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Twitter whistleblower brings his critiques to Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former security chief at Twitter will appear before Congress Tuesday with alarming allegations that the social platform misled regulators about its cyber defenses and efforts to control millions of fake accounts.
Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, a respected cybersecurity expert, will appear Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee to lay out his concerns. Zatko’s claims could also affect Tesla billionaire Elon Musk’s attempt to back out of his $44 billion deal to acquire the social platform. Musk claims that Twitter has long underreported spam bots on its platform and cites that as a reason to nix the deal he struck in April.
Zatko was the head of security for the influential platform until he was fired early this year. He filed a whistleblower complaint in July with Congress, the Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among his most serious accusations is that Twitter violated the terms of a 2011 FTC settlement by falsely claiming that it had put stronger measures in place to protect the security and privacy of its users.
The Judiciary Committee chairman, Illinois Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin, called Zatko’s accusations “serious business.”
“If it’s anywhere along the lines that (he) suggested, I think it’s a matter of grave personal-privacy concern,” Durbin told reporters Monday. “The question is whether information gathered by Twitter has been used for purposes which we’re not aware of.”
Many of Zatko’s claims are uncorroborated and appear to have little documentary support. Twitter has called Zatko’s description of events “a false narrative ... riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies” and lacking important context.
Zatko also accuses the company of deception in its handling of automated “spam bots,” or fake accounts. That allegation is at the core of billionaire tycoon Elon Musk’s attempt to back out of his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter. Musk and Twitter are locked in a bitter legal battle, with Twitter having sued Musk to force him to complete the deal. The Delaware judge overseeing the case ruled last week that Musk can include new evidence related to Zatko’s allegations in the high-stakes trial, which is set to start Oct. 17.
Zatko, 51, first gained prominence in the 1990s as an ethical hacker and later worked in senior positions at an elite Defense Department research unit and at Google. He joined Twitter in late 2020 at the urging of then-CEO Jack Dorsey.
___
Follow Marcy Gordon at https://twitter.com/mgordonap
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/13/twitter-whistleblower-brings-his-critiques-congress/ | 2022-09-13T13:46:38Z |
Broadcast Quality Video Capture and Advanced Connectivity Options Help Enable Broadcasters to Achieve Efficient Production
MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today the launch of the CR-N700i – a 4K 60P 4:2:2 10-bit PTZ camera with a 1.0-inch Type CMOS Sensor and 12G-SDI connectivity, designed for professional broadcast, studios, and live event productions. Building on Canon's broadcast heritage, the CR-N700 incorporates the intelligent AF from Canon's popular professional video cameras, such as the EOS C70 and XF605, for precision focus across the entire pan, tilt and zoom range. With a host of powerful features, this launch expands Canon's PTZ line-up, offering a PTZ camera for various types of productions and technical requirements. Additionally, Canon is announcing the availability of a firmware update for the Canon CR-N500 and CR-N300 PTZ cameras.
Achieve Broadcast Quality, Easily
To meet the current demands of broadcasters, the CR-N700 features a 1.0-inch Type CMOS sensor and DIGIC DV7 processor to deliver superb 4K UHD 60P 4:2:2 10-bit imagery for truly immersive content. Capable of high-quality transmission, Canon's newest PTZ camera allows content creators to stream 4K 60P over IP with PoE++ support that allows for power, streaming, and camera control over a single cable – perfect for remote and live broadcast productions. The impeccable image quality is also the result of the high-performance lens, which has a 15x optical zoom and a 30x advanced zoom when shooting in Full HD. When coupled with Canon's renowned Image Stabilizer, broadcasters can capture smooth, steady footage even from a distance. This can be ideal for shooting reality TV shows or even sports when camera operators want to discreetly zoom in on the action. The CR-N700 also features a Night Mode, allowing operators to capture footage in near darkness thanks to a removable built-in IR cut filter. Along with the HDR formats in PQ or HLG, broadcasters can capture virtually uncompromised footage in various lighting environments.
Breaking new ground for Canon's line-up of PTZ cameras, the CR-N700 is equipped with fast, intelligent and extremely accurate focusing thanks to Canon's proprietary Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology with advanced EOS iTR AF X. This deep learning autofocus locks onto a subject's head, to track them as they move and even when they turn their face away. Eye Detection AF locks onto the subject's pupil for even greater precision, while the Face Priority AF allows operators to prioritize a specific individual. This can be ideal for scenarios where it is imperative to stay locked onto the anchor throughout.
Superb Connectivity, Simple Workflows
As with Canon's entire range of PTZ cameras, the CR-N700 supports multiple protocols to integrate with existing workflows seamlessly. Designed to fit into the diverse production ecosystems of broadcasters, the CR-N700 features SRT and NDI|HXii protocols for high-quality 4K video streams, while FreeD enables integration with virtual productions. Broadcasters can easily create multi-camera setups that meet their needs with these protocols, and with Canon's XC protocol, it is possible to integrate the CR-N700 alongside other Canon Cinema EOS cameras such as the EOS C500 Mark II, EOS C300 Mark III, or professional camcorders including the XF605iii for a truly versatile setup. It's even possible to match other Canon cameras' look with Canon Log 3 and Wide Dynamic Range picture settings.
The flexible connectivity options include 12G-SDI and 3G-SDI, HDMI or IP, which allow the seamless transmission of 4K60P, for high-quality, consistent broadcasts. The CR-N700 also includes professional dual XLR audio inputs, Time code, and GEN-LOCK, for different production needs.
Enhanced control
Canon's latest PTZ camera offers the same intuitive control as other models in the line. The advanced drive mechanism enables movements as slow and precise as 0.1° per second, meaning operators can capture cinematic shots. Compatible with both Canon's RC-IP100 controller and Remote Camera Control Application, as well as selected third-party controllers, this further simplifies integration with existing production setups. With the CR-N700's crop function, broadcasters can take two separate feeds from a single PTZ camera. They can select up to two regions of interest within the 4K frame and output them as a separate feeds in HD resolutions. This feature is perfect for productions with limited PTZ cameras on site.
Canon CR-N700 Key Features:
- 1.0-inch Type CMOS sensor with DIGIC DV7 Processor achieves 4K60P 4:2:2 10-bit
- 15x Optical Zoom (30x Advanced Zoom)
- Dual Pixel AF with iTR AF X
- Multiple protocols including NDI|HX, SRT, FreeD, RTMP(S), RTP, RTSP, Standard communication protocol & Canon XC Protocol
- Enhanced connectivity with 12G-SDI, 3G-SDI, and HDMI output
Canon CR-N500 and CR-N300 PTZ Camera Firmware Update
The new firmware update for the Canon CR-N500 and CR-N300 PTZ cameras adds SRT and FreeD protocols. SRT protocol is a widely used video transmission protocol for live broadcasts that provides both low latency and error correction for smooth video over public internet connections. FreeD protocol is also a widely used protocol for transmitting camera positioning information, allowing the camera to be used in virtual applications such as virtual studio systems. Both protocols are supported by the CR-N700, and are now available on the CR-N300 and CR-N500 with firmware version 1.2.0 that is currently available for download.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon CR-N700 PTZ is scheduled to be available in December 2022 for an estimated retail price of $9,699.00.iv
For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. With approximately $30.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), as of 2021 has ranked in the top-five overall in U.S. patents granted for 36 consecutive years† and was one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2022. Canon U.S.A. was featured in Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces list for 2021, ranking among the top 100 companies for employee happiness and satisfaction at work. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA.
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SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/canon-targets-high-end-broadcasters-with-new-ptz-camera/ | 2022-09-07T17:54:38Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times has a tradition of letting its work speak for itself, rather than publicly defending its journalism from criticism.
Yet with democracy, truth, and the news business under attack, that’s a luxury The Times’ incoming executive editor, Joe Kahn, may not be able to afford. Kahn, a managing editor for the past five years, succeeds Dean Baquet on June 14, inheriting the most high-profile job in journalism.
The deliberate, soft-spoken Kahn said he’s been thinking about whether The Times’ reluctance to speak about its work is still the best approach at a time when people take sides about journalism brands like they do about politics. How Kahn will tackle things differently from his predecessors remains to be seen, but he is open to trying.
“I’m not sure there’s a perfect answer to it,” said Kahn, who believes efforts to communicate with readers could be improved. He added: “Being able to narrate that to some degree, and bring a broader audience into the investment we’re making in quality journalism, I do think (that) is an important part of the job.”
News organizations sometimes let marketing teams do the talking, with ad campaigns highlighting their work and why it is done, as CNN did when former President Donald Trump labeled them “fake news.” Former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron famously said that the Post was not at war with the Trump administration, “we’re at work.”
That may not be good enough anymore, said Kyle Pope, editor in chief and publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review.
“Journalists for a long time have taken it as a given that the country and its leaders understood the role they play in a functioning democracy,” Pope said. “We’re at a moment now where you can’t take that for granted.”
Targeting The Times for criticism has long been a rite of passage for many conservatives. More recently, liberals have stepped up their criticism, most notably by demanding the newspaper more aggressively call out what they see as Republican efforts to subvert democracy,
Kahn said he wants The Times to be dogged in covering voter access, the certification of elections and increased political violence. Reporters and editors dedicated to the topic need to be persistent about focusing attention on the problems, similar to how The Times tracked the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
“We can cover these issues really well and assertively without turning ourselves into a partisan news organization,” he said.
The Times can point to examples where it has led the way. This past week, Times reporters broke the news of House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy saying he planned to urge Trump to resign following the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. In June, The Times’ painstaking “Day of Rage” video outlined clearly what happened that day.
Still, some critics on the left believe it too often treats efforts to change voter access laws as a typical political fight when the meaning is much deeper.
“Reporting more aggressively, accurately and clearly about threats to democracy is not asking them to become a partisan organization,” said Dan Froomkin, editor of the Press Watch media criticism site.
The Post announced in February that it would hire two editors and three reporters to staff a new democracy team to cover these issues, and The Associated Press said last week it would add a new democracy editor to its political staff.
On a sometimes related topic — disinformation — Kahn said The Times plans further investment. That was illustrated recently when satellite imagery from Ukraine was used to refute Russian propaganda that civilian killings were staged.
The Times is also writing stories specifically designed to show up in Internet searches when people want to learn the truth about false stories that spread online, like quack COVID treatments.
“If you’re partisan and want to live in your own information silo, it’s really hard to break through to that,” Kahn said. “But if you are, in my view, like the vast majority of people who hear things and may not believe them, we’ll be there to help guide you in those moments.”
One trait Kahn has that is not always common in top media executives is that he’s open to listening to criticism, wrote Margaret Sullivan, the Post’s media columnist. From 2012 to 2016, she was public editor at The Times, where her job was often to convey reader complaints to editors.
The Times discontinued that role in 2017. Although Sullivan doesn’t expect that decision to be revisited — and Kahn pointed out that’s the publisher’s decision, not his — she said in an interview that “the thing that’s missing is a steady sense of The Times hearing outside voices, outside critics, and responding in real time on a regular basis.”
Baquet has tended to respond to individual issues that come up through media interviews.
The Times’ decision to appoint an insider as executive editor is typical, but does contrast with the Post choosing AP’s Sally Buzbee and Los Angeles Times picking Kevin Merida from ESPN as leaders over the past two years. Part of the reason they went with outsiders, “if I’m being honest, is that they’re trying to catch up with us,” Kahn said.
In announcing Kahn’s elevation, Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger said it was an affirmation of the Times’ direction under Baquet, who had Kahn as his top lieutenant for five years.
The Times has grown from under a million digital subscriptions to nearly 10 million under Baquet. Its footprint has widened, encompassing a popular podcast, “The Daily,” the Wirecutter product recommendation service, newsletters and a documentary unit that made “Controlling Britney Spears.” Not everything has gone smoothly — The Times painfully concluded its 2018 podcast “Caliphate” did not meet journalistic standards — but it has been a remarkable transformation.
Neither The Times, nor he, believes in standing still. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/new-york-times-top-editor-may-speak-out-more-on-journalism/ | 2022-04-30T00:37:55Z |
Half of Thyroid Eye Disease In America respondents said they feel judged by others based on how their eyes look
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- People living with thyroid eye disease experience judgment from others based on their visible symptoms, anxiety and a negative impact on their self-esteem, confidence and mental health, according to a recent survey conducted by Health Union, the leader in social health. The inaugural Thyroid Eye Disease In America survey illuminates the perspectives and experiences of people living with thyroid eye disease.
These findings also support and fuel content and engagement for the recent launch of ThyroidEyeDisease.net, one of Health Union's 40 condition-specific online health communities.
Thyroid eye disease is a rare condition - estimated to impact 16 per 100,000 women and 2.9 per 100,000 men, according to academic research - in which the eye muscles, eyelids, tear glands and fat tissues behind the eye become inflamed. The condition typically develops in people with an overactive thyroid and is sometimes referred to as Graves' eye disease or Graves' orbitopathy. Thyroid eye disease commonly leads to bulging eyes, redness of the eyes and eyelid swelling, but the condition can also occasionally result in pain, loss of vision and corneal ulcerations.
A significant number of Thyroid Eye Disease In America survey respondents identified themselves as having symptoms that are visible to others. Specifically, 87% have experienced bulging eyes, nearly three-fourths have experienced bags under their eyes, two-thirds have had redness on their lids or eyes, more than six in 10 have experienced inflammation and swelling in their eye tissues and nearly half have had misaligned eyes.
Potentially related, half of respondents said they feel judged by others based on how their eyes look. In fact, nearly a fifth of respondents said people have assumed they are hungover due to their thyroid eye disease symptoms. Multiple respondents noted receiving, as one individual said, "comments and strange looks"; some examples from respondents included:
- "People stood up at family parties and mimicked bulging their eyes out to look like me. Of course, the 'you look like a deer caught in the headlights' comments were always not fun too."
- "People assume that I am intoxicated or sleep deprived. Or that I may even have a mental health condition…Biggest thing is people don't understand that sometimes I cannot focus and assume I am faking it."
- "I have to wear glasses to see so that made the bulging even more noticeable. I would look in the mirror and feel a panic attack coming and start to cry."
These visible symptoms and resulting experiences and perceptions likely contribute to a negative impact on quality of life for people living with thyroid eye disease. Only 14% of survey respondents agreed that they are satisfied with their current quality of life.
Specifically, 54% of respondents said thyroid eye disease brings added anxiety to their daily lives. More than six in 10 respondents said their condition has had a negative impact on their self-esteem or self-image, 53% said it has negatively impacted their overall confidence and 44% cited a negative impact on mental health.
Moreover, 42% of respondents said their condition has negatively affected their social life or relationship with their friends, and three in 10 said their thyroid eye disease has negatively impacted their family relationships. Additionally, 56% say their friends or family don't understand the realities of living with thyroid eye disease.
"With conditions like thyroid eye disease, there is often so much confusion and misinformation outside of the patient community," said Olivier Chateau, Health Union's co-founder and CEO. "As a result, there is a need for resources like ThyroidEyeDisease.net where people impacted by the condition can gather information and connect with others who understand their experiences."
The inaugural Thyroid Eye Disease In America survey, which was fielded from Jan. 10 to April 6, 2022, included responses from 100 people living with thyroid eye disease. Additional survey results may be available upon request. More information about living with thyroid eye disease can be found on ThyroidEyeDisease.net.
Health Union is the proven industry leader driving and amplifying social health. As the premier social health company, only Health Union encourages the dynamic, real-time action people take to find meaningful connections and share information that impact their health journey. The company reaches millions of people through the largest portfolio of condition-specific online health communities (e.g., Migraine.com, MultipleSclerosis.net, LungCancer.net) and health leaders - addressing virtually every condition and providing the information, connection and support they need.
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SOURCE Health Union | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/health-union-survey-reveals-thyroid-eye-disease-symptoms-lead-judgment-others-anxiety-low-self-esteem/ | 2022-08-17T15:15:48Z |
One thing voters agree on: Fresh voices needed in politics
NEW YORK (AP) — As he campaigns for a Manhattan congressional seat against fellow Democrats twice his age, 38-year-old Suraj Patel harnesses the frustration of his generation toward those who have held office for decades.
In his telling, Reps. Jerry Nadler, 75, and Carolyn Maloney, 76, are part of a crop of Democrats who rose to power in the 1990s only to fail on issues ranging from guns to climate change and abortion. The redistricting process that merged their congressional districts offers a chance for new leadership, Patel says.
“If we keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting different result: That’s not just the definite of insanity,” he said. “That’s also the definition of incumbency.”
More than 1,100 miles to the west in the presidential testing ground of Iowa, Republican Jeremiah Bronson was also considering whether someone other than 76-year-old Donald Trump might carry his party into the future. Bronson expressed growing interest in 55-year-old Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
“He seems to be on the same page with conservatives around the country,” Bronson, 39, said as he dined on barbecued pork sandwiches with a half-dozen other Story County Republicans.
In a nation faltering along seemingly every conceivable divide, there’s a shared desire among Democrats and Republicans for a new generation of political leadership. The conversation is most pronounced when it comes to the White House as Trump considers another campaign and President Joe Biden confronts skepticism about his ability to mount a reelection bid in 2024 when he is 82.
“There’s just a sense of like, that rematch between these two old guys seems ridiculous to people,” said Sarah Longwell, a Republican strategist who conducts almost weekly focus groups with voters across the country and political spectrum.
There are recurring calls for youth and change in U.S. politics.
Bill Clinton’s appeal for a new generation of leadership helped him rise from governor of Arkansas to the first baby boomer president in 1992. In 2008, Barack Obama’s relative youth was an asset in his primary campaign against Hillary Clinton and during the general election against Arizona Sen. John McCain.
More recently, Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential bid gained traction with its focus on fresh leadership before being overtaken by Biden, viewed by many Democrats as the safer choice against Trump.
The dynamics have shifted since then, with some Democratic voters furious that Biden and leaders in Congress haven’t done more to protect abortion rights, respond more aggressively to a wave of mass shootings and address climate change.
A new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows 83% of U.S. adults say the country is on the wrong track. Only 36% approve of Biden’s leadership overall, while 62% disapprove. Polling from AP-NORC in recent months captured deepening pessimism among members of his own Democratic Party about Biden, the direction of the country and t he state of the economy. A January AP-NORC poll found just 28% of those surveyed and 48% of Democrats said they want Biden to run for reelection in 2024.
Julián Castro, a former Obama housing secretary and onetime presidential candidate, said there’s “no doubt” that members of his party are frustrated and that Democrats in Washington need to show a sense of urgency and produce results. In a telephone interview from the Texas Democratic Convention in Dallas, he said Democrats seemed energized.
“My immediate hope is that that angst and frustration is going to be channeled positively to turnout in November,” he said, referring to the midterm elections. “And then we’ll reckon with what’s beyond that when November happens.”
Biden has repeatedly insisted he will run for reelection. But should he decide to step aside, a host of younger Democrats could be in contention. They include Vice President Kamala Harris, who is 57. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, 54, and Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker, 57, have garnered attention for their responses to the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling and mass shootings.
Some Democrats seeking office this year have been clear about their desires that a new generation take its place in politics.
Last month, the Democratic candidate for governor in South Carolina, Joe Cunningham, proposed not only term limits but also age limits for officeholders, saying it was time to end America’s “geriatric oligarchy” of politicians who are staying “in office way past their prime.” To Cunningham, who recently turned 40, that includes the incumbent he hopes to oust in November, 75-year-old Republican Henry McMaster, who is the state’s oldest sitting governor.
But Cunningham also said the proposal was intended to apply to Biden.
For Republicans, the most pressing debate often seems to focus less explicitly on age and more on whether the party should move on from Trump. That’s particularly true in the wake of hearings by the House Jan. 6 committee that have drawn new attention to his desperate efforts to stay in office after losing the 2020 election.
The Jan. 6 hearings may be sending voters looking elsewhere.
An AP-NORC in June found that 48% of U.S. adults say Trump should be charged with a crime for his role in the siege of the U.S. Capitol. January’s AP-NORC poll showed that people were just as down on Trump running again in 2024 as they were Biden: Just 27% of U.S. adults wanted Trump to run again, including a slim majority – 56% -- of Republicans. That poll also showed the former president’s popularity with the GOP dropped somewhat, with 71% of Republicans saying they had a favorable opinion of Trump compared with 78% in a September 2020 AP-NORC/USAFacts poll.
Longwell, the Republican strategist, said the hearings seem to be having an impact even among Republican voters who are not watching the sessions or persuaded by them because they are a reminder of the tumult that has surrounded Trump.
“One of the things I hear coming up over and over again in the groups is that Trump has a lot of baggage and that there’s all these other stars, Republican stars, and maybe it’s time Trump should be like an elder statesman,” she said.
A number of figures from Trump’s world and outside it are seen as potential challengers in 2024. Trump and his associates are especially focused on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who, at 43, is increasingly viewed as a younger heir to the former president’s brand of politics.
Other Republicans making increasingly overt moves toward a presidential run include Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, 45; former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, 50; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, 51; former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, 58; and former Vice President Mike Pence, 63.
Pat Brady, the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party who is not a Trump supporter, said he thinks the “fever has broken” when it comes to Trump’s standing with the GOP.
“I think the combination of him just spending all his time, every speech, relitigating 2020. Voters typically look forward. They don’t look backward,” he said.
Brady said part of the frustrations voters have with their political leaders is the age-related.
“When you look at the leadership, I’m old and those guys make me look young,” said 61-year-old Brady. “This is a vibrant youthful country, fundamentally, and we’ve got a bunch of old people running it.”
___
Associated Press writers Thomas Beaumont in Cambridge, Iowa, Hannah Fingerhut in Washington and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections
and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/24/one-thing-voters-agree-fresh-voices-needed-politics/ | 2022-07-24T13:50:57Z |
The 14-year-old boy who fell to his death at a Florida amusement park earlier this year exceeded the ride's weight limit by nearly 100 pounds, according to an autopsy report obtained by CNN.
Tyre Sampson died March 24 while visiting ICON Park outside Orlando with family friends. He was a passenger on the Orlando FreeFall drop tower ride, which operators describe as the world's tallest freestanding drop tower. It sends passengers up and then drops them nearly 400 feet at speeds reaching more than 75 mph, according to the park.
The owner's manual for the tower lists the ride's weight limit at 287 pounds. Tyre was just over 6 feet tall and weighed 383 pounds, the autopsy report said.
The autopsy also ruled Tyre's cause of death was blunt force trauma, resulting in multiple fractures, lacerations and haemorrhaging to his head, neck and extremities. His manner of death was an accident, the report said.
In April, a forensic engineering firm -- Quest Engineering & Failure Analysis Inc. -- hired by state officials to investigate Tyre's death found that manual adjustments had been made to two seats on the drop tower ride, including the seat occupied by Tyre. This adjustment allowed for a greater gap than normal between the harness and the seat, the report by the firm said.
"The cause of the subject accident was that Tyre Sampson was not properly secured in the seat primarily due to mis-adjustment of the harness proximity sensor," the forensic engineering firm's report said.
The Orlando Freefall ride has been closed since Tyre's death and will remain so indefinitely. An attorney for the ride's operator, Orlando Slingshot, issued a statement Monday saying Tyre's death "was a tragic accident."
"We continue to communicate and cooperate with representatives of Tyre's family, as well as the Department of Agriculture. We are devoted to working with our lawmakers in making lasting safety changes in the amusement park industry," said Slingshot attorney Trevor Arnold.
In a previous statement, Arnold said "all protocols, procedures and safety measures provided to us by the manufacturer of the ride were followed."
Tyre's parents -- Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson -- are being represented by different attorneys but filed a wrongful death lawsuit together.
The suit names multiple defendants including ICON Park, Orlando SlingShot, the ride's manufacturer, Austria-based Funtime Handels; and the manufacturer of the seats and harnesses, Germany-based Gerstlauer Amusement Rides.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/teen-who-fell-to-his-death-at-florida-amusement-park-exceeded-rides-weight-limit-and/article_033c4431-7f04-5087-8b68-4a7f419a98a7.html | 2022-06-14T01:48:44Z |
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today announced that John Butler, Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Jefferies Healthcare Conference on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. ET. The Jefferies Healthcare Conference will take place June 8-10, 2022, in New York.
A live webcast of the presentation can be accessed through the Investors section of Akebia's website at https://ir.akebia.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available for approximately 90 days following the conference through the Investors section of Akebia's website at https://ir.akebia.com.
About Akebia Therapeutics
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease. Akebia was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit our website at www.akebia.com, which does not form a part of this release.
Akebia Therapeutics Contact
Mercedes Carrasco
Mcarrasco@akebia.com
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SOURCE Akebia Therapeutics | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/03/akebia-therapeutics-present-jefferies-healthcare-conference/ | 2022-06-03T13:05:47Z |
McDonald’s intentionally sold Muslim family bacon, complaint says
BOSTON (AP) - A civil rights group says workers at a McDonald’s restaurant in Massachusetts intentionally put bacon on a fish sandwich that a Muslim woman had ordered for one of her children.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations announced Wednesday that it had filed a discrimination complaint on the woman’s behalf with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Followers of Islam are not supposed to eat pork products.
An email seeking comment was left with McDonald’s corporate headquarters in Chicago. A message was also left with someone who answered the phone at Gomez Enterprises LLC, which operates the McDonald’s restaurant on Meadow Street in Chicopee.
The complaint is the first step in the process for seeking monetary damages, according to CAIR lawyer Barbara Dougan. She also hopes it prompts McDonald’s to better train its workers to prevent a similar incident in the future.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/02/mcdonalds-intentionally-sold-muslim-family-bacon-complaint-says/ | 2022-06-02T19:54:16Z |
HOUSTON, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) ("CNS" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of novel treatments for primary and metastatic cancers in the brain and central nervous system, today announced that Sigmund Hsu, MD, member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board, presented an overview of its ongoing clinical trial evaluating Berubicin for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2022 Annual Meeting.
The abstract titled "Design and initiation of an adaptive, randomized, controlled study of berubicin, a topoisomerase 2 poison that crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB), for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) after first-line therapy," was presented in the Central Nervous System Tumors poster session by Dr. Hsu.
Berubicin is a novel anthracycline and the first that appears to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with central nervous system (CNS) uptake. The induction of apoptosis and DNA damage by Berubicin was significantly higher than that of doxorubicin (Dox) in all tested cancer cells, demonstrating Berubicin's greater potential potency and consistently higher cytotoxicity in GBM cell lines than Dox. In models of intracranial orthotopic gliomas, Berubicin prolongs survival when compared to temozolomide (TMZ), currently the standard of care in GBM for first line therapy in combination with radiation. Further evaluation of the orthotopic glioma models demonstrated that Berubicin had greater infiltration into intracranial glioblastoma cells compared to normal tissue, supporting the potential for improved efficacy. TMZ has been shown to be less effective in approximately 50% of patients due to changes (methylation) to a DNA repair enzyme, MGMT, that when unmethylated proves to be a prognostic indicator of a poorer prognosis. These differences have been proven to not be a factor in the activity of Berubicin.
Based on this data, a Phase 1 dose escalation study was conducted by a prior developer in patients with recurrent primary brain tumors. Berubicin was well tolerated, with myelosuppression (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) as dose-limiting toxicities. Of 25 patients evaluable for efficacy, there was 1 complete response (14+ years), 1 partial response durable for 12 weeks, and 9 patients with stable disease over 6 weeks for a clinical benefit rate of 44%.
"We are fully dedicated to advancing the development of Berubicin toward potentially providing an innovative and much-needed option for treatment in GBM, an area of significant unmet medical need. With this goal in mind, we consider that our global study, which has been thoughtfully designed based on prior data as well as input from key opinion leaders and feedback from the FDA, could potentially be pivotal. We also believe that valuable interactions with our investigators on this study, as well as our heartfelt consideration of the needs of patients has positioned us for a successful outcome," added Dr. Sandra L. Silberman, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of CNS Pharmaceuticals. "Moreover, the positive feedback we've received from the regulatory authorities across Europe for this trial bolsters confidence in our state-of-the-art trial design and will significantly expand our ability to reach these patients."
The Company's ongoing global study is an adaptive, multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled study in adult patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (WHO Grade IV) after failure of standard first-line therapy evaluating efficacy and safety of Berubicin. The primary endpoint of this study, being conducted in the United States and Europe, is overall survival (OS), with a projected 243 patients enrolled in a 2:1 randomization design (Berubicin:Lomustine). This study has pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluations of all patients enrolled, with 15 patients undergoing complete PK assessments throughout the dosing period. Patients will be stratified on the basis of MGMT methylation, documentation of IDH mutational status that now defines Grade IV GBM. No prior administration of bevacizumab will be allowed. An interim analysis will evaluate the comparative effectiveness of these treatments, an adaptive design intended to demonstrate that Berubicin's efficacy is at least equal to that of Lomustine such that continuation of the study is in patients' best interests (futility analysis). The overall survival endpoint and sample size have been calculated to be able to show a statistical difference between the two therapies as second line treatment for GBM. Additional studies in malignant diseases of the CNS (e.g., pediatric brain tumors, primary CNS lymphoma, metastatic tumors) are also being explored based on the potential for anthracycline activity in these indications.
For more information about this Berubicin trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT04762069.
Berubicin is an anthracycline, a class of anticancer agents that are among the most powerful chemotherapy drugs and effective against more types of cancer than any other class of chemotherapeutic agents. Anthracyclines are designed to utilize natural processes to induce deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in targeted cancer cells by interfering with the action of topoisomerase II, a critical enzyme enabling cell proliferation. Berubicin treatment of brain cancer patients appeared to demonstrate positive responses that include one durable complete response in a Phase 1 human clinical trial conducted by Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Berubicin, was developed by Dr. Waldemar Priebe, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
CNS Pharmaceuticals a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of anti-cancer drug candidates for the treatment of primary and metastatic cancers of the brain and central nervous system. The Company's lead drug candidate, Berubicin, is a novel anthracycline and the first anthracycline to appear to cross the blood-brain barrier. Berubicin is currently in development for the treatment of a number of serious brain and CNS oncology indications including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.
Additionally, the Company is advancing the development of its WP1244 drug technology portfolio, which utilizes anthracycline and distamycin-based scaffolds to create small molecule agents and is believed to be 500x more potent than daunorubicin in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. Preclinical studies of WP1244 demonstrated high uptake in the brain with antitumor activity. CNS Pharmaceuticals is evaluating the use of WP1244 in the treatment of brain cancers, pancreatic, ovarian, and lymphomas.
For more information, please visit www.CNSPharma.com, and connect with the Company on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Some of the statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, whether the results of the previous Phase 1 trial can be replicated in the current clinical trial. These statements relate to future events, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although CNS believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. CNS has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in CNS's most recently filed Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and updated from time to time in its Form 10-Q filings and in its other public filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of its date. CNS undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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SOURCE CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/cns-pharmaceuticals-announces-presentation-ongoing-potentially-pivotal-berubicin-clinical-trial-design-american-society-clinical-oncology-asco-2022-annual-meeting/ | 2022-06-08T13:45:37Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — The Dallas Police Department is hosting Lunch with Dallas P.D.
This event will allow people to sit down and have lunch with Dallas police officers. Get to know your local law enforcement while eating great food.
The event will be at Lucky’s Tacos located at 9600 Lake June Road from noon to 1 p.m. | https://cw33.com/news/local/grab-some-tacos-have-lunch-with-dallas-police-officers-june-8/ | 2022-06-03T17:08:10Z |
CAUGHT ON CAM: Officers get into shootout with suspect at intersection in Ohio
(CNN) - A bystander caught video of a shootout between a suspect and police officers in Ohio on Friday.
It happened about five miles north of Youngstown in Liberty Township.
Police were responding to reports that a man got out of his vehicle and shot another man in the face.
Officers stopped the suspect’s vehicle and that’s when he allegedly got out and began shooting.
Police say the suspect hit one of their patrol cars before officers returned fire and hit the suspect.
The man, whose identity has not been released due to a pending investigation, was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
The victim who was shot in the face was flown to a hospital in the Cleveland area with life threatening injuries.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/11/caught-cam-officers-get-into-shootout-with-suspect-intersection-ohio/ | 2022-06-11T07:01:07Z |
Spokane-based DH Acquires Seattle-based Nyhus Communications
SEATTLE and SPOKANE, Wash., July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of Washington state's most influential communications, advocacy and marketing agencies have joined together to create the only statewide firm serving top business, government and nonprofit clients.
Spokane-based DH, a 25-year-old strategic communications, social change and marketing firm, has acquired nearly 30-year-old Nyhus Communications, including its world-class clients and its nine-person team. The combined agency will comprise more than 50 people with offices in Spokane and Seattle.
"Offering clients insights, expertise and relationships from markets across the state is an unmatched opportunity," said Michelle Hege, DH CEO. "Importantly, having partnered previously with Nyhus Communications on advocacy campaigns, we knew our firms' values and teams aligned. We have spent our respective careers seeking to make a positive difference in communities through our strategic communications work."
Roger Nyhus, CEO and founder of Nyhus, said, "DH is the perfect home for Nyhus. Our teams are passionate and dedicated to creating exceptional work for our clients. We have a shared commitment to excellence, integrity, community and equity-based communications as the foundation for all our work. When I decided to sell Nyhus, DH was my first call. I am proud that everything we have built with Nyhus over the past three decades will be honored and carried forward through the next chapter with DH."
DH and Nyhus have been IPREX partner agencies for more than a decade. IPREX is the largest network of independently owned agencies, with 96 offices worldwide. The network has been an important benefit to both DH and Nyhus' clients.
"Since our agencies have long known each other, served in leadership and worked in close collaboration, the transition for our teams and clients will be seamless," said Andrei Mylroie, a DH partner and former global president of IPREX.
Marc Berger, Nyhus president and partner, will become executive vice president and Seattle market leader for DH. Berger currently leads the Nyhus team and oversees the firm's work. His leadership will ensure a smooth transition for Nyhus clients and team members.
"I'm excited to continue serving our outstanding clients and to grow our Seattle presence," Berger said. "Our stellar team will have new opportunities to collaborate with more than 40 new talented colleagues, and we'll be able to offer clients expanded services and capabilities, including creative services and media buying."
With the private transaction closing on June 30, Roger Nyhus retires from the agency to pursue what he describes as his "next exciting chapter of service."
Nyhus has been a highly successful, growing firm, even during the pandemic. The agency specializes in crisis and high-stakes communications as well as health care communications – all services in demand in recent years. The company will be rebranded as DH.
Nyhus has advised many marquee clients over the years, including Alaska Airlines; Swedish; PATH; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Craig McCaw's technology empire, including Teledesic, Nextel and Eagle River; Russell Investments; Four Seasons Seattle; Seattle University; Seattle Art Museum; Seattle Children's; Boeing; and Seattle Convention Center.
DH has worked with an impressive list of clients over the years, including Group Health Foundation; Washington State Department of Health; MultiCare; Genentech; Association of Washington Business; King County Metro; Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine; Express Scripts; Gonzaga University; Innovia Foundation; Itron; PayneWest; Tree Top; and Washington State University.
DH has long been recognized as a thought leader, regularly speaking at national and international industry conferences such as the Public Relations Society of America International Conference, Society for HealthCare Strategy and Market Development, and the International Social Marketing Association. Additionally, DH has received numerous prestigious industry awards including The Communicators, The Tellys, American Advertising Awards, International Social Marketing Association and PRSA's Best of Silver Anvil.
DH is a branding, advertising, public relations and social change agency based in Washington state. The firm designs and implements integrated media and community engagement campaigns for private and public sector organizations, often tackling challenges like public health crises, safety, business resiliency and education around complex public issues. DH is an industry leader in social behavior change campaigns and equity-centered communications methodologies, having been recognized for thought leadership by institutions like the International Social Marketing Association, Public Relations Society of America, the American Advertising Federation and more. The firm employs nearly 50 communications strategists and creatives and has operated for more than 25 years.
Founded by CEO Roger Nyhus in 1994, Nyhus is best known as one of the most connected and strategic communications consultancies in Seattle. The 10-person agency partners with visionary companies and leaders who drive positive change. Nyhus specializes in strategic and high-stakes communications and advocacy for innovative organizations and their leaders. Specifically, the firm helps organizations and executives navigate crises and complex situations.
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SOURCE DH | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/two-leading-communications-firms-join-forces-create-unparalleled-statewide-agency-washington/ | 2022-07-14T20:45:38Z |
11% of Holiday Travelers Will Opt for an EV-Powered Road Trip
CHICAGO, May 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A car-shopping marketplace Cars.com™ (NYSE: CARS) survey found that despite a almost 35% year-over-year increase in gas prices, 82% of Americans who are planning to travel this Memorial Day will do so by car. Overall travel across all modes of transportation is up 8% for the holiday weekend compared to 2021, but car travel is down slightly (7%) primarily due to high gas prices, a general desire to save money due to rising inflation, and lingering COVID-19 concerns.
"Record-high gas prices aren't scaring away as many avid road trippers this Memorial Day as one would think," said Jenni Newman, Cars.com's editor-in-chief. "It seems many Americans are willing to pay a premium to take some time off and celebrate the holiday. But the nature of the road trip is changing: Carpooling is no longer just for work and school commutes, and routes and destinations are being shaped by the availability of EV infrastructure for a growing number of travelers."
Eighty-seven percent of consumers surveyed by Cars.com say they will be traveling with others this holiday weekend, with 51% citing high gas prices as a driver. For those traveling by car, 11% will be taking an electric vehicle on the road.
Newman adds, "An EV road trip means more than just relief at the pump; it adds a whole new element to the trip including accounting for charging opportunities across a country that's still building up its EV infrastructure."
EV-Powered Memorial Day Road Trip
According to Cars.com's survey, 47% of EV owners take three to five road trips a year. While most road trips look similar despite your vehicle type, there are a few key differences EV drivers should be prepared for:
- Save almost 25% at the pump: With gas prices in the U.S. now hovering around $4.59 on average per gallon for regular, EV drivers could save an average of $110-$180 for those three to five trips this year, assuming they are traveling about 200 miles at a time. While savings can vary depending on the vehicle, weight and other factors that impact fuel efficiency, if, for example, a driver of a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan will spend $18.36 in gas (at $4.59 a gallon) to go 100 miles, a driver of a comparable 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 will spend $4.32 per kilowatt-hour ($1.08 charge) to go 100 miles. That's almost 25% more for a gas power vehicle than an EV, according to the EPA.
- Pre-trip planning is a must: More than three-fourths (76%) of EV drivers surveyed map out charging stations before setting out on a trip. Interestingly, respondents over 55 are significantly more likely (60%) to not map out charging stations prior to starting out than those 18-34 (15%) and 35-54 (11%).
- Expect more stops along the way: EV drivers should plan for more frequent stops (two or three times) compared to their fuel-powered counterparts (one or two times) to recharge their vehicle. Clearly, risk takers who ride the fuel gauge past "E" exist in the EV world, too; the majority of EV owners say they charge at 30% or lower despite industry experts' recommendations to charge at about 50%.
To learn more about the recent Memorial Day survey, great deals and other car-buying tips and tricks, please visit Cars.com/events/Memorial-Day.
*All survey data is from a Cars.com consumer survey, May 4-9, 2022, 1,620 responses.
ABOUT CARS.COM
CARS is the leading automotive marketplace platform that provides a robust set of digital solutions that connect car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace Cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. In a rapidly changing market, CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share.
In addition to Cars.com, CARS brands include Dealer Inspire, a technology provider building solutions that future-proof dealerships with more efficient operations and connected digital experiences; FUEL, which gives dealers and OEMs the opportunity to harness the untapped power of digital video by leveraging Cars.com's pure audience of in-market car shoppers; DealerRater, a leading car dealer review and reputation management platform; automotive fintech platform CreditIQ and Accu-Trade a vehicle valuation and appraisal technology.
The full suite of CARS properties includes Cars.com™, Dealer Inspire®, FUEL™, DealerRater®, CreditIQ™, Accu-Trade.com™, Auto.com™, PickupTrucks.com™ and NewCars.com®. For more information, visit www.Cars.com.
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SOURCE Cars.com Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/23/carscom-reports-82-holiday-travelers-will-road-trip-this-memorial-day-with-more-than-half-carpooling-save-gas/ | 2022-05-23T12:26:04Z |
Larry Nassar loses last appeal in sexual assault scandal
DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday rejected a final appeal from sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to decades in prison for sexually assaulting gymnasts, including Olympic medalists.
Attorneys for Nassar said he was treated unfairly in 2018 and deserved a new hearing, based on vengeful remarks by a judge who called him a “monster” who would “wither” in prison like the wicked witch in “The Wizard of Oz.”
“I just signed your death warrant,” Ingham County Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said of Nassar’s 40-year sentence.
The state Supreme Court said Nassar’s appeal was a “close question” and that it had “concerns” over the judge’s conduct. But the court also noted that Aquilina, despite her provocative comments, stuck to the sentencing agreement worked out by lawyers in the case.
“We decline to expend additional judicial resources and further subject the victims in this case to additional trauma where the questions at hand present nothing more than an academic exercise,” the court said in a two-page order.
More than 150 victims spoke or submitted statements during an extraordinary seven-day hearing in Aquilina’s court more than four years ago.
Nassar pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting gymnasts and other athletes with his hands under the guise of medical treatment for hip and leg injuries. He worked at Michigan State University and at Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, traveling the world with the elites of the sport.
“Our Constitution does not allow for cruel and unusual punishment,” the judge said. “If it did, I have to say I might allow what he did to all of these beautiful souls, these young women in their childhood. I would allow someone or many people to do to him what he did to others.”
Nassar subsequently received another 40-year sentence in a separate case in a neighboring county.
He is currently in federal prison for child pornography crimes in a different case that grew out of the same investigation. The sentences effectively mean Nassar, 58, will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The repercussions continue from the scandal. More than 100 women, including Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, are collectively seeking more than $1 billion from the federal government for the FBI’s failure to stop Nassar when agents became aware of allegations against him in 2015. He was arrested by Michigan State University police in 2016, more than a year later.
Michigan State, which was accused of missing chances over many years to stop Nassar, agreed to pay $500 million to more than 300 women and girls who were assaulted by him. USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee made a $380 million settlement.
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For more stories on Larry Nassar and the fallout from his years of sexual abusing young women and girls: https://www.apnews.com/LarryNassar
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/17/larry-nassar-loses-last-appeal-sexual-assault-scandal/ | 2022-06-17T13:54:53Z |
Expanding Mercer Advisors' Central U.S. Presence
DENVER, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercer Global Advisors, Inc. ("Mercer Advisors"), a national Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), today announced the acquisition of Fure Financial Corporation ("Fure Financial"). Fure Financial is a respected wealth management firm headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, serving approximately 300 clients with assets under management (AUM) of approximately $260 million. Fure Financial was founded in 1985 by Johannes C. Fure, CFP®, President, Senior Wealth Advisor and Chief Investment Officer. Fure Financial's entire team will also be joining Mercer Advisors.
Fure Financial is an independent Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), dedicated to assisting clients with their greatest financial concerns. They offer comprehensive financial planning and investment management coupled with objective advice and recommendations to provide customized strategies that can grow with clients throughout the many milestones of life. They take pride in helping young professionals, growing families, and retirees pursue their financial dreams. Fure Financial believes the success of their clients' financial future depends on what they do today. Fure Financial strives to make the experience of setting goals and developing a program to meet financial goals an educational and enjoyable experience.
Commenting on the transaction, Johannes C. Fure, Founder, ("Johannes") stated: "We are a full-service financial firm committed to helping people pursue their financial goals. We offer financial planning and professional investment management services to individuals and business owners. We believe that every client is unique, as are their financial goals and personal dreams. In looking for a partner to help us provide customized wealth management while continuing to grow, we knew we needed scale and time leverage. Most importantly, we were looking for a partner that shared our values. After speaking with David Barton, Vice Chairman and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Mercer Advisors, we knew we had found the right partner who shared a strong commitment to the highest quality client care and putting client interests first. Mercer Advisors was definitely the best fit for us. A huge plus was the fact that we could continue running our office while offloading onerous back-office tasks, like HR and compliance, while adding new services for our clients like in-house estate planning, tax return preparation, and a corporate trustee service. We could not be more excited."
David Barton who led this transaction on behalf of Mercer Advisors stated: "We were impressed with Johannes and his team and saw an ideal fit with both of our firms leading with financial planning. This is a perfect partnership and together we look forward to a bright future together."
Dave Welling, Chief Executive Officer of Mercer Advisors, said, "Johannes and his team are a highly respected group of wealth management professionals who share our commitment to the profession and our communities. We are thrilled to be opening a new location in the Twin Cities and look forward to working together to help deliver meaningful results for our shared clients."
About Mercer Advisors
Established in 1985, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ("Mercer Advisors") is a total wealth management firm that provides comprehensive, fee-based investment management, financial planning, family office services, retirement benefits and distribution planning, estate and tax planning, insurance solutions, and corporate trustee and trust administration services. Mercer Advisors Inc. is a parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (RIA), majority owned by both Oak Hill Capital and Genstar Capital, one of the largest Registered Investment Advisors and financial planning firms in the U.S. with over $38 billion in client assets. Headquartered in Denver, Mercer Advisors is privately held, has over 670 employees, and operates nationally through 60+ offices across the country. For more information, visit www.merceradvisors.com.
Data as of March 31, 2022. AUM includes affiliates and wholly owned subsidiaries.
Mercer Global Advisors Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and delivers all investment-related services. Mercer Advisors Inc. is the parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and is not involved with investment services.
Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning documentation preparation and other legal advice is provided through its affiliation with Advanced Services Law Group, Inc. Corporate trustee services are offered through National Advisors Trust Company, Tax preparation and tax filing are a separate fee from Mercer Advisors' investment management and planning services.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Contact: Chris Tofalli.
Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC
914-834-4334
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SOURCE Mercer Global Advisors Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/mercer-advisors-acquires-fure-financial-corporation/ | 2022-06-07T12:38:48Z |
In a seismic shift in college athletics, the Big Ten voted Thursday to add Southern California and UCLA as conference members beginning in 2024.
The expansion to 16 teams will happen after the Pac-12’s current media rights contracts with Fox and ESPN expire and make the Big Ten the first conference to stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
The announcement came almost a year after Oklahoma and Texas formally accepted invitations to join the Southeastern Conference in July 2025.
“Ultimately, the Big Ten is the best home for USC and Trojan athletics as we move into the new world of collegiate sports,” USC athletic director Mike Bohn said. “We are excited that our values align with the league’s member institutions. We also will benefit from the stability and strength of the conference; the athletic caliber of Big Ten institutions; the increased visibility, exposure, and resources the conference will bring our student-athletes and programs; and the ability to expand engagement with our passionate alumni nationwide.”
The Big Ten is building on previous expansion into the nation’s largest media markets, and the move allows the conference to keep pace with the SEC as one of the most powerful entities in college sports.
The Big Ten has expanded twice in recent years, with Nebraska joining in 2011 and Maryland and Rutgers in 2014.
USC and UCLA fit the Big Ten’s academic profile. Both schools are among the 65 members of the Association of American Universities, which is made up of top research universities. All Big Ten schools except Nebraska are members.
“The Pac-12 has always shared our values and continues to innovate, working hard on behalf of its student-athletes and many fans,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said. “At the same time, each school faces its own unique challenges and circumstances, and we believe this is the best move for UCLA at this time. For us, this move offers greater certainty in rapidly changing times and ensures that we remain a leader in college athletics for generations to come.”
The move to the Big Ten would greatly enhance USC and UCLA’s revenues.
The Pac-12 distributed only $19.8 million per school in fiscal year 2021, by far the least among Power 5 conferences. The Big Ten’s per-school distribution was $46.1 million, second only to the SEC’s $54.6 million.
The Pac-12 has had difficulty getting its conference television network untracked while the Big Ten Network is the most established of the conference networks.
USC and UCLA would be taking a step up in football, both in visibility and competition.
“Pac-12 After Dark” televised games that kick off in the middle to late evenings in most of the country have made it difficult for the conference to get exposure. The Pac-12 has had teams in the College Football Playoff just twice — Oregon (2014 season) and Washington (2016).
Losing flagship schools like USC and UCLA would be a major blow to the Pac-12, which has had a long and amicable relationship with the Big Ten best exemplified by its Rose Bowl partnership.
The Big Ten, Pac-12 and Atlantic Coast Conference last August formed an alliance in the wake of Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC. The conferences said the 41 members would take a collaborative approach to charting the future of athletics. The three conferences set up scheduling arrangements in some sports and have pooled resources to promote athlete welfare.
Less than a year later, the future of the alliance would appear uncertain if the Big Ten takes two of the Pac-12′s biggest brands.
USC and UCLA would be severing conference relationships that go back a century.
USC joined California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington and Washington State in the Pacific Coast Conference in 1922, followed by UCLA in 1928. They went together in 1959 into the Athletic Association of Western Universities, which melded into the Pac-8 in 1968, the Pac-10 in 1978 and Pac-12 in 2011.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-source-usc-ucla-in-process-of-joining-big-ten/ | 2022-07-01T00:24:16Z |
AUSTIN, Texas, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 2 and 3, 2022, the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David's Medical Center hosted its sixth international symposium on complex arrhythmias, EPLive 2022. This year's event had more than 1,250 people register, a record number, with more than 150 who attended in person. There were attendees from all over the globe, including Singapore, Thailand, Tunisia, Germany, Korea and Greece.
Participants included practicing clinical cardiac electrophysiologists, electrophysiologist fellows and general cardiologists who have an interest in treating complex cardiac arrhythmias—a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm. The primary teaching tool was live cases broadcast from the new, state-of-the-art Electrophysiology Center at St. David's Medical Center, with expert commentary.
Live cases performed during EPLive 2022 featured new technologies pioneered by physicians at TCAI, including irreversible electroporation, which helps heart arrhythmia patients by using controlled electric fields to create tiny scars in the heart to block irregular electric signals, and thus, potentially reducing the risk of damage to a patient's veins, arteries or nerves.
"From the cutting-edge technology that was unveiled to our record registration numbers, this was truly our most momentous EPLive to date," Andrea Natale, M.D., F.H.R.S., F.A.C.C., F.E.S.C., cardiac electrophysiologist and executive medical director of TCAI and EPLive course director, said. "EPLive plays a leading role in expanding the scope of electrophysiology treatment options, which we hope positively impacts the lives of patients worldwide."
EPLive featured four sessions, consisting of a combination of live and recorded cases from TCAI, as well as some of the world's premier centers: Arrhythmia Center CardioInfantil Foundation (Colombia), Cardiovascular Center Brussels, Cleveland Clinic, Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (United Kingdom), Mass General Hospital, Methodist Hospital (Houston, Texas), Montefiore Hospital (New York), Monzino Cardiac Center (Itay), Mt. Sinai Hospital (New York), Pacific Heart (California), University of Arkansas Medical Center, UCLA, University of Chicago Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University Hospital of Brussels, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Westside Regional Medical Center (Florida) and Yeditepe University (Turkey).
In addition to demonstrations by Dr. Natale, EPLive 2022 featured presentations by a number of TCAI physicians, including course co-director, Amin Al-Ahmad, M.D., as well as Shane Bailey, M.D.; Mohamed Bassiouny, M.D.; David Burkhardt, M.D.; David Burkland, M.D.; Robert Canby, M.D.; Paul Coffeen, M.D.; Joseph Gallinghouse, M.D.; Brian Greet, M.D.; Eric Hoenicke, M.D.; Rodney Horton, M.D.; Patrick Hranitzky, M.D.; David Kessler, M.D.; Javier Sanchez, M.D.; Kamala Tamirisa, M.D.; Senthil Thambidorai, M.D.; David Tschopp, M.D.; and Jason Zagrodsky, M.D.
Physicians received a maximum of 14 American Medical Association (AMA) Physician's Recognition Award (PRA) Category 1 Credit™ hours at the conference.
For more information, visit EP-Live.com.
Media Contact:
Matt Grilli or Kat Griffith, ECP
MGrilli@EChristianPR.com or KGriffith@EChristianPR.com
630.800.9533 or 512.797.4002 cells
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SOURCE Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/texas-cardiac-arrhythmia-institute-st-davids-medical-center-hosted-international-conference-complex-cardiac-arrhythmias/ | 2022-06-15T14:49:21Z |
CINCINNATI, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 9, 2022, the United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Air Force's request for an emergency stay of the classwide injunction currently protecting over 10,000 Air Force Service members stating that, "the Department [of the Air Force] has granted only a comparative handful of religious exemptions, while granting thousands of medical and administrative ones [to its COVID-19 vaccine mandate], is itself at this state of the case significant proof of discrimination."
Prior to the denial of the emergency stay by the 6th Circuit, a U.S. District Court Judge, the Honorable Matthew W. McFarland, granted injunctive relief to over 10,000 Air Force class members in the Doster v. Kendall case. The class members in Doster consist of active duty, active reserve, reserve members, and national guard members of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, including cadets, appointees, and inductees, who submitted a religious accommodation request to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement and who were denied or are pending a decision. The current injunction prohibits the Air Force from taking any punitive or separation action against any class member.
The Air Force has appealed the District Court's decision and oral argument will occur before a 3-judge panel on October 19, 2022.
Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Aaron Siri, Wendy Cox, and Elizabeth Brehm at Siri & Glimstad; Chris Wiest, Attorney at Law, PLLC; and Thomas Bruns, with Bruns, Connell, Vollmar & Armstrong, LLC. Case documents relating to this class action, including the class-wide preliminary injunction order, are available at: https://www.sirillp.com/airforce/.
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SOURCE Siri & Glimstad LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/siri-amp-glimstad-sixth-circuit-denies-air-forces-request-emergency-stay-upholds-protection-members/ | 2022-09-16T18:23:30Z |
NEW YORK, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. (NASDAQ: SDIG) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
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.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 13, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in SDIG:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/stronghold-digital-mining-inc-loss-submission-form?id=28116&from=4
Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. NEWS - SDIG NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose 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 THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. you have until June 13, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the SDIG lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/stronghold-digital-mining-inc-loss-submission-form?id=28116&from=4.
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/sdig-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-june-13-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-stronghold-digital-mining-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-06-07T10:12:56Z |
World-renowned hospitality and entertainment company is once again honored among outstanding U.S. private companies
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock International is proud to announce Seminole Hard Rock has been selected as a 2022 U.S. Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their management teams on an annual basis. This is the second consecutive year that Seminole Hard Rock has been named a U.S. Best, following 2021 when it became the first privately-owned gaming company to earn the designation.
The 2022 honorees have demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and execution, a commitment to their people and fostering a dynamic, resilient culture, as well as strong financials. This year's designees continue to propel their businesses forward by prioritizing purpose, investing in their workforces, and demonstrating their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
"Seminole Hard Rock is honored to be named a U.S. Best Managed Company for the second year in a row, a true reflection of our passionate team members who maintain and uphold brand standard excellence across all of our properties, at every level of our business," said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming. "Today more than ever, we believe in bringing to life the mottos we were founded on: Love All-Serve All, Take Time To Be Kind, Save The Planet, and All Is One. There's nothing more gratifying than seeing these mottos infused in everything we do as a company, and to be recognized for these efforts as one of the top private companies in the country."
Applicants are evaluated and selected by a panel of external judges focused on assessing hallmarks of excellence in four key areas: strategy, ability to execute, corporate culture and governance/financial performance. They join a global ecosystem of honorees from more than 40 countries recognized by the Best Managed Companies program. For more information on the US Best Managed Companies program, please visit www.usbestmanagedcompanies.com.
Seminole Gaming, within the Hard Rock International family, is owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It is comprised of two Seminole Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa, and four other Seminole Casinos in Coconut Creek and Hollywood on the Southeast coast, in Immokalee near Naples, and on the Brighton Reservation north of Lake Okeechobee. For more information on Seminole Gaming, please visit www.theseminolecasinos.com.
The Best Managed Companies program is a mark of excellence for private companies. U.S. designees have revenues of at least $250 million. Hundreds of private companies around the world have competed for this designation in their respective countries through a rigorous and independent process that evaluates four key criteria in their management skills and practices — strategy, execution, culture and governance/financials. U.S. program sponsors are Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit www.usbestmanagedcompanies.com.
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in 68 countries spanning 253 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 86,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. In 2021, Hard Rock was honored as one of Forbes Magazine's Best Employers for Diversity, a Top Employer for Women and the Top Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment Industry. Hard Rock was also designated as a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal and named the top performing hotel brand in J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study for the third consecutive year in 2021. The brand is owned by HRI parent entity The Seminole Tribe of Florida. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.
Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of our legal structure.
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SOURCE Hard Rock International | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/seminole-hard-rock-recognized-us-best-managed-company-second-consecutive-year/ | 2022-05-16T15:51:56Z |
Bois d’Arc Lake grand opening is pending due to the drought
FANNIN COUNTY, Texas (KXII) -Bois d’Arc Lake in Fannin County has been a project that the North Texas Municipal Water District has been working on for almost 20 years.
However construction has only been in effect since 2018.
As News 12 reported, the lake’s opening has been drawn out because of water, or the lack of.
“There’s multiple aspects that go into actually opening the lake to the public one of these is rainfall, we all know that this summer we have not got the amount of rainfall any of us would like to see,” said Jennifer Stanley, Bois d’Arc Lake Manager.
The lake’s elevation is currently sitting at 516 feet.
But, in order for the lake to be open to the public, the lake needs to reach 534 feet.
The low water levels aren’t the only thing halting the grand opening.
“There’s multiple other items so the lake has to be safe for the public so we want to make sure any floating debris or anything that comes down with any storm we have, that all of that is removed from the lake and all the buoys are in place,” Stanley said.
“We also want to make sure that everyone that will be operating the lake or patrolling the lake is ready to do that,” added Stanley.
With the lake slowly filling, Fannin County Judge Randy Moore expects to see people herding to the lake to reap the waters benefits.
“Here we are Fannin County, kind of a small population in our county, but we are going to be what some people may refer to as a ‘bedroom city,’” said Judge Moore.
Judge Moore is welcoming the change and potential growth with open arms, “we expected that, we knew that would happen. People like water, people like to live around water, and they like the view of water so therefore we’ve had many development companies coming to our county looking at locations to put in developments, put in housing, commercial properties.”
In addition to the development around the lake, people will gain recreational use such as boating and fishing.
News 12 will keep you updated when the lake reaches the levels needed to become available to the public.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/04/bois-darc-lake-grand-opening-is-pending-due-drought/ | 2022-08-04T22:36:13Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration has scrapped former President Donald Trump’s red, white and blue design for the new generation of presidential aircraft after an Air Force review suggested it would raise costs and delay the delivery of the new jets.
Boeing is currently modifying two Boeing 747-800 aircraft that will bear the Air Force One callsign when the president is onboard to replace the existing fleet of two aging Boeing 747-200 aircraft. Trump, in 2018, directed that the new jumbo jets shed the iconic Kennedy-era robin’s egg blue and white design for a deeper navy and streak of dark red.
The Trump paint scheme is not being considered because it could drive additional engineering, time and cost, according to an administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the program.
Politico first reported that the Air Force study of the new paint job had concluded that the dark shade of blue Trump proposed for the plane’s underbelly and engines would have created heating issues for the aircraft, requiring costly redesigns and additional delays to the already behind-schedule program. The current generation of planes first carried President George H.W. Bush.
When he was in office, Trump kept a mockup of the new presidential plane in the new color scheme on a coffee table in the Oval Office.
“The baby blue doesn’t fit with us,” he told Fox News in 2019 after earlier unveiling sketches of his ideal redesign for the plane’s exterior.
Trump’s design utilized the colors of the American flag. The top half of the plane would be white, while dark blue would cover the bottom half, including the belly. A bold red stripe would streak from cockpit to tail across the midsection — almost identical to the color scheme on Trump’s personal plane, except that the white and blue were reversed.
The administration did not formally unveil a new design for the replacement aircraft, which are currently at a Boeing plant in San Antonio undergoing extensive modifications to prepare them to carry the president. They currently sport a simple white and blue paint job with U.S. Air Force markings as the work proceeds.
Formally known as the VC-25B, the new aircraft are estimated to replace the older VC-25A planes in 2026, years behind schedule. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/biden-nixes-trump-design-for-air-force-one-over-cost-delay/ | 2022-06-10T20:43:51Z |
Zoomlion's first tower crane co-developed by China and Germany now launches in Europe
CHANGSHA, China, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Zoomlion;" 1157.HK) has officially launched W220-10S, its first flat-top tower crane jointly developed by China and Germany, in the European market this June. The release is yet another milestone of Zoomlion achieving win-win results with the acquired company.
"On the occasion of the International Day of Friendship, the Company hopes to highlight its win-win approach to cooperation, that it's about inclusiveness, friendship, rules, co-innovation and sharing, and want to work with our global partners to bring better products and services to all customers.
Together with WILBERT, a leading luffing jib tower crane manufacturer and Europe's third-ranking tower crane rental company, Zoomlion developed the new W220-10S to feature adjustments especially localized for the European market, delivering all-around upgrades of safety, intelligence, convenience, economic efficiency and customization.
Dr. Michael Meding, general manager of Zoomlion Wilbert, noted that the new tower crane is the first localized product jointly developed by the Chinese and German teams, and its design and production have fully taken advantage of both companies.
Zoomlion's extensive cooperation with global partners has brought mutually beneficial results. In 2008, Zoomlion acquired CIFA of Italy, the third largest concrete machinery manufacturer at the time, and has since achieved continuous breakthroughs in the European market. CIFA has also established a factory in China that further strengthens its product development and brand competitiveness in the following year.
In 2015, Zoomlion started to work with the MAZ truck group in Belarus. Combining Zoomlion's construction machinery technologies and production capabilities with MAZ's heavy truck chassis, the two companies developed and manufactured three truck cranes and sanitation sweepers in only seven months that met the local market demand.
In 2021, despite the influence of COVID-19, the revenue of companies acquired by Zoomlion overseas has grown by more than 30 percent year-on-year, creating more jobs and increasing tax revenues that were highly recognized by local government and business communities.
"As a company, we should localize our operations, respect the local rules, blend in the local culture and aim for win-win cooperation with our global partners, Zoomlion hope to cooperate with more companies to bring new opportunities and seek mutually beneficial development," said Zhan Chunxin, chairman and CEO of Zoomlion.
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SOURCE Zoomlion | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/international-day-friendship-zoomlion-strives-win-win-cooperation-with-global-partners/ | 2022-07-27T09:32:22Z |
Women still feel underappreciated and underpaid at work but they're planning to take action
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New research on female financial independence released today from HerMoney and the Alliance for Lifetime Income reveals that women are breaking down stereotypes and taking control – of their finances, careers, and futures.
Almost all women who reported being in a relationship play a role in managing not only their household finances (94%), but also managing investments (94%), and contrary to popular belief, retirement planning (94%).
Women are proud of the financial decisions they've made, according to the first chapter of the State of Women in 2022 study. More than 1,000 women surveyed by HerMoney and the Alliance say they are most proud of engaging with their finances on a regular basis (68%), paying off debt (56%), buying a home (53%) and being able to talk openly about money (53%).
Ms. Financially Independent is here to stay
When it comes to love and money however, most women prefer to keep the two separate. Among women who are partnered, only one-third (33%) have completely merged their finances with their significant other. This trend appears to have staying power. Among women who are currently single, only 2% (2%!) say they would merge all their money with a spouse or partner in the future.
Clearly, women have earned the title "Ms. Independent," as even those in relationships take on more financial responsibility than their partners. More than half have primary responsibility for household finances (59%) and investments (51%), while nearly half (48%) manage retirement planning for themselves and their partner.
On average, women who share money management duties with their partner take more than half of the responsibility for household finances (55% of the work), investments (54%), and retirement planning (55%).
How do they make it work? By dividing household labor more equitably. While some women in relationships say they take the lead on household chores (28%), a majority are sharing or delegating responsibility for chores (66% and 6%, respectively) and home maintenance (16% lead, 47% share and 37% delegate).
"It's inspiring to see these women take the lead on not only managing their household finances but also investing for the future and planning for retirement," said Alliance for Lifetime Income CEO Jean Statler. "This research clearly dispels an old belief that women are the CFOs of the household but are somehow absent when it comes to investing and planning for retirement. Women have more to lose because they are more likely to live longer, traditionally get paid less than their male counterparts, and therefore need to stretch their retirement income further, which magnifies the risk and possibility of running out of money. Making sure our income lasts for 20, 30 or more years in retirement takes some complex planning, so I tell all my female friends, 'it's time to take charge – and find a financial professional who looks out for your interests.' I will add that those financial advisors who ignore women, do so at their own financial peril."
Women now focused on getting ahead at work
Despite taking the reins in being financially independent, only 60% of the women surveyed believe their workplace is making progress in how it supports women, and the pay gap is a major issue for many – a third (34%) know or suspect men at their companies earn more for the same jobs. Among women who feel they aren't well compensated, one in six (17%) suspect they are being underpaid because of their gender.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of women who work for others don't feel well compensated and, notably, about two out of five (39%) who are dissatisfied with their pay are planning to seek employment elsewhere. More than half (54%) who work haven't received a raise above the cost of living in the past two years.
"Women have truly taken on a financial leadership role at home. What this new research shows is that we're beginning to apply that same initiative when it comes to money at work," said Jean Chatzky, CEO of HerMoney and education fellow at the Alliance for Lifetime Income. "It's really hard to separate your home and work life at the end of the day, so expect to see women continuing down a path that brings them together. One way that may show up this year: 100% of employers should be making progress in their support of women – and those who don't face the very real scenario that women will seek out new employers that are."
Dear Ms. Independent, it's okay to ask for help!
Working with a trusted financial professional is key to building a successful financial plan that addresses both short-term and long-term goals. Several of HerMoney and the Alliance's free online tools can also help women as they take the lead on managing their personal finances, including:
- MoneyType™ Personality Assessment
- HerMoney Podcasts
- Women's Financial Wellness Checklist
- RISE Score®
- Financial Planning Personality Quiz
- Find a Financial Professional
The State of Women 2022 is based on an online study conducted in March 2022 among over 1,000 women who are members of the HerMoney community. They range in age from 18 to 75, most are college educated and employed full time. Two-thirds are married or partnered.
About Alliance for Lifetime Income
The Alliance for Lifetime Income is a non‐profit 501(c)(6) educational organization based in Washington, D.C., that creates awareness and educates Americans about the value and importance of having protected lifetime income in retirement. Our vision is for a country where no American has to face the prospect of running out of money in retirement. The Alliance provides consumers and financial advisors with educational resources, interactive tools, and actionable research and insights to use in building retirement income strategies and plans. We believe focusing attention and conversations on retirement income that lasts throughout life leads to greater retirement security for millions of Americans.
About HerMoney Media
HerMoney is a new digital media company focused on improving the relationships women have with money. Started by personal finance expert Jean Chatzky, the mission of HerMoney is to level the playing field for financial security, confidence and power with content that is welcoming, thought-provoking, bold, unbiased and always smart. HerMoney delivers the information women need to manage their money so they can focus on their lives. HerMoney Media is the owner of HerMoney.com, as well as DailyWorth.com.
Contact: Haley Fry, Edelman
(309) 824-7806
Haley.Fry@edelman.com
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SOURCE Alliance for Lifetime Income | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/meet-ms-financially-independent-new-study-finds-more-than-half-women-control-household-finances-investments-retirement-planning/ | 2022-04-12T12:08:04Z |
SAN DIEGO, May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Realty Income Corporation (Realty Income, NYSE: O), The Monthly Dividend Company®, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared the 623rd consecutive common stock monthly dividend. The dividend amount of $0.247 per share, representing an annualized amount of $2.964 per share, is payable on June 15, 2022 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2022. The ex-dividend date for June's dividend is May 31, 2022.
About Realty Income
Realty Income, The Monthly Dividend Company®, is an S&P 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats® index. We invest in people and places to deliver dependable monthly dividends that increase over time. The company is structured as a REIT, and its monthly dividends are supported by the cash flow from over 11,200 real estate properties owned under long-term net lease agreements with commercial clients. To date, the company has declared 623 consecutive common stock monthly dividends throughout its 53-year operating history and increased the dividend 115 times since Realty Income's public listing in 1994 (NYSE: O). Additional information about the company can be obtained from the corporate website at www.realtyincome.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this press release, the words "estimated," "anticipated," "expect," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include discussions of future operations and results, strategy, plans, or intentions of management. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us, which may cause our actual future results to differ materially from expected results. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are, among others, our continued qualification as a real estate investment trust; general domestic and foreign business and economic conditions; competition; fluctuating interest and currency rates; access to debt and equity capital markets; continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets; other risks inherent in the real estate business including our clients' defaults under leases, potential liability relating to environmental matters, illiquidity of real estate investments, and potential damages from natural disasters; impairments in the value of our real estate assets; changes in income tax laws and rates; the continued evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to limit its spread, and its impacts on us, our business, our clients, or the economy generally; the timing and pace of reopening efforts at the local, state and national level in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and developments, such as the unexpected surges in COVID-19 cases, that cause a delay in or postponement of reopenings; the outcome of any legal proceedings to which we are a party or which may occur in the future; acts of terrorism and war; any effects of uncertainties regarding whether the anticipated benefits or results of our merger with VEREIT, Inc. will be achieved; and those additional risks and factors discussed in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Those forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future plans and performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. Actual plans and operating results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in this press release. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date these statements were made.
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SOURCE Realty Income Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/623rd-consecutive-common-stock-monthly-dividend-declared-by-realty-income/ | 2022-05-17T21:15:21Z |
Demonstrates Commitment to Employees, Company Culture
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sbarro, the leading QSR serving the impulse pizza occasion, has earned certification by Great Place to Work®, the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors.
This certification recognizes the top companies to work for worldwide based on feedback provided by employees on more than 60 elements of their job experience. Highest scoring categories for Sbarro included: employee pride in the brand, belief that their work makes a difference, employee alignment with and trust in the leadership team, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
"Our certification as a Great Place to Work is a testament to our employees and their passion for our brand, our culture, our franchise partners and each other," said Rohan Shearer, Sbarro's Chief Administrative Officer and head of Human Resources. "We're honored to be one of the very few US based QSR brands to have obtained this recognition."
The core of Sbarro's culture is its "People Pledge," an employee engagement program that welcomes, develops, communicates with and cares for each member of the Sbarro family. The People Pledge has created a common language around employee connection and belonging that has led to Sbarro's industry leading management tenure.
"Great Place to Work Certification™ isn't something that comes easily – it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience," said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. "Earning this designation means that Sbarro is one of the best companies to work for in the country."
In 1956, Carmela "Mama" Sbarro and her family opened the doors to their Italian delicatessen in Brooklyn. Their slices of New York-style pizza were so popular that they soon opened a second location at the King's Plaza Mall in New York, focused solely on pizza. More than 65 years later, Sbarro is now the global leader in the impulse pizza category. Sbarro offers our XL Original New York pizza, handmade every day, with freshly prepared and stretched dough, hand-shredded 100% whole milk mozzarella cheese, and San Marzano-style tomatoes in a variety of venues. Our award-winning New York pizzas, strombolis and other offerings can be found in retail spaces such as malls, casinos, airports, universities, convenience stores and travel plazas. To order online, to find a location near you, or for franchising opportunities, visit Sbarro.com. Get social with us on @sbarro on Facebook and Twitter, and @sbarroofficial on Instagram.
Great Place to Work® Certification™ is the most definitive "employer-of-choice" recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place to Work-Certified.
Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All™.
Media inquiries can be sent to
marketing@sbarro.com
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SOURCE SBARRO | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/sbarro-earns-great-place-work-certification/ | 2022-07-21T19:01:58Z |
PITTSBURGH, April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a convenient, hands-free stand to support a book, tablet or other mobile device," said an inventor, from Humble, Texas, "so I invented the MAX STAND. My design could make watching videos, video chatting or reading a book more enjoyable."
The invention provides a more comfortable means of reading a book or enjoying media devices. In doing so, it eliminates the need to hold the book or device. As a result, it enhances comfort and support. The invention features a versatile design that is convenient and easy to use so it is ideal for the general population. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.
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-165, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/21/inventhelp-inventor-develops-hands-free-bookelectronic-device-stand-hof-165/ | 2022-04-21T17:31:25Z |
Interstatedaydream wins Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico
By STEVE GINSBURG
Associated Press
BALTIMORE (AP) — Canada-bred Interstatedaydream held off race favorite Adare Manor and win the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Race Course It’s the first Black-Eyed Susan victory for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux. Interstatedaydream won for the third time in five career starts and has never finished out of the money. Interstatedaydream led at the top of the stretch and many in the crowd expected Adare Manor and jockey John Velazquez to mount a challenge. But Interstatedaydream refused to yield the lead and won by 1¼ lengths. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/20/interstatedaydream-wins-black-eyed-susan-stakes-at-pimlico/ | 2022-05-21T00:01:54Z |
Earned Nation's Highest Award for Valor during World War II
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society regretfully announces that Hershel "Woody" Williams, the last living World War II Medal of Honor Recipient, passed away on June 29, 2022, in Huntington, West Virginia, at the age of 98.
President Harry S. Truman presented Williams with the Medal of Honor on White House grounds in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 5, 1945, for his actions during the battle for Iwo Jima. On Feb. 23, 1945, then-Corporal Williams was a Marine Demolition Operator with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division, which confronted a series of camouflaged, reinforced concrete pill boxes lining the outskirts of an airfield that U.S. Marines were trying to take. Over the course of four hours, Williams, armed with a flamethrower and guarded by four Marine riflemen, repeatedly ran the width of the beach while under intense enemy fire to disarm and destroy seven pillboxes. His actions neutralized a considerable obstacle and created an access point for Marine Infantry units.
Speaking about the significance of the Medal of Honor Williams once said, "The Medal represents what the country has always stood for. Sacrifice. The day I was born . . . . I was handed a gem that is absolutely impossible to buy. That was my freedom. Can't pay for it. There is not enough money in the world. So this Medal, to me, stands for sacrifice and service."
Williams was born in Quiet Dell, West Virginia, on Oct. 2, 1923. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps for one and a half years during the 1930s and then enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 while World War II was underway. Following his retirement from the military in 1969 as Chief Warrant Officer Four, he worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a Veterans Service Representative.
In 2010, Williams created the Woody Williams Foundation to honor and remember the sacrifices of Gold Star Families—the immediate family member(s) of a fallen service member who died while serving in a time of conflict. The USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4) was christened in his name in 2020. He was one of the charter members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society when it was founded in 1958, and he served as its Chaplain for decades.
He is survived by numerous family members. Burial arrangements are pending.
There are 63 recipients alive today.
About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor and its Recipients, inspiring Americans, and supporting the Recipients as they connect with communities across the country.
Chartered by Congress in 1958, its membership consists exclusively of those individuals who have received the Medal of Honor. There are 63 living Recipients.
The Society carries out its mission through outreach, education and preservation programs, including the Medal of Honor Museum, Congressional Medal of Honor Outreach Programs, the Congressional Medal of Honor Character Development Program, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Citizen Honors Awards for Valor and Service. The Society's programs and operations are funded by donations.
As part of Public Law 106-83, the Medal of the Honor Memorial Act, the Medal of Honor Museum, which is co-located with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's headquarters on board the U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was designated as one of three national Medal of Honor sites.
Learn more about the Medal of Honor and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's initiatives at cmohs.org.
Contact: Kathleen Blomquist
kblomquist@cmohs.org
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SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Society | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/congressional-medal-honor-society-announces-passing-medal-honor-recipient-hershel-woody-williams/ | 2022-06-29T16:37:52Z |
Zombie ice from the massive Greenland ice sheet will eventually raise global sea level by at least 10 inches on its own, according to a study released Monday.
Zombie or doomed ice is ice that is still attached to thicker areas of ice, but is no longer getting fed by those larger glaciers. That’s because the parent glaciers are getting less replenishing snow. Meanwhile the doomed ice is melting from climate change, said study co-author William Colgan, a glaciologist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.
“It’s dead ice. It’s just going to melt and disappear from the ice sheet,” Colgan said in an interview. “This ice has been consigned to the ocean, regardless of what climate (emissions) scenario we take now.”
Study lead author Jason Box, a glaciologist at the Greenland survey, said it is “more like one foot in the grave.”
The unavoidable ten inches in the study is more than twice as much sea level rise as scientists had previously expected from the melting of Greenland’s ice sheet. The study in the journal Nature Climate Change said it could reach as much as 30 inches (78 centimeters). By contrast, last year’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report projected a range of 2 to 5 inches (6 to 13 centimeters) for likely sea level rise from Greenland ice melt by the year 2100.
What scientists did for the study was look at the ice in balance. In perfect equilibrium, snowfall in the mountains in Greenland flows down and recharges and thickens the sides of glaciers, balancing out what’s melting on the edges. But in the last few decades there’s less replenishment and more melting, creating imbalance. Study authors looked at the ratio of what’s being added to what’s being lost and calculated that 3.3% of Greenland’s total ice volume will melt no matter what happens with the world cutting carbon pollution, Colgan said.
“I think starving would be a good phrase,” for what’s happening to the ice, Colgan said.
One of the study authors said that more than 120 trillion tons (110 trillion metric tons) of ice is already doomed to melt from the warming ice sheet’s inability to replenish its edges. When that ice melts into water, if it were concentrated only over the United States, it would be 37 feet (11 meters) deep.
This is the first time scientists calculated a minimum ice loss — and accompanying sea level rise — for Greenland, one of Earth’s two massive ice sheets that are slowly shrinking because of climate change from burning coal, oil and natural gas. Scientists used an accepted technique for calculating minimum committed ice loss, the one used on mountain glaciers for the entire giant frozen island.
Pennsylvania State University glaciologist Richard Alley, who wasn’t part of the study but said it made sense, said the committed melting and sea level rise is like an ice cube put in a cup of hot tea in a warm room.
“You have committed mass loss from the ice,” Alley said in an email. ”In the same way most of the world’s mountain glaciers and the edges of Greenland would continue losing mass if temperatures were stabilized at modern levels because they have been put into warmer air just as your ice cube was put in warmer tea.”
Although 10 inches doesn’t sound like much, that’s a global average. Some coastal areas will be hit with more, and high tides and storms on top of that could be even worse, so this much sea level rise “will have huge societal, economic and environmental impacts,” said Ellyn Enderlin, a geosciences professor at Boise State University.
Time is the key unknown here and a bit of a problem with the study, said two outside ice scientists, Leigh Stearns of the University of Kansas and Sophie Nowicki of the University of Buffalo. The researchers in the study said they couldn’t estimate the timing of the committed melting, yet in the last sentence they mention, “within this century,” without supporting it, Stearns said.
Colgan responded that the team doesn’t know how long it will take for all the doomed ice to melt, but making an educated guess, it would probably be by the end of this century or at least by 2150.
Colgan said this is actually all a best case scenario. The year 2012 (and to a different degree 2019 ) was a huge melt year, when the equilibrium between adding and subtracting ice was most out of balance. If Earth starts to undergo more years like 2012, Greenland melt could trigger 30 inches (78 centimeters) of sea level rise, he said. Those two years seem extreme now, but years that look normal now would have been extreme 50 years ago, he said.
“That’s how climate change works,” Colgan said. “Today’s outliers become tomorrow’s averages.” | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/zombie-ice-from-greenland-will-raise-sea-level-10-inches-study-finds/ | 2022-08-29T21:01:06Z |
– Global responsibility for material buying and sales, key member of executive team –
NEW YORK, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sims Metal, a global leader in metal recycling and a division of Sims Limited, announces the appointment of Robert Thompson as its Global Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Thompson previously held the position of Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Gerdau Long Steel North America, and he brings more than 30 years of commercial and operational metal recycling and steel experience to Sims Metal commencing July 11, 2022.
"I am very excited that Rob Thompson is joining our metal business division. His wealth of experience in the metal industry as we sustainably grow the business," said Alistair Field, managing director and chief executive officer at Sims Limited. "Rob's substantial experience at a global, well-respected organisation in both the production and sale of steel and recycled metal makes him uniquely qualified to lead the commercial arm of our metal business division."
Mr. Thompson joined Gerdau North America as part of an acquisition in 2004 as Vice President and General Manager of the Ameristeel Recycling business. He has since held several roles with increasing responsibilities in commercial, operations and logistics in Gerdau's Metallics and Raw Materials divisions until his most recent position leading sales and marketing for Gerdau's North American Long Steel business. Rob and his family also spent several years in Brazil where he had responsibilities spanning Europe, Latin America and North America.
Prior to his tenure at Gerdau, Mr. Thompson spent 15 years at metal recycling companies, initially starting as a scale operator, then spending several years as a commercial trade buyer and ferrous products trader.
Sims Metal began its search for a new chief commercial officer after Michael Movsas announced his retirement in January of this year.
"I've had the pleasure of doing business with Sims Metal in the past, and I admired their commitment to being a leader and innovator in the metal industry," said Mr. Thompson. "As I have learned more about the business and its strategy in recent weeks, I am even more excited to be a part of this organization, which is made up of great people who are aligned and collaborate in their efforts to achieve the company goals, and ultimately the Sims Purpose."
At Sims Metal, Mr. Thompson will have global responsibility for shipping and chartering, as well as both ferrous and non-ferrous material buying and processed material sales. In addition to holding this principal commercial role, Mr. Thompson will also be an integral member of Sims Limited's executive leadership team where his extensive management experience and perspective will allow him to immediately contribute toward achieving the company's strategic goals.
Mr. Thompson received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Toronto.
Founded in Sydney, Australia, in 1917, Sims Metal, has grown from being an Australian-centric company to one of the most significant metal recycling companies in the world. A division of Sims Limited, Sims Metal has bases of operation in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States where we buy and process discarded ferrous and non-ferrous metal and sell the recycled material to manufacturers in 30 countries. Each year, we recycle nearly 10 million tonnes of metal across our global operations. In line with our shared purpose, create a world without waste to preserve our planet, Sims Metal is preparing for, and adapting to, the significant industrial and environmental changes in society and the industry. Visit www.simsmm.com to learn more.
Founded in 1917, Sims Limited is a global leader in metal recycling, providing circular solutions for technology, and an emerging leader in renewable energy. Our 3,880 employees operate from more than 200 facilities across 15 countries. The company's ordinary shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: SGM) and its American Depositary Shares are quoted on the Over-the-Counter market in the United States (USOTC: SMSMY). Our purpose, create a world without waste to preserve our planet, is what drives us to constantly innovate and offer new solutions in the circular economy for consumers, businesses, governments and communities around the world. For more information, visit www.simsltd.com.
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SOURCE Sims Metal | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/24/sims-metal-hires-robert-thompson-chief-commercial-officer/ | 2022-06-24T04:06:19Z |
Cliff Branch blew through NFL before Internet age on way to Pro Football Hall of Fame
Mike Ditka presented Cliff Branch's case for Canton the way only Iron Mike could.
The old Bear sounded ready to jump through the camera and sock you in the nose if you questioned his assertion:
"Cliff Branch is a Hall of Famer. Period."
Branch wasn't in, though, from the time he became eligible in 1991 until now. He didn't live to walk with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022. He died in 2019, at age 71. A former Raiders teammate, Marcus Allen, regards the marathon wait as "almost criminal."
Branch's stats in 14 years as a Raiders wide receiver (1972-85) can't touch the pinball numbers of now.
But his case is letters more than numbers, "W" as in wins, "P" as in playoffs, "B" as in blur.
Exhibit A, perhaps, was the year Mr. Branch took his case to Washington.
In the 1983 regular season, at age 35, his 99-yard touchdown catch wasn't enough to prevent Joe Gibbs' powerhouse from a 37-35 win, but the teams met again in Super Bowl XVIII. There, Branch opened a early drive with a 50-yard catch from Jim Plunkett. On the next play, Allen ran for 3 yards. On the next, Branch scored on a 12-yard pass.
That unraveled Washington's defense and led to a blowout win. But his prime unfolded so long ago.
If you were 10 years old when he led the NFL in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, 1974, you are pushing 60 now.
Offenses operated differently then. The top three players in receiving yards in '74 were Branch with 1,092, the Cowboys' Drew Pearson with 1,087 and the Chargers' Gary Garrison with 785.
In 2021, when Cooper Kupp led the league with 1,947 receiving yards, 44 receivers amassed at least 800 yards.
Branch's road to Canton went through the Seniors Committee. His scouting report came back to life. Good routes, field sense, hands, savvy finish, fierce competitor, lethal when mixed with his fabulous feet.
Plus, he was Mr. January, a key man on Raiders teams that won three Super Bowls within eight seasons.
It worked against him that the Hall of Fame is crowded with Raiders.
Also, the backlog of wide receivers never goes away, even though 12 wideouts (now counting Branch) have been elected to the Hall in the last 13 years. Modern-era finalists Torry Holt, Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne — subject to a separate vote — didn't make the Class of '22.
The disparity between receiving stats in Branch's era vs. nowadays is striking. Wayne ranks 10th all-time with 14,345 receiving yards, Johnson is 11th at 14,185, and Holt is 16th at 13,382. Branch is 82nd at 8,685, in a cluster with two Hall of Famers from his era, John Stallworth (8,723) and Paul Warfield (8,565).
Branch's last playing season, 1985, was Jerry Rice's first. Rice became the gold standard in terms of stats, eyeball test and winning.
Of the 12 wideouts enshrined in the last 13 years, starting with Rice in 2010, the order in regular-season receiving yards is:
Rice 22,895, Terrell Owens 15,934, Randy Moss 15,292, Isaac Bruce 15,208, Tim Brown 14,934, Marvin Harrison 14,580, Cris Carter 13,899, Andre Reed 13,198, Calvin Johnson 11,619, Harold Carmichael 8,985, Branch 8,685 and Mac Speedie 5,602.
The first nine played in the 2000s. Carmichael and Branch both were in their primes in the 1970s. Speedie's career began with the 1946 Cleveland Browns.
It's a different story for Branch in postseason receiving yards. Among the 12 recent Hall of Famers in this discussion, Rice is No. 1 with 2,245 yards. Branch is next at 1,289, followed by Reed at 1,229, Harrison at 883 and Carter at 870.
Playoffs?
Branch had a 15-7 postseason record. Rice's was 17-12. Brown's was 11-10. It tapers off from there. Carter's was 4-10. Johnson's was 0-2.
Reed was 0-4 in Super Bowls. Rice was 3-1. Branch was 3-0. Among those not yet in the Hall, Wayne's postseason record, 11-10, is noteworthy.
A Raiders campaign video fleshed out Branch's case for Canton.
"There's a lot of people in the Hall of Fame, including myself, who were overshadowed by the way Cliff played." — Fred Biletnikoff, a wideout who was Branch's teammate for seven years.
"There was fear when you played in front of Cliff. There are guys who can play in the regular season and there are guys who understand how to rise up at the next level." — Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott
"I gave him 13 yards of cushion, and even that wasn't enough." — Hall of Fame defensive back Kenny Easley.
Steelers Hall of Fame Mel Blount felt Easley's pain, saying, "Cliff embarrassed me in one game ... got me benched."
The Raiders faced Pittsburgh in the postseason in Branch's first five pro seasons.
Branch had stats enough to spread across the Bay Bridge in the 1974 AFC finals in Oakland: Nine catches, 186 yards. His early TD on a bomb from Ken Stabler provided a 10-3 lead. The Steelers rallied and led just 17-13 in the late going. The Raiders couldn't stop Franco Harris on a do-or-die series and lost 24-13.
Branch had the last laugh in a sixth Raiders-Steelers playoff game, in 1983. He caught six passes in a 38-10 win, driving Blount to retirement. Branch, then 35, went on to catch six balls in the 38-9 Super Bowl win over Washington.
Marcus Allen admired Branch long before they spent four years together as teammates.
“Cliff changed the game," Allen said this year. "Changed coverages. Changed the way defense is played. Opened up things for everybody else.
"Cliff changed the game like Bob Hayes changed the game. Without Cliff Branch, there’s no Freddy Biletnikoff. There’s no Marcus. There’s no Todd Christensen. You know what I mean?”
Branch drew double coverage into his latter days. Christensen had a few monster seasons as a tight end enjoying single coverage. In a 1982 playoff game, Browns defensive coordinator Marty Schottenheimer got burned by both in a 27-10 Raiders win. Branch made five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. Christiansen caught six balls for 93 yards. The Raiders won 27-10.
Hayes — "Bullet Bob" — spent his last years as a Cowboy when Branch was on his way up with the Raiders.
Hayes vs. Branch would have been a track meet dream. In the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Hayes won a gold medal in the 100-meter dash in a world-record 10.06 seconds. In the 100-meter semifinals at the 1971 NCAA Championships, Branch set an NCAA record with a 10.0.
Hayes (6-foot, 185 pounds) was bigger than Branch (5-11, 175). Branch probably was a better football player.
Branch played more regular-season games than Hayes, 183-132, and led 8,685-7,414 in receiving yards. Hayes had more touchdowns, 71-67, and a better per-catch average, 20.0-17.3.
Dallas went 8-7 in the postseason with Hayes, who caught 31 passes for 492 yards and two TDs in those games. The Raiders went 15-7 with Branch, who caught 73 passes for 1,289 yards and five TDs.
Both Hayes and Branch are advertisements for employing an uber-burner wideout.
The Cowboys' regular-season records with Hayes were 7-7, 10-3-1, 9-5, 12-2, 11-2-1, 10-4, 11-3, 10-4, 10-4, 8-6 and 10-4. The Raiders' records with Branch were 10-3-1, 9-4-1, 12-2, 11-3, 13-1, 11-3, 9-7, 9-7, 11-5, 7-9, 8-1 (strike-shortened season), 12-4, 11-5 and 12-4.
Branch was a backup under head coach John Madden in 1972 and '73, learning the ropes under position coach Tom Flores. Branch then delivered first-team All-Pro seasons in 1974, '75 and '76.
Madden was his head coach for seven years, and then Flores for the remaining seven.
"I watched him grow up, watched him make big plays, and just watched him grow as a person," Flores told raiders.com this year. "I was so proud of him and what he became.
"I loved him. My kids loved him. I hope our busts are close by, so we can talk."
A Branch interview with Raiders Insider in 2017 is haunting. An excerpt:
"Coach Madden told me that it's going to happen. He said, 'When they call your name for the Hall of Fame, make sure you're here to reap all the benefits.'
"I told him, 'I am not dying until I get to the Hall of Fame. Once I get the call, I could die the next day, but ..."
Branch died on Aug. 1, 2019. He was announced as a Hall of Famer on Feb. 10, 2022.
His day in Canton is tinged in eeriness.
Ken Stabler, the Raiders' quarterback when Branch was ascending, died in 2015 — a year before his enshrinement into the Hall. Madden died shortly after last Christmas. Daryle Lamonica, Branch's first quarterback with the Raiders, died in April.
Owner Al Davis' campaign for Branch to make the Hall of Fame preceded his death in 2011.
Davis' Raiders marched to their own drumbeat. Abnormal for everyone else was business as usual to them.
There was the time Al and his son Mark feuded over Branch's contract. Al drew a line. Mark insisted Branch get more. Mark won. Al didn't speak to him for a while.
Now Mark Davis runs his father's Raiders. In mourning Branch's passing, he said, "Cliff Branch was my best friend."
If you don't think Branch belongs in the Hall of Fame, count Mike Ditka as an enemy.
Reach Steve at steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com
On Twitter: @sdoerschukREP | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/pro/pro-football-hof/2022/07/31/pro-football-hall-fame-cliff-branch-stats-raiders-wide-receiver-class-2022-super-bowl-nfl/7768962001/ | 2022-07-31T11:58:19Z |
NEW YORK and SYDNEY, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boral Finance Pty Ltd (the "Company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boral Limited (ASX:BLD) ("Boral"), announced today the final tender results and expiration of its previously announced tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase for cash up to US$300,000,000 aggregate principal amount (the "Maximum Tender Amount") of its outstanding 3.750% Guaranteed Senior Notes due 2028 (the "Notes"). The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer were set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated June 22, 2022 (the "Offer to Purchase"). The Tender Offer expired at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on July 20, 2022 (the "Expiration Time").
Final tender results
During the period following 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 6, 2022 (the "Early Tender Time") and through the Expiration Time, according to information provided by Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the depository and information agent for the Tender Offer, the additional aggregate principal amount of the Notes set forth in the table below under "Additional Principal Amount Tendered After the Early Tender Time" had been tendered in the Tender Offer.
Since the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered as of the Early Tender Time exceeded the Maximum Tender Amount, the tender offer was oversubscribed and the Company accepted for purchase Notes tendered as of Early Tender Time on a prorated basis as described in the section "The Terms of the Tender Offer—Maximum Tender Amount; Priority of Acceptance; Proration" of the Offer to Purchase. Payment for any Notes so accepted was made on July 11, 2022. Because the tender offer was oversubscribed as of the Early Tender Time, holders of Notes who tendered Notes after the Early Tender Time will not have any of their Notes accepted for purchase. Any tendered Notes that are not accepted for purchase have been or will be promptly returned or credited to the holder's account.
Dealer Manager and Depositary and Information Agent
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. served as dealer manager for the Tender Offer, and Global Bondholder Services Corporation served as the depositary and information agent for the Tender Offer. For additional information regarding the terms of the Tender Offer, please contact: Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (800) 558-3745 (toll‑free) or 001-212-723-6106 (international). Requests for documents and questions regarding the tendering of securities may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation by telephone at (212) 430-3774 (for banks and brokers only), (855) 654‑2015 (toll-free) or 001‑212‑430-3774 (international), by email at contact@gbsc-usa.com or at www.gbsc-usa.com/boral/ or to the dealer manager at its telephone numbers.
This press release shall not constitute, or form part of, an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The Tender Offer was made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as permitted under applicable law.
Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any disclosure document (as defined in the Australian Corporations Act 2001) in relation to the Notes has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and in Australia, the Tender Offer was only available to persons to whom an offer or invitation could be made without disclosure under Parts 6D.2 or 7.9 of the Australian Corporations Act.
About Boral
Founded in 1946, Boral is the largest integrated construction materials business in Australia with operations in all states and territories. It produces and supplies concrete, quarry products, asphalt and cement, to build infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings. As at June 30, 2021, Boral's continuing operations spanned 367 operating sites in Australia and employed approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent employees and contractors.
Boral Limited ABN 13 008 421 761 - PO Box 6041, North Ryde NSW 2113 - www.boral.com
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SOURCE Boral Finance Pty Ltd | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/boral-announces-final-tender-results-expiration-tender-offer/ | 2022-07-21T12:51:37Z |
WAYNE, Pa., July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Argosy Private Equity ("Argosy"), a lower middle market-focused private equity firm, announces the final closing of Argosy Investment Partners VI, L.P (and its parallel fund, together "Argosy VI") at $422 million.
"This is an exciting milestone for Argosy. We are grateful for the continued support of our existing investors and for the strong interest we received from new investors, which allowed us to exceed our target fund size for Argosy VI by more than 20%," said Sarah Busch, Head of Investor Relations.
Argosy VI will continue to build on Argosy's 30-year track record of investing in U.S. based companies with motivated management teams, sustainable competitive advantages, and strong growth potential. Consistent with Argosy V, Argosy VI will focus on making control investments in niche manufacturing and business-to-business service companies with $20 to $100 million of revenue and $3 to $10 million of EBITDA.
"Argosy's brand has been built upon being disciplined investors in the lower middle market and we continue to believe in the opportunity it has to offer," said Michael Bailey, Partner. "Argosy VI will continue to execute the strategy we have built over the past three decades, and we look forward to working with the management teams we will partner with throughout Argosy VI."
With a team of 22 professionals, Argosy has invested in over 125 companies since its founding and can execute deals of varied sizes through an extensive network of partners, including senior lenders, mezzanine debt providers and equity co-investors.
"Over the last 30 years, we have developed several key differentiators that will allow us to continue executing our proven strategy," said Steve Morgenthal, Managing Director. "This includes our experienced team, a robust deal sourcing capability, a strong focus on risk mitigation, and Argosy's VAM™ – our Value Acceleration Methodology. Driven by our four full-time internal operating partners, VAM™ enables us to help our portfolio companies' leadership teams grow and professionalize their lower middle market businesses."
Winston & Strawn provided legal counsel for Argosy VI.
Argosy Private Equity, founded in 1990, specializes in providing capital and operating and financial expertise to lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries. Argosy partners with motivated management teams to invest in companies with sustainable competitive advantages and attractive growth prospects. Argosy Private Equity is a division of Argosy Capital Group, Inc. ("Argosy Capital") together with Argosy Real Estate Partners, Argosy Credit Partners, Argosy Strategic Partners and Argosy Healthcare Partners. Argosy Capital is a Registered Investment Adviser with approximately $2.7 billion of assets under management. All of the Argosy Capital funds focus on lower middle market investment strategies.
For more information on Argosy Private Equity, please visit www.argosype.com.
Sarah Busch
Principal, Investor Relations
sbusch@argosycapital.com
Jason Cunningham
Vice President, Business Development
jcunningham@argosycapital.com
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SOURCE Argosy Private Equity | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/argosy-private-equity-closes-sixth-fund-422-million/ | 2022-07-25T20:43:38Z |
LIVONIA , Mich., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- XanEdu, a custom publishing company working with the K-12 and higher education markets, is excited to announce a new Business Suite of titles, including Economics and Statistics courses for their customizable FlexEd courseware platform.
XanEdu FlexEd delivers an affordable, complete courseware solution that enhances student outcomes in any learning environment. The platform compliments quality, peer reviewed OER content, such as OpenStax, to guide students through the course in an easy-to-follow learning path. With unique features such as case studies that can be added to a course and used as case-based learning, lesson assessments, and engaging video content, the new Business Suite promotes career readiness and inspires ethical approaches to the field of business and management. By centralizing real-world issues, students are empowered to apply their understanding through proven pedagogical methods.
"Having content that is developed by professors and experts in the business field not only engages students but strengthens their skill set as they pursue personal and professional career trajectories," notes Beth Firenze, Higher Education Marketing Director, XanEdu. "Knowing that FlexEd courses are 80+% less expensive than alternatives means more students will have access to these new materials."
The suite includes the following Business, Economics, and Statistics courses:
- Introduction to Business
- Principles of Management
- Introductory Statistics
- Introductory Business Statistics
- Principles of Economics
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Principles of Macroeconomics
With the addition of 7 business, economic, and statistics titles, this new Suite further enhances the FlexEd platform, which contains a wide range of materials and activities that instructors can use to create their own courseware that match syllabi, instructional methods, and modalities.
Today, dozens of colleges and universities have adopted FlexEd to help deliver an affordable, complete courseware solution that enhances student outcomes in any learning environment. This new Suite aims to expand such collaboration.
More information can be found at www.xanedu.com/flexed and www.xanedu.com, or by contacting the XanEdu team at HigherEd@xanedu.com.
XanEdu FlexEd courseware is used by thousands of students across colleges and universities large and small. It is an effective mix of blended/hybrid and fully online settings. All courseware is editable and can be used with, or in place of, a traditional textbook – at a substantially lower cost – supporting affordability initiatives while improving engagement and student performance. This easy-to-use platform adapts in order to simplify learning for both instructors and students.
XanEdu has been increasing student engagement and enhancing learning outcomes since 1999 by delivering innovative solutions across the education spectrum. We are committed to advancing the education tools for tomorrow through innovative products and services that meet students' evolving learning styles. We incorporate cutting edge technology while maintaining our commitment to affordability and accessibility. XanEdu is a privately held company headquartered in Livonia, MI.
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SOURCE XanEdu Publishing, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/xanedu-announces-new-business-suite-flexed-courseware-platform/ | 2022-08-24T20:21:56Z |
In a move to reduce smoking across the US, the FDA has proposed a sweeping ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Some advocates are calling it a "historic" moment for public health, but tobacco companies may not go down without a fight. Experts are predicting the companies will now try to stop the ban by suing the agency, as most have done with past tobacco-control legislation.
Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
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1. Ukraine
Ukrainian officials have condemned Russia's missile attack on Kyiv last night, which occurred as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was finishing a visit to the Ukrainian capital. During his visit, Guterres called for evacuation corridors to be opened in Mariupol, saying that the besieged city is a "crisis within a crisis." Guterres met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday and said Putin agreed "in principle" for the involvement of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant -- where Ukrainian fighters entrenched at the facility have been surrounded by Russian forces for weeks. At least 150 employees have been killed at the plant and thousands remain unaccounted for, according to Yuriy Ryzhenkov, CEO of Metinvest Holding which owns the plant.
2. Coronavirus
Moderna said yesterday it is seeking emergency use authorization from the FDA for its Covid-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years of age. To date, no Covid-19 vaccines have been authorized for children younger than 5 in the US -- about 18 million people -- and a timeline to potential authorization is not yet clear. However, Moderna officials have said the FDA is expected to move fast, and a Pfizer official suggested its vaccine for younger children could also be available in June, if authorized. This comes days after Pfizer asked the FDA to green-light a booster dose of its vaccine for children ages 5 through 11. Experts say vaccines for children are high priority following studies that have shown that vaccine efficacy has waned significantly in children amid the spread of the Omicron variant.
3. Recession
America's economy unexpectedly shrank in the first quarter of 2022. Gross domestic product declined at an annual rate of 1.4% during the first three months of the year — the worst quarter for the American economy since the pandemic turned the world upside down in the spring of 2020. However, economists say don't panic, because this is not an indicator of an immediate recession. "The negative GDP number is a surprise, but not a material one," Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi told CNN. "The economy continues to grow strongly and at a pace that continues to bring down unemployment." Also on the positive side, consumer spending -- the main driver of the US economy -- accelerated during the first three months of the year. Business investment also surged at an annual rate of 9.2% in the first quarter, up from 2.9% during the fourth quarter.
4. USPS
The US Postal Service is facing lawsuits from 16 states, the District of Columbia, and a coalition of environmental groups seeking to stop the purchase of thousands of gasoline-powered trucks -- after the USPS committed to lessen its environmental impact. According to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the USPS lacks the funding needed to increase the number of electric vehicles in its fleet. Postal Service spokesperson Kim Frum told CNN in a statement yesterday that the agency had conducted "a robust and thorough review" before moving forward with its vehicle plan, and that more electric vehicles could be commissioned if funding becomes available. There is $6 billion set aside in President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Act to help the USPS transition to all-electric vehicles, but the bill has stalled in the Senate.
5. Abortion
Oklahoma lawmakers passed a 6-week abortion ban yesterday modeled after the controversial Texas abortion law, which allows private citizens to take civil action against abortion providers to enforce the law. The bill would prohibit abortions at the time when a physician can detect early cardiac activity in an embryo or fetus, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy -- before many women even know that they are pregnant. Exceptions will be provided for medical emergencies. This comes amid a movement by Republican-led states to severely curtail the procedure and as Oklahoma's legislature ramps up its push to restrict abortion rights. The bill now heads to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, for final approval. Stitt has pledged to sign every piece of legislation limiting abortion that reaches his desk.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Airbnb says staffers can work remotely forever, if they want
I mean, who wouldn't want to live on an island and work from the beach every day? Learn about the company's new permanent flexibility policy here.
Jacksonville Jaguars choose Travon Walker as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft
Emotions are running high for players who are receiving life-changing calls from NFL teams this weekend. Cheers to fulfilling childhood dreams!
James Corden leaving 'The Late Late Show' in 2023
*Sigh* At least there's one more season of Carpool Karaoke to sing along to.
One ticket wins the $473.1 million Powerball jackpot
A very lucky person in Arizona has a lot to celebrate! What would be your first purchase if you held this massive winning ticket?
Camera captures 'jaw-dropping' view inside of a shark's mouth
After the terrifying rows of sharp teeth, this is what it looks like inside a place you never want to be...
QUIZ TIME
Twitter agreed to be bought by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk this week. How much is the deal worth?
A. $4.4 million
B. $440 million
C. $4.4 billion
D. $44 billion
Take CNN's weekly news quiz to see if you're correct!
TODAY'S NUMBER
4,000
That's how many miles a 61-year-old man is set to row solo from the US to France. Peter Harley hopes to begin his journey across the Atlantic Ocean next week. He told CNN yesterday he estimates the feat will take anywhere from three to four months.
TODAY'S QUOTE
"We weren't elected by the people of this state to shy away from doing what some may call controversial."
-- Republican Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, on signing several education bills into law yesterday, including one banning the instruction of "divisive concepts" pertaining to race in classrooms. The law, known as the "Protect Students First Act," is part of a broader movement by conservative lawmakers across the country to limit how race is taught and discussed in schools. Kemp also signed into law HB 1178, known as the "Parents' Bill of Rights," which provides greater transparency to parents and legal guardians regarding what their students are being taught, and SB 226, which bans literature or books deemed to be offensive in nature from school libraries.
TODAY'S WEATHER
AND FINALLY
If cute babies competed in the Olympic Games
Honestly, this may be one of the cutest, most hilarious 2-minute videos ever. Enjoy a good laugh this morning! (Click here to view)
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/5-things-to-know-for-april-29-ukraine-covid-19-recession-usps-abortion/article_4a98d296-0eb7-5054-b1cc-e4b46ab330af.html | 2022-04-29T11:27:10Z |
BEIJING , Sept. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NaaS Technology Inc. ("NaaS", or the "Company") (NASDAQ: NAAS), the first publicly listed Chinese EV charging service provider, has recently entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Newrizon, a Chinese manufacturer that works with smart connected new energy commercial vehicles. NaaS and Newrizon will both draw upon the advantages that each partner possesses in terms of technology, resources, and services as they cooperate in the field of smart connected new energy commercial vehicles. The goal of the strategic partnership is to establish a new charging network, facilitate the formation of an intelligent charging ecosystem, and accelerate the popularization of new energy commercial vehicles. In doing so, both parties hope to not only facilitate the development of green logistics, but also to enable the achievement of China's "dual carbon" goals.
As a new player in ground transport, new energy commercial vehicles have been promoted heavily as they are regarded as an important means towards achieving the industry's "dual carbon" goals. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers ("CAAC"), the market penetration rate for new energy commercial vehicles reached 10.2% this July. Global sales of new energy commercial vehicles were up to 142,000 as of July this year, representing a year-on-year growth of 75.3%. The China Passenger Car Association estimated that the sales of new energy vehicles would exceed 350,000 in 2022.
Currently, the commercial vehicle industry is pursuing the advancement of smart technologies. As an innovator, Newrizon is committed to the research and development of smart connected new energy commercial vehicles. Newrizon is improving the efficiency of the logistics industry with its cutting-edge, smart-connected technologies and full life cycle management systems. Newrizon develops its automatic driving solutions via a close coupling of its independently developed technologies for vehicles, power, chassis, and network connections. It has been awarded the L4 level automatic driving test license by the China Automotive Technology & Research Center Co. Ltd.
Business-use new energy commercial vehicles suffer more from the challenges of charging than new energy passenger vehicles. There are several reasons for this. First, their use in long-distance freight transport requires greater demand for charging. Second, the requirement to download different apps from different charging pile operators during long stretches of travel can be a burden for drivers. Third, commercial drivers often live in their vehicles when in transit, and their needs for food and beverage, hospitality, commercial purchases etc. often cannot currently be met while charging their vehicles. For all these reasons, new energy commercial vehicle manufacturers are determined to upgrade charging services and improve the user experience in charging.
NaaS and Newrizon, through their cooperative effort, will jointly upgrade Newrizon's charging services and improve user experience. Kuaidian, a strategic partner of NaaS, will open its nationwide digital charging network to Newrizon's mobile applications which include the Newrizon App as well as Newrizon mini-programs in WeChat and Alipay. Newrizon users can simply open these apps to find information such as prices and the locations of nearby charging stations, as well as directions and navigational aids. While at a charging station, users can enjoy the conveniences of charging with a single press of a button and pay online. This service was officially launched on September 5. In addition, based on the online, offline and non-electric services covering the entire value chain of the new energy industry, NaaS will provide restrooms, massage chairs, self-service counters for food and groceries, and other facilities at many charging stations. These features will allow Newrizon users to dine, rest, and shop while charging.
As a new energy service provider, NaaS provides industry-level solutions for charging pile manufacturers, operators, OEMs, vehicle network companies, logistics companies, large Internet companies, and other enterprises. On June 13, NaaS was listed on NASDAQ. According to the Company's Q2 financial report, in the first half of 2022, NaaS delivered 1.062 billion kWh to its users, representing a year-on-year increase of 160%. As of June 30, 2022, NaaS' services covered 358 major cities in China, connecting 44,000 charging stations and 400,000 charging connectors.
The current integration of automobiles with developments in the fields of energy, transportation, information and communication is accelerating. Liang Xing, Vice President of Operations for NaaS, said, "The commercial vehicle industry is accelerating its embrace of new energy. Newrizon is promoting the integration of new energy and autonomous driving technologies to commercial vehicles. NaaS will work closely with Newrizon to improve the smart-connected ecosystem with an intelligent charging network, promote innovation in the new energy commercial vehicle industry, and allow users to enjoy intelligent travel that is both pleasant and efficient."
Kuai Jun, Vice President of Marketing for Newrizon, said, "The intelligent charging network effectively upgrades the experience for new energy commercial vehicles drivers, which is of great significance to the development of green logistics and transportation. NaaS is a leading electric vehicle charging service provider in China. This new partnership will effectively strengthen Newrizon's efforts to build an electric, intelligent and networked ecosystem. It will also help accelerate the popularization of new energy commercial vehicles in China."
About NaaS Technology Inc.
NaaS Technology Inc. ("NaaS" or the "Company") is one of the largest and fastest growing electric vehicle ("EV") charging service providers in China. The firm is a subsidiary of NewLink, a leading energy digitalization group in China. NaaS offers a comprehensive one-stop shop to charger manufacturers and operators, OEMs, in-house delivery fleets as well as fleet operators, with online, offline, and non-electric services covering the entire EV industry value chain. As of June 30, 2022, NaaS operates in 358 cities across China and has connected to more than 400,000 chargers and 44,000 charging stations. On June 13, 2022, NaaS Technology Inc. was officially listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker NAAS.
For more information, please visit NaaS Technology Inc.
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SOURCE NAAS | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/09/naas-partners-with-newrizon-accelerate-popularization-new-energy-commercial-vehicles/ | 2022-09-09T07:59:45Z |
Twelfth Circuit Court asks people to wear masks as COVID cases rise
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - With a surge in COVID-19 cases along the Suncoast, the 12th Circuit Court, which serves Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties, is encouraging people to wear masks in the courthouse buildings.
“For the past several months, each county within our circuit has experienced COVID-19 positivity rates between 10-20%,” an order signed by Chief Judge Charles Roberts said. The order went into effect Aug. 1.
The order “highly encourages” courthouse visitors to wear face masks upon entering the courthouse or when they are in public areas. Anyone who wishes to wear a face mask but does not have one, will have one provided upon request.
Also highly encouraged -- but not required -- is physical distancing in all courtrooms, hearing rooms, jury assembly and jury deliberation rooms where in-person proceedings occur, the order says.
Anyone with symptoms including a cough, sore throat, congestion, fever, chills or body aches should self-isolate and contact the court about rescheduling. Anyone testing positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms, is prohibited from entering a court facility.
Litigants, witnesses or jurors who are sick or positive for COVID-19 on a day they are required to be in the courthouse should contact the Court or Clerk’s Office about rescheduling.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/02/twelfth-circuit-court-asks-people-wear-masks-covid-cases-rise/ | 2022-08-02T16:11:23Z |
Launching July 3, the two iconic brands will collaborate to bring well-known artists to Maui through an ongoing live performance series
MAUI, Hawaii, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Wailea – an iconic resort nestled on 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens fronting Maui's Wailea Beach – is proud to partner with one of Los Angeles' most iconic music venues and entertainment industry institutions, Hotel Cafe. The two renowned brands will collaborate to bring a series of exciting live performances to Maui, kicking off with special summer performances from GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Kevin Garrett (July 3) and singer-songwriter Rozzi (July 30)—along with more to be announced. Grand Wailea and Hotel Cafe will continue this special music series throughout the year, with upcoming performances in the fall and during the festive season.
"We are thrilled to bring Hotel Cafe to Hawaii for the first time ever, combining the venue's famed live performances with the stunning natural beauty of our island," said Managing Director JP Oliver. "With this new music series, we envision Grand Wailea as a gathering place for guests and locals to join together in experiencing these unique performances that cannot be found anywhere else on Maui."
This summer, guests can experience the intimacy and artistry of Hotel Cafe performances among Grand Wailea's breathtaking ocean views, authentic cultural roots, and ideal beachside location, making it the perfect setting for Hotel Cafe's renowned live performances. Guests can grab a pre-show bite at the Grand Wailea's pop-up style food truck Aloha Trick Pony, and post-performance, visit the newly revitalized Botero Lounge which offers an array of curated cocktails.
Known for his soulful vocals and lush instrumentation, Kevin Garrett will perform some of his hit songs on July 3 as the sun sets over Grand Wailea's Chapel Lawn. On July 30, singer-songwriter Rozzi, who performed a sold-out arena tour supporting Maroon 5, will bring her smoky, full-bodied vocals to the resort. Fans can immerse themselves in the Grand Wailea experience by following the artists on social media as they showcase all the resort has to offer, including traditional outrigger canoe tours, unique cultural experiences, the resort's famed lu'au, and more. All artists will also curate special playlists available exclusively for Grand Wailea guests.
"We are always looking for ways to share the intimate Hotel Cafe experience and to promote music discovery, and this partnership with Grand Wailea is the perfect opportunity to do so," said Marko Shafer, Founder of Hotel Cafe. "We are longtime fans and repeat guests of the resort, and we look forward to bringing this collaborative series to life this summer."
Hotel Cafe has been celebrating the live music experience for over 20 years, offering an intimate venue for a star-studded list of musicians and artists. By hosting early career performances from names like Adele, Katy Perry, The Lumineers, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Sara Bareilles, Coldplay, and many more, it has been labeled a breakout room for many independent artists.
In addition to the live performance, guests can celebrate the Fourth of July by immersing in authentic Hawaiian culture at Grand Wailea's signature Lū'au, featuring traditional ceremonies, dishes including poi, kālua pig, and poke, and interactive performances showcasing the myths and legends of Maui.
To purchase tickets for Kevin Garrett's July 3 performance and book a room during this time, please visit https://www.grandwailea.com/events.
About Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
The iconic resort consistently ranks among the world's best in leading travel and consumer reports. Nestled on 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens fronting Wailea Beach, Grand Wailea provides a range of vacation experiences: open spaces for the active vacationer, beauty and seclusion for romantic getaways, and family fun with rope swings and a jungle-style river pool. Guests also have access to a new, intimate spa experience Mōhalu by Spa Grande, as well as eight restaurants, including the award-winning "Best of Maui" Humuhumunukunukuapua'a. Accommodation options include Grand Wailea's 776 rooms and suites and an enclave of 51 luxury villas Ho`olei at Grand Wailea ranging from 3,200 to 4,000 sq. ft., located nearby with access to Grand Wailea amenities. For reservations and information on what is currently available/open on property, please call 1-800-888-6100 or visit www.grandwailea.com
About Hotel Cafe
From fostering a close-knit circle of local singer-songwriters and bands, to hosting well-known music icons opting for a more intimate setting, the Hotel Cafe has been celebrating the live music experience for over 20 years. And over these past two decades, the club has played host to nearly 25,000 performances in front of over a million fans. With early career performances from names like Adele, Katy Perry, The Lumineers, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Sara Bareilles, Leon Bridges, Haim, Mumford and Sons, Lord Huron and many others, the venue has been labeled a break-out room for independent and burgeoning artists. Many of these artists surrounding the Hotel Cafe regard it as home at some point in their career, much in the spirit of the Laurel Canyon music scene from the 1970s.
The venue itself is located in the Cahuenga Corridor in the center of Hollywood, CA. With a capacity of only 300 people, the vibe is intimate, yet bustles with the artistic community that survives by it as much contributes to it. It is a genuine listening room, where the performance on stage takes precedent. The Hotel Cafe is also more than just a music venue, however. It is an internationally known entity whose name has top-lined tours and music festivals from coast to coast in the US, UK and Europe. But most importantly, the Hotel Cafe is a community of discovery. Whether musicians or music fans, all realize this carefully curated roster of talent is no aberration; it is consistent, cultured and begs attention. Everyone who sets foot in Hotel Cafe is part of something special.
Contact: grandwailea@huecryagency.com
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SOURCE Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/grand-wailea-shakes-up-mauis-music-scene-with-celebrated-los-angeles-venue-hotel-cafe/ | 2022-06-14T16:20:48Z |
GUANGZHOU, China, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At the heart of southern China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is Nansha, which also stands next to the two special administrative regions (SARs). A recently released Master Plan of Guangzhou Nansha on Deepening Comprehensive Cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao with Global Perspective was briefed at a press conference held by China's State Council Information Office on June 24.
Nansha has favorable geographical conditions, with broad development space and solid industrial foundation. Under the strong desire for cooperation and development, Nansha enjoys unique advantages in promoting all-round cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, said Guo Lanfeng, a member of the Leading Party Members Group of the National Development and Reform Commission of China.
Among China's most open regions, the economically dynamic GBA epitomizes how the country aligns its open economic system with the world on its path to a higher level of global monetary cooperation, driving greater GBA-led coordination among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are Nansha, Qianhai in Shenzhen, and Hengqin in Zhuhai. The ambitious plan for Nansha marked another significant milestone in building the GBA with high quality. The district comes under the spotlight again after decades of development, according to Nansha District People's Government of Guangzhou City.
The plan stressed a need for Nansha to step up the building of industrial cooperation bases for sci-tech innovation, according to the press conference. Beyond that, the district was required to bolster Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao joint efforts for sci-tech innovation through the launch of major platforms for this purpose and to grow the high-tech industry by drawing high-caliber personnel with a global perspective. Moreover, the plan stated that to make Nansha a magnet for firms and talent in high technology, the Startup Zone-based enterprises in the industries encouraged by the state will be entitled to the corporate income tax at the reduced rate of 15%, and the individual income of Hong Kong and Macao citizens working in Nansha will be exempt from tax increases. Furthermore, Nansha unveiled a swathe of measures for promoting the development of the semiconductor and integrated circuit industries. As such, the pilot free trade area will offer support on nine fronts, ranging from launching major projects and financing businesses to moving up the integrated circuit industrial chain and subsidizing the uses of electricity in production to encouraging automotive-grade standards among companies.
Nansha is now home to over 400 artificial intelligence (AI) companies as it connects the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Corridor to its counterpart linking Zhuhai with Macao.
"The main reason we started a business in Nansha is that the district has created enough synergy among industries, universities, and research institutes for AI growth," said Cao Tiantian, co-founder of DeepMirror, a spatial-intelligence developer.
Over the recent years, a wealth of outstanding research institutes and advanced large-scale scientific facilities have grown in Nansha, aiming to spur growth in basic science and cutting-edge technology, among others. These newcomers will benefit from the strengths of the innovation and technology base in Qingsheng and the 99-square-kilometer Nansha Science City, which remains under construction. "With its recent momentum in sci-tech innovation, Nansha starts demonstrating strength as a late starter," noted Fu Zhengping, director of the Institute of Free Trade Zones, Sun Yat-sen University.
A magnet of top global tech companies, Silicon Valley, enjoys much more significant influence than the San Francisco Bay Area. Global cities aspire to become its strongest rival. In Nansha, the uplifting silver lining is that youth from across the world find it an ideal place to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
Founded in 2017, TIMETABLE, a Nansha-based business incubator for youth from the GBA, has helped more than 40 Hong Kong and Macao startups innovate and develop. It is designed to offer incubation services to grow fields such as digital technology and entertainment and new types of consumption and retail.
"For those aspiring to start a business, an opportune time and an enabling climate can't be more important," said TIMETABLE's founder Wu Jiahui, "the technology-forward GBA provides tremendous market opportunities and sees an unfettered flow of production factors beyond a full range of supporting entrepreneurial services and an unmatched business environment that Nansha has to offer. All this makes the district a good choice for Hong Kong and Macao entrepreneurs."
Besides development opportunities, a modernized urban environment also holds the key to retaining talent. As an integral component of a city's "soft power", the smart city campaign puts the GBA on a faster growth track. And Nansha is showing its bright side as people's livelihoods are being empowered by innovative technologies, ranging from big data to cloud computing.
According to a leader for Nansha's smart city program, the district is moving toward a more caring and intelligent destination. That means it will lay the solid groundwork for the perception of universal urban data and build a hub for all smart operations. In so doing, an inclusive system designed to make education, healthcare, and elderly care services more tech-driven and accessible is set to be in place, and services to Hong Kong and Macao citizens, as well as professionals from the rest of the world, will be further modernized.
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SOURCE Nansha District People's Government of Guangzhou City | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/nansha-offers-glimpse-gbas-commitment-quality-development/ | 2022-06-27T14:02:08Z |
DALLAS, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonight during the opening of the 2022 World TSC Conference in Dallas, the Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation announced a new collaboration with the TSC Alliance, working together to uncover biomarkers, test new treatments and connect researchers with families to better address TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND), which impact nearly everyone living with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The $2.5 million foundational gift is the largest single donation in the TSC Alliance's history.
TSC is a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow in different organs and can impair their function, primarily the brain, heart, kidneys, skin and lungs. Changes in the brain caused by TSC have the biggest impact on quality of life, from seizures and developmental delays to intellectual disabilities, behavioral challenges and autism.
This new funding will create "Anya's Accelerator," which will focus on furthering TAND translational research. TAND includes a wide range of cognitive, behavioral and psychiatric challenges linked to the disease's effect on brain function. Autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, neuropsychological deficits, aggressive behaviors and more can severely affect people with TSC and their families. However, much is still unknown about TAND issues and how to effectively treat them, hence the need for more targeted research.
"The TSC Alliance is incredibly grateful to the Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation for this historic donation," said Kari Luther Rosbeck, President & CEO of the TSC Alliance. "We know TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders are incredibly challenging for people with TSC and their loved ones, and this funding will give us the ability to start finding answers and, hopefully, identify effective interventions."
"Clinical trials for treating TAND are challenging for many reasons, particularly because TAND affects different people in different ways," explained Steven L. Roberds, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at the TSC Alliance. "This program will work to overcome these challenges by developing ways to measure the most impactful aspects of TAND for each individual and identifying biomarkers to enable targeting of specific treatments for care of specific individuals."
The three-year "Anya's Accelerator" research program will focus on three major goals:
- Developing quantifiable patient-reported outcomes for the most impactful aspects of TAND utilizing the combined expertise of individuals and families living with TSC and clinical researchers;
- Identifying biomarkers and predictors of specific aspects of TAND through collaborative and inclusive analysis of existing samples and data; and
- Improving the translatability of and testing candidate drugs in TAND-relevant animal models by incorporating biomarkers or predictors relevant to those identified in humans.
"We are so grateful for the work and progress the TSC Alliance has made over the past 20 years. Anya's Accelerator will provide an opportunity to advance TAND research and innovation and offer hope for improved treatments, cures and prevention methods for those diagnosed with TSC and other neurological conditions," said Anita Bhatia, Executive Director, Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation. "This is our foundation's most meaningful and personal partnership to date, as my daughter, Anya, was diagnosed with TSC at eight weeks old. Without the incredible work of the TSC community and the development of new treatments that were studied and approved, her livelihood would have been gravely different."
The TSC Alliance is an internationally recognized nonprofit that does everything it takes to improve the lives of people with TSC. It drives research, improves quality care, works to increase access and advocates for all affected by the disease. For more information, visit tscalliance.org.
The Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation, founded in 2006, is a private family foundation established by Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia. The Foundation is dedicated to making an impactful change around the world by funding innovative solutions and programs that enrich communities and serve the common good. The Foundation's grant making focuses on local, national and international organizations that support medical and healthcare research, education, mental health, intellectual and physical diversities, human rights and social justice, women and girls' empowerment and emergency responses. rkbhatiafoundation.org.
Media Contact
Jaye Isham
Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications
TSC Alliance
jisham@tscalliance.org
(301) 562-9890
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SOURCE TSC Alliance | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/tsc-alliance-ramesh-kalpana-bhatia-family-foundation-announce-new-tsc-research-collaboration/ | 2022-07-28T23:40:23Z |
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From work wear to casual wear, Pilot Flying J's exclusive clothing line by Buffalo Outdoors is designed with every guest in mind and is now available at more than 200 participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers across North America. New to the collection is an exclusive line of women's clothing, available at select stores, that features travel ready attire including tie-dye bucket hats, jogger and pullover sets, tank tops, graphic tees and more.
"We looked at current clothing trends and what our guests would want to see in our clothing pieces," said Theresa Rosas, manager of General Merchandise for Pilot Company. "Our goal is to provide functionality and comfort, and we've worked with Buffalo Outdoors to curate these items specifically for our guests in this season's latest styles."
The latest release of Buffalo Outdoors men's and women's clothes for Pilot Flying J provides travelers to professional drivers with more options for high quality and trendy products while on the road. In addition to everyday casual pieces like lightweight button downs, hoodies, shorts, and accessories, Pilot Flying J offers functional apparel and safety gear, such as hardhats, gloves, and reflective jackets that are made tough for truck drivers and other hard-working professionals.
"Whether you're on the road for work or fun and find yourself needing a fresh outfit, we've got you covered from head to toe," said Rosas. "Swing by Pilot Flying J for a convenient way to shop on-the-go from a variety of brands and products."
Pilot Flying J and Buffalo Outdoors will continue to explore new seasonal styles and plan for extending this exclusive clothing line to more travel center locations later this year with the release of a fall and winter collection.
About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot Flying J"), the largest network of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. The Pilot Flying J travel center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces with more than 680 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service through Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. Details on locations, amenities and rewards are available in the myRewards Plus™ app. More information on Pilot Flying J is available at www.pilotflyingj.com.
Pilot Flying J is part of the Pilot Company family of brands. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 28,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.
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SOURCE Pilot Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/pilot-flying-j-introduces-exclusive-new-womens-clothing-line-by-buffalo-outdoors/ | 2022-06-21T15:30:04Z |
David Ortiz Children's Fund teams up with Brave Gowns with a goal of providing 3,400 custom-designed hospital gowns to children by 7/24
BOSTON, June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- While on the road to Cooperstown, some of David "Big Papi" Ortiz's nearest and dearest have launched a touching fundraising campaign to honor and celebrate his on-field and off-field accomplishments. Teaming up with Brave Gowns – magical gowns that empower patients to battle any illness – the goal, by July 24, is to have supporters gift 3,400 gowns to pediatric patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital and Cedimat Hospital (Santo Domingo, D.R.), three partner hospitals of the David Ortiz Children's Fund which provides lifesaving heart surgery, care and support to children and families in New England and the Dominican Republic.
The vivid, ultra-soft gowns – baring Ortiz's signature on the sleeve – have been designed by Ortiz's daughter, Alexandra Ortiz, and nine-year-old "heart warrior," Avery Nigrelli (Weston, MA), who was born with a heart defect. The daughter of Andrew and Jessica Nigrelli – longtime supporters of the David Ortiz Children's Fund and founders of the "Pediatric Cardiac Care Family Support Network" at MassGeneral Hospital – designed a gown that says "I Love You" in 20 different languages. Ortiz's daughter created a bright tie-dyed version with "I AM STRONG" written in graffiti.
The hospital gowns – fittingly priced at $34 each – are available to gift online now with the hope of providing 3,400 gowns to 3,400 hospitalized children before Papi's Hall of Fame induction on July 24, 2022.
For more information on the David Ortiz Children's Fund, please visit www.davidortizchildrensfund.org.
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SOURCE David Ortiz Children’s Fund | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/ahead-his-hof-induction-gift-hospital-gown-child-honor-david-big-papi-ortiz/ | 2022-06-28T21:08:24Z |
Guidelines Provide an Update on Viewability and Measurement Standards for In-Game Ads
NEW YORK, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a joint collaboration between IAB, IAB Tech Lab, and the Media Rating Council (MRC), IAB has released its Intrinsic In-Game (IIG) Measurement Guidelines to establish updated measurement guidelines for ads that appear within gameplay. The release is open for public comment for a 30-day period until July 15, 2022.
When IAB released its current standard of in-game ad measurement standards in 2009, video games and advertising technology were in a vastly different stage of development. The updated standards will address ad viewability, measurement, inactivity, and fraud with intrinsic in-game ads bringing them up to par with the rest of digital media. Intrinsic in-game ads refers to native in-game or in-play ads that are placed 'in the game' enabling a seamless part of the gameplay environment. As more companies enter the gaming ecosystem, it's critical that IAB and IAB Tech Lab gather the industry to help establish uniform standards needed to create consistency across the in-game advertising marketplace.
"Gaming represents a huge opportunity for marketers," said Zoe Soon, VP, IAB Experience Center. "With 227 million gamers in the US, and over 3 billion globally by the end of this year, it's a major entertainment channel, especially for Gen Z, the next generation of household decision-makers and spenders. We are updating the 2009 in-game guidelines to help marketers tap into this attention oasis and measure outcomes with confidence and transparency."
The updated IIG measurement standards:
- Re-examines the 10-second cumulative exposure duration for counting a valid impression including "sight, sound, and motion", as well as 3D and virtual environments.
- Incorporates new advertising formats beyond two-dimensional and video as it relates to viewability within in-game environments.
- Defines in-game measurement terms (impressions, reach / frequency, and engagement) to align with broader cross-channel measurement efforts.
"With IIG, we will have viewability standards within in-game environments and guidelines for tracking impression measurement, display ad viewability, and invalid traffic, taken into account with various technical factors such as screen size, resolution, angle, and lighting," said Shailley Singh, SVP, Product Management & Global Programs, IAB Tech Lab. "These will be important factors as we prepare to scale advertising in gaming and expand growth in advertising for marketers and their partners as they operate in a relatively new space."
"Technology has advanced considerably since we and IAB issued our first set of guidelines for in-game ad measurement, which predated critical measurement concepts like ad viewability, so it's crucial that we issue this update to address the accelerated growth of gaming," added George W. Ivie, Executive Director and CEO, MRC. "Through the IIG measurement guidelines, we can now have greater consistency versus having vendors create their own rules for their measurements, which enables publisher and buyer trust as the industry works together to create a non-intrusive ad experience."
The project is a joint effort between the IAB Experience Center, the IAB Tech Lab and the Media Rating Council, with considerable input from members of IAB UK and a task force of prominent in-game ad companies, brands, and agencies.
To review the proposed updated guidelines, please visit https://www.iab.com/blog/intrinsic-in-game-measurement-guidelines. Questions and comments can be sent to games@iab.com.
About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.
About IAB Technology Laboratory
Established in 2014, the IAB Technology Laboratory (Tech Lab) is a non-profit consortium that engages a member community globally to develop foundational technology and standards that enable growth and trust in the digital media ecosystem. Comprised of digital publishers, ad technology firms, agencies, marketers, and other member companies, IAB Tech Lab focuses on solutions for brand safety and ad fraud; identity, data, and consumer privacy; ad experiences and measurement; and programmatic effectiveness. Its work includes the OpenRTB real-time bidding protocol, ads.txt anti-fraud specification, Open Measurement SDK for viewability and verification, VAST video specification, and Project Rearc initiative for privacy-centric addressability. Board members/companies are listed at https://iabtechlab.com/about-the-iab-tech-lab/tech-lab-leadership/. For more information, please visit https://iabtechlab.com.
About MRC
The Media Rating Council is a non-profit industry association established in 1963 comprised of leading television, radio, print and digital media companies, as well as advertisers, advertising agencies and trade associations, whose goal is to ensure measurement services that are valid, reliable and effective. Measurement services desiring MRC accreditation are required to disclose to their customers all methodological aspects of their service; comply with the MRC Minimum Standards for Media Rating Research as well as other applicable industry measurement guidelines; and submit to MRC-designed audits to authenticate and illuminate their procedures. In addition, the MRC membership actively pursues research issues they consider priorities in an effort to improve the quality of research in the marketplace. Currently approximately 110 research products are audited by the MRC. Additional information about MRC can be found at www.mediaratingcouncil.org.
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SOURCE Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB); IAB Tech Lab | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/iab-releases-intrinsic-in-game-measurement-iig-guidelines-public-comment/ | 2022-06-14T12:50:39Z |
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc. ("Myeloid"), a clinical stage mRNA-immunotherapy company developing novel therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, today presented new late-breaking data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, being held in New Orleans, LA, April 8-13, 2022.
The data presented at AACR 2022 illustrate that Myeloid has designed and developed two novel therapeutic platforms, ATAK™ CAR receptors and in vivo mRNA programming, to target and activate the ability of myeloid cells to attack cancer by immune reprogramming. Myeloid cells are a primary orchestrator of immune response and accumulate naturally within solid tumors, in some cases representing up to seventy-five percent of the tumor mass. Myeloid's adaptations of mRNA for the myeloid compartment are expanding the impact of these cells within in vivo experiments.
Myeloid's novel class of CARs, known as ATAK™ Receptors, combine tumor recognition with multiple proprietary innate-immune signaling domains. Myeloid scientists have screened multiple unexplored combinations of innate-immune signals and uncovered optimal multi-signal pathways. The combination of cancer recognition binders with these novel intracellular signaling domains allows myeloid cells to be reprogrammed with previously unexplored combinations of immune signals, leading to tumor killing and broad systemic anti-tumor responses.
Myeloid's novel in vivo engineering platform specifically targets and activates myeloid cells to elicit broader anti-tumor adaptive immunity. Through this approach, Myeloid demonstrates that delivery of lipid-nanoparticles (LNPs) encapsulating mRNA results in selective uptake and expression by myeloid cells in vivo, leading to potent tumor killing in multiple cold tumor models. These data demonstrate the potential for Myeloid's technology to program cells directly in vivo.
"At this year's AACR meeting, we are pleased to present significant progress across our platforms that showcase the ability of myeloid cells to orchestrate broad immune responses through in vivo mRNA programming and our next-generation ATAK™ CARs," said Bruce McCreedy, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Myeloid. "These data support our plans to initiate clinical trials to evaluate the safety and activity of several novel drug product candidates within the next year, expanding our existing clinical pipeline."
Details of the late-breaking poster presentations:
Title: "In vivo programming of myeloid cells by mRNA-mediated delivery of novel Fc alpha fusion receptor activates anti-tumor immunity"
Session: Late-Breaking Research: Clinical Research 1
Date and Time: Sunday Apr 10, 2022 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: New Orleans Convention Center, Exhibit Halls D-H, Poster Section 17
Title: "ATAK receptors, a new class of chimeric antigen receptors that harness innate immunity in myeloid cells to target cancer"
Session: Late-Breaking Research: Clinical Research 1
Date and Time: Sunday Apr 10, 2022 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: New Orleans Convention Center, Exhibit Halls D-H, Poster Section 17
Abstracts and full session details can be accessed through the AACR meeting planner once available: AACR Annual Meeting 2022 | April 8-13, 2022 | New Orleans
About Myeloid Therapeutics
Myeloid Therapeutics is a clinical stage mRNA-immunotherapy company developing novel therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Integrating the fields of RNA, immunology and medicine, the Company's proprietary platform provides clinical solutions by matching therapeutic modalities to disease conditions, including use of autologous cell therapies, in vivo cell programming using mRNA, RNA-based gene-editing using RetroT™ and multi-targeted biologics. For more information, visit https://www.myeloidtx.com/.
Investor and Media Contact
Amy Conrad
Juniper Point
Amy@juniper-point.com
858-914-1962
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SOURCE Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/10/myeloid-therapeutics-presents-late-breaking-data-aacr-2022-demonstrating-ability-its-atak-receptors-vivo-delivery-mrna-attack-cancer-by-immune-reprogramming/ | 2022-04-10T20:46:06Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden arrived at the White House promising to “build back” America, and legislation he signed Tuesday delivers a slimmer, though not insignificant, version of that once sweeping idea.
Approved by the divided Congress, the bill brings the biggest investment ever in the U.S. to fight climate change. Also in the legislation is a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients as well as a new 15% corporate minimum tax to ensure big businesses pay their share.
And billions will be left over to pay down federal deficits.
All told, the Democrats’ “Inflation Reduction Act” may not do much to immediately tame inflationary price hikes. But the package, an election year turnaround after loftier versions collapsed, will touch countless American lives and secure longtime party goals.
Democrats alone supported the package, as Republicans lined up against it. Republicans deride the 730-page bill as big government overreach and point particular criticism at its $80 billion investment in the IRS to hire new employees and go after tax scofflaws.
Voters will be left to sort it out in the November elections, when control of Congress will be decided.
Not as robust as Biden’s initial ideas to rebuild America’s public infrastructure and family support systems, here’s what’s in the estimated $740 billion package — made up of $440 billion in new spending and $300 billion toward easing deficits.
LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS
Launching a long-sought goal, the bill would allow the Medicare program to negotiate some prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, saving the federal government some $288 billion over the 10-year budget window.
The result is expected to lower costs for older adults on medications, including a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap for older adults buying prescriptions from pharmacies.
The revenue raised would also be used to provide free vaccinations for seniors, who now are among the few not guaranteed free access, according to a summary document.
Seniors would also have insulin prices capped at $35 a month.
HELP PAYING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE
The bill would extend the subsidies provided during the COVID-19 pandemic to help some Americans who buy health insurance on their own.
Under earlier pandemic relief, the extra help was set to expire this year. But the bill would allow the assistance to keep going for three more years, lowering insurance premiums for some 13 million people who are purchasing their own health care policies through the Affordable Care Act.
BIGGEST U.S. INVESTMENT ‘BY FAR’ IN CLIMATE CHANGE
The bill would infuse nearly $375 billion over the decade in climate change-fighting strategies that Democrats believe could put the country on a path to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, and “would represent the single biggest climate investment in U.S. history, by far.”
For consumers, that means tax rebates to buy electric vehicles — $4,000 for used vehicle purchase and up to $7,500 for new ones, eligible to households with incomes of $300,000 or less for couples, or single people with income of $150,000 or less.
Not all electric vehicles will fully qualify for the tax credits, thanks to requirements that component parts be manufactured and assembled in the U.S. And pricier cars costing more than $55,000 and SUVs and trucks priced above $80,000 are excluded.
There’s also tax breaks for consumers to go green. One is a 10-year consumer tax credit for renewable energy investments in wind and solar.
For businesses, the bill has $60 billion for a clean energy manufacturing tax credit and $30 billion for a production tax credit for wind and solar, seen as ways to boost and support the industries that can help curb the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.
The bill also gives tax credits for nuclear power and carbon capture technology that oil companies such as Exxon Mobil have invested millions of dollars to advance.
The bill would impose a new fee on excess methane emissions from oil and gas drilling while giving fossil fuel companies access to more leases on federal lands and waters.
A late addition pushed by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and other Democrats in Arizona, Nevada and Colorado would designate $4 billion to combat a mega-drought in the West, including conservation efforts in the Colorado River Basin, which nearly 40 million Americans rely on for drinking water.
HOW TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS?
One of the biggest revenue-raisers in the bill is a new 15% minimum tax on corporations that earn more than $1 billion in annual profits.
It’s a way to clamp down on some 200 U.S. companies that avoid paying the standard 21% corporate tax rate, including some that end up paying no taxes at all.
The new corporate minimum tax would kick in after the 2022 tax year and raise more than $258 billion over the decade.
There will also be a new 1% excise tax imposed on stock buybacks, raising some $74 billion over the decade.
Savings from allowing Medicare’s negotiations with the drug companies is expected to bring in $288 billion over 10 years, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
The bill sticks with Biden’s original pledge not to raise taxes on families or businesses making less than $400,000 a year.
Yet money is also raised by boosting the IRS to go after tax cheats. The bill proposes an $80 billion investment in taxpayer services, enforcement and modernization, which is projected to raise $203 billion in new revenue — a net gain of $124 billion over the decade.
Sinema was instrumental in doing away with other tax proposals and shaping the final plan.
EXTRA MONEY TO PAY DOWN DEFICITS
With some $740 billion in new revenue and around $440 billion in new investments, the bill promises to put the difference of about $300 billion toward deficit reduction.
Federal deficits spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic when federal spending soared and tax revenues fell as the nation’s economy churned through shutdowns, closed offices and other massive changes.
The nation has seen deficits rise and fall in recent years. But overall federal budgeting is on an unsustainable path, according to the Congressional Budget Office, which recently put out a new report on long-term projections.
WHAT’S LEFT BEHIND?
The package, nowhere near the sweeping Build Back Better program Biden once envisioned, remains a sizable undertaking and, along with COVID-19 relief and the GOP 2017 tax cuts, is among the more substantial bills from Congress in years.
While Congress did pass and Biden signed into law a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill for highways, broadband and other investments that was part of the White House’s initial vision, the Democrats’ other big priorities have slipped away.
Gone, for now, are plans for free pre-kindergarten and community college, as well as the nation’s first paid family leave program that would have provided up to $4,000 a month for births, deaths and other pivotal needs. Also allowed to expire is the enhanced child care credit that was providing $300 a month during the pandemic.
___
Associated Press writer Matthew Daly contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/whats-in-big-biden-bill-health-climate-goals-become-law/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:49Z |
Expert Financial and Operations Executive Joins Lean Solutions Group
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lean Solutions Group (LSG), a rapidly growing nearshore and offshore services provider, is pleased to announce that Joaquin Oliveras has joined as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Oliveras previously served as senior vice president and CFO of PepsiCo Mexico Foods.
Oliveras is a proven senior corporate leader with extensive experience in finance, business strategy, and due diligence having served in positions of increasing responsibility as CFO of PepsiCo Latin American Beverages, CFO of PepsiCo Central and South American foods, and, more recently, CFO of PepsiCo Mexico foods. He has built a career supporting corporate strategy and development, multi-country financial objectives, and due diligence for several of the world's premier private equity funds and Fortune 500 businesses during eight years with PwC in New York.
"Joaquin's significant background as a financial leader and expertise in global markets make him an exceptional asset to Lean Solutions Group," said Robert Cadena, co-founder and CEO of Lean Solutions Group. "Experts who can leverage LSG's effective human resource outsourcing, sales approach and operational plan help our company expand into new, dynamic markets. Joaquin is a valuable addition to the team, and I'm pleased to welcome him to our organization."
Oliveras holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Universidad de la Republica in Montevideo, Uruguay, and graduated from Yale University with a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Lean Solutions Group, established in 2012 and based in Coral Springs, Florida, is a nearshore and offshore services provider with a highly scalable and flexible workforce of 7,000 employees with operations at seven satellite offices in Colombia, Guatemala, and the Philippines. Partnering with more than 500 U.S.-based companies, Lean Solutions Group's expanded service offerings include staffing, technology, marketing, sales, and business process outsourcing services, all in one place. By leveraging the best talent, culture, and price that Lean Solutions provide, businesses can lower operational costs and drive business growth. For more information, visit www.leangroup.com.
Press Contact – Lean Solutions Group
Scott Tims
Pierpont Communications
stims@piercom.com / m 214-957-6785
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SOURCE Lean Solutions Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/lean-solutions-group-welcomes-joaquin-oliveras-its-new-chief-financial-officer/ | 2022-06-07T14:09:27Z |
SAN JOSE, Calif., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Roviero, a Silicon Valley provider of highly programmable and flexible AI compute is joining the Arm® AI Partner Program to bring AI and general-purpose compute as a packaged product to customers in the edge IoT space.
Roviero's CortiCore™ processor architecture is a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) IP for edge System On Chip (SoC) solutions. CortiCore™ provides best in class power, area and programmability while scaling in performance from less than 1 TOPS to more than 500 TOPS.
Roviero's CortiCore AI IP can be integrated seamlessly with Arm Cortex®-M microcontrollers and high-performance Cortex-A processors, to create edge-based computing devices with integrated machine learning capabilities. There are a plethora of SoC configurations that can be enabled due to configurable options provided by Roviero's IP. Software plays an important role in creating an edge computing device with machine learning capabilities and Roviero's software works seamlessly on Arm-based processors, providing end-to-end integration that can reduce time to market for our end customers.
"In talking to our customers we hear two key concerns in integrating AI IP in their SoC solutions – firstly, efforts needed by their team to integrate and maintain the associated runtime software and secondly future proofing the SoC against new requirements after the SoC has been built. Our team has created a solution based on Arm microcontrollers and associated software that addresses these concerns," said Ravi Setty, Snr Vice President of Engineering at Roviero.
- The CortiCore™ runtime software has been integrated with the Arm host software. With this, customers can instantiate CortiCore™ runtime software with the click of a button. With the instantiation, the application software gets access to the function calls to invoke the AI acceleration and get its response back – simplifying the AI acceleration when run on Arm-based solutions.
- As a CortiCore™ architecture extension Arm microcontrollers are embedded deep into the AI compute. Customers can pick which Arm microcontrollers they need depending on the application space. The runtime software on CortiCore™ seamlessly transfers control to the microcontroller and then back to the AI compute engines. Customers can use their own code on the microcontroller or use Roviero provided functions. The Arm microcontrollers embedded in the IP allow customers to run any custom functions that might be needed in future.
"As more developers look to incorporate AI into IoT devices, simplifying machine learning development is crucial," said Mohamed Awad, vice president of IoT and Embedded at Arm. "Through joining the Arm AI Partner Program, Roviero will help even more developers create the next generation of edge computing devices."
"There is no doubt that AI is the technology needed to create the next generation of solutions and experiences. Roviero's goal is to innovate and work with our customers to implement AI in their SoCs that provides the best in class power, performance, area and programmability. With the high cost of building SoCs, our customers have a dire need to future-proof. By embedding Arm microcontrollers deep into the AI compute, our customers can be confident that they can run any future applications that need AI. We chose Arm because of multiple reasons, including the wide variety of processors for our customers to choose from, ease of integration into our IP and most of all the extensive Arm software ecosystem," said Deepak Mital, CEO at Roviero.
Roviero is registered trademark of Roviero in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Roviero Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/roviero-joins-arm-ai-partner-program-future-proof-ai-based-iot-solutions/ | 2022-05-16T13:15:08Z |
August 22 is National Tooth Fairy Day
OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to findings of the 2022 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® released by Delta Dental, the Tooth Fairy visited 79% of homes across the country with children ages 6-12 who have lost teeth. Most kids are demonstrating patience for the Tooth Fairy's visit, with more than half of parents (61%) reporting that their child waited for their loose tooth to fall out, unlike 18% of their children that pulled their own tooth! One in 3 parents agree that the Tooth Fairy is a positive way to instill good oral health habits in their child. The 2022 poll builds on insights gleaned over nearly a quarter of a century. A few additional highlights from this year's poll include:
- More than 1 in 2 parents say the Tooth Fairy gives their child something to be excited about (55% 2022 versus 53% 2021).
- This year, more parents indicate that the Tooth Fairy provides their child with an opportunity to celebrate something fun (55% 2022 versus 48% 2021).
- In fact, 35% of parents express the Tooth Fairy was the perfect way to spread joy in a year when they needed it most (compared to 34% 2021).
"Our oral health is essential to our overall health, and the time-honored tradition of the Tooth Fairy can help bring attention in a fun way to the importance of establishing proper oral hygiene habits at an early age," said Jennifer Elliott, Chief Marketing Officer, Delta Dental Plans Association. "Delta Dental is committed to increasing the public's oral health care awareness as we support millions of dental health journeys across America."
Since 1998, Delta Dental has been analyzing the Tooth Fairy's U.S. annual giving trends. The 2022 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® indicates the Tooth Fairy's average cash gift reached $5.36 per tooth, an all-time high in the 24-year history of the poll. This year's value of a lost tooth has more than quadrupled since the inception of the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® when the value of a lost tooth was $1.30. The 2022 poll's average gift of $5.36 per tooth is 66 cents (14%) higher than the previous peak of $4.70 set last year and well over $1 (33%) more per tooth in 2020 ($4.03). The 2022 poll also finds that 80% of the time the Tooth Fairy leaves only money rather than some other physical gift.
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll® was conducted between January 19 and January 28, 2022, among a nationally representative sample of 1,000+ parents of children ages 6-12. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3%.
For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey, Tooth Fairy resources for families and kids, and oral health tips for infants to pre-teen, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll®.
Follow us on Twitter @DeltaDental and Facebook: Delta Dental Plans Association
Based in Oak Brook, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental insurance provider, covering more than 85 million Americans and offering the country's largest dental network with approximately 154,000 participating dentists. Over the last decade, Delta Dental companies provided over $1.8 billion in direct and in-kind support to improve the oral health of our communities. Visit deltadental.com for information on individual dental insurance plans and group dental insurance plans.
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SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/tooth-fairy-tradition-remains-strong-across-united-states-finds-2022-original-tooth-fairy-poll-released-by-delta-dental/ | 2022-08-18T11:03:52Z |
NEW YORK, July 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET) between April 13, 2017 and December 20, 2021, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important August 2, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Energy Transfer securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Energy Transfer class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6844 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 2, 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, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or concealed and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Energy Transfer had inadequate internal controls and procedures to prevent contractors from engaging in illegal conduct with regards to drilling activities, and/or failed to properly mitigate known issues related to such controls and procedures; (2) Energy Transfer through its subsidiary hired third-party contractors to conduct horizontal directional drilling activities ("HDDs") for the Rover Pipeline Project, whose conduct of adding illegal additives in the drilling mud caused severe pollution near the Tuscarawas River in Ohio when the April 13, 2017 release of drilling mud near the Tuscarawas River (the "April 13 Release") took place; and (3) Energy Transfer continually downplayed its potential civil liabilities when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") was actively investigating Energy Transfer's wrongdoing related to the April 13 Release and consistently provided it with updated information about FERC's findings on this matter. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Energy Transfer class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6844 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/02/rosen-national-trial-lawyers-encourages-energy-transfer-lp-investors-with-losses-exceeding-100k-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-et/ | 2022-07-02T16:16:55Z |
Award-winning refrigerators, freezers and induction cooktops all contributing to company's sustainability goals
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrolux announced that eight more of its appliances have been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2021-2022 ENERGY STAR® Emerging Technology Award (ETA), creating a total of 12 ETA awards for the company. All these appliances have been recognized for their significant greenhouse gas reductions driven by energy efficiency.
The recent winning appliances include:
- Frigidaire 20 cu. ft Upright Freezer in White and Carbon
- Frigidaire Professional 19 Cu. Ft. Single-Door Refrigerator
- Electrolux 18.6 Cu. Ft. Single-Door Refrigerator
- Frigidaire 30'' and 36" Induction Cooktop
- Electrolux 30'' and 36" Induction Cooktop
"We are so proud of these twelve sustainability awards," said Nolan Pike, head of Electrolux North America. "Sustainability is at the heart of the experiences and solutions we develop. These twelve appliances eliminate food waste, make food last longer and have faster cooking times."
Electrolux has long been a globally recognized leader in sustainability and is focused on sustainable product design, energy efficiency and innovative solutions that eliminate food waste. The company has also set ambitious 2030 sustainability targets, including becoming circular and climate-neutral in its operations.
These award-winning products meet the EPA's rigorous performance criteria to reduce energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The per-unit efficiency of these refrigerators and freezers is a least 25% more efficient than conventional units, according to ENERGY STAR. The per-unit efficiency of induction cook tops is about 5-10% more efficient than conventional electric resistance units and about three times more efficient than gas, also according to ENERGY STAR.
"The ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Award is given to products that are on the cutting edge of environmental performance," said Ann Bailey, Director, EPA ENERGY STAR Products Program. "Congratulations to Electrolux for its leadership in bringing new refrigeration and induction cooktop models to the market. We look forward to working with them to promote these super-efficient products to consumers nation-wide."
Electrolux is a leading global appliance company that has shaped living for the better for more than 100 years. We reinvent taste, care and wellbeing experiences for millions of people, always striving to be at the forefront of sustainability in society through our solutions and operations. Under our brands, including Electrolux, AEG and Frigidaire, we sell approximately 60 million household products in approximately 120 markets every year. In 2021, Electrolux North America had sales of nearly $5 billion and employed about 12,000 people. For more information, go to www.electroluxgroup.com.
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs, and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
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SOURCE Electrolux | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/electrolux-wins-eight-more-sustainability-awards/ | 2022-07-25T13:00:24Z |
Robot delivery will be available on Ohio State University's campus this fall
CHICAGO and OAKLAND, Calif., June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grubhub, the leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery platform on college campuses, and Cartken, a technology startup that specializes in self-driving, AI-powered robotics and delivery operations, announced a partnership today to bring robot delivery to college campuses. This delivery was piloted at Ohio State University this spring, and a full roll out is expected when students return to campus this fall.
Grubhub partners with more than 250 college campuses across the United States to give students the ability to integrate meal plans directly into their Grubhub account and access restaurants both on- and off-campus for delivery and pickup. The partnership with Cartken for autonomous robot delivery builds on Grubhub's existing campus offering and is a seamless fit for campus environments, which are notoriously difficult for cars to navigate.
"Robot delivery is exciting for students and helps provide even better service and innovative solutions to our campus partners," said Eric Harper, senior director of campus environments at Grubhub. "We've worked with Ohio State University for years on the campus dining front, and they are always an early adopter of solutions that create efficiencies for their operations and improve the student experience. We look forward to supporting our university partners and responding to their unique delivery environments as we roll out this technology at other campuses in the coming months."
Cartken's robots navigate pavements, crosswalks and pedestrian paths within the campus area without human guidance. The robots use Cartken's artificial intelligence (AI) and camera-based navigation and mapping technology, which the company developed for small autonomous vehicles to safely operate around pedestrians. Human override remains an option if necessary – for instance when a path is blocked – guaranteeing reliable operation and minimizing delivery delays. Cartken's robots operate at up to three miles per hour on campus and handle various weather conditions, including rain and snow.
"We're thrilled to be working with Grubhub to delight students and campus staff with robot delivery," said Christian Bersch, CEO of Cartken. "This collaboration perfectly aligns with our mission to use robotics and AI technology to provide friction-free and environmentally sustainable delivery, and have robots serve the community. We are excited to scale alongside Grubhub and offer robot delivery to students on campuses across the country."
"Robot delivery has been very popular on campus this past school year, validating our prediction that students would appreciate autonomous mobile delivery," said Zia Ahmed, senior director of Student Life Dining Services at Ohio State University. "We are excited about the return of robots to campus, and we have been testing the Cartken robots during the spring semester with the same vision to lower the cost of delivery, reduce the time it takes to deliver food and enhance sustainability."
For more information on how administrators can bring this delivery experience to their campus, please visit here.
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET) (AMS: TKWY), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 32 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 320,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.
Cartken makes communities more connected by bridging the distance between customers and the local businesses they love. Our autonomous robot platform is designed to transport goods over short distances in malls, business parks and local neighborhoods. We use advanced autonomous technology, making our robots the safest and most reliable in the market today. Cartken's team of engineers and operators combine deep expertise in self-driving cars, AI-powered robotics and delivery operations.
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SOURCE Grubhub Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/grubhub-cartken-partner-bring-robot-delivery-college-campuses/ | 2022-06-13T14:16:18Z |
Texas Supreme Court blocks order that resumed abortions
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court late Friday night blocked a lower court order that said clinics could continue performing abortions, just days after some doctors had resumed seeing patients following the fall of Roe v. Wade.
It was not immediately clear whether Texas clinics that had resumed seeing patients this week would halt services again. A hearing is scheduled for later this month.
The whiplash of Texas clinics turning away patients, rescheduling them, and now potentially canceling appointments again — all in the span of a week — illustrated the confusion and scrambling taking place across the country since Roe fell.
An order by a Houston judge earlier this week had reassured some clinics they could temporarily resume abortions up to six weeks into pregnancy. That was quickly followed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asking the state’s highest court, which is stocked with nine Republican justices, to temporarily put the order on hold.
“These laws are confusing, unnecessary, and cruel,” said Marc Hearron, attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights said after the order was issued Friday night.
Clinics in Texas had stopped performing abortions in the state of nearly 30 million people after the U.S. Supreme Court last week overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the constitutional right to abortion. Texas had technically left an abortion ban on the books for the past 50 years while Roe was in place.
Abortion providers and patients across the country were struggling Friday to navigate the evolving legal landscape around abortion laws and access.
In Florida, a law banning abortions after 15 weeks went into effect Friday, the day after a judge called it a violation of the state constitution and said he would sign an order temporarily blocking the law next week. The ban could have broader implications in the South, where the state has wider access to the procedure than its neighbors.
Abortion rights have been lost and regained in the span of a few days in Kentucky. A so-called trigger law imposing a near-total ban on the procedure took effect last Friday, but a judge blocked the law Thursday, meaning the state’s only two abortion providers can resume seeing patients — for now.
The legal wrangling is almost certain to continue to cause chaos for Americans seeking abortions in the near future, with court rulings able to upend access at a moment’s notice and an influx of new patients from out of state overwhelming providers.
Even when women travel outside states with abortion bans in place, they may have fewer options to end their pregnancies as the prospect of prosecution follows them.
Planned Parenthood of Montana this week stopped providing medication abortions to patients who live in states with bans “to minimize potential risk for providers, health center staff, and patients in the face of a rapidly changing landscape.”
Planned Parenthood North Central States, which offers the procedure in Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska, is telling its patients that they must take both pills in the regimen in a state that allows abortions.
“There’s a lot of confusion and concern that the providers may be at risk, and they are trying to limit their liability so they can provide care to people who need it,” said Dr. Daniel Grossman, who directs the research group Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health at the University of California San Francisco.
Emily Bisek, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood North Central States, said that in an “unknown and murky” legal environment, they decided to tell patients they must be in a state where it is legal to complete the medication abortion -- which requires taking two drugs 24 to 48 hours apart. She said most patients from states with bans are expected to opt for surgical abortions.
The use of abortion pills has been the most common method to end a pregnancy since 2000, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone — the main drug used in medication abortions. Taken with misoprostol, a drug that causes cramping that empties the womb, it constitutes the abortion pill.
Access to the pills has become a key battle in abortion rights, with the Biden administration preparing to argue states can’t ban a medication that has received FDA approval.
Kim Floren, who operates an abortion fund in South Dakota called Justice Empowerment Network, said the development would further limit the choices women have and likely mean more will travel to Colorado for an abortion.
“The purpose of these laws anyways is to scare people,” Floren said of states’ bans on abortions and telemedicine consultations for medication abortions. “The logistics to actually enforcing these is a nightmare, but they rely on the fact that people are going to be scared.”
A South Dakota law took effect Friday that threatens a felony punishment for anyone who prescribes medication for an abortion without a license from the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.
Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, an ardent opponent of abortion, said in a statement that “doctors who knowingly break the law and prescribe these medications to end a human life will be prosecuted.”
In Alabama, Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office said it is reviewing whether people or groups could face prosecution for helping women fund and travel to out-of-state abortion appointments.
Yellowhammer Fund, an Alabama-based group that helps low-income women cover abortion and travel costs, said it is pausing operation for two weeks because of the lack of clarity under state law.
“This is a temporary pause, and we’re going to figure out how we can legally get you money and resources and what that looks like,” said Kelsea McLain, Yellowhammer’s health care access director.
Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, said staff members at its clinics have seen women driving from as far as Texas without stopping or making an appointment. Women who are past 15 weeks are being asked to leave their information and promised a call back when a judge signs the order temporarily blocking the restriction, she said.
Still, there is concern that the order may be only temporary and the law may again go into effect later, creating additional confusion.
“It’s terrible for patients,” she said. “We are really nervous about what is going to happen.”
___
Groves reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. AP writers Dylan Lovan contributed from Louisville, Kentucky; Adriana Gomez Licon from Miami; and Kim Chandler from Montgomery, Alabama.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/02/texas-supreme-court-blocks-order-that-resumed-abortions/ | 2022-07-02T05:31:28Z |
Leading digital personal finance company earns a top spot for second year
SAN MATEO, Calif., July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Financial Network (FFN), a leading digital personal finance company, announced today it was named to "The State of Arizona Top Workplaces 2022" list by azcentral.com and Energage.
Freedom Financial Network was named to the list for the large employer category. Energage and azcentral.com evaluate the companies named to "The State of Arizona Top Workplaces" list based on their corporate policies and practices and their programs and benefits for employees. Additionally, employees from each company are asked to take an in-depth, confidential survey about their organization to assess company culture, communications and other facets of employee sentiment.
Headquartered in San Mateo, California with more than 2,000 employees in Tempe, Arizona and teammates across the country, Freedom Financial Network has served more than 1 million customers and is rapidly growing. "The State of Arizona Top Workplaces" list is in its second year and FFN has appeared on both editions of the list. The azcentral.com website is collaboratively produced by Phoenix newspapers The Arizona Republic and La Voz, and local television station KPNX-TV Channel 12, and is part of the USA Today Network. Energage is a market research and analytics firm specializing in workplace competitive benchmarking and employee engagement.
"It's always a privilege to be recognized for the hard work and dedication of all our employees, as well as the impact Freedom Financial Network has on the Phoenix metro area and the entire state," said Brad Stroh, co-founder and co-CEO of FFN.
Freedom Financial Network helps people make better financial decisions by managing expenses and debt, saving money, and planning. The company provides innovative technology and relationship-driven support for every step of a consumer's financial path, including personal loans, debt resolution and restructuring, home equity lines of credit and financial tools and education.
FFN recently surpassed $15 billion in consumer debt resolved, while bank partners have originated nearly $8 billion in consumer loans on the Freedom Financial Asset Management platform. The company is continually innovating new solutions to expand the depth and breadth of its financial services offerings and is actively hiring for remote and hybrid roles in sales, engineering, technology and product development in California, Arizona and Texas.
"As both one of the largest and fastest-growing employers in the region, we're thrilled to receive this recognition and look forward to welcoming even more professionals from around the Valley to our team," said Linda Luman, executive vice president of human resources at FFN.
Earlier this year, FFN was named to the Phoenix Business Journal's 2022 Healthiest Employers List in recognition of its efforts to motivate employees to achieve and maintain wellness through a strong emphasis on mental and physical health. FFN has also been named to the Phoenix Business Journal's annual "Best Places to Work" list 11 times, including winning first place in the extra-large company category in 2021. The company was also recently named to the 2022 list of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Last year, FFN was also named one of "Arizona's Most Admired Companies" by AZBigMedia.
Full details on "The State of Arizona Top Workplaces 2022" list can be found here.
Freedom Financial Network is a leading digital personal finance company. We do what traditional banks don't: Put people first. Our solutions help everyday people get on, and stay on, the path to a brighter financial future, with innovative technology and personalized support. By leveraging proprietary data and analytics, our solutions are tailored for each step of a consumer's financial journey and include personal loans (FreedomPlus), home equity loans (Lendage), help with debt (Freedom Debt Relief), and even financial tools and education (Bills.com). Freedom Financial Network has more than 2,600 dedicated employees across California, Arizona and Texas and is recognized as a Best Place to Work.
For information on career opportunities at Freedom Financial Network, visit: https://jobs.freedomfinancialnetwork.com/
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SOURCE Freedom Financial Network | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/freedom-financial-network-named-the-state-arizona-top-workplaces-2022-list-by-azcentralcom-energage/ | 2022-07-20T00:17:25Z |
All branded products will be produced with electricity backed by renewable energy credits; Key milestone in achieving company's 2030 climate goal
WILMINGTON, Del., April 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced that its iconic and trusted brands – Kevlar®, Nomex® and Tyvek® – will be produced using renewable electricity in its operations. DuPont achieved this milestone by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) earlier this month to match the energy consumed in its 2022 operations and is committed to additional purchases annually. This underscores the company's commitment to achieving its renewable energy goal and acting on climate stewardship as part of its 2030 Sustainability Goals.
"At DuPont, we believe urgent action is needed to address the climate crisis impacting our global communities, and that's why we're so proud that the most trusted names that protect people worldwide are now doing even more to protect the planet," said Leland Weaver, President, DuPont Water & Protection. "Procuring renewable energy credits is a key milestone in our sustainability journey and we remain committed to energy efficiency in our global operations. We understand the importance of delivering sustainable innovations for our customers, value chain partners, employees and society."
As part of DuPont's sustainability strategy, the company's Acting on Climate goal seeks to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 30% and source 60% of its electricity from renewable energy sources and credits by 2030, and to deliver carbon neutral operations by 2050. DuPont will report progress against its goals when it publishes its 2022 Sustainability Report in early May.
DuPont is a member of RE100, a global environmental initiative led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP, which brings together companies committed to shifting the electricity used globally in its operations to renewable energy. In 2021, the company also signed a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. The VPPA project is scheduled to commence operations in 2023 and is expected to deliver approximately 528,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of wind-generated renewable electricity annually to the local grid. This is equivalent to approximately 25% of the company's total electricity needs today.
To learn more about DuPont's 2030 Sustainability Goals, please visit https://www.dupont.com/about/sustainability.html
About DuPont Water & Protection
DuPont Water and Protection is a global leader in creating water, shelter and safety solutions for a more sustainable world; enabling its customers to win through unique capabilities, global scale and iconic brands including Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek®, Corian® Design, GreatStuff™, Styrofoam™, and FilmTec™.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," "target," and similar expressions and variations or negatives of these words.
Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain and subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which that are beyond DuPont's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not representations or warranties or guarantees of future results.
Forward-looking statements include statements which relate to the purpose, ambitions, commitments, targets, plans, objectives, and results of DuPont's sustainability strategy. Forward-looking statements include statements related to the standards and measurement of progress against the company's sustainability goals, including metrics, data and other information, which are based on estimates and assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time. The actual conduct of the company's activities and results thereof, including the development, implementation, achievement or continuation of any goal, program, policy or initiative discussed or expected in connection with DuPont's sustainability strategy may differ materially from the statements made herein. The use of the word "material" for the purposes of statements regarding our sustainability strategy and goals should not be read as equating to any use of the word in the company's other disclosures or filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
See DuPont's most recent annual report and subsequent current and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further description of risks factors that could impact the expectations or estimates implied by the Company's forward-looking statements, including (i) the ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion, accounting and tax treatments, and benefits, including integration, related to portfolio changes; (ii) risks and costs related to indemnification of legacy liabilities; (iii) risks and uncertainties related to operational and supply chain impacts or disruptions, including ability to offset increased costs, obtain raw materials, and meet customer needs, and (iv) other risks to DuPont's business and operations. Unlisted factors may also present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business or supply chain disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties, loss of key customers, reputational harm and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on DuPont's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. DuPont assumes no obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.
DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, SM or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted.
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SOURCE DuPont | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/22/dupont-kevlar-nomex-tyvek-run-renewable-energy/ | 2022-04-22T13:17:12Z |
Every fledgling program needs just the right player or two to make it competitive and attractive for the future.
Gloria Ray Moore was one of the first building blocks of a Temple Junior College women’s basketball program that started from scratch and turned itself into a nationally renowned operation in the 1960s and 1970s.
Moore, who died earlier this summer at age 76 and whose family and friends recently enjoyed a celebration of her life, provided the skills and grit that Leopardettes coach Fran Garmon was looking for when she cobbled together just her second team at Temple Junior College in 1964.
Garmon found the quintessential gym rat in the original World War II era gym in Little River.
Moore lived a short walking distance from that gym, which still stands today, and she spent as much time there as she did at home. It was one of the social centers for youth of the town in the early 1960s. George Swaim, the longtime Academy basketball coach for girls and boys of that era, certainly had no problem with the town youth congregating around basketball.
Moody native Garmon wasn’t much older than the girls she was recruiting but she was very familiar with Swaim and his program. With little to no budget to work with, her first TJC team was made up largely of former Temple High volleyball players as Temple was still a decade away from fielding a girls basketball team. The Leopardettes managed to go 6-9 that inaugural season.
She began recruiting players from small towns in the region where girls basketball was popular and often quite good.
Academy had moved up from Class B to Class A in 1962, but that proved to be beneficial for the Lady Bumblebees. The former Gloria Ray was the leading scorer for her team in her junior year as they took down much larger schools to capture the 23-A title. Another successful 1963-64 season followed with a bevy of good all-around female athletes in that senior class.
Although many statistics haven’t survived, it is believed that Moore still ranks among the all-time leading scorers coming from the six-girl basketball era. She also was a leader in other sports such as volleyball and softball.
Moore, who married her high school sweetheart, the late Jack Moore, was among the sterling recruits Garmon signed from local schools. Other area players on those mid-1960s teams included the high-scoring Wanda Wright of Salado and her high school teammate Carol Grimm. Kathy Duncan of Lott was a big contributor as was Donna Taylor of Gatesville, Sharon Carnes of Rockdale and Linda Martinec of Rogers, among others. TJC provided a rare opportunity for budding female basketball players to extend their careers at the collegiate level.
Traveling to away games in the largest station wagon Garmon could get her hands on, the Leopardettes made a major turnaround as a program and garnered national attention as scant as it was for college women’s basketball.
Despite being forced to adjust to several different rules configurations as was typical in the girls game before it finally settled on a standardized 5-on-5 game, the Leopardettes tripled their win output from their first year to the second to 18. Moore led the Leopardettes in scoring that 1964-65 campaign with 311 points playing shooting guard and rover.
“Gloria was a major part of the foundation of a team to be recognized as one of the best girls teams in the USA,” wrote Garmon, who is recuperating from a recent automobile accident, in comments delivered at Moore’s memorial by friend and fellow Academy graduate Richard Lesikar. “Gloria finished playing a full game and looked just as neat and clean as if she hadn’t played that game.”
The following season saw TJC increase the victory total even more to 26. Moore was still a major force on that team, and her two-year point total of 568 was tops for the program.
Moore was at or near the top in several offensive categories in her two years at TJC. She also led the team in personal fouls, which speaks to her tenacity.
Following her contribution in getting the TJC women’s basketball program off the ground, she finished college at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor before enjoying a fruitful life as the mother of four.
The seeds she sowed in the Leopardettes’ early days set in motion a long and fruitful outcome still enjoyed today. | https://www.tdtnews.com/sports/article_a1c88eaa-1b5c-11ed-8369-671ea5642b8c.html | 2022-08-14T02:30:11Z |
ARLINGTON, Va. , April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading restaurant management platform, MarginEdge is thrilled to announce that it has been selected by prominent restaurant software and payments provider, SpotOn, as a restaurant inventory management partner. This partnership furthers SpotOn's commitment to democratizing technology for restaurants of all sizes, taking them one step closer to becoming the fully integrated "one-stop shop" for restaurant technology, while broadening MarginEdge's integration capabilities with a top provider in the Point-of-Sale system space.
Since its inception in 2017, SpotOn has focused on providing software and payments technology to small, mid-size, and enterprise-sized businesses with an emphasis on restaurants through their integrated POS systems. Their full offering aims to give restaurants the ability to run their businesses from top to bottom, from taking payments to optimizing staff schedules, and everything in between.
Recently, SpotOn introduced 'Points of Profit' to demonstrate how flexible, integrated technology can help restaurants protect their profit margins from inflation and break out of the 5 - 7% profit margin plateau. With MarginEdge as an inventory management partner, SpotOn clients gain even better insight for making smart decisions to improve their bottom line. Together, this integration offers a truly centralized view, combining both front-of-house and back-of-house data in one place.
MarginEdge CEO, Bo Davis said, "Forward-thinking POS providers understand now more than ever that bringing true value to a restaurant means unlocking their data and offering meaningful insights that help them run their businesses better. In an ever-evolving economic climate impacted by the pandemic and inflation, restaurants face the herculean task of serving their customers without compromising on profitability or guest experience. A task that is impossible without having true visibility into prime costs." He continued, "We are proud to be integrating with a leader in the POS field and excited for the value we can bring to our mutual clients."
This seamless integration will equip users with tools to manage daily controllable P&Ls and sales data, seamless accounting integration with the automatic flow of data from invoices, credits, and payments, and robust performance reporting including theoretical food usage and menu analysis to help identify profit leaks and rising food costs.
"Our restaurant clients continue to face pandemic effects on their business including staffing shortages, supply chain issues and rising costs of operations," stated Ben Pryor, Director of Innovation at SpotOn. "We're excited to bring our restaurant clients a truly holistic, full suite of tools to better manage their back of house operations, tackling rising costs, and gaining crucial time back thanks to MarginEdge's data reporting and automation."
About MarginEdge
MarginEdge's mission is to create a world where restaurant operators can focus on the business they love. By using best-in-class technology to eliminate unproductive paperwork and streamline the flow of operational data, MarginEdge is reimagining the back office and freeing restaurants to spend more time on their culinary offerings and guest experiences. Based in Arlington, VA and founded by industry veterans, MarginEdge serves a diverse group of operators from single units and small chains to large franchise and hospitality groups, providing a high-impact product that resonates across the hospitality industry. For more information visit www.marginedge.com.
About SpotOn
SpotOn is one of the fastest-growing software and payments companies with comprehensive, cloud-based technology for small, midsize and enterprise businesses in the restaurant, retail, sports, education and entertainment space. Known for its rapid innovation and industry-leading customer service, SpotOn offers integrated solutions including marketing and loyalty, website development, ecommerce, reservations and waitlisting, mobile ordering, digital payments, review management, and both retail and restaurant point-of-sale (POS) solutions. SpotOn has 1,600 employees and maintains offices around the world, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Mexico City, Detroit, Atlanta, Denver, and Krakow. For more information, visit www.spoton.com.
CONTACT:
Elise Burke/5034597545/elise@marginedge.com
Megan Palmer 410-262-7349/mpalmer@spoton.com
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SOURCE MarginEdge | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/spoton-selects-marginedge-complete-one-stop-shop-restaurant-solution/ | 2022-04-12T15:15:42Z |
Japan’s landmark capsules coming down to sit in museums
By YURI KAGEYAMA
Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) — Nakagin Capsule Tower, a building tucked away in a corner of downtown Tokyo that is made up of boxes stacked on top of each other, is an avant-garde honeycomb of science-fiction-era housing long admired as a masterpiece. It’s now being demolished in a careful process that includes preserving some of its 140 capsules, to be shipped to museums around the world. The first capsule will be removed in the next few weeks. Built in 1972, the 13-floor building embodies the so-called “metabolism” vision of its architect Kisho Kurokawa: The idea cities are changing, reflecting life, in rhythm with the human body. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2022/05/26/japans-landmark-capsules-coming-down-to-sit-in-museums/ | 2022-05-27T05:18:15Z |
With GrowPods, food production can be take place virtually anywhere in the world
CORONA, Calif., July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Container Technologies, Inc (Ticker: ACTX), announced that GrowPods – transportable hydroponic farms - can help reduce global food shortages.
According to reporting in the Wall Street Journal, the war in Ukraine has disrupted global food supplies. Many people did not know that Ukraine is one of the world's leading exporters of several agricultural products.
Russia and Ukraine were major food suppliers before the war, and the conflict is causing pain across the developing world, spurring price shocks, constraining imports of basic commodities and causing food shortages.
António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, warned that the war, along with other global crises, could lead to mass hunger and famine because of the impact on food production and prices around the world.
Guterres said tens of millions of people face food insecurity and malnutrition. "The war in Ukraine, on top of all the other global crises, threatens tens of millions of people with food insecurity, malnutrition, mass hunger & famine," he wrote.
Now, governments and community groups are now looking at alternative solutions to provide food to their citizens.
One area that is getting a lot of attention is modular hydroponic farms like GrowPods.
GrowPods can be placed virtually anywhere, and can grow the equivalent of three acres of traditional farmland in an automated environment. Some units have been configured to grow about 720 heads of lettuce each week, without pesticides, harmful chemicals, or risk of contamination.
With GrowPods, local communities can grow fresh, healthy food, without needing hundreds of acres of farmland or dozens of workers to tend the fields.
According to Doug Heldoorn, CEO of Advanced Container Technologies, GrowPods can be part of a move toward local, sustainable farming.
"Our modular hydroponic farms can provide healthy food where it is needed, and require minimal labor so that farming can be managed by just a few people with some basic training," Heldoorn said. "Additionally, a GrowPod can be set up in a matter of just days, so that food shortages can be reduced in just weeks, instead of months or years."
For more information on Advanced Container Technologies or GrowPods, call: (951) 381-2555 or visit: www.advancedcontainertechnologies.com or www.growpodsolutions.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Statements about ACTX' beliefs and expectations, involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "may," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," or other similar expressions. All information is as of the date of this press release, and ACTX undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
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SOURCE Advanced Container Technologies, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/11/transportable-hydroponic-farms-can-help-reduce-global-food-shortages/ | 2022-07-11T14:44:45Z |
Second Quarter 2022 Highlights
- Reported Net Income of $344 million for the second quarter 2022, compared to reported Net Income of $506 million for the second quarter 2021
- Diluted EPS of $0.34 for the second quarter 2022, compared to $0.46 per share for the second quarter 2021. Excluding Special Items, Diluted EPS of $0.35 per share for the second quarter 2022, compared to $0.48 per share for the second quarter 2021
- Generated Adjusted EBITDA of $1.811 billion for the second quarter 2022, compared to $2.109 billion1 for the second quarter 2021, excluding Special Items of $47 million and $20 million, respectively
- Reported Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of $1.396 billion for the second quarter 2022
- Generated Free Cash Flow of $668 million for the second quarter 2022, compared to $1.044 billion for the second quarter 2021, excluding cash paid for Special Items of $33 million and $51 million, respectively
- Reiterated full-year 2022 financial outlook measures
- Completed the $2.7 billion divestiture of its Latin American business to Stonepeak on August 1
DENVER, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumen Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LUMN) reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
"We improved our revenue trajectory and accelerated the number of Quantum Fiber locations enabled in the second quarter. In addition, we closed the divestiture of our Latin America business on August 1 and expect to close the divestiture of our 20-state ILEC business early in the fourth quarter of this year," said Jeff Storey, president and CEO of Lumen. "We announced our new Business segment product categories, which further sharpens our focus as we position Lumen to generate profitable revenue growth."
Total Revenue was $4.612 billion for the second quarter 2022, compared to $4.924 billion1 for the second quarter 2021.
Financial Results
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow, excluding Special Items, was $668 million in the second quarter 2022, compared to $1.044 billion in the second quarter 2021.
As of June 30, 2022, Lumen had cash and cash equivalents of $360 million. On August 1, 2022, we received approximately $2.7 billion of cash upon selling our Latin American business and on August 3, 2022 repaid approximately $700 million on our consolidated term loan indebtedness.
2022 Financial Outlook
The company reiterated its full-year 2022 financial outlook measures detailed below:
Investor Call
Lumen's management team will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET today, August 3, 2022. The conference call will be streamed live over the Lumen website at ir.lumen.com. Additional information regarding second quarter 2022 results, including the presentation materials management will review during the conference call, will be available on the Investor Relations website prior to the call. If you are unable to join the call via the web, the call can be accessed live at +1 877-283-5145 (U.S. Domestic) or +1 312-281-1201 (International).
A telephone replay of the call will be available beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on August 3, 2022, and ending November 1, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The replay can be accessed by dialing +1 800-633-8284 (U.S. Domestic) or +1 402-977-9140 (International), reservation code 22019603. A webcast replay of the call will also be available on our website beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on August 3, 2022, and ending November 1, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. ET.
About Lumen Technologies and the People of Lumen:
Lumen Technologies Inc. (NYSE: LUMN) is guided by our belief that humanity is at its best when technology advances the way we live and work. With approximately 450,000 route fiber miles and serving customers in more than 60 countries, we deliver the fastest, most secure platform for applications and data to help businesses, government and communities deliver amazing experiences.
Learn more about the Lumen network, edge cloud, security, communication and collaboration solutions and our purpose to further human progress through technology at news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies and YouTube: /lumentechnologies. Lumen and Lumen Technologies are registered trademarks of Lumen Technologies LLC in the United States. Lumen Technologies LLC is a wholly-owned affiliate of Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical and factual information, the matters set forth in this release and other of our oral or written statements identified by words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "intends," "will," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements as defined by the federal securities laws, and are subject to the "safe harbor" protections thereunder. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are based on current expectations only, are inherently speculative, and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in those statements if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers, including decreased demand for our more mature service offerings and increased pricing pressures; the effects of new, emerging or competing technologies, including those that could make our products less desirable or obsolete; our ability to successfully and timely attain our key operating imperatives, including simplifying and consolidating our network, simplifying and automating our service support systems, attaining our Quantum Fiber buildout plans, strengthening our relationships with customers and attaining projected cost savings; our ability to safeguard our network, and to avoid the adverse impact of possible cyber-attacks, security breaches, service outages, system failures, or similar events impacting our network or the availability and quality of our services; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry, including the outcome of legislative, regulatory or judicial proceedings relating to content liability standards, intercarrier compensation, universal service, service standards, broadband deployment, data protection, privacy and net neutrality; our ability to effectively retain and hire key personnel and to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages; changes in customer demand for our products and services, including increased demand for high-speed data transmission services; our ability to successfully maintain the quality and profitability of our existing product and service offerings and to introduce profitable new offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; our ability to generate cash flows sufficient to fund our financial commitments and objectives, including our capital expenditures, operating costs, debt repayments, dividends, pension contributions and other benefits payments; our ability to successfully and timely implement our corporate strategies, including our deleveraging strategy; our ability to successfully and timely consummate the pending divestiture of a portion of our incumbent local exchange business on the terms proposed, to realize the anticipated benefits therefrom, and to operate our retained business successfully thereafter; changes in our operating plans, corporate strategies, dividend payment plans or other capital allocation plans, whether based upon changes in our cash flows, cash requirements, financial performance, financial position, market or regulatory conditions, or otherwise; the impact of any future material acquisitions or divestitures that we may transact; the negative impact of increases in the costs of our pension, health, post-employment or other benefits, including those caused by changes in markets, interest rates, mortality rates, demographics or regulations; the potential negative impact of customer complaints, government investigations, security breaches or service outages impacting us or our industry; adverse changes in our access to credit markets on favorable terms, whether caused by changes in our financial position, lower credit ratings, unstable markets or otherwise; our ability to meet the terms and conditions of our debt obligations and covenants, including our ability to make transfers of cash in compliance therewith; our ability to maintain favorable relations with our securityholders, key business partners, suppliers, vendors, landlords and financial institutions; our ability to meet evolving environmental, social and governance ("ESG") expectations and benchmarks, and effectively communicate and implement our ESG strategies; our ability to collect our receivables from, or continue to do business with, financially-troubled customers; our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards in the amounts projected; our ability to continue to use or renew intellectual property used to conduct our operations; any adverse developments in legal or regulatory proceedings involving us; changes in tax, pension, healthcare or other laws or regulations, in governmental support programs, or in general government funding levels, including those arising from recently-enacted federal legislation promoting broadband spending; the effects of changes in accounting policies, practices or assumptions, including changes that could potentially require additional future impairment charges; continuing uncertainties regarding the impact that COVID-19 disruptions could have on our business, operations, cash flows and corporate initiatives; the effects of adverse weather, terrorism, epidemics, pandemics, rioting, societal unrest, or other natural or man-made disasters or disturbances; the potential adverse effects if our internal controls over financial reporting have weaknesses or deficiencies, or otherwise fail to operate as intended; the effects of changes in interest rates and inflation; the effects of more general factors such as changes in exchange rates, in operating costs, in public policy, in the views of financial analysts, or in general market, labor, economic or geo-political conditions; and other risks referenced from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to unduly rely upon our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise. Furthermore, any information about our intentions contained in any of our forward-looking statements reflects our intentions as of the date of such forward-looking statement, and is based upon, among other things, regulatory, technological, industry, competitive, economic and market conditions, and our related assumptions, as of such date. We may change our intentions, strategies or plans without notice at any time and for any reason.
Reconciliation to GAAP
This release includes certain historical and forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures, including but not limited to Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Unlevered Cash Flow, and adjustments to GAAP and non-GAAP measures to exclude the effect of Special Items. In addition to providing key metrics for management to evaluate the company's performance, we believe these measurements assist investors in their understanding of period-to-period operating performance and in identifying historical and prospective trends.
Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial schedules. Reconciliation of additional non-GAAP historical financial measures that may be discussed during the call described above, along with further descriptions of non-GAAP financial measures, will be available in the Investor Relations portion of the company's website at http://ir.lumen.com. Non-GAAP measures are not presented to be replacements or alternatives to the GAAP measures, and investors are urged to consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not in substitution for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Lumen may present or calculate its non-GAAP measures differently from other companies.
Description of Non-GAAP Metrics
Pursuant to Regulation G, the company is hereby providing definitions of non-GAAP financial metrics and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
The following describes and reconciles those financial measures as reported under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) with those financial measures as adjusted by the items detailed below and presented in the accompanying news release. These calculations are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to GAAP. In keeping with its historical financial reporting practices, the company believes that the supplemental presentation of these calculations provides meaningful non-GAAP financial measures to help investors understand and compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis.
We use the term Special Items as a non-GAAP measure to describe items that impacted a period's statement of operations for which investors may want to give special consideration due to their magnitude, nature or both. We do not call these items non-recurring because, while some are infrequent, others may recur in future periods.
Adjusted EBITDA ($) is defined as net income (loss) from the Statements of Operations before income tax (expense) benefit, total other income (expense), depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense and impairments.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%) is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are relevant and useful metrics to provide to investors, as they are an important part of our internal reporting and are key measures used by management to evaluate profitability and operating performance of Lumen and to make resource allocation decisions. Management believes such measures are especially important in a capital-intensive industry such as telecommunications. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (and similarly uses these terms excluding Special Items) to compare our performance to that of our competitors and to eliminate certain non-cash and non-operating items in order to consistently measure from period to period our ability to fund capital expenditures, fund growth, service debt and determine bonuses. Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-cash stock compensation expense and impairments because of the non-cash nature of these items. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes interest income, interest expense and income taxes, and in our view constitutes an accrual-based measure that has the effect of excluding period-to-period changes in working capital and shows profitability without regard to the effects of capital or tax structure. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization expense because these non-cash expenses primarily reflect the impact of historical capital investments, as opposed to the cash impacts of capital expenditures made in recent periods, which may be evaluated through cash flow measures. Adjusted EBITDA further excludes the gain (or loss) on extinguishment and modification of debt and other income (expense), net, because these items are not related to the primary business operations of Lumen.
There are material limitations to using Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similar performance measures whose calculations may differ from our calculations. Additionally, by excluding the above-listed items, Adjusted EBITDA may exclude items that investors believe are important components of our performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (either with or without Special Items) should not be considered a substitute for other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.
Unlevered Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures, plus cash interest paid and less interest income, all as disclosed in the Statements of Cash Flows or the Statements of Operations. Management believes that Unlevered Cash Flow is a relevant metric to provide to investors, because it reflects the operational performance of Lumen and, measured over time, enables management and investors to monitor the underlying business' growth pattern and ability to generate cash. Unlevered Cash Flow excludes cash used for acquisitions and debt service and the impact of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents balances.
There are material limitations to using Unlevered Cash Flow to measure our cash performance as it excludes certain material items that investors may believe are important components of our cash flows. Comparisons of our Unlevered Cash Flow to that of some of our competitors may be of limited usefulness since Lumen does not currently pay a significant amount of income taxes due to net operating loss carryforwards, and therefore, currently generates higher cash flow than a comparable business that does pay income taxes. Additionally, this financial measure is subject to variability quarter over quarter as a result of the timing of payments related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and capital expenditures. Unlevered Cash Flow should not be used as a substitute for net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures as disclosed in the Statements of Cash Flows. Management believes that Free Cash Flow is a relevant metric to provide to investors, as it is an indicator of our ability to generate cash to service our debt. Free Cash Flow excludes cash used for acquisitions, principal repayments and the impact of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents balances.
There are material limitations to using Free Cash Flow to measure our performance as it excludes certain material items that investors may believe are important components of our cash flows. Comparisons of our Free Cash Flow to that of some of its competitors may be of limited usefulness since Lumen does not currently pay a significant amount of income taxes due to net operating loss carryforwards, and therefore, generates higher cash flow than a comparable business that does pay income taxes. Additionally, this financial measure is subject to variability quarter over quarter as a result of the timing of payments related to interest expense, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow should not be used as a substitute for net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Outlook
To enhance the information in our outlook with respect to non-GAAP metrics, we are providing a range for certain GAAP measures that are components of the reconciliation of the non-GAAP metrics. The provision of these ranges is in no way meant to indicate that Lumen is explicitly or implicitly providing an outlook on those GAAP components of the reconciliation. In order to reconcile the non-GAAP financial metric to GAAP, Lumen has to use ranges for the GAAP components that arithmetically add up to the non-GAAP financial metric. While Lumen believes that it has used reasonable assumptions in connection with developing the outlook for its non-GAAP financial metrics, it fully expects that the ranges used for the GAAP components will vary from actual results. We will consider our outlook of non-GAAP financial metrics to be accurate if the specific non-GAAP metric is met or exceeded, even if the GAAP components of the reconciliation are different from those provided in an earlier reconciliation.
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Updated results for talquetamab monotherapy and in combination with daratumumab highlighted in oral presentations at the 2022 EHA Annual Congress
VIENNA, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced updated results from the Phase 1 MonumenTAL-1 first-in-human dose-escalation study of talquetamab (NCT03399799), an investigational, off-the-shelf, T-cell redirecting bispecific antibody targeting both GPRC5D, a novel multiple myeloma target, and CD3 on T-cells.1 Results from the study showed encouraging responses in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who received talquetamab at the recommended subcutaneous Phase 2 dose (RP2D) administered weekly (QW) or every two weeks (Q2W).2 These data will be featured during the 2022 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress as an oral presentation on Saturday, June 11 (Abstract S182)2 and were recently presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstract #8015).3
No new safety signals were identified with longer follow-up of either dose cohort.2 The most common adverse events (AEs) at the 405 µg/kg QW dose were cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 76.7 percent; 3.3 percent Grade 3/4), neutropenia (66.7 percent; 60 percent Grade 3/4), skin-related AEs (66.7 percent; all Grade 1/2), and dysgeusia (63.3 percent; all Grade 1/2).2
The most common AEs at the 800 µg/kg Q2W dose were CRS (79.5 percent; all Grade 1/2), skin-related AEs (72.7 percent; 2.3 percent Grade 3/4), and dysgeusia (56.8 percent).2 Dysgeusia (altered sense of taste) was managed with supportive care and, if needed, dose adjustments.2 Cytopenias were mostly confined to step-up doses and cycles one and two and generally resolved within one week.2 Infections occurred in 46.7 percent (Grade 3/4, 6.7 percent) of patients at the 405 μg/kg QW dose and 38.6 percent (Grade: 3/4, 9.1 percent) at the 800 μg/kg Q2W dose 2
Step-up dosing was used to mitigate against severe CRS, and pre-treatment medications (including steroids) were limited to the step-up and first full doses.2
"Patients with multiple myeloma who are heavily pretreated need new options," said Monique Minnema, M.D., Professor, Department of Hematology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands, and principal study investigator.† "The continued deep and durable responses and tolerable safety profile seen in these longer-term data suggest that at both doses, talquetamab may offer a new treatment option for relapsed or refractory patients."
The overall response rate (ORR) to talquetamab treatment was consistent across both doses.2 With a median follow-up of 13.2 months (range 1.1-24), 70 percent (21/30) of response-evaluable patients treated with the 405 µg/kg QW dose achieved a response, 56.7 percent achieved a very good partial response (VGPR) or better, 6.7 percent achieved a complete response (CR), and 23.3 percent achieved a stringent complete response (sCR). With a median follow-up of 7.7 months (range 0.7-16), 63.6 percent (28/44) of response-evaluable patients treated with the 800 µg/kg Q2W dose achieved a response, 56.8 percent achieved a VGPR or better, 11.4 percent achieved a CR, and 9.1 percent achieved an sCR. The median duration of response (DOR) was 10.2 months (95 percent Confidence Interval (CI): 3.0–not estimable) with the 405 µg/kg QW dose and 13.0 months (95 percent CI: 5.3–not estimable) with the 800 µg/kg QW dose.2
Among response-evaluable patients who were triple-class refractory, a response was achieved by 65.2 percent (15/23) of patients treated with the 405 µg/kg QW dose and 67.6 percent (23/34) of patients treated with the 800 µg/kg Q2W dose.2 In patients who were penta-drug refractory, 83.3 percent (5/6) of patients treated with the 405 µg/kg QW dose and 75 percent (9/12) of patients treated with the 800 µg/kg Q2W dose achieved a response.2
"With additional follow-up, these data demonstrate potential durability of talquetamab responses," said Sen Zhuang, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Clinical Research and Development, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "We look forward to fully understanding the potential of this bispecific for relapsed and refractory patients through ongoing clinical development."
The primary objectives of the MonumenTAL-1 study were to identify the recommended subcutaneous Phase 2 dose (part 1) and assess the safety and tolerability of talquetamab at the recommended dose (part 2).2 As of April 6, 2022, 130 patients with multiple myeloma who had relapsed or were refractory or intolerant to established therapies have received talquetamab in the study.2 For part 2, 30 patients received the weekly RP2D of 405 µg/kg QW dosing schedule following step-up doses; 100 percent were triple-class exposed, 80 percent were penta-drug exposed, 76.7 percent were triple-class refractory, 20 percent were penta-drug refractory, and 30 percent had prior B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed therapy.2 Forty-four patients received the RP2D of 800 µg/kg Q2W; 97.7 percent were triple-class exposed; 68.2 percent were pentadrug exposed, 77.3 percent were triple-class refractory, 27.3 percent were penta-drug refractory, and 27.3 percent had prior BCMAdirected therapy.2
Updated data from the Phase 1b TRiMM-2 Study Evaluating Talquetamab in Combination with DARZALEX FASPRO® (Abstract S183)
Additional data for talquetamab will be featured in an oral presentation at EHA on Saturday, June 11 (Abstract S183).4 The Phase 1b TRiMM-2 study (NCT04108195) evaluated talquetamab in combination with DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj), the CD38-directed monoclonal antibody approved to be given subcutaneously for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma.4 Results from the study show heavily pretreated patients with multiple myeloma treated with the combination, including talquetamab at the recommended subcutaneous Phase 2 dose (RP2D) administered weekly (QW) or every two weeks (Q2W), achieved high rates of responses, including for patients refractory to anti-CD38 treatment.4
Patients received step-up doses of talquetamab followed by 400 µg/kg QW treatment (n=14) or 800 µg/kg Q2W treatment (n=44), in combination with DARZALEX FASPRO® at the approved dosing schedule.4 With a median follow-up of 5.1 months, the ORR was 80.4 percent (41/51) among all response-evaluable patients.4 Of these patients, 62.7 percent (32/51) achieved a VGPR or better, and 29.4 percent (15/51) achieved a CR or better.4 Among patients with prior exposure to an anti-CD38 antibody, the ORR was 77.3 percent (34/44), and the ORR was 72 percent (18/25) among patients with prior BCMA-targeted treatment.4
No new safety signals were identified with longer follow-up of either dose cohort, and the safety profile for the combination was comparable to each agent as a monotherapy.4 The most common nonhematologic adverse events (AEs) at the 405 µg/kg QW dose were cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 71.4 percent; all Grade 1/2), dysgeusia (71.4 percent; N/A) and dry mouth (71.4 percent; all Grade 1/2).4 The most common AEs at the 800 µg/kg Q2W dose were CRS (77.3 percent; all Grade 1/2), dysgeusia (59.1 percent; N/A), and anemia (43.2 percent; 18.2 percent Grade 3/4). Skin-related and nail disorders were reported in 81 percent of patients.4 Infections were experienced by 53.4 percent of patients (17.2 percent were Grade 3 or higher), and one patient died of pneumonia.4
The primary objectives of the TRiMM-2 study were to identify the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) for each component of the treatment combination (Part 1); characterize the safety of the treatment combination at the RP2D (Part 2); and assess antitumor activity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for the combination treatment (Part 3).4 Patients in the study (n=58) had received a minimum three prior lines of therapy or were double refractory to a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory agent; patients who had been exposed or refractory to an anti-CD38 therapy more than 90 days prior to the start of the trial were also included, as well as those refractory to anti-CD38 therapy.4
About Talquetamab
Talquetamab is a first-in-class, investigational T-cell redirecting bispecific antibody targeting both GPRC5D, a novel multiple myeloma target that does not shed over time, and CD3, the T-cell receptor.1 CD3 is involved in activating T-cells, and GPRC5D is highly expressed on multiple myeloma cells.5,6 Results from preclinical studies in mouse models demonstrate that talquetamab induces T-cell-mediated killing of GPRC5D-expressing multiple myeloma cells through the recruitment and activation of CD3-positive T-cells and inhibits tumor formation and growth.7
About DARZALEX FASPRO®
In August 2012, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Genmab A/S entered into a worldwide agreement, which granted Janssen an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize daratumumab. DARZALEX FASPRO® is the only CD38-directed antibody approved to be given subcutaneously to treat patients with multiple myeloma and now light chain (AL) amyloidosis. DARZALEX FASPRO® is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), Halozyme's ENHANZE® drug delivery technology.
DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma:
- In combination with bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone in newly diagnosed patients who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant
- In combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed patients who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant and in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy
- In combination with bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed patients who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant
- In combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior line of therapy including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor
- In combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of therapy
- In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior therapy
- As monotherapy in patients who have received at least three prior lines of therapy including a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory agent or who are double-refractory to a PI and an immunomodulatory agent
DARZALEX FASPRO® in combination with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed light chain (AL) amyloidosis. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
Limitations of Use
DARZALEX FASPRO® is not indicated and is not recommended for the treatment of patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis who have NYHA Class IIIB or Class IV cardiac disease or Mayo Stage IIIB outside of controlled clinical trials.
Full prescribing information for DARZALEX FASPRO® is available here.
DARZALEX FASPRO® IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS
DARZALEX FASPRO® is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to daratumumab, hyaluronidase, or any of the components of the formulation.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hypersensitivity and Other Administration Reactions
Both systemic administration-related reactions, including severe or life-threatening reactions, and local injection-site reactions can occur with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Fatal reactions have been reported with daratumumab-containing products, including DARZALEX FASPRO®.
Systemic Reactions
In a pooled safety population of 898 patients with multiple myeloma (N=705) or light chain (AL) amyloidosis (N=193) who received DARZALEX FASPRO® as monotherapy or in combination, 9% of patients experienced a systemic administration-related reaction (Grade 2: 3.2%, Grade 3: 1%). Systemic administration-related reactions occurred in 8% of patients with the first injection, 0.3% with the second injection, and cumulatively 1% with subsequent injections. The median time to onset was 3.2 hours (range: 4 minutes to 3.5 days). Of the 140 systemic administration-related reactions that occurred in 77 patients, 121 (86%) occurred on the day of DARZALEX FASPRO® administration. Delayed systemic administration-related reactions have occurred in 1% of the patients.
Severe reactions included hypoxia, dyspnea, hypertension, tachycardia, and ocular adverse reactions, including choroidal effusion, acute myopia, and acute angle closure glaucoma. Other signs and symptoms of systemic administration-related reactions may include respiratory symptoms, such as bronchospasm, nasal congestion, cough, throat irritation, allergic rhinitis, and wheezing, as well as anaphylactic reaction, pyrexia, chest pain, pruritus, chills, vomiting, nausea, hypotension, and blurred vision.
Pre-medicate patients with histamine-1 receptor antagonist, acetaminophen, and corticosteroids. Monitor patients for systemic administration-related reactions, especially following the first and second injections. For anaphylactic reaction or life-threatening (Grade 4) administration-related reactions, immediately and permanently discontinue DARZALEX FASPRO®. Consider administering corticosteroids and other medications after the administration of DARZALEX FASPRO® depending on dosing regimen and medical history to minimize the risk of delayed (defined as occurring the day after administration) systemic administration-related reactions.
Ocular adverse reactions, including acute myopia and narrowing of the anterior chamber angle due to ciliochoroidal effusions with potential for increased intraocular pressure or glaucoma, have occurred with daratumumab-containing products. If ocular symptoms occur, interrupt DARZALEX FASPRO® and seek immediate ophthalmologic evaluation prior to restarting DARZALEX FASPRO®.
Local Reactions
In this pooled safety population, injection-site reactions occurred in 8% of patients, including Grade 2 reactions in 0.7%. The most frequent (>1%) injection-site reaction was injection-site erythema. These local reactions occurred a median of 5 minutes (range: 0 minutes to 6.5 days) after starting administration of DARZALEX FASPRO®. Monitor for local reactions and consider symptomatic management.
Cardiac Toxicity in Patients With AL Amyloidosis
Serious or fatal cardiac adverse reactions occurred in patients with AL amyloidosis who received DARZALEX FASPRO® in combination with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone. Serious cardiac disorders occurred in 16% of patients, and fatal cardiac disorders occurred in 10% of patients. Patients with NYHA Class IIIA or Mayo Stage IIIA disease may be at greater risk. Patients with NYHA Class IIIB or IV disease were not studied. Monitor patients with cardiac involvement of AL amyloidosis more frequently for cardiac adverse reactions and administer supportive care as appropriate.
Neutropenia
Daratumumab may increase neutropenia induced by background therapy. Monitor complete blood cell counts periodically during treatment according to manufacturer's prescribing information for background therapies. Monitor patients with neutropenia for signs of infection. Consider withholding DARZALEX FASPRO® until recovery of neutrophils. In lower body weight patients receiving DARZALEX FASPRO®, higher rates of Grade 3-4 neutropenia were observed.
Thrombocytopenia
Daratumumab may increase thrombocytopenia induced by background therapy. Monitor complete blood cell counts periodically during treatment according to manufacturer's prescribing information for background therapies. Consider withholding DARZALEX FASPRO® until recovery of platelets.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on the mechanism of action, DARZALEX FASPRO® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. DARZALEX FASPRO® may cause depletion of fetal immune cells and decreased bone density. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females with reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® and for 3 months after the last dose.
The combination of DARZALEX FASPRO® with lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide is contraindicated in pregnant women because lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide may cause birth defects and death of the unborn child. Refer to the lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide prescribing information on use during pregnancy.
Interference With Serological Testing
Daratumumab binds to CD38 on red blood cells (RBCs) and results in a positive indirect antiglobulin test (indirect Coombs test). Daratumumab-mediated positive indirect antiglobulin test may persist for up to 6 months after the last daratumumab administration. Daratumumab bound to RBCs masks detection of antibodies to minor antigens in the patient's serum. The determination of a patient's ABO and Rh blood type are not impacted.
Notify blood transfusion centers of this interference with serological testing and inform blood banks that a patient has received DARZALEX FASPRO®. Type and screen patients prior to starting DARZALEX FASPRO®.
Interference With Determination of Complete Response
Daratumumab is a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) kappa monoclonal antibody that can be detected on both the serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation (IFE) assays used for the clinical monitoring of endogenous M-protein. This interference can impact the determination of complete response and of disease progression in some DARZALEX FASPRO®-treated patients with IgG kappa myeloma protein.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
In multiple myeloma, the most common adverse reaction (≥20%) with DARZALEX FASPRO® monotherapy is upper respiratory tract infection. The most common adverse reactions with combination therapy (≥20% for any combination) include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, dyspnea, insomnia, headache, pyrexia, cough, muscle spasms, back pain, vomiting, hypertension, upper respiratory tract infection, peripheral sensory neuropathy, constipation, pneumonia, and peripheral edema.
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with AL amyloidosis are upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, peripheral edema, constipation, fatigue, peripheral sensory neuropathy, nausea, insomnia, dyspnea, and cough.
The most common hematology laboratory abnormalities (≥40%) with DARZALEX FASPRO® are decreased leukocytes, decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased platelets, and decreased hemoglobin.
Please see full Prescribing Information for DARZALEX FASPRO®.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that affects some white blood cells called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.8 When damaged, these plasma cells rapidly spread and replace normal cells in the bone marrow with tumors. In 2020, an estimated 176,000 people worldwide were diagnosed with multiple myeloma.9 In 2022, it is estimated that more than 34,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and more than 12,000 people will die from the disease in the U.S.10 While some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms that can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, tiredness, high calcium levels, kidney problems or infections.11
About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular, Metabolism, & Retina; Immunology; Infectious Diseases & Vaccines; Neuroscience; Oncology; and Pulmonary Hypertension.
Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at @JanssenGlobal. Janssen Research & Development, LLC is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
†Dr. Minnema has served as a consultant to Janssen; she has not been paid for any media work.
*Kyprolis is a registered trademark of Amgen Inc.
Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of teclistamab and DARZALEX FASPRO®. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC or any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
1 Pillarisetti K et al. Blood. 2020;135(15):1232-1243.
2 Minnema M et al. Efficacy and safety of talquetamab, a G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member D x CD3 bispecific antibody, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): updated results from MonumenTAL-1. European Hematology Association 2022 Hybrid Congress. June 2022.
3 Minnema M et al. Efficacy and safety of talquetamab, a G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member D x CD3 bispecific antibody, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): updated results from MonumenTAL-1. American Society of Clinical Oncology 2022 Annual Meeting. June 2022.
4 van de Donk N et al. Novel Combination Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Updated Phase 1b Results for Talquetamab (a GPRC5D x CD3 Bispecific Antibody) in Combination With Daratumumab. European Hematology Association 2022 Hybrid Congress. June 2022.
5 Labrijn AF et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2013;110:5145.
6 Cohen, Y., et al. Hematology. 2013 Nov; 18(6):348-51.
7 Kumar SK et al. Risk of progression and survival in multiple myeloma relapsing after therapy with IMiDs and bortezomib: a multicenter international myeloma working group study. Leukemia. 2012 Jan;26(1):149-57.
8 Rajkumar SV. Multiple myeloma: 2020 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification and management. Am J Hematol.2020;95(5):548-5672020;95(5):548-567. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32212178
9 Cancer.Net. "Multiple Myeloma: Statistics." Available at:https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/statistics#:~:text=Worldwide%2C%20an%20estimated%20176%2C404%20people,worldwide%20died%20from%20multiple%20myeloma. Accessed June 3, 2022.
10 American Cancer Society. "Key Statistics About Multiple Myeloma." Available at:https://cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org/?_ga=2.84250769.967379196.1642100198-1705811479.1642100198#!/. Accessed June 2022.
11 American Cancer Society. "What Is Multiple Myeloma?" Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/what-is-multiple-myeloma.html. Accessed June 2022.
Media Inquiries:
Satu Glawe
+49 172-294-6264
Brian Kenney
+1-215-620-0111
Investor Relations:
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+1 732-524-6164
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+1 800-526-7736
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SOURCE The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/janssen-presents-updated-results-evaluating-first-in-class-gprc5d-bispecific-antibody-talquetamab-heavily-pretreated-patients-with-multiple-myeloma/ | 2022-06-10T13:04:55Z |
SAN DIEGO, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Synergy One Lending is proud to announce our very own Bridge Loan Product! This exciting addition to an already extensive suite is another way to give your buyers the power they need to win offers in today's competitive landscape!
"With the launch of our bridge loan product, we are bringing another great option to our originators and their clients that maximizes speed and agility needed to get them in the home they want. Giving our team strategic options like this just means they will gain more market share," says Synergy CEO Steve Majerus. Coupled with the S1L HELOC, best-in-class operations, S1 FinFit application, and in-house coaching, it's easy to see why top producers continue to be drawn to Synergy One.
To learn more about how to take your business to the next level, contact Synergy President, Aaron Nemec or SVP-Strategic Growth, Ben Green today!
Contact: Aaron Nemec, aaron@s1l.com
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SOURCE Synergy One Lending | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/synergy-one-lending-announces-their-new-bridge-loan-product/ | 2022-07-01T02:33:09Z |
SHANGHAI, April 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DFRobot launched a series of air, environmental and gas detection sensors. The Air Quality Sensor adopts the innovative TrueVOC technology combined with Metal Oxide (MOX) technology, which ensures the sensor has excellent accuracy, fast response and strong anti-interference performance. The Multifunctional Environmental Sensor adopts a more simplified and appropriate layout design and heat conduction, effectively ensuring data accuracy; The Gas Detection Sensor Series can detect 12 kinds of gas covering carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other harmful gases. They provide important information for the environmental and industrial protection.
Gravity: Air Quality Sensor
Gravity: ENS160 Air Quality Sensor, based on ScioSense's new ENS160 sensor chip, is specifically designed for indoor air quality monitoring and offers detection of multiple IAQ data (TVOC, eCO2, AQI). The innovative TrueVOC™ technology combines the metal oxide (MOX) technology that brings this sensor superior accuracy, fast response, anti-interference, etc. With intelligent on-chip algorithms, the ENS160 can directly output rich and easy-to-understand environmental data. The preheating time of the sensor is less than 3 minutes, which can obtain accurate data more quickly. The built-in automatic baseline calibration algorithm ensures the long-term stability of the sensor.
Gravity: Multifunctional Environmental Sensor
Gravity: Multifunctional Environmental Sensor is a 5-in-1 sensor that integrates temperature and humidity sensor, pressure sensor, light sensor, and ultraviolet sensor. It supports UART and I2C communication modes, two versions: Gravity and Fermion (breakout), and complete Arduino and Python libraries. It is exquisite and compact, suitable for indoor and outdoor environmental monitoring systems and other applications.
Gravity: Gas Detection Sensor Series
Gravity: Gas Detection Sensor Series can detect 12 kinds of gases covering oxygen, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen fluoride, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, chlorine, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide. It features strong anti-interference ability and high stability and sensitivity and supports three output modes: analog, I2C, and UART. The probe has been calibrated at the factory, which can quickly and accurately measure the concentration of gases in the environment. It can be widely used for detecting gas in industrial and environmental protection.
For more information about the new sensors, please visit: https://www.dfrobot.com/new-products
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SOURCE DFRobot | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/08/dfrobot-launched-air-environmental-gas-detection-sensors-industrial-environmental-protection/ | 2022-04-08T12:58:14Z |
From Cyndi Lauper to Tom Waits: Helen Welch to play hits of '40s to '90s at Gervasi
Helen Welch's charisma and verve are so palpable on a phone call that it's easy to imagine the energy carried over to her stage performances.
Whether it's music, Broadway or an orchestra, she spoke with excitement. And she was just as upbeat when discussing Gervasi Vineyards in Canton, where she returns to perform a show Thursday titled, "Helen Welch and Big Wow: Soundtrack of Our Lives."
"Coming out of COVID, I think we need something that makes people feel good," Welch said. "Each song encompasses a time in your life and certain things you were doing."
The concert will be 8 to 9:30 p.m. in Gervasi's pavilion at the vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE. Doors open at 7.
Premium tickets are $55; general tickets are $45. For more information, go to www.gervasivineyard.com/event/helen-welch-and-big-wow-soundtrack-of-our-lives/.
Each guest will receive a dessert trio and glass of wine during the performance.
'Each song encompasses a time in your life.'
A native of England, Welch has lived in Northeast Ohio for nearly 20 years.
She's worked in various genres of entertainment. Welch began her career on television's "Romper Room." Musically, she's headlined with the BBC Big Band, Glenn Miller Europe and Opus One, while performing at at famous venues in the UK, including The Ritz, The Savoy and Blenheim Palace, as well as theatres at England's West End.
An internationally acclaimed vocalist, Welch will perform popular songs from the '40s through the '90s in the genres of pop, folk, blues, jazz and swing. An 11-piece ensemble will back Welch.
Welch also has starred in well-known musicals, including "Hello Dolly," "42nd Street," Carousel" and "Oliver Twist."
She's also been the featured vocalist for The Cleveland Orchestra, The Grant Park Symphony Orchestra in Chicago and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Additionally, Welch has produced her own shows for Cleveland's Playhouse Square and the Akron Civic Theatre, as well as for theatres and performing arts centers across the country.
A decades-based musical format was born of the pandemic, Welch explained. She had discussed the idea with composer David Morgan.
Morgan had been aware of Welch's experience performing with an orchestra or big band. So he suggested pairing her with a smaller grouping of strings, horns, piano, bass and guitar.
'The '70s golden era of vinyl records'
Each decade conjures musical memories for Welch herself. And she introduces each song while referencing its time period.
"I talk about pop culture and the '70s golden era of vinyl records," Welch said. "Today, parents take away cellphones. When I was a little girl, my mom would take away my record player."
Welch will be accompanied by "an 11-piece chamber orchestra or in your pocket symphony orchestra," Welch said.
And "it has all the pizazz and swing of a Las Vegas show band because it has the horns, the sax and all that, and it has the intimacy of a Manhattan jazz club," she said.
Beatles songs will run the spectrum from the full-on rocker "Come Together" to the gentler "Blackbird."
"I'm taking The Beatles and doing something completely different with them," she said.
"Everybody goes, 'Oh my gosh, chamber orchestra and 'Come Together,'" Welch added. "This is so awesome; the juxtaposition between the two is so great."
The 15-song set list will include Tom Waits' "Temptation," "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper and Stevie Wonders' "Do I Do." Another classic is, "On the Sunny Side of the Street."
"Wichita Lineman" is also part of the Gervasi setlist. The song's writer, Jimmy Webb, raved about her version after watching a clip on social media.
"He said, 'I must be doing something right that you want to cover the song,'" Welch said.
Welch also promises to make the songs her own.
"There's no point in copying," Welch said, referring to herself as a "song stylist."
Gervasi is a 'little slice of California's Napa Valley'
During the pandemic, she gained a new appreciation for live audiences.
"Everybody screamed when we came on, and I said, 'Wow, I missed you guys,'" she recalled. "I really took for granted how important a live audience is to our energy."
The crowd reaction and experience were moving.
"After every song, we were flying," Welch said. "We were just on cloud nine for the whole night, and it was really hot and nobody noticed. It was just an amazing evening."
Welch has become fond of Gervasi as a venue.
"They're friends now ... and I always tell people it's like a little slice of California's Napa Valley in Northeast Ohio," she said. "If you've not been there before, it's hard to describe to people.
"And one of the things I remember, I started singing and there's swans on the lake," Welch said. "How much better can it get than that beautiful pavilion."
The energy and intimacy of a smaller crowd
Andrea Hartman, marketing director at Gervasi, said Welch's shows appeal to a variety of music lovers in a picturesque outdoor setting.
Welch's shows appeal to any type of music lovers and any demographic which is why she is such a great fit for Gervasi Vineyard. Her cheeky British banter with her one of a kind ensemble makes her show extremely entertaining both visually and musically.
Intimacy is one of Gervasi's attributes, she noted. The pavilion seats 300 people.
"As an entertainer, it's better to have 15 people in the room and the energy that feeds that performance than 14,000 people that feel a million miles away," she said.
"There's something about that venue that I want to keep coming back."
Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com. On Twitter: @ebalintREP | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/entertainment/2022/07/24/helen-welch-sing-hits-beatles-stevie-wonder-cantons-gervasi/10084527002/ | 2022-07-24T09:19:45Z |
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ATIF Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: ATIF, the "Company," "ATIF" or "We"), a holding company providing business and financial consulting services in Asia and North America, is pleased to announce that the Company's IPO advisory services client and investment holding in Solarever Ltd.("Solarever"), a Mexican solar energy and electric vehicle company, has seen rapid growth in its recent electric vehicle orders. Based on the investment agreement between Solarever and the Company, ATIF holds a 5.25% equity stake in Solarever.
The high climb in global crude oil prices this year has led to a subsequent spike in the price of gas, creating a strong consumer interest in electric vehicles. According to the American Automobile Association ("AAA"), the state gas price averages in U.S. is $4.07/gallon on August 7, 2022, an increase of 27.6% from $3.19/gallon on the prior year's August 7, and regular gas prices in California and Hawaii are over $5.00/gallon. According to AAA's latest consumer survey revealed on July 13, 2022, one quarter of Americans say they are likely to buy an electric vehicle (powered entirely by electricity, i.e., not a hybrid) for their next vehicle purchase, with millennials leading the way (30%). The common factor among those who want to buy an electric vehicle is a strong desire to save on fuel costs, with 77 percent citing this as the top reason for interest.
Solarever is the leading designer and manufacturer of solar products in Mexico, including photovoltaics (PV) panels, energy storage systems, electric vehicles (EV), and other zero-emission solutions operating in solar and electric vehicle sectors. Solarever is the first and currently only domestic electric vehicle company in Mexico that has been granted electric vehicle safety certification and an EV dealer's license. Solarever launched its first EV, the SEV e-Wan in 2022 which has garnered sizable customer interest and purchase orders in Mexico. The SEV e-Wan starts at $14,500.
Jun Liu, President, Chairman of the Board, and CEO of ATIF, commented, "We highly believe in Solarever's growth potential, based on our strong view of the future of the sustainable energy industry. Solarever is one of the leading players in the solar PV industry and is also active in the electric vehicle industry, which has significant growth potential. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), EV makers plowed through rising prices and broken supply chains to sell 6.6 million electric vehicles in 2021, doubling global sales and tripling the EV market share in just two years. From what we understand, Solarever's recent electric vehicle sales have been brisk and purchase orders are growing rapidly! At the same time, Solarever's IPO process is steadily progressing and we are very excited to see the high returns that this investment will enable us and our shareholders to achieve in its future IPO."
About ATIF Holdings Limited
ATIF Holdings Limited ("ATIF") is a Los Angeles-based comprehensive financial group with wholly owned and operated subsidiaries: ATIF-1 hedge funds company, ATIF equity investing company, ATIF IPO advisory company, and the integrated financial services network platform www.IPOEX.com. ATIF is dedicated to providing international asset securitization services, as well as equity investment and asset management services to companies around the world. ATIF was awarded the "Top 10 Best Listed Companies 2019" from the "Golden Bauhinia Award," the highest award in Hong Kong's financial and securities industry. For more information, please visit https://ir.atifchina.com/.
To learn more about IPOEX, our financial services platform, please visit: https://www.ipoex.com/
For more information about NFTDPO, our NFT service division, please visit https://nftdpo.com/.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this release are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "estimates," "projected," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should," "future," "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantee of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, are: future financial and operating results, including revenues, income, expenditures, cash balances and other financial items; ability to manage growth and expansion; current and future economic and political conditions; ability to compete in an industry with low barriers to entry; ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures; ability to attract new clients, complete projects for clients, and further enhance brand recognition; ability to hire and retain qualified management personnel and key employees; trends and competition in the financial consulting services industry; a pandemic or epidemic; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could affect the Company's ability to continue successful development and launch of its NFT collection; the possibility that the Company may not succeed in developing its NFT platform and business due to, among other things, changes in the business environment, competition, changes in governmental regulation, or other economic and policy factors; the ability of the Company to continue compliance with the development of applicable regulatory regulations in connection with blockchain, digital assets and the NFT industry; the possibility that the Company's ongoing NFT services may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other factors listed in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions you that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements we make. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.
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SOURCE ATIF Holdings Limited | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/atifs-investment-mexican-ev-company-sees-rapid-growth-product-orders-due-spike-gas-price/ | 2022-08-11T00:35:33Z |
New easy-drinking hard tea delivers big fruit flavor with 0g sugar
CHICO, Calif., May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tea West, a new hard tea by Chico Fermentation Project in partnership with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., announced today that its products may now be found on retail shelves in select markets across the country. This new beverage offers a softly carbonated hard tea infused with big fruit flavors, and just 100 calories, zero sugar, three grams of carbs, and 5% ABV per twelve-ounce can. Select retail markets include California, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Minnesota, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
"We're very excited to offer Tea West just in time for Summer," said Robin Gregory, Communications Director at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. "It's big on fruit tea flavor, but low on calories. Not too sweet, no sugar. It's light and easy—the perfect drink for a day on the water."
All four flavors of Tea West are available in a 12-pack variety (MSRP $18.99), which includes Lemon the Dream, Just Peachy, Black Rad Berry, and Mint to Be Strawberry.
Lemon the Dream is a bubbly and refreshing take on a classic combo of lemon and black tea, and it stands as the flagship in the lineup. Drinkers can find it in the variety 12-pack, in a stand-alone 6-pack (MSRP $9.99), or in single-serve 19.2-ounce cans (MSRP $2.99).
Just Peachy is a nod to another reliable warm day classic, peach infused black tea. It can be found in the variety 12-pack and in a stand-alone 6-pack (MSRP $9.99).
Black Rad Berry is a mash-up of ripe blackberry and raspberry flavors infused into black tea. It is found exclusively in the Tea West variety 12-pack.
Mint to Be Strawberry is bright with the flavor of fresh strawberries and the subtle accent of fresh mint infused into black tea. It is also found exclusively in the Tea West variety 12-pack.
About Tea West
Tea West is an easy-drinking hard tea produced by Chico Fermentation Project in partnership with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., in Chico CA. Tea West incorporates quality ingredients without added sugar for an elevated hard tea experience. Good times come easy with Tea West hard tea. Learn more at www.teawest.com.
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SOURCE Tea West; Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/tea-west-hard-tea-hits-shelves-across-us/ | 2022-05-18T15:10:49Z |
NEW YORK, July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) continues to expand its aftermarket-leading Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) program. GDI technology has been an integral part of helping to improve fuel economy while reducing emissions, and can be found on more than half of the U.S. fleet. In fact, the use of GDI engines has grown by over 600% since 2010.
Anchored by Injectors, Standard's GDI program also includes High-Pressure Fuel Pumps, Fuel Injector Rail Kits, Fuel Pressure Sensors, Fuel Feed Lines, Fuel Pressure Regulators, and Fuel Pressure Sensor Connectors for a complete line of GDI components. Standard's GDI line-up includes hundreds of part numbers for domestic and import vehicles, including applications through 2022, providing industry-leading late-model coverage.
GDI technology utilizes a special injector that injects fuel at a high level of pressure (up to 2,000 psi) during cylinder compression. Standard® GDI Injectors are always new, never remanufactured. Each Injector features stainless steel calibration slide and spring assemblies to prevent corrosion within the fuel control body, leading to extended service life. Precision-wound and trimmed solenoid windings allow the computer to command efficient fuel delivery, while high-temp Viton O-rings deliver prolonged sealing under these extreme conditions. The included retaining clip helps protect against vibration by keeping the injector in position. Additional O-rings and umbrella seals are included for a complete kit.
Recently released GDI Fuel Injectors cover an additional 4.7 million vehicles in operation. The most popular applications include the 2020-18 Toyota Camry, 2020-2019 Toyota RAV4, 2021-19 Ford Edge and Ford Ranger, and 2020-2018 Ford F-150. Additionally, Fuel Pressure Sensors are now available for General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles. Over 6 million 2020-14 General Motors vehicles will also benefit from the addition of a Fuel Feed Line, and a Fuel Pressure Sensor Connector has been released to fit the Ford Focus, Expedition, F-150, and Transit. Several High-Pressure Fuel Pumps have been introduced, adding coverage for many popular 2016-10 Hyundai and Kia vehicles as well as the 2022-17 Chevrolet Camaro, 2019-15 Chevrolet Corvette, and 2019-16 Cadillac CTS.
Commenting on the expansion, John Herc, Vice President Engine Management Marketing, SMP, stated, "Our GDI Program is constantly evolving and expanding, demonstrating our commitment to providing our partners with all of the parts needed for the maintenance and service of GDI systems."
All new Standard® GDI applications are listed in the eCatalog found at StandardBrand.com, and in electronic catalog providers.
About Standard®
Standard® offers a full line of premium automotive products for ignition, electrical, emissions, fuel and safety-related systems including diesel, turbochargers, TPMS, VVT, ADAS and Blue Streak® heavier-duty ignition coils. The Standard® line provides unmatched coverage for all import and domestic vehicle applications. Standard® is committed to providing replacement parts for all platforms including the latest hybrid and electric vehicle systems. For additional information, contact an SMP® sales representative or visit StandardBrand.com.
About SMP
With over 100 years in business, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium automotive replacement parts. SMP supplies independent professional technicians and do- it-yourselfers with high quality replacement parts for engine management, ignition, emissions, fuel and safety- related systems, as well as temperature control products for domestic and import cars and light trucks. SMP products are sold worldwide through both traditional and non-traditional distribution channels. For more information, download the SMP Parts App or visit smpcorp.com.
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SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/standard-motor-products-expands-gdi-program-offering/ | 2022-07-19T18:16:40Z |
Los Angeles police are searching for a suspect who was caught on surveillance video assaulting an Asian man earlier this week, authorities said.
Video footage released by police shows the suspect using his elbow to strike the victim in the face while the two were outside a storefront in the neighborhood of Koreatown on Monday. The "unprovoked" attack, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, resulted in the victim falling to the ground, appearing to be unconscious in the video.
After the assault, a bystander approached the suspect, confronted him and a dialogue ensued between the two, the video shows. Then, the suspect picked up the unconscious victim and handed him to the bystander. The attacker proceeded to walk away from the bystander and the victim and doesn't appear to interact with them further. It is not clear from the video what happened further.
Los Angeles police are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect and say they're actively investigating the attack.
The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations said it is contacting the LAPD to ensure that detectives are exploring any evidence of a potential hate crime, including witness or suspect interviews, social media posts and comments made by the suspect about the incident. Authorities have yet to state any determinations whether the assault constitutes a hate crime.
Hate crimes, including those against Asians in the US, have seen a sharp increase in recent years. The Covid-19 pandemic sparked attacks against Asians amid online and political rhetoric stigmatizing them, but this category of hate crime is often underreported.
In 2020, attacks targeting Asians nationally spiked to 279 from 161 in 2019, according to an FBI hate crime report. Statistics from 2021 have yet to be released.
The category of hate crime incidents where a victim was targeted because of their race, ethnicity or ancestry increased substantially between 2019 and 2020, with 8,052 single-bias incidents in 2020 compared to 3,954 the previous year.
'Anti-Asian violence continues on'
Advocacy organizations indicate the attack in Los Angeles points to a larger pattern of violence against Asian Americans -- regardless of whether police determine the assault is a hate crime.
"Seeing an Asian man being beaten in Koreatown nearly 40 years to the day of the brutal murder of Vincent Chin is a sobering reminder of how anti-Asian violence continues on," said Connie Chung Joe, who heads nonprofit Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles.
"Whether the police ultimately decides it has sufficient evidence to call this a hate crime or not, there's no doubt that for our Asian American community, this is another example of the surge in violence and attacks against our community during this pandemic," she said.
Chin, a Chinese American, was beaten to death in Detroit in 1982 by two White men who worked in the automotive industry during a time when the sector was facing economic decline due to Japanese competition. The pair didn't spend a full day in jail for their crime.
In Los Angeles, the county's human relations commission operates the LA vs. Hate program, which may offer support to victims.
Through the program, staff can facilitate meetings with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing to obtain civil remedies is a case has elements of bias and discrimination exhibited by agencies, companies or people.
Manju Kulkarni, the co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, told CNN her organization is advocating for two bills in the California legislature to stop public harassment.
"We don't know the motivations behind this specific targeting of an Asian American, but we do know how real the problem of anti-AAPI hate is -- not only in violent incidents like these but in the many more public harassment moments where racial and ethnic slurs are shouted at AAPIs just trying to go about their lives," Kulkarni said.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/the-suspect-in-an-unprovoked-assault-of-an-asian-man-in-los-angeles-has-not/article_b97f0fb0-d3ac-58e2-bcfe-fa8f8e6cc363.html | 2022-06-24T08:13:58Z |
BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The scholarship program that was recently launched by Francis Santa is a scholarship program that is directed towards young aspiring student entrepreneurs who want to seriously pursue their career paths in the future. This scholarship program is opening its doors for applications towards any eligible students which are university students who are currently enrolled in a course that is intended to help them with the path to becoming an entrepreneur. Additionally, the doors for these applications are also open to high school students who have a desire to become an entrepreneur and are graduating with plans on attending university for their ambition to become an entrepreneur. The student that will be chosen will be awarded scholarship funds that will go towards financing their university studies as it intends to cover both education and tuition fees.
Francis Santa hopes that this scholarship program will allow any aspiring entrepreneur the opportunity to become successful in the future through the opportunities it will open. The scholarship will not only serve as his way of giving back to the community but also bring awareness of the struggles of entrepreneurs and the rising costs of education that makes it difficult for students to overcome as well as nurture the next generation of successful entrepreneurs.
The scholarship program is intended to allow the chosen student to attend university and help with finances. This allows them all the time they need to focus on their academics rather than juggling between academics and their finances. Francis greatly sympathizes with this and understands the central role of education and wishes that this scholarship will allow him to give back to a future entrepreneur. Francis Santa himself was able to become a successful entrepreneur thanks to his time at the University of Hartford which allowed him to become the CEO and founder of his own business in 2014, Business Image Lift.
Interested students can grab the opportunity for this scholar and head on over to the official Francis Santa scholarship page. The page will contain everything they need to learn about the scholarship as well as explore tidbits of Francis' own life. The scholarship website will also contain the list of requirements alongside any updates as well as the place where you need to submit your scholarship application.
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SOURCE Francis Santa Scholarship | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/francis-santa-scholarship-building-future-business-entrepreneurship/ | 2022-09-16T19:52:35Z |
(KTLA) – Spring is in full swing, and normally that means allergies for many. But with COVID-19 cases increasing again, you may be asking yourself if you have the virus or if it’s just allergies.
Allergies affect as many as 60 million people per year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And this allergy season, coronavirus infections are back on the rise, CDC data shows. In places like Los Angeles County, public health officials are already warning of a 40% increase in cases.
“Symptoms of allergies can definitely mimic the symptoms of COVID,” the L.A. County Department of Public Health told Nexstar’s KTLA.
The two share some symptoms, including cough, fatigue, headaches, tiredness, sore throat, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose, according to the CDC.
But they are also different. Common symptoms of COVID-19 that allergies do not commonly have are fever or chills, body aches, loss of taste or smell, and shortness of breath. (Seasonal allergies don’t cause shortness of breath unless a person has a respiratory condition like asthma that can be triggered by pollen).
Meanwhile, allergies can cause itchy or watery eyes, which COVID-19 doesn’t commonly do.
The CDC chart below allows you to compare the symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal allergies so you can tell the difference:
Since COVID-19 and seasonal allergies do share a number of symptoms, it is advised to take a coronavirus test.
“If people have new onset cough, or other symptoms of COVID we always recommend testing and isolating until you have the results of the tests,” L.A. County Public Health officials said.
If you’re sick, you’re advised to isolate from others and test yourself for COVID-19. If your symptoms are severe or if you have underlying medical conditions that suppress your immune system, you may need to consult with a health care provider.
Climate change may potentially lead to both higher pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons, causing more people to suffer from allergies, according to the CDC.
The good news is that face masks can reduce outdoor allergies if worn properly and cleaned regularly, the department added. | https://cw33.com/news/covid-or-allergies-spring-weather-may-make-it-tough-to-tell-whats-ailing-you/ | 2022-05-09T17:46:34Z |
MIAMI, May 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand Institute is proud to announce having worked with Fujifilm Corporation in developing the FIPAS™ brand name. FIPAS™ is a photo analysis service that utilizes cloud-based software to automatically identify deteriorations in concrete from photos and estimate their size. Fujifilm is committed to supporting the infrastructure maintenance industry with its innovative AI and imaging technologies.
FIPAS™ enhances and supports the inspection process, improving efficiency by identifying and visualizing detailed damage in infrastructure, such as cracks, spall, efflorescence and rebar exposure via its AI and imaging technology. When used with drone imaging, FIPAS™ can help minimize the cost of inspections.
"The entire Brand Institute Team congratulates Fujifilm on the development of the FIPAS photo analysis service," said Brand Institute's Chairman and C.E.O., James L. Dettore. "We wish Fujifilm immense success with the FIPAS brand."
About Brand Institute
Founded in 1993, Brand Institute (BI) was created on this principle: provide the highest quality name development services, produced, and presented by the most experienced professionals, in a timely manner, and at a competitive price. As we strive to deliver industry-leading nomenclature services, we are constantly adapting to our clients' needs to deliver greater value and successful outcomes. Brand Institute provides best-in-class strategy, name development, trademark screening, market/safety research and visual identity services to our valued, global clientele, delivered by 400+ of the most experienced and forward-thinking branding professionals in our industry. BI is the global leader in name development, with a portfolio of over 4,800 marketed Consumer, B2B, and Healthcare brand names, 1,300 USAN/INN nonproprietary names for 1,550 clients
In 2004, Brand Institute created Drug Safety Institute (DSI), our wholly owned subsidiary, to assist OTC and Healthcare Clients with naming, labeling, and packaging Regulatory Affairs. DSI is composed of former naming regulatory officials from global government health agencies, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Health Canada (HC), American Medical Association (AMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Contact:
James Dettore
Chairman & C.E.O.
jdettore@brandinstitute.com
www.brandinstitute.com
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SOURCE Brand Institute, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/23/fujifilms-fipas-service-offers-high-tech-solution-infrastructure-maintenance/ | 2022-05-23T15:28:33Z |
- Net income was $1.22 billion versus $2.27 billion prior year and core operating income was a record $1.79 billion versus $1.62 billion prior year. For the six months, net income was $3.19 billion, compared to $4.57 billion prior year, and core operating income was a record $3.43 billion, up 24.0%.
- Consolidated net premiums written were up 7.9%, or 10.0% in constant dollars. P&C net premiums written were up 9.0%, or 11.0% in constant dollars, driven by growth in commercial lines of 12.1% and consumer lines of 8.0%.
- North America P&C net premiums written were up 10.9%, driven by growth in commercial lines of 12.6% and consumer lines of 5.4%. Overseas General P&C net premiums written were up 5.7%, or 12.4% in constant dollars, including growth in commercial lines of 13.0% and consumer lines of 11.6%.
- P&C underwriting income was a record $1.44 billion, up 21.1%, leading to a record P&C combined ratio of 84.0%, compared with 85.5% prior year. P&C current accident year underwriting income excluding catastrophe losses was a record $1.49 billion, up 23.5%, leading to a P&C current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses of 83.5%, compared with 85.4% prior year. Through the six months, P&C underwriting income was a record $2.72 billion and the P&C combined ratio was a record 84.2%.
- Total pre-tax and after-tax P&C catastrophe losses were $291 million and $241 million, respectively, compared with $280 million and $226 million, respectively, last year.
- Pre-tax net investment income was $888 million and adjusted net investment income was $950 million. Both were records.
- Operating cash flow was $2.72 billion.
- Unfavorable foreign currency movement in the quarter negatively impacted P&C net premiums written growth by 2.0 percentage points and core operating income by $34 million, or $0.08 per share.
- Annualized return on equity (ROE) was 9.0% and annualized core operating ROE was 12.4%. Annualized core operating return on tangible equity (ROTE) was 18.6%.
- On July 1, 2022, the company completed the acquisition of Cigna's accident and health (A&H) and life business for $5.36 billion.
ZURICH, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) today reported net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 of $1.22 billion, or $2.86 per share, and core operating income of $1.79 billion, or $4.20 per share. Net income in the quarter was adversely impacted by realized losses of $565 million after tax, principally due to the mark-to-market impact on private and public equities and from sales in fixed income securities. The P&C combined ratio was 84.0% compared to 85.5% prior year, and the current accident year P&C combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses was 83.5% compared to 85.4% prior year. Book and tangible book value per share decreased 7.7% and 11.6%, respectively, from March 31, 2022 and now stand at $123.46 and $77.71, respectively. Book value was unfavorably impacted by after-tax net realized and unrealized losses of $4.91 billion in the company's investment portfolio, principally due to the mark-to-market impact from rising interest rates in the fixed income portfolio. Book and tangible book value per share excluding net unrealized investment losses each decreased 0.3%, from March 31, 2022.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net income was $3.19 billion, or $7.46 per share, and core operating income was $3.43 billion, or $8.01 per share. The P&C combined ratio was 84.2% compared to 88.6% prior year, and the current accident year P&C combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses was 83.5% compared to 85.3% prior year. Book and tangible book value per share decreased 11.8% and 17.7%, respectively, from December 31, 2021. Book value was unfavorably impacted by after-tax net realized and unrealized losses of $8.48 billion in the company's investment portfolio, principally due to the mark-to-market impact from rising interest rates in the fixed income portfolio. The mark-to-market impact resulted in an unrealized loss position of $5.71 billion at June 30, 2022, compared with an unrealized gain position of $2.26 billion at December 31, 2021. Book and tangible book value per share excluding net unrealized investment gains (losses) increased 1.8% and 2.6%, respectively, from December 31, 2021.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the tax expenses (benefits) related to the table above were $(1) million and nil, respectively, for Cigna integration expenses; $(6) million and $(8) million for amortization of fair value adjustment of acquired invested assets and long-term debt; $(62) million and $149 million, respectively, for adjusted net realized gains and losses; and $717 million and $514 million, respectively, for core operating income.
Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chubb Limited, commented: "We had an outstanding quarter that reflects the strong momentum in our company: record operating earnings, underwriting and investment results, and double-digit premium revenue growth in constant dollars. Core operating income per share was $4.20, up 16%; P&C underwriting income topped $1.4 billion, up over 21%, with a combined ratio of 84%; and adjusted net investment income was $950 million – all were records.
"Total P&C premiums globally grew 11% in constant dollars, with commercial up 12% and consumer up 8%, though published growth was impacted by the headwinds from the strength of the dollar. Commercial P&C pricing changes remained strong and exceeded both our actual observed and future projected loss cost trends. Commercial premiums increased 12.5% in North America, or 8.7% excluding agriculture, and 13% in our international operations in constant dollars. On the consumer side, our international business continued to pick up momentum, with constant dollar growth of 11.6%, while our U.S. high net worth business grew 4.7% on the back of record new business and strong pricing.
"We are bullish about our future prospects while mindful of the world around us. We are in the risk business. Our momentum and earning power are strong, driven by commercial P&C growth and pricing that remain quite good; increasing investment income due to rising rates and strong cash flow; accelerating consumer lines growth globally; and life company revenue and earnings which will benefit from the addition of Cigna's business in Asia. Together, these will continue to drive strong EPS growth."
Operating highlights for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 were as follows:
- Consolidated net premiums earned increased 8.4%, or 10.7% in constant dollars. P&C net premiums earned increased 9.8%, or 12.0% in constant dollars, comprising growth in commercial and consumer lines of 13.0% and 2.2%, respectively, or 14.8% and 5.3%, respectively, in constant dollars.
- Pre-tax net investment income was a record $888 million, compared with $884 million prior year, and adjusted net investment income was a record $950 million, compared with $945 million prior year.
- Total capital returned to shareholders in the quarter was $1.48 billion, including share repurchases of $1.13 billion, at an average purchase price of $206.11 per share, and dividends of $348 million. Total capital returned to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $2.82 billion, including share repurchases of $2.13 billion at an average purchase price of $205.84 per share, and dividends of $688 million. The company previously announced that its Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program of up to $2.5 billion through June 30, 2023.
- Total pre-tax and after-tax P&C catastrophe losses were $291 million (3.2 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $241 million, respectively, compared with $280 million (3.4 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $226 million, respectively, last year.
- Total pre-tax and after-tax favorable prior period development were $247 million (2.7 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $205 million, respectively, compared with $268 million (3.3 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $224 million, respectively, last year.
Details of financial results by business segment are available in the Chubb Limited Financial Supplement. Key segment items for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 are presented below:
- North America Commercial P&C Insurance: The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses decreased 2.1 percentage points, including a 2.3 percentage point decrease in the loss ratio and a 0.2 percentage point increase in the expense ratio.
- North America Personal P&C Insurance: The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses increased 0.5 percentage points due to a 0.5 percentage point increase in the expense ratio.
- North America Agricultural Insurance: The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses decreased 1.7 percentage points, including a 1.6 percentage point decrease in the expense ratio and a 0.1 percentage point decrease in the loss ratio.
- Overseas General Insurance: The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses decreased 2.2 percentage points, including a 1.6 percentage point decrease in the expense ratio and a 0.6 percentage point decrease in the loss ratio.
- Global Reinsurance: Net premiums written were $262 million, down 4.0%. The combined ratio was 92.8%, compared with 86.6% prior year. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses was 80.4% compared with 81.2% prior year.
- Life Insurance: Net premiums written were $571 million, down 7.2%, or 4.9% in constant dollars, and segment income was $101 million. International life insurance net premiums written decreased 4.9%, or 0.8% in constant dollars, while net premiums written and deposits collected were down 20.8%, or 18.3% in constant dollars, driven by the continued impact of the pandemic on the company's agency force and challenging market conditions for deposit products in certain Asian markets. International life insurance segment income increased 12.0%, or up 13.6% in constant dollars. Combined Insurance North America net premiums written decreased 10.2% and segment income decreased 3.5%.
All comparisons are with the same period last year unless otherwise specifically stated.
Please refer to the Chubb Limited Financial Supplement, dated June 30, 2022, which is posted on the company's investor relations website, investors.chubb.com, in the Financials section for more detailed information on individual segment performance, together with additional disclosure on reinsurance recoverable, loss reserves, investment portfolio, and debt and capital.
Chubb Limited will hold its second quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. The earnings conference call will be available via live webcast at investors.chubb.com or by dialing 800-458-4121 (within the United States) or 313-209-6672 (international), passcode 2366321. Please refer to the Chubb website under Events and Presentations for details. A replay will be available after the call at the same location. To listen to the replay, please click here to register and receive dial-in numbers.
About Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 34,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.
Regulation G - Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In presenting our results, we included and discussed certain non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures, which may be defined differently by other companies, are important for an understanding of our overall results of operations and financial condition. However, they should not be viewed as a substitute for measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Throughout this document there are various measures presented on a constant-dollar basis (i.e., excludes the impact of foreign exchange). We believe it is useful to evaluate the trends in our results exclusive of the effect of fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which our international business is transacted, as these exchange rates could fluctuate significantly between periods and distort the analysis of trends. The impact is determined by assuming constant foreign exchange rates between periods by translating prior period results using the same local currency exchange rates as the comparable current period.
Adjusted net investment income is net investment income excluding the amortization of the fair value adjustment on acquired invested assets from the acquisition of The Chubb Corporation (Chubb Corp) of $14 million and $22 million in Q2 2022 and Q2 2021, respectively, and including investment income of $48 million and $39 million in Q2 2022 and Q2 2021, respectively, from partially owned investment companies (private equity partnerships) where our ownership interest is in excess of 3% that are accounted for under the equity method. The amortization of the fair value adjustment on acquired invested assets was $30 million and $48 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and the investment income from private equity partnerships was $111 million and $80 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The mark-to-market movement on these private equity partnerships are included in adjusted net realized gains (losses) as described below. We believe this measure is meaningful as it highlights the underlying performance of our invested assets and portfolio management in support of our lines of business.
Adjusted net realized gains (losses), net of tax, includes net realized gains (losses) and net realized gains (losses) recorded in other income (expense) related to unconsolidated subsidiaries, and excludes realized gains and losses on crop derivatives. These derivatives were purchased to provide economic benefit, in a manner similar to reinsurance protection, in the event that a significant decline in commodity pricing impacts underwriting results. We view gains and losses on these derivatives as part of the results of our underwriting operations, and therefore realized gains (losses) from these derivatives are reclassified to adjusted losses and loss expenses.
P&C underwriting income is calculated by subtracting adjusted losses and loss expenses, policy acquisition costs and administrative expenses from net premiums earned by our P&C operations. We use underwriting income (loss) and operating ratios to monitor the results of our operations without the impact of certain factors, including net investment income, other income (expense), interest expense, amortization expense of purchased intangibles, income tax expense and adjusted net realized gains (losses).
P&C current accident year underwriting income excluding catastrophe losses is P&C underwriting income adjusted to exclude catastrophe losses and prior period development (PPD). We believe it is useful to exclude catastrophe losses, as they are not predictable as to timing and amount, and PPD as these unexpected loss developments on historical reserves are not indicative of our current underwriting performance. We believe the use of these measures enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business.
Core operating income, net of tax, excludes from net income the after-tax impact of adjusted net realized gains (losses), Cigna integration expenses, and the amortization of fair value adjustment of acquired invested assets and long-term debt related to the Chubb Corp acquisition. We believe this presentation enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business. We exclude adjusted net realized gains (losses) because the amount of these gains (losses) are heavily influenced by, and fluctuate in part according to, the availability of market opportunities. We exclude the amortization of the fair value adjustments related to purchased invested assets and long-term debt, related to the Chubb Corp acquisition due to the size and complexity of this acquisition. We exclude Cigna integration expenses as these expenses are distortive to our results and are not indicative of our underlying profitability. We believe excluding these integration expenses facilitates the comparison of our financial results to our historical operating results. References to core operating income measures mean net of tax, whether or not noted.
Core operating return on equity (ROE) and Core operating return on tangible equity (ROTE) are annualized non-GAAP financial measures. The numerator includes core operating income (loss), net of tax. The denominator includes the average shareholders' equity for the period adjusted to exclude unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax. For the ROTE calculation, the denominator is also adjusted to exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net of tax. These measures enhance the understanding of the return on shareholders' equity by highlighting the underlying profitability relative to shareholders' equity and tangible equity excluding the effect of unrealized gains and losses on our investments that are heavily influenced by available market opportunities. We believe ROTE is meaningful because it measures the performance of our operations without the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets.
P&C combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss expense ratio, acquisition cost ratio and the administrative expense ratio excluding the life business and including the realized gains and losses on the crop derivatives, as noted above.
P&C current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses excludes the impact of P&C catastrophe losses and PPD from the P&C combined ratio. We believe this measure provides a better evaluation of our underwriting performance and enhances the understanding of the trends in our property and casualty business that may be obscured by these items.
Global P&C performance metrics comprise consolidated operating results (including corporate) and exclude the operating results of the company's Life Insurance and North America Agricultural Insurance segments. The agriculture insurance business is a different business in that it is a public sector and private sector partnership in which insurance rates, premium growth, and risk-sharing is not market-driven like the remainder of the company's P&C insurance business. We believe that these measures are useful and meaningful to investors as they are used by management to assess the company's global P&C operations which are the most economically similar. We exclude the North America Agricultural Insurance and Life Insurance segments because the results of these businesses do not always correlate with the results of our global P&C operations.
Tangible book value per common share is shareholders' equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, net of tax, divided by the shares outstanding. We believe that goodwill and other intangible assets are not indicative of our underlying insurance results or trends and make book value comparisons to less acquisitive peer companies less meaningful.
Book value per share and tangible book value per share excluding unrealized investment gains (losses), excludes the mark-to-market on the company's fixed maturities portfolio. We believe that excluding these net unrealized gains (losses) would highlight the underlying growth in book value and tangible book value without the impact of interest rate volatility. Book value per share and tangible book value per share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI), excludes AOCI from the numerator because it eliminates the effect of items that can fluctuate significantly from period to period, primarily based on changes in interest rates and foreign currency movement, to highlight underlying growth in book and tangible book value.
International life insurance net premiums written and deposits collected includes deposits collected on universal life and investment contracts (life deposits). Life deposits are not reflected as revenues in our consolidated statements of operations in accordance with GAAP. However, we include life deposits in presenting growth in our life insurance business because new life deposits are an important component of production and key to our efforts to grow our business.
See the reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on pages 29-35 in the Financial Supplement. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for measures determined in accordance with GAAP, including premium, net income, return on equity, and net investment income.
NM - not meaningful comparison
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as those related to company performance, pricing, growth opportunities, economic and market conditions, and our expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts, reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including without limitation, the following: competition, pricing and policy term trends, the levels of new and renewal business achieved, the frequency and severity of unpredictable catastrophic events, actual loss experience, uncertainties in the reserving or settlement process, integration activities and performance of acquired companies, loss of key employees or disruptions to our operations, new theories of liability, judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments, litigation tactics and developments, investigation developments and actual settlement terms, the amount and timing of reinsurance recoverable, credit developments among reinsurers, rating agency action, infection rates and severity of pandemics, including COVID-19, and their effects on our business operations and claims activity, possible terrorism or the outbreak and effects of war, economic, political, regulatory, insurance and reinsurance business conditions, potential strategic opportunities including acquisitions and our ability to achieve and integrate them, as well as management's response to these factors, and other factors identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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SOURCE Chubb Limited | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/chubb-reports-second-quarter-net-income-per-share-286-versus-506-prior-year-record-core-operating-income-per-share-420-up-160-pampc-combined-ratio-was-record-840-pampc-net-premiums-written-up-90-or-110-constant-dollars/ | 2022-07-26T21:00:10Z |
Shore Bancshares Reports Second Quarter and First-Half Financial Results
Published: Jul. 28, 2022 at 3:15 PM CDT|Updated: 25 minutes ago
EASTON, Md., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shore Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHBI) (the "Company") reported net income of $7.499 million or $0.38 per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2022, compared to net income of $5.613 million or $0.28 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2022, and net income of $4.031 million or $0.34 per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2021. Net income for the first half of 2022 was $13.112 million or $0.66 per diluted common share, compared to net income for the first half of 2021 of $8.028 million or $0.68 per diluted common share. Net income, excluding merger related expenses for the second quarter of 2022 was $7.674 million or $0.39 per diluted common share, compared to net income, excluding merger related expenses of $6.156 million or $0.31 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2022 and net income, excluding merger related expenses of $4.311 million or $0.37 per diluted common share for the second quarter 2021.
When comparing net income, excluding merger related expenses, for the second quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2022 net income increased $1.5 million due to an increase in net interest income of $2.2 million. When comparing net income, excluding merger related expenses, for the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2021, net income increased $3.3 million primarily due to increases in net interest income of $10.5 million and noninterest income of $2.9 million. These improvements to income in the second quarter of 2022 were partially offset by an increase in noninterest expenses of $9.4 million primarily as a result of the acquisition of Severn Bank ("Severn") in November of 2021.
"We are pleased to announce our second quarter financial results," said Lloyd L. "Scott" Beatty, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to see strong loan demand and opportunities for growth within our various markets. With minimal merger expenses in the second quarter due to a shift from integration to operation, we noted positive trends in our ROA, efficiency ratio, and tangible book value. Our outlook for the remainder of 2022 is a very positive one, as we continue to maintain our commitment and focus on core earnings and enhanced returns for our shareholders."
Balance Sheet Review
Total assets were $3.443 billion at June 30, 2022, a $17.6 million, or less than 1.0%, decrease when compared to $3.460 billion at the end of 2021. This decrease was due to a decline in interest bearing deposits with other banks of $182.2 million, or 32.1%, partially offset by increases in loans held for investment of $145.4 million, or 6.9%, and investment securities held to maturity of $54.4 million, or 13.4%. The positive organic loan growth for loans held for investment was due to strong loan demand, specifically within our commercial real estate, residential real estate and consumer loan portfolios, partially offset by paydowns in the commercial loan portfolio. As of June 30, 2022, the Company had 37 Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP') loans totaling $1.7 million that were outstanding.
Total deposits decreased $11.9 million, or less than 1%, when compared to December 31, 2021. The decrease in total deposits was primarily due to decreases in money market and savings accounts of $79.7 million, $38.4 million in noninterest-bearing deposits and $12.0 million in time deposits offset by an increase in interest bearing checking accounts of $118.1 million.
Total stockholders' equity increased $2.1 million, or less than 1%, when compared to December 31, 2021, primarily due to current year earnings, partially offset by an increase in unrealized losses of $6.7 million (net of tax) on available for sale securities which are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). At June 30, 2022, the ratio of total equity to total assets was 10.25% and the ratio of total tangible equity to total tangible assets was 8.39% compared to 10.14% and 8.25% at the end of 2021.
Review of Quarterly Financial Results
Net interest income was $24.6 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $22.4 million for the first quarter of 2022 and $14.1 million for the second quarter of 2021. The increase in net interest income when compared to the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to increases in interest and fees on loans of $1.4 million, interest on deposits with other banks of $572 thousand and interest on investment securities of $407 thousand, partially offset by an increase in expense on interest-bearing deposits of $153 thousand. The improvement in interest and fees on loans was due to an increase in the average balance of loans of $81.4 million, or 3.8%. Accretion income from loans acquired from Severn increased over first quarter by $265 thousand. The increase in interest on deposits with other banks was primarily due to the recent increases to the fed funds rate. The increase in interest on taxable investment securities was driven by an increase in the rates of 26bps and an increase in the average balance within these securities of $15.2 million, or 2.9%, resulting from additional purchases of held to maturity securities during second quarter of 2022. The increase in deposits with other banks and investment securities was primarily due to excess liquidity.
The increase in net interest income when compared to the second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to increases in interest and fees on loans of $9.1 million, interest on taxable investment securities of $1.3 million and interest on deposits with other banks of $771 thousand, partially offset by increases in expenses on interest-bearing deposits of $455 thousand and long-term borrowings of $171 thousand, all of which were significantly impacted by the acquisition of Severn in the fourth quarter of 2021. Excluding the merger related impact to the balance sheet, organic loan growth and excess liquidity resulted in an improved overall yield on total earning assets, while maintaining lower cost of funding on core deposits.
The Company's net interest margin increased to 3.10% for the second quarter of 2022 from 2.78% for the first quarter of 2022 and 2.91% for the second quarter of 2021. The increase in net interest margin when compared to the first quarter of 2022 and second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to higher average loan balances, accretion income from purchased loans and higher rates paid on lower yielding assets. Excess liquidity continues to compress the overall net interest margin. Absent excess liquidity of $200 million, we estimate our margin for the second quarter of 2022 would have been 3.31%.
The provision for credit losses was $200 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The comparable amounts were $600 thousand and $650 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively. The decrease in the provision for credit losses during the second quarter of 2022 as compared to the prior quarters was primarily attributed to significant net recoveries. Net recoveries for the second quarter of 2022 were $573 thousand, compared to net recoveries of $166 thousand for the first quarter of 2022 and net recoveries of $125 thousand for the second quarter 2021. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to period-end loans, excluding PPP loans and acquired loans, was 0.89% at June 30, 2022, compared to 0.92% at March 31, 2022 and 1.12% at June 30, 2021. The decline in the percentage of the allowance from the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to decreased historical loss experience. The decline in the percentage of the allowance from the second quarter of 2021 was primarily the result of improved credit quality, including lower historical loss experience as well as lower pandemic related qualitative reserves.
At June 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, nonperforming assets were $4.0 million and $3.9 million respectively. The balance of nonperforming assets increased primarily due to an increase in loans 90 days past due still accruing of $671 thousand, or 146.2%, partially offset by a decrease in other real estate owned ("OREO") of $364 thousand, or 64.9%, and nonaccrual loans of $155 thousand, or 5.4%. Accruing troubled debt restructuring ("TDRs") decreased $110 thousand, or 2.2%, at June 30, 2022 compared to March 31, 2022. When comparing the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2021, nonperforming assets decreased $882 thousand, or 18.0%, primarily due to decreases in nonaccrual loans of $1.3 million, or 31.8%, offset by an increase in loans 90 days past due still accruing of $378 thousand, or 50.3%. Accruing TDRs decreased $1.4 million, or 22.8%. The ratio of nonperforming assets and accruing TDRs to total assets was 0.26%, 0.25% and 0.53% at June 30, 2022, March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively. In addition, the ratio of accruing TDRs to total loans at June 30, 2022 was 0.22% compared to 0.23% at March 31, 2022 and 0.43% at June 30, 2021.
Total noninterest income for the second quarter of 2022 decreased $213 thousand, or 3.5%, when compared to the first quarter of 2022 and increased $2.9 million, or 100.9%, when compared to the second quarter of 2021. The decrease compared to the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in revenue associated with the mortgage division of $771 thousand, or 41.3%, and partially offset by increases in interchange credits of $215 thousand, Mid-MD Title Company ("Mid-MD Title") revenue of $103 thousand and service charges on deposit accounts of $79 thousand. The increase in noninterest income when compared to the second quarter of 2021 was largely impacted by the addition of Severn in the fourth quarter of 2021 which included mortgage-banking revenue of $1.1 million and Mid-MD Title revenue of $426 thousand and also contributed to the increase in service charges on deposit accounts of $755 thousand and interchange fees of $217 thousand.
Total noninterest expense, excluding merger related expenses, for the second quarter of 2022 increased $251 thousand or 1.2%, when compared to the first quarter of 2022 and increased $9.4 million, or 89.1%, when compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase in noninterest expense when compared to the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to increases in fee and loan servicing expenses as well as derivatives expense. The increase from the second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to increases in salaries and wages, employee related benefits, occupancy expense, data processing, amortization of intangible assets and legal and professional fees, which were all significantly impacted by adding Severn and its operations.
Review of Six-Month Financial Results
Net interest income for the first six months of 2022 was $47.0 million, an increase of $19.1 million, or 68.6%, when compared to the first six months of 2021. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in total interest income of $20.1 million, or 65.2%, specifically interest and fees on loans of $16.8 million, or 58.4%. The improvement of interest and fees on loans was primarily due to the increase in the average balance of $740.5 million, or 51.1%, coupled with accretion income from the acquired loans of $1.5 million for the first six months of 2022. Taxable investment securities and interest on deposits with other banks increased $2.4 million and $978 thousand, respectively, partially offset by an increase in total interest expense of $974 thousand. The increase in interest expense was the result of an increase in the average balance of interest bearing deposits of $860.6 million, or 68.1%, despite the rates paid on these deposits declining 9bps. Interest on long term borrowings increased by $346 thousand due to long-term advances with FHLB and junior subordinated debt acquired as part of the Severn acquisition.
The provision for credit losses for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $800 thousand and $1.1 million, respectively. The decrease in provision for credit losses was the result of significant recoveries in the first six months of 2022 of $739 thousand compared to $125 thousand for the first six months of 2021. The ratio of the allowance to total loans decreased from 1.02% at June 30, 2021, to 0.68% at June 30, 2022. Excluding PPP loans and acquired loans, the ratio of the allowance for credit losses to period-end loans was 0.89% at June 30, 2022, lower than the 1.12% at June 30, 2021, primarily due to improved credit quality, lower historical loss experience, and reduced pandemic related qualitative factors.
Total noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 increased $6.4 million, or 117.6%, when compared to the same period in 2021. The increase in noninterest income primarily consisted of revenue associated with the mortgage division of $3.0 million, service charges on deposit accounts of $1.4 million, revenue from Mid-Maryland Title of $749 thousand and other noninterest income of $803 thousand. The increase in other noninterest income was primarily due to increases in rental income of $666 thousand and other loan fee income of $232 thousand partially offset by losses of $88 thousand related to market value adjustments of equity securities.
Total noninterest expense, excluding merger related expenses, for the six months ended June 30, 2022 increased $18.5 million, or 87.9%, when compared to the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily the result of higher salaries, employee benefits, occupancy expense, other intangibles, data processing costs, other noninterest expenses, and FDIC insurance premiums due to significant increases in new and existing customers and the acquisition of Severn. In addition, as previously mentioned, during the first six months of 2022 the Company recorded merger-related expenses of $971 thousand due to the acquisition of Severn.
Shore Bancshares Information
Shore Bancshares is a financial holding company headquartered in Easton, Maryland and is the largest independent bank holding company located on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It is the parent company of Shore United Bank. Shore Bancshares engages in trust and wealth management services through Wye Financial Partners, a division of Shore United Bank. Additional information is available at www.shorebancshares.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements (as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be the same as those anticipated by management. These statements are evidenced by terms such as "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "expect," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions. Although these statements reflect management's good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true. These projections involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements: changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions; geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing war in Ukraine; the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and related variants and mutations and their impact on the global economy and financial market conditions and our business, results of operations, and financial condition; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; inflation/deflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations; volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets; the transition away from USD LIBOR and uncertainty regarding potential alternative reference rates, including SOFR; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services; the impact of changes in financial services policies, laws, and regulations, including those concerning taxes, banking, securities, and insurance, and the application thereof by regulatory bodies; cybersecurity threats and the cost of defending against them, including the costs of compliance with potential legislation to combat cybersecurity at a state, national, or global level; and other factors that may affect our future results. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the section of the periodic reports filed by Shore Bancshares, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled "Risk Factors".
The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any factors or to publicly announce the result of revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments.
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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/shore-bancshares-reports-second-quarter-first-half-financial-results/ | 2022-07-28T20:40:42Z |
Weeklong event benefits 22 community nonprofits
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OneAmerica® continues a nine-year tradition of dedicating a full week of volunteer service to its local communities. Nearly 700 associates will assist nonprofits during the annual Week of Caring.
From Maine to southern California, associates of OneAmerica will provide more than 2,000 hours through 24 combined in-person and virtual volunteer activities in five states.
"What started as a local community event has grown into a national tradition, celebrating our culture of caring," said Jen Pittman, vice president of Community Affairs at OneAmerica. "We invest in our communities in many ways throughout the year. During Week of Caring, we contribute our time and energy to make a meaningful difference for nonprofit organizations across the country."
Most of the volunteer opportunities are in communities in which OneAmerica associates work, although associates also volunteer for virtual activities benefitting national organizations. Twelve volunteer sites are in Indianapolis. Other cities that will benefit from the community investment include: Appleton, Wisconsin; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Portland, Maine; and San Diego, California.
Week of Caring is conducted in collaboration with many nonprofit organizations, such as Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. This year, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and Damar Services are new volunteer opportunities in Indianapolis, and the San Diego Rescue Mission has collaborated with OneAmerica as an additional site in Southern California. Associates will make and donate blankets for the Little Red Door. In conjunction with the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, 4,000 children's books were donated to the United Way readUP program, a literacy initiative. The books will be distributed in Indianapolis during the Week of Caring. Virtual volunteer opportunities are also available through the Red Cross and the Alzheimer's Association.
Week of Caring is part of a broader associate-driven philanthropy effort that also includes the company's annual giving campaign. The OneAmerica Cares Giving Campaign starts in September and runs through mid-October. Last year, the campaign raised $823,000 to invest back into communities.
In 2014, OneAmerica became the first organization in central Indiana to devote an entire week to volunteer service. Each year provides associates the opportunity to collaborate with their colleagues in an immersive, community-focused effort that benefits others. The public can follow associates in action at the activities by following #OneAmericaCares on social media channels.
About OneAmerica®
A national provider of insurance and financial services for more than 140 years, the companies of OneAmerica help customers build and protect their financial futures. OneAmerica offers a variety of products and services to serve the financial needs of their policyholders and customers. These products include retirement plan products and recordkeeping services, individual life insurance, annuities, asset-based long-term care solutions and employee benefit plan products. Products are issued and underwritten by the companies of OneAmerica and distributed through a nationwide network of employees, agents, brokers and other sources who are committed to providing value to our customers. To learn more about our products, services and the companies of OneAmerica, visit OneAmerica.com/companies.
OneAmerica® is the marketing name for the companies of OneAmerica.
Contact:
Jonathan D. Neal
Public Relations Manager
OneAmerica
765-524-1901
Jonathan.Neal@oneamerica.com
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SOURCE OneAmerica | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/oneamerica-associates-give-2000-service-hours-nationally/ | 2022-08-23T17:43:22Z |
Get your shot and tell your story, thanks to the XA65/XA60, XA75/XA70, and VIXIA HF G70 camcorders
MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced the launch of four professional camcorders – the XA65, XA60, XA75, and XA70 – alongside the VIXIA HF G70 camcorder. The new camcorders are suited to a wide range of uses, including documentary, corporate events, and education. Capable of capturing amazing 4K quality content and HD UVC Streaming via USB-Ci, with advanced autofocus and face detection functionality, these models offer excellent performance. All of them enable MP4 and On-Screen Display (OSD) recording, while the four professional camcorders feature XF-AVC recording to support broadcast applications. Additionally, Canon has announced a firmware update for the XF605 camcorder.
High-Quality 4K Capture
With Canon's line-up of compact camcorders, content creators can easily capture stunning 4K footage in multiple scenarios. Powered with the DIGIC DV6 image processor and leveraging the 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor and 1.0-inch type CMOS sensor, respectively, the XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 are capable of shooting 4K UHD and Full HD images using oversampling for superb HD quality, making them perfect for a wide range of shooting scenarios. When coupled with Canon's intelligent optical design, these camcorders offer impressive zoom functionality in a lightweight body. Achieving a 35mm equivalent focal length, the XA65/XA60 offer a 20x optical zoom and the XA75/XA70 a 15x zoom. All professional models support 40x digital zoom, which extends to 800x in the XA65/XA60 and 600x in the XA75/XA70. These models are also designed to improve operability with a new, large 3.5 inch Touch Panel LCD Monitor and high-resolution Ocular EVF with impeccable video capabilities.
Precision Focus, Steady Footage
With Canon's precision AF systems, the XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 help content creators lock onto their subjects and easily follow the action. Featuring Dual Pixel CMOS AF, the XA75/XA70 models are capable of fast and accurate focusing, which couples with the Dual Pixel focus guide to help make manually focusing on a subject easy. The XA65/XA60 line-up employs an advanced Hybrid AF system for precise focusing even in low light situations. All offer adjustable focusing speeds for either fast or smooth AF, which can also be controlled via the 3.5 inch LCD display, enabling operators to easily set the focus by touching a single AF point. For excellent accuracy and convenience, especially in busy environments where operators need to keep a subject in shot, Face Detection AF and Face Tracking are available. All feature manual focus, which can be set either by the focus/zoom ring, or the control ring on the lens of the XA75/XA70. Employing 5-axis image stabilization, these models capture steady, virtually shake-free footage.
Versatile Recording Formats
Featuring a range of flexible recording options, the XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 can seamlessly fit into multiple professional workflows. With a host of specialist recording options, including Slow and Fast Motion, on-screen display recording, which embeds the date and time into the video image, and an infrared mode to capture footage in the dark, these camcorders can be used for a wide range of use cases. They can also be easily integrated into a multi-camera setup thanks to the custom picture menu, allowing users to color match footage with other Canon cameras. For professional sound capture, the XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 have two XLR audio inputs and 4-channel linear PCM to set the recording level and input sensitivity.
New to the XA and VIXIA Series of camcorders, OSD recording embeds date, time, timecode and other data into your original camera files, effectively "time stamping" the information into each frame of video, a requirement for legal and law enforcement videographers.
Enhanced Connectivity Options
Canon's new professional camcorders offer a range of connectivity options to enable simple and fast transmission of high-resolution video. The XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 can stream HD video in UVC via USB-Ci through a compatible PC – great for education or houses of worship which increasingly offer both in-person and virtual services. All models feature HDMI output and simultaneous backup and relay recording via dual SD cards, with the XA65 and XA75 offering an additional 3G-SDI output.
Unlock Your Inner Filmmaker
Designed for aspiring filmmakers and documentarians, the VIXIA HF G70 is a multi-functional camcorder delivering professional capabilities in an easy-to-use form factor so they can shoot like a pro. Utilizing a 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor and high-quality 20x Zoom lens, this camcorder captures 4K UHD video in MP4 and oversampled HD footage for impeccable video resolution. HDMI and USB-C output enable users to turn the VIXIA HF G70 into a web camera for high-quality video calls and sharing content online. Additional scene modes are also available, including night mode, on-screen display recording, and audio scene mode, which adds sound recording that is tuned to the shooting environment.
XF605 Firmware Update
Canon has also added a firmware update for the XF605 camcorder in response to feedback and requests from users. The firmware v1.0.1.1 offers greater efficiency for broadcasters, and more versatile shooting options for content creators using the XF605 – a professional broadcast camera designed for solo shooters.
To meet the growing demand for remote and live production, this latest firmware update adds Canon's XC protocol, enabling the XF605 to work alongside other compatible Canon products within a multi-camera system. Combining the excellent performance of the camera with advanced network technologies, broadcasters can seamlessly integrate the XF605 into their setup and control the ISO, aperture, Custom Picture, and AF of all cameras from a single point. The v1.0.1.1 firmware also introduces a new 4K Intra 60P/50P recording option alongside XF-AVC Intra 410Mbps, creating a lightweight, high-quality codec that helps to minimize storage costs.
Powered by Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF, users can now enjoy the benefit of Face and Eye Detection AF and tracking in both fast and slow-motion shooting, perfect for capturing fast-paced action. For even more options, the firmware now also adds support for vertical shooting – a feature first seen in the EOS C70. This feature is great for digital signage, where content creators need to capture 4K content in a portrait format. For simple operation in vertical shooting mode, the monitor and on-screen menu change orientation.
A camcorder designed for single operators and streamlined crews, such as on-the-ground broadcasting, the v1.0.1.1 firmware gives operators the ability to monitor all four audio channels in the on-screen meter display. Users can now select assignable button 11 as the record button – ideal for those shooting on a tripod or in a vertical orientation. Also added is a feature that retains the selected shooting mode while switching from standard to Slow and Fast shooting.
Responding to feedback from customers and end users and the broader adoption of multi-camera setups for live and remote production, this firmware levels up the performance of the XF605 and enables it to be easily integrated into multi-camera setup.
The Canon XF605 firmware update v1.0.1.1 is currently available for download.
Canon XA75/XA70 Key Features:
- 1.0-inch type CMOS Sensor and DIGIC DV6 Processor for 4K UHD recording
- 15x optical zoom with 40x digital zoom
- DUAL Pixel CMOS AF and face tracking
- OSD Recording
- Dual XLR audio input with 4ch audio recording.
- Infra-Red Shooting Support
- USB Video Class (UVC) Supporti
- 3G-SDI (XA75 only) and HDMI output
Canon XA65/XA60 Key Features:
- 1/2.3-inch type CMOS Sensor and DIGIC DV6 Processor for 4K UHD recording
- 20x optical zoom with 40x digital zoom
- OSD Recording
- Dual XLR audio input with 4ch audio recording.
- Infra-Red Shooting Support
- USB Video Class (UVC) Supporti
- 3G-SDI (XA65 only) and HDMI Output
Canon VIXIA HF G70 Key Features:
- 4K UHD 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor
- High Quality 20x Zoom Lens
- OSD Recording
- USB-C Output for Streaming
- Hybrid AF
- Oversampled HD Processing
- USB Video Class (UVC) Supporti
Price & Availability
The Canon XA75 and XA70 professional camcorders are both scheduled to be available in November 2022 for an estimated retail price of $2,999.00 and $2,499.00 respectively. ii
The Canon XA65 and XA60 professional camcorders are both scheduled to be available in October 2022 for an estimated retail price of $2,299.00 and $1,799.00 respectively.ii
The Canon VIXIA HF G70 prosumer camcorder is scheduled to be available in October 2022 for an estimated retail price of $1,249.00.ii
For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. With approximately $30.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), as of 2021 has ranked in the top-five overall in U.S. patents granted for 36 consecutive years† and was one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2022. Canon U.S.A. was featured in Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces list for 2021, ranking among the top 100 companies for employee happiness and satisfaction at work. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA.
i Audio output not supported via USB-C.
ii Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary
†Number of patents for 2021 are based on figures released by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. Figures for 2005 to 2020 are based on information issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
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SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/canon-launches-five-versatile-4k-camcorders/ | 2022-09-07T16:42:08Z |
Jill Biden apologizes for saying Latinos ‘unique’ as tacos
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jill Biden apologized Tuesday for saying Latinos are “as unique” as San Antonio breakfast tacos during a speech to the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization.
“The first lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community,” tweeted Jill Biden’s spokesperson, Michael LaRosa.
The first lady flew to San Antonio on Monday to address the annual conference of UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights and advocacy group formerly known as the National Council of La Raza.
But her attempt to compliment Latino diversity didn’t go over very well when she said that the community is “as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio.”
She also badly mispronounced “bodegas,” small stores in urban areas typically specializing in Hispanic groceries.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists and others registered their offense on social media, with the journalists’ organization tweeting that, “We are not tacos.”
“Using breakfast tacos to try to demonstrate the uniqueness of Latinos in San Antonio demonstrates a lack of cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the diversity of Latinos in the region,” NAHJ said.
The association said the first lady and her speechwriters should “take the time in the future to better understand the complexities of our people and communities.”
Last week, President Joe Biden awarded the former longtime leader of UnidosUS, Raul Yzaguirre, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor for a civilian.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/12/jill-biden-apologizes-saying-latinos-unique-tacos/ | 2022-07-12T15:05:52Z |
Invesco Ltd. Announces March 31, 2022 Assets Under Management
Published: Apr. 11, 2022 at 4:15 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
ATLANTA, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ) today reported preliminary month-end assets under management (AUM) of $1,555.9 billion, an increase of 1.6% versus previous month-end. The firm achieved net long-term inflows of $5.3 billion this month. Non-management fee earning net inflows were $5.5 billion and money market net inflows were $8.3 billion. AUM was positively impacted by favorable market returns which increased AUM by $8 billion. Reinvested distributions increased AUM by $0.7 billion and FX decreased AUM by $3.4 billion. Preliminary average total AUM for the quarter through March 31 were $1,545.1 billion, and preliminary average active AUM for the quarter through March 31 were $1,050.0 billion.
About Invesco Ltd.
Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ) is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. With offices in more than 20 countries, our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. For more information, visit www.invesco.com/corporate.
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.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/invesco-ltd-announces-march-31-2022-assets-under-management/ | 2022-04-11T21:31:03Z |
Combined entity is a leading remote sensing company providing aerial surveillance, LiDAR, oblique and nadir imagery acquisition and methane leak detection for critical infrastructure and assets across North America.
Mesquite, Texas and Calgary, Alberta, August 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Barr GeoSpatial Solutions, LLC has acquired the Airborne Imaging business from subsidiaries of Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE: CLH). The acquisition closed on June 30th, 2022.
Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Airborne Imaging is a trusted partner of many companies and government agencies for high quality, aerial LiDAR acquisition including ground control and data processing. Airborne serves a diverse set of customers across multiple end markets throughout North America including forestry, utility, government, mining, engineering, transportation and oil and gas. Airborne also has the largest privately owned LiDAR library in North America available for purchase. Airborne is continuously expanding and refreshing the library to assist customers with monitoring change and identifying threats to critical infrastructure.
The acquisition enables Barr GeoSpatial to provide existing oil and gas and utility customers with comprehensive asset protection solutions including the most advanced LiDAR sensors and high quality deliverables, oblique and nadir imagery as well as methane leak detection allowing clients to better monitor and protect their assets.
The combination creates the largest, independent LiDAR acquisition platform in North America with eleven combined LiDAR sensors. Barr GeoSpatial Solutions offers the largest selection of LiDAR sensors in North America including two recently purchased Riegl VQ1560ii-S and four Riegl VQ1560ii sensors.
Airborne Imaging Inc. will continue to operate from their Calgary, Alberta headquarters as a standalone subsidiary of Barr GeoSpatial Solutions, LLC under the leadership of Jocelyn Parent and Martin Maric. Barr Air Patrol, LLC will continue to operate from their Mesquite and Conroe, Texas offices as an independent subsidiary of Barr GeoSpatial Solutions, LLC under the leadership of Cort Andrews.
Edward A. Feuerstein has been named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Barr GeoSpatial Solutions, LLC.
Commenting on the transaction, Edward A. Feuerstein, Chairman and CEO of Barr GeoSpatial Solutions, said, "We are excited to bring together two companies with excellent reputations and talented teams. The combination furthers our goal of providing customers with actionable intelligence to better protect their assets and critical infrastructure. We look forward to expanding our remote sensing capabilities and data solutions through organic growth and acquisitions."
Mesirow Financial, Inc. arranged the financing for the transaction.
About Airborne Imaging Inc.
Airborne Imaging, founded in 2004, is one of the leading LiDAR acquisition companies in North America collecting and processing high quality LiDAR and Imagery. Airborne has 11 LiDAR sensors and has collected over 3 million square km and hundreds of thousands of linear km of LiDAR for over a dozen vertical markets in both the public and private sectors. Airborne has the largest privately owned LiDAR library in North America available for purchase and is constantly looking for opportunities to refresh and expand it. For more information, please visit www.airborneimaginginc.com
About Barr Air Patrol, LLC
Barr Air Patrol, founded in 1940, is the largest corridor protection company in the United States, providing DOT mandated patrols for the oil and gas and utility industry. Operating from 23 bases nationwide, Barr's fleet of 44 aircraft fly over 21,000 hours and patrol over 2.2 million miles of right-of-way annually. Barr's Talon 360 enhanced intelligence system allows for continuous capture of imagery on every moment of every patrol. Barr also collects LiDAR, Nadir Imagery and performs methane leak detection. For more information, please visit www.barrairpatrol.com
About Barr GeoSpatial Solutions, LLC
Barr GeoSpatial Solutions is a leading provider of geospatial solutions to help companies better protect and monitor their assets and critical infrastructure.
Barr GeoSpatial Solutions, LLC is a portfolio company of 24/6 Capital Partners, LLC
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SOURCE Barr GeoSpatial Solutions, LLC | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/barr-air-patrol-llc-airborne-imaging-inc-combine-form-barr-geospatial-solutions-llc/ | 2022-08-10T13:20:45Z |
ATLANTA (AP) — A lawyer representing critics of Georgia’s election system said state officials have “erected a series of roadblocks” to voting through their policies and practices. An attorney for the state countered that the critics are trying to prove “democracy failed” the state, but they lack the evidence to prove it.
The statements came Monday as a trial got underway in a federal lawsuit that initially called for a broad overhaul of Georgia’s election system. The scope of the suit was considerably narrowed when some allegations were addressed by changes in state law and others were dismissed by the court. The lawsuit was filed in 2018 by Fair Fight Action, an organization founded by voting rights activist and Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams, just weeks after Abrams narrowly lost her first bid for governor.
The bench trial — which means there’s no jury — is being presided over by U.S. District Judge Steve Jones and is expected to last four or five weeks. Jones has said he doesn’t expect to rule before the state’s May 24 primary.
During her opening statement, Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, an attorney for Fair Fight and the other plaintiffs, evoked the image of U.S. Rep. John Lewis marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 to fight for voting rights. The congressman, who died in July 2020, had planned to be the plaintiffs’ first witness at trial, Lawrence-Hardy said.
“Voting is also a bridge. It is the most basic path to democracy,” she said. Because of the actions of state election officials, she said, “eligible voters in Georgia face roadblock after roadblock as they try to get to that path.”
The secretary of state and State Election Board have made it difficult for Georgians to register to vote, stay registered and cast a ballot that will count, she said.
When Abrams ended her 2018 bid to become governor, she said that under the watch of her victorious Republican opponent, former Secretary of State Brian Kemp, “democracy failed Georgia.” That’s a hypothesis that Fair Fight and its allies have been trying to prove ever since without success, state lawyer Josh Belinfante said.
State officials take very seriously any claims of disenfranchisement or burdens on the right to vote, Belinfante said. The plaintiffs fall short of proving their hypothesis in part because they overlook “the hard work of everyday Georgians,” the election workers who toil under difficult conditions and “just want to get it right,” he said.
The lawsuit initially said state election officials “grossly mismanaged” the 2018 election in a way that disenfranchised some citizens, particularly low-income people and people of color. The issues remaining for the trial have to do with the state’s “exact match” policy, the statewide voter registration list and in-person cancellation of absentee ballots. The plaintiffs allege violations of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Under the “exact match” policy, information from voter registration applications is checked against information held by the state Department of Driver Services. The “flawed matching methods” used by the state inevitably produce erroneous results, Lawrence-Hardy said. Critics of “exact match” have long said data entry errors or differences as minor as a missing hyphen can trigger a non-match and that naturalized citizens can also be wrongly flagged if records are outdated. The problems disproportionately affect people of color, naturalized citizens and residents of certain counties, Lawrence-Hardy said.
Evidence will show that 98% of Georgians have had no problem with the policy and the other 2% can vote after showing a photo ID, which every voter is required to do, Belinfante said. The “exact match” policy has also become “less stringent” as a result of litigation and a 2019 law, he said.
Lawrence-Hardy also alleged that the statewide voter registration database is full of errors, and state efforts to clean the voter rolls of ineligible voters too often result in the erroneous deletion of eligible voters’ registration or critical information being incorrect. Belinfante acknowledged some unfortunate mistakes but said there’s no evidence that the state deliberately disenfranchises voters.
The lawyer for the plaintiffs argued that counties have different processes for canceling an absentee ballot if someone chooses to vote in person instead, and some subject voters to unnecessary burdens. State officials are aware of these problems, which can cause voters to be turned away or forced to cast a provisional ballot, she said.
Belinfante said a 2019 law clarified the process for canceling an absentee ballot at a polling place and poll worker manuals have been updated.
Lawrence-Hardy told the judge that, over the course of the trial, he will hear from people who experienced trouble voting, as well as from experts who have studied voting in Georgia.
Belinfante said the judge will hear from very few people who were unable to vote in 2018 and even fewer who had problems in 2020. Election officials will testify about ongoing measures to ensure the integrity of the state’s voting system and improve the voter experience, he said.
Fair Fight filed the lawsuit along with Care in Action, a nonprofit that advocates for domestic workers. Several churches have also joined as plaintiffs. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/georgia-elections-lawsuit-backed-by-abrams-goes-to-trial/ | 2022-04-12T00:17:11Z |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A brutal Western heat wave brought California to the verge of ordering rolling blackouts but the state’s electrical grid managed to handle record-breaking demand.
The state’s 39 million people were warned Tuesday that demand — some of it from people cranking up the air conditioning — might outstrip supply as temperatures in many areas soared past 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which oversees the electrical grid, issued a Stage 3 emergency power alert — one step below ordering utilities to start rotating outages to ease the strain on the system. The move allowed it to draw on emergency power sources.
Demand swelled in the late afternoon and into the evening, with everyone from Gov. Gavin Newsom to the state’s legal marijuana business control agency urging people to turn off lights and reduce power or use backup generators.
CAISO said the peak electricity demand on Tuesday hit 52,061 megawatts, far above the previous high of 50,270 megawatts set on July 24, 2006.
While there were no rolling blackouts over large areas, two outages were reported in the San Francisco Bay Area cities of Palo Alto and Alameda, affecting several thousand customers for about an hour.
Demand fell as evening fell, businesses closed and dropped sharply after CAISO sent out a message on its mobile phone app begging customers to cut back their use, warning that “power interruptions may occur unless you take action.”
The Stage 3 alert ended at 8 p.m. without major rotating outages. CAISO tweeted that “consumer conservation played a big part in protecting electric grid reliability.”
Even without intentional blackouts, however, tens of thousands of people found themselves without power in Northern California.
Some 35,700 people lost electricity in Silicon Valley and southern and inland areas of the San Francisco Bay Area and most of the outages were heat-related, said Jason King of Pacific Gas & Electric said Tuesday evening. There was no word on when power would resume.
Western states, meanwhile, were still struggling through one of the hottest and longest September heat waves on record. Temperatures began soaring last week and the National Weather Service warned that dangerous heat could continue through Friday, despite some slight moderation.
California’s state capital of Sacramento hit an all-time high Tuesday of 116 degrees (46.7 C), breaking a 97-year-old record.
Sacramento native Debbie Chang was out walking in Capitol Park on Tuesday morning, pulling a wagon of Pop-Tarts and water to hand out to homeless people. She lives in an old house that relies on wall-mounted units that she says don’t work so well. The temperature reached 91 degrees (33 C) in her house Monday night.
“The past few years in California, it’s really rough,” she said. “I really love this state. And growing up I never imagined I’d exactly want to live outside of California, unless maybe internationally. But this is very difficult.”
Sacramento County officials used the air-conditioned lobbies of some of their public buildings as cooling centers for people with nowhere else to go and offering free transportation for people who could not get there. Officials even handed out motel vouchers to some homeless people through a program they normally reserve for the winter, according to county spokeswoman Janna Haynes.
“While a lot of people can stay home, a lot of people do not have a home to stay in,” Haynes said.
In state office buildings, thermostats were being set at 85 degrees (29 C) at 5 p.m. to conserve electricity.
Six places in the San Francisco Bay Area and central coast set all-time record maximum temperatures, including Santa Rosa with 115 degrees F (46 C).
In neighboring Nevada, Reno’s 106 F (41 C) on Tuesday was its hottest day ever recorded in September and smashed the previous record for the date, 96 F (35.5 C) in 1944. It came within 2 degrees of the all-time high for any day or month of 108 F (42 C), set in July 2002 and equaled in July 2007, according to the National Weather Service.
In Utah’s Salt Lake City — a city at more than 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) elevation — temperatures were about 20 degrees higher than normal, hitting 105 F (40.5 C) on Tuesday, the hottest September day recorded going back to 1874.
Scientists say climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. In the last five years, California has experienced the largest and most destructive fires in state history.
A wildfire that started Friday in the Northern California community of Weed killed two people and one that erupted Monday and spread rapidly in the Hemet area of Southern California also killed two people. Authorities said they were found in the same area and apparently died while trying to flee the flames.
___
Associated Press reporters Sophie Austin and Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento, California; Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City, John Anctzak in Los Angeles and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/ap-california-and-the-west-broil-in-record-heat-wave/ | 2022-09-08T01:26:43Z |
- RDK community expands to more than 600 technology companies
- Continued adoption across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RDK Management (RDK) today announced details about the continued adoption of the RDK open source software platform used to power customer-premises equipment (CPE) from broadband and video service providers worldwide.
"Surpassing 100 million RDK device deployments is a testament to the central role RDK now plays at cable, telco, and satellite providers around the globe," said Jason Briggs, President and General Manager of RDK. "RDK has evolved into a versatile software platform that provides operators with consistency and efficiencies across CPE manufacturers, chipset suppliers, and their diverse footprints of transport networks. Members of the community are also exploring new ways to extend the use of RDK into other areas, such as connected TVs, 5G fixed wireless gateways, and more. It's certainly an exciting time for RDK, and our team is fully committed to providing the support and tools our community needs to achieve their technical and business objectives."
The number of RDK devices deployed globally rose to 100 million, up from 80 million last year. RDK is currently deployed across dozens of leading service providers throughout Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia. Service providers with public RDK deployments include: Atlantic Broadband, BCN, Claro, Comcast, Cox, Deutsche Telekom, J:COM, KabelPlus, Liberty Global, Mediacom, Megacable Melita, NOS, Nuuday, Rogers, SFR (part of Altice Europe), Shaw, Sky, Stofa, Telcom Argentina, Toya, Vectra, Vidéotron, Vodafone, VOO, VTR, WOW, Ziggo, and others.
RDK also shared that there are more than 600 technology companies within the RDK community, up from about 500 last year. These companies span leading SoC companies, CE manufacturers, software developers, system integrators, and service providers.
RDK is available at no cost to companies who want to access code, collaborate, develop, and submit software contributions back to the RDK community. For those organizations who need additional technical support or want to promote their activity more actively within the community, RDK offers Preferred and Preferred Plus memberships. Over the past year, RDK also established a RDK Technical Advisory Board (RTAB) for experienced RDK advocates and contributors to drive innovation and technical roadmap development for the RDK community. Recent additions to the RTAB include Beegol, Consult Red, DTVKit, Sagemcom, and Tata Elxsi.
RDK is an open source software platform that standardizes core functions used in video, broadband, and IoT connected devices. By standardizing these functions, service providers can develop and deploy applications and services, across various hardware platforms. A key to RDK's growing adoption is that device provisioning, data diagnostics, reporting, and telemetry are consistent across all RDK software profiles, enabling service providers to manage video, broadband and cameras in a uniform way.
For video, RDK software is also available as part of the RDK Video Accelerator program, which provides development and deployment-ready set-top boxes from leading OEMs. More than 30 suppliers and RDK members are involved in providing products and services to support the RDK Video Accelerator program. In addition, leading premium app companies are launching RDK-specific scaling programs and adopting the Lightning™ App development framework.
For broadband, RDK software provides common support across DOCSIS, DSL, and GPON gateways for routing, Wi-Fi, device management, diagnostics, DNS, and IoT interfaces, such as Bluetooth, Thread and Zigbee. RDK software is also available for IP-connected cameras, delivering common methods to support live video feeds, continuous video recording, motion detection, and watermarking.
Additional information about RDK is available at www.rdkcentral.com.
RDK Management is an open source consortium that manages RDK for the global community. RDK is an open source software platform that standardizes core functions used in broadband, video, and IoT devices. RDK enables service providers to control their device diagnostics data, business models, and apps to improve the customer experience and drive business results. The RDK community is comprised of more than 600 companies including CPE manufacturers, SoC vendors, software developers, system integrators, and service providers. For more information on the tools, training, and events provided by RDK Management, please visit: www.rdkcentral.com.
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SOURCE RDK Management | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/rdk-software-platform-surpasses-100-million-device-deployments-across-leading-cable-telco-satellite-service-providers/ | 2022-09-07T05:42:26Z |
Law enforcement training class donates funds to help victims of April tornados
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (WIBW) - The 293rd class of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center has donated funds to help victims of the Andover tornado.
The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center says its 293rd basic training class awarded a donation to the United Way Disaster Relief Fund on Friday, May 20.
The KLETC said the graduating students collected the funds as part of a class project. It said the $415 raised will go to the United Way of The Plains disaster relief fund which was set up to help families in need from the April 29 tornados.
The Center noted that the funds will provide water, snacks, supplies and more to those affected by the tornado that ripped through Andover.
Officer Daniel Harshbarger of the Rose Hill Police Department and class president for the 293rd class said the tornado affected not only residents of Andover and Butler counties, but also Sedgwick Co.
“We had talked about a couple of other projects before this disaster took place. Some other class members wanted to get together and volunteer with a clean-up”, said Harshbarger. “With the chaos that follows days after something like this, we decided it would be just as good to set up a fundraiser.”
Michael Turenne, the class coordinator for the 293rd, said he knew that the students would do what they could to assist those in need.
“In law enforcement, we know we are one natural disaster from all working in the same jurisdiction to assist the citizens and fellow officers for the area,” said Turenne. “Since the student officers are still in their training, they found another way to help through donations.”
KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck said he was proud the students stepped up to help those affected by the natural disaster.
“This project is an example of the ‘community first’ approach that is stressed throughout the new curriculum at KLETC,” said Director Beck.
Those who would like to help families impacted by the Andover tornado can donate through the United Way’s fund for long-term recovery efforts after natural disasters on its website HERE.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/20/law-enforcement-training-class-donates-funds-help-victims-april-tornados/ | 2022-05-20T20:28:25Z |
Throughout June, the beauty and wellness company is working to improve children's lives in regions throughout the world in celebration of its Force for Good Day
PROVO, Utah, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Nu Skin is hosting its 19th annual Force for Good Day to support its global humanitarian efforts. To celebrate the company's founding and to give back to local communities, each Nu Skin region sets aside a day to participate in service projects as part of its mission to be a global force for good.
At the company's global headquarters in Utah, this year's Force for Good Day is all about inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of belonging and unity. More than 1,000 Nu Skin employees and their families will participate in a day of service to complete 15 service projects. Nu Skin is partnering with 10 charity partners that focus on meeting the needs of vulnerable populations and youth in Utah, including Thanksgiving Point, United Way's South Franklin Community Center, Stitching Hearts Worldwide and CharityVision International.
"Inclusivity is a key part of being a force for good," said Ruth Todd, Nu Skin senior vice president and chief reputation officer. "This year, our projects at our global headquarters are helping disabled, less fortunate and neuro-diverse children with basic needs and experiences, so they can focus on learning and growing. As our affiliates and employees work across the world, we have the unique opportunity to make a global impact, accomplishing more good than we ever could alone."
Some of this year's global Force for Good Day projects include:
- Europe will help suffering individuals and families with rare genetic disorders across more than five countries with a virtual challenge.
- Hong Kong employees will host a family cooking class to promote healthier children and parent relationships while improving nutrition.
- Japan will host a food drive during the month of June and prepare school supply kits for elementary schools and at-risk children.
- Korea is partnering with World Vision Korea to assemble 180 special meal kits for local families.
- Mainland China will be reading books to children online and participating in other uplifting activities.
- Thailand is helping heart patients at Rajchvithi Hospital by providing art kits and other activities.
- South Africa will partner with the Angel's Network to collect 150 winter supply packs for those in need.
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) is a global integrated beauty and wellness company, powered by a dynamic affiliate opportunity platform. The company helps people look, feel and live their best with products that combine the best of science, technology and nature. Backed by more than 35 years of scientific research, Nu Skin develops innovative products including Nu Skin® personal care, Pharmanex® nutrition and the ageLOC® anti-aging brand which includes an award-winning line of beauty device systems. Nu Skin operates in approximately 50 markets worldwide in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Pacific. Rhyz Inc. is the company's strategic investment arm that includes a collection of technology and manufacturing companies to support growth in the core Nu Skin business. Nu Skin is committed to sustainability, including global initiatives such as transitioning to reduced and sustainable packaging for all products by 2030. The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation also strives to improve children's health, education and economic circumstances throughout the world. For more information, visit nuskin.com.
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SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/nu-skin-kicks-off-its-global-day-service-with-projects-children/ | 2022-06-14T15:53:25Z |
Sears wins 1st MLB start, depleted Yanks blank Orioles 2-0
By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — JP Sears pitched five poised innings to win his first career start and the no-name relievers left in New York’s banged-up bullpen finished a five-hitter as the Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Aaron Judge doubled and scored on a single by Miguel Andújar — his first RBI in the big leagues this season. New York added a second run in the fourth on a throwing error by rookie catcher Adley Rutschman. Fill-in closer Clay Holmes struck out Jorge Mateo with runners at the corners to end it. Before the game, the ailing Yankees placed slugger Giancarlo Stanton and reliever Jonathan Loáisiga on the injured list. The team has lost eight players to injuries or COVID-19 protocols in recent days. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/25/sears-wins-1st-mlb-start-depleted-yanks-blank-orioles-2-0/ | 2022-05-26T09:22:48Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Don’t get caught bored this summer. There are so many things to do in North Texas that there’s no excuse to be without plans.
If you don’t know where to look to find the coolest events going on, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what’s going on at The Boardwalk at Granite Park during the month of July!
- Every Sunday: Farmer’s Market at The Boardwalk
- 11:00am-4:00pm
- Fresh produce, homemade goods, and much more
- 11:00am-4:00pm
- July 16th: Brunch and Blooms at The Boardwalk
- 10am- 2pm
- Every 3rd Saturday: Flower Bar by Stemmed + Found Co. comes to The Boardwalk!
- 10am- 2pm
- July 16th: Live Music – Don Louis
- 7:30pm-10:30pm
- Perfect for date night, or fun family outing
- Nationally known performing artist and songwriter
- 7:30pm-10:30pm
- July 30th: Summer Move Series – Camp Gladiator
- 10am-11am
- 60-minute full-body workout at The Boardwalk
- 10am-11am
- July 30th: Live Music – Dez & Mike
- 7:30pm-10:30pm
- Perfect for date night, or fun family outing | https://cw33.com/news/local/things-to-do-at-the-boardwalk-at-granite-park-this-july/ | 2022-07-14T22:04:00Z |
FARMINGTON, Conn., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share of Otis' common stock. The dividend will be payable on September 10, 2022, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 19, 2022.
About Otis
Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2 billion people a day and maintain more than 2.1 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 70,000 people strong, include 41,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @OtisElevatorCo.
Cautionary Statement
This release includes statements related to anticipated earnings, cash flow and dividends that constitute "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Past dividends provide no assurance as to future dividends. The payment and amount of future dividends could vary significantly from past amounts due to a number of risks and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include: (1) the effect of economic conditions in the industries and markets in which Otis and its businesses operate in the U.S. and globally and any changes therein, including financial market conditions, fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, levels of end market demand in construction, pandemic health issues (including COVID-19 and variants thereof and the ongoing economic recovery therefrom and their effects on, among other things, global supply, demand and distribution), natural disasters and the financial condition of Otis' customers and suppliers; (2) risks associated with indebtedness; (3) challenges in the development and production of new products and services; and (4) the effect of changes in laws and regulations and political conditions in countries in which we operate, including the effect of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and other factors beyond our control. The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary from those stated in forward-looking statements, see the reports of Otis on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC from time to time. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Otis assumes no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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SOURCE Otis Worldwide Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/otis-declares-quarterly-dividend-029-per-share/ | 2022-07-28T21:52:32Z |
San Antonio native Chris Flores selected out of hundreds of applicants to travel statewide in search of Texas' best tacos
AUSTIN, Texas, July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Favor Delivery, the Texas-based on-demand delivery service that launched a statewide search for its first-ever Chief Taco Officer in April 2022, announced today that Chris Flores of San Antonio, Texas has been named to the coveted position. Selected from hundreds of applicants, Flores will travel across Texas in search of the best tacos the Lone Star State has to offer, while documenting and sharing his experience.
Flores will receive over $10,000 for his role as Chief Taco Officer – taste testing tacos across Texas over the course of two months – as well as food, transportation, accommodations, custom Favor swag, and free delivery from Favor for a year.
"Our goal was first and foremost to find someone who has a genuine passion for tacos, storytelling, and the history and culture of tacos in Texas, and Chris is exactly that," said Jag Bath, Favor CEO. "We've delivered over 11 million tacos across Texas since Favor's launch – and as a Texas-born and Texas-based company, needless to say, we take tacos very seriously. We cannot wait for Chris to share his taco journey with the rest of Texas, and really showcase a core component of our state's cuisine and culture."
Flores is a native Texan, born in the city he still calls home – San Antonio – and believes every city across the state has their own story to tell through their tacos.
"I love Texas because of the melting pot of different cultures that have migrated here and adopted the taco into their cuisine," said Chris Flores, Favor's Chief Taco Officer. "I'm so excited for this opportunity to travel Texas while seeing and tasting the different impact the taco has had on each region."
Flores will begin documenting his travels and taco experiences in July 2022, visiting Dallas-Fort Worth as the first stop on his trip. As part of the Chief Taco Officer's journey, Flores will also travel to the greater areas of Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Houston, Lubbock, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Waco, and more.
In celebration of Favor's new Chief Taco Officer, the on-demand delivery service is also offering Texans free delivery on tacos today. Get $0 delivery fees on any order from the Free Taco Delivery category in the Favor app on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
To learn more about Flores and share recommendations for taco restaurants across Texas with Favor's Chief Taco Officer, visit favordelivery.com/CTO. Visit Favor's Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Youtube and follow the hashtag #FavorCTO to follow Flores' journey as Chief Taco Officer.
Favor's taco stats across Texas
- Total number of tacos delivered across Texas: Over 11 million
- Most popular meal time to order tacos: Breakfast
- Most ordered breakfast tacos: 1) Bean and Cheese 2) Bacon, Egg and Cheese 3) Potato, Egg and Cheese 4) Migas 5) Chorizo and Egg
- Most ordered taco meat: 1) Chicken Fajita 2) Chorizo 3) Shrimp 4) Beef Fajita 5) Brisket
- Most popular salsa to order with tacos: 1) Roja 2) Poblano 3) Verde 4) Tomatillo 5) Chipotle
- Most popular side to order with tacos: 1) Salsa 2) Queso 3) Guacamole
- Most popular drinks to order with tacos: 1) Sweet Tea 2) Coke 3) Coffee 4) Dr Pepper 5) Lemonade
Favor is the easiest way to get anything delivered in under an hour. Whether it's lunch at the office, a household shopping list, or those errands you just don't have time for — your delivery driver (we call them Runners) can deliver it in just a few taps. Founded in 2013, in Austin, Texas, Favor currently operates in more than 200 cities across Texas with over 100,000 Runners, who have delivered more than 60 million Favors to date. For more information, visit favordelivery.com and follow Favor on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Youtube.
MEDIA CONTACT: press@favordelivery.com
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SOURCE Favor | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/favor-delivery-selects-its-first-ever-chief-taco-officer/ | 2022-07-12T14:13:12Z |
STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Adroit Trading Technologies, a leading trading system for institutional buyside managers, today announced that it has been mandated as EMS across OTC and crypto assets by Invesco Ltd., one of the largest and most progressive global investment managers. As EMS, Adroit provides a single tool for Invesco's global trading desks across pre-trade, execution, and post-trade functions. Adroit integrates with Invesco's OMS, PMS and risk systems, and with their multiple downstream providers.
"We created Adroit in 2014 to handle complex, demanding OTC-heavy clients, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a client more influential or cross-asset than Invesco. Our conversations with clients tend to cut across swaps, bonds, futures and FX, and Invesco is one of the first investment managers to incorporate crypto into their business" said Greg Azrak, Head of Business Development at Adroit. "We couldn't be more excited to work with Invesco and we look forward to helping them on their journey across global FICCC derivatives and cash markets."
Invesco has engaged Adroit as EMS across its global trading centers and plans to facilitate its first trades over the next several weeks.
Since 2014, Adroit has offered the leading multi-asset front office EOMS solution, and empowers the most sophisticated of global investment managers. It is designed from the ground up to handle the intricacies of trading complex assets, including OTC derivatives, bonds, FX, and listed products. Adroit brings a passion to maximizing trader productivity while minimizing transaction costs. Our architecture features open APIs, for speedy implementation and maximum flexibility.
We know OTC.
sales@adroit-tt.com, 203-406-7150
www.adroit-tt.com
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SOURCE Adroit Trading Technologies | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/invesco-chooses-adroit-cross-asset-ems/ | 2022-08-03T14:46:19Z |
Home where man’s body was found encased in concrete now on the market
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow/Gray News) - The Hawaii home that was the site of a gruesome murder is now up for sale.
It’s been almost five months since HawaiiNewsNow reported on 73-year-old Gary Ruby’s remains being found in the Loa Ridge house.
Ruby’s property is currently listed at nearly $2.5 million.
Real estate consultant Stephany Sofos said the home’s history would be a big question among potential buyers.
“For me, as the broker, the first thing I would tell the family members, let’s get this house blessed,” Sofos said. “Any broker who takes on the listing of that property has to disclose somewhere or another that there was some type of circumstance where someone died.”
Police said Ruby was murdered in this home in March.
His alleged killer, Juan Tejedor Baron, reportedly confessed to strangling his lover after the victim admitted to being HIV positive. New court documents say another man who identified as Baron’s boyfriend then recalls Baron telling him that he was wanted as a middleman for a drug cartel run by Gary’s brother.
In a phone call with his mom, Baron supposedly paid $10,000 to marry a Houston woman to obtain his green card.
The documents say Baron and his family worked at a car dealership, mainly selling to illegal immigrants so they could raise prices.
Baron also claimed that his lawyer told him that his defense is that he does not speak English.
But court documents said he is fluent and had no problem understanding officers when questioned at the scene of the murder.
Ruby’s home on Lelekepue Place is a three-bed, three-bath property.
Sofos said it’s not uncommon for crime scene homes to hit the market quickly.
“Family members have to move on, and they’re just trying to move forward and sell it,” she said.
The real estate consultant said homes in the gated community are valued between $2 to $9 million.
But she said potential buyers should know what they’re getting into with the purchase.
“I would want to know if the murderer has been convicted, if he’s in jail, walking around, what’s the history?” Sofos said. “How am I going to be protected? Have the keys been changed? All of that is involved.”
Baron’s trial is currently set to begin on Aug. 29.
Copyright 2022 KHNL/KGMB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/02/home-where-mans-body-was-found-encased-concrete-now-market/ | 2022-08-02T22:26:50Z |
Absentee ballots now available for August primary election in Sarasota County
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Vote-by-mail ballots are now available for the Sarasota County primary election on Aug. 23, the supervisor of elections office has announced.
Voters may request their ballot online at SarasotaVotes.gov/VotebyMail or by calling 941-861-8618. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed is 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13. Under Florida law, all registered voters are eligible to vote by mail.
Completed ballots may be returned by mail or in person but must be received in the elections office by 7 p.m. election night to be counted. The cost to return a ballot by mail is one Forever stamp or 60 cents postage.
Supervisor of elections Ron Turner said voted ballots may be dropped off in person at secure ballot intake stations, located inside elections offices in Sarasota, Venice and North Port as follows:
- Now through Friday, Aug. 12, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 13 to Monday, Aug. 22, daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug, 23 (election day), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sarasota County elections offices are located at:
- Terrace Building, 2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota
- R.L. Anderson Administration Building, 4000 Tamiami Trail S., Venice, Room 114
- Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port
Ballots may also be dropped off during early voting, from Aug. 13-21, including weekends, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to a ballot intake station located inside the following early voting sites:
- Terrace Bldg., 2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota
- R.L. Anderson Admin Bldg., 4000 Tamiami Trail S., Rm. 114, Venice
- Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port
- North Sarasota Public Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota
- Fruitville Public Library, 100 Apex Road, Sarasota
- The Devyn Event Center, 7113 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Turner urges voters to follow the instructions included with vote-by-mail ballots to ensure their ballots are counted. Voters should complete and sign the voter’s certificate on the ballot return envelope and the voter’s signature should match the signature on record. Voters may track their vote-by-mail ballots and sign up to receive vote-by-mail ballot status notifications at SarasotaVotes.gov/VotebyMail.
Voters with questions may contact the Vote-by-Mail team by calling 941-861-8618.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/05/absentee-ballots-now-available-august-primary-election-sarasota-county/ | 2022-07-05T13:18:58Z |
MINNEAPOLIS, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Minneapolis-based branding agency, Franke+Fiorella, is proud to share the story of its role in developing the brand identity for Friends & Co, an organization focused on helping older adults thrive in meaningful relationships.
Franke+Fiorella led the Friends & Co leadership team through its proven process to develop everything from a distinctive brand strategy and messaging platform, to a compelling logo and visual identity system. "Designed to be more approachable and engaging for older adults as well as volunteers and donors, the logo features an underscored "co," to draw attention to the organization's purpose of fostering connection, companionship and community for older adults," said Craig Franke, Franke+Fiorella's creative director.
The interplay of shapes, icons, colors, and photography helps to build a strong, recognizable brand identity while conveying the organization's compassionate nature. "We're excited about our new brand identity which better reflects who we are today," said James Falvey, Friends & Co's executive director.
All design and messaging was informed by competitive research and focus groups held with various members of Friends & Co's target audience. A comprehensive brand style guide enables consistency in brand expression across all communications — from website and social media to events, wall graphics and printed marketing materials. Going far beyond logo, fonts and design elements, the brand guidelines also offer direction for messaging, helping to build a strong brand presence from launch day, forward. Learn more about our work for Friends & Co at: https://frankefiorella.com/work/friends-co-brand-identity/.
Franke+Fiorella is a leading branding agency specializing in brand strategy, identity design and rebranding for B2B and B2C brands in education, health care, agribusiness and manufacturing. Founded in Minneapolis in 1993 by Craig Franke and Deb Fiorella, Franke+Fiorella offers clients significant value through their expertise in building brands that drive revenue and growth. For more information, call 612.338.1700, email deb@frankefiorella.com or visit www.frankefiorella.com.
Media Contact:
Deb Fiorella, President, Director of Strategy and Insights
612-963-4331 deb@frankefiorella.com
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SOURCE Franke+Fiorella | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/frankefiorella-helps-little-brothers-friends-elderly-mn-chapter-rebrand-friends-amp-co/ | 2022-07-21T15:45:05Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Are you planning a move soon? Moving can be a difficult task when doing it alone; however, there are tons of great companies who are here to help.
But you know what they say “one bad apple spoils the bunch”. That’s why the Better Business Bureau of North Central Texas is warning North Texans to avoid the following North Texas movers. Each of these movers has a BBB ‘F’ rating.
Monica Horton, BBB of North Central Texas Spokesperson, said, “Moving is stressful enough without worrying about your household goods being lost, arriving damaged, or missing items. If you plan to hire a mover, ensure their proper licensing is in place, and any requests for payment before the move is a red flag.”
Sirius Van Lines LLC
This mover had its license revoked by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in July of 2021.
Van Lines Express Brand LLC
The BBB says one customer moving from California to South Carolina reported that this company had only delivered a portion of their furniture and the rest went missing. The portion that didn’t go missing was went and damaged.
Move Us To Relocation LLC
BBB officials have identified a pattern of complaints against this company related to marketplace behavior. Complaints allege the company took payments but never delivered the furniture.
For the full report, click here. | https://cw33.com/news/local/moving-bbb-of-north-central-texas-says-to-avoid-these-north-texas-movers/ | 2022-08-10T21:05:14Z |
TROY, Mich., April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Signal Restoration Services was founded as Signal Building Company in 1972 in Detroit, Michigan. In 1981, Chris and Barb Ammann bought Signal and over the next 30 years grew the company by cultivating a strong family atmosphere, delivering exceptional customer service, and controlling quality by staying involved in every Signal project. After three decades of continued growth in the Metro Detroit area, Chris and Barb sold Signal to Mark Davis and Frank Torre in 2012.
Signal's annual revenues were just under $10 Million annually.
Davis and Torre immediately transformed the company into a nationwide commercially focused restoration company performing projects from coast to coast. This rapid growth was fueled by a combination of acquisitions in California and New York, recruiting some of the most experienced talent in the restoration industry, and performing a $133 Million project restoring five hospitals for New York City after Super Storm Sandy.
Signal quickly emerged as an industry leader in large and complex property restoration and reconstruction projects. Signal's culture of delivering Relentless Customer Service is the cornerstone of the company's success.
In 2020, Signal merged with Express Remediation & Reconstruction, LLC to expand the company's industry expertise in reconstruction, roofing, large loss sales, national accounts, and enhanced geographic coverage. The combination of mergers, bolt-on acquisitions, recruiting best-in-class talent, establishing Strategic Partner Relationships, and delivering Relentless Customer Service has yielded the company's remarkable growth.
"In 2022, as Signal celebrates our 50th anniversary, we are more focused than ever in delivering Relentless Customer Service to our clients", said Davis. "We are honored to serve the restoration industry as one of the largest and most respected privately owned disaster restoration contractors in North America."
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, Signal is hosting nationwide events in Detroit, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami. Signal is ON THE MOVE!
About Signal Restoration Services
Signal Restoration is a world-class property restoration general contractor, providing relentless customer service throughout North America and the Caribbean. The company services our projects from our regional offices and Rapid Response Locations from coast to coast. Signal specializes in fire, water, storm, mold, hurricane, earthquake, emergency, and reconstruction services as well as full-service roofing and Cap Ex work. Servicing clients in all industries including Healthcare, Education, Government, Hospitality, Multi-Family, Retail, and Industrial.
Signal's mission is to provide Relentless Customer Service to all our clients. We strive to immediately and consistently deliver exceptional results whenever and wherever disaster strikes. Signal is ON THE MOVE!
Signal is always ONCALL 24 | 7 | 365. For more information, please call us at 800.533.9898 or visit signalrestoration.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: 800.533.9898
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SOURCE Signal Restoration Services | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/signal-restoration-is-celebrating-50-years-service/ | 2022-04-11T19:20:37Z |
Officer’s job offer with police department revoked due to HIV diagnosis, DOJ says
CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (Gray News) – The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against a town in Indiana for discriminating against a police officer diagnosed with HIV.
According to the Department of Justice, the lawsuit alleges the police department in the town of Clarksville revoked a job officer to a qualified person based on his diagnosis.
The DOJ said the officer had been successfully working for the police department as a volunteer for over a year and was fully qualified for the position.
“Every day, we depend on law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “Those who are qualified and seek to serve their communities should not be subjected to unlawful discrimination.”
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from discriminating against anyone skilled for the position on the basis of disability.
“No qualified individual should lose a hard-earned career opportunity because of misguided views about their disability that are not supported by medicine or science,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit reflects the Justice Department’s firm commitment to protecting qualified workers, including those with HIV, from unlawful employment discrimination.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/26/officers-job-offer-with-police-department-revoked-due-hiv-diagnosis-doj-says/ | 2022-04-26T20:18:09Z |
NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SOULSHOP, the fastest-growing faith media and lifestyle startup, partnered with some of the biggest Christian creators on content and community initiatives for social media platforms and streamers.
By rapidly partnering with established and rising talent at the cross section of faith and culture, SOULSHOP is quickly becoming the hub for consumers and creators driven by faith.
SOULSHOP recently added several high-profile investors in the faith and culture space to their cap-table - including Lecrae, Warryn Campbell, Chris Wagner and Talia Bender-Small.
"We are building the next-gen community of faith. The communal aspects of faith have yet to adapt to how younger audiences engage with each other, with content, and with God. We're changing that by working with the platforms and talent these audiences already engage with and love, and bringing faith to the forefront of culture," said SOULSHOP CEO Dan Luxenberg. "We believe wholeheartedly that by taking this new approach to content, we're building a company for billions of people worldwide that will entertain and guide them towards their faith."
In addition to partnering with Jay Sage, Ariel Fitz Patrick and Wande, SOULSHOP has partnered with leading digital talent DJ Mykael V, Montana Tucker, Joe Navarro, Jordan & Darin Starks, Pastor Michael Fisher, artists Bryan Michael-Cox, Robert Glasper, and The Walls Group, and professional athletes chronicling their faith journeys.
The brand is growing exponentially and, according to Luxenberg, "not taking the low-hanging fruit. We're creating culture-defining content and experiences for our audience to grow with each other."
SOULSHOP provides a space for their community of creators and consumers to engage with each other, other creators, and SoulShop's content.
"Content is at the center of this ecosystem," Luxenberg emphasized. "We're making faith accessible and relatable for a digital native generation."
SOULSHOP is a content driven community rooted in faith and focused on engaging next-gen audiences with God, and with each other. By partnering with creators to produce and distribute dope and relevant faith-driven content, SOULSHOP seeks to inspire, educate and engage young audiences in their faith.
Follow along on Instagram or join the conversations on Discord.
CONTACT: hello@soulshopstudios.com
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SOURCE SoulShop | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/soulshop-partners-with-christian-social-media-stars-artists-including-jay-sage-ariel-fitz-wande/ | 2022-09-07T16:34:33Z |
Hartville police chief Larry Dordea announces retirement
Hartville Village Council
Monday meeting
KEY ACTION: Hartville Police Chief Larry Dordea announced his retirement from the department effective at the end of September.
DISCUSSION: Mayor Cynthia Billings said she and Dordea have been in discussions about his decision to retire for the past year. “Yes, I am leaving,” Dordea said. “This is not the great job it should be. We’ve done tremendous things for this village [but] village Council ignores us.”
Dordea made his comments during a Council discussion on the feasibility of expanding the current police department facilities. Council approved a $3,200 contract with an architectural firm, plus expenses not to exceed $5,000, to determine if an expansion of the current facility meets the recommendations in the village’s current police facility feasibility study.
Councilwoman Sheri Chambers voted against the contract. The feasibility study recommended a 6,000 square foot facility at an estimated cost of $2 million to $2.65 million. In March 2021, Council unanimously approved the purchase of a 6,500 square foot commercial building at 526 S. Prospect Ave., ostensibly for the purchase of renovating it for a new police facility.
OTHER ACTION:
- Had a second reading of legislation amending the village ordinance related to solicitors in the village, with exemptions for solicitation relative to political candidates and ballot issues. Councilman Jim Sullivan also suggested creation of a no-knock list, with residents being able to mail in or call in a request to be added to this list.
- Billings reported the first trash pick-up by Republic Services will be Sept. 6 and each Monday thereafter following Council’s decision at an Aug. 1 special meeting to switch trash and recycling service from Kimble Companies to Republic.
- Approved a motion for the village to seek bids for paving program. Village Engineer Sam Awadallah said the bid request would include options for paving in both 2022 and 2023.
- Announced the cancellation of the regularly scheduled Aug. 22 Council meeting in observance of Council’s summer break, with the next regular Council meeting scheduled for Sept. 12.
UP NEXT: Meets for its next regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at e Village Hall, 202 W. Maple St. and online at www.facebook.com/VillageofHartville.
Brian Lisik | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/hartville-lake/2022/08/11/hartville-police-chief-announces-retirement/65400142007/ | 2022-08-11T18:04:49Z |
Physicians Mutual Pet provides a variety of coverage options for cats and dogs
OMAHA, Neb., June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Physicians Mutual announces the launch of Physicians Mutual Pet, pet health insurance for cats and dogs. Pet parents can now easily sign up and help protect their furry loved ones - of any age or breed - with a variety of affordable and customizable coverage options. Physicians Mutual Pet is currently available in 34 U.S. states amid a national rollout.
Physicians Mutual is a national provider of health, life and retirement products. Physicians Mutual Pet joins the company's existing products, including Medicare Supplement, dental, life and supplemental health insurance along with coverage for funeral pre-planning. The Physicians Mutual family includes Physicians Mutual Insurance Company and Physicians Mutual Life Insurance Company.
"The Physicians Mutual brand is all about spreading joy. Adding Physicians Mutual Pet to our line of products is a perfect fit as we know how much joy our pets bring into our lives," said Rob Reed, president and CEO at Physicians Mutual. "We all want to help keep our pets happy and healthy, and we don't want the financial worry when they need care. We developed Physicians Mutual Pet to provide that peace of mind so pet parents know they're getting the coverage they need and their pets can receive the best care possible when and where they need it."
Physicians Mutual Pet insurance is one of few providers to offer inclusive coverage, meaning no matter how young or old the pet, or what breed, they are covered. Other distinctive benefits are the ability to see any veterinarian, customizable deductible options with a $0 deductible and diminishing deductible availability, as well as a waived co-pay and deductible in emergency, life-saving treatment situations. Pet parents can also choose options that include coverage for wellness visits, such as exams, dental treatments and vaccinations.
Pet insurance began in the U.S. in 1983, when Lassie, the star collie of the TV show, became the first dog to have pet insurance. Today, nearly 4-million cats and dogs are insured in the U.S. More pet parents are securing pet insurance as routine veterinary care, treatments and overall pet health costs continue to rise. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, pet insurance in the U.S. has increased at an average annual growth rate of 21.6 percent over the past five years alone. Cats with pet insurance continue to experience a higher growth rate; yet, dogs make up the majority of all insured pets in the U.S.
Physicians Mutual Pet is available to all pet parents. Current active Physicians Mutual customers are eligible for a multi-policy discount. Learn all about Physicians Mutual Pet, including coverage options and comparisons, get an immediate quote and explore fun and educational pet resources in a dedicated pet community at pmpet.com.
About Physicians Mutual
Physicians Mutual Insurance Company and Physicians Life Insurance Company are members of the Physicians Mutual family. Physicians Mutual Insurance Company offers reliable Medicare Supplement, dental and supplemental health insurance, and now, pet insurance. Physicians Life Insurance Company provides important life insurance coverage. The company additionally offers coverage for funeral pre-planning to help meet the growing needs of funeral home owners and the families they serve. The companies have more than $4 billion in assets and consistently maintain some of the highest financial strength ratings in the nation from independent insurance analysts, including A.M. Best Company and Weiss Ratings. Founded in 1902, Physicians Mutual® is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. To learn more about the company, please visit PhysiciansMutual.com.
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SOURCE Physicians Mutual | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/covering-family-physicians-mutual-adds-pet-health-insurance/ | 2022-06-08T16:09:34Z |
NEW YORK, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Arqit Quantum Inc. f/k/a Centricus Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: ARQQ).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/arqit-quantum-inc-f-k-a-centricus-acquisition-corp-loss-submission-form/?id=28680&from=4
This lawsuit is on behalf of: (i) all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Arqit securities between September 7, 2021 and April 18, 2022, inclusive; and/or (ii) all holders of Centricus securities as of the record date for the special meeting of shareholders held on August 31, 2021 to consider approval of the merger between Arqit and Centricus (the "Merger") and entitled to vote on the Merger.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until July 5, 2022 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
According to a filed complaint, Arqit Quantum Inc. f/k/a Centricus Acquisition Corp. issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Arqit's proposed encryption technology would require widespread adoption of new protocols and standards for telecommunications; (2) British cybersecurity officials questioned the viability of Arqit's proposed encryption technology in a meeting in 2020; (3) the British government was not an Arqit customer but, rather, providing grants to Arqit; (4) Arqit had little more than an early-stage prototype of its encryption system at the time of the Merger; and (5) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
1140 Avenue of the Americas
9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
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SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/arqq-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-arqit-quantum-inc-fka-centricus-acquisition-corp-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-5-2022/ | 2022-06-17T10:15:42Z |
Powell, an author of 15 books, is one of the most celebrated political, cultural, literary and hip-hop voices in America.
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas, Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Prairie View A&M University announced today the appointment of the highly-regarded poet, journalist, TV personality and author Kevin Powell to serve as its second writer-in-residence of the Toni Morrison Writing Program.
Powell has penned articles, essays and blogs for a wide range of newspapers, magazines and major websites. His writings have appeared in The New York Times, CNN.com, The Nation, NPR, ESPN, Essence, Esquire, Ebony, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, Complex, British GQ, The Guardian, and ESPN.com. Powell worked at Vibe Magazine as a senior writer for many years, interviewing such diverse public figures as Tupac Shakur and General Colin Powell.
Powell's forthcoming books include The Kevin Powell Reader, a collection of his writings, interviews and speeches covering 30 years of his work and a long-awaited biography of Tupac Shakur.
A native of Jersey City, Powell was raised by a single mother in a community stricken with extreme poverty and violence. His life transformed after studying at Rutgers University in New Brunswick thanks to the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund, a program created during the Civil Rights Movement to benefit poor youth. Today, he has lectured, worked and traveled in all 50 American states and five of the world's seven continents.
Now in its second year, PVAMU's Toni Morrison Writing Program continues to flourish under the direction of Provost Emerita Emma Joahanne Thomas-Smith. One of the most celebrated African American poets, Nikki Giovanni, wrapped up her appointment as the program's inaugural writer-in-residence this spring.
"The Toni Morrison Writing Program's selection of Kevin Powell as writer-in-residence meets the objective: Powell studies; Powell thinks deeply. He takes a stance on a cornucopia of issues, including, but not limited to, social justice, interpersonal relationships, hip hop culture, and environmentalism, you name it. He challenges a multi-generational audience and issues to them a call to action. Given today's socio-political climate, nothing could be more timely, especially for HBCU college students for whom the college years are an apprenticeship for thoughtful, meaningful, intentional participation in the change they wish to see," Thomas-Smith said.
Powell began his appointment on September 1, with his first public lecture scheduled later this month.
About Prairie View A&M University: Designated an institution of "the first class" in the Texas Constitution, Prairie View A&M University is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state. With an established reputation for producing engineers, nurses, and educators, PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degree programs through eight colleges and schools. A member of The Texas A&M University System, the university is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service. For more information regarding PVAMU, visit www.pvamu.edu.
Candace Johnson
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
936-261-1566, cajohnson@pvamu.edu
Marchita Shilo, Communications Manager
936-261-2134
mlshilo@pvamu.edu
The Office of Marketing and Communications, 936-261-1560, www.pvamu.edu/marcomm
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SOURCE Prairie View A&M University | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/poet-journalist-tv-personality-author-kevin-powell-named-writer-in-residence-prairie-view-aampm-university/ | 2022-09-09T00:22:12Z |
UNDERHILL, Vt., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amidst nationwide struggles with learning loss, social-emotional skills and stagnant math scores, the two largest school districts in San Antonio, Northside ISD and North East ISD, have both opted to bolster their existing K-5 math curricula with Exemplars online Library Problem Solving for the 21st Century: Built for the TEKS.
Learn more about Problem Solving for the 21st Century: Built for the TEKS here.
Written expressly for the TEKS mathematics standards, the Exemplars Library provides hundreds of differentiated problem-solving performance tasks along with teacher planning materials, possible solutions and scored student work. Tasks are also available in Spanish to support Dual Language programs or English learners. By focusing on solutions, rather than merely correct answers, the Exemplars Assessment Rubric encourages students to develop 21st Century skills like problem solving and critical thinking.
"When students engage in the solving of rich tasks, they are intentionally developing the skills they need to thrive in the 21st Century; collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving. Students then work to explain their approach for solving the task using representations, language, and mathematical calculations to convince an audience that their conclusion is correct. All together, these expectations help students prepare to address the issues of the 21st Century," says Exemplars CEO, Jay Meadows.
Designed to integrate seamlessly with any school's core curriculum, the Exemplars tasks provide students an opportunity to practice transferring their learning from the classroom to real-world scenarios. Along the way, students engage in rich discussions and become more confident problem solvers and communicators. Cheryl Mutz, Assistant Director of Elementary Math notes that "North East ISD values problem solving as a process of thinking, not a set of procedures. The Exemplars Library provides a variety of contextual math problems that allow students to productively struggle through sense-making, reasoning and discourse."
As a longtime user of Exemplars classic math materials, Northside ISD also took the opportunity to upgrade to the TEKS online Library this year. Tracy Gonzales-Martinez, NISD Instructional Math Specialist and Katie Hitchman, NISD GT Instructional Support Teacher shared that, "Northside felt it was time to expand our use of Exemplars to all 81 of our elementary campuses. The included differentiated task versions and Spanish translations are key tools that help us meet the needs of all learners. It provides teachers with the tools to help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills with their students, as well as teaching students to effectively communicate their thought processes."
- Exemplars materials are research-based, classroom-tested, and successfully proven to be an effective resource for improving student proficiency and learning outcomes in mathematics.
- ESSA research demonstrates significant growth in improved learning outcomes when Exemplars math tasks and processes are utilized over a 3-year period.
- Schools that used Exemplars consistently were able to increase their proficiency scores by 35% on average, compared to their pre-Exemplars scores.
ABOUT EXEMPLARS
Founded in 1993, Exemplars began by assisting educators using K–8 mathematics problems and assessments that met NCTM Standards. Today, Exemplars provides performance tasks, rubrics, and student anchor papers for schools and districts in Math, Science, and Writing.
Exemplars performance material engages students and promotes reasoning, communication, and higher-order thinking. Performance tasks are classroom-tested and may be used for assessment, instruction, and professional development.
Used by educators in 50 states and 33 countries, Exemplars supplemental resources are research-based and designed to meet state, national, and Common Core standards..
For more information, please visit: www.exemplars.com
Media Contact:
Alaina Cioffi
(802) 557-4215
alaina@exemplars.com
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SOURCE Exemplars, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/two-largest-school-districts-san-antonio-adopt-exemplars-math-resources/ | 2022-04-12T14:51:43Z |
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