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For three days, Johnny Depp has been testifying in a libel trial that, at least in theory, is about whether Amber Heard defamed him in a 2018 newspaper op-ed.
The trial has turned into a spectacle in which Depp has testified about everything from taking pills as a child to a near mental breakdown in which the actor said he used his severed finger to write on the walls in his own blood to recount his ex-wife’s alleged lies.
WHY IS DEPP DOING THIS?
Heard’s lawyers had warned that the trial would be a mudslinging soap operathat would expose the “real Johnny Depp.” Depp denies ever abusing Heard and, despite the public attention brought to his drug use and his violent text messages, he said he’s obsessed with revealing the truth and doesn’t want to disappoint those who’d looked up to him.
“My goal is the truth because it killed me that all these people I had met over the years … that these people would think that I was a fraud,” Depp testified Tuesday.
The actor has said that his movie career suffered after Heard wrote a 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post in which she referred to herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.”
Heard never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp’s lawyers said it was a clear reference to accusations Heard made when she sought a 2016 restraining order against him.
Depp said the accusations and the article made him a Hollywood outcast and cost him his role in the lucrative “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchise.
Heard’s lawyers have argued that Heard’s opinion piece was accurate and didn’t defame him. They’ve said Depp’s ruined reputation was due to his own bad behavior and have argued that The Walt Disney Co. had already decided to ax Depp from “Pirates of the Caribbean” months before the article’s publication.
WHAT ARE HEARD’S ALLEGATIONS?
Heard has accused Depp of physically and sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions before and during their brief marriage, often in situations where she said he drank so much he later blacked out.
Depp said Heard’s allegations of his substance abuse have been “grossly embellished” and that he was never out of control during that time period. The two met in 2009, got married in 2015 and Heard filed for divorce a year later.
Heard’s attorneys have highlighted many text messages Depp sent to friends recounting the copious amount of alcohol and drugs he had taken at a time in which he claims he wasn’t a problematic drinker.
Depp filed a similar lawsuit in England against a newspaper there and lost. The judge there found that Depp assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions and put her in fear for her life multiple times.
Heard is expected to testify later in the trial.
HOW DID DEPP AND HEARD MEET?
Depp and Heard met through the filming of “The Rum Diary,” a 2011 Depp-produced movie based upon an initially unpublished novel by the late Hunter S. Thompson that Depp discovered while going through the gonzo journalist’s papers with Thompson, his friend.
Depp said Heard was the perfect embodiment of the book’s femme fatale character named Chenault. “That’s the Chenault that Hunter wants,” Depp recalled. “Yep, she could definitely kill me.”
They started dating a few years later, with Depp portraying the early part of their relationship as a classic Hollywood romance. Depp would call Heard “Slim,” while she called him “Steve,” nicknames used by the Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall characters in the 1944 film “To Have and Have Not.”
Depp, 58, said he was also cognizant of the age difference between himself and Heard, 36, and compared it to the 25-year gap between Bogart and Bacall.
“I acknowledge the fact I was the old, craggy fogey and she was this beautiful creature,” he said.
HOW DID THEIR MARRIAGE FALL APART?
Depp said things began to change in his marriage when he felt that he “was suddenly just wrong about everything” in Heard’s eyes.
Depp said Heard made little digs at him, demeaned and berated him. The insults escalated into full-fledged circular arguments from which there was “no way in or out,” Depp said. “It was sort of a rapid-fire, sort of endless parade of insults,” Depp said.
Soon after, Heard began physically attacking him, Depp said. He said she once threw two bottles of vodka at him, the second of which exploded and severed his finger to the point where bone was exposed. Depp said he used the resulting blood to write on his walls and recount lies in which he had caught Heard. At the hospital, Depp said he lied to protect Heard and told the doctors that he had injured himself. Heard’s lawyers contend he cut his own finger.
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BOSTON FLIGHT?
One of the chief points in contention is what occurred on a 2014 private flight from Boston to Los Angeles that Depp and Heard took while he was filming the gangster film “Black Mass.”
Heard has said Depp assaulted her on the flight while he was blackout drunk.
Depp testified he took two oxycodone pills — an opiate to which he admits he was addicted at the time — and locked himself in the plane bathroom and fell asleep to avoid her badgering.
He told the court that he drank only a glass of Champagne while boarding the flight. But texts he sent to the actor Paul Bettany at the time referenced drinking half a bottle of whiskey, “a thousand Red Bull vodkas” and two bottles of Champagne before the flight.
Heard’s attorneys have also pointed to text messages Depp sent to Heard after the flight, saying, “Once again I find myself in a place of shame and regret. … I must get better.”
WHAT ELSE DID DEPP TEXT?
Heard’s attorneys have focused on text messages Depp sent to Bettany in which he expressed a desire to kill and defile Heard.
After saying he wanted to burn her, Depp wrote, “Let’s drown her before we burn her!!! I will (expletive) her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she’s dead.”
Depp has apologized to the jury for the vulgar language and said that “in the heat of the pain I was feeling, I went to dark places.” He also compared his writing to Thompson’s gonzo style, which often incorporated brash language and embellished thoughts.
MOMENTS OF LEVITY
Despite the dark accusations and profane text messages being read to the court, Depp’s testimony has on occasion featured humorous moments.
Asked whether he would sometimes drink whiskey in the morning, Depp responded, “I mean, isn’t happy hour any time?”
And asked whether he had ever given pills to musician Marilyn Manson, Depp conceded that he once gave Manson a pill to get him to “stop talking so much.”
Depp also admitted that he’s never watched “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” the 2003 megahit in which he played the unhinged Captain Jack Sparrow. Asked how the film fared, Depp smiled and said, “I didn’t see it, but … well, the film did pretty well, apparently.”
And then there’s the bizarre matter of the alleged penis vandalism. Heard’s attorney repeatedly asked Depp whether he was responsible for drawing a penis on a painting inside his home shortly after the actor said Heard severed his finger. “Drawing a penis on a painting was not the first thing on my mind,” Depp testified.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING IN VIRGINIA?
The trial is taking place in Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia.
Heard’s lawyers had sought to have the case tried in California, where the actors reside. But a judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case in Virginia because The Washington Post’s computer servers for its online edition are located in the county.
Depp’s lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/explainer-johnny-depps-wild-testimony-cross-examination/ | 2022-04-23T17:29:12Z |
Addition of Firm Focusing on High-Net-Worth Clients Brings Wealth Enhancement Group's Total Client Assets to More Than $55 Billion
MINNEAPOLIS, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wealth Enhancement Group, an independent wealth management firm, today announced the acquisition of Kings Point Capital Management, LLC, ("Kings Point"), an independent RIA with offices in Great Neck, New York and Brentwood, Tennessee. Kings Point's team of five advisors and 11 support staff oversee $1.7 billion in client assets. The partnership builds on Wealth Enhancement Group's continued growth, bringing its total client assets to $55 billion.
Jeff Dekko, Chief Executive Officer of Wealth Enhancement Group, said, "Kings Point has built a tremendously successful business by delivering customized solutions to their high-net-worth clients. This is a business model Wealth Enhancement Group understands well and embraces. Our financial planning-driven platform and service approach is a perfect fit for Kings Point's advisors, staff and clients, so I'm excited to work with this team and help them build on an already impressive operation."
Jack L. Salzman, Senior Managing Partner and Jeffrey P. Bates, Managing Partner, leveraged their years of experience serving as Goldman Sachs executives to found Kings Point as an independent RIA in 2005. With support from Jake A. Marshall, IV, Partner, and the team, Kings Point has grown by serving the investment management needs of wealthy individuals, multi-generational families, small business owners, endowments, foundations and trusts. Kings Point, in part, has built its reputation by actively managing concentrated portfolios that focus on tax efficiency. This is Wealth Enhancement Group's fifth closed acquisition in 2022.
Mr. Salzman said, "As a firm that values high-touch service, personal attention and data analytics, we took our time to search for the right partner. We found the ideal match in Wealth Enhancement Group, whose team immediately understood our philosophy of service and embraced our unique investment management approach."
Mr. Bates added, "We look forward to the added tools, systems and flexibility they will make available as we continue to strive to provide our clients the absolute best service possible."
Commenting on the partnership, Jim Cahn, Wealth Enhancement Group's Chief Investments & Business Development Officer, said, "We are thrilled that Kings Point chose to join forces with Wealth Enhancement Group. With more than 80 years of combined industry experience, Jack and Jeffrey are true leaders in the RIA space. We are honored to provide them with the additional scale and resources they need to continue competing in the evolving wealth management industry."
Mr. Salzman will serve as Director of Fundamental Research, directing individual stock research of Wealth Enhancement Group's investment team.
DeVoe & Company, a leading strategy and M&A consulting company serving the RIA industry, supported Kings Point Capital Management in its decision to join forces with Wealth Enhancement Group.
Wealth Enhancement Group is a Greater Minneapolis-based independent wealth management firm offering comprehensive and customized financial planning and investment management services. Founded in 1997, Wealth Enhancement Group serves clients nationwide. Wealth Enhancement Group specializes in providing retail clients with the team-based knowledge and resources they need to simplify their financial life. For more information, please visit www.wealthenhancement.com.
Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC (WEAS), a registered investment advisor. Certain, but not all, investment advisor representatives (IARs) of WEAS are also registered representatives of and offer securities through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services are separate entities from LPL Financial. Wealth Enhancement Group is a registered trademark of Wealth Enhancement Group, LLC.
Wealth Enhancement Group and its Registered Investment Advisor, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, had $53.3 billion in client brokerage and advisory assets as of 3/31/2022. Kings Point Capital Management had over $1.7 billion in client brokerage and advisory assets as of 3/31/2022. With the addition of previously announced acquisitions and the acquisition of Kings Point Capital Management, Wealth Enhancement Group expects to have over $55 billion in client brokerage, advisory and trust assets as of May 31, 2022.
Media Contacts
Joseph Kuo / Donald Cutler
Haven Tower Group
424 317 4851 or 424 317 4864
jkuo@haventower.com or dcutler@haventower.com
Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC (WEAS), a registered investment advisor. Certain, but not all, investment advisor representatives (IARs) of WEAS are also registered representatives of and offer securities through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Wealth Enhancement Group
and WEAS are separate entities from LPL. Wealth Enhancement Group is a registered trademark of Wealth Enhancement Group, LLC.
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SOURCE Wealth Enhancement Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/wealth-enhancement-group-joins-forces-with-kings-point-capital-management-new-york-tennessee-based-independent-ria-with-17-billion-client-assets/ | 2022-06-02T10:16:23Z |
Patient-Focused Health Network, VIPcare, Opens New Primary Care Clinic to Provide Better Health to the Medicare Advantage Community
TAMPA, Fla., April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- VIPcare, a patient-focused primary care network based in Florida, is excited to announce the opening of their new local clinic in Mt. Dora.
With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community health resulting in a national epidemic of delayed health screenings and worsened chronic conditions, VIPcare has adapted to the risks and has remained committed to delivering the first line of care in communities. In addition, they have successfully and safely maintained continuity of care to their patients with both preventive and routine care.
"It is very exciting being able to open the doors to a new revolutionary healthcare facility that will provide first-class primary care services to the Medicare Advantage community of Mt. Dora," Dr. Boloczko of VIPcare Mt. Dora said. "I'm excited to see new patients and join them on their health care journey to Better Health."
VIPcare uses a model that puts quality time spent between a doctor and patient at the forefront. By spending more time with the physician, VIPcare believes patients will get more thorough diagnoses and treatments, leading to a better quality of life and less time spent in the hospital.
Unlike other healthcare providers, VIPcare encourages patients to see their physicians often where highly specialized care is created just for them and their specific needs.
In efforts to guide patients to Better Health, VIPcare helps to eliminate potential health care burdens during this time of uncertainty by offering services including same-day appointments, transportation assistance to and from clinics, and virtual visits when needed. VIPcare physicians are dedicated to always doing what needs to be done to provide a better experience and the highest quality of care to their patients. They believe in quality, not quantity.
VIPcare primary care physicians walk side-by-side with their patients, providing them with access to comprehensive health care services allowing them to take a proactive role in their own health care journey.
The new VIPcare clinic, which is located at 16860 U.S. 441, is now accepting patients who receive Medicare Advantage plan benefits. Those interested can call the office at 352-717-9017 or visit getvipcare.com to learn more.
Serving communities for more than 15 years, VIPcare operates over 45 clinics throughout Florida. With 65+ providers, VIPcare cares for more than 23,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries utilizing a high-touch population health management approach that prioritizes spending quality time with the physician. By focusing on a senior care model and increasing access to high-quality care, VIPcare's model is at the forefront of the future of healthcare, as opposed to the current system the healthcare organization refers to as "sick care." VIPcare patients are encouraged to see the doctor often instead of only when they are sick, contributing to their success towards patient outcomes.
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SOURCE VIPcare | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/18/new-65-primary-care-clinic-mt-dora-raising-standard-healthcare/ | 2022-04-18T18:23:39Z |
Coachmen Apex is Known for their LightWeight Luxury RVs that are Loaded with Amenities
LEXINGTON, N.C., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The founders of Country Roads RV Center are proud to announce that they have been an authorized dealer for the Coachmen Apex line of RVs for 11 years.
To learn more about Country Roads RV Center, please visit. https://www.crrvc.com/apex-rv-dealer-by-country-roads-rv-center/
As a company spokesperson noted, since Country Roads RV Center opened its doors in 2008 the company has strived to offer only the highest quality, 5th wheels, travel trailers, and toy haulers.
Now, as one of the largest dealers in the state, Country Roads RV Center has grown to offer a full service and parts department. The family-owned and operated dealership strives to give their customers the most enjoyable experience possible.
"Our mission is to provide high-quality new and used RVs to our customers. At the same time, we understand that travel trailers, 5th wheels, and motorhomes are not created equally. Because of this, we do a thorough analysis of new product lines we carry prior to making the decision to place them in our inventory," the spokesperson noted, adding that after reviewing the Apex makes and models, it was an easy decision to add these outstanding RVs to their lineup of products
The Apex 245BHS is a unique 7'6" wide bunk floorplan that weighs only 4600 pounds. It has 2 oversize bunks and a u-shaped dinette in the deep slide. Great plan for a young family.
As the family grows, step up to the new 256BHS with more room, a larger slide, and a full-size sofa. Both plans have outside kitchens.
As one of the largest dealers in the state, Country Roads RV Center carries many different lines of 5th Wheels, Travel-Trailers, and Toy Haulers, as well as a full service and parts department. Family-owned and operated, they strive to give their customers the most enjoyable experience possible. For more information, please visit https://www.crrvc.com.
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SOURCE Country Roads RV Center, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/country-roads-rv-center-celebrates-11-years-an-authorized-dealer-coachmen-apex/ | 2022-08-15T23:33:17Z |
Senior Executive Will Drive Innovation and Growth Through Firm's Unified Technology Platform
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pretium, a specialized investment firm with over $45 billion in assets under management, today announced the appointment of Ramki Ramaswamy as Chief Digital and Technology Officer, effective immediately. In this role, Mr. Ramaswamy will leverage technology across Pretium's operating and portfolio companies to maintain the firm's industry-leading competitive advantage and to drive additional business value as Pretium scales. He will be a member of the firm's Executive Committee.
Mr. Ramaswamy brings more than two decades of experience overseeing the development and implementation of information technology and broader digital strategies across complex, high-growth businesses. He joins Pretium from Boeing, where he most recently served as the Chief Information Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing all digital strategy, developing innovative technological solutions and modernizing systems. Prior to Boeing, Mr. Ramaswamy was the Vice President of IT, Technology and Integrations for JetBlue, where he led the technological development across cloud, big data, artificial intelligence and agile solutions to build revenue and increase customer satisfaction.
"Pretium is entering a new era of technological innovation. As we continue to deploy a growing base of capital across Pretium's complementary investment strategies, technology and the scalability of our platforms will play a critical role in our ongoing success, including our ability to consistently deliver value to our stakeholders," said Don Mullen, Founder and CEO of Pretium. "Ramki has a proven track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering innovative digital solutions for multifaceted, high-growth businesses. I am thrilled to welcome him to the team to build Pretium's technology roadmap for the future."
"I am honored to join Pretium and work alongside a team so clearly focused on their mission," said Mr. Ramaswamy. "Throughout my career, I have seen the importance of unified technologies, systems and operations as companies grow. I am looking forward to contributing across the Pretium ecosystem."
Earlier in his career, Mr. Ramaswamy held various application development and software delivery roles at JD Power, Citigroup's Global Wealth Management business and Standard & Poor's Equity Research division. Mr. Ramaswamy holds a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology.
About Pretium
Pretium is a specialized investment firm focused on U.S. residential real estate, residential credit, and corporate credit. Pretium was founded in 2012 to capitalize on secular investment and lending opportunities arising as a result of structural changes, disruptions, and inefficiencies within the economy. Pretium has built an integrated analytical and operational ecosystem within the U.S. housing, residential credit, and corporate credit markets, and believes that its insight and experience within these markets create a strategic advantage over other investment managers. Pretium's platform has over $45 billion of assets and employs approximately 4,000 people across 30 offices, including London and Dubai. Please visit www.pretium.com for additional information.
Contacts:
Jon Keehner / Kate Thompson / Lyle Weston
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449
Media-SFR@pretium.com
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SOURCE Pretium | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/pretium-adds-ramki-ramaswamy-chief-digital-technology-officer/ | 2022-07-18T16:24:20Z |
HARRISONBURG, Va., Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidelines for over-the-counter hearing aids, approved Tuesday, Aug. 16, by the Food and Drug Administration, will make the devices much more accessible to the general public starting this fall, but how prepared are people to make good choices?
James Madison University researcher Ayasakanta Rout, who runs the only university-based laboratory in Virginia that researches hearing aids, says the relatively low cost of over-the-counter hearing aids will be the biggest benefit.
Cost is the primary barrier preventing people from getting them, a cost not covered by Medicare or most insurance companies, said Rout, director of JMU's doctoral program in audiology. Until the rule change, getting hearing aids required a hearing care provider's prescription and cost thousands of dollars. Making them available over the counter could make them available for hundreds of dollars, Rout said.
While over-the-counter devices will cost less, consumers won't have the expertise of an audiologist to select the proper device and to program them to match individual hearing losses, Rout cautions. The proposed over-the-counter devices are meant to help adults with mild to moderate degrees of hearing loss and are likely to provide basic amplification without many of the signal processing features currently available in advanced hearing aids.
Hearing loss affects about 38 million people and is a gradual process for most people, Rout said, and chronic hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition in the U.S. behind arthritis and cardiovascular issues. Hearing loss begins for people in their 20s, but generally is not noticeable until people reach their 60s.
"Once you start to lose hearing, it is irreversible," Rout said.
Congress passed a law in 2017 directing the FDA to draft the regulations.
The primary focus of the Hearing Aid Research Laboratory at JMU is to evaluate the benefits derived from high-end signal processing and user satisfaction with hearing aids. Other areas of research include perceived sound quality in individuals with cochlear hearing loss, and electroacoustic characteristics of hearing aids. The lab also works with the hearing aid industry to conduct efficacy and benchmarking studies on existing and emerging technologies.
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SOURCE James Madison University | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/22/cutting-through-noise-about-over-the-counter-hearing-aids/ | 2022-08-22T18:48:13Z |
SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Reagan Foundation and Institute mourns the loss of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who once was a political adversary of Ronald Reagan's who ended up becoming a friend.
President Reagan was a devoted anti-communist who was never afraid to say what needed to be said or do what needed to be done to bring freedom to people who were living under repressive regimes. It was General Secretary Gorbachev with whom President Reagan would finally have that long-sought opportunity to form a relationship which led to a lessening of tensions between Washington and Moscow, and eventually to meaningful arms reduction.
Following the historic signing of the INF Treaty in 1987 and the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, relations between the United States and Soviet Union would never be the same again. Against all odds, "Ron and Mikhail," as they eventually came to call each other, had found a way to make the planet safer together. As President Reagan wrote in his handwritten personal diary about the two men's initial correspondence, "[it] showed what was to become the foundation of not only a better relationship between our countries, but a friendship between two men." When Secretary General Gorbachev attended President Reagan's state funeral in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Reagan was extremely touched. It was yet one more confirmation that the two men had really formed a friendship and not just a business relationship.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gorbachev family and the people of Russia during this difficult time.
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SOURCE The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/statement-by-fred-ryan-chairman-board-ronald-reagan-presidential-foundation-institute-death-former-general-secretary-mikhail-gorbachev/ | 2022-08-31T06:34:08Z |
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Etsy, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETSY), which operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world, today announced virtual participation including a webcasted fireside chat at the Oppenheimer 25th Annual Technology, Internet & Communications Conference on August 9, 2022 at 1:15pm ET. The live webcast and replay of this session will be featured on our IR website at investors.etsy.com.
Etsy, Inc. operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world. These marketplaces share a mission to "Keep Commerce Human," and we're committed to using the power of business and technology to strengthen communities and empower people. Our primary marketplace, Etsy.com, is the global destination for unique and creative goods. Buyers come to Etsy to be inspired and delighted by items that are crafted and curated by creative entrepreneurs. For sellers, we offer a range of tools and services that address key business needs.
Etsy, Inc.'s "House of Brands" portfolio also includes fashion resale marketplace Depop, musical instrument marketplace Reverb, and Brazil based handmade goods marketplace Elo7. Each Etsy, Inc. marketplace operates independently, while benefiting from shared expertise in product, marketing, technology, and customer support.
Etsy was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.
Etsy has used, and intends to continue using, its Investor Relations website and the Etsy News Blog (etsy.com/news) to disclose material nonpublic information and to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, you should monitor our investor relations website and the Etsy News Blog in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.
Investor Relations Contact:
Deb Wasser, Vice President, Investor Relations & ESG Engagement
Jessica Schmidt, Sr. Director, Investor Relations
ir@etsy.com
Media Relations Contact:
Sarah Marx, Director, Corporate Communications
press@etsy.com
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SOURCE Etsy | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/etsy-participate-upcoming-investor-conference/ | 2022-08-02T21:34:20Z |
PITTSBURGH, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a simple way to house and display both fish and land reptiles/amphibians in one convenient place," said an inventor, from Cleveland, Ohio, "so I invented the AQUATRIUM. My design enables you to maintain and view both living environments."
The patent-pending invention provides a unique aquarium/terrarium containment for fish and land animals. In doing so, it eliminates the need to purchase, set up and maintain two separate tanks. As a result, it enables you to easily house both animals together and it increases visibility. The invention features a functional design that is easy to use so it is ideal for fish tanks owners, freshwater or saltwater aquarists and terrarium enthusiasts. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Cleveland sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-DKC-206, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/inventhelp-inventor-develops-new-aquariumterrarium-containment-dkc-206/ | 2022-06-06T16:43:08Z |
World Champion Magnus Carlsen returns to Saint Louis, MO
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The seventh edition of the Grand Chess Tour (GCT), a series of five elite chess tournaments held across the globe, will return to America's Chess Capital at the Saint Louis Chess Club from August 25 - 30, 2022. The Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz will kick off the festivities with 10 of the world's best chess players competing for $175,000 in prize money. The 2022 Grand Chess Tour will conclude with the prestigious Sinquefield Cup from September 1 - 12, 2022; it will be the second classical tournament on the tour, bookending the three rapid & blitz events. The reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen will headline the Sinquefield Cup as the wildcard player, where he will be joined by the nine full tour GCT players competing for the $350,000 total prize fund. The Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz and Sinquefield Cup tournaments are sponsored by the Saint Louis Chess Club.
"The Sinquefield Cup is one of the longest running international chess tournaments to be held in the United States," said Tony Rich, Executive Director of Saint Louis Chess Club. "We are proud to once again host the final leg of the 2022 Grand Chess Tour at the Saint Louis Chess Club. Our fans are sure to be thrilled to watch their favorite chess grandmasters compete in over 14 days of exhilarating rapid, blitz and classical chess."
The Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz will host 10 of the top players from around the world including World Number 3, Alireza Firouzja and the 2022 Superbet Chess Classic winner, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The tournament will showcase eight GCT full tour players and two wildcards, American favorites Hikaru Nakamura and Sam Shankland. The Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz will be played as a rapid round robin and blitz double round robin format. This will be the fourth stop on the 2022 Grand Chess Tour.
The Sinquefield Cup will be the last event played on the Grand Chess Tour this season. The nine full-tour players will be joined by World Champion Magnus Carlsen in a 10-player classical round robin.
The top three finishers in this year's Tour automatically qualify to play in the 2023 Grand Chess Tour. If a playoff is required to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd places of the 2022 Grand Chess Tour, it will occur on Monday, September 12th at 1:00pm CT. The top three finishers are also competing for the $150,000 in GCT bonus prizes.
This year, the Sinquefield Cup Opening ceremony date also falls on the 50th anniversary of the American Bobby Fischer's historic win over the Russian Boris Spassky in the legendary 1972 World Chess Championship, ending 24 years of Soviet dominance in the sport. The Sinquefield Cup Opening Ceremony will be held on September 1st from 5:30pm - 7:30pm at World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park and will be open to the public. Learn more and purchase tickets.
Due to local COVID-19 restrictions live spectators will not be allowed in the tournament hall but fans can watch the full broadcast online or at the Saint Louis Chess Club featuring a Grandmaster commentary team of Yasser Seirawan, Cristian Chirila and Peter Svidler for the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz and Yasswer Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez and Peter Svidler for the Sinquefield Cup. Watch all the rounds daily at 12:50 p.m. CT exclusively on grandchesstour.org and on the Saint Louis Chess Club's YouTube and Twitch.tv channels.
About the Grand Chess Tour
The Grand Chess Tour is a circuit of international events, each demonstrating the highest level of organization for the world's best players. The legendary Garry Kasparov, one of the world's greatest ambassadors for chess, inspired the Grand Chess Tour and helped solidify the partnership between the organizers. All Grand Chess Tour 2022 events will comply with local and regional COVID-19 restrictions. For more information about the tour, please visit grandchesstour.org.
About the Saint Louis Chess Club
The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.
Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit saintlouischessclub.org.
About the Superbet Foundation
Founded in 2019, Superbet Foundation is a nonprofit organization. Its role is to coordinate Superbet Group's CSR activities and to connect with civil society organizations and the general public. Through its activity, the Foundation strives for a better world, with healthy and educated people and by supporting various projects it wants to inspire people to hold unbreakable moral values. It supports projects in domains like education, health, culture, performance in sport and, most notably, in chess. Since 2019, chess has become one of the backbones of Superbet Foundation by organizing its first tournament of the Grand Chess Tour in Bucharest. The Foundation is committed to turning GCT tournaments into a tradition for the Romanian and Polish chess communities. For more information, visit superchess.ro.
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SOURCE Saint Louis Chess Club | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/worlds-best-chess-players-return-saint-louis-saint-louis-rapid-amp-blitz-sinquefield-cup-tournaments-august-25-september-12/ | 2022-08-26T23:59:04Z |
MIAMI, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand Institute is proud to announce having worked with Myovant Sciences in developing the brand name ORGOVYX® (relugolix), for an oral medication used to treat adult patients with advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
ORGOVYX® was developed by Myovant Sciences and is the first and only oral androgen deprivation therapy available in Europe for the treatment of advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for ORGOVYX® in all member states of the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Norway. ORGOVYX® received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of adult patients with advanced prostate cancer in December 2020.
"The entire Brand Institute and Drug Safety Institute team congratulates Myovant Sciences on the EC approval for ORGOVYX," said Brand Institute's Chairman and C.E.O., James L. Dettore.
Brand Institute is the global leader in pharmaceutical and healthcare-related name development, with a portfolio of over 3,800 marketed healthcare brand names, 1,200 USAN/INN nonproprietary names for 1,100 clients. The company partners on over 75% of pharmaceutical brand and nonproprietary name approvals globally every year with healthcare manufacturers. Drug Safety Institute is composed of former naming regulatory officials from global government health agencies, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Health Canada (HC), American Medical Association (AMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). These regulatory experts co-authored the name review guidelines while with their respective agencies, with many responsible for ultimately approving (or rejecting) brand name applications. Now working for a private company, these professionals provide Brand Institute's clients with industry-leading guidance pertaining to drug name safety (i.e., preventing medication errors), packaging, and labeling.
Contact:
James Dettore
Chairman & C.E.O.
jdettore@brandinstitute.com
www.brandinstitute.com
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SOURCE Brand Institute, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/brand-institute-partners-brand-name-development-european-commission-approved-treatment-advanced-hormone-sensitive-prostate-cancer/ | 2022-06-17T14:37:08Z |
Equity Union's Matthew Karic and Andrew Dinsky, of The Dinsky Team secured the buyer in the significant real estate transaction.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Equity Union announced its agents, Matthew Karic and Andrew Dinsky closed escrow on celebrity, Alyson Hannigan's home in Encino for a record $16 Million, representing the buyers. It's the most ever paid for a home on the market in Encino, California.
"The Sherman Residence" designed by famed architect Peter Tolkin sits on 3.26 acres south of Ventura Boulevard. The house is made up of series of board-formed concrete wood and glass pavilions connected by gallery spaces that together define a central courtyard.
"When my client's expressed interest in this property, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to show them this one-of-a-kind home. It's a true jewel in Los Angeles" – Matthew Karic. The Dinsky Team is one of the San Fernando Valley's most successful teams with sales of over $120 Million in 2021 and one of the top teams at Equity Union.
"I'm very proud of Matthew and Andrew on this incredible and record-breaking sale. This stunning property is unlike anything on the market in the San Fernando Valley and it's amazing to have their sale in the records under our Luxury Division at Equity Union," said Harma Hartouni, CEO of Equity Union.
About Equity Union: Founded by Harma Hartouni, groundbreaking REALTOR® and inspiring author of the memoir Getting Back Up, Equity Union was created to be a completely unique real estate company. With an unparalleled commitment to service, integrity and excellence, we're ready to both inspire your vision and help you bring it to life.
Contact:
Dan Stueve
+13105955875
dan@equityunion.com
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SOURCE Equity Union | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/equity-union-luxury-properties-celebrates-record-sale-alyson-hannigans-home/ | 2022-09-01T19:06:39Z |
BEIJING, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weibo Corporation (NASDAQ: WB and HKEX: 9898), a leading social media for people to create, share and discover content, will announce its unaudited financial results for the second quarter 2022 before the U.S. market opens on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Following the announcement, Weibo's management team will host a conference call from 7 AM – 8 AM Eastern Time on September 1, 2022 (or 7 PM – 8 PM Beijing Time on September 1, 2022) to present an overview of the Company's financial performance and business operations.
Participants who wish to dial in to the teleconference must register through the below public participant link. Dial in and instruction will be in the confirmation email upon registering.
Participants Registration Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIafafec22bbd342a7aa40d105c47d0e6b
This call will be webcast live and the replay will be available for 12 months. Both will be available through the Company's corporate website at http://ir.weibo.com.
About Weibo Corporation
Weibo is a leading social media for people to create, share and discover content online. Weibo combines the means of public self-expression in real time with a powerful platform for social interaction, content aggregation and content distribution. Any user can create and post a feed and attach multi-media and long-form content. User relationships on Weibo may be asymmetric; any user can follow any other user and add comments to a feed while reposting. This simple, asymmetric and distributed nature of Weibo allows an original feed to become a live viral conversation stream.
Weibo enables its advertising and marketing customers to promote their brands, products and services to users. Weibo offers a wide range of advertising and marketing solutions to companies of all sizes. The Company generates a substantial majority of its revenues from the sale of advertising and marketing services, including the sale of social display advertisement and promoted marketing offerings. Designed with a "mobile first" philosophy, Weibo displays content in a simple information feed format and offers native advertisement that conform to the information feed on our platform. To support the mobile format, we have developed and continuously refining our social interest graph recommendation engine, which enables our customers to perform people marketing and target audiences based on user demographics, social relationships, interests and behaviors, to achieve greater relevance, engagement and marketing effectiveness
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to, among other things, Weibo's expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans (as described, without limitation, in the "Business Outlook" section and in quotations from management in this press release. Weibo may also make forward-looking statements in the Company's periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology, such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "confidence," "estimates" and similar statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Weibo's limited operating history in certain new businesses; failure to grow active user base and the level of user engagement; the uncertain regulatory landscape in China; fluctuations in the Company's quarterly operating results; the Company's reliance on advertising and marketing sales for a majority of its revenues; failure to successfully develop, introduce, drive adoption of or monetize new features and products; failure to compete effectively for advertising and marketing spending; failure to successfully integrate acquired businesses; risks associated with the Company's investments, including equity pick-up and impairment; failure to compete successfully against new entrants and established industry competitors; changes in the macro-economic environment, including the depreciation of the Renminbi; and adverse changes in economic and political policies of the PRC government and its impact on the Chinese economy. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Weibo's annual report on Form 20-Fs and other filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date hereof, and Weibo assumes no obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
Contact:
Investor Relations
Weibo Corporation
Phone: +86 10 5898-3336
Email: ir@staff.weibo.com
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SOURCE Weibo Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/weibo-corporation-report-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-september-1-2022/ | 2022-08-16T10:07:09Z |
Put on your walking shoes and don't forget your step counter: You can reduce your risk for cancer, heart disease and early death by getting up to 10,000 steps a day, but any amount of walking helps, according to a new study.
Health benefits rose with every step, the study found, but peaked at 10,000 steps -- after that the effects faded. Counting steps may be especially important for people who do unstructured, unplanned physical activity such as house work, gardening and dog walks.
"Notably, we detected an association between incidental steps (steps taken to go about daily life) and a lower risk of both cancer and heart disease," noted study coauthor Borja del Pozo Cruz, an adjunct associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense, Denmark, and senior researcher in health sciences for the University of Cadiz in Spain.
"By and large, I think the study is well done and it certainly continues to add to the foundation of knowledge that tells us exercise is good stuff," said Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado. He was not involved in the research.
"Physical activity is just absolutely magnificent," Freeman said. "And when if you blend that with eating a more plant-based diet, de-stressing, sleeping enough and connecting with others -- that's your magic recipe. It's the fountain of youth, if you will."
Walking helps dementia too
Del Pozo Cruz and his team recently published a similar study that found walking 10,000 steps a day lowered risk for dementia by 50%. Risk decreased by 25% with as few as 3,800 steps a day, according to the previous study.
However, if walking occurred at a brisk pace of 112 steps a minute for 30 minutes, it maximized risk reduction, leading to a 62% reduction in dementia risk. The 30 minutes of fast-paced walking didn't have to occur all at once, either -- it could be spread out over the day.
"Our take is that intensity of stepping matters -- over and above volume," said del Pozo Cruz via email.
The new study, published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, followed 78,500 people between the ages of 40 and 79 from England, Scotland and Wales who wore wrist step counters for 24 hours a day over a seven day stretch.
After counting each person's total number of steps each day, researchers placed them into two categories: Fewer than 40 steps per minute -- which is more of an amble, like when you're walking from room to room -- and more than 40 steps per minute, or so-called "purposeful" walking.
A third category was created for peak performers -- those who took the most steps per minute within 30 minutes over the course of a day (although, again, those 30 minutes did not have to occur in sequence).
About seven years later, researchers compared that data to medical records and found people who took the most steps per minute -- in this case, approximately 80 steps per minute -- showed the biggest reduction in risk for cancer, heart disease and early death from any cause.
Researchers found the association between peak 30-minute steps and risk reduction to be dependent on the disease studied.
"We observed a 62% reduction for dementia: This figure was almost 80% for CVD mortality and incidence and much less (approx. 20%) for cancer," del Pozo Cruz said via email.
"This may be related with specific pathways by which physical activity is beneficial," he said. "It pushes the body in general: can generate more muscle, a bigger heart and a better fitness, all of which are known protective factors for cardiovascular disease and cancer, and other health issues too."
Get breathless
What's the takeaway? You don't have to fixate on the numbers of steps (unless you really want to), Freeman said.
"Does every step count? Absolutely. And we know that brisk walking each day brings on extra benefits in terms of blood pressure reduction and cardiovascular training and so forth," said Freeman, who was the founding chair of the American College of Cardiology's Nutrition & Lifestyle workgroup.
"But the truth is, the same goal has always applied: Challenge yourself at whatever fitness level you're at. Obviously check with your doctor first, but your goal is to become breathless for 30 minutes each day."
What is breathlessness as it applies to exercise? It's not gasping and panting so hard you can barely breathe. Instead, breathlessness is when you are walking with someone, they talk to you, and you have a bit of trouble talking back, Freeman said.
"Spend 30 minutes being breathless at whatever pace you're at, and then keep challenging yourself to be slightly unsatisfied at your current level so you can get better and better," Freeman said.
Being more physically active often jumpstarts other healthy habits, such as an improved diet, and discourages unhealthy ones, such as smoking, he added.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/features/health/walking-can-lower-risk-of-early-death-but-theres-more-to-it-than-number-of/article_ce89eec2-3ab7-5ce8-a909-366a5db2ca22.html | 2022-09-12T17:51:06Z |
Part of a foot, in a shoe, spotted in Yellowstone hot spring
Published: Aug. 18, 2022 at 12:18 PM CDT|Updated: 33 minutes ago
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park officials are investigating after an employee spotted part of a foot, in a shoe, floating in a hot spring in the southern part of the park.
Officials say the discovery on Tuesday led to the temporary closure of the West Thumb Geyser Basin and its parking lot. The area has since reopened.
Park officials had no more information about the discovery to make public on Thursday.
The shoe was spotted in Abyss Pool, a 53-foot-deep hot spring west of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake with a temperature of about 140 degrees.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/18/part-foot-shoe-spotted-yellowstone-hot-spring/ | 2022-08-18T17:53:09Z |
Kongregate's Developer Fund aims to inspire innovative, new experiences with grants for developers bringing blockchain games to Kongregate.com
SAN DIEGO, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kongregate, creators of the beloved web gaming platform Kongregate.com and a pioneering blockchain game developer, and Immutable X, Ethereum's leading Layer 2 (L2) scaling solution, continue to build on their partnership. Today, they announced a $40 million fund consisting of an IMX token pool that will be awarded as grants to blockchain game integrations on Kongregate.com. Kongregate.com is relaunching later this year to become the premier destination for blockchain games from both established and indie developers and home to a new generation of gamers.
Kongregate, which was founded in 2006, has a long history of developing and showcasing fun and innovative game experiences across platforms and technologies. With the relaunch of Kongregate.com for web3 coming later this year, the company stays true to its roots in game advocacy, community development and indie developer support by cultivating one of the game industry's most inclusive spaces for developer innovation, lively community interaction and game discovery. Developers will benefit from its end-to-end integration solution to ensure that each game on the platform is a fun and engaging experience for players. This includes a blockchain SDK, game design and tokenomics consultations, and community growth services.
"With the relaunch of Kongregate.com for web3, we're once again creating a destination unlike any other for developers and gamers to come together to discover, chat about and play games!" said Max Murphy, Kongregate's Chief Technology Officer. "As gamers ourselves who have long been dedicated to what made the original site so fun and special for millions of community members worldwide, we're excited to reopen doors with new, sustainable technology that enables players to uniquely experience and be a part of the games they dedicate their time to."
"We want our players to be owners in their personal gaming journeys," said Markus Lipp, Kongregate's Chief Executive Officer. "Blockchain technology allows us to give them a deeper experience in ways not possible with traditional games, from enabling players to help to shape what comes next in the storylines they love to being able to maintain their unique character across titles. Through our continued partnership with Immutable X, we're ensuring that our players have the best NFT experience possible with technology that brings true innovation to gameplay, while also ensuring it's green and scalable."
"As an early innovator in web-based gaming, we've been proud of our partnership with Kongregate to help power the next generation of blockchain games," said Robbie Ferguson, Co-Founder and President, Immutable. "With today's launch of our blockchain developer fund, we're excited to deepen our relationship with Kongregate as we work together to attract the best and brightest developers to build new titles on Kongregate's relaunched web3 platform."
We will be sharing more about our plans with developers currently on the platform soon; for new developers interested in learning more, please reach out to bd@kongregate.com to be added to our mailing list.
About Kongregate Inc
Kongregate is a leading game developer and architect of the gaming portal Kongregate.com. Formed in 2006 as a platform for amplifying indie game developers and building passionate gaming communities, Kongregate has always put developers and players first. Today, the company is focused on bringing fun gaming experiences to players around the world using the latest technologies for web3 and traditional platforms. Its mobile games have been downloaded hundreds of millions of times and have billions of gameplays. Kongregate is a part of leading international digital entertainment group MTG and has three offices across the United States: San Diego, Portland, and Chicago.
Kongregate social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, Discord
About Immutable X
Immutable X is the leading Layer 2 scaling solution for NFTs to enable gas-free minting and trading, while not compromising the security of the most used blockchain globally for NFTs, Ethereum. The solution, powered by StarkWare's innovative technology, offers instant trade confirmation, massive scalability (up to 9,000 transactions per second), and a fantastic developer and user experience. Immutable X has announced integrations with established marketplaces such as OpenSea and Mintable, and is powering some of the largest NFT plays across consumer apps (TikTok), DeFi (SuperFarm), and gaming (Highrise, ESL Gaming, Ember Sword, Planet Quest, Gods Unchained, Guild of Guardians, GreenPark Sports, Illuvium, MyCryptoHeroes+).
To learn more about Immutable, visit: https://www.immutable.com/
Immutable social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, Medium
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SOURCE Immutable X | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/kongregate-immutable-x-reveal-40-million-blockchain-developer-fund-announce-kongregatecom-redesign-web3/ | 2022-05-25T17:38:25Z |
St. Marys girl critically injured in freak accident involving falling tree limb
St. Mary’s, Kan. (WIBW) - A 7-year-old girl from St. Marys is fighting for her life after her skull was fractured by a falling tree limb last weekend.
Jenna Jones says her daughter Quinlynn was walking to the park in St. Marys with her two brothers Saturday morning when a 4″ branch fell about 30 feet from an elm tree, coming down directly on her head.
Strong winds likely played a part in the accident, Jones told 13 NEWS. Gusts exceeding 50 mph were recorded Saturday in Northeast Kansas.
Jones said the falling branch fractured Quinn’s skull in two places, one was near a major blood vessel in the brain.
The 2nd Grader was rushed to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Jones says Quinn’s doctors are optimistic in her recovery. Tuesday, Jenna said her daughter’s recovery is “just a waiting game” as doctors wait for swelling near the fractures to go down.
A GoFundMe has been created to help the family cover medical expenses.
According to the online fundraiser, doctors told the family that the amount of brain damage Quinlynn will have is still unknown, however, the bulk of the damage has been in the language and processing area of her brain. Despite heavy sedation and a medically induced coma, her mother said she still showed signs of agitation and has responded to pain stimulus.
As of Tuesday, Quinlynn remains in a medically induced coma.
A Facebook Group, Quinlynn’s Climb, has been created to update friends and family on her condition.
Jones told 13 NEWS that she doesn’t blame anyone for what happened to her daughter, calling it a “freak accident.” She told 13 NEWS how much she appreciated how the community, friends and family have rallied around Quinn and her family during this hard time.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/26/gofundme-created-st-marys-second-grader-critical-condition-after-falling-tree-branch-hits-her/ | 2022-04-26T18:47:08Z |
Spanish govt chides ex-king for failure to explain conduct
MADRID (AP) — A senior Spanish government official has rebuked Spain’s former king, saying Juan Carlos I should have used his first trip home from exile to clear the air over investigations into his financial affairs. Government spokeswoman Isabel Rodríguez said the ex-monarch “missed an opportunity” to “provide explanations and ask for forgiveness.” Juan Carlos’s conduct in recent years had been “neither ethical nor exemplary,” she said in an interview with Spanish public radio RNE. On the other hand, she repeated the Socialist-led coalition government’s support for Juan Carlos’ son and current monarch, Felipe VI, for his efforts to increase financial transparency at the royal household. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2022/05/23/spanish-govt-chides-ex-king-for-failure-to-explain-conduct/ | 2022-05-23T13:22:24Z |
‘I’m so proud of him’: Friends, family celebrate World War II veteran’s 100th birthday
GARDEN CITY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - A highly decorated World War II veteran celebrated his 100th birthday in style this week.
WMBF reports Clarence Tompkins was joined by a large group of friends and family to celebrate the milestone birthday.
He joined the United States Army in 1942.
On June 12, 1944, Clarence Tompkins escorted a medic to another wounded soldier while under heavy attack during the Battle of Normandy.
He then helped evacuate both soldiers to safety while taking sniper fire.
“He’s been very humble, even though he went through a lot in the war, and he saved several people’s lives,” his son Keith Tompkins said.
During his time in the service, Clarence Tompkins received two Purple Hearts, a Combat Infantry Badge and two stars.
His family said he’s often asked what his secret is to make it far in this life.
“He is always moving and always doing something, and I think that is the secret to his long life,” his daughter Pat Tompkins-McCormick said.
On Friday, the group came together at a sports bar, one of his favorite spots, to celebrate the WWII veteran turning 100-years-old.
“I’m so proud of him; I’m already planning for next year,” his best friend Ed McCormick said. “He’s in such great health and has a great attitude.”
Clarence Tompkins has been in Myrtle Beach for about three years and said his relationships remain very important, just as important as his relationship with his soldiers.
Copyright 2022 WMBF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/28/im-so-proud-him-friends-family-celebrate-world-war-ii-veterans-100th-birthday/ | 2022-05-28T17:50:58Z |
NEW YORK, July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Yext, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of YEXT during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
CLASS PERIOD: March 4, 2021 to March 8, 2022
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Yext's revenue and earnings were significantly deteriorating because of, among other things, poor sales execution and performance, as well as COVID-19 related disruptions; (ii) accordingly, Yext was unlikely to meet consensus estimates for its full year fiscal 2022 financial results and fiscal 2023 outlook; and (iii) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: August 16, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/yext-class-action-lawsuit/?id=29529&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of YEXT during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is August 16, 2022. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
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SOURCE The Gross Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-yext-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-16-2022-nyse-yext/ | 2022-07-06T10:26:50Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco Bay Area Latin-pop crossover artist Razteria will release "Me gusta estar sola" (I like being alone) on June 23rd, 2022. The song was produced by veteran musician and producer Dave Shul (Ex-Michael Franti & Spearhead, Los Mocosos). It features Jay Lane on drums (from RatDog, Bob Weir, Sausage, Alphabet Soup, Freaky Executives, Primus and more). It was mixed by Razteria and mastered by Trakworx.
"Me gusta estar sola," a psychedelic rock song, was written in the winter of 2022 during Razteria's solitary moments over the holiday season. It reflects the intense contemplation and sheer enjoyment of solitude that is necessary to the creative process. However, this state is a double edged sword, as in solitude you sacrifice moments together with friends and family. The intense dynamics and instrumentation recall classics like Queen and Jefferson Airplane. The single will launch on all major digital platforms (Pre-save link). Also to launch on June 23rd is the single's official music video shot by up and coming film-maker Alex Zajieck, assisted by Hannie Saba and edited by Sheila Da Silva (Youtube Channel).
"Me gusta estar sola" is single #7 released by Razteria in 2022 following latin pop track Respira (May), alternative latin hip hop tune Madre Tierra (April), upbeat steppers reggae song Ser Feliz (March) featuring Alcide Marshall on drums, sexy minimalist latin electro-pop record Cada dia (Feb) featuring Jayme Arredondo on drums, latin retro pop cut Imposible (Jan) and pop/trap crossover I feel naked, remix by Swede of 808 Mafia (producer of Lil Wayne, Dj Khaled, Meek Mill, Gucci Mane and more). New singles are being released every month in collaboration with Latin American poets Zezé Fassmor, Orlando Muñoz Garcia and musician-producer Dave Shul. You can also pre-save July's single Ambicioso, a Beatles-esque latin pop track.
Razteria will perform the new music at An Evening with Razteria from 4:30-7PM at the Golden Gate Bandshell in San Francisco sponsored by Illuminate Live in association with SF Parks Alliance and SF Recreational Parks District. Razteria will be accompanied by veteran musicians Dave Shul (guitar,Los Mocosos, ex-Michael Franti and Spearhead), Raleigh Neal (keys, ex-Michael Franti and Spearhead), Ronnie Smith (drums), Waddell Bell (bass, Fyah Squad Band) and Roberto Quintana (percussion). A free, family friendly, open air event with seating on a first come first serve basis. RSVP.
Contact: Alex Kilgore alex@razteria.com
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SOURCE RAZTERIA | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/latin-pop-artist-razteria-releases-me-gusta-estar-sola-psychedelic-rock-single-spanish-june-23rd-2022/ | 2022-06-14T14:50:18Z |
The award-winning, single-serve cocktail maker is now available on Amazon.com and at other retailers online and in-stores
TOWSON, Md., July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BLACK+DECKER®, a global leader in home and lifestyle product innovation and a Stanley Black & Decker brand (NYSE: SWK), announced today the highly anticipated retail launch of the bev by BLACK+DECKER™ Cocktail Maker, the latest product innovation released by the brand. The new single-serve cocktail maker gives users the ability to make custom cocktails at the touch of a button. Now you can Cheers To The Moment™ with delicious craft cocktails from home.
"As a part of our expanded home and lifestyle line, we are delighted to bring innovation to countertops and bar carts this summer with the bev by BLACK+DECKER™ Cocktail Maker, said Allison Lawrence, President of BLACK+DECKER. "This product innovation delivers on BLACK+DECKER's brand promise to make life easier at home. We encourage you to cheer to any occasion worth celebrating with the new single-serve cocktail maker, available for purchase now."
bev by BLACK+DECKER™ Cocktail Maker product features include:
- Delicious mixologist-crafted cocktails dispensed in approximately 30 seconds.
- An easy-load liquor system which connects up to five standard 750ml bottles of your preferred liquor*. There are labeled locations for five liquors: gin, vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey and the included glass water bottle.
- Customize drink strength with the turn of a dial, the bev by BLACK+DECKER™ Cocktail Maker has four drink strength levels: mocktail, light, regular and strong.
- LEDs beneath the bottles illuminate and prominently display the liquor being served.
- "Party mode" feature with various LED sequences to add a unique fun factor.
- The cocktail maker works exclusively with Bartesian®'s growing assortment of premium cocktail capsules**, ranging from a Long Island iced tea to a spicy margarita.
- The intuitive cocktail maker works by scanning the barcode on the lid of the capsule to draw from the corresponding spirit.
- Shaker icon on the front of the machine which lights up when it is recommended to dispense a drink over a shaker with ice.
- Beginning this fall, a pack of five glass bottles will be sold separately for users that desire a uniform look. The bottle pack will be available for purchase at an estimated retail price of $49.99.
Recognized for its ease-of-use, simplistic design and innovation, the cocktail maker has received several accolades to date, including a "2022 Gadget Award" from Popular Mechanics for "Best Cocktail Machine".
The bev by BLACK+DECKER™ Cocktail Maker is now available for purchase on Amazon.com and at other select retailers for an estimated retail price of $299, with Bartesian® capsules** and liquor bottles sold separately.
To learn more about the bev by BLACK+DECKER™ Cocktail Maker or to purchase the product, visit: https://amzn.to/3O3CcaG.
*Liquor and capsules are not included with purchase of bev by BLACK+DECKER™ Cocktail Maker
**Bartesian® is a trademark of Bartesian Inc.
About BLACK+DECKER®
Since 1910, BLACK+DECKER, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, has been setting the standard for innovation and design. The inventor of the first portable electric drill with pistol grip and trigger switch, BLACK+DECKER has evolved from a small machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland to a global manufacturing powerhouse with a broad line of quality products used in and around the home. When home owners have work to get done, they trust that BLACK+DECKER products will do the job efficiently and reliably. For more information on BLACK+DECKER products, visit www.blackanddecker.com or follow BLACK+DECKER on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter.
About Stanley Black & Decker
Headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is the world's largest tool company operating nearly 50 manufacturing facilities across America and more than 100 worldwide. Guided by its purpose – for those who make the world – the company's more than 60,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world's makers, creators, tradespeople and builders. The company's iconic brands include DEWALT®, BLACK+DECKER®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, CUB CADET®, HUSTLER® and TROY-BILT®. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees, customers and other stakeholders. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com.
BLACK+DECKER Media Contact:
Brooke Withers
Public Relations Manager
Brooke.Withers@SBDinc.com
(804) 349-7632
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SOURCE BLACK+DECKER | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/cheers-moment-bev-by-blackdecker-cocktail-maker-is-now-available-outfit-your-home-bar/ | 2022-07-20T14:01:45Z |
The United States is in a maternal health crisis, Goldman Sachs wants to change that
By Nicole Goodkind, CNN Business
The United States is in a maternal health crisis.
Maternal mortality and morbidity rates across the country have increased steadily over the past 20 years, even as rates in all other developed countries have decreased significantly.
New government data shows that US maternal deaths jumped by 14% during the first years of the pandemic, to 861 in 2020 from 754 in 2019. The rate of maternal deaths for Black women in the US was nearly three times higher than it was for white women over that time frame.
Goldman Sachs wants to change that. Mahmee, a six-year-old maternal healthcare startup, has announced the closing of a $9.2 million Series A funding round led by Goldman’s Growth Equity Business.
High maternal mortality rates in the US, especially among minority groups, have “become a systemic issue and something that we’re not paying attention to,” said Mahmee founder and CEO Melissa Hanna. “But we can also turn this around.”
The investment is part of Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women initiative, a $10 billion commitment to narrow opportunity gaps for Black women over the next decade.
Mahmee, which has also received funding from Serena Williams and Mark Cuban, hopes to build the digital infrastructure needed to bring patients and providers together and make healthcare data widely available in an industry where it’s often siloed.
“The reality is that most of the records systems that we use to track health information on mothers and babies don’t talk to each other,” said Hanna.
Mahmee creates a unified record for each patient that shows all the health data of a mother in one place. The service also offers access to a national network of community-based health providers including in-house nurses and care coordinators who provide live support seven days a week. The coordinators monitor health needs, offer referrals to health professionals, and assist with questions and concerns from expectant mothers.
The company also works directly with institutions by selling their nurse-led coordination programs to a number of health services, medical groups and insurance companies. Mahmee currently has over 750 providers and organizations in its network in 44 states.
Well-coordinated care has been proven to lead to better health outcomes and fewer hospitalizations, according to research published in the Annals of Family Medicine, but US patients are more likely to encounter gaps in those services than patients who live in other high-income nations, the study found.
“We’ve been able to create some lifesaving interventions and point out things that other people may have just overlooked by accident or lack of experience,” Hanna said.
Since launching in 2016, Mahmee has served over 15,000 women, Hanna said, and those patients are 10% less likely to have a C-section, and 50% less likely to deliver prematurely.
“Disparities in accessing high-quality maternal and perinatal care contribute to poor health outcomes in underserved communities and substantial costs for the broader healthcare system,” said Suzanne Gauron, global head of Launch With GS, a Goldman Sachs program that aims to increase access to capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs and investors.”We believe Mahmee is well positioned to improve the lives of mothers and babies by narrowing critical opportunity gaps in care and outcomes.”
“The US has a relative undersupply of maternity care providers, especially midwives, and lacks comprehensive postpartum supports,” wrote doctoral researcher Roosa Tikkanen in a report for The Commonwealth Fund examining the disparities.
America, meanwhile, is by some accounts the most expensive country to give birth in and the only developed country without mandated paid parental leave.
But this is not a purely philanthropic work, Hanna said. Maternal and infant health care is a $160 billion industry in the United States. Failures in care coordination account for $27.2 billion to $78.2 billion in unnecessary medical fees and waste per year, according to a 2019 Journal of the American Medical Association study.
“If we even scratch the surface of solving this problem for any mothers and babies in this country,” said Hanna, “we have unlocked billions of dollars of potential here.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2022/05/08/the-united-states-is-in-a-maternal-health-crisis-goldman-sachs-wants-to-change-that-2/ | 2022-05-08T17:44:54Z |
...HIGH FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL GEORGIA...
High fire danger conditions are expected today over Southwest and
South Central Georgia. This will be due to several factors,
including near-record triple digit temperatures, unseasonably low
relative humidity values of 18-25 percent, and an unstable air
mass characterized by very high mixing heights. Afternoon winds
will be north to northeast at 5 to 10 mph.
Dead fuels will dry quickly. Live fuels will become stressed and
wilty.
Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities whether
you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside, use extreme
caution.
Weather Alert
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY...
* WHAT...Air temperatures of 101 to 103 expected this evening. On
Thursday, Air temperatures of 102 to 104 expected.
* WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest Georgia.
* WHEN...For the first Heat Advisory, until 8 PM EDT this
evening. For the second Heat Advisory, from 10 AM to 8 PM EDT
Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures 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.
&&
Weather Alert
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY...
* WHAT...Air temperatures of 101 to 103 expected this evening. On
Thursday, Air temperatures of 102 to 104 expected.
* WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest Georgia.
* WHEN...For the first Heat Advisory, until 8 PM EDT this
evening. For the second Heat Advisory, from 10 AM to 8 PM EDT
Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures 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.
&&
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bad news, hardly news, and wobbly news
Security measures were taken recently to whisk the president off to a fire station near his Delaware beach home. The bad news here? The chief executive required a half-dozen or so black limousines to get the job done, reminiscent of the convoy of armored vehicles flown to Hawaii to protect President Obama on his vacation there.
Democracies do not take elaborate and expensive measures to protect easily replaceable short-term leaders as if they were protecting dynasties of divinely appointed kings. President Grover Cleveland in the 1890s answered the front door of the White House himself when ordinary citizens came knocking.
Hardly news comes in the form of a big debate in northern California’s wine-growing country on whether the Russian River should be renamed. Energy would be better spent making sure no Putin-type characters try to ensconce themselves in permanent power in the Congress or White House.
An example of wobbly news is the decision to remove Robb Elementary from the local educational facility list. Unable to think of any real measures to protect children, local officials take comfort in the mere appearance of action.
The club of self-made billionaires’ used to be the sole dominion of men. Stacker examines the 25 richest self-made women in America who have defied that tradition in recent years. Click for more.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-bad-news-hardly-news-and-wobbly-news/article_7f0dffba-f250-11ec-b464-6388afba68da.html | 2022-06-22T20:59:54Z |
With 20 Million Marriott Bonvoy Points Up for Grabs, Westin and Strava Kick Off Month-Long Global 'RunWESTIN Challenge' Beginning June 1
BETHESDA, Md., May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A champion of Global Running Day, Westin Hotels & Resorts – part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands – today announced it has joined forces with Strava, the leading social platform for athletes and the largest sports community in the world, to reward fitness enthusiasts of all types for getting their hearts rates up beginning June 1. Through this new collaboration, 500 Marriott Bonvoy members will have the chance to earn 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points each by completing the month-long global 'RunWESTIN Challenge' using the Strava app.
As the preeminent well-being brand in hospitality, Westin has consistently supported Global Running Day for more than five years as a means to further encourage guests to stay active while on the road. Westin empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel through its Six Pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. Inspired by the brand's Move Well pillar, this new collaboration with Strava continues to build on the industry-leading programming by Westin.
"The philosophy of Westin has always been rooted in empowering our guests to maintain, and even enhance, their well-being while traveling, so they leave feeling better than when they arrived," said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. "With this in mind, and inspired by our foundational Move Well pillar, our unique partnership with Strava aims to motivate a global community of fitness enthusiasts and Marriott Bonvoy members to make wellness a priority and get rewarded for doing so."
Marriott Bonvoy members participating in the Challenge must complete 10 hours of physical activity within the month of June by running, in addition to other types of exercise including walking, biking, wheelchair, and hiking. The challenge of 600 minutes or 10 hours of activity for the month is informed by the American Heart Association's recommendation of at least 150 minutes – roughly 2.5 hours – of physical activity per week1. Upon completion of the Challenge at the end of the month, 500 participating members will then be selected at random to receive 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points each.
Marriott Bonvoy members can begin registering for the 'RunWESTIN Challenge' on May 25 via the Strava app. The Challenge kicks off June 1 and closes June 30 at 11:59 p.m. in each participant's respective time zone. Members can register at any point throughout June and complete their 10 hours of activity throughout the month in order to be eligible for the 40,000 points.
"Strava empowers athletes everywhere to find joy through movement," said David Lorsch, Chief Revenue Officer, Strava. "We're excited to celebrate Global Running Day with Westin and inspire Marriott Bonvoy members around the world to stay active with the power of Strava Challenges this June."
To learn more about well-being at Westin, please visit www.westin.marriott.com and join the conversation @westin and #runwestin. To download the free Strava app on your smartphone, visit the App store and search for Strava. To download Strava on your desktop, visit https://www.strava.com.
Westin Hotels & Resorts, hospitality's global leader in well-being for more than a decade, empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand's Six Pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. At more than 230 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, guests can experience wellness offerings that include the brand's iconic and award-winning Heavenly® Bed, TRX fitness equipment in the signature WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studios, delicious and nutritious menu offerings on their Eat Well menu, and more. Stay connected to Westin on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Westin is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
Strava is the leading social platform for athletes and the largest sports community in the world, with over 99 million athletes around the world. If you sweat you're an athlete, and Strava's mobile apps and website connect millions of active people every day. Strava gives athletes simple, fun ways to stay motivated and compete against themselves and others without having to be in the same place at the same time. All athletes belong on Strava no matter where they live, which sport they love or what device they use. Join the community and make the most of your sport with a Strava subscription.
1 American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids
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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/westin-hotels-amp-resorts-teams-up-with-strava-motivate-fitness-enthusiasts-all-levels-go-extra-mile-celebration-global-running-day/ | 2022-05-31T15:32:34Z |
AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Amsterdam Rijksmuseum will unite two iconic paintings from Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer early next year — The Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Milkmaid.
In an unprecedented blockbuster exhibit starting in February, the most famous museum in the Netherlands will bring together 27 of the 35 known paintings of the 17th-century artist who had the uncanny genius of letting a soothing inner light exude from his canvas.
“His paintings radiate this simplicity, the stillness, his brilliant colors, said Taco Dibbits, the director general of the Rijksmuseum.
Nowhere is it more apparent than in the two paintings that have become as quintessential to Dutch art as any work of Vincent van Gogh or Rembrandt.
In Thursday’s announcement of the Feb. 10-June 4 exhibit, the musuem said it will be the first time in over a quarter-century that the paintings will be united in the same building, dating back to a 1996 show at The Hague’s Mauritshuis, home to the Girl with a Pearl Earring.
The Rijksmuseum did extensive work on The Milkmaid and discovered that the vast unadorned white wall behind her, was not always meant to be like that. With special technologies, a sketch under the final layer of paint was discovered which shows a more cluttered background with a jug holder and a fire basket.
Later, Vermeer thought better of it and went for the distinctive white background, auguring a big development in art.
“We now see a very neat little cube,” Dibbits said. “A search for simplicity is very difficult to arrive at,” Dibbits said, adding it is what ”we now still admire so much today.”
With his domestic scenes of pouring milk, people talking and an almost nonchalant portrait of his maid, Vermeer knows how to create a sense of serenity that especially offers a balm in today’s turbulent times over 350 years later.
Dibbits calls him one of the most famous painters in the world because of this “tranquility that his paintings radiate. On the one hand, you step into the 17th century,” he said, “On the other hand, because this depicts everyday life, they’re incredibly modern.”
New York’s Frick Collection will lend its three Vermeers which will be shown together outside of New York over a century after the museum acquired them.
It is also what makes the exhibit a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The paintings could leave New York only because the Frick is under renovation.
“And once renovation is finished, they will never be able to leave again.” Dibbits said.
___
Raf Casert reported from Brussels. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-vermeer-exhibit-to-unite-milkmaid-girl-with-a-pearl-earring/ | 2022-09-09T00:53:56Z |
Senior Executive Brings Decades of Corporate Communications and Strategy Experience as Company Executes on Planned $2 Billion Fiber Optics Transformation
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightspeed today announced the expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Amy Wulfestieg as Chief Communications Officer, effective immediately. Reporting to Chief Executive Officer Bob Mudge, Ms. Wulfestieg is responsible for leading the strategy, planning, and implementation of internal and external communications, change management, and engagement activities for the company.
Ms. Wulfestieg has an extensive record of achievement in building and sustaining a culture that aligns and connects stakeholders to business strategy through effective communications. She most recently served as Senior Director, Internal Communications at Nordstrom, where she was accountable for developing and implementing the retailer's internal communications strategy supporting 65,000 employees across the U.S. and Canada. Prior to Nordstrom, Ms. Wulfestieg served as Executive Vice President, Communications at Alight Solutions, where she led internal and external communications strategy, planning, and execution for all aspects of communication, including executive communications, client communications, reputation management, mergers and acquisitions, and employee engagement. Previously, she held several communications positions at Aon Hewitt/Hewitt Associates, most recently serving as Vice President, Communications.
"We are delighted to have a leader with Amy's perspective, deep experience, and results orientation join our Brightspeed team," said Mr. Mudge. "Our goal is to establish Brightspeed as a brand that makes best-in-class broadband a reality for communities across our footprint, with a customer experience known for simplicity, reliability, and choice. Amy will be an outstanding ambassador for our brand and our organization in fostering a high level of engagement with customers, employees, and external stakeholders alike."
"I am thrilled to join Brightspeed at such an exciting time for the new business," said Ms. Wulfestieg. "Brightspeed has such a vibrant culture, founded on a compelling and relatable purpose and vision, and there could not be a more relevant time to communicate the value we will bring to our customers. Access to high-quality internet is an essential enabler of community equity and growth. Brightspeed is pursuing a once in a generation opportunity, and it is a privilege to be part of the mission to help bridge the digital divide."
Brightspeed plans to invest at least $2 billion to build a network that will bring faster, more reliable internet and Wi-Fi to mainly rural communities throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and certain parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The company's planned fiber optics transformation is expected to reach up to 3 million homes and businesses over the next five years, including in many places where fiber and advanced technology have not historically been deployed.
Brightspeed will initially be comprised of incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) assets and associated operations of Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN), which are the subject of a pending acquisition by Apollo-managed funds (NYSE: APO). The company has secured all necessary state-required regulatory approvals in the 20 states in its operating footprint. The parties expect to obtain final FCC approval in the third quarter, and to close the transaction in early fourth quarter.
For more information about Brightspeed, visit the company's website, www.brightspeed.com.
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and expected to have assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed will provide broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 6 million homes and businesses. The company aims to bridge the digital divide by deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes staying connected simple and seamless. For more information about Brightspeed, visit the company's website, www.brightspeed.com.
Media
Erik Carlson
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449
pr@brightspeed.com
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SOURCE Brightspeed | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/amy-wulfestieg-joins-brightspeed-chief-communications-officer/ | 2022-08-01T15:28:41Z |
NEW YORK, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Digital Turbine, Inc. (NASDAQ: APPS) between August 9, 2021 and May 17, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important August 5, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Digital Turbine securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Digital Turbine class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6272 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 5, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about Digital Turbine's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Digital Turbine's recent acquisitions, AdColony and Fyber, act as agents in certain of their respective product lines; (2) as a result, revenues for those product lines must be reported net of license fees and revenue share, rather than on a gross basis; (3) Digital Turbine's internal control over financial reporting as to revenue recognition was deficient; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Digital Turbine's net revenues was overstated throughout fiscal 2022; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Digital Turbine's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Digital Turbine class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6272 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
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Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
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The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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New York, NY 10016
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/apps-notice-rosen-national-trial-lawyers-encourages-digital-turbine-inc-investors-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-apps/ | 2022-07-14T01:56:50Z |
Biden to visit Lockheed plant as weapons stockpile strained
WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden on Tuesday visits a Lockheed Martin plant that manufactures an antitank weapons system, he’s certain to herald the U.S.-made arms as a gamechanger for Ukraine’s stiff resistance to Russia’s invasion.
But Biden’s planned visit to the Alabama factory line is also drawing attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence in shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining a healthy stockpile it may need if conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?
The U.S. has provided at least 7,000 Javelins, including some transferred during the Trump administration, or about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine in recent years, according to an analysis by Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies international security program. The Biden administration says it has committed to sending 5,500 Javelins to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion.
Analysts also estimate that the United States has sent about one-quarter of its stockpile of shoulder-fired Stinger missiles to Ukraine. Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes told investors last week during a quarterly call that his company, which makes the weapons system, wouldn’t be able to ramp up production until next year, due to parts shortages.
“Could this be a problem? The short answer is, ‘Probably, yes,’” said Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and former Office of Management and Budget specialist on Pentagon budget strategy, war funding and procurement programs.
He added that Stingers and Javelins were where “we’re seeing the most significant inventory issues” and that production of both weapons systems has been limited in recent years.
The Russian invasion offers the U.S. and European defense industry a big opportunity to bolster profits as lawmakers from Washington to Warsaw are primed to increase defense spending in response to Russian aggression. Defense contractors, however, face the same supply chain and labor shortage challenges that other manufacturers are facing, along with some others that are specific to the industry.
Military spending by the U.S. and around the world was rising even before Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion. Biden’s proposed 2023 budget sought $773 billion for the Pentagon, an annual increase of about 4%.
Globally, total military spending rose 0.7% to more than $2 trillion for the first time in 2021, according to an April report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The war will mean increased sales for some defense contractors, including Raytheon, which makes the Stinger missiles Ukrainian troops have used to knock out Russian aircraft. The company is also part of a joint venture with Lockheed Martin that makes the Javelins.
Biden will visit Lockheed Martin’s facility in Troy, Alabama, which has the capacity to manufacture about 2,100 Javelins per year. The trip comes as he presses Congress to quickly approve his request for an additional $33 billion in security and economic assistance for Kyiv. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday he hoped quick bipartisan agreement on the security package could be reached so the Senate could begin considering it “as early as next week.”
A White House official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and insisted on anonymity, said the Pentagon is working with defense contractors “to evaluate the health of weapons systems’ production lines and examine bottlenecks” in the manufacturing process. The administration is also considering a range of options, if needed, to boost production of Javelins and Stingers, the official said.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday that America’s military readiness is not dependent on one system. He said that every time the Pentagon develops a package of weapons and systems to send to Ukraine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the department do an assessment on what the impact will be on readiness.
“It’s not about counting, say, Javelins and being able to say that when you reach a certain level then all your readiness is gone,” Kirby said. “The Javelin is an anti-armor capability, so we judge it all as a conglomerate of what’s our ability to meet this particular mission set, realizing that a Javelin isn’t the only capability you have against armor.”
The lightweight but lethal Javelin has helped the Ukrainians inflict major damage on Russia’s larger and better-equipped military. As a result, the weapon has gained almost mythic regard, celebrated with a Javelin song and images of Mary Magdalene carrying a Javelin becoming a meme in Ukraine.
Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said in a recent CNBC interview that demand for the Javelin and other weapon systems would increase broadly over time because of the Russian invasion. He said the company was working “to get our supply chain ramped up.”
“We have the ability to meet current production demands, are investing in increased capacity and are exploring ways to further increase production as needed,” Lockheed Martin, which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, said in a statement.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/03/biden-visit-lockheed-plant-weapons-stockpile-strained/ | 2022-05-03T14:50:11Z |
Companies will benefit from access to OpenText information management solutions on the world's leading enterprise cloud marketplace
WATERLOO, ON, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenText™ (NASDAQ: OTEX), (TSX: OTEX), today announced the addition of three new solutions on the Salesforce AppExchange, bringing its total number of AppExchange offerings to six and enabling customers of any size to benefit from the governance, productivity, and efficiency of the OpenText content services platform.
Included in this latest launch is OpenText Core Content, a Content Services platform that customers can leverage to effectively manage their content. In addition, OpenText Media Management (OTMM) and OpenText Documentum are now also available on the AppExchange, expanding the potential for existing OpenText customers to connect to Salesforce.
"Through our expanded offering on AppExchange, businesses can strategically manage customer relationships and connect with even more key OpenText solutions to elevate information-led customer management and experiences," said Ted Harrison, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Sales at OpenText. "The addition of these three solutions provides customers access to one of the most comprehensive ranges of content management solutions."
OpenText Core Content helps organizations manage information using a robust SaaS platform that integrates with applications like Salesforce to power modern work. Core Content provides users with an intuitive business workspace model that ensures the right content is surfaced to the right people when they need it, helping to promote increased employee productivity, accelerated processes and enhanced governance.
Additional OpenText solutions now available on the Salesforce AppExchange include:
- OpenText Media Management: OpenText Media Management for Salesforce provides easy access to rich media assets directly from within the CRM platform. OTMM helps drive increased productivity and efficiency for all sales and service teams, while maintaining overall brand experience.
- OpenText Documentum: OpenText Documentum for Salesforce is an enterprise solution for sharing and managing documents and content, enabling users to access valuable information that is already managed within their secure Documentum environment directly from within Salesforce to streamline process and expedite decision making.
"OpenText and its suite of information management solutions continue to be a welcome addition to AppExchange, helping customers streamline workflows and increase productivity," said Woodson Martin, GM of Salesforce AppExchange. "AppExchange is constantly evolving to connect customers with the right apps and experts for their business needs."
Integrated directly with Salesforce, OpenText Core Content, OpenText Media Management and OpenText Documentum are currently available on AppExchange alongside three other OpenText solutions, including OpenText Exstream and OpenText Extended ECM.
About Salesforce AppExchange
Salesforce AppExchange, the world's leading enterprise cloud marketplace, empowers companies, developers and entrepreneurs to build, market and grow in entirely new ways. With more than 7,000 listings, 10 million customer installs and 117,000 peer reviews, AppExchange connects customers of all sizes and across industries to ready-to-install or customizable apps and Salesforce-certified consultants to solve any business challenge.
Salesforce, AppExchange and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc.
About OpenText
OpenText, The Information Company™, enables organizations to gain insight through market leading information management solutions, powered by OpenText Cloud Editions. For more information about OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX, TSX: OTEX) visit opentext.com.
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Certain statements in this press release may contain words considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities laws. These statements are based on OpenText's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies, and markets in which the company operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and the actual outcome may be materially different. OpenText's assumptions, although considered reasonable by the company at the date of this press release, may prove to be inaccurate and consequently its actual results could differ materially from the expectations set out herein. For additional information with respect to risks and other factors which could occur, see OpenText's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC and other securities regulators. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, OpenText disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Copyright © 2022 OpenText. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks owned by OpenText. One or more patents may cover this product(s). For more information, please visit https://www.opentext.com/patents.
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SOURCE Open Text Corporation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/opentext-launches-three-new-solutions-salesforce-appexchange/ | 2022-07-21T20:30:20Z |
NEW YORK, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Pegasystems Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of PEGA during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
CLASS PERIOD: This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased PEGA common stock between May 29, 2020 and May 9, 2022, inclusive.
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) PEGA had engaged in corporate espionage and misappropriation of trade secrets to better compete against Appian, a principal competitor; (2) defendants' product development and associated success was, in significant part, not the result of its own research and product testing but rather the result of such corporate espionage and trade secret theft; (3) defendants had engaged in a scheme to steal Appian trade secrets, which was not only known to, but carried out through, the personal involvement of the Company's CEO; (4) the Company's CEO and other officers and employees did not comply with the Company's written Code of Conduct, including its express prohibition on "stealing" confidential information from a competitor and "misrepresenting your identity in hopes of obtaining confidential information"; (5) the Company was "unable to reasonably estimate damages" in the lawsuit filed by Appian as a result of the foregoing misconduct (the "Appian Litigation"); and (6) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' statements about PEGA's business, operations, prospects, legal compliance, and potential damages exposure in the Appian Litigation were materially false and/or misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis when made.
DEADLINE: July 18, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/pegasystems-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=27914&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of PEGA during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is July 18, 2022. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
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SOURCE The Gross Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-pegasystems-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-18-2022-nasdaq-pega/ | 2022-06-01T10:25:43Z |
Which CPR manikins are best?
Chest compressions are an essential part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. One way to learn how to perform them correctly is with a CPR manikin.
When looking for the correct type of manikin to aid your training, look out for products with features that make learning CPR easy. An excellent choice in this regard is the Adult and Infant CPR Manikin Kit with Feedback.
What to know before you buy a CPR manikin
Single pack vs. multipack
Depending on your needs, CPR manikins come in different pack sizes, from the light and easy-to-carry single units to the multipack products containing adult, junior and baby manikin sizes. If you’re considering the one-piece option, one advantage you will find is that it is portable and easy to set up. On the other hand, the multipack manikins are a great option if you use the dummies to teach students how to perform chest compressions correctly for different age groups.
Design
The design of CPR manikins often mimics human beings, especially in terms of the materials used in their construction. Most manikins, for instance, are constructed with soft vinyl plastic to give them a realistic, human feel. Some options also include a simple and distinct clamshell torso design that easily accommodates the face shield. Some designs incorporate a head tilt to simulate how a person requiring CPR will move their head.
Feedback system
It can be very interesting to learn CPR with a manikin that interacts with you at every stage of the process. For instance, some CPR manikins include a real-time feedback device into the dummy to let you know when you’re doing the compression right. This helps to develop your CPR skills in real-time and make the necessary corrections as you learn various techniques. If you’re a trainer, feedback features can also help improve your sessions’ quality. Some CPR manikins may also feature a feedback app that you can link to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
What to look for in a quality CPR manikin
Convenience
If you have to travel frequently to different locations for your CPR training, your manikin should be portable, easy to set up and simple to use. Another convenient feature is the ease of cleaning. Some products include sanitary features such as individual face inserts, a one-use airway system, and a non-rebreathing valve to make them easy to clean.
Durability
Durability is another key feature to consider when buying your manikins, especially if you often use them for training sessions. Some options also come with a three-year warranty, which gives you some assurance when choosing the product. To test durability, some products may undergo live testing with up to half a million compressions performed on them to validate their strength before they are released to the market.
Interactive features
One key component of CPR is chest compression and some features incorporated into your manikin can help you know if the compressions are being done correctly. For instance, hearing the clicker’s sound after each compression can make you feel confident about your compression. Observing a discernible chest rise after ventilating the manikin can teach proper rescue breaths. Some products may also include a feature that visually displays blood flow from the heart to the brain to give you an idea of what happens in real-life CPR.
How much you can expect to spend on a CPR manikin
CPR manikins come as either single-pack or multipack kits. The single unit manikin usually costs $100-$200, while the multipack option can cost up to $1,000.
CPR manikin FAQ
What is the best way to store my CPR manikin?
A. Avoid storing your manikin in a damp place because these dummies often come with a circuit board inside them that can be damaged by dampness. Ideally, you should store your manikin in a clean, dry area
How long should my CPR manikin last?
A. The durability is often dependent on a couple of factors. For instance, the level of care that you give the manikin can improve their longevity. Furthermore, the type of materials used to design these dummies can also determine how long they will last.
What’s the best CPR manikin to buy?
Top CPR manikin
Adult and Infant CPR Manikin Kit with Feedback, Prestan UltraTrainer, and MCR Accessories
What you need to know: This CPR kit includes an adult and infant manikin, AED ultra trainer and MCR accessories.
What you’ll love: It includes a feedback system in the form of an audible clicking sound and an LED indicator to let you know when the compression is done correctly. It also includes training pads with a voice prompt to tell you once you have placed them properly on the manikin.
What you should consider: Some users complained that batteries weren’t included in the set.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top CPR manikin for the money
Prestan Single Ultralight CPR Training Manikin
What you need to know: It is a portable single adult manikin that includes a 10-pack face-shield lung bag.
What you’ll love: This manikin is easy to set up and include realistic anatomical markings that make it easy to learn correct hand placement when checking pulse and performing chest compressions. It is also a versatile manikin that can be used on any type of AED trainer on the market.
What you should consider: Some users mentioned that the rib area isn’t well-built and easily breaks down during compression.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Prestan Take2 CPR Manikin & UltraTrainer Kit with Feedback
What you need to know: It includes two adult manikins and two infant dummies in addition to an AED trainer kit with feedback and MCR medical accessories.
What you’ll love: It comprises a complete set of accessories that you can use right out of the box for your training sessions. The kit also features a smart pad-sensing technology to alert you once the pads are connected to the manikin.
What you should consider: The kit can only be used to train a maximum of four people at a time.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/medical-supplies-equipment-br/best-cpr-manikin/ | 2022-05-22T13:24:47Z |
Northeast Expansion is Officially Underway for Emerging Wellness and Anti-Aging Franchise Brand
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Serotonin Centers announced today it has officially broken ground on the first of five centers as part of a recent multi-unit franchise development agreement for the Garden State. Construction commenced in Colts Neck in August at 178 Route 537 Colts Neck, NJ 07722.
Exact details on the remaining locations have not yet been made public, though the Serotonin team is currently in the final stages of determining where the remainder of the development agreement will take the franchise in the region.
Doors of the new Colts Neck center are expected to open late fall, offering a one-stop-shop for those wanting to take control of their personal health, wellness and appearance. Serotonin Centers offers cutting-edge technologies to holistically fight the natural aging process through hormone replacement therapy, medical weight loss, immunity/recovery and aesthetic enhancement.
The quickly-emerging industry leader has brought together an incredible team of experts to help Serotonin Centers establish a foothold in every corner of the country, spreading awareness and the need for anti-aging treatments.
All five coming locations will be operated by the Co-Owner duo of Dr. Lisa Granado and Danielle D'Alessio, who were mutually inspired by the value Serotonin places on preventative medicines and its work to advance the adoption of anti-aging treatments among the public. D'Alessio, a PA in emergency medicine, and Dr. Granado, a practicing physician, are eager to introduce the franchise to Monmouth County.
"Dr. Granado and I are eager to spread awareness on the benefits of anti-aging in our own backyard," D'Alessio explained. "We're confident our combined experience as medical professionals and med spa owners, coupled with Serotonin's unique value proposition, will help people to take back their youth, turn back the biological clock and improve their healthspan."
The five New Jersey Serotonin Centers will be the first to introduce the brand outside of Florida. In addition, the groundbreaking in Colts Neck marks a significant step forward for Founder Eric Casaburi, who opened the first Serotonin Centers in 2021 after spending the majority of his career creating and growing the nationally-recognized Retro Fitness gym brand.
"While the progression of this development agreement has been exciting to witness, there's plenty of work ahead to ensure this first facility is up and operational in line with the timeframe we're anticipating," Casaburi said. "Not only will that serve as a benchmark for the locations to come but will allow us to begin introducing area residents to our outstanding concept."
To find out more information on Serotonin Centers and its franchise opportunities, you can visit https://www.serotonincenters.com/franchising/.
Aptly named after the hormone that's function is to stabilize the human feelings of well-being and overall happiness, Serotonin's wellness and anti-aging concept provides members the road map for maximizing wellness and longevity. The anti-aging brand intersects the expertise of both medical practitioners and health coaches in a concierge eco-system under one roof to slow down the human biological clock and extend the prime years of looking and feeling your best. Those interested in investing in a Serotonin Center can visit serotonincenters.com/franchising/ for more information.
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SOURCE Serotonin Centers | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/serotonin-centers-breaks-ground-first-five-new-jersey-locations-multi-unit-development-deal/ | 2022-08-25T14:34:09Z |
Supreme Court ruling takes side of doctors convicted of pain pill schemes
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday ruled for doctors who face criminal charges for overprescribing powerful pain medication in a case arising from the opioid addiction crisis.
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the court that prosecutors must prove that doctors knew they were illegally prescribing powerful pain drugs in violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act.
The ruling came as the U.S. has been seeing record numbers of drug overdose deaths, many from the highly lethal opioid fentanyl.
Evaluating the convictions of two doctors who are each facing more than two decades in prison, the justices ruled on a subject on which advocates for patients and doctors had urged the court to distinguish between criminal behavior and medical errors made in good faith.
It did so in the ruling. Prosecutors, Breyer wrote, “must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly or intentionally acted in an unauthorized manner.”
Fear of aggressive prosecution already has led doctors to avoid prescribing opioids “against their best medical judgment,” the National Pain Advocacy Center told the court in a written filing.
But the justices did not throw out the convictions of two doctors whose appeal was heard in February. Instead, it ordered federal appeals courts to take a new look at their cases.
The court ruled on appeals from Xiulu Ruan of Mobile, Alabama, and Shakeel Kahn, who practiced medicine in Ft. Mohave, Arizona, and Casper, Wyoming.
Ruan is serving a 21-year federal prison term. Kahn is in prison for up to 25 years. They will get another chance to argue that their convictions should be overturned.
Ruan and a partner, James Couch, were convicted of overprescribing medications at their Physicians Pain Specialists of Alabama clinic and a pharmacy.
Kahn was convicted of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances resulting in death, including oxycodone, an opioid pain reliever, and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid.
Jessica Burch, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, was a patient of Kahn’s who died from an overdose in 2015.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/27/supreme-court-ruling-takes-side-doctors-convicted-pain-pill-schemes/ | 2022-06-27T17:21:06Z |
MIDLAND, Texas, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravity, a growth-oriented water and power infrastructure company backed by affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. ("Clearlake"), today announced it has signed a multi-year minimum volume commitment produced water gathering agreement with an independent producer in the Midland Basin.
Rob Rice, Gravity's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are excited to announce this multi-year agreement and will be expanding our West Howard County System capacity by over 100,000 barrels per day to manage the new committed volumes. This producer will anchor approximately 50 percent of the pipeline expansion, and we look forward to locking in the remaining capacity commitments in the near future."
Gravity owns and manages more than 50 active saltwater disposal wells with more than 1.5 million barrels per day of permitted disposal capacity. Prior to this expansion, Gravity added four new saltwater disposal wells since 2021, and over 100,000 barrels of gathering and disposal capacity to its core 500,000+ barrel total capacity Midland Basin water infrastructure system. With the addition of its water reuse services, Gravity provided its customers with over 78 million barrels of midstream sourcing, reuse, gathering and disposal water solutions from January through May 2022.
"Gravity Water Midstream continues to focus on providing reliable and cost-effective produced water gathering, disposal and reuse infrastructure for our customers, while aligning with ESG best practices. This new contract bolsters our market position in the Midland Basin, particularly our gathering and disposal supersystem with over 500,000 barrel capacity in the core production areas in Howard County," stated Trace Hight, Chief Commercial Officer of Gravity Water Midstream.
"Gravity continues to organically grow its integrated water midstream business, and this new agreement is representative of the continued demand for increased produced water services to match the production development in the Permian Basin in an environmentally conscious way," said José E. Feliciano, Chairman of Gravity and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clearlake, and Colin Leonard, Partner and Managing Director of Clearlake.
Gravity is a growth-oriented provider of energy infrastructure services to U.S. onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, providing water midstream solutions, critical power generation offerings and other production focused services. Gravity has significant coverage density in the Permian Basin and benefits from a national footprint supported by facilities, operations and management personnel in several other key domestic resource plays including the Bakken, Eagle Ford, SCOOP/STACK, DJ Basin, Haynesville and Marcellus, among others. More information is available at www.gvty.com.
Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit, and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S.® The firm's core target sectors are industrials, technology, and consumer. Clearlake currently has over $72 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK and Dublin, Ireland. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @Clearlake.
Media Contacts:
For Gravity
Heather Heacock, (281) 640-3043
Marketing Communication Manager
Heather.heacock@gvty.com
For Clearlake
Lambert & Co.
Jennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571
jhurson@lambert.com
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SOURCE Gravity; Clearlake Capital Group | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/gravity-signs-midland-basin-committed-volume-produced-water-agreement/ | 2022-06-29T12:21:04Z |
States, local communities, and Tribes will receive $3.7 billion for opioid epidemic recovery along with $1.2 billion worth of drugs used to treat overdoses
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National Prescription Opiate Litigation Plaintiffs' Executive Committee confirmed that they, alongside the working group of States' Attorneys General, counsel for Native American Tribes and plaintiffs' lawyers representing the States and local communities, have reached an agreement in principle with pharmaceutical manufacturer Teva on the primary financial terms of a nationwide opioid settlement. This agreement follows years of litigation naming Teva as a defendant responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic in America.
As part of the agreement to resolve these claims, Teva will pay approximately $3.7 billion, which includes approximately $650,000,000 in funds earmarked for already settled cases along with more than $3 billion in additional abatement funds, evenly spread over 13 years plus relevant legal fees and costs over six years. In addition, there will be approximately $100,000,000 for Native American Tribes. Teva will also offer the option of $1.2 billion worth of its generic version of the drug Narcan (naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray used to reverse an opioid overdose) over 10 years or, in lieu of the product, an agreed upon cash equivalent.
Statement from National Prescription Opiate Litigation MDL Plaintiffs' Executive Committee co-leads and negotiation team of: Jayne Conroy of Simmons Hanly Conroy; Paul T. Farrell Jr. of Farrell & Fuller Law LLC; Joe Rice of Motley Rice LLC; Russell Budd of Baron & Budd, P.C.; Elizabeth Cabraser of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP; Paul Geller of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP; Peter Mougey of Levin Papantonio Rafferty; Christopher Seeger of Seeger Weiss LLP; Hunter Shkolnik of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC; and Steven Skikos of Skikos, Crawford, Skikos & Joseph LLP:
"Today's development is a direct result of the years of hard work by community leaders, first responders, and the MDL litigation teams who have dedicated their efforts to gathering the resources necessary to battle the opioid epidemic across the country for years ahead. This latest step will provide additional long overdue support to those on the frontline in thousands of communities who will strongly benefit from the influx of financial and medical resources as they continue their life-saving work. While this settlement will resolve claims against a defendant accused of fueling this epidemic in multiple state and federal trials across the country, the agreement can only go into effect with the support of states, subdivisions, and Native American Tribes. We encourage all these groups to sign onto this agreement to allow these resources to get into the hands of those who need them as fast as possible. While this agreement is a vital step, we also recognize that this alone will not put an end to the opioid epidemic. We will continue to work to hold companies up and down the opioid supply chain accountable."
Announced today by Teva, this settlement is contingent upon finalization of terms between the working group and Teva. Once the documentation is finalized, the nationwide agreement will then need to be adopted by a sufficient number of states, subdivisions, and Native-American tribes in the United States to take effect. The parties expect that they will have the documentation for the nationwide settlement agreement finalized within the coming weeks, with the nationwide settlement sign-on process for states, subdivisions, and tribes to follow.
Similar to the provisions of the Global Settlement with drug distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson, the settlement will distribute resources based on factors including population and proportionate share of the opioid epidemic impact as measured by overdose deaths and opioid use disorder diagnoses.
This settlement news comes as multidistrict federal litigation and state litigation continues in courtrooms around the country against other companies in the opioid supply chain. Current litigation includes the federal trial in Ohio that found CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart liable for fueling the opioid crisis in Lake County and Trumbull County, and now awaits the judge's determination of the value of the opioid epidemic abatement funds owed by pharmacy chains to these communities. Another trial in federal court in San Francisco against Walgreens is also awaiting a bench decision. Teva and Allergan were defendants in that trial until July 12, 2022 when the parties reached a $58M settlement agreement. The New York state trial is also anticipating an abatement trial date this fall following a jury finding in favor of the plaintiffs in December 2021. Teva and Anda are defendants in that case.
CONTACT: npol@sunshinesachs.com
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SOURCE National Prescription Opiate Litigation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/teva-pay-over-4-billion-communities-pending-nationwide-opioid-settlement/ | 2022-07-27T00:19:41Z |
- Amsted Automotive is the leader in enabling automakers shift from ICE to EV drivetrains
- Innovative Dynamic Controllable Clutch (DCC), an Electro-Mechanical E-axle Disconnect system, is key enabling technology for AWD and 4WD EVs
- These Amsted technologies are already incorporated into volume production EVs
- Global awareness is building for Amsted's capabilities in advanced EV propulsion tech
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The electric vehicle market is hot, yet automotive suppliers are facing significant obstacles with adapting internal combustion engine (ICE) technology to EVs at the pace required to meet the demand. This includes the challenge of implementing strategies related to EV-based drivetrains. Yet, in less than two years, Amsted Automotive Group has gained a worldwide reputation—and recognition—for helping the automotive industry turn these challenges into new opportunities for success. It starts with the unique torque management needs of electrified vehicles and Amsted Automotive's innovative clutch technology for these next-generation EVs: Dynamic Controllable Clutch (DCC), an Electro-Mechanical E-axle Disconnect system.
At the prestigious 2022 CTI Symposium USA in May—one of the largest events featuring manufacturers and suppliers for automotive transmission, hybrid, and electric drive technologies—John Jennings, Amsted Automotive's Director of Innovation and eMobility, was invited to give a presentation on the company's novel Multi-Functional Clutch Technology for EV Disconnects. Jennings detailed the function, efficiency, range, and cost related to the DCC Disconnect system.
Amsted Automotive was also the subject of the cover story for the June 2022 edition of a high-profile industry magazine: SAE International's Automotive Engineering. The article lauded not only Amsted Automotive's innovative technologies and production capabilities, but its ability to help automakers make this important switch to electrification.
Amsted's break-through technologies that enable smooth and quick AWD and 4WD operation – Dynamic Controllable Clutch (DCC), an Electro-Mechanical E-axle Disconnect system – are incorporated into volume production electric vehicles which launched earlier this year.
Amsted Automotive Group was formed in 2021 through the merger of Amsted Industries with two of its core Tier 1 automotive supply business units, Means Industries and Burgess-Norton. Amsted Automotive Group quickly found itself at the forefront of cutting-edge EV driveline technology, notably its proprietary DCC Disconnect system. This provides seamless engagement and disengagement of the rear electric drivetrain while maintaining on-road and off-road performance. Amsted Automotive Group was able to adapt the technology for its OEM automotive customers, including volume-production electric pickup trucks and SUVs currently on the road. A comprehensive white paper on this Electro-Mechanical E-axle Disconnect solution and its technologies is available at AmstedAuto.com.
In 2021, Amsted Automotive Group brought together Means Industries Inc., SMW Manufacturing, and Burgess-Norton Mfg. Co., Inc. to form a new and innovative technology team. The integration provides an expanded global presence with 21 facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia to serve the global automotive customer base with a robust manufacturing footprint, producing over 100 million components and assemblies annually. The group combines design and engineering expertise, strategically aligned to be a nimble leader in advanced metal-forming and powder metal manufacturing with electro-mechanical clutch design capabilities for electrified propulsion solutions and builds on Amsted Automotive Group's integral role in global advanced automatic transmissions designed in North America, Europe, and Asia.
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SOURCE Amsted Automotive | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/amsted-automotive-group-recognized-accelerating-auto-industrys-transition-electrified-vehicles/ | 2022-06-28T13:35:29Z |
Statement Pursuant to Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
DENVER, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 29, 2022, SRH Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE: STEW) (the "Fund"), a closed-end investment company, will pay a distribution on its common stock of $0.120 per share to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 22, 2022. The Fund, acting in accordance with an exemptive order received from the Securities and Exchange Commission and with approval of its Board of Directors, adopted a managed distribution policy under which the Fund may utilize capital gains, where applicable, as part of regular quarterly cash distributions to its stockholders. This policy gives the Fund greater flexibility to realize capital gains and to distribute those gains to stockholders.
The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the current distribution and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year-to-date from the sources indicated in the table. In addition, the table shows the percentages of the total distribution amount per share attributable to (i) net investment income, (ii) net realized short-term capital gain, (iii) net realized long-term capital gain and (iv) return of capital or other capital source. These percentages are disclosed for the current distribution as well as the fiscal year-to-date cumulative distribution amount per share for the Fund.
Stockholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution policy. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this 19(a) Notice are only estimates, are likely to change over time, and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes.
The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The amounts and sources of distributions year-to-date may be subject to additional adjustments.
Presented below are return figures, based on the change in the Fund's Net Asset Value per share ("NAV"), compared to the annualized distribution rate for this current distribution as a percentage of the NAV on the last day of the month prior to the distribution declaration date. While the NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a stockholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a stockholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.
^ Based on the Fund's NAV as of June 30, 2022 and the quarterly distribution of $0.120.
*Based on the Fund's NAV as of June 30, 2022 and includes distributions through July 31, 2022.
**Cumulative Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund's NAV including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of these distributions for the period December 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
***Average Annual Total Return represents the compound average of the Annual NAV Total Returns of the Fund for the five-year period ending June 30, 2022. Annual NAV Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund's NAV over a year including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of these distributions.
The Fund has a managed distribution policy that seeks to deliver the Fund's long term total return potential through regular quarterly distributions declared at a fixed rate per share. Distributions may be paid in part or in full from net investment income, realized capital gains and by returning capital, or a combination thereof. Stockholders should note, however, that if the Fund's aggregate net investment income and net realized capital gains are less than the amount of the distribution level, the difference will be distributed from the Fund's assets and will constitute a return of the stockholder's capital. A return of capital is not taxable; rather it reduces a stockholder's tax basis in his or her shares of the Fund.
The Fund's Board of Directors reviews the amount of any distributions made pursuant to the Fund's distribution policy and considers the income earned and capital gains realized by the Fund, as well as the Fund's available capital. The Board of Directors will continue to monitor the Fund's distribution level, taking into consideration, among other things, the Fund's net asset value and market conditions. The Fund's distribution policy is subject to modification, suspension or termination by the Board of Directors at any time, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares. The distribution rate should not be considered the dividend yield or total return on an investment in the Fund.
For more information on the Fund, please visit us on the web at www.srhtotalreturnfund.com.
NOT FDIC INSURED | May Lose Value | No Bank Guarantee
1 The Fund's fiscal year is December 1 to November 30. Information shown is for the period beginning December 1, 2021.
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SOURCE SRH Total Return Fund, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/srh-total-return-fund-inc-notification-sources-distribution/ | 2022-07-29T21:03:27Z |
PHOENIX, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) ("Renren" or the "Company"), a SaaS company, today announced that a hearing was held on June 9, 2022 before the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division (the "Court") for the consolidated shareholder derivative lawsuits captioned In re Renren, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Index No. 653594/2018 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cty.) (the "Action") to consider the motion of the Plaintiffs to approve the Stipulation of Settlement dated October 7, 2021, as amended by an Amendment to Stipulation of Settlement dated May 27, 2022 (the "Amended Stipulation") settling the Action. The Amend Stipulation can be found in the exhibits to the Form 6-K that the Company furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on October 8, 2021 and May 27, 2022, respectively. At the hearing, the Court announced that it intended to grant the motion to approve the Amended Stipulation. The judge issued a Final Order and Judgment on June 9, 2022, which will be included as an exhibit to the Form 6-K that the Company intends to promptly furnish to the SEC thereafter, attaching this press release as an exhibit thereto.
About Renren Inc.
Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) operates several U.S.-based SaaS businesses including Chime, an all-in-one CRM and sales acceleration platform designed to help real estate professionals close more deals faster, and Trucker Path, a suite of applications and dispatch services commercial truck drivers use to plan trips, navigate, and operate their business. Renren's ADSs, each currently representing 45 Class A ordinary shares of the Company, are traded on NYSE under the symbol "RENN".
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Renren may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Renren's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that the forward-looking statements included in this press release are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. 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. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in our annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Renren does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
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SOURCE Renren Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/renren-announces-court-approval-settlement-regarding-shareholder-derivative-litigation/ | 2022-06-10T11:33:29Z |
- In first line treatment of advanced or metastatic G/GEJ cancer, early interim data of the first 15 patients with measurable disease receiving the combination of TST001 (Osemitamab) with CAPOX demonstrated a partial response rate of 73.3% and a disease control rate of 100% per RECIST1.1.
- Based on these encouraging data, the TST001 (Osemitamab) program is further accelerated and Health Authority consultations are being initiated. A global phase III clinical program of TST001 (Osemitamab) for the first line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic Claudin18.2 positive G/GEJ cancer is currently being planned.
SUZHOU, China, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transcenta Holding Limited ("Transcenta") (HKEX: 06628), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with fully-integrated capabilities in discovery, research, development and manufacturing of antibody-based therapeutics, announces that interim safety and efficacy data of dose expansion cohort from the phase I/II study of TST001 (Osemitamab), a humanized ADCC-enhanced anti-Claudin18.2 monoclonal antibody, in combination with Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin (CAPOX) as a first line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer was presented in a poster at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022.
As of August 4, 2022, 51 patients were enrolled and dosed including 36 patients treated with TST001 (Osemitamab) plus CAPOX at 6mg/kg Q3W in the expansion phase (median follow up of 65 days). Among the 15 patients with measurable disease and at least one post-treatment tumor assessment, 11 (73.3%) achieved partial response and four (26.7%) achieved stable disease as the best overall tumor response per RECIST1.1, resulting in a disease control rate of 100%. Six out of the eight patients with medium or high Claudin18.2 expression, and five out of the five patients with unknown Claudin18.2 expression achieved partial response.
All 51 enrolled patients were evaluated for safety and tolerability. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) regardless of causality were mostly grade 1-2, including nausea, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, vomiting, platelet count decreased. Twelve (23.5%) patients experienced dose delay, five (9.8%) experienced dose reduction and no patient experienced discontinuation due to treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs).
These data suggest that TST001 (Osemitamab) in combination with CAPOX as the first line treatment of patients with Claudin18.2 positive G/GEJ cancer is well tolerated and encouraging anti-tumor activities have been observed. Transcenta has also developed a proprietary IHC assay to select patients with Claudin18.2 expressing tumors for registration enabling studies. A phase III trial is being planned.
"Chemotherapy is still the main treatment of advanced or metastatic G/GEJ cancer, however, it has limited efficacy. We are pleased to see that TST001 (Osemitamab) combined CAPOX showed good tolerability and promising efficacy in a broad gastric cancer patient population with tumors expressing either medium level or high level of Claudin18.2 expression." said Professor Lin Shen from Beijing Cancer Hospital, the principal investigator. "We look forward to further confirming its clinical benefits through confirmatory studies and bringing a more effective and accessible treatment option for patients with G/GEJ cancer."
"We are extremely encouraged by the early efficacy data we have observed in first line G/GEJ
cancer when adding our differentiated Claudin18.2 antibody, TST001 (Osemitamab) to standard of care chemotherapy. These initial results also support our plans to explore the potential of TST001 (Osemitamab) in G/GEJ cancer with other combinations as well as in other indications. As data continue to mature, we will share them with health authorities with the intent to initiate a confirmatory program in Claudin18.2 selected G/GEJ patients." said Dr. Caroline Germa, Transcenta's Executive Vice President, Global Medicine Development and Chief Medical Officer.
About TST001 (Osemitamab)
TST001 (Osemitamab) is a high affinity humanized anti-Claudin18.2 monoclonal antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity ("ADCC") and complement-dependent cytotoxicity ("CDC") activities and potent anti-tumor activities in tumor xenograft models. TST001 (Osemitamab) is the second most advanced Claudin18.2 targeting antibody being developed globally. TST001 (Osemitamab) is generated using Transcenta's Immune Tolerance Breaking Technology (IMTB) platform. TST001 (Osemitamab) kills Claudin18.2 expressing tumor cells by mechanisms of ADCC and CDC. Leveraging advanced bioprocessing technology, the fucose content of TST001 (Osemitamab) was significantly reduced during the production, which further enhanced NK cells mediated ADCC activity of TST001 (Osemitamab). Clinical trials for TST001 (Osemitamab) are ongoing in the U.S. and China (NCT04396821, NCT04495296/CTR20201281). TST001 (Osemitamab) was granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. by FDA for the treatment of patients with gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer.
About Transcenta Holding Limited
Transcenta (HKEX: 06628) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with fully integrated capabilities in antibody-based biotherapeutics discovery, research, development and manufacturing.
Transcenta has established global footprint, with Headquarters and Discovery, Clinical and Translational Research Center in Suzhou, Process and Product Development Center and Manufacturing Facility in Hangzhou, and Clinical Development Centers in Princeton, US and in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou of China, and External Partnering Center in Boston and Los Angeles, US. Transcenta has also initiated the construction of the Group Headquarters and the second high-end biopharmaceutical facility with ICB as its core technology in Suzhou Industrial Park. Transcenta is developing ten therapeutic antibody molecules for oncology and selected non-oncology indications including bone and kidney disorders.
For more information, please visit www.transcenta.com and https://www.linkedin.com/company/transcenta.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Transcenta, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Transcenta does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.
These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Transcenta with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Transcenta's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Transcenta's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.
Transcenta, the Directors and the employees of Transcenta assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect.
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SOURCE Transcenta Holding Limited | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/transcenta-releases-encouraging-interim-safety-efficacy-data-tst001-osemitamab-chemotherapy-combination-expansion-cohort-first-line-claudin182-positive-gastric-cancer-esmo-congress-2022/ | 2022-09-13T00:24:41Z |
Four people died in a multi-vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer on Interstate 95 South at the Florida-Georgia border on Friday.
The driver of a tractor trailer lost control of the vehicle, which started to overturn and struck a car, before traveling though the center median into the northbound lanes of I-95, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
It was then struck by two more cars and another tractor trailer before "coming to final rest," according to a Georgia State Patrol press release.
Two passengers from the tractor trailer that caused the accident died on the scene from their injuries, according to the release. Another two passengers from one of the cars that hit the tractor trailer when it went into northbound traffic also died from their injuries after being transported to a hospital.
The driver of the tractor trailer was transported to the same hospital and was "suspected to be under the influence of alcohol," GSP said.
Charges will be handled GSP when the investigation is completed, according to the release.
All lanes of I-95 northbound and southbound have since reopened after an hours-long closure caused by the crash, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Giggster looked at every movie on IMDb with a PG-13 rating and more than 10,000 votes and ranked the top 30 according to IMDb user rating, with ties broken by votes. Click for more.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/4-people-dead-following-i-95-wreck-that-caused-hourslong-closure-at-florida-georgia-border/article_e5bbd7cc-ea80-573e-87a0-fb3b2b6de8b1.html | 2022-07-02T20:33:14Z |
LONDON (AP) — For many in the U.K., the pandemic may as well be over.
Mask requirements have been dropped. Free mass testing is a thing of the past. And for the first time since spring 2020, people can go abroad for holidays without ordering tests or filling out lengthy forms.
That sense of freedom is widespread even as infections soaredin Britain in March, driven by the milder but more transmissible omicron BA.2 variant that’s rapidly spreading around Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere.
The situation in the U.K. may portend what lies ahead for other countries as they ease coronavirus restrictions.
France and Germany have seen similar spikes in infections in recent weeks, and the number of hospitalizations in the U.K. and France has again climbed — though the number of deaths per day remains well below levels seen earlier in the pandemic.
In the U.S.,more and more Americans are testing at home, so official case numbers are likely a vast undercount. The roster of those newly infected include actors and politicians, who are tested regularly. Cabinet members, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Broadway actors and the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut have all tested positive.
Britain stands out in Europe because it ditched all mitigation policies in February, including mandatory self-isolation for those infected. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s conservative government is determined to stick to its “living with COVID” plan, but experts disagree on whether the country is coping well.
Some scientists argue it’s the right time to accept that “living with COVID” means tolerating a certain level of disruption and deaths, much like we do for seasonal flu. Others believe that Britain’s government lifted restrictions too quickly and too soon. They warned that deaths and hospital admissions could keep rising because more people over 55 — those who are most likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19 — are now getting infected despite high levels of vaccination.
Hospitals are again under strain, both from patients with the virus and huge numbers of staff off sick, said National Health Service medical director Stephen Powis.
“Blinding ourselves to this level of harm does not constitute living with a virus infection — quite the opposite,” said Stephen Griffin, a professor in medicine at the University of Leeds. “Without sufficient vaccination, ventilation, masking, isolation and testing, we will continue to ‘live with’ disruption, disease and sadly, death, as a result.”
Others, like Paul Hunter, a medicine professor at the University of East Anglia, are more supportive of the government’s policies.
“We’re still not at the point where (COVID-19) is going to be least harmful … but we’re over the worst,” he said. Once a high vaccination rate is achieved there is little value in maintaining restrictions such as social distancing because “they never ultimately prevent infections, only delay them,” he argued.
Britain’s official statistics agency estimated that almost 5 million U.K. residents, or 1 in 13, had the virus in late March, the most it had reported. Separately, the REACT study from London’s Imperial College said its data showed that the country’s infection levels in March were 40% higher than the first omicron peak in January.
Infection rates are so high that airlines had to cancel flightsduring the busy two-week Easter break because too many workers were calling in sick.
France and Germany have seen similar surges as restrictions eased in most European countries. More than 100,000 people in France were testing positive every day despite a sharp dropoff in testing, and the number of virus patients in intensive care rose 22% over the past week.
President Emmanuel Macron’s government, keen to encourage voter turnout in April elections, is not talking about any new restrictions.
In Germany, infection levels have drifted down from a recent peak. But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach backed off a decision to end mandatory self-isolation for infected people just two days after it was announced. He said the plan would send a “completely wrong” signal that “either the pandemic is over or the virus has become significantly more harmless than was assumed in the past.”
In the U.S., outbreaks at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University are bringing back mask requirements to those campuses as officials seek out quarantine space.
Across Europe, only Spain and Switzerland have joined the U.K. in lifting self-isolation requirements for at least some infected people.
But many European countries have eased mass testing, which will make it much harder to know how prevalent the virus is. Britain stopped distributing free rapid home tests this month.
Julian Tang, a flu virologist at the University of Leicester, said that while it’s important to have a surveillance program to monitor for new variants and update the vaccine, countries cope with flu without mandatory restrictions or mass testing.
“Eventually, COVID-19 will settle down to become more endemic and seasonal, like flu,” Tang said. “Living with COVID, to me, should mimic living with flu.”
Cambridge University virologist Ravindra Gupta is more cautious. Mortality rates for COVID-19 are still far higher than seasonal flu and the virus causes more severe disease, he warned. He would have preferred “more gentle easing of restrictions.”
“There’s no reason to believe that a new variant would not be more transmissible or severe,” he added.
___
Geir Moulson and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Angela Charlton in Paris, Barry Hatton in Lisbon and other AP journalists around Europe contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic | https://cw33.com/health/ap-health/living-with-covid-experts-divided-on-uk-plan-as-cases-soar/ | 2022-04-11T06:45:04Z |
Letter to the editor: Parents should support Ohio’s proposed House Bill 616
I believe parents should express support for Ohio’s newly proposed House Bill 616, (nicknamed the "Don’t Say Gay" bill by many adversaries), as it promises a meaningful and necessary academic curriculum for students of all ages in schools statewide.
The bill was proposed by Ohio Republicans as a take on Florida’s "Parental Rights in Education'' bill to allow our children in grades K-4 to learn and focus on academically useful information and skills such as learning the ABCs, reading and writing comprehension, and mental math at such young ages, which is necessary for such a critical period of brain development in young children.
The bill was created to restrict schools from discussing gender, pronouns, sexuality, and other sexually-driven topics with elementary-grade students. Children of all ages, especially as young as kindergartners, should not be forced to learn about another person’s sexual/gender identity, as well as be informed about other’s sex lives and sexual preferences. Instead, children should focus on gaining basic elementary level skills that are vital to their school careers and future lives.
Politics and other controversial topics should not be discussed inside of the classroom, or at least not within elementary classrooms. Students should not have agendas pushed onto them, no matter which side it stems from, which is why Ohio schools should focus on teaching our youth universally essential information that will benefit them in school and in their careers.
Emily Ruby, Jackson Township | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/opinion/2022/05/06/letter-editor-parents-should-support-ohios-proposed-hb-616/9544844002/ | 2022-05-06T10:38:27Z |
Abortion adds to Biden’s all-but-impossible to-do list
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s list of impossible tasks keeps getting longer.
Despite lofty promises he’s made, from the campaign trail through his first year in office, he has limited power to safeguard voting rights or expand the fight against climate change on his own.
And now it’s become clear that Biden has no good options for preserving abortion access as the Supreme Court appears poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.
It’s a disorienting and discouraging state of affairs for Democrats, who control both Congress and the White House for the first time in more than a decade.
But the reality is the party holds only the narrowest of majorities in the Senate, and there simply aren’t enough votes to guarantee abortion rights, especially with the filibuster in place.
Biden’s pledge to codify Roe v. Wade into law seems destined for the same rocky shoals where other parts of his agenda, like tax credits for clean energy or legislation that would preempt state voting restrictions, have already run aground.
Perhaps the most succinct explanation came from Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., earlier this week.
“We’re stuck,” she said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has scheduled a vote on abortion for next Wednesday, but it’s almost certain to fail. Republicans are united in opposition, and a handful of Democrats may not support it either.
The impasse is forcing the White House to reopen its backup playbook — scrounging for ways to make a difference through executive action or regulatory steps while criticizing Republicans for the lack of broader action.
“The White House is under enormous pressure to be more forceful and vocal,” said Lawrence Gostin, who runs the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health at Georgetown Law.
But Gostin, who is advising administration officials on next steps, said, “Biden needs to stick with winnable battles” by focusing on “low hanging fruit.”
One of those ideas involves making abortion medication more accessible by mail. The Food and Drug Administration has already eliminated the requirement to pick up the pills in person, and Gostin said the practice will need an aggressive defense as it faces conservative attacks.
The Justice Department has already gone to court over abortion access, suing Texas last year in an effort to stop a law that would ban most abortions.
Another concept, Gostin said, would be allowing Medicaid to pay for travel if a woman can’t get an abortion in her own state. Such a plan might run afoul of the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding for abortions, so it would require careful wording.
For example, the policy could say Medicaid would pay for travel for authorized medical treatment if it’s not legal where the patient lives — making no mention of abortion.
None of these proposals are foolproof, and they will likely face Republican challenges in the courts or through legislation.
“It’s like whack-a-mole,” Gostin said. “Anytime a woman tries to overcome state restrictions, they make them tighter.”
These kinds of administrative steps are similar to what Biden has done when other initiatives have stalled on Capitol Hill.
On voting, for example, he signed an executive order intended to make it easier to register, and the Justice Department is ramping up its efforts to protect ballot access.
In addition, Biden included some climate policies in the infrastructure legislation that passed last year, and regulators are strengthening rules on vehicle emissions.
“The president is incredibly proud of what he’s already accomplished in 15 months of his presidency,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday.
Asked about Biden’s struggles on Capitol Hill, Psaki pointed to his long experience as a senator.
“He knows and understands it sometimes takes more time than he would like to get your agenda forward,” she said.
However, abortion stirs even greater passions than other issues across the political spectrum, and frustration about inaction is bubbling up.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who wants his state to become a refuge for people seeking abortions, said this week that Democrats are falling short.
“Where the hell is my party?” he said. Abortion opponents are winning, Newsom added. “We need to stand up. Where’s the counteroffensive?”
Cecilia Muñoz, a senior adviser at New America, a left-leaning think tank based in Washington, said in an interview earlier this year “there’s an assumption that the president has a magic wand that he doesn’t always have.”
She saw that firsthand as director of President Barack Obama’s Domestic Policy Council, when the White House increasingly relied on executive actions to make progress toward its goals despite Republican opposition.
“I think the advocacy community has gotten used to the idea that there are shortcuts,” she said. “But there are no good shortcuts.”
Mini Timmaraju, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the expected end of Roe v. Wade will require activists to use different tactics.
“The American people are used to relying on the courts to protect their fundamental freedoms,” she said. “And now we really have to get folks used to shifting their attention to legislators, members of Congress, legislative bodies. And that’s going to be a little bit of a culture shock and a little bit of a shift in the way we think.”
Democrats seem likely to lose control of Congress in the November elections, especially with Biden’s sagging approval ratings. However, some hope that the Supreme Court decision will fire up their voters.
“What you’re looking for in politics is an opportunity,” said Cornell Belcher, a Democratic pollster. “There’s an opportunity that wasn’t there before this came out.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, rejected the idea that voters are frustrated by Biden’s ability to deliver on some of his priorities.
“If we show the fight we need to show ... our voters will come out in large numbers,” he said before Biden toured a metal company in his state Friday. He added, “They know if we had a few more members of the Senate, a lot of those things they care about would have been enacted.”
Michael Beschloss, a presidential historian, compared Biden’s situation to President Harry Truman, who was floundering as he ran for reelection in 1948. He turned his campaign into an indictment of a “do-nothing Congress,” which was controlled by Republicans at the time, and he managed to pull off a narrow victory.
The goal, Beschloss said, is to “take a bad hand and play it perfectly.”
Biden is trying a similar tack ahead of the midterms, escalating his criticism of other Republican proposals.
He repeatedly points to a blueprint from the National Republican Senatorial Committee that would increase taxes on people at the lower end of the income scale and force federal programs like Social Security to be reauthorized every five years.
“I’ve offered a different plan — a plan rooted in American values of fairness and decency,” Biden said Wednesday.
And he warns that Republicans won’t stop at abortion and could target other rights that were earned through the Supreme Court, such as access to birth control or same sex marriage.
“This MAGA crowd” — a reference to Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan — “is really the most extreme political organization that’s existed in recent American history,” Biden said.
__
Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/07/abortion-adds-bidens-all-but-impossible-to-do-list/ | 2022-05-07T05:20:23Z |
Gay couple, their children verbally assaulted by Amtrak passenger during ride to Bay Area
By Tim Johns
Click here for updates on this story
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — What was supposed to be a fun family trip, turned into a nightmare Tuesday afternoon for Robbie Pierce, his husband Neal and their children.
The couple was hours into an Amtrak train journey from Los Angeles to the Bay Area, when suddenly another passenger came up to the couple and began screaming at their children.
“The first thing he said was, ‘Remember what I told you. Marriage is between a man and a woman, and these people stole you. They’re not your parents, they’re pedophiles,”‘ Pierce said.
The couple says they were both shocked and horrified.
Pierce’s husband, Neal Broverman, immediately jumped up to separate the raging man from his kids.
“When you’re a parent and your family or kids feel threatened, or you feel that they’re threatened, you become kind of fearless,” Broverman said.
Unaware if the man had some type of weapon, Pierce says he took his children to a different train car.
The kids, he said, were visibly shaken.
“They were both just sobbing. Just tears all down their faces. And my son was kind of just frozen. My daughter was yelling, ‘why is this happening?'” Pierce said.
When the train stopped in San Jose Amtrak employees told the unidentified man that he had to leave.
A request he refused, until Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies were called in for backup.
“He had been yelling, ‘I’ll die before I get off this train. You’ll have to kill me to get me out of here,”‘ said Pierce.
The couple says while this isn’t the first time they’ve experienced discrimination in public, this instance was the most extreme.
“These children have already had so much trauma. Like they’ve been through the foster system,” Pierce said.
But despite the attack, the couple says they’re determined to keep living their lives as normal. Speaking out for those who can’t always speak out for themselves.
“They want us to be afraid. And so, as scary as it is, we can’t let that win. We’re just not going to let them drive us out of the public discourse,” said Pierce.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. | https://localnews8.com/cnn-regional/2022/04/19/gay-couple-their-children-verbally-assaulted-by-amtrak-passenger-during-ride-to-bay-area/ | 2022-04-20T01:54:14Z |
ÖSTERSUND, Sweden, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- We are delivering a very good profit for the period with net leasing of SEK 39m and an occupancy rate of 91 per cent in a continued strong market. Revenue increased by 10 per cent and the surplus ratio was 68 per cent.
Period Jan-Jun 2022
- Income increased by 10 per cent and amounts to SEK 1,082 million (987)Property management income increased by 13 per cent and amounted to SEK 584 million (519)
- Unrealized changes in property values amounted to SEK 638 million (675) and on derivatives to SEK 115 million (14)
- Profit after tax was SEK 1,064 million (957)
- Earnings per share was SEK 7.52 (7.07)
Second quarter 2022
- Income increased by 8 per cent and amounts to SEK 543 million (504)
- Property management income increased by 8 per cent and amounted to SEK 313 million (288)
- Unrealized changes in property values amounted to 106 million (257) and on derivatives to SEK 27 million (5)
- Profit after tax was SEK 356 million (435)
- Earnings per share was SEK 2.52 (3.22)
– I believe very strongly in our cities and the opportunities that come with large planned investments, strong willingness to move in and attractive growth targets. In our clear position as a market-leading property company in our cities and with our strong local teams, we have both the knowledge and the ability to continue to create value for our employees, our tenants and our shareholders, says Knut Rost, CEO.
Presentation of the report
Today at 10.00 am, CEO Knut Rost and CFO Rolf Larsson will present the report via a webcasted conference call. The presentation will be held in English.
More information about the conference can be found at: https://investors.dios.se/English
This disclosure contains information that Diös Fastigheter AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014) and the Swedish Securities Markets Act (2007:528). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07:00 CEST on 7 July 2022.
CONTACT:
Knut Rost, CEO, Diös
Phone: +46 10-470 95 01
E-mail: knut.rost@dios.se
Rolf Larsson, CFO, Diös
Phone: +46 10-470 95 03
E-mail: rolf.larsson@dios.se
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SOURCE Diös Fastigheter | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/dis-fastigheter-interim-report-jan-jun-2022/ | 2022-07-07T06:12:38Z |
JINJIANG, China, April 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Antelope Enterprise Holdings Limited (NASDAQ Capital Market: AEHL) ("Antelope Enterprise" or the "Company"), a leading Chinese manufacturer of ceramic tiles used for exterior siding and for interior flooring and design in residential and commercial buildings, and which also engages in business management, information system consulting, and online social commerce and live streaming, today announced its financial results for the second half and fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Second Half 2021 Summary
- Revenue was RMB 166.2 million (US$ 25.8 million), a 16.0% increase from RMB 143.2 million (US$ 21.1 million) for the same period of 2020. The increase in revenue was due to the generation of RMB 63.6 million (US$ 9.9 million) in business management, information system consulting, and online social commerce and live streaming, new operating segments for the Company, which accounted for 38.3% of the Company's total revenue for the six-month period.
- Gross profit was RMB 73.8 million (US$ 11.5 million) as compared to gross loss of RMB 26.9 million (US$ 4.0 million) for the same period of 2020.
- Operating results were affected by bad debt expense of RMB 75.7 million (US$ 11.8 million) for the second half of 2021, as compared to bad debt expense of RMB 48.5 million (US$ 7.2 million) for the same period of 2020.
- Net loss was RMB 19.3 million (US$ 3.0 million) for the second half of 2021, as compared to a net loss of RMB 81.6 million (US$ 12.0 million) for the same period of 2020.
Ms. Meishuang Huang, Chief Executive Officer of Antelope Enterprise, commented, "During fiscal year 2021, we continued to experience challenging market conditions for our ceramic tile business segment due to the slowdown of the real estate sector in China which was being impacted by the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To mitigate these challenging conditions, in 2021, we continued to execute our strategic plan to diversify our business and fuel our growth by incorporating several new technology sector subsidiaries."
"These new subsidiaries are engaged in selected markets in China which we believe have strong growth potential. These include business management, information system consulting, and social media, online social commerce and live streaming in China. We are pleased that these new sectors contributed 38% of revenue to our financial performance for the second half of 2021 and 33% for the full year 2021, which shows that our strategic plan is on course."
"Due to the challenging conditions for real estate and building materials in China, in November 2021 we entered into a five-year lease agreement to lease out the entire Hengdali facility with the same lessee that had been leasing out just a portion of the plant. This decision is consistent with our resolve to pivot towards technology growth sectors. However, we are secure in having ample unused production capacity for ceramic tiles at our Hengda facility for when the real estate market turns around."
"We are committed to diversifying the Company into growth technology sectors and are encouraged by the strong contribution from our new technology subsidiaries to date. In particular, we believe that social media, online social commerce and live streaming in China will experience sustained growth in the years to come," concluded Ms. Huang.
Six Months Results Ended December 31, 2021
Revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was RMB 166.2 million (US$ 25.8 million), a 16.0% increase from RMB 143.2 million (US$ 21.1 million) for the same period of 2020. The increase in revenue was due to the generation of RMB 63.6 million (US$ 9.9 million) in business management, information system consulting, and online social commerce and live streaming operations revenue from Chengdu Future, Antelope Chengdu and Hainan Kylin Cloud Services, new operating businesses of the Company, which accounted for 38.3% of the Company's total revenue in the current period. However, this contribution was partly offset by an RMB 40.6 million (US$ 6.3 million) decrease in ceramic tile sales. The decrease in ceramic tile sales was due to a 22.1% decrease in ceramic tile sales volume to 5.1 million square meters of ceramic tiles compared to 6.6 million square meters of ceramic tiles for the same period of 2020, and an 8.0% decrease in average selling price to RMB 20.1 (US$ 3.13) compared to RMB 21.8 (US$ 3.34) for the same period of 2020.
Gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was RMB 73.8 million (US$ 11.5 million), as compared to gross loss of RMB 26.9 million (US$ 4.0 million) for the same period of 2020. The gross profit margin was 44.4% as compared to a gross loss margin 18.8% for the same period of 2020. The increase in gross profit margin for the six months ending December 31, 2021 was due to RMB 0.9 million in gross profit contributed by the Company's new subsidiaries that engage in business management, information system consulting, and online social commerce and live streaming operations, and a reversal of an inventory impairment provision of RMB 99.2 million as compared to a reversal of an inventory impairment provision of RMB 2.3 million for the same period of 2020. Without the reversal of the inventory impairment provisions, the gross loss margin for the current period was 15.3% as compared to a gross loss margin of 20.4% for the same period of 2020.
Other income for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was RMB 2.3 million (US$ 0.4 million), as compared to the RMB 12.2 million ($1.8 million) for the comparable period of 2020. Other income primarily consists of rental income that the Company received by leasing out one of its production lines from its Hengdali facility pursuant to an eight-year lease contract. In addition, we realized RMB 7.2 million (US$ 0.3 million) from our newly incorporated subsidiaries, Chengdu Future and Antelope Chengdu, which engage in computer consulting and software development, respectively, during the comparable period of 2020. Since these new businesses had just launched and their income was fairly modest, it was included in this reporting line item for the year-ago period.
Selling and distribution expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2021 were RMB 3.1 million (US$ 0.5 million), as compared to RMB 4.2 million (US$ 0.6 million) for the comparable period of 2020. The decrease in selling and distribution expenses was primarily due to a decrease in advertising expenses of RMB 0.7 million and a decrease in payroll expenses of RMB 0.4 million.
Administrative expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2021 were RMB 15.2 million (US$ 2.4 million), as compared to RMB 11.9 million (US$ 1.8 million) for the same period of 2020. The increase in administrative expenses was mainly due to an increase in consulting fees of RMB 1.3 million and an increase in professional fees of RMB 1.9 million.
Bad debt expense for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was RMB 75.7 million (US$ 11.8 million), as compared to bad debt expense of RMB 48.5 million (US$ 7.2 million) for the same period of 2020. We recognize a loss allowance for expected credit loss on our financial assets, primarily on trade receivables, which are subject to impairment under IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. We believe that we have undertaken appropriate measures to resolve our bad debt expense. We will continue to review each of our customers for credit quality as well as assiduously test their accounts receivables balances in each upcoming fiscal period.
Other expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2021 were RMB 47,000 (US$ 7,000), as compared to RMB nil (US$ nil) for the same period of 2020. The increase in other expenses was mainly due to an exchange rate loss and an expense related to a non-refundable rent deposit attributable to our subsidiary Antelope Chengdu due to the early termination of a lease.
Net loss for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was RMB 19.3 million (US$ 3.0 million), as compared to a net loss of RMB 81.6 million (US$ 12.0 million) for the same period of 2020. The decrease in net loss was mainly due to an increase in gross profit, a decrease in bad debt expense and the substantial increase in the reversal of the inventory impairment provision in the current period as compared to the same period for 2020.
Loss per basic share and fully diluted share for the six months ended December 31, 2021 were RMB 3.75 (US$ 0.58), as compared to loss per basic and fully diluted share of RMB 24.85 (US$ 3.67) for the same period of 2020, with the latter figures retroactively presented for the 3:1 reverse stock split effective on September 3, 2020.
Full Year 2021 Financial Results
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 was RMB 216.3 million (US$ 33.5 million), as compared to RMB 183.0 million (US$ 26.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2020. Gross profit was RMB 67.3 million (US$ 10.4 million), as compared to gross loss of RMB 26.0 million (US$ 3.8 million) for the same period of 2020. The gross profit margin was 31.1%, as compared to a 14.2% gross loss margin for the same period of 2020. Other income was RMB 9.4 million (US$ 1.5 million), as compared to RMB 21.9 million (US$ 3.2 million) for the same period of 2020. Selling expenses were RMB 6.3 million (US$ 1.0 million), as compared to RMB 9.4 million (US$ 1.5 million) for the same period of 2020. Administrative expenses were RMB 32.4 million (US$ 5.0 million), as compared to RMB 26.6 million (US$ 3.9 million) for the same period of 2020. Bad debt expense was RMB 125.6 million (US$ 19.5 million), as compared to RMB 150.3 million (US$ 21.8 million) for the same period of 2020. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 was RMB 90.0 million (US$ 14.0 million), as compared to a net loss of RMB 193.1 million (US$ 28.0 million) for the same period of 2020. Loss per share on a basic and fully diluted basis were RMB 17.24 (US$ 2.67) for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to basic and fully diluted loss per share of RMB 65.67 (US$ 9.51) for the same period of 2020.
Statements of Selected Financial Position Items for the Fiscal Year Ended 2021
- Cash and bank balances were RMB 27.9 million (US$ 4.4 million) as of December 31, 2021, compared with RMB 12.3 million (US$ 1.9 million) as of December 31, 2020.
- Inventory turnover was 183 days as of December 31, 2021, as compared to 190 days as of December 31, 2020. The decrease in inventory turnover days was primarily due to the cessation of production at our Hengdali facility during fiscal year 2021 due to our plan to primarily utilize current inventory in stock. We believe that the value of our current inventories is realizable.
- Trade receivables turnover of sales of ceramic tile products, net of value added tax, was 168 days as of December 31, 2021, as compared with 242 days as of December 31, 2020. The decrease in trade receivables turnover was primarily due to the increase in the general doubtful debt provision calculated according to the expected credit loss stipulations in IFRS 9. Trade receivables turnover of our business management, information system consulting, and online social commerce and live streaming operations was 11 days as of December 31, 2021.
- Trade payables turnover of sales of ceramic tile products, net of value added tax, was 20 days as of December 31, 2021 as compared with 22 days as of December 31, 2020. The average turnover days was within the normal credit period of one to four months granted by our suppliers. Trade payables turnover of our business management, information system consulting, and online social commerce and live streaming operations was 7 days as of December 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flow used in operating activities was RMB 4.4 million (US$ 0.7 million) for the six months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to RMB 1.6 million (US$ 0.2 million) in the same period of 2020. The increase of cash outflow was mainly due to an increase of cash outflow on other receivables and prepayments of RMB 19.7 million, a decrease in cash inflow in inventories of RMB 41.5 million, and a decrease in cash inflow on taxes payable of RMB 4.4 million and an increase in operating cash outflow before working capital changes of RMB 5.1 million, which was partly offset by a decrease in cash outflow of trade receivables of RMB 46.3 million, an increase in cash inflow of unearned revenue of RMB 15.8 million, a decrease in cash outflow in accrued liability and other payable of RMB 0.3 million, and an increase in cash inflow of trade payables of RMB 5.4 million.
Cash flow used in investing activities was RMB 1.15 million (US$ 0.2 million) for the six months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to cash flow used in investing activities of RMB 46,000 (US$ 7,000) for the same period of 2020. The increase in cash outflow during the six months ended December 31, 2021 was mainly due to the purchase of fixed assets of 1.1 million.
Cash flow used in financing activities was RMB 1.0 million (US$ 0.2 million) for the six months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to cash flow used in financing activities of RMB 71,000 (US$ 10,000) in the same period of 2020. For the six months ended December 31, 2021, we generated cash inflow from the issuance of share capital of RMB 0.4 million (US$ 61,000), proceeds resulting from warrants exercised of RMB 136,000 (US$ 21,000), and the payment of lease liabilities of RMB 0.5 million (US$ 75,000). For the six months ended December 31, 2020, we generated cash inflow from the issuance of share capital of RMB 8.0 million (US$1.2 million), which was partially offset by repayment a loan advance from related parties of RMB 7.6 million (US$ 1.1 million) and the payment of lease liabilities of RMB 0.2 million (US$ 35,000).
Plant Capacity and Capital Expenditures Update
We utilized plant capacity that produced 1.2 million square meters of ceramic tiles for the six months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to 1.5 million square meters of ceramic tiles for the same period of 2021, with all of the current period's production attributable to our Hengda facility. Our reduced utilization during the current period was primarily attributable to the continued slowdown of the real estate industry in China which was still being impacted by the continued effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Effective November 1, 2021, we entered into a new lease agreement with the same lessee that had been leasing one of the production lines at the Hengdali facility that has the capacity to produce ten million square meters of annual production capacity. The new lease is for Hengdali in its entirety which includes building, plant and facilities, and which contains all of its machinery, equipment and production lines. The new lease has a term of five years, from November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2026, for an annual rent of RMB 18.0 million.
The leased Hengdali facility has an annual production capacity of 22.4 million square meters of ceramic tiles, a reduction from its annual production capacity of 27.7 million square meters of ceramic tiles, resulting from the Company having retired two old furnaces at Hengdali in fiscal 2021. For the current period, there was no production capacity utilized at Hengdali due to our having utilized current inventory in stock to fill customer orders as well as our having executed a new lease agreement for the entire facility including all of its production lines.
Therefore, the Company's total annual production capacity is 22.8 million square meters of ceramic tiles which is solely attributable to its Hengda facility. We intend to bring unused production capacity at Hengda online as customer demand dictates and when there are signs of improvement in China's real estate and construction sectors.
We review the level of capital expenditures throughout the year and make adjustments subject to market conditions. Although business conditions are subject to change, we anticipate a modest level of capital expenditures for 2022 other than those associated with minimal upgrades, small repairs and the maintenance of equipment.
Business Outlook
In terms of our ceramic tile business, for fiscal year 2021, the Company's operating results continued to be impacted by the slowdown of China's real estate sector due to the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a rise in property prices month-over-month for the first six months of 2021, average new home prices in China's 70 major cities fell month-over-month for the second six months of 2021, and early 2022 data shows the weakest rise in new home prices since November 2015. Due to challenging market conditions, we enacted a plan to work ceramic tile products already in inventory through our sales channels although we continued to engage in marketing for our products for when the real estate market turns around.
In 2021, China's central government reined in real estate developers with stricter financial rules for property development resulting in a cooling of its property market. Consequently, investment in China's property sector resulted in 4.4% annual growth in 2021 down from 7.0% growth rate recorded in 2020. In addition, although the number of new construction projects was reasonably sound in the first half of 2021, it decreased 11.4% year-over-year by the end of the year due to constraints attributable to regulatory measures that affected property developers.
Looking forward, China's central government indicated that it would invigorate the economy, as it has in the past, which would include helping to support China's real estate sector. In early 2022, the People's Bank of China cut its reserve requirement ratio which freed up more loan capital for home buyers. Due to weakened market demand, banks have lowered mortgage rates by an average of 20 to 60 basis points and some provinces have loosened some of their polices which include removing restrictions on home purchases for those without full local residency status. In addition, some banks in China have issued infrastructure bonds to fund their lending to property developers. Real estate continues to be a vital component of China's economic growth as real estate and its related business activities is estimated to comprise 25% of China's GDP.
We believe that the demand for our ceramic tile products will mostly come from Tier 3 and lower-tier cities as well as coastal cities over the next few years. However, we will also market our products to Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities as opportunities arise, and we will be increasing our efforts to secure customers in the larger Southeast Asia market.
In terms of our technology business development activities, during fiscal 2021, we continued to execute on our strategic plan to diversify our operations with new technology sector operations as we generated of RMB 71.5 million (US$ 11.1 million) in revenue from our new subsidiaries in business management, information system consulting which includes the sales of software use rights for digital data deposit platforms and asset management systems, and an online social media platform including live streaming and e-commence platform development and consulting. These new business segments accounted for 33.1% of the Company's revenue in fiscal 2021 and enabled us to realize an 18.2% increase in total revenue for the year as compared to fiscal 2020.
The Social E-commerce Branch of the China Association for Trade in Services released the "2021 Social E-commerce Innovation and Development Report", indicating that the scale of China's social e-commerce market is expected to reach RMB 5.8 trillion by the end of 2021, a 45% year-over-year increase. We expect rapid growth to continue in the live e-commence and broadcast industry in China over the next few years, and we plan to gradually focus our business towards these sectors in the periods ahead.
This business outlook reflects the Company's current and preliminary views and is based on the information currently available to us, which are subject to change, and is subject to risks and uncertainties, as well as risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's public filings.
Conference Call Information
We will host a conference call at 8:00 am ET on May 2, 2022. Listeners may access the call by dialing +1 (877) 275-8968 five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time. International callers should dial +1 (509) 844-0154. The conference participant pass code is 3697077. A replay of the conference call will be available for 14 days starting from 11:00 am ET on May 2, 2022. To access the replay, dial +1 (855) 859-2056. International callers should dial +1 (404) 537-3406. The pass code is 3697077 for the replay.
About Antelope Enterprise Holdings Limited
Antelope Enterprise Holdings Limited is a leading manufacturer of ceramic tiles in China. The Company's ceramic tiles are used for exterior siding, interior flooring, and design in residential and commercial buildings. Antelope Enterprise's products, sold under the "Hengda" or "HD", are available in over 2,000 style, color and size combinations and are distributed through a network of exclusive distributors as well as directly to large property developers. The Company also engages in business management, information system consulting, and online social commerce and live streaming in China. For more information, please visit http://www.aehltd.com.
Currency Convenience Translation
The Company's financial information is stated in Renminbi ("RMB"). Translations of amounts from RMB into United States dollars ("US$") in this earnings release are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00 = RMB 6.3726 for balance sheet accounts at the balance sheet date, US$1.00 = RMB 6.4508 for the P&L accounts for the year ended December 31, 2021, and US$1.00 = RMB 6.4316 for the P&L accounts for the six months ended December 31, 2021. The exchange rate refers to the historical rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release published by www.federalreserve.gov on December 31, 2021. Such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted realized or settled into US$ at that rate on December 31, 2021 or any other rate.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain of the statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning and protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the actual results, performance, capital, ownership or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the continued stable macroeconomic environment in the PRC, the PRC real estate, construction and technology sectors continuing to exhibit sound long-term fundamentals, our ability to bring additional ceramic tile production capacity online going forward as our business improves, our ceramic tile customers continuing to adjust to our product price increases, our ability to sustain our average selling price increases and to continue to build volume in the quarters ahead, and whether our enhanced marketing efforts will help to produce wider customer acceptance of the new price points; and our ability to continue to grow our business management, information system consulting, and online social commerce and live streaming business. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "assume," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "point to," "project," "could," "intend," "target" and other similar words and expressions of the future.
All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 and otherwise in our SEC reports and filings. Such reports are available upon request from the Company, or from the Securities and Exchange Commission, including through the SEC's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date hereof, or after the respective dates on which any such statements otherwise are made.
FINANCIAL TABLES
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SOURCE Antelope Enterprise Holdings Limited | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/29/antelope-enterprise-announces-second-half-full-year-2021-financial-results/ | 2022-04-29T21:12:57Z |
Exclusive collaboration between B Corp™ accounting firm and preeminent ESG assessment tool that aligns with the world's leading ESG and sustainability standards
PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sensiba San Filippo LLP (SSF), a West Coast accounting and business-consulting firm, and Impakt IQ (IIQ), a leading environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assessment, reporting and intelligence tool, are excited to announce an exclusive deployment partnership to connect the dots between ESG opportunities and risk, and their impacts to an organization's bottom-line performance.
Impakt IQ's approach features a powerful toolset that enables companies to measure and manage their ESG intelligence. It generates an ESG score, ESG statement, and ESG report that are backed by auditable investment-grade data and aligned with the world's leading sustainability and ESG standards, including the Task Force for Climate Change Disclosure (TCFD), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and the SEC. The Impakt IQ approach is a systems-based process that stands on the shoulders of 15+ years of experience, knowledge, and demonstrated profitable results.
The Impakt IQ tool addresses a company's ESG blind spots and provides insight into ESG impacts, allowing executives to leverage this intelligence to make informed business decisions. The approach and toolkit help inform and connect all leaders of an organization, creating cross functional awareness and holistic insight into ESG risks, opportunities, and value creation.
The Impakt IQ report and toolkit is to ESG what a Financial Report is to finance. This tool enables organizations to evaluate and generate their ESG scores internally, giving them insight and control over their ESG management, disclosure, and narrative in a way that aligns with investor-grade standards and is fully auditable. Reporting components include:
- The IIQ ESG Report: reveals and identifies an organization's ESG current state, financial and reputational risks, and value creation opportunities, all organized elegantly into intuitive decision-useful information aimed at helping drive profitability
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- The IIQ ESG Statement: is derived from company generated due diligence documents, leadership input from across the organization, and industry sector specific data collected from over 1,100 data points
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"Accounting firms have been measuring and calculating risk from a business's financial data forever," says John Sensiba, managing partner of Sensiba San Filippo. "With ESG issues increasingly taking center stage in today's interconnected economy, it only makes sense that we measure and calculate risk from all the non-financial sustainability data in a standardized way as well."
"I have been developing an ESG Intelligence tool to help business leaders evolve to sustainable business models profitably for over 15 years when I recognized the link between financial and brand performance and sustainable business practices. The missing link to scaling ESG Intelligence and this tool has been the lack of a recognized global ESG standard — that changed in November 2021 with the announcement of the ISSB and subsequently SASB and TCFD rolling up under the ISSB," says Elisa Turner, founder of Impakt IQ. "All the pieces of the puzzle now exist, and we are excited to be scaling the Impakt IQ ESG Intelligence tool 3.0 with SSF. When we looked for an industry partner to team up with SSF and their Sensiba Center for Sustainability was the only logical choice out there, they are aligned in values and the belief that ESG performance today is interconnected to financial performance and integrated reporting is the future."
"The SSF sustainability team has been beta testing this tool for several months on three separate projects; the initial feedback has been really positive as it is offering insights into areas for operational improvement and risk management" says Scott Anderson, SASB and audit partner at Sensiba San Filippo LLP. "The fact that it is aligned with SASB and TCFD, was critical to our decision making and this supports the credibility of the assessment outcomes. This alignment also reinforces that our assessment results will segues nicely into sustainability reporting that stakeholders are increasingly requesting."
As a Certified B Corp™ accounting firm, Sensiba San Filippo LLP (SSF) provides clients with comprehensive assurance, tax, and consulting services while using the power of business to solve social and environmental challenges. SSF ranks among the region's top 20 public accounting firms and utilizes regional and global expertise to serve clients across various industries. The Sensiba Center for Sustainability (SCFS) was launched in 2020 and aims to help measure and benchmark non-financial data alongside financial data and tie ESG and sustainability efforts back to tangible ROI and bottom-line gains. SSF has been a trusted financial advisor for over 40 years, and SCFS is guiding companies in becoming more resilient and leveraging Business as a Force for Good™. Headquartered in Pleasanton, SSF has offices in San Jose, Bend, Portland, and Fresno. For more information, visit ssfllp.com or ssfllp.com/sustainability.
Impakt IQ (IIQ) helps organizations evolve to an impact performance mindset, culture, and framework that creates a material positive impact on society and the environment while building a more resilient and profitable business. IIQ ESG framework and reporting provides insight into what matters most and allows leadership to see "all" impact risks and opportunities relating to each other and their whole organization, backed by auditable investment-grade data and aligned with Task Force for Climate Change Disclosure (TCFD), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and the SEC. For more information, visit impaktiq.com.
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SOURCE Sensiba San Filippo, LLP; Impakt IQ | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/sensiba-san-filippo-impakt-iq-partner-launch-esg-assessment-tool/ | 2022-09-07T19:48:46Z |
eScrip has 53,000 schools and nonprofits as beneficiaries in its fundraising program, with 800,000 eligible organizations in its database
TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - eScrip, the longest running, most successful shop-to-fundraise "electronic scrip" program in the United States, announced today that it has officially reached the $450 million milestone of contributions to schools and nonprofits across the country.
Launched in 1999, eScrip provides retailers and customers the opportunity to give back to schools and nonprofits in their local community. Retailers allocate their existing community giving to the charities that their shoppers designate when they enroll. Much like rewards programs that allow customers to earn points, eScrip enables its customers to automatically earn money for the organizations of their choice by shopping at participating locations. eScrip has 53,000 schools and nonprofits in all 50 states enrolled as beneficiaries in its fundraising program. eScrip can run independently on a retailer's POS or can be plugged into existing loyalty rewards and digital coupon platforms.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on schools and nonprofit fundraising activities, making the need to support our local community more important than ever," said Andy Ruff, Vice President of eScrip. "Customers are increasingly showing their willingness to shop with the brands that support those causes that are important to them. Using eScrip is a no-brainer for brands to manage their giving programs without having to do any of the heavy lifting."
Retailers can view contribution activity, access customer-specific analytics reports and more. eScrip verifies the charitable organizations and automates donation payments, making it easy for customers to select schools, parent/teacher associations, animal welfare organizations, school districts and more as donation recipients.
"We are proud of the eScrip network that we have built and the product that we have refined over the last 20-plus years, and look forward to expanding our reach this coming school year," said Ruff. "We partner with generous merchants in our communities that give back to the causes that matter to their loyal customers. Whether a retailer has one or thousands of locations, eScrip is free to customers and easy to integrate into existing technology, making it a turnkey experience for retailers – and customers – to enroll in the program."
eScrip and its parent company Loyalty Lane were acquired by Givex, a global leader in omnichannel processing of gift cards, loyalty, and digital merchandise credit, in February 2022. Givex has a global footprint of more than 115,000 merchant locations using at least one Givex service. Loyalty Lane has invested in refreshing the UI of eScrip, making it easier for shoppers, retailers and charities to engage in charitable giving.
"With Loyalty Lane and eScrip, Givex is well-positioned to continue embarking on our ambitious global growth strategy," said Don Gray, CEO of Givex. "Technology has continued to play a key role in the lives of customers across the globe, and most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic. eScrip utilizes technology to make fundraising for the local community as easy and seamless as possible for both customers and retailers."
Since 1999, eScrip has helped over 82,000 schools and nonprofit organizations earn more than $450 million for much needed programs and activities. Founded by Electronic Scrip, Inc., the vision was to establish relationships between commerce and community, and to support education and projects that benefit children.
Givex (TSX: GIVX) (OTCQX: GIVXF) is a global fintech company providing merchants with customer engagement, point of sale and payment solutions, all in a single platform. We are integrated with 1000+ technology partners, creating a fully end-to-end solution that delivers powerful customer insights. Our platform is used by some of the world's largest brands, comprising approximately 100,000+ active locations across more than 100 countries. Learn more at www.givex.com.
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SOURCE Givex | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/givex-subsidiary-electronic-scrip-escrip-reaches-450-million-donations-local-schools-nonprofits/ | 2022-08-09T11:28:02Z |
BRAMPTON, ON, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - PaySprint Inc is deepening financial inclusion of underserved in urban and semi-urban centres, globally, through its product, PaySprint.
Through its wallet-to-wallet transfer, PaySprint has become the preferred way of sending and receiving money in both the formal and informal economies. Small business owners, freelancers, consultants, and many business professionals also find PaySprint for Merchant account to be a more affordable method for accepting payments from customers.
With PaySprint Merchant Account, merchants can accept payment from customers via mobile app (for In-Store Sales) or on the merchant's website (for Online Sales) at no extra costs to business.
In addition to connecting with customers for free, merchants also have access to modern and latest tools to grow their business:
- eStore. PaySprint eStore helps merchant, especially those business in the informal sector, to drive more traffic to either their physical or online business through social media at no extra costs.
- eFX. PaySprint eFX provides merchants with a tool to access required foreign currencies to meet financial obligations with ease.
- eConnect. PaySprint eConnect drives traffic of customers to the merchant's location by sharing merchant business information and services with customers within the same location.
- eCash. PaySprint eCash provides merchant with additional working capital. Funds are available in the merchant account immediately on approval.
Here are more reasons everyone is switching to PaySprint:
- Free Plan. Free plan on PaySprint is Free Forever. This means you can use PaySprint for free, anytime, anywhere.
- Paid Plan. Users can upgrade to Paid Plan at anytime and can also cancel the subscription at anytime.
- Simple to operate. No computer knowledge is required.
- PaySprint Mobile app is available on Google Play Store and Apply App Store.
- Merchant can accept payments from customer on any mobile device. No POS Terminal is required
Join Us at Collision 2022 in Toronto Canada
PaySprint is exhibiting at the upcoming Collision 2022 in Toronto, Canada.
Collision is known to be the largest gathering of technology experts globally.
Visit our exhibition stand (#PS1406) on June 21, 2022.
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SOURCE PaySprint Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/paysprint-inc-is-pleased-announce-paysprint-100-subscription-based-global-money-transfer-payments-processing-service-that-saves-users-transaction-payment-fees/ | 2022-06-13T17:00:20Z |
Major global banks and other TT clients gained immediate access when trading began through NSE IFSC-SGX Connect on July 29
CHICAGO, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT), a global provider of high-performance professional trading software, infrastructure and data solutions, announced today that the firm successfully began offering clients access to the popular Nifty equity derivatives through NSE IFSC-SGX Connect (the Connect), a new joint initiative between Singapore Exchange (SGX Group) and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launched on Friday, July 29. The Connect – a collaboration in trading of India's stock index-based products – is a prominent achievement for India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) known as GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City in Gandhinagar.
The Connect, which was officially launched by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enables both international and domestic market participants to take a position on India's equity markets through futures based on the Nifty 50. International members of SGX Group and domestic clients of NSE IFSC can trade and access real-time trading data of Nifty contracts via SGX Group's derivatives trading infrastructure in GIFT City.
Under the Connect, all orders on Nifty derivatives placed by SGX Group members are routed to and matched on the NSE-IFSC order matching and trading platform. As one of the first technology providers to offer international market participants access to the Connect, Trading Technologies is giving global banks and other major financial institutions that use the TT® platform seamless access to Nifty equity derivatives alongside products from more than 50 other major international markets, including SGX Group.
TT EVP and Chief Revenue Officer Guy Scott said: "We are delighted to be among the first technology providers to offer day-one global access to the benchmark Nifty products under the innovative new trading regime in India's GIFT City. We've seen strong demand for this access from many of our biggest global bank clients, which serve institutional investors that incorporate the Indian equity markets as part of their global macro-economic portfolios. We're also pleased to build further on our longstanding relationship with SGX Group and support its diverse product offering through the new Connect initiative."
Pol de Win, Head of Global Sales & Origination, SGX Group, said: "We are excited that the Connect has now gone live, enabling direct and efficient access for international and domestic investors to trade Nifty futures. With an enhanced pool of liquidity from all over the world, we are optimistic it will support a more vibrant capital market in India. This has been a tremendous undertaking and we are pleased to roll this innovative pathway out with the efforts from Trading Technologies and our members."
About Trading Technologies
Trading Technologies (www.tradingtechnologies.com) creates professional trading software, infrastructure and data solutions for a wide variety of users, including proprietary traders, brokers, money managers, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), hedge funds, commercial hedgers and risk managers. In addition to providing access to the world's major international exchanges and liquidity venues via its TT® trading platform, TT offers domain-specific technology for cryptocurrency trading and machine-learning tools for trade surveillance.
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SOURCE Trading Technologies | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/trading-technologies-successfully-launches-day-one-connectivity-new-joint-initiative-between-sgx-group-national-stock-exchange-india-international-nifty-equity-derivatives-trading/ | 2022-08-03T01:30:23Z |
Certification Validates d1g1t as a Trusted and Secure Technology for Users and Provides Assurance that Effective Controls Are in Place to Safeguard Data
TORONTO, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- d1g1t Inc., the first provider of an enterprise wealth management platform powered by institutional-grade analytics and risk management tools, today announced the successful completion of an audit to obtain the System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II certification. SOC offers the best way for a firm to demonstrate that effective information technology controls are in place to ensure to its clients that their privacy and their data are well protected.
Technology providers receive SOC 2 Type II certification only after an extensive audit of its internal controls and systems. The audit focuses on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant trust service principles related to a system's security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy of data.
Dan Rosen, d1g1t's co-founder and CEO, said, "Protecting the privacy of our client's data is a top priority for our company. This SOC 2 Type II certification highlights how much time and effort we've invested to make our platform safe and provides our clients the added peace of mind they deserve. I am extremely proud of the d1g1t team for this hard-won accomplishment and the confidence it confers on our innovative enterprise wealth management platform for our clients."
The SOC audit involved a deep dive into the d1g1t platform's physical infrastructure, operating software and programs, management and governance, data integrity and procedures. The certificate illustrates that our security program is properly designed and effectively safeguards data with responsible process monitoring, encryption control, intrusion detection, user access authentication and disaster recovery.
d1g1t designed its platform to empower wealth management firms to scale up the high-value, human services that will set them apart in an increasingly digital world. Through a single integrated solution that covers the entire advisory lifecycle, d1g1t provides wealth management firms with a whole new set of capabilities they've never had before.
About d1g1t Inc.
d1g1t is the industry's first enterprise wealth management platform powered by institutional-grade analytics and risk management tools that allows firms to elevate the quality of their advice and demonstrate its value to clients. Headquartered in Toronto, the company was founded and is led by an experienced financial technology team who have developed leading enterprise portfolio systems for many of the world's banks, institutional asset managers, hedge funds and regulators. Visit d1g1t.com to learn more and also follow on LinkedIn.
d1g1t, Inc. Media Contacts
Michael Dugan
Haven Tower Group LLC
424 317 4852
mdugan@haventower.com
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SOURCE d1g1t | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/d1g1t-achieves-soc-2-type-ii-certification-its-wealth-management-platform/ | 2022-05-25T14:40:10Z |
WASHINGTON, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary T. Boyle was sworn in as a Commissioner for the Consumer Product Safety Commission today. Boyle was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden in July, 2021.
Boyle has served in leadership roles at the CPSC for more than a decade, including as General Counsel. Most recently she served as the agency's Executive Director. Throughout her tenure, she has spearheaded key initiatives to protect consumers from hazardous and unsafe products, including the agency's safety efforts on safe sleep and high-powered magnets. In addition, over the years, Boyle has been instrumental in advancing the agency's enforcement efforts.
Before joining the Commission staff, Boyle developed affordable housing programs for the city of Gaithersburg, Md., worked in private practice at a major international law firm, and served on Capitol Hill as a staff member for the late Congressman Stephen J. Solarz and for the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"Mary's depth of knowledge, insight and commitment to public safety will serve her well in her new role and will be a tremendous asset to the Commission as we work to keep consumers safe from hazardous products," said CPSC Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric. "I am grateful the Commission will continue to benefit from Mary's expertise and I look forward working with her, and with the rest of our colleagues, to improve consumer product safety for all Americans."
Boyle has spent more than a decade at CPSC in senior positions across the agency, most recently as Executive Director, and was a career member of the Senior Executive Service prior to her confirmation as Commissioner. Her work has covered a broad range of issues, including policy, administration, legal advice, budgets, product recalls, civil penalty negotiations, and development of rules and regulations.
As Executive Director, Boyle had responsibility for the programmatic, operational, and administrative functions of the agency. She developed the agency's budgets and operating plans, managed its regulatory portfolio, and supervised agency efforts to identify and reduce hazards to consumers. Her responsibilities also included compliance enforcement, import surveillance, and international programs and she worked both with the small business ombudsman and the consumer ombudsman to improve the agency's outreach to citizens.
Prior to being named Executive Director, Boyle served as the agency's General Counsel, the chief legal officer of the agency. Her work included legal analysis and review of proposed product safety standards, substantial product hazard determinations, and administrative litigation. In addition, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, she was responsible for all Federal court actions to which the Commission was a party.
Boyle received her B.A. in English from Georgetown University in 1985 and her law degree from the University of Virginia in 1991. She is a member of the District of Columbia and Maryland Bars.
Boyle was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She now lives with her husband in Bethesda, Maryland. They have three adult children.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
- Contact a media specialist.
Release Number: 22-179
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SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/mary-t-boyle-sworn-cpsc-commissioner/ | 2022-06-30T20:09:38Z |
BELTON — Services for Marsha Gale Sellers, 77, of Salado will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Belton.
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BELTON — Services for Marsha Gale Sellers, 77, of Salado will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Belton.
Burial will be in Resthaven Cemetery in Belton.
Mrs. Sellers died Sunday, Sept. 4, at her residence.
She was born Sept. 8, 1944, in San Antonio. She graduated from Salado High School and attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church.
Survivors include a son, Michael Sellers of Salado; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. | https://www.tdtnews.com/obituaries/article_0b711d4e-2ef5-11ed-81f3-33e4b0232d7e.html | 2022-09-08T07:51:41Z |
CARLSBAD, Calif., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyra Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TYRA), a precision oncology company focused on developing purpose-built therapies to overcome tumor resistance and improve outcomes for patients with cancer, today announced that management will participate at the following investor conferences:
H.C. Wainwright's 24th Annual Global Investment Conference
- September 12-14th, 2022
- A pre-recorded presentation will be available here on September 12th at 7am ET
Cantor Oncology, Hematology & HemeOnc Conference
- September 28th, 2022, in NY
- Panel discussion titled, "Resistant to Resistance: Approaches to Address Resistance in Oncology", on September 28th at 11:30am ET
About Tyra Biosciences
Tyra Biosciences, Inc. is a precision oncology company focused on developing purpose-built therapies to overcome tumor resistance and improve outcomes for patients with cancer. TYRA's proprietary in-house discovery platform, SNÅP, enables the rapid and precise refinement of structural design through iterative molecular SNÅPshots that help predict genetic alterations most likely to cause acquired resistance to existing therapies. Leveraging SNÅP, TYRA is developing a pipeline of selective inhibitors of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFR), which are altered in approximately 7% of all cancers. TYRA-300 is an FGFR3 selective inhibitor for oncology. TYRA-200 is an FGFR2 inhibitor that TYRA is developing initially in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. TYRA is also targeting achondroplasia and other FGFR3-related skeletal dysplasias and FGFR4 and REarranged during Transfection kinase (RET) related cancers. TYRA is based in Carlsbad, CA. For more information about our science, pipeline and people, please visit www.tyra.bio and engage with us on LinkedIn.
Contact:
Amy Conrad
aconrad@tyra.bio
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SOURCE Tyra Biosciences, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/tyra-biosciences-participate-september-2022-investor-conferences/ | 2022-09-08T21:23:49Z |
Strong linked quarter annualized loan growth of 18% with record revenue of $336 million and 55% efficiency ratio
PITTSBURGH, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) reported earnings for the second quarter of 2022 with net income available to common stockholders of $107.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share. Comparatively, second quarter of 2021 net income available to common stockholders totaled $99.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted common share, and first quarter of 2022 net income available to common stockholders totaled $51.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share.
On an operating basis, the second quarter of 2022 earnings per diluted common share (non-GAAP) was $0.31, excluding $2.0 million (pre-tax) of significant items. On an operating basis, the second quarter of 2021 was $0.31 per share, excluding $2.6 million (pre-tax) of significant items, and the first quarter of 2022 was $0.26 per share, excluding $51.9 million (pre-tax) of significant items.
"F.N.B. Corporation produced strong second quarter operating earnings per share which increased 19% linked-quarter to $0.31," said F.N.B. Corporation Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent J. Delie, Jr. "Spot loan growth was a record $1.3 billion, or 19.5% annualized, excluding PPP, and revenue for the quarter totaled a record $336 million. Operating expenses remained well-controlled declining linked-quarter, leading to positive operating leverage and an efficiency ratio of 55.2%. Our profitability improved significantly with operating pre-provision net revenue up 23% on a linked-quarter basis and return on average tangible common equity of 15.5%. Asset quality remains a key focus with proactive risk management and a conservatively underwritten balance sheet driving our solid reserve coverage and net recoveries this quarter. As inflation and interest rates continue to rise, we are prepared for a broad range of economic scenarios given our strong liquidity and capital ratios, our diversified business mix, and our well-established risk management track record."
Second Quarter 2022 Highlights
(All comparisons refer to the second quarter of 2021, except as noted)
- Period-end total loans and leases, excluding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Howard Bancorp, Inc. (Howard) acquired loans as of the January 22, 2022 acquisition date (non-GAAP), increased $2.6 billion, or 11.2%, as commercial loans and leases increased $1.3 billion, or 8.4%, and consumer loans increased $1.3 billion, or 16.4%. PPP loans totaled $85.8 million at June 30, 2022, compared to $1.6 billion as of June 30, 2021.
- Excluding PPP, period-end loans and leases (non-GAAP) increased $1.3 billion, or 19.5% annualized, on a linked-quarter basis, including an increase of $795.0 million in consumer loans and $503.9 million in commercial loans and leases.
- Total average deposits grew $3.2 billion, or 10.5%, led by increases in average non-interest-bearing deposits of $1.7 billion, or 16.9%, and average interest-bearing demand deposits of $1.2 billion, or 8.8%, partially offset by a decrease in average time deposits of $284.4 million, or 8.7%. Average deposit growth reflected organic growth in new and existing customer relationships and inflows from the January 2022 Howard acquisition. Excluding Howard, average deposits (non-GAAP) grew $1.6 billion, or 5.1%.
- Net interest income increased $25.8 million, or 11.3%, to $253.7 million primarily due to the benefit of growth in earning assets as well as the rising interest rate environment.
- On a linked-quarter basis, the net interest margin (FTE) (non-GAAP) increased 15 basis points to 2.76%, as the earning asset yield increased 22 basis points and the cost of funds increased 8 basis points. The total impact of PPP, purchase accounting accretion and higher cash balances on net interest margin was a decrease of 12 basis points, down slightly from 13 basis points in the prior quarter.
- Non-interest income was $82.2 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 3.0%, driven by strong contributions from capital markets fee income and higher service charges reflecting increased customer activity, partially offset by reduced contributions from mortgage banking due to lower refinance volumes given significantly higher interest rates.
- Pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP) of $145.1 million, on an operating basis, increased $27.3 million, or 23.2%, and $17.3 million, or 13.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2022 and second quarter of 2021, respectively.
- The annualized net charge-offs/(recoveries) to total average loans ratio was (0.01)%, compared to 0.06%, with continued favorable asset quality trends across the loan portfolio.
- Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) regulatory capital ratio was 9.7% (estimated), compared to 10.0% at March 31, 2022, and 9.9% at June 30, 2021. Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) decreased $0.49, or 5.7%, to $8.10 compared to December 31, 2021. Accumulated other comprehensive income/loss (AOCI) reduced the tangible book value per common share by $0.72 as of June 30, 2022, primarily due to the impact of higher interest rates on the fair value of available-for-sale (AFS) securities, compared to a $0.19 reduction as of December 31, 2021.
- During the second quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 1.1 million shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $11.77 for a total of $13.0 million.
- On June 1, 2022, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire Greenville, North Carolina-based UB Bancorp with total assets of $1.2 billion at March 31, 2022, including its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Union Bank, in an all-stock transaction valued at $19.56 per share, or a fully diluted market value of approximately $117 million, based upon the closing stock price of FNB as of Tuesday, May 31, 2022. This merger will further strengthen FNB's North Carolina presence while enhancing its low-cost deposit base.
Second Quarter 2022 Results – Comparison to Prior-Year Quarter
(All comparisons refer to the second quarter of 2021, except as noted)
Net interest income totaled $253.7 million, an increase of $25.8 million, or 11.3%, compared to $227.9 million, as total average earning assets increased $3.1 billion, or 9.0%, including a $1.8 billion increase in average loans and leases from organic origination activity and Howard-acquired loans, $903.3 million increase in average securities and $301.6 million increase in average cash balances largely attributed to the impact from PPP activity. In addition to the growth in average earning assets, net interest income benefited from the repricing impact of the higher interest rate environment on earning asset yields, which was partially offset by the higher cost of interest-bearing deposit accounts and reduced PPP contributions.
The net interest margin (FTE) (non-GAAP) increased 6 basis points to 2.76%, as the yield on earning assets increased 5 basis points to 3.05%, primarily reflecting the higher yields on variable-rate loans and investment securities partially offset by significant reductions in PPP contributions as the PPP loan portfolio winds down. The total cost of funds was stable at 0.30% with a 4 basis point increase in interest-bearing deposit costs. The total impact of PPP, purchase accounting accretion and higher cash balances on net interest margin was a decrease of 12 basis points, compared to 1 basis point in the year-ago quarter.
Average loans and leases totaled $27.2 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion, or 7.3%. Excluding PPP loans (non-GAAP), average total loans and leases increased $3.8 billion, or 16.5%, including growth of $2.2 billion in commercial loans and leases ($1.1 billion from Howard) and $1.7 billion in consumer loans ($0.5 billion from Howard). The increase in average commercial loans and leases, excluding PPP (non-GAAP), included $1.4 billion, or 28.3%, in commercial and industrial loans and $723.1 million, or 7.3%, in commercial real estate balances driven by a combination of organic loan origination activity and the Howard acquisition. Commercial origination activity was led by the Pittsburgh, Cleveland and North Carolina markets. The increase in average consumer loans included a $981.9 million increase in residential mortgages and a $585.5 million increase in direct home equity installment loans driven by a combination of strong organic loan origination activity and the Howard acquisition.
Average deposits totaled $33.7 billion with growth in average non-interest-bearing demand deposits of $1.7 billion, or 16.9%, and average interest-bearing demand deposits of $1.2 billion, or 8.8%, partially offset by a decline in time deposits of $284.4 million, or 8.7%. The growth in average deposits reflected organic growth in new and existing customer relationships and inflows from the Howard acquisition. The loan-to-deposit ratio was 83.8% at June 30, 2022, compared to 82.4% at June 30, 2021. Additionally, the funding mix continued to improve with non-interest-bearing deposits growing to 35% of total deposits at quarter end, compared to 33% as of June 30, 2021.
Non-interest income totaled $82.2 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 3.0%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. Service charges increased $5.0 million, or 16.7%, driven by interchange fees, treasury management services and higher customer activity. Capital markets income totaled $8.5 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 21.9%, with solid contributions from swap fees, international banking, and debt capital markets. Mortgage banking operations income decreased $1.3 million as secondary market revenue and mortgage held-for-sale pipelines declined from higher levels given the sharp increase in mortgage rates in 2022.
Non-interest expense totaled $192.8 million, increasing $10.3 million, or 5.6%. On an operating basis (non-GAAP), non-interest expense totaled $190.7 million, an increase of $10.9 million, or 6.1%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. Net occupancy and equipment increased $3.1 million, or 10.0%, on an operating basis (non-GAAP), primarily from technology-related investments and the acquired Howard expense base. On an operating basis (non-GAAP), salaries and benefits increased $1.8 million, or 1.8%, due primarily to annual merit increases and the acquired Howard expense base. Marketing expense increased $1.3 million, or 37.5%, on an operating basis (non-GAAP), due to increased digital advertising spend and campaigns related to our Physician's First Program. The efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) equaled 55.2%, compared to 56.8%.
The ratio of non-performing assets and 90 days past due loans to total loans and other real estate owned (OREO) decreased 18 basis points to 0.39%. Total delinquency decreased 17 basis points to 0.58%, compared to 0.75% at June 30, 2021, demonstrating positive asset quality trends across the portfolio.
The provision for credit losses was $6.4 million, compared to a net benefit of $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2021, with the increase primarily due to significant loan growth and CECL-related model impacts from lower prepayment speed assumptions in the second quarter of 2022. The second quarter of 2022 reflected net recoveries of ($0.4) million, or (0.01%) annualized of total average loans, compared to net charge-offs of $3.8 million, or 0.06% annualized, in the second quarter of 2021. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses (ACL) to total loans and leases decreased 7 basis points to 1.35%, directionally consistent with improved credit metrics and reflective of strong loan growth.
The effective tax rate was 20.1%, compared to 19.7% in the second quarter of 2021, with the slight increase due to higher pre-tax income and state income taxes.
The CET1 regulatory capital ratio was 9.7% (estimated), compared to 9.9% at June 30, 2021. Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) was $8.10 at June 30, 2022, a decrease of $0.10, or 1.2%, from $8.20 at June 30, 2021. AOCI reduced the current quarter tangible book value per common share by $0.72, compared to $0.14 at the end of the year-ago quarter, primarily due to the increase in unrealized losses on AFS securities resulting from the higher interest rate environment.
Second Quarter 2022 Results – Comparison to Prior Quarter
(All comparisons refer to the first quarter of 2022, except as noted)
Net interest income totaled $253.7 million, an increase of $19.6 million, or 8.4%, from the prior quarter total of $234.1 million, primarily due to growth in average earning assets and benefits from the higher interest rate environment, partially offset by the $5.8 million decreased contribution from PPP. The resulting net interest margin (FTE) (non-GAAP) increased 15 basis points to 2.76%. The total impact of PPP, purchase accounting accretion, and higher cash balances on net interest margin was a reduction of 12 basis points, compared to a reduction of 13 basis points in the prior quarter.
Total average earning assets increased $703.1 million, or 1.9%, to $37.3 billion. The total yield on earning assets increased 22 basis points to 3.05%, due to higher yields on investments and interest-bearing deposits with banks and variable-rate loans repricing. The total cost of funds increased 8 basis points to 0.30% from 0.22%, as the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased 14 basis points to 0.28%.
Average loans and leases totaled $27.2 billion, an increase of $1.0 billion, or 3.8%, as average consumer loans increased $626.6 million, or 7.0%, and average commercial loans and leases increased $379.7 million, or 2.2%, compared to the first quarter of 2022. Consumer loan growth reflected average residential mortgages increasing $351.9 million, or 8.8%, and average direct home equity installment balances increasing $173.7 million, or 7.0%. The consumer loan growth was driven by organic loan origination activity, reflecting customer preferences for adjustable-rate mortgages and the Physician's First Program. Average commercial loans and leases included growth of $293.7 million, or 4.8%, in commercial and industrial loans and $62.2 million, or 0.6%, in commercial real estate. The increases reflect commercial origination activity led by the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and North Carolina markets.
Average deposits totaled $33.7 billion, increasing $711.9 million, or 2.2%, driven by increases in non-interest-bearing deposits of $505.3 million, or 4.5%, interest-bearing demand deposits of $93.7 million, or 0.6%, savings balances of $82.9 million, or 2.1%, and time deposits of $30.0 million, or 1.0%. The loan-to-deposit ratio was 83.8% at June 30, 2022, compared to 79.2% at March 31, 2022 due to the substantial loan growth.
Non-interest income totaled $82.2 million, a $3.8 million, or 4.9%, increase from the prior quarter. Capital markets income was $8.5 million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 19.9%, with solid contributions from swap fees, international banking, syndications, and debt capital markets. Service charges increased $3.2 million, or 10.1%, due to interchange fees, treasury management services and higher customer activity. Bank-owned life insurance increased $1.4 million, or 53.0%, driven by life insurance claims. Insurance commissions and fees decreased $1.3 million, or 16.5%, from seasonally elevated levels in the prior quarter. Mortgage banking operations income decreased $0.5 million, or 8.2%. Included in mortgage banking operations income was a $0.2 million recovery for MSR valuation, compared to a $2.3 million recovery in the first quarter of 2022.
Non-interest expense totaled $192.8 million, a decrease of $34.7 million, or 15.2%. On an operating basis (non-GAAP), non-interest expense decreased $3.9 million, or 2.0%, compared to the prior quarter, excluding merger-related expenses of $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2022 and merger-related expenses of $28.6 million and branch consolidation costs of $4.2 million in the first quarter of 2022. On an operating basis (non-GAAP), salaries and employee benefits decreased $8.3 million, or 7.4%, primarily related to seasonally higher long-term compensation expense of $6.2 million and seasonally higher employer-paid payroll taxes in the prior quarter. Marketing, on an operating basis (non-GAAP), increased $1.4 million, or 42.4%, due to increased digital advertising spend and campaigns related to our Physician's First Program. FDIC insurance increased $0.7 million, or 15.8%, primarily due to loan growth and balance sheet mix shift. The efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) equaled 55.2%, compared to 60.7%, reflecting the lower operating expense levels.
The ratio of non-performing assets and 90 days past due to total loans and OREO remained at very good levels, decreasing 5 basis points to 0.39%. Total delinquency decreased 8 basis points to 0.58%, compared to 0.66% at March 31, 2022.
The provision for credit losses was $6.4 million, compared to a net benefit of ($1.2) million when excluding $19.1 million of initial provision for non-PCD loans associated with the Howard acquisition in the prior quarter (non-GAAP). These provision levels reflected continued strong underlying portfolio credit trends with the operating-basis increase in the second quarter of 2022 driven by strong loan growth, as well as CECL-related model impacts from lower prepayment speed assumptions. The second quarter of 2022 reflected net recoveries of ($0.4) million, or (0.01)% annualized of total average loans, compared to net charge-offs of $1.9 million, or 0.03% annualized in the prior quarter. The ratio of the ACL to total loans and leases was 1.35% as of June 30, 2022, compared to 1.38% at March 31, 2022.
The effective tax rate was 20.1%, compared to 20.9% for the first quarter of 2022 with the decline primarily resulting from tax benefits from stock compensation activity.
The CET1 regulatory capital ratio was 9.7% (estimated), declining from 10.0% at March 31, 2022 with the decline primarily due to the risk-weighted assets impact from the strong loan growth in the second quarter. Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) was $8.10 at June 30, 2022, an increase of $0.01 per share from March 31, 2022. AOCI reduced the current quarter-end tangible book value per common share by $0.72 reflecting increased unrealized losses on AFS securities caused by the higher interest rate environment, compared to $0.57 at the end of the prior quarter. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 1.1 million shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $11.77 for a total of $13.0 million.
June 30, 2022 Year-To-Date Results – Comparison to Prior Year-To-Date Period
Net interest income totaled $487.8 million, increasing $37.0 million, or 8.2%, as the higher interest rate environment impacted earning asset yields. The net interest margin (FTE) (non-GAAP) contracted 3 basis points to 2.69%. The total impact of PPP, purchase accounting accretion and higher cash balances on net interest margin was a decrease of 13 basis points, compared to a benefit of 2 basis points in the prior year. The yield on earning assets decreased 10 basis points to 2.94% primarily from reduced PPP contribution, while the cost of funds improved 7 basis points to 0.26% due to actions taken to reduce the cost of interest-bearing deposits given the low interest rate environment in 2021 and strong growth in non-interest-bearing deposits.
Average loans totaled $26.7 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion, or 5.2%. Excluding PPP loans, average total loans and leases (non-GAAP) increased $3.3 billion, or 14.4%, including growth of $1.9 billion in commercial loans and leases ($1.0 billion from Howard) and $1.4 billion in consumer loans ($0.5 billion from Howard). Excluding PPP (non-GAAP), growth in total average commercial loans included $1.2 billion, or 24.5%, in commercial and industrial loans and $686.4 million, or 6.9%, in commercial real estate led by healthy origination activity in the Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and North and South Carolina markets, as well as Howard-acquired loans. Growth in total average consumer loans was due to an increase in residential mortgage loans of $819.7 million, or 24.3%, direct home equity installment loans of $527.1 million, or 25.8%, and indirect installment loans of $47.5 million, or 3.9%. Excluding PPP (non-GAAP), period-end total loans and leases increased $4.4 billion, or 18.7%, including growth of $2.5 billion in commercial loans and leases and $1.9 billion in consumer loans.
Average deposits totaled $33.4 billion, increasing $3.4 billion, or 11.4%, led by growth of $1.9 billion, or 19.4%, in non-interest-bearing deposits and $1.4 billion, or 10.2%, in interest-bearing demand deposits driven by solid organic growth in customer relationships as well as the Howard acquisition. Time deposits declined $427.5 million, or 12.6%, as customer preferences shifted to more liquid accounts, however, customers' preferences are beginning to shift back to time deposits as interest rates increase.
Non-interest income totaled $160.5 million, decreasing $2.1 million, or 1.3%. Mortgage banking operations income decreased $10.4 million, or 44.8%, as secondary market revenue and mortgage held-for-sale pipelines declined from elevated levels in 2021 due to the significant increase in interest rates. Service charges increased $8.7 million, or 15.0%, driven by interchange fees, treasury management services and higher customer activity. Wealth management revenues increased $2.1 million, or 7.0%, as trust income and securities commissions and fees increased 9.2% and 3.3%, respectively, through contributions across the geographic footprint and an increase in assets under management.
Non-interest expense totaled $420.2 million, an increase of $52.8 million, or 14.4%, from 2021. Excluding significant items totaling $34.8 million in 2022 and $2.6 million in 2021, operating non-interest expense (non-GAAP) increased $20.6 million, or 5.7%. This increase was attributable to higher salaries and employee benefits expense of $6.7 million, or 3.2%, on an operating basis (non-GAAP), related to normal merit increases, higher production-related commissions and incentives, and the acquired Howard expense base. On an operating basis, occupancy and equipment increased $4.2 million, or 6.5%, primarily from technology-related investments and the acquired Howard expense base. These increases were offset by a $1.3 million, or 3.7%, decrease in outside services, on an operating basis. The efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) equaled 57.8% on a year-to-date basis, unchanged from the 2021 period.
The provision for credit losses was $24.4 million. Excluding $19.1 million of initial provision for non-PCD loans associated with the Howard acquisition, provision for credit losses was $5.3 million, on an operating basis (non-GAAP), compared to $4.8 million in 2021. Net charge-offs totaled $1.5 million, or 0.01% of total average loans, compared to $11.0 million, or 0.09%, in 2021, with both periods well below historical levels.
The effective tax rate was 20.4% for 2022, compared to 19.3% in 2021. The increase was driven by higher state income taxes and nondeductible merger-related expenses resulting from the Howard acquisition.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators
To supplement our Consolidated Financial Statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as operating net income available to common stockholders, operating earnings per diluted common share, return on average tangible equity, return on average tangible common equity, return on average tangible assets, tangible book value per common share, the ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets, the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, provision for credit losses, excluding the initial provision for non-PCD loans associated with the Howard acquisition, average deposits, excluding Howard average deposits, loans and leases, excluding PPP loans and Howard loans as of the acquisition date, excluding PPP loans, loans and leases, excluding PPP loans and Howard loans, excluding PPP loans (average), loans and leases, excluding PPP loans, pre-provision net revenue to average tangible common equity, efficiency ratio, and net interest margin (FTE) to provide information useful to investors in understanding our operating performance and trends, and to facilitate comparisons with the performance of our peers. Management uses these measures internally to assess and better understand our underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities. The non-GAAP financial measures and key performance indicators we use may differ from the non-GAAP financial measures and key performance indicators other financial institutions use to assess their performance and trends.
These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplemental in nature, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. When non-GAAP financial measures are disclosed, the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Regulation G requires: (i) the presentation of the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and (ii) a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure presented and the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of non-GAAP operating measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included later in this release under the heading "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators to GAAP."
Management believes items such as merger expenses, initial provision for non-PCD loans acquired and branch consolidation costs are not organic to run our operations and facilities. These items are considered significant items impacting earnings as they are deemed to be outside of ordinary banking activities. The merger expenses and branch consolidation costs principally represent expenses to satisfy contractual obligations of the acquired entity or closed branch without any useful ongoing benefit to us. These costs are specific to each individual transaction and may vary significantly based on the size and complexity of the transaction.
To facilitate peer comparisons of net interest margin and efficiency ratio, we use net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis in calculating net interest margin by increasing the interest income earned on tax-exempt assets (loans and investments) to make it fully equivalent to interest income earned on taxable investments (this adjustment is not permitted under GAAP). Taxable-equivalent amounts for the 2022 and 2021 periods were calculated using a federal statutory income tax rate of 21%.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This document may contain statements regarding F.N.B. Corporation's outlook for earnings, revenues, expenses, tax rates, capital and liquidity levels and ratios, asset quality levels, financial position and other matters regarding or affecting our current or future business and operations. These statements can be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve various assumptions, risks and uncertainties which can change over time. Actual results or future events may be different from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements and may not align with historical performance and events. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance upon such statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "will," "should," "project," "goal," and other similar words and expressions. We do not assume any duty to update forward-looking statements, except as required by federal securities laws.
FNB's forward-looking statements are subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties:
- Our business, financial results and balance sheet values are affected by business, economic and political circumstances, including, but not limited to: (i) developments with respect to the U.S. and global financial markets; (ii) actions by the Federal Reserve Board, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, U.S. Treasury Department, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and other governmental agencies, especially those that impact money supply, market interest rates or otherwise affect business activities of the financial services industry; (iii) a slowing of the U.S. economy in general and regional and local economies within our market area; (iv) inflation concerns; (v) the impacts of tariffs or other trade policies of the U.S. or its global trading partners; and (vi) the sociopolitical environment in the United States.
- Business and operating results affected by our ability to identify and effectively manage risks inherent in our businesses, including, where appropriate, through effective use of systems and controls, third-party insurance, derivatives, and capital management techniques, and to meet evolving regulatory capital and liquidity standards.
- Competition can have an impact on customer acquisition, growth and retention, and on credit spreads, deposit gathering and product pricing, which can affect market share, loans, deposits and revenues. Our ability to anticipate, react quickly and continue to respond to technological changes and COVID-19 challenges can also impact our ability to respond to customer needs and meet competitive demands.
- Business and operating results can also be affected by widespread natural and other disasters, pandemics, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and post pandemic return to normalcy, global events, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict, dislocations, including shortages of labor, supply chain disruptions and shipping delays, terrorist activities, system failures, security breaches, significant political events, cyber attacks or international hostilities through impacts on the economy and financial markets generally, or on us or our counterparties specifically.
- Legal, regulatory and accounting developments could have an impact on our ability to operate and grow our businesses, financial condition, results of operations, competitive position, and reputation. Reputational impacts could affect matters such as business generation and retention, liquidity, funding, and the ability to attract and retain talent. These developments could include:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and the federal, state, and local regulatory and governmental actions implemented in response to COVID-19 have resulted in increased volatility of the financial markets and national and local economic conditions, supply chain challenges, rising inflationary pressures, increased levels of unemployment and business failures, and the potential to have a material impact on, among other things, our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or on our management, employees, customers and critical vendors and suppliers. In view of the many unknowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, our forward-looking statements continue to be subject to various conditions that may be substantially different in the future than what we are currently experiencing or expecting, including, but not limited to, challenging headwinds for the U.S. economy and labor market and the possible change in commercial and consumer customer fundamentals, expectations and sentiments. As a result of the COVID-19 impact, including uncertainty regarding the potential impact of continuing variant mutations of the virus, U.S. government responsive measures to manage it or provide financial relief, the uncertainty regarding its duration and the success of vaccination efforts, it is possible the pandemic may have a material adverse impact on our business, operations and financial performance.
- We grow our business, in part, through acquisitions and new strategic initiatives. Risks and uncertainties include those presented by the nature of the business acquired and strategic initiative, including in some cases those associated with our entry into new businesses or new geographic or other markets and risks resulting from our unfamiliarity with those new areas, as well as risks and various uncertainties related to the acquisition transactions themselves, regulatory issues, and the integration of the acquired businesses into FNB after closing. Such risks attendant to the pending FNB-UB Bancorp merger include, but are not limited to:
The risks identified here are not exclusive or the types of risks FNB may confront and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and other uncertainties described under Item 1A Risk Factors and the Risk Management sections of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our subsequent 2022 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (including the risk factors and risk management discussions) and our other 2022 filings with the SEC, which are available on our corporate website at https://www.fnb-online.com/about-us/investor-information/reports-and-filings or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. More specifically, our forward-looking statements may be subject to the evolving risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its macro-economic impact and the resulting governmental, business and societal responses to it. We have included our web address as an inactive textual reference only. Information on our website is not part of our SEC filings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND WHERE TO FIND IT
This communication is being made in respect of the proposed merger transaction between FNB and UB Bancorp. In connection with the proposed merger, FNB will file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register FNB's shares that will be issued to UB Bancorp's stockholders in connection with the merger. The registration statement will include a proxy statement of UB Bancorp and a prospectus of FNB as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction.
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE MERGER WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
The proxy statement/prospectus, other relevant materials (when they become available) and any other documents FNB has filed with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents FNB has filed with the SEC by contacting James Orie, Chief Legal Officer, F.N.B. Corporation, One North Shore Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, telephone: (724) 983-3317. The proxy statement/prospectus, when it becomes available, may also be obtained free of charge from F.N.B. Corporation at the contact set forth above, or UB Bancorp, 1011 Red Banks Road, Greenville, NC 27858, telephone: (866) 638-0552.
Participants in the Solicitation
FNB and UB Bancorp and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from UB Bancorp's stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information regarding FNB's directors and executive officers is contained in FNB's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 25, 2022, as amended, and in certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
Conference Call
F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) announced the financial results for the second quarter of 2022 on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chief Financial Officer, Vincent J. Calabrese, Jr., and Chief Credit Officer, Gary L. Guerrieri, plan to host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial results on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at 8:30 AM ET.
Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call at https://dpregister.com/sreg/10168406/f374da7120. Callers who pre-register will be provided a conference passcode and unique PIN to bypass the live operator and gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.
Dial-in Access: The conference call may be accessed by dialing (844) 802-2440 (for domestic callers) or (412) 317-5133 (for international callers). Participants should ask to be joined into the F.N.B. Corporation call.
Webcast Access: The audio-only call and related presentation materials may be accessed via webcast through the "About Us" tab of the Corporation's website at www.fnbcorporation.com and clicking on "Investor Relations" then "Investor Conference Calls." Access to the live webcast will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of the call.
Presentation Materials: Presentation slides and the earnings release will also be available on the Corporation's website at www.fnbcorporation.com by accessing the "About Us" tab and clicking on "Investor Relations" then "Investor Conference Calls."
A replay of the call will be available shortly after the completion of the call until midnight ET on Thursday, July 28, 2022. The replay can be accessed by dialing 877-344-7529 (for domestic callers) or 412-317-0088 (for international callers); the conference replay access code is 2893818. Following the call, a link to the webcast and the related presentation materials will be posted to the "Investor Relations" section of F.N.B. Corporation's website at www.fnbcorporation.com.
About F.N.B. Corporation
F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina. The Company has total assets of $42 billion and more than 340 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.
The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.
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RegisterA new Google Doodle honors the history-making Native American comedian Charlie Hill | Albany Herald Entertainment | albanyherald.comSkip to main content
Google honored barrier-breaking comedian Charlie Hill, the first Native American comic to appear on national TV, with a Doodle on what would've been his 71st birthday.
When Hill was a young comic in the 1970s, he refused to deign to racist stereotypes of Native Americans. Rather, his material addressed bigotry toward Native Americans throughout history, taking aim at White viewers, the forced displacement of indigenous people and even the harmful history of Christopher Columbus and Plymouth Rock Pilgrims.
In 1977, 26-year-old Hill appeared on "The Richard Pryor Show," the first time a Native American stand-up performed on a program that aired across the US. Per Google's caption of the Doodle tribute, the show's writers asked him to portray a racist caricature of a Native American person, but Hill declined.
"For so long, you [White viwers] probably thought that Indians never had a sense of humor," he said in his set on Pryor's show. "We never thought you were too funny either."
Hill, who belonged to the Oneida Nation and also had Mohawk and Cree heritage, moved to the Wisconsin's Oneida Nation as a child and eventually made a name for himself at the renowned Comedy Store in California, where he made connections that would land him multiple national TV spots.
As his star grew, he still refused to appear in works that would reduce him to a stereotype. He was inspired by the Black comic Dick Gregory, whose material often targeted racism.
"That's what I'm doing from a Native American viewpoint to defuse that traditional John Wayne mentality," Hill said in the book "We Had a Little Real Estate Problem," a history of Hill and other Native American comedians who defied stereotypes.
Hill died in 2013 from lymphoma at 62, but the legacy he's left is immense, said Kliph Nesteroff, the author of "We Had a Little Real Estate Problem."
"He was just important to all indigenous communities in North America as this incredible representative who never sold himself out, who never engaged in stereotypes," Nesterhoff said in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio last year.
The Google Doodle of Hill was drawn by an indigenous creator -- Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell, a French-First Nations artist from Thames, an Oneida Nation in Canada.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/entertainment/a-new-google-doodle-honors-the-history-making-native-american-comedian-charlie-hill/article_6d2868d0-308e-5826-ad9f-07dcd903efb3.html | 2022-07-06T15:51:41Z |
Insurance technology leader unveils the most efficient solution to streamline all carrier contracting needs, from managing carrier requirements to tracking producer status.
DENVER, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AgentSync, the technology company powering growth and innovation across the insurance industry, today unveiled AgentSync Contracting, a new product to eliminate the pain points of carrier contracting. This product launch follows AgentSync's acquisition of eContractPro, a technology solution that was founded with the mission to simplify contracting for insurance agencies and their distribution partners. With the acquisition of eContractPro, AgentSync continues to advance its goal of building the insurance industry's most trusted and comprehensive producer management solution. Kristen Bryant, founder and CEO of eContractPro, joined the AgentSync team as Director of Product Management, Contracting.
Prior to AgentSync Contracting, the industry lacked a single source of truth that provided visibility into both producer status and contracting requirements, all in one easy-to-use platform. Eliminating the countless hours of paper pushing, producer and partner email follow-ups, toggling between multiple systems and logins, and tedious data re-entry, AgentSync Contracting leverages decades of industry experience to drive efficiency in the contracting process. With a complete view into producer contracting statuses and changing carrier contract requirements, agencies and their distribution partners can confidently and quickly move through the contracting process from within a single system. Partners who use AgentSync Contracting can expect:
- Bulk contracting – With bulk contracting, you can move multiple producers through the contracting process with the click of a button and request or submit multiple carrier contracts for a single producer.
- Speed to onboard – Quick carrier contracting allows you to onboard more producers faster, getting them ready to sell as soon as possible and creating a delightful producer onboarding experience.
- Single source of truth – A single, real-time view for you and your distribution partners. Know which contracts are awaiting approval and which were already processed.
- Trusted partners – AgentSync's insurance industry experts build relationships with your carrier partners to track changing contract requirements.
The acquisition of eContractPro accelerated AgentSync's goal of modernizing the complex, time consuming, manual process of contracting. eContractPro founder Kristen Bryant set out to build a modern solution based on more than a decade of first-hand contracting experience and frustrations with the inadequate and antiquated tools available. Both Bryant and AgentSync's co-founders Niji Sabharwal, CEO, and Jenn Knight, CTO, share a similar unwillingness to accept the status quo; they all are committed to innovating and developing better ways to tackle core problems in the insurance process, making this acquisition a natural fit.
"When I founded eContractPro, I approached the challenge as someone who knew every facet of the contracting process – and how to improve it. We built the product from the ground up, putting every step in the correct order, layering in automation, and removing friction to create efficiency," said Bryant. "Our mission and approach aligned with AgentSync's, and the opportunity to combine forces to improve end-to-end producer distribution with a strong contracting product was an obvious next step."
"At AgentSync, we have an ambitious goal to offer the insurance industry's most comprehensive platform for producer management. Contracting is a critical step in this process, and joining forces with eContractPro allowed us to accelerate our product roadmap," said Niji Sabharwal, co-founder and chief executive officer of AgentSync. "Leveraging the strong foundation eContractPro provided, we're focused on building the industry's leading contracting solution and continuing to delight customers with the best tools for distribution management on the market."
The transition from eContractPro to AgentSync Contracting has been seamless, with 100% customer retention. Innovative Financial Group's Director of Contracting Taryn Burge shared, "AgentSync has taken contracting our agents to a whole new level. No more one-by-one processing. It's been a huge timesaver and the ease of using it, both from a Broker General Agent (BGA) standpoint and agent standpoint, is amazing. Highly recommended platform."
To learn more about AgentSync Contracting, visit agentsync.io/contracting or email sales@agentsync.io to schedule a demo.
About AgentSync
AgentSync powers rapid growth for insurance carriers, agencies, and MGAs by offering modern tools for producer management. With its customer-centric design, seamless APIs, and automation, AgentSync's products reduce friction, increase efficiency, and maintain compliance, ultimately helping to improve the broker onboarding, contracting, licensing, and compliance processes. Founded in 2018 by Niranjan "Niji" Sabharwal and Jenn Knight, and headquartered in Denver, CO, AgentSync has been recognized as one of Denver's Best Places to Work, as a Forbes Magazine Cloud 100 Rising Star, an Insurtech Insights Future 50 winner, and is ranked 88 in Forbes' list of America's 500 Best Startup Employers in 2022.
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SOURCE AgentSync | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/agentsync-launches-contracting-solution-simplify-carrier-contracting-experience-following-acquisition-econtractpro/ | 2022-05-05T15:24:10Z |
2 die in storm-related mishaps in Ohio, Michigan
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - Two people died as storms rolled through the area on Monday.
A woman is dead after a tree fell on her during Monday night’s storms in Toledo, officials confirmed. It happened around 6:30 p.m. Monday, WTVG reported.
“Crews responded a short time later and found that there was an adult patient underneath the tree, and unfortunately that patient had succumbed to their injuries and was declared deceased,” says Toledo Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Allison Armostory.
It’s unclear at this time exactly where the woman was when the tree came down.
In Monroe, Michigan, a 14-year-old girl died after touching a downed electrical line in her backyard, police said.
Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene Monday. Police said the girl was still in contact with the energized electrical line when first responders arrived at the scene.
DTE Energy crews disconnected the power lines so first responders could help the girl, but she died by the time the scene was safe.
According to Monroe Police detectives, the girl was walking with a friend in her backyard when they believed they could “smell a bonfire.”
The victim reached for what she believed was a stick when she was electrocuted by a charged electrical line.
The safety department said it is working to support the families of the victim.
Copyright 2022 WTVG via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/30/2-die-storm-related-mishaps-ohio-michigan/ | 2022-08-30T11:16:28Z |
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matt Wells, a Salt Lake City-based partner in Mayer Brown's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital and Mergers & Acquisitions practices, has been selected by Best Lawyers as "Lawyer of the Year" in venture capital law in Salt Lake City.
This selection honors Mr. Wells for his work on behalf of Utah-based and national startups, venture capital firms, and entrepreneurs. Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 12.2 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys.
"It is gratifying to be recognized by Best Lawyers as 'Lawyer of the Year,' particularly because it is a selection made by my peers in the Utah legal community," said Mr. Wells. "Mayer Brown has fully committed to Salt Lake City, the technology market, and the emerging companies practice firmwide."
Mr. Wells is very active in Utah's vibrant technology community. Since opening the Salt Lake City office in early 2022, the office has grown to 13 partners. The Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice is the cornerstone of the office, advising companies and the investors that fund them on capital markets, corporate & securities, mergers & acquisitions, and fund formation matters.
This is the fifth time Mr. Wells has received a Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" recognition in Salt Lake City—four times for Venture Capital Law (2012, 2018, 2020 and 2023) and once for M&A Law (2019). He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America in Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Venture Capital Law since 2008.
About Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown is a distinctively global law firm, uniquely positioned to advise the world's leading companies and financial institutions on their most complex deals and disputes. With extensive reach across four continents, we are the only integrated law firm in the world with approximately 200 lawyers in each of the world's three largest financial centers—New York, London and Hong Kong—the backbone of the global economy. We have deep experience in high-stakes litigation and complex transactions across industry sectors, including our signature strength, the global financial services industry. Our diverse teams of lawyers are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do. Our "one-firm" culture—seamless and integrated across all practices and regions—ensures that our clients receive the best of our knowledge and experience.
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SOURCE Mayer Brown | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/19/matt-wells-recognized-venture-capital-lawyer-year-salt-lake-city-by-best-lawyers/ | 2022-08-19T13:45:06Z |
2-year-old girl killed, 2 men hurt in shooting amid family T-shirt argument, authorities say
WELLS, Maine (Gray News) - A man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of a toddler. Two other family members were also shot.
Andrew Huber Young, 19, is charged with killing his 2-year-old niece Octavia Huber Young on Saturday, WGME reported.
Police said Huber Young drove himself to the police station and admitted to the shooting, saying the argument started over a T-shirt his brother was wearing, a shirt that Huber Young said belonged to him.
State police said the two men who were shot by Huber Young suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.
Samantha Higgins, Octavia’s mother, said those two men were her daughter’s father and grandfather, who are both out of the hospital.
Huber Young is being held without bail.
Higgins and other family members said they’re devastated at this loss.
“All that I know is she was full of life, and she always loved to smile and play. And she always wanted to be like her older sister,” Higgins said.
“Anytime you have a family that’s been involved in a shooting, it’s a tragedy,” said Shannon Moss, Maine State Police public information officer. “And it affects not only the greater family, friends, a neighborhood and a community.”
Higgins said she remembers her daughter for her playful spirit.
“She would always, when she wanted my attention, she would always grab my finger and bring me toward her room to play with her. And she always loved to go outside and play on her swing set,” she said.
Police have been focusing their investigation around the home, still surrounded by police tape on Sunday evening.
State police said they expect more charges to be filed in this case.
One neighbor said she was outside in her garden late Saturday afternoon when she heard a man yelling, followed by multiple popping noises and a woman screaming.
“How does this happen?” said Steven Merrill, director of Wells Emergency Medical Services.
Wells EMS was called to York Hospital in Wells to assist with the three shooting victims who had just arrived to the walk-in urgent care.
EMS and other first responders said it is rare to respond to such a tragic incident involving a child so young.
“It’s just that we deal with adult situations consistently. This is a child,” Merrill said.
Wells EMS said it is bringing in a crisis counselor to speak with first responders who were involved.
“It’s a huge impact, you know? They think about their children after the call,” Merrill said.
“Its incredibly sad, and it takes a toll on everyone. And it takes a toll on law enforcement, too,” Moss said.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group. All rights reserved. CNN Newsource contributed to this report. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/23/2-year-old-girl-killed-2-men-hurt-shooting-amid-family-t-shirt-argument-authorities-say/ | 2022-05-23T19:01:29Z |
HERNDON, Va., Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, announced that Deltek CEO Mike Corkery has been named to the Virginia 500 The 2022 Power List, which recognizes the state's most powerful and influential leaders by sector. Published by Virginia Business Magazine, this is the third annual edition of the Virginia 500 Power List and Corkery's second time receiving the honor. Virginia Business is the only publication dedicated to covering economic activity in every sector and every region of the state.
The Virginia 500 Award honors the most powerful and influential leaders across 20 major sectors ranging from real estate and manufacturing to higher education and government. In assembling the Virginia 500 2022 Power list, Virginia Business considers an array of factors, including revenue, the number of employees a leader oversees, the scope of their responsibilities, how newsworthy the executive is, and how prominent they are within their industry and/or community.
"It's an honor to be recognized alongside many of Deltek's customers and partners, as well as the other accomplished firms and executives in Virginia. I am are very proud of Deltek's continued growth and ability to hire and retain top talent that helps make our company such a great place to work," said Mike Corkery, Deltek president and CEO. "Congratulations to all of the leaders in our community who were included on this year's list."
Corkery serves as a board member for the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and the ACEC Research Institute, where he also serves as Executive Committee Treasurer. In addition, he is the Vice Chairman of the Board for Flint Hill School in Oakton, Va. Most recently, Mike joined the President's Innovation Advisory Council at George Mason University and has become involved with the D.C. Chapter of Conscious Capitalism.
Virginia Business recognized executives across 20 categories. Mike Corkery is one of 60 executives included in the Federal Contractors & Technology category. See the full list here.
Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management, and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. www.deltek.com
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SOURCE Deltek | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/deltek-ceo-mike-corkery-named-virginia-business-2022-power-500-list/ | 2022-08-31T17:58:00Z |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Margo Caribe, Inc. (OTC SYMBOL: MRGO) (Margo), a market leader in the home and garden segment, today announced fourth quarter and full year operating results of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Margo Outdoor Living, Inc. for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
Sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, totaled $13.7 million, down less than 2 percent from prior year. The Company reported first quarter unaudited results including pre-tax income of approximately $3 million and net income of $2.3 million or $.58 per share.
"We consider the first quarter sales to be solid when put within the context of the extraordinary growth experience last year, a slow start to spring this year and that the U.S inflation rate is impacting discretionary sales for our big-box customer base," said Michael Spector, CEO.
Mr. Spector expanded, "our operating margins remain under pressure due to higher sea freight rates and increasing diesel costs, but we were able to stabilize our product margin in the first quarter and offset these higher costs through better pricing flexibility, diversification of product mix and more efficient operations. Our capital investments over the last two years in technology are paying off with increased production output at lower costs. We are also encouraged by recent business development initiatives that will further diversify our product offering, particularly into the pottery, tile and commodity rock segments."
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Highlights
- Gross revenue was $15 million for the quarter, down .7% from prior year.
- The sales growth profile remains strong, up 81% over 2020 pre-Covid sales levels.
- Pre-tax income of $3 million, declined 2% from prior year due primarily to higher warehouse and supply costs. Product margins improved slightly compared to last year due to more efficient fulfillment costs, product diversification and pricing flexibility.
- Pre-tax quarterly income is up 191% from 2020 levels.
- Cash flow remains strong, net debt (debt less cash), ended the quarter at approximately $8 million, down 30% from first quarter last year.
Margo Caribe, Inc. through its subsidiary Margo Outdoor Living, Inc. (MOL). has benefited by building key relationships with the largest big-box retailers in its industry segment. Its focus on product development, world-wide supplier sourcing, cost effective logistics and state-of-the-art automation has contributed to its success in growing both top and bottom-line results. MOL offers a wide range of products in the lawn and garden segment. This includes sales of landscaping pebbles, mulch, glass, pottery and tile products. The Company's customer base is predominately big-box retailers but also sells products directly to consumers through the eCommerce sales channel.
MOL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Margo Caribe, Inc., a Puerto Rico entity. Effective December 22, 2020, MOL converted from a Florida corporation to a Delaware corporation and changed its name from Margo State Line, Inc. to Margo Outdoor Living, Inc.
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SOURCE Margo Caribe, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/margo-caribe-inc-announces-first-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-05-19T20:13:14Z |
Successful first year included recognition from BioBuzz as a top media program
COLUMBIA, Md., June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, released new episodes of its virtual series with CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall, called TEDCO Talks. The series features LeMaile-Stovall interviewing various thought leaders with connections to Maryland's innovation ecosystem.
Launched in the fall of 2020, these thought-provoking conversations have continued to provide a platform for Maryland's entrepreneurs to learn more about the various resources and thought leaders supporting the community. The TEDCO Talks videos use a "fireside chat" format and cover a wide range of topics, such as advice to small businesses dealing with COVID-19, available funding programs and benefits, diversity and inclusion, and more.
In its first year, TEDCO Talks was selected as a finalist for the BioBuzz Media Award, which honors a media campaign that most aligns with the BioBuzz mission to create exceptional experiences that better connect people and employers and foster a stronger regional ecosystem.
"We were honored to have our TEDCO Talks video series selected as a finalist for the BioBuzz Media Award, which recognizes programs and campaigns that successfully engage, inform, and connect our region," said LeMaile-Stovall. "We look forward to building on that success as we continue to hold meaningful, thoughtful conversations with innovative STEM entrepreneurs and leaders across the great state of Maryland."
The interviews have been with leaders from a variety of organizations—including area companies, county economic development corporations, business chambers, higher education, and technology councils—about the emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities facing our region.
Among others, recent featured guests have included:
- Ellen Flowers-Fields, College of Southern Maryland
- David Speer, Maryland/Israel Development Center
- President Clifford Coppersmith, Chesapeake College
- Jamie McDonald, Upsurge Baltimore
- Kolaleh Eskandanian, Children's National
- Janet Currie, Bank of America
- President Anthony Jenkins, Coppin State University
- President Freeman Hrabowski, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Linda Singh, Kaleidoscope Affect LLC
- President Aminta Breaux, Bowie State University
- Jeff Cherry, Conscious Venture Lab
- Nasir Qadree, Zeal Capital Partners
- President Darryll Pines, University of Maryland, College Park
TEDCO Talks has also featured many other guests and celebrated a milestone of 25 episodes.
"Our goal has been to offer Maryland entrepreneurs useful information through an engaging, public platform and candid conversations with our community thought leaders. We're glad TEDCO Talks has provided exactly that," stated Tammi Thomas, TEDCO's chief marketing & communications officer and executive producer of TEDCO Talks. "You take some risks when you start a new program; we're so glad this one paid off with a loyal following and the BioBuzz recognition. We encourage new and returning listeners to stay up-to-date on all the latest episodes by following along on TEDCO's YouTube Channel. We have a very special guest kicking off the series in May!"
TEDCO Talks can be viewed on the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/MDTEDCO, or it is available as a podcast on iHeartRadio, Spotify and Apple. New interviews will be added on a regular basis so check frequently for updates.
TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.
Tammi Thomas
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, TEDCO
tthomas@tedco.md
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SOURCE TEDCO | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/tedco-talks-launches-its-second-year-with-more-innovation-collaboration/ | 2022-06-08T20:48:12Z |
NEW YORK and CANNES, France, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced a combined 18 wins at the Cannes Lions Awards 2022 (Cannes Lions), the global benchmark for creative excellence, as part of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the largest gathering in the creative marketing community.
Allison+Partners, Anomaly, Forsman & Bodenfors, and Observatory were among the winning agencies, in categories spanning Creative Strategy, Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility, Digital Craft, Brand Experience & Activation, Sustainable Development Goals, Pharma, Film and Film Craft, Creative Business Transformation, Design, Public Relations (PR), and Outdoor.
Cannes Lions Winners
Gold Lions
- Creative Strategy – Breakthrough on a Budget: Forsman & Bodenfors + Visit Sweden "Discover the Originals"
Silver Lions
- Creative Strategy – Travel /Leisure: Forsman & Bodenfors + Visit Sweden "Discover the Originals"
- Pharma – Regulated: Direct to Consumer: Anomaly + Abbott "Now You Know"
- Film Craft – Animation: Observatory + Chipotle "A Future Begins"
- Film – Online Film – Retail: Observatory + Chipotle "A Future Begins"
- Design – Special Editions & Bespoke Items: Forsman & Bodenfors + TRETORN "Sea Level Re-Boot"
Bronze Lions
- Digital Craft – Motion Graphics Design & Animation: Observatory + Chipotle "A Future Begins"
- Pharma – Regulated: Direct to Consumer: Anomaly + Abbott "Now You Know"
- Film – Culture & Context – Corporate Purpose and Social Responsibility: Observatory + Chipotle "A Future Begins"
- Film Craft – Achievement in Production: Observatory + Chipotle "A Future Begins"
- Film – Travel/Leisure - Forsman & Bodenfors + Visit Sweden – Discover the Originals
Stagwell Agencies Credited on Integrated Work With Non-Stagwell Agencies
In addition to the above, Stagwell global communications firm Allison+Partners supported PR efforts for several Budweiser and AB/In Bev Lions-winning campaigns in partnership with We The Believers, including:
Gold Lions
- Outdoor – Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility: Allison+Partners and Corona "Plastic Fishing Tournament"
- Brand Experience & Activation: Allison+Partners and Corona "Plastic Fishing Tournament"
- Sustainable Development Goals – Life Below Water: Allison+Partners and Corona "Plastic Fishing Tournament"
Silver Lions
- Creative Business Transformation – Venture Creation & Design – Venture Models & Corporate Innovation: Allison+Partners and Budweiser Global "The Budweiser Energy Collective"
- PR – Food & Drink: Allison+Partners and Corona "Sunbrew"
- Outdoor – Live Advertising & Events: Allison+Partners and Corona "Plastic Fishing Tournament"
Bronze Lions
- Direct – Corporate Purpose + Responsibility: Allison+Partners and Corona "Plastic Fishing Tournament"
"At Cannes Lions, Stagwell punched above its weight to take top accolades in creativity, digital expertise, and business transformation, proving once again our harmony of art and science drives results," said Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn.
"From the Speakers' Lounge to the panels and other marketing activations around the Croisette, Stagwell showed up big at our first-ever Cannes Lions as a company, and we're proud to come home with these esteemed awards that recognize the excellence of our teams," added Stagwell Chief Brand and Communications Officer Beth Sidhu.
Stagwell's agencies have won a total of 430 Cannes Lions Awards to date.
About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 12,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
Contact:
Beth Sidhu
202-423-4414
pr@stagwellglobal.com
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SOURCE Stagwell Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/stagwell-stgw-takes-home-18-wins-cannes-lions-awards-2022/ | 2022-06-29T19:42:35Z |
What’s the best Under Armour product for kids?
With a strong presence in the activewear and sports apparel market, Under Armour has become one of the go-to brands for adults and kids who live an active lifestyle. There are plenty of great options for kids sports and day-to-day wear.
A great product for use in almost any situation is the Under Armour Unisex Assert 8 Sneaker. It’s a great choice for everyday life, the school playground or organized sports.
What to know before you buy Under Armour kids products
Versatility
The best products can be used in multiple settings or for multiple years. Unless your child is really into a specific sport, limited-use items might not spend as much time being utilized as you would like. Versatile things such as shoes, bags and apparel can be used both on and off the field.
Longevity
Invest in things that your child can still use as they grow. Things that are one-size-fits-all are great for this. Duf/fel bags (one of Under Armour’s top-selling items), coolers and hats all fall in this category. Other things, such as sports equipment, can last for multiple seasons with the right care.
Cost vs. benefits
Under Armour items are expensive, but while there are cheaper alternatives, Under Armour has the edge in both quality and performance. Its shoes have arch support to support your child’s growing feet and are made with high-quality leather and rubber soles for maximum durability. Its tech-fabric apparel is a particularly good value, with moisture-wicking and quick-drying aspects to keep your kids cool.
What to look for in a quality Under Armour product for kids
Clothes for hot and cold weather
Ensuring your child is comfortable while playing in any weather often comes down to the right apparel. Under Armour has fleece-lined gear for cold weather and moisture-wicking apparel for hot, sweaty days. Making sure that your child has weather-appropriate clothing not only helps them enjoy their game or activity, it can also help them stay safe.
Gear for sports
Under Armour is synonymous with sports. While its apparel can often go from the game to the classroom, many of its best items are geared toward specific sports. It offers everything from youth baseball gloves to insulated coolers for the parent cheering section. While expensive, Under Armour sporting equipment gets top marks on design for safe and effective use during the big game.
Healthy development
Active kids need the right gear to make sure they can play safely. Rather than just sizing down adult equipment, Under Armour redesigns everything from baseball gloves to helmets to fit child proportions. Their protective equipment, including helmets and pads, ensure your child’s body is supported as they move and protected if they’re hit. If your child spends a lot of time in this gear, it is well worth the price.
How much you can expect to spend on Under Armour products for kids
Under Armour apparel and equipment are on the expensive side, ranging from $3 for socks to over $300 for a baseball mitt. Expect to spend more on sports equipment that will last through multiple seasons.
Under Armour kids products FAQ
Are Under Armour kids products worth the cost?
A. Under Armour apparel is durable and can be worn to play sports, go on active adventures, and at school, making it a top value. Shoes made with long-lasting materials such as solid rubber outsoles and a rubberized front cap for the toe are also on the list of Under Armour products well worth their price. Specialized sports equipment may not be worth it unless your child already has an established interest and you are confident they will use it regularly.
What products does Under Armour make for kids?
A. Under Armour makes apparel, shoes, socks, and sports equipment for kids. It also has a great line of duffel bags and sports gear bags designed for kids that can work for multiple years and stages.
What’s the best Under Armour kids product to buy?
Top Under Armour product for kids
Under Armour Unisex Assert 8 Sneaker
What you need to know: This shoe can go from the classroom to the sports field and everywhere in between.
What you’ll love: It has 10 color options and comes in half sizes for a great fit. There is even a preschool version with an alternate closure.
What you should consider: The shoe is a bit expensive for kids who are growing quickly. Look for sales or consider a different color for extra savings.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Under Armour product for the money
Under Armour Youth Essential 2.0 Lightweight No-Show Socks
What you need to know: These socks provide just the right amount of cushion and support.
What you’ll love: They’ll help your child keep their feet comfortable and moisture-free during play and sports. with breathable material, arch support and a fitted heel.
What you should consider: There are multiple sizes and colors, which can make matching them in the laundry a chore. For the easiest use, buy a bulk pack all in the same color.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Worth checking out
Under Armour Boys’ Storm Scrimmage Backpack
What you need to know: This youth backpack works for sports and school. The design is specifically geared for smaller bodies.
What you’ll love: The adjustable straps, padded back and water-repelling technology will work for your kid in rain or shine. Exterior pockets and water bottle pockets also come in handy.
What you should consider: It is marketed as a boys’ backpack but can work for any kid who likes the color and design.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Katie Begley 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/best-under-armour-kids-product/ | 2022-05-28T22:21:56Z |
Jackson, Miss., residents travel to find clean water amid system problems
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) - The city has been under a boil water notice for more than a month. During that time, residents have had to boil their water before using it.
As a result, cases of bottled water have become hot commodities in Jackson. Residents lined up one by one at distribution sites trying to get their hands on a case.
“I’ve been in line maybe for almost an hour there are other things I could be doing,” said Patricia Watkins, who lives in Jackson.
Watkins was one of the hundreds in line. She said the water woes have caused a big inconvenience in her day-to-day routine.
She’s currently seeing low water pressure inside her South Jackson home.
“It’s been hard, especially when you have a family,” Watkins expressed. “Like right now, we just got one case. I mean, I am thankful, but you could have three or four or five people in your family,” Watkins said.
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Jackson’s water system is troubled by short staffing and “decades of deferred maintenance,” the Associated Press reported.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration request for the state of Mississippi on Tuesday, directing federal resources to the area.
Residents have been told their water isn’t safe to drink or give to their pets.
They’re also being told to only use bottled or boiled water just to brush their teeth.
However, some residents said they’ve been dealing with water woes in Jackson for decades.
“This has been an issue for me since I came down here to Tougaloo College in 1991, I was always told not to drink that water,” said Danyelle Holmes, who’s a national social justice organizer and a Jackson resident.
Holmes spent the day lending a hand at the different water giveaways, helping residents get safe drinkable water during the ongoing crisis.
She said she believes politics are being placed over people, which is contributing to this current problem.
She also said she believes Gov.Tate Reeves should’ve acted sooner to help fix this issue.
“If we were talking about Madison County or if we were talking about Rankin County, we would not see these issues,” Holmes said. “The extreme racist politics that are being played, placing politics before people, it has to stop, and it has to stop today. We have 175,000 residents or more who are impacted and lives are at jeopardy.”
There were two common sights at the bottled water giveaways: the first was hundreds of cars lining up to get the water, the second was many residents leaving empty-handed because the demand is so high that the cases of water ran out.
The water giveaways will take place all week.
Copyright 2022 WLBT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/31/jackson-miss-residents-travel-find-clean-water-amid-system-problems/ | 2022-08-31T13:41:16Z |
CHICAGO, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased to announce that Axial named Peakstone the #1 lower middle market U.S. investment bank for the second quarter of 2022. This is the second year that Axial awarded Peakstone a #1 ranking. Axial's league tables take into account numerous factors including the following: reputation, client quality, process effectiveness, access to wide range of potential buyers and investors, and track record of closing deals. Thanks to all of our clients and associates that made this possible.
Peakstone is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions, advisory, and capital raising for middle market clients. Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars. For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com. To receive investment and proprietary acquisition opportunities, please register at www.peakzone.com.
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SOURCE Peakstone | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/peakstone-ranked-1-lower-middle-market-investment-bank-by-axial/ | 2022-07-26T18:20:34Z |
ATLANTA, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company (NYSE: SO) announced today that it has successfully remarketed its Series 2019A Remarketable Junior Subordinated Notes due August 1, 2024 (the "Series 2019A Notes") and its Series 2019B Remarketable Junior Subordinated Notes due August 1, 2027 (the "Series 2019B Notes" and, together with the Series 2019A Notes, the "Notes"). The optional remarketing was conducted pursuant to the terms of the governing documents for the Notes, which were originally issued on August 16, 2019, as a part of Southern Company's 2019 Series A Corporate Units (the "Corporate Units").
Effective upon closing of the remarketing, the Series 2019A Notes will bear interest at 4.475% per year and the Series 2019B Notes will bear interest at 5.113% per year. The remarketing is expected to close on May 9, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.
Southern Company will not directly receive any proceeds from the remarketing of the Notes. It is expected that on August 1, 2022, which is the purchase contract settlement date for the Corporate Units, a portion of the proceeds of the portfolio of treasury securities required to be purchased with the proceeds of the remarketing will be used to settle the purchase contracts issued as part of the Corporate Units. The remaining portion of the proceeds of the portfolio of treasury securities will be distributed to the holders of the Corporate Units.
The offering is being made under an effective shelf registration statement on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, 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 law of any such jurisdiction. The offering of Notes in connection with the remarketing may be made only by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement, copies of which may be obtained for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by contacting: Barclays Capital Inc. c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com, Phone: 1-888-603-5847; Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, Attention: General Counsel, Facsimile: (646) 291-1469; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, Telephone: 1-866-471-2526, Facsimile: 212-902-9316, Email: Prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179, Attn: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, Tel: (212) 834-4533, Fax: (212) 834-6081; Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, Attn: Prospectus Department, Phone: 1-866-718-1649; Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 608 2nd Avenue South, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attn: WFS Customer Service, Email: wfscustomerservice@wellsfargo.com, Toll-Free: 1-800-645-3751.
About Southern Company
Southern Company is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
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SOURCE Southern Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/06/southern-company-announces-successful-remarketing/ | 2022-05-06T05:19:08Z |
Review: Impressive food, gorgeous views at Granite Grille at The Quarry Golf Club
To continue the golf course theme from last week’s review, my husband, Austin, and I visited Granite Grille at The Quarry in Osnaburg Township for dinner on a beautiful, sunny Thursday evening.
On the drive there, we reminisced about our high school days of running in the strip mines that used to occupy the land the golf course sits on now. Any time I’ve been to The Quarry, I’m impressed with its beauty. It always feels like somewhere other than Osnaburg.
Since the last time I was there, a lot more homes have been built, but the buildings and golf course looked as impressive and well kept as I remember them.
Because the weather was so nice, all of the diners were sitting out on the patio. We walked right out and found an open table. Our server, Maddi, was there right away to hand out menus and take our drink orders.
We took in the beautiful view of the course and pond while we waited for our dishes to come out.
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We kept our orders simple this time. Austin ordered the original pepperoni lovers flatbread pizza ($11), and I got the upgraded BLT ($10).
I hadn’t looked at the menu beforehand, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Knowing the golf course is on the more expensive side, I thought the menu might reflect that, too. I was pleasantly surprised to see prices were in line with most other restaurants.
And I was very happy to see the portion sizes when our meals came out. My sandwich was hefty, my fries were piled high, and Austin’s flatbread looked substantial.
The upgraded BLT is just that, upgraded in the best way possible. It is made with sourdough bread with crispy bacon, arugula, tomato and lemon herb aioli sandwiched inside. The arugula and lemon herb aioli really take things up a notch.
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The sandwich was impressive. The aioli gave the BLT a great added flavor, and the arugula was a nice touch. This has inspired me to up my BLT game at home.
The only thing that wasn’t just perfect was the bacon. It was a little chewier than I would have liked. I like my bacon very crispy.
All sandwiches come with fries or housemade chips. I opted for the fries, and they were pretty good. They leaned a little sweeter and softer than I prefer, but I still enjoyed them.
Austin commented multiple times on how good his pizza was. He said it was just the right size, and the crust had a nice flavor. I’ll admit I was a little jealous. We’ll have to go back so I can try a flatbread for myself.
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The menu also includes steak sandwiches, a fried bologna sandwich, a chicken wrap, chicken sandwich, fried cod, blackened walleye, char-grilled steaks, pork chop, seared salmon, fried shrimp basket, cajun penne, additional flatbread pizzas, salads, appetizers including wings and chicken tenders, soup and a children’s menu. There also are desserts and a drink menu, plus happy hour specials.
Now, let’s talk about the view. I would go back just for the view. Eating a meal in front of a beautiful golf course complete with a pond is so relaxing. How could you not enjoy yourself? While we were there, we saw many golfers on the green and quite a few teams of geese fly in to land in the water. It was a calming way to start the evening.
Granite Grille is on the grounds of The Quarry Golf Club & Venue at 5650 Quarry Lake Drive in Osnaburg Township. The restaurant’s summer hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Granite Grille at The Quarry
Taste: Everything was good. I’m excited to try more on the menu. 4.5/5 stars
Ambiance: The setting seems both upscale and laidback. It’s a very nice place but doesn’t feel stuffy. 5/5 stars
Service: Our server was friendly and prompt. The workers were friendly to each other. 4.5/5 stars
Concept: Having the covered patio with a view of the course and pond is very nice in the summer. 5/5 stars
Price: Prices were in line with most other restaurants, and portion sizes were great for the price. 4/5 stars
Overall rating: 4.6 stars | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/entertainment/dining/restaurant-reviews/2022/08/30/review-tasty-food-gorgeous-views-at-granite-grille-at-the-quarry-golf-club-osnaburg-township/65418393007/ | 2022-08-30T09:30:34Z |
NEW YORK, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that Twilio Inc. provided a reasonable basis for claims that its customer data platform is the "#1 CDP," provided it makes clear that the basis for such claim is 2020 market share, as measured by the International Data Corporation (IDC). Accordingly, NAD recommended that the advertiser make certain modifications to the claim as it appears in Google search results, press releases, a Twilio billboard, and on Twilio's website.
The claims at issue were challenged by Adobe Inc. The parties are competing providers of customer data platform (CDP) services to clients, a technology solution that allows businesses to gather customer data from disparate systems and sources - such as websites, apps, and email - and unify the data to provide a 360-degree customer profile and, thus, tailor and improve a client's marketing and customer experience.
As support for its #1 CDP claims, Twilio relied on the 2020 IDC Report which provided a "Worldwide Customer Data Platform 2020 Share Snapshot." NAD was persuaded by the advertiser's argument that the 2020 IDC Report is the most recent, annual study by IDC on the entire CDP market and of companies with the top market share by revenue. NAD noted that while the CDP market may be rapidly changing with new market entrants, the 2020 IDC Report acknowledged that fact but nonetheless determined the advertiser to have the largest CDP market share in 2020 (with 10.2% of the market).
Therefore, NAD determined Twilio's "#1 CDP" claim to be substantiated provided the advertiser makes clear that the basis of the claim is 2020 market share as determined by IDC.
The advertiser stated that it was willing to work with Google to modify its claims and add references to 2020 market share and the substantiating IDC Report wherever #1 CDP appears in Twilio search results. NAD recommended that the advertiser do so to modify such search results to make clear that the #1 CDP claim is for 2020 market share as determined by the 2020 IDC Report.
The challenger, Adobe, Inc., took issue with a static billboard with the words "Twilio Segment" in larger type, with the claim "The #1 CDP" appearing under the claim on the billboard in smaller font. In front of the bottom right of the billboard is a digital screen that states "#1 CDP for worldwide market share (IDC 2020)."
NAD determined that the parenthetical "(IDC 2020)" as it appears on the billboard may be confusing to consumers and that it does not adequately disclose the basis of the #1 claim. Therefore, NAD recommended that the advertiser incorporate the basis for its claim – 2020 market share as determined by IDC – into the body of the digital disclosure rather than in a separate parenthetical following the main claim.
The claim "Twilio #1 Customer Data Platforms" had appeared on the advertiser's website, with a disclosure in smaller font underneath the claim stating, "IDC report on 2020 market share rankings for Customer Data Platforms is now available."
NAD found that this claim was potentially confusing because the statement "IDC report on 2020 market share rankings for Customer Data Platforms is now available" does not sufficiently make clear that the advertiser's "Twilio #1 Customer Data Platforms" claim is based on market share. Therefore, NAD recommended that the advertiser modify any future use of such claim to make clear that the #1 CDP claim is for 2020 market share as determined by the 2020 IDC Report.
Finally, during the proceeding Twilio voluntarily revised two press releases that both contained the claim "the world's #1 Customer Data Platform (CDP)" to read "the world's #1 Customer Data Platform (CDP) for worldwide market share (IDC 2020)." NAD recommended that the advertiser use bona fide good faith efforts to effectuate the same revisions to press releases appearing on third-party websites by contacting Business Wire to request the change.
In its advertiser statement, Twilio stated that it "intends to comply with NAD's decision." The advertiser further stated that it "respectfully disagrees" with NAD's views that "the reference to '(IDC 2020)' on Twilio's billboard may be confusing as attribution for its #1 CDP claim," but "will modify that language consistent with NAD's guidance and space constraints."
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
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SOURCE BBB National Programs | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/national-advertising-division-finds-1-cdp-claims-twilio-customer-data-platform-supported-with-qualification/ | 2022-07-14T16:28:59Z |
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Karman Space & Defense ("Karman" or the "Company") backed by Dallas-based private equity firm Trive Capital ("Trive"), has partnered with Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. ("CRG") to acquire the MG Resin family of technologies. The acquisition of MG Resins represents a significant expansion of Karman's core competencies in integrated composite systems for space & defense applications and creates a leading manufacturer in the carbon/carbon market.
The senior leadership team at CRG developed the patented MG family of resins to address the growing need for ultra-high temperature materials with higher char yields, improved processability, and reduced cycle times. CRG designed an innovative solution that will enable the production of best-in-class, high strength carbon-carbon parts at temperatures above 1200 °C.
"We are excited to partner with Karman and believe that their set of differentiated capabilities, capacity and talented team makes them the right strategic partner to deliver the MG Resin value proposition to customers across the space, missile, defense and hypersonic supply chains. We believe that joining forces with Karman will accelerate the commercialization of carbon-carbon technologies and look forward to creating value for customers," commented Patrick Hood, Chief Executive Officer of CRG.
"This is a big milestone for Karman," said Tony Koblinksi, Chief Executive Officer of Karman. "CRG's MG Resin systems will allow Karman to offer highly differentiated high-temp materials solutions to our customer base. The MG Resin carbon-carbon technology, along with other CRG-developed resin systems, will serve as the launch point for Karman's broader move into advanced material sciences."
"With this acquisition, Karman can now offer vertically integrated composite systems. We believe that adding leading up-front material science capabilities to our existing design, engineering and manufacturing competencies will further Karman's mission to provide a single point of accountability, reduced lead times and higher quality to OEMs" commented David Stinnett, Partner at Trive Capital.
Monument Capital Partners advised Cornerstone Research Group. Haynes & Boone LLP served as legal counsel to Trive Capital.
Karman Space & Defense is an integrated concept-to-production solutions provider for the space and defense industry's most complex and mission-critical projects. Through its four divisions the company provides solutions for integrated dynamic systems, assemblies, and advanced manufacturing that are used in our industry's most critical programs, including crewed-space flight and hypersonic missions. Headquartered in Huntington Beach, CA, with facilities in Washington, Alabama, and Washington DC, Karman brings together industry-leading capabilities, advanced technologies, and the multi-decade history of its four business divisions, AAE Aerospace, AEC, AMRO, and Systima.
CRG is a high-technology company delivering products and services to aerospace, defense and industrial customers since 1997. Our multidisciplinary teams redefine what is possible to deliver innovative solutions with the support of a network of hundreds of leading technology providers. As result, CRG is a recognized fast-growing leader in innovation and technology commercialization, making the Inc. 5000 for the 7th time in 2020. Our technology portfolio covers a broad range with primary emphasis in aerosystems, power and energy, medical and sensors technology, materials science, and advanced manufacturing.
Trive Capital is a Dallas, Texas based private equity firm with more than $4 billion of regulatory assets under management. Trive focuses on investing equity and debt in what it sees as strategically viable middle-market companies with the potential for transformational upside through operational improvement. We seek to maximize returns through a hands-on partnership that calls for identifying and implementing value creation ideas.
The Trive team is comprised of seasoned investment professionals who have been involved in over 100 middle-market transactions representing in excess of $6 billion in revenue across Trive's targeted industry sectors and situations.
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SOURCE Trive Capital | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/karman-space-amp-defense-acquires-mg-resin-technology/ | 2022-06-15T19:54:00Z |
LIAOCHENG, China, Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As Chinese people globally celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival on September 10, which symbolizes happiness and reunion, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Liaocheng delivers a message of greeting to overseas Liaocheng people. The full text is as follows:
Mid-Autumn Festival Message to Overseas Liaocheng People
My fellow overseas Liaocheng people,
The endless sky cannot restrain people's passion for their hometown. On the occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Liaocheng extends greetings and best wishes to the family members and friends of Liaocheng people living, studying and working overseas, and also to overseas Liaocheng chambers of commerce and associations.
Over the years, you, Liaocheng people residing all over the world, have played an active role in promoting economic, trade and cultural exchanges between China and other countries and regions. You have made your hometown of Liaocheng feel proud and recognized. This could not have happened without your commitment to upholding the fine traditions of the Chinese nation, your patriotism and love for your hometown, and your hard work and enterprising spirit.
Liaocheng is turning the grand blueprint charted by the 14th Liaocheng Municipal Party Congress into a promising reality. It is expected that you will, by capitalizing on your strengths in bridging China and the rest of the world and pooling wisdom and efforts - of both individuals and organizations - continue to keep abreast of, support and be involved in the development of Liaocheng, and contribute to its overall progress.
"Green hills immerse in the same cloud and rain. The same moon lights up towns however far away." We wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, good health, and peace and prosperity! We welcome you to visit Liaocheng regularly to touch base and communicate for win-win cooperation. Feel free to contact us at lcswsb@lc.shandong.cn if you would like to share opportunities for international cooperation.
Image Attachments Links:
Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=428908
Caption: Guangyue Tower and Ferris Wheel at night
Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=428909
Caption: Water City Pearl Grand Theater in Dongchang Lake
Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=428910
Caption: Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall
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SOURCE Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Liaocheng | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/foreign-affairs-office-peoples-government-liaocheng-extends-mid-autumn-festival-greetings-overseas-liaocheng-people/ | 2022-09-08T09:07:30Z |
Competency hearing scheduled for driver in alleged DUI crash on Skyway Bridge
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Attorneys for the Sarasota woman accused of seriously injuring a Florida Highway Patrol trooper in an alleged DUI crash on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge have filed a motion to determine whether she is competent to stand trial.
In March, troopers say Kristen Kay Watts drove through barricades set for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge 10K, heading toward the race route. Trooper Toni Schuck put her patrol SUV into Watts’ path, authorities said, to protect racers. They collided head-on. Troopers say they could smell the odor of alcohol on Watts’ breath.
The police report said Watts was only able to participate in one sobriety exercise and showed obvious signs of impairment around her eyes.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a blood sample was taken from Watts at 11:07 a.m. Hospital staff told investigators the test indicated Watts’ blood alcohol level was 0.271. The legal limit for drivers in Florida is 0.08.
At 2:31 p.m., Watts provided a breath sample, and the sample that was analyzed at .094. A second sample was provided at 2:34 p.m., which registered .090. These samples were collected approximately six hours after the collision.
Tuesday, the prosecution filed a motion to subpoena Watts’ medical records.
The court has scheduled a competency review hearing on June 1.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/03/competency-hearing-scheduled-driver-alleged-dui-crash-skyway-bridge/ | 2022-05-03T16:21:26Z |
NEW YORK, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shoplazza, the global leading Shopping Cart SaaS, and Payoneer (NASDAQ: PAYO), the commerce technology company powering payments and growth for the new global economy, today announced a partnership that will bring Payoneer's direct-to-consumer payments acceptance offering to Shoplazza's 360,000+ merchants. Shoplazza merchants will be able to integrate Payoneer Checkout into their webstores to start accepting payments directly from customers worldwide and unify earnings across their webstores and marketplaces.
Merchants who want to sell cross-border need to ensure they can offer buyers from around the world the opportunity to pay on their webstores as easily as they would do with their local retailers," said Nagesh Devata, Senior Vice President, APAC, Payoneer. "The partnership with Shoplazza is a great example of how Payoneer collaborates with leading eCommerce enablers to help them expand globally while also empowering SMBs to manage their businesses, succeed, and grow with better financial and payment services."
Payoneer powers growth for 5 million global customers, from aspiring entrepreneurs in emerging markets to the world's leading technology brands, including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Airbnb, Google, and more.
As an award-winning Shopping Cart SaaS company, Shoplazza provides a shopping cart SaaS platform for brands of all shapes and sizes to start, market, and manage their online stores. The platform is powered by advanced technology and is reliable, scalable, and adaptable to ensure a headless commerce experience for our merchants.
For webstores businesses, daily operation, foreign exchange settlement and payment acceptance play a pivotal role in the transaction flow. To address this, the Shoplazza and Payoneer strategic partnership will provide a variety of settlement currencies for Shoplazza's merchants with preferential exchange rates and cost saving, and an easy and efficient onboarding process. It also supports unified account management. Payoneer Checkout consolidates the merchant's income from across multiple webstores and platforms into their Payoneer account, allowing Shoplazza merchants to manage multi-store revenue easily, while improving checkout conversions.
The partnership between Shoplazza and Payoneer simplifies payment acceptance for cross-border merchants, and helps them to manage their webstores more efficiently.
"Shoplazza is committed to empowering brands of all shapes and sizes from around the world to start, market, and manage their online stores with its advanced technology and Direct-to-Customer (DTC) brand management and consulting," notes Jeff Li, CEO of Shoplazza. "Providing seamless payment options such as through Payoneer makes sure that merchants can find the one that's right for them, no matter where they are."
Shoplazza's merchants in the Asia Pacific region can find Payoneer Checkout on the SaaS platform via "Settings"-> "Payments".
For more information about Payoneer Checkout, visit https://register.payoneer.com/en/solutions/payoneer-checkout/
About Shoplazza
Shoplazza, an award-winning Shopping Cart SaaS company, provides a Shopping Cart SaaS Platform for brands of all shapes and sizes to start, market, and manage their online stores. The platform is powered by advanced technology, and reliable, scalable, and adaptable to ensure a headless commerce experience for our merchants.
Shoplazza values developers and is committed to leveraging the value of the global developers ecosystem in helping merchants achieve global business success.
Shoplazza, a global Shopping Cart SaaS company, and your lifetime partner.
About Payoneer
Payoneer is the world's go-to partner for digital commerce, everywhere. From borderless payments to boundless growth, Payoneer promises any business, in any market, the technology, connections and confidence to participate and flourish in the new global economy.
Since 2005, Payoneer has been imagining and engineering a truly global ecosystem so the entire world can realize its potential. Powering growth for customers ranging from aspiring entrepreneurs in emerging markets to the world's leading digital brands like Airbnb, Amazon, Google, Upwork, and Walmart, Payoneer offers a universe of opportunities, open to you.
CONTACT:
Mia Wang
Corporate brand director
Wangxizi@shoplazza.com
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SOURCE Shoplazza | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/shoplazza-bring-payoneer-checkout-its-360000-merchants/ | 2022-06-01T17:04:34Z |
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention Outset Medical, Inc. ("Outset Medical") (NASDAQ: OM) shareholders:
The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that a class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of investors. This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased Outset Medical common stock between September 15, 2020, and June 13, 2022.
If you suffered a loss on your investment in Outset Medical, contact us about potential recovery by using the link below. There is no cost or obligation to you.
ABOUT THE ACTION: The class action against Outset Medical includes allegations that the Company made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company's flagship product, Tablo Hemodialysis System ("Tablo"), would require an additional 510(k) application to be filed with The United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), as defendants had "continuously made improvements and updates to Tablo over time since its original clearance"; (2) as a result, the Company could not conduct a human factors study on a cleared device in accordance with FDA protocols; (3) the Company's inability to conduct the human factors study subjected the Company to the likelihood of the FDA imposing a "shipment hold" and marketing suspension, leaving the Company unable to sell Tablo for home use; and (4) as a result, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and /or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: September 6, 2022
Aggrieved Outset Medical investors only have until September 6, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. You are not required to act as a lead plaintiff in order to share in any recovery.
Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
Vincent Wong, Esq.
39 East Broadway
Suite 304
New York, NY 10002
Tel. 212.425.1140
E-Mail: vw@wongesq.com
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SOURCE The Law Offices of Vincent Wong | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/class-action-alert-law-offices-vincent-wong-remind-outset-medical-investors-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-6-2022/ | 2022-07-18T10:02:45Z |
Verakari's Energy Enhancements Help Crypto Miners Navigate High Energy Costs and Climate Implications Associated with Inefficient Mining Rigs
BELLEFONTE, Pa., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Verakari, a cryptocurrency hosting pioneer offering discerning enterprise miners secure, high-tech, cost-effective sturdy facilities in strategic locations around the globe, announces its support for crypto miners reeling from soaring energy costs and environmentally-conscious crypto enthusiasts looking to minimize their carbon footprint.
As cryptocurrencies become more popular and mainstream, the electricity needed to mine new tokens is increasingly alarming, with estimates noting that global crypto mining consumes more electricity than many countries. According to one estimate, electricity accounts for up to 95 percent of bitcoin mining costs, making it a determining factor for profitability and environmental impact.
Meanwhile, a confluence of factors, including geopolitical conflict, supply chain challenges, and natural disasters, have made electricity even more expensive.
Verakari's special and unique mine design was developed with sustainability in mind. Verakari mines and mobile data centers operate with a fanless infrastructure by leveraging airflow-conducive design and energy efficiency standards to reduce energy waste.
In addition, Verakari implements custom circuitry and network components that accommodate an aggressive response to grid energy needs; special software and innovative, custom designed engineering eliminates issues with electricity harmonics and dynamic power changes that occur as a result of calls for grid stability. This extends the life of the Bitcoin mining machines and dramatically reduces the total electricity footprint required to operate the mine.
Most recently, Verakari partnered with CPower to implement the company's EnerWiseTM Site Optimization, allowing crypto miners to better respond to multiple grid needs with clean energy sources while maximizing the site's energy savings. This artificial intelligence-powered engine helps Distributed Energy Resource (DER) owners and developers manage and monetize all of their DERs across multiple energy markets and utility programs simultaneously by analyzing the latest market and grid conditions.
"Verakari is always looking for ways to support our customers who are brilliant and support efforts to put environment and sustainability first," said Tim Sandau, Verakari's CEO. "We are committed to enabling a cleaner and more reliable grid for ourselves, our communities, and our planet, and this priority is built right into the fundamental structure of our flagship products."
To learn more about Verakari's crypto mining products or mobile data centers, visit https://verakari.com/ and watch their virtual reality tour.
Headquartered in Bellefonte, PA, Verakari is a cryptocurrency hosting pioneer offering discerning enterprise miners secure, high-tech, cost-effective sturdy facilities in strategic locations around the globe. The company's state-of-the-art datacenters are turn-key, purpose-built for security and durability, and outfitted with built-in innovative proprietary software. With over a hundred thousand miners deployed, Verakari was built by some of the most experienced miners in North America, an elite team of trusted veteran crypto industry leaders from some of the world's biggest brands. Committed to 100% carbon-free energy use, Verakari has been recognized by the Focus Central PA Industrial Development Forum for its contributions to central Pennsylvania community. For more information please visit www.verakari.com, connect with us at LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram, or contact us at hello@verakari.com.
Press Inquiries:
Kristen Aikey
347-394-8807
kristen@jmgpr.com
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SOURCE Verakari | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/verakari-enhances-energy-efficiency-crypto-miners-with-industry-differentiating-design-specs-software-elements/ | 2022-06-01T12:54:57Z |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The husband of a Black woman who died hours after childbirth in 2016 sued Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Wednesday, saying she bled to death because of a culture of racism at the renowned Los Angeles hospital.
Charles Johnson IV said he discovered the disparity in care women of color receive at Cedars compared to white women during depositions in his wrongful death lawsuit that is scheduled to go to trial next week in Los Angeles Superior Court.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that my wife would be here today and be here Sunday celebrating Mother’s Day with her boys if she was a Caucasian woman,” Johnson said at a news conference outside the hospital. “The reality is that on April 12, 2016, when we walked into Cedars-Sinai hospital for what we expected to be the happiest day of our lives, the greatest risk factor that Kira Dixon Johnson faced was racism.”
Johnson died about 12 hours after having a scheduled cesarean section that was performed in 17 minutes to deliver the couple’s second son, Langston.
“This is sloppy. It was butchery,” attorney Nicholas Rowley said. “It shocked everybody that we deposed, all the health care providers, even the head of (obstetrics) here, the head of labor and delivery, looked at it and said ‘No, I’ve never seen one done that fast.’”
Despite signs she was bleeding internally and over the desperate pleas of her husband, Kira Johnson languished for hours without being readmitted to the operating room until it was too late, the civil rights lawsuit said.
At one point, a nurse told Charles Johnson that his wife wasn’t a priority, according to the lawsuit.
She died from internal bleeding — nearly 90% of her blood was later found in her stomach, Rowley said. Her bladder had been lacerated and she hadn’t been sutured properly.
The hospital, which has fought the malpractice lawsuit, said in a statement that it was founded on principles of diversity and health care for all and it rejected “any mischaracterization of our culture and values.”
“We are actively working to eradicate unconscious bias in health care and advance equity in health care more broadly,” the statement said. “We commend Mr. Johnson for the attention he has brought to the important issue of racial disparities in maternal outcomes.”
Kira Johnson’s death led her husband on a crusade to advocate for reducing maternal mortality, which is especially high for Black women.
Before the pandemic, which increased deaths of women of color during childbirth, Black women died at 2.5 times the rate of white women, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Charles Johnson has testified before Congress and at the state Capitol in Sacramento in support of a variety of bills, including a 2019 state law that requires doctors and nurses to identify implicit bias at work, and a recent bill that would lift the cap on medical malpractice awards.
Johnson would not benefit from a change in the malpractice law that currently caps awards at $250,000. The case is scheduled to go to trial May 11, though recent court filings indicated the two sides were close to reaching a settlement.
The civil rights case would give Johnson another avenue to collect damages and hold Cedars-Sinai accountable. He’s also seeking an injunction that would require the hospital to make changes to protect mothers and women of color.
But proving a civil rights violation in health care is difficult because most laws require showing discrimination was intentional, said Brietta Clark, a professor at Loyola Law School.
“Compared to when civil rights laws were enacted, a lot of the kind of unequal treatment that we see in health care today does not seem to be explicit,” Clark said. “It does not seem to be conscious.”
A judge had rejected Johnson’s effort to change the malpractice case to add the civil rights action, partly because deposition excerpts did not show the hospital racially discriminated in the treatment it provided.
Dr. Kimberly Gregory, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the hospital, testified that she lives with “structural racism” every day and it prevents Black patients from receiving the same care as whites, according to court papers. She also said Kira Johnson should have gone back to the operating room sooner.
Dr. Sarah Kilpatrick, chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, testified that she told Charles Johnson: “I’m sorry. We failed your family. … This shouldn’t have happened.”
Angelique Washington, a Black surgical technologist, said “patient safety was out the door” when Kira Johnson came into the operating room.
Washington, who has more than 30 years of experience, said she routinely witnessed different treatment of Black women but was afraid to speak up.
“When I see my Black … patients come in, I say an extra prayer,” Washington said. “I say a silent prayer that all goes well. Because you do have racism very much so in the operating room.”
Clark said the evidence identified by the judge as weak were more general statements and not specifically about discrimination by the provider. She said the key thing for Johnson’s legal team will be to show a pattern of discrimination.
Rowley said the effort to amend the case was a long shot. He has since gathered other evidence from additional depositions and will be able to seek data — such as the number of Black women that have died at Cedars — to support his claim in the new lawsuit.
“Kira died because she’s Black,” he said. “Women of color don’t get the same treatment as white women. That’s a fact.” | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-u-s-headlines/la-hospital-sued-for-racism-in-black-mothers-death/ | 2022-05-05T05:04:16Z |
BOSTON, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts-based event facility, Lombardo's Meetings & Occasions and Vincent's Nightclub housed at 6 Billings Street in Randolph, MA, Lombardo's To Go catering in Norwood, MA, Bardo's Bar Pizza in South Boston, and the Lombardo's retail division which currently produces Lombardo's sausages with other products currently in R + D; has officially launched Lombardo's Hospitality Group (LHG) unifying all silos of the Lombardo family businesses.
The formal organization comes as the long-standing family business makes plans for the future. "We've been a growing family business since 1927 beginning in East Boston with the opening of Liberty Market on Porter Street, and through the years we've evolved opening catering, event, entertainment and retail businesses, and now restaurants. As the next generation of our family further grows and modernizes the businesses, we're creating a brand standard across our entire portfolio with the launch of the Lombardo's Hospitality Group," said Vincent Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer.
The creation of the Lombardo's Hospitality Group (LHG) comes as future plans of expansion are in progress with the next generation of leaders in the family business.
"This is a family business which we all grew up in, has always changed with the needs of our clients and customers, and above all has always thrived. As we lead and grow the fourth generation of the Lombardo's family businesses, the formation of this hospitality group is step one in the next chapter of our businesses' evolution," said David Lombardo, Director of Operations of Lombardo's Hospitality Group (LHG).
With the formation of the new hospitality group brand standards, operations and communications will be unified and new projects are currently under development, including the expansion of the Bardo's Bar Pizza brand. "We're excited for this new chapter and the growth opportunities ahead. Our family has a rich history here in the Boston area and positioning our hospitality group in such a way that tells that story and demonstrates all that we offer for our clients is the primary goal," said Francesca Lombardo, Director of Marketing for Lombardo's Hospitality Group (LHG).
More information on the newly formed Lombardo's Hospitality Group (LHG) can be found by visiting the website https://lombardoshospitality.com.
Lombardo's Hospitality Group (LHG) is a full-service hospitality company which includes: restaurants, catering, event services and consultation, entertainment services and consultation and retail product offerings. Owned and operated as a private holding by the Massachusetts-based Lombardo family, the company began in 1927 in East Boston, MA with the opening of Liberty Market, marking nearly 100 years of serving the communities in which it operates. For more information on Lombardo's Hospitality Group (LHG) please visit: https://lombardoshospitality.com.
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SOURCE Lombardo's Hospitality Group | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/massachusetts-based-restaurants-retail-catering-event-entertainment-venues-align-create-lombardos-hospitality-group/ | 2022-06-13T20:03:06Z |
Which charcoal grill is best?
Few things are as satisfying as grilling up dinner in the waning rays of the sun on a long summer day. Charcoal adds a unique smokiness to your favorite foods, giving them a distinctive flavor that’s hard to reproduce indoors or even on gas grills. If you’re looking for an easy-to-clean, full-feature charcoal grill, the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill is the top choice.
What to know before you buy a charcoal grill
The amount of space available
Charcoal grills make food tasty, and they benefit grillers because they come in compact sizes that don’t require a lot of room to spread out. While gas grills need to accommodate a large propane tank and often have prep surfaces attached, a good charcoal grill can fit on a small patio or deck.
When deciding on a grill, measure the amount of space you have available. Be mindful that you’ll need to leave enough room to keep the heat source far away from flammable structures, including your home. Buy a grill that fits your space while providing ample room around it for movement and dining.
Charcoal grills are cheaper
If cost is a factor in your decision to buy a grill, you’ll definitely want to take a look at the charcoal options. Charcoal-burning grills tend to be much more cost-effective than gas grills, both in initial investment and the cost of replacing the fuel.
The smoky flavor is easier to achieve on charcoal
Adding a smoky taste to grilled food requires a sealed environment that lets smoky vapor linger around the food as it cooks. Gas grills don’t seal tightly, and that’s by design as a safety measure. On the other hand, charcoal grills are meant to be closed to retain flavors. If you like a smoky taste on your barbecue, a charcoal grill is the way to go.
What to look for in a quality charcoal grill
Igniting mechanism
Some people are surprised to learn that charcoal grills can also be powered by propane. While gas grills typically only use propane for fuel, charcoal grills have a propane ignition that can help light charcoal uniformly.
Charcoal grills without propane ignition require other methods for lighting charcoal. While everyone has their preferred technique, this often involves starting the charcoal in a separate chimney starter, using lighter fluid or investing in self-lighting charcoal.
The right materials
Because charcoal grills get very hot, you’ll want to be sure that the one you’re considering is made of stainless steel or cast aluminum to ensure its longevity. Look for useful grilling racks and unibody construction. Also, investigate how easy cleanup will be. This goes hand in hand with materials because hard-to-reach areas where ash can accumulate will cause weaker materials to degrade more quickly.
Size
Charcoal grills range from compact table-top designs that are perfect for small patios to large grills that are 34 inches or wider. If you cook for one or two people, you’ll have all the grill you need with a compact model. If you regularly host larger gatherings, purchase a grill with enough room to cook a lot of food at once.
How much you can expect to spend on a charcoal grill
You can get a sturdy, compact charcoal grill for as little as $25-$100. A larger grill with a propane starter can cost upward of $500.
Charcoal grill FAQ
What accessories do I need to extend the life of my grill?
A. The most useful item you can get to keep your grill in good condition is a well-fitting grill cover that will protect it from the elements when it’s not in use. You’ll also need a good grill cleaning agent and brush to thoroughly remove any food residue that can erode the grill’s materials over time. Clean your grill thoroughly after each use, and cover it once it’s cooled down.
What else do I need for charcoal grilling?
A. A great grill brush is perhaps the most necessary tool among your tongs and spatulas. A chimney charcoal starter saves time and cuts down on the use of starter fluid. A good charcoal ash tool helps distribute the charcoal evenly and is handy during cleanup. An ash vacuum can be a smart purchase for frequent grillers.
Do I need a separate smoker, or can I smoke food on a charcoal grill?
A. This depends on personal preference, but most smoking can be done effectively on a charcoal grill. You’ll need one with enough room to add a pan of water near the charcoal, plus time to get the coals to the right temperature before adding your wood chips or chunks.
What’s the best charcoal grill to buy?
Top charcoal grill
Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill
What you need to know: This well-known grill manufacturer produces sturdy grills that last.
What you’ll love: With its ample grilling surface and handy temperature display, you will get reliable performance from this workhorse of a grill. The extra workspace comes in handy for prep.
What you should consider: Some users reported difficulty removing the ash catcher.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Top charcoal grill for the money
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
What you need to know: The Weber grill that started it all is still a favorite for its simplicity and ease of use.
What you’ll love: The wheels help you move it exactly where it needs to go, and the simple operation and cleanup make this a perennial favorite.
What you should consider: At 22 inches, this is a good grill when cooking for a small family, but it will be strained for larger gatherings.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Worth checking out
Dyna-glo Signature Heavy-Duty Compact Barrel Charcoal Grill
What you need to know: A heavy-duty, steel body construction makes this a durable choice.
What you’ll love: The collapsible front workstation makes storing this grill a breeze. Maintain ideal cooking temperatures by monitoring the included temperature gauge.
What you should consider: Some users report that the stationary legs can be somewhat wobbly, so be sure to place this one on an even surface.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
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Maria Andreu 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/patio-br/grilling-outdoor-cooking-br/best-charcoal-grill/ | 2022-05-05T05:06:31Z |
Top Russian diplomat warns Ukraine against provoking WWIII
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Russia’s top diplomat warned Ukraine against provoking World War III and said the threat of a nuclear conflict “should not be underestimated” as his country unleashed attacks against rail and fuel installations far from the front lines of Moscow’s new eastern offensive.
Meanwhile, the British Defense Ministry said Tuesday that Russian forces had taken the Ukrainian city of Kreminna in the Luhansk region after days of street-to-street fighting.
“The city of Kreminna has reportedly fallen and heavy fighting is reported south of Izium as Russian forces attempt to advance towards the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk from the north and east,” the British military said in a tweet. It did not say how it knew the city, 575 kilometers (355 miles) southeast of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, had fallen. The Ukrainian government did not immediately comment.
Ukraine’s General Staff said Russian forces were shelling Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, as they fought to take full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which comprise the Donbas in Ukraine’s industrial heartland, and establish a land corridor to Crimea.
In the area of Velyka Oleksandrivka, a village in the Kherson region largely controlled by Russians, Ukrainian forces destroyed an ammunition depot and “eliminated” more than 70 Russian troops, the General Staff said.
The governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, said on the messaging app Telegram that the Russians had shelled civilians 17 times over the previous 24 hours, with the cities of Popasna, Lysychansk and Girske suffering the most.
GRAPHIC WARNING: Videos may contain disturbing content.
Four people died and nine more were wounded on Monday in the Russian shelling of the Donetsk region, its governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram. He said a 9-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy were among those killed.
The U.S. has been rushing more weaponry to Ukraine and said the assistance from Western allies is making a difference in the 2-month-old war.
“Russia is failing. Ukraine is succeeding,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared Monday after he and the U.S. secretary of defense made a bold visit to Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Blinken said Washington approved a $165 million sale of ammunition — non-U.S. ammo, mainly if not entirely for Ukraine’s Soviet-era weapons — and will also provide more than $300 million in financing to buy more supplies.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin went further, saying the U.S. wants to see Ukraine remain a sovereign, democratic country, but also wants “to see Russia weakened to the point where it can’t do things like invade Ukraine.”
Austin’s remarks appeared to represent a shift in U.S. strategic goals since earlier Washington said the goal of American military aid was to help Ukraine win and to defend Ukraine’s NATO neighbors against Russian threats.
In an apparent response to Austin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia has “a feeling that the West wants Ukraine to continue to fight and, as it seems to them, wear out, exhaust the Russian army and the Russian military industrial war complex. This is an illusion.”
Weapons supplied by Western countries “will be a legitimate target,” said Lavrov, who accused Ukrainian leaders of provoking Russia by asking NATO to become involved in the conflict. NATO forces are “pouring oil on the fire,” Lavrov said, according to a transcript on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.
“Everyone is reciting incantations that in no case can we allow World War III,” he said in a Russian television interview.
Lavrov said he would not want to see risks of a nuclear confrontation “artificially inflated now, when the risks are rather significant.”
“The danger is serious,” he said. “It is real. It should not be underestimated.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter that Lavrov’s comments underscore Ukraine’s need for Western help: “Russia loses last hope to scare the world off supporting Ukraine. Thus the talk of a ‘real’ danger of WWIII. This only means Moscow senses defeat in Ukraine.”
When Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, its apparent goal was to seize Kyiv, the capital. But the Ukrainians, helped by Western weapons, forced President Vladimir Putin’s troops to retreat.
Moscow now says its goal is to take the Donbas, the mostly Russian-speaking industrial region in eastern Ukraine, where residents are struggling to survive without many of the basics, collecting rainwater for cleaning and washing up and fervently hoping for an end to the fighting.
“When you open a plastic bottle and it makes a crackling sound, you are worried at once (thinking that it’s an explosion) because of all those blasts. Anything that is happening, any noise, if our neighbours bang the door, a metal door, you are startled,” said Andriy Cheromushkin, a resident of Toretsk, a small city south of Kramatorsk.
“It’s bad. Very bad. Hopeless,” he said. “You feel so helpless that you don’t know what you should do or shouldn’t do. Because if you want to do something, you need some money; and there is no money now.”
On Monday, Russia was focusing its firepower beyond the Donbas, with missiles and warplanes striking far behind the front lines to try to thwart Ukrainian supply efforts.
Five railroad stations in central and western Ukraine were hit, and one worker was killed, said Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of Ukraine’s state railway. Missiles struck Lviv, the western city near the Polish border jammed by Ukrainians fleeing their home.
Ukrainian authorities said at least five people were killed by Russian strikes in the central Vynnytsia region.
Russia also destroyed an oil refinery and fuel depots in Kremenchuk, in central Ukraine, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said. In all, Russian warplanes destroyed 56 Ukrainian targets, he said.
The strikes on fuel depots are meant to deplete vital Ukrainian war resources. Strikes against rail targets, both disrupt supply lines and intimidate people trying to use the railways to flee the fighting, said Philip Breedlove, a retired U.S. general who was NATO’s top commander from 2013- 2016.
An estimated 2,000 Ukrainian troops holed up in a steel plant in the strategic southern port city of Mariupol are tying down Russian forces, apparently preventing them from joining the offensive elsewhere in the Donbas. Over the weekend, Russian forces launched new airstrikes on the Azovstal plant to try to dislodge the holdouts.
Some 1,000 civilians were also said to be taking shelter at the steelworks.
The city council and mayor of Mariupol said a new mass grave was identified about 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the city. Mayor Vadym Boychenko said authorities were trying to estimate the number of victims. It was at least the third new mass grave discovered in Russian-controlled areas near Mariupol in the last week.
Mariupol has been gutted by bombardment and fierce street fighting over the past two months. Russia’s capture of the city would deprive Ukraine of a vital port and give Moscow a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was maintaining its resistance to “make the occupiers’ stay in our land even more intolerable,” while Russia drains its resources.
Britain said it believes 15,000 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said 25% of the Russian combat units sent to Ukraine “have been rendered not combat effective.”
Ukrainian officials have said about 2,500 to 3,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed as of mid-April.
___
Gambrell reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalist Yuras Karmanau in Lviv and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/04/26/top-russian-diplomat-warns-ukraine-against-provoking-wwiii/ | 2022-04-26T11:03:13Z |
NASHUA, N.H., June 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinpoint Global is pleased to welcome Ms. Tracy Zwilling to their team as Director of Marketing. In this role, Tracy will be responsible for leading all marketing initiatives, communications and public relations for Pinpoint Global.
"Tracy is a great addition to the Pinpoint team. She brings a track record of leadership in marketing and brand awareness." says Bob Sullivan, CEO of Pinpoint Global Communications. "I look forward to working with her and taking this next step for Pinpoint Global."
Tracy comes to Pinpoint with over 35 years of marketing experience, most recently from Cetera Investment Services as Marketing and Communications Manager. She planned and managed strategy and execution of marketing campaigns and social media development. She is an expert in business development in both the financial institutions and independent advisory spaces. These experiences will bring added industry insights to Pinpoint Global's clients. In addition to her background and understanding of the cultures of large enterprises, Tracy brings an entrepreneurial mindset having owned her successful marketing/publishing company Trace Design.
"I'm excited to join the Pinpoint Global team," said Tracy. "There are so many great things happening here. I'm looking forward to adding to Pinpoint Global's growth and success."
Pinpoint Global Communications develops and maintains enterprise-class learning management systems (LMSs) using a software as a service (SaaS) business model. Additional professional services include presentation authoring, website design, video and audio production. Pinpoint's turnkey LMS solutions are extensible and scalable supporting clients with more than 85,000 users. Pinpoint solutions provide comprehensive real time reporting on user activity and assigned training completions.
www.pinpointglobal.com
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SOURCE Pinpoint Global Communications | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/03/pinpoint-global-welcomes-tracy-zwilling-director-marketing/ | 2022-06-03T17:51:54Z |
76 million-year-old dinosaur skeleton to be auctioned in NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — The fossilized skeleton of a T. rex relative that roamed the earth about 76 million years ago will be auctioned in New York this month, Sotheby’s announced Tuesday.
The Gorgosaurus skeleton will highlight Sotheby’s natural history auction on July 28, the auction house said.
The Gorgosaurus was an apex carnivore that lived in what is now the western United States and Canada during the late Cretaceous Period. It predated its relative the Tyrannosaurus rex by 10 million years.
The specimen being sold was discovered in 2018 in the Judith River Formation near Havre, Montana, Sotheby’s said. It measures nearly 10 feet (3 meters) tall and 22 (6.7 meters) feet long.
All of the other known Gorgosaurus skeletons are in museum collections, making this one the only specimen available for private ownership, the auction house said.
“In my career, I have had the privilege of handling and selling many exceptional and unique objects, but few have the capacity to inspire wonder and capture imaginations quite like this unbelievable Gorgosaurus skeleton,” Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s global head of science and popular culture, said.
Sotheby’s presale estimate for the fossil is $5 million to $8 million.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/05/76-million-year-old-dinosaur-skeleton-be-auctioned-nyc/ | 2022-07-05T17:42:38Z |
CHICAGO, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of people in search of alternative therapies have recently discovered the therapeutic benefits of Nesas Hemp, the world's first full-spectrum CBDa hemp extract. Created by Inesa Ponomariovaite, Nesas Hemp is one of the few companies in the world that offer customers certified organic hemp oil made with CBDa, rather than CBD.
Unlike CBD products that use extreme temperatures and other harmful processes to extract cannabinoids from the hemp plant, CBDa is made with living hemp and is a much higher quality than CBD. People who consume it reap the benefits of the plant's healthy fats, vitamins, and beneficial phytonutrients which have proven to help reduce chronic aches and pains, promote better sleep, improve digestion, help stabilize moods, and ease mental tension.
"You can't transform others unless you transform yourself first," said Inesa Ponomariovaite, CEO and founder of Nesas Hemp.
Inesa is no stranger to suffering. Her childhood in Lithuania was marked by harsh living conditions and ill-health. When she moved to the United States as a young adult, adversity struck again as she experienced her health declining, domestic abuse, homelessness and more. Searching for answers, she discovered the secret to health and wellness was proper nutrition. Inesa rapidly converted to a natural, holistic lifestyle. Within a year her health was completely restored.
Unfortunately, her road to recovery was shattered a few years later when her mother received a diagnosis of cancer. With only six months to live, Inesa dropped everything and traveled the world searching natural ways to save her mother's life. This led her to hemp, a plant with the miraculous ability to heal the mind, body and soul.
After further investigation, Inesa was shocked to learn the CBD industry, which promised to help heal people was unregulated and full of companies more concerned with profit than providing safe and effective products that actually helped.
Determined to change this, she dedicated all her time and resources to creating Nesas Hemp, which is the world's first full-spectrum CBDa hemp extract. Since launching her product, she has helped thousands of people live happier and healthier lives.
About Nesas Hemp
Nesas Hemp is the world's first biological and living CBDa full spectrum hemp extract. The plant is handled in precise ways to extract the oil using a carefully designed process. This ensures the finished bottle of oil contains the same frequency as the living plant with all of its compounds maintained. It's proven to be up to 1,000 times stronger than any other CBD product on the market.
Nesas products are the most rigorously tested cannabis products on the market and the first brand to receive the "Tested Safe" seal from the ACS FDA, a registered laboratory. See lab results here.
Nesas Hemp
press@nesashemp.com
1-224-240-0620
Nesashemp.com
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SOURCE Nesa's Hemp | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/holistic-health-expert-disrupting-hemp-industry/ | 2022-04-12T09:00:34Z |
Saturday night forecast: Tracking scattered rain for Easter Sunday
Sunday will be cold too with temperatures in the 40s and 50s
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Tonight will be mild with temperatures getting down to the upper 30s and low 40s. We won’t warm up tomorrow though and we are tracking a chance for scattered rain showers between 10am and 2pm. Temperatures tomorrow will be in the upper 40s and low 50s, so expect a cold rain that will be off and on through the midday.
Tonight: Becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s and low 40s. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Easter Sunday: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Highs in the upper 40s and low 50s. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. The best rain chance is between 10am and 2pm with chance going down later in the afternoon.
Monday will stay cooler with temperatures near 60 degrees and mostly sunny skies with light north winds. Tuesday will stay cooler with temperatures staying near 60 degrees again under mostly cloudy skies. We are tracking a chance for scattered rain showers Tuesday with a few thunderstorms possible Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Right now, severe weather is not expected.
After rain/storms ends Wednesday morning we warm up fast into the low to mid 70s with south winds at 10 to 20 mph. We get to the upper 40s Wednesday night and see winds change to be more east on Thursday keeping us in the low to mid 70s with skies becoming partly cloudy. We are looing at a warm Thursday night which will help us warm more on Friday possibly reaching the 80s. There is an other chance for scattered rain and possibly a thunderstorm on Thursday night into Friday.
Taking Action:
- Scattered rain is likely on Easter Sunday. So while the rain chance is there, it will not be a continuous rain. Still, a backup plan to move indoors may be needed for Easter Sunday.
- We are tracking several chances for rain showers and a few t-storms for this coming week. We are not tracking any widespread rainfall events and the severe weather threat right now is low.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/16/saturday-night-forecast-tracking-scattered-rain-easter-sunday/ | 2022-04-16T23:31:45Z |
BERWYN, Pa., Sept. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RM LAW, P.C. announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased TuSimple Holdings, Inc. ("TuSimple" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: TSP) securities during the period from April 15, 2021 through August 1, 2022 inclusive (the "Class Period").
TuSimple shareholders may, no later than October 31, 2022, move the Court for appointment as a lead plaintiff of the Class. If you purchased shares of TuSimple and would like to learn more about these claims or if you wish to discuss these matters and have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights, contact Richard A. Maniskas, Esquire toll-free at (844) 291-9299 or to sign up online, click here.
According to the complaint, on April 15, 2021, TuSimple effected its IPO, selling 33.8 million class A common shares at $40.00 per share, generating $1.031 billion in gross proceeds. On August 1, 2022, the Wall Street Journal published an article titled "Self-Driving Truck Accident Draws Attention to Safety at TuSimple," which brought to light a number of previously undisclosed concerns that undermined defendants' representations and omissions concerning the Company's safety. The article referenced an April 6, 2022, accident involving a truck fitted with TuSimple's autonomous driving technology, noting that regulators disclosed the accident to the public in June after TuSimple filed a report on the incident, which "underscores concerns that the autonomous-trucking company is risking safety on public roads in a rush to deliver driverless trucks to market, according to independent analysts and more than a dozen of the company's former employees." On this news, the Company's share fell be almost 10%, to close at $8.99 per share on August 1, 2022.
The Registration Statement in support of the IPO failed to disclose, inter alia, that: (i) TuSimple's commitment to safety was significantly overstated and defendants concealed fundamental problems with the Company's technology; (ii) TuSimple was rushing the testing of its autonomous driving technology in order to deliver driverless trucks to the market ahead of its more safety-conscious competitors; (iii) there was a corporate culture within TuSimple that suppressed or ignored safety concerns in favor of unrealistically ambitious testing and delivery schedules; (iv) the aforementioned conduct made accidents involving the Company's autonomous driving technology more likely; (v) and the aforementioned conduct invited enhanced regulatory scrutiny and investigatory action toward the Company.
If you are a member of the class, you may, no later than October 31, 2022, request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff of the class. A lead plaintiff is a representative party that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Under certain circumstances, one or more class members may together serve as "lead plaintiff." Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. You may retain RM LAW, P.C. or other counsel of your choice, to serve as your counsel in this action.
For more information regarding this, please contact RM LAW, P.C. (Richard A. Maniskas, Esquire) toll-free at (844) 291-9299 or by email at rm@maniskas.com or click here. For more information about class action cases in general or to learn more about RM LAW, P.C. please visit our website by clicking here.
RM LAW, P.C. is a national shareholder litigation firm. RM LAW, P.C. is devoted to protecting the interests of individual and institutional investors in shareholder actions in state and federal courts nationwide.
CONTACT: RM LAW, P.C.
Richard A. Maniskas, Esquire
1055 Westlakes Dr., Ste. 300
Berwyn, PA 19312
484-324-6800
844-291-9299
rm@maniskas.com
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SOURCE RM LAW, P.C. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/09/rm-law-announces-class-action-lawsuit-against-tusimple-holdings-inc/ | 2022-09-10T00:45:43Z |
(KTLA) – Never mind the Walking Dead. Count Toys “R” Us as a brand that refuses to die.
The once-ubiquitous toy store — which went bankrupt and closed all outlets in 2018 — is poised for a big comeback.
Toys “R” Us will spring to life in every Macy’s department store over the next few months.
The stores-within-stores will range in size from 1,000 square feet in smaller locations to sprawling 10,000 square feet in larger Macy’s, including in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Macy’s recognized an opportunity in revitalizing Toys “R” Us when it agreed last year to sell goodies under the Toys “R” Us brand on its website.
Macy’s then started opening stores-within-stores in about 400 locations to gauge customer reaction.
The response was apparently warm enough that Macy’s is now going all-in on the toy brand.
Toys “R” Us is owned by WHP Global, which acquired the brand from Tru Kids Inc., which snapped up the Toys “R” Us name in a liquidation sale.
Tru Kids opened Toys “R” Us stores in New Jersey and Texas, but then closed them last year because of the pandemic.
Macy’s says Toys “R” Us “will come to life in-store with playful colored fixtures as well as hands-on demonstration tables for customers to interact with various toy assortments.”
“Macy’s cannot wait to bring the Toys ‘R’ Us experience to life in our stores,” Nata Dvir, Macy’s chief merchandising officer, said in a statement.
“We hope Toys ‘R’ Us kids of all ages discover the joy of exploration and play within our shops and families create special memories together.”
Macy’s clearly is seeking to be more to more people at a time when the retail industry is struggling to return to pre-pandemic strength and to compete with online rivals such as Amazon.
The new Toys “R” Us stores will start opening this month, with the rollout scheduled for completion by mid-October — which just so happens to be about the time holiday shopping kicks into gear. | https://cw33.com/news/toys-r-us-is-coming-back-inside-macys-stores-ahead-of-the-holidays/ | 2022-07-18T23:12:10Z |
HOUSTON, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Engineering is an in-demand field with a constant need for critical thinkers and problem solvers. At University of St. Thomas – Houston (UST) several engineering programs offer graduates the opportunity to enter careers with starting salaries near or above $100,000, according to labor statistics.
These programs are:
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering
- B.S. Electrical Engineering
- B.S. Chemical Engineering
- B.S. Engineering Physics
- B.S. Physics
To enhance the students' experience, UST has unveiled the Student Success Center and new engineering labs. The well-designed space includes labs, lecture halls and a Success Center occupying all three floors of Robertson Science Hall. Students have access to a Success Center Study Room and Student Lounge on the first floor where they can access tutoring, proactive academic advising, peer-facilitated study groups, web-based tutorials, peer-mentoring programs, internship opportunities and more. Lecture rooms are located on all three floors. And dedicated engineering labs — including electrical, mechanical, chemical, engineering computer lab, and an advance lab — occupy space on the second and third floors.
"Our goal is to ensure each engineering student has access to the resources needed to enhance their education and be successful in their career," said Dr. Birgit Mellis, Chair of the Department of Physics and Engineering.
"This state-of-the-art renovation gives engineering students new facilities, new equipment and undergraduate research opportunities. Labs are a crucial part of each engineering degree program."
In addition to state-of-the-art facilities, UST's Physics and Engineering Department also participates in a three-year, $750,000 MSEIP grant from the U.S. Department of Education to increase the number of minority graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
To learn more about these programs contact admissions@stthom.edu or call 713-525-3500.
University of St. Thomas - Houston is a comprehensive university, grounded in the liberal arts. Committed to the unity of all knowledge, UST offers programs in the traditional liberal arts, professional and skills-based disciplines. Graduates of the University of St. Thomas think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally and lead ethically.
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SOURCE University of St. Thomas-Houston | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/find-future-engineering-university-st-thomas-houston/ | 2022-09-16T18:43:33Z |
Domain Name System coordinator responds to the Internet Security Threats COVID and the Russia-Ukraine war pose for all users
LOS ANGELES, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the midst of global crises, such as a pandemic or a war, malicious online activities typically increase. Bad actors seek new ways to install malware on devices without the user's consent to gather sensitive information or gain access to private computer systems. They also trick users into revealing sensitive personal, corporate or financial information – this is known as phishing.
To combat Internet malware and phishing, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers organization (ICANN) developed an evidence-based approach that identifies domain names that appear to have been used for malicious purposes and are related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Domain Name Security Threat Information Collection and Reporting (DNSTICR) is an innovative, robust, and linguistically comprehensive tool that searches for and reports potentially malicious activities of domain names and their background information to registrars, the entities that offer domain name registration services. DNSTICR provides another layer of defense in the ICANN's fight to protect Internet users from Domain Name System (DNS) security threats.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, ICANN has analyzed 579 separate terms, which resulted in 438,819 domain names being examined. From these, 23,452 domain names were seen to be potentially active and malicious. After ICANN analyzes these domain names and reports the phishing attacks, the registrar has all the evidence needed to decide on the best course of action to remove the threat.
"ICANN is committed to doing its part in the collective efforts to mitigate these threats, especially when criminals attempt to leverage the Domain Name System to take advantage of unsuspecting Internet users," said John Crain, ICANN's Chief Technology Officer.
ICANN's response to DNS security threats is an example of the organization's efforts to provide verifiable data, unbiased research, and expertise to facilitate fact-based discussions on the technical operations of the Internet.
The DNSTICR initiative is just one of many ICANN efforts that aligns with the organization's purpose and commitment to promote a broad participation of public and private actors to make the Internet safer, more secure, and interoperable. ICANN's DNS Security Threat Mitigation Program recently published a report on DNS abuse trends relying on four years of data (read The Last Four years in Retrospect: A Brief Review of DNS Abuse Trends).
For more information on this tool, visit our DNSTICR dedicated webpage: https://www.icann.org/dnsticr-en
Find out about ICANN org-wide efforts to mitigate DNS security threats: https://www.icann.org/dns-security-threat
About ICANN
ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.
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SOURCE ICANN | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/icann-develops-tool-monitor-combat-malicious-online-activities/ | 2022-05-05T15:28:20Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A growing number of Americans are using cannabis as it becomes legalized for recreational adult use in a rapidly increasing number of U.S. states. Questions abound about what impact legalization will have on adult and youth health.
A new study led by Dr. Renee Goodwin, Professor at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), shows that increased cigarette use is one possibility. While cigarette use has been declining for decades in the U.S., a new study finds that adults who use cannabis daily do not perceive smoking a pack a day as being as harmful as those who do not use cannabis in the U.S. In the context of recent findings that perception of risk plays a key role in predicting substance use, and that perception of risk associated with cannabis use has declined steadily along with legalization, these findings were somewhat of a surprise.
The researchers used data from adults age 18 and older in the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a representative survey of U.S. individuals. Participants' responses to a question asking how much people risk harming themselves physically and in other ways by smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day were compared between those who use cannabis daily and those who did not use cannabis in the past year. Sixty-two percent of adults who use cannabis daily perceived pack a day cigarette use to be of "great" risk to health, compared with 73% of those who did not use cannabis in the past year.
"Tobacco control has done a tremendous job in public education on the physical health risks associated with tobacco use, and cigarette smoking in particular, over the past several decades," says Goodwin, also an adjunct professor at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. Her prior work shows that cigarette use, however, is much more common among those who use cannabis and findings suggesting that cannabis legalization may lead to increases in cannabis use and cannabis-cigarette co-use among adults.
"We wondered why that might be," Goodwin says. "Our findings suggest that diminished risk perception of pack a day cigarette use might be one contributing factor."
Dr. Goodwin discussed her work, and in particular that of Canadian colleagues, at a recent public hearing for a law that would ban cannabis packaging that appeals to children in New York's Suffolk County. Findings from recent studies in Canada, where cannabis is legal on a federal level, show increases in adult cannabis use but as of the most recent study in 2022, no significant increases in cannabis use among adolescents.
Renee D Goodwin, Meng Xi Sun, Keely Cheslack-Postava, Everything old is new again: Creating and maintaining a population-level 'shared reality' of health risks associated with cigarette use toward both reducing the prevalence and eliminating disparities in cigarette use among all Americans, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2022;, ntac177, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntac177
For media inquiries, contact:
Ariana Costakes
Communications Editorial Manager
ariana.costakes@sph.cuny.edu
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SOURCE CUNY SPH | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/daily-cannabis-users-less-likely-consider-heavy-tobacco-use-dangerous/ | 2022-08-10T19:25:33Z |
Lawyers: Nearly $1B settlement in Florida condo collapse
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A nearly $1 billion tentative settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit brought by families of victims and survivors of last June’s condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, an attorney said Wednesday.
Harley S. Tropin announced the $997 million settlement during a hearing before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Michael Hanzman. Still pending final approval, the settlement involves insurance companies, developers of an adjacent building and other defendants.
“I’m shocked by this result — I think it’s fantastic,” Hanzman said. “This is a recovery that is far in excess of what I had anticipated.”
Earlier this year, Hanzman had approved an $83 million settlement to compensate people who suffered economic losses such as condominium units and personal property. A key question from the beginning has been how to allocate money from the property’s sale, insurance proceeds and damages from lawsuits among wrongful death cases and property claims.
The 12-story Champlain Towers South condiminium collapsed abruptly in the early-morning hours of June 24, almost instantly destroying dozens of individual condo units and burying victims under tons of rubble. Rescuers spent weeks carefully digging through mountains of concrete, first to find survivors and later to recover the remains of those who died. A total of 98 people were killed.
The main lawsuit, filed on behalf of Champlain Towers South victims and family members, contends that work on the adjacent Eighty Seven Park tower damaged and destabilized the Champlain Towers building, which was in dire need of major structural repair. Champlain Towers was in the midst of its 40-year structural review when it partially crumbled to the ground.
Video released by a team of federal investigators showed evidence of extensive corrosion and overcrowded concrete reinforcement in the building.
The collapse triggered lawsuits from victims, families and condo owners, and prompted state and federal investigations. In December, a Florida grand jury issued a lengthy list of recommendations aimed at preventing another condominium collapse, including earlier and more frequent inspections and better waterproofing.
And in February of this year, the Florida House unanimously passed a bill that would require statewide recertification of any condo building above three stories high. The bill would require recertification after 30 years, or 25 years if the building is within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of the coast, and every 10 years thereafter.
At the time of the collapse, Miami-Dade and Broward were the only two of the state’s 67 counties that had condominium recertification programs.
Champlain Towers was located in Surfside, a town just north of Miami Beach. The little-known enclave comprises a mix of older homes and condos similar to the collapsed tower, built decades ago for the middle-class, and recently erected luxury condos drawing the wealthy. That includes former first daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, who live about a block north of the collapsed condo.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/11/lawyers-nearly-1b-settlement-florida-condo-collapse/ | 2022-05-11T22:51:11Z |
New Direct Service for Phoenix to Chicago, Detroit to Dallas, Indianapolis to Atlanta,
St. Louis to Dallas, and Cincinnati to Atlanta
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Roadrunner, transportation's greatest comeback story, a service-first less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier specializing in long-haul nationwide metro-to-metro shipping, announces five additional direct lanes to its service network and improved transit times by at least one day in 66 of its major lanes. This follows other network improvements made earlier this year.
Roadrunner's continuous investments in technology, training and service center improvements are resulting in faster delivery times and more direct lanes for its customers. As the company reengineered its lanes, it increased its volume capacities, added more direct routing and all but eliminated rail usage. Among others, lanes heading Eastbound from Phoenix, Westbound from St. Louis and Detroit and Southbound from Cincinnati and Indianapolis are all seeing notable improvements in transit times.
"This improvement arrives just in time for summer to benefit our many customers," said Roadrunner President Frank Hurst. "We are proud to announce these changes. Service is our #1 priority. We've spent the last two years overhauling our network to make sure we only operate in lanes where we can provide service and quality. As a result, we've seen our on-time service percentage increase dramatically across the network. This is the second time this year we've sped up our network and reduced transit times, and we're not stopping here."
"Moving transit times up in these 66 lanes is just the beginning. Our analytics team proved that we run faster than our stated transit times in more than 650 lanes, almost 20% of our 3,700 lanes," said Philip Thalheim, Director of Linehaul Analytics at Roadrunner. "Following previous operational improvements, which included the installation of dimensionalizers in all our facilities, dock automation, network restructuring and static load plan implementation, our data confirmed that our freight delivers early in these lanes due to earlier pickups and improved daily capacity."
"The team at Roadrunner has improved its training, its people and its service," said Chris Jamroz, Roadrunner Executive Chairman of the Board. "We've made significant investments in our technology to provide 100% end-to-end network visibility, improve site-level performance and optimize data, allowing us to provide better service at a better value. In addition to returning to our roots as an LTL carrier and offering quality service at a competitive value, Roadrunner has created a driver-centric culture that focuses on the financial success and personal well-being of our drivers."
About Roadrunner
Emerging as a service-first less-than-truckload (LTL) provider, Roadrunner transformed its operations through new leadership, a new network, and new technologies to provide its customers with exceptional LTL service. Specializing in long-haul, metro-to-metro shipping, Roadrunner has more direct routes between its 32 service centers than its traditional hub and spoke peers, allowing for better service and great value. (PINK: RRTS)
Please visit the following sites to learn more about Roadrunner and how you can join the freight revolution.
To learn more about shipping with Roadrunner: roadrunnerLTL.com
Explore careers in sales, operations, and technology at Roadrunner: roadrunnerLTL.com/careers/work-with-us
To drive for Roadrunner as an Independent Contractor (IC) including Lease-Purchase opportunities: https://run4roadrunner.com/
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SOURCE Roadrunner | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/roadrunner-grows-metro-to-metro-ltl-service-network-adds-five-new-direct-lanes-improves-transit-times-66-lanes/ | 2022-06-23T19:27:16Z |
MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio, Sept. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal injury law firm Elk + Elk announced a partnership with Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller #77 in the "Block Hunger" campaign. Throughout the campaign, donations will support St. Augustine Hunger Center. Starting on September 11, for every point scored by the Cleveland Browns during the 2022 season, Elk + Elk will donate $77. In addition, every game Wyatt has a pancake block, Elk + Elk will donate an additional $770.
When asked about the "Block Hunger" campaign, Elk + Elk managing partner Jay Kelley said, "For the last 18 years, we have had the privilege of working with St. Augustine Hunger Center to help feed the poor and homeless in Cleveland. We are very excited to advocate for this great cause through our campaign in partnership with Cleveland Browns Guard Wyatt Teller. We hope the campaign will create awareness and encourage others to help St. Augustine during the 2022 Browns season."
Wyatt Teller started his career with the Cleveland Browns as an offensive guard in 2019. Known for his legendary pancake blocks, Teller has become a strong name in the league. After signing a contract extension last season, Wyatt and his wife, Carly, have officially put down roots in Cleveland. They both express passion for this city and look forward to giving back while getting the opportunity to raise their first child here.
After speaking with Wyatt and Carly Teller about the "Block Hunger" campaign, they said, "We are proud to partner with Elk + Elk and St. Augustine Hunger Center to block hunger in Cleveland this football season. We look forward to pancakes from #77 on the field so we can serve the people in our community off the field."
For more information and to learn how to donate to the St. Augustine Hunger Center, visit the Elk + Elk website or follow the law firm on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.
The St. Augustine Hunger Center cares for Cleveland's poor, disabled, and homeless. The Center serves daily meals and provides clothing for thousands of people each month. Emergency funding and housing are also available to the Center's clients, among other advocacy and outreach programs. Learn more at staugustinecleveland.org.
Elk & Elk Co., Ltd. is a personal injury law firm with offices in Ohio, Kentucky, and Seattle, WA. The firm's attorneys have protected the rights of thousands of injury victims and have won some of the state's largest verdicts and settlements. Elk + Elk assists clients with various personal injury claims, including auto accidents, medical malpractice, birth injuries, workers' compensation, and product defects. Learn more at elkandelk.com.
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SOURCE Elk & Elk | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/09/elk-elk-law-firm-introduces-block-hunger-partnership-with-cleveland-browns-guard-wyatt-teller/ | 2022-09-09T04:51:29Z |
STATESVILLE, N.C., June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ: KEQU) today announced results for its fourth quarter and its fiscal year ended April 30, 2022.
Sales during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 were $49,715,000, an increase of 28.4% compared to sales of $38,707,000 from the prior year fourth quarter. The increase in sales resulted from both higher volumes for the Domestic segment as well as the implementation of price increases in response to higher raw material input costs, which are now flowing through production at a higher rate. Pre-tax earnings for the quarter were $2,345,000 compared to a pre-tax loss of $950,000 for the prior year period. Net loss for the quarter was $362,000 compared to $2,975,000 for the prior year. Net loss for the current quarter was unfavorably impacted by additional income tax expense of $2,561,000 due to the increase in the valuation allowance, largely driven by the Sale-Leaseback transaction executed on March 24, 2022, as part of the Company's re-capitalization strategy that is further discussed below. EBITDA1 for the quarter was $2,969,000 compared to a loss of $302,000 for the prior year period. Diluted loss per share was $0.13, as compared to a diluted loss per share of $1.08 in the prior year fourth quarter.
Domestic Segment - Domestic sales for the quarter were $37,720,000, an increase of 39.0% from sales of $27,139,000 in the prior year period. Net earnings for the domestic segment were $2,380,000 compared to a net loss of $56,000 in the prior year period. Domestic segment EBITDA was $2,957,000 compared to a loss of $34,000 for the prior year period. The year-over-year increase in sales resulted from both strong demand across all end-use markets as well as increased revenue per unit from price increases implemented earlier in the year now flowing through production and billings.
International Segment - International sales for the quarter were $11,995,000, an increase of 3.7% from sales of $11,568,000 in the prior year period as activity across the international markets remained strong. Net income for the international segment was $1,020,000 compared to $961,000 in the prior year period. International segment EBITDA was $1,456,000 compared to $1,529,000 for the prior year period. During the fourth quarter, the ASEAN market contributed at its highest level of the year as COVID-19 restrictions in the region begin to be lifted and sales returned to more normalized levels.
Corporate Segment – Corporate segment pre-tax net loss was $3,762,000 for the quarter, as compared to $3,880,000 in the prior year period. Corporate segment EBITDA loss for the quarter was $1,444,000, a favorable improvement of 19.6% from corporate segment EBITDA loss of $1,797,000 for the prior year period. The primary driver of the improved EBITDA was the favorable impact from pension accounting because of the recovery of the plan assets at previous fiscal year-end.
The Company's order backlog was $173.9 million on April 30, 2022, increasing from $138.1 million on January 31, 2022, and $114.5 million on April 30, 2021. This is the highest order backlog in the Company's history.
"Kewaunee delivered strong financial results during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022, responding to accelerating demand as construction activity continued to recover from COVID-19 lows," said Thomas D. Hull III, Kewaunee's President, and Chief Executive Officer. "Demand in the international markets remains strong, with an increasing rate of activity being felt in the ASEAN and Middle East markets, complementing what continues to be a strong Indian market. Demand across the United States was especially strong in the fourth quarter, with all our major geographies being extremely active."
"Profitability improved domestically during the fourth quarter based on higher manufacturing volumes as we continue to restore production capacity that was reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, actions taken during the year to align pricing on new orders with rapidly inflating raw material inputs substantially mitigated the cost/price mismatch that we experienced during the previous four quarters. I am proud of how our Kewaunee Associates continue to work to serve our customers, overcoming numerous headwinds due to a historically tight labor market as well as managing through persistent supply chain challenges."
"Kewaunee has posted a record high backlog for the third time in the past four quarters, demonstrating the confidence customers have in our ability to meet their requirements in a dynamic operating environment. Domestically, our order backlog increase has been driven by strength in the life science and higher education end-use markets within the United States. Our international teams continue to see customers investing in large infrastructure projects requiring laboratories in India, the Middle East, and Africa and were awarded multiple, multi-year projects during the year. The strength in our backlog positions the Company well for the next fiscal year as the majority of these orders will deliver over the next twelve to eighteen months."
Sales during fiscal year 2022 were $168,872,000, an increase of 14.5% compared to sales of $147,469,000 from the prior year. Pre-tax loss for the fiscal year was $2,485,000 compared to a pre-tax loss of $2,617,000 for the prior year. The net loss for the fiscal year was $6,126,000, compared to a net loss of $3,672,000 for the prior year. Results for the full year were affected by the factors previously mentioned, as well as the $4,170,000 due to the increase in the valuation allowance, largely driven by the Sale-Leaseback transaction executed on March 24, 2022. EBITDA for the fiscal year was $394,000 compared to $171,000 for the prior fiscal year. Diluted loss per share was $2.20, as compared to a loss per share of $1.33 in the prior fiscal year.
Domestic Segment - Domestic sales for the fiscal year were $126,848,000, an increase of 14.2% from sales of $111,035,000 in the prior year. This increase was driven by year-over-year volume growth as well as the implementation of price increases on new orders in response to higher raw material input costs. Domestic segment net loss was $229,000 compared to net income of $921,000 in the prior fiscal year. Domestic segment EBITDA was $2,223,000 compared to $3,560,000 for the prior year. Profitability was negatively impacted during the year by increased COVID-19 related disruptions, a previously disclosed cyber-attack, ongoing supply chain issues, labor shortages, and significantly elevated costs due to inflation. As discussed in previous press releases, the Company experienced significantly higher raw material costs of $4,559,000 throughout the year which could not be passed along to customers due to the fixed nature of the Company's contracts.
International Segment - International sales for the fiscal year were $42,024,000, an increase of 15.3% from sales of $36,434,000 in the prior year with strong activity in India being the principal driver of growth during the fiscal year. International segment net income was $2,333,000 compared to $2,049,000 in the prior fiscal year. International segment EBITDA was $3,571,000 compared to $3,164,000 for the prior year.
Corporate Segment – Corporate segment pre-tax net loss was $8,230,000 for the fiscal year, as compared to $6,642,000 in the prior fiscal year. Corporate segment EBITDA loss for the fiscal year was $5,400,000, a favorable improvement of 17.6% from corporate segment EBITDA loss of $6,553,000 for the prior year. The primary driver of the improved EBITDA was the favorable impact of pension accounting because of the recovery of the plan assets at previous fiscal year-end, partially offset by expenses related to the Company's decision to exit certain markets, where the Company had historically sold products directly, and professional fees related to financing activities.
Total cash on hand on April 30, 2022 was $6,894,000, as compared to $5,731,000 on April 30, 2021. Working capital was $49,272,000, as compared to $26,276,000 on April 30, 2021. Short-term debt was $1,588,000 on April 30, 2022, as compared to $6,828,000 at April 30, 2021, and long-term debt was $29,704,000 on April 30, 2022 as compared to $112,000 at April 30, 2021. The Company's debt-to-equity ratio on April 30, 2022 was 1.07-to-1, as compared to 0.39-to-1 at April 30, 2021.
"The past fiscal year was another challenging year for Kewaunee as the economy re-opened from COVID-19 shutdowns and the pace of activity rose," said Thomas D. Hull III, Kewaunee's President, and Chief Executive Officer. "Fiscal year 2022 presented what were probably the most challenging headwinds the Company has ever had to manage. We experienced rapid inflation across most of our cost categories that initially had to be absorbed by the Company due to the fixed nature of contracts we enter into with customers. At the same time, we faced a surge in demand and the inability to rapidly ramp production to pre-COVID-19 levels due to staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions."
"Our vision for Kewaunee is to be 'the global supplier of choice with customers in the laboratory furniture and infrastructure markets.' In pursuing this vision, we continued making progress on strategic initiatives throughout the year, positioning Kewaunee well for the future:
- We announced the decision to stop selling direct in certain markets where the Company historically had due to the lack of sufficient dealer coverage in the territory. Through updated and expanded dealer agreements, Kewaunee has solidified its coverage in these territories, which will enable the Company to focus on its manufacturing operations as well as serving its channel partners with excellence. Direct projects remain in our backlog that we will be delivering over the course of fiscal year 2023. Once these projects complete, Kewaunee's domestic segment will be principally a manufacturer of laboratory and technical furniture products, with our channel partners handling product installation, buy-outs, and freight.
- We completed a re-capitalization of the Company through a Sale-Leaseback transaction of the Company's three manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters located in Statesville, North Carolina. This transaction will enable the Company to terminate its credit facility with Wells Fargo and to deploy capital within the Company's manufacturing operations to improve cost and productivity.
- We made significant progress across our domestic manufacturing operations as a result of our lean and continuous improvement journey. This sets us up well to continue to deploy capital to modernize our metal manufacturing operations over the next two to three years, further improving our competitiveness and increasing our capacity.
- We realized the benefits of the investments we have made in our international team over the past few years, and were awarded several significant projects across the India, Middle East, Africa, and ASEAN regions."
"While significant economic uncertainty exists as we conclude fiscal year 2022, from continued broad-based inflation to concern about a possible pending recession, I am optimistic about the future based on the progress we continue to make in improving the fundamental operating capabilities of the organization. I am proud of how our Associates continue to respond to the challenges presented, recognizing the importance of Kewaunee's role in 'encouraging new discovery… Worldwide.'"
About Non-GAAP Measures
EBITDA and Segment EBITDA are calculated as net earnings (loss), less interest expense and interest income, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We believe EBITDA and Segment EBITDA allow management and investors to compare our performance to other companies on a consistent basis without regard to depreciation and amortization, which can vary significantly between companies depending upon many factors. EBITDA and Segment EBITDA are not calculations based upon generally accepted accounting principles, and the method for calculating EBITDA and Segment EBITDA can vary among companies. The amounts included in the EBITDA and Segment EBITDA calculations, however, are derived from amounts included in the historical statements of operations. EBITDA and Segment EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to net earnings (loss) or operating earnings (loss) as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
About Kewaunee Scientific
Founded in 1906, Kewaunee Scientific Corporation is a recognized global leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of laboratory, healthcare, and technical furniture products. The Company's products include steel, wood, and laminate casework, fume hoods, adaptable modular systems, moveable workstations, stand-alone benches, biological safety cabinets, and epoxy resin worksurfaces and sinks.
The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Statesville, North Carolina. Sales offices are located in the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Three manufacturing facilities are located in Statesville serving the domestic and international markets, and one manufacturing facility is located in Bangalore, India serving the local, Asian, and African markets. Kewaunee Scientific's website is located at http://www.kewaunee.com.
This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including statements regarding the Company's future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "predict," "believe" and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors that could significantly impact results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to: competitive and general economic conditions and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including disruptions from government mandates, both domestically and internationally, as well as supplier constraints and other supply disruptions; changes in customer demands; technological changes in our operations or in our industry; dependence on customers' required delivery schedules; risks related to fluctuations in the Company's operating results from quarter to quarter; risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; changes in the legal and regulatory environment; changes in raw materials and commodity costs; acts of terrorism, war, governmental action, natural disasters and other Force Majeure events; and the ultimate impact on the Company of the cyber attack suffered on November 5, 2021. The cautionary statements made pursuant to the Reform Act herein and elsewhere by us should not be construed as exhaustive. We cannot always predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Over time, our actual results, performance, or achievements will likely differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such difference might be significant and harmful to our stockholders' interest. Many important factors that could cause such a difference are described under the caption "Risk Factors," in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022, which you should review carefully. These reports are available on our investor relations website at www.kewaunee.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. The Company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
Donald T. Gardner III
704/871-3274
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SOURCE Kewaunee Scientific Corporation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/kewaunee-scientific-reports-results-fiscal-year-fourth-quarter/ | 2022-06-30T00:29:04Z |
CINCINNATI, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cincinnati Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CINF) today reported:
- Second-quarter 2022 net loss of $808 million, or $5.06 per share, compared with net income of $703 million, or $4.31 per share, in the second quarter of 2021, after recognizing a $928 million second-quarter 2022 after-tax reduction in the fair value of equity securities still held.
- $188 million or 64% decrease in non-GAAP operating income* to $104 million, or 65 cents per share, compared with $292 million, or $1.79 per share, in the second quarter of last year.
- $1.511 billion decrease in second-quarter 2022 net income, compared with second-quarter 2021, primarily due to the after-tax net effect of a $1.323 billion decrease in net investment gains and a $216 million decrease in after-tax property casualty underwriting income.
- $66.30 book value per share at June 30, 2022, down $15.42 since year-end.
- Negative 17.2% value creation ratio for the first six months of 2022, compared with positive 11.6% for the same period of 2021.
Financial Highlights
Insurance Operations Highlights
- 103.2% second-quarter 2022 property casualty combined ratio, up from 85.5% for the second quarter of 2021.
- 15% growth in second-quarter net written premiums, including price increases, premium growth initiatives and a higher level of insured exposures.
- $286 million second-quarter 2022 property casualty new business written premiums, up 22%. Agencies appointed since the beginning of 2021 contributed $19 million or 7% of total new business written premiums.
- $21 million second-quarter 2022 life insurance subsidiary net income, up $7 million from the second quarter of 2021, and 8% growth in second-quarter 2022 term life insurance earned premiums.
Investment and Balance Sheet Highlights
- 11% or $20 million increase in second-quarter 2022 pretax investment income, including a 20% increase for stock portfolio dividends and a 6% increase for bond interest income.
- Three-month decrease of 7% in fair value of total investments at June 30, 2022, including a 4% decrease for the bond portfolio and an 11% decrease for the stock portfolio.
- $4.399 billion parent company cash and marketable securities at June 30, 2022, down 13% from year-end 2021.
Taking Prudent Action
Steven J. Johnston, chairman and chief executive officer, commented: "Investment income increased nicely producing our main source of profits in the second quarter and bringing our total non-GAAP operating income to $357 million for the first half of the year.
"Our insurance business experienced an underwriting loss for the second quarter with a 103.2% combined ratio, resulting in part from an 8.5-point increase in catastrophe losses compared with second quarter 2021. While not the result of any single storm, our field claims teams and headquarters claims associates have been busy, responding to 22 declared catastrophes in the quarter. I'm proud of their efforts as they brought compassion and expertise to our agents and policyholders, quickly resolving claims and helping affected communities to move forward.
"We also took prudent reserving action in the quarter, reflecting elevated inflation in assorted forms and our belief that various pandemic effects have distorted paid loss cost trends. Slowed activity for many businesses, reduced driving and closed courts, which delayed progress on some litigated insurance claims, have all increased the uncertainty of ultimate losses.
"As a result, second-quarter 2022 incurred loss ratios for several lines of business are higher than in recent periods. Commercial umbrella coverages – part of our commercial casualty line of business – had a particularly large impact, despite representing only 7% of our full-year 2021 property casualty earned premiums. Commercial umbrella paid loss experience is inherently variable. Our commercial umbrella insurance coverages have a strong record of profitability.
"On a six-month basis, our insurance business remains profitable with a 96.7% combined ratio. We are optimistic that continuing to adjust our predictive models and staying focused on pricing segmentation can lead to improved results, allowing us to again produce a full-year combined ratio in the low- to mid-90s."
Diversification Supports Growth
"Double-digit growth for each of our property casualty business segments in the second quarter led to 13% growth in net written premiums for the first six-months in total. Our personal lines operation grew as we acted on opportunities presented by disruptions in certain geographies. We believe we have the products, expertise and agency relationships to benefit from this disruption, and we can be selective in the accounts we add to our portfolio.
"This year, we've introduced our new small business program, CinergySM, to agents in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, with additional states planned for the remainder of 2022. Agents continue to respond enthusiastically, praising the system's ease of use and the ability to customize coverage for their small business clients.
"Cincinnati Re® and Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd.SM also boosted growth, contributing 3 points and 1 point, respectively, to the six-month total, while also contributing meaningful amounts of underwriting profit. The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company had a strong first half of the year, increasing term insurance earned premiums 7% and reaching a record $31 million in operating income."
Focused on a Long-Term Investment Strategy
"Continued downward pressure in both the equity and bond markets contributed to a decline in book value per share. Despite this movement, our total portfolio still holds nearly $4.7 billion in appreciated value before taxes.
"We maintain a long-term perspective with our investment philosophy and aren't swayed by periodic market volatility. We continue to invest in high-quality bonds and dividend-paying stocks. We are poised to further benefit from these purchases when the markets rebound."
- $250 million or 15% growth of second-quarter 2022 property casualty net written premiums, and six-month growth of 13%, reflecting premium growth initiatives, price increases and a higher level of insured exposures. Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global in total contributed 4 percentage points to property casualty growth for both the second quarter and first six months of 2022.
- $51 million or 22% increase in second-quarter 2022 new business premiums written by agencies and a six-month increase of 16%. The second-quarter growth included a $12 million increase in standard market property casualty production from agencies appointed since the beginning of 2021.
- 104 new agency appointments in the first six months of 2022, including 37 that market only our personal lines products.
- 17.7 percentage-point second-quarter 2022 combined ratio increase, including an increase of 8.5 points from higher catastrophe losses and an increase of 3.7 points from higher commercial umbrella incurred losses.
- 8.4 percentage-point six-month 2022 combined ratio increase, including an increase of 0.1 point from higher catastrophe losses and an increase of 3.2 points from higher commercial umbrella incurred losses.
- 3.4 percentage-point second-quarter 2022 benefit from favorable prior accident year reserve development of $59 million, compared with 7.8 points or $119 million for second-quarter 2021.
- 3.0 percentage-point six-month 2022 benefit from favorable prior accident year reserve development, compared with 7.7 points for the first six months of 2021.
- 3.4 percentage-point increase, to 60.6%, for the six-month 2022 ratio of current accident year losses and loss expenses before catastrophes, including an increase of 2.0 points in the ratio for commercial umbrella current accident year losses.
- 0.6 percentage-point decrease in the second-quarter 2022 underwriting expense ratio, compared with the same period of 2021, primarily due to lower levels of profit-sharing commissions for agencies and related expenses.
- $95 million or 10% growth in second-quarter 2022 commercial lines net written premiums, primarily due to higher agency renewal written premiums. Nine percent growth in six-month net written premiums.
- $82 million or 10% increase in second-quarter renewal written premiums, with commercial lines average renewal pricing increases in the mid-single-digit percent range.
- $19 million or 13% increase in second-quarter 2022 new business written by agencies and a 10% six-month increase, as we continue to carefully underwrite each policy in a highly competitive market.
- 22.1 percentage-point second-quarter 2022 combined ratio increase, including an increase of 9.4 points from higher catastrophe losses and an increase of 5.4 points from higher commercial umbrella current accident year losses.
- 14.6 percentage-point six-month 2022 combined ratio increase, including an increase of 3.4 points from higher catastrophe losses and an increase of 3.4 points from higher commercial umbrella current accident year losses.
- 2.9 percentage-point second-quarter 2022 benefit from favorable prior accident year reserve development of $29 million, compared with 9.4 points or $86 million for second-quarter 2021.
- 2.4 percentage-point six-month 2022 benefit from favorable prior accident year reserve development, compared with 9.4 points for the first six months of 2021.
- $71 million or 16% growth in second-quarter 2022 personal lines net written premiums, including higher renewal written premiums that benefited from rate increases. Second-quarter 2022 net written premiums from our agencies' high net worth clients grew 46%, to $259 million. Fourteen percent growth in six-month personal lines net written premiums.
- $35 million or 66% increase in second-quarter 2022 new business premiums written by agencies, including expanded use of enhanced pricing precision tools and an increase of $12 million from excess and surplus lines homeowner policies. The high net worth portion of increases in new business written premiums was $33 million for the second quarter and $38 million for the six-month period.
- 19.4 percentage-point second-quarter 2022 combined ratio increase, including an increase of 8.5 points from higher catastrophe losses and an increase of 8.2 points from higher current accident year loss and loss expenses that includes estimates for rising economic inflation for our personal auto and homeowner lines of business.
- 1.4 percentage-point six-month 2022 combined ratio increase, including a decrease of 4.7 points from higher catastrophe losses and an increase of 3.0 points from higher current accident year loss and loss expenses reflecting an inflationary environment.
- 3.3 percentage-point second-quarter 2022 benefit from favorable prior accident year reserve development of $14 million, compared with 3.2 points or $12 million for second-quarter 2021.
- 5.8 percentage-point six-month 2022 benefit from favorable prior accident year reserve development, compared with 4.2 points for the first six months of 2021.
- $20 million or 17% growth in second-quarter 2022 excess and surplus lines net written premiums, including higher renewal written premiums that benefited from price increases averaging in the high-single-digit percent range. Twenty-one percent growth in six-month net written premiums.
- $3 million or 8% decrease in second-quarter new business written by agencies, reflecting a highly competitive market particularly for larger policies.
- 4.4 percentage-point second-quarter 2022 combined ratio improvement and a 5.2 percentage-point improvement for the six-month period. The combined ratios included increases for losses from catastrophes of 0.6 points for the second quarter and 0.4 points for the six-month period.
- 0.5 percentage-point second-quarter 2022 benefit from favorable prior accident year reserve development of $1 million, compared with 1.4 points or $1 million for second-quarter 2021.
- 2.6 percentage-point six-month 2022 benefit from favorable prior accident year reserve development, compared with 1.4 points of unfavorable development for the first six months of 2021.
- $3 million or 4% decrease in second-quarter 2022 earned premiums, including an 8% increase for term life insurance, our largest life insurance product line. Second-quarter 2021 universal life earned premiums were favorably impacted by the unlocking of interest rate and other actuarial assumptions.
- $7 million increase in six-month 2022 life insurance subsidiary net income, primarily from more favorable impacts from the unlocking of interest rate and other actuarial assumptions, partially offset by lower investment gains.
- $339 million or 24% six-month 2022 decrease, to $1.053 billion, in GAAP shareholders' equity for the life insurance subsidiary, primarily from a decrease in unrealized investment gains on fixed-maturity securities.
- $20 million or 11% rise in second-quarter 2022 pretax investment income, including a 20% increase in equity portfolio dividends and a 6% increase in interest income from fixed-maturity securities.
- $1.764 billion second-quarter 2022 decrease in pretax total investment gains, summarized in the table below. Changes in unrealized gains or losses reported in other comprehensive income, in addition to investment gains and losses reported in net income, are useful for evaluating total investment performance over time and are major components of changes in book value and the value creation ratio.
- $22.932 billion in consolidated cash and total investments at June 30, 2022, a decrease of 11% from $25.805 billion at year-end 2021.
- $11.933 billion bond portfolio at June 30, 2022, with an average rating of A3/A. Fair value decreased $443 million during the second quarter of 2022, including $131 million in net purchases of fixed-maturity securities.
- $9.510 billion equity portfolio was 43.6% of total investments, including $5.305 billion in appreciated value before taxes at June 30, 2022. Second-quarter 2022 decrease in fair value of $1.165 billion, including $6 million in net purchases of equity securities.
- $9.13 second-quarter 2022 decrease in book value per share, including an addition of $0.65 from net income before investment gains that was offset by $8.84 from investment portfolio net investment losses or changes in unrealized gains for fixed-maturity securities, $0.25 for other items and $0.69 from dividends declared to shareholders.
- Value creation ratio of negative 17.2% for the first six months of 2022, including positive 2.7% from net income before investment gains, which includes underwriting and investment income, and negative 19.4% from investment portfolio net investment losses and changes in unrealized gains for fixed-maturity securities.
For additional information or to register for our conference call webcast, please visit cinfin.com/investors.
About Cincinnati Financial
Cincinnati Financial Corporation offers primarily business, home and auto insurance through The Cincinnati Insurance Company and its two standard market property casualty companies. The same local independent insurance agencies that market those policies may offer products of our other subsidiaries, including life insurance, fixed annuities and surplus lines property and casualty insurance. For additional information about the company, please visit cinfin.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This is our "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements in this report. Some of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1A, Risk Factors, Page 32.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
- Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that could affect results for reasons such as:
- Ongoing developments concerning business interruption insurance claims and litigation related to the COVID-19 pandemic that affect our estimates of losses and loss adjustment expenses or our ability to reasonably estimate such losses, such as:
- Unusually high levels of catastrophe losses due to risk concentrations, changes in weather patterns (whether as a result of global climate change or otherwise), environmental events, war or political unrest, terrorism incidents, cyberattacks, civil unrest or other causes
- Increased frequency and/or severity of claims or development of claims that are unforeseen at the time of policy issuance, due to inflationary trends or other causes
- Inadequate estimates or assumptions, or reliance on third-party data used for critical accounting estimates
- Declines in overall stock market values negatively affecting our equity portfolio and book value
- Prolonged low interest rate environment or other factors that limit our ability to generate growth in investment income or interest rate fluctuations that result in declining values of fixed-maturity investments, including declines in accounts in which we hold bank-owned life insurance contract assets
- Domestic and global events, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, resulting in capital market or credit market uncertainty, followed by prolonged periods of economic instability or recession, that lead to:
- Our inability to manage Cincinnati Global or other subsidiaries to produce related business opportunities and growth prospects for our ongoing operations
- Recession, prolonged elevated inflation or other economic conditions resulting in lower demand for insurance products or increased payment delinquencies
- Ineffective information technology systems or discontinuing to develop and implement improvements in technology may impact our success and profitability
- Difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyberattacks, that could negatively affect our or our agents' ability to conduct business; disrupt our relationships with agents, policyholders and others; cause reputational damage, mitigation expenses and data loss and expose us to liability under federal and state laws
- Difficulties with our operations and technology that may negatively impact our ability to conduct business, including cloud-based data information storage, data security, cyberattacks, remote working capabilities, and/or outsourcing relationships and third-party operations and data security
- Disruption of the insurance market caused by technology innovations such as driverless cars that could decrease consumer demand for insurance products
- Delays, inadequate data developed internally or from third parties, or performance inadequacies from ongoing development and implementation of underwriting and pricing methods, including telematics and other usage-based insurance methods, or technology projects and enhancements expected to increase our pricing accuracy, underwriting profit and competitiveness
- Intense competition, and the impact of innovation, technological change and changing customer preferences on the insurance industry and the markets in which we operate, could harm our ability to maintain or increase our ability to maintain or increase our business volumes and profitability
- Changing consumer insurance-buying habits and consolidation of independent insurance agencies could alter our competitive advantages
- Inability to obtain adequate ceded reinsurance on acceptable terms, amount of reinsurance coverage purchased, financial strength of reinsurers and the potential for nonpayment or delay in payment by reinsurers
- Inability to defer policy acquisition costs for any business segment if pricing and loss trends would lead management to conclude that segment could not achieve sustainable profitability
- Inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends consistent with current or past levels
- Events or conditions that could weaken or harm our relationships with our independent agencies and hamper opportunities to add new agencies, resulting in limitations on our opportunities for growth, such as:
- Actions of insurance departments, state attorneys general or other regulatory agencies, including a change to a federal system of regulation from a state-based system, that:
- Adverse outcomes from litigation or administrative proceedings, including effects of social inflation on the size of litigation awards
- Events or actions, including unauthorized intentional circumvention of controls, that reduce our future ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
- Unforeseen departure of certain executive officers or other key employees due to retirement, health or other causes that could interrupt progress toward important strategic goals or diminish the effectiveness of certain longstanding relationships with insurance agents and others
- Our inability, or the inability of our independent agents, to attract and retain personnel in a competitive labor market, impacting the customer experience and altering our competitive advantages
- Events, such as an epidemic, natural catastrophe or terrorism, that could hamper our ability to assemble our workforce at our headquarters location or work effectively in a remote environment
Further, our insurance businesses are subject to the effects of changing social, global, economic and regulatory environments. Public and regulatory initiatives have included efforts to adversely influence and restrict premium rates, restrict the ability to cancel policies, impose underwriting standards and expand overall regulation. We also are subject to public and regulatory initiatives that can affect the market value for our common stock, such as measures affecting corporate financial reporting and governance. The ultimate changes and eventual effects, if any, of these initiatives are uncertain.
* * *
Definitions of Non-GAAP Information and Reconciliation to Comparable GAAP Measures
(See attached tables for reconciliations; additional prior-period reconciliations available at cinfin.com/investors.)
Cincinnati Financial Corporation prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Statutory data is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules for insurance company regulation in the United States of America as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, and therefore is not reconciled to GAAP data.
Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its primary business areas – property casualty insurance, life insurance and investments. Management uses these measures when analyzing both GAAP and non-GAAP results to improve its understanding of trends in the underlying business and to help avoid incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions about the success or failure of company strategies. Management adjustments to GAAP measures generally: apply to non-recurring events that are unrelated to business performance and distort short-term results; involve values that fluctuate based on events outside of management's control; supplement reporting segment disclosures with disclosures for a subsidiary company or for a combination of subsidiaries or reporting segments; or relate to accounting refinements that affect comparability between periods, creating a need to analyze data on the same basis.
- Non-GAAP operating income: Non-GAAP operating income is calculated by excluding investment gains and losses (defined as investment gains and losses after applicable federal and state income taxes) and other significant non-recurring items from net income. Management evaluates non-GAAP operating income to measure the success of pricing, rate and underwriting strategies. While investment gains (or losses) are integral to the company's insurance operations over the long term, the determination to realize investment gains or losses on fixed-maturity securities sold in any period may be subject to management's discretion and is independent of the insurance underwriting process. Also, under applicable GAAP accounting requirements, gains and losses are recognized from certain changes in market values of securities without actual realization. Management believes that the level of investment gains or losses for any particular period, while it may be material, may not fully indicate the performance of ongoing underlying business operations in that period.
For these reasons, many investors and shareholders consider non-GAAP operating income to be one of the more meaningful measures for evaluating insurance company performance. Equity analysts who report on the insurance industry and the company generally focus on this metric in their analyses. The company presents non-GAAP operating income so that all investors have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information. - Consolidated property casualty insurance results: To supplement reporting segment disclosures related to our property casualty insurance operations, we also evaluate results for those operations on a basis that includes results for our property casualty insurance and brokerage services subsidiaries. That is the total of our commercial lines, personal lines and our excess and surplus lines segments plus our reinsurance assumed operations known as Cincinnati Re and our London-based global specialty underwriter known as Cincinnati Global.
- Life insurance subsidiary results: To supplement life insurance reporting segment disclosures related to our life insurance operation, we also evaluate results for that operation on a basis that includes life insurance subsidiary investment income, or investment income plus investment gains and losses, that are also included in our investments reporting segment. We recognize that assets under management, capital appreciation and investment income are integral to evaluating the success of the life insurance segment because of the long duration of life products.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation
Other Measures
- Value creation ratio: This is a measure of shareholder value creation that management believes captures the contribution of the company's insurance operations, the success of its investment strategy and the importance placed on paying cash dividends to shareholders. The value creation ratio measure is made up of two primary components: (1) rate of growth in book value per share plus (2) the ratio of dividends declared per share to beginning book value per share. Management believes this measure is useful, providing a meaningful measure of long-term progress in creating shareholder value. It is intended to be all-inclusive regarding changes in book value per share, and uses originally reported book value per share in cases where book value per share has been adjusted, such as adoption of Accounting Standards Updates with a cumulative effect of a change in accounting.
- Written premium: Under statutory accounting rules in the U.S., property casualty written premium is the amount recorded for policies issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. Management analyzes trends in written premium to assess business efforts. The difference between written and earned premium is unearned premium.
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Dana Chandler retrial back in session Tuesday in Topeka
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - After a three-day recess, the court was back in session Tuesday on Day 10 of the double-murder retrial of Dana Chandler in Shawnee County District Court in downtown Topeka.
Chandler was arrested in 2011 and charged with the July 7, 2002, murders of her ex-husband Mike Sisco, 47, and his fiancé, Karen Harkness, 53, at a duplex in the 2200 block of S.W. Westport Square in west Topeka. The location was just east of S.E. 22nd Park and Wanamaker.
Chandler was convicted of the double murder in 2012.
However, in 2018, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned Chandler’s conviction, citing misconduct by former prosecutor Jacqie Spradling, who has since been disbarred.
Chandler, who has maintained her innocence, then was granted a retrial, which is ongoing.
Following her 2012 conviction, Chandler was at the Topeka Correctional Facility, the state’s only prison for women.
Since 2018, when her conviction was overturned, she has been in the Shawnee County Jail.
Chandler’s retrial began Friday, Aug. 5, with opening arguments from the prosecution and defense.
It originally was expected to last up to three weeks, but that was before the three-day recess during which court wasn’t in session on Thursday, Friday and Monday.
Charles Kitt, chief of staff for the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office, is prosecuting the case for the state.
Chandler, 62, is being represented by defense lawyers Tom Bath, Tricia Bath and Mark Hartman, of the Leawood-based firm Bath & Edmonds.
At the outset of Tuesday’s session, Judge Cheryl Rios told jurors that testimony should be completed in the next few days, and it was possible they could start deliberations around Thursday.
Early testimony on Tuesday centered on stolen checks belonging to Mike Sisco, at least one of which was recovered after being passed at a Topeka business following Sisco’s homicide.
The first witness on Tuesday was Walt Rogers, followed by retired Topeka police Det. Steve King and current Topeka police Det. Lance Green.
Much of Tuesday morning’s testimony focused on DNA evidence on a piece of chewing gum and 11 spent shell casings that had been admitted into evidence, with Tricia Bath questioning Stephanie Beine, of Wentzville, Mo.-based Forensic Advising.
During the retrial’s first nine days, testimony was heard from approximately 50 different people, including family members of Harkness and Sisco; Topeka police officers and detectives; a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent; and a former business acquaintance of Chandler’s from Denver.
Testimony also was heard from a friend of Chandler’s from Arizona; experts from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation; coworkers and friends of Harkness; and former neighbors of Harkness in the 2200 block of S.W. Westport Square.
The state rested its case on Day 8 of the retrial on Tuesday morning, Aug. 16.
The defense then began calling witnesses Tuesday and again on Wednesday before the Thursday, Friday and Monday’s sessions were recessed.
The retrial, like the first one in 2012, is garnering national media attention.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/23/dana-chandler-retrial-back-session-tuesday-topeka/ | 2022-08-23T16:40:20Z |
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AdvisorShares, a leading sponsor of actively managed ETFs, announced today that it will assume portfolio manager responsibilities of the AdvisorShares DoubleLine Value Equity ETF (NYSE Arca: DBLV) on September 1, 2022. On that date, the fund will be renamed the AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF and will change its ticker symbol to SURE.
The portfolio manager of SURE seeks to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in the equities of companies that are actively reducing their public equity float through well-implemented stock buyback programs and corporate insider buying. Buyback programs and insider buying generally demonstrate that executives see relative value in their corporate equity securities and may create favorable shareholder market conditions through the reduction of publicly available shares (float shrink). SURE selects holdings using an active, quantitative, multi-factor model to identify companies shrinking float, lowering leverage, growing free cash flow, and providing dividends. SURE's holdings are equal-weighted and reconstituted/rebalanced monthly.
The portfolio strategist of SURE is Minyi Chen, CFA, founder and CEO of Qubed Capital, a registered investment advisor founded in 2015 and based in Oakland, California. For over a decade, Mr. Chen has been providing quantitative financial research and analysis along with proprietary investment models to both retail and institutional investors.
"We look forward to introducing SURE to the marketplace as not all buyback-focused strategies are the same," said Noah Hamman, chief executive officer of AdvisorShares. "SURE's actively managed investment approach re-valuates its investable universe and portfolio holdings monthly which is a distinct departure from passive, market-cap weighted strategies that track indexes and reconstitute annually. Combined with the features of a fully transparent and operationally efficient ETF structure, we believe SURE presents a compelling investment option for advisors and all investor-types."
For more information on SURE, please visit www.advisorshares.com/etfs/sure. AdvisorShares regularly hosts live webinars featuring portfolio managers and leading industry experts. You may learn more and register for upcoming events sessions on different investment strategies by visiting the AdvisorShares Event Center at www.advisorshares.com/events.
About AdvisorShares
AdvisorShares is a leading provider of active ETFs. For financial professionals and investors requesting more information, call 1-877-843-3831 or visit advisorshares.com. Follow @AdvisorShares on Twitter and on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitch for more insights.
Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting the Fund's website at www.AdvisorShares.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
The Advisor continuously evaluates the Fund's holdings, purchases and sales with a view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. However, achievement of the stated investment objective cannot be guaranteed. The Advisor's judgment about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these factors may affect the return on your investment.
There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal amount invested. Investing in mid and small capitalization companies may be riskier and more volatile than large cap companies. Other Fund risks include market risk, equity risk, large cap risk, liquidity risk and trading risk. Please see prospectus for details regarding risk. The fund may not be suitable for all investors.
Definitions
A buyback occurs when a company repurchases its own shares from the marketplace, reducing the number of shares outstanding.
Equity float is the portion of a company's outstanding shares that is in the hands of public investors, as opposed to company officers, directors, or stockholders that hold controlling interests that have trading restrictions.
An insider is an officer, director, executive, entity, or individual that owns more than 10% of a publicly traded company's shares.
Insider buying is the legal purchase of shares in a firm by a corporate insider that is not based on non-public, material information and follows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and reporting requirements.
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SOURCE AdvisorShares | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/advisorshares-introduces-insider-advantage-etf-ticker-sure/ | 2022-08-31T22:50:08Z |
LIUZHOU, China, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Choubao Luosifen, a Chinese luosifen or river snail rice noodles brand, has announced the launch of its brand cartoon character with the same name as the brand - Choubao - on social media platforms. Choubao's cute and adorable image has quickly gained popularity online.
The idea for designing the image of Choubao originates from endorphin. Endorphin is an amino compound secreted by the pituitary gland. It is an intracerebral substance that is secreted by the body in response to increased external stimulation, which in turn produces a sense of excitement and pleasure. The character is a "happy fungus" that produces a contented feeling in anyone who enjoys a serving of luosifen. The idea behind the concept is that it can bring happiness to anyone who consumes the tasty food, by releasing the "happy fungus".
Luosifen is a local traditional food originating from Liuzhou, China. With the brand mission of "creating happiness", Choubao luosifen offer ultimate taste stimulation and pleasure through the ingredient-rich food and the fun experience it engenders.
Choubao Luosifen are now sold in dozens of countries and regions.
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SOURCE Choubao | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/choubao-luosifen-launches-brands-eponymous-cartoon-character/ | 2022-07-15T15:15:26Z |
More than two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, we have reached a crossroads.
On one hand, "this is the most teachable moment the world has had about the importance of public health in 100 years," said Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "On the other hand, we're really at risk of heading full steam ahead into the neglect phase of the 'panic-neglect cycle.' "
The panic-neglect cycle is the habit of underinvesting or paying inadequate attention to the public health infrastructure and functions needed to prevent, identify, contain and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
Another pandemic seems inevitable. We "live in an age of pandemics," said Dr. Larry Brilliant, an epidemiologist and CEO of Pandefense Advisory, an interdisciplinary network of experts engaged in pandemic response.
More than six out of every 10 infectious diseases originated in animals and jumped to humans. This risk has "been increasing for the last 20 years," Brilliant said. "Every year, the risk increases more."
Public health "certainly had a number of missteps" during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the experience has offered lessons, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said at the Life Itself conference, a health and wellness event presented in partnership with CNN.
"The investment in basic and clinical biomedical research allowed us to, with unprecedented speed, develop highly effective vaccines that essentially, (we never would) have imagined you could have done it that quickly," he added. "We need to keep making those investments, not only in science ... but in the public health infrastructure." We must also remember "what it means to have a public health system that was not able to respond in a manner that was matching to the challenge that we're facing," he said.
"What we don't want is to have our children, and perhaps our grandchildren, forget what we've been through."
Whether we're going to apply lessons from the current pandemic remains to be seen, Frieden said, but doing so is key to ending that cycle, so that outbreaks don't become pandemics with countless consequences -- including millions of lives lost and drastic effects on health care, mental health, the economy, education, relationships and careers.
Much of the preparedness burden lies in the hands of public health institutions, but the public can play a vital role. Here's what some of the top infectious disease experts think both can do to help:
1. Increase public health funding
The US spends at least "about 300 and 500 times more on our military defense than we do on our health defense," Frieden said. "And yet, no war in American history has killed a million Americans."
As of June 1, nearly 6.3 million people have died from Covid-19 worldwide, including more than 1,007,000 Americans.
"So we really do need to up our game in terms of protecting people in this country and around the world," said Frieden, who is also CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, an independent organization focused on preventing epidemics and cardiovascular disease. "You can't make a safer US without making a safer world."
"It's hard, especially from a funding perspective, to convince people with big pocketbooks ... to say, 'Maybe it might happen, maybe it won't, but we do need to put billions of dollars in that arena,'" said Kizzmekia Corbett, an assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said at Life Itself. Corbett's team developed mRNA-1273, a leading vaccine against coronavirus manufactured and developed by ModernaTX, Inc. and NIAID.
"Because of that, oftentimes a lot of the research dollars and a lot of the research mental capacity goes to the side of treatments," Corbett added. "We want to be able to really shift that way of thinking."
More funding is also needed for staples such as having enough testing when the time comes, Brilliant said, "so that we won't get behind the eight ball like we were" with Covid-19.
More investment in global health is needed, too. The World Health Organization's budget is lower than those of some large US cities, Brilliant said, "and they've got to take care of pandemic risk for 200 countries and all the other things WHO does."
"We have to think about pandemic preparedness as really strengthening the public health system worldwide," he added. "Right now, it's not clear that Congress is going to appropriate the amount of money that makes sense. Because for 80% of the country, they feel like -- and legitimately feel -- that their (Covid-19) risk has passed."
2. Protect nature
Pandemic prevention also means "we need better systems to protect nature so that nature doesn't come back to bite us," Frieden said.
In studies of drivers of zoonotic diseases, the risk has been highest when human exploitation and habitat destruction threatened wild animals. When we hunt and occupy wild animals' natural homes or sell wild animals in markets, they experience great stress -- which makes them more likely to get infected and produce higher numbers of viruses. This leads to greater viral shedding, which is the expulsion and release of virus-carrying excretions.
Being around stressed, sick animals or eating them exposes humans to a greater chance of catching a virus, Dr. Christine Kreuder Johnson, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University California, Davis, told CNN in 2020. The possibility of virus spillover is also higher between humans and animal species that have similar DNA or have lived together over time, such as pigs or livestock.
Thinking about environmental health as part of our health is critical for reducing virus spillover, Johnson said.
Everyone doing their part to slow climate change is essential, Brilliant said. "Because of increasing temperatures, animals are migrating from the south to the north," he said. "When animals migrate and they change their territory, they come in contact with other animals that they've never been in contact with before. And they exchange viruses, just as they exchange viruses with us."
3. Act early and quickly
Infectious disease experts detecting outbreaks of a new disease early and addressing them quickly while they're small is key to preventing a larger emergency.
"My group, Resolve to Save Lives, has suggested a global galvanizing goal we call 7-1-7: that every single outbreak anywhere in the world is detected within seven days of emergence, reported within one day and control measures implemented within seven days," Frieden said. This approach "allows us to quickly identify things that need to be fixed."
4. Improve public health communication
We have better tools to address infectious diseases than we've ever had, but we're also more vulnerable than we've ever been, partly because of a widespread lack of trust between communities, governments and health care systems, Frieden said.
"The CDC literally wrote the book on public health communication in an emergency: Be first, be right, be credible, be empathetic, give people practical, proven things to do to protect themselves, their families (and) their communities," Frieden said. "Unfortunately, that hasn't been implemented (in the US), either by the prior administration or by this one. And we have suffered for that."
"You cannot surge trust in an emergency," Frieden added. "You have to have it there as baseline."
Communication about the pandemic has "been challenging," said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, at Life Itself. "We've been divided against a common foe, which has been this pandemic virus."
"We have had to make decisions with imperfect data and imperfect times, but if we didn't make a decision at that time, that would have been a decision itself," she added. "We need to follow and understand the best science that we have at the time the decision is being made."
Walensky plans to spend much of her time working on ways to make public awareness part of pandemic surveillance, she said.
"You have to be consistent, always stick with the facts and the evidence and the data. That was one of the issues that obviously arose when I was part of the Coronavirus taskforce in the prior administration," Fauci said.
5. Fight misinformation
There's a saying that a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth has even put on its boots. "It's been very challenging for health, for doctors and others to deal with viral misinformation, which spreads even faster than Omicron," Frieden said.
Pandemic misinformation can influence people's motivations, beliefs and decision-making concerning their health, politics, the environment and more.
Some social media apps, such as Instagram and TikTok, have launched features that lead people to accurate information from credible health organizations when viewing content concerning the coronavirus or vaccines.
Confronting loved ones about their misleading or false social media posts isn't easy, but there are ways to do it skillfully with empathy.
6. Support your own health
Individual resilience is another key factor in preventing serious illness and deaths during pandemics, Frieden said.
"One of the reasons Covid has killed so many people is there were so many people who were vulnerable to health problems," Frieden said.
Healthy lifestyle habits that support immunity can "make a really big difference," he said. Take any medications you have been prescribed, find healthy food you love and don't smoke or be exposed to others' smoke, Frieden recommended.
"Getting healthy doesn't mean denying ourselves things we want to do," Frieden said, "but rather figuring out what are healthy things we love to do and doing more of them."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/features/health/there-will-be-another-pandemic-infectious-disease-experts-say-here-are-6-ways-we-can/article_1dbef510-5ccb-5bb4-a867-9e8fa49553ab.html | 2022-06-02T03:48:23Z |
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Dutch royal visit to the Texas Governor’s Mansion Thursday was filled with pleasantries and productive discussion. But it didn’t stop a royal team member from asking about something that’s proved to be a heated topic of discussion, extending beyond U.S. soil.
“There’s one point of concern that I wanted to raise, and that is on the right to safe abortion for women,” the royal team member said. “Obviously, the Netherlands has a strong standpoint in that.”
The Netherlands has less strict abortion laws, allowing a woman to seek abortion care up to 24 weeks of pregnancy for any reason.
The team member directed the question toward Gov. Greg Abbott. This was after Dutch Queen Máxima shared remarks on how beneficial Texas-Netherland relations are for both economies. Queen Máxima asked her team member if she had anything to add.
“I was wondering if we could, maybe partner up as counterparts to see what we can do in that [abortion] stance for Texas,” the Dutch royal team member said.
Abbott was receptive to the question, but kept his response brief.
“One thing we put high importance on here is the safety and health of the mother,” he said. “But the other thing we put importance on is the safety and health of the baby.”
Media members were allowed to record part of the conversation between Queen Máxima and the royal team. However, Abbott’s team let media know ahead of time that there would be a closed-door meeting that they’d have to step out for.
Media were asked to leave the room as the topic of abortion was brought up. | https://cw33.com/news/dutch-royal-team-member-presses-abbott-on-texas-stance-on-abortion-during-visit/ | 2022-09-09T16:07:44Z |
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