text stringlengths 102 99.6k | url stringlengths 31 426 | crawl_date timestamp[us, tz=UTC]date 2022-04-01 00:29:49 2022-09-19 04:34:15 |
|---|---|---|
FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GRS Technology Solutions, a cybersecurity and technology consulting firm that supports small and medium sized businesses in the Washington, DC area since 2008, recently announced attainment of Service Organization Compliance (SOC) Type 2 Certification. This milestone demonstrates GRS's outstanding commitment to its clients by ensuring their mission critical data assets are trusted and secure.
GRS's specialized team of highly qualified cybersecurity experts worked diligently to achieve SOC 2 certification. This certification is attained via a comprehensive and extensive external audit that certifies GRS fully complies with a set of defined systems and processes to ensure stringent protection of their clients' information security assets. As part of this effort, GRS partnered with A-LIGN, a licensed SOC 2 auditor, to conduct an audit and certify that GRS's Managed IT and Cybersecurity Program meets stringent requirements as set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). These criteria include strict controls regarding the security, availability, processing, integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of infrastructure and systems.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), cybersecurity threats are significantly on the rise and account for serious and potentially devasting threats to intellectual property, business operations, and financial security (in excess of $6 trillion per year in damages). GRS's highly expert team of professionals understands the complexities of these risks and is committed to protecting their clients by securing their data assets. "We made a significant investment in this certification because we are truly committed to taking advanced measures in providing top notch security services to our clients and ensure their information security assets and privacy are protected and trusted" said Larry Burbano, GRS's CEO. "This is absolutely mission critical for any company in today's cybersecurity environment. It an integral part of our trusted relationship commitment to every single GRS client and is foundational for their successful growth and profitability."
According to Burbano, "Our next compliance objective as a company is to complete a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 audit based on the NIST 800-171 framework. This will provide commitment and value to our DoD clients by fulfilling CMMC L2 assessment requirements." GRS's internal cybersecurity team expects to accomplish this major milestone by the end of this year.
GRS is a cybersecurity and technology consulting firm that has been supporting small and medium sized businesses in the Washington, DC area since 2008. They provide high-end, enterprise-level managed cybersecurity and information technology (IT) solutions, including cybersecurity and compliance solutions, cloud services, IT management, help desk support services, and technology strategy. They aim to be an integral part of your success by helping you fully leverage information technology and ensure the safety and privacy of your company's most critical data assets. GRS partners with their clients as an extension of their businesses, not as a contractor or freelancer, bringing an entire team of cybersecurity experts to be an integrated and extended strategic partner as part of your company.
You don't have to be a Fortune 500 company to have enterprise high-end cybersecurity and IT solutions. With the right partner small businesses can thrive, comply, and achieve any security challenge in today's highly volatile cybersecurity environment.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE GRS Technology Solutions | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/grs-technology-solutions-successfully-achieves-soc-2-type-ii-certification/ | 2022-08-10T18:31:33Z |
BEIJING, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Xinghuo Blockchain Infrastructure and Facility (Xinghuo BIF) and Zetrix have jointly announced the introduction of Blockchain-based Identifiers (BID) / Verifiable Credentials (VC) and Blockchain-based E-signing services to international markets, a major milestone in enabling cross-border business with China on the blockchain.
Xinghuo BIF is a China initiated international blockchain infrastructure supported by all levels of the Chinese Government while MY E.G. Services Bhd ("MYEG"), via its Zetrix blockchain, runs the International Supernode of Xinghuo BIF to connect entities outside China to the Xinghuo BIF. Xinghuo BIF presently resolves 94mil identifiers daily, placing it as the most actively used platform and validates this use case in real world applications.
The BID, an official DID method listed in the DID Specification Registry of World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), is a new approach to realize decentralized identity based on Xinghuo BIF. The initial phase of the BID rollout will include the introduction of Chinese-related credentials, agreements and the corresponding legal frameworks that would serve as the foundation for the establishment of such agreements. Zetrix will connect Chinese parties signing on the domestic Xinghuo BIF network with their international counterparts signing on the Zetrix network.
The BID service is an extension of the existing Xinghuo BID and Xinghuo Blockchain-based E-Signing services that was officially deployed in February 2022. On 12th October 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding between China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) and Malaysia-based MYEG, which established the Zetrix chain, announced the strategic cooperation framework between Xinghuo BIF and Zetrix as the international infrastructure to connect China's Xinghuo network to international markets.
"BID and Verifiable Credential form a critical foundation for the digitalisation of trade and services. Beyond the process and trade efficiencies that we envision, this will also counteract the threats of counterfeiting," said Dr. Jin Jian, president of Institute of Industrial Internet and Internet of Things Institute (IIIIoT), CAICT
"BIDs and VCs are critical building blocks of more interconnected Web 3. They are the foundational tools that decentralised apps can call upon to deliver a myriad of new services that would unleash the full potential of blockchain platforms. No other blockchain platform currently provide these services at a scale that matches Xinghuo – Zetrix and we are excited to be the global industry leaders in this real world usecase," said TS Wong, Group Managing Director of MYEG.
Zetrix has engaged credential issuers and certification authorities to ensure the information registered are true to fact, and continues to engage with more stakeholders in strengthening the integrity of this vital facility. Further information is available at zetrix.com.
Blockchain Identity has often been referred to as the missing layer of the Internet, though typically this has resulted in there being multiple identifiers for every user, which often times are temporary or not tied to the real-world identity of users.
Now, through the Xinghuo-Zetrix collaboration, this fundamental layer and its design would give direct control and ownership to its users, a key differentiating factor that will enable a new wave of Web 3 digital processes and transactions.
Zetrix DID solution, which conforms to the Xinghuo Blockchain-based Identifier (BID), will power an on-chain signing service to enable users to transact with certainty and verified identities.
The resultant Zetrix Blockchain-based E-signing Service provides:
- Support for multiple signing templates and user-defined transactions,
- Verification of an individual's or product's documents/credentials, and
- Inquiry of documents or credentials
Organisations can use this service by keying in information and signing using their BID to issue certificates/credentials on the Zetrix blockchain. Users in China and elsewhere with access can search relevant information quickly through the BID identifier resolution service and vice versa.
The Zetrix Blockchain-based E-signing Service carries out signing management throughout the life cycle, maintains operations records and the extraction ability to meet the demand for inquiry and examination. Most importantly, these documents are legally binding if applicable to China laws.
This will in turn improve the efficiency of transactions and agreements across borders for various kinds of use cases. By supporting single-party and multi-party transactions, the service will be able to meet the demands of clients in many contexts including B2B and B2G.
The Xinghuo-Zetrix blockchain certificate service demonstrates that users can inquire the authenticity of any certificate or credentials. It ranges from Government issued credentials like official residency, to provenance of goods, to the adherence of international standards by enterprises.
Users can authenticate certificates online, instead of relying on traditional ways of issuing paper documents for proof. These credentials can then be independently verified using the issuer's public BID. In addition, digital credentials may incorporate smart features, i.e. programming logic.
The combination of the BIDs and Verifiable Credential services will enable a host of varied use cases, from simple issuance of certificates to smart product authenticity documents with ownership history and programmable government issued credentials.
As an ongoing concern, Zetrix will design more templates of signing occasions, extension environments, and API integration, providing safe and efficient identification services for all industries.
Zetrix is a layer-1 public blockchain that facilitates smart contracts and delivers privacy, security, and scalability. The cryptographic infrastructure in Zetrix can be introduced in multiple industries to connect governments, businesses, and their people to a global blockchain-based economy.
The cross-border and cross-chain integrations with Xinghuo BIF enables Zetrix to serve as a blockchain gateway that facilitates trade and commerce globally by deploying critical building blocks for Web3 services.
With the special support of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Xinghuo BIF is one of the largest blockchain infrastructure supported by all levels of the Chinese government led by China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT). As the foundation of digital economy, Xinghuo BIF is equipped with the interoperability of providing public identifier services across different industries and regions based on permissioned public blockchain and decentralized identifiers, enabling industrial digitalization and data valuation.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE MY E.G. Services Berhad | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/02/xinghuo-bif-zetrix-jointly-introduce-web3-services-blockchain-identityverifiable-credentials-contract-signing/ | 2022-07-02T05:36:08Z |
TUCSON, Ariz., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AudioEye, Inc. (NASDAQ: AEYE) (the "Company"), the industry-leading digital accessibility platform delivering website accessibility compliance to businesses of all sizes, today announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has authorized the repurchase of up to $3 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock expiring on June 30, 2024. The Company intends to fund the stock repurchase program with working capital and cash from operations.
"We remain committed to strategically deploying capital that will drive the greatest value for stockholders. This stock repurchase program reflects the strength of our business and our confidence in our future cash flow," said David Moradi, CEO at AudioEye.
The Company may repurchase stock from time to time in open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable federal securities laws and other applicable legal requirements. The timing and amounts of any purchases under the stock repurchase program will be based on market conditions and other factors, including price. The stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or particular number of shares of stock.
About AudioEye
AudioEye is an industry-leading digital accessibility platform delivering ADA and WCAG compliance at scale. By combining easy-to-use technology and subject matter expertise, AudioEye helps companies and content creators solve every aspect of web accessibility—from finding and resolving issues to navigating legal compliance, to ongoing monitoring and upkeep. Trusted by the FCC, ADP, SSA, Samsung, and others, AudioEye delivers automated remediations and continuous monitoring for accessibility issues without making fundamental changes to website architecture, source code, or browser-based tools. Join us on our mission to eradicate barriers to digital access, visit www.audioeye.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release or regarding the stock repurchase program about AudioEye's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe", "anticipate", "should", "confident", "intend", "plan", "will", "expects", "estimates", "projects", "positioned", "strategy", "outlook" and similar words. You should read the statements that contain these types of words carefully. Such forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the source of funds to be used to repurchase any shares under the program, future cash flows of the Company, anticipated contributions from new sales channels, long-term growth prospects, opportunities in the digital accessibility industry, our revenue and ARR guidance, and our expectation of investments in marketing and sales. These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including the variability of AudioEye's revenue and financial performance; risks associated with our new platform, sales channels and offerings; product development and technological changes; the acceptance of AudioEye's products in the marketplace by existing and potential future customers; competition; inherent uncertainties and costs associated with litigation; general economic conditions; and uncertainties regarding the impact on our business and the overall economy from the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. These and other risks are described more fully in AudioEye's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be events in the future that AudioEye is not able to predict accurately or over which AudioEye has no control. Forward-looking statements reflect management's view as of the date of this press release, and AudioEye urges you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. AudioEye does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or uncertainties.
Investor Contact:
Brian M. Prenoveau, CFA
AEYE@mzgroup.us
(561) 374-0177
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE AudioEye, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/audioeye-announces-3-million-stock-repurchase-program/ | 2022-06-02T20:56:42Z |
CARVER, Mass., April 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The founders of Joe Flood Insurance Brokerage, Inc. (JFIB) announce the full launch of their tech-based flood insurance wholesale brokerage. JFIB was founded by Joe "Flood" Rossi, Art McKinney, and Chris St. George to deliver state of the art flood insurance technology, as well as a consultative underwriting approach to agencies of all sizes.
JFIB also announces their status as a coverholder of Chubb European Group, with the unveiling of their own proprietary product on Chubb paper called Upstream. Upstream writes all lines of primary and excess flood business on A++ Chubb paper. "We built JFIB to be agent-centric," Joe noted. "Most of us at JFIB have either been an agent or owned an agency at some point in our careers. With the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 and all the changes happening in the flood industry, we want to deliver our expertise and experience to agents to make their jobs simpler."
JFIB will be releasing an industry leading quote platform to their partner agents in mid-2022. This technology will provide quotes and rate comparisons from many carriers including the JFIB proprietary product Upstream. The technology will leverage industry data, and simplify the quoting, binding, and sales process. JFIB also provides additional flood insurance related services, such as risk scoring, property risk reports, Letter Of Map Amendment filing, and more. This combined with their multitude of flood insurance offerings, makes JFIB a holistic flood solution for agencies across the country.
Agencies are welcome to sign up to be appointed with JFIB and can do so by visiting joefloodinsurance.com/sign-up. JFIB currently has access to 23 carriers, and is placing business in 22 states, with plans to be in almost every state within the year.
To learn more about Joe Flood Insurance Brokerage, visit joefloodinsurance.com
Press Contact
Joe "Flood" Rossi
President/CEO
781.635.5152
joe@joefloodinsurance.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Joe Flood Insurance Brokerage | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/01/flood-wholesaler-insurtech-startup-joe-flood-insurance-brokerage-inc-announces-full-launch-coverholder-status/ | 2022-04-01T13:55:53Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - The Very Good Food Company Inc. (NASDAQ: VGFC) (TSXV: VERY.V) (FSE: OSI) ("VERY GOOD" or the "Company"), today filed a resale registration statement on Form F-1 (the "Resale Registration Statement") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to which the selling securityholder named in the Resale Registration Statement may, from time to time, offer and sell the securities covered by the Resale Registration Statement. The Resale Registration Statement has not become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
In addition, the Company today also filed its restated condensed consolidated interim financial statements and restated management's discussion and analysis for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022. Due to the level of employee turnover and vacancies within the Company's accounting department, coupled with a shortened prescribed time for the Company to report its quarterly results and for management to prepare the first quarter financial statements, the Company's external auditors were unable to complete a review of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 before the filing deadline of May 16, 2022. As a result, the Company filed its first quarter financial statements with a note indicating that such financial statements had not yet been reviewed by the Company's external auditor. In connection with the filing of the Resale Registration Statement, as at June 29, 2022, the Company's external auditor completed its review of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 resulting in the Company amending and restating the previously filed condensed consolidated interim financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the period ended March 31, 2022.
The Company has restated the general and administrative expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 in the amount of $1,211,000 to increase such expense from $3,633,691 to $4,844,691. The adjustment related to the correction of an error in the determination of the share-based compensation recovery for the period which reduced the share-based compensation recovery from $2,003,852 to $792,852. As a result of such restatement net loss and comprehensive loss for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 increased from $8,362,309 and $8,315,787 to $9,573,309 and $9,526,787 respectively. The loss per share for the period increased from $0.07 per common share to $0.08 per common share as a result of the restatement. Corresponding changes were made to increase amount of the equity reserve and deficit balances by $1,211,000 in the statements of financial position and changes in equity and to the net loss for the period and share-based compensation (recovery) in the statement of cash flows.
The VERY GOOD Food Company Inc. is an emerging plant-based food technology company that produces nutritious and delicious plant-based meat and cheese products under VERY GOOD's core brands: The VERY GOOD Butchers and The VERY GOOD Cheese Co. www.verygoodfood.com.
OUR MISSION IS LOFTY BUT BEAUTIFULLY SIMPLE: GET MILLIONS TO RETHINK THEIR FOOD CHOICES WHILE HELPING THEM DO THE WORLD A WORLD OF GOOD. BY OFFERING PLANT-BASED FOOD OPTIONS SO DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS, WE'RE HELPING THIS KIND OF DIET BECOME THE NORM.
ON BEHALF OF THE VERY GOOD FOOD COMPANY INC.
Dela Salem
Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (collectively referred to as "forward-looking information"), for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposed", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "may", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained or referred to in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the registration statement becoming effective. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information, but which may prove to be incorrect including, but not limited to, material assumptions with respect to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to manage recent personnel changes; and the Company's ability to successfully execute on its updated business strategy outlined in its most recently filed interim Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which is available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. The Company's ability to execute on its strategy may also depend on the Company's ability to accurately forecast customer demand for its products and manage its current and future inventory levels, continued demand for VERY GOOD's products, continued growth of the popularity of meat alternatives and the plant-based food industry, no material deterioration in general business and economic conditions, the successful placement of VERY GOOD's products in retail stores and distribution in the food service channel, the Company's ability to remain listed on the Nasdaq, VERY GOOD's ability to successfully enter new markets, VERY GOOD's ability to obtain necessary production equipment and human resources as needed, VERY GOOD's relationship with its suppliers, distributors and third-party logistics providers, and management's ability to position VERY GOOD competitively. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because VERY GOOD can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of VERY GOOD to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information include, among others, the impact of, uncertainties and risks associated with negative cash flow and future financing requirements to sustain and grow operations, limited history of operations and revenues and no history of earnings or dividends, competition, risks relating to the availability of raw materials, risks relating to regulation on social media, expansion of facilities, risks related to credit facilities, dependence on senior management and key personnel, availability of labor, general business risk and liability, regulation of the food industry, change in laws, regulations and guidelines, compliance with laws, risks related to third party logistics providers, unfavorable publicity or consumer perception, increased costs as a result of being a United States public company, product liability and product recalls, risks related to intellectual property, risks relating to co-manufacturing, risks related to expansion into the United States; risks related to our acquisition strategy, taxation risks, difficulties with forecasts, management of growth and litigation as well as the risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risks faced by VERY GOOD, please refer to VERY GOOD's most recent Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com and as an exhibit to the Form 20-F filed with the SEC on May 26, 2022 and available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release. VERY GOOD undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
None of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, TSX Venture Exchange, the SEC or any other securities regulator has either approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.
None of the Nasdaq, the TSX Venture Exchange or its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), the SEC or any other securities regulator accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE The Very Good Food Company Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/very-good-food-files-resale-registration-statement-form-f-1-restated-first-quarter-financial-statement-filings/ | 2022-06-30T17:21:49Z |
CALGARY, AB, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Vermilion Energy Inc. ("Vermilion") (TSX: VET) (NYSE: VET) is pleased to announce a 33% increase to our quarterly cash dividend to $0.08 CDN per share, payable on October 17, 2022 to all shareholders of record on September 30, 2022. The ex-dividend date for this payment is September 29, 2022. This dividend is an eligible dividend for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Vermilion is an international energy producer that seeks to create value through the acquisition, exploration, development and optimization of producing assets in North America, Europe and Australia. Our business model emphasizes free cash flow generation and returning capital to investors when economically warranted, augmented by value-adding acquisitions. Vermilion's operations are focused on the exploitation of light oil and liquids-rich natural gas conventional resource plays in North America and the exploration and development of conventional natural gas and oil opportunities in Europe and Australia.
Vermilion's priorities are health and safety, the environment, and profitability, in that order. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the public and those who work with us, and the protection of our natural surroundings. We have been recognized by leading ESG rating agencies for our transparency on and management of key environmental, social and governance issues. In addition, we emphasize strategic community investment in each of our operating areas.
Employees and directors hold approximately 4% of our outstanding shares and are committed to delivering long-term value for all stakeholders. Vermilion trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VET.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Vermilion Energy Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/vermilion-energy-announces-33-increase-quarterly-dividend/ | 2022-08-11T21:35:10Z |
LUND, Sweden, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
Record high order intake
- Record high order intake of SEK 14.4 billion with continued strong demand in most end-markets.
- Organic sales growth of 9 percent despite supply chain challenges.
- Stable adjusted EBITA margin of 16.5 percent.
- Cash flow negatively impacted by volume growth and inventory build-up.
Summary
Second quarter
Order intake increased by 10 percent* to SEK 14,421 (12,183) million.
Net sales increased by 10 percent* to SEK 11,852 (9,975) million.
Adjusted EBITA**: SEK 1,959 (1,738) million.
Adjusted EBITA margin**: 16.5 (17.4) percent.
Result after financial items: SEK 1,576 (1,231) million.
Net income: SEK 1,152 (985) million.
Earnings per share: SEK 2.75 (2.32).
Cash flow from operating activities: SEK 192 (1,421) million.
Impact on adjusted EBITA of foreign exchange effects: SEK 90 (-30) million.
Impact on result after financial items of comparison distortion items: SEK - (-204) million.
First six months
Order intake increased by 16 percent* to SEK 27,676 (22,387) million.
Net sales increased by 11 percent* to SEK 22,467 (18,944) million.
Adjusted EBITA**: SEK 3,775 (3,268) million.
Adjusted EBITA margin**: 16.8 (17.3) percent.
Result after financial items: SEK 2,836 (2,714) million.
Net income: SEK 2,084 (2,097) million.
Earnings per share: SEK 4.97 (4.96).
Cash flow from operating activities: SEK 959 (2,384) million.
Impact on adjusted EBITA of foreign exchange effects: SEK 130 (-100) million.
Impact on result after financial items of comparison distortion items: SEK -327 (-192) million.
Return on capital employed (%) **: 19.1 (18.0).
Net debt to EBITDA, times **: 1.09 (1.14).
* Excluding currency effects. ** Alternative performance measures.
Outlook for the third quarter
"We expect demand in the third quarter to be somewhat lower than in the second quarter."
Earlier published outlook (April 26, 2022): "We expect demand in the second quarter to be somewhat lower than in the first quarter."
The Q2 2022 report has not been subject to review by the company's auditors.
This information is information that Alfa Laval AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at CET 7.30 on July 20, 2022.
For more information, please contact:
Johan Lundin, Head of Investor Relations
Phone: +46 46 36 65 10,
Mobile: +46 730 46 30 90,
E-mail: johan.lundin@alfalaval.com
Alfa Laval AB (publ)
PO Box 73
SE-221 00 Lund
Sweden
Corporate registration number: 556587-8054
Visiting address:
Rudeboksvägen 1
Phone: + 46 46 36 65 00
Website: www.alfalaval.com
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
The following files are available for download:
View original content:
SOURCE Alfa Laval | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/alfa-laval-ab-publ-interim-report-april-1-june-30-2022/ | 2022-07-20T06:09:09Z |
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The conviction of two men for conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shows that jurors in a deeply divided nation can still reach agreement in politically charged cases, according to experts.
But it leaves unanswered questions about the potential for violence by extremists with a vendetta against government and law enforcement, they say.
“I hope it will be a deterrent in the future, but we need to see some softening of the rhetoric before we can accurately predict that,” said Michael Edison Hayden, spokesman for the nonprofit Southern Policy Law Center, which monitors hate groups.
A federal jury in Grand Rapids, Michigan, returned guilty verdicts Tuesday against Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. on two counts of conspiracy. Two others in the plot, Kaleb Franks and Ty Garbin, pleaded guilty earlier. Franks’ sentencing hearing is set for Oct. 6, Fox’s for Dec. 12 and Croft’s for Dec. 28. Garbin is serving a six-year term, but prosecutors Wednesday asked a judge to cut that to three due to his “remarkable” assistance to the government.
Prosecutors said they planned to grab Whitmer at her vacation home and blow up a bridge to stop police from responding.
A different jury in April deadlocked on Fox and Croft while acquitting two other men. That outcome prompted worries that the overheated political landscape was hampering jurors’ ability to put aside biases, particularly when the FBI — a frequent target of right-wing activists and commentators — was involved.
Some legal observers criticized the government’s handling of the case and questioned the wisdom of retrying it. Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor, said refusing to do so would have been “the coward’s way out.”
“We’re seeing an escalation of threats of violence against public officials,” McQuade said. “The only way to stop that is by holding people accountable when they engage in acts like this, threatening to harm public officials.”
The case unfolded against a backdrop of nationwide polarization.
Whitmer, a rising Democratic star, had exchanged barbs with former President Donald Trump and was unpopular with conservatives, including over her policies early on during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump and other Republicans had accused the FBI of being a tool of Democrats. He described the Whitmer kidnapping plan as a “fake deal.” Jury selection in the retrial of Fox and Croft happened the day after federal agents searched Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate for classified documents. During the trial, a man apparently angered by the search tried to breach the FBI’s Cincinnati office and was killed.
Even so, the jury in Michigan’s Western District — a blend of urban, suburban and rural areas representing a broad political spectrum — delivered “a real statement that citizens of our country aren’t going to put up with violent actions against public officials,” said Mark Chutkow, a former Detroit federal prosecutor.
Less clear is what, if any, effect the case will have on anti-government extremism and white-hot partisanship. Following the verdict, Whitmer renewed her call to “lower the temperature.”
“This is about every American who is serving the public, who’s dealing with threats, whether it’s an election worker or it is a police officer or a teacher,” she told reporters Wednesday after a back-to-school event in suburban Detroit. “This continued political rhetoric that is aimed at inspiring people to hurt their fellow Americans is dangerous.”
The convictions of Croft and Fox could be another rallying cry for far-right extremists, although likely not as potent as 1990s sieges in Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, said Jon Lewis, a research fellow with George Washington University’s program on extremism.
“It’s possible that individuals in anti-government spaces could leverage this as an example of continued tyranny, abuse of the rights of Americans,” Lewis said.
A more concerning outcome could be an increase in lone-wolf attacks as extremist groups become more wary of the potential for infiltration by undercover operatives, he said.
“It’s much harder with the lone actor,” Lewis said. “He doesn’t tell anyone his plans, he has legal access to firearms.”
The George Washington program is tracking cases against 49 people charged with “offenses related to the boogaloo movement,” a loose confederation of believers in a second civil war, he said.
Far-right paramilitary groups were gleeful about the first trial’s outcome and probably are unhappy with the convictions, said Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow with the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism. But history suggests guilty verdicts are less likely to incite violent reactions than arrests perceived as unjust, he said.
It’s equally doubtful that the case will bring about a calmer tone in politics, Pitcavage said.
“We’re in such a heavily polarized society right now and few people seem to want to step back from the brink,” he said.
The most significant ripple effect, he said, might be what was avoided: another defeat and further damage to the FBI’s credibility.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor in California who has followed the Michigan case and criticized the government’s performance in the first trial, said the convictions vindicated the bureau’s investigation.
“Obviously there are folks who are always going to distrust the FBI,” he said. “But this is a big win.”
The convictions may boost public understanding of the FBI’s tactics in combating domestic terrorism, particularly use of undercover operatives, said Dennis Lormel, president of the Society of Former FBI Agents.
“I understand the concerns about overreaching, especially with the rhetoric about the FBI being politicized,” Lormel said. “But the opportunity to insert FBI employees or cooperating witnesses is critically important. If we lose that, we will be in a lot of trouble, we’ll see more terrorist attacks.”
___
Associated Press reporters Mike Householder in Novi, Michigan, and Ed White in Detroit contributed to this story. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/ap-whitmer-kidnap-plot-convictions-unlikely-to-curb-extremism/ | 2022-08-25T12:06:24Z |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Former President George W. Bush took part in a first ball ceremony in Texas, Aaron Judge put on special cleats at Yankee Stadium and the New York Mets wore first responder caps as Major League Baseball paused Sunday to remember the Sept. 11 attacks.
There were moments of silence, remembrances and tributes at ballparks all across America on the 21st anniversary of 9/11.
“It’s a moment in our country’s history. We all have certain things we remember, where we were when it happened and how we felt. So many people involved, so it’s a chance to honor those people today. Realizing the people and families that were affected by this that are still feeling the pain from it,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said before a game in Miami.
Bush, who was president on the day of the attacks, was at Globe Life Field as the Rangers played Toronto. He joined Jimmy Pollozani, a police officer in nearby Fort Worth, and Pollozani’s 13-year-old daughter, Andita, in the ceremony.
They represented police officers, firefighters and first responders across the state. Andita threw the pitch to Rocky Wolfe, a firefighter from the central Texas city of Killeen.
Bush famously delivered a perfect strike before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium between the Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks weeks after New York City’s twin towers fell.
There was a moment of silence before the Blue Jays and Rangers played. During the Canadian and U.S. national anthems, Bush stood between Texas interim manager Tony Beasley and first base coach Corey Ragsdale in front of the home dugout.
Bush delivered the ball to Andita and gave her a hug and a word of advice before she threw from just in front of the mound. Afterward, Bush gave a fist bump to her father before they left the field.
Bush received rousing applause when he was announced. As he headed toward the Rangers’ dugout afterward, some fans chanted, “USA! USA!”
All Rangers and Blue Jays personnel in uniform wore a special Patriot Day patch on their caps. Special lineup cards and base jewels were used.
Bush was part of the investment group that owned the Rangers from April 1989 until June 1998 and remains involved with the club. He and wife Laura have lived in Dallas since he left the White House in January 2009.
At Yankee Stadium as New York played Tampa Bay, Judge wore cleats marking the day. His left cleat had “9/11 Patriot Day” on the back and the right one had “9-11-01.”
The Yankees wore hats in tribute of 9/11 responders rather than their interlocking NY.
Starter Domingo Germán’s cap said NYPD and there was a mix of FDNY. He sprinted to the bullpen to warm up holding an American flag in his right hand, drawing cheers from a crowd that had been sitting through a rain delay.
Germán said he was inspired by watching Sammy Sosa running with a flag in the Chicago Cubs’ first home game following the attacks.
“It was a way to show support to the country, to the people, the victims, and today I felt like it was a good way to kind of replicate that and show that horrific event, you remember what happened, and that it’s close to your heart,” Germán said through a translator.
“That moment marked me as a kid, so I always felt that given the opportunity, given the right time, I wanted to do it, and it happened here with the Yankees. I guess it’s something that my kids can see and hopefully use it as inspiration,” he said.
Manager Aaron Boone placed a wreath at the monument in Monument Park that was dedicated on the first anniversary of the attacks.
Yankee Stadium public address announcer Paul Olden began a brief pregame ceremony by calling the attacks “an unsuccessful attempt to break the spirit of our great nation.”
Firefighter Regina Wilson sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” after the Port Authority Honor Guard presented the colors.
The Mets wore caps with insignias representing New York first responder departments. Featured were the city’s police and fire departments as well as Port Authority Police and departments of sanitation and correction.
Anthony Varvaro, a former big league pitcher who retired in 2016 to become Port Authority police officer, was killed in a car accident Sunday morning in New Jersey on his way to work at the Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in Manhattan.
Varvaro, 37, was born in Staten Island and played at St. John’s before becoming a reliever for Seattle, Atlanta and Boston from 2010-15.
“We are deeply saddened on the passing of former Braves pitcher Anthony Varvaro,” the Braves said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues.”
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-george-w-bush-part-of-mlbs-9-11-anniversary-tribute/ | 2022-09-12T15:54:56Z |
Cribl product suite now integrates with SentinelOne's Singularity XDR Platform
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cribl, the leader in enabling open observability, today announced a new partnership with SentinelOne, an autonomous cybersecurity platform company. The partnership enables SentinelOne customers to leverage Cribl's observability product suite to streamline cybersecurity triage, optimize data collection, and provide security teams control of their data.
By integrating Cribl's observability product suite with Singularity XDR, SentinelOne customers can now unlock the value of all observability data. Key benefits include the ability to: 1) Operationalize endpoint and extended detection and response (EDR & XDR) of data sources in joint customer environments, 2) Streamline for triage and investigative functions in the Security Operations Center (SOC), and 3) Progress cybersecurity programs with enhanced threat intelligence, threat hunting, and adversary simulation.
"Today's cybersecurity risk levels are increasingly associated with the ability to understand data across enterprise assets," said Chuck Fontana, SVP Business Development at SentinelOne. "Our partnership with Cribl helps optimize data collection at scale, enabling security teams to minimize risk and save time."
"We're excited to partner with the SentinelOne team," said Zac Kilpatrick, VP of Channel and Alliances at Cribl. "To keep up with persistent threats and the ever-changing security landscape, SOC activity must move from reactivity to proactivity. SentinelOne's autonomous and proactive approach to cybersecurity is differentiated in the market and aligns with Cribl's objective of optimizing analytics platform cost and performance."
Cribl's product suite now integrates with SentinelOne's Cloud Funnel, a data subscription enabling XDR data to be stored locally in an enterprise's data lake. This solution works with any data type, such as file, process, DNS, flow, behavioral, registry, commands, scripts, and more. Cloud Funnel's flexibility provides SentinelOne customers the ability to choose which data type they need, optimize it to find the right signal, and route it for maximum efficiency - all at machine speed.
Cribl Stream now supports SentinelOne's DataSet as a destination to seamlessly route data from legacy log analytics solutions. DevOps and IT teams choose DataSet to analyze data in real-time, effortlessly scale to petabytes, and cost-effectively retain data for longer periods of time for compliance and audit purposes. The new integration enables Cribl customers to pipeline their data to DataSet without changing their data instrumentation, collection, and ingestion.
SentinelOne and Cribl will also continue bringing new offerings to market, including integrating Cribl Stream into SentinelOne's Singularity XDR platform.
To learn more about the partnership, check out the Cribl blog, visit Cribl at Black Hat in Booth #1172, and join us for CriblCon at Black Hat 2022 on Thursday, August 11th in Las Vegas.
Cribl makes open observability a reality for today's tech professionals. The Cribl product suite defies data gravity with radical levels of choice and control. Wherever the data comes from, wherever it needs to go, Cribl delivers the freedom and flexibility to make choices, not compromises. It's enterprise software that doesn't suck, enables tech professionals to do what they need to do, and gives them the ability to say "Yes." With Cribl, companies have the power to control their data, get more out of existing investments, and shape the observability future. Founded in 2017, Cribl is a remote-first company with an office in San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit www.cribl.io or our LinkedIn, Twitter, or Slack community.
Cribl Media Contact
Kelly Engemoen
media@cribl.io
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Cribl | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/sentinelone-cribl-partner-deliver-data-flexibility-across-cybersecurity-observability/ | 2022-08-03T13:48:43Z |
BCBS of MN's Anti-Competitive Actions Risk Minnesotans' Lives During Pandemic By Creating Illegal Barriers To COVID-19 Testing
MINNEAPOLIS, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GS Labs, a leading provider of COVID-19 rapid tests in Minnesota and across the nation has filed new counterclaims in the company's ongoing legal battle against multi-billion-dollar insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.
The June 29th filing in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota flatly denies all prior allegations made by BCBS of Minnesota against GS Labs. GS Labs has also alleged 21 counterclaims against BCBS of Minnesota detailing a scheme to harm competition in violation of the federal antitrust laws, resulting in COVID testing shortages in Minnesota, by conspiring with other Blue insurance companies in a cartel to fix prices and illegally boycott quality testing labs. The countercomplaint also sets forth factual allegations showing that BCBS of Minnesota committed consumer fraud by misleading Minnesotans in need of COVID testing, tortiously interfered with GS Labs' business relationships, and violated the CARES Act by refusing to reimburse GS Labs for thousands of COVID tests for its insureds.
In October 2020, BCBS of Minnesota and its affiliate Blues agreed to pay $2.67 billion to settle a class action alleging collusion among the Blue affiliates in violation of federal antitrust laws. That settlement agreement included operational changes meant to enhance competition among Blue insurers. However, BCBS of Minnesota's conduct raises new concerns that it and its sisters Blues continue to engage in anticompetitive behavior.
"Throughout the pandemic, GS Labs has been there to provide fast and accurate testing for more than 300,000 Minnesotans," said Jen Rae Wang, a representative for the company. "While insurance companies across the U.S. have paid GS Labs for these services, BCBS of Minnesota has colluded with other Blues to suppress testing, boycott GS Labs, and price-fix across the state and the nation. That anti-competitive act of greed has made it harder for residents to get critical medical information and has dangerously impacted public health."
The filling alleges that BCBS of Minnesota, "joined forces with other BCBS affiliates to exchange competitively sensitive information and fix the purchase price of COVID-19 diagnostic testing services at unsustainable cut-rates, and to boycott providers like GS Labs that do not accede to the BCBS cartel's fiat prices." The countersuit additionally details how the Blues worked together through the BCBS Association and their joint participation in the American Health Insurance Plans ("AHIP"), a national trade association for health insurance companies which counts among its Board of Directors eight members who are senior executives of BCBS affiliates.
The filing describes BCBS's, "concerted and willful actions to exclude and suppress output and reduce the quality of testing capacity by fixing prices, engaging in a boycott to withhold reimbursement, and spreading disinformation to steer subscribers away from GS Labs takes Minnesota in the opposite direction, harming competition, consumers, and GS Labs in the process. In other words, the reason for the long lines and broken testing regime is Blue Cross."
"The countersuit demonstrates Blue Cross and Blue Shield's greed and deception amidst a massive public health emergency," said Wang. "BCBS of Minnesota has violated the law, deceived Minnesota residents, and banded together with other Blues to spike profits and suppress testing capacity at the expense of their members and the public's health. These disgraceful, unethical and illegal actions should never be tolerated."
David Leibowitz, a GS Labs spokesperson, also highlighted an irony regarding BCBS' original lawsuit against GS Labs: On the very day that BCBS of Minnesota sued GS Labs for fraud and abuse, it also extended an invitation to GS Labs to become an in-network participating provider.
"Only a mega-billion-dollar insurance company would sue for fraud a legitimate testing business that's helped over one million people with life-saving medical information, then in the same breath ask that provider to become an in-network partner," said Leibowitz. "Apparently, BCBS of Minnesota would have been all too happy to work with GS Labs, but only at cut-rate price that would have bankrupted the provider while the insurance company got fatter and happier."
The CARES Act makes clear that insurance carriers must pay for COVID-19 testing for insured members. Section 3202(a) states: "If the health plan or issuer does not have a negotiated rate with such provider, such plan or issuer shall reimburse the provider in an amount that equals the cash price for such service as listed by the provider on a public internet website, or such plan or issuer may negotiate a rate with such provider for less than such cash price."
GS Labs is seeking full payment for unpaid bills that currently total tens of millions of dollars, plus legal fees, investigative fees and compensation for lost goodwill. The company also seeks three times the actual damages for each of Blue Cross' antitrust violations, together with costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys' fees, compensatory damages, interest and legal fees.
"The BCBS buyers' cartel for COVID-19 diagnostic testing has obtained its intended and predictable effect: namely, depressed reimbursements rates for COVID-19 diagnostic services provided by GS Labs have boosted Blue Cross' profits," the counterclaim explains. "The victims of this scam, however, are the suppliers of the testing who stood ready to provide additional output in order to alleviate national shortage, as well the pubic and patients who suffered severe documented testing shortages."
GS Labs began offering COVID-19 rapid tests in October 2020. Many communities directly requested assistance from GS Labs, due to a lack of testing resources. By keeping testing centers open 12 hours a day during the height of the pandemic – and paying above-market salaries to hire experienced registered nurses and other medical professionals – GS Labs to date has safely and effectively tested more than 1.3 million Americans.
# # #
View original content:
SOURCE GS Labs | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/gs-labs-countersues-blue-cross-blue-shield-minnesota-federal-court-filing-accuses-insurer-antitrust-violations-conspiring-with-cartel-bcbs-affiliates-violating-cares-act-false-advertising-consumer-fraud/ | 2022-06-29T22:45:12Z |
Rapidly deployable infrastructure supports multiple missions in both garrison and tactical operations
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambium Networks (NASDAQ: CMBM), a leading global provider of wireless networking solutions, today announced that its fixed wireless infrastructure solutions continue to evolve and support defense and national security fixed wireless broadband applications for border security, first responders, garrison operations and theater communications. Cambium Networks has demonstrated technical leadership, performance, and survivability in harsh conditions in defense and security applications around the world for over fifteen years.
"Defense communications are mission critical, whether it is in conflict situations or supporting operations in ports and bases," said Atul Bhatnagar, president and CEO of Cambium Networks. "Cambium Networks' fixed wireless solutions provide the performance and ruggedness that can be counted on to enhance mission critical communications in harsh environments."
In the first half of 2022, Cambium Networks' solutions have been selected for multiple defense and security programs, including:
- Naval base communications around the globe, both pier side as well as ship-to-shore
- Tactical defense programs
- Border Security projects
- Multiple international programs, including US supported foreign military sales and direct to Europe, Middle East and Africa projects
"Cambium Networks has recently achieved notable accreditations on two purpose built fixed wireless broadband network solutions," said Ryan Peterson, Global Defense and Security Sales Director, Cambium Networks. "Defense and national security network operators can now include cnMatrix™ Routing and Switching systems and Microwave Line-of-site (MLoS) Turn-Key Connectivity Kits in their plans."
Also, the PTP 78700, a MLoS radio operating in the 7 and 8 GHz band, received JF-12 (Joint Frequency Allocation-to-Equipment Process) spectrum certification by the US Government. This certification allows defense and security customers additional licensed spectrum to deploy MLoS programs as an alternative to the already congested NATO Band 4 and unlicensed 5 GHz bands.
In addition, the PTP 700's FIPS 140-2 acreditation was re-verified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under certificate #4243. The PTP 700 operates in NATO Band 4, 4.4 – 4.9 GHz, but also bridges from 4.9 GHz to 5.875 GHz, providing a high level of frequency agility. The PTP 700's embedded dynamic spectrum optimization (DSO) was also recently updated to further enhance its ability to address electronic counter measures like adversary jamming and interception capabilities.
Cambium Networks' federal and defense solutions are proven wireless communications for military battlefield, border, garrison and infrastructure applications with the following acreditations:
- NIST FIPS 140-2 validation
- NTIA SPS (Spectrum Planning Subcommittee) certification
- JF-12 (Joint Frequency Allocation-to-Equipment Process) spectrum certification
- MIL-STD-810
- Multiple layers of FIPS-validated security including physical, certificate, and over-the-air-rekey security
- TAA compliant hardware and ancillary items
Cambium Networks provides a comprehensive suite of hardware, software and managed solutions that support multi-gigabit connectivity for federal defense, public safety and national law enforcement in addition to municipal, enterprise and service provider applications. The comprehensive wireless fabric portfolio of Wi-Fi access points, switches and fixed wireless technologies—all unified by the cnMaestro™ cloud management system—enables networks to run efficiently and easily scale to meet increasing demand.
About Cambium Networks
Cambium Networks delivers wireless communications that work for businesses, communities, and cities worldwide. Millions of our radios are deployed to connect people, places, and things with a unified wireless fabric that spans multiple standards and frequencies of fixed wireless and Wi-Fi, all managed centrally via the cloud. Our multi-gigabit wireless fabric offers a compelling value proposition over traditional fiber and alternative wireless solutions. We work with our Cambium certified ConnectedPartners to deliver purpose-built networks for service provider, enterprise, industrial, and government connectivity solutions in urban, suburban, and rural environments, with wireless that just works.
Media Contact
Dave Reddy - Big Valley Marketing for Cambium
+1 (650) 868-4659
dreddy@bigvalley.co
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Cambium Networks | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/cambium-networks-fixed-wireless-broadband-technology-selected-national-defense-communications/ | 2022-07-28T12:38:58Z |
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR ISSUE OR INVITATION TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, OR ANY SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, ANY SECURITIES.
HILVERSUM, Netherlands, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group N.V. ("UMG" or the "Company") today announced that it has successfully priced €500m of 3.000% senior unsecured notes due 2027 and €500m of 3.750% senior unsecured notes due 2032 (collectively, the "Notes"). The offering is expected to close on June 30, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.
The Notes will be issued from the Company's newly established Euro Medium Term Note programme, listed on Euronext Amsterdam and sold to investors outside the U.S. in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The proceeds from the issuance will be used for refinancing of existing indebtedness and paying transaction fees and expenses.
BNP Paribas and BofA Securities acted as Global Coordinators and together with Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, MUFG and Société Générale as the Active Bookrunners on the issuance. CACIB, Commerzbank, IMI-Intesa Sanpaolo, ING, Mediobanca, Mizuho, Morgan Stanley Europe SE, Natixis and Santander acted as Passive Bookrunners.
About Universal Music Group
At Universal Music Group (EURONEXT: UMG), we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information on Universal Music Group N.V. visit www.universalmusic.com.
Contacts
Media
James Murtagh-Hopkins – communicationsnl@umusic.com
Investors
Erika Begun – investorrelations@umusic.com
Cautionary Notice
This press release is published by Universal Music Group N.V. and contains inside information within the meaning of article 7 (1) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation).
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements with respect to UMG´s business and plans, including the debt transactions contemplated hereby. Although UMG believes that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are related to factors that are outside UMG´s control, including, but not limited to, UMG´s inability to compete successfully and to identify, attract, sign and retain successful recording artists and songwriters, failure of streaming and subscription adoption or revenue to grow or to grow less rapidly than anticipated, UMG´s reliance on digital service providers, UMG´s inability to execute its business strategy, the global nature of UMG´s operations, UMG´s inability to protect its intellectual property and against piracy, UMG´s inability to attract and retain key personnel, changes in laws and regulations and the other risks that have been described in UMG´s 2021 annual report and base prospectus dated June 16, 2022, which are available on UMG's website. Accordingly, UMG cautions readers against placing undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. UMG disclaims any intention or obligation to provide, update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Universal Music Group N.V. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/universal-music-group-nv-successfully-prices-10bn-new-eurobond-notes/ | 2022-06-23T17:45:18Z |
STAMFORD, Conn., July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tronox Holdings plc (NYSE: TROX) announced today the following schedule for its second quarter 2022 earnings release and webcast conference call:
Earnings Release: Wednesday, July 27, 2022, after the market close via PR Newswire and the Tronox Holdings plc website: tronox.com
Webcast Conference Call: Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. ET (New York). The live call is open to the public via internet broadcast and telephone.
Internet Broadcast: investor.tronox.com
Dial-in Telephone Numbers:
United States: 1 (844) 200-6205
International: +1 929 526 1599
Access code: 603841
Conference Call Presentation Slides will be used during the conference call and are available on our investor relations website: investor.tronox.com
Conference Call Replay: Available via the internet and telephone beginning on July 28, 2022, by 11:00 a.m. ET (New York), until August 2, 2022, 5:00 p.m. ET (New York)
Internet Replay: investor.tronox.com
Replay Dial-in Telephone Numbers:
US Toll Free: 1 (866) 813-9403
International: +44 204 525 0658
Replay Access Code: 720357
About Tronox
Tronox Holdings plc is one of the world's leading producers of high-quality titanium products, including titanium dioxide pigment, specialty-grade titanium dioxide products and high-purity titanium chemicals, and zircon. We mine titanium-bearing mineral sands and operate upgrading facilities that produce high-grade titanium feedstock materials, pig iron and other minerals. With approximately 6,500 employees across six continents, our rich diversity, unmatched vertical integration model, and unparalleled operational and technical expertise across the value chain, position Tronox as the preeminent titanium dioxide producer in the world. For more information about how our products add brightness and durability to paints, plastics, paper and other everyday products, visit Tronox.com.
Media Contact: Melissa Zona
+1.636.751.4057
Investor Contact: Jennifer Guenther
+1.646.960.6598
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Tronox Holdings plc | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/tronox-announces-dates-second-quarter-2022-earnings-release-amp-webcast-conference-call/ | 2022-07-13T20:44:05Z |
Tom Petty tribute in Akron to showcase 'Wildflowers'; St. Paul flies with 'Peter Pan Jr.'
Tom Petty tribute show will feature Canton area musicians
Ryan Humbert is an unabashed fan of Tom Petty's 1994 album, "Wildflowers."
The Shootouts frontman said it's a "desert island disc for me."
"I wanted to pay tribute to this incredible masterpiece of an album," he said in advance of the tribute show set for 8 p.m. May 21 at Goodyear Theater in Akron.
Tickets are $20 and $25 and available at www.goodyeartheater.com and www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 330-253-2488.
"Won't Back Down: N.E.O. Celebrates the Music of Tom Petty" features a list of the Akron-Canton area's most notable musicians – Jackie Popovec and Rick Deak of The Vindys; Cody J. Martin; Corey King of The Ohio Weather Band; Jeff Klemm; Brian Lisik; Tracey Thomas; Shanna Delaney; and Marc Lee Shannon, who is known both for his solo work and time with Michael Stanley and The Resonators.
Humbert, of North Canton, also will sing lead vocals on several songs, while joining the house band on guitars and harmony vocals. The band features John Anthony (The Vindys) on guitar; Erin Vaughn, guitar; Paul Lewis, bass; Ed Davis (The Vindys) on drums; Emily Bates (The Shootouts), harmony vocals; and Ben Evans on keys.
More:Vindys shine and evolve on sophomore album with big vocals, searing guitar, jazzy swagger
More:Marc Lee Shannon celebrates sobriety, remembers Michael Stanley on new album
Set one will feature all 15 songs from the album, front to back, plus one bonus tune. Highlights from the critically acclaimed "Wildflowers" include "You Don't Know How It Feels," "You Wreck Me," "Cabin Down Below," "A Higher Place" and "Crawling Back to You."
Set two of the tribute show will draw on an eclectic mix of Petty's most well-known songs, including, "Mary Jane's Last Dance," "Refugee," "Yer So Bad," "The Waiting," "Runnin' Down a Dream," "Breakdown" and others.
More:The Shootouts climb Americana music chart; record release show set for June 12 in Canton
More:Ohio Weather Band to open for Sammy Hagar and The Circle at Akron Children's concert
The entire concert will total 30 songs, said Humbert, who is hosting and producing the show. Set two also finishes with a grand finale featuring all of the guest artists onstage together.
The show also will benefit 91.3 The Summit's Marilyn Stroud Music Alive Program. The program provides refurbished instruments to underprivileged area students. Attendees to the concert are encouraged to bring a new or gently-used instrument to donate at the Summit table in the lobby.
King, frontman of The Ohio Weather Band, originally based in Alliance, said he'll be performing "It's Good to Be King" and "Learning to Fly."
"For the most part, I plan to stick to the songs as they are as far as structure or sound," the 31-year-old Akron resident said. "However, whenever I play someone else's song, I do like to play with the energy, delivery, cadence ... which ultimately, does make it unique. That's something, for me, that just happens naturally when covering a song, and I'm glad it does."
A longtime Petty fan, King recalls the "Wildflowers" album from his elementary school days.
"I used to rummage through all of my dad's albums when I was a kid. He had a nice collection of some good stuff. CDs and cassette tapes mostly. 'Wildflowers' was one of them. When I found that album, I latched on pretty hard."
"What I love most about Tom is his songwriting," King said. "He's managed to deliver so many relatable, catchy, interesting and well-crafted songs while keeping it simple. In most cases, there's never too much going on and at the same time; you're not wanting more. It's always just right..."
Martin said he's performed at previous Tom Petty tribute events organized by Humbert.
"I'll be happy to share the experience with all these great performers once again," said Martin, of North Canton and formerly of Massillon.
"Growing up with classic rock radio stations meant hearing a lot of Tom Petty," the 30-year-old singer-songwriter said. "You can’t help but form a tight connection to the attitude in those songs. They sort of become your friend in a way. Always there when you need them the most."
St. Paul students fly in 'Peter Pan Jr.'
Students at St. Paul Catholic School in North Canton took to the stage and air to perform "Peter Pan Jr." Thursday and Friday at the Canton Palace Theatre.
"Peter Pan Jr." was directed by Lisa Knight and Taylor Bond, and it was performed by the St. Paul Theatre Company.
The production followed a two-year hiatus and featured a cast of more than 50 students in grades fourth through eighth.
The Indiana-based "Flying by Troy" was hired to train and assist some of the children with incorporating flight scenes into the play.
Lead roles included Katie Dever, 14, as Peter Pan; Charlotte Raketich, eighth grade, as Wendy Darling; Shepard Mitchell, fifth grade, as John Darling; Allie Dietrich, sixth grade, as Michael Darling; Sophia Mathie, eighth grade, as Captain Hook; Barrett Miller, eighth grade, as Smee; and Addison Haupt, eighth grade, as Tiger Lily.
Dever has been performing on the St. Paul stage since first grade when she was Molly in "Annie."
"Peter Pan Jr." is her 26th production on stages throughout Northeast Ohio. She is currently rehearsing for a production of "Legally Blonde Jr., The Musical" in an off-Broadway theatre in New York City that will be performed in June.
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. On Twitter: @ebalintREP. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/entertainment/2022/05/12/tom-petty-tribute-concert-akron-showcases-wildflowers-album/9687938002/ | 2022-05-12T09:33:53Z |
A Florida judge on Saturday gave initial approval to a settlement of more than $1 billion to families who lost loved ones in the collapse last year of a Florida beachfront condominium building in which 98 people died.
The quick settlement of the unprecedented collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South building in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021, means that potentially years of court battles will be avoided.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman, who is overseeing the lawsuits filed after the collapse, said during a hearing held remotely it was the best possible outcome given the loss of life and property in the disaster.
“It is a great result,” Hanzman said before giving preliminary approval to the agreement, which was announced Friday. “This was a very contested deal.”
Rachel Furst, co-chair of the attorney group representing victim families, said the agreement also means defendants — insurance companies, developers, the city of Surfside and others — will have “complete peace” that they won’t be sued again. Still, some people may decide to opt out of the deal and pursue their own independent claims.
“This was heavily negotiated,” Furst said. “We believe this is an outstanding settlement.”
Under the agreement, people involved in the settlement directly will have until June 16 to file a notice they intend to opt out. A week later on June 23, Judge Hanzman will have a fairness hearing to allow anyone objecting to the settlement to be heard.
Attorney Michael Goldberg, the court-appointed receiver handling in the case for the judge, said notice will go out to all the family members of those who died, will be posted on the Champlain Towers South website and also will be put into the Miami Herald.
“We will begin immediately,” Goldberg said.
The total for the families who lost loved ones in the collapse is about $1.02 billion. Separately, people whose condos were destroyed and lost property such as furnishings and mementos will share about $96 million.
Families of victims will have to file claims, as the money will not be split evenly. The goal is to begin distributing money by September.
The money comes from several sources, including insurance companies, engineering companies and a luxury condominium that had recently been built next door. None of the parties are admitting wrongdoing. A billionaire developer from Dubai is set to purchase the 1.8-acre (1-hectare) beachside site for $120 million, contributing to the settlement.
Only three survivors were found despite around-the-clock efforts by rescuers who dug through a 40-foot (12-meter) high pile of rubble for two weeks. Another three dozen people were able to escape from the portion of the building that remained standing. All 135 units were ultimately demolished, leaving a gaping hole along Surfside’s beachfront.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is investigating the cause of the collapse, a process expected to take years. Champlain South had a long history of maintenance problems and questions have been raised about the quality of its original construction and inspections in the early 1980s. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/judge-gives-initial-ok-to-1b-deal-in-florida-condo-collapse/ | 2022-05-29T13:12:17Z |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I thought there should be an efficient way for a worker to stack and move cones with one hand throughout a work zone," said an inventor, from Millington, Tenn., "so I invented the ROLLING CONE. My design would reduce the manual labor associated with lifting, moving and distributing stacks of safety cones."
The invention provides an improved design for a safety/work zone cone. In doing so, it enables the user to stack cones with one hand. It also eliminates the need to lift stacks of cones. As a result, it increases maneuverability, convenience and safety. The invention features a durable design that is easy to use and transport so it is ideal for construction workers, municipality personnel, road workers, etc.
The original design was submitted to the National sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-OSK-326, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/inventhelp-inventor-develops-improved-safetywork-zone-cone-osk-326/ | 2022-09-14T14:59:43Z |
Climate progress remains elusive for Biden on Earth Day
Biden signs order to protect old-growth forests from fire
SEATTLE (AP) — With a backdrop of flowering trees, it was a setting fit for the signing of major environmental legislation. Even Seattle’s notorious clouds parted as President Joe Biden stepped up to speak Friday.
But when he sat down at a small desk with the presidential seal that had been set up for the occasion, there was no new law to sign, just an executive order directing federal officials to keep better track of trees in national forests.
The gap between the scale of the global warming crisis and the president’s initiatives seemed wider than ever on Earth Day. Although last year’s infrastructure legislation had some climate policies, such as building more charging stations for electric cars, many of Biden’s most ambitious proposals remain stalled in Congress.
Biden seemed eager to be signing something other than his executive order.
“My pen is ready,” Biden said in Seattle’s Seward Park. “Get some of these bills to my desk.”
He criticized Republicans for opposing climate action and hinted at his frustration with Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, although he didn’t mention them by name. Within the Democratic caucus, he said, “there’s only two senators who occasionally don’t vote with me.”
The lack of unanimity among Democrats and the steadfast resistance from Republicans in the evenly divided Senate has blocked hundreds of billions of dollars in tax credits for clean energy. Environmental advocates question whether the country can hit Biden’s ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions without such policies, and scientists warn that the world faces extreme heat, drought and weather unless fossil fuels are phased out swiftly.
With so much of his agenda in doubt, Biden instead drew a sharp contrast with his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who often mocked climate change as he unraveled the country’s fight against global warming during his time in office.
“We’ve reached the point where the crisis on the environment has become so obvious, with the notable exception of the former president, that we really have an opportunity to do things we couldn’t have done two, five, 10 years ago,” Biden said.
Biden said he was staking his hopes on an up-and-coming generation.
“Every time I get a little down ... I just turn on the television or take a look at all the young people,” he said. “This younger generation is not going to put up with all this stuff. No, they’re not.”
Biden spoke to some of that generation at his second stop of the day, Green River College, just south of Seattle. The auditorium included scores of students, plus faculty and local elected officials, and Biden used the moment to promote an agenda that goes far beyond the environment.
The speech was a collage of laws he’s passed and what he still needs congressional support to achieve. He discussed college funding, health care prices, child care expenses, corporate taxes, high speed internet and the importance of nursing.
Biden also warned that Republicans remain determined to repeal the Affordable Care Act more than a decade after it was signed into law by President Barack Obama.
“We need to keep this fight up,” he said.
Biden singled out the high cost of insulin for treating diabetes, which he wants to limit through new legislation.
“There’s no excuse. None,” he said. “We’re not asking drug companies to do anything they can’t afford.”
The executive order signed by Biden on Friday directs federal land managers to define and inventory mature and old-growth forests nationwide within a year. The order requires the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to identify threats to older trees, such as wildfire and climate change, and develop policies to safeguard them.
Old-growth trees are key buffers against climate change and provide crucial carbon sinks that absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
The order does not ban logging of mature or old-growth trees, the White House said.
Biden used his Earth Day events to reassert his environmentalist credentials when his administration has been preoccupied by high oil and gasoline prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Gas costs have been a drag on Biden’s popularity and created short-term political pressures going into this year’s midterm elections.
He’s even encouraged more domestic oil drilling, angering some environmental activists, to compensate for the problem.
At the same time, Biden has focused on wildfires that are intensifying because of climate change. Blazes that are intense enough to kill trees once considered virtually fire-proof have alarmed land managers, environmentalists and tree lovers the world over. A warming planet that has created longer and hotter droughts, combined with a century of fire suppression that choked forests with thick undergrowth, has fueled flames that extinguished trees dating to ancient civilizations.
Timber industry representative Nick Smith said before the order was made public that loggers are worried it will add more bureaucracy, undercutting the Biden administration’s goal of doubling the amount of logging and controlled burns over the next decade to thin forests in the tinder-dry West.
“The federal government has an urgent need to reduce massive greenhouse gas emissions from severe wildfires, which can only be accomplished by actively managing our unhealthy and overstocked federal forests,” he said.
But former U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Jim Furnish said wildfire risks and climate change would be better addressed by removing smaller trees that can fuel uncontrolled blazes, while leaving mature trees in place.
For many years the Forest Service allowed older trees that are worth more to be logged, to bring in money for removal of smaller trees, Furnish said. But that’s no longer necessary after Congress approved more than $5 billion to reduce wildfire risks in last year’s infrastructure bill, he said. The law includes money to hire 1,500 firefighters and ensure they earn at least $15 an hour.
Timber sales from federal forests nationwide more than doubled over the past 20 years, as Republicans and Democrats have pushed more aggressive thinning of stands to reduce small trees and vegetation that fuel wildfires.
Critics, including many forest scientists, say officials are allowing removal of too many older trees that can withstand fire.
A letter signed by 135 scientists called on Biden to protect mature and old-growth forests as a critical climate solution.
“Left vulnerable to logging, though, they cannot fulfill these vital functions,’’ the scientists wrote Thursday. Former Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck and Norman Christensen, founding dean and professor emeritus at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, were among those signing the letter.
___
Associated Press writer Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed to this story. Megerian and Daly reported from Washington.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/22/biden-order-aims-protect-old-growth-forests-wildfire/ | 2022-04-23T00:27:35Z |
Company settles dog-leasing allegations for more than $900K
BOSTON (AP) — A California-based finance company has agreed to pay more than $900,000 to settle allegations that it was illegally leasing dogs in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts attorney general’s office said as part of the agreement entered in Suffolk Superior Court on Wednesday, Monterey Financial Services LLC will stop collecting on active leases, cancel about $700,000 in outstanding consumer debt on the leases, and transfer full ownership of the dogs to Massachusetts residents. The company will also provide $175,000 in restitution to consumers and pay $50,000 to the state. Leasing dogs is illegal in Massachusetts. A voicemail seeking comment was left with Monterey. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2022/04/14/company-settles-dog-leasing-allegations-for-more-than-900k/ | 2022-04-14T15:26:50Z |
LONDON (AP) — Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched her campaign for a second independence referendum on Tuesday, arguing that Scotland would be economically better off outside the United Kingdom.
Sturgeon, who leads the Scottish National Party as well as the devolved government in Scotland, said it’s the right time to revisit the case for Scotland to leave the U.K.
“After everything that has happened — Brexit, COVID, Boris Johnson — it is time to set out a different and better vision,” she said as she released the first in a series of government papers laying out the arguments for independence.
Scotland rejected independence in a 2014 referendum, with 55% of voters saying they wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Sturgeon has said she wants a new vote on independence before the end of 2023. That would need a green light from the U.K.-wide government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who opposes a new referendum and has said the issue was settled in the 2014 vote.
But Sturgeon argues that the landscape has changed since then, most importantly because of Britain’s departure from the European Union, a move opposed by a majority of people in Scotland.
“Had we known in 2014 everything we know now about the path the U.K. would have taken, then I’ve got no doubt Scotland would have voted yes back then,” Sturgeon said in an interview with the BBC.
Sturgeon said that when she was re-elected as first minister last year, it was on a “clear commitment to give the people of Scotland the choice of becoming an independent country.”
She said Tuesday the Scottish parliament has an “indisputable democratic mandate” for the vote. Sturgeon’s party leads a pro-independence majority in the Scottish parliament, together with the Scottish Green Party.
She urged Johnson’s government to grant a special order allowing a legally binding independence referendum to be held. She is ready to discuss the terms with Johnson, she added.
Johnson’s office again rejected the bid.
“The U.K. government’s position is that now is not the time to be talking about another referendum,” Johnson’s official spokesman said.
“We are confident that the people of Scotland want and expect their governments to be working together to focus on issues like the global cost-of-living challenges, like war in Europe and the issues that matter to their families and their communities,” he added.
Like Wales and Northern Ireland, Scotland has its own parliament and devolved government and makes its own policies on public health, education and other matters. But the U.K.-wide government in London controls matters such as defense and fiscal policy.
Sturgeon unveiled the first in the Scottish government’s “Building a New Scotland” papers, which argues that neighboring, independent European countries of Scotland’s size are wealthier and fairer.
She maintained that decision-making in London is holding back Scotland’s potential, adding: “We have a prime minister with no democratic authority in Scotland and no moral authority anywhere in the U.K.”
Opposition parties have criticized Sturgeon for focusing on independence and neglecting other issues such as recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis. They say another referendum will be divisive and counterproductive to what Scotland needs.
“The distraction and disruption of another bitter referendum debate is the last thing Scotland needs right now,” said Donald Cameron, a Scottish Conservative. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/scotland-leader-to-start-campaign-for-new-independence-vote/ | 2022-06-15T01:02:49Z |
(NEXSTAR) – Measuring about one inch in size, the spotted lanternfly, with its spots and pair of bright red wings, may be a stunning sight for some. For others, it’s a cause for serious concern.
Officials in New York warned about the invasive bug on Monday, saying it could impact the state’s grape and wine industries. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recently encouraged residents to check their cars for lanternflies hoping to hitchhike to new areas.
Since first being detected in the U.S. in 2014, the invasive bug has spread to 11 states, primarily across the Northeast. It was first found in Pennsylvania and has since been found in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
A native to China, the spotted lanternfly feasts off of fruit, ornamental, and woody trees, especially the tree of heaven, a fellow invasive species native to China, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Specifically, the spotted lanternfly feeds on sap from over 70 different plant species, PennState Extension explains. The damage left behind can cause the plant to stress, draining its health and potentially killing it.
Some states, like Pennsylvania, have enacted quarantines, which prohibit moving the bug at any life stage and regulate moving items the insect may live on like firewood or vehicles. In Pennsylvania alone, PennState economists say the spotted lanternfly could take $324 million from the local economy if not contained.
Even if your state isn’t listed above, the Department of Agriculture considers most states at risk of being impacted by the spotted lanternfly. Using the department’s Pest Tracker, you can determine if your state could be a suitable home for the invasive bug, as well as 20 other “targeted Hungry Pests.”
SLIDESHOW: Life Phases of Spotted Lanternflies
Spotted lanternflies don’t fly for long distances but can travel far by hitchhiking on vehicles, trailers, outdoor equipment, or even a hiker’s backpack. Moving infested material can also help the bug spread.
During the fall, the invasive species will search for surfaces to lay its mud-like egg masses on. This could include trees, grills, lawnmowers, vehicles, or any other outdoor area.
If you find an egg mass in an area already known to have spotted lanternflies, the Department of Agriculture says you should crush the mass and scrape it off the surface. If you find an egg mass in an area where the bug hasn’t been detected, the department encourages taking a picture of it, noting the location, and reporting it to your state’s department of agriculture before killing it.
PennState Extension recommends scraping the egg mass into a bag or container of hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol, and then disposing of the bag or container. Masses scraped onto the ground can still hatch. When crushing the egg mass, make sure to evenly press it and watch for it to burst open – that’s how you know it’s been done properly.
If you find the bug in the nymph or adult stages, and you’re in an area where the bug hasn’t been detected before, PennState recommends trying to collect it in a container of hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill and preserve it. If you aren’t able to catch it, experts say to try taking a picture of it. Then, report the sighting.
In areas where the bug has been detected, you can destroy the bug. To kill the spotted lanternfly, Virginia officials say to “squash, stomp, or smash it.” Traps can also be set to catch and kill the invasive bug.
The Department of Agriculture says that if allowed to spread, the spotted lanternfly “could seriously impact the country’s grape, orchard, and logging industries.” More details about the pest can be found here. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/it-may-look-stunning-but-officials-want-you-to-kill-this-bug-if-you-see-it/ | 2022-08-13T16:57:48Z |
Thirteen GreenPower Vehicle Models Listed Under the iHMZEV Program
VANCOUVER, BC, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) ("GreenPower"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission, electric-powered, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, today announced that its customers in Canada can now receive funding under Transport Canada's newly launched incentive program for Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV). Thirteen of GreenPower's vehicle models are eligible for incentives from $75,000 up to $150,000 including the EV Star vehicle line up and shuttle buses.
On July 11, 2022, the Canadian government, through Transport Canada, announced nearly $550 million in funding for the purchase or lease of medium and heavy-duty vehicles through the iMHZEV Program. The incentives are available for up to 10 eligible vehicles per calendar year purchased or leased by Canadian organizations (for profit and non-profit), provinces, territories, and municipalities incentives at the point of sale.
Purchasers in British Columbia may also apply for the Specialty Use Vehicle Incentive (SUVI) for a rebate of up to $100,000. These can be combined or stacked with the iMHZEV incentives up to 75% of the purchase price for GreenPower vehicles.
Eligible GreenPower vehicles listed under the iMHZEV Program include the EV Star Cargo, EV Star Max seating, EV Star ADA, EV250 thirty-foot shuttle and EV350 forty-foot shuttle.
"GreenPower can assist customers now in applying for the incentives and navigating the application process," said Fraser Atkinson, CEO of GreenPower. "The iMHZEV Program opens up availability in the market for our EV Star Cargo and EV Star for shuttle operations. Our customers can also purchase the EV Star Cab and Chassis to build their own body specific to their needs and requirements. GreenPower has delivered hundreds of its proven EV Star to customers with more than 1,600 additional vehicles on order."
GreenPower and Media Contacts:
Fraser Atkinson
CEO
(604) 220-8048
Michael Perez
Vice President School Bus, Contracts and Grants
(909) 308-0960
Allie Potter
Skyya PR for GreenPower
(218) 766-8856
allie@skyya.com
About GreenPower Motor Company
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van, and a cab and chassis. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. GreenPower was founded in Vancouver, Canada with primary operational facilities in southern California. Listed on the Toronto exchange since November 2015, GreenPower completed its U.S. IPO and NASDAQ listing in August 2020. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, GreenPower's business and operations and the environment in which it operates, which are based on GreenPower's operations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "upon", "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or are beyond GreenPower's control. A number of important factors, including those set forth in other public filings (filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com), could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. GreenPower disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. © 2022 GreenPower Motor Company Inc. All rights reserved.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE GreenPower Motor Company | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/greenpower-vehicles-eligible-up-150000-funding-transport-canadas-ihmzev-program/ | 2022-07-20T15:35:30Z |
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Health officials say the federal government is doing what it can to control the spread of monkeypox throughout the U.S.
U.S health officials told Senators, Wednesday, the U.S seems to be containing the world’s largest monkeypox outbreak.
“Over 22,000 cases and one confirmed death in the United States,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said.
Walensky says officials are still responding aggressively to the spread of the disease.
“[We will] use our entire toolkit, including vaccination, testing and education about risk to informed behavior change,” Walensky said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci says globally, monkeypox is still mostly affecting men who have sex with men.
“However, anyone exposed to the circulating virus can get infected with monkeypox regardless of their age, gender identity, or sexual orientation,” Fauci said.
Both Democrats and Republicans say they want to make sure the federal government is doing everything to help those at risk.
“How are you working with state and local partners to make sure we reach everyone who’s at risk for infection?” Sen. Bob Casey (D/PA) asked.
“We need to do more and more outreach. We learned that we need trusted messengers, we need community-based organizations,” Walensky said.
However, Sen. Richard Burr (R/N.C.) says he’s disappointed that the administration has held back vaccines, in case of a smallpox outbreak.
“We know that we have 13 to 15 million gay men in this country,” Burr said. “You’ve got a population that’s a little bit questioning whether you’re doing everything to help them.”
CDC officials say they will continue outreach to communities at risk and educate medical professionals on monkeypox, to spread awareness. | https://cw33.com/news/washington-dc-bureau/health-officials-give-update-on-federal-response-to-monkeypox/ | 2022-09-14T23:17:51Z |
AMBER Alert cancelled after mother surrenders infant in Hunt Co.
HUNT COUNTY, Texas (KXII) - A 10-day-old boy involved in an East Texas AMBER Alert was found safe in Hunt County Thursday night.
According to the Coffee Police Department, the boy was in custody of Child Protective Services around 10 p.m.
The Texas Department of Public Safety previously issued an AMBER Alert for the boy the same night.
Authorities were searching for the boy’s parents, 31-year-old Michelle Wolf and 36-year-old Ricky Williams. Police said the couple took the infant and fled Coffee City after they were ordered to surrender him to CPS.
According to authorities, Wolf called the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office to surrender the child in safe condition just hours after the alert was launched.
Coffee City is in Henderson County, approximately 2 hours southeast of Dallas.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/15/amber-alert-cancelled-after-mother-surrenders-infant-hunt-co/ | 2022-07-15T23:56:29Z |
At least 18 dead in Russian missile attack on Odesa
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missile attacks on residential buildings in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa early Friday killed at least 18 people, including two children, authorities reported, a day after Russian forces withdrew from a strategic Black Sea island.
Video of the pre-dawn attack showed the charred remains of buildings in Odesa.
The deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Kirill Tymoshenko, said 18 people died, including two children. A spokesman for the Odesa regional government, Serhiy Bratchuk, said on the Telegram messaging app that another 30 had been injured.
Ukrainian news reports said the target of the missile attack was a multi-story apartment building and a recreational area.
The assault comes after Russian forces pulled out from Snake Island on Thursday, potentially easing the threat to Odesa, it was initially thought. But they kept up their push to encircle the last stronghold of resistance in the eastern province of Luhansk.
The Kremlin portrayed the pullout from Snake Island as a “goodwill gesture.” Ukraine’s military claimed it forced the Russians to flee in two small speedboats following a barrage of Ukrainian artillery and missile strikes. The exact number of troops was not disclosed.
Snake Island sits along a busy shipping lane. Russia took control of it in the opening days of the war in the apparent hope of using it as a staging ground for an assault on Odesa.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/01/least-18-dead-russian-missile-attack-odesa/ | 2022-07-01T06:45:18Z |
State baseball/softball games pushed back to weekend
Published: May. 25, 2022 at 3:32 PM CDT|Updated: 30 minutes ago
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Games for state baseball and softball have been pushed back.
The Kansas High School Activities Association announced Wednesday that the games for 6A State Baseball have been postponed to Friday and Saturday. The same goes for 5A State Softball. The games were originally scheduled for Thursday.
KSHSAA also announced that games for 4A State Softball have been moved to Salina South High School.
You can see the full schedules and latest updates on the KSHSAA website.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/25/state-baseballsoftball-games-pushed-back-weekend/ | 2022-05-25T21:05:29Z |
Medius is now included in Microsoft's seller-facing program catalog which will lead to global recognition and seller status for the AP Automation provider
STOCKHOLM, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medius, a leading provider of AP Automation and wider spend management solutions, today announced its new Top Tier partnership status with Microsoft.
This development is part of an ongoing partnership with Microsoft, as Medius was named a Microsoft Gold Partner, for the tenth consecutive year in March 2022. It is the latest development in a string of successes for the AP Automation company. Medius has driven 25% year-on-year growth in 2022 globally and more than 2,600 customers use Medius solutions across the world, managing transactions worth approximately $180 billion annually.
In joining Microsoft's seller-facing program catalog, Medius has actively upgraded the terms of its relationship agreement to align as an ISV partner, helping to secure top tier status. The move increases Medius's transactions to the Microsoft community as well as the company's collaboration efforts and visibility across Microsoft's customer base, as the AP leader co-sells Medius IP together with the Microsoft sales global network.
Matt Rhodus, VP of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives at Medius, comments: "When I started five months ago, it was clear to me what our goal must be, to deepen and widen our relationship with Microsoft. That's why I'm pleased to announce today that Medius has secured Microsoft's Top Tier partner status. The partnership is based on our successful joint co-sell volume and is testament to the hard work by our Medius team and the collaboration efforts with Microsoft."
For more information, please contact:
Dan Bird, Fight or Flight for Medius
Dan.Bird@fightflight.co.uk, +44 7885 670798 / Medius@fightflight.co.uk, +44 330 133 0985
About Medius
Medius links invoice capture, processing, and payment to replace the worry and wondering of managing AP with calm and confidence. Medius goes far beyond basic automation by using artificial intelligence to do most of the work – so invoices get confirmed, coded and paid; AP teams get to go home and rest easy; and businesses can trust their budgets and forecasts. Visit medius.com to learn more.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
View original content:
SOURCE Medius | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/microsoft-awards-medius-top-tier-partnership-status/ | 2022-07-21T12:58:01Z |
- Six elevators at the 111-year-old ALICO Building are being modernized by TK Elevator.
- TK Elevator has also taken over as the new service provider after more than 100 years with its previous provider.
- Throughout Waco and the surrounding communities, TK Elevator has been keeping people safely moving with its leading service support.
WACO, Texas, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TK Elevator is modernizing the elevators at the 111-year-old ALICO Building, Waco's historic 282-foot-tall office building that was the tallest U.S. building west of the Mississippi River when it was constructed in 1911. The modernization project includes four elevators in the main building and two in the parking garage.
The custom-engineered modernization features tech-driven and environmentally friendly upgrades that will help ensure the long-term future of this iconic building. This includes the addition of regenerative drives, which puts energy back into the building, as well as the installation of MAX, the elevator industry's first IoT predictive maintenance solution.
"The ALICO Building is Waco's most visible symbol of strength and stability, an iconic building that has stood the test of time thanks to American-Amicable Life Insurance Company. We deeply appreciate that American-Amicable Life has entrusted us with these important elevator upgrades as well as the maintenance and service of these units and look forward to helping keep this incredible building safely operating for another 100-plus years," said Kevin Lavallee, CEO BU North America and Group COO Field.
The ALICO Building, which is owned and operated by the American-Amicable Life Insurance Company of Texas, remains the tallest building in Waco and is the oldest skyscraper in Texas still standing despite an F4 tornado in 1953 that damaged or destroyed many nearby buildings. In 2012, the ALICO Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Waco Downtown Historic District.
Founded in 1910, American-Amicable Life Insurance Company of Texas is a progressive special markets insurer offering innovative life insurance products developed to target the individual needs of protection, wealth creation and estate preservation.
"As business office functions have changed, it has been important to update interior floors and associated equipment, systems and components to meet evolving market needs and ensure the ALICO Building remains an attractive and viable office building," added Melissa Clendenin, Director, Client Experience & Facilities at American-Amicable Life. "We take tremendous pride in this treasured part of the Waco community and that pride-in-ownership is reflected in the many upgrades we have made, including to the elevator systems."
TK Elevator has also taken over as the maintenance provider, bringing top-level service support that seamlessly blends the best tools and technologies with the best technicians. The ALICO Building is supported by a highly respected TK Elevator service technician with nearly four decades of experience.
TK Elevator has a rich history supporting businesses, municipalities and educational institutions in Waco and the surrounding communities, including the City of Waco, McLennan Community College and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
To learn more about TK Elevator, go to https://www.tkelevator.com/us-en/.
PRESS IMAGES
Available here (credit: TK Elevator)
PRESS CONTACT
Dennis Van Milligen
Manager, Public Relations
TK Elevator North America
P +1 312 525 3190
dennis.vanmilligen@tkelevator.com
www.tkelevator.com/us-en/
TK Elevator
With customers in over 100 countries served by more than 50,000 employees, TK Elevator achieved sales of around €8 billion in the fiscal year 2020/2021. Over 1,000 locations around the world provide an extensive network that guarantees closeness to customers. Over the past decades, TK Elevator has established itself as one of the world's leading elevator companies and became independent since its separation from thyssenkrupp AG in August 2020. The company's most important business line is the service business represented by over 24,000 service technicians. The product portfolio covers commodity elevators for residential and commercial buildings to cutting-edge, highly customized solutions for state-of-the-art skyscrapers. In addition, it also consists of escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts. Integrated cloud-based service solutions, such as the MAX platform, are gaining in importance. With these digital offerings, there are no limits to urban mobility anymore. TKE – move beyond.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE TK Elevator | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/tk-elevator-upgrading-elevators-historic-alico-building-once-tallest-us-building-west-mississippi-river/ | 2022-06-30T19:07:05Z |
TOKYO (AP) — Japan recorded a trade deficit in April as its imports ballooned 28% due to soaring energy costs and the yen’s weakness against the dollar.
Japan’s trade deficit totaled 839 billion yen ($7 billion) in April, for the ninth straight monthly deficit. In contrast, the world’s third-largest economy had recorded a surplus of nearly 227 billion yen in April last year.
Japan’s exports grew to 8.076 trillion yen ($63 billion) last month, up 12.5% from the previous year, according to Ministry of Finance data released Thursday.
Imports totaled 8.915 trillion yen ($70 billion) in April, up from 6.953 trillion yen in April 2021, and the highest since comparable numbers began to be taken in 1979.
Japan’s trade balance has fluctuated in recent years partly because of disruptions to production and other problems related to the pandemic.
Although a cheap yen generally works to boost the value of Japanese exports, its drop to 20-year lows against the U.S. dollar is making imports more costly.
The war in Ukraine, meanwhile, has pushed prices for oil and gas sharply higher, increasing costs for a country heavily dependent on imported resources to fuel its economy.
Japan recorded annual trade deficits in 2011 through 2015, as imports of oil, gas and coal rose following the March 11, 2011 earthquake-tsunami and nuclear disasters on its northeastern coast, which led to shutdowns of the country’s nuclear power plants. Only some have been restarted since.
In recent years, the nation has posted trade surpluses.
Also Thursday, the Japan National Tourism Bureau said incoming travelers from abroad totaled 139,500 people in April, exceeding 100,000 for the first time in two years, as COVID-19 travel restrictions gradually were eased.
Japan has limited incoming travel over the last two years to stem the spread of coronavirus infections. In 2019, before the pandemic hit, Japan had 32 million visitors from abroad.
The government reported this week that Japan’s gross domestic product, or GDP, shrank at an annual rate of 1% in the first quarter, as rising prices and COVID-19 restrictions sapped spending and investment.
___
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/japan-records-trade-deficit-as-imports-surge-on-energy-costs/ | 2022-05-19T08:42:49Z |
Apple maintains prices on new iPhones despite inflation
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple’s latest line-up of iPhones will boast better cameras, faster processors, and a longer lasting battery — all at the same prices as last year’s models, despite inflationary pressure that has driven up the cost of many other everyday items.
That pricing decision, revealed Wednesday during Apple’s first in-person product event in three years, came as a mild surprise. Many analysts predicted Apple would ask its devout fans to pay as much as 15% more to help offset rising costs for many components.
The hoopla surrounding Apple’s new iPhone 14 models is part of a post-Labor Day ritual the company has staged annually for more than a decade. Wednesday’s event was held on the company’s Cupertino, California, campus at a theater named after company co-founder Steve Jobs. After Apple CEO Tim Cook strolled out on stage, most of the event consisted of pre-recorded video presentation that the company honed during previous events staged during the pandemic.
For several years, Apple’s new iPhones have mostly featured incremental upgrades to cameras and battery life, and this year’s models were no exception. Pricing for the standard iPhone 14 will start at $799; the deluxe iPhone 14 Pro Max will start at $1099.
Among the latest improvements is a 48-megapixel camera in the Pro and Pro Max models that the company said will produce especially crisp pictures. The iPhone 13 versions of the Pro and Pro Max have 12-megapixel cameras. This year’s high-end models will also have always-on displays that stay lit even when the device is locked, a feature that has long been available on many smartphones powered by Google’s Android software.
Beginning in November, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will be able to send SOS messages via a new satellite feature — a safety measure intended to let users request help when in remote areas without a wireless connection.
All the iPhone 14 models will include a motion senor capable of detecting serious car crashes and automatically connecting to emergency services.
With inflation still hovering at its highest level in 40 years, consumers have curbed their spending on many discretionary items. That’s likely contributing to a recent decline in smartphone sales, although the iPhone has fared far better than competing Android devices .
The dimming sales outlook prompted the research firm International Data Corp. to predict a worldwide decline in 2022 smartphone shipments of 6.5%, almost double the 3.5% decline it had estimated a few months ago. Despite that anticipated drop in sales, the average price for new smartphones is expected to finish this year about 6% higher than last year, IDC estimated.
Consumers have still been snapping up iPhones this year, even though Apple already charges among the industry’s highest prices. Apple sold an estimated 106 million iPhones through the first half of this year, an 8% increase from the same time last year, according to Canalys, another research firm.
Forrester analyst Thomas Husson hailed the new lineup for its faster chips, improved design and “some incremental innovative features.”
Apple shares edged up 1% in late afternoon trading.
The company’s Apple Watch Series 8, meanwhile, will include a new temperature sensor intended to help women retrospectively track their ovulation cycles in addition to the crash detection feature also debuting on the iPhone 14. The price for the latest Apple Watch, available in stores Sept. 16, will start at $399, the same as last year’s model.
In an effort to broaden the appeal of wearable technology, Apple is rolling out a Watch Ultra model designed to be more durable and offering a variety of special features tailored for hikers, scuba divers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The Watch Ultra, available in stores Sept. 23, will carry a premium price of $799.
CCI Insight analyst Leo Gebbie predicted that the Ultra will compete with existing sports watch brands like Garmin and some luxury Swiss watchmakers that market their products around extreme sports.
Apple also took the wraps off its next generation of wireless earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2, which will also maintain a starting price of $249.
___
AP Business Writer Matt Ott contributed to this story from Washington, D.C.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/07/apple-maintains-prices-new-iphones-despite-inflation/ | 2022-09-07T20:55:53Z |
Popular TikTok trucker dies in Kansas crash
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - A well-known trucker with nearly 200,000 TikTok followers died last week in a semi crash west of Colby.
Steven Hull Raley, known on TikTok as @pissed_off_trucker, was driving westbound on I-70 when the semi left the roadway to the right, went through the KDOT fence and drove for a quarter mile. The semi turned around back through the fence, crossing eastbound and westbound lanes of I-70, and came to rest in the south ditch. The crash happened 16 miles west of Colby at 1:35 a.m. on Aug. 12.
Raley, who was from Alabaster, Ala., was taken to Citizens Medical Center in Colby, where he was pronounced dead. He was 52.
According to reports, Raley had posted a TikTok video earlier in the day saying, “All I care about is getting home ... That’s what I care about more than anything else.” He often posted videos documenting his life as a trucker.
Copyright 2022 KWCH. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/19/popular-tiktok-trucker-dies-kansas-crash/ | 2022-07-19T16:40:25Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — The day has come where you feel like you have to question almost everything someone tells you as you are in fear it could be a joke. Yes, that’s right. Christmas has come, just kidding it’s April Fools’ Day and that means April is here and March is done.
Get creative and play a lighthearted joke on your friend group, coworkers, maybe even your significant other if you’re feeling froggy. NationalToday.com took an April Fools’ Day survey and the results may or may not be laughable.
They found that a majority of people either love or like the day with a small sliver in dislike or hatred, so you might just be safe pulling some pranks today. With that said, 64% of Americans plan on pulling pranks with 36% not wanting to do so.
So, what pranks should you try out? Well, you can lie about something, try to scare someone or maybe play mind games. Or the classic put your coworker’s stapler in jello.
Remember though, keep it lighthearted and fun, enjoy April Fools’ Day! | https://cw33.com/news/have-a-laugh-its-april-fools-day/ | 2022-04-01T14:41:17Z |
HONG KONG, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) has announced CoinEx as its Official Cryptocurrency Trading Platform Partner.
Founded in 2017, CoinEx is a professional global cryptocurrency exchange. Dedicated to "Making Crypto Trading Easier", CoinEx provides a highly secure, stable and efficient service for its three million global users.
CoinEx CEO Haipo Yang said "We have real admiration for what the RLWC2021 represents. The tournament is set to trailblaze a way to reach new audiences for the sport, and we are excited to be a part of that through our partnership.
"This will be the first major sponsorship activity we have undertaken, and we are looking forward to working together to make it a success for both parties."
The RLWC2021 is set to take place from 15 October to 19 November 2022 and will be the first time the RLWC encompasses the men's, women's and wheelchair competitions within one tournament.
To find out more about the Rugby League World Cup 2021 sponsored by CoinEx visit:
https://www.rlwc2021.com/
NOTES TO EDITORS
About CoinEx
Founded in December 2017, CoinEx is a professional global cryptocurrency exchange. Dedicated to "Making Crypto Trading Easier", CoinEx serves more than 3 million users in over 200 countries and regions.
Since its establishment, CoinEx, with the mission of "Via Bitcoin, Making the World a Better Place", has always maintained a "0 accident" record and continued to offer stable and secure services. Currently, CoinEx supports 16 languages, offers over 500 first-rate token services, meets the user needs of Spot, Margin, Futures, AMM, Financial services and asset management. CoinEx's blockchain ecosystem is also expanding, including ViaWallet, CoinEx Smart Chain, OneSwap and CoinEx Charity.
Official website: https://www.coinex.com
About Rugby League World Cup 2021
The Rugby League World Cup is the pinnacle major event of rugby league, globally contested every four years. RLWC2021 will be a breakthrough moment in the tournament's history with the men's, women's and wheelchair competitions being staged together for the first time.
The three tournaments will take place across 21 venues throughout England. Both the women's and wheelchair competitions will be contested by two groups of four teams, whilst the men's tournament will see 16 teams compete across four groups.
RLWC2021 will be the most visible rugby league event in history with all 61 games in the men's, women's and wheelchair competitions being broadcast live on the BBC.
For full ticketing details visit rlwc2021.com/tickets
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE CoinEx Global Limited | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/coinex-establishes-partnership-with-rlwc2021/ | 2022-06-29T08:49:39Z |
PESCADERO, Calif. (KRON) — A quick-thinking custodian safely confined a curious cougar in an empty classroom after it entered a Northern California high school Wednesday morning, authorities said.
“The mountain lion casually walked through campus and decided to go into an English classroom,” said Detective Javier Acosta with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. “The custodian acted quickly and managed to shut the door behind it.”
The sheriff’s office shared a photo of the big cat curled up inside Pescadero High School.
The superintendent of the school district said the mountain lion, which has been described as a cub, likely entered the classroom before school started and there were no students in the classroom at the time.
The sheriff’s office confirmed Wednesday morning that all students and staff were safe, adding that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were notified for a “safe and humane removal.”
Acosta said the animal is estimated to be approximately 40 pounds and appeared “lost and scared.”
The incident occurred two days before the school year was scheduled to end. Finals and a graduation ceremony were originally scheduled for Wednesday. Both will now likely be postponed.
A spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife told Nexstar’s KRON that because of the cub’s age and because it is possibly not in the best state of health, the agency doesn’t know whether it can survive in the wild.
Authorities said Wednesday the cat would be transported to the Oakland Zoo, where veterinarians will evaluate its health and then take appropriate next steps.
The Associated Press contributed to this article. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/mountain-lion-wanders-into-california-high-school-classroom/ | 2022-06-02T04:00:26Z |
HILLSDALE, Mich., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CNB Community Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX: CNBB) announced that the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company's common stock in the amount of $0.28 per share, an increase of $0.01 from the dividend paid for the 2nd Quarter of 2022, payable on October 14, 2022 for shareholders of record on September 30, 2022.
About CNB Community Bancorp, Inc.
CNB Community Bancorp Inc. (OTCQX: CNBB) is a one-bank holding company. Its subsidiary bank, County National Bank ("CNB"), is a nationally chartered full-service community bank that also offers investment management and trust services, which has been serving South Central Michigan since 1934. In 2022, CNB was ranked 30th in American Banker Magazine's Top 200 publicly traded banks under $2 billion and CNB has grown to over $1 billion in assets. The corporate headquarters are in Hillsdale, Michigan. CNB provides a wide array of financial products and services through its 13 full-service offices and 19 ATMs.
View original content:
SOURCE CNB Community Bancorp, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/15/cnb-community-bancorp-inc-declares-quarterly-cash-dividend-028-per-share/ | 2022-09-15T21:24:03Z |
Wife of comedian performing in Nevada wins $1.4 million slot jackpot
RENO, Nev. (KOLO/Gray News) -The wife of a comedian playing in Nevada over the weekend won a $1.4 million slot jackpot Friday.
The player, identified as Kathryn J., was at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) playing a Wheel of Fortune Triple Red Hot 7s slot machine when she won, the GSR said in a statement. Kathyrn said she was grateful to International Game Technology, the GSR and its staff.
“We are looking forward to paying down our debts and traveling,” she said in a statement.
She is the wife of Justin Rupple, who played Friday night at the Crystal Bay Casino on Lake Tahoe’s north shore and who had two shows at The Virgil in Reno on Saturday. Rupple is making the appearances as part of Reno Tahoe Comedy.
Rupple supplied the voice for a character on “How To Train Your Dragon” and won his season as a contestant on Dana Carvey’s “First Impressions” competition reality series. He also appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”
He has come to the Reno area for Reno Tahoe Comedy for about a decade.
Copyright 2022 KOLO via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/11/wife-comedian-performing-nevada-wins-14-million-slot-jackpot/ | 2022-07-11T19:54:12Z |
- Provides Share Repurchase Update
HOUSTON, July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), ("Group 1" or the "Company"), an international, Fortune 300 automotive retailer with 201 dealerships located in the U.S. and U.K., today announced that it has closed on the disposition of its Brazil operations. The Company also provided a year-to-date update on its share repurchase activity.
- Disposition of Brazil Operations
The Company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary GPI SA, LLC closed the sale transaction under the Share Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") with Original Holdings S.A., a sociedade por ações incorporated in Brazil and an affiliate of Simpar S.A, a publicly listed company in Brazil ("Original"), with UAB Motors Participações Ltda., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Group 1, as an intervening party ("UAB"). Under the terms of the Agreement, Original acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of UAB from the Company for BRL 510 million in cash (the "Transaction").
As of year-end 2021, UAB operated 16 dealerships representing Land Rover, BMW, Honda and Toyota which generated BRL 1.7 billion in annual revenue.
"I want to thank our employees in Brazil for their dedication and work ethic over the past nine years of Group 1's ownership. This great team was instrumental in the development of a very successful and professional automotive dealership group. As announced last year, our strategic decision to exit the Brazilian market and redeploy capital to other growth opportunities is in the best interest of our shareholders. We look to continue growth via acquisitions in both the U.S. and U.K. markets, while also returning capital to our shareholders," said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1's President and Chief Executive Officer.
For additional details regarding the Transaction, please see the information contained in the Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2021.
The investment firm of Laplace Finanças Empreendimentos Participações Ltda acted as financial advisor to Group 1 Automotive, Inc. - Share Repurchases
The Company also updated its year-to-date share repurchase activity of 1,437,729 shares of common stock at an average price of $176.74 for a total of $254.1 million, which represents 8.3 percent of Group 1's outstanding share count at January 1, 2022. Purchases may be made from time to time, based on market conditions, legal requirements, and other corporate considerations, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The Company expects that any repurchase of shares will be funded by cash from operations. Repurchased shares will be held in treasury.
ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Group 1 owns and operates 201 automotive dealerships, 268 franchises, and 46 collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 35 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.
Group 1 discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations at www.group1corp.com, www.group1auto.com, www.group1collision.com, www.acceleride.com, www.facebook.com/group1auto, and www.twitter.com/group1auto.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are statements related to future, not past, events and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. In this context, the forward-looking statements often include statements regarding our goals, plans, projections and guidance regarding our financial position, results of operations and business strategy, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should," "foresee," "may" or "will" and similar expressions. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (a) general economic and business conditions, (b) the level of manufacturer incentives, (c) the future regulatory environment, (d) our ability to obtain an inventory of desirable new and used vehicles, (e) our relationship with our automobile manufacturers and the willingness of manufacturers to approve future acquisitions, (f) our cost of financing and the availability of credit for consumers, (g) our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions and the risks associated therewith, (h) foreign exchange controls and currency fluctuations, (i) the impacts of COVID-19 and the armed conflict in Ukraine on our business and the supply chains upon which our business is dependent, (j) the impacts of any potential global recession, (k) our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity to operate, and (l) our ability to successfully integrate recent and future acquisitions. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor contacts:
Jason Babbitt
Vice President, Treasurer
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
jbabbitt@group1auto.com
Media contacts:
Pete DeLongchamps
Senior Vice President, Manufacturer Relations, Financial Services and Public Affairs
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
pdelongchamps@group1auto.com
or
Clint Woods
Pierpont Communications, Inc.
713-627-2223
cwoods@piercom.com
View original content:
SOURCE Group 1 Automotive, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/group-1-automotive-disposes-brazil-operations/ | 2022-07-05T11:35:05Z |
The Past Ten Years Saw a Steady Acceleration in the Quantity and Size of Food Waste Deals, As More Funders Recognize the Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits the Space Offers
NEW YORK, May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct U.S. private investment into solutions to reduce food waste reached an all-time high of $2 billion in 2021 following ten years of accelerating growth in the sector, according to new data from ReFED, the national nonprofit working to end food loss and waste across the food system. But substantially more funding is still needed to cut the 35% of food that goes unsold or uneaten each year in the United States in half by the year 2030, in accordance with national and international goals. The data come from ReFED's new Food Waste Capital Tracker, a first-of-its-kind, free resource offering a deep-dive analysis of food waste funding at both a systems level and an individual company deal basis, designed to provide investors and innovators alike with the information they need to develop their food waste funding strategies.
ReFED's data show that over the last ten years more than $7.8 billion of private capital – including venture capital, private equity, corporate finance and spending, and commercial project finance – was invested in companies offering solutions to reduce the amount of food loss and waste throughout the supply chain. During the same period, the quantity and size of deals accelerated, with 2020 and 2021 seeing 111% and 110% year-over-year investment growth, respectively.
"We're encouraged by the increasing flow of capital into food waste solutions in recent years, but a significant funding gap remains," said Alejandro Enamorado from ReFED's Capital, Innovation & Engagement team. "As ReFED continues our work to catalyze the additional capital that's needed to scale food waste solutions, we're excited to introduce the Capital Tracker, an important new resource to support private, and eventually also public and philanthropic, funders interested in using their capital to solve food waste challenges."
Looking forward, ReFED expects this momentum to continue due to a range of factors that are driving continued solution development and adoption, including the growing number of food businesses making public commitments to fight food waste, as well as the implementation of new policies mandating partial or full organic waste bans, like California's SB1383. And while 2022 is already a period of uncertainty – with an inflationary environment, geopolitical risks, increasing food prices, supply chain challenges, and the lingering effects from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic – these factors further highlight the need to build a food system with less waste.
According to ReFED, private capital investment in food waste showed the following trends:
- In the early 2010s, a limited number of organizations were focused on developing food waste solutions, as seen by the fact that the top ten deals during this period made up more than 95% of all funding in the space, with just 1-2 deals making up more than 50% of this amount.
- The year 2016 marked an inflection point, with a healthy set of early-stage innovations continuing to emerge, along with a large number of startups from the early 2010s growing into rapidly scaling companies, as demonstrated by an increasing number of later stage venture capital rounds. During this period, the top ten deals made up only 60-80% of total annual investment, and 3-7 of the largest deals made up more than 50% of the total as the decade progressed. (In 2016, ReFED released its first Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste report, which provided an action plan and detailed the benefits of investing in various food waste solutions.)
- Since 2020, the data show that food waste has established itself as an investable sector with a growing body of case studies demonstrating that funding food waste solutions delivers both a meaningful return on investment and positive social and environmental impacts.
- A majority of private capital went to solutions focused on preventing food waste from occurring in the first place, and funding concentrated in specific solutions, including active and intelligent packaging (e.g., companies like Hazel Technologies), edible coatings (e.g., Apeel and Mori), imperfect and surplus produce channels (e.g., Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods), enhanced demand planning (e.g., Crisp, Afresh, and Shelf Engine), and meal kits (e.g., Home Chef and Blue Apron). Recycling solutions also received interest from private capital, including anaerobic digestion (e.g. companies like Bioenergy Devco and HomeBiogas), insect farming (e.g., AgriProtein and Protix), and waste-derived biomaterials (e.g., Tidal Vision).
- More recently, larger deals have become more and more frequent, with average deal size increasing to $17 million in 2021 compared to just $2-$5 million in the early 2010s. Over the last two years, companies including Apeel, Misfits Market, Too Good To Go, Crisp, and Spoiler Alert have all completed large raises, contributing to increasing momentum in the space.
Despite this, much more funding is needed to continue developing and scaling the solutions that are required to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2030. ReFED estimates that approximately $14 billion in funding is needed each year to achieve this milestone. The good news is that investment would result in approximately $73 billion in net economic benefit – a five-to-one return – as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 million metric tons, save 4 trillion gallons of water, and recover the equivalent of 4 billion meals for those in need. Plus over ten years, it would create more than 51,000 jobs.
To help support funders of all types who are interested in exploring the opportunities the food waste sector offers at all stages of development, ReFED has developed the following tools:
- Food Waste Capital Tracker: A new tool in the ReFED Insights Engine – an online knowledge hub for food waste data and solutions – the Capital Tracker offers a deep-dive look at private capital food waste investments over the last ten years, from industry-wide trends to deal-level details. Through an analysis of investment data sourced from Pitchbook, ReFED has created a first-of-its-kind platform to support capital providers and solution providers in developing funding strategies. The tool currently details private investment in food waste and will be expanded to include philanthropic and public investment later this year.
- Circular Food Solutions Funding Platform: ReFED is partnering with Closed Loop Partners, a circular economy-focused investment firm and innovation center, to launch a first-of-its-kind, hybrid funding platform to support and scale food waste reduction solutions and innovations. Managed by Closed Loop Partners, an experienced investor in circular food and organics solutions, and leveraging ReFED's expertise in food waste financing and innovation, the Platform aims to mobilize further capital into circular food systems by offering a range of catalytic funding vehicles, including an investment fund, an innovation program, and a grant fund (see below). With full funding, the Platform will advance circular solutions that keep valuable food and organics in circulation and out of landfills.
- Catalytic Grant Fund: Part of the larger Circular Food Solutions Funding Platform, the ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund is a new five-year initiative designed to provide a total of $10 million+ in philanthropic funding to de-risk and scale high-impact solutions to food waste. Managed by ReFED, the Grant Fund will distribute recoverable and non-recoverable grants to for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, and other initiatives across the food waste solution spectrum and has already received more than $1 million in anchor funding from Google and the Betsy and Jesse Fink Family Foundation.
- Food Waste Funder Circle: The Food Waste Funder Circle (FWFC) is a network designed for private, public, and philanthropic funders interested in using their capital to solve food waste challenges. Co-founded by ReFED and Upcycled Food Association, the FWFC offers a curated platform for funder education, collaboration, and investment to help drive the capital flow needed to reach national and international goals to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2030.
About ReFED
ReFED is a national nonprofit working to end food loss and waste across the food system by advancing data-driven solutions to the problem. ReFED leverages data and insights to highlight supply chain inefficiencies and economic opportunities; mobilizes and connects people to take targeted action; and catalyzes capital to spur innovation and scale high-impact initiatives. ReFED's goal is a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system that optimizes environmental resources, minimizes climate impacts, and makes the best use of the food we grow. For more information, visit www.refed.org.
About Closed Loop Partners
Closed Loop Partners is a New York-based investment firm comprised of venture capital, growth equity, private equity and catalytic capital, as well as an innovation center focused on building the circular economy. Investments align capitalism with positive social and environmental impact by reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions via materials innovation, advanced recycling technologies, supply chain optimization and landfill diversion. For more information, visit closedlooppartners.com. Learn more about our investments in the food & agriculture sector here.
Contact:
Melody Serafino
melody@thenumber29.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE ReFED | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/11/refed-data-reveals-private-investment-into-food-waste-solutions-topped-78-billion-since-2011-including-record-2-billion-2021-alone-much-more-is-needed-reach-national-international-reduction-goals/ | 2022-05-11T14:21:11Z |
An employee works on a vaccine based on the monkeypox vaccine that has already been developed by the vaccine company Bavarian Nordic at a laboratory of the company in Martinsried near Munich, Germany, May 24, 2022.
After weeks of mounting frustration over limited supplies of monkeypox vaccines, about 786,000 additional doses are being made available in the United States, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced on Wednesday.
The US Food and Drug Administration said Jynneos monkeypox vaccine doses filled and finished at a Denmark manufacturing facility meet the agency's quality standards and it has approved a supplement to the vaccine's biologics license. Doses that were previously manufactured at the facility had already been shipped to the United States, so the FDA action clears the way for doses to be distributed and administered.
"HHS is working to make these doses available to states and jurisdictions as soon as possible to fulfill their needs and will announce allocations tomorrow," US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 1.5 million men who have sex with men are currently eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine. But as of July 22, 310,385 doses of the vaccine have been delivered.
As monkeypox spread -- more than 3,500 cases have been confirmed in the United States so far -- vaccine appointments around the country have been snapped up quickly and long lines have formed at clinics offering the shots.
FDA and HHS officials said Wednesday they expedited inspection of the monkeypox vaccine facility in Denmark in response to the outbreak, and more vaccines are still to come. HHS anticipates making around 1.9 million doses available in 2022 with an additional 2.2 million doses made available in the first half of 2023.
Bavarian Nordic, the company that manufactures the Jynneos vaccine, said in a statement that drug production was also approved by EU regulators and the company "is now allowed to deliver drug product manufactured at its own site to the U.S. and EU market."
Who's eligible to be vaccinated
The two-dose Jynneos vaccine is available for people at high risk of monkeypox exposure: those who have been identified as close contacts of someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox, those who have had sex with a partner diagnosed with monkeypox within the past 14 days, and those who have had multiple sex partners in the past 14 days in an area with monkeypox spread, according to the CDC.
The vaccine helps protect against monkeypox when given before or shortly after an exposure. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on CNN's New Day on Tuesday that the US needs to shift its monkeypox vaccine strategy to reach more people at risk of infection, rather than responding to monkeypox exposures.
"It's very clear with the spread of this that there now has to be a balance between vaccines available for those who clearly have been exposed, as well as those at risk," Fauci said.
"What you want to do is a balance between vaccinating those who clearly have had an exposure, but go well beyond that."
Anyone can become ill from monkeypox, but the CDC says that more than 99% of monkeypox cases in the US have been among men who have sex with men. Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease, but it can transmit though close, skin-on-skin physical contact, or from objects like sheets or towels that may have been used by somebody with monkeypox.
Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the monkeypox virus and last two to four weeks. The virus typically triggers a rash with lesions that can be extremely painful.
Fauci said Tuesday that he doesn't think the entire population needs to be vaccinated against monkeypox, although "obviously, you'll leave the door open for any possibility" if monkeypox spreads more widely.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/features/health/an-additional-786-000-monkeypox-vaccine-doses-will-soon-be-available-in-the-united-states/article_ad9ff3a5-12dd-54c1-9d05-63573c5ad11e.html | 2022-07-27T20:27:12Z |
Dusty demise for NASA Mars lander in July; power dwindling
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft on Mars is headed for a dusty demise.
The Insight lander is losing power because of all the dust on its solar panels. NASA said Tuesday it will keep using the spacecraft’s seismometer to register marsquakes until the power peters out, likely in July. Then flight controllers will monitor InSight until the end of this year, before calling everything off.
“There really hasn’t been too much doom and gloom on the team. We’re really still focused on operating the spacecraft,” said Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Bruce Banerdt, the principal scientist.
Since landing on Mars in 2018, InSight has detected more than 1,300 marsquakes; the biggest one, a magnitude 5, occurred two weeks ago.
It will be NASA’s second Mars lander lost to dust: A global dust storm took out Opportunity in 2018. In InSight’s case, it’s been a gradual gathering of dust, especially over the past year.
NASA’s two other functioning spacecraft on the Martian surface — rovers Curiosity and Perseverance — are still going strong thanks to nuclear power. The space agency may rethink solar power in the future for Mars, said planetary science director Lori Glaze, or at least experiment with new panel-clearing tech or aim for the less-stormy seasons.
InSight currently is generating one-tenth of the power from the sun that it did upon arrival. Deputy project manager Kathya Zamora Garcia said the lander initially had enough power to run an electric oven for one hour and 40 minutes; now it’s down to 10 minutes max.
The InSight team anticipated this much dust buildup, but hoped a gust wind of wind or dust devil might clean off the solar panels. That has yet to happen, despite several thousand whirlwinds coming close.
“None of them have quite hit us dead-on yet enough to blow the dust off the panels,” Banerdt told reporters.
Another science instrument, dubbed the mole, was supposed to burrow 16 feet (5 meters) underground to measure the internal temperature of Mars. But the German digger never got deeper than a couple feet (a half-meter) because of the unexpected composition of the red dirt, and it finally was declared dead at the beginning of last year.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/18/dusty-demise-nasa-mars-lander-july-power-dwindling/ | 2022-05-18T13:58:01Z |
Springfield Spartans prepare for faster-paced softball season
SPRINGFIELD TWP. – Life is about to get busier for the Springfield Spartans.
In what has become nearly an annual occurrence, the latter half of the high school softball season will be fast-paced and full of games after erratic early-spring weather led to plenty of postponements and rescheduled games.
Despite not playing on consecutive games thus far due to the weather, the Spartans have gotten off to a 7-2 start, including a 4-2 mark in Metro Athletic Conference play. Asked what he’s seen from his team through nine games, Springfield head coach Shane Curry pointed to the inconsistent schedule and the need to get into a rhythm.
"It's being consistent, because we haven't had a game this year where we've played another game the next day, so getting that consistency at the plate and having kids seeing pitches on a daily basis is a focus," Curry said.
Entering the year, the focus was on two returning standouts — Destiny Ruggiero and Alyssa Hotschtetler, both of whom batted above .500 last season. The duo has been strong through nine games, but they've also gotten support from senior shortstop Leah Kern and freshman catcher Melaena Martin, both of whom are batting over .400 through nine games.
Their efforts have propelled an offense that has led the team to seven wins.
"We had a couple of key pieces back that we feel strongly about and also a couple seniors who we knew would step up for us," Curry said. "Compared to last year, we've also limited our errors. Last year, we had a lot of errors in the beginning of the season and we've improved in that area."
Playing better defense while not able to get on the field consistently is impressive and much appreciated by the team's pitching trio of sophomore Sydney Hillyard, freshman Kendall Crytzer and senior Heather Eddy.
Thus far, one of the biggest wins has been a triumph over archrival Coventry. As Curry noted, the Comets have been a consistently solid program of late and have given Springfield trouble.
Winning a rivalry matchup was a major boost and the rest of the season will bring even more challenges against top teams. There is a return matchup with a tough Field squad that defeated the Spartans earlier in the year and a road trip to Norton, which is one of the power programs in the MAC.
Both will require Springfield's best to win, making each great preparation for the upcoming sectional tournament.
As they ready for those games, the Spartans are hoping the improving weather will provide more chances to practice outdoors and play games consistently. The message from the coaching staff as they enter the tail end of the season is simple, yet important.
"If we play as a team, play together and not as individuals, and really focus on that team aspect, we're confident we'll get hits and play well," Curry said.
It's a simple concept that's not so easy to execute, but one that will go a long way toward determining how the Spartans fare as they tackle the games ahead. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/2022/04/25/springfield-spartans-prepare-faster-paced-softball-season/7438726001/ | 2022-04-27T01:44:39Z |
Fact check: McCormick attack ad takes benign Oz quote out of context to portray Trump-endorsed candidate as ‘anti Trump’
By Daniel Dale, CNN
On Saturday, former President Donald Trump endorsed surgeon and former television personality Mehmet Oz in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania’s open US Senate seat. The endorsement is a challenge for Oz’s top Republican rival, former hedge fund chief executive David McCormick, who had also reportedly sought Trump’s backing.
McCormick’s campaign has now released a television attack ad that claims Oz is actually “ANTI TRUMP.” But the ad takes an Oz remark out of context to falsely portray the comment as some sort of attack on the former President.
As the words “ANTI TRUMP” appear on the screen, the McCormick ad shows a clip of Oz on camera saying, “And we haven’t had any interaction with President Trump at all.”
Facts First: Oz wasn’t expressing opposition to Trump when he said, “And we haven’t had any interaction with President Trump at all.” During a guest appearance on a late-night talk show in 2019, Oz was asked about his experiences on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition and if he had “tried to convince Trump to start eating better.” During his response, Oz said the council hasn’t had any interaction with Trump. That was a statement of fact — one in which Oz avoided criticizing Trump’s diet — not an anti-Trump attack.
When fellow guest Padma Lakshmi followed up by saying Trump “doesn’t seem interested in eating well,” Oz did say, “Yeah, I’m not sure that’s a major focus.” Even that, though, would be weak sauce as the basis for a claim that Oz is “ANTI TRUMP.” And regardless, it isn’t in the ad.
Asked for comment on Tuesday about the McCormick campaign’s claim that Oz is anti-Trump, Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich said, “I think the President’s endorsement speaks for itself.” Trump said in his endorsement statement that Oz is “very strong” on a variety of issues and “has always been popular, respected, and smart.”
Oz campaign says McCormick is ‘lying’
The McCormick ad uses additional short clips of Oz to justify other attacks. The words “PRO OBAMA” appear on screen, for example, over a clip of Oz discussing obesity with then-first lady Michelle Obama on his health and wellness television show in 2012. But the ad does not include any quotes in which Oz expresses political support for former President Barack Obama or his administration.
Oz campaign spokesperson Brittany Yanick said in an email on Tuesday that McCormick is “resorting to lying about Dr. Oz’s record with these selectively edited clips.” Yanick said Oz “welcomed open, honest conversations and opinions from everyone who appeared on his show — that does not mean he shares the same beliefs and opinions as everyone on his show.”
Trump, who has himself appeared on Oz’s show, appointed Oz to the sports, fitness and nutrition council in 2018. President Joe Biden pushed Oz off the council this year, following the Republican’s entry into the Senate race, citing an administration policy against federal candidates serving on presidential boards.
The McCormick campaign’s response
McCormick campaign spokesperson Jess Szymanski defended the new ad in a Tuesday email, arguing that Oz’s 2019 comment “criticized Trump for not being active with the council” on sports, fitness and nutrition. But again, Oz’s comment about the council not having any interaction with Trump did not appear to be criticism. Rather, it was an explanation about why he had not pestered Trump to eat healthier.
Szymanski also noted that Oz said in this same 2019 response that he had wanted to be on the sports, fitness and nutrition council “no matter who was president”; she argued that Oz was “obviously trying to distance himself from Trump” here. But that’s very much debatable. Oz noted in that interview that he had his own health foundation that worked to help teenagers, before adding: “So I’m passionate about kids’ education. When Dwight Eisenhower and then President Kennedy and every president since created the council, it was to get kids active and eating well. So, I wanted to be on that council no matter who was president.”
Szymanski said the larger point is that Oz has a record of criticizing Trump. She sent CNN documents that listed a smattering of Oz’s comments over the years. These included his 2020 remarks about Trump’s admission to journalist Bob Woodward that he had publicly downplayed the danger of Covid-19 (Oz said this downplaying created a “credibility gap”) and Oz’s assertion on his show in 2016 that Trump had “disparaged” journalist Megyn Kelly after the first Republican presidential primary debate in 2015 (that was, again, a statement of fact; Trump did disparage Kelly).
Regardless of how persuasive anyone finds these examples and the others listed in the McCormick campaign’s research files, the McCormick campaign chose not to use them in the ad. Instead, the campaign went after Oz by highlighting a comment that just wasn’t what the ad suggests.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/13/fact-check-mccormick-attack-ad-takes-benign-oz-quote-out-of-context-to-portray-trump-endorsed-candidate-as-anti-trump/ | 2022-04-13T19:09:38Z |
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. and SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Agents Alliance has endorsed Input 1 Payments as its preferred digital payment platform for its vast member network. Input 1 Payments' rapid ascent in popularity can be attributed to its transparent no-cost program and its simple and secure usability, leading to significant adoption by agencies and their customers. This endorsement by American Agents Alliance reinforces Input 1 Payments' position as a leader in digital payments. In turn, American Agents Alliance and its member agencies gain access to a unique, free-to-use platform that streamlines their accounts receivables.
As customer demands evolve, American Agents Alliance is constantly looking to provide exceptional value and opportunities that serve the needs of its independent agent members. With Input 1 Payments, American Agents Alliance found that rare combination of user-centric technology and value. "Input 1 brings forth technology that makes the business of agencies better through efficiency and cost reduction, making their digital payments platform a natural fit for our members. Our member agencies can now spend less time managing their premium receivables while exceeding customer expectations," said Mike D'Arelli, Executive Director. "Input 1's no-cost formula means our agents don't have to pay money to collect their money."
American Agents Alliance members will now have the best method of digitally collecting insurance premiums in the industry. "We are excited to have American Agents Alliance members adopt our digital payments platform. Our mission is to improve the businesses of our clients and the customers they serve. This partnership will benefit hundreds of agencies and tens of thousands of their policyholders," said Chris Farfaras, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Input 1. "As the number of our partnerships continues to grow, our drive to deliver more value grows as well."
The American Agents Alliance, a national member-driven insurance association since 1962, empowers independent insurance agents and brokers to thrive through advocacy, education, and networking. They are dedicated to serving the professional needs of independent insurance agents and brokers. They provide insurance agents and brokers a wealth of resources ranging from a members-only E&O insurance program, access to exclusive preferred markets, an industry-leading advocacy and government affairs program to protect producers' livelihoods, top-notch continuing education courses, industry forms and tools, local meetings, the largest insurance convention in the west, and many more discounted products and services available through their affinity programs.
Input 1 is a leading provider of digital billing and payment solutions to insurance carriers, MGAs, banks, agencies, and premium finance companies located throughout North America. Our software and cloud billing and payment solutions provide online access to more than one million agents, brokers, and policyholders annually.
Media Contact:
Input 1
Marketing Department
888-882-2554 ext. 2135
information@input1.com
American Agents Alliance
info@agentsalliance.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Input 1 | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/american-agents-alliance-endorses-input-1-payments-its-preferred-digital-payments-platform/ | 2022-06-16T16:34:02Z |
Files Voluntary Petitions for Chapter 11 Protection to Implement Restructuring; Proposed Plan of Reorganization Creates Efficient Path to Resume Account Access and Return Value to Customers
Voyager Has Approximately $1.3 Billion of Crypto Assets on the Platform, More Than $350 Million of Cash Held in the FBO Account for Customers at Metropolitan Commercial Bank, and Claims Against Three Arrows Capital of More Than $650 Million1
NEW YORK, July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Voyager Digital Ltd. ("Voyager" or the "Company") (TSX: VOYG) (OTCQX: VYGVF) (FRA: UCD2), today announced that it has commenced a voluntary Chapter 11 process to maximize value for all stakeholders. As part of this process, the Company and its main operating subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York (the "Court"). The Company intends to seek recognition of the Chapter 11 case of Voyager in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) pursuant to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
"This comprehensive reorganization is the best way to protect assets on the platform and maximize value for all stakeholders, including customers," said Stephen Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer of Voyager. "Voyager's platform was built to empower investors by providing access to crypto asset trading with simplicity, speed, liquidity, and transparency. While I strongly believe in this future, the prolonged volatility and contagion in the crypto markets over the past few months, and the default of Three Arrows Capital ("3AC") on a loan from the Company's subsidiary, Voyager Digital, LLC, require us to take deliberate and decisive action now. The chapter 11 process provides an efficient and equitable mechanism to maximize recovery."
The proposed Plan of Reorganization ("Plan") would, upon implementation, resume account access and return value to customers. Under this Plan, which is subject to change given ongoing discussions with other parties, and requires Court approval, customers with crypto in their account(s) will receive in exchange a combination of the crypto in their account(s), proceeds from the 3AC recovery, common shares in the newly reorganized Company, and Voyager tokens. The plan contemplates an opportunity for customers to elect the proportion of common equity and crypto they will receive, subject to certain maximum thresholds.
Customers with USD deposits in their account(s) will receive access to those funds after a reconciliation and fraud prevention process is completed with Metropolitan Commercial Bank.
The Company continues to evaluate all strategic alternatives to maximize value for stakeholders.
The Company has over $110 million of cash and owned crypto assets on hand, which will provide liquidity to support day-to-day operations during the Chapter 11 process, in addition to more than $350 million of cash held in the For Benefit of Customers (FBO) account at Metropolitan Commercial Bank. Voyager also has approximately $1.3 billion of crypto assets on its platform, plus claims against Three Arrows Capital ("3AC") of more than $650 million.
Voyager previously announced that its subsidiary, Voyager Digital LLC, issued a notice of default to 3AC for failure to make the required payments on its previously disclosed loan of 15,250 BTC and $350 million USDC. Voyager is actively pursuing all available remedies for recovery from 3AC, including through the court-supervised processes in the British Virgin Islands and New York.
The Company also announced the appointment of a four new independent directors: Matthew Ray at Voyager Digital Ltd.; Scott Vogel at Voyager Digital Holdings, Inc.; and Jill Frizzley and Timothy Pohl at Voyager Digital LLC. Information regarding their backgrounds and relevant experience is included at the end of this release.
As part of the reorganization process, the Company will file customary "First Day" motions to allow it to maintain operations in the ordinary course. Voyager intends to pay its employees in the usual manner and continue their primary benefits and certain customer programs without disruption. The Company expects to receive court approval for all these routine requests. Trading, deposits, withdrawals and loyalty rewards on the Voyager platform remain temporarily suspended.
Parties with questions about the chapter 11 process may contact the Company's Claims Agent, Stretto, at +1 (855) 473-8665 (toll-free in the U.S.) or +1 (949) 271-6507 (for parties outside the U.S.). They have also set up a website at http://cases.stretto.com/Voyager, which includes court documents and other information.
To effectuate the restructuring process, the Company has engaged Moelis & Company and The Consello Group as financial advisors, Kirkland & Ellis LLP as legal advisors, and Berkeley Research Group, LLC, as restructuring advisor.
Matthew Ray joins as an independent director of Voyager Digital Ltd. Mr. Ray is the Founder and Managing Partner of Portage Point Partners where he has served as Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chairman, Lead Independent Director, Special Restructuring Committee Chairperson and Strategic Advisor leading wide-ranging transformations and restructurings for both private and public companies.
Scott Vogel joins as an independent director of Voyager Digital Holdings, Inc. Mr. Vogel has broad experience sitting on numerous boards of directors for financially distressed companies in a diverse set of industries. Mr. Vogel carefully and skillfully manages complex situations, develops restructuring plans and post-restructuring organizational priorities, builds consensus amongst and between stakeholders and management, executes complex capital market and corporate transactions, facilitates clear lines of communication, and aligns management incentives to ensure accountability.
Jill Frizzley joins as an independent director of Voyager Digital LLC. Ms. Frizzley is a corporate governance expert with significant experience serving on boards of directors and advising on corporate governance, restructuring, bankruptcies, and mergers and acquisitions. Leveraging over two decades of legal practice in financial restructuring and insolvency, Ms. Frizzley has a deep wealth of knowledge encompassing corporate, financial, and governance matters across a wide range of industries.
Timothy Pohl joins as an independent director of Voyager Digital LLC. Mr. Pohl has extensive experience and expertise in all aspects of corporate restructurings and financing, mergers and acquisitions, valuation, liquidity and balance sheet assessment and analysis, capital markets, corporate law, restructuring law, and litigation. Mr. Pohl currently serves as a Senior Advisor in a number of situations, as well as an Independent Director for a number of corporations. Mr. Pohl has also advised across a wide range of industries and has provided expert testimony on valuation and corporate and restructuring matters.
Voyager Digital Ltd.'s (TSX: VOYG) (OTCQX: VYGVF) (FRA: UCD2) US subsidiary, Voyager Digital, LLC, is a cryptocurrency platform in the United States founded in 2018 to bring choice, transparency, and cost-efficiency to the marketplace. Voyager offers a secure way to trade over 100 different crypto assets using its easy-to-use mobile application. Through its subsidiary Coinify ApS, Voyager provides crypto payment solutions for both consumers and merchants around the globe. To learn more about the company, please visit https://www.investvoyager.com.
Certain information in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the restructuring process, the restructuring Plan, available remedies for recovery from 3AC, intended filings as part of the restructuring process, resumption of account access, return of value to customers, the ability of Voyager to continue as a going concern, exploration of strategic alternatives, discussions with third parties in respect of strategic alternatives and the results of those discussions, the temporary nature of the suspension of the platform, future growth and performance of the business, the exploration of strategic alternatives, future adoption of digital assets, anticipated trends and challenges in our business and industry, the regulation of digital assets offerings, the impact of the 3AC default on the Company, the Company's liquidity and ability to satisfy customer orders and withdrawals and the Company's anticipated results may constitute forward looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements), which can be identified by the use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "intend," "continue" or "believe" (or the negatives) or other similar variations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Voyager's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of its future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. It is uncertain as to the timing or results of the restructuring process or the terms of the final restructuring plan, when account access will resume, the value to be returned to customers, what amount Voyager will be able to recover from 3AC for non-payment or the legal remedies available to Voyager in connection with such non-payment or the impact on the future business, cash flows, liquidity and prospects of Voyager as a result of 3AC's non-payment. Forward looking statements are subject to the risk that the global economy, industry, or the Company's businesses and investments do not perform as anticipated, that revenue or expenses estimates may not be met or may be materially less or more than those anticipated, that parties to whom the Company lends assets are able to repay such loans in full and in a timely manner, that trading momentum does not continue or the demand for trading solutions declines, customer acquisition does not increase as planned, product and international expansion do not occur as planned, risks of compliance with laws and regulations that currently apply or become applicable to the business and those other risks contained in the Company's public filings, including in its Management Discussion and Analysis and its Annual Information Form (AIF). Factors that could cause actual results of the Company and its businesses to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the results of the restructuring process and the terms of the restructuring plan, if such a plan is ultimately agreed to, the results from the exploration of strategic alternatives, the inability to resume trading, deposits, withdrawals and rewards on the platform in a timely manner, an inability to drawdown under the credit facility or access other sources of financing, an increase in customer demands for withdrawals from the platform, any insolvency or similar proceedings with respect to 3AC, our ability to find a strategic alternative, a decline in the digital asset market or general economic conditions; changes in laws or approaches to regulation, the failure or delay in the adoption of digital assets and the blockchain ecosystem by institutions; changes in the volatility of crypto currency, changes in demand for Bitcoin and Ethereum, changes in the status or classification of cryptocurrency assets, cybersecurity breaches, a delay or failure in developing infrastructure for the trading businesses or achieving mandates and gaining traction; failure to grow assets under management, an adverse development with respect to an issuer or party to the transaction or failure to obtain a required regulatory approval. Readers are cautioned that Assets on Platform and trading volumes fluctuate and may increase and decrease from time to time and that such fluctuations are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements, past and present performance and trends are not guarantees of future performance, accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, current or past performance, or current or past trends. Information identifying assumptions, risks, and uncertainties relating to the Company are contained in its filings with the Canadian securities regulators available at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements in this press release are applicable only as of the date of this release or as of the date specified in the relevant forward-looking statement and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after that date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. The Company assumes no obligation to provide operational updates, except as required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Readers are cautioned that past performance is not indicative of future performance. There is no assurance that the funds available under the loan agreement will be available or, even if available will, together with any other assets of Voyager be sufficient to safeguard assets.
The TSX has not approved or disapproved of the information contained herein.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Voyager Digital Ltd. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/voyager-digital-commences-financial-restructuring-process-maximize-value-all-stakeholders/ | 2022-07-06T05:50:13Z |
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Airport workers say they’re the under-appreciated essential workers. They kept airports open, baggage moving, and planes flying.
“I had no idea how hard it would be,” Dallas-Fort Worth Cabin Cleaner Verna Montalvo said.
With millions of Americans relying on them, airport workers say they are over-worked and under-paid.
“I work three jobs, I never see my kid. I go at three in the morning and I come back home at 9:30 (p.m.) They are already asleep,” Boston Logan Airport Skycap Ababuti Oloki said.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) believes airport workers deserve better.
“Just as airplanes don’t fly without pilots, our aviation system would collapse without airport service workers,” Markey said.
That’s why he introduced a bill that requires federally funded airports to set a higher wage and benefits standard for airport workers, as well as allow workers to establish a union. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warns, airports and travelers will suffer, unless airport workers get what they deserve.
“Paying airport workers a living wage benefits consumer cause the service is better, the security is better, the safety is better,” Schumer said.
But some Republicans question the idea of Congress forcing airports to follow a national standard.
“I can’t imagine that a national policy is what we would put in place here,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said.
Capito says airports need flexibility.
“Let individual airports around the country make their own decisions,” Capito said.
But Markey says if Republicans agreed on providing support to airports with COVID relief packages, they should support the workers running airports. | https://cw33.com/news/washington-dc-bureau/democrat-senators-call-for-better-wages-and-benefits-for-airport-workers/ | 2022-06-17T22:18:31Z |
Which canvas tent is best?
For short backpacking trips, easily-assembled, lightweight tents are great. For camping expeditions, there are canvas tents. Canvas tents use military-grade cotton and are more eco-friendly than plastic tents. They provide more resistance and resilience against the elements and naturally regulate heat and humidity. When purchasing a canvas tent, it is vital to consider where you will be camping, the size of the tent and which style of canvas tent will best fit your needs.
If you are looking for a durable tent that fits many people at a time and assembles easily, the Teton Sports Mesa Canvas Tent is the top choice.
What is a canvas tent?
Canvas is a heavily woven material made out of organic cotton or hemp. Because of its durability, manufacturers also use canvas to make sails, backpacks and shoes. Canvas tents have a plain weaving pattern that connects the cotton thread together. A well-built canvas will come with sturdy steel poles and stakes and serve as a barrier against harsh environmental elements. They are heavier than the average tent and are not recommended for short backpacking trips.
What to know before you buy a canvas tent
Material
Today, most tents utilize a mix of polyester, nylon and plastic. In contrast to a tent built with lightweight materials, a canvas tent uses organic cotton and hemp and the stitching makes it waterproof and durable. This thick material makes the tent heavier than average. If you are looking to go on a long-term camping trip where you know that you will need excellent protection from the weather, a canvas tent may benefit you more than those who have to carry the tent with them for long distances while backpacking or hiking. Consider purchasing a canvas tent as an investment for trips that require extra durability and protection.
Expedition
There are two kinds of canvas tents, each suitable for different types of camping and environments.
- Bell: Bell tents are circular tents with a large pole in the center that holds up the tent. These tents can range from 10-foot to 23-foot in diameter, depending on the user’s needs. They pack down into a duffle bag and only take 20 minutes to set up and takedown. This makes them a good option for long or short-term camping and up to 6 person groups. These tents are also the best option if you are looking for a tent that stands up against high winds. This tent style is also used for glamping, a popular luxury outdoor camping style that provides modern-day amenities such as beds, electricity and indoor plumbing.
- Wall: Wall tents have four vertical walls set up with multiple interior and exterior poles. These tents come in sizes ranging from 8 inches by 10 inches to 10 inches by 16 inches with walls that are 5-feet tall. Wall tents have a lot of room and are excellent for short-term use. This tent packs down into several bags and takes hours to set up.
Size
The size of the canvas tent that you need depends on how many people will be sleeping in it. Typically, the product descriptions list the maximum occupancy, and canvas tents are naturally spacious. Always plan for more people to be in the tent to save room when considered size. For example, if you are searching for a two-person tent, opt for a tent that fits three to four people. The website will also list the tent’s dimensions.
Weight
Canvas is heavy, and the average tent weighs around 60 pounds. Though bell tents will fit into one pack, it is not easy to carry this item while backpacking or hiking. If you are purchasing a canvas tent, consider camping close to where you parked so that you do not have to carry this tent for great distances.
What to look for in a quality canvas tent
Durability
If you camp often or in extreme conditions, you will need a sturdy and durable tent. A canvas tent provides durably-stitched material that protects users from harsh elements, as well as UV rays and rain. Due to its durable fabric, it is more difficult to tear a canvas tent than a regular tent made of lightweight material.
Waterproof
Hydroshield coats any good canvas tent. This added coating to the outside of the tent keeps rain out. Tight stitching will keep the tent from leaking.
Sustainability
Canvas tent fabric uses the seed hair of the abundant cotton plant. Quality canvas tents are treatable and repairable, extending their useful life beyond plastic tents requiring replacing more often. Cotton is also biodegradable. This means that when you have had your fun with the tent and it has reached an end, it will be able to return to the earth and slowly degrade rather than sit in a landfill and pollute the planet. When searching for a canvas tent, look for brands with third-party approvals confirming they’re sustainable.
Heat and humidity control
Tiny atmospheric particles between the cotton weaves of a canvas tent allow heat to escape from the tent. This filters out condensation and allows for the tent to remain breathable and comfortable. In the wintertime, users can even add a wood-burning stove into a canvas tent to heat it as long as the tent is certified fire retardant.
For more information on what to consider when buying a tent, look at the complete tent buying guide from BestReviews.
How much you can expect to spend on a canvas tent
Canvas tents can range from $120 to $900 on the luxury end. Cheaper canvas tents are smaller, provide minimal features and you can use them for short-term camping. Canvas tents that tend to be more expensive use organic cotton fabric and provide the best features and accessories necessary to brace the elements on long camping expeditions.
Canvas Tent FAQ
What do you do if your tent gets a tear?
A. Check the company website from where you purchased the tent. They may sell patches that you can apply to tears in the tent. Although it is unlikely for canvas tents to tear easily, if this should happen, have a patch before using duct tape. This can ruin the fabric of the tent.
How do you clean a canvas tent?
A. To clean a canvas tent, users can hose it down with water to remove dirt. Do not use soap or detergent, which weakens the tent’s material and make it less durable and water-resistant over time.
What’s the best canvas tent to buy?
Top canvas tent
What you need to know: This waterproof canvas tent is breathable and provides all-season protection and airflow. It has mesh screens for ventilation and views and has a lot of space.
What you’ll love: This is a four to six-person large capacity tent with front and backdoors for accessibility and two large pulls to open the tent. The carbon steel stakes breakthrough the roughest of terrain.
What you should consider: This tent is suitable for longer camping trips due to its heavy build.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top canvas tent for the money
Whiteduck Prota Canvas Cabin Tent Deluxe
What you need to know: This tent features a water repellent & UV resistant finish. It has double-stitched seams with reinforced corners for added strength.
What you’ll love: It has four large windows and two doors with mesh for ventilation. It is very spacious and includes an electrical outlet and a large awning.
What you should consider: This tent can be time-consuming to assemble.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Kodiak Canvas Flex Bow Canvas Tent Deluxe
What you need to know: This canvas tent has spacious ceilings and is made with 100% breathable cotton.
What you’ll love: It is very sturdy and requires only one person and a short amount of time to set up. This tent is heavy and durable and packs down into one bag.
What you should consider: This tent has been known to leak due to a lack of stitching.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Logan DeLoye writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/camping-outdoors-br/tents-br/best-canvas-tent/ | 2022-06-20T08:46:16Z |
Two Americans killed in Ukraine’s Donbas region
Two American citizens recently died in the Donbas region of Ukraine, the State Department confirmed Saturday.
In a statement to CNN on Saturday, a State Department spokesperson did not provide any details about the individuals or the circumstances of their deaths, but said they “are in touch with the families and providing all possible consular assistance.”
“Out of respect to the families during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add,” the spokesperson said.
Asked about the condition of Alexander Drueke and Andy Hunyh, two Americans captured by Russian forces while fighting in Ukraine, the spokesperson said they “have been in contact with the Ukrainian and Russian authorities regarding U.S. citizens who may have been captured by Russia’s forces or proxies while fighting in Ukraine.”
“We call on Russia to live up to its international obligations to treat all individuals captured fighting with Ukraine’s armed forces as prisoners of war,” they said.
California’s Oak Fire burns more than 6,000 acres, forces evacuations
A wildfire raging for a second day Saturday in central California’s Mariposa County outside Yosemite National Park has burned more than 6,500 acres and forced evacuations of rural communities, fire officials said.
The fire began Friday in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada near the small community of Midpines, roughly a 9-mile drive northeast of the county seat, the town of Mariposa, state fire officials said.
Flames tore through trees and sent thick smoke into the sky Friday, and in at least one rural area burned close to homes and parked vehicles, video from CNN affiliates KFSN and KGO showed.
“(Authorities) came by ... and told us everybody’s got to go,” Wes Detamore, a resident of the Mariposa Pines area, told KFSN Friday.
Electricity service in the area stopped at about 4 p.m. Friday, “and the fire has been coming towards us faster and faster,” Detamore said.
The fire has destroyed at least 10 structures, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, said Saturday without elaborating. The blaze is threatening 2,000 other structures, Cal Fire said.
It had burned 6,555 acres by Saturday morning and had no containment, Cal Fire said. Fire activity was extreme, and emergency personnel were working to evacuate people and protect buildings, the department said.
More than 400 personnel, as well as 45 fire engines and four helicopters, have been assigned to fight the flames, Cal Fire said.
Evacuations have been ordered for certain areas in Mariposa County south and east of the fire, as shown in an online map. The evacuation zones did not include Mariposa town.
Mississippi police chief fired after audio of slurs
The White police chief of a predominantly Black town in Mississippi was terminated this week after audio surfaced, allegedly of him using racist and homophobic slurs, telling one of his officers he wouldn’t care if the officer “killed a mtherfker in cold blood,” and that he himself had killed 13 people.
The officer, Robert Hooker, says he recorded the nearly 17-minute clip during a conversation he had in April with Lexington’s now former police chief Sam Dobbins.
CNN obtained the recording from the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which said it obtained the clip from Hooker.
CNN has reached out to Dobbins multiple times for comment, including leaving several messages at his office and voice mails on his personal cellphone, but has not heard back.
Dobbins told the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, which first reported the story, he was unaware of a recording, denied using slurs, saying “I don’t talk like that,” and declined to comment on the alleged shootings.
Sheriff Willie March of the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, located in Lexington, Mississippi, told CNN there was “no doubt in our minds that it’s Mr. Dobbins” voice on the recording. March spoke to CNN Tuesday, after he said he met with Lexington’s mayor and the town’s attorney about the clip and what action they would take. The town’s attorney, Katherine Barrett, told CNN Dobbins was fired on Wednesday.
— From wire reports
CNN called the Mayor of Lexington and left a message with her secretary.
Recording includes references to shootings
♦ “You’re going to get in some sht in the streets, and there’s only going to be one man fighting for you, and it’s going to be me, OK? Don’t ever ruin that, all right, because these other ners, they’ll leave you dry. I don’t give a fk if you kill a mtherfker in cold blood... I will articulate to fix the fking problem, and I’m the only man in the business here that’s smart enough to do it,” Dobbins can be heard telling Hooker.
The police chief also bragged in the clip about killing people throughout his career.
“I have shot and killed, in the line of duty, 13 different people,” Dobbins said.
When questioned about it by Hooker, Dobbins responds, “Yes, sir, justified, bro. Ask around.”
Dobbins can be heard claiming he chased the man across a field and shot him 119 times.
CNN reached out to Dobbins’ former department at the Humphrey County, Mississippi Sheriff’s Office to corroborate Dobbins’ claim about the alleged shootings, but was unable to reach anyone for comment.
In the recording, Dobbins also used homophobic and profanity-laced remarks to describe gay people.
Hooker, who is Black, is a 20-year veteran of law enforcement, who worked for Lexington’s police department for four and a half months, and has since resigned, he said.
♦ Hooker said he was initially called to speak with Dobbins for an apology, after Dobbins told him to “shut the fk up and listen” during a prior meeting regarding a police case.
Hooker said he believes Dobbins knew he was being recorded, adding he recorded it on his phone, which was in plain sight of Dobbins.
When asked by CNN what he would say to Dobbins now, he said, “I was appalled and hurt with the words you used. I have heard rougher words, but not from my leader.”
He added, “Chief, had you come in with a different type of attitude, you were probably what Lexington needed. But trying to get your officers to be just as hard as you are ... I had to turn in my badge. I don’t believe in doing things this way.”
Sheriff surprised by language in recording
March said he has not spoken to Dobbins about the clip.
“I don’t believe someone like that should be a police chief,” March said about Dobbins earlier this week, adding that he was “very surprised” to hear the chief use the racist and disparaging language.
“Personally, I’ve never heard him use those kinds of statements, use the N-word. Some people have said he uses that language, but I have never heard it,” March said.
According to USA Today, the department’s newly appointed interim police chief, Charles Henderson, who is black, said the new administration has zero tolerance for racism. “We’re trying to move forward,” Henderson reportedly said.
Dobbins was appointed the police chief in July 2021 by the town’s board.
“[I]n this overwhelmingly Black town, the mayor is white. The police chief is white. The judge is white. The town is run by a powerful white family, and the police, led by Chief Sam Dobbins, are targeting, harassing, and assaulting Black citizens,” JULIAN, the civil and human rights organization which leaked the audio, said in a statement to CNN. According to CNN affiliate WLBT, Lexington residents have called for city leaders to hold police accountable for their alleged actions.
Located in Holmes County, Lexington has approximately 1,576 people, according to 2020 census data, of which 86% are Black.
“This recording proves that the oppressors no longer wear white sheets, but they wear law enforcement uniforms,” Cardell Wright, who is also JULIAN’s paralegal, said in a statement.
“Listening to this further validates what the community has been highlighting since Dobbins was hired. The remarks he made are appalling, racist, hateful, and detrimental to the welfare of the people.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/nation-in-brief-072422/article_299cd26c-0ac5-11ed-89b5-57e6da81009f.html | 2022-07-23T20:55:07Z |
DALLAS, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Smoothie King, the world's largest smoothie chain and the first health and fitness QSR brand of its kind, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Bremer as Chief Development Officer. As Chief Development Officer at Smoothie King, Bremer will be responsible for implementing strategies to meet Smoothie King's ongoing rapid expansion plans and overseeing the Franchise Development, Real Estate, Design, and Construction departments. The new addition to Smoothie King's executive team comes as it recently announced several agreements to expand its footprint in key growth markets such as the Upper Midwest and Central Atlantic regions as well as Colorado and Texas.
"We are thrilled to welcome Chris Bremer to our executive leadership team,'' said Wan Kim, CEO of Smoothie King. "Chris is an exemplary, purposeful leader, possessing a passion for leading teams in the food & beverage and hospitality industries and will undoubtedly make invaluable contributions to our rapidly-growing franchise system."
Bremer has a diverse history of driving profitable growth within multi-unit franchise organizations, spending nearly six years with TGI Friday's as the Development Director in Asia Pacific, leading rapid expansion across the region. From 2006 through 2017, Bremer was the Vice President of Global Franchise Development at Brinker International, implementing strategies to help the brand expand its presence from 90 locations to almost 400 in over 38 countries.
During his tenure, Bremer worked directly with franchisees to create strategy and action-planning to impact top-line revenue and bottom-line profit, upheld brand standards, and ensured operational excellence in multi-unit franchise organizations. Most recently, since 2017, Bremer served as Chief Development Officer at Nothing Bundt Cakes, leading the Development Team to double the size of the brand, which helped drive the sale of the brand to private equity.
Smoothie King has repeatedly been recognized as a top franchise brand, most recently ranking number 51 in Nation's Restaurant News' Top 500 Restaurants, moving up from number 82 in 2021. This list recognizes the largest restaurant chains in the country ranked by sales performance and total number of units. The brand was also named the "Top Brand to Buy" in the beverage category of Franchise Times' 2022 Zor Awards and named to its "Top 400 Franchises" list. Furthermore, Smoothie King received the Top Franchises Satisfaction Award for 2022 from Franchise Business Review based on the brand's high franchisee satisfaction. For more information about franchise opportunities with Smoothie King, please visit www.smoothiekingfranchise.com.
About Smoothie King Franchises, Inc.
Smoothie King Franchises, Inc., the original U.S. smoothie franchise, is a privately held, Dallas-based franchise company with over 1,300 locations worldwide, including in the United States, Korea, Grand Cayman, and Trinidad. Founded in 1973, Smoothie King has made it its mission to inspire people to live a healthy and active lifestyle. By blending each smoothie with a purpose, Smoothie King makes it simple and enjoyable for guests to achieve their individual health and fitness goals. Smoothie King has been recognized No. 13 overall on Entrepreneur's prestigious Franchise 500 list in 2022 and ranked one of the "Fastest Growing Franchises." For more information about franchising with Smoothie King, visit SmoothieKingFranchise.com or follow the brand on social media @SmoothieKing.
Contact:
Erin Jacobs
Fish Consulting
954-893-9150
ejacobs@fish-consulting.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Smoothie King | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/smoothie-king-appoints-new-chief-development-officer-chris-bremer-lead-companys-nationwide-expansion/ | 2022-07-13T15:41:14Z |
LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Increasingly, when families, institutional trustees, professional fiduciaries and charitable beneficiaries find themselves embroiled in a will or trust dispute they turn to national probate litigation law firm RMO LLP, which announced that Super Lawyers recently recognized four of its standout attorneys in California and Texas as "Rising Stars" for their exemplary legal talent, including: Los Angeles Managing Partner Matthew Baker, San Diego Managing Partner David Greco, Houston Managing Attorney Andrea Uresti Barr, and Los Angeles Attorney Roshanne Katouzian.
To be featured in this selective list, which includes no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in each state, individuals are identified as the top, up-and-coming attorneys in each market who are either 40 years of age or under or who have been practicing law for ten or fewer years.
Matthew Baker is a Partner in and manages the firm's Los Angeles office. Baker's probate dispute practice focuses on representing beneficiaries and fiduciaries in contested trust, estate, probate and conservatorship litigation matters.
David Greco oversees the firm's San Diego office. Greco also chairs the firm's appellate practice. He represents beneficiaries, as well as professional and corporate fiduciaries – e.g. administrators, executors, trustees, conservators, and guardians – in contested trust, estate, and probate litigation matters, as well as related estate administration issues.
Andrea L. Uresti Barr manages the firm's Houston office. A seasoned probate litigator, Uresti-Barr's area of practice includes defending and prosecuting causes of action on behalf and against heirs, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and creditors in probate, trust, guardianship, and power of attorney proceedings. She also handles contested estate, probate, and trust administrations.
Roshanne Katouzian is also based in the firm's Los Angeles office. She focuses her practice on representing beneficiaries, professional and corporate fiduciaries.
Selections are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, an affiliate of Thomson Reuters. The multi-phase selection process includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, and a peer review. For more information, visit superlawyers.com.
RMO LLP provides personal, cost-effective litigation services to individual and institutional clients. The firm's attorneys focus on litigation contested trust, estate, probate, and conservatorship matters. RMO has offices serving clients with probate disputes throughout California, Florida, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. For more information, please visit https://rmolawyers.com/.
View original content:
SOURCE RMO LLP | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/four-california-texas-rmo-attorneys-named-rising-stars/ | 2022-06-13T17:33:27Z |
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/
TODAY TO 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values between 105 and 100 expected.
* WHERE...Portions of southeast Alabama, south central and
southwest Georgia and Big Bend and Panhandle Florida.
* WHEN...From noon EDT /11 AM CDT/ to 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/
Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
&&
MIAMI -- Ken Graham recently was named the new NOAA assistant administrator for weather services and the 17th director of the National Weather Service.
Graham brings 28 years of scientific and program management experience to the position, with emphasis on improving field operations, cultivating partnerships internal and external to government, and being an innovative leader of teams. Most recently, he served as director of the National Hurricane Center, where he oversaw hurricane forecast operations and public communications.
Graham has a vast amount of operational field experience. He worked his way up through the ranks at NWS, mostly in field offices, starting as an intern meteorologist in 1994 at the New Orleans/Baton Rouge weather forecast office.
Before joining the National Hurricane Center in 2018, Graham served as the meteorologist-in-charge of the NWS’ New Orleans/Baton Rouge office for 10 years. Prior to that, he served as the systems operations division chief at NWS Southern Region headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. He also served as the meteorological service chief at NWS headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., and was the meteorologist-in-charge at the local forecast offices in Birmingham, Ala., and Corpus Christi, Texas.
Graham earned a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in geoscience from Mississippi State University. He was recently named the 2022 Weatherperson of the Year by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and was a 2021 finalist for the Partnership for Public Service’s Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal.
Jamie Rhome, current NHC deputy director, will serve as the NHC acting director until a permanent director is hired. Mike Brennan will step into the NHC acting deputy director role. Between the two, Rhome and Brennan have 37 years of experience working at NHC.
Envision beach living? Stacker collected data from a 2021 WalletHub study comparing U.S. beach towns by affordability, weather, safety, economy, education, health, and quality of life. Click for more.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/features/ken-graham-named-noaa-assistant-administrator-for-weather-service/article_e077a840-ef13-11ec-b3aa-4fecc29e42b7.html | 2022-06-18T16:27:29Z |
CHICAGO, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its announcement that it will exit the Russian market and has initiated a process to sell its Russian business, McDonald's Corporation announced today that it has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with its existing licensee Alexander Govor. Under this agreement, Mr. Govor will acquire McDonald's entire restaurant portfolio and operate the restaurants under a new brand. Since 2015, Mr. Govor has served as a McDonald's licensee and has operated 25 restaurants in Siberia.
The agreement remains subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval, with closing expected to occur in the coming weeks.
The sale and purchase agreement provides for employees to be retained for at least two years, on equivalent terms. The buyer has also agreed to fund the salaries of corporate employees who work in 45 regions of the country until closing, as well as fund existing liabilities to suppliers, landlords and utilities.
About McDonald's
McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with more than 39,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements about future events and circumstances. Generally speaking, any statement not based upon historical fact is a forward-looking statement. In particular, statements regarding McDonald's plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding its business and industry are forward-looking statements. They reflect McDonald's expectations, are not guarantees of performance and speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, McDonald's does not undertake to update such forward-looking statements. You should not rely unduly on forward-looking statements. McDonald's business results are subject to a variety of risks, including those that are described in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
View original content:
SOURCE McDonald's Corporation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/mcdonalds-agrees-sell-russian-business-current-licensee-alexander-govor/ | 2022-05-19T12:39:30Z |
Thousands wait in cold to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II
LONDON (AP) — Thousands of people spent London’s coldest night in months huddled in line to view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, and authorities warned Saturday that arriving mourners face a 16-hour wait.
Police arrested a man after what the force described as a “disturbance” Friday night in Parliament’s Westminster Hall, where the queen’s coffin is lying in state, draped in her Royal Standard and capped with a diamond-studded crown.
Parliamentary authorities said someone got out of the queue and tried to approach the coffin on its platform. The Metropolitan Police force said a man was detained for a suspected public-order offense.
The tide of people wanting to say goodbye to the queen has grown steadily since the public was first admitted to the hall on Wednesday. On Friday, authorities temporarily halted letting more visitors join the end of the line, which snakes around Southwark Park some 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Parliament.
Overnight, volunteers distributed blankets and cups of tea to people in line as the temperature fell to 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit). Despite the weather, mourners described the warmth of a shared experience.
“It was cold overnight, but we had wonderful companions, met new friends. The camaraderie was wonderful,’’ Chris Harman of London said. “It was worth it. I would do it again and again and again. I would walk to the end of the earth for my queen.”
People had myriad reasons for coming, from affection for the queen to a desire to be part of a historic moment. Simon Hopkins, who traveled from his home in central England, likened it to “a pilgrimage.”
“(It) is a bit strange, because that kind of goes against my grain,” he said. “I’ve been kind of drawn into it.”
Members of the public kept silently streaming into Westminster Hall even as the queen’s four children — King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — stood vigil around the flag-draped coffin for 15 minutes on Friday evening. A baby’s cry was the only sound.
Before the vigil, Edward said the royal family was “overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect (for) our dear mama.”
All eight of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren are due to stand vigil beside her coffin on Saturday. Charles’ sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, will attend along with Princess Anne’s children, Zara Tindall and Peter Philips; Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie; and the two children of Prince Edward – Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
William, who after his grandmother’s death is now the heir to the throne, will stand at the head of the coffin and Harry at the foot. Both princes, who are military veterans, will be in uniform.
Most senior royals hold honorary military roles and have worn uniforms to commemorate the queen. Harry, who served in Afghanistan as a British army officer, wore civilian clothes during the procession of the queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace because he is no longer a working member of the royal family. He and his wife Meghan quit royal duties and moved to the United States in 2020.
The king, however, has requested that both William and Harry wear their military uniforms at the Westminster Hall vigil.
The people queuing to see the queen have been of all ages and come from all walks of life. Many bowed before the coffin or made a sign of the cross. Several veterans, their medals shining in the spotlights, offered sharp salutes. Some people wept. Many hugged one another as they stepped away, proud to have spent hours in line to offer a tribute, even if it lasted only a few moments.
On Friday, the waiting time swelled to as long as 24 hours. The mourners included former England soccer captain David Beckham, who lined up for almost 12 hours to pay his respects. Wearing a white shirt and black tie, he bowed briefly to the coffin before moving out of Westminster Hall.
“We have been lucky as a nation to have had someone who has led us the way her majesty has led us, for the amount of time, with kindness, with caring and always reassurance,” Beckham told reporters afterwards.
The lying-in-state is due to continue until Monday morning, when the queen’s coffin will be borne to nearby Westminster Abbey for a state funeral, the finale to 10 days of national mourning for Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Elizabeth, 96, died at her Balmoral Estate in Scotland on Sept. 8 after 70 years on the throne.
Hundreds of heads of state, royals and political leaders from around the world are flying to London to attend the funeral, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
After the service at the abbey, the late queen’s coffin will be transported through the historic heart of London on a horse-drawn gun carriage. It will then be taken in a hearse to Windsor, where the queen will be interred alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.
Hundreds of troops from the British army, air force and navy took part in an early-morning rehearsal on Saturday for the final procession. As troops lined The Long Walk, a picturesque path leading to Windsor Castle, the thumping of drums echoed into the night as marching bands walked ahead of a hearse.
London police said the funeral will be the largest single policing event the force has ever handled, surpassing even the 2012 Summer Olympics and the Platinum Jubilee in June celebrating the queen’s 70-year rein.
“The range of officers, police staff and all those supporting the operation is truly immense,” said Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy.
___
Follow AP coverage of Queen Elizabeth II at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/17/man-arrested-after-disturbance-line-see-queen-swells/ | 2022-09-17T11:47:25Z |
Denis McHugh Named Chief Risk Officer for MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and Market Risk Management Officer for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MUFG, one of the world's leading financial groups, today announced that Denis McHugh will join the company as Chief Risk Officer for MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and Market Risk Management Officer for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, effective August 30, 2022.
Mr. McHugh will be based in New York and report to Brian Gunn, Chief Risk Officer for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, and Yasutaka Suehiro, Chief Executive Officer for MUFG Securities Americas Inc. He will also have matrixed reporting to Osamu Nakajima, International Chief Risk Officer for Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Holdings Co., Ltd.
In his new role, Mr. McHugh will be responsible for providing strategic direction for risk management for MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and and overseeing all risk disciplines for that business. He will also be responsible for instituting sustainable risk programs across the material risk disciplines and aligning them with the regulatory expectations of our business lines. Mr. McHugh will also oversee market, liquidity, and interest rate risk management for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation.
"Denis is a distinguished finance executive with vast experience in risk management and line of business oversight at large multinational banks, which uniquely positions him well for his new role at MUFG," said Mr. Gunn. "His firsthand knowledge of the global markets and securities industry will sharpen our view of risk management through a business lens."
Mr. McHugh has over 30 years of experience in both market risk management and capital and emerging markets at global financial institutions. Previously, he served as the Enterprise Head of Market Risk Management for BMO Financial Group, where he was also Capital Markets Chief Risk Officer, and Commerzbank AG. Prior to transitioning to risk management, Mr. McHugh held leadership positions overseeing markets, sales and trading, and structured finance businesses at firms that include Fortis Bank, ABN AMRO Bank, and Rabobank International. Mr. McHugh holds a B.A. in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.
Mr. Suehiro said, "With his deep expertise across diverse asset classes and market instruments, Denis will offer a valuable perspective that balances appropriate risk appetite and controlling our exposures with our business's revenue goals."
About Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.'s U.S. Operations including MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation
The U.S. operations of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG), one of the world's leading financial groups, has total assets of $332.4 billion at March 31, 2022. As part of that total, MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation (MUAH), a financial holding company, bank holding company, and intermediate holding company, has total assets of $159.2 billion at March 31, 2022. MUAH's main subsidiaries are MUFG Union Bank, N.A. and MUFG Securities Americas Inc. MUFG Union Bank, N.A. provides a wide range of financial services to consumers, small businesses, middle-market companies, and major corporations. As of March 31, 2022, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. operated 297 branches, consisting primarily of retail banking branches in the West Coast states. MUFG Securities Americas Inc. is a registered securities broker-dealer which engages in capital markets origination transactions, domestic and foreign debt and equities securities transactions, private placements, collateralized financings, and securities borrowing and lending transactions. MUAH is owned by MUFG Bank, Ltd. and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. MUFG Bank, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., has offices in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Canada. Visit www.unionbank.com or www.mufgamericas.com for more information.
Press contact:
Oksana Poltavets
(646) 767-1326
opoltavets@us.mufg.jp
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE MUFG | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/veteran-risk-management-global-markets-executive-joins-mufg/ | 2022-08-01T18:34:10Z |
OCC® Achieves Year-over-Year Increases in Net Sales and Gross Profit in the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal Year 2022
ROANOKE, Va. , Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq GM: OCC) ("OCC®" or the "Company") today announced financial results for its third quarter ended July 31, 2022.
Consolidated net sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 increased 11.2% to $17.4 million, compared to net sales of $15.6 million for the same period last year. The Company experienced an increase in net sales in its specialty markets, including the wireless carrier market, in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, compared to the same period last year. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in net sales in the enterprise market.
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, the Company continued to see product demand, sales and production volume increase compared to the same period last year. Its sales order backlog/forward load exceeded $15.0 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2022—remaining approximately three-to-five times higher than typical levels—as product demand continues to be robust.
Production volumes continued to be tempered during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 by supply chain and labor constraints, hindering further net sales increases. The Company experienced improvement in production labor recruitment during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, from which the Company expects to benefit in the future. The training of new production employees impacts production volumes (and labor costs) until those employees are fully trained and operating at capacity.
Gross profit increased 17.6% to $4.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, compared to gross profit of $4.1 million for the same period last year.
Gross profit margin, or gross profit as a percentage of net sales, was 27.7% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 compared to 26.2% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021.
Gross profit margins during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 were impacted by increases in production labor and material costs, partially offset by necessary prospective price increases on new sales orders for many of the Company's products.
SG&A expenses increased to $5.0 million during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, compared to $4.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily the result of net increases in employee and contracted sales personnel related costs.
For the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, OCC recorded a net loss of $372,000, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $5.4 million, or $0.71 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, with gain on the extinguishment of the Company's paycheck protection program loan and employee retention tax credit positively impacting results in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021.
Consolidated net sales for the first nine months of fiscal year 2022 increased 13.3% to $49.0 million, compared to net sales of $43.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2021. The Company achieved increases in net sales in both its enterprise and specialty markets, including the wireless carrier market, in the first nine months of fiscal year 2022, compared to the same period last year.
OCC reported gross profit of $13.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2022, an increase of 23.8% compared to gross profit of $11.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021.
The Company's gross profit margins tend to be higher when it achieves higher net sales levels due to its operating leverage, as certain fixed manufacturing costs are spread over higher sales. This operating leverage positively impacted the gross profit margin during the first nine months of fiscal year 2022, particularly during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. This positive impact during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 was partially offset during the second and third quarters by the impact of increasing costs of raw materials, created by rapidly occurring inflation, for sales orders accepted prior to raw material cost increases.
SG&A expenses increased 10.0% to $14.8 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2022 from $13.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2021. The increase in SG&A expenses during the first nine months of fiscal year 2022 compared to the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 was primarily the result of increases in employee and contracted sales personnel related costs.
OCC recorded a net loss of $1.5 million, or $0.20 per basic and diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal year 2022, compared to net income of $6.6 million, or $0.88 per basic and diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, with gain on the extinguishment of the Company's paycheck protection program loan and employee retention tax credits positively impacting results during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021.
Neil Wilkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of OCC, said, "Our third quarter results reflect the OCC team's success executing in a dynamic market that continues to demonstrate robust demand for our diversified product offering. During the quarter, we made progress in scaling up our production team to increase our production capacity, and these efforts will continue so we can meet expected strong product demand and capture additional growth opportunities. In addition, the OCC team continued to successfully execute strategies designed to mitigate the impact of supply chain constraints and inflationary pressures."
Mr. Wilkin added, "As a result of our growth strategies, demand for our suite of mission-critical cabling and connectivity products and solutions continues to be strong, and our large sales order backlog bodes well for the remainder of the fiscal year and into next year. We continue to focus on executing our growth strategies, increasing production capacity and operating efficiently as we serve our customers and end-users and drive enhanced value for shareholders."
As previously announced, OCC will host a conference call today, September 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should call (800) 225-9448 in the U.S. or (203) 518-9856 internationally, Conference ID: OCCQ322. For interested individuals unable to join the call, a replay will be available through Monday, September 19, 2022 by dialing (800) 839-5637 or (402) 220-2562. The call will also be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed by visiting the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.occfiber.com.
Optical Cable Corporation ("OCC®") is a leading manufacturer of a broad range of fiber optic and copper data communication cabling and connectivity solutions primarily for the enterprise market and various harsh environment and specialty markets (collectively, the non-carrier markets) and also the wireless carrier market, offering integrated suites of high-quality products which operate as a system solution or seamlessly integrate with other providers' offerings.
OCC® is internationally recognized for pioneering innovative fiber optic and copper communications technologies, including fiber optic cable designs for the most demanding environments and applications, copper connectivity designs to meet the highest data communication industry standards, as well as a broad product offering built on the evolution of these fundamental technologies.
OCC uses its expertise to deliver cabling and connectivity products and integrated solutions that are best suited to the performance requirements of each end-user's application. And OCC's solutions offerings cover a broad range of applications—from commercial, enterprise network, datacenter, residential and campus installations to customized products for specialty applications and harsh environments, including military, industrial, mining, petrochemical and broadcast applications, as well as for the wireless carrier market.
Founded in 1983, OCC is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia with offices, manufacturing and warehouse facilities located in Roanoke, Virginia, near Asheville, North Carolina and near Dallas, Texas. OCC's facilities are ISO 9001:2015 registered and its Roanoke and Dallas facilities are MIL-STD-790G certified.
Optical Cable Corporation™, OCC®, Procyon®, Superior Modular Products™, SMP Data Communications™, Applied Optical Systems™, and associated logos are trademarks of Optical Cable Corporation.
Further information about OCC® is available at www.occfiber.com.
This news release by Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company" or "OCC") may contain certain forward-looking information within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The forward-looking information may include, among other information, (i) statements concerning our outlook for the future, (ii) statements of belief, anticipation or expectation, (iii) future plans, strategies or anticipated events, and (iv) similar information and statements concerning matters that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our expectations, and such known and unknown variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks may also adversely affect Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries, the Company's future results of operations and future financial condition, and/or the future equity value of the Company. A partial list of such variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks that could cause or contribute to such differences from our expectations or that could otherwise adversely affect Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries is set forth in Optical Cable Corporation's quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the heading "Forward-Looking Information." OCC's quarterly and annual reports are available to the public on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In providing forward-looking information, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update this information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by applicable laws and regulations.
(Financial Tables Follow)
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Optical Cable Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/optical-cable-corporation-reports-third-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-09-12T12:46:31Z |
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global leader in connected public safety technologies, today announced the acquisition of Foundry 45, an industry-leading virtual reality (VR) studio focused on developing immersive training modules for large enterprises. The acquisition, which closed on April 5, 2022, will integrate Foundry 45 into the Axon VR team.
Founded in 2015, Foundry 45 has delivered virtual and augmented reality training applications to global enterprise customers including several Fortune 100 companies. Pushing the boundaries of corporate training for some of the world's most innovative companies, the Foundry 45 team builds exceptional VR experiences geared towards improving productivity, boosting knowledge retention and creating better training outcomes.
"We're thrilled the Foundry 45 team has joined Axon in our mission to Protect Life," says Chris Chin, VP of Immersive Technologies, Axon. "Their team of accomplished enterprise VR training experts are a great addition to Axon and I'm excited to join forces and level-up our public safety training capabilities to make communities safer for all."
Axon's VR team is transforming public safety by making training more accessible, relevant and affordable — with the goal of using new immersive technologies to better prepare officers for real-life situations in the field. Axon's VR products provide virtual reality content that helps officers develop critical thinking, de-escalation techniques and tactical skills across a diverse set of highly realistic scenarios.
Virtual reality is rapidly becoming a game-changing training tool across many industries, and the acquisition of Foundry 45 will help accelerate Axon to deliver innovative skills- and scenario-based training in public safety, and will catalyze Axon's expansion into new growth markets globally.
"I'm exceptionally proud of the work our team has accomplished at Foundry 45," says David Beck, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Foundry 45. "We believe purpose is one of the most important elements of a company and are excited our values align with Axon. By joining their team, we are able to continue to bring our innovative vision and world-class engineers to the table to build products for public good."
Equity inducement awards of an aggregate 29,507 restricted stock units ("RSUs") were granted to two individuals in connection with the acquisition. Of the total amount awarded, 11,438 time-based RSUs will vest in equal annual amounts following the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date. 2,820 time-based RSUs will vest two-thirds following the first anniversary and one-third following the second anniversary of the grant date. Additionally, up to 15,249 RSUs will vest based on the attainment of three performance criteria based on content development and sales bookings. All awards are subject to continued service through each vesting date, with the exception of 7,625 time-based RSUs that would accelerate vesting in the event of an involuntary termination without cause.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP represented Axon as legal counsel in this transaction.
Foundry 45 (www.foundry45.com) uses innovative technologies to create better training outcomes for clients. We are a team of technologists and creatives who are driven to build powerful, immersive virtual reality experiences. By leveraging interactive content, we help organizations break the monotony of their current training routines while providing safer, more efficient and engaging employee training solutions. We've delivered hundreds of VR experiences for clients across the country and around the globe, including several Fortune 100 companies.
Axon is a network of devices, apps and people that helps public safety personnel become smarter and safer. With a mission of protecting life, our technologies give customers the confidence, focus and time they need to keep their communities safe. Our products impact every aspect of a public safety officer's day-to-day experience with the goal of helping everyone get home safe.
We work hard for those who put themselves in harm's way for all of us. To date, more than 263,000 lives and countless dollars have been saved with the Axon Network of devices, apps and people. Learn more at www.axon.com or by calling (800) 978-2737. Axon is a global company with headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. and global software engineering hub in Seattle, Wash., as well as additional offices in Australia, Canada, Finland, Vietnam, the UK and the Netherlands.
Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc., Morgan, Lewis, & Bockius is a trademark of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Partnership and Twitter is a trademark of Twitter, Inc. Axon, Axon Network, Protect Life and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.
- Axon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/axon_us
- Axon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/
Please visit http://investor.axon.com, https://www.axon.com/press, www.twitter.com/axon_us and https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/ where Axon discloses information about the company, its financial information and its business.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Corinne Clark
Public Relations Manager
Media ONLY Hotline: (480) 444-4000
Press@Axon.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Axon | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/06/axon-announces-acquisition-virtual-reality-training-studio-foundry-45/ | 2022-04-07T03:00:25Z |
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ASSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to acquire Alcea, a provider of security supervision software and associated access control hardware, that together with system partners are providing total access management solutions.
"I am very pleased to welcome Alcea into the ASSA ABLOY Group. This company will reinforce our offering within critical infrastructure and will provide complementary growth opportunities," says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.
"Alcea offers high-quality and innovative digital solutions under a strong and well-known brand, and the acquisition will further advance our position as a full solutions provider. I welcome Alcea's experienced team and I am convinced that we together will continue our successful journey," says Stephanie Ordan, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Technologies business unit Global Solutions.
Alcea was established in 1995 and has some 120 employees. The main office is located in Villebon-sur-Yvette, France.
Sales for 2021 amounted to about MEUR 20 (approx. MSEK 200) with a good EBIT margin. The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions and is expected to close during the third quarter of 2022.
For more information, please contact:
Nico Delvaux, President and CEO, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 82
Erik Pieder, CFO and Executive Vice President, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 72
Björn Tibell, Head of Investor Relations, tel. no: +46 70 275 67 68
About ASSA ABLOY
The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. The Group operates worldwide with 51,000 employees and sales of SEK 95 billion. The Group has leading positions in areas such as efficient door openings, trusted identities and entrance automation. ASSA ABLOY's innovations enable safe, secure and convenient access to physical and digital places. Every day, we help billions of people experience a more open world.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
The following files are available for download:
View original content:
SOURCE ASSA ABLOY | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/assa-abloy-acquires-alcea-france/ | 2022-08-03T07:35:14Z |
$48.0 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2022 to support ongoing programs through August 2023
International sites for Mino-Lok® Phase 3 trial engaged as recruitment accelerates
I/ONTAK Biologics License Application (BLA) on track for 2H 2022 submission
CRANFORD, N.J., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing first-in-class critical care products, today reported business and financial results for the third fiscal quarter of 2022 ended June 30, 2022.
Fiscal Q3 2022 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments
- Mino-Lok® Phase 3 trial recruitment approached pre-Covid-19 pace; international trial sites engaged to accelerate trial enrollment; Company reiterates 92 failure events required for trial completion;
- Halo-Lido Phase 2b trial initiated; enrollment completion anticipated by end of 2022;
- I/ONTAK (denileukin diftitox) topline results show no new safety signals and are consistent with prior formulation (ONTAK);
- Pre-BLA meeting held with the FDA for I/ONTAK; biologics license application (BLA) remains on track for submission in the second half of 2022; and,
- Announced intention to spinoff I/ONTAK into standalone oncology-focused publicly traded company.
Financial Highlights
- Cash and cash equivalents of $48.0 million as of June 30, 2022;
- R&D expenses were $4.9 million and $13.8 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $2.2 million and $9.9 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021, respectively;
- G&A expenses were $3.0 million and $9.0 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $3.4 million and $ 7.4 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021, respectively;
- Stock-based compensation expense was $1.0 million and $2.9 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021, respectively; and,
- Net loss was $8.9 million and $25.6 million, or ($0.06) and ($0.18) per share for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, compared to a net loss of $7.3 million and $19.5 million, or ($0.05) and ($0.20) per share for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.
"Citius made solid progress during the quarter to advance our multiple programs. We expanded the Phase 3 Mino-Lok trial to include international sites with the intention of increasing and accelerating enrollment. Our efforts remain focused on driving patient recruitment, which we believe will hasten trial completion. Based on the current the pace of enrollment and the ramp up of our international sites, we expect to enroll the last patient, to complete the trial by the end of 2022, subsequently with the required number of events," stated Leonard Mazur, Chairman and CEO of Citius.
"Our I/ONTAK program remains on track with an anticipated BLA submission later this year. Topline results for the Phase 3 trial of I/ONTAK were consistent with the prior FDA-approved formulation (ONTAK) and we believe there remains a significant unmet medical need in the market for CTCL patients. We recently completed a pre-BLA meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and appreciate their continued guidance. Additionally, the Halo-Lido Phase 2b trial for the treatment of hemorrhoids was initiated during the quarter and we remain encouraged that we may complete enrollment in this trial by the end of the year," added Mazur.
"Our balance sheet remains strong with $48 million in cash available and no debt, providing us with greater strategic and financing flexibility than many of our peers. We believe these funds are sufficient to allow us to execute our activities through August 2023. To support our value-creating clinical, regulatory and commercial efforts, and to further unlock the value of I/ONTAK and Citius, we announced our intent to explore a tax-free non-dilutive spin-off to create a separate publicly traded oncology company. We believe this remains a viable option, notwithstanding recent market volatility, and will continue to monitor market conditions as we proceed. In addition to a potential spin-off, there are multiple other non-dilutive options available to Citius including out-licensing agreements, asset sales or other strategic arrangements, as well as debt financing. Consequently, we remain encouraged in the progress of our pipeline and confident in our ability to advance each of our key programs," concluded Mazur.
THIRD QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2022 Financial Results:
Liquidity
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $48.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, no debt, and 146,129,630 common shares issued and outstanding.
The Company estimates that its available cash resources will be sufficient to fund its operations through August 2023.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses
R&D expenses were $4.9 million and $13.8 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $2.2 million and $9.9 million for the comparable periods ended June 30, 2021. The increase during the quarter is primarily due to additional R&D expenses related to the expansion of the Mino-Lok® trial to include sites outside the United States, start-up costs associated with the Halo-Lido Phase 2b trial which enrolled its first patient in April, 2022, and R&D expenses related to I/ONTAK for which a BLA submission to the FDA is being prepared.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2022, ARDS-related R&D expenses decreased by $4.7 million compared to $5.3 million during the prior year period. R&D expense for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 reflected a $5.0 million license fee paid to Novellus.
We expect that research and development expenses will increase in fiscal 2022 as we continue to focus on our Phase 3 trials for Mino-Lok® and I/ONTAK, progress the Halo-Lido product candidate, and continue our research and development efforts related to ARDS and Mino-Wrap.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
G&A expenses were $3.1 million and $9.0 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, compared to $3.4 million and $7.4 million for the comparable periods ended June 30, 2021. The decrease during the quarter is primarily due to reduced costs for performance bonuses. The primary reasons for the increase over the nine-month period were additional compensation costs for new employees, increased investor relations costs and additional insurance expense. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, professional fees for legal, regulatory, accounting, and corporate development services, and investor relations expenses.
Stock-based Compensation Expense
For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2022, stock-based compensation expense was $1.0 million as compared to $0.4 million for the prior year period. For the nine months ended June 30, 2022, stock-based compensation expense was $2.9 million as compared to $1.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021. The increase primarily reflects expenses related to new grants made by Citius to employees (including new hires), directors and consultants.
Net loss
Net loss was $8.9 million, or ($0.06) per share for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to a net loss of $5.8 million, or ($0.05) per share for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Net loss was $25.6 million, or ($0.18) per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2022, compared to a net loss of $18.1 million, or ($0.20) for the nine months ended June 30, 2021.
The increase in net loss is primarily due to an increase in research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses and stock-based compensation.
Citius is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products, with a focus on oncology, anti-infectives in adjunct cancer care, unique prescription products, and stem cell therapies. The Company has two late-stage product candidates, Mino-Lok®, an antibiotic lock solution for the treatment of patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), which is currently enrolling patients in a Phase 3 Pivotal superiority trial, and I/ONTAK (E7777), a novel IL-2R immunotherapy for an initial indication in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), for which a BLA submission is being prepared for the second half of 2022. Mino-Lok® was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). I/ONTAK has received orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of CTCL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). For more information, please visit www.citiuspharma.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated are: our ability to successfully undertake and complete clinical trials and the results from those trials for our product candidates; our decision whether to proceed with the planned spinoff, if at all, our ability to successfully complete the planned spinoff if undertaken, and the benefits achieved by the planned spinoff; our need for substantial additional funds; our ability to commercialize our products if approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; risks relating to the results of research and development activities, including those from existing and new pipeline assets; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; the early stage of products under development; our ability to attract, integrate, and retain key personnel; our dependence on third-party suppliers; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by Covid-19. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on December 15, 2021 and updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.
Investor Relations for Citius Pharmaceuticals:
Ilanit Allen
Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
T: 908-967-6677 x113
E: ir@citiuspharma.com
-- Financial Tables Follow –
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/citius-pharmaceuticals-inc-reports-fiscal-third-quarter-2022-financial-results-provides-business-update/ | 2022-08-11T21:29:27Z |
Teen lifeguard saves father, 2-year-old son from drowning in lake
NEW MILFORD, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) – A 17-year-old lifeguard saved a father and a 2-year-old boy from drowning in Connecticut on Sunday just minutes before he was supposed to get off work.
Aiden Mulligan-Brown said it was almost time for the lifeguards to go home for the day at Lynn Deming Park when he saw the pair struggling in the water.
Mulligan-Brown said he saw the father hoisting the toddler on his shoulders and struggling to stay afloat.
“I saw their head bobbing above the water, and once I saw his head drop a little, that’s when I knew to go [into the water],” Mulligan-Brown said.
At one point, the child was separated from his father and began floating away. Thankfully, Mulligan-Brown rushed in, placed a flotation device under them and got them to shore.
“It’s scary knowing that if it happened a couple of minutes later when we went off duty, it could have been much worse,” Mulligan-Brown said.
A tragedy was avoided, but so far this year, two people have drowned at Candlewood Lake. Mulligan-Brown encourages anyone who can’t swim to borrow a life jacket from a lifeguard on duty.
“We have life jackets that we lend out to people, so if you know you can’t swim, just come up and ask for a life jacket,” he said.
New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said the waters in the area are deceiving, with some parts reaching 10 feet deep.
“These are some dangerous waters, especially when they draw down from the hydro plant. There could be some undercurrents,” Bass said. “So, it’s really important you stay within the buoys, especially at the park.”
Copyright 2022 WFSB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/19/teen-lifeguard-saves-father-2-year-old-son-drowning-lake/ | 2022-07-19T17:59:24Z |
WILMINGTON, Del., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- YorkTest has secured investment in its food sensitivity testing business as part of a $11 million investment by Private Equity backers, NVM.
YorkTest is a leading health and wellness company with over 40 years of expertise in the provision of home-to-laboratory tests in the US and the UK, with a focus on food sensitivity testing. The company operates in a rapidly growing market with revenues having grown significantly over the last two years, reflecting a growing awareness of health, nutrition and wellbeing and the trend towards increased home health testing.
The investment from NVM will enable YorkTest to expand its current product range in the US, together with further investment in laboratory equipment. Each food sensitivity test comes with a 30-minute consultation with an expert nutritional therapist and are HSA and FSA accepted.
As part of the transaction Richard Millman will join the Board as Non-Executive Chair. Having worked with a number of established retail businesses, Richard is the former Managing Director of a PC World group business, part of the Dixon's Retail Group and the former CEO of Total Fitness, the PE backed gym chain. He also chairs Protein Works, a global direct to consumer sports nutrition business and Vivify Venues, a tech enabled sports and leisure venue marketplace.
CEO of YorkTest, Richard Dawson, said:
"It's an exciting time for the food sensitivity testing market, as consumers look to take more control of their own health and nutrition, following the challenges of the pandemic.
"YorkTest is well positioned to continue its growth in the food sensitivity testing market and expand its range of health tests.
"Alongside NVM, we'll be at the forefront of positive change for the US home-to-laboratory health testing market."
Richard Millman, adds:
"I am delighted to be joining YorkTest as Non-Executive Chair. It's an exciting time for the sector, as people take more ownership of their own health, particularly following the challenges of the pandemic. The business is already seeing a shift in consumer behavior and the rise in online sales across its portfolio of home health tests. With significant investment in cloud-based technology, laboratory expertise and strong scientific credentials at its core, YorkTest is well positioned to achieve significant growth over the coming years."
The transaction has been led by Andy Leach, Mauro Biagioni and Oliver Wildig. Mauro and Andy will represent NVM's interest on the Board.
Mauro Biagioni, added:
"Under the leadership of CEO, Richard Dawson, the management team has built a robust business which is extremely well regarded in the food sensitivity testing market. We are confident that with today's investment the business is now suitably capitalized to enable the team to deliver their vision and we are delighted to be able to support them on that journey."
For more information about YorkTest, visit www.yorktest.com/us.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1867412/YorkTest_CEO_Richard_Dawson.jpg
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE YorkTest | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/yorktest-laboratories-inc-secures-investment-its-food-sensitivity-testing-business/ | 2022-07-27T14:16:31Z |
BEIJING, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Luokung Technology Corp. (the "Company" or "Luokung") (NASDAQ: LKCO), today announced that on July 28, 2022, it closed its previously announced registered direct offering of (i) 26,666,667 ordinary shares and (ii) warrants to purchase 26,666,667 ordinary shares at a combined purchase price of $0.30. The gross proceeds to Luokung from this offering are approximately $8 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other estimated offering expenses. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.41 per share and expire five years from the date of issuance.
FT Global Capital, Inc. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the transaction.
Pryor Cashman LLP acted as counsel to the Company and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP acted as counsel to the placement agent in connection with the offering.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.
The securities were offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-233108) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and declared effective by the SEC on August 16, 2019. A prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering have been filed with the SEC and are available for free on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and these securities cannot be sold in any state in which this offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. Any offer will be made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement.
About Luokung Technology Corp.
Luokung Technology Corp. is a leading spatial-temporal intelligent big data services company, as well as a leading provider of LBS and HD Maps for various industries in China. Backed by its proprietary technologies and expertise in HD Maps and multi-sourced intelligent spatial-temporal big data, Luokung has established city-level and industry-level holographic spatial-temporal digital twin systems and actively serves industries including smart transportation (autonomous driving, smart highway and vehicle-road collaboration), natural resource asset management (carbon neutral and environmental protection remote sensing data service), and LBS smart industry applications (mobile Internet LBS, smart travel, smart logistics, new infrastructure, smart cities, emergency rescue, among others). The Company routinely provides important updates on its website: https://www.luokung.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including the risk factors discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. Other than as required under the applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT:
The Company:
Mr. Jay Yu
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +86-10-5327-4727
Email: ir@luokung.com
View original content:
SOURCE Luokung Technology Corp. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/luokung-technology-corp-announces-closing-8-million-registered-direct-offering/ | 2022-07-28T23:41:16Z |
School district in Virginia apologizes for controversial logo printed on T-shirts
HANOVER, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) – A school district in Virginia is apologizing for a logo that appeared on a T-shirt during a conference this week after community members said it resembled a swastika.
The shirt from Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) made its rounds on social media.
According to superintendent Michael Gill, the design was first unveiled at a professional learning conference for faculty and staff and printed on shirts for them to wear.
Shortly after its unveiling, an image of the logo was posted on social media, where it went viral and was immediately and nearly universally panned.
Current and former students said they are surprised no one in charge of making the shirts noticed the similarity to a swastika until now.
“It’s clear on what it is and what it resembles, so I don’t know how it could get this far without people claiming they don’t know what it is,” senior James Poole said. “But I’m also not surprised. It got that far judging by, you know, just the county that we’re in.”
While many say the symbol bears a striking similarity to the infamous Nazi symbol, the school district said the teacher who designed the logo was trying to represent four hands and arms grasping together as a symbol of unity.
“I don’t know how you couldn’t see the symbol that’s there,” former HCPS student Gabbie Dunn said. “I’m glad they released an apology, but I don’t know that an apology is enough given the fact that they released the shirt.”
Early Wednesday morning, the school district announced that it would no longer distribute the T-shirts that include the logo and that it was working to remove the logo from all conference materials.
“While we are confident that the logo was created without any ill-intent, we understand that this has deeply upset members of our staff and community who see the logo as resembling a swastika,” Gill said in an online statement.
In response, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond said it appreciated the swift response from the superintendent, but CEO Daniel Staffenberg said he believes conversations must be had with the school for real healing to occur.
“I understand why people are angry. I, myself, am angry,” Staffenberg said. “I hope this was a simple oversight because the resemblance, while it’s not an official swastika, the resemblance would have raised a flag for many.”
In a statement, the Hanover NAACP also said they appreciate the school’s quick response but noted that the creation of the logo in the first place highlights the need for Hanover Schools to hire a diversity director to ensure things like this never happen again.
Copyright 2022 WWBT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/04/school-district-virginia-apologizes-controversial-logo-printed-t-shirts/ | 2022-08-04T21:44:04Z |
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Pandemic-related restrictions on migrants seeking asylum on the southern border must continue, a judge ruled Friday in an order blocking the Biden administration’s plan to lift them early next week.
The ruling was just the latest instance of a court derailing the president’s proposed immigration policies along the U.S. border with Mexico.
The Justice Department said the administration will appeal, but the ruling virtually ensures that restrictions will not end as planned on Monday. A delay would be a blow to advocates who say rights to seek asylum are being trampled, and a relief to some Democrats who fear that a widely anticipated increase in illegal crossings would put them on the defensive in an already difficult midterm election year.
In Tijuana, Mexico, Yesivet Evangelina Aguilar, 34, cupped her face in her hands and sobbed when she learned of the decision from an Associated Press reporter. “I feel like there is no hope left,” said Aguilar, who fled the Mexican state of Guerrero nearly a year ago after her brother was killed. “It feels so bad.”
Aguilar was blocked by U.S. authorities from applying for asylum when she and her 10-year-old daughter went to the Tijuana-San Diego port of entry nine months ago. On Friday, she was lying in a tent at a Tijuana shelter where scores of migrants are camped. Some have been there for months or years. Aguilar’s life in waiting has been not only tedious but dangerous. On Thursday night, a fellow migrant was shot in the neck by a stray bullet from a shootout outside the shelter.
Migrants have been expelled more than 1.9 million times since March 2020 under Title 42, a public health provision that denies them a chance to request asylum under U.S. law and international treaty on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays in Lafayette, Louisiana, ordered that the restrictions stay in place while a lawsuit led by Arizona and Louisiana — and now joined by 22 other states — plays out in court.
Summerhays sided with the states in ruling that President Joe Biden’s administration failed to follow administrative procedures requiring public notice and time to gather public comment on the plan to end the restrictions. And he said the states made the case that they would suffer harm if the restrictions end.
The judge cited what he said were the government’s own predictions that ending the restrictions would likely increase border crossings threefold, to as many as 18,000 daily. That, he added, would result in more migrants being processed in congregate settings where contagious disease can be spread. “The record also includes evidence supporting the Plaintiff States’ position that such an increase in border crossings will increase their costs for healthcare reimbursements and education services. These costs are not recoverable,” Summerhays wrote.
The White House said it disagreed with the ruling but would comply while it is appealed. “The authority to set public health policy nationally should rest with the Centers for Disease Control, not with a single district court,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
The case goes next to the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has ruled against key Biden administration policies in the past. The court is dominated by Republican nominees, including six nominated by former President Donald Trump, who also appointed Summerhays.
Title 42 largely affects people from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, many of whom have been waiting in Mexican border towns after being denied the right to seek asylum by the U.S. government. Mexico has agreed to accept migrants from those three Central American countries who were turned back by the U.S. and last month also started taking in limited numbers of Cubans and Nicaraguans.
About 15 migrants crossed the Río Grande to Eagle Pass, Texas, in waist-deep water minutes after the ruling Friday. They included Nicaraguans who were unaware of Title 42 and who were pleased that people from their country were generally spared from the policy.
“Thank God we have that advantage,” said Maynor Zuniga, 25, who was all smiles while waiting under an international bridge to Piedras Negras, Mexico, for Border Patrol agents to arrive.
Title 42 is the second major Trump-era policy to deter asylum at the Mexican border that was jettisoned by Biden, only to be revived by a Trump-appointed judge.
An American Civil Liberties Union attorney derided the decision.
“Title 42 may only be used for public health purposes, but the States that brought this lawsuit appear to care only about COVID restrictions when they involve asylum seekers and are using the case as a transparent attempt to manage the border,” said Lee Gelernt. “That hypocrisy should not be rewarded.”
Rep. Raul Ruiz, a Democrat from California and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said the ruling was “outrageous, ridiculous, and erodes our asylum system.”
Republican members of Congress hailed the ruling.
“The Courts are once again getting it right,” said North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer.
Even some in Biden’s party supported keeping the pandemic restriction in place.
“Today’s decision does not change the fact that there is a crisis at the border and there must be a detailed plan that can be implemented before Title 42 is lifted,” said Sen. Mark Kelley, an Arizona Democrat who is facing a tough reelection challenge.
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether to allow the administration to force asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. That case, challenging a policy known as “Remain in Mexico,” originated in Amarillo, Texas. It was reinstated in December on the judge’s order and remains in effect while the litigation plays out.
___
Spagat reported from Eagle Pass, Texas. Associated Press reporters Julie Watson in Tijuana, Mexico, and Alan Fram and Mike Balsamo in Washington, contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-u-s-headlines/migrants-cross-border-amid-legal-uncertainty-on-asylum-rule/ | 2022-05-21T17:05:31Z |
Longoria’s 4th homer in 4 days lifts Giants over Reds 6-4
By MITCH STACY
AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI (AP) — Evan Longoria hit his fourth home run in four games, a go-ahead, three-run drive in a six-run eighth inning that lifted the San Francisco Giants over the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 and avoided a three-game sweep. Tyler Mahle took a no-hit bid into the seventh and Cincinnati led 2-0 in the eighth when Tommy La Stella doubled off Jeff Hoffman with one out, Wilmer Flores walked with two outs and Joc Pederson slapped a run-scoring single to right. Art Warren relieved, and Longoria reached down for a a full-count fastball on the outside corner and drove it to the opposite field. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/29/longorias-4th-homer-in-4-days-lifts-giants-over-reds-6-4/ | 2022-05-29T19:58:22Z |
Which mini backpack is best?
The mini backpack takes the practicality of a backpack or messenger bag and turns it into a purse-sized accessory. It still has all the functions of a backpack but on a smaller scale, making it ideal for outings when you want to carry a few small things without packing too much. A mini backpack is functional for everyday use, travel, the gym, hikes and more. For a fashionable bag that’s great for day-to-day use, look at the Michael Kors Rhea Zip Small Pebble Leather Backpack. This option is comfortable and stylish.
What to know before you buy a mini backpack
Types of mini backpacks
Mini backpacks are made from many of the same materials as full-size backpacks but with more variety. Canvas, polyester, leather and faux leather are popular materials. The mini backpack you want depends on where you’ll be bringing it and how you’ll be using it.
- Fashion: This is a bag designed to look stylish and carry everyday items the same way a purse does. It’s meant to be attractive and can feature fun stitching or details that make it stand out. Polyester, leather and faux leather tend to be popular for fashion backpack exteriors.
- Sport: This tough mini bag is made for hiking or trips to the gym. It’s durable, waterproof or fast-drying and often features mesh pockets. It’s usually made from polyester.
- Travel: This bag is designed to accommodate tech gear and work or school supplies. It’s durable and lightweight for places like airports and often features padded compartments for tablets, headphones and the like.
Closure methods
A mini backpack has one of three primary closure methods for the main compartment. It has a zipper, a snap-button or a pull-string. A zipper closure is the most secure option as it’s the only one that seals the compartment entirely. Snap-buttons and pull-strings do provide some coverage but leave room for gaps. A zippered backpack can feature side pockets with snap buttons or elastic to secure items.
One strap vs. two straps
While most mini backpacks have two shoulder straps, some feature convertible straps that can be zipped together to form one strap. This single-strap modification lets you carry the backpack on one shoulder or slung across the body like a purse. Alternatively, some convertible backpacks allow you to unhook straps to switch up how the bag is worn.
What to look for in a quality mini backpack
Plenty of pockets
A great mini backpack has plenty of pockets and compartments for easy storage and even easier access to your phone, keys and other accessories. Different types of pockets are also important as some items need to be secured more than others. There should be at least two zippered pockets. Look for at least several slip pockets on the inside and maybe one or two on the outside.
Padded straps
While padded straps aren’t a requirement for fashion backpacks, they are a major asset for sports and travel backpacks. If you’re active or carrying heavy items for long periods, padded straps are easier on your back and can prevent the straps from digging into your skin or causing discomfort.
Weatherproof materials
A reliable mini backpack has a weatherproof exterior. This means that the material can hold up in the rain as well, dries quickly and can handle extreme sun exposure. If the material isn’t naturally weatherproof, it is coated for added protection. Water-resistant and waterproof materials are especially important for hiking backpacks since these go into more unpredictable environments.
How much you can expect to spend on a mini backpack
A fashion mini backpack costs $15-$300. A sports mini backpack costs $20-$70 and a travel mini backpack costs $30-$80.
Mini backpack FAQ
What are the dimensions of a backpack this size?
A. These small backpacks are usually around 10 to 13 inches in height, 8 to 12 inches in length and about 4 to 5 inches deep.
Is the backpack washable?
A. This depends on the material. Some polyester mini backpacks can go in the washing machine but can get damaged this way, so always check the label. Leather and faux leather bags should be spot cleaned only.
What’s the best mini backpack to buy?
Top mini backpack
Michael Kors Rhea Zip Small Pebble Leather Backpack
What you need to know: It’s made from real leather and measures 11.75 by 10 inches by 4.5 inches with a zipper closure and two 26-inch adjustable straps.
What you’ll love: It comes in three colors with gold or silver hardware. There’s a front pocket with double compartments. It’s stylish, comfortable and can fit an 8-10-inch tablet in addition to your essentials.
What you should consider: It’s not as durable as it should be given the price.
Where to buy: Sold by Macy’s
Top mini backpack for the money
Hot Style Bestie Mini Backpack
What you need to know: It measures 11.4 inches by 8.3 inches by 4.9 inches with two straps, zipper closure and a polyester lining.
What you’ll love: It comes in 22 colors. There are six pockets on the inside and four on the outside. It’s durable and water-resistant. It can hold tablets or laptops up to 11 inches.
What you should consider: The straps are functional but not as high quality as the rest of the backpack.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
The North Face Borealis Mini Backpack
What you need to know: It measures 13.5 inches by 8.65 inches by 4.15 inches with two straps, zipper closure and a front bungee cord.
What you’ll love: It’s compact and comes in four colors. It’s durable and water-resistant. There are two zippered pockets and an internal sleeve for a tablet. It has padded, adjustable straps and two external water bottle holders.
What you should consider: The water bottle pockets are a little too small for most bottles.
Where to buy: Sold by Backcountry
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/fashion-accessories-br/backpacks-br/best-mini-backpack/ | 2022-06-10T20:47:38Z |
MVP Quarterback and TravisMathew Ambassador Matt Ryan to visit brand's flagship store
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium men's golf and lifestyle brand, TravisMathew announced today its full redesign and renovation of its flagship storefront location at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California. The revamped store features a wider selection of the brand's lifestyle, activewear, and outerwear apparel and footwear, including the recently announced TravisMathew Women's collection.
TravisMathew opened the Fashion Island location in 2014, marking the apparel brand's first physical storefront but prides itself on being more than just an apparel store. The location boasts games including a custom TravisMathew branded shuffleboard and elevated glass ping pong table.
"Fashion Island was our first retail location and since inception we have had such a strong presence with both the local community and visitors of their outdoor dining and shopping experience. The location truly matches our brand values that are premium and aspirational yet approachable and fun," said Ryan Ellis, CEO of TravisMathew. "Our goal with redesigning this location is to provide our customers with a reimagined, elevated shopping experience and a dedicated space to our new women's line. In addition to new product offerings, we have created an entertainment space for all."
On Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., quarterback and TravisMathew Ambassador, Matt Ryan will be stopping by the store to mingle with media and customers as they get their first look at the redesigned and renovated storefront. Ryan has been a fan of the brand since day-one and officially became an ambassador in 2021, a natural fit for the avid golfer.
TravisMathew invites the community to join them in celebrating the expansion and renovation as well as its 15-year anniversary Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17, where customers can enter a raffle for a chance to win $1,000 worth of TravisMathew merchandise and enjoy discounts up to 50% off.
Since the opening of the Fashion Island storefront, the brand has launched 30 more domestic locations, including eight in its home-state of California stretching from Roseville to San Diego. For more information on TravisMathew's California storefront locations, inclusive of hours of operation, contacts and addresses, please visit travismathew.com/stores and follow along on social @travismathew.
About TravisMathew: TravisMathew is a leading innovator in lifestyle & performance apparel. Using best-in-class fabrications and designs, we are pushing forward a growing market trend toward casualization. For us, comfort comes first. Every TravisMathew product is created with attention to detail, designed to deliver the perfect fit and a soft, lightweight feel. By offering hundreds of varied, unique designs across monthly new product releases, we are establishing a new standard for the young professional. We want to elevate your look with details, subtleties, and craftsmanship that will get you noticed...but without flash or pretension. As an aspirational brand, TravisMathew prides itself on being approachable. Anyone and everyone can look great—and feel great—in TravisMathew. For more information, please visit http://www.travismathew.com/.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE TravisMathew | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/travismathews-fashion-island-flagship-store-receives-complete-renovation-inviting-customers-enjoy-new-elevated-shopping-experience/ | 2022-06-21T15:31:58Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence officials predicted two years ago that the Islamic State group would likely regain much of its former strength and global influence, particularly if American and other Western forces reduced their role in countering the extremist movement, according to a newly declassified report.
Analysts said many of the judgments in the 2020 report appear prescient today, particularly as the group is resurgent in Afghanistan following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal of American forces last year.
The Islamic State group is no longer controlling huge swaths of territory or staging attacks in the United States as it did several years ago before a major U.S.-led offensive. But it is now slowly rebuilding some core capabilities in Iraq and Syria and increasingly fighting local governments in places including Afghanistan, where an affiliate of the IS group, also known by the acronym ISIS, is fighting the ruling Taliban following the U.S. withdrawal.
“If the United States and our partners pull back or withdraw further from areas where ISIS is active, the group’s trajectory will increasingly depend on local governments’ will and capability to fill the resulting security voids,” says the report, originally published in classified form in May 2020, months after then-President Donald Trump’s administration reached an agreement with the Taliban to pull out American troops.
Biden and top national security officials have cited the recent strike killing al-Qaida head Ayman al-Zawahri as evidence that America maintains an “over-the-horizon” counterterrorism capacity in Afghanistan after the withdrawal. U.S. special forces also killed the head of the Islamic State group in a February raid in northwest Syria.
“The fact of those operations are, I think, reflective how serious this threat environment remains,” said Christy Abizaid, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, on Thursday. But she added that analysts believe the terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland is “less acute than we’ve seen it” at any time since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Analysts have recently seen growth in IS group branches around the world, particularly in Africa, said Abizaid, who spoke at the Intelligence and National Security Summit outside Washington.
“Afghanistan is a really interesting story along those lines about where the ISIS affiliate is and how we continue to be concerned about it,” she said.
Some outside analysts say al-Zawahri’s apparent presence in downtown Kabul suggests that extremist groups are more comfortable operating in Afghanistan — and that it will be tougher to counter the Islamic State group as it grows across the country.
Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism at the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations, called the May 2020 report “very clear-eyed and forthright.”
“It’s very different operating against ISIS in the isolated mountain redoubts or deep valleys of Afghanistan,” he said. “The advantages that enabled us to so brilliantly take out al-Zawahri, I would guess, are absent outside of Kabul.”
While the White House last month released declassified points from an intelligence assessment saying al-Qaida had not reconstituted in Afghanistan, the points did not address the Islamic State in Khorasan, the local IS group affiliate. IS-K was responsible for killing 13 U.S. troops outside the Kabul airport during the withdrawal and has continued to mount an insurgency against the Taliban now in control of the country.
The National Security Council said in a statement that the U.S. is working to deny “ISIS-K access to financing, disrupt and deter foreign terrorist fighters from reaching Afghanistan and the region, and counter ISIS-K’s violent extremism.”
The May 2020 report was declassified this August and published online last week by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The ODNI periodically declassifies and releases older intelligence assessments. A spokesperson for the ODNI’s National Counterterrorism Center declined to answer questions about the assessment or address the intelligence community’s current view on the Islamic State group.
The report predicts that the Islamic State group’s global branches are likely to increase its “capability to conduct attacks in many regions of the world, including the West.” The U.S. would more likely face attacks from people inspired by the group’s ideology than plots directed or supported by the group, the report said.
Pressure by local governments where the IS group is active and their international partners “almost certainly will shape the scale of ISIS’ resurgence in Iraq and Syria and its expansion worldwide,” the report said.
Experts commonly agree with the report’s predictions, said Colin Clarke, an expert on counterterrorism who is director of research for The Soufan Group, an intelligence and security consultancy. But top intelligence analysts would have been involved in drafting and reviewing the assessment, formally known as a national intelligence estimate, he said.
Clarke noted several recent IS-linked attacks in Afghanistan, including an apparent suicide bombing outside the Russian embassy in Kabul that killed two diplomats, as well as ongoing fighting between militants and U.S.-backed forces at a sprawling camp in Syria.
“There are some things that have happened in the last few weeks,” he said, “that make you wonder if the situation is not more dire than is being presented.”
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the Islamic State group at https://apnews.com/hub/islamic-state-group. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-declassified-report-shows-us-predictions-of-is-group-threat/ | 2022-09-16T15:08:14Z |
Location Brings Sanctuary's Southeast Florida Dispensary Total to Four
APOPKA, Fla., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanctuary Medicinals today announced the opening of its ninth medical cannabis dispensary in Florida.
Located just 10 miles southwest of the recently opened West Palm Beach location, Sanctuary Greenacres will be holding its Grand Opening celebration on June 10. As the third operational Sanctuary dispensary in Palm Beach County, Greenacres brings the number of Sanctuary locations in Florida to nine, four of which are in southeast Florida. Formerly a bank, the 3,000-square-foot dispensary underwent a full renovation executed by Vantage Builders. Situated on the westbound side of Lake Worth Rd., Sanctuary Greenacres is located near the center of the city in the Poinciana Plaza complex and just to the east of Florida's Turnpike.
"As the summer begins, our Florida expansion efforts are really getting into gear," said Jason Sidman, CEO of Sanctuary Medicinals. "Greenacres brings our complement of southeast Florida dispensaries to four, and the next opening will finally get the Sanctuary Florida location count into double digits."
Sanctuary is continuing to extend its footprint further south, reaching patients across much of Saint Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties while offering increased access to its ever-expanding menu of products. With pectin fruit chews and new flower strains now on shelves, Sanctuary's product development efforts will extend to hash, full-spectrum edibles and more in the coming months.
"It's nice to leverage the momentum gained from opening in West Palm Beach into the launch of Greenacres" said Bill Dewar, Chief Operating Officer. "Three of our next five planned openings are in this region, so we're excited to start the summer on the right foot and continue building from there," Dewar added.
A Grand Opening event will be held Friday, June 10, and Sanctuary Greenacres will be keeping its usual hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Patients can stop in and shop throughout the day, and all registered patients will receive a 40-percent discount. Additionally, first-time guests are eligible for a 50 percent new-customer discount at any Sanctuary Medicinals Florida location. The company will also be returning Tacos Veracruz and DJ Duss from the West Palm Beach Grand Opening celebration, with both the food truck and music beginning at 4:30 p.m. and concluding at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please visit sanctuarymed.com.
Sanctuary Medicinals is a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis company with operations in Florida, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The company was also recently awarded a provisional retail license in New Jersey. Sanctuary is rapidly expanding into new markets, bringing its high-quality, award-winning products, including flower, vapes, concentrates and edibles, to patients and consumers across multiple states, with a steadfast commitment to creating positive impact in the communities in which it operates.
Facebook: Sanctuary Medicinals FL
Instagram: @SanctuaryMedicinalsFlorida
Media Contact
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Sanctuary Medicinals | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/sanctuary-medicinals-opens-medical-dispensary-greenacres-florida-companys-ninth-location-state/ | 2022-06-09T21:51:09Z |
The digital channel wins 12 awards across many categories.
LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship, the nonprofit organization who uses the power of entertainment to engage and entertain viewers with original and curated content through its Million Stories Media channel (www.millionstories.com), announces today that it has won a total of 12 Telly Awards in a number of different categories. The foundation was founded to create a sea change in the way people look at their personal finances with content that helps break the taboo of talking about money.
The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multi-screen industry The Telly Awards celebrates.
The awards won by Million Stories come from two of the original series, WAGS TO RICHES, (production company Pollution TV) and YOUR BRAIN ON MONEY (production company Freethink.)
Gold Winners:
Branded Content: Not-For-Profit / Wags to Riches: A Life-Changing Horseback Ride episode
Branded Content Campaign: Social / Your Brain on Money series
Silver Winners:
Branded Content Campaign Not-For-Profit / Wags to Riches series
Branded Content General Not-For-Profit / Wags to Riches: Inside the Life of a Father and Daughter Sheep Shearing Business
Online Craft Directing / Wags to Riches: Designing Dream Homes One Dog House at a Time
Online Web Series Non-Scripted / Wags to Riches series
Online General-Social Impact / Wags to Riches: A Life-Changing Horseback Ride
Online General-Social Impact / Wags to Riches: The Bachelor: Guinea Pig Edition, Meet LA Guinea Pig Rescue
Social Video Series Not-For-Profit / Wags to Riches series
Branded Content General D&I / Your Brain on Money: A New Kind of Haptic Wearable: GPS for the Blind
Non-Broadcast General: Cultural / Your Brain on Money: The Science of "Herd Mentality"
Bronze Winner:
Online Craft Directing / Wags to Riches: A Life-Changing Horseback Ride
The award-winning series and related shows can be found at:
https://www.millionstories.com/series/Your-Brain-on-Money?id=23
https://www.millionstories.com/series/Wags-to-Riches?id=26
"Our goal has always been to engage and raise the financial literacy skills of our viewers with entertainment, and being recognized for our content helps solidify our efforts are working" said Shelley Miles, CEO of The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship. "We are proud of our shows and are grateful to work with excellent production companies like Pollution Studios and Freethink who are instrumental in bringing these stories of positive change to life."
About the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship
The mission of the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship is to make financial competence fun and engaging for everyone by using the power of entertainment to capture attention, create change, promote entrepreneurship and to inspire individual achievement.
About Million Stories Media
This free digital channel uses the power of entertainment to capture attention, create change, promote entrepreneurship to inspire individual achievement by making financial competence engaging and fun for everyone. For more information about Million Stories Media, please visit www.millionstories.com.
Media Contact
Jeff Hare /The Singleton Foundation
(818) 726-9238
jeffhare@singletonfoundation.org
View original content:
SOURCE The Singleton Foundation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/singleton-foundation-financial-literacy-amp-entrepreneurship-its-million-stories-media-wins-big-telly-awards/ | 2022-06-07T11:39:52Z |
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Enspectra Health, a digital health company dedicated to pioneering a new field of virtual biopsies, announced today that it has launched a pilot feasibility study. The study, named VISION, will evaluate the company's technology and imaging system on both healthy and diseased skin, including instances of suspected skin cancer.
The VISION study will take place at two Golden State Dermatology clinics in Mountain View, California (The Menkes Clinic) and Walnut Creek, California. Golden State Dermatology is a leading and comprehensive dermatology group with 24 locations and over 60 providers.
"Every step in this journey brings us closer to achieving our mission to develop revolutionary imaging technologies for point-of-care digital pathology," said Gabriel Sanchez, CEO of Enspectra Health. Enspectra's technology generates digital color images of cellular structure in live skin noninvasively and in real-time.
With real-time evaluation across the surface of the skin, Enspectra's technology holds the potential to reduce unnecessary biopsies and allow clinicians to examine suspicious lesions earlier. "This technology opens up the possibility for dermatologists to get clear color imaging of suspicious skin lesions without an incision. With this device I see the future...a very exciting future," said Dr. Andrew Menkes, Dermatologist and Dermatologic Surgeon with Golden State Dermatology.
Enspectra's device is limited by United States law to investigational use only and is not available for sale.
Enspectra Health is an emerging, privately held digital health company pioneering a new field of virtual biopsies to transform the way physicians evaluate a broad spectrum of skin conditions. The Company's novel technology combines reflectance confocal and multiphoton laser scanning microscopy to generate real-time, multispectral images at the cellular level, without the need for an incision. The technology allows for an instantaneous evaluation of rich, digital pathology images of various skin tissues, with the ultimate goal of minimizing unnecessary biopsies and facilitating earlier disease diagnosis.
For more information, please visit www.enspectrahealth.com or contact Investor Relations at ir@enspectrahealth.com.
In the midst of health care consolidation, Golden State Dermatology (GSD) was founded to maintain a relatively independent model of practice. GSD is physician-owned and led and is rapidly growing with over 60 providers in the San Francisco Bay Area and California's Central Valley. GSD is led by a team of board-certified dermatologists with a mission to deliver the highest quality care and a great patient, provider, and staff experience. GSD's services include dermatology, cosmetics, Mohs surgery for skin cancer, pathology, and plastic surgery in state-of-the-art medical facilities.
For more information about GSD, please visit www.goldenstatedermatology.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Enspectra Health | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/enspectra-health-announces-new-vision-trial-partnership-with-golden-state-dermatology/ | 2022-06-01T16:59:13Z |
CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla., Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) extends an invitation to dental/medical professionals to attend their annual Integrative Biological Dental Conference this September 8th-10th in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will focus on the latest advances in integrative oral health care, featuring speakers who are experts in their fields.
The IAOMT is bringing dental professionals together for three days of engaging speakers presenting cutting edge research about the latest innovations in integrative biological dentistry. Members will be able to earn CE or CME credits, participate in a scientific symposium, and have the opportunity to discuss research relevant to their practices. Attendees can expect to learn about new and innovative ways of improving oral health and thus overall health for their patients.
This event is open to all dental professionals, as well as integrative health care practitioners. Interested professionals can register online at the IAOMT website.
The IAOMT's annual conference will offer an Introduction to Biological Dentistry Course on Thursday and a Scientific Symposium on Friday and Saturday. Sunday features an informal Q & A: The Becoming of a Biological Practice. This class is the perfect time to ask questions and to build a connection with your fellow colleagues before returning to work on Monday.
The IAOMT also offers a Student Scholarship Program for IAOMT Conference Attendance to bring interested dental students to our conference, where they can acquire newfound knowledge about biological dentistry.
Some of the topics to be presented will focus on the toxicity of dental materials containing metals, properly testing for heavy metals, movement disorders, assessment of bone marrow cavitations and successful jawbone detox, integrating homeopathy, peptide therapy, & nutritional medicine to effectively treat serious disease, as well as understanding the relationship between the TMJ, aesthetics and airway.
For those who are unable to travel, the IAOMT offers a live broadcast of our annual conference.
The IAOMT is a non-profit organization dedicated to biological dentistry and its mission of protecting public health and the environment since it was founded in 1984.
The organization hopes its upcoming dental conference will help enlighten dental professionals as to the benefits of the oral/systemic connection utilizing integrative biological dental concepts.
Contact:
David Kennedy, DDS, IAOMT Public Relations Chair, info@iaomt.org
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT)
Phone: (863) 420-6373; Website: www.iaomt.org
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/comprehensive-integrative-biological-dental-conference-hosted-by-iaomt/ | 2022-08-25T14:46:59Z |
Career-break engineers helping to shape team performance
BRISBANE, Australia, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel announced today launch of second intake of STEM returners at their Australia offices in Brisbane and Perth following the success of the pilot program in 2021.
The new intake will open in July for senior engineers from the areas of mechanical, electrical, civil, environmental engineering returning to the mining sector after a career break.
The program, facilitated by STEM Returners Australia, allows employers to attract candidates from a new talent pool and gives candidates a supported route back to their career.
"There is an untapped group of highly skilled and motivated engineers that struggle to re-enter the workforce after taking a break from their careers," said Leigh Carter, general manager Australia for Bechtel's Mining and Metals business. "Through the STEM Returners program, we can continue to grow the diversity in our team dynamic which improves our ability to better problem solve and innovate because of the experiences these STEM professionals bring to the team."
"Only by partnering with industry leaders who share our desire to change outdated recruitment practices will we make the vital improvements needed to help those who are finding it challenging to return to the sector and improve diversity and inclusion," said Marcail Roe, director of STEM Returners Australia. "Our program gives candidates a supported route back to their career while also providing employers with talented professionals."
The structured placement program includes hybrid working arrangements and provides additional support which includes coaching and mentoring, and access to a wider support network from Bechtel and STEM Returners Australia. Find out more on our blog.
Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.
Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology, Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com
Media contact:
Mat Ovenden
T : +6-402 061 611
Email: movenden@bechtel.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bechtel | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/bechtel-launches-second-round-stem-returners-program/ | 2022-06-17T02:22:44Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The right to use contraceptives would be enshrined in law under a measure that Democrats pushed through the House on Thursday, their latest campaign-season response to concerns a conservative Supreme Court that already erased federal abortion rights could go further.
The House’s 228-195 roll call was largely along party lines and sent the measure to the Senate, where it seemed doomed. The bill is the latest example of Democrats latching onto their own version of culture war battles to appeal to female, progressive and minority voters by casting the court and Republicans as extremists intent on obliterating rights taken for granted for years.
Democrats said that with the high court recently overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision from 1973, the justices and GOP lawmakers are on track to go even further than banning abortions.
“This extremism is about one thing: control of women. We will not let this happen,” said Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., who sponsored the legislation. All of the bill’s nearly 150 co-sponsors are Democrats. Addressing fellow lawmakers, she added, “Women and girls across this country are watching you, and they want to know: Are you willing to stand up for them?”
In his opinion overturning Roe last month, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the court should now review other precedents. He mentioned rulings that affirmed the rights of same-sex marriage in 2015, same-sex intimate relationships in 2003 and married couples’ use of contraceptives in 1965.
Thomas did not specify a 1972 decision that legalized the use of contraceptives by unmarried people as well, but Democrats say they consider that at risk as well.
Republicans said the bill went too far. They said it would lead to more abortions, which supporters deny, allow the use of drugs not yet fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration and force health care providers to offer contraceptives, even if that contradicted their religious beliefs.
“Women deserve the truth, not more fear and misinformation that forces an extreme agenda on the American people,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.
Every Democrat supported the legislation, while Republicans overwhelmingly opposed it by 195-8. The House Democrats’ campaign committee quickly jumped on that disparity, with spokesperson Helen Kalla saying her party will “fight to protect women’s freedoms from the GOP’s sinister agenda.”
The measure seemed destined to become a campaign issue and not law. Minutes after House passage, Republicans blocked quick Senate approval of a similar bill. Support by at least 10 GOP senators would be needed to reach 60 votes, the threshold required for most legislation to pass in that chamber, which is divided 50-50.
The contraception bill explicitly allows the use of contraceptives and gives the medical community the right to provide them, covering “any device or medication used to prevent pregnancy.” Listed examples include oral contraceptives, injections, implants like intrauterine devices and emergency contraceptives, which prevent pregnancy several days after unprotected sex.
The bill lets the federal and state government, patients and health care providers bring civil suits against states or state officials that violate its provisions.
House Democrats have begun forcing votes on several issues related to privacy rights, hoping for long-shot victories or to at least energize sympathetic voters and donors and force Republicans from competitive districts into difficult spots.
The House voted last week to revive a nationwide right to abortion, with every Republican voting no, and voted largely along party lines to bar prosecuting women traveling to states where abortion remains legal. Neither is expected to survive in the Senate.
Yet the House voted Tuesday to keep same-sex marriage legal, with 47 Republicans joining all Democrats in backing the measure. Though 157 Republicans voted no, that tally raised expectations that the bill could win enough support for GOP senators to pass, sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Nearly all adults, 92%, called birth control “morally acceptable” in a Gallup poll in May. A PRRI poll in June showed about 8 in 10 said they opposed laws that restrict what types of birth control can be used to prevent pregnancy.
Even so, anti-abortion groups and Republican leaders oppose the contraception legislation, and there was no immediate sign that significant numbers of GOP senators would be willing to defy them. In contrast, same-sex marriage has such firm public acceptance and is such a clear-cut issue that growing numbers of Republicans have been willing to vote for it.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said the contraception legislation “seeks to bail out the abortion industry, trample conscience rights, and require uninhibited access to dangerous chemical abortion drugs.” The National Right to Life Committee said it “goes far beyond the scope of contraception” and would cover abortion pills like RU486, which supporters said was incorrect.
The measure drew a mixed reaction Wednesday from two of the Senate’s more moderate Republicans.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was “most likely” to support the measure. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, demurred, saying she was working on bipartisan legislation that she said would codify the rights to abortion and perhaps for contraception.
There are few state restrictions on contraceptive use, said Elizabeth Nash, who studies state reproductive health policies for the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights.
Nash said she was concerned that there will be efforts to curb emergency contraceptives and intrauterine devices and to help providers and institutions refuse to provide contraceptive services.
___
Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Hannah Fingerhut contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/health/ap-health/house-dems-move-to-protect-contraception-from-supreme-court/ | 2022-07-21T23:18:58Z |
A 29-year-old California soccer player died 15-days after a large fight erupted during a match over a disagreement with the referee's decision, according to the Oxnard Police Department.
On July 10, Oxnard police responded to reports of a large fight between two adult soccer teams on a high school soccer field. Authorities found Misael Sanchez unresponsive and not breathing, Oxnard police said in a release.
"The fight occurred when the two teams disagreed with a referee's decision," Oxnard police said. Sanchez was on the field playing when the fight broke out. "During the fight, Sanchez was assaulted by multiple assailants," police said.
"My family is heartbroken and still in disbelief, as we expected a bright future for him," the Sanchez family posted on a verified GoFundMe page.
Sanchez was transported by ambulance that day to the Ventura County Medical Center and was listed in critical condition. He died Monday from his injuries, OPD said. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to determine his cause of death.
Oxnard police made one arrest for the assault, but are asking for the public's assistance in locating additional witnesses and video of the incident. OPD has set up a website to submit videos anonymously.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/soccer-player-dies-after-large-fight-erupts-over-referee-decision/article_c7d06c5b-646a-5b61-903b-b5b3cd3d08ca.html | 2022-07-26T20:41:35Z |
Did you lose money on investments in Axsome Therapeutics? If so, please visit Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com to discuss your rights.
NEW YORK, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. ("Axsome" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: AXSM) between December 30, 2019 and April 22, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Axsome is a biopharmaceutical company that engages in the development of novel therapies for central nervous system ("CNS") disorders in the U.S. The Company is developing, among other product candidates, AXS-07, a novel, oral, rapidly absorbed, multi-mechanistic, and investigational medicine for the acute treatment of migraine.
Axsome consistently touted AXS-07's regulatory and commercial prospects in anticipation of the Company's submission of a New Drug Application ("NDA") to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine (the "AXS-07 NDA") based on the drug's purported positive results in two Phase 3 trials. However, unbeknownst to investors, the Company's preparation and eventual submission of the AXS-07 NDA was plagued with chemistry, manufacturing, and control ("CMC") issues.
Plaintiff alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements during the Class Period. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that: (i) Axsome's CMC practices were deficient with respect to AXS-07 and its manufacturing process; (ii) as a result, Axsome was unlikely to submit the AXS-07 NDA on its initially represented timeline; (iii) the foregoing CMC issues remained unresolved at the time that the FDA reviewed the AXS-07 NDA; (iv) the FDA was unlikely to approve the AXS-07 NDA; and (v) as a result, Axsome had overstated AXS-07's regulatory and commercial prospects.
On November 5, 2020, Axsome issued a press release reporting the Company's third quarter 2020 results. That press release disclosed that the Company "plans to submit the [AXS-07] NDA to the FDA in the first quarter of 2021, versus previous guidance of the fourth quarter of 2020, to allow for inclusion of supplemental manufacturing information to ensure a robust submission package." On this news, Axsome's stock price fell $5.22 per share, or 6.99%, to close at $69.51 per share on November 5, 2020.
On April 25, 2022, during pre-market hours, Axsome disclosed in an SEC filing that "[o]n April 22, 2022, Axsome . . . was informed by the [FDA] that [CMC] issues identified during the FDA's review of the Company's [NDA] for its AXS-07 product candidate for the acute treatment of migraine are unresolved." The filing also disclosed that "[b]ased upon the time remaining in the NDA review cycle, the Company expects to receive a Complete Response Letter ["CRL"] with respect to this NDA on or about the Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of April 30, 2022."
On this news, Axsome's stock price fell $8.60 per share, or over 21%, to close at $30.50 per share on April 25, 2022.
On May 2, 2022, Axsome announced that it received a CRL from the FDA regarding the AXS-07 NDA for the acute treatment of migraine. According to the Company, "[t]he principal reasons given in the CRL relate to [CMC] considerations", including "the need for additional CMC data pertaining to the drug product and manufacturing process."
If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 12, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.
If you purchased AXSM securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com.
Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2022 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
Contact Information:
Peter Allocco
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
https://www.bernlieb.com
(212) 951-2030
pallocco@bernlieb.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/axsome-therapeutics-inc-nasdaq-axsm-shareholder-class-action-alert-bernstein-liebhard-llp-announces-that-securities-class-action-lawsuit-has-been-filed-against-axsome-therapeutics-inc-nasdaq-axsm/ | 2022-05-16T22:20:47Z |
1 in 5 reptile species is under threat of extinction, crocodiles and turtles among them
By Katie Hunt, CNN
One-fifth of all reptile species face the risk of extinction, according to a comprehensive new study, with crocodiles and turtles most threatened.
It’s the first study of its kind for reptiles and involved 961 scientists in 24 countries across six continents and took 15 years to complete.
Similar global assessments for other classes of animal have revealed that 40.7% of amphibians, 25.4% of mammals and 13.6% of bird species face the threat of extinction.
“Reptiles, to many people, are not charismatic, and there’s just been a lot more focus on the furry or feathery species of vertebrates for conservation. But through persistence we were able to find the funding needed to complete the study,” Bruce Young, chief zoologist and senior conservation scientist at NatureServe, a conservation nonprofit, told a news briefing. He was one of the authors of the study, which published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
“Through work like this, we advertise the importance of these creatures. They’re part of the tree of life. Just like any other equally deserving of attention.”
Habitat destruction
Habitat loss driven by logging, agriculture and urbanization, and competition with invasive species is the main threat to reptiles. Other factors played a role for some species such as their use in traditional medicine. The climate crisis also poses an uncertain challenge, the study added.
Threats to reptiles were most acute in forest environments, according to the study.
Crocodiles and turtles were among the most at-risk species and in need of focused conservation efforts, with respectively around 57.9% and 50% of those assessed being under threat, the study found.
The authors said that the lack of data on reptiles and their habitats had restricted conservation efforts, although they noted that many of the measures put in place to protect mammals, birds and amphibians would protect reptiles, too.
The researchers applied the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species to 10,196 species of reptile. The team found that 1,829 (21%) of species were threatened with extinction (categorized as being vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered in the IUCN criteria).
Widespread and high-profile species such as the king cobra were under threat, the survey revealed.
“It was suspected that it might be in decline, but without the global reptile assessment we wouldn’t have known it’s actually vulnerable,” said coauthor Neil Cox, manager of the Biodiversity Assessment Unit, a joint initiative of IUCN and Conservation International in Washington, DC.
Delegations from the world’s governments are expected to meet in Kunming, China, later this year to agree on a new biodiversity action plan.
However, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) has been delayed several times, and China has yet to set a date. Nature and conservation organizations say it’s a once-in-a-decade opportunity to reset our relationship with nature and reverse biodiversity loss.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/27/1-in-5-reptile-species-is-under-threat-of-extinction-crocodiles-and-turtles-among-them/ | 2022-04-27T18:57:00Z |
Vasectomies: Urologist says consultations are up 900% after Roe v. Wade decision
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KSHB) - With the overturn of Roe v. Wade, interest in contraceptives has increased dramatically.
Missouri resident Lyon Lenk said his fiancée, Kelsey, means everything to him, and they are weighing her medical history after the court’s decision on abortion.
“We’ve talked about me getting a vasectomy. I’ve got to contemplate doing what could potentially be a life-saving procedure for the person I love most. It’s not a decision I take lightly,” Lenk said.
There are about two dozen clinics Lenk could choose from in the area as more men discuss the topic.
“Since Friday, we’re up 900 percent in people looking to get a vasectomy,” Dr. Christian Hettinger with Kansas City Urology Care said. “Typically, it’s about three over a weekend, and over this past weekend, it was 50 people.”
He said the procedure isn’t for everyone and should be viewed as a permanent form of sterilization.
“It’s not something that’s a good temporary fix. It’s not something I would plan to have done and then reversed in the future,” Hettinger said.
Lenk said he has done his research and has been talking to his family and friends about his decision.
“Either I get this, or we risk her being denied a procedure down the line, and that’s unacceptable to me,” Lenk said. “It’s not a sacrifice. It’s the right thing to do.”
Copyright 2022 KSHB via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/30/vasectomies-urologist-says-consultations-are-up-900-after-roe-v-wade-decision/ | 2022-06-30T01:50:13Z |
MIDLAND, Texas, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Encore Green Environmental LLC (EGE) announced immediate plans to treat produced water for beneficial use with Texas agriculture partners and NOMAD EXCEL water technology developed specifically to assist in drought conditions. EGE is proud to announce that their years of dedication to this goal has not been in vain.
As part of the treatment program, EGE has partnered the technology with West Texas legacy landowner, Cody Wilson, owner of Wilson Farms, to recycle produced water and apply the clean water to the surface estate for agricultural beneficial uses and for Wilson's non-edible crops.
"I look forward to being part of this project with EGE because without it, I don't see our type of farming lasting in this part of the world," said Wilson.
Wilson, who has deep ties to his family's lands, has joined EGE in an effort to provide and find solutions for regions where source water is scarce. Without the efforts of EGE to put produced water to beneficial use on crop lands, farmers like Wilson will face startling realities for reliable water sources for their crop futures.
EGE is the owner of proven technology and the water treatment equipment, known as NOMAD EXCEL. Units are ready to move onto Wilson's lands.
According to Darlene Nash, Owner of Encore Green, "There is nothing more important than the use of this technology now available to benefit soil health and climate wellness."
By treating and using the produced water that would otherwise be disposed of, thereby removing it permanently from the water cycle, Wilson hopes to show landowners and operators within the industry that working together, solutions are available and affordable.
EGE is set apart in produced water recycling by the end use product available for agriculture. The goal is to continue focus on treating produced water for the purpose of industry re-use, providing a bridge between the industry and landowners. It recognizes that as seismicity continues, disposal constraints increase, and overall water scarcity becomes more prevalent.
Encore Green Environmental LLC (EGE) formed as an agricultural company dedicated to land stewardship and providing solutions for industry produced water management and handling. EGE is a Wyoming limited liability company, registered to do business in the State of Texas. https://www.encoregreenenvironmental.com/
PHOTO: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/22-0811-dnash-nomad-excel-300dpi.jpg
This release was issued through Send2Press®, a unit of Neotrope®. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com
View original content:
SOURCE Encore Green Environmental LLC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/encore-green-environmental-llc-announces-roll-out-beneficial-use-produced-water-with-agricultural-partners/ | 2022-08-11T12:19:24Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Serena Williams lost what is expected to be the last match of her transcendent tennis career Friday night, eliminated from the U.S. Open in the third round by Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 before an electric crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Unwilling to go quietly, Williams staved off five match points to prolong the three-hours-plus proceedings, as some spectators stood to watch, camera phones at the ready. No one — save, of course, Tomljanovic — wanted this to end.
It did on Tomljanovic’s sixth chance, when Williams netted a shot.
Williams turns 41 this month and recently told the world that she is ready to start “evolving” away from her playing days — she expressed distaste for the word “retirement” — and while she has remained purposely vague about whether this appearance at Flushing Meadows definitely would represent her final tournament, everyone assumes it will be.
If this was, indeed, the last hurrah, she took her fans on a thrill-a-minute throwback ride at the hard-court tournament that was the site of a half-dozen of her 23 Grand Slam championships. The first came in 1999 in New York, when Williams was just 17.
But she faltered against Tomljanovic, a 29-year-old Australian who is ranked 46th. Williams gave away leads in each set, including the last, in which she was up 1-0 before dropping the final six games. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/serena-loses-at-us-open-could-be-last-match/ | 2022-09-03T02:55:12Z |
Floods strike new blow in place that has known hardship
By BRUCE SCHREINER, ANDREW SELSKY and DYLAN LOVAN
Associated Press
JACKSON, Ky. (AP) — Evelyn Smith lost everything in the floods that devastated eastern Kentucky, saving only her grandson’s muddy tricycle. But she’s not planning to leave the mountains that have been her home for 50 years.
Like many families in this dense, forested region of hills, deep valleys and meandering streams, Smith’s roots run deep. Her family has lived in Knott County for five generations. They’ve built connections with people that have sustained them, even as an area long mired in poverty has hemorrhaged more jobs with the collapse of the coal industry.
After fast-rising floodwaters from nearby Troublesome Creek swamped her rental trailer, Smith moved in with her mother. At age 50 she is disabled, suffering from a chronic breathing disorder, and knows she won’t be going back to where she lived; her landlord told her he won’t put trailers back in the same spot. Smith, who didn’t have insurance, doesn’t know what her next move will be.
“I’ve cried until I really can’t cry no more,” she said. “I’m just in shock. I don’t really know what to do now.”
For many people who lost their homes, connections with family and neighbors will only grow in importance in the aftermath of the floods, which wiped out homes and businesses and engulfed small towns. Still, in a part of the state that includes seven of the 100 poorest counties in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, they may not be enough for people already living on the margins.
“People who are poor in east Kentucky are really some of the most disadvantaged people in our entire country,” said Evan Smith, an attorney with the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, which provides free legal services for low-income and vulnerable people. “And for those who have now lost vehicles, homes, loved ones, it’s hard for me to see how they bounce back from this.”
“I mean, people will,” Smith added. “People are more resilient than we can imagine at times. But without some type of state and national help, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
He thinks some people who can afford to leave will do so, with younger people — less likely than their elders to try to rebuild where they are — more likely to look for jobs elsewhere.
Coal once dominated the economy of this corner of the Appalachian Mountains, offering the best-paying jobs in a place that had difficulty sustaining other kinds of work, but production has plunged by some 90% since the heyday of 1990, according to a state report. And as production declined, the jobs went away.
The record floods “couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said Doug Holliday, a 73-year-old attorney in Hazard, Kentucky, who represents miners with black lung disease and other health problems.
”The coal business has been petering out and a lot of people have left,” Holliday said. “The people who are left live paycheck-to-paycheck or on Social Security, and most of them live in mobile homes on the very edge of the economy.”
Holliday thinks an old friend died in one of those mobile homes, which was swept away by floodwaters and hasn’t been seen since. He isn’t the only one trying to account for people in what Gov. Andy Beshear called “one of the worst, most devastating flooding events” in Kentucky’s history.
There’s a chance the legacy of the coal industry, diminished though it is, made the flooding worse. The hardest hit areas of eastern Kentucky received between 8 and 10 1/2 inches (20-27 centimeters) of rain over 48 hours, and the degradation of the land wrought by coal mining might have altered the landscape enough to help push rivers and creeks to crest at record levels.
“Decades upon decades of strip mining and mountaintop-removal mining leaves the land unable to help absorb some of that runoff during periods of high rainfall,” said Emily Satterwhite, director of Appalachian Studies at Virginia Tech.
The North Fork of the Kentucky River reached 20.9 feet (6.4 meters) in Whitesburg — more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) over the previous record — and crested at a record 43.5 feet (13.25 meters) in Jackson, said National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Bonds.
Melinda Hurd, 27, was forced from her home in Martin, Kentucky, on Thursday afternoon when the Big Sandy River rose to her front steps — and then kept coming.
“As soon as I stepped off my steps it was waist high,” she said. She is staying with two of her dogs at Jenny Wiley State Park in Prestonsburg, about 20 minutes from her home.
Hurd’s neighbors weren’t as lucky; some were stuck on their roofs, waiting to be rescued.
“I know our whole basement is destroyed,” she said. “But I feel very, very lucky. I don’t think it will be a total loss.”
Hurd works a cash job caring for an elderly woman, meaning she has no insurance or benefits.
Hurd’s home also flooded in 2009 on Mother’s Day, nearly destroying everything inside. She received financial help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency then, and will likely need more help this time around.
At a briefing with Beshear, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said more help is on the way. And the governor opened an online portal for donations to flood victims.
Satterwhite said many residents will want to remain, kept in place by attachments to extended families and support networks that sustain them through good times and bad.
Smith, the woman who salvaged her 2-year-old grandson’s trike, said fast-rising water forced her from her trailer around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
“Everything in it has got mud all over it,” she said. “There’s probably 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) of mud in the rooms. The walls are all water-logged all the way up.”
Despite all that, she’s not leaving Knott County. She doesn’t think she ever could.
“It’s the mountains,” she said. “It’s the land, it’s the people that connect together to make it a home.”
——-
Contributors include Anita Snow in Phoenix and Mike Schneider in Orlando, Fla. Selsky reported from Salem, Ore. and Schreiner from Frankfort, Ky. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/07/30/floods-strike-new-blow-in-place-that-has-known-hardship/ | 2022-07-31T09:46:08Z |
Vouchers for Tractors, Forklifts, Construction Equipment and More Help Reduce Emissions and Improve Air Quality
PASADENA, Calif., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The California Air Resources Board (CARB) opens the second round of its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) today, providing point-of-sale discounts on off-road zero-emission equipment. The project is administered by CALSTART and has $125M in funding available, more than double the amount allocated to the project when it first launched in January 2020. Originally only for freight, in 2022, CORE is expanding to include funding for the commercial harbor craft and agriculture and construction sectors.
Participation in the project has been streamlined for ease of use, and key elements include:
- Qualified participants will receive vouchers for point-of-sale discounts on off-road zero-emission equipment, up to a maximum of $500,000 per voucher
- There is no requirement to "scrap," sell, or retire existing equipment
- Additional funding may be available for charging/refueling infrastructure, equipment operated in disadvantaged communities, and small businesses
"California is backing up its commitment to clean the air in overburdened communities and carry out the direction of the Governor's Executive Order with a significant investment in zero-emission vehicles and sustainable transportation," CARB Deputy Executive Officer Craig Segall said. "CORE is specifically designed to assist industry sectors that currently use off-road equipment and can help clean up the communities hardest hit by air pollution."
"The streamlined process incorporates feedback from program participants and we are anticipating significant interest in this second round," said Niki Okuk, deputy director at CALSTART. "The industry is continuing its transition to zero-emissions and CORE provides a clear market signal that helps bring new products to the market."
CORE supports the following nine equipment categories:
The first round of CORE resulted in over 460 vouchers for vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment totaling over $62 million, with terminal tractors being the most requested equipment type.
CORE is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, improving public health and the environment, and providing meaningful benefits to the most disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households.
About California Air Resources Board (CARB)
CARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. CARB is the lead agency for climate change programs and oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards.
About CALSTART
A national nonprofit consortium with offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California, Washington, D.C., central Europe and partners world-wide, CALSTART works with 300+ member company and agency innovators to build a prosperous, efficient and clean high-tech transportation industry. We knock down barriers to modernization and the adoption of clean vehicles. CALSTART is changing transportation for good.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE CALSTART | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/125m-incentives-off-road-zero-emission-equipment-available-through-californias-core-project/ | 2022-07-18T14:46:28Z |
One of the world's first widely used sans-serif typefaces, Akzidenz-Grotesk, joins the Monotype family along with more than 700 historic typefaces from the Berthold library.
WOBURN, Mass., Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Monotype® today announced that it has acquired the Berthold® inventory of typefaces with unique historical significance in the type industry.
The Berthold library is best known for its celebrated family of Akzidenz-Grotesk® typefaces, one of the world's first widely used sans-serif typefaces which inspired many subsequent type designs including Helvetica®. Akzidenz-Grotesk was created in 1896 and has been used by many of the world's largest brands.
The original Berthold type foundry, H. Berthold AG, was founded in Berlin, Germany in 1858 and built a worldwide reputation for crafting high-quality typefaces. In 1997 Berthold Types Limited acquired the Berthold inventory as well as the distribution rights and maintenance of its digital typefaces. Along with their crown jewel Akzidenz-Grotesk, Berthold's inventory includes much-loved typefaces such as Imago®, Cosmos®, Formata®, Block®, Solemnis® and City®.
Ninan Chacko, Monotype's CEO said, "With this acquisition by Monotype, Berthold's historic typefaces will become part of one of the world's largest type foundries. Our stewardship will increase global visibility of Berthold's inventory, celebrate its legacy, and get these important typefaces in the hands of more creative professionals. But more than that, this acquisition ensures iconic type families including Akzidenz-Grotesk, Imago, and Formata remain as accessible and relevant as other historic typeface families in the Monotype library such as Helvetica® Now, Gotham®, and Neue Frutiger®."
Upon completion of the acquisition, the Berthold library of over 700 typefaces will continue to be sold through http://www.Bertholdtypes.com and http://www.Bertholdwebfonts.com.
Berthold's library will also be delivered as a premium inventory collection through Monotype Fonts combining more than 36,000 typefaces with the expertise of the most sought-after foundries, type designers, and trusted and secure font management.
Deb Gonet, Vice President of the Monotype Studio said, "The H. Berthold AG type foundry was one of the largest and most successful type libraries known for high-quality typefaces. By adding Berthold's classic type library to our Monotype Fonts offering, we are furthering our goal of giving creatives the best and broadest choice of typefaces all in one place."
About Monotype
Monotype creates brands that matter with type, technology, and expertise. The company partners with leading foundries to deliver the broadest inventory of high-quality typefaces in the world. Further information is available at www.monotype.com.
Follow Monotype on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Monotype, Berthold, Akzidenz-Grotesk, Helvetica, Frutiger, Imago, Cosmos, Formata, Block, Solemnis, and City are trademarks of Monotype Imaging Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain other jurisdictions. Gotham is a trademark of the Hoefler Type Foundry registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
©2022 Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. All rights reserved.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Monotype | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/monotype-acquires-bertholds-renowned-typeface-inventory/ | 2022-08-25T19:26:22Z |
(Motor Authority) — General Motors announced on Wednesday that its semi-autonomous driving system known as Super Cruise will be updated to cover around 400,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada, or double what the system can currently handle.
The updated version will be available later this year for vehicles in the GM fleet equipped with the automaker’s latest digital architecture first announced in 2019 and already equipped with Super Cruise. It will be available as an over-the-air update at no additional charge.
Super Cruise is currently limited to divided highways, known as interstates. The updated version will enable the system to work on more road types, including some undivided roads. Some famous drives soon to be covered include Route 66, U.S. Route 1 (Overseas Highway), California Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway), and the Trans-Canada Highway.
GM’s Super Cruise system now covers approximately 400,000 miles of roads across the U.S. and Canada
For vehicles equipped with Google Maps, the navigation system is able to show routes where Super Cruise can function, during the route selection.
Super Cruise combines multiple driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist with map and GPS data to accurately place a vehicle in its lane and ensure safe and smooth operation. While it’s a true hands-free system, it still requires the driver to monitor things at all times and take action when necessary. Otherwise, it will shut down. This means it still ranks at Level 2 on the SAE scale of self-driving capability. To rank above Level 2, self-driving systems need to function in eyes-off mode.
Eventually, GM will launch a new version dubbed Ultra Cruise. This version is promised to cover around 95% of the nation’s roads, albeit with the driver still required to monitor things. According to GM, Ultra Cruise will recognize permanent traffic control devices, follow navigation routes, follow posted speed limits, perform both automatic and on-demand lane changes, perform left and right turns, avoid objects, and park in a residential driveway. It’s due to arrive in 2023 and has been promised as a feature of the Cadillac Celestiq flagship due in 2024. | https://cw33.com/automotive/super-cruise-will-soon-cover-400000-miles-of-road-in-us-canada/ | 2022-08-04T16:36:19Z |
Europe's youngest nation, Liberland, will be the first physical/hybrid country - an extension of the real-life land for citizens to live, work, and play
MIAMI, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mytaverse, the immersive platform known for delivering true-to-life 3D experiences, announced today a collaboration with Liberland and global design firm Zaha Hadid Architects to build "Liberland Metaverse" - an extension of the real-life country for its citizens to live, work and play.
The unique Mytaverse technology creates a space where Liberlanders feel like they're physically together when actually not. The virtual space leads to reduced carbon emissions thanks to a reduction in travel, and business becomes more sustainable, streamlined, and even convenient. This unprecedented move into the metaverse marks the first time a country is offering a hybrid of both the physical and virtual to its citizens thus resulting in a permanent existence on the Mytaverse platform.
For the past six months, Mytaverse has worked with Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) to bring the Liberland project into what is called a "cyber-urban" metaverse. The virtual city both enables and empowers novel use experiences, a trait that has made the firm of Zaha Hadid Architects famous. Today, visitors to Liberland Metaverse can experience a 5-story "Cyber Incubator" currently being used - in place of a traditional urban planning committee - for Liberland officials, investors, and architects to meet to discuss and design buildings for the physical and virtual space while tracking ownership on blockchain technology.
"The high-fidelity and photo-real Liberland Metaverse anticipates the physical realization of Liberland. It is not either a game or fiction. The physical and virtual together form a continuous social reality. That's one of the core premises of the project," explains Patrik Schumacher. "One of the main draws of Liberland Metaverse is that it is, like a city, a shared platform and caters to an evolving, diverse, and self-organizing community of those deeply interested and invested in Liberland".
Liberlanders will create personalized hologram avatars that can run, jump, wave, dance, and more. Webcams on avatars can be activated, thus allowing for private, face-to-face conversations between small groups or live presentations. The high-quality content on the Mytaverse's unique pixel streaming technology enables citizens to enter using only their browser on their PC or Mac - no need to install an app, no need for any fancy hardware. Anyone can access their land, join meetings, or events just like being there - regardless of their computing power.
"Today will be long remembered as we break ground in the metaverse," said Vit Jedlička, President of Liberland. "We're building a dynamic space where we can continue to contribute to the economic development of Liberland and let citizens feel the urban development progress. Liberland Metaverse will be our citizens' virtual home, drawing all our engaged communities together in an enriched extension of our country."
Thousands of Liberlanders will have 'anytime-anywhere' access to the platform via one click, move seamlessly from activity to activity, and have true-to-life interactions with each other. For example, their virtual self might walk to pitch a small business idea at the Cyber Incubator, then to a conference at the auditorium, and next to their digital plot of land. Experiences will mirror the physical Liberland world - from cultural/social events and sports to education and essential government functions.
"We built Mytaverse to offer a lifeline for businesses facing travel restrictions during COVID. Having proven our concept with very successful projects revolving around conferences and trainings last fall, we are now expanding to offer companies more sustainable and comprehensive metaphysical solutions similar to what we have created in Liberland," said Kenneth Landau, CEO, and co-founder of Mytaverse. "We're at an exciting point where we've had incredible growth and now looking at the next level of impact for our platform by further evolving it to bring this new country to life."
Liberland Metaverse is now live on Mytaverse. Beginning April 16, Liberland citizens will be able to register businesses, order passports, and e-Residency cards, or rent an office space in the central business hub in Liberland Metaverse. For more, visit mytaverse.com and the Mytaverse YouTube channel. View the Mytaverse press kit here.
Founded in 2020 by Kenneth Landau and Jaime Lopez, Mytaverse is a platform radically changing how we do business, enabling people to meet in an immersive, true-to-life 3D world. Built to meet the demand for hybrid and augmented reality meetings and workspaces, Mytaverse uses best-in-class technology to deliver fully immersive environments. The hardware-agnostic approach enables users from anywhere to enter through only a browser on a PC, Mac, or mobile device. For more information, visit www.mytaverse.com.
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) redefined architecture for the 21st century with a repertoire of projects that have captured imaginations across the globe. Receiving the highest honours from civic, professional, and academic institutions worldwide, ZHA is one of the world's most consistently inventive architectural studios—and has been for four decades. These 40 years of research are inscribed within every design that encompass an unwavering optimism for the future with concepts of inclusivity and integration. Marrying innovative design methods with ecologically sound materials and sustainable construction practices, ZHA does not look at the disparate parts, but works to understand them as a whole.
The Free Republic of Liberland (hereinafter "Liberland") is a sovereign state located between Croatia and Serbia on the west bank of the Danube River. On some maps, this area is referred to as "Gornja Siga". The nearest towns are Zmajevac (Croatia) and Bački Monoštor (Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia). This parcel of land came into existence due to a border dispute between Croatia and Serbia. This area is not claimed by Croatia, Serbia, nor any other nation or private entity. Furthermore, it remained unclaimed since the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991. In fact, for many decades, it has been uninhabited and no claim was ever made to this piece of land. It was therefore terra nullius – a no man's land – until Vít Jedlička and Jana Markovicova proclaimed it as the Free Republic of Liberland on 13 April 2015. Liberland has set its boundary with ample margin from neighboring countries to ensure that it does not infringe upon the territory of Croatia or Serbia. The total area is approximately 7 km² and is now the third-smallest sovereign state, after the Vatican and Monaco.
Press Contact:
Melissa Whitworth
Lightspeed PR/M
melissa@lightspeedpr.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Mytaverse | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/mytaverse-zaha-hadid-architects-build-first-libertarian-city-metaverse/ | 2022-04-07T13:27:38Z |
Which headphones are best for walking?
Walking can be a great way to stay active, but it’s not the most exciting activity. However, listening to your favorite tunes or podcast as you stroll along can make it more fun.
Choosing a quality pair of headphones designed for active people will provide you with the best experience. However, there are a few styles and features to consider before buying new headphones.
Styles of headphones for walking
Over-ear
Over-ear headphones are large and completely cover the ears. Because of their size, they usually offer the most bass and have the longest-lasting battery life if they’re wireless. Although many find them too bulky to wear for workouts, they’re fine for walking since it’s not a rigorous activity.
On-ear
On-ear headphones rest firmly on the ears and are more lightweight than over-ear headphones, making them more suitable for traveling and exercising. However, they usually don’t pack as much bass because they’re smaller.
In-ear
In-ear headphones, commonly referred to as earphones or earbuds, are the most lightweight, portable headphones. They’re also the most comfortable since they don’t rest on top of your head, so they’re ideal for exercising. Although there are varying styles, most are suitable for walking.
What to look for in quality headphones for walking
Wireless
Wired headphones are cheaper than wireless headphones and great for listening in a sedentary position, such as while working at the office or listening to music in your room. However, headphone wires are cumbersome and can make you feel constrained as you move, making wireless headphones the better option for walking and other exercises.
Ingress Protection rating
An IP rating refers to a product’s dust and water resistance and is expressed as IPXX. After IP, the first digit refers to its resistance to dust and dirt, while the second relates to moisture resistance. An X means the product hasn’t been sufficiently tested for protection in that area.
For example, headphones with an IPX7 rating have an unknown dust and dirt protection rating but can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes to a depth of 1 meter.
You don’t need headphones with a high IP rating if the only exercise you’ll be using them for is walking. However, walking for extended periods, especially in a warm environment, will cause you to sweat, so your headphones should at least have some moisture resistance.
Noise-canceling
Noise-canceling technology drowns out the external sounds in your environment. With noise-canceling technology, you can tune the level of ambient sound to suit your environment.
It’s a great feature for walking indoors on a treadmill or outdoors on a secure path. However, most of the time, you’re going to want to hear ambient sound when walking outdoors. Using noise-canceling can expose you to hazards such as traffic and cyclists since you wouldn’t be able to hear them.
Controls and voice assistants
It can be dangerous to be distracted while walking outdoors, so hands-free controls and access to voice assistants are advisable and convenient. Many headphones let you access voice assistants like Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant and have buttons for managing phone calls and your music. With them, you don’t have to use your phone to switch songs, adjust the volume or take a call.
Best headphones for walking
Best over-ear headphones
JBL 650 BT NC Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones
These headphones boast JBL’s signature sound and have a soft-fabric headband with comfortable earpads, making them excellent for long walks. They have a battery life of 30 hours.
Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
They have a lightweight, durable and comfortable design and offer 22 hours of playback, so they’re ideal for extended walking sessions. They boast pure noise-canceling technology and real-time audio calibration to create a superb listening experience, so your walks are never dull.
Sold by Amazon
Best on-ear headphones
Skullcandy Riff Wireless Headphones
If you’re working with a budget, these headphones are a terrific option. They have comfortable, plush earpads and are lightweight and collapsible, making them great for walking and traveling. They boast 12 hours of battery life and have convenient controls to manage calls and music.
Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Active Noise-Canceling Headphones
These on-ear headphones are pricey, but they’re comfortable, durable and boast cutting-edge noise-canceling technology with an Aware Mode for making you more alert to your surroundings during your walk.
Sold by Staples
Beats Solo Pro Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
They have a comfortable, ergonomic build and a Transparency Mode to help you stay aware of your surroundings during your walk. They feature a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and last up to 22 hours.
Sold by Amazon
Best in-ear headphones
These are engineered specifically for the most active people. They have adjustable hooks that hang on the ears to prevent them from falling out as you move. They have volume and music controls on each side, last nine hours, and are water-resistant.
Sold by Staples
These water-resistant earbuds provide outstanding sound and have easy-to-use touch controls for managing calls and controlling music playback. They’re comfortable and have a secure fit, so you don’t have to worry about them falling out during your walk.
Sold by Amazon
Jlab Audio Jbuds Air True Wireless Earbuds
These earbuds aren’t as expensive as other models, but they get the job done and come loaded with several sound settings. They’re sweat-resistant and automatically connect to your phone when removed from their case.
Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Kevin Luna writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/headphones-br/best-headphones-for-walking/ | 2022-04-05T18:54:06Z |
CEO and Orlando museum part ways following FBI raid
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Museum of Art has parted ways with its CEO in the days after the FBI raided the Florida museum and seized more than two dozen paintings attributed to artist Jean-Michel Basquiat that are the subjects of an investigation into possible wire fraud and conspiracy.
The museum’s board of trustees is “extremely concerned” about the exhibition of 25 paintings whose authenticity has been challenged, as well as an “inappropriate” email former CEO and director Aaron De Groft sent to an academic art expert when she asked that her name not be used in promoting the works, Cynthia Brumback, the museum board’s chair said in an emailed statement Tuesday night.
“We have launched an official process to address these matters, as they are inconsistent with the values of this institution, our business standards, and our standards of conduct,” Brumback said.
The statement didn’t say if De Groft resigned or was fired, and a museum spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to an emailed question about that on Wednesday.
De Groft is the former deputy director of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota.
In the email to the unnamed art expert, De Groft urged her to “shut up,” and he threatened to tell her employer that she was paid $60,000 to write a report about the pieces, when she said she no longer wanted to be associated with promoting the works and would consider it defamatory if the museum continued to use her name, according to a search warrant released Friday, the day of the FBI raid.
“You want us to put out there that you got $60 grand to write this? OK then. Shut up. You took the money. Stop being holier than thou. You did this not me or anybody else,” De Groft said in the email quoted in the search warrant. “Be quiet now is my best advice. These are real and legit. You know this. You are threatening the wrong people. Do your academic thing and stay in your limited lane.”
De Groft didn’t respond Wednesday to an email message sent via LinkedIn.
According to the search warrant, federal art crimes investigators have been looking into the 25 paintings since shortly after their discovery in 2012. The controversy gained more attention after the Orlando exhibit opened in February.
Basquiat, who lived and worked in New York City, found success in the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement. The Orlando Museum of Art was the first institution to display pieces said to have been found in an old Los Angeles storage locker years after Basquiat’s 1988 death from a drug overdose at age 27.
Questions about the artworks’ authenticity arose almost immediately after their discovery. The artwork was purportedly made in 1982, but experts have pointed out that the cardboard used in at least one of the pieces included FedEx typeface that wasn’t used until 1994, about six years after Basquiat died, according to the search warrant. In addition, television writer Thad Mumford, the owner of the storage locker where the art was eventually found, told investigators that he had never owned any Basquiat art and that the pieces were not in the unit the last time he had visited. Mumford died in 2018.
De Groft has repeatedly insisted that the art was legitimate.
Before coming to Orlando, De Groft was director of the Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and deputy director of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/30/ceo-florida-museum-part-ways-following-basquiat-raid/ | 2022-06-30T12:59:53Z |
Mannsville man arrested for allegedly beating wife to death
JOHNSTON COUNTY, Okla. (KXII) - The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a murder after a man rushed his wife to the hospital Wednesday morning.
According to the sheriff’s office, Cecil Browning Higginbotham told dispatchers he found his wife unconscious and was having trouble waking her up. Higginbotham stated he was driving his wife to a hospital in Ardmore.
Sheriffs said Dickson Police intercepted Higginbotham on the way to the hospital in the hopes they could provide aid. Higginbotham pulled into the Dickson City Hall, where Dickson Police began life saving measures, and the victim, whose name has not been released, was transported to Mercy Ardmore.
Sheriffs said they were told by the hospital that the victim had injuries that appeared to be from physical abuse, and she was in grave condition.
Prior to Johnston County Deputies arriving at the Ardmore hospital, the victim was flown to Oklahoma City for higher level of care.
Deputy Ty Richeson said when he arrived to the hospital he learned through the investigation that the victim was on life support with a very low percentage of survival.
According to the sheriff’s office, the victim had severe physical injuries consistent with being physically beaten.
Higginbotham, who was also at the hospital, was interviewed by deputies and later arrested for violation of domestic abuse, and was booked into the Johnston County Jail.
Sheriffs said the victim died on Thursday after succumbing to her injuries.
According to the sheriff’s office, Higginbotham’s charges will include murder in first degree.
“Please keep this victim, her children and her family in your prayers. This is a senseless, sickening and evil crime, my deputies and I will do everything in our power to ensure justice for the victim and her family. If you know anyone suffering from domestic violence please say something, you may just save someone’s life,” said Sheriff Gary W. Dodd.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/12/mannsville-man-arrested-allegedly-beating-wife-death/ | 2022-08-12T03:46:46Z |
NEW YORK, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Upstart, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPST).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/upstart-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=29047&from=4
The lawsuit seeks to recover losses for shareholders who purchased Upstart between March 18, 2021 and May 9, 2022.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until July 12, 2022 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
According to a filed complaint, Upstart, Inc. issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Upstart's AI model could not adequately account for macroeconomic factors such as interest rates that impact the market-clearing price for loans; (2) as a result, Upstart was experiencing a negative impact on its conversion rate; (3) as a result, the Company was reasonably likely to use its balance sheet to fund loans; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and/or misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
1140 Avenue of the Americas
9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
View original content:
SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/24/upst-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-upstart-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-12-2022/ | 2022-06-24T10:28:35Z |
GRAPHIC: Military spouse fatally stabbed in Hawaii sought help for repeated abuse, mother says
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow/Gray News) - A woman who was brutally stabbed to death off the H-3 Freeway on Wednesday night has been officially identified by the medical examiner as 27-year-old Dana Alotaibi, of Virginia.
Alotaibi’s mother, Natalia Cespedes, said her daughter sent her pictures and messages documenting abuse from her husband, Bryant Tejeda-Castillo ― an active-duty Marine stationed in Kaneohe.
Had military officials acted on repeated requests for help, she believes her daughter would still be alive.
The Honolulu Police Department confirmed that Tejeda-Castillo has been charged with second-degree murder. His bail is set at $1 million.
Alotaibi posted several videos and messages on her social media accounts talking about her abusive relationship, claiming her husband hit her, pulled her hair, choked her, cheated on her and threatened to kill her.
A YouTube video posted in January reportedly shows Alotaibi sobbing on the phone with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, claiming the military did nothing after she reported multiple cases of violence and infidelity.
“It’s haunting me, like, all the incidents that he’s hit me and done horrible things to me,” she told the hotline responder. “Even when I reached out for help, like nothing was done at all. And I’m thinking like, what can I do, why is he so untouchable?”
“Why isn’t he getting jail time? Why isn’t he getting demoted in rank? Why isn’t he getting kicked out?” she said on the call.
Alotaibi’s mother said she advised her daughter to report Tejeda-Castillo to his command and police.
“She sent me, like, a picture with all these bruises all over her body,” Cespedes said, adding that Alotaibi was brave to speak out.
She said Alotaibi was able to get a no-contact order on her husband, the military’s version of a restraining order. But Cespedes says she’s disappointed more wasn’t done to protect her.
“Probably because she’s a woman they don’t care, or she looked crazy, they don’t care,” Cespedes said.
Now that her daughter is gone, Cespedes says she is feeling the same helplessness as she tries to get answers from the military about what happened.
“I feel like nobody wants to help, nobody wants to say nothing,” she said. “Probably if I go there, they will help.”
Cespedes says she’s flying from Virginia to Honolulu on Saturday.
“I cannot stay here waiting. I have to go there. Bring my daughter home,” she said.
The Marines issued the following statement:
“We can confirm that the Marine suspect’s command was engaged with both him and the victim, and were responsive to those allegations and concerns that the command was made aware of. Due to the ongoing nature of the criminal investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this topic.”
Alotaibi’s friends who are in the military believe the system is designed to protect the ranks, and domestic violence and mental health issues are downplayed. They spoke to Hawaii News Now on condition of anonymity.
“I don’t think they care about family at all. Because if they did, then they will be getting their soldiers the help that they need,” one friend said. “It seemed like he was crying out for help, too. And I just think they’re mission first and then family second.”
Those who knew the victim also reportedly said she was pregnant, though police have declined to confirm that detail, saying they are awaiting autopsy results.
Loved ones and victims’ advocates hope Alotaibi’s death can be a wake-up call to urge victims to reach out to civilian resources as well as the military system.
“You’re still one of our community members. And we care about them just as ... it’s not like there’s a bubble, that that’s all that they have,” said psychologist Dr. Lisa Hartwell, who has counseled military families.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii said it offers the Marine Corps Family Advocacy Program, “which aims at directly addressing domestic violence through prevention, education, reporting, intervention and treatment.”
Alotaibi’s mother has set up a GoFundMe page for funeral and travel expenses. To donate to Alotaibi’s family, click here.
Copyright 2022 Hawaii News Now via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/24/graphic-military-spouse-fatally-stabbed-hawaii-sought-help-repeated-abuse-mother-says/ | 2022-07-24T01:47:59Z |
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s military has found a new mission in life for a talented dog who was rescued from abusive owners, recruiting 2-year-old Logan to serve in counterterrorism operations for an elite bomb squad.
The Belgian shepherd is undergoing intensive training as an explosives detection dog for the explosive ordnance disposal and warship regiment of the Hungarian Defense Forces.
At the unit’s garrison on the Danube River in the capital Budapest, Logan receives daily socialization and obedience exercises, and is trained to recognize the smell of 25 different explosive substances.
“He has already started to learn how to smell explosives in a completely homogeneous environment, and he has also started to learn how to search motor vehicles and ships,” said Logan’s trainer, Sgt. 1st Class Balazs Nemeth.
Logan’s new role as a bomb sniffer came only after an early life full of hardships. In 2021, animal welfare officers received a tip that a dog was being abused and held in inhumane conditions at a rural residence in northeastern Hungary. During an on-site inspection, the officers found Logan confined to a one-meter (3-foot) chain and suffering from malnourishment.
Several weeks later, Nemeth, the regiment’s training officer, visited the shelter where Logan was housed and began assessing his suitability for becoming a professional bomb sniffer.
“The moment we met him the first impressions were very positive. We saw a well-motivated dog in relatively good condition and we immediately had confidence in him,” Nemeth said.
In a demonstration at the unit’s garrison, Nemeth opened a case containing two dozen vials of mock explosive materials like C-4, TNT, ammonium nitrate and others, which Logan is trained to detect.
After concealing a small package of explosive in a hidden crevice on one of the regiment’s river boats, Nemeth brought Logan to the training area where he went immediately to work sniffing for the package, which he found within seconds. The dog’s body tensed as he pointed with his nose at the source of the smell, alerting his handler.
The regiment’s commanding officer, Col. Zsolt Szilagyi, said that the increased use of improvised explosive devices by extremist cells since the turn of the millennium have made it necessary to employ new methods for detecting potential bombs.
“This was a challenge to which the military had to respond, and one of the best ways to detect these devices is to use explosive detection dogs,” Szilagyi said. “These four-legged comrades have been supporting the activities of our bomb disposal soldiers.”
Logan, he said, will serve as an inspector of important sites in Hungary, and could be sent along with the country’s military to NATO missions abroad.
While rescued dogs often present challenges in training given their often traumatic backgrounds, Nemeth said he is confident that Logan will be successful and make a valuable addition to the unit.
“Logan is very valuable because about one out of 10,000 rescued dogs is fit for military service, both medically and psychologically,” he said.
Recruiting rescued dogs often reveals their undiscovered capabilities, and allows for them to find a new home where they can thrive, Szilagyi said.
“There are dogs that have great potential but for some reason they have been pushed to the margins,” he said. “We can give these dogs a new opportunity to be placed in a family, so to speak, where they can live a proper life in loving, competent hands and be useful.” | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/hungarys-military-finds-mission-in-life-for-abused-dog/ | 2022-05-15T06:04:03Z |
A cancer diagnosis is scary. Some doctors say it’s time to rename low-grade prostate cancer to eliminate the alarming C-word.
Cancer cells develop in nearly all prostates as men age, and most prostate cancers are harmless. About 34,000 Americans die from prostate cancer annually, but treating the disease can lead to sexual dysfunction and incontinence.
Changing the name could lead more low-risk patients to skip unnecessary surgery and radiation.
“This is the least aggressive, wimpiest form of prostate cancer that is literally incapable of causing symptoms or spreading to other parts of the body,” said University of Chicago Medicine’s Dr. Scott Eggener, who is reviving a debate about how to explain the threat to worried patients.
The words “You have cancer” have a profound effect on patients, Eggener wrote Monday in Journal of Clinical Oncology. He and his co-authors say fear of the disease can cause some patients to overreact and opt for unneeded surgery or radiation.
Others agree. “If you reduce anxiety, you’ll reduce overtreatment,” said Dr. David Penson of Vanderbilt University. “The word ‘cancer,’ it puts an idea in their head: ‘I have to have this treated.’”
Diagnosis sometimes starts with a PSA blood test, which looks for high levels of a protein that may mean cancer but can also be caused by less serious prostate problems or even vigorous exercise.
When a patient has a suspicious test result, a doctor might recommend a biopsy, which involves taking samples of tissue from the prostate gland. Next, a pathologist looks under a microscope and scores the samples for how abnormal the cells look.
Often, doctors offer patients with the lowest score — Gleason 6 — a way to avoid surgery and radiation: active surveillance, which involves close monitoring but no immediate treatment.
In the U.S., about 60% of low-risk patients choose active surveillance. But they might still worry.
“I would be over the moon if people came up with a new name for Gleason 6 disease,” Penson said. “It will allow a lot of men to sleep better at night.”
But Dr. Joel Nelson of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said dropping the word “cancer” would “misinform patients by telling them there’s nothing wrong. There’s nothing wrong today, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to keep track of what we’ve discovered.”
Name changes have happened previously in low-risk cancers of the bladder, cervix and thyroid. In breast cancer, there’s an ongoing debate about dropping “carcinoma” from DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ.
In prostate cancer, the 1960s-era Gleason ranking system has evolved, which is how 6 became the lowest score. Patients may assume it’s a medium score on a scale of 1 to 10. In fact, it’s the lowest on a scale of 6 to 10.
What to call it instead of cancer? Proposals include IDLE for indolent lesion of epithelial origin, or INERRT for indolent neoplasm rarely requiring treatment.
“I don’t really give a hoot what it’s called as long as it’s not called cancer,” Eggener said.
Steve Rienks, a 72-year-old civil engineer in Naperville, Illinois, was diagnosed with Gleason 6 prostate cancer in 2014. He chose active surveillance, and follow-up biopsies in 2017 and 2021 found no evidence of cancer.
Calling it something else would help patients make informed choices, Rienks said, but that’s not enough: Patients need to ask questions until they feel confident.
“It’s about understanding risk,” Rienks said. “I would encourage my fellow males to educate themselves and get additional medical opinions.”
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://cw33.com/health/ap-health/doctors-suggest-new-names-for-low-grade-prostate-cancer/ | 2022-04-19T10:51:17Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — We may not be in northern Australia but we sure are in North Texas and there are ample places around town to have a beautiful picnic with your family or even a romantic one with your significant other.
Funny enough, Monday, August 1 is Northern Territory Picnic Day in Australia, we thought, why not share some amazing spots around North Texas to lay down a blanket and enjoy some good food.
NationalToday said, “There aren’t a lot of people, relatively speaking, in Australia’s Northern Territory. But those who live there look forward to the first Monday in August when they celebrate the territory’s Picnic Day. Northern Territory Aussies — not to mention folks from the other parts of the continent — have been celebrating Picnic Day since at least the late 1800s, although the date of the first picnic is unknown.”
So, we checked out Yelp’s list of the best spots for a regular ole picnic alongside some of the best spots to spruce up the love life with a romantic one!
- Turtle Creek Park – Oak Lawn
- White Rock Lake
- Lakeside Park
- Dayspring Nature Preserve
- Centennial Park
- Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden – Lakewood
- Vitruvian Park – North Dallas
- Klyde Warren Park – Downtown
- Cedar Ridge Preserve
- Cottonwood Park – North Dallas
- Williams Park
- Texas Sculpture Garden
- Lake Carolyn Bike and Jogging Trail
- Texas Discovery Gardens – Fair Park
- Arbor Hills Nature Preserve | https://cw33.com/news/local/top-spots-for-picnics-romantic-picnics-around-dallas/ | 2022-08-01T20:02:13Z |
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — In 2020, Black Lives Matter protesters were doused with tear gas, making them gasp for breath, their eyes feeling as if they were on fire. Bystanders, including children and pregnant women, were also exposed.
As police responded to mass protests across the nation two years ago with tear gas and other chemical munitions, more than a dozen U.S. senators asked the congressional watchdog to find out whether federal agencies have assessed how safe they are.
But the report by the Government Accountability Office skipped that question, dedicating only three paragraphs to the effects of “chemical irritants” and flash-bangs. Both of the U.S. senators from Oregon — where the Trump administration deployed militarized federal agents — believe the report leaves too many questions unanswered and are calling for regulation of the tear gas industry.
The GAO report noted there were incidents in which less-lethal force may have been used by federal agents in violation of policy, but provided no details.
“This report is completely inadequate,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, one of the report requesters, said through spokeswoman Molly Prescott. “Congress and the American people deserve to know the details to better understand the significant issues and damage done by inappropriate use of less-lethal force.”
Portland, Oregon’s largest city, was an epicenter of the protests, with months of nightly, often violent demonstrations and vandalism following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. Portland police used tear gas and pepper balls against protesters, and the Trump administration sent militarized federal agents to the city, starting in July 2020.
At least 1,315 federal officers were deployed to Oregon, according to a redacted document obtained by U.S Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, from the Department of Homeland Security. They used more than a dozen different types of crowd-control devices, including 40 mm canisters loaded with tear gas or an oily extract of pepper plants, 40mm “direct impact rounds” loaded with tear gas or pepper compounds, smoke grenades and foggers that emit chemical irritants, the document showed.
Law enforcement officials say tear gas, if used properly, is an effective tool for crowd control. On Sunday, police in Akron, Ohio, used tear gas against people protesting the shooting of Jayland Walker, a Black man who was killed by police on June 27 in a hail of gunfire.
Wyden isn’t satisfied with the GAO report and will keep pressing for answers, spokesman Hank Stern said.
Gretta Goodwin, a director of the GAO and lead author of the report released late last year, said her office was unable to answer the senators’ question on whether federal agencies have assessed the safety and effectiveness of tear gas and other chemical munitions, or their impacts on underlying health conditions.
“We start out by looking to see what information is out there,” Goodwin said over the phone. “We weren’t really able to find anything.”
Instead of government oversight, the multi-billion-dollar industry regulates itself, a situation Wyden believes must end.
“He will push … for the appropriate federal agencies to oversee the manufacture of tear gas in our country, as well as to undertake an urgently needed non-industry and neutral study into the impact of these weapons on human health and the environment,” Stern said.
The Associated Press previously found few studies exist on the health effects of tear gas, with many being old and focusing on military personnel, who tend to be healthier and in better physical condition than the general public.
The GAO found that three federal agencies — the Marshals Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Secret Service — don’t even document when officers violate their agencies’ policies while using these weapons.
“That needs to be known. That needs to be more transparent,” Goodwin said.
Among controversial tactics and actions taken by law enforcement during Black Lives Matter protests: “Kettling,” in which police seal off escape routes while blanketing people in tear gas and firing pepperballs; and firing projectiles point-blank at people. Donavan LaBella suffered severe injuries while peacefully protesting in Portland when he was hit in the face by a projectile fired by a federal officer.
Samira Green, pregnant at the time, found herself enveloped by tear gas fired by Portland police on June 2, 2020.
“Literally, you cannot breathe anything. It is clenched,” Green said, describing how her lungs seemed to seize up.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that “long-lasting exposure or exposure to a large dose of riot control agent, especially in a closed setting” may cause blindness, glaucoma, severe chemical burns to the throat and lungs, respiratory failure and death.
The GAO report footnoted a 2016 study by Physicians for Human Rights and the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations on health consequences of crowd-control weapons.
But the congressional watchdog agency should have noted that “our data is quite limited because there is no transparency about the weapons,” said Rohini Haar, co-author of the 2016 study.
Tear gas, which is banned in warfare by the Chemical Weapons Convention, is getting more powerful, Haar said. Silicon is sometimes added to make tear gas last longer in the air and on surfaces, even though its health effects are unknown, said Haar, an emergency room physician and researcher at the University of California School of Public Health in Berkeley.
Haar said it’s time for the U.S. government to either do its own research on riot-control agents or support others to conduct it. | https://cw33.com/health/ap-health/senators-decry-lack-of-federal-safety-assessment-of-tear-gas/ | 2022-07-09T01:35:16Z |
CLEVELAND, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Freedonia Group analysis forecasts pipe demand to increase 2.2% annually to $57.9 billion in 2026, with growth coming mostly from volume increases as average prices for some metal and plastic products are expected to decline following a major spike in 2021:
- The structural and mechanical market – which accounts for the largest share of pipe demand in value terms – will see gains driven by ongoing growth in refrigerator and air conditioner production.
- The oil and gas market will grow at the fastest rate as drilling activity significantly rebounds from the declines of the prior five-year period.
- A decline in copper pipe pricing will cause DWV demand in value terms to decline, but in linear feet terms, demand will rise as more bathrooms per structure are installed in residential and commercial buildings.
The oil and gas market is expected to be the fastest growing pipe market, supported by a significant rebound in the number of wells drilled in the US as oil and natural gas prices increase from very low levels in 2020 and early 2021. Oil and gas drilling activity has increased significantly in 2022, as international production has not been able to keep up with demand and sanctions against Russia have limited the supply of available oil, causing prices to increase at a rapid pace.
Pipes Products & Markets provides historical data (2011, 2016, and 2021) and forecasts for the years 2026, and 2031 for the following competitive pipe materials:
- steel
- plastic (broken out by PVC, HDPE, PEX, CPVC, fiberglass, ABS, and other resins)
- copper
- ductile iron
- concrete
- aluminum
- other nonferrous metals (e.g., titanium, nickel)
- clay
Also included are breakouts for pipe markets:
- structural and mechanical (refrigeration and HVAC equipment, appliances, transportation equipment, other structural and mechanical products)
- potable water (water transmission, water distribution, service and rural water)
- oil and natural gas (oil and natural gas drilling and transmission, natural gas distribution)
- storm and sanitary sewer
- conduit
- industrial processing
- drain, waste, and vent
- irrigation
About the Freedonia Group - The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com, is the premier international industrial research company, providing our clients with product analyses, market forecasts, industry trends, and market share information. From one-person consulting firms to global conglomerates, our analysts provide companies with unbiased, reliable industry market research and analysis to help them make important business decisions. With over 100 studies published annually, we support over 90% of the industrial Fortune 500 companies. Find off-the-shelf studies at https://www.freedoniagroup.com/ or contact us for custom research: +1 440.842.2400.
Press Contact:
Corinne Gangloff
+1 440.842.2400
cgangloff@freedoniagroup.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE The Freedonia Group | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/rebounding-oil-amp-gas-markets-benefit-pipe-demand-through-2026/ | 2022-07-14T16:53:31Z |
LAKEWOOD, Colo., April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aphelion Aerospace is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Master Service Agreement (MSA) of up to $10M for CubeSat products from One Voice 4 Change of Colorado. This MSA is a 5-year contract for CubeSat simulators, balloon launched CubeSats, and rocket launched CubeSats that can operate in space.
CubeSats are miniature satellites made up of cubes. A single cube is 10 cubic centimeters. They can be stacked together to build larger CubeSats with more capabilities. These CubeSats can be launched to space and they can operate just like larger satellites. Their applications include communications, R&D, education, defense, and others.
Dr. Gregg Cannady of the STEM School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the project leader of Sim to Balloon to Orbit (S2B2O), says that this is a 3-phase project to provide real life experience to high school and university students around the world.
In Phase 1, starting in late 2022, One Voice 4 Change will conduct a pilot run with 100 CubeSat simulator kits provided by Aphelion. In this phase, students grouped in 5-person teams per CubeSat simulator, will build one from start to finish and will learn to operate it. The project will be conducted in two different languages English and Spanish, and the students participating will be an international bunch from English and Spanish speaking countries including USA, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Costa Rica, UK, and others.
In Phase 2, scheduled to start in 2023, students will build CubeSats that will be launched by high altitude balloons. In Phase 3, scheduled to start in 2024, students will build CubeSats that will be launched to space by perhaps Aphelion rockets. In both of these phases, after the CubeSats are launched, they will be operated by the students from the ground.
Dr. Cannady admits that this is a highly ambitious project but he is no stranger to ambitious projects. He has several years of experience leading ambitious projects around the world in countries like Belize, Mexico, and others. This is one of many amazing STEM projects that One Voice 4 Change has been organizing and they are not alone. They count with the support of Aldrin Family Foundation, Lockheed Martin, AIAA, AMSAT, GoSats, BlueCube Aerospace, and others.
Aphelion CEO Miguel Ayala, a Peruvian native, is excited for this amazing project.
To learn more about One Voice 4 Change, please visit: https://www.onevoice4change.org/
To learn more about Aphelion Aerospace, please visit: https://aphelionaerospace.com/
CONTACT: Matthew Travis, matthew.travis@aphelionaerospace.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Aphelion Aerospace, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/22/aphelion-aerospace-secures-contract-up-10m-cubesat-products-global-stem-project/ | 2022-04-22T02:33:09Z |
Matthew McConaughey calls for gun control action at White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — Academy Award–winning actor Matthew McConaughey took center stage at the White House briefing Tuesday to call on Congress to “reach a higher ground” and pass gun control legislation in honor of the children and teachers killed in last month’s shooting rampage at an elementary school in his home town of Uvalde, Texas.
In a highly personal 22-minute speech, McConaughey offered a full-throated exhortation for a gridlocked Congress to pass gun reforms that can save lives without infringing on Second Amendment rights.
McConaughey used his star power to make an argument for legislation in a fashion that the Biden administration has not been able to, offering a clear connection to the small Texas town and offering vivid detail on the sheer loss of the 19 children and two teachers in the second worst mass school shooting in U.S. history.
“We want secure and safe schools and we want gun laws that won’t make it so easy for the bad guys to get the damn guns,” McConaughey said.
McConaughey, who earlier this year considered a run for governor in Texas before taking a pass, met briefly with President Joe Biden before addressing the White House press corps from the James Brady briefing room.
McConaughey, who declined to take questions, spoke of learning to become a responsible gun owner as a youngster in Uvalde. He said he and his wife drove back to Uvalde on the day after the shooting and spent time with the families of some of the victims and others directly impacted by the rampage.
He said every parent he spoke to expressed that “they want their children’s dreams to live on.”
“They want to make their loss of life matter,” McConaughey said.
He related the personal stories of a number of the victims, displaying the artwork of one girl and the trademark green tennis shoes worn by another.
McConaughey acknowledged that gun legislation would not end mass shootings but suggested that steps can be taken to lessen the chances of such tragedies happening so frequently.
“We need to invest in mental healthcare. We need safer schools. We need to restrain sensationalized media coverage. We need to restore our family values. We need to restore our American values and we need responsible gun ownership,” McConaughey said.
“Is this a cure all? Hell no, but people are hurting.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/07/matthew-mcconaughey-calls-gun-control-action-white-house/ | 2022-06-07T20:11:10Z |
Local Banking Executive and Longtime Charlotte Business Leader
Tim Beck to Serve as Market Leader
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oakworth Capital Bank (Oakworth) is entering the Central Carolinas market with a new office in the Charlotte area. Oakworth uniquely delivers banking, wealth management and advisory services through a highly coordinated approach.
Tim Beck has been named the group's Central Carolinas market leader and comes to Oakworth after serving as executive vice president and chief credit officer for Aquesta Bank, which was sold to United Community Bank in late 2021. Prior to his role with Aquesta Bank, Beck served a number of banks throughout a long career in Charlotte, making him a perfect fit for cultivating the Oakworth model in the Central Carolinas.
"When we consider expanding to serve more communities, we always start with a culture leader who lives our five core values—Golden Rule, Character, Innovative and Creative Spirit, Professionalism and Work Ethic," said Scott Reed, Oakworth chairman and chief executive officer. "We couldn't be more thrilled to have someone with Tim's local leadership and financial experience to lead Oakworth in this dynamic market."
"I immediately recognized that Oakworth's unique approach would resonate with leaders and businesses in our region," said Beck. "Oakworth's clients consistently praise the company for the quality of its people, its distinctive level of service and its commitment to making financial services easy. Bringing the Oakworth experience to the Carolinas area will be a huge benefit for closely held businesses, professionals and families, and I'm honored to lead this effort."
Beck brings significant experience in the financial services industry, having held positions within commercial and corporate banking as well as credit administration for Bank of America, SouthTrust Bank, Branch Banking and Trust, First Horizon and Silverton Bank.
"Tim's extensive experience and proven leadership in the Charlotte market supports our commitment to an excellent client experience for future clients in the Central Carolinas," said Chief Performance Officer Forest Whatley, who is responsible for the leadership of all Oakworth markets. "We look forward to helping our clients succeed and can't wait to begin."
Named the #1 "Best Bank to Work For" every year for the past four years in an independent survey conducted by American Banker, Oakworth cultivates a culture that appeals to talented professionals who desire to provide the highest level of expertise and responsiveness to their clients. Serving clients in 17 states, Oakworth provides proactive solutions by focusing on predictable needs of growing businesses and families.
The new office location—anticipated to open in the Southern part of the metro Charlotte area—will be announced soon. The grand opening is set to take place in early 2023.
Oakworth Capital Bank provides commercial and private banking, wealth management and advisory services to successful businesses, families and individuals. Oakworth serves its valued clients across the United States from its headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as from South Alabama and Middle Tennessee. For more information about Oakworth Capital Bank and its unique approach, please visit www.oakworth.com.
For more information contact:
Sonia Blumstein
Phone: 205-278-2017
Email: sonia.blumstein@oakworthcapital.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Oakworth Capital Bank | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/oakworth-capital-bank-enters-central-carolinas-market-with-new-charlotte-location/ | 2022-09-07T18:16:09Z |
Hightouch Becomes First Data Activation Partner for Snowflake Partner Connect, Syncing Snowflake Insights with Business Tools
SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hightouch, the leading Data Activation provider, today expanded its partnership with Snowflake, the Data Cloud company, to provide joint customers with seamless access to data activation in the Snowflake Data Cloud. Hightouch's platform is natively available within Snowflake, providing a push-button way for customers to initiate Hightouch from their Snowflake account.
Hightouch is a Data Activation partner available through Snowflake Partner Connect. In addition, Hightouch has achieved both Snowflake-ready and Premier Partner status, designating Hightouch as a validated partner that adheres to the Data Cloud's best practices for product integrations.
"Hightouch is ushering in the last-mile of analytics, enabling customers to leverage Snowflake as an end-to-end data platform" explains Tarik Diwek, Head of Technology Alliances at Snowflake. "Through Snowflake Partner Connect, using Hightouch with the Data Cloud is secure, easy, and nearly instant."
Unlike legacy data platforms that can take up to 12 months to deploy, Hightouch's reverse ETL capabilities work with Snowflake to build platforms in a matter of hours. This activates data across destinations like marketing and advertising platforms for faster time-to-value and increased insights. By centralizing customer data workloads in Snowflake, organizations can realize greater efficiencies across governance, resources, and security, all while expanding the speed of innovation.
"With Snowflake Partner Connect, Hightouch continues to advance the data activation category," explains Tejas Manohar, CEO and co-Founder at Hightouch. "Our extended partnership with Snowflake makes it seamless for organizations to create activation workloads that immediately impact revenue, from improving ad spend to increasing marketing conversions to reducing customer churn."
With the Hightouch and Snowflake integration, organizations can realize the following benefits:
- Maximum flexibility to create data models that meet the unique requirements of their business, rather than using rigid, pre-defined models.
- Engineering teams can operate more efficiently with their preferred data tools, saving countless hours on custom scripting and maintenance.
- Security concerns are minimized as the data remains in the Data Cloud and the Hightouch integration is vetted by Snowflake's rigorous standards.
- Time to value is accelerated with Snowflake Partner Connect so that organizations can get started and begin activating their data.
Learn more about how Hightouch activates the Data Cloud at Snowflake Summit 2022, live in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 13-16, 2022.
Hightouch is the world's leading Data Activation platform, syncing data from warehouses directly into your SaaS tools. All business teams, from sales and marketing to support and customer success, need relevant, accurate, and real-time customer data to add critical context inside the software they already use. Whether you're enhancing communications with customers via CRM, optimizing ad copy, or personalizing email, Hightouch makes your data actionable —all with SQL, no scripts or APIs required. For more information, visit www.hightouch.io.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Hightouch | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/hightouch-expands-snowflake-partnership-drive-data-activation-customer-value/ | 2022-06-13T11:15:27Z |
- The country, with an increasing immunoglobulin (Ig) usage rate, currently imports about 85% of its Ig demand for patients in Canada who rely on this lifesaving plasma-protein therapy
- Building on its investment in a large-scale fractionation facility in Montreal, Grifols will manufacture plasma sourced in Canada to provide finished product exclusively for Canadian Blood Services to help it reach at least 50% Ig self-sufficiency for Canadians
- Under a 15-year agreement with options to renew, an incremental 2.4 million grams of Ig will be provided annually for Canadian patients and Canadian Blood Services, with pricing in line with Western market values and subject to periodic reviews
- Once more Grifols demonstrates global leadership forging alliances between the plasma industry and the public sector as the best way to ensure domestic plasma self-sufficiency
BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grifols (MCE: GRF) (MCE: GRF.P) (NASDAQ: GRFS), a global leader in plasma medicines with more than 110 years contributing to improve the health and well-being of people, today announced it has signed a pioneering long-term agreement with Canadian Blood Services, Canada's national blood authority, to greatly increase the country's self-sufficiency in immunoglobulin (Ig) medicines, essential plasma-protein therapies used to treat a wide range of immunodeficiencies and other medical conditions.
It's the first-ever agreement of its kind and will ensure Canadian plasma is processed into Ig medicines on Canadian soil for the exclusive needs of the thousands of patients in the country who critically depend on these lifesaving therapies.
Canada has a high Ig usage rate and currently needs to import as much as 85% of its Ig, with demand growing an average of 5-8% annually.
The collaboration agreement with Canadian Blood Services, part of Grifols' long-term global growth strategy, will combine with the work already being done by Canadian Blood Services to accelerate Canada's Ig self-sufficiency rate from 15% to 50% in the shortest time possible.
Under the agreement, Grifols will work with Canadian Blood Services to steadily increase sourcing of the Canadian plasma necessary so that volumes eventually reach 2.4 million grams of Ig medicines annually by 2026.
Over the life of the 15-year renewable contract, Ig pricing will be in line with Western market values and subject to periodic reviews.
Grifols' newly built, state-of-the-art Montreal plant is expected to start operations in 2024 and be fully operational sometime in 2026, when the company will become the only large-scale commercial manufacturer of plasma products in Canada. Until then, production will take place at its site in Clayton, N.C.
Signaling its long-term commitment to the Canadian market, Grifols in 2020 invested over USD 400 million in its Montreal facilities, including a fractionation plant with a capacity of 1.5 million liters annually and two purification plants. Since then Grifols has been expanding and converting the installations. In early 2022, Grifols acquired its first donation center in Canada, in Winnipeg (province of Manitoba).
"Grifols is committed to helping Canada on its self-sufficiency journey to ensure patients in Canada receive the life-sustaining plasma medicines they need," said Víctor Grifols Deu, co-CEO of Grifols. "We will contribute our deep knowledge of the Canadian market and our decades of industry-leading experience collecting plasma and producing medicines that adhere to the highest standards of quality and safety."
Added Raimon Grifols, co-CEO of Grifols: "One key lesson from the pandemic is the need to establish the strongest possible domestic healthcare infrastructures that can reliably and sustainably provide critical plasma medicines to patients."
"With Grifols, Canada has an agreement to develop a critically needed end-to-end national supply chain for immunoglobulins," stated Dr. Graham D. Sher, CEO Canadian Blood Services. "This will improve sufficiency, protect our national blood system and ensure a domestic supply of immunoglobulins that patients in Canada can count on."
The alliance between Grifols and Canadian Blood Services builds on their longstanding relationship as well as the more than three decades Grifols has provided plasma medicines to Canadian patients. In addition to the new agreement, Grifols will continue providing contract manufacturing services to Canadian Blood Services.
The agreement with Canadian Blood Services is the most recent in a series of initiatives that Grifols has underway to help countries and regions increase self-sufficiency in plasma medicines. Increasingly Grifols' leadership is showing that alliances between the plasma industry and the public sector are crucial to ensuring domestic plasma security. The company's vast expertise comes from its leading global network of more than 400 plasma donation centers and the most advanced plasma manufacturing facilities, all operations renowned for their quality, safety and excellence.
Canadian Blood Services operates with a national scope, infrastructure and governance that make it unique within Canadian healthcare. In the domain of blood, plasma and stem cells, it provides services for patients on behalf of all provincial and territorial governments except Quebec.
About Grifols
Grifols is a global healthcare company founded in Barcelona in 1909 committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. A leader in essential plasma-derived medicines and transfusion medicine, the company develops, produces and provides innovative healthcare services and solutions in more than 110 countries.
Patient needs and our ever-growing knowledge of many chronic, rare and prevalent conditions, at times life-threatening, drive our innovation in plasma-based therapies and other biopharmaceuticals to enhance quality of life. Grifols is focused on treating conditions across a broad range of therapeutic areas: immunology, hepatology and intensive care, pulmonology, hematology, neurology and infectious diseases.
A pioneer in the plasma industry, Grifols continues to grow its network of donation centers, the world's largest with over 400 across North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and China.
As a recognized leader in transfusion medicine, Grifols offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions designed to enhance safety from donation to transfusion, in addition to clinical diagnostic technologies. We provide high-quality biological supplies for life-science research, clinical trials, and for manufacturing pharmaceutical and diagnostic products. In addition, the company supplies tools, information and services that enable hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare professionals to efficiently deliver expert medical care.
Grifols, with more than 27,000 employees in more than 30 countries and regions, is committed to a sustainable business model that sets the standard for continuous innovation, quality, safety, and ethical leadership.
In 2021, Grifols' economic impact in its core countries of operation was EUR 7.7 billion. The company also generated 141,500 jobs, including indirect and induced.
The company's class A shares are listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange, where they are part of the Ibex-35 (MCE: GRF). Grifols non-voting class B shares are listed on the Mercado Continuo (MCE:GRF.P) and on the U.S. NASDAQ through ADRs (NASDAQ: GRFS).
For more information, please visit grifols.com.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
The facts and figures contained in this report that do not refer to historical data are "future projections and assumptions". Words and expressions such as "believe", "hope", "anticipate", "predict", "expect", "intend", "should", "will seek to achieve", "it is estimated", "future" and similar expressions, in so far as they relate to the Grifols group, are used to identify future projections and assumptions. These expressions reflect the assumptions, hypotheses, expectations and predictions of the management team at the time of writing this report, and these are subject to a number of factors that mean that the actual results may be materially different. The future results of the Grifols group could be affected by events relating to its own activities, such as a shortage of supplies of raw materials for the manufacture of its products, the appearance of competitor products on the market, or changes to the regulatory framework of the markets in which it operates, among others. At the date of compiling this report, the Grifols group has adopted the necessary measures to mitigate the potential impact of these events. Grifols, S.A. does not accept any obligation to publicly report, revise or update future projections or assumptions to adapt them to events or circumstances subsequent to the date of writing this report, except where expressly required by the applicable legislation. This document does not constitute an offer or invitation to buy or subscribe shares in accordance with the provisions of the following Spanish legislation: Royal Legislative Decree 4/2015, of 23 October, approving recast text of Securities Market Law; Royal Decree Law 5/2005, of 11 March and/or Royal Decree 1310/2005, of 4 November, and any regulations developing this legislation. In addition, this document does not constitute an offer of purchase, sale or exchange, or a request for an offer of purchase, sale or exchange of securities, or a request for any vote or approval in any other jurisdiction. The information included in this document has not been verified nor reviewed by the external auditors of the Grifols group.
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/847347/Grifols_Logo.jpg
View original content:
SOURCE Grifols | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/grifols-enters-into-agreement-with-canadian-blood-services-accelerate-self-sufficiency-immunoglobulins-canada/ | 2022-09-07T17:56:00Z |
RIVERSIDE, Calif., Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, a federal judge in California issued a landmark decision siding with the California Stem Cell Treatment Center (CSCTC) in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ruling that Cell Surgical Network's innovative surgical procedure that uses patients' stem cells to treat a range of medical conditions does not fall under the FDA's regulatory jurisdiction.
The ruling by The Honorable Judge Jesus G. Bernal of the Central District of California is significant for people seeking to utilize their own stem cells as part of medical treatment as well as the licensed medical doctors who provide stem cell treatments to their patients.
"We appreciate the Court's clear and unequivocal ruling, which affirms what we have been saying for 12 years: that our innovative surgical approach to personal cell therapy is safe and legal," said Dr. Elliott Lander, co-founder of CSCTC. "With this victory behind us, we look forward to refocusing our energy on our practice and harnessing life-changing stem cell treatments to support doctors and benefit patients across the country."
The FDA brought the lawsuit against CSCTC in 2018 in an attempt to assert regulatory authority over stem cell therapies. The agency argued that a physician's use of his patient's own stem cells as part of the medical treatment provided to the patient was equivalent to manufacturing a biological drug product and therefore subject to regulation by the FDA.
The court rejected this argument on Tuesday, ruling that the surgical procedure does not create a new prescription drug. The court wrote: "The adipose tissue Defendants remove from patients clearly consists of human cells. And whatever is injected back into patients as part of Defendants' SVF Surgical Procedure and Expanded MSC Surgical Procedure certainly contains such cells."
Founded in 2010 by Dr. Lander, a surgeon and board-certified urologist, and the late Dr. Mark Berman, a board-certified otolaryngologist and cosmetic surgeon, CSCTC has delivered stem cell therapies to more than 14,000 patients. Its surgical procedure involves the removal of patients' fat tissue to isolate stem cells so that they can be deployed to help repair or replace tissues affected by damage or disease.
About Cell Surgical Network: The California Stem Cell Treatment Center was founded in 2010, and its team of physicians has since been instrumental in advancing the field of regenerative medicine and personal cell therapy. Relying on patients' personal cells, especially those derived from their adipose (fat tissue), CSCT has taken care of thousands of patients, all while collecting valuable, long-term follow-up data to best evaluate these cutting-edge techniques.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Cell Surgical Network | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/federal-judge-enters-judgment-favor-cell-surgical-network-ending-lawsuit-brought-by-fda/ | 2022-09-01T19:46:07Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Young people are following the news but aren’t too happy with what they’re seeing.
Broadly speaking, that’s the conclusion of a study released Wednesday showing 79% of young Americans say they get news daily. The survey of young people ages 16 to 40 — the older of which are known as millennials and the younger Generation Z — was conducted by Media Insight Project, a collaboration between The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the American Press Institute.
The report pokes holes in the idea that young people aren’t interested in news, a perception largely driven by statistics showing older audiences for television news and newspapers.
“They are more engaged in more ways than people give them credit for,” said Michael Bolden, CEO and executive director of the American Press Institute.
An estimated 71% of this age group gets news daily from social media. The social media diet is becoming more varied; Facebook doesn’t dominate the way it used to. About a third or more get news each day from YouTube and Instagram, and about a quarter or more from TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter. Now, 40% say they get news from Facebook daily, compared with 57% of millennials who said that in a 2015 Media Insight Project survey.
Yet 45% also said they get news each day from traditional sources, like television or radio stations, newspapers and news websites.
The poll found that about a quarter of young people say they regularly pay for at least one news product, like print or digital magazines or newspapers, and a similar percentage have donated to at least one nonprofit news organization.
Only 32% say they enjoy following the news. That’s a marked decrease from seven years ago, when 53% of millennials said that. Fewer young people now say they enjoy talking with family and friends about the news.
Other findings, such as people who say they feel worse the longer they spend online or who set time limits on their consumption, point to a weariness with the news, said Tom Rosenstiel, a University of Maryland journalism professor.
“I wasn’t surprised by that,” Bolden said. “It has been a challenging news cycle, especially the last three years.”
About 9 in 10 young people say misinformation about issues and events is a problem, including about 6 in 10 who say it’s a major problem. Most say they’ve been exposed to misinformation themselves.
Asked who they consider most responsible for its spread, young people pointed to social media companies and users, politicians and the media in equal measure.
That may surprise people in the media who believe they are fighting misinformation, and are not part of the problem, Bolden said. A significant number of people disagree.
“Whether that’s accurate or not, the people in this business have to deal with that perception,” he said.
He suggested that it’s important for news organizations to better explain what it is that they do and how coverage decisions are made, along with taking a step back to make clear how government functions, as well as holding leaders to account.
The percentage of people who say “news stories that seem to mostly create conflict rather than help address it” and “media outlets that pass on conspiracy theories and unsubstantiated rumors” are a major problem exceeded the number of people concerned about journalists putting too much opinion in their stories, the survey found.
That would seem to point a finger at cable news outlets that fill air time with debates on particular issues, often pitting people with extreme points of view. New CNN chief executive Chris Licht has recently called on his network to cool the overheated segments.
“There are people who have grown up in this world of political food-fight media, and this is the only world they know,” said Rosenstiel, who worked on the survey as Bolden’s predecessor at the press institute. “They might have heard their parents talk about Walter Cronkite, but they haven’t seen that.”
The topics people ages 16 to 40 say they most follow in the news? Celebrities, music and entertainment, at 49%, and food and cooking, at 48%, top the list. At least a third follow a wide range of other issues, including health and fitness, race and social justice, the environment, health care, education, politics and sports.
___
The AP-NORC poll of 5,975 Americans ages 16-40 was conducted May 18-June 8, using a combined sample of interviews from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population, and interviews from opt-in online panels. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 1.7 percentage points. The AmeriSpeak panel is recruited randomly using address-based sampling methods, and respondents later were interviewed online or by phone. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-survey-finds-young-people-follow-news-but-without-much-joy/ | 2022-08-31T20:02:25Z |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.