the Republican primary for secretary of state.
Peters demanded a recount after losing her race by more than 85,000 votes, baselessly alleging fraud.
But she did not pay the $236,000 that the Secretary of State’s office initially charged, insisting on a hand recount rather than the machine one they said their rules required. So Peters’ loss was officially certified on Monday.
Peters then announced she had raised the funds and renewed her request. On Thursday, the Secretary of State’s office announced it would perform a machine recount by Aug. 4 after Peters paid the fee.
Peters said in a statement she had raised the money from individual donors who complied with the state’s $1,250 political contribution limit.
Republican State Rep. Ron Hanks, who had requested a recount along with Peters after losing his U.S. Senate primary, did not submit any funds and will not receive a recount in his race.
Peters was defeated in the GOP primary by Pam Anderson, a former Jefferson County clerk who has criticized Trump’s election lies.
Peters faces several felony charges for her alleged role in breaking into her county’s election system in search of proof of the conspiracy theories spun by former President Donald Trump after his 2020 election loss.
She denies she did anything illegal and contends the charges are political retribution for revealing data that exposes election fraud.
A judge prohibited Peters from overseeing last year’s and this year’s local elections in Mesa County, a western region of the state that is largely rural and heavily Republican.
Trump won it in the 2020 presidential election with nearly 63% of the vote. President Joe Biden won Colorado overall with 55.4% of the state’s vote. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/colorado-clerk-gets-primary-recount-after-raising-250000/ | 2022-07-29T17:46:54Z |
The Amphe-PD series of connectors are ideal when space is limited, like in rack and mount applications
ENDICOTT, N.Y., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amphenol Industrial Operations, a global leader in interconnect systems, has enhanced its Amphe-PD series with two low profile, two-way power connectors that have the capacity to carry high current. The Amphe-PD Mini 5.7mm and Gen2 5.7mm Amphe-PD can be used to transfer power from a PSU/PDU to a CPU, GPU PCB board.
Technical Specifications
- Can carry up to 150A at 500V DC
- Offers wire terminations ranging from 6 AWG to 2 AWG
- Uses proven RADSOK™ technology
The Amphe-PD Mini 5.7mm is designed to carry up to 120A at 500V DC. These connectors are available in busbar mount, right angle and vertical SMT compatible PCB mount.
The Gen2 5.7mm Amphe-PD can carry a maximum current of 150A at 500V DC. They come in black and red with a plastic housing and are available in vertical SMT compatible PCB mount.
Both connectors offer wire terminations ranging from 6 AWG to 2 AWG and can transfer power from a cable harness to PCB or other power application.
Both connectors in this enhanced power connector series feature a small footprint making them ideal for use in energy storage racks, data center equipment, servers, 5G, HPC and electrical devices where space is limited. They can accommodate reflow soldering or press fit termination onto the PCB.
These 5.7mm connectors feature RADSOK technology for higher amperage, lower t-rise, less resistance, and lower mating forces. This technology allows for more power in a smaller footprint.
The connectors also offer a mechanical latch feature that locks the connector in the mated position.
Both the Amphe-PD Mini 5.7mm and Gen2 5.7mm Amphe-PD are RoHS compliant and are available in UL-94 V0.
For full news release and hi-res photo, please visit: https://bit.ly/AmphePD_news
CONTACT:
Joanna Puglisi-Barley
jbarley@simongroup.com
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SOURCE Amphenol Industrial Operations | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/enhanced-power-connector-series-amphenol-features-low-profile-capacity-carry-high-current/ | 2022-08-11T16:47:16Z |
LA Rams reacquire CB Troy Hill in trade with Cleveland
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams reacquired Troy Hill on Saturday. They sent a fifth-round pick in 2023 to the Cleveland Browns in a trade for the versatile defensive back. Hill spent five seasons with the Rams and became a key component of their secondary as their top slot defender and nickel back. He started 39 games and made seven interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. He left the Rams as a free agent in March 2021 for a two-year, $9 million contract with Cleveland. Hill was a solid presence on an inconsistent Browns defense, making 49 tackles and two sacks in 12 games. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/30/la-rams-reacquire-cb-troy-hill-in-trade-with-cleveland/ | 2022-04-30T22:52:04Z |
Nearly 1.4 million saws recalled after several reports of injuries
(Gray News) – Nearly 1.4 million miter saws have been recalled due to injury and laceration hazards.
DeWALT issued the recall after reports of the saw’s rear safety guard breaking nearly 600 times, making it easier for something to fly off and hit the user or someone nearby.
The recall involves models DWS779, DWS780 and DHS790 with date codes 2019 04 through 2022 04, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
CPSC said only saws without a green dot on the nameplate or a black dot on the arm of the saw are included in the recall.
There have been nine reports of laceration injuries so far.
Anyone with the saws should stop using them and contact DeWALT for details on how to receive a free repair kit or take it to a DeWALT service center for a free repair.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/05/nearly-14-million-saws-recalled-after-several-reports-injuries/ | 2022-08-05T14:46:38Z |
McDonald’s said Monday that it has started the process of selling its Russian business, which includes 850 restaurants that employ 62,000 people, making it the latest major Western corporation to exit Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February.
The fast food giant pointed to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war, saying holding on to its business in Russia “is no longer tenable, nor is it consistent with McDonald’s values.”
The Chicago-based company announced in early March that it was temporarily closing its stores in Russia but would continue to pay employees. On Monday, it said it would seek to have a Russian buyer hire those workers and pay them until the sale closes. It did not identify a prospective buyer.
CEO Chris Kempczinski said the “dedication and loyalty to McDonald’s” of employees and hundreds of Russian suppliers made it a difficult decision to leave.
“However, we have a commitment to our global community and must remain steadfast in our values,” Kempczinski said in a statement, “and our commitment to our values means that we can no longer keep the arches shining there.”
As it tries to sell its restaurants, McDonald’s said it plans to start removing golden arches and other symbols and signs with the company’s name. It said it will keep its trademarks in Russia.
The first McDonald’s in Russia opened in the middle of Moscow more than three decades ago, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was a powerful symbol of the easing of Cold War tensions between the United States and Soviet Union.
McDonald’s was the first American fast food restaurant to open in the Soviet Union, which would collapse in 1991. McDonald’s decision to leave comes as other American food and beverage giants including Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Starbucks have paused or closed operations in Russia in the face of Western sanctions.
Corporations from British energy giants Shell and BP to French carmaker Renault have pulled out of Russia, taking a hit to their bottom lines as they seek to sell their holdings there. Other companies have stayed at least partially, with some facing blowback.
McDonald’s said it expects to record a charge against earnings of between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion over leaving Russia.
Its restaurants in Ukraine are closed, but the company said it is continuing to pay full salaries for its employees there.
McDonald’s has more than 39,000 locations across more than 100 countries. Most are owned by franchisees — only about 5% are owned and operated by the company.
McDonald’s said exiting Russia will not change its forecast of adding a net 1,300 restaurants this year, which will contribute about 1.5% to companywide sales growth.
Last month, McDonald’s reported that it earned $1.1 billion in the first quarter, down from more than $1.5 billion a year earlier. Revenue was nearly $5.7 billion. | https://cw33.com/news/national/nexstar-media-wire/mcdonalds-to-leave-russia-plans-to-sell-business/ | 2022-05-16T12:34:42Z |
Verdict includes punitive damages for use of forged documents in attempt to prevent jury trial
DALLAS, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR) was hit with a combined $7.37 billion verdict – including $7 billion meant to punish the company – for systemic safety failures that led to the robbery and stabbing death of an 83-year-old woman by a cable repairman and for using forged documents to try to keep a jury from hearing the lawsuit.
"This was a shocking breach of faith by a company that sends workers inside millions of homes every year," said trial lawyer Chris Hamilton of Dallas-based Hamilton Wingo. "The jury in this case was thoughtful and attentive to the evidence. This verdict justly reflects the extensive evidence regarding the nature of the harm caused by Charter Spectrum's gross negligence and reckless misconduct. For the safety of the American public, we can only hope that Charter Spectrum and its shareholders are listening."
Trial testimony revealed that Charter Spectrum hired Roy Holden without verifying his employment history, which would have revealed that he had lied about his work history. In the weeks before he robbed and murdered Betty Thomas inside her Irving home, supervisors ignored a series of red flags, including Mr. Holden's own written pleas to upper management for help because of severe distress over financial and family problems.
Jurors agreed that Charter Spectrum's actions were the "proximate cause" of Ms. Thomas death, and found Charter Spectrum 90% responsible for the death, given Charter Spectrum's continued refusal to correct its negligent safety practices despite a repeated pattern of violence against innocent customers by its field techs over a period of years.
Jurors agreed that after Ms. Thomas' grieving family filed a lawsuit, Charter Spectrum attorneys used a forged document to try to force the lawsuit into a closed-door arbitration where the results would have been secret and damages for the murder would have been limited to the amount of Ms. Thomas's final bill. The jury found that Charter Spectrum committed forgery beyond a reasonable doubt, conduct that constitutes a first-degree felony under Texas law.
Mr. Holden performed a service call in Ms. Thomas' home the day before her Dec. 2019 murder. Although Charter contended he was off-duty the following day, he managed to learn that Ms. Thomas had reported that she was still having problems with her service and used his company key card to enter a Charter Spectrum secured vehicle lot and drove his Charter Spectrum van to her house. Once inside, while fixing her fax machine, the victim, Ms. Thomas, caught the field tech stealing her credit cards from her purse. The Charter Spectrum field tech, Roy Holden, then brutally stabbed the 83-year-old customer with a utility knife supplied by Charter Spectrum and went on a spending spree with her credit cards.
Charter Spectrum's employees admitted at trial the field tech's theft and crimes against the victim began while he was on duty and in the course and scope of his employment the day before. The company's employees further admitted that there was a pattern of thefts by Charter Spectrum employees against customers (more than 2,500 in the preceding several years), which the company refused to investigate or report to police.
"Charter Spectrum had too many chances to prevent this tragedy, and the company showed a complete disregard for the safety of its customers. Worse, the trial reveals how vulnerable Charter Spectrum customers remain today at the hands of a company that appears not to care about public safety," said Hamilton Wingo trial lawyer Ray Khirallah. "This verdict fairly reflects the extent of the evidence against Charter Spectrum and the dangerous nature of the company's serious misconduct and violations of the law."
The case is William Goff et al. v. Roy James Holden, Jr and Charter Communications, Cause No. CC-20-01579. In addition to the Hamilton Wingo trial team, the plaintiffs were represented by the Law Offices of Brad Jackson and Mullen & Mullen.
Hamilton Wingo, LLP, is a nationally recognized plaintiff's trial firm based in Dallas. Our trial lawyers specialize in representing people and companies in high-stakes complex litigation. Our clients are more than cases; we strive to provide top-rated customer service and the best experience for our clients. We have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements across the country.
Contact:
Robert Tharp
robert@androvett.com
214-420-6011
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SOURCE Hamilton Wingo, LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/charter-spectrum-hit-with-combined-737-billion-verdict-robbery-murder-elderly-woman-by-cable-installer/ | 2022-07-26T22:47:46Z |
FRANKLIN, Tenn., May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seasoned healthcare executive Brook Blackmore has joined the leadership team of Azra AI, a company whose technology identifies positive cancer diagnoses and incidental findings in real-time with an eye toward helping patients and clinicians.
Blackmore will serve as the Vice President of Clinical Operations at Azra AI, overseeing strategic planning for clinical use of the company's proprietary AI software. This novel technology is currently being used in more than 200 hospitals across the country, including at HCA Healthcare, Inspira Health, City of Hope and University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Her move to Azra AI comes after serving as Vice President of Clinical Operations at Thyme Care, a Nashville-based organization that provides support and resources to people with cancer.
Blackmore's new role reunites her with a core team at Azra AI that previously worked with her — using the AI technology — when she served as senior director of navigation operations at Sarah Cannon, the cancer institute of HCA Healthcare. She is a nurse practitioner by training and education, and, as a registered nurse, worked with patients in the oncology and bone marrow transplant units at HCA Healthcare prior to moving into leadership positions.
Blackmore said that she's excited to join a team with familiar faces, at a pivotal time for the company. "I have seen first-hand how this AI technology leads to a faster time to treatment for patients, increased navigator time with patients, and better patient retention in a health system's oncology program," she said.
Chris Cashwell, CEO of Azra AI, said that he and his team are thrilled to have Blackmore join their ranks. "Brook is a nationally-recognized expert on clinical operations in oncology and she's already familiar with the impact of our technology. She's joining our company at a key and exciting time, and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together, partnering with hospitals and health systems."
Blackmore has a master's degree in nursing from Tennessee State University and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Belmont University in Nashville. She also has a master's degree in business administration, with a focus in healthcare, from Western Governors University.
About Azra AI
Azra AI uses proprietary artificial intelligence software to read millions of unstructured data records and identify at-risk patients in need of follow-up care, resulting in more equitable health outcomes, increased patient retention, and a reduced burden on clinical workers. This revolutionary technology — used in hospitals and cancer centers across the country — accelerates the patient care process and delivers a positive impact on clinical, financial, and operational outcomes. Learn more about Azra AI https://www.azra-ai.com/ and follow us at @Azra_AI_Health.
Contact: Mary Guiden
Email: mguiden@knbcomm.com
Phone: 206-854-3786
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SOURCE Azra AI | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/brook-blackmore-joins-azra-ai-vice-president-clinical-operations/ | 2022-05-17T19:07:28Z |
Investment Supports McWilliams & Son's Rapid Expansion Through Organic Growth and Strategic Acquisitions in the Growing, Resilient and Highly Fragmented Residential Services Market
SAN FRANCISCO and LUFKIN, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Percheron Capital ("Percheron"), a private equity firm focused on partnering with high-quality essential services businesses, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in McWilliams & Son ("McWilliams" or the "Company"), a leading residential HVAC and plumbing services platform. Following the transaction, McWilliams' Chief Executive Officer, Trey McWilliams, will remain a significant investor and continue to lead the Company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1974 in Texas by the McWilliams family, McWilliams & Son offers residential HVAC and plumbing maintenance, repair and replacement services with a reputation for outstanding quality and customer service. The Company's people-first values focused on service, trust and reliability have resulted in industry-leading customer satisfaction scores and consistent growth for over 45 years. McWilliams' commitment to providing advanced training programs, innovative technology and equipment to its technicians has made the Company an employer of choice in the markets it operates.
Under Trey McWilliams' leadership, the Company has successfully expanded its reach through strong organic growth, new branch openings and acquisitions of high-quality, partnership-focused residential HVAC and plumbing businesses. With Percheron's strategic support and operational resources, McWilliams is well-positioned to further accelerate its growth in new and existing markets.
Trey McWilliams said, "I am proud of our exceptional team and the strong business we have built together. We attribute our success to our people-centric approach and unwavering commitment to our customers, team members and community. Percheron embodies our values and brings significant experience and a strong track record supporting high-growth, acquisitive services businesses. I am excited about the significant opportunities our partnership with Percheron creates for our team members as we continue executing on our vision of building the premier provider of residential HVAC and plumbing services in the country."
Chris Lawler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Percheron, commented, "The residential HVAC and plumbing services market has been a thematic investment priority for Percheron given the industry's large size, non-discretionary services, strong and resilient growth and high fragmentation. We are thrilled to partner with Trey McWilliams and his team, who have built a rare platform with best-in-class operational and performance metrics, including leading customer service scores, technician productivity and retention. The Company is supported by advanced technology, systems and processes, and has a strong track record of growth through both organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions. We look forward to leveraging Percheron's deep operational capabilities to support the next phase of McWilliams' rapid growth."
McWilliams & Son is a leading HVAC and plumbing services business founded in 1974 in Texas by the McWilliams family. For over 45 years, McWilliams & Son has proudly served customers with a reputation for outstanding quality and customer service. A hometown company with hometown values, McWilliams & Son puts its customers, employees and community first. McWilliams & Son invests heavily in its team members, including providing industry-leading training programs and advanced technology and equipment, to enable team members to achieve their full potential and better serve our valued customers. For more information, please visit www.mcwilliamsandson.com.
Percheron Capital is a private equity firm focused on partnering with exceptional teams to build market-leading services businesses. The firm's purpose is to help high-quality businesses accelerate growth and enhance long-term value. Percheron has over $1 billion in assets under management and focuses on investing in strong services businesses in resilient end markets, including animal health, automotive, education, food & beverage, healthcare & wellness, and residential. For more information, please visit www.percheroncapital.com.
Woomi Yun / Erik Carlson
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449
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SOURCE Percheron Capital | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/percheron-capital-announces-partnership-with-mcwilliams-amp-son-leading-provider-residential-hvac-plumbing-services/ | 2022-08-15T13:01:13Z |
AllspringET sets out to build the asset management
technology environment of the future.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allspring Global Investments™, a leading independent global asset management firm with $476 billion* in assets under management, today announced the addition of two senior hires and an internal promotion to the Allspring Engineering and Technology team (AllspringET). The team is designed to develop state-of-the-art technology, systems, and tools that enable Allspring to elevate investing to be worth more.
Ant Eggington joins the organization as Head of Applications. Ant most recently served as Global Head of Alternatives Technology at BlackRock and has 22 years of experience in investments technology. He will lead Allspring's software engineering function across investments, operations, distribution, and corporate systems to enhance capabilities and modernize the application development processes.
Stephen Vilke joins Allspring as Head of Technology. This role is central to building Allspring's technology-forward culture and maximizing productivity as a cloud-first organization. Stephen most recently served as Director of New Initiatives for AWS Applications at Amazon Web Services. He has 30 years of technology experience spanning finance, technology, and startup environments. Stephen started his career at NASA as a Software Engineer and Analyst.
Jalal Akhavein has been promoted to Head of Platform. In his new role, Jalal will lead the company's technical product management, data engineering and will oversee platform operations. Jalal has been with Allspring since 2018 and most recently served as Head of Quantitative Insights and Data Strategy. He has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services sector.
Ant, Stephen, and Jalal report to Allspring's Chief Technology Officer, Matt Wren. The team's objective is to develop a modern technology platform enabling the newly independent Allspring to place much more focus on investment decisioning, investment oversight, risk management, sales, and distribution. The increased engineering and technology investment intends to enable solving the "tomorrow challenge" faster and more efficiently than otherwise possible with legacy environments.
"Engineering, technology, and innovation will be central to elevating client outcomes at Allspring. Ant, Stephen, and Jalal's combination of deep technical and broad financial expertise is essential as we engineer the firm for a next-generation technology platform. I am thrilled that we are able to combine this caliber of talent to help us propel AllspringET forward," stated Matt Wren.
To learn more about Allspring, please visit our website, www.allspringglobal.com.
Allspring Global Investments™ is an independent asset management company with more than US$476 billion in assets under management*, offices around the world, and investment teams supported by 450 investment professionals. Allspring is committed to thoughtful investing, purposeful planning, and inspiring a new era of investing that pursues both financial returns and positive outcomes.
*As of June 30, 2022, AUM includes US$93 billion from Galliard Capital Management, an investment advisor that is not part of the Allspring Global Investments trade name/GIPS company.
This material is provided for informational purposes only and is for professional, institutional or qualified clients/investors. Not for retail use outside the U.S.
THIS MATERIAL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION AND IN ANY CASE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED IN ANY JURISDICTION OR TO ANY PERSON WHERE IT WOULD BE UNAUTHORISED OR UNLAWFUL TO DO SO.
Allspring Global InvestmentsTM (Allspring) is the trade name for the asset management companies of Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC, a holding company indirectly owned by certain private funds of GTCR LLC and Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. Unless otherwise stated, Allspring is the source of all data (which is current or as of the date stated); past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future results; all investments contain risk; content is provided for informational purposes only with no representation regarding its adequacy, accuracy or completeness and should not be relied upon; views, opinions, assumptions or estimates are not necessarily that of Allspring and are subject to change without notice; and this communication does not contain investment advice, an investment recommendation or investment research, as defined under local regulation of the respective jurisdiction.
PAR-0922-00315
© 2022 Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE Allspring Global Investments | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/allspring-global-investments-expands-engineering-technology-team-continued-innovation/ | 2022-09-14T14:30:49Z |
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