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This year's Expo is a White House Summit for Democracy Year of Action event featuring 50+ city and government officials
MIAMI, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fira de Barcelona and Smart City Expo World Congress, the world's leading summit for cities and smart urban solutions, are partnering with the African American Mayors Association, the National League of Cities, Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, and Miami Mayor and U.S. Conference of Mayors President, Francis X. Suarez, to host Smart City Expo USA from September 14-15, 2022 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Alongside the expo, Mayor Suarez will host the U.S. Conference of Mayors Fall Leadership Meeting in Miami, FL from September 15-18, 2022.
With U.S. cities and states receiving hundreds of millions of dollars for roads, bridges, transit, rail, electric vehicle charging stations, power grids, waste and water infrastructure, broadband, and more from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Smart City Expo USA is the largest and most high-profile event for cities to address historic inequities through technology.
Smart City Expo USA is committed to redefining "smart" cities as communities that have no homelessness, hunger, or poverty. Smart cities have access to quality healthcare, broadband, housing, energy, education, clean air and water, transportation, public safety, the ballot box, and an opportunity to build generational wealth. These are the elements of a free and functioning democracy.
"I am honored to serve as the Chairperson of Smart City Expo USA and to convene global leaders on the importance of redefining "smart cities", particularly here in the United States where historically underserved communities now have the chance to leapfrog into the future through the equitable and ethical use of blockchain, AI, big data, and other frontier technologies," said Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, City of Augusta and Chair, Smart City Expo USA.
"Miami-Dade is laying the foundation to build equitable and sustainable Smart City solutions for future-ready communities where all residents have access to the resources they need to prosper and thrive," said Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor, Miami-Dade County. "We welcome Smart City Expo USA and leaders from across the globe to build together a new era of smart cities where equity and inclusion are the driving engines for infrastructure, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation."
"Miami is leading the way on building an inclusive tech and innovation economy and we are so pleased to be partnering with Fira de Barcelona to host Smart City Expo USA, the country's leading event for cities, in September," said Francis X. Suarez, Mayor, City of Miami and President, U.S. Conference of Mayors. "Every company today—from cars and banks to governments—is now a tech company and we look forward to collaborating with government officials, corporations, VCs, NGOs, and entrepreneurs on issues of blockchain and cryptocurrency, urban air mobility, electrification, AI/edge technology, big data, climate resiliency, education equity, the future of work, functional zero for chronic homelessness, and other key areas to build cities of tomorrow, today."
Miami is on an accelerated path to become a model for smart cities across the country and we are proud that it has counted on Fira de Barcelona to contribute to its transformation as we have already done with other cities around the world," said Ricard Zapatero, International Business Director, Fira de Barcelona.
Leading global government officials, CEOs, NGOs, innovators, and entrepreneurs seeking to protect critical infrastructure, increase global competitiveness, and significantly reduce the country's racial wealth and equity gap, will focus on equity-centered AI, predictive analytics, sensors, heat maps, broadband, the cloud, edge computing, blockchain, the metaverse, and open data. They will look to build resilience against the here and now and invisible 21st century threats of pandemics, cyberattacks, climate change, and as sociologist and Associate Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, Dr. Ruha Benjamin, states, the "New Jim Code".
"To put it simply, smart cities are the future of our nation. They bring forth the promise of a more connected, more sustainable, and more efficient future where technology is harnessed to improve each sector of our civil society and uplift all our communities, regardless of zip code or income-level. Now, in particular, as the federal government makes bold investments in infrastructure projects across the nation, we must work to ensure that smart infrastructure is put in place to serve as the backbone for smart city services that will finally transport us into the 21st century. This includes ensuring that smart sensors, 5G, and blockchain technology is imbedded at the onset of new projects, rather than as an afterthought," said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Congressional Smart Cities Caucus.
"At the Export-Import Bank of the United States, we are committed to fostering global competitiveness through U.S. exports in clean energy, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotech and biomedical, and climate-friendly technologies, to name a few. I look forward to further deepening our engagement with local and state officials and to supporting the efforts of the brilliant innovators and entrepreneurs at Smart City Expo USA," said Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair, Export-Import Bank of the United States.
"Smart City Expo USA is ensuring the most diverse voices are at the table to build an inclusive and sustainable tomorrow. We are thrilled to convene visionary entrepreneurs and leading government officials ready to deploy billions of dollars in federal funds towards next-gen infrastructure and technology to build resiliency and efficiencies, bridge racial wealth, equity, and opportunity gaps, upskill communities, advance global competitiveness, and future proof cities against historic inequities," said Aarti Tandon, CEO, Smart City Expo USA.
"As President of the African American Mayors Association, I agree with Smart City Expo USA that cities are not "smart" if there is homelessness, hunger, or poverty," said Frank Scott, Jr., Mayor, City of Little Rock and President, African American Mayors Association. "Armed with ARP and IIJA funds, I look forward to engaging with next-gen innovators and entrepreneurs who can assist us in addressing climate violence, increasing education equity, advancing new mobility options, and bring our communities into the 21st century."
"The National League of Cities is proud to partner with Smart City Expo USA. With rural areas and urban cities set to receive close to $1T for infrastructure, and the country at a true inflection point around equity, race, and justice, the future of work, health, housing, climate change, education, AI, security, urban planning, and ESG investments, Smart City Expo USA is committed to helping cities of all sizes address historic inequities while preparing them for tomorrow." Vince Williams, Mayor, Union City and President, National League of Cities.
"The State Department is committed to placing democracy renewal at the heart of the Administration's Summit for Democracy Year of Action. Democracy renewal not only means protecting democratic institutions or access to the ballot box, but also uplifting underserved communities, creating equitable and sustainable development, fostering new economic opportunity, and developing safe public spaces. The Department is excited to connect with mayors, governors, businesses, and civil society who will attend Smart City Expo USA and discuss innovative solutions that will strengthen democracy renewal efforts locally and globally," said Danny Ricchetti, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of State.
Additional confirmed speakers include: Gabe Amo, Special Assistant to the President; Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, The White House; Michael Dunaway, Associate Director for Innovation, Smart & Connected Systems Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Dan Gelber, Mayor, City of Miami Beach; Vi Lyles, Mayor, City of Charlotte; Michael Hancock, Mayor, City of Denver; Steven Reed, Mayor, City of Montgomery; Tishaura Jones, Mayor, City of St. Louis; Justin Bibb, Mayor, City of Cleveland; Aftab Pureval, Mayor, City of Cincinnati; Chokwe Lumumba, Mayor, City of Jackson; Victoria Woodards, Mayor, City of Tacoma; Jorge Elorza, Mayor, City of Providence; Michael Nutter, Former Mayor, City of Philadelphia; Steve Benjamin, Former Mayor, City of Columbia; Ger Baron, CTO, City of Amsterdam; Miguel Sangalang, Executive Director, LA Lights; Joshua Edmonds, Director of Digital Inclusion, City of Detroit; Margaret Brisbane, CIO, Miami-Dade County; Mark Wheeler, CIO, City of Philadelphia; Jason Sankey, CIO, City of Atlanta; Grace Simrall, Chief of Civic Innovation and Technology, City of Louisville; Kimberly LaGrue, CIO, City of New Orleans; Kim Desmond, Chief Race and Equity Officer, City of San Diego; John Paul Farmer, President, WeLink Cities; Lilian Coral, Director, National Strategy + Tech Innovation, Knight Foundation; Stephanie Young, Executive Director, When We all Vote; Jordan Justus, CEO, Automotus; Ashley Bell, CEO, Ready Life; and Kimberly Driggins, Executive Director, Washington Housing Conservancy.
Smart City Expo USA (SCEUSA) is the country's leading event for cities. Its leadership has convened Presidents, Ministers, 50+ global mayors, and leading CEOs to ensure technologies of tomorrow are futureproofing our cities against historic inequities of today. SCEUSA is the only U.S. edition of the world's leading conference and expo on smart cities and smart urban solutions, Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC).
Smart City Expo World Congress is the world's leading summit on Smart Cities and smart urban solutions. On its last edition, SCEWC gathered 700 cities worldwide as well as 844 exhibitors, 400 speakers and over 21,000 attendees from 1,460 countries. The international impact of the show has grown with regional events in Mérida (México), Shanghai (China), Doha (Qatar), Curitiba (Brazil), Istanbul (Turkey), Kyoto (Japan), and Buenos Aires (Argentina) further consolidating Smart City Expo as the international leading trade show and conference in the urban innovation area and drawing more attendees and interest toward the global event held in November in Barcelona every year.
Fira de Barcelona is one of the most important trade fair institutions in Europe and the Spanish market leader and its international prestige is closely linked to the Barcelona brand, a city with over a century of trade fair tradition. It hosts over 150 trade shows, congresses, and corporate events per year with 30,000 exhibitors and receives 2.5 million visitors from over 200 countries and territories. Its annual economic contribution to the city of Barcelona and its surroundings is estimated at over 2,600 million Euros and also brings added social and public value.
CONTACT: Melissa Rincon, mrincon@apcoworldwide.com
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SOURCE Smart City Expo USA | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/smart-city-expo-usa-convene-september-14-15-2022-miami-florida/ | 2022-07-25T14:17:38Z |
OREM, Utah, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SecurityMetrics is proud to announce that they have won the following awards from Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), the industry's leading electronic information security magazine:
- "Most Innovative Cybersecurity Book" for the SecurityMetrics Guide to PCI DSS Compliance.
- "Editor's Choice Penetration Testing" for their penetration testing team.
- "Top Women in Cybersecurity" awarded to Jen Stone.
"SecurityMetrics embodies three major features we judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrow's threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution, and innovating in unexpected ways that can help mitigate cyber risk and get one step ahead of the next breach" said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine.
SecurityMetrics is thrilled to earn these awards from Cyber Defense Magazine (http://www.cyberdefenseawards.com/) because they demonstrate their commitment to helping organizations see the threats they've been missing and providing exceptional support and services to businesses worldwide.
"Most Innovative Cybersecurity Book" for the SecurityMetrics Guide to PCI DSS compliance.
Audit Director, Matt Halbleib (CISSP, CISA, QSA), said of the seventh edition of the SecurityMetrics PCI guide: "Our guide was specifically created to help merchants and service providers address the most problematic issues within the 12 PCI DSS requirements, including auditors' best practices and IT checklists."
You can access the SecurityMetrics free guide to PCI Compliance here.
"Editor's Choice Penetration Testing" for their penetration testing team.
SecurityMetrics penetration testers use ethical hacking methodologies to identify vulnerabilities and minimize risk, protecting organizations against the most current threats.
Knowing the root cause of vulnerabilities is the first step to addressing network issues. SecurityMetrics Pen Test Analysts offer advice tailored to the company's needs to remediate and maintain a secure network going forward.
"SecurityMetrics' Pen Testing has definitely helped us improve our network security in ways I could have never imagined. You just don't know what you don't know. I am absolutely confident in their team's abilities and my experience has led me to trust them implicitly as a security partner. Their depth of understanding is impressive, and their professionalism is unmatched." Morgan Leppink, Internet Ticketing Systems
"Top Women in Cybersecurity" awarded to Jen Stone.
In addition to her many professional certifications and extensive experience in cybersecurity, Jen Stone is an award-winning podcast host for the SecurityMetrics podcast and has authored dozens of blog posts for the SecurityMetrics blog.
Jen serves as a "Women in Technology" Mentor for SecurityMetrics. She leads group meetings and provides one-on-one mentorships with women who want to pursue careers in security. Jen says this is an important mission, because "only 14-18% of the IT security workforce are women, and we lose something when people with different perspectives are not involved in solving problems."
Jen is an avid supporter of the arts, volunteering her time in technical production for live events, including the largest aerial arts competition in the US and an award-winning haunted house in Salt Lake City, Utah.
For press inquiries, email pr@securitymetrics.com.
SecurityMetrics secures peace of mind for organizations that handle sensitive data. They have tested over 1 million systems for data security and compliance. They understand the importance of industry standards, which is why they hold their tools, training, and support to a higher, more thorough standard of performance and service, so you never have a false sense of security.
As an Approved Scanning Vendor, Qualified Security Assessor, Certified Forensic Investigator, and Managed Security provider SecurityMetrics guides organizations through data security testing and compliance mandates (PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, HITRUST). With over 20 years of forensic investigations, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and compliance audits, SecurityMetrics has tested over 1 million systems for vulnerabilities. The privately held company is headquartered in Orem, Utah where it maintains a Security Operations Center (SOC) and 24/7 multilingual technical support.
This is Cyber Defense Magazine's tenth year of honoring InfoSec innovators from around the Globe. Our submission requirements are for any startup, early stage, later stage, or public companies in the INFORMATION SECURITY (INFOSEC) space who believe they have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. Learn more at www.cyberdefenseawards.com
Cyber Defense Magazine is the premier source of cyber security news and information for InfoSec professions in business and government. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and special editions exclusively for the RSA Conferences. CDM is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group. Learn more about us at https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com and visit https://www.cyberdefensetv.com and https://www.cyberdefenseradio.com to see and hear some of the most informative interviews of many of these winning company executives. Join a webinar at https://www.cyberdefensewebinars.com and realize that infosec knowledge is Power.
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SOURCE SecurityMetrics, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/securitymetrics-wins-coveted-global-infosec-awards-cybersecurity-book-penetration-testing-top-women-cybersecurity/ | 2022-06-29T12:24:51Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of TG Therapeutics, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of TGTX 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.
CLASS PERIOD: January 15, 2020 to May 31, 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) clinical trials revealed significant concerns related to the benefit-risk ratio and overall survival data of the Company's therapeutic product candidates, Ublituximab and Umbralisib; (ii) accordingly, it was unlikely that the Company would be able to obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the Umbralisib marginal zone lymphoma and follicular lymphoma New Drug Application, the Biologics License Application for Ublituximab in combination with Umbralisib, the supplemental New Drug Application for Ublituximab in combination with Umbralisib, or the Ublituximab relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis Biologics License Application in their current forms; (iii) as a result, the Company had significantly overstated Ublituximab and Umbralisib's clinical and/or commercial prospects; and (iv) therefore, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: September 16, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/tg-therapeutics-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=31251&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of TGTX during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is September 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.
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
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SOURCE The Gross Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-tg-therapeutics-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-16-2022-nasdaq-tgtx/ | 2022-08-31T10:41:31Z |
Bernard Shaw, CNN’s 1st chief anchor, dies at 82
NEW YORK (AP) — Bernard Shaw, CNN’s chief anchor for two decades and a pioneering Black broadcaster best remembered for calmly reporting the beginning of the Gulf War in 1991 as missiles flew around him in Baghdad, has died. He was 82.
He died of pneumonia on Wednesday at a hospital in Washington, according to Tom Johnson, CNN’s former chief executive.
Shaw was at CNN for 20 years and known for remaining cool under pressure. That was a hallmark of his Baghdad coverage when the U.S. led its invasion of Iraq in 1991 to liberate Kuwait, with CNN airing stunning footage of airstrikes and anti-aircraft fire in the capital city.
“In all of the years of preparing to being anchor, one of the things I strove for was to be able to control my emotions in the midst of hell breaking out,” Shaw said in a 2014 interview with NPR. “And I personally feel that I passed my stringent test for that in Baghdad.”
Shaw was a former U.S. Marine who worked as a reporter at CBS and ABC News before taking on the chief anchor role at CNN when the network began in 1980.
He moderated a presidential debate in 1988 and covered protests in China’s Tiananmen Square in 1989. But his striking on-the scene work in Baghdad, with correspondents Peter Arnett and John Holliman, was instrumental in putting CNN on the map.
At that time, it was the only cable news network and broadcast outlets at ABC, CBS and NBC dominated television news.
“Bernard Shaw exemplified excellence in his life,” Johnson said. “He will be remembered as a fierce advocate of responsible journalism.”
CNN’s current chief executive, Chris Licht, paid tribute to Shaw as a CNN original who made appearances on the network as recently as last year to provide commentary.
Shaw left the business at age 61. He told NPR that despite everything he did in journalism, because of all of the things he missed with his family while working, “I don’t think it was worth it.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/09/08/bernard-shaw-cnns-1st-chief-anchor-dies-82/ | 2022-09-08T14:51:28Z |
DENVER, July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM) (TSX: SSRM) (ASX: SSR) ("SSR Mining" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the sale of the Pitarrilla project in Durango, Mexico to Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR; NYSE: EXK) ("Endeavour Silver") following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of all closing conditions. As consideration for the sale, SSR Mining received US$35 million in cash, US$35 million in shares of Endeavour Silver, and a 1.25% net smelter return royalty on the Pitarrilla property.
About SSR Mining
SSR Mining Inc. is a leading, free cash flow focused gold company with four producing assets located in the USA, Türkiye, Canada, and Argentina, combined with a global pipeline of high-quality development and exploration assets. In 2021, the four operating assets produced approximately 794,000 gold-equivalent ounces. SSR Mining is listed under the ticker symbol SSRM on the NASDAQ and the TSX, and SSR on the ASX.
SSR Mining Contacts:
F. Edward Farid, Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Development Officer
Alex Hunchak, Director, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
SSR Mining Inc.
E-Mail: invest@ssrmining.com
Phone: +1 (416) 306-5789
To receive SSR Mining's news releases by e-mail, please register using the SSR Mining website at www.ssrmining.com.
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SOURCE SSR Mining Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/ssr-mining-announces-closing-sale-pitarrilla-project-endeavour-silver/ | 2022-07-06T22:37:48Z |
PITTSBURGH, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a way to ensure that shoes and other footwear are clean and rid of germs before entering a home or business," said an inventor, from Anaheim, Calif., "so I invented the ANTI - VIRUS MAT. My design offers a convenient alternative to manually spraying the bottoms of footwear."
The patent-pending invention provides an effective way to disinfect shoes before entering a home or business. In doing so, it helps to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. As a result, it enhances safety and sanitation and it provides added peace of mind. The invention features a durable design that is easy to use so it is ideal for households and businesses. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Orange County sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-OCM-1503, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/inventhelp-inventor-develops-mat-disinfect-shoes-ocm-1503/ | 2022-06-22T18:51:06Z |
Oxford Economic data shows Here East has outperformed every metric in original bid document.
Campus now has a community of 5,400, and has supported more than 10,000 jobs across the UK, and over 5,000 in neighbouring local boroughs
Data shows that Here East contributed £700m in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy in 2021
LONDON, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New data published today shows the scale and impact of London's tech and innovation campus, Here East. The data highlights how Delancey's award-winning campus has impacted the local and national economy, created jobs, and supported education and enterprise development – ten years after it was established as a significant part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy.
Here East won the bid in 2012 to transform the International Press and Broadcast centre on The Park – a significant piece of infrastructure used in the London 2012 Games – into a home for global technology companies, start-ups, academic institutions and creative businesses. It is now home to 5,400 people – 3,800 who work for businesses on site and 1,600 who study – all of whom are regularly based on campus.
The independent data from Oxford Economics reveals that in 2021, Here East's activities supported close to 10,300 jobs across the UK, sustaining £317 million in wages and contributing £700 million in GVA towards GDP.
The data shows Here East's impact on local communities and surrounding boroughs, revealing that a significant proportion (15%) of Here East's UK based procurement is retained within the local area, creating jobs – nearly a quarter of Here East's employees live locally – and powering local supply chains.
The 37 organisations based at the Here East campus, which range from BT Sport and FiiT to UCL and Loughborough University London, have reported positive outcomes for productivity, with the collaborative environment cited as a boost to their ability to grow their employee base, increase revenue and expand their offering.
According to the survey data, over three quarters of respondents reported that the size of their workforce had expanded since being based at the innovation campus – with over half reporting that they had increased employment due to collaboration on campus. Similarly, nearly two thirds of business respondents reported that since moving into the Here East campus, their turnover or sales have grown. Almost all (99%) of tenants surveyed by Oxford Economics had collaborated with another business on the Here East campus, leading to improved knowledge sharing and the upskilling of employees.
The findings by Oxford Economics surpass expectations, with the current productivity, employment and GVA contributions exceeding the forecasts made by Oxford Economics in a 2012 report for the original Here East bid.
Alongside this new data, Here East today publishes its Impact Report, which commemorates ten years of innovation and collaboration. The report analyses the impact on the local area and shares stories from people who work and study on campus to mark the tenth anniversary.
Gavin Poole, CEO of Here East said: "Over the last ten years Here East has cemented its position as a leading innovation campus for the tech and creative industries; a space for businesses to collaborate and expand; and a place for new innovative ideas to flourish and become a reality.
These findings demonstrate the tangible impact of cultivating a space for innovation, bringing together the best and brightest technology businesses, and how this translates into economic growth, job opportunities and transformation. We are delighted that we have delivered more than what we promised, and if our first 10 years has exceeded expectations, then we can be certain this will continue for the next decade and beyond."
About Here East
Here East is a catalyst for growth and London's fastest growing technology and innovation campus. Located on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, it is a launchpad for innovation and home to global technology companies, start-ups, academic institutions, content developers and creative businesses. It is now home to 5,400 people who work and study onsite.
The 1.2 million sq ft campus fosters a unique environment allowing tenants to collaborate, scale and grow at pace. Tenants say that the collaborative environment has accelerated their ability to grow their employee base, increase their revenue and expand their offering.
Here East is home to three of the fastest growing clusters in the capital: esports, cybersecurity and the creative industries. There are 37 organisations based on the campus, these include: Plexal (Here East's innovation and consulting centre), Fiit.tv, Sports Interactive, Esports Engine, Electronic Arts, Ford Smart Mobility, Studio Wayne McGregor, MATCHESFASHION and The Trampery on the Gantry, which provides 21 studios for local artists and designers.
Here East is owned by clients of Delancey, a specialist real estate investment advisory company.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1862425/Here_East.jpg
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SOURCE Here East | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/ten-years-after-london-2012-new-data-proves-positive-impact-queen-elizabeth-olympic-park-innovation-campus-here-east/ | 2022-07-20T12:37:28Z |
Outdoor leader releases new pinnacle trail-running shoes to help elite athletes perform in unpredictable environmental conditions
ROCKFORD, Mich., July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Merrell®, the world's leading outdoor footwear brand, released the next evolution of outdoor performance offerings designed through its Merrell Test Lab (MTL), a product incubator where the brand's most technical and category disruptive innovations are conceived. Merrell's newest elite trail running shoe collection, debuting with the MTL Long Sky 2 and MTL MQM, was purposely engineered for athletes who embrace the unpredictability of the trail. Lab verified and athlete validated, Merrell's MTL collection was rigorously examined to guarantee agility, versatility and trail specific protection, even in the roughest off-road conditions.
For more than 40 years, Merrell has been at the forefront of studying the unpredictable nature of the trail from uneven surfaces, to varying terrain, to changing weather conditions. This is what is at the core of the Merrell Test Lab, which continues to set the tone for breakthroughs in the outdoor industry.
"Our Merrell Test Lab is the epicenter of all our product innovations as we utilize the latest scientific technology, equipment, and elite trail running athletes to prototype, rigorously test, refine and create products that continue to push the boundaries in the outdoor space," said Shaun Bohnsack, vice president of product management at Merrell. "This collection is just one of many innovations that have come out of our MTL as we continue to outpace the offerings of our competition."
To celebrate this initial wave of category innovation and visually show a look at the future of trail performance, Merrell has launched an integrated marketing campaign - "Same is Boring," a rallying cry celebrating the ever-changing nature of the trail and a call to get elite runners to choose Merrell for their trail running.
"We did global research with competitive runners and found that the vibrancy of nature is a key motivator for them. Running roads and treadmills was functional and monotonous – but the road and trail are different, so we set out to provide a solution to give runners confidence in new terrain," said Nathan Buelow, senior brand marketing manager at Merrell. "This integrated marketing campaign is so much bigger than just multimedia. We hope 'Same is Boring' inspires the next generation of runners to think about the trail as the next level of their competitive pursuits and educates them about how our product innovations can propel their performance."
The 2022 MTL collection features two elite designs - MTL Long Sky 2 and MTL MQM:
- The lightweight Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 features a first-of-its-kind multi-dimensional system that expels 30% more water than the next best competitive shoe in quick dry testing. The result? A product that allows athletes to quickly get back to optimal performance conditions, giving them an edge above their competition. Underfoot, Merrell's FloatPro Foam midsole helps reduce fatigue, while the Vibram® Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs delivers world class traction and durability.
- Merrell MTL MQM, standing for Moving Quickly over Mountains, was built with abrasive durability to handle the demands of the toughest of terrains. This ultimate scrambling shoe was inspired by an unmet need from Merrell's most adaptable athletes looking for a hybrid shoe that could do it all – hiking, scrambling and running. Providing best-in-class traction are two unique Vibram® rubber compounds – IdroGrip under toes and forefoot which is inspired by climbing rubber, and MegaGrip® under the heel for the best traction on wet and dry surfaces.
"As an elite trail runner, I am constantly faced with changing weather and terrain conditions and I need a shoe that can keep up," said Rachel Tomajczyk, Merrell Trail Athlete and 2021 USA Half Marathon Trail Champion. "What the MTL products offer me is the confidence I need to hit the trail and outperform my competition while pushing myself to perform my best."
For more information on Merrell's MTL collection, please visit merrelltestlab.com or follow Merrell Test Lab on social @merrelltestlab.
Merrell® exists to share the simple power of being outside and is committed to building an inclusive and sustainable environment for future generations to enjoy. As the global leader in outdoor active footwear with the Moab hiking boot and Jungle Moc, Merrell is focused on merging performance, styling, and comfort to empower all people to confidently explore the outdoors. Visit Merrell.com or follow us on social @Merrell. Merrell® is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), one of the world's leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel.
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SOURCE Merrell | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/same-is-boring-merrell-test-lab-launches-2022-collection-engineered-with-adaptable-technology-elite-trail-running-performance/ | 2022-07-06T13:43:25Z |
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A pipeline operator and two subsidiaries agreed Friday to plead guilty to negligently discharging oil off the Southern California coast in connection with a pipeline break that covered beaches with blobs of crude.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles said in a statement that Houston-based Amplify Energy and two subsidiaries agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor and pay a $7 million fine and nearly $6 million in expenses incurred by government entities, including the U.S. Coast Guard. The companies would also install a new leak detection system for pipeline and train employees to identify and respond to potential leaks, the statement said.
“Our nation’s environmental laws are designed to protect our communities and oceans from hazardous pollutants, including oil,” said Scot Adair, special agent in charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s criminal investigation division in California. “Amplify Energy’s agreement to plead guilty today demonstrates that companies that negligently violate those laws will be held responsible for their crimes.”
The plea agreements still need to be approved by U.S. District Judge David Carter.
Amplify Energy, which owns the pipeline that ruptured, said the company has been cooperating with the investigation into the spill and is committed to operating safely.
“We believe this resolution, which is subject to court review and approval, reflects the commitments we made immediately following the incident to impacted parties,” Martyn Willsher, Amplify’s president, said in a statement.
The October 2021 leak in a pipeline that ferried crude oil from offshore platforms to the Southern California coast spilled about 25,000 gallons (94,600 liters) of oil into the Pacific Ocean.
While less severe than initially feared, the spill about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) offshore shuttered beaches in surf-friendly Huntington Beach and nearby communities for a week and fisheries for more than a month, oiled birds and threatened wetlands the region has been striving to restore.
“The Orange County oil spill was devastating for our environment, our community and our local businesses,” said state Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, who represents the area, in a statement.
U.S. prosecutors charged the companies late last year with the illegal discharge of oil and failure to respond to eight leak detection alarms over a 13-hour period that should have alerted them to the spill. The leak detection system alarm first sounded late in the afternoon on Oct. 1, but workers believed it was triggered by a change in the concentration of produced water in the pipeline earlier in the day, according to a copy of the plea agreement.
The alarm sounded repeatedly throughout the night and workers shut down the pipeline to investigate, then restarted it again. Before dawn on Oct. 2, a boat went out and traveled along the course of the undersea pipeline with flashlights but didn’t see signs of a leak, according to the agreement.
It wasn’t until a boat went out after daybreak that the spill was identified, the papers said.
In the plea agreement, Amplify contends that two ships dragged their anchors across the pipeline and damaged it during a January 2021 storm, but they weren’t notified until after the October 2021 spill. Without this damage, Amplify, which has filed a civil claim against the ships, has argued that the spill would not have happened. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/ap-pipeline-operator-agrees-to-guilty-plea-in-california-spill/ | 2022-08-27T11:20:12Z |
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — As Colton Herta set up his winning pass Saturday, all he could see were red flashing lights.
He still charged forward.
The 22-year-old California driver quickly darted to the inside of Pato O’Ward on a late restart, took the lead for good with nine laps to go and beat Simon Pagenaud to the finish line by 3.0983 seconds to win a wild, wacky, wet IndyCar Grand Prix.
“Pure talent,” Herta joked when asked how he persevered for his first win of the season despite the incredibly challenging weather conditions. “The most interesting thing is you never have a car that handles great in the wet and great in the dry, but it happened today.”
Getting to victory lane certainly wasn’t easy for Herta, who earned his first Indy win in his 10th series start at the track. He also became the first Honda driver to reach victory lane this season.
But on Saturday, he made all the right calls.
After qualifying 14th on the 27-car grid, he made the gutsy choice to switch from rain tires to dry tires just three laps into the race. While he initially struggled to keep the cold tires on the track and nearly spun out on Lap 4 when he got sideways in the 10th turn on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course, Herta never flinched.
Somehow he hung on, quickly taking the lead and advantage of a move that allowed him to go from 15th to first. He stayed near the front of the pack the rest of the race, leading 50 of 75 laps in a two-hour race that had just 53 minutes, 22 seconds of green flag time.
It came on a day race strategists and drivers were constantly changing plans because of rain or the threat of rain. And even when it appeared Herta made the wrong choice — like running on dry tires after Alexander Rossi and made an early switch back to rain tires — things worked out.
“What I said is with the track conditions right now it’s probably wets, but it you think it’s going to be dry we’ll go with slicks,” Herta said referring to the first of two late pit stops. “Immediately when I got out there, I knew it was going to be tough so we came back in. Luckily, everybody followed our lead and did the wrong thing so we didn’t lose too many spots.”
Pagenaud and pole-winner Will Power struggled to navigate the spray coming off the other cars. Neither could see well enough for long enough in the first IndyCar rain race with the aeroscreens to catch Herta.
Still, the the two three-time race winners and former teammates felt as if they too had accomplished something. Pagenaud, the French driver, gave Meyer Shank Racing its best finish of the season.
“That was nuts. The racing was phenomenal and the strategy was the name of the game today,” he said. “Sometimes second feels like a win. I would have liked to win today, but we’ll probably celebrate tonight like it was a win.”
Power took the points lead away from defending series champ Alex Palou and posted Team Penske’s best finish.
“At the end, you couldn’t see. I can’t imagine being back in 10th or something,” the Australian said. “Pretty crazy day, one to keep you on your toes and when to pick the right tire and don’t overdo it. Just survival.”
Race organizers knew weather would be a factor.
They moved the start time up about 30 minutes with the hope of a wet track. Instead the start was delayed — first because of nearby lightning in the area and then because of a steady light rain.
The cooler, damper track changed everything. There were spins and crashes, even cars struggling to stay in line under caution. And nobody, not even the series’ top names, were immune.
Team Penske scrambled to get two-time series champ Josef Newgarden back on the course after his car was damaged in a Lap 17 crash. Power lost three spots on the first lap and never completely recovered and Scott McLaughlin, Penske’s third driver, lost the lead when he spun under caution.
Six-time series champ Scott Dixon, the New Zealander who drives for Chip Ganassi Racing, ran out of fuel on pit lane. Dixon’s teammate, Palou of Spain, fell out of contention when he, like Rossi, made the move back to rain tires too early.
O’Ward and Arrow McLaren SP teammate Felix Rosenqvist got tangled up in the first turn of Lap 42.
“I knew we could do it,” Herta said. “Did I think we were going to win today in a normal dry race? No probably not. But we kind of adapted pretty well. It was a lot of fun.”
GOOD BET?
Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials opened the first on-site betting lounge in track history Saturday.
The Caesars Sportsbook Lounge at Pagoda Plaza will remain throughout Indianapolis 500 practices, two days of qualifying and the May 29 race. Caesars Sportsbook also will sponsor the speedway’s remaining races this year.
UP NEXT
Teams and drivers aren’t going anywhere. Next up is the series marquee race, the Indianapolis 500 on May 29. Everyone gets a two-day break while the track is converted from a road course to the more traditional oval. Practice starts Tuesday and two days of qualifying are set for next weekend.
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More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/ericsson-takes-indy-gps-top-spot-amid-start-time-change/ | 2022-05-15T06:06:12Z |
PASADENA, Calif., June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT and the first, longest-tenured and pioneering owner, operator and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, agtech and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, today announced that it has released its 2021 ESG Report. Alexandria's fifth ESG-focused report demonstrates Alexandria's commitment to and execution of its industry-leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy.
"As a mission-driven company dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on the world, ESG is core to our DNA. We believe that doing well in our business and doing good for society are inherently linked, and this belief has shaped our multifaceted business model and ESG platform," said Dean A. Shigenaga, president and chief financial officer of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. "We understand that it is vital to strive toward higher levels of sustainability and ESG performance, and we are extremely proud of our broad recognition for leadership across our ESG platform. We have an exceptional team, whose dedication and attention enable the longstanding trusted relationships we have built with our tenants, and we remain focused on partnering with them to help advance their strategic sustainability goals as much as to enable them to pursue novel medicines that have the potential to improve people's lives."
The company's report details its efforts to advance impactful ESG areas, including by driving high-performance building design and operations to reduce carbon emissions, mitigating climate-related risk in its real estate portfolio and investing in and providing essential infrastructure for sustainable agrifoodtech companies. The report also showcases Alexandria's leadership in catalyzing the health, wellness, safety and productivity of its employees, tenants, local communities and the world through the built environment and beyond, including through its visionary social responsibility initiatives and its commitment to upholding the highest levels of transparency, integrity and accountability. Notable efforts and accomplishments presented in the report include:
- Being recognized as the Global Sector Leader and achieving the highest 5 Star rating in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Diversified Listed sector and earning the #2 ranking in the U.S. Science & Technology sector, as well as maintaining its "A" disclosure score;
- Ranking as the #5 most sustainable REIT in Barron's "10 Real Estate Companies That Are Both Greener and More Profitable";
- Furthering the development of its approach to physical and transition climate-related risk by initiating a process to assess and understand potential physical risk and pathways to mitigate and adapt to climate change, as well as preparing for the transition to a low-carbon economy and continuing to develop science-based targets;
- Implementing innovative solutions to minimize fossil fuel use in its state-of-the-art laboratory development projects, such as at 325 Binney Street, which will harness geothermal energy to target a LEED Zero Energy certification and a 92% reduction in fossil fuel use as a key component of its design to be the most sustainable laboratory building in Cambridge; at 751 Gateway Boulevard, which is pursuing electrification and is tracking to be the first all-electric laboratory building in South San Francisco; and at the Alexandria Center® for Life Science – South Lake Union mega campus in Seattle, where the company is incorporating an innovative wastewater heat recovery system;
- Increasing its investment in renewable electricity to mitigate carbon emissions in its existing asset base, including through a large-scale solar power purchase agreement that will supply renewable electricity to its Greater Boston region starting in 2024;
- Committing over $100 million through its strategic venture platform, Alexandria Venture Investments, to innovative companies developing groundbreaking technologies to mitigate the effects of climate change;
- Donating mission-critical funds to over 290 non-profit organizations, as well as volunteering over 1,500 hours through Operation CARE, the company's employee social impact program;
- Receiving an honorable mention in Fast Company's prestigious 2021 Innovation by Design Awards in its new Impact category, which recognizes designs that have a major cultural or social impact, for its OneFifteen campus;
- Achieving a Fitwel Viral Response Certification with Distinction, the highest designation within the Viral Response Module, for the second consecutive year;
- Partnering with the Center for Active Design (CfAD), the operator of Fitwel, to develop a unique life science scorecard and earning the first Fitwel Life Science certification for 300 Technology Square in the Cambridge submarket of Greater Boston; and
- Earning the 2021 Nareit Gold Investor CARE (Communications and Reporting Excellence) Award in the Large Cap Equity REIT category, its fourth consecutive and sixth overall Gold Award for superior shareholder communications and reporting excellence — the most Nareit Investor CARE Gold Awards earned by any equity REIT.
Alexandria's 2021 ESG Report has obtained third-party limited assurance from DNV Business Assurance USA, Inc. (DNV) and was developed in accordance with the Core option of the Standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Learn more about the company's comprehensive ESG approach and its progress on key initiatives in its 2021 ESG Report, which is available on the Corporate Responsibility page of the company's website.
About Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500® urban office REIT, is the first, longest-tenured and pioneering owner, operator and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, agtech and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, with an asset base in North America of 74.2 million SF as of March 31, 2022. The asset base in North America includes 41.9 million RSF of operating properties and 5.4 million RSF of Class A properties undergoing construction, 10.4 million RSF of near-term and intermediate-term development and redevelopment projects and 16.5 million SF of future development projects. Founded in 1994, Alexandria pioneered this niche and has since established a significant market presence in key locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland and Research Triangle. Alexandria has a longstanding and proven track record of developing Class A properties clustered in urban life science, agtech and technology campuses that provide our innovative tenants with highly dynamic and collaborative environments that enhance their ability to successfully recruit and retain world-class talent and inspire productivity, efficiency, creativity and success. Alexandria also provides strategic capital to transformative life science, agtech and technology companies through our venture capital platform. We believe our unique business model and diligent underwriting ensure a high-quality and diverse tenant base that results in higher occupancy levels, longer lease terms, higher rental income, higher returns and greater long-term asset value. For additional information on Alexandria, please visit www.are.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Environmental, Social & Governance Report is intended to highlight our efforts in environmental sustainability, social responsibility and corporate governance (ESG). Socially responsible investing is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the criteria utilized, or judgment exercised, by Alexandria will reflect the beliefs or values of any one particular investor. Certain information regarding ESG practices is obtained from published sources or third parties, which may not be accurate or complete, and Alexandria is dependent on such information to evaluate and implement ESG practices. The standards of measurement and performance for ESG issues are developing or are based on assumptions, and norms may vary by region. There is no assurance that Alexandria will successfully implement any of the ESG policies, strategies or procedures outlined in the ESG Report or that, if implemented, such policies, strategies and procedures will have any particular ESG-related effect. Past performance should not be viewed as a guide to future performance. Alexandria makes no representation or warranty regarding the information set forth in the ESG Report.
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding Alexandria's initiatives, programs, policies, practices, investments, assessments, progress, timing and performance in connection with our ESG goals; the reduction of carbon emissions and use of energy and other resources; the mitigation of climate risk; the reduction of environmental impacts; LEED and healthy building certifications and efficiencies; the amount of committed funds and allocation or use of proceeds for sustainable or ESG purposes; impacts of initiatives to promote health, wellness, safety and productivity of our workforce, our tenants' workforce and beyond; expected operations and performance and the success of our tenants' efforts in connection with pursuing novel medicines. These forward-looking statements are based on the company's present intent, beliefs or expectations, but forward-looking statements are not guaranteed to occur and may not occur. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by the company's forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties detailed in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the company assumes no obligation to update this information. For more discussion relating to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the company's forward-looking statements, and risks and uncertainties to the company's business in general, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
CONTACT: Courtney Mulligan, Assistant Vice President – Strategic Projects & Corporate Social Responsibility, (646) 939‑7471, cmulligan@are.com
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SOURCE Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/alexandria-real-estate-equities-inc-releases-2021-esg-report-highlighting-its-leadership-innovative-approach-climate-resilience-design-operations-high-performance-laboratory-buildings-corporate-social-responsibility/ | 2022-06-30T21:38:27Z |
Stolen voting machine bought on eBay
(CNN) - Michigan authorities are trying to figure out how a 2020 voting machine that went missing ended up on eBay.
Since the machines are part of the nation’s infrastructure, they’re supposed to remain under lock and key, but somehow this one ended up being available to the highest bidder.
“That is a device which can be configured either to be a voting machine or ballot-marking device,” elections systems expert Harri Hursti said.
The box with the machine in it shouldn’t be on Hursti’s kitchen table in Connecticut.
“Yeah. I have been asked not to open it so that if it’s a part of criminal investigation, it’s preserved as evidence,” he said.
Hursti bought the voting machine for $1,200 on eBay.
“As far as I was aware, it was a completely legal sale on my end,” said Ean Hutchison, an Uber driver in Ohio, who sold the item on eBay.
In his eBay ad, he wrote, “Dominion ImageCast X voting machine from Michigan, own a piece of history. This voting machine was one of thousands used in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.”
Hutchison said he bought it from Goodwill online.
“I saw a listing for ... well, looked like just an industrial touchscreen computer, and I got to looking through the pictures,” Hutchison said. “And in one of the pictures, I saw in the bottom corner of the screen, it said Dominion Voting. So I, just on a whim, bid on it, and I was the only bidder, and I won the auction.”
He said he paid $7.99 for it.
It turns out someone dropped the voting machine off at a Goodwill in northern Michigan.
Who that person is remains a mystery, but the Goodwill put the machine for sale up on its website.
“I wasn’t even aware that they were supposed to be sold, let alone donated to Goodwill,” Hutchison said.
“It is shocking that only when we started asking, ‘Does it belong somewhere?’ only after that, they realize it has been stolen,” Hursti said.
It’s raised some issues about the chain of custody and how these machines are secured.
“We basically have 1,600 jurisdictions. Typically, in between elections, clerks have the responsibility of securing all election equipment, and protecting it from illegal attempts to access it by unauthorized individuals,” said Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Secretary of State, a Democrat.
Benson said the incident has been referred to law enforcement.
Michigan is one of several swing states where authorities are already investigating unauthorized access to voting systems by people who are trying to prove the false claim the 2020 election was stolen.
“There is a nationally coordinated effort to try to interfere with our elections that’s manifesting itself at the local level in incidents like these in Michigan,” Benson said. “What you really have is individuals who don’t seem to understand the technicalities of the elections process or election security trying to gain access to machines to keep the misinformation alive.”
Benson, a Democrat, said she has a message to reassure voters.
“Michigan’s elections are secure before every election. We test every machine for accuracy. We’ve never seen, even with this unauthorized access to machines, any actual evidence of any challenges or wrongdoing or lack of security in the process,” she said.
As of Thursday evening, the voting machine has yet to be picked up from Hursti’s home.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/09/02/stolen-voting-machine-bought-ebay/ | 2022-09-02T17:09:21Z |
Andrew McCutchen of the Milwaukee Brewers got the first hit of the 2022 Major League Baseball season. As a National League designated hitter. Wearing a Roberto Clemente No. 21 patch, too.
New season, new look across the majors on opening day.
McCutchen sliced a double in the second inning into the right-field corner, down near the dead ivy on the brick wall at Wrigley Field, as the Brewers played the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. In the fourth inning, McCutchen singled and also scored the first run of the year.
Nico Hoerner of the Cubs hit the first home run of the season, connecting off reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes for a two-run drive in the fifth.
Earlier games postponed by inclement weather at Yankee Stadium and Minnesota made the Brewers-Cubs matchup the first of the year. It was a raw 44 degrees when Chicago right-hander Kyle Hendricks threw the first pitch, which Kolten Wong lofted for a wind-blown popout.
The MLB season originally was set to begin on March 31, but was pushed back because of a 99-day lockout as owners and players worked on a new labor contract.
As part of the deal, the National League has now permanently adopted the designated hitter — the American League began using it in 1973, and the NL added it for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season before going back to letting pitchers hit last year.
McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP with Pittsburgh, signed as a free agent with Milwaukee in the offseason. He led off the top of the second inning with his double. Two innings later, he singled and eventually scored on a groundout by Lorenzo Cain.
The 35-year-old McCutchen is among several Roberto Clemente Award winners who will wear No. 21 — the number worn by the late Pirates Hall of Famer — on the backs of their hats and helmets for the rest of their careers.
MLB said it was a “special tribute to his enduring legacy.” The announcement was timed for the 50th anniversary of the year in which Clemente, the Pittsburgh great from Puerto Rico, died in a plane crash while on a humanitarian relief effort.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/mccutchen-1st-hit-of-mlb-season-as-nl-dh-with-no-21-patch/ | 2022-04-08T00:01:26Z |
BOSTON, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.), the leader in personalized small group and solo-friendly travel for Americans ages 50+, reported a significant increase in travelers who are booking trips as solos for 2023.
According to O.A.T., the number of solo travelers reserving for 2023 is up 24% compared to 2019. In the past month alone, O.A.T. has seen a 27% jump in solo travelers making reservations compared to the previous month.
Fifty-three percent (53%) of all O.A.T. travelers are solo travelers. The majority of solo travelers with O.A.T. are women – eight in ten.
"Women traveling alone are embracing small group travel," said Brian FitzGerald, Chief Executive Officer of O.A.T. "Like other travelers, solos are eager to visit far-flung destinations, interact with local people, and immerse themselves in unique cultures."
Many travelers started traveling internationally again last year, but there is still plenty of pent-up
demand for 2023. Solos are part of that trend.
Popular for 2023
Egypt remains a particularly strong choice in 2023 for solo travelers. Ancient Egypt & the Nile River, a 16-day O.A.T. Small Group Adventure, tops the list of most popular adventures for solo travelers in 2023. Close to half of the travelers reserved for Ancient Egypt in 2023 are solos. Also popular with solos is Japan's Cultural Treasures. The country recently reopened to international travelers. Another in-demand adventure for solo travelers is Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari. Nearly 2,400 solo travelers joined O.A.T. on this adventure in the past three years—either independently or sharing a room with a mother, daughter, sister, or friend.
For 2023, O.A.T. has single spaces still available—all with free or low-cost single supplements, which translates into hundreds of dollars in savings.
A personal touch
For solo travelers, the Trip Experience Leaders at O.A.T. make a world of difference. Leading each small group, they are trained to integrate solo travelers from the start of their adventure. Trip Experience Leaders help solo travelers with issues such as someone to share meals with, especially during the all-important first few days of a trip. Shortly before a trip begins, Trip Experience Leaders personally contact every traveler to welcome them and answer any final questions before departure.
O.A.T. is the only travel company to offer the level of personalization and choice it does, letting travelers tailor their trips to meet their needs. For 2023, 87% of O.A.T. travelers are choosing to personalize their experiences in more than 80 countries. More than half of solo travelers are opting to arrive early before a trip or stay later once the tour concludes. By arriving early, a traveler can acclimate before a tour begins. By staying later after the group departs, a traveler can extend the experience and explore a destination independently.
O.A.T. provides travelers over 50 with impactful, intercultural experiences that help change people's lives. O.A.T. fosters an intimate and accessible experience, with groups limited to 16 travelers (average of 13) by land and 25 (average of 22) by sea.
To learn more about O.A.T., please visit www.oattravel.com or call 1-800-955-1925.
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SOURCE Overseas Adventure Travel | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/overseas-adventure-travel-reports-rise-solo-travelers-2023/ | 2022-09-07T17:57:04Z |
BEIJING, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MOMO) ("Hello Group" or the "Company"), a leading mobile social and entertainment platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2022.
Second Quarter of 2022 Highlights
- Net revenues decreased by 15.3% year over year to RMB3,110.4 million (US$464.4 million*) in the second quarter of 2022.
- Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. decreased to RMB345.6 million (US$51.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022, from RMB464.2 million in the same period of 2021.
- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) decreased to RMB463.5 million (US$69.2 million) in the second quarter of 2022, from RMB551.0 million in the same period of 2021.
- Diluted net income per American Depositary Share ("ADS") was RMB1.68 (US$0.25) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.15 in the same period of 2021.
- Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB2.22 (US$0.33) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.54 in the same period of 2021.
- Monthly Active Users ("MAU") on Momo application were 111.2 million in June 2022, compared to 115.6 million in June 2021. MAU on Tantan application were 24.8 million in June 2022.
- For the Momo app total paying users was 8.6 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to 9.3 million for the same period last year. Tantan had 2.2 million paying users for the second quarter of 2022 compared to 3.1 million from the year ago period.
First Half of 2022 Highlights
- Net revenues decreased 12.4% year over year to RMB6,258.5 million (US$934.4 million) for the first half of 2022.
- Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB635.5 million (US$94.9 million) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB925.8 million during the same period of 2021.
- Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) was RMB862.0 million (US$128.7 million) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB1,184.6 million during the same period of 2021.
- Diluted net income per ADS was RMB3.11 (US$0.46) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB4.29 during the same period of 2021.
- Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB4.16 (US$0.62) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB5.45 during the same period of 2021.
"The COVID resurgence in the first half of 2022 has brought many challenges and uncertainties to the overall market environment and our execution of strategic goals. However, I'm pleased to see that our team managed to deliver good results in the second quarter by adjusting our product and operational initiatives in a timely manner to cope with external headwinds, at the same time adapting our execution plan to fit the evolving external environment." commented Li Wang, CEO of Hello Group.
Second Quarter of 2022 Financial Results
Net revenues
Total net revenues were RMB3,110.4 million (US$464.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 15.3% from RMB3,671.7 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Live video service revenues were RMB1,520.0 million (US$226.9 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 27.7% from RMB2,101.3 million during the same period of 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to consumption softness caused by the macro uncertainties including COVID resurgence, regulatory changes, and to a lesser extent the strategic decision to de-emphases Tantan's live streaming business.
Value-added service revenues mainly include virtual gift revenues and membership subscription revenues. Total value-added service revenues were RMB1,536.4 million (US$229.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 1.9% from RMB1,507.3 million during the same period of 2021. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the rapid revenue growth from the new standalone apps. The increase was partially offset by the decrease in Tantan's value-added service due to the demonetization process to improve user experience and retention, as well as COVID's negative impact on users' dating sentiment and propensity to pay for VAS.
Mobile marketing revenues were RMB35.9 million (US$5.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 30.4% from RMB51.6 million during the same period of 2021. The decrease in mobile marketing revenues was due to the negative impact of macro headwind on client's advertising budget, and our product adjustment to address new regulation requirement.
Mobile games revenues were RMB17.2 million (US$2.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 87.3% from RMB9.2 million in the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to one new mobile game launched in the second half of 2021.
Net revenues from the Momo segment decreased from RMB3,157.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 to RMB2,779.5 million (US$415.0 million) in the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to the decrease in net revenues from live video service. Net revenues from the Tantan segment decreased from RMB513.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 to RMB330.8 million (US$49.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, due to our strategy to lower the monetization level in order to improve user experience and retention, as well as the impact from the elevated COVID situations.
Cost and expenses
Cost and expenses were RMB2,804.8 million (US$418.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 8.8% from RMB3,075.6 million in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to: (a) a decrease in revenue sharing with broadcasters related to Momo's core live video service and Tantan's live video service, which was partially offset by an increase in revenue sharing with virtual gift recipients for our virtual gift service; (b) a decrease in depreciation and amortization cost due to the impairment of intangible assets in 2021; (c) a decrease in marketing and promotional expenses by improving marketing efficiency of Momo and Tantan, which was partially offset by an increase to promote our new app "Tietie"; and (d) a decrease in salary expenses, due to our continuous optimization in personnel costs since the beginning of the year.
Non-GAAP cost and expenses (note 1) were RMB2,686.9 million (US$401.1 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 9.8% from RMB2,980.1 million during the same period of 2021.
Other operating income
Other operating income was RMB40.6 million (US$6.1 million) in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease from RMB90.3 million during the second quarter of 2021. The other operating income mainly consisted of government incentives.
Income from operations
Income from operations was RMB346.2 million (US$51.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB686.3 million during the same period of 2021. Income from operations of the Momo segment was RMB483.5 million (US$72.2 million) in the second quarter of 2022, which decreased from RMB711.3 million in the second quarter of 2021. Loss from operations of the Tantan segment was RMB131.3 million (US$19.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to loss from operations of RMB11.9 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP income from operations (note 1) was RMB464.1 million (US$69.3 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB781.9 million during the same period of 2021. Non-GAAP income from operations of the Momo segment was RMB589.2 million (US$88.0 million) in the second quarter of 2022, which decreased from RMB835.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP loss from operations of the Tantan segment was RMB119.0 million (US$17.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB40.9 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Other gain or loss, net
Other gain was RMB66.3 million (US$9.9 million) in the second quarter of 2022, which was resulted from the Company repurchased some of our convertible senior notes from certain bond holders in the second quarter of 2022, compared to a loss of RMB10.5 million in the same period of 2021.
Income tax expenses
Income tax expenses were RMB146.0 million (US$21.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB291.5 million in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to the following reasons: (a) the lower profit in the second quarter of 2022; (b) in the second quarter of 2022, we accrued withholding income tax of RMB37.7 million (US$5.6 million) on undistributed earnings generated in the second quarter of 2022 by our wholly-foreign owned enterprise ("WFOE"), because we plan to remit WFOE's earnings to its offshore parent company in the foreseeable future to fund its demand on US dollar in business operations, payments of dividends, potential investments, etc. In the second quarter of 2021, the Company distributed dividends of RMB1,300.0 million from our WFOE in China to our offshore entity and paid withholding income tax of RMB130.0 million.
Net income
Net income was RMB344.3 million (US$51.4 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB461.5 million during the same period of 2021. Net income from the Momo segment was RMB482.0 million (US$72.0 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB481.3 million in the same period of 2021. Net loss from the Tantan segment was RMB131.7 million (US$19.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to net loss of RMB6.7 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP net income (note 1) was RMB462.3 million (US$69.0 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB548.3 million during the same period of 2021. Non-GAAP net income from the Momo segment was RMB587.6 million (US$87.7 million) in the second quarter of 2022, which decreased from RMB605.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP net loss of the Tantan segment was RMB119.4 million (US$17.8 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to non-GAAP net loss of RMB44.5 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc.
Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB345.6 million (US$51.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to a net income of RMB464.2 million during the same period of 2021.
Non-GAAP net income (note 1) attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB463.5 million (US$69.2 million) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB551.0 million during the same period of 2021.
Net income per ADS
Diluted net income per ADS was RMB1.68 (US$0.25) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.15 in the second quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB2.22 (US$0.33) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.54 in the second quarter of 2021.
Cash and cash flow
As of June 30, 2022, the Company's cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits, long-term deposits, short-term restricted cash and long-term restricted cash totaled RMB13,947.2 million (US$2,082.3 million), compared to RMB15,707.0 million as of December 31, 2021. The decrease of cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits, long-term deposits, short-term restricted cash and long-term restricted cash was mainly due to the cash dividend we paid to our shareholders and payment for repurchase of convertible senior notes in the second quarter of 2022.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2022 was RMB200.3 million (US$29.9 million), compared to a net cash used in operating activities of RMB167.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. For the second quarter of 2022, included in our cash provided by operating activities is RMB100.0 million (US$14.9 million) of cash payment to Chinese tax authorities to repatriate RMB1,000.0 million (US$149.3 million) from our WFOE in China to our offshore entity. For the second quarter of 2021, included in our cash used in operating activities is RMB678.2 million of cash payment to Tantan founders to settle the previously granted liability-classified share options upon their termination of services with Tantan.
First Half of 2022 Financial Results
Net revenues for the first half of 2022 were RMB6,258.5 million (US$934.4 million), a decrease of 12.4% from RMB7,142.3 million in the same period of 2021.
Net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. was RMB635.5 million (US$94.9 million) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB925.8 million during the same period of 2021.
Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hello Group Inc. (note 1) was RMB862.0 million (US$128.7 million) for the first half of 2022, compared to RMB1,184.6 million during the same period of 2021.
Diluted net income per ADS was RMB3.11 (US$0.46) during the first half of 2022, compared to RMB4.29 in the same period of 2021.
Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS (note 1) was RMB4.16 (US$0.62) during the first half of 2022, compared to RMB5.45 in the same period of 2021.
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB243.7 million (US$36.4 million) during the first half of 2022, compared to RMB333.8 million in the same period of 2021.
Recent Development
Execution of share repurchase program
On June 7, 2022, Hello Group's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$200 million of its shares over the next 24 months. As of September 1, 2022, the Company has repurchased 4.18 million ADSs for US$19.2 million on the open market under this program, at an average purchase price of US$4.58 per ADS.
Business Outlook
For the third quarter of 2022, the Company expects total net revenues to be between RMB3.1 billion to RMB3.2 billion, representing a decrease of 17.5% to 14.9% year-over-year. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change, particularly as to the potential impact of the COVID-19 resurgence on the Chinese and global economies, as well as on users' paying capabilities.
Note 1: Non-GAAP measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we, Hello Group, use various non-GAAP financial measures that are adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation, impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions.
Reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to our U.S. GAAP financial measures are shown in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details about the non-GAAP financial measures.
Our non-GAAP financial information is provided as additional information to help investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors' overall understanding of the historical and current financial performance of our continuing operations and our prospects for the future. Our non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to the GAAP results. In addition, our calculation of the non-GAAP financial measures may be different from the calculation used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.
Our non-GAAP information (including non-GAAP cost and operating expenses, income (loss) from operations, net income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Hello Group Inc., and diluted net income per ADS) is adjusted from the most comparable GAAP results to exclude share-based compensation, impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation, impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions, and tax impacts related to the amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future significant recurring expenses in our results of operations. We compensate for such limitation by providing reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to our U.S. GAAP measures. Please see the reconciliation tables at the end of this earnings release.
Conference Call
Hello Group's management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing / Hong Kong Time on September 1, 2022).
Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to:
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10024750-8qar7z.html.
Upon registration, each participant will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, conference call passcode and a unique access PIN. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.
A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through September 8, 2022. The dial-in details for the replay are as follows:
U.S. / Canada: 1-855-883-1031
Hong Kong: 800-930-639
Passcode: 10024750
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Hello Group's website at https://ir.hellogroup.com. About Hello Group Inc.
We are a leading player in China's online social and entertainment space. Through Momo, Tantan and other properties within our product portfolio, we enable users to discover new relationships, expand their social connections and build meaningful interactions. Momo is a mobile application that connects people and facilitates social interactions based on location, interests and a variety of online recreational activities. Tantan, which was added into our family of applications through acquisition in May 2018, is a leading social and dating application. It is designed to help its users find and establish romantic connections as well as meet interesting people. We also operate a number of other applications to serve different social and entertainment demands from our users.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Hello Group Inc.
Investor Relations
Phone: +86-10-5731-0538
Email: ir@hellogroup.com
Christensen
In China
Mr. Eric Yuan
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: Eyuan@christensenir.com
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@christensenir.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to our management quotes, our financial outlook for the third quarter of 2022, as well as the amount of, timing, methods and funding sources for repurchases of our shares under the share repurchase program.
Our forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our belief regarding expected results and events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Our actual results and other circumstances may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and events indicated in these forward-looking statements. Announced results for the second quarter of 2022 are preliminary, unaudited and subject to audit adjustment. In addition, we may not meet our financial outlook for the third quarter of 2022 and may be unable to grow our business in the manner planned. We may also modify our strategy for growth. Moreover, there are other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from what we currently anticipate, including those relating to our ability to retain and grow our user base, our ability to attract and retain sufficiently trained professionals to support our operations, our ability to anticipate and develop new services and enhance existing services to meet the demand of our users or customers, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business operations and the economy in China, the market price of the Company's stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to the Company from time to time, the Company's cash flows from operations, general economic conditions, and other factors. For additional information on these and other important factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, please see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release, except as required by law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.
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SOURCE Hello Group Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/hello-group-inc-announces-unaudited-financial-results-second-quarter-2022/ | 2022-09-01T09:30:40Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of each of Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NBH), Neuberger Berman California Municipal Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NBW), and Neuberger Berman New York Municipal Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NBO) has declared monthly distributions for the dates below. The Funds seek to provide income that is exempt from regular federal income tax. Additionally, Neuberger Berman California Municipal Fund Inc. seeks to provide income that is exempt from California personal income tax and Neuberger Berman New York Municipal Fund Inc. seeks to provide income that is exempt from New York State and New York City personal income tax. Distributions of the Funds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for some stockholders. Each Fund's distribution announced today is payable on October 17, 2022, has a record date of September 30, 2022 and an ex-date of September 29, 2022.
The Funds will make the distributions described above in the following per share amounts:
In compliance with Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, a notice would be provided for any distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income. The notice would be for informational purposes and not for tax reporting purposes, and would disclose, among other things, estimated portions of the distribution, if any, consisting of net investment income, capital gains and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions paid in 2022 will be made after the end of the year.
About Neuberger Berman
Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategies—including equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge funds—on behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 25 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,500 professionals. For eight consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). In 2020, the PRI named Neuberger Berman a Leader, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The PRI also awarded Neuberger Berman an A+ in every eligible category for our approach to ESG integration across asset classes. The firm manages $418 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2022. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com.
Statements made in this release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or a decline in the Fund's performance, a general downturn in the economy, competition from other closed end investment companies, changes in government policy or regulation, inability of the Fund's investment adviser to attract or retain key employees, inability of the Fund to implement its investment strategy, inability of the Fund to manage rapid expansion and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations.
Contact:
Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC
Investor Information
(877) 461-1899
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SOURCE Neuberger Berman | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/15/neuberger-berman-closed-end-municipal-funds-announce-monthly-distributions/ | 2022-09-15T20:59:38Z |
Waukesha Common Council approves $800,000 purchase of barrier system for parades, events
By Victor Jacobo
Click here for updates on this story
WAUKESHA, Wisconsin (WDJT) — The Waukesha Common Council is set to approve the purchase of a barrier system designed to stop vehicles, as the community aims to move forward with bringing back public events after the Christmas Parade tragedy in November 2021.
The city has worked hard in the last six months to find the safest way to hold large gatherings. The result will allow the Memorial Day parade to go on as planned and for many, that will be bittersweet.
In March, the city’s Finance Committee approved $800,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the purchase of the MVB3X system from Advanced Security Technologies. MVB stands for modular vehicle barrier. The Common Council was set to take up the item during its meeting on April 7.
“After our parade tragedy we put out that we are not going to stop having events and parades,” Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly told CBS 58.
Reilly said city leaders were determined to make sure public events in the future would be safe and secure following last year’s tragedy in which Darrell Brooks drove an SUV through the city’s Christmas Parade, killing six and injuring dozens more.
“This is one piece of the puzzle of trying to make it so that we provide the safety that people expect and need as well as a perception of safety,” said Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly.
Waukesha’s mayor said leaders discussed the use of traditional barriers but found they had limitations. It’s possible the barriers could be used for events other than parades too.
“They’re going to be transported by DPW unless it’s a smaller event. So there’s going to be a cost associated with that just by the staffing requirements,” said Waukesha Police Cpt. Dan Bauman.
“A lot of people will say, ‘well, you can just use heavy trucks or the concrete barriers.’ That works in some cases it doesn’t work in all cases,” Reilly said.
The limitations for heavy trucks comes in both resources and cost. Reilly explained the city’s larger parades have several entrances that would require more trucks than they could provide. On top of that, each one must be operated by a licensed operator the entire time which drives up costs.
Concrete barriers require heavy machinery to set up or remove and cannot be moved quickly in an emergency.
For those reasons, the city looked into the MVB3X system, which can be set up, moved and disassembled by one person. They can also be arranged in a way to let pedestrians through and allow first responders to get to an emergency.
“They are adjustable to any width or length of road and they can be used on any type of terrain,” Yaron Getter, co-founder of Advanced Security Technologies, told CBS 58.
“[The barriers can] withstand a force of up to a truck of 16.5 thousand pounds,” Getter explained. “So basically your standard box truck that you can rent it would be able to stop it going up to 30 miles per hour.”
Getter said the company has been selling the system for several years but saw an uptick in demand following the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.
Mayor Reilly believes the system can allow Waukesha to safely bring back public events like parades and festivals that help build and strengthen its community. The system is expected to be delivered and deployed in time for the city’s Memorial Day Parade which will make its return for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“It is important to continue to have these events, continue to show the public that we are a community that cares for each other,” Mayor Reilly said. “I actually anticipate quite a crowd for our Memorial Day Parade, our veterans deserve that and it’ll be nice to be there.”
The Common Council unanimously agreed to use $800,000 in American rescue plan funds to purchase the barriers, which have an easy setup and allows pedestrians to walk by.
“I personally think it’s a great idea,” said John Imp, who was home in an apartment on Main Street watching the parade tragedy happen through his window. “The car came right by my window and I watched somebody get pulled under the wheels right as they went by my place.”
Despite the horrific memory, Imp looks forward to crowds returning.
“Not that you’re denying that it happened, but you need to show that you’re not gonna be scared straight from that,” said Imp.
“Life has to go on. I don’t think we have to feel hostage by things that extreme people choose to do,” said Bill Webster, Main Street Patron. “I would feel safer with those types of things here just like I feel safer when there’s a police presence in an area.”
COVID kept the Memorial Day parade at bay for two years, so this one is extra special.
“I actually anticipate quite a crowd for our Memorial Day parade and our veterans deserve that,” said Mayor Reilly.
The Memorial Day parade is May 30th. Reilly said the exact parade route for Memorial Day is still being discussed.
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/2022/04/08/waukesha-common-council-approves-800000-purchase-of-barrier-system-for-parades-events/ | 2022-04-08T16:36:07Z |
NEW YORK, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. ("Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc." or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SDIG) of a class action securities lawsuit.
CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud. This lawsuit is on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Stronghold Class A common stock pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the Company's October 2021 initial public offering. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:
SDIG investors may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500.
CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that defendants made false statements and/or concealed that: (1) contracted suppliers, including MinerVa Semiconductor Corp., were reasonably likely to miss anticipated delivery quantities and deadlines; (2) due to strong demand and pre-sold supply of mining equipment in the industry, Stronghold would experience difficulties obtaining miners outside of confirmed purchase orders; (3) as a result of the foregoing, there was a significant risk that Stronghold could not expand its mining capacity as expected; (4) as a result, Stronghold would likely experience significant losses; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. during the relevant time frame, you have until June 13, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you are a class member, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket costs or fees. There is no cost or obligation to participate.
WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, the team at Levi & Korsinsky has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. Our firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.
CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10006
jlevi@levikorsinsky.com
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
www.zlk.com
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SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/sdig-lawsuit-alert-levi-amp-korsinsky-notifies-stronghold-digital-mining-inc-investors-class-action-lawsuit-upcoming-deadline/ | 2022-05-19T19:07:44Z |
DUBAI, UAE, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global digital asset trading platform, XT.com, is thrilled to announce that it will list Land of Fantasy (LOF) Token with USDT trading pair in its Main Zone (Metaverse) on July 1, 2022, at 7: 00 (UTC).
The LOF token, also known as the LOF LAND TOKEN, is a utility token. LOF is used as the primary financial instrument to facilitate all transactions within the Land of Fantasy Token (LOF) ecosystem of crypto services. Moreover, the token can be traded. Being a tradable digital asset, the token can be used for goods and services.
Both LOF Token and XT.com global users are encouraged to start depositing their crypto holdings on June 30, 2022, at 7:00 (UTC) in preparation for trading. Above all, XT.com pledges to open LOF/USDT withdrawal for everyone on July 2, 2022, at 7:00 (UTC). This is one-of-a-kind innovation and the first time that the LOF token is being listed on XT.com.
When the listing goes live, users will be able to trade LOF/USDT at any time with unique anonymity and industry-level security and enjoy a cutting-edge experience on XT.com. The Land of Fantasy Token listing is also important for XT.com's ongoing token listing expansion in 2022, and beyond.
Mo Mukarram, Head of Marketing at XT.com, explained, "2022 is a year of token listing innovation for XT.com as we onboard the utility token, LOF, on our platform. Users can now seamlessly trade LOF/USDT on XT."
About Land of Fantasy Token (LOF)
LOF of LAND is a utility token within the Land of Fantasy ecosystem. The token has set up a system to create an Ecosystem that is as strong and complete as possible in order to be able to use it comprehensively. LOF LAND TOKEN is used as a medium for products and services in the Digital Creator and Entertainment group that started with the concept of reaching the most people from the popularity of tourism.
About XT.com
Established in 2018, XT.COM is the world's first social infused digital assets trading platform, headquartered in Dubai. It has multiple operation centers across the globe including Singapore and Seoul. With 3+ million registered users, over 300,000+ monthly active users, and 30+ million users in the ecosystem, XT.COM strives to cater to its large user base by providing a safe and easy trading experience. The platform currently supports 500+ high-quality currencies and 800+ trading pairs which are accessible to the entire global crypto market.
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SOURCE XT.com | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/users-can-trade-land-fantasy-lof-token-profitably-xtcom/ | 2022-07-01T08:18:21Z |
LOS ANGELES, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, continues its investigation on behalf of Discover Financial Services ("Discover" or the "Company") (NYSE: DFS) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of the federal securities laws.
If you suffered a loss on your Discover investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/discover-financial-services/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights.
On July 20, 2022, Discover announced that, due to an internal investigation into compliance practices at its student loan servicing business, the Company was suspending its share buyback program.
On this news, Discover's stock fell $9.80, or 8.9%, to close at $100 per share on July 21, 2022, thereby injuring investors.
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Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding Discover should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email shareholders@glancylaw.com.
Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters, the Associated Press, Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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SOURCE Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/glancy-prongay-amp-murray-llp-leading-securities-fraud-law-firm-continues-its-investigation-discover-financial-services-dfs-behalf-investors/ | 2022-07-26T01:16:48Z |
PITTSBURGH, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "We wanted to create a fun and convenient device for storing wireless earphones and sharing music with others," said one of two inventors, from Houston, Texas, "so we invented POD SPEAKS. Our design would eliminate the hassle of carrying and using two separate products."
The patent-pending invention provides an improved case for wireless earphones. In doing so, it enables the user to share music with others in the vicinity. It also can be used for professional purposes such as conference calls or listening to podcasts. As a result, it enhances sound quality, entertainment and convenience. The invention features a portable design that is easy to use so it is ideal for the general population. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.
The original design was submitted to the Houston sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-HOF-153, 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.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/inventhelp-inventors-develop-device-store-earphones-amp-share-music-hof-153/ | 2022-05-26T18:00:39Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Apyx Medical Corporation ("Apyx" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: APYX) of a class action securities lawsuit.
CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Apyx investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between May 12, 2021 and March 11, 2022. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:
APYX investors may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500.
CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that defendants made false statements and/or concealed that: (1) a significant number of Apyx's Advanced Energy products were used for off-label indications; (2) such off-label uses led to an increase in the number of medical device reports filed by Apyx reporting serious adverse events; (3) as a result, the Company was reasonably likely to incur regulatory scrutiny; (4) as a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial results would be adversely impacted; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Apyx during the relevant time frame, you have until August 5, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you are a class member, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket costs or fees. There is no cost or obligation to participate.
WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, the team at Levi & Korsinsky has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. Our firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.
CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10006
jlevi@levikorsinsky.com
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
www.zlk.com
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SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/apyx-lawsuit-alert-levi-amp-korsinsky-notifies-apyx-medical-corporation-investors-class-action-lawsuit-upcoming-deadline/ | 2022-08-04T11:04:27Z |
North Texas Great Dane named Zeus is world’s tallest dog
By KTVT Staff
Click here for updates on this story
NORTH TEXAS (KTVT) — A Great Dane who lives in North Texas has been crowned the world’s tallest living dog by Guinness World Records.
Two-year old Zeus, from Bedford, stands at a whopping 3 feet, 5.18 inches, making him the tallest dog in the world.
The dog officially received the paw-some accolade on March 22, after his height was measured and confirmed by his veterinarian.
Owner Brittany Davis said she always dreamed of having a Great Dane named Zeus and was over the moon when her brother gave her the pup when he was just eight weeks old. Although she was initially nervous about his vast size, she soon fell in love with him.
Davis told Guinness World Records: “He’s been a big dog since we got him, even for a puppy. He had huge paws.”
Zeus’ Olympian diet includes 12 cups of “Gentle Giants” dog food every day, as well as the occasional fried egg and bully sticks. His all-time favorite treat is ice cubes, Davis said.
The brown and gray colossus now is a local celebrity, showered with attention and treats when he and his human visit the Dallas Farmer’s Market.
“The comment that we hear most often is ‘Wow, that’s a horse!,’ ‘Can I ride him?’ or ‘Does he have a saddle?'” Davis said. “The answer to all those questions is ‘no.'”
According to the American Kennel Club, Great Danes descend from hunting dogs from the Middle Ages. While they are known for towering over other breeds, they are prone to quite a few health conditions and tend to have a shorter life span than other dogs.
Last year, Freddy, a Great Dane once celebrated by Guinness World Records as the tallest dog in the world, died aged 8.
The pooch, who lived in Essex, England, measured 3 feet, 4 inches from foot to withers. When standing on his hind legs, he towered over people at a lofty 7 feet, 5.5 inches.
The tallest dog ever recorded was also a Great Dane named Zeus, according to Guinness. He stood at 3 feet, 10 inches.
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/2022/05/06/north-texas-great-dane-named-zeus-is-worlds-tallest-dog/ | 2022-05-06T23:20:20Z |
Scholar-Athlete of the Week: Highland Park’s Morgan Dean
Published: Apr. 27, 2022 at 10:39 PM CDT|Updated: 46 minutes ago
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - This week’s Kaw Valley Bank Scholar-Athlete of the Week is Highland Park’s Morgan Dean.
Morgan plays football, wrestles and plays in the band for the Socts.
He’s also part of the Honor Society and KU’s Upward Bound program, and maintains a 3.65 GPA.
Morgan was also highlighted as USD 501′s Senior of the Month for April.
He plans to attend Washburn or Wichita State to study English with a minor in journalism. He is interested in welding as a trade.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/28/scholar-athlete-week-highland-parks-morgan-dean/ | 2022-04-28T04:27:33Z |
MONTREAL, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - During the weekend of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières Prodigy Race, which was far from being an easy race, big chaos and several contacts between the other cars were challenging Courtemanche. Avoiding more than a dozen accidents, the driver managed to sneak in, finishing 9th in the race.
"The GP3R race is the favorite of many drivers and one of the most anticipated in the NASCAR Canada series. Since the stands are always full and the race is broadcast live, the drivers are always more aggressive, and push their limits to reach the pole position. So, you must be careful," explains Courtemanche.
Team 3 Red/Ed Hakonson Racing had four cars competing in the race and one of them was driven by Ray Junior. He was a source of pride for his team because he was the only one among the four drivers to finish the race this weekend.
Indeed, among his team, Dominic St-Cyr, making his debut into the series, was forced to abandon on the third lap after hitting the security fence. After the neutralization due to this incident, Wallace Stacey and Glenn Styres collided on lap 10, where Courtemanche narrowly avoided the incident. As for Dexter Stacey, he had to abandon the race following an oil leak.
Ray Junior qualified in 15th position, a few places behind former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve. For the businessman, finishing 9th in the race evoked a lot for him, who makes it a passion rather than a profession in the NASCAR Pinty's Series: "The amount of time that I spend to practice for the races is very short compared to the big names, like Camirand, Lacroix or Ranger. My daily time is dedicated to run the 40 businesses I own. Therefore, a 9th position is exceptional for me and makes me more than happy." explains the man behind Investissement Ray Junior.
The action will resume soon! Courtemanche will race at the ICAR circuit in Mirabel on August 27th and will then take part in the legendary race Mosport on September 4th.
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SOURCE Investissement Ray Junior | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/first-top-9-gp3r-nascar-businessman-driver-ray-junior-courtemanche/ | 2022-08-10T16:23:37Z |
IndyCar’s aeroscreen gets mixed reviews in 1st rain test
By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — IndyCar officials will spend the next few days collecting information and gathering advice about improving aeroscreen visibility for races held in the rain. Many drivers complained Saturday that they struggled to see other cars late in the IndyCar Grand Prix — even though each has flashing red lights. It was the most intense rainfall the series has competed in since 2018. Race runner-up Simon Pagenaud suggested adding a windshield wiper to the cars. Frye said series officials also will look into whether the use or non-use of tear-off covers by teams could have played a part Saturday. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/15/indycars-aeroscreen-gets-mixed-reviews-in-1st-rain-test/ | 2022-05-15T23:09:58Z |
Bookings to the Great Land hit the highest levels since pre-pandemic; AAA Washington declares Seattle the top domestic summer destination for statewide residents
SEATTLE, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With pent up demand and the U.S. Independence Day travel rush approaching, premium cruise line Holland America Line is reporting a surge in interest for Alaska, experiencing the highest booking levels for Alaska cruising to the bucket list travel destination during the month of June since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"People are excited to travel again while reconnecting with family and friends in a meaningful way," said Beth Bodensteiner, senior vice president and chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. "We're seeing the pent-up demand leading to increased booking as guests realize cruising is a hassle-free way to enjoy unique destinations such as Alaska."
As a bucket-list locale for many travelers, Alaska offers close-to-home departures without the need for overseas air, stunning scenery and wildlife, deep history and culture, and areas like Glacier Bay that are best reached from the water.
According to AAA Washington, Seattle, Washington, is the number-one summer domestic destination in the U.S. for Washington travelers -- and the second most popular nationwide -- due in large part to the area's bustling cruise industry. During the upcoming July 4 holiday weekend, AAA Washington travel bookings reveal that the number of people traveling by trains, buses and cruise ships is expected to triple compared to 2021. Holland America Line offers round-trip from Seattle cruises to Alaska on two of its ships.
"Our summer travel inquiries and bookings show people are feeling safe to explore again," said Michelle Glass, vice president of travel for AAA Washington. "Alaska is one of my favorite places to visit in the summer. A preferred partner, like Holland America Line, helps us provide clients with convenient departures to and from our own back yard to this amazing place, without the added cost of airfare."
Overall, Holland America Line continues to see strong interest in cruises that are a short flight or drive from guests' homes. The cruise line visits 225 different ports in 91 different countries on sailings round-trip from the United States, serving more international destinations on cruises sailing round trip from a U.S. homeport than any other brand. The line's U.S. homeports include Seattle, San Diego, Boston and Fort Lauderdale. Holland America Line also offers more sailings to Alaska from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, than any other cruise line.
"With the cost and recent challenges with air travel, we are seeing excitement and traction from guests within driving distance of our cruise homeports such as Seattle and Vancouver," said Kacy Cole, vice president of marketing and e-commerce for Holland America Line. "We recently invested in local marketing near our homeports and we're already seeing that pay off."
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
Editors Note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/mcssyl5i.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in July 2021.
The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.
CONTACT: Bill Zucker, Erik Elvejord
PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890
EMAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com
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SOURCE Holland America Line | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/holland-america-line-sees-surge-demand-alaska-cruising/ | 2022-06-30T20:08:57Z |
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What you need to know about COVID-19 tests
If you haven’t been following the news, when you click to order your next set of free COVID-19 tests, you might find an unexpected message: “This program is not currently accepting orders for free at-home COVID-19 tests.” This doesn’t mean you can no longer get at-home tests. It simply means you’ll have to buy them.
In this article: iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, Clinitest Rapid Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test and DxTerity COVID-19 Saliva At-Home Collection Kit
Are at-home COVID-19 tests effective?
According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), an at-home COVID-19 test “detects proteins, called antigens, from the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.” When these proteins are detected, the test results are positive. If no antigens are detected, the test results are negative.
If you have a positive test, you can be fairly certain you have the virus. However, if the test results are negative, it could mean no antigens were collected during the swabbing. In other words, you might still have the virus.
Because of this, the FDA advises repeating the test in 48 hours if you have symptoms and your initial results were negative. If you were just exposed and do not have symptoms, repeat the test in 48 hours. If you have a negative result, repeat the test again in 48 hours.
How to use an at-home COVID-19 test
While collecting the sample is often the same — swabbing the inside of each nostril for a designated amount of time — every at-home COVID-19 test is performed differently. It’s important to read through all of the instructions so you understand the entire process before you tear anything open, as some may be time-sensitive and all are easily contaminated.
Will my insurance reimburse me for the purchase of an at-home COVID-19 test?
Coverage for OTC COVID-19 tests began on Jan. 15, 2022. However, to get reimbursed for your purchase, you must follow all instructions offered by your insurer. There may be limits on how many tests you can purchase or other stipulations that could cause your claim to be denied if you don’t follow all instructions.
Where to buy COVID-19 tests
iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
This best-selling test is simple to perform and can be completed in 15 minutes. You get two tests per package and the results are easy to read and interpret.
Sold by Amazon
BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test Kit
BD Veritor’s test is unique because you use your smartphone to scan the results of the test. Your phone converts the image into words so there’s no way to misinterpret the results. BD Veritor can detect multiple variants, including Delta and Omicron.
Sold by Amazon
Clinitest Rapid Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test
Like other options, the Clinitest can be performed in about 15 minutes. The benefit to purchasing this option is it comes with five tests instead of the typical two.
Sold by Amazon
Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Ag Home Test
As of May 20, 2022, the FDA granted a six-month extension to the shelf life of the Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Ag Home Test. There are two tests in each pack and you get results in 15 minutes.
Sold by Amazon
DxTerity COVID-19 Saliva At-Home Collection Kit
If you prefer a lab test, DxTerity is a solid option. This convenient kit collects a saliva sample that you can ship out to get confidential results in 48 hours.
Sold by Amazon
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of our consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. | https://cw33.com/news/as-free-government-covid-19-tests-end-heres-where-you-can-get-them-near-you/ | 2022-09-14T18:11:51Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Prices for Russian credit default swaps — insurance contracts that protect an investor against a default — plunged sharply overnight after Moscow used its precious foreign currency reserves to make a last minute debt payment on Friday.
The cost for a five-year credit default swap on Russian debt was $5.84 million to protect $10 million in debt. That price was nearly half the one on Thursday, which at roughly $11 million for $10 million in debt protection was a signal that investors were certain of a eventual Russian default.
Russia used its foreign currency reserves sitting outside of the country to make the payment, backing down from the Kremlin’s earlier threats that it would use rubles to pay these obligations. In a statement, the Russia Finance Ministry did not say whether future payments would be made in rubles.
Despite the insurance contract plunge, investors remain largely convinced that Russia will eventually default on its debts for the first time since 1917. The major ratings agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s have declared Russia is in “selective default” on its obligations.
Russia has been hit with extensive sanctions by the United States, the European Union and others in response to its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine and its continuing militaryoperation to take over Ukrainian territory.
The Credit Default Determination Committee — an industry group of 14 banks and investors that determines whether or not to pay on these swaps — said Friday that they “continue to monitor the situation” after Russia’s payment. Their next meeting is on May 3.
At the beginning of April, Russia’s finance ministry said it tried to make a $649 million payment due April 6 toward two bonds to an unnamed U.S. bank — previously reported as JPMorgan Chase.
At that time, tightened sanctions imposed for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prevented the payment from being accepted, so Moscow attempted to make the debt payment in rubles. The Kremlin, which repeatedly said it was financially able and willing to continue to pay on its debts, had argued that extraordinary events gave them the legal footing to pay in rubles, instead of dollars or euros.
Investors and rating agencies, however, disagreed and did not expect Russia to be able to convert the rubles into dollars before a 30-day grace period expired next week.
___
Follow all AP stories about events related to the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/despite-payment-investors-brace-for-russia-to-default/ | 2022-05-01T14:58:51Z |
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, "Marubeni"), OPExPARK Inc. (hereinafter, "OPExPARK"), Beyond Next Ventures Inc. (hereinafter, "BNV") and DENSO CORPORATION (hereinafter, "DENSO") have agreed for Marubeni to invest with BNV in OPExPARK to support the digital transformation (hereinafter, "DX") of operating rooms and a surgical education platform business for doctors (hereinafter, "this project"). OPExPARK was jointly established by DENSO and BNV.
In recent years, the need for DX has been rapidly increasing in the healthcare industry, as represented by the development of new medical services such as telemedicine and online medication guidance, and the utilization of medical data. In addition, with the decrease in the number of surgeries and restrictions on movement, delivering surgical education has been challenging, with young doctors having fewer opportunities to learn techniques from operations that senior doctors perform. Therefore, there is a growing expectation for an educational platform that allows doctors to learn surgical techniques online.
OPExPARK was established in 2019 with the support of BNV, utilizing the information integration platform "OPeLiNK" developed by DENSO with the support of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. OPeLiNK is an information integration platform that constantly provides data gathered from each piece of equipment in the operating room, which is conventionally handled individually, with data in a consistent format so that it can be used by any device. By extracting and delivering accumulated equipment and biological data, information important to the decision-making of the surgeon can be visualized, and advanced tacit knowledge that was difficult to learn outside the operating room can be shared. OPExPARK promotes DX of surgical education through the delivery of educational contents that enables anyone to learn cutting-edge surgery anytime, anywhere. In addition, OPExPARK contributes to the improvement of the quality of medical care in Japan and overseas by transmitting surgical videos and data acquired by OPELiNK in real time and by providing advice on diagnosis and surgery from remote locations.
Marubeni has strengthened and expanded its IT consulting services business and cloud integration business to support and promote DX for customers and partners. By investing in this project and utilizing its cultivated know-how of DX support and promotion, support for IT fields (including the cloud), and cooperation with other businesses, Marubeni will contribute to the expansion of OPExPARK's services from DX in operating rooms and surgical education to DX in hospitals. By acquiring knowledge, networks, and business know-how in the healthcare industry through participation in this project, Marubeni aims to expand business in the digital health industry by promoting DX and developing new services in the field of drug discovery and clinical trial support in the future.
Since 2018, BNV has been involved in the establishment of OPExPARK (with carve-out support from DENSO) and support for its business growth. In establishing the company, BNV developed initial business strategies, business plans, and support for management team organization through "BRAVE", an acceleration program provided by BNV. After the company's establishment, BNV has been involved in continuous investment, recruitment, business development, and business growth support.
From 2014 to 2019, DENSO developed OPeLiNK and has been developing businesses that raise the medical level in emerging countries by utilizing the surgical information acquired through OPeLiNK. Even after OPExPARK's founding, DENSO has continued to acquire know-how in the digital twin business, support OPExPARK through joint research, and dispatch both technical and sales employees to the company.
Through this agreement and this project, Marubeni, OPExPARK, BNV, and DENSO will promote DX in the healthcare industry and contribute to the improvement of medical quality.
About Marubeni:
About OPExPARK:
About BNV:
About DENSO:
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SOURCE DENSO | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/01/marubeni-opexpark-beyond-next-ventures-denso-collaborate-promote-dx-healthcare-industry/ | 2022-04-01T16:14:16Z |
What’s clear about U.S. dining habits is that people love options. Restaurants across America are chock-full of variety, mixing ethnicities, food regions, and cultures into steaming melting pots of (often) fried deliciousness.
Dallas features an eclectic mix of decades-old, established mom-and-pop eateries, fast food, and hip new startups downtown. Among these are a number of delicious Asian restaurants offering everything from traditional staples to contemporary fusion. Narrowing the list is no easy feat, which is why Stacker compiled a list of the highest rated Asian restaurants in Dallas on Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Some restaurants on the list may have recently closed.
No matter your budget or palate, there’s something here for everyone. Keep reading to check out the highest-rated Asian restaurants in Dallas.
You may also like: Highest-rated pizza restaurants in Dallas
#30. Bangkok Dee Thai Cuisine
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (36 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 10207 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75231-3401
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Blue Sushi Sake Grill
– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (19 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: not available
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 3220 McKinney Ave Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75204-2419
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. The Blue Fish Greenville
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (89 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 3519 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206-5629
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Mr. Sushi
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (91 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 4860 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, TX 75254-7541
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Bangkok City
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (72 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 4301 Bryan St, Dallas, TX 75204-6751
– Read more on Tripadvisor
You may also like: Highest-rated dessert shops in Dallas, according to Tripadvisor
#25. Niwa Japanese BBQ
– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (40 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (5.0/5), Value (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Barbecue
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 2939 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226-1504
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Royal Thai
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (96 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 5500 Greenville Ave Ste 608, Dallas, TX 75206-2928
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Hello Dumpling
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (26 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Chinese
– Price: $
– Address: 1146 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218-2961
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Black Ship Little Katana
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (64 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (3.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 665 S. Lamar St. #130, Dallas, TX 75202
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. De Rice Thai Cuisine
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (30 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 5365 Spring Valley Rd, Dallas, TX 75254-3097
– Read more on Tripadvisor
You may also like: Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Dallas, according to Tripadvisor
#20. Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (76 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 17370 Preston Rd Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75252-5998
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Monkey King Noodle Company
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (68 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, Asian
– Price: $
– Address: 2933 Main St Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX 75226-1504
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Howard Wang’s Uptown China Brasserie
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (71 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Chinese, Asian
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 3223 Lemmon Ave Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75204-2322
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Tei Tei Robata Bar
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (101 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
– Price: $$$$
– Address: 2906 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206-6403
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Steel Restaurant & Lounge
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (129 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Sushi, Asian
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 3102 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75219-6419
– Read more on Tripadvisor
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#15. Bistro B
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (93 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Vietnamese
– Price: $
– Address: 9780 Walnut St #340, Dallas, TX 75243
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Shinsei
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (97 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Sushi, Asian
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 7713 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75209-4119
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Oishii
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (108 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 2525 Wycliff Ave, Dallas, TX 75219-2551
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Asian Mint
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (37 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Sushi, Asian
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: Forest Ln, Dallas, TX
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Deep Sushi
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (110 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Seafood
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 2624 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226-1422
– Read more on Tripadvisor
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#10. Imoto
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (39 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (5.0/5), Value (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Asian
– Price: $$$$
– Address: 2400 Victory Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75219-7604
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. CrushCraft Thai Street Eats
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (76 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, Asian
– Price: $
– Address: 2800 Routh St Ste 150, Dallas, TX 75201-7659
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Nobu Dallas
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (335 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Seafood
– Price: $$$$
– Address: 400 Crescent Court, Dallas, TX 75201
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Pakpao Thai Design District
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (107 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Bar, Asian
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 1628 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 120, Dallas, TX 75207-3405
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Si Lom Thai Asian Fusion
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (57 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 3300 Oak Lawn Ave Ste 110, Dallas, TX 75219-4236
– Read more on Tripadvisor
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#5. Royal China
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (173 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Chinese, Asian
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: Preston Royal, 6025 Royal Ln # 201, Dallas, TX 75230-3892
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Asian Mint
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (155 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 11617 N. Central Expwy Suite 135, Dallas, TX 75243
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Tei-An
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (144 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
– Price: $$$$
– Address: 1722 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201-2535
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Malai Kitchen
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (272 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
– Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai
– Price: $$ – $$$
– Address: 3699 McKinney Ave Suite 319, Dallas, TX 75204-4550
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Uchi Dallas
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (289 reviews)
– Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
– Type of cuisine: Japanese, Seafood
– Price: $$$$
– Address: 2817 Maple Ave Above Uchi Dallas, Dallas, TX 75201-1403
– Read more on Tripadvisor
You may also like: Highest-rated cheap eats in Dallas, according to Tripadvisor | https://cw33.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/highest-rated-asian-restaurants-in-dallas-according-to-tripadvisor-3/ | 2022-08-05T16:09:21Z |
NFP's Henry Equestrian becomes an official insurance partner and provider of insurance solutions for the equestrian industry
TORONTO, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NFP, a leading property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager and retirement advisor, today announced its preferred partnership with Equestrian Canada (EC), which includes serving as a recommended and preferred insurance services partner of EC for Licensed and Registered Coach Status holders' commercial general liability products. Administered through Henry Equestrian¹, the renewed partnership features an online portal where coaches can buy commercial general liability (CGL) insurance in less than six minutes.
"We are so happy to extend our partnership with EC to bring this convenient solution to coaches," said Greg Dunn, managing director, Personal Lines, NFP in Canada. "Our digital platform currently allows EC coaches to have a personalized and seamless online application experience with preferred insurance rates customized for the unique requirements of equestrian sport."
Individuals who are Licensed or Registered in the Coach Status Program (administered through EC) are eligible to apply for this customized, CGL product.
"We are so pleased to continue our partnership with NFP/Henry Equestrian Insurance," said Meg Krueger, Chief Executive Officer, Equestrian Canada. "The entire NFP team has once again exhibited an exceptional passion and commitment to equestrian sport and industry. Their seamless solutions for our coaches will help equestrians across Canada protect themselves, their clients, horses and businesses, now and in the future."
As a part of NFP, Henry Equestrian has access to many insurance carriers and MGAs across North America. This access complements the team's wealth of insurance knowledge and risk management expertise across all insurance sectors.
"While this is the initial launch of products for EC coaches, we hope to offer many more types of products, such as group health benefits, travel, cyber, pet and horse mortality," added Pat O'Neill, vice president, Specialty Personal Lines, NFP in Canada.
1.Insurance services provided through NFP Canada Corp. Henry Equestrian and NFP are registered business names used by NFP Canada Corp. in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, where permitted. NFP® is a registered trademark of NFP Corp.
NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized business and personal insurance, group benefits, retirement and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates. NFP enables client success through the expertise of more than 1,000 employees based in Canada, more than 6,900 employees globally, investments in innovative technologies, and enduring relationships with highly rated insurers, vendors and financial institutions. NFP is the 5th largest benefits broker by global revenue (Business Insurance), 10th largest property and casualty agency (Insurance Journal) and 13th largest global insurance broker (Best's Review).
Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. With over 15,000 sport licence holders, 11 provincial/territorial sport organization partners and 10+ national equine affiliate organizations, EC is a significant contributor to the social, physical, emotional, and economic wellbeing of the equestrian industry across Canada.
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SOURCE NFP Corp. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/nfp-renews-partnership-with-equestrian-canada/ | 2022-07-14T13:28:43Z |
No-Cost, After School Center Offers Academic, Athletic, Social, and Personal Space for Youth Ages 6-18
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis will join South Florida's Chen Family Mission Foundation for the opening of the foundation's first Youth Impact Center (YIC) in Fort Lauderdale on April 2, 2022.
The YIC will offer free, academic, personal support, and athletic training to students ages 6-18 in two spacious neighboring studios. The Enrichment Center will help youths and teens achieve improved test scores through tutoring and quiet study spaces. The Athletic Center will have an array of exercise equipment and space for indoor sports training.
"The YIC will be a safe space to ensure that young people have a place to meet, grow and thrive. When the final school bell rings, parents can rest assured that their children are utilizing their creativity and talents within a safe environment surrounded by mentors and staff that truly care about them," says Mary Chen, ChenMed's Co-Founder and Chief Market Development Officer.
"The future of our community relies on the next generation," adds Mrs. Chen. "Students are our leaders of tomorrow and the YIC will help them maximize their potential."
The Chen family has a long history of supporting its community through philanthropic efforts. As owners of ChenMed, a national, mission-driven healthcare organization, the family gives 10 percent of every dollar made to local charities and churches. "We are blessed at ChenMed, and we use those blessings to bless others," said Stephanie Chen, ChenMed's Chief Legal and Culture Officer.
The first YIC is located at 909 (Athletics Center) and 947 (Enrichment Center) East Cypress Creek Road in Fort Lauderdale. It will be open Monday - Friday from 2-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 2-4 p.m. For more information, call 954-928-0027 or visit www.youthimpactcenters.org.
About ChenMed
ChenMed, headquartered in Miami, is a privately owned medical, management and technology company that delivers the high-touch and personalized primary care Medicare Advantage-eligible seniors need to enjoy better health. Named one of Fortune's 2020 "Change the World" companies, ChenMed brings concierge-style medicine and better health outcomes to the neediest populations. ChenMed brands include Chen Senior Medical Center, Dedicated Senior Medical Center and JenCare Senior Medical Center.
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SOURCE ChenMed | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/02/youth-impact-center-celebrate-grand-opening-fort-lauderdale-saturday-april-2/ | 2022-04-02T14:00:37Z |
IRVING, Texas, Aug. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vistra (NYSE: VST) today reported its second quarter 2022 results:
Financial and Operating Highlights
- Results
‒ Continued to experience favorable pricing environment allowing Vistra the opportunity to lock in future value through the continued execution of its comprehensive hedging strategy. Driven by the material increase in forward power prices, which requires Vistra to record the current non-cash, unrealized impact of mark-to-market hedging losses for GAAP purposes, recorded second quarter 2022 Net Loss of $(1,357) million and Net Loss from Ongoing Operations1 of $(1,312) million. The second quarter 2022 Net Loss includes $(1,987) million of such unrealized losses from mark-to-market valuations of commodity positions, the net impacts of which are not expected to be realized in future quarters assuming the company fulfills its obligations through normal course operations.
‒ Delivered second quarter 2022 Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA1 of $761 million. Full year results tracking above midpoint for 2022 Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA1 and Ongoing Operations Adjusted FCFbG1 guidance ranges of $2,810 million to $3,310 million and $2,070 million to $2,570 million, respectively.
‒ Continued executing on comprehensive hedging program, locking in significant value opportunities in future years. As of June 30, 2022, Vistra has hedged over 60% of its expected generation volumes on average for the three -year period 2023 to 2025, with 2023 hedged at approximately 80%.
‒ Vistra's hedging program supports Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA mid-point opportunities in the range of $3,500 million to $3,700 million in years 2023 to 2025.2
‒ Achieved best residential customer growth in a quarter for TXU Energy in nearly 15 years, also achieved 95% commercial availability3 in an unseasonably warm second quarter.
- Return of Capital
‒ Executed approximately $1.6 billion of the originally authorized $2 billion share repurchase program as of Aug. 2, 2022, with such repurchases representing approximately 14.6% of the shares outstanding as of Nov. 2, 2021. We expect to execute the remaining portion of the $2 billion authorization before year-end 2022. Accordingly, the board of directors has authorized an incremental $1.25 billion for share repurchases effective immediately. We now have approximately $1.65 billion of authorization remaining for share repurchases, which we expect to utilize between now and year-end 2023. Taken together, the board has authorized a cumulative $3.25 billion in share repurchases since Vistra announced its capital allocation plan in Nov. 2021.
‒ Declared third quarter 2022 dividend of $0.184 per share of common stock, representing an approximately 23% increase from the company's third quarter 2021 dividend; paid a second quarter 2022 dividend of $0.177 per share of common stock on June 30, 2022.
- Vistra Zero
‒ Restored Phases I and II of the 400-megawatt Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility to service at 98% of its maximum capacity on the expected schedule and prior to the hot California summer months. Announced its 50MW Brightside Solar Facility was online in April 2022. Announced in each of May and June 2022 that its 260MW DeCordova Energy Storage Facility and its 108MW Emerald Grove Solar Facility were online, respectively. Actively reviewing its development portfolio for additional opportunities in light of market conditions and the newly introduced Inflation Reduction Act.
"We continue to prioritize the realization of our four previously announced strategic priorities, while fulfilling our everyday mission: to provide reliable, affordable and ever-cleaner power to the communities we serve. We delivered strong results in the second quarter and are focused on executing well this summer in both generation and retail," said Jim Burke, president and CEO of Vistra. "Our comprehensive hedging strategy continues to lock in significant potential value in the outer years 2023-2025. This plan combined with our operational performance has increased our confidence in the outlook for 2022 and beyond. The authorization of the incremental $1.25 billion for share repurchases is a testament to the confidence that the board and management have in Vistra's future. We are committed to providing the power that the electric grid and our customers need, growing our Vistra Zero portfolio, all while driving significant shareholder value."
Summary of Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2022
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, Vistra reported Net Loss of $(1,357) million, Net Loss from Ongoing Operations1 of $(1,312) million, and Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA1 of $761 million. Vistra's second quarter 2022 Net Loss of $(1,357) million reflects a change of $(1,392) million as compared second quarter 2021 Net Income of $35 million, driven by the GAAP accounting impacts of approximately $2 billion of mark-to-market non-cash, unrealized hedging losses in second quarter 2022 recorded solely as a result of a material increase in forward power prices. Vistra's second quarter 2022 Adjusted EBITDA from Ongoing Operations was $93 million lower than second quarter 2021 results2, primarily driven by the positive impacts of self-help initiatives in second quarter 2021 that were one-time benefits.
Vistra reported second quarter 2022 Adjusted EBITDA from Ongoing Operations from the Retail segment of $403 million, approximately $107 million lower than second quarter 2021 results, driven by the impact of the above-referenced self-help initiatives in second quarter 2021 that were one-time benefits, offset by favorable margins, residential customer counts and weather in Texas in second quarter 2022. Second quarter 2022 Adjusted EBITDA from Ongoing Operations from the generation segments3, on an aggregate basis, totaled $358 million, $14 million higher than second quarter 2021 results2 driven primarily by impacts of favorable pricing offset by coal constraints and one-time benefits of self-help initiatives in second quarter 2021.
Guidance
Vistra is reaffirming its 2022 Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA1 and Ongoing Operations Adjusted FCFbG1 guidance ranges of $2,810 to $3,310 million and $2,070 to $2,570 million, respectively.
Share Repurchase Program
As of Aug. 2, 2022, Vistra has completed approximately $1.6 billion in share repurchases under its existing $2 billion share repurchase program. Vistra has purchased approximately 70.5 million shares since Nov. 2, 2021, representing approximately 14.6% of the shares outstanding at that time. Taking into account the incremental $1.25 billion authorization, approximately $1.65 billion remains available for execution under the program, which we expect to execute by year-end 2023.
Liquidity
As of June 30, 2022, Vistra had total available liquidity of approximately $3,439 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $1,871 million, $368 million of availability under its corporate revolving credit facility, and $1,200 million of availability under its commodity-linked revolving credit facility assuming the borrowing base equals the aggregate commitments of $2.25 billion.
Earnings Webcast
Vistra will host a webcast today, Aug. 5, 2022, beginning at 8 a.m. ET (7 a.m. CT) to discuss these results and related matters. The live webcast and the accompanying slides that will be discussed on the call can be accessed via Vistra's website at www.vistracorp.com under "Investor Relations" and then "Events & Presentations." Participants can also listen by phone by registering here prior to the start time of the call to receive a conference call dial-in number. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Vistra website for one year following the live event.
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Items Affecting Comparability
"Adjusted EBITDA" (EBITDA as adjusted for unrealized gains or losses from hedging activities, tax receivable agreement impacts, reorganization items, and certain other items described from time to time in Vistra's earnings releases), "Adjusted Free Cash Flow before Growth" (or "Adjusted FCFbG") (cash from operating activities excluding changes in margin deposits and working capital and adjusted for capital expenditures (including capital expenditures for growth investments), other net investment activities, and other items described from time to time in Vistra's earnings releases), "Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA" (adjusted EBITDA less adjusted EBITDA from Asset Closure segment), "Net Income (Loss) from Ongoing Operations" (net income less net income from Asset Closure segment), "Ongoing Operations Adjusted Free Cash Flow before Growth" or "Ongoing Operations Adjusted FCFbG" (adjusted free cash flow before growth less cash flow from operating activities from Asset Closure segment before growth), are "non-GAAP financial measures." A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in Vistra's consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Vistra's non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
Vistra uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance and believes that analysis of its business by external users is enhanced by visibility to both Net Income prepared in accordance with GAAP and Adjusted EBITDA. Vistra uses Adjusted Free Cash Flow before Growth as a measure of liquidity and believes that analysis of its ability to service its cash obligations is supported by disclosure of both cash provided by (used in) operating activities prepared in accordance with GAAP as well as Adjusted Free Cash Flow before Growth. Vistra uses Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance and Ongoing Operations Adjusted Free Cash Flow before Growth as a measure of liquidity, and Vistra's management and Board have found it informative to view the Asset Closure segment as separate and distinct from Vistra's ongoing operations. Vistra uses Net Income (Loss) from Ongoing Operations as a non-GAAP measure that is most comparable to the GAAP measure Net Income in order to illustrate the company's Net Income excluding the effects of the Asset Closure segment, as well as a measure to compare to Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA. The schedules attached to this earnings release reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
About Vistra
Vistra (NYSE: VST) is a leading Fortune 500 integrated retail electricity and power generation company based in Irving, Texas, providing essential resources for customers, commerce, and communities. Vistra combines an innovative, customer-centric approach to retail with safe, reliable, diverse, and efficient power generation. The company brings its products and services to market in 20 states and the District of Columbia, including six of the seven competitive wholesale markets in the U.S. Serving approximately 4 million residential, commercial, and industrial retail customers with electricity and natural gas, Vistra is one of the largest competitive electricity providers in the country and offers over 50 renewable energy plans. The company is also the largest competitive power generator in the U.S. with a capacity of approximately 39,000 megawatts powered by a diverse portfolio, including natural gas, nuclear, solar, and battery energy storage facilities. In addition, Vistra is a large purchaser of wind power. The company owns and operates the 400-MW/1,600-MWh battery energy storage system in Moss Landing, California, the largest of its kind in the world. Vistra is guided by four core principles: we do business the right way, we work as a team, we compete to win, and we care about our stakeholders, including our customers, our communities where we work and live, our employees, and our investors. Learn more about our environmental, social, and governance efforts and read the company's sustainability report at https://www.vistracorp.com/sustainability/.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information presented herein includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which Vistra Corp. ("Vistra") operates and beliefs of and assumptions made by Vistra's management, involve risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and are not guarantees of future performance, that could significantly affect the financial results of Vistra. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that are presented herein, or in response to questions or otherwise, that address activities, events or developments that may occur in the future, including such matters as activities related to our financial or operational projections, the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, projected synergy, value lever and net debt targets, capital allocation, capital expenditures, liquidity, projected Adjusted EBITDA to free cash flow conversion rate, dividend policy, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, future acquisitions or dispositions, development or operation of power generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our businesses and operations (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases, or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature, including, but not limited to: "intends," "plans," "will likely," "unlikely," "believe," "confident", "expect," "seek," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "will," "shall," "should," "could," "may," "might," "predict," "project," "forecast," "target," "potential," "goal," "objective," "guidance" and "outlook"),are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although Vistra believes that in making any such forward-looking statement, Vistra's expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and risks that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in or implied by any such forward-looking statement, including, but not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions (including changes in interest rates) or changes in political conditions or federal or state laws and regulations; (ii) the ability of Vistra to execute upon its contemplated strategic, capital allocation, performance, and cost-saving initiatives and to successfully integrate acquired businesses; (iii) actions by credit ratings agencies; (iv) the severity, magnitude and duration of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting effects on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; (v) the severity, magnitude and duration of extreme weather events (including Winter Storm Uri), contingencies and uncertainties relating thereto, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, and the resulting effects on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; and (vi) those additional risks and factors discussed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Vistra from time to time, including the uncertainties and risks discussed in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in Vistra's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and any subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only at the date on which it is made, and except as may be required by law, Vistra will not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all of them; nor can Vistra assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
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SOURCE Vistra Corp. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/05/vistra-reports-second-quarter-2022-results-authorizes-additional-125-billion-share-repurchases/ | 2022-08-05T10:44:50Z |
IRVING, Texas, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) will release second quarter 2022 financial results on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. A press release will be issued via PR Newswire and available at 5 p.m. ET. Additionally, a slide presentation will be available on the investor relations section of the company's website at http://www.darlingii.com.
Randall C. Stuewe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Brad Phillips, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host a teleconference and webcast at 9 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022.
Due to historically high call volume, the company is offering participants the opportunity to register in advance for the conference through the following link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10169154/f3a6e5cbb6
Registered participants will receive an email with a calendar reminder and a dial-in number and PIN that will allow them immediate access to the call on Aug. 10, 2022.
Participants who do not wish to pre-register for the call may dial in using 844-868-8847 (U.S. callers), or 412-317-6593 (international callers) and ask for the "Darling Ingredients" call. A replay will be available two hours after completion of the call through August 17, 2022. To access the replay, please dial 877-344-7529 (U.S. callers), 855-669-9658 (Canada) and 412-317-0088 (International callers) and reference passcode 8664057. The live webcast and archived replay also can be accessed on the Company's web site at http://ir.darlingii.com.
About Darling
Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) is the largest publicly traded company turning edible by-products and food waste into sustainable products and a leading producer of renewable energy. Recognized as a sustainability leader, the company operates more than 250 plants in 17 countries and repurposes approximately 15% of the world's meat industry waste streams into value-added products, such as green energy, renewable diesel, collagen, fertilizer, animal proteins and meals and pet food ingredients. To learn more, visit darlingii.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Contact:
Suann Guthrie
VP, Investor Relations, Sustainability & Communications
(469) 214-8202
suann.guthrie@darlingii.com
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SOURCE Darling Ingredients Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/darling-ingredients-inc-release-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-07-25T22:13:41Z |
NEW YORK, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Riverdale star, Tiera Skovbye (2 Hearts, Nurses) has partnered with manufacturer and influencer marketplace, Krave, to launch her first exclusive jewelry designs. Tiera has been featured on hit shows on The CW and ABC, and also co-starred in Netflix's Firefly Lane.
"I decided to join Krave because they gave me the creative space to express my inner jewelry designer. All of their pieces had a delicate uniqueness that drew me in and made me know they were a perfect company to help me bring my vision to life," said Tiera.
Krave is the backend engine behind multiple influencer and celebrity jewelry lines. "We handle everything from design through manufacturing, from packaging to fulfillment; we make it extremely easy for anyone to spin up a jewelry business very quickly. Some influencers sell through our marketplace at bykrave.com, but we're also the wholesale provider for multiple other clients. Our manufacturing partners make some of the largest jewelry lines in the world, so the quality is pristine. These are lines you would know by name and that are in most big box retailers," said Justin Vesci of By Krave operations.
"We are so excited that someone of Tiera's celebrity would trust us to handle something as important as taking her dreams…her jewelry designs…and bring them to life, it's truly an honor," said Jason Brown of Krave.
About By Krave, LLC
Krave is a jewelry design, manufacturer, and online platform that partners with influencers to help them bring their jewelry ideas to life. Krave handles all aspects of the process, usually with no cost to the influencer, and many times with upfront payments to the influencer or celebrity (payments to Agencies and Manager's honored). Krave's wholesale division also provides white label manufacturing services to multiple clients. For more information or to set up an introductory call please email hello@bykrave.com. Visit www.bykrave.com. Krave exists for influencers who are looking to build a lifelong revenue stream that can be duplicated each quarter with new, stylish, personalized products for their followers and community.
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SOURCE By Krave | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/actress-tiera-skovbye-partners-with-krave-launch-jewelry-line/ | 2022-06-23T15:58:51Z |
DENVER, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM) (TSX: SSRM) (ASX: SSR) ("SSR Mining" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that as part of the annual reconstitution of the Russell indexes, SSR Mining will be included in the Russell 1000® Index as well as the broad-market Russell 3000® Index effective after the U.S. market open on June 27, 2022.
Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for active investment strategies. Approximately $12 trillion in assets are benchmarked against Russell's US indexes. Russell indexes are part of FTSE Russell, a leading global index provider.
For more information on the Russell 3000® Index and the Russell indexes reconstitution, go to the "Russell Reconstitution" section on the FTSE Russell website.
About SSR Mining
SSR Mining Inc. is a leading, free cash flow focused gold company with four producing operations located in the USA, Turkey, Canada, and Argentina, combined with a global pipeline of high-quality development and exploration assets. In 2021, the four operating assets produced approximately 794,000 gold-equivalent ounces. SSR Mining is listed under the ticker symbol SSRM on the NASDAQ and the TSX, and SSR on the ASX.
SSR Mining Contacts:
F. Edward Farid, Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Development Officer
Alex Hunchak, Director, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
SSR Mining Inc.
E-Mail: invest@ssrmining.com
Phone: +1 (416) 306-5789
To receive SSR Mining's news releases by e-mail, please register using the SSR Mining website at www.ssrmining.com.
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SOURCE SSR Mining Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/ssr-mining-announces-inclusion-russell-1000-index/ | 2022-06-27T11:35:03Z |
PARIS (AP) — A year ago, Naomi Osaka left the French Open of her own volition, never beaten on the court but determining that she needed to pull out before the second round to stand up for herself and protect her mind more than she needed to do whatever she could to win matches.
On Monday, Osaka departed Roland Garros against her will — via a 7-5, 6-4 loss in the first round to 20-year-old American Amanda Anisimova, who is seeded 27th and also won their contest at the Australian Open in January — after taking a painkiller to try to deal with a troublesome left Achilles tendon. She tried to stretch the tendon by tugging on her neon yellow shoes at changeovers or by squatting to flex her lower leg between points.
Osaka was unable to summon the serving or court coverage on which her game is based, in part because her practice time and recent match play have been limited. The four-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1-ranked player, who is now ranked No. 38 and was unseeded in Paris, double-faulted twice to end games and called the outcome “disappointing.”
Yet she also provided a measure of the way in which her mindset might have changed since her previous appearance at the clay-court major tournament, when she decided not to speak to the media at all (drawing a $15,000 fine and threat of further punishment, which prompted her withdrawal), saying that stance was because of anxiety and depression she hadn’t previously revealed. Her openness back then helped spark a wider awareness of, and conversation about, the importance of mental health.
“I’m really happy with myself,” Osaka said Monday, “because I know the emotions that I left France (with) last year.”
Barbora Krejcikova also was aware of the wide spectrum of emotions she went through herself at the French Open from 2021 — when she was a Grand Slam singles champion for the first time — to 2022 — when she joined Osaka in departing in the first round.
Krejcikova was seeded No. 2, but she was coming off an injured right elbow that kept her off the tour since February, and her first match back began with a 4-0 lead before unraveling into a 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 exit against Diane Parry, a 19-year-old from France who is ranked 97th and entered the day with a 1-5 career record in Grand Slam matches.
Krejcikova said she “hit the wall” early in the second set and never recovered, becoming just the third woman in French Open history to be defeated in her opening match a year after winning the title.
There weren’t any other such significant results on Day 2, when the women’s winners included No. 1 Iga Swiatek, the 2020 champion; and other past major champs Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka and Bianca Andrescu. In men’s matches, 13-time champion Rafael Nadal won in three sets and No. 13 seed Taylor Fritz won in five.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic was scheduled to play at night.
Merely conducting news conferences, before the tournament on Friday and after this loss, were a step forward for Osaka. She was comfortable addressing all sorts of topics, including her difficulties on clay and grass courts, the fact that she is leaning toward skipping Wimbledon because there won’t be ranking points offered there and the increased attention to protecting athletes’ well-being — even if the strides made over the past 12 months are not necessarily enough.
“I mean, I feel like there is always more to do. You can’t progress and then just stop. You know what I’m saying? There always has to be evolution,” Osaka said. “But I feel like, as of right now, they are trying their best, and I think it’s really nice to see.”
While Osaka’s best performances have come on hard courts, Anisimova’s best showing at a Slam came on the red clay of Roland Garros, where she reached the 2019 semifinals at 17. And even if the occasional rain that delayed play for hours Monday made the tennis balls heavier and restricted what Anisimova felt she could do to deliver shots where she wanted them, she was good enough to advance in straight sets against a top-flight opponent.
“A lot of anticipation over the last couple of days. I was trying not to think about it too much, but going into the match, I did feel like the stress and the nerves a bit, because it is a very tough first round,” Anisimova said. “Just happy with how I was able to manage it and get through it.”
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/year-after-osaka-decides-to-leave-paris-loss-forces-her-to/ | 2022-05-23T19:25:38Z |
ST. PAUL, Minn., June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxwell Healthcare Associates (MHA), the industries' leading post-acute consulting firm is partnering with nVoq to help post-acute care providers save time and optimize patient care through medically relevant speech recognition technology.
nVoq provides a HIPAA and PCI-DSS compliant, cloud-based speech recognition platform supporting a wide variety of healthcare delivery scenarios including post-acute care with an emphasis on home healthcare and hospice. nVoq's speech recognition solutions convert speech to text in seconds and are highly accurate for most medical specialties. Its solutions work seamlessly with most EHRs, CRMs, or business applications without the need for integration.
MHA's reach and influence within the post-acute space is expansive, and their unique ability to connect industry partners with strategic solutions continues as they ally with nVoq. With MHA's organizational expertise and nVoq's advanced solution, the post-acute space will have the necessary tools to improve end-of-life care.
According to CEO of MHA, Jennifer Maxwell, MHA is elated to partner with nVoq in 2022. "We're thrilled to align our joint initiatives with nVoq and can't wait to see the opportunities that await us. nVoq is an outstanding organization that enhances the level of communication with patients in the post-acute setting. At the end of the day, we're invested in providing our customers tools that will improve care at their facilities," said Maxwell.
Debbi Gillotti, Chief Operating Officer at nVoq, shares in the enthusiasm and believes nVoq's partnership with MHA will make a tangible difference in the lives of countless front-line care providers. "We are pleased to be MHA's preferred speech recognition partner. We have a shared vision for positively impacting the work/life balance of burned-out clinicians through faster, more intuitive documentation workflows. Together MHA and nVoq can equip home health, hospice, and palliative care agencies with an opportunity to personalize care, improve patient experience, and drive better business outcomes."
nVoq Incorporated, headquartered in Boulder, CO, provides HIPAA-compliant, SaaS-based speech recognition to the healthcare industry, with a strategic emphasis on the post-acute care segment. nVoq's platform supports both mobile and office-based clinicians in capturing patient narratives at the post of care to expediate high-quality documentation, simplify coding, and streamline reimbursement. For more information, visit https://sayit.nvoq.com/
Maxwell Healthcare Associates boasts an average of 20 years of experience in the post-acute space and has a pulse on what's relevant now in the industry. MHA can work with home health and hospice agencies to strategize, optimize and transform agencies across the nation. For more information, visit https://www.maxwellhealthcareassociates.com/
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SOURCE Maxwell Healthcare Associates | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/maxwell-healthcare-associates-nvoq-partner-support-post-acute-providers/ | 2022-06-14T17:53:14Z |
PARIS (AP) — Paris prosecutors are studying a report by the European Union’s fraud agency accusing French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and other members of her nationalist party of misusing public funds while serving in the European Parliament.
The report was disclosed by French investigative news site Mediapart just days before Le Pen faces incumbent Emmanuel Macron in a runoff election Sunday that could determine Europe’s future direction. Le Pen’s party National Rallyseeks to diminish the EU’s powers.
Le Pen denied wrongdoing, dismissing the report as “foul play by the European Union a few days before the second round” of the election. Speaking Monday on a campaign stop in Normandy, she said, “I am well accustomed to this, and I think the French will absolutely not fall for it.”
A similar EU fraud investigation was disclosed ahead of the 2017 French presidential election, which Le Pen lost to Macron. Le Pen was handed preliminary charges by French investigators over that case, which is still ongoing.
Macron, a pro-EU centrist,leads Le Pen in polls ahead of Sunday’s vote, though the race is tighter than when they faced off in 2017.
EU fraud agency OLAF submitted its latest report last month to the Paris prosecutor’s office, which is “in the course of analyzing it,” the prosecutor’s office said Monday. No formal investigation has yet been opened, and no further details were released.
According to Mediapart, the OLAF report found that Le Pen, her firebrand father and party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen and other party members who served in the European Parliament used 617,000 euros of public money for “fictitious” reasons, notably for the benefit of companies close to the party. The fraud office is reportedly seeking reimbursement of the funds and potential fraud and embezzlement charges.
OLAF accused party members of “grave violations” and said the “inappropriate behavior” of members of National Rally — formerly called the National Front — “imperiled the reputation of the Union’s institutions,” according to Mediapart.
OLAF didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment Monday, a holiday in Belgium and several European countries.
It’s not the first time Le Pen has been accused of misusing EU funds. Among several legal affairs that have dogged her party, Le Pen was handed preliminary charges in 2018 based on a separate investigation by OLAF accusing members of her party of using aides on the European Parliament’s payroll for the party’s political activity. Other French political parties faced similar accusations.
Le Pen, who served in the European Parliament from 2004-2017, smiled for selfies as she met with hundreds of voters Monday in the Normandy town of Saint-Pierre-en-Auge. A small group of Macron supporters came with posters to urge voters to prevent the far-right from running France.
She and Macron face a crucial debate on Wednesday.
___
Jeremias Gonzalez contributed from Saint-Pierre-en-Auge.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the French election at https://apnews.com/hub/french-election-2022 | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/france-eu-fraud-agency-investigating-candidate-le-pen/ | 2022-04-19T10:49:41Z |
DUBLIN, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), a global leader in healthcare technology, today confirmed its participation in the following September 2022 investor conferences:
Wells Fargo 2022 Healthcare Conference
Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 11:35am EDT (10:35am CDT)
Karen Parkhill, executive vice president & chief financial officer, IT & enterprise excellence answered questions about the company.
Morgan Stanley 20th Annual Global Healthcare Conference
Monday, September 12, 2022, at 12:30pm EDT (11:30am CDT).
Geoff Martha, chairman and chief executive officer, will answer questions on the company.
The Bank of America Global Healthcare Conference 2022
Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 2:10pm BST (8:10am CDT)
Rob ten Hoedt, executive vice president & president, EMEA & APAC, will answer questions on the company.
A live webcast of each session will be available on the date and time of each of the conferences noted above by clicking on the Investors Events at http://investorrelations.medtronic.com. An archive of each Q&A session will be available on the same webpage later in the day.
About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
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SOURCE Medtronic plc | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/medtronic-appear-september-investor-conferences/ | 2022-09-07T22:48:07Z |
Bebtelovimab continues to maintain neutralization against all known variants of interest and concern
INDIANAPOLIS, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced a modified purchase agreement with the U.S. government to supply an additional 150,000 doses of bebtelovimab for approximately $275 million. The existing U.S. government supply of bebtelovimab, including the new purchase, is expected to meet present demand through late August 2022. Bebtelovimab continues to maintain neutralization activity against the most common, and fastest growing, Omicron variants (BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5) in the United States, in addition to all known variants of interest and concern.
"Lilly and its collaborators have partnered closely with the federal government throughout the pandemic to ensure broad and equitable access to our monoclonal antibodies," said David A. Ricks, Lilly's chair and CEO. "While Congress works toward additional COVID-19 funding, Lilly and the U.S. government will continue to work together to support the availability of bebtelovimab to maximize equity and accessibility in the U.S. market."
Delivery of doses will begin immediately and complete no later than August 5, 2022. The 2022 estimated financial impact of this agreement is approximately $275 million of revenue and approximately $0.08 of EPS. An option for an additional 350,000 doses to be exercised no later than September 14, 2022 will remain in the agreement.
This purchase has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number W58P0522C0012.
Important Information about bebtelovimab
Bebtelovimab has not been approved, but has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an EUA, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death and for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options approved or authorized by FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
The emergency use of bebtelovimab is authorized only for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization is revoked sooner.
Healthcare providers should review the Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers for information on the authorized use of bebtelovimab and mandatory requirements of the EUA. Please also see the FDA Letter of Authorization and the Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents and Caregivers on the authorized use of bebtelovimab.
Authorized Use and Important Safety Information
Bebtelovimab is authorized for use under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg):
- with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and
- who are at high riski for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, and
- for whom alternate COVID-19 treatment options approved or authorized by FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORIZED USE
Bebtelovimab is not authorized for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in geographic regions where infection is likely to have been caused by a non-susceptible SARS-CoV-2 variant based on available information including variant susceptibility to this drug and regional variant frequency.
- FDA will monitor conditions to determine whether use in a geographic region is consistent with this scope of authorization, referring to available information, including information on variant susceptibility, and CDC regional variant frequency data available at: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions.
- FDA's determination and any updates will be available at: https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization#coviddrugs
Bebtelovimab is not authorized for use in patients who:
- are hospitalized due to COVID-19, OR
- require oxygen therapy and/or respiratory support due to COVID-19, OR
- require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate and/or respiratory support due to COVID-19 and are on chronic oxygen therapy and/or respiratory support due to underlying non-COVID-19 related comorbidity.
Treatment with bebtelovimab has not been studied in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bebtelovimab, may be associated with worse clinical outcomes when administered to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 requiring high flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
Important Safety Information
There are limited clinical data available for bebtelovimab. Serious and unexpected adverse events may occur that have not been previously reported with bebtelovimab use.
WARNINGS
Hypersensitivity Including Anaphylaxis and Infusion-Related Reaction
Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been observed with administration of other SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and could occur with administration of bebtelovimab. If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue administration, and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive care.
Infusion-related reactions, which may occur up to 24 hours after the injection, have been observed in clinical trials of bebtelovimab when administered with other monoclonal antibodies and may occur with use of bebtelovimab alone. These reactions may be severe or life threatening. Signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions may include:
- fever, difficulty breathing, reduced oxygen saturation, chills, fatigue, arrhythmia (e.g. atrial fibrillation, sinus tachycardia, bradycardia), chest pain or discomfort, weakness, altered mental status, nausea, headache, bronchospasm, hypotension, hypertension, angioedema, throat irritation, rash including urticaria, pruritus, myalgia, vasovagal reactions (e.g. pre-syncope, syncope), dizziness, and diaphoresis.
Administer appropriate medications and/or supportive care if an infusion-related reaction occurs. Hypersensitivity reactions occurring more than 24 hours after the injection have also been reported with the use of SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies under Emergency Use Authorization.
Clinical Worsening After Monoclonal Antibody Administration
Clinical worsening of COVID-19 after administration of SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody treatment has been reported and may include signs or symptoms of fever, hypoxia or increased respiratory difficulty, arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation, sinus tachycardia, bradycardia), fatigue, and altered mental status. Some of these events required hospitalization. It is not known if these events were related to SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody use or were due to progression of COVID-19.
Limitations of Benefit and Potential Risk in Patients with Severe COVID-19
Treatment with bebtelovimab has not been studied in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bebtelovimab, may be associated with worse clinical outcomes when administered to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 requiring high-flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation. See Limitations of Authorized Use.
Adverse Reactions
Adverse reactions observed in those who have received bebtelovimab alone or in combination with bamlanivimab and etesevimab, at the authorized dose or higher are infusion-related reactions (n=2, 0.3%), pruritus (n=2, 0.3%) and rash (n=5, 0.8%). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events observed in subjects treated with bebtelovimab, alone or in combination with bamlanivimab and etesevimab, at the authorized dose or higher included nausea (0.8%) and vomiting (0.7%).
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pregnancy
Severe hypersensitivity reactions and infusion-related reactions, have been observed with administration of bebtelovimab, including in pregnant patients. Pregnant patients who develop severe hypersensitivity and infusion-related reactions should be managed appropriately, including obstetrical care. There are insufficient data to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Bebtelovimab should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk for the mother and the fetus.
Breastfeeding
There are no available data on the presence of bebtelovimab in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Breastfeeding individuals with COVID-19 should follow practices according to clinical guidelines to avoid exposing the infant to COVID-19.
About bebtelovimab
Bebtelovimab (LY-CoV1404; LY3853113) is a neutralizing IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that maintains binding and neutralizing activity across currently known and reported variants of concern. Bebtelovimab has been studied for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 both as a monotherapy and together with other mAbs. Lilly has licensed and developed bebtelovimab after it was discovered by AbCellera and the scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center.
About BLAZE-4
BLAZE-4 is a Phase 2, randomized clinical trial evaluating treatment of subjects with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (subjects with COVID-19 symptoms who are not hospitalized). The data supporting this EUA for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 are primarily based on analyses of data from the Phase 2 BLAZE-4 trial (NCT04634409), treatment arms 9-14. This trial evaluated the clinical safety and efficacy from subjects receiving 175 mg bebtelovimab, alone and together with 700 mg bamlanivimab and 1,400 mg of etesevimab. The authorized dosage of bebtelovimab is 175 mg given as an intravenous injection over at least 30 seconds. Clinical data confirm the neutralizing ability of bebtelovimab. The trial enrolled subjects who were not hospitalized and had 1 or more COVID-19 symptoms that were at least mild in severity.
About Lilly's COVID-19 Efforts
Lilly has utilized the full force of its expertise to develop the first monoclonal antibody authorized for Emergency Use (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – bamlanivimab, followed by the authorization of bamlanivimab with etesevimab and, most recently, bebtelovimab. The authorized dose of bebtelovimab is 175 mg given as an intravenous injection over at least 30 seconds.
While bamlanivimab together with etesevimab are not authorized for use in the U.S., at this time, the FDA will monitor conditions to determine whether use in a geographic region is medically appropriate, referring to available information, including information on variant susceptibility, and CDC regional variant frequency data available at: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions.
To date, over 700,000 patients have been treated with Lilly's monoclonal antibodies in the U.S., potentially preventing more than 35,000 hospitalizations and at least 14,000 deaths during the worst of the pandemic. Click here for resources related to Lilly's COVID-19 efforts.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. P-LLY
Lilly Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about bebtelovimab as a potential therapy for patients with COVID-19, the supply, distribution and contracts with governments relating to bebtelovimab, and Lilly's development plans, and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any such undertaking, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug research, development and commercialization. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that future study results will be consistent with the results to date, that bebtelovimab will prove to be a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19, that bebtelovimab will receive regulatory approvals or additional authorizations, that patients will volunteer to participate in clinical trials or achieve positive outcomes, that Lilly will obtain any additional purchase orders or supply contracts, or that Lilly can provide an adequate supply of bebtelovimab in all circumstances. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, please see Lilly's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
For information on medical conditions and factors associated with increased risk for progression to severe COVID-19, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Healthcare providers should consider the benefit-risk for an individual patient.
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/lilly-will-supply-an-additional-150000-doses-bebtelovimab-us-government-ongoing-effort-provide-covid-19-treatment-options/ | 2022-06-29T12:22:27Z |
Which rain boots are best for toddlers?
If you’ve ever seen a toddler jump in a puddle on a rainy day, you know they need a good pair of rain boots. Those boots need to be well-protected against the elements and gentle on your toddler’s feet. Then you have to think about style, considering any favorite colors, themes or characters your toddler might want to show off when they go splashing about in the rain. Check out the CasaMiel Unisex Rain Boots for a well-made boot that’s as comfortable as it is safe and durable.
What to know before you buy toddler rain boots
A toddler is defined as a child from 1 to 3 years old, and shopping for something like a pair of rain boots for a toddler is significantly different from shopping for kids rain boots in older age brackets. Children grow fast, and toddlers, in particular, are still figuring out how to work with their feet, meaning price and functionality become key components.
Size for the right season
A toddler’s feet grow fast, so there’s a much smaller window for clothing and shoe usability. If you buy boots ahead of the rainy season, do the math. For example, if you purchase a month in advance, consider how quickly your child’s feet have grown in the last month and plan accordingly. The last thing you need is a pair of boots that’s already too small.
Boot weight
While you want a sturdy and durable boot, you also want something lightweight and easy to walk in. A toddler is still learning how to control their own movements and doesn’t need to be tripping over heavy boots. If you’re not sure about a boot, have your toddler try them on inside and see how they move in them.
Width of the toe box
The toe box is where the toes reach the tip of the boot and is a crucial factor, especially if your toddler has wider feet. For those who wear wide-width shoes or boots, a wider toe box means less chance of blistering and discomfort. The size of this toe box will vary based on the boot size. Toddler rain boots generally don’t come in wide sizes, so trusting existing reviews can help.
What to look for in a quality toddler rain boot
You want a boot that is made safely from quality materials. It should be practical for use on rainy days. No one expects toddler boots to last forever, and with the way kids grow, you might not even get a ton of use from them. Even so, you want something safe and comfortable for your child.
Pull handles
It can be a challenge to get shoes onto a squirming toddler. Pull handles on either side of the boots can save time and energy, slipping boots onto a child’s feet so they can get out the door faster. It also makes it easier for them to get the boots on themselves if the toddler is independently minded and likes to do things without assistance.
Textured sole
A good rain boot has grooves in the sole to help the wearer keep their footing and prevent slips or falls. This is especially important with toddlers as they play around in puddles on wet or slippery surfaces.
Natural rubber
Polyvinyl chloride is a durable, lightweight plastic that is more cost-effective than rubber for rain products, but it also contains harmful chemical additives like lead and phthalates. A quality rain boot is made from natural rubber, which comes from a plant called Hevea brasiliensis, instead of PVC or synthetic rubber.
How much you can expect to spend on toddler rain boots
The average price is around $20-$40, with some boots costing as much as $50-$60.
Toddler rain boots FAQ
Are toddler shoe sizes different from kids shoe sizes?
A. Yes, toddler sizes are different. They use the same numerical system but with different lettering at the end. For example, a size 6T is not the same as a size 6 in kids shoes.
Are rain boots lined?
A. Sometimes. While not all boots are lined, some are lined on the inside with cotton or lightweight synthetic material.
Can they be worn in the snow?
A. Rain boots are not the same as snow boots and don’t provide the same insulation. It is, therefore, not recommended that your child wear them in the snow.
What’s the best toddler rain boot to buy?
Top toddler rain boot
What you need to know: This natural rubber boot comes in eight colors in sizes 4-10T.
What you’ll love: It’s made from natural, non-toxic materials. It is well-made, lightweight and has grooves in the sole to prevent slipping and sliding. There are pull handles on both sides.
What you should consider: It runs narrow and does not come in half sizes.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top toddler rain boot for the money
Lonecone Rain Boots with Easy-On Handles
What you need to know: This rubber boot comes in over a dozen colorful prints in sizes 4-10T.
What you’ll love: There’s a wide variety of themed prints, from dinosaur to unicorn options. The rubber is phthalate-free and lead-free with a soft cotton lining. There are pull handles on both boots.
What you should consider: It runs a little narrow and does not come in half sizes.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Outdoor Master Lightweight Rain Boots
What you need to know: This rain boot comes in six bold colors in sizes 6-10T.
What you’ll love: It’s easy to clean with a quick rinse and has thick pull handles that are easy to use. It’s great for wide-width feet and features a reflective piece on the heel for visibility in low light. There are grooves in the sole to help prevent slips and falls.
What you should consider: It doesn’t come in smaller sizes or half sizes.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/baby-kids-br/clothing-shoes-br/best-toddler-rain-boots/ | 2022-04-05T18:53:53Z |
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Will Power swept both poles for the IndyCar doubleheader at Iowa Speedway to move within one of Mario Andretti’s all-time record.
Power dominated Saturday’s quirky qualifying session in which his first lap set his starting spot for the race later that afternoon. His second lap put him on the pole for Sunday’s race.
The Iowa haul put Power at 66 poles for his career; Andretti’s record is 67 poles.
“This qualifying session, all season, I was like, ‘This is where I can really make some damage, I can really, really put myself in a position to get there,’” Power said. “That was a big step for me.”
The Australian driver for Team Penske had targeted this weekend as an event where he could close the gap on Andretti. His only other pole this season was in May on the road course at Indianapolis.
“These two poles are key. I was thinking about them all season,” Power said. “Put a lot of focus on this race for that reason. If I got those two, it’s very realistic I could get that record.”
Last week, Scott Dixon tied Andretti for second on the all-time IndyCar wins list with 52 career victory. Power has five more chances this season to snatch another Andretti mark.
___
More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/power-wins-a-pair-of-poles-at-iowa-to-close-in-on-andretti/ | 2022-07-24T12:31:55Z |
Additional financing secured at an attractive fixed rate to fund continued growth of leased fleet
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE: GBX) ("Greenbrier"), a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets, today announced that its Greenbrier Leasing subsidiary has entered a new $150 million term loan to finance the continued growth of its leasing fleet. The new loan is non-recourse to Greenbrier, matures in July 2027 and has terms similar to Greenbrier Leasing's term loan completed in August 2021. Half of the loan amount was drawn at closing and the remaining balance is expected to be utilized in the next six months.
Lorie Tekorius, Chief Executive Officer & President said, "Liquidity in the current economic environment aligns with our leasing strategy and supports Greenbrier's broader goal to grow the services business. I would like to thank our banking group for their ongoing support of Greenbrier through this transaction. Importantly, interest rates on Greenbrier's long-term debt are fixed at attractive levels, with no material debt maturities until 2026. Strong liquidity, combined with our new railcar backlog valued at $3.6 billion as of May 31, 2022, and continued high lease fleet utilization, positions Greenbrier well to navigate current macroeconomic conditions."
About Greenbrier
Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures, Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America, Europe and Brazil. We are a leading provider of freight railcar wheel services, parts, maintenance and retrofitting services in North America through our rail services business unit. Greenbrier manages 421,000 railcars and offers railcar management, regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and other railcars owners in North America. GBX Leasing (GBXL) is a special purpose subsidiary that owns and manages a portfolio of leased railcars that originate primarily from Greenbrier's manufacturing operations. GBXL and Greenbrier own a lease fleet of 11,800 railcars. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com.
"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including any statements that are not purely statements of historical fact. Greenbrier uses words, and variations of words, such as "continue," "expect," "goal," "grow," "insulate," "navigate," "will," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about backlog, leasing performance, financing, future liquidity, and other information regarding future performance and strategies. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the following: the COVID-19 pandemic, variants thereof, governmental reaction thereto, and related economic disruptions (including, among other factors, operations and supply disruptions and labor shortages) inflation (including rising energy prices, interest rates, wages and other escalators) and policy reactions thereto (including actions by central banks); and war in Ukraine and related events. Our backlog of railcar units are not necessarily indicative of future results of operations. Certain orders in backlog are subject to customary documentation which may not occur. More information on potential factors that could cause our results to differ from our forward-looking statements is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recently filed periodic report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on 10-Q. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's opinions only as of the date hereof.
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SOURCE The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/greenbrier-announces-new-150-million-term-loan/ | 2022-08-03T10:39:17Z |
Civilian Army leader led child porn ring, risked US security, investigation finds
SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (AP) — David Frodsham was a top civilian commander at a U.S. air base in Afghanistan when he “jokingly” asked an IT technician for access to YouPorn, the video-sharing pornographic website.
During his time in the war zone, Frodsham told one woman that he hired her because he “wanted to be surrounded by pretty women,” and routinely called others “honey,” “babe,” and “cougar” before he was ordered home after the military verified multiple allegations of sexual harassment.
“I would not recommend placing him back into a position of authority but rather pursuing disciplinary actions at his home station,” wrote one commanding officer when recommending that the Army order Frodsham to leave his post at Bagram Airfield and return to Fort Huachuca, a major Army installation in Arizona, according to a U.S. Army investigative file obtained by The Associated Press.
But when Frodsham returned to his home station in fall 2015, he rejoined the Network Enterprise Technology Command, the Army’s information technology service provider, where he had served as director of personnel for a global command of 15,000 soldiers and civilians, according to his Army resume.
By spring of the following year, he was arrested in Arizona for leading a child sex abuse ring that included an Army sergeant who was posting child pornography to the internet. Among the victims was one of Frodsham’s adopted sons
Frodsham pleaded guilty to sex abuse charges in 2016 and is serving a 17-year sentence. But records reviewed by the AP show that the U.S. Army and the state of Arizona missed or ignored multiple red flags over more than a decade, which allowed Frodsham to allegedly abuse his adopted son and other children for years, all the while putting national security at risk.
The state permitted Frodsham and his wife, Barbara, to foster, adopt and retain custody of their many children despite nearly 20 complaints, and attempted complaints, of abuse, neglect, maltreatment and licensing violations. Meanwhile, the Army gave Frodsham security clearances and sensitive jobs at a time when his illicit sexual practices made him vulnerable to blackmail.
“He would have been an obvious target of foreign intelligence services because of his role and his location,” said Frank Figliuzzi, the former assistant director of counterintelligence for the FBI. “Fort Huachuca is one of the more sensitive installations in the continental United States. People with security issues should not be there.” In addition to NETCOM, where Frodsham worked, Fort Huachuca is home to a contingent of the Army’s Intelligence and Security Command, according to its website.
Public relations officials at Fort Huachuca confirmed that Frodsham was a program manager for NETCOM before he was arrested on child sex abuse charges. They declined to say whether Frodsham was disciplined after returning from Afghanistan, or whether the Army ever considered him a security risk.
Frodsham, former Sgt. Randall Bischak and a third man not associated with the Army are all serving prison terms for the roles they played in the child sex abuse ring. But the investigation is continuing because Sierra Vista police believe additional men took part.
Now, the criminal investigation is spilling over into civil court, where two of Frodsham’s adopted sons have filed separate lawsuits against the state for licensing David and Barbara Frodsham as foster parents in a home where they say they were physically and sexually abused throughout their lives.
A third adopted son filed suit Tuesday in Arizona state court in Cochise County, said attorney Lynne Cadigan, who represents all three. In the latest complaint, 19-year-old Trever Frodsham says case workers missed or overlooked numerous signs that David and Barbara Frodsham were unfit parents. These included a 2002 sex abuse complaint filed with local police by one of the Frodshams’ biological daughters against an older biological brother, and the fact that David and Barbara Frodsham were themselves victims of child sex abuse.
Trever’s allegations echo those featured in an earlier lawsuit filed by his older biological brother, Ryan Frodsham, and one filed by Neal Taylor, both of whom were also adopted into the Frodsham household.
In an interview with the AP, Ryan Frodsham said his adoptive father began sexually abusing him when he was 9 or 10 years old and the abuse continued into his teens, when David Frodsham began offering his son’s sexual services to other men. “Makes me throw up thinking about it,” Ryan said.
In his lawsuit, Ryan Frodsham said the state was informed that David and Barbara Frodsham were physically abusing their children “by slapping them in the face, pinching them, hitting them with a wooden spoon, putting hot sauce in their mouths, pulling them by the hair, bending their fingers back to inflict pain, forcing them to hold cans with their arms extended for long periods time,” and refusing to let them use the bathroom unless the door remained open. In his AP interview, Ryan said Barbara never sexually abused him but walked into the room where David was abusing him at least twice.
“She knew what was going on,” he said.
The lawsuits and related legal filings also say investigators with the Department of Child Safety and case workers with Catholic Community Services, which subcontracts foster and adoption work from the state, failed to effectively follow up on 19 complaints and attempted complaints regarding the Frodsham home spanning more than a decade.
The complaints began in 2002, when the Frodshams applied for their foster care license, and continued until 2015, when David Frodsham was charged with disorderly conduct and driving drunk with children in his car, prompting the state to suspend their license indefinitely and remove all foster children from their home, although the charges were later dismissed.
Five months later, the Army deployed Frodsham to Afghanistan, where he was ordered back to Arizona after only four months of service.
REPORTS FELL ON DEAF EARS
The lawsuits say the Frodshams’ adopted children attempted to report their own physical and sexual abuse without success.
For instance, Neal Taylor’s lawsuit says he attempted to report that David Frodsham was sexually abusing him in two phone calls to his case manager, both of which he placed from school.
The first time, the case manager reported the call to Neal’s adoptive mother, who “interrogated” him and “proceeded to punish” him, according to his lawsuit. The second time, the case manager refused to meet with him unless he disclosed the reason for his call over the phone, because he would have had to drive 90 minutes from Tucson to Sierra Vista for a private meeting.
Ryan Frodsham’s lawsuit and the related legal filings say he reported repeated alleged physical abuse by Barbara Frodsham to Sierra Vista police when he was 12 years old after running away from home. Police photographed several bruises, returned him to Barbara Frodsham, and reported the incident to the state Department of Child Safety. Despite the photographs and a police report, a case worker who met with Ryan five weeks later found his allegations “unsubstantiated.”
Arizona Department of Child Safety spokesman Darren DaRonco declined to answer specific questions about the lawsuits. He instead sent an email outlining the state’s procedures for screening prospective foster and adoptive parents. “Despite all of these safeguards, people are sometimes able to avoid detection,” DaRonco said, “especially if a person has no prior criminal or child abuse history.”
Yet David and Barbara Frodsham have both said they were abused as minors.
In their written application to become foster parents, Barbara Frodsham indicated that neither she nor her husband had been sexually victimized. But in recent pretrial testimony for Ryan Frodsham’s lawsuit, she said she would have revealed her abuse if she had been asked by a state investigator as part of the licensing process.
David Frodsham, for his part, told a probation official after his guilty plea that he had been abused as a teenager.
Many child welfare experts believe people with a history of child sexual abuse are more likely to abuse children in their own households and should be questioned to ensure they’ve overcome their trauma before being allowed to provide foster care.
Arizona’s child welfare case workers “did not know how to interview and, therefore, they didn’t get candid answers from the Frodshams,” said Kathleen Faller, an expert witness retained in Ryan Frodsham’s lawsuit. In pretrial testimony, Faller also said the state should not have granted the Frodshams’ foster care license.
Barbara Frodsham, who divorced David following his guilty plea, did not return multiple telephone calls from the AP, and did not respond to detailed questions left on her voice mail. At the time of her husband’s sentencing, she was working at Fort Huachuca as a personnel specialist, according to law enforcement records. A spokeswoman at Fort Huachuca said she still holds the position.
Attorneys for the state and the other defendants are seeking to have the cases dismissed, based in part on state law that grants immunity to state employees for mistakes or misjudgments committed in the course of their work. The law does not provide immunity for “gross negligence,” which the Frodsham brothers and Neal Taylor are alleging.
The state also says all the complaints about the Frodsham children and the Frodsham home were properly handled.
CHILD SEX ABUSE RING
The Frodsham case started as child sex abuse investigations often do: with an undercover Homeland Security agent lurking in a chat room favored by child pornographers. The Philadelphia-based agent, using the Kik messaging app, ran into someone calling himself “Pup Brass” who was posting videos and photos labeled “pedopicsandvidd.”
Kik offers users a degree of anonymity but it stores IP addresses, which help identify a device’s connection to the internet and can help identify the device’s owner. According to a Sierra Vista police probable cause statement, federal and local law enforcement agents using the IP address and other information — some gleaned from social media accounts — soon determined that “Pup Brass” was Sgt. Randall Bischak.
When they raided his home, seizing computers, cell phones, tablets and CDs holding child pornography, Bischak confessed that he’d been having sex with a 59-year-old man he called “Dave” and his teenage son. In at least one instance Bischak had secretly recorded the sex on video. He also told investigators that he and Frodsham discussed having sex with small children and that Frodsham had supplied him with at least one of the “little ones.”
Thomas Ransford, who specializes in child sex abuse cases for the Sierra Vista police, was no stranger to Frodsham. In the mid-2000s, he served as a military police officer at Fort Huachuca when Frodsham was director of Training, Plans, Mobilization and Security. “So, I knew him. I was familiar with him, attended meetings with him,” Ransford recalled. He also knew that Frodsham’s foster kids were always in trouble.
When Ransford first questioned Frodsham he denied everything. “He was pompous, like he was the smartest guy in the room,” Ransford recalled. Then Ransford played the video Bischak had secretly taken of himself having three-way sex with Frodsham and his adopted son, Ryan, and Frodsham began to acknowledge his crimes.
Ryan Frodsham also initially denied his father had abused him. “Ryan appeared very defensive of his father and did not want to implicate him in any misconduct,” Ransford wrote in a probable cause statement.
But when Ransford showed him a compromising photograph seized from Bischak’s cell phone, Ryan began to open up. Over the course of several months, Ransford said, Ryan identified others he said were part of his father’s child sex abuse ring, fueling the continuing investigation.
“There’s others we’re aware of,” Ransford said. “It’s open.”
The Frodsham child sex abuse ring is part of a cluster of sex abuse cases that have come to light in Cochise County, Arizona, over the last several years, including several involving U.S. Border Patrol agents, two of whom worked at the Naco, Arizona, Border Crossing. Among them:
— John Daly III. A year ago, authorities arrested the recently retired Border Patrol agent after DNA evidence led them to suspect him in at least eight rapes, and to consider whether he is the so-called East Valley rapist, who terrorized women outside Phoenix throughout the 1990s. Prosecutors in Maricopa and Cochise counties have charged him with multiple counts of sexual assault and kidnapping. Daly, who is being held without bail, has pleaded not guilty.
— Dana Thornhill. A year ago, Thornhill was sentenced to a 40-year prison term after pleading guilty to years of sexually abusing his two children. Thornhill was charged following a stand-off with police in which he holed up in a local church. At the time, Thornhill was the chaplain at the Naco Border Crossing.
— Paul Adams. In 2017, Adams was charged with raping his two daughters, one of whom was just 6 weeks old; taking videos of the sexual assaults; and posting them on the Internet. Adams, who took his own life before standing trial, was also stationed at the Naco Border Crossing.
Ransford believes the cluster of cases should be attributed to good police work and effective prosecution, which give victims and others the confidence to report child sex abuse. “People report because they know something’s going to be done about it,” he said.
But Cadigan, the attorney representing the Frodsham brothers and Neal Taylor, wonders whether child sex abuse in southern Arizona is on the rise. “Law enforcement has been very effective, and I appreciate their efforts, but I’ve been taking these cases for 30 years and I’ve never been so busy,” she said.
A SCANDAL-PLAGUED DEPARTMENT
The physical and sexual abuse allegedly endured by the Frodsham brothers and Neal Taylor occurred at a time when Arizona’s child welfare system was embroiled in scandal. In 2013, officials revealed that what was then the Department of Protective Services had a backlog of more than 6,500 abuse and neglect complaints it had never investigated.
The revelation prompted then-Gov. Jan Brewer to dissolve the entire department and create a new Cabinet-level office called the Department of Child Safety. “It is evident that our child welfare system is broken, impeded by years of operational failures,” said Brewer, a Republican.
Underlying the scandal were deep budget cuts to family support services, leading to soaring abuse and neglect complaints and what an auditor general’s report would later refer to as “unmanageable workloads, staff turnover and the limited experience of some CPS supervisors and newly hired investigators.”
In 2014, an analysis produced for the state Legislature showed that the increase in workloads in Arizona during the decade that ended in 2012 was greater than in any other state but one. It also showed that the response time for abuse and neglect complaints ballooned from 63 hours to nearly 250 hours, between 2009 and 2012.
In its defense against Ryan Frodsham’s lawsuit, the state is trying to exclude any mention of the department’s troubled past. “There is no evidence that the types of problems that led to the dissolution of CPS has any relation to or impact on his case,” the state said in a pretrial motion.
But David and Barbara Frodsham were licensed as foster parents in 2002, at the dawn of what was perhaps the department’s most troubled period, and formally adopted the three men going to court about a decade later, shortly before the system collapsed. “The jury is entitled to the full picture,” lawyers for Ryan Frodsham said.
In his AP interview, Ryan Frodsham said he filed his lawsuit for one reason: “I want the state to admit what it did was wrong.”
___
This story has been updated to correct that Fort Huachuca is home to a contingent of the Intelligence and Security Command.
___
To contact AP’s investigations team, email investigative@ap.org
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/03/29/civilian-army-leader-led-child-porn-ring-risked-us-security-investigation-finds/ | 2022-04-03T13:49:11Z |
AUBURN, Ala., Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Auburn football isn't the only thing going orange this weekend, as the Board of Trustees approved a project Friday to build an Auburn University Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station in Orange Beach.
The building, which is being constructed on land provided by the City of Orange Beach on Terry Cove off Perdido Bay with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, will consist of laboratory, office and collaborative meeting spaces. The project will provide dedicated space for research of coastal environments and communities of the Gulf Coast, while also providing collaborative opportunities with other Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium institutions.
The news comes on the heels of the February announcement of the acquisition of a facility in Huntsville to establish the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus.
"We are thrilled to announce this new endeavor to further Auburn University's mission as one of the nation's premier land-grant universities, and we are extremely appreciative of the support of the Board of Trustees and the president's office," said Steve Taylor, interim dean of Auburn's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. "This facility will expand collaborative opportunities with our friends and partners with the City of Orange Beach, the University of South Alabama and other regional institutions and industries as we work together to study, develop and implement infrastructure resiliency, environmental protection, restoration, sustainability and conservation actions that will continue to improve the quality of life and enhance economic advancement in this vital area to our state."
Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon said the city is proud to work with Auburn and other universities to create long-term solutions for the state's Gulf Coast, and beyond.
"The City of Orange Beach is extremely excited about the opportunity to partner with Auburn University and the collaborative effort with universities all over the country," Kennon said.
The gulf research station will focus on three broad coastal research areas: water quality and quantity protection and restoration; protection, restoration and conservation of habitat and living resources; and enhancing coastal community sustainability and resilience.
In addition, it will also provide residents and visitors a better understanding and appreciation of the natural, historical, cultural and environmental resources of the region through community outreach and continuing education opportunities.
Funding for the station was secured through the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council in cooperation with the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The effects of natural and man-made disasters on the primary industries in the region have resulted in economic adjustments and dislocations primarily through reductions in tourism and the simultaneous effects on tourism-related industries, damage to public and private infrastructure, negative impacts to agriculture and fishing-related industries, and damage to the natural environment and natural resources.
Through the creation of this facility, Auburn University and its partners will engage in fundamental and applied research of critical importance to the coastal environment and communities of Alabama and the larger northern Gulf Coast region. The station will be dedicated to addressing all the goals and objectives set forth in the 2016 Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Comprehensive Plan.
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SOURCE Auburn University-College of Engineering | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/board-trustees-approves-project-auburn-university-gulf-coast-engineering-research-station-orange-beach/ | 2022-09-16T19:51:40Z |
2 sheriff’s deputies disciplined over handling of Bob Saget’s death
(CNN) - Two sheriff’s deputies in Florida have been disciplined for sharing information about comedian Bob Saget’s death with the public before his family was notified.
An internal investigation was done by the sheriff’s department.
Both deputies admitted they improperly shared the information, which is a violation of department policy.
The exact nature of the disciplinary action was not specified.
One deputy who responded to the scene texted his brother about the star’s death, and the brother posted it on Twitter. The other deputy texted two neighbors the details.
Saget was on tour when he was found dead in an Orlando, Florida, hotel room in January. The 65-year-old comedian and “Full House” star died from head trauma.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/20/2-sheriffs-deputies-disciplined-over-handling-bob-sagets-death/ | 2022-06-20T10:25:53Z |
STOCKHOLM, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During June, Calliditas Therapeutics AB (publ) has issued 5,908,018 class C-shares as part of the establishment of the company's at-the-market program. Thus, as of June 30, 2022, the number of shares and votes in the company amounts to 59,106,188 shares and 53,788,971.8 votes.
For further information, please contact:
Mikael Widell
Investor relations
Tel.: +46703119960
email: mikael.widell@calliditas.com
The information in the press release is such that Calliditas Therapeutics AB (publ) is required to disclose pursuant to the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 10:00 a.m. CEST on June 30, 2022.
About Calliditas
Calliditas Therapeutics is a commercial stage biopharma company based in Stockholm, Sweden focused on identifying, developing and commercializing novel treatments in orphan indications, with an initial focus on renal and hepatic diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Calliditas' lead product, TARPEYOTM (budesonide) delayed release capsules, has been approved by the FDA. This drug product is awaiting European Commission (EC) approval following a positive CHMP opinion. Additionally, Calliditas is conducting a Phase 2b/3 trial with its NOX inhibitor product candidate setanaxib in primary biliary cholangitis and is initiating a head and neck cancer Phase 2 trial with setanaxib. Calliditas' common shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker: CALTX) and its American Depositary Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (ticker: CALT).
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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SOURCE Calliditas Therapeutics | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/number-shares-votes-calliditas-therapeutics/ | 2022-06-30T09:54:17Z |
BOSTON, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TetraScience, the R&D Data Cloud company, announced today that Chemaxon, a leading web-based cheminformatics and bioinformatics software provider, has joined the Tetra Partner Network to help customers dramatically increase their capacity to find and synthesize chemical compounds with overall improved property profiles.
"Chemaxon is an industry leader with flexible solutions that support computational chemistry," said Simon Meffan-Main, Ph.D., Vice President, Tetra Partner Network. "The combination of the Tetra Data Platform and their ability to link scientific data from targets to clinical results will help customers optimize every aspect of screening through synthesis to the production of drugs."
Trusted by over one million active users, Chemaxon is renowned for industry-leading software supporting scientific discovery with calculation, search and drawing tools. Used in small molecule drug design and optimization, Chemaxon's Design Hub is a team collaboration tool within the Design, Make, Test, Analyze (DMTA) cycle. The Tetra Data Platform ingests raw scientific data from disparate sources and engineers it into the industry's only universally adoptable format, Tetra Data, which is harmonized, compliant, liquid, and actionable. Tetra Data uniquely accelerates and improves scientific outcomes and can easily be incorporated into Chemaxon's software.
"By partnering with TetraScience, Chemaxon can automatically ingest Tetra Data so that customers can analyze more scientific data at faster speeds and with greater ease," said Richard Jones, CEO, Chemaxon. "Our software is purpose built to store and analyze complex data sets from reactors, batches, and bioassays. We are thrilled to partner with TetraScience and use Tetra Data to help customers accelerate chemical compound discovery, development and manufacturing."
"In order to unlock the potential of life science R&D labs and dramatically accelerate discovery, we must capitalize on the power of AI and data science. A precondition to enabling these capabilities is moving the industry away from a legacy data model of silos and point-to-point integrations, to a native and unified cloud-based data paradigm," explained Patrick Grady, Chief Executive Officer, TetraScience. "Our partnership with Chemaxon is an example of what can now be done to enable the life sciences industry to accelerate discoveries that can help improve lives."
TetraScience is the R&D Data Cloud company with a mission to transform life sciences R&D, accelerate discovery, and improve and extend human life. The Tetra R&D Data Cloud provides life sciences companies with the flexibility, scalability, and data-centric capabilities to enable easy access to centralized, harmonized, and actionable scientific data and is actively deployed across enterprise pharma and biotech organizations. As an open platform, TetraScience has built the largest integration network of lab instruments, informatics applications, CRO/CDMOs, analytics, and data science partners, creating seamless interoperability and an innovation feedback loop that will drive the future of life sciences R&D. For more information, please visit tetrascience.com.
Chemaxon is a chemical and biochemical software company, used by over a million scientists worldwide, offering more than a dozen applications, including JChem Engines for outstanding search in large databases, Marvin for structure sketching, Design Hub for collaboration, which are widely used in life sciences R&D and education. Our clients range from top pharmaceuticals to small research laboratories to leading universities internationally. We have offices in Budapest, Basel, Boston and San Diego and distributors around the world. More information at chemaxon.com
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SOURCE TetraScience | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/chemaxon-joins-tetra-partner-network-help-customers-accelerate-drug-delivery/ | 2022-06-29T12:18:45Z |
Comerica to Participate in Barclays Global Financial Services Conference; Announces Details for Conference Call to Review Third Quarter 2022 Earnings
Published: Aug. 24, 2022 at 3:15 PM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
DALLAS, Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) announced it will participate in the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.
Comerica Incorporated also provided details for its third quarter 2022 earnings call on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.
Interested parties may access additional information through the following details:
Barclays Global Financial Services Conference:
Third Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call:
In addition, the conference presentation, financial results and earnings presentation will be furnished on Form 8-K filings that will be available on the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.
The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/comerica-participate-barclays-global-financial-services-conference-announces-details-conference-call-review-third-quarter-2022-earnings/ | 2022-08-24T21:49:58Z |
IXL's new games provide engaging ways to help students gain a deeper understanding of fundamental math and language arts concepts
SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IXL, the personalized learning platform used by more than 13 million students, released more than 120 educational games covering math and English language arts skills for Pre-K through 5th grade. Each game provides a fun, new way to help students understand key grade level topics and spark a lasting love of learning.
IXL games teach the fundamental concepts necessary to help young learners grow. They provide students with hands-on practice in topics including the alphabet, parts of speech and contractions, multiplication and more.
Specially designed to fascinate young students, IXL's games include whimsical sounds and animations that immerse children in a joyful world of learning. Within each activity, learners interact with animations, unique characters and dynamic challenges as they race to answer questions, decipher clues and earn rewards. Because IXL games are both educational and entertaining, they can be implemented in various ways in the classroom, including within a lesson, as a reward for great work and for further enrichment. In addition, each game is kidSAFE COPPA certified, meeting the high standard of quality and safety that teachers and parents can trust.
"IXL's carefully crafted educational games give young students enjoyable ways to enhance their knowledge and grow confidence in their skills," said Kate Mattison, VP of Curriculum at IXL Learning. "Educators and parents now have more incredibly compelling resources that will instill a lasting eagerness to learn in children, regardless of whether they are in the classroom or at home."
IXL games can be accessed from the Learning section of IXL math and English language arts grade-level landing pages, and are currently available on the web version of IXL.com.
IXL's teaching and learning platform comprises a comprehensive PK-12 curriculum and personalized guidance, instructional resources and classroom engagement tools, a first-of-its-kind assessment suite and actionable analytics for districts, schools, classrooms and individual learners. Additionally, IXL offers district partnership, professional learning and implementation services. All integrated into a single offering, each component is designed to work together seamlessly to give educators the tools and insights they need to maximize learning for every single student. Research in 37 states has shown that IXL boosts academic achievement.
In Pre-K through 5th grade, IXL's curriculum and learning tools are tailored to help younger learners:
Develop a deeper understanding of math: IXL Math offers more than 2,200 standards-aligned skills for Pre-K through 5th grade to help students master essential skills through fun and interactive questions, built-in support and motivating awards. In addition, the IXL platform recently won the 2022 SIIA CODiE award for Best Math Instructional Solution for Grades PK-8 after undergoing a rigorous review by expert judges.
Build reading fluency: IXL offers more than 1,200 standards-aligned literacy skills for grades Pre-K through 5th grade that help students build fluency in phonics and reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar. With intriguing texts and engaging images, students interact with language in exciting new ways. IXL ELA was honored by the CODiE's in 2020 and 2021 as the best solution for developing foundational English language arts skills.
Media, please note: Screenshots of IXL may be downloaded at www.ixl.com/press. For demos and access to IXL, contact press@ixl.com.
Currently used by 13 million students and in all of the top 100 U.S. school districts, IXL is an all-inclusive educational platform that provides a comprehensive PK-12 curriculum and instructional resources, actionable analytics and a state-of-the-art assessment suite. IXL's end-to-end teaching and learning solution supports personalized instruction in math, English language arts, science, social studies and Spanish. With more than 100 billion questions asked and answered around the world, IXL is helping schools and parents successfully boost student achievement. The IXL Learning family of products also includes Rosetta Stone, Wyzant, Education.com, ABCya, Vocabulary.com and Curiosity Media. To learn more about IXL, visit www.ixl.com, facebook.com/IXL and twitter.com/IXLLearning.
Press Contact
Eric Bates
IXL Learning
press@ixl.com
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SOURCE IXL Learning | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/ixl-introduces-educational-games-young-learners/ | 2022-09-06T13:02:30Z |
DALLAS (STACKER) — An aging power infrastructure and a growing climate crisis have left U.S. residents increasingly in the dark. Traditionally, power outages are caused by singular disruptions—a car rams into a pole, equipment fails, or a tree falls onto a power line. These incidents usually affect small areas for short periods. However, as the changing climate spurs more natural disasters, power outages also become more frequent and severe.
Stacker analyzed data from the Department of Energy to identify the states that have experienced the most power outages since the start of 2021. Data was available through June 2021, so it does not include more recent natural disasters like Hurricane Ida. These states do share one severe weather incident: the arctic blast that caused record low temperatures across 48 states in February 2021.
Read on to find out how many power outages your state has experienced this year, or check out the top 15 here.
Texas by the numbers
– Total electric disturbance events (2021): 66
— Most common cause: severe weather
– Total electric disturbance events (2020): 47
— Most common cause: severe weather
One of the nation’s worst power outages ever hit Texas in February 2021, leaving 4 million residents without power in freezing weather. More than 200 residents died, and over 1,400 people sought hospital care due to carbon monoxide poisoning, as people used alternative power sources, like charcoal grills, to stay warm. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said natural gas providers’ equipment failure primarily caused the outages. Still, all of the state’s power sources were affected by the low temperatures.
These outages are life-threatening in more ways than one. Power outages leave residents without air conditioning or heating, making them susceptible to heatstroke or hypothermia. Furthermore, improper use of alternative energy sources like grills or gas-powered generators can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
During an outage, hospitals resort to contingency plans to power only the most vital equipment. Accessibility is hindered as motorized stair lifts and elevators stop functioning. Prolonged power outages also disrupt the food supply chain. Factories pause or halt production, warehouses stop loading trucks, and stores lose perishable food.
Keep reading to see which states had the most and least power outages this year.
States with the most power outages in the last year
#1. Texas: 66 total electric disturbance events (2021)
#2. Louisiana: 19 total electric disturbance events (2021)
#3. California: 15 total electric disturbance events (2021)
States with the least power outages in the last year
#1. West Virginia: 1 total electric disturbance events (2021)
#2. Virginia: 1 total electric disturbance events (2021)
#3. Tennessee: 1 total electric disturbance events (2021) | https://cw33.com/news/texas/texas-is-the-1-state-with-the-most-power-outages-in-the-last-year/ | 2022-04-15T21:51:58Z |
NEW YORK, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd. (NYSE: FHS) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with the Company's March 2021 initial public offering ("IPO" or the "Offering") of the important July 11, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased First High-School Education Group securities pursuant and/or traceable to the Registration Statement you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the First High-School Education Group class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6131 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 11, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the IPO Registration Statement was materially false and misleading and omitted to state: (1) the new rules, regulations, and policies to be implemented by the Chinese government following the Two Sessions parliamentary meetings were far more severe than represented to investors and posed a material adverse threat to First High-School Education Group and its business; (2) contemplated Chinese regulations and rules regarding private education were leading to a slowdown of government approval to open new educational facilities which would have a negative effect on First High-School Education Group's enrollment and growth; and (3) as a result, the Registration Statement's representations regarding First High-School Education Group's historical financial and operational metrics and purported market opportunities did not accurately reflect the actual business, operations, and financial results and trajectory of First High-School Education Group at the time of the IPO, and were materially false and misleading and lacked a factual basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the First High-School Education Group class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6131 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/18/rosen-recognized-investor-counsel-encourages-first-high-school-education-group-co-ltd-investors-with-losses-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-fhs/ | 2022-06-18T01:34:52Z |
- After FDA approval, Abbott could restart the site within two weeks; from the time of restart it would take six to eight weeks before product is available on shelves
- Abbott will continue to import formula from FDA-registered facility in Ireland to help alleviate near-term supply shortage
- CDC concluded its investigation with no findings of a link between Abbott formulas and infant illnesses
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has agreed to enter into a consent decree with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to its Sturgis, Mich., infant formula plant. The decree is an agreement between FDA and Abbott on the steps necessary to resume production and maintain the facility. This does not affect any other Abbott plant or operation. The decree is subject to court approval.
"Our number one priority is getting infants and families the high-quality formulas they need, and this is a major step toward re-opening our Sturgis facility so we can ease the nationwide formula shortage. We look forward to working with the FDA to quickly and safely re-open the facility," said Robert B. Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "We know millions of parents and caregivers depend on us and we're deeply sorry that our voluntary recall worsened the nationwide formula shortage. We will work hard to re-earn the trust that moms, dads and caregivers have placed in our formulas for more than 50 years."
Once the FDA confirms the initial requirements for start-up have been met, Abbott could restart the site within two weeks. The company would begin production of EleCare®, Alimentum® and metabolic formulas first and then begin production of Similac® and other formulas. From the time Abbott restarts the site, it will take six to eight weeks before product is available on shelves.
Abbott has been working on corrective actions since the FDA inspection and submitted a response and corrective action plan to FDA on April 8. Even before its formal response, Abbott had begun working to implement improvements and take corrective action. Some of these actions included reviewing and updating education, training and safety procedures for both employees and visitors, as well as updating protocols regarding water, cleaning and maintenance procedures at the facility. Abbott immediately implemented corrections to address the items that the FDA raised in its observations provided at the conclusion of the inspection. The company has also been making upgrades to the plant.
Detailed Findings of Investigation
After a thorough investigation by FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Abbott, and review of all available data, there is no conclusive evidence to link Abbott's formulas to these infant illnesses. Specifically:
- CDC concluded its investigation with no findings of a link between Abbott formulas and infant illnesses.
- Abbott conducts microbiological testing on products prior to distribution and no Abbott formula distributed to consumers tested positive for Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella.
- All retained product tested by Abbott and the FDA during the inspection of the facility came back negative for Cronobacter sakazakii and/or Salmonella. No Salmonella was found at the Sturgis facility.
- The Cronobacter sakazakii that was found in environmental testing during the investigation was in non-product contact areas of the facility and has not been linked to any known infant illness.
- Genetic sequencing on the two available samples from ill infants did not match the strains of Cronobacter sakazakii found in our plant. Samples from ill infants did not match each other, which means there was no connection between the two cases.
- In all four cases, the state, FDA and/or CDC tested samples of the Abbott formula that was used by the child. In all four cases, all unopened containers tested negative.
- Open containers from the homes of the infants were also tested in three of the four cases; two of the three tested negative. The one positive was from an open container from the home of the infant, and it tested positive for two different strains of Cronobacter sakazakii, one of which matched the strain that caused the infant's infection, and the other matched a strain found on a bottle of distilled water in the home used to mix the formula. Again, neither strain matched strains found in our plant.
- The infants consumed four different types of our formula made over the course of nearly a year and the illnesses took place over several months in three different states.
Cronobacter sakazakii is naturally occurring and found nearly everywhere in the environment. Powdered infant formula manufacturers periodically detect it in their plants, and FDA, in issuing its infant formula Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) regulations, stated that, based on current technologies, it is not possible to produce a sterile powdered infant formula (79 Fed. Reg. 7987). However, Abbott has no tolerance for Cronobacter sakazakii in its production environment, and no Abbott product was distributed with Cronobacter sakazakii contamination. The company is further strengthening its processes and using advanced technologies to enhance sanitization procedures, product tracking and monitoring as well as training protocols for employees and visitors.
"Our safety and quality processes meet even the toughest scrutiny and we're committed to continuously improving our processes and protocols," said Mr. Ford. "Nutrition is fundamental to Abbott and to our goal of improving the lives of more than 3 billion people by decade's end. We intend to set the standard for the industry, raising the bar on both safety and quality."
Abbott's Efforts to Support Formula Supply Since the Recall
Since the recall, the company has taken numerous measures to mitigate the supply shortage. Specifically, it has focused on production in its Cootehill, Ireland, facility to serve state Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) consumers.
Abbott has been working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and WIC agencies and paying rebates on competitive products in states where Abbott holds the WIC contract, when Similac is not available. Abbott said Friday it will continue to pay rebates for competitive products through August 31. This means program participants will continue to be able to obtain formula free of charge, whether it is Similac or formula from another manufacturer. Additionally, the company has:
- Air shipped millions of cans of infant formula powder into the U.S. from our FDA-registered facility in Cootehill, Ireland.
- Prioritized infant formula production at our Columbus, Ohio, facility, converting other liquid manufacturing lines into manufacturing Similac liquid ready-to-feed and ramped production at our other U.S. manufacturing site in Casa Grande, Arizona, for powder infant formula.
- Offered an increased number and value of coupons available for all infant formula products, including Similac liquid ready-to-feed, to enable customers to purchase formula, either free or deeply discounted.
- Been running other facilities at full capacity to help replenish the supply in the market.
Abbott Guidance Unchanged
Abbott is confirming its previously issued full-year 2022 guidance for adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of at least $4.70. Abbott will incur one-time specified charges for expenses related to the consent decree which have not yet been quantified. However, Abbott does not expect that these expenses will have a material impact on Abbott's consolidated financial statements.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
— Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 —
A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Abbott cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021, and are incorporated herein by reference. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.
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SOURCE Abbott | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/abbott-enters-into-consent-decree-with-us-food-drug-administration-its-sturgis-mich-plant-agreement-creates-pathway-reopen-facility/ | 2022-05-16T21:40:27Z |
A+ Athlete: Dristan Harber, Bennington
BENNINGTON, Okla (KXII) - This week’s A+ Athlete is Dristan Harber from Bennington High School.
Dristan is class president and has a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of National Honor Society and an officer in the Science Club. When he’s not hitting the books, Dristan helps Blessing Box collect and distribute food and goods to families in need.
“Dristan’s a wonderful overall student,” Bennington computer science teacher Leighanne Blankenship said. “He encourages everybody to do the best they can. He’s a great inspiration to everyone in the classroom but helping them if they need help on an assignment that they’re not positive about. He just always comes in with such a great attitude.”
”I want to be successful in life as much as possible,” Harber said. “I try to work as hard as I can because opportunities are limited. You know not everybody has one. I just really try to take advantage of them to the best of my ability.”
On the hardwood, Dristan is the starting point guard on the Bears Basketball team, earning Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. He is also plays 3rd base for the baseball team and was the spirit award winner last year.
”Dristan tends to be one of the lead by example kind of guys,” Bennington basketball coach Darren Harber said. “He’s somebody who always tries to be encouraging, positive, and try to help his teammates out, whatever way that is. You know, really the kind of kid you want on your team.”
”I just try to work as hard as I can, whether that’s one the classroom or on the field,” Harber said. “I just try to do really everything I can. Whether it’s paying attention, helping other people, or just going hard. Even if you’re not the best you can still work hard and that will take to further than just about anything.”
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/04/02/athlete-dristan-harber-bennington/ | 2022-04-02T13:52:10Z |
Who’s who: Meet the Murdoch Family
By Beth Marengo and Samaria Parker, CNN
Over the past 70 years, media mogul Rupert Murdoch built a small Australian family newspaper company into arguably the most powerful conservative media empire in history. With a market cap of $13.50 billion, News Corp is one of the most influential companies on the planet.
The story behind the ruthless business tactics, political maneuvering and dynastic family battles that have gone into the making of this media powerhouse would be perfect fodder for one of the News Corp news outlets or TV channels, if it were not about Rupert himself. Now, as the seemingly invincible figure advances into his nineties, speculation through the worlds of business, politics and entertainment about who will succeed him as the leader of News Corp has reached a fever pitch.
Here’s a look at who’s who in the potential line of succession and the wider Murdoch clan.
Patriarch
Rupert Murdoch
Australian-born Rupert Murdoch, 91, is the media magnate who grew the small newspaper company he inherited from his father in 1952 into News Corporation, Ltd., the multi-billion dollar global media empire with a presence in cable, film, television, internet, satellite, sports, publishing and other fields. At different points the conglomerate has included the newspapers News of the World, the Sun, the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal; Twentieth Century Fox film studio; the Fox Broadcasting network; Fox News Channel; HarperCollins publishing, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Murdoch has been married four times and fathered six children over the course of his seven-decades long career. Several of Murdoch’s children have followed him into the family business. Murdoch’s penchant for pitting the siblings against each other in a years’ long competition to see who will succeed him as head of News Corp is widely believed to be the inspiration for the popular HBO series, “Succession.”
Murdoch’s ruthlessness extends far beyond his family circle. Early in his career he developed the tactic of confronting competition by buying them or running them out of business. Dealings at his British tabloid papers came under scrutiny in 2011 when it was discovered reporters were hacking the phones of royals, celebrities, and crime victims to get their stories. The Murdoch family brand made headlines again when Fox News Channel CEO Roger Ailes was forced to resign amid sexual harassment allegations in 2016.
Murdoch still holds the top post at News Corp, the second incarnation of the now defunct News Corporation which broke up into two companies in 2013. It is unclear who will lead the company when he passes.
Potential Heirs
Lachlan Murdoch
Lachlan Murdoch, 50, is Rupert Murdoch’s oldest son with his second wife, Anna. He began learning the family business at a young age through internships at his father’s media outlets. He rose quickly through the executive ranks and by 1997 had become chairman and chief executive of News Ltd. At the time, his father described Lachlan as his heir apparent, “the first among equals.” His ascension continued smoothly until 2005. That year, Lachlan abruptly quit his executive positions at News Corporation after a battle with Ailes over the direction of the cable news network — effectively taking himself off the heir apparent track. Lachlan then launched his own investment company, Illyria Pty, in Australia. After an extended absence, Lachlan returned to the family business in 2014 and resumed his position as a potential heir to the empire, becoming CEO of Fox Broadcasting and executive chairman at 21st Century Fox. Shortly after, Lachlan’s younger brother James was tapped to be CEO of 21st Century Fox in a power-sharing experiment orchestrated by Rupert between the brothers. The experiment proved unsuccessful, and Rupert sold 21st Century Fox to Disney in 2019. Lachlan now holds the roles of executive chair and CEO of Fox Corporation and co-chairman of News Corp, as well as executive chairman of NOVA Entertainment, an Australian media company.
James Murdoch
James Murdoch, 49, is Rupert Murdoch’s fourth child and second son with his second wife, Anna. James’ early career choices was at odds with his father’s conservative newspaper empire. He dropped out of Harvard in 1995 to start his own hip-hop record label, Rawkus Records. After several years, he transitioned into executive roles within News Corporation and assumed the role of corporate company man. After Lachlan quit Fox in 2005, James was increasingly seen as the new heir apparent to his father.
In 2007, James became chairman of BSkyB. In 2011, he was named deputy COO of News Corporation, and chairman and CEO of News International. But as James was climbing to new heights within the empire, the company became engulfed in scandal when investigators and journalists discovered staff at some Murdoch tabloids in Britain had been hacking the phones of public figures and crime victims to get their stories. James was forced to step down as chairman of BSkyB as a result.
After several years hiatus, he rejoined the family business, eventually becoming chairman of Sky and CEO of 21st Century Fox, co-leading the company with older brother Lachlan, who served as executive chairman. The joint leadership arrangement didn’t work out, and James left 21st Century Fox in 2019 when the company was sold to Disney, and then left Sky when majority control was acquired by Comcast. Long known as the lone liberal of the Murdoch clan, James’ political differences with his family came to a head and he resigned from the board of News Corp in 2020, writing at the time, “My resignation is due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the Company’s news outlets and certain other strategic decisions.”
Elisabeth Murdoch
Elisabeth Murdoch, 53, is Rupert Murdoch’s second child, the first he had with second wife Anna Murdoch. Elisabeth began her training in the family business early with internships and entry level jobs at Murdoch properties. In 1996 she became managing director of Sky Networks at BSkyB. But several years later she was passed over for the role of chief executive at Sky.
Rupert considers Elisabeth to be most like him, but he has been more dismissive of her attempts to take the throne, saying at one point she’d have to figure out how many children she wanted to have before planning further advancement at the company. In 2000 she left the family business and went on to found Shine, one of the UK’s biggest independent production companies with shows like “The Biggest Loser,” “Master Chef,” and “History Cold Case.”
When News Corporation acquired Shine in 2011, Elisabeth attempted to take a seat on the News Corporation board, but scrutiny over the phone hacking scandal prevented that from happening. She left Shine after a merger with two other production companies. In 2019 she established a new production company, Sister, and in 2021 Sister funded the opening of a London branch of Ghetto Film School, a non-profit program geared toward introducing young people of color to the entertainment industry.
Wives
Patricia Booker
Rupert Murdoch and his first wife, Patricia Booker, a former department store model and flight attendant, married in 1956. She gave birth to his first child, a daughter named Prudence, two years later. The marriage lasted 11 years; they divorced in 1967.
Anna Murdoch
Rupert met Anna Torv at his newspaper The Daily Mirror, in Sydney, where she was working as a reporter. A few months after his divorce from Patricia, Rupert and Anna married. They had three children together, Elisabeth, Lachlan and James, now the main contenders to be heir of the Murdoch empire. Over the years Anna published several novels, one of which featured a family that bore a striking resemblance to her own. She spent three decades raising their family and acting as Rupert’s loyal partner on the world stage. In the mid-1990’s, as Rupert approached conventional retirement age, Anna hoped his relentless drive to build the empire would subside, and he’d spend more time with her enjoying their golden years. Rupert was completely opposed to that idea. The disagreement led to an irreconcilable rift, and the two divorced in 1999, after 31 years of marriage.
Wendi Deng
Deng, 53, Rupert Murdoch’s third wife, is mother of his two youngest children Grace Murdoch, 20, and Chloe Murdoch, 18. Wendi met Rupert when she was working at his Star TV network in Hong Kong. The up-and-comer immediately charmed the media mogul; one former colleague said, “She was always someone who was going to do well. We just didn’t realize how well.” They married in June 1999, two years after meeting and only 17 days after Rupert’s divorce with his second wife Anna was finalized. Wendi grew to be one of Rupert’s closest advisers and confidantes, but his older children opposed the marriage and viewed Wendi as a potential competitor for control of the Murdoch empire. But after 14 years the marriage fell apart amid allegations of Wendi’s infidelity, on which she has declined to comment.
Jerry Hall
Former supermodel and ex-girlfriend of rock star Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall married Rupert Murdoch in 2016 when she was 59 and he was 85. The grown Murdoch children genuinely like Jerry and approved of the union, very different circumstances from his marriage to Wendi Deng. The London wedding was a joyful family affair and presented a rare moment of solidarity among the Murdoch clan.
Other Children
Prudence Macleod
Prudence Macleod is Rupert’s oldest child from his first marriage to Patricia Booker. Prudence never showed much of an interest in running the family business, so she has largely stayed out of the succession battle that has ensnared her siblings Elisabeth, Lachlan and James. She has held different positions at News Corporation throughout her career and currently sits on the board of Times Newspapers, Ltd. She also has a voting share in the Murdoch family trust.
Grace Murdoch & Chloe Murdoch
Grace, 20, and Chloe, 18, are Murdoch’s two youngest children from his marriage to Wendi Deng. They spent their childhoods shuttling between the family properties in New York, Los Angeles and Arizona and luxe vacation destinations around the globe. Both attended the prestigious Brearley School in Manhattan. Grace has now moved on to Yale University while Chloe studies at Stanford. The youngest Murdochs have non-voting shares in the Murdoch family trust, which positions them, along with their older half-siblings, to inherit billions.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2022/04/17/whos-who-meet-the-murdoch-family-2/ | 2022-04-18T05:35:18Z |
Vasectomies: Urologist says consultations are up 900% after Roe v. Wade decision
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KSHB) - With the overturn of Roe v. Wade, interest in contraceptives has increased dramatically.
Missouri resident Lyon Lenk said his fiancée, Kelsey, means everything to him, and they are weighing her medical history after the court’s decision on abortion.
“We’ve talked about me getting a vasectomy. I’ve got to contemplate doing what could potentially be a life-saving procedure for the person I love most. It’s not a decision I take lightly,” Lenk said.
There are about two dozen clinics Lenk could choose from in the area as more men discuss the topic.
“Since Friday, we’re up 900 percent in people looking to get a vasectomy,” Dr. Christian Hettinger with Kansas City Urology Care said. “Typically, it’s about three over a weekend, and over this past weekend, it was 50 people.”
He said the procedure isn’t for everyone and should be viewed as a permanent form of sterilization.
“It’s not something that’s a good temporary fix. It’s not something I would plan to have done and then reversed in the future,” Hettinger said.
Lenk said he has done his research and has been talking to his family and friends about his decision.
“Either I get this, or we risk her being denied a procedure down the line, and that’s unacceptable to me,” Lenk said. “It’s not a sacrifice. It’s the right thing to do.”
Copyright 2022 KSHB via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/30/vasectomies-urologist-says-consultations-are-up-900-after-roe-v-wade-decision/ | 2022-06-30T01:42:50Z |
Paleontologists find remains of one of the largest dinosaurs
(CNN) - One of Europe’s largest dinosaurs has been discovered in Portugal.
According to researchers from the University of Lisbon, the owner of some private property in Pombal first discovered part of the fossil in 2017. That person contacted paleontologists at the University of Lisbon.
A team from the school began excavating the land, and earlier this month, the researchers recovered remains of hips that were 6.5 feet long.
Based on the size of the hips, paleontologists say the dinosaur was nearly 40 feet tall and more than 80 feet long.
The animal was a sauropod – a group of herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by having a long neck and tail.
Paleontologists say the dinosaur lived around 135 million years ago during the upper Jurassic period.
The researchers plan to continue excavating the property to look for more parts of the skeleton.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/31/paleontologists-find-remains-one-largest-dinosaurs/ | 2022-08-31T13:21:08Z |
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that China’s military exercises aimed at Taiwan, including missiles fired into Japan’s exclusive economic zone, represent a “significant escalation” and that he has urged Beijing to back down.
China launched the drills following a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan that infuriated Beijing, which claims the self-governed island as its own territory.
Blinken told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cambodia, however, that Pelosi’s visit was peaceful and did not represent a change in American policy toward Taiwan, accusing China of using it as a “pretext to increase provocative military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait.”
He said the situation had led to a “vigorous communication” during East Asia Summit meetings in Phnom Penh in which both he and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi took part along with the ASEAN nations, Russia and others.
“I reiterated the points that we made publicly as well as directly to Chinese counterparts in recent days, again, about the fact that they should not use the visit as a pretext for war, escalation, for provocative actions, that there is no possible justification for what they’ve done and urge them to cease these actions,” he said.
Blinken did not sit down one-on-one with Wang but said he had spoken with the Chinese foreign minister already about the possibility of a Pelosi visit to Taiwan before it had taken place during meetings in Bali, and had made the U.S. position clear.
China on Friday announced unspecified sanctions on Pelosi for her visit. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said she had disregarded China’s concerns and resolute opposition to her trip.
Pelosi received a euphoric welcome as the first U.S. House speaker, and highest ranking U.S. official, to visit Taiwan in more than 25 years.
China opposes any engagement by Taiwanese officials with foreign governments, and has accused the U.S. of breaking the status quo with the Pelosi visit. The U.S. insists there has been no change to its “one-China” position of recognizing the government in Beijing, while allowing for informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.
Despite the aggressive Chinese reaction to the visit, Blinken said the U.S. would also not change its “commitment to the security of our allies in the region,” and that the Defense Department had ordered the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier group “to remain on station in the general area to monitor the situation.”
“We will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” he said. “We’ll continue to conduct standard air and maritime transits through the Taiwan Strait, consistent with our long-standing approach to working with allies and partners to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight.”
As the East Asia Summit opened, Wang patted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the shoulder as he entered the room and gave the already-seated Lavrov a quick wave before taking his own seat. Lavrov waved back in response.
Blinken, who entered the room last, did not even glance at Lavrov as he took his own seat about a half dozen chairs away, or at Wang who was seated farther down the same table as Lavrov.
Ahead of the Phnom Penh talks, the U.S. State Department indicated Blinken had no plans to meet one-on-one with either man during the course of the meetings.
Following the meetings, Lavrov told reporters there had been a lot of “fiery statements” about the aftermath of the Pelosi visit.
“There have been rather sharp statements from our Chinese partners, who we support,” he told reporters. “And there have been responses from the U.S. and Japan that it’s not China’s business and that the declared policy of supporting the one-China principle doesn’t mean one has to ask Beijing for permission to visit Taiwan. Surely, it’s a weird logic.”
The talks came a day after WNBA star Brittney Griner was convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison by Russia in a politically charged case amid antagonisms over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Blinken said the conviction and sentence “compounds the injustice that has been done to her.”
“It puts a spotlight on our very significant concern with Russia’s legal system and the Russian government’s use of wrongful detentions to advance its own agenda using individuals as political pawns,” he said.
Blinken has suggested the possibility of a prisoner swap for Griner and another American jailed in Russia, Paul Whelan, but Lavrov told reporters that such a deal could only be decided upon by Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden.
“We’re ready to discuss this topic, but to discuss it within the channel that was agreed on by presidents Putin and Biden,” Lavrov said on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting.
On Thursday, China canceled a foreign ministers’ meeting with Japan to protest a statement from the Group of Seven industrialized nations that said there was no justification for Beijing’s military exercises, which virtually encircle Taiwan.
“Japan, together with other member of the G-7 and the EU, made an irresponsible statement accusing China and confounding right and wrong,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing.
When Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa began to speak Friday at the East Asia Summit, both Lavrov and Wang walked out of the room, according to a diplomat in the room who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss the private session.
In the wake of the Chinese missile launches into Japan’s economic zone, Blinken said the U.S. stands in “strong solidarity” with Japan following the “dangerous actions China has taken.”
___
Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/us-russia-china-take-part-in-talks-with-se-asian-nations/ | 2022-08-05T13:15:04Z |
In the face of economic uncertainty, over 450 product-led founders and CEOs share benchmarks and learnings
BOSTON, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenView, the global venture capital firm that coined the term product-led growth (PLG), today released its third annual Product Benchmarks Report. It empowers product teams with a playbook on how to build a business driven by product growth. The report found that product-led companies, especially those with a freemium model, are 2x more likely to grow revenue 100% year over year as compared to sales-led models. In an uncertain economy where SaaS technology companies continue to see pullback in public stocks, it's critical that CEOs and founders understand key product metrics and how they relate to levers of sustainable growth.
Since the initial Product Benchmark Report in 2019, PLG adoption has grown from 45% to 55%. Now, 61% of companies in the Cloud 100 – including Calendly, Amplitude, and GitLab – leverage a PLG model. For the first time, the Product Benchmarks report also segmented respondents into four product experience categories: freemium, free trial, standout PLG and sales-led. This allows companies reviewing the data to understand the differences in growth of each go-to-market motion and model off of where they see the most success.
"We are going to see a tough year for many tech companies that were seeing hypergrowth," said Sam Richard, VP of Growth at OpenView. "If public tech markets are feeling the impact, it goes without saying that most startups are feeling the pressure, too. For emerging SaaS businesses to survive and thrive, they need to grow efficiently and responsibly. This year's benchmarks report shows them how to do just that."
Since PLG products enable users to discover, try, and buy on a self-service basis, the standard "sales funnel" focused playbook is no longer relevant. Based on interviews with B2B SaaS experts who have built and scaled successful product-led businesses, a New User Journey has been created and includes:
- Discover: Top freemium businesses generate most of their users through organic search (53%) and product-driven referrals (13%).
- Start: Freemium businesses have a median visit-to-signup rate of 6%, making website conversion optimization a huge opportunity.
- Activate: 87% of standout PLG companies identify and track activation, the moment when products deliver value to users.
- Convert: Only 5% of all freemium signups convert from free to paid customers.
- Scale: Retention matters more than ever; companies that performed outreach to users retained them 2-3x better than those who didn't.
"Delivering a world-class product experience is more than just building the best product," said John Cutler, Amplitude Product Evangelist, and Coach. "It's about designing the entire customer journey around a seamless experience – which starts with offering a product that's discoverable by target users, and ends with scaling by focusing on user retention. To maximize success, this job can't solely rely on the product team. The journey has to involve every digital-facing team including marketing, customer success, analysts, and more."
According to this year's survey, more than half of respondents identify as a product-led organization and the number of respondents with more than $10m in annual recurring revenue (ARR) has nearly doubled year over year, illustrating that PLG is more than just a trend: it's the new normal.
To compare your metrics to those of businesses with similar sizes, scales, customer targets, and more, check out OpenView's free interactive calculator: https://openviewpartners.com/2022-product-benchmarks-calculator
For more information on how you can empower your company with a product-led model, visit OpenView's blog and download the Product Benchmarks Report today: https://openviewpartners.com/2022-product-benchmarks
Founded in 2006, OpenView is a venture capital firm investing globally in business software companies. With a mission to improve people's working lives, OpenView's focused investment approach across sector and stage enables the firm to identify and partner with business software companies that it deems to be category leading. The firm's focus extends to operational excellence through its dedicated expansion team working with portfolio companies on go-to-market, sales and marketing, product-led growth, talent, and corporate development. The firm is based in Boston and has approximately $2.8 billion in total capital under management. For more information about OpenView and its portfolio companies, please visit https://openviewpartners.com/
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SOURCE OpenView | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/openviews-third-annual-product-benchmarks-report-reveals-plg-companies-2x-more-likely-grow-quickly/ | 2022-06-07T13:20:18Z |
Fans flood Mass. Street to watch the National Champions in the Lawrence parade
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -Some fans traveled a short distance to watch the Jayhawks in the parade.
“I lived in Lawrence my whole life, I went to KU and so, we are here to celebrate the championship victory. We live near downtown so we just walked down here and it’s a beautiful day and it’s so cool to see all the people here, this town coming together, it’s really nice,” said Sean Jesse.
Some traveled from hours away--
“We came here from Great Bend, Kansas, and we drove three and a half hours to be here. We are just so excited to be here, we love KU basketball the guys are wonderful, the coaches are wonderful the team managers are wonderful from top to bottom its wonderful. It’s Rock Chalk red and blue yay Crimson Red and blue,” said Anna Faye Hensley.
One fan says you don’t have to be from Kansas to admire the uniqueness of the KU atmosphere.
“This means everything for real, I’m not even going to lie I’m not from Kansas, but when I came out here, the first time I came out here the energy was just different, I’m from Maryland and it’s not the same out there.”
Fans brought their flags and signs and they definitely didn’t leave out their dogs or babies out of the celebration.
“I think him watching the games in the tournament and the championship game, he fell in love with basketball and the Jayhawks and I’m happy for him to see and root for him,” said Jesse.
Ochai Agbaji credits fans for a successful season--
“How much does Lawrence mean to you?”
“A lot, a lot this has been my home here for four years obviously they brought me in and loved me, I just loved it here in Lawrence and it holds a special in my heart,” he said.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/10/fans-flood-mass-street-watch-national-champions-lawrence-parade/ | 2022-04-11T00:07:29Z |
“The magic’s in the music and the music’s in me.”
— The Lovin’ Spoonful
The BeeGees probably put it best, this thing about life and its capacity to shake us up with its abrupt changes: “When life gets like a jigsaw with the pieces out of place ...”
And so it was one morning this week when I went through the machinations of making my morning cup of coffee at my “coffee bar.” It’s right by the kitchen window, and so I found myself staring out the window as the water heated up. I was drawn to a couple of birds that were flitting about, searching for those worms that they’re allegedly entitled to with their early appearances.
I’m amazed by birds. (And that’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to English professor/photographer extraordinaire Ulf Kirchdorfer’s work. He manages to catch birds in their habitat, offering the voyeur in us an up-close view of the timid creatures doing what they do. The other reason? He’s just a good dude.) Yes, they can fly without the need of any apparatus we must invent, and the colors of their feathers are some of the most beautiful of nature’s creations.
But birds are fascinating in their own right, even when they’re hopping about on the ground, looking for a juicy worm breakfast. I found myself mesmerized by this couple of very plain looking species (which I’m sure Ulf would have recognized at once), and by the time my coffee announced itself ready and the pair had flown the coop, so to speak, I found myself uplifted. It was if I’d had a surreptitious front-row seat for a performance no man’s theater could match.
Still, I found myself unable to shake the unease — we used to call it the mullygrubs — the little nicks and cuts that life inflicts and keeps tearing away the scabs so that they don’t quite ever go away. But just as the birds awakened in me a renewed appreciation for natural wonder, a chance road trip reminded me of the source of magic that has always had a healing impact on the damages to my soul.
While in Cordele, a strange series of happenstances led me into a venue that, like the maestro — Bob Cobb, not Claire Fox Hillard — provided a balm for Kramer’s burnt side, took me to the source of healing that has flowed through my life since I, like The Who’s Tommy, became aware.
I went into a music store in a small strip mall, and it turned out to be a wonderland. (I’ll write more about this venue later.) Thousands upon thousands of CDs — the vinyl and cassette tapes had all but sold out — were scattered around the crowded store, which would have provided an interesting episode of “Hoarders” — the show about fruitcakes who never throw anything away and allow their collections to pile up and take their lives over, while providing ample living space for roaches, rats and other assorted disgusting creatures.
But there was a method to the madness in this menagerie of musical mishmash. Here were obscure soundtracks ... over there disco smashes from the ’70s ... and in another section rock CDs by groups that had risen to “superstar” status mixed with obscurities that never elevated to the pantheon of One-Hit-Wonderdom. Talk about a kid in a proverbial candy store. ... I could have spent the day in there and never grown tired.
The balm that I found in that little emporium? “The Essential Paul Simon.” Yes, I have albums, discs and whatever that contain most of the songs on this wonderful, two-CD, 36-song collection. But to hear them one after another ... “American Tune,” “Me and Julio Down by the School Yard,” “Mother and Child Reunion,” “The Obvious Child,” “Duncan,” “Slip Slidin’ Away,” “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Born in Puerto Rico,” “Late in the Evening,” “Hearts and Bones,” “You Can Call Me Al,” the awe- (and tear- ... for me) inspiring “Father and Daughter” and on and on and on.
Yes, some of Simon’s greatest work was with his angel-voiced partner Art Garfunkel, but Simon’s solo stuff secures his place as one of the top three or four American singer/songwriters ever.
As for me ... well, I found myself reinvigorated, renewed, aware once again of the beauty that’s in this world. And whether it’s supplied by the winged creatures outdoors or the miraculous individual whose songwriting and singing skills never fail to touch me, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am — we all are — to live in a world where such beauty exists. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/carlton-fletcher-on-paul-simon-birds-ulf-kirchdorfer-and-being-happy/article_fff10fc8-2315-11ed-98c4-4b4c81aac3c4.html | 2022-08-23T23:24:52Z |
LOS ALTOS, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Three Pillar Communities, a vertically integrated manufactured housing investment company operating over 40 communities in 9 states, has hired Corey Wikstrom as its Chief Operating Officer. A seasoned executive in the manufactured housing industry, Wikstrom previously held senior leadership roles at Vineyards Management Group (backed by Utah's state pension fund) and Strive Communities (backed by TPG Inc.).
"Corey is a transformative hire for us," said Daniel Weisfield, co-founder of Three Pillar Communities. "He is a servant leader who has revitalized hundreds of manufactured housing communities across the country."
"Corey is a top talent in the manufactured housing industry," said Jeff Bennett, President of Vineyards Management Group, which currently owns 135 manufactured housing communities across the U.S. "We could not have done what we did at Strive without Corey," said Keith Gee, former CEO of Strive Communities, which grew to 117 communities before selling its portfolio to a strategic acquirer in 2021.
Wikstrom's hiring coincides with Three Pillar Communities' launch of its second mobile home park fund, MHC Fund 2. The fund has a unique multi-decade hold strategy and will acquire mobile home parks, manufactured housing communities, and RV parks across the U.S. Three Pillar Communities revitalizes the properties it acquires by installing new energy-efficient manufactured homes, rebuilding failing infrastructure, and launching neighborhood programs to improve residents' security, health, and financial wellbeing.
Three Pillar Communities plans to "seed" its new fund with several properties, including a new manufactured housing community that it is building outside of Austin, Texas, a recently-acquired RV park serving affordable housing demand in the Denver/Fort Collins market, and a new manufactured housing community development located in an Opportunity Zone north of Boise, Idaho. "We are able to take on 'heavy lift' turn-around projects and even develop new manufactured housing communities on raw land because we are vertically integrated," said Yoel Kelman, co-founder of Three Pillar Communities. "Having boots on the ground lets us get creative to really create value, and that value accrues to both our residents and our investors."
MHC Fund 2 will be open to qualified Accredited Investors until June 30, 2022. Three Pillar Communities deliberately set a low investment minimum for the fund—of $25,000—in order to encourage first-time investors to consider investing. Prospective investors can view additional information at www.threepillarcommunities.com/fund2.
"There is so much opportunity within the manufactured housing industry if you are entrepreneurial and if you treat people right, and that's why I joined Three Pillar Communities," said Wikstrom. "We're renovating communities, developing new communities, and breaking the stereotypes about manufactured housing. It's all about delivering value to our residents."
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SOURCE Three Pillar Communities LLC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/three-pillar-communities-announces-new-coo-launches-second-manufactured-housing-fund/ | 2022-04-20T02:33:40Z |
Paying a visit to the world’s tallest tree could get you fined
Published: Aug. 1, 2022 at 12:37 PM CDT|Updated: 14 minutes ago
(CNN) – Taking a look at an incredible tree in California’s Redwood National Park could get visitors into trouble.
Hyperion is certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest living tree.
If you go in for a closer look in person, however, you could receive a fine.
The massive tree has faced serious environmental issues, including erosion and trash around the tree, since thrill-seekers started visiting it in 2006.
Now, anyone who gets caught near the tree can face up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/01/paying-visit-worlds-tallest-tree-could-get-you-fined/ | 2022-08-01T17:51:31Z |
VALCOURT, QC, June 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - BRP Inc. (TSX: DOO) (NASDAQ: DOOO) held earlier today its annual meeting of shareholders in a virtual-only format. The meeting was broadcasted via live webcast. The webcast will be available shortly on BRP's website at www.brp.com.
During the meeting, the Company acknowledged the departure from the Board of Directors of Mr. Michael Hanley and thanked him for his many years of contribution to the success of the Company. Mr. Hanley sat on the Board of Directors of BRP for the last ten years, nine years as Chairman of its Audit Committee and three years as Lead Independent Director.
At the meeting, all of the nominees for directors listed in the Company's management proxy circular dated April 27, 2022 were elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present or represented by proxy. Voting results for each nominee were as follows:
Mrs. Barbara Samardzich was appointed as Lead Director of BRP to replace Mr. Hanley, and Mrs. Samardzich ceased to be a member of the Nominating, Governance and Social Responsibility Committee. Mrs. Estelle Métayer joined the Nominating, Governance and Social Responsibility Committee, while Nicholas Nomicos became Chairman of the Audit Committee and Mr. Ernesto M. Hernández joined the Audit Committee. As a result of the foregoing changes, the composition of the Board committees is now as follows:
To learn more about BRP's Board members, click here.
Certain statements included in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities laws, including statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terminology such as "may", "will", "would", "should", "could", "expects", "forecasts", "plans", "intends", "trends", "indications", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "outlook", "predicts", "projects", "likely" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on a number of assumptions, and are subject to important risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends. Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond BRP's control, including the risk factors disclosed previously and from time to time in BRP's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and the United States, available on SEDAR at sedar.com or EDGAR at sec.gov, respectively. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent BRP's expectations as of the date of this press release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made), and are subject to change after such date. However, BRP disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.
We are a global leader in the world of powersports products, propulsion systems and boats built on 80 years of ingenuity and intensive consumer focus. Our portfolio of industry-leading and distinctive products includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and pontoons, Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, Alumacraft and Quintrex boats, Manitou pontoons and Rotax marine propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts and recreational aircraft. We complete our lines of products with a dedicated parts, accessories and apparel portfolio to fully enhance the riding experience. With annual sales of CA$7.6 billion from over 120 countries, our global workforce includes close to 20,000 driven, resourceful people.
Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Rotax, Alumacraft, Manitou, Quintrex, and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE BRP Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/03/brp-announces-election-directors-board-committee-composition/ | 2022-06-03T22:59:25Z |
Fork in the Road: Lake view in Ozawkie at Lago Vista
The Lago Vista Grill boasts an expansive outdoor patio space near Lake Perry
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - In Ozawkie near the water’s edge at Lake Perry sits this week’s Fork in the Road featured restaurant. Lago Vista Grill serves up Mexican-style entrées and owners Miguel and his mother Sonia are not from Kansas.
“My kids were living in Topeka. I’m from California, Santa Barbara so we grew up ocean side,” said Miguel Cadena. “I moved to Topeka and opened up a restaurant there and quickly learned that I needed to be closer to the water and Ozawkie was the place to be and Lake Perry is beautiful. This is Kansas paradise to me.”
Similar to how Miguel’s kids convinced him to move to Kansas, Miguel convinced his restaurant seasoned mom to make the move too.
“My son for years kept saying ‘come, mom come, I’m lonely over here and I have a business, come and help,’” said Miguel’s mom Sonia Cordova, “and finally there was a day when I said okay fine I’m leaving. I packed everything in the car and drove up and here I am.”
Miguel’s son also works at Lago Vista and this family has their disputes just like any other.
“I am enjoying it and I am very proud of my son,” said Sonia, “I look up to him and I follow his lead and he follows my lead and we both kind of work together. We agree and we disagree and we don’t talk to each other and then we go back, but it’s been an experience. I am happy. I don’t feel overwhelmed.”
Even with the disagreements, this family knows they can rely on each other to keep the line moving.
“It is a very powerful feeling,” said Miguel. “You feel invincible when there’s a line of people and only one man in the kitchen. I am not afraid that we cannot handle it. This is my family, you know? This is what we do.”
Miguel and his mom also credit the success of Lago Vista to their extended Ozawkie family who are always eager to lend a hand.
“One time I was trying to mow this side yard with a weed-whacker because I didn’t have a lawnmower and a customer comes by and says ‘hang on, I live just up the road. Let me bring my mower down.’” said Miguel, “It’s always things like that. People are always looking out for us so we try to look out for our people.”
So join the family and come on out to Ozawkie for a view of the lake at the Lago Vista Grill.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/17/fork-road-lake-view-ozawkie-lago-vista/ | 2022-05-17T22:41:55Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating potential derivative claims on behalf of shareholders of Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) relating to possible false and misleading statements to investors about its Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm and an alleged illegal kickback scheme.
Biogen and three of its executive officers are currently subject to a class action securities lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in which plaintiffs allege certain false and misleading statements concerning the commercial prospects for the company's Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm. Specifically, following the FDA's controversial approval of the drug on June 7, 2021, the company and its officers are alleged to have misled investors by, among other things, falsely touting the number of sites available to administer the drug in the U.S. and the extent of coverage to be provided under Medicare, the Veterans Health Administration, and private, third-party insurers. Biogen is also subject to multiple Congressional and regulatory investigations related to the approval and marketing of Aduhelm, including by the SEC, the FTC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and two committees of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Separately, Biogen is also being sued by Humana Inc. for what the insurer says were "millions of dollars" in overpayments stemming from an illegal kickback scheme the company allegedly used to market its drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. On December 17, 2020, Biogen resolved similar claims with the U.S. Department of Justice for $22 million.
The Schubert Firm is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duty by Biogen's officers and directors in connection with these allegations.
If you own stock in Biogen and wish to obtain additional information about your legal
rights, please contact us today or visit our website at
https://www.classactionlawyers.com/biogen.
About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP
Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide.
Contact
Amber L. Schubert
Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP
aschubert@sjk.law
Tel: 415-299-8257
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SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/shareholder-alert-biogen-inc-biib-officers-directors-under-investigation-possible-false-statements-about-aduhelm/ | 2022-09-13T14:14:53Z |
- Monitors equipment health and issues maintenance requests
- Increases factory productivity and reduces downtime for major manufacturer
- Implements local AI for low cost, fast reaction times, and high data security
PORTLAND, Ore., July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SensiML™ Corporation, a leading developer of AI tools for building intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) endpoints, today announced that its customer, aiSensing, has successfully completed and deployed an endpoint AI-based vibration sensor for a large multi-national manufacturer in Asia. This intelligent endpoint monitors vibration patterns for multiple machines, detects potential anomalies, and issues maintenance requests when necessary. The result is reduced equipment downtime and higher overall factory productivity. Since the AI implementation is local, rather than cloud-based, the system features low cost, low latency and fast reaction times while simultaneously providing higher data security.
aiSensing's customer is one of the largest and most successful manufacturing companies in Taiwan. It is the leading manufacturer of specialty adhesives, footwear adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, and liquid and powder coatings. The company has adopted this Edge AI-based approach to detect anomalies for vacuum pumps and chilling machines used in its manufacturing flow, including problems related to lack of lubrication, water leakage, bearing failures, and belt failures. By identifying potential problems before they arise, maintenance issues can be addressed in a managed way rather than as ad hoc emergency situations. This type of predictive maintenance is a key component of modern smart manufacturing initiatives.
The AI-based endpoint was developed on a QuickLogic EOS S3 ultra-low power multi-core Arm Cortex® MCU-based SoC, which delivered more than enough processing bandwidth for the application at a low cost. The AI application running on the QuickLogic device was built using the SensiML Analytics Toolkit, which provided a complete solution for the quick development of this sophisticated IoT endpoint.
"Smart manufacturing is a significant trend across a broad range of industries," said Chris Rogers, chief executive officer at SensiML. "Predictive maintenance is one of the core initiatives in that trend, and aiSensing's vibration sensor is a great example of how to effectively use AI to implement a practical and cost-effective predictive maintenance solution."
"Our endpoint AI-based vibration sensor has been very successful," said Dennis Chu, chief technology officer at aiSensing. "Its low power consumption, fast response times, and low cost are the ideal combination of features for this predictive maintenance application. With the SensiML tools, we can easily modify the design to address new and unique requirements for our customers."
The SensiML Analytics Toolkit, QuickLogic EOS S3 SoC, and aiSensing's endpoint AI vibration sensor are each available now.
For more information on the SensiML tools, visit the SensiML website at: https://sensiML.com/products. More information on QuickLogic's EOS S3 SoC is available at https://www.quicklogic.com/products/soc. For more information on the aiSensing vibration sensor, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7TPI7i2vn4.
About SensiML
SensiML, a subsidiary of QuickLogic (NASDAQ: QUIK), offers cutting-edge software that enables ultra-low power IoT endpoints that implement AI to transform raw sensor data into meaningful insight at the device itself. The company's flagship solution, the SensiML Analytics Toolkit, provides an end-to-end development platform spanning data collection, labeling, algorithm and firmware auto generation, and testing. The SensiML Toolkit supports Arm® Cortex®-M class and higher microcontroller cores, Intel® x86 instruction set processors, and heterogeneous core QuickLogic SoCs and QuickAI platforms with FPGA optimizations. For more information, visit www.sensiml.com.
SensiML and logo are trademarks of SensiML. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders and should be treated as such.
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SOURCE SensiML Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/aisensing-deploys-highly-successful-end-point-ai-vibration-sensor-using-sensiml-analytics-toolkit-quicklogic-eos-s3/ | 2022-07-20T13:51:11Z |
Car thief hides in giant teddy bear, sentenced to jail
UNITED KINGDOM (Gray News/TMX) – A man from England who stole a car tried to hide from law enforcement inside a giant teddy bear, according to the Greater Manchester Police Department.
Joshua Dodson, 18, stole a car and filled it up with gas without paying, police said.
Photos shared by police show the teddy bear in which Dodson hid. It appears to be about 5 feet tall with a tear on its underside.
“When we saw this large bear breathing during a hunt for a thief, we thought something wasn’t right. ... Then we found our suspect stuffed inside,” the police tweeted alongside the photos.
Dodson admitted to stealing a Mitsubishi ASX in May as well as a Vauxhall Astra van in March.
He was sentenced to nine months in jail.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. TMX contributed to this report. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/12/car-thief-hides-giant-teddy-bear-sentenced-jail/ | 2022-08-12T14:04:57Z |
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Yes, Cameron Smith’s dad was kicking himself he didn’t make the journey to St. Andrews to see his son win the 150th British Open.
Smith mentioned in his championship winner’s news conference that his father, Des, made the late decision not to fly all the way from Australia just for a week and “he’s definitely kicking himself now. I really wish he was here, too.”
Instead, Des Smith had to watch on TV from the other side of the world as his son started the final round four shots behind before completing the best closing round the Old Course had ever seen to win his first major title by one stroke.
Father and son spoke on the phone just after the new champion had signed his card.
“I just told him I was proud of him and what a great achievement it was for him,” Des Smith told 7 Network’s Sunrise program. “Then I broke down crying, so I couldn’t talk too much.
“We’ve been golfing buddies since he was about three.”
It all finished in the early hours of Monday morning local time in Australia’s east coast city of Brisbane, where the first Australian since 1993 to win the British Open finally got to be the most talked about Cameron Smith in his home state of Queensland. The Open winner in 1993 was Greg Norman and his victory came a month before Smith was born.
A TV anchor on Channel 9’s Today Show introduced news of Smith’s win by saying: “Now this is the golfer, Cameron Smith, winning golf’s biggest prize with a come-from-behind victory for the ages at the British Open.”
For well over a decade a rugby league player, the former captain of Queensland’s so-called State of Origin dynasty and of Australia’s national team, held top rung among the Cameron Smiths in this part of the world.
Smith, the golfer with the flowing mullet and the so-called larrikin sense of humor, has credited the never-say-die spirit of those rugby league teams as his inspiration when he needs to make a comeback.
Des Smith said the pair had spoken after the third round, when his son didn’t have a great day with the putter and had dropped out of the lead, and was confident he was “very mentally strong.”
“Going into the last day, I still thought he was a big chance. He was four back. He always makes a lot of birdies,” Des Smith said. “We just needed to make them on the biggest day of all. He went ahead and done it.”
He certainly did, charging back into contention with a run of five birdies to start the back nine.
“The whole country is proud of him, to be honest,” the proud dad proclaimed. “It’s been a while for us to get an Open championship.”
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. cast Smith’s story as one of a “fearless Queenslander whose humble beginnings made a champion.”
Des Smith started doing TV interviews from the Wantima Country Club, an understated, no-frills golf club on the green northern fringes of the 2032 Olympic city, as more than 100 veteran players started their regular Monday competition.
The club was expecting more than a few beers to be poured in celebration. So Cameron Smith, who wondered how many beers might fit into the silver claret jug handed to the British Open champion, won’t be the only one raising a toast.
Ken McKay, a member and the former junior program coordinator at the Wantima course, said the hardest thing for him watching the final round was keeping quiet enough not to wake up everyone else in the house.
“I don’t know how he keeps his nerves of steel, because I was pretty much on the edge of my seat the whole night,” McKay told ABC Australia.
McKay helped get the club’s Cameron Smith Junior Classic started in 2017 as a qualifying tournament for the Greg Norman Junior Masters event. Smith, who has traveled back from the U.S. to support the tournament, has a big and loyal following at the club.
“He’s really grounded. He’s such a nice bloke — always has been — very giving of his time to both the members and the juniors,” McKay said. “He doesn’t let things get to his head.”
Smith was just the fifth Australian to win the British Open — joining five-time champion Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, two-time champion Greg Norman and Ian Baker-Finch on the list.
Thomson in 1955 and Nagle in 1960 were the only other Australians to win it at St. Andrews.
Thomson’s son, Andrew, said the timing was perfect for another Australian winner, coming on the same day he’d paid a tribute to his father who died in 2018.
“ At 6.45 am this morning I scattered my father‘s ashes on the 18th green of the Old Course. 12 hours later an Australian wins The Open,” Andrew Thomson, who lives in Japan, posted on Twitter. “ Cam Smith, Champion Golfer of the Year. Champagne golf.”
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/british-open-win-makes-golfer-the-cameron-smith-in-australia/ | 2022-07-18T18:24:33Z |
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After a careful selection process between thousands of outstanding applicants, Inc. chose FAB CBD to place 1718 in their ranking of the 5000 fastest growing private companies of 2022.
Here is where we landed on each list:
- 6 in Milwaukee
- 17 in Wisconsin
- 24 in Midwest
- 127 in Consumer Packaged Goods
- 1718 in "Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America"
Obtaining a spot on this coveted list of hard working entrepreneurs is considered a major achievement in the business world. While any business is able to apply for consideration, not all businesses will make the list.
The application process is lengthy, detailed and consists of the main application, three years of tax returns, and financials that have been signed by a CPA. Once the application is reviewed, the team at Inc. will decide if that business makes the cut for that year's Inc. 5000 ranking of the fastest-growing companies in America.
Some famous alumni from past lists include Grubhub, SkullCandy, and Kind Snacks. And now, FAB CBD also has the distinction and honor of being identified as a company that thrives in the face of adverse economic conditions. In fact, FAB CBD has had a 360% total three-year growth.
What Criteria Makes Businesses Eligible to Apply for the List?
When ranking the top 5000 privately-held businesses across America, Inc. takes a serious look at their overall three-year revenue growth rates and other metrics:
High Praise for FAB CBD
- Measurable revenue by March 31, 2017 and have grossed at least $100,000 in revenue that year
- Minimum revenue threshold of $2 million in 2020
- Privately held business that's located in the United States and is independently owned
FAB CBD, whose founder's email tagline is, "Hyper focused on making an impact," is a customer-centered CBD brand that employs science and innovation to create pure and potent products that consumers love.
The FAB CBD product line to date includes CBD oils, topical cream and salve, gummies, complete cannabinoid softgels, and dog treats.
The mission at FAB has always been simple and direct. The brand crafts top quality products while providing caring and thorough customer service, all in seeking to support a new generation of people who live a preventative lifestyle while giving back to the community in a meaningful way.
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SOURCE FAB CBD | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/22/fab-cbd-honored-inc-5000-ranking/ | 2022-08-22T11:47:58Z |
Woman was all set to fulfill dream with vegan tattoo shop, only to be thwarted and shut down by Orland Park zoning laws
By Lauren Victory
Click here for updates on this story
ORLAND PARK, Illinois (WBBM) — An environmentally-conscious suburban woman spent a lot of green to get her business up and running – and then after she had welcomed just one customer, the Village of Orland Park shut her down.
As CBS 2’s Lauren Victory reported this Earth Day, Selena Carrion was set to open a vegan tattoo shop her very first business – and now it can’t open. It was an American dream for Carrion, a daughter of immigrants.
“I just wanted to make be able to make [my father] proud, and you know, to my family proud,” Carrion said as she grew emotional.
Carrion’s tears of frustration came weeks after work panting the walls, ordering furniture, and hiring staff for her vegan tattoo shop – Venus Vegan Inks.
The ink she uses doesn’t contain any animal products and her supplies are eco-friendly. She thought she’d found the perfect location in Orland Park – around the corner from Vegan Tease, a vegan restaurant.
“I just want to be a part of something and just make something – make something out of everything that I’ve been trying to do,” Carrion said with a sniffle.
Her grand opening dreams were deflated when the Village slapped a “This Job Is Stopped” sign on her door earlier this month. It turns out the area of Orland Park where she rented commercial space isn’t zoned for tattoo shops.
“I was not told that I was not in the right zoning by my lease agent,” said Carrion.
She’s also confused because her lease specifically says, “Permitted use: Tattoo and Piercing Ship [sic].”
The CapRock Real Estate agent involved in the transaction didn’t explain what happened, but tells CBS 2 that Carrion was let out of her lease and given her deposit back.
To her, that’s not enough.
“All l want is compensation for all the work and stress that I’ve gone through,” Carrion said.
Who is responsible for knowing and abiding by village zoning laws? Is it the landlord or the tenant? We asked multiple legal experts – and the answer might surprise you.
“In a commercial lease, it almost always falls on the tenant,” said Michael Zink of Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells.
The real estate attorney looked over Carrion’s 35-page lease for CBS 2 and pointed to a tiny paragraph about tenant responsibility.
“No matter what kind of business they’re opening, they’re going to have to research what the local laws are whether that be zoning, municipal, or anything else,” said Zink, referring to a tenant.
“I’m not giving up,” said Carrion.
She’s determined her vegan ink designs will find a home somewhere.
CBS 2 asked why the leasing agent allowed the tattoo artist to sign a lease in the first place if she wasn’t zoned to be in that rental location. He said she should’ve applied for a special use zoning permit – but Orland Park officials confirm that wouldn’t have mattered because tattoo shops haven’t been allowed in that area of Orland Park for almost 30 years.
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/news/2022/04/22/woman-was-all-set-to-fulfill-dream-with-vegan-tattoo-shop-only-to-be-thwarted-and-shut-down-by-orland-park-zoning-laws/ | 2022-04-23T03:20:09Z |
A South Carolina police officer was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance Sunday, police say.
The suspect accused of fatally shooting 28-year-old Roy Andrew "Drew" Barr, an officer with the Cayce Police Department, also died, authorities say.
The unidentified suspect killed himself after officers attempted to negotiate with him for seven hours, Chief Chris Cowan said at a press conference.
Columbia Police Department negotiators worked for seven hours to reach a "peaceful resolution to the situation," but ultimately the suspect took his life, the chief said.
"Every day we talk about as police officers, how hard this job is," Cowan said. "We talk about the commitment it takes to come out at 3 o'clock in the morning and risk your life. Officer Barr gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, to make us safe, and he loved what he did but he paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Barr was shot while responding to a domestic disturbance just before 3 a.m., the Cayce Police Department said on Facebook.
When officers arrived at the home, they found a male standing in the front yard, Cowan said.
As officers attempted to make contact with him, shots were fired from inside the home, and one of them struck Barr, the chief said.
Domestic disturbance calls are dangerous for police, experts say
Experts say that responding to a domestic disturbance call is one of the most dangerous circumstances for police, CNN previously reported.
FBI data show that 8.5% of the officers killed between 2011 and 2020 were responding to domestic disturbance or violence calls.
Several factors can make a domestic violence incident highly dangerous for responding officers, according to Jon Shane, a professor in the Criminal Justice department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
"The first is that you are entering into someone's private domain and you're bringing a very public face to a very private matter," Shane told CNN.
"People's emotions are already elevated due to whatever dispute they're involved in, and now you bring the coercive power of the state. People are angry and angry to see you, knowing that there's potential to be arrested and incarcerated."
Barr was 'committed' to his job
Barr was a firefighter, an emergency medical technician, and a police officer who was committed to his profession, Cowan said.
Barr joined the police department in 2016. He was promoted to the K-9 unit in October 2020 and "he loved his dog, Molly," the chief added.
"He cared about nothing else other than serving his community, and he was shot and killed this morning for no reason," the chief said. "There was no call for it. There was no reason for it. It was inexcusable."
During a brief news conference, Mayor Elise Partin said Barr was an important part of the city just outside of Columbia.
"Our hearts are breaking in Cayce," Partin said.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/south-carolina-officer-killed-while-responding-to-domestic-dispute-a-dangerous-circumstance-for-police/article_0042f78e-98fc-59bc-836f-8fbc7f0c468c.html | 2022-04-24T21:09:58Z |
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union supports recent efforts by the Federal Trade Commission to scrutinize the troubling rise of mass surveillance and urges the agency to explore how commercial surveillance and lax data security practices pose unique harm to workers.
The FTC plans to host its Commercial Surveillance and Data Security Public Forum on Thursday to evaluate several concerns it is seeking public comment on. The agency is exploring potential rules to "crack down on harmful commercial surveillance and lax data security."
"As terrifying as it is, working people are growing accustomed to their personal information being exposed and exploited by corporate interests who face little accountability or punishment," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "Regulators have got to give these corporations a taste of their own medicine. Corporate America builds and sustains itself by bullying working people or robbing them blind entirely, whether its unpaid wages or private data. The advancements that employers have made to workplace surveillance are another appalling reminder that Big Business will never change its playbook. Working people must fight back."
The Teamsters have repeatedly made clear that the methods employers like Amazon and UPS use to monitor workers are developed to stifle any concerted activity by employees, while also surveilling unsuspecting consumers. These dangerous corporate tools include navigation software, driver-facing cameras, item scanners, wristbands, thermal cameras, other security cameras, and recorded footage.
"The Teamsters are encouraged by the Federal Trade Commission's efforts to crackdown on corruptible commercial surveillance, and we urge the agency to meaningfully explore how harmful these practices are to workers and consumers alike," O'Brien said.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Ted Gotsch, (202) 508-6437
tgotsch@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/teamsters-support-regulator-efforts-scrutinize-mass-surveillance-urge-focus-workers/ | 2022-09-07T23:58:09Z |
New "C-Suite Intelligence" podcast episode from @TheMilesGroup features Stephen Miles and Taylor Griffin on the ever-evolving, expanding role of the C-Suite Leader – from running the company to defending its very right to operate
NEW YORK, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "The CEO's role has shifted from the 'traditional diplomatic leader' to somebody who can align multiple constituencies, and constantly absorb new information and context about the world around us," says Stephen Miles, Founder and CEO of The Miles Group and host of the popular C-Suite Intelligence business leadership podcast.
In today's new episode, "The Leader of the Future – And You Thought COVID-19 Was Hard," Miles joins Taylor Griffin, COO of The Miles Group, to discuss an ever-evolving list of responsibilities for the 'Top Jobs' and what it will take for C-suite leaders of the future to succeed.
Reflecting on the challenges of COVID-19, the episode delves into how leaders quickly mobilized to combat a "singular health issue" with tact, immediacy, and shrewd resolve. "Now we've got a multivariate problem that not everybody's experiencing in the same way. CEOs and executives have to flex some different muscles now to mobilize their leadership teams, show flexibility, share insights, and absorb," explains Miles. "There is a thrive opportunity here."
"Amidst instability in geopolitics and shocks to the global economy, we have to figure out a way to use the flow of goods throughout the world to come together in some way," Miles posits. But there's no simple solution. In fact, the strategies leaders set out today have multi-year time horizons. "We're used to having very easy, near-term solutions and working at amazing efficiency. We're not in that period anymore," says Griffin.
Future-ready leaders "need a world-class team around them to respond to so many different threats," asserts Griffin. "The severity and volume of issues facing senior leaders today is just unprecedented."
As CEO coaches, Miles and Griffin explain how some of their clients are focusing on cultivating more specialized, high-performing leadership teams to deal with the increasing complexity of stakeholder management. Griffin observes, "You're seeing new C-suite roles that we've never seen before: Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Health Officer…," depending on the business, its mission, or its goals. Miles adds, "We need specialization – people who are gold medalists in terms of the content in their lane… then you can prioritize and sequence to achieve alignment across the company, making you better, faster, smarter, and more flexible."
To hear more from top executive coaches at The Miles Group about how CEOs and leaders are bracing themselves for new challenges, listen to "The Leader of the Future – And You Thought COVID-19 Was Hard," released today on the C-Suite Intelligence podcast, available everywhere, including Apple, Google, and Spotify.
For more information, please contact Davia Temin or Trang Mar of Temin and Company at 212.588.8788 or news@teminandco.com.
About the C-Suite Intelligence podcast
CEOs running the world's top companies don't start out that way – they pull ahead of their peers with behaviors and practices that make them the "best of the best." Stephen Miles and the team at TMG coach some of the world's most successful executives, helping them continuously up their game even as business conditions grow more complex every day. Learn the secrets of the highest performers and use this intelligence to power your career. New episodes are released bi-weekly on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
About The Miles Group/TMG
TMG develops talent strategies for organizations, teams, and individuals – focusing on high-performance, world-class leadership. Through assessments and development, coaching, leadership transition planning, and organizational design, TMG helps clients cultivate exceptional talent from the C-suite to the next generation of leaders throughout the organization. Clients include many of the Fortune 100 as well as VC portfolio companies, firms in transition, and organizations around the globe and across industries. TMG has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fortune, C-Suite, Entrepreneur, and Chief Executive. The firm is headquartered in New York City and operates globally. For more information, visit https://miles-group.com. Follow TMG on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE The Miles Group/TMG | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/leader-future-you-thought-covid-19-was-hard/ | 2022-07-26T14:56:30Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP announced today the lateral acquisition of a top-tier restructuring team, consisting of partners Doug Mannal and Stephen Zide. They will be the sixth and seventh partners to join the global financial restructuring practice in the past three years and are key hires in the strategic growth of the firm's New York offering.
Mr. Mannal and Mr. Zide have practiced together for more than 15 years and are both recognized by Chambers USA as leading lawyers in corporate restructuring and bankruptcy.
Mr. Mannal often represents official unsecured creditors' committees and ad hoc creditor groups in Chapter 11 cases. His recent unsecured creditor representations include the official unsecured creditors' committees in Gulfport Energy Corp., Frontier Communications, California Resources, RAIT, Seadrill, CHC and Bristow Helicopters.
In addition, Mr. Mannal regularly advises and represents a diverse range of creditors in distressed situations, including major secured and unsecured creditors, indenture trustees and financial institutions in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and out-of-court restructurings. Recent representations include significant stakeholders in Alpha Media, McClatchy Newspapers, Neiman Marcus and Nine West. Mr. Mannal clerked for the Honorable Conrad B. Duberstein of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York after receiving his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. from Lafayette College.
Mr. Zide will be joining Dechert with over 15 years' experience representing a diverse range of clients in many of the largest and most complex chapter 11 bankruptcies and out-of-court restructurings. His clients include official and ad hoc creditor committees, debtors, and strategic buyers – including, most recently, creditor groups in the bankruptcies of Valaris, Noble, Payless, Westmoreland, Peabody, Revel and Eastman Kodak and official committees in the bankruptcies of Gulfport Energy Corp., RAIT Funding, Toy R Us, NII and Rescap.
Mr. Zide focuses on advising clients with respect to complex capital structures and has extensive experience representing clients in negotiating DIP financings, equity commitment agreements and rights offerings. He is also a lecturer on restructuring and bankruptcy topics and has authored numerous articles at American Bankruptcy Institute Journal and the Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice. He clerked for the Honorable Jerome Feller of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York, after receiving his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. from Queens College, New York.
Andrew Levander, chairman of Dechert, stated, "We are excited to welcome Doug and Stephen to the team as we continue to expand our highly ranked global restructuring practice and meet our clients' growing needs."
Allan Brilliant, co-chair of Dechert's global financial restructuring practice, added, "Doug and Stephen's considerable corporate restructuring experience will enhance our team's capabilities and offerings to clients in the U.S. and overseas."
Mr. Zide commented, "This is an exciting time to be joining Dechert's leading financial restructuring group, and I look forward to working with the innovative and collaborative cross-practice, cross-border team to help clients solve their most complex restructuring issues."
Mr. Mannal added, "We look forward to building on Dechert's global platform, strong finance practice and stellar reputation as legal advisor to top-tier asset managers."
Dechert's financial restructuring practice is known globally for handling high-profile cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters, innovative deal structuring and achieving court victories across jurisdictions. Dechert is recognized by Global Restructuring Review, Chambers and The Legal 500 as having one of the leading restructuring groups in the world.
Dechert is a leading global law firm with 22 offices around the world. The firm advises on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity, and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.
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SOURCE Dechert LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/elite-restructuring-team-joins-dechert-llp/ | 2022-08-02T16:24:01Z |
NurseShifts app-based marketplace enables nurses to control when and where they work, right from the palm of their hands
ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- StaffHealth.com, a leading, nationwide, full-service healthcare staffing and recruitment agency, today announced the launch of NurseShifts, a new mobile app and marketplace designed for on-demand staffing to help nurses find shifts, faster.
NurseShifts powered by StaffHealth.com puts professionals in control of their workload, giving them scheduling flexibility in a quick and convenient way. Available for IOS or Android devices, the app acts as a mobile marketplace for nurses to easily connect and communicate with recruiters and healthcare facilities right from the palm of their hand; After an initial one-time sign up, nurses are able to complete the onboarding and job invite processes more quickly, while also receiving notifications for jobs most relevant to their experience, location, and availability.
In addition to streamlining the process for nurses, the mobile-first app-based marketplace enables healthcare facilities to address the rapidly transforming demand for labor across the country. This allows for healthcare facilities to manage schedules and provide shifts more successfully than ever before; Decreasing work overload and burnout, and in turn empowering healthcare professionals to take back their freedom and control of their own lives.
"We developed this app as a way to give nurses more control when choosing their work opportunities, allowing them the chance to find more meaningful and flexible jobs that best suit their individual needs," said Matthew Mawby, co-founder of StaffHealth.com. "As a leading healthcare staffing and recruitment agency, we wanted to address the ever-evolving staffing demand in a simpler way, by offering healthcare facilities the ability to rapidly onboard new workers, and for nurses to find jobs in minutes, while also allowing all parties to communicate seamlessly – all in one place. This revolutionary marketplace furthers our mission to provide nurses with flexible and same day well-paid opportunities, while also helping healthcare facilities find quality talent from a wider variety of prospects when and where they need it most."
StaffHealth.com offers job search capabilities for nurses and allied health professionals seeking per-diem, short-term, long-term, temp-to-perm, block booking, direct hire, or local contract roles. Same day pay, flexible scheduling, and with one of the largest national networks of qualified healthcare professionals, StaffHealth.com has placed thousands of professionals with more than 3,000 client facilities in the US. StaffHealth.com's new marketplace app, NurseShifts, will continue to help place these healthcare professionals in an efficient way through its mobile technology, while also managing the continued and intensifying demand from healthcare facilities.
To learn more about NurseShifts, visit www.nurseshifts.com. To learn more about how StaffHealth.com is aiding healthcare professionals and facilities during this time, visit www.staffhealth.com.
About StaffHealth.com
StaffHealth.com is a leading, full-service healthcare staffing and recruitment agency with 150 dedicated internal staff, offering one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare staffing services in the nation. Through a network of more than 97,000 quality healthcare professionals across the country, StaffHealth.com provides RNs, LPN/LVNs, CNAs, Physicians, Allied Health Professionals, Home Healthcare Aides, Therapists, and more. StaffHealth.com is a leader in the industry, not only by the sheer reach of their service, but also their commitment and standards aimed at keeping clients, patients, and caregivers safe. For more information, please visit www.staffhealth.com.
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SOURCE StaffHealth.com | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/staffhealthcom-launches-mobile-app-fast-amp-efficient-nurse-staffing/ | 2022-05-17T15:18:07Z |
(The Car Connection) — Electric cars are no longer niche vehicles, and the new 2023 Subaru Solterra and 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 demonstrate how far the mainstream has swung toward battery-powered crossover SUVs.
The duo also represents a trend of automakers partnering up to split costs in a rapidly developing global marketplace shaped by emissions regulations.
The Ioniq 5 and the related Kia EV6 share a platform and have the same electric vehicle development resources, yet the two electric crossovers could never be mistaken for one another. The Solterra rises out of another partnership with Toyota, who teamed to co-develop the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ sports coupes. Yet the Solterra looks and feels so much like the Toyota BZ4X inside and out that the two could appear interchangeable.
Sized like a Subaru Forester but styled like the Toyota RAV4, the Solterra wears black cladding all over the bumpers, rockers, and fenders, where it wraps around the LED headlights to create the automotive equivalent of raccoon eyes. Aerodynamics influence everything from the side curtains to the roofline, which flows into an unusual split roof spoiler and down a raked rear windshield that lacks a wiper. Inside, the recessed instrument cluster set close to the windshield and far from the driver sits removed from a wide center console that is characteristically Toyota.
The interior of the Ioniq 5 takes the opposite approach, with a wide open floor and small armrest console that can be moved front to back 6.0 inches to push it even farther out of the way. A pair of 12.3-inch screens rise from a dash underlined by a panel of haptic climate control buttons. It’s distinctive, not just to Hyundai but to the Ioniq series of EVs.
The unique look extends to the exterior styling as well. The retro hatchback vibe features a squat rear, a prominent nose, diagonal cuts across the body, and LED headlights and taillights that look like something from an 8-bit game. It attracts attention, and in our testing got far more compliments than the anodyne Solterra.
The Ioniq 5 is quicker and nimbler than the Solterra as well. It has a 77.4-kWh battery pack, and can be fitted with a 225-hp single motor and rear-wheel drive, or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version that makes 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque; a smaller 58-kWh battery pack is planned for later this year. It can lean in turns, and the independent suspension is tuned to the soft side, but the AWD model shoots to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds.
The Solterra takes about 6.5 seconds to hit 60 mph, is more plodding, and rides more like a traditional crossover. Except in Subaru’s case, it’s uncharacteristically quiet. It comes with a 72.8-kWh battery pack and the standard dual-motor all-wheel-drive system churns out 218 hp and 249 lb-ft. The Ioniq 5 may be better on the road, but the Solterra, with its 8.3 inches of ground clearance and three off-road settings, can hit the dirt trails with the same sense of adventure as other Subies.
In an odd switch, the Solterra can’t tow but the Ioniq 5 can haul up to 2,000 lb.
Range tops out at 228 miles in the Solterra, and it has an EPA efficiency rating of 3.1 miles per kWh. DC fast-charging at a rather modest 100 kW can restore up to 80% charge in less than an hour, and Subaru has partnered with the EVgo charging network, but benefits to owners haven’t been finalized.
The Ioniq 5 outpaces the Solterra for range, efficiency, and charging ability; AWD versions of the Ioniq 5 have a 256-mile range (303 miles with RWD), and an efficiency rating of 3.3 miles per kWh. On DC fast-charging at up to 240 kW, the Ioniq 5 powers up to 80% in just 18 minutes. In addition, it has a vehicle-to-load function that lets owners power appliances at a campsite, for instance or charge another EV.
Both vehicles use paddle shifters for four grades of regenerative braking, with the Ioniq 5’s most aggressive setting taking the car down to a complete stop. The Solterra has a fifth setting, called S-Pedal that’s supposed to act like one-pedal driving, but it doesn’t come to a complete stop. They both have three drive modes, Normal, Sport, and Eco, with the latter softening the pedal feel and reducing the air conditioner output.
The Ioniq 5 has the advantage of interior space as well. Riding on a 118.1-inch wheelbase, which is longer than the Palisade three-row SUV, the Ioniq 5 seats up to five people in comfy seats, and the second row can recline and move forward and back. The fixed glass roof and open floor plan give it a spaciousness you can’t get in combustion engine cars.
The Solterra may ride quieter than the Ioniq 5, but the roominess is compromised by a tall, wide center console that eats up leg and hip room. Its wheelbase is 6.0 inches shorter, and it seats five though four would prefer if you didn’t. All seats are covered in water-repellent animal-free synthetic leather upholstery. A crossbar splits the panoramic sunroof, so headroom feels a tad tighter, too. Available roof rails give its buyers typical Subaru utility, and the roof can support a static load of 700 lb to strap on that rooftop tent.
Both cars have 60/40-split folding rear seats, but the Solterra ekes out a bit more cargo room at 30 cubic feet versus 27.2 cubes in the Ioniq 5. Tiered cargo floors and clever storage areas grace both models, but the Ioniq 5 has a small frunk for the charge cord while the Solterra doesn’t.
Toyota’s much improved new infotainment system simplifies controls in the Solterra, which also has hard buttons for climate controls and drive modes, whereas most everything must be done via Hyundai’s touchscreen. Voice commands in both are excellent and limit the reliance on touch inputs, but the Solterra’s instrument cluster wastes space, especially in comparison to the Ioniq 5’s HD dynamic cluster. With the exception of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the Solterra, the Ioniq 5 has a better feature set, plus a better 5-year/60,000-mile warranty (the Solterra’s is 3/36,000), though both electrified systems are warrantied for 100,000 miles.
Both vehicles come with excellent driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and automatic high beams, but Subaru adds adaptive cruise control as standard. Crash tests have not yet been completed on either model.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 scores a high TCC Rating of 8.4 out of 10, and outperforms the Solterra and its 7.6 rating in most categories in our testing. But the Solterra capitalizes on the adventuring self-image of Subaru owners and marks an important first step in Subaru’s future. With the Ioniq 5, however, the future has already arrived. | https://cw33.com/automotive/2023-subaru-solterra-vs-2022-hyundai-ioniq-5-compare-electric-cars/ | 2022-08-07T20:18:41Z |
Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval Receives Financial Support from Nation's Leading Cannabis Brand
POMONA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tak Sato, President of STIIIZY, presented Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval with a check for $207,381.92 today at John F. Kennedy Park as part of their ongoing commitment to support the communities where STIIIZY operates.
Coming just over a year after STIIIZY Pomona's opening, the funds will be used towards improvements at John F. Kennedy Park and the schools near the STIIIZY location. Improvements to the lighting, building a concession stand next to the baseball field and additional playground equipment are some of the options being considered with the funds.
Working hand-in-hand with city officials, STIIIZY Pomona has also been engaged in an ongoing effort to help revitalize the area of Pomona where they operate, introducing a secure, vibrant business and providing safe access to cannabis, and providing 90 jobs.
"During the cannabis licensing process, we made certain commitments to the City of Pomona if we had the honor of opening a store in their city. We believe we have honored those commitments so far with the community benefits we continue to provide, the additional security which has made the neighborhood safer, and the relationships we have forged with this neighborhood," said Sato.
Joining Mayor Sandoval at the ceremony was a wide range of community representatives, including Mark Ramos, the President of UFCW Local 1428, and Carlos Goytia, the current Director of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District and the former Parks & Recreation Commissioner. This group represents the potential positive impact of cannabis on everything from the local economy to utilities to parks and recreation.
For more details on STIIIZY Pomona visit our site, and read our blog for more on company news and how Shryne Group supports the communities it serves.
STIIIZY is an authentic, innovative, California-based cannabis brand that is committed to having a positive impact on the communities they serve. Founded in 2017 as a pioneering vape company, STIIIZY has evolved into one of the world's most treasured cannabis brands with distinctive and class-defining retail stores and award-winning cannabis products.
For more information, visit https://www.stiiizy.com/
CONTACT: Christian Averill, christian@qualityproduceusa.com
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SOURCE STIIIZY | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/stiiizy-pomona-supports-pomonas-parks-amp-schools-with-200k-donation/ | 2022-08-01T20:40:03Z |
Dodgers’ Bauer suspended for 2 seasons over alleged sexual assault
NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was suspended Friday for a record two full seasons without pay by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy, which he denies.
Bauer’s suspension — which will cover 324 games without pay — comes after a San Diego woman, whom the pitcher had met through social media, alleged that Bauer beat and sexually abused her last year. She later sought but was denied a restraining order. Los Angeles prosecutors said in February there was insufficient evidence to prove the woman’s accusations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Bauer, who hasn’t played since the allegations surfaced and MLB began investigating, repeatedly has said that everything that happened between the two was consensual.
“In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy,” he said Friday in a statement. “I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives and I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.”
If the suspension is upheld, Bauer will lose about $60 million in salary.
The previous longest suspension under the policy was a full season and postseason for free agent pitcher Sam Dyson in 2021.
The policy unveiled in August 2015 grants MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred the autonomy to suspend players with “just cause.”
Bauer earlier this week sued his accuser in federal court, a move that came less than three months after prosecutors decided not to file criminal charges against the pitcher. Bauer named the woman and one of her attorneys, Niranjan Fred Thiagarajah, as defendants in the lawsuit. The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault.
The lawsuit said that “the damage to Mr. Bauer has been extreme” after the woman alleged that he had choked her into unconsciousness, punched her repeatedly and had anal sex with her without her consent during two sexual encounters last year.
The pitcher has said the two engaged in rough sex at his Pasadena home at her suggestion and followed guidelines they agreed to in advance. Each encounter ended with them joking and her spending the night, he said.
Bauer was placed on administrative leave last July 2 under the joint domestic violence and sexual assault policy of MLB and the players’ association. The leave had been repeatedly extended and Bauer continued to be paid his $32 million salary while on leave. He stopped getting paid Friday; he stands to lose $28 million this year and $32 million next year.
MLB announced the suspension in a short statement that did not provide details of the findings of its investigation, adding: “In accordance with the terms of the Policy, the Commissioner’s Office will not issue any further statements at this point in time.”
After winning his first Cy Young Award with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Bauer agreed to a $102 million, three-year contract to join his hometown Dodgers. He did not pitch after June 29 and finished with an 8-2 record and a 2.59 ERA in 17 appearances. He was paid his $28 million salary last year.
“The Dodgers organization takes all allegations of this nature very seriously and does not condone or excuse any acts of domestic violence or sexual assault,” the team’s statement said. “We’ve cooperated fully with MLB’s investigation since it began, and we fully support MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy, and the Commissioner’s enforcement of the Policy. We understand that Trevor has the right to appeal the Commissioner’s decision. Therefore, we will not comment further until the process is complete.”
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/29/mlb-suspends-trevor-bauer-under-its-domestic-violence-sexual-assault-policy/ | 2022-04-29T21:30:02Z |
Lo van Pham honored to be first Asian American official
By ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
Lo van Pham’s journey to the NFL began when he fell in love with sports upon arriving in Texas after living in refugee camps with his family. More than 40 years later, van Pham is set to become the first Asian American to officiate in the NFL. Before he was introduced to football in America, van Pham and his parents and two brothers survived traveling the jungles of South Vietnam and bounced around refugee camps in Laos, Thailand and the Philippines for about three years. He was too young to remember much of that experience but his parents filled him in as he got older. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/19/lo-van-pham-honored-to-be-first-asian-american-official/ | 2022-05-19T19:04:23Z |
MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions has increased the floor space at its main booth and added new locations to display inspection solutions that extend across several industries, working to master quality together with customers. The technology solutions will be featured in four different booths, in three different areas of IMTS, including the Quality and Additive Pavilions, and the Smartforce Student Summit. Attendees can experience a wide array of technologies in person: industrial microscopes, CT X-ray machines, CMMs and optical systems, non-contact 3D devices, automated car body systems, and surface and special geometry instruments. In addition to the IMTS Conference session on Monday, September 12, visitors can listen to several daily software presentations in the main quality booth, #135502.
At the main booth, #135502 in the Quality Pavilion, ZEISS will present technologies and application highlights in the areas of ZEISS eMobility Solutions, ZEISS Medical Industry Solutions, ZEISS Aerospace Solutions, and more. Software is a key focus, with a large stage and seating area covering several topics. Customers can stop by, have a coffee and attend one of several presentations.
For the daily software topics and more, visit: ZEISS at IMTS 2022
Down from the main booth, CAPTURE 3D, a ZEISS company, is located at #135527. They are the leading provider of innovative GOM 3D digitizing solutions in the United States. Attendees can see first-hand how their solutions rapidly solve engineering issues, prevent future problems, eliminate iterations, reduce costs and improve quality.
At booth #433231 visitors can see up close, ZEISS additive manufacturing inspection solutions, including inspection verification. With this unique holistic inspection process for 3D manufacturing, the concentrated competence of all ZEISS technologies is applied. This integrated process brings the most reliable knowledge and thus certainty about the reliability of 3D parts.
Teachers and students can stop by the ZEISS Academic booth, #215400 to see ZEISS and CAPTURE 3D solutions for academia. They can talk to the team to see how ZEISS can support their metrology program and try out ZEISS machines in person.
"Overcoming the Challenges of New Designs, New Materials, and New Printers with X-ray CT" by Curtis Frederick, Additive Manufacturing Application Scientist at ZEISS, on Monday, September 12 at 3:15 PM - 4:10 PM Central. To learn more, visit ZEISS IMTS Conference Session
To learn more about ZEISS, visit www.zeiss.com/metrology
ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling 7.5 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2021).
For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.
With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 13 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.
With around 37,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 30 production sites, 60 sales and service companies and 27 research and development facilities (status: 31 March 2022). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.
Further information at www.zeiss.com
ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions is a leading manufacturer of multidimensional metrology solutions. These include coordinate measuring machines, optical and multisensor systems, microscopy systems for industrial quality assurance as well as metrology software for the automotive, aircraft, mechanical engineering, plastics and medical technology industries. Innovative technologies such as 3D X-ray metrology for quality inspection round off the portfolio. In addition, ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions offers a broad global spectrum of customer services with ZEISS Quality Excellence Centers close to its customers. The company is headquartered in Oberkochen. Production and development sites outside Germany are located in Minneapolis in the USA, Shanghai (China) and Bangalore (India). ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions is part of the Industrial Quality & Research segment.
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SOURCE Carl Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions, LLC | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/zeiss-showcasing-wider-range-quality-solutions-different-pavilions-imts/ | 2022-09-07T13:28:52Z |
Jury in the trial of 4 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer has reached decision on some counts, deadlocked on others
By Brian Vitagliano, CNN
The jury deliberating the fate of four men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appears to have reached verdicts on some counts.
Jurors sent a note to the judge Friday morning — on their fifth day of deliberations — saying, “We have come to a decision on several counts, however we are locked on others, how should we proceed from here?”
US District Judge Robert Jonker called the jury in and told members, “I would like you to go back and make another effort to see if you can come to an agreement on the issues that you are stuck on as a group.”
The jury has been deliberating for roughly 34 hours this week.
Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta face federal charges for allegedly conspiring to kidnap the Democratic governor.
Fox, Croft and Harris face an additional charge of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction including explosive devices, according to court documents.
Croft and Harris are also charged with possessing destructive devices, counts added in a second indictment last April.
All four defendants, who’ve pleaded not guilty, face up to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping conspiracy.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
CNN’s Lauren del Valle contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2022/04/08/jury-in-the-trial-of-4-men-accused-of-plotting-to-kidnap-michigan-gov-whitmer-has-reached-decision-on-some-counts-deadlocked-on-others/ | 2022-04-08T16:39:46Z |
'Acts of Grace.' Akron-Canton Foodbank surpasses 2022 Harvest for Hunger campaign goal
CANTON – With higher gas and grocery prices and increased demand for less available inventory, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank was facing headwinds coming into its 2022 Harvest for Hunger campaign.
But the campaign not only met its goal of 4.6 million meals, it surpassed it by raising the equivalent of 4.9 million meals through in-kind and monetary donations. That will help feed residents across its region of Summit, Stark, Holmes, Carroll, Portage, Medina, Tuscarawas, Wayne counties.
More:School districts pack buses with donations for Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank fundraiser
The agency hosted an open house Friday at its Stark campus at 1365 Cherry Ave. NE, site of a former Fishers Foods, to thank the community.
President and CEO Dan Flowers credits a generous public for enabling the agency to continue serving those most in need.
"I'm thrilled," he said. "Harvest for Hunger is such an important campaign. In these really kind of unusual times since the pandemic, so much of what used to feel like we could rely on is shifting. The community being faithful in supporting us has meant so much."
Flowers describes the contributions as "acts of grace."
"Most of the money we raise comes from shoppers in the grocery store lines," he said. "Stores being willing to put the stuff out, and people being willing to give, it's incredibly generous."
The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank's network features more than 500 pantries, hot-meal sites, homeless shelters and other hunger-relief programs. The nonprofit serves approximately 52,980 Stark Countians who are food-insecure, including 15,600 children. Last year, the agency gave away more than than 2 million pounds of fresh produce locally.
Every dollar donated helps provide the equivalent of four meals. Each day, the Foodbank produces enough food to provide 116,000 meals.
This year's distribution goal is 30 million pounds of food in the region, Flowers said.
Inflation a double whammy for Akron-Canton Foodbank
Public relations and communications manager Raven Gayheart said the campaign, which encompasses 21 Northeast Ohio counties, is in its 31st year.
"It's a very large campaign for this area," she said. "But specifically to our food bank, it helps provide food all year long. It's extremely vital to our hunger-relief efforts. What's important to know right now, with the cost of inflation impacting local families and their budgets, our local relief partners, from the food pantries, the hot-meal sites, kids' backpack programs and senior food-box programs, local folks are really needing to turn to those programs to be able to make it to the end of each month."
Flowers said the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is buying more food than ever to meet growing demand. He attributes some of the growth to pandemic-related benefits ending.
"I was looking at the first four months, and we've had about a 5,000-person increase every month this year," he said. "So it's been ticking, and I expect that to continue."
Flowers said he always tries to avoid hyperbole when informing the public about the need.
"But I've been feeling like lately it's more necessary for me to be really plain," he said. "This is kind of unchartered waters, with energy costs and inflation where it is."
'The need is year-around'
Acquiring food, Flowers said, has been more difficult.
"I think if grocery manufacturers are having a hard time supplying the retail, which they are, ... well, that's not gonna leave a lot of surplus left over for them to donate," Flowers said. "So we're down in surplus food donations this year and it's taking longer to get here."
All of the Harvest for Hunger money raised is used for food distribution, Flowers said, adding that 80% percent of the food purchased so far this year has already been distributed.
"It's a very, very important campaign, not just for us, but for the agencies in the community," Flowers said. "We've been in this building almost for a year and we will distribute more than 7 million pounds of food out of this building this year."
The Stark campus employs 80 full-time workers along with volunteers.
Among those attending Friday's open house was Burnett L. Williams, vice president of external affair at Akron Children's Hospital and co-chair of the 2022 campaign with Sam Falletta, president and CEO of Incept.
More:Akron Children's Hospital behavioral center coming to Canton after $1 land deal
Williams, a board member for nine years, said she believes the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is one of the best-run food nonprofits in the country.
"What I love about food and the distribution of food is that it's not political," she said. "Everyone can and should get behind fighting hunger. The Harvest for Hunger campaign reminds folks that the need is year-around."
To learn more about the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank's programs and services, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.akroncantonfoodbank.org or call 330-535-6900.
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com
On Twitter: @cgoshayREP | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2022/06/03/akron-canton-regional-foodbank-surpasses-its-goal-fight-hunger/7469423001/ | 2022-06-03T23:27:36Z |
ISELIN, N.J., July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware Technologies celebrated 5 years of its brand anniversary on July 10, 2022. The anniversary marks the manifestation of its brand promise and attributes aptly through all its activities. Throughout its branding journey, Hexaware has exhibited its core attributes of openness to innovation, disrupting the norm, encouraging passion for customer success, maintaining a fearless attitude and learning from rich experiences while strengthening its distinct brand identity.
The primary objective of these attributes is to associate Brand Hexaware with trust, satisfaction and dependability. The launch of Hexaware's new purpose statement, "Creating smiles through great people and technology," took the cause ahead and covered the essence of the brand in a comprehensible manner.
The purpose statement launch in consolidation with the branding initiatives executed over the 5 years created a favorable impact for the brand and it reflects evidently in Hexaware's positioning in the Brand Finance India 100 2022 Report. Its Brand Strength Index (BSI) score is now 68 out of 100, demonstrating a 2-point increase from 2021. In 2021, Hexaware's Brand Rating improved from A+ to AA- and in 2022, it maintains the score. In the case of Brand Value, it has shown a growth of over 41% while crossing the $500 million mark. A range of solid branding and awareness projects has positively impacted revenue growth, with LTM revenue higher than $ 1 billion.
Hexaware's workforce is instrumental in driving a high-value brand presence and realizing the brand purpose. To value their contribution, Hexaware undertakes various programs that focus on their holistic growth.
Ram Singampalli, Chief Operating Officer at Hexaware Technologies, said, "We are proud to represent our passion and sense of commitment to creating memorable digital experiences through strategically crafted branding initiatives. Our efforts are driven to ensure that as the brand evolves, every individual associated with the brand grows and manifests the brand principles."
About Hexaware
Hexaware is a global IT, BPS and consulting services company empowering businesses worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed.
Learn more about Hexaware at http://www.hexaware.com. Take an immersive 360° virtual tour of our campuses worldwide at https://www.hexawareimmersive.com.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/530945/Hexaware.jpg
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SOURCE Hexaware Technologies Ltd. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/hexaware-celebrates-5-year-milestone-its-new-brand-identity/ | 2022-07-12T12:43:23Z |
AUSTIN, Texas — For years, bombastic far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones ranted to his millions of followers that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, that children weren’t killed and that parents were crisis actors in an elaborate ruse to force gun control.
Under oath and facing a jury that could hit him with $150 million or more in damages for his false claims, Jones said Wednesday he now realizes that was irresponsible and believes that what happened in the deadliest school shooting in American history was “100% percent real.”
Jones’ public contrition came on the final day of testimony in a two-week defamation lawsuit against him and his Austin-based media company Free Speech Systems brought by Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of a 6-year-old Jesse Lewis. Their son was a first grader who was among the 20 students and six teachers killed at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012.
“I unintentionally took part in things that did hurt these people’s feelings,” said Jones, who also acknowledged raising conspiracy claims about other mass tragedies, from the Oklahoma City and Boston Marathon bombings to the mass shootings in Las Vegas and Parkland, Florida, “and I’m sorry for that.”
But an apology isn’t enough for Heslin and Lewis. They said Jones and the media empire he controls and used to spread his false assertions must be held accountable.
“Alex started this fight,” Heslin said, “and I’ll finish this fight.”
The parents testified Tuesday about a decade of trauma, inflicted first by the murder of their son and what followed: gun shots fired at a home, online and telephone threats, and harassment on the street by strangers, all fueled by Jones and his conspiracy theory spread to his followers via his website Infowars.
A forensic psychiatrist testified the parents suffer from “complex post-traumatic stress disorder” inflicted by ongoing trauma, similar to what might be experience by a soldier at war or a child abuse victim.
At one point in her testimony, Lewis looked directly act Jones who was sitting barely 10 feet away.
“It seems so incredible to me that we have to do this — that we have to implore you, to punish you — to get you to stop lying,” Lewis told Jones.
Courts in Texas and Connecticut have already found Jones liable for defamation for his portrayal of the Sandy Hook massacre as a hoax involving actors aimed at increasing gun control.
Now, Heslin and Lewis are asking the jury in Austin for $150 million in compensation for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. They will also ask the jury to assess additional punitive damages.
Jurors began considering damages Wednesday. Once they determine whether Jones should pay the parents compensation for defamation and emotional distress, it must then decide if he must also pay punitive damages. That portion will involve a separate mini-trial with Jones and economist testifying to his and his company’s net worth.
Jones’ attorney asked the jury to limit damages to $8 — one dollar for each of the compensation charges they are considering — and Jones himself said any award over $2 million “would sink us.”
At the end of Jones’ testimony, Mark Bankston, an attorney for the family, pulled a crumpled dollar bill out of his pocket, showed it to Jones, and put it down in front of the parents.
“The day Sandy Hook happened, Alex Jones planted a seed of misinformation that lasted a decade,” parents’ attorney Kyle Farrar told the jury in closing arguments. “And he just watered that seed over and over until it bore fruit: cruelty and money.”
During his testimony, Jones said he’s tried in the past to back off the hoax claims, but “they (the media) won’t let me take it back.”
Jones — who has been banned from major social media platforms for hate speech and abusive behavior — has portrayed the lawsuit as an attack on his First Amendment rights and complained that he’s been “typecast as someone that runs around talking about Sandy Hook, makes money off Sandy Hook, is obsessed by Sandy Hook.”
Eight days of testimony included videos of Jones and Infowars employees talking about the Sandy Hook conspiracy and even mocking Heslin’s description in a 2017 television interview that he’d held his dead son Jesse’s body “with a bullet hole through his head.” Heslin described that moment with his dead son to the jury.
Jones was the only witness to testify in his defense. And he came under withering attack from the plaintiffs attorneys under cross examination, as they reviewed Jones’ own video claims about Sandy Hook over the years, and accused him of lying and trying to hide evidence, including text messages and emails about Sandy Hook. It also included internal emails sent by an Infowars employee that said “this Sandy Hook stuff is killing us.”
At one point, Jones was told that his attorneys had mistakenly sent Bankston the last two years’ worth of texts from Jones’ cellphone.
And shortly after Jones declared “I don’t use email,” Jones was shown one that came from his address, and another one from an Infowars business officer telling Jones that the company had earned $800,000 gross in selling its products in a single day, which would amount to nearly $300 million in a year.
Jones has already tried to protect Free Speech Systems financially. The company filed for federal bankruptcy protection last week. Sandy Hook families have separately sued Jones over his financial claims, arguing that the company is trying to protect millions owned by Jones and his family through shell entities. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_c6e8a0c6-1391-11ed-9890-e71494e29557.html | 2022-08-04T10:15:26Z |
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson would accept an eight-game suspension and $5 million fine to avoid missing the entire season, a person familiar with his defense told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Watson, who is facing a potential year-long ban for sexual misconduct, would agree to a lesser penalty in a settlement, said the person who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
The biggest question is whether the NFL would make this compromise.
A settlement has always been possible, but it’s not clear if the sides are in active discussions.
The league is seeking a minimum suspension of 17 games, a significant fine over $5 million and wants Watson to be required to undergo evaluation and treatment as determined by medical experts before he could be reinstated.
An independent arbitrator suspended Watson, accused of lewd sexual behavior during massage appointments with two dozen women while he played for the Houston Texans, six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy on Aug. 1.
The league felt the punishment wasn’t enough and appealed retired federal judge Sue L. Robinson’s ruling two days later.
Asked Tuesday at the owner’s meetings why the appeal was filed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: “Because we’ve seen the evidence.”
“She (Robinson) was very clear about the evidence. She reinforced the evidence, that there was multiple violations here and they were egregious, and that it was predatory behavior,” Goodell added.
“Those were always things we felt was really important for us to address and in a way that’s responsible.”
Watson’s case now rests with Peter C. Harvey, a former New Jersey Attorney General appointed last week by Goodell to handle the league’s appeal. Harvey’s decision could come at any time.
Harvey’s decision “will be binding,” per the collective bargaining agreement. However, the NFL Players Association could try to challenge his ruling in federal court. A settlement would avoid that.
Meanwhile, Watson is scheduled to make his debut for the Browns on Friday night in their exhibition opener at Jacksonville. The three-time Pro Bowler has continued to practice during his high-profile case, which has brought renewed criticism of the league’s handling of player discipline.
The Browns, who have spent years looking for a franchise QB, traded three first-round draft picks to Houston in March for Watson and then signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract.
Cleveland’s plan all along has been to play Jacoby Brissett, who has made 37 career starts, while Watson serves a suspension. However, that could change if Watson is out much longer or for the entire 2022 season.
One possible option for the Browns could be Jimmy Garoppolo, who has been supplanted as San Francisco’s starter by Trey Lance and is expected to be either traded or waived this month by the 49ers.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-source-watson-willing-to-accept-8-game-suspension-fine/ | 2022-08-12T03:27:26Z |
AJ McLean of Backstreet Boys attends "Bingo Under The Stars" in celebration of Pride, hosted by members of NSYNC and Backstreet Boys at The Grove on June 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. McLean will soon release a new solo album.
Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys perform onstage during the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
AJ McLean of Backstreet Boys attends "Bingo Under The Stars" in celebration of Pride, hosted by members of NSYNC and Backstreet Boys at The Grove on June 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. McLean will soon release a new solo album.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys perform onstage during the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean, pursuing a solo career doesn't mean he has to step away from the band with which he's performed for almost 30 years.
"Each thing goes hand in hand. If I have a successful album, it only reflects on my success with the group, where I started and where I will always return to," McLean told CNN en Español via Zoom.
The music industry has witnessed time and again how bands like *NSYNC or One Direction have gone their separate ways for good after one or more members pursue their own endeavors, breaking hearts worldwide. But McLean said when it comes to BSB, going strong since 1993, "even if I have the most successful period solo, I'm still not going anywhere."
"That is my home," he said. "That is where I belong. But I don't see there being a problem with having the best of both worlds."
This unity and knowing they have each other's back has given them the confidence to explore other avenues. Kevin Richardson, who left the group for six years period from 2006-2012, has done Broadway; Brian Littrell did a Christian album and Howie Dorough released a children's record. Meanwhile, Nick Carter has been in movies, released multiple solo albums and teamed up with Jordan Knight from the New Kids on the Block for their duo Nick & Knight.
"The number one priority amongst the five of us is Backstreet Boys, which is at the epicenter," he said. "And, some of us, not all of us, are aspiring to do things outside of the group."
Earlier this month, McLean released "Smoke," the first single of his upcoming album "Sex and Bodies."
The song draws inspiration from Prince and George Michael and incorporates funk falsettos that contrast with the singer's signature raspy voice. The song celebrates love and how a relationship should feel "as easy as blowing smoke," McLean said.
"No pun intended, but I lit a cigarette and I was like, you know, sometimes relationships can be as easy as blowing smoke," he said. "Like, that's how easy it is if this person is the one. That's kind of what inspired the title."
"Sex and Bodies" will be McLean's second solo album and is set to release in early 2023.
"I keep saying it's an incredible record. I'm so proud of it. And even though 'Smoke' is an amazing record, it's still not the best record on the album."
McLean is currently touring the United States with the Backstreet Boys. The successful second leg of the DNA World Tour is showing how strong the Backstreet Boys are after three decades.
"The rest of the tour is sold out. Europe is sold out. Latin America is sold out," McLean said. "It's a testament to each other. It's a testament to our fans, and it's a testament to the music."
He added: "I'm honored to say that I'm a Backstreet Boy, and I'm proud to be a Backstreet Boy in 2022."
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/entertainment/aj-mclean-explains-why-solo-projects-never-divided-the-backstreet-boys/article_fba7926d-00cf-53f7-a407-b1628909c198.html | 2022-07-30T17:40:15Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Resulticks, a global leader in real-time customer engagement solutions, has been named in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Marketing Hubs -- marking the sixth consecutive year in which Resulticks has been recognized in this report.
"Despite the recent turbulence and disruptions in the global marketplace, Resulticks has stood at the cutting edge of scalable, intuitive customer engagement technology. We believe, our uninterrupted six-year presence in this Magic Quadrant report attests to the robust foundational vision and the continuous advancements of our solution," said Mani Gopalaratnam, CEO and CTO of Resulticks.
In the MMH Magic Quadrant report, Gartner defines a multichannel marketing hub as "a technology that orchestrates a company's communications and offers to customer segments across multiple channels." The 2022 report, according to Gartner "highlights digital marketing leaders' increasing reliance on multichannel marketing hubs for business growth."
"I'm encouraged and gratified by the recognition of Resulticks, a singularly unifying digital transformation engine," noted Gopalaratnam. "From strengthening our partnerships with leading tech players, including Qualcomm and Google Cloud, to adding new dimensions to our already diverse and robust array of features, such as the recent CX 5.0 update, we're focused on empowering organizations worldwide with a solution that can match the scale, speed, and unpredictability of the rapidly digitized market. Resulticks is more determined than ever to help business leaders bid farewell to the frictions, confusions, and unfulfilled promises that haunt legacy systems and move rapidly toward true digital transformation."
*Gartner, "Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Marketing Hubs", July 18, 2022. This report was titled "Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Campaign Management" in 2017.
Gartner Disclaimer
GARTNER and MAGIC QUADRANT are registered trademarks and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
About Resulticks
Resulticks is a real-time, big-data-driven marketing cloud/hybrid solution built from the ground up by experts in marketing, technology, and business strategy to deliver top-line growth. Outcomes-focused and enabled by the world's first customer data blockchain, Resulticks equips brands to make a transformational leap to true omnichannel engagement. With its AI-powered, customer-centric approach and attribution at the segment-of-one level, Resulticks is changing how brands worldwide reach, acquire, and retain satisfied customers. Resulticks North America is headquartered in New York City. https://www.resulticks.com/
Media Contact
Sneha Subramanian
ssneha@resulticks.com
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1869568/Resulticks_Gartner.jpg
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SOURCE Resulticks | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/resulticks-named-2022-gartner-magic-quadrant-multichannel-marketing-hubs-sixth-year-row/ | 2022-08-01T13:04:07Z |
RADNOR, Pa., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences, advanced technologies and applied materials industries, announced that Michael Stubblefield, President and CEO, will be participating in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Global Healthcare Conference in Rancho Palos Verde, Calif. on Tuesday, June 14, at approximately 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
A live webcast can be accessed on the investors section of our website and a replay will be available for approximately 90 days.
About Avantor
Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world. For more information, please visit www.avantorsciences.com.
Investor Relations Contact
Christina Jones
Vice President, Investor Relations
Avantor
805-617-5297
Christina.Jones@avantorsciences.com
Media Contact
Petro Kacur
Director, PR & External Communications
Avantor
404-408-0663
Petro.Kacur@avantorsciences.com
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SOURCE Avantor and Financial News | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/avantor-participate-43rd-annual-goldman-sachs-global-healthcare-conference/ | 2022-06-01T13:58:49Z |
Rule of 72 helps you project your investment’s value over time
The key to growing your money is time
InvestigateTV - The Rule of 72 is a useful formula that helps you estimate the number of years it will take you to double your invested money.
Aashish Matani, a managing director of wealth management at Merrill Lynch, said the Rule of 72 is not only easy to understand, but easy to calculate.
Here’s how it works: divide 72 by the annual interest rate to determine the amount of time it takes for an investment to double.
Matani used the example of a 25-year-old who’s 45 years away from retiring. He used 8% as an annual interest rate.
When you divide 72 by 8 you get 9. So, it would take the 25-year-old nine years to double their initial investment.
If they can double every nine years and have 45 years to do it, that’s five doubles. Here is how much the money would grow in that time.
- 2022 - $5,000 – initial investment
- 2031 $10,000 first doubling
- 2040 $20,000 second doubling
- 2049 $40,000 third doubling
- 2058 $80,000 fourth doubling
- 2067 $160,000 fifth doubling
The Rule of 72 is a powerful way for you to grow wealth over time. Invest as early as you can to take maximum advantage.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/09/08/rule-72-helps-you-project-your-investments-value-over-time/ | 2022-09-08T21:19:07Z |
PRINCETON, N.J., July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of Princeton (the "Bank") (NASDAQ: BPRN) announced that its Board of Directors, at a meeting held on July 20, 2022, declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share of the common stock of the Bank. This dividend will be paid on August 26, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 5, 2022. "This dividend reflects the Board of Director's commitment in providing a return to shareholders," stated Edward Dietzler, President and CEO.
The paying of cash dividends on a quarterly basis is subject to a determination and declaration each quarter by its Board of Directors, which will take into account a number of factors, including the financial condition of the Bank, and any applicable legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by the Bank. If paid, such dividends may be reduced or eliminated in future periods.
About The Bank of Princeton
The Bank of Princeton is a community bank founded in 2007. The Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered commercial bank with nineteen branches in New Jersey, including three in Princeton and others in Bordentown, Browns Mills, Chesterfield, Cream Ridge, Deptford, Hamilton, Lakewood, Lambertville, Lawrenceville, Monroe Township, New Brunswick, Pennington, Piscataway, Princeton Junction, and Sicklerville. There are also four branches in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. The Bank of Princeton is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").
Forward-Looking Statements
The Bank of Princeton may from time to time make written or oral "forward-looking statements," including statements contained in the Bank's filings with the FDIC, in its reports to stockholders and in other communications by the Bank (including this press release), which are made in good faith by the Bank pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the Bank's plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which are beyond the Bank's control). The following factors, among others, could cause the Bank's financial performance to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: the impact of the recent global coronavirus outbreak, the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Bank conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; market volatility; the value of the Bank's products and services as perceived by actual and prospective customers, including the features, pricing and quality compared to competitors' products and services; the willingness of customers to substitute competitors' products and services for the Bank's products and services; credit risk associated with the Bank's lending activities; risks relating to the real estate market and the Bank's real estate collateral; the impact of changes in applicable laws and regulations and requirements arising out of our supervision by banking regulators; other regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank; technological changes; acquisitions; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; those risks set forth in the Bank's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 under the heading "Risk Factors," and the success of the Bank at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.
Contact George Rapp
609.454.0718
grapp@thebankofprinceton.com
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SOURCE The Bank of Princeton | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/bank-princeton-announces-declaration-025-quarterly-cash-dividend/ | 2022-07-20T21:26:19Z |
NEW YORK, May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for FB, BBY, JPM, TTD, and ROKU.
Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.
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- FB: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=FB&prnumber=052420227
- BBY: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=BBY&prnumber=052420227
- JPM: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=JPM&prnumber=052420227
- TTD: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=TTD&prnumber=052420227
- ROKU: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=ROKU&prnumber=052420227
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InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/24/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-meta-platforms-best-buy-jpmorgan-chase-trade-desk-or-roku/ | 2022-05-24T15:55:50Z |
SHANGRAO, China, April 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar" or the "Company") (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, today announced certain preliminary unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, (i) the preliminary unaudited net income attributable to the shareholders of Jiangxi Jinko is estimated to be in the range from RMB 380.0 million to RMB 420.0 million, increasing by from RMB 138.9 million to RMB 178.9 million sequentially and by from 57.63% to 74.22% year over year, and (ii) the preliminary unaudited net income attributable to the shareholders of Jiangxi Jinko excluding extraordinary gains and losses is estimated to be in the range from RMB 280.0 million to RMB 320.0 million, increasing by from RMB 202.5 million to RMB 242.5 million sequentially and by from 261.46% to 313.09% year over year.
The preliminary unaudited financial results of Jiangxi Jinko for the three months ended March 31, 2022 described in this press release (the "Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results") are different from JinkoSolar's consolidated financial results (the "Consolidated Financials"), mainly because (i) the consolidation scope of the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results differs from that of the Consolidated Financials: the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results are prepared solely for Jiangxi Jinko, whereas the Consolidated Financials also include financial statements of JinkoSolar and its other subsidiaries, and (ii) the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results and the Consolidated Financials are prepared according to different accounting standards and principles: the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results are prepared in accordance with PRC GAAP, whereas the Consolidated Financials are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, investors of JinkoSolar should exercise caution when reviewing the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results described in this press release and are advised not to base their investment decisions solely on such preliminary unaudited financial results.
JinkoSolar currently owns approximately 58.62% equity interest in Jiangxi Jinko.
About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world. JinkoSolar distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, and other countries and regions. JinkoSolar has built a vertically integrated solar product value chain, with an integrated annual capacity of 32.5 GW for mono wafers, 24 GW for solar cells, and 45 GW for solar modules, as of December 31, 2021.
JinkoSolar has 12 productions facilities globally, 21 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, UAE and Denmark, and global sales teams in China, the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Australia, Korea, India, Turkey, Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Hong Kong, as of December 31, 2021.
To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the 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. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company's operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JinkoSolar's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
Ms. Stella Wang
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 21-5180-8777 ext.7806
Email: ir@jinkosolar.com
Mr. Rene Vanguestaine
Christensen
Tel: + 86 178 1749 0483
Email: rvanguestaine@ChristensenIR.com
In the U.S.:
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Christensen, Scottsdale, Arizona
Tel: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@ChristensenIR.com
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SOURCE JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/22/jinkosolars-subsidiary-jinko-solar-co-ltd-announces-certain-preliminary-unaudited-financial-results-first-quarter-2022/ | 2022-04-22T17:13:24Z |
Five locations in Dayton area
BEAVERCREEK, Ohio, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Drayer Physical Therapy Institute opened today at 4400 Indian Ripple Road, giving the company a second local outpatient clinic and five in the Dayton area.
The new Beavercreek-Greene Crossing clinic is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. To make an appointment, call 937-741-2880 or visit drayerpt.com.
The clinic offers in-clinic and telehealth options for outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, including manual therapy, injury prevention, return to performance, total joint replacement, concussion management and vestibular rehabilitation programs.
Clinic director Eric Jaynes earned a bachelor's degree in pre-physical therapy from Baldwin-Wallace College and a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine.
Jaynes, who has 13 years of clinical experience, is certified in manual therapy, dry needling and blood flow restriction therapy. He treats joint replacements, athletes, vestibular patients, TMJ patients and injured workers.
Drayer's other area clinics comprise 2587 Commons Blvd., Beavercreek, Centerville, Springboro, and Huber Heights among 25 clinics in Ohio.
Drayer is part of the Upstream Rehabilitation family of clinical care, which offers access to care within 24 hours and works with all insurance types.
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SOURCE Upstream Rehabilitation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/drayer-physical-therapy-opens-second-outpatient-clinic-beavercreek-ohio/ | 2022-08-15T15:55:11Z |
Mariupol steel mill battle rages as Ukraine repels attacks
LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Heavy fighting raged Thursday at the besieged steel plant in Mariupol, as Russian forces attempted to finish off the city’s last-ditch defenders and complete the capture of the strategically vital port.
The bloody battle came amid growing suspicions that President Vladimir Putin wants to present the Russian people with a major battlefield success — or perhaps announce an escalation of the war — in time for Victory Day on Monday. That is the biggest patriotic holiday on the Russian calendar, marking the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany.
Ten weeks into a devastating war, Ukraine’s military claimed Thursday it recaptured some areas in the south and repelled other attacks in the east, further frustrating Putin’s ambitions.
Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting village by village, as Moscow struggles to gain momentum in the eastern industrial heartland of the Donbas. Russia switched its focus to that region — where Moscow-backed separatists have fought Ukrainian forces for years — after a stiffer than expected resistance bogged its troops down and thwarted its initial goal of overrunning the capital.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said he hadn’t expected the Russian offensive to “drag on this way.” Some Russian troops used ally Belarus as a launch pad for the invasion on Feb. 24, and Lukashenko publicly supported the operation.
“But I am not immersed in this problem enough to say whether it goes according to plan, like the Russians say, or like I feel it,” the authoritarian leader said.
GRAPHIC WARNING: Videos may contain disturbing content.
In the most searing example of how Ukrainian forces have slowed Russia’s progress, Ukrainian fighters are holed up in the tunnels and bunkers under the sprawling Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol — the last pocket of resistance in a city that is otherwise controlled by Moscow’s forces. Civilians, believed to number around a few hundred, are also trapped inside the plant.
Ukraine said its fighters drove back a Russian assault into the giant mill, which was also being bombed from above. Videos shared online appeared to show the steel mill targeted by intense shelling at dawn Thursday.
“The Russian troops entered the territory of Azovstal, but were kicked out by our defenders,” Oleksiy Arestovych, a presidential adviser, said in remarks on Ukrainian television. “We can say that the fighting is ongoing.”
The Kremlin denied that there was any ground assault.
Mariupol’s fall would be a major battlefield success for Moscow, depriving Ukraine of a vital port and allowing Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops to fight elsewhere in the Donbas.
With his troops making slow progress elsewhere, Putin may be looking to declare a win at the plant in time for Victory Day. Some have also suggested he could use the celebrations to expand what he calls the “special military operation.”
A declaration of all-out war would allow the Russian leader to introduce martial law and mobilize reservists to make up for significant troop losses. The Kremlin has dismissed the speculation.
The city, and the plant in particular, have come to symbolize the misery inflicted by the war. The Russians have pulverized most of Mariupol in a two-month siege that has trapped civilians with little food, water, medicine or heat. Civilians sheltering inside the plant have perhaps suffered even more. About 100 of them were evacuated over the weekend — the first time some saw daylight in months.
A Ukrainian officer leading defenders at the last Mariupol bastion urged the global community to pressure Russia into allowing more civilians to be rescued along with wounded soldiers. It is unclear how many Ukrainian fighters are still inside the plant, but the Russians put the number at about 2,000 in recent weeks, and 500 were reported to be wounded.
“Wounded soldiers are dying in agony due to the lack of proper treatment,” Capt. Sviatoslav Palamar, the deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, said in a video statement.
The Russian government said it would open another evacuation corridor from the plant during certain hours on Thursday through Saturday. But there was no immediate confirmation of those arrangements from other parties, and many previous assurances from the Kremlin have fallen through, with the Ukrainians blaming continued fighting by the Russians.
It is unclear how many Ukrainian fighters are still inside the plant, but the Russians put the number at about 2,000 in recent weeks, and 500 were reported to be wounded.
As the battle raged in Mariupol, Russian forces shelled elsewhere in the Donbas and also kept up their bombardment of railroad stations and other supply-line targets across the country — part of an effort to disrupt the supply of Western arms, which have been critical to Ukraine’s defense.
Ukrainian forces said Thursday they made some gains on the border of the southern regions of Kherson and Mykolaiv and repelled 11 Russian attacks in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the Donbas.
Five people were killed and at least 25 more wounded in shelling of cities in the Donbas over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian officials said. The attacks damaged houses and a school as well.
A day after Russian attacks were reported near Kyiv, the capital; in Cherkasy and Dnipro in central Ukraine; and in Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, air raid sirens sounded anew Thursday in the western city of Lviv, which has been a gateway for western arms and served as a relative safe haven for people fleeing fighting farther east.
An assessment by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said Russian forces were struggling to gain traction.
“Ukrainian defenses have largely stalled Russian advances in eastern Ukraine,” it said late Wednesday.
“Russian forces intensified airstrikes against transportation infrastructure in western Ukraine (on Wednesday) but remain unable to interdict Western aid shipments to Ukraine,” it added.
The war has flattened swaths of cities and destroyed roads and bridges, and driven millions from their homes, including many who have crossed into other countries.
With the challenge of rebuilding and demining after the war in mind, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday announced the launch of a global fundraising digital platform called United24. At the same time, Poland hosted an international donor conference that raise $6.5 billion in humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, Belarus announced the start of military exercises Wednesday. A top Ukrainian official said the country will be ready to act if Belarus joins the fighting.
The British Defense Ministry said it does not anticipate that the drills currently posed a threat to Ukraine, but that Moscow will likely use them “to fix Ukrainian forces in the north, preventing them from being committed to the battle for the Donbas.”
___
Anna reported from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Zaporizhzhia, Inna Varenytsia and David Keyton in Kyiv, Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Lolita C. Baldor in Washington and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/05/ukraine-repels-some-attacks-combat-rages-steel-mill/ | 2022-05-05T14:06:30Z |
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Production Services, Inc. ("PPS"), founded in 1987, has attracted a meaningful new investment from Arena Investors, LP, Riveria Investment Group, and their affiliates. The partnership allows PPS and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pacific Traffic Control, to add to its suite of services for the film and television industry. The company supplies its customers with highly trained and skilled experts that handle a range of required regulatory and municipal permit coordination and services, including traffic and safety planning, design and staffing services.
This partnership provides PPS with the capital and expertise to act on the opportunity to fulfill the demand produced by the extraordinary growth in streaming service content, and the demand coming from the film and television industry. The investment allows PPS to pursue numerous organic growth opportunities from existing customers in its existing California market and new content production hotspots around the United States. The partnership will allow PPS to acquire and develop new technology, equipment and resources to enhance the company's coverage and maintain the first-class service our customers have come to rely upon.
Eric Nichols, President and CEO of PPS noted the firm is "extremely pleased to announce its new strategic partnership with Arena Investors and Riveria. This alliance will allow PPS to extend its considerable range of on location filming expertise, products, and services to a greater number of filming professionals, in a greater number of places."
Daniel Zwirn, CEO and CIO of Arena Investors stated, "The team at PPS has demonstrated a tremendous level of professionalism and has an excellent market reputation; its commitment to customers is among the best we have ever seen. As a direct result of its success to date, Arena has been pursuing a partnership with PPS and are now excited to announce this partnership. We will support the existing senior management team and employees and are looking forward to the future including developing new business lines, making software and technology enhancements and opening new markets."
About Pacific Production Services
PPS is the largest and most reputable film permitting agency in Los Angeles. We pride ourselves on our ability to simplify the permitting process while saving our clients time and money. The heart of our service is consultation: our coordinators get to know the needs of a project and can advise on budgets, timelines, and locations that fit a client's unique needs. Our clients include COLA and LMGI award winning location managers and location teams. We have worked on films, TV shows, commercials, music videos, and photo shoots that have gone on to win critic and audience awards around the globe. PPS has been a Gold Level sponsor of the COLAs since the beginning in 1995 and a Gold Level sponsor of the LMGIs since its inception in 2014. PPS also supports the Motion Picture Officers Association (MPOA). When it comes to film permits and traffic control expertise, PPS' quality of service is unmatched.
About Arena Investors
Arena is an institutional asset manager founded in partnership with The Westaim Corporation (TSXV: WED). With $3.6 billion of invested and committed assets under management as of August 1, 2022, and a team of over 100 employees in offices globally, Arena provides creative solutions for those seeking capital in special situations. The firm brings individuals with decades of experience, a track record of comfort with complexity, the ability to deliver within time constraints, and the flexibility to engage in transactions that cannot be addressed by banks and other conventional financial institutions. See www.arenaco.com for more information.
About Riveria Investment Group
Riveria Investment Group, headquartered in New York, NY, is a growth focused private equity firm that acquires and invests in middle-market companies based in the United States. Riveria primarily focuses on growing companies with a history of positive operating cash-flows and seeks transactions that present unique investment opportunities in industries experiencing significant growth. Riveria's private equity efforts emphasize growth and value-added strategies to generate strong returns. Riveria actively engages in the operations of portfolio companies by collaborating with management and implementing executive operating partners to grow its investments.
Media Contacts:
Prosek Partners:
Lindsay Jablonski
pro-arena@prosek.com
Arena Investors:
Parag Shah
ir@arenaco.com
View original content:
SOURCE Arena Investors | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/pacific-production-services-reels-growth-investment-arena-investors-lp/ | 2022-08-11T18:54:19Z |
BERGEN-BELSEN, Germany (AP) — They call him the ultimate survivor: Shaul Ladany lived through a Nazi concentration camp and escaped the massacre of 11 fellow Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
Decades later the 86-year-old is back in Germany to visit the two places where he narrowly avoided death.
On Saturday, Ladany, who was born in 1936 in Belgrade, in the former Yugoslavia, brought family members to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany to show them the place where he was imprisoned by the Nazis as an 8-year-old boy.
After that the spry octogenarian will participate in a joint German-Israeli ceremony in Munich on Monday marking the 50th anniversary of the attack on the Olympians by Palestinian terrorists.
Ladany, who competed in the Munich games as a racewalker, strode briskly in lime-green sneakers and a beige sun hat as he led his granddaughter, his younger sister and her three children in Bergen-Belsen, which has been turned into a memorial site. He pointed at a plot of land, nowadays covered by blueberry and heather shrubs and tall birch and pine trees, where barracks No. 10 used to stand.
He was held there with his parents and two sisters for about six months in 1944 before they were allowed to leave under a deal negotiated by Hungarian and Swiss Jewish foundations, which paid the Nazis ransom to free more than 1,600 Jews deported from Hungary.
“It’s not a pleasant thing to recall the period here,” Ladany said in an interview with The Associated Press at the former concentration camp. But it was important to him to come back and tell relatives about the horrors he endured during the Holocaust, in which 6 million European Jews were killed. It is a pilgrimage he has already made several times before with other family members.
“I always bring here one of my relatives to teach them, to educate them what happened,” Ladany said.
Even though he was a little boy at the time, Ladany still remembers the constant hunger and enduring seemingly endless roll calls in the cold wind outside the barracks when the guards would count the camp inmates.
The Ladanys fled Belgrade in 1941 after their home was bombed by the German Luftwaffe, or air force. They escaped to Budapest, Hungary, but were eventually captured by the Nazis and sent to Bergen-Belsen, where 52,000 mostly Jewish prisoners died at the concentration camp and more than 19,000 prisoners of war, mostly from the Soviet Union, died at the adjacent POW camp.
After being freed in the exchange, Ladany and his family traveled to Switzerland and ultimately moved in 1948 to Israel. There he grew up to become a professor of industrial engineering and management and an accomplished racewalker — he still holds the 50-mile world record, set in 1972.
When he came to Munich for the Olympics at 36 years old, he said, he tried to guess the age of every German he met, and “if in my mind he would have been age-wise in the age group that might have participated in the Third Reich’s atrocities, I prevented any contact.”
However, this time it wasn’t the Germans who posed a threat to his life.
Early on the morning of Sept. 5, members of the Palestinian group Black September broke into the Olympic Village, killed two athletes from the Israeli delegation and took nine more hostage, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel as well as two left-wing extremists in West German jails.
Ladany, again, narrowly escaped. A terrified roommate woke him up to say a fellow athlete was dead, and he quickly put on his sneakers and ran to the door of their apartment.
Just outside he saw an Olympic official pleading with a man in a tracksuit and hat, later identified as the leader of the assailants, to be “humane” and let Red Cross officials into an adjacent apartment. The man, Ladany recalled, responded: “The Jews aren’t humane either.”
Ladany turned around, threw on some clothes over his pajamas and joined other teammates in fleeing. Not everyone was so lucky; all nine hostages and a police officer were killed during a failed rescue attempt by German forces.
Ladany said that while before the attack the Olympics was purely “a sports meeting of joy and competition,” today no such event is held without strict security.
“Since then,” he said, “the world has changed.”
West Germany was criticized not only for botching the rescue but also for withholding historic files on the tragic events for decades, and for not offering enough compensation to victims’ families. Relatives of the 11 slain athletes had threatened to boycott Monday’s anniversary but last week finally reached a deal in which they will receive a total of 28 million euros (dollars) in compensation.
Ladany plans to wear his original Israeli team jacket from 1972 when he attends the memorial, and he’s looking forward to showing the world that both he and Israel have endured.
“Those that tried to kill me are not alive anymore,” he said. “We are still here. Not only as individuals, but also as a country.” | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-survivor-of-holocaust-munich-attack-heads-back-to-germany/ | 2022-09-05T02:01:27Z |
John Daly delivers another ride in PGA’s 1st round
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — John Daly produced yet another wild ride around a PGA Championship. The 56-year-old two-time major champion, whose booming drives propelled him to win the PGA in 1991, drove the hills and swales of Southern Hills in a golf cart the PGA allows him to use because of osteoarthritis in his right knee. First off the tee in the cool of morning, he quickly birdied the first hole and nostalgia was in the air. At least until a flurry of late bogeys hit and Daly ended the round in frustration. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/19/john-daly-delivers-another-ride-in-pgas-1st-round/ | 2022-05-20T01:12:13Z |
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